tabithar's review against another edition
1.0
TL; DR: There are too many good books to waste your time or money on this one.
This text reads as though a boomer has decided she's going to set straight all those GenX, Millennials, and GenZ's by pointing fingers and naming names. In the process, she embodies anything but Christian characteristics. I have heard of two people (across perhaps 40+) that weren't put off by the writer's style, tone, and hypocrisy. The responses were independent of age (20's to late 70's), occupation, and stage of life. Of the six groups, at least two book club groups decided to switch books after reading the first two chapters.
This book was selected for our church's women's Bible study groups to do as book clubs that popped up across the areas in which we live. Unfortunately, no one had read the book prior to suggesting it. Bonus: This book experience resulted in a change in policy that someone has to have read a book before recommending in the future.
This text reads as though a boomer has decided she's going to set straight all those GenX, Millennials, and GenZ's by pointing fingers and naming names. In the process, she embodies anything but Christian characteristics. I have heard of two people (across perhaps 40+) that weren't put off by the writer's style, tone, and hypocrisy. The responses were independent of age (20's to late 70's), occupation, and stage of life. Of the six groups, at least two book club groups decided to switch books after reading the first two chapters.
This book was selected for our church's women's Bible study groups to do as book clubs that popped up across the areas in which we live. Unfortunately, no one had read the book prior to suggesting it. Bonus: This book experience resulted in a change in policy that someone has to have read a book before recommending in the future.
sarahreadsalotofbooks's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
katie_cooper's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.0
Would have loved for this to been a little more charitably written towards people in hard situations and experiences. I actually agreed with her conclusions on a big picture standpoint but found her tone off putting, likely alienating the audience she’s trying to reach. I think this book would have been well served by more chapters - I regularly found myself wanting to know more of the authors position on various stances, and think some of the uncharitable tone was really just the author trying to be concise.
That being said, the book made me uncomfortable in good ways and prompted great conversations with my husband. I just don’t know that I’m recommending this to someone in the midst of tender season.
That being said, the book made me uncomfortable in good ways and prompted great conversations with my husband. I just don’t know that I’m recommending this to someone in the midst of tender season.
michellef's review against another edition
3.0
Flourish is a Christian living book by author Lydia Brownback. The tagline reads: How the Love of Christ Frees Us from Self-Focus. I wanted to read this book because it is typical for humanity to have self-focus instead of always having the focus on Christ. I like that the author admits to her own weakness of self-consciousness, she’s not trying to portray herself as perfect.
This is a short book that is an encouragement, even though I didn’t always agree with the author. I do wish the quotes the author uses would have references with the quote. I did notice, on page 83, when she quotes Dr. John MacArthur well known theologian and teacher of the Word, she referenced him with his quote.
There is a list of references at the back of the book, which is fine if you are not reading from an ebook, along with general and scripture indexes. There is also a 30 day study guide for individual or group study.
I want to thank Crossway Publishers for giving me the chance to review this book.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
This is a short book that is an encouragement, even though I didn’t always agree with the author. I do wish the quotes the author uses would have references with the quote. I did notice, on page 83, when she quotes Dr. John MacArthur well known theologian and teacher of the Word, she referenced him with his quote.
There is a list of references at the back of the book, which is fine if you are not reading from an ebook, along with general and scripture indexes. There is also a 30 day study guide for individual or group study.
I want to thank Crossway Publishers for giving me the chance to review this book.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
libbywassan's review against another edition
5.0
Well, started and finished this book in a couple of hours( to be fair, it’s relatively short) and am already planning to study it in a more in-depth way over the next month. A timely message for women, and I was both convicted and encouraged by it!
theliterarylane's review against another edition
4.0
There’s a lot to unpack here for such a short book. I’m looking forward to doing the 30-day study guide to really soak in all of what Brownback is saying!
I appreciate how Brownback clearly reveres God. Her words can sound harsh, but with all the prosperity gospel teaching in a lot of non-denominational churches, I think her message is timely and important. I was definitely feeling some conviction during certain chapters!
Would recommend for a book that’s guaranteed to make you think & dive deeper into scripture.
I appreciate how Brownback clearly reveres God. Her words can sound harsh, but with all the prosperity gospel teaching in a lot of non-denominational churches, I think her message is timely and important. I was definitely feeling some conviction during certain chapters!
Would recommend for a book that’s guaranteed to make you think & dive deeper into scripture.
ladyj95's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
I have mixed feelings about this book. I suppose I have strong feelings for most writers who have a strong stance on truth. In saying that, there was a strong transphobic, homophobic, anti-free choice and fatphobic sentiments.
There were some very insensitive things about trauma and the need for counselling and therapy. Completely dismissing mental health is unfortunately common in religious material. To say getting counselling isn’t biblical is so wrong. Sorry, but you can’t pray trauma, pain, depression and gay away. It is dangerous for a non-mental health practitioner to give such advice, and it’s disparaging to read.
There were some very insensitive things about trauma and the need for counselling and therapy. Completely dismissing mental health is unfortunately common in religious material. To say getting counselling isn’t biblical is so wrong. Sorry, but you can’t pray trauma, pain, depression and gay away. It is dangerous for a non-mental health practitioner to give such advice, and it’s disparaging to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Fatphobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Body shaming, and Transphobia
Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Mental illness
raben_76325's review against another edition
5.0
We all want to get closer to Jesus and we all long for lives that are full of joy. However, many things stand in the way. These may include self-consciousness, self-help attitudes, self-indulgence, self-analysis, self-condemnation or self-victimization. While these can range widely in their guises, what all these obstacles to joy have in common are an undue and unhealthy focus on ourselves. When we focus on ourselves, we often find that we have crowded Christ either out of our lives or onto the margins of our lives. We find ourselves the star of our life, and we have no room for worship of anyone but self.
Brownback helps to gently correct these erroneous views, shows how sometimes even Christian subculture helps to encourage these views, and allows us to put a right focus on Christ instead of ourselves. This is the most helpful book that I have read in a long time, as I find that I often struggle with several of the self-focused habits that Brownback outlines. This is an early contender for my best reads of the year, and I have thought about going back through the book with the 30-day guide and bible study questions that Brownback includes after the main text. It remains to be seen whether I'll do that or not, but this is one that I could find myself re-reading on a fairly frequent basis, as I truly need some lenses to help me see beyond myself and to the glory that is Christ. (book 57 of 2019)
Brownback helps to gently correct these erroneous views, shows how sometimes even Christian subculture helps to encourage these views, and allows us to put a right focus on Christ instead of ourselves. This is the most helpful book that I have read in a long time, as I find that I often struggle with several of the self-focused habits that Brownback outlines. This is an early contender for my best reads of the year, and I have thought about going back through the book with the 30-day guide and bible study questions that Brownback includes after the main text. It remains to be seen whether I'll do that or not, but this is one that I could find myself re-reading on a fairly frequent basis, as I truly need some lenses to help me see beyond myself and to the glory that is Christ. (book 57 of 2019)