Book Review of You're Loved No Matter What by Holley Gerth

"She whispers it softly over a cup of coffee.
She pulls me aside and confesses it after a conference.
She sends a note to my inbox that shares it.
One little phrase: "I'm tired."
There's an epidemic of weariness among women today. And the ones affected the most are often the ones trying the hardest. To be good. To keep it together. To please God and everyone around them.
Are you one of them? I was.
So I asked God to help me understand why so many of us have settled for simply making it through the day. And this is what I discovered: We don't truly believe we're unconditionally loved."   Holley Gerth.

Once again Holley Gerth has written a book to touch and inspire the hearts of women everywhere. Her latest book, You're Loved No Matter What is a sweet, soft whisper to my tired and weary heart. And probably yours too.

Gerth explores why women are becoming weary from doing, doing and more doing and feeling like they can't possibly do enough. But, as the book walks us through, doing was never God's plan for us. No wonder we're tired. 

Each chapter has room at the end to explore the thoughts deeper and more personally with a few prompts and questions. As well as the back of the book has a Go Deeper Guide for individuals and groups.

Although this wasn't my favorite book of Holley's I found the truths in it powerful and inspiring. A few of my favorite parts were:

• You have freedom to take risks. Holley writes: "Perfectionism is the great paralyzer. It tells us we shouldn't take a step, make a decision, or try anything new because it might not be just right." 
• Pursue excellence, not perfection. And, Accept that not everything in your life can be excellent. "You only have so much time, energy and emotion in your day. It's okay not to be excellent at everything."

I found Holley's endearing and comforting voice to be refreshing. She writes as if I'm her friend (and you too) and we're sitting down at a small little bistro somewhere having coffee. A fantastic book that I recommend for all women who are feeling the pull to go, go, go. This one's definitely a keeper for my book shelf!

If you aren't familiar with Holley's other books, I strongly urge you to check them out. Her website and her blog are constant doses of love and encouragement.
I have had the amazing priviledge to review several of them and you can look back at some of the other wonderful works she's written.
What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days.
You're Going to be Okay.
You're made for a God Sized Dream.
You're Already Amazing.


Thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book. I was not required to review it positively.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review of What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days by Holley Gerth

It is a privilege to review another book by Holley Gerth. I truly love her easy-going, heart-inspiring way of talking to women. So if you are familiar with Holley and her other books (You Are Already Amazing, You Were Made for a God-sized Dream, and You're Going to be Okay), you will not be disappointed with this one.

However, if you are new to this author, allow me to share a little of what this book can offer you. First, the Publisher's blurb:


We all have days that make us want to pull the covers back over our heads and eat a dozen cupcakes.

Thankfully, Jesus said we don't "live on bread alone"--that includes cupcakes--"but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). What we really need is truth.

If you're tired, discouraged, or feel a little empty inside, my prayer is that by the end of our time together, you'll be refreshed and nourished in a way that will sustain you through whatever the future may hold. Remember, you're not alone, my friend.

This book is cute. It is hardcover with bright and fun colours. The book is small, about the size of a photograph (4x6) but jam-packed with wisdom, hope and insightful truths taken from the Psalms. It makes an excellent gift!

Each of the 52 devotions are about three pages long with room to write at the end of each section. She encourages the reader to ask what their heart is saying to God and what they're hearing from God. Also, each entry is titled such as "God will give you courage, not condemnation." Or another title is "God will be with you through the whole process". This allows the reader to pick and choose which entries to read at any given time. Each one is numbered but not dated - lots of freedom here.

Holley uses stories and anecdotes to relate to the issue or topic being discussed, Then she breaks down the spiritual elements using scripture and biblical truths about God's character. Finally she caps it all off with a short prayer of the heart.

Readers will love the way Holley brings hope so effortlessly into the aches and pains we face just by living day-to-day. Pick up her latest encouragement for you and let your soul rest in the unfailing love, peace, strength and joy of our Lord and Savior.

Check out an excerpt of the book, including the Contents page and the first devotional. And don't forget ... it makes a wonderfully cute gift!



"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

Book Review of You're Going to be Okay by Holley Gerth

"Encouraging TRUTH your heart needs to hear, especially on the hard days!"

If your life isn't perfect . . .
If you've ever been disappointed . . .
If you feel stressed or tired . . . This is for you.
You really are going to be okay. And it truly is possible to live with joy, resilience, and strength no matter what life brings. Yes, there will be hurt and hard times. But God wants to help you find ways to survive, grow stronger, and even thrive--no matter what happens.

With her trademark positive encouragement and probing questions for self-reflection, bestselling author Holley Gerth encourages you to spend less of your life stressing or regretting and more of your life truly living.

This is the third book from Holley Gerth that I have reviewed and I've loved them all - especially this one!

You're Going To Be Okay is the message my heart needed to hear.

Once again, Holley's style is easy to read, easy to process. It is like sitting across her at a table in a quaint little tea house for the afternoon. Her message to women is timeless and perfect .. no matter where you are now - you are going to be okay.

Does your heart need to hear that?

The book is not a trite answer to the many-faceted problems women face these days - instead it is a hand-held, hug-infested look at how God created us. She covers all aspects of how we process our world and circumstances around us - from the basic brain functions to the ever-complex heart functions.

I would recommend this book to all women of all ages. It is powerful and thought- provoking. It is gentle and inspiring. It is incredible.

The chapters have places to jot down thoughts, fill in the blanks for personalizing the lessons and spaces for written prayers. It is not a 'how-to' book, but rather a 'let's do'. And why not do it together with a group of women you know well with the Go Deeper guide at the back of the book that works like a book study, taking each chapter and diving into God's word and each other's hearts. (Go Deeper section can also be done individually - I did!)

Definitely check out this book! And if you haven't been introduced to Holley yet, be sure to check out her inspiring websites for a daily dose of loving friend! (Holley Gerth and Incourage)

If you want to read more about her previous books, check out my reviews for You're Already Amazing and You're Made for  God-sized Dream.

Check out more great images to post and share at http://holleygerth.com/free-words/

Have a blessed day!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

Book review - You're Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth

Life changing.

Inspiring.

A gift direct from the Hand of God.

Holley Gerth is a God-gifted Encourager. If you need some boosts in spirit, take it by the page-fulls in her new book You're Made for a God-sized Dream.

Hello, you . . . The one looking for more purpose and listening for God’s plan. Here’s what that restlessness is really all about: there’s a God-sized dream knocking on the door of your heart. Before you think that sounds too big, let me assure you, God-sized dreams aren’t really about size at all. They’re about the desires God places within you that perfectly fit your heart. God-sized dreams are an essential part of who you’re created to be and what you’re called to do. They lead to more meaning, joy, and connection with the One who gave them to you. In the busyness of life, it’s easy to ignore them or let fear shut them out. But this is your moment. Now is your time. The “more” your heart is longing for has been there all along. Let’s open the door to all God has for you together.

With this life-changing message, Holley Gerth invites you to discover the dreams God has given you-and then dare to pursue them. She takes you by the heart and says, “Yes! You can do this!” and guides you forward with a loving hand. Along the way, she provides insightful questions and offers action plans that will help you take the next steps toward making the deepest desires of your heart a reality.

I loved this book from page 1 to page 213. It was exactly what I needed to hear, exactly when I needed to hear it.

There are oodles of helpful ideas and hints for

Whose your audience?

For several months now God has been speaking to me about something that seems so simple but it isn't.

In fact, it isn't only "not-so-simple", it feels almost impossible.  But thankfully God knew I would feel that way and he wrote a simple little sticky note just for me.


Luke 1:37  "For nothing is impossible with God."

Thank you God!  So what, you are asking, is the problem ...

How do I live my life for an audience of One?  How do I write for an audience of One?

This idea has been floating in my mind for quite some time.  But the interesting part is the phrase "audience of One" has been popping up in so many forms.

• It was the theme of a book I read many months ago, A Lasting Impression, by Tamera Alexander.  
• A word from a friend asking me why I had to be published.  
• A devotion calling me to love many, but only please One, by Holley Gerth.
• An ache deep in my spirit that i had fallen off the original path God had placed me on.

All of these forms pointed to my one burning question ... who am I doing this for?  Me?  You? or God?

Maybe "audience of One" is the popular phrase of the day - it doesn't matter to me.  What matters to me is that God has been whispering it to me to teach me something.

I received another round of results from my contest entries the other day.  It has me thinking again about why am I doing what I am doing.  Do you ever question that?  Ever wonder what you should be doing or if you are already doing it?

I know God asked me clearly to write stories down.  I cannot even pretend I didn't hear that message.  However He never said 'get published'.  His words never mentioned anything about that. I find the more I seek it out and travel that road - the more doors are closed.  Not physical doors, really.  But 'peace' doors.  As I push forward I lose sight of what I am doing.  I lose peace.  I lose confidence.  I lose ... everything that feels good about writing.