XEALOTS: Defying the Gravity of Normality

by Dave Gibbons

What does Jesus mean when he promises “life to the full”? Like many Christians, author Dave Gibbons thought “life to the full” meant just the positives – a life full of joy and happiness. After all, isn’t that what we’re taught in seminars, in self-help books, and even in psychological assessments to ascertain who is – and is not – a “good fit”? We look for people with lots of successes and strengths, don’t we?Gibbons’ own beliefs on the subject were rocked when he took a long, hard, honest look at his own life and realized it was his failures that made him who is today. So he went back to the Scriptures, and kept his eyes open to truly see the people around him. That’s when he made a shocking discovery: when we embrace the painful areas of our lives we see the miracle that can happen when God redeems these areas of weakness and makes them beautiful.“Now I see that ‘life to the full’ means a life that is open to all the colors and flavors of the human experience, the ability to feel with a fully alive heart, whether it’s in times of joy or pain.”Xealots offers a refreshing new look at what it means to be fully human. This uplifting book enables you to transform your own “failures” into success in God’s eyes so that you can serve him with all that you are.

Genres: Christian, Leadership, Christianity

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2011

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another situation where I wish I could give to ratings. This book is jam packed full of truth, and would be a great read for high schoolers, college students, new believers, and those who would say they've never really had an "active" faith. However, it's really an introduction to what Watchman Nee called the "Normal Christian Life" and covers way too many topics to be deeply impactful long term. BUT, I think it could serve as a great spark.

To illustrate, here are the topics covered (and a suggestion for a book that would help you go deeper on each one if you read this book and got excited about one of the topics)

How you view yourself: Your Identity in Christ; The Exchanged Life
How You See and Interact with Others: Connecting, Dr. Larry Crabb; Leadership & Self-Deception, Arbinger Institute
Engaging Culture: Culture Making, Andy Crouch
Spiritual Disciplines: Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster; Prayer, Richard Foster; Power of Prayer in a Believer's Life, Charles Spurgeon
Fasting: God's Chosen Fast, Arthur Wallis
Defining Success: Don't Waste Your Life, John Piper
Embracing Pain: The Wounded Healer, Henry Nouwen
Forgiveness & Repentance: Peacemaking, Ken Sande;
Overemphasizing Life Planning: Just Do Something, Kevin DeYoung
The Call to Die: Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Holy Spirit: Sensitivity to the Spirit, R.T. Kendall
Being the Father in The Prodigal Son story: Return of the Prodigal, Henry Nouwen

Overall theme of the true Christian life: Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee; Whole Life Transformation, Keith Meyer; The Life of God in the Soul of Man, Henry Scougal; A Testament of Devotion, Thomas Kelly

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy can sure cast vision for a countercultural life. And provide a heckofa pep talk in 150 pages. Just what I desperately needed. Highly highly recommend. And not just because Margaret Feinberg did first.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to understand read to act read to feel. A body within me he lives ❤️ so good

But there is another way to respond. It’s abnormal. The way of the XEALOT is to embrace pain and suffering as a gift. When I refer to pain, I mean our addictions, sins, weaknesses, and trials. By the way, this is one of the most important aspects of understanding your destiny. The uniqueness of the XEALOT is that he doesn’t ignore or even simply confess his pain. He embraces his pain. He sees it as a gift and even as a guide. As counterintuitive as it may seem, it’s in the dark seasons of life that God leads us to experience intimacy and find direction. XEALOTS recognize pain as the prelude to change, a season of new opportunities. Death leads to resurrection. Resurrection leads to ascension. Pain points us to a destiny that we could not have otherwise achieved. I love this ❤️

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Following Jesus is more than about good feelings, a prosperous life, and calling him your buddy. It’s about obedience to these imperatives. Yes, joy is a part of the journey, but like any relationship, there will be highs and lows, moments of frustration and disappointment. Still, in the end, following Jesus is less a matter of knowing our passion, our inner desire, that thing that makes us feel fulfilled and happy. It’s actually the opposite of the self-directed life. It’s learning to die, each day, in obedience to God’s will and his purpose for our lives.” - p. 106

[Justin McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring book that I would recommend to any Christian looking to further their connection with God.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay. Felt more self helpy than biblical

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took a chance on this because of the description. It mentions dealing with suffering and being different.

Bordering on new age, Gibbons has a high enough view of Scripture to have some good thoughts on worry, knowing God, true ambitions, etc. He has stories of his own life and of others. Some is a little fluffy and wandering, but there are some good tidbits. It's a quick and easy read.

[John Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought provoking book that I will reference in the future. Really hits a lot of different areas of life and relationship with God that is contrary to most people's definition of success. I really like that about it

[Luis Menjivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, yet powerful read that calls us to live our faith out in a counter-cultural manner. Highly recommend it.