I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Published by Thomas Nelson Incorporated on February 14th 2017
Source: BookLook Bloggers
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, Christian Life, Inspirational, Personal Memoirs, Religion
Pages: 240
**NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
The story she said he was born to write.
Her story. His story. The love story of Joey and Rory.
By inviting so many into the final months of Joey's life as she battled cancer, Joey and Rory Feek captured hearts around the world with how they handled the diagnosis; the inspiring, simple way they chose to live; and how they loved each other every step of the way. But there is far more to the story.
"My life is very ordinary," says Rory. "On the surface, it is not very special. If you looked at it, day to day, it wouldn't seem like much. But when you look at it in a bigger context--as part of a larger story--you start to see the magic that is on the pages of the book that is my life. And the more you look, the more you see. Or, at least, I do."
In this vulnerable book, he takes us for the first time into his own challenging life story and what it was like growing up in rural America with little money and even less family stability.
This is the story of a man searching for meaning and security in a world that offered neither. And it's the story of a man who finally gives it all to a power higher than himself and soon meets a young woman who will change his heart forever.
In This Life I Live, Rory Feek helps us not only to connect more fully to his and Joey's story but also to our own journeys. He shows what can happen when we are fully open in life's key moments, whether when meeting our life companion or tackling an unexpected tragedy. He also gives never-before-revealed details on their life together and what he calls "the long goodbye," the blessing of being able to know that life is going to end and taking advantage of it. Rory shows how we are all actually there already and how we can learn to live that way every day.
A gifted man from nowhere and everywhere in search of something to believe in. A young woman from the Midwest with an angelic voice and deep roots that just needed a place to be planted. This is their story. Two hearts that found each other and touched millions of other hearts along the way.
This Life I Live: One Man’s Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever is a beautiful book written by Rory Feek. Not only is this book fantastic but he also writes over on a blog called, This Life I Live. If you haven’t checked out his blog, you should.
First off, I noticed that some other reviewers were disgruntled by the use of bad language in this book. I kind of want to talk about that for a minute. Don’t take what I’m about to say as me calling anyone out. It was a surprise that people couldn’t look past this to see that Rory wasn’t trying to be vulgar. So, while everyone is entitled to an opinion, I want to give my take on this. Had this been a fiction book I would have to agree with avoiding any and all bad language. Largely because it isn’t the norm for the genre and it’s so easy to choose a different expression.
But, this is not a fiction book. And it’s not like the f-bomb was being dropped. The word in question here is View Spoiler ». Please hear me out before you decide that this book is not for you.
This Life I Life is the humble testimony of a man. A man who is admitting his mistakes. He reminisces about the events that lead up to meeting the love of his life and how God had a sovereign hand in all of it. We see how Rory falls for Joey and his appreciation for the Lord that brought them together.
This book was heartwarming and I’ll be honest, I read it at a time when I’m at a crossroads in my relationship with Christ. The road where I decide to give it all to God or keep playing around.
God used this book to touch my heart. He determined the exact time and place that I would be reading. Knowing that this book would be of help and encouragement to me.
Please don’t mistake this as me telling you to go against your convictions and read this book. If you’re convicted by this, then that’s between you and God. Don’t take my word on things!
But, I’d like to say that this man is a Christian who is trying his best to tell his testimony. It is important to look at the context and his history to understand why he chose these words. He’s writing from his heart and he gives God the glory for the wonderful work that has been done in his life. God understands that we’re imperfect people. We all are. Rory’s trying to tell his and Joey’s story the best way he knows how.
I for one think it would be a shame to miss out on such a powerful and touching testimony over one bad word.
Maybe I’m getting too personal with this review. But, I felt God needling my heart for my lack of trust and submission to Him. It was through Rory’s words that I have felt convicted to get into my Bible more. To have the faith to start tithing and the encouragement to put my trust in God more often than I have. I needed to read this story. I needed encouragement to stop living halfway and live my life the way God intended.
Like Rory, I’ve not had the best home life. My dad was absent for most of my childhood and even now he is distant and not the man I’ve needed him to be. I understand where Rory is coming from. For people like us, trust is hard. It’s hard to put our trust in others and even in God. We’re so afraid of letting go and giving control to someone else when so many have hurt us or let us down. But, God won’t let us down and He’s got this all figured out well before we do!
I truly loved this book. I look forward to reading more by this Rory in the future. I know that my whole review hinged on the thoughts of others and I apologize for that. But, I feel it would be a complete shame to miss out on a beautiful testimony because of one bad word.
About Rory Feek
Rory Feek is a country music singer, songwriter, filmmaker and a former United States Marine. In his career, he has written singles for Kenny Chesney, Randy Travis, Clay Walker, Tracy Byrd and other artists. In 2004, Feek achieved his first Number One as a songwriter when Blake Shelton topped the country charts with “Some Beach”. Feek wrote and produced a film, Josephine, which was set in the American Civil. The film later debuted at the Nashville Film Festival.
In 2002, he married Joey Martin, with whom he started the country, bluegrass and gospel duo Joey + Rory. They have one daughter, Indiana Boon (born February 17, 2014), who was born with Down Syndrome. Feek also has two adult daughters, Heidi and Hopie from a previous marriage. Joey died of metastatic cervical cancer on March 4, 2016.
Rory shares his life with the world through his thislifeilive.com blog that has over 2 million followers. His blog follows the amazing love story of him and his wife, her recent battle and loss to cancer, and inspirational stories of faith and hope.
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