To Be Concluded: How to Prevent Your Past from Piling Up and Find Hope for Your Future

by Mike Ashcraft

“To be continued…”
The words build anticipation for what's coming . . . which is great for a Netflix binge, but not a healthy pattern for our lives. In real life, constant continuation causes our lives to pile up, episode upon episode, with no space for reflection or rest, contentment or closure.
This book is for the too-busy, driven person who's moving on to the next win, without ever processing how one season of life affects the next. It's for the person stuck and held back because she's never done the hard work of getting real closure on a season. When we fail to finish well, we live with a pile of unfinished beginnings. But finished things become usable things because they are a part of the story of God’s grace and faithfulness.
In these pages, you’ll The pressure of our piled up past needs to be brought to an end. Instead of vague storylines that stretch “to be continued,” learn to start with the end in To Be Concluded.
 

Genres: Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2022

Reviews

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us have heard the old adage, "It is not how you begin, but how you end that matters most." While this may be true, most of us are horrible at "ending well." Or maybe that is just me. Is anyone else with me? How many times have we left a job or a career by burning bridges and scorching the fields? How many of us have been in relationships that have ended in bitterness and recriminations... or worse, by simply "ghosting" the other person making them always wonder what happened? How many of us have moved to a new house, started a new career, or begun a new relationship and have seen it suffer through our comparisons with a nostalgic reminiscence of the old home/job/relationship? Is it just me? Is there anyone with me?

This book first points out the importance of ending well, and then it goes into practical guidelines of how to do exactly that. The book is biblically sound but you do not need to be a Christian to gain incredible insights from it. No matter what you believe (or don't believe), this book is made for you. No matter where you might be in the various phases of life/career/relationship there is much that you can pull from this book that will enrich your life right here, right now.

But don't take my advise on that. Make an ending of reading these reviews and a beginning of reading the book for yourself.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender. Trust. Hope. Mike engages all of these essentials of our walk with God in To Be Concluded. Through personal stories and Biblical wisdom, this book will help you navigate your past and present and bring hope and healing. Receiving closure and ending well along with understanding the importance of beginnings and routines are addressed with practical advice for trusting God through the process. Highly recommend this book.

[Jennie Teets · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t put this book down! This is hands down the best book I’ve read in years! How many of us have a past that we still hold on to or hurt people have caused us? This book shows you how to really put an end to holding on to all of that and surrendering it our Heavenly Father allowing you to live in peace. Mike breaks things down through his stories showing you how to have real closure that is needed for healing and the importance of new beginnings and trusting in God’s faithfulness as it is the key to trusting the process.
It shows you not to rush through life just to get to the next step but the importance slowing down and taking in what God is doing in your life.
This book is life changing and I encourage everyone to read it!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Mike's latest book. It reminds me to take time to honor conclusions and remember that they provide exit for a season of life that we will not get back. It also reminds me to reflect in grace with how I have grown during that season. As Mike states in the book, we have to remember to hold loosely to what we have so we are able to let go and grow into our new seasons of life allowing us to give ourselves grace. Mike stated that "Redemption comes in the making of something new". There is such beauty in new creation, yet in order for this to happen some part of ourselves has to die to make room for the new we are being called to do. Get the book, read it, and share it with someone you know. You will not regret it.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well written I could not put it down. In today's fast paced, high pressured, ever changing, toxic society, embracing the current seasons of our lives can easily become lost, with demanding deadlines and expectations. Author and Pastor, Mike Ashcraft easily guides and reminds all of us that God simply wants His best for us and how we too can create a conclusion of the past or "get rid of the aftertaste of what you have just experienced." Pastor Mike has the gift of making the most complex issues simply understandable and attainable through God's word and applying them to our lives. I sincerely hope there is a sequel to this book.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is relative to anyone in any “season” of their life. In the particular season I am currently in, it’s been perfectly placed and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have read it. I will admit, I’m not a big “reader” meaning I prefer audio books. However this particular book has me second guessing that statement. Perhaps I’ve been “reading” it all wrong. I can not put this book down. Every single page has value and gets me really excited about my purpose and the value of each moment along the way. Read it and decide for yourself how it relates to your current season. I’ll read this book again and again. It’s THAT good!

[Kristyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope is a journey not a destination. This book is beautifully written in a real life voice. One that can easily be related to and understood. It also teaches to start new you have to finish well. Mike uses scripture and real life experience to create the visual of how to experience the abundance God intends for each of our lives. This is a book that will become a tool in living well and growing into the life God has made for me.

[Patricia Casteen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. As soon as I started reading it I knew it would be hard to put down. There were so many messages that I felt were meant for me. The past couple of years have been hard on everyone and we have all missed out on something but reading this book helped to show me how to live for now in God’s Grace.

[Christopher Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with so many great tidbits of wisdom and insight that I almost used up 3 highlighters full of ink in it. It is a definite must read for everyone and I will be going back to it for more in the near future. You will do nothing but benefit from picking this up except not being able to put it down.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! A Must Read!
Conclusions are important. We often move through a season not seeing what God was doing. Mike has a way of explaining things that open your eyes to the big picture. I highlighted and took notes. Then, after reading the book, I listened to the audio book because I enjoyed it that much!

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of humor and stories tied to biblical truths and the importance of endings so that we can have fresh new beginnings. An easy and enjoyable read that makes you stop to think (and highlight because you don’t want to forget) about what God wants for us.