My Amazon Review of Reshaping It All
Loving encouragement, NOT a tell-all or lofty impossibility,May 6, 2011
I am really enjoying this book. To be honest, I hesitated to buy it after I read a bunch of the reviews. Some made me want it more; some made me cautious. I had heard Candace Cameron Bure’ speak and found her to be genuine and sincere, but that was over a year ago, and I wondered if I had missed something? Some of the reviews make this book sound as if it is centered on her and how amazing she is and that she serves a god of discipline. I find that NOT to be the case…more on that in a moment.
I actually had the opportunity to her hear speak again LAST FRIDAY and was taking a friend, based on my previous experience. Once again, I was delighted with how genuine she is, how much she loves her Lord and Savior, and how deeply she feels that need for everyone to know Him…and delight in Him…and give their whole selves to Him…
I had just begun following her and the co-author, Darlene Schacht (a darling woman of God), on twitter a short time before, and right after hearing her speak last week, I saw that there was a “65 days to Reshaping It all” challenge beginning in a few days. That did it. Having heard her speak so wonderfully again, having considered this purchase for awhile, and having various other confirmations that this was resource I was supposed to get, I ordered from Amazon the very next day.
I am not disappointed.
I don’t know what other reviewers were referring to when they mention the book jumping around or not being well-written…I have not found that to be the case at all!!! Granted I have only read 3 chapters, but honestly, I think a writing style would be prevalent by now, and those remarks do not characterize what I am seeing.
I am seeing warmth, open-ness, and loving encouragement. Is it a sordid tell-all? No. Doesn’t need to be. Candace openly acknowledges faults, quirks, what have you…issues that are just as the Word says, “common to man” which we all share, so guess what? We can all relate. (and by the way, having faults does not make one less of a Christian or ruin their witness…God has used many “fallen” folks along the way! and we ALL are! That’s why we needed Jesus! and still do…)
Is it rocket science? No. Many of us already know in our hearts what she is saying, and maybe just needed it confirmed this one last time. or next 30 times. As far as nutritional advice, again, nothing majorly new here, if you have read anything about nutrition…moderation, whole foods, eating when you are hungry and abstaining when you are not…but the focus is on how our relationship with God can change us from the inside out and give us the power to stand in these areas!
So, if you are looking for a new diet book, or celebrity tell-all, or magic method to weight loss…this isn’t really it…or maybe it is. Depends on your perspective…
If you are looking to be changed from the inside out (and have that change be reflected in your health–physical, mental and spiritual), you must seek God first…and this book just may have the encouraging words that help you get there, or affirm that you are normal, or point you back to the Best Book of all…
If you have a good friend or sister to whom you often listen for loving advice, you know how to hear that…THAT is what this book is like…pull up a chair, have a cup of coffee or tea, and sit down for a chat with sister/friend Candace…maybe her story will help you!
Ps–there are helpful things like recipes, scripture references, practical tips at the end of each chapter. Also, yes, she has included fan letters and her responses, as well. One reviewer thought these were repetitive. Perhaps they are; I have only read 3…but here’s the deal: Candace says that she wrote this book because she kept receiving sooo many e-mails and letters asking her these questions, so clearly that falls in line with the purpose of this book- not as a “look at me and how great I am”, but as a validation of why the book needed to be written. So many of us struggle with the same things! be validated, friend. You are not alone, and there are many with whom you can bond and rise up from your trial! God will lift you up!
Get the book and enjoy.
PPS–as for discipline…yes, one can get obsessive. That is something we need to go to God about to protect ourselves from going out of balance. But discipline is necessary. Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ”
Go for a harvest of righteousness and peace!
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A picture of me and one of my “Besties” (who first coined that term? It has grown on me), Alana, waiting to hear CCB speak at the Women’s Rally at James River Assemble in Ozark!
robynlooksup
Robyn looking up.... 