Joy Filled Refreshment

I loved listening to this book read by the three different authors. You can hear the joy in their voices as they make this book come to life for you. If you are burnt out on church, this book will bring you encouragement and hope. You will hear about refreshing new ways to connect with and increase your intimacy with Jesus. You will hear about joyful motivation to fuel your relationship with Jesus and others. It was a wonderful and refreshing experience to listen to this book!

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I'm checking in: Encouraged! & Excited!

I am checking in: Encouraged! Excited! Ready for more!

I was delighted to find out about this book. On the surface it is presenting one of the five values of a group of churches. However, it is so much more than that! This book is an invitation to a deeper, more relational connection with Jesus and a simple "How to" so you can live with a deep well of joy in your daily life! The book has the right mix of teaching and stories. It is very balanced with examples of the authors' motivation, sound scriptural support, and how to practice this way of being the church.

When I say simple, I don't mean easy or dumbed down. Simple means the authors have done the hard work of removing the things that get in the way and shining a bright light on the path. Making things simple for others to follow is very difficult. But the authors have a very gentle way of inviting you on an ancient, well-worn path that the modern church has overlooked.

I will use this book in my own spiritual journey and the journey of those I mentor. It is an encouragement and not a condemnation. Be encouraged to connect to Jesus simply and very deeply. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

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Hope for the Church

This Book by John White, Kent Smith and Toni Daniels might just be exactly what the church is looking for right now. Such a hopeful and timely message when so many believers have given up all hope that there is indeed more to this Christian life than we have been led to believe. There is so much opposition to Christianity today, and that is surely set to increase, but if you want some real encouragement for the future of the church that Jesus is still building then get hold of this book. John, Kent and Toni will encourage and inform you with Godly wisdom and practical tools from a brain science as well as a sound Biblical foundation. Yes we can reach the nations with Jesus’ own plan for disciple making and church planting. While a little disjointed to listen to in places as an Audio book, “Joy Fueled” is a must read for all who want to find the “how to” plus long lasting motivation for the journey to complete the great commission.

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Concept to Fruitition

I was given a free version of this audio book for review. It is a book I would have likely read anyways though not necessarily in audio format.

As I began the audio I was concerned about how it would sound with three different readers (the three authors.) To my delight I found that the variety of voices enabled me to better distinguish between the different sections and concepts presented in the book.

The concept of joy fuelling our lives in Christ has a great deal of appeal to me. Being willing to share oneself with others and trust them is a missing element of most contemporary churches. How we get to that point in our relationship with Christ and others seems to be the essence of this book.

As a former DAWN Associate I have had the privilege of seeing the growth of the Luke 10 ministry from its’ inception. I found the book indicated a number of subtle changes, from the early Luke 10 to its’ present incarnation. For example the concept of “Listen to Jesus, obey and teach others” was changed in this book to “Listen to Jesus and receive”. However, I believe those who were influenced by the writings of Wolfgang Simson and Roland Allen among many others will discover many gems in this book.

Overall the audio book was very easy to listen to and I quickly consumed its’ contents. I would recommend the audio book to anyone interested in discovering how to allow Jesus to bring joy into their lives and share that joy with others.

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100% worth the listen

This book is a game changer. I love that it explains what joy really is - that someone's glad to be with me - no matter what! It's about relationship and connecting heart to heart with God and others. Joy can be my motivation in life rather than being motivated by what I think I "should" do. Joy can be my default setting throughout life. I don't have to be trapped in my difficult emotions. I can easily return to joy from these emotions. It makes doing life with Jesus the exciting adventure it's meant to be. Once you learn to be joy fueled, it's easy to pass it on to others. I've personally seen it transform hearts, lives, relationships, families, small groups, work places and communities. Totally life changing stuff. 100% worth the listen!

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tank empty? this is a true refueling!

You need to read this book! It will bring joy to your heart and a smile on your face. The others consistently whisper and echo the corridors of Heaven with their gentle call to a deeper journey with God. The book points to something beyond The Gospel of Duty and Obligation...which is unfortunately the gospel most Christians are familiar with these days.

The authors John, Tony, and Kent give great perspective on the Christian Life animated and motivated by JOY. They sprinkle in psychology, ancient near Eastern biblical wisdom, the most recent brain science, and most surprisingly - even vision casting for the Church!

Imagine if every church, whether a group of two or three or two or three thousand, built their organizing principles as a group around this book's content! Imagine if you applied to your daily life their simple yet revolutionary spiritual disciplines of "checking in" and "listening" to your personal life, your marriage, your family, your small group, your church... and wow - to even strangers!

Toni shares her story of how she found compassion for a man who was aggressively trying to stir up confect with her and her family. Kent reminds us of God's provenience in the jaw-dropping story of a young boy asking God to show him a praying mantis. John shares the transformation of his heart to one of full emotional resilience and embracing the full heart Jesus gave him.

The best part of this book though is when they reveal that this is the first book in a series!

Thank you Kent, John and Toni for your commitment and service to all of us!

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Thoughtfully written

I rather enjoyed this book, and thought it had a few particular strengths. First, it does an excellent job acknowledging the problems faced by many post-modern Christians who are discouraged or disillusioned by unhealthy congregational and denominational churches. That is not to say that all churches are unhealthy, but certainly (and unfortunately) many are. Second, the book does a good job reconceptualizing common (often theologically suspect) ministerial motivation narratives from guilt- or obligation-driven to driven (or "fueled") by joy. It is quite refreshing!

“Joy Fueled” also provides a rather welcoming overview to one variant of the "house-church" model, as well as a challenge for readers to grow in flexibility and imagination as they engage and lean into creative communities of faith.

The first in a series, Joy Fueled does leave the reader asking a few questions I anticipate will be addressed in subsequent volumes. These questions include how to practically evaluate the health of a house church, roles and responsibilities within a house church, and whether, when and how house churches should be connected to the larger church or some form of eldership.

I often find there are two large categories into which many ministry books fall. The first is the "big idea" category. These encourage readers to consider something on a conceptual theological, or philosophical level. The second category focuses on practical application. Joy fueled is a thoughtfully written "big idea" book that would be best read with a companion "practical application" book, such as Mark Scandrette's Practicing the Way of Jesus in Everyday Life, or similar.

I look forward to the coming volumes of of this Luke 10 series!

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A joyful diagnosis and cure

This book addresses much of what is missing in congregations in the West - experiencing true delight in deep, connected relationships with God and others. Also the authors discuss our need for the rhythms of rest and joy in our lives and helps us discard ways of thinking that are based on rules rather than relationship. I believe this is a necessary book for church
leaders, staff members and anyone passionate about seeing the Kingdom of Jesus grow.

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Beautifully written

Very hopeful. I Love hearing all their own
voices....
Very Good and easy listening or reading if you have the book

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A life giving perspective on church

Excellent book, once I had finished the audio book I bought the book in print copy to reread and highlight. Highly recommend.