What do you think?
Rate this book
Stay the Path: Navigating the Challenges and Wonder of Life, Love, and Leadership
God calls all women to some level of leadership. Yet seeing yourself as a leader, discerning what one is meant to do, and navigating one's role as a woman and leader can be a challenging task. Drawing on the wisdom of 40 years of ministry, Bobbie Houston helps all women to discover their specific purpose and divine calling in STAY THE PATH. She shares the truths and experiences that have kept her and her husband, Brian Houston, on course, on point, and focused on the path before them. Readers will be able to recognize and believe in their unique gifts. Packed with personal stories, helpful advice, and leadership strategies for women, this book will challenge readers to claim their God-given potential and lead with confidence, poise, and grace.
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2017
51 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 31, 2019
I like taking my time with Christian books because I read them partly as devotionals, but this one took me longer than usual because I found it scattered. It's a lovely message, but the sections within the chapters felt rambling, not cohesive.
July 17, 2018
It is not easy task to live each day for Jesus and to walk the path of Christian leadership in this world. Bobbie Houston shares wisdom that she has gleaned from living her life for Christ and encourages others to Stay the Path.
Throughout Stay the Path, Houston draws on her forty years of ministry and encourages women (and men) to live a life of example and to remain true to their calling. Each chapter is packed with personal stories and Scripture, along with helpful advice, to live each day with boldness for Christ and to lead by example. Houston writes these words near the end of the book, "Keep your boots in the soil of the fields you are called to, keep your eyes on the dawn light of that approaching day and keep the flame of His love burning bright within." She also shares lyrics from Hillsong's praise songs within several chapters. If you are familiar with those lyrics, you can hear the music in your mind and the message sticks even better.
It took me a little bit to get in to Stay The Path. This is my first book by Houston and she packs a lot of information in a small amount of space. Even though this book is 171 pages long, it was not a quick read for me. I had to digest parts of Stay The Path in smaller bites. It would make a great book to read during devotional time and to reflect on Houston's words and how they relate to your own life.
I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. #partner
Throughout Stay the Path, Houston draws on her forty years of ministry and encourages women (and men) to live a life of example and to remain true to their calling. Each chapter is packed with personal stories and Scripture, along with helpful advice, to live each day with boldness for Christ and to lead by example. Houston writes these words near the end of the book, "Keep your boots in the soil of the fields you are called to, keep your eyes on the dawn light of that approaching day and keep the flame of His love burning bright within." She also shares lyrics from Hillsong's praise songs within several chapters. If you are familiar with those lyrics, you can hear the music in your mind and the message sticks even better.
It took me a little bit to get in to Stay The Path. This is my first book by Houston and she packs a lot of information in a small amount of space. Even though this book is 171 pages long, it was not a quick read for me. I had to digest parts of Stay The Path in smaller bites. It would make a great book to read during devotional time and to reflect on Houston's words and how they relate to your own life.
I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. #partner
February 2, 2018
It's been awhile since I read this but I know I loved it! I learned so much from reading Pastor Bobbie's life experiences. This book encouraged me a lot to 'stay the path' that the Lord had planned for me. Even if life doesn't go the smoothest road all the time, but we can be sure that God will always be with us.
February 1, 2021
At times this book was deeply irritating, but in the end was full of encouragement I needed.
May 31, 2017
A short, but encouraging read. Pastor Bobbie always seems to have a word in season for my life. Funny enough, my dog recently chewed up my journal that contained all of my notes that I took at Colour last year. I was sad to have lost some handwritten treasures that I had gleaned from Pastor Bobbies messages as well as the other speakers. Some points made in this book were also what I had written down from her messages the year before. I'm thankful for her including it this recent book. Part of the reason I love reading her books is that I can picture her speaking it aloud with her quirky and lovable personality. I appreciate her obedience and passion for Christ and pray that it never gets old (wink, wink)!
April 1, 2017
This book is a must read and I highly recommend it. As I turned the pages I was reminded that God was never going to ask something of me that I couldn't walk through. That He has graced me for every season. Don't we all need to be reminded of this. Whenever I read a non-fiction book I go at it with a pen in my hand and underline key sentences which stand out to me. I had to stop doing this in Pastor Bobbie's book, because there are so many. So get a copy and start reading. Thank you so much Pastor Bobbie for sowing into my life.
June 18, 2017
This is a very inspiring book and so easy to read. I love how Bobbie is so giving and honest in this book and it has made a huge difference in how I see my calling from God.
She shares the experiences she and her husband have had as pastors of Hillsong church. They have had wonderful experiences but also very hard experiences. She tells us that if satan is out to destroy Jesus, he is out to destroy his bride, the church. We shouldn't be surprised when we become targets and are attacked.
We are taught how she stood her course by being grounded in God's Word and how these difficult times have shaped her and helped her to be a stronger woman of God. I love how she tells us we have the capacity to hear God's heart for our life and calling as we trust Christ. He definitely has a plan for us and we do have a calling. This isn't always easy to remember as we go about our daily lives that seem so mundane. She helped me to see that my calling is just as important as hers.
She also shares how we can and should know how to fight spiritual warfare. As targets for satan, we need to know we have a God who is more than able to see us through these situations and we need to call on Jesus during these hard times. We need to stand on our strength in Christ.
I got so much out of this book and I'm sure you will, too. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Hatchett Book Group
She shares the experiences she and her husband have had as pastors of Hillsong church. They have had wonderful experiences but also very hard experiences. She tells us that if satan is out to destroy Jesus, he is out to destroy his bride, the church. We shouldn't be surprised when we become targets and are attacked.
We are taught how she stood her course by being grounded in God's Word and how these difficult times have shaped her and helped her to be a stronger woman of God. I love how she tells us we have the capacity to hear God's heart for our life and calling as we trust Christ. He definitely has a plan for us and we do have a calling. This isn't always easy to remember as we go about our daily lives that seem so mundane. She helped me to see that my calling is just as important as hers.
She also shares how we can and should know how to fight spiritual warfare. As targets for satan, we need to know we have a God who is more than able to see us through these situations and we need to call on Jesus during these hard times. We need to stand on our strength in Christ.
I got so much out of this book and I'm sure you will, too. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Hatchett Book Group
July 28, 2021
Absolutely amazing book! Bobby Houston is such a wise woman of God. Whether your calling is to be a pastor, worship leader, or anything else in the Kingdom of God, this book still applies to your life. I never realized all that Bobby has experienced in her life and it was so helpful to know that you're never alone in the feelings and events you experience because someone else has gone through those things too. I highly recommend reading this fantastic book and learn a thing or two from Pastor Bobby Houston!
August 28, 2017
A message from the heart of Bobby Houston: "Everything under the sun has beginning and end, start and finish, and everything created by God is created with intent and purpose, completion and fulfillment. Yet, it is what happens along the journey that is of paramount importance." Stay the Path is an encouragement for women who are called to church leadership. Speaking of her own personal journey, she's been through it all.
June 2, 2019
If you know Bobbie from Hillsong Church, you’ll surely aware that this isn’t her first book. The main reason why she writes is to share her testimony about encountering the glory of God. How her life and her family went on to being missionaries just to spread the good news. She’s also the founder of “Sisterhood” - a platform for women to be empower, encourage and influence others for a better and greater purpose which that is of course a life journey with Christ.
January 20, 2018
Excellent read with practical hands-on takeaways
Bobbie does an excellent job sharing her story while offering relevant and relatable advice on how to stay the path in all areas of your life. Her experience solidifies everything she writes about and it's deeply routed in Biblical truths.
Bobbie does an excellent job sharing her story while offering relevant and relatable advice on how to stay the path in all areas of your life. Her experience solidifies everything she writes about and it's deeply routed in Biblical truths.
April 3, 2018
This is a Goodreads win review. I really loved this book. It is about navigating the challenges of life, love and leadership. We each have our own path in life which sometimes we do not understand. This book has so much good information in it. I have found my journey has changed in life and I can now embrace that.
November 9, 2018
Love it!!! Bobbie has done an incredible job in sharing her story and pouring out perspective and wisdom for the reader to glean from. It has a beautiful flow to it and is an easy read while constantly challenging with love and care. This is definitely a book I am going to hold close and constantly turn back to.
February 3, 2020
I’ve tried to read this book multiple times—alone, in a book club—and haven’t been able to finish it until I just trudged through it. The writing is very poetic, which could hit me differently in different seasons, but, in this season, I didn’t really need the poetic encouragement. I can see that I’d pick this up down the road, though, because I really like Bobbie Houston.
May 26, 2018
The vision, journey, and heart shared in these pages are needed. They encourage, bring healing, and restore hope for all who seek to follow the path set by Christ before us. I could not recommend this book more!
January 9, 2020
Stay in the Path
This is an amazing book, filled with so much insight!
I love the message of joy, fulfillment and seeking after God and his amazingness! shared by Bobbi Houston in this book. Highly recommended!
This is an amazing book, filled with so much insight!
I love the message of joy, fulfillment and seeking after God and his amazingness! shared by Bobbi Houston in this book. Highly recommended!
May 24, 2022
Through this book, the author argue that when you settle within yourself that you are called, anointed, and armed for this journey through life—whether in the realm of life, love, or leadership—nothing has the capacity to knock you off the path or steal what is yours in Christ.
January 18, 2018
beautifully written and so poetically captures the female spirit of leadership and the special place of women in the church.
June 1, 2018
Encouraging helpful and inspiring. Bobbie shares her heart honestly.
September 2, 2018
Love everything about this book.
June 24, 2019
Reading this book is like a cool breeze and glass of cold water for the soul. It is filled with equal parts encouragement and grit for the journey. I loved it.
June 12, 2020
reading this book feels like you could hear Bobbie speaking in front of you. what an encouraging book. thank you, Mama Dove. love xoxo
July 16, 2020
A little less structured than expected but with many gems along the way. Bobbie Houston edifies the reader with her experiences and fearless conviction.
June 27, 2022
Good book enjoy every chapter
July 26, 2022
An inspiring, honest & easy read!
April 15, 2017
Bobby Houston brings leadership and sends a powerful message in "Stay the Path", which is ground in scripture. I find this book to be for the ordinary woman seeking to bring her passions to light. I love how authentic Bobby is in bringing her own journey in this book, which makes her so relatable and tells the reader that she is not alone either. Leaders can start out strong, but few will continue for years to come, Bobbie continues to show what strong dedicated leadership looks like and she continues to endure the race. I love how her life is lived out through this book and it extremely challenging to read, watch, but also encouraging at the same time. I could just gush about this book. The second half of this book was my favorite, but overall, this book was just wonderful from beginning to end! I especially loved chapter seven where she talks about how wisdom is costly. I whole heartily agree with that statement. So much pain and trials people have had to go through, especially pastors have had to go through in order to gain wisdom. I just love the perceptive of this entire book! It has so so many great truths about leadership in general! You just have to grab a copy! I give this book 5/5 stars. This is a book that will stay on my shelf. Thank you to the publishers for providing me a complimentary copy for review purposes only.
April 24, 2017
Stay the Path is a beautiful book that lays out how to keep going toward your purpose and destiny. Finally...someone has written on the struggles on your adventures with God. I've always heard you need to be in God's will. It sounded like that was the sweet spot and life would go easy. What a lie! In God's will brings about struggles and battles like never before.
Bobbie graciously comes alongside you and says yes this is hard. It's hard but this is what I've learned. This is how God comes through. This is what you need to remember. I've read this book twice and will likely read many times more. Stay the Path goes in my pile of life-altering, life impacting books that I want to have to refer back to until God calls me home. I will recommend Stay the Path to everyone I know. If you are struggling to understand why fulfilling your purpose is so hard you need this book. If you feel like giving up...you need this book. If you feel alone on the journey even when many friends surround you...but they can't do it for you...you need this book.
Bobbie writes like the voice of a dear friend if my journey could teach you anything this is what I would say. I've not really known of Bobbie Houston. I'm not a fan. I don't even have a passing interest...she simply wasn't on my radar. Stay the Path crossed my path during a time where I was struggling to move forward. Tempted to quit. Tired of all those people speaking large things into my life. Things so much bigger than me. Stay the Path was like a refreshing drink of water to a thirsty soul.
Stay the Path was a reminder that I have what it takes because God has me. It served to assure me that I am not the only one struggling to stay the path. It made me feel less alone and provided the wisdom I didn't have on my own. Thank you, Bobbie, for being willing to guide others with such openness. It seems far too little has been said before about what it takes to live out your purpose and actually talk about the trials and far too much has been said about everyone having purpose without getting real about it.
Bobbie graciously comes alongside you and says yes this is hard. It's hard but this is what I've learned. This is how God comes through. This is what you need to remember. I've read this book twice and will likely read many times more. Stay the Path goes in my pile of life-altering, life impacting books that I want to have to refer back to until God calls me home. I will recommend Stay the Path to everyone I know. If you are struggling to understand why fulfilling your purpose is so hard you need this book. If you feel like giving up...you need this book. If you feel alone on the journey even when many friends surround you...but they can't do it for you...you need this book.
Bobbie writes like the voice of a dear friend if my journey could teach you anything this is what I would say. I've not really known of Bobbie Houston. I'm not a fan. I don't even have a passing interest...she simply wasn't on my radar. Stay the Path crossed my path during a time where I was struggling to move forward. Tempted to quit. Tired of all those people speaking large things into my life. Things so much bigger than me. Stay the Path was like a refreshing drink of water to a thirsty soul.
Stay the Path was a reminder that I have what it takes because God has me. It served to assure me that I am not the only one struggling to stay the path. It made me feel less alone and provided the wisdom I didn't have on my own. Thank you, Bobbie, for being willing to guide others with such openness. It seems far too little has been said before about what it takes to live out your purpose and actually talk about the trials and far too much has been said about everyone having purpose without getting real about it.
April 18, 2017
Houston has written this book to encourage women along the journey and stay the path. Her idea is to lead by example so she relates many of her own experiences in the book. They are good examples and will give courage and hope to readers.
Houston shares the experiences that shaped her as she served alongside her husband for over four decades in the multi-faceted ministry of Hillsong. She helps us understand what kept them on course and focused, even during adverse circumstances. She writes of the necessity of conviction in the complexities of life. She writes of doing spiritual battle, reminding us that we Christians will have situations designed to mature us. She encourages us to have strength, to rely on the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Companion. She notes the necessity of our calling and understanding the responsibility that goes with it, choosing to work hard. She also encourages us to have clean hands and a pure heart.
This is a good general book of encouragement for women. It will be especially meaningful for women who have been blessed through the ministry of Hillsong. It is a refreshing account of giving glory to God for being the Shepherd throughout her journey in life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Houston shares the experiences that shaped her as she served alongside her husband for over four decades in the multi-faceted ministry of Hillsong. She helps us understand what kept them on course and focused, even during adverse circumstances. She writes of the necessity of conviction in the complexities of life. She writes of doing spiritual battle, reminding us that we Christians will have situations designed to mature us. She encourages us to have strength, to rely on the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Companion. She notes the necessity of our calling and understanding the responsibility that goes with it, choosing to work hard. She also encourages us to have clean hands and a pure heart.
This is a good general book of encouragement for women. It will be especially meaningful for women who have been blessed through the ministry of Hillsong. It is a refreshing account of giving glory to God for being the Shepherd throughout her journey in life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
January 3, 2019
Bobbie's candor and honesty about the experiences she's had in life and ministry are heartwarming and will undoubtedly touch the hearts of so many who are looking for how to stay in alignment with God's plan for their lives.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews