The God Dare. Where will you hear it? . . . Deep down inside, you know you’re on this planet for a reason. God has a plan in mind just for you. In fact, He chose you for His plan before the foundation of the world. He designed you very specifically for this time and this place, and He’s perfectly equipped you to accomplish His purpose in the earth. Through engaging and memorable true … Through engaging and memorable true stories–both biblical and modern–author Kate Battistelli challenges and encourages you to discover how God has specifically designed you for this time in history, your place in the world, your role in His cosmic plan. Once and for all, let go of your fear, worry, pride and strife. . .
All God ever needs is a willing vessel. Will you say yes?
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Excellent book which encourages the reader to think of ways to share God and His love with others. We are chosen by Him and He has a unique plan for each of us. This book is great for discussion groups or to ready by yourself. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
I would give this book a 4.5 stars simply because at times I felt like it rambled. That being said I had to round up to five stars simply because the author shares extensively from the Bible as well as from her personal experiences. I felt inspired to embrace the calling that God has for my own life. Although I have read through the Bible multiple times, she did point out different parts of the biblical narrative that I had not noticed before. That is definitely saying quite a bit because writing a book that retells familiar stories can be challenging. I would definitely read more from this author!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher.
This is honestly the best book I’ve read in a long time. Kate Battistelli is very open and honest about her struggles and how God used them in her life. This book will inspire and challenge you to believe the impossible is possible with God and that you have an important part in His plan.
This is a book that challenges us to live more wholly and deeply for Christ and to take the dare that God places in our lives . I savored each chapter for its wisdom and riches. The author uses Biblical accounts as well as circumstances in her own life as examples. I especially enjoyed the Scriptures to think about, God Dare Secrets, and Discussion Questions that are at the end of each chapter. They give you meat to chew on after you finish each chapter. It is not a book to devour but to sip slowly and savor. This would be a great book for a Bible study group. I recommend reading this to everyone who wants to go deeper in Christ.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Kate Battistelli, author of “The God Dare”, is the mother of Grammy Award-winning artist Francesca Battistelli, who writes a foreward for this book. Kate puts together a work of love that challenges the reader to put feet to their faith and to trust God through every circumstance and season of life. The God Dare comes when God calls us to step out of our comfort zone and do something that will bring Him glory, something that the world needs and that we are specially equipped to provide. Because a God Dare is not something that we could ever accomplish in our own strength, but rather would be impossible without God’s providing and intervention. When we step out in faith and wholeheartedly pursue whatever God is calling us to, we can rest assured that He will provide for us and make a way forward.
Throughout “The God Dare”, Battistelli explores familiar Biblical figures and their God Dares. These are people who ultimately changed history because they responded affirmatively to God’s call. One of the beautiful facts about their journeys is that each was beset with hardships, some self-inflicted and some not, which provides inspiration and hope for our own God Dares. We can learn from their examples, knowing that “God calls us according to our destiny, not our history,” so no one can be disqualified! The retelling of these Biblical stories dovetails well with the personal experiences which Battistelli shares, emphasizing both a Biblical basis and a continual working of God among us today.
Arranged with an engaging format, this book is useful for both individuals and groups. It can even be used as a devotional study. Each chapter ends with “Scriptures to Think About”, “God Dare Secrets” that summarize the chapter’s content, and “Discussion Questions” that challenge readers to truly immerse themselves in the Word of God. There is quite a bit of repetition throughout the book, but this does help to reinforce the stories and ideas, and I appreciated that Jeremiah 29:11 appears many times. I did have one bone of contention with regard to the section on Job, because I do not believe that God Himself takes away, but that rather He allows the enemy to take things away from us, ultimately for our good and His glory. I would recommend this book to those searching for their place in the world and to those who are doubting, especially those who have dealt with infertility, miscarriage, or abortion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
This book came to me right about the time I was doubting myself and my calling. A couple pages in and I knew it had not found its way to me by accident. Through personal testimony, and accounts of biblical heroes, Kate has penned an amazing reminder that each of us has a call. And God is daring us to walk into our mission with complete faith in His ability to work in and through us – no matter how inadequate we may feel. He doesn’t even call us to walk into our calling bravely. He knows our fears and asks us to step out right in the middle of them. Kate tells us her story openly and unapologetically, trusting that God will use it to help us make that first step in a new, or perhaps renewed, faith in God’s calling for our lives. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re qualified to step out into God’s call for you, this book is a must-read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
‘The God Dare is a spiritual bungee jump. You risk everything. You jump and trust the cord will hold!. What’s a spiritual bungee jump? It’s when you risk everything you have–your future, your comfort, your agenda, sometimes your very life—to step into God’s divine destiny, a destiny handpicked for you. Spiritual bungee jumps are reserved for those willing to lay down their lives for something bigger than themselves.’
Are you willing to take a God Dare? What if He asked you to leave your home and family as He did Abram? Would you go? What if He asked you to leave everything you held familiar and go to a heathen nation as He did Naomi? Would you go? Look what came of both of those situations! Abraham birthed the Jewish nation and Naomi’s daughter in law Ruth was an ancestress of Jesus Christ!
Granted, I don’t think God is going to ask us to do things this astounding today, although He might, but He does sometimes ask us to step out into the unknown because He has something better for us. Maybe He is calling you to leave a dead end job, but you’re scared because that’s your only income. But He may have an awesome job for you ahead. Sometimes we just have to jump and trust God to catch us and bring us out into a spacious place! Are you ready?
*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book. I was not required to leave a review. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
If you’re stuck in complacency, unmoved by God’s calling on your life, then Kate Battistelli’s “The God Dare” will light a fire under you—not with a match but with a blowtorch. It’s a spiritual I.V. for the faint of heart, with rich, contemporary storytelling about the age-old courage and obedience of biblical heroes. Add in Battistelli’s transparent testimonials from her own path to meaning, and you have an engaging, thought-provoking, and challenging resource for personal growth or group study.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press for the electronic advance reader copy.
“The God Dare” is a fabulous read! Kate Battistelli has written an encouraging, challenging book that many could benefit from diving into. In her second book, Battistelli shares her own personal stories of challenge or triumph in a way that both seems like a memoir of her life and a reminder of God’s faithfulness. I had to spread out my reading over a couple of evenings, and I enjoyed the quiet moments to catch up.
Battistelli is the mother of Christian singer Francesca, whose story she shares a bit of in “The God Dare,” but Kate has plenty of stories of her own interesting life, from performing on Broadway with Yul Brenner and other famous actors to her personal struggle with infertility and depression. Kate is all at once the supportive voice you need and the honest motherly figure who pushes you out of your comfort zone, all while cheering you on.
So many in this world settle for less than what God wants for them. Sometimes being bold and brave enough to take the “God Dares” that are placed before us make the difference between settling and soaring. Battistelli uses stories of people in Scripture who decided against accepting what was offered by the world to be challenged to reach for the better things God had for them. Each chapter end reminds the reader of pertinent Sciptures, points to remember from that portion and helpful questions for self reflection. This can be deep work, so be prepared to finish the book different from when you began.
“The God Dare” will speak to people of all ages who are through with doing the bare minimum in their walk of faith. If you’re ready to jump in with both feet and do some things the world says is crazy, “The God Dare” is the book for you. This would be perfect for a small group study, women’s study, college age small group or to do on your own with a journal and your Bible handy. I was thankful to be a part of the early reader group, thanks to Shiloh Press and Barbour Publishing. All opinions are my own.
If you long within the depths of your soul to find a kindred connection to the God of all creation and desire a love relationship so intricate with the King of Kings, you must read this book. It’s not easy pruning the regrets in our lives. But important. I bought the Kindle version today and will refer to this book’s truths often. I want the kind of immersive, authentic, intimate experience in my relationship with Christ on a daily, hourly, moment by precious moment, basis, practicing the presence of Christ in my life. The author dares us to go to this sacred place and dwell there. Will you? You won’t regret purchasing this resource. Well done, author Kate Battistelli! Well done, faithful servant.