Max has enjoyed a double calling in his lifetime—to preach and to write. And the audience for each calling has grown exponentially during the last two decades. Over the last 25 years, more than 65 million Max Lucado books has been sold in every format imaginable – adult books, gift books, children’s books, study Bibles, devotionals, commentaries animated videos, live action movies, and gift products to name a few. At his home church, Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, attendance has grown from a few families in 1988 to more than 8500 people. The sermons preached at Oak Hills Church form the basis of his popular books trade titles.
Growing up in West Texas, Max never considered becoming either a pastor or a writer. He partied his way through high school, giving God and books little attention. He attended Abilene Christian University where a required Bible class on the life of Jesus captured Max’s imagination. Further study at Abilene Christian convinced him to try a short-term mission trip to Brazil. He was hooked.
After graduation Max moved to Miami, Florida, for a pastoral position. One of his duties as associate pastor was a weekly column for the church bulletin. When he and Denalyn moved to Brazil as missionaries, Max compiled the columns and submitted them to 14 publishers. They all declined. The 15th publisher said yes, transforming his collected writings into his first adult book, On the Anvil, in 1985.
Max has published more than 60 adult and children’s titles since then, and those writings have inspired a successful line of cards from Hallmark/Dayspring. The branded card line has sold 15 million units since its debut in 2001. His books have appeared on the most well known national bestseller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, The New York Times, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the Christian Booksellers Association. In 1992 Max launched UpWords, inspirational radio messages.
In 2005, Reader’s Digest magazine called Max “America’s Best Preacher,” and in 2004 Christianity Today magazine dubbed him “America’s Pastor.” He has been featured in countless media outlets and interview shows.
Max currently is the Pastor of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He and his wife Denalyn have been married since 1981. They have three grown daughters—Jenna, Andrea and Sara—and one new son-in-law, Brett.
"These are devastating times: 1.75 billion people are desparately poor; one billion are hungry. Lonely hearts indwell our neighborhoods and attend our schools. In the midst of it all, here we stand: you, me, and our one-of-a-kind lives. We are given a choice...an opportunity to make a big difference during a difficult time. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Worth a try, don't you think?" (From back cover)
"Outlive Your Life" is another challenging book by Max Lucado. The subtitle is "You Were Made To Make A Difference"and that is exactly what Max asks us to consider. In each chapter, we are given contemporary illustrations as well as excerpts from the Book of Acts. At the conclusion of each chapter is a Scripture quotation followed by a prayer, helping us to personalize the lesson that has been taught. Questions for discussions as well as ideas for action are also included. This is not a book meant to be read quickly, then placed on our bookshelf. Rather, we are challenged to act upon what we have read. That is what will make the difference!
I deeply appreciate the message of this book. It is one of the most practical I have ever read on the Book of Acts. My heart has been stirred to take action on what I have read.
100% of the author's royalties from the sale of Outlive Your Life products will benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion. To follow World Vision's use of the funds, go to http://www.maxlucado.com/.
Join the Max Lucado community http://community.maxlucado.com/ and follow Max on Facebook at Facebook.com/upwordministry.
Thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for providing a free copy of the book for review purposes as part of the Booksneeze program.
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