by JP Esq | Oct 18, 2014 | Uncategorized
“Stick with the process.” – Chuck Pagano
I am not typically a reader of memoirs, but as a resident Colts fan, I found myself unable to avoid this one. In a story of triumph, Coach Pagano eloquently details how a seemingly tragic and poorly-timed illness rallied a city and a nation. Immediately upon his diagnosis, the strength of his wife and team support system is evident. This book gives you a first hand account of how God tests our faith in the craziest ways sometimes. Three weeks into a new head coaching position and within a matter of two days to go from what you thought was healthy to being admitted to a cancer center is certainly enough to bring the strongest to their knees.
For the football fan, this is an excellent read. For the non-football fan, this is an excellent read. A story of hardship, valley experiences, and moving mountains that is certain to leave you with the hope that you too could lean on your faith and get through even the worst of circumstances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my review. I was not required to post a positive review.
by JP Esq | Aug 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
This book came at a right time for me as restlessness stirred in my soul that I just could not pinpoint. That said, this is a bit of a heavy read if you really want to take something out of it. I found it best (as I read it twice) to approach it like a personal Bible study and give myself time to explore, digest, and apply what I read.
In Soul Keeping, John Ortberg explores the enigma that is the human soul and how we should care for the innermost part of our beings. Ortberg describes the should as the thing that “integrates your will (your intentions), your mind (your thoughts and feelings, your values and conscience), and your body (your face, body language, and actions) into a single life”. He explores how our souls long to connect, mainly with God and different things in our lives that drain our soul of its health. Ortberg draws heavily upon conversations and wisdom from his friend and mentor Dallas Willard.
The book resonated with me because there have been times I’ve literally felt like my soul was dying. Ortberg’s book provided good insight on how to address soul issues from the inside, how to distinguish between what is causing your soul’s unrest, and ways to simplify and declutter your mind in order to seek peace. This is a heavy read as far as substance, content, and application, but not necessarily readability. Ortberg’s style is approachable and relatable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to post a positive review.
by JP Esq | Jul 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
I tried to quit sugar using Sarah Wilson’s eight-week detox “program” laid out in her book I Quit Sugar. I really did. I have managed to dramatically cut back on my sugar intake, but that seems to be more discipline than strict adherence to the detox program.
There is a healthy amount of information in the book, but the sources of the science aren’t entirely transparent. And some of the suggestions {like eating more fat in place of sugar} should be supported by hard facts and sources since they are so counter intuitive.
The eight-week program though isn’t really a “program” by the standards many people are likely searching. There’s no eating plan, there’s no schedule, there’s no real accountability. It’s more of an encouragement plan. Giving you information to empower you to make the best decisions, but if you are the type of person who needs exact steps to follow and strict guidelines on what to eat every hour of the day – this book is not for you. I’d call it detox coaching rather than a detox program.
By other issue with this book is biased, but if you have a load of food allergies, this book is also not for you. No fault to the author, but for those of us who have to potential fatal allergies to foods, this is critical information to have. The two main sources of substitutes in the book seem to be coconut something and almond something else. I’m allergic to both so found that many of the recipes were just not usable for me. I did try the Salted Caramel Halloumi & Apples Apples recipe because it was quick and I love Halloumi. Try Halloumi if you haven’t; sauté in olive oil until golden brown. It’s delicious.
That said, this is a gorgeous book with lovely photography. But you can’t eat the paper, and pictures aren’t going to help you reign in your sugar problem. I gave my book to my sister, who has no issues with food other than a sensitivity to gluten. Perhaps she will have better luck.
You can peek into the book here.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to post a positive review.
by JP Esq | Jul 11, 2014 | Uncategorized
My Mr. has a way of speaking so much life into my world. The hard truths are shrouded in love and through that process I have a growing self-awareness. Here are a few things I’ve learned about myself this year:
I’m not the rock in my relationship; I am the kite in the wind. I have always held some inflated sense of pride in being the solid rock in my relationships. The one who has it all together, knows all the answers, makes all the right moves. I’ve learned that I am the exact opposite of that. I’m the one who freaks first. When the storms roll in (and they always do) I am thrashed around in brutal fashion. But more than the acknowledgement of this is the acceptance that it is ok, as long as I commit to growth. I don’t have to always have it all together. I don’t have all of the answers. My Mr. somehow harnesses my energy (as he puts it) and finds a way to root his feet soundly in God’s Word and Way and keep me tethered close so I don’t fly off into the winds of trial. When he’s flailing, I hope to do the same for him.
I have to rely on God for my supply of patience; it is not something I posses. Perhaps we all have that list of ideal qualities we think we should posses. At the top of my list was patience. I’m supposed to be patient, so when my patience wanes I see failure in my dashboard. Grace absent. Initially, when My Mr. pointed out my penchant for impatience, I was hurt and felt a grandiose sense of inadequacy. What I learned was that I needed to be ok in my weakness to give God’s strength the opportunity to be perfect over me. Listen, I’m not patient. Everyone moves too slow, thinks too slow, talks to slow. And I’m sorry. But I’m working on it and learning to give myself grace in the process.
I have decision paralysis. Whatever the source, this is the one thing I’m trying to change post-haste. I could write a book on the origins of my current paralytic state when it comes to making decisions (and perhaps some day I will), but not today. I labor over making decisions. Big and small. Insignificant and life-changing. And by labor I mean a painstaking, soul-swallowing, tear drying intense overwhelm. It is a prison in which I no longer wish to dwell. I bought into the illusion that I was actually deciding NOT act when I wasn’t sure what to do. In other words, if I’m not 100% sure that it is a perfect right decision, I don’t do anything. Not ok. Not continuing. Must change.
There are others, but these are the three that present themselves most today. I am grateful for the 14 years of friendship I have behind this growing relationship and for someone who delivers the truth of what I need to know in a way that is loving and soft (most of the time). He understands my fragile interior, but loves me enough to desire and encourage continuous personal growth from me, by making me aware of who I am. He wants to see me do better, grow, and be more of who God created me to be. I don’t deserve the gift that he is to my life, but I humbly receive him.
by JP Esq | Jun 20, 2014 | Uncategorized
Listen, I have grown weary of reading books about searching for your purpose. Frankly because I don’t believe “purpose” is what you’re intended to search for, but that’s another rant for another day. Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy Jennie Allen’s books, mainly because her style of writing is approachable, fun, and has an element of breath-of-fresh-air whimsy to it.
Restless was no different and was an appropriate read at a time in my life when I felt (and still feel)…well…restless. Jennie’s intent for this book is to give the reader tools to dig deeper into his or her personal story, unwinding the threads that lead to the divine and set apart purpose God has prepared well in advance. Jennie seemed to discern the potential danger in laying out a one size fits all formula to “finding your purpose” and encourages readers against that mindset. This is not a formula, but is a healthy exercise for those who have a burning curiosity about the more for which they are made. Even in this search for personal purpose and the highlights of our own stories, Jennie stresses the most important thing that is often absent from many “find your purpose” reads: that really this isn’t about any of us. Jennie balances this personal search with the ultimate reminder that this is about God, about His glory, and about His ultimate agenda.
I’ve never made it fully through any of Jennie Allen’s writings without crying tears of affirmation, confirmation, or enlightenment at least once. The book is approachable, easy to read and digest, yet full of enough depth to whet the appetite of the lost in search for more.
The publisher provided me with a free complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review. I was not required to post a positive review and my opinions are my own.
by JP Esq | May 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
As of this moment I have 71 Post-It tabs sticking out of the side of this book. Those tabs are my way of tagging what I call GoldenNuggets of information that give me pause, cause me to ponder, give me a lightbulb, or force a loud “Oh Em Gee YOU TOO?!” to slide out of my face.
Humorous one-liners to be sure, Steven Furtick is a master craftsman of the GoldenNugget. This book is Furtick’s way of giving you the support, knowledge, and momentum you need to learn how to silence negative Enemy chatter, which he refers to as the Chatterbox, and draw in to God to hear His voice above all others.
My brain is my greatest asset and my greatest challenge. I have often battled with discernment as to who’s voice I’m hearing, if I’m understanding correctly, and how to correctly identify the lies from the truth of who God says I am. This book is not a “read this and be cured”, but it is definitely a useful weapon in the fight.
What I appreciate most about this book perhaps is Furtick’s posture as a brother in Christ, fighting it out with the Chatterbox just like the rest of us.
“I’m learning how to overpower the shouts of the Enemy by bending my ear to the whisper of God’s supernatural truths about my identity in Him and His strength in me.”
Furtick’s writing offers no delusion that this is somehow a skill we can learn one time and never encounter again. Explaining it as a lifetime battle that gets tougher as we climb higher, Furtick offers strategies for pushing through as we move through the levels of our faith.
Read the first chapter of Crash the Chatterbox,
here.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a review. I was not required to post a positive review.
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