Sunday, June 15, 2014

Heart Wide Open by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Tomlinson grew up in church and continued going as a married woman. But when her kids came along and she wanted to instill in them the faith she had, she realized her lack. She knew there had always been a certain disconnect – a spiritual experience at church that did not permeate the rest of her life. She was a hypocrite. The faith she was experiencing did not satisfy her deepest longings. She couldn't pass on to her children what she didn't have.

Tomlinson admitted to God that she was lukewarm and cried out for help. “I don't love You, but I want to love You. Help me!”

She writes about the decisions made to choose God, to treasure Him, and admitting you don't love Him but want to. She helps you deal with intimidation, encourages you to be addicted to reading God's Word and hearing Him talk, to keep in touch with Him throughout the day, to continually submit to His will, to keep from legalism, and keep from being disgruntled by other Christians.

There is a great Bible Study and Discussion Guide included, good for an eight week study.

I was inspired by this book. Tomlinson has a way of writing that is so encouraging. Her stories are ones I can understand and relate to. She is very honest with the reality of challenges to growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus. I appreciate that attitude.

If you have a dullness in your faith, read this book. If you have little or no sense of intimacy with God, read this book. Even if you don't want a closer relationship with Jesus but wish you did, read this book. Don't settle for just going through the motions. Tomlinson wants your life to go from “just enough” to “I can't get enough.”

Food for thought: “If going to church is enough, if being around others who are passionate about Him is enough, if anything short of realizing His intimate presence for ourselves is enough, that's all we'll ever experience.”

Watch the book trailer here.

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is the author of award-winning nonfiction humor titles, a popular speaker and blogger, and the host of the radio program All Things Southern LIVE. She and hr husband live and farm in Louisiana and have two grown sons.

WaterBrook Press, 208 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

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