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JESUS, Career Counselor: How to Find (and Keep) Your Perfect Work
Written to help readers get, find, and keep the work they love, JESUS, Career Counselor weaves
together practical self-help concepts, intriguing stories, relevant statistics, and Bible scriptures.
Divided into four sections centered on the four natural giftings or personalities of people, this book
explores twelve dreams that God has for each individual--including rise, risk, roar, renew, regenerate,
rejoice, relate, and more. It then instructs readers in how to realize each one of these dreams, no
matter their natural inclination.
As individual personalities of Fire, Earth, Water, and Wind are explored, the book explains how
the Fire of excitement translates to Leadership Skills, how the Earth of grounding translates into
Good Habits and Character Development, how the Water of life-giving becomes Relationship Skills,
and how the Wind of release becomes the Creativity and Innovation, which are in high demand in
every industry in the world today.
Readers will learn how to discover their four greatest talents and create their personal Talent Shield,
which will help them choose a meaningful career based on their Life’s Mission Statement.
Each chapter serves as a free-standing career guidepost, and includes Career Exercises, pertinent
Word Definitions, Career Choices for individual gifting, Self-Quizzes, and Reader Study Guides.
together practical self-help concepts, intriguing stories, relevant statistics, and Bible scriptures.
Divided into four sections centered on the four natural giftings or personalities of people, this book
explores twelve dreams that God has for each individual--including rise, risk, roar, renew, regenerate,
rejoice, relate, and more. It then instructs readers in how to realize each one of these dreams, no
matter their natural inclination.
As individual personalities of Fire, Earth, Water, and Wind are explored, the book explains how
the Fire of excitement translates to Leadership Skills, how the Earth of grounding translates into
Good Habits and Character Development, how the Water of life-giving becomes Relationship Skills,
and how the Wind of release becomes the Creativity and Innovation, which are in high demand in
every industry in the world today.
Readers will learn how to discover their four greatest talents and create their personal Talent Shield,
which will help them choose a meaningful career based on their Life’s Mission Statement.
Each chapter serves as a free-standing career guidepost, and includes Career Exercises, pertinent
Word Definitions, Career Choices for individual gifting, Self-Quizzes, and Reader Study Guides.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2010
6 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 27, 2019
I wasn’t sure if this would be beneficial or not at first, as it came across more charged with positivity than resourcefulness. But now that I’ve finished it, I can say it provides a dose of hope for those of us struggling with career transitions. I liked this book more than I initially thought I would.
October 28, 2010
This book sat on my desk for the longest time, half-read. I am a SAHM, stay-at-home mom, and I found this book had very little to do with my "career." Jones did eventually address this in the book, but only briefly, and it makes me wonder what the author's personal views are on women who choose my career. A perfect example of this is that at the end of every element section, she lists careers she considers appropriate for those that match that element, and none of the four lists mention a SAHM. Even when she discusses those who have been forced to leave their job or choose to leave their job, she views being stuck at home as a temporary place and describes how to move out of it, never considering that maybe Jesus wants it to be permanent.
Delving into the opening of the book, it is quickly apparent that the author assumes that the reader has read the author's previous books and will use these other books to produce a mission statement, personality profile, "four greatest talents", and a vision statement. As I have not read her previous works, and don't intend to, I felt I was at a further disadvantage from benefiting from reading this book.
Another mark against the book is that Jones does not stick with only one version of the Bible to quote from, and the only time she actually states which version she is quoting from is when she quotes the KJV - every other time is a mystery.
There are many positive points to the book, such as the organization. Each of the four elements are covered in-depth, with each of the four sections containing three chapters that each focus on a single word that fits that element, all beginning with the prefix "re-". Each of these words come with a detailed definition, and each chapter provides places for the reader to take notes and answer the author's questions, such as the "Make It Yours" sections and the "Career Exercises", with each chapter ending with a prayer. The "Bonus Features" at the end of each of the four sections list additional prayers, the aforementioned list of recommended occupations, and "Summary Points" of the three words defined in each section. The last section of the book has additional "Bonus Features," which is the authors' Book Picks, a list of Internet resources, a section on resumes, and a section titled "How to Deal with Sudden Job Loss / Reversal of Fortune." I do enjoy a well-organized book.
The anecdotes were entertaining and the advice seemed good and useful to those in the job market. I did appreciate Jones' goal of making Jesus central to a person's career, even if the methods by which she approaches this seemed more New Age than Biblical, despite the scripture quotes. Her writing was also very sensitive to the reader who has lost a job or is unhappy in his or her current job, which would be an appropriate way to address the reader in the current economy.
Delving into the opening of the book, it is quickly apparent that the author assumes that the reader has read the author's previous books and will use these other books to produce a mission statement, personality profile, "four greatest talents", and a vision statement. As I have not read her previous works, and don't intend to, I felt I was at a further disadvantage from benefiting from reading this book.
Another mark against the book is that Jones does not stick with only one version of the Bible to quote from, and the only time she actually states which version she is quoting from is when she quotes the KJV - every other time is a mystery.
There are many positive points to the book, such as the organization. Each of the four elements are covered in-depth, with each of the four sections containing three chapters that each focus on a single word that fits that element, all beginning with the prefix "re-". Each of these words come with a detailed definition, and each chapter provides places for the reader to take notes and answer the author's questions, such as the "Make It Yours" sections and the "Career Exercises", with each chapter ending with a prayer. The "Bonus Features" at the end of each of the four sections list additional prayers, the aforementioned list of recommended occupations, and "Summary Points" of the three words defined in each section. The last section of the book has additional "Bonus Features," which is the authors' Book Picks, a list of Internet resources, a section on resumes, and a section titled "How to Deal with Sudden Job Loss / Reversal of Fortune." I do enjoy a well-organized book.
The anecdotes were entertaining and the advice seemed good and useful to those in the job market. I did appreciate Jones' goal of making Jesus central to a person's career, even if the methods by which she approaches this seemed more New Age than Biblical, despite the scripture quotes. Her writing was also very sensitive to the reader who has lost a job or is unhappy in his or her current job, which would be an appropriate way to address the reader in the current economy.
May 3, 2010
I looked forward to reading this book because I thought I could integrate it into my own career counseling techniques. I am a high school counselor at an alternative high school. Although there is a separation of church and state, I hoped there would be nuggets I could use in counseling my students.
Laurie Beth Jones is an articulate writer and scripture scholar. She tells clever stories which segue into her lessons. By using the elements, she describes the strengths of a competent employee. She also offers 12 characteristics to guide the potential employee; rise, risk, roar, reflect, renew, restore, remain, return regenerate, revive, release and rejoice. Weaved within the pages are scriptural references and examples of people who possess different qualities from the Old and New Testaments.
This book is not a concrete "how to" guide for a career. The author's basic premise is that we can find work satisfying and God can guide us on our path. She gives sound tips for goal setting, understanding yourself, knowing lifestyle expectations but the book is ultimately about coming to know yourself in His eyes.
This is a concept book and includes excellent ideas in developing into a more complete person. The author uses examples from the scriptures which I found interesting, compelling, but a little distracting. Some of the examples were somewhat peripheral and I found myself digging into my scriptures to explore their character. On the other hand, it was a good exercise for me to look in the Bible for answers. The expectation, however, is that the reader already knows these people and read about them on Sunday at church. I feel pretty competent in my scriptural knowledge but I wish she had been more encompassing in discussing the examples from the Bible.
This is a weekend read. It contains good information and is a good taste for the person exploring career paths. As a counselor, I would have approached it with interest inventories, aptitude tests, and personal interviews. I guess this would put me in the element of "fire."
Laurie Beth Jones is an articulate writer and scripture scholar. She tells clever stories which segue into her lessons. By using the elements, she describes the strengths of a competent employee. She also offers 12 characteristics to guide the potential employee; rise, risk, roar, reflect, renew, restore, remain, return regenerate, revive, release and rejoice. Weaved within the pages are scriptural references and examples of people who possess different qualities from the Old and New Testaments.
This book is not a concrete "how to" guide for a career. The author's basic premise is that we can find work satisfying and God can guide us on our path. She gives sound tips for goal setting, understanding yourself, knowing lifestyle expectations but the book is ultimately about coming to know yourself in His eyes.
This is a concept book and includes excellent ideas in developing into a more complete person. The author uses examples from the scriptures which I found interesting, compelling, but a little distracting. Some of the examples were somewhat peripheral and I found myself digging into my scriptures to explore their character. On the other hand, it was a good exercise for me to look in the Bible for answers. The expectation, however, is that the reader already knows these people and read about them on Sunday at church. I feel pretty competent in my scriptural knowledge but I wish she had been more encompassing in discussing the examples from the Bible.
This is a weekend read. It contains good information and is a good taste for the person exploring career paths. As a counselor, I would have approached it with interest inventories, aptitude tests, and personal interviews. I guess this would put me in the element of "fire."
October 1, 2013
There are certain books that come along just at the time we need them. When that happens, it feels like the book is written just for us. And while the book may not be a runaway best seller, it spoke to us. That is how this book was for me. I enjoyed it and I had several "yes, that's just what I needed today" moments. I have appreciated all of Laurie Beth Jones' previous books and this one was no exception.
Thank you Laurie Beth for fulfilling your calling as a writer and for crafting such a meaningful book!
Thank you Laurie Beth for fulfilling your calling as a writer and for crafting such a meaningful book!
April 16, 2012
This looks like it is interesting to read. I need to read this as it goes with what I am now going through.I have just read this, it is a quick read and is good for those that have no career direction in their lives. The only thing that I like in this book is the prayers that are written at the end of each chapter. This is good for those whose lives are in transition or those that have to relocate to a different state!
October 23, 2013
A simple and quick read, touching on key concepts to chew abt regarding a typical career. There is a strong element of encouragement, inspiration and motivation to re-think your career and take a moment to evaluate if your life goals and work are aligned. The personal testimonies within are what u want to look out for. There's no rocket science here but a good reminder of basic principles of career management.
September 19, 2014
Doing work that taps into our God given talents. If you are out of work or unhappy with the work you are doing, this book may help you make some life altering decisions.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews