#struggles, Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World by Craig Groeschel

We all love the benefits of technology and social media, but even with the incredible upsides, many of us suspect there are unintended negative consequences that are beyond our control. We’ve lost perspective, even perhaps ourselves.


In this timely and life-changing new book, New York Times bestselling author and pastor of LifeChurch.tv Craig Groeschel encourages readers who are hungry to regain control over their lives and put Christ first again. He walks them through biblical values that all Christ followers know are essential, but are even more important for our maxed out, selfie-centered world. 

My review:
  This is a book that everyone who uses social media or cell phones should read. It made me think "ouch" many times throughout the book. In addition to addressing the time spent on our devices, he relates the dangers we face when we do use them. Pride, gossip, and more. He related a few incidents where people were hurt and in one case a marriage was destroyed because of someone posting something they shouldn't have on Facebook.

 Technology is a wonderful thing. I have found some great and godly uses for it, but there are also a lot of bad uses and dangers of using it.

 The author also presents a great case of how our technology can become idols to us and interfere with our relationship with God, our prayer life, and even our social life with other people. His approach in this book isn't a harsh one, but a thoughtful one, as he himself struggles in this area. I found the book convicting and helpful, and would recommend anyone read it who uses any of these devices.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for doing a review.

About the author:

Craig Groeschel (born December 2, 1967) is the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, a church with thirteen locations in six states. He is married with six children and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, where LifeChurch.tv is based.

Groeschel was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in southern Oklahoma, attending Ardmore High School. He attended Oklahoma City University, a private university in Oklahoma City affiliated with the United Methodist Church, on an athletic scholarship, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. Shortly thereafter, he met his wife Amy, and the two married in 1991. That same year, Groeschel entered the ministry as an associate pastor in the United Methodist Church. He attended Phillips Theological Seminary, which is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and secured a Master of Divinity degree. He was an associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.

In 1996, Groeschel and a handful of people started Life Covenant Church in a two-car garage. Groeschel’s non-traditional style was successful and attendance of Life Covenant grew rapidly, eventually evolving into what is now the thirteen LifeChurch.tv campuses in six states (including Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, and New York).

Craig was named the 5th most influential pastor in 2006 and LifeChurch.tv was named America’s Most Innovative Church in 2006 and 2007.

#Struggles is available from Zondervan Publishing. Thanks to Book Look Bloggers for the review copy.