Throw It Down doesn't pull punches. It's straight talk to people who know they have habits and behaviors that are keeping them from being who God made them to be. And no one knows how to boldly confront and bravely encourage like Jud Wilhite. He has spent many joyful years, since beginning his own recovery journey, helping others achieve sobriety through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. The mean streets of Vegas have been a fertile mission field, and he has witnessed amazing testimonies of God's grace, triumph and forgiveness. Just as God commanded Moses in Exodus to 'throw down' his staff, God asks us to throw down the things that we hold tight, so we are free to accept all the blessings He has in store. Readers will receive the practical help and encouragement they need to throw down their hurts, habits and dependencies and to reclaim health, happiness and God's blessings.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Jud Wilhite serves as Senior Pastor of 15,000-member Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. He is the author of several books, including Uncensored Grace: Stories of Hope from the Streets of Vegas. Jud is also a creative partner with Pursuit.org and lives in Las Vegas with his wife and two children. See website, www.POTSC.com
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More About the Author
Jud Wilhite serves as senior pastor of Central Christian Church. Thousands attend Central's campuses along with a global community who attend online (www.centralchristian.com). Jud is the author of several books including Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You, Uncensored Grace and his newest release, Uncensored Truth: A No-Spin Guide to the Christian Faith. He and his wife, Lori, reside in the Las Vegas area with their two children and a slobbery Bulldog named Roxy.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Jared Totten
Format:Hardcover
Addictions, habits and dependencies come in all shapes and sizes. From chemical to emotional, from spiritual to behavioral, all of us have sinful tendencies that separate us from healthy relationships with God and others.
This is Jud Wilhite's premise in Throw It Down. Using the exodus of Israel out of Egypt as a metaphor, Jud describes the stages that characterize an exodus out of slavery and dependency. Pastor Wilhite is himself a former addict, so his own testimony colors some of the chapters along with the testimonies of others who have found their way to his ministry.
As much as the author and publisher would like a wide target audience for this book, it read too much like a 12 step program for the average reader to really engage with it. However, for those dealing with dealing with addictions and dependencies (and for the churches ministering to them), this book is an excellent resource.
This is Jud Wilhite's premise in Throw It Down. Using the exodus of Israel out of Egypt as a metaphor, Jud describes the stages that characterize an exodus out of slavery and dependency. Pastor Wilhite is himself a former addict, so his own testimony colors some of the chapters along with the testimonies of others who have found their way to his ministry.
As much as the author and publisher would like a wide target audience for this book, it read too much like a 12 step program for the average reader to really engage with it. However, for those dealing with dealing with addictions and dependencies (and for the churches ministering to them), this book is an excellent resource.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Before I read Jud's book I didnt know too much about him. This was a great and challenging read for me as I am going through my own recovery of my hurts, hang-ups and habits. For me, this was like going through a book that Celebrate Recovery released. It might as well have been released by them. This book is filled with broken stories with people that are in that recovery process.
The depth of this book is great, but yet simple. It will really hit home for those who are in any recovery group, especially Celebrate Recovery. A group where its steps are based on the principles of Jesus in Matthew 5.
" Sometimes God allows you to be placed in a position where there is nowhere left to turn but to him. In the middle of a struggle, its tought to admit you cant do it by yourself and you need help moving forward"- Jud
This is where it starts. Admitting we are powerless and cant control our "wants" and "desires". Thats where God has to come in as long as we let him. We/I have to admit this everyday. If we dont, pride will step in. Trust me- been there, done that.
Admit. Surrender. Forgive.Trust. Four of the hardest things to do in life, but its a must and its what God wants from us. This in his mind is what is called true and real life. Pick up this book and chew on it and let it be one more thing to help liberate you.
The depth of this book is great, but yet simple. It will really hit home for those who are in any recovery group, especially Celebrate Recovery. A group where its steps are based on the principles of Jesus in Matthew 5.
" Sometimes God allows you to be placed in a position where there is nowhere left to turn but to him. In the middle of a struggle, its tought to admit you cant do it by yourself and you need help moving forward"- Jud
This is where it starts. Admitting we are powerless and cant control our "wants" and "desires". Thats where God has to come in as long as we let him. We/I have to admit this everyday. If we dont, pride will step in. Trust me- been there, done that.
Admit. Surrender. Forgive.Trust. Four of the hardest things to do in life, but its a must and its what God wants from us. This in his mind is what is called true and real life. Pick up this book and chew on it and let it be one more thing to help liberate you.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Throw It Down by Jud Wilhite approaches the topics of addiction and dependency that plague our society in a fashion that comfortably blends thoroughness with accessibility. Without getting into the nitty-gritty of substance abuse and addiction therapy, Jud lays out a Biblical path towards freedom, drawing heavily on the Exodus experience of the Israelites as a metaphor for our journeys out of addiction. Just as the Israelites were led by God out of slavery and into the freedom of a life He had planned and created for them, so are we led through the power of God from lives of slavery to substance, vice, and idols to one of freedom and release through the Gospel.
Having experienced his own substance addiction (the story of which is included in TID), Jud draws upon the experiences of himself and friends and members of the church he pastors, Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, NV, to tell a story of victory. These stories are especially relevant and timely in developing a call to action, to "throw it down," that abandons addiction and pursues recovery. Employing the use of a conversational tone in his writing, one feels drawn into these narratives and inspired to believe in and know the achievability of freedom.
One of the highlights of TID is its careful treatment of a Gospel-centered recovery that does not introduce or call upon a prosperity gospel. In fact, rather than making false prosperity gospel claims, there is an entire chapter ("Hope on the Broken Road") demonstrating the continual pain and hurt one often experiences on the road to recovery.
TID is an excellent read for those struggling with addictions, their friends and family, pastors and counselors, and anyone who wants an approachable read that is informative and encouraging. After finishing TID, I cannot imagine anyone not being excited and propelled to "live out loud" in a manner free from behaviors and dependencies that hold each of us back.
However, the accessibility of TID also becomes its Achilles heel, especially in the chapter on idols ("Guard Your Heart"). After introducing the concept of deep and surface idols and quoting Tim Keller (Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters), Jud closes the chapter abruptly. I was especially left desiring more "oomph" in this chapter. Primarily, I wish Jud would have included a further discussion of the "good" things that can so easily become idols and cause addictions, as society is not quick to judge these and they often hide under the surface of our lives.
All things considered, though, I would definitely recommend TID to each of my friends. In fact, I have already made plans to pass my copy along to a friend, with the goal of this book becoming a "pay it forward" type possession, able to positively affect the lives of all who read it. After reading it, I have a greater respect and admiration of Jud and the ministry he leads. I am thankful for the passion and grace he brings to life and hopeful that more people will come to see the importance and beauty of a second chance.
Having experienced his own substance addiction (the story of which is included in TID), Jud draws upon the experiences of himself and friends and members of the church he pastors, Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, NV, to tell a story of victory. These stories are especially relevant and timely in developing a call to action, to "throw it down," that abandons addiction and pursues recovery. Employing the use of a conversational tone in his writing, one feels drawn into these narratives and inspired to believe in and know the achievability of freedom.
One of the highlights of TID is its careful treatment of a Gospel-centered recovery that does not introduce or call upon a prosperity gospel. In fact, rather than making false prosperity gospel claims, there is an entire chapter ("Hope on the Broken Road") demonstrating the continual pain and hurt one often experiences on the road to recovery.
TID is an excellent read for those struggling with addictions, their friends and family, pastors and counselors, and anyone who wants an approachable read that is informative and encouraging. After finishing TID, I cannot imagine anyone not being excited and propelled to "live out loud" in a manner free from behaviors and dependencies that hold each of us back.
However, the accessibility of TID also becomes its Achilles heel, especially in the chapter on idols ("Guard Your Heart"). After introducing the concept of deep and surface idols and quoting Tim Keller (Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters), Jud closes the chapter abruptly. I was especially left desiring more "oomph" in this chapter. Primarily, I wish Jud would have included a further discussion of the "good" things that can so easily become idols and cause addictions, as society is not quick to judge these and they often hide under the surface of our lives.
All things considered, though, I would definitely recommend TID to each of my friends. In fact, I have already made plans to pass my copy along to a friend, with the goal of this book becoming a "pay it forward" type possession, able to positively affect the lives of all who read it. After reading it, I have a greater respect and admiration of Jud and the ministry he leads. I am thankful for the passion and grace he brings to life and hopeful that more people will come to see the importance and beauty of a second chance.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Book!
This book is a must read for anyone with question, or who has ever wrestled with anything!
That should include everyone!
That should include everyone!
Published 14 months ago by Derek Beauchamp
1.0 out of 5 stars
Another Name It/Claim It Sales Pitch
This stuff is really written for new Christians, who don't know any better, and believe pretty much any stage or radio shows pushed on them. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Cory Parella
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
Upon hearing about this book through an interview with the author on a local Christian radio show, I knew this was going to be an incredible book. Read more
Published 15 months ago by CinemaChristian
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Recovery Book For Everyone
In a culture of self-help books and television pastors preaching a gospel of prosperity Jud Wilhite finally puts out a book that will show people a realistic view on recovery and... Read more
Published on April 29, 2011 by Ryan A. Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful Gospel-Center Call to Freedom
In Throw It Down: Leaving Behind Behaviors and Dependencies that Hold You Back, Jud Wilhite challenges believers to evaluate the struggles in their lives biblically and seek to... Read more
Published on April 26, 2011 by Ben Birdsong
4.0 out of 5 stars
Throw It Down (review)
I had the privilege of being asked to review Jud Wilhite's newest book, "Throw It Down" recently. The subtitle says "leaving behind behaviors and dependencies that hold you back. Read more
Published on April 26, 2011 by J. Keegan
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Throw Down" your hurts and habits
After reading the first few pages of Throw It Down, I was all in on the concept of "throwing down" my hurts and habits. Read more
Published on April 25, 2011 by Melinda Long
5.0 out of 5 stars
Approachable, Relatable, Workable
As I read Jud Wilhite's 'Throw it Down' what struck me most was how the stories of grace and redemption within could have easily been my brother's, my friend's, my grandpa's, my... Read more
Published on April 13, 2011 by Crystal Renaud
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
We're all broken. It's the human condition. Not all of us are drug addicts some of us are. Not every one that has issues is an alcoholic, but some people's issues are alcoholism. Read more
Published on April 13, 2011 by Bradley Brittain
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Throw it Down" is a gift for friends.
As I walked through the pages of "Throw It Down" I was moved by the stories of grace and mercy that were shared by a pastor whose heart is for the lost, the addicted, the broken,... Read more
Published on April 13, 2011 by Scott Bloyer
