31 Days to Happiness

What do you know about Solomon? From what I remember (not much, admittedly), he was considered to be wise and just. What I didn't know was what Dr. David Jeremiah hints at in his preface and introduction, and what he elaborates upon as the book develops. There is so much more to know about King Solomon ... "The wisest man on the face of the earth" - definitely able to teach us a thing or two, wouldn't you say?

In 31 Days to Happiness, David Jeremiah walks us through the struggles, through the pain, through the understanding, and the growth of wisdom of King Solomon. 


Who was King Solomon, this wise man of the Bible? Son of David and Bathsheba, a wise and trusted ruler. A man who drifted away from God. A man who found his way back.

What I once knew but forgot about Solomon, I was reminded of in the book's introduction: the three books called his legacy. Song of Solomon, of course. Dr. Jeremiah calls this "rhapsody of passionate romance" the book of "the morning of his life." Proverbs, written during his strong years - or the "noontime of his life" - is a "heavenly rule book for earthly living".  If Song of Solomon is passionate love and Proverbs is the rule book, what in the world is Ecclesiastes? Ecclesiastes is "a regretful retrospective," or what happens when you wake up to find that not only do you not know it all, you know exactly what you don't know.

Solomon could have - and did, at a point in his life - have nearly everything he could possibly want. When God asked him what he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom. Wisdom! Would that we could have it bestowed upon us, instead of having to earn it through making mistakes ...  Solomon was a very wise man, indeed. But even wise men can be dumb sometimes. And so, too, can we.

We are not supposed to have all the answers. We are supposed to seek He who does have those answers. This book tells us about Solomon, his decisions, the consequences of those decisions, and his regrets. The subtitle of this book, How to Find What Really Matters in Life, sums it up nicely. It is not about what we have, it is about what we do with what we have. Those aren't new words, I can't claim them as my own. What I DO know, however, is that life isn't about things and knowing all the answers. Life is about living for Jesus, in a way that allows Him to shine through us. Life is about knowing who DOES have all the answers - and actively seeking Him. From Bored to Death (chapter 2) to Dollars and Sense (Chapter 13), from Employment without Enjoyment (chapter 15), to the Power of Wisdom (Chapter 22), Dr. David Jeremiah walks us through the life of a fascinating man. What I learned in the process was a lot about Solomon ... and even more about Denise.

Lord, I have so much learning to do. I ask for your grace and mercy as I stumble through this journey of discovery. Please guide me to you in all that I do. Help me to be as You would have me be, every day, one step at a time.

"Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it." ~ Ecclesiastes 7:11-12


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Let Hope IN

 


Before you wonder if my finger got stuck on the caps lock key, let me reiterate the title: Let Hope IN.  No, Pete Wilson did not title his book that way (well, I say that, but then again, the book title is in all caps ... ).  After reading this book, however, it has become increasingly clear that I can read book after book, listen to a plethora of speakers, or search the Internet all day long for answers, suggestions, or ideas - none of which will come to fruition if I do not make the conscious decision to internalize whatever piece of advice or words of wisdom that my eyes see or my ears hear.  Simply reading words do not make them a part of your vocabulary or life, you have to understand and apply them.  You have to make a conscious decision to make a change.  


I will be the first one to admit that I am stubborn, at times set in my ways, and *gasp* even overly confident if I am certain of my ideas.  One of the biggest struggles that I have currently is an inability to step away from the past.

This is the first of Pete Wilson's books that I have read, but it will not be the last.  The subtitle of this book is 4 Choices That Will Change Your Life Forever.  I have read so many books that claim they will change you, change your life, change your mindset ... you know the drill.  I am sure I am not the first to read with a "show me" attitude.  Pete Wilson grabs you and pulls you in from the beginning. His four choices are simple, and for some, may be eye-opening.  It certainly was for me.

Choice One: Choosing to Transform instead of Transfer.  Think about it.  If we don't truly make a change, we end up rehashing the same things. Over and over again.  In terms of the past ... "your past is not your past if it's still impacting your present." No, it's not. If you do not change something, you will continue to have the same problem. Remember this: "God is bigger than your history and more concerned with your destiny."

Choice Two: Choosing to Be Okay with Not Being Okay.  Does that sound like a big change from many so-called self-help books? Think about it ... sometimes, it is NOT going to be okay.  No matter what you do, there are going to be times of self-doubt, worry, and maybe even fear.  You are not alone in your struggle, remember that.

Choice Three:  Choosing to Trust Rather than Please.  I think this particular choice ties in rather well with choice two.  Instead of killing yourself trying to be perfect to please anyone, everyone, or because you think it is what God wants from you, remember this: He knows all of you, and loves you just as you are.  Can you step outside yourself for just a minute and trust Him with that knowledge?  He loves you just as you are.  Trusting in Him, even though you feel that you are not as "perfect" as you should be, is a big step.  I don't have to try and please God by becoming perfect, He loves me and all my imperfections.  He accepts me as I am.

Choice Four: Choosing to Free People Rather than Hurt Them.  This was a big step for me.  I mentioned earlier about the past.  There are parts of my past that I replay in my head, far more often than I should.  Wondering why I did what I did, and why I can't simply forget about it and move on.  Why? Because I have not yet let go.  Reading through the first part of choice four, a chapter titled Breathe Grace, I was floored by a few simple words.  We know we should forgive and move on.  Do we? Not always.  When we forgive, however, we are saying that we recognize that there was a wrong, and we are choosing to move past it.  "My understanding of God's forgiving me despite me enables me to forgive others despite others."  Make sense? It will ... The next sentence clarifies it.  The bold, italic emphasis is my own - that is how much it affected me. "And while this act of forgiveness may not erase your past hurt, it does erase the power it has over you.  It allows your past to truly become just that - your past."  You are not going to miraculously transform your past into perfection, the scars of past pain are not going to go away. They will, however, begin to heal.  And that, my friends, is the true power of forgiveness.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

You'll Get Through This

Who can resist a book with a subtitle that offers Hope and Help?  I couldn't, and that is why I chose to review Max Lucado's You'll Get Through This.  I have been a fan of Max Lucado's work for many years - he has a way of cutting through the fluff and getting straight to the point - and I like that.  When I am having a hard time, when I am feeling down or distressed, I do not want platitudes.  Life IS rough sometimes, and no amount of sugar-coating will change that.

"You'll get through this.  It won't be painless.  It won't be quick.  But God will use this mess for good.  Don't be foolish or naive.  But don't despair either.  With God's help, you'll get through this" (p. 3).  Simplistic, right? Mouthing platitudes? No.  Sometimes in life, we are going to hurt.  Sometimes that pain will last far longer than we thought it would, and longer than we think we are equipped to handle.  Remember this, please, when you want to give in - God is bigger than any problems we might have. ANY problems.

As Paul states in Second Corinthians, "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Cor. 4:17 NIV).  What is pain compared to the eternity that awaits us?  I am not saying that living with pain is fun. I am saying that living with pain knowing that there are far better days ahead might not be optimal, but it can be tolerable.

Wound throughout this book, Max tells the story of Joseph.  You remember Joseph, from Sunday School? The one with the cool multicolor coat? The one whose brothers hated him so much that they threw him in a pit and left him to die? He showed them, didn't he?? Rescued and eventually in a position of power, he didn't shun his brothers when they came in need.  He offered love - after he threw them in prison, made them sweat a little. He got through it. And so can you.  Remember, "your history doesn't have to be your future" (p. 105).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Runaway Emotions

Jeff Schreve is a pastor whose explanation of our emotions hits home.  From the time I started reading this book, I found myself nodding my head in agreement - or thinking "How did he know that? He doesn't know me!"  Along with each explanation, he offers a biblical story, real-life example, or both. I have read many books of this genre, but I can honestly say that this particular book stands out in a way that the others have not - it speaks to me in a language that I can both understand and relate to. 

His chapter on depression was quite the eye-opener. Certainly I am not the only person who was brought up with the idea that depression is "all in your head" -- one did not discuss things of that sort. You just took a deep breath, and went on about your business, without  letting anyone know if there were problems.

Unlike many authors of the "self-help" genre, Jeff Schreve does not claim to have all the answers. He offers humor, Biblical principles and Bible verses entwined with real-life examples to drive his points home in a most effective way. Before I had gotten through the first chapter, the highlighter was out and the pages were folded down as a reminder of a point that I wanted to revisit.

Will Runaway Emotions have the answers that you seek? Only you can answer that question. For this reader in particular, Jeff Schreve has hit a home run.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Closing A Chapter

I received a short text message from my brother yesterday while I was at the gym. It literally stopped me in my tracks, and it consisted of only four words: "house in realtor's hands." This was the final step in a journey that began in January of this year and took a definitive turn in May. Our decisions were not made lightly, nor were they made without many hours of thought and tearful discussion. What it boils down to in the end, however, is one simple fact: it still hurts. 

Dementia is a viciously ugly disease. It knows no restrictions and can affect anyone. There is no known cure. A year ago, I would have nodded my head in sympathy, while quietly giving thanks that it wasn't me and mine. Seven months ago, it became mine. Not that we didn't suspect, or sometimes have that feeling that something just wasn't right ... but to have those thoughts and feelings confirmed is still a hateful blow. The questions began. The self-doubt began, and still, to some extent, continues. "Did we do the right thing?"

As I pulled into the parking lot at the nursing home, she turned and looked at me and stated "I'm not going here." When I put my truck in park, she crossed her arms reminiscent of Samantha and stated "I'm not getting out. You can't make me." I unbuckled her seat belt. She buckled it back. Strangely, that was the first time in months that she had fastened a seat belt without difficulty. "I'm not going." I don't know what my face looked like, but apparently there was this pleading "Help Me!" written across it. My brother opened the passenger door, and when she turned to tell him she wasn't getting out, he simply looked at her and said "Come on, mama." I unbuckled her seat belt and she slowly got out of the vehicle, walking beside him. My sister and I fell into step, our pace speaking volumes about the heartbreaking decision we had made.

When we got inside, one of the aides from the unit came down the hall and put her arm around mama. She began making conversation with her, and gently led her down the hall. We watched, and wondered. Paperwork, conversation, paperwork, questions. Then you walk away, hoping against hope that you have not made a mistake. Logically, you know you haven't. Emotionally, you feel like a traitor. You feel as if you have abandoned the one person who would never abandon you.

Emptying the house was a lengthy, painful process. What to keep? What to do with what you don't keep? There were many, many items found that made us stop, look at each other and say "Huh?" Memories unfolded, time and time again. The realization that she is never again going to come home, never again going to live in this house is overwhelming.  How do you say goodbye?

I'm going home in a couple of weeks. I haven't decided whether or not I will drive by the house. I don't know how I"ll handle it. Where will we sit around the table and drink coffee at all hours of the day or night? Where will we all get together and visit? Will we even get together and visit anymore? How do I explain it to my granddaughter when I don't feel like I fully comprehend it myself? I"m almost 50 years old. I have my own home, have children and grandchildren of my own. But mama's house isn't mama's house anymore.

Lord, I ask for strength and peace. For all of us. We are fond of saying that "we have two choices: laugh or cry. We choose to laugh." Please, help us to find the laughter.

"the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."~Numbers 6:25-26 NIV