by | Book Reviews, Books, Life Application
I have an addiction to reading. It’s pretty bad, actually. I would rather eat ramen noodles so I can buy books. (Okay, I’m not that desperate, but you get the point.)
I get made fun of all the time for saying, “You need to read this book. It’ll change your life.” It’s usually pretty much true. Every book you read will change your life in one way or another, whether for the right or wrong reasons. I can’t imagine my life without a book in my hand.
Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States, once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” It’s true. Though not everyone is called to a level of leadership like Truman, everyone is called to keep growing and learning. When you read, you grow. You can share that quote and give me credit. 🙂
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by | Book Reviews, Life Application
It was about this time last year I fell off the cliff. I burned out, but I couldn’t see it. I couldn’t wrap my mind around what was happening.
Have you ever left for work early in the morning only to find you couldn’t even go the speed limit because the fog was so heavy? So you just turn your headlights on and trek your way through as much as you can, barely able to see in front of you.
That’s what it felt like for me.
I couldn’t see anymore. I couldn’t think past the fog. I felt like I had failed at everything, and failed everyone. I had no hope left. But I couldn’t figure out why. I couldn’t understand.
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by | Book Reviews, Faith Lived Out
Have you ever heard God whisper to you? Maybe it sounded quietly, or maybe it was so loud in the depths of your soul you knew without a doubt He was clearly leading you to do something crazy BIG!
Here’s a disclaimer: When you decide to follow that whisper, some people are going to think you’re crazy. Shoot, you’re going to think you’re crazy half the time, too. Are you ready for that?
Mark Batterson writes in his new book, Whisper, “When you take your cues from the Holy Spirit, you’ll do some things what will make people think you’re crazy. So be it. Obey the whisper and see what God does.”
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by | Book Reviews, Life Application
Have you ever been stung by a jellyfish? Me neither. Well, not a real one anyway. But I’ve been stung by plenty of metaphorical jellyfish and I can say I’m probably a better person for it.
Relationships are interesting. After we get hurt by a few people in our lifetime, it’s easy to become callous to letting others into the vulnerable places of our hearts. It’s easy to assume people are just out to get us.
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by | Book Reviews, Life Application
I hate books that convict me. Books requiring me to stop ignoring the change I need to make in my life. Yet I keep reading books, so it’s my own fault.
In July 2014 I bought Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less to take on vacation with me. The first few pages in, as I sat in the sun by the pool, I decided I wasn’t in the mood to read a book about discipline. It went back into my suitcase, then back to the shelf, where it stayed until December.
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by | Book Reviews
I’m excited to tell you about this brand new book that just released today! I had the honor of serving on the launch team for Mary DeMuth and I wholeheartedly believe in the messages she writes.
Have you ever sat down and went through the Lord’s Prayer step by step? I certainly hadn’t at the level Mary recently taught us to.
In her new book, The Wall Around Your Heart: How Jesus Heals You When Others Hurt You, DeMuth takes you through this prayer, the emotions, the heartache, the bitterness, and ultimately, the forgiveness.
We’ve all been in that moment in our lives, most certainly more than once, where our anger and hurt have kept us from being open to the healing of Jesus, therefore, building a wall, or a fortress for some, around our hearts. I know mine was certainly a fortress.
What if we begin with Jesus?
What if we decided today to break down the walls, whether it’s brick by brick or with a bulldozer?
Asking yourself Who is Jesus? – and being truthful in your answer – is the most important question you’ll ever ask. Why? Because how we frame our answer determines how much we allow Him into our pain, whether past or present.
It hurts. It’s scary. I get it. But it’s worth it.
Honestly, what do we have to lose by letting Jesus in to heal the pain vs. trying to do it ourselves?
I remember being eight years old, standing on the playground with a teacher who forced me to run laps because I was “too fat.” I looked up at her and with a few choice words, said, “No more!” It was great that I finally stood up for myself that day, but something else happened. Something not so great. I started building a fortress around my heart.
I encourage you to continue reading my review and learning more about this powerful book over at Open Hearted Power. I pray it blesses you.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
