God Is in the Small Stuff

by Bruce Bickel, Stan Jantz

Bruce and Stan's newest book encourages readers not to disregard the minor, insignificant things in life. Rather, "God Is in the Small Stuff..."encourages a better understanding of God's infinite character, reminding readers that He is a personal and intimate God, involved in every detail of their lives, however minute. "God Is In the Small Stuff...and it all matters" contains 40 chapters, with titles such as "Remember that God Loves You," "Discipline Yourself (No One Else Will)," and "Contentment Won't Kill You." Each chapter includes an introductory commentary in the tongue-in-cheek Bruce & Stan style, followed by bits of pithy and sometimes humorous wisdom.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Faith, Inspirational, Spirituality, Self Help

249 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Cynthia Kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Live your life with an overwhelming sense that God is present in the details all around you."

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Bruce & Stan & it won’t be the last. I have now noticed that there are several more similar to this one, and I hope they will update them just like they did this one.

I love how this is written as a Devotional, but it is in chapter mode, and the chapters are short enough so you can read more than one chapter a day.

I have to admit that my favorite part is at the end of each chapter
...In the Small Stuff: lots of good advice, and great thoughts to ponder and live by everyday.

This is a book that I will re-read many times in the years to come, and I will definitely be purchasing some copies to give as gifts. It is one of the best books that I have read in a long time.

“I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”

[Robby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words for thought or thoughts to ponder. Some may empower - some may not.

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Saw this book, wondering how God can be in the small stuff if there is no proof there is God. So looked for chapter proving their theiss. Same cliche arguments: there must be a creator, this is proven by Genesis saying there is a creator (circular argument, Bible cannot be the proof for the existence of God); then there's the obsession with the beginning and the something can't come from nothing argument, which we can't discuss because we don't know enough about it, and it is only our perception that leads us to believe that something can't come from nothing. anyhow, if this is true, then God could not have come from nothing, something had to create God blah blah....this argument is sooooo boring. how does anyone fall for any of this?

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife and I read this devotional together. Makes you think of how God is at work in everything that goes on with our lives. It always amazes me how you have something going on in your life and then the devotional that evening is right on point.

Cute little one liners at the end of each devotional. Maybe too many though.

Anything that gets you and your spouse in God's word and praying together is a good thing. Not just for couples though.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I took note of A LOT of quotes from this book ... I have quite a collection that I look back on from time to time. This book has turned out to be very inspiration.

[Missltking · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!! It is a constant reminder that God is there for all things minor and major and that we should look to Him and within ourselves to accomplish our goals in life!!

[CHEYENNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread this book once very five years. Great reminders of how to live well.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

God Is in the Small Stuff by Bruce Bickel, Stan Jantz
Stop worrying, and invite God into the details of your life!
Bruce & Stan's bestselling God Is in the Small Stuff is back and better than ever in this special 20th-anniversary edition! And their message--God is in all of life's little details--is as timely today as it was two decades ago. While encouraging you not to disregard the minor, insignificant things in life, God Is in the Small Stuff invites a better understanding of God's infinite character, reminding you that He is a personal and intimate God, involved in every detail of your life. God Is In the Small Stuff. . .and it all matters features 40 chapters covering topics like "Remember that God Loves You," "Discipline Yourself (No One Else Will)," and "Contentment Won't Kill You." Each chapter includes commentary in the classic, tongue-in-cheek Bruce & Stan style, followed by pithy, often humorous, wisdom.
This book offer encouragement. The 40 chapters gives godly wisdom for knowing God, trusting Him and living a life that pleases Him.
CONTENTS Introduction
1. Understand the Nature of God
2. Get to Know God Better
3. Realize That God Loves You
4. You Can Know God’s Will
5. God Wants You to Grow
6. The Bible: God’s Message to You
7. Give God Time
8. Prayer: The Great Connector
9. Church: Where God’s People Gather
10. Appreciate God’s Creation
11. Character: What Happens When No One’s Looking
12. What Would Jesus Do?
13. Discipline Yourself (No One Else Will)
14. Improve Yourself (No One Else Can)
15. Your Body Is a Temple
16. Simplify Life and Enjoy It More
17. Arrange Your Priorities
18. Contentment Is Good for the Soul
19. Stop Worrying and Start Living
20. Embrace Adversity
21. The God Who Comforts Us
22. Learn to Read
23. Learn to Write
24. Communication Is More Than Talking
25. Encouragement Is a Gift
26. Leadership Is an Art
27. Money: Learn to Deal with It
28. A Generous Spirit Works Wonders
29. Compassion: Much More Than Pity
30. Laugh and the World Laughs With You
31. Criticize and You Walk Alone
32. Relationships Take Time
33. How to Really Love Your Spouse
34. The Perfect Gift for Your Young Child
35. How to Really Love Your Teenager
36. When Your Child Leaves Home
37. Families Are Forever
38. You Need Your Friends
39. Carpe Diem: Seize the Day
40. God Is in the Small Stuff
I highly recommend reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
God Is in the Small Stuff by Bruce Bickel, Stan Jantz is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz.
Hope Comfort And Encouragement From The Bible by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
God Is in the Small Stuff... And It All Matters by Bruce Bickel, Stan Jantz
Bruce and Stan's Guide to God by Bruce Bickel, Stan Jantz
Bruce & Stan's Guide to the End of the World
I'm Fine with God... It's Christians I Can't Stand: Getting Past the Religious Garbage in the Search for Spiritual Truth
Knowing the Bible 101: A Guide to God's Word in Plain Language

[Leslie McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I reviewed the 20th anniversary edition of this book which contains forty short essays designed to help the reader on their journey to seek God in the small details we encounter on a daily basis. Scripture verses are included throughout to reinforce the points. Numerous topics are addressed, including: getting to know God better, arranging your priorities, releasing worry, and finding contentment.

I enjoyed the fact that each chapter ends with "In the Small Stuff," and here are some of my favorites from those sections:

-"The time to find moments of stillness and quiet is when it's the most difficult to do so."
-"Prayer changes things."
-"Once in a while, set a goal that absolutely terrifies you."
-"Whenever you feel insignificant, remember how important you are to God."
-""You can't plan for the future by looking in the rearview mirror."

If you're looking for a quick read that will give you something to ponder and encourage you as well, this is a book to check out.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, but I wasn't required to leave a review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known about not "sweating the small stuff" for many years, but actually I don't think that is accurate. The small stuff can be extremely important in life. I've learned from experience small stuff matters since I've made mistakes thinking otherwise!
This book is an updated edition for Today's Readers since a lot has changed in the last 20 years.
Bruce & Stan put this book of good advice together with many words to ponder. There are 40 very short chapters with each of them being quite different from the last.
Since I am a believer I appreciate all the time spent on this book. If one doesn't believe, it still would be beneficial to read since it is easy reading and everyone has a different life story, don't we? In other words, there is something here for everyone!
It is a beautiful small hard cover book that will make an wonderful gift.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[Beverly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know that fun and exciting feeling when you open up a fortune cookie and read what's inside? That's what this book is like! This book is packed with inspirational, funny, and helpful quotes that you will want to highlight and read over and over again. Now of course these quotes are much better than a fortune cookie, because these words are meant to help you improve your relationship with the Lord which is definitely the most important thing in life. This short and sweet book is full of great advice pertaining to family, priorities, prayer, and much more. The hardback binding and ribbon bookmark also add a touch of beauty to this book and make it a perfect gift option. I really enjoyed reading this book and found many things I would like to write on Post-it notes and stick around the house as reminders and motivation. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[C.E. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this little book showcases how big our God is! He is revealed in the tiniest details!

God is in the Small Stuff is an inspirational book, similar to a devotional. It inspires me to seek God in the ordinary—the small stuff—and to depend on Him to take care of all the small and big things in my day to day life.

Each chapter only takes minutes to read, yet what I read encourages me throughout the entire day. The 20th Anniversary Edition hardback comes with a ribbon bookmark.

Author: Bruce & Stan
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
Pages: 256
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[Marie Pinkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome assurance we have - that our big and mighty God, creator and overseer of a vast universe is interested in the tiniest details of our lives. This little book has many reminders to reassure us, when some of those little things are tripping us up yet again. Perfect for reading while sipping a cup of our favorite beverage, where we can immerse ourselves in God's promises to be there for everything - big or small. A great gift for someone who might be in a season of doubt, or just needs reminders of His love and care.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has encouraged me when I have felt discouraged. The verses at the beginning of each reading are very encouraging. The readings are inspiring. The small Stuff listings at the end of each reading are gentle reminders the God is with us no matter what. I am truly inpired by this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[Betty Wendland · Rating 5 out of 5]

God is in the Small Stuff and it all Matters is an easy read. Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz have put together short topics to spark the reader’s interest and encourage them about the everyday things in their lives. I loved the verses at the beginning of each chapter. It’s easy to read a chapter at a time or skip around in the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[Cheri Swalwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

God is in the Small Stuff is a great book. I’m so glad I read this book. It’s the perfect sized devotional that gives me meat to chew on throughout the day. Not too long for my busy day; yet not so short either. It’s impactful, inspiring, encouraging and makes me think.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to review. However, all opinions expressed are solely mine.

[Bridget's Quiet Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. Some things were said that, although I understood what they were trying to say, could be taken as invalidating feelings of others and/or what others are dealing with. Other than that, I learned a lot & underlined quite a bit. It can be a book I go back over again ("scanning") & get some refreshers.

[Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Refuse to be lazy. Take control of your time.”

Controlling my time is reading this book as soon as I’m finished because it’s an excellent way to start the day. He gives me refuge and I never knew I needed it this bad.

[Dawnmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational

[Deborah Gaspar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is a helpful reminder to appreciate all we have in life.

[Anne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great spiritual handbook filled with helpful and inspiring quotes to live your life seeing God in the small stuff. It really is the little things in life that make everyday special.

[Jenique Yearwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing Book for seeing the beauty of God in everything that we do and appreciating life in a whole new way.

[Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book-part of my "feel good" collection!

[Natalie L Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and plan on reading several more times !!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book about daily living. I would recommend this book to everyone for encouragement and a reason to get up every morning!!!

[Steve Kingsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully succinct reminders of God's love.

[Ali Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, very light read with some great reminders about God's sovereignty, love, and involvement even in the mundane aspects of your life.

[Willow Redd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book exists as the antithesis of the ever-popular Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. Authors Bruce and Stan (how very camp counselor of them to only use their first names on the cover like that) feel that God was somehow snubbed by Dr. Carlson and decided to fix that with their own book.

While there are some good points made by Bruce (Bickel) and Stan (Jantz), I feel like they should have actually bothered to read "Small Stuff" because they cover a lot of the same ground, just with a hyperfocus on God being a part of it all. There is even a chapter that tells you not to worry about the minor things you can't control... which is exactly the point of Dr. Carlson's book!

As I said, there are some nice platitudes here, but I feel like good ol' Bruce and Stan should have paid a little more attention to what Dr. Carlson was trying to say in his book instead of immediately trying to counter with a more God-heavy version.

[Jennie]

Someday, I will not feel obligated to read the books people give me, even though they hold no interest for me. Then, I will be truly free.

This book was totally uninspiring, a combination of cliches, advice so obvious it hurts to read it, bad jokes, and the occasional rant that could be interpreted as scary. Clearly, this book is intended for people who don't like to think too deeply. It wasted my time.

I think I'll hang on to it for five years or so, just because I feel bad getting rid of presents that people give me. But when an appropriate amount of time has passed, I think I'm going to use it as kindling in the fireplace. And it will be so satisfying.