Heart Wide Open: Trading Mundane Faith for an Exuberant Life with Jesus

by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

You believe in God. You’re trying to serve Him.
But do you know how to truly love Him—and let Him love you?
 
As a Bible-believing churchgoer, author Shellie Tomlinson harbored a secret in her good-girl heart. She longed for something more than routine faith; she wanted to love God with a genuine, all-consuming passion. So she got honest with “I admit it. I don’t love you like I should, but I want to love you. Help me!”
 
In Heart Wide Open, Shellie invites you to answer the call of your restless heart and refuse to settle for anything less than the intimate friendship of God. Through her heartfelt and honest words, you’ll find practical inspiration to help you…
·   exchange your “just enough Jesus” mindset for an all-out pursuit of Him
·   put sizzle in your Bible study by asking God to show you the wonder of His Word
·   trade formulaic devotions for a devoted life
 
Are you ready to stop struggling to make time for God and instead live every moment with God? Discover how to live with your heart wide open.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

I fell in love with storytelling as a child when my paternal grandmother regaled us with stories of what it was like to come to Louisiana from the hills of Appalachia and set up house in a tent with a dirt floor. On the other side of the family tree, my paternal grandfather, a people loving preacher, was known for using humor to draw his listeners to Jesus. It's safe to say the two of them marked me. Whether in my books, speaking before audiences, or dropping a segment on The Story Table podcast I created, I love nothing more than helping hungry hearts feast on Jesus through humor and storytelling. ~Shellie


Shellie Rushing Tomlinson lives in Lake Providence, Louisiana with her husband, Phil. They have two happily married kids, six grandchildren, and one neurotic lab named Hank. There's a story there...

Reviews

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson uses her gift of words, along with her signature humor, to share her own story of seeking a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. As the cover suggests, Shellie has traded in mundane faith for an exuberant life with Jesus.

I love Shellie’s refreshing candor and her contagious exuberance! She has written a book filled with real-life experiences and overflowing with scriptural references. Heart Wide Open is a wonderful source of encouragement and is ideal for individual and group study. I also love the Bible study and discussion guide that has been included in the back of the book. It is a great aid for deeper study and examination.

Full of charm, wit, and wisdom, Heart Wide Open is a book that will inspire you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

[Katie M. Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially chose to review Heart Wide Open by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson because I liked the title, it had a pretty cover and it sounded inviting. This book proved to be a warm and welcoming invitation to move from religion to relationship. I would not typically categorize myself as a religious type but as I turned the pages my legalistic tendencies were exposed and I identified mindsets (a.k.a chains) that held me down from an "exuberant life with Jesus."

Shellie's candid descriptions of her quiet times with the Lord hit close to home. Through laughter and conviction I realized my need to connect with Christ throughout the day vs. checking Him off my to-do list. Shellie's confessions, exhortation and hospitable nature put me at ease as the Holy Spirit worked through her words to help free me further.

[Kay Huck · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever encountered Shellie Rushing Tomlinson in full force, you know that Jesus is her passion. The book reads as if you were sitting across the table from Shellie talking about how God is active in your life and how you can learn more. Her specific Bible verses lead you to the Love of Jesus.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book by the title. I think the majority of believers have times when our faith feels stronger than other times. We’ve all experienced spiritual droughts. Shellie shares personal stories and scripture to make this an encouraging book. Relationship over religion.

[Laura Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson's new book, Heart Wide Open: Trading Mundane Faith for an Exuberant Life With Jesus promises to be a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for more than just a routine faith. Through personal stories and Scripture-based principles, she leads readers to let go of a comfortable, mundane life in order to embrace a life that pursues Jesus.

Tomlinson's honesty and transparency coupled with her southern charm make for a fun, but challenging read. She leads readers through a variety of topics, giving sample prayers to pray, saying that there's nothing magical in the prayers, but it's the heart attitude to which God responds. She includes prayers like, "Jesus, I know I don't love You like I should, but I want to love You" and "Lord, teach me how to live devoted beyond my daily devotional."

Chapters include:
When All You Can Bring Him is Broken Want-To
Courage for Us Not-So-Super Saints
I Suppose Cliff Notes Are Out
Does God Want Out of Our Quiet Times?
Are Some of Us Stuck with Messed-Up Mustard Seeds?
We Are Always on Our Mind
May We Have Permission to Slap 'Em Silly in Jesus' Name?
Till We See Him Face to Face

I appreciate Tomlinson's openness, her willingness to share out of her own experience. I also found it interesting that while using her signature humorous style, she was still able to help me appreciate the magnitude of things like God's desire to know us personally, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength.

Some of the book's features make the experience even more meaningful--like the pull-out quotes, the prayers at the end of each chapter, all the Scriptures interwoven throughout, and the Bible study and discussion guide included at the end.

If you've been going through the motions for so long and you're hungry for something out-of-the-ordinary, Tomlinson's book is for you. She'll challenge you, but do it in a humorous way so it doesn't smart as much. But throughout the whole thing, you can sense her love for you in Christ and her desire to see you grow and experience Jesus as she has--to move out of the mundane into the exuberant and abundant life promised in Jesus.

I received a copy of the book for this review. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

Download the first chapter at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-con...

Visit the publisher's book page to learn more about the book and the author: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalo...


About the Author
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is the author of the award-winning nonfiction humor titles Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On and Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy! She is a popular blogger and speaker, and the host of the radio program All Things Southern LIVE. Shellie loves sharing humor and hope with audiences across the country. She and her husband have two grown children. They live and farm in Louisiana. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author...

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very excited to announce that Heart Wide Open: Trading Mundane Faith for an Exuberant Life with Jesus by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson has been released today! Shellie is the Jesus loving author, speaker, and radio host known as The Belle of All Things Southern. Based in Lake Providence, Louisiana, Shellie hosts a daily radio show that is broadcast on twenty-eight radio stations & a weekly video segment that streams live. She has also written several books, including Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy, which has been endorsed by Jeff Foxworthy who called it "laugh out loud funny!"

Heart Wide Open chronicles Shellie's quest for something more than routine faith in God. With a yearning to love God with a genuine, all-consuming passion, Shellie details how she got honest with God & asked Him to help her love Him as deeply as she wanted to. On the book jacket, it says that in Heart Wide Open, Shellie invites you to answer the call of your restless heart & refuse to settle for anything less than the intimate friendship of God.

Through her heartfelt & honest words, you'll find practical inspiration to help you:
• exchange your "just enough Jesus" mindset for an all-out pursuit of Him
• put sizzle in your Bible study by asking God to show you the wonder of His Word
• trade formulaic devotions for a devoted life

This book spoke to me on many levels. I have worked hard, and often times struggled, to have a deeper connection to God. I want to be a "good" Christian, but we all know that can be difficult with so many distractions. I find it easy to spend an hour every morning catching up on Facebook, but have to force myself to make time for a five or ten minute devotional reading. In turn, that makes me feel guilty. But we have to take the first step that Shellie took & that's to ask God to help us love Him as we should & as we want to. He is always there to answer our call & guide us in our quest to open ourselves up to Him.

Shellie points out that scripture assures us that God loves us not because of who WE are, but because of who HE is. We don't have to wait for the afterlife to begin living with God. By pursuing & enjoying a fulfilling relationship now, we greatly enhance our life her on Earth. I love that Shellie is completely honest in how she struggled for years to love God fully. I also liked that she compliments her commentary with scripture throughout the book.

If you are looking for a book that will help you grow in your faith, but speak to you on an easy to understand basis & one that's easy to relate to, this is the book for you. It would also make a great gift for just about anyone! If you happen to be near Winnsboro, Louisiana, Shellie will be at Every Occasion for a book launch & signing today (March 18th) from 3-5:30pm. Be sure to like All Things Southern on Facebook for more information!

[A.C. Cuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As a Bible-believing churchgoer, author Shellie Tomlinson harbored a secret in her good-girl heart. She longed for something more than routine faith; she wanted to love God with a genuine, all-consuming passion. So she got honest with Him: “I admit it. I don’t love you like I should, but I want to love you. Help me!”

Are you ready to stop struggling to make time for God and instead live every moment with God?”

For me, the title of this book says it all… Heart Wide Open: Trading Mundane Faith for an Exuberant Life With Jesus. Who wouldn’t want to have an exuberant life with Jesus? Can you imagine what that would look like? I can admit it – my faith is mundane. I found truth in the words of the opening of Chapter 1 – “Jesus, I know I don’t love You like I should, but I want to want to love You!”

This book is a treasure; I found my own story here.

Moving past the title of the book, I chuckled at the titles of some of the chapters as she discusses our “broken want-to”, our “messed-up mustard seeds” and our wish to “slap ‘em silly in Jesus’ name”.

The author, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, has an easy style of telling her own life struggles that it feels as though you are having coffee with a dear sweet friend. While sometimes funny, and everytime heart-warming, her personal and honest stories will strike a cord in your heart. If you’re like me, you will hear yourself saying… yes… that’s it… someone gets it.

In my opinion, this is a book that requires more than one reading to uncover the wealth of truths within the covers. As an added bonus, the author has provided a Bible Study and Discussion Guide for use as a small group study.

Download or read the first chapter at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-con...

For more about the Author and her other books: http://www.belleofallthingssouthern.com/


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group bloggers program. 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com

[Heather King · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a little Southern charm, a little friendly honesty, and a lot of genuine passion for God and His Word, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson’s book, Heart Wide Open, encourages women to trade in formulaic devotions and rigid expectations of ‘quiet time’ for a real and relevant adventure of living every moment with God. After struggling herself with routine faith, she finally got honest enough to say, “God, I don’t love you like I should, but I want to love you. Help me!” That heartfelt prayer stirred up a passion for His Word that spills over into the pages of this book.

The book reads easily and naturally, like sharing a conversation with a passionate Jesus-girl over a cup of coffee. Each chapter is subtitled with an honest prayer such as, “Lord, I want to abandon everything to follow you, but I’m scared of what that might look like!” With these prayers, Shellie covers issues such as building faith, obedience, what to do when you don’t like reading the Bible, and loving others even when it’s difficult.

Each chapter ends with a short prayer to start you on a journey of inviting God to help you in the weak areas and in the midst of your faith struggles. In the back of the book, Tomlinson includes a Bible study and discussion guide that would help individuals and small groups go deeper.

Sometimes we feel like we need to already love God’s Word, know God’s Word, feel close to God, be full of faith, and have it all together before we come to Him. But this is a book that helps you pursue Christ even when it’s hard, you don’t feel like it, don’t know how to do it, or maybe even don’t have a passion for it and yet you truly you want something more in your relationship with God. You bring all that to Him, all that weakness, all those shortcomings, and ask for His help.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Brandi (Rambles of a SAHM) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first fell in love with Shellie's work through her first two books, Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On and Sue Ellen's Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy! Those two books just tickled my funny bone. But let me tell you, Heart Wide Open struck a nerve.

This book is written for those of us who grew up with not only Vacation Bible School but Backyard Bible Club. If you could do a sword drill in your sleep or recite the books of the Bible in perfect order or sing all the verses from hymn after hymn from memory, this book is probably written for you.

It's written for those of us who fell deeply in love with Jesus as a child but somewhere along the line that love of all things Jesus began to fade. The tyranny of the urgent began to replace what was important, which is our very relationship with Jesus. We entered that awkward Jr. High era that took our eyes off of Him and put them on him. Then before we knew it we were young mommas with a growing family and all our efforts were directed there. We still love to say and sing "Oh how I love Jesus!" but do we really? Or in the words of Shellie, do we just want to want to love Jesus? The good news is that Jesus promises that He'll take that want to and turn it into a need to.

In fact Shellie talks about how He will take all of those failed Christian rituals of ours like, daily Bible reading and devotions, prayer time, and faith and breathe fresh life into them. The secret is admitting we need the help in the first place. Instead of hiding our lackluster feelings like Adam and Eve in the garden, we just need to get naked before God and cry out "Help me!"

I have to be honest and say that until I read this book I hadn't really realized how apathetic I had become. But as I turned page after page I continued to think, "Yep! That's describes me to a T." The good news is that Shelllie also points out the simple fix . . . Jesus! So if you are longing for a deeper relationship with Christ, pick this book up and let Him pry your heart wide open. Trust me . . . you won't regret it!

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

[christianchicklit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical Advice For Drawing Closer To God

In this book Shellie Rushing Tomlinson aska some very important and very challenging questions. Is your faith really satisfying to you? Do you really love God your savior or do you just like him and he's a friendly acquaintance? Do you stand in church and sing hymns about "oh, how I love Jesus" but you could just as easily be singing "oh, how I love watermelons".
And so, the book begins with the claim "I don't love You like I should, but I want to love You. Help!"

Shellie claims that she is walking proof that you can fall in love with Jesus by learning to whisper such a simple prayer such as this and she shows the reader some important steps to take. She mentions that she's held back an enthusiastic expression of her own faith because of what she thought other people around her would think. This mentality keeps us from living with our hearts wide-open to His Spirit.

Shellie includes practical tips for immersing ourselves in the Word -- mediating on it, memorizing, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal things to you, etc. She suggests that instead of trying to find time for God during our day, we should try to find God throughout our day. And I love her description of a Spiritual Strip Search -- those times when we might be dealing with a bad medical report, a rebellious child, job loss, etc. where our faith feels naked and exposed and we desperately need to hear from God and know that He hears from us. In an important chapter on obedience, she illuminates an important thought that was new to me -- Christ lives in us to obey for us.

Shellie’s writing style is very conversational and uses a lot of personal examples to highlight the key points in the book. There are discussion questions at the back of the book that can be used for a small group discussion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging For Books program from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

[Boma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know God?

Or would you know Him?

Have you gotten lost in the religion?

Are you only going through the motions?

If it’s been so long since you’ve felt alive in your belief – till you’ve forgotten why you believe, or even what you believe (seeing as you can no longer honestly say you know exactly what it is you’re doing), and if the realization of this is starting to worry you – find strength and be encouraged.

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson knows what it’s like:

“I had no clue what was missing, yet I knew I had to find it” – Heart Open Wide, p.13.

Filled with anecdotes that illustrate the points she makes, in this book Shellie gets this message across:

It is possible to know God. And it is possible to find yourself in Him again. And it is possible with God’s help, to do this by yourself.

Don’t be a beggar of men, asking mere mortals for morsels from God – Heart Open Wide, p. 109.

As you follow Shellie on this adventure, you’d laugh with her, shout with her, learn with her, and pray with her – and you’d be better off for it.

Abundant life has been made available to us. Now what would you do about it?

Cry out to God with Shellie:

Give me courage to risk my average life to gain the abundant one promised me in Christ Jesus. Amen – Heart Open Wide, p.45.

The Bible study and discussion guide at the close of the book could be used personally or in a group.

If you’re tired of the ordinary humdrum activity that the religion could become; if you want a personal relationship with the God you have believed, take a deep breath, this book, your Bible, a journal, and a pen, and as Oswald Chambers was quoted in p.133, Begin to know Him now, and finish never.

Disclosure:
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you like me wondering where will I find this extra time to spend time with God? I know spending time with him is important, but I can't seem to always get it in. Isn't that crazy? I shouldn't have to schedule God into my planner or into my life.




The truth of the matter, we are too busy. We are over worked, over stressed and instead of enjoying our time with God, we're checking it off our to do list. Having read Heart Wide Open by Shellie Tomlinson made be realize I can live every moment with him. I can have him be apart of every moment. I don't need to schedule him, I just need to live with my heart wide open ready to invite him in. She makes excellent points when she says our pursuit of him trumps our performance, which is so true. We need to pursue him and live for the applause of him and not of the world.

Finally, I love when she says God doesn't want to be spectators of our lives, but wants to join us and I think that is so true. He doesn't want to be on the back burner, he wants to be right next to us. I would recommend this book if you're looking for a paradigm shift in your faith.

[Sherri Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you grew up in church, went every Sunday and Wednesday and any day in between, you will relate to this book! In Shellie’s funny way, she reaches into your heart and helps you explore the depth of your faith. And its realness, too.

It’s so easy to get stuck in the routine of church and to forget about the joy of serving and loving the Lord for who He is and not for what He can do for you. Shellie talks about how we become so good at doing all things church-y that we fail to feel God in our lives. It becomes as mundane as washing the dishes or taking out the trash.

She also addresses the reasons we let this happen. We may know God but do we really know how to love Him? What keeps us from stepping out of our comfort zones and loving Him more than we love anything or anyone else in this world? Is it fear of failure? Fear of what God might ask us to do? Shellie helps you throw your heart open wide like a giant barn door and shows you the joy you can have when you live in love and surrender to Jesus!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I have read by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, so I wasn't sure what to expect. When I read the Table of Contents & saw Titles like Chapter 5. Are Some of Us Stuck with Messed-Up Mustard Seeds, and Chapter 7. May We Have Permission to Slap 'Em Silly In Jesus's Name? I just knew that this was going to be a book that would change my life!

As it turns out, I was right, and I enjoyed every chapter of this book, and I especially liked the Bible Study & Discussion Guide at the end which tied everything together. Shellie combines just the right amount of humor with truth and reality, and as I turned the pages when I wasn't laughing out loud I was thinking "Yes - this is exactly what God wanted me to hear right at this moment"!

I am excited now to read all of Shellie's other books to see what I have been missing out on.

Thank you Shellie Rushing Tomlinson for the privilege of reading your book, and providing this ARC free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://pagebypagebookbybook.blogspot....

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson’s Heart Wide Open is definitely an encouraging, thought-provoking read. Tomlinson provides some genuine and passionate insight, gleaned from and highlighted by her own personal experiences. I found many of the topics she addresses – like Bible reading, quiet time and prayer – very relevant for my life, and I am glad she presents the material so accessibly. Though this book is, in many ways, instructional, Tomlinson speaks openly and honestly from her journey of falling in love with Jesus, avoiding any pointing of fingers and condescension. I would recommend Heart Wide Open to those looking for more in their relationship with God. It certainly presents a worthwhile challenge. I thank the Blogging for Books program for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for a review.

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart Wide Open is one of those books where you feel like you've pulled up a chair in the author's kitchen and you're sharing over cups of tea or coffee. The tone is chatty, but deep truth and scripture is handled with care and precision.

It may not be the most groundbreaking book on Christian Living, but the 8 chapters get right down to the nitty-gritty of what it means to live a life devoted to Christ, what that looks like, what it sounds like, and what to do when we (inevitably)mess it up.

I would recommend this book for a ladies' Bible study. There are helpful questions for each chapter (these are located at the end of the book instead of after each chapter as I would prefer, but that's simply a matter of preference) to help you get started.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a little treasure trove of helpful advice about deepening your relationship with Jesus. Through stories and anecdotes, the author chronicles her own journey into a deeper relationship with her Lord and Savior. She has the same struggles most of us have as we strive to draw closer: feelings of inadequacy, frustration that we aren't doing enough, etc. And she mentions spending more time in the Word and prayer. These are things that are difficult for many but crucial to the process. All in all, a very thoughtful book that will be of value to many.

This book is well written and keeps the reader engaged which providing helpful tips. Highly recommend!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was refreshing to see such honesty about pursuing an intimacy with Jesus. She shares how she came to the realization she was a hypocrite. Her Sunday experience did not permeate the rest of her life. She cried out to God that she did not love Him but wanted to. She asked for help. Her book is very inspiring. I recommend it to anyone not satisfied with their Christian life.
See my full review at http://bit.ly/1lpz5ES.
I received a complimentary egally of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read my full review, please refer to the following link: http://edifier1.wordpress.com/2014/07...

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I havent read many books about religion, and didn't really know what to expect, but im glad I read this book I really enjoyed it and the writing. I will really recommend it to friends

[Jan Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Shellie, for encouraging me to let go of all the guilt I harbor for not being a 'better' Christian. I'm starting fresh, thanks to your book, and just praying to want to love Jesus more, and already feeling a hunger I haven't felt in a long time to get closer to God. You make it clear that it's not hard, not scary, not impossible to grow a relationship at any point in life with God!
If you need some tugs or nudges to make your relationship with God a priority, read this book. You'll be changed in so many ways.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I really enjoy this author! Challenged here to ask God for a desire to love His Word and did out He’ll bless me with a growing desire and love for it. So many helps, tips, encouragements & examples. Study Questions at end of book for each chapter. You’ll enjoy this author.

[Carol Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. Written in a homespun entertaining style. Enjoyable and yet challenging us to a closer walk with the Lord.
There are Bible study questions in the back of the book. It would work for a group study.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Shellie brought to light a new Jesus for me. I am falling more in love with him everyday!

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshingly honest. A great book on deepening one's relationship with Jesus.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart Wide Open by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson has been in church her whole life. As a child she attended with her parents and did all the usual church child things; Sunday school, vacation Bible school, annual revivals, prayer meetings. As a wife and mother she was at church when the doors were open. She was a Church Lady. Then one day she realized she was a hypocrite.

She was doing all the right church things but for the wrong reasons. She was in church because it was what she had always done, it was what was expected of her, it was what Christians do. With this came the knowledge that she wanted more, she wanted to love Jesus whole-heartedly without reservation. But she didn’t know how. Her prayer became “I admit it. I don’t love You like I should, but I want to love You. Help!”

In her book she tells how she came to know Jesus, not just know of Him, but to have her heart beat in tune with His. It’s a choice she made and she shares her journey in this book. With stories of her life she shares the steps she took to know God and to truly love Him. Though the subject could be heavy and burdensome there is a lot of down home humor that shows Tomlinson’s Southern roots. She asks questions and gives the answers she found while encouraging the reader to ask their own questions and find their own answers. At the end of each chapter is a prayer that will help the reader begin their conversation with God as they get to know Him and love Him with all their heart. If you have the church blahs this is a good place to start to turn it around and have a renewal of faith.


Blogging for Books provided this book to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathleen E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monday, January 26, 2015
Heart Wide Open: Trading Mundane Faith for an Exuberant Life with Jesus, written by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, © 2014

What I like about Heart Wide Open is the open interchange available in discussion in a group setting or as an individual study. There are questions following each chapter, easy to follow and journal for yourself as you read.

I received this wonderful study DVD in the mail one day... I was a recipient from the author's All Things Southern LIVE on the radio.
It definitely was for an appointed day.

Our Thursday morning Bible study will be finishing up the questions in the last section this week. So enriched. There are eight chapters, with the last one being an overview. Having the book with the Bible Study and Discussion Guide has been a companion for the DVD, reading the chapter at home and answering the discussion questions, sharing the next week together.

The DVD is like being right in the room with Shellie as she shares a section with the ladies with her. Delightful, unhurried, making you welcome, you will learn more of your heart's desire to know Him more. I highly recommend Shellie Tomlinson's Heart Wide Open for any age group.

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is the author of the award-winning nonfiction humor titles Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On and Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy! She is a popular blogger and speaker, and the host of the radio program All Things Southern LIVE. Shellie loves sharing humor and hope with audiences across the country. She and her husband have two grown children. They live and farm in Louisiana.

[Gabrielle W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title said it all, "Heart Wide Open: Trading mundane faith for an exuberant life with Jesus." When, I read that, I couldn't request it quick enough.
I've had my ups and downs of faith and was looking forward to discover what this book had to offer.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
Now, don't get me wrong. It has it's good points, such as;
*Flypaper faith: "....In my new plan God was the flypaper, and I would be the fly. The mission: to throw myself at Him and stick for eternity." -That's a great (for this country girl) way to look at the relationship I want!
*The prayers: "I admit it. I don't love You like I should, but I want to love You." and, "Lord, teach me how to live devoted beyond my daily devotionals."-I catch myself saying these when I struggle to focus on God, or treat Him like an inhaler rather than oxygen.
*I love the fact it has a bible study/discussion guide in the back.
*It is an easy read-the author keeps it fun and interesting.
The author not only uses biblical stories to inspire, but also her own personal (and honest) stories. It's a short book, at 177 pages (not counting the discussion guide in the back), and it keeps you engaged and provides some helpful tips
It just lacked the umph I was looking for. I was just hoping it would contain more inspiration to drive me and keep me motivated.
Overall, 3-1/2 stars.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this book review.

[Mariejkt · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Heart Wide Open" by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is written to women that may have not led the bad girl life and their faith is boring to them. This book started slow for me but did encourage me to pursue my love of Christ even more than I do now. However I got to about the middle of the book and I stopped in my tracks. If you have read my reviews before you know it can take a lot for me to stop in a middle of a book. Well the author starting talking about when she was a little girl that she would hold seances like she seen in the movies. Ok that caught me off guard but I thought well she will bring up that they are against God. Well she did not she even went into details on how they held them. Then what really made me upset was that she compared her prayer life to a seance. Quote " Best case scenario-meaning that which was most conductive to a successful seance-none of my family members were home when I reached out to the heavenly throne. Many scriptures talk against contacting the dead see Deuteronomy 18:10-11 and Isaiah 8:19. I am sorry but I don't carry how bad your prayer life is right now we don't compare it to something that God hates. So I cannot recommend this book.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group Blogging for Books for this review and was not required to give a positive review.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart Wide Open is a book intended to help you open yourself up and grow closer to God. The goal is to fully surrender to Him and grow your passion for Him as you allow Him to ignite it further. The book was set up well, and the layout and purpose was attractive. Unfortunately, for me, most of the points were things I had already known or practiced.

The one point that was really helpful to me was to admit that you don't love Him. It was a bit surprising at first, but the point the author made was that you can't grow closer if you are not being honest. And sometimes honesty hurts. God already knows what's going on in your heart, so you may as well admit it and ask Him to help you from where you currently are. It was an interesting point.

This isn't a book that I would recommend on a regular basis, but possibly to a new believer somewhere down the road. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for this review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.