The Story of Your Life: Inspiring Stories of People Just Like You

by Matthew West, Angela Thomas

When Grammy-nominated recording artist Matthew West started writing his top-selling new album, The Story of Your Life (Sparrow, 2010) he asked fans to submit personal experiences. More than 10,000 tales of hope, perseverance, and redemption poured in. With friend and author Angela Thomas, West presents some of these powerful stories paired with meaningful devotions they inspired.

Wendy gave birth to her daughter in jail. When all seemed hopeless, she found God and her life transformed into something beautiful.
Cory, a married youth pastor, had an affair and his life fell apart. With God's mercy, he and his wife gathered the broken pieces and started again.
Sheila always struggled with severe insecurity. Now she lives confidently in the purpose God has for her.
This unforgettable devotional journey inspires readers to discover God as the author of their unique lives and to share the power of their story.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Non Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Matthew West is a multiple-ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner, a four-time GRAMMY nominee, and was awarded his first American Music Award (2013) and a Billboard Music Award (2014). Matthew West's discography includes acclaimed releases: Happy (2003), History (2005), Something to Say (2008), The Story of Your Life (2010) and GRAMMY-nominated Into the Light (2012). West was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Original Music & Lyrics for The Heart of Christmas from the film of the same name. His songwriting credits include cuts by Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio, and more. He spent much of late 2012 and early 2013 on a pre-headlining stint on WinterJam Tour Spectacular, the number one tour in the world. He wrapped up 2013 with his own headlining tour in the fall of 2013 and The Story Tour in December. During 2014, West toured with the Hits Deep Tour as well as his sell-out Hello My Name Is. . . acoustic tour.

Reviews

[Lady Jaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Off the bat I'd say this works best as a supplement to a devotional and not as a stand-alone collection.

I've listened to and liked some songs by Matthew West, so I did a double take when I realized the author and the musician were one and the same (I did not realize it at first :D)

So the format of the book is that a short letter/tale that someone submitted is published, and then either Matthew or Angela offers a short passage of exhortations/encouragement after that. This is why it works best as a supplement to devotions instead of being read straight through like you would say, the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

The best thing about this book are the stories many ordinary people contributed. they are poignant and the bring across the point of God working in ordinary lives very well. In fact they did it so well that I felt sometimes that having Matthew or Angela speak after was extraneous - the stories were a testimony in and of themselves.

Which brings me to the exhortations. Some of them were excellent and buttressed the point made in the submissions very well. Others were extraneous. And then here and there there were a few things that were more differences of opinion than doctrinal issues, but nothing major. However noticing these things would take the focus of whatever story I was reading at the time.

Either way, I really enjoyed this supplemental devotional, and it was refreshing to hear the stories of God at work in ordinary people just like me - exactly as the title says.

*I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew West's third album “Something To Say” was not only full of huge, faith-inspiring songs from an artist who truly has something to say, but it also had a direct impact on my life and that of my four young daughters as it was released around the time we were struggling with the harsh realities of life – cancer and death.

Then I signed up to receive news and important alerts from Matthew West. One day a message from the artist popped up. He was writing The Story of Your Life and asked fans to submit their personal experiences. As it later transpired, more than 10,000 stories of hope, perseverance, faith and redemption were sent in. I too sent in my story, though it don’t make the cut.

The result: a powerful story of healing and growth in the midst of pain, brokenness, and despair.

Just sample the following stories from The Story of Your Life:
-Wendy gave birth to her daughter in jail. When all seemed hopeless, she found God and her life transformed into something beautiful.
-Cory, a married youth pastor, had an affair and his life fell apart. With God's mercy, he and his wife gathered the broken pieces and started again.
-Sheila always struggled with severe insecurity. Now she lives confidently in the purpose God has for her.


Ably aided by Angela Thomas, a much sough-after speaker, teacher and best-selling author, Matthew turned the best stories into a devotional which is heart-warming and uplifting. The Story of Your Life is a retelling of fifty-two stories, each with a powerful message. The fifty-two stories are meant to be read as a weekly devotional, each followed by scripture, and the insights into God that Angela and Matthew share.

The book as a stand-alone is a masterpiece. Yet, Harvest House Publishers have come out with a small group kit to enable people to come together and explore those stories in fellowship and community. Each kit contains:
-The Story of Your Life devotional by Grammy-nominated recording artist Matthew West and bestselling author Angela Thomas, containing dozens of the real-life stories Matthew collected
-The Story of Your Life Interactive Journey, which leads readers deeper into their own stories with insightful teaching, questions for further discussion, and 40 pages of guided journaling
-the much-acclaimed The Story of Your Life CD, featuring the Grammy-nominated song “Strong Enough”
-The Story of Your Life DVD, featuring five extraordinary teaching presentations by Matthew West set in the mountain cabin where he wrote the songs
-a 12-page Leader’s Guide containing tips and ideas to get the group off on the right foot and suggestions to engage the group in thoughtful discussion

The Story of Your Life Small Group Kit will take you through the lives of ordinary people with ordinary stories and show you how an extraordinary God is working in an extraordinary way to turn the ordinary into an extraordinary one. And once you are through with your interactive journey of this kit, you’ll never be the same again.

Matthew West remarked, “…every single day, God not only calls us into our own stories but also invites us to become characters in the stories of others."

What might God be up to in your life?

I received a complimentary kit from Harvest House Publishers and was not required to give a positive review.

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I love this CD and the idea behind it, and I love reading the stories in the CD booklet. I guess I just don't care so much about what Matthew West and Angela Thomas have to say about them (no offence...). The stories themselves are beautiful and I enjoyed those, as expected. The responses are sweet... just not what I'm interested in.

On a positive note, West quoted C.S. Lewis two or three times, if I recall correctly, so he gets points for that. :)

But I do want to talk about the chapter on homosexuality. My heart aches for the anonymous author of the letter who is trying so hard to honor God with his/her life despite the temptations s/he faces every day. For the most part, I thought Thomas' response was appropriate and kind-hearted, but there was one comment she made that seemed insensitive and condescending to me. She reminds this person that everyone is struggling along with him/her with their own personal temptations. A good thing to remember, of course. But in comparing them she says "Yours is homosexuality, mine might be insecurity, and the person in the pew next to me at church may struggle with temptations of pornography or drug addiction or rage."

Okay, insecurity can absolutely be a day-to-day struggle, but it is just not on the same level as homosexuality or the other examples. Anonymous has to daily ignore the overwhelming voices insisting that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality. In addition to resisting the temptation to act on his/her urges, s/he has to constantly remind him/herself that those voices are wrong, when it would be so much easier to allow him/herself to be accepted into that community (that includes Christians) and live an openly gay lifestyle. On the other hand, I don't think insecurity is even a sin. And there are so many voices speaking out about self-love these days, a person struggling with insecurity doesn't even really have to look for encouraging messages to find them.

Heck, Thomas isn't actually admitting that she struggles with insecurity. She says her temptation might be insecurity, which makes it sound like either she doesn't want to admit her actual struggle or she can't think of one. Basically, I think that Thomas should either have elaborated on that to make comparisons more apparent, or she should have left herself out of that completely. I don't mean to sound overly harsh. The rest of Thomas' response was nice. That one phrase just really stuck out to me and this is such a sensitive topic that I think that really should have been edited. Though, as much as I've just written about it, this phrase didn't affect my rating at all.

(Side note: I was also just confused when she referred to Anonymous as a man, when the letter didn't clarify. Maybe she made a guess based on handwriting?)

[Jennifer Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day, Matthew West went to a cabin in the woods. He took with him 10000 stories. It is no wonder that he came out changed. He read pain and praise and brokenness and healing tales of truth from the people who lived them. From the experience, he has already written some incredible songs that fill an album (and I am sure there will be more to follow).

Now, with Angela Thomas (a Lifeway speaker and experienced author) Matthew has turned some of these stories, including many from the album, and turned them into an incredible book that has not only the stories, but a short response from either Angela or Matthew that underscores the Biblical lessons that can be derived from the story.

The most compelling part of this book is the fact that ordinary lives are portrayed, women and men who have lived through tragedy and triumph, and who are seeking God through their moments. Single moms who have struggled, broken homes that have been restored, illnesses healed either in this life or through the journey to Glory – all are told by the people who lived them, and in the telling and re-telling it is so amazing to see all the ways our mysterious, manifold Creator carves his glory from the minutes and days we live.

I think of the tale of Aspen, who wasn’t supposed to make it to her 1-month birthday, but at 6 years old, her continued existence as the “best-looking vegetable I know,” has been a persistent gift to her mother, even as Mom knows that she may not have more than today with her daughter. There’s the story of the mom who prays for her son to come back to his family, to “come to his senses” like the other prodigal, and the young man who was so caught up in rules and regulations that he missed grace, until he realized he was behaving like the prodigal’s brother! I could recount example after example of real life experiences that bring laughter and tears

Fifty-two stories like this are retold in this book, and each has a powerful message. Meant to be read as a weekly devotional, the stories are followed by scripture, and the insights into God that Angela and Matthew share. I will be recommending this book (and probably buying copies for Christmas gifts, come to think of it) to family and friends, not because it is so well-written as to be a classic masterpiece in the tradition of Dickens or Poe, but because it is NOT that kind of book at all, instead it is the memoir of all of us – broken people restored, redeemed, and pursued by a powerful God who wants only for us to know him and his grace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Georgia Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing Matthew West in concert and learning about his story project, I knew I wanted to read this book. Oh, the power of story! Encouraging and filled with reality and redemption, The Story of Your Life reveals that our lives are telling a story, which only makes sense when we know God’s epic.

Oh, the power of an idea that seems so insignificant at the moment! Matthew West, Grammy-nominated recording artist, would quickly say, “Let me tell you . . . .” He had no idea what he was about to encounter when he invited people to share their life stories. When he read through nearly 10,000 responses, his heart was tendered and quickened as he vicariously experienced not only the pain and despair, but also the joy and hope in God of the writers. He used eleven of those responses as inspiration to songs on his album “The Story of Your Life,” including “Hello, My Name Is Regret” and “Two Houses.” That was only the beginning. A little later he met Angela Thomas, author and speaker, who, after learning about West’s project, said, “You need to write a book about this, and I would love to write it with you.”

Together West and Thomas selected 52 stories that inspire, challenge, and may even change the way the reader sees the world. In addition to the stories, the authors have chosen related Scriptures, and then written devotional responses to the stories, connecting God and His plan for our lives.

The writers remind readers that God is a God of love who pursues His creation, who longs for us to be His children, who has a purpose and plan for us—no matter the direction of our stories.

For every person who likes a good story!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of short stories and devotions of how God has worked in real people's lives. Each of the 52 stories are linked to Scripture and have a devotional response from either Matthew West or Angela Thomas. It is drenched in Gospel presentations.

[Nina Milton]

Reading a novel alongside a play or film demonstrates how differently prose fiction and dramatic script can be. I’ve done this too with the film Arrival; it blew me away and I immediately got the book of short stories it comes from on my Kindle. The original, Stories of Your Life by Ted Chiang, is basically the same story, but the screenplay reimagining the landscape and made more of a final twist.


Arrival (2016 screenplay by Eric Heissere) is a film that had its genesis in short story Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang 2002, Tor Books) I saw the film, watched the ‘extras’ on the DVD and bought the book of short stories, I was so enamoured with the film. Having read the story on the page, I asked myself about the way the adapting writer approached the challenge of taking a long short story into a movie. For instance, there is a massive, esoteric plot twist at the end of the film, which in the book, is known by the reader almost from the start. The theme of both is linguistics and precognition, which is slowly revealed in the film, but fully apparent from the start of the story. The filmmaker reimagined the sci-fi element so that it was far more pleasing, visually. The poster does not give away any of the subtle of story, the theme or even that there will be a mystery within it, revealed at the end. It is focused on its stars, in the hope they will sell the movie. The ET spaceship, which is visible to the left, is not clarified, except as an UFO which is being threatened, or attacked, by the US helicopters. The film is a complex emotional drama, and very beautiful in both script, structure, and art work, but it’s almost as if the poster wants to hide this, instead giving the wrong impression that this will be like most sci-fi movies. Which it is not.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a devotional of sorts. I like Matthew West's music, and I've done a Bible study of Angela Thomas' - this was a good combo. I enjoyed the scriptures at the end of each story and their commentary as well.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really sweet devotional. I am extremely impressed by the courage of those who shared their most personal stories.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need tissues for this one. Great book.

[Michael Feehly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and convicting.

[Bonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

"To be an imitator of Jesus Christ is to live by the overarching principles that Jesus taught and modeled in the New Testament. Becoming an imitator doesn't mean wearing the same clothes or eating the same things or living in the same place. To imitate Christ is to assimilate the truths of the Bible into your life, with your personality woven thoroughly through your calling. To imitate Christ means that in your everyday life, wherever you are, you are consciously choosing to become more and more like Jesus and less and less like the self-focused person you could have been.
"Modeling the attitude of Christ will affect every area of your life--your relationships, decisions, service, stress levels...you name it. To imitate Christ means that the power of the Holy Spirit is radically transforming who you are, inside and out. But just how does one begin to grow in this practice? How do you just turn over a new leaf and start acting like Jesus? I think for most of us, it's a journey."

This incredible book by singer Matthew West and Angela Thomas is full of the journeys of people just like you and I, who shared their stories with Matthew West as he prepared his album by the same time. A totally life-changing book, and I highly recommend the CD as well! After all, our life thanks to Jesus is "a story worth telling!"

[Lisa Kersey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But every single day, God not only calls us into our own stories but also invites us to become charcters in the stories of others." -Matthew West

This is a great inspirational read, a story in here for EVERYONE! West and Thomas have taken stories from ordinary people, using them to create these wonderful devotions. They really made me evaluate my life and appreciate everything God has given me, blessings and blessings in disquise. And to know that God isn't finished with my story makes me excited to turn the next page ;)

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read about Matthew's journey working on his latest cd. He asked fans to write him life stories and how God is working or challenging them in their life. He reflects on each of the stories with the help of Angela Thomas. Each story he shares he or Angela give a reflection on it.

[Susan Briskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is so inspiring! No matter what you are going through all you have to do is look around at the people around you and you will see that with you and God on the same team nothing can stop you.

[Emily Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories in here are so inspiring!! Maybe some of them I could relate to better than others but all of them have a very powerful message. God is using Matthew West to do incredible things in this world and I highly recommend his music.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an inspirational book! loved it and will probably read it many times over my lifetime just to remember that my own troubles don't even compare...

[Crystal Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

several uplifting and inspiring experiences in the book.

[Alex Retzlaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just really inspiring. It answered questions I had about my life, and it gave me hope, and I would thank God every day for giving that to me through this book.

[Esther Yee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Matthew west and his music! This book tells the stories of some of his songs

[Judy Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

How inspiring!

What a fantastic collection of personal stories about people whose lives were changed by the marvelous Grace of our God!!!