This book opened my eyes to what God can and will do for anyone who allows Him into their lives. I will be reading others books by Ms. Larson. Thank you
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Review 2 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
This book helped me learn more on finding my purpose in this world and gods plan for me as we all have one. I liked how she used the scriptures to learn simple things. Learn to renew your faith in god again and continue to trust him.
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Review 3 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
"Your Beautiful Purpose" by Susie Larson is one of the best books for spiritual growth I have ever read. It helps to develop our walks with God, as well as using scripture in a practical way for our everyday life to overcome the usual obstacles that get in our way of devoting time to God like we should. This book also helps to keep us walking a straight path toward God.
She is so down to earth in her way of writing that a person cannot help but get a clear picture of what they need to do to accomplish their goal of discerning their purpose in living for God and doing His will.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, as we ALL need to understand why God put us here, and following the guidance of Susie's book, it sure helps us to understand how to get there.
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Review 4 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
Selecting a book from Bethany House for review can be a challenge because the list includes several books of interest. My preference is books that will grow me spiritually and speak to my heart and this book served the purpose. I am very excited about writing a review for this book. If you don’t know your purpose or you are not sure about your purpose or the season you are in this book will benefit you. The introduction sums up quite well who will benefit from this book (the woman who has a desire in her heart to be filled, the woman who has no passion and the woman who is earnest in her walk with Jesus). The author gives incredible insight on life’s purpose. Through her writing, she provided some of the answers that I was seeking and also provided great advice on how to enjoy the seasons we are currently in. One of the first things that she mentioned was God knows full well whom He is getting when He calls us. He qualifies those He calls and we are created for His purpose. This is very valuable. Especially for people who feel they can’t be used by God. All we have to do is listen for His voice. He knows how to communicate with each of us. He’ll transform us to accomplish what he has planned for our lives if we trust Him. The author is more detailed on this subject and as you began to read what she has written, I truly believe you will have a different outlook on life and want what God has planned for you and you will begin to understand the seasons of life we experience. The least favorite for most of us is the season to rest. The season we think God has forgotten about us but he is always working on our behalf and preparing us for the next level. There is so much more I could mention in this review, but reading the book would serve you better. This book would definitely be a blessing to you. Thank you Bethany House for allowing me to share my opinion. Also for giving me the opportunity to select a great book and providing a copy free of charge.
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Review 5 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
Your Beautiful Purpose is a book written to address many of the pitfalls we find ourselves facing in this life - comparing ourselves to others, feeling fear, discouragement, and more - and then pointing the reader to victory in the areas where we often suffer defeat. It is a book written to encourage women that God has created them as unique individuals, set apart for a purpose, His purpose. I appreciated the reminders not to compare ourselves with others, but to allow God to work in our lives and situations. Ultimately, as we surrender to Him, He is able to use us for His purposes.
The messages in this book are practical. I found myself relating to the author at nearly every turn. I appreciated her openness about her own struggles and sharing how God worked in those situations for her good. The book is written in such a way that it could be used in women's ministry - Bible studies, etc. At the end of each chapter, there are questions that you can use for personal enrichment or even some group discussion. It is definitely a book that causes you to reflect and do some soul searching. I believe that in reading it with an open heart and mind, you will find yourself meditating on how you can become a better woman of God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review from Bethany House Publishers, Chosen Books.
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Review 6 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
If you have ever heard Susie speak or read any of her books, you are in for RICH dialog. Susie's message... if one is willing, produce transformed lives. This book doesn't pass on "a five step process" it displays the power of God, that changes it. Thank you Susie for being so raw, transparent, and passionate in the way you communicate and the way you live. You write, just like you speak. I can hear your voice and passion through these words on a page. Truth from a living and active God produces freedom. Thanks for displaying what that looks like, and pushing me to walk in it. I am so grateful for your heart for Jesus. It’s absolutely contagious! This book speaks out loud of hope, defining ones call, and to live out the life that our amazing God intended for you. I worked through this study with many girlfriends and our conversation over each chapter and the questions NEVER lacked...we always needed more than two hours together.
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Review 7 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
This was not a good book. I guess the point of the book was to encourage women to embrace what God has in store for them but honestly, I felt like there wasn't much real substance to the book. The author seemed to spend more time just rambling on than getting to the real point of what she wanted to say. Also, when she added examples from her own story, it didn't flow with the rest of the chapter, making the book seem discombobulated. And I felt like it almost seemed that she thought she'd figured out how to almost be perfect, so you should do what she said or did to be like her. I realize this wasn't how she meant to sound, but it came across to me that way. And there was too much of "this is what needs to happen" and not much of "here is what practical life application would look like".
Honestly, I don't think I would recommend this book. I found it hard to read, boring, and lacking substance.
I received this book free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
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Review 8 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
Your Beautiful Purpose is a book both tender and touching. Ephesians Two teaches us that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ for good works, and He has prepared these works in advance for us to walk in them. This is our beautiful purpose: To Glorify God and Enjoy Him forever. This is a purpose beyond our wildest dreams and greatest desires. The outworking of this purpose comes when we find where God would have us go and what He would have us do. For many of us those good works may be right here where we are at the moment... for some these may be on the other side of the world where we never imagined we would be called to go. It may be what we always thought we were made for. It may steal upon us like a slow spring twilight and we realize "God is in this. This is where He wants me."
So often we women have a hard time believing that we are God's own artwork and that we have God's work to do and His blessing upon that work. We have a hard time believing that God will or can use in a way that Glorifies Him magnificently. We will have a hard time until we see that He delights in making beauty out of brokenness. No Saint has lived a life of beauty because of their own inner goodness and usefulness. No. They have been beautiful because God is God of creating beauty from brokenness, beauty that he defines and designs, beauty that comes from living out his purposes.
The most touching parts of this book were Susie Larson's own story, revealed in a way that lets us see into her spirit. She has walked through the seasons in this book...seasons of seeing the top of the tapestry God is weaving when all the threads make lovely sense, and seasons of not seeing much of the design at all. Seasons of wondering how being "Here" is serving God, and seasons of knowing in her soul that her gifts are glorifying Him. Thank you Mrs. Larson for sharing your story.
God is calling us, let us answer Him. Let us whisper the prayer "O God, call us even more insistently, knocking at the door of our hearts and bidding us follow Christ as humbly dependent, boldly confident women." This can be our prayer. God has a purpose for every saved soul- if you are His and have breath in your lungs you have a beautiful purpose.
I received this book from Bethany House.
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Review 9 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
Every now and then The Lord will bring something into your life that totally rocks your world. For me, Susie Larson's book 'Your Beautiful Purpose' did just that. I knew from the moment that I read the Table of Contents and wept, that the Holy Spirit wanted to do a deep work in me. That He did! Without fail, every chapter touched on a deep need, desire or struggle in my heart. Through Susie's practical stories, in depth scripture and probing questions God revealed His truth, His promises, His love and His grace to me in a fresh way. He has used this book to bring some much needed clarity and perspective into some areas of my life.
I have had the honor of meeting and becoming friends with Susie. She is 100% authentic, passionate, wise, kind, generous, humble, bold, faithful and loving. This book is a living testimony of the work that The Lord has done in and through her. She only leads the reader where she has been. I couldn't have asked for a better friend and mentor!
'Your Beautiful Purpose Book' and DVD are perfect for both individual and group study! It is a challenge and a call to rise up, become the woman God has called you to be and to walk out the purpose that He designed for you.
'Your Beautiful Purpose' is a MUST have resource for every woman trying to discover and fulfill the beautiful purpose that God has for them.
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Review 10 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
This is my first Susie Larson book and I am loving every chapter more and more. I've done many Bible studies, but this one has captured my attention, and I feel that these pages are speaking right to me...
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Review 11 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
The nice thing about this book is its versatility. It works fine as an individual study, with questions and prompts at the end of each chapter to help personalize the Biblical message for the individual reader. These questions could also be used as part of a Bible study group, and there is a companion DVD that would be even more appropriate for group use as well. I really like the addition of prayers at the end of each section. It's hard for me to really think of nice prayers, especially about the abstract, so the prayers in the sections helped me really focus my thoughts and reflections. I am planning on bringing this forward as a suggestion for our next book for my church's Moms' Bible Study.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy to facilitate this review.
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Review 12 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
"Your Beautiful Purpose" is an exceptional book. It was as if Susie took the questions of my heart and, with the Lord's direction, answered them with wisdom on these pages. Things I had struggled with for years were met with fresh revelation through the words of this book. Susie's vulnerability was refreshing. Thank you, Susie, for using your gifts so that we could be encouraged to find and use ours.
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Review 13 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
Deep, Important Encouragement from Seasoned Runner
Date:January 9, 2013
Lisa Jamieson
Location:Minnesota
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Susie Larson’s “Your Beautiful Purpose” thoughtfully and effectively pairs a Word-centered framework with personal anecdotes to help readers embrace their value and opportunities in God’s Kingdom work. Susie is vulnerable and authentic while capturing the wonder of trusting Jesus. Her book will inspire and empower readers who feel stuck, confused or anxious to experience the adventure of following Jesus — whether it involves waiting, walking, resting or running in His ways!
The companion study provides a welcoming and meaningful atmosphere for Bible exploration and personal discovery. While affirming the reader's own sense of vision, Susie carefully guides us through a pursuit of understanding that doesn't allow our tendency toward seeking personal significance to eclipse God’s call and timing.
Susie’s urge to, “leverage this day to your advantage” will be spurring me to fully embrace my inheritance in Christ for many seasons to come!
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Review 14 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
In Susie's new book "Your Beautiful Purpose" she speaks directly to your heart and stirs you to seek all that God has for you. I found that Susie's personal stories helped me to relate and understand the training principles along the way. She writes with such humility and boldness.
Each chapter has in-depth teaching within the stories and scripture shared, stirring quotes along with study questions at the end that help you to find what is true for you personally. This book will be one that you will pick up again and again to reread the life changing truths. This book could also be read almost like a devotional where you can take each chapter, pray through scripture within the chapter and apply the principles shared through the study questions.
This book helped me to confront some of the obstacles that I struggled with and showed me how to tackle them and hang onto God's truth. Although each chapter is written so well helping us to face fears and insecurities that have clouded our views, for me chapter 9 spoke to me like none other. It gripped my heart and it felt as though it was written just for me. God spoke profoundly to me here and throughout the book. If you are one who journals you will love the "nuggets" that you find in this book and will be encouraged to write them down.
It will encourage, inspire and challenge you to embrace God's purposes for you. This is one book you will want to share with friends, family or your bible study group!
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Review 15 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
Susie Larson's book 'Your Beautiful Purpose' was very touching and in-depth. Her wisdom and spirit-led teaching is very warm and applicable to daily lives. Rather than reading just another bible study book, this is more like having coffee with a friend sharing Godly experiences and understanding that personally impact your mind, heart and spirit. It is not just reading a book to cross off your list. It is a guide and friend to accompany you on your journey of life. The study questions are also not something you just fill in to move you to the next chapter. They are very thought provoking and cause you to go far deeper in your walk with the Lord.
I would highly recommend 'Your Beautiful Purpose' as a life changing companion.
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Review 16 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
It is refreshing to read something that comes from the heart. Larson's approach in this book is to write from life including the good and the failures. Because she was honest about her trials and how she overcame them, the reader has hope that he/she can do the same. I've read so many books where the author writes in a "spiritual cerebral" way and tells how things ought to be if the reader does A, B, C. But things don't always work that way. We do the things we ought to do and sometimes life sticks out its leg and causes us to face-plant on the ground.
Larson's naked honesty is evidence of her love for Christ and for people. The last chapter in the book did just as she encourages us to do: Last Long, Finish Strong. The lessons in this book will last long in my life. The book finishes strong in that it reminds me of who I am to the Father and the riches He has already given me. I highly recommend this book for both individual study and group studies.
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Review 17 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
In this economy, even buying a book can become a well, thought-out process. This is a book worth every penny and more. Susie takes you on a very personal journey to finding your purpose, and much like a "life coach", gives you the tools and questions to ask to get you moving in the right direction.
While this book would work perfect for a group format, I personally think it's a great daily devotional, too. The questions at the end of each chapter are wonderful conversation starters between you and God...the kind of questions that will deepen your own walk with Him, and allow you to see how very personal He is with you. He has a plan for you and can't wait for you to live in it.
In a gut-honest way, Susie brings her own personal stories to the pages, but also gives great biblical references and truths. I think one of her best accomplishments in writing this book is in leaving the ongoing story between the reader and God. Start your new year off right and buy this book!
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Review 18 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
I am in full-time ministry with college students and have been in Christian circles long enough to flip the pages of many books on leadership, purpose, identity and related matters, but none has ever described my heart and experiences quite as distinctly as Susie's latest release. With amazing clarity, she describes the forces that are at work trying to overshadow a clear view of my heart and life free from fears, failures and insecurities. Many times I literally read a paragraph and said out loud, "WOW! I think she wrote this just for me!". Susie has a keen understanding of the inner workings of our hearts as women and is not afraid to also talk about the tactics of the enemy that will knock us off course if we let them!
One chapter in particular (Chapter 4) talked about the connection between our fears and sins and our threat to the enemy and how he attempts to threaten us. This chapter alone took days to slowly digest and with the help of the study questions at the end, I believe I unlocked things that have remained hidden and kept me stuck for years! Let me put it this way - I am certain that I would be saving highlighter ink if I just highlighted the sentences that didn't strike something very deep and profound in my spirit.
Aside from the insightful writing itself, the application questions at the close of each chapter really are the key to accessing transformation. These truly provide time to dig deeply into scripture and honestly process the lessons at a heart level! It is rare to find a book that combines this depth of insight with solid study of scripture!! I am deeply grateful for Susie, for her endurance in her own experiences and for her boldness and giftedness as a writer in putting to words the things so many of our hearts have experienced but wouldn't know how to express!
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Review 19 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
If you’ve ever heard Susie Larson speak, you want to take her home with you to be your mentor. And reading Your Beautiful Purpose is a chance to do just that!
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit… ~John 7:37-38
“Your Beautiful Purpose” is the stream flowing from Susie’s life. She dwells at the Well of Living Water and is living her beautiful purpose. This book is our chance to reap the overflow, to glean from her walk of faith. I walked through this book very slowly and God met me in the pages.
In closing my gift shop, and recently becoming an empty nester, I’m at another of life’s crossroads asking, “What’s next Lord?” I discovered that I am in a season of active waiting. Susie names the seasons we will experience on our journey with God, “Run, Rest, Stand, and Active Waiting.” And enables us to discern which one (or more) we may be in and to walk through each one victoriously. Susie shares with humility, tenderness and transparency the experiences she has had on her great adventure. With stories from her life, she explains the sometimes-difficult lessons and often exhilarating God-moments on her way to being a public voice for Jesus who nourishes and encourages so many.
Jesus often asked questions to draw out the truth from within those he was ministering to. At the end of each chapter Susie does that very thing. Her questions lead you to the feet of Jesus with your own questions, and in so doing, leads you to deeper interaction, deeper intimacy with Jesus.
You will be encouraged and strengthened to see with eyes of faith and challenged to take the high way of God’s interests and God-promotion instead of the low road of self-interest and self-promotion. To embrace all of the good things we have in Christ (peace, power and purpose) and to resist and overcome the tactics of the enemy (fear, unbelief and pride).
God will speak to you through the pages of this book and stir your heart with confident faith to take the steps to live your beautiful purpose. Through Susie, He invites us to live with (in her words) holy confidence, humble dependence, kingdom passion and Calvary love.
A few quotes from Your Beautiful Purpose:
“It takes initiative to engage in life, to do the important things. God wired us for forward movement.”
“The life of Christ within us puts us above our circumstances, above our pasts, even above our low perception of ourselves.”
“God knows our frame. He knows what’s in us. When He makes us wait, it’s because He’s making us ready.”
“Don’t worry when your fears surface. Just look to the One who takes the power away from our fears and puts redeeming power into our faith. He can make you strong. And He will.”
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Review 20 for Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You - eBook
"Your Beautiful Purpose" by Susie Larson is a very encouraging book for anyone who is struggling to find their purpose in life or who needs reassurance while going through a tough time. We can all identify with the array of great topics she covers in the book such as waiting on God, trusting in His timing and staying grounded. Larson's writing style comes across as being very real and conversational, as if we as readers are sitting across the table from her at a coffee shop, discussing life's trials. She writes from the heart and shares many personal stories to illustrate how God has always been there and how with His guidance, she has been able to not only find her purpose but live her purpose to the fullest. One of the quotes I found most inspiring in the book is the following. "Like a beautiful tree planted in fertile soil, your calling and mine is anchored in God Himself. Like branches that reach far and wide, our lives-anchored in Christ- are meant to touch many, to provide fruit for the hungry, shade for the weary and stability for the lost. May we send our roots down deep into the Lord's marvelous love and live lives that remind the world that our powerful and loving God is very much alive today."