Mastering Life Before It's Too Late by Robert J. Morgan

Morgan wants to help us master our life before it's too late. He gives us ten biblical patterns to help us become pleasantly productive people. The Bible reveals the godly patterns for such a life, Morgan writes. “The Bible is the best self-improvement course ever devised.”

• Listen to a twelve-year-old. Be about your Father's business.
• Redeem the time. Wasted hours can never be regained.
• Clear the decks. God isn't disorganized and neither should we.
• Maximize the morning. Schedule a standing appointment with God.
• Pull off at rest stops. Routinely replenish your inner resources.
• Operate on yourself. Diagnose and treat yourself spiritually.
• Live “as if.” Act by faith even when your emotions aren't ready.
• Bathe in the Dead Sea. Experience the buoyancy of biblical joy.
• Practice the power of plodding. Persistently work in small increments.
• Remember there are two of you. It's Christ in you that's achieving significance.

Within writing about these principles, Morgan establishes the importance of committing to obey the will of God. He reminds us, “Every day is a divine adventure.” He clarifies that we are not to be just busy. What is important is accomplishing what God has planned for us. He really attacks time wasters. He also points out possible goals that do not align with the Father's will. He shares his morning technique to maintain stewardship over the time God has given us. He points out, “...organization is one of God's essential traits.” (1 Cor. 14:33, 40) He advocates instilling organizational skills in children. He reminds us to get some rest and make wise withdrawals like Jesus did. He writes about strengthening ourselves in the Lord and about choosing and maintaining a joyful attitude. He encourages our abiding in Christ and writes about the exchanged life (Ian Thomas).

While the book is generally theoretical, about the general biblical principles, Morgan has included good examples of practically living out those principles.

He has questions at the end of each chapter that help internalize the principles and promote action. These would be good for personal reflection or for a group discussion. There is also a free downloadable Mastering Life Before it's Too Late workbook at www.robertjmorgan.com. (At the time of this post, the workbook was not available. I was assured it would be available by the publication date of January 6, 2015.)

I really liked this book. In this day when we get so caught up in all the attractions of a busy life, it is good to be reminded of what is really essential for the Christian. This book gives a good foundation for living the live the Bible prescribes. Those who have read other books by Morgan may find some repetition here. But we need to be continually reminded of these principles and I highly recommend this book.

Robert J. Morgan is pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has served for thirty-five years. He is a life-long student of the Bible and has spent forty years learning about maximizing each day and becoming purposeful and productive. He has authored more than twenty books and is a popular speaker at conferences and seminars across the country. He and his wife live in Nashville. You can find out more at www.robertjmorgan.com.

Howard Books, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.