(from the foreword) “I love Derwin Gray. He is a dear friend and cherished brother in Christ but those things, as wonderful as they are, would not have wooed me out of foreword-writing retirement. I accepted this privilege and carved out the space for three reasons. First, this guy is one of the most effective Christian leaders I have ever encountered and I want people to know about him and flourish under his influence. Second, he shares Christ’s passion for the multi-ethnic church and has gifted wherewithal to help willing people move that direction. Third, The Good Life is a great book and demonstrates the author’s glorious preoccupation with Christ and His gospel, a preoccupation God wills for every person of faith.”– Beth Moore, Bible teacher, founder and visionary of Living Proof Ministries, and bestselling author of Chasing Vines and Praying God’s Word “This book has the most solid teaching on happiness I've ever read. Not only is this message helpful but it's also refreshingly honest and carefully researched. This is wisdom I've personally seen Pastor Derwin live out both through these pages and in every day life.” – Lysa TerKeurst, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Uninvited and It's Not Supposed to be This Way and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries “From the great sermon in history comes the greatest words on happiness. Jesus’ famous beatitudes have blessed millions upon millions of people who have searched for true and lasting joy. My friend Derwin Gray masterfully unpacks the words of Christ with the skill of a scholar and the heart of a pastor. The result is a book that will bless a generation that is hungry for the happiness of heaven.”– Max Lucado, Preaching Minister of Oak Hills Church, author of How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations I have watched Derwin Grey hold a room filled with thousands of college students spellbound as he unpacked the simple, profound, life-altering implications of the grace of Jesus in our lives. Then I watched him personally minister one-by-one to a line of hundreds of students who wanted to walk with Jesus. Thank you for putting your insights into a book, brother. May God bless us all as we seek Him together!– Ben Stuart, Pastor of Passion City Church D.C., Author of Single, Dating, Engaged, Married Derwin Gray has written a gem, a book that reminds me of my own quest and conquest of that elusive thing called happiness. Like me, Derwin found happiness in Jesus Christ. Yet sadly, many Christians lack happiness too. So what gives? You'll find the answer in the pages of this book. Taking words straight from the author of happiness, Jesus Himself, Derwin lays out the blueprint for a happy and fulfilling life. Reading "The Good Life'' will make you think; it'll make you smile, and most of all, it'll make you happy - forever.”– Chris Broussard, FOX Sports Broadcaster, Founder and President of The K.I.N.G. Movement “Pastor Derwin has done it again! Not many people can so brilliantly weave high level theology in such easy to understand and practical ways. Pastor Derwin and this book are a gift and surely will leave you feeling encouraged and equipped!” – Jefferson Bethke New York Times bestselling author of Jesus > Religion “In The Good Life, Derwin Gray reflects on the Beatitudes and shows how a life of faith and fruitfulness flows from the surprising grace of the gospel. Here is a book that will encourage you, challenge you, and equip you to be a demonstration of the grace and power of God!” – Trevin Wax, senior vice president of Theology and Communications at LifeWay Christian Resources, author of This Is Our Time and Rethink Your SelfThe Good Life, by my friend Derwin Gray, is about happiness sought, happiness found, and happiness deepened. It is the story of a man who has found the love of God, the love of others, and the love of self personally, and who through that personal encounter with the God of the good life has found the Beatitudes of Jesus as they are meant to be seen: as people who truly know God and through knowing God know themselves and how to love others. The Good Life is a timely warning to America about its obsession with what is not good and an instruction for the church to chase after the good God who alone knows what the good life is. We see that good life in Jesus and Derwin takes us to him.– Rev. Canon Dr. Scot McKnight, Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary “So many of us are pursuing happiness in an age where it feels more and more elusive. Derwin's story and writing is filled with heart, passion and real-life experience that points you to the ultimate source. If your soul is hungry, you've come to the right place.” – Carey Nieuwhof, Founding Pastor, Connexus Church, and author of Didn't See It Coming "I found such depth in the principles of The Good Life — an incredible perspective shift for happiness cravers, everywhere. Derwin has nailed it with this book. The wise teaching and candid storytelling brings the same power as hearing him preach!”– Lisa Whittle, Author of Jesus Over Everything, Bible Teacher, Co-founder of Called Creatives "Pastor Derwin has played a powerful role in teaching me the true essence of Christ's love. Many know that I was raised in the "church" and have carried God with me every step of the way. But the scripture based teachings and the compassionate delivery that I receive from Pastor Derwin have caused me to revisit the understandings that I once had which have allowed me to open up so much more to God's truth and unfailing love for me as a true believer. I highly recommend my Pastor's book, The Good Life. Read and let God transform your life.– Fantasia, American Idol winner and Grammy Award winner “I searched for happiness most of my life but was never happy until I found Jesus at the age of 36. That’s why I love this book and believe everyone should read it. Dr. Gray explains that Jesus not only provides us with the blueprint for happiness but He is the blueprint. This book is a prescription for overcoming anxiety and fear. We can learn from His teachings, follow His example and most of all find true happiness through a relationship with Him. Thankfully Dr. Gray guides us on this journey to the Good Life. It’s a journey I encourage you to take and Dr. Gray is an amazing guide.” – Jon Gordon, Bestselling Author of The Carpenter and The Seed “If Derwin Gray is speaking or writing, I always pay attention. Derwin is my trusted friend and his words are uniquely prophetic, powerful and penetrating. I love this book and it will help all of us discover the truth about happiness.” – Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Author of Addicted to Busy and Remarkable “There are three things I appreciate about this book: One, it's helpful, but not self-help. Its practical AND biblical, a very difficult thing to find these days. I appreciate the real life teaching that Dr. Gray shares with us. Two, is the book's Christology. The pages are dripping with Jesus and you can't help to be drenched in his grace through the reading. Finally, authorship matters. The author is a Christian. The public persona and his private values match. His character, passion for the lost and a never-tiring effort to reflect here on earth the values God designed in heaven, makes this book a must read because it comes from a place of experience not theory. You will be blessed as your read it.” – Roger Hernandez, Ministerial and Evangelism Director, Southern Union Conference “In our current times, there is so much hunger and thirst for this thing we call “happiness” and there is no shortage of answers coming from the world. But what does God have to say about happiness? In blending personal stories with sound theological teaching, Derwin does a masterful job exploring what it actually looks like to live the good life and find true, lasting happiness.” – Albert Tate, Founder and Lead pastor of Fellowship Church “As apprentices of Jesus, you and I need guides who have received and are willing to share divine wisdom with us. Dr. Gray provides guidance to us and The Good Life contains wisdom for us. I hope you'll join me in marinating on what you read and sharing the happiness of God with others.”– Pastor Matt Adair, Christ Community Church, Athens, Georgia
