Sarah
Incredibly helpful resource as I'm re-entering the counseling space. This book would be most helpful for someone new to the biblical counselor role looking for encouragement, guidance, and structure for how to approach counseling from a biblical perspective. I imagine it may not be as helpful for someone who has a good deal of counseling experience because it does go into detail for the beginning, middle, and end of the counseling process (as the title aptly states). There are some helpful references to primarily CCEF articles at the end of the book if you have a membership or are interested in paying for some additional resources. I read this as an e-book but likely will get a physical copy for easy reference as I continue growing as a biblical counselor.
This was a fun read. I had a hard time putting it down and even found myself reading it aloud to my 2-year-old son during breakfast so I could find out what happened next! The Clock Island series mentioned in the book reminded me of all the different series I read as a kid that served as an escape from everyday life when I needed it most - The Boxcar Children, The Babysitters Club, Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, A Series of Unfortunate Events... Stories can be so powerful for children and adults alike, and this theme is prominent throughout the book. (Also, I would absolutely read the Clock Island series if they were real.) I was surprised by some of the heavier topics addressed that could be triggering for some readers. However, I appreciated the heavier parts and reminders that dreaming and wishing can be helpful and also harmful. That we each have a responsibility to be active writers in the stories of our lives and are not limited by how others may perceive us. Will definitely be recommending this book to others!
Incredibly practical. Borrowed this book from the library but will definitely be buying to have as a reference. This book will serve as a great resource as our almost two year old son gets older. My husband started reading the book and kept saying all throughout how he wanted to take time to do the exercises himself, and I felt the same way. Will be recommending this book to other boy moms!
I went searching for books about the history of chocolate when I used to work for a local chocolatier and stumbled upon this one. I had *no* earthly clue how rich the histories of Hershey and Mars are. Seriously. Theres the obvious successes but then there are also stories of failure, lots of drama, spying, secrecy, and so much more. It is fascinating how ubiquitous their products are and yet how much is kept under wraps within each business and the confection industry as a whole. This book was published in 1999, so it would be interesting to read an update about the past 20+ years. Not a book one might think to pick up but is definitely a rewarding and entertaining read!
This book was convicting, encouraging, thought-provoking, and overall such a great read. Tripp’s writing was relatable and easy to follow, and I particularly appreciated how he dedicated two chapters to each doctrine. The first chapter explores the definition and what the Bible says. The second chapter hones in on practical application of the doctrine, helping to bridge the gap between knowing something and actually being changed by that understanding and living a different life as a result. When he references scripture, he doesn’t rip the verses out of context but readily shares the context, going for quality over quantity. (In some books I’ve read, I would have been content with fewer Bible verses to leave room for more context/quality discussion over the quantity.)
I've read other books about not being enough, hustling for your worth, etc. and where those books fall flat at parts, I did not experience that when reading When Strivings Cease. Ruth Chou Simons navigates what it means to let go of striving for your value, for perfection, for whatever it is we hope to fill the gaps and spaces inside us with. To let go and redirect your gaze toward God, His character, His provision, and His truth. She reminds us how we are equipped to fight lies and how we are to view our insufficiency as a means of celebrating all the more God's sufficiency. She shares vulnerable and honest stories and anecdotes as helpful illustrations and is so relatable because she does not claim to have it all figured out. I also appreciated how she handled Scripture with a respect for context and its authority, inerrancy, and sufficiency.
Vincent's primer may appear to be short and simple, but I found myself reading slowly to better reflect and think on what the Gospel actually is and why this matters. One could say he is repetitive, but I found this useful because I need the reminders. I don't preach the gospel to myself daily, and I greatly appreciated the myriad scriptural references that serve as reminders of what the gospel is and who I am because of it. Jesus not only died the death I deserved but defeated death in rising again. God spared no expense in justifying those who would believe through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. He has equipped believers with the Holy Spirit to live a life forever changed, forever loved, forever glorifying God and not self. Vincent emphasizes the loving-kindness of God and balances well the grace freely offered alongside the truth of sin's destructive nature and our sin nature apart from God's redemption.
Reading this primer reminded me how amazing these truths are and the benefit of reading the Bible regularly. It's an encouragement to take time to write out gospel truths I can reflect on and find ways to review them daily.
Here is one of my favorite quotes: “But by the grace of God I am what I am and I have what I have, and I hereby resolve not to let any portion of God's grace prove vain in me! And to the degree that I fail to live up to this resolve, I will boldly take for myself the forgiveness that God says is mine and continue walking in his Grace. This is my manifesto, my daily resolve; and may God be glorified by this confidence that I place in Him.” (p. 52)
Such a beautiful story. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook to fully enjoy the musical components included throughout the novel.
The author did a truly phenomenal job presenting different stories and characters without losing the reader (or listener). Each primary character is connected by the common thread of a harmonica, which was cleverly woven throughout. I don't know that I've ever read a book quite like this one. There were tears, gasps, and sighs of relief as the story unfolded, and I enjoyed every “page”. Children and adults alike will come to love Otto, Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy. It's hard to recall when I last felt as content and filled at the end of a novel as I did with this one.
Reading one of Katherine Reay's books has always felt like a warm hug, and this book was no exception. I really appreciate the themes of family, friendship, reconciliation, growth, forgiveness, and discovery that seem to be interwoven throughout the pages of each of her books I've read so far. I like that her stories don't solely hinge on romance as well with opportunities to see other kinds of relationships like friendships develop and deepen.
The idea of a story unfolding within the context of a bookshop was alluring in and of itself. (Brought me back to the movie You've Got Mail which is a nostalgic favorite for any other fans out there.) It was fun seeing more contemporary books and authors thrown out there as a result, but I'm glad she continued to heavily reference and quote classics as well. As a Christian, I also loved how she used Proverbs 31:10-31 and how these verses can be encouragement to single and married women alike.
Some of the characters may not be as likable at first glance, but it served as a reminder of how we sometimes hide in our hurt behind walls or barbed wire because being vulnerable can be so difficult and scary. Or we may feel shame and unworthy of letting others care.
Looking forward to revisiting Winsome in Of Literature and Lattes next!
What drew me to his Instagram video series drew me to this book - Emmanuel Acho is engaging and honest, willing to take on a burden of answering (presumably predominately white) people's questions about racism, terminology, bias, white privilege, and so much more. Reading this book felt like a small step in what will likely prove to be a long journey. Acho even ends the book, “Ending racism is not a finish line that we will cross. It's a road we'll travel.” I call it a small step not as a reference to Acho or his writing but rather in light of how much our society has to go. How much I still have to go in fighting racism and advocating for those whose voices have been stifled all too long.
This book is full of context, history, and recommendations for other resources to continue traveling down the road of ending racism. There may be moments while reading you may feel convicted and embarrassed - I know I definitely did - but it's worth it. It's worth it to be humbled and take the time to listen instead of getting defensive, trying to justify, or even walking away. This is a conversation we all need to be a part of, and I hope others continue to find this book to be a helpful resource on their journey!
As a note, I started the audiobook and then switched to the physical book. I recommend both! Acho reads it and does a great job. Reading the book was helpful in seeing how the book is divided up and noting recommended resources.
This story is dark and complex. While seemingly centered around the death of the daughter (Lydia) of a Chinese-American family in the late 1970s, it's about so much more. You learn about the mother and father's upbringing and the baggage they bring to marriage and parenthood. Then there's the baggage of being Chinese-American in a predominantly white community. You spend time seeing through the eyes of Lydia's older brother Nath who can never quite garner the affection of his parents the way Lydia can. Lydia's younger sister Hannah sees and understands so much but is often forgotten and unnoticed. Readers also hear from Lydia who serves as the vicarious fulfillment for her parents' lost opportunities and unrealized dreams.
The family is dysfunctional, and uncomfortably so. Perhaps the discomfort comes from how relatable their dysfunction is. The Lee family is broken in ways I witnessed growing up and have experienced as an adult as well. They hide. They say the wrong things. They hold back from saying what they really want to or what they actually mean. They are selfish. They have regrets. Who isn't able to relate to this kind of brokenness?
Through flashbacks, foreshadowing, fast forwarding, shifting perspectives, and some questions left unanswered, Ng presents a fascinating exploration of family dynamics and grief.
If you enjoy Kendra's podcast, you will absolutely enjoy this book! Her sense of humor, wittiness, and entertaining anecdotes are sprinkled throughout the book, and I could almost hear her reading some parts aloud to me. I struggle with implementing structure and found her practical tips so incredibly helpful, and my husband got to hear allllll about it as I read through the book.
As a result, my favorite parts were the extra-practical tips and tricks she provides! Kendra is even so kind as to provide 2 different examples walking through her principles to help drive it home. While and after reading, I have been a lot more reflective on the why behind my routine (or lack thereof) and how to identify what matters to inform the structure.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I think I found out about this book during a cursory search of books about becoming a better manager. Thankfully, the local library had it, and now I want to own a copy of it that I can underline and highlight and reference back to!
Julie Zhuo offers a perspective as someone who is not new to the management scene but also is not a CEO. Not that the perspective of company founders/owners/etc. is not valuable, but hearing from someone still “in the weeds” was incredibly relatable.
The book is easy to follow, entertaining, convicting, and challenging. She walks through hiring, meetings, feedback, culture, vision and more with anecdotes sprinkled throughout providing helpful examples of application. I also appreciated how willing she was to share her own professional blunders, serving as a reminder that you have to start somewhere and can learn from these mistakes.
I would highly, highly recommend this book to anyone in management, new or not. This book is a great resource!
This was such a great book! I don't know that I've ever read a work of fiction similar to this one (which could perhaps speak more to my limited exposure, and that's okay by me). It was a page turner for sure, with an incredibly fascinating story weaving in actual history with the narrative. I cried, I laughed, I gasped, and I cried some more. Hoping to read more from this author soon!
I enjoyed how practical and deep this book was. The author draws in scripture and addresses the heart rather than throwing out new diet plans or diatribes about the health benefits of eating kale. She emphasizes how food fixation puts food in a position it does not belong in, usurping God as the source of our comfort and fulfillment.
The reflection questions at the end of each chapter would work well in individual or group settings. There are also varied resources sprinkled throughout that are available on the book's website with some at the back of the book as well.
I borrowed this book from the local library but want to have my own copy to reference back to, that's how helpful this book was!
I finally read this book after purchasing it this past summer for Jamie Ivey's summer book club. While I have heard before of the injustices racial minorities, the impoverished, those with intellectual disabilities, and even adolescents face in the justice system, I was not prepared for what Bryan Stevenson shared in this book. I was brought to tears numerous times and felt a heaviness for plights people face that are so foreign and unknown to me.
Stevenson and his team at EJI are inspiring, reinstating humanity for those who have been wrongfully denied for myriad reasons. The work they do seems laborious, at times thankless, and so so heavy. Yet, they continue on and persevere.
Toward the end of the book, Stevenson shares how embracing his own brokenness has been a part of his process in seeking just mercy for those denied it. How we can be strong in recognizing our weaknesses and faults - how we've wronged others, stood as idle passers-by, condemned without seeking to understand, avoided self-criticism of how bias and prejudice can take root in our own hearts.
While I am not a legal professional, I still feel encouraged to make a difference after reading this book. To own my weakness and brokenness, to continue to educate myself on the injustice that exists in this world, to pray for God to use his people (myself included) as stone catchers, and to recommend this book to everyone and anyone I can.
Thank you, Bryan Stevenson for writing this book and for the work you, teammates at EJI, and others not named in this book who seek to be conduits of just mercy.
Oh wow. Reading through this book brought about quite a bit of reflection and self-criticism, not always easy to swallow. My phone has become a crutch for me. An escape from boredom, awkward social situations, quiet, and even my own thoughts. Reinke challenges readers to think deeply about their relationship with their smart phones. He neither calls for complete condemnation nor acceptance but rather encourages stewarding your smart phones both thoughtfully and intentionally. The questions throughout were particularly helpful in examining my heart's desires when engaging with my phone such as wanting affirmation or feeding my people-pleasing tendencies. This is a must read for EVERY believer in this digital age!
I was drawn in by the premise, and for the most part, the book didn't disappoint. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending and how quickly things unfolded, in a way fitting with the dream book world lens Nina views the world around her. There could have been less romance and more purpose around Nina learning who she is when she doesn't have her nose behind a book. All the same, I enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book, which kept the book at 3 stars for me instead of 2.
What a helpful, practical, and beautifully presented book. Thank you Myquillyn for helping me see I can have style without a lot of stuff. She provides simple and sensible guidance for utilizing the tools of coziness and minimalism to create a space you feel at home in and love. She isn't telling readers to go spend lots of money and in fact promotes an approach that seems to require less money AND space overall. Loved her heart for sharing what she's been able to learn and summarizing the why with this: “You'll know your home is in a good place when you go from thinking about how to make it look better to thinking about how to make it serve better.” (p. 195)
Such a great resource for women - Harris bravely and vulnerably shares her personal struggle with pornography and her journey into God's grace. She punctuates the necessity of community, God's word, prayer, confession, repentance, vulnerability, and more community in battling sin. What it is to love God more than to just hate sin. She writes not as someone in an ivory tower whose struggle is solely past tense, which likely resonates with any women reading this book who have sin struggles of their own, perhaps similar perhaps different. It was so encouraging to read how others willingly walked alongside her to support her fight and serve as pictures of the unwavering love God had and has for her all along.
“God is always in the process of redeeming brokenness and restoring lives. That's the beautiful thing about grace. It doesn't just save you from your sorry self. It doesn't pull you out of the water and plop you on the beach, shivering and half-drowned. Grace rescues and restores. It pulls you out of the water and gives you a purpose. It gives you life.”