I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
You’re Already Amazing
Embracing Who You Are,
Becoming All God Created You to Be
From the opening line on page 11,
“Psst…pull up a chair and I’ll tell you a secret. You’d better lean in close for this one.
Ready?
You don’t have to do more, be more, have more.” I was hooked.
What is she talking about? Isn’t this whole world about women having to do it ALL. Be the best we can be? Have a career, children, house, money in the bank…did Holley miss the newsflash?
NO! She reminds us throughout this book that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” that we are His daughters and THAT is enough. But she doesn’t just tell us this in the book, she gives us concrete steps that we can take to find our strengths and ask questions that will encourage us to look deep within ourselves to find the answers.
She reminds us that we need to let God be the driver of life’s car. “If you’re driven, you can’t be led.” page 90
God created us all in His image. He created us how he wants us to be. God doesn’t have a “plan B” for our lives. page 125 This was an “eye opener” for me. What? No “plan B”…I always have a plan B, after all, plan A could fail. But using the steps given in her book, I can find my strengths, learn ways to use them and be all that He wants me to be…without a “plan B.” She goes on to say “We’re amazing not because of who we are but because of who lives within us.” page 127
One of my favorite parts of the book, a section that REALLY made a difference for me begins on page 137. Here Holley reminds us that while we read in Luke 12:48 “…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required;…” this is referring to things given to us by the Master. Many of the requirements I put on myself are not from the Master, they are MY expectations or what I believe others expect of me. I am not required to meet the expectations of others and neither are you. I am only required to meet the expectations of my Master. My Master is the one who gave his life for him, the Lord Jesus Christ.
She talks about what hinders us from running our race. page 146
She shares the “Do What You Can Plan.” page 152 I am REALLY lovin’ that!
She tells us that “God gave us grace for a reason-he knew we’d need it.” page 155
The last two chapters just might be the best in the book…and you’ll have to check them out for yourself. *smile*
God has a great plan for my life and for your life. Holley shares how to find the plan, how to implement the plan and how to live the plan. I feel like the book changed my life.
Holley Gerth is an incredibly gifted writer. She speaks from her heart and you can feel her travelling this road with you. It is like you are having a cup of coffee and eating a brownie with her in you favorite coffee shop. She has walked the road of not being “enough” and now shares with us, how to avoid some of the pitfalls.
I encourage to read this book. Dayspring has it for $9.00. I believe the sale runs through the end of March. You can get it at Amazon and a kindle version is available. It is also available directly from Revell Publishing.
At the Relevant Conference in October 2011, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people…and connect with some wonderful organizations that sponsored the conference. One of those organizations was Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Revell representatives gave all attendees the opportunity to sign-up for book reviews. I left my name, e-mail address and I think my blog address never expecting to hear from them, after all, I have a small blog. Imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail in January from a representative asking if I was interested in reviewing Holley Gerth’s new book. Well, naturally, I said YES! I am SO GLAD I signed that sheet of paper last October!
The publisher sent me the book in exchange for a review.
I am not required to give a positive review all opinions
expressed in this review are my own.
If you do nothing else for yourself this year, BUY AND READ this book!
Better yet, enter my give away! I am buying two copies of this book from Dayspring to give away. This book is THAT GOOD.
Leave a comment on this post telling me why you would like to win a copy and I’ll randomly choose two winners. Be sure to include your e-mail address in your comment. You may have two additional entries by tweeting about this giveaway and/or posting on facebook about this blog post and giveaway. Come back here and leave an additional comment for your tweet and/or FB post. The drawing closes at midnight EST, Monday, March 19, 2012.
Hugs~
Thanks for reminding us of this GOOD NEWS. It goes so counter culture.
Fondly,
Glenda
Great review, Mary. I am downloading it to my Kindle today.
Holley got married in the Mildred Cooper chapel here in Arkansas. If you get a chance sometimes, revisit one of my weekend worships featuring this chapel–it is so beautiful.
Glenda, you are right. This IS counter culture!
Dianne, can you give me the link to the weekend worship post for Mildred Cooper Chapel? I checked the Weekend Worship page on your blog and couldn't find it.
Thanks for you comments ladies!
You don't have to enter me to win–I got a copy, too! I just wanted to drop by and say, "Didn't you do a nice job!" There were so many quotable pieces in Holley's book. I had such a hard time whittling down my list!
This book is perfect for the women I'm working with in a recovery program, as well as those who receive help thru http://facebook.com/brokenpeople
Thank you, Nancy! You kind words mean so much to me! I was so incredibly nervous that I wouldn't do a "good enough" job – kind of ironic, considering the book, don't you think?!? I prayed about it and this where He led me.
I'd like to be entered to win a copy of this book. I often feel like I have to be more or do more to be who I'm supposed to be. I know better, but still struggle.
Thanks!
Stacy
writingbyhart[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Mary,
wonderful review of Holley's book…totally makes me want to read it…I had to smile at the quote about how if you're driven, you can't be led…so true…I am slowly learning to led and less driven…Blessings to you 🙂
I got the book a few days ago, and opened to a page somewhere in the 150s. What I read there was SUCH a big blessing to me! And it was just a random sentence on a random page! But we all know it wasn't random at all, right?
(No need to enter me in your amazingly generous drawing. Your book review was stellar!)
Think I need to read this one…
and so want to go to 'relevant' with a new name some day.
This books sounds really good. I love reading reviews about books! I'm a missionary in Tanzania and books help keep me fed spiritually. servingintz[at]gmail[dot]com
Sounds like a wonderful book that is just what I need to add to my library! Thanks for sharing a wonderful review; I love a good reccomendation. 🙂
Blessings and hugs,
Denise
Hi Mary,
I knew I wanted to read this book, and your great review makes me want to read it even more! I host online studies on my blog and I've been thinking "You're Already Amazing" might be the book we read this fall.
Thanks for commenting on my blog today, that's how I found you. 🙂
Blessings,
Laura
I knew I forgot something in my comment – my email! laurajrath@gmail.com. Thanks!
I shared on Twitter 🙂
laurajrath@gmail.com
Shared on my Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith FB page. laurajrath@gmail.com
Thank you!
Hi Mary,
I found you via Laura Rath's tweet and am so glad I did! I've read so many reviews of this book — I know I want to read it — and I must say I really enjoyed your review! loved the quotes you chose and the thought you put into it.
So fun to "meet" you and thank you thank you for the wonderful chance to win a book so I can start reading right away! 🙂
All for Him,
Nikki
simplystriving (at) gmail (dot) com
I tweeted @ Simplystriving
Thanks again for the chance to win! 🙂 What a wonderful first giveaway!!
All for Him,
Nikki
This looks like another GREAT read … and my pile of reads is getting a bit thin … sonyamacdesigns@yahoo.com
Found you through incourage, can't wait to read this book and would love to win!!
randi.amoderndayfairytale@gmail.com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/MrsS07/status/180268101026324481
randi.amoderndayfairytale@gmail.com
i would love to have this book to share with the women at my church (after i read it!)
kendalprivette@yahoo.com
this seems to speak to where God has me right now…thinking it could be helpful…blessings~
This sounds like a wonderful book! I can't wait to read it!
my email is heretofindhim@live.com
I finally got to sit down and start reading it and I'm flying through it! It's amazing!!! So excited 🙂 Such a blessing to receive this book!
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