What If God Wrote Your Bucket List?: 52 Things You Don't Want to Miss

by Jay Payleitner, Josh McDowell (Foreword by)

Overview

Go bungee jumping. Tango. See the Eiffel Tower. Swim with sharks.

Bucket lists can get pretty crazy! But what if God wanted you to think even further outside the box? To pattern your life after the one who said some pretty crazy things himself: "Love your enemies." "Store up treasures in heaven." "Seek first his kingdom and righteousness."

If you checked every item off your bucket list, would your life be complete? In these pages you'll find 52 items to help you revamp your must-do list...

Run with scissors. Bounce off brick walls. Celebrate quirks.

Banish grudges. Dodge counterfeit happiness. Peek into dark corners.

Get fired. Enlist invisible reinforcements. Get nose-to-nose with an alligator.

As you check off God's bucket list, you may find yourself doing things you never thought possible. Jay Payleitner helps you get your priorities straight with the most important relationship in your life—you and God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780736962704
Publisher:	Harvest House Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	176,621
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jay Payleitner is one of the top freelance Christian radio producers in the United States. He has worked on Josh McDowell Radio, Today's Father, Jesus Freaks Radio for the Voice of the Martyrs, Project Angel Tree with Chuck Colson, and many others. He’s also a popular speaker on parenting and marriage and the author of dozen-plus books, including the bestselling 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad, 52 Things Wives Need from a Husband, and 52 Things Sons Need from Their Dad; he also created “The Dad Manifesto.” Jay has also served as an AWANA director, a wrestling coach, and the executive director of the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative; he now partners with the National Center for Fathering, whose efforts he fosters and promotes. He and his wife, Rita, live near Chicago, where they’ve raised five great kids and loved on ten foster babies.

Josh McDowell has been reaching the spiritually skeptical for more than five decades. Since beginning ministry in 1961, Josh has spoken to more than 25 million people in 128 countries. He is the author or coauthor of 148 books, with over 51 million copies distributed worldwide, including Straight Talk with Your Kids About Sex, Experience Your Bible, Evidence for the Historical Jesus, More Than a Carpenter (over 15 million copies printed in 85 languages), and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, recognized by World magazine as one of the twentieth century's top 40 books. Josh continues to travel throughout the United States and countries around the world, helping young people and adults strengthen their faith and understanding of Scripture. Josh will tell you that his family is his ministry. He and his wife, Dottie, have been married for over 40 years and have four children and numerous grandchildren.

Table of Contents

Foreword Josh McDowell 9

Got a Bucket List? 11

1 Set Goals?but Not in Concrete 13

2 Drive Through the Storm 16

3 Become like Little Children 19

4 Be Last in Line 22

5 Reconsider Rules Carved in Stone 25

6 Go to Funerals 28

7 Love and Be Loved 31

8 Don't Put God in a Box 35

9 Come to the Garden 38

10 Put a Price on Your Head 41

11 Get Fired 45

12 No Excuses 48

13 BounceOff Brick Walls 52

14 Redefine Vacation 55

15 Entertain Angels 59

16 Shun Easy Money 62

17 Create 65

18 Get Schooled at the County Fair 69

19 Get Out of Hot Water 73

20 Practice Your Penmanship 77

21 Live Grudge-Free 80

22 Take Note of Any Quick Fix 83

23 Kill 'Em with Kindness 86

24 Uncover Secrets of Generations Past 90

25 Make Sure You're Missed 94

26 Do Typical Bucket-List Stuff 99

27 Peek into Dark Corners 103

28 Get Nose-to-Nose with and Alligator 106

29 Dredge Up Mud-Filled Schlitz Cans 109

30 Strive Valiantly 112

31 Talk to Me 116

32 Dodge Counterfeit Happiness 120

33 Attend a Wild Game Night 123

34 Harvest the Fruit 127

35 Keep the Opposite of a To-Do List 130

36 Run with Scissors 134

37 Advocate Science 138

38 Ask to Play Football 141

39 Go Beyond Golden 144

40 Be a Friend 147

41 Be Ready to Die 150

42 Arm Yourself for Mockers 153

43 Untangle the Conundrum of Nice People 158

44 Be Your Brother's Keeper 162

45 Celebrate Quirks 165

46 Recognize Jesus 168

47 Seek Wise Counsel 171

48 Know the Pythagorean Theorem 175

49 Give Credit Where Credit Is Due 178

50 Do the Right Thing 181

51 Write Your Tombstone 184

52 Finish What You Start 187

Notes 190

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Between the easy-to-read stories and observations, Jay delivers the kind of insight that helps give purpose to our time on earth. Keep reading and be ready to experience the abundant life Jesus promises."
—Josh McDowell, author of More Than a Carpenter, and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict

"When you're as old as I am, you need to keep your bucket list short and doable. I've just junked the bucket list I had and have found a much better one in Jay's book. This isn't one of those books that make you feel guilty about things you probably can't do. It's a practical, biblical, grace-filled, and fun way to live out your walk with Christ. Read this book and you, with me, will rise up and call Jay blessed. It might even change your life."
—Steve Brown, radio broadcaster, seminary professor, and author of Three Free Sins: God's Not Mad at You

"I love What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? As I've gotten older, I've realized that life is all about moving from success to significance to surrender. So rather than living the rest of our lives completely on our own agenda, let's think about what God's agenda might be for us. With an enjoyable, non-preachy approach, Jay Payleitner gently challenges us to get out of our own way. A great read and a great blessing."
—Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The New One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus

"Working in politics and public policy for more than 20 years, I know it's not always easy to focus on the goals God would have us pursue rather than the ones the world tells us are most important. That's why I was personally delighted to see this book from Jay Payleitner, who in 52 concise and storytelling chapters gives us encouragement to seek first the kingdom of God."
—Genevieve Wood, The Heritage Foundation

"It's rare to come across someone who can get you to stop and think about serious personal application while keeping you smiling and chuckling at the same time. Payleitner has hit that mark for any generation with this book—a great read."
—Brandon Aldridge, director of ministry services, Men's Ministry Catalyst

"For a long time I've been wanting to write a book about making a spiritual bucket list. Well, my friend Jay Payleitner has beaten me to it and has done a much better job than I could have. If you have ever wondered how to align your choices in life with God's will, this is the book for you."
—Edward Grinnan, editor in chief, Guideposts Publications

"Are you working your plan? Or God's plan? What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? will make you smile and think, and it will equip you for your best plan going forward."
—Bob Tiede, director of global operation leadership development, CRU

"What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? is a deep and rich treasure, at once thoughtful and whimsical. Jay brings the finer gold of the Christian life to light in this remarkable read."
—Brannon J. Marshall, director of church engagement, Awana International

"My friend Jay Payleitner has given you and me a very special gift. What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? is more than extraordinary book—it is energizing and thought provoking for anyone wanting to seriously look at the last third of their life as potentially more impactful and dynamic than all their previous years. It's not just to be read but also to be used as a life-planning tool for all who seriously want to finish well."
—Chuck Stecker, president and founder, A Chosen Generation & the Center for InterGenerational Ministry

"Whether or not you have a bucket list, God has one for you. And it's a doozy. Jay's book will remind you of the many exciting adventures that can be found within even the most ordinary pursuits in our lives. Make reading this book part of your bucket list."
—Leary Gates, president, the National Coalition of Ministries to Men

Editorial Reviews

"Between the easy-to-read stories and observations, Jay delivers the kind of insight that helps give purpose to our time on earth. Keep reading and be ready to experience the abundant life Jesus promises."
—Josh McDowell, author of More Than a Carpenter, and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict

"When you're as old as I am, you need to keep your bucket list short and doable. I've just junked the bucket list I had and have found a much better one in Jay's book. This isn't one of those books that make you feel guilty about things you probably can't do. It's a practical, biblical, grace-filled, and fun way to live out your walk with Christ. Read this book and you, with me, will rise up and call Jay blessed. It might even change your life."
—Steve Brown, radio broadcaster, seminary professor, and author of Three Free Sins: God's Not Mad at You

"I love What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? As I've gotten older, I've realized that life is all about moving from success to significance to surrender. So rather than living the rest of our lives completely on our own agenda, let's think about what God's agenda might be for us. With an enjoyable, non-preachy approach, Jay Payleitner gently challenges us to get out of our own way. A great read and a great blessing."
—Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The New One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus

"Working in politics and public policy for more than 20 years, I know it's not always easy to focus on the goals God would have us pursue rather than the ones the world tells us are most important. That's why I was personally delighted to see this book from Jay Payleitner, who in 52 concise and storytelling chapters gives us encouragement to seek first the kingdom of God."
—Genevieve Wood, The Heritage Foundation

"It's rare to come across someone who can get you to stop and think about serious personal application while keeping you smiling and chuckling at the same time. Payleitner has hit that mark for any generation with this book—a great read."
—Brandon Aldridge, director of ministry services, Men's Ministry Catalyst

"For a long time I've been wanting to write a book about making a spiritual bucket list. Well, my friend Jay Payleitner has beaten me to it and has done a much better job than I could have. If you have ever wondered how to align your choices in life with God's will, this is the book for you."
—Edward Grinnan, editor in chief, Guideposts Publications

"Are you working your plan? Or God's plan? What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? will make you smile and think, and it will equip you for your best plan going forward."
—Bob Tiede, director of global operation leadership development, CRU

"What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? is a deep and rich treasure, at once thoughtful and whimsical. Jay brings the finer gold of the Christian life to light in this remarkable read."
—Brannon J. Marshall, director of church engagement, Awana International

From the Publisher