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A Life Unleashed: Giving Birth to Your Dreams
Gifted communicator and Bible teacher Christine Caine reveals the steps to unleashing the potential in each of us.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
13 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Christine Caine
131 books946 followersChristine Caine is a speaker, author, and activist who has been serving the local church globally for over 30 years. She and her husband, Nick, founded the anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign, which works at the local, domestic, and international level to end modern-day slavery. They also founded Equip & Empower, a ministry that is mobilizing people everywhere to live on mission for Jesus. Propel Women is an initiative of the ministry dedicated to coming alongside women all over the globe to activate their God-given purpose. The ministry has also planted three life-giving Zoe Churches in Europe that are not only bringing the Gospel to the region, but also serve the most vulnerable through humanitarian outreach during times of crisis.
Christine is the best-selling author of more than a dozen books and studies and you can tune into her weekly podcast or television program to be encouraged with the hope of Jesus wherever you are.
Christine is the best-selling author of more than a dozen books and studies and you can tune into her weekly podcast or television program to be encouraged with the hope of Jesus wherever you are.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 25, 2012
Christine wrote this book based on the process of her pregnancy. She writes well and straight to the point of how to “give birth” to your dreams (and not to her child haha). This book is full of witty comments and in a simple structure, as follows:
Conceive= “God created you full of potential and for a purpose”
I was meditating some time ago about the importance God gives to details in this world. He says in Matthew 19:29-31: “29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
If even these animals are looked after by God, imagine us, who were created in His own image. So, you have a purpose, a great one. Remember the dreams you have inside yourself? Don’t you think God put them there for a purpose? So, why would you like that musical instrument that much? Why would you understand Mathematics that well? And if you have no dreams at all, you may ask God to put His dreams in your heart.
Believe
In the second part, the author points out that we have to believe in this dream. I don’t really think you apply for a job already believing you won’t get it. If you REALLY believed you wouldn’t get it, well, I think you wouldn’t apply to it AT ALL. So, she says that there are some “Potent Potential-Destroyers” that prevent you from believing: lack of faith, indecision, lack of vision, lack of wisdom, lack of commitment & seeing obstacles NOT opportunities.
Envision= “The future that God has for you”
Christine describes that when she went to the doctor to have her ultrasound, the snapshots reminded her that in 5 months she would have her baby. The same idea she applies for her dreams: envision them. The day she believed that she was called to preach the Gospel, she set her heart to it. By envisioning her future, she started acting in her present: she immersed herself in church life, listened to every Christian tape she found, read scores of books and enrolled in Bible College.
Moreover, she was willing to do whatever it took to realize her dream: Caine started helping in the youth center in her community (AND HER DREAM GREW). Then she became the director of the same youth center (AND HER DREAM GREW). Afterwards, she became the state director of a national youth movement (AND HER DREAM GREW). And today she travels to every continent to preach the gospel. She applied what the Bible says: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things… (Luke 16:10). It is amazing to see the great results the Word of God gives when we put it into practice. Praise God!
Position= “Yourself strategically in all areas of life”
She believes that we have to surround ourselves with dreamers. She even cites the she often hears: “where we end up in life will be determined by the people we associate with and the books we read”. In addition, Christine compares God to a coach: he puts you on the team in a position “where” you play well. So, don’t leave the field, spend time with your coach, for he knows the exactly place for you. “God knows your strengths and weaknesses, so don’t go chasing things that haven’t yet come your way” (page 104).
Endure= “The inevitable challenges, obstacles, and delays”
The section to “endure”, the author emphasizes that “there’s always a process”, “there’s always a test”, so PRESS ON. God is for us! “Never say die to your dream, never forget that God is GOD and never underestimate the power of the test”
Enlarge= “Your capacity, thoughts, relationships”
Caine says the purpose to enlarge is to help us carry more. So, bust off the limitations and go further. Her practical tips of advice are: do something you’ve never done before, go where you’ve never been and speak to someone you’ve never spoken to. In other words: broaden your mind.
Prepare= “yourself for the new season”
She had to prepare herself for the new baby and it is the same way with our dreams: make room & expect the unexpected. Furthermore, do not devalue the season you’re in: God hasn’t given you the baby yet for He is preparing you right now for it.
Labor= “to give birth to your dreams”
No pain no gain. I’m not even going to mention how hard it is to give birth (especially because I’ve never had a baby haha). So, be ready to labor for your dreams. The hardest the dream, the more you need to achieve it. Therefore, be ready to adapt yourself to give birth to your dreams. And, then, CELEBRATE IT!!!
Realize= “the fulfillment of your dream”
“The only way we continue to press on toward the purposes of God for our lives is to keep dreaming. We will never arrive or fulfill our destinies this side of eternity” (page192). Christine asserts that we should enjoy the journey and be like Paul: passionate about embracing every new stage of the journey and not assuming that we ever arrived.
There are more dreams to accomplish. There are YOUR dreams to start conceiving. What are your dreams? Let God realize them for YOU. And I think that throughout Christine’s journey, the most important fact was the she was WITH GOD THOROUGHLY. LET GOD WALK WITH YOU!!! LET GOD, IN ALL HIS MAJESTY, FULFILL GREAT DREAMS WITH YOU!
Larissa Fauber
Conceive= “God created you full of potential and for a purpose”
I was meditating some time ago about the importance God gives to details in this world. He says in Matthew 19:29-31: “29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
If even these animals are looked after by God, imagine us, who were created in His own image. So, you have a purpose, a great one. Remember the dreams you have inside yourself? Don’t you think God put them there for a purpose? So, why would you like that musical instrument that much? Why would you understand Mathematics that well? And if you have no dreams at all, you may ask God to put His dreams in your heart.
Believe
In the second part, the author points out that we have to believe in this dream. I don’t really think you apply for a job already believing you won’t get it. If you REALLY believed you wouldn’t get it, well, I think you wouldn’t apply to it AT ALL. So, she says that there are some “Potent Potential-Destroyers” that prevent you from believing: lack of faith, indecision, lack of vision, lack of wisdom, lack of commitment & seeing obstacles NOT opportunities.
Envision= “The future that God has for you”
Christine describes that when she went to the doctor to have her ultrasound, the snapshots reminded her that in 5 months she would have her baby. The same idea she applies for her dreams: envision them. The day she believed that she was called to preach the Gospel, she set her heart to it. By envisioning her future, she started acting in her present: she immersed herself in church life, listened to every Christian tape she found, read scores of books and enrolled in Bible College.
Moreover, she was willing to do whatever it took to realize her dream: Caine started helping in the youth center in her community (AND HER DREAM GREW). Then she became the director of the same youth center (AND HER DREAM GREW). Afterwards, she became the state director of a national youth movement (AND HER DREAM GREW). And today she travels to every continent to preach the gospel. She applied what the Bible says: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things… (Luke 16:10). It is amazing to see the great results the Word of God gives when we put it into practice. Praise God!
Position= “Yourself strategically in all areas of life”
She believes that we have to surround ourselves with dreamers. She even cites the she often hears: “where we end up in life will be determined by the people we associate with and the books we read”. In addition, Christine compares God to a coach: he puts you on the team in a position “where” you play well. So, don’t leave the field, spend time with your coach, for he knows the exactly place for you. “God knows your strengths and weaknesses, so don’t go chasing things that haven’t yet come your way” (page 104).
Endure= “The inevitable challenges, obstacles, and delays”
The section to “endure”, the author emphasizes that “there’s always a process”, “there’s always a test”, so PRESS ON. God is for us! “Never say die to your dream, never forget that God is GOD and never underestimate the power of the test”
Enlarge= “Your capacity, thoughts, relationships”
Caine says the purpose to enlarge is to help us carry more. So, bust off the limitations and go further. Her practical tips of advice are: do something you’ve never done before, go where you’ve never been and speak to someone you’ve never spoken to. In other words: broaden your mind.
Prepare= “yourself for the new season”
She had to prepare herself for the new baby and it is the same way with our dreams: make room & expect the unexpected. Furthermore, do not devalue the season you’re in: God hasn’t given you the baby yet for He is preparing you right now for it.
Labor= “to give birth to your dreams”
No pain no gain. I’m not even going to mention how hard it is to give birth (especially because I’ve never had a baby haha). So, be ready to labor for your dreams. The hardest the dream, the more you need to achieve it. Therefore, be ready to adapt yourself to give birth to your dreams. And, then, CELEBRATE IT!!!
Realize= “the fulfillment of your dream”
“The only way we continue to press on toward the purposes of God for our lives is to keep dreaming. We will never arrive or fulfill our destinies this side of eternity” (page192). Christine asserts that we should enjoy the journey and be like Paul: passionate about embracing every new stage of the journey and not assuming that we ever arrived.
There are more dreams to accomplish. There are YOUR dreams to start conceiving. What are your dreams? Let God realize them for YOU. And I think that throughout Christine’s journey, the most important fact was the she was WITH GOD THOROUGHLY. LET GOD WALK WITH YOU!!! LET GOD, IN ALL HIS MAJESTY, FULFILL GREAT DREAMS WITH YOU!
Larissa Fauber
July 9, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book. This book was mainly about Christine Caine and the birth of her daughter Catherine Bobby. She encourages readers to follow their dream and trust god and Jesus throughout our spiritual journey.
I have also listened to several of her other books via audiobooks and I always leave feeling inspired, touched and moved.
‘A Life Unleashed’ was an overall great read!
I have also listened to several of her other books via audiobooks and I always leave feeling inspired, touched and moved.
‘A Life Unleashed’ was an overall great read!
January 21, 2008
Like childbirth, dreams take time to birth and become reality. There is a time of preparation and waiting. Once impregnated by God, your dreams will come forth at the right time and suddenly. Too soon and it will be aborted. Don't grow weary or discouraged in the waiting.
Read
October 25, 2009She's teaching a message series at my church, www.lifechurch.tv based on her book:: Stop Acting Like A Christian and BE ONE. She's a phenomenal speaker. My sister bought me this book years ago, but I never completed it. Now's the time!
July 20, 2012
I really like Christine Caine (and why shouldn't I? We share the same birthday! :P) I could have done without the pregnancy part of this book, but I do think her analogy was relevant. Very applicable and easy to read, I can't wait to hear her speak in September.
May 8, 2017
Maintaining a fixed vision is a key part of seeing our dreams fulfilled. One way to maintain vision is to surround ourselves with people (and books) who cause that vision to remain clear. This was the main take-away for me from this work by Christine Caine.
Want to read
May 19, 2008Have this book
January 7, 2010
Incredible source of guidance on how to give birth to your dreams and what it requires from you.
June 5, 2012
EXCELLENT READ
December 17, 2013
My first Christine Caine book. Can't wait to read another. Funny and fabulous teacher.
January 22, 2015
Compares giving birth to dreams with childbirth. Some really good thoughts here. And Caine is living proof that the method works. The test always in the individual application.
Read
January 27, 2015Loved this book about giving birth to dreams!
April 29, 2024
My first book by Christine Caine and I really enjoyed the comparison of birthing the dream God has called us too compared to the birth of a baby. Easy to follow and a great first book by this beautiful blessed woman of God. Looking forward to reading her other books too.
August 10, 2020
Takes months in creation
April 5, 2022
Shared her pregnancy journey while using it as an analogy to give birth to your dreams
June 4, 2011
Christine Caine is my favorite speaker, and now one of my favorite authors. I loved this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews