Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Process By Lysa Terkeurst Book Review

Unglued Devotional is a companion devotional to the bestselling book, Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions. The book is written primarily to the target audience for women. The devotional has 60 days’ worth of life lessons and stories that Lysa Terkeurst has encountered. The topics range from emotions being out of control, honesty, lack of self-control, envying and comparing ourselves to others, condemnation, being afraid, and many other themes. Lysa Terkeurst shared very honest stories to help readers to control their emotions and not to be led by their feelings. She admits there are times when she has yelled at her kids and had trouble forgiving her husband when he does something that offends her. She described a time when one of her daughters decided to have a drawing party on her freshly painted walls. And she had to practice self-control with the help of the Holy Spirit and this is an everyday process. She also explained losing her baby sister and struggling with the why questions.

 

The devotional for each day incorporated a thought for the day, a scripture verse, and a prayer for you to pray. The book also encompassed in the appendix a section to “determine your reaction type”. It will ask personal questions to figure what how you handle difficult situations. The reaction types are “internal processor”, “external processer”, “external expresser”, and “internal suppressor”.

 

I immensely benefited from day 55, “Advice to Unglued Wives: Stop Praying”. This particular day discussed how many women pray about fixing their husband and not praying on how to love them more. Even though it’s written in the format of praying about your husband, I strongly believe husbands can also take the advice and make sure they are praying to God about how to love our wife more like Christ. One of my favorite quotes was, “Praying for him means digging into God’s Word and praying Scriptures specific to his struggles. That’s powerful! When we pray the Word of God, we pray the will of God” (Page 178). What man wouldn’t want his wife to be bold enough to pray that over their life? And vice versa. Lysa Terkeurst made a great point to remind readers that they can’t change and control anybody but themselves.

 

Another supportive and helpful day was day 42 entitled, “My Creative Best”. This day revealed the hidden dangerous cycle of comparison and envying what others have that we truly want or we’re praying for. Many of us have a longing for something to fill that void into our empty soul. We want a spouse, we want kids, deeper friendships, a talent someone else has, to be skinnier or more toned, a bigger house, or a better paying job. Lysa Turkeust stated that we’re not supposed to be trying to carry someone else’s load. Galatians 6:4-5 warns against that very thing. I struggle with comparing myself with others so this day truly spoke to me on the importance of running my own race and following the dreams God has put in me. I have always wanted to be skinnier or have more muscle but I’m not the other person that I’m comparing myself with. I also have a problematic time with not being envious and jealous when someone gets what I have been praying for. For example, a wife and having children. But it’s viral to remember that God has a good plan and purpose for each of our lives.

 

I would recommend this wonderful book to any women who are having a hard time not living by how they feel. It’s written for women who are single, married, and women who have children. And if you’re a man, and you want to read it to better understand what are women are facing and you’re wanting to know how we can help them by being a better husband, then this will assist you on connecting with your wife. Note to the men: you will have to just change the words to say man when she says girl throughout the book. I personally loved how Lysa Terkeurst was real and honest about the triumphs, sadness, the questions unanswered, losing her emotions, and her struggle with comparison. This book will help anyone get closer to God and he handle our honesty and emotions.

 

“I received this book for free from Zondervan for an honest review”.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Unglued Devotional, then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Unglued-Devotional-Days-Imperfect-Progress/dp/0310320321

 

 

 

Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven By T.D. Jakes Book Review

Let It Go is written to provide enormous benefits to readers who are having trouble with forgiving offences. Offences come in petty and gigantic life alteration displayed by our actions, words, and unspoken expectations. No matter if the offences occurred as big or small, if unforgiveness consumes and plagues our hearts it will hinder our growth. Unforgiveness unchecked affects our relationship with our spouses, our children, our family members, our work environment, the ability to truly connect and fellowship with church members, and any other person we interactive with daily. We may think those around us aren't suffering from our bitterness and hurt. But our relationships need our commitment to forgive and let offences go. Bishop Jakes believed forgiveness is a "big idea" and it takes a great Eagle like thinking to forgive ourselves and others. Bishop Jakes affirmed that unforgiveness is the hidden cancer of the soul eating us alive and stopping us from living. Most people don't deal with the cancer that they can cure! We often fail to comprehend that you can't be in relationships that won't produce some conflict along the way. Disappointments, hurts, offences will happen and moving through the pain and healing enable us to live.




Bishop Jakes described that most people haven't showed others the 100 percent of themselves. Most of us don't even realize that we have put up walls around our hearts. If we would let the bitterness go we would be a new person, a better spouse, a better employee, church member, pastor, and friend! Forgiving ourselves for our failures and shortcomings is the first step in experiencing freedom and extending our love out to others. The Bible says, "To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves" (Matthew 37-39) (Page 186). You can't give away forgiveness and love if you haven't received God's love and forgiveness. It's extremely vital you love and forgive the person he created! Once you have accepted his mercy, then you can extend that same forgiveness to other people who have betrayed you.



Bishop Jakes illustrated that we have four types of wounded warriors. They are the insulator, isolator, the inhibitor, and the bully. This book proved to me that I was an isolator and that I would withdraw in conflict and pain. I feared rejection that people would treat me just like the other person treated me. I thought hiding from the past experience of pain would fix the issue and protect my heart from being disappointment ever again. This book has helped me to start living free again without letting the disappointments and hurts run and control my everyday life. You have an obligation from God to love others and to forgive others, why don't you start doing it?




I would recommend getting this enriching life changing book resource and add it to your collection. This book is for anyone who is holding on to unforgiveness whether it is pain in your childhood, relationships, marriage, church, employment, or any other type of pain. This book is not for the people who can't stand to hear the truth and hate to read a message about forgiveness. Bishop Jakes doesn't hold back, you better brace yourself and be open and willing to deal with the issues and roots! This book is wrote as a how to forgive, how to move forward, and how the effects of unforgiveness can be deadly. I have personally brought into the lie that if I forgive people who have caused me heartache that they are getting away with hurting me. I thought that I was allowing them to continue in their ways without punishment. But who am I do inflict the same pain they put me through. God gets me mercy every day and I need to give them mercy. I loved how Bishop Jakes preached the truth with conviction and he included magnificent Biblical support. This book revealed so much helpful information of forgiving and moving forward with my life. I will be keeping this book close to me and I will be reading it when new offences try to make me buy into the bitterness root again. You don't have to remain stuck as a chicken and living at less than 100 percent of your true free self. An Eagle living at 100 percent captivity can be achieved for any man or woman who is willing to forgive and rise above the adversities that we encounter! This book changed my life and I pray that it changes yours too! Freedom is arriving! Are you ready?


Check out Let It Go on Bishop T.D. Jakes website:

http://tdjakes.org/letitgo/


If you would like to purchase a copy of Let It Go check it out on Amazon.com or ChristianBook.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Let-It-Go-Forgive-Forgiven/dp/1416547290

http://www.christianbook.com/let-forgive-you-can-be-forgiven/t-d-jakes/9781416547297/pd/547297

I Don’t Get Wholeness… That’s the Problem: Making Relationships Work By Paula White Book Review

In I Don’t Get Wholeness… That’s the Problem, Paula White looks at the fundamentals of healthy relationships that we permit in our life. Paula White has had to endure and overcome the negative voices who tried to tear her down and stop her from fulfilling her destiny. Her father committed suicide when she was just five years old and she also suffered from being sexual abused by other men in her life. She learned how to start developing healthy relationships that pushed her to go further and higher. In healthy relationships, we must have the freedom to be ourselves, let others be themselves, and display the concept of letting others change and grow. The book is written to help readers to achieve wholeness first and to receive what God declares about us. If you’re not whole, then your relationships won’t be whole and healthy either. It’s vital that we stop looking for outside sources to repair the inner issues. She also explored three ways to break generational curses that have been placed by previous generations. Nine keys to healthy relationships were included in this book to demonstrate what wholeness actually looks like.

Some of my favorite quotes are:

“If I am going to change my behavior, I have to change my beliefs” (Page 32).

“If you don’t acknowledge the inaccurate message in your life, you cannot defeat it” (Page 75).

“When God wants to bless you, He sends a person into your life. When Satan wants to mess you up, he sends a person into your life” (Page 91).

“You cannot conquer what you don’t confront, and you cannot confront what you don’t identify” (Page 107).

I would recommend this life enlightening book to anyone struggling to form healthy relationships. This book showed readers how to identity dysfunctional family patterns and relationships. I found that I have to state my expectations when I enter into relationships. I realized that one of the reasons is because I fear being let down and disappointed. The book revealed that I have trouble receiving compliments but it’s ironic if they speak something negative, I receive it as truth! This book was extremely helpful in exposing many of the lies that I have believed and I realized that I have to replace the lies with the truth of God’s Word. Strongholds were broken when I started standing and rejecting the lies! The generational curses chapter assisted me in stopping the curses from repeating. The book enclosed tons of scriptures to breaking the past curses from my forefathers. Blessing can actually be released! If you’re longing to be completely whole in your relationships then this book will be a huge benefit in helping you obtain wholeness! I loved how Paula White isn’t a preacher and an author who tells you what you want to hear! She isn’t afraid to confront the dysfunctional issues and she speaks the truth that we desperately don’t need sugarcoated or downplayed. If this astonishing book is applied it can truly change the structure of your relationships! Healthy relationships will be established.

If you would like to purchase a copy of I Don’t Get Wholeness… That’s the Problem then check it out on Amazon.com:

  

http://www.amazon.com/Wholeness-Thats-Problem-Making-Relationships/dp/0979209226

Break Through: When to Give In, and When to Push Back By Tim Clinton and Pat Springle Book Review

In Break Through, Tim Clinton and Pat Springle explored the concept of learning how to handle enmeshment relationships. Throughout the book readers will be trained to see and identify counterfeit love patterns. Everyone has had to deal with people who want to be one up from you. We also have seen the people who lie down and follow all of the manipulator’s requests and demands. This book will show you how to have courage to stand up and not feel pressured to give in to their threats. The book contained countless stories from real situations that people were facing from setting boundaries and meeting disagreements head-on. Some had trouble calling problems what they truly were and they blamed themselves for the whole relationships problems. The other person should have taken responsibility for their actions. This book has very helpful questions for readers to help them to face the truth they may have been avoiding to see.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is having trouble finding a balance between helping others. If you’re having problems with setting correct boundaries, then this book will have enormous benefits for you. I was taught by reading this book that you’re not being selfish when you say no to a request. Sometimes it’s important that we say no boldly and with confidence! Its fine to help others when we can, but we have to be careful about claiming and carrying the load that they should be carrying.

The book goes on to discuss the four ways of trusting we have the heroes, the turtles, the field marshals, and the adults. Reading this book has revealed to me that I am struggle with being passive distrusting in my relationships. I avoid conflict with people that I know I must learn to confront and stand up to. I have seen the light of one particular family member that tends to expect me to give into their demands. They would constantly text and call me many times because they wanted me to desperately assist in their endeavors, while they would watch and facilitate. They always expected me and others to help them accomplish things they are able to do for themselves. I became what Tim and Pat called a turtle in my trusting ways. I would withdraw from relationships in order to protect myself from having to engage in conflict, I had a fear of disappointing others, and I didn’t form many close friendships.

This book opened my eyes to seeing that I must set healthy boundaries and limit my time with people who are determined to cross them. It isn’t my responsibility to be the Savior in their lives. The book encouraged turtles like me to stand up and speak the truth and to keep moving forward even if you’re afraid of being hurt. This book has immensely impacted the way that I am going to confront what I must face!

"I received this book for free from Worthy Publishing/Handlebar Marketing for this review".

Read Chapter One:

http://break-through.weebly.com/uploads/7/2/5/4/7254784/break_through_chapter1.pdf

About the Author:

Dr. Tim Clinton, LPC, LMFT, is president of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and founder of Light University Online, which has over 160,000 students enrolled. He is also the professor of counseling and executive director of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University.

Watch a Trailer Video for Break Through:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSsWu1O4b8I&feature=youtu.be

 Hear An Author Interview from Tim Clinton:

http://break-through.weebly.com/uploads/7/2/5/4/7254784/timclintonaudiointerview.mp3

If you would like to purchase a copy of Break Through check it out on one of the sites below:

Amazon Book

http://www.amazon.com/Break-Through-When-Give-Push/dp/1617950734/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337617599&sr=8-1

Amazon Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Break-Through-Changes-Everything-ebook/dp/B007UTJV2M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337617599&sr=8-2

Barnes & Noble Book

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/break-through-tim-clinton/1110792837?ean=9781617950735

Barnes & Noble Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/break-through-tim-clinton/1108134823?ean=9781617950957

How We Could Be

I am sure we all remember this in the news. Jessica Simpson is being called fat which she is absolutely not. No wonder girls think they are overweight and some of them are becoming Bulimic or Anorexic. Some are even doing things worst then that. We need to be focus on being the person God created us to be. I do believe we all need to work out and try to be as healthy as we can be. But we shouldn't beat ourselves up over it.

Here is a picture of the outfit she wore at a concert.
http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20090126/293.simpson.jessica.012609.jpgSo you may not like the outfit but that's okay. We all have different tastes and styles on how we dress. God didn't make us all have the same features and attributes. We would all be boring and very much the same. We all have different names which is a good thing. We wouldn't want to all be called one name.
I love how Point Of Grace Recorded a song about this entitled "On God's Green Earth".
The lyrics goes something like this "On God's green earth...if every color was the same And every child had just one name There'd be no beauty for each of us to claim". We were all created to have special talents that no one else has. We need to use those gifts and not waste them.

I know it's so easy to listen to other people criticize us. But we can't live and let them win. We have to continue to be positive about ourselves. We need to stop being negative and saying poor poor me. I am not saying we should criticize them and tear them down. That will help no one. But we need to encourage our friends and enemies.
"God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it". 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (The Message Bible)
"Would you mind if I said something to you? Under the circumstances it's hard to keep quiet. You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit. Your words have put stumbling people on their feet, put fresh hope in people about to collapse". Job 4:1-6 (The Message Bible)


Hollywood will try to tell us to look thin and act a certain way to fit in. "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you". Romans 12:1-2 (The Message Bible)
"If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face." Romans 12:6-8 (The Message Bible)

You don't need to get stuck into peer pressure and have that first drink or first smoke or first "hook up" whatever you want to call it these days. I am not judging you if you do that type of things. But for me I choose to try and do my best and stay strong and reject them.

Will I make a mistake? Yes, I will. I am by far from perfect. But God will forgive you when you make a mistake. All you have to do is ask for forgiveness. Natalie Grant also recorded a great song about "Perfect People." "There's no such thing as perfect people There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scarred Lift up your heart and be amazed And be changed by a perfect God." Natalie Grant has suffered from Bulimia. But she chose to overcome it. Now she sings songs that will hopefully change people lives and touch them in some way.

We also have another Christian artist Mandisa. She was on American Idol. Now she is trying to teach girls to be happy and focus on their True Beauty. She recorded a song called "True Beauty” Some of the lyrics are "What's inside of you What's inside of me The hands that made the moon and stars The mountains and the seas Made you wonderful, beautiful, marvelously Let the whole world see your True beauty" This is another verse of the song "Doesn't come in a bottle, doesn't come in a box You can't spray it on, you can't wash it off You can't nip and tuck, you can't sew it up So don't waste your time It's the love in your heart, the peace in your soul The hope in your smile lets the whole world know This little light - you gotta let it shine." That song is the truth. We have to let people see what's inside of us. You have to let your light shine.
"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." Psalm 45:11 (New International Version)
"Your domain was on the high seas; your builders brought your beauty to perfection." Ezekiel 27:4 (New International Version)

We need to love people and help people out whenever we can. We have to live and make our Dreams happen. When people hurt us we have to forgive and forget. I say a quote from God Daily Promises. "I can forgive, but I cannot forget," is only another way of saying, "I will not forgive." HENRY WARD BEECHER. That quote is so true. I have struggled with this. I have not let stuff go but I have been slowing starting to let stuff go. It doesn't do you any good to hold on to past mistakes and hurt. Joel Osteen has written two books telling you how to live a Better Live. One is called "You Best Life Now" and the other one is called "Become a Better You". He has helped me to finally realize that I have to let things go. I think everyone should pick of a copy of both of those books and read them.
“Come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.”
1 Kings 19:3-4 NLT
“Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him. “
Luke 17:4 NLT
Another quote from God Daily Promises is "It is far better to forgive and forget than to hate and remember." AUTHOR UNKNOWN. That one is also very true.
Amy Grant recorded this song called "Simple Things".
"Cuz I dream of simple things I can believe in Like the feeling this day brings True love and the miracle of forgiving I believe in simple things"

Natalie Grant even recorded a song called "Let Go" and that's what everyone needs to do.
"But I'm ready to let go Looking forward to don't know Forget about yesterday, get away And live in the right now Yeah, I'm ready to let go And I'm ready follow Anywhere the road bends Where it ends I don't know So let go. Oh, we live in the future We got our regrets Cause we don't live in The present tense
(It's) hectic in my mind (Gonna) leave it behind. Don't wanna over think it Don't worry so much Gonna live this life And not lose touch I'm gonna let go."


"Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good." Romans 12:9-21 (The Message Bible)

I lost an aunt a few months ago. She died from cancer. She was in her 40's. I get another day if it's God's will. It was her time to go. But I got another day.
Mrs. Natalie Grant recorded this awesome song that really moved me. It is called "Another Day". The lyrics are "Another day Another chance to love the ones I love To find my way To laugh, to dance Watch the sun come up Another day I get to live As if Every breath could be the last I take I get another day. To make somebody smile Go the extra mile Take a wrong and make it right And try to touch somebody's life."
We don't know when we will die so we have to live when we get another day. I first heard this song the day after she died and went to be with the lord. Coincidence no. I believe God wanted me to hear this song then. I have had that CD with that song on it for a while. Nothing happens for a reason. God makes it happen when it's suppose to happen.


So are you going to let go? Are you going to forgive people who hurt you before it's too late? Are you going to love people and try to make a difference? Are you going to make your dreams come true? Are you going to be positive?

I hope you will. In fact I know you will! May you live and your dreams come true!

Andrew