Rating: 
Summary: Did I Practice What I Preached?
Review: "When I launched the self-esteem movement in Christianity, I was viewed with real suspicion. When I began televising church services and created the first national television church in America, there were increasing whispers about me in the shadows."
---Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller, 1996
Has the message of over 40 years made any difference? Once on the verge of poverty and viewed with suspicion, now seen weekly by 30 million people in 184 countries and celebrated by the President of the United States, the Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller reflects on his life's ministry in his new book IF IT'S GOING TO BE, IT'S UP TO ME: The Eight Proven Principles of Possibility Thinking (March 26, 1997; $22.00; Cloth). What is the inspiration for such meteoric rise? How has Dr. Schuller been able to remain above the temptations and scandals of ten years ago to which so many other televangelists succumbed? Why has his "Possibility Thinking" succeeded for so many, but failed for many others? Dr. Schuller takes a hard look at his life and message of the past 40 years to find the answers to the questions everyone is asking.
IF IT'S GOING TO BE, IT'S UP TO ME is a refreshingly affirmative, soul-searching reflection on Schuller's message of over 40 years. Dr. Schuller is the world- renowned host of the most watched religious television program in history - "The Hour of Power," founder of the 10,000-member Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA, author of 30 books (including five national bestsellers), and the architect of "Possibility Thinking." And now the preacher who, in 1955 at just 28 years old, moved his wife and two young children across the country with nothing but $500 in his pocket and that, "glorious, impossible dream" commemorates the 30th anniversary of his inaugural book, Move Ahead with Possibility Thinking. If It's Going To Be, It's Up To Me boldly and very personally reveals and appraises the principles outlined in 1967 while pointing the way to vigorous and enduring enactment.
"Why," I ask, "has my lifetime of sharing Possibility Thinking succeeded with so many persons but failed with so many others?" I take the stand now to be judged and cross-examined by my testimony. Have I practiced what I preached for the past three decades? Did my book work for me and those who listened? Did it continue to work for me, my family, my friends, my ministry, my career? Does Possibility Thinking still work today?
Dr. Schuller's answer is a resounding, "Yes!" When his eight power principles are understood, embraced and interwoven, the dream of a successful and significant life will come true. "If you can dream it, you can do it." Addressing priorities, goals, commitments, timing and fortitude, Schuller's practical, upbeat reflections and lessons show readers how to ignite the "dynamic divine energy" that allows them to realize their opportunities for success, joy and fulfillment. Peppered with poignant and revealing autobiographical anecdotes and the real-life success stories of people from every walk of life, IF IT'S GOING TO BE, IT'S UP TO ME is a profoundly inspirational vision of belief and ambition in action.
Ode to Sweet and Satisfying Success
Possibilities must be weighed,
then priorities must be swayed,
now plans must be laid,
and commitments must be made.
The price must be paid,
the timing may be delayed
the course must be stayed
and the trumpets will be played.
* * *
The Reverend Dr. Robert H. Schuller is the founder of the Crystal Cathedral and all of its ministries, host of "The Hour of Power" which is viewed weekly by over 30 million people in over 184 countries, author of 30 books including Power Thoughts and Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do, and has received numerous awards including the Horatio Alger Award. He lives in Garden Grove, CA.
Rating: 
Summary: You have the power, what are you waiting for
Review: As we all know, we have the power to rule ourselves. This being said, what are we waiting for? Maybe we are waiting for our rich uncle to die and leave us a million bucks. Well, keep dreaming, it probably won't happen. If it does happen, will we be any better at taking charge of our lives? Probably not! Well the time is right to begin our long journey that lies ahead. This journey is the road that our lives follows. As children, our paraents did everything for us, but as adults we seem to have a hard time making decisions about our lives. We seem to be waitning for some kind of push. It's time we jump start our lives like this book suggests and try to make something happen in our lives. We need to learn how to motivate our selves to do bigger and better things. I think this book can make a difference if we will read it and try to live by it. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
Rating:
Summary: A Excellant Source for Positive Inspiration!
Review: Dr. Schuller paints a wonderful picture of how the power of accomplishing our dreams lies at the center of our experience-ourselves. He structures a very easily understood and powerful plan to accomplish great things. A very positive tool!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Self-Helper!
Review: Dr. Schuller paints a wonderful picture of how the power of accomplishing our dreams lies at the center of our experience-ourselves. He structures a very easily understood and powerful plan to accomplish great things. A very positive tool!
Rating: 
Summary: Dr. Schuller is tremendous
Review: Everybody has things that they consider problems and setbacks, at work and in life. Dr. Schuller's encounters and experiences shed perspective on us that many setbacks are bigger than our own but they can all be overcome. It just depends on YOU. After months of frustration at work, culminating in losing a promotion to a man with equal experience but less "tenure", I was getting very discouraged in general, and disappointed with other "self-improvement books" I was reading, to gain insight on what I am doing wrong, and how to fix it. Books like "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie get rave reviews, but in comparison to Schuller, Carnegie's work is miles off the mark. Unlike Carnegie and many others, everything Dr. Schuller explains is completely ethical and allows you to live your life with dignity. I have never been a real spiritual person, but Dr. Schuller is helping to change that. Using faith and spirituality as your guide seems to be much more effective and self-affirming than shameless groveling. In short, this book tells you how to set goals and keep them. How to take lemons and make lemonade. Great for its informational value as well as its entertainment value. Reading it may not exactly change your life, nor does it claim to, but it will definitely change whatever negative thinking you might have.
Rating:
Summary: California Dreamer!
Review: I admit I'm a big fan of Dr. Schuller. His gift of communication is one that has enhanced the quality of my life on numerous occasions. Consider, for example, what he writes about growth, "Every new possiblity pursued with passion changes the hunter somehow, someway." In other words, the process of overcoming challenges changes us! He views problems in a creative, healthy way. He writes, "In reality, every problem is only a decision waiting to be made." The principles he describes are inclusive, he notes "Every person has been created to be creative." We're encouraged to celebrate our uniqueness. He advises, "Detect, discover, and take direction from your uniqueness." Prayer is viewed as a vital part of the process of achieving significant goals. As one prays and asks God for guidance, by faith it is received. Dr. Schuller sees ideas as living things. He says "Every truly great idea has a life of its own." He goes to describe how a Renaissance thinker will cultivate worthwhile ideas of creativity. This is another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. His words will inspire and motivate you to do more and be more than you are now. It's a delightful, playful, productive process he's describing that leads to enriched living.
Rating:
Summary: California Dreamer!
Review: I admit I'm a big fan of Dr. Schuller. His gift of communication is one that has enhanced the quality of my life on numerous occasions. Consider, for example, what he writes about growth, "Every new possiblity pursued with passion changes the hunter somehow, someway." In other words, the process of overcoming challenges changes us! He views problems in a creative, healthy way. He writes, "In reality, every problem is only a decision waiting to be made." The principles he describes are inclusive, he notes "Every person has been created to be creative." We're encouraged to celebrate our uniqueness. He advises, "Detect, discover, and take direction from your uniqueness." Prayer is viewed as a vital part of the process of achieving significant goals. As one prays and asks God for guidance, by faith it is received. Dr. Schuller sees ideas as living things. He says "Every truly great idea has a life of its own." He goes to describe how a Renaissance thinker will cultivate worthwhile ideas of creativity. This is another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. His words will inspire and motivate you to do more and be more than you are now. It's a delightful, playful, productive process he's describing that leads to enriched living.
Rating:
Summary: Endless Possibilities Await You
Review: Robert Schuller has given us a blueprint for success in this tape. It can also be heard as a blueprint for spiritual wellness. Each of us has a purpose to fulfill that leads us beyond ourselves. Following our soul's purpose takes us out of our ego and into the realm of spirit where unlimited possibilities await us. This tape outlines 8 steps toward the fulfillment of our dreams. They are practical steps coming from a man who has lived and continues to live out an inspirational life. Thanks, Robert Schuller, for reminding us who we are as children of God and the goodness God has for us to embrace. -- Samuel Oliver, author of, WHAT THE DYING TEACH US: LESSONS ON LIVING.
Rating: 
Summary: The Lemonade Twist
Review: Schuller desires to take the reader down a feel-good road. Unfortunately, the path is littered with little more than cliches and pop-psychology. The text is a series of sound-bytes which is easily equalled or surpassed in most any book of collected quotations, or, if one prefers, a Google-search under choice key words. The road signs of the book (i.e. the gist of the text) are 1) you feel unfulfilled; 2) don't worry, be happy; 3) oh yes, and God wants you to be happy. All the road signs are supplemented with the above-mentioned sound-bytes and pop-psychology. In keeping with the spirit of the book, I took the path and stopped at Schuller's lemon tree. Unfortunately the lemons were not good. I then tried to make lemonade. Unfortunately the lemons were so bad that no amount of sweetner could make them palatable. In fact, it became unhealthy. I tried several other uses, but all were equally unproductive and unhealthy. I began to wonder why--then I realized that lemon trees, in order to produce palatable fruit, must be trimmed regularly. The lemon tree at the side of this particular road is in need of serious trimming. There is better and more nutricious fruit to be found elsewhere. Even the old cliche "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is of no use when the tree itself is no good. It is this last part that Schuller fails to adequately address. Too bad. I strongly suggest you take a different and more scenic road that bears much better fruit.
Rating:
Summary: Mind Rules!
Review: Setting up goals in life is a step to optimistic accomplishment. If it's going to be me, its upto me to make the 'Decisions' firm and keep them final to achieve what we want. Realising own strengths with a positive 'I can do it' is in itself an initial step towards reaching heights. Robert Schuller's books are gems of inspirations and this one is just the 'Attitude' - shrugg off the black seeds of inferiority complexes and come out to accept the changes with vital energy and think positive. All his 'Better Yourself' serious is marvellous collections. It's the inner fire to flicker flame and positively pace ahead to be real 'Ownself', know the potentialities and think with mind rathar than use the heart. Rob's has a unique style of setting examples, adding the spiritual zest of bible stories but the main purpose stands for personal improvement and managing self to be better and best. Positive attitude pays dividends when you break free to grasp all that you dream. Whatever the faith be, Rob's book has the inspirational motivation to push forth the reader to smooth sail in life. Set goals, set priorities, think positive and achieve success with commitment to fulfil the desires - just decide upon today and think 'If it's going to be me, it's up to me and nothing can stop you from looking ahead as you leave those trails behind. That's a master piece 'Dr.Robert Schuller' - A spritual and Mind trainer, I would say! A good reading 'Hour of power' to read and self improve.
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