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God Loves Ugly
DO YOU EVER LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND HATE WHAT YOU SEE? Your eyes can lie. Rejection, shame, and self-hatred can poison perceptions and hinder us from seeing and believing what's actually true. In GOD LOVES UGLY Christa Black shares her personal victory against powerful adversaries--her thoughts, feelings, and reflection. From world-touring stadium performer to rehab-bound bulimic binge eater, Christa's unashamed transparency will win your heart, hold your attention, and give you practical tools to overcome the monsters that can consume our lives. She invites the reader into her own painful struggles and spiritual journey, providing solutions to life's problems in a highly entertaining and vulnerable, yet empowering way. You were made to live free. Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder, depression, addiction, or just feeling a little insecure, GOD LOVES UGLY will shift the way you think, motivate permanent change, and inspire your heart to find peace.
Nook
First published November 26, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 3, 2013
I bought this book after seeing Christa Black at the Revolve Tour with my daughter's youth group, as I related to a lot of her testimony and thought it would be a good book for the girls to pass around. Well, I finally got my turn with it, and I don't think I'll be loaning it out anymore because this is one book I don't want to lose! I finally broke down and grabbed a pen to start underlining all the stuff that stood out to me - and it was a lot.
As a victim of childhood sexual abuse who also struggles with food addiction, this book hit home. However, anyone who has had feelings of not being good enough, rejection, pain, or the need to perform will benefit from Christa's story. It was an interesting mix of personal testimony, self-help writing, and workbook, but it worked for me. I found the end-of-chapter activities very helpful and have been implementing many of the suggestions with much success.
This book deals with some hard issues, but is never overly graphic or offensive. My 14-year-old daughter read and enjoyed it as well. It would be especially helpful for those dealing with abuse or addictions. I will definitely be reading it again!
As a victim of childhood sexual abuse who also struggles with food addiction, this book hit home. However, anyone who has had feelings of not being good enough, rejection, pain, or the need to perform will benefit from Christa's story. It was an interesting mix of personal testimony, self-help writing, and workbook, but it worked for me. I found the end-of-chapter activities very helpful and have been implementing many of the suggestions with much success.
This book deals with some hard issues, but is never overly graphic or offensive. My 14-year-old daughter read and enjoyed it as well. It would be especially helpful for those dealing with abuse or addictions. I will definitely be reading it again!
September 2, 2012
To start, in compliance with FTC guidelines, I must disclose that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I laughed out loud when I saw that I was being sent this book as I had forgotten why I had put my name down for it. A self help, memoir book about religion being sent to a highly cynical person that does not read self help books and an Atheist/Humanist who respects all religions but does not appreciate being preached to about anyone's religion! Like every book though I started it with a fully open mind but a part of me was dreading it as I read for enjoyment and this would appear to be a book that I would not normally enjoy.
Let's start on a positive note. It was actually well written and I liked the author Christa Blacks' attitude and the way she talked. She came across as a real person and talked about her beliefs without being to preachy or coming across as if her beliefs are the only beliefs in the world.
I was brought up in a very religious family and attended church, Sunday school, bible class, Youth Fellowship etc etc so could empathise with her own upbringing. I also fully agreed with her views on most Church goers that I and she encountered being the most judgmental and hypocritical people we had come across. As that was one of the main reasons that I left all religion, it was a breath of fresh air to me to hear a Christian actually acknowledging my own thoughts on that matter. I loved the following quote from Graham Cooke that was in the book:
"The biggest problem in our world is simply a lack of goodness"
Just think about that for a minute and if everyone tries to be good to each other then the world would be a better place. Do unto others as you would have them do to you, Luke 6 (yes an atheist is allowed to quote the bible. Even if I think of it as a work of fiction, I can still appreciate the poetry and emotion of the words like any book I have read).
Her discussion of turning ones anger at events outwith ones own control around so that it does not consume your life also hit home for me. I used to spend a lot of time being angry and resentful at events and people, where I had no control over the outcome or happening so the anger was just pointless and would just consume me and suck any joy out of the rest of my life. I am a lot more laid-back myself now and know how it is just not worth "sweating the small stuff" in life.
I am British so, in the words of the author, "everything sounds better with a British accent" and here are some criticisms of the book.
I struggled to believe the story of the authors abuse at age 3. Not that some abuse happened but what I struggled with was believing that a 3 year old would be able to keep that a secret from her loving family. No 3 year old I know has an inner monologue and would blurt it out in some way to her family or friends without even realizing it. Everyone has heard the 3 year ask "Mama why is that lady so fat", or "Mama why is that man in a wheelchair" at the most inappropriate moment. So I am struggling to understand how the authors loving family did not find out about this abuse in some way at the time.
My second criticism is that the books tone could almost not decide whether it was a memoir, self help book or religious book. It changed tones and styles throughout which would normally annoy me, however, it flowed smoothly enough that it was not such a big deal but I felt that it may annoy some people and choosing one path would help it a lot.
I thought the title of the book was weak and would actually weaken it's sales strength. If the reference to God was taken out of the title it might reach a wider audience and surely that is the point of a book like this to reach a wide audience. If you already believe in God you would think you do not need to read this book, if you don't believe then the title would put you off. I also felt that the religious references throughout the book were unnecessary and it would have been better to write the book without the religious references throughout but then conclude with an Epilogue dedicating the rest of the book and her life to finding God. The existing Epilogue regarding nutrition didn't feel wholly appropriate to the rest of the book for me but I could appreciate that this was a big part of the authors issues so would mean a lot more to her personally.
In my opinion (and probably because I don't believe in God) is that the author is actually selling her own strength short by believing that all she has achieved is because of God. God set her free from her addiction or was it her own inner strength! Whatever it was, if she used God to anchor that strength to, then good for her, it must have worked but I just can't see that it was attributable to a higher being. The author should take some of the praise for doing it herself.
So criticism out the way, I actually quite liked this book. I even had a small emotional moment at one point as it brought back memories of my own father. Without going into personal detail (if you were interested in my life I would write my own memoir) the injustice of what happened to my own father is another of the main reasons I don't believe in a higher being. He did believe and dedicated his life to it and that did not do him much good in the end! This is the section on P103 of my copy that brought a tear to my eye, all you have to do is substitute the last word with the word Dad for an insight into my own emotions.
" And that's exactly what He does, every single day, as I hand over my heart moment by moment to the safest, most loving, generous, kindest, magnificent person I've ever met. My Father."
On a final note, I loved the song lyrics at the start of each chapter and would have loved an accompanying CD with each song on it to listen to as I read the book, in a similar way that Jodi Picoult did with her book Sing you Home. I just think this would have been a lovely touch and added so much more to the book.
So a 3 out of 5 from me. A nice enough read but has some room for improvement, in my opinion.
And to end here is my favourite quote from the bible.
1st Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put my childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I laughed out loud when I saw that I was being sent this book as I had forgotten why I had put my name down for it. A self help, memoir book about religion being sent to a highly cynical person that does not read self help books and an Atheist/Humanist who respects all religions but does not appreciate being preached to about anyone's religion! Like every book though I started it with a fully open mind but a part of me was dreading it as I read for enjoyment and this would appear to be a book that I would not normally enjoy.
Let's start on a positive note. It was actually well written and I liked the author Christa Blacks' attitude and the way she talked. She came across as a real person and talked about her beliefs without being to preachy or coming across as if her beliefs are the only beliefs in the world.
I was brought up in a very religious family and attended church, Sunday school, bible class, Youth Fellowship etc etc so could empathise with her own upbringing. I also fully agreed with her views on most Church goers that I and she encountered being the most judgmental and hypocritical people we had come across. As that was one of the main reasons that I left all religion, it was a breath of fresh air to me to hear a Christian actually acknowledging my own thoughts on that matter. I loved the following quote from Graham Cooke that was in the book:
"The biggest problem in our world is simply a lack of goodness"
Just think about that for a minute and if everyone tries to be good to each other then the world would be a better place. Do unto others as you would have them do to you, Luke 6 (yes an atheist is allowed to quote the bible. Even if I think of it as a work of fiction, I can still appreciate the poetry and emotion of the words like any book I have read).
Her discussion of turning ones anger at events outwith ones own control around so that it does not consume your life also hit home for me. I used to spend a lot of time being angry and resentful at events and people, where I had no control over the outcome or happening so the anger was just pointless and would just consume me and suck any joy out of the rest of my life. I am a lot more laid-back myself now and know how it is just not worth "sweating the small stuff" in life.
I am British so, in the words of the author, "everything sounds better with a British accent" and here are some criticisms of the book.
I struggled to believe the story of the authors abuse at age 3. Not that some abuse happened but what I struggled with was believing that a 3 year old would be able to keep that a secret from her loving family. No 3 year old I know has an inner monologue and would blurt it out in some way to her family or friends without even realizing it. Everyone has heard the 3 year ask "Mama why is that lady so fat", or "Mama why is that man in a wheelchair" at the most inappropriate moment. So I am struggling to understand how the authors loving family did not find out about this abuse in some way at the time.
My second criticism is that the books tone could almost not decide whether it was a memoir, self help book or religious book. It changed tones and styles throughout which would normally annoy me, however, it flowed smoothly enough that it was not such a big deal but I felt that it may annoy some people and choosing one path would help it a lot.
I thought the title of the book was weak and would actually weaken it's sales strength. If the reference to God was taken out of the title it might reach a wider audience and surely that is the point of a book like this to reach a wide audience. If you already believe in God you would think you do not need to read this book, if you don't believe then the title would put you off. I also felt that the religious references throughout the book were unnecessary and it would have been better to write the book without the religious references throughout but then conclude with an Epilogue dedicating the rest of the book and her life to finding God. The existing Epilogue regarding nutrition didn't feel wholly appropriate to the rest of the book for me but I could appreciate that this was a big part of the authors issues so would mean a lot more to her personally.
In my opinion (and probably because I don't believe in God) is that the author is actually selling her own strength short by believing that all she has achieved is because of God. God set her free from her addiction or was it her own inner strength! Whatever it was, if she used God to anchor that strength to, then good for her, it must have worked but I just can't see that it was attributable to a higher being. The author should take some of the praise for doing it herself.
So criticism out the way, I actually quite liked this book. I even had a small emotional moment at one point as it brought back memories of my own father. Without going into personal detail (if you were interested in my life I would write my own memoir) the injustice of what happened to my own father is another of the main reasons I don't believe in a higher being. He did believe and dedicated his life to it and that did not do him much good in the end! This is the section on P103 of my copy that brought a tear to my eye, all you have to do is substitute the last word with the word Dad for an insight into my own emotions.
" And that's exactly what He does, every single day, as I hand over my heart moment by moment to the safest, most loving, generous, kindest, magnificent person I've ever met. My Father."
On a final note, I loved the song lyrics at the start of each chapter and would have loved an accompanying CD with each song on it to listen to as I read the book, in a similar way that Jodi Picoult did with her book Sing you Home. I just think this would have been a lovely touch and added so much more to the book.
So a 3 out of 5 from me. A nice enough read but has some room for improvement, in my opinion.
And to end here is my favourite quote from the bible.
1st Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put my childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Read
July 19, 2019I can’t bring myself to rate this book, and so I won’t. It’s just too personal and it hit really close to home, and I just don’t know if that upsets me or brings me joy because, for I moment there, I felt like someone understood me.
This book helped me understand where the roots of some of my issues come from, and for that I’m very thankful to Christa Black for writing this.
I recommend this book if you want to work on yourself and you need motivation to do it. This book is here to help you. However, it will not heal you. That, my dear friend, is something that you have to do on your own.
This book helped me understand where the roots of some of my issues come from, and for that I’m very thankful to Christa Black for writing this.
I recommend this book if you want to work on yourself and you need motivation to do it. This book is here to help you. However, it will not heal you. That, my dear friend, is something that you have to do on your own.
June 21, 2024
Very honest. Heals through telling you a story.
March 9, 2013
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while.
But yet I’m hesitant to recommend it to everyone.
Christa Black is a Christian musician whose life path included a childhood sexual assault, alcohol and drug abuse, and an eating disorder. And she not only survived, but she lived to tell about it.
That we need to respect. And I do because so much of what she discusses I totally identify with, as probably the better part of the female population does as well.
Black talks about getting “real” with those problems we all face and gave some pretty great ideas in regards to how to change thought patterns, because really, what we “think” is what we see and it becomes who we are.
Think Gandhi:
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”
If you are to read it, I highly recommend taking the time to complete the exercises, as those incredibly useful.
Now, why I wouldn’t recommend this book to “everyone”:
Black is a high achieving perfectionist. It’s a great characteristic in that high achieving perfectionists get things done and, well, perfectly, as opposed to yours truly who is so disorganized it’ll take five minutes just to find a pen to make the list of things which need to get done. And then I’ll lose the list. Or decide the list is crap and won’t do a darned thing on it because I just got distracted by something on the Neiman Marcus website. (Squirrel!!!)
That being said, high achieving perfectionists value, well, perfection above and beyond anything else, including other people. In my experience this value is both completely impossible, bordering on delusional, and not particularly healthy. And despite living in a highly imperfect society, high achieving perfectionists are frequently so intent on this expectation they feel this need to hide from the rest of us by pretending everything in their world is perfect, even though clearly it is not.
That part I totally understand. Because although I'm not a high acheiving perfectionist, I have a serious fear of neediness and create a wall to protect myself from it.
I don’t know Christa Black. But for some women, who are in this midst of this battle, it would have been better to see more of what it was like during the journey, after rehab, living in the real world and coping. And although I believe God has the power to do whatever he wants, including healing, God creates us, imperfections and all for some reason, and one of the core traits of a high achieving perfectionist is they need perfection, in all areas, including the physical.
There are plenty of high achieving perfectionists who do not have body image issues. But, honestly, they don’t look like her. And my personal experience is to look like her one has to spend time on the body, plain and simple.
And that’s OK—but to say she doesn’t consider it any more isn’t particularly accurate, either, which was the feeling I was left with at the end of the book. My guess is probably now food doesn’t run her life and she sees eating something she does to survive, kind of like breathing, which is both appropriate and quite enviable to many, if not most, American women.
From the reading Black’s food issues have more to do with other stuff than vanity. But probably for most people it is—for me it’s this fear of rejection because as much as I hate to admit it I’m concerned with what other people are thinking far too much. The attitude, I think, should be more about God provided me with coping mechanisms, to “completely heal”, and I am choosing to use them. Because we are who we are and part of life is just trying to figure out exactly what it is we need to do to cope with all this freaking imperfection.
But yet I’m hesitant to recommend it to everyone.
Christa Black is a Christian musician whose life path included a childhood sexual assault, alcohol and drug abuse, and an eating disorder. And she not only survived, but she lived to tell about it.
That we need to respect. And I do because so much of what she discusses I totally identify with, as probably the better part of the female population does as well.
Black talks about getting “real” with those problems we all face and gave some pretty great ideas in regards to how to change thought patterns, because really, what we “think” is what we see and it becomes who we are.
Think Gandhi:
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”
If you are to read it, I highly recommend taking the time to complete the exercises, as those incredibly useful.
Now, why I wouldn’t recommend this book to “everyone”:
Black is a high achieving perfectionist. It’s a great characteristic in that high achieving perfectionists get things done and, well, perfectly, as opposed to yours truly who is so disorganized it’ll take five minutes just to find a pen to make the list of things which need to get done. And then I’ll lose the list. Or decide the list is crap and won’t do a darned thing on it because I just got distracted by something on the Neiman Marcus website. (Squirrel!!!)
That being said, high achieving perfectionists value, well, perfection above and beyond anything else, including other people. In my experience this value is both completely impossible, bordering on delusional, and not particularly healthy. And despite living in a highly imperfect society, high achieving perfectionists are frequently so intent on this expectation they feel this need to hide from the rest of us by pretending everything in their world is perfect, even though clearly it is not.
That part I totally understand. Because although I'm not a high acheiving perfectionist, I have a serious fear of neediness and create a wall to protect myself from it.
I don’t know Christa Black. But for some women, who are in this midst of this battle, it would have been better to see more of what it was like during the journey, after rehab, living in the real world and coping. And although I believe God has the power to do whatever he wants, including healing, God creates us, imperfections and all for some reason, and one of the core traits of a high achieving perfectionist is they need perfection, in all areas, including the physical.
There are plenty of high achieving perfectionists who do not have body image issues. But, honestly, they don’t look like her. And my personal experience is to look like her one has to spend time on the body, plain and simple.
And that’s OK—but to say she doesn’t consider it any more isn’t particularly accurate, either, which was the feeling I was left with at the end of the book. My guess is probably now food doesn’t run her life and she sees eating something she does to survive, kind of like breathing, which is both appropriate and quite enviable to many, if not most, American women.
From the reading Black’s food issues have more to do with other stuff than vanity. But probably for most people it is—for me it’s this fear of rejection because as much as I hate to admit it I’m concerned with what other people are thinking far too much. The attitude, I think, should be more about God provided me with coping mechanisms, to “completely heal”, and I am choosing to use them. Because we are who we are and part of life is just trying to figure out exactly what it is we need to do to cope with all this freaking imperfection.
September 28, 2012
Maybe I’m the only one in America who doesn’t recognize the name, Christa Black, but she knows how to punch you in the gut on the first page. God Loves Ugly and Love Makes Beautiful is raw, authentic, wild, and mixed up.
Christa Black is a singer and songwriter for celebrities like Jordan Sparks and Michael W. Smith. She grew up in a loving home as a pastor’s kid.
A man sexually molested her as a small child making being a “PK’s” life tough (pastor’s kid). Religion seemed more about the rules than the love. Addiction drove Christa’s life. Success drove her to over-achieve in everything from music to sports. Contrasting her success in high school and college were her addictions to drugs, drinking, and bingeing. The memoir she writes has much wisdom of lessons learned in the journey, written positively, casting a beam of light into the dark dungeon of her own self. For the most part, I agreed with much of what she said except for a couple of points.
Christa speaks a lot of how our attitude is a choice. It’s true that we do have mastery over our emotions. We rule them; they don’t rule us. Or at least, that’s how it should be in people’s lives. But I have noticed she points out the power to overcome our darkest days come from within. I don’t think she meant to point out that the power comes from within us as if God isn’t really needed, but if not read carefully, the words can seem to say that. She clarifies later in numerous places how God helped her realize she is loved. Many times forgiveness, a bad day, depression, and other shadows are difficult to overcome simply by thinking happy thoughts. It’s a process, a choice, but also divine.
I posted on Facebook my favorite quote about jumping puddles (Chapter 3). Christa explored Washington D.C. by foot and a rain storm caught her unawares. That night she was to perform with the Jonas Brothers and a good mood became sour. She cursed everything until she realized she should just jump in the puddles; make the best of a bad day no matter what the rain did to her hair or make-up. The forced smile eventually became real.
Christa also writes how we shouldn’t judge someone committing a wrong (page 81-82). We have to look at the root of a problem. She makes it clear that she doesn’t condone those who make bad choices, but there’s a story behind the behavior. To that point, I agree. The root of our choices are the problems solved only by journeying with God and allowing Him to change us. I disagreed with her Pollyanna approach of churches not preaching of sin and of being too condemning; of not speaking of Jesus’ love enough.
The church she attended sounded pretty controlling, but then, I have met some homeschooled kids who lived in a controlled environment where they could only listen to certain music or watch some movies. I even knew a Christian friend who frowned at secular music. As a church we do have to be careful not to add to scripture man-made rules, but to embrace truth balanced with love.
Christa spent much of her life self-hating, trying to be loved. The way Christa writes this book is helpful, authentic, and deep with a first page that literally makes you gasp and clutch your neck, wanting to reach across the blank pages and rip out the lies of worthlessness from her mind. I gave this book four stars because of the points above, but she did make a great point that we all need to get involved with people.
To reach the root problem of poverty it requires relationships forged in authenticity, not entitlement, with a hand reached out in friendship and love; a person committed to walking the difficult journey with the suffering person.
*book given by publisher to review.
Christa Black is a singer and songwriter for celebrities like Jordan Sparks and Michael W. Smith. She grew up in a loving home as a pastor’s kid.
A man sexually molested her as a small child making being a “PK’s” life tough (pastor’s kid). Religion seemed more about the rules than the love. Addiction drove Christa’s life. Success drove her to over-achieve in everything from music to sports. Contrasting her success in high school and college were her addictions to drugs, drinking, and bingeing. The memoir she writes has much wisdom of lessons learned in the journey, written positively, casting a beam of light into the dark dungeon of her own self. For the most part, I agreed with much of what she said except for a couple of points.
Christa speaks a lot of how our attitude is a choice. It’s true that we do have mastery over our emotions. We rule them; they don’t rule us. Or at least, that’s how it should be in people’s lives. But I have noticed she points out the power to overcome our darkest days come from within. I don’t think she meant to point out that the power comes from within us as if God isn’t really needed, but if not read carefully, the words can seem to say that. She clarifies later in numerous places how God helped her realize she is loved. Many times forgiveness, a bad day, depression, and other shadows are difficult to overcome simply by thinking happy thoughts. It’s a process, a choice, but also divine.
I posted on Facebook my favorite quote about jumping puddles (Chapter 3). Christa explored Washington D.C. by foot and a rain storm caught her unawares. That night she was to perform with the Jonas Brothers and a good mood became sour. She cursed everything until she realized she should just jump in the puddles; make the best of a bad day no matter what the rain did to her hair or make-up. The forced smile eventually became real.
Christa also writes how we shouldn’t judge someone committing a wrong (page 81-82). We have to look at the root of a problem. She makes it clear that she doesn’t condone those who make bad choices, but there’s a story behind the behavior. To that point, I agree. The root of our choices are the problems solved only by journeying with God and allowing Him to change us. I disagreed with her Pollyanna approach of churches not preaching of sin and of being too condemning; of not speaking of Jesus’ love enough.
The church she attended sounded pretty controlling, but then, I have met some homeschooled kids who lived in a controlled environment where they could only listen to certain music or watch some movies. I even knew a Christian friend who frowned at secular music. As a church we do have to be careful not to add to scripture man-made rules, but to embrace truth balanced with love.
Christa spent much of her life self-hating, trying to be loved. The way Christa writes this book is helpful, authentic, and deep with a first page that literally makes you gasp and clutch your neck, wanting to reach across the blank pages and rip out the lies of worthlessness from her mind. I gave this book four stars because of the points above, but she did make a great point that we all need to get involved with people.
To reach the root problem of poverty it requires relationships forged in authenticity, not entitlement, with a hand reached out in friendship and love; a person committed to walking the difficult journey with the suffering person.
*book given by publisher to review.
Did Not Finish
April 14, 2014Let me start off by stating this is NOT a bad book. It seems that it would be very good for some one of low self esteem, maybe a teenaged girl. I know I would have benefitted from this book when I was younger. I have already come to terms with loving myself the way God made me, so I felt no need to read this book. I am not rating it since I didn't finish it. If I DNF'd it because it stunk, it would have gotten one star. Since I stopped reading due to it not speaking to me, I'm not rating it to be fair. Again, it was a good book from what I read. The author had a scarring childhood incident that sparked her issues into adulthood. She's open and honest, which I think would be helpful to someone going through something similar. She also came through it, which I respect.
Merged review:
Goodreads app stinks.
Short recap. Good book, didn't speak to me. It's geared towards those with a low self esteem who need help to see themselves in a positive light. Author is open and honest. I respect that. Didn't finish this and didn't star due to not needing to read this book.
Merged review:
Goodreads app stinks.
Short recap. Good book, didn't speak to me. It's geared towards those with a low self esteem who need help to see themselves in a positive light. Author is open and honest. I respect that. Didn't finish this and didn't star due to not needing to read this book.
April 11, 2014
While this book did have some good advice that we could all live by, I was a little put off by the religious part of it. Also, although I know that the author is really putting herself out there by telling the story of the trails she went through when she was younger, I just have a natural tendency to dislike stories of people coming from perfect homes and lives and still manage to make a story out of how horrible their lives have been. In comparison with others they have nothing to complain about, but it seems as though some people just feel the need to make the world out to be worse than it is. Again, this is just my opinion. I completely respect Christa for telling her story, but it was hard for me to get past this aspect of the book.
July 2, 2011
This book is a must read for those who struggle with their identity and self-worth. Christa is so open and transparent. Many times during various chapters it seemed like I was reading a page out of my own journal. She also gives practical and thought-provoking questions and actions steps at the end of each chapter for self-reflection. This book helped to alter some major patterns of negative thinking and gave me tools to work through my issues. For those that are willing to read through God Loves Ugly and let the words of wisdom and truth soak in deep, you will not be disappointed!
March 8, 2017
In this brave memoir, singer-songwriter Christa Black shares her journey from destructive perfectionism to thriving and resting in God's love. While I haven't dealt with an eating disorder, I really connected with Christa's struggles, and have learned similar lessons in my own life (though probably not as thoroughly). Her perspective helped me see a lot of things in a new light, and I commend her for her honesty. I want to go through the book again and do some of the journaling/application at the end of the chapters.
June 17, 2016
Illuminating!
I really enjoyed this book. It was revolutionary to my way of thinking. At 53 I still struggle with discontent and terrible self talk. I have never thought I was pretty and have drug a lot of self doubt along in my head for years. This authors suggestions, willingness to be vulnerable and painfully honest have really helped to push the reset button in my own head and heart. I'm rereading the book right now. Thanks Christa for putting yourself out there. God is truly good all the time. Looking for joy in the journey!!
I really enjoyed this book. It was revolutionary to my way of thinking. At 53 I still struggle with discontent and terrible self talk. I have never thought I was pretty and have drug a lot of self doubt along in my head for years. This authors suggestions, willingness to be vulnerable and painfully honest have really helped to push the reset button in my own head and heart. I'm rereading the book right now. Thanks Christa for putting yourself out there. God is truly good all the time. Looking for joy in the journey!!
March 12, 2017
I first heard of Christa Black on The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey (the podcast.) I appreciated her interview and wanted to hear more. While I appreciate her vulnerability in God Loves Ugly, I just wasn't as 'moved' as I was with her personal interview. It wasn't that the writing was terrible - it was more that I couldn't see eye-to-eye with some of her 'prescriptions' for how to overcome bondage. I'd still be willing to recommend this to someone in the midst of addiction; however, it just didn't speak to where I'm at right now.
January 10, 2014
I only skimmed this, but she is dead on about the effects of abuse in childhood, which never go away. They can be coped with in destructive ways, sometimes called addictions, or in self-reflective forgiveness. Many abuse survivors succeed in treating others well and being treated well by others; the most difficult seems to be seeing the self as other than terrible. Only when we realize that those who think highly of us are not wrong and stupid can recovery begin.
May 19, 2014
This book has changed my life. Christa Black has written such a powerful, moving, and important book for young women who are searching for love. I found myself laughing, crying, and praising God multiple times throughout the book as I read and Christa pretty much wrote my own testimony within her story. I loved this book and look forward to reading it again and journaling through the processes of change that she provides.
December 28, 2012
Oh my goodness. This book met me on an incredible journey to finding worth, beauty, and love. The message within the pages of "God Loves Ugly" is absolutely VITAL for all women. I want to give this book to every female that I know. A definite must read.
March 11, 2013
Fantastic book about living in freedom and loving yourself because God loves you. Great insight shared by Christa Black through her story of growing up with poor image of herself and making bad choices. Great reflection questions at the end of each chapter as well.
August 9, 2013
I thought it was pretty good, not everything totally applied to me (it seemed like it was written mostly to help people with eating disorders, although the same techniques can be applied to other situations)
January 26, 2014
This is an amazing book, and I would recommend it to anyone. Christa Black shares her experience of God's love in a way that changes the lives of everyone who reads it. Whether you're facing small insecurities or an eating disorder, this book can help you overcome it.
March 6, 2014
This book has helped me so much. I've been in and out of treatment centers for years and I have not been able to look at the way she looks at things. Especially the point of forgiving yourself with the help of God.
August 22, 2015
I finished this book along with the study book, in a group with other women. It was very good at pushing me to think deeply about where certain ways of thinking and feeling have come from in my life. Would recommend to anyone who struggles with identity and a broken past
January 17, 2015
The important and oh-so-valuable thing about this book is the end-of-chapter journal work that will facilitate true change for the reader. Do not shortchange yourself by skipping these heart studies.
November 7, 2015
This book is a beautiful testimony to the restorative power of God's immense love. Christa Black writes with passionate eloquence about the importance of internalizing God's love to heal our every wound. I found it transformational.
June 4, 2016
Ever wonder if YOUR good enough or worth it.......the honesty in this book will set Your heart on a journey......Everyone can relate the ups and downs in their lives to where they are right now....how we get to the place where we never thought we would be.....MUST READ......
May 10, 2011
Enlightening journey about a young woman's struggle with food and her life growing up as a preacher's kid (pk). Really eye opening...
September 18, 2011
So inspiring! Very heartwarming!
March 4, 2013
Awesome and so inspiring! Can't put it in words but Christa's story can definately relate to anyone!
May 18, 2016
Anyone who has ever dealt with any kind of self-esteem issue needs to read this book. Just do it.
Did Not Finish
June 5, 2014Not a bad book, but it didn't seem to be useful to me at this time. Might pick it up again. No stars because I didn't read enough to get a feel for it, not because it was bad. Just not for me now.
April 29, 2016
This is book is very honest and transparent. Christa covers several topics that many can relate to and the end of chapter questions really help reflect on readings.
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