Could not keep my interest

This book seemed like he was just all over the place and really didn't have that much to say ... just seemed like babble to me. I realize a lot of the reviews on here are 5 start "life changing" but I must admit I'm baffled. I cannot understand what they are getting out of it at all.

43 people found this helpful

Not expecting this

It seems like a lot of pastors are writing books these days. A lot of those books are fluff and just a pep talk. This is NOT one of those books! Carl does a great job of giving a glimpse into his life and the things and ideas that have helped him in his journey. I’ll be using his learnings and making a lot of his practical ideas my own. He was and is honest about his life— the good and bad and honest about moments he did and didn’t own. It’s really refreshing to hear stories like this. Grateful for that especially in a time where honesty isn’t what is happening among our Christian leaders, Carl bucks the norm to be a change agent.

48 people found this helpful

maybe for teenagers, but adults will be bored

Maybe it's cultural or generational, but I'm 58 and this book was like listening to a very uninteresting child

53 people found this helpful

Was fab then judgement had to even the score

The book begins with Lentz saying it is for everyone no matter what they believe. Then he uses space on diversity. Yay! My heart breaks in the last chapter where he says his Buddhist-friend’s belief are not the right way. It is as he backtraces everything “wrong” he might have written. I loved this book because it is unlike any book written by a Christian Pastor. I lam a Buddhist who loves Jesus. Buddha never asked to be worshipped. Keeping the book though.

86 people found this helpful

this book will challenge your view of life

If you could sum up Own the Moment in three words, what would they be?

refreshing and challenging

What did you learn from Own the Moment that you would use in your daily life?

have a look at people completely different.

Any additional comments?

I feel that Carl communicated clearly how most likely Jesus would treat and respect others if he were walking on the earth today. The book will definitely cause you to reflect on how you treat others.

10 people found this helpful

A book only Justin Bieber's pastor could write.

This book is an utter mess. The author is a very controversial and divisive figure in contemporary American popular culture and Christianity. He is the lead pastor of the New York branch of Hillsong Church, a Pentacostal church based in Australia. Hillsong NYC is known as the "hipster church", due to the fact that its clergy wears Supreme and peppers their sermons with pop culture references - essentially proving that Christians are the masters of cultural appropriation.

The self-help genre has always been full of ego, and this book does not disappoint. The author constantly goes off on tangents where he strokes himself and then tries to make light of the situation by weaving a tale of self depreciation and bringing it home with a little bit of biblical parable. There is a little bit of advice, but the book is mostly a series of tangents, which is very disappointing. If one is to own the moment, a story about combing through the garbage covered streets of New York only to find an alcoholic homeless person, and then inviting said homeless person to come to church with the promise of a beer during service is hardly going to help anyone. Rather, it is nothing more than an opportunity for the author to humble brag and go off on a tangent about how awesome he is, but he knows deep down that he is a piece of whale dung, but at least he is not the whole turd, and btw Jesus and all that jazz...

The author also makes a point to dismiss beliefs held by other people as well. He tries to soften the blow by saying that so and so is a friend, but they really could use some Jesus in their life because their beliefs are wrong. He also judges another friend for getting a divorce. Not only that, but he has the audacity to say that premarital sex is wrong, yet he admits that he was sexually active before he met his wife.

Not to attack the man personally, but he is no different from any other closed minded Christian in that regard. He may be a "cool" pastor who rubs elbows with Hollywood's current crop of darlings, but he is still proselytizing the same old message with the same old song and dance. I really cannot in good conscience recommend this to anyone, as I have made it clear that this book was a haphazardly arranged, narcissistic compendium of utter nonsense.

145 people found this helpful

Phenomenal... inspiring, quirky, funny, honest, truthful, out of the box & unconventional

Brilliantly written book by Carl Lentz. A guys who is defying critics and logic by genuinely loving people to wholeness . This book is a must read and with an open heart will impact every reader / listener!

17 people found this helpful

Owning This Moment

So many people judge a book by its cover, without ever actually reading the words inside. That is also true of Carl Lentz. People make rash 30,000 foot judgements on him, his character, and his ministry without ever actually taking the time to read his words. In this book you will discover a man who is passionate for Jesus and passionate for lost people; passionate for the famous and passionate for the faceless; passionate for the rich and passionate for the very poor. This man seems to love anybody God puts in front of him.

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to make the most out of today, and live a life of greater purpose.

Get it.

4 people found this helpful

Everyone should listen to or read this book

Would you consider the audio edition of Own the Moment to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but since Carl Lentz is a preacher, he does a pretty fantastic job of narrating this story. I listen to parts of this book all the time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jesus. He is driving the message here (behind the scenes but he is the source)

Have you listened to any of Carl Lentz’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but I also listen to pieces of it all the time

Any additional comments?

This book makes me want to go out and be nice to people. That is why I am a frequent listener. It keeps me grounded, makes me want to exude love and reminds me to be open to other people's points of view.

8 people found this helpful

Not what you think

This book is what you need if you started a walk and turned away. Empowering and real. A real world approach to Faith.

14 people found this helpful