Customer Reviews

Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

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I am a lifelong Christian and have read and studied the Word from many angles and sources over the years.

I don't know if it was just timing, or what, but I couldn't help but notice this 'happy preacher' on TV. For years, I passed him by while scanning the channels, but I DID slowly begin to stop and listen- a little more each time. I was taken by Mr. Osteen's simple messages, delivered with a humility and genuiness that I just don't think can be faked. Anyway, I began to enjoy the half hour I spent with him on TV, but still couldn't force myself to buy the book or even take his theology seriously for that matter - it was just 'soul candy' as far as I was concerned.

Finally, I gave in a little over a year ago and bought the book. I coincidentally began a new job that included a company paid daily bus pass. I began to read a chapter a day during my commute. I have now read this book at least a dozen times. Yes, it still has that candy-like comfort, but beyond that I have learned to respect the man and his theology. To those who cast it off as 'name it and claim drivel', I can only say that I receive a much deeper message from his words. Maybe it's because I've never been a part of anything remotely like the 'name and claim' theology, or perhaps it's because I'd like to believe that my own theology is deeper and therefore believe that his is too. What I'll say is that while I have learned to appreciate how much God DOES love me and how much he wants for me, I realize that monetary wealth is just one of many types of wealth that's being referred to in the book. And I hear the distinction loud and clear in his words. But I don't think that's necessarily his point. I don't hear him PROMISING good things in this book. What I hear (and what makes the difference for me personally) is simply, - what kind of attitude are you going to have as you go through life (regardless of outcomes)? Personally, while I can't say that his theology is totally supported in every detail by scripture, I can't say that it contradicts it either, and it helps me immensely. Call it "Positve Thinking". Call it what you want. It's working for me and I can see its (positive) effect on me, my life and those I love and live with each day.

What I think many people miss about Joel Osteen's message (as well as the spelling of his name) is the fine line between a name-it and claim-it theology and the simple message of the Bible that God loves you. If God loves you and sent His Son to die for you (the Christian Gospel), then why would He just want Christian ministers to focus on suffering and sin instead of having a postive attitude of faith and trusting God for more. "If a earthly father gives good gifts..."

I think Joel believes that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, that there is only one way to heaven and that sin and the battle of the flesh is important, but just doesn't focus on those things - Lord knows there are plenty of hell fire and damnation preachers out there.

Joel doesn't say that if you claim something in Jesus name you'll get it. Instead, he says to have faith that God will bring you through your circumstances and wants good things for you. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for..." We've lost the hope that we should get from God's love. It is after all GOOD news.

Many people (and several reviewers) criticize Joel for not being overtly evangelistic to save souls or not preaching more on sin. Funny how few ministries are seeing the thousands come to the Christian faith like are coming through Joel's church, television programs and events and even more find the encouragement to change their lives for the better. Perhaps honey does work better than vinegar?

As far as being applicable to people of other faiths or no faith at all, truth is truth. If I don't touch the flame, I don't get burned whether I'm a Christian or not.

In a world full of uncertainty, it is good to have a messenger who will inspire us to Live Our Best Lives Now! A nation in the war on terror needs it.

I don't even know where to begin on this book. There was a time I understood the principles Osteen shares. I believed them, held to them firmly, until life happened, until exhaustion and opportunities denied or lost sapped away that faith. Until I read this book, I hadn't realized how far I'd drifted from basics I knew were true and that made a positive difference. I hadn't realized how negative some of my attitudes had become, attitudes I began to see reflected in my adult children.

Osteen brought me back to center, to my foundation: God is good; He loves me and wants the very best for me. He also wants me to trust Him, even in when bad things happen. God desires to bless, but my negative choices and attitudes can block that blessing. No longer.

Osteen makes clear ... (...)

My 2 cents. I believe that in anything there is a positive. As we all walk our own path in life we encounter people who cross our paths. It is up to us to learn from them. We are all trying to reach the same top of the mountain (whatever our beliefs might be). There is no need to be negative about anything...whether it be religion, politics, anything. We all need positivity. All of the people born into this world has a purpose. We are all born with needs: Validation, Worth, Happiness, and Peace. That is what we should strive for. The world itself is already full of turmoil. We all have a responsibility to bring in more positivity. If we can learn even 1% from something on how to be more positive, then we are on the right frame of mind. We need not tell the other person their path is wrong or right. Because our path is not necessarily their path (vice-versa). I hope that my review is taken in with open-mindedness. May your life be at peace and get better everyday, in everyway.

Joel Osteen backs up the basic principle of life...the love of God. It's really that simple. His words accentuate that we ARE worthy and God takes over from there. To me, this was the best outlook on living and has made drastic changes in my thinking. It has healed wounds and unloaded senseless baggage that has bogged me down. Now, I feel I can move forward. I recommend this reading for everyone.

This is a great book with a simple yet profound message, "The Lord wants you to be successful and happy."

Because people have different interpretations of God I can see how some people may be critical of this book. Joel speaks of our Lord being a giving and loving God that wants the most from each of us. Sharing in this belief means that God wants you to succeed and have a great marriage, house, car, family, etc. If you have a positive outlook on God, or would like to have one, this is a great book for you.

THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!! To the bad reviews, I'm sorry you didn't get anything out of this...Possibly you should look deeper within yourself. If you have negitive thoughts your never going to get anywhere! But if you learn to think positively you will be blessed! This book isn't about praying for things that you want, Its about having a positive outlook on life and everything around you to inspire you to reach your goals. It's about Thanking God for everything good he has given to you in your life, and to Thank him for all the things to come. It about not focusing on the negatives. If you can't ever imagine yourself reaching your goals, then you will have no ambition to do so.
I'm 24 years old, 3 months ago I wouldn't have ever thought I'd be writing this. I wasn't involved in a church & had never read The Bible... This book has changed my life, It has inspired me to succeed and has enlighted my whole outlook on life & God.

When my daughter died 3 months ago, I read "A Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Since my daughter's life was rich and purposeful, if brief, I initially felt comforted by Warren's words. Then slowly, a disquieting awareness set in as I realized Warren reveals a punishing God who sets trials, sometimes painful, horrible trials to test our faith...and I began to wonder...Then I was given Joel Osteen's "Your Best Life Now." I went from despair to hope. My mother has said what is absent from the world is plain old fashioned commonsense. While rooted in scripture, Osteen gives us a simple guide to old truisms. Expect good things, have positive self-esteem, have enthusiasm for your life, let go of old hurts and bitterness, and help others. This is a negative world...filled with angry, bitter and self-defeated people. Olsteens simple lessons for tapping into our own potential resonate with hope, and joy. In a world where too many people are into the blame game, Joel tells us clearly we are responsible for our own success and happiness. We can choose self fullfilling, and destructive negative thoughts or positive uplifting ones. I choose to believe in a God of hope and love, and to spread seeds of kindness instead of focusing on my own needs. I choose to live my best life now.

I bought the audio CD and listened to Joel with an open mind and was very, very impressed and moved by his work. I have recommended this book to numerous family and friends without hesitation. Buy this book and change your life!

Two things stood out for me after I finished reading Your Best Life Now.

First, you'll find very few references to Jesus Christ in this book. Why is that? Isn't Christianity supposed to be about Jesus? Certainly Joel Osteen uses the term God throughout YBLN, but mentions of Jesus are rare. Maybe that's because millions of people today are turned off by that name. They want a bland, vanilla god who never brings up the issue of sin. Yes, Pastor Osteen does give an altar call at the end of every sermon, yet he never talks about the need for salvation or man's inability to save himself.

For a Christian minister to give such little attention to Jesus is odd indeed. Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen use sophisticated marketing techniques, and I wouldn't be surprised if focus groups told them any mention of Jesus or sin makes people uncomfortable.

The second thing I noticed in YBLN is the amount of repetition. A conscientious editor could have cut this book down to 75 pages. Much of it was padding. I don't know whether this book was ghost written (hiring an anonymous professional writer to write it), but much of it sounds like transcriptions of Joel's sermons over the years, patched together. I've seen him turn pages of notes as he preaches. Maybe he pulled paragraphs out of there verbatim, but if you listen to him over a couple months, you'll hear the same phrases over and over.

There's much good in YBLN, but this "positive thinking" ministry seems rather shallow. I hadn't watched Joel on TV for a few years. I tuned him in recently and he was preaching exactly the same things as three years ago, using the same phrases. It makes me wonder how long he can keep juggling these same balls in the air.

You'll find much greater depth and biblical truth in any Charles Stanley's books. If you're looking for a Christian, life-changing book, I heartily recommend John Orberg's, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. I can attribute my improved relationship to Christ and deeper contentment to things I learned in Ortberg's book.