Putting it Together Again when It's all fallen apart ... A review

Long title for a book :) Putting it together Again when it's all fallen apart: 7 principles for rebuilding your life. I have never heard of Tom Holladay ... made picking his book a little tricky for me. I normally like to pick books to review from people that I've heard of or have read before.

Tom looks at Nehemiah and breaks down 7 principles that he used when rebuilding the wall. I've heard many preachers preach on leadership when it comes to Nehemiah ... I've never heard it broken down in this particular way. I really loved his book. His writing was easy to read and I loved how at the end of every chapter he gives some steps to take and prayers to pray.

Putting things together again once they are broken is never easy. Lots of people have "formulas" for how to do this and everyone has an opinion when life seems to fail or you fail. I will always look to the ones who point me to God when these things happen. This book is a great resource of pointing it all back to Him who created us in the first place. Him who holds all things and can help restore or rebuild.

Book Description

Life crises can throw you into a tail-spin—a lost job, a failed relationship, a struggling business, a financial mess. Where do you start? How do you pull it together? How do you begin again?

Tom Holladay experienced a catastrophe first-hand when a sudden flood in California destroyed his home, his church, and the homes of many church members. Tom and his congregation had to rebuild, and they used the principles in the book of Nehemiah to get back on their feet.

Now a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church, Tom will help you discover seven principles for putting it together again that will give you the direction you need to get rolling on that fresh start. Holladay will walk you through seeing every problem as an opportunity, facing the obstacles head on and taking your first step, knowing how to expect and reject opposition, build on your success, and dedicating yourself to the One who rebuilds our souls.

The task of starting again can seem impossible. And sometimes you just need to rebuild your confidence and regain a sense of purpose. If you’re trying to find the emotional energy, but you just don’t have it in you, let Holladay encourage you. He understands how difficult and rewarding the business of rebuilding is. This book is your encouraging how-to guide to starting again and stepping into a better future.

How to Fix A Broken Record - A book Review

I have never heard of Amena Brown before. The by line of this book is Thoughts on Vinyl Records, Awkward Relationships, and Learning to Be Myself. The book is Brown's journey through her life to let go of wounds she received along the way. 

I really struggled with her writing style. Sentences were rather long and choppy. I had a hard time finishing the book. I think she had some good points along the way but it was hard to read. This isn't a book I would really recommend. 

I believe her message is solid about getting rid of the broken records that play in our minds from words thrown at us from childhood on. I just personally had a hard time staying focused on the book, wanting to keep reading.

Book Description

Your soul holds a massive record collection: melodies, rhythms, and bass lines. Memories that ask you to dance and memories that haunt you in a minor key. Lies that become soundtracks to your days while truths play too softly to be heard.

Spoken word poet Amena Brown’s broken records played messages about how she wasn’t worthy to be loved. How to Fix a Broken Record chronicles her journey of healing as she’s allowed the music of God’s love to replace the scratchy taunts of her past. From bad dates to marriage lessons at Waffle House, from learning to love her hair to learning to love an unexpected season of life, from discovering the power of saying no and the freedom to say yes, Amena offers keep-it-real stories your soul can relate to.

The hurtful words of others and the failures of your past often determine what record you play the most in your mind. Those painful repetitions can become loud at the most inopportune time, keeping you from speaking up, pursuing your dreams, and growing closer to God.

Recognize the negative messages that play on repeat every day in your mind. Learn how to replace them with the truth that you are a beloved child of God. And discover how to laugh along the way as you find new joy in the beautiful music of your life.