The Top 9 Most Life Changing Books of 2009
(according to Janna)
One of my favorite categories each year is Most Life Changing... these are the books that after reading them (and as you read them) they are changing the way you think and even the way you act. These are books that I strongly recommend you get a hold of and read if you want to see your life change. Anytime you see purple writing it is part of my original review that I posted because I didn't think I could phrase it any better today than I did then. I still encourage you to click the link to read the whole original review. I would like to point out that 
"Havah" by Tosca Lee was actually on this list until I realized that because of when I read it last year (right at the end of December) I actually included it in The Most Life Changing of 2008 list... so I decided to give a different book a chance this year, but I wanted to remind you all of how great "Havah" is and it actually released in January of 2009 - I just got a sneak peek :-) So click on the link to read about the book and my interview with Tosca Lee.
#1 in 2009 is - Shame Lifter by Marilyn Hontz...
So out of the 250+ books that I read in 2009, what book earns the top spot in Most Life Changing... Shame Lifter by Marilyn Hontz! For anyone that wants to make a change in their life and move past the ruts and roads that they are stuck in, this is the book to help you do that. Marilyn is transparent in this book, opening up to the reader about her own life and struggles with shame and how God showed her to deal with it, be healed from it and move on into the amazing things He had planned for her. Truly a book that will change your life if you let it! Read my full review here and then read this amazing book!
#2 in 2009 is - Wrestling Prayer by Eric & Leslie Ludy...
Talk about a life changing book. Does your prayer life need a shake up? Maybe an earthquake? Eric and Leslie have written an amazing book sharing many of the things that they have learned over the years as they have grown closer to God. How they have gone from the nice little "thank you Lord" prayers and "please help so and so" petitions to roll in the mud and wrestle in the heavenly, earth changing prayers. The subtitle of this book is "A Passionate Communion with God" and that is just what it will show you. When you are ready to be serious about rending the heavenly places open with your prayers then read this book. Read more about the Ludys and their books here.
#3 in 2009 is - Never The Bride by Cheryl McKay & Rene Gutteridge...
Here is a book that accomplishes the almost impossible. It is a totally entertaining and funny fiction book with great characters and hilarious scenarios that will keep you flipping pages as you follow the storyline, but will change your life (if you let it) with the wisdom between the pages. Cheryl and Rene manage to take the knowledge that Eric and Leslie Ludy share in their books about love and life (some of my all time favorite non-fiction writers) and package it in such a way that anyone can easily understand and enjoy. Jessie is a heroine everyone will love and cheer for as she tries to find love. But the stranger that keeps entering her life... well, what to do? Is his advice solid and reliable? Can she really trust him with her future? It sure is fun to find out. And if you apply it to yourself, it will shape how you think about your own future. Read my full review here and then enjoy this book for yourself.
#4 in 2009 is - So Long Status Quo by Susy Flory...
Inspirational, moving and so educational, but more than that this book will show you how you can make a difference around you. It starts with a little peek into Susy's personal life that reveals some area of her life that she is lacking in or needs work on (an overflow of material items or lack of sympathy for the children of the world) and then she delves into the biography of a woman that made an impact in that particular area. Following the biography she then figures out a way to make that relevant to her life and somehow implements it. She rounds out the chapter with some ideas for how you can do something in that area of your life. With biographies of women like Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosie the Riveter this book will inspire you to make a change. Read my full review here and then buy extra copies for the girls and women in your life that you know can make a difference.
#5 in 2009 is - Messages to Myself by Dr. Helen McIntosh...
This is an example of a book whose title does not fully express what it is about. I honestly thought this would be a book about how important positive thinking is in your thought life and how negative thinking is the root of most of the bad things in our lives. While all that is true, I was so wrong about this book. This book is a God Encounter in book form. So what does that mean? Well, about every 6 weeks at our church we have a special weekend where we help people walk through steps and stages so that God can bring freedom to their life and they can grow closer to God through knowledge of His truth. It's an amazing process that includes sessions on "What's Your Name?", "God Still Speaks", "Forgiveness", "Wounds of the Past", "Breaking Down Strongholds" (lovingly referred to as "the yellow sheet" because of the color paper it is printed on) and so on... I was astounded as I started reading to realize that Helen McIntosh goes through many of these same stages and even has a section at the end of each chapter called Making It Personal that helps you start applying the process immediately in your own life. On amazing book that will change your life if you let it! Read my full review here.
#6 in 2009 is - Embrace The Struggle by Zig Ziglar & Julie Ziglar Norman...
Do you think you have trials in your life? Tribulations? Struggles? How do you handle them? What is your approach, your perspective on these obstacles in your life.
On page 81 there are a couple of sentences that sum up for me the idea behind this book.
1st - I encourage you to look beyond the obvious for the way God has used the things you've struggled with to glorify Him.
2nd - May you also understand that the dark place has not been because of abandonment or indifference, but simply the shadow of His wings.
To find out more about this incredible book, read my review here and then enter to win a copy of this book!
#7 in 2009 is - Already Gone by Ken Ham & Britt Beemer...
This book is a compilation of lots of data, interviews and statistics (though it actually makes for really fascinating reading) that shows us why our churches are growing older and older because the high school and college age young people that may still be in the pews are mentally already gone. If you are concerned for your own children or grandchildren and want to keep a legacy of faith in your family then this is a book you need to read. Check out my review here and then have an eye opening experience by reading this book for yourself.
#8 in 2009 is - Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur...
This book is actually a re-release that is probably long overdue. Randall Arthur has penned a fictional account of Pastor Jason Faircloth that shows what it really means to have a Damascus Road life changing experience that makes you a different person. In Jason's case, tragedy strikes in a huge way and he gives up his life as he knows it to go on a mission to find someone. God uses that mission to grab him and change his world. This is a journey you want to go on with Jason. Read my review of this book here and then read the book.
#9 in 2009 is - This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury...
This is a story that touched me deeply. You don't find out until you read the footnotes at the end of the book (that is if you are like me and actually read all the footnotes) that this is based on Karen's own brother. This Side of Heaven makes you rethink what you know (or think you know) about the people around you. A sweet, heart breaking story of a man that is a tow truck driver, living far below his potential in life - or so his parents and sister think. Can his family truly know him? You should really read my review of this amazing book by clicking the link and then be sure to read this incredible book.
**************************
I have a copy of "Embrace the Struggle" by Zig Ziglar to give away. So leave a comment telling me what book looks like it would impact your life the most right now (and be sure to leave your email address if you actually want a chance to win!) and I will enter you in that drawing! Good luck and please check out all these amazing books for yourself :-)
**************************
"Havah" by Tosca Lee was actually on this list until I realized that because of when I read it last year (right at the end of December) I actually included it in The Most Life Changing of 2008 list... so I decided to give a different book a chance this year, but I wanted to remind you all of how great "Havah" is and it actually released in January of 2009 - I just got a sneak peek :-) So click on the link to read about the book and my interview with Tosca Lee.
#1 in 2009 is - Shame Lifter by Marilyn Hontz...So out of the 250+ books that I read in 2009, what book earns the top spot in Most Life Changing... Shame Lifter by Marilyn Hontz! For anyone that wants to make a change in their life and move past the ruts and roads that they are stuck in, this is the book to help you do that. Marilyn is transparent in this book, opening up to the reader about her own life and struggles with shame and how God showed her to deal with it, be healed from it and move on into the amazing things He had planned for her. Truly a book that will change your life if you let it! Read my full review here and then read this amazing book!
#2 in 2009 is - Wrestling Prayer by Eric & Leslie Ludy...Talk about a life changing book. Does your prayer life need a shake up? Maybe an earthquake? Eric and Leslie have written an amazing book sharing many of the things that they have learned over the years as they have grown closer to God. How they have gone from the nice little "thank you Lord" prayers and "please help so and so" petitions to roll in the mud and wrestle in the heavenly, earth changing prayers. The subtitle of this book is "A Passionate Communion with God" and that is just what it will show you. When you are ready to be serious about rending the heavenly places open with your prayers then read this book. Read more about the Ludys and their books here.
#3 in 2009 is - Never The Bride by Cheryl McKay & Rene Gutteridge...Here is a book that accomplishes the almost impossible. It is a totally entertaining and funny fiction book with great characters and hilarious scenarios that will keep you flipping pages as you follow the storyline, but will change your life (if you let it) with the wisdom between the pages. Cheryl and Rene manage to take the knowledge that Eric and Leslie Ludy share in their books about love and life (some of my all time favorite non-fiction writers) and package it in such a way that anyone can easily understand and enjoy. Jessie is a heroine everyone will love and cheer for as she tries to find love. But the stranger that keeps entering her life... well, what to do? Is his advice solid and reliable? Can she really trust him with her future? It sure is fun to find out. And if you apply it to yourself, it will shape how you think about your own future. Read my full review here and then enjoy this book for yourself.
#4 in 2009 is - So Long Status Quo by Susy Flory...Inspirational, moving and so educational, but more than that this book will show you how you can make a difference around you. It starts with a little peek into Susy's personal life that reveals some area of her life that she is lacking in or needs work on (an overflow of material items or lack of sympathy for the children of the world) and then she delves into the biography of a woman that made an impact in that particular area. Following the biography she then figures out a way to make that relevant to her life and somehow implements it. She rounds out the chapter with some ideas for how you can do something in that area of your life. With biographies of women like Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosie the Riveter this book will inspire you to make a change. Read my full review here and then buy extra copies for the girls and women in your life that you know can make a difference.
#5 in 2009 is - Messages to Myself by Dr. Helen McIntosh...This is an example of a book whose title does not fully express what it is about. I honestly thought this would be a book about how important positive thinking is in your thought life and how negative thinking is the root of most of the bad things in our lives. While all that is true, I was so wrong about this book. This book is a God Encounter in book form. So what does that mean? Well, about every 6 weeks at our church we have a special weekend where we help people walk through steps and stages so that God can bring freedom to their life and they can grow closer to God through knowledge of His truth. It's an amazing process that includes sessions on "What's Your Name?", "God Still Speaks", "Forgiveness", "Wounds of the Past", "Breaking Down Strongholds" (lovingly referred to as "the yellow sheet" because of the color paper it is printed on) and so on... I was astounded as I started reading to realize that Helen McIntosh goes through many of these same stages and even has a section at the end of each chapter called Making It Personal that helps you start applying the process immediately in your own life. On amazing book that will change your life if you let it! Read my full review here.
#6 in 2009 is - Embrace The Struggle by Zig Ziglar & Julie Ziglar Norman...Do you think you have trials in your life? Tribulations? Struggles? How do you handle them? What is your approach, your perspective on these obstacles in your life.
On page 81 there are a couple of sentences that sum up for me the idea behind this book.
1st - I encourage you to look beyond the obvious for the way God has used the things you've struggled with to glorify Him.
2nd - May you also understand that the dark place has not been because of abandonment or indifference, but simply the shadow of His wings.
To find out more about this incredible book, read my review here and then enter to win a copy of this book!
#7 in 2009 is - Already Gone by Ken Ham & Britt Beemer...This book is a compilation of lots of data, interviews and statistics (though it actually makes for really fascinating reading) that shows us why our churches are growing older and older because the high school and college age young people that may still be in the pews are mentally already gone. If you are concerned for your own children or grandchildren and want to keep a legacy of faith in your family then this is a book you need to read. Check out my review here and then have an eye opening experience by reading this book for yourself.
#8 in 2009 is - Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur...This book is actually a re-release that is probably long overdue. Randall Arthur has penned a fictional account of Pastor Jason Faircloth that shows what it really means to have a Damascus Road life changing experience that makes you a different person. In Jason's case, tragedy strikes in a huge way and he gives up his life as he knows it to go on a mission to find someone. God uses that mission to grab him and change his world. This is a journey you want to go on with Jason. Read my review of this book here and then read the book.
#9 in 2009 is - This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury...This is a story that touched me deeply. You don't find out until you read the footnotes at the end of the book (that is if you are like me and actually read all the footnotes) that this is based on Karen's own brother. This Side of Heaven makes you rethink what you know (or think you know) about the people around you. A sweet, heart breaking story of a man that is a tow truck driver, living far below his potential in life - or so his parents and sister think. Can his family truly know him? You should really read my review of this amazing book by clicking the link and then be sure to read this incredible book.
**************************
I have a copy of "Embrace the Struggle" by Zig Ziglar to give away. So leave a comment telling me what book looks like it would impact your life the most right now (and be sure to leave your email address if you actually want a chance to win!) and I will enter you in that drawing! Good luck and please check out all these amazing books for yourself :-)
**************************
20 comments:
It's a toss-up between Shame Lifter and Never the Bride. I've heard tons about Never the Bride, but Shame Lifter is new to me.
I love books by Zig Ziglar. He's good!
Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
I think I like Messages to Myself by Dr. Helen McIntosh the most.
I would love to have Messages to Myself by Dr. helen McIntosh. With what I'm going through right now.. sometimes I search for myself in solitude.. I think I rarely talk to myself and reflect who am I now.
huggie0109@yahoo.com
Several of these are books I will add to my to-be-read list! I guess right now two really pop out at me: Already Gone and So Long Status Quo (I like the title!).
Love your list, Jana!
Angela
Hi Jana, I saw your posting through a Google Alert and was so surprised and honored to see that you chose my book, Shame Lifter as your # 1 pick of 2009. Thank you very much! I pray that the Lord will use it to help many realize that they do not have to believe the negative internal messages that often re-play in our thoughts. God thinks of us as a beloved child - full of value, and deeply treasured.
I am grateful to you, Jana!
Marilyn Hontz
So Long Status Quo looks interesting...
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/02/embrace-struggle.html
Love Eric and Leslie Ludy! Have almost all of their books. I've been waiting to get my hands on that one! Karen Kingsbury is amazing too. That's a great book. Definitely a tear jerker.
Embrace the Struggle by Zig Ziglar would definitely have the most impact on me. I've always loved Zig Ziglar and have read many of his books.
Please enter my name in your draw.
Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
Shame Lifter by Marilyn Hontz would probably give me some answers and have a chance to impact my life.
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com
I've read several on the list-Shame Lifter is great, and I've given away several copies of So Long Status Quo. Haven't read Zig Ziglar's book yet and would like to.
Jolene
Messages to Myself is one I would really like to read.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Wrestling Prayer would probably make an impact on my life.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I think Shame Lifter and This Side of Heaven would most probably make an impact on my life.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I think Wrestling Prayer would have an impact on my life right now. Thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald at hotmail dot com
None of the books really relate to me right now since I'm not going through anything special at the moment. But Never The Bride seems super good! I'd love to win and read it! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
mashimaro401[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'd love to read So Long Staus Quo.
This side of Heaven sounds good!
Christie
ropp dot 5 at wright dot edu
I agree with Linda..It is a tossup between Shame Lifter and Never the Bride.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I'd love to read Messages to Myself - looks wonderfully helpful
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
Messages to Myself and/or This Side of Heaven
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
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