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Making Sense of Your Life: Breakthroughs to Finish the Dream
Life's changes can be overwhelming. One day, you're conquering the world, and then it hits: Loss of friends. Betrayal. Unexpected delays. Trouble with kids. Marital tension. Ministry needs. Unemployment. Caring for aging loved ones.How do you reconnect the dots and make sense of your life? Anita Carman, founder and president of the ministry Inspire Women, opens the Book of John and studies the disciple Jesus loved, the man who never stopped serving. In Making Sense of Your Life, she uncovers seven principles that will help you tie your own broken dreams and unexpected changes back to the person and purpose of an eternal God. Each principle comes with a week-long devotional for self-reflection or small group study.
318 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Anita Carman
8 books8 followersAnita Carman was born in Hong Kong when it was under British rule. At seventeen, she came to America after her mother’s tragic suicide. Uprooted from family and country, she desperately searched for purpose, never imagining God would establish her as the founder of a ministry to help thousands live out His purpose.
Anita’s childhood memories of seeing women degraded fueled a passion to educate women to reach their potential. Her mother’s loss made her determined to help women finish God’s dreams and not allow setbacks to discourage them. A local pastor once told Anita, “God called you to be a burden carrier.” Anita embraces the dreams of other women to serve God in missions and ministry and works tirelessly to empower them to fulfill that passion.
Anita served as a substitute leader in bestselling author Beth Moore’s Sunday school class for seven years, until Beth challenged her to leave the protection of her class and soar with God: “Anita, you have the cloak. Just dip it in the water.”
Anita left Beth’s class and spent five years at the College of Biblical Studies, one of the largest multi-ethnic Bible colleges in the country. She began as Director of Women’s Ministry and became the Vice President of Special Programs and Special Assistant to the President.
Although she appreciated serving in an established organization, God invited Anita to go into uncharted territory. She left the college in 2003 to implement God’s vision to empower His daughters through Inspire Women, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that inspires thousands of God’s daughters to serve at their potential. Its year-round program identifies and develops leaders for missions and ministry.
Through Anita’s leadership, Inspire Women reaches over 100,000 annually through radio programs, publications, and outreaches. The ministry mentors over 600 ministry leaders a year and funds 50-70 scholarships and ministry grants. Since its formation, Inspire Women has invested over one million dollars to train leaders to shape and to work in a multitude of ministries, reaching the abused, the homeless, suicidal teens, at-risk youth, trafficked children, recovering addicts, divorcees, widows, and all others who need God’s hope and message.
Anita is a sought-after speaker in conferences and churches, and has been recognized often in her adopted hometown. Houston’s NBC news affiliate featured Anita as “Houston’s most inspiring woman,” while FOX 26 highlighted how Anita was changing the city andWB-39 featured Anita in their “unsung heroes” segment. The Daughters of the American Revolution have also honored Anita as an immigrant who changed America.
Anita’s childhood memories of seeing women degraded fueled a passion to educate women to reach their potential. Her mother’s loss made her determined to help women finish God’s dreams and not allow setbacks to discourage them. A local pastor once told Anita, “God called you to be a burden carrier.” Anita embraces the dreams of other women to serve God in missions and ministry and works tirelessly to empower them to fulfill that passion.
Anita served as a substitute leader in bestselling author Beth Moore’s Sunday school class for seven years, until Beth challenged her to leave the protection of her class and soar with God: “Anita, you have the cloak. Just dip it in the water.”
Anita left Beth’s class and spent five years at the College of Biblical Studies, one of the largest multi-ethnic Bible colleges in the country. She began as Director of Women’s Ministry and became the Vice President of Special Programs and Special Assistant to the President.
Although she appreciated serving in an established organization, God invited Anita to go into uncharted territory. She left the college in 2003 to implement God’s vision to empower His daughters through Inspire Women, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that inspires thousands of God’s daughters to serve at their potential. Its year-round program identifies and develops leaders for missions and ministry.
Through Anita’s leadership, Inspire Women reaches over 100,000 annually through radio programs, publications, and outreaches. The ministry mentors over 600 ministry leaders a year and funds 50-70 scholarships and ministry grants. Since its formation, Inspire Women has invested over one million dollars to train leaders to shape and to work in a multitude of ministries, reaching the abused, the homeless, suicidal teens, at-risk youth, trafficked children, recovering addicts, divorcees, widows, and all others who need God’s hope and message.
Anita is a sought-after speaker in conferences and churches, and has been recognized often in her adopted hometown. Houston’s NBC news affiliate featured Anita as “Houston’s most inspiring woman,” while FOX 26 highlighted how Anita was changing the city andWB-39 featured Anita in their “unsung heroes” segment. The Daughters of the American Revolution have also honored Anita as an immigrant who changed America.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 13, 2011
I received Making Sense of Your Life: Breakthroughs to Finish the Dream by Anita Carman as a First Reads Book Giveaway from Goodreads.com at a very appropriate time in my life. At a crossroads, this book helped me more clearly see the choices I faced to make the decisions that were needed.
The book is broken up into seven principles using the Biblical book of John. At the end of each chapter a personal application is given. This book is set up to be used as a personal devotional guide or as a group study.
I found that this book inspired my faith and helped me reorganize my priorities. I would recommend this book to anyone searching for answers to decisions concerning transitional times in their lives. This book is a great encouragement to those of us facing changes...life's unknowns.
The book is broken up into seven principles using the Biblical book of John. At the end of each chapter a personal application is given. This book is set up to be used as a personal devotional guide or as a group study.
I found that this book inspired my faith and helped me reorganize my priorities. I would recommend this book to anyone searching for answers to decisions concerning transitional times in their lives. This book is a great encouragement to those of us facing changes...life's unknowns.
December 9, 2011
I am a Good Reads winner of this book. Thank you.
Currently on Chapter 3, p. 85.
The book has an interesting perspective, being based scripture from the Book of John.
I read the first 3 chapters and did the devotionals. I am not sure if I am having trouble with the self-help format or just not connecting, in the same way the author does.
I do not object to the scriptural basis. I have participated in a Bible Study group on the Book of John in the past 2 or 3 years.
I may give it another try after the holidays.
Currently on Chapter 3, p. 85.
The book has an interesting perspective, being based scripture from the Book of John.
I read the first 3 chapters and did the devotionals. I am not sure if I am having trouble with the self-help format or just not connecting, in the same way the author does.
I do not object to the scriptural basis. I have participated in a Bible Study group on the Book of John in the past 2 or 3 years.
I may give it another try after the holidays.
February 14, 2012
I received this book as a Goodreads winner.
I was anxious to read this book, however, I didn't expect the religous intensity. I am a religous person, but I don't like these extremes. I respect others who do, but the book was more of a turn-off for me.
I will however, pass the book on to someone else who may appreciate the writing style and messages of the author.
The author's Inspire Women organization is certainly a successful program that has transformed lives and developed strong leaders.
I was anxious to read this book, however, I didn't expect the religous intensity. I am a religous person, but I don't like these extremes. I respect others who do, but the book was more of a turn-off for me.
I will however, pass the book on to someone else who may appreciate the writing style and messages of the author.
The author's Inspire Women organization is certainly a successful program that has transformed lives and developed strong leaders.
Read
January 17, 2019Not for me. Will consider to whom to give.
From Goodreads.
From Goodreads.
January 19, 2012
When i first learned I had been chosen for this book, I was excited. I had some idea of the premise and thought I would enjoy a look at John through the eyes of a woman who had built a great ministry on it.
However, I was singularly unimpressed with the actual book and what it said. It is hard to accept much of what is written when a major faux pas is created within the first few pages. It is such a huge faux pas that it taints the rest of the book. How can I trust anything said or written by this author when she blatently describes her inspiration for the Breakthroughs, The Book of John, as the first book of the New Testament. What happened? Did she just decide that Matthew, Mark, and Luke were figments of the imagination? Or Did she feel that John was just so important that she decided to move it to the beginning?
This may have been a true accident, but misquoting the Bible is at least an indisputable shame and at most an attempt to deliberately mislead the Holy Word.
Throughout the rest of the book, I found myself questioning the author's intent, looking for meaning in-between the lines and generally becoming unsure of the author's sincerity of her quest. I found myself deeply troubled. If the mistake was accidental, it should be corrected, the present book recalled, and the corrected one issued.
However, I was singularly unimpressed with the actual book and what it said. It is hard to accept much of what is written when a major faux pas is created within the first few pages. It is such a huge faux pas that it taints the rest of the book. How can I trust anything said or written by this author when she blatently describes her inspiration for the Breakthroughs, The Book of John, as the first book of the New Testament. What happened? Did she just decide that Matthew, Mark, and Luke were figments of the imagination? Or Did she feel that John was just so important that she decided to move it to the beginning?
This may have been a true accident, but misquoting the Bible is at least an indisputable shame and at most an attempt to deliberately mislead the Holy Word.
Throughout the rest of the book, I found myself questioning the author's intent, looking for meaning in-between the lines and generally becoming unsure of the author's sincerity of her quest. I found myself deeply troubled. If the mistake was accidental, it should be corrected, the present book recalled, and the corrected one issued.
August 20, 2012
So I received this a while ago and was looking forward to reading it. I sat down with it last night and read the intro and first chapter. Frankly, I was shocked when Ms. Carman quoted John 1:1 which states: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. So far, so good. However, I was shocked when Ms. Carman continued by erroneously stating (and I'm not sure how an editor missed this?!) that John is the first book in the New Testament. Um, no...........well, not unless you discount the other three Gospels which actually precede (aka. come before) John. To have such an egregious error in print(and not caught by editors/fact checkers; I've edited textbooks before and I always proofread grammar AND content!) really washed away her credibility. Trying to be a good sport, I continued by reading the next chapters. I felt like her writing style seemed insincere; anecdotes seemed to come wrapped in bright paper and ribbons and very neat. While the questions at the end of the chapter could get the reader to do some soul-searching and reflecting, the chapters themselves were not very thought-provoking. All in all, a very disappointing read.
This was an ARC received through Goodreads.
This was an ARC received through Goodreads.
January 24, 2012
This felt less like a conversation-starter and more like a personal biography on the part of the author. It was rather boring, and did not contain any life-altering wisdom. On the contrary, it felt repetitive and unoriginal, almost like reading through a diary. Perhaps this was meant for a different audience than someone like myself, but I just didn't get anything from it. At least it didn't have any glaring grammatical errors...
July 15, 2012
Daily devotionals in book form are not my speed. I like to read books from start to finish and not delay progress when I get involved in the message. Needless to say I didn't follow the one chapter per day/week. The message was good, but it seemed a little too focused on the author's personal experiences and the book is described as an inspirational work to help the reader and I felt left out most of the time.
August 10, 2012
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway. I struggled with this book, setting it aside for weeks at a time. While it is always good to be reminded that God is in charge and our lives are enriched by submitting to God's will and adhereing to the teachings of Jesus, I found the author's personal reflections rather self centered.
November 28, 2011
Goodreads First-Reads Winner! Very enjoyable, inspirational, and feel-good reading. I also like how the author includes parts of her life that helped to get her where she is today. Inspire Women sounds like a great organization as well and one that the author leads. Guys as much as gals will enjoy this one. Thank you for the opportunity to review this nice read.
March 5, 2013
I couldn't get past the first 3 chapters, sorry!
Want to read
February 21, 2012I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
February 15, 2012
This book was a little to religious for me, but it was very inspiring and she writes beautifully
March 24, 2013
i won this in a good reads giveaway and thought i'd give it a whirl. I did find some of the chapters and sections helpful, but as someone who is not religious, it was too faith based for me.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews