Have Serious Fun: And 12 Other Principles to Make Each Day Count

by Jim Burns

After hearing the words no one wants to hear--"you have cancer"--Jim Burns set out to articulate the most important principles for a life well lived and now shares them with you as a collection of essential truths for a healthy, balanced, and successful life. What's truly important for leading a life well lived? After being diagnosed with cancer and facing his mortality, prolific author and family-life expert Jim Burns learned what it really means to live a meaningful life from the perspective and practical wisdom only gained from facing death. Now cancer free, those same life-changing lessons continue to guide and enrich Jim's faith, work, and relationships in immeasurable ways. With his conversational style and heartwarming and entertaining stories, Jim brilliantly distills that hard-earned wisdom into 13 simple yet powerful life principles you can put into practice today. Jim will help you learn how Don't wait any longer. Let these principles guide you into deeper joy, more purpose, and better connection--and start truly living today.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published July 27, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Jim Burns, Ph.D., President of HomeWord is the host of the HomeWord with Jim Burns daily half-hour, daily one-minute, and weekly half-hour radio programs. His passion is communicating to adults and young people practical truths to help them live out their Christian lives.

Jim is the author of many resources including his latest books The Purity Code: God’s Plan for Sex and Your Body, Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality and Accept Nothing Less: God’s Best for Your Body, Mind and Heart. In recent years, he has also written Confident Parenting and Creating an Intimate Marriage which are available in audio CDs, books, and small group curriculum kits; The 10 Building Blocks for a Happy Family; Devotions on the Run; and Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results kit. Since 1985, HomeWord has been assisting parents and churches worldwide through radio, resources, seminars, and the web at www.homeword.com. Jim writes monthly columns for Ignite Your Faith magazine and Simply Youth Ministry newsletter and website.

Reviews

[Lily P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible

I suspect my ratings would be higher if I were still in touch with my religious upbringing. As it stands, the frequent references to the Christian God created cognitive dissonance for me. A lot of common sense, familiar references to what is really important in life and it isn't money or power.


It's not terrible, but I don't recommend.

[Kristen Claiborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get asked on a regular basis why I keep reading books that have "God themes" when I'm not what you would call a "God fan." It's actually a really good question, as I have asked myself on many occasions why I seek them out. The answer is complicated...sorta. Those who have found comfort in any form of religion do it for deeply personal reasons, and while I vehemently disagree with much of the dogma surrounding most religions, I do understand the spiritual and personal reasons for seeking out that comfort. Whether you find that comfort in a higher being or within yourself, it's a similar search for "something."
This book was intriguing enough that I actually highlighted passages and took some notes. That's REALLY rare for me. There were quite a few messages in here that anybody could find useful even if you disagree with the God-based messages. Much of it translated well to those of us more on the agnostic spectrum. At the end, I was glad I had read it and found much of it inspiring, despite the God-talk.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Quick read but more importantly has started me thinking about the goals I need to set for my retirement. My husband retired a couple months ago and I will retire in May. My priorities have changed as I’ve gotten older and I will now have time to concentrate on those people (daughters) and organizations that mean so much to me. Above all I need to rethink what me daily spiritual life will look like. I have a daily prayer/ spiritual life now but I have mor time to give to God now. He is the priority. Everything else will fall into place but this book really had some great ideas. Recommended read for anybody and all ages.

[LeeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dear Nonfiction November:

If the nonfiction books on the table before me don't improve to at least 4 stars, I'm breaking up with you.

So far in the early days of our relationship, I've been un-wowed by your offerings, November.

I would like some real meat and/or desserts please. This feast so far has been unsatisfying, to say the least.

I feel like I've been at Thanksgiving and Grandma has burned the gravy. And the turkey was dry.

I'm not saying this was the worst book I've ever read. I just expected more!

Please, Nonfiction November, bring me the feast I'm craving!

[Christian Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that advocates 13 biblical standards on how to live your life to the fullest. It advocates the live like you’re dying mantra throughout the whole entire book. We can’t be so focused on making a living that we forget to make a life & to truly love those around us.

[Hali]

DNF @ 52%

[Marie Angus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice! I want to live this.

[Jon Cheek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful points. Pretty light reading but mostly enjoyable.

[Pierre O'Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Repeats a lot of other books in my shelf but does so concisely and in a reinforcing manner. Excellent, hope to go back and read my notes

[Chris Eastman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple book with some solid advice on living a life of gratitude and not letting it all slip away to busyness.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
He has a fun way of writing that's easy to read with lots of good ideas.

[Ann Mulholland · Rating 5 out of 5]

really liked this. I have been alive but not really living lately, and this book gave me some good ideas

[Cassie Van Tiem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your traditional “steps to a better life,” type of book. Decent - nothing ground breaking.