Monday 14 April 2014

Love Idol ~ a review

Sometimes you grasp a book in your hands and sense it was written just for you ~ heart to heart.

You'll find yourself wanting to add numerous memory jogging highlights and underlining to what feels more like a private journal than anything else.

C.S Lewis said, "Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another:"What! You too? I thought that no one but myself.." Right from the start the author feels like a good friend, so frequent are the 'You too?' moments within it. 

Jennifer Dukes Lee's warm, engaging prose, intimate sharing, open vulnerability and heartfelt message also invite trust and reassuring confidence.

Here is a woman who is still a 'work in progress' and willing to admit it. She eagerly desires for others to join her in seeking to identify and demolish their own love idols.

So what is a 'love idol' Primarily, whatever rules our hearts is at risk of "becoming our lord" when "instead of resting in the love and approval of an unseen God, we chase after the temporary pleasures of human validation" 

People-approval issues are so widespread that it begs the question:How on earth do we overcome them? Insightful, God-inspired suggestions (based on her own tried and tested application) are heavily strewn throughout this book.

We are encouraged to see ourselves as already pre-approved. Together, as co-pilgrims, we can learn how to surrender "our need for human approval in exchange for a godly approval that is already bought and paid for."

Whether you are in the first flush of youth or the hot flush of mid-life, male or female, this book is relevant for all. These issues can plague our lives and cause enormous stress and strain until we have awareness and insight into their devastating consequences and find the means to address them.

We don't have to live lives plagued and tormented, held captive to the fluctuating opinions of others or wearied and discouraged by our low self-esteem.

There is hope at hand.

There is grace to help.

There is freedom to be gained.

We can discover our true identity in Christ.

"Every small death of an idol is another tiny resurrection of our identity in Christ" ~ Jennifer Dukes Lee 'Love Idol'

Are you ready?

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I will continue sharing my journey in the overcoming of love idols over at poetryjoy.com. You can check out my progress there.

There is a growing, supportive Facebook community to help you along the way.

Jennifer's site has plenty of information about her own journey and shared stories of how others are walking this pathway.

You can order the book on Amazon by clicking here.

And I am offering a free copy of 'Love Idol' to a person selected at random from those who leave a comment below. Do join in the conversation below to be in with a chance to win a copy for yourself or for a friend. You won't regret it!


20 comments:

  1. Thank You Joy,
    For Your Beautiful word of Encouragement & an opportunity to enter for Love Idol.

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    1. Hi Marie. Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you were inspired to leave a comment. This book is so encouraging and helpful. I hope you will be able to read it very soon! God bless you :)

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  2. Encouraging as ever Joy... Love Idol sounds like a book that those of us who struggle with needing to 'people please' should read!

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    1. Oh it is, Mandy! Just perfect for those who feel 'less than' others and have become overly dependent on people approval. I hope and pray you will get to read it too. Blessings :) xx

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  3. I love the encouragement I get from reading your posts, thank you so much!

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    1. Hi Jacquelyn. Thanks very much for blessing me with your sweet comment. And in addition to feeling encouraged, I hope you can come away with a free copy of 'Love Idol' too! :)

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  4. Hello Joy your words always offer a great support to so many I see that the Lord has blessed you to be able to do this and its a wonderful gift to be able to write like you do - reaching lives and touching hearts- I see that this book has made a great impact on your life as you spend time reading and yes would be lovely to get a copy too - God willing the one who you choose is His choice too , many thanks for being here for us each day - Maxine

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    1. Hi Maxine. What a lovely comment! Thank you so much for your kind encouragement. My dearest hope is to reach out to others through my words, to touch and bless lives. It is also my hope and prayer that God knows who needs to read this book, (either by winning a free copy or being inspired to get one for themselves) and will ensure they can do so. :) x

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful book, Joy. I'm going to check out Jennifer's site. :)

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    1. Hi Laurie. It's good to meet with you here. Yes, do check it out. In fact, as various health problems have delayed the draw here, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you go ahead and buy a copy anyway! It truly is a life changing read. God bless you. :)

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful book, and I look forward to reading it!

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    1. Hi Alice. You will love it, I'm sure! God bless you as you seek to live preapproved. :)

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  7. Hi Joy! I am coming over from Twitter. This book sounds like it makes a lot of sense, and is very honest about what can keep us from God. I love the little quote too! Every little death is a little resurrection..what wisdom!
    I'd love to win the book, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the drawing :)
    Happy Easter!
    Ceil

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    1. Hi Ceil. It's lovely to see your sweet smiling face here. Welcome, friend! You won't regret reading 'Love Idol'. Here's hoping you can get a copy soon. Sorry I am late with the draw. It got extended due to my health challenges and the Easter break. Hope you had a great Easter too. God bless you. :) x

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  8. Loved your very thoughtful review Joy. What a great quote "Every small death of an idol is another tiny resurrection of our identity in Christ" ~ Jennifer Dukes Lee. "Love Idol" sounds like a book that would dig down on the inside and root out those things/people I've allowed to rule my heart! Thanks for the opportunity to be part of the drawing! Praying that you'll feel better too, Joy!

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    1. Yes, I love that quote too, Lorna. In fact, so much of the book is quotable that it soon becomes covered with stickers or highlighted in some way! Thank you for reading the review and partcipating in the draw. Blessings :) x

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  9. A good friend mine told me the other day that her husband told her to get a personality. And then he sent her to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist told her she do need a new personality, but not in the way her husband thinks. He told her to stop pleasing other people, especially her husband. That in doing so she lost her individuality to such an extent that she doesn't know who she is anymore.
    And that is the problem most people, especially woman face. Myself included. Always wanting to please. Always wanting approval. When the only approval you need is that of God. And He does approve and love you - as you are. He made you, didn't He.
    I would love to read 'Love Idol' - it's a "what, you too" kind of moment for me too.
    Get well soon, Joy.
    Much love,
    Patricia

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    1. What a shocking and revealing story you share here, Patricia. To lose one's identity to the degree that we can lose knowing who we are and how we would naturally react and respond is very worrying indeed. You hit on the remedy here, "When the only approval you need is that of God." So true, my friend, yet so easily forgotten in the daily grind.
      He certainly does approve and love us just as we are, and there is no-one else who knows us better. I hope and pray you have an opportunity to relinquish your own love idols and see yourself as pre-approved in Him. Sending blessings, love and prayers to you too. :) x

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  10. Hi Joy :-) Worrying what others think of me seems to be my default position at the moment despite me having long periods last year when this was not an issue at all and I felt confident and secure. I don't know why I keep regressing when I know only God's opinion of me matters of He sees all and knows my heart. This book sounds like it might enlighten me alot....I have suffered with this issue most of my life I think. Great review. Blessings and hugs xxx

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    1. Hi Saz. It's lovely to see you here! Thanks very much for taking the time and using the energy required to visit and leave a comment. It is greatly appreciated, my friend. My heart goes out to you as I read your confession above. I keep regressing too. These things dig deep and steal courage and confidence to live fully and freely.
      The key thing for us is to keep remembering and reminding ourselves that His "opinion of me matters" because He "sees all and knows my heart." And as we absorb this truth into our souls, we will eventually live more fully in the liberty Christ paid to secure for us. Blessings and hugs returned. Xx :)

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