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People of the Second Chance: A Guide to Bringing Life-Saving Love to the World
A powerful message of hope for anyone burdened by regret and everyone who longs for a fresh start.
What if I told you that you and your not-so-perfect story have been invited to experience the joy of second chance living. Your critics and nay-sayers and those negative voices in your head have defined who you are and stolen your hopeful future for far too long!
The insecurity, shame, and judgment—That stops today.
This simple guide will show you how your imperfect life matters in ways you never thought possible. It will help you see your scars, flaws, and failures as unfair advantages and gifts that you can bring to the world. Foster's examination of hope is one part challenge, two parts encouragement. He forces the reader to ask the following How did I lose it? How do I get? How do I give it? Each question is broken down into core concepts that are essential to a life devoted to the power of second awareness, discovery, ownership, forgiveness, acceptance and freedom.
Packed full of unfiltered honesty and simple next steps, this manifesto for prodigals, imperfectionists, and hopesters will help you discover beauty in the brokenness.
What if I told you that you and your not-so-perfect story have been invited to experience the joy of second chance living. Your critics and nay-sayers and those negative voices in your head have defined who you are and stolen your hopeful future for far too long!
The insecurity, shame, and judgment—That stops today.
This simple guide will show you how your imperfect life matters in ways you never thought possible. It will help you see your scars, flaws, and failures as unfair advantages and gifts that you can bring to the world. Foster's examination of hope is one part challenge, two parts encouragement. He forces the reader to ask the following How did I lose it? How do I get? How do I give it? Each question is broken down into core concepts that are essential to a life devoted to the power of second awareness, discovery, ownership, forgiveness, acceptance and freedom.
Packed full of unfiltered honesty and simple next steps, this manifesto for prodigals, imperfectionists, and hopesters will help you discover beauty in the brokenness.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 17, 2012
59 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Mike Foster
4 books7 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mike Foster is the Chief Chance Officer at People of the Second Chance. He has dedicated his life to helping people relaunch their lives with a sense of hope and purpose. He has been featured on Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and in The New York Times.
Mike Foster is the Chief Chance Officer at People of the Second Chance. He has dedicated his life to helping people relaunch their lives with a sense of hope and purpose. He has been featured on Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and in The New York Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 22, 2017
This is one of those books that you ought to go ahead and place in your Amazon cart. While everyone will have their opinions about how good this book may really be, it deserves 5 starts because of the content, research and the heart of the man who wrote it. Mike Foster is doing great things for helping people heal, grow and learn to love all people. I wouldn't label this a "feel good" book, but a book of a thousand head nods. Make this book a summer read.
My favorite bits of truth:
- The main two points of the book: -
- My trust, purest, nonnegotiable identity is the beloved. An in spite of my checkered past, my fabulous flops, my painful history, my deepest flaws, my bonehead screws, and, yes, even beyond my own beliefs about myself, I am God’s beloved. This is my foundational identity and the foundational identity of every human being (9).
- You can never live above your self-imposed limitations (10).
- Without the stains and scars, hope is an afterthought. Without our imperfections, there is nothing to place in the hands of God (17).
- The world screams at us to hurry up and matter. Our lives become a reaction to this lie. (22)
- Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart, and try to love the questions themselves (43)
- When God writes our lives, there are never mistakes, just movements to bring us closer to Him. (59)
- Our words are like matches, They are cheap but can start fires. (88)
- Every person you fight with, disagree with, laugh with, or love is an opportunity to learn something about God (107)
- You and I choose the way of love or the way of hate with every reaction. With every offense (127)
- Perfectionism only leads to things being less perfect (135)
- We don't need to hide our flaws. We need to own them. We need to ditch perfectionism in own our imperfection. (146)
- Most of our false identities flow out of a desire to be loved (159)
- Part of the problem with religion is that it prevents us from seeing ourselves in the proper light. Religion has a tendency to make us approach Scripture as if we’re outsiders looking in. We’re trying to find meaning in the story. We tend to forget that the story is actually about us and God. (168)
- When fear runs your life, it ruins your life. (171)
- Freedom means allowing your past to shape your future yet not control it. It’s an open door to the extraordinary life you are meant for. (209)
My favorite bits of truth:
- The main two points of the book: -
- My trust, purest, nonnegotiable identity is the beloved. An in spite of my checkered past, my fabulous flops, my painful history, my deepest flaws, my bonehead screws, and, yes, even beyond my own beliefs about myself, I am God’s beloved. This is my foundational identity and the foundational identity of every human being (9).
- You can never live above your self-imposed limitations (10).
- Without the stains and scars, hope is an afterthought. Without our imperfections, there is nothing to place in the hands of God (17).
- The world screams at us to hurry up and matter. Our lives become a reaction to this lie. (22)
- Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart, and try to love the questions themselves (43)
- When God writes our lives, there are never mistakes, just movements to bring us closer to Him. (59)
- Our words are like matches, They are cheap but can start fires. (88)
- Every person you fight with, disagree with, laugh with, or love is an opportunity to learn something about God (107)
- You and I choose the way of love or the way of hate with every reaction. With every offense (127)
- Perfectionism only leads to things being less perfect (135)
- We don't need to hide our flaws. We need to own them. We need to ditch perfectionism in own our imperfection. (146)
- Most of our false identities flow out of a desire to be loved (159)
- Part of the problem with religion is that it prevents us from seeing ourselves in the proper light. Religion has a tendency to make us approach Scripture as if we’re outsiders looking in. We’re trying to find meaning in the story. We tend to forget that the story is actually about us and God. (168)
- When fear runs your life, it ruins your life. (171)
- Freedom means allowing your past to shape your future yet not control it. It’s an open door to the extraordinary life you are meant for. (209)
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September 26, 2016"When God writes our lives, there are never mistakes, just movements to bring us closer to Him" (59)
I've been a fan of People of the Second Chance (POTSC) since it began, having first been introduced to Mike Foster at a church retreat back in 2008/2009. I was excited to see his new book coming out and happy to get my hands on a copy. Here are a few thoughts in response to the book.
1. Mike Foster's writing style is really accessible. He in an artist, so has a great way with words, plenty of engaging stories and illustrations, and brings these gifts to bear on some really deep truths surrounding receiving and giving grace.
2. 3. When I first interacted with his writing, I found his invitation to be radically-gracious-people absolutely compelling. I admire his bravery in sharing his dark side and his clear pastoral heart that want to help people experience grace. This book takes his raw vulnerability a step further.
Foster's material is enjoyable and deep, but it's not academic. If you're looking for a robust and clearly articulated theology of grace, that's not what this book is for. But if you're hungry for hope, looking for a real life attempt to put God's grace into action, and desiring to be an instrument of grace, then this book will scratch those itches!
One of my favourite sections of the book discusses the ways God uses the challenges in our lives to grow and shape us (pp.204+):
Addiction (the power of surrender)
Doubt (the power of faith)
Emptiness (the power of self-care)
Loss (the power of appreciation)
Desperation (the power of weakness)
Loneliness (the power of engagement)
Confusion (the power of creativity)
I'm grateful for Mike Foster and POTSC! May God continue to bless his work.
I've been a fan of People of the Second Chance (POTSC) since it began, having first been introduced to Mike Foster at a church retreat back in 2008/2009. I was excited to see his new book coming out and happy to get my hands on a copy. Here are a few thoughts in response to the book.
1. Mike Foster's writing style is really accessible. He in an artist, so has a great way with words, plenty of engaging stories and illustrations, and brings these gifts to bear on some really deep truths surrounding receiving and giving grace.
2. 3. When I first interacted with his writing, I found his invitation to be radically-gracious-people absolutely compelling. I admire his bravery in sharing his dark side and his clear pastoral heart that want to help people experience grace. This book takes his raw vulnerability a step further.
Foster's material is enjoyable and deep, but it's not academic. If you're looking for a robust and clearly articulated theology of grace, that's not what this book is for. But if you're hungry for hope, looking for a real life attempt to put God's grace into action, and desiring to be an instrument of grace, then this book will scratch those itches!
One of my favourite sections of the book discusses the ways God uses the challenges in our lives to grow and shape us (pp.204+):
Addiction (the power of surrender)
Doubt (the power of faith)
Emptiness (the power of self-care)
Loss (the power of appreciation)
Desperation (the power of weakness)
Loneliness (the power of engagement)
Confusion (the power of creativity)
I'm grateful for Mike Foster and POTSC! May God continue to bless his work.
January 24, 2017
People of the Second Chance is three things. It is a movement, a non-profit agency, and now a book as well. Mike Foster is the author of the book and runs the movement and non-profit. As far as I can tell the non-profit deals primarily with prison ministry and helping ex-convicts with their rehabilitation journey. However, the book has a lot of stories about other types of people also. Lots of great tips for helping yourself if you are so inclined.
I also have to say that it is a good, sturdy, compact book with wonderful quality paper! I love it.
I posted a review on my blog and another review on Blogging for Books.
I received the book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for doing a review.
I also have to say that it is a good, sturdy, compact book with wonderful quality paper! I love it.
I posted a review on my blog and another review on Blogging for Books.
I received the book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for doing a review.
July 26, 2017
A breath of fresh, cleansing air. Speaking uplifting truth to the broken spirit that needs a second chance, I feel lightened as I put this book down. I am often weighed down by the lies that play in my head over and over, Mike Foster reminds me that I am free and even beloved. Don't let shame be the overture of your story.
November 5, 2016
What a great book talking about how we all need to give ourselves and other second chances even when we screw up in life. Has a great chapter on not letting fear run our lives and how we have become fearful through the years.
November 13, 2016
So many great, out of the box, mind blowing ideas about how to accept the imperfections of ourselves and others as things God can use for His glory and for drawing people in to Himself. Whoever thought of a prodigal party? What a call to love people.
December 30, 2016
Couldn't put the book down. A great reminder of how we are all given a second chance at some point in life and how we can use this to make an impact on your own life and even someone else's life. Mike's personal story helps you to connect to the message behind People of the Second Chance.
October 1, 2016
Excellent book about being human, love and Grace and acceptance.
November 1, 2016
Interesting book and take on life. Shows another way of thinking. I won it in a contest and it was a good read.
April 28, 2017
RATING 4.25
I like the message, the writer, the style, and the book.
I like the message, the writer, the style, and the book.
June 3, 2020
I saw Mike Foster at a Catalyst event in Atlanta in October 2016. Hearing him speak was amazing and I purchased this book along with Wonderlife and Freeway. I had forgotten about this book until this year and I started reading it in May. It is SO wonderful and enlightening. I will definitely need to read it a second (or third) time. His transparency and no-nonsense communication style is something everyone can appreciate. There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this book, I can't even begin to point out a few of my favorites.
I strongly encourage anyone with a couple of decades of life under their belt to pick this one up and absorb the message it contains.
I strongly encourage anyone with a couple of decades of life under their belt to pick this one up and absorb the message it contains.
February 5, 2017
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Blogging For Books/Waterbrook Press.]
My feelings about this book and its author are deeply ambivalent. On the one hand, this book is extremely relatable and the author manages to pour a great deal of his own personality and private suffering into this book. He opens up about an accident during his teenage years where an attempt to impress some girls with his boating skills led to a near fatal collision with another person in a lake, and about his lingering horror over being molested as a child. When he talks about the damage people have as a result of their own mistakes and the sins others have committed against them, I can completely buy his sincerity in the matter and relate to it just as completely because of the course of my own life. All that said, at the same time the author's goodwill is greatly squandered by his appalling choice of sources, ranging from the creator of one of the worst books about the Gospel ever [1] to leftist terrorist Abbie Hoffman and Maoist pseudohistorian Howard Zinn, among the most wretched collection of humanity to claim as fellow travelers or inspirations or even worthwhile sources to quote on a Christian book. Whatever goodwill he gains from his own candor about his own life is wasted by his choice of perhaps the worst people to quote as support for his own ideas about religion and spirituality or social justice, a subject of clear interest to the writer [2].
The contents of this book, as might be guessed, mostly revolve around the sort of ways that people with difficult personal histories of abuse, addiction, and immense error and folly can learn to bask in being the beloved of God and see the beauty in their scars. His chapters are full of entertaining anecdotes about himself and others, including Jim Hensen's repurposing of a green coat to create the first Kermit puppet, a somewhat copycatish discussion of the parable of the Prodigal Son after Nouwen, a celebration of the freedom of an ex-con, talking about bravery with one's personal stories, finding the wonderful in the weird, changing our negative self-talk, accepting awkward situations, removing our heart of resentment and bitterness, overcoming shame, recognizing and feeling beloved, banishing fear from our lives, and moving from our bad stories to a backstory that shows God working through our lives. While the book spends the majority of the time wallowing in the awkwardness and discomfort and tragedy of life, it does at least offer a little bit of encouragement towards the way in which our stories can help serve God's glory and serve as part of our own redemption song.
While there is a lot to enjoy about this book, this book clearly exists on one side of a false dilemma within the world of Christian publishing. There are some books which focus on God's demand for holiness among believers, and there are many good books in that vein, but this book sits squarely on the side that focuses on God's love for the broken and battered because of his desire to make us whole again. This could have been a great book, for its its sentiments are somewhat commonplace in the world of ragamuffinish social gospels, the author clearly has a deeply personal story to tell to go along with his rather ordinary desire to promote social justice in a deeply corrupt society. Yet it is impossible for me to behind this book because the sources it cites carry with it the ugly specter of leftist revolutionary fervor, and that is not a spirit I want anything to do with whatsoever. In the end, this is a book that leads the reader to wish for the wholeness of the author and those others he talks about, and to want nothing to do with his ungodly and corrupt political agenda. As a reader and reviewer of books, that is not a pleasant place to be.
[1] https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
My feelings about this book and its author are deeply ambivalent. On the one hand, this book is extremely relatable and the author manages to pour a great deal of his own personality and private suffering into this book. He opens up about an accident during his teenage years where an attempt to impress some girls with his boating skills led to a near fatal collision with another person in a lake, and about his lingering horror over being molested as a child. When he talks about the damage people have as a result of their own mistakes and the sins others have committed against them, I can completely buy his sincerity in the matter and relate to it just as completely because of the course of my own life. All that said, at the same time the author's goodwill is greatly squandered by his appalling choice of sources, ranging from the creator of one of the worst books about the Gospel ever [1] to leftist terrorist Abbie Hoffman and Maoist pseudohistorian Howard Zinn, among the most wretched collection of humanity to claim as fellow travelers or inspirations or even worthwhile sources to quote on a Christian book. Whatever goodwill he gains from his own candor about his own life is wasted by his choice of perhaps the worst people to quote as support for his own ideas about religion and spirituality or social justice, a subject of clear interest to the writer [2].
The contents of this book, as might be guessed, mostly revolve around the sort of ways that people with difficult personal histories of abuse, addiction, and immense error and folly can learn to bask in being the beloved of God and see the beauty in their scars. His chapters are full of entertaining anecdotes about himself and others, including Jim Hensen's repurposing of a green coat to create the first Kermit puppet, a somewhat copycatish discussion of the parable of the Prodigal Son after Nouwen, a celebration of the freedom of an ex-con, talking about bravery with one's personal stories, finding the wonderful in the weird, changing our negative self-talk, accepting awkward situations, removing our heart of resentment and bitterness, overcoming shame, recognizing and feeling beloved, banishing fear from our lives, and moving from our bad stories to a backstory that shows God working through our lives. While the book spends the majority of the time wallowing in the awkwardness and discomfort and tragedy of life, it does at least offer a little bit of encouragement towards the way in which our stories can help serve God's glory and serve as part of our own redemption song.
While there is a lot to enjoy about this book, this book clearly exists on one side of a false dilemma within the world of Christian publishing. There are some books which focus on God's demand for holiness among believers, and there are many good books in that vein, but this book sits squarely on the side that focuses on God's love for the broken and battered because of his desire to make us whole again. This could have been a great book, for its its sentiments are somewhat commonplace in the world of ragamuffinish social gospels, the author clearly has a deeply personal story to tell to go along with his rather ordinary desire to promote social justice in a deeply corrupt society. Yet it is impossible for me to behind this book because the sources it cites carry with it the ugly specter of leftist revolutionary fervor, and that is not a spirit I want anything to do with whatsoever. In the end, this is a book that leads the reader to wish for the wholeness of the author and those others he talks about, and to want nothing to do with his ungodly and corrupt political agenda. As a reader and reviewer of books, that is not a pleasant place to be.
[1] https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
January 12, 2023
This book presents a life-changing perspective. The idea that the worst, most broken experiences we have become beautiful gifts we can share with others.
February 7, 2017
When I stumbled upon this particular book, it was partly the cover art that prompted me to read the synopsis of the book. The back cover drew me in and wondered if it would be a good book for a family member who is struggling with personal issues. Would the book be good enough to help him overcome and find hope with his issues. I had doubt, but was willing to check the book out for myself to see.
Let's just say, I received the book in the mail yesterday and opened it up and put it on my counter. This morning, just before work, I started reading a few pages and realized as I was entering into the second chapter I needed to stop. It drew me in. Captivated me. This is a book that is good for anyone, and not just those who have made terrible mistakes and believe that their lives are no good. It's for anyone who is willing to admit that they are not perfect and no longer want to try and pretend that they are perfect.
There are a few things that I didn't completely agree with, but for the overwhelming book I did. I think there are so many things, especially in this day and age, where people are offended by something another person says or does and finds it necessary to scream in their face to tell them that they are wrong. The book encourages us and any individual, to answer questions to ourselves to know whether or not you are being shamed. If not, then chances are you just have an opinion about something that isn't the same as the other person. As Mike says "The reason we get so upset at people who disagree or hold different values is that we all are subconsciously aware of our brokenness. When someone points out a difference, we see it as a deficiency."
The book I found was just a consistent reflection on how we need to change out lives, and find ways that we are defining ourselves. No longer are we to think negatively of our selves, but look at ourselves as a new identity. The identity that is deep within us and truly wanting to break free, the one that has been buried beneath the brokenness, the shame, the mistakes of old.
The People of the Second Chance encourages all of us to know that our lives is not a one strike your out situation, but rather a chance to make a new chapter, a new story in our lives. God has forgiven us and it is up to us to go in the right direction.
Needless to say, I would most definitely recommend this book. It does have a Christian slant, however it is not overtly Christian which is why I find it possible to share it with others not of a Christian interest. The book doesn't bang you over the head with reminding you that you have sinned, which by the way, the word "sin" does not come up anywhere within these pages. That in itself, was refreshing. A new outlook.
I did receive this book from the publisher Waterbrook Publishing via the website Blogging for Books. The opinions and reviews of this book are my own with no pressure to write a positive review.
Let's just say, I received the book in the mail yesterday and opened it up and put it on my counter. This morning, just before work, I started reading a few pages and realized as I was entering into the second chapter I needed to stop. It drew me in. Captivated me. This is a book that is good for anyone, and not just those who have made terrible mistakes and believe that their lives are no good. It's for anyone who is willing to admit that they are not perfect and no longer want to try and pretend that they are perfect.
There are a few things that I didn't completely agree with, but for the overwhelming book I did. I think there are so many things, especially in this day and age, where people are offended by something another person says or does and finds it necessary to scream in their face to tell them that they are wrong. The book encourages us and any individual, to answer questions to ourselves to know whether or not you are being shamed. If not, then chances are you just have an opinion about something that isn't the same as the other person. As Mike says "The reason we get so upset at people who disagree or hold different values is that we all are subconsciously aware of our brokenness. When someone points out a difference, we see it as a deficiency."
The book I found was just a consistent reflection on how we need to change out lives, and find ways that we are defining ourselves. No longer are we to think negatively of our selves, but look at ourselves as a new identity. The identity that is deep within us and truly wanting to break free, the one that has been buried beneath the brokenness, the shame, the mistakes of old.
The People of the Second Chance encourages all of us to know that our lives is not a one strike your out situation, but rather a chance to make a new chapter, a new story in our lives. God has forgiven us and it is up to us to go in the right direction.
Needless to say, I would most definitely recommend this book. It does have a Christian slant, however it is not overtly Christian which is why I find it possible to share it with others not of a Christian interest. The book doesn't bang you over the head with reminding you that you have sinned, which by the way, the word "sin" does not come up anywhere within these pages. That in itself, was refreshing. A new outlook.
I did receive this book from the publisher Waterbrook Publishing via the website Blogging for Books. The opinions and reviews of this book are my own with no pressure to write a positive review.
December 29, 2016
This book was fantastic. I haven't read a faith-based book in a couple years that struck a chord with me and rang true to living a Godly life.
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Foster is humble and transparent in his stories and guides the reader into a deeper understanding of living as we truly are, not who we think we are supposed to be. We do this by accepting our imperfections and living out the life God gave us, not the life we THINK God wants for us (which is really us trying to be someone we are not).
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I absolutely loved Foster's dry, quirky sense of humor; as a child of the 80s, I certainly got all the references and jokes and LOVED them all. Foster has a knack for telling a humourous story and then turning it into a deep, heartfelt lesson.
His section on fear and loss were particularly poignant and spot on. I loved hearing someone of faith telling us to "punch [our] fears in the throat". Sometimes I feel that people think we should speak in only conservatively and in pretty language. Pretty boring if you ask me. Foster gets to the heart of the matter and his words make a larger impact than simple platitudes and "nice" advice.
Funny, dry humor throughout with a heartfelt, serious message. Highly, highly recommended.
[image error]
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks NetGalley.
[image error]
Foster is humble and transparent in his stories and guides the reader into a deeper understanding of living as we truly are, not who we think we are supposed to be. We do this by accepting our imperfections and living out the life God gave us, not the life we THINK God wants for us (which is really us trying to be someone we are not).
[image error]
I absolutely loved Foster's dry, quirky sense of humor; as a child of the 80s, I certainly got all the references and jokes and LOVED them all. Foster has a knack for telling a humourous story and then turning it into a deep, heartfelt lesson.
His section on fear and loss were particularly poignant and spot on. I loved hearing someone of faith telling us to "punch [our] fears in the throat". Sometimes I feel that people think we should speak in only conservatively and in pretty language. Pretty boring if you ask me. Foster gets to the heart of the matter and his words make a larger impact than simple platitudes and "nice" advice.
Funny, dry humor throughout with a heartfelt, serious message. Highly, highly recommended.
[image error]
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks NetGalley.
December 5, 2016
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What if I told you that you and your not-so-perfect story have been invited to experience the joy of second chance living.
Your critics and nay-sayers and those negative voices in your head have defined who you are and stolen your hopeful future for far too long!
The insecurity, shame, and judgment—That. Stops. Today.
This simple guide will show you how your imperfect life matters in ways you never thought possible. It will help you see your scars, flaws, and failures as unfair advantages and gifts that you can bring to the world.
Packed full of unfiltered honesty and simple next steps, this book will help you discover beauty in the brokenness.
MY REVIEW:
Mike Foster’s writing style is comical, easy to understand and engaging. Foster’s book does an excellent job at unpacking God’s grace which He extends freely to us. God redeems us despite how broken we are and calls us His masterpieces. This love and grace which we receive from God flows to us and from us toward others. As Foster states, “We are not just reservoirs of His love and grace. We are channels. We are rivers meant to flow.”
Far too often we define ourselves not by who God says we are but by the lies we believe about ourselves. Our lives become characterized by these lies we believe and it shapes our thoughts, behaviors and actions. As Paul sates in Romans 1:25, we exchange the truth of God for a lie. If this sounds like you, pick up a copy of Foster’s book and learn how to move beyond these lies you have come to believe about yourself and enter into your true identity about who God says you are.
Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey this is a good book to read. We never advance beyond God’s grace and our understanding and experience of it. It is God’s love that changes and transforms us and radically reorients us to be more loving toward others who are broken like we are.
About Mike Foster
Mike Foster is the Chief Chance Officer at People of the Second Chance. He has dedicated his life to helping people relaunch their lives with a sense of hope and purpose. He has been featured on Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and in The New York Times.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
What if I told you that you and your not-so-perfect story have been invited to experience the joy of second chance living.
Your critics and nay-sayers and those negative voices in your head have defined who you are and stolen your hopeful future for far too long!
The insecurity, shame, and judgment—That. Stops. Today.
This simple guide will show you how your imperfect life matters in ways you never thought possible. It will help you see your scars, flaws, and failures as unfair advantages and gifts that you can bring to the world.
Packed full of unfiltered honesty and simple next steps, this book will help you discover beauty in the brokenness.
MY REVIEW:
Mike Foster’s writing style is comical, easy to understand and engaging. Foster’s book does an excellent job at unpacking God’s grace which He extends freely to us. God redeems us despite how broken we are and calls us His masterpieces. This love and grace which we receive from God flows to us and from us toward others. As Foster states, “We are not just reservoirs of His love and grace. We are channels. We are rivers meant to flow.”
Far too often we define ourselves not by who God says we are but by the lies we believe about ourselves. Our lives become characterized by these lies we believe and it shapes our thoughts, behaviors and actions. As Paul sates in Romans 1:25, we exchange the truth of God for a lie. If this sounds like you, pick up a copy of Foster’s book and learn how to move beyond these lies you have come to believe about yourself and enter into your true identity about who God says you are.
Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey this is a good book to read. We never advance beyond God’s grace and our understanding and experience of it. It is God’s love that changes and transforms us and radically reorients us to be more loving toward others who are broken like we are.
About Mike Foster
Mike Foster is the Chief Chance Officer at People of the Second Chance. He has dedicated his life to helping people relaunch their lives with a sense of hope and purpose. He has been featured on Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and in The New York Times.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
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February 8, 2017People of the Second Chance (Review)
People of the Second Chance, written by Mike Foster, is not for everyone. The self-proclaimed "chief chance officer" seems to be trying to tread the line between cool guy you can talk to and knowledgeable, even wise spiritual leader. While he doesn't say he wants to be either (although the title "chief chance officer" may be telling), the frequent quips and joking remarks, which removed me each time from his point coupled with the definitive language surrounding his interpretation of the scriptures made this a sluggish read.
Foster makes liking him difficult from the beginning. He shares an experience which, if I guess correctly, is designed to make us identify with him, inform us of his credentials in the School of Life, and have us accept that we could find ourselves in a terrible situation with the law accidentally, just as he did. I found that tactic to be a bit off-putting simply because I don't like being led around by the nose. What he probably intended as a bombshell revelation, I was simply annoyed by because not enough facts were given about his personal experience and we are different people (I assume).
The most frustrating aspect of the book People of the Second Chance was the narrow interpretation of scripture. I found that I put the book down for a few days after reading his take on the story of the prodigal son. He essentially indicated that the party thrown for the prodigal son was an exclusive event that his brother wasn't invited to because he wasn't "dead" culturally speaking. This ignores the lesson for those who see a sinner on the road to repentance and judge them unworthy of a second chance. It was a total missed opportunity to make the message truly accessible.
I do not recommend People of the Second Chance. I appreciated the opportunity to read it. For this review I received this book, which I picked, from Blogging for Books for this review.
People of the Second Chance, written by Mike Foster, is not for everyone. The self-proclaimed "chief chance officer" seems to be trying to tread the line between cool guy you can talk to and knowledgeable, even wise spiritual leader. While he doesn't say he wants to be either (although the title "chief chance officer" may be telling), the frequent quips and joking remarks, which removed me each time from his point coupled with the definitive language surrounding his interpretation of the scriptures made this a sluggish read.
Foster makes liking him difficult from the beginning. He shares an experience which, if I guess correctly, is designed to make us identify with him, inform us of his credentials in the School of Life, and have us accept that we could find ourselves in a terrible situation with the law accidentally, just as he did. I found that tactic to be a bit off-putting simply because I don't like being led around by the nose. What he probably intended as a bombshell revelation, I was simply annoyed by because not enough facts were given about his personal experience and we are different people (I assume).
The most frustrating aspect of the book People of the Second Chance was the narrow interpretation of scripture. I found that I put the book down for a few days after reading his take on the story of the prodigal son. He essentially indicated that the party thrown for the prodigal son was an exclusive event that his brother wasn't invited to because he wasn't "dead" culturally speaking. This ignores the lesson for those who see a sinner on the road to repentance and judge them unworthy of a second chance. It was a total missed opportunity to make the message truly accessible.
I do not recommend People of the Second Chance. I appreciated the opportunity to read it. For this review I received this book, which I picked, from Blogging for Books for this review.
March 21, 2017
I read People of the Second Chance, in exchange for honest review from Blogging for Books. The book was written by Mike Foster. The book is Christian-based. The book is about the hurt and broken. We all have been given a second chance through God to live a more purposeful life.
One of the first things, which stood out was how God still loves us, despite our flaws, mistakes, hisotry, and past. On the same page, the author said we are not our failures: just because we have made mistakes, doesn't mean we are mistakes (p. 9). When our identity is defined wrong, we will "carry the wrong definition into your story. (p.9). God celebrates the broken. Page 13 said that we see the pain but miss the miracle of healing of ourselves and others around us. To be a second chancer, we must find the celebration. We should be like the prodigal son, who realized he was wrong. He came home to a celebration. His father (God) was happy his child returned.
The next chapter discusses how we need to embrace our messes and find peace within our lives. The author says we need to embrace our brokenness versus hiding it behind shame. God can turn our messes into something beautiful.
I liked the book because I am broken. I have defined my life, at times, by my mistakes. I have defined my identity by my mistakes. You can't grow spiritually if you focus on your mistakes and flaws. To sum it up, page 20 (paperback) says God "says whoever you are, whatever you look like, whatever mess you been in, don't worry about that anymore. You're mine and you're in good hands now.".
We are God's.
One of the first things, which stood out was how God still loves us, despite our flaws, mistakes, hisotry, and past. On the same page, the author said we are not our failures: just because we have made mistakes, doesn't mean we are mistakes (p. 9). When our identity is defined wrong, we will "carry the wrong definition into your story. (p.9). God celebrates the broken. Page 13 said that we see the pain but miss the miracle of healing of ourselves and others around us. To be a second chancer, we must find the celebration. We should be like the prodigal son, who realized he was wrong. He came home to a celebration. His father (God) was happy his child returned.
The next chapter discusses how we need to embrace our messes and find peace within our lives. The author says we need to embrace our brokenness versus hiding it behind shame. God can turn our messes into something beautiful.
I liked the book because I am broken. I have defined my life, at times, by my mistakes. I have defined my identity by my mistakes. You can't grow spiritually if you focus on your mistakes and flaws. To sum it up, page 20 (paperback) says God "says whoever you are, whatever you look like, whatever mess you been in, don't worry about that anymore. You're mine and you're in good hands now.".
We are God's.
August 24, 2017
"Everything in your life is a reflection of the choices you have made and what you believe about second chances. You will live out each day what you truly believe about God's grace. Your life won't lie about what is in your heart." - Mike Foster
This is the type of book you finish and just sit, thinking. I underlined and starred a grunch load of the book and will be processing for days.
People of the Second Chance is an ode to grace and love and the freedom that is inherent in our identity as ones beloved by God. Mike writes with candor about his own life, sharing details that squeezed my heart in a way that reflects his genuine belief that "God's power lives in us and works through us in all things." (208)
I particularly resonated with Chapter 6 - Change the Mixtape - in which Mike explains why there is nothing holy, spiritual, or godly about beating yourself up. As someone who errs on the side of judgement (of herself and others), I appreciated the practical tips and important reminders about how we define ourselves and how we treat others.
Mike goes first sharing some of the ick in his story and how God redeemed it so that it's easier for us to go second. I loved his honesty and will be thinking about this book for weeks to come.
This is the type of book you finish and just sit, thinking. I underlined and starred a grunch load of the book and will be processing for days.
People of the Second Chance is an ode to grace and love and the freedom that is inherent in our identity as ones beloved by God. Mike writes with candor about his own life, sharing details that squeezed my heart in a way that reflects his genuine belief that "God's power lives in us and works through us in all things." (208)
I particularly resonated with Chapter 6 - Change the Mixtape - in which Mike explains why there is nothing holy, spiritual, or godly about beating yourself up. As someone who errs on the side of judgement (of herself and others), I appreciated the practical tips and important reminders about how we define ourselves and how we treat others.
Mike goes first sharing some of the ick in his story and how God redeemed it so that it's easier for us to go second. I loved his honesty and will be thinking about this book for weeks to come.
December 3, 2017
The book is great for baby and adolescent Christians, but that’s as far as it will take anyone. In the end, it doesn’t talk about dying to self, only dying to what has caused you to be apart from God. While the latter sounds good, it is incomplete and ultimately will leave a person striving with the same sins, because the Sin hasn’t been dealt with. And Sin is that from which Christ has freed us. This book touches on the doing of sin, but not the being of sin … like so many others these days. It has great motivation for starting the journey, but more is needed for the long-suffering journey toward an eternity with the Almighty. The last line is a metonym, “Now let’s get together as people of the second chance and write a brave new ending.” You see? It puts the writing on us, so the book looks to end with God, but it doesn’t. It concludes with us doing the work of saving ourselves while believing in Jesus. We must believe, but allow the Holy Spirit (God) to write our journey and our ending. Doing it ourselves will continue to put us first, because the habit of Sin is continually being watered, and through pruned, will grow its dangerous fruit in other areas of our lives.
March 4, 2018
Rehabilitation and redemption. This is the Christian-centered message Mr. Foster presents through excellent story-telling skills. His retelling of the often-recited Prodigal Son story is the best I’ve heard.
Powerful boat story... bad things happen to good people. Suffering is inevitable. What do you do after the tragedy?
Restructure the prison system? The focus more on rehab? (Maybe... but what about retribution, deterrence?). Offers Finland’s criminal justice system as a model for how to decrease prison population...
Ask: What am I doing for the “least of these?”
*When I give what I don’t have, more seems to show up*
Words are like matches- cheap but powerful. Can be used to warm people like a campfire or destroy.
Seek to be loving, not right (judgmental)
1. Slow down
2. Assume the best
3. Replace snap judgments with snap “lovements”...Replace judgment with love
Red hawk story- preferred comfort of cages ... reminds me of Allegory of the Cave
Powerful boat story... bad things happen to good people. Suffering is inevitable. What do you do after the tragedy?
Restructure the prison system? The focus more on rehab? (Maybe... but what about retribution, deterrence?). Offers Finland’s criminal justice system as a model for how to decrease prison population...
Ask: What am I doing for the “least of these?”
*When I give what I don’t have, more seems to show up*
Words are like matches- cheap but powerful. Can be used to warm people like a campfire or destroy.
Seek to be loving, not right (judgmental)
1. Slow down
2. Assume the best
3. Replace snap judgments with snap “lovements”...Replace judgment with love
Red hawk story- preferred comfort of cages ... reminds me of Allegory of the Cave
May 7, 2018
“In spite of my deepest flaws and even beyond my own beliefs about myself, I am God’s Beloved.”
I love every message that this book brings. Foster paints the picture of our God who loves us so deeply, despite any and every flaw/hangup/mistake we could ever have or make. It is all about embracing your brokenness and allowing God to use it for good. More importantly, it is about embracing the forgiveness and redemption that we have through Christ, and how to convey that to other people so that they too can heal. I love Foster’s humor and candor in all of the personal stories he tells. I so appreciate the honesty and vulnerability that brought me to tears. Thank you Mike for the the beautiful message you’ve shared! Sincerely, His Beloved
I love every message that this book brings. Foster paints the picture of our God who loves us so deeply, despite any and every flaw/hangup/mistake we could ever have or make. It is all about embracing your brokenness and allowing God to use it for good. More importantly, it is about embracing the forgiveness and redemption that we have through Christ, and how to convey that to other people so that they too can heal. I love Foster’s humor and candor in all of the personal stories he tells. I so appreciate the honesty and vulnerability that brought me to tears. Thank you Mike for the the beautiful message you’ve shared! Sincerely, His Beloved
March 11, 2017
"If you think God feels disappointment when he looks at you, then you don't know God very well." Through his narratives and insights, it's clear that Foster worships the kind of God you want to know--the kind who is anything BUT disappointed in you. More than that, you'll finish this book convinced that the big forgiveness you've been shown was meant for you to extend to everyone around you. We're active participants in the process of offering second chances. Foster puts it simply: grace has a voice and that voice is yours.
July 7, 2017
Just finished People of the Second Chance book by Mike Foster and People of the Second Chance.
Honestly, you should probably order this book. It'll disrupt the status quo of your life; challenging you to love God, others and yourself in fresh waves. It's a game changer in experiencing God's grace in our own brokenness while also loving every other broken soul in the planet.
ps. The last chapter alone is worth the price of the book, Mike talks about the specific gifts available to us in each area of our brokenness.
Honestly, you should probably order this book. It'll disrupt the status quo of your life; challenging you to love God, others and yourself in fresh waves. It's a game changer in experiencing God's grace in our own brokenness while also loving every other broken soul in the planet.
ps. The last chapter alone is worth the price of the book, Mike talks about the specific gifts available to us in each area of our brokenness.
August 21, 2017
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I was happily surprised. It perfectly describes the life journey that so many of us have in regards to experiencing something that causes us to run from God and when we finally turn back and experience God's amazing grace, we become People of the Second Chance. We have the knowledge and experience of trying to do life on our own and then the amazing awakening when we let God work His wonderful ways with our life instead. The book contains good, practical advice as well in regards to self talk, trust and vulnerability. It was an enjoyable ride.
August 6, 2017
Skimmed most of this book. Didn't like his style writing...so many quotes...long long detailed stories that he used to illustrate a point but it felt like the story was more important than the spiritual point. It felt maybe like a good book for a new believer or unbeliever...agreed with him but could have been summed up in like one chapter.
August 9, 2017
5+ this book taught me so much and I have a new found freedom. I never have read a book in this caliber that held me the entire time! Perhaps Ragamuffin Gospel.....did as well. I will reread this for sure!
May 30, 2018
I enjoyed this book. The content was not something new, but it was good to be reminded. We read this in my weekly Bible study group. Some of the gals thought it a bit simplistic, but it was a good group study book.
December 1, 2016
Honest and real, a great encouragement
March 27, 2017
Finished it and immediately started again. So good!
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