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Unhitching from the Crazy Train: Finding Rest in a World You Can't Control
Unhitching from the Crazy Train provides the humorous inspiration, psychological insights, and biblical truths you need to find rest in a world you can’t control. Find practical ways to recognize and replace unrealistic expectations and unintentional efforts to control people and circumstances with God’s purpose and peace.
- GenresNonfictionChristianFaith
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2018
69 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 26, 2020
I just heard about Julie Sparkman from a friend and began one of her online studies. I liked the first week of the study so much I looked for her book on Kindle. It is a quick read with some very helpful insights. I love that she does not belabor her points but makes them and leaves them for us to apply. I love her gospel-centered approach to shame and sin. I love her paradigm of "He is in this," "He is in me." If you are confused by modern life, confused in parenting, confused in your walk with Christ, this book offers insights into how to shift your thinking towards the gospel and away from self.
February 6, 2018
i loved this book! The stories and pictures of our life have great value. So often we miss out on the beauty because the reality of our pictures does not match what we hoped our picture would look like. So we feel and act crazy!! This is an easy to read book, lots of humor mixed with thought provoking insight. This is not a self help book. It is more of frame maker to help your life’s story picture reflect the truth. How we view the picture of our story is the difference between joy and despair. Start today, and help yourself Unhitch From The Crazy Train!!
April 17, 2018
Great material from a Christian counselor.... seems to be presenting cognitive behavior therapeutic technique in a way that integrates the gospel in a format targeting stay at home moms. She uses a lot of the idol/addiction models used by Jack, Rose Marie and Paul Miller (Sonship/World Harvest Mission/Serge), Keller, Tripp etc.
July 22, 2020
"Circumstances and events don't drive our emotional storms; our thinking does."
That would be Sparkman's premise in concise words. I read this book in one afternoon, because the author does not waste words or elaborate when she has made her point. Something I appreciate greatly. I don't know that there's anything "new" about her premise or even her suggestions, but a good word from a wise person in a timely moment is worth gold.
That would be Sparkman's premise in concise words. I read this book in one afternoon, because the author does not waste words or elaborate when she has made her point. Something I appreciate greatly. I don't know that there's anything "new" about her premise or even her suggestions, but a good word from a wise person in a timely moment is worth gold.
May 18, 2018
‘UNHITCHING FROM THE CRAZY TRAIN: FINDING REST IN A WORLD YOU CAN'T CONTROL’ by Julie Sparkman and Jennifer Phillips is a dynamic, persuasive, liberating Christian psychotherapy at a price of a paper book. It will leave you feeling naked, exposed, wondering about the actual reality of the Big Brother (Sister?) watching.
Even if you believe your behavior is too untypical for a Christian to be described in a book like this and then dissected nicely, you still might find there the exact phrase you keep uttering to your spouse (friend? child? yourself?); the patterns you tend to act in, though desperately trying to get rid of the destructive habit and longing to break away from the vicious circle - all being deconstructed.
The message of the book is cross-cultural, as it doesn’t deal with the societal build-up, lifestyle diversity or the artificiality of our masks. It goes right to the core, penetrating your soul, making you feel vulnerable, making you feel free.
There’s no magic there. Just the redeeming truth of the raw, untrimmed Gospel by a Christian counselor on the very nucleus of our Brigitte Jones-style lives.
P. S. And it’s ridiculously funny, too (you might be ashamed of yourself for laughing out loud if you take it to public space, but this incredible feeling is worth it).
Even if you believe your behavior is too untypical for a Christian to be described in a book like this and then dissected nicely, you still might find there the exact phrase you keep uttering to your spouse (friend? child? yourself?); the patterns you tend to act in, though desperately trying to get rid of the destructive habit and longing to break away from the vicious circle - all being deconstructed.
The message of the book is cross-cultural, as it doesn’t deal with the societal build-up, lifestyle diversity or the artificiality of our masks. It goes right to the core, penetrating your soul, making you feel vulnerable, making you feel free.
There’s no magic there. Just the redeeming truth of the raw, untrimmed Gospel by a Christian counselor on the very nucleus of our Brigitte Jones-style lives.
P. S. And it’s ridiculously funny, too (you might be ashamed of yourself for laughing out loud if you take it to public space, but this incredible feeling is worth it).
February 6, 2018
I really can’t say enough positive things about this book. It’s scripturally solid, highly readable, and thought-provoking.
The authors utilize practical techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy, saturated in the truth of the gospel, to help their readers experience heart-change and mind-transformation.
The attention-grabbing title alludes to the basic premise that rest comes NOT from working to achieve one’s perfect picture of life, but solely from fixing ones gaze more fully on Christ. “He is in this. He is in me.”
Unhitching from the Crazy Train would be an excellent pick for a small group bible study or book club.
* I was given an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The authors utilize practical techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy, saturated in the truth of the gospel, to help their readers experience heart-change and mind-transformation.
The attention-grabbing title alludes to the basic premise that rest comes NOT from working to achieve one’s perfect picture of life, but solely from fixing ones gaze more fully on Christ. “He is in this. He is in me.”
Unhitching from the Crazy Train would be an excellent pick for a small group bible study or book club.
* I was given an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2018
This book is a must. It makes you stop and think in different situations and evaluate how you are walking out your life. Are you trusting God or are you trying to "fix" life yourself?
I like that at the end of each chapter the authors provided thought provoking questions that help you find clarity in learning how to walk out the Gospel and rest in his Word. We weren't meant to do this alone or figure it out by ourselves.
I am thankful for the opportunity to read this book at this time in my life.
I was given a copy by the publisher.
I like that at the end of each chapter the authors provided thought provoking questions that help you find clarity in learning how to walk out the Gospel and rest in his Word. We weren't meant to do this alone or figure it out by ourselves.
I am thankful for the opportunity to read this book at this time in my life.
I was given a copy by the publisher.
March 14, 2018
This book is so inspirational! It helped me put life into a Christ-centered perspective. I love the concepts presented in an uncomplicated, "user friendly" manner. There are numerous nuggets of wisdom and tips for coping with life. Overall, if you're feeling stressed and want to understand how to get off the "crazy train," this book will provide you with a great tool for not only coping but thriving in the way God intended us to!
November 29, 2018
I loved this book! It convicted me, made me laugh, made me cry. It didn't try to fix me, or give me lists or goals to accomplish in order to improve my life. Instead, it got to the heart issues of trusting and resting in Jesus when we are stuck in circumstances that we can't fix or change. Julie Sparkman writes with vulnerability and humor, and I love how she communicates deep truths with both gentleness and boldness. I would recommend it to EVERYONE.
March 8, 2024
I picked this book up at a local thrift store. I absolutely loved it and how it applies to my life. She gives great guidance on how to retrain your thoughts- to stay in the present and focus on what is real and true today. That is so helpful to decrease the anxious thoughts that come our way. We have so many passages in the Bible on fear and anxiety, but we often still worry so much. This was great advice on how to start focusing less on the worries!
September 22, 2021
I loved this book and it’s practical approach. It helped me to take a good look at myself and the reasons I continue to take a ride on the Crazy Train. I am learning to stop laboring toward a picture-perfect life and instead embrace reality while seeking how God is working through my story for His glory. It is not finished yet.
February 7, 2021
Brilliant
Soooo needed! Lots of great gems in here to learn to live way meant to. It is great. Will need to keep reading and practicing it until becomes my MO. Highly recommend it. It helps!
Soooo needed! Lots of great gems in here to learn to live way meant to. It is great. Will need to keep reading and practicing it until becomes my MO. Highly recommend it. It helps!
July 28, 2021
Unhitching from crazy train is thought provoking and intimate. It helps look into your heart and how God sees us as his children.
Unhitching from crazy train is thought provoking and intimate. It helps look into your heart and how God sees us as his children.
Unhitching from crazy train is thought provoking and intimate. It helps look into your heart and how God sees us as his children.
February 8, 2018
Great book. Very helpful. Loved the questions for personal reflection at the end of each chapter.
December 4, 2023
Loved this one !!
August 8, 2025
4.5 stars
October 21, 2019
Well worth the read. This is a very thought provoking book that at times is very personally stretching. Time invested in the questions is life transforming.
August 8, 2022
Walked through this with a group of ladies and loved it so much! The title threw me off a bit but I’m so glad I read it. She is hilarious which made it an easy read, but also challenged me so much to keep my eyes fixed above, and not on the here and now! Will now be looking for a way to go hear her speak bc I can imagine it would be so fun and encouraging!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews