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Created for More: 30 Days to Seeing Your World in a New Way
Are you compartmentalizing God? If you ever feel like your times spent praying or trying to read the Bible are disconnected from the rest of your day, you need this book. Devotions aren’t supposed to be isolated from your life; the God who created you also calls you to create—whether that is a business, a family, a book, a photograph, a website, a sermon, or a meal. Created for More ties together our drive to create and our desire for God. Spend 30 days learning to be more than you thought you could be. Be humble. Be intentional. Be limited. Be parallel. Be invested. Be brave. Be a creator as you draw near to the God who created you.
- GenresChristian
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
9 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 16, 2019
“Created for More: 30 Days to Seeing Your World In a New Way” is a small book, perfect for picking up and reading a bit at a time. The subtitle of this book is exactly right. It enables you to see your world in a new way. I didn’t read it in 30 days, instead I read one devotional (about 3 pages long), and thought about, used, and applied these words for a few days. Then when I felt ready I would read the next one, and do the same thing again. This devotional captured my creative side and brought things to me that I had never thought of before. I felt my mind was stretched in new and good ways, and it remained stretched. My thoughts changed and opened up new and creative ideas.
Each devotional consists of: a quote from the author, a Spiritual Development section with a Bible verse and the author’s impression about the Bible verse, a Prayer Starter section, a Change the Way You Think section, and a Challenge section.
I’m very happy with this devotional, and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to stretch their creativeness in new and different ways.
I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers, as part of a launch team initiative. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Each devotional consists of: a quote from the author, a Spiritual Development section with a Bible verse and the author’s impression about the Bible verse, a Prayer Starter section, a Change the Way You Think section, and a Challenge section.
I’m very happy with this devotional, and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to stretch their creativeness in new and different ways.
I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers, as part of a launch team initiative. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 9, 2017
In general, I love devotionals. Particularly daily devotionals. It's like bible study, church, and theology class in 15 minutes a day. What I've been missing from previous devotionals though, is how to pray. I've been praying for a little while now, so I wouldn't say I'm new at it, but the prayer starters in this book are perfect for a jumping off point in each chapter.
Devotionals also largely tend to be a solitary thing, but this book happens to have a companion website where you can share and talk about challenges with others who are reading this book. Even the challenges that take two people--hello, Internet! There's a website for that.
While this is marketed toward creative people, it's important to mention there are great takeaways for everyone--from how to be humble with god, to how to be content and relax once in a while. It doesn't take much to tweak some of these challenges to apply to someone who works in an office job (*ahem*) if you're not so creatively inclined.
Devotionals also largely tend to be a solitary thing, but this book happens to have a companion website where you can share and talk about challenges with others who are reading this book. Even the challenges that take two people--hello, Internet! There's a website for that.
While this is marketed toward creative people, it's important to mention there are great takeaways for everyone--from how to be humble with god, to how to be content and relax once in a while. It doesn't take much to tweak some of these challenges to apply to someone who works in an office job (*ahem*) if you're not so creatively inclined.
July 25, 2017
Though I don't consider myself religious or Christian, this was a very easy to follow read with transferable wisdom for anyone and all ages! I love the prayers and the morals laid out within the book. My favorite chapters were Be Humble, Be Associated, Be A Dancer, Be Great, Be Dual, Be Relaxed and Be Determined.
I would have gave it five stars had the "challenges" in the book were more creative, less "cheesy" and repetitive.
I would have gave it five stars had the "challenges" in the book were more creative, less "cheesy" and repetitive.
August 18, 2014
Jonathan Malm's new book, Created for More: 30 Days to Seeing Your World in a New Way,
explores "the conjunction of the Bible, your spiritual walk, and your creative potential." Malm builds his book on the premise that God is a creative God, and being made in His image, we, too, are creative. Malm hopes to encourage readers to tap into that creative potential and see that creativity is a spiritual act.
As a devotional book, Created for More is broken up into a month's worth of daily readings. Each day's reading includes a daily topic, a quote or definition, a scripture reading and commentary, a prayer starter, an application section, and a challenge to create something.
Overall, I thought the book was well written and it offered some fresh perspectives on things like humility, intentionality, preparation, greatness, determination, and boldness. The readings were refreshing and inspiring, and I found myself awakened by some of the creative challenges. I don't think of myself as a "creative" person, so just trying to think like an artist was a challenge for me. I am linear, not random, so this book really stretched and pushed me out of my comfort zone. At first I found it difficult to think of my job as a creative one, but over time, I began to see it from a new perspective. And for me, that's what made this book worth the time and effort.
My only real disappointment came on Day 16 with a reference to "Zen," a Buddhist concept. Malm uses the term to refer to a concept rather than the actual Buddhist practice. However, in a Christian book and thought, I think it has no place. It desensitizes believers and opens the door for the enemy to sneak other things in under the radar. I realize "zen" is often used in artistic circles, but to me, this might keep me from recommending the book to some believers if I know they might be more susceptible to blurred lines between Christianity and other belief systems--especially in a day and age where so many believe that all religions lead to God and heaven.
For the most part, I would recommend this book to artists and musicians, to more creative types. They will relate more easily to the thoughts and processes presented in the book. They will find fresh ideas and perspectives for creating. Certainly others will benefit from the book, too. For those of us who are more analytical, the book will push us beyond our comfort zones and bring fresh perspective. At the same time, some of the creative challenges are hard to translate to our type of "work."
* I received a copy of the book from NetGalley for this honest review.
explores "the conjunction of the Bible, your spiritual walk, and your creative potential." Malm builds his book on the premise that God is a creative God, and being made in His image, we, too, are creative. Malm hopes to encourage readers to tap into that creative potential and see that creativity is a spiritual act.
As a devotional book, Created for More is broken up into a month's worth of daily readings. Each day's reading includes a daily topic, a quote or definition, a scripture reading and commentary, a prayer starter, an application section, and a challenge to create something.
Overall, I thought the book was well written and it offered some fresh perspectives on things like humility, intentionality, preparation, greatness, determination, and boldness. The readings were refreshing and inspiring, and I found myself awakened by some of the creative challenges. I don't think of myself as a "creative" person, so just trying to think like an artist was a challenge for me. I am linear, not random, so this book really stretched and pushed me out of my comfort zone. At first I found it difficult to think of my job as a creative one, but over time, I began to see it from a new perspective. And for me, that's what made this book worth the time and effort.
My only real disappointment came on Day 16 with a reference to "Zen," a Buddhist concept. Malm uses the term to refer to a concept rather than the actual Buddhist practice. However, in a Christian book and thought, I think it has no place. It desensitizes believers and opens the door for the enemy to sneak other things in under the radar. I realize "zen" is often used in artistic circles, but to me, this might keep me from recommending the book to some believers if I know they might be more susceptible to blurred lines between Christianity and other belief systems--especially in a day and age where so many believe that all religions lead to God and heaven.
For the most part, I would recommend this book to artists and musicians, to more creative types. They will relate more easily to the thoughts and processes presented in the book. They will find fresh ideas and perspectives for creating. Certainly others will benefit from the book, too. For those of us who are more analytical, the book will push us beyond our comfort zones and bring fresh perspective. At the same time, some of the creative challenges are hard to translate to our type of "work."
* I received a copy of the book from NetGalley for this honest review.
March 6, 2016
Why I Choose this Book
I'm a writer. This is a book about being a creative Christian and so of course I wanted to read it.
What I Thought about this Book
I liked it a lot. It's supposed to be read over a thirty day period and each "chapter" is about three pages long with a lot of white space. There's a title, then a quote, then a passage from the Bible (sometimes just a verse), then prayer starter, then there's a "Change the Way You Think" section, and it ends with a challenge. The layout is pretty cool and I'm not sure what it is, but it doesn't feel overwhelming in the least bit. Instead if feels... Comfortable. Don't ask me why, but it kinda reminds me of sitting in a comfy living room with my feet tucked up under me and a great creative discussion going on.
Created for More was a very easy read. I breezed right through it. (Yes, I know it's supposed to be read over 30 days, but because of a deadline with this review and being out of the state I didn't have 30 days to spend on it. I do plan on re-reading it sometime soon and doing it right the next time.) There was so much about thinking out side of the norm and coming up with new ideas. (Total win, there!)
My favorite part was the challenge at the end of each day. I love thinking in creative ways, and each challenge was about stretching ourselves and thinking in new ways. The "prayer starter" isn't something I generally enjoy in books, (it was just ideas about how to pray that went along with the subject of each chapter), so I skim-read most of them.
Conclusion
I want to look up more books by Jonathan Malm. He seems like a pretty interesting author. I enjoyed his perspective and creativity and agreed with almost everything he said. Another win was the cover and the format inside the book being so pretty and peaceful. It's just all-around nice.
Rating
I'm giving Created for More four stars and I recommend it to anyone 12 and up who want to become more creative (especially people who consider themselves to be artists of some nature).
*I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a writer. This is a book about being a creative Christian and so of course I wanted to read it.
What I Thought about this Book
I liked it a lot. It's supposed to be read over a thirty day period and each "chapter" is about three pages long with a lot of white space. There's a title, then a quote, then a passage from the Bible (sometimes just a verse), then prayer starter, then there's a "Change the Way You Think" section, and it ends with a challenge. The layout is pretty cool and I'm not sure what it is, but it doesn't feel overwhelming in the least bit. Instead if feels... Comfortable. Don't ask me why, but it kinda reminds me of sitting in a comfy living room with my feet tucked up under me and a great creative discussion going on.
Created for More was a very easy read. I breezed right through it. (Yes, I know it's supposed to be read over 30 days, but because of a deadline with this review and being out of the state I didn't have 30 days to spend on it. I do plan on re-reading it sometime soon and doing it right the next time.) There was so much about thinking out side of the norm and coming up with new ideas. (Total win, there!)
My favorite part was the challenge at the end of each day. I love thinking in creative ways, and each challenge was about stretching ourselves and thinking in new ways. The "prayer starter" isn't something I generally enjoy in books, (it was just ideas about how to pray that went along with the subject of each chapter), so I skim-read most of them.
Conclusion
I want to look up more books by Jonathan Malm. He seems like a pretty interesting author. I enjoyed his perspective and creativity and agreed with almost everything he said. Another win was the cover and the format inside the book being so pretty and peaceful. It's just all-around nice.
Rating
I'm giving Created for More four stars and I recommend it to anyone 12 and up who want to become more creative (especially people who consider themselves to be artists of some nature).
*I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2016
Very fresh & inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews