Rating: 
Summary: A Key Book for All Christians: In My Top 25 All Time Books
Review: Margin is a crucial book for any serious Christian. In a day of pushing the envelope, Swenson urges us to leave room ("margin") for the unexpected (and to reduce stress).Many believers schedule their time to the hilt, live within their credit limit rather than their means, and displace time with family and God with good things, but not the most important things. Although Swenson, himself an M.D., practices what he preaches, he does perhaps go a little overboard in some areas (resisting buying a computer, wearing a watch, etc.). But, all in all, he argues for balance and sanity to replace the rat race many Christians join. He gives the reader permission to be counter-cultural. He asks us if we could imagine Jesus leaving the Last Supper because His pager went off! As a pastor of 24 years, I have used this book to help me manage my own life. I have shared its Biblical insights from the pulpit and used this material extensively in my counseling ministry. This is truly a "must read" book. It is a life changer.
Rating:
Summary: This book teaches you how to live life like Jesus lived.
Review: Margin was one of the best books I have ever read. I have read it three times so far. It teaches you how to live life in a manner that seems to me the way Christ meant for us to live. Most of us are living life the way "the world" says we should. The book, Margin, makes you step back and review your life and reevaluate your priorities. I think it can help people reduce their stress and get much more enjoyment out of life. It teaches a simple life style, and wanting less, not more. If you read these reviews, Dr. Swenson, I just want to say thank you. I am buying two more copies for stressed out friends.
Rating:
Summary: Reduce stress, increase your quality (and enjoyment) of life
Review: Richard Swenson has given us a "how to" book for reducing stress, increasing our quality (and enjoyment) of life by increasing the MARGIN in many areas of life. MARGIN is the difference between the resources we have and those we must have based on commitments we make. For example, financially, if we need $75,000 per year to live and we make $100,000, we have a margin of $25,000. I specifically liked the author's point that 100 years ago most people had much more MARGIN than we have today. Whether it is the MARGIN in our finances or the MARGIN in our time commitments versus how much time we have to give, the smaller the MARGIN the higher the stress and the less productive and satisfied we are as human beings! I also liked the point that Swenson made that MARGIN time can be used for planning, creative thinking and other activities that get lost when we are too busy and stressed out. The author's message is much needed in today's fast paced and hectic world - and, who knows, perhaps more MARGIN (savings, health, etc.) could impact the entire world if more people applied the principles in the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good and Practical Suggestions for Dealing With Life
Review: Swenson's book is an excellent and timely read for the person who wants to learn how to develop more time and space for a fruitful life. The book's layout is orderly and the text is easily understood - thankfully, Swenson does not attempt to impress the reader with technical jargon and knows how to address his audience. Swenson organizes the book into three main parts: 1) The problem (pain), 2) the prescription (margin), and 3) the prognosis (health). As mentioned earlier, Swenson describes the problem of pain and the prescription of margin in layman terms. Swenson describes how we can either place undue pressure on ourselves or allow society to dictate the unrealistic expectations we are expected to live up to today. Especially helpful were the prescriptions Swenson prescribes for dealing with today's insane rat race. Particulary compelling were the suggestions for balance, rest, simplicity, and healthy relationships. All in all, an excellent read. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because I believe (in my humble opinion) that the author spent a little too much time describing the problem - he did not get into a comprehensive definition and description of the term "margin" until 1/3 of the way into the book. Despite this minor complaint, I highly recommend this book. The Christian will be encouraged to just rest in the love and acceptance of Jesus while the unbeliever will be encouraged to consider life is more than just career success and busy activities.
Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life
Review: This book made me quit a daily radio show that I loved -- and I couldn't be happier. I read "Margin" before having the author on as a guest. Reading through his description of "marginless living," I felt like he'd been spying on me. I was editing a newspaper, running a news service, doing a radio show, taking freelance jobs, and going to grad school. Something had to give, and too often it was my health and my family. "Margin" helped me learn to say no to good things that just don't fit into my life. I still struggle with "overload," but this book has given me practical tools to deal with the problem. Swenson's clear diagnosis of the problem of overload, combined with no-nonsense solutions, is just the cure for our overloaded times.
Rating:
Summary: Prescriptions for how to simplify your life
Review: This book opens one eyes to the frantic futile pace at which we are living. Not only does it accurately describe the problem, but there are excellent prescriptions given for how to get out of the rat race and the many traps we have set in our lives.
Rating:
Summary: I know how you feel!
Review: This book really covers that sense of urgency that we Americans feel today. Dr. Swenson offers great suggestions for acknowledging the lack of margin in our lives and learning how to restore it. A must read, but follow it up with "The Overload Syndrome"!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: This is clearly one of the best books that I have ever read. This book really changed my life. This is a must read for any busy person ... it will save your life.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: This is clearly one of the best books that I have ever read. This book really changed my life. This is a must read for any busy person ... it will save your life.
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