Pastor of a large church in Sin City, Jud Wilhite tells stories of God's amazing grace in his second book, Eyes Wide Open.

If you enjoy hearing real-life stories followed by biblical teachings, this book is for you. It felt like I was reading a mix between Jim Cymbala and Max Lucado. Wilhite has the ability to pull you into the personal stories and then hit you with the foundational biblical truth we all need, no matter what stage of life, to understand the grace of God.

You'll find stories about Johnny Cash, Evil Knievel, bounty hunters, strippers and many more.

Someone saw what I was reading and asked, "I wonder what is must be like being a pastor in Las Vegas." You can find out the true stories by picking up Jud Wilhite's book Eyes Wide Open.

I must say, I was not familiar with Jud outside of Deadly Viper. He is pastor of Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. The first thing I noticed in reading the book is how open and free Jud is sharing who he is, not just the good stuff, but the challenges. I can appreciate that.

The book is divided into four parts. Wide Open to God sets the tone for understanding that we need to change how we see the Father and what He has put in place for us. The focus of Part I is to help us begin to see how the Father created us. "The real you emerges as you see yourself in light of who God says you are in His written Word". A powerful statement that captures the essence of Part I.

Part II is Wide Open to Identity. Once we understand who God created us to be, we must get rid of the wrong ways we have view ourselves in the past. Jud does a great job of driving home the point that it is not our works or actions that create our new identity, but rather God Himself and Him alone.

While I enjoyed the first two parts of Eyes Wide Open, Part III- Wide Open to Change is where is starting really picking up for me. This is where Jud was phenomenal at breaking a part a myth we have all lived with. To sum this myth in my own words, it's the thought that when we decide to follow Christ, we become boring, plain people. It is quite the opposite, as Jud states, "As I embrace God's view of me, I become more fully my own self." How truly freeing! Everything that is already in me, that I already enjoy doing, comes more to life with my acceptance of God's view of me.

Last, Wide Open to Influence. For those who are missional focused and committed to creating communities of change, this will be the best part of the book. Profiling everyday people who have in their own way changed the world because they saw themselves thru God's eyes was my favorite thing about Part IV.

Overall, this book was not just an enjoyable read, but an informative one that changed my own mindset. Jud is easy to read and very conversational in his approach to the subject. I would encourage anyone who is at a fork in the spiritual growth as it pertains to purpose and view to pick this one up. It's a keeper!

If you like Max Lucado books, then you will probably like Jud Wilhite as well. I am not sure why I did not initially warm to this book right off. Perhaps it was just not the right time or perhaps it was that Wilhite lives in Las Vega (can any good thing come out of Las Vega? John 1:46) but, after a couple of weeks delay, I again picked it up and read it straight through. And I am glad I did!
Though he never uses the word, this book is really about sanctification, or how we Christians are to be changed into His image (to borrow the title of another book). This little book provides a good mini course on how to grow into the person God wants you to be. The chapters are short, pithy and contain good scriptural support along with human interest stories to move the point along. The reader will find helpful information in almost every chapter like this one in chapter 14: "Scripture says to confess our sins, not broadcast them." (p. 123). Even seasoned teachers of the Word will find little surprises along the way as I did on page 154 where he points out that Luke concludes the book of Acts by telling us that Paul continued for two years teaching and preaching, then finishes the book off with the last Greek word meaning "unhindered." Think of it--in prison, bound by a chain but unhindered from doing the work God called him to do!
From the negative side only two issues caught my eye. First, I really wish he had expanded chapters 9 and 11 more--they left me feeling like he could or should have said more. Second, from the beginning I was expecting our Vegas author to slide quickly into 21st century hip language but to my surprise he used very little. But somehow, having the father of the prodigal son shouting, "It's party time" just adds too much levity to the story in my estimation. (p. 14). I also would not have chosen the word "tale" in the following sentence on page 12: "One of my favorite stories that Jesus told is a well-known tale about two brothers...." But aside from a couple of instances like this, I was very pleased.
On the whole I give this book a thumbs up and recommend it for Christians new and old as a help in their Christian growth.

So I got this book a few months ago to review. I figured I could read it over spring break. Then it didn't get here before school started again, and thus it took me a while to get through it.

In spite of how long it took me to read it, I definitely recommend it. It's actually a rather short book, easily read in a week or two if you're busy. And it has a really good message.

That message is simple, learn to see yourself the way God sees you. As in keep your Eyes Wide Open.

Jud uses many personal stories from his life, and the lives of people he knows to illustrate how God sees us. He talks about famous people who's lives were transformed by God when they surrendered to His view of them. It's an easy and encouraging read, even if the main message is challenging.

This book was especially good for me because for the past few years I have been trying to learn to see myself as God sees me. I've been hearing sermons on it, reading Bible verses on it, and just generally being told that it is something I need to learn. It's not easy. I'd say I've taken the first steps, but I still have a long ways to go. But I know that it is something I need to do, and it is something you need to do.

So, during these hot days of summer, pick up a copy of this book and be reminded about what God sees.

I had never heard of Jud Wilhite, but I have to say I am blessed to get to know him through is book Eyes Wide Open. In this book he challenges veteran Christians and non-Christians to open their eyes and really see who God is.

The book is divided into four sections--learning to see God; seeing ourselves and our forgiveness from God's perspective; being wide open to change and influence and influencing others. If you are a veteran Christian none of the concepts will be new to you, but I have to say it was a refreshing to read.

Throughout this book, Wilhite a minister in Las Vegas, often draws from situations he has experienced. The real life stories are what make this book real and appealing. I especially found my self tearing up with a story about Dog the Bounty Hunter. God is a God of salvation and a God of forgiveness. This is a book I looked forward to reading each time I picked it up. I believe groups of all ages, from teens to middle aged audlts will be blessed by Jud Wilhite's book Eyes Wide Open.

Eyes Wide Open is the perfect book for anyone who is trying to understand the meaning of grace and what forgiveness really is. Jud uses everyday examples to help the reader understand the point he is making. From Johnny Cash to Duane Dog Chapman, he tells us how Christ has changed these lives and how Christ is seeking to change your life. For those who may never have thought of reading a book about faith you may want to consider this one, it's a quick read, enjoyable and is easy to relate to.

While this was a religious self-help type book I didn't feel as if the author was being preachy or pushy. Jud Wilhite writes about how he has struggled with God, how others struggled with God and what he has learned about turning your life over to God. The different stories are what Wilhite uses to help the reader relate to these struggles. While I didn't connect with every person he talked about there were parts of some of these stories that really resonated with me.

What I really liked about this book was that it uses humor (something that I've found to be somewhat lacking in religious non-fiction) along with the message of understanding what God wants from you.

Something else good about this one was that the chapters were really short. When I start reading I like to finish at the end of a chapter, I hate having to set a book down in the middle of the chapter only to forget where I was on the page when I pick it back up. The short chapters allowed me to read in short burst, when I didn't have time to really get into it. The longest chapter was only 11 pages. And the writing style allowed for me to read rather quickly. So in five minuets I could finish a chapter.

Even if your not religious, or don't normally read non-fiction, I think you would like this. Like I said earlier, I didn't sense that the author was being pushy, it was decently humorous, and it was a quick read.

Do you have trouble believing that God loves you? Of course, you know He loves everyone else, but do you really FEEL His love for YOU?! I think everyone has trouble accepting this truth in their hearts. That's why Eyes Wide Open by Jud Wilhite is a great book. In reading this book, you start to see yourself through God's eyes, not your own. Best of all, after showing you how God sees you, Wilhite shows you how to live out God's vision and purpose for your life, how to make a difference within your sphere of influence. Eyes Wide Open is a wonderful book for every believer who is too hard on himself or herself (most of us), for everyone who has trouble forgiving their own sins and getting out from under a guilty past, and who is unsure how to proceed to serve God's purposes.

This book is well-written and very easy to read and understand. It uses examples from the Bible and from the author's life (and that of people he knows) with the focus more on the modern examples. The author quotes scripture to back up his points, and the book is Biblically correct. I love that the book says, "The main thing was not my love for God, but his love for me." So true. Two other books that delve even deeper into this principle are "Believing God" by Beth Moore and "Because He Loves Me" by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick.

Jud Whihite makes one statement I don't agree with. He states that we've lost the culture war. However, he then goes on to give an example of one person making a difference politically in the local laws. I agree that the example he gives is how we ought to be "waging" the culture war, but in my mind that's what it's always really been--personally caring about and making a difference in individual peoples lives.

Eyes Wide Open is a great, basic book for all Christians. I'd recommend this book to anyone who doesn't already deep-down rejoice in the statement "the main thing was not my love for God, but his love for me....I'm not looking to prove my worth. I'm not searching for acceptance. I'm living out of the worth God already declares I have." I'd also recommend this book for young adults and adults who are new Christians.

I just finished Jud Wilhite's new book, Eyes Wide Open. I really enjoyed it. He quickly makes me feel at ease and shows me I am not alone. You know that feeling like the author is writing directly to you? Yep, that's the feeling I got over and over! No matter your spiritual maturity, or lack there of, this book will hit home and encourage you to walk on, trusting the Lord. I highly recommend it.