This book inspired me to turn away from the expectations that the world has placed on me, and walk into the identity that Christ has called me into.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

We want to have it all, and in the pursuit of doing so, women who love Jesus can find themselves struggling to love him well and have all the pleasures of society. We want and appreciate the simple joys of life, but society’s constant pushing of luxuries like pilates, possessions and power make it hard for a woman to stay connected to God.

Dying to Live tells Margaret Jen Burke’s life and how it became too entangled with things that made her lose touch with the Creator. She speaks into our reality, challenges our faith and helps us be brave enough to cast aside the easy life for a one that points us more toward Jesus.

I have struggled in my own faith with finding a good balance between a relationship with Jesus and the powerful persuasions of society. Reading some of her words provided some hard truths that I have struggled with, like living in a comfortable life with a sprinkling of Jesus. Just enough that it’s not too uncomfortable and I can still feel okay buying a Starbucks coffee, when in reality, I can make coffee at home and give the money I spend on coffee to a better cause. I’m still learning to run my own race, and this book gave me some good insight into how to do so.

Thank you to Margaret Jen Burke, Abilene Christian University Press & Leafwood Publishers, and NetGalley for an advance electronic copy of the book for an honest review.

Depressing. Most of us are just not good enough Christians according to the author. Would like more info on what she has given up in addition to not getting her nails done. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.