"Life Code" by Dr. Phil McGraw

It’s been a while since I’ve written a book review, so I decided to write about one of the best books I’ve read lately. It’s called Life Code, and it’s written by Dr. Phil.

Now, we know that he can sometimes be a controversial figure, but I like him.

I was watching TV one day this winter, and he had a couple on the show who were involved with domestic violence. As you might know, I am a survivor of domestic violence, so I am very curious about anything that addresses the subject. Dr. Phil has really put himself out there to help those victims, and even the perpetrators, and I think it’s great.

Anyway, I’m not sure if that was the first time I heard him talk about his new book, Life Code, but I made up my mind I was going to buy it when I could.

And I did.

It’s an awesome book… one I wish I would have had as a young adult. In the first part, he writes about “The Real-World ‘Bad Guys,’” and gives practical ways to see who they are. He calls them “BAITER’s.” Regrettably, I have known some of these people in my life, even let them hurt me severely, and I’m sure you have known some, too. He tackles “The Nefarious 15,” and after reading their characteristics, well, just wow. I think if you aren’t sure whether someone fits into the category of being a Baiter, and you read this, you will definitely know.

The second part addresses how you can win “in the Real World.” He gives advice, counsel, wisdom… whatever you might call it, to succeed in your life. There is even a chapter on parenting, which I definitely appreciated, too.

“Again, I’m not telling you how the world should work, I’m telling you how the world does work.” (p.172)

We are used to “Dr. Philism’s,” as we call them, but really, he does know what he’s talking about.

If you’re young, old, man, woman, whoever you are, this book will be of great value to you if you are willing to look at things with the lens of truth.

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Code-Rules-Winning-World/dp/0985462736/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372476309&sr=8-1&keywords=life+code+dr.+phil 

I'm Not Perfect

If you haven't seen my previous posts, I have been blessed to be a part the launch team for Jill Savage's new book, "No More Perfect Moms."

In reading the book, and being on the launch team, something unexpected has happened: I'm finding I'm not alone in my mom-wife-journey. And that has been so wonderful. I have met some of the neatest women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. We are on this journey together, and that is really very comforting, even if we only "know" each other by blogging and facebook.

When I was married to my first husband, who was violent and abused me, I learned to put on a happy face. I didn't disclose to anyone what was really going on behind closed doors. I am sure that my friends and family knew violence was happening, but I never talked about it. I did, however, try to act like everything was fine... all the time. Even through the tears, bruises, bodily and emotional harm... and crushed spirit. I said and tried to act like all was still fine, and everything was going great!

I learned that when I started facing the truth, my life began to unravel. I didn't understand that it had to unravel in order for God to repair the damage that had been done for so long.

Even after getting married again to a great guy, and turning back to Jesus, I took all of my baggage into that relationship. Jim hauled some in, too, and we were a mess. For our first 2-1/2 years of being together, our friends didn't know if we were together, or split up each time we saw them. I couldn't figure out why we just couldn't make it work.

It was because I had unrealistic expectations. And so did he.

We've come a long way in almost 22 years. But we still succumb to unrealistic expectations.

You see, one of my struggles is placing unrealistic expectations on myself. In doing so, I also place those expectations on other people, too, especially to those who are closest to me. When they don't live up to them, I am sorely disappointed and wonder if it's something I have done, didn't do, should have done, etc. Being a mom, it's probably natural to expect that I am responsible for everything my kids do, or don't do. But I'm finding, albeit gradually, that my kids have wills of their own. They might decide to make mistakes that I wish they wouldn't. As much as we can "control" them when they are young, as they get older, they may not do things the way we wish they would.

Ouch.

I made so many mistakes in my young adult life, and I have prayed all these years that my boys would listen to me, heed my warnings, and not feel that they have to make the same mistakes. I have found that isn't the way things are in the "real" world. I was hardheaded and made some stupid decisions, so why would I expect they wouldn't be the same?

I am the first to admit I have a long way to go. And I'm grateful for my family who quickly forgives when I'm not perfect. I just need to work on forgiving myself, too.

Blind Hope - Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher

I recently read the book, “Blind Hope,” by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher. This book is about “an unwanted dog and the woman she rescued.” Kim Meeder owns and operates the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Oregon with her husband, Troy. They have seen many miracle stories come from their ranch, but this miracle story comes from one of their employees, Laurie Sacher. Laurie has dealt with many sorrows in her life, namely, “guilt, hopelessness, shame, selfishness, pride, fear, sorrow, worthlessness” (p.29).

Laurie heard of some animals that needed rescuing and could not shake the feeling that she was supposed to take one of the dogs (p.13), so she went to the residence. The dog was not at all what Laurie envisioned (p. 15-16).

Meeder tells the story about her visits with Laurie and the stories she tells her about her life with her new friend, Mia. Mia is a blind dog with physical problems. After learning about each other and building trust, Laurie and Mia form a bond that cannot be broken…even in the face of death. And thinking she was doing the right thing by rescuing Mia from a potentially lethal situation, Laurie eventually felt like it was Mia who saved her.

In addition, this story weaves God’s pursuit of and love for Laurie through it. Many people have a skewed view of who God really is, but throughout this story, the reader can see the truth unfold.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.