Snap! Crackle! Pop!

Nope, not my breakfast talking, but my experience every time I open Jesus, Life Coach by Laurie Beth Jones. Her writing is so crisp, fresh, and inviting that it makes me look forward to spending time inside her stories and the creative way she presents information. She’s intelligent without being heady, she’s relevant, and obviously well-read, which means we the readers benefit on every page.

I love her format of brisk chapters that captures my attention and snap with truth. She opens each chapter with Scripture and closes them with questions and, while that’s not a new format, there’s something about the quality of her writing that causes it to crackle with originality. Her divisions (Focus, Balance, Productivity, Fulfillment) give the book strong direction, adding pop to this dynamic offering.

I had seen Laurie Beth’s books at stores prior to her Women of Faith visit, but I
had never read one until I met her and was impressed with her carriage and message content. Laurie Beth is now on my list of favorite writers. I applaud how much she accomplishes in her succinct chapters. She never deviates from her purpose; no rabbit chasing in her text, but instead Laurie Beth aims for her target and then—zing—hits it!

The topic of Life Coaches is fascinating since even the title causes one to think of
a strong cheerleading advocate. We’d all like one of those, which is Laurie Beth’s point—we have one in Christ. Then she goes on to show us how He is our
Personal Trainer and what He offers and asks of us. Laurie stirs our thinking with her well-crafted questions, which are probing but not preachy.

Laurie Beth shares with us the “handy and dandy” word “No”, she reminds us
“the antidote to worry is action”, and that “procrastination feeds on excuses.” I love her statement, “Jesus came not to reinforce your comfort zone, but to set
your small-minded ways on fire.”

And listen to these prayers (there are 60 throughout);

“Dear Lord,
Thank you for stealing the tent of my small-mindedness and limited thinking. Help me realize nothing is lost, but much is gained, when you steal away my oh, so comfortable limitations. Amen.”

“Dear Lord,
Help me not see people as one dimensional, easily labeled, and thus dismissed stereotypes, but as the potential heroes they are. Help me view them with unconditional positive regard, just as you view me…Amen.”

If I were to reduce my personal assessment of this zesty read down to two words
it would be “spiritually invigorating.”

I can’t wait for you to break open this book and tell me what you think!

Laurie Beth Jones' book, Jesus, Life Coach , is perfect for lying in the hammock or curling up in a chair. Buy your own copy here.