Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 320 pages
• Published by: FaithWords August 20, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0446696153
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0446696159
• Book Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 9.9 ounces

Product Review
Houston televangelist Joel Osteen is well qualified to write this book, having used the seven principles he shares to achieve his own "rags-to-riches" story. At the heart of Osteens message is that achieving a successful, prosperous life of fulfillment can only occur when we stop worrying about the past or future to make the most of each present moment by using our God-given strengths and talents to achieve our goals. The key to doing so are the seven steps Osteen outlines: Enlarge Your Vision, Develop a Healthy Self-Image, Discover the Power of Your Thoughts and Words, Let go of the Past, Find Strength Through Adversity, Live to Give, and Choose to Be Happy. Mixing biblical teachings with his own personal experiences, Osteen explains each of these seven steps in an encouraging, optimistic manner that makes them accessible to anyone interested in principles of personal growth. Although written with a Christian slant, the seven steps Osteen shares will have value to anyone wanting to know more about practical steps of self-betterment, regardless of their denomination.--Larry Trivieri Jr. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
Houston megachurch pastor and inspirational TV host Osteen offers an overblown and redundant self-help debut. Many Christian readers will undoubtedly be put off by the books shallow name-it-and-claim-it theology; although the first chapter claims that "we serve the God that created the universe," the book as a rule suggests the reverse: its a treatise on how to get God to serve the demands of self-centered individuals. Osteen tells readers that God wants them to prosper, offering examples of obtaining an elegant mansion or a greater salary ("dont ever get satisfied with where you are," he cautions). In seven parts, he details how readers should enlarge their vision, develop self-esteem, discover the power of thought, let go of the past, find strength through adversity, give back to others and choose to be happy. The section on giving comes as too little, too late-Osteens message to remember others and "get your mind off yourself" flies in the face of the previous 200 pages. There are some good pockets of advice, such as letting go of past hurts and avoiding bitterness. Editorially, the book would have packed more of a punch if a third of its repetitive slogans and stories had been pruned. Theologically, its materialism and superficial portrayal of God as the granter of earthly wishes will alienate many Christian readers who can imagine a much bigger God.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential (Hardcover) I think some of the reviewers perhaps turn their TVs off before Pastor Osteen is done. He always gives an 'altar call' at the end of his show. Jesus preached a 'Good News' gospel--that He came to 'give us life and to give it more abundantly'. If we as Christians live a life of joy, peace, fulfillment, and abundant love (enough to overflow onto others), isn't this attractive to the lost, unbelieving world? Doesn't a good God--a loving Father---want us to not only have a home in heaven when we die, but to have a good life here on this earth, and to be all He created us to be? I simply cannot understand people who get upset with ministers of the gospel who preach the FULL gospel---salvation, health, provision, joy, peace, etc. I do not think Joel Osteen ever implies that life isn't tough, or that we won't go through some suffering and challenges. But he teaches us (what the BIBLE teaches!) that we are overcomers through Christ and that we can come through the tough times victoriously. I love this Good News!! And many people are being drawn to it and are indeed becoming Born Again through this Word of God / Word of Faith preaching. (And how can there be any teaching of the Word without teaching of Faith. "Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God".) Joel doesn't preach that we are to only believe for 'things' or for our own self-fulfillment. Anyone that thinks that hasn't really been listening to his preaching very long...or with 'ears to hear'. I'm glad that the book is like his sermons, because his sermons are inspiring AND life changing---for the glory of Christ!