11 Jan 2016

Jesus Calling Family Edition

by Kimberly | posted in: Books | 0

The most popular devotion in the last 5 years is by far Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

And here are some posts that explain why I don’t use this for my devotions. One two and here is one for the kids version.

But, I know everyone doesn’t believe the same about this. I know many who use it and are encouraged by it.

Tommy Nelson gave me the chance to give away both the devotional and the kids version.

Why it would be helpful? You and your kids can be on the same page each day of the year with what you are reading. You can learn the same Bible verses. Hear the same truth.

Here is my caution: if you are reading it – and having your kids read it as well – at least be aware of the cautions that people give it. Think through these thoughts. Then, decide for yourself. My main problem is not what she says, but the fact that Sarah Young says the words are from God (and writes them as such) and then if they are words from God they should be binding on our lives. That is why we have the Bible. The Bible is the only authoritative word of God!

If you would like to win this set of books – leave a comment about something God has been teaching you lately!

That’s all!

20 Dec 2015

How the Word Breathes Life into My Mothering

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, mothering, parenting, Shepherding Children | 5

Oh, sweet mommas – this post is especially for the mommas out there – and you don’t have to have toddlers to understand this post. Maybe all of your kids are teenagers, or are married and raising babies of their own – or maybe you have a few younger than mine and are still living in sleepless nights because of newborns or sleep regression.

Just as the very word of God spoke all of creation into being, and the word of God is written down for us so we may be changed into His image, the word of God also breathes life into the every day of my mothering – right now which is a highly emotional 3 year old we are seeking to potty train and a speedy 2 year old who loves to jump off everything he can climb.

Two examples for you from the last 24 hours. It was a long afternoon as I fought for my 2 year old to take a nap. I knew he was tired and just didn’t want to miss out on anything. Finally 90 minutes after scheduled nap time, he finally went down for 90 minutes. Then, by the time my husband walked in the door at 635 from his job, I was so done. He immediately took over, gave them a bath, put them to bed (which was a 2.5 hour struggle with one of them), and told me to go do something, anything, other than being with the kids. I went in and took a long hot shower which is one of my favorite things to do in the winter (I know I’m not helping the water conservation society). As I was standing there praying, confessing my anger and entitlement, I was reminded of a verse in James that my husband spent a whole year on our first year of marriage: James 4:1-4 which basically says the reason you are arguing and upset is because you are fighting to get what you want because you are idolizing something and not keeping God God in your life and heart. Yup. I was struggling all day because I didn’t get what I wanted from my sons. I wanted quiet – I didn’t get much of that all day. I wanted obedience – but my sons are sinners and not prone to obey so I shouldn’t expect them to do it. I was crying in the shower, even as the hot water ran down my cheeks and increased my need for an aging-skin moisturizer – God was restoring my soul with the work of the Word.

The second example is from this morning: it was a long morning. I sat in the sanctuary during the sunday school hour, listening to my husband prep for CEve service, scanning through social media, getting encouraged from friends, and the tears were there all morning. Before the service, my husband sat down beside me, and just whispered in my ear the gospel: the God has a plan, Jesus is enough even when its hard, that His grace is sufficient. My tears were dripping on his new gray pants. I didn’t care. I hope they didn’t stain. The gospel is found in the Word. We must know the Word. We must have the Word spoken to us – to our souls – to our hurt and weary souls.

I got a book set in the mail this week from Tommy Nelson that helps adults and kids know key Scriptures in the Bible. How to know them, memorize them, live them out – so that the Word may be life-changing in whatever situation we find ourselves in. The Joshua Code and I Can Learn the Bible would be a great set for you to work through with your children in the new year. If you would like please just leave a post about anything – anything at all.

Happy Mothering.

19 Dec 2015

Bread for the World

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, food | 0

Who doesn’t like bread? Ok – I know some people can’t eat it for health reasons or allergies, and some people don’t eat much of it because they don’t want to gain a lot of weight – but seriously – the smell of yeast in my kitchen mixed with melted butter, or garlic, or cheese – bread is a good things.

Blogging for Books gave me the book Hot Bread Kitchen – the new cookbook that not only teaches you how to make bread in many different forms, but also trains and helps women with skills that will improve their futures.

I love the philanthropic nature of Hot Bread Kitchen and what they have set out to accomplish. And I can’t wait to try their breads. The cookbook is not only a book full of recipes and pictures, but stories of women who make them and where they come from.

So, its a little bit of history, bread, photos, bread, women, bread, stories, bread. Can’t go wrong?

17 Dec 2015

Always Grace (Book Giveaway)

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, Shepherding Children | 5

One of the sentences I most say in life is “I’m sorry.” Well, maybe sometimes I insert,”I’m such a failure.” This is so true in my marriage and parenting. This parenting this is so difficult most of the time!

But, then I come to the title of a book (you can win one, stay tuned) – Grace for the Moment. How crucial is this to remember. I grew up on Max Lucado (in my spiritual walk I mean.) I started reading his books in late middle school and read them all the way through seminary. Still one of my favorite books on the incarnation is God Came Near. And that incarnation is what makes God’s grace so real to us because that was God the Father’s best gift.

One of the areas I need most encouragement in is my communication with my boys. As God speaks his grace to us, to my soul, I can therefore speak it to my boys, who are sinners and desperately need to hear God’s grace and truth in their souls. This set from Max, including Grace for the Moment for Kids is a great way to fill your soul with a quick daily devotional (because all moms will tell you that one of the hardest things is to get prolonged quality time in the Word) and then read something similar on the same day to your kids. That way you are filling your soul with similar truths! How perfect for family devotionals. This is a great devo for older children and has some practical applications for them to live out the truth they just learned.

Here is how you can win this set of books – perfect for starting out the new year with truth from God’s Word: tell me one thing you are looking forward to doing with your kids in the new year. Me: cooking more for them instead of always grabbing fast food in the car. Thanks Tommy Nelson Mommies for hosting this giveaway and for my free books!

11 Dec 2015

Praying for my Husband as my Children’s Father

by Kimberly | posted in: Books | 0

This is a season of Advent – of hope, of awaiting, or mystery. Of incarnation.

One of the beautiful things about the incarnation is that God the FATHER sent His only perfect beautiful son into the world. I can’t even imagine giving up one of my boys.

Back to the story…the men in our lives play several roles. Man, husband, father, employee, friend, son, brother if applicable (my husband is an only child), worshiper, etc. The list is pretty inexhaustive just like our list is.

But, for me, I think two the most important at least in my husband’s life is husband and father. There is such a burden on him to provide, protect, lead well, shepherd all of us to know Jesus. He just isn’t living for himself anymore. On no given day can he wake up and say, “I think I’ll do what I want to do today,” but instead he wakes up to snuggles, cries, diapers, commuter traffic, my texts complaining about the disobedience of our boys, etc. There is always so much crowding his heart and his mind.

I long for him not only to have an intimate close relationship with his heavenly Father – but use that relationship to guide his relationship with his boys. Our boys are incredibly blessed with a father who is gentle and patient and one who loves Jesus more than he loves them. He plays cars and basketball with them. He takes them to the park. He provides for them. His desire is for them.

Isn’t that so the heart of the Father for us? That His desire is for us – to know him and be found in Him?

Pete Alwinson’s new book, Like Father Like Son, is a good read that goes through different aspects of a relationship between the Father and his children, men. I think some of the concepts can definitely be applied to men and women. I think, honestly, that the book might be more with a female tone in mind, I don’t know. I don’t know if I can see my mister reading this book or really any of the men that I know.

But, I do see it as useful for wives to pray for their misters. That’s why I got this book. I want to be more knowledgeable about how to pray for my mister and his relationship with his Father as he seeks to know his boys and lead them to the Father.

Thanks to Litfuse for the book in exchange for my honest review.

8 Dec 2015

Perfect Cookbook for the Adventurous New Cook

by Kimberly | posted in: Books | 0

If you are looking for a great new cookbook that is going to be perfect for that new cook – but one that is looking for knowledge, adventurous recipes, and helpful information, and beautiful pictures – then this cookbook is for you.

I picked this cookbook out from my choices at Blogging for Books. There are a couple of things I love about this cookbook (besides the recipes):

The pictures. I want to cut them all out and hang them in my kitchen. Better yet I want to go take pictures of farm fresh eggs and berries and everything in between.
The information. This gives you ways to make a variety of the same things (like the difference between jams and eggs) – and teaches you the things you need to know when picking out poultry, or other types of foods, etc.
I love the story-telling. That is the best part of any cookbook. I want to curl up on my couch and wrap up in a warm blanket – and sit down and read it word for word.

30 Nov 2015

Why You Should Read To Your Kids

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, Shepherding Children | 6

One of my favorite times of the day is when I get the chance to read to my boys. I usually read to them by themselves – so I get that one on one interaction with them and can read stories that might appeal to them more than the other.

Like I know my younger one loves the Sandra Boynton books. We’ve been reading those every night and each night he just giggles away. He also has been loving a book about his hands and what he can do with them to help. Most of all – I think he loves to just being close to the person reading to him, because he is a snuggle-monster.

Our older boy loves animal books, especially his daddy’s book from when he was young. He can flip through and always point out new fascinating things about the animals he sees. Even if he has seen them 50 times before.

I may not have stayed with my education major in college, but I can still think of a few good reasons you should read to your children:

Build a love for reading. If you start reading to kids when they are younger, most likely they will be readers when they are older. Then they will hopefully read to their children and grandchildren.
Increase their vocabulary. My children seem to learn new words every day. I know they definitely pick up some of these words because their are seeing them in the books we are reading, and hearing them when they are read aloud.
Reading to your son or daughter builds intimacy. Any time you can spend one on one time with your children, or even with them altogether, you are telling them that you care about them. You are telling them that no matter what else you could be doing right now (and that is usually a lot), that you would rather spend it with them. And do you ever regret spending time with your children in a meaningful way?
Reading is a great way for you to teach your children about the gospel. There are so many great books. And a good way to teach your children about biblical concepts (that may be difficult for their little minds to grasp) is by using parables (I mean, Jesus did it, right). Liz Higgs has a new book out for early school age kids, or late preschool that is really neat. It teaches biblical concepts in parables that are centered around kids. And it goes through the seasons which is a neat idea to even teach kids about that.

Tommy Nelson is giving away one of these new books and it would make a lovely Christmas present for your child! Or a gift to a child you know. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me your favorite book to read with your children.

28 Nov 2015

Kids and Christmas (and a book giveaway)

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, Shepherding Children | 9

Well, most of the turkey in your fridges is probably eaten – we have some about to get into a casserole for lunch tomorrow. You may have some pie left – but I guarantee if it is good pie than it is already gone. We have one piece left, but I’m sure my mister will eat that when he gets home in a few.

But, now we move on to Christmas. Some of you have already been playing carols in your car. My mister starts listening to Christmas music in the summer because he always puts together the Christmas cantata at our church so he needs to know the music before Thanksgiving. There are only a few Christmas cds that I can listen to all year, but mostly I just listen to them in December.

This year I’ve been receiving texts from friends asking what we are going to do with our boys and Santa. I give them what we are doing – and then couch it all in – Bring Christmas back to Jesus where it belongs. No matter what you do with Santa.

Tommy Nelson has a new book out for Christmas and your preschoolers this year. I was reading through it with mine tonight and it really has some good illustrations to help you tell the Christmas story – couched in many of the things we know and experience about Christmas. It helps us to continue thanksgiving into the holiday season of Christmas. I love how it talks about snow and forgiveness. And even our warm beds and the manger. This book leaves a little bit to be desired in its depth of Christmas. It is a little generic, maybe secularized or weak so as not to offend, which can lead to a false theology of Christmas. Its missing a specific reference to why Jesus had to come to earth. The parent would have to further explain more to their children about what Christmas is – but it is a good start.

You too can read this book to your child. All you have to do to win it is tell me what is something you are looking forward to doing with your kids this Christmas. We are going to ride the Pink Pig at a mall in ATL – a long-standing tradition for many Atlantans. And we are going to start making a Happy Birthday Jesus Cake.

24 Nov 2015

Praying for Your Kids (and giveaway)

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, Shepherding Children | 6

Let’s be honest for a second, sometimes (in the midst of temper tamptrums and bouts of continued disobedience) it is hard to be really thankful for our children.

But, God has given them to us as a blessing and should be one of the greatest gifts we’ve ever been given – and they need to be told over and over again how thankful we are for them.

One of the times i usually love the most, is when I get to lay down with my older one and pray over him as he goes to sleep at night. He has some sensory delays in his development, so he absolutely loves to sleep in the floor. We’ve made him a soft palette and pile on his stuffed animals and his night night (the blanket he has slept with since he was a few months old). He always wants either me or his Daddy to lay beside him until he falls asleep. And as soon as I lay down with him, I pray aloud over him with my hand on his back or his face. Such a sweet time. I pray for his little heart to be turned to God because God would be calling him, giving him a new heart. I pray that he would be obedient and that he would love God. I also finish each prayer saying how thankful we are for him, bubba, mommy, daddy, and most of all Jesus.

It is so important for our children to hear us praying for them – not just telling them about it. I learned from my mentor the importance of writing down prayers and journaling for future generations. I admit that the discipline has been a struggle for me in these early years, but I do it some. And it is such a treasure for me when I do journal and write out my prayers for them to my great Heavenly Father who listens to our prayers.

Tommy Nelson sent me Jean Fischer’s new book I Prayed For You – and I love it. A cute board book complete with cute illustrated bears. Tells of prayers a mama can pray for her cub as he grows up. And yes, like any good mom I cried as I got to several of the prayers.

This will be a book you can treasure reading to your little one – even until he or she is 5 or 6. Treasure the time. Treasure the prayers. If you want to have a chance to win this book – leave a comment with something you pray for your children. That’s it! I will pick the winner on Wednesday.

18 Nov 2015

Jim Gaffigan on Food

by Kimberly | posted in: Books | 0

I grew up on the humor of Bill Cosby. I loved (and still do) that man. Most of his comedy on tv and his tapes was relatively clean and appropriate for most audiences. Now, I can’t say the same for his stand-up, or so I’ve heard.

Humor has a way of connecting with people that some other types of literary genres don’t. I do love to read books about food: memoirs, cookbooks, etc. And that is why I wanted this one from Blogging for Books.

What I didn’t anticipate is how funny it is – but also how damaging that was to me. I had to put it down. You see, I have sin issues with food. I eat too much, I am a glutton, I worry about what food is doing to my body – I can be totally consumed with it. So, to read a book making fun of food, of eating too much, of the problems in America that we have with food – it didn’t do my heart (or my body) any good.

And I think, in every book you read, or however you engage with culture – you have to know how to impact your heart.

And your body.

Books

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