Empty Promises

In this realm, one of them would prove to be a virtual innocent, the other a manipulator with no conscience. Sudden, violent death brought their charade of a fairy-tale romance to a tragic end -- with a brutal crime that might never have come to light were it not for the stubborn detectives and prosecutors whose fight for justice spanned an entire decade. Empty Promises recounts several other cases where the search for love brought only lies and betrayal -- a cautionary primer, perhaps, for those who trust too much too soon.

Powerful because they strike so close to home, the cases in Empty Promises will leave readers shaken by the realities of love gone terribly -- and fatally -- wrong. A former Seattle police officer, she used her firsthand expertise in all her books. For more than three decades, she was a powerful advocate for victims of violent crime. She lived near Seattle and passed away in By clicking 'Sign me up' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use.

Free eBook offer available to NEW subscribers only. This isn't healthy for anyone in the long run. Do you find yourself saying 'yes' to almost everything even when you really mean 'no'? You might have a problem saying no if this is you. I know lovely people who have a hard time saying no and the only ones they really harm are themselves! It makes it difficult to juggle life in balance and you unavoidably make empty promises as a result.

While it's certainly good to say yes, it's equally good to say no when you need to. Turn down that night out for drinks and dancing when you really need a relaxing bath and early bed time! Promises are absolutes because they come with the expectation of follow through. Fulfilled promises equates to trustworthiness. So, sometimes you or others you know might rely on empty promises to establish trust and simply just figure out the rest later, so-to-speak.

• A Kiss Goodbye (The Kissing Hand Series).
• Third Term at LEtoile: Book 3 (School for Stars)!
• Tell Me Something, She Said.

The irony is that it creates just the opposite when follow through doesn't happen! Stick to promises you can keep or don't make them in the first place. Have you ever got caught up in conversation and forgot to evaluate your needs and schedule? It's easy to do in our busy lives. Sometimes empty promises are made simply because you spoke too soon without first evaluating how realistic it is.

The 'Good Life' is to be found, but not in one more idol demanding devotion yet offering Empty Promises May 15, Ashley rated it it was amazing. This book isn't all that long and when I first received it I expected it would be a quick night read. I was completely wrong.

Pete Wilson asks so many thought-provoking questions and provides so much food for thought that it took me much longer over a week to actually read all of the way through it. This is definitely not a book that will be moved to collect dust on my shelves, I'm sure it will be a book that I refer to many times over the years. I had never really put much thought in to wh This book isn't all that long and when I first received it I expected it would be a quick night read. I had never really put much thought in to what idols may exist in my life that distract me away from my relationship with God but as I read through this book I began to see some of them for the first time.

I realized how my need for control The Perils of Power interferes with my relationship with the Lord. When I read the part about idolatry of other people it made me think about my relationships. There were just so many places where I felt the need to stop and reflect and it certainly brought about a lot of personal and spiritual growth. This is one book that I can honestly say affected me in a personal way and has caused a inner transformation. I have a new perspective on a few things in my life and it feels good.

I have already recommended this book to my husband and added it to his "to-read" list even though he's not really that much of a reader. I received this book through BookSneeze. The opinions above are solely mine and I have received no compensation for this review. May 21, Wendi rated it liked it.

Mar 28, Brenten Gilbert rated it really liked it Shelves: Such is life in reality. Empty Promises examines many of the most common substitutes that can quickly become idols in our lives, distracting us from our natural inclination to worship God and find our purpose in Him. Wilson writes with a casual tone that makes reading enjoyable and conversational. The book is full of practical advice for identifying some of the issues we struggle with as well as some steps to take in addressing them.

Nov 02, Susan rated it it was amazing. The book is all about the things we chase and try to use to fulfill our lives.

More books from this author: Ann Rule

The things we put our trust, faith, and hope in. And how all of those things will only leave you empty. Only God can fulfill those deepest desires and give you purpose. I could identify with every chapter. I have made all of these things idols at some point in time and struggle with keeping them all from taking over control of my heart and mind.

But he doesn't leave it at identifying these idols, he gives you practical tips for keeping them at bay. He talks about you have to be disciplined and keep yourself in God's word and reminding yourself of the truth always. I seriously can see myself re-reading this book for years to come! May 18, Mason Neil rated it it was ok. A lot of times I find myself making silent promises saying that I will start something new. Maybe it's eating healthier, or exercising more, or maybe just trying to go to bed early, and then I break them. I feel such a let down, and a disappointment in myself for being so dumb and not being able to stick with the program.

After these things I feel empty, and without an identity. Almost like I need to go to something else to find contentment in my life. So when I was Empty Promises I thought, hey A lot of times I find myself making silent promises saying that I will start something new. So when I was Empty Promises I thought, hey, why not.

The book was pretty good. It pointed out that the reason I feel this emptiness after my failures was that I was hinging my self-worth and identity on my success. It helped spark a paradigm shift in my head to where I based my self-esteem and self-worth on God's value in me, and not what I can do. With that in mind, I can do much more with Christ working through me. I'd give this book a four star. Dec 31, Amanda Strnad rated it liked it Shelves: The beginning didn't seem to be anything I haven't read before, and so I almost put it down.

However, I felt the Lord urging me to continue, and so I did. Wilson does a great job exposing every day idols that have become so normalized in our culture that they're overlooked for exactly what they are. A few sections really resonated with me and definitely challenged me to press into them further.

I was torn between three stars and four, but opted for three since the beginning wasn't engaging enough to pull me in beyond skimming. Depending where you are in your faith walk and how much intentional soul work you've already done will most likely determine the level of insight gleaned from this book. Overall, I recommend it. It's an easy, conversational read with lots of Truth we need to hear.

Mar 30, Josh L rated it liked it. You can read my full review at Quieted Waters. This book has strong echoes of two other authors, C. Lewis and Tim Keller. Empty Promises focuses on applicability. Each chapter includes questions the reader should ask for self-analysis, to identify possible idols in your own heart.

Nov 23, Craig Dyson rated it really liked it. Pete Wilson provides another great book with Empty Promises. The basic truth taught in this book is the idea that there are many promises that the world makes that prove to be empty. Success, money, beauty, etc. All off these things and many more are just futile attempts at happiness and joy that can only be found in Jesus. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. I will say that his first book Plan B is one of my favorite books of all time.

Navigation menu

I think for the valley I was facing at the time and how God placed that book in my life. Empty Promises is good, just not as personally good as Plan B. That being said, I really enjoy Pete Wilson and how God has used him. May 30, Mel rated it really liked it. Something as simple as going to the gym regularly can turn into the false idol of beauty and can ultimately turn your focus from God. What Pete Wilson does is point out the things that are chased everyday but also does not hit you over the head making you feel terrible for having chased those things.

It's an incredible balance that he's laid out in pointing out how our these empty promises enter our lives while revealing how they have entered his. Great read for anyone actively pursing any dream Something as simple as going to the gym regularly can turn into the false idol of beauty and can ultimately turn your focus from God. Great read for anyone actively pursing any dream fitness, job, wealth..

Dec 05, Mollie rated it it was amazing Shelves: I do love Pete Wilson! He is a talented pastor and writer, and he truly makes everything simple to understand. I feel like this book contained a lot of stuff I already knew, but these are things I always need to be reminded of again and again. My pastor always tells us our hearts are idol factories, and this book definitely points that out. An excellent read and a call to draw close to our Heavenly Father. This is a straight forward approach to identifying the idols in your life. The point Pete Wilson makes clear is that it's not a matter of whether you have them, but that they need to be identified and destroyed.

I enjoyed it for the most part, but it lacked the spark or energy of his previous book, so that was disappointing. However, I would recommend it as a helpful guide to approaching the areas in your life where you try shove God out. Nov 09, Sarah rated it really liked it Shelves: Empty Promises is a good book that helped me to focus on discerning what modern day idols are clouding my view of Jesus. Wilson walks through some common empty promises that we believe in a way that both convicts you of that promises' control of you life without feeling condemned.

He ends the book offering practical tips and practices to replace these idols with the Lord. It was not earth shattering, but a great read to spur on growth in faith. Apr 26, Lisa rated it liked it Shelves: