Rob Shepherd - Even If You Were Perfect, Someone Would Crucify You: Stop trying to please people. Start pleasing God

EVEN IF YOU WERE PERFECT,
Someone Would Crucify You

This book reads like you were hanging out talking to Rob one on one. Just like Rob, it is honest, funny, and challenging. Ive seen the effects of people pleasing in my own life and the lives of others and its extremely dangerous. Rob gives us a valuable tool to help us navigate these chummy waters. Good stuff Rob!

Chad Childress
Struggling People Pleaser and Director of Missionary and Church Development for the North American Mission Board

Rob Shepherds book Even if You Were Perfect Someone Would Crucify You confirmed what I already knewIm not perfect. In short, digestible chapters Shepherd shares several truths every human needs to know: dont take yourself too seriously, there will always be critics, and your identity must be found in Jesus! Youll enjoy reading & laughing your way through this book!

Terrace Crawford
Nationally Recognized Speaker & Author of Going Social

Rob Shepherd is one of the best writers and communicators in the church today. His voice needs to be heard and listened to. This book will nail you in regards to cutting out the paralyzing noises of life and opinions of others. Be ready for a tugging at your heart to rest and re-discover your identity FULLY in Him.

Chad Johnson
Director of the Catalyst Conference

In Even If You Were Perfect Someone Would Crucify You, my friend Rob Shepherd goes beyond telling us not to try to please people. He inspires us to fall more in love with Jesus which in turn will help us care less about what people think and more about what Jesus does.

Clayton King
Founder & President of Crossroads Ministries
Teaching Pastor @ Newspring Church, Campus Pastor @
Liberty University, Author for Harvest House

Should you read this book?

• If the title caught your attention, you should read this book. Every page is riveted to this central theme and the author shares a plethora of examples, and applications to free the chronic people pleaser.
• If you can tolerate serious thoughts presented with a wicked sense of humor, you should read this book.
• If you will not judge an author who dares to be transparent and share his own struggles, you should read this book.
• If you are not a grammar czar who objects to contractions, sudden changes in person from less personal They to the direct encounter You, and do not condemn passive voice, you will enjoy the book.
• If you do not mind an author who uses big words like HUGE or Gigantor, you can manage this book.
• If you enjoy new vocabulary, like schemy, not found in the dictionary, you should read this book.
• If you are a people pleaser or know someone who is, you should read this book.

EVEN IF
YOU WERE
PERFECT

Someone Would Crucify You

Stop trying to please people.
Start pleasing God

ROB SHEPHERD

EVEN IF YOU WERE PERFECT,
Someone Would Crucify You
Stop trying to please people. Start pleasing God

2014 ROB SHEPHERD. All rights reserved.

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Disclaimer: The Publisher and the Author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that the Publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither the Publisher nor the Author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. The fact that an organization or website is referred to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the Author or the Publisher endorses the information the organization or website may provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers should be aware that internet websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.

ISBN 978-1-61448-513-1 paperback
ISBN 978-1-61448-514-8 eBook
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013930345

Morgan James Publishing
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New York City, New York 10001
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www.MorganJamesPublishing.com

Cover Design by:
Rachel Lopez

www.r2cdesign.com

Interior Design by:
Bonnie Bushman
bonnie@caboodlegraphics.com

In an effort to support local communities, raise awareness and funds, Morgan James Publishing donates a percentage of all book sales for the life of each book to Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.

To the members of Next Level Church, who have patiently walked with a pastor who still struggles with pleasing people, but desperately is seeking his identity in Jesus. I love being your pastor. Together we can change the world by loving Jesus, loving people, and making a difference.

Contents

Acknowledgments

To Monica, you have influenced my understanding of how much Jesus loves imperfect people by your constant love for me. It must be hard being married to a people pleasing, sensitive, incredibly good looking (for an overweight bald guy) pastor, but you make it seem easy. Thank you for loving me well, and for supporting my dream to write a book! I love God more because of you!

To my parents, who faithfully modeled a great marriage and a love for Jesus. I also would like to thank you for allowing us to move back in with you as we follow Gods call to plant a church. You are a huge part of our story. Oh, and Mom, I know that you put in a lot of time editing this book. I greatly appreciate it! Thanks for making my writing look like I paid attention in English class.

To Reese and Hayden, I love being your dad. I know you cant read this now, but one day I hope that you will read the words that I try to live out every day. You both are more than sermon illustrations and blog material. You are proof that God answers prayer. I love you both!

To Jon, Nicole, Congo, and Brody, you are one of the main reasons why we planted a church in the 757. Monica and I love living life with you. We were willing to go anywhere God led us, but we are eternally grateful that we got the green light to stay close to you guys.

To Sarah, Scott, Selleck, Slade, and Sawyer, thanks for being our Ohio family. I hope that this book makes you proud of your little brother, brother-in-law, and uncle.