top of page
Writer's pictureChristinaSinisi-Author

Guest Blog: Celebrate Lit Tour--Stepping Stones by Dr. Joelle Suel


About the Book

Book: Stepping Stones

Author: Dr. Joelle Suel

Genre: Christian Personal Growth

Release date: November 30, 2018

Do you deeply desire to answer the call of God on your life? Are you seeking divine wisdom for the steps and stops to take in your pursuit? Are you willing to count the cost and do whatever it takes? Join author Dr. Joelle Suel in Stepping Stones: 7 Steps to Achieving Your Divine Destiny as she equips all believers to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives while sharing some of her inspirational journey.

Click here to get your copy!


About the Author

Dr. Joelle Suel is founder and Senior Pastor of Glory to Glory Christian Center in Aurora, Colorado; founder and Dean of Glory to Glory Institute of the Holy Spirit; and author of the Institute curriculum and a daily devotion, Today with Dr. J. Her 2018 book, Stepping Stones, equips readers to answer the call of God in their lives. She is in the process of making all of the Institute curriculum available in book format. She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Phoenix University of Theology in 2006. A native of Puteaux, France, she became an American citizen in 2003.


More from Dr. Joelle

Dear reader,

God loves us and counts us precious in His sight. We are full-time ministers wherever we are, and through whatever we do. Where our feet stand is where our pulpit stands. We shine the light of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and glorify Him, often without realizing it. God desires to use all of us in and through our daily activities.

My prayer is that this book will encourage and empower you to answer His call, from faith to faith. I trust the Spirit of God will strengthen you to continue what you are currently doing and lead you into additional steps in your divine purpose.

Below, please find a few quotes from the book to bless you today.

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.–1Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV

Abundant blessings upon you and your family,

Dr. Joelle


What we do portrays a greater message than what we say.

  • We cannot seek God’s approval and man’s approval at the same time.

  • The trust in ourselves decreases as our trust in God increases.

  • When Christ becomes our motive for ministry, doors open for Him, not for us.

  • Never stop starting.

  • We cannot expect from others what only God can give.

  • Humility is the gateway to knowing Him.

  • What is on the inside comes out under pressure.

  • We do not complete with others, but we complete one another.

  • If I criticize who I am, I criticize God Himself.

  • What we dwell on, we eventually dwell in.

  • We cannot respect what we don’t value.

Blog Stops

Beauty in the Binding, January 8 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 14 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 15

Splashes of Joy, January 18 (Author Interview)


Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Joelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.


My Review:


I promise I'm not just in a negative mood--I truly had difficulty with this book.


This is a non-fiction book meant to help each reader find or strengthen their calling. I don't see how the author can do so when there just isn't enough detail where detail is needed--and, at other times, the little "nuggets" of truth aren't biblically sound.


For example, one that really bothered me was, "If I criticize who I am, I criticize God himself." How is this possible when we are all sinners? We are all flawed. Part of our growth is to find those flaws and repent of them. God is perfect, we are not.


Another statement that at first seems sweet is, "We don't compete with others, but we complete one another." But, wait? No Olympics, no swimming bee, no pushing ourselves to be the best we can be? In pursuit of truisms, the author ends up making statements that we can't truly accept. I don't even believe she agrees with this statement because another big push of the book is to never stop growing and attaining.


Yet another statement that just didn't make sense was, "It isn't normal to grumble and complain." Huh? It is very much normal. Ideal? No, but we are human and you better believe we grumble and complain. God wants us to be content and joyful in Him, but um, flawed.


The author is working hard for the Lord, and I commend her for her efforts and I don't want in any way to tear her down; however, the book just didn't work for me.


I received this book free as part of the Celebrate Lit tour, but clearly the opinions are my own.


Question for Readers: Do you always finish reading a book once started, or are there those few that you just put aside? I'll admit some of my DNF include well-known books like Ulysses by James Joyce and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. What do you think?

52 views10 comments

10 Comments


Debbie P
Debbie P
Jan 21, 2023

This sounds like a great read.

Like
ChristinaSinisi-Author
ChristinaSinisi-Author
Jan 21, 2023
Replying to

Debbie, thank you for reading and commenting on the blog. Hope you're doing well!

Like

patti.shene
patti.shene
Jan 14, 2023

Thank you for introducing Joelle’s book and sharing your honest review. I do try to finish books that I started reading, although there have been a couple over the years that I abandoned after a couple of chapters.

Like
ChristinaSinisi-Author
ChristinaSinisi-Author
Jan 21, 2023
Replying to

Patti,

Thank you for reading and commenting! I appreciate that I'm not the only one who might give up every once in a while. :)

Like

Roxanne Cruz
Roxanne Cruz
Jan 09, 2023

Thank you for the honest review. I try to finish reading books that I begin, but sometimes I decide that my time is better spent reading one that I feel benefits me more.

Like
ChristinaSinisi-Author
ChristinaSinisi-Author
Jan 10, 2023
Replying to

Roxanne, thanks for reading the blog. And you're welcome--I was a little iffy on being so honest.


I do try to finish what I start, but there have been a few I decided the same.

Like

Guest
Jan 09, 2023

Thanks for sharing your review

Like
ChristinaSinisi-Author
ChristinaSinisi-Author
Jan 10, 2023
Replying to

You are welcome!

Like

Guest
Jan 08, 2023

Thanks for sharing!

Like
ChristinaSinisi-Author
ChristinaSinisi-Author
Jan 10, 2023
Replying to

You are welcome--thanks for dropping by!

Like
bottom of page