Coming Up for Air: Simple Acts to Redefine Your Life

For years, Dove Award-winning artist Margaret Becker allowed life to push her along, leaving dreams, aspirations, and meaningful moments in its wake. Coming Up for Air chronicles her journey from an overall feeling of "disconnect" to a more satisfying, simplified and fruitful existence. With wisdom and humor, Margaret shares her story and challenges women to let go of outward expectation and pursue an authentic life.

Dove Award-winning recording artist Becker intentionally "disconnected" over 10 years ago and has not been the same since. In 1995, Becker a one-month retreat at an oceanside rental, where her only promise to herself was to stop each day to take in both the sunrise and the sunset. Becker, in her usual self-deprecating comedic style, offers simple daily life observances like holy offerings. Somehow, she manages to offer gentle humor and pull at heartstrings, too. Becker aptly conveys what might be the book's defining statement: "Some things are worth digging for, even if they come up swinging when they are unearthed." During her stay, she played like a child, taking crayons in hand and making life stories and spiritual benchmarks for the next 30 years, projecting, "I will be earthy and a bit eccentric, but I will be wise." Becker defines her retreat's life lessons, then jumps ahead to the present, reflecting without regret on which of those scribblings have come to pass. Women of all ages will feast on Becker's colorful, earthy spiritual recollections and sit back well-satisfied as they take time to digest her musings. (Mar. 15) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Margaret Becker is a recording artist, author, and speaker, and she has completed her third book titled Coming Up for Air: Simple Acts to Redefine Your Life.

Have you questioned whether you were, as Margaret puts it, not leading but rather running to catch up? Margaret shares her journaling, process of self-reflection, and realizations about her life. She sums up her process as how her soul “came to” and how her eyes were opened. Taking time out to alone, asking questions, getting a sense of the answers, she came out the other side of her quest with her life redefined. She asks questions such as: whose definition of beauty did she hold herself to, whose life rules was she following, was she living passionately, does what she is doing count for anything, and had she missed opportunities while conforming? Asking God to show her, she had to trust like a child, and then she became responsible for what she learned.

This intimate look at Margaret’s thoughts and spiritual growth told me much about myself, and I expect that many others will find this to be the case for them, too. Margaret is now doing what she is designed to do--isn’t that what we all want? It required letting go of the familiar for the unknown but she proves it is worth it. – Debra Murphy, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

4 of 4 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Deborah Jamerson (Paulsboro, NJ), August 03, 2007

Excellent reading haven't finished yet but God speaks volumes to my heart through Maggie B's experience.

Reviewed by Shannon Primicerio (Laguna Niguel, CA), April 04, 2006

Once again Margaret Becker has written a truly refreshing book! In Coming Up for Air she challenges, encourages and guides her readers into a lifestyle free of burdens and guilt. This book is a great tool for someone looking to become more comfortable with who God has made them as they attempt to enjoy life and make a difference in the world at the same time. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Mercy Hope, Interviewer for www.faithtalks.com (Covert, MI), March 19, 2006

As the title indicates, this book is truly a breath of fresh air! It holds out hope that life can truly be more than the mundane - if we will risk stepping out into that brave new world. Through her personal experiences - some comic, some poignant - Margaret Becker challenges us to step out of the ordinary and experience the world of the extraordinary! She welcomes the reader into her journey of discovering what matters most. A life of intimacy with Christ. A life of simplicity, but not seclusion - rather a call for true community, where relationships are intentional, meaningful, and enriching. I encourage you to treat yourself or someone you know to this refreshing new release!

Reviewed by Christian Book Previews.com (San Jose, CA), March 07, 2006

Margaret Becker is a recording artist, author, and speaker, and she has completed her third book titled Coming Up for Air: Simple Acts to Redefine Your Life. Have you questioned whether you were, as Margaret puts it, not leading but rather running to catch up? Margaret shares her journaling, process of self-reflection, and realizations about her life. She sums up her process as how her soul “came to” and how her eyes were opened. Taking time out to alone, asking questions, getting a sense of the answers, she came out the other side of her quest with her life redefined. She asks questions such as: whose definition of beauty did she hold herself to, whose life rules was she following, was she living passionately, does what she is doing count for anything, and had she missed opportunities while conforming? Asking God to show her, she had to trust like a child, and then she became responsible for what she learned. This intimate look at Margaret’s thoughts and spiritual growth told me much about myself, and I expect that many others will find this to be the case for them, too. Margaret is now doing what she is designed to do--isn’t that what we all want? It required letting go of the familiar for the unknown but she proves it is worth it. – Debra Murphy, Christian Book Previews.com

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