BOOK REVIEW - JOURNALING WITH JESUS - HOW TO DRAW CLOSER TO GOD BY CAROL ROUND

BOOK REVIEW – JOURNALING WITH JESUS - HOW TO DRAW CLOSER TO GOD 

BY CAROL ROUND

Carol Round

This is a great combination how-to and inspirational book of its kind which I have just read. As the book offers sound, solid and valid approach of journaling our Spiritual Growth, every Christian should have such a good discipline. Through this book, Carol will teach you how with a very practical, step by step approach. I am able to see with clarity and confidence as to how the author was transformed from her Christian walk journey by the recommended approach. I also find this approach very beneficial as an aid to know God more intimately and to better understand His plan for me. Wouldn't you like to do the same? 

So get hold of the book yourself and start to cultivate this good habit which will definitely bring great benefits to you to be used as God's vessel to bring glory to Him. Trust you will enjoy reading it so as to draw God closer to you.

Her writing talents together with her well precise crafted skills truly deliver the message clearly and vividly. You will be surprised to find it so easy to read yet you will flow with it in such a powerful and insightful manner. Amazingly well done, I must say. This is a quick, easy and good read, yet filled with very strong sensation for you in building intimate relationship with the Creator to grow your faith.

   

There is a good reason for Carol Round to share her own gifts and experience to shed some light especially to those who do not have any clue to draw closer to God. Her belief in Christ and how she grows her faith through her journey is well reflected in her writing and guided by the Holy Spirit. This book is truly enlightening with God’s wisdom. It definitely serves as timeless spiritual-growth book.

I received a review copy of the book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review and no other compensation.

“Journaling with Jesus; How To draw Closer to God ” is a book of its kind which provides us not only a road map to keep track of our spiritual journey, but grow with it. Cultivating such a good habit and continuously having communication with God is one of the surest ways to draw closer to God exactly prescribed by the title of the book. It serves wide and diverse needs especially for those who want to be exposed and learn the highest and divine perspective on life. Don’t take my word for it, check it out yourself.

This book also gives you a deep understanding in growing up in Christ. It gives you a solid, profound and sound understanding for having communication with God through frequent journaling.

What I enjoyed most about this book is its fascinating way of discovering the power of journaling of our spiritual journey- a tool for examining your life. You will tend to apprehend the benefits of keeping a journal to lead our insight and growth. That’s what makes this book truly worth reading.

As you read through the book, you will be able to visualise how this habit will further enhance your prayer life and deepen your relationship with God. I must say that this exercise will further enhance clarity of your thoughts, the new discovery of yourself and allows more freedom to express yourself and gain the appropriate perspective. This book is not meant to persuade or dissuade you – it’s meant to spread the gospel and live in a live in a way that shines and glorifies the Living and Mighty God.

This book is highly recommended for spiritual development. It is definitely well placed as a Christmas' and festive gifts. The Title of the book is Short, Simple and Precise to the point.

“Journaling with Jesus How to Draw Closer to God” is definitely a fundamental book which guide us to cultivate good habit in journaling our spiritual journey; a healthy perseverance of spiritual discipline that will draw you closer to God. It is a marvelous tool! In short, you will be empowered by it. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God.

This book is also ideal for anyone who has lost direction and is living life with vanity, and dislike heavy reading.

Last, but not least, this book would make a lovely valuable and meaningful Christmas present.

I must deeply thank Carol for this great book and am also deeply delighted that the Author finally found her peace. I pray that Lord will continue to use her mightily so as to transform abundance of people for His glory.

  

GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH CAROL ROUND

About the Author

CAROL ROUND, self-syndicated columnist, Christian author and inspirational speaker, began her journey with the Lord in October 2001 when she admitted her need for His guidance. Since that time, she has sought a deeper relationship with Him through reading scripture, Bible study and the personal discipline of keeping a daily prayer journal. After being encouraged by other Christian women, she has compiled her experiences with prayer journaling into Journaling with Jesus. 

Here is the interview..

James: When did you begin to write?

Carol: Since I was able to write my name, I have been writing poems and stories. After             retiring from a 30-year teaching career in 2005, I began to pursue my love of  writing full-time as a self-syndicated columnist, freelance writer and book author.

James: When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Carol:  I majored in journalism and English when I was in college. I had always loved to read and write so I began writing news and feature stories while in college.

James: How much did you write before you were published?

Carol: I began being published as soon as I started writing news and feature stories for the   college newspaper and local and state newspapers. However, my first book, A Matter of Faith came out in 2006.

James: What is your favorite part of writing?

Carol: My favorite part of writing is the creation process. I love putting pen to paper or        composing at the keyboard to write a newspaper column or a book. I forget the time as I weave words into a creation.

James: Tell us about your latest release.

Carol: My latest release is The 40-Day Challenge, a companion workbook to Journaling         with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God.

James: Wow! This book sounds really good. Are you planning on writing more in the years to come?

Carol: I sent a children’s manuscript to a publisher in May. I am still waiting to hear back.   I am currently working on a novel while continuing to write my weekly column.

James: So far, what are your worst criticism/attacks, and how have you overcome it?

Carol: Out of 36 reviews for Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God on Amazon, I received two negative ones. The first one made me sad—as well as mad—because the reviewer admitted he had not read the entire book. I thought it was unfair for him to give it a negative review without having finished the book. I think what helped me to overcome the negative reviews was receiving so many positive ones.

James: What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Carol: I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to continue—with God’s Holy Spirit—to write a 500-word column each week for almost 8 years. My column, “A  Matter of Faith,” runs in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and 2 international  publications. I would not be doing a column without God’s nudging and continual guidance.

James: What does your writing process look like?

Carol: When I write a column, I compose it at the computer after I pray, asking God to give me the words He wants me to use to reach the people He wants me to reach. My column ideas come from various sources: scripture, news events, other people in my  life and events in my life or others.

James:  How did you get published?

Carol: I self-published my first two collections of columns, which read like daily devotionals. I used Instant Publishing. Then, I learned that an author friend had started a small publishing company and was seeking inspirational titles. I submitted my books to him and he accepted them, combining the two into one volume. A year  later, he released my second collection of columns.

Westbow Press released my third book on prayer journaling in 2012, but I chose to use CreateSpace for the companion workbook because I am able to keep more of the profits from the sales. I still have to promote my books whether I am traditionally published or self-published.

James: How do you come up with title of your books?

Carol: I brainstorm ideas. I just start making a list of possible titles and then narrow them  down. I also ask for input from friends.

James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?

Carol: Three of my five books are collections of my weekly columns. The titles are A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. The columns are like daily devotionals. I decided to put them in book collections because my readers were responding with positive feedback.

My book, Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God, is a small book but gives the reader the tools and encouragement to start keeping a prayer journal. I  wrote the book after 10 years of keeping a prayer journal and speaking at women’s retreats on the topic. Women started asking me if I had a book about prayer journaling. I knew that God was leading me on the journey to write one.

 The companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge, came about because at the end of Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God, I challenge the reader to sign a covenant with God to keep a prayer journal for 40 days. The workbook offers prayer journaling challenges for each day.

James: Tell us your guiding principle that governs your life? 

Carol: The guiding principle governing my life is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

James: How have you cultivated these values?

Carol: Reading the Bible every day and keeping a prayer journal draws me closer to God  and His guiding principles for our lives. If everyone practiced this one principle, our   world would be a much better place.

James: Do you have any advice for writers looking to be published?

Carol: Practice your craft by  

1. Taking online writing courses
2. Attending writing conferences
3. Subscribing to writing magazines like Writer’s Digest
4. Seeking constructive feedback
5. Getting your manuscript professionally edited
6. Reading—read and read some more—not just in your genre either
7. Joining a writers’ group

Never giving up

Thank Carol for her time and effort to attend this interview. 

Wishing all the best to her.

5 STARS RATING FOR "BETTER THAN THE BEST"

5 STARS RATING FOR BETTER THAN THE BEST

Better Than The Best

Nonfiction » Inspiration » Personal inspiration

By James Oh
Rating: 
(5.00 based on 3reviews) 

 

Published: April 03, 2013 
Words: 19,021 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN:9781301080434

Short description

Better Than The Best has its proven tips and recipe to help readers know more about themselves, dare to do the unthinkable and be versatile to the rapid changes as a result of environmental and technological changes. Through "Better Than The Best", the author share his experience and hindsights on how he obtained his breakthrough results. 

Extended description

Better Than The Best has helped to sharpen and strengthen readers' mind and boost up their confidence towards accomplishing a life of their choice and live life to the fullest will have access to many ideas, illustrations, insights and hindsights. It is required reading for anyone who wants to live life without any regret. 

Tags

spiritual, wealth, success, motivation, self help, health, inspiring, wholeness, uplifting, inner health,inner wealth, mind skill 

Available ebook reading formats

Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps. 

Format	Full Book	Sample First 10%
Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser)	Buy	View sample
Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps)	Buy	Download sample
Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)	Buy	Download sample
PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing)	Buy	No sample available
RTF (readable on most word processors)	Buy	No sample available
LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub)	Buy	Download sample
Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices)	Buy	Download sample
Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting)	Buy	No sample available
Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page)	Buy	No sample available

Reviews

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Review by: Chan Jit Loon on June 03, 2013 :     
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GOOD BOOK !

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT IS A GOOD BOOK.

IT HELPS TO SET THE IMPORTANT FOUNDATIONS AND INVALUABLE LIFE LESSONS REQUIRED BY A YOUNG PERSON OR TEENAGER TO SUCCEED AND BE HAPPY IN HIS OR HER LIFE !

WELL DONE !
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Glenn Langohr on June 01, 2013 :     
Better than the Best, by James Oh, is an inspirational masterpiece. His book is full of encouragement and direction. I found sound wisdom to break free of restrictions that have kept me from being my best. I like this quote from his book: "If you continuously compete with others,You become Bitter.
But if you continuously compete with yourself, You become Better." Highly recommended. Glenn Langohr
(review of free book)

Review by: Sabrina Anderson on May 31, 2013 :     
I have read quite a few books that promote the topic of self-growth and professionalism and Better than the Best takes the cake! James Oh does a magnificent job at telling his story while revealing those little nuggets of wisdom we all need from time to time. My favorite quote in this book is: "to unlock your inner power is to stop resisting." Wow!!

Page after page you will find original and thought provoking content. Personally, I will be returning to this book for motivation. It is inspiration, life coaching and a refreshing drink of water all inside one book. I highly recommend Better than the Best if you are looking for motivation to pursue and achieve your goals.
(review of free book)