Love Focused: Living Life to the Fullest

...I think Love Focused will become known as one of the best Christian books of the decade. It has been years since I have read such a fresh, honest address to some of life's greatest and most common problems. Bob and Judy's friendly writing style ease you along real life changing help. The beauty of this work is its' simplicity and biblical foundation. Not shy to quote scriptures of note, so others can discover their wisdom, the Hughes' tone is not one bit `'preachy'' but casual and honest. I read it at home, took it with me to read on appointments, etc. but every time I started to read it I couldn't put it down. The title gives you an indication of what it is about, but I would add that it is more than a book `'about something'' it is a book that will cause you to `'do'' something. It should be required reading in schools, colleges, the workplace and yes especially churches! You can probably tell that I thoroughly enjoyed Love Focused, the truth is I have read many books, Christian and secular and very few have earned the privilege to be read again, let alone, dog-eared, tabbed, underlined and keep in a handy place at all times. Warning, if you want to waltz down life on cruise control don't read this book! It will definitely challenge you to at very least change gears, maybe even slow down and smell some occasional roses. The word agenda will never again have the same meaning to you. You may even come face to face with your `'true self'' in the mirror. Ouch.... It will definitely offer you a completely new approach to life. I can only imagine what would happen to even one city if everyone there read it. If you are looking for a clinical term laden, dry psychology manual you'll be disappointed. There is a companion workbook that is also available, and although I have not personally read it, I can only imagine it has the same quality and though provoking content as the book. Thank you Bob and Judy for being blatantly honest and caring enough to write such a book! Angie J.Rose www.E-Christianbooks.com

As I was reading Love Focused I felt, "This is good; this is meat for the spirit." A lot of books just take up shelf space, but here's a book of substance--it's an enjoyable read and the most practical Christian book I've read in a very long time. Many Christians ask, "Why isn't my life more exciting? Why do I act so unlike Jesus? Why can't I get release from my worries and sins?" Readers of this book will have what they need to start living out real Christianity: a God-centered approach based not on theory, but on reality. How did it happen that I made my Christianity so complex? Rules for this and options for that. Standards and laws. In contrast, Jesus was able to simplify the spiritual life to just two necessities: love God with all your heart, and love others as yourself. How do we evaluate Christian maturity? Often it seems to be by outward measurements: church attendance, Bible knowledge, conforming to some list of dos and don'ts. But God looks at the inner person and evaluates by one criterion: is the person learning to live in love? According to the authors, just trying to change our behavior, trying to act more loving, is not the ultimate answer. We may grit our teeth and do it (for a while), but let some stressful situation hit and we're more than likely to just lose it (and sometimes in a big way!). If my (unconscious) attitude is that God is not really going to meet my needs, then my (unconscious) response is to try and meet them myself...with predictable results. I'll try to control people and situations (and be frustrated when they won't be controlled). I'll damage relationships and destroy the peace that God wants me to experience. I'll be self-centered and anxious. And I'll miss the good life God intended for me to enjoy. The book does a wonderful job of contrasting a love focused life with its opposite (which they call "an outcome focused life"). When we, instead of trusting God to be in control, try to control situations ourselves, we'll end in living as people-pleasers, or with addictions, denial, busyness, perfectionism, or using any number of other self-protective strategies. God, in His goodness, built a warning system into our lives. It tells us clearly when there's a spiritual problem we need to deal with. The warning lights are unrighteous anger, controlling fear, worry and impatience. The authors show us what each of these mean--and how God wants us to deal with them. It's powerful and liberating stuff! The last 90 pages of the book are on the power of love--God's solution and how to apply it in our lives. This is down-to-earth and practical stuff! It's not legalism and it's not perfectionism--it's life with God as He meant it to be. This is definitely a book to buy!

Husband and wife team Bob and Judy Hughes address the complexities and challenges faced by today's society. Christians and non-Christians alike become overwhelmed with their lives and relationships. "Love Focused" is more than another book on keys to successful living but a book that directs the reader to the one master key. Love. A love focused life. Concepts learned from traditional psychology influence our behavior patterns as well as a goal-driven motivation to succeed. A change in these goals must be made if we are to experience love focused living. The authors label this dilemma the unseen struggle and trace our emotional needs and pain to living in a fallen world. They go on to point out God's provision for man's need. Part Two of the book deals with identifying the problems we face and goes on to discuss things like your personal agenda, instinctive solutions, control, and dealing with issues of anger. Part three gives the reader a look at God's solution and the power to love. These chapters deal with the benefits of acknowledging that God is adequate to produce positive benefits in our lives, to recognize that we do not have to be in control, and the barriers to make the choice of faith. Part four deals with personal application and discusses legalism, grace, forgiveness, perfectionism, and provides a model for becoming love focused. The Hughes writing is powerful, refreshing, and practical, infused with insight for change, ultimate transformation and fullness of joy. The book is formatted attractively. Concise summary statements, bulleted lists, and paragraph headers all add to the ease in reading and assimilating the information, for, study, review and application. "Love Focused" is highly recommended by Christian leaders from all walks of life and is dedicated to help the reader live life to the fullest. This is an important user's manual for everyone seeking to trust God more deeply and to move forward in their personal spiritual journey. A great read.

"Love Focused is a dynamic book unlocking the doors to 'reading character.' This is a helpful insight for adults of all ages and a great teaching tool for young people as well as a personal evaluation. A book of this nature is one that parents will want to share with their children, family, and friends. A good read." Audrey Heagney, reviewer, Plain & Simple Books Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss?

the principles taught in the book will stick with you for the rest of your life