My admiration for Pastor Louie Giglio is deeply rooted in his involvement with the musical arm of his ministry, and of course the Word, which he proclaims to the world. Every year thousands of young people gather to celebrate Jesus at the Passion Conference, which I talked about HERE.
Besides being the visionary architect and director of the Passion Movement, Louie Giglio is also the author of “The Air I Breathe” and “I Am Not But I Know I AM.” Louie is widely known for the Passion Talk Series DVD messages “Indescribable” and “How Great Is Our God.” As a communicator, Louie speaks at events throughout the U.S. and around the globe.
So yes, I really do admire Pastor Louie Giglio.
One of the perks of being a Christian Art and Culture reviewer is getting review copies of books, and CD (which if you look at are just me getting free CDs and books). So I got Louie Giglio book – a devotional- “Waiting Here For You.” I was immediately drawn to the book because of how it was properly and neatly packaged. The book in itself is a beauty.
I was straight up judging the book by its cover. After all the cover was indeed lovely. The smell of fresh pages…. I possibly can’t forget the enticing smell of a new book – book lovers can relate to this.
“Waiting Here For You” is also the title of an original song written by Martin Smith, Chris Tomlin, and Jesse Reeves, and was performed by Christy Nockels at the 2013 Passion Conference. It was one of the best musical moments in the event because of the poignant and soul-baring lyrics. So when I saw the same title being used for Louie Giglio book I could easily tell it would be something that will kindle a lot of interests (at least mine).
If we’re honest, waiting is HARD.
Waiting for something to happen in one’s life or for a change to come is very difficult.
It is easy to lose focus of things, most especially of the cross when waiting as the devil creeps in to whispers all sorts of things including doubt, and fear into one mind. It is imperative that the message of hope comes in to sweep away all fear and doubt, and this is precisely what Giglio addresses in this book. “The season of Advent is a celebration of hope, and ‘Waiting Here for You’ is a devotional guide filled with hope for everyone who is waiting: waiting on a solution, a diagnosis, a relationship, a breakthrough, a rescue,” says Louie Giglio.
The book is a lovely portable piece filled with remarkable devotionals spanning from November 26 all through until Christmas eve. It basically covers Advent.
The daily reading includes meditations, reflections, words of encouragement, and prayers. It encompasses the mindset of “waiting” during the Advent season which especially remind readers that God is working in our waiting and that we are not wasting our time.
This devotional isn’t limited to 2014 and can be used next year; it has provocative and inspiring words that one may need to revisit. So it is not a one-off book.
The book ends with the completing part of “The Story Of Christmas Grace,” and by the time the last words are read, “See You Soon, Mom,” your heart will be breaking.
“From the beginning, the Christmas story has been one of fulfilled longing. It reaffirms our faith and gives us reason to celebrate the faithfulness and goodness of God. Sadly, the frenzy we call the holiday season is a mad dash of tinsel and toys, driven more by consumerism than anything else, creating a perfect storm of anxiety that can easily cause us to miss God’s voice. Christmas is about waiting and hoping in God. My hope is that this Advent devotion will encourage and fortify your faith so hope may bloom again.”
So from the beginning, the Christmas story has been one of fulfilled longing. It reaffirms our faith and gives us reason to celebrate the faithfulness and goodness of God.
[You’ve just read ChurchMag’s Saturday Morning Review. Ready to read more?]
Speak your mind...