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What's Your Secret?: Freedom through Confession
Shhhh…. Is there something about you that you hope no one else ever finds out? You’re not alone. Everyone has secrets—hurts, abuses, bad habits, fears. Big or small, secrets can destroy you from the inside out. The good news is that confession is more powerful than secrets—or the fear that keeps you from telling them. In What’s Your Secret? Aaron Stern shows you · the powerful roots of secret-keeping· the difference between “good” secrets and “bad” secrets· what confession is (and isn’t)· why letting go of secrets is so much more enjoyable than living in fear· how to strategically live a secret-free life Using personal stories and anonymous confessions from others, Aaron will remind you of the beauty of forgiveness and the joy that comes from living in the freedom God has always wanted you to have.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
28 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 27, 2018
Overall its a good book with a solid Biblical point.
I don't rate 5 because there are quotes from The Message Bible and he makes statements as this is a valid "translation." MSG Bible is not a translation, it is a paraphrase of the text. Translations are careful, word-for-word, translation from Hebrew, or Greek, to English. The MSG might be helpful for paraphrasing, but should be done carefully.
Other then that, I'd highly this book to help anyone better understand what will hinder their relationship with others and most importantly Jesus Christ. This book will clearly outline how a person should seek to confess their sins in order to be restored in right standing with God.
I don't rate 5 because there are quotes from The Message Bible and he makes statements as this is a valid "translation." MSG Bible is not a translation, it is a paraphrase of the text. Translations are careful, word-for-word, translation from Hebrew, or Greek, to English. The MSG might be helpful for paraphrasing, but should be done carefully.
Other then that, I'd highly this book to help anyone better understand what will hinder their relationship with others and most importantly Jesus Christ. This book will clearly outline how a person should seek to confess their sins in order to be restored in right standing with God.
July 31, 2017
Refreshing
This book focuses on the freedom that comes from confession and repentance before God. It shares the hard road to get there and the barriers that sometimes cause us to fall short of total freedom.
This book is a good read, but it is an even better practice.
This book focuses on the freedom that comes from confession and repentance before God. It shares the hard road to get there and the barriers that sometimes cause us to fall short of total freedom.
This book is a good read, but it is an even better practice.
July 14, 2017
Amazing!!! Should be made into a workbook and taught in circles of believers.
June 29, 2018
I'm not sure I finished reading it. I disagree with the tone strongly. It seems to be promoting confession in a way that is spiritually controlling and manipulative.
September 8, 2011
Do you have a secret? Something that you’ve kept in the dark and hope never sees the light of day? Each of us has at least one, but author and pastor Aaron Stern says that secrets can destroy us. In What’s Your Secret?, Stern explores the topic of confession. Using scripture, personal stories, and stories from others, he leads readers on a path toward the joy that is only found in living as God intended, free from secrets and complete in His forgiveness.
This is an excellent book. Unlike popular self-help books on the topic, What’s Your Secret? doesn’t claim to give a simple solution. The book begins by guiding you through the process of confession (to God and others) and discusses what real confession is all about. It then proceeds to introduce readers to what it looks like to live out in the open. Chapters cover “unpacking” your baggage, making things right, and many other topics related to healing and living life free from secrets. Along the way, the author has provided anonymous confessions that he has collected, reminding us that we’re not alone – the secrets that we think are so terrible and unique are close to, if not identical to, those of others.
What’s Your Secret? is encouraging, insightful, motivational, uplifting, and inspiring. If that seems like hyperbole, it’s not. If it seems like I picked up a thesaurus and copied every word under a single heading, well, I didn’t, but maybe I am being repetitious. It’s intentional. You have to read this book. Aaron Stern wants you to live in freedom. God wants you to live in freedom. The road will be difficult, but with this book as a guide, you can do it.
The audiobook is read by the author, which I often enjoy. This case was no different. Hearing the author’s words in his own voice adds authenticity to the reading. The recording and production quality were also very good.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free from the christianaudio Reviewers 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This is an excellent book. Unlike popular self-help books on the topic, What’s Your Secret? doesn’t claim to give a simple solution. The book begins by guiding you through the process of confession (to God and others) and discusses what real confession is all about. It then proceeds to introduce readers to what it looks like to live out in the open. Chapters cover “unpacking” your baggage, making things right, and many other topics related to healing and living life free from secrets. Along the way, the author has provided anonymous confessions that he has collected, reminding us that we’re not alone – the secrets that we think are so terrible and unique are close to, if not identical to, those of others.
What’s Your Secret? is encouraging, insightful, motivational, uplifting, and inspiring. If that seems like hyperbole, it’s not. If it seems like I picked up a thesaurus and copied every word under a single heading, well, I didn’t, but maybe I am being repetitious. It’s intentional. You have to read this book. Aaron Stern wants you to live in freedom. God wants you to live in freedom. The road will be difficult, but with this book as a guide, you can do it.
The audiobook is read by the author, which I often enjoy. This case was no different. Hearing the author’s words in his own voice adds authenticity to the reading. The recording and production quality were also very good.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free from the christianaudio Reviewers 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 30, 2012
Secrets can destroy us. But confession can free us from hauling all of that baggage around everyday of our lives. Sometimes it is tough work to keep our secrets and they may end up eating away at us. I his book,"What's Your Secret?, Freedom Through Confession" Aaron Stern gives practical advice about confessing our secrets and sins to God and to others - basically, do it. He also writes about confessing to the right people. The author continues to usher the reader through the journey of dwelling and living in the freedom that comes with confession. In the second part of the book Stern covers topics such as unpacking the luggage (our pain, anger, etc.) that we have packed away over the years of guarding our secrets. He also covers reconciliation, recognizing the lies we have believed, walking in the truth, creating and keeping healthy secrets and knowing (and living in) the motivations that will keep us walking in freedom.
Interspersed throughout the book are other's secret/sins. At Stern's church in Colorado Springs, CO (theMill), the congregation anonymously shared their secrets. Some of these were read aloud during their services, but by simply writing down and sharing their secrets the congregation took a small step in their journey toward freedom from their secrets and baggage.
I found this book to be a lighter read even though the topic could be considered heavy. Stern does a great job keeping the reader interested throughout the book by sharing personal stories (his and others).
At the end of each chapter he also includes reflection questions. These are geared more for personal reflection but they could be good to ponder or discuss with a small group, discipleship group, tight community, etc.
Confession seems to be a lost spiritual practice in the evangelical church, but it is a practice that God requires of us if we wish to live whole lives of freedom.
Interspersed throughout the book are other's secret/sins. At Stern's church in Colorado Springs, CO (theMill), the congregation anonymously shared their secrets. Some of these were read aloud during their services, but by simply writing down and sharing their secrets the congregation took a small step in their journey toward freedom from their secrets and baggage.
I found this book to be a lighter read even though the topic could be considered heavy. Stern does a great job keeping the reader interested throughout the book by sharing personal stories (his and others).
At the end of each chapter he also includes reflection questions. These are geared more for personal reflection but they could be good to ponder or discuss with a small group, discipleship group, tight community, etc.
Confession seems to be a lost spiritual practice in the evangelical church, but it is a practice that God requires of us if we wish to live whole lives of freedom.
June 28, 2012
Stern's book on sin and confession was obtained for free and was a better read than anticipated. At first I worried about its format, typical Christian self-help, with stories and a smattering of Scripture. And the inserted anonymous confessions, gathered at services Stern has held and inserted in the text, were disconcerting at first. Stern though has a direct writing style and his advocacy of confession to other Christians (I hear echoes of Bonhoeffer's Life Together) is challenging stuff. The middle chapter, a theology of surrender to the Spirit, was a little tired, but overall, the book was a clear and challenging read and wise about the role of God and the church in the individual's spiritual transformation. I even came to find the inserted confessions moving by the end of the book.
Want to read
May 7, 2012[free nook book]
March 13, 2016
I really liked this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews