Flourish
How the Love of Christ Frees Us from Self-Focus
by
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Pub Date Jan 31 2019 | Archive Date Jan 05 2019
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Description
This book aims to free women from self-focus and replace it with truth from God’s word about the abundant life Jesus promises them in the gospel.
This book aims to free women from self-focus and replace it with truth from God’s word about the abundant life Jesus promises them in the gospel.
A Note From the Publisher
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Advance Praise
“The siren call of self sings loudly in our current cultural moment. Even as Christians, we easily fall prey to the false promises of self-focus, self-care, and self-love. With a refreshing dose of biblical truth, wisdom, and insight, Lydia Brownback invites us to consider our ways with fruitful reflection. Flourish is a book every woman should read. I highly recommend it!”
—Melissa Kruger, author, In All Things and The Envy of Eve
“As someone who deals in words all day and every day, I’m always fascinated to see how they come and go, how they ebb and flow. Recent years have brought us countless articles, books, podcasts, and conferences based on the word flourish. ‘Follow this program,’ they say, or ‘switch to this diet,’ or ‘become more mindful,’ and ‘you’ll finally flourish in your life and in your relationships. Guaranteed!’ In this book, Lydia Brownback looks for and finds what I’m convinced is the true key to human flourishing. Her solution is infinitely better because it is based on an infinitely better source—the enduring, infallible Word of God.”
—Tim Challies, blogger, Challies.com
“Lydia Brownback is an author to be trusted. She writes with lucid insight and biblical discernment. The result is a book that is truly helpful—a book that avoids contemporary fads and points the reader repeatedly to the sufficiency of Christ. She takes on common destructive states of mind that often hinder Christians from walking in the freedom that is theirs by grace. I suppose the highest recommendation I can give to this book is that it is one I will be encouraging the congregation I serve to read.”
—Todd Pruitt, Lead Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Cohost, Mortification of Spin
“What if the pathway to true flourishing is not what our instincts assume? What if the siren calls of society and culture are misleading us? What if real flourishing makes foolish the wisdom of the world and turns today’s prevailing solution on its head? What if self-focus leads to losing the life that really matters, and focusing outside ourselves leads to finding it? Lydia Brownback has a beat on the answer. There is a true flourishing, and it may not be what you think—and it is better than what we dream. This is no shallow guide to ‘flourishing’ when all in life is well. Brownback wants to get us ready to truly flourish—when all around our soul gives way.”
—David Mathis, Executive Editor, desiringGod.org; Pastor, Cities Church, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; author, Habits of Grace
“In a world where seemingly every voice whispers, ‘Think about yourself,’ this book is an invitation to something better. With biblical clarity, Lydia Brownback exposes the pervasive lie of self-focus and points us to a more abundant life. Whether you find yourself shackled to the self-centered spirit of the age or mentoring someone else who is, Flourish will open the prison door and let in the warm light of Christ.”
—Megan Hill, author, Contentment and Praying Together; Editor, The Gospel Coalition
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781433560651 |
| PRICE | $12.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Megan O, Librarian
Flourish is for Christian women who want to more for themselves (to flourish) but know it can't be found in themselves - contrary to many current books written for them. It points them to Christ, and finding their worth in Him. It also includes questions for small group study at the end. I highly recommend it - my only warning is that it may cause disagreements between those who read self-focused books and those who don't.
I received an advanced reader copy from Crossway Books in exchange for an honest review.
Jeanie S, Reviewer
What we focus on defines us, so if our focus is inward, on ourselves, we wind up defining ourselves whether we are righteous or guilt. When we begin and end with us - with our self- we miss the heart of the gospel and never truly find the freedom for which we ache.
The snares of self-focus, self-help and all around self can be our downfall. We have good intentions, but many times our focus on the why instead of the who, we always miss the mark. I find this trap of self so easy to step in because many times we step in it all in the name of Christianity. Why me should be Who will.
Brownback leads you in a the study of self but points you to the Who. Six Chapters to be set free from.
Self-Consciousness
Self-Improvement
Self-Analysis
Self-Indulgence
Self-Condemnation
Christianity can be seen as a victim crutch but our victimization is the trap we have set for ourselves. I see myself in each of chapters but I also see freedom that God has for each for each of us. Each chapter has a dig deeper segment and a Discern to think and reflect the pit of self and freedom in Christ. The study digs deeper in scripture and gives an overall view of the Gospel. We truly start living the gospel when we forget ourselves and move out of the way. These self chapters in of themselves are not evil or bad, but we must remember even the good things of life takes us away from God's true redemptive plan of salvation. Self and God's glory is always in contrast and that is what at stake. Living in self or living for God's glory. Highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Suzanne K, Reviewer
I received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley and Crossway.
In a world of self focus this book by Lydia Brownback is very timely. Often we focus on us as the centre , loosing the fact that Christ alone should be centre and all our focus. The author guides us through various chapters, such as freedom from Self- analysis, freedom from self-consciousness and freedom from self=victimisation, showing how, in Christ by letting go we can truly flourish.
I enjoyed the vast majority of this book, it was convicting and challenging but also immensely practical, it also includes an excellent study guide which would prove useful both in an individual and group setting. There were a few parts where I felt that the author went off on a bit of a tangent and spent a lot of time talking about issues that particularly frustrated her, but all in all I would highly recommend this book!
Stevie M, Reviewer
I think this book would be excellent for a women's small group. I found it very challenging, yet encouraging. Even though we as women often want "more" for ourselves, we know we cannot do it through ourselves alone. Finding freedom in letting go, we can fully flourish.
Heather P, Reviewer
I knew of Lydia Brownback from her book “Sing a New Song” which walks through the psalms, so I was excited to pick up “Flourish”. I thought her content was challenging, and weeks after I finished I am still thinking about the implications of this book.
The last chapter had a few things that I didn’t completely agree with, but it was not a big issue.
I would highly recommend this book if you are looking to flourish in your walk with Christ.
Joan N, Reviewer
It has been a while since a book has impacted me as much as this one has. Brownback takes much of the self centered nature of what is popular in Christian culture today and sets us straight. In a time when self (self care, self improvement, self indulgence) is the focus, Brownback takes us back to the gospel.
Her teaching penetrates to the very heart of why we Christians do what we do. Are we pursuing personal change to enrich our walk with Christ or are we just dissatisfied with ourselves? (266/1142) Are we living for our own pleasures or for the pleasure of God's presence? (464/1142) Are we focusing on what makes us happy or what glorifies God? We cannot live for earthbound appetites and live for Christ. (536/1142)
Brownback calls us to leave behind the self improvement trap (the old self is dead, after all) and move to Christ centered goals and priorities. She reminds us of Col. 3:1-4 and encourages us to first seek things above, making God's priorities our priorities, and set our minds on Christ and life in God's kingdom.
This book has really made an impression on me. I was struck by her calling us away from a self centered culture – even within Christianity. We are not here to maximize our personal potential but to become more Christlike and kingdom focused. (576/1142)
I highly recommend this book. Brownback has included a six week study guide with daily questions for reflection. This would be a great book for a women's study but would work very well for individual use too.
If you read this book, I think you will be challenged to rethink your life and your focus. I was.
Food for thought: “...happiness comes not from being thought well of but by thinking less of ourselves altogether.” (133/1142)
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Deon V, Reviewer
With so much focus on self-care of late, the timing of this book couldn't be better. This short book was so helpful in showing areas where we are not focusing on the right things. Self-improvement is an easy trap for us to fall into. I found it challenging and thought-provoking.
There is also a 6-week study guide in the back that can be used for a group setting, as well as an individual.
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