Are you totally, happily, lovingly and completely satisfied with the way your life is going? If you’re not, or if you want to know more about life and love, you have picked the right book to read. In order to live a joyful, peaceful, and loving life with one’s self and with others we must first learn to let go of old, negative attitudes and habits that are inhibiting our ability to love and learn and practice positive and loving attitudes and habits that will bring joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness and self-control into our lives. This book is based on precepts given to us by none other than The Great Author of Life Himself, Almighty God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who taught me how to truly love. This is not another manual on love, marriage or inter-personal relationships but rather a guide to loving oneself which in turn leads us to love, first God, than others as we love ourselves, for it is impossible to love others unless we love ourselves first. And it is impossible to love ourselves as God loves us unless we love God with all our hearts, with all our minds, and with all our souls for God is Love.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this refreshing and inspiring memoir, Lauren Akins, the wife of country music star Thomas Rhett, shows what it’s really like to be “the perfect couple” fans imagine, and reveals what it actually takes to live in love, stay in love, and grow together. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY PARADE When country music star Thomas Rhett won the ACM Award for Single of the Year with “Die a Happy Man,” his wife, Lauren Akins, was overjoyed. Her childhood best friend and now husband was being anointed the hottest new star in country music—for a song he had written about her. He was living his dream. Lauren was elated, but she was also wrestling with some big questions, not the least of which was, How can I live my own life of purpose? Lauren Akins never wanted to be in the spotlight, but as Thomas Rhett made his relationship with Lauren the subject of many of his hit songs, she was tossed into the role of one of America’s sweethearts. Revered by fans for her down-to-earth ease and charm, her commitment to humanitarian work, and the pure love she exudes for her family, Lauren has never shared her side of their story—full as it’s been with deep love, painful loss, tremendous joy, and a struggle to stay grounded in faith along the way—until now. In Live in Love, Lauren shares details about her childhood friendship with Thomas Rhett, explaining how they reconnected as young adults. She offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of being married to her best friend, who just happens to be a music star, and the struggle to find her own footing in the frenzy of her husband’s fame. And in heart-wrenching detail, she opens up about her life-changing experiences doing mission work in Haiti, and then in Uganda, where she met the precious baby who would become their first daughter. From sharing the romance of their handwritten wedding vows to the challenges they faced as they adjusted to the reality of becoming first-time parents, Live in Love takes an intimate look at one couple’s life—and opens a window into all of our journeys on the path to self-discovery. Live in Love is a deeply personal memoir that offers inspiring guidance for anyone looking to keep romance alive, balance children and marriage, express true faith, and live a life of purpose.
In Love Your Life, Not Theirs, Rachel Cruze shines a spotlight on the most damaging money habit we have: comparing ourselves to others. Then she unpacks seven essential money habits for living the life we really want--a life in line with our values, where we can afford the things we want to buy without being buried under debt, stress, and worry. The Joneses are broke. Life looks good, but hidden beneath that glossy exterior are credit card bills, student loans, car payments, and an out-of-control mortgage. Their money situation is a mess, and they're trying to live a life they simply can't afford. So why exactly do we try so hard to keep up with the Joneses? Are we really living the lives we want, or are we chasing someone else's dream, just trying to keep up appearances on social media, at church, and in our community? Why are we letting other people set the pace for our own family's finances? In Love Your Life, Not Theirs, Rachel shows you how to buy and do the things that are important to you--the right way. That starts by choosing to quit the comparisons, reframing the way you think about money, and developing new habits like avoiding debt, living on a plan, watching your spending, saving for the future, having healthy conversations about money, and giving. These habits work, and Rachel is living proof. Now, she wants to empower you to live the life you've always dreamed of without creating the debt, stress, and worry that are all too often part of the deal. Social media isn't real life, and trying to keep up with the Joneses will never get you anywhere. It's time to live--and love--your life, not theirs. "I've never read a book about money that takes this approach--and that's a good thing! Comparison has a way of weaving itself throughout all aspects of our lives, including our money. In Love Your Life, Not Theirs, Rachel Cruze outlines the seven money habits that really matter--and they have nothing to do with keeping up with the Joneses!" Candace Cameron-Bure Actress, author, and co-host of The View "Love Your Life, Not Theirs is full of the kind of practical, straightforward advice we've come to expect from Rachel Cruze. She offers guidance on paying down debt, smart saving, and the right way to talk to your spouse about money. These indispensable tips can help with day-to-day spending decisions and put you on a path to establishing healthy financial habits." Susan Spencer Editor-in-Chief for Woman's Day "Cruze's self-deprecating and honest voice is a great resource for anyone wanting to take charge of their money. With humor and approachability, she helps her readers set themselves up for success and happiness, no matter what current financial state they may be in." Kimberly Williams-Paisley New York Times best-selling author of Where the Light Gets In "In today's world of social media, the temptation to play the comparison game is stronger than ever. Love Your Life, Not Theirs is the perfect reminder that, when it comes to money, comparison is a game you can't win. A terrific--and much needed--read." Jean Chatzky Financial Editor, NBC TODAY and Host of HerMoney with Jean Chatzky Podcast
Despite being part of one of the most mobile societies in history, it's easy for us to feel stuck where we are. Whether because of a recent move or because we're still in the exact same place we've been for years, many of us just aren't where we thought we'd be or doing what we thought we'd be doing. Sometimes we may wonder if God knows what he's doing. How can this be part of his plan? With enthusiasm and contagious joy, Shauna Pilgreen assures readers that, yes, God does have a plan and a purpose for them--right where they are. In fact, he sent them there. She invites readers to "live sent," showing them how to see their surroundings with fresh eyes and renewed energy. Weaving her own remarkable story with biblical habits readers can incorporate into their daily routines, Pilgreen equips us to reach out into our communities with God's love, knowing that our efforts are never in vain.
If you had one hour to live and could make just one phone call, who would you call? What would you say? Why are you waiting? Richard Carlson's sudden, tragic death in December 2006 left his millions of fans reeling, but even their many letters, calls, and emails couldn't erase the loss felt by his wife, Kristine. To try and come to terms with her loss, she pored over 25 years of love letters, reliving the memories and cherishing her late husband's memory. But one letter stood out. Richard had written to his wife on their 18th wedding anniversary and attempted to answer the question: if you had one hour to live, what would you do, who would you call, and what would you say? An Hour to Live, an Hour to Love is a profoundly moving book that shows the importance of treasuring each day as the incredible gift it is.
An award-winning actress. A soldier’s wife. A cancer survivor. A college student. What these women—what all of us—have in common is a need for love: to give it, to receive it, to express its many aspects. Now Andrea Buchanan, who Cosmopolitan called the “girl power guru,” follows her first collection, Note to Self, with a new compilation of thought-provoking, illuminating, often poignant essays on love written by some of America’s most fascinating and vibrant women. Join author and cancer survivor Kelly Corrigan, describing why her most romantic fantasy now involves sitting on the sofa opening the mail; journalist Giselle Fernandez, sharing why, even though the journey can sometimes end painfully, an adventure in love should never be passed up; Afghanistan war widow Marie Tillman on learning to open her heart again after the devastating loss of her husband, Pat; celebrity stylist Tameka Raymond on the challenges of marrying the rap star Usher in the glare of the public eye; and college student Jaclyn Katz on how her “perfect” traditional family fell apart, and her mother’s brother and his partner gave her back the stability that could have been lost forever. These courageous women have portrayed their own innermost emotions and laid bare their own experiences for readers to learn from, laugh at, and lean on.
Romance novelist Jackie Mitchell has built a life that works: few responsibilities, friends that know she’s far from outgoing, and sex whenever she needs it. She has her past, but she doesn’t think about it. Ever. All that changes when she finds the child she gave up for adoption standing on the doorstep. Now sixteen years old, Beth Weber is resourceful, a blossoming artist, and a spitting image of her birth mom. To say Jackie is stunned is the understatement of the year. When Jackie meets Beth’s adoptive mom, Susan, they’re immediately attracted to each other, but there’s no way Jackie is getting involved with a married woman, especially Beth’s mom. But when Susan and Beth need a place to stay and end up back on Jackie’s doorstep, their lives change forever. Will these three women who share a past and face an uncertain future be able to forge a life of love together?
"A true pioneer." — Mike Dooley, New York Times bestselling author. From creating a daily routine of joy and gratitude to developing a practice of presence and forgiveness, this spiritual self-help book shows how to find your true self.
Cameron Smith, a disaffected sixteen year-old who, after being diagnosed with Creutzfeld Jakob's (aka mad cow) disease, sets off on a road trip with a death-obsessed video gaming dwarf he meets in the hospital in an attempt to find a cure.
If the family unit is a fundamental building block of society, the nucleus of that unit is the father, and when he causes damage, the ripples affect everyone. Drawing from decades of first-hand experience and a wealth of academic research, this book delves into the depths of the catastrophe that is fatherlessness, laying it open from an academic and personal perspective, and presenting a thorough, practical solution. The book captures the core of The World Needs A Father's Master Trainer course in a format that is easy to access and digest, but it is also an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to be a better husband, father or mentor. It will challenge you, convict you, and encourage you to be the best father you can be within your context. While it is rooted in Christian ethics and values, the truth and practical value that it expresses is just as relevant to people of a secular inclination, adherents to other faiths, or those who subscribe to no particular faith at all.This version has been updated and expanded to include new research, provide deeper insights, and includes more practical tool to help you bring heaven home.
