"The Principle of the Path" by Andy Stanley

In every area of the PCC Ministries, one of our goals is to help others pursue God’s path for their life. We are always on the lookout for illustrations, techniques and tools that will equip us to communicate this message in effective ways. In his book, The Principle of the Path, Andy Stanley provides simple, fresh narratives that create a biblically-grounded blueprint for a successful life. He begins with a relevant story from his own life, explains the principle and then leads the reader toward applying this truth. The wisdom is subtle, maybe even a bit simplistic, but the more I think about it, the more profound and applicable to our ministry it becomes.

The principle of the path simply states, “Direction—not intention—determines destination.”

We all have dreams and desires for our future. Most of us have great intentions. But our intentions alone aren't enough to get us to our desired destination. We must be making choices and decisions that keep us moving in the right direction. Life is connected. Yesterday affects today and today will affect all our tomorrows. Our final destination is determined by the path we choose and where it leads, regardless of our intentions.

In addition to discussing this dynamic, Stanley also leads the reader through additional truths, including:
• "Prudent people look as far down the road as possible when making decisions."
• "When happiness points in one direction while wisdom, truth, integrity, and common sense point in another, that's when really smart people start doing really stupid things."
• "Your heart can't be trusted... The truth is, if you let it, your heart will direct you down a path that leads to the very spot you most want to avoid."
• "One never accomplishes the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God, or ignoring the wisdom of God."

The book is filled with practical tools that can lead the reader to God’s best while avoiding regret filled detours along the way.

Lisa Newton
Director of Christian Education

* You can purchase this book by clicking on the title at the top of this page.