Review: What Happened To My Life?

My Synopsis:

What Happened to My Life? Finding New Passion, Purpose, and Joy by Danna Demetre

(For review from Revell)

What Happened to My Life? is two books rolled into one. Part 1 of the book, written by speaker and life coach, Danna Demetre, allows the reader a chance to look inside themselves and see what's going on. Are you miserable and don't know why? You'll find out what your misery factor is and what may be causing it. Are you having trouble balancing everything in your life? Demetre will help you understand that you can't give and give and give and not take time for yourself and your relationship with God. Do you have habits that are sabotaging your life? Bad habits may be hard to break, but if you put good things into your life, you'll get good things out of it. Are you discontent? Do you just want something different? Is what you have not enough? This section will open your eyes into how your mind is working and what is causing your discontentment.

Part 2 of the book lets readers in on the secret of contentment. In one section it gives the stories of six women who have faced many different things in their lives and have still learned to be content within those circumstances. From, being childless, to being single, to starting over after a divorce, these women have learned to be content even in the midst of turmoil. Part 3 of the book is a 40-day journey where Demetre helps the reader to slow down and make good choices, to have realistic expectations, to choose good things to put into your mind and heart and pursue God.

My Thoughts:

I was somewhat skeptical about this book when I first got it. I have been a Christian for 25 years and I felt that I had a lot of knowledge about the Bible and what was in it. But, I've learned lately that God is always trying to teach me new things and this book was no different. God used it to bring some things into focus for me. I want a life that is has joy and passion and purpose. I don't want to be discontent in my Christian life. I even talked to my oldest daughter about some of the things in this book. She is 12 and we talked a lot about what kinds of things we allow into our lives, through television, radio, video games etc. and how some of this stuff probably isn't good for us.

I felt like I really learned something by reading this book. It was not a book you could read quickly, it's one of those that takes a bit of digesting. I did a lot of thinking about what I was reading, but if a book makes a difference in your life in any way, it's worth the time. I was moved by the book and believe that other readers will be too. The 40-day devotional portion of the book is wonderful. If you take this journey you will be changed by the end of it.

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Here is some more information about the author, Danna Demetre.

Self-described as a continuous “work in progress”, Danna has learned how to find deep satisfaction by putting first things first in each area of her life. A survivor of marital infidelity, the heartbreak of rebellious children, the paralysis of unrelenting panic attacks and prolonged bondage to food, she has personally discovered that God’s Word is truly “living and active and more powerful than a two-edged sword.” In fact, that “sword” is much like a precision surgical knife that when turned on ourselves excises the lies we believe and replaces them with truth.

A popular international conference and retreat speaker, Danna has a passion for encouraging others with these life-changing truths. It is her desire to help them dig beneath the surface to find greater balance and purpose in all the dimensions of their lives. Years of mentoring and teaching have earned her the reputation of being the “Christian Woman’s Total Life Coach”.

In 1996, in response to her desire for unchurched and unsaved women to hear about Christ, Danna founded a ministry called “Women of Purpose”. This dynamic outreach ministry has produced over 55 events at local hotels to provide an opportunity for Christian women to share their faith with friends, family and co-workers in a “non-church” setting. Danna loves partnering with women’s ministry leaders to host outreach events in their own churches using the very effective model of Women of Purpose.