The Good Life [Kindle Edition]

Trip Lee (Author), Matt Chandler (Foreword)

Book Description

Nicer car, bigger house, whatever your heart desires. Everybody
wants to live The Good Life. But what happens when dreams become nightmares
and the promise of freedom leads to a life of imprisonment? What happens when you
discover that all that's gold loses its glitter? Maybe the rich and famous aren't
living The Good Life. Maybe our dreams are rooted in lies. And maybe, just
maybe those who have less really have more. What is The Good Life...really?

In
this book, titled after his acclaimed fourth album, The Good Life, Christian rap
artist and author, Trip Lee, unveils what the world, the flesh and the devil promote
as the ultimate and most satisfying life. He then explains what The Good Life really
is: a life within our reach and yet beyond anything this world has to offer. Imagine:
The Good Life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fresh and faithful. Fun and filling.

-Mark Dever, Senior Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church and author of 9 Marks of a Healthy Church

 

My entire ministry has been focused on speaking to my generation. As I struggle with my concerns for the next one, Trip Lee erases my worries with this brilliant body of work. Inside each chapter speaks a young man who cares about the streets as well as protecting the Holy Scriptures. I am proud to know truth will continue through Trip Lee.

-Kirk Franklin, Grammy winning gospel artist

 

Trip Lee has been worth listening to for some time. Now we know he is worth reading too. This brief book is an excellent introduction to the Christian faith, communicated in a way that is authentic and accessible. I'm thankful for this wonderful brother, for his humility, for his theological conviction, and for his growing influence. Most of all, I'm thankful for the way he points me to the glory of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

-Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church and author of Just Do Something

 

The Good Life is not a silly book about how to get whatever you might wish for in this life.  Nor is it a book about how to become rich and famous...or even a well-known Christian hip-hop artist. It's a beautiful retelling of the simple gospel story, that all we need is found in our Savior, and all the suffering and waiting for heaven we do in this world is nothing in comparison to the good life that is given us freely in Christ. Our idols will never satisfy us; the good things in our lives were never meant to be our gods, they were meant to tell us that there is something more. The Good Life is a really good book. Buy one for yourself and buy some to give away to friends who need to hear the good news again.

-Elyse Fitzpatrick, Author of Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life

 

Knowledgeable and personable.  Witty and insightful.  Serious and joyful.  Trip Lee makes a wonderful tour guide to the good life.  You'd expect a rapper to be a proponent of all that's worldly and materialistic.  Not this rapper.  Lee explores rival worldviews and points us to that one truly good life established by the only One who is good.  Read and discover what's good.

-Thabiti Anyabwile, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Grand Cayman and author of The Gospel for Muslims and What is a Healthy Church Member?

 

Trip represents the gracious movement of God in the church, calling a new generation to a very old message. Trip is both a skilled communicator and capable theologian, and I gladly commend both this book, and his ministry. What would it look like for Jesus to be Lord of the hip-hop culture? You'll catch a glimpse of it in this book.  

-J.D. Greear, Pastor of the Summit Church and author of Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary

 

The Good Life is like an alarm clock that awakens you to a whole new way of thinking about life.  Trip has done an amazing job of giving us a relevant and revolutionary approach to finding the good life.

-Bryan Carter, Senior Pastor of Concord Church

 

The Good Life is one the most culturally intelligent, biblically saturated presentation of what God intends for men and women that American Christianity has produced in decades. Lee is masterful at applying the scope of the gospel to the idols and disordered loves that tempt all of us to distrust the goodness of God. The Good Life will enrich those who are mature believers as well as those investigating the claims of Christ for the first time.

-Anthony B. Bradley, Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at The King's College and author of Liberating Black Theology

 

Thankfully there are some clear, biblical, and prophetic voices coming from Christian hip-hop. Trip Lee is one of them. In this book, Trip reminds us that we serve a good God who intends good for his people. This book on the good life is a good read.

-Anthony Carter, Lead Pastor of East Point Church and author of Black and Reformed

 

With Trip having such a transcultural platform and influence I'm grateful that his writings on the essence of a good life are available. He gives potent insight on finding satisfaction in God alone, redefining what most people view as good, and unveiling what God defines as a truly good life. Get it. Read it.

-Lecrae, Grammy nominated rapper and co-owner of Reach Records

 

From the Back Cover

Everybody wants to live the good life. Hip hop artist and author, Trip Lee, in this book titled after his acclaimed album "The Good Life," explores what the good life really is.

 

Maybe money won't solve all of our problems. Maybe life isn't all about us. And maybe the ideas we've been sold are pointing us in the wrong direction.

 

In this book, titled after his acclaimed fourth album, The Good Life, Christian rap artist and author, Trip Lee, unveils what the world, the flesh and the devil promote as the ultimate and most satisfying life. He then explains what The Good Life really is: a life within our reach and yet beyond anything this world has to offer.

 

This book aims to turn us away from the lies that have made us robots, and lead us to true freedom. The road may not be easy, but it's worth it. You can be freed from your robot soul. And you can live the good life.

William Lee Barefield III, better known as Trip Lee, is a Christian hip-hop artist under the Reach Records label. Trip Lee's music has topped Billboard charts, the iTunes chart, and he has received Dove nominations and a Stellar Award.  His Christ-centered and God-exalting music has reached thousands with the good news of Jesus Christ. Trip Lee now resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife and son. Trip's unending desire is to proclaim the grace and beauty of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 1344 KB
• Print Length: 176 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0802408583
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (September 20, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008OUKRS8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,010 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book October 2, 2012

By @djwadeo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd recommend this book to pretty much everybody, Christian or Non-Christian, that I know. This book will serve as a wake-up call for most. Even in many "solid churches" most people think of the good life as a synoynm for the American Dream or to be all you can be. Trip does an excellent job of debunking that myth by clarifying the Biblical model for his readers.

For fans of Trip Lee the rapper, this may be the beginning of the end for you. Trip has the chance to become a better author than he is a rapper. His passion for making that transition is evident throughout this work and I anticipate the Lord using The Good Life to open new doors for him. Its rare that a 24 year-old can write something this truthful and culturally relevant. Shout out to Moody Publishers for responding to the need to bring biblical truth from an urban perspective to the marketplace.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'The Good Life' Redefined October 14, 2012

By Rep the KING

Format:Paperback

As an avid listener of Trip's music, I was excited for this book to release (the three free songs witht he purchase of the book are awesome too!).

Trip sets the tone well at the beginning by letting the reader know, Christian or non-Christian, who he is and what his purpose for writing the book is. Then he sets out to show what we in America have typically defined as the good life. He then goes on to explain what the good life really is through vivid examples and thorough use of Scripture to back up what he says.

I recommend this book to ANYONE. It really is a good overview of why we live, and how we should live in light of God's purposes for us on this earth. Get the book for yourself, and get another copy or two to give to a friend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Handsome read October 16, 2012

By Kideoman Legend

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

You will find yourself unable to stop reading. The first day I started reading, I was planning to simply read a couple of pages and stop. But when I actually did it, I couldn't stop. Very insightful and worth the money. Prepare to think differently again

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Start of a new career April 5, 2013

By Jared

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Trip Lee has opened a new door in leading men and women to a better and satisfying life. I have not finish the book yet, but I am impressed with what he has shared already.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Amazing March 1, 2013

By aracelis bernard

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is wonderful. Very inspirational and is an easy read. Taught me how to really live out the Good Life. I enjoyed it

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Good Life" by Trip Lee January 2, 2013

By Kyle E. Mcdanell VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Trip Lee is one of my favorite rappers. His most recent album, "The Good Life" is great in terms of music, lyrics, themes, and features. The artists featured on the disc are top notch and the theme of living what Trip Lee calls "the good life" is very much needed today. The good life to Trip Lee can be summed up in the line, "The good life is the life that's been laid down."

Since the release of his top selling album, the early twenties rapper has since released a book with the same title tackling some of the same issues. The book is simple, but the message is profound and beautifully shows why the gospel is, well, so beautiful. Trip Lee's basic argument in both the album and the book is that we are all chasing after the good life, but we are looking for it in the wrong places. Scripture refers to these objects and people as idols: money, pleasure, power, influence, a family, a spouse, upper mobility, pride, a resume, early retirement, etc. Trip argues that these things, all temporary of course, will not give us the good life. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can. He writes:

As you know, hip-hop is always good for a heavy dose of hedonism. The images slowly seduce us and draw us in. I know this is the picture I was chasing after: Coke bottle figures and seven-figure checks. But what happens when you get there? Even the most beautiful women are imperfect an let us down from time to time. and surly, shiny machines rolling on wheels can't be what we were made to live for. They break down, they get dented in accidents, and they eventually go to the same junkyard as Hyundais. Surely we can do better. This is not a good life. (39-40)

That is the message of the book and he doesn't veer from it.... The writing is very simple and it is clear that Trip Lee is not a professional writer or an academic. He is a young Christian armed with the gospel and an audience that will listen to him. He comes from a unique perspective, especially in the world of books, of being a rapper who understands the culture, the language, and the universal desire to seek the good life in our selves and our own abilities.

But the simplicity of the book is not necessarily a weakness. However, if you are looking for a more thorough and deep discussion on idolatry, etc. perhaps this isn't the right book for you. But that is not its primary goal. Trip shows that simplicity can be, at times, more powerful than depth and sophistication. His chapter on the church is particularly helpful. There is nothing profound or necessarily new here, but Trips matter-of-fact way of showing how the church contributes to the good life is powerful. He writes:

"Imagine for a second a young boy, living as an orphan, who was adopted by a loving family. They bring him home, fee him, and give him his own room. He loves his new parents, and he's learning how to spell his new last name! But when his new parents introduce him to his new brothers and sisters, he wants nothing to do with them. He's glad to be a part of the family, yet he rejects his brothers and sisters?

All believers have been adopted by God and are now His children. But we often forget that we were adopted into a family of adopted children. We can't take on our Father's name and ignore the rest of the family." (79)

There is a solid treatment of the Christian doctrine of adoption applied directly to the doctrine of the church in an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand way. In the same chapter, he briefly deals with the popular assertion that one can be spiritual but not religious. To that, he briefly notes "They figure they can love God without loving His people" (81). Exactly! He later adds that talk that Christianity is communal is scarey because all that "spiritual, but not religious" talk is really just an excuse to hide. Again, exactly!

Beyond this chapter on the church, Trip deals with a variety of issues in this sort of manner. He notes the emptiness (vanity is the word Solomon would use) of materialism. Have you not noticed, he asks, that the riches people in the world spend their time trying to get richer? It all seems so vain. So empty.

Overall, for the right person, this is an excellent read. I would not recommend this to a seminary professor or one of his students. But for the pastor who ministers to new believers, those on the fence, and young students, Trips influence as a popular rapper and artist and his ability to write in such a simple, yet direct manner takes this gospel message far.

This book was donated to me for the purpose of this review. Read more ›

5.0 out of 5 stars The Good Life May 20, 2013

By Bankole Idowu

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A most outstanding composition by an unlikely author. I've bought and shared copies with quite a number of people. I hope they read and appreciate the book

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written May 18, 2013

By Ronald S. Barrios author of Rey mysteries

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Trip Lee broke the Gospel of Jesus Christ down to a language that's easy to understand but not watered down in any way. This is a book that I will reccomend over and over. I've followed Trip's musical career and he doesn't change no matter what the platform.
God is doing great things in Trip's life for God's glory and I can't wait to see what's next!
1*1*Six
Ronald S. Barrios