Sadly, no matter how attractive a house is, if the foundation isn’t solid, it will fall. This is one of the most important principles any of us will ever learn: Our life must be built on the right foundation.

Charles Stanley’s books are thought provoking and can be life changing. And Standing Strong is no exception. He communicates clearly and offers examples along with scripture to support his arguments. Standing Strong encourages the reader to examine what they believe and how they are building their lives. I took my time reading thru this book as it was so inspirational. He brought out ideas/points I had never considered. I would recommend this book for anyone who really wants to strengthen their faith. We can see this in Israel and the Middle East, which experience seasons of severe storms and torrential rainfall. During such times, the landscape can change dramatically. The sunbaked ground, which seems so solid during the lengthy dry seasons, easily gives way when the raging waters pound against it. Gullies are formed as the force of the floods makes a path through whatever yields to it. Anything built on those shifting sands ultimately falls. To understand this, we can take a lesson from architecture, since we know what it takes to raise a strong building. In fact, it is a useful exercise to look at the edifices around us and throughout the world and consider what causes some structures to endure throughout the centuries of bad weather and harsh elements and others to topple within years of their construction. Naturally, we cannot go into a detailed examination of this topic. But what are the basic reasons some buildings can withstand the poundings of the harshest elements and others fail at the onset of bad weather?Psalm 90:2 reminds us that God existed before the dawn of time and will continue to remain when time itself is no more: “Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. (vv. 7–8 NLT; emphasis added) Do not miss this. Paul had to rethink everything he thought was true about what gave his life strength and value, not just some of what he believed. Notice that he said, “I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage.” What an inspirational story! I can only imagine what Diane Reeve went through. She's an intelligent, strong, business woman who is missing that special someone in her life to share it with. She finally meets who she thinks is her soulmate. She's blinded by his charm, lets her guard down knowing she's taking a big risk but she was protecting her heart, not her health. She's like many women of a certain age, we don't think of HIV or STD's when we haven't been in the playing field for a long time. We think that's more of a younger person concern. I have to admit I do not read "true life" books. I like surprise endings, mysteries, thrillers...well, never say never. There is so much "story" between the beginning and the end of this book that I was captivated into reading it almost straight through. "Standing Strong" starts out like a romantic thriller, turns into a horror story in the middle and ends up a heroine's tale.

Perhaps you recall the story. “As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And [Saul] said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting’?” (Acts 9:3–5). Okay, I can’t get inside his head, but he had to know what he was doing and the book will explain why that’s the case. His awareness of the “deadly weapon” in his pants is exactly why he was convicted. By the way, I honestly don’t want to name him because the book is about Reeve and the women she banded together with. Read the book or Google her name for the media accounts. You don’t know when they’ll happen, but you can be prepared. Jesus promised you so in His Sermon on the Mount. Do you long to know how to persevere no matter what storm rages against you? Do you want to know how to build your life on the right foundation and with the design and materials that will endure? Do you yearn to be so thoroughly convinced of God’s work in your life that you can stand strong—regardless of the challenges or consequences? The book tells the story of Diane, how she met Phillipe, how she fell in love with him, how she traveled with him, how she cared about him. And then it tells the story of how she found out the truth about the man, and how she fought to stop him. It is surprisingly an uplifting story of a group of women that were a support to each other, and who helped each other and all women (and potentially men) that could be charmed by Phillipe one day and also infected with HIV. Mix, Pulse (25 May 2022). "Kizz Daniel & Tekno's 'Buga' fends off stiff competition to retain No.1 spot". Pulse Nigeria . Retrieved 27 May 2022.I am beyond excited to be teaming up with Counsellor and Sexologist, Standing Strong Chief Operations Officer and head of Standing Strong Program Licensing & Instructor Training, Riki Shaw, to bring you the accumulation of both our knowledge and experience. Hello and welcome, I’m so excited learn more about you and your passion for supporting and empowering young people. My name is Kim and I am the founder of Standing Strong and co-creator of the Youth Coach Course.

Charles Stanley starts this book with a look at how we view scripture. And he provides some great reasons why this is so important. Then he continues on with examining our understanding of God and our need for a Savior. Having a strong life starts with a strong foundation. Charles Stanley offers references from both the old and new Testament. One idea builds on another. And all of this leads to a strong life. So, in Part 2 of this book, we will look at your convictions concerning obedience, the church, adversity, and the end of this life. Each one of these areas will show whether you are seeking to be desired for your own value or have made yourself small so God can be glorified. And how you look at each of these areas will make a tremendous difference in how sturdy your life is and whether it will bear fruit that lasts. I found out about Standing Strong from my friend, Susanne, and I remembered hearing about this court case in the media. I don’t even have the words to convey how much I admire Diane Reeve’s tenacity and strength, once she found it, to go after the man who willfully infected her, and many other women, with HIV. The man who was willing to do anything for God finally met Him face-to-face on that road to Damascus. And that meeting completely transformed his life.

What we choose to believe intrinsically determines whether or not we are able to stand strong in this life—during the easy times, and during the most difficult. Standing Strong explores the Bible to identify the central issues of life where conviction is imperative, First, Jesus eliminates that old, defective foundation and pays the penalty for everything you have ever done wrong. Your sins separate you from God—from the only One who is holy, eternal, and unlimited, and who can make your life strong. You need Christ to haul all of that old, collapsing, decaying foundation away.

That whoever believes in Him shall not perish. Shall not topple or crash when the storms of life assail. If you’ve just received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you’ve made the very best decision you will ever make. There is absolutely nothing more important than having a personal relationship with God. This is the firm foundation that the rest of your life will be built on. You simply cannot have a strong life without Him. Thankfully, now you are on the path to having the resilient and meaningful life you long for. What Diane did was incredible. I think so many people would have just curled up and died if this happened to them. To keep fighting despite being desperately ill and exhausted as well as the emotional damage shows real guts.

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The camaraderie of the group of woman who brought this monster down is just so inspiring. I can't imagine learning I had contracted HIV and being able to be so supportive of the "other women". It's amazing, these women were so courageous in what they did. I can't tell you the admiration for them that I felt reading this book. Of course, Paul is speaking about how we choose to construct our lives once the foundation of salvation through Christ is set. We can either use materials based on our own ego, needs, and desires (wood, hay, and straw), which will eventually perish, or we can build our lives out of what will please God and will endure eternally (gold, silver, and precious stones).