LIFE IN BLOOM

Learning How to Flourish in God's Grace


Leave a comment

Book Review: The People Factor

Relationships are a huge part of life, and something in which I want to be very good.  I desire to have healthy relationships in all of the roles that I assume- as a wife, a steppie, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a friend, a coworker, etc.  I was excited to review Van Moody’s book “The People Factor” because I’m finding myself in a new phase of life where I actually have to seek relationships, build them, and maintain them.  Since we have moved to Jacksonville, we’ve been trying to figure out ways to not only meet people, but to develop authentic, healthy relationships with them.  And since that was a goal, I hoped this book could offer some good insight.

Let me just say- this book is awesome!  I found myself wanting to read it faster to get through (because it’s so much GOOD, RELEVANT TEACHING), but also wanting to slow down and take many, many notes.  This is also the first book that I’ve read for review that I’ve had the opportunity to recommend to someone in person (at the hair salon, someone had recently heard about the book and wanted to know if it was good).

Here’s the thing- we can ALL be better at relationships.  Moody’s book provides us with not just an understanding of how and why relationships matter, but tangible tips on how to identify which relationships to stay in (or enter in).  Not only that, at the end of each chapter, he provides excellent relationship reminders and great questions to help you raise your relational IQ.

This book provided a great foundation to help in my approach to relationships in this new phase of life.  This is definitely a book that I will be using as a resource, and that I will recommend to others.  Check it out!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.


Leave a comment

Weekly Word 2014 Week 8: James 1:12

Our life is busy and filled with work. Good work, but still work. And sometimes in that work, you face challenging situations that can test your faith and can make it difficult to act on what you believe as opposed to how you feel in the moment.  Preacherman and I both faced situations like that, over the past week…which has led me to this memory verse:

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”- James 1:12 (NIV)

Choosing to persevere in a way that God would desire in a trial is not always the easiest.  However, pleasing God is what is most important, and there’s a reward for my obedience and perseverance.  And I have learned that in those difficult situations, God can use us to be conduits of grace, love, and mercy–in the same way that He so freely gives all three of those to us.

Be encouraged! Peace and blessings!