Freebird: Work Free. Live Free.

by Rick Shurtz

According to  The Conference Board Job Satisfaction Survey , only 48.3% of US workers are satisfied with their jobs. This is down from 61.1% in 1987. This trend is affirmed by  Gallup  who reports that nearly 70% of American workers are  "not engaged or actively not engaged"  in their work. Add to this that the  American Institute of Stress  reports that job stress is "far and away the major source of stress for American adults,"  and that it has  " escalated progressively over the past few decades."  Clearly, there's a problem with the way we approach our work.
 
Through a page-turning, easy-to-read story, Freebird addresses key questions at the intersection of our work lives and our spiritual lives. What do we really want? How do we thrive in the midst of turbulent corporate cultures? What were we made for? With both wisdom and wit, Rick Shurtz offers thought-provoking insights that will not only impact the way you approach your work but will influence the way you approach your life.

Genres: Fiction

226 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2014

Reviews

[Lenore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book with a fresh approach

This book is just in time for Christmas and is going in the stockings of all my "Tyler's" (character in the book). Well written, entertaining, thought provoking, fresh, exciting, encouraging, life changing and much-needed.

[Cory Shumate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read and solid evangelism tool

This is a great resource to hand to someone who is not a follower of Jesus but feels like something may be missing in their lives. The gospel is not explicit but it’s a great primer and conversation piece. 90% of the book is engaging narrative that teaches the principles outlined at the end.

[Carol Nease]

Church. Good

[Cees Onderwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heerlijk boek, leest heerlijk weg, erg soepele en prettige schrijfstijl. De hoofdpersoon komt op een keerpunt in zijn leven per ongeluk in aanraking met een niet-prekende dominee. Het verhaal, eigenlijk een lange dialoog, speelt zich af tijdens een partij golf (een omstandigheid die verder weinig toevoegt). De dominee vertelt over zijn leven, hoe hij ooit gelovig was, de kerk verliet en er weer terugkeerde. De manier waarop hij dat doet - NB: volstrekt niét prekend - is een van de meest onbevangen, respectvolle en inspirerende voorbeelden die ik ken. Ik zou wensen dat er veel meer van dat soort personen rondlopen op, maakt niet uit welk deel, van onze Aarde. Qua opbouw, structuur, diepgang mag er, van een afstandje, veel aan te merken zijn op dit boekje; de warmte van het verhaal en de verteller maakt alles meer dan goed!

[John Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a voracious reader, have been all my life. Two years ago I got sick and stopped reading altogether. A year ago I had to force myself to start reading again, sometimes only a few sentences each night. I worked up to the point that I could finish a book in a few weeks, if I really applied myself. I read Rick Shurtz's book in 3 days, and would have finished sooner if those pesky responsibilities hadn't gotten in the way. But it turns out that reading the book is only a starting point. So, here goes...

[Lis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is pretty much one long conversation that takes place during a game of golf. It's an in-depth discussion of life. Great points are made. I do wonder who the book is for Christians, non-Christians or both. I can see that reading it will really make some people think deeply about their lives. I can also see that it may cause those who are content with their lives to start to question everything. Struggling with whether that's a good idea or not.

[Blaine Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author presents his message over the course of a round of golf between a pastor and businessman. The pastor, Ned, offers a deep consideration of the purpose of life and works through common objections posed by the successful-but-unfulfilled businessman. Concludes with a 'dare' to live for 21 days as the pastor proposes.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

How protection, pleasure, and purpose mix with faith, hope, and love. "He didn't need us. He wanted us. That's better. "