Book description
What does it mean to be blessed? Are Christians entitled to happiness, fulfilment, and perfect peace? Holy Unhappiness explores these questions and challenges the false beliefs many in the church hold about "the good life" and what it means to walk in communion with God. American Christians have developed a long list of expectations about what the life with God will feel like. Many Christians rightly deny the Prosperity Gospel--the idea that God wants you to be healthy and wealthy-- but instead embrace its more subtle spin-off, the Emotional Prosperity Gospel, or the belief that God wants you to always experience happiness and fulfillment. Our society has become increasingly averse to sadness and emotional discomfort. Too often, people of faith assume that difficult feelings are a result of either God's judgment or our own lack of spiritual maturity. Some even equate happiness with holiness. In Holy Unhappiness, Amanda Held Opelt, author of A Hole in the World, grapples with her own experience of disillusionment when life didn't go the way she expected. She examines some of the historic, religious, and cultural influences that led to the idolization of positive feelings and the marginalization of negative feelings. Unpacking nine elements of life that have been tainted by the message of the Emotional Prosperity Gospel - including work, marriage, parenting, calling, community, and church - she points to a new path forward, one that reimagines what the "blessed" life can be like if we release some of our expectations and seek God in places we never thought to look. While Opelt acknowledges the dignity of desiring happiness, she ultimately pleads for the normalization of sadness, anger, grief, disappointment, and other uncomfortable feelings as a part of the Christian experience, making a case that there is holiness to be found even in our unhappiness.
Metal Star
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
Sw00sh
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Sneaky Lady
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Silent
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π
Dr. WMD
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
Lady Killer
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§
Wolf Tribune
πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Pitfall
ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§ Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Pompeii Unicorn
I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Armed Hawk
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
Pinball Wizard
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Pixie Soldier
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Bourbon Mirage
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Intimidating Presence
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
Coma Stalk
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
RiddleRover
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Slint FUBAR
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back!
Die Slice
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly.
Sugar Apple
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight.
Steel Heart
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience