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10 reviews for:
The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Andy Stanley
3.9 AVERAGE
10 reviews for:
The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Andy Stanley
3.9 AVERAGE
The cover and tag lines would seem to indicate a self-help book. Some reviewers have even labeled this as "self-help." I don't believe that this is a fair description. Stanley takes his readers back to the Scriptures--particularly the Wisdom literature portions--to have a frank discussion about a simple topic that many of us ignore to our detriment: Direction, not intention, determines our destination. The small decisions in our lives, are not just one time events--they add up to a path. And that path leads somewhere. Where are we spending our time and resources? What are we thinking about? We are on a path...is it leading to a place that we ultimately want to be?
Andy Stanley reminds us that the self-help line to "follow your heart" is a very dangerous thing to do because "the heart is deceitful above all else" (Jeremiah 17:9). Following your heart or your emotions will get you in to trouble. I have seen this to be true in my own life and the lives of friends, family, and acquaintances. The truth is that we have to ask God for guidance and rely on Him. In order to help us discern God's truth, versus subjective notions of "this must be God's will," Stanley offers many verses to pray and principles to observe. Wisdom is about relying on God and not our own understanding.
Even though many of the insights from this book seem simple, this book does a great job of walking the reader through the topic and connecting all the dots. C.S. Lewis quotes Dr. Johnson in Mere Christianity as saying that "People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed." Then he states that, "The real job of every moral teacher is to keep on bringing us back, time after time, to the old simple principles which we are all so anxious not to see..." (78).
Pick it up and be reminded.
Andy Stanley reminds us that the self-help line to "follow your heart" is a very dangerous thing to do because "the heart is deceitful above all else" (Jeremiah 17:9). Following your heart or your emotions will get you in to trouble. I have seen this to be true in my own life and the lives of friends, family, and acquaintances. The truth is that we have to ask God for guidance and rely on Him. In order to help us discern God's truth, versus subjective notions of "this must be God's will," Stanley offers many verses to pray and principles to observe. Wisdom is about relying on God and not our own understanding.
Even though many of the insights from this book seem simple, this book does a great job of walking the reader through the topic and connecting all the dots. C.S. Lewis quotes Dr. Johnson in Mere Christianity as saying that "People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed." Then he states that, "The real job of every moral teacher is to keep on bringing us back, time after time, to the old simple principles which we are all so anxious not to see..." (78).
Pick it up and be reminded.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Given to me by an amazing reader and influencer, this book was an amazing read.
Written by a pastor, this book doesn’t have to be taken strictly with a religious overtone but can be read with the overall intention of the book. The meanings and lessons he shared can be adapted by anyone in any situation to improve your life and as he states “get from where you are to where you want to be”.
It was a very influential book that I’m sure I will find myself referring back to over and over, reading multiple times to apply to the different stages of life I am in.
Whether you’re single or married, Stanley has tips for each phase or complication you might be trying to overcome.
Written by a pastor, this book doesn’t have to be taken strictly with a religious overtone but can be read with the overall intention of the book. The meanings and lessons he shared can be adapted by anyone in any situation to improve your life and as he states “get from where you are to where you want to be”.
It was a very influential book that I’m sure I will find myself referring back to over and over, reading multiple times to apply to the different stages of life I am in.
Whether you’re single or married, Stanley has tips for each phase or complication you might be trying to overcome.
This book was not full of anything new. It was not any big lightbulb ah-ha moment. BUT it was full of what I needed to hear to evaluate where I am, why am I not where I want to be, and what things can I think about to get there. There are certain things leading me in a direction that I felt convicted about. But I was convicted in a way that didn't make me feel guilty or hopeless. I like that none of this was ground shaking, new knowledge. And I like how conversational the narrative is. It made for a light, quick, yet insightful read.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
The cover and tag lines would seem to indicate a self-help book. Some reviewers have even labeled this as "self-help." I don't believe that this is a fair description. Stanley takes his readers back to the Scriptures--particularly the Wisdom literature portions--to have a frank discussion about a simple topic that many of us ignore to our detriment: Direction, not intention, determines our destination. The small decisions in our lives, are not just one time events--they add up to a path. And that path leads somewhere. Where are we spending our time and resources? What are we thinking about? We are on a path...is it leading to a place that we ultimately want to be?
Andy Stanley reminds us that the self-help line to "follow your heart" is a very dangerous thing to do because "the heart is deceitful above all else" (Jeremiah 17:9). Following your heart or your emotions will get you in to trouble. I have seen this to be true in my own life and the lives of friends, family, and acquaintances. The truth is that we have to ask God for guidance and rely on Him. In order to help us discern God's truth, versus subjective notions of "this must be God's will," Stanley offers many verses to pray and principles to observe. Wisdom is about relying on God and not our own understanding.
Even though many of the insights from this book seem simple, this book does a great job of walking the reader through the topic and connecting all the dots. C.S. Lewis quotes Dr. Johnson in Mere Christianity as saying that "People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed." Then he states that, "The real job of every moral teacher is to keep on bringing us back, time after time, to the old simple principles which we are all so anxious not to see..." (78).
Pick it up and be reminded.
Andy Stanley reminds us that the self-help line to "follow your heart" is a very dangerous thing to do because "the heart is deceitful above all else" (Jeremiah 17:9). Following your heart or your emotions will get you in to trouble. I have seen this to be true in my own life and the lives of friends, family, and acquaintances. The truth is that we have to ask God for guidance and rely on Him. In order to help us discern God's truth, versus subjective notions of "this must be God's will," Stanley offers many verses to pray and principles to observe. Wisdom is about relying on God and not our own understanding.
Even though many of the insights from this book seem simple, this book does a great job of walking the reader through the topic and connecting all the dots. C.S. Lewis quotes Dr. Johnson in Mere Christianity as saying that "People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed." Then he states that, "The real job of every moral teacher is to keep on bringing us back, time after time, to the old simple principles which we are all so anxious not to see..." (78).
Pick it up and be reminded.
Would recommend: Yes
My small group read and discussed this book over the summer, and it's really good and challenging. My main takeaways are that being honest with myself is hard, unattractive work; I need to consciously pay attention to the path I'm on (and incur the cost of losing energy elsewhere); and that I'm always moving toward SOMETHING - there is never a true status quo.
My small group read and discussed this book over the summer, and it's really good and challenging. My main takeaways are that being honest with myself is hard, unattractive work; I need to consciously pay attention to the path I'm on (and incur the cost of losing energy elsewhere); and that I'm always moving toward SOMETHING - there is never a true status quo.
A short book about a simple principle - intention, not direction, determines destination. Put differently, the path you are on and not the path you want to be on, determines where you will end up. Very well written and extremely practical - trade mark Andy Stanley.
Key Takeaways
Embracing the principle of the path will empower you to identify the paths that lead to the destinations you desire, while avoiding regret.
- Principles are neither good or bad, they just are
- You can leverage the principle of the path for your benefit or ignore it to reap a harvest of regret.
- The principle of the path follows you. Its not a law. You can break a law. But the principle has the power to break you
- Psalm 16:11.
Direction - not intention - determines your destination
- Generally speaking, people have directions that need to be changed as opposed to problems that need to be fixed
- We will win or lose in life based on the paths we choose
- Matthew 7:13; 1 Kings 11:1-11.
If you want to move in a certain direction, you have to choose the right path
- Most people choose paths that do not lead in the directions they want to go
- We are quick to ask for forgiveness but slow to repent and walk away from sin
- Choosing the wrong path can cost you precious years
- Proverbs 7:6-27; Jeremiah 6:16.
The prudent react to what they see on the horizon
- We tend to take the path of least resistance
- The prudent act as if then is now (ie as if the future is the present)
- At some point, it is impossible to sidestep consequences. Being forgiven doesn't override consequences
-Proverbs 27:12; Psalm 73:1-20.
To find the path that will take you where you want to go, break the cycle of self-deception
- We are not on a truth quest
- When you are willing to come clean with yourself about the uncomfortable truth behind your choices, you're on the verge of freedom
- Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 8:32.
Choosing the right path begins with submitting to the One who knows whats best for you better than you know whats best for you
- Submission, not talent or information, is the key to good decisions
- 1 Kings 3:7-13; Proverbs 3:5-6.
You can never accomplish the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God or ignoring the wisdom of God
- Your decision making environments are not emotionally neutral
- It is almost impossible to gain the perspective you need to choose the paths that take you where you want to go in emotionally charged environments
- 1 Samuel 24:4-7; 1 Samuel 3:3-23.
You will never reach your full potential without tapping into the wisdom of others
- The herd assumption is assuming that because everyone you know is doing something the same way, it must be all right
- It is always wise to learn what we can from people whose lives and lifestyles reflect our own goals and aspirations
- Successful people know what they don't know and they are quick to go to people who do know
- Pray for wisdom and then seek outside assistance.
What gets our attention determines our direction and our destination
- The things that grab our attention are often things we should avoid
- Intentionality fuels our decision to give certain things our attention
- A sense of loss keeps you from paying attention to the things that deserve your attention and would serve you best in the future
- Proverbs 4:25-27; Matthew 14:24-31.
When it dawns on you that your dreams can't come true, the best response is to lean hard on the One who allowed your disappointment to occur
- Some things are never going to happen for us
- God can be trusted but not manipulated
- The only option other than submitting to God is to run from the Only One who can give comfort
- 2 Samuel 7:1-7.
Key Takeaways
Embracing the principle of the path will empower you to identify the paths that lead to the destinations you desire, while avoiding regret.
- Principles are neither good or bad, they just are
- You can leverage the principle of the path for your benefit or ignore it to reap a harvest of regret.
- The principle of the path follows you. Its not a law. You can break a law. But the principle has the power to break you
- Psalm 16:11.
Direction - not intention - determines your destination
- Generally speaking, people have directions that need to be changed as opposed to problems that need to be fixed
- We will win or lose in life based on the paths we choose
- Matthew 7:13; 1 Kings 11:1-11.
If you want to move in a certain direction, you have to choose the right path
- Most people choose paths that do not lead in the directions they want to go
- We are quick to ask for forgiveness but slow to repent and walk away from sin
- Choosing the wrong path can cost you precious years
- Proverbs 7:6-27; Jeremiah 6:16.
The prudent react to what they see on the horizon
- We tend to take the path of least resistance
- The prudent act as if then is now (ie as if the future is the present)
- At some point, it is impossible to sidestep consequences. Being forgiven doesn't override consequences
-Proverbs 27:12; Psalm 73:1-20.
To find the path that will take you where you want to go, break the cycle of self-deception
- We are not on a truth quest
- When you are willing to come clean with yourself about the uncomfortable truth behind your choices, you're on the verge of freedom
- Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 8:32.
Choosing the right path begins with submitting to the One who knows whats best for you better than you know whats best for you
- Submission, not talent or information, is the key to good decisions
- 1 Kings 3:7-13; Proverbs 3:5-6.
You can never accomplish the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God or ignoring the wisdom of God
- Your decision making environments are not emotionally neutral
- It is almost impossible to gain the perspective you need to choose the paths that take you where you want to go in emotionally charged environments
- 1 Samuel 24:4-7; 1 Samuel 3:3-23.
You will never reach your full potential without tapping into the wisdom of others
- The herd assumption is assuming that because everyone you know is doing something the same way, it must be all right
- It is always wise to learn what we can from people whose lives and lifestyles reflect our own goals and aspirations
- Successful people know what they don't know and they are quick to go to people who do know
- Pray for wisdom and then seek outside assistance.
What gets our attention determines our direction and our destination
- The things that grab our attention are often things we should avoid
- Intentionality fuels our decision to give certain things our attention
- A sense of loss keeps you from paying attention to the things that deserve your attention and would serve you best in the future
- Proverbs 4:25-27; Matthew 14:24-31.
When it dawns on you that your dreams can't come true, the best response is to lean hard on the One who allowed your disappointment to occur
- Some things are never going to happen for us
- God can be trusted but not manipulated
- The only option other than submitting to God is to run from the Only One who can give comfort
- 2 Samuel 7:1-7.
1. Why am I doing this?
2. If someone in my circumstances came to me for advice what course of action would I recommend?
3. In light of my past experience, my future hopes, and my dreams, what is the wise thing to do?
your decision-making environments are not emotionally neutral
In emotionally charged decision-making environments, we often assume cause-and-effect relationship that done't really exist.
Successful people are successful bc they were willing to apply the lessons they learned from others.
The old I become, the more energized I've become about listening to those who are farther down the road than I am.
The course you have set relationally, financially, spiritually, and professionally will determine where you end up in each of those respective arenas.
2. If someone in my circumstances came to me for advice what course of action would I recommend?
3. In light of my past experience, my future hopes, and my dreams, what is the wise thing to do?
your decision-making environments are not emotionally neutral
In emotionally charged decision-making environments, we often assume cause-and-effect relationship that done't really exist.
Successful people are successful bc they were willing to apply the lessons they learned from others.
The old I become, the more energized I've become about listening to those who are farther down the road than I am.
The course you have set relationally, financially, spiritually, and professionally will determine where you end up in each of those respective arenas.