In Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You, Jud Wilhite raises some very relevant questions which each Christian must come face to face with.  This is a book that is clearly written to an audience that is already Christ followers and seeks to engage them with the truth that bad theology leads to Christian living and thinking that is not biblical.

The book addresses four critical categories of issues where American Christians have a tendency to embrace bad theology.  These areas are theology about God, theology about ourselves and our position in Christ, theology of the process of change in becoming like Christ, and theology of mission.  Jud builds a logical argument throughout the book starting with a theology of God as the bases.

One of the most attractive parts of the book was the fact that the truths of scripture that were communicated in a clear and biblically sound way using both illustrations and personal testimonies of the people who Jud has had an opportunity to minister to.  The biblical passages were used clearly throughout the book.  The only annoying thing was that the references for the passages were not in the text of the book itself but were buried in the notes pages that corresponded to that chapter.

The section on a theology of change was the best segment of the book.  Jud highlighted that change into becoming more like Christ, also known as sanctification, is a life long process.  This section emphasized the importance of having somewhere to be real.  Somewhere to take off your Christian mask and to be yourself – struggles and all.  The importance of growing in Christ through the context of a local community of faith was also highlighted.  These are very important truths that the American church tends to not address.

The final section on being a missional person who influences culture was a great ending point for the book.  The Gospel should never stop with you or me.  We should always seek ways to embody and proclaim the grace of God through Jesus to the world around us.

Jud Wilhite’s new book,  Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You, releases in stores today.  Make sure and grab a copy because it is well worth your time to be encouraged with the timeless truths from scripture. Embracing good theology strengthens both our relationship with Jesus Christ and empowers us to make a difference in the world.

In Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions to Help You See It and Seize It, John C. Maxwell leads the reader through ten helpful steps for taking your dream, testing the dream, and making the strategic plan to make the dream become a reality.  Maxwell’s book contains the following ten questions to be used in defining and planning to pursue your dream:

1. The Ownership Question: Is my dream really my dream?
2. The Clarity Question: Do I clearly see my dream?
3. The Reality Question: Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?
4. The Passion Question: Does my dream compel me to follow it?
5. The Pathway Question: Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?
6. The People Question: Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?
7. The Cost Question: Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?
8. The Tenacity Question: Am I moving closer to my dream?
9. The Fulfillment Question: Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?
10. The Significance Question: Does my dream benefit others?

These questions form a very good filter for strategic planning to make dreams a reality.  Maxwell has a great ability to break each question down into individual questions and surveys that allow you to further explore the critical issues that he brings to light when preparing to pursue your dream.  This book contains many quotes and stories of people who have succeeded in achieving their dreams.  This is a great resource for filtering your dreams and ideas.  It leads you to begin to ask the questions that will form the pathway to your dream becoming a reality!