Dare to See: Discovering God in the Everyday

by Katie Brown

Discover God in everything you do as "How-To Expert" Katie Brown teaches you to slow down, pay attention, and find your footing during tough times.




Brown is known as a "Lifestyle Diva." Through her TV shows, books, blogs and social platforms she offers her 1+ million fans both inspiration and guidance on how to create a rich, abundant life decorating their homes, creating fabulous meals and hosting memorable events. However, these are the small things that decorate our lives. Brown believes that the real beauty, the real color, can only be achieved by tuning into the ultimate expert-God. Brown shares how she has found God outside the church walls by embracing the sacred as a natural part of everyday life.




DARE TO SEE includes 30 personal essays that illuminate how Brown has found God's presence in her own real-life experiences from early childhood to the present. From being a victim of a drive-by shooting, experiencing incredible career success or searching for family fulfillment, Brown's stories will resonate with anyone whose life has been touched by doubt, hurt, defeat, understanding, love, abundance and hope.




In DARE TO SEE , Brown shows us how to discover God everywhere we go and in nearly everything we do as we learn to pay attention, slow down, live with purpose, and fully, joyfully see all we've been given.

Genres: Memoir, Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2019

Reviews

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have watched Katie Brown on her how-to television shows many times over the years. It is always fun to see what she will cook or make but I don't feel like I really knew who she was. However, Brown's new book, Dare to See, gives me so much insight into her heart and soul that I truly kept reading her essays as one would read a novel.


I read Dare to See straight through the book from start to finish but Brown encourages readers to start reading in any order with a story that speaks to your heart. Brown's book is a series of random essays that are based on true stories she experienced throughout her life. She has them grouped under these topics: doubt, hurt, defeat, understanding, love, abundance and hope. Each reading starts with a Bible verse, then Brown shares her story and the reading ends with a small section "For Further Reflection" and "Put it into Practice." On the back of Dare to See, Brown encourages you to pick a story, read the story, then reflect on it as to how it relates to your story, and she encourages you to put new habits and actions into practice after reflection.



I enjoyed reading Brown's stories in Dare to See. I see where the book could be used as a morning devotional, an evening time of reflection or just read whenever you feel like it for a pick-me-up. Her stories did give me pause for reflection. One of my favorite stories was "George" because she especially touched my heart with that one, but I enjoyed them all. By the end of the book, I felt like Brown and I had been meeting at the local coffee shop and I came away the better for it. I dare you to pick up Dare to See and read these touching essays for yourself.


I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own. #sponsoredbyfaithwords

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

You might know Katie Brown from her books or her TV shows. She's a woman who is not afraid to be real with God. She is a woman who sees Him in the daily events of her life. She wants you to see Him too.

Brown shares highlights of her life, events where she has seen the hand of God in what happened. Events like being shot while walking a sidewalk, skiing, a love-hate relationship with alcohol, adopting, buying a house, miscarriages, and the impact of an aunt's bread recipe. She writes about making a mess of a speaking engagement where thirteen hundred were present. That woke her up and ultimately led to this book. She writes about opportunities to make relationships and show love, about giving up something you love for someone you love.

Brown shares her stories with the hope that we will also never be afraid to be real with God. She wants us to tell Him our foolish fears and our idiotic immaturity. He will “help you walk onward and upward,” she writes. (Loc 466/2826)

To help us relate to the stories she tells, Brown has included questions for reflection after each story. She also provides suggestion to put our new insights into practice.

Perhaps the main message of this book is included in one of Brown's practice suggestions. “Stop, breathe, notice, and reflect on the signs that are right in front of you that prove you are not alone.” (Loc 1936/2826)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Vonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories of God’s guidance and faithfulness in Ms. Brown’s life. She shares stories how He was present and guiding in her in her career, her later-in-life marriage, her first time speaking at a women’s retreat, in purchasing each of her homes, in her relationships at church, and in having and adopting her children. The stories were very relatable and down to earth. They were both interesting and poignant. She doesn’t shy away from speaking of heartaches, regrets, mistakes made and lessons learned.

This is how she describes her relationship with God: “I rarely feel much older than twelve when we discuss our daily goings-ons. In many ways, God is my best friend, my number one. God is as breathtaking to me as when I look out on fresh snow, smooth and fresh and glistening and silent and not yet touched by anything on earth.”

I don’t know a thing about Katie’s TV show because I never watch TV. But this was a wonderful introduction to everything Katie Brown, especially since she was speaking about one of my favorite topics: God working in an individual’s life.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review,

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Brown is known for her how to television show and while I have never seen her show, I have read many of her great ideas on her website. She is known for her DIY ideas. More than her awesome ideas and fun cooking recipes, she opens her heart in Dare to See, which gives the reader an insight to the transforming work of God throughout the four walls of the church.

Dare to See was an awesome and easy autobiography/ memoir that I was able to read in two sitting. Katie is an author that writes from her heart through a series of essays based on her own life experiences. She writes topically, which makes reading this book super fun and conversational. I feel as though she is sitting across the table from me. This book could be read as devotional, especially with the way the chapters are divided.

I really enjoyed this book and thought it was an easy, but enjoyable read. This would make a great gift or a devotional. Thank you to the publisher for providing this book. #sponsoredbyfaithwords

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just OK in my opinion. I had never heard of Katie Brown nor her books or TV programs. She evidently is really successful. Someone mentioned to her that she should write a book with her thoughts about what she has learned. She starts each chapter with a Bible verse, although when I read her short chapters, I'm not sure that she really understands about being born again (a true Christ believer/follower). She skips back and forth with the chapters covering her childhood and her adulthood and things she has learned. The thoughts are there, but they didn't really make a life changing impact on me. One chapter early on, I didn't like about how she is sousing herself claiming she doesn't think her tea totaling family has any bearing on her behavior.

[Nancy Shaner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Katie Brown for a long time. I enjoyed getting to know her more through this book. I appreciate her sharing her stories with us. Her faith and spiritual journies are lessons we can all use. Very pratical and down to earth. I used it as a devotion book, a chapter a day. I recommend this book for anyone interested in adding to their own spiritual journey. Seeing God in the every day circumstances of our lives is so important.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book through and did nothing with the suggestions at the end of the essays. The stories are grouped faith, hope, love, etc. Going further now, I can go to each section as I need it and do the work that follows.
This book is a great reminder that we are Christians in process. We seek to be who we were created to be. Katie does a good job helping with that process.

[Nelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned of this author and her book in a magazine article. It is an interesting and inspiring read by a Lifetime television personality. Katie Brown is very down to earth, totally relatable and enjoyable.

[Denise Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book filled my heart, my soul, reaffirmed my Faith, and is beautifully written. In this season of giving, it would make the perfect gift for yourself and others.

[Rhonda]

Katie shares stories of her life and how her faith in God played such an important role. Very uplifting book.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her personal stories are interesting and she has a down to earth quality about her. I didn't relate to all her stories but I found a few of them helpful and inspiring.

[Caroline Keys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book! Her moments of God are so inspiring and truly amazing. Really well written