Summer Series (Challenge) Post 1

     "School's Out for Summer!"  Tomorrow that statement will be officially true and while I am excited about summer and the time off from work, I am also a little anxious.  Why anxious?  Well, because I have been notorious for wasting my summers away.  I always have great plans and goals for my summer, but I always seem to come up short.  Well, this summer I am determined with God's help to not waste my summer, my weeks, my days and my minutes ( actually, I will probably waste some minutes :).


     Things have been pretty quiet here on my blog, but with my "Summer Series" posts I hope to change things.  Today I heard a wonderful message from David Jeremiah and in his message he talked about goal setting (how appropriate for today's post).  He said something about how the "URGENT" things of life seem to edge out the "IMPORTANT" things in life.  I really agree with what he said, as everyday I am faced with things that seem so urgent and must be done, and the important things that I know I need to do take a backseat to those other lesser things.  I don't want that to happen this summer, or ever actually.


 So here on my blog I am going to make a list of my Important Things that I need to accomplish this summer, as well as my Urgent things that I want to accomplish, but with the goal of making sure the important things get done first. 

IMPORTANT THINGS (FIRST THINGS)
-Wake up no later than a certain time everyday (I don't want to share my specific time so you won't make a judgment on if it is too late or not :)  Trust me it is early for me, as I can really sleep in...
-Read the Bible with my boys every morning  (I want my boys to develop their own personal quiet times, but I need to model it for them)
-Have my own personal "Quiet Time" with God everyday.  Goal is to make sure I do this before I start doing the other tasks or fun things of my day.  This includes prayer and bible reading or study.
-Teach and model household chores for each of my boys
-Surrender my Fear to God
-Surrender my Food Addiction to God


URGENT THINGS (SECONDARY THINGS)
-Clean and organize my bedroom (my hubby would put this on my important list :)
-Keep my house clean
-Organize, decorate, and set up my oldest son's room
-Exercise
-Spend quality time with my friends alone and with their kids
-Invite neighbors over for a BBQ
-Read some good books
-Make contact more often with my family in Florida
-Get ladies together for bible study or a ladies night


 I think I could write a few other things on my lists, but I don't want to write too much so I don't get overwhelmed.  I know that in my own strength  I won't really have a chance of accomplishing these goals, but I know if I trust in God and seek Him to help me I will be able to achieve my goals. 

SO, HERE IS WHERE I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME.  WE WON'T BE AN OFFICIAL GROUP, BUT WE CAN OFFER EACH OTHER A LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY.  LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR IMPORTANT AND URGENT THINGS ARE, AND  IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WE CAN CHECK IN AND SEE HOW EACH OTHER ARE DOING.  BLESSINGS!!!

Book Sneeze Book Review: Momaholic...

  My most recent book review is of the book "Momaholic (Crazy Confessions of a Helicopter Parent)" by Dena Higley.  To be honest I normally would not have chosen this book to review, but I was intrigued by the description of the book.  It is about a mom who was the head writer for the Soap Opera "Days of Our Lives", who has four children; one of them with autism.  Two of her children were adopted, and one of them had special needs.  So needless to say, I was curious about the story of this particular mother. 

   I did enjoy this book, and throughout the book Dena talks about her faith.  I would have loved to hear her talk more about how her faith actually helped her through her difficult circumstances.  I love how Dena was honest about her struggles as a mom and wife.  She talks about her journey of learning about her son's Autism and how she dealt with that, as well as finding out her daughter was pregnant outside of marriage and how she dealt with that as well.  She goes onto explain how all of these experiences and more, caused her to have a complete breakdown.  However, in the end she would share how things would turn around with the help of God and others He put in her life.

  One of the major themes of the book in my opinion is the idea of being a "helicopter mom", and how that can be destructive to your children. "Helicopter parenting is "the act of hovering over one's children, anticipating and meeting their every need: may or may not include cleaning up after said children, "helping" with homework, and presiding over numerous social activities: this method of childrearing is often defined by grumpy, needy children and overworked, exhausted moms: declared a national epidemic by The Association for Tired Parents" (Taken from the back of the book).  Dena shares in great detail how her own "helicopter parenting" affected her children, and how after coming to grips with what she was doing she decided to make changes.  I think she hopes that by sharing her experiences she can help other moms learn from her mistakes.  I think that is exactly what could happen when a reader reads Dena's book.

I was given this complimentary copy of this book by Book Sneeze in return for writing this review. 

 

Tyndale Book Review: "Named by God"

      My latest book review is a book from author, Kasey Van Norman titled "Named by God (overcoming your past, transforming your present, embracing your future)."   Kasey Van Norman is the founder and president of Kasey Van Norman Ministries, and is a respected Bible teacher in Texas.  I had never heard of her before, but thought the description of her book was interesting and so I wanted to review the book. 

    This book is a blend of Kasey's personal life testimony and teachings she has learned from the scriptures. As to not give away too much information from the book, it begins with Kasey sharing memories from her childhood, including a tragic and devastating experience that marked her for life.  Kasey then goes on to share how her childhood affected her future, and how that led her to a personal failure that took her life in another direction.  It would seem that all would end sadly for Kasey, but God intervened in her life in a powerful way and redeemed her to serve and live her life fully devoted to Him. 

   "In Named by God, Kasey shows what it means to find our true identity in Christ, to live the surrendered life of the redeemed, and to find life by losing it. (previous sentence taken from the back of the book)."  I did enjoy this book and I am always encouraged by reading others' personal testimonies of how they overcame life's obstacles by trusting in God.  Kasey does a great job of encouraging her readers to not give up, and she reminds them that God can use anyone, even those with tainted and dark pasts.  Just from reading her book, I can tell that she is in love with God and has dedicated her life to serving Him no matter the cost. 

    I think this would be a good book for anyone to read, especially women and those that have been hurt in their past.  This would also be a good book to read with a group of women, as it has many different topics that could be discussed in a group setting. 

 Thank you Tyndale for providing me with this complimentary copy of this book.  (I in turn agreed to post this review)

Book Sneeze Book Review: "God Loves Broken People..."

Things have been quiet here on my blog, but I am happy to start things up again by posting this book review for Book Sneeze. I have read several of Shelia Walsh's books, but this book is my favorite book of the ones she has written. The book is titled "God Loves Broken People (And Those Who Pretend They're Not) and Shelia said that if she could only write one book in her lifetime this book would be it. I think in so many ways it is because this book represents her life story the best.

The book is broken up into thirteen chapters and includes a bible study for each chapter. I love that because this book is not one that you simply read, but one that you can actually work through, and one that encourages you to read Scriptures from the Bible. As with many of the books I have read this one would be a wonderful one to do with a small group of women (men too, although I think women would relate to this book a bit better).

One quote from the book cover states, "Shelia Walsh shows how personal brokenness can open doors of intimacy with Jesus Christ that might never open in any other way." In my opinion that pretty much sums up the whole book. Shelia shares much of her own personal journey with brokenness in this book, but she also share the stories of many others who have walked the lonely painful road of brokenness as well. However, Shelia doesn't end with just the broken stories of their lives, but with how God has used the brokenness of their lives to draw them into a deeper relationship with Himself. Suffering and utter brokenness if one allows it to will usher him/her into an intimacy with Jesus that is not experienced in the happy and joyful times of life.

I feel of all the books that I have read of Shelia's that in this one she really challenges Christians to let go of ideas about how the Christian life should be one of no trials and pure happiness, but that we should instead embrace suffering and brokenness because that is what Jesus did for us. Purely because of that fact I think this book is wonderful.

This book will definitely be an encouragement to those who have lived through immense suffering or are currently in a season of suffering and brokenness. For those who are currently in a "happy" time of their lives I believe this book can be a reminder that brokenness and suffering will come to us all one day and this book may help to prepare us to have a correct response and view of suffering. This book is definitely a five star book and I would recommend it to others.

I received this book complimentary from Book Sneeze (Thomas Nelson) and in turn I am writing this review. Thanks Book Sneeze.

New Documentary "Undefeated"

Book Sneeze Book Review: I AM SECOND (Real stories. Changing Lives.)

Today's BookSneeze book review is about the new book "I Am Second" by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett. A couple of years ago I remember hearing about a movement (group) called "I Am Second". (This quote was taken directly from the I am Second website)"I am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you." Since that time the movement has grown with all kinds of people taking the pledge to put God and others first in their lives, and for them to be "second".

I was very happy to get to review this book. I absolutely love reading books about the lives of "real" people in "real" life situations. The good, bad and ugly. Well, I can tell you that is exactly what I got to read about in the new book "I Am Second". Basically, "I Am Second" is a book of personal testimonies of how real life people like you and me, and even a few "famous" people finally came to a place in their lives where they decided to put God first. The stories in this book are inspiring and encouraging. When I read them my faith is strengthened and I am reminded that my God is amazing and faithful and He can do anything!

This book is an easy read and probably can be finished in a few settings. You may find it hard to put this book down. One of the things I like about this book is that after each personal story the author lists and gives the link to other's stories that are similar to the one you would have just read. Actually, you can go the website and "watch" short video testimonies of others that are not featured in the book.

Some of the featured people in this book are Brian "Head" Welch, Josh Hamilton, Michelle Aguilar (Biggest Loser), Michael W. Smith, and Bethany Hamilton (Soul Surfer). Those are some of the "famous" people that you might know from this book, but I will tell you it was also the stories of the everyday people that got to me the most. These people share amazing stories of God's grace and His healing, transforming power. As I said before this book will definitely leave you feeling encouraged and challenged to make sure you put God first in your life.

So if you are looking for a great book to read I highly recommend "I Am Second". You will not be disappointed after reading this book. Thank you so much BookSneeze for allowing me to review this book.

(I received this book from BookSneeze complimentary and in return I must post a review)

The "What's for Dinner?" Solution Book Review

The question in my title (What's for Dinner?) is one that makes me cringe and feel guilty. You see I don't have the cooking gene, as I think it skipped a generation in my family line :) All joking aside, I do get very stressed when my husband or kids ask me "What's for dinner?" I would have to say one of the main reasons I stress is because I have not planned ahead of time, and I am realizing that a little planning can go a long way when it comes to dinner time.

You may think this post today is about my inability to pull together a good meal for dinner, but actually it is a review about a great new book from Kathi Lipp (remember the Husband Project we did on this blog?) titled, "The "What's for Dinner?" Solution (Quick, Easy, and Affordable Meals Your Family Will Love). The book is appropriately titled as it is filled with over 280 recipes that are quick, affordable and easy to make. The recipes don't call for a lot of ingredients that either you have never heard of, or are outrageously expensive.

You would think from my description that this book is just a cookbook, but it is so much more than a cookbook. If you are like me you probably don't need another cookbook :) This book is really a "how to" get organized and make a plan to get dinner on the table every night, or if you are like me at least several nights a week :) Kathi has included chapters in her book that help you with organization (recipes, tools, and pantry) and she also explains how to meal plan for 31 days. Yep, a whole month... can you believe that? Kathi explains about how to freeze meals, use a slow cooker and her LOOP method (LeftOvers On Purpose Meals).

This book can be read in one or two settings and is an easy read. Depending on your personality and lifestyle you maybe able to adapt and use every strategy in Kathi's book. However, if you are like me and get a bit overwhelmed you may not implement everything in the book, but you will definitely be able to use much of the information in the book to make your "kitchen" and "dinner" time a success for your family. I am starting slow, but am excited about the changes I can make at this time in my life.

I highly recommend this book if you are struggling with the age old question "What's for Dinner?". On the other hand, I highly recommend this book if you are the seasoned chef of your home. Everyone can benefit from reading this book.

Thank you Kathi for sharing your knowledge with us, and thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Redeeming Your Minutes (I am over at the A Martha Heart site today)

Click HERE to read my latest post at the "A Martha Heart" website. How do you spend the minutes of your day? That is what I am talking about today :) Join the conversation...

Know & Tell Friday (REVISTED)

It has been a long, long time since I have done my "Know & Tell Friday" meme...So I decided to bring it back, or at least I am going to see how it goes. I just love to ask questions, so "Know & Tell" is right up my alley.

Today's questions will relate to a recap of 2011.... If you want to participate, there are two ways to join in. You can answer all the questions right here on my blog in the comment section, or you can answer all the questions (feel free to copy and paste the questions...grab the button to if you would like) on your blog/website. If you choose the second option, please at least leave a comment on my blog directing everyone to your website so we can read your answers... Some of the questions will be light hearted and fun, and others more reflective.

Know & Tell Questions

1. What was your best beauty product of 2011? Smashbox's Limitless liquid eyeliner pen...changed my life :)

2. What was your favorite book of 2011? Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

3. What was your favorite Bible Study you completed in 2011? Stuck by Jennie Allen

4. What was your favorite Christmas gift you received or gave (or both)? Going to Florida to see my family during Christmas break

5. What was one thing that God taught you in 2011? I still am trying to work or do works to earn God's favor

6. What was one of your toughest moments of 2011? Probably overall the realization that I am still bound up in many areas...holding onto my spiritual idols

7. What Bible verse encouraged or changed you in some way in 2011? 1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

8. What was one of your biggest accomplishments in 2011? Joined a gym and physically pushed my body beyond what I thought was possible... I jumped up on a high platform :)

9. What was one of your greatest family memories of 2011? Spending 2 days at Universal Studios...

10. Spiritually speaking, what is one thing you will change in 2012? Establish and maintain a consistent Quiet time with God...Getting to know who God really is

If you stumble upon this blog, or you read it from time to time, please participate as I would love to read your answers...

Blessings

Book Review: Love Food & Live Well

How could I not want to review a book with the title "Love Food & Live Well"? I have struggled with food issues since I was a teenager and sadly most of the books I have read that have dealt with food addiction have not really helped me in the long run. Why? Because food addiction goes much deeper than simple dieting, and I know that from personal experience. Chantel Hobbs also knows this truth from personal experience and that is one reason she chose to write the book "Love Food & Live Well".

This is Chantel's third book that addresses and deals with food related issues. I actually read her first book "Never Say Diet" several years ago and I loved it. It was real eye opening and very encouraging. Her first book told about her experience of losing two hundred pounds and keeping it off. Chantel now is a fitness expert and she travels around sharing the good news about how to become a more healthy person through eating right and exercising.

One of the things that I liked about Chantel's first book was that she talked about being a woman of faith (a Christian). In her new book, "Love Food & Live Well" she goes more into detail about her relationship with Jesus and how He changed her life. As a Christian I can totally relate to how Jesus is really the key to lifelong freedom from food addiction, and Chantel lets her readers know the same thing.

Now I realize that not everyone who picks up this book will be a Christian and I believe that even if you are not a person of faith you can glean wonderful practical information about how to live a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and exercise. Chantel has included a whole section in the book with picture demonstrations of how to complete several different exercises. Also included in the book is a detailed account of the 80:20 ratio when it comes to eating. I truly believe if you follow the 80:20 plan that you can live a healthy lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight.

I highly recommend this book as it is loaded with practical helpful information on nutrition and exercise. As a Christian I love it because Chantel reminded me that if I ever am going to be truly free from food addiction it will be because I surrender control to God, and then allow Him to set me free.

Thank you Waterbrook Multanomah for this opportunity to review this book. I loved it!
(Waterbrook Multanomah provided me a complimentary copy of this book in return for this review...opinions expressed are mine).

Visit me at "AMH" (Flooded with Thankfulness)

Click HERE to read my personal story about what happened to my family this summer. It was not at all what we were wanting, but God worked it for our good.

Blessings...

Thanksgiving Thankful Thursday

I have participated in the "Thankful Thursday" meme for a long time now, but today I figured I would make my thankful list a special thankful "Thanksgiving" list today. I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, but I will limit my list to my top ten.

1. Life...that God has given me life for these past 41 years. After I turned 40 I feel like I have been more thankful for each day God blesses me with.

2. Health... I have lost two people that were close to me to cancer in the last month. I have been reminded to be thankful for each day that I am healthy.

3. My mother... Those close to me know that my mother has been so very critically ill over the last 3 years. She had 3 major surgeries, one of which was a quadruple by pass over the last 2 years. Doctors told her that she was only hours away from dying when she had a heart attack. God has given her over 2 years of life after her near death experience. She still has serious on-going health issues, but she is thanking God each day that He gives her life, and I am thankful too.

4. My husband... Over the last couple of months, I have really just appreciated what a gift I have in my husband. I have watched him allow God to work in his life and I have seen him grow and mature in his spiritual walk. He is a hard worker, a good father, and he is self-less when it comes to giving to his family. I love you Honey :)

5. My newest home-bible study group of women... Currently, I am leading a group of eight women through Jennie Allen's newest bible study "Stuck". I am so excited to see what God will and wants to do with the group of awesome sisters in Christ. I love all these women already :)

6. My boys... Parenting is super hard work, and the older my kids get I am finding out that things get even harder. However, they bring me much joy, laughter and love. God gave me these 3 boys, and He purposed that I would be their mom...what an unspeakable privilege and blessing.

7. Lord willing, I will be going to Florida with my family for Christmas. I have not seen my extended family for over a year. I can't wait to see them all.

8. My job... I absolutely love love love my job. I get to teach Pre-K kids and they are so precious, energetic and delightful. I love teaching, but I think the thing I like best about my job is working with 5 Christian women that encourage me and make me laugh my head off :)

9. My Fwend... I don't get to see her very often because she lives in New York. This year our lives have been busy and I have not got to talk with her as much as I normally have, but I know that she is always there for me. She is growing in her relationship with Jesus and it inspires me. I love you Fwend!!!

10. Jesus... I can't think of words great enough to express how thankful I am for Jesus. I know that in my daily life I often neglect and forget stop and thank Jesus for what He has done in my life. I am selfish and self absorbed, but Jesus always takes me back and reminds me of who I can be in Him. I think I am finally beginning to grasp that life is worth living because of Jesus, and that Heaven is worth going to not so much because it is Paradise, but because Jesus will be there. Jesus thank you for being patient with me and opening my eyes to Your truth. If You will it I will be blessed to discover who You are in the coming years. Thank you for giving Your life to me.

Thankful Thursday

I so enjoyed doing the "Thankful Thursday" meme a couple of weeks ago, so I am back again with my list of things I am thankful for this week.

1. I am thankful for the upcoming women's bible study that I will host in my home beginning next week. A handful of women will be joining me. (We will be doing Jennie Allen's bible study "Stuck")

2. I went to a bible conference at a small church about a week ago and I really feel like the Lord spoke to me about changes I need to make in my life. I was encouraged and challenged at the same time.

3. On the same note, I am thankful for the conference speakers that had such a love for God and His glory.

4. My hubby already raked half (30 bags) of leaves from our yard... less for me to help with :)

5. We will be getting carpet very soon. We had a flood in our basement during the summer and we have been without carpeting since.

6. McDonald's peppermint mochas :)

7. Lord willing, our family will be vacationing in Florida during Christmas. I can't wait to see my family.

8. My cousin, Chris... Her life is a testimony of loving Jesus...she inspires me.

Thanks for stopping by...what are you thankful for today?

Tyndale Book Review- "Whole"

Tyndale provided me with a complimentary copy of Lisa Whittle's newest book release,
"{W}hole", and in turn I agreed to write a review for the book. Up until this point I had never really heard of Lisa Whittle and her ministry, but the title of the book intrigued me. Basically the premise of the book is that we all have "holes" in our lives, but Jesus can make our holes "whole".

Overall, I really liked Lisa's book and I would definitely read other books of Lisa's in the future. I think my favorite part of the book is Lisa's writing style and how she writes with such authenticity. I was engaged from the very beginning of the book and for me that is when I make my decision of whether or not I can actually finish a book. Well, I finished the book.

Another thing I appreciated about Lisa was that she was very vulnerable with what she chose to share in the book. She shared personal stories about her life, including a very painful story about what happened to her father. One of the beautiful parts of the book is that you get to see how Jesus worked through those painful situations to bring healing and wholeness to Lisa and her family.

The book is broken up into 8 chapters including an introduction and conclusion chapter. The 6 chapters inbetween deal with 3 areas (religion, roles, and experiences) we can develop "holes" in
and how Jesus can make each of those areas whole. An excerpt from the back of the book reads, "In Whole, Lisa calls you to take an honest look at your holes, discover how to fill them with God's presence, and get to a real and vibrant place of wholeness instead." I could not have said it better myself.

In closing, "Whole" is a refreshing book that is full of scripture and pratical, biblical steps that readers can take in order to grow in their relationships with Jesus. You will feel encouraged and challenged to seek the "wholeness" and healing that Jesus provides. Most importantly Lisa reminds us that the most important thing in our lives, outside of our religion, roles, and experiences is that we have a solid relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus.