God in my everything

When I decided to read "God in my everything", I really wanted to figure out how to incorporate God more fully into my life. Though, when I thought about it it was more about showing God in my life. At first this book seemed to be in line with my efforts, but then I realized that for me at least what he was talking about was unrealistic. There are some good points in this book such as purposefully devoting time to prayer, working in such a way as to glorify God (essentially doing your best no matter what you feel about your job, or coworkers), observing the Sabbath. But he really goes off the deep end when he talks about applying your wealth to the good of God. On the surface, you would think that he's speaking of giving to the poor, charities, tithing, stuff like that. And he does, but he takes it to a level of ridiculousness- proportionate giving.

Proportionate giving is when you figure out the minimal about of money you need to live and give the rest to God. They assert that this is from the doctrine of being a good steward of God's gifts/ resources. They are wrong, by living at the lowest level of life you can and just giving away the rest you are, in fact, snubbing you nose at God!! Think on this... there are billions of people in the world and God chose you to bless in such a way that you would be able to show the great life one who follows his Word and Ways can live. But instead you choose to live like a pauper and throw away the money God gave you to glorify Himself through you. Instead of starting a business that could improve the economy of your community, through jobs, service delivery, and inspiration to those people who may be watching you, you no I'd rather be poor.

If it weren't for this concept and how strongly the author supports it, I may have gotten something out of this book. But, I doubt it. The author definitely does not inspire confidence in his knowledge of God. This is a man who quit a lucrative job where he could influence the business world in a way that could bring God glory, to become a preacher. There's nothing wrong with being a preacher, but when I think about how much more good a man such as the author could have done to bring God back into the business world, I see a massive potential wasted. If he had written this book as a big time business executive then he would have had much more credibility. But as it is he makes it appear that the only way to get closer to God is to become a preacher, priest, or nun.

I don't recommend this book to anyone.
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I receive these books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

Downside Up

Lately, I've been reading books with the goal of attaining some knowledge and understanding that will bring me to the place in my life where I want to be and should be. So when I saw the book "Downside up" by Tracey Mitchell I was skeptical. I mean transforming rejection into a positive? Ok.

I was pleasantly surprised when I read this book and she didn't hit me over the head with the usual "trust God and all will be well", or "pray, pray, pray to make all the bad things go away" rhetoric that is so commonplace in Christian books. Instead she brought some real issues to the fore, explained them and their effect, then gave some insightful advice on how to turn a bad situation, or circumstance into a learning opportunity to advance yourself.

True, this book does call on the reader to deepen their relationship with God, but it also asks questions to help the reader to examine himself and thus bring your self-image into alignment with reality. After realizing that you may need some work in a given area, Mitchell gives sound advice to overcoming or strengthening that weaker area. The book is well written, easy to read, and is a page turner. The key to this book is thus : "Rejection is unavoidable. Your response to rejection, however, will determine your potential for positive relationships; and it will ultimately decide which doors of opportunity will be open to you" (Mitchell, 2).

Read this book, and you will learn something that can help you overcome the sting of rejection and use it to make yourself stronger.

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I receive these books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Why did I lose my job, if God loves me?

It's been awhile since I posted a review for a book. I've been too busy trying to put together my professional career, taking care of family, and trying to enjoy life. Well, except for taking care of my family I've met with monumental failure. So when I saw this book by Rick J. Pritikin I thought "maybe he'll have something to say that will help me".

"Why did I lose my job, if God loves me?" is a devotional that does have some useful insights. Unfortunately, because it's a Christian book everything hinges on building a better relationship with God. I'm a Christian, if I weren't I'd place no stock in this book or it's like at all, but I do. I know that having a good relationship with God is important, but I tire of all the books that say that we should "praise God in all circumstances". I mean, when I'm going through the meanness of life and God isn't answering my prayers, why should I sing his praises. Pritikin says that God removed our jobs so that we can spend more time searching for Him, "sometimes he just needs to get our attention so he is able to bless us beyond our greatest expectation". Sound a bit cooky to you? Sure does to me.

The notion that God puts us in positions of weakness, stealing away our security, prosperity, peace of mind, hopes and dreams just so that we can get closer to Him?! Don't know about you, but that jazz doesn't jive for me either. Now, I'm not unemployed, but instead am so underemployed that my Master's Degree in Public Administration has seen no use since I earned it in 2007. Not that I don't apply for jobs for which I am highly qualified, I do. But God hasn't seen fit to bless me with a position that I can use to bring my family prosperity, security, success, peace of mind or hope. This despite my continued faith, church attendance, Bible reading, and I even tithed for awhile until tithing landed my family short on our bills and scrounging for gas money. I found God in my early teens, and have always worked to live a life that would gain me admittance to heaven, favor with God, and peace, success, and prosperity here on Earth.

If you are in a career transition this book does have inspiring things for you to read, and lessons to learn. If you are in a stage where you have neglected growing an in-depth relationship with God, this book has much to say to you. If you're like me, a faithful man trying to live a Godly life, but not seeing the fruits of your effort, then this book has nothing for you.
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I receive these books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”