Book Review: Deeper

Have you ever wondered if you are worth something to anyone?

Have you ever struggled with low self-esteem?  What about a lack of confidence in certain areas of your life?

Have you ever wondered if you can really "go deep" in your marriage, your friendships, your relationship with Jesus?

Do you really believe God's love for you is real??

How do you feel about Psalm 139?  Do you really embrace all of it? Do you even believe it is true?

What about striving for perfection?  Do we have to?  Why not??

Have you ever wondered how to live "for real?"

All of these questions, and more, get answered by God, through the testimony and words/teaching of the author.

Genre:  Christian non-fiction/personal (or group) study

Author:  Debbie Alsdorf, founder of Design4Living Ministries

Appropriate for adults and older teens.  For unbelievers to seasoned Believers who want to "go deeper" and take the head knowledge and get that knowledge firmly planted in the heart.

This is one of the most amazing study books I have ever worked through.

I did this as a personal study, although I had originally wanted to do this with a woman I know, whom I thought could really benefit from it.  Sadly, that didn't work out but I decided to pursue this study anyways.....and wow...I am so glad I did!

I have walked away from this book with my life changed.

Yes, I've been a Believer for many years.

Yes, I have had areas in my life that have been emotionally/spiritually healed.

Yes, I have always believed without a shadow of a doubt, that God loves me, saved me from sin, and knows me.  But...this book gave me confidence in Christ and has allowed me to go even deeper in my relationships with others, with my self, and with my Redeemer. It showed me Psalm 139 in a different light......

It is just too hard to explain here in writing......

You will just have to experience this book for your self!!

Special things I learned while studying this book:

• "self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved".  Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence." (pg 32) Quote by Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved
• Only our God can truly heal us.  We are only truly free if we have an open heart, a broken spirit, and a new direction to walk towards.
• This quote:  " It's time to cast down all thoughts that do not line up with truth and begin to breathe in the new fresh air of who you are in Christ." (pg 154)

One verse that really ministered to me, that goes along with the above quote, is from Isaiah 46: 3 & 4

"Listen to me....you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.  Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you."

We as Believers often have Scriptures memorized, do the right things, and say the right things.  However, many times over the course of our walk with Christ, we SAY His words but we don't DO His words. We take Scripture for granted instead of digging into it as Truth!

• Walking the deeper walk is simply walking in who we are as women belonging to Christ.  Our responsibility is to learn to walk in the Spirit and not the ways of the flesh. (easier said than done, but it IS possible when we learn this, and it is sooooo free-ing for our souls!)

There is so much more in this book that I simply don't have time to share here.

It really does need to be experienced by you!

I do know it has helped me to clearly see some situations that I allowed to get "out of control".  It has allowed me to learn why certain people I know, and with whom I've had friendships with, have feelings of paranoia  or insecurity about certain situations in their lives. It showed me just how some of our fleshy responses can ruin relationships, hurt the ones we love, and put a wedge between us and our Savior.  And Satan loves that!!  But.....we can be over-comers with the Word and by being IN the Word.  Jesus wins! We need to let Him win in our personal lives by opening up to Him and being real with Him and the people He places us with to do life with! We know the end of the story. We don't know when our last day on this earth is....only God knows that.  But...we do know that each and every one of us will die. We can have purpose here but we will die one day.  And when that day comes.....

Will you wish you had gone Deeper??

for specific, personal ways this book has changed me and for things this book has taught me about broken friendships, etc. please email me at the address found on my profile page.....thanks!  GOD BLESS YOU THIS WEEK!!

(will be on a blogging break until Friday!)