5 Stars: Rumors of God by John Tyson

I give this book 5 stars because it tells use how to live a life for God: focusing on love, generosity, grace, community, commitment, justice and hope. I found this book very inspirational and motivating. Right from the very beginning, it was capturing me and pulling me in - it was a "can't put this book down" kind of book. I absolutely LOVED this book. It is an eye-opener and I am a tough critic, so you can trust me when I say, this book is WORTH reading!

Here are a few snippets that took me away:

Have you sensed there was something more to following Jesus.

Something deep in the human heart breaks at the thought of a life of mediocrity.

We want to experience the kind of faith we’ve only read about and heard about.

The desires and dreams of Christians are the same as non-Christians’.

American culture is no longer created by the people. We are being manipulated in the most insidious ways. Our emotions, core values and personalities are under siege from media - book Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America, Kalle Lasn

the bulk of our population is dreaming the same dream. It’s a dream of wealth, power, fame, plenty of sex and exciting recreational opportunities.1

Is it any wonder that young people grow up with a sense of entitlement? They have each been told they are the most important person in the world and deserve to have everything they’ve ever wanted. They are sold the idea that if they get everything they want, they will be happy.

Why do we pine for the things of this world as we do? Perhaps it’s because we have yet to find all we need in Christ himself.

As our heavenly Father he wants to give us good gifts, but we don’t ask. Our attention has drifted from God—and rested on the trappings of the world. With our imaginations held captive, we think all we need is sex, money, and power. All the while, our Father has something better and is waiting for us to simply ask.

All too often we turn down the infinitely valuable in exchange for the trivial.

C. S. Lewis put it like this: “We are . . . like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”9

Life is busy. We live like slaves to our fast-paced, suffocating schedules. There’s so much more that God wants to give, tell, and show us, but we simply don’t ask. We spend our energy and time in triviality, splashing in the shallow end of our souls.

If you keep living like you are right now, what will be the outcome of your life? Apart from a financial, relational, or health crisis, you have probably established your values, patterns, and behaviors—your own personal brand of life. So apart from some major unforeseen crisis, you’ll continue on the same path. You might tweak your life a little, you might upgrade a bit; but, for the most part, you’re going to keep living as you’re living right now for the rest of your life. We map out the way we want things to go and manage our lives to make sure they get there. Instead of being open to the promptings of the Spirit, God stepping into our lives seems more like an interruption than an intervention. We really only want God to step in if he gives us what we want.

How do we see more of the reality and presence of God in our lives? We must prioritize seeking God—we will not accidently drift into it. We must intentionally, deliberately, earnestly make seeking God a priority in the way we spend our time.

My disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson free of charge but I always give honest reviews. I want you to be able to choose the best book based on stars because I know you have limited time and energy to read.