Become a Better You 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day by Joel Osteen - Paperback

What did I think about this book? I think this book was great. I learned so much from Pastor Olsteen. I learned that life doesn't have to be so heavy because we have God who walks alongside with us, constantly leading and guiding us. AND, the best part, we are never alone. I learned how to pray with this book (how to talk with God) and how to declare blessings over my family. I often felt my prayers were going out unanswered into some holding tank, but this book showed me where they were actually going and why. It wasn't that God wasn't answering my prayers, He was holding them until the right time. I learned so many things with this book, too many to mention. I found this book to be an easy read, yet so rich in information and examples. The thing that helped me the MOST was the little sample prayers such as: "God, I thank you for your favor, your favor is causing..." Some people are not eloquent when addressing God. Joel tells us to remember God in the good times and the bad. However, another best part is he tells us where WE fit in, and that we are not alone, ever. After reading this book. My brother met him at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, Joel was walking around with his two children and my brother went up to him and they both prayed together. My brother said, that Joel has a very approachable personality and is a very humble person with a great heart who only wants to help people find God. And to that Joel, I thank you for helping me find God. I do not attend Lakewood Church neither am I Christian but I still found God. Now when I look back, I think the message was for me. I finally understand and my journey continues. Thank you.

This past year I started listening to Joel Osteen's podcast on iTunes for FREE and was surprised to find that almost every message I've listened to has really inspired my faith and encouraged me in ways no preacher has done before. He comes off a bit awkward at first as he isn't the most talented or dynamic public speaker but his messages have unusual power (anointing). I enjoy listening to John Piper, R.C. Sproul, Joel Stockstill... but Osteen has become my favorite! I look fwd to his sermon each week! I thought he was all hype but I was wrong. I can see why God has raised him up to pastor one of America's largest churches.Naturally, I got the new book and it's been such an inspiration! The steps look so simple but I have been underlining every other line in this book! Every page is soaked in hope. I even found myself about to weep at the thought of how much potential God has placed in me and how untapped that potential is because of my own unbelief. Joel really speaks faith into those dreams and visions that each person keeps hidden deep inside. I hope to apply its principles and glorify God in ways I could've never imagined!I see soooo much criticism about Joel on the internet but I think people who have really given him a listen would agree that all that "hate" is not justified! His encouraging spirit and inspirational approach is a welcome change from the monotony of typical preachers around.

This book if read in its entirety and put into place for thirty days will change your life. My suggestion is to try what Joel states for thirty days and see if this will change your marriage, your family, your attitude toward your work, your outlook on life and most important, your outlook toward God.If you put into place his suggestions for thirty days and find it does not change your life (and your outlook on life) then go back to what you were doing and write a book on how you can be a better person by following your methods. Write how you can improve your relationship with your spouse, your "kids", your employees, employer, your co-workers, etc. following what you have learned from your study of the Bible and life experience. Write how you can have a positive impact on those around you and society in general following your methods.Joel is not stating he is a theologian nor is he passing this book off as a theology book (which I have read many while earning my Doctorate in Theology).I read both of his books and they are excellent. However, IMHO this will have more impact on those that read it and put it into practice in their lives.Listen for the shout!1Thes 4:16-18

Joel Olstein is a popular writer and TV evangelist. This book is inspirational for those who are looking for a kind and loving faith based coaxing to become better than who they've been or who they think of themselves today. There are endless possibilities of what we can become, and equally endless excuses or states of minds that prevent us from moving forward. This book is a good faith-based way to find the reason to become a better person today.

I am somewhat biased when it comes to the Osteen family and Lakewood Church. As a restaurant owner in Houston for some 25 years, I knew the Osteens as regular Sunday morning breakfast customers. In a matter of speaking, I watched the children, including Joel, grow up.When his father John was in the hospital, he chose Joel to take over the pastoral duties at Lakewood. Joel was the unlikely choice since he had always worked behind the scenes, but he rose to the occasion and has helped make Lakewood Church a mega-church with attendance well over 50,000 each weekend.This book is a very practical guide to making changes in your life that will make you a better person. He talks about nuturing good habits, improving self-esteem and developing good relationships with others. There is nothing in this book I would disagree with since Joel lays out a great blueprint for living life as God meant it to be lived. After all, life is really about making choices; why not choose to make the choice to be happy and loving?