Outlive Your Life_ You Were Made to Make a Difference - Max Lucado [3]
Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.
Any italics in the Scripture quotations reflect the author’s own emphasis.
ISBN 978-0-8499-4668-4 (IE)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lucado, Max.
Outlive your life : you were made to make a difference / Max Lucado.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8499-2069-1 (hardcover)
1. Christian life. I. Title.
BV4501.3.L856 2010
248.4—dc22
2010004014
Printed in the United States of America
10 11 12 13 14 WC 5 4 3 2 1
Denalyn and I would like to dedicate this book to my sister and brother-in-law,
Jacquelyn and Ken Wallace.
Kinder hearts may exist but not this side of heaven.
We love you.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Finding Father Benjamin: A Fable
1. Our Once-in-History Opportunity
2. Calling Mr. Pot Roast
3. Let God Unshell You
4. Don’t Forget the Bread
5. Team Up
6. Open Your Door; Open Your Heart
7. See the Need; Touch the Hurt
8. Persecution: Prepare for It; Resist It
9. Do Good, Quietly
10. Stand Up for the Have-Nots
11. Remember Who Holds You
12. Blast a Few Walls
13. Don’t Write Off Anyone
14. Stable the High Horse
15. Pray First; Pray Most
16. That’s Jesus Playing That Fiddle
Discussion and Action Guide
Notes
Acknowledgments
Behind this book stands an army of thinkers, strategists, dreamers, and grinders.
Liz Heaney and Karen Hill—Editors who practiced CPR on this book and its author more than once. Astounding work!
Steve and Cheryl Green—Had you lived a century ago, you would have driven a herd of cattle to Montana. Nobody can keep a herd on the right trail the way you can.
Carol Bartley—Is your middle name Precision? Thank you for unleashing your skills on this book.
Mike Hyatt, David Moberg, Susan and Greg Ligon, Dave Schroeder, and the entire Thomas Nelson team—You set the standard for servanthood and excellence. Paula Major, welcome to the team!
Rich Stearns and the World Vision organization—You must keep speaking about the poor. They need your help, and we need your wake-up call.
Randy and Rozanne Frazee—You lift the heart of every person you meet! What a blend of intellect and kindness. So glad to be your partner.
David Drury and Greg Pruett—Tremendous insights from you both. You not only know the book of Acts; you live it.
David Treat—Your steady prayer is like a sturdy wall. Thank you for the cover.
The UpWords ministry team—For every phone and question you answer, way to go!
The Oak Hills Church—The best is yet to be!
Brett and Jenna Bishop, Andrea Lucado, and Sara Lucado—I am stunned by your faith and maturity. If pride were cookies, I’d be the bakery.
And Denalyn, my dear, dear wife—When God created the heavens and earth, the angels watched in silence. When he created you, they broke into applause. I hear them applauding still.
And to you, the reader—This book marks a milestone for me: twenty-five years in publishing. Thank you for encouraging me on this journey. And join me in thanking God. We all know the truth: he is the source of anything good. If my words have helped you, thank him that he still speaks through donkeys like me.
Finding Father
Benjamin:
A Fable
Unfavorable winds blow the ship off course, and when they do, the sailors spot uncharted islands. They see half a dozen mounds rising out of the blue South Seas waters. The captain orders the men to drop anchor and goes ashore. He is a robust man with a barrel chest, full beard, and curious soul.
On the first island he sees nothing but sadness. Underfed children. Tribes in conflict. No farming or food development,