Becoming A Woman of Influence by Carol Kent

Book Description:  Jesus’ twelve disciples changed the world forever. Wouldn’t you like to have a similar impact on others? But how do we accomplish this as human, imperfect people? How can we mentor others in a life-changing and even world-changing way? With Carol Kent’s help, discover the power you have in Christ to influence others like Jesus did. Learn seven simple, life-changing principles Jesus used to disciple His followers-such as asking questions, extending unconditional love, and telling stories. Through practical examples, see how your struggles and triumphs can inspire others. Whether you’re an “ordinary” Christian or a trained leader, prepare to live intentionally and become a valued mentor who leaves an eternal mark. Includes Impact Questions for personal reflection or discussion.

My Review:  I was attracted to this read by the title but also because I've read a little about Carol Kent's life.  Some of "the things" she's gone through in life have been more than I could bear.  But Carol seems to be a woman of God who also puts her money where her mouth is  . . . as an old saying goes.  

Becoming A Woman of Influence isn't as most of us would think.  The principles Carol includes is teaching women how to listen, how to hug in a crisis and simply learning how to help others. 

The seven principles Carol includes in this book are:

1. The Principle of Time Alone with God
2. The Principle of Walking and Talking
3.  The Principle of Storytelling
4. The Principle of Asking Questions
5. The Principle of Compassion
6. The Principle of Unconditional Love
7. The Principle of Casting Vision

The Principle of Unconditional Love stood out to me.  Unconditional love is easy to give as a mom but boy.o.boy not sure if I really want to give this kind of love to others!  Well. . . Carol's principle of unconditional love helped to see that it's following the heart of Jesus.  No, we can't have a lot of these principles in our lives unless we allow Jesus to rule and reign.  Carol's views and descriptions may help you to see beyond your four walls just as see helped me.

Carol also encourages the reader to have a heart relationship with God not a mediator relationship through a priest of pastor.  This is good advice.

This is one of those 5 star reads that will make you think and pray.  I want to be a woman of influence for Jesus.  Not just spouting off scripture after scripture but showing by an example of a godly life.

Whether you're a young, single woman, a midlife mom or a grandma this is an excellent book for women of all ages and walks of life!

*I reviewed this book for NavPress*

About the Author:

Carol Kent is a popular international public speaker best known for being dynamic, humorous, encouraging, and biblical. Founder of Speak Up With Confidence (a communications training seminar), Speak Up Speaker Services (a speakers bureau), and Speak Up for Hope (a prison ministry), Carol is an expert on public speaking, on writing, and on encouraging people to hold on to hope when life's circumstances turn out differently from their dreams.

Carol has spoken internationally in South Africa, Germany, Bulgaria, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Guatemala, Mexico, and Canada. She regularly appears on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts.

She entered the public eye with the story of her only son's imprisonment for murder, a journey she shared in the powerful book, When I Lay My Isaac Down. This painful experience has led Carol and her husband, Gene, down a long road of sacrifice and redemption.

Carol holds a master's degree in communication arts and a bachelor's degree in speech education. Her bestselling books include: A New Kind of Normal (starred review in Publishers Weekly), When I Lay My Isaac Down (winner of Christian Retailers Choice Award), Becoming a Woman of Influence, Mothers Have Angel Wings, Secret Longings of the Heart, Tame Your Fears, Speak Up With Confidence, and Detours, Tow Trucks, and Angels in Disguise (all NavPress). She has also co-written with Karen Lee-Thorp the Designed for Influence Bible Studies (six books in the series, NavPress). Carol was the co-author and general editor of the Kisses of Sunshine Series of five books (Zondervan). Her articles have been published in a wide variety of magazines and in on-line resources.

Her new book, Between a Rock and a Grace Place, will be released by Zondervan in October. This book is the ongoing story of her journey with her son and it includes riveting letters he wrote from behind the razor wire of a maximum security prison. It also addresses the felt needs of people who hurt, and instills a surprisingly new way of thinking, leaving readers irresistibly drawn to see God's astonishing "grace places" in the middle of their roadblocks.

To book Carol for speaking engagements, or for information on her itinerary, or go to www.CarolKent.org. Join Carol on Facebook, follow her on Twitter@carolkentspeaks, or read her blog on the above website.