Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Book Reviews - Hidden Agendas

ABOUT THE BOOK:

We like to pretend that hidden agendas are just for self-important bosses or egotistical politicians, but we all have them. Deep down, we all have a secret plan for getting from where we are to where we want to be, even if we refuse to admit it to ourselves.

And if our hidden agendas aren't enough, we wear masks to obscure the truth even more. We put on these masks---like religion, appearance, power, politics, or protection---to drive our agendas. But all of this leaves us feeling phony, ashamed, guilty, and afraid. It's killing us and hurting those we love. But for most of us, it will be a cold day in a hot place before we will be fully honest with anyone else.

There is so much more to life than hiding, pretending, and never being loved. In fact, there is already one person who sees behind the masks we wear and the hidden agendas that drive us. It does no good to tell God that you're sick when you're drunk, that you love him when you don't, or that you didn't steal and eat an apple (with apple juice dripping down your chin). God always recognizes and loves the "you" behind the mask.

So what can we do about the hidden agendas we have and the masks we wear? How can we gather the courage to be real? "Being real" has to start with your relationship with your heavenly Father. God already knows you inside and out. But God doesn't know you in order to "out" you to your friends. His unconditional love for his own is reason we can pray to our Father without fear of rejection or judgment. Knowing God's love, knowing that your heavenly Father is for you not against you is the only reason to give up your masks and develop the type of authentic relationships you never thought you could have.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Brown is a radio broadcaster, author, and the founder of Key Life Network. A former pastor, he also sits on the board of Harvest USA and devotes much of his time to the radio broadcasts "Key Life" and "Steve Brown, Etc."


MY REVIEW:

 Steve Brown shares about the masks that we all wear in order to hide our true selves. He compels us to shed these masks and be who God made us to be. 

What I really like about this book is that he bases everything he shares on Biblical Scripture and, while he is quite blunt at times, what he speaks is truth and it's probably what we all need to hear at this time.

Although this is a serious subject, Mr. Brown injects his writing with humor which makes this book very interesting and a page turner. I was immediately drawn into the book after reading about the author's own emotional breakdown that felt eerily similar to the things I have felt. All this pretending does not help us. 

I found this book to be extremely helpful and sound in doctrine. I loved Mr. Browns humor and even laughed out loud at times. I really feel this book is important in helping us to drop the pretense and be ourselves with our fellow Christians. I really liked this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group



Blessings - Julie

1 comment:

  1. This does sound like a good book! It's been a very long time since I dropped in. I'm glad to see you are well!

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