Andrew Smith's Blog

Book, Music, and Movie Reviews

Work Happier: How to be Happy and Successful at Work by Mark Price Book Review




In Work Happier, Mark Price revealed how critical it is to discover and take charge of our own happiness at work. It isn’t our bosses responsible it’s our own. He stated how happier employees led to happier employees. He is the founder of WorkL that makes companies improve their own workspace. There is also a special test you can take online and he has seen that 70% of workers rank they are unhappy at work. He described how our personal lives will greatly improve too and how our families would prefer us to come home happier and more fulfilled and engaged at home. He lists our rights and our responsibilities. He stated how we must be ourselves in interviews and in our job that way we can display that we are a good fit. He covered tips on how we can become more empowered at work. One of the ways is by taking the initiative without being asked. He discussed favoritism and how to deal with it. He went over how to handle being disrespected at work and how to get respected. He goes over how to have difficult conversation with your boss. 

 

 

 

I would recommend this excellent book about workplace and how to become happier. This book contained tons of information about improving your happiness and taking back what is yours. I liked how he included tips on having deep conversations with your boss and to not live in fear of speaking up. I liked how he helped readers to gain control of their own happiness. We don’t have to rely on what our boss does or doesn’t do to dictate our happiness. I liked how he touched on a bad manager and how we can’t wait around for them to change their approach. Instead, we must set our own expectations and hold them accountable and how we can build a good relationship with them. He went over on how we can provide solutions to the work problems and to display our judgments and earn trust. 




“I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon: 



https://www.amazon.com/Work-Happier-How-Happy-Successful-ebook/dp/B0DWXYM7FG 

Dare to Be True: Defeat the Lies That Bind You and Live Out the Truth That Frees You by Madison Prewett Troutt Book Review





In Dare to Be True, Madison Prewett Troutt explored the lies that we are believing about ourselves and how we can break free. She begins the book by sharing a personal story about how she almost blew up her home accidently. They moved into their new home in Waco, Texas. She explained how they were clueless being first time home owners. They didn’t know how to change the water or air filters. They discovered that they had brown recluse spiders in their house. The water they had caused them to have sensitive teeth and corroded their silverware. Her husband, Grant started having headaches, brain fog, dizziness, and memory lost. She begin to experience nausea and mild headaches. When Grant would leave the house, he would feel better. They decided to go live in a hotel to see if they noticed a change. They received help from professionals in different fields for their home but nothing fixed it. Until a plumber came and he checked for gas leaks. The gas was running in their home and they had no idea the flumes were causing them to become so sick. They realized that they turned on key to the fireplace 6 months earlier and never noticed it. She used the leading story to help others to get rid of their own toxicity. 

 

 

 

Our generation is facing anxiety, work pressure, depression, loneliness, hopelessness, and much more. She helps readers to unpack all the lies they have been believing and the truths that we need to hear where we can become free. She enclosed some lies that satan has told us. These included, “you are disgusting, you don’t fit in, you are the problem, you are not enough, you will always be what you have done”. She encouraged readers to write down one lie that they are currently believing. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is tired of living in the lies and they are desperate for healing. The stories she included were wonderful examples related to the message of undoing the lies and daring to enter into the truth. People may recognize her name from being a contestant on the Bachelor and she is also the author of another popular book. She touched on how to find your people, living in prayer, living on purpose, and much more. I believe readers will connect with her story and how relatable is on the topics. This book can help you to stop believing the lies that are tying you down. 



“I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon: 



https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Be-True-Defeat-Truth-ebook/dp/B0DRBJ4CQB/ 

The Way of Fertility: Awaken Your Reproductive Potential through the Power of Ancient Wisdom by Michelle Oravitz Book Review





The Way of Fertility, Michelle Oravitz has written a book to guide readers into their reproductive years and encourage them to not give up if they are struggling to conceive. She helps people to get back into accordance with Tao or the way. In the book, she explained how she had to seek help when she was 17 because she had irregular periods. She was prescribed birth control pills. She shared how for 8 years and went on and off them. She was often depressed and her circadian rhythm was messed up. She finally discovered a Chinese doctor who practiced Chinese medicine. She helped her on an acupuncture plan and was instructed to take herbs. This led her to Tao teachings. This consists of the path to balance and living in harmony. There is tons of stories that displayed how they were able to change their bodies and improve their reproductive health. 





 

 

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is ready to reawaking their reproductive health. One of my favorite lessons was about repeating the terms that you are safe. This helps you to get back to your root chakra and to rebalance your life. Readers need to allow this to enter their subconscious mind and to help you in your creativity. There were fun ways you can inspire creativity such as dancing, singing, cooking, listening to music, and whatever you find enjoyable. She suggested the power in writing down your goals and allowing them to get us into manifesting a positive mindset. The book enclosed a number of ways in which we can help our reproductive to be reactivated.  




 

 

“I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon:



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1954991045/

Healing the Wounds of Rejection: Moving Forward with Strength, Confidence, and the Ability to Trust Again by Joyce Meyer and Ginger Stache Book Review

 



 

In Healing the Wounds of Rejection, Joyce Meyer has teamed up with her long time TV host and ministry assistant (her official title is chief creative officer), Ginger Stache to discuss the topic of rejection. The world around us is feeling lonely, invisible, betrayed by others, and they don’t know how to move forward from this pain. She wrote this book because God put it on her heart that the world is needing healing and freedom from the wounds of rejection. Scriptures declare how He can heal our wounds and our broken heart. God has created each of us in His own image and He greatly loves us. We are created for companionship. Even Jesus was rejected by many and He wasn’t always welcomed and at times I’m sure he felt lonely. He told his disciples to shake off the dust from their feet and move on to the next place when they faced being rejected in the town. They were called to preach the Gospel and not everyone would appreciate that. In the book, they touched on scriptures that proclaim the good things the Bible says about us. These enclosed, “accepted by God, God loves me unconditionally, God is with us, God gives me favor", and much more. 




 

 

In the book, Joyce shared her story about how she was rejected. She covered at least five different areas in which she felt rejected. She dealt with her classmates not accepting her when she couldn’t afford a Halloween costume. She had to wear a cheap wolf mask and was referred to as the ugly wolf. The other girls were dressed up fancy and looked like princesses. Another rejection was by her own father. The rejection was caused the sexual abuse he did to her. He showed her pornography in elementary school and worked on grooming her. She constantly lived in fear on when he would cause her harm again. She was rejected as a child. She also was rejected by the church. She was told she wasn’t a good teacher and she didn’t have the proper education. She was also a woman. She chose to not to allow the rejections to stop her from going after her purpose. 

 




 

Ginger discussed her rejection. She discovered that her husband of many years was secretly struggling with pornography. She noticed that he was angrier and she felt like something was bothering him. She discovered pornography being deliver in their mail box. They argued and later he broke down and confessed. He struggled with it since he was a young boy but he kept it from her for years. She explained how she was able to heal and to deal with the rejection and pain. 

 





 

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is battling rejection and they are tired of being burden down by the pain. I really liked how they switch different authors throughout the chapters to keep it fresh and to get two different perspectives on the topic and experiences with rejections and how they healed. The teaching and lessons in this book will assist you in overcoming the roots of rejection. There is a special lean in closer section filled with questions to help readers to go even deeper into the material. 

 

 

 

 

 

“I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon:

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Wounds-Rejection-Strength-Confidence/dp/1546009299/

Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!) by Bethany Joy Lenz Book Review





In Dinner for Vampires, Bethany Joy Lenz is a personal story about her life in the film industry and secretly living in a religious cult. She is most known for her role in One Tree Hill as, Haley James Scott. She also has guested stared in Suits, Charmed S.H.E.I.L.D, Dexter, Greys Anatomy, and much more. Most of the book was collected in her personal journals from 1999 to 2015. She shared how she was struggling in her marriage and the topic of divorce finally came up. They had a daughter Rosie who was just a baby. He would throw things and he threatened her with the dreaded if you leave me, he will win full custody. She stayed a long time because she was supposed to follow the Christian rules and be a submissive wife. She explained how she was falling into the methodical plan of being isolated from her family. He made her honor her bio-family and this consisted of members who God has called them into relationship with and for a purpose. We are here to please God. This group was called, The Big House Family. She shared how she chose to be a shining light on One Tree Hill and she refused to do any R rated scenes.  Her manager was constantly having to run everything by her husband for approval. This affected her first music album which never saw the light of day the cult rumor led her to being dropped from the label. In the book, she explained how she had to fight for custody and go to court to fight for her. Her dad was a big part in it when he researched and collected data from others and how her ex-husband treated others. A lot of folks wouldn’t speak out because of fear. 

 




 

This is mind blowing in the cult ways and how religion trapped her from living her life freely. While I agree there were positive aspects from the Christian teaching it took this religion to the extreme. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of her acting and they enjoyed her mostly on One Tree Hill since this was her biggest hit to date. It was very interesting to read about her life story and honestly, I never even picture she was living the cult lifestyle. This story will leave readers speechless and connect with her fans. 




“I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon:



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1668067307/

Testament TV Series Review and Giveaway

 


The Book of Acts explosively reimagined in an alternate-modern era. A resurrection sparks a movement that turns the world upside down, spreading hope amid chaos. As the followers risk everything to preach the good news, the Temple races to silence them before the oppressive Imperium regime retaliates. But public miracles, unburied secrets, and fractured loyalties force both sides to confront the true cost of their choices.




This powerful live-action series will challenge you, move you, and make you rethink what it means to truly follow Jesus. Set in a modern world, you'll connect with these stories and people like never before.





My Review for Episode One and Two: 



The TV series covered Jesus rising up from the tomb. We have received the gift of the Holy Spirit to comfort us and to guide us. Then it moved to the 12 disciples reimagined into a modern era setting and we see a baptism. Watchers will get to witness the story of Act into a today theme. It is a live action series with thought provoking concepts. I thought it was very interesting to watch and learn in movie format about the Bible and the Acts events. I believe this will help watchers learn more about the story of Jesus and connect it to an entirely new audience. I don’t think the changes they made in the series changed the message of the Bible in any shape or form. I think the series will continue to lure new members in and keep people hooked until the end of Acts. There are tons of surprises and fun scenes that await you in this awesome series. 







To Join:



Another discussion we need to have is the story behind Angel Guild. They seek only positive messages that are Christian based and that can amplify the light. Becoming a member allows you two free theater tickets to upcoming shows, discount on merchandise, early access to steaming new movies, voting for your favorite projects, and much more. All the films are made in Angel Studios. Some of the movies enclosed, Young David, I Can Only Imagine, Homestead, The Last Rodeo, The Shift, Like Dandelion Dust, Green and Gold, Vindication, and with much more being released. The two free tickets incentive I believe will cause people to want to go to the movies even more and support the films. I checked my area and there is showing at my local theater so you can probably find it as yours. There is also a special feature allowing members to share a special link to the movie to others. This is mind blowing that in a world of streaming this Christian based encourages watchers to share the message for free with others and it's unlimited. When all of other streaming apps discourage you from sharing without paying them, this one allows you to share. This can allow unbelievers to heard the message of the Gospel thru their inspiring films. 






Disclosure: Many thanks to Angel for providing a one month Angel Guild membership for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard. 

 

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