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I enjoyed the emphasis Joel places on faith,and the human potential under God. I sent a copy of the audio to my oldest son who was thrilled to get it and was helped in many ways through the encouragements in each chapter.
Thurman L Faison author, "To the Spiritually Inclined" Amazon.com I am grateful to God that he has "stayed the course" on this path of faith.
I must say that I admire Joel Osteen's unwavering focus on faith which he approaches from as many directions as possible. I might add, that my wife watches his television minstry every Sunday almost without fail and gets his daily IPod messages also.
I listened to the audio version of the book "Become a Better You". All of his messages radiate with hope eternal and the faithfulness of God.
I am sure that he has a ton of critics that would like him to change his emphasis and preach on their favorite themes, but I hope he never lets go of the vision God has given him and the inspiration he has received.
Become a Better YouBy Joel OsteenThis book is great for mind powerWith God's approval we'll towerWe must encourage all othersHonor and praise all our MothersHelping another is the wayGod will help us throughout the dayDo give Almighty God your trustReplenishing faith is a mustLive with positive attitudeEach day do show your gratitudePlan for dreams to become achieved In God's time your dream is receivedStay clear of negativityRelease your creativityPray to God and keep smile on faceLet joy be seen as offer graceForgive and forget hurts in pastLet love fill your heart to now lastExpect good as God created.In His image now be elated.By Christina R Jussaume copyright 2009Author and PoetessMy Walk with Jesus: Inspired Poetry of God and NatureJoseph's Star of Eternal PromiseAmazing Pets and Animals.To God Give The Glory"Spiritual Living Waters"
Save your money and go a a nice small church where people don't ask for ten bucks before you go through the church door. So, go ahead, order the book, be another lamb to the slaughter. Im sorry, but anyone who preaches and asks for money in order to fill his own pockets, can't possibly have anything worth while to talk about, especially in this economy. He earned $55 million last year.
JOEL OSTEEM IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPEAKERS AND HE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS. I FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY INTERESTING AND USEFUL BOOK. IT WAS EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND HAD A LOT OF COMMON SENSE MESSAGES FOR US ALL.
Even though an individual may know deep inside that they are well qualified for a position: highly educated, very experienced, skilled and a good worker, NOT being selected for yet another job can take its toll. Of the six chapters in this part I found Chapters 1 and 2 to be most meaningful. Sometimes, that's God's way of.making it uncomfortable for you to stay where you are currently." Olsteen concludes that chapter by admitting "The closed door simply means God has something better in store.you will become a better YOU, better than you ever dreamed possible." Granted this may be hard for some of us to accept finding continued employment in an organization we had dedicated ourselves to for years an impossibility. When you do that, you will diffuse the power of the accuser and you will experience a new sense of freedom". I especially like the part in Chapter 20 where Olsteen asserts "If events are not happening as quickly as you would like" (in my case, getting a job)"or if you are not seeing circumstances change in your favor,open your grip to the situation, relax and learn to trust God.
This is a very important book especially today when so many of us find ourselves out of work in a difficult economy. "It's not enough to merely think positively" Olsteen adds "You need to speak positively about yourself. "Quit being negative toward yourself.and start receiving God's mercy.know that God has a bright future in store for you. Good things are coming my way. Chapter 7 tells us in its title "Stop Listening to Accusing Voices". I think it can even reflect on how one interviews for a job. If you are negative and critical towards yourself, your own words can stop God's best plan from coming to pass in your life."PART FIVE -- EMBRACE THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE -- contains five chapters.
God wants to give you a new beginning, but you have to let go of the old before you'll ever see the new." PART TWO -- BE POSITIVE TOWARD YOURSELF -- and PART THREE-- DEVELOP BETTER RELATIONSHPS are my favorite parts because here Olsteen gives some powerful suggestions on how we can be kinder to ourselves during our times of need. ALL we need to do is say "God, not my will but Yours be done" remembering the verse from Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good to those who love God." Trust him and he will help you "Become a better you." As you speak affirmatively, you will develop a new image on the inside, and things will begin to change in your favor." How reminiscent of Normal Vincent Peale's very powerful book The Power of Positive Thinking and how truly valuable in our lives. "Too many people live under condemnation" Olsteen tells us "listening to the wrong voices.reminding us of our past mistakes and failures". It reminds us and reassures us ALL what we already know deep down: God DOES have a plan and things WILL improve. For instance if we have a NEGATIVE opinion of ourselves it can leak through even if we are trying to disguise it in an interview. There are better days ahead.The more you learn to trust God, the better you will be."PART ONE is entitled KEEP PRESSING FORWARD.
"Change the way you speak about yourself and you can change your life.As you speak affirmatively about yourself, you'll be amazed to discover that you are getting stronger emotionally and spiritually and that image on the inside is changing for the better." This is SO TRUE. Olsteen concludes this chapter by stating "Learn to declare good things over your life. PART TWO consists of four chapters and PART THREE of five. It is so easy to end up blaming ourselves for our misfortune and to fall into a negative thinking pattern. New doors of opportunity are opening. Hardly. How then can we expect someone to believe in us and hire us if we don't even believe in ourselves.
"If you are going through a difficult time" Olsteen tells us however "take heart. "You have seeds of greatness inside of you, but it is up to you to believe and act on them" Olsteen declares. Know that God is on your side. He is not trying to hold you back.Let him lead you and guide you.I've learned that when my prayers aren't being answered, or when things aren't happening as fast as I would like, that either means that God is protecting me from danger up ahead, it's not the right time, or God has something better in store."Believe me when I say that this IS a most powerful book and has been a VERY positive influence in my life. PART SIX --DEVELOP YOUR INNER STATE -- contains three and PART SEVEN -- STAY PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE -- contains four. Prolonged unemployment can result in increasingly lowered self esteem and self confidence causing us to feel beaten down physically, emotionally and spirtually. In Chapter 1 Olsteen reassures us: "Often, out of our greatest rejection comes our greatest direction.Sometimes you have to get out of the environment in order to see that dream fulfilled.When you go through persecution and rejection, it's not always because somebody has it in for you.
Chapter 7 "Making Your Words Work for You" is one of the most healing chapters in the book because it stresses the importance of positive self talk. God is fighting my battles for me. In Chapter 2 Olsteen continues "Quit mourning over something you can't change. "Spiritual junk food" as one reviewer put it. However BELIEVING that "God has another plan" is infinitely reassuring. You need to hear it over and over again.
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