“Turning Guilt Trips Into Joy Rides” Book Review

By Ruth on May 10, 2012 in book, review
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Women today are busy, stressed, and guilt-ridden, yet they long to develop their spiritual sides. Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides offers inspirational thoughts based on scripture–brief enough to be read during a television commercial, yet insightful enough to open your eyes to the grace of God on days you change diapers and/or lead corporate meetings. Each reading suggests a “Guilt Trip to Avoid” and ends with a way to “Take the Joy Ride.” The book includes six months of daily readings so that you may establish a habit of connecting with God. Readings are listed under the letters G-R-A-C-E, representing God, Relationships, Acceptance, Challenges and Emotions.
The coauthors hope these meaningful readings will help you deal with guilt–both real and imagined. By applying the insights shared in Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides, you may develop a calmer, less guilt-ridden life-style and become better equipped to function as wives, mothers and friends. Younger women often develop patterns of thinking and experience feelings of guilt that carry over into their mature years, so women of all ages will find this book helpful.
Purchase your own copy of this book here.
 
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Kim Messinger, Janine Boyer and Shirley Brosius had a common bond of Christian service when Christ drew them together for their first small group meeting in January, 1998.
Since then they have drawn closer through life’s joys and struggles and found God to be sufficient for their every need. They call themselves “Friends of the Heart” because their passion is to help women open their hearts and find joy in Christ.
Kim and Janine supported Shirley in writing Sisterhood of Faith: 365 Life-Changing Stories About Women Who Made a Difference, which was released by Howard Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster, in 2006.  More recently the three women worked together to write another devotional book, Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides. They have spoken at women’s retreats and events in five states. All three women live in Millersburg, Pennsylvania. Visit their website for more info.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So as a woman, how much spare time do you have?  I am willing to bet that all of us can find five spare minutes to enrich our Christian walk.  And this devotional is the ideal one for that!  I love the fact that the authors used the letters of the word “grace” as an acrostic for the five sections in the book.  Each one-page devotion had a guilt trip to avoid followed by an applicable verse.  Then there was a little anecdote or teaching that went with the topic.  Each page ended with getting on the joy ride.

There is something for every woman in this book.  I found life lessons that truly spoke to me.  I was humbled as I read about allowing others to help me.  That is something I don’t always like to do.  Since there are those in my family who do not apply themselves.  They prefer to be waited on hand on foot.  I always felt that if I allow someone to help me or ask for help, I will be like them and be perceived as a “moocher.”  I took a moment after reading this devotional and surrendered that all to God.

When you do pick this book up and read it, try to read only one page a day.  There is a lot a of information, and I can assure you I will be going back and re-reading some of the sections at a later date.  I think this is a perfect devotional and would make a great gift for mom!

I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
Ruth Hill is an entertainment journalist, digital media strategist, and creative professional who believes in the power of storytelling to inspire, encourage, and connect people. With years of experience interviewing actors, filmmakers, authors, and other creative professionals, Ruth has developed a passion for discovering the stories behind the people who bring entertainment to life. Her interviews and reviews reflect her appreciation for authentic storytelling, meaningful performances, and the creative individuals working both in front of and behind the camera. Through her digital media business, Media From the Heart, Ruth works with actors, filmmakers, authors, and organizations to help them connect with audiences through social media strategy, video production, YouTube optimization, website development, and digital marketing. A Washington State native, Ruth lives in the Yelm area and is the proud mother of an adult daughter. A former music educator and lifelong creative, she continues to pursue her passion for music, writing, and the arts. At the heart of everything Ruth does is her Christian faith, which inspires her commitment to seeing the best in others,
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1 Comment

  1. Shirley Brosius May 17, 2012 Reply

    Thank you, Ruth, for reviewing our book and sharing a weakness of your own. We learned about ourselves as we wrote the book and trust our thoughts will open readers’ eyes to ways to lose the guilt and find the joy.

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