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Healthy. Happy. Holy.: 7 Practices toward a Holistic Life
"Take care of yourself."It's an encouragement we offer freely to others but often withhold from ourselves. Why is self-care so hard for Christians to embrace? Perhaps it starts with our view of God. Dr. Joe Gorman contends that God desires his children to live healthy, rested, and joyful lives. Healthy. Happy. Holy. addresses the whole of life, exploring the importance of seven practices that, when intentionally combined, become a routine Gorman calls soul care. These practices are a means of grace to us as we learn to enjoy the life God intends.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2018
9 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 30, 2018
I am both disappointed in and appreciative of this work.
I appreciate that Gorman shares some of his testimony here and that he reflects -thinly but theologically- on otherwise neglected topics, topics like sleep and obesity. I appreciate that he speaks fairly sanely about diet (as opposed to dieting) in a world of extreme mixed messages, inappropriate and unrealistic standards, and misinformation.
I appreciate that he acknowledges some of the complexities of the issues he is addressing - social inequality, food deserts, disabilities, eating disorders... I am glad that he understands the limits of human consciousness (bandwidth) for addressing life-draining epidemics in our world and attempts to speak this understanding into invitation, grace, and peace.
But mostly I am disappointed.
Maybe it is because I am a woman whose life has been more grossly impacted by severe and dysfunctional messages about health, beauty, body, and Christianity, but did we need another voice chanting "eat better" and "exercise more"?
Maybe it is because this reads more like a blog post than the paradigm-challenging and thought-provoking piece I was expecting, hoping for, or thinking the Evangelical church needed?
I am probably just disappointed that this book simply didn't say what I wanted it to say, with the seriousness I wanted it to say it. I have witnessed the damage caused by 'busy pastors' who are more interested in success and looking good than living out a whole and holy theology, a lifestyle of Christianity that shares any kind of good news. I suppose I wanted him to call us out a little more, dig in a little more to the actual spiritual disciplines underlying our eating, stress, and depression.
I appreciate the voice of another traveler on the path to wholeness - we need to know that we are not alone in our desire for something better, for something more. Unfortunately, though, that is largely how this book left me - wanting something more.
I appreciate that Gorman shares some of his testimony here and that he reflects -thinly but theologically- on otherwise neglected topics, topics like sleep and obesity. I appreciate that he speaks fairly sanely about diet (as opposed to dieting) in a world of extreme mixed messages, inappropriate and unrealistic standards, and misinformation.
I appreciate that he acknowledges some of the complexities of the issues he is addressing - social inequality, food deserts, disabilities, eating disorders... I am glad that he understands the limits of human consciousness (bandwidth) for addressing life-draining epidemics in our world and attempts to speak this understanding into invitation, grace, and peace.
But mostly I am disappointed.
Maybe it is because I am a woman whose life has been more grossly impacted by severe and dysfunctional messages about health, beauty, body, and Christianity, but did we need another voice chanting "eat better" and "exercise more"?
Maybe it is because this reads more like a blog post than the paradigm-challenging and thought-provoking piece I was expecting, hoping for, or thinking the Evangelical church needed?
I am probably just disappointed that this book simply didn't say what I wanted it to say, with the seriousness I wanted it to say it. I have witnessed the damage caused by 'busy pastors' who are more interested in success and looking good than living out a whole and holy theology, a lifestyle of Christianity that shares any kind of good news. I suppose I wanted him to call us out a little more, dig in a little more to the actual spiritual disciplines underlying our eating, stress, and depression.
I appreciate the voice of another traveler on the path to wholeness - we need to know that we are not alone in our desire for something better, for something more. Unfortunately, though, that is largely how this book left me - wanting something more.
September 2, 2025
This book is a great resource for tools to live well. Dr Gorman encourages readers to incorporate each of the seven habits into their lives so that they can live fully for the Lord. We can’t do what He has called us to do if we are not physically able (as much as we can be). He discusses things such as sleep, exercise, nutrition, and more.
April 24, 2022
A great guide to implementing a healthy holistic life
Healthy, Happy, and Holy is a well written, practical guide to implementing practices that can change how we live. Dr. Gorman shares his own journey and challenges. Take the time to read it and more importantly implement his suggestions. You will be glad that you did!
Healthy, Happy, and Holy is a well written, practical guide to implementing practices that can change how we live. Dr. Gorman shares his own journey and challenges. Take the time to read it and more importantly implement his suggestions. You will be glad that you did!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews