In Think Differently Live Differently Bob Hamp takes you on a practical journey to change your thinking and discover a life of personal freedom. Now is a good time to become yourself, to discover your God-created, God-connected true self. Now is a good time to Think Differently about things that ruled your life. Don’t let the actions of others, experiences of the past, or current circumstances prevent you from living in the peace and power for which you are made. Learn to Live Differently as you connect to the Ever-present God so that you might be the ever-intended you!
Bob Hamp is an author, speaker, and teacher proclaiming the freedom offered through the gospel. Coming from an unchurched background, he was unexpectedly ambushed by an encounter with God that changed the direction and foundation of his life forever. His unique slant on the Gospel is the result of looking through the lens of a counselor and sitting across from people in need for almost three decades.
Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas, Bob was in private practice for 16 years, helping people with every type of struggle imaginable. He then stepped into one of the fasting growing churches in Texas, where he spent nine years developing a discipleship strategy called Freedom Ministry.
Now, Bob with his wife Polly are the Owners and Directors of Think Differently Counseling, Coaching and Connecting; a counseling and training center in Grapevine, Texas. Specializing in freedom based counseling and coaching. They offer topical classes, training events and a Think Differently Training Certification program. Together they feel called to make disciples without building a congregation.
Bob and Polly have six grown kids, four grandchildren, and two corgis.
I read this book at the recommendation of my therapist. It was an interesting recommendation because she loved the book but is more a "spiritual" person than a religious person. I think she recommended it more because of my background. I think the field of solid Christian and Psychology books is very narrow. Like really really narrow, typically they are too "religious cliche" would probably be the best phrase. But this book, for the most part, took on a very different approach. The guiding narrative about the farm/acrobat boy is fabulous and does create a wonderful basis and approach. Hamp does an incredible job with dense theological ideas with an easy interloping explanation. This might be some of the real beauty of the book- the ability to take the psych and theology and bring them together into narrative form seamlessly filled with ideas but not language heavy in terminology. The book really does help us think differently. My disappointment lays at the end of the book. In the end Hamp, unfortunately, goes to the root of John Sanford and talking about bitter roots, etc... which isn't a bad thing- I think it is a positive way to think Christianly about psychological problems. The failure lies in giving real psychological advice rather than just quick little prayers that the book offers. I'm not minimizing the power of a prayer but oftentimes there is much more going on that a person should become aware of and think through and face. It felt a bit like a copout. But the rest of the book was fabulous. Just simply needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
I spent forever reading this book on my iPod, but I'm glad I took so much time with it. It's refreshing to read about grace and freedom when so much of Christianity is pervaded by a works-based righteousness. Bob Hamp heavily emphasizes the importance of recognizing your identity and your sonship in Christ. The acrobat metaphor for me is just a little silly. I wish he had picked another profession or lifestyle than circus performer, if only because, and I'm sorry to say this, I couldn't take it very seriously. However, Hamp's parable still works for what he's trying to do. The book doesn't focus a whole lot on Scripture. If you need scriptural support for the truth claims he's making (which are awesome), checking out the ministry of Paul White at paulwhiteministries.org. You'll get all the support your need. Hamp has a knack for parabolic instruction, and his discussion of which tree in the Garden of Eden you identify with and eat from is life-changing. You'll never think of the kingdom of Heaven the same way after reading this book. Good stuff. Folks burned on legalism, take note.
Bob Hamp weaves a parable throughout this book to drive home the point that once we live from the true Source and look to Him for belonging, we experience freedom. I found this book so thought provoking and insightful. I read it all the way through without stopping to ponder, but I'll now go back through the way I think he intended and read a chapter a week and then follow the instructions at the end of each chapter before reading on. I am looking forward to reading it a second time. I'm looking forward to my faith based on being in the Source and not behaving for the Source. This will make sense once you read the book.
Think Differently Live Differently A Game Changer For Me
This was an awesome read. It helped me to see myself as God sees me and to know that my freedom is not based on my performance but solely understanding the love God has for me and to know HE only wants what's best for me, which is to walk in who HE created me to be and not accept the lies of the enemy. Thank you Brother Bob for being obedient in writing this book. This will be a resource for me to continuously revisit to keep the enemy on the run.
Appreciate this way of looking at life, the fall, God’s love for us, and the definition of freedom.. what it is, and what it is not. The examples and stories helped frame the principles and there are summaries of key points at end of each chapter, as well as guiding questions and prayers. I have personally benefitted significantly from the Freedom ministry at Gateway church and appreciated reading this book to reinforce what I learned and continue inner healing.
Great book - will change your life literally. Loved the acrobat theme, and realistic perspectives that are so hard to put into words. Knowing you were meant for something greater, and helping you to find that purpose. Definitely recommended!
This is a great foundational introduction to the principles of Freedom in Yeshua. You can see the hand of God releasing and taking back territory. Freedom is not the absence of obstacles but the Presence of the Spirit!
Enjoy true freedom as you read through this perspective and learn to think in a more healthy way. I am amazed at the simple, yet profound truths presented and that I need only to be who I was created to be!
Foundational to understanding who we are designed and meant to be. Excellent heart level look into how God designed and means for us to function as Men and Women of God.
The first edition of this book was life-changingly spectacular. I read and consulted it so often that I had my copy spiral-bound. Can "life-changingly spectacular" be improved upon? YES, as it turns out!
This revised edition has been edited for improved readability and has additional content that is crucial for fully understanding a life of freedom. On top of that, a study guide at the end of each chapter further facilitates growth on a personal or collective level.
Each chapter flows easily into the next (which makes the book even more difficult to put down!) As a result, I found it easier to maintain a mental grasp of both the overall theme and the individual concepts that contribute to it. There is an entirely new section on "prisoner thinking" which is a valuable addition to a book centered on becoming free. Additionally, Bob takes a few pages to expound on obstacles to our ways of knowing. He uses helpful examples to explain expectations and self-effort and how both can be impediments to freedom.
I have yet to experience a study guide like the one in this book. I am very skilled at collecting, recalling, and repeating information. This skill did not and could not serve me as I considered and answered the questions at the end of each chapter. Mere information is not what this book is about. It is clear these questions were crafted with the intent to change thinking and I am thinking differently as a result!
Read this book! Become who you've always been. Step into your true identity and FLY!
Sometimes life can change if you just look at things differently. If you feel like you are sinking, stuck in a place you can't get out, or are trying to get a new perspective on your life this would be a great book to pickup and read. I didn't expect for me to find much new in this book, but I was wrong. It gave me a new paradigm in different areas in my life I am beginning to try and work on by thinking differently. It is worth the time to read this book.
“Freedom is the ability to act and react in life as the man or woman you were created to be.”
When I finally understood the truth in this statement I found freedom by connecting to the true source of life. This book did not change my life, it showed me the life I already had buried within me, but had not yet accepted.
This book is one that cannot be read quickly. I found myself having to frequently stop and absorb what was written. There is SO MUCH food for the mind and heart in this book! Early on I decided not underline because I would have been underlining entire paragraphs. Then I decided that I'll underline on my next read-through, because this is a book that I'll read and reread!