Why Everything that Matters Starts with the Inside You

I've been watching videos of Judah's Sunday talks from City Church and became a fan. Love his humor, and the relavent twist that always is based in a solid Bible focus. He's the kind of pastor that makes Jesus real to me and has brought me closer to God's word. Much like the two pastors at my home church (Gino Grunberg and Rick ENLOE), Harbor Christian Center. Judah helps make everything, make sense. This book is terrific.

another amazing book from Judah Smith - in his special way he brings the points across perfectly and if this book doesn't lift up your soul and makes things clearer in your relationship with God and how this effects your inner being, no other bookey will.
Great content, amazing messagestuff combined with Judah's typical tongue and cheek writing style, creating more than a few giggles and tears in my eyes while reading

Judah's simple communications style comes through in this book. As I read the book, it was as if I was listening to him preach. My soul had become somewhat downtrodden over the past year and I found this book helped me recognize what was going on inside of me. I'm thankful for it and am preparing my small groups to go through it as well. I love this book.

Once in awhile, a review book comes across my desk that is just what I needed at the moment. At first when I saw that Judah Smith is young and the pastor of a large church in Seattle, I admit to wondering just how deep this book could be. Let me assure you, it is quite possibly the best book on soul I have read in a long time.

He reminds us that our soul came to us as the breath of God in the garden and that our soul is the real part of us. That when it leaves, our body becomes lifeless. So we must make certain we are feeding our soul with the Word and spending time with the Lord in order to strengthen us.

This book not only has sound theology, it is an easy and might I add... fun... book to read. I never thought I'd find myself laughing out loud as I'm being taught the importance of the soul to the Christian life. At least when the book includes grounded theology.

If you are soul weary, this book just may be the medicine that will help. If you are needing a book to make you fall in love with Jesus all over again, this may be the right book for you. I'd definitely recommend it to someone who just wants a good read on a cold day that will also turn their hearts back to Heaven. Highly recommended!

How's Your Soul? was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

New York Times Bestselling Author of Jesus is_________., asks a thought proving question in his new release, How’s Your Soul? I find it funny that he uses a contraction in the title, because he writes the entire book in the same casual speak. In fact, this book is very much like sitting in a room with Smith and simply talking to someone you know well. I think it is comforting to listen to Smith who never speaks above understanding and is never heady with theology.

As the title of the book eludes, Judah Smith is asking if your soul is in a healthy place. If haven't considered the question, it might be time, and this is likely the book for you. Smith walks through intriguing ideas like having a quiet soul in a hectic, fast past world, and how having an effective soul leads to an effective life and what that looks like. My favorite nugget in the entire book is in the chapter Is Love God or Is God Love. It is here Smith unwraps the idea that love is a roof without skylights. Smith states with regard to people in sin, “We publicly cover them and privately restore them with the goal of bringing health in their lives.” Smith encourages us to not be exposers, but to be a safe place for hurting people. I love this. It is very different from much of what we hear and see in our world…and on social media.

Even if you are still kicking the tires on the idea of God, or are a life-long Christ Follower, I would recommend this book to you, There aren't many Christian Living-Help books I would say that about or encourage people to read. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by BookLookBloggers and the book's publisher. I have not been compensated, and I was not required to give a positive review.

Has anyone ever asked you, or have you ever asked yourself, “How’s your soul?” It’s a question that shakes us awake the rote pretenses of the question, “How are you?” and our often absent-hearted answer, “Good”—and it’s a particularly relevant inquiry as we begin the Christian season Lent. It’s one of my favorite questions for self-reflection, whether or not I’m comfortable with the answer.

In his newest book, How’s Your Soul? Why Everything that Matters Starts with the Inside You, Judah Smith suggests the health of our souls is the often overlooked, but always essential key living each day with eternal significance. I enjoyed this book overall, even if it is inconsistent in quality and Jonah doesn’t always write toward a cohesive thesis, primarily because it is written at a popular level that will be accessible to all. And for Jonah’s ability at times to actually make me laugh out loud.

For Christians, seekers, and just about everybody, it’s a good entry-level guide to exploring the inner you (your soul). For pastors, it’s good not for its theological depth, but for Jonah’s ability to model relatable storytelling (though at times he just seems to like hearing himself talk and I think more than one of his tangents are distracting)—he admits up front that he’s not going to spend time splitting “theological hairs about the difference between the terms soul and spirit.”

How's Your Soul? is inconsistent, but inspiring. Jonah starts strongly. I loved the first two chapters for his ability to lead me into deep soul reflection.

1. Home Sweet Home. The premise of the book, with which I agree, is that “your soul is healthiest when it comes back frequently and wholeheartedly to God.” In other words, when we find our home in God through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Original Home. When Jonah writes about food, just yes…so funny! But more importantly, Jonah suggests four elements of a healthy environment for our soul from Genesis 2: rest, responsibility, restraint, and relationship.

For me, the middle of the book was weak. I’m not sure how these chapters relate to the overall thesis of the book, and I grew tired of his writing style by this point.

3. Surprised by My Soul. I’m surprised that I don’t remember this chapter. Or not. It wasn’t particularly interesting.
4. An Anchor for My Soul. Skip the first half of Jonah’s experience with boating, but dive into his riff on Jesus as the anchor of our soul. Good stuff.
5. Is Love God or is God Love? Doesn’t seem at all fitting for this book, nonetheless the first half of the chapter is a should-read for everyone living in 21st century American culture. It will help us have better, more honest and truthful conversations about faith.
6. A Quiet Soul.
7. An Effective Life. If I may riff on Jonah—which I’ll be doing in my Lent sermon series, Jonah of the Bible that is—the foundation of an effective life is surrender.

Jonah finishes strong in the last few chapters, re-capturing my interest.

8. New You. The heart of the gospel right here, clearly and compellingly. It never gets old. Well said, Jonah!
9. Inside Job. “We trust and follow a living God, a real God, who is big enough to begin a process in the human soul and faithful enough to finish it.”
10. Heaven. I’m troubled a bit by this chapter, confused by unclear statements about heaven, our bodies, our souls…about things spiritual and physical. The book would be strengthened by a little theological care here. Nevertheless, a helpful reminder and encouragement to “set our minds on things above.”

So, how’s your soul?

How's Your Soul? by Judah Smith, is about looking past outward appearances and exploring the essential inner essence of where we find our true selves. Are you experiencing inner turmoil as you struggle to find the peace and joy that comes from your relationship with fully trusting and resting in the presence of God?

Judah, pastor of The City Church in Seattle, wants the reader to move beyond simply surviving each day to a concentrated effort to live each day with significance that has an eternal impact. In his typical manner of laid-back and humorous anecdotes, he also brings out points that strike the heart of the matter. There are stories that caused me to laugh, and others that have stayed with me and caused me to question myself and my attitude...and to discussions with friends for their input.

His sense of humor and way of telling a story made this an enjoyable book to read, but there were also times when I found myself skimming more than reading. However, there were points made that I keep going back to over and over in my own soul-searching. I actually have the book set aside to read again soon since there were a few areas where a nerve was struck that I was not quite ready to deal with at the time I was reading it. This is a book that is certainly worth reading and it may give the reader a fresh perspective.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers. All opinions are my own.

"In How’s Your Soul?, Judah explores that "inside you." Sharing his own, often humorous, mistakes and foibles, he helps us find our way through the emotional roller coasters of life to discover the soul-healing essentials of rest, responsibility, restraint, and relationships, all rooted in what he calls the soul’s only true home—God himself."

This is the first book by Judah Smith I have read, although it is his second book. Judah is the head pastor of a church in Seattle Washington as well as a husband and father. How's Your Soul is written to encourage the reader to consider how your life on earth can reflect a bit more of heaven in everyday life.

Smith begins by explaining the beginnings of the soul. He explains that it was God's breath which gave Adam life that we should focus on. Although the soul is not something that can be explained in a few words, God's breath in Adam gave him life, that breath became Adam's soul.

Genesis 2:6-7 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. Then the LordGod formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Our souls were created before sin entered the world. Although it is possible to exist outside of our soul aligning with God, we experience discontentment, a longing for more when our souls are not aligned with God. Smith goes on to explain all the ways we can seek to focus our minds, actions, and souls on God.

I loved this book. I haven't read much on the soul specifically, and I found this to be a book that had me deep in thought. Both with self-reflection and further research, this has meet hungry for more information on the soul. The one thing I would change is the amount of tangents present. It took a long time to make some of the points.

HOW’S YOUR SOUL?

Why Everything That Matters Starts With The Inside You

By Judah Smith

When you meet someone, you usually say or they say to you, “How are you/” or “How are you doing?”, these are standard greeting used every day. What if you asked or was asked “How‘s your soul?”, how would you or others react? Our soul is the most important part of us and the condition of the soul is what we need to be concerned about. In this book, Judah Smith describes the soul, the importance of the soul and what we need to do to improve our soul.
The following quote is from the back cover of the book:
“A quiet soul is far more valuable than fame and fortune. A level soul, a balanced soul, a genuine soul---that is a gift from God.”
The soul is our connection with God and needs to be kept in a healthy relationship with God. Judah uses humor and offer examples from life that will help you to have a healthy soul. He offers scripture and an easy way to understand what is needed to improve your soul.
I found the book easy to read and interesting and believe it could be used in Bible study, group discussions and enjoyable to all.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggersbook review bloggers program. 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

How's Your Soul?: Why Everything that Matters Starts with the Inside You by Judah Smith is an easy to read primer on the importance of maintaining the health of one's soul. Using scripture as the basis of what a healthy soul needs, Smith elaborates on each need with personal anecdotes and analogies that help the reader relate to each need.

Smith is an entertaining writer. How's Your Soul? uses humor which makes the text both approachable and easy to relate to. Smith also maintains a good balance between being solidly based on scripture while not being overly spiritual. How's Your Soul? can be understood and appreciated by Christians and non-Christians alike. Smith makes each point relevant to a broad audience without compromising the supremacy of scripture.

I'd recommend How's Your Soul? to anyone who has ever felt the busy pace of life overwhelming them. Anyone who has ever felt that something isn't quite write with their inner self will benefit from this book.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. 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

In this refreshing look at what it means to nurture our souls, Pastor Judah Smith invites us to slow down and consider what it really means to be at peace amidst the chaos of this world. His casual tone and off-the-cuff humor make it easy to embrace the idea that our souls were made for God alone. Packed with examples from the Bible, this book provides conviction without judgment, allowing Smith to reach a range of people from seekers to long-time followers of Christ.
 
Smith starts by having us consider what it really means to come home. We are given permission to be as messy as humans can be, knowing that God loves us right where we are. Jesus is introduced as our only hope and as the only true anchor. Peace comes with true fellowship with the God who made us. As a result, we are able to step into the kind of effective life we were meant to live. Smith provides a clear perspective on what really matters in life, as well as the kind of re-alignment we all need from time to time.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, and I would highly recommend it for anybody who feels all tied up in knots. Smith provides, what I believe to be, the only true answer.

Honestly, this book impressed me a lot.

This is my first read by Judah Smith, and I was gladly surprised by how well he communicates the ideas God’s placed in his heart. It is as if you were hearing him preach. So funny and profound at the same time! I don’t know how he does it.

I found myself laughing out loud –which is not common when reading Christian nonfiction– and then thinking deeply about life-changing questions, all in the same chapter. That is amazing.

I especially enjoyed learning how are souls are designed to find rest in God alone, and the importance of having people in our lives that can look at us in the eye and tell us “this is not who you are”.

I loved this book from beginning to end, and I promise you that, if you read it, you’ll have a great time.

**I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own**

“It is imperative that we understand we do not have to live up to who people say we are or perceive us to be. By the grace of God, Jesus enables us to live from who we really are.” p. 113 How’s Your Soul by Judah Smith

How are you? FINE. How are you? BUSY. How are you? GREAT. How’s your soul? Wow…what a great and necessary question. When’s the last time someone asked you how you are where it really matters…in your soul, the control center of everything else. How’s Your Soul by Pastor Judah Smith asks the hard question in an effort to get to what really matters. One of his main points is simply that the outside you really doesn’t matter if the inside you is a chaotic mess. Are you willing to be transparent enough to say that you are weary? that you are empty? that you are searching? Who are the people in your life that can handle that information and love you well by pointing you straight to the truth of God’s word in those moments? This is such a theme of so many conversations that I find myself in these days…who is tending your soul? Are you making that a priority?

MY THOUGHTS: I liked this book more than anything else I've read from Judah Smith -- it was insightful, still had his signature flavor of humor and lightness, but was more meaningful and relatable to me than Jesus Is___ was. I'm a big fan of books that look at faith through the deeper lens of the soul instead of just what's on the surface, so I found this to be a solid read (although nothing totally blew me away) and one I'd happily share with friends. I think our culture really overlooks the importance of soul-care, and this was a great reminder that our souls are where our true identity and meaning and worth lie, and that we should pay better attention to them.

IN ADDITION: I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review!

MY THOUGHTS: I liked this book more than anything else I've read from Judah Smith -- it was insightful, still had his signature flavor of humor and lightness, but was more meaningful and relatable to me than Jesus Is___ was. I'm a big fan of books that look at faith through the deeper lens of the soul instead of just what's on the surface, so I found this to be a solid read (although nothing totally blew me away) and one I'd happily share with friends. I think our culture really overlooks the importance of soul-care, and this was a great reminder that our souls are where our true identity and meaning and worth lie, and that we should pay better attention to them.

IN ADDITION: I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review!

Judah Smith is one of the few pastors whose books I will keep coming back to, and I think this one is my favorite of his. His voice is full of humor and fun, yet he still hits all the deep points. I loved the subject of this book, and what he touched upon. I feel this idea--of your soul, and truly allowing it to rest--is not one talked about as much as it should be in the Church, and I love how he chose to tackle it. Pastor Judah's books are never theologically heavy; he writes in a way both new and old believers will understand. But that doesn't mean he ever loses the meaning or depth of what he is saying either. I have a feeling this is one I will keep coming back to.

I have enjoyed Judah's previous books. Jesus is _____ and Life is _____. I was excited to get this book and read it. I read it quickly so I could do a review. Now, I want to go back and re read it slowly and really chew on the different chapters and his words. Judah has a great ability to draw you in without making you feel judged or less than. He allows you to be where you are, all the while challenging you to move to a deeper place in your walk and relationship with Jesus. This book is a great book to look at what's inside. To see where you stand in the deepest parts of who you are. It's a great book to chew your way through. It's not a long book and one that you can get through quickly, but one that will challenge you to look at yourself and those around you differently.

Book Description

Judah Smith, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus Is ______, explores what it looks like to cultivate a healthy soul in the midst of a busy life and points readers to the soul’s only true home and place of rest and fulfillment: God.

“How’s your soul?”

It may seem like an odd question, but it’s what pastor and bestselling author Judah Smith chooses to ask his friends, rather than “How are you?” It’s a way to look past the externals and consider what’s going on inside, in that essential part of us that is often overlooked in the struggle to make our way through everyday life.

In the rush of living moment to moment, many of us find ourselves simply surviving, struggling daily with frustration, restlessness, boredom, and ever-fleeting joy. But if we would pause, we’d find that the things that matter most in life, what we are searching for in our busyness—stability, peace, hope, love—are rooted in the health of what Judah calls the “inside you.”

In How’s Your Soul?, Judah explores that “inside you.” Sharing his own, often humorous, mistakes and foibles, he helps us find our way through the emotional roller coasters of life to discover the soul-healing essentials of rest, responsibility, restraint, and relationships, all rooted in what he calls the soul’s only true home—God himself.

How’s Your Soul? is an invitation to find lasting emotional satisfaction and stability by bringing our feelings into alignment with God’s truth, moving beyond simply surviving, and learning how to live each day with eternal significance.

Having read Judah's previous books and listening to his messages frequently, I knew this book would not be one I'd pass up. It did not disappoint! This book is refreshing and full of truth that will help the newest to the most seasoned of believers. Judah has a way of using humor to engage and befriend so that when he shares the truth it doesn't feel like he's beating you over the head. He approaches the truth with love and grace. This book is not about formulas or "do this and do that" to have a healthy soul. Instead, it asks the right questions to begin our own internal questioning that will lead to a healthy soul. Judah doesn't position himself as an expert, but as a friend coming alongside you on the journey. The chapter on love alone is worth the purchase of this book. I can't recommend this book highly enough! It is life-changing.

What a question Judah Smith asks! A true state of our soul is important to be and to live to the fullest. He explains how the human soul operates and the vitality to keep it guarded and happy to be fruitful and successful.

What a great reality of the soul, as Judah Smith states, it is the only true home, where God resides and moves, creating the new creature in us as the Author and Finisher of our salvation. The soul is the place of our being too. We need soul check-ups, to make it whole again, without hurt and wounds. The soul cannot prosper were wounds and thorns grow, so we need the healing touch of Jesus.

I should preface this review with the fact that I am a big Judah Smith fan! I have loved his books in the past and I listen to his podcast regularly. So when he came out with a brand new book, I was all in. And it just so happened to be about the soul. It seemed to be the perfect fit since God had me on this whole soul journey.

The book was good. I have friends that raved over this book! I liked the book, and had I read this book before Heart Made Whole {also addressing issues within the soul} I would have probably loved it even more! Judah is extremely conversational and transparent in his writing style. He captures the reader and allows them to see his ups and downs as if you were just two friends chatting through life. He is not a pastor turned author who is trying to show the reader just how smart he is and how pontificates and extrapolates every piece of scripture. Rather, he is incredibly brilliant in doing just that, yet he brings his knowledge forth in an unassuming and relatable way.

Would I recommend this book? Like I said, I am a big fan of Judah Smith and would recommend basically anything he does.

Such a simple question, perhaps not such a simple answer. Full of vulnerability and personal stories, as is the norm with Judah, this book asks a question that needs to be asked, especially in today's culture. How are you doing, or how is your day are questions that 99% of the time receive a one-word answer with zero reflection. I have done it, frankly, we all do it. Asking "how is your soul?" however, requires some introspection to answer properly.

Judah Smith's book is aimed not only at Christians but those searching for more. It's a book that can make you go through a field of emotions, from laughing to crying to deep thought and back to laughing... all in about three sentences! He uses his expository skills to show that our souls need rest, responsibility and restraint. This book is clear and easy to read, and the overall size of the book makes it a great gift as well.

I was given this book by booklookbloggers and they have no say in how I review books.

Judah Smith’s book asks the deep question of ‘how is your soul?’. We aim to succeed in worldly things like owning a house, having okay kids, money, healthy bodies, healthy minds, which are all great but how often do we check on our insides? How do we measure how healthy our souls are?

Judah’s book helps us to fixate on the health of our insides, because all that prospers on the outside can only prosper as much as our souls can. We can have everything our heart desires and be the most loved person on the planet, but if our souls are not healthy we still feel empty. We are merely living for our flesh.

This book gets you thinking beyond how you feel about things happening on the surface and helps you to return home with God, and to live life to the fullest with a healthy soul. Living in God is the only way we can live fully as He has intended us to live. He wants us to enjoy life, enjoy family, enjoy your hobbies, to enjoy things around you! Judah’s book asks pondering questions that guide the reader into starting a healthy soul focused lifestyle. We don’t often focus on our soul as much as we do our bodies and finances. When the core of our soul prospers, the rest of our life will follow.

Start enjoying life to the fullest! How is your soul? Really though.

-Easy read, if you don’t read much, like me (guilty) its GOOD
-Hilarious, his book is lighthearted but filled with pondering questions
-Backed up with scripture

Personally:
I’m starting to see life in a new way. I start with focusing on my soul, and then everything else falls into place. I’m motivated to be healthier, I’m motivated to do other things that align with God’s desires for me. I start to enjoy things around me instead of feeling guilty about enjoying life that God has offered me. I can hear God more clearly, worry less about things out of my control and fully worship God for who he is in my everyday life.

Everyone needs to read this book, Judah is an amazing communicator who is easily understood. A great leader who follows our awesome God and helps guide us into the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is on our inside . No wonder our souls need connection with God. Jesus and God are one . Our souls need to go home to be healthy and whole. Judah gives us practical ways to find home. Judah shares our inside is where true health and wholeness begins . It's the part of us that truly leads our lives. Through God's grace and His work on the inside we live a more effective life because it's God influencing us in such a way that our actions and lives change. It's not a work that can be done apart from God! Get the book, watch the sermons, do the small group material and watch as God transforms your life from the inside out through His power and love.

“Rather than asking, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ We should be asking a far more important question ‘what do you want your life to look like? or maybe ‘what kind of soul do you want to have'” This book delves into the deep questions of what is healthy for our soul. I give it a 4 out of 5 because there were some language that kind of bored me, but then again I get bored very easily. Some great quotes though—“we are all stewards of our own souls, by the grace of God, and we can set limits on what we listen to”.

Judah Smith is a strange dude. He wears Spanx for Pete's sake. I've read and loved his other books, but I am always caught off guard by just how good his insights into the human condition are. I found tears rolling down my face as I turned these pages and recognized the real state of my soul. For anyone who has faced overwhelming circumstances in life, he points to the only one who can heal and complete our souls. An inspiring read.

How's Your Soul? by Judah Smith is an encouraging reminder that we are more than what is visible. At the core of us, our soul - is the single most important part of who we are. It's health is key to the health of everything else in our lives. Judah brings the importance of the soul to the listener by sharing key truth from scripture and examples from his own life. His writing style is simple, clear, and challenging.

This book is written in true authentic Judah Smith style. His self deprecating humor, and wisdom make this an easy read. The topic of our 'insideness' is a crucial one in the light of what is going on in this world. I love this "To have a calm, quiet soul, you have to recognize that you are NOT in control." This is the essence of the book as the words shed light on how our outsides can be incongruent with our insides yet Jesus is the one who is our anchor and brings the calm and quiet despite the outsides. Be ready to laugh and find yourself in the pages.

Judah Smith hits the nail on the head, once AGAIN! In How's Your Soul, you're confronted with a question you're probably not going to hear in casual conversation, a question you may not be prepared to answer. Smith writes with vulnerability about the most inward element of a human, their soul. It's scary, but crucial to anyone's well being. His wit, personal stories, and Biblical wisdom are just some of what makes this book great for anyone, faith or no faith.

coming from a christian who grew in church, this book has changed my life, its amazing how powerful words are and how they can impact your life. i related very well with this book in many ways. keep them coming Judah, you clearly have a gift!

Such a simple question, perhaps not such a simple answer. Full of vulnerability and personal stories, as is the norm with Judah, this book asks a question that needs to be asked, especially in today's culture. How are you doing, or how is your day are questions that 99% of the time receive a one-word answer with zero reflection. I have done it, frankly, we all do it. Asking "how is your soul?" however, requires some introspection to answer properly.

Judah Smith's book is aimed not only at Christians but those searching for more. It's a book that can make you go through a field of emotions, from laughing to crying to deep thought and back to laughing... all in about three sentences! He uses his expository skills to show that our souls need rest, responsibility and restraint. This book is clear and easy to read, and the overall size of the book makes it a great gift as well.

I was given this book by booklookbloggers and they have no say in how I review books.