"I Deserve a Donut": Book Review of a GOD-help book (NOT a self-help book)

I’m thrilled to bring you, “I Deserve A Donut: And Other Lies That Make You Eat” by Barb Raveling. 

This book can revolutionize your life with its practical application of God’s Word to ALL areas of your life- not just eating!

The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” 

But what does renewing your mind mean? How can it be done?

Barb quickly shows you how easy it is to take any situation and view it through the eyes of God.

This helps free you from the habits and lies you’ve believed for years.

I use her questions for all sorts of things: Worry, Perfectionism, Procrastination, Justification, and so on.

Just the other day I was struggling with worry. I opened her book and turned to the section on WORRY. Her questions helped me name the things I fear happening, realize how I was trying to control it and then see what God’s Word had to say. Her book showed me how my priorities were different than God’s and calmed my spirit as I renewed my mind with the fact that God is worthy of my trust. 

This isn’t a self-help book- it’s a GOD-help book! 

It isn’t exclusively an eating book either- It’s a tool that will help transform your mind and can be applied to so many things besides eating (though it’s an exceptional help with any type of eating struggle you may face- from emotional eating to boredom eating, her book covers it).

There were eating issues I didn’t even realize I had until I read her book.

 I hadn’t realized my need for control extended all the way to my eating. This book is helping me uncover inner struggles I’ve had for years and break free from the bondage satan placed upon my life. 

I honestly can’t thank her enough for publishing this. It’s a great asset to any Christian library and is meant to be read more than once.

I HIGHLY encourage you to pick up a copy and read it. You can purchase it on Amazon here. 

DISCLAIMER- I did not have to give Barb a good review of this book and I didn’t. I gave an honest review from a life changed by her words of Godly wisdom.

He Designed Your Prison

I’m enjoying “The Fire of Delayed Answers” by Bob Sorge.  In the third chapter, he talks about being a prisoner of Christ and gives great examples of both physical imprisonments as well as other things that chain us (finances, health, careers, etc). 

As I read this chapter, I couldn’t help but think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (by the way, if you haven’t read his bio by Eric Metaxas you’re missing out). Bonhoeffer was imprisoned for two years by Hitler and executed just 23 days before the Germans surrendered.  

One of the remarkable things is that Bonhoeffer actually made it to America and could have avoided imprisonment, but he felt compelled to go back. 

How many of us would have returned under such conditions?

There was no way Bonhoeffer could have known exactly what was coming when he returned, but he did know that it wouldn’t be pleasant. Anyone speaking against Hitler, and for Christianity, was in danger of some type of persecution.

I just finished “Letters and Papers from Prison” by Bonhoeffer, and to be honest, it was not my favorite book. 

One of the reasons is that for the first time I heard the man’s thoughts- not just his devotionals or his bio- but his actual thoughts, emotions, and struggles.  He became real. 

This man of God- willing to be martyred- struggled with what Sorge calls, “…the sheer wastefulness of it all.” (pg 50)

He wanted to DO something. To be useful. He was frustrated. 

However, throughout most of Bonhoeffer’s imprisonment, he was confident he would be released. He held onto that hope as he made the most of his situation by drawing closer to God.

 “God is using your imprisonment to perfect the wine of your live and to prepare you for greater fruitfulness.” (pg 49).

Bonhoeffer didn’t get to see his much fruit produce…but his testimony and writings have changed numerous lives.

Bonhoeffer wasn’t sad/angry/scared/frustrated/etc the days leading to his death. God had prepared him for that moment. That’s why he was found leading a sermon and praying shortly before being taken from his political prison to one notorious for executions. 

Here’s one of the last known quotes from him: “This is the end. For me, the beginning of life.”

 

While few are actually chosen by God to give their lives, we all are held prisoner at some point and in some way. It’s one of God’s tools to mature us. 

Knowing that, we shouldn’t fight against it, but embrace it, knowing we are being refined as gold. 

There’s a reason for your confinement. A reason God has told you to “wait”. 

Trust God. HE is good. HE is trustworthy. HE designed your prison. 

Like Job 12:14 says, “If He imprisons a man, there can be no release.”

Prison won’t last forever though. There is an end. So have hope…even if you can’t see it, you’re becoming more like Christ with each passing day. 

“Hope is your natural response when you see the character of Jesus developing in yourself.” (pg 60)

Join the Book club discussing, “The Fire of Delayed Answers” by Bob Sorge, by either grabbing a copy of the book and joining the weekly discussions and/or leaving a comment below. You can read more about this chapter from: Jason, Sarah, Rick, Dusty, Keri, Glynn, and Joell. Most post on Wed- sorry for any confusion.

"The Leadership Mandate" BOOK REVIEW

Fellow blogger and friend, Dan Black, has released a new ebook- “The Leadership Mandate: 10 Essential Elements to Developing the Leader Within You”.

I don’t read many Leadership books, mainly because I don’t see myself as a “leader”. But after reading Dan’s book, I can see I’m already a leader and I didn’t even realize it!

Dan’s book is for the EVERYDAY person!

 As he says, we are already leaders. Even though we don’t always realize it, we lead in our homes, work places, in relationships, and even in our online activity – not to mention community involvement.

 Everything we do influences others to some degree. Being a leader isn’t a title. It’s who we are.

But in order to grow in leadership we must be intentional about ACTING like a leader and increasing our ability to influence others. 

Dan breaks down how to do this in 10 easy steps.

His book isn’t long and drawn out. You can sit down in one or two reading sessions and have it completed.

I encourage you to pick up a copy of his ebook on Amazon. 

You can also follow Dan on his blog, facebook, and twitter. 

Thanks, Dan, for allowing me to preview your work and share about it with others. Great job! 

Disclaimer- I did not have to provide a positive review of this book.