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lydiajlong's reviews
156 reviews
All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
"I'd spent my entire adult life looking for someone I'd already found. Looking for something else about him. For what his face looked like in this light or that ... looking up and down the lives of those who'd also searched for him and found him to see if they'd stumbled onto something I'd missed."
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I was not prepared for how I would respond to this memoir. I was shocked at how much Beth Moore's story resonated with my own story. I was surprised at all the emotions and tears this brought up for me. As a woman in ministry who also started by serving middle school girls, so much of this book was comforting to me. I felt very seen and known in such a unique way. I would recommend this to any woman to read, but especially to any woman in ministry.
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I was not prepared for how I would respond to this memoir. I was shocked at how much Beth Moore's story resonated with my own story. I was surprised at all the emotions and tears this brought up for me. As a woman in ministry who also started by serving middle school girls, so much of this book was comforting to me. I felt very seen and known in such a unique way. I would recommend this to any woman to read, but especially to any woman in ministry.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Death, Grief, Rape, and Misogyny
Why I Am Still Surprised by the Voice of God: How God Speaks Today Through Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions by Jack Deere, Jack Deere
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
"A wilderness lies between knowing God loves us and feeling his love for us."
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This was a super informative and yet challenging read. Jack Deere unpacks Scripture to help us see the early church a bit clearer and see how Spiritual Gifts in general were used amongst the early church. He uses a lot of personal stories and shares his own journey and research which is helpful for those of us approaching this with zero context or understanding of prophecy. He is very transparent and vulnerable and shares some heavy situations so I would advise readers that this is also a heavy read.
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This was a super informative and yet challenging read. Jack Deere unpacks Scripture to help us see the early church a bit clearer and see how Spiritual Gifts in general were used amongst the early church. He uses a lot of personal stories and shares his own journey and research which is helpful for those of us approaching this with zero context or understanding of prophecy. He is very transparent and vulnerable and shares some heavy situations so I would advise readers that this is also a heavy read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, and Rape
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
"In a world where scarcity and shame dominate and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It's even a little dangerous at times."
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This book was encouraging and eye-opening. I appreciated all of the research and connections Brene made and the many examples of what vulnerability can look like in relationships, at work, in parenting. I'm taking away some helpful thoughts about leadership and how I lead volunteers and staff I work with. Also taking away some helpful thoughts about discomfort and how growth comes through discomfort. I don't have to numb it away with the "shadow comforts" but I can lean in and stretch and grow through the discomfort.
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This book was encouraging and eye-opening. I appreciated all of the research and connections Brene made and the many examples of what vulnerability can look like in relationships, at work, in parenting. I'm taking away some helpful thoughts about leadership and how I lead volunteers and staff I work with. Also taking away some helpful thoughts about discomfort and how growth comes through discomfort. I don't have to numb it away with the "shadow comforts" but I can lean in and stretch and grow through the discomfort.
Breaking Free from Body Shame: Dare to Reclaim What God Has Named Good by Jess Connolly
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
"Worship is the healing our bodies need. When we are enthralled by the glory of God, we will start seeing everything else in its proper light."
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This book was so impactful for me. Jess Connolly walks you through this difficult, messy, private issue as if she's a good friend. At one point she writes about wishing she could be across the table at coffee with the reader -- her writing really accomplishes that feeling. By the end, she feels like a friend who's walked with you through so much healing and freedom.
•
I'd recommend this book for any person that often feels like their body is a project, a stumbling block, or thing to be fixed or wrangled into submission. Looking forward to more of us walking in abundance of life with a kingdom-mindset for our bodies!
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This book was so impactful for me. Jess Connolly walks you through this difficult, messy, private issue as if she's a good friend. At one point she writes about wishing she could be across the table at coffee with the reader -- her writing really accomplishes that feeling. By the end, she feels like a friend who's walked with you through so much healing and freedom.
•
I'd recommend this book for any person that often feels like their body is a project, a stumbling block, or thing to be fixed or wrangled into submission. Looking forward to more of us walking in abundance of life with a kingdom-mindset for our bodies!
Content Warnings
For content warnings about this book -- Jess Connolly has a helpful disclaimer at the beginning that she's purposefully written this book so that it's safe to read without reliving incredibly painful moments or memories.
Small Groups for the Rest of Us: How to Design Your Small Groups System to Reach the Fringes by Chris Surratt
informative
fast-paced
3.75
"Jesus is saying that the credibility of His life and message in the eyes of unbelievers is dependent upon the way we as His followers relate with one another. Somehow their belief and our behavior are connected." (i.e. John 17:20-21)
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I'm not sure this book aged well for a myriad of reasons. There were some helpful nuggets that came out of this book so if you're a small group pastor or point person, it could still be helpful to dig in!
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I'm not sure this book aged well for a myriad of reasons. There were some helpful nuggets that came out of this book so if you're a small group pastor or point person, it could still be helpful to dig in!
Rooted: Connect with God, The Church, Your Purpose by Mariners Church
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Really helpful curriculum to go through as a small group or bring to your church as a spiritual formation practice. I appreciated how approachable, meaningful, and broad this study was. I took a handful of church interns through the study this summer and it was very beneficial for the group. Definitely recommend!
Is God Calling Me?: Answering the Question Every Believer Asks by Jeff Iorg
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
"Good leaders are lifelong learners."
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This book may be helpful for some trying to understand their calling, but I think there may be other more helpful books I would recommend above this. I'm not sure the author created a solid biblical argument for the various callings he outlines in the book. There is also a quick moment where the author really lost me in his interpretation of Bathsheba's story and character. She was referred to as a mistress committing adultery, but nothing talked about the subjugation and oppression of women and that she was a rape victim by the king. I found his description of Bathsheba very telling for most of the interpretation of Scripture in this book.
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There are some helpful descriptions and reflection questions that may be beneficial for some. I would take what you can and leave the rest and keep exploring Scripture and your calling with the Lord.
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This book may be helpful for some trying to understand their calling, but I think there may be other more helpful books I would recommend above this. I'm not sure the author created a solid biblical argument for the various callings he outlines in the book. There is also a quick moment where the author really lost me in his interpretation of Bathsheba's story and character. She was referred to as a mistress committing adultery, but nothing talked about the subjugation and oppression of women and that she was a rape victim by the king. I found his description of Bathsheba very telling for most of the interpretation of Scripture in this book.
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There are some helpful descriptions and reflection questions that may be beneficial for some. I would take what you can and leave the rest and keep exploring Scripture and your calling with the Lord.
The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life by Laurie Beth Jones
inspiring
fast-paced
2.5
"A personal mission statement acts as both a harness and a sword -- harnessing you to what is true about your life, and cutting away all that is false."
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There are some very helpful items in this book for people struggling to figure out their mission or vision in life. I would encourage other books that would be more helpful -- to start, I would much rather encourage someone to read Garden City by John Mark Comer and I believe something like that would be more meaningful for someone.
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My concern is how Laurie Beth Jones uses Scripture and even at one point, I think she tries to summarize the gospel and very clearly has the gospel all wrong. Or at the least, she crafts a confusing paragraph that can point people in the opposite way of the gospel.
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There are some helpful exercises Laurie provides that could help people create a mission statement for their life, but I would encourage you to go into this book with a lot of discernment.
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There are some very helpful items in this book for people struggling to figure out their mission or vision in life. I would encourage other books that would be more helpful -- to start, I would much rather encourage someone to read Garden City by John Mark Comer and I believe something like that would be more meaningful for someone.
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My concern is how Laurie Beth Jones uses Scripture and even at one point, I think she tries to summarize the gospel and very clearly has the gospel all wrong. Or at the least, she crafts a confusing paragraph that can point people in the opposite way of the gospel.
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There are some helpful exercises Laurie provides that could help people create a mission statement for their life, but I would encourage you to go into this book with a lot of discernment.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“The more hopeless you were, the further away they hid you.”
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There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure I could finish this book; there are some difficult moments. It did feel meaningful to be allowed into someone’s mind like this and have a perspective of what some struggle with. I found Plath’s writing so beautiful, relatable at moments, and so honest. I’m grateful for the read but ready to pass along to my neighborhood Little Free Library!
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There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure I could finish this book; there are some difficult moments. It did feel meaningful to be allowed into someone’s mind like this and have a perspective of what some struggle with. I found Plath’s writing so beautiful, relatable at moments, and so honest. I’m grateful for the read but ready to pass along to my neighborhood Little Free Library!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Mental illness
Building a Disciple-Making Ministry: The Timeless Principles of Arthur Flake for Sunday School and Small Groups by Ken Braddy, Allan Taylor
informative
fast-paced
3.75
"The churches that enlist properly and provide training for leaders clearly have stronger ministries led by more effective leaders."
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I loved learning about Arthur Flake and seeing how the principles he developed and practiced 100 years ago still effect our ministries and still influence how we help people connect to God and community. Some of the common-day applications the authors made didn't seem to fit well into my church's or city's culture. So you'll want to use your own discretion to prayerfully walk through the principles and how they could apply in your unique context. Overall, encouraging read and grateful to know more about Arthur Flake.
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I loved learning about Arthur Flake and seeing how the principles he developed and practiced 100 years ago still effect our ministries and still influence how we help people connect to God and community. Some of the common-day applications the authors made didn't seem to fit well into my church's or city's culture. So you'll want to use your own discretion to prayerfully walk through the principles and how they could apply in your unique context. Overall, encouraging read and grateful to know more about Arthur Flake.