Book Review: When You Need a Miracle by Linda Evan Shepherd

August 14, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | Leave a comment

Publisher:   Revell (July 1, 2012)
Language:  English
Pages: 205
ISBN-10: 080072108X
ISBN-13: 978-0800721084
Price: $12.99
Purchase:  Amazon | CBD | BN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“God makes the impossible possible every day.” ~ Don Piper

Description

When we are hurt, we want a God who is big enough to rescue us from heartache and circumstances beyond our imagination. But even if we believe that such a God exists, we don’t always know how to approach him, much less how to ask him for impossible.

Linda Evans Shepherd knows what it’s like to be in a desperate need of a miracle. And she knows what it’s like to receive God’s answers to her prayers. In this powerful book, she shows you how to reach out to God and simply ask. She shows how God’s answers may not come packaged in the ways we would expect, but they do come in ways that will transform our lives. Through solid biblical teaching and dramatic real-life stories, Shepherd walks you on a journey of renewed hope and the assurance that God still works miracles.

Review

When You Need a Miracle is predominantly a book about prayer. Linda Evans Shepherd takes you step by step in learning how to pray and also what hinders prayers from being answered.

She shares from a deep, personal place reflecting on some of her own life experiences. She discusses two incidents when she especially needed a miracle. One had to do with her brother and the other had to do with her daughter.

When You Need a Miracle really touched me in many ways. My heart ached in certain parts of the book. Especially when she discussed what happened to her daughter.

But, my heart also rejoiced when the Lord answered her prayer and did a miracle.

The chapter which spoke the most to me was Chapter Five, entitled The Forgiveness Factor. There was much truth dispelled on each page.

In this chapter, Linda Evan Shepherd discusses a tragic situation which occurred in someone’s life. I had difficulty reading this chapter because I identified strongly with what had occurred in this person’s life.

When tragedy happens to people at the hand of another person, it’s not so easy to forgive. This chapter delves into the importance of forgiveness.

My favorite chapter was Chapter 7 entitled, Fighting the Enemy. I learned some very powerful prayers in this chapter which I will continue to implement in my own life.

Overall, there is much to glean and learn from When You Need a Miracle. I recommend this book to anyone struggling in their life and desire a miracle through answered prayer.

In conclusion, I want to thank Revell for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to read and review.

Linda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning author, a successful speaker, and a media personality. The president of Right to the Heart Ministries, she is the author of When You Don’t Know What to Pray and When You Can’t Find God. She lives in Colorado. Visit www.NeedMiracleBook.com for more information.

 

Guest Post: Obedience: The Key to Writing

August 13, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | Leave a comment

“It’s OK to be afraid. It’s not OK to be afraid and disobedient.” ~Chip Ingram

Yesterday I attended the Philadelphia Writers Conference held at the Philadelphia Biblical University.

I have been struggling with writing recently. So, a colleague of mine encouraged me to attend the conference even if it was just for a day.

I also have been praying about the Lord’s will and writing for some time now. The Lord has been nudging me to write, but lately I’ve been resisting and holding back.

The reason is fear.

To read more please visit Godly Writers.

Guest Post: Simplicity of Worship

August 13, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | 3 Comments

I’m so happy to be guest posting for Jamie Kocur today. She has an awesome person and writer. 

Have you ever caught yourself trying to recreate your worship experience, but to no avail? 

If so, please read more here.

Deny The Lie: You’re a Hippo!

August 10, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | 8 Comments

I struggled with my weight all my life. I have this love/hate relationship with my body. Presently, I’m at my highest weight ever.  God bless my husband though, he still tells me I’m beautiful.  But I don’t feel very beautiful.  I feel fat and I am fat.

I remember the first time I felt shame connected with my weight.  It was at a beach. I must have been about maybe eight or nine years old. I had just gotten stung in the eye by a jelly fish and was crying. I was in my bathing suit and I vividly remember children laughing at me because of my weight.

The curse of being a chubby has haunted me my entire life. I guess I can blame it on genetics. We all inherited a slow metabolism. Plus, everyone in my family loves to cook and eat.

I remember kids making fun of me all the time because of my weight.  They called me wheelie tripe (whatever that is), peel a potato and last but not least, a hippo.

I’ve got a better one for you.  One day when I was about thirteen years of age, I was hanging out with my attractive, thin girlfriend and her guy friends. We were all chatting and listening to a song by one of my favorite bands growing up, Foreigner.

Out of the blue, one of her guy friends decides to tell me I’m bigger than a mack truck!  Can you believe it?  Out of nowhere this dude decides to say I’m bigger than a mack truck.  Meanwhile, I wasn’t.  However, those words have been forever etched in my memory, never to be forgotten.

However, what I believe really took things over the edge for me was when I fell inlove for the first time. It was puppy love, but I really digged this boy. All summer long we hung out and then when school started, he completely ignored me as if I didn’t exist.  I was devastated.

So I went over to him and asked if I could speak to him privately.  He reluctantly agreed.  We went into some hallway and I asked him why he was ignoring me.  He tells me I should jog around the block a couple times and lose some weight. This was his ingenious and thoughtful response.

Basically, I was cramping his style because I wasn’t cool enough to be seen with him.  Well, that just did it for me.

Unfortunately, those memories still haunt me today.  I believed all the lies and it has leaked into everything I do.

However, I’ve been working on denying the lie, which is why I decided to be a part of Jennifer Luitweiler’s “Deny the Lie” blog link-up.

It’s time to deny the lies.  What about you? What lies have you been believing about yourself ?

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

The Greater Sin

August 8, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | 9 Comments

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.

Ever get the feeling God is trying to tell you something?  Well, I’ve been feeling like that a lot lately.

He’s been speaking to me through different avenues, one of them being, The Gospel of Yes.

While reading Chapter two, I was pretty surprised to come across what Pastor Mike Glenn refers to as the greater sin.

The greater sin is not trying. 

When we don’t try, we don’t risk failure.  We stay in our comfort zones. We choose the safest route in life.  We avoid pain, suffering and struggle at all costs.

But is that really living a full life?  Is this what God desires for us?

“In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the famous parable of the talents.  The master in the story entrusts three servants to oversee part of his wealth while he is away.  When the master returns, he find two servants have done well and doubled what he had entrusted to them.  The third servant, afraid of the master’s anger, buried the talent given to him and simply returns it unused and with no increase.  The master is furious but not for the reasons we assume.  He is not angry because the servant tried and failed or because the principal had produced no greater value.  No, the master is angry because the servant simply didn’ t try.”

This convicted me to the core.  Personally, I have been burying my talents because of fear of man.  What man might think of me, etc.

Our faith in Him has to be greater than our fear in man.

The Lord keeps asking me to step out in faith and trust Him.

He doesn’t want me or anyone hiding their talents.  He wants to use our talents for His glory.

He wants us to try, even if we fail.  We have to act in faith and leave the results to Him.  I know this is easier said than done.

But if we don’t, we will never experience His freedom. 

God wants me, you and everyone to say ‘yes’ to Him.

Whether it is going to the mission field, forgiving someone, serving in a homeless shelter, mentor a child or whatever He put on your heart.

He wants us to try because in doing so we learn to trust Him. 

Is there something God has been asking you to do?  Has He been asking you to step out in faith and try?

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.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Fully Alive by Ken Davis

August 7, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | 3 Comments

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 10, 2012
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849948428
ISBN-13: 978-0849948428
List Price: $19.99
Purchase: Amazon | BN | CBD

Sample Chapter

 

 

 

Description

Food labels, advertisements, politicians, self-help books–they all promise the same thing: a better life . . . or–as Jesus might put it–life to the fullest.

For millions this pursuit of happiness has captivated , ensnared, and, most disappointingly, it has alluded.  Which begs the question, what is the missing link?  Fully Alive explores the idea that God is glorified when man is “fully and eternally alive,” illustrated by best-selling author and motivational speaker Ken Davis’s most honest and intimate stories.

Ken invites us to walk with him on a journey, along a road of heartache and adventure to a place he calls “the land of the living,” and discover what may be missing in our lives.

A poignant and entertaining storyteller, Davis points out the practical steps necessary to live this way–everything from lightening up to taking a quality of life assessment, to overcoming trials–while also revealing the power of Christ’s resurrection available for each of us.

Get a taste of the beautiful urgency of today and begin moving toward a change in your life that draws from the joy and power that can be found only in Christ.

Review

I admit, I didn’t know who Ken Davis was before reading Fully Alive.  So, it was especially sweet getting to know him by reading his story.

Ken Davis shares his struggles and triumphs in his life’s journey. He doesn’t hide anything.  He is candid and open in relaying details of his life.

Have you felt depressed or unmotivated lately? Have you been thinking about getting back in shape, but think it’s impossible?  Do you feel old and listless? Are you just going through the motions in life?  Have you thought, is this all there is?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, I strongly urge you to get this book.  Fully Alive will challenge, convict, inspire and invigorate you to make positive changes your life.

After reading this book, I realize I seriously have no excuse. Ken Davis shows you how its done. You get the sense that if he can do it, you can do it.

Ken Davis touches on various subjects, such as exercise, diet and faith.  He writes from a holistic standpoint and leaves nothing out.

This is my favorite quote:

“The glory of God is man fully alive: Striving in the midst of all odds.  Never satisfied with the status quo.  Seeking excellence in every area of life.  Because Jesus can raise the dead and because He Himself was raised from the dead, then no matter what my situation, I can know the power of His resurrection to live my life fully alive.” (Page 209)

I don’t know about you, but I definitely want to live fully alive.

Fully Alive will inspire, encourage and enrich your life. I highly recommend this motivating book to everyone.

In conclusion, I want to thank Daniel Decker and Thomas Nelson for allowing me the opportunity to read and review a complimentary copy of this wonderful book.

Ken Davis is one of the most sought-after speakers in North America. He has appeared on television and stage around the world, addressing groups as diverse as the Gaither Praise Gathering, The Kellogg Corporation, Focus on the Family, and Pentax Corporation. Ken provides a unique mixture of side-splitting humor and inspiration that never fails to delight and enrich a wide variety of audiences. Each presentation is carefully designed to fit the diverse needs of his clients. Davis’ daily radio program, LIGHTEN UP!, is broadcast on over 1,800 stations worldwide and spotlights his gift as a storyteller and comedian.  http://www.kendavis.com/

Guest Post: Praise of Motherhood by Phil Jourdan

August 6, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | Leave a comment

The Story behind this Real-Life Story
by Phil Jourdan

Back in late 2009, when I began working on Praise of Motherhood, I had envisioned a book very different from what I ended up submitting to my publisher. I’d just lost the woman who’d raised me, and when I wasn’t sitting around numb and brooding, I was frantically trying to contain the universe of loss and suffering in a single Word document on my laptop.

I wanted to write a book that expressed the impossibility of letting go. We’re often told, when someone close to us dies, that we have to move on, that things will get better. I couldn’t accept this back then: I didn’t think it was possible to let go of my mother, who had been so patient and kind during my weird teenage years.

The first two versions were entirely different from each other in form and tone, but they did have a certain delight in chaos in common. I was mourning the only way I knew how: by adopting a hundred different voices, each trying to say something about my mother that the others couldn’t say. One chapter was pure dialogue; another was a series of letters; for a while I wrote in breathless page-long paragraphs because it was the only way I could feel “honest” about what I felt. I’d swing from rage to self-pity to sadness to bliss to sheer bafflement.

It was only when I decided to turn this book into something that others could actually read without going insane that I figured out how to structure a book like this. I cut a great number chapters because they were “honest” but unhelpful. I tried to make myself a sort of antagonist, so my mother’s qualities as a human being could be emphasized. I left things relatively ambiguous instead of offering anything like words of wisdom to my readers. I tried to leave the book as open as the wound that stayed after my mother died.

This has irritated some people. They ask why I don’t provide a real sense of what my mother was like on a day-to-day basis, or why I focused so much on how she affected my life instead of just writing about her, as a person in her own right. Fair questions — but I never set out to just “write about my mom”. I wanted to write about the struggle of losing her, and what made losing her so painful. That’s why I ask questions in the book that I never really answer: because I was never able to answer them myself. They are questions that will remain.

Praise of Motherhood isn’t a book praising all mothers across all ages. It’s not meant to praise the idea of “motherhood” itself as some glorious ideal. I wrote this book because I wanted to transmit something of my mother to those who didn’t know her; those who, perhaps, need to hear that it’s okay to say you love your mommy and you wish she could still be here when you feel like crying. 

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Praise of Motherhood eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $500 in Amazon gift cards and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment–easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

Purchase your copy of Praise of Motherhood for just 99 cents

Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity

Visit today’s featured social media event

About the book: Praise of Motherhood is a son’s tribute to the woman who not only gave him life, but helped him live: through various psychotic breakdowns, tumultuous teenage years, and years of feeling out of place in the world.

Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the author: Phil Jourdan fronts the lit-rock band Paris and the Hiltons, runs the fiction press Perfect Edge Books, and occasionally works on a PhD. Visit Phil on his blog, music site, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Right Where You Are by Tammy Helfrich

August 3, 2012 by Katie | 13 Comments

I am honored to have Tammy Helfrich guest post today.  She is a remarkable and godly woman whom I have had the pleasure of meeting on the Micheal Hyatt Platform Launch Team.  I really enjoy reading her posts as she never fails to bless me.  Please be sure to follow her Blog | Facebook | Twitter.

A theme has continued to come to my mind over and over lately.

You can make a difference right where you are.

Courtesy of Creative Commons

You don’t have to become a missionary and move to Africa.

You don’t have to start a nonprofit.

You don’t have to save the world in one day.

After years of fighting with God, I finally gave up the illusion of control I thought I had. I surrendered everything to Him. But shortly afterwards, I was conflicted. I wanted to do something that mattered. I wanted to do something BIG. I wanted to change the world!

As I wrestled with this, I kept hearing God’s voice.

Make a difference here.

Right where you are.

Stop and pay attention to the people I’ve placed around you.

That was eye-opening for me. I started thinking hard about that and spent lots of time talking with God about it.

Where was the first place I started?

In my family. With my spouse. I started paying attention. I also listened when God told me to “be quiet & back off.” My frustration and irritation with my spouse was not helping what God was trying to do in his heart. In fact, I was in the way. (Ouch!)

I started paying more attention to my kids and trying to be present when I was with them. I tried not to be distracted by my phone or on Facebook or Twitter.

Where else did I pay attention?

At work. To the people in the cubicles next to me. I started listening and asking them about their families, their lives, their dreams. I took the time to get to know them.

I started truly listening to God when He prompted me. If I felt led, I would reach out to someone at church. Someone I didn’t know and typically wouldn’t reach out to. I started obeying God faster. Even when it didn’t make sense, or I felt uncomfortable.

I started doing more random acts of kindness. Without telling anyone about it. I started helping when I saw a need. Sometimes it was incredibly simple. Other times, it requires some sacrifice.

But, guess what happened?

God started blessing me just as much (if not more) than those I was paying attention to. And people started opening up to me. Other people weren’t paying attention to them. They felt they could be transparent with me. And all I did was listen.

I am still learning when it comes to obeying God and learning to make a difference where I am. But I am now encouraging others to do the same.

It doesn’t require heroic effort, usually. The majority of the time, I am amazed at how God uses the simplest acts of obedience to bless someone else.

How has someone made a difference in your life recently?

What can you do today to make a difference for someone around you?

 

“What’s Your ‘Yes’?”

July 31, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | 9 Comments

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.

The word ‘yes’ is easy for me to say when it comes to others. But not when it comes to me. My ‘yes’ looks this…

Courtesy of Creative Commons

It’s not quite a ‘yes’ as the ‘s’ is backwards.

All my life, I’ve been saying ‘yes’ to everyone, but myself.  I’ve spent years helping, encouraging and supporting everyone elses’ dream and vision, except my own.

I actually derive pleasure by encouraging others.  However, it’s a whole other story when it has to do with my dreams.

For years, I’ve always watched from the sidelines while others pursued their dream and lived their calling. The Lord wants me to move me away from being a spectator to becoming a participator.

Saying Yes

God has been challenging me in this area.  He wants me to say “yes” to His calling. However, I always shrink back in fear.

My biggest stumbling block is fear. Fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, fear of disapproval… the list goes on.

Even writing this post is difficult. I have to battle my way through what feels like a flood of voices coming against me.

“What’s your ‘yes’?” I will say again. “Jesus said, ‘Let your yes be yes,’ so what is your ‘yes’? If you know your ‘yes,’ then all the ‘nos’ will take care of themselves.  So have you found your ‘yes’?” (Page 18)

I seem to be saying ‘yes’ with my lips, but not with my life.

Recently I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “When are you going to surrender and say ‘yes’ to me?”  “How long will you allow fear to stop you from doing my will for your life?”

I wonder how long or what it’s going to take for me to surrender, overcome the fear and say ‘yes’.

Get In the Zone

“Athletes talk about being in the zone.  The zone is a state of concentration, an alignment of emotional, mental, and physical abilities where the game seems to slow down and the play becomes almost effortless.  I believe we were called to live more in the zone than out of it. Being aligned with God’s spirit, riding the Divine Current, makes whatever we are doing more impactful, more elegant and more joyful.”(Page 19)

Sounds wonderful doesn’t it?

I recall being in the zone a couple times in my life. Once while doing aerobics and another time while singing. I had this heightened sense of awareness and everything just flowed. I wonder what it would be like living in the zone every day?

As I continue to read and blog, The Gospel of Yes, my prayer is that the Lord helps me get in the zone.

What about you?  Have you said ‘yes’ to God?  Are you living in the zone?

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.

 

Ordinary Servant: Extraordinary Gift

July 31, 2012 by Katie | 13 Comments

I am pleased to introduce Dayna Renee Hackett Bickham who is guest posting today.  I met Dayna through the Michael Hyatt Platform Book Launch Team. I have been following her blog, A Year in the Spiritual Life for some time now. Dayna is a great writer and a spirit-filled, godly woman who I am blessed to know.  Please follow her blog or on Twitter and Facebook.

“We are all pencils in the Hand of God.” – Mother Teresa
 

I have always loved writing in all its forms. When I was a child a pencil and paper were two of my favorite things. I would look at a blank page as a challenge and my mind would kick into overdrive to come up with a creative way to fill it up.

I am made in my Father’s image. He “page” is the tablet of men’s (and women’s) hearts. I am His pencil. 

So are you.

You are designed. 

Each of us is designed by God with a purpose in mind. Our everyday, walking around, take the kids to the mall, change that diaper on the fly, make dinner and look fabulous while you do, lives are not our own to live.

We are made to live for our Father: to show His love to others. We were made to write on the tablets of people’s hearts the love of Christ and awaken in them the desire to love God in return.

God is a Master Maker. He made the universe, all the galaxies, and you and me. Like the psalmist David, I have looked at the stars and asked “who am I, that you are mindful of me”?

You are made for a reason. 

You are an ordinary servant with an extraordinary gift to give the world. God made you for a reason.

I cannot reach inner city kids, but one of you can. You are that pencil. I cannot minister to men in prison, but one of you can. YOU are that pencil. I cannot preach on distant shores, but one of you can. YOU are THAT pencil.

There are diverse gifts and callings. Not all of us can do everything. When you find that thing God made you for, then you will know just how extraordinary His plan is for you.

 Are you ready? 

You are an ordinary servant with an extraordinary gift. You are a pencil in the Hand of God. Are you allowing Him to use you? Are you sharp and up for the task? Are you willing to own your mistakes before people and bask in God’s grace when He erases your sin?

You are a pencil in the Hand of a Master Maker, what better way to create a beautiful work of art in this world than to be used by God?

What is one way you can write on someone’s heart today?

Book Review: Wrecked by Jeff Goins

July 31, 2012 by Ordinary Servant | 2 Comments


Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Moody Publishers (August 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802404928
ISBN-13: 978-0802404923
Price: $11.99
Purchase: Amazon | BN | CBD

 

 

 

 

 

Description 

Wrecked is about the life we are afraid to live. It’s about radical sacrifice and selfless service–how we find purpose in the midst of pain. It’s a look at how we discover fulfillment in the least likely of places. It’s about living like we mean it. It’s a guide to growing up and giving your life away, helping you live in the tension between the next adventure and the daily mundane.

This book is for us–a generation intent on pursuing our life’s work in a way that leaves us without regrets.

Author Jeff Goins shares his own experience of struggling as a missionary and 20-something who understands the call to live radically while dealing with the everyday responsibilities of life. Wrecked is a manifesto for a generation dissatisfied with the status quo and wanting to make a difference.

Review

“Life is not about you.” ~ Jeff Goins

I have been following Jeff Goins’ blog for some time now.  I read everything he writes.  He is one of those remarkable people you meet in life.  Everything this man writes is gold.  He is wise beyond his years. He continually blesses me with his blog posts and now he completely Wrecked me.

I don’t even know where to start.  How do I put into words my experience reading this book?  Every single page of this book is phenomenal, truly.

Wrecked will make you see the world differently. Wrecked will convict you. Wrecked will not make you feel comfortable. Wrecked will challenge your complacency. Wrecked will propel you into action.

When we think of the word “missionary”, we envision countries like Africa, India or Guatemala.  However, these countries aren’t the only places that need our help.

Wrecked discusses serving and making a difference where you live. We do not need to travel thousands of miles away to serve others in need. We can choose to serve right in our own communities.

I admit, I was one of those people who thought I needed to go to some far off land to make a difference. There was a lot of romanticism connected in being a missionary overseas. Yet, the Lord wasn’t asking me to go anywhere.

I had it in my head that this is what He wanted me to do. I figured if I sacrificed going to another country like Africa and serve as a missionary, I would finally arrive in becoming this great Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth.

There was a part in the book which especially spoke to my situation. I had this “dream” of becoming a missionary in Africa.  The whole idea became bigger than life to me.

God had other plans for me though. I met my husband, got married and had two boys. I remember when I had my first son, he was diagnosed with all sorts of health issues. I realized then my dream of becoming a great missionary in Africa was over.

I really was struggling in my new role as wife and mother. I had a difficult time understanding why my son was born with all sorts of health problems. I didn’t understand what the Lord was doing and questioned Him a lot. I wasn’t a happy camper.

This is why these excerpts spoke to me:

“When I felt the call to be a missionary, I thought I would end up traveling the world for the rest of my life. You know, pack my coffin, move to Africa, and have the natives bury me–that sort of thing. But that’s not what happened. In fact, that may never happen. After a lot of struggle, I’m okay with that. I’m finally embracing this is not my life; it doesn’t belong to me.  I’m not the master of my own destiny. I’ve started to find what I was made to do, and it has little to do with going or staying and a lot more to do with obedience.”

“When you are thirty-five, doing the uncomfortable thing may mean cleaning the house or paying the bills. It may look like making sure the kids aren’t late for school or that you don’t miss a soccer game. It’s less glamorous, but the less is the same: your life is not about you.”

Well, that pretty much sums it up. I came to realize this after the Lord broke me of my idol. Funny thing is, I was exactly where God wanted me to be all along.

I highly recommend Wrecked to everyone. This book will change your life.

If you order the book through August 4th, Jeff Goins will send you six exclusive gifts valued at over $158. Please check out what you will get here.

In conclusion, I want to personally thank Jeff Goins and Moody Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book. I am sincerely grateful.

Photo by Ashley Goins

Jeff Goins is a blogger, speaker and author. He works for Adventures in Missions, a nonprofit, where he serves as the Communications Director. In his free time, he writes books and shares ideas worth spreading.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Jeff graduated from Illinois College with a double major in Spanish and Religion. There, he spent a semester in Spain, an experience that opened his eyes to the needs of the world.

After he graduated, he spent the next nine months on tour with a band and the following three months training other musicians. Then, after a year of traveling around North America, he moved to Tennessee to “see about a girl.” In 2008, he married her.

Since 2006, Jeff has worked out of his home, overseeing marketing, communications, and innovation teams from afar. He is passionate about not only telling great stories, but living them, as well.

His blog, GoinsWriter.com, is one of the fastest-growing blogs on the web and is a well-respected resource for writers and difference-makers. In 2011, it won the Top 10 Blogs for Writers award on WritetoDone.com. Each month, he receives over 80,000 visitors to his website.

Jeff’s work has been published online and offline in a variety of publications, including RELEVANT Magazine (with a circulation of more than 150,000 readers) and ZenHabits.net (one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 Websites for threes years in a row).

Jeff and his wife, Ashley, live just outside of Nashville, TN with their son and dog.