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It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
Whether just starting out in their walk with Christ, or a seasoned Christian, every woman wonders how she can lead a life of greater spiritual intimacy, fulfillment and growth. Rachel Olsen opens the Scriptures to show that it's no secret. With lighthearted writing on topics women care about, plus deep study questions, this enjoyable read makes a heart-level impact. This book will help
* Manage petty conflicts and criticism with grace
* Overcome competitive pressures that keep you striving
* Grow spiritually during, and not just in spite of, life's setbacks
* Relax unrealistic expectations and gain emotional and relational stability* Uncover a surprising means of worshiping God amidst your busy schedule
* Discover how to be okay with giving stuff away
* Yield more wholeheartedly to God Grab a coffee, a highlighter, and a copy of It's No Secret and discover twelve scriptural keys to spiritual growth every woman should know.
* Manage petty conflicts and criticism with grace
* Overcome competitive pressures that keep you striving
* Grow spiritually during, and not just in spite of, life's setbacks
* Relax unrealistic expectations and gain emotional and relational stability* Uncover a surprising means of worshiping God amidst your busy schedule
* Discover how to be okay with giving stuff away
* Yield more wholeheartedly to God Grab a coffee, a highlighter, and a copy of It's No Secret and discover twelve scriptural keys to spiritual growth every woman should know.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
30 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Olsen
38 books39 followersI am a life-long avid reader. I've been writing ever since I declared my major as journalism, and joined the school newspaper team in undergrad.
I hold a master's degree in communication. And I teach communication, creativity and innovation courses at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington.
I also hold coaching certifications and coach writers through the book writing process at Novel Confidence.
I write on my Mac, mostly from home but occasionally from a coffee shop, our local crepe cafe, or on the nearby beach..
I read mostly from the categories of women's fiction, southern fiction, popular non-fiction and business innovation. But I also read outside theses lines - from cookbooks, to biographies, to YA to whatever strikes me.
I hold a master's degree in communication. And I teach communication, creativity and innovation courses at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington.
I also hold coaching certifications and coach writers through the book writing process at Novel Confidence.
I write on my Mac, mostly from home but occasionally from a coffee shop, our local crepe cafe, or on the nearby beach..
I read mostly from the categories of women's fiction, southern fiction, popular non-fiction and business innovation. But I also read outside theses lines - from cookbooks, to biographies, to YA to whatever strikes me.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 15, 2012
I loved this devotional! It was short, so I finished in about a week and a half. I will be reading this again! I loved how this devotional has a Bible study for each day. I was able to relate with so many of the experiences Rachel Olsen shares with us. This devotional was inspiring, encouraging and helps to grow your spiritual maturity. It is a great devotional for any stage of Christian, and even for the non-Christian. It is definitely a devotional I will be recommending to my friends.
November 29, 2010
Coffee.
Chocolate.
Your closest friends.
This is a great bible study to work alone, but if you are looking for that next bible study for your ladies group, this is it.
What I like about this is that it addresses everyday topics that as women and as followers of Christ, we continually encounter such as issues of competition, true versus false humilty, gossip, just finding times, among the many topics that are touched and are daily struggles for a Sister of Christ.
Chapters are brief, with study questions that will really have you digging into your Bible to explore and examine Biblical truths and stories and how they apply today as they have applied throughout the ages.
These are short studies that are good for a thirty minute study if you’re doing it alone or for hour(s) discussions for a group of girlfriends whose gather together and sure to touch, encouraged and challenged.
The drawback for me was the use of the “Message” Bible and I found myself referring to my ESV and NKJV for cross-reference, due to the “Message” really being more of a “paraphrase” of the Bible versus a translation,so if you are planning to use this for a group study, I highly recommend, making sure everyone either has a Bible or have a Bible on hand, so you and your friends can cross-check the scriptures yourself (ref. Acts 17:11).
Despite using the “Message”, “It’s No Secret” is a fun, laidback bible study that is sure to be both a discussion starter and “hit” for either personal study or for your next all-ladies bible study!
Background of the Book:
Done with feeling exhausted—or worse, bored? Ready to trade your issues and hang-ups for greater intimacy and fulfillment? Then it’s time you did some digging for biblical “bling” and discovered the shining secrets to life in God’s kingdom. Rachel’s writing is lighthearted and fun, but she’s serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets that can make your life shine. This book will help you:
o Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
o Accept help from others
o Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
o Embrace your need for rest
o Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
o Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there
Grab your Bible and a girlfriend, and come discover twelve secrets the world doesn’t know.
“It’s No Secret” by Karen Ehman, national speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries and author of A Life That Says Welcome and The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized
Chocolate.
Your closest friends.
This is a great bible study to work alone, but if you are looking for that next bible study for your ladies group, this is it.
What I like about this is that it addresses everyday topics that as women and as followers of Christ, we continually encounter such as issues of competition, true versus false humilty, gossip, just finding times, among the many topics that are touched and are daily struggles for a Sister of Christ.
Chapters are brief, with study questions that will really have you digging into your Bible to explore and examine Biblical truths and stories and how they apply today as they have applied throughout the ages.
These are short studies that are good for a thirty minute study if you’re doing it alone or for hour(s) discussions for a group of girlfriends whose gather together and sure to touch, encouraged and challenged.
The drawback for me was the use of the “Message” Bible and I found myself referring to my ESV and NKJV for cross-reference, due to the “Message” really being more of a “paraphrase” of the Bible versus a translation,so if you are planning to use this for a group study, I highly recommend, making sure everyone either has a Bible or have a Bible on hand, so you and your friends can cross-check the scriptures yourself (ref. Acts 17:11).
Despite using the “Message”, “It’s No Secret” is a fun, laidback bible study that is sure to be both a discussion starter and “hit” for either personal study or for your next all-ladies bible study!
Background of the Book:
Done with feeling exhausted—or worse, bored? Ready to trade your issues and hang-ups for greater intimacy and fulfillment? Then it’s time you did some digging for biblical “bling” and discovered the shining secrets to life in God’s kingdom. Rachel’s writing is lighthearted and fun, but she’s serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets that can make your life shine. This book will help you:
o Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
o Accept help from others
o Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
o Embrace your need for rest
o Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
o Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there
Grab your Bible and a girlfriend, and come discover twelve secrets the world doesn’t know.
“It’s No Secret” by Karen Ehman, national speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries and author of A Life That Says Welcome and The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized
August 31, 2010
Title: IT’S NO SECRET
Author: Rachel Olsen
Publisher: David C. Cook
September 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6537-6
Genre: Nonfiction/Christian living/women’s issues
Are you tired of life as usual?
Rachel Olsen likes bling. She likes it even better when it looks like the real thing, but it’s a counterfeit. And the bigger, the glitterier, the better. Now Ms. Olsen wants to introduce us to biblical bling—and help us get past feeling exhausted or bored with our religion, and help us to find fulfillment and greater intimacy with God.
Inside IT’S NO SECRET you will uncover truths which will help you
> Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
> Accept help from others
> Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
> Embrace your need for rest
> Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
> Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there
and more
Ms. Olsen starts each chapter with a story, well punctuated with verses, then shares a biblical story, and each chapter ends with discussion questions and plenty of room to write the answers. Ms. Olsen suggests that this book would be good to work through with a girl friend—maybe one on one would work, but I can’t imagine it being a good small group bible study. (though someone with more imagination than me might be able to work it into one)
IT’S NO SECRET is definitely a book that leaves you with plenty to think about, and she has some great spiritual truths included. One of the endorsers commented that she used it as a devotional. This is definitely a lot more than a verse, a story, and an application. This is an immerse yourself into God’s word type study, and you will reap the benefits from it. $14.99. 236 pages.
Author: Rachel Olsen
Publisher: David C. Cook
September 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6537-6
Genre: Nonfiction/Christian living/women’s issues
Are you tired of life as usual?
Rachel Olsen likes bling. She likes it even better when it looks like the real thing, but it’s a counterfeit. And the bigger, the glitterier, the better. Now Ms. Olsen wants to introduce us to biblical bling—and help us get past feeling exhausted or bored with our religion, and help us to find fulfillment and greater intimacy with God.
Inside IT’S NO SECRET you will uncover truths which will help you
> Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
> Accept help from others
> Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
> Embrace your need for rest
> Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
> Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there
and more
Ms. Olsen starts each chapter with a story, well punctuated with verses, then shares a biblical story, and each chapter ends with discussion questions and plenty of room to write the answers. Ms. Olsen suggests that this book would be good to work through with a girl friend—maybe one on one would work, but I can’t imagine it being a good small group bible study. (though someone with more imagination than me might be able to work it into one)
IT’S NO SECRET is definitely a book that leaves you with plenty to think about, and she has some great spiritual truths included. One of the endorsers commented that she used it as a devotional. This is definitely a lot more than a verse, a story, and an application. This is an immerse yourself into God’s word type study, and you will reap the benefits from it. $14.99. 236 pages.
November 24, 2010
MY REVIEW:
The cover is the first thing that caught my attention with this book. The steamy hot drinks and cozy scene made me want to jump in and settle down with this book in hand! But the cover is only the start.
Rachel Olsen warmed my heart with her casual we-are-best-friends style of writing. She dug into deep Biblical truth in such a relaxed feel that it was not work to read, but relaxing and refreshing. The "secrets" she shares are just the bling I needed to add sparkle to my day and my walk with Christ. You will enjoy this fun and faith filled book from the first page to the last. It's just as nice as going to Starbucks for a chat with your girlfriends!
BOOK OVERVIEW:
Done with feeling exhausted—or worse, bored? Ready to trade your issues and hang-ups for greater intimacy and fulfillment? Then it’s time you did some digging for biblical “bling” and discovered the shining secrets to life in God’s kingdom. Rachel’s writing is lighthearted and fun, but she’s serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets that can make your life shine. This book will help you:
o Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
o Accept help from others
o Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
o Embrace your need for rest
o Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
o Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of The B&B Media Group & David C. Cook. The review is strictly my own opinion.
The cover is the first thing that caught my attention with this book. The steamy hot drinks and cozy scene made me want to jump in and settle down with this book in hand! But the cover is only the start.
Rachel Olsen warmed my heart with her casual we-are-best-friends style of writing. She dug into deep Biblical truth in such a relaxed feel that it was not work to read, but relaxing and refreshing. The "secrets" she shares are just the bling I needed to add sparkle to my day and my walk with Christ. You will enjoy this fun and faith filled book from the first page to the last. It's just as nice as going to Starbucks for a chat with your girlfriends!
BOOK OVERVIEW:
Done with feeling exhausted—or worse, bored? Ready to trade your issues and hang-ups for greater intimacy and fulfillment? Then it’s time you did some digging for biblical “bling” and discovered the shining secrets to life in God’s kingdom. Rachel’s writing is lighthearted and fun, but she’s serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets that can make your life shine. This book will help you:
o Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
o Accept help from others
o Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
o Embrace your need for rest
o Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
o Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of The B&B Media Group & David C. Cook. The review is strictly my own opinion.
September 23, 2010
Rating 3.5
I have read books by Lysa TerKeurst and subscribed to the Proverbs 31 devotional, so when this book by a P31 speaker came up for FIRST I signed up. I also had the opportunity to hear Rachel speak in my hometown just last weekend.
I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read. That being said, I didn’t find the secrets shared to be profound. However, I definitely did find areas the Lord showed me for further application. My favorite sections were on humility and sacrifice. And I believe perfection is something most women struggle with and I definitely fall into that category.
Throughout the book, Olsen used The Message version of the Bible. I don’t believe The Message to be an accurate translation at all, so at times this made me feel that the truth was being watered-down.
I most profited from the Bible study section. I found by going through the Scriptures on my own I found some “nuggets” of divine truth to apply in my own life. I don’t regret reading this book because I do feel that the Lord showed me things in my own heart, but I prefer my studies a bit more “meaty.”
More at http://www.darkglassponderings.blogsp...
I have read books by Lysa TerKeurst and subscribed to the Proverbs 31 devotional, so when this book by a P31 speaker came up for FIRST I signed up. I also had the opportunity to hear Rachel speak in my hometown just last weekend.
I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read. That being said, I didn’t find the secrets shared to be profound. However, I definitely did find areas the Lord showed me for further application. My favorite sections were on humility and sacrifice. And I believe perfection is something most women struggle with and I definitely fall into that category.
Throughout the book, Olsen used The Message version of the Bible. I don’t believe The Message to be an accurate translation at all, so at times this made me feel that the truth was being watered-down.
I most profited from the Bible study section. I found by going through the Scriptures on my own I found some “nuggets” of divine truth to apply in my own life. I don’t regret reading this book because I do feel that the Lord showed me things in my own heart, but I prefer my studies a bit more “meaty.”
More at http://www.darkglassponderings.blogsp...
September 24, 2010
I really enjoyed Rachel Olsen's writing style. It's engaging and makes you feel like she's having a personal conversation with you. A nice "girl talk" type of conversation. This book is very readable and easy to understand.
Doctrinally, though, I had problems. The doctrine I was taught was different than the way it is taught here. For example, Ms. Olsen states WE are the Bride of Christ. I was taught that the Bride in Revelation is the city and that Israel is the Bride. That's quite a difference. Because of this reason, I won't comment on the lessons and questions in the book. What I will say is that the book is nicely laid out, there are questions for a Bible study at the end of each chapter and Ms. Olsen is a wonderful and engaging writer.
This book uses the New Living Translation unless otherwise quoted.
Doctrinally, though, I had problems. The doctrine I was taught was different than the way it is taught here. For example, Ms. Olsen states WE are the Bride of Christ. I was taught that the Bride in Revelation is the city and that Israel is the Bride. That's quite a difference. Because of this reason, I won't comment on the lessons and questions in the book. What I will say is that the book is nicely laid out, there are questions for a Bible study at the end of each chapter and Ms. Olsen is a wonderful and engaging writer.
This book uses the New Living Translation unless otherwise quoted.
August 12, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It was written in a light-hearted manner and in a way I could relate to. I could really relate to many of the topics that were discussed - rest, leaning on friends, forgiveness, focus on what is important - she provided topics that all women face, provided scripture to get you into your bible and grow within yourself. At the end of each chapter the author provides a bible study with questions relating to the chapter. In most chapters I really liked this, pushed me to think on my own terms and apply my thoughts/actions to the topic. I like how at the end of the book the author said "life is hard". I can relate to that statment and loved how the author could break down life into areas in women's lives that we can focus on, improve on, and help make life a little easier.
September 28, 2010
Rachel Olsen has written an encouraging book about developing a deeper relationship with God. Adding real bling to a woman's Christian walk by digging deeper to overcome boredom and inertia with the current acceptable type of walk. This is written in a lighthearted chatty girlfriend style but contains amazing depth in the 13 lessons or secrets. Each lesson is followed by a bible study that reinforces the secret and makes the reader really think.
Thank you to David C Cook Publishing house for a copy of this book through B&B Media Group for review purposes
Thank you to David C Cook Publishing house for a copy of this book through B&B Media Group for review purposes
May 12, 2012
This book was enjoyable and challenging! The author reveals in each chapter truths that are applicable for women of all ages and in all stages of life. I was challenged to keep the focus of my life on the gospel of Christ and to remember daily not only His promises for me personally, but His purpose for me and every believer to reach out to others with His message. This book would make a marvelous small group study, as there are questions and additional scriptures to review. Definitely, I have in on my list to read again!
March 15, 2013
I am giving this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed her fun bible study. I don't know Rachel but I felt her personality and her love for Christ while doing this study. While it was fun and cute, it also brought up many topics that I haven't really been focusing on. I am now changing things in my life. If you are looking to add more to your daily reading, I recommend this book. I look forward to reading more of Rachel Olsen's books.
April 4, 2012
Wonderful reading on its own but would be a terrific foundation for a women's bible study as it's chock full of scripture lookups ... insightful, meaningful words of wisdom that we all need to remember and carry around within us on this walk of life. Some parts were written almost too flippant for me but overall, an honest guide of divine truths.
April 13, 2011
Rachel Olsen shares "divine truths" that apply to our daily lives. It's nothing earth shattering or surprising, but I think it's definitely good to be reminded, and at times, I was really touched by her points.
November 6, 2017
It was a little conservative for my tastes, & I really am not a fan of The Message "translation" of the Bible, which the author cites frequently; however, I found the book comforting, in a sense, & uplifting.
August 8, 2012
Wonderful book that works well as a daily or weekly devotional. I read it on my Nook but think I would prefer to have it in "paper" form so that I can highlight and write notes in it, so I'll be buying a copy and reading it again soon!
May 2, 2012
An interesting read that is written in a very clear and casual tone. Rachel is hysterical and is wonderful at relating things to current day!
November 30, 2017
A good little devotional book. It was a quick easy read. I liked the Bible study portions at the end of each chapter and there was scripture references for each topic and point. It was a light read, not overly deep or difficult to understand. I felt like you were just sitting over coffee having a chat which was nice. I didn't like that the Author uses the Message Bible a lot in her references because I am not a fan of the Message, and at times I thought it should have gone a little deeper into a topic while it just skimmed the surface. It seemed like a great book for new Christians, where a more mature Christian may find it a little too basic; however, I liked it and was reminded of some things that I needed to be reminded of, so that is always a good thing :)
September 29, 2017
I sincerely enjoyed this book.
January 17, 2013
I loved this book! I would recommend it to everyone!
August 31, 2013
Excellent women's Bible Study; a journey that is well worth it.
Want to read
August 27, 2010*Thanks to the TBBMedia Group for providing a copy for review through FIRST Wild Card Tours.*
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews