A brand new book has just been released (April 15), one that I highly recommend to all young people. And middle aged people. And old people.

The book is Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, written by teenagers Alex and Brett Harris. I know these two young men well, and I believe this book is vitally needed in our churches and our culture. Alex and Brett start chapter one by saying this:

Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last.

Well, we do.

If you want to read the rest of the first chapter, you can find it here.

Do Hard Things is well written, thoughtful, Christ-centered and easy to read. And like most easy to read books, it was hard to write. (Whenever someone hands me a book they’ve written and they say it was easy to write, I cringe, because easy to write usually means hard to read…or not worth reading.)

When Alex and Brett asked me to read their book with the possibility of endorsing it, here’s what I wrote: 

Do Hard Things is an extraordinary book. In fact, I believe it will prove to be one of the most life-changing, family-changing, church-changing and culture-changing books of this generation. 

Alex and Brett are the real deal, Christ-centered young men of character and vision, committed to serving Jesus with humility and excellence.

I read countless books but this is one of the most unique, defining and important ones I've ever seen. It is paradigm-shifting, revolutionary, liberating and hope-instilling. While I'd love for every teenager to read Do Hard Things, I'm just as eager for every parent, church leader and educator to read it.

God spoke to me and encouraged and challenged me through Do Hard Things. If you do the hard thing of saying no to distractions and yes to this remarkable book, I guarantee you'll be richly rewarded.

The following info on the book is from www.therebelution.com:

With over 16 million hits to their website TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge in a growing movement of Christian young people who are rebelling against the low expectations of their culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God.

Written when they were 18 years old, Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of revolution already in progress challenges the next generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

As of April 15 you can buy the book at most stores. If there’s a Christian bookstore nearby, I recommend you buy it there, to support their work. (See my thoughts on that in my previous blog, The World of Christian Books and Writers.)

If you’re going to buy online, here is the link to the book on Christianbook.com: Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations. 

May God use this book to give our young people a vision for a better life, a life of humble and joyful abandonment to Jesus, and of freedom from the idols competing to take them captive.

Nanci and I invite you to join us in asking God to use Do Hard Things, and the website and conferences, to reach a generation of young people, bringing them to their knees in devotion to Jesus, and raising the bar of Christian living and service. Soli Deo Gloria.