Tim Timberlake

Make the most of every minute that we're given. It’s a concept that mentally we all know, and most try to live by, but it’s easier said than done, especially with the harried lives we all live in this day and age. The Power of 1440 by Tim Timberlake takes you minute by minute, reminding you to make the most out of each 1,440 minutes that we are blessed to have each day. Each minute is a gift, and it's so easy for us to take them for granted.

From the introduction I found myself highlighting like crazy, the points that Tim makes so spot on! I have recently felt like I've been in a rut, life becoming mundane, and I've caught myself going through the motions on multiple occasions. Then I read this:

"The only reason life seems ordinary, or even burdensome, is because we choose to think it is. We believe it to be true so it is."

Wow! It is my choice, our choice, as to what we believe, and what we see. After reading this sentence I started to see God more in the little things. He is everywhere! The mind is such a powerful thing, I often forget that what I think and focus on holds such immense influence on every other aspect of my life.

To say that this book was thought-provoking is an understatement. The practical approach was perfect for me and the real world examples that Tim included really makes the principles taught applicable. The chapters aren't that long, which I loved, and the writing feels heartfelt, genuine, and down-to-earth.

I can see this book being a reference, and a reminder for years to come, and am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read this wonderful resource!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.… (mais)

When we hear the word 'abandon,' we think of orphans and stray kittens, left to fend for themselves. This isn't exactly what Tim Timberlake has in mind. He wrote Abandon to exhort us toward self-abandonment--the giving our whole selves over to God. Grounded in the Jacob story (Genesis 25-31), Timberlake tells us how Jacob moved from being a self-centered deceiver to a recipient of God's blessing.

abandon_webcover-200x300Timberlake unfolds his message in three phases. In phase one, chapters one through three, he invites us to the 'Don't-Do-It-Yourself' life where we stop feeding ourselves with junk that leaves empty but follow and believe. In phase two, chapters four and five, he talks about the challenge of temptation and faulty thinking, exit strategies and what it takes for us to overcome. In phase three, chapters six through nine, he explores what transformation looks like.

This is a quick read and has the potential to be helpful, especially for young and new Christians. I appreciated that Timberlake took the time to retell the story of Jacob before launching in. It rooted his words in a story of transformation that Bible readers know, and it gave the text a practical dimension.

However this rootedness doesn't continue in substantial way after the first part of the book. Timberlake starts uses Bible verses looser. Sometimes he uses a passage illustratively, and does it well. Sometimes he proof-texts. Occasionally his interpretations get a little flighty.

For example, he quotes Numbers 23:23, "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, What hath God wrought!" He observes that Jacob and Israel are used through out scripture to refer to Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel. But then he writes, " The word enchantment is tied to "Jacob," and divination is tied to "Israel." Enchantment is a word meaning invocation of demons, which fits with Jacob's personality of deceit, and divination means to discover something by means of supernatural powers, as is fitting for Israel, a prince of God" (146). He uses this passage to illustrate the different ways we are perceived, but this misinterpets the parallelism and rips the verse out of its context--Balaam's prophecy about the nation of Israel.

Another thing that didn't sit well was the revolution I didn't see anywhere in this book. Timberlake exhorts us to obey God, have faith, and to allow Christ to shape us. But the light at the end of it is what? successful living, blessing, abundant life. The self we have been asked to abandon seems very much alive, and a lot of Timberlake's advice sound more like 'how to get ahead God's way' than 'how to live a life which prophetically announces God's coming kingdom.' He talks about the power of positive thinking (168) and there is a ring of prosperity in some of his phrases.

On the other hand, Timberlake talks realistically throughout his book about setbacks, hardtimes and valleys. He offers sound advice on managing your emotions. I can't say this book is bad or harmful. It just doesn't paint a compelling vision of what it means to take up your cross and follow Christ. I give this two-and-a-half stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
… (mais)

Abandon All for God

In this book, Tim Timberlake outlines a plan to help the reader learn to abandon their plans for life and place their life in God's hands. This is a must read book for all Christians who wish to be closer to Christ and live the life He wants for us. Even if we believe we are already leading a Christ-centered life, this book explains that we all need to let go of our way of doing things and truly follow God's will. It is not so much a religious principle as it is a total change of lifestyle. This change is presented in three phases:

~The Choice
~The Challenge
~The Change

We have a choice to clear our minds of negative ideas and beliefs. In order to achieve true success, we need to stop trying to do things our way. God knows our heart, and if we sincerely want to realize our purpose, a sincere heart towards God will produce results. We must allow God to heal us in every way. We must always seek God through faith, as He always responds to true faith. The choice we must make is to give up our old ways of thinking and living, and trust God to lead our path through life.

The challenge is to live our lives resisting temptation and negativity. The best way to do this is to turn to the Bible and read God's word. We need to develop a deep relationship with Jesus and ask for things based on His will for us. By trying to control our own lives and by holding on to our way of thinking, we move farther away from Christ. To be closer to Him, we must be one with Him, in heart and in purpose. We can't really hold on to God if we don't let go of other things. Once we abandon ourselves to God, he is free to do His will in our lives. We need to seek Him through prayer and completely believe that He will change us.

The change will come when we finally leave the past behind and continue forward relying on God's strength. If we value Him, trust Him, and pursue Him, we will be victorious in life. Seek Him in spirit and in truth and He will provide the way for each of us.

Tim Timberlake has written a book which leads the reader to a life which God wants for us. I found "Abandon" to be deeply meaningful and extremely useful in my life. I highly recommend this book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.… (mais)