A Crown that Lasts: You Are Not Your Label

by Demi-Leigh Tebow

In A Crown that Lasts, former Miss Universe and Miss South Africa Demi Tebow confesses the danger of tying our identities to our accomplishments. Discover the truth of who you were created to be and how to use your platform, no matter how big or small, for eternal impact.

On this earth, a crown is what separates victors from the rest of the competitors, but the goal of creating a life worth living is not to gain a trophy, get a prize, or keep the crown. Our lives are not meant to be about being number one or making our own names known. While walking you through the journey of her evolving confidence—from basing her identity on temporary labels and her own efforts, to discovering the rock-solid security of anchoring her dreams in her Maker—Demi weaves her story together with the insights she's learned along the way.

A Crown that Lasts will show you how to

Relate to the discomfort, confusion, and doubt that arises when you base your confidence on external things,Discover God-confidence when your plans take unexpected detours,Know what do when planted in unknown territory,Use your story to grow an eternal impact, andStay grounded in the truth of who you are in Christ. 

The purpose of our lives is to love and serve God and others. Demi shows how you can be encouraged to focus not just on your aspirations, but on your greater purpose and leave behind a footprint of significance, not just success.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Christian Non Fiction, Self Help, Autobiography

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2024

About the author

Demi-Leigh Tebow who was crowned Miss South Africa and then Miss Universe. She is married to former football player Tim Tebow and is working on making her entrepreneurial dreams come true, and she is also an active philanthropist.

Reviews

[Rebekah Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't have adequate words to express how much I LOVED this book and how much Demi's words spoke to and resonated with me! Her riveting stories, transparency about circumstances in her life that have shaped her, love for the Lord, and humor immediately draws in her reader. The book is broken up into easy to follow sections with such a beautiful theme. You will laugh and cry in the best of ways while reading A Crown that Lasts - and you will leave challenged, encouraged, empowered, and changed!!

[Dyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 5 stars.

Demi-Leigh really lays it all on the line in this book. I admire her for that. She is so much more ahead of the game than most women her age. She has thought things through and this book is just amazing.

I learned so much from reading it. I got myself in gear and wrote my Mission Statement for Book Talks with Dyan because of her suggestions and lessons in this book. I also wrote what I hope the eternal legacy I leave behind is.

I think everyone will learn a lot from reading this book, and I am so proud of her for writing it.

Thank you, Demi-Leigh for being courageous enough to write this book. I can’t believe this is your first book! I promise to strive to be “that girl” because you have shown me how important it is.

As a reviewer of advanced copies of books you are asked not to quote anything from the book, because it could be changed after you read it. There would have been a million quotes I would have shared with you if I could have!

If you like Christian Bible based self help books, you have got to preorder this book. It will be available August 15, 2024.

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the advanced digital copy of this book for my honest opinion.

[gabby 💗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rtc!!! ✨✨

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this audio and how vulnerable Tebow gets.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demi Tebow, former Miss Universe and Miss South Africa, helps primarily women learn that their identities are not defined by their labels. What is important is what God made you to be and His plan for you. Demi reminds us to trust God's plan for our life even when we don't understand His reasoning or plan. “This setback is just a setup for my comeback,” she said. Demi is transparent about her life and the challenges she faced. Following the main topics of the book, Demi has a checklist, recap and review of the larger picture. She has a reflection section, a challenge with questions and a prayer. Scripture and its application are provided throughout the book. Her main purpose is to get the reader to decide what they are going to do with their life with God's help and guidance. We are more than our labels. We are what God made us to be and His plan for us.

I can across one review that was negative. It said that Demi talked about community. It said that the book contained woke and socialism propaganda. I just know that Demi put her real self out there for her readers to see. She also presented her belief in God and her faith. I found several quotes to flag and write down in my journal for future references.

[Melody T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great overall. It was an average spiritual book focused on putting God first. I enjoyed learning more about Miss Universe and how she shaped her identity in the process, navigating feelings of uncertainty afterwards—something we all tend to struggle with. We often become so focused on placing our identity in one aspect that we forget our true identity is in Christ.

Even though it was an easy read for me, I struggled with it a bit. I wish she had elaborated more on certain challenges she faced. Yes, she endured some significant hardships, but I felt she could have made her experiences more relatable. At times, she made it seem like she was "perfect" during her trials. Some statements she made led me to question various aspects, and I wished she had selected quotes that aligned more closely with biblical teachings instead of popular worldviews. Regarding her encouragements, I felt that some lacked a solid biblical foundation.

Overall, her book effectively reminds us not to anchor our identities in just one thing. We need to find our identity in God and allow Him to guide us on the path He wants us to take. I believe this book would be especially beneficial for someone new to these concepts, rather than someone who has been studying them for a while.

[Shonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the first half on audio, her voice is soothing.

[Clio DeVitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lady! My South African sis wrote a book that holds the basic truths and surreal stories that every Christian woman seeking identity in Christ could tuck away for both present and future. Is 6 stars possible?

[Daphne Double Wide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the approach to life after something and how our legacy is built in those moments. I needed this refreshing reminder to be intentional in the little things and to live out His purpose for me and only me.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Veronica Marquardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Truly loved it. 🤍

[Marinda Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Charlotte Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an excellent book! I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone.

[Jamison Shack]

Book club read!!

[Jenn McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hands down one of the best personal development books I’ve ever read. It made me realize that even when I don’t have that title that I’m worth it in God’s eyes. I know this is true but I don’t always believe it especially when the world is constantly throwing messages at you that aren’t true.

Our world isn’t the most positive place right now and it’s heartbreaking. This book let me escape the negative and read something that truly lifted me up in ways I can’t explain.

Thank you, Demi for writing this book that at times brought me to tears because it was so beautiful. I’m so thankful the world has people like her in a world that isn’t the greatest currently.

Read this book. It’s amazing. You will feel empowered, loved, and confident.

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much what you'd expect of a book written by the former Miss Universe who married Tim Tebow--it's sweet. positive, and spiritual. That being said, there's nothing special about it and it reads like dozens of other inspirational books from rich and famous people, where they use a few of their difficulties in life on which to base entire ministries or brands. And at age 29 (28 when she wrote it), Demi-Leigh might have waited a few more years before drawing such strong conclusions about life.

Yes, she's had a couple major things happen, from growing up in a boarding school to having a sister with major health issues to having to deal with carjackers while no one around her helped. But at the same time, she has traveled the world, a celebrity that has received the benefits of being constantly served by others, and of course is married to about the greatest guy ever. So it can be difficult to empathize with her rich people problems.

I found most of her conclusions to be bland and surprisingly liberal for an evangelical Christian. She attempts to be very woke in the book and focuses way too much on community. Why are so many people in today's world focused on what a community thinks and not just make choices based on objective right and wrong? That's socialism. Or why focus on serving the group as a whole when you haven't even dealt with solving your own issues? She has spent her life in groups so now she'd be better off spending more time alone and away from the negative influences that come from others.

For her to quote a UCLA professor that "our need to connect with other people is more fundamental than our need for food or shelter" is absolutely absurd. We know that people, even childen, can survive without social contact as long as basic survival needs are met. Would you rather spend a month on a deserted island with a bunch of other people but have no food and shelter, or spend that same time alone with all the food you can eat in a beautiful home? If you say you prefer life among the crazies on a Survivor-type island (without the TV crews or successful producers nearby) I say you're crazy. The Covid pandemic proved we can do just fine without socializing in person, and in some ways people changed for the better due to isolation.

You can't function in society with others unless you have basic needs met, and to try to place social needs at the top priority above doing what it takes to meet your food and shelter need is what is destroying our world. Too many buy into the socialist propaganda that is permeating America, where people don't want to be responsible for themselves and want to mooch off others. Decisions are made based on fear of others and peer pressure. Guilt trips are placed on anyone who is a responsible loner that doesn't buy into the socialist peer-pressure propaganda. I'm shocked that Demi-Leigh Tebow pushes that agenda.

The irony is that the only real negative thing in the book is her complaining about other women who tear her down, including those who competed against her in pageants! So she insists on putting herself in the middle of social groups, wanting desperately to "fit in" (her words), but then complains about the pain she has to put up with around backstabbing people? There are other choices, Mrs. Tebow.

Tim is barely mentioned. Instead we get a weird chapter that comes with a warning that it has "potentially triggering content." She includes, for no real reason, the story of 1957's Miss America who had been sexually abused by her rich father since childhood. Of all the stories in the world to tell, why that one? It made no sense within the context and served as an odd distraction from her message.

I admire her faith but sometimes the book is too simplistic, like a middle school girl doing a term paper. She actually calls a "blunt wake-up call" this quote from a John Piper book: "You get one pass at life. That's all. Only one, so don't waste it." Huh? That's what she considers profound? All of us have heard that from grandparents, teachers, and TV commercials.

The book is structured as a study for groups, with four main sections followed by questions to discuss. She and her co-writer made it four-season like by calling the sections "Dig," "Plant," "Grow," and "Flourish." Those wanting a very basic study of faith and how to deal with low self-esteem may enjoy it, but this felt underdeveloped with very little fruit produced. And, as I've said, too much emphasis on worrying about what others think so you can fit into the group. If you want a crown that lasts, then work on your own life and don't see it as a group competition.

[Genia Casteel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "A Crown That Lasts," Demi Tebow delivers a powerful exploration of leadership, rooted deeply in her unwavering faith and relationship with God. This book is not just a guide to leadership but a testament to how spiritual strength and divine guidance can shape and elevate one's ability to lead with purpose and integrity.

From the very beginning, Tebow's devotion to God shines through as the cornerstone of her leadership philosophy. She shares personal stories of how her faith has been a constant source of strength, helping her navigate the challenges and pressures that come with being a leader. By leaning on her relationship with God, Tebow demonstrates how spirituality can provide clarity, wisdom, and a sense of purpose that transcends the everyday struggles of leadership.

Tebow’s emphasis on servant leadership is particularly impactful, as she illustrates how her faith compels her to serve others selflessly. Her commitment to leading with love, humility, and compassion is a direct reflection of her desire to model her leadership style after the teachings of Christ. Throughout the book, she encourages readers to seek God’s guidance in their decisions, to rely on prayer, and to trust in His plan, which, in turn, cultivates a leadership style that is not only effective but also deeply meaningful.

One of the most inspiring aspects of "A Crown That Lasts" is how Tebow integrates her spiritual journey with practical leadership advice. She provides actionable strategies for aspiring leaders, all while reminding them to stay grounded in their faith. Her reflections on the power of prayer, the importance of integrity, and the role of divine inspiration offer a unique and refreshing perspective on what it means to lead in a way that honors God.

Overall, "A Crown That Lasts" is an uplifting and spiritually enriching read. Demi Tebow’s heartfelt narrative and faith-driven approach to leadership make this book a must-read for anyone looking to lead with both excellence and grace. Her message is clear: true leadership is not just about influence or success, but about living a life that reflects God’s love and purpose. Highly recommended for those who seek to strengthen their leadership through their relationship with God.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummm first of all can we have a podcast of Demi and Tim please? Love them! They’re both so inspirational and adorable together!

Demi walks the reader through what to do when you’re waiting for God to show you what’s next and to not place your identity on things of this world but on who God made you to be and His plan for you.
For most of this book I loved it but it had a very hustle mentality and with my family right now I think we need a more slow living concept. I needed to hear the parts she talked about God winks and God confidence!
“Allow your God winks to propel you forward”
She also reminded me to trust God’s plan for my life even when I don’t understand what’s coming next. “This setback is just a setup for my comeback”.
Comparison really is the thief of joy and with the journal work Demi gives it helped remind me not to; What is it to you that they seem to have their life figured out, YOU FOLLOW ME.
Also the chapter I needed most was about fitting in being rooted in fear but belonging is out of love. “If you don’t have people in your circle who know the real you, flaws and all, and love you anyway then please stop settling for scraps. Start praying now that God will provide you with friends, connection and community where you can truly be yourself, be loved and belong. If you trust that your Heavenly Father is good and that he never changes and that he wants good things for you then trust me when I say that He’s got something so much better for you then the fake you and the fake circle of friends you’ve surrounded yourself with.” 😭
1 John 4:4

[Erin Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two notes I appreciated from the book:

“Her words have stuck with
me, ‘Despite everything one can drink, apply, rub in, endure, or acquire at great cost, we will get wrin-kles. The last one of us. I wonder what is actually wrong with wrinkles if it is such a common and natural process? And suddenly I realize, this is the road map of your life reflected on your face for all to read. The irritation between your eyes, the resentment of life on your forehead, the bitterness around the corners of your mouth, the superiority along your nose. Right then I decided, if I have to get wrinkles, I'm going to make sure they're in the right places. Enough laugh lines around my eyes, surprise on my forehead, and peace around the corners of my mouth. Who can argue with such a road map?’”

“The only place we can truly find our perfect fit is walking in our God-given identity, belonging, and purpose, wrinkles and all. The fitting in is just a Band-Aid to a much deeper longing God placed in all of us from the very begin-ning: belonging. American pastor and theologian Timothy Keller said it so perfectly:
‘To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.’”

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is geared to the young females, but it was interesting to read about her life and how Tim Tebow (of whom we are a big fan of along with his ministries) and she connected. She is transparent in the book about her life and challenges especially surrounding several traumatic events, but she is also very reflective and wants to lead the reader into the direction of introspection and reflection that hopefully will lead to growth and healing. After each main section of the book, she has a checklist, recap, review of the big picture, reflection section, a challenge with some homework and finally a prayer. She wants the reader to take their time and give account of their life and what has transpired and what are they going to do with their life moving forward with God's help and guidance. Scripture and its application are given throughout the book, and I would recommend this book to any young woman because the lessons learned and taught here will make a difference. Hopefully my granddaughters will read this will they get older and have Demi-Leigh as a role model. They then might have a chance to survive in this crazy world we live in.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros:
•She had really good quotes and shared a lot of different stories from her life
•Chapters four, five & the beginning and middle of chapter 10 had great insights and kept me engaged
•Some parts were funny

Neutral:
• Didn't look forward to continuing to read/listen to it

Cons:
•The book could have been more reader friendly in terms of the organization and stories shared. It felt overwhelming at times how much information was in one chapter.

Quotes that stood out to me:
• "it's better to dream and for your dream not to happen (yet), than to not dream at all” (paraphrased)
• the main different between Christianity and other religions is grace

This book reminded me that our walk with God isn't perfect but that He's there with us anyway and will realign us and bring us joy that comes from Him instead of the things of the world.

Overall, I give it three and a half stars; I gave it a four star rating on Goodreads because I believe the lessons in the book shared through honesty helped it reach the four star mark.

[Amanda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect going into this book. I know of Demi from being a fan of her husband, Tim. I know that together they are incredible role models and have unshakeable faith. But I was blown away by Demi's exceptional way of connecting her faith to her life experiences and then explaining it in a way that you can apply the word of God to your own life.

For someone who hasn't extensively studied scripture and has only gone to church occasionally throughout their life, Demi has a remarkable ability to explain scripture in a way that feels just like chatting with your best friends. She recaps each chapter and invites you to engage in the content by asking a few questions that are thought-provoking and help you apply what she has learned to help better your own life. The plant theme for each chapter was a delightful touch that added cohesion to the book.

I recommend this book to anyone who might be a little lost in finding their purpose and God-confidence.

[Patricia Haupt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I've never engaged with Demi Tebow before, other than her wedding to Tim, I really didn't know what to expect when I began this book. Since I live in America, I didn't even know about her reign as Miss South Africa. I was unexpectedly surprised and impressed. Demi shares her heart so openly (above and beyond what we ever want to). We would have thought she had it all, and she definitely has been blessed, but even she didn't really have it all together. She has had many ups, downs, trials and successes, just like the rest of us, but she is sharing what she has learned through each of those things. At the end of each section, she gives us our own part to reflect on in our lives. She wants each of us to dig, plant, grow and flourish in our relationships with other and, especially, with Christ. As the title suggests "you are not your label" and we each need to reach for "the crown that lasts." I would highly recommend this book for women of any age.

[LilahRu · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always! I wasn't paid for this review. All thoughts expressed are my own!
Rating 5/5 stars
Where to begin?! Because honestly this book had so much more wisdom and insight than I was expecting. Bible truths were packed into personal stories and I loved the glimpses into Demi's life and story. What a great role model for any girl! Truthfully, I expected it to be somewhat shallow, I mean, Miss Universe?
Don't you win that based on shallow qualities? Nope. Apparently not. Demi's book shows a different side, a vulnerability to what her and others have been through and, just as the title suggests, gives great Biblical advice on how to find your "God-confidence" in His character and truths, not your self-confidence in things that don't last, like her crown. This book would be an amazing Bible study supplement in my opinion, with its chapter questions and outlined self help sections! 200% would recommend

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Demi for sharing your story. I attended Unbreakable last year and am thankful for your courage to keep working to build a community and bring women together. The chapter on eternal perspective resonated with me the most and I will keep that prayer next to me at work, where I tend to wander from that perspective. It was also fun to see a few things our pastor says sprinkled throughout. The Lord works through him in amazing ways. It’s always neat to hear about it from others in our church. In honesty, I wasn’t going to write a review and rarely do but after reading one particular review, I felt the Holy Spirit call me to write something encouraging. Thank you for being obedient to what He has called you to and loving God and people with all that you have. May God bless you and your marriage.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is what you would expect: a solid reminder of how our identity is found in Christ. That we are more than any label we define ourselves by. That we can be used by the Lord for greatness when we put aside all of our labels, our assumptions.

I do wish Demi would have addressed her place of privilege--she is still GORGEOUS. She still has quite the platform because of her last name and a lot of things can appear "easier" because of that. While I know that isn't the case (because there is always so much more going on in someone's life than we are aware of), I wish Demi had used some marriage examples. I wish she had addressed how her earthly beauty is a thing; it's a lot harder to be confident when you are curvier and less fit. I always want authenticity and while some reviews say Demi is, I want MORE. Because I think it is important to always be honest.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could a young former Miss Universe have in common with an old recently retired nurse? Well quite a lot ! This book explores finding your identity in Christ and works no matter what your age or your station in life. I started on Audible and then purchased the book so I would have a tangible reference to reflect .

My life changed in an instant with the death of my mother and my brother, both whom I had been caregiver for during their end of life years. I also retired from nursing due to some physical injuries and have spent the last two years sidelined recovering from a multitude of health problems. I am coming out of the fog and now I'm looking for my identity in life and how to serve . This book and it's reflections, scripture, and questions are helping me find my next chapter in life.

[Ntombi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Crown That Lasts" by Demi-Leigh Tebow is a thought-provoking spiritual guide that explores the biblical concept of eternal rewards. Demi is very skillfully weaves together scripture, personal anecdotes, and practical advice to encourage readers to pursue a deeper faith.

The book's strengths lie in its biblical accuracy and heartfelt storytelling. I appreciated the author's vulnerability and willingness to tackle tough spiritual questions. I felt connected emotionally and spiritual while I'm reading the book and it boosts my faith and be able to press on and trust God even more.

This book is perfect for Christians seeking a deeper understanding of their faith and the importance of living a life that honors God. Rating: 5 stars.

[SKP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have rated this book higher if it wasn’t for the fact that I’ve been wanting to purchase the Kindle of it, but was saving my pennies, and while I was doing that, the price was raised from $14.95 to $21.95! I ended up getting it at the library and reading it, and I thought it was very good, but I think even the $14.95 was a little steep. The book itself was very good but not $22 good, and since I don’t have my own copy, I couldn’t highlight anything or take notes in the book, so that was a little disappointing. I hope the publisher or whoever decides on the price will rethink this plan and make this book and any she might write in the future more affordable so more people can buy them.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly practical story. Initially I was skeptical that a “beauty queen” could deepen my faith. The stories in the first third of the book were so focused on her Miss Universe world, and more loosely associated with her faith. However, as I forged on, it went much deeper than that and really was about how any of us could lose our identity in something other than our internal one. There were wonderful, practical ideas shared, that while not earth shattering to a person heavily immersed in their faith both inwardly and outwardly, were helpful, nonetheless. The bonus Q&A with her hubby Tim Tebow were great, too. A really enjoyable listen (Audible had that bonus Q&A) that is great for women and those of faith or open to faith.