Picture Perfect: When Life Doesn't Line Up

“Amy Baker has written a book that strikes at the root of those of us who still act like we live under the law. Perfectionism is a yoke God never intended for anyone to carry. Amy helps us to see where we have put performance over relationship, where we have tried to prove our worth rather than live under Gods amazing grace. I would highly recommend this book for those who dont just need to ‘lighten up’ but instead are ready to surrender and rest in the perfection of Jesus knowing His yoke is easy and His burden is light.”

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“In this book, Picture Perfect, Amy has given biblical insight into a form of legalism, self–righteousness, and a performance–based way of living that subtly and perhaps not so subtly turns people away from living in the richness of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. And more than that, she has also shown the effects of this attitude on the person and others with whom this person associates. Having done that, she then goes on to prescribe a realistic and very helpful biblical plan for overcoming this self–righteous, performance–based way of living. I already have some people in mind to whom I will recommend this book.”

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“Amy Baker has written a skillful and insightful book to help the perfectionist. Her illustrations are good, and the Scriptures that she uses are practical and powerful. As an exhorter, Amy uses her God–given gift to help turn the perfectionist from self–centered introspection to God–centered praise. I thank God for this book and Amy’s heart for God’s glory. I look forward to using it in my counseling ministry.”

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“If you care about not just what your counselees or congregants hear, but also how they hear it, this book is for you. With a gracious and encouraging tone, Amy Baker connects and applies the believer’s identity in Christ with the empty promises of striving to live by perfect performance. Amy uses personal stories to demonstrate both the practicality and ability of living life in and through the power of the gospel.”

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“I counsel, rub shoulders with, and too often resemble Taylor, Ian, Penny, Li (‘not satisfied with the way God set up his universe’—ouch!), and the rest of the compelling, real–life situations Amy Baker unpacks. The tension she addresses is inescapable: God commands perfection but our ongoing sin prevents it. We then respond with anger, frustration, anxiety, and guilt. Without removing this tension, Baker uncovers the heart disorders beneath the many strains of perfectionism and she carefully provides Christ–centered, biblical counsel for each.”

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“I am so thankful that Amy Baker has taken decades of counseling experience and turned it into this wonderfully helpful book. Loaded with Scripture and practical application, this book is just what you need to combat the bitter roots of perfectionism growing in your heart.”

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“I’ve been a pastor and counselor for over twenty–five years now and this is a book I’ll be handing out! Christians sing about amazing grace, but too often still live by the law of their own hard work and perfectionistic striving. Amy’s done a great job tackling an issue that flies right in the face of the Gospel and God’s grace but seldom gets addressed head–on or with the insights that Amy brings to this subject. She exposes not only the hub of the perfectionistic heart, but so many of the related sinful ‘spokes’ that are connected to this one heart issue—guilt, fear, pride, anxiety, and heightened sensitivity to criticism. And she diagnoses and explains it all so well with practical examples and clear, biblical teaching. Amy doesn’t just point out the danger; she shows you where and how to get free and rest in God’s grace. This book brings you back to the only perfect person—our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

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“I have found in my own counseling ministry that perfectionism is a major problem that dominates the lives of too many Christians. It robs them of their joy in Christ and makes them difficult to live around. Dr. Amy Baker has poured into this critical work great wisdom that comes from years of her own personal counseling ministry. Her approach to this destructive problem is refreshingly insightful because she takes the sufficiency of God’s Word seriously. Not only does this enable her to unscramble the real problem biblically, but it also enables her to prescribe practical answers with Scriptural insight.”

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