Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Age Self-Determinism in a Christian Wrapper, 5 Oct 2004
Trying mix the positive thinking of Robert Schuller, and the faith movement theology of Paul Yonggi Cho and Kenneth Copeland, Osteen has taken the stadium seminar circuit to a new level. Augmented now by this book, "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential" he pushes the find the god/champion within yourself.People who are down on their luck, or discouraged with life will find Osteen a good read. "Getting your mind off of yourself," with the goal of self-fulfillment should appeal also to readers of Wayne W. Dyer and other authors looking to reach those who feel disenfranchised. Osteen's rambling, choppy speaking style comes through, written like he's campaigning for office. Reading like a seminar set to print, it sums as quickly as reading through its self-determinist table of contents: 1. Enlarge your vision
2. Develop a healthy self-image
3. Discover the power of your thoughts and words
4. Let go of the past
5. Find strength through adversity
6. Live to give
7. Choose to be happy The steps sound innocuous, and, outside of their religious context, are. Within their religious context, evangelicals and charismatics will likely find offense at Osteen's assertions about controlling your own destiny as opposed to letting God control it. Aim a little higher, and check out Rick Warren's "The Purpose-Driven Life." Anthony Trendl
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If this book doesn't bring hope from despair - I don't know what will!, 21 Nov 2007
This is Pastor Joel Osteen's first book; Mr Osteen is the Pastor of America's largest growing church, Lakewood in Houston, Tx.
This book takes us through a program of seven life changing processes to improve the darkest thoughts, the negative approaches, and basically fills you with a respect for life.
No matter your troubles you will always see a positive ending, remember life was not meant to be a party and one with no troubles, but it's having a positive approach that makes all the difference. There is no doubt in my mind we make our own luck in this world. What I mean by that is, if you expect the worst and negative things to happen they will, if you expect to be triumphant throughout life then no matter what you are faced with, things happen for a reason and you will win through in the end.
Change your mindset and read this book, this book is better than any self-help manual out there.
Now, there are some misery guts still living in the 18th century who will tell you "this is not God's will", well God's will is to enjoy life and be rich and fulfilling in all you do, that doesn't mean necessarily an accumulation of wealth, what it means is enjoy your life no matter what you do.
Some of Pastor Osteen's approaches do go a little OTT, I mean he thinks we should probably be smiling all day everyday, holding our bibles, skipping down the street singing "everything is beautiful in its own way", of course real life is not like that. Real life knows how to approach your difficulties and practical ways of problem solving. Joel Osteen provides a means to do just that.
It's the only self-help manual you will need, and read several times.
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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a fabulous book, 11 Oct 2005
By A Customer
Pastor Joel Osteen has written a fabulous, encouraging, Bible-based book which should help and support all Christians and probably non-Christians as well.
The theme is how to enjoy your life and excel no matter what your circumstances may be. The ideas are illustrated by stories from the author`s own experience and those of his family and people with whom he has worked; supported by Bible quotations and helpful explanations on how act on the principles.
Many people are depressed by events in their lives, and there has been a fashion for the cognitive approach to treating depression by therapists. Pastor Joel, while noting that sad feelings usually result from sad thoughts, takes this one step further, reminding us that negativity and misery are not to be
accepted in the Christian life, quoting, for example, St Paul-
"we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"(NIV translation, my own copy). The biblical approach is extremely powerful, and it is interesting to see by how much the New Testament preaching predates today`s fashionable ideas.
Pastor Joel does acknowledge also that depressive illness is not as simple as just "depressed" feelings.
I appreciate the book very much.It has inspired me to go deeper into the Bible verses quoted. It should encourage readers to study the Bible.
Pastor Joel`s book is excellent and I recommend it very highly.
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