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WORK TITLE: Taking Aim
WORK NOTES: with Eva Shockey
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 1976
WEBSITE: http://www.ajgregorybooks.com/
CITY:
STATE: NJ
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/a-j-gregory/1164 * http://www.ajgregorybooks.com/about-aj.html
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children: three.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Accenture, event planner.
AWARDS:Christian Book of the Year, 2017, for Shaken.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Collaborative writer A.J. Gregory has spent her writing career teaming up with numerous high-profile personalities, from celebrities to scientists, athletes, military leaders, and pastors, to write more than thirty-five books. She writes about real life, Christian faith, fame, and inspiring stories. Gregory helped outdoors-woman Eva Shockey cowrite Shockey’s memoir, Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors.
Born in British Columbia, Canada, and currently based outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, Eva Shockey is an author, television co-host, social media personality, and outdoor adventurer. With cowriter Gregory she has published her 2017 memoir, Taking Aim, about hunting and travel, healthy living, and finding one’s true life calling. In the book, she describes her transition from non-hunter to hunter, offers home décor ideas, tips for fitness and healthy living, recipes, and practical guidelines for living a field-to-table lifestyle.
Daughter of Canadian outdoor writer Jim Shockey and co-host of the Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures television show on the Outdoor Channel, Eva is a proud, female outdoors-woman and believes that hunters are the biggest conservationists on the planet. In Taking Aim, Shockey describes hours-long hikes and hunting expeditions, travels through the Aleutian Islands and the Yukon, antiwoman and antihunting attitudes, and her work as a hunting ambassador and corporate spokesperson for hunting products. A writer in Publishers Weekly acknowledged Shockey’s persuasive arguments about self-reliance, conservation, and charity, saying that she “provides lyrical narration and descriptions laced with humor and gratitude to God in this fine autobiography.”
Born and raised in New Jersey and hoping to find fame in Nashville, Gregory had a crisis of faith and succumbed to addiction. Finding her way, she journaled about her struggles writing two books in the process, and then starting a business that helps people find writers to tell their stories. In 2008, Gregory published Messy Faith: Daring to Live by Grace, in which she explores how faith can sustain people when life doesn’t go the way they’ve planned. She provides anecdotes of her own experiences with bulimia and substance abuse, and describes flawed biblical heroes who have endured painful journeys. She assures readers that the path to belief is not always straight, and must involve forgiveness and not judging ourselves too harshly. Dale Lewis commented on the Title Trakk Website: “The reader of Messy Faith will be encouraged as they are reminded of God’s perfect love for imperfect people.”
Gregory followed up with the 2009 Silent Savior: Daring to Believe He’s Still There, in which she addresses sorrow, pain, and doubt about whether God is listening to us and still has faith in us. Rather than waiting for flashy miracles, she assures reader that if they dig deep into their hearts, they will feel that God is still with them. Although Gregory uses pop culture references and teen-speak, nevertheless “Young and mature audiences alike can surely benefit from her honest, youthful optimism,” according to a writer in Publishers Weekly.
In 2016, Gregory collaborated with Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow to write Tebow’s memoir, Shaken Bible Study: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms, named 2017 Christian Book of the Year. In the book, Tebow shares his journey through disappointment, criticism, and intrusive media attention. From his college football career in the Florida Gators to his work with the Denver Broncos, and then being traded to, and then soon released from, the New York Jets, Tebow struggles against the negativity in his life to focus on the Christian principles of hard work, determination, and universal love and kindness. He shares inspiring stories of others who have overcome adversity as well as Biblical examples from Job to David and Goliath. “Tebow’s easy, plainspoken style will give young fans the feeling that he is speaking directly to them,” noted a Kirkus Reviews contributor.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, July 13, 2009, review of Silent Savior: Daring to Believe He’s Still There, p. 52; June 12, 2017, review of Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors, p. 62.
ONLINE
Kirkus Reviews, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ (May 24, 2017), review of Shaken Bible Study: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms.
Outdoor Channel, http://outdoorchannel.com/ (April 1, 2018), Shockey author profile.
TitleTrakk.com, http://www.titletrakk.com/ (April 1, 2018) Dale Lewis, review of Messy Faith.
A.J. Gregory writes about real life. She is the author of two books, Messy Faith and Silent Savior, which chronicles finding faith in the middle of unavoidable and sometimes harsh realities. She also partners with amazing people—celebrities, athletes, military leaders, life coaches, pastors, physicians, professors—to write their own stories. An accomplished writer, A.J. has collaborated with fascinating high-profile figures on over thirty-five books including Tim Tebow on Shaken and Pattie Mallette, Justin Bieber’s mom, on Nowhere But Up. Some of her books are New York Times bestsellers. One of A.J.’s recent works, Shaken, with Tim Tebow was awarded 2017 Christian Book of the Year.
Born and raised in the Garden State, A.J. is a true Jersey girl who dons hair that always has just a little bit of pouf. When she was twenty-three, she packed her bags and said goodbye to her friends, family, and a cushy job as an event planner for Accenture. Goodbye Jersey, hello Nashville. With stars in her eyes and a dream in her heart, A.J. drove fourteen hours in a sputtering jalopy to plant herself on the soil of the Music City. To, of course, become a star…or something like that.
Life didn't quite turn out the way she had expected.
Through a series of slipups, stumbles and painful yet eye-opening realizations, her life plan took a divine detour. In the throes of a faith crisis and an addiction, she was inspired to travel in a new direction. A.J. journaled her tumultuous inner struggles--writings which would become two published books. She also partnered with a literary agent and started her own writing business helping others find their voice through their stories.
So began her journey breathing life into words.
A wife and a mother to three little ones, A.J. enjoys spending time with her family and writing books. She resides in New Jersey, of course.
A.J. Gregory is known for her collaborations with fascinating high-profile figures, from celebrities to scientists, on over thirty-five books, some NY Times bestsellers. Shaken, her recent collaboration with Tim Tebow, was named 2017 Christian Book of the Year. A.J. also wrote Messy Faith and Silent Savior, memoirs which chronicle finding faith in the middle of unavoidable and sometimes harsh realities. She calls New Jersey, and her husband and three kids, home. Find out more at www.ajgregorybooks.com.
A. J. Gregory is the author of Messy Faith and Silent Savior. She has also partnered with high-profile figures on over thirty-five memoirs and self-help books, some New York Times bestsellers. She lives in New Jersey.
Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors
Publishers Weekly. 264.24 (June 12, 2017): p62.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
* Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors
Eva Shockey and A.J. Gregory. Convergent, $25 (224p) ISBN 978-0-451-49927-1
In this sprightly, instructive autobiography, Shockey describes her love of hunting. Having originally studied to be a dancer like her mother, one day she asked her father, host ofJim S hockey's Hunting Adventures, to teach her to hunt and she never looked back. Shockey now cohosts her father's show; she also serves as a hunting ambassador and as a corporate spokeswoman for hunting products, including a compound bow for women that she helped design. Hunting, she writes, is no simple walk in the woods: "Hunting encompasses every single moment leading up to the one in which you take the shot." She details the hours-long hikes, the cheek-chafing cold, the patience ("hair-pulling stretches of monotony"), and the constant practicing required to "harvest" that 1,500-pound bull moose. She endures antiwoman and antihunting attitudes, defending hunting as an act of conservation, self-reliance, and, often, charity. Along with her persuasive arguments, Shockey (writing with A.J. Gregory) provides lyrical narration and descriptions laced with humor and gratitude to God in this fine autobiography. Agent: Whitney Gossett, the Fedd Agency (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors." Publishers Weekly, 12 June 2017, p. 62. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A495720733/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4d0dfd11. Accessed 19 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A495720733
Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors
Eva Shockey and A.J. Gregory
Library Journal. 142.11 (June 15, 2017): p13a.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
A celebrity hunter, outdoorswoman, and social media star (1.5 million followers) invites readers on a spirited wilderness adventure of skill, daring, and healthy living.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
978-0-4514-9927-1 | $25.00/$34.00C | 50,000 Convergent Books | HC | August
* 978-0-4514-9928-8 | *AD: 978-0-5255-0008-7
MEMOIR / SPORTS & RECREATION
Social: @EvaShockey RA: For fans of Ronda Rousey, Mia Hamm, Carli Lloyd, and Hope Solo RI: Author lives in Raleigh, NC
Eva Shockey with A. J. Gregory
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Shockey, Eva, and A.J. Gregory. "Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors." Library Journal, 15 June 2017, p. 13a. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A495668226/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=739df752. Accessed 19 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A495668226
Silent Savior: Daring to Believe He's Still There
Publishers Weekly. 256.28 (July 13, 2009): p52.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Silent Savior: Daring to Believe He's Still There
AJ. Gregory. Revell, $12.99 paper (192p) ISBN 978-0-8007-3285-1
Those who are discontent and hopeless, unsure of whether God is listening, will find ample reassurance from author and freelance writer Gregory (Messy Faith). In each chapter of this book, she tackles reasons why Christians may feel as if God is silent in their lives. She then asks them to dig deep into their hearts and open their eyes to the everlasting presence of God. Those who can't hear God speaking to them may simply be too busy to listen; those who seek flashy miracles may be missing God's appearance in small wonders. While she readily admits she doesn't have all the answers, Gregory's grounded sense of hope will inspire readers to keep believing. She wrote the book during her own emotional collapse and struggle with bulimia and depression. The 30-something author's juxtaposition of pop culture and teen-speak against old hymns and adult wisdom makes for a frenzied composition that reflects the author's own frustrations and eclectic style. Young and mature audiences alike can surely benefit from her honest, youthful optimism. (Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Silent Savior: Daring to Believe He's Still There." Publishers Weekly, 13 July 2009, p. 52. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A203954258/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4fd04dfe. Accessed 19 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A203954258
Gregory, A.J. Silent Savior: Daring To Believe He's Still There
Graham Christian
Library Journal. 134.12 (July 1, 2009): p74.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
Gregory, A.J. Silent Savior: Daring To Believe He's Still There. Revell. Sept, 2009. 192p. ISBN 976-0-8007-3285-1. pap. $12.99.
Gregory (Messy Faith) offers an unusual kind of spirituality, writhing with deathbed scenes, bulimia, and car crashes. In her characteristically open style, she deals with the sort of darkness of soul that has confronted all mystics and, Gregory assures us, confronts all believers--God's apparent absence or indifference when we need God most. Sharing her own moments of doubt and despair and those of many others, she hopes, will show us how God remained and remains present, even if far from an obvious voice or vision in everyday life. VERDICT This work is recommended for the under-40 and nondenominational or churchless Christian.
Graham Christian is formerly with Andover-Harvard Theological Library, Cambridge, MA
Christian, Graham
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Christian, Graham. "Gregory, A.J. Silent Savior: Daring To Believe He's Still There." Library Journal, 1 July 2009, p. 74. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A203659571/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=2991f6aa. Accessed 19 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A203659571
Messy Faith
Raelynn Eickhoff
Today's Christian Woman. 30.6 (November-December 2008): p9.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2008 Christianity Today, Inc.
http://www.todayschristianwoman.com
Full Text:
Messy Faith by A.J. Gregory (Baker Books). Gregory explores "the muddled adventure that working out our faith in God can sometimes look like." Drawing on her own stumbling blocks of bulimia and substance abuse, she shows how to take an honest look at your relationship with God, focusing on areas such as why we judge others and how we can gracefully grant forgiveness.
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Eickhoff, Raelynn
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Eickhoff, Raelynn. "Messy Faith." Today's Christian Woman, Nov.-Dec. 2008, p. 9. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A189159798/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=26c4503f. Accessed 19 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A189159798
Nowhere but Up: The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom
by Pattie Mallette with A. J. Gregory
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A few years ago, a YouTube sensation was born, and now he’s gone on to become one of the most famous singers in the world. Maybe you’ve heard of him. His name is Justin Bieber. Of course you’ve heard of him. Who hasn’t, right? Well, maybe you also know a little something about his mother, Pattie Mallette, who you may have seen in interviews or in Justin’s hit documentary movie, Never Say Never. But what you may not know is the extent --- or the powerful impact --- of Pattie’s testimony.
NOWHERE BUT UP is the perfect title for this book, because Pattie pretty much started at the bottom. Beginning with her father walking out on her when she was little, followed by sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, toxic relationships, depression, attempted suicide, and an unplanned pregnancy, there was nowhere to go but up. But even from a young age, Pattie developed a hunger for God and knew He had a better plan for her life. It just took a while to figure out what that plan was.
"Some have questioned Pattie’s motivation behind writing this book. I personally found it to be one of the most refreshingly honest and real memoirs I’ve ever read."
The first half of the book takes us through Pattie’s “Before Justin” days: her childhood, her rebellious teen years, and her volatile relationships with her mother and with her boyfriend, Jeremy, who ended up fathering her baby. It was during her psychiatric hospital stay following her attempted suicide that she fully turned her heart over to God, thanks to the influence of a loving youth pastor and his wife. For a while, she was on fire for God --- until the novelty wore off, as it does for many new Christians. And even after she recommitted her life again, Pattie says, “Though I had recommitted my life to God, I had still not committed my sexuality to Him just yet.” So it’s not surprising that Pattie eventually found out she was pregnant.
The second half of the book deals with life as “Justin Bieber’s Mom,” which not only contains interesting and entertaining details about the superstar’s childhood, but also shows how Justin helped Pattie grow up. She still battled with insecurities and had to deal with the “stuff” she’d suffered in her life, but there’s no question she was (and is) an incredible mother. And, in many ways, Justin saved her from herself and her destructive behaviors. Of course, Pattie gives credit where credit is really due: God. She recounts many incidents of God’s divine intervention --- intervention that could not have been anything except the hand of God. For example, when she didn’t know how she was going to pay her rent, God “told” someone to give her the exact amount she needed. He also brought certain people into her life at just the right moment.
Some have questioned Pattie’s motivation behind writing this book. I personally found it to be one of the most refreshingly honest and real memoirs I’ve ever read. Not once does she come across as a woman looking to accomplish anything other than what she claims early on in the book: "I decided to tell my story not only for my own healing from a difficult past but also to help bring healing and liberation to those of you who may have suffered in similar ways."
Pattie Mallette is an example of someone who hasn’t stayed stuck in the past, or made excuses for her insecurities and poor choices (even though she arguably has plenty!). Yes, there are factors that played a part in the struggles she faces today, but she takes responsibility for her actions, continues to work through her issues, and looks to God, the One who was not only holding her hand during every traumatic and difficult time in her life, but who also has healed her, both emotionally and spiritually. And now she hopes to encourage others who may be going through similar circumstances.
If you’re a Bieber fan, you’ll especially enjoy the several pages of photos included in this book. But that’s just the icing on the cake. The main reason you’ll want to pick up a copy is because of the inspiring and heartfelt story of a girl who proved that in spite of where you start or what you endure, God is there to take your hand and lift you up, sometimes even high enough to reach the stars.
Reviewed by Lynda Lee Schab on December 12, 2012
Review: Shaken by Tim Tebow and A.J. Gregory
Michelle Bowles December 25, 2016
For all the athletes that grab the headlines for their negative lifestyle, it is refreshing to read about one who defines everything that I'd want a kid to look for in a role model that isn't their parents. I really didn't know anything about Tim Tebow other than he played football and was pleasantly surprised after reading this book how much didn't let the lifestyle defined him, he defined it.
I'm so captivated by his commitment to his faith, family and friends that he has allowed him to frame the positive and conscious life his lives. Here's a guy, who after reading this book I'm taken back by the heart wrenching defeat not just by himself along his journey but for the people who have endured real challenges in life yet have risen. There are so many people out there who have felt defeated, rejected or just beat down by life but no matter how hard life comes down on them, there is always something or someone that comes in their life that defines its purpose.
Shaken, isn't about Tim Tebow the football star. It's about his spiritual evolution through defeat, persevering through his grounded faith and purpose. Humbled and gaining insightful wisdom through many of the people we meet in the book, really not only for him but for the reader put a perspective on their own obstacles that have presented challenged in their own life but still live life to the fullest. The takeaways from their life blended with how his faith has shaped his really is inspiring.
Whether your life is grounded in faith or not, reading the book really has a purpose beyond his name. I appreciate the honest, candid introspective commentary that can be interchanged with anyone feeling fear, rejection or defeated by life. I'm not the biggest fan to athletes because of their lifestyle but Tim is an exemplary guy whose story I know so many will connect and be inspired by. Whether you have followed his career or not, Shaken will uplift your spirit, inspire your hope and through the stories shared make you push harder to find your inner strength to persevere through any obstacle life throws.
Messy Faith by A.J. Gregory
Reviewed by Dale Lewis
"The reader of Messy Faith will be encouraged as they are reminded of God's perfect love for imperfect people."
Close your eyes for a moment. Think back to a Godly man or woman who you looked up to and respected. Were they the “perfect” Christian? Did you want to emulate how they acted as a believer?
Well, the myth of the “perfect” Christian is shattered throughout the pages of A.J. Gregory’s newest title, Messy Faith which for many Christ-followers, including me, is excellent. “Confessions of a Non-Perfect Christian,” chapter 2, is a bittersweet slap of reality.
Sunday school lessons learned in a childhood sometimes aren’t effective when reality rears its ugly head in our faith walks. And as a result, we question the validity of our faith experience.
Gregory is not afraid to ask questions while not having all the answers. Could God ever really love me like this . . . soiled, flawed, messy and imperfect? Where is God in our mistakes, temptation, doubt, jealousy, addictions and overwhelming unforgiveness on our part?
A. J. Gregory wants to affirm and encourage you on the oft chaotic journey of faith. Personally poignant, refreshingly raw and thought-provoking, Messy Faith offers no pat answers or overkill in “Christian-ese” formulas. She gently states, “It is being sure and unsure, whole and broken, warring, losing, and winning. It is being right and being wrong and having no clue, but believing anyway. And it is trusting in God to perfect the final product of our flawed, human lives.”
I believe if the chapter titles in the table of contents are inviting and interesting, the book will hold your attention and provide moments of gleaning truth. Some of her chapter titles include “Wanted: Spiritual Masochists,” “Is God Enough?” and “The Demons of Addiction.”
One of the most eye-opening chapters was the one on prayer entitled “Conversations with God,” speaking to the dysfunctional beliefs we have on this important spiritual topic.
Here is a quote from her chapter on the “Demons of Addiction,” “Relying on God day after day, hour by hour doesn’t sound as exciting or make as good as being instantaneously delivered does, but it makes for such a spiritually amazing experience. It is a passageway into seeing the scope of God’s faithfulness mysteriously and beautifully unravel on a daily basis.”
The reader of Messy Faith will be encouraged as they are reminded of God's perfect love for imperfect people.
Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.
Shaken is an Amazing book
Boulos Mikhail
5 Stars
February 28, 2018
Shaken
TIM TEBOW WITH A. J. GREGORY
back to book
Shaken is one of the most heart-wrenching, exhilarating, and humorous, but humbling and hope-filled books I’ve ever read. It’s quite impressive how open and candid Tebow chose to be. But this book is so much more than making an impression. It’s a true story meant to inspire, teach, and encourage people in a world where identity is sought more in materialism than in God—written with much conviction and confidence. In Shaken, you’ll find that the courage and encouragement to stand for righteousness amidst one’s imperfection (but in the presence of positive growth) are not only amiable but also commendable. This prose invites the reader to question where they’ve placed their identity, and then attempts to guide the reader on a path to do so rightly. Clearly, it was Tebow’s intention to take each reader on a journey with the hope that they would come out on the brighter side after much personal reflection and deliberation.
SHAKEN
Fighting to Stand Strong No Matter What Comes Your Way
by Tim Tebow & A.J. Gregory
Age Range: 10 - 16
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KIRKUS REVIEW
Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tebow pens a guide aimed at helping young people find a better way to live, adapted from his book for adults of the same name.
Using examples from his own tumultuous career, Tebow encourages readers to stay focused on their dreams, fight negativity, and stand up for what is right. And while the resource is focused on Christian principles, the lessons concentrating on hard work, determination, and kindness hold universal appeal. Tebow additionally draws upon examples of other young people who have faced adversity—cancer, limb amputation, and organ failure—as cases of how even in the most desperate situations, one can refuse to fall into self-pity, anger, and depression. Tebow’s easy, plainspoken style will give young fans the feeling that he is speaking directly to them. Biblical examples range from the steadfast endurance of Job to the selfless courage of David facing Goliath. Other stories include references to Michael Jordan and Albert Einstein. Tebow’s candid talk of his struggles with dyslexia and anger further humanize him. Notes include references for more reading and Biblical verses. While this resource will largely appeal to the young football fan, the inspirational stories will resonate with anyone willing to approach it with an open mind.
A Christian perspective with a wider appeal. (Nonfiction. 10-16)
Pub Date: Sept. 19th, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7352-8996-3
Page count: 208pp
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: May 24th, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15th, 2017
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2016
Shaken by Tim Tebow with A.J. Gregory
First, he was a beloved college football champion, Heisman trophy winner, media sensation, and best-selling author drafted in the first round of the 2010 Draft. Then he had a miracle playoff run with the Denver Broncos before being traded to the New York Jets. After one season he was cut by New York. Next he was signed by the New England Patriots then let go after training camp—a scenario that repeated itself the following summer with the Philadelphia Eagles. Tim Tebow has achieved big victories and plunged the depths of failure, all while never letting go of his faith, even in the face of doubt and disappointment. In Shaken he explains why neither the highs nor the lows of his life can define him—and he reveals how you, too, can find confidence in your identity and know who you are. In revealing passages, Tebow pulls back the curtain on his life, sharing the vulnerable moments of his career that have shaken him to his core—while also teaching the biblical principles that will enable you to keep the faith, no matter what comes your way.
My review:
I hate football..... really, really hate it. So it may seem weird for a guy who hates football to read and review a book by a football player. Maybe so, but this book isn't really about football. I have been impressed with Tim as a man and Christian for quite some time, even if I never watched a game that he played in, so I was intrigued enough to request the book.
Tim talks a lot about being cut from a team, and how that feels, and then goes on to say how he - and all of us - need to focus on God and the fact that we are His when life deals us a blow like that.
I honestly can't say what I expected from the book, but I definitely didn't expect what I read. Sure, he talks about football a lot... but he talks about God, his relationship with Him, and our identity in Him a lot more than football.
To put it in simple terms, there is a lot of good stuff in this book. The book is an interesting read, and I didn't find myself bored at all. Tim's faith comes through on every page, and I was encouraged and challenged by what I read, and it made me want to be a better man and Christian. It didn't make me like football, but that isn't the intent of the book anyway.....
Tim relates a few stories of people he has met who have challenged in their lives, and it helped bring home the truth that God is the answer to whatever we face in life.
I read through the book much faster than I had expected, for it being a non-fiction book..... and by a football player..... but it is a book I would definitely recommend. If this football hater enjoyed it and was encouraged and challenged by it, anyone will.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
About the author:
Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, first round NFL draft pick, and Heisman trophy winner. After playing in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets, Tebow joined the SEC Network. In addition to his role on SEC Nation, the network's traveling road show, Tebow also contributes to a variety of other ESPN platforms. Through everything Tim's true passion remains the work of the Tim Tebow Foundation which he began in 2010. The foundation's mission is to bring Faith, Hope, and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The foundation is fulfilling that mission everyday by serving thousands of deserving children around the world.
Shaken is available from Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing.
Thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah for the review copy.