|
What the previewers are saying...
"With wit and wisdom, Karon shows us the self-imposed complexities of our lives in juxtaposition to the peace God offers. If life's demands have taken center stage and you can't remember the sound of God's voice whispering to your heart, allow me to encourage you to read Another Fine Mess, Lord!."
~~ Eva Marie Everson
Author, Intimate Encounters With God
~o~o~o~o~
"I'm a huge fan of Karon's work and have seen first hand tremendous changes in the lives of Christian women. What a wonderful reminder that we are already full of the peace we so desperately crave in our lives, and it has been there all along!
Despite days filled with clutter, busyness and chaos, we can really have a life of simplicity, order and insight once we allow ourselves to be possessed by the love of God. Another Fine Mess, Lord! offers hope and promise to the overwhelmed, and is a beacon in the darkness of chaos."
~~ Debbie Williams
Author and Host of By the Book Radio
~o~o~o~o~
"With this book, Another Fine Mess, Lord!, Karon puts the simple back into simplicity. She skillfully and empathetically guides readers to an understanding of why our lives get complicated and what we can do about it. Through it all, Karon continually reminds us Who is the only true Source of Simplicity and Abundance. I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to anyone seeking serenity and centeredness in our chaotic 21st century existence."
~~ Nancy Twigg
Author of Celebrate Simply and Editor of Counting the Cost Newsletter
~o~o~o~o~
"What if you could pick up a book about decluttering your life that didn't make you feel guilty for being cluttered in the first place? And what if that book helped you see that God doesn't demand that you shape up before He helps you but that He instead meets you in your mess and loves you out of your chaos and clutter?
In Another Fine Mess, Lord! Karon does just that.She shows readers that it is possible to lead a quiet life even amid chaos, to find peace and purpose even in the turmoil of this crazy world -- and to actually breathe -- all by letting God be God and by letting grace be grace.
Move over, chaos! Let the breathing begin."
~~ Nancy Kennedy
Author of Move Over, Victoria--I Know the Real Secret and Praying With Women of the Bible
~o~o~o~o~
"This encouraging and practical book reminds you that the God who created order out of chaos in the beginning, will do the same in your life and home."
~~ Kathy Peel
Contributing editor to Family Circle and author of 18 books
~o~o~o~o~
"Karon’s message came from God’s heart to mine. It has dramatically challenged and blessed me, and it will do the same for every reader who allows these anointed pages to be impressed upon her heart.
But be advised: This is not baby food. It’s meat, geared toward those who are ready to get far more serious about their commitment to Jesus Christ, those who want to learn more about the individual purpose He has ordained for each of us."
~~ Judy Woodward Bates
Author and The Bargainomics Lady
~o~o~o~o~
"With humor, honesty and heart-hitting questions, Karon promises her readers a way out of living with internal and external chaos! If you crave simplicity, order, and insight, grab hold of Karon’s practical guide to a more fulfilling, focused, and fun way to live."
~~ Poppy Smith
Speaker and Author of I'm Too Young to be This Old
~o~o~o~o~
"Yes, Karon gives practical tips for simplifying your life. But more than that -- more than just offering the standard "let's grab three boxes and tackle your closet" advice -- she reveals the God who hovers near, ready to help clear away your heart clutter and simplify your soul."
~~ Shannon Woodward
Author of A Whisper in Winter: Stories of Hearing God's Voice in Every Season of Your Life
~o~o~o~o~
"Do you often find that your mind is cluttered with the multitude of details of living in this fast-paced 21st century world? I do. Do you often feel overwhelmed by too much information, too many commitments, and not enough time. I do.
I needed to read this book, and so do you. It's a chance to stop and reflect on what's really important in life. Life isn't about what we own or what we do, it's about who owns us - a loving God who goes to great lengths to form a deep relationship with us.
Karon reminds us that the life of simplicity, order and insight we desperately seek, starts with a focus on our relationship with God. She offers reflective exercises to guide us through the process of intentionally making God the heart of every aspect of our lives so that we can find that simplicity, order and insight. And, so we don't get lost once we start this journey home, there are 52 weeks of devotions that serve as guideposts for living a more abundant life.
This book is a much needed deep breath in all the running and the doing of our hectic and cluttered lives. Read it, and as you do, breathe in the renewing power of God's Holy Spirit and find the transformation that you seek."
~~ Susan M. Lang
Consultant, Editor
~o~o~o~o~
"Feeling smothered by the clutter and noisiness of life? Another Fine Mess, Lord! will teach you how to enjoy a simpler, more tranquil life — yet one that is rich and full. Karon asks the questions that will probe and reveal a new perspective for de-complicating the ordinary busyness of your spiritual, emotional, work, and home life — with ease!"
~~ Sharon Durling
Author of A Girl and Her Money: How to Have a Great Relationship Without Falling in Love
~o~o~o~o~
"God has certainly blessed Karon with His great favor which she gladly and wittingly shares with us. Simply amazing! A must read for anyone ready to live a life of abundance."
~~ Kelly Bourchard
International Speaker, Bouchard International
~o~o~o~o~
* * *Available Now!* * *
Amazon.com
* * * * *
Introduction
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proberbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Have enough order and peace in your life? Free of distractions and confusion? On your way to making more of your dreams come true? No? Don't worry, you're about to have all that and more, if you choose, because it's already here, under the mess. God has planned a great and wonderful life for you!
It's one of abundance, joy, and victory, uncluttered and unquestioned. And that's the focus of this book -- more of God in your heart and home, more of His influence, and more attention to His presence. He didn't hide the simplicity, order, and insight you want, even under twenty years of photos and grudges or behind the clothes and habits three sizes too old. There's a special allotment just for you, waiting to be uncovered.
Finding it all underneath your everyday complications will be one of your greatest discoveries, even better than finding a spare car key or a stamp for your overdue house payment. We live in this world that both excites and overwhelms us -- and sometimes robs us of the peace we need as much as air. We have much to do, and the demands we face quickly overpower us. That's when we drop one or two of the chain saws we've been juggling, and we cry out in pain as something bangs on the floor and maybe breaks. We close our eyes away from the chaos and cringe at the thought of having to recover and pick it all back up again.
We wonder in desperation why life is so complicated, why we can't get things together, what we're supposed to do. We dislike the taste of those questions, but we should savor them instead. Those questions are the beginning of a flight in a sky of peace. And the answers are there to hold us up, steady our fragile wings, and direct our journey -- answers we find in our relationship with our Lord.
The complicated world can't claim us if we don't allow it, if we allow God to claim us instead. We can have more simplicity, order, and insight every ordinary day because we have an extraordinary God who models them for us and teaches with His love and grace. His is prepared, and we are blessed. The Lord breathes His mighty abundance on us when we make room for it. And then all is in view, because our view is filled with God, and His peace prevails over anything we can ever do to complicate our lives. Open your heart now and let the flight begin.
~o~o~o~o~
Contents
Part 1 -- What Possesses You?
- Hidden or Not?
- Possessing or Possessed?
- Complicated or Busy?
- Less or More?
Part 2 -- Simplicity in the Clutter
- Simple Is Good
- Know the Truth, Tell the Truth
- Take Responsibility for Your Choices
- Learn from Your Mistakes
- Have a Goal
- Peace in the Mess - Breathing in Your Water
Part 3 -- Order in the Chaos
- Order When You Ask
- Know What You Have
- First Things First
- Prepare the Way
- Keep the Important Stuff Safe
- Peace in the Mess - Your Own Little Red Wagon
Part 4 -- Insight in the Confusion
- Insight Waiting
- Be True to Who You Are
- Do What You Know
- Learn What You Don't Know
- Seek Peace
- Peace in the Mess - Like a Peanut in a Bathtub
Part 5 -- 52 Thoughts on a More Abundant Life
~o~o~o~o~
|
