What I'm Reading

About the Book

God has a plan to heal the soul's gnawing inner emptiness that is always longing for just a little more.

Every human experiences an inner emptiness of the soul, that gnawing feeling and unquenchable longing that often drives us to sacrifice everything we have and everything we are so we become more beautiful, more successful, and more powerful. We are by design a worshiping people, giving our lives and our devotion to something to pursue and adore, somebody to idolize. What drives this futile attempt for something more is the heart's true desire for significance, worth, and value-a desire that can be met only in the person and worship of Jesus Christ.

Join Pastor Pete Wilson in his exploration of the empty promises of the "good life" that includes the:

seduction of achievement

addiction to approval

attraction of wealth

perils of power

idolatry of religion

obsession of beauty

chasing of a dream

Learn how to replace and not just relinquish these idols by turning your focus and worship toward God. It is the only thing that will set us absolutely free from the endless pursuit of everything else.

 

About the Author

 

Pete Wilson is the founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee, a committed church community that he and his wife, Brandi, planted in 2003. Over the course of 9 years, Cross Point has grown to reach more than 5,000 people each weekend through its five campuses located around the Nashville area, and online. As one of the fastest growing churches in America, Pete's ministry--an outreach focused on helping people become devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to each other, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside of God's family with the Gospel--has made Pete a frequent speaker at national and international church conferences.

 

My Thoughts

 

After reading Pete's first book, Plan B, I couldn't wait to read this one and I wasn't disappointed. One of the things I love about his writing is that it's like listening to him preach - simply stated but deeply profound.

 

This book is all about the idols in our lives. Too often when we think of idols, we limit it to the statue kind. In this book, Pete talks about idols in the context of anything that we put ahead of God in our hearts. When we look to anything or anyone to fill that space inside us that only God can fill, that is the empty promises of an idol.


The chapter that impacted me the most was Addicted to Approval. Needing someone or something to validate my value and worth which can only be found in God. I find myself struggling with this, but the more I get to know Him the less of a struggle it is.


Two things Pete said in this chapter hit home.


"There are few things people fear as must as we fear being unwanted, rejected, and alone."


In one way or another, we all share this fear.


"If you depend on other people approving or supporting everything you say or do, you will end up doing and saying nothing."


This one sentence has stuck with me since I finished reading the book. Am I seeking God's approval in what I say and do or am I looking to people for that? Only when I seek His approval first and foremost will I really be doing and saying something.
 

You can purchase this book at Amazon, Christianbook, and other retailers.

 

You can read more from Pete at his blog

http://www.withoutwax.tv/

and you can also follow him on Twitter

https://twitter.com/pwilson

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.