Review: I Am Second

I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives by Doug Bender and  Dave Sterrett

Thomas Nelson  – January 3, 2012

http://davesterrett.com/

http://www.iamsecond.com/

Facebook:  Yes, Doug Bender, and I am Second

Twitter: @Iamsecond, @DougBender, @davesterrett

 

Rating: The stories are powerful and full of hope, I really enjoyed this read.

Source: Thomas Nelson, for review

Click here to read what this story is about

           

            I had never heard of the I Am Second Movement. Yes, I mean movement. This is so much more than just a book, but I didn’t know that until after I read it and browsed the webpage. But in a way, I am glad that it’s a movement. Sometimes you read an intensely good read about life and you wonder who’s really living like this? But I Am Second is the stories of people who have chosen to live a life where they are not in control.  They have chosen to give up what wasn’t working in their lives, the secrets and addictions that they hid behind in exchange for extreme faith.  I say extreme faith, because there are complacent Christians and there are Christians who do “just enough”. Those who follow in the path of being second are not complacent and they are not doing “just enough”.

            The collection of stories was powerful and filled with people who I knew or heard of and people that I had no clue about.  On the website, when watching the videos, I found that there were even more people who had chosen the path of the second.  They didn’t gloss over their “before” lives so it made a huge impact when they talked about their lives “after”.  At the end of reading this book, a Bible verse came to mind, “His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” ( Matthew 25:21). I think these are the words that those who choose to be second will hear.

Recommendation:  If you are interested in learning about how the Christian faith can change your life, regardless of where you are, you will definitely enjoy this book. If you are interested in going deeper in your own Christian walk, you will definitely enjoy this book.

A copy of this book was given to me, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Always Shine,

Starr K

Related Links:

Review: Sometimes He Whispers, Sometimes He Roars: Learning to hear the voice of God by Marilynn Chadwickl

Sometime He Whispers, Sometimes He Roars: Learning to hear the voice of God by Marilynn Chadwick

 Howard Books – Jan 3, 2012

Facebook: Yes

http://marilynnchadwick.com/

Source: Libby Reed from Howard Books, for review

From Amazon: Become the Answer to SOMEONE ELSE’S PRAYER. Whether you’re new to the journey of prayer or have been praying for years, this book will take your prayer life to levels you’ve never imagined. And if you feel a little unsure about how to begin, veteran prayer warrior Marilynn Chadwick will guide you each step of the way. As Marilynn shares the amazing stories of what prayer has done in her life—and the lives of others—you’ll begin to get a vision for what your prayers can become.

                Honestly, prayer is not one of my strong suits.  Sometimes I will read books on it, on ways to integrate prayer into your life or on the power of prayer. I may even try it, but nothing really lasts. But this book was different.  The methods Chadwick talks about require discipline, but they’re also quick. Once you get in the habit of doing it, prayer becomes second nature and you really are able to “pray without ceasing”.

                She has broken prayer down into realistically doable parts, and has spread its wings so that prayer touches global concerns as well as local ones. And honestly, what can be better than that? From experience I can say that some books on prayer can be long and tedious.  Sometime He whispers, Sometimes He Roars was fresh, relevant and inspiring.  It was also an enjoyable read, a nice glimpse into someone else’s prayer journey.

This copy was given to me by Howard Books, free, in exchange for my honest review. 

Always Shine,

Starr K