If it wasn't for the fact I was obligated to read the book in order to write a review, I likely would have put this book aside shortly after starting it, thinking it was uninteresting.

Besides, it was just a little paperback with an odd title, how compelling could it be?

As it turns out, fairly compelling with a challenging, inspiring, and insightful message.

Yes, I kept reading.

Whether I was just not well tuned in when I started my reading, or the first chapter really is rather dull, I'm not sure what it was that initially almost lost my interest in reading "I Am Not But I Know I Am" (published by Multnomah Books), but author Louie Giglio quickly captured my attention soon thereafter and I found myself thoroughly engrossed in this little paperback.

Giglio marches the reader back to the story of Moses encountering God through a burning bush and discovering what God's name is. Giglio uses that discovery to take the reader into what is the subtitle of the book, "Welcome to the story of God."

When you explore who the I AM is, and understand that makes us the "I am not's," you gain a much greater, and clearer perspective of God's BIG story and where (and how) you fit into it. With this new perspective comes an understanding of our smallness, something Giglio challenges his readers to embrace positively.

"The Story already has a star, and that star is not you or me," Giglio writes.

God is infinitely big in a myriad of ways. We are tiny. That turns out to be a beautiful combination for life, as Giglio reveals throughout the rest of the book.

"I Am Not But I Know I Am" is a little paperback worth reading. It won't take a lot of your time, but it will challenge and inspire you in big ways.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The message of Louie Giglio's book, I Am Not But I Know I Am, is both humbling and freeing. He reminds us from the beginning of the book that this life story we're living isn't really about us at all. It's God's story, and we've simply been invited to play a small part in His great design.

This means that we can throw over all that stress we place on ourselves, feeling like this world depends on us or that decisions and outcomes rest so heavily on our lightweight shoulders. It also means that we can stop treating this life like the story (and the glory) is ours. It's about Him, always Him, and never us.

Covering a vast span of Scripture, reminders from astronomy, and personal experiences, Giglio manages to keep every chapter short, easy to read, and both inspiring and challenging. Louie Giglio is known for his story-telling, humor, and practical teaching to college students at the Passion conferences, and his gift for communication and teaching certainly shines in this book.

My favorite sections include his teaching on the importance of keeping a Sabbath perspective in life, choosing to rest and allow God to be at work, and recognizing that the world doesn't spin and function because of our intense 24-7-365 involvement. God doesn't need us to make His plans succeed; He chooses to include us.

I've read through it twice and I've been challenged both times to examine my perspective on life. Am I forgetting how great God is? Am I trusting in my own abilities too much? Am I focusing too much on myself and becoming too prideful? Am I living a life that glorifies God? These are questions worth asking not one in a lifetime, but repeatedly in order to fight against pride and help us be more yielded to God's purposes and usable in ministry.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Love the concept. Loved how he conveyed the concept not only through hia words but through his fonts. I wept as I read and slowly digested this.

The title of this book is what intrigued me. It definitely gets your attention and draws you in. Reading this book definitely was a blessing because it got me to focus on the I AM instead of myself (i am not).

If you are a person who tends to be a "control freak", someone who thinks more highly of themselves than they ought (see Romans 12:3), then this is a book for you. Specifically on pages 33-35, where Louie Giglio breaks down who I AM is versus who i am not, will be an eye-opening, humbling revelation.

I hope everyone who reads this book will come to realize that I AM is the answer to every question, frustration, problem, conflict that you will ever have. No matter what the situation is, I AM is the Orchestrator of it all. I AM is in control, i am not!!!

I also appreciated the (OBSM)>One-Word Bible Study Method, which I have incorporated into my personal Bible study.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

I didn't think I'd like it.

At first, I thought I'd totally enjoy a book by Louie Giglio.

But sometimes he gives information that, while astounding, I can't even begin to grasp it and being the person I am, that annoys me.

But I enjoyed it.

In fact, I was reminded of a wonderful truth: my name is: i am not.

Little i, little a, little n. I am little.

Louie speaks this truth in every single chapter of his book. But he doesn't leave us there. No, he talks about His name... I AM. And my mind is blown by some of the truth and God comforts my heart with it.

The chapters aren't super long (and I think most people like that), but they are filled with funny stories, deep thoughts, and beautiful truths.

It's a pretty easy read. I can't really think of any complaints or things I didn't like about this book.

Not sure if it would go into my top 5 or even my top 10, but it's a wonderful book that is great for all age groups.

*This book was given to me for free for reviewing purposes.