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Tommy Newberry's message is simple, relevant, powerful, and timeless. In this "New York Times" bestseller, Newberry takes a single biblical princip...
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reviews
Jan 13, 2009
May
rated it: 
Thanks Pam!
P. 6: "Joy is not a distant destination at which you arrive; rather it's a path you choose to travel each day." Sounds like a good start!
A few days later: I just finished the book, and I made so many marks in margins I don't know where to start. Yet, I loved the chapter on gratitude most. Listen to this: "Gratitude involves channeling your energy and attention toward what is present and working rather than what's absent and ineffective [...:] Gratit More...
P. 6: "Joy is not a distant destination at which you arrive; rather it's a path you choose to travel each day." Sounds like a good start!
A few days later: I just finished the book, and I made so many marks in margins I don't know where to start. Yet, I loved the chapter on gratitude most. Listen to this: "Gratitude involves channeling your energy and attention toward what is present and working rather than what's absent and ineffective [...:] Gratit More...
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Sep 05, 2010
Allison
rated it: 
In all honesty, I only read the first chapter of this book. I read enough of it to get the sense that if I was as into my faith as I was a few years ago, this would be a great book for me. However, given my personal spiritual state at the moment, I found this book annoying. But, really, a few years ago, I would have been really wrapped up in it and can imagine I would've gotten a whole lot out of it. If the reader is a true believer in the Bible and in God, then the author's logic is sound a
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Jul 23, 2011
Rebecca
rated it: 
"Okay...a few things. . . I did truly love this little gem of a book. It is very inspirational and sweet. I love the focus on joy and how to cultivate a diffrentiation between ""feelings"" and how you react to feelings. I also like the section on gratitude. It was a little too ""churchy"" at times; which kinda sounds sacreligious, but I think that the thoughts are in the right place, for the most part. I also really enjoyed the section on perception v
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Feb 26, 2011
Casey
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While a nice book, not exactly earth-shattering. This is a book primarily about changing the way we think to make life more joy-filled. Using the Bible verse Philippians 4:8 ("Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."), the book challenges its readers to dwell on positive things and to reject thoughts of fear, inse
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Mar 02, 2010
Chris
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Great read. Based on Philippians 4:8, this book helps you understand how what you think and what you fill your mind with (or what you DWELL on) has a profound impact on your entire life -- both in cause and effect ways and this is how God designed it to be. It's amazing to actually sit back and ponder the gunk that we fill our minds and hearts with, every single day -- it's no wonder we are a spiritually dull and feeble people. We are not allowing God to tap into our best possible spiritual gift
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Jan 26, 2010
Readnponder
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Having read "Bright-Sided" by Barbara Ehrenreich a couple of months ago, I came to this book with a hearty skepticism. Positive thinking seems more like smoke and mirrors than substance to me, but a friend swore by this book. The principle is based on the biblical text, Philppians 4:8 about focusing your thoughts on whatever is good, pure, just, etc. The author, a personal coach, includes affirmation, scripture memory, gratitude exercises and probing questions as part of re-programmi
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Jun 06, 2010
Dustin
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I couldn’t get through this book because it seemed like it talked about the same thing every few pages. It never moved on to new points. I got through about 1/4 of the book and it was the same great message every single page. Don’t get me wrong, the message is great. You are a child of God and he loves you. You shouldn’t be letting that go lightly. You have incredible potential and positive thinking is a great way to look at that potential and help you achieve it. Now focus on the positive think
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Jan 08, 2009
Laura
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This is a very practical, Biblically-based guide that describes how to build joy in your life by controlling how you think about and react to the situations of your life. It's like the power of positive thinking, but with a Biblical basis. Since I subscribe to this philosophy, it was very interesting to see how it relates to my spiritual beliefs. There is a lot in the book, and it would be very difficult to live up to the goals completely, but that is part of the book too!
Jan 02, 2009
Pam
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This is a book about positive thinking from a biblical perspective. The 4:8 Principle is referring to Phillipians 4:8 written by the apostle Paul. I am on my second reading of this and with each passing page I realize how miserably I fall short. I tend to gravitate more to the "worrying" principle, so it's been a really good book for me to read.
Mar 20, 2008
Steve
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I enjoyed this book even though I'm not fond of Newberry's coaching style.
One area where I believe this book falls short is in it's premise that if you simply change you're thinking you'll change your behavior. I would argue that it goes deeper to changing your will and making it conform to God's perfect will. Then you will be able to "renew your mind."
Despite my knock, I will say that I gleaned many great tips from this book. And I since have applied many of More...
One area where I believe this book falls short is in it's premise that if you simply change you're thinking you'll change your behavior. I would argue that it goes deeper to changing your will and making it conform to God's perfect will. Then you will be able to "renew your mind."
Despite my knock, I will say that I gleaned many great tips from this book. And I since have applied many of More...
Aug 10, 2011
He iniciado este libro... me gusta mucho la base que toma para inciar un cambio de pensamiento: ".... todo lo verdadero, todo lo honesto, todo lo puro, todo lo amable, todo lo de buen nombre; si hay virtud en ello, si es digno de alabanza en eso pensad.."
Aug 18, 2011
Diane
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Am reading this as part of an online study, so am not 'devouring' it as I do most books! Taking it one chapter a week.
Book is based on Phil. 4:8 - whatever things are good, pure, etc., think on these things. Newberry takes a Biblical path to ridding oneself of what we used to call stinkin' thinkin'. He is a life coach whose clients include Fortune 500 CEOs, and he brings his experience as well as his Christian faith to this book. Pretty good book, reinforces positive thinking and pos More...
Book is based on Phil. 4:8 - whatever things are good, pure, etc., think on these things. Newberry takes a Biblical path to ridding oneself of what we used to call stinkin' thinkin'. He is a life coach whose clients include Fortune 500 CEOs, and he brings his experience as well as his Christian faith to this book. Pretty good book, reinforces positive thinking and pos More...
Apr 19, 2011
Gina
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Dead on about how we allow our thoughts to take us in the wrong direction if we don't focus on them and focus on the 4:8 principle. Another great book to parter with a journal.
Dec 26, 2011
Erika
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I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a simple, easy read that most people could enjoy. The ideas and concepts are simple things we already know but often forget to do. I think parts of it provoke introspection while other parts simply offer gentle reminders. I think for this reason I could read this book many more times as I have much to reflect and improve upon personally.
Mar 20, 2010
Mark
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Great self-help book about using your faith to better yourself. I highly recommend it.
Oct 24, 2011
Melissa
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This could be one of those life changing books. There's so much in such a small book. I am definitely planning to read again.
Mar 29, 2009
Andrew
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Good takeaways, but this book was very repetitive. Good but not one that I would recommend to a lot of other people.
Apr 03, 2009
Dolly
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This repackaging of age-old principles would have been better with more anecdotes about the struggles of real people.
Aug 29, 2008
Sharilee
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This book has some very powerful examples that have literally changed my life regarding the way I view things, particularly when challeneges arise. The 4:8 principle is based on Phillipians 4:8 . . . anything that is virtuous, lovely . . . think on these things. In other words-- THOUGHTS matter!
Jan 05, 2009
Victoria
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This book really speaks to how to face adversity and work to face life with a positive outlook. Effective reminders that help day to day.
Aug 09, 2008
Mandy
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This is a great book about finding joy in your every day life by using simple principles. I have read this book a couple times and still find new things to change and learn about every time i read it....It's defiantly a book to pass on!!
Sep 21, 2010
Becca
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I chose this as my summer personal study. I took a lot away from it and it did change my perspective on how I view difficulties. There were some dry parts but I would recommend it as a good book for personal study and growth.
May 05, 2009
I have just started but this book is already a blessing. I encourage everyone who desires to have positivity flowing in all facets of your life- health, finances, relationships and soul to get this book!
Jul 31, 2011
Mary
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Build your mental muscle. That's the main thing I took away from this book, that being joyful has to be intentional and takes practice. It's a simple book but it has practical applications that work.
Sep 19, 2008
Chad
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It starts off a bit slow, but once you get past the first couple of chapters it becomes very insightful and full of practical advise and mental thoughts to help you live a joy filled life.
Nov 12, 2007
Kate
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I sometimes glazed over the super-religious parts ... but I really liked the overall concepts. It has some good tips for looking at things differently and how to change your outlook on things.
Sep 16, 2011
Nancy
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Keep reading past the self-help-y feel at the beginning...the concepts and ideas are really valuable. This is one I'd like to re-read in a few months. Would be a great book for discussion.
Jul 27, 2010
Kara
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great book to elevate your thought processes and help you change your mental outlook
