Read It: For This I Was Born by B. Houston + Greater by S. Furtick

:: entering 2013 I set myself a personal challenge: read one book each week this year; 52 in total. why? if you read well you write well. the essence of this series is about books I read + that you should read… thus, ‘Read It’ ::

Book #6: // For This I Was Born: Aligning Your Vision To God’s Cause, by Brian Houston

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For This I Was Born is an eye, brain, + heart opening book. Penned by Brian Houston, senior pastor of Hillsong Church alongside his wife Bobbie, his knowledge + wisdom seeps through the pages.

This book is incredibly encouraging as it affirms one of humanity’s greatest questions: “what am I doing here? / what is my plan on earth?” – there is a plan for you. And more than a plan, there is a cause.

:: THE RUNDOWN ::

First Sentence: “Time is ticking.”

Number of Pages: 173

Favourite Quote: “Purpose gives our lives new dimension.” (p.99)

Least Favourite Part: Everything feels like it repeats. But on the flipside, it’s good because it causes you to ponder + dwell on the key words more.

Favourite Part: I love how he keeps differentiating between a vision + cause. Eg: “vision is essential but the cause is powerful.” (p. 43), “you hold vision in your hand but a cause grips your heart.” (p. 40). I love this because it’s so common to hear about vision, but cause, well, that’s not often spoken about.

Who should read it? Those seeking the purpose of their life +/or wanting to be challenged + inspired to live a life of greater vision.

// Pick up your copy of For This I Was Born here

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Book #7: // Greater: Dream Bigger. Start Smaller. Ignite God’s Vision For Your Life, by Steven Furtick

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Steven Furtick leads one of the fastest growing churches in America, Elevation Church. Founded in 2006, Elevation has grown from 8 families to over 12,000 people across multiple campuses – amazing!

A couple of months ago I listened to + was impacted by the Steven Furtick’s Greater podcast series. So, reading it in print form was high on my list of ‘must-reads’. Titled, Greater: Dream Bigger, Start Smaller, Ignite God’s vision for your life that’s exactly what it’s about – Dreaming Bigger + Starting Smaller. More than this though, it’s really about living a bigger life. It’s one thing to dream bigger, but it’s another to live bigger. He doesn’t nudge you toward realising this, he pushes you. And that’s more than okay.

:: THE RUNDOWN ::

First Sentence: “I used to want to do great things for God. That was before I found something greater.”

Number of Pages: 205

Favourite Quote: “Some people never get greater because they’re not willing to leave good behind.” (p.46)

Favourite Part: His relevancy to culture. It’s not ‘super-spiritual’ but simply normal + practical. I love how tells the story of his journey from living good to great + now the greater life. Along the way he’s honest with his stories + doesn’t make out that he’s ‘perfect’ (eg: ignoring his kids while being under the pump to get Greater published – he doesn’t sugar coat it. While doing it he realised it’s wrong, ironic, had a revelation, + changed his ways). Even though he’s a pastor of a “mega-church”, he doesn’t hide behind the mask of it.

Least Favourite Part: How challenging it is – it truly wrecks your life (for the better) for anything less than great.

Who should read it? Those wanting to get  out of the rut of living a mundane life. Life can be good, but it is supposed to be greater. And you can live a greater life. This book will help ignite the passion + vision you need to do so.

//  Get yourself a copy of Greater here