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ChurchMerch - Your Best Life Now: The Game
- 11/15/06
- 78
So a friend of mine saw a rather strange item on my Amazon wishlist and decided he would, as a bit of a gag I suppose, buy it for me. And so in today’s mail I found a copy of “Your Best Life Now: The Game.” The box declares that it is “Inspired by the #1 New York Times Bestseller” by Joel Osteen and says, “The 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.” I immediately cracked open the box and set the game up on the parquet floor in my office. I did not have time to really figure out how the game works, but did snap a few poor quality photos of it (you can click on any of the pictures for larger versions).
So here is the box. Very exciting. Joel looks happy, as always. I would be too if someone turned my book into a board game.
And here is what the game looks like when it’s all setup. The board is pretty bare. Players begin at the “Today” space and work their way towards the “Tomorrow” space. Or as the manual says, “You’re starting the game ‘Today’ and playing for your full potential ‘Tomorrow.’” I wonder if backsliders can play the game backwards.
Players progress through seven levels in the game. Each level has a challenge that must be overcome in order to progress to the next stage. Naturally, these levels relate to the seven steps of living at your full potential. To begin the game, each player takes a piece of paper and writes a goal he or she would like to reach. These papers are folded and placed in the “My Miracle” envelope which is then placed under the “Tomorrow” space on the board. Each player is also dealt seven Wonder Word cards and two Have Faith cards (which can be used to keep a player from missing a turn later in the game). Tokens are placed on the board, the youngest person at the table rolls the dice, and the game begins.
Level 1 is Enlarge Your Vision. At this stage players select an Enlarge Your Vision card, each of which has a picture or image on it. Players search for images within the image (such as a cat in a cloud or a dollar bill in Joel Osteen’s eyes). There are no right or wrong answers.
Level 2 is Develop a Healthy Self Image. At this level players, after turning the 15-second timer, make positive statements about themselves while looking into the tiny, barely-reflective mirror provided with the game. A player who cannot complete this challenge, either due to low self-esteem or uncontrollable laughter, will lose a turn (unless he wishes to use a Have Faith card). “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like me.”
Level 3 is Discover the Power of Your Thoughts and Words. At this stage players draw a card with a negative word on it and they must build positive words off this negative word much like a crossword puzzle or really easy Sudoku. Players have fifteen seconds to list at least three positive words. If a player cannot do this within fifteen seconds, he can play a Have Faith card. In this case he must also draw a Wonder Word card and make a positive statement using the word on this card.
Level 4 is Let Go of the Past. At this level players must tell stories or list items about their past based on suggestions on the Let Go of the Past cards. If a player cannot do this and opts to play a Have Faith card, he must make a statement about his past using any of the Wonder Word cards.
Level 5 is Find Strength Through Adversity. This time around players draw a card and read a statement about a famous person who faced adversity (I’m guessing Jesus, Stephen and the martyrs are represented). He will then explain how he has faced similar adversity and succeeded. If he cannot do this, he can play a Have Faith card, in which case he will need to make a statement about deriving a positive from a negative based on a Wonder Word card.
Level 6 is Live to Give. The first player to reach this stage opens the My Miracle envelope and reads all of the goals aloud. Each of the players takes the other players’ goals and writes a “Potential Promise” for each goal. This is a promise to help the winner of the game to reach his goal and help him live life to its full potential. The potential promises are placed back into the envelope. Subsequent players to reach the level must use a Wonder Word card and make a statement about giving using that word.
Level 7 is the exciting conclusion. Each player is asked to make statements and tell stories about things that make them happy (Like squirrels. Squirrels make me happy with their silly chattering and funny teeth). A player must make a statement or tell a story according to the instructions on the card.
The first person to reach “Tomorrow” wins the game. He opens the My Miracle envelope and reads about the goals and promises of all players. The other players must now help the winner reach his goal by fulfilling their promises to live Your Best Life Now! No word on whether the losers get to have a good life too, or if they are condemned to mediocrity.
And that’s the game. I feel dirty.
You know, as I read through the game I was drawn, somewhat nostalgically, to an episode of The Simpsons I watched many years ago. In that episode Springfield has gotten a professional soccer team. At the beginning of the first match, soccer hero Pele is paraded onto the field. He stands at center field and says, “Pele is king of the soccer field. To be king of your kitchen, use Crestfield wax paper.” The owner of the team then hands him a giant bag of money and Pele marches off the field. I can’t help but think that this game represents just that. “Endless Games” handed Osteen a big ol’ bag of money to use his name and the title of his book. I’m guessing, though, that I am the only person in the world who actually owns this game.
My sister and brother-in-law are visiting us next week and I’ll be sure to drag it out and play a game of it with them. Should be fun. I’ll let you know how we enjoy it. Meanwhile, begin to anticipate the imminent arrival of The Discipline of Discernment: The Game, coming your way in the Spring of 2008!
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (78)
Just in time for Christmas!!! Thanks for going to all that trouble, it made me laugh (which brought up a bad past memory)…
in light of comments 28 and 37, is there real joy in mocking something like this? I think there could be, but more than anything its nervous laughter at some gruesome truth—the kind you don’t really want to do but have to or go crazy
Am I the only one who thinks this guy looks a lot like Seinfeld?
Though I am no fan of Osteen’s positive thinking Christianity, almost every comment here has been filled with self-congratulatory, judgmental lip smacking that I expect to see at a place like slice, but not here, so let me defend Osteen for a minute. Instead of sitting in the seat of the scoffer, the self-appointed watchmen among us ought to be promoting the good, rather than condemning the “darkness” of Osteen’s work.
Can’t you find anything worthy or merit in this game? The principles he espouses are not anti-Christian, they’re just genericized. Sure, no one will get saved from them, but no one gets saved from medical missions either. All I am saying is you guys sound like a bunch of clucking hens.
Additionally, the remedy for unabashed humanism masquerading as faith is not unabashed Christian fundamentalism, which focuses entirely on man’s sin and not on man’s beauty or value, and in doing so, perpetuating the unbiblical, unbalanced self-hatred that God wants to heal. If you don’t understand this, go read David Seamands’ book Putting Away Childish Things.
Fundamentalists have no concept of positive self-worth, only a perpetuation of self-loathing through believing that mere focus on God will heal a man’s soul.
You guys embarrass me and Christianity with your lack of charity, and I am no theological liberal (just visit my site).
I am sure that The Voice of the Martyrs would love to receive a few copies to give out to our brothers and sisters overseas who are suffering for the name of Christ.
It is sad that in today’s world boardgames like this are allowed to be put in the ‘Christianity’ box. We must be careful though, because if this doesn’t provoke us to step up more, and preach the biblical gospel to all the world, then we are just as bad. An actionless Christian is just as bad as a doctrineless one.
“…The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few…” (Luke 10:2, KJV)
I thought this was just one of Tim’s elaborate hoaxes until my daughter said she had seen the game at a christian book and paraphanalia shop the other day!
I briefly fantasized about buying several and sending them (annonomously, of course) to the pastor and elders at my previous church. Then again, why waste the money???
“The principles he espouses are not anti-Christian, they’re just genericized.”
I think I have to disagree with you there. Some of what Osteen teaches, and some of what appears in this game, is definitely unbiblical. Show me where the Bible supports staring into a mirror and naming things you like about yourself. This game is an embarrassment.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with mocking the game. However, we should probably stop short of mocking Osteen himself…
Actually this game really does make me want to hurl. And no, this is not about mocking Osteen. He is made in the image of God. However, He is the one mocking God’s truth by twisting it… which in turn should cause righteous indignation that is truly justifiable. He is esentially trampling on God’s truth, His goodness, and His forbearance.
“…when a mind that has been renewed by the Spirit if God makes these internal discoveries it is not surprising that it should be filled wih utter abhorrence of all iniquity.”—Gardiner Sprin
It SHOULD break our heart to think about our sin. Even within the latest moments, I have, more likely than not, sinned against my HOLY God. For that, I should be ashamed. Yes, my sins are forgiven through Christ. This is about the need for repentance that should be ongoing. Not because it adds anything to my salvation… but because I should dread sin for the sake of honoring my God and Saviour. If I do not… that is mocking what Christ did for me on that cross. WOE IS ME!
We should mourn these things because it is offensive to God. I agree with #52. These are gruesome truths… and quite frankly, we are surrounded by such things in this mocking world. Sometimes we must laugh. Not a mocking, point my finger at Osteen laugh. For Osteen I mourn. That game is just ridiculous.
I have to admit, I nearly fell of my chair laughing at this one. Nice.
That clicking noise you hear is the sound of my lis smacking..jk. ;)
To address Seeker’s concerns…Speaking for myself, I can say that the problem I have with Joel Osteen’s philosophy is that he presents his positive thinking lifestyle as the gospel. I believe this is a serious misrepresentation of Jesus and His work on earth.
THis has all been discussed ad nauseum…However, to see it in a game format lends a certain amount of absurdity to it all. Really, the game is a spectacle in slapstick sort of way. Its the eschatological equivalent of the three stooges.
Another thing that makes it absurd to me is the marketing aspect of it. I recall a scene from one of my favorite movies ‘Spaceballs’….To paraphrase Yogurt:”Your Best Life Now, the Doll!”“Your Best Life Now, the Lunchbox!”“Your Best Life Now, The Flamethrower…the kids they love these.”
Tim is bringing a little levity into a subject that has been in sore need of a little humor.
And BTW, Joel looks like Martin Short to me, not Jerry Seinfeld.
I’ve always thought Osteen looked like Seinfeld, but now that you mention it, he does resemble Martin Short too—shades of Ed Grimley in that smile.
I glad someone else saw the absurdity to this besides me. I saw this game in the store and was embarrassed to actually pick it up to look at it, so I grabbed it and took it down a side aisle to look it over and then stuck it behind a “Candyland” game.
Ned Flanders of The Simpsons was the first thing that came to my mind. All I could think of was Ned and his boys playing this game, and having real “joyful, oyful time!”
somebody please send a box to Todd Friel….(I double-dog dare you!)
SEEKER (Comment 54): “unabashed Christian fundamentalism, which focuses entirely on man’s sin…”
This is not the Fundamentalism I subscribe to. You must know the wrong Fundamentalists.
Taking a quick glance at your site, it’s clear (from entries such as “You Might Be A Christian Fundamentalist IF”) that Fundie-bashing is one of your biggest priorities.
Hmm. Why not promote the good that Fundamentalists do, rather than condemn the darkness?
You mention a lack of charity. Might I suggest you first remove the log from your own eye?
Joel Osteen leads people astray. I do not say this as a personal attack on the man. It is an honest, objective assessment of the “gospel” he preaches. Regarding the game, I will not “promote the good” where there is so much heresy and damage done to the true Gospel.
Perpetuating self-loathing,- Bob
Bob Dodge. You would not happen to be a professor at UNLV would you?
And another thing…
“no one gets saved from medical missions either”
Where did that come from? Random, and completely wrong. You must not know the right medical missionaries.
Dallas Pymm — No, sorry. Not the same guy. :)
Sorry to take it off-topic, folks. I’m done. I’m off to spend the rest of my afternoon Finding Strength Through Adversity….
I wonder if the disciples sat around playing their John The Headless Baptist Board game? Oh, stupid me, of course they didn’t waste their time with trash, they were actual Christians… sorry ;)
This is why I tell my church and my teens that Osteen is “The Most Dangerous Man in the World.”
This is absurd.
While I about fell out of my chair laughing while reading about the game, my heart breaks for those who turn to this game, Osteen’s books and other Osteen items.
Folks turn to something to try to make themselves feel good, when reality is they need to realize they are a sinner and they are headed for hell (whether they feel good or have the most toys/money).
It’s okay to feel good. It’s okay to thank God for the gift He made in you.
None of these negate the role of repentance and confession. Joel, to me, just seems to be content to let God do that work in a man’s heart instead of the church being so bent on doing it all for Him…(yes, the Church plays a role in discipline, but it forgets the role it is to play in mercy and grace.
“It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance.”
Interesting discussion. Coming over through “Maggie”. I wonder about games like these with a religious theme. There is one out on the market now called “Bible-opoly”, where “there are no winners, you only encourage one another”. I’m all for a good game of Bible Trivia or something like that, but to take studies or religious series and turn them into games is just bound to cause controversy. And cheesiness. I also thought of Ned Flanders from the Simpsons when I saw the “Bible-opoly” game. I love the Simpsons.
Left to ourselves, there are no winners. We all are sinners
Well, after I wiped my diet coke that snorted out of my nose off of my computer screen, I realized this was not a joke. This game is wrong on so many levels, I don’t even know where to start. Thanks Tim, our fearless leader for showing this game, and yup, Joel really does resemble Jerry Seinfeld, too bad I can’t laugh at his joke, because he is serious.
I really think there’s a market out there in the Reformed world for our own board games! Perhaps: “TULIP: The Game”!
Level 1: Total Depravity. Players look at themselves in a mirror and list all their faults and sins.
Level 2: Unconditional Election. Players draw out the names of other players (mixed with non-player names) out of an envelope. Players who get their names drawn automatically win. Immediately pass The Pearly Gates, immediately collect Streets of Gold. Players who do not get their names drawn can never win.
Level 3: Limited Atonement: (Or: “Discover the Lack of Power In Your Thoughts And Words”) Players who have not yet had their names drawn by players who have been to Level 2 may draw a card. Cards read “Good Works”, “Positive Thinking”, “Wealth” and such truck. Certain cards will suggest the player argue their way into winning the game. No card will do them any good.
Level 4: Irresistible Grace. Players attempt to keep their own magnetic playing peice from sticking to the magnetic “GRACE” square on the board. They will fail. In doing so, they will progress.
Level 5: Perserverance of the Saints. Any player who has had their name chosen in level 2 and has not yet fallen asleep will win the game. And of course, any player who has had their name chosen will, in fact, stay awake.
Points awarded on random places on the board for being able to quote Edwards, Spurgeon, Sproul, Calvin, Knox, Luther, and Zwingli. Other places on the board will award points for being able to sing from the Psalmnody, acappella.
Players with Calvinistic tattoos, or who brought the beer or cigars, will automatically pass Level 2.
wow, i think your on to something with TULIP: The Game. I would buy it today, right now, if it existed. Why has no one thought of this before?
Joey, I’m looking for investors!