Seriously.
I met Jud through my friend Mike Foster. The two of those guys authored a great book called Deadly Viper Character Assassins and every once in a while, I pop over and contribute on the Deadly Viper blog.
Jud and I met face to face for the first time at Catalyst, although he had helped me process some significant changes in my life before then.
He’s also part Texan. Which I dig.
Jud had a book release a few weeks ago called Eyes Wide Open: See and Live the Real You. I haven’t finished it yet, but that doesn’t stop me from recommending it to you.
Why?
I have always had a HUGE problem accepting WHO I am…the person God has created me to be. It’s been difficult to embrace the quirky, awkward, not always put together, sometimes shy girl who gets sweaty feet when she’s nervous. And as such, I would always try super hard to prove myself.
To God. And to others.
I am definitely on a journey to find my identity in Christ. And that is what this book is about.
And since we’re back to giving books away on Thursdays, I have ten copies of Jud’s book to giveaway.
All you have to do is leave a comment talking about your own journey to finding your identity or embracing who you are. I’ll pick 10 comments at random and contact the winners by email next Thursday.
If you can’t wait that long, pick up a copy of Jud’s book here.
Comments
95 responses to “Book Giveaway – Eyes Wide Open”
I am definitely interested in this book. I have found that although I am Gods creation, I am always evolving. The more I learn, the more I realize I dont know much at all. I am on quest to know God intimately more than the day before, and through that journey I will better understand who I am in Christ. I desire to use everything I learn to help someone else.
On a side note, I thank God for your heart.
Kelli?s last blog post..The Simple Things
Oh boy, this one speaks to me! In a nutshell, I am still far from figuring out who I am, and even farther from embracing it. But I love that God is in control of it all and has orchestrated my every breath. There is such comfort in that! Just knowing that no matter what we go through in this life (and I’ve been through some doozies!) He is in control. Makes it all seem like it can never really be that bad if He’s in control the whole time. Well at least now it does- I never seems like that at the time. ;)
Melody?s last blog post..Lots of words.
I’ve always had a hard time dealing with the over-weight, uncomfortable in her own skin, awkward person that I am. It’s gotten a little easier as I’ve gotten older and found that I don’t care about what people that I’m not close to think of me, but still struggle with what those I do care about think. Age tends to be a great healer and I’ve found that since reaching and surpassing the age of 40, I’ve found that what others think of me can’t hurt me as much as it did growing up; and boy those younger days really were full of hurt for a kind child who loved and trusted way too many people way too much.
Spiky Sandy?s last blog post..Trip to Kathy’s
Its funny that the thing right in front of your face is the thing called you to. I also had been running from the identity God developed my personality for. It wasn’t what the cool kids were doing. Now I am grown and have embraced my gifting and am successful here. I should have been the real me all along
I always struggle with trying to be like “insert big name pastor here” instead of being who God wants me to be. My journey has been rough as you know Anne. Thanks for letting me post
rahul?s last blog post..Honda + Vimeo = amazing!
Wow. This sounds so much like the struggle I have faced for years. I have trouble accepting who I am, what I’ve done and what I need to do to get past all of it so that I can really be who I am. I have learned a great deal about all of this through therapy and great friends, but I still have a long ways to go on the road to really being me. Thanks for the chance to share that, Anne. Admitting is the first step, right?!
I’ll go first then, shall I?!
My journey has taken a ton of twists and turns in the last year and a half especially. I dropped out of university in Jan 2008, after growing discontented with the direction it was taking my life: the suburbs. I never wanted a 9-5, high powered, high paying job… at least, not thus far. Immediately after leaving uni, I spent a month in the US working through the ramifications of that. I have really vivid memories of sitting in Cold Stone at the end of that trip, writing a list of ‘the person I want to be, regardless of what I do”. I wrote about my dreams. About who I wanted to become. About the idealism of believe photographs really can change the world.
Last summer, I took my first trip to Africa. Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya. It wrecked me – Africa get’s under your skin in a way that no other place does. I got to pursue my passion for photography, capturing & documenting what the charity (Fields Of Life) does. It blew me away to know I could use my gifts to make a difference, and not have to fit into the mould of everyone else. My grannys opinion was that I needed to ‘get a teaching degree, so I could really make a difference to the kids in Africa’. But I don’t. Photographs can & do change the world.
I guess my journey is embracing the idealism, embracing my hyperactivity, my ADD. My journey is knowing that I’m loved for who I am – young, idealistic, and a little bit crazy.
emma?s last blog post..Rescue Me!
The book sounds amazing would love to read it. I think often we look to others to find our identity in Christ. We see someone who seems to have it together and we think..oh I must need to be like them. But the reality is God has created us each with our own very unique identity. I love something Joel Osteen says. You are the only person who can be you. We need to embrace who God created us to be. He created us all very unique. And we were all created to reflect his glory. God bless!
Yeah, so I am definitely interested in that book. Last year I was in a very unpleasant situation and without me noticing, I cracked one joke after another and became very sarcastic. I thought it was all fun, but it wasn’t for the people around me! I hurt them badly and didn’t even realise it!
Fortunately I had a friend who told me that I pretty much sucked. That day I cried and cried and cried and the only one I could turn to was Jesus. He forgave me for what I had done, but also reminded me of the fact that He should always be the center of my life. not my situation, not my feelings or emotions, but just Him.
I’m still learning, but I love that I came out of that situation last year with friends who showed a lot of grace for me… And I learned to trust Him more and rely on Him even when things are not comfortable!
I would be interested in this book. My journey involves coming through a semi-religious family with an active Protestant parent and a backslidden Catholic parent that divorced when I was 17. I met Christ, but continued to struggle with who I was in Christ, doing vs. being, and finding and pursuing a ministry vocational calling. I have also struggled as a church leader with balancing sound, biblical theology with creating relevant, missional ministries. Why do we as church leaders believe that success is either preaching sound doctrinal sermons or reaching lots of lost people and making them feel comfortable? Can’t we still reach people with sound doctrine and still communicate that we care about them as people? Just some random thoughts.
Matt Haines?s last blog post..On the Road – Chicago
Finding your own identity or embracing who you are …… WOW! to me, this is such a process! There are days I think I know and then days I wonder “what the heck did I do today that was purposeful?” But the thing is this: God has a purpose for all of us; and if we choose to stay in the center of God’s will, we WILL be who He has planned for us. Embrace that being!
My journey started with my divorce almost 2 years ago. Lots of personal tests (strengths finder, Meyers Briggs, etc), some serious soul searching, topped off with a healthy dose of look at my past, owning my mistakes and then learning how God will use them to help others. Today i’m still discovering who i am, but i’m not as worried about it as i used to be. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and i’m just doing the best i can for my Father today and letting Him dictate tomorrow….
I think as christians we all have a point in our life where we try to figure out who we are.. Who are we in the kingdom of god? Who are we to be in this lost & dying world.. I think that as each day passes & we allow god to mold us we start to become who He wants us to be.. So really as we figure out who we are. We need to first & foremost remember that we are a called & chosen generation & we are kings kids!! We need to Keep trusting God & allow him to guide us & show us what he wants from us!! I think that as each day passes I understand more & more of why my relationship with christ helps me be who I really am. Anyone agree?? Glad ur giving away this book.. Looks like it will make a great read! God bless u!
Wow Anne – I can totally identify! I was a PK in a PH church. I was the nerdy quirky girl w/ limbs too long for her body that liked music and drama in a very sports-oriented family. The older sister of a fashionista (of sorts) who was always criticized (b/c I’m ill-proportioned) for her “bad” fashion. Clumbsy and shy and too skinny to be of use to anyone. The “good girl” who became a game to all the boys of “who can get her to go the farthest”. And somehow, I wound up married to a firey, creative genius man of God in a church that not only loves me where I’m at but helps me discover me. One of these days, God will let me know why I’m this way, until then, I’ll keep learning how to use it for His glory!
I would love to have a copy of this book. I too am on the journey to understand who God made me to be. Just when I think I have it figured out, God reminds me He is in control and I’m not as smart as I think I am. My wife’s favorite saying is “God is in Control”. It reminds us that He’s got a plan and we just need to trust Him (it also reminds us of an old Twila Paris song – for good or bad, you decide). It has come up a lot lately as we are adopting our second child right now and there are a lot of things I cannot manage in the process (when will the baby be here, will his mom change her mind, etc…).
Queen of the People Pleasers, here. And always trying to please people is probably just a symptom of trying to please God.
Anyway, my breakthrough came during a crisis. I’m a church baby, showed up at 3 weeks old and never left. Seriously, never. Most of the time I wasn’t even a reluctant church-goer – I had a lot of passion. I was a worship leader and spoke often at chapels and meetings.
Then during my second pregnancy (with twins) something went wrong. Our babies were born 15 weeks early and one of them was just too small and sick to live. We sang her to Heaven with tears and lots of questions. Our surviving daughter weighed less than 2 lbs and would fight, fight, fight for her life in that hospital for 115 days. During this time in the hospital all I could do was sit and think and pray. I learned a lot of things about myself and how I wanted to live.
I told my husband, “You know what, it really isn’t that important if I pick the perfect worship songs . . . if I deliver a powerful message. THIS is what matters, life and death and family.”
I also learned that my faith worked. My “charmed” life up until that point had often been described by others as “perfect”. I usually agreed. I had a great upbringing. I married the man of my dreams. It was pretty easy to be a Christian because my life was generally going my way anyway. Then the worst thing possible happened – I buried my child. And I found out my faith worked even then, even when the worst thing possible happens.
In short, I found myself less eager to please people (especially in terms of ministry performance) and more interested cultivating that authentic faith that actually made a difference in my crisis. It helped me separate the real me from the platform me and that helped a lot.
Felicity?s last blog post..Could you . . .
Shout out to the TEXANS! Especially those living in Las Vegas (Jud).
My personal identity journey really started when I read “Wild at Heart.” This book has helped me understand who I am as a Godly man in Christ. More recently finishing a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy one must be ready to deal with their stuff before one can empty themselves in a counseling session to others. (The Wounded Healer concept)
This truly is a journey as Christ reveals new things each day. Look forward to reading this book.
Lantz Howard?s last blog post..Got a Kick Out of This…
Anne, I’m on a journey (especially in our worship arts environment). There are times I feel that God is saying that I need to be up there to show people his Love through music, but sometimes there are other obstacles in the way such as scheduling conflicts with others at church. I know I can not control that part of it, but it bothers me. I am starting to listen more to god, and thinking that, hey maybe I don’t have to be up there on stage at our church every week. Maybe God wants me to share music through other venues, such as Youtube, my Blog, etc. I am still praying about this and hoping God will smack me and say this is the answer that I want you to know about! I’m listening God….Smack me!
Shawn?s last blog post..Psalm 63
my journey started with intentionally silencing negative nay-sayers in exchange for the positive yeah-sayers in my life. the yeah-sayers remind me of God’s love and grace and mercy. my journey continues with embracing who God says I am and pausing each day to let that truth sink deep.
if i don’t, i am prone to let others invoke an ‘identity theft’ in my life, where i fall pray to outside perceptions and influences. i have packed my bags for this journey, because i know it will be a long road ahead. i always need to remind myself (and be reminded) that God loves me, despite my flaws, and will hold my hand tightly all the way to finish line.
It started a few summers ago at camp, reading the book Authentic Leadership. I did all the tests through the church, but found them trying to put me in a box than free me.
Eventually got let go from a church and went on a mind journey…
I started learning how to accept who God has created me to be AND who he hasn’t created me to be!
I don’t think I’ll every arrive, but the journey is making me discover His identify for me.
Jay Brock @ Sexrev.org?s last blog post..When God is Gone
hmmm…my longest journey was the one that took over 31 years and ended/transitioned with me receiving God’s grace through Christ. :)
and the journey of recovering His image continues…
Where to start?
My last three years have been a journey of completely tanking my life (separated from wife, DUI, fired from a high profile job), repenting (the soul scouring kind), coming back home (literally) and then trying to figure out who I am…or rather who God made me to be.
I did quite an extensive search in the Bible on the topic of identity. And what I found surprised me a little. We are amazing, but only when we are in Christ. He gives us the value, purpose, authority, favor and power that is His. If we abide in Him. It’s this abiding part that it difficult.
The other thing that I found is that abiding requires death. My death. Death to the way that I was living when I was doing “whatever the hell I wanted to thank you very much.” I could not self-help my way out of it. I could not discipline my way out of it. I could not talk my way out of it (and I prided myself on this one). No, it was very simple. Die, Sean, die.
So, I spend the last two years dying.
I unplugged from everything: media, entertainment, books, the web, all of it. It was a big long retreat. A much needed one. I spent time just being me before my Father. I was living for an audience of One, and it was really transformational. One problem though.
If you keep having a retreat, then it turns into hiding.
So, now I am wading back out into the world. And it has been very disorienting. I know who I was before, and I want that man dead. But I don’t know how to be now. It is hard to be in the world, and not have the world be in you. It is challenging to keep my false self from taking over – the persona of me that was successful in the world. To really walk inside-out. To live from my heart. To have the courage to live as a new creation in a world that’s not right.
I’ve been reading “The Way of the Heart” by the late Henri Nouwen. It is striking me to the core. Especially around the area of compulsion. Because I have been out of touch so long, I feel like I am now behind. Like the world has passed me by. That I will never get back ahead. But these are just lies that our world and my own insecurity presses in on me.
Who am I? I am a reconciled son, a blessed husband, a father of three, a priest, an ambassador, and the bride of a returning King. I am a disciple, a seeker, a lover of God first and others second. I am empty, broken, naked, wretched and blind when I am not in Him, but we’re killing that guy, right?
I am also a friend of Mike Foster. (Just saw him at Q last week) And Brad Lomenick is an old friend who told me to follow you. I’m glad that I have. This has been cathartic for me.
I had lunch with a former co-worker (fellow pastor) yesterday. We were talking about why so many pastors are failing and dropping out of ministry. Our conversation went all over the place, but we ended up talking about identity. I believe this is the central issue for every Christian and all of Christian service.
“Know thyself” is to door to living the victorious Christian life. “Knowing Him” is the key to unlock that door.
Steve Lucas?s last blog post..Small Group – Large Love
Growing up in a strong Christian family, I sometimes felt that my Christian identity was based on their walk with God, let’s face it…for a while it was. I was obedient to my parents, which at that point, meant I was obedient to God because they were following God. But when I had to stand on my own faith…I failed miserably. My journey for the past 20 or so years has to been to develop a stronger relationship with Christ daily. Sometimes I fail, sometimes I succeed. I’m always looking for books, other than the Bible, that will help me on this journey.
I almost didn’t post because you already had so many posts and I thought my journey really wouldn’t stand out among all the others….but God uses everyone’s journey to Him to reach other people.
Well, I haven’t blogged on my own blog about this but I have spent the last week sitting like Eeyore asking God if my life is a personal joke and if I will ever be used. Being a 6’4″, 320 pound guy who doesn’t have the right hair, face, body figure and speaking style. Constantly comparing myself to other people my age, 28, and questioning if I will ever be famous, have a book deal, speak in front of hundreds and bring the great revival of the ages.
Then I turn, look in the mirror and think, “psh God can’t use this.”
Self-identity has been the largest struggle of my life, pre-Christian to present day. It is sad to watch the Biggest Loser and instead of using it as inspiration, you use it to self-defeat yourself.
Anyway, I blog about all these things on my own blog, but I do love this blog also. Very transparent and really worth reading. If you want to send me the book, that’s great otherwise I hope it helps someone else.
Seeing Jud smash the mirror really hit home for me. I have walked around my whole life thinking God is perpetually disappointed in me. It is difficult to witness and share your faith when you feel like God sees you as a failure. I would love to read Jud’s book to help re-train my brain to think of myself the way God thinks of me.
I so need this book. I attended Central when I lived in VEgas. I need to learn to accept mistakes made in the past with my children, beg for forgiveness, and hope for the best. I know that I am a child of God, and only he can judge, yet, my oldest daughter can’t bury me leaving the state when they were 18 to take care of my elderly parents in Las Vegas. To her, I am an awful mom, she has not spoken to me, calls me horrible names, and I finally told her it is not up to her to judge, only God/ I have accept Jesus as my savior, and turn the cheek so she can slap th e other.
I am almost 50, I have been saved since I was 5. I still wonder who I really am and if God really approves of who I am. Will this ever end this side of heaven!!!
This book sounds wonderful.
Thanks!
A new friend asked me, in a nutshell, where I was headed — if what I am doing now, is what I want to be doing in 10 years. I was dumbfounded. Do I love what I do? Is it the best thing for myself and my family? Could I ever see myself doing anything different? Where is my life headed? Who did God create me to be anyway? These questions have plagued me over the last two weeks. I would LOVE to read through this book!
CLowe?s last blog post..I Love My Girls
It is so funny that you talk about this today. I am reading a book by Richard Rohr called “Everything Belongs: the Gift of Contemplative Prayer.” This is the quote that has stuck out for me today. . .
“We don’t have any real access to who we are except through God, and we don’t have any real access to God except through forgiving and rejoicing in our own humanity.”
The hardest thing for me is to believe that God sees me through eyes differently than I see myself. I am working on that “forgiving and rejoicing” part!
I would love to read this book… I feel like I’m always on this journey of self exploration.
Actually, right now on my blog, I’m writing a series of posts that I’ve dubbed “The Reality Project.” It’s about discovering who I am, and truly being that person in all facets of my life.
Yeah, so I’m a couple posts into it, and so far… so good.
Whit?s last blog post..TRP- A Big Announcement
It has taken me years to ifentify and accept and celebrate who God made me to be. – to let that true self begin to emerge unashamedly. A crisis is what started me on the journey of asking God to show me some things – places I was broken and unlike Him, and places that were holy and sacred as I was created in His image and to declare His glorious Presence on this earth!
To know God you must first know yourself – because until then we can be busy hiding out, defending, and wearing masks. It is when we joyously say yes to all God created us to be that we can really begin to open wide our hearts and lives for God’s transforming power.
One key area for me was my struggle in being a woman in ministry – I felt a bit uncomfortable with my gifting and even my personality. I thought A) a Christian woman would not be “like me” and B) I also did not lead like the men around me, so I felt doubly like a freak. I compensated in many ways, hiding some true giftedness and all the while secretly bemoaning how I was NOT created!
Now I see that God uses me – creative, artistic, tender hearted, deep thinker, passionate, nurturing – for His glory. It does not make me less of a Christian woman or lesser than a man.
I am now thankful for how God created me.
This book sounds awesome! My journey to find my identity in Christ has been a life-long search. It has “colored” my profession–executive recruiter, my education–master’s degree in Adult Development, and my blog: OPEN MIC: FINDING YOUR TRUE VOICE. Thank you, Anne, for adding to the discussion.
Gloria Rose?s last blog post..Fear & Resetting My ?ON? Button
I work with teenage girls full time so not only am I constantly in the process of figuring out how to be appear confident as a single 20something in full time ministry all the while working through the socially awkward / body image / inadequate feelings on a daily basis. Would love to read this book as I continue on the journey. :)
Brandi?s last blog post..confession.
Wow. How to tell this story in a blog comment:
Born again in 84 I struggled for years with who I was, what life was about, etc. I knew Jesus but I didn’t know Jesus. Mostly I did not know Jesus because I did not know myself. More appropriately, who I was in Him!
My life had it’s ups and downs but not knowing my identity led me down a path of porn, anger and suicidal thoughts….oh and I was a missionary to top it off so there was that whole residual guilt thing.
So when I left the mission field, a friend prayed brokenness for me! Great friend and God answered that prayer. He brought me to the end of myself. While contemplating suicide I cried out to Him and He answered. I began to lay things down in surrender. Galatians 2:20 became real for me.
I know my identity today, though the struggle is to live in it!
Rick Apperson?s last blog post..Out of Focus
Wow! What an opportunity to learn about something I struggle with often. When I think about my internal struggles with my identity in Christ, I often think about Martin Luther. Specifically, the scene from the recent movie (Ray Fiennes starred) where he (Martin) beats himself incessantly because he cannot accept his own identity and the grace that Christ has offered. Internally, I am the same. I struggle to emotionally accept that vision of myself, although intellectually, I understand what all that SHOULD be, something still hasn’t clicked to make that a reality for me. I read everything I can get my hands on in this regard, hoping that someone will explain it in such a way as to elicit that CLICK in my head. Therefore, Anne, I hope that you will choose my comment. Thank you and God’s blessings!
Wow, this speaks to so many people. Including me. I don’t think any of us are entirely comfortable in our own skin. And really? I think we are made that way on purpose because if not, would we wholeheartedly seek God and the changes that walking with Him brings? Even though the closeness with God brings me comfort and healing and peace, it also brings a discontentment with stagnancy.
While there are some things that I needed (and need) to change about myself, there are many other things I just need to learn to appreciate better. I have a tendency to speak my mind and for a long time, I tried to just keep my mouth shut. I’m learning that there is a time and place for everything and there are times when it is fine to say what everyone is thinking but no one is saying. I’m learning to discern when speaking out is hurtful with no benefit and when it is benefical, even though it may hurt for a moment.
I am so grateful that God is leading me and that I’m not where I was. Sometimes I don’t like myself but more often, I’m finding that contentment that only He can bring.
This is funny timing, although, maybe it isn’t funny, just poignant?
I had a conversation with a friend recently where he said to me, “You will NEVER be totally free until you see yourself as God sees you.”
Ugh. I know! I’m trying. It’s hard to see yourself in any other light than the one inside your own head, which can be a rather ugly light. So, I’m starting to keep that thought at the front of my brain, “How DOES God see me? Why did he make me the way I am…Why does he delight in me? What does he long for me to know?”
And while I know The Bible ultimately holds the truth, sometimes it helps to hear it from someone else’s mouth,er, book…to put it in a way that is easily digested, a way that gets it straight to the source. Like a disolvable aspirin, only less gross.
Paloma?s last blog post..Brainstorm, but not the productive kind.
i didn’t “know” who i was until i was about 30 years old. i hate that. that i was so insecure in who i was, that i couldn’t just BE ME. i’d LOVE to read this book for insight…as i’m parenting 4 little ones and i hope to give them the confidence in who they are at a YOUNG age!
Courtney?s last blog post..Stamp out Hunger!!!
Journey is such a great word! You can wind and spin and stop and rest and run and fall and revisit, but you’re not done…by grace through Jesus Christ. I NEED to read this book
I’ve struggled with my character all my life and still do but it’s getting better. I grew up with a Christian background with my grandparents but also grew up with my parents divorcing when I was 4 years old and being abused from the age 5-9 years. I went through the drugs, the cutting, the suicide attempts and why me God. I became a “true” follower of Christ in 2000 upon seeing Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade in Ventura, California. My husband, whom I had just met, was a strong Christian and talked me into going. Long story short, I was saved that night. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I was baptized that summer in the ocean and began my new life. I still have my ups and downs but I’m starting to finally know who I am after so long. The breaking of the mirror really hit home with me both last year and this year when Pastor Jud did it on stage. We often forget that God sees us as perfect in his eyes. His child. We have to learn to trust in God more and that’s not always easy to give up. I also really liked what Jud said last night at First Wednesday about the temptation that follows after becoming reborn. I had terrible nightmares of demons to the point where I was afraid of going to sleep. My husband just kept telling me to pray over the blood of Christ and I did and cried until it went away. I was never told by my pastor, at the time, why this happens. My husband told me it’s because Satan is losing me and wants me back and I should feel privaledged that I’m that important to fight over. I said, “Um yea, I can do without the demonic dreams thank you”. I’ve grown so much spiritually in my 4 1/2 years of attending Central. Jud just hits the nail on the head, makes me laugh, is at my level and makes me understand what he’s talking about instead of having someone preach to me to the point of falling asleep. Thank you Pastor Jud and all Central staff!
I just recently found this book and it’s now on my list to read… Must read Mad Church Disease…then Eyes Wide Open! :) I’m almost scared to read this book because it will really make me face the ugly truth….that God has MUCH more for me than what I think. I really struggle with accepting the person God created me to be. I have passions, desires and strengths. I KNOW these are all from Him, but I convince myself I’m not good enough to do the things He’s put in me. So I settle, I waste my time…and worst of all HIS time.
I’m on a huge, exciting journey and God is waking up the desires He’s put in me. I can’t wait to read this book!! Thanks for recommending it!
kara-kae james?s last blog post..marriage keys
My father passed away in a drinking and driving accident when I was 6 years old, right before I began first grade. My parents had recently divorced prior to that and as the oldest…I just assumed that a lot of what was going wrong in my world was because *I* wasn’t “good enough.” In my own way I tried for years and years afterward to be as perfect as possible. Perfect daughter, sister, friend. Perfect grades a must. Community service, church volunteer. I did everything I could to be the perfect Christian girl.
It’s only in the last few years that I’ve been able to break out of that (to some extent) and realize that my identity in Christ has nothing to do with meeting whatever markers of success I, or the world, set up. Now, as a law student, I’m the small fish in a BIG intellectual pond. It’s been humbling and I’ve felt like my identity as “the smart girl” is gone…because everyone here is brilliant. God has been reassuring me, though, in many gentle ways that who I am to HIM has very little to do with meeting the world’s expectations and very much to do with meeting his.
The two rarely match up.
The book sounds really interesting!
Chere?s last blog post..R is for Restitution Damages, Reliance?.oh heck, it?s *really* for Reese
I am struggling right now to get back to who I am. I have found myself trapped in a 9-5 position that has nothing to do with anything I care about. The only thing I care about is that they pay me every two weeks, but even that has begun to not matter that much to me. I have a ministry degree, big dreams, lots of ideas, and yet I allowed myself to go down a road that has left me comfortable (financially) but unhappy on nearly every other level. I am been trying to build up the courage to exit the world of what is most socially acceptable in our society (two spouses working full-time in order to keep up with their spending-more-than-we-make lifestyle). God, help me!
I used to think I knew who I was…then I got married and became dependant which went against my character. Then I became a mother and 7 years later found myself lost and confused. I felt like I didn’t know who I was, who God wanted me to be or who I was with God. I became very depressed and my husband and I started having problems. It was a really bad time in my life. One night in a hotel room I dropped to the floor and begged God to help me and show me the way. Slowly he started changing my heart and I starting seeing who I was meant to be. I no longer feel lost but I am still on a journey to figuring out who I am. It’s a long one and it helps to have other insights into how to figure that out. :)
I love listening to Judd preach and hear his insights on the world and God. He used to be our pastor and we have missed him greatly. I am definitely going to have to check this book out and see what his thoughts are on finding who you are and who God leads you to be. It sounds very good and I’m excited to read it!
I would love to read through this book. It was when I was 20 that I learned about my identity in Christ and realized how my insecurities kept me from being who God created me to be. I’ve come a looooong way in these last 9 years, but I know I still have a looooong way to go.
My current struggle- balancing my roles and doing what I feel created to do. I’m a pastors wife & mom, and feel called to ministry, leadership, and writing. Just trying to balance it all, not compare myself to others, and be confident in Christ.
I’ve had a surprising time adjusting to my role as a mom. I don’t want to be anything else, but I didn’t think I’d be so, BAD at it. And that’s where I think a book like Eyes Wide Open may help in the whole, acceptance part, Of myself, and my beeyootiful children.
I am so interested in this! I grew up in an, um, interesting family… but then, how much does family really affect who you are? Really?
What really started me thinking about identity when working for a ministry that was quite determined to define for me who i was. And it wasn’t until I put a lot of distance between me and that ministry that the reason that had HURT so much was because THEY WERE WRONG. I’ve been trying to figure out exactly how wrong they were for a while now.
Sounds like a great book, and I would love to read it. I am a fixer, and more times than not I try to take on the world and fix everything in it. Every person that I meet with problems I take on to “fix” and while it is rewarding to invest so much of yourself into others – I have to learn where to draw the line, and when enough is enough… it’s a journey… and I am a work in progress…
Would love the insight on this from the book!
Brittany?s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
My journey to find who I am in God’s view – WOW…I am currently involved in Celebrate Recovery to peel away the masks I have worn for years. My husband is a recovering alcoholic and I am recovering from my co-dependency (or as I like to call it…addiction to other’s approval and perfectionism). If you know anything about a 12-step recovery program, I am currently in the 4th step…making an honest inventory of my life (resentments, fears, hurts, etc.). This included the good and the bad. I was just talking with my sponsor today about us finding some good books to continue to help us as we are both leaders in our local Celebrate Recovery. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
Alison?s last blog post..American Idol – "What a Set-Up" Week
For the past few years, finding my identity has actually been a process of REfinding my identity. Wounds from tragic circumstances and the breakdown of close personal relationships have led me to many dark nights of the soul and I’ve seen how my understanding of my identity has really been damaged. I’m in process, as we all are, and it is obvious that knowing one’s identity in Christ is one of the main issues when it comes to being a healthy person and having a thriving spiritual walk. Thanks for the blog and bringing the book to light. All I have left to say is, PICK ME!
MY journey with self-acceptance, like many, starts with a lack of a father relationship. I can accept the awkrward, quirkiness of who I am, but because I lacked that person saying “you are a perfect picture of beauty” I struggle to accept the good I contribute. The voice in my head says “you have nothing to contribute”… “who you are is not worth the time that it takes to invest in you”… (wow. melodramatic much?… hmmm…) So, yes. Here I am on this journey of self acceptance- honestly struggling. ok. thanks for giving me the spot to share. -k
kam?s last blog post..climbing things.
I would love to own this book! I listened to Jud talk about it online one Sunday and I couldn’t believe that it was truly ME! It is the me that I need to be working on! I am doing so well in most other area’s of my life but I struggle with finding me, having confidence in me, finding who I truly am and being able to walk with my head held high. I want this so badly and with my own photography business, I struggle with this because I don’t have the confidence in myself! I have always put everyone else before me and haven’t taken care of myself therefor losing myself in the process.
I am on a journey to know, really know who I am in Christ. To accept and see myself as He does. A long journey, but I’m putting one foot in front of the other and doing the pick and shovel work needed.
It seems like every time I think I’m learning who I am something happens that totally changes the way I think. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the last five years or so, but I feel like I’ve got thousands of miles yet to go. I think it’s hardest for me to believe that God can love me when I don’t even like myself most days, I’m learning though, that He loves so much deeper than I ever could… and that the relationship I have and the love I feel for my children is probably the closest I’ll ever come to loving like He does. My kids make mistakes, and it doesn’t make me love them less, and I know God loves me even when I’m not loving Him the way I should.
Juli?s last blog post..Pride/Shame
I’ll be on this journey the rest of my life, I presume. I don’t fully know who I am, but who I’ve been up to this point, I don’t like. That’s why I need Christ in my life – to guide me to who He wants me to be.
It came to me (via God’s nudging) how much I still (at 40!) dwell too much on my looks. Too fat, too thin (really) – now saggy, now gray – and I worry MORE about what strangers think than family members! I must do a daily examination, and find mercy at the cross – and let Him embrace and love me. Wholly and truly believe – then all those other things/people will not make up so much of my thoughts!
It is really sad how many of us don’t love ourselves – His fearfully, wonderfully made creations! He made no mistakes – nor can we forget He called all his creation GOOD.
God Bless – Love your blog/writing/you – first time commenting. :D
Hi Anne,
I have recently discovered you and your blog, and off the back of this have bought some of your recommendations (The Voice, The Divine Commodity) and also your book, Mad Church Disease. Wow! Your story, and your book have spoken directly to me. My wife and I have been serving/leading/creating/directing in church for a long time; for the past 7 years I have been heading up the worship/creative arts at a church plant (while working full time and raising a gorgeous family). I didn’t realise what burnout was, I didn’t know how to stop. And I’m not tired, I’m still passionate about church, the local church is the hope of the world. But I/We’ve reached a stage now where we don’t know where we’re going, we have spent all our time doing and not being, and we’re slowly realising that we need to rediscover our relationship with Christ. Thank you for your book, than you for your honesty, and than you for helping us identify our current position. It’s not unti you step back and look from the outside. We will get through this, we are looking forward to the next stage of life/service, and we’re really together as a family. So this summer we’re going to take the time out to just “be” and to rediscover Jesus.
I returned to seminary almost 2 years ago after spending 8 plus years as a pastor. What a eye opening experience it was living without my identity as a pastor. I have/are working a couple jobs (one at a factory, one at Starbucks) where I am just Kevin, not Kevin the pastor of so and so church. It is has been refreshing just as w diving off a cliff into a large pool of bone-chilling water is refreshing. The water renews, but the fall — it is frightening. I continue to work out what it means to learn to write, teach, and pastor without being a career minister . Mother Theresa summed up our true identity well when she said…
Do not worry about your career. Concern yourself with your vocation, and that is to be lovers of Jesus.
So here is to concerning ourselves with our common vocation – loving Jesus well.
I am a traveler on a journey toward the heart of God. I want to know Him more, Love Him more, reflect His glory and majesty more in my life, and ultimately I have found that my journey is one step at a time.
I succeed for a while. Even run sometimes at a great pace toward my goal, but too often I find myself stumbling or stopping along the way…never really turning back, but getting tired none the less. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever “make it” to my destination. But then I remember that it’s in the journey…it’s in the process that Steve Furnick talked about at Catalyst 08 that I find myself.
May you be blessed as you pass along a blessing of this book to others.
I am who He says I am!
It seems the more I find out who I am in Christ, the more confused I become! God sees me totally different than I do. I have always been blunt and bold when it came to living a life of sin. I wasn’t shy a bit! But that changed a lot when I came to faith in Christ and God is not having it! He doesn’t want me behind the scenes all the time … even if that is where I am comfortable being. :)
I had this preconceived notion of how I should act and what I should do. God is blowing that totally out of the water and showing me that He gave me my sense of humor and my boldness and my bluntness and that they can edify the Body of Christ. It’s still a struggle though. I want to hide some days and I don’t want to do some of the things He wants. What is funny is that as much as I don’t want to do some of the things He wants … He is pushing me to do it and I can’t tell Him no. He has put the desire in me to do His will and I cannot help but obey.
It is a wild ride … for sure! :)
Angel?s last blog post..WNTDIC: First Edition
at 34 i am not sure i really know who i am yet.
i know it involves being hidden in christ.
i know that i am a drastically different person than i was 6 years ago.
i know that my journey is mine alone, mine and God’s, and that every step i take closer to him is one step further. and that my journey is my story.
and i love telling stories.
Sarah Markley?s last blog post..Planning Worry
growing up with a perfectionist and very controlling father who lived in the public eye left me incredibly confused about who God really made me to be. I tried so hard to please my dad (and a pathetic parade of men in my dating years), hacking off any parts of my personality that seemed distasteful and putting on all sorts of roles that seemed to be what they wanted. I’ve been a chameleon for so many years that my hearts cry for the last 5 or so has been “Lord, what do YOU see? Who did you create me to be?”. And sadly, i still don’t know. So yeah, maybe a book would help?!
I’m still searching and seeking and I’m okay with that. Even if I don’t reach my destination here in this life, just being able to make the journey will be worth it. While I embrace and am so grateful for the good parts, I also am grateful for every struggle, every setback, every wrong turn. It seems that it is during those times that I find more of Christ and who I really am in Him.
This book looks amazing. I am half-way through college and it wasn’t until this past semester when I finally started to embrace who I am and I stopped trying to be what others are. All of this happened at the same time I also started to deeply desire a closer relationship with Jesus. It’s still hard sometimes for me to be exactly who I am sometimes. I am a shy non-touchy person by nature. And sometimes I find myself wishing that I was this super out-going person who always knew the right words to say or how to be hysterically funny. But that’s not what God made me to be, and there’s a reason for that. It’s been a long road to get to where I finally accept myself for who I am, but I’m a work in progress!
Mia?s last blog post..In Papa’s Arms
Over the past 5 years, I’ve had alot of life changing events happen. I moved to a new state, got married, had my first major car accident, was arrested, almost died, and I had a baby. Through it all I’ve tried to remain strong and keep my faith in Christ, but I slowly started slipping away. I reconnected back at church, even started a step study. At this point in time, I really feel lost. I’m not sure who I am anymore. I usually have up a front, so people think I’ve got it all together and everything in my life is perfect, when infact it is completely opposite. The only identity I assume now is mom. While that’s not a bad thing, I’ve just come to realize that I’ve wrapped myself up in my baby so I don’t have to deal with or discover who I am outside of that. It’s all really catching up to me and I just need to stop pretending and start being myself. It’s hard because I’m such a people pleaser, but I know it’s what God wants and I’m determined to start living that way again. I only need to please Him and He accepts me no matter what. As long as I can continue to live like that and see that, I’m completely confident I will be able to find myself and my purpose.
I have always felt that I have been on this journey to finding out who I am. I mean, let’s face it, I am not sure I will ever figure this out, this side of eternity.
But I am always trying to discover who I am through books, conversations, contemplative moments, time in God’s word and through any avenue that I can find myself on.
I believe that this book would be a great gift and I thank you, Anne, for the opportunity to receive a free copy.
The only thing I know that I am made for is music. That’s it, speciifically.
Jason Bunch?s last blog post..thoughts from tozer
I’m still learning to be happy with who I am. I would also love to win a copy of the book.
So, the doorbell rang and I hesitated to open it, but did, since I always remember my mom saying “there are angels all around us.” To my disappointment, it was a young girl selling something, “Oh to live in a gated community,” I was thinking…She proceeded to ask me a series of questions, one of them being “so you live in this beautiful home, and your standing in there, and I’m out here, trying to get my life together, how did you do it, Maam, was it hard, what makes you and I so different?” I stood there and was like….Ummmm…”actually,” I said “you and I aren’t different at all.” I thought this girl was going to walk away, her eyes widened so huge and she said, “say what?” I said “you and I are the same, just because I live in this house and you are out there trying to get your life together, doesn’t mean a thing….GOD LOVES US EQUALLY.” “Maam, I am a single mom with two kids and we travel around and I am trying to sell these magazines to get my life together.” MY POINT WAS TO HER AND TO OTHERS…IT’S UP TO US TO RECEIVE GOD’S LOVE. After studying John Ortberg’s “God is Closer Than You Think” it makes you realize… that YOU have to do the moving closer to HIM, not HIM moving closer to you. He is already HOLDING US IN HIS HANDS, PEOPLE!!! Remember the poem “Footsteps” Helloooo…..Anyway, after this young lady accepted what I told her, she wrote “I Can, I Will, and I Shall” on the side of the paper receipt (yes, I’m a sucker, I bought a magazine (a gift for my mom) . Then on the top she wrote “GOD BLESS YOU.’ I shut the door and started crying…The grace we live by is so unbelievable. P.S. I am still wondering what my purpose is here….
My journey? Yikes, that would take lots & lots of writing.
I use to think my value was in being a missionary, or doing for God.
It took illness to help me re-evaluate who I am with out what I do for God. You would think I have learned my lesson, but this is a long journey I’m on. And I have a feeling I’ll be seeing some points in the road a few times again and again.
After we left New Orleans post-Katrina, I struggled for about 2 years to figure out who I was anymore. I’d gone through some other identity crisis before, but this one was huge. I lost my church, and to many that’s not much, but these were people who took me in after college…the people I loved and depended on more than anything in the world. I was newly married (3 months, to be precise), and I lost everyone I knew besides my husband (who had only known me for a year and a half). We left a city we were in love with and wanted to be a part of rebuilding. I felt so alone. Today, I’m learning more and more about those years in my life, and I’m beginning to understand that it was a time God used to completely strip me of what I thought was my identity so that he could remake me into someone I wouldn’t have even recognized back then. I can attribute that new understanding to Perry Noble’s teaching at Catalyst west (thanks, Perry). Anyway, the journey continues, but I’m seeing more clearly as the months wear on.
Leanne?s last blog post..A toast to my friend…reception teaser. :o)
I grew up being abused, unwanted, yet “successful” to everyone on the outside. I heard what I was told, which was worthless, a failure, etc. It went into a marriage of the same. I hated myself because I believed them. Then God began to break down those lies and break down everything that I knew. I know God has plans for me and he’s getting me where I need to be, yet what that truly looks like I have no idea. I’m discovering skills and gifts I never knew existed, and realizing thoughts and habits I never wish did. I’m on an incredible journey and right now what lies ahead and who I really am is unknown and continuing every day to evolve.
So, yes, I would love to read this book!
I too am on a journey to find out what God wants me to do; who I am in Him. The problem I am having just this week is when other Christians attempt override my convictions and they try to be my Holy Spirit. I myself am 2 weeks out from embarking on a missions trip to India. There have been so many ways God has moved in preparation for this trip, which I have been burdened for my entire life. SO this week a very close family member took upon theirself to tell me I shouldn’t be going to India right now, it’s not wise, and I am not being a good mother if I do. Talk about a slap in the face. But, I will press on to please God.
Hoosiermama?s last blog post..India On My Mind
What a great book.
I’m still not sure who I am. Seriously thought I was good until here recently! ;)
Some places and scenarios I’m good. Others…shut down.
Anyway…sounds like a good read.
Thanks!
Fran?s last blog post..It’s time to pray
Great book by a great guy. Jud’s the real deal.
mike b?s last blog post..Mad Church Disease review
Finding my own journey and embracing who I am…um, yeah…
In other news….I am reading this Bible study about Pride and Humility and there was this place in it that asked “what is stopping you from furthering your relationship with God”. I am actually still stuck there…but while praying through that question I came to the screeching halt (through many tears) that in my pride and arrogance that I was stopping God from loving me through my Groom. In so many hurtful and disgusting ways. In my selfishness and protective ways because my defenses have been so high from the past and in not wanting to get hurt….I was not allowing God to love me through Daniel. How sick is that? So we are working on that, and on being lovable.
kristiapplesauce?s last blog post..The joy indeed.
I had this same exact thought going through my head yesterday – while I was considering working out and getting ready for our family vacation, I realized that I cannot remember a time during the extent of my life that I was satisfied with myself. Whether it’s the level of my education, the quality of art or design work I produce, or (especially) my appearance – in way i consider it, I’m always trying to be better.
I think I’ve let discontentedness become a core value. Although I usually dress it up nicer by saying something about “never settling” or how I’m “always pushing forward”.
But it ends up the same way – rejecting whatever gifts or talents or features God has given me by wishing I had someone else’s.
Isaac Downing?s last blog post..Death & Taxes.
Add my ripe old age of almost 54 I’m still trying to fully find my identity, though our faithful Lord is helping me progress. For years and years I wore masks: depending on who I was around, I would put on a coordinating mask! Of course, that meant the mask frequently changed! After many years of that repetition, it finally hit me that I truly did not know who I really was! So how could others know who I was? I distinctly remember the moment I made the decision to nail those masks to the cross and discover the real “me” God intended and designed me to be! People started reacting to me, many times negatively! “Who are you? What has changed about you? This isn’t you!” To which I often responded, “Yes, this really is the true me! You’ve only known the masked me!” And what did I do? Grabbed the masks and put them back on again! So, I once again am trying to rid myself of all masks and I am digging deep to find out my true and only meaningful identity in the One who created me and loves me above all else!
lisa?s last blog post.."Show us Your House Friday!"
started w/ Abba’s Child transitioned to Larry Crabb’s Inside Out and haven’t looked back….
Soul Care 201 by Larry Crabb is next….
all of it a slipperly slope you just want to grab onto more and more others to join you…
becky?s last blog post..2 Samuel 15 – 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25
I am in youth ministry full time and I would actually love to win this book (or purchase) for one young girl in particular that I am working with. Just the other night we talked until late in the night about her “soul searching”. This sounds like a perfect book for her. She has always had trouble knowing and accepting who she is, but now that she is about to graduate high school, this issue has been pushed to the forefront of her life. I am really glad to know about this book as a resource!
Journeys….!!! Hmmmm! It seems like a theme that has been playing itself over and over. I have told people that I did not discover myself until my 30’s—I was an awkward teen and the twenties was spent running and then I hit my thirties and it’s been about discovery. Discovery of who I am and on some days of who I am not……. As I get closer to my 40’s, it’s realizing that the journey is not over…. and coming to terms that I am glad it’s not over–the journey is just part of His story. It realizing that journey never ends in this earthly life….that there is no destination that we arrive at and say that “we’ve made it”– it’s looking at that destination and then opening our eyes a little bit wider to see the new path(s) that lay in front of us….
S.
Susie A.?s last blog post..Quotable…..
This sixtysomething grandmother is just now working on this one. Seems like I’ve been stuck too long in the behavior modification track(to look good to others, be what they want me to be). I just discovered the grace filled, heart transforming track. Not easy to kick bad habits at this age, but with Jesus all things are possible. I am filled with hope because he didn’t allow me to stay stuck.
jas?s last blog post..Inheritance
Sounds like an incredible book. I’ll have to pick it up after my current read.
God has me on this wierd deal right now…any time I feel jealous of someone else’s possessions, relationships, positions or ministry He shows me something I’ve never seen before..and it’s blowing me away. I didnt think jealousy was “that big of a deal” in my heart, but it’s coming up more than I would like. And yet I’m thankful.
danielle?s last blog post..300
I just recently found your blog and would love to win a copy of this book. I could go on and on about how each and every post you’ve typed has touched my heart. I wish I could meet you and hug your neck. I also grew up a pastor’s daughter…and have so many struggles now as an adult with the church. I also struggle with depression, it seems like we have a lot in common! As far as my identity in Christ, that is a whole other set of issues, lol! I have a very hard time accepting who I am, yet striving to be more like Christ, often pleading with Him to change me…yet knowing He wants me content with where I am also. It’s a vicious cycle. Thanks for sharing who you are on your blog, you’ve been an encouragement and blessing to me. I’m over on the other end of TN, so maybe someday I’ll have the blessing of meeting you. :)
Candace?s last blog post..Beatrix Potter ~ a Naturalist
I think it has been said way too often by me that over the course of y 30+ years, I have put on so many masks that I have often forgotten what the real me looks like.
I am currently on the journey of taking them all off and throwing them all away. I refuse to cover up who I am anymore. I want to be the real me. No matter how ugly or disfigured he might be.
Steven?s last blog post..My favorite picture I took yesterday.?
If your eyes tell the…
I believe that we have to find out who we are so we can’t get over who we aren’t. It is this obsession that we all have to be perfect at everything (fed by everyone around us) that keeps us obsessed with ourselves and not obsessed with Jesus Christ.
I believe we should use good standardize tests like Your Unique Design & Strength Finders, our past experiences, feedback from our Mentors, and affirmation from our friends to give us four good angles at self discovery.
John Carroll?s last blog post..Happiness v. Holiness
jud and mike rock…i can’t wait to read the book
Jim?s last blog post..Gego anudamientos-Motion Graphics
Anne,
I have been struggling for some time now with this issue. I know that God has gifted me and that He has great plans but I think that there are many times that I become more concerned about what I think people think I should be instead of being who God has designed me to be. Would love to read the book!
Who I am? Honestly, I never thought about that. Ever. What I?d BE, yes. What I?d DO, certainly. But never who I WAS. Not once.
Oh, I knew that I was a painfully shy, nervous, often lonely, awkward only child, without parents, no self confidence, homely (I thought), tall and skinny enough that my pajamas only needed one stripe, a kid who liked music but couldn?t sing, liked sports but was too uncoordinated to play. On the good side, intellectual and persistent though quiet. So I?ve no idea WHY I didn?t think about ?who? I was. Sounds like I should have, often. But I just never did.
Maybe I just had too much work to do overcoming all those real and imagined negatives.
The journey? Getting nagged into church as an early-teen helped. Deciding to study for the ministry instead of engineering (so I could ?make more of a difference?) helped, even though the Lord eventually shunted me from ministry into being a bookie (ok, librarian) at a Christian college, and eventually into working as a planner right alongside those engineers (in some really memorable places, like Kennedy Space Center).
But marrying a wife who absolutely couldn?t life the ?faith? life I had to live DIDN?T help. When that marriage ended (despite years of efforts to keep it alive), I thought any ministry for me was also over.
But God is loving and merciful. He had other ideas. Another mate (three years later), who?s better at living by faith than I ever was. (And who, before we met, DID have to figure out who she was.) And not one but two new kinds of ministry. One – the book on ?loving our neighbors? and encouraging churches to work together. The second? Still ?under wraps,? but a one-of-a-kind ?mission impossible.? I allude to it this way in the book?s introduction: ?when we quietly ask God to lead our lives, and mean it, he may do so in ways we could never have imagined and for which we would never have dared to ask.?
What is it? Sorry. Be patient till the book?s published, and you’ll see.
The book will tell. The preliminary one now on the Internet does have some carefully toned-down stories about it. An illogical ?impossible dream?? Yes. But God took all my own and my family?s strengths, added his help, and has helped us overcome the things we ?weren?t? or ?couldn?t.? (OK, so I still can?t sing! But that doesn?t matter.)
Anne, God bless you to know who you CAN be in Him, and to achieve your own big ?dream.? PS ? I suspect your dreams weren?t too big for the church you mention in your book (p. 81), only that that pastor?s vision was too small. Same experience we?ve had with this town. But if God wants your dream to happen? He?ll help you. Trust. ?No mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.? (1 Cor 2:9.)
Prayers & good wishes,
Pete A (& family)/Sparkle of Nature
Wow! I would definitely like to read this book. I just worked with Judd at Catalyst West Coast and they didn’t mention this book at all. I’ve been working in technical theatre for YEARS and have always been trying to find a way to merge my walk with Christ with the technical and leadership gifts he’s given me. So far, its been a tough road, as most of my projects are very fast paced with crucial deadlines and there is little time for anything outside the project team and timeline. I’ve read many of Erwin McManus’ books (Wide Awake, Soul Cravings, etc) but still haven’t found anything really practical that would speak into where I’m at. This sounds promising (and I enjoyed working backstage with Judd)
Wow, okay, I need this book. And reading your description of yourself…word for word, you could have been describing me. I feel like I am still on a journey to accept myself, quirks and all…faults and all. Funny thing is, I somehow manage to hide it pretty well. Friends come to me thinking I know all the answers, or know what to do in a certain situation and I just have to laugh, “What, you think I know what to do?” I know in Christ, I am “A Okay,” just wish I felt like that all the time.
Jenn Calling Home?s last blog post..Cold Comfort – Vicks to the Rescue
Wow.
This one’s for me…I am a ‘people person’.
They re-energize me, fill me up & give life perspective.
But time with people means less time with ‘me’ and that’s something I am oh so good at. Addicted to, really. Filling up time with others means I don’t have to be alone with myself! I want the two to meet. I want to have more balance and love for ‘me’ so that my time with people, my gifts of relationship, can flourish and be fantastic… living a satisfied inner-life will flow out…all over the ‘people person’ side of who I am.
Wow!
Amanda?s last blog post..
Looks like a good book that I’ll need to pick up.
Andy Darnell?s last blog post..What I learned from Strawberry Shortcake
I need this book!