Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You

by Jud Wilhite

Book Overview

I had it all backwards. The main thing was not my love for God, but his love for me. And from that love I respond to God as one deeply flawed, yet loved. I'm not looking to prove my worth. I'm not... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1601420722
• ISBN13: 9781601420725
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 189 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Where is the real me?

I just finished read "Eyes Wide Open" the latest book by Jud Wilhite. Jud is senior pastor of Central Christian Fellowship, Las Vegas. My wife and I had the opportunity to meet him last October at the Deadly Viper Shindig after Catalyst one evening. The subtitle of the book is "See and Live the Real You." Where do I find the real me? Well, this book lays out the path and gives me direction. If you are aware of Jud Wilhite then you know that he majors on grace. Grace to the extent of one of his previous books titled "Uncensored Grace". No matter who we are or what we've done, Jud reminds us that God extends his grace to us and after we've accepted it, we are free of judgement. Going further down the path, we are led to get away from seeing ourselves as in a mirror. We are instead supposed to get to know God and how we are made in his image. This leads us to seeing ourselves with his eyes and getting rid of the masks that we use to hide ourselves. Jud continues, discussing themes of community and restoration of the world. We are all called to become the church to a world that needs us so much. One of the things that I liked so much about the book was Jud's use of real stories to illustrate his point. These were stories of well known people and stories of those that we may have never heard of otherwise. The stories remind me that this path is possible to follow. Although the lives of those walking it are often messy and filled with trials, God is always there in the midst. Like I said, I just finished it, but I already feel like going back to the front of the book and starting all over. I need this message.

Eyes Wide Open

In Eyes Wide Open, Jud Wilhite provides a guide to understanding how God sees "us". Jud's ability to provide the truth of scripture through provocative and compelling stories from real people like you and me is amazing. From the opening chapter of the book Jud provides al look at the mess of life that many Christian Leaders want to sweep under the rug. It is through that vantage point that Eyes Wide Open begins to help those far from God, spiritual seekers, and committed believers to open their mind and to see themselves with a fresh perspective. Jud does not provide a fluffy view of our walk with Christ, but takes a hard look at the current state many people are living in today. One of the most impressive parts of the book was Jud's ability to weave in real, genuine stories from his own failures and victories along the way. It proves his heart to see people set free, and to live a transparent life before God and man. His heart for the hurting and hopeless seem to jump off the page with each new chapter. In Romans 12:2 the Apostle Paul states, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will" and that is what I perceive Eyes Wide Open to really be about. It is about opening up the window to your soul, and to clear your mind of what we believe or understand, and begin to allow God to transform us into what He has created us to be. Eyes Wide Open is a book that every new or long time believer should read. I have personally been recommending it to everyone in my congregation. As a pastor in a church plant, it will become a mainstay for new believers to help them understand not only how God sees them, but how He wants them to see themselves.

God Loves You! A simple message with a profound impact!

Pastor Jud Wilhite's newest book Eyes Wide Open is a phenomenal book for anyone who wants to understand who they really are through the eyes of God. Wilhite and co-author Bill Taaffe present an easy but incredible read that will help you see and live the real you. I will admit, when I first started reading I was presented with stories from previous sermons I had heard or experienced while working at Central Christian Church. I was discouraged at first thinking that I was just going to be reading through previous material. But after Jud and Bill clearly present God's view of us, they move into three dynamic sections about how God's view of us should affect the way we think about ourselves, the way we live our lives and the way we influence others. Two foundational statements stood out from chapter one and the introduction: "The main thing is not my love for God but His love for me." (pg 6) "Embracing God's perspective of you - living with eyes wide open - is so important because it allows you to become the person God created you to be." (pg. x) I want to spend the rest of my life living as the person God created me to be and I want you to live that way as well. Hundreds of people make decisions to make Jesus Christ the leader and forgiver of their life every month here at Central. Most of them want to know what to do next in their spiritual life. We hear this often: "What do I do now?" Eyes Wide Open is a fantastic resource to hand to someone to help them explain what the next steps in there spiritual journey should look like. But not only is this a great resource for the next steps for a new believer but it is a swift kick in the pants for the seasoned Christian as well. It reminds us all what life is about: God's love for us. Last year during one of our weekend services Jud brought a mirror on stage and he smashed it with a hammer. It was visual reminder that all too often the mirror we look into is not the same mirror that God looks into. When God looks at us, He sees Himself. Many of us, myself included, "... need to break the mirror we've been looking at." (pg. 68) Buy a copy today and start breaking the mirrors in your own life. Begin to see yourself and God with eyes wide open!

Eyes Wide Open

Like many who have been following Jesus for a long time and new followers alike we struggle to understand and grasp an invisible God. His claims of unconditional love, grace (receiving what we don't deserve), and being able to spend eternity with Him are just so far out there and contrary to what we live in and deal with daily that we struggle with it. We struggle with being able to except and see God clearly for who He is and what He has in store for us. Enter "Eyes Wide Open" by Jud Wilhite, senior pastor at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. Maybe Jud can see a perspective of God that many can't just from his geographical location, being in Sin City. Definitely from the time he spends with God, but "Eyes Wide Open" is a great reminder of the way God wants us to see Him. I have been so deeply touched by these short but powerful chapters than I have in a long while. He does such a great job of wrapping real-life stories and God's truth that you just become so engaged and waiting to see where he is going next. This is a book that has something everyone (most books don't in my experience) from those far from God who need "Uncensored Grace" to those who have been Christ-followers for years and still need "Uncensored Grace" day in and day out. This is one of those book I recommend for everyone and definitely for church leaders to get into the hands of the people in their care. Everyone will benefit from Jud's down to earth and easy going style as well and see God in a new light that can bring about spiritual transformation personally and for a faith community.

Great Book Addressing How a Proper View of Ourselves and God Effects Our Lives

In Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You, Jud Wilhite raises some very relevant questions which each Christian must come face to face with. This is a book that is clearly written to an audience that is already Christ followers and seeks to engage them with the truth that bad theology leads to Christian living and thinking that is not biblical. The book addresses four critical categories of issues where American Christians have a tendency to embrace bad theology. These areas are theology about God, theology about ourselves and our position in Christ, theology of the process of change in becoming like Christ, and theology of mission. Jud builds a logical argument throughout the book starting with a theology of God as the bases. One of the most attractive parts of the book was the fact that the truths of scripture that were communicated in a clear and biblically sound way using both illustrations and personal testimonies of the people who Jud has had an opportunity to minister to. The biblical passages were used clearly throughout the book. The only annoying thing was that the references for the passages were not in the text of the book itself but were buried in the notes pages that corresponded to that chapter. The section on a theology of change was the best segment of the book. Jud highlighted that change into becoming more like Christ, also known as sanctification, is a life long process. This section emphasized the importance of having somewhere to be real. Somewhere to take off your Christian mask and to be yourself - struggles and all. The importance of growing in Christ through the context of a local community of faith was also highlighted. These are very important truths that the American church tends to not address. The final section on being a missional person who influences culture was a great ending point for the book. The Gospel should never stop with you or me. We should always seek ways to embody and proclaim the grace of God through Jesus to the world around us. Jud Wilhite's new book, Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You, releases in stores today. Make sure and grab a copy because it is well worth your time to be encouraged with the timeless truths from scripture. Embracing good theology strengthens both our relationship with Jesus Christ and empowers us to make a difference in the world.