BREAKOUT!

Friday, October 25, 2013

BREAKOUT!
5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers
And Live An Extraordinary Life
By Joel Osteen

OVERVIEW: "You were not created to just get by with an average, unrewarding, or unfulfilling life. God created you to leave your mark on this generation. You have gifts and talents that you have not tapped into. There are new levels of your destiny still in front of you. But break out starts in your thinking. As you put these keys into action, making room for increase, expecting shifts of God's favor, praying bold prayers, and keeping the right perspective, then God will release floods of His goodness that will thrust you beyond barriers of the past into the extraordinary life you were designed to live." (Joel Osteen, excerpt from Chapter One)

AUTHOR: JOEL OSTEEN is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Listed by several sources as America's largest and fastest-growing congregation, Lakewood Church has approximately 45,000 adult attendees every week. Millions more watch Joel's messages as they are broadcast on national and international television networks. He resides in Houston with his wife, Victoria, and their children.

MY REVIEW: This is a review of Joel Osteen's book Break Out! and not a review of Joel Osteen. Let me repeat that: this is a review of Joel's book―not Joel, the preacher. If you want to read a review of Joel Osteen you will have no problem finding one. It seems that everybody has an opinion of him. Christians. Non-Christians. Friends. Enemies. People who hear him preach every week and those who have never heard him. Personally, I'm not interested in what you think of Joel.

So, what about the book? I like it. Do I agree with his interpretation of every Scripture referred to in the book? Probably not. But I didn't pause to do a serious study of every Scripture and there are many mentioned throughout the book. This may come as a surprise to many as I have heard that he rarely refers to Scripture. Not true. Joel gives 5 keys to take you beyond your barriers and help you live an extraordinary life. He does this in an interesting way. He tells good stories that keep you interested and wanting to know more. This is a gift that many dull preachers who preach the truth need to learn. What they are preaching is true but presented in such a way that nobody is listening. What a shame.

Osteen's uplifting message focuses on moving beyond barriers. If that is what you are looking to do in your life, this book will help.

(I received this book from Hachette Book Group in exchange for a fair and honest review.)