Crazy Busy by Kevin Deyoung

Do you find yourself constantly checking your e-mail, playing games on your cell phone, or absorbed in the internet for hours at a time?  Is your house a mess, because you are too busy attending other commitments?  Are your days productive at all?  Do you go to bed stressed-out? Are you constantly frustrated with your kids, and/or yelling at them?  Do you feel spiritually drained, but never go in for a refill?


Over the years, I have ready several books on stress, and the dangers of having a life of busyness.  Books such as The Worn Out Woman; When Life is Full and your Spirit is Empty, by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray.  All of the books were somewhat helpful, but after reading them, I had difficulty in  disciplining myself for too long.

There have been some changes here at Rooster's Crow Farm, and it's all from reading the book featured in the photo above.  I've even suggested that the family take one day (or more) to unplug.  All of us, not just myself.  Can you hear my kids whine from your house?   It's not just about electronics either, and not just about unplugging.   It's about spending too much time on things I (we) do not need to be doing.  I'm starting with myself first, because my stress effects the entire family.

As a family, I want us to all place cell phones, tablets, ipods, etc into a basket, and purposely do something (anything) the old fashioned way.  Remember the last few years of sickness I had?  It was all a result from stress related health issues (from a "crazy busy" lifestyle), and this year it's not going to happen.  I'm even more determined, to follow God's lead in my life, and stop wasting time driving myself foolishly into a frenzy, by undisciplined overload.  I received this book to read and review, and I'm here to share it. 

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Kevin Deyoung, senior pastor from East Lansing, Michigan, explains in detail, the solution to putting an end to the stressed-out syndrome, due to an out of control lifestyle.  With his biblical insight, and personal experiences, he warns readers the book is about him. Although Deyoung uses his life as an example, in how one becomes balanced with busyness, he clarifies answers.

Encouragement from Deyoung, helps readers reevaluate what they "should" be doing versus what they think they should be doing.  In other words, learn to do what God wants us to do.  Deyoung teaches people, through scripture, to remove unnecessary activities out of one's schedule, that can be removed, and keep the activities one really should be doing.

In a world of digital era, bombarded with a surplus of electronic features, it's easy to find oneself stress-out with an undisciplined routine.  Deyoung's book is much less overwhelming simply by sight, as the book is thinner, and smaller than most Christian teaching books.

Crazy Busy is an inspirational, short book, where Deyoung directs reader's through the teachings of God's Word.  He put emphasis on retaining balance in one's daily life, and to be aware of electronic world dangers Christians face today.  By reevaluating, he encourages readers to look at what one is actually doing, and why (and to evaluate why you are doing it).  The author also provides a link to a free downloadable study guide. 

Crazy Busy
Crossway:  2013
124 pp. $11.99
ISBN-13: 978-4335-3338-9
ISBN-10: 1-4335-3338-3
Christian Living

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I can tell you, from personal experience, that the electronic world is a double edged sword.  It's helpful and useful if used in a prudent manner, but when it's out of control, it's destructive.

To get my family to purposely unplug, receive God's Word on a daily basis, and to maintain a healthier busyness, will be a challenge.  One that I am up for.  For through God, and His Word, we can all live our lives prudently, purposely, and peacefully.