Batterson - A trip around the sun: turning your everyday life into the adventure of a lifetime

2015 by Mark Batterson, Richard Foth, and Susanna Foth Aughtmon

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-2802-4

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007

Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The authors are represented by The FEDD Agency, Inc.

There is no word in the English language like the word adventure . A Trip around the Sun will awaken your hunger to make your life your adventure. If you can read this book without being stirred to lifecheck your pulse.

John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and author of Soul Keeping

This is a terrific book, written by two of my favorite people on the planet. Ive known Dick and Mark for many years, and theyre trusted friends and guides. Though they are authors, scholars, leaders, and pastors, they dont care at all about titles. They care about people. Ive seen the way they embrace the disenfranchised and the way they interact with leaders of entire countries. Its exactly the same. Thats because theyve learned to love people the way Jesus did. Youll want to do the same after reading this book.

Bob Goff, attorney and author of Love Does

A magnetic message of risk, reflection, and relationship. Throw this one in your luggage for your next trip around the sun.

Christine Caine, author of Unstoppable

This book will inform and inspire you during your annual trip around the sun. Writing from the overflow of remarkable living, Mark Batterson and Dick Foth provide an owners manual for an abundant and adventurous life.

Dr. Barry Black, Chaplain of the United States Senate

Mark Batterson and mentor Richard Foth prove each trip around the sun deserves a healthy dose of adventure, risk, and relationship. With unique perspectives and a joint message, these two inspire their readers to risk more, reflect more, and do more things that live on after we die.

Reggie Joiner, founder and CEO of Orange

Shared life stories forge the chain of values that bind generations into cultures, then civilizations. As cultural DNA, these stories can be the good news of human existence. When they mirror Gods Word and Gods Son, they are profound life road maps. For well over six decades, Dick has shared his life stories with me. For a score of years Mark has done the same, modeling devotion inspiring us to our highest and best. A Trip around the Sun is a trip well worth taking!

John Ashcroft, former US Attorney General

This book will stir your soul! The stories that weave through life and the adventures that shape who we are with each other are brought to life in a tangible, real, practicable way that will enhance and inspire your trips around the sun.

Curt Richardson, cofounder of OtterBox

The synergy of Foth and Batterson is powerful. Everyone will find inspiration in these pages. As a father and grandfather I gleaned new ideas to involve my family in adventures that will bring them closer to Jesus.

Rep. Frank Wolf, 10th District, Virginia

Batterson and Foth bring together an enormous treasure of life experiences and biblical principles to guide us into the larger adventure of living our years to the fullest! Whether you are young, old, single, married, parenting, or teaching, A Trip around the Sun is a must-read and re-read. It challenges you not to settle for the safe seat on the bus but rather to think big, take risks, and periodically recalibrate your life compass.

Barbara Melby, early childhood teacher

I couldnt wait for the next chapter. I enjoyed it very much!

Tony Hall, ambassador and former US Congressman

Dick and Mark have captured powerful stories and lessons for us as we search to find ways to sharpen our ability to walk in faith. Dicks friendship and connection overlapped my walk in service to our nation in challenging dayslike the tragedy on the USS Cole and the attacks on 9/11when I was looking to my faith for answers and direction. Together these gentlemen share some of the excitement and adventure and the love principles that change lives in our journeys around the sun. This is a great read. It challenges us all in our walk with Jesus.

Admiral Vern Clark, former Chief of Naval Operations, US Navy

When two great communicators from two different generations collaborate on a book chronicling their adventures following Jesus, its probably worth a look. Authors Mark Batterson and Dick Foth infuse warmth, disarming transparency, and insight into everything they do, and A Trip around the Sun is captivating and delightfully difficult to lay down. The gift of storytelling is in rare form here, and readers are invited into the authors personal and professional journeys with moments from their mentoring friendship, vignettes from history, great quotes from some of historys great adventurers, and practical insights from Gods Word. Everyday things become meaningful things, and generational perspectives engage us. No matter how many trips weve taken around the sun, Foth and Batterson whet our appetites to risk doing life with Jesus full-out, to do it with friends treasured and those yet to be made, and to leave a legacy of high adventure with God that will impact generations to follow. A Trip around the Sun is well worth the read!

Dr. Beth Grant, author of Courageous Compassion and cofounder of Project Rescue

To the ancestors who came before uswere grateful.

To the generations who come after uswere hopeful.

And to our wives, Ruth and Lorait wouldnt be half the adventure without you.