Better Together

     BOOK REVIEW:   Ever feel like success in life is all about you? And even trying to "die to self" only makes you more self-consumed?
     The Bible certainly has a lot to say about "you", but it has even more to say about "us". In fact, there are over 100 passages in the Bible where the two words let us are used. Let us not give up meeting together..... Let us encourage one another..... Let us serve one another. Could it be that the only way to fix "me" is found in "we"?
     Sure, that all sounds good to the "people persons" among us, but what about those who prefer to go it alone?
     It turns out, the people who think they don't need community may need it most of all! In these pages, pastor Rusty George---a self-proclaimed introvert by nature---gives you the tools to "do life together", whether that feels natural to you or not. He shares such secrets as how to become more vulnerable, how to draw other people into your everyday life, and how to lean on others in times of need. Together we connect with God better. Together we heal better. Together we overcome fears, raise families, fight temptations, and bless the world better.
     Learn what it means to live in true community and find the fulfillment you've been looking for!

     MY REVIEW:   I really enjoyed this book. It's written very well, kept interesting and not dragging. I've not before given such thought to the importance of community, but I had to agree with all he said. Better together indeed!
     Not just going to church and engaging in brief small-talk while your spouse catches up with a friend; rather, inviting people into "you" and being vulnerable and willing to share your trials and insecurities. Rusty talks about several different fields in which together is better, and why.
     Temptations are better overcome when shared with others and held accountable. And knowing you are not the only one to struggle in whatever area can give the strength to believe in overcoming.
     More is accomplished (with less headache) together. When we are willing to let others help us with our important projects instead of stubbornly doing it all on our own we really do get more done, and with less stress.
     When facing a "scary" or hard circumstance, friends are what take you through. Circling arms and plunging forward is far more effective than tentatively advancing on your own. Rusty gives the example of surviving a haunted house with his friends in middle school. The only reason they didn't run screaming was their circled arms with one another (apparently if everyone pulled in different directions no one actually got away :)
     Rusty George has pastored Real Life Church in California for 11 years. He can be found at pastorrustygeorge.com. I tried to see if he has written any other books, but couldn't find a book page on his website. In the "about" section it says he has authored several books. On Amazon I found When God, Then You: 7 Things God is Waiting to do in Your Life and If/Then: Unleashing God's Power in Your Life. Both are books I want to read sometime.

I received a copy of this book from BETHANY HOUSE and was not required to write a positive review.