Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day by Joel Osteen Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day
Book Review: Advanced Lessons about Sancification for Christian Believers
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the great pleasures of this book for me was to re-read many of my favorite sermons by Pastor Joel Osteen. No matter how many times I've listened to a sermon that's included here, the Holy Spirit helped me to draw new meaning from reading it in Become a Better You.
Another great benefit was to see the structure that Pastor Osteen used to organize these sermons relative to one another. Just by seeing that structure and thinking about it after finishing the book, I better understood the process of sanctification (the way that Christian believers go about becoming more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit).
People who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior often think that Christianity is simply about accepting or rejecting Jesus. That's the first step, the step of salvation from our sins. But our relationship with Jesus builds from there through sanctification.
Those who aren't Christians often don't know what large impacts becoming saved and sanctified have. This book is eloquent testimony of how much Christianity does for you here on Earth, long before you die.
Through the many stories (many of them based on his own experiences and those of his family) in the sermons, Pastor Osteen does a marvelous job of showing that transforming experience and potential for even more improvements.
The 31 sermons are organized around seven steps which I have paraphrased as follows:
1. Seek continual improvement and larger challenges.
2. Use your faith to have a positive view of yourself.
3. Improve your relationships with others.
4. Eliminate bad habits and form better ones.
5. Accept your situation.
6. Listen more carefully to and act on God's directions.
7. Embrace life with Godly passion.
Each step concludes with a few action points that allow you to refocus and redirect your life. These are good habits.
The book concludes with a call to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Some would argue that this book is only for Christians. But if you are not a Christian and wonder what the Christian life is like, I think you'll find this book to be interesting and valuable as well.
I was struck that some people think this is a self-help book that should be filled with novel ideas. Pastor Joel Osteen is drawing on the timeless words of the Bible. I'm glad he didn't vary from what God has directed for us.
May God bless you!
Book Review: Gentle Faith
Summary: 5 Stars
I happened upon Joel Osteen on TV when I was going through a difficult period in my life. Even though he is from a religious tradition different from my own, I found watching him gave me a lift. His gentle take on Christianity exudes faith and hope. He doesn't claim to be a biblical scholar. My personal impression having watched his broadcasts is that his is someone of deep, simple faith, who thinka about God and talks to God as he goes about his day, and wants to share the sense of peace that he has found. His sunny personality is very attractive to people and he seems to have succeeded on TV beyond his wildest dreams. Good for him! His church is diverse in makeup. There is no religious bigotry in his message. This book which I did read brings together a number of his TV sermons almost word for word. It counsels kindness, optimism, and finding joy in life. I didn't find an emphasis on making money per se, just on pursuing happiness in a decent way. If you follow his advice it won't do you any harm and may do you considerable good. Book Review: The most inspirational message I have heard in years!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is, without a doubt, the most inspirational message I have ever heard. Most evangelists talk about the end of days and how we are doomed; Joel does not. He talks about LIFE and LIVING a good spiritual life with God at the helm. Joel talks about every day situations in life, such as jealous co-workers, abusive spouses, and life-sucking, negative, manipulative people and gives advice on how to deal with each situation, beautifully and logically weaving God's word into his advice. As Joel says, God did not create us nor does He want us to suffer at the hands or mouths of others.
Another subject Joel touches on is self-respect. Again, as he says, you cannot give away what you do not have; love and respect for yourself. This does not take a rocket scientist nor an MBA to figure this out. I have seen it and experienced it time and time again with people. If anyone has ever wondered why someone comes into their home and almost destroys it, it is highly likely that the person has no self respect and therefore, has no respect for you and your property.
I do not go to church because I cannot stand being surrounded by the hypocrites who sit in the pews and judge people by what they are wearing, how they look, to whom they are talking, etc. I do not watch televangelists thanks to people like Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, and Robert Schuller (all money-grubbing hucksters, in my opinion) But, if I am ever in TX I will certainly make it a point to attend Joel's church. While I realize nobody is perfect and that all humans are hypocrites to some degree, including myself (of which I am at least aware and try my best not to be), I have no doubt if I were to attend Lakewood, I would find practically of his congregration as warm, loving, funny, and sincere as he is.
Now that I have listened to the audio CD, I am going to buy the book and read it.
Book Review: Anti-Christian Message
Summary: 1 Stars
I don't want to pick on Joel Olsteen. I believe he means well. If this book were just a self help book, not attached to Christianity I can see a non-christian giving it 5 stars. However the author claims it is a Christian book and like many other books, by other others claiming to be Christian Olsteen's book is anti-Christian.
Jesus taught Christians "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me". The cross represented death. Christ taught us to deny self and glorify God. Olsteen teaches us to focus on ourselves. Relatively little attention is given to God.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires," 2 Tim. 4:3
Book Review: ASK NOT WHAT GOD CAN DO FOR YOU, ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP GOD!
Summary: 3 Stars
Brian's World: Personal Perspectives and Insights from the Mind of an Ordinary Everyday Philosopher
I think that there is a lot of motivational things in the book. I do feel that the MAIN mistake Joel makes is living a life of excess and telling people that God will make them wealthy if they turn to him. I feel, life is about being happy with what you have and not wanting for more. I guess I have to ask myself these questions: "Was Jesus wealthy?". "How about Mother Theresa?". How about the poor and starving people all over the world who have to struggle each and every day just to get enough to eat? Are they not good people because they are not keeping up with the Jones's. If a person has TRUE faith, wouldn't they give up their material possessions? Why would they hesitate since the time on earth is but a blip compared to eternity. It is NOT what we make of ourselves, but rather, what we do with ourselves when we have accomplished things. In my eyes, religion and money just do not mix. If Joel gives up everything he has, THEN I AM ALL EARS!!! Some good things in the book though; just hypocritical in areas. Becoming a 'better you' does NOT mean you have to make money to do so. Life should NOT be about money! Financial success DOES NOT make you a 'better you'!!!