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· 61 ratings · 17 reviews

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"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 ESV (22)

Shine by Allison Allen is the author's personal story as it is an inspiration and encouragement for readers to step out of their fears and uncertainties in order to step into the role they were made for. In her terms, it's about stepping into the light that God had shown on us, and let it shine.

"When we drop the brave act, leaning into t

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 ESV (22)

"When we drop the brave act, leaning into the God who specializes in bringing wonder to weakness, we are certainly finding our light." (109)

An applicable book that was just as interesting a read by an actor that understood the meaning of stepping out in the limelight, both literally and figuratively. Shine isn't just about actors or speakers, but about every day people who seeks a goal, a purpose and unsure what that is. It's about doing it in God's glory, but also understanding your role in His plan for you. In truth, Shine spoke to me as I reminisce on my personal experience - about starting and working on the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, but also knowing that the only way it will work is if we sought Him every step of the way. It also allowed me to contemplate on the goals of this blog, what I want to do, and my role.

Shine by Allison Allen ignites in you the desire to shine for Him, and the encouragement to step into whatever role that may be.

"Don't chase the spotlight. Chase Jesus, and leave the spotlight up to Him." (172)

This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

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Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. ~ Matthew 5:16, New King James; John 15:8, New Living Translation

Have you ever been called out to do something far better and greater than you ever imagined before? Allison Allen hits and makes that point over and over again with her book Shine. Sometimes we lose ourselves thinking we can't do what it is we're called to do. For Allison she speaks a great deal about the stage fright she goes through. I've even experienced it myself, but I'm no actor.

In my life, I have always enjoyed music, making music and playing it on guitar. I have given my utmost in recording my music as well as playing on a stage, even if I was the only one on it. Let me tell you this: it's scary business up there. You have those hot lights on you, your palms sweat, there's a chance you forget the lyrics (which has happened once before). All of that to say that you can beat it if you speak those fears down.

I found out who I truly was when my late uncle passed away. A lot of people who loved him came and no one but myself and one of his friends spoke about him. I found out from everyone, in regards to my uncle, how much he meant to all of us. The kind of person he was and how he best lived his life. On that day, I had no fear whatsoever. What was the difference?

For myself, I have to admit I felt more in my element speaking than I did singing and playing guitar. To me that was far scarier than speaking the truth about someone I loved and truly cared for. I felt set apart for something far greater since then. Having read Allison's book, Shine, I remember a great deal of what it felt like to speak up; to doing more than being on stage attempting something I cannot do in favor for something I can do.

It reminds me of what Jesus said, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32, New Living Translation). And that's the reality of it. I trust and believe in Jesus far more than in my own strength on any given day. With Him I feel I can do anything. Without Him I can't do any thing.

I received a free copy of this book from Revell in the hopes for my honest feedback.

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Sep 28, 2017 Monica rated it it was amazing

William Shakespeare once said, All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." Along that line, Allison Allen uses her experience as an actor to relate acting to our role as Christians in the world through her new book, Shine. Allen relates how actors play roles on a stage to how many of us play roles in real life without becoming our true selves.

Allen shares personal stories and Biblical stories to encourage readers of Shine to becomes their real selves in Christ. Allen also

Allen shares personal stories and Biblical stories to encourage readers of Shine to becomes their real selves in Christ. Allen also uses a lot of stage terms and definitions and relates those to her life. She mixes her thoughts on living for Christ in with the information quite well leaving the reader with having learned a lot about both areas. Then, at the end of each chapter, she offers a Sparkler question or something to think about to apply that chapter to your life.

I enjoyed Shine from cover to cover. I have never done any acting but I found Allen's descriptions of what actors use for props, stage information, and roles they play to be very interesting in itself. Then relating those props and roles to real life made it even more interesting. As I have shared before on my blog reviews, my word for the year is delight. I especially found the chapters, "What's in a name?" and "Spitting Out the Poison" to be helpful to me personally. I could see where I had taken on some names in my life that God no longer wanted me to wear as a new creature in Christ. I especially liked the verse at the start of the chapter, Isaiah 62:4 where God no longer calls anyone Rejected but instead you will be called Hephzibah, meaning My Delight. That just really hit home with me and Allen helped me see that verse was speaking to me personally. Shine is an uplifting and encouraging book that I think most people could enjoy reading and learning from. I think this would be a good book to use in a book group too. The questions and thoughts at the end of each chapter could make for good group discussion.

I received a copy of Shine from Revell Reads through the Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.

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Oct 09, 2017 Lindsey Renee rated it it was amazing

Allison Allen's book, Shine - Stepping into the Role you were Made For, was published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishers Group. In exchange for my honest opinion, I was given a free copy of this book to review.

Do you ever live under a false name? Not your real name with how you introduce yourself, but the name that you believe in. You know, the name you have whispered over and over in your head, because that is the name you really feel you should be called. Names like rejected, unworthy, unwanted, stupid, not pretty, fat, and etc. Allison Allen, tackles this topic head on in the first couple chapters of her book - Shine.

When I received this book, I was intrigued to read a book written by someone who played major roles on Broadway, especially the production of Grease - The Musical. I was intrigued by the description of what the book was about and was excited to see it arrive in my mailbox.

Allison talks about how many of us live in a fake character, but truly don't understand the name that God calls us by. She goes more into detail of how we can come out from hiding under false names.

I loved how she ties her theater experience into the book, and shows how we can live like we too are in a theater. She ties truth from the Bible, to remind us that God has called us to all SHINE.

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Nov 30, 2017 Julie D. rated it it was amazing

All I can say is "wow"! This book spoke volumes to my heart and mind and gave me such hope!

Allison is a professional actress and so the book has a lot of references to that in it. I found it very interesting how she applied these different aspects to our lives. I love how she is so honest and open about the fears and pain she has experienced and how the Lord has helped her to get past these things.

The greatest thing I took away from this book was to be secure and patient in waiting on the Lord t

All I can say is "wow"! This book spoke volumes to my heart and mind and gave me such hope!

The greatest thing I took away from this book was to be secure and patient in waiting on the Lord to show me what He wants me to do. God has a plan for us all and a role for us in this world and we just need to be faithful to wait on Him.

This book is such an encouragement to know that we have a purpose. We can and should shine for the Lord! I loved this book and will be re-reading it again. I highly recommend it and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Revell Books

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Sep 18, 2017 victoria rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: everyone

This book was the most sharp writing and compelling to read with also are very inspired and offering us to stepping out of the shadows of fear, pain, and into the light of God's true calling. The story of this book will guiding you to speak out to the sleeping part of you that want to need to be awake and this something need to be builds a stage for your heart to believe that all has given you to divine role in the glorious light of the God had plan for all of us. I highly recommend to everyone This book was the most sharp writing and compelling to read with also are very inspired and offering us to stepping out of the shadows of fear, pain, and into the light of God's true calling. The story of this book will guiding you to speak out to the sleeping part of you that want to need to be awake and this something need to be builds a stage for your heart to believe that all has given you to divine role in the glorious light of the God had plan for all of us. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. " I received complimentary a copy of this book from Revell Reads Blog Tour program for this review ". ...more

Shine by Allison Allen calls us to step out into God's calling for our lives. Allison writes about her past experiences as an actress and her current experiences as a speaker. She writes about debilitating fear of being in the spotlight and overcoming it. Drawing upon many stories from her life, the author encourages the reader to drop pretenses and to step out in authenticity. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 26, 2017 Jimena rated it liked it

Let your light shine. Allison takes you on the journey of her life as an actress. In her writing you clearly read that she is an actress and that acting is something she loves to do. I enjoyed reading about it but somehow I couldn't really connect to it. Maybe because theatre and acting is so different from what I do. I liked the end of the chapters the most. Where she writes about what she learned, motivates the reader and ends with 'sparkler' questions.

Mar 21, 2019 Alyssa rated it really liked it

This was a very good read! I am not an actor, but I am a follower of Christ. The way Allen connects our relationship with Jesus to the theater was very eye opening to me and inspired me in my own journey with Him.
I would recommend to anyone who is wondering how to navigate this thing called life!
We were made to shine-the Light of Christ! Allen conveys this idea wonderfully throughout her entire book.

Aug 07, 2020 Hope Feikema rated it really liked it

Well took me awhile to read this book because I thought I couldn't relate it to my own non acting life. But this time I picked it up and read it and was shown so many things to learn and apply to my life and grow and see what God has plan for my life. To focus on me not what everyone else is doing. I did really like this book!

Jun 02, 2018 Lindsay rated it liked it

I heard Allison Allen in person at the His Women Seminar this April and bought this book. Set to the perspective of an actor on stage and by describing acting terms, talked about how "God uses everything and leaves out nothing" in pursing His children. I heard Allison Allen in person at the His Women Seminar this April and bought this book. Set to the perspective of an actor on stage and by describing acting terms, talked about how "God uses everything and leaves out nothing" in pursing His children. ...more

Author was an actress turned motivational speaker. It's a good message but very unoriginal. You essentially hear the same thing in every self-help Christian book tells you about being yourself and following Jesus. Not bad, but not interesting or unique either. Author was an actress turned motivational speaker. It's a good message but very unoriginal. You essentially hear the same thing in every self-help Christian book tells you about being yourself and following Jesus. Not bad, but not interesting or unique either. ...more