First Service: Following God's Calling and Finding Life's Purpose

by Andrea Jaeger

Book Overview

In the 1980s, Andrea Jaeger was a tennis phenomenon. She turned pro at an age when most kids don't have their driver's permit and celebrated her sixteenth birthday with a win at the French Open. Yet... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 075730169X
• ISBN13: 9780757301698
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Hci
• Length: 323 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

An Open Heart

First Service is far more than an account of tennis prodigy Andrea Jaeger finding her way after leaving her tennis career. That is interesting enough and is told in an exuberant style. More importantly it is also a personal account of how God seeks out and prepares people to be open to receiving grace and forgiveness. In the Wesleyan tradition this is called prevenient grace, grace that comes before salvation. From a young age Andrea had a searching heart and God met her in unusual ways. Some may have difficulty with these mystical experiences, but God desires all to come to a knowledge of Himself and will speak to people where they are. Following her personal conversion (which I wish she would have been more specific about), she matures in understanding the primacy of Scripture and obedience. This is an inspirational and challenging book for young and old. It will be interesting to see what kind of memoir Jaeger will write after many more years of service to God.

A great example of Loving your Neighbor.

Arthur K. Dugan, an avid reader. Andrea Jaeger's book " FIRST SERVICE " is one of the finest I have ever read on personal spirituality and I have read many. Her life of service to God through the giving of all her great amount of money to develop a place for children with cancer called The Silver Foundation. As I read through her book she reminds me of dedicated people like Mother Teresa in her work with the poor. I will read the book again and highly recommend it to others and how each of us needs to be aware of the less fortunate.

Wholesome Inspiring Book

Andrea is defintely an exceptional person, first as a tennis pro, then as a philanthropist. The latter is easily her passion and her excelling service to God. She relates this story as it unfolds in personal memoir of her life and its turns, each one very much influenced by experiential leadings by God. This continues to develop as she senses signs which she responds to which eventually culminate in the founding of her magnificent work with cancer children. Puzzling and of concern is her admission that she was babe in the Scriptures and still seems to be convinced by outward confirmation of rather bizarre happenings, rather than clear fountain of God's Holy Word. For example, her story in Detroit with the key to the kingdom is more poignantly given in Scripture repeatedly said to be Christ crucified for sins, e.g. Luke 24 et al. While truly a model for all, but especially young and talented, to serve humanity, her tendency to follow outward occurrences and inward emotions to the exclusion and reduction of clearly revealed Word of God is dangerous and suspicious. Don't let any of this reviewer's spiritual concerns detract anyone from this fine read and inspiration to all to get involved and serve.

The Inspirational Autobiography of a Former Tennis Champ

In the early 1980s, Andrea Jaeger was a household name, even among people who had little or no interest in tennis, the sport that catapulted her into the limelight. One of the youngest players ever to turn pro, Jaeger at 14 was everywhere --- in newspapers and magazines, on television. Her signature long, blonde pigtails made her immediately recognizable. She was the media darling of the tennis world. Her career was cut short by an injury, prompting her to pursue a dream she had had since childhood --- not all that long ago, at the time --- to work with children. After spending several years acquiring business skills and other related experience, Jaeger and a friend moved to Aspen, Colorado, where they eventually set up a foundation and started a ministry to reach out to cancer-stricken children at a place now known as the Silver Lining Ranch. Jaeger's entire $1.4 million in lifetime earnings provided the seed money for the organization. That's the straightforward account of what happened. In FIRST SERVICE, Jaeger fills in the details, the often remarkable, behind-the-scenes story of a woman whose childlike faith in God never questioned that He would bring to pass the hopes and dreams she held out for the future --- a future she always knew would not find its center in professional tennis. In her telling of the story of her life, her faith and her ministry, Jaeger clearly demonstrates that what was once considered to be her youthful exuberance is instead who she really is, because her energy, excitement and enthusiasm for life is every bit as much a part of her personality today, at the age of 38, as it was when she was a celebrity teenager. Throughout her life, as well as the pages of the book, God plays the dominant role. From an early age, Jaeger sensed the presence of God even though she did not grow up in a strong faith environment. Many of her experiences with God have been nothing short of mystical; as a child, she had a vision of the Children's Crusade long before she ever knew anything about the actual event in history. Her narrative is sprinkled with accounts of dreams and visions that are bound to make believers shiver with supernatural delight and skeptics question her grounding in reality. But much of what she saw in those dreams and visions has come to pass and has contributed to the success of the ranch, so the skeptics may have to look elsewhere for something to disbelieve. True to her nature, which apparently is an extraordinarily generous one, Jaeger is donating all of her proceeds from sales of FIRST SERVICE to help hurting children. In addition to the Silver Lining Ranch, Jaeger and the Silver Lining Foundation (www.silverliningfoundation.org) support children's charities in the U.S. and around the world.

First Service -- Finding a Purpose to Life

This book by Andrea Jaeger is ideal for anyone who wants to get insight into finding out what is important in life. Andrea was a great tennis player but she has found joy and purpose off the court -- helping others and being close to her faith. She tells her story in a way that makes it clear how others, too, can find joy. The book is also excitng to read as you learn about miracle after miracle that has helped her build a beauitful ranch in Aspen, CO, where children with cancer go to have great days of peace and joy. Andrea rocks! This book is a perfect gift for anyone you love.