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Courageous Living: Dare to Take a Stand

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 28 ratings · 8 reviews

In the new film COURAGEOUS (from the makers of Fireproof), four police officers are confident and focused when it comes to facing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.

Because it is important to take a faithful, fearless stand in so many areas of life, pastor and COURAGEOUS executive producer Michael Catt offers Cou...more

Paperback, 176 pages

Published September 1st 2011 by B&H Books (first published May 1st 2011)

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Jan 06, 2012 Darlene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: recommended

I was very much looking forward to reading this book. After the whoopla about Courageous the movie, I was really hoping for a strong "accompanying" book that would help me (and the target audience) dig deeper into the renewed drive for men to step up in their families and retake the family leadership role that feminism has taken from them.

Let me preface my next thoughts by saying that I come at this review not only as a reader, but as a professional editor. My day-to-day work involves analyzing,...more I was very much looking forward to reading this book. After the whoopla about Courageous the movie, I was really hoping for a strong "accompanying" book that would help me (and the target audience) dig deeper into the renewed drive for men to step up in their families and retake the family leadership role that feminism has taken from them.

Let me preface my next thoughts by saying that I come at this review not only as a reader, but as a professional editor. My day-to-day work involves analyzing, correcting, reorganizing to get the message out of the writing most effectively.

I had a hard time turning off my editorial hat for this one. My comments have nothing to do with the message of this book, more the literary presentation of it. Others have given it a 5-star rating, so obviously they enjoyed it.

Despite the chapter headings, my main criticism about this book is it seemed disorganized, disjointed and jumped from one paragraph to the next. There was very little flow to this book. It gave me the sense that it was written under pressure and not really out of inspiration. Like the writer was struggling to come up with a message for a third book. I guess I expected the book to be more teaching oriented than it was, reinforcing the concepts from the movie and challenging men to take up the challenge if they hadn't seen the movie.

What I found is he seems to jump from one adage or anecdote to another and from Bible analogy to life application with no connecting language. I don't believe you have to play connect the dots with readers, but there is a way of drawing figurative lines that are obvious without being direct, and they're very effective at connecting with the reader. There were many Scripture passages or stories that could have been delved into to drive home his point, which, branched together with smoother transitions I think would have had a deeper impact.

I had a few issues with the expression of his political and doctrinal view points and name calling (bigots, racists, cowards), which could turn off many readers. There is a way to challenge people with certain viewpoints (bigots, racists) tactfully, but I found several areas of this book where the tone was outwardly offensive, as opposed to challenging; guilt-tripping and condemning instead of encouraging and compelling. God deals with everyone through grace; I didn't see any of that in this book. There is room for bluntness and telling it like it is, but to be effective it needs to be tempered with compassion and grace and backed up by Scripture. This book needed a whole lot more of this than it came with.

By the time I reached chapter 4, I was reading simply because I believed in the message and I wanted to see what other things he had to say. Chapter 4 was better, smoother. Perhaps it was the curse of the first three chapters - trying to get something written (early chapters are often rougher) and by the time you reach Chapter 4 or so, you've finally smoothed out your voice, your message, etc.

The entire intended message of this book, and the Courageous movement can be summed up in this statement from page 93: "Men are more committed to hunting, fishing, and sports than to Christ. They would never think of turning down tickets to a ball game or an invitation to a hunting trip, but they'll roll over and turn the alarm off if it's raining on Sunday morning. I don't care how old you are, you aren't a man until you take responsibility and live in accountability...If you spent as much time on your hobbies as you do on your walk with God, how good would you be at your hobbies? If you spent as much time on your walk with God as you do on your hobbies, what kind of man would you be?"

So many men today are plagued by "I'm good enough. I don't need to learn anything new. I'm good just the way I am." Women grab up Christian living books and desire to know how to become Proverbs 31 women and better wives and mothers, while trying to get a husband or father to read "How to Become a Godly Father/Husband" books is like pulling teeth. Where are the men who are courageous enough to want to learn what the Bible says about husbands and fathers, and to examine their lives and see where they need to make some changes, and then actually strive to make those challenges and hold themselves accountable to God's placement of them in their families.

This is the whole crux of the Courageous message and, like the author, I believe it is desperately needed. Men have been undervalued for so long that fathers have become unnecessary and expendable. But our families need strong, courageous men to take back the leadership role that God intended for them to have. Leadership that is respectful and understanding and involved, not domineering, abusive and disconnected.

Don't let my review of this book stop you on that journey. Perhaps you'll find something in it that will inspire and teach you.(less)

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Jan 03, 2012 Lynn Dove rated it 5 of 5 stars

“In the new film COURAGEOUS (from the makers of Fireproof), four police officers are confident and focused when it comes to facing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.

Because it is important to take a faithful, fearless stand in so many areas of life, pastor and COURAGEOUS executive producer Michael Catt offers Courageous Living as a closer look at biblical themes and characters that inspired the greatly anticipated movie.
Catt brings f...more “In the new film COURAGEOUS (from the makers of Fireproof), four police officers are confident and focused when it comes to facing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.

Because it is important to take a faithful, fearless stand in so many areas of life, pastor and COURAGEOUS executive producer Michael Catt offers Courageous Living as a closer look at biblical themes and characters that inspired the greatly anticipated movie.
Catt brings fresh insight to “stories of people in the Bible who displayed great courage when it would have been easier to play it safe… (who) challenge me to keep moving forward. They demand that I examine my priorities and deal with anything that brings fear to my heart.”

Readers will catch a new wind of bravery in the bold accounts of Abraham (“The Courage to Get Going”), Nehemiah (“The Courage to Face Criticism”), and Ruth (“The Courage to Face an Uncertain Future”). There are also growth opportunities in the stirring stories of Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Daniel, Gideon, Nehemiah, Stephen, and Paul and Timothy.”

I read this book in just a couple of hours. Fast paced and a fast read with a message that hits the reader right between the eyes with its impacting message for today’s parent. Although possibly aimed more towards men (which makes sense since it follows on the heals of the widely popular “Courageous” movie), this book is equally important for women to read.

Although I appreciated the examples Catt used from the Bible and stories about historical figures; great men and women who displayed Godly courage sometimes in the face of great adversity, I also enjoyed the analogy of the “eagle, chicken and ostrich” parenting styles that Catt describes in detail in the book.

It is definitely a book with wise counsel and practical application for all parents and I highly recommend reading it.

“Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group”.
(less)

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Nov 17, 2011 Greg rated it 4 of 5 stars

I actually listened to the audiobook version of this book from Christianaudio.com as part of their reviewer program.

This book was written as a follow-up to the movie Courageous that is in cinemas at the moment. At the time of writing this review I have not yet seen the movie.

I do love the message of this book - time for Christian men to live as Christ lived, and He has called us to live, rather than the mamby-pamby watered down, dare I say feminized way that most Christian men live today!

But not...more

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Dec 27, 2011 Tim Chavel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Michael Catt is the Pastor of the church that has made the movies, "Flywheel," "Facing the Giants," "Fireproof," and "Courageous." This book is a book written as a resource for the message in the movie. I have read several of Michael's books. He does a great job reinforcing the truths of Scripture. He uses lots of quotes from others as well as giving Scripture support for the principles taught. I will leave one quote from the book for you to think about: "Instead of cowering to the pressures of...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-book-challenge-reads, christian-inspirational-non-fiction

This was a good challenging read. Not overly "deep" in the writing style, but certainly convicting! The author speaks mainly to fathers, or parents at times, but I still found that I could take away most of message. Each chapter is focused on a character in the Bible, as well as a scene taken from the film, Courageous, to provide application and a challenge for boldness in a certain area. I found Catt's theology to be pretty much spot-on and his insight into the problems of our day and age to be...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Greg Van Vorhis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own

This book, which is a spin-off inspirational book based on the movie "Courageous," inspired me only about half of what I expected it to do. Overall, it is a summary of Biblical heroes, what they did, and how that applies to our lives in the present-day. Worth reading, because it's quick, but don't expect a life-changer. The movie will do that itself.

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Feb 04, 2013 Matthew Dishman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Very good book. I wish every man would read this. It really has the possibility of stepping on toes. I will recommend this book to the men of the church.

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Jan 11, 2013 Jill rated it 5 of 5 stars

I may read this one again. A real motivator by the pastor of Sherwood Baptist in Albany, GA.

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Books by Michael Catt

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Honor Begins at Home: The Courageous Bible Study

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