In Life Before Death, author Ian Leitch discusses our out-of-sync lives and shows the need for us to become aligned with God’s original plan for humanity. This 134-page book, including three brief appendices, begins with a commentary on the fall of man in Genesis, followed by mankind’s sin nature, Jesus as man and as deity, the New Man, completeness as a spiritual person, and a section on practical application.

I found the book to be Biblical, to my somewhat limited knowledge as a believer. I enjoyed reading the first five sections that address how humans have fallen away from the potential God has in store for us and described Jesus sacrifice for us, much of which I knew on an intellectual and spiritual level. It is the last section, entitled Response, Application, and Conclusion, that I really valued. By looking specifically at John 15:1-7 and Galatians 5:16-26, Mr. Leitch points out the key verses which convey the important aspects of Life Before Death and how we are reconciled with God. God desires our lives to be given over to Him, through Jesus Christ, and controlled by the Holy Spirit in conjunction with our own spirit.

A couple of times, Mr. Leitch wrote, “. . .the Bible says. . .” but did not share any source leading to where the Bible contained the words or thoughts he was conveying. I was a bit disappointed in that. I prefer seeing the quotes or checking the chapter and verse references when I read a book like this.

My copy of Life Before Death has many underlined or highlighted sections for future reference, to remind myself, and to guide me to verses in the Bible I would like to re-read. One such section reads, “For years I was told that I had to live for Jesus. That’s wrong: He rose from the dead to live for me! He is risen from the dead to live in me, so where I am weak I might become strong; where I am wrong, I might become right; where I am bad, I might become good. . .”

If you are struggling to find joy in your life, or just wondering how to live more Christ-like to reflect the likeness of God to those around you, I recommend Life Before Death: A Restored, Regenerated, and Renewed Life, along with your Bible, as a great place to help you get started. I know I will be reading this one again.

-Product review by Jodi Galland, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October, 2018