Release Date: 10/16/12
Number of Pages: 224
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Tag Line: What you give and what you gain to become like Jesus
Summary (snagged from amazon): "I don’t write this book as a condemnation or as a sermon. The last thing I want to do is provide a ‘how to be the best Christian in ten easy steps’ guide. I pen these words as a fellow struggler who is learning that what we think about God matters, how we allow Him to reign in our hearts matters, and how we obey Him in the moment matters. It all matters. Everything."
Author and speaker Mary DeMuth has been abused, foreclosed, abandoned, and betrayed. She has been pressed and drained till it was too much . . . But it was just enough to bring her to a place of surrender, piece by precious piece. In that surrender, she found the freedom of giving everything to God. And through Scripture, community, and the work of the Holy Spirit, she gives it all over again, every day.
In this gentle and challenging book, DeMuth describes the process and the nuances that shape us to be more like Christ. Her words are clear, vulnerable, and thought provoking, and every chapter is infused with Scripture.
What I Loved: Everything was a super insightful book, and a fast paced read, which delved into the surrender-everything life of Mary DeMuth. I really enjoyed reading about Mary's life story, her heart and of course gaining some wonderful wisdom from her own journey to declare Jesus her everything. The whole time I was reading through this book I kept on thinking two very distinct things: (1) God I so needed to hear these words today! (2) Um, I thought I was already living an everything-for-Jesus kinda life in all areas of my life? Reading through Everything was like I was discovering how to live an all-out for Jesus life for the very first time alongside Mary DeMuth herself, over coffee. This book is also totally highlight-able, as in almost every other page in my copy of Everything is highlighted up. I absolutely can't wait to thumb back through this book over and over again!
The book itself is split into three different sections: head, heart and hands. And I loved this about the book, that it was divided in such a unique way, mainly because it really brought forth fresh new perspectives on how to get our heads, hearts and hands aligned just right so we can learn to live an everything-for-Jesus life in our everyday lives.
The chapters that really spoke to me, and even somewhat confronted me on how I'm not always fully living an "everything life," were the chapters on the six letter word {gospel} (ch. 2), worry (ch. 5), healing (ch. 10), being kind to yourself (ch. 12) and discipline (ch.18). Honestly, these were some of the most challenging, sucker-punch chapters, in my opinion, to my own self and my faith-walk.
For example, in the chapter on worry, we discover alongside Mary that worry can become an idol, a go-to mode that can control us if we let it. Worry can also cause us to lose belief in just how BIG our God really is. It's really all a faith and trust issue after all. And Mary DeMuth's Worry Wart Prayer that she includes in the book is such a wonderful resource. I'm so glad she included the prayer!
Everything's message is simple, really: Give Jesus EVERYTHING and gain EVERYTHING He offers.
What I Didn't Like So Much: There was nothing I didn't like, really. Honestly, I liked everything about Everything.
I'm Recommending This Book... If you are struggling to live your life for Christ in every single area, large or small in your life, then Everything: What You Give & What You Gain To Become Like Jesus is a wonderful place to learn how to start. Grab your Bible, a highlighter, a cup of coffee or tea and dive into Everything so you can learn alongside Mary DeMuth how you too can fully surrender to living a life like Jesus. You will gain something from reading this book, rest assured.
About The Author: Mary DeMuth is an author and speaker who loves to help people live uncaged, freedom-infused lives. She's the author of fourteen books, including six novels and her critically acclaimed memoir, Thin Places. After church planting in Southern France, Mary and her husband and their three teenagers now live in a suburb of Dallas. Find out more at marydemuth.com.
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view the book trailer for Everything
Note: In conjunction with TLC Book Tours, I received a free copy of this book for review from Thomas Nelson through Lisa Munley of TLC Book Tours. Thank you so much for contacting me about this tour, Lisa!
If you'd like to read other reviews of Everything by Mary DeMuth from the TLC Book Tour line up you can find them all HERE.
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Thanks to the lovely people over at TLC Book Tours one lucky Oh, Restless Bird reader will be receiving their very own copy of Everything! Isn't that exciting? Use the Rafflecopter gadget below to enter.
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This book sounds really good - I know firsthand how worry can become an idol. Thanks for the insightful review...I'll be adding it to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Really, really tough question.. But right now it would have to be a certain aspect of a relationship I've been hanging on to (very complicated, lol).. :-/ Hard stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found this book easy to read and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.
Wow, thank you for your kind and honest review. I so appreciate it. :)
ReplyDeleteHave been wanting to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
ReplyDelete