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When God Rescripts Your Life: Seeing Value, Beauty, and Purpose When Life Is Interrupted

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Multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated artist Jaci Velasquez shares how she overcame the challenges of early fame and a failed marriage and trusted God to turn her broken pieces into priceless treasures . After the release of her first album at the awkward age of sixteen, Jaci Velasquez found sudden fame. Five of the songs reached number one, and she became the first and fastest-selling solo artist in Christian music history to reach gold status with a debut album. Despite her initial success, however, her career stalled, and her young marriage ended after little more than a year, leaving her feeling broken, used up, and sometimes useless. But God repurposed those experiences for a greater plan as her renewed faith carried her through a resurrected career, the adventures of a second marriage, and the ups-and-downs of being a wife and mother of two boys, including one diagnosed with autism. Through a blend of personal narrative, practical strategies, and the truth of God's word, Jaci invites readers to rewrite their own stories and dream new dreams for their lives. Her life-transforming insights will guide readers in not only overcoming challenges, wrong turns, and often painful circumstances, but also in growing from those experiences and becoming equipped and empowered to help others.

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First published October 8, 2019

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About the author

Jaci Velasquez

26 books9 followers
Jaci Velasquez has attained three RIAA® certified Platinum® albums, three RIAA certified Gold® albums, sixteen No. 1 singles, six more singles in the top 10, seven Dove Awards, three Latin Grammy® Award nominations, and three Grammy Award nominations. She has also graced more than fifty magazine covers, including Teen People, Latin Girl, Teen Beat, Parade, and People and has as appeared in ads for Pepsi, Doritos, and Target. For nearly six years, she has co-hosted Salem Broadcasting Network’s “The Family Friendly Morning Show with Doug and Jaci Velasquez” with more than 1.5 million daily listeners. In addition to writing, recording, touring, and serving as an advocate for autism awareness, Velasquez has been featured in five faith-based films since 2009, hosted the SESAC Christian Music Awards and the GMA IMMERSE conference, and has been internationally active in the music industry since her emergence as an award-winning artist at the age of sixteen.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel B.
1,061 reviews68 followers
September 6, 2020
The first (and only) concert I ever went to was Jaci Velasquez and Plus One. Roughly twenty years ago, I was a huge fan. So when I heard that Velasquez had written a memoir, I obviously had to read it.

Sadly, Wikipedia lied. This is not a memoir, though the singer-turned-author does share anecdotes from her life. (Those were my favorite bits.) This is the kind of shallow reading for Christian women that frustrates me so much.

After her anecdotes, Velasquez relates her story to a biblical narrative/lesson and closes each chapter by asking the reader questions for reflection. I was confused as to why she chose to write this kind of book instead of a more straightforward memoir. Was she trying to point readers back to God and felt this was the only way to do so? I don't know.

Even with her co-author, the writing fell flat. Multiple times, she'd include some pun and, apparently not trusting the reader to catch it, she'd add, "See what I did there?"

It's not that what she wrote was so terribly unbiblical or dangerous; it was just very basic, fairly boring, and could have been written in a quarter of the space.

Though there was one place where she writes, with sexual insinuations, a vague passage that is not about sex, then tells the reader, "Get your mind out of the gutter." (p 17) Why write the passage this way in the first place? I didn't find it funny, given God's commands in the Bible to avoid coarse joking. And it's strange to me that a Christian publishing house (Thomas Nelson) would leave this in.

Another note for the publisher: Nowhere in the ad-copy is this described as a book for women. In fact, several of the endorsements are from men. Yet Velasquez addresses the reader as "sister" and "girlfriend" throughout the book. Someone should have caught this.
Profile Image for April.
45 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2019
I remember Jaci Velasquez as one of the early musical influences of my Christian walk. When I heard she had written a book, I was intrigued, as I hadn't heard from her in years. I applied to be able to receive an advanced reader copy, and I'm happy I did.

It was nice to be able to "sit" down with an old friend. I no longer have the wide eyes optimism of my youth and it seems Jaci is the same. Instead, she speaks of her life and the disappointments (or rescripting) that have happened along the way.

This is not an in-depth Bible study, although she brings biblical examples to the text throughout. It was a fascinating insight into what shaped her into who she is today, and while I couldn't always relate, she gained my sympathy.

I'm thankful for the book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading autobiographies and also is looking to feel a little nostalgic. It's a lovely little book.
Profile Image for Lindsay Bryant.
76 reviews2 followers
October 8, 2019
This book is more than I had hoped it would be. The author captures your attention with her hilarious and relevant stories and then proceeds to top it with truths about God and His Word. Reading this made me feel like I had just found a missing friend. I would highly recommend this book to be read again and again.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.
Profile Image for Leeya.
95 reviews49 followers
July 18, 2022
ARC received. I am SOO excited!!! Jaci Velasquez was a HUGE inspiration in my teenage years and strongly influenced my singing.

Review to come.
Profile Image for Jessica.
972 reviews113 followers
March 23, 2020
What a fun book. Maybe fun is the wrong word for a different reader, but for me this was fun. It was fun to see behind the curtain on a girl's life who I remember shooting to fame, whose songs my friends and I sang in the backseat of parent's cars driving to volleyball games. It was fun to reminisce along with Jaci about the '90s and about teenage dreams of kids growing up in the 90s. Little snippets of her home life and family made me smile. Plus the beauty of the stories she connected to the Bible was done so well. Although, I'm quite certain Jaci's plan was for the book to be titled, "When God Repurposes Your Life" because that was the main metaphor theme throughout the book. Maybe the publishers wants her to change it to Rescripts because she was an actress? But I think it did the metaphor a disservice. Either way, I truly enjoyed this one!

As with every "celebrity" memoir, I highly recommend the audiobook of this one. She is a GREAT narrator after her radio and acting experience, and her personality made the listening that much more fun!

**Thank you to the publisher for a review copy. My opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Emily P.
428 reviews11 followers
September 23, 2019
I was one of the young ladies that listened to Jaci Velasquez' music throughout her CCM career, heading out to concerts and following her life. However, by the time she had multi-platinum success and a thriving career, life was turning out to be nothing like she'd expected. A choice to chase after a movie role, an ill advised marriage that ended in divorce, and the loss of her recording contract changed quite a few of the things Jaci had planned for herself. But that's where God stepped in to make beauty from ashes.

Jaci's first book "When God Rescripts your Life" is part memoir, advice book and devotional. She shares her personal journey, the journeys of Biblical heroes and some solid, encouraging advice. There are questions at the end of each chapter that allow the reader time to stop and see the little moments where God took something we thought was bad and turned it into something that changed our perspective for the good.

Jaci gives the reader a glimpse into her current life with her second husband, Nic, lead singer for the group Salvador, her two boys (one of which has an autism diagnosis) and her chickens. (Yes, you heard me, her chickens!) Jaci, once firmly a city girl, now has a large home with enough of a backyard to house a sizeable chicken coop.

She shares her personal struggles with letting go of the life she'd dreamed of as a child while watching rom coms in the back of her parent's Honda. Often we find that the dreams we dream don't always come true, yet with God's help, He can craft some amazing changes to the script we cling to.

This book would be great to be read as a small group for either women or young women. Jaci pulls back the curtain of what the music industry can be and how living up to others' expectations and rules can be detrimental in many areas of our lives. I think most anyone could relate to the style and content, although Jaci does speak directly to ladies in certain parts of the book. :)

I read this book as an early reader, thanks to Thomas Nelson Books. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
16 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2019
Talk about a eye-opening, slap in the face, introspective look at perception. Jaci packs a wallop with this book! She starts out describing an eye exam in a most humorous way, then shifts the focus...(See what I did there? You'll understand that sentence once you read the book.) ...to Paul's conversion where he was blinded by the Light. Paul was following whole hog in the religious system of the day when out of nowhere came a carpenter boy who claimed to be the Messiah and Paul had to go in for a realignment of his focus, a shift in his perception.
From marriage mishaps to childhood trauma to chicken trials, Jaci weaves a story that reminds us that no one is beyond clinging so tightly to to what we perceive to be truth that we almost miss the amazing work that God is wanting to do to and through us.
Jaci reminds us of clocks and clutter that hold us captive, paralyzing us with the fear of not enough. She cautions us to not capitulate to others' agendas, encourages us to release our hold on what was, so we can live in the moment of what is.
One of my favorite quotes is this:
"She poured out what she had been saving as certain. She mixed it with all that felt uncertain, but she added the most important ingredient.
Faith.
And God met all her needs."
Even as I read this again, I so want to be able to pour out what I have been saving, to release what I have been clinging to for so long. Yet, the catch in my throat warns that I might regret it, that I might not be enough. That faith ingredients sometimes seems almost invisible, so hard to grasp.
As you can see, this book impacted me enormously. So much so, that I am going to be reading it a second time.
Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this Advanced Copy of When God Rescripts Your Life by Jaci Velasquez.
Profile Image for Angela Payne.
123 reviews5 followers
November 13, 2019
I used to listen to some of Jaci’s songs growing up as a young teenager so I was excited to read her story and see what has been happening in her life. As I flipped through each page I felt like I was sitting with a good friend enjoying a hot cup of coffee as she confided in me all of the best and worst moments of her life. Jaci’s sense of humour made this read really enjoyable and her heartfelt personal stories of struggle were so touching. I loved how at the end of each chapter she “flipped the script” which allowed me moments of self-examination.
Profile Image for Rachel.
Author 17 books43 followers
October 13, 2019
I grew up listening to Jaci's music, so when I saw that she'd written a book, I wanted to read it for nostalgia's sake. I didn't expect to love it and learn from it as much as I did. Jaci writes with such authenticity and vulnerability, and she has a great sense of humor too. I loved hearing her story and receiving encouragement in the midst of my own. Hers is a message we all need to be reminded of over and over again: God is working each and every part of our stories together for good.

This is my honest review of an advanced copy I received from the publisher.
1 review3 followers
October 2, 2019
This is such an amazing book, unlike any other. I highly recommend it. Jaci gives us insight into her story, which I am sure that we can all somehow relate to it. The book is a light hearted and inspiring. Jaci reminds us that our lives will be interrupted and she shows us how to "flip the script" and breakthrough. I acknowledge you Jaci, for the gift that you are to this world.
Profile Image for Katie Fischer.
55 reviews4 followers
October 3, 2019
In When God Rescripts Your Life, Jaci Velasquez invites readers to look at unexpected life situations with a new lens, finding the beauty in the new stories and dreams that they discover. Throughout the book, she includes personal stories as well as stories and verses from Scripture. At the end of each chapter, Velasquez offers what she calls "Flip the Script." This section has comments, questions and challenges for the reader to help reflect on and process what was just read. It provides a simple way to apply the ideas to one's own life. Simply stated, the book encourages readers to look deeper in their life events, and to have faith that each event is a small part of the big picture God has planned for us.

I appreciated her personal stories; they were sometimes funny, sometimes raw and always open and honest. She is a woman who has lived through many different challenges, and had to do so in the public eye. She shares all that she has learned through her challenges, mistakes and successes.

I would recommend this book to anyone because we have all had moments where our plans and God's plan differ, and this provides the right amount of encouragement and hope needed to see beyond the storms we may be in.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.
Profile Image for Michelle Kidwell.
Author 36 books85 followers
February 6, 2020
When God Rescripts Your Life

Seeing Value, Beauty, and Purpose 

When Life Is Interrupted

by Jaci Velasquez

Nelson Books

Thomas Nelson

Christian

Pub Date 

08 Oct 2019



I am reviewing a copy of When God Rescripts Your Life through Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:



At a young age Jaci Velasquez's career sky rocketed her to stardom, she then had a thriving marriage.  But suddenly her both her marriage and career crashed down.  She lost her reputation, her career, her record label and even some of her most cherished relationships.  She had to redefine herself not as a Christian music darling or a broken young woman but as a beloved child of God. Today, she has a resurrected career, and a better definition of herself, as a Child of God, and the Mother of a child with autism.  She talks about the ups and downs of her life and career  as well as the ups and downs of mothering a child with Autism.



Jaci Velasquez was a super star in the Christian Music industry in the 90's and early 2000's but fell from fame, lost her marriage, her career, and became a single Mother, this is not a story of loss though, it is a story of redefining her life in Christ.



I give When God Rescripts Your Life, five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!
1 review
September 29, 2019
Having received an advance copy of the book I was not sure what to expect. Man I was so happy that I was able to get in early. Having known Jaci for over 20 years it was eye opening. Her music was a very important part of my wife’s life as she fought breast cancer. The book was an extension of Jaci and as I read it, I had so many memories of Sophia and her battle. Jaci allowed a part of her to
Come out and be shown even though it was not a side she wanted to bring out. The heart of Jaci really came out as she spoke of Zealand’s autism. Her heart was just tore open and raw, but she faced it with total grace. She speaks of how she always thought about how life was going to be and how God showed her how He wanted her life to be. Seemed like each chapter focused on her life and a passage that her life emulated. I was so drawn to how she was able to seal of real life issues that many don’t think someone with such a great belief can have. I felt myself looking for answers as I read and how things in my life had mirrored things she spoke of. I would suggest this for anyone who is dealing with struggles and has a need to see better what God has for their life.
Profile Image for Amy.
451 reviews13 followers
October 3, 2019
When God Rescripts Your Life is Jaci Velasquez's debut book. Once a common name among most Christian households, Velasquez quietly faded into the background after sixteen No. 1 singles and winning many awards and nominations.

If you're like me, perhaps you enjoyed Velasquez's music in the 90's and wondered what happened that caused her to disappear from the limelight.

When God Rescripts Your Life pulls back that curtain and lets the reader into Velasquez's life. From the time she was a young girl traveling, to a sixteen-year-old getting her first record deal. From there, Velasquez shares about a young failed marriage and what it looked like for her to rebuild her faith and live life on her terms.

Through personal narrative and paraphrased Bible stories, Velasquez encourages readers to consider how God may be trying to rewrite the stories of their lives. As she reflected and saw how God moved through all the moments of her life, Velasquez found the strength to move beyond the circumstances and see the larger picture God was painting in her life.

For me, some places in the book were a bit repetitive, like the book had been written as individual essays and then put together in chapters. There were some good insights within the pages of this book. I would not consider this a deep dive into the topic of God rescripting your life.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my own, honest opinion.
Profile Image for Joanna Harris.
Author 13 books12 followers
January 16, 2024
I was so blessed by this book! My only complaint is that it really needs an introduction. If you can get past the somewhat jarring/abrupt beginning, you’ll be glad you stuck with it! I appreciated the author’s honesty in sharing stories from her life without trying to gain sympathy for the hard things or make excuses for her mistakes. Instead, she pointed back to God and His unfailing love through it all. I enjoyed how she included a biblical character or story in each chapter. Some of her insights were things I’d never considered before and they really encouraged me. I also appreciated the reflection questions at the end of each chapter and her desire to help readers engage with the truths shared, not just read passively. I felt like I’d found a kindred spirit on this crazy journey of life, and I’m so glad she put forth the effort to write this book!
Profile Image for LAMONT D.
1,210 reviews16 followers
March 8, 2025
I recently saw Jaci host a CBN music special, and I wondered what her story was all about. I literally knew nothing about her, so this book captured my attention, and I am read about her amazing success story that is filled with many ups and downs. It is amazing that she had to grow up so fast at such a young age because of all her success as a teenager. What pressure. She made mistakes as she readily admits, but she tells her story in a way to encourage of all of us to rise above those circumstances and those mistakes so that you can see value, beauty and purpose when your life goes in a different direction. The only downside to the book is that there are no pictures, but I am sure you can find some on the web. Her writing in this book is geared to the females but her humor and down-to-earth perspective on life translates to everyone.
Profile Image for Jake Young.
1 review1 follower
October 8, 2019
LOVE the book! Jaci's bubbly fun personality and writing style makes the book fun to read. I have been a Jaci Velasquez fan since I was 3! I am now 23. To be able to read about her life in more depth than ever before was such a joy for me and while I was fanning out, I was moved by the deep spiritual messages behind the book. Jaci brings people's stories from the Bible to life to reflect what she and we go through. We struggle to please, to measure up, to win approval, and struggle to trust. This book is very raw and you will be blessed by reading it! My favorite chapter was "Resetting the Clock". Make sure to check out her CD's "Beauty Has Grace" and "Trust"! :D :)
Profile Image for Emily.
47 reviews
October 8, 2019
WHEN GOD RESCRIPTS YOUR LIFE by Jaci Velasquez is an encouraging perspective at life’s unexpected detours. Jaci discusses the difficult seasons in her life with authenticity and humor as she seeks to trust God’s will and remember God works all things for good. As Jaci reveals the insight and wisdom she gained from her struggles, she challenges readers to examine their lives as well in light of God’s promises. 4.5 stars

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. I was happy to provide an honest review.
120 reviews
September 11, 2022
Growing up Jaci Velasquez was one of my favorite artists. I was so excited to find out she wrote a book! I didn't know much about her life and her story, but I know the words to most of her songs. I loved every bit of this book. Jaci is hilarious, she is a city mouse living the country mouse life. Jaci shared her testimony, like many of us she had a plan for her life and it didn't go accordingly. God showed up in creative ways showing her that life can be re scripted. I highly recommend this book! You will finish it feeling so encouraged.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
Profile Image for Mustangblu.
28 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2025
I hate giving jaci a rating like this as I know she means well and to help others. Maybe i didn't enjoy reading it because I thought it was her autobiography, where she would go more in depth about her life, but I felt there were so many little stories she told that were inconsequential. Like telling the things that happened to all the chickens she had on her farm. And many other stories like this I can't remember because I returned the library book. I wanted to know more important things about her life, which I feel I didn't get. I do love her music, which is why I chose to read her book!
Profile Image for Lizz Bramble.
377 reviews4 followers
September 30, 2019
I grew up with Jaci’s music as the soundtrack of my life. I was so excited to read this book and learn more about her life. She talks about significant events in her life that shaped her, things that weren’t necessarily part of the ‘script’ she had planned out for her life. But through it all she shares what God taught her as he rescripted her life according to his plans.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher.
6 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2019
Life is unpredictable and full of pain, and Jaci’s vulnerability and courage normalizes your own pain and helps you remember you’re not alone and there IS purpose even in your pain. She doesn’t explain away trials or struggle, but reminds you that every part of your story matters and how your struggle shapes you matters. Hope, power, humor, grace, mercy, and truth are beautifully scripted in this treasure of a book! I loved reading this as an advance reader!
57 reviews
October 18, 2019
This book was a breath of fresh air! I thoroughly loved the hilarious way in which Jaci Velasquez related her stories and the raw honesty she showed when sharing the hard parts of her life. I relate so much to the feelings she had when her life didn't go as planned; when it was rescripted. I think we all can. I recommend this book to be enjoyed over and over.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher.
12 reviews
October 8, 2019
Jaci offers real life, relatable situations so that many women can find a piece of themselves within the text. With thought provoking questions situated at the end of each chapter, When God Rescripts Your Life, offers anyone who has faced challenges an opportunity to rethink the impact and purpose of these situations.
1 review
October 8, 2019
This book was an enormous blessing to my life. Jaci Velasquez writes in a way where you feel like your having a normal conversation with her instead of just reading. This book gives a new perspective to life and the different things that go on during it. God blessed me greatly through this book. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Lori Jorgensen.
327 reviews17 followers
October 8, 2019
Do you need a Re-write? Do you need to dream new dreams? How about feeling like you don’t have a purpose. Have you ever felt chewed up and spit out by life? Jaci has. Read her personal story of how she allowed God to script her life from bad to good. Get ready to take some notes !!
2 reviews9 followers
November 15, 2019
This book is SO good! In so many ways. It was fascinating to read about Jaci's career and life and story as well as to hear all the scripture and the interesting way she discusses it and applies it to current days. Really inspiring and encouraging and such a fun read!
Profile Image for Susie Stangland.
333 reviews32 followers
August 20, 2020
I still include the song and melody to her most famous song in my prayers. Very brave of her to share that life isn’t always just a song. And those who sing them experience human walks as we all do. May her road ahead be one of continued strength and be surrounded by love.
11 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2019
Hope in the midst of things that change. Looking for the good out of things that change our path is an important perspective shift. I was honored to receive an ARC!
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