Make Your Mark: Getting Right What Samson Got Wrong

(Paperback)

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Description

Wrestling with one's calling in life is a fundamental struggle for just about everyone. Those seeking to live the Christian life, however, struggle to discover God's purpose for their lives and what it means to live that out on a daily basis.

Brad Gray is a biblical teacher who unpacks the story of Samson to show how there is more to this man than his long hair and superhuman strength. Samson's story is about how he lost sight of God long before he lost his secret power. It's a story for humanity because it's about humanity. Samson was called by God to be a Nazirite, someone who is not allowed to kill. He strayed from this calling and each deviation escalated in degree: he started with a lion and went on to kill three thousand men and women.

Brad takes this fascinating story and explores what it means to live out God's fullest design. When we understand how Samson missed his calling, perhaps we can learn how not to miss our own.

Reviews

Brad Gray has a remarkable gift for merging the best tools we use to interpret the Bible today. Here he employs historical geography, the culture of ancient Israel, Hebrew language insights, and a wide knowledge of the Bible to bring to life the stories of Samson that are frequently neglected in the church. His aim is not mere exposition, however. His heartfelt desire is to see these ancient inspired stories find new life for believers and he does it with enthusiasm, humor, and skill. MAKE YOUR MARK is as fascinating as it is inspiring. And particularly for those Christians who may think they've heard it all in the Bible, Brad Gray proves that there are fantastic surprises still to be discovered.--Gary M. Burge, Ph.D., professor of New Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School
Brad Gray provides a rare combination of cultural understanding, geographical context, historical perspective, and biblical insight, making this book a powerful read. The life lessons from Samson's story are clear and highly relevant for today's culture.--Kirk Cousins, NFL Quarterback and author of Game Changer
Brad Gray's mighty fine book MAKE YOUR MARK probably should be titled It Will Leave a Mark because it will! Over the years, I have had the unspeakable pleasure of teaching preaching to literally hundreds of young men and women all eager to take their place in the long line of preachers who have gone before them. I keep in my mind a list of the best of the best I have ever taught, and Brad Gray is on that list. He may actually be at the very top of that list in this particular regard; he is the most relentless studier of the text I have ever taught. He tirelessly turns over every stone in sight to see what is just beneath the surface! What a wonderful gift to once be a teacher of a person who then becomes your teacher! If you read MAKE YOUR MARK like I did, it will leave a mark on you, and you will be better for it!--Dr. Timothy Brown, president and Henry Bast Professor of Preaching, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan
In MAKE YOUR MARK Brad Gray helps strip away our Western cultural assumptions and gives us a fresh look into the story of Samson. Along the way he gives us practical and biblical instruction that helps us navigate through our own stories as we become a part of the larger story.--TobyMac, Grammy award-winning artist, producer, song-writer, and author of City on Our Knees
MAKE YOUR MARK brings three dimensional insights to a mysterious story. The image of Samson has long been that of a muscular one man wrecking crew. By guiding us through the geography, customs, and language, Brad Gray provides a refreshing look at an enigmatic character. In the process, he motivates us to become better stewards of our own calling, gifts, and opportunity.--Jeff Manion, Sr. Teaching Pastor, Ada Bible Church and author of The Land Between and Satisfied
Samson is the perfect archetype for the conflicted superheroes we find in movies today. Despite his supreme strength, he's often hardly heroic in how he fulfills God's calling. What can we learn from his weaknesses By digging into Samson's life in its ancient context, Brad Gray has excavated much fresh insight for today. I was delighted and convicted by Brad's thoughtful heart, his humor and his passion for studying God's Word in its original time and place.--Lois Tverberg, author of Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus and Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus

Author Bio

Brad serves as the Teaching Pastor of Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, Michigan. He has travelled extensively to the biblical lands of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece and currently leads two-week, biblical study trips to Israel and Turkey. Brad has a BA in Business Management from Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, MI), and MDiv from Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI), and did additional graduate work at Jerusalem University College (Jerusalem, Israel). Brad and his wife Shallon have three children and reside in Holland, Michigan. To learn more about Brad and his ministry, please visit www.WalkingTheText.com.