| Title | : | Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate: Wit and Wisdom for Sidestepping Lifes Worries |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 162029169X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781620291696 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 224 |
| Publication | : | First published February 1, 2013 |
Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate: Wit and Wisdom for Sidestepping Lifes Worries Reviews
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I could read this book each night before bed as a reminder that the anxiety and worries of tomorrow rob us of today. All we have is the present moment and this helps put the present in perspective.
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Debora M. Coty in her new book, “Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate” published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. gives Wit and Wisdom for Sidestepping Life’s Worries.
From the back cover: Are you ready to strip fear’s power over you and become the confident woman you were meant to be? Have you found that tolerating your personal fear monsters only makes them growl louder?
Maybe it’s time for a healthy dose of truth gift-wrapped in humor.
With her own brand of off-beat wit and wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of women worn down by everyday fears – financial, health, relationships, loss, pain, the unknown, the what ifs …both real and imagined. With fresh spiritual insight, Debora shares hope, true life stories, scriptural lifelines, and a few LOL’s along with simple, practical tips for sidestepping fear with faith. And a fistful of chocolate!
As much as we would hate to admit it, most of us struggle with some kind of fear, worry or anxiety on a regular basis. Whether the fear is something that seems insignificant to some (like spiders) or is more common to mankind (like the loss of a loved one), we need to find the faith to hand our worries over to God to handle. Ms. Coty tells us, “Fear is really about losing control. We can easily fool ourselves into thinking we’re doing the responsible thing by worrying. When we worry, we’re desperately trying to maintain control. We keep our manicured fingernails clutching on to every shred of our lives because underneath it all, we’re afraid to relinquish complete control to the Lord. Why? Because things might not turn out the way we want them to.” In four sections, “Internal Fears”, “External Fears”, “The War Is On”and “Faceless Fears” Ms. Coty addresses the Top Ten fears women face: 1) Loss of loved one (spouse/children/parents) 2) Debilitating disease/illness/cancer 3) Failure 4) Old age/senility 5) The unknown/the what-ifs 6) Loneliness 7) Dependency on others 8) Rejection 9) Specific Critters (snakes, roaches, rats, etc.) 10) Being judged unfairly.
With insightful wisdom within each short chapter Ms. Coty explores how to deal with each individual fear. Each chapter ends with a “More Pluck, Less Chicken” set of questions that let the reader ponder the answers and apply them to themselves. Not only is this a great book for us to read, sometimes many, many times, it is also a great gift for our friends and family.
Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate Kindle Fire Giveaway and 3/7 Facebook party!
Celebrate the release of Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate with Debora Coty by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to the March 7th Author Chat Party on Facebook!
Fear-Faith-Giveaway-300
One “sweet” winner will receive:
A Kindle Fire
A Debora Coty Library (Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate, More Beauty, Less Beast, Too Blessed To Be Stressed, and Everyday Hope)
Chocolate (Every good thing begins with chocolate!)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/6/13. Winner will be announced at Debora’s “Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate” Facebook Party on 3/7. Debora will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia, laughter, and encouragement – bring your friends! She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Debora via Skype.)
So grab your copy of Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate and join Debora and friends on the evening of March 7th for an evening of fun. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to
www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station
www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
Anyone who has ever battled fear would agree that fear is no laughing matter. Regardless of whether our fears are faceless or identifiable, rational or imagined, hair-raising or debilitating, any emotion that has the power to paralyze us is certainly serious. And so, it would seem incongruous to write a faith-based book that approaches fear from a humorous standpoint – right?
And yet, Debora M. Coty has done just that. Debora has written a book that not only shows us how to overcome our worst fears – she makes us laugh at them in the process!
Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate is probably unlike any book on fear you’ve read. The difference begins at the cover, where Debora beckons you inside with a fistful of chocolate (seriously – who’s going to resist that!)
Once inside, Debora pours on the charm. You’ll immediately feel at ease as you flip through the book’s pretty pink pages. You’ll quickly become immersed in chapters with quirky names like Vultures Circling My Head (Humiliation) and Do They Make Prune Smoothies? (Uptight About Aging). You’ll soon find yourself looking forward to those engaging end-of-the-chapter questions in the More Pluck, Less Chicken section.
But don’t be fooled by the frivolities – underneath the frolic, there’s a wealth of information to be found!
Before Debora began writing this book, she surveyed 500 women between the ages of 18 to 80 to learn about the types of fears they struggle with on a daily basis. Based on those surveys, she came up with a list of Women’s Top 10 Fears:
Loss of a loved one (spouse/children/parents)
Debilitating or terminal illness
Failure
Old age / senility
The unknown / the what-ifs
Loneliness
Dependency on others
Rejection
Specific critters (snakes, roaches, rats)
Being judged unfairly
Debora uses this knowledge to arm us with everything from humorous anecdotes to inspirational quotes, to probing questions to revelatory insights, to biblical encouragement and scriptures to the practical steps we can take to make fear a thing of our past.
Even though Debora is a humorist at heart, she freely admits that there is nothing funny about fear. Here is an insight from her book that really spoke to my heart:
Our fears spotlight what matters to us most…those hidden corners of our life in which we trust Papa God the least. Those are the hot spots we need to work on, girlfriend. Because if we relinquish control to the only One who can truly defeat fear, the thing that scares us to death can be the very thing that propels us to life.
If you are going to tackle a subject as weighty as fear, it helps to have an author like Debora lighten your load! This wonderfully refreshing book full of scripturally sound insights will help you grow in your faith while conquering your fears.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. -
You can read my full review on my blog
here
Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate – Wit and Wisdom for Sidestepping Life’s Worries by Debora M Coty is a Christian Living book that helps women gain a little levity during anxious times. If you are going through a particularly difficult time, and you’re filled with fears, this book just might help you put your fears into perspective, a Biblical perspective, with a little humor on top!
I am by nature a worrier. I worry about everything, both the big and the small things in life. I know that worry never solves the problem, but worry gives me a sense of busy-ness, which tricks me into thinking I am doing something about the things I worry about. Since becoming a Christian, I have been slowly learning to lean on Jesus, to let go of the anxiety and stress, and trust Him to carry me through.
Mrs. Coty says that one of the biggest lies the enemy wants us to believe is that our emotions dictate the truth. This was a real eye opener for me, and has radically changed the things I am axious and worry about. I now know that my worry is just an emotion, and my emotions aren’t the truth. She goes on to say, that our feelings are just feelings – sometimes rational, sometimes irrational – but they are just feelings – NOT truth. The reality is that truth should dictate our feelings. Once I got this truism to stick in my worry soaked brain, it just clicked for me, and I have been free from needless, irrational fears and anxieties because of it. The biggest take away I got from this was that I am not a slave to my emotions any longer.
Filled with humor, this book will take you through some of the best scriptures in the Bible that pertain to worry, fear, anxiety and gratitude. By focusing on gratitude, instead of our worries, we can flip that switch and break the bad habit of worry. Learning to lean on the One who made the World and everything in it, instead of our own understanding is freeing. It will free you from your worry, anxiety and fear. This little book is filled with great Biblical teachings, wrapped in humor, to make it easier to swallow, much like that bitter pill that you take with a spoonful of jelly.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Publisher or Author in exchange for a book review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
Reading Debora M. Coty's previous work, "Too Blessed to be Stressed" and now her current book, "Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate", her writing style really reminded me a lot of Erma Bombeck and the wit and wisdom that were embodied, in Erma's own books.
Filled with Scripture, laughter and wisdom, "Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate" is a smile inducing reminder that no matter what life may throw our way, that we have a reason for the hope, the encouragement and the strength to make ti through life's difficulties, and with her carefree and friendly style, Debora Coty, really reaches out to her audience and draws them in, to sit across her, at a coffee table and be reassured....things will get better.
This isn't a devotional style reading, but as mention earlier, Debra brings in a personal, honest, biblical perspective that I enjoyed reading late at night, to help me wind down, or when I needed a "perspective break" while enjoying a fistful of chocolate and coffee during life's busiest moments.
For a breakdown of Debra's book, she divides the book into four sections, with questions to help the reader (or if you're in a group setting) either dwell on or discuss, not just what Debra is sharing, but for the reader to get self perspective. This format makes for a great way to open discussions with close friends, bible study group, whomever one is with at the time and the material, as shared, is presented in a way that is relational and doable for whatever the situation.
The style of writing does take a bit of going use to...the way Debora writes...it felt like she isn't writing to the reader, but as I read it and at times, would read things such as her calling God, as , "Papa God", I really got the sense of she is using this medium to talk with the reader and that makes this a book that helps lower barriers that one might have mentally.
As all things, this isn't a book to replace therapy that is out there for those who are struggling with more deep sated fears and issues that require more interaction with a professional, but what,
"Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate" is, basically, like a concern friend, whose written a letter to someone they know can use comfort right now and going, "Hey, I've been here, I will be here, here's what I have to share and here's some things to think about" and Debora accomplishes that with, "Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate" .
The chapters are short and if you don't get the e-book version, the hardcopy makes a great gift for those people in your lives that mean everything to you and maybe even struggling with some fears of their own, be it temporary or re-occuring.
This is an uplifting book that is worth having in one's library. -
Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolates by Debora M. Coty is a book many Christian women today likely will find quite helpful. Let’s face it, we all have fears. Some are more severe than others. Some are in response to something one has been through. Others are deeply seeded in our spirits, but we might not know why. Whatever the cause of these fears, this book will help examine them, address them, and hopefully be able to begin the task of learning to defeat these fears. Living above these fears, as God intended for His people.
There are insightful statements about fear, fighting fear, and life in general. Anecdotes about others’ struggles with fear help to drive home various points. And the book is jam-packed full of Scripture to help women fight the enemy. Fear is a real tool Satan uses to keep God’s people impotent – or at least weak. If we can learn to overcome our fears, God can use us so, so mightily.
One of my favorite tips is to start a gratitude journal. Start focusing on the blessings in life instead of the things that scare us. I might do this with my long-neglected personal blog; make it a gratitude journal. Stay tuned for information on that – although I’m not promising anything. Anyway …
I read this book because fear has been a driving force in my life for far, far too long. There are many, many dreams I didn’t chase simply because of fear. Fear of failure. Fear of change. Fear of rejection. Fear of something along the journey to achieve these dreams. Fortunately, I have found a way to curb the fears in my life: stop inviting it in. No more scary movies and shows for me. Suspenseful is fine, but scary – especially if there’s a supernatural component – is not OK. And you know what? That has made a HUGE difference. Fear doesn’t run as rampant in my life as it once did. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a long way to go, but I’ve made a step in the right direction. This book gives me more tools to use to move past the fears in my life and into a place of peace and power that only God can give me. -
How can fear be humorous? In this book it does make you look at the funny side of dealing with fear, what ifs, the unknown, pain, and loss in your life. Your imagination can be an enemy sometimes causing us to fear the unknown.
At age sixty-two with prayer and faith in God I am able to control most of my fears. When my daughters were still at home I felt as if I was responsible for what everyone did or should do, ,yet I felt like I had no control over the situation. Well I learned the hard way that I can advise and set rules but it was still up to the individual to follow through with what was right hopefully. If not then we would deal with it the best we could. It would have been helpful to have had this book back then.
The author writes that you will end up making a nervous wreck out of yourself. It can cause sleeping problems, anxiety and insecurities. More health problems than I wish name. Humor is one her antidotes, but most important is having faith in God's and His Word. Putting on God's Armor. You will love the authors interpretation of God's Armor.
Chapter 15, This Helmet Is Worth Hat Hair
(Helmet of Salvation: Grace)
God's grace has set us free.
Romans 6:15
In Chapter 6, Who Wants to Be a Worry Wart?
(Curbing worry)
Don't worry about anything,
instead, pray about everything,
tell God what you need,
and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
I would love to share so much more of her book with you but then you wouldn't have to read the book yourself, would you. Grrrr! There I go again trying to control.
You should check out some of her other books, too!
I highly recommend this book!
I rated this book a 5 out of 5.
Disclosure:
I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Barbour Publishing for review -
Title: FEAR, FAITH, AND A FISTFUL OF CHOCOLATES
Author: Debora M. Coty
Publisher: Barbour Books
February 2013
ISBN: 978-1-6202-9169-6
Genre: Women’s issues
FEAR, FAITH, AND A FISTFUL OF CHOCOLATES is tailored to women worn down by everyday fears—financial, health, relationships, loss, pain, the unknown, the what-ifs—both real and imagined. In a nutshell, the stuff of life. Coty encourages women to join hands and hearts and approach the quest to conquer life’s worries with faith, a girlfriend, and a smile.
With a lot of humor, Ms. Coty addresses fears, such as internal fears and external fears. She addresses things such as humiliation, rejection, guilt, and loneliness among many others. I read this out loud to my family, and some of these we laughed all the way through. The first story, for instance, is about exposing fears, and it tells a humorous story about two men playing with their bows and arrows who accidentally hit a prized cat… I felt sorry for the cat, but the way the story was told, we all laughed until we cried.
If you are looking for a book about handling fears and rising above them then FEAR, FAITH, AND A FISTFUL OF CHOCOLATES is a book to consider. It is a great book. And the pages are a pretty shade of pink. With Mother’s Day coming, this is a great gift for a mother in your life. Or a Valentine’s Day gift for your wife or daughter. Highly recommended. 5 stars. $9.99. 224 pages. -
This cute little book is a humorous and inspirational read, crafted to help women face and conquer their fears with God at their side. It’s aimed more at “women” so to speak, as opposed to girls in their teens and twenties. FFFC has a few statistics (what would YOU guess the top three fears among women are? Read the book to find out…), lots of stories (and I mean lots), and a lovely plethora of Bible verses – many of them great for memorizing. It’s full of practical, solid, and good advice, with a fine dose of laughable lines and stories pulling it together. Each chapter (maybe 30 or so?) includes some thoughtful questions at the end, either for doing by yourself or with a group. Fears confronted include everything from losing dear ones to getting older, and lots. Overall, I didn’t give it a real high rating because after all, it is aimed at women older than me. I also went into it expecting Liz Curtis Higgs’ type of humor, which has always made me laugh aloud, and this just wasn’t as funny for me. However, I would none-the-less recommend it for others!
**Litfuse Publicity Group supplied me with this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to post a positive review, nor was I paid in any way other than the book.** -
This is the second book I have read by Debora M. Coty, and all I can say is WOW! I always enjoyed Christian humorists Barbara Johnson and Patsy Clairmont, and if you like them, you are certain to like this book. If you have ever experienced fear (and let's be honest--who hasn't), this is a book that will talk to you straight about overcoming it by the grace and intervention of God. The stories she shares are quite touching, and it was all I could do to hold back my tears many times. To see the goodness of God and the faith of His people truly brought me to my spiritual needs.
This book is written as a "small group study," and I wouldn't mind studying this book with a group of ladies. There is a lot of theology in this book, but you will find a lot of humor. Her quotes are either poignant or hilarious. I just have to share my favorite quote:
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving it not for you!"
I would recommend this book to every woman in the church. I learned so much, and I plan to go back to this book again and again. I can hardly wait to read her next book!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine. -
Debora Coty once again employs her trademark gentle humor in this small, but powerful book about overcoming fear. She includes personal stories as well as stories from friends and family, as well as Biblical verses to back up her advice on how to best conqueor those nagging things that keep all women from being the best they can be.
In this pretty little book with delicate pink pages, Debora covers all the top "fear" factors that most of us face at some time or another - humilation, rejection, guilt, loneliness, worrying, anxiety, obessions, and the biggest bugaboo - fear of aging! She also includes at the end of each chapter a list of questions that would be great to use in a bible study situation, or just for personal reflection.
I highly recommend this charming book that deals with a very serious subject - fear! As Debora advises with a very appropriate quote at the end of her book - "Don't fear change, change fear!" -
Debora Coty has written a wonderful devotional book that addresses the most common stresses that women deal with. She includes heart warming stories about being more compassionate, forgiving, and being thankful, despite daily stresses and worries. Her advice and tips are practical and easy to follow. Each section ends with discussion questions that would make this book great for a woman's Bible study group. I enjoyed answering the questions alone because it game me more time to reflect on the readings. I felt like a friend had been there and done that and was using her experience to help me. This book was a wonderful read that left me feeling closer to God and less worried and fearful. -
This is a funny yet meaningful book. You will find yourself laughing and learning as you read these well written pages. I gave this book 5/5 stars. I thought the author did very well at breaking down the different fears and the categories they fall into. I liked how the book was non-judgmental and had excellent Scripture reference to back up the topic she was highlighting. I would recommend this book for any woman who has more fears then not! You will enjoy the book as well as learn from it.
I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read. -
This is the second book I've read by Debora Coty, and I enjoyed it as much as the first. Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate was just what I needed. As soon as I read the title I knew this one was for me! Fear rears it's ugly little head in my life more than I care to admit, but it's nice to know that others deal with the same issues and understand. Debora takes a look at fear and ministers with uplifting humor and personal stories of her own. I think there is something in this book for everyone!
See more about the book here:
http://www.amomwithablog.com/2013/04/... -
I absolutely LOVED this book!
The author shares about her fears and her faith in a way that makes you feel like you aren't alone. It felt like sitting across the table from a girlfriend and sharing hearts. She is so transparent in her writing and made me laugh out loud throughout the book. I figure that any book that can make me laugh while talking about something like this is a definite must read. Each chapter begins with scripture and ends with questions to help dig a little deeper in our fears. A fantastic read that I highly recommend. -
I loved Too Blessed to Be Stressed, so I was very excited to read Debora's latest work. The title is catchy, and it is perfect for someone like me!
Coty highlights common fears that Christian women struggle with, and directly combats them with Scripture and fact. I identified with a majority of the fears mentioned, so it was refreshing to have a way to fight the fears that will continue to work.
My favorite part were her analogies, such as Xena the Warrior Princess! The humor makes it fun to read. Definitely an excellent read! -
I got this book for free to review and it really is a cute, funny inspirational little book. Funny stories, inspirational quotes, Bible verses and encouraging stories are put together in a pretty book of pink polka-dotted pages.
I love her acronym for what to do when you are angry - BARF -
B: Back off - Walk away to gain a new perspective
A: Admit - identify your emotions in order to deal with them.
R: Redirect - Refocus your emotions in a healthier direction
F: Forgive - First forgive your offender and then forgive yourself.
I highly recommend this book! -
This book could not have come at a better time for me! As I struggle periodically with anxiety and depression, there were so many times where this little book hit me straight in the heart.
I love how the author infuses humor into such a serious subject. It made me laugh even when I didn't feel like laughing. Now, that is saying something!
You can read my full review here:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.... -
Another wonderfully witty book to help address life and all that encompasses fears. Debora once again relates to you as a reader and helps develop a plan to manage fear. Her stories, commentary, and scriptures all in the "right" place make this another great read. Whether you are fearless or fearful this is a great book to help you handle your fears or be compassionate towards others.
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Coty says God has given us fear for a purpose. It motivates us. She surveyed women and found the most common fears and then addresses them. She has included many examples from Scripture and people to encourage us. And her humor is contagious. A good book for those struggling with fears. See my full review at
http://bit.ly/17M6Dti. -
Debora Coty is one of the few authors I've had the pleasure of meeting in person. I love how her books are filled with truth, real-life situations, Scriprure verses and some humor. There's so much truth I want to remember from her books. Such a fun and interesting read.
