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Darkness and disobedience grows

This one has much more Hope in the beginning than book one. There is still some dark truths that are spoke of, but the Hope feels stronger.

2 chronicles 29:1-3
Hezekiah was 25 when he became king, and reigned for 29 years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as David had done.in the first month of his first year of reign he opened the doors of the temple and repaired them.

This was recommend by my wife as she reads a lot books of this nature and said this is a good first one.

Using audio on road trip . Helps provoke discussion with the wife.
It’s got so much insight but such bummer it’s not an all ears friendly. But overall provokes great conversation .
Still recommend, but if title offends you, then you need decide to get over the offense to learn or to not open book. It’s got wisdom in it

So far 4&7 best chapters.
You can feel the inner tension of someone who was a talk show host&the peace of Jesus that wants him to spread a humble message.
I never listened to Douglas on radio but I imagine he’s a different man than the one writing a book w emoji on it.It’s great to see the struggle of self and how it is becoming less so that peace can be greater. And bringing others on the journey towards peace.

5 hours in and chapter 3&8 are my favorites so far.
Just the conclusion to go.

Ch 3 is amazing! I will reread and share with others.
Emerson “ self reliance” 7 steps . 1841.
1-my life is not a spectacle
2-stop conforming
3-be true to self
4-defer gratification
5-delete trivial things
6-be willing to change your mind and say you were wrong
7-speak truth

Addiction is
1- compulsive
2-loss of control
3-continue use despite harm
4-tolerance & with drawal

So many other great points in the chap

Ch 2 is another 25 min read and lots great data at times it goes just on other side of education wording that I lose interest but I was able to force myself to almost follow along. There is also a good image on page 53.
I do appreciate how he talks about the average American using device 205 times a day that’s 13 times an hour and that we can’t just remove from technology but relearn how to use it appropriately

A good questionnaire exists
1) i understand my life’s meaning
2) I’m looking for something that my life feel meaningful.
3) I’m always looking to find my life’s purpose
4) I have a clear understanding of my life’s purpose
5) I have a good sense of what makes my life meaningful
6) I have discovered a satisfying life purpose
7) I’m always searching for something that makes my life feel significant
+3

Audio version and loving the short chapters. Some of them I feel are merely a paragraph so if provides you with easy permission to pause and reflect.
I mean I’m 21% into book and on chapter 16.With 5 hrs left.
The book is a total of 71 chapters while physical on around 275 pages.
Acuff knows how to draw you in and yet also semi chase the distracting squirrel to help it feel like a conversation and not just a book

Received this book because I went to live speaking event Arthur was at.
He usually does a good job of captivating the audience or reader. And thus far that’s what he has done using some of his classical data on how depression and loneliness are the rise and have of Ivy League students are psychologically unstable and receive a form of treatment.

This helps you accept it’s okay to not be okay.

Ch 7 had lots good truths on how to set boundaries with toxic people (parent) and the burden that caries.
But if the toxic person who lives with you can prevent you from doing things your called to do of being more hospitable.
Hospitality and opening your home is such a critical part of showing your identity and being vulnerable to people

Ch 6 is worth rereading as it hits in the spots we want to dismiss and forget. Talks about how if we are over welcome and never practice church discipline we allow for some of the most destructive people flourish. A hypocrite. Because the hypocrite represents what you stand for from the public view but on the inside they serve themselves. Example Judas . This is a great chapter and tearful as well.

Chap 1 & 4 are my favorite so far. One hooks you to be better then 2&3 go thru her life story then 4 is back to how to become more hospitable and the simple actions one makes can be more inviting.

Fun fact learning about biblical times the rich / priest had courtyards that they would host events and only invited people could partake in food but the event was open to all. Inside the house or in the back was only vip

Ch 8 crazy to think one can run a church yet have a prayer life in ruin.
Many leaders have a great practice of 2 hours in morning dedicated to prayer
Some even 7 hrs a day!

Ch 9 some churches have members that dedicate first 7 days to fasting until 7 pm

Some churches fasting never stops, they just take turns.
Matt6:16 when you fast.
Jesus expected his followers to fast.
Some only allow those in fasting to baptize

Putes if it gets escalated.
Try to keep a one to one ratio of people, and your advocate needs to not be adding fuel but to help keep you calm and keep it factual.

Proffessions the enabler / advocate commonly can be in frequent is lawyer, counselor, ministry, doctors, teachers, nurses ,& social workers

Had a good case study in the chapter about a lawyer who prematurely took the case wo doing research.

Ch 9 22min/200. Dealing with advocates of the HCP.
They are often close to the person family, friend, coworker. Many times they are just enablers by trusting to quickly and not doing own research or are afraid of the person snapping on them.
But many times when both sides of story are present they disappear.
But sometimes they are to close or an HCP themselves.
He recommends his book Highconflict people in legal dis

Ch8 24m/178 histrionic personality is motivated by fear of being ignored.
1.8% or 6 million. 51%men.
Emotional intensity push people away which is ironic because that is a huge fear of there’s.
Top 3 of the 8 traits is drive center attention,dramatic speech, thinking people care more about them than they do.
Common profession movie stars, rock stars, or public performer.
Frequent ER visit because all or nothing .

Ch7 26min/154. Paranoid. 4.4% or 16million people in north America.
57% are female.
Most appear less confident about engaging others, though a minority do.
Typically verbal attack first, rumors.
Top 3 of 7 suspicious others out to harm them, beating grudges foot minor or nonexistent reasons, fear others conspire against them.
little paranoia is healthy.
Tip:Focus on acknowledging that’s unusual or I wasn’t there