Live Original

In this day in age, we are constantly searching for positive influences not only in our own lives, but more importantly, in the lives of our children and teens. Bombarded by the media's influence of what is worthy in the eyes of the world, it's no wonder our teens are facing challenges with bullying, dating relationships, immorality, self esteem, and self worth. If we simply look at ourselves by the world's standards of what is worthy, we will all come up so very short.

That is why I am thrilled when I come across things that promote God's vision for our children and teens in a form that they can easily relate to. From dating advice, how to deal with haters in school, social media challenges, fulfilling and finding our dreams, self confidence, dealing with blame, promoting a strong positive force in school and social activities, working on random acts of kindness in helping others in any way we can, creating a respect for your family, friends and most importantly yourself, as well as dealing with situations you may find yourself in that can create awkward moments, dealing with stresses that only a teenager is faced with and living your life as the original masterpiece God has called each of us to be.

Sadie Robertson, Duck Dynasty, at the age of seventeen, has thought a lot about friendships, self-confidence, and being the one and only original God has made you to be in her first book, Live Original. She shares great biblical advice that teens can easily relate to in each chapter devoted to something your own teen may be dealing with. From issues on social media with negative messages or even posts, to how to make sure you set your Godly standards up front with your friends and potential dates to avoid having to compromise on your faith. At the conclusion of each chapter is a challenge section for teens with some questions to provoke further thought and a challenge to incorporate these ideas into their life. Each chapter opens with a great scripture and Sadie constantly refers back to all her ideas right back to the Bible, so teens can see that the answers to a lot of the issues they are dealing with are found in the Bible.

She incorporates the use of examples on how she has struggled in maintaining a Christian way of living in the world while often times being the only Christian in a situation from joining a Junior Olympic basketball team in Austria at thirteen and why her parents felt she was strong enough to go alone. She uses stories from her grandparents, her siblings and others to show just how important family values and Christian living can help us to define our choices in the world. Not to make things difficult by restricting us, but by helping us to choose those things that will help keep us pure and living for God.

I received Live Original by Sadie Robertson compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for my review and was offered a complimentary copy of the book and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. I think this is a must have for any parent struggling to help teens live a godly life in an ungodly world. Sadie relates to teens on their level because she is writing from her own heart. From the challenges facing her in dealing with being part of the Duck Dynasty fame, she retains her essence of who she is despite of it. How she really tries to get teens to understand their purpose here on the world and how they can have a positive impact by beginning now instead of simply waiting until they are old enough. She's even designed her own line of "Daddy-approved" prom dresses known as the Sherri Hill line/Sadie Robertson collection. I highly recommend this book and think it would make a great resource for any teenager struggling with any of the issues I mentioned above. Hands down a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Live Original, Sadie Robertson, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Live Original by Sadie Robertson

You can find Sadie Robertson on Facebook to stay up to date on her latest books and resources.

To read more reviews on Live Original, please visit Howard Books website. 

Happy, Happy, Happy

Sometimes the greatest lessons I learn about life come from reading people's autobiographies. In it, I glean information about a life that is uniquely different from my own and along the way take back something inevitably life changing. I think it's vital that at some point in everyone's life, you read biographies. It opens your eyes to possibilities you never thought possible until you finish the final page.

There probably isn't a person around who hasn't heard about Duck Dynasty, the newest reality television series to come from A & E, based on the life of Phil Robertson and his family. It was designed to give American family what was missing in television, a functional family. Not since the days of the Andy Griffith Show, Little House on the Prairie, The Walton, or even the Beverly Hillbillies has a more genuine family come across television. The Robertson family's faith is what separates them from a lot of other families as well as the love each of them have for one another. They still gather around the family dinner table for home-cooked meals, something you don't see much of any more. Everybody in America is so busy, busy, busy. They are preoccupied with their cell phones and computers, so they don't take time to sit down with their spouses, children, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and grandparents to eat a meal together. The family structure is slipping away from America, but not in the Robertson house.

Phil says it best, "You'll never find me living in a city, folk. Where I live, I am 911. Like I say, if you spend too much time in the subdivision, you go a-runnin' when the snakes fall out of the trees!" This is why he has maintained the life he was born and raised on, living off the land, being self sufficient for the most part and ensuring that his family retains those things that are slowly missing from the family today. He reminds us that young girls don't know how to cook. "Their grandmothers and mamas cooked for them, but they never took the time to learn how to cook. They were more interested in other things. If you go out into the subdivisions and suburbs of America, where all of the yuppies live, you'll see restaurants are packed with people. They don't want to eat slop and they're looking for good food, but they don't want to take the time to make it. Dad is working, Mom is working, and so no one has the time or energy to cook a good meal anymore. So our families end up eating in restaurants, where they're surrounded by noise and clutter, instead of sharing quality time in a family setting."

Perhaps Phil is on to something we all need to hear. While his ways may not work for you, there is some wonderful wisdom in what he has learned by growing up during the time of the great depression and teaching us all to be a little more self sufficient in what we decide to keep or giveaway. There are some great life lessons Phil learned along the way, that I think are the true diamonds in this book and one I plan on incorporating a bit more of before it's too late. Perhaps too much technology is a bad thing and it's time to find our way back to those solid family roots once again.

I received Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions I shared are mine alone. I love all the interesting stories that come from reading this book, to how the family spent their time growing up without Xbox or Nintendo games and instead spent their youth exploring fields, woods and swamps that surround their homes. Even today, Phil doesn't own or use a cell phone or computer, nor does he plan on ever having one. He does promise one thing however, you'll never find him on Twitter or Skype, and if anyone needs to talk to him, they know where he lives. I easily rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and by the end, I think you too, will be Happy, Happy, Happy!

For more information about Happy Happy Happy, Phil Robertson or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson

You can also find out more about Phil Robertson, The Duck Commander on Facebook.

To read more reviews on Happy, Happy, Happy, please visit Howard Books website.