I have to admit that I was very intrigued with this book, especially in light of the fact that this is a practice that my wife and I try to commit to doing already. The premise of this book is that couples who pray together have better outcomes than those who don’t. The book suggest that if you spend at least 5 minutes a day for 40 days in prayer with your spouse that communication will elevate, you can reach more agreements, respect rises, satisfaction in your love life and that happiness is a way of life.
I have to say that I do not know about better outcomes since life happens, but I can say that they have better marriages. They are able to deal with adversity better than those who don’t. They enjoy richness in life that is only brought about through prayer. I know having been in a marriage from both perspectives, one that did not pray together and one that does, but with the same wife of course that the relationship is much better with prayer.
The book provides some real life examples of people whose marriage was saved from the brink of divorce through prayer and it provides some real life examples of what prayer can do. Prayer is a door to God and this book concentrates on explaining the importance of that door. One thing I would caution folks about is that this book places a big emphasis on prayer and that it can change things. Prayer can change lives, but prayer is a discussion with the couple and God. Any change that comes from prayer, God deserves the honor for that work in the life of the couple. I think the book comes a little short of being clear in that respect, but it is still a good book and resource for couples.
If you are willing to sit down with it as a couple and spend the forty (or more) days with it. I believe the book as the power to be very impactful. It has the ability to put you on the right path to true Godly change in your marriage. I highly recommend this book for any couple who in any state of marriage. I believe that it can have an impact regardless of what season of life you are in. The book also has an online component that helps to supplement the book and keep you striving to achieve the 40 day challenge.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”
Monday, January 17, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Book review: Living Life in the Zone
This book is a 40 day spiritual guide to help men grow in their faith. The authors are the founders of a ministry related to sports, so as you can imagine the book is filled with rich images of athletes and sporting events. Even the way the lessons are laid out with a coach’s corner, game plan, playmakers, home field advantage tend to shows the athletic tendencies of the authors.
The 40 days of lessons are divided primary in to six areas to help strengthen an individual man. The first section deals with finding out how you know you are living a life in the zone. The next four deal with relationships, being in the zone and dealing with your wife, then with your children, your friends and then relationships at work. The final section is about finding your zone as you look to the future.
I really enjoyed each section and really felt like the authors did a good job addressing the areas that men really need to think about, especially in their spiritual growth. I felt, as a man, that the book connected with me and really provided me some really good insights to think about in my spiritual growth. Each section provided a take-a-way that was useful for me and I think can be helpful to anyone who reads it.
One of the most useful things that I found was the Home Field Advantage section. Most of the time devotionals have us focus on the specific topic and how to improve in and expound on it. While this book does too, the Home Field Advantage section adds a little twist. It asks you if there are any prayers, concerns or request or praises, which you have. It is a simple process, but one I think that we tend to forget sometimes. It is easy to think about these in the midst of a Sunday school lesson or small group, but often as individuals, at least for me, it is not something I really think about. I pray and spend time with God, but this is a little added benefit to my time with God that has helped make my prayer life better.
I also liked the motivational aspect of the playmakers section. In this part of the devotional, the authors provide some stories from the world of sports to help provide some motivation, inspiration and something to think about. These stories are a great way to see faith in the real world and also provide someone that men can look to as role models in terms of other men of faith.
I recommend this book for any man that is looking for a way to grow spiritually in their life, relationships and their future. Not just the sports fan, but any man. This book will help you focus on God, get into the zone and coming closer to being more like Jesus in your everyday life.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”
The 40 days of lessons are divided primary in to six areas to help strengthen an individual man. The first section deals with finding out how you know you are living a life in the zone. The next four deal with relationships, being in the zone and dealing with your wife, then with your children, your friends and then relationships at work. The final section is about finding your zone as you look to the future.
I really enjoyed each section and really felt like the authors did a good job addressing the areas that men really need to think about, especially in their spiritual growth. I felt, as a man, that the book connected with me and really provided me some really good insights to think about in my spiritual growth. Each section provided a take-a-way that was useful for me and I think can be helpful to anyone who reads it.
One of the most useful things that I found was the Home Field Advantage section. Most of the time devotionals have us focus on the specific topic and how to improve in and expound on it. While this book does too, the Home Field Advantage section adds a little twist. It asks you if there are any prayers, concerns or request or praises, which you have. It is a simple process, but one I think that we tend to forget sometimes. It is easy to think about these in the midst of a Sunday school lesson or small group, but often as individuals, at least for me, it is not something I really think about. I pray and spend time with God, but this is a little added benefit to my time with God that has helped make my prayer life better.
I also liked the motivational aspect of the playmakers section. In this part of the devotional, the authors provide some stories from the world of sports to help provide some motivation, inspiration and something to think about. These stories are a great way to see faith in the real world and also provide someone that men can look to as role models in terms of other men of faith.
I recommend this book for any man that is looking for a way to grow spiritually in their life, relationships and their future. Not just the sports fan, but any man. This book will help you focus on God, get into the zone and coming closer to being more like Jesus in your everyday life.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”
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