In this provocative work Pastor Piper challenges us to set aside the trivial pursuit of self-fulfillment so that we can develop a deeper passion for God. Piper believes that if we passionately submit the sufferings we endure, the risks we take, and the goals we set to the pursuit of God's glory, then not one moment of our lives will be wasted. Don't miss this opportunity to rekindle your passion for the cross of Christ and the glory of God.
“John Piper has written another excellent book to add to his body of work; Don’t Waste Your Life (Crossway) is valuable reading. The style is easy, but the content will have you going back again and again to extract truth for deeper meditation.
“The opening chapters are autobiographical, setting the stage for principles that follow. He gives credit to his early influences at home, at college, and in his reading. The writings of Jonathan Edwards provided a turning point in his realization of life’s purpose: “The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples.” This concept of joy has been dealt with in his earlier work, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Piper’s topic headings within each chapter are as thought provoking as the content: Is Eternal Life a Heaven Full of Mirrors? Shall We Prize What He Presents or What it Portrays of Him? I found the chapter “Making Much of Christ From 8 to 5” very encouraging, and the subsequent chapter on missions was sobering. Perhaps the illustration that captures the essence of the book best is the story from Reader’s Digest recounted in chapter three, and highlighted on the back cover. Piper tells of the couple that took early retirement in Florida, playing softball, cruising on their boat, and collecting seashells. “Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: ‘Look, Lord. See my shells.’ That is a tragedy.”
“John Piper has a way of presenting deep truth in a way that is engaging and understandable. He has wrestled with his content, and the book’s final chapter is his prayer for the reader to not waste life, to be glad in God at any cost, to treasure Christ above life. You will be humbled as you read.” – Pam Glass, Christian Book Previews.com
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Steve Bolt (Covington, PA), August 03, 2009
Excellent book, be prepared to be challenged. This book will convict and teach you how to be effective in your walk with the Lord.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michael Pawelek (Brookshire, TX), June 19, 2009
I was dissapointed in this book. The author repeated the same few points over and over just using different words and phrases. "I got the point the first 10 times!" The lesson could have been written in 50 pages or less. At the end he also goes completely off subject. I do agree with one premise that we as Christians are "missing the boat" as to what is really important keeping Christ in our everyday lives and actions but his attitude of "I've reached a plateau above most other Christians" is a bit disturbing. Another one of the many recent Christian books where the author, in a covert way, steps down off his cloud to tell us mere mortals why he is a better Christian.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Justin Crosby (Tampa, FL), June 13, 2009
This book is simply amazing. In a world where so many Christians only seem to care about what religion can bring them Piper reminds us that this life is not about us, it is all about exhalting the name of Jesus Christ and finding our ultimate delight in Him. This one is going to be required reading for my youth group mission-team next year!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lynsie Guest (Stuart, FL), May 15, 2009
Amazing book! I bought it for my husband because I knew that he liked John Piper, and he says this book has been an encouragement and challenge to daily submit to Christ and to not waste your life! Great for believers and those searching. A definate read!
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Emily (Fairmont, MN), April 17, 2009
This book is excellent for understanding you walk with Christ from a Calvanist's perspective. It's overall message of not throwing your life away, but being willing to sacrifice it for Christ and realizing what that really means to a deeper meaning. If you aren't a Calvanist, this book still is very good. I would say it's definately a college-age or older book. Junior High students will struggle, not only with is deeply theological messages, but also with the intense vocabulary. Some Senior High students may as well, but it depends on how far they are into their faith journey.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Alan Albro (Oak park Illinois), September 26, 2008
John Piper is one of my favorite authors and this is a great book, but I wonder if I was the only one who read this book with a tinge of despair.
If one is sternly honest with oneself it would seem that the high calling in this book is beyond the abilities of any but a super saint such as Paul or my brother John Piper.
John Piper is probably right in what he states in this book but a bruised reed such as myself has an exceedingly hard time applying this in practical terms to my mundane daily life.
I was not knocked down on the road to Damascus, nor was I born with a spiritual silver spoon in my mouth. No disrespect intended
By all means read this book but if you are honest with yourself you will be disturbed by it and that is most likely the authors purpose in the first place.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bullington-isaacson Cnstrctn (Princeton, IL), July 30, 2008
This book challenges us to live our lives for Christ in a passionate, joyful manner.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jay Watt (Spring, TX), April 03, 2008
The church in America has lost sight of Jesus Christ. It has become inundated with "programs" and gimicky ministries that are as worldly as secular society. This is a book that all Christians need to read.
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