Book Review: What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? by Ed Welch

I first heard of Ed Welch when I took a counseling course in my church almost two years ago. I picked up a few of his books and when I read them I knew that I had found a wise counselor who knew the Bible well and could communicate its truths in an understandable and enjoyable way. Although much of what he writes is convicting, it is done in a manner that expresses his concern for those in pain and struggling with hard life issues. I have learned a lot from this man.

This book was written primarily for people between the ages of fourteen and twenty-four, but it's theme speaks to all. It mostly sounds like a simplified version of the author's book entitled When People Are Big and God is Small, which I enjoyed much more than this one. But, for those who prefer shorter books that can be read in just a few hours, this one fits.

Mainly a book about gaining freedom from the opinion of others and instead focusing on what God desires, What Do You Think of Me/ Why Do I Care? helps the reader in the "path of change":

1. You start by looking at who God is and what He has done for you.
2. Then, in response, treat others the way you have been treated. Love more than you need love from other people.
3. Then get your eyes right back on to Jesus.

This is the content of the book in a nutshell. Mr. Welch brings God glory by pointing us toward Christ and what He has done and by encouraging us to imitate Him by loving others in the same way we are loved by God.

What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? is a great resource, especially for young people. And to dig even deeper, I recommend When People are Big and God is Small. These books will challenge you to change!

I give What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? by Ed Welch 4 stars.

(I received this book from B & B Media Group for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D.

Ed is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF. He earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Utah and has a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over thirty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear and addictions. His books include: When People Are Big and God is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Blame it on the Brain; Depression—A Stubborn Darkness; Running Scared; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction; and When I am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety.

WWW Wednesdays

WWW Wednesdays is a meme from Should Be Reading, where we answer three questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? and What do you think you'll read next? If you want to participate, answer the three questions, then put your link on the Should Be Reading Blog in the comment section. Happy reading!


              

What I am currently reading: Heart's Awakening by Delia Parr - Pretty good so far. I received this book from Bethany House for review.


What I recently finished reading: What Did You Expect? by Paul David Tripp - I bought this book when I went to the CCEF conference last month in Virginia Beach. What a great time! If you are at all interested in Biblical counseling, I would highly recommend this conference to you. And this book was an interesting as well as convicting read.

What I'll probably read next: Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber I've decided to read a few Christmas books this next week and this is one of them. I have heard that the movie was not as good as the book, but that seems to be the way it usually is.

What have you been reading? Have you read any of these?

Please come back to my blog tomorrow when I will be sharing a new book by one of my new favorite authors. I have now read four of her books and I have immensely enjoyed every one! (also, I will be having a GIVEAWAY of the one that I will be reviewing tomorrow!!!)

Helping People Change

I hope I haven't lost readers because of my neglect of this blog lately. I've had trouble with getting internet access. So, until I get this straightened out, I'll have to stop promising so much and just do what I can and when I can.

Today, I want to share with you some great resources I have discovered lately for people who want to help others in their quest for change. These are Christian authors who have helped me on the road to change and in my efforts at learning how to help others in the counseling process. I hope you find a few you may want to read in order to help yourself and the people with whom you come into contact.

1. How People Change by Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp - If you want just one book on the whole idea of how to make a change in your life or how to help others change, this would be the one. It has sound, biblical teaching on why we do what we do and how we must go about growing and maturing in Christ.

2. Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands - This book is probably the one in which I have highlighted the most text. I think it has been the most instrumental in my life to make me want to help others in their walk with God. I am now seeking to learn more in order to counsel others in God's Word. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about counseling other people biblically. 

3. A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption by Jay Adams - This was part of the required reading I have done for a counseling class I am in right now. It, too, has a lot of highlighted parts and, although it was a little slower reading than some others I have read, it is packed with so much wisdom. It should be an essential part of every biblical counselor's bookshelf.   

4. Blame It On the Brain? by Ed Welch - I have just a few more chapters to go on this one for my class. If you have wondered about what causes people to do sinful things, whether it be the brain or our corrupt hearts, then you may be fascinated with this book, as I have been. The author explains how there are some disorders that may be caused by brain dysfunctions and some that are not. He says, "Sometimes it is legitimate to blame our misbehaviors on the brain, and sometimes it isn't. How can we know?" He attempts to answer this question in this book.

Along the way in my search for understanding the human condition and how we can change, I have come across other books that I have not yet read, but they are now on my TBR list. Since these have been recommended to me by reliable sources, I am confident in sharing them with you:

                   

                   

                        

I hope you find some great new resources from this list. Let me know if you read any of these. I'd like to hear how you like/don't like them.

Happy reading!

      

Book Review: Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp

I often have a pencil or highlighter with me when I read a non-fiction book, especially one that I know will be thought-provoking. I like to underline or highlight the parts that really speak to me and that I want to refer to again (of course, I am talking only about books I own!). It seems that when I do this, I remember more of what I read than when I don't. I sometimes write some of the passages in my journal so I can read them again later.

This book, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands,is one of those books that I carried with a pencil wherever I went. The problem, though, is that when I finished reading it, I had marked it up so much that it looks like there is more underlined than not. I couldn't stop! I found so much I wanted to remember in this book that it took me probably three times as long to read than it normally would because I was stopping to underline so often.

I read Mr. Tripp's book years ago for a class that my former pastor was teaching to train members in our church to counsel others. I couldn't believe how much wisdom could be packed in just 350+ pages. So when I was required to read it again for a counseling class I am taking, I jumped at the chance to dive into its depths once again.

The subtitle to Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands is: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change. And that's exactly what it teaches. Unlike many other books for "Christian counselors", this author does not claim to be perfect and a know-it-all telling others how to "straighten up". Instead, Mr. Tripp humbly explains how we as Christians can help others in their various situations and "comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (II Corinthians 1:4). We are to learn from God how he "comforts" us, and then love others with that same comfort. That is the foundation for all that this book teaches.

We are sinners in need of a Redeemer. And our goal, to quote Mr. Tripp, is "to help one another live with a God's story mentality. Our mission is to teach, admonish, and encourage one another to rest in his sovereignty, rather than establishing our own; to rely on his grace rather than performing on our own; and to submit to his glory rather than seeking our own." This is the work of the kingdom. And this is what Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands shows us to do.

This was one of those rare books that I can honestly say is a rich gold mine to the reader.The nuggets I found within will remain with me for a long time. I highly recommend it.