The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life [Hardcover]

Anne Graham Lotz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2009

God longs to call you friend. Are you missing the essentials to living a joyful, purpose-filled life? Are you devoted to your church or your religion but still struggling to find meaning and passion in your faith? Do you love your family, work hard, contribute to your community, but still feel your life is somehow incomplete and hollow at the core? Are you restless in your spirit, with a nagging sense that there must be something more? Gifted Bible teacher Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, has known this struggle herself. As she studied Scripture looking for a way out of the emptiness, she found her answer in the amazing story of Abraham, a very ordinary man who became extraordinary for one pivotal reason: he pursued God in a life of obedient faith, not knowing where that decision would take him. Despite struggling, as we do, with compromise, fear, family, quarrels, failure, doubt, and disappointment, Abraham became a man God called His friend. Anne followed Abraham's lead and began a lifelong pursuit of knowing God, as he truly is, in an intensely personal relationship. Through personal anecdotes, unforgettable stories, and God-inspired insights, she invites you to draw closer to God, who is as committed to you as he was to Abraham and longs to call you friend.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In The Magnificent Obsession, Anne Graham Lotz has sensed that the God who guided Abraham one step at a time is now guiding her life. This should be carefully read by all who are diligently seeking God's will. -- Dr. Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, founder and president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries International <br><br>

From the Back Cover

God longs to call you friend. Are you missing the essentials to living a joyful, purpose-filled life? Are you devoted to your church or your religion but still struggling to find meaning and passion in your faith? Do you love your family, work hard, contribute to your community, but still feel your life is somehow incomplete and hollow at the core? Are you restless in your spirit, with a nagging sense that there must be something more? Gifted Bible teacher Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, has known this struggle herself. As she studied Scripture looking for a way out of the emptiness, she found her answer in the amazing story of Abraham, a very ordinary man who became extraordinary for one pivotal reason: he pursued God in a life of obedient faith, not knowing where that decision would take him. Despite struggling, as we do, with compromise, fear, family, quarrels, failure, doubt, and disappointment, Abraham became a man God called His friend. Anne followed Abraham's lead and began a lifelong pursuit of knowing God, as he truly is, in an intensely personal relationship. Through personal anecdotes, unforgettable stories, and God-inspired insights, she invites you to draw closer to God, who is as committed to you as he was to Abraham and longs to call you friend. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1 edition (August 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310262887
• ISBN-13: 978-0310262886
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, is the president and CEO of AnGeL Ministries (www.annegrahamlotz.com), a nonprofit organization that undergirds her efforts to draw people into a life-changing relationship with God through His Word. Anne has spoken on seven continents, in more than twenty foreign countries, proclaiming the Word of God in arenas, churches, seminaries, and prisons. She is the award-winning author of ten books, including her signature book, Just Give Me Jesus. In 2000 she launched her revival ministry, also entitled Just Give Me Jesus. This free event has been held for hundreds of thousands of women in more than thirty major cities in the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and South America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conversational, personal and scriptural, September 14, 2009

By 

Lynn Baber "Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace" (Weatherford, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life (Hardcover)

When the reader turns the last page and closes the back cover, they will feel they know both Anne Lotz and Abraham personally. The message of this book is the possibility of walking with God as a friend He chooses. Anne Lotz is unreserved as she shares her successes and failures, and the lessons learned from each. Written in an easy-to-read conversational voice, concepts often thought difficult are presented in a style even those who are intimidated by the idea of 'bible study' can handle with confidence.

This is an excellent selection for seekers as well as Christians looking to expand their understanding of relationship with Jesus Christ. I read the whole book in a short afternoon. I am a critical student of Christian writings and found this to be 100% authentic and Spirit filled.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars May be Anne Graham Lotz's best work to date, September 30, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life (Hardcover)

What is your passion? What ignites the glimmer in your eye? What compels you to climb out of bed every morning? In other words, what is your magnificent obsession? For bestselling author and Bible teacher Anne Graham Lotz, she knows only one magnificent obsession: God.

In her latest book, Lotz details the story of Abraham to illustrate a life wholly devoted to God. She describes "meeting" Abraham more than 30 years ago while leading a Bible study. As she read the Biblical text, she found herself resonating with one of the early forefathers of faith: "As I saturated myself in the text, Abraham walked off the pages and into my life --- a very ordinary man who became extraordinary for one primary reason --- he made the critical choice to embrace a God-filled life, to pursue knowing God and making Him known through living a life of obedient faith." Lotz's inspiration from Abraham only goes to show you how the Bible is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. Normal, everyday people can find the strength and the hope in the Good Book's words to give their life direction and meaning, much like Abraham found meaning in God all those years ago.

The chapters of the book follow the journey of Abraham from Genesis 12 through Genesis 24. In each one, Lotz tells of a life principle based on Abraham's own trials and triumphs. In "Let Everything Go," she examines what it meant for Abraham to leave behind the land of Ur of the Chaldeans and enter a new land. She compares Abraham's obedience and wisdom to Lot's shortsightedness and foolishness. The scripture says little about Lot's commitment to God as he isn't known as a man who spent hours in prayer or obeying God's voice. When given the opportunity to divide the land with Abraham, he chose what looked like the best portion for himself. Such selfishness was a hallmark of Lot's life. Rather than leave the compromising lifestyle of Sodom, he chose to stay, and his decision had unforgettable consequences on his family. In the end, Lot did not consider God his magnificent obsession, and his choices were costly to himself and those he knew.

The examination of Lot's life stands in stark contrast to Abraham, who, though he made mistakes, took matters into his own hands and even lied on occasion, was quick to turn back to God and depend on Him. One of the best chapters, "Lay Everything Down," examines the harrowing moment when God called Abraham to sacrifice his own son. God's command was both personal and painful, yet Abraham chose to obey. The confidence in God's power, promise and person carried Abraham through and resulted in an unforgettable Biblical lesson.

Throughout the book, Lotz draws on compelling stories from her own life. She shares a time when she was stranded in Europe, mad at God, and found herself blessed wildly by a complete stranger. She describes her own struggles in prayer, obedience and pursuit of God candidly. As a result, her writing and material is accessible to a wide range of readers.

THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION may be Anne Graham Lotz's best work to date. It's highly recommended for fans of Lotz, Bible studies and small groups everywhere.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Oines

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Deeply Personal, September 21, 2009

By 

Mary Singer Wick (Raleigh, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life (Hardcover)

Anne is so open and honest about her personal relationship with Jesus, as well as her challenges. I was drawn in from the first chapter as she brought to life Abraham's faith and failures in a deeper way. This book is so much more than Anne sharing stories of her life, it's a journey of faith that inspires its readers to walk closer to the Savior who loves them. I was particularly moved by her triumph over the reaction of her godly family to her calling into ministry. They initially viewed it as a "holy hobby", and were not very supportive. Anne (like Abraham) trusted God's voice, and He prepared the way for her. Because she listened and obeyed, many (like me) are truly blessed! Thank you for challenging me to be one of God's faithful servants. Mary Singer Wick, Amazon #1 bestselling author, "My Heart's Desire: A Journey Toward Finding Extravagant Love".