Clout by Jenni Catron Book Review (Book Sneeze)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I read Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence, in exchange for honest review from Book Look Bloggers, formerly BookSneeze. . The book was written by Jenni Catron and published by Thomas Nelson.



When I first saw the title, I thought of the website, Klout, which measures your social influence. The book, Clout, measures your God-given influence.  In the introduction, Cantron said:

"Clout is the influence that God has given you and to no one else. You are specifically designed to impact the world in a way that no one else can. Discovering your clout is an essential part of unleashing your purpose."

Catron also said everyone has their own range of influence. Some people are here to influence the world, while others may just influence a small group of friends. She also said our clout has to be developed. Undeveloped clout or misdirected clout can cause mayhem.

The first part of the book focuses on the Clout Killers, while the second half focuses on the Clout Cultivators. One of the clout killers included:

• Fear: (one of my biggest ones). Catron discussed 3 levels of fear, which I deal with daily. You can fear the regular, legitimate fears, such as fear of aging.  You can have internal fears such as fear of rejection or public speaking. Finally, you 8can fear not being enough and you simply can't handle it (whatever it is) anymore. 

On a smaller note, I feared running out of diapers, wipes, and pull-ups because this meant I had to borrow money from people, which I hate doing. So, I started buying more each month so I won't run out and I don't have to ask people for money.  I fear not being able to handle my kids, especially my oldest. He is getting bigger and stronger and I fear I may not can control him, once he gets older. I fear failing. I hate to fail, especially at something I feel passionate about. Fear can have us turning back, like Lot's wife, turning into a pillar of salt, frozen into place. 

Other Clout Killers include:

• Insecurity (fear of not measuring up to other people). Comparison can make you feel inferior or superior to others (p. 21). Comparison can also lead to other sins, such as pride, greed, selfishness, envy, jealousy, and insecurity (p. 21).
• Relinquishing Control (another big one of mine)
• Pride

For me, I struggle with finding what my purpose is. The book does have discovery steps or questions/ideas  for reflection at the end of each chapter. For example, one of the questions in Chapter 2 is "for one day, write down every time you are tempted to compare yourself to others. Keep a detailed journal of the people who you compare yourself too and why?

On the other hand, some of the Clout Cultivators are:

• Discovering your identity
• Determining your passion
• Defining your mission
• Developing your confidence

Some of the tips to cultivate your clout include:

• Don't compare yourself to others. Don't be impressed with yourself (p. 116).
• Use your mistakes to help others not make the same ones. Use the mistakes to improve your future (p. 116)
• Re-arrange lives to hear from God (136)
• Be willing to confront issues, which hold you back (125)

The book is available on Amazon in hardback and kindle editions. The book is prime-eligible. 

Willie Out West Book Review (Book Sneeze)

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.


I read Willie Out West, in exchange for honest review from BookSneeze. The book was written by Rhonda Walker. I chose this book because I was surrounded by kids, while looking for my next selection to review. I read the book to my son and great niece. They loved the book.

I normally don't read some children's books because of the length, and my kids have a short attention span. This book was a quick read. The pages didn't contain a lot of words. The story line was simple.

About the book:

Willie was a walrus. He wanted more adventure out of life. He was bored and tired of being at home. His dad is out fishing, while Mama is at home with Willie. After watching a news report on television, Willie goes on an adventure filled with Octopuses, Polar Bears, Seals, and a One-eyed Whale. For me, the book teaches about finding adventure and fun in the little things, which happen daily. I also think it teaches kids about using their imagination and creativity.


Great Read


@Stacie D. Wyatt 12/20/2013

Runaway Emotions by Jeff Schreve Book Review (Book Sneeze)

I read Runaway Emotions by Jeff Schreve, for honest review for BookSneeze. I received a paperback version of the book. The book was published by Thomas Nelson.

I chose the book because I deal with runaway emotions. Worry, anger, sadness, loneliness, happiness. My emotions can go overboard at times.

Emotions can guide our behavior. Schreve provided a great analogy towards the beginning of the book, using a smoke detector. Smoke detectors come in different shapes and colors. No one really pays a smoke detector any attention until it goes off, which means potential trouble, either a fire or your batteries need to be changed. Nothing can cause more alarm at times than the shrill of a smoke detector. Schreve discussed how negative emotions are like the shrill of a smoke detector. Negative emotions means there is a problem, we need to resolve before the flames get higher and higher. It is easier to deal with a small fire than a big fire.

Next, Schreve discussed how when the alarms go off, we must figure out why it's going off, then we should ask God how to turn the alarm off.

The book consists of eight chapters. Each chapter deals with an emotion: embarrassment, loneliness, frustration, worry, anger, guilt, discontentment, and depression. Schreve also provides the message for each emotion. The book also provides biblical guidance for each emotion.


I wanted to focus on the loneliness, anger, and depression chapters first. The loneliness chapter discussed how loneliness is an attitude or a state of mind (p. 29). A lonely person feels isolated, alienated, and distant from others. (p. 29). The message for loneliness was Your God-given desire for companionship is on fire (p. 31). Finally, some tips for loneliness included:

1. Give yourself to the Lord. Start thinking of God as a friend.  Talk to God about your problems and concerns. 
2. Give yourself to others. Volunteer. Spend time with the elderly. Help out at church. Without expecting anything in return. 

This was an excellent book to read and review. 

Clean by Douglass Weiss

I read Clean A proven plan for men committed to sexual integrity, in exchange for honest review by Douglas Weiss. The book was published by Thomas Nelson.  I chose this book because, even though I am not a man, I can still find some insight to apply to my celibacy.When I noticed the book on Booksneeze, I had to have it.

Some of the highlights from the book:

• Many church leaders fall to temptation themselves, and the ones who do stay pure are often at a loss as to how to help those struggling (p. xvi).  (note: I wish my church offered something on purity and celibacy to adults, instead of just to kids. I have asked, but no program exists yet. I am not even sure who to ask to get an accountability partner, without revealing too much of my past). 
• Internal transformation requires work (p. xvi). 
• Pages 6 to 9 discusses the prevalence of pornography using statistics. That section was mind-blowing. Porn is a billion dollar industry. Some internet porn is worth millions and billions. America is the top producer of DVD porn. 
• Both men and women watch porn. Children, who watch porn, face detrimental effects, which include emotional trauma; reduced marriages; exposure to incorrect information about human sexuality, and increased risk of sexual compulsions. 
• There is a direct connection between your sexual behavior and your destiny in Christ (p. 21). Our level of sexual purity will determine how useful and effective we are. 

• Getting one taste of something can lead to wanting more (p. 32). If you think you can control lust, then you are deceived (p. 33).
  
• When God has to discipline someone because of a hardened heart, things can go wrong for them (p. 35). The book gave the story of Terry, who printed off internet porn at work. The printer stopped working temporarily. Once it started printing, IT was called. They traced the problem to Terry. Terry got fired and his wife later divorced him. (p. 36). Paul was making a phone call to set up some sex, but did not realize his wife was on the other line. Stan was blackmailed by his mistress, while Marc was sued for sexual harassment.
  
• God provides you weapons to deal with the enemy (p. 47). Some weapons include the fear of God, wisdom, and the word of God. The limitation of the weapons is that they can only go in one direction at a time (either facing the enemy or facing those you love. )
  
• Lust is wrong. Lust can produce fruit and it can lead to death. The first stage of sin is lust. (p. 49). Sin is the evidence the seed has grown (p. 49). Sin also can be fertilized with repeat behavior (p. 50).
  
• You have to be willing to become clean. You need the right protection, armor, and a plan to become clean (p. 58 to 59). You also need to be honest and accountable (p. 61). You also need a consequence set-up, if you do fall prey to sexual sin (p. 62).
  
  
  
  
  Sexual immorality does not just affect you, but everyone else around you. Job, family, kids, social life, etc. I did not realize this until years and years later. If I stayed out late, someone would have to wake up to let me in (since I never had my own place). I had to work hard to hide toys and my porn addiction. Hiding the laptop under covers and plugging the ear phones in, for example. I sought out pleasure before relationships. Pleasure also caused me to think lust was love. I been addicted a few times. I wanted to date some of these men, not for their brains and long-term potential, but for their body parts (and what the body parts could do). Sexual immorality definitely distorted relationships. I heard rumors of people not liking me because I was too sexual, but at the same time, the person, who told me about the rumor, wanted to have sex with me. Sex defined how I treated people of the opposite sex. If you wanted to date me, then I would not have sex with you. If you wanted sex, then it was mostly a one-night stand. Had no interest in repeat sex partners, unless they met a few standards.
  
  I loved this book and definitely recommend it to men and women. 

Altar Ego

I read Altar Ego, in exchange for review from BookSneeze. The book was written by Craig Groeschel and published by Zondervan.

I got the book a few days ago, in print format. The book discusses finding your Godly identity. People have identities, based on own and others' perceptions, but that's not what God called us to be. The book teaches us how to put on the Altar our false identities and selfish motives (p. 9). The book teaches us to live for God versus living for people. WE do not have to be defined by our past. Page 11 says I am who God says I am. God will give us a new name and a renewed purpose. God will give us freedom, grace, love, and a future. We have to change our thinking. Cast away lies, insecurities,  and outdated perceptions. It won't be easy, but nothing is impossible through Jesus. 

Other highlights:

• God's power is bigger than your past
• No habit is too big for God
• What's true now don't have to be true later. 
• To learn who i am, i've had to learn who i am not. you are not what others think about you. you are not your past. you are not what you did. you are who God says you are.
• God will take one of your greatest weaknesses and turn it into one of your greatest strengths. Definitely can see how this applies to me. went from sex addict to celibate. from horrible mama to semi-decent mother
• If you ever felt like a failure as a mom, seek the God of all and own it when he calls you great and Godly Mom.

How I chose this book:

I got an email from Booksneeze about upcoming releases. I was not done with the last book and review. As soon as I read the description of Altar Ego, I wanted this book immediately. I quickly finished the other book, wrote the review, and requested Altar Ego. The description talked about finding our identities in the Lord, versus being identified by self and others. I am working on reading more books, which can help me grow in the Lord, versus fiction. I love a good fiction book, but that was not what I needed (or need) right now. I need God. I have a past. God can help me heal past my past. The book was wonderful. Definitely Glad this is a hardback because I can write in it. I have highlighted passages and my labels (my own and others). Some labels included: selfish, antisocial, cheap, honest, reliable, bitch, not likeable, insecure, anal, dummy, smart, promiscuous. Some of these labels do not define me any more, but people still see me as the old me, versus the new me. I was a sex addict. I am now celibate. Some people still see me as the promiscuous one. Don't understand how I went from a lot of sex to no sex. My journey was not for them, but for me to grow. I think as you grow and change, you have to let things and people go. Not everyone can travel with you, as you progress through life. 

I loved reading this book. I am used to reviewing e-books, so I was taking notes, as I went along. Then something hit me, this is my book--my paperback book-I can mark, highlight, and write notes in the book. The book is excellent. I read over 50 pages since I got the book. Definitely what I am needing right now. 

More than a Bucket List

I read More than a Bucket List, in exchange for an honest review from BookSneeze. The book was written by Toni Birdsong. The book was published by Thomas Nelson.

I chose this book because I have so many dreams, but I am not working hard on making them a reality. The book started off good. The first section discusses laughter. God gave us the power of laughter. Laughter can heal souls. Birdsong encourages us to find friends, clean comedies, and other things, which makes us laugh. Then, the next section focuses on living your dreams. Write a book. Go skydiving, whatever it is, Live your dreams.


The book also discusses honoring people for their strengths, instead of their appearances, stereotypes, or personal prejudices. Get to know people for who they are, instead of who you think they are or who you want them to be.

Other suggestions in the book include:

• Fighting for love
• Being a good samaritan. Be merciful. Help others, who are going through something. 
• Practice being positive, instead of negative. Practice forgiveness. Laugh. Surround self with positive people. 
• Trust God in all things. 
• Practice Compassion. Help others. Volunteer. 
• Learn to quit. Quit cursing. Quit enabling others. Quit lying. Quit selfish behaviors. Quit living for others. Quit being late. 
• Stop comparing yourself to others. 

The book provided good suggestions for creating a new bucket list for living. The suggestions are based on love, faith, and forgiveness. Not to mention, developing a relationship with God. At the end of the book (for those, who purchase the print edition), there is a fill-in-the-blanks bucket list. I will definitely continue to peruse this book this year, especially when I lack motivation.