SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Who hasn’t experienced some of life’s storms and wondered if they were going to survive? Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and senior pastor of New Season Church in Sacramento, Calif., offers powerful survival advice gleaned from the Apostle Paul’s near catastrophic shipwreck, based on Acts 27-28, in Shake Free: How to Deal with the Storms, Shipwrecks, and Snakes in Your Life (May 22, 2018, WaterBrook).
“In Shake Free Sam Rodriguez uses one of the more detailed events in the New Testament—the apostle Paul’s incredible sea journey that ended in a shipwreck—to reveal how anyone caught up in a life journey that appears headed for catastrophe may find the way to safety and spiritual growth. Just as Paul ‘shook off’ the viper that threatened his life, so we, through the power of the Spirit, can shake off the problems and challenges that are keeping us from true freedom in Christ.” Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and president of the Urban Alternative
Shake Free is a fresh call to “shake off” problems and disasters in life and move forward to new health and wholeness. In fact, Rev. Rodriguez believesn that what looks like your worst defeat will actually emerge as your greatest victory
To everyone on the ship with the Apostle Paul, it looked like a certain disaster. But as Paul predicted, everyone did survive—even though they made it to safety only by grasping “broken pieces of wood.” In his distinctive voice, Rodriguez compellingly explains, “Whether you consider your life stalled by a dead end, derailed by a detour, or blocked by unexpected obstacles, I can promise you two things: you’re not alone and your journey is far from over
According to Rodriguez, “Through this lens of faith, we learn to shake off the snares of the devil, the challenges of circumstances, the disappointment of unmet expectations, and the pain of loss. We shake free and break through to live with joy and purpose in the new life we have in Jesus Christ. That’s what this book is all about.” When the storms break in your life, you will be driven by either:
- the past or the future
- the pathetic or the prophetic
- problems or promises
- nightmares or dreams
- the flesh or the Spirit
- Google searches or godly churches
- the drama of the storm or God’s destiny for your life
Rodriguez takes the reader on Apostle Paul’s treacherous trip to Rome. Along the way, he uses the trials and tribulations Paul experiences on the journey to teach readers how they too can overcome issues such as fear, misperception, uncertainty, and false expectations that if allowed can detour life’s faith journey.
As Hillsong Founder and Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston writes in the foreword, “Like a spiritual road map from another pilgrim on the same path, Shake Free provides the fuel, inspiration, tools and encouragement you need to overcome the inevitable obstacles to growing in your faith.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Samuel Rodriguezis president of NHCLC, an international organization with over 40,000 US-based evangelical churches and additional chapters around the world. A sought-after voice among media and government leaders, in 2017 he became the first Hispanic evangelical pastor to offer a prayer at a US presidential inauguration. Rodriguez has advised several US presidents and frequently is quoted or appears on prominent media, such as theWashington Post, Fox News, ABC, NPR, theWall Street Journal, and Christianity Today. In 2013 he was nominated by Time magazine to the list of one hundred of the “most influential people in the world.” Rodriguez earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University and is the author of The Lamb’s Agenda and the best-seller Be Light. He serves as senior pastor of New Season Church in Sacramento, California, where he resides with his wife, Eva, and their children.
Twitter: @nhclc Facebook: National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (NHCLC): The NHCLC is recognized and identified by Time Magazine, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, Charisma Magazine, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, Fox News and CNN as America’s largest and most influential Hispanic/Latino Christian organization with 40,118 certified member churches in the United States and chapters in Latin America.
PRAISE FOR SHAKE FREE:
“It is not always outside forces preventing us from excelling in the ways God intended. Sometimes our own insecurities and fears hinder us from reaching our greatest potential. In his new book, Shake Free,Sam Rodriguez will help you break free of emotional, mental, and spiritual burdens in your life. This book is necessary for all those who are ready to take back control of their lives!”
—DeVon Franklin, producer and New York Times best-selling author
“Samuel Rodriguez is a man of God I believe everyone needs to hear. His latest book, Shake Free, captures his heart to see people experience freedom and fulfillment. Read this book and begin living a life of strength and security that overcomes every challenge you face.”
—Dr. Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church
Christian Living
ISBN 9781601428196●Hardcover ●224 Pages ●$22.99 US/$29.99 CAN
eBook ISBN 9781601428202●$11.99 US/$12.99 CAN
