2014 by Andrew Farley
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Printed in the United States of America
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 978-1-4412-4608-0
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 Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV 1984 are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Italics in Scripture are the authors emphasis.
Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, alivecommunications.com.
I grew up in church and would sit there singing the songs, and people would say stuff like, This is worth dying for. But I didnt feel that way. I felt like something was missing. Fast-forward decades later, and I was reading Andrew Farleys book on a flight to Australia. By the time we landed, I was blown away. It made me think, If this is who Christ really is, then yes, this is worth dying for! Relaxing with God is Andrews latest work, and it could change everything for you. Expect to discover the freedom of Gods grace. Expect to know Jesus like never before!
Bart Millard, lead singer for MercyMe
Andrew Farley is clearheaded and straight-shooting on arguably the most important topic ever: grace. He is, thankfully, a dog on a bone when it comes to the grace of God and wont let his readers wiggle away from the beauty and majesty of Gods grace toward them. Because of his clarity and consistency, Andrew is powerfully used by God to switch on the light for many people. Im grateful to have encountered his writing, and Im always excited when I meet another reader who has experienced the Farley Factor.
Bruxy Cavey, teaching pastor at The Meeting House, bestselling author of The End of Religion
Andrew Farley is one of those bright, bright lights in this generation, calling us back to the original Good News. The way he communicates about Gods grace helps convince us that these truths are not just theology to compare but life to free us. Im very proud to stand alongside this man.
John Lynch, bestselling coauthor of Bos Cafe and The Cure , team member at TrueFaced
Among all of todays Christian pastors, teachers, and authors, there is only one whose work I never miss: Andrew Farley. He offers the most consistently invigorating, surprisingly relevant, Bible-based messages of anyone I know. If you want truth that blows away the cobwebs in your heard and speaks directly to your heart, Relaxing with God is your book.
Ralph Harris, president of LifeCourse Ministries, author of Gods Astounding Opinion of You
Very few Christians know what it means to rest in Christ. But as Andrew writes, rest is Jesuss promise to every believer. Are you ready to loosen your grip on all the religious traditions? Are you ready to let go of all the worry and self-effort? If so, I encourage you to read this book carefully. Soak in the truth of Gods love and grace. Its time for you to relax with God and enjoy his life to the full.
Bob Christopher, president of Basic Gospel (BasicGospel.net)
Theres nothing better than kicking back and just loving life. Belly-laughing, crying because you can, and cherishing unfiltered relationship with someone you trust are rare treasures in our overstimulated society. Its time to relax and experience God: his smile, his serenity, and his extravagant love and acceptance. Relaxing with God is an engaging book for anyone who dares to accept the invitation. Your life will never be the same!
Audrey Meisner, bestselling author of Marriage Under Cover ; TV host of My New Day
Andrew Farleys message beckons the believer away from treadmill tactics and self-righteous religiosity. He consistently invites the church to a place of rest won by love and offered by grace. His message has helped people in our church find freedom from unbiblical thinking and courage to experience the life we are meant to live.
Steve Benedict, pastor of Grace Life Community Church, Bristow, Virginia
Andrew Farley is one of the best communicators of our day. Relaxing with God was written for those who want to walk with God and reflect his heart to a hurting world. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It will make you wonder how on earth you could have missed these simple, powerful truths of the gospel!
Scott Hadden, president of Scope Ministries International
I keep falling deeper in love with Jesus as a result of Andrew Farleys ability to communicate the simplicity of Gods grace with such precision. Relaxing with God is yet another triumph in making the main thing the main thing. This book shows us all how to experience true freedom in Jesus Christ. And in him, we can finally relax!
Lee Higginbotham, licensed clinical Christian counselor, Real Life Christian Counseling
Weve been touched by the depth and clarity of Andrew Farleys revelations concerning the believers total forgiveness and union with Christ. What freedom to live from God rather than merely living for him. Read this book and begin relaxing with God!
Steve Eden, senior pastor of Grace Church, Choctaw, Oklahoma
Andrew Farleys writing never ceases to amaze me. As a pastor myself, I believe that the gospel of grace is the only hope for mankind, and nobody Ive ever read articulates it more clearly than Andrew. I recommend every book hes written, and I cant recommend Relaxing with God highly enough. If your relationship with Christ seems to have been downgraded to little more than the stress of religious obligation, its time to recapture your joy! Read this great book, and Im confident youll discover what youve been missing.
Jeremy White, lead pastor of Valley Church, Vacaville, California; author of The Gospel Uncut
Andrew Farleys writing is incredibly powerful and freeing. The captives of cold, dead, and stiff religion rise up and call him blessed. As a recovering Pharisee, Im one of them.
Steve Brown, bestselling author and radio host of Steve Brown Etc.
Andrew Farley does in Relaxing with God what we always want but rarely get from an author. He distinguishes the subtle misconceptions we have about our relationship with God from the empowering reality of all Christ has actually done for us. If you only read one Christian book this year, read this one, and enter Gods rest.