Choose Wisely, Live Fully: Lessons from Wisdom & Folly, the Two Women of Proverbs

by Donna Gaines

The Book of Proverbs is a gold mine of divine wisdom. Author and speaker Donna Gaines applies that wisdom in very practical ways to the issues women face. Choose Wisely, Live Fully examines the blessings and curses associated with the choices made by the two women in Wisdom and Folly. Gaines harnesses her two passions—discipleship and literacy—to challenge women of all ages to become “biblically literate.” Biblical illiteracy makes us vulnerable to influences that do not represent biblical truth. This book is a wonderful discipleship tool that will help equip you discern the voice of God and follow His path (the path of Wisdom instead of the path of Folly); experience the joy of wholehearted obedience; and let God help you mentor the lives around you in remarkable ways. Exploring the timeless counsel of God’s Word, Choose Wisely, Live Fully is your invitation to embark on the transforming journey of faithfulness as you seek God and boldly choose the path that leads to life. I love the Book of Proverbs. It weaves deep theology with the kind of practical handles a guy like me needs every single day. That’s also why I love Choose Wisely, Live Fully. Donna Gaines does a great job balancing the unvarnished truth of Scripture with real-life application. That powerful combination can change your life—and the lives of those you love. —Dave Ramsey, best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio show host Donna Gaines writes in a way that allows the reader to absorb profound truth deep into the heart, mind, and soul. She is a modern-day Deborah, declaring the Scriptures as the ultimate source of wisdom for every woman who dares to choose a life of no regrets. You will come away from these pages with full confidence in the love and sovereignty of God. —Diane Strack, speaker, teacher, co-founder of Student Leadership University, and author of New Start for Single Moms , Quiet Influence , and co-author of Good Kids Who Do Bad Things

Choose Wisely, Live Fully creates a beautiful launching pad from which women can not only learn but also share biblical truths that have the capacity to change their lives and the lives of generations to come. Donna and her daughters share personal stories and godly wisdom that bring the book of Proverbs alive. A teacher at heart, Donna, skillfully equips women with practical tools to help those we love choose the path that leads to the abundant life Jesus promises. The path that will fill them with godly confidence, self-worth, purpose, and direction.

—Wendy Blight, Author and writer for the Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 app

The Book of Proverbs is a book of wisdom that I have studied my entire life. Author Donna Gaines takes the lessons of Proverbs and gives anointed, spirit-filled insight on discipleship. Choose Wisely, Live Fully is a book that helps us to understand the wisdom of Proverbs and how to apply it to our everyday lives. This discipleship tool will challenge you personally and will strengthen you to mentor others to walk in wisdom.

—Ellen Olford, Director of Women, Central Church

Every choice we make has a correlating eternal consequence. In her powerful book, Choose Wisely, Live Fully , Donna Gaines challenges us in a fresh way to make wise decisions, choices that glorify God and yield blessings. Using the two women in Proverbs, Wisdom and Folly, she stirs within us a robust desire to walk in absolute obedience to the Word of God. This book is a must read for women who are ready to be stirred and changed; when you reach the last page, you will not be the same.

—Dayna Street, Women’s Ministry Director, Bellevue Baptist Church

Donna Gaines is a woman of the Word! In Choose Wisely, Live Fully , we are shown how to walk in obedience to the Lord and His Word in a world that is trying to pull us in the opposite direction. Donna offers practical ways on how to pursue a life of holiness and guides us in how to make wise choices in our everyday life. I look forward to using this book as a resource with discipleship groups in the future.

—Kandi Gallaty, Co-Author of Foundations

Choose Wisely, Live Fully by Donna Gaines is an eye-opening window to Proverbs for today’s generation. Donna’s teaching, inspired through the Holy Spirit, is simply stated yet life changing. I personally have read through the Book of Proverbs more times than I can count, however, Donna’s insights have given me a brand-new perspective with applications I had never considered. She has a gift of bringing truths to a new light, and that light points straight to our Creator.

—Shari Falwell

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Donna Gaines is a Pastor’s wife, Bible teacher, author of four books, (Choose Wisely, Live Fully: Life Lessons from the Two Women of Proverbs, Leaving Ordinary: Encounter God Through Extraordinary Prayer, Seated: Living From Our Position in Christ and There’s Gotta Be More) and editor of A Daily Women’s Devotional. She is a disciple maker who fervently desires to see the lives of women transformed as they encounter God through His Word and prayer. Embracing God's missional calling on her life, Donna mobilizes women to practically live out their faith through both inner city and international efforts. She is the Founder and President of the Board for ARISE2Read, a nonprofit that focuses on literacy in the inner city (arise2read.org). She is the mother of four and "Nonna" to 10 grand children. Donna enjoys Memphis Barbecue, Alabama football and anything you can douse with salsa.

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Choose Wisely, Live Fully draws upon chapters 1 through 9 of the book of Proverbs we find in the Writings or Wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, material that contrasts with the declarative books of the pentateuch, the disruptive content of the prophets. Author Donna Gaines explores lifestyles and outcomes of the Wisdom and Folly characters we meet in Proverbs. She reminds us yes, God is God of grace and mercy, but every behavior has consequences and a person cannot help but reap what they sow. She points out Scripture's clear exhortations and instructions for our attitudes and behaviors – not only in the Ten Commandments – but throughout Jesus' ministry and throughout the epistles.

I appreciated the many real-life examples in this relatively short book and her questions to an individual or group studying this book. She has a particular passion for mentoring young people; others well might consider that an option. Reflections from each of Donna's three daughters fill out most chapters. Gaines reminds us attending church on Sunday, listening to a sermon and maybe participating in bible study is not sufficient for living life fully in the word of God. She counsels us to read the bible cover-to-cover every year as she's been doing for a long time, and provides helpful ideas for organizing and enhancing a person's prayer life.

I always trust any book from Abingdon; Choose Wisely, Live Fully met my expectations for solid theology and perspective, but I wanted and expected more substance.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choose Wisely, Live Fully

Lessons from Wisdom & Folly, the Two Women of Proverbs
by Donna Gaines

Abingdon Press

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 15 Aug 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Choose Wisely, Live Fully through Abinon Press and Netgalley:

This book reminds us that we must choose to take God at his word and believe all that he says is true. Jesus reminds us that the word cannot be broken. The author points out too that the choices made by Wisdom, and the choices made by Folly are two very different paths.

We are reminded too that our lives are the product of our choices. The sin that promises us happiness only leads to sorrow and pain. In this book we are reminded that our sin is the thief of our significance.

The author goes on to point out that we are the channels which God provision flows.

I would recommend Choose Wisely, Live Fully to anyone who is looking to grow in faith, and to make wise decisions in faith.

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

[elisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the concept of this book and the practicality of the resources. The appendices are on point! It was also refreshing to see so much scriptural backing of all of her concepts. Some of them are so simple, "We get to know Him by spending time in His Word," that every believer should already know, but in reality, I think so many miss the opportunity to know Him more because of busyness, distractions, and us trying to do it all on our own. But if we'd all just do that and start there - it would give us the answers to so many other things and oh how the world would change.

I also loved her stories around discipling her daughters. I will absolutely take up the practice of discipling my daughters and her friends when they are older. I cannot wait.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choose Wisely Live Fully is a great informational book. It is so easy to understand and it touches the heart. There was one thing that was said that caught my attention and it said, "Many Church Attendees profess CHRIST and yet deny HIM by their behavior" isn't that the truth? don't we all know people like that? We need to make sure we don't fall into that trap. You get into Proverbs and I love it so much - and there is oh so much more - your day is enriched and you will be just that and more. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.