Season of Heartbreak: Healing for the Heart, Brain, and Soul by Mark Gregory Karris

Season of Heartbreak: Healing for the Heart, Brain, and Soul

by Mark Gregory Karris

     This was a very interesting book since it is written by a neuroscientist who has been able to examine the brain's reaction during emotional stress and trauma. He fills the chapters of this book with facts which have been learned concerning what happens to the brain when under stress emotionally. When I ordered this book to review, I did not have a full understanding of the topic. I thought it was a book to help people going through any type of relational failure, such as I have experienced in the past. However, it is specifically for actual breakups as in boyfriend-girlfriend, or husband and wife. Thus I wasn't as interested in the book but here is my honest review for any interested reader:

Much of this book was interesting but it was not well organized or well-written. Also, I was confused by the Christian stance taken by the author. One of his recommendations for a person going through a breakup is to repeat the name of Jesus or other Biblical good things over and over for 20 minutes. I think Scripture meditation a must, and relaxation wonderful. I also think ''holy yoga'' beneficial if worship music is playing or Scripture being read. But the repetition gets a little strange as that is not in any of the Bible. Look at the Psalms- the best example of praising and meditating on God- for one thing.

I believe the main problem with this book is that it is very technical and factual which is not what will necessarily always help someone dealing with deep emotional trials. I recommend this book for counselors and psychologists and therapists.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

My review of the book Rising Above a Toxic Workplace by Gary Chapman, Paul E. White, Harold Myra

Rising Above a Toxic Workplace: Taking Care of Yourself in an Unhealthy Environment

by Gary Chapman, Paul E. White, Harold Myra

I got this book hoping it would be help and encouragement in future job situations for myself and my family. Currently, I am not in a toxic work environment at all. There are the usual small tiffs and drama but nothing major. However, I know the future will probably hold more difficulties as I enter other work places. I was also hoping this book would even help with the smallest of difficulties at work. Not to be totally negative, but I was disappointed by this book from the first chapter. It was not practical at all. Instead, it was full of other people's work stories. I was shocked at how little practical and spiritual help there was to be found in the pages of this book. It is rare that I read a book which misses the mark so tragically.

If you want to read of other people's work experiences to make your life seem easier, than perhaps this is the book for you. It didn't fulfill my expectations.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you.

Learn how to thrive in—or escape from—a toxic work environment.

Toxic organizations are rife with conflict, fear, and anger. The environment causes people to have physiological responses as if they’re in a fight-or-flight situation. Healthy people become ill. Colds, flu and stress-related illnesses such as heart attacks are more common. By contrast, in resonant organizations, people take fewer sick days and turnover is low. People smile, make jokes, talk openly and help one another." - Annie McKee (author, consultant)

Many employees experience the reality of bullying bosses, poisonous people, and soul-crushing cultures on a daily basis. Rising Above a Toxic Workplace tells authentic stories from today's workers who share how they cope, change, or quit. Candidly they open up about what they learned, what they wish they had done, and how to gain resilience.

Insightfully illustrating from these accounts, authors Gary Chapman, Paul White, and Harold Myra blend their combined experiences in ministry and business to deliver hope and practical guidance to those who find themselves in an unhealthy work environment.

Includes a Survival Guide and Toolkit full of strategies and realistic insights 

Just Show Up

Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn

   I read and reviewed Kara Tippett's first book, The Hardest Peace last year and was so impressed by Kara's faith in God. I definitely connected with her through her first book and when I heard that she finally left this earth to be with her savior, I was deeply touched. I felt as if a friend had passed away. Although I feel sadness for her family and friends, I feel joy for Kara that she is now past all that suffering and at peace with her Savior. Reading Kara's words of wisdom makes the reader realize what peace she had. Her words give such a real idea of the beauty of the death of His saints! At the same time, Kara was not detached from this world; she had a family who she felt loathe to leave and she certainly suffered through the pain she felt through all the cancer which eventually took her life. Just Show Up is a book compiled by Kara Tippetts and her close friend Jill Lynn Buteyn. Each chapter in this small but rich paperback provides amazing wisdom and insight on life to the glory of God. I was moved and touched and convicted by this book! You cannot read this book and come away without being changed in at least a little. I loved the practical approach Just Show Up has....Kara, as an invalid and Jill, as a friend of an invalid give wisdom from their hearts on the topic of friendship and being there for your friends. Their words stem from Biblical truths and can only help uplift and lead you to a more God-glorifying life. I highly recommend this book. I received it from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The late Kara Tippetts was the author of "The Hardest Peace" and blogged faithfully atmundanefaithfulness.com. Cancer was only a part of Kara's story. Her real fight was to truly live while facing a crushing reality. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, is parenting their four children and leading the church they founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Read Kara's blog.

Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of "Falling for Texas," an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor's degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.

The 5 Love Languages by Gary D. Chapman January 2015 edition!

The 5 Love Languages  

 I love practical books like this; I read it in just a couple afternoons. 
I will begin by saying that although I had heard glowing reports of ''the 5 love languages'', I hadn't really thought much on the subject and I certainly had never read any of Mr. Chapman's books prior to this year! This is my second book from Gary Chapman and I am so impressed and excited. 
Simple Ideas, Lasting Love

Between busy schedules and long days, expressing love can fall by the wayside. We forget to compliment, to give gifts "just because," to linger in our embrace. The things that say "I love you" seem to either not get said or not get through. This is a book about saying it-and hearing it-clearly. No gimmicks. No psychoanalyzing. Just learning to express love in your spouse's language. 

With over 10 million copies sold, The 5 Love Languages® has transformed countless relationships. Its ideas are simple and conveyed with clarity and humor, making this book as practical as it is personable. You'll be inspired by real-life stories and Dr. Gary Chapman's commonsense yet perceptive insights on relationships. Reading this book feels like taking a walk with a wise friend. Applying it will change your relationship forever-starting today.

   So popular is the ''love languages'' theory and original book by Gary D. Chapman that the publisher has presented yet another edition of the same helpful and wise text! Absolutely everyone can benefit from the advice in this book. Of course this version is specifically targeted towards married couples. However, as with many books this one can be beneficial for anyone, married or unmarried. If we desire actual working relationships with people, we must know how to love them. I appreciated how this book would be appropriate not only for Christians, but for non-believers as well. I know that the foundational importance is salvation and the state of the soul. But I love how practical the author is in explaining how to understand how to love each human being around us. Although it would be best if the reader is saved, the practical information contained in the chapters of this book should benefit every living being created in the image of God!
Such a variety of relationships is covered in this paperback book. I highly recommend it for anyone and everyone. 
The author is considerate in including a variety of characters and personalities in this book. It also covers the ''invention'' of the 5 love languages and plenty of real-life examples of couples who worked through their problems using this technique.

It's hard to write a review about a book which is full of good and helpful truths! All I can say is, read it and let it change your relationships! As an addition to seeking Christ and dwelling in His word of course, this method, combined with the wonderful book Equipped to Love by Norm Wakefield and the useful brain typing method can change lives, save marriages and salvage many relationships!

Ready to Wed edited by Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley

Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You'll Love

by Greg Smalley (Editor), Erin Smalley (Editor)

   You’re engaged, and the checklist for the day of your dreams is a mile long. In the who, what, where, and how of planning, the why can be forgotten.

Ready to Wed provides chapter after chapter of wisdom and insight to provide a solid, Biblical base for marriages! Whether you are engaged, courting, dating, thinking about starting a relationship, or even single with no prospects in sight (such as myself), you will benefit greatly from the sound wisdom in this book! Likewise, married couples would do well to read this book together and analyze their marriage! With a compilation of thoughts from various Christian couples or individuals, Ready to Wed is truly a relationship-changing and thus life-changing book! Each chapter closes with discussion questions which will help you think through the lessons learned in each portion of the book. 
I whizzed through this book; it was so practical (even though I am not in a relationship!) and understandable. I highly recommend this book. Of course there are doctrinal differences which I noticed as I read it but can't recall now. And I didn't agree with all views the authors presented but for the most part this book was very helpful and I am looking forward to someday reading it with my own man!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Learn to: Define a vision statement unique to your marriage. Positively engage conflict to build a foundation of trust and forgiveness. “Leave and cleave,” even if you are a child of divorce. Manage expectations—and your in-laws! Navigate hot-button issues including, sex and the chore wars. Cope with change, stress, and crisis—especially in your first year. Build a community of support and find mentors. Assess your progress using the Couple Checkup. Loaded with advice, tips, and instructions, this valuable resource is ideal for soon-to-be-newlyweds and those who support them!

When Sorry Isn't Enough: Making Things Right with Those You Love by Gary Chapman, Jennifer M. Thomas

When Sorry Isn't Enough: Making Things Right with Those You Love

by Gary Chapman, Jennifer M. Thomas

Did you ever sincerely  say ''sorry'' to someone but experience the shock of them not taking it as a true apology? 

In ''When Sorry Isn't Enough'', skilled authors and phsyologists  Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas approach the subject of apologies. As we all know, humans make mistakes and usually those mistakes hurt others. Taking responsibility for our failures and making amends graciously is one of the mature and loving actions to take and is definitely important to help relationships- which can be ever so fragile!- thrive. 

What I love about all of Gary Chapman's relationship books is how practical they are. Although best for the Christian audience who have their relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit guiding them to help them heal friendships and such, Gary Chapman's books are also surprisingly useful for non-Christians as well. The fact is, humans need to apply a certain amount of decency (God's common grace) in life or else they would simply tear each other apart!  This is why I recommend this book for all people. 

Of course we know that only true Christians can be genuinely repentant and sorry....likewise only true believers can love with Jesus' kind of love! 

I have heard some critics talk about Gary Chapman's books as shallow because they seem like they are just trying to make people feel better- shallowly healing relationships but not dealing with the heart. I wouldn't agree with this argument because Mr. Chapman does indeed address this argument within his books. Also, you have to admit that people are not just soul. They have personalities. And with millions of personalities running around on the globe, it's good to know how to avoid conflict with them. Also, we could argue that people shouldn't be coddled to and loved in the way that THEY want. Sorry people- humans are so selfish that it will scarcely ever happen that a human can forget himself and how he needs to feel loved. That's why books such as this are SO useful. Imagine all those hurt feelings because you thought you were making a genuine apology but the other person just couldn't understand your way of apologizing! Tell them to ''get over it'' but maybe they can't....Because we are each so different and unique! So, read this book and think twice before you say that you can live fine without the advice presented within the pages....

Chapters include:

Why we hunger for a real apology when we have been hurt; The components of a complete apology;  Why forgiveness isn't the same thing as trust;  What forgiveness really is and what it can and cannot do; Why some people will not apologize and what to do when they won't; The danger of forgiving too easily; What our forgiveness "language" is.

I was happy to receive this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

The 5 Love Languages Singles Edition (10th Anniversary) by Gary Chapman

The 5 Love Languages Singles Edition (10th Anniversary) by Gary Chapman
published 2014

2015 has barely begun, and I've already discovered number 2 of my top 15 reads of 2015! The first I will mention later, and needless to say, this book by Gary Chapman is the second! I love practical books like this; I read it in one afternoon. As in yesterday afternoon. :)
I will begin by saying that although I had heard glowing reports of ''the 5 love languages'', I hadn't really thought much on the subject and I certainly had never read any of Mr. Chapman's books. This is my introduction into the love languages and I am very interested!

  This particular version is the 10th anniversary of the single's edition of this popular theory. The author published it after realizing that many of the readers of his original book ''The 5 Love Languages'', intended for couples, were actually singles! With the knowledge that not only married couples, but every young person desiring to be married needs advice on relationships, they author prepared this version for singles.
To go further, the author also knows that it is most certainly not just eligible singles who would benefit from this book! The fact is: every individual person on the face of this earth has relationships with people around him. If we desire actual working relationships with people, we must know how to love them. I appreciated how this book would be appropriate not only for Christians, but for non-believers as well. I know that the foundational importance is salvation and the state of the soul. But I love how practical the author is in explaining how to understand how to love each human being around us. Although it would be best if the reader is saved, the practical information contained in the chapters of this book should benefit every living being created in the image of God!
Such a variety of relationships is covered in this paperback book. I highly recommend it for singles and even for couples if this is the only available copy!
The author is considerate in including a variety of singles in this chapter book: young people (and their roles as children, and friends), older unmarried people, single parents, divorced adults, widowed adults/parents...Mr. Chapman is quite thorough and wise as he considers each group of people. A good portion of the book also concentrates on singles who are in a dating/courting relationship which I appreciated since the author doesn't assume that all singles will stay single. ;)

It's hard to write a review about a book which is full of good and helpful truths! All I can say is, read it and let it change your relationships! This method, combined with the wonderful book Equipped to Love by Norm Wakefield and the useful brain typing method can change lives, save marriages and salvage many relationships!

I received The 5 Love Languages Singles Edition (10th Anniversary) by Gary Chapman from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you!

good book: 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to your Husband

25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband

by Jennifer Flanders 

I know...this has to be one of the most unusual books I've read this year. At least for me in my unmarried state. But I could have been married and still could be some day. So I read this book. And it was great! Made me wish I was married, just so I could surprise my man by all that I'd learnt from it. 

Truly, this is a remarkable book for wives. I love how Jennifer is just an ordinary woman. I could relate to her entirely. But she teaches, in this 25-chapter book, many ways a woman can think primarily of her husband's interests. 

Ephesians 5:22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.…

Yet, as I read this book I didn't get the idea that Mrs. Flanders- or her husband-believes that women are merely for serving their husbands. Jennifer's love for her role as a woman and help meet just flows through the words in this book. You can tell that she delights in meeting the needs of her husband, of pleasing him, of honoring him.

This is what else is said about the book:

We get out of marriage what we pour into it.

• Would you like for your husband to be more attentive?
• Do you long for him to notice and admire you?
• Wish he’d recognize and appreciate all your hard work?
• Want him to be respectful of your wishes and opinions?
• Would you like for him to spend more time with you?

Then treat him the way you want to be treated.

WARNING: Reading this book may alter the way you look at your husband, your marriage, and life in general. Read at your own risk. Side effects from implementing the principles set forth in these pages may include a more joyful outlook, better communication skills, a healthier relationship, a happier home, and a rekindled desire to love on your man

I am personally very glad I read this book now....perhaps by the time I am married the truths found in this little book will be ingrained in my heart, making marriage much easier for both me and my husband! 

I was very pleased to receive a copy of this book to review from the publisher.