Bill Purvis - Make a Break for It: Unleashing the Power of Personal and Spiritual Growth

Finally, my good friend Bill Purvis has put his amazing life story into print! I encouraged him to do this years ago. Bills story of how he turned his mess into his message will hold your attention to the very last page. Read the first chapter and youll be hooked! Youll want to put this into the hands of anyone needing an encouraging message that life-change is possible!

John C. Maxwell, bestselling New York Times
author and leadership expert

This book is long overdue! Bill has been a friend and encourager to me for years, and his story is a true testament to what God can do in your life, from wherever you start. Each chapter will challenge and raise your faith, which is what you want a book to do. Make a Break for It delivers!

Tim Hudson, 2014 World Series Champion pitcher,
San Francisco Giants, four times All Star

In todays world, with all the challenges we face, Bills words of wisdom and encouragement on how to live your life are very inspirational. Live your life for God, being good to others... this book is right on the mark.

Bill Jordan, CEO, President and Founder of Jordan
Outdoor Enterprises and Realtree Camouflage

I have had the privilege of having a friendship that spans thirty years with Dr. Bill Purvis, so it gives me great joy to recommend his book, Make a Break for It. Bill goes into great detail to tell you how he broke away from a lifestyle that appealed to his lowest and least and how he responded to a new lifestyle that has brought him to his highest and best. This is the type of book that can help transform a persons life not only on this earth, but for all of eternity. If I had a friend who needed to turn his life around, this is the book that I would recommend. My advice to you is to make a break for it and get to your local bookstore as soon as possible!

Dr. Dwight Ike Reighard, Senior Pastor, Piedmont Church

Bill will remind you of the often overlooked yet powerful ability that God has given us: the power to choose! Choosing to live your life intentionally and purposefully is one of the most important decisions you can make. Bill is living proof of that, and his testimony inspires hope while his words ignite passion to continually pursue Gods plan for your life. No matter what trails behind you from yesterday or lies in front of you today, you can, make a break for it, and watch God truly bless your future!

Chasity Hardman Smith, Miss Georgia 2008
and First Runner-up, Miss America 2009

This book is a game changer! Make a break for it!

Frank Shamrock, Five-Time UFC World Champion,
author of Uncaged: My Life as a Champion MMA Fighter

Make a Break for It will change your life! Our strength lies in our ability to overcome obstacles. Bill is a living example of someone who overcame enormous obstacles. Using his dramatic testimony, he shows readers they too can overcome any obstacle in their life though Gods power!

Bill Kazmaier, Three-time Worlds Strongest Man,
Powerlifter and Wrestler

ZONDERVAN

Make a Break for It

Copyright 2016 by Bill Purvis

ePub Edition February 2016: ISBN 978-0310-34354-7

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Purvis, Bill (Pastor) author.

Title: Make a break for it : unleashing the power of personal and spiritual growth / by Bill Purvis.

Description: Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015040813 | ISBN 9780310343530 (hardcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Purvis, Bill (Pastor) | Converts--United States--Biography.

Classification: LCC BV4935.P86 A3 2016 | DDC 277.3/082092--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015040813

Scripture quotations are taken from New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with Dupree/Miller & Associates, Inc., 100 Highland Park Village, Suite 350, Dallas, TX 75205.

Cover design: Dual Identity

Cover photos: alexsvirid / xpixels / Shutterstock

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

First Printing January 2016

Contents

I am beyond excited to be a part of the Zondervan family and to have had the privilege of working with my editor, Sandy Vander Zicht. Sandy, I am so grateful for your passion for excellence and your editorial insight through each phase of this project. You and your team have been a pleasure to work with.

Without my literary agent, Nena Madonia-Oshman, this book would not exist. Nena, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God ordained our meeting, and I am incredibly grateful for your guidance and belief in me. From the start, you believed this book could have an impact, and you worked as if it were your sole mission to see it come about. Thank you. I will forever be grateful to you and Dupree/Miller & Associates for believing in my story.

I cant say enough about James (Jim) Lund. Jim, your writing and editing expertise are remarkable. Just as a great chef can take basic ingredients and turn them into an amazing dish, you turned my everyday stories and ideas into an amazing and meaningful book. I love your spirit and am glad this project brought us together.

I dont have enough space to say all thats on my heart to my wife, Debbie. Debbie, you have loved me and pushed me to pursue every dream. I am the most blessed man I know because of you. Thank you for sharing your life with me. Youve made life fun!

I am grateful to my firstborn son, B.J. Seven years ago you, B.J., decided that my story needed to be told, and you made it your mission to get it to print. Thank you for continuing to believe in this book, even when it seemed like it would never come to fruition. Thank you for handling all of the small details that have popped up since this project began. Your focus and drive have kept me on track throughout this entire process. I admire you, B.J., and have loved going on this book-writing journey with you!

To my son Brent, incredible copastor with me, thanks for leading so well and freeing me up so I could do this work.

Im thankful to my son Blake. Blake, thank you for using your flying skills to take me to speaking engagements. Because of you, I met some awesome people whose stories ended up in the pages of this book.

My heart is full of gratitude for our Cascade Hills Church family in Columbus, Georgia. I could have filled a hundred books with stories of our journey together. While you know I believe in you and Ive taught you, what you might not know is that you have taught me also. Youve shaped my life, and youve believed in me when Ive needed it most. I love you.

Im grateful most of all to God. If He had not sent His Son, Jesus, to die for my sins, I wouldnt be here today. He took an aimless teenager heading down the wrong path and saved him. God turned a traumatic night into a triumphant one. He had a plan and purpose for my life that was far greater than I ever could have imagined. I will forever thank Him for saving my life that night, but most of all, Im grateful for what He did on the cross for me. I trust this book will give hope and inspiration to those who are looking for it. If God can save me from a life of despair, He can do the same for you.