Seismic Shifts: The Little Changes That Make a Big Difference in Your Life [Paperback]

Kevin G. Harney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2008

It's easy to talk about changing your life. Here's how to actually do it.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Is it possible for a person to experience dramatic and powerful transformation? Can an ordinary man or woman begin a season of forward movement and growth in areas that have stayed the same for many years? Can our dream of becoming more like Jesus and experiencing a life of health, growth, and joy become a reality? Not only is it possible, this is exactly what God wants to happen. In the physical world, this kind of change is called a seismic shift. A small movement in the crust of the earth can send out shockwaves that have radical and far-reaching effects, redefining an entire landscape. It is the same in the spiritual world. Small changes can transform our faith, hearts, relationships, personal habits, finances, and even the world in which we live. If we are willing to make small, simple, biblically inspired "seismic shifts," God will enter the process and do amazing things, transforming our lives into ones of joy, victory, and purpose. Seismic Shiftsidentifies six areas of change: • Shifts That Ignite Joy in Your Heart • Shifts That Expand Your Faith • Shifts That Bring Health and Rest • Shifts That Build Dynamic and Lasting Relationships • Shifts That Make You Rich • Shifts That Change the World The book includes discussion questions and can be used in a six-week, church-wide campaign with personal learning, small group discussion, and weekly worship services. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Kevin G. Harney serves at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. Harney is the author of Organic Outreach for Ordinary People, Leadership from the Inside Out; Seismic Shifts; Finding a Church You Can Love and Loving the Church You've Found; and more than sixty small-group Bible studies. SPANISH BIO: Kevin G. Harney es pastor de ensenanza en Faith Church en Dyer, Indiana. Es autor de Seismic Shifts: the Little Changes that make a BIG difference in your life y coautor de varios libros.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (December 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310291585
• ISBN-13: 978-0310291589
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,533,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin G. Harney serves at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. Harney is the author of Leadership from the Inside Out: Examining the Inner Life of a Healthy Church Leader; Seismic Shifts: The Little Changes That Make a Big Difference in Your Life; Finding a Church You Can Love and Loving the Church You've Found; and more than sixty small-group Bible studies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, practical advice on how to improve your life with simple, but monumental changes, November 1, 2005

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seismic Shifts: The Little Changes That Make a Big Difference in Your Life (Hardcover)

As a longtime resident of Southern California, Kevin Harney has been fascinated with the relationship between small seismic shifts in the earth's crust and huge eruptions that take place above ground as a result. The obvious theme of his new book, SEISMIC SHIFTS, is change. Small, fairly simple changes can have a big impact, both negative and positive. Yet, there are also underlying themes that serve to make this more than a repeat of sermons and pop psychology shows we've heard before. These themes include the importance of faith, communication, and honest self-appraisal in working toward gaining a rich and joy-filled life.

The easy-to-follow chapters are chock full of practical, Biblical ways to make seismic shifts in your life. These shifts will "bring joy, expand faith, provide rest, build relationships, unleash riches, and change the world." As we have learned, information does not equal transformation, so the author offers many doable suggestions that can be put into practice immediately. There are also excellent guides for prayer and reflection designed to help the reader grow and mature as the changes begin. Ultimately, the reader will reach that place of fulfillment that satisfies "God's dream for our lives."

Without relying on "Christianese," our fellowship language that often confuses and confounds non-believers, Kevin Harney provides examples from life and from the Bible that anyone can relate to. From stories about David's victories and defeats to the joys and sorrows experienced by Mary Magdalene, he demonstrates the Biblical message: "in the good and hard times, those who walk closely with God can and should experience life-transforming joy."

Whether you are a longtime believer, a new Christian or simply interested in ways to improve your life, SEISMIC SHIFTS makes sense and will have a far-reaching impact on those who take the small step of reading through it.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding, a substance abuse counselor in Phoenix, AZ who wanted to be Brenda Starr before life intervened. She reviews for www.bookreporter.com and www.womenonwriting.com. To contact Maggie, e-mail [e-mail].

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Create a great series, October 16, 2006

By 

Richard K. Murphy "surfrev" (Walnut Creek, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seismic Shifts: The Little Changes That Make a Big Difference in Your Life (Hardcover)

Pastor Kevin Harney has written a book that can be converted into a great series for a church. Our congregation did a nineteen week series (an intro week plus the eighteeen chapters) with sermons, weekly small groups (over 350 people participating) and devotions written be people within the congregation itself.

This book is second only to Warren's Purpose Driven Life, when it comes to helping people see the basic steps of faith necessary to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. While the first reading of a chapter would lead some to say "this is basic stuff," upon further reflection those same people would talk about the depth of needing to integrate those basics into their lives.

The premise, that small changes can make a big difference in your life, is valid in many areas of life. This is a book to be read, studied, discussed and read again.

Rev. Dr. R. Kevin Murphy
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
Walnut Creek, CA

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing read, August 24, 2011

By 

Gerald - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seismic Shifts: The Little Changes That Make a Big Difference in Your Life (Paperback)

I bought this book after hearing Kevin Harney and then I started to read it. What I really like about the book is that it links to a sermon series which includes power points and sermon notes. Our church has been doing it together and there has been only positive responses. The book covers many of the basics of the Christian life and how one can make small but significant changes to grow in the joy of being a Christian. It has been a positive blessing to our community and my only difficulty has been getting enough books (In Australia). I cleaned out a few Christian book shops and bought some from here as well. Personally, I feel I have grown and there are other groups in the church I belong to her are considering using it for Bible Study. The book has a Bible Study guide, although I begin my sessions by simply asking whether any one wants to say what they enjoyed or were challenged by when they read the material. It breaks down into 6 Bible Studies but I know some couples who are doing it one chapter at a time. I am also going to use it as a one on one study with some new Christians. Lots of great stories and well worth the read.