Joel Osteen "Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day" Part 2
I do like it that in the introduction right off Joel states, "I must warn you: Practicing the seven keys within this book could be a potentially life-changing process! And while I can't guarantee that you will become rich or famous, I can assure you that if you follow this plan, you will live a more fulfilled life." I agree with the statement if you follow the keys with the Bible.
Joel mentions on pg. 4 "God never performs His greatest feasts in your yesterdays."
I agree and disagree with this statement. You look at Moses he lead the people out of Egypt yet he did not get to enter the promise land. David defeats Goliath, has a wonderful relationship with God; yet later in life lives out the consequences of the sin with Bathsheba in having a son die and not being able to build the temple. I could go on and on. Joel writes on pg. 4 "I've discovered that God likes to outdo Himself. He wants to show His favor in your life in greater ways today than He did yesterday. He wants you to be more blessed tomorrow than you are today. He intends you for you to have a greater impact on the world than you have had."
I can also understand what he is saying as what God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Joel on page 34-35 writes, "Do you understand? You come from a bloodline of champions. You are not ordinary; you are a Thoroughbred. It doesn't matter what your present condition looks like ; you need to know that inside you flows the blood of a winner. ON the inside of you are the seeds of greatness. Take a better look at your bloodline. One the inside of you is the champion after champion. You are the seed of Almighty God. The Scripture says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the Word of our testimony, and the willingness to lay down our lives. Because of what God has done, every one of us is a thoroughbred."
I don't know about you but I don't like being compared to a horse. I know I am a conquer though Christ. I know I do all things through Christ who gives me Strength. I just don't like the bloodline terminology and being compared to a racing horse. I am soldier for Christ. I more than conqueror. (Romans8:37) He does go on to say that we are sons of the Living God. Amen. I totally agree. I believe the bloodline that he is talking about is supernatural and more powerful that we can ever believe or ever imagine (Eph 6:10-ff).
Joel says on page 136 "You have something to offer that nobody else can give." I totally agree. I think that each and every one off us can make a difference in life. Each one off us has a calling that God wants us to do a talent that God has given to us. A job. A person that we can help. A door that God has opened if we will look for it.
On pg. 140 Joel writes, "When you believe the best in people, you help to bring the best out in them." I believe this is true. Jesus did this with those he associated. The sinners. Tax collectors. Etc. Did he not?
Joel writes on 145, "If you will make some body's, God will make yours." I believe this is just another way of saying, "do to others as you would have them do unto you."
Me personally, I liked it.
Over reading this book I believe that Christians should read this book for what it is-a self-help book for their Christian life. It would be a good read with Bible by your side. If you are looking for something deep, something theological, then you need to read something else may I suggest:
"A Gathared People:Revisioning the Assembly as Transforming Encounter" by John Mark Hicks, John Melton, & Bobby Valentine; or "Kingdom Come" by John Mark Hicks & Bobby Valentine.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 9:58:00 PM
36 Comments:
I have not read the book but this is my chance to be the first comment.
Hey Preach - Haven't read the book either ... but I apprecaite the book review. If you say it's good... then I believe it is. Nothing is more frustrating than buying a book and finding it to be worthless.
Kinney, I have spoken with you through E-mail and comments many times, you know I am not one to pull punches especially when it comes to one's salvation. One only has to look at the crowds this person draws to his speaches to see he offers something many people can't help but embrace "self importance" there are many places in Jesus' words that warn against this very thing. Jesus warns against false teachers and false prophets. I off hand can't think of any single speaker today that fits this description better than this speaker. perverts Jesus word then reads your future. I can't bring myself to call what he does as a sermon, in my opinion he is only a motivational speaker. I have never been to one of those meetings and will never be there, but I have been told he sells tickets to his show just like any other circus. I will pray that you won't get caught up in the euphoria. May God Bless
David,
I appreciate your comment whether you have read the book or not. I do recommend it for as a self help book.
Trey,
Thanks for your comments. I too hate buying books to find them completely worthless. As I mention this book is a great self-help book that will encourage you to live up to your full potential.
Laymond,
I always apprecaite your comments, encouragement, wisdom and faith. I want understand and know your concern and passion for peoples salvation. I love that about you brother. I know that you understand that one person's faith can be stronger than others. People can read books and take them for what they are and not get caught up in what might be considered false doctrine. As I mention in my post people need to understand that this is a self-help book. It helps us live a better life. Like the title says, Become a better you. I know I want to be a better husband, father, minister. God wants me to be that as well. The keys that Joel gives in his book has helped me become that every day if I put it into practice with the WORD of God as well.
Laymond, I love you and appreciate your concern and you do not have to worry about me getting caught up the the circus. Even though I could being the "freak show" I am sometimes. :-) Just kiddin. LOL. Love you brother. You want to read a really good book read Bobby Valentines books.
Hey! Looks like you've started posting more often again, hope you're feeling better.
Thanks for stopping by. Sorry, I accidentally deleted your comment over at my site...I was trying to edit my post and was having trouble w/it, so I just deleted the whole thing and started over...forgetting that there was already a comment there! Sorry!
"I do like it that in the introduction right off Joel states, "I must warn you: Practicing the seven keys within this book could be a potentially life-changing process! And while I can't guarantee that you will become rich or famous, I can assure you that if you follow this plan, you will live a more fulfilled life."
Sounds like something Jesus said about a "more abundant life."
mmlace,
Thanks for letting me know.
I always like your blog and posts.
You make people think.
So, if you want are looking for a blog that makes people think then check out here blog.
cninwc,
Yes it does sound very much like Jesus's statement on the abundant life. Jesus doesn't promise us fame or fortune. He does promise us a better life if we follow His will. We will have problems in life but Jesus see's see's us through those problems. Just like job and Tim Woodroof states on his commentary on job God does not leave us on the ash heap of life's problems of life alone, no he join's us on the ash heap.
Joel understands that his book from the start isn't going to make everyone famous and rich just as Jesus knew that the promise of abundant life wasn't going to as well.
Joel can laugh at his critics. Can we?
IMHO, the danger with "self-help" books comes when we think we change our lives instead of being open to God changing our lives. Hopefully most of us are mature enough to read and filter and take what will make us better Christians and discard the rest as simply anecdotal.
Peace
Neva
Neva,
You are right.
I heard on the Larry King interview that Joel Osteen's wife, Victoria was raised Christ of Christ. Interesting information I thought.
Thanks for the kindness in suggesting our books.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
For starters, Joel Osteen is not my kink of preacher by a long shot. He doesn't even resemble his fathers preaching. Many of the critical comments I have read here I agree with. However, I must ask us to be fair.
I know and you know preachers who quote lots of Scripture, preach on sin, preach on hell, preach on the church, and don't preach enough gospel in a month to fill a thimble.
One thing is for sure, Osteen is accomplishing much more than most of us. We are buying his book, and many, many church of Christ folk watch his telecast and enjoy it.
He is what he is. If he claimed to be a theologian or Bible scholar I would object. But he doesn't. He is just a guy who didn't want to be a preacher or pastor and he believes God put him in the position he is in. No one can honestly argue with his success.
The old N.C. Baptist evangelist Vance Havner said about Norman Vincent Peale, "I find Paul appealing and Peale appauling". I think Joel is far better than Peale but he is no Paul.
His peace,
Royce Ogle
Royece,
Wow. Amen. I totally agree with you that many preachers pic the and choose what they want out to of the Bible every week and what they want to preach on every week and stay away from certain things every week on purpose.
I agree Osteen doesn't come across or admit to being a theologian. He says, that when his dad died "God called him to take over the ministry."
Yes many Church of Christ members enjoy his televast including myself because I get encouraged.
I don't know if it is that over the years in the Church of Christ they have been bashed over the head with hell, fire and brimstome sermons. Church of Christ minister in the past have taught and preach that we are the only ones going to heaven and they are longing for something more. I don't know if the Churches of Christ have over the years starved their people with grace and now they will go and turn anywhere to look for it, to get it even if it Osteen and Lakewood Church.
I believe as minister's of the Church of Christ we have to realize that what our people need. Our people need to be encourage, up-lifted, strengthened, unstand that they can have confidence in their salvation (1 John 5:13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW you have eternal life."). Our people need to hear that God is gracious to a thousand generations to a people who love him. Amen! Our people need to know that they are more than conquorers through Christ and that they can do all things though Christ who gives them strength. We need to let them know they have the Holy Spirit indwelling them and they can know that God has given them a spirit not of timidity but of power!
I think if we continue to fuss and fight. I think if we continue to fight over what version is right, how to do worship, fellowship halls, support orphan homes, how many cups, power power point or not, praise teams and on and on. I think we don't focus on love. Like my next post talks about we can kiss what we see church of Christ good by; because people want to go where they can be strengthened.
Let me elaberate on my last comment. I believe this generation on will go where they can find strength, encouragement, application to everyday life according to word of God (How does the Bible apply to my life),I don't see the younger generations really caring to much on the doctrines of the church as long as they are getting what they need to live like Christ. I believe the younger generation want authenticaty. I believe that is why we as ministers need to focus on the function of the 1st century Church: Love (which is the center) grace, mercy, kindness, goodness, gentlenesss, sharing with one antoher burdens.
I believe the Church of Christ must become applicable to the 21st cetury and make a difference now. We must stop worrying are we like the 1st century and start worrying are we meeting peoples needs today. That's what I believe makes Joel's message & Lakewood; Bill Hybels & Willow Creek; Rick Warren & Saddleback; so successful. These men are focused on the culture of today. We see in the Bible people changing culture instead of culture changing the church. We need to understand we are the Church of the 21st century now okay, what are we going to do with that.
Do you think you're correct? How do you know if you're correct? What makes you think so? Because it's written? Because someone told you? Why? Are you 100% sure? We all think we're correct about our individual beliefs. Let's take the Bible, ya know the book that has formed so many different denominations of religion. Here is a book with many different books within it. Many people read it and have formed many different opinions about it which has created Catholicism, Methodism, Lutheranism, Quakers, Christianity, Church of Christ, Assemblies of God, Pentecostal, etc, etc, etc. One book many different people thinking their correct, even fighting over it. They all have great point of views and defend their position from the same book. WoW! Who is to say any of it's correct? It has been passed down and you decide to receive it in faith, hoping it's correct. Crazy isn't it? When you really take a minute and think about it, it's quite amusing.
God Bless You!
Actually, Jseyler, the Bible didn't form the many denominations, PEOPLE did. Catholicism is the original Christianity--and remained so for a VERY long time. The other denominations happened when certain people (Calvin, Luther, etc.) decided they didn't want to follow the Pope, and they removed various books from the Bible. We wouldn't HAVE a Bible if it weren't for Catholicism. Catholicism is the original Christianity and has remained faithful to Scripture and Tradition since Christ began His Church over 2000 years ago. Yeah, I know--the priest scandals. Don't judge the Church by those horrible men. Many Protestant ministers have done the same horrible things, but priests doing it makes better ratings for the papers and broadcasts.
I have found that the vast majority of Protestants do not understand Catholicism. They believe we worship Mary and all kinds of other craziness. They hear things like that from others who don't understand it, and pass it on as fact. The Nicene Creed tells what we believe, it is our profession of faith every Sunday at Mass: We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Is that not what Protestants believe as well?
Anyway, my point was, Jseyler, that the Bible didn't create the schism. People relying on their own personal interpretation of it, did. Catholics rely on the interpretation that was passed on from the beginning of the Church, by CHRIST, HIMSELF. He gave Peter (the first Pope) the keys to the kingdom, and Scripture and Tradition have remained constant for over 2000 years. The schisms in Christianity aren't amusing, Jseyler, your assertion that the Bible created them, is!
I'm just sayin"...
Hicks, Melton and Valentine wrote a review of their REVISION and it was posted in Wineskins. I have taken each of the MAIN points of their proposal and it comes as no surprise that the "proof text" ignoring the history of abandoned Isreal, wants to use the Old Testament as Patternism for a TRANSFORMING WORSHIP WITH PASSION. I have reviewed their summary and allerted Bobby and John Hicks who is always cuttingly friendly.
I wondered to him how the latest spawn of theologians can use the "narrative" method of taking obsoleted fragmented text and propose something so utterly fuflilling of prophecy. I have posted context,defined words, posted parallels and posted from contemporaneous text especially of the Greeks from which the Jews Dionysus worship was practiced in Egypt.
I have posted them in red so you know their proposal and understand from all recorded history that it is as Carroll D. Osburn says "Feminist hermeneutics destroying Patriarchal worship by small acts of treachery." It is easy to read the red and as much of the rest as you wish: I have added clickable links so you can read the story of the Mother Goddess worship in the original text.
http://www.piney.com/Hicks.Gathered.html
If it sounds strange I assure you that in the BEFORE ME era it is Biblical and supported by the church fathers and the founders of denominations.
Ken Sublet
i personally think Joel Osteen is an great author. become a better you is the best book i have ever read. i think is also good for students who have dreams but not direction. as i am an student i find this book interesting. i wish one day i could meet him or write him a letter, i will like to see many South African youth reads this book
i personally think Joel Osteen is an great author. become a better you is the best book i have ever read. i think is also good for students who have dreams but not direction. as i am an student i find this book interesting. i wish one day i could meet him or write him a letter, i will like to see many South African youth reads this book
Preacherman, I agree with a lot of what you said.. However something about it just irks me, and i'll have to respectfully disagree with some of your words. I know that this generation is drawn to what makes them feel good, and where they can find encouragement. Your statement, "I don't see the younger generations really caring to much on the doctrines of the church as long as they are getting what they need to live like Christ." AH! That bugs me.. don't they need doctrine to live like Christ? How else are we (i'm a youngster) supposed to know how to live if we don't have the doctrine of Christ found in the bible.. God is not supposed to make you feel like the greatest person alive oozing with self confidence and victory. (I know that we have victory in the Lord, but I guess what i'm talking about is self-riteousness) But aren't we supposed to be humble and not so worldly? As a member of the Church, I just have such a hard time supporting anything Joel Osteen has to say about Christ.. I mean did you see him on Larry King Live? Ugh that made me a little sick. But anyways I liked most of what you said, just wanted to share my thoughts.. hope you arent offended
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