23 May 2016

Hunting Hope: a Review (and giveaway)

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To say that life has been a little complex over the last few months would be an understatement.  And I don’t think we are quite out of a season full of hurt and disappointment.

So, when I heard about Hunting Hope, I jumped at the chance to read it. (And you can enter a giveaway for it)

I’m not going to spoil it for you, but it lined up perfectly with my quiet times.  I love the break down of the book – so focused on God and who He is – then challenging the reader to apply what they have read to their lives – in whatever season they are in.

So often when we are dealing with hurt, pain, or disappointment; when we are hopeless and not hope-filled, we tend to look at ourselves and sink deeper into despair.  Nika Maples graciously offered us hope by pointing us away from ourselves and to our masterful God. Our compassionate God, our God who is there.

So, if there is something you feel hopeless about – turn first to the Word, but then if you need a companion to help you see some of God’s wonderful attributes and how they can be felt in your need, pick up Hunting Hope.

Thanks to Litfuse for the opportunity to read and share this book.  All opinions are my own.

23 Apr 2016

Good Night, God : a review and giveaway

by | posted in: Books | 3

 

Good night times in our home can be challenging, and rewarding too.  It is the end of the day, but there are some nights that my boys are still wired.  It seems they get done with dinner and just want to jump on the beds.

So, we love sitting on the edge of the bed and reading together.  It really is a sweet time and one I enjoy.  It also allows me to breathe from trying to get them to calm down so I can get there pjs and diapers ready for the long night.

A new book that I just received from Tommy Nelson is Good Night, God.  It is a sweet board book, perfect for little hands (many ripped pages in our home) that has wonderful delightful thoughts and prayers about God and to God.  Some of the truths that it tells your littles about God is that He protects, gives peace, covers you in love, shows kindness to you, is always with you, and many others.

While this book doesn’t cover every aspect of God’s character (which book does, except maybe a systematic theology), this is a great started for knowing the character of God.

If you would like to win one of these for your kids, please just tell me one of the characteristics of God you love teaching your children.

22 Apr 2016

Praying and Journaling For Future Generations

by | posted in: Bible, Books, Shepherding Children | 0

Crossway ESV Writer's Edition

Thank you to Crossway for sending me this Bible to review.  All opinions are my own.

I am in the thick of parenting.  I have a preschooler and a toddler.  I always have thoughts, prayers, questions, emotions – all about being a mommy. Being a mommy is by far the toughest job I’ve ever had.  So, I’m always curious about what the Bible – my source for ALL TRUTH when it comes to any thing I need to know about parenting.

If I have a question about my heart when it comes to parenting, or disciplining, or raising two young boys to be men of God – I go to the Bible.  When I have a question about my kids and what their heart should be, how they should pursue God, what I should be praying for their future – I go to the Bible.

Journaling and Praying for Future Generations

And, the new Writer’s Edition Journaling Bible is perfect for writers.  I can keep all my parenting thoughts in one place.  I write devotions for other mommas and want to keep my thought altogether.  So, how I’m using it is by color-coordinating my thoughts.  If I am writing something about being a mom – I will use a certain color ink.  Then I will use a color ink for each of my boys.  That way, over the years, I can fill it with thoughts and prayers for myself, but also for each of them.

Crossway puts out quality Bibles, and this one is no different.  There are two inches of lined space at the bottom of each page making it perfect to write in paragraph form to journal one’s thoughts.  There is a ribbon especially helpful if you are praying through a book of the Bible.  The pages are cream and thicker which is great to help lessen bleed through with certain pens.  I personally use Micron pens 01 for writing in my Bible mostly.

If you need other ideas about journaling, you can check out Donald Whitney who has written a great book on praying the Bible – which would be a great asset to you as you pray for yourself as a momma and for your children.

21 Apr 2016

Simply Calligraphy: a review

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It is no secret that I love handlettering.  I love it. I’ve been loving lettering since about the 6th grade.  Snail mail, homework, papers, journaling, Bible journaling, writing out talks, etc.  Now, I do it for a creative side business.

I am always wanting new ways to learn and practice.  So, I got Simply Calligraphy from Blogging for Books since I saw it was an option.  And I received it, flipped through it, looked at its materials, and realized that it was great for a beginner – especially in “Real” calligraphy, not modern calligraphy.

If you want to know general concepts in a simple fashion, this is an ok book.  I really love pretty calligraphy, and this just isn’t it.  But, for solid techniques that are good for any handlettering, you might learn a few things.

 

12 Apr 2016

Tasting Rome: a review

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It is no secret that one of the best parts of traveling is learning the culture.  And I think that the best way to do that is by eating the food.

Yes, food is a crucial part of traveling for me.

And in this new cookbook, Tasting Rome, I feel like I can travel to the city through the photographs and the recipes and the history.  While there may only be a few recipes that I want to try to make at home, I think this book for me helps me experience a country I might otherwise never be able to visit.

Thank you to Blogging for Books for this book.  All opinions are my own.

12 Apr 2016

Christ, not prayer, is the answer

by | posted in: Bible, Books | 0

I love church signs.  You can either think that is sarcastic or true – whichever.

But, I passed one today and it said “prayer is the answer”.  I thought to myself.  No, Christ is the answer.

Here’s my thought.  If we tell people all they have to do is pray, everything will work out right, then that really isn’t the right answer.  We do need to pray – Christ models it and commands it.  We need to pray biblically-centered prayers.  We need to know the Word and pray it back to the Father through the Son by the power and intercession of the Holy Spirit.  But, our works, prayer, isn’t the answer to any of our problems.

The one who is our Brother and Intercessory Prayer partner is the answer.  All of God’s promises to us are yes in Christ Jesus.  So, we need to pray – but rest all of our hope in the Christ who answers according to His Father’s will.

I’ve been a believer for a long time now, and Max Lucado has been influential in my growth.  I read most of his earlier books when I was in high school and college.  I have his children’s books and read them to our boys.  And now, he has come out with a set of prayer books that have prayers that are guided by the Word.  You have ones for military families, mommas, dads, friends, graduates, etc.  I love how you can give these out to people, be a blessing.  You can also have them to read in a quick moment and focus your mind (through prayer) on Christ!

I gave away the military one to some sweet ministry friends of ours who live in south Florida.  They are about to have their second baby.

I gave away the teacher one to a mom of 3 boys and a preschool teacher.

I am giving away the Dad one to my husband on Father’s Day.

I gave away the moms one to a sweet friend in our church who is about to have their first baby girl

Thank you Litfuse for sending these to me.  All opinions are my own.

 

5 Apr 2016

Good Resource for the Homeschooling Mom

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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been caught in the grocery store or in Target singing the alphabet song with my boys.  They sing it loud and proud – then immediately transition into Jesus Loves Me. Its like its the second verse of the ABC song.

Teaching young kids the basics that they need to know, like the alphabet and their numbers, takes a while for some kids.  So, why not make learning fun!

This new book by Tommy Nelson was released in time for Spring and is filled with cute, storyboard pages that depict spring in all its glory.  And you can teach your children their numbers on every page.  My boys have both enjoyed it.

If you would like to win your own copy, just tell me something that you enjoyed teaching your kids.

1 Apr 2016

Teaching Your Kids to Trust God

by | posted in: Books, Shepherding Children | 2

One of the most important things in any relationship is trust.  Once that trust is broken, it is hard to get back.  And one of the most important things in training your children to love and know God is to teach them what God says about Himself.

I was so excited to get this new book from Tommy Nelson because I’m going through the Bible this year pulling out what truths God shows me about Himself.  I want to know everything about who God is so I can be like Him (1 Peter tells us that).

I also want my boys to know God as well.  And so, as they get older (this book is perfect for grade school kids), I will get to use this in teaching them during family worship time who God says He is and how they can trust Him.

Diane Stortz goes through 40 reasons why kids can trust God.  Illustrated so kids will be pulled the pages, and written so they might know the Word and the truth that God wants to teach them.

She includes some of the Hebrew names so kids can learn (includes pronunciation), Scripture readings, questions to ask, and application.

I hope you like this little book as much as I do.  You can win one for yourself (your child of course) by answering this question: what is the attribute of God you love the best.  Mine right now: that he welcomes me into his presence through Christ!  He is the ultimate host!

28 Mar 2016

Finding God in the Ruins: a review

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Thanks to Litfuse for delivering a copy of Finding God in the Ruins for me to read and review.  All opinions are my own.

To tell you that life has been hard since we got married, might be an understatement.  I think my mister and I are learning to trust only in God, rely on Christ, encourage each other, and redefine what we thought life might be like as a family.

Matt Bays, the author of this memoir-esque book, has definitely had a lot of harsh life thrown at him.  He very carefully tells the reader about his life, marriage, family, and ministry.  He encourages the reader to be honest and real with God about how life is treating him.

I wish that the book had been less story and more engagement with Scripture.  It is a tough book to read – not putting enough emphasis on the grace and truth of God’s character and His word, especially in the first part of the book.

It is definitely hard to keep faith in God real when life continues to hand you blows.  But, we need to keep believing, asking questions, and growing our faith through the Spirit.  He is a big enough God and can handle our questions.

 

18 Mar 2016

and it was beautiful : a review

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I received this book from LItfuse in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.  

I have been blessed with a few good books lately.  These books that are real and heart-felt, and soul-searching – and tears well in my eyes and puddle on to the pages.

This book is one of them.  I even told my husband that I don’t know if I could finish the book.  I cry in every chapter.  And I’m thankful – they are short chapters.

This book will take anyone through cancer – or other trials that loom in life – and help you rest in the peace that the maker of the wind and the rain and the hurricanes and tornadoes watches every move you make.  I’m so thankful that Kara Tippetts wrote these words before her death.  They will lead others to the same Rock she went to.