Average Customer Review:
 

Wonderful book for Growing in Grace, Dec 30 2004

This book is about what it means to BE a Christian (sanctification). Kuypers uses a lot of personal anecdotes but the book transcends its original self-help purpose. Kuypers starts out wanting to help us improve our relationships, but what he achieves, beyond that, is a transparent exploration of his own journey toward a Christian self.

He admits to not achieving perfection, but through the 5 Lessons he explores what it means to think like Christ and how maturing as a child of Christ means evolving a non-judgmental mindset that affects every aspect of your life. This includes your personal goal-setting and your interactions with others.

It's impossible for the author to cover every aspect of Christian life in one book (that's what the Bible is for) and as a very personal text, he doesn't fully explore the idea of vocation. Yet, this overview of the Non-Judgmental Christian mindset delves deeply into ways of thinking and interacting that could positively change the way people experience you.

For me, the best part of the book is the exploration of the non-judgmental Jesus: how He was neither a "hammer," a "doormat" nor a "rescuer" of people. Kuypers explains that other people are what God wants them to be (He is sovereign) and that we aren't supposed to try to change others to suit our idea of what they should be -- even with the best of intentions.

I can't imagine a single Christian, especially Christian men, who will not be affected by this powerful book. Don't miss it.

Challenging Preconceptions Through Self-Examination, Dec 8 2004

In this easy to read format John outlines the ways that people create barriers that hurt each other and themselves. Baring his soul through sharing his own experiences, John's book serves as a study guide specifically designed for men to help improve their relationships with their spouses. This book also serves a secondary purpose for all who read it - men and women alike - to examine themselves to see what they are doing to damage their relationships. This is well worth the read!