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Start Where You Are: Catch a Fresh Vision for Life
"To start fresh, to start over, to start anything, you have to know where you are," says Charles Swindoll. "Seldom does anybody just happen to end up on a right road." In Start Where You Are, Swindoll offers upbeat and practical advice on creating a life worth living, no matter what the circumstances are now or where they may lead in the future.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
20 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Charles R. Swindoll
965 books834 followersCharles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 29, 2019
This is a pastoral, humble, compassionate collection of meditations on living a Christ-like life. It is part–leadership book, part–Christian devotional, part–Bible study. And it's all in the conversational voice of Chuck Swindoll, which, because I've heard him so much on the radio over the years, I can easily hear as I'm reading.
A lot of the discussion in the second half of the book takes the parable of the good Samaritan and focuses on how we can be good neighbors to everyone around us—the idea that when the man asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responded not with who is a neighbor to us, but how we can be the good neighbor to others.
Two quotes from these chapters I would like to remember. The first is: "Others will not care how much we know until they know how much we care" (116). This is very simple, but good for me to remember, as I do struggle with arrogance that comes from knowing that I know a lot. In the end, who really cares how much I know about anything? Knowledge isn't unimportant, but people need compassion and love.
The other quote is about showing that love to others before they ask for help. "Decide now," Swindoll writes, "that you are going to invest more of your energy and time on the stripped, the beaten, and the abandoned. They will seldom tell you, but they need to feel His touch through your hands. They are too shy or too proud or too humiliated or too afraid to ask for help, even though they know they're not going to make it on their own. When you allow your compassion to flow freely, you won't need a personal invitation" (138–139). (And the people Swindoll is writing about here are not a particular "class"—they could include any of us, anytime.)
Straightforward and encouraging!
A lot of the discussion in the second half of the book takes the parable of the good Samaritan and focuses on how we can be good neighbors to everyone around us—the idea that when the man asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responded not with who is a neighbor to us, but how we can be the good neighbor to others.
Two quotes from these chapters I would like to remember. The first is: "Others will not care how much we know until they know how much we care" (116). This is very simple, but good for me to remember, as I do struggle with arrogance that comes from knowing that I know a lot. In the end, who really cares how much I know about anything? Knowledge isn't unimportant, but people need compassion and love.
The other quote is about showing that love to others before they ask for help. "Decide now," Swindoll writes, "that you are going to invest more of your energy and time on the stripped, the beaten, and the abandoned. They will seldom tell you, but they need to feel His touch through your hands. They are too shy or too proud or too humiliated or too afraid to ask for help, even though they know they're not going to make it on their own. When you allow your compassion to flow freely, you won't need a personal invitation" (138–139). (And the people Swindoll is writing about here are not a particular "class"—they could include any of us, anytime.)
Straightforward and encouraging!
February 15, 2025
There are four parts to this book: Healing, Leadership, Compassion, and Victory. These felt disconnected to me, like four separate mini-books.
There was good information in each one, though, and it all pretty closely aligned with the Bible. None of it was particularly life-changing for me, personally, but others may feel differently.
There was good information in each one, though, and it all pretty closely aligned with the Bible. None of it was particularly life-changing for me, personally, but others may feel differently.
May 25, 2013
An easy to read book about starting the Christian walk no matter how damaged you may be. The book largely focuses on the life of the apostle Paul and the struggles he faced while attempting the good work the Lord intended for him to accomplish. Swindoll's message about Christian victory was very positive; he recognizes that the walk is not always easy but it is entirely worthwhile.
January 7, 2019
Excellent read! Really helped me gain perspective and put a road map in place as I tackle a new job. Be sure too look up the scripture references. It enhances the reading and brings deeper understanding.
April 10, 2020
Excellent
Excellent, God based guidelines. I`ve read and studied Pastor Swindoll's wisdom for 20 years. He never fails to illuminate the Bible's truths and promises.
Excellent, God based guidelines. I`ve read and studied Pastor Swindoll's wisdom for 20 years. He never fails to illuminate the Bible's truths and promises.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews