Stress Point Blog Hop: Book Review & Giveaway



I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting and chatting it up with Sarah Francis Martin at the She Speaks Conference last year (where I may or may not have freaked out that she recognized me by name and called me over to the She Seeks table to chat with her!), and I'm so thankful that I did. She is truly a beautiful person inside and out, with a super bubbly personality, a totally on-fire heart for the Kingship of Christ and a deep love for 20-somethings ministry.

That said, I am so honored to have read Sarah's wonderful book that she wrote specifically for all of us 20-something's, and to share this book review/giveaway with all of you on Oh, Restless Bird today!

// / //


Stress Point: Thriving Through Your 20s in a Decade of Drama


Genre: Bible Study/ Women's Interest

Release Date: 6.5.12

Pages: 272

Publisher: Thomas Nelson


Tag Line: 
Want to ditch the drama and thrive through your twenties?

Summary:
Body image. Friendships. Career. Money. Dating. All these issues and more serve as points of stress for the 20-something woman, and combined they can make for a decade of drama in a girl's life. Sarah Francis Martin is the slightly older girlfriend who's been there, done that, and got the not-so-cute-t-shirt. Through this interactive Bible Study, Sarah helps young adult women address each stress point by encouraging them to wait on the Lord, worship Him, and make Him the focus of their lives. 


In Stress Point you will...

  • Find interactive chapters covering ten stress points for the 20-something woman
  • Dig through Scripture to apply truth to each stress point
  • Engage with real, raw, and relevant stories from girlfriends just like you
  • Journal through each chapter to engage with God in a meaningful way
  • Interact with Sarah through her video blogs for each chapter
  • Connect with your girlfriends in a Stress Point Survival Group; leader guide included


What I Loved: 
Stress Point is truly a love letter, written from the heart of a woman who's been-there and done-that, and has been called and purposed by God to reach out to every 20-something young woman who is living her every day, sometimes super stressful and drama filled life. Sarah constantly reminds us that we are not alone, and that we must shift our focus back onto the Kingship of Christ throughout Stress Point.

This book fell into my hands right when I needed it to the most. In fact, the very first chapter (the one on Career Stress) talked exactly about the type of things that I was struggling with, fretting over and dealing with at work. Even after having read the first chapter on Career Stress I didn't expect to find that God would so greatly speak to me on such a deep and personal level, even breaking me down at moments to truly examine my heart, after having read through every other chapter too (we should never underestimate our King and the ways in which He speaks to us, huh?)


Really I am just so thankful for my friend Sarah, and for her wisdom held within this beautiful book! This is not just a book that you skim through, only read once and forget about. This is a book that is going to redefine stress in your life, for the better. I know it has for me at least!

The advice on every stress point from a-z was met with sincere honesty, Girlfriend Case Studies, Journal Spots, Prayer Spots and the raw and real quality of been-there done-that wisdom that Sarah presents (even painfully at times it seemed) in sharing her own stressful stories of her own 20-something life, really resonated with me and spoke immense volumes to my own restless stressed out self. 


Other things about the book I loved were: 


(1
How Sarah mentioned a different name for God and it's meaning in each Stress Point Chapter (This gal knows her stuff!)


(2
That each of the chapters were hard hitting, but totally relateable and really really well laid out in the following format...


Stress Point, Girlfriend Case Study, Identify Yourself, Worship @the Throne of the King, Waiting @ the Throne of the King, Finding Focus on Him Alone, Stress Diverted and Lay It All Down Before the Throne (all with journal spots for your own thoughts and notes.)


(3
If I didn't mention the super-pretty cover I'd have to be crazy, people! Ahem, I adore the cover! <3


(4
I loved that at the end of the book there was a place to journal through and reflect back on each chapter and the bible verses. (This was so helpful!)



What I Didn't Like So Much: 
The fact that I didn't get to study the Word, sip on a mocha frappe with this book in hand and chat it up with my dear girlfriend Sarah sitting across the coffee house table from me. Other than that, I'm good! ;-)


I'm Recommending This Book... If you're a 20-something who longs to live out your faith in your every day drama filled life, and are in need of learning how to worship Him on a much more bold and deeper level than ever before, then this hard-hitting yet comforting, totally relatable, chock-full-of-excellent-girlfriend-chat-time book is for you, my dear friend! 


*I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers/Sarah Francis Martin for the purpose of this review.

About The Author: 

Sarah Francis Martin has a passion to encourage and relate to women in their twenties, and is honored to do so through She Seeks, the 20-something ministry of Proverbs 31. Her relevant and conversational style will lead young adult readers to live out the Kingship of Christ in everyday life in order to find godly success, purpose, and well-being. Obsessed with pink lip gloss and all things artsy-crafty, Sarah lives with her husband and son in North Carolina. Her ministry, LIVE IT OUT!, is a space for 20-somethings to connect with one another and grow closer to Jesus. For more information on Sarah and her ministry please visit her website at: www.liveitoutblog.com




Check Out These Links...



View the Stress Point Book Trailer Below: 



Visit Sarah Francis Martin's Blog at the Link Below:

Purchase Stress Point at the Links Below...


/ // /

Would YOU Like To Win a Copy of Stress Point?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments:

  1. As a 20 something I definitely struggle with is relationships. Everyone is in a constant state of flux and as a result it is very difficult to maintain steady relationships. People are figuring out their career paths and thus constantly changing. Finding quality time to spend with one another is difficult.
    -Tiffany
    tiffany{dot}johnson1214{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that is so true! Thanks for entering and good luck!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 26, 2012

    As I commented on your FB announcement abt this--I.Need.This.Book. On my wishlist to *buy* & own if I don't win the giveaway! I've never seen something like this--looks AMAZING. And your friend's blog has already been an encouragement.
    <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is a wonderful book! I'd encourage you or any and every other 20-something young lady out there to purchase this book. It's worth it! Good luck, Meghan! =)

      Delete
  3. This looks like it would be such an encouraging read!
    bellabellegirl(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a super encouraging read! Thanks for taking the time to stop by ORB, Lauren! Feel free to enter into the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this blog post. ;-)

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJune 27, 2012

    Honestly, I struggle with singleness. It's so hard because all my friends are dating/married!!!

    meremere789 @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you on the (engaged and) married part, Mere! It seems like every time I turn around another one of my friends is either engaged, getting married or is pregnant, but the Lord keeps on saying loud and clear "Sarah, find peace, for it's not your time yet, love." It's hard to trust in God's plan at times, especially when your own jealous and selfish desires are fighting against all of it in the mix. It's best to just trust the Lord, no!? ;-)

      Delete
  5. Yes, it always does seem to come down to trust.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm struggling with transitioning out of college and into real life...it's frustrating and difficult and so hard for me to let go. Will put this on my TBR if I don't win :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't even go to college (although I do attend the University of Hard Knocks), but I know what you mean, girl!Yes, if you do not win you should STILL read this book! It's truly an endearing and amazing read! Good luck! =)

      Delete
  7. Sa-rah, such a great review! Love how you organized it into categories similar to the way I write book reviews. :) Are you participating in the summer study on Sarah M.'s blog?

    Love,
    Rachelle

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.