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Just Getting Started: Stepping with Courage Into God's Call for the Next Stage of Life
We all want to do something that matters, and there are moments when we ask, Is my life really making a difference? Could there be more, and what if now is the perfect time to get started? Writing for those who have a dream but feel too old, too young, too invisible, too unqualified or as if they missed their opportunity somewhere along the way, Wendy Peter provides both the inspiration and the blueprint to: ● Move past your false finish line and reimagine the next season of your life ● Identify and awaken your true purpose and step with courage into your calling ● Create a road map to get your dreams off the ground The culmination of your life experiences--the reason you are uniquely you--is exactly what God will use for such a time as this. No matter your age or circumstances, you can reimagine your future, activate your dormant dreams and glorify God by pursuing what He is calling you to right now! Wendy Peter's book is designed to encourage, build and establish you in your potential. You will be amazed as you watch the life-transforming fruit grow.--Patricia King, author, minister, television host
- GenresNonfiction
Audio CD
Published November 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 1, 2021
You are never too old to dream and to make those dreams come true. Sometimes you just need a nudge--encouragement from someone who can show you how it's done. Author Wendy Peter shares her own story--and helpful advice on how to move forward and improve your life--in "Just Getting Started: Stepping with Courage Into God's Call for the Next Stage of Life". As she reached the age of fifty, the author was at a personal low point in her feelings about herself and what her future held in store. Inspired by a friend who offered support, Wendy Peter re-examined her purpose and reaffirmed her faith. No longer content to "stay hidden", she found empowerment and spiritual revitalization by stepping forward and following her dreams. Wanting to lead others on this same path of enlightenment, she became a communicator and life coach, and continues her spiritual teaching. She is the North American Director for Women on the Frontlines, which provides daily encouragement, discussion, mentoring and live coaching, and she is also a pastor at the Wave Church in Winnipeg, Canada. Through her words and life example, Wendy Peter shows how to let your real self shine through as you take a leap of faith and turn the page to the next chapter in your own story.
Book Copy Gratis Chosen Books/Baker Publishing Group
Book Copy Gratis Chosen Books/Baker Publishing Group
October 22, 2021
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
One of the unfortunate truths of reading so many books from certain authors as I do is the realization that they write books not because there is need for such books to be written, or because they have special expertise in the subject, but because they need to make sense of and explain the changes of their own life and have people more than willing to sell their reflections and observations about themselves to other people. This book contains a lot of self-justification about the author's own path as a Christian leader and a lot of discussion about her own life and the institution she leads and its own twists and turns, and quite frankly I did not find that sort of material to be of interest at all, seeing as I do not know the author nor do I care for the efforts of people I do not know to justify themselves in the face of what may very well turn out to be reasonable and fair criticism. If I knew her and her work beyond this book, I might feel differently, as you might yourself in reading this if the ministry of Women On The Frontlines Global is appealing to you.
This book is a short one of less than 200 pages and it is divided into ten chapters. The author begins with a foreword, then acknowledgements and an introduction. After that come chapters that discuss going from hidden to visible (1), looking at one's destined place (2), as well the experience of moments of lift (3). This is followed by a call to define one's dream (4), stage one's comeback (5), and how to break free from the past and shine brightly (6). The book then ends with chapters about being positioned to shine (7), finding one's people (8), taking off the limits (9), and not forgetting what matters most (10), after which there are endnotes. Throughout the book the author seeks to use her own personal experience, and her interpretation of that experience, as a general pattern that other people can use to seek lift and glory in their own life.
One of the unfortunate truths of reading so many books from certain authors as I do is the realization that they write books not because there is need for such books to be written, or because they have special expertise in the subject, but because they need to make sense of and explain the changes of their own life and have people more than willing to sell their reflections and observations about themselves to other people. This book contains a lot of self-justification about the author's own path as a Christian leader and a lot of discussion about her own life and the institution she leads and its own twists and turns, and quite frankly I did not find that sort of material to be of interest at all, seeing as I do not know the author nor do I care for the efforts of people I do not know to justify themselves in the face of what may very well turn out to be reasonable and fair criticism. If I knew her and her work beyond this book, I might feel differently, as you might yourself in reading this if the ministry of Women On The Frontlines Global is appealing to you.
This book is a short one of less than 200 pages and it is divided into ten chapters. The author begins with a foreword, then acknowledgements and an introduction. After that come chapters that discuss going from hidden to visible (1), looking at one's destined place (2), as well the experience of moments of lift (3). This is followed by a call to define one's dream (4), stage one's comeback (5), and how to break free from the past and shine brightly (6). The book then ends with chapters about being positioned to shine (7), finding one's people (8), taking off the limits (9), and not forgetting what matters most (10), after which there are endnotes. Throughout the book the author seeks to use her own personal experience, and her interpretation of that experience, as a general pattern that other people can use to seek lift and glory in their own life.
October 17, 2021
In Just Getting Started, Wendy Peter has written a book about chasing after your dreams and creating a road map to make that happen. She begins the book by revealing how she was 50 years old before she decided to start living her dreams. She explained her struggle with keeping her dreams hidden for many years. She opened up about he was able to connect with Patricia King (pastor, author, and TV host) and was eventually asked to take over the spot of director for the Women on the Frontlines in Canada. She shared how the Bible called us to be the light of the world. She looked at how Jesus healed a blind man and stated that He was the light of the world. She also shared how we are also called to be a city on a hill. She revealed the scope of the false line and how countless people have stopped at that line and they believe they have hit their own finish line and completed their race, when in fact G od still has more for them. In the book, she also looked at the importance of figuring out your why. She also went into details about identifying your what and your spheres of influence, ministry gifts, and hobbies/interests/practical skills and this in turn will assist in designing your dream.
I would recommend this incredible book to anyone who is ready to start dreaming again and they are wanting to pursue everything God has for them to complete. I loved how open Wendy was in sharing her own personal story about how she went after her dreams in her 50’s. I immensely loved the story about how she met Patricia and God opened up a door for her to lead women in ministry. I liked the principles she included in the book especially about finding out our what’s and why’s and how everything could fit together to help form our dreams.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/Chosen Books for my honest review.”
I would recommend this incredible book to anyone who is ready to start dreaming again and they are wanting to pursue everything God has for them to complete. I loved how open Wendy was in sharing her own personal story about how she went after her dreams in her 50’s. I immensely loved the story about how she met Patricia and God opened up a door for her to lead women in ministry. I liked the principles she included in the book especially about finding out our what’s and why’s and how everything could fit together to help form our dreams.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/Chosen Books for my honest review.”
November 4, 2021
Just Getting Started by Wendy Peter is a book I had the opportunity to read and review from Chosen Books. While this book appeared to catch my interest from the brief blurb I read, once I read the book I realized that this was not what I was expecting. I am unfamiliar with Wendy Peter's writings, but I did appreciate her passionate and easy to understand writing style. Ms. Peter definitely had a clear plan and organization with her writing in Just Getting Started. The book began with a very touching introduction from Ms. Peter's own experience where she realized that she had given up on dreaming or making plans for her life. I appreciated Ms. Peter's honesty and use of personal examples throughout this work. The title Just Getting Started fits very well with her message and grabs the reader's attention. I think the overall theme and message of Ms. Peter's book is to inspire her readers to bring glory to God by pursuing their dreams and living their lives to the fullest.
The key verses were from Matthew 5:13-16 which compare the believer to several things, like salt of the earth, a city set on a hill, and like a light. I always appreciate good examples and metaphors and Just Getting Started had a good amount of well-used literary devices. One such example I enjoyed and which I think sums up some of the message and motivation behind this book was, "Like an individual piece of stained glass, you have a brilliance that is yet to be revealed" (Peter, 20201, p. 32).
Overall, I thought that this book was well-written, had good messages, and had some good discussion questions and overall encouragements. I appreciated Ms. Peter's challenge and encouragement to her readers to not let anything, roadblocks, opinions of others, or even one's own doubts prevent the fulfillment of one's dreams and life purpose. While this book is not my typical read, I thought that it was good.
Disclaimer: Chosen Books graciously provided me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review
The key verses were from Matthew 5:13-16 which compare the believer to several things, like salt of the earth, a city set on a hill, and like a light. I always appreciate good examples and metaphors and Just Getting Started had a good amount of well-used literary devices. One such example I enjoyed and which I think sums up some of the message and motivation behind this book was, "Like an individual piece of stained glass, you have a brilliance that is yet to be revealed" (Peter, 20201, p. 32).
Overall, I thought that this book was well-written, had good messages, and had some good discussion questions and overall encouragements. I appreciated Ms. Peter's challenge and encouragement to her readers to not let anything, roadblocks, opinions of others, or even one's own doubts prevent the fulfillment of one's dreams and life purpose. While this book is not my typical read, I thought that it was good.
Disclaimer: Chosen Books graciously provided me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review
January 13, 2022
You are never too young or too old to reinvent your life, step into a new dream, or get started on a new project!
Author, Wendy Peter, is 50 years old and proves that you are never too old or too young to have a dream. The book's goal is to help you come into alignment with the dreams God has for you. It is not a book to be rushed through. You are provided thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter and given specific tasks to help you visualize and find ways to reach dreams. As a reader, you will find ways to accomplish your goals as well as see examples of many different types of dreams from home to work to spiritual and fitness. The book shows you that nothing is too big or too small to be a dream.
Peter's writing style is very informative but keeps you interested, she has examples from people she knows that doesn't go on too long but are a great parable to explanation and make you think. She acknowledges that we grow and change and that it is okay that our dreams may change along with us.
This book is a short read that will get you thinking and can come back to for inspiration for times to come. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Author, Wendy Peter, is 50 years old and proves that you are never too old or too young to have a dream. The book's goal is to help you come into alignment with the dreams God has for you. It is not a book to be rushed through. You are provided thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter and given specific tasks to help you visualize and find ways to reach dreams. As a reader, you will find ways to accomplish your goals as well as see examples of many different types of dreams from home to work to spiritual and fitness. The book shows you that nothing is too big or too small to be a dream.
Peter's writing style is very informative but keeps you interested, she has examples from people she knows that doesn't go on too long but are a great parable to explanation and make you think. She acknowledges that we grow and change and that it is okay that our dreams may change along with us.
This book is a short read that will get you thinking and can come back to for inspiration for times to come. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
October 22, 2021
Just Getting Started by Wendy Peter is not a book to rush through. At least it wasn't for me. Filled with helpful information and encouragement to reach for dreams which may have become hidden, or which feel out of reach, Wendy shows ways to move past your false finish line and re-imagine the next season of your life, identify and awaken your true purpose and step with courage into your calling, and create a road map to get your dreams off the ground.
Her hope as you work through the book by reading and answering the chapter questions, is that God does three things: Changes the way you think, resurrects some old dreams, conceives some new dreams in you.
Some of the material in Just Getting Started may not apply to where you are at this point in time, but I believe there may be enough information within the pages to make the book worth your while.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.
Her hope as you work through the book by reading and answering the chapter questions, is that God does three things: Changes the way you think, resurrects some old dreams, conceives some new dreams in you.
Some of the material in Just Getting Started may not apply to where you are at this point in time, but I believe there may be enough information within the pages to make the book worth your while.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.
May 22, 2022
Just Getting Started: Stepping with Courage into God's Call for the Next Stage of Life by Wendy Peter is a fabulous book that encourages readers to follow their dreams at any age. Looking into the Scriptures and calling on her own life experiences, the author shows the purpose we were designed for. This book is such an encouragement, a breath of fresh air for anyone needing a little push to start pursuing their dreams. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
November 22, 2022
Be Salt and Light and Find Your Why…
As with any book I never just dismiss it even when I don’t agree with some of it. I always try to find things I can take away. I felt this one was one I could take some things and leave more than I took. There were some good points. Some great self reflection questions. I felt it was a difference in theology. I will leave it at that.
As with any book I never just dismiss it even when I don’t agree with some of it. I always try to find things I can take away. I felt this one was one I could take some things and leave more than I took. There were some good points. Some great self reflection questions. I felt it was a difference in theology. I will leave it at that.
August 23, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Highly recommend for all Christian's out there.
January 26, 2022
Brilliant read for those stepping out into something new. ‘Just Getting Started’ reminds us that God doesn’t call the equipped He equips the called and the importance of chasing after one’s dreams.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews