Make Me Like Jesus
The Courage to Pray Dangerously
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
The bestselling author serves up “a marvelous, full-bodied repast for those Christians who seek God’s presence rather than any blessings he might bestow” (Publishers Weekly).
Most of us want to know God more intimately. But are we willing to boldly face the challenge of what that means? Are we truly willing to pray a prayer that may be dangerous in ways we cannot anticipate? Are we willing to ask God to make us like Jesus?
Author Michael Phillips shares from his own life how he has learned to take up that challenge. Then he examines key decisions in the life of Jesus Christ that illuminate what it means for each one of us to be conformed to the image of his son—to love like Jesus, think like him, pray like him, and trust the Father like him.
If status-quo spirituality is for you, do not read this book. It is a dangerous book—dangerous to the flesh—for the journey toward Christlikeness may be painful and costly. Yet that journey leads to the ultimate purpose God intends for all his children: conformity to the image of his son.
“This book is a gem, written from the heart by a man I have called brother and friend for twenty years. Make Me Like Jesus gives us an open, honest look at what it really means to walk truthfully with Christ.” —Jim Ryun, former Congressman, Olympian, and coauthor of Heroes Among Us
“Phillips offers a much-needed corrective to several popular but superficial descriptions of the Christian life.” —Bishop William C. Frey, author of The Dance of Hope
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
It's rare for an author to present reasons why readers shouldn't read his book. Yet Phillips (God, A Good Father; Jesus, An Obedient Son; The Eleventh Hour) does just that: he gently yet honestly forewarns interested Christians that they must be ready to enter the battle of their lives: the war against the self. He therefore implores potential readers to wait to read this until God calls them to this stage of spiritual development. "This is not a book for everyone," he explains early on. In other words, mature Christians only need apply but they will be richly rewarded by the profound simplicity of this book. For over 35 years, Phillips has prayed to become like Christ, and he shares his insights in poignant chapters. He opens by describing the importance of praying with a childlike heart, then explains that Christians must relinquish their own desires so the God can be magnified through them, a necessary step in becoming like Jesus, if Christlikeness is to thrive. Sweetening the bitter road with promises of joy beyond fickle emotions, Phillips describes a God who eagerly awaits the call of his children. Phillips's penultimate chapter on the abiding life is particularly appealing, as he shares his personal affinity for John 15 where Christ is depicted as the vine, God the vinedresser and all believers the branches. This brief book is a marvelous, full-bodied repast for those Christians who seek God's presence rather than any blessings he might bestow. (Jan. 21)
