Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You
Jud Wilhite with Bill
Taaffe
Reviewed by Teresa Konopka
“Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You" by Jud Wilhite with Bill
Taaffe is a pleasant little book. From the colorful cover right down to
the encouraging words on the pages, this book is very enjoyable. Also,
with four divided parts and less than two hundred pages, the book is
un-intimidating and easy to read.
The four parts of the book (Wide Open to God, Wide Open to Identity,
Wide Open to Change, and Wide Open to Influence) flow nicely. The first
refers back to Genesis often to convey the notion of who God really is
and what His grace means for us. The authors later reference the
covenants of the Old Testament and the redeeming nature of the New
Testament. The second part focuses in the reader itself. The authors
urge readers to not let others’ perceptions, stereotypes, and demands
influence their inner beings. They also encourage readers to act as
saints in the eyes of God. The third part discusses how readers need to
change and be more godly. Several examples are given of people who
transformed with help of God, some ordinary addicts and some famous
people. Who knew The Bounty Hunter and Evel Knievel were
Christians later in their lives? The last part of the book involves
giving hope to others and sharing the love of God. It suggests helping
others and bringing them to Jesus while not being too preachy as to
push them away.
This book is under the self-help category in every sense of the word.
It is very optimistic and promises hope. However, the authors dodged a
bullet. They noted the power of God and his rewards for those who love
Him. Yet, he did not go so far as some pseudo-Christian books that
claim people can demand riches from God. “Eyes Wide Open” is honest and
captivates the readers with modern examples.