3 Reasons You Should Read This Book!
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During the week of Thanksgiving, I had some much welcomed vacation time. Amidst food, family, and other holiday festivities, I took advantage of the rest and curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee and The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus, St. Francis, and Life in the Kingdom by Jamie Aprin-Ricci a.k.a. @missional. Below are 3 reasons you should read this book.

1) Jamie's treatment of the biblical text

IMHO, this just might be the greatest strength of The Cost of Community. Throughout, Aprin-Ricci digs deeply into the wellspring of the Sermon on the Mount. However, his reflections are offered in such simple, personal, and reflective ways that seasoned Christians, apprehensive searchers, and defiant skeptics would all do well by perusing the pages of this book. Furthermore, passionate and practical calls to live the text always follow Aprin-Ricci's thoughtful and convicting analysis of the text. Therefore, the collision of these two narrative qualities make the book meaningfully accessible for those who have spent significant time in the Word and those who have not. I feel that The Cost of Community has much to give everyone regardless of their current faith journey status.

2) Jamie's honest portrayal of St. Francis

The book has a helpful flow from biblical text to St. Francis' embodiment of the text to Jamie's and Little Flowers' attempts at living the text. More specifically, when telling stories about and discussing St. Francis, Jamie provides honest and inviting commentary. Sometimes, those tremendous, sacrificial influencers who have come before us in the faith, contributed so much to our own spiritual formation that it becomes difficult to see and/or accept their humanity, flaws, and the "Jesus discrepancies" of their life. However, Jamie's authentic characterization of St. Francis helped me understand him more and challenged me to imitate him in many ways. He does not place Francis on a pedestal to be worshipped; however, he does a wonderful job highlighting the Christ-likeness Francis lived that we would do well to imitate. On the other hand, Jamie does not skip over or "beat around the bush" when Francis may have been a little "over the top" or "to-the-extreme" in unhealthy ways. I appreciate Jamie for this, and his St. Francis perspectives contribute to the honest tone of the book.

3) Jamie's stories

Finally, The Cost of Community is a great read because of the stories Jamie tells from his own life and the life of his Winnipeg Jesus community, Little Flowers.

The biblical text must be lived, and after Jamie provides a lens for us to peer into St. Francis' life of living the text, he also invites us into the journey of Little Flowers' experiences with living the text. Through relationships, life in a tough neighborhood, and sacrificial choices, Jamie has embraced the Sermon on the Mount by living it; and therefore, the stories found among the pages of The Cost of Community speak with authority.

Three reasons you should read The Cost of Community: Jesus, St. Francis, and Life in the Kingdom: meaningful treatment of the biblical text, honest portrayal of St. Francis, and real-life stories from the ministerial trenches.

I highly recommend this book. You would do well to soak up its pages.
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Buy this book, then put down every other piece of reading material you have until you've finished reading reading through it...at least once!

Even if you don't follow all the advice in this book.  Even if you don't want to change your lifestyle.  Even if you don't want to have everything you've ever dreamed about.  You will pick up at least a few things that will change you life!

Forget about time management as you know it.  There are some very easy changes you can make in how you handle some things in your life (especially work related) that will make traditional time-management techniques obsolete.  The book is worth it's weight in gold for that alone.

So what are you waiting for?  Buy it now, so you can start reading it as soon as possible!
2063660
Amazing book everyone should read it that feels impressed to! This book is worth your time I hope everyone reads it!
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Perfect timing for me to read this book during my vacation time away from home and away from computer. I do have this in e-book format since I got it on special. During my vacation time, I was looking forward to have a good break from social network such as FaceBook and Twitter for a while (not counting email since I use them for my dog sitting job and volunteer job.)  Yes, I am concerned about all that gadgets out there and how that is affecting us in our life.

So far, it is an interesting book to read. I too would encourage everyone to read this book! We all do need to be concerned about all the gadgets out there and how that is affecting our life. Aren't you concern?

Yes, it is a great book to read and a must book too!
2102699
Sure, I'm biased. I wrote the foreward to Before You Die -- Live. I think it's a fabulous book. But here's two compelling reasons why I think you should pick up a copy for your Kindle or personal library this very minute. First, it's filled with easy to read short vignettes to inspire and delight you, to show you how perfectly ordinary people set about making their dreams come true. You'll be amused, moved, entertained. Hey, that's reason enough to buy a book, right? But, secondly, and most importantly, it will kick you in the tush and remind you the importance of HAVING A BUCKET LIST. See? You can't check off what you haven't written down. Only when you make your list can you start realizing your dreams. Life is short. Way too short. Don't waste a minute. Live your life to the fullest and you can start right now. Grab your copy and before you die, live.
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This book WILL change your life greatly in the best way!  Please do yourself a favor and read it TODAY!
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If you want to create a great life you need to read this book. An eye opener!
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Andy Cohen has published another book I highly recommend.

I love this book for three reasons:

1. I felt like he invited me in to his living room for a man-to-man chat.
2. The tools he provides have ALREADY saved me time (and made me money!)
3. Andy gives us a tool to use in the Appendix that is worth 5 times what it costs to buy the book.

[Full disclosure: I have met the author for a #CoffeeChat in New York City, and I consider him a friend!]

1. Einstein reportedly said, We cannot solver our problems with the same level of thinking that created them. What I really liked about reading this book is that I didn't feel judged or ill-equipped to dive right in. Sometimes authors do something early on that makes us feel they're above us, better than us and that they know more than we do.

Instead of taking that route, Andy invites us in to how he sees the world. He looks out and doesnt mind what ISNT being seen  yet. On page 4 he writes, You just need a way to see the multiple paths that others don't see and then show them how to follow those paths. Sound easier said than done? Not to worry, he gives us everything we need to see more.

2. The verb assume: suppose to be the case, without proof. You see, an option is not proof. Past experinces don't dictate future results. Instead, Andy gives us the very tools he uses to challenge what we THINK we know, and see things differently. Often times, thats all it takes to reduce the stress and increase the likelihood that well see something useful.

A GREAT tool comes with the advice he shares on page 24: asking your contact for an agenda instead of bringing your own. Now, I might add to BRING your own, but be sure that the person you're meeting with ALSO has done her or his homework in relation to meeting with you. Since reading this book, Ive included the following note in EVERY meeting conversation Ive sent:

Is there anything you know youd like me to bring to our conversation? Also, will you please write just two or three bullet points to let me know what you're looking forward to - or concerned with - discussion? Thanks!

That one note has paid off over and over again. The people Im meeting with tell me that they appreciated how it seems like I value their time.

3. What industry are you in? And, as you look to the future you're building for yourself, where do you need to Challenge Your Assumptions? As you read through the Dangerous Assumptions Database, you're sure to see a section that jumps off the page. Let me share just a few that stood out to me as an Executive Coach and Keynote Speaker at conferences:

Marketing and Sales
+ "I have a clear understanding of who the decision-maker is.
+ "I understand my target audience completely."

Leadership and Management
+ I seem to be the only one worrying about the issues."
+ The strategy is clear to me. Its my teams who don't get it."

Failure
+ Let someone else make the decision and be wrong."
+ A public failure in my organization will haunt my career forever."

Public Relations
+ If I get written up in The New York Times, Ill have it made."
+ There is no one like us.

Bottom line: Get this book, start reading it and challenge what you think you know to be true. Out there in the field, theres a rock to turn over and see SOMETHING about your work - and possibly your life - anew. Go, challenge yourself!
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This book is amazing! You should get it :)
4645839
Excellent book!  Highly suggest you read it!
521920
What an insightful book and a fun read! The author clearly knows her material and provides really helpful information that anyone could benefit from. Her skills worked wonders for me, and I know she can do the same for you! Buy this book - you won't regret it!!
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Don't begin reading the book unless you have a good hour to yourself!! You won't want to stop reading...matter of fact you'll want to continue to part 3 immediately!
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I loved this book so much I read it in like 3 days.  It's the third by Chris and I know that he is super cool.  He's my writing hero.  The book is for pretty much anyone with the time and patience to read it.  If you haven't read all three books I definitely recommend reading them.
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This book is a must read. Adam has a beautiful way of blending incredible stories of young professionals with useful and practical advice. Furthermore, his story will truly resonate with anyone currently feeling stuck and searching for what's next.

Why are you still reading this? Go buy it already!
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I loved this book!  I've written several press releases lately and wish I had had this book because it would have made them better.

The author lists ten very good points and gives the reasoning behind them.  I always like to know the "why" so that really worked for me.  Too many times people just tell you to do things without the why - which is so very important.

I will be e-dogearing this book for years to come or as long as I am a small business owner!
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This wonderful book is a must read! Not many books keep my attention, especially from page 1, but this did! It will cause you to act to examine your life and your relationships.  It is a great read and would highly recommend it to all my friends. (I already have!)

***September 19th***

The Author is actually doing is contest. If you e-mail her your order confirmation from Amazon . com, you will be entered to win a $75 amazon gift. To enter e-mail the Author at thelightcameon @ gmail . com, (minus the spaces)...
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1.  You've ever felt uncomfortable in your own skin.
2.  You wonder what it's like to lose a parent or you have lost a parent.
3.  You don't mind crying in a couple of really emotional spots
4.  You don't mind laughing at some hilariously embarassing spots
5.  You've been targeted by the "mean girls" and their wannabe followers
6.  You've liked a boy before and didn't know what to do
7.  Asked what constitutes a real addiction/disease?  Is alcoholism more serious than bulemia?
8.  You LOVE making lists!!!

I've had the privalige of meeting the author.  She has an amazing personality and it reflects in the writing of this story.