Book excerpt: Preview the introduction and entire first chapter of shiny gods. Pastor and author Mike Slaughter helps readers reassess priorities andcreate a culture and a lifestyle of faithful living and giving and make a meaningful contribution to the world. What happens when we truly put God first in all aspects of our lives? In a culture guided chiefly by shiny, life-promising distractions, “enough” seems elusive and keeps us indebted to that next source of satisfaction. What if the Giver of Life offered freedom from this downward spiral—would you take it?