Here are the things I liked most: 1) It can be used with any Bible translation 2) the graphics, charts, and layout are top notched 3) The introduction addresses those who may view the “rearranging” of scripture as sacrilegious 4) The book is a great read and very, very informative.

 Here’s what I liked least: 1) It does not address individual scripture passages but broad periods of history 2) It does not easily serve as a reference book.

 Now, let me explain. The book is laid out in 9 periods (epochs) that group the history presented in the Bible. For example, epoch 1 covers creation and the beginning of human civilization. Each of these periods lists the correlating scriptures and explains relevant background information.

 I originally had the mistaken idea that this would work like a traditional reference book or commentary. If I had a question about a particular scripture, I would go to this book, look up that passage, and find information. That is not the case and was my mistake. Needless to say I did enjoy reading this book and have it on my shelf to refer now as needed.

 Pete challenges the reader not to get discouraged, not to get distracted, and most importantly, not to get defeated when things don’t go as we planned. He even suggests that’s why Plan B even exists. As he points out, we are the only species that looks for purpose in pain.

 Pete creatively and entertainingly looks at people in the Bible that failed at Plan A. For reasons of their own making, circumstances beyond their control, or a combination of both, many characters in God’s Word benefited from Plan B and so can you. Life doesn’t end at the cross road.

 Whether your Plan B involves your career, your marriage, or your entire life, Pete’s book will carefully guide you through the hurt to the helping hand of God. As someone just starting his third career, I can attest to its benefits. I am sure you will find it helpful as well.

 This book also  has a study guide included which would be great for a book club, Bible study class, or young adult group, but I think is even better for a journaling exercise. I can think of no better way to walk through the lesson’s Pete presents in the book than to personalize the insight by writing out your answers to the study guide.

 Plan B – what to do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought he would?

 The book covers life’s common struggles with pain: injustice, rejection, loneliness, loss, disciple (when life corrects us), failure, and death.

 Meier and Henderson pull not punches. Sometimes pain is not fair. But this book works to get you to the Light. In the pain we often have misplaced focus and fear. We feel abandoned and lonely. But with guided observations and passages from God’s Word this book guides the reader along the wonderful road of recovery.

Past the rejection, past the injustice, past the loss, the road is not easy. Although not a theme in this book, I am reminded of Joseph and his journey from favored son to falsely accused slave. Over years he had to have pain and we know in the end he found purpose. He even stated as much (paraphrased), you meant evil but God used it for good.

 “Sometimes we fail to see how relevant the stories of men and women from Scripture are to our own modern-day struggles,” so the book states. But it doesn’t leave us there. In a very easy to read and process style the writers bring stories to life and promises to our problems. This book is not just a “positive thinking” solution. It is real and it requires you to be real also. If you are hurting and looking for healing, this book will help you find hope even in life’s most common struggles.

 These examples, plus others, give a good basis for an interesting study in how failure gets on its own track and eventually derails. The most interesting observation to me is that it is so easy to notice from the outside but difficult to see for one’s self. This is probably because the first two stages of the process involve a slow failure of self-/other-awareness and pride. Derailment is a process not usually a single event.

 As someone who as found his own train off the tracks, I wish I would have had this information years ago. It is not just a book to keep you on the tracks but one that attempts to make you a better leader. From helping leaders deal with stress to making better decisions, De-railed expounds on the lessons learns and then works to help you develop the habits to stay on the track.

 Leaders have to be more open to feedback, develop a great system for self-/other-awareness, listen to early warnings (this book tells you what they are) and foster accountability in themselves and others. (As an added bonus: the publisher offers two additional “freebies” for download.)

 The most frequent command in the Bible is “fear not.” The God who made us knows our heart and is keenly aware the power fear can have over our life. You find yourself stuck in a rut and all you can see is the fear before you. But there is an alternative. There is another place to place your focus. “As the awe of Jesus expands, the fear of life diminish.” When God is great, fears are not.

 Max takes us on a journey to discover just how big our God really is. Like so many other things God allows in our life, fear can drive us to our faith or keep us from it. Don’t let fear rule your life.

 Another book of Max’s, Six Hours One Friday, states, “Our lives are not futile. Our failures are not fatal. Our deaths are not final.” Fearless in many ways is this book in reverse. Don’t fear death, it’s not final. Don’t fear mistakes, they are not fatal. Live life, because it is not futile.

 Open up Fearless and find more reasons and God’s way to live a courageous life of faith.