In Joel Osteen’s latest book, Every Day a Friday, he proposes that everyone is happier on Friday. That we have survived the week and made it to the weekend. His premise for this book is that we can be happy every day of the week, not just on Friday. In fact, the subtitle of the book is: “How to be Happier 7 Days a Week.” Here is a quote from the back cover:

                “Faith is always in the present. Your attitude should be: I’m excited to be breathing today. I’m excited about my family, my health, and my opportunities. I have plenty of reasons to be happy right now….You may have some setbacks and your circumstances may change but don’t let that change your mind…Keep it set on happiness. It is your choice to be happy. Make up your mind to enjoy this day, to have a blessed, prosperous, victorious year.”

 Olsteen took the material for Every Day a Friday and divided it into seven sections, “all built on key points or holding on to your happiness and joy every day of the week:

     ·         Don’t Give Away Your Power
     ·         Know What to Ignore
     ·         Live Without Crutches
     ·         Laugh Often
     ·         Celebrate Yourself
     ·         Travel Light
     ·         Be a Dream Releaser

Although there are many references to God and Scripture, much of the book reads like a “power of positive thinking” type book. A few examples are some of the subtitles within chapters: “Be the Best You Can Be; Stay in Your Own Race;” “Be the Best You!” Even the sidebars are very much positive-thinking oriented. “Run your own race. You have something great to offer.” “Don’t compare yourself. Celebrate yourself.”

This book will appeal to the Charismatic Christians who prescribe to the practice of stating they want something and claiming it is theirs. These Christians deny that it is “positive thinking” but is done in faith. Opponents of the “name it and claim it” (as it was known in the earlier days of the Charismatic movement) will not appreciate this book for the very same reason that charismatics will like it.

Ultimately, it will be up to you, the individual reader, as to whether you wish to buy and read Every Day a Friday: How to be Happier 7 Days a Week.

This book was given to me by Faith Words for the sole purpose of reading and writing this review. My opinion does not, in any manner, reflect the opinion of Faith Words, its owner nor its employees.

This book is available to win! Just leave a comment, with your email address so I can contact you. The contest closes on Tuesday, September 20 at midnight; winner will be notified on Wednesday, September 21 via email. This contest is open only to residents of the U.S. and is void where prohibited.