Originally published Tuesday, 05 November 2013.
Editor's Note: To enter Laurie's contest, you need to leave a comment on her personal website. Leaving a comment on iBelieve will NOT enter you in the giveaway.
I just love books, and I've decided to share my favorites with you all. Once a month, I will review and giveaway one of my favorite books. I figure it's a good way to pass along some great titles and give you some insight into what's influencing me and my thoughts. I hope you enjoy these posts and find these resources to be as inspirational and influential as I did!
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This month's book is quite possibly one of my favorite books I've ever read, and it's author may be one of my favorite people I have never met. It's true, I have never personally met Bob Goff, author of Love Does, but I just love this man! {I know that may be a bit weird, but it's true!} Bob has one of those magnetic personalities. He's the kind of guy we'd all like to spend some time with because you just know your time together is sure to be the root of some pretty awesome stories––stories with lasting impact.
Bob loves Jesus, but he's not some obnoxious in-your-face Christian who spouts off Christian principles with little or no action or fruit. But instead, Bob believe the stuff in the Bible, and he acts on it. He believes when God tells us to love one another, we're to actually do it. Love is not purely an emotional sentiment. Love requires action. Quite simply Bob believes "love does stuff."
In his introduction, Bob says,
...we need to stop plotting the course and instead just land the plane on our plans to make a difference by getting to the "do" part of faith. That's because love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn't just keep thinking about it or keep planing it. Simply put: love does.
Love requires action, and that is precisely how Bob lives. This man seems to exude love in all he does, and his book is a compilation of such stories. Stories that will draw you in and make you want to live a life motivated by love. But what I love about Bob and his book is that he doesn't take himself or his life so seriously. Bob has fun lavishing his love on others. His stories are quirky and silly, at times, yet they're endearing and greatly impactful.
At the end of Bob's book, he writes,
One of the things I've learned following Jesus is how much He enjoyed being with people. Except for the time with His Father, there seemed to be nothing He loved more. He didn't just love the idea of being with people either, He actually loved being with them. A lot of people in this world stop being available at some point. It's subtle, because it happens a little at a time and it's not malicious or anything––it happens though. But Jesus wasn't that way. He seemed to have more time for people as time went on, not less. That's one of the things which makes love so powerful; it leaves us a way to find it.
The same thing is true about people who have shaped my world view. I've found that the people in my life who have actually been the most influential have also been the ones who were the most available. If you ever want to talk about any of the ideas in this book that ping you, my phone number is [his actual phone number]. Give me a call sometime if I can be helpful.
I believe this sets Bob Goff apart from just about anyone else I know. He make himself accessible. I can't tell you how many times I've thought about picking up my phone to call Bob to ask if he would fly to Reno to have dinner with my friends and I. And you know, one of these days, I'm pretty sure I'll do just that.
Be sure to check out Bob's book trailer to hear more about Love Does:
{If you're having difficulty watching the video, please click here to view.}
THE GIVEAWAY!
I have one copy of Love Does to give away! To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment telling me what "love does" means to you or why you would like to read this book.
I've learned from my last book giveaway that I need to give you all some more time to enter! So, you have ONE WEEK to enter. The winner will be announced TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12th. Be sure to subscribe to posts by email or check back to see if you won!
The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, ages 18 or up. Winner will be picked using a random generator.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for this endorsement. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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