Have you ever wondered whether or not you could "do" life better? Sure you have, EVERYONE has. It's no secret that within us all is a desire to rise above all that seeks to constrain us and show the world that we can do it. More than half of the movies we watch, the songs we listen to, and the commercials we get enamored by, tell us that we can make life better; and there are innumerous ways to do so. Yet, if we're really honest, not one of us is even close to attaining this goal.

Larry Crabb's book, "The Pressure's Off" is a remarkable journey into the human struggle of trying to make life work. Even more importantly, he addresses the church's attempt to create infallible, untouchable "saints" who are seeking to live as new creations while maintaining an old covenant mentality. And he exposes this for what it is, "blinding deception." God never intended for us to be in charge of getting it right or making it work, yet most of us could probably admit that's generally on what we spend our life's greatest energy.

I've read a lot of books, some that have brought amazing, life-changing revelation, but certainly none more so than "The Pressure's Off." It's not a pleasant, feel-good kind of book, but I'll tell you that after reading each chapter there was life springing up in my soul. I was challenged throughout the book to consider just how deep the lie "that it's up to me" has penetrated my thinking. And, I was excited to see that I'm really free from having to live that way. If you're looking for another formula to live by or a "make me feel better" doctrine, this certainly is not the book for you. But, if you want to find rest, desire to come alive to the freedom given us in Christ, then I can assure you this book will far surpass your expectations.

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Reviewed by Laurie 2/03/06

The Pressure's Off
By Larry Crabb

Ever wondered what it was like to live and walk with the King? Me too. What kind of questions - or doubts - would you have about what you saw Jesus doing? Or would you be too scared to talk about them? Or angry?

Even though this book is about Peter, or rather from his perspective, it does an amazing job of making Jesus come alive in a way that allows us to see His human qualities like they were from the friend we've been longing to have. Along the way, Peter shows just how human he was too. Warts and all.

Imagine being able to drop the notions and assumptions about the whole thing and hear it all fresh like it was just happening. You'll see your own fears come to light and then you'll understand Grace in a way that will make you smile.

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Reviewed by Marvin 8/23/05

The Fisherman
By Larry Hunstperger

I really enjoyed this book from the first pages where Eldridge describes his flight into the St. Elias Mt. Range in Alaska. I knew the range he describes and the dangers it inherently has - only later did I find out that I went to high school with the pilot of the small plane that they were in.

Waking the Dead will help you understand how to live from the heart, care for your heart like the treasure of the kingdom that it is, and give from fullness instead of emptiness. This message also shows how living from the heart can energize your love for God and others in a way you've never experienced, revealing life's purpose: fighting for the hearts of others.

For some reason before I read this book I had almost no awareness of the real battle that I was born into - the one that surrounds me daily. It was almost as if I had swallowed the Red pill in the Matrix. Suddenly there were answers as to why things were so fouled up in my world, but more importantly, the way out was revealed as well

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Reviewed by Marvin 8/23/05

Waking the Dead
By John Eldridge

Most women think they have to settle for a life of efficiency and duty, chores and errands, striving to be the women they "ought" to be but often feeling they have failed. Sadly, too many messages for Christian women add to the pressure. "Do these ten things, and you will be a godly woman." The effect has not been good on the feminine soul.

The message of Captivating is this: Your heart matters as much as anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel as a woman - they are telling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is truly captivating.

What WILD AT HEART did for men CAPTIVATING will do for you.

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Captivating
By John & Stasi Eldridge

This is a message to help you get off the works-righteousness treadmill., to help you discover the liberation of the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ and the rest that comes through what Christ has done on the cross.

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Tired of Trying to Measure Up
By Jeff Vanvonderen

Here is a message about how God's grace can transform relationships within a marriage and family and how to learn the difference between God's job and ours. Harmony can be achieved, says the author, without using manipulative methods.

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Families Where Grace is in Place
By Jeff Vanvonderen

For every vibrant, fulfilled Christian, there seem to be nine who are "doing all the right things" but still feel bogged down, tied up, or burned out. Bob George shows us the way back to authentic Christianity--the kind that Christ had in mind when He set us free.

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Classic Christianity
By Bob George

(From the Author)
After having been a Christian for 29 years and a pastor for 17 years, God brought me to the place where I began to enjoy life in a greater way than I had ever known. Grace Walk is the story of my own journey from legalism into grace. It is a biblical teaching about the identity of the believer with the central theme being that Christ is Life. The book is written for any Christian who has a desire to experience greater victory. I'm just a regular guy to whom God has graciously revealed the truth which the Apostle Paul called "the mystery of the gospel." I guarantee that when you read Grace Walk, you will discover truths which can cause you to experience "what you've always wanted in the Christian life." That's not a sales pitch, but the testimony of a man who has experienced it first hand.

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Grace Walk
By Steve McVey

Watchman Nee's great Christian classic tracing the steps along the pathway of faith and presenting the eternal purpose of God in simple terms. Its central theme: "Christ our Life.

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The Normal Christian Life
By Watchman Nee

You've tried fixing your marriage, your kids, your job. Suddenly the light dawns. It's not your problems that need to be fixed--it's your life! The good news, says Bill Gillham, is that God doesn't ask you to live your life for Christ, but to let Him live His life through you.

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Lifetime Guarantee
By Bill Gillham

Murray comforts us by emphasizing that the work of sanctification and surrender rests on the shoulders of Christ himself, not us. Even in fear and trembling, when we surrender our lives to Christ for His glory, He accepts our surrender and sees it to completion.

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Absolute Surrender
By Andrew Murray

Formerly known as The Power of Passion, this book deals with applying the Love of Christ to dating relationships. It is an invitation to explore your union with the Creator of passion. Author Rob Eagar offers encouraging insight as someone who has endured relational struggles. Through personal stories and scriptural application, learn how the love of Jesus Christ applies to dating issues.

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Dating with Pure Passion
By Rob Eagar

This book, with deep reverence for its subject, takes readers along on a journey of consideration to discover the deeper meanings of the Christian life.

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