Review: The Faith Dare

The Faith Dare: 30 Days to Live Your Life to the Fullest by Debbie Alsdorf

(For review from Revell)

Synopsis:

Jesus came to give us abundant life. So why are so many Christian women living with worn-out faith, struggling just to get by? What if there was something more? What if we could be set free from worry, fear, and the constant cycle of searching for significance?

The Faith Dare is a 30-day challenge for women who are tired of ho-hum living and want to break the pattern of self-reliance and people pleasing by putting their trust in God alone and learning to live to please him. This energizing book will change a woman's focus from her moods and attitudes to living in the power of God's Word. It will encourage her to take the next step and begin to live out real faith in her real life.

Thoughts:

As many of you know from time to time I will review a book on Christian living and/or about woman living out their faith. The Faith Dare by Debbie Alsdorf is such a book. This is an approach that a lot of authors are using these days. 30 days to a flatter stomach, 30 days to finding the love of your life, 30 days to live. It's amazing what one can accomplish in a month. Most of these types of books fall flat for me, but not this one!

Alsdorf uses a positive approach to living life to the fullest. She lets the reader see a glimpse of what life might be like, if they quit worrying so much and always living for the future. What is happening in your present? What do you need to do to get more out of your Christian life, for yourself and for others? That's what this book is all about.

This book takes you through a 30 day journey into self-discovery, with chapters on figuring out what is important to you, what to do when you are whiny, needy and just plain discouraged. It gives insight into managing your mind and being a woman of worth. I was really happy to see that the author was in tune with all things that woman face today, from hectic careers to balancing home and family.

I liked this one a lot and I'm giving it 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

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

Here is some more information about Debbie Alsdorf.

Debbie Alsdorf was born in Sourthern California and raised in North Redondo Beach. With only one sister who was eleven years older, Debbie was raised most of her life as an only child. Without other children around, the family's player piano became her first best friend and set in motion years of voice lessons, performances, and a life on the stage. Though her talent won her awards and attention, it also left her empty. At the young age of 17, she accepted Christ and at that tender age she felt a call on her life. Though she didn't understand what that meant, she did everything she could to try to be her best for God, which eventually landed her on a wheel of performance and perfection, a wheel that sidetracked her walk for many years with Stepford Christianity. Sadly, she just went from one stage to another-from performing all her life for applause to performing in her Christian walk for other's approval. After going through a painful and humiliating ministry divorce, she was left not knowing who she was and if her life really did have purpose. After years of believing she was called to minister to women, she was left feeling unqualified and unuseable. In the years that followed, Debbie started over with the Lord and got more serious about her faith. She began to learn about the love of God for her in a way that changed everything. For the past 18 years she has leaned into that love for the redefining of her self and her life.

For the past 12 years, Debbie has been doing what she loves the most: ministering to women. She is a popular speaker traveling throughout the year, sharing with women of all ages the reality of God's love for them and the gift of His involvement in their lives. A gifted communicator, Debbie shares with transparency, conviction, and passion as she holds out the Word of Truth to women in a way that is practical, relevant, and life changing. She connects through her stories, her humor, and her practical illustrations of Biblical Truth. Coming from a place of personal brokenness, she is known for exposing the fraility in her own life in a way that helps women look at themselves and the pieces within themselves that are in need of healing and restoration.

Debbie founded Design4Living Ministries in 2000. Her heart's desire is to teach women the practical aspects of walking in Christ so that their foundations will be strong and their lives will be changed. In keeping with that goal, in 2005, Design4Living began a women's spiritual growth conference in Northern California, bringing in keynotes and break out session speakers from all over the country. Over the past few years, the conference has been a source of encouragement for many women.

Debbie has served in women's ministry for over 25 years. For the past 13 years she has served on the staff of Cornerstone Fellowship, in Livermore, California, as the pastor/director of women's ministries. She leads a staff team as well as over 200 women in volunteer leadership. She is also a Biblical lay-counselor and member of AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors), a member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), CLASS ( Christian Leaders and Speakers Services) and is represented by Speak Up Speakers Services, Outreach Events, and literary agent Les Stobbe.

Married for 18 years to her husband Ray, together they have raised a blended family of four children, who are now adults. They share the passion of reaching others who are trying to navigate the blended family, and will release a book for blended families in 2010, David C. Cook.

Their greatest joy in this life are their children: Justin, Ashley, Cameron, and Megan. Justin is a graduate of Biola University who works in sales and serves as a worship leader. Ashley is a graduate of Colorado State Univ. and will graduate in 09 with her masters in school psychology. Cameron is a recording artist and songwriter signed to Universal Music Group Publishing, BEC/ EMI. The front man of the band Jaymes Reunion, their CD debut release will be May 09. Megan, also a graduate of Colorado State Univ., is currently in the nursing program at Samuel Merritt.

They have four other joys that they now come home to-3 small dogs (Molly, Bubba, and Lucy) and one cat (Pugsly). They make their home in Livermore, California.

Please visit Debbie's website, Design4Living Ministries. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.