The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith [Paperback]

Jarrod Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

Get ready to get over yourself with this frank discussion of how God wants us to live. Jarrod Jones takes "backward" and uses it to show you how Jesus turns life on its head. Discover how much fuller your life can be when you revel in living as Jesus taught:giving to gain, losing to win, and turning first and last around. In his down-to-earth style, Jarrod shines light on the lies we use to organize our lives to make ourselves the top priority. But he doesn't leave us floundering in the wake of that discovery. Instead, he gives us a real hope in the backward view of life - the only life that, in the end, truly makes sense.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Admitting to doing life "backwards," Jones makes no apology for it. As the Alabama speaker with Vertical Ministries defines it, a backward life consists of first loving God and then loving others (Mark 12:29–31). As he says, "[L]ove for others is our love relationship with God gone public." Jones exhorts fellow Christians to embrace the "backward" life by exposing secular society's notion that self-esteem, self-promotion and personal power are the chief means of happiness. Controversially, Jones states that low self-esteem has been given an unnecessary bad rap, for it is frequently the catalyst that propels individuals into recognizing a need for God. He uses biblical stories to recount and punctuate his points, arguing that readers must discover the Bible to understand who God is and why God's ways are so unconventional yet compelling. Jones takes a hard line at times, exhorting readers to saturate their minds with biblical principles, plead with God through constant prayer and "bleed" or expunge any plans that take precedence over obedience to God. Though Jones's passion and sincerity are obvious, some readers may find this text lacking in fresh material. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Jarrod continues to encourage me with his love for God and people and his dedication to sharing Jesus with the world." --Mac Powell, lead vocalist, THIRD DAY

"Jarrod Jones is a man seeking glory for his God. I appreciate not only his ability to communicate God's truth with clear relevancy but also his humble spirit." --David Nasser, nationally recognized speaker and author

"With a passion for biblical teaching, an amazing testimony of God's grace, and a pure heart, Jarrod Jones is a man used mightily by God." --Joel Engle, lead pastor/worship leader/speaker/songwriter

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Gresham Hill Publishing (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800731441
• ISBN-13: 978-0800731441
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jarrod Jones, grew up in the small town of Clanton, Alabama. As a college student-athlete (basketball), he received his B.A. degree at Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1995. Jarrod went into the business world until 1997. Entering into ministry, he became a youth pastor and adult teaching pastor at MountainTop Community Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2000, Jarrod pursued his Master of Divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, Kentucky.

As a seminary student, Jarrod was a traveling speaker for weekend retreats, camps, and mission trips. In 2002, he was invited by Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, Connecticut, to co-launch a young adult worship gathering called "CORE." He was also the lead speaker for "The Gathering." While in Connecticut, he met his wife Christie who was serving on The Gathering's leadership team. After graduating seminary in 2003, Jarrod and Christie married. In addition, Jarrod became a full-time, traveling speaker for Reach Your City Ministries, in Nashville, TN. In the last 7 years, Jarrod has traveled and spoken to tens of thousands at camps, retreats, conferences, churches, sports teams, festivals, and public and Christian schools all over the world. In September 2009, Jarrod became the Lead Pastor of Grace Community Church, here in Washingtonville, NY.

Jarrod and Christie have two sons, Josiah (2004), and Titus (2006). Jarrod has authored four books: Worship (co-authored with singer/songwriter Joel Engle, 2004), The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith (Gresham Hill Publishing, 2006), The Backward Life student devotional(Gresham Hill Publishing, 2009), and 13 Ways to Ruin Your Life (Gresham Hill Publishing, 2008). Jarrod has been a special guest on various television shows and contributed articles to various publications.

You can check out his blog at JarrodJones.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, February 8, 2006

By 

Scott Crews (Brentwood, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith (Paperback)

I love this book. I saw Jarrod speak on the topic of the Backward Life, and it was so compelling. It made me completely re-evaluate how I view the world as a Christian. I decided to read the book and loved it! Jarrod is a great writer, and he does a great job of explaining how "backwards" our lives are to the world if we are Christians. He has great stories to make all of his points, and he always manages to back up what he says with the Bible.

I won't ruin it for you, but the end of this book is absolutely incredible. I finished the book and just sat in my chair astounded.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Filled with hope and motivation for achieving a better, more fulfilling way to live., June 5, 2007

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith (Paperback)

In THE BACKWARD LIFE, Jarrod Jones tackles the question that must face preachers every week as they prepare their Sunday sermons: Is it possible to live like Jesus in a culture that worships "self?" According to the author, the answer is a resounding "yes." In this concisely written first book Jones illustrates through his own experiences and those of others how they were able to transition from a "me" centered life to a Christ centered life.

Jarrod Jones was an NCAA Division I basketball player and enjoyed all the goodies that life in the spotlight had to offer. Yet somehow none of this provided satisfaction in any lasting way. He felt empty. In college he began listening to God more carefully and soon his life was turned upside down. When he drew closer to the Creator, "self" no longer occupied the throne in his life. As he learned to focus on Christ and put others first, his life took on new meaning, and fulfillment became a lasting reality.

Whether you are a Fundamentalist or a curious seeker of God, the book does require a basic acceptance of the Bible as the word of God. Jones highlights the Biblical truths that allow believers to understand why they were created, how to make the most of their time while they are here, and what to expect once their life on earth is over.

Just as Jesus was able to refine the Ten Commandments down to two basic statements, the author ably demonstrates how applying these principles will lead to a full and rewarding life. "...The Lord our God is one Lord. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:31). Can you imagine how living by these principles would turn your life upside down?

THE BACKWARD LIFE is filled with hope and motivation for achieving a better, more fulfilling way to live. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural references, Jarrod Jones illustrates his points with humor, passion and an ability that has made him a popular evangelist who brings the good news of Jesus and the Backward Life to more than 40,000 people each year.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warns believers away from the pursuit of self, July 24, 2006

By 

Christian Book Previews "Christian Book Previews" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith (Paperback)

Everyone wants a purpose. Those who trust in Christ and even those who don't are pining for a reason to live, a hope for the future, and fulfillment in happiness. Yet, the great paradox of Scripture is that you must lose your life for the sake of Christ to find it (Matthew 10:39). It is only in the recognition that we are void of life, hope, and fulfillment without Christ, that we can gain those things through Him. Therefore, God uses the stumbling block of the gospel to cause us to break into pieces, and takes pleasure in remaking us in the image of His Son. The Backward Life takes a personal look at where you are finding your fulfillment. The warnings of a pursuit of self are gilded with the unfettered mercy, love, and grace waiting for all who humble themselves under the mighty hand of God in dependence on Jesus, the Lord and Savior of all who believe.

Written in an autobiographical and conversational fashion, this book challenges readers young and old alike to abandon the pursuit of self in exchange for a pursuit of Christ, who is the fullness of all things and in whom all things are summed up (Ephesians 1:10; 23). Jarrod Jones provides a strong argument that we were not made for ourselves, but rather for the glory of God and the pursuit of life hidden in the mercies of Christ. Through a "Solomon-like" testimony of empty endeavors, The Backwards Life warns believers away from empty self-abasement and dependence, which leads to guilt-laden and burdensome living, to a freedom found in the healing balm of life in Christ alone. - Tom Gindorf, Christian Book Previews.com