To be asleep is to be oblivious to being oblivious. The danger of sleep
is the danger of carbon monoxide: it’s colorless and odorless, and
you’re anesthetized before you know it—before you ever hit the floor.
And for the follower of Jesus, it’s just as dangerous—because the
Christian who is “asleep” is spiritually unreceptive. If anything will
be our undoing, sleep will.
In this thoughtful, engaging, challenging book, Rick James dives deep into the New Testament’s teachings on spiritual wakefulness, calling Christ-followers to defy the darkness and remain awake as they await Christ’s return. Because being awake—continually in prayer, watchful for God’s will, expectant of open doors, cautious of sin, desiring to serve, eager to repent, continuously giving thanks, willing to witness, embracing of humility, overflowing with kindness, persevering in obedience—changes everything.
Table of Contents
"Rick James is one of the most thought-provoking authors I've read in a long, long time."
---MARK BATTERSON
New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National Community Church
"Whether you grow up in a Christian community or come to faith later, the practice of that faith can be baffling. Rick James knows this well. Here he charts Christian life from its beginning in basic commitment to its end in glory. Casually, carefully, quickly, with personal stories and vivid illustrations drawn from both literature and ordinary life, he shows readers a clear path through the maze. Lest readers languish, he declares, "Wake up! Don't just smell the flowers; follow Christ. Here's how."
---JAMES W. SIRE
Author of The Universe Next Door and Apologetics beyond Reason
In this thoughtful, engaging, challenging book, Rick James dives deep into the New Testament’s teachings on spiritual wakefulness, calling Christ-followers to defy the darkness and remain awake as they await Christ’s return. Because being awake—continually in prayer, watchful for God’s will, expectant of open doors, cautious of sin, desiring to serve, eager to repent, continuously giving thanks, willing to witness, embracing of humility, overflowing with kindness, persevering in obedience—changes everything.
Table of Contents
- Encephalitis Lethargica - The Great Sleeping Sickness
- Sensory Data - Discerning the Will of God
- Homeland - In the Event of a Terrorist Attack
- Sleepless Cities - The Metabolism of Community
- Red Bull - On the Caffeinating Effect of Trials
- Psychedelic - Altering Spiritual Perception
- Perks - Driven by Reward
- The Sin You Never Saw Coming - Invisible Sins
- The Coming Clouds - Anticipation of Christ's Return
- Metanarrative - The Power of Plot
- Speak Now - Making the Most of Opportunity
"Rick James is one of the most thought-provoking authors I've read in a long, long time."
---MARK BATTERSON
New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National Community Church
"Whether you grow up in a Christian community or come to faith later, the practice of that faith can be baffling. Rick James knows this well. Here he charts Christian life from its beginning in basic commitment to its end in glory. Casually, carefully, quickly, with personal stories and vivid illustrations drawn from both literature and ordinary life, he shows readers a clear path through the maze. Lest readers languish, he declares, "Wake up! Don't just smell the flowers; follow Christ. Here's how."
---JAMES W. SIRE
Author of The Universe Next Door and Apologetics beyond Reason
