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Love Changes Everything
We all crave love. We try to fill the void inside with any number of poor substitutes. We seek validation from empty outlets. We're thirsty for compliments. We change who we are to impress people who aren't looking and don't care. Yet, we are still desperately searching for a love that changes everything for us, a love that doesn't fade and doesn't fail--even when we do.
That's the kind of love God shows that he has for us through the remarkable story of Hosea and Gomer. Unpacking this powerful love story from the Old Testament in a way you have never heard, pastor Micah Berteau releases us from the fears, hurts, insecurities, and anxieties of life by showing us just how extravagantly we are loved--in spite of our faults, our failures, and our sins. If you're tired of trying so hard to be worthy of someone else's love, lost in what's fake, or drawn to live in the temporary, Micah Berteau has good news for you--there is a better way to live and love.
Foreword by Jentezen Franklin.
That's the kind of love God shows that he has for us through the remarkable story of Hosea and Gomer. Unpacking this powerful love story from the Old Testament in a way you have never heard, pastor Micah Berteau releases us from the fears, hurts, insecurities, and anxieties of life by showing us just how extravagantly we are loved--in spite of our faults, our failures, and our sins. If you're tired of trying so hard to be worthy of someone else's love, lost in what's fake, or drawn to live in the temporary, Micah Berteau has good news for you--there is a better way to live and love.
Foreword by Jentezen Franklin.
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 8, 2019
This book takes love to all who new level. Author, Micah Berteau, uses the story of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible to illustrate the love Christ has for us--even as we are. Going deeper than what most believe about love, the author writes with conviction, humor, and truth, revealing how big and encompassing REAL love is. It definitely moved me to consider love in a new light and the only thing I wish this book had was a reader reflection section either within the book or as a companion because the topics in each chapter deserve introspection, which I think would make the book more fulfilling overall.
***I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.***
***I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.***
September 8, 2019
MUST READ. This book has changed my life and my outlook. I found healing while reading and gained even more depth on the love of God. So many great examples that made it easy to read, understand and apply to my life. THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS BOOK!
September 9, 2019
You will love this book! Easy read...BUT Powerful, encouraging and absolutely reveals the love of God in a fresh way. You won’t regret this read.
Side note: Don’t bother with the review from Dale, he’s clearly hurt and just off about this book.
Side note: Don’t bother with the review from Dale, he’s clearly hurt and just off about this book.
September 3, 2019
“What are you going through right now? Is life great? Is life terrible? No matter what you’re going through, there is a love that will sustain you through it all. Whether life is good or life is hard, your significance rests in the arms of God.”
Love. It’s a feeling that we all have and that we all desire. Yet, as Micah Berteau describes in his newest book, love is more than just a feeling. Berteau uses the story of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible (which is foreshadowing of the love of Jesus) to demonstrate what true love is in a world that is full of people being fake. The story of Hosea’s unconditional love for Gomer, and how he bought her back after she returned to her sinful life, is one of my favorite stories. Every woman wants to be cherished with a love that powerful. The good news is that we are, by our Lord and Savior, Jesus. “What kind of love would pay a price to buy something that already belonged to him? Yet Jesus did. On the cross he paid the price for us. He got what we deserved so we could get what we don’t deserve. Salvation. Hope. Love that radically alters everything. This is a crazy love.”
We often feel separated from God or unloved as we strive to survive the pain and disappointments that we face in this life. Yet as Berteau points out: “Worldly disappointments are not separations. Just because you feel separated does not mean you are. Your disappointments do not distance you from God’s love; they cause you to forget where it is and how to access it.” This reminder was really encouraging to me. Even when I am feeling far from God, He is not far from me. His love for me is unchanging. His love for you and all of the world is unchanging as well. Even though we all sin and have weaknesses, He will never stop loving us. “God is ready to turn your disadvantage into your advantage.”
This book was a fairly quick read for me, but it definitely packed a punch. The message of the book was comforting, encouraging, and got me thinking. It is a great read for anyone who needs to learn or needs a reminder of what true love really is.
I received a copy of this book from the Revell Reads blogger program. All opinions are my own.
Love. It’s a feeling that we all have and that we all desire. Yet, as Micah Berteau describes in his newest book, love is more than just a feeling. Berteau uses the story of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible (which is foreshadowing of the love of Jesus) to demonstrate what true love is in a world that is full of people being fake. The story of Hosea’s unconditional love for Gomer, and how he bought her back after she returned to her sinful life, is one of my favorite stories. Every woman wants to be cherished with a love that powerful. The good news is that we are, by our Lord and Savior, Jesus. “What kind of love would pay a price to buy something that already belonged to him? Yet Jesus did. On the cross he paid the price for us. He got what we deserved so we could get what we don’t deserve. Salvation. Hope. Love that radically alters everything. This is a crazy love.”
We often feel separated from God or unloved as we strive to survive the pain and disappointments that we face in this life. Yet as Berteau points out: “Worldly disappointments are not separations. Just because you feel separated does not mean you are. Your disappointments do not distance you from God’s love; they cause you to forget where it is and how to access it.” This reminder was really encouraging to me. Even when I am feeling far from God, He is not far from me. His love for me is unchanging. His love for you and all of the world is unchanging as well. Even though we all sin and have weaknesses, He will never stop loving us. “God is ready to turn your disadvantage into your advantage.”
This book was a fairly quick read for me, but it definitely packed a punch. The message of the book was comforting, encouraging, and got me thinking. It is a great read for anyone who needs to learn or needs a reminder of what true love really is.
I received a copy of this book from the Revell Reads blogger program. All opinions are my own.
September 7, 2019
I really liked the real world example Micah Berteau used in Chapter One to relate how we mess up but how God still loves us anyway. I have to say it was a unique way to explain this concept. Also in Chapter One, I was surprised when Micah compared Jesus and what He did for our salvation to a Michael Jackson song. I am not saying that I loved his comparison nor hated his comparison because it did make sense and it was clever but I just wouldn’t have thought to compare the sacrifice just made to a Michael Jackson song. To understand what he was saying you will have to read the book yourself. Throughout the rest of the book the author uses other relatable things to explain biblical concepts. I like that the chapters in this book are pretty short and to the point. The author doesn’t get off topic and ramble about irrelevant things. He also puts in relevant scriptures where needed to go with the point he is trying to make. Overall I’d say this is definitely a book that will make you think and that can help you understand God’s love for you more than you did or emphasize what you already knew of His love for you.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.
September 7, 2019
I heard a lot about this book, so I decided to buy the Kindle version and read it, but by the end, I was disappointed I did.
Berteau's, "Love Changes Everything: Finding What's Real in a World Full of Fake," is an elementary, disjointed presentation of the love of God that was, no doubt, significant to the author. However, for me it was an underwhelming read riddled with flawed assertions, maybe the worst analogy ever, an obvious inaccuracy, and shallow treatment (exegesis) of the story of Hosea and Gomer.
Let's hit a few significant issues of the book by looking at the author's words (all quotes have been copied from Amazon Kindle):
QUOTES AND RESPONSE
Quote #1: "If you read through the sixty-six books of the Bible, you will find many stories and references to the love of God. However, one story reveals the immaculate love of God stronger than others, and that is the awkward love story of Hosea and Gomer." (Page 22)
Response: Berteau is wrong. The "one story [that] reveals the immaculate love of God stronger than others" is God sending His Son, Jesus, to the earth to give His life to redeem every person. Any Christian with an elementary understanding of the sixty-six books of the Bible would agree. In missing this fundamental truth, Berteau stupefies any reader who is paying attention. Is this a good story to demonstrate the love of God? Absolutely. Is it stronger than others? Some stories, but certainly not more than Jesus.
Quote #2 (Smooth Criminal): "There is a line in the song where MJ talks about how the person never really saw the crime coming because of how smooth and surprising the criminal acted. This analogy may seem strange to you, but stay with me for a minute. When God sent Jesus as his ultimate showcase of love for us, he became the smoothest criminal of all time. Jesus, full of love and truth, stole death, hell, and the grave away from Satan's grip. He stole the power of sin. He stole the hearts of all those who would relinquish their lives to him. And we never even saw it coming." (Page 24)
Response: Berteau is right about one thing: This analogy does sound strange, and do you know why? Because it is strange, as well as entirely foreign and incongruent with the Bible. The use of the Michael "MJ" Jackson's song, "Smooth Criminal," is one of the worst analogies in written or oral history. First, "MJ's" song is about a woman getting attacked in her apartment by a criminal. Hence, the "bloodstains on the carpet." As such, there is NO CONNECTION TO JESUS IN ANY SENSE NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY!!!
Secondly, Berteau's forced analogy directly contradicts what Jesus said about Himself in John 10:10 (NIV). "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." Get this: Jesus is THE CONTRAST OF A CRIMINAL, so to start a book in this manner should serve as a warning to the reader that other misguided notions may lie ahead.
Finally, Jesus is not a "smoothest criminal of all-time" because it's not stealing when you already own someone or something. Jesus is out to reclaim what the enemy has stolen; that which rightfully belongs to Him, just as Hosea did when he bought back his wife. Instead, Satan is the "smooth criminal" coming at us like an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). While Berteau's "clever" thought sounds "cool," it is blatantly wrong! Most Christians who will allow themselves to stop and think about this for even a few seconds will realize this statement is heretical (a belief or opinion contrary to Christian doctrine).
How did the publisher let this get through?!? Wow, just wow!
Quote #3 (Six Flags Over Texas): "As we began to walk through the park, I remember being surrounded by thousands of people. It was also the hottest day in Texas history, or at least it felt that way. As we were walking, I looked up and saw a ride called The Demon." (Page 18)
Response: There's only one problem here: There has never been a ride named the Demon at Six Flags Over Texas. I have been going to Six Flags Over Texas since 1983, and the ride has inarguably never been in this theme park. Don't just trust me, you can check for yourself at https://guidetosfot.com/parkinfo/hist... and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Fla.... (For those wondering, there was a Demon rollercoaster at Six Flags Great America.)
Why is this significant? Consider the author's words: "We drove into Arlington, Texas, and my parents surprised my two older sisters and me with a trip to Six Flags. Side note: my current church that I planted in 2018 is twenty minutes from this particular theme park. This will prove to be significant, as this fun trip turned into one of the most memorable and impactful moments of my life." (Page 18)
Berteau is laying the foundation for him coming to the DFW Metroplex using a story that is not accurate. If he is not precise on the most straightforward and easily verifiable details in a book, he leaves himself open to valid criticisms. Why should he be believed moving forward? Side note: I do not think he, in any way, intentionally did this, but he did it, nonetheless. Words matter, as does the truth. It's one thing to misstate something when a person is speaking accidentally. However, when writing a book, the author has ample time to verify facts before it is released.
Quote #4: "So God named Hosea's children "undisciplined," "deprived," and "disowned." (Page 47)
Response: Jezreel's name did not mean "undisciplined," it means "God scatters" or "God sows." (If he had a different source, he didn't include it in his notes, but no Bible Dictionary has this name meaning "undisciplined.") Berteau took too much poetic liberty to help him make a later point, but one cannot "change" what a name means to support their point. There was so much more rich information that could have been explained to demonstrate the love of God toward His people further using the name Jezreel.
Quote #5: "Real love brings boldness and courage. You no longer fear rejection or failure, because you know even if you fail by the world's standards, you cannot lose the most valuable asset in your life: the love of Jesus." (Page, 73)
Response: This thought sounds good, but it's just not accurate; or at the very least, his opinion needs further development. Does anyone think the early Christians who were thrown in with the lions in the Colosseum felt no fear? Were they not in "real love?" What happens when a company fires an employee, and they don't know when their next meal is coming from tomorrow? If they feel fear, are they not in "real love?" If a person is naturally timid, are they not in "real love?" The analysis here is far too simplistic and lacking. It can, ultimately, lead people into feeling condemned when they are struggling with their emotions like many of the great men and women of God recorded in Hebrews 11. Or were none of those members of the Hall of Faith in "real love?"
WHAT WAS MISSING?
Problem #1: In a book proclaiming to speak about love from a Christian perspective, Berteau completely omits an examination of the Hebrew word for "love" in using the Old Testament story of Hosea and Gomer. Just a reminder to everyone: The Old Testament is written in Hebrew, so a great place to talk about "love" as seen in this story is an examination of the Hebrew word, "ahava." There is very little in-depth treatment given to the biblical meaning of the word "love," other than the use of the New Testament word "agape" that was referenced four times in Chapter Seven in the same section. Why would someone focusing an entire book on the love of God not use the biblical word to define "love?"
Problem #2: Any book with fifteen chapters purporting to show someone the difference between what is fake and what is real should have more than six "notes" at the end. What does this mean? There appears to be very little research into the biblical definition of love. Also, Berteau needs to be careful in making statements without citing sources, especially if he wants the book to be taken seriously by people outside of Christianity, as well as those who are inside. High school term papers require more than that to receive a passing grade.
Conclusion
The book does have its' positive notes in helping people to recalculate how they think about how God loves them, and that's why I gave it two stars. However, it's hard to overlook the obvious.
God's love, without a doubt, changes everything! However, this cliché-filled book did not. When someone writes in their Introduction that this book may "change my existence," they need to deliver because I am going to pay attention to every detail. Unfortunately though, the book did not deliver anything "new" about love that hasn't been written and preached for centuries.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV) What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Revell and Baker Publishing, you can do much better.
Berteau's, "Love Changes Everything: Finding What's Real in a World Full of Fake," is an elementary, disjointed presentation of the love of God that was, no doubt, significant to the author. However, for me it was an underwhelming read riddled with flawed assertions, maybe the worst analogy ever, an obvious inaccuracy, and shallow treatment (exegesis) of the story of Hosea and Gomer.
Let's hit a few significant issues of the book by looking at the author's words (all quotes have been copied from Amazon Kindle):
QUOTES AND RESPONSE
Quote #1: "If you read through the sixty-six books of the Bible, you will find many stories and references to the love of God. However, one story reveals the immaculate love of God stronger than others, and that is the awkward love story of Hosea and Gomer." (Page 22)
Response: Berteau is wrong. The "one story [that] reveals the immaculate love of God stronger than others" is God sending His Son, Jesus, to the earth to give His life to redeem every person. Any Christian with an elementary understanding of the sixty-six books of the Bible would agree. In missing this fundamental truth, Berteau stupefies any reader who is paying attention. Is this a good story to demonstrate the love of God? Absolutely. Is it stronger than others? Some stories, but certainly not more than Jesus.
Quote #2 (Smooth Criminal): "There is a line in the song where MJ talks about how the person never really saw the crime coming because of how smooth and surprising the criminal acted. This analogy may seem strange to you, but stay with me for a minute. When God sent Jesus as his ultimate showcase of love for us, he became the smoothest criminal of all time. Jesus, full of love and truth, stole death, hell, and the grave away from Satan's grip. He stole the power of sin. He stole the hearts of all those who would relinquish their lives to him. And we never even saw it coming." (Page 24)
Response: Berteau is right about one thing: This analogy does sound strange, and do you know why? Because it is strange, as well as entirely foreign and incongruent with the Bible. The use of the Michael "MJ" Jackson's song, "Smooth Criminal," is one of the worst analogies in written or oral history. First, "MJ's" song is about a woman getting attacked in her apartment by a criminal. Hence, the "bloodstains on the carpet." As such, there is NO CONNECTION TO JESUS IN ANY SENSE NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY!!!
Secondly, Berteau's forced analogy directly contradicts what Jesus said about Himself in John 10:10 (NIV). "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." Get this: Jesus is THE CONTRAST OF A CRIMINAL, so to start a book in this manner should serve as a warning to the reader that other misguided notions may lie ahead.
Finally, Jesus is not a "smoothest criminal of all-time" because it's not stealing when you already own someone or something. Jesus is out to reclaim what the enemy has stolen; that which rightfully belongs to Him, just as Hosea did when he bought back his wife. Instead, Satan is the "smooth criminal" coming at us like an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). While Berteau's "clever" thought sounds "cool," it is blatantly wrong! Most Christians who will allow themselves to stop and think about this for even a few seconds will realize this statement is heretical (a belief or opinion contrary to Christian doctrine).
How did the publisher let this get through?!? Wow, just wow!
Quote #3 (Six Flags Over Texas): "As we began to walk through the park, I remember being surrounded by thousands of people. It was also the hottest day in Texas history, or at least it felt that way. As we were walking, I looked up and saw a ride called The Demon." (Page 18)
Response: There's only one problem here: There has never been a ride named the Demon at Six Flags Over Texas. I have been going to Six Flags Over Texas since 1983, and the ride has inarguably never been in this theme park. Don't just trust me, you can check for yourself at https://guidetosfot.com/parkinfo/hist... and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Fla.... (For those wondering, there was a Demon rollercoaster at Six Flags Great America.)
Why is this significant? Consider the author's words: "We drove into Arlington, Texas, and my parents surprised my two older sisters and me with a trip to Six Flags. Side note: my current church that I planted in 2018 is twenty minutes from this particular theme park. This will prove to be significant, as this fun trip turned into one of the most memorable and impactful moments of my life." (Page 18)
Berteau is laying the foundation for him coming to the DFW Metroplex using a story that is not accurate. If he is not precise on the most straightforward and easily verifiable details in a book, he leaves himself open to valid criticisms. Why should he be believed moving forward? Side note: I do not think he, in any way, intentionally did this, but he did it, nonetheless. Words matter, as does the truth. It's one thing to misstate something when a person is speaking accidentally. However, when writing a book, the author has ample time to verify facts before it is released.
Quote #4: "So God named Hosea's children "undisciplined," "deprived," and "disowned." (Page 47)
Response: Jezreel's name did not mean "undisciplined," it means "God scatters" or "God sows." (If he had a different source, he didn't include it in his notes, but no Bible Dictionary has this name meaning "undisciplined.") Berteau took too much poetic liberty to help him make a later point, but one cannot "change" what a name means to support their point. There was so much more rich information that could have been explained to demonstrate the love of God toward His people further using the name Jezreel.
Quote #5: "Real love brings boldness and courage. You no longer fear rejection or failure, because you know even if you fail by the world's standards, you cannot lose the most valuable asset in your life: the love of Jesus." (Page, 73)
Response: This thought sounds good, but it's just not accurate; or at the very least, his opinion needs further development. Does anyone think the early Christians who were thrown in with the lions in the Colosseum felt no fear? Were they not in "real love?" What happens when a company fires an employee, and they don't know when their next meal is coming from tomorrow? If they feel fear, are they not in "real love?" If a person is naturally timid, are they not in "real love?" The analysis here is far too simplistic and lacking. It can, ultimately, lead people into feeling condemned when they are struggling with their emotions like many of the great men and women of God recorded in Hebrews 11. Or were none of those members of the Hall of Faith in "real love?"
WHAT WAS MISSING?
Problem #1: In a book proclaiming to speak about love from a Christian perspective, Berteau completely omits an examination of the Hebrew word for "love" in using the Old Testament story of Hosea and Gomer. Just a reminder to everyone: The Old Testament is written in Hebrew, so a great place to talk about "love" as seen in this story is an examination of the Hebrew word, "ahava." There is very little in-depth treatment given to the biblical meaning of the word "love," other than the use of the New Testament word "agape" that was referenced four times in Chapter Seven in the same section. Why would someone focusing an entire book on the love of God not use the biblical word to define "love?"
Problem #2: Any book with fifteen chapters purporting to show someone the difference between what is fake and what is real should have more than six "notes" at the end. What does this mean? There appears to be very little research into the biblical definition of love. Also, Berteau needs to be careful in making statements without citing sources, especially if he wants the book to be taken seriously by people outside of Christianity, as well as those who are inside. High school term papers require more than that to receive a passing grade.
Conclusion
The book does have its' positive notes in helping people to recalculate how they think about how God loves them, and that's why I gave it two stars. However, it's hard to overlook the obvious.
God's love, without a doubt, changes everything! However, this cliché-filled book did not. When someone writes in their Introduction that this book may "change my existence," they need to deliver because I am going to pay attention to every detail. Unfortunately though, the book did not deliver anything "new" about love that hasn't been written and preached for centuries.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV) What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Revell and Baker Publishing, you can do much better.
September 21, 2019
The idea that love changes everything is one I definitely agree with—but I must say that this book was not at all what I was expecting! Perhaps I misunderstood the book blurb, but I was under the impression that this book was about how our love can change our surroundings and relationships. However, the book is actually about how living with full knowledge of God's love for us can change everything about our own lives. Micah Berteau wants everyone to know the amazing and transforming love of Jesus, and then to go forth and live loved.
The Bible is clear that God's love toward us is vast and incomprehensible. He showed ultimate love by giving His Son to die for us. Yet it can be easy to teach little children to sing Jesus Loves Me while we as adults feel like we must strive to earn His favor and stay in His good graces. Yet what could we do that would ever make us more worthy in God's eyes? He has already declared His love in the biggest, boldest ways. If we understand this, it can transform how we view Him, how we view ourselves, and how we interact with Him.
Berteau uses the story of Hosea and Gomer to illustrate many of his points. Although I had a basic knowledge of this minor prophet and his message, I had not looked into it in an in-depth way. I appreciated his insights and the way he brought the account to life.
One of my favorite parts of the book was how the author reminded us that with Jesus we have nothing to lose and nothing to prove. God has already done it all. Of course His desire is that our love prompts us to live in humble obedience, and truly living loved will help us say no to temptation because we realize God has already met our needs and can fill the deepest desires of our heart. Another of my favorite quotes comes from Chapter 10: "What if you zeroed in on God's goodness more than anything else? You would know you are loved, called, highly favored, not forgotten, and powerful in the hands of God."
I would recommend this book for anyone who needs the reminder that they are valued and precious in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.
I received my copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
The Bible is clear that God's love toward us is vast and incomprehensible. He showed ultimate love by giving His Son to die for us. Yet it can be easy to teach little children to sing Jesus Loves Me while we as adults feel like we must strive to earn His favor and stay in His good graces. Yet what could we do that would ever make us more worthy in God's eyes? He has already declared His love in the biggest, boldest ways. If we understand this, it can transform how we view Him, how we view ourselves, and how we interact with Him.
Berteau uses the story of Hosea and Gomer to illustrate many of his points. Although I had a basic knowledge of this minor prophet and his message, I had not looked into it in an in-depth way. I appreciated his insights and the way he brought the account to life.
One of my favorite parts of the book was how the author reminded us that with Jesus we have nothing to lose and nothing to prove. God has already done it all. Of course His desire is that our love prompts us to live in humble obedience, and truly living loved will help us say no to temptation because we realize God has already met our needs and can fill the deepest desires of our heart. Another of my favorite quotes comes from Chapter 10: "What if you zeroed in on God's goodness more than anything else? You would know you are loved, called, highly favored, not forgotten, and powerful in the hands of God."
I would recommend this book for anyone who needs the reminder that they are valued and precious in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.
I received my copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
October 2, 2019
There are a lot of books about God's love, but in my opinion there can't be too many. It is an area I struggled in for so long, so I am always interested in reading and/or reviewing a book on that subject.
This author is new to me, and this may be his first book. I liked his style of writing. He isn't preachy, and writes in an interesting and easy to read style, yet writes with depth. He takes a couple of different approaches to talk about God's love for us. He uses some stories from when he grew up and got in trouble, and related his dad's reactions to how God is with us. He also uses the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer and brings out some great points and truths from that story.
Disclosure: I moved right after getting this book in the mail, and had trouble finding it after my move, so I read through it faster than normal to meet the review dates. I still got a lot out of it, but plan on going back through it at a slower pace. There is a lot of great truths about God's love in this book, and it is worth reading no matter if you struggle to believe God loves you, or if you haven't had any doubts for years.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
This author is new to me, and this may be his first book. I liked his style of writing. He isn't preachy, and writes in an interesting and easy to read style, yet writes with depth. He takes a couple of different approaches to talk about God's love for us. He uses some stories from when he grew up and got in trouble, and related his dad's reactions to how God is with us. He also uses the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer and brings out some great points and truths from that story.
Disclosure: I moved right after getting this book in the mail, and had trouble finding it after my move, so I read through it faster than normal to meet the review dates. I still got a lot out of it, but plan on going back through it at a slower pace. There is a lot of great truths about God's love in this book, and it is worth reading no matter if you struggle to believe God loves you, or if you haven't had any doubts for years.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
September 29, 2019
I was offered a free copy of this book for review purposes, and the description had me intrigued. I had just heard a sermon about the story of Hosea and Gomer, and the timing seemed more than a coincidence, so I jumped at the chance.
This book promises to be life-changing. The author uses the example of Hosea and Gomer - where God tells the prophet to marry a prostitute, who later leaves him to run back to her old life, and instead of leaving it there, God expects Hosea to go and buy his own wife back - to show us exactly how much God loves us.
There were some good parts to this book and things to think about, but overall I just didn't connect with the author and what he was trying to get across. I didn't find any of it life-changing or earth-shattering, but overall it was a decent read with some good reminders. Perhaps for someone who has been struggling to understand the reality of God's love, it can be the book that changes everything...
Thanks to Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) for the copy. All opinions are my own.
This book promises to be life-changing. The author uses the example of Hosea and Gomer - where God tells the prophet to marry a prostitute, who later leaves him to run back to her old life, and instead of leaving it there, God expects Hosea to go and buy his own wife back - to show us exactly how much God loves us.
There were some good parts to this book and things to think about, but overall I just didn't connect with the author and what he was trying to get across. I didn't find any of it life-changing or earth-shattering, but overall it was a decent read with some good reminders. Perhaps for someone who has been struggling to understand the reality of God's love, it can be the book that changes everything...
Thanks to Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) for the copy. All opinions are my own.
September 13, 2019
I received this book an advanced readers copy from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are exclusively my own.
I wanted to love this book, but could not. It is not the author, the plot, or even his perspective of the story of Hosea and Gomer.
That being said, I still found positives to take away.
Be true to yourself. Do not let the opinions of others change the trajectory that God has laid out for you.
Change is possible as long as you believe and work toward that change. Change only happens while moving forward and you can't be walking backwards while doing so and expect to change. Change will not happen if you are looking to your past for present answers.
Love is the answer...isn't that what "they" say? As far as God is concerned, love is the answer. It is about challenging yourself to do better than yesterday, last week, or last year.
We have to admit our weaknesses. Your weakness (shame, guilt, anger, jealousy, etc) will have no hold on you if you exterminate it. Your past can teach you what not to do and where to never go again.
As Christians, we are called to be the feet of Jesus. Feet are meant for walking, not sitting in pews looking down your nose at those that don't meet YOUR criteria. You are not God! We are called to love. Period.
Boundaries are healthy. Boundaries make us aware of God's convictions. You can not control people or circumstances, but you can control your response.
Walking with God is about being devoted to Him at all times and fills every aspect of your life and decisions. Do not become distracted by the world. Be patient.
Love is a choice. Change is a choice that has to be made before you feel like doing it. Feelings become emotions. We begin to believe our emotions are our truth. When we listen to our emotions we can not hear God speaking to us.
Learn to be at peace during every season, storm, or set back. We need to eliminate all our distractions that keep us from focusing on God. Because many of us were never shown "true love", we don't understand what it is, so love is more of a concept than a reality.
Loneliness is not the result of being alone, but of not letting God fill the void.
Quit letting that one bad decision overshadow all decisions moving forward. It was one chapter in your existance, not your life story.
If you are new in your walk with Jesus, then this is a great book to give you direction on where you may want to dig in deeper. I am not a new Christian i was searching for something to help me dig deeper to face the storm and change my trajectory - this is not the book for me.
I wanted to love this book, but could not. It is not the author, the plot, or even his perspective of the story of Hosea and Gomer.
That being said, I still found positives to take away.
Be true to yourself. Do not let the opinions of others change the trajectory that God has laid out for you.
Change is possible as long as you believe and work toward that change. Change only happens while moving forward and you can't be walking backwards while doing so and expect to change. Change will not happen if you are looking to your past for present answers.
Love is the answer...isn't that what "they" say? As far as God is concerned, love is the answer. It is about challenging yourself to do better than yesterday, last week, or last year.
We have to admit our weaknesses. Your weakness (shame, guilt, anger, jealousy, etc) will have no hold on you if you exterminate it. Your past can teach you what not to do and where to never go again.
As Christians, we are called to be the feet of Jesus. Feet are meant for walking, not sitting in pews looking down your nose at those that don't meet YOUR criteria. You are not God! We are called to love. Period.
Boundaries are healthy. Boundaries make us aware of God's convictions. You can not control people or circumstances, but you can control your response.
Walking with God is about being devoted to Him at all times and fills every aspect of your life and decisions. Do not become distracted by the world. Be patient.
Love is a choice. Change is a choice that has to be made before you feel like doing it. Feelings become emotions. We begin to believe our emotions are our truth. When we listen to our emotions we can not hear God speaking to us.
Learn to be at peace during every season, storm, or set back. We need to eliminate all our distractions that keep us from focusing on God. Because many of us were never shown "true love", we don't understand what it is, so love is more of a concept than a reality.
Loneliness is not the result of being alone, but of not letting God fill the void.
Quit letting that one bad decision overshadow all decisions moving forward. It was one chapter in your existance, not your life story.
If you are new in your walk with Jesus, then this is a great book to give you direction on where you may want to dig in deeper. I am not a new Christian i was searching for something to help me dig deeper to face the storm and change my trajectory - this is not the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2019
Thank you to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for sending me this book to review.
I love the topic of love, no pun intended. I also was interested in the sub title- Finding What’s Real In A World Full of Fake. However, this book fell short for me. I felt like the topics and subjects were all over the place. I enjoyed the use of the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer to highlight parallels to Jesus’ sacrifice for us,out of love, and God’s unconditional love. This story was used throughout the book but alas I just felt too many tangents occurred in the writing. I also thought the author was going to give guidance on the subtitle of the book... instead I just heard/read God is love. Which is totally true and a needed reminder but I just wanted more in depth look at how to navigate this world filled with hatred,anger and violence.
I love the topic of love, no pun intended. I also was interested in the sub title- Finding What’s Real In A World Full of Fake. However, this book fell short for me. I felt like the topics and subjects were all over the place. I enjoyed the use of the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer to highlight parallels to Jesus’ sacrifice for us,out of love, and God’s unconditional love. This story was used throughout the book but alas I just felt too many tangents occurred in the writing. I also thought the author was going to give guidance on the subtitle of the book... instead I just heard/read God is love. Which is totally true and a needed reminder but I just wanted more in depth look at how to navigate this world filled with hatred,anger and violence.
September 11, 2019
I wanted to like this book. My husband and I named our 105 year old house after Hosea’s wife because of the lengths he went to in order to restore her. I love the story.
This felt like a poorly retold sermon filled with Christian clichés. I raised an eyebrow at some of the points given and how he was relating the story to Gomer. It felt like a cheap observation of the story.
I wanted to like it. I looked past the title and the fact that I did not know the author hoping to love the story because I love the original story, but sadly did not. It was hard to read and felt scattered. There are some good points in the book, but it was hard to follow.
This felt like a poorly retold sermon filled with Christian clichés. I raised an eyebrow at some of the points given and how he was relating the story to Gomer. It felt like a cheap observation of the story.
I wanted to like it. I looked past the title and the fact that I did not know the author hoping to love the story because I love the original story, but sadly did not. It was hard to read and felt scattered. There are some good points in the book, but it was hard to follow.
September 8, 2019
Berteau is concerned that “real love is not being taught and grasped to the extent Christ calls us to.” (Loc 2013/2189) It should be a hot topic in our sermons and relationship conversations. “Love wants to rearrange your life and challenge your priorities.” (Loc 2022/2189) He has written this book to draw our attention to love.
He points out the kinds of love the world offers and reminds us that only the love of Jesus will satisfy. He encourages us to keep our eyes and thoughts on Jesus. “We must wake up daily and desperately pursue [the] special love of God.” (Loc 1011/2189)
I appreciate his clarifying that God's love for everyone does not mean God approves of or accepts everyone. (Loc 993/2189) Nor does God's love tolerate everything. God's love, in fact, “will kick out all that does not belong.” (Loc 993/2189)
This is a book with good teaching on the importance of God's love and how it can and should impact our lives. It loosely looks at the story of Hosea and Gomer, developing spiritual truths from it. Berteau tells lots of stories and has written a very readable book, even adding in a little humor from time to time. I do think there could have been additional editing, however. For example, the first sentence in a paragraph reads, “Love is a choice.” (Loc 355/2189) The rest of the paragraph has absolutely nothing to do with choosing to love.
Food for thought: “Love that lasts is only found in the One who has lasted from generation to generation.” (Loc 1641/2189)
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review. (Note: I read an uncorrected galley of this book and quotes I list may have changed in the final edition.)
He points out the kinds of love the world offers and reminds us that only the love of Jesus will satisfy. He encourages us to keep our eyes and thoughts on Jesus. “We must wake up daily and desperately pursue [the] special love of God.” (Loc 1011/2189)
I appreciate his clarifying that God's love for everyone does not mean God approves of or accepts everyone. (Loc 993/2189) Nor does God's love tolerate everything. God's love, in fact, “will kick out all that does not belong.” (Loc 993/2189)
This is a book with good teaching on the importance of God's love and how it can and should impact our lives. It loosely looks at the story of Hosea and Gomer, developing spiritual truths from it. Berteau tells lots of stories and has written a very readable book, even adding in a little humor from time to time. I do think there could have been additional editing, however. For example, the first sentence in a paragraph reads, “Love is a choice.” (Loc 355/2189) The rest of the paragraph has absolutely nothing to do with choosing to love.
Food for thought: “Love that lasts is only found in the One who has lasted from generation to generation.” (Loc 1641/2189)
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review. (Note: I read an uncorrected galley of this book and quotes I list may have changed in the final edition.)
September 30, 2019
the real thing
“find what’s real in a world of fake . . . ”
What does your heart most long to hear? To feel? To know? What masquerades as your dreams come true, but sadly leaves you empty, more wounded than strengthened, more bewildered than thriving? What is real and trustworthy? What is fake and fading?
Micah Berteau tackles these questions and more in his new book, “Love Changes Everything.” He suggests that our hearts ache for love, true love that never disappoints, that can only come from the One who created us. He sets out to dig deep into the Old Testament story of Hosea and his wife Gomer to display the extravagant love of GOD toward us!
I have a special place in my heart for the story of Hosea and Gomer, so I was eager to dive into a full book devoted to unpacking the intricate details, from heartbreaking to heartwarming! I confess that I was disappointed to find less of their story than I had hoped.
“Love Changes Everything” is not the deep dive I was anxious to process. Rather, Micah uses the story of Hosea’s love for his straying wife, Gomer, to set the stage for his own reflections about all that attracts only to disappoint us in this world. He makes many valid points, offering food for deep thought, about the false and deceptive attractions and distractions that lead us astray (as Gomer sadly discovered). And he does describe in detail the love of GOD (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), demonstrated through Hosea's actions, that is like no other!
A few of Micah’s chapters touch on the details of the story of Hosea and Gomer I was hoping to find. Chapter 8 beautifully describes how Hosea’s “love that finds and fixes” (p.111) is a powerful picture of our Savior’s love for us! He came to save us long before we were looking for His rescue. He stepped in to do for us what we were incapable of doing for ourselves, at great cost to Himself. He longs for nothing less than reclaiming us as His own, taking us by the hand and leading us to the security of the Home He has prepared for us!
In chapter 9, Micah delves into the changes that needed to happen in Gomer’s life as she returned home with her husband, the one who had paid the price to set her free from bondage to a life with empty promises, a life that left her more broken than whole. He talks about a “love that corrects” (p. 121). The LORD often pursues our hearts in the same way. He loves us too much to leave us broken. Sometimes we need boundaries and limits, or a stern “NO,” in order to learn healthier patterns and choices, in order to move our hearts to desire what honors and pleases Him. That process can feel like “tough love” but is correction that comes from a place of true love. A lasting love that will never leave us! A love that will lead us to wholeness and peace.
And in chapter 10, Micah describes the vulnerable but broken-beautiful place of Gomer being “unmasked and undone” (p. 131), initially exposed and uncomfortable, but brought to a place where deep healing could begin. It is touching to read Micah’s thoughts about the only real response to real love, that of devotion to the one who has given so much, invested so much, sacrificed so much! He urges us to realize that our true and good and right response to our Savior should be nothing short of “JESUS over everything” (p. 135). Should we not devote all of ourselves to the One who has given all for us?
Although “Love Changes Everything” was not the detailed study of Hosea and Gomer I had hoped for, I am grateful for Micah’s description of the love of GOD. For the reminder that my Savior pursues my own heart, that His is a love that will teach me and grow me, fill me and know me, hold me and show me the right path to follow. Chasing after His heart is my best and only option. Because His is the LOVE that changes everything!
“Love Changes Everything” by Micah Berteau is published by Revell Books and is available wherever books are sold.
#truelove #theSaviorslove #lovethatdoesnotdisappoint #lovethatneverfails #lovethatfindsandfixes #lovethatcorrects #lovethatwinsmydevotion #bloggerbookreview #RevellReads
“find what’s real in a world of fake . . . ”
What does your heart most long to hear? To feel? To know? What masquerades as your dreams come true, but sadly leaves you empty, more wounded than strengthened, more bewildered than thriving? What is real and trustworthy? What is fake and fading?
Micah Berteau tackles these questions and more in his new book, “Love Changes Everything.” He suggests that our hearts ache for love, true love that never disappoints, that can only come from the One who created us. He sets out to dig deep into the Old Testament story of Hosea and his wife Gomer to display the extravagant love of GOD toward us!
I have a special place in my heart for the story of Hosea and Gomer, so I was eager to dive into a full book devoted to unpacking the intricate details, from heartbreaking to heartwarming! I confess that I was disappointed to find less of their story than I had hoped.
“Love Changes Everything” is not the deep dive I was anxious to process. Rather, Micah uses the story of Hosea’s love for his straying wife, Gomer, to set the stage for his own reflections about all that attracts only to disappoint us in this world. He makes many valid points, offering food for deep thought, about the false and deceptive attractions and distractions that lead us astray (as Gomer sadly discovered). And he does describe in detail the love of GOD (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), demonstrated through Hosea's actions, that is like no other!
A few of Micah’s chapters touch on the details of the story of Hosea and Gomer I was hoping to find. Chapter 8 beautifully describes how Hosea’s “love that finds and fixes” (p.111) is a powerful picture of our Savior’s love for us! He came to save us long before we were looking for His rescue. He stepped in to do for us what we were incapable of doing for ourselves, at great cost to Himself. He longs for nothing less than reclaiming us as His own, taking us by the hand and leading us to the security of the Home He has prepared for us!
In chapter 9, Micah delves into the changes that needed to happen in Gomer’s life as she returned home with her husband, the one who had paid the price to set her free from bondage to a life with empty promises, a life that left her more broken than whole. He talks about a “love that corrects” (p. 121). The LORD often pursues our hearts in the same way. He loves us too much to leave us broken. Sometimes we need boundaries and limits, or a stern “NO,” in order to learn healthier patterns and choices, in order to move our hearts to desire what honors and pleases Him. That process can feel like “tough love” but is correction that comes from a place of true love. A lasting love that will never leave us! A love that will lead us to wholeness and peace.
And in chapter 10, Micah describes the vulnerable but broken-beautiful place of Gomer being “unmasked and undone” (p. 131), initially exposed and uncomfortable, but brought to a place where deep healing could begin. It is touching to read Micah’s thoughts about the only real response to real love, that of devotion to the one who has given so much, invested so much, sacrificed so much! He urges us to realize that our true and good and right response to our Savior should be nothing short of “JESUS over everything” (p. 135). Should we not devote all of ourselves to the One who has given all for us?
Although “Love Changes Everything” was not the detailed study of Hosea and Gomer I had hoped for, I am grateful for Micah’s description of the love of GOD. For the reminder that my Savior pursues my own heart, that His is a love that will teach me and grow me, fill me and know me, hold me and show me the right path to follow. Chasing after His heart is my best and only option. Because His is the LOVE that changes everything!
“Love Changes Everything” by Micah Berteau is published by Revell Books and is available wherever books are sold.
#truelove #theSaviorslove #lovethatdoesnotdisappoint #lovethatneverfails #lovethatfindsandfixes #lovethatcorrects #lovethatwinsmydevotion #bloggerbookreview #RevellReads
Read
September 30, 2019How is God like a Nintendo game?
Relative that question, there are, I’d argue, two types of people:
Those who are intrigued and would like to know the answer, and those who roll their eyes.
Which of those camps you’re in will most likely determine what you would think of pastor Micah Berteau’s “Love Changes Everything.” If you’re in the eye-rolling camp, you may want to stay away. If you’re in the intrigued camp, this book may well be for you.
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and in the case of “Love Changes Everything,” that includes the description on the back cover, which will tell you that this is a book about the Biblical book of Hosea.
Hosea, the story of a prophet whom God instructs to marry a prostitute and then to literally purchase her back after she leaves him, is a challenging text. There are deep truths about God there, which at a surface reading can be both beautiful and troubling.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your camp, this is not a book about Hosea. (If you would like a book that is about Hosea, one of the best may be Francine River’s “Redeeming Love,” a novel set during the California Gold Rush which captures the beauty and import of the book of Hosea captivatingly.)
“Love Changes Everything” does mention Hosea as much as it mentions anything. A third of the way through, for example, you’ll have read a good four of five paragraphs about Hosea. But to say it’s a book about Hosea is a stretch.
What it is about, as one might gather from the title, is Love. Specifically, God’s love, and what it means to to be loved by God and to love God.
It uses Hosea as a way to talk about that topic, but it also uses Nintendo games and GPS and toddler cups and cabinet doors.
In fact, it uses those things more liberally than scripture. (Which is not necessarily a bad thing – Berteau’s claim that Martha and Lazarus’ sister Mary had been a prostitute strikes me as dubious, as does one of his major claims about the Hosea story.)
Berteau uses these copious everyday analogies to personalize and humanize scripture. This is a book not for someone looking for a deep exegesis of scripture, but for someone looking for a more relatable way to connect to it. Berteau uses his own life, and the culture around us to make his points accessible, to make the Father’s love as tangible as, well, a father’s love.
I’ll admit that I found it a mixed bag – his GPS analogy that we don’t always get direction while we’re still going the right way resonated with me, his Michael Jackson reference that Jesus is the “Smoothest Criminal” perhaps less so. (I suspect I’m probably a little older than the target audience, so your milage may vary.)
All in all, “Love Changes Everything” is an engaging and energetic introduction to God’s love for those seeking a new approach a new understanding.
(Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Handlebar publishing. Also full disclosure: I’m in the eye-rolling camp on the whole Nintendo thing.)
Relative that question, there are, I’d argue, two types of people:
Those who are intrigued and would like to know the answer, and those who roll their eyes.
Which of those camps you’re in will most likely determine what you would think of pastor Micah Berteau’s “Love Changes Everything.” If you’re in the eye-rolling camp, you may want to stay away. If you’re in the intrigued camp, this book may well be for you.
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and in the case of “Love Changes Everything,” that includes the description on the back cover, which will tell you that this is a book about the Biblical book of Hosea.
Hosea, the story of a prophet whom God instructs to marry a prostitute and then to literally purchase her back after she leaves him, is a challenging text. There are deep truths about God there, which at a surface reading can be both beautiful and troubling.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your camp, this is not a book about Hosea. (If you would like a book that is about Hosea, one of the best may be Francine River’s “Redeeming Love,” a novel set during the California Gold Rush which captures the beauty and import of the book of Hosea captivatingly.)
“Love Changes Everything” does mention Hosea as much as it mentions anything. A third of the way through, for example, you’ll have read a good four of five paragraphs about Hosea. But to say it’s a book about Hosea is a stretch.
What it is about, as one might gather from the title, is Love. Specifically, God’s love, and what it means to to be loved by God and to love God.
It uses Hosea as a way to talk about that topic, but it also uses Nintendo games and GPS and toddler cups and cabinet doors.
In fact, it uses those things more liberally than scripture. (Which is not necessarily a bad thing – Berteau’s claim that Martha and Lazarus’ sister Mary had been a prostitute strikes me as dubious, as does one of his major claims about the Hosea story.)
Berteau uses these copious everyday analogies to personalize and humanize scripture. This is a book not for someone looking for a deep exegesis of scripture, but for someone looking for a more relatable way to connect to it. Berteau uses his own life, and the culture around us to make his points accessible, to make the Father’s love as tangible as, well, a father’s love.
I’ll admit that I found it a mixed bag – his GPS analogy that we don’t always get direction while we’re still going the right way resonated with me, his Michael Jackson reference that Jesus is the “Smoothest Criminal” perhaps less so. (I suspect I’m probably a little older than the target audience, so your milage may vary.)
All in all, “Love Changes Everything” is an engaging and energetic introduction to God’s love for those seeking a new approach a new understanding.
(Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Handlebar publishing. Also full disclosure: I’m in the eye-rolling camp on the whole Nintendo thing.)
September 28, 2019
In Love Changes Everything, Micah Berteau explored the topic of love and how love can literally change our lives for the better if we will just let love overflow. He begins the book by telling a story about a childhood trip to Six Flags and how he got lost from his parents. He saw the ice cream stand and disobeyed his parents and got separated from them. He shared how he feared he would receive a spanking or lose his Nintendo. He eventually was reunited with his parents and his dad surprised him by telling him how much he loved him and how he missed him. He also told him never to leave him again. This story changed Micah’s life. Micah shares how much God loves us even though we are sinners and God will never leave us. There is nothing we can do to receive His love or to earn His affection. Micah speaks directly to the readers and reminds them that they are loved. Throughout the book, he explored the story of Gomer and Hosea. Hosea was a prophet and a follower of Christ. God told him to marry Gomer who was a promiscuous woman. Many people were shocked that a prophet would marry such a woman as her especially with her past. This story showed how God choose to still love Israel even though they disobeyed his word and went down the path of idolatry. The story continues that Gomer went down the path of adultery again and God told Hosea to go get his wife back and love her. Scriptures share how God illustrates that He still loves Israel even when they struggle with idolatry.
I would recommend this fantastic book to anyone who is tired of not finding love and they keep searching for love in all the wrong places. There is a lot of fake love in this world and the real true love can be found in Jesus. This book will help readers to see that God is love and His love is the one they need and it will change their lives around. I immensely liked how Micah shared the story of Gomer and Hosea and how he explained God’s love is endless and how he loves us even when we make mistakes and sin. One of my favorite chapters was when he explored love in the Bible in 1 Cor. 13. This was a great reminder about how we should all walk in love and how we should live our lives. I also loved how Micah reminded readers to dream again, date again, go back to work again and work on a higher level, and worship God again. If you’re looking for a new book on love and you’re searching for a true love, then read this one and find it in Christ’s open arms!
"I received this book free from the publisher through the Handlebar Marketing book review bloggers program."
I would recommend this fantastic book to anyone who is tired of not finding love and they keep searching for love in all the wrong places. There is a lot of fake love in this world and the real true love can be found in Jesus. This book will help readers to see that God is love and His love is the one they need and it will change their lives around. I immensely liked how Micah shared the story of Gomer and Hosea and how he explained God’s love is endless and how he loves us even when we make mistakes and sin. One of my favorite chapters was when he explored love in the Bible in 1 Cor. 13. This was a great reminder about how we should all walk in love and how we should live our lives. I also loved how Micah reminded readers to dream again, date again, go back to work again and work on a higher level, and worship God again. If you’re looking for a new book on love and you’re searching for a true love, then read this one and find it in Christ’s open arms!
"I received this book free from the publisher through the Handlebar Marketing book review bloggers program."
October 5, 2019
Love Changes Everything: Finding What's Real in a World Full of Fake is a powerful explanation of God’s love and has life-changing potential.
We can get lost in today’s wacky world of social media. Our vision can get skewed. Love Changes Everything is an inspiring reminder that God needs to be at the foundation of our lives. Mr. Berteau’s message is an inspirational reminder that God’s love never changes and that we’re always loved. Love Changes Everything is an invitation for us to change our lives by truly turning to God and allowing him to take us on an amazing ride.
There are so many bits of truth and inspiration that paint the picture of the enormity of God’s love for us:
God is love.
You are loved.
Hate is a burden. Love is a choice.
You have nothing to lose and nothing to prove.
Expect love from God.
Thankfulness is a key that will unlock blessings in your life.
It’s no surprise that Micah Berteau is a pastor and the son of pastors. He’s clearly a talented and inspirational writer. I wasn’t surprised to learn that his newly launched church is one of the fastest-growing churches in America, when many Christian churches are losing members. His warm and engaging style is sprinkled with humor. He uses unconventional (but effective) analogies to get his points across and personal anecdotes that draw the reader into the message.
How this book affected me:
Even as a firm believer in God’s love, I was still wowed by the way the message was delivered in this book. It felt like a mesmerizing sermon that inspired me to want to invite God and Jesus into my heart even more than they are today. I’ve always loved God and known his love, but I now feel excited about getting out of his way and letting him guide me more in my life.
Who would enjoy this book:
Love Changes Everything is multi-purpose. It can serve those who are ‘lost’ or struggling in their lives, disgruntled Christians, those with depression, overwhelmed by life, feeling disheartened, lonely or unloved. I would recommend this book to non-Christians who are curious about God, how he lives within us, and how allowing him into our hearts is a game-changer.
Our Christian Book Reviews:
The book reviews at Finding God Among Us focus on Christian books, adult and children, fiction and nonfiction. We’re proud to be listed in the Top 50 Christian Book Bloggers! I chose to read an ARC from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review is my honest opinion.
We can get lost in today’s wacky world of social media. Our vision can get skewed. Love Changes Everything is an inspiring reminder that God needs to be at the foundation of our lives. Mr. Berteau’s message is an inspirational reminder that God’s love never changes and that we’re always loved. Love Changes Everything is an invitation for us to change our lives by truly turning to God and allowing him to take us on an amazing ride.
There are so many bits of truth and inspiration that paint the picture of the enormity of God’s love for us:
God is love.
You are loved.
Hate is a burden. Love is a choice.
You have nothing to lose and nothing to prove.
Expect love from God.
Thankfulness is a key that will unlock blessings in your life.
It’s no surprise that Micah Berteau is a pastor and the son of pastors. He’s clearly a talented and inspirational writer. I wasn’t surprised to learn that his newly launched church is one of the fastest-growing churches in America, when many Christian churches are losing members. His warm and engaging style is sprinkled with humor. He uses unconventional (but effective) analogies to get his points across and personal anecdotes that draw the reader into the message.
How this book affected me:
Even as a firm believer in God’s love, I was still wowed by the way the message was delivered in this book. It felt like a mesmerizing sermon that inspired me to want to invite God and Jesus into my heart even more than they are today. I’ve always loved God and known his love, but I now feel excited about getting out of his way and letting him guide me more in my life.
Who would enjoy this book:
Love Changes Everything is multi-purpose. It can serve those who are ‘lost’ or struggling in their lives, disgruntled Christians, those with depression, overwhelmed by life, feeling disheartened, lonely or unloved. I would recommend this book to non-Christians who are curious about God, how he lives within us, and how allowing him into our hearts is a game-changer.
Our Christian Book Reviews:
The book reviews at Finding God Among Us focus on Christian books, adult and children, fiction and nonfiction. We’re proud to be listed in the Top 50 Christian Book Bloggers! I chose to read an ARC from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review is my honest opinion.
October 8, 2019
Micah Berteau does a great job talking about the love Christ has for mankind. Nowhere within the pages of the book do I find much at fault. He's wonderful at explaining the differences between worldly, fleshly love as well as about the kind of love Christ gave us at Calvary's cross. This sacrificial love is the kind of unconditional love that changes hearts; it changes the way we think, the way we do things, and gets us to come around to the thought of: "Hey, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
This book Micah wrote is the second he's done on his own. He's also penned one other as well with Glen Berteau, his father who is also himself a pastor. Since 2018 Micah has been a founder and lead pastor of The House Fort Worth, and considered one of the fastest growing churches in America. He devotes his time and efforts to making it known that Jesus is Lord and Savior for all. While I can give certain details and facts on Micah, which I found through his website, I feel I can't do him justice in that sense. Love Changes Everything hits some great notes in its style and integrity for the richness and depth it has. At the same time there are a couple of things that are simply my opinion and have no weight here.
All I can be is objective and report the fact that Micah writes from a good place from within himself, making it known where his heart is in terms of Jesus Christ. That matters far more than any opinion I can give. It's like what Samuel was shown about Eliab, the son of Jesse, brother to the future king David: "Do not look at his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). The condition of our heart before a holy and just God who desires to have a relationship with us matters more than our works or even our appearance. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest review.
This book Micah wrote is the second he's done on his own. He's also penned one other as well with Glen Berteau, his father who is also himself a pastor. Since 2018 Micah has been a founder and lead pastor of The House Fort Worth, and considered one of the fastest growing churches in America. He devotes his time and efforts to making it known that Jesus is Lord and Savior for all. While I can give certain details and facts on Micah, which I found through his website, I feel I can't do him justice in that sense. Love Changes Everything hits some great notes in its style and integrity for the richness and depth it has. At the same time there are a couple of things that are simply my opinion and have no weight here.
All I can be is objective and report the fact that Micah writes from a good place from within himself, making it known where his heart is in terms of Jesus Christ. That matters far more than any opinion I can give. It's like what Samuel was shown about Eliab, the son of Jesse, brother to the future king David: "Do not look at his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). The condition of our heart before a holy and just God who desires to have a relationship with us matters more than our works or even our appearance. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest review.
October 11, 2019
John 3"16 "For God so loved the world, He have His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life." According to Mr. Berteau "We are all searching for something real." Something tangible that will will add value and significance to our lives." Love i vague. Love is found many down roads, but it depends on what kind of love you are looking for." People all over the world will do crazy things for love. For example, go on the Bachelor or get on a dating app. But what exactly are you chasing? Is it the temporary high? Then there's fake love. The imitate. (p. 14-15 Berteau Intro) People cannot earn Jesus' love. People cannot but it and make manufactured images if it, hoping gable people believe what you are selling. people will never be able to understand how much Jesus really loves us. The human mind cannot wrap our minds around the sacrifice on the cross. Jesus died for all believers that will believe in him. Mr. Berteau's thesis to the great book is simply real love changes you. From deep down inside. Priorities in life shift. The old you would go out and get drunk and laugh at the party. Now the new creature finds that behavior horrid. Real Love changes everything.
F.T.C. Disclaimer _
"I received a complementary copy of the book from the publisher I am not required to provide a necessarily positive review." All opinions are solely therein my own." "I am disclosing this in accordance with the F.T.C. Title 16, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
F.T.C. Disclaimer _
"I received a complementary copy of the book from the publisher I am not required to provide a necessarily positive review." All opinions are solely therein my own." "I am disclosing this in accordance with the F.T.C. Title 16, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
November 27, 2019
This book is excellent because the author has such a heart for sharing the essence and power of love. He wants us all to get that passion, to receive all the love that Christ has to offer us and live each day being fully aware of how much we are loved. Berteau has learnt that love really does change everything and he outlines why love is such a force.
Berteau uses the Hosea/Gomer story as a way of demonstrating God's love for us all. But the book doesn't really go into their story in any great depth so don't buy this if you're looking for a detailed insightful perspective on Hosea.
Certainly, the book has some shortcomings as many of the other reviewers have outlined. Yes, it is a little repetitive and it would have been an even better book if it provided some practical ideas about 'how to' live a life of love. Getting the message is essential to discovering the wonder of love but then we need to know how to live it everyday. And sharing some ideas from other 'greats' on love would have added to the depth of insight and provided a useful reference guide for readers to further explore some of the concepts.
I received a complimentary early ebook draft from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.
Berteau uses the Hosea/Gomer story as a way of demonstrating God's love for us all. But the book doesn't really go into their story in any great depth so don't buy this if you're looking for a detailed insightful perspective on Hosea.
Certainly, the book has some shortcomings as many of the other reviewers have outlined. Yes, it is a little repetitive and it would have been an even better book if it provided some practical ideas about 'how to' live a life of love. Getting the message is essential to discovering the wonder of love but then we need to know how to live it everyday. And sharing some ideas from other 'greats' on love would have added to the depth of insight and provided a useful reference guide for readers to further explore some of the concepts.
I received a complimentary early ebook draft from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.
October 7, 2019
This is the purpose of humanity, that we would allow God to make his ultimate point to the world through our lives if we stay obedient to him. We all crave a love that doesn’t fade and doesn’t fail-even when we do. The author used the book of Hosea to show the depth of love that God has for us and demonstrate what true love is. God’s love is not a feeling, but solid truth, His love never fails. We should learn how to live from love and not for love. Hosea’s love for Gomer was unconditional even after he brought her back from a sinful life.
I have a renewed perspective on how greatly I am loved by the One who is love. Love Changes Everything shows the love of God in a new way, despite our faults, our failures and our sins God still loves us just like he loved Hosea and Gomer.
I received a copy of the book from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have a renewed perspective on how greatly I am loved by the One who is love. Love Changes Everything shows the love of God in a new way, despite our faults, our failures and our sins God still loves us just like he loved Hosea and Gomer.
I received a copy of the book from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 24, 2019
This books was incredible writing and compelling to read with also encourage and inspiring to all of us to see more clearly and helping us to understand of what is the real truth love that we are all looking for or searching from your hold life. This book will get you to the point of what the kind of love the you really need that will last forever and that love also can be giving you the power of changing for the better in the world that we are living on are full of fake and play with your emotion. But the only love that will be with you for your eternal life and never leave to separate is God Love. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book Revell Reads for this review”.
September 28, 2019
Micah Berteau has a gem of a book on his hands! He takes the bible story of Hosea and Gomer, husband and wife, and reminds us that the story is really about Jesus and us. He reminds us of just how much we are loved in a refreshing new way.
I dog eared pages with quotes like, "Shame, guilt and condemnation are not of God. God does not give you any of those feelings. This is why we have to be so careful not to confuse condemnation and conviction. Once brings guild and share, while the other brings freedom from chains." What an amazing truth and reminder as we journey through life.
If you or someone you know is in need of being reminded just how much they are loved, or perhaps are looking for love in the wrong places, this is an excellent book to ground you in His love.
I dog eared pages with quotes like, "Shame, guilt and condemnation are not of God. God does not give you any of those feelings. This is why we have to be so careful not to confuse condemnation and conviction. Once brings guild and share, while the other brings freedom from chains." What an amazing truth and reminder as we journey through life.
If you or someone you know is in need of being reminded just how much they are loved, or perhaps are looking for love in the wrong places, this is an excellent book to ground you in His love.
September 11, 2019
All I can say is, "WOW!". This book is written with a deep conviction and desire to see people experience the real love of God. Pastor Micah Berteau gives the reader perfect illustrations and real-life scenarios that exemplify what it means to find truth in a world full of fake. I highly recommend this book to believers, non-believers, people questioning their faith, and practically anyone! I'll warn you though, you'll have a hard time putting it down once it's in your hands because each chapter is so captivating, full of biblical content, and comprehensive for any reading level! Thank you Pastor Micah for your heart on this much needed topic for today's culture!
September 12, 2019
I am so happy I was selected to read Love Changes Everything I loved every word in the book and it really helped me a lot since I have been through so much in the passed few years. This is not only a fantastic book for Christians but also one for someone you may know who is searching and feeling unloved . This book reminded me how much I am loved by God and in so may ways, Having lost my husband in January I have been feeling lonely and my faith has been tested . Reading Love Changes Everything has helped me a lot Im so happy I got to review it
September 30, 2019
The title of this book is so intriguing that it drew me in yet, like other reviewers below, I felt the book fell a little flat and was scattered.
It wasn't without its good parts though as I enjoyed hearing about the story of Hosea and Gomer which was one that I didn't know much about even as a longtime bible reader. There are good nuggets of truth throughout the book, but overall I had a hard time connecting to the writing.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for leaving an honest review.
It wasn't without its good parts though as I enjoyed hearing about the story of Hosea and Gomer which was one that I didn't know much about even as a longtime bible reader. There are good nuggets of truth throughout the book, but overall I had a hard time connecting to the writing.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for leaving an honest review.
October 30, 2019
This is a great book. It is not a book to just pass the time on a snowy day, but one to bask in and savor the truth that emanates from every page. This is a step-on-your toes so you can open your eyes to real love kind of book. This is a book for everyone in the Jesus journey and those that are looking for the starting line. I would highly recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
November 25, 2019
In the classic youth group movie “Princess Bride” we find a scene where Wesley is mostly dead and asked what he has that’s worth living for. His answer is love.
Using the scripture of Hosea and Gomer this books shows us how we too often follow in Gomer’s steps. We forget who loves is and what he did for us. We seek after false love and fulfillment.
But when you are captured by the Love that is our God you begin to find that love really does change everything.
Using the scripture of Hosea and Gomer this books shows us how we too often follow in Gomer’s steps. We forget who loves is and what he did for us. We seek after false love and fulfillment.
But when you are captured by the Love that is our God you begin to find that love really does change everything.
December 30, 2021
I read this book I believe this August. Berteau really manages to relay the message of LOVE! I do remember feeling like some material repeated some of itself throughout the book, just in a different fashion (wording, etc). However, it was a wonderful read and I would tell anyone who wants to learn about the love of Christ to read this novel. It's one of those books you really need your highlighter handy. Lots of great lines of scripture and use of words. I'd give this book an 8.5/10!
November 21, 2024
This book is seriously amazing for every single follower of Christ to read in order to truly understand what it means to live as if we are fully loved by the Lord. It completely changed my perspective about the times when God feels distant and helped me to understand how to grow closer to God as God is always growing closer to me.
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