Are We Special by Reber & Moody! Review and Giveaway!! $$25$$

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Are We Special?

Are We Special? examines the source of the feeling experienced by so many of us and portrayed in so many films and books, that we are more than merely mortal beings and may even be chosen to fulfill some special destiny. Drawing upon the scriptures and the teachings of modern-day prophets, Are We Special? contrasts the true, divine origin of this special feeling with the worldly counterfeits propped up by the Adversary that lead us away from the love of God and produce feelings of pride, selfishness, and despair. Are We Special? provides insights from the gospel that are reinforced by psychological research and the authors' therapeutic expertise that will help the reader become more vigilant against the subtle manifestations of the Adversary's lie and more receptive to the resources God has provided us to know how truly and wonderfully special we all are.  

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 Excerpt:

ARE WE SPECIAL? pg. 228While it is true that we can live as if there is only the lie and we can become obsessed with comparing ourselves with others, the lie is not the only source of our special feelings. In fact, the lie can only ever be a false source of our special feelings that is provided by the adversary who desires to enslave us. The truth is that there is another source of our special feelings, a true source that pertains to all of us and provides the proper understanding of our true nature. We are children of a God, a divine King who loves His children with a love only a God can provide. We feel special because of our divine birthright. We feel special because we experienced this pure love of God when we were with Him prior to coming to this world, and we feel special because the resources God has provided us offer us the opportunity to feel that love again.

In the end, this is the most important message of this book: You are a son or a daughter of a King, and that King, your Heavenly Father, loves you so fully and completely that you are truly special indeed. You need only to raise your gaze to the heavens and accept His love and then the feeling of the void you experience as a consequence of this temporary separation from your Father will be filled with love and light”.

About the Authors

Jeffrey S. Reber holds a PhD from Brigham Young University in psychology. He’s an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at BYU. His publications look at the relationship between religion, psychology, and interpersonal relationships. He has also worked with LDS Family Services and has served as a bishop.

INTERVIEW 1: (With Steve)

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future? Why?

I would go back to the past because I think that we learn so much from it and it also inspires me.  I think of the civil rights movement and how much that has taught me about the importance of equality and the inspiration of those who stood up for that equality.  The future makes me a little nervous with all the technological advancements contributing to the lack of direct in-person interaction and the negative impact on the development of interpersonal relationships.    

What is one book everyone should read?

The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement by Jean Twenge.  Unfortunately over time society has become very individualistic with many who feel entitled to things.  This book addresses the epidemic head on and gives great insight to the reader on how to prevent the continuous push of the narcissism epidemic in today’s society.   

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Executed at the age of 39 for his resistance against the Nazi Party, he had so much more knowledge to share with the world. Eric Metaxas’ book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy shares his inspirational story of a life committed to God and the courage to stand up to evil.    

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

People should read our book because it presents a message of hope and provides guidance about how to  feel God’s love more often and more fully in our lives and encourages us to develop a more personable and special relationship with Him.   

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

Yes, my co-author Jeff Reber and I have actually already started our next book that explores the foundational importance of relationships to God’s plan of salvation and our everyday lives.   

 
Steven P. Moody received his master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Southern California. At USC, his clinical work focused on families, including marital therapy and relationships. Steven has worked as a counselor with LDS Family Services. He is now a therapist in private practice specializing in both relationships and addictions.  

INTERVIEW 2: (With Jeff)

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

I don’t think I ever wanted to become a writer.  Actually, I have always wanted to be a performer, like Elvis Presley, singing and dancing on stage in front of hundreds of people (which I have done on occasion).  I write because I have ideas that constantly swim around in my head and demand expression.  I do much of that expression through teaching, which has always been my passion, but I also find myself feeling compelled to write the ideas down.  Many of the things I write never see the light of day.  In fact, were it not for the interest and encouragement of my co-author, Steve, the ideas for this book would probably still be in the form of a handwritten outline on a notepad tucked away in a desk drawer.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

My most rewarding experience has been hearing from readers who have expressed the positive effects of the book on their lives.  One reader even told me that the book transformed him and he is now more hopeful and optimistic about his ability to be a disciple of Christ.  The purpose of the book is to help others feel the love of God more often and more fully in their lives and when I hear that the book has accomplished that purpose for someone I am filled with joy.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?

Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning.  The holocaust is like a funhouse mirror that exaggerates and brings into focus certain potentials in our humanity, both good and evil,  Frankl’s book reflects in this magnified way aspects of humanity that are very important to me, including human agency, love, and altruism.  

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Learn to think of writing as a public activity.  Discuss your ideas and share rough drafts with people who will tell you honestly what they think of what you have written at every stage of the process, and then revise, revise, and revise again.

What is your favorite Quote?

From Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning:

“Don’t aim at success—the more you aim at it and make it a

target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness,

cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended

side-effect of one’s dedication to a cause greater than oneself

or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.

Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to

let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your

conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best

of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long-run—in

the long-run, I say!—success will follow you precisely because you

had forgotten to think of it.”

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My Review:
This book was a feel good, God Loves me, book for me. It made me think about how I am different and how that makes me special. There is only one me. No one else can do what I do, nor can I do what other people do. Sure we may have some similarities, but as a whole we are unique. God made us unique for a reason. He wanted to prove to us that we are special.  This book also talks about forgiving and being forgiven. Every one is entitled to redemption, because Jesus died on the cross. It is through love and faith that I can let God in so he can show me how special I really am.
I liked this book, and it was a heartfelt look at religion, and I really enjoyed reading about the disciple and the Pharisee.
I also want to add that the cover made me think of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit. It is because of the red apple that humans have sin.
I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.
I highly recommend this book.