Another review...Eyes Wide Open

Here is another book review I did. First is the summary from the back of the book. Under that I have written what I thought of the book! :-)

Book: Eyes Wide Open
Author: Jud Wilhite

Summary:
I had it all backwards. The main thing was not my love for God, but his love for me. And from that love I respond to God as one deeply flawed, yet loved. I’m not looking to prove my worth. I’m not searching for acceptance. I’m living out of the worth God already declares I have. I’m embracing his view of me and in the process discovering the person he created me to be. In Eyes Wide Open, Jud Wilhite invites you to discover the real you. Not the you who pretends to be perfect to satisfy everyone’s expectations. Not the you who always feels guilty before God. Not the you who secretly feels God forgives everyone else but only tolerates you. Not the you who looks in the mirror and sees a failure. The real you, loved and forgiven by God, living out of your identity in Christ. A travel guide through real spirituality from one incomplete person to another, Eyes Wide Open is a book of stories about following God in the messes of life, about broken pasts and our lifelong need for grace. It is a book about seeing ourselves and God with new eyes–eyes wide open to a God of love.

Wow. This was a great book! A must read for everyone in my opinion. I wish I had an extra copy to give to you. Of course, you are always welcome to borrow mine ANYTIME! Wilhite starts out by saying that this book will help you learn to see yourself as God create you...the real you...without pretense or playacting. He says, "This doesn't mean you'll have it all worked out by the end. You may still feel like a mess. But now, as someone has put it, you'll be GOD'S MESS. And He has wonderful things in store for you." Boy...he was right. This book helped me become aware and realize a lot about myself and my life. He reminds us that we matter to God...no matter where on the ladder we are...our weight...the kinds of clothes we wear, etc. We matter just as we are. We are incredible spiritual beings because that is how God created us. He also reminds us of forgiveness, "When y ou and I make Jesus our leader and forgiver, we're offered forgiveness because of who God is and what He has done for us. It's called grace. And it's uncensored." He made several good points. Points that I KNEW...but didn't KNOW. For example, "No matter what difficulty, pain, or hardship we face, God will pull us through. He will fight for us in the midst of the problem." He reminds us that the Lord is our helper, and we we should have no fear. When we are up against life, we need to remember that promise. God will never fail us, or abandon us. He is our helper...so we should have NO fear. He also has a chapter which focuses on Community and how important it is for Christians to have it. That really struck a cord with me because I know people who say, "Nature is my church...I don't need to go to church." That is not true. You will be renewed and encouraged by others...and the only way to do that is by community...by church...other believers. The trees can't encourage you. So sorry...but your horse can't either. Finally, at the end of the book, he says, "We usually say, "As long as there is life, there is hope." But I believe that as long as there is hope, there is life." What a true statement that is...and one I needed to hear especially with the loss of my mother only a few months ago. We have hope in Jesus Christ...therefore she is living with Him right now as we speak. We will always have life, if we continue to have hope in Jesus. That was so refreshing. The book was A++++++++ in my opinion, and I really would encourage all of you to pick up a copy yourself!

Happy reading!!!