The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life (Hardcover)

by Tommy Newberry (Author)
Key Phrases: exceptional gratitude, Final Fifteen, God's Word, Christ Jesus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The 4:8 Principle

“In a serious world filled with trials and uncertainty, when was the last time someone challenged you to discover genuine joy? While “joy” may seem like a luxury we can’t afford, Tommy Newberry reminds us that life was meant to be lived with energy, fulfillment, purpose and yes, joy.  I have personally watched Tommy teach some of the top business people in the country to adopt his 4:8 Principle mindset in their workplaces and families. The tangible, positive results they’ve experienced has been tremendous. His teaching and mentoring – now available to you and me in book form – can make a world of difference in how we approach life today – and where our lives, families and contributions to other’s lives can end up tomorrow.”

John Trent, Ph.D.
President, The Center for Strong Families
Scottsdale, Arizona

Get ready to transform your mind! With a no-nonsense approach, Tommy Newberry will nudge you out of your comfort zone and revolutionize your thinking. He’ll also show you the way to experience joy in your life like you never have before.

Les Parrott, Ph.D.
Founder of RealRelationships.com
Author of 3 Seconds

“With fist-pounding passion and clarity, Tommy Newberry nails the truth in The 4:8 Principle. I urge you to listen up. A new way of life is possible.”

Norm Evans
President, Pro Athletes Outreach
Former NFL All-Pro

“As a clinical psychologist, I frequently see how negative and self-destructive patterns of thinking not only lead to a variety of personal and relational problems, but also severely limit our full potential. In The 4:8 Principle, Tommy Newberry clearly and effectively shows us how to transform old, negative patterns of thinking into new, productive ones using solid Biblical truths. The wisdom within this book can be applied by anyone – starting today! I will use these powerful, life-changing tools in my own life and in my clinical practice.”

Mark E. Crawford, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist and author of When Two Become Three: Nurturing Your Marriage After Baby Arrives.

“With The 4:8 Principle, Tommy Newberry has again established himself as the premiere
authority on achieving and enjoying true success in life. You can become everything God created you to become when you reprogram your mind with the timeless principles and practical message clearly described in this book. I have used and shared Tommy’s teachings for years, and after reading The 4:8 Principle I was amazed at both its simplicity and its power to make our life a life of joy. You’ll want to read this over and over again!”

Bill Orender, Senior National Sales Director
Primerica Financial Services

Book Description
Tommy Newberry’s message is simple, relevant, powerful, and timeless. In this New York Times bestseller, Newberry takes a single biblical principle and teaches us how one simple truth can magnify the joy we experience in our marriage, with our parenting, and in our life as a whole. Unfortunately, we live in a society bent on nursing old wounds and highlighting what is wrong with just about everything. As a result, we have grown accustomed to viewing the world, our lives, and ourselves through a lens of negativity and that negativity stands in direct contrast to the passionate, purpose-filled people God wants us to be. This is where The 4:8 Principle grabs our attention. First, the author skillfully persuades us to acknowledge the link between the thoughts we choose to think and the joy we experience. Next, he shows us how we can grow our potential for joy by refusing to dwell upon the problems and pressures that are enduring and inevitable. Finally, he challenges us to pay the price of joy by becoming “extraordinarily picky” about what we read, watch, and listen to on a consistent basis. The strength of the book, though, is in Newberry’s ability to clearly explain how to put this principle into daily practice through a series of quick, easy and even fun adjustments. The 4:8 Principle is loaded with specific suggestions and helpful advice for going beyond the ordinary and experiencing life as it was meant to be. 

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (August 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414313047
• ISBN-13: 978-1414313047
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,194 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You are what you think about, September 5, 2007

By	Kenneth Ashley - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In a VERY negative world, I found this book to be just what I needed to focus on the positive. One really can live a more enjoyable and fulfilled life if you will simply be intentional about your thoughts. Tommy Newberry has done a masterful job in creating a very worthwhile but fun book. This is a great book to give to anyone struggling in life, or those just beginning (college graduates for example). It's a quick read and well worth your time.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unusual Book-Great Message!, September 5, 2007

By	Lynn Stine "Lynn Stine" (Hermosa Beach, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The 4:8 Principle is an interesting mix of spiritual truth and practical wisdom. I've never read a book that has so many ideas that you can really use and would want to use. It's easy to read and you even feel better as you are turning the pages. The best part of the book is probably the two chapters on managing negative emotions. Newberry identifies what he calls really awful thoughts (RATs) and how you can eliminate them by changing your perspective about them. Almost anyone could relate to this material and it is very helpful for anyone, but especially for couples. The other thing that I liked is the end of chapter prayers which summarize the main ideas from each chapter. Overall, it is a book to use with a highlighter. Given all the negativity in the world, this book comes at a great time.

53 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars >> The Master Secret the Rules All <<, September 11, 2007

By	Randy Gilbert "Best Seller Mentor" (founder of 'BestSellerMentoring.com') - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book. I'm already on my second read, taking my time and making lots of notes. I believe Tommy Newberry has really nailed it.

I'm a firm believer in the Law of Attraction, and that what you think on the inside is revealed on the outside. However, this book takes me way beyond that, because the guidance provided by the 48 principle makes it clear that I need to choose the right things to think about.

Just this morning I wrote out these affirmations based on the 4:8 principle:
** I am living the life God intended for me
** I have a clear compelling vision of the future
** I am meditating and investing time alone with God each day
** I have people who hold me accountable to my best
** I consistently make choices for health producing foods and drink
** I exercise in some way every day
** I get sufficient sleep most nights
** I have 3 close personal encounters each day
** I have 'extra time' built into my schedule to have a margin of safety
** I am focused on progress rather than perfection

One of the things that I particularly enjoy is that the strategies Tommy recommends are practical. Although I know that following them will take some discipline, I believe they are already paying off.

I interviewed Tommy on Inside Success Radio for three reasons: 1) I believe that speaking with an author is the best way to know a book is genuine, 2) it gives the author an opportunity to summarize the main points, which creates a type of "Readers Digest" version of the book, and 3) during an interview you often get additional "golden nuggets" that aren't found in the book.

During the radio interview I asked Tommy about what he calls RATs, (Really Awful Thoughts) and I'd like to share a little of his response.
"Really awful thoughts, or RATs, take you down a path you don't want to go. Yet for most of us, heading down the wrong path doesn't happen dramatically. It happens subtly and as a result, we don't do anything about it. Thankfully, getting rid of your RATs is made easier by using the 4:8 principle. By choosing to ask yourself the right questions, you can choose to think on what is lovely, pure, gracious, and worthy of being called excellent to judge what is best for you to think and say"

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I usually try to identify the type person who might NOT enjoy reading this book. This book is probably not for people who are offended by talking about God (yes, believe it or not, there are some out there.) Since you're reading this review, that probably isn't you.

The rating I give books is based on a combination of how much I believe a proactive person might enjoy reading them and how much they might help you to be a more proactive person.

This book easily earns 5 stars...and I recommend it to you with no reservation.

DrProactive Randy Gilbert, producer of "Inside Success Radio"