THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE

Matthew West's third album “Something To Say” was not only full of huge, faith-inspiring songs from an artist who truly has something to say, but it also had a direct impact on my life and that of my four young daughters as it was released around the time we were struggling with the harsh realities of life – cancer and death.

Then I signed up to receive news and important alerts from Matthew West. One day a message from the artist popped up. He was writing The Story of Your Life and asked fans to submit their personal experiences. As it later transpired, more than 10,000 stories of hope, perseverance, faith and redemption were sent in. I too sent in my story, though it don’t make the cut.

The result: a powerful story of healing and growth in the midst of pain, brokenness, and despair.

Just sample the following stories from The Story of Your Life:
-Wendy gave birth to her daughter in jail. When all seemed hopeless, she found God and her life transformed into something beautiful.
-Cory, a married youth pastor, had an affair and his life fell apart. With God's mercy, he and his wife gathered the broken pieces and started again.
-Sheila always struggled with severe insecurity. Now she lives confidently in the purpose God has for her.

Ably aided by Angela Thomas, a much sough-after speaker, teacher and best-selling author, Matthew turned the best stories into a devotional which is heart-warming and uplifting. The Story of Your Life is a retelling of fifty-two stories, each with a powerful message. The fifty-two stories are meant to be read as a weekly devotional, each followed by scripture, and the insights into God that Angela and Matthew share.

The book as a stand-alone is a masterpiece. Yet, Harvest House Publishers have come out with a small group kit to enable people to come together and explore those stories in fellowship and community. Each kit contains:
-The Story of Your Life devotional by Grammy-nominated recording artist Matthew West and bestselling author Angela Thomas, containing dozens of the real-life stories Matthew collected
-The Story of Your Life Interactive Journey, which leads readers deeper into their own stories with insightful teaching, questions for further discussion, and 40 pages of guided journaling
-the much-acclaimed The Story of Your Life CD, featuring the Grammy-nominated song “Strong Enough”
-The Story of Your Life DVD, featuring five extraordinary teaching presentations by Matthew West set in the mountain cabin where he wrote the songs
-a 12-page Leader’s Guide containing tips and ideas to get the group off on the right foot and suggestions to engage the group in thoughtful discussion

The Story of Your Life Small Group Kit will take you through the lives of ordinary people with ordinary stories and show you how an extraordinary God is working in an extraordinary way to turn the ordinary into an extraordinary one. And once you are through with your interactive journey of this kit, you’ll never be the same again.

Matthew West remarked, “…every single day, God not only calls us into our own stories but also invites us to become characters in the stories of others."

What might God be up to in your life?


Retail Price: $ 69.99
Release Date: August 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7369-5226-2

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Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

I received a complimentary kit from Harvest House Publishers and was not required to give a positive review.