Bob Karcher - Who Are the Joneses Anyway?: Stop Living Someone Elses Life and Start Becoming who You are Meant to Be

WHO ARE THE JONESES ANYWAY?

Life is a journey, but it doesnt have to be a directionless one. Many of us can feel like we are simply getting by and trying to keep up with some undefined, external forces that we dont understand. Instead, we can experience intentional, authentic lives filled with passion and purpose. In their book, Who Are the Joneses Anyway?, Bob and Susan Karcher demonstrate just how possible this can be for all of their readers. I encourage you to read this book.

Bob Buford

Author, Halftime and Finishing Well Founder, The Halftime Institute and Leadership Network

Bob and Susan Karchers book, Who Are the Joneses Anyway?, convicted me. It taught, inspired, and freed me to prayerfully live the life God wants me to livenot the Joneses or anyone elses, but the life that was specifically designed just for me.

Andi Kang, CFP, CAP

President, Crown Wealth Management

Since were living in the most hyper-competitive, cluttered, and disrupted culture in the history of the world, Bob and Susan Karchers book, Who Are the Joneses Anyway?, could not have come at a better time. The pressure to compete with those around us is overwhelming and has resulted in record financial debt, divorce, and depression. Everyone is tempted to get more stuff, which is why everyone needs this book. Get it. It will give you a new perspective on contentment, purpose, and what you really need to make life work.

Phil Cooke

Television Producer and Media Consultant Author, One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do

Blaise Pascal said, There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. In their book, Who Are the Joneses Anyway?, Bob and Susan Karcher have illustrated how the pursuit of The Joneses violates this fundamental principle in a very personal and poignant way and demonstrated very well how to be useful and free. A liberating book for any person caught up in the pursuit of success vs. significance.

David Allen Brown

Founding Partner, Brown & Streza, LLP, Irvine, California

We have always heard of the Joneses. They were the family that had it all, everything we thought we ever wanted in life. And they didnt have just the off brands, they enjoyed the most expensive, top of the line, luxury brands. That was our perspective of the Joneses. They had it made, or so we thought. In Who Are the Joneses Anyway? Bob and Susan Karcher offer a totally different perspective on discovering wholeness and satisfaction without destroying our families, our credit scores, or our marriages. The pressure to make it to the top is real! If you are anything like us, we want to learn from the experiences of others. Bob and Susan are honest and open about their journey. They share their experiences, their failures, and their triumphs. Join the many others on this road to freedom and satisfaction with life. Do not let this book leave your sightyou wont regret it.

Mark and Darlene Amaya

Senior Pastors, Praise Chapel Whittier

WHO ARE THE JONESES ANYWAY?

Stop Living Someone Elses Life and Start Becoming who You are Meant to Be

2016 by KS Enterprises, Inc.

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WHO

ARE THE JONESES

ANYWAY?

Stop Living Someone Elses Life and Start Becoming who You are Meant to Be

BOB AND SUSAN KARCHER

New York

DEDICATION

To our amazing children: Andrew, Briana, Luke, and Aysia. None of this would be possible without you. When we all came together to form this blended family, you jumped into lifes blender with us. It has been a wonderful experience, and our lives are richer because of each of you. We love you all.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

To be content with little is difficult; to be content with much, impossible.

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

The Western world is awash with plenty. People living in those countries have more choices in the cereal aisle of their local grocery store than most people have in their entire lives. But has striving for success, wealth, and lavish lifestyles created contentment and fulfillment? Most consumer studies would offer a resounding No!

So what in the world do we seek, and how will we find the elusive dream of happiness and contentment? Are we succumbing to the pressures of advertisement that invade every aspect of our lives? And are these pressures enhanced by social mediamedia that can determine our purchasing interests and offer recommendations to buy even more through our computers, phones, tablets, and now our wrists? Yes, we face a formidable enemy that constantly reminds us that the only thing that satisfies is just a little more.

Bob and Susan Karcher faced this dilemma. Eventually they had to deal with some significant issues that have derailed many couples. Through their book Who Are the Joneses Anyway?, they have presented their readers an interesting and challenging proposition: How to find contentment through passions rather than possessions. Each wrestled with their lifestyle from very different perspectives; Bob was all about success, and Susan focused on acceptance. Together they found themselves desperately seeking identity through what they owned rather than who they were. This eventually led to a significant moment when they realized that they were on a train headed in the wrong direction. They needed to change but didnt know how. This book describes their struggles and their triumphs as they learned the true meaning in life, a life dedicated to living with less, serving others, and being a true disciple of Christ.