Happily Ever After: Six Secrets to a Successful Marriage By Gary Chapman Book Review

Happily Ever After is a book that helps readers to solve conflicts in their marriage. We must learn to respect and listen to our spouses. We have to give up the selfish attitude and the perception that our point of view is the only correct one. If you want to change your spouse we have to realize we can't change others. The plank must be removed from our only eyes before we try and fix someone else. Gary Chapman encouraged readers to ask their parents, God, in-laws, friends, and their spouses how they could improve their relationship in their marriage. This is where you can see your flaws and the issues that you may have that hinder your relationships from growing. Then you must work to fix the issues that you find.

An important part of the book is finding out your love language. The five love languages are gifts, acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, and quality time. The book will describe and give an example of how each love languages work. Once you find how you receive and feel loved you need to discover your spouse’s love language. Then if you have children you may want to find out how your children receive and feel loved. This section will greatly mend your relationships.

Happily Ever After is divided into six parts, “Everybody Wins”, “Home Improvements”, Profits Sharing”, “Now What?”, “Making Love”, and “In-Law Relationships”.  

Gary Chapman has also included discussion questions at the end of each chapter. The questions will help you to dig deeper into the book.

I would recommend this wonderful marriage book to improve and fix broken marriages. Anyone can benefit from learning their love language, their spouses, and their children love language. The book has provided me with great resources and ideas to resolve conflicts in my relationships. I have learned that I must fix and change myself before I try changing others. I am the only one that I can control. I can’t control others and their opinions. It’s important to stop arguing and listen to the other persons concerns. Marriage isn’t about being always right it’s about coming together for peace and harmony. Making love isn’t about just having sex it’s about showing each other love and respect. We have to learn to listen closely and understand how the other person feels and thinks. If you will apply these six secrets to your marriage it will change your marriage for the better. I am not married yet but when I am, I will be rereading this book to help me in my marriage. This is a great book to give to couples who are getting married or already married! I would also encourage both spouses to read the book together it help you in your marriage. Learn to enjoy each other!

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Happily Ever After then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Happily-Ever-After-Successful-Marriage/dp/141436444X/

Paper Angels: A Novel By Jimmy Wayne with Travis Thrasher

Paper Angels is a story based on the concept of the Salvation Army angel tree program. The Salvation Army angel tree program is a program that helps needy children get Christmas presents. Most of these children wouldn't be getting any presents without the help of people who care. People can pick up a paper angel from one of the Christmas paper angel trees. They buy the presents for the children out of the kindness of their hearts. They are changing lives and they don't even realize the positive impact it will have on these children. Jimmy Wayne has written this story to bring awareness to this wonderful life changing program. He was a child who was apart of the paper angel program growing up. He has witnessed the impact it had on his life and he had to share it with others. It is a fiction book but it is also based on the true meaning of the angel tree program.


Thomas Brandt is the one of the main characters in this Christmas story. Thomas has a father who is addicted to drinking alcohol. His mother got abused and hit by her husband. She eventually wised up and decided to take her two children and leave. Thomas and his sister, Sara realized that their whole lives are about to change. They move to a small trailer where they don't have very much. Thomas is also getting picked on at his new school by a bully. He wears the same clothes every day and they aren't new. He is made fun of during school and the attacks eventually escalates to online bullying.


The second main character is Kevin Morrell. His business is struggling to survive in the tough economy. His wife is having twins soon and he is about to be without a job and income. The wife sees the angel tree and talks her husband into picking an paper angel off the tree. 


Both of these familes lives are about to change forever. The story will show you the true meaning of Christmas and why it's important to be kind all year long. Everyone is hurting in some way and we can help change the world if we listen and help one another.


I immensely enjoyed reading this book. I felt changed after reading it. Kindness and love are important to have towards one another. This book is a true Christmas meaning story. But we must also keep the kindness all year long. I needed to be reminded to be thankful for what I do have. Someone always has it worst than I have. I have been blessed with so much and I need to start giving some back! This is a life humbling and awakening novel. It also has a wonderful idea on how to stop some bullying. How Thomas turns that around will touch everyone and cause them to think about their own lives. It's a true story about kindness and forgiveness. I think every teenager and adult should read Paper Angels and learn what kindness really is. This book is so good that it needs to be made into a Christmas movie in a few years! Let's really love each other and show kindness!




Salvation Army Paper Angels Interview

http://youtu.be/kmKcUngRvKU






Jimmy Wayne Interview about Paper Angels:

http://youtu.be/Sy9WQoqoiXQ


Jimmy Wayne-Paper Angels

http://youtu.be/-UVIZpRm8ks

Healing Is A Choice: Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and Ten Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them By Stephen Arterburn Book Review

In Healing Is A Choice, Stephen Arterburn teaches readers the process of healing the pain you have endured during your life. No one escapes this life without having to heal from their past. The things we go through will only make us stronger. Stephen was married to his wife for twenty years. One day she told him she wanted to get a divorce. He was deeply upset and he didn't know how the Christian community would react. This book is not just about his divorce he shared many stories and examples of healing your own personal hurts.This book will walk readers into making choices that will heal their souls. He explored ten decisions that will change your life and bring in the healing we so desperately need and want. He also revealed lies that can hinder the process of healing.






Here are some examples of the ten decisions we have to make to heal and ten lies we must resist.




Some of the ten decisions we can make are choosing to connect with people who will support and be there for us. We tend to want to put invisible walls up to protect ourselves from ever being hurt again. But that only ends up making us hurt longer and we won't heal. Another choice is feeling our lives where we can become whole again. Another choice is forgive the person who hurt us and forgiving ourselves. Holding on to the past and anger will not help us to heal and to be whole. Another choice is to take healthy risks to enjoy your life and live it to the fullest. A life changing choice is to persevere. Suicide is never the answer to life's problem. We have to make the difficult decision to never give up and to keep living our lives.




Some of the ten lies we must resist is believing that there is no hope to this life. I might as well give up and get depressed. This one is important to stay away from! God made us and we are here for a reason. We don't need to commit suicide to escape the trials of life. Another lie we must resist is time will heal us just keep living and eventually you will be whole. We must take time to heal the pain in our souls. Another choice we have to stay away from is putting up walls to protect us from anymore pain in our lives. Another choice we have to resist is believing we can't serve God while going through our pain.






Healing Is A Choice has a wonderful workout that is included in the revised and updated edition. You are encouraged to journal and answer the questions at the end of the chapters. This will help you to reinforce the knowledge you have learned. The book is quite long but it's worth reading and if it heals your life like it helped heal mine it will be worth the time and effort!  






I would recommend Healing Is A Choice to everyone! If you are struggling with forgiving others and are needing healing in your life pick up this book! The process of healing can be long but if you stick with trying to get well by using these steps it will help you immensely. The pain we have to endure will only make us withdrawn and hide. But there is a better way to live. The healed life is a life of freedom of our past and pain. We can heal our future and become free! Holding on to hurt destroys our relationships but we must connect with others and not wall them out. Life without losing doesn't exist, we all are going to be hurt and let down. We have to stand back up and try again! This book taught me to get well by making the correct choices. I had to reject the lies of Satan. He doesn't want me to get healed. But I can make the decision to go through my pain and come out on the other side stronger than before!








Stephen Arterburn also has a radio show called New Life Live. He help listeners through his radio program. If you need any help or need assist please call 1-800-NEW-LIFE.






Check out http://newlife.com/ for addition resources and information.

“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”

If you would like to purchase a copy of Healing Is A Choice check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785232435/

HELP: WORST Christmas Gifts

Hello, fellow Bloggers!!!


Please share with your friends and vote for me in the Worst Christmas gifts!!! You can vote once per day!!!

http://apps.facebook.com/radioshackholiday/contests/172068/voteable_entries/39644667 

I received a homemade Skunk, a Homemade Santa that says England, a watch that the battery was already dead, a Candy Cane door hanger, a homemade knitted hat that doesn’t hit, an abs cruncher (I don’t know what they were implying), a talking Christmas tree with a motion sensor that screams Christmas carols at you, a singing stuffed animal, a weather thermometer that moves these rain drops up and down.  But you can’t even tell what the correct temperature is. It only has 68, 72, 76, 80 degrees! I guess, the temperature can only be hot and not above 80 degrees and not under 68 degrees!

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Andrew


What are some of the worst and best gifts you have received at Christmas?

Christmas Questions

Tricia Goyer is releasing Remembering You soon and to celebrate she is doing a Christmas Contest.


If you want to participate check it out below:


http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/12/remembering-you-holiday-meme-chance-to.html



Here are my answers to these questions:


1. What's your favorite holiday song?

My favorite holiday song is Carol of the Bells. As a child, the Addam's Family Movie was the first place that introduced me to the song. I love the choir and heavenly feeling it brings. I am also glad one of my favorite artists, Mandisa recorded part of the song on her Christmas CD.


2. What's your favorite holiday tradition?

My favorite holiday tradition is putting up the tree with my mother and listening to Christmas songs.


3. If you could travel one place with an elderly family member where would you go?

I would go to Tennessee. I have always loved seeing the Smokey Mountains and Pigeon Forge. The Smokey Mountains are breathtaking and adventurous! 


4. What questions would you ask?

I would ask them about how they grew up and how they lived their life to the fullest.


5. What is a non-tangible gift have you received from an elderly relative?

I received wisdom about their life lessons and struggles they have to go through and overcome.


6. What is the best/worst/strangest gift you've received from an elderly relative?

My best gift was spending time with them and learning about their life.



Now share your answers!  

New Living Translation Giveaway

Check out the New Living Translation Facebook page and enter the Tyndale Blog Network exclusive giveaway for a chance to win some awesome prizes!!!!

Here are the NLT Facebook page giveaway details:




Starting on November 29th until December 24th at the New Living Translation Facebook page we're giving away lots of great prizes and something free for you just for singing up.




By visiting the giveaway entry page (located on the NLT Facebook page, the link is under the profile picture) and entering your name and e-mail address you'll be entered to win the following prizes:




One random person each day will win a Life Application Study Bible Family Pack (Guys Life Application Study Bible hc, Girls Life Application Study Bible hc, Student's Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible Large Print hc).




One Random person each week will win an Apple iPad 2!




Everyone that signs up gets a free download copy of the Life Application Bible Study – Book of Luke!



To enter click the link below:


http://www.facebook.com/NewLivingTranslation?sk=app_121121694568521

Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics By Alisa Harris Book Review

In Raised Right, Alisa Harris described the challenges she faced with politics and her Christian Faith. She grew up homeschooled and she eventually attended Hillsdale College and received her journalism degree. Her parents taught her the importance of standing up for what you believe in. In her early childhood, her parents protested at abortion clinics and she was picketing alongside them. Alisa Harris believed in standing firm against injustice and standing up for people who didn’t have a voice. One day at a coffee shop she witnessed a nanny degrading her employee. She yelled and screamed about how bad of a job she was doing. She called her fat and other rude comments. Alisa had a hard time sitting and watching this event unfold. She gets outraged and says something in the heat of the moment. Later she found out that it was for a TV Show called, “What Would You Do”. Her part didn’t make the final cut into the hit ABC TV show. She also shared about one of her protests against the Bank Systems. Bank of America hasn’t paid taxes for a number of years. But citizens have to always pay taxes or risk breaking the law. This book is about her beliefs about politics.

This book is enlightening to read about people standing up for what they believe in. They have to risk failure and the belief that it doesn’t really matter anyway. But many are still trying to stand firm on things they think need changed. It’s important to stand up for people who aren’t able to stand up for themselves. I would recommend this book to anyone who cares about politics and has some backbone. Sitting on the sidelines can become all too easy. Her book will encourage readers to live what they believe and stand up and use your voice! Adults and teenagers will enjoy the stories that Alisa Harris shared. They will feel not so alone in their beliefs about bringing change for the American people.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307729656/


Please rate my review:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/14593

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/ranking/14593

  

Read Chapter One:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/58103657/Raised-Right-by-Alisa-Harris-ch-1-excerpt

40 Ways to Get Closer to God: By Jerry MacGregor with Keri Wyatt Kent Book Review

In 40 Ways to Get Closer to God, Jerry MacGregor walks readers through how to grow deeper in their Faith. This book is a devotional book that is meant to be read and lived out in our daily lives. Each day has a quote that will inspire you. MacGregor has provided daily challenges to help you along your spiritually journey. It also has blank lines where you can journal about your process on paper. Some of the lessons are called Conquerors, Forgiveness, Take and Read, 'Fess Up, Simplicity, Prayer Warriors, Celebrate, and much more! This book will help anyone grow closer to Christ if you are willing to listen to the suggestions Jerry MacGregor gives.

One of my favorite quotes was:

"If you want to grow closer to God, you cannot focus only on what you believe, on what truths you claim, or what you say you know. You must also act on your beliefs. How you live matters as much as what you claim to believe." Jerry MacGregor (Page 119)

I would recommend this devotional book to teenagers and adults. It will guide readers on how to become closer to God. There are practical things readers can do to stretch their Faith. You will be motivated and challenged to read the word and memorize scriptures. We are called to help one another and be an example of Christ. We have to choose to live our lives and have a positive impact on one another. I encourage you to read this book and let it bring you closer to God than you have ever been before. Don’t just read the 40 days devotions live them out with your life! Take the challenges and work them in your life and you will see changes like never before. You can be a blessing to others by being everything God has called you to be!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers book review bloggers program.”

Read Day One and Day Two Devotions:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/61473704/40-Ways-to-Get-Closer-to-God

If you would like to purchase a copy of 40 Ways to Get Closer to God check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/40-Ways-Get-Closer-God/dp/0764209183

Why Men Hate Going to Church By: David Murrow Book Review

In Why Men Hate Going to Church, David Murrow exposed the truth to the gender gaps in churches around the world. Men are rapidly disappearing from the congregation. Men have decided to do different things on Sunday. Women have become the main people running and going to church. Men are leaving churches because they have fear losing their masculinity. Many churches are using feminine language to describe a personal relationship with Christ. Murrow feels like men associate the word relationship with male and female. Some men will get turned off by thinking about being close to another man. Hugging and hand holding also seem to scare some new visitors away. Dress codes are a big problem in the church everyone is expected to dress in their Sunday best in many churches.

David Murrow gives pastors, women, and men advice to draw men back into the church. Churches must keep messages real with examples of everyday life. Challenge men to become their very best they can be. Young men need to move around and take risks. We have to teach the messages with more adventure. Young men tend to not enjoy reading aloud and we don't need to force them to do so. We also need male teachers teaching young men. Women are needed for teaching young women. We need the same gender role models especially when we are younger. Murrow believes that churches need to work on changing the trend. We have to bring men back to the churches.

I would recommend this book to pastors, deacons, men, and women. Everyone can benefit from bring men back into the church. We need both genders to reach and spread the Gospel of Christ. I have personally seen young men and older men leave the church. It's always been a mystery to me as to why some men just disappear and they never attend church again. Sometimes it's not because they don't believe in God. They just can't get into going to church for a variety of reasons. This book will help readers understand where all the men are going. It will guide churches into how to bring back the men and how to keep them. David Murrow has revised and updated Why Men Hate Going to Church. It is completely up to date with the latest finding in data about men leaving the church. It is a worthwhile read if you are curious about how to get more men into your churches!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”

If you would like to purchase a copy of Why Men Hate Going to Church check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church/dp/078523215X

Game On: Find Your Purpose-Pursue Your Dream

In Game On, Emmitt Smith described the steps and process he took to accomplish his dreams. He had visions and goals he wanted to reach in life. Smith was a popular football player in the NFL. He has won multiple awards throughout his football career. He has appeared on Dancing with the Stars with dance partner, Cheryl Burke and they won the Championship. He had a dream to beat the NFL rushing record. He made goals to make that dream happen. He eventually accomplished his dream by running 18,355 yards. It took great determination and taking a step at a time to reach that enormous goal. Smith shared his experiences he has encountered to help readers with their own lives. He divided the book into ten steps. Some of the steps include seeing your dream, setting goals, sticking to your core values, having a team, and much more. Emmitt Smith tells readers to always have a dream and to keep sketching towards it.

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults who need encouragement for their dreams. If you enjoyed his football career then you will enjoy this book! This book teaches readers to never give up on their dreams. But you also have to work hard to make your dreams happen. Emmitt Smith has accomplished a lot in his lifetime and he isn’t done yet! He keeps working and dreaming even after his football career. He has started a construction business to follow his dream of developing buildings. Emmitt Smith is a wonderful example of someone who is determined and dedicated to living the best life possible. His story inspired me to dream big and to work hard for my dreams! I have to believe that I can accomplish my dreams and go after them with everything I got! The game is on to succeed your dreams get going!

One of my favorite quotes:

"You will have your doubters too. When they come around, tell them what I told mine: Game on! Where you start doesn’t matter. It's where you finish that counts. And how you end up in life depends on what you do every day to accomplish your goals. Each day is a step toward building a legacy, a life of meaning and fulfillment." (Page X)

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Game On then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Game-Find-Your-Purpose-Pursue-Dream/dp/1414349815/

Read Chapter One:

http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-4981-7.pdf

Emmitt Smith Childhood Dreams Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_dreamerkid-tyndale.flv

Emmitt Smith Introduction Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_introduction-tyndale.flv

Emmitt Smith Where You Finish Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_whereyoufinish-tyndale.flv

Emmitt Smith With All Your Heart Video:

http://www.tyndale.com/x_products/videos.php?flv=emmitsmith_gameon_withallthineheart-tyndale.flv

Start Here, Go Anywhere By Richie Hughes Book Review

In Start Here, Go Anywhere, Richie Hughes explored the choices individuals make daily. People can choose to go down this path or they can go another way. He shared a number of personal stories that took courage to share to the world. His brother, Eddie made a choice that changed his life. Eddie loved to sing, act, and make people laugh. He got involved in the wrong crowd when he was reaching for his dreams. He went down the path of homosexuality. He eventually got diagnosed of the AIDS virus. His family made a choice to love him through it. Richie Hughes will walk readers through the process of our choices in life. The choices we make today we have to live tomorrow. Hughes has made the choice to always be there for his daughters and his family. Choices are big and choices are small. So choose wisely.

This book also included testimonials from lead singer of Third Day, Mac Powell and former Atlanta Braves pitcher, John Smoltz. They had to make choices in their own lives and they shared some of them.

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults. Everyone needs to learn how to make great choices. We have to live with our decisions we make. It’s important to read this book and choose the right paths for our lives. This book will help readers to choose to follow God and his ways. We shouldn’t make excuses for our choices we chose to take. Richie Hughes teaches stories from the Bible that gives us hope when we mess up and make mistakes. The stories will lead readers to believe the truth of God’s word. Everyone has to make decisions every day and we need to make the right ones. It’s not too late to turn around and change your choice making process. This book can guide you to a better life.

Charisma House has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Start Here, Go Anywhere then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616382112  

Start Here, Go Anywhere By Richie Hughes Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQeuT8KIWc

Thunder Dog: The True Story of A Blind Man, His Guide Dog and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero By Michael Hingson with Susy Flory Book Review

September 11^th, 2001 was a day that changed the United States and the world forever. Michael Hingson went to work like any other day. He didn’t have a clue what the day would bring. He worked on the 78^th floor on the North Tower of the World Trade Center. An airplane hit the North Tower unexpectedly causing uncertainty. A few minutes later another airplane attack hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Michael Hingson had to climb down massive staircases to reach safety. He never could have guessed the impact and dangerous situation he was in.

Michael Hingson survived the attack at the World Trade Centers. He is also blinded and has a guide dog named Roselle. Roselle is afraid of thunderstorms and loud noises. She had to handle the noises from the attacks. She remained calm in the face of a terrible storm. She had to help her master Michael escape the Trade Centers.

A major part of the book is his story about surviving the attack on September 11^th. He also shared his story about being blind and how people treat him like he can’t do things others can do. He understands that people are trying to help but sometimes he wants to be treated as anyone else. He is able to accomplish things just like anyone else. As a child, Michael was able to ride a bicycle around his street. He described his neighbors calling his parents and warning them about Michael. They were worried about his safety. But his parents didn’t let it bother them. They told Michael he could do anything he set his mind to do and wanted to do.

I would recommend this wonderful book to teenagers and adults. This story will captive with each page. Michael Hingson has been through everyone’s worst fears. America had no idea how to handle the September 11^th attacks. He has lived firsthand the attacks and survived. Many people lost their lives that day and the days after the event. It has changed America. Hingson leads readers through his days and years after the attack. His story gives me hope about someone who became someone great and didn’t give up. He didn’t listen to the voices of other people. He set out to accomplish his dreams! He didn’t let his blindness stop him from living! He kept going and he learned that we must all work together as a team. If you love a story about dogs then this is a remarkable one to read. But you don’t have to be a dog lover to enjoy this book. This book will encourage you to stand in the storms of life and to keep the Faith! Always remember to work as a team. We are better together than we are apart!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”

If you would like to purchase a copy of Thunder Dog check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Dog-Story-Triumph-Ground/dp/140020304X

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGUIGvhvoUk

Michael Hingson on Larry King Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8toQOVLVsDk

Falls Like Lightning By Shawn Grady Book Review

Silas Kent is a smokejumper. Elle Westmore is a pilot who is the best in the business. Silas dated Elle for one summer then he called it off. Elle has since married and gotten divorced. She also has a daughter named Maddie now. Kent still has buried feelings for her. An enormous fire has broken out burning the forest rapidly. This fire has led them back to each other again. Broken hearts are having one more chance to mend. They will have to face the past where they can overcome the future. Silas and Elle fall into major trouble during the flight to put out the dangerous fires. They discover they are in for a rough ride. The smokejumper crew members are not at all what they seem. They are hunting for gold and they will kill in order to keep it for themselves. Will Kent and Westmore make it out alive and fall back in love? Can they stop the bad crew members in time or will the fire get them first?

I would recommend this novel to any teenager or adult who is looking for a thrilling and suspense filled novel. It will keep you reading along until you find out what has happened. This novel is filled with action and romance. Men and women will both enjoy this wonderful novel. I enjoyed reading about the smokejumpers. I never even imagined how hard of work they have to do to contain the fires. I appreciate how tough they are to keep us safe. They truly are brave! Shawn Grady does a great job at describing the scenes that I felt I was there along side with them. This was my first novel I read of Grady’s and it was worth it! If you want a great mystery novel then you should check out this one!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers book review bloggers program.”

Read Chapter One-Five:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/55895980/Falls-Like-Lightning

If you would like to purchase a copy of Falls Like Lightning check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Falls-Like-Lightning-Shawn-Grady/dp/0764205978

Every Day A Friday: How To Be Happier 7 Days A Week By Joel Osteen Book Review

In Every Day A Friday, Joel Osteen has seen that most people become happy and joyful on Fridays. But throughout the week we are counting down the days to happiness on Friday. The book is based off a study that has found that happiness increased 10 percent more on Fridays. We tend to be waiting to be happy for the weekend and we are missing out on the rest of the days of the week. We are supposed to enjoy our lives every single day. A significant key we must realize is we don’t have to give away our power to the economy, rude bosses or customers, traffic, and any other circumstances that are beyond our control. We must change our perceptive and focus on the positive and not dwell on the negative. A kind encouraging word can break down the wall barriers around our heart. Osteen believes in reaching out to the hurting and loving them into they are whole again! A kind word can heal souls!

The book is divided into seven important parts:

-Don’t Give Away Your Power

-Know What to Ignore

-Live Without Crutches

-Travel Light

-Laugh Often

-Be a Dream Releaser

-Celebrate Yourself

My favorite stories that changed my life were the story about trying to drive a SUV at the Indianapolis race track. You have to run the race the way God created you to be! The second story that spoke to me was a kid named Joey that was trying to copy everyone else and all he had to be was stop and be himself. I won’t post the stories because they are so good you need to read them for yourself. They will help you realize that God loves you just the way you are. He chose you!

One of my favorite quotes is:

“Our churches should not be museums to display perfect people. They should be hospitals to help the hurting and the lonely” (186).

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults who aren’t enjoying every day that God has blessed them with. Each day is a brand new day and has a gift just wanting to be treasured and enjoyed from our Creator. I would also recommend this book to anyone who is lacking Faith in tough times and is failing in the battlefield for their minds. Joel Osteen has shown me that I have to have Faith and speak out positive words to encourage me when no one else is around to. I must speak truth into other people’s lives in order that they will be built up. We spend way too much time tearing others down. We have the power to help others achieve their God given dreams. But we can also choose to break their dreams! It comes down to a choice and a decision. Osteen has taught me to unpack my baggage from my past and let the hurts and offenses go once and for all! It will only keep me from living my destiny and becoming everything I could be! The mind is where we must win the battle in order to succeed in our lives. I will become a positive person! I have God’s favor over my life! I can enjoy every single day! The Lord loves me! I am wonderfully made!

Joel Osteen has written the most life changing book that everyone needs to get and read again and again. I want to get the words of truth into my mind where they will come out my mouth. The principles he is teaching readers in this book will assist you into becoming everything God has created you to be. I feel much happier after reading this book. I am even starting to speak about God’s favor more boldly and openly. God can help me accomplish every dream that is in my heart and he will receive the glory. I am making a decision to not give away my power to my problems God is way bigger than them! Joel Osteen has spoken the words of encouragement that I needed to hear to keep believing and to keep the Faith! My mind might be the toxic battlefield but God has the solution to help me to think more positively. If you need encouragement and need help to become happier you need to immensely read this book. But make sure you take the words inside your heart and take action to speaking God’s truth.

I will treasure each day from now on and enjoy the gift I have been given. Every day is meant to be celebrated like its Friday! It is so imperative that we live each day trying to be a blessing to someone else. We have the influence with God’s help to touch someone else and speak the words of truth into them.

“I received this book free from Hachette Book Group/Faith Works.”

Want to buy a copy of Every Day A Friday check the link below:

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Every Day A Friday Book Trailer:  

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