Category Archives: Healing
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031032906X
ISBN-13: 978-0310329060
Price: $26.99
Purchase: Amazon | CBD | BN
Description
Ten years ago, Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, which became the bestselling hardback non-fiction book in history, and is the second most-translated book in the world, after the Bible. PDL has inspired and changed tens of millions of lives … more than any modern book. NOW, Rick has updated and expanded the book with new chapters on the greatest barriers to living your purpose, plus 42 video introductions to each chapter theme, and 42 additional audio messages that go deeper into each chapter. He has also created a new small group curriculum and new sermon series for pastors, and new follow-up events to conserve the evangelistic and discipleship results you will experience. In the original 40 Days of Purpose campaign, churches averaged 28% growth in attendance, and over 100% growth in small group Bible study! People WANT to know their purpose in life! The Purpose Driven Life will enable a new generation in your church to discover God’s purposes for their lives and empower your church with a fresh new wind of hope, joy, and vitality!
Review
Wow! I can’t believe it’s been ten years already. I first heard about The Purpose Driven Life in March 2005. It was when this woman was held hostage. Her name then was Ashley Smith. She’s married now and goes by Ashley Smith Robinson.
Her story is amazing because as a result of reading excerpts of The Purpose Driven Life to her captor, he let her go and turned himself in.
When I read this story in the news, I went out and bought the book right away. I was fascinated to know what The Purpose Driven Life was all about.
I read it back then and started telling everyone in my circle about it. I even bought copies and gave them out to people.
I love everything Pastor Rick Warren preaches and writes about. He has a brilliant way of breaking things down and making difficult concepts easy to understand. He keeps your interest and he is never boring.
The anniversary edition of The Purpose Driven Life is even better. There are two new chapters added: “The Envy Trap – I must be like you to be happy” and “The People-Pleaser Trap – I must be liked by you to be happy”.
Also, what I totally think is fabulous, is there are QR codes and web links incorporated providing a video intro and 30-minute audio message by Pastor Rick Warren for each chapter.
If you are not familiar with Pastor Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life is a great introduction. This is one of my favorite books ever. I highly recommend it to everyone.
In conclusion, I want to thank both Zondervan and Thomas Nelson for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to review.
As founding pastor of Saddleback Church, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000 member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As a theologian, he has lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, University of Judaism, and dozens of universities and seminaries. As a global strategist he advises world leaders and has spoken to the United Nations, US Congress, Davos Economic Forum, TED, Aspen Institute, and numerous parliaments. Rick has also founded the global P.E.A.C.E. plan, which Plants churches of reconciliation, Equips leaders, Assists the poor, Cares for the sick, and Educates the next generation in 196 countries. www.purposedriven.com
All for the Masquerade
I’ve been quiet lately. I’ve been processing since my return from a conference and the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
I’ve been thinking the three C’s: Christians, Conferences and Churches. I realize in all three, people hide behind a masks.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
I remember learning the waltz once. I believe it was when I was attending acting school years ago. I didn’t find it difficult to learn.
The steps are repetitive and monotous, around and around you go…
As with any dance, there must be proper form. The traditional waltz is both elegant and dull.
Christians seem to like to masquerade and dance the waltz. We seem to like to hide and go around in circles.
Much like the Israelites did in the desert, never entering in and reaching the promise land.
I can just see God looking down and thinking, “There they go, masquerading and dancing the waltz again.”
I don’t know Lord, I honestly don’t know… but I agree, the waltz is whack and the whole masquerade thing is played out if you ask me. It’s got no swagga, no flow or flava…
We’re just dancing in circles like a bunch of lost robots with plastered smiles on our faces… meanwhile we’re dying inside.
I don’t know about you, but when I walk into a room full of Christians whether at a church or conference, it seems I can feel the weight of their pain and hurt behind their smiles.
Everyone looks good on the outside; make-up’s perfect, hair and nails did, matching Gucci bag and shoes, a fashionable hat even… ohhhh and that smile, that same smile I see time and time again… The smile with hurting eyes…
Their smiles say one thing, while their eyes say another. Switching their gaze away quickly, lest anyone finds out. The truth.
We are so afraid to be found out and exposed. So afraid to be seen for who and what we are.
So we just carry on, dancing the waltz and hiding behind our masks… smiling whilst our hearts cry and souls die.
All for the Masquerade.
Why do you think people wear masks?
Tears Water the Seeds of Hope by Kim Tews
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: CrossHouse Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-10: 161315027X
ISBN-13: 978-1613150276
Price: $15.95
Purchase: Amazon | BN
Description
Tears Water the Seeds of Hope is the inspiring true story of a Midwest husband and wife that become disenchanted with the relentless pursuit of the American Dream and embark on a journey that spans six countries and redefines their values and lives. The story begins in a small town in Wisconsin and weaves its way through South and Central America as the couple gathers an army of supporters and establishes an organization to save the lives of children in the end stages of starvation in eastern Guatemala. The narrative is filled with action-packed adventure and heartwarming victories as the characters face incredible odds and seemingly hopeless situations, while hundreds of volunteers join mission teams to offer help and hope through the programs of the ministry. Readers of all ages will enjoy the roller-coaster ride of emotions–from laughter to tears to sheer joy–as they realize that ordinary people can make a difference one life at a time.
Review
There are times when things happen in the most interesting way. For instance, how I found out about this book, Tears Water the Seeds of Hope.
I happened to be visiting a book bloggers page on Facebook, when I came across Lori Caswell’s post requesting bloggers to review Tears Water the Seeds of Hope for her blog, Great Escapes Book Tours. I read the description of the book and was hooked. I wrote her a private message and expressed my interest in reviewing Tears Water the Seeds of Hope and she graciously accepted.
A couple of weeks later, I received the book in the mail directly from the author Kim Tews. I was so surprised when I opened the package. She had tied a ribbon around the book, which also had a flower on it and matched the flower on the book cover. She even wrote a lovely note on matching stationary, thanking me for being willing to read her book. I immediately saw Kim Tews heart and was touched by her kind gesture.
I was eager to begin reading the book and I finished it in four days. I couldn’t get enough of this book. I simply didn’t want to stop reading it. I was completely drawn in from start to finish.
Kim and Randy Tews live in Wisconsin. They are both successful real estate agents. They were living comfortably and had all they needed, except they felt a void. They began attending church and felt a calling to help the poor in Central and South America. They eventually wound up helping high risk children in Guatemala and started a program called Outreach for World Hope.
Tears Water the Seeds of Hope is about their story, from their humble beginnings to the present. Kim Tews did not sugar coat anything nor did she hold back anything. I found their story to be riveting and convicting.
I was touched and inspired by the what the Tews were doing. They took many risks and witnessed a lot of difficult situations. Quite frankly, I admired that they didn’t lose their faith by all they witnessed and experienced.
I really respect the Tews, many people would have simply given up and thrown in the towel with everything they’ve been through. But they did not give up. They kept going by the grace of God and kept loving the children of Guatemala no matter what. Now this is what I call exemplifying the Lord with your life, which is very rare today.
Tears Water the Seeds of Hope especially touched me because I did a short missions trip in Guatemala years ago. Everything described in this book is the truth. I know it to be true, because I was there and saw it with my own eyes.
Tears Water the Seeds of Hope provoked, inspired and challenged me all at the same time. This book resonated with my heart’s desire to help children. I hope I can return to Guatemala again one day.
In the meantime, I will continue to read and tell others about wonderful books like this one. Christians, here and around the world, who making a difference in this world.
I highly recommend this book. If you have been on a missions trip, this book will inspire you.
In conclusion, I want to thank Lori Caswell, Kim Tews and Cross House Publishing for facilitating and sending me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Kim Tews was raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Economics. She and her husband, Randy, pursued careers in real estate before beginning mission work together in Ecuador, South America, in 2001. In 2005, they established the non-profit organization Outreach for World Hope to save the lives of starving children in eastern Guatemala. The couple lives in Verona, Wisconsin, with their three children, traveling back and forth to Guatemala frequently to facilitate the ongoing programs of Outreach for World Hope (www.outreachforworldhope.org and Facebook).He said He wanted to Kill Me
Last night I decided to go to church for prayer service. Before I was married and had kids, I lived at Times Square Church. I was there every Tuesday and Friday night and all day Sunday. I even served on the choir before someone told me they wanted to kill me.
I never told a soul. I just stepped down quietly from the choir. I mean, who in their right mind was going to stay in the choir after that? Maybe I should have stayed, but deep down, I was disillusioned.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
Early one Sunday morning, I was praying alone in the choir section when I sensed a presence. I opened my eyes to find a tall male standing before me. I recognized him, he was in his choir robe like me. He said he needed to ask my forgiveness. I asked him for what (since I never had any dealings with him). He said for wanting to kill me.
I think I was traumatized at that moment because all I said was, I forgive you. I can’t believe that’s all I said.
Why couldn’t I have told him, “Hey dude, what did I ever do to you to warrant your wanting to kill me?” I mean, wouldn’t that have been more normal?
Eighteen years later, I think back and wish I would have had enough courage to ask him why.
I went through a whole gamut of emotions and questions. All I was doing was praying. Aren’t you suppose to feel safe in church? I did not feel safe at all. I actually never looked at church the same way again.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Times Square Church greatly. It is where God brought me, put me, planted me and where I grew up in the faith. It is where I first experienced the presence of God. The preaching is phenomenal and I’ve made great friends there. Many who are now leaders or serving overseas as full time missionaries.
It’s not the church’s fault, it’s not anyone’s fault. However, last night, memories began to flood my mind and emotions began to well up. Yes, I forgive this man, wherever he is. The irony of it all is that I didn’t even know his name. But his face will be forever etched in my memory.
Conceptually, I understood at twenty-seven that evil was using this man as a host. But it’s still hard to grasp something like this magnitude, especially since it happened in church by a supposed brother in Christ. I couldn’t understand it, still don’t and perhaps I never will.
However, since then, I no longer close my eyes when I pray in church. I do for second or two, but then I open them again. I only pray with abandon when I’m alone and in the confines of my home.
I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience in church? If so, please share. I would love to know I’m not alone.
Book Review: When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts by Cindi McMenamin
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736948589
ISBN-13: 978-0736948586
Price: $12.99
Purchase: Amazon | BN | CBD
Description
Only God can take the bitter things and turn them into blessings in your own life and the lives of others. But healing cannot take place until you uproot the faulty thinking that often accompanies life’s wounds and replace it with the truth about how God views you.
As Cindi McMenamin shares powerful examples of the ways God has changed broken lives, she offers encouraging counsel that will…
· take you from feeling insignificant to realizing how much the Lord loves you
· take you from feeling undesirable to seeing your true beauty
· take you from feeling you’re not good enough to recognizing how special you are
You’ll find this book filled with grace, redemption, and transformation. It will lead you toward a renewed focus on God, a resurgence of inner joy, and better relationships with others.
Review
Cindi McMenamin shares her heart on each page of this book. Her desire is for women to be set free from the bondage of their pasts and to know their identity in Christ.
Each chapter begins with a woman’s tragic story and their redemption.
At the end of each chapter, there is a section entitled, “Let the Healing Continue” where there are practical exercises help to incorporate healing. There are also scriptures to reflect upon and a prayer for healing.
When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts is broken down in three sections:
Part I: Uncovering the Wounds
Part II: Unraveling the Lies
Part III: Unveiling a New Heart
As much as I found this book encouraging, I did have a difficult time reading some of the women’s stories.
However, I appreciated the fact that there is hope and redemption as well. Who doesn’t like a happy ending?
One thing I am realizing in my own journey toward healing and wholeness is that it isn’t always pleasant or fun, but grueling. Healing doesn’t always feel good and at times, it can be messy.
However, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurt is very helpful as it gives you ten steps toward healing and wholeness.
Cindi McMenamin teaches throughout this book, that there is healing, hope and redemption through the pain and hurt. Sometimes we may not understand why certain things happen, however, this book clearly shows how God wastes nothing.
God desires to heal us. He desires our freedom from the lies we believe. Ultimately, He wants us to know how much He loves us.
In order to heal, we must face some ugly and painful things. But, we don’t have to stay there.
When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurt gives you the tools to overcome your past hurts and be set free.
I highly recommend When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurt for women. This book could used alone or as a guide in a woman’s group.
In conclusion, I want to personally thank Aaron Dillon of Harvest House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book.
Cindi McMenamin, an award-winning writer and national speaker, is the author of When Women Walk Alone (more than 100,000 copies sold) and Women on the Edge. As a pastor’s wife, director of women’s ministries, and Bible teacher, her passion is to bring women into deeper intimacy with God. Cindi lives in Southern California with her husband, Hugh, and daughter, Dana. www.strengthforthesoul.com
Will You Say “Yes”?
I am participating in Blogging Through the Book: The Gospel of Yes by Pastor Mike Glenn. This series was birthed by Dana Pittman, who is an amazing writer and speaker. I am honored to be partnering with her and her amazing team of writers. Every Wednesday we will be blogging our thoughts and insights from this book.
“All of us are broken. And accepting God’s mercy in Christ does not magically repair the shattered pieces of life.” ~ Mike Glenn
This quote is taken from the chapter entitled, “The ‘Yes’ of the Cross.”
To be honest, I had difficulty reading this chapter. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great and meaty chapter. However, truth has a way of barging into places you’d rather keep shut.
Truth has a way of breaking us.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. When the truth pierces the darkness, lies are exposed.
Your soul is left naked.
I guess that’s how Adam and Eve felt after they ate the forbidden fruit. Eve fell for the lie and brought Adam down with her. Next thing you know, they are running for cover.
There are things we’d rather keep hidden.
If you’ve walked on this earth long enough, there will be situations you’ll want to forget and wish never happened.
We all wish we had the ability to go back in time and do things differently. However, this is impossible.
Shame and guilt hound us and we continue to run.
Jesus doesn’t want us to run or hide in shame anymore. He wants to expose every broken place in our lives.
He wants to heal us.
But, He isn’t going to force it on us. He is a gentlemen.
Once we receive Him into our hearts and lives, we are His. We are no longer our own. We were bought with a price.
He doesn’t want us remaining as we are. He doesn’t want us trapped in bondage. He doesn’t want us believing the lies.
He doesn’t want us living shattered lives.
Jesus is the redeemer of our souls. He wants to reach down into those dark crevices of our hearts and heal us. Those ugly places we want to hide and pretend don’t exist.
“But from start, healing work occurs on the inside. In time, seeds planted in secret by God’s Spirit will blossom into the harvest of a radically changed life. Right now, however, at least on the surface, nothing will seem to have changed. Even with Christ in us and with us, the hard circumstances of life are still there, staring us in the eyes. That’s because Jesus isn’t changing the situation but the person.” (Chapter 5, Pages 68-69)
God wants to do spiritual surgery. He wants to set us free. He longs to make us whole.
Will you say “yes” to the Cross?
Blogging Through the Book is a group of bloggers who literally blog while reading the book. It’s different than merely reading a book and posting a review. We have a chance to read and share our thoughts in community. To learn more visit www.danapittman.com.
Follow
embodyart