Magazine Review
"ReThink Your Life is based on Philippians 4:8, which lists several subjects on which one is admonished to think. Another supporting verse is Proverbs 23:7 "As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he." With solid teaching, Toler drives home the importance of building and protecting one's thought life. He includes a life application at the end of each chapter, following the story of a man named Jake, and concludes by giving five action steps to take in putting the lesson into practice. The author also gives four steps toward practicing right thinking: detoxification, realignment, reinforcement, and perseverance. Detoxification, he says, means ridding oneself of wrong thinking--sinful thoughts, negative images, and all kinds of evil. Monitor what you are feeding your mind through television, movies, the Internet, magazines, etc. Realignment is to stop believing negative thoughts, especially about oneself, and start believing the facts of the Bible. For example, the Bible says I am a child of God and loved by Him; He has a wonderful plan for my life, and I can be filled with the Holy Spirit and serve Him by exercising the gifts He has given me. Reinforcement is a reminder of the crucial role of accountability both to God and to one's fellowman. Regular prayer connects one with the spiritual resources made available by the Holy Spirit. A critical part of the Christian life is associating oneself with other believers to provide accountability and encouragement. Finally, perseverance means this is a lifestyle, not merely a momentary resolution. I must maintain the posture of a learner, find sources of solid food to nourish my soul, and practice spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, meditating on Scripture, and being a vital part of the church. Toler is one of my favorite authors. I continue to be amazed by his insights and clarity of presentation and am blessed by his spiritual applications. I highly recommend this book to our readers." -- Dr. Harold Dalton, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, www.iphcExperience.com

Television interview with Carla Hinton from NewsOK

People who know the Rev. Stan Toler's busy schedule often wonder how he finds time to write books that range from collections of church humor to inspirational narratives and leadership guides. Despite being named to a national Church of the Nazarene leadership position this week, the prolific author said he will continue to write faith-themed books.

The latest book by Toler, longtime pastor of Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 7301 S Walker, is "The Inspirational Speaker's Resource," released Wednesday. However, Toler said "ReThink Your Life," released earlier this year, is his "defining book." Toler is known for his optimism and diligence, and it is hard for people to believe he once characterized himself as a pessimist. Nevertheless, the preacher just elected to the Church of the Nazarene Board of Superintendents said he had a less-than-positive outlook many years ago.

Steps toward his attitude change are recounted in "ReThink Your Life."

Through a character named Jake, the book loosely chronicles Toler's journey from pessimist to optimist. "It defines how I was influenced by great positive thinkers," Toler said.

Toler said he grew up in a poor community in West Virginia where his dad was a coal miner. When Toler was 11, the family moved to Ohio, hoping for a chance at a better life. But Toler's father died soon afterward, leaving a widow and three young sons.

Toler said he had a pessimistic attitude when a friend took him to a motivational rally at age 18. He said the event included a roster of big-name speakers such as Robert Schuller, Paul Harvey and Zig Zigler, much like the "Get Motivated" conference Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

The seeds of positive thinking were sown at that rally, Toler said. He had been called to the ministry at age 14, so he combined tenets of his faith with his newfound appreciation for positive thinking..

Readers of "ReThink Your Life" follow Jake on his search for a new attitude amid an overload of negative information threatening to distract him from fulfilling his God-given life purpose.

Toler said "ReThink Your Life" includes the following advice for those who seek a similar attitude adjustment:

Remember that you are shaped by God with unique talents. Know that God says you have potential. Live up to it. Go on a diet from media TV, music, Internet, social networking and anything else that might have a negative influence. Audit your beliefs; determine what you believe. Determine your values.

Toler said this wisdom should serve him well on his new ministry path. His last Sunday in the pulpit at Trinity will be July 12. "I've narrowed my beliefs down to this: I believe my God can do anything," he said.

Dr. Jo Anne Lyon is an honest, true, down-to-earth mentor for believers, meaning she's not afraid to share some of her insecurities as a Christian woman of God. In The Ultimate Blessing she walks readers through her life and search of the ultimate blessing a deep relationship with God, and relationships with others in hopes to inspire others to dig deeper into the Word and draw closer to God. Through the pages of her book, she makes her daily walk come alive, and best of all, offers advice on how the average, common Christians can do the same. Dr. Lyon challenges readers to dream the impossible with God, and believe that it is possible with him it may not be what we expect, but she helps us realize with God, we can do great things. -- A. Whittington

 "The result of such teamwork is an applicable study edition that, through constructed around Wesley's timeless thoughts, allows for a singular voice to be heard: God's" --Ministry Today