Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear

I had received my book, two days ago, and I am having a hard time putting it down. Already on page 102. Getting a whole shelf of Max Lucado books. All of them have truly inspired me

Yay!

Great book by an Awesome Author

As a pastor, Max Lucado knows that people carry a lot of baggage with them. This baggage includes worry, guilt, arrogance, discontent, grief, fear, loneliness and shame. He knows that the antidote to these attitudes is found in the 23rd. Psalm. In each chapter, Lucado uses a phrase to illustrate how God rescues us from negative thinking and old attitudes which are a deterrant to a fulfilling life. He shows that relying on God and turning our problems over to Him, allows us to get on with the business of life in a much more positive and constructive way. Readers will see themselves in the chapters which describe the human "baggage" that we carry and will feel relief in the solutions that Max Lucado offers through faith in God. This is an uplifting and encouraging book.

"Traveling Light" is a book about the divine love of God. In its pages, Max Lucado conveys God's loving desire to be called in times of need. He also counsels us to offer God all of our burdens, the luggage of our wants, worries, hopelessness, guilt, arrogance, grave, grief, fears, loneliness, shame, disappointment, envy, doubt, homesickness, etc. In Traveling Light, Lucado provides magnificent insights of the Twenty-Third Psalm. He also gives a few lessons on livestock; for instance he says, "In ancient Israel shepherds used oil for three purposes: to repel insects, to prevent conflicts, and to heal wounds...Sheep get hurt. As a result, the shepherd regularly, often daily, inspect the sheep, searching for cuts and abrasions... we have wounds, but ours are wounds of the heart that come from disappointment...and so just like sheep, we need to be treated...He will do for you what the shepherd does for the sheep. He will tend you... only God can heal..."(126-129). One may not finish this book prepare to raise sheep but one may definitely finish it ready to begin a Shepherd/sheep relationship with God. What more could we ask for?Lucado's sense of humor makes his teachings easier to understand and fun to read. He also uses words in such a way that he helps one see things under a total new perspective; like when he explains that "God is the God who follows" (146). I think that the idea of having an almighty God, the God who created the stars, following us anywhere we go is absolute terrific. Who are we to deserve such a treatment? And while taking a journey in this world, who will help us create a relationship with God? The King of kings, our sweet Jesus, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep, explains Lucado. How about our luggage? Leave it at Calvary. Max Lucado writes, "The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding trail up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is a cross. At the base of the cross are bags." (67) And it is there exactly where he invites us to leave all of our burdens. And what will we do today? About today Lucado reminds us of Jesus' words,"So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:34 - 51/Traveling).

I'm in love with Max Lucado's works. And, one should be! The way Lucado writes in every chapter, in every book somewhere everyone has experienced some trial in their life. Lucado is surely blessed by the spirit of God to write so many beautiful, inspirational books. Lucado covers about every situation you can imagine he's amazing. The Lord Jesus is AMAZING!In this title, 'Traveling Lightly', Lucado looks at and uses as a guide the Twenty-Third Psalm. . . The Lord is my shepherd;I shall not want . . . Each chapter takes each verse of the Psalm, step by step. Until you unload that heavy burden of luggage. The one you've been carrying around needlessly most all of your life. Because you are NOT ALONE! No matter where we are in our life. Or, what we're doing in our lives. Even through the trials and turmoil the Lord is with us. That's how much He loves us.Though we may experience discontent, weariness, worry, hopelessness, guilt, arrogance, trying to be perfect, fear, loneliness, shame, disappointment, envy, doubt, grief and even facing death and loss. Even the homesickness for Heaven. He is NOT far away. The Lord Jesus follows us and NEVER leaves us, nor forsakes us. We were NEVER intended to bear such burdens. Jesus did it for each and everyone of us. Jesus wrote the book on salvation. He stands at the door of our hearts. Waiting. To give you that free gift of His perfect Grace.In our journey of life we're intended to enjoy it without carrying all the stuff around. Most of us step on the baggage carousel and load up. This book guides us step by step from each verse of the Twenty-Third Psalm. After we're all done. We've dropped everything. Free to enjoy life like we should. With the help of the Savior who did it all. So that we could have the peace and the freedom to live happy lives. Perfect love casts out fear [I John 4:18].

This is the first Max Lucado book (well, book) I've ever read and no words in my venacular can praise his work enough. It has so inspired and blessed me! Traveling Light is based on the old (and one of the most famous Psalms) Psalm (23) by David the King. Lucado guides the reader with such tenderness, light-heartedness (and I mean it... You won't believe how quirky and witty he can get *Grin*) and insight into the very heart of the Psalm and God, eventually. I enjoy thoroughly the way Lucado writes about his personal encounters as well as draws experience from others (from his wife to Moses) to illustrate each topical aspect of the Psalm. And it really helps you to see the big picture about vital life lessons such as pride, want and fear. Apart from that, each topic is supported by reading references and questions that challenge you to probe further until you get a satisfactory answer for yourself! His intuition to human needs is amazing: Lucado is able to ask questions which I have long wanted to ask, and gives answers in his writing.It's a brilliant book. What more can you ask for if a Psalm barely filling up a third of a page in a typical Bible is turned into sort of a guidebook comprising 220 pages? Truly, God must be in this writing. And if Max ever gets to read this book review, I'd like to thank him... For his modest sharing :o)

By scripture support we can release strife especially when we have spiritually directed teachers like Max! Another good book like this is Karl Mark Maddox's SB 1 or God