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Books I Completed Last Month: The Prodigal God, EntreLeadership, and Share Jesus Without Fear

February 6, 2012

 

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

This book was given to me by a friend, and I enjoyed the author's fresh perspective of the prodigal son.  What about the older brother in the story?  Keller makes a compelling case that he was just as much at fault as his younger brother, if not more so.  Is this parable really about the prodigal son, or is it about the irreligious versus the moralistic?  What of the older son's attitude when his younger brother returned home?  How does that relate to Christianity today?

This was a short book and easy read with a thought-provoking message.

 

 

EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey

This is a long book (about 300 pages) but reads well.  Ramsey gives excellent, practical advice for leading and managing your organization, including thoughts on hiring, firing, morale, vision, sales, finances, and more.  Just when you think he's covered everything, he goes on to say that there are more chapters available online for further reading.   Highly recommended!

 

 

Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay

Written by a former mafia leader and multimillionaire who came to Jesus and has a powerful testimony, you'll find this book changes everything you thought you knew about sharing the gospel.  He reminds us that it's God who converts hearts, not us.  It's our mandate to share our faith, in obedience to the Word, but He is the one who does the work.  You'll find simple, practical steps for opening conversation, asking questions, sharing the Bible, and letting others know who Jesus is to you.  Yet another book that I highly recommend!

What did you read last month?  Any books you'd like to share?

 

***Don't forget --- the Love Around the Block Facebook Party is Tuesday, February 7th!  This is the week!  If you missed the post about it, you can find out the details here.  We're going to have a wonderful time of fun and fellowship, and there will be many prizes from our generous sponsors!***

 

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January Reading Goals

January 2, 2012

image by inspiks

When I was a child, much of our quiet time in the evenings was spent playing family games or reading books. I remember spending countless hours sitting on my bedroom floor, my back flat against the sideboards of my old and very high wooden bed, with my knees drawn up and a book propped on them.  Nothing was too long or too difficult for me back then; I loved to read, and was good at it.

As a mama, I still appreciate a well-written book, but now I find myself searching out ones that will help me grow and will ultimately add value to my family or spiritual life.

In addition to my daily Bible reading and the daily devotional book God Calling, I'm hoping to read these books this month:

 

:: The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

 

:: EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey

 

:: Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay

 

Don't forget -- The Money Saving Mom's Budget by Crystal Paine will be available on the 10th of this month, too!  You can read my review of the pre-release here.

What are you reading?  Did you set any reading goals for this new year?  I'd love to hear about them!

 

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Please note that my reading of these books does not mean that I endorse everything in them, nor the authors themselves.  Everything must be read in light of the Word!

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Commit To Daily Bible Reading: 5 Tips To Begin The New Year

December 29, 2011

***Precious mamas, this is part two of what I shared here yesterday. I shared these thoughts last year and have updated them a bit; I pray they are a blessing to you. They've been on my heart as we plan and prepare for this new year.***


"The Bible was written not to be studied, but to change our lives."

- Dr. Howard Hendricks



Yesterday, I shared my heart about the importance of reading the Bible, and I asked if you'd join me in making an increased commitment to Bible reading in the new year.

Today, I'd like to share something with you that made reading the Bible from cover to cover much easier for my husband and I, and that is the 90 Day Bible:

 

The Bible in 90 Days: Cover to Cover in 12 Pages a Day (New International Version)

One year it took me four months to complete this Bible, and another year it took me six months. Some actually do complete it in the advertised 90 days, but sometimes being a mama means that days aren't perfectly planned out.

By reading only twelve pages a day, it is possible complete this entire Bible in 90 days. Most days, you can read the twelve pages in about 45 minutes time. I usually do it in the morning, but you can break it up and do six pages in the morning and six pages at night, or whatever works for you.

If you don't want to purchase the Bible, you can find a similar reading plan available here and here, and you can simply print it from your computer (for free) and use it with your own Bible.  There are also Kindle versions available here.

The objective is to read the Bible.

Some will complain that reading it through this quickly doesn't give you a chance to really study it, absorb it, meditate on it. I know. I've heard the arguments, and I beg to differ. I enjoy the "big picture" aspect of reading it through this way, and then pausing to study in more detail when I come across an intriguing passage.

Reading the Bible through, whether you're reading it in 90 days, one year, or five years, will change you. Period. You will learn and you will grow; you will become a student of the Word and not merely a spectator. You will be a participant in the Word and no longer a passive observer. You will discover firsthand the truths that He has revealed in His Word. Your spiritual life will grow and mature. You will begin to crave that special time in the Word each morning!

Five Tips To Help You Begin:

1. Choose a reading plan, and then set a time aside each day to read. Do not say that you will read here and there as you can find the time.... the time will never come.

2. Commit to waking 45 minutes earlier each morning, and set your alarm.

3. Get the coffee or tea ready the night before so it's easier to grab a cup and stumble over to the armchair.

4. Do not do a "quick" check of your email before you complete your day's reading, and don't open Facebook, either. Stay focused! No computer time until you are done!

5. If you are unable to finish your reading goal that morning (perhaps the children awoke earlier than normal), then commit to finishing the reading during naptime or just before bed. Don't put it off until the next day; it will quickly become overwhelming.

 

In twenty years, will you still be wishing you had done it? Or will you make this year the year?

I'm praying for you - I know you can do it!

 

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Filed Under: Books Worth Reading, Reading the Bible 7 Comments

Is Your Bible Dusty?

December 28, 2011
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image by smalls photography

***Precious mamas, we've been using this week to plan and set goals for the new year. This post, which I wrote and shared here last year, has been on my mind as we plan our Bible reading for 2012. Maybe you need to read it again, too?  I'll share part two tomorrow.***

"Dusty bibles lead to dirty lives."

I've heard this - read this - a dozen times or more. To me, it's one of those thoughtful, impacting little nuggets that makes reading a whole book just to stumble upon it, well... worth it.

Sometimes the book I'm reading may not be spectacular, but there's one thought in it that changes the way I think, and this is one of those thoughts. It convicts me.

Is your Bible dusty? Is is reflected in the way you live? In your relationship with Him? With others?

Ouch.

As my dear husband and I begin planning next year's Bible reading, I stumble upon this, from Dr. Hendrick's book Living by the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible:

"You see, a lot of people nowadays are making all kinds of claims about what the Bible supposedly teaches - claims that are simply not true. A closer inspection of Scripture reveals that the Bible doesn't, in fact, teach what they say it does. Likewise, there are a lot of things that the Bible does teach that many people don't even know about, because the truths are deemphasized or ignored altogether."

Dear friend, beautiful mama, do you know what the Bible teaches? Have you read it for yourself? Studied it? Poured over it?

Have you felt His love, His story in it?

Have your tears ever washed over its pages?

It is for you.

Many of us want a word from God, but not the Word of God. We may own a Bible, but the Bible does not own us, it's not in us, not in our hearts and minds.

If you were without face-to-face communications with your husband for many years, and he carefully wrote you a book out of His tremendous love for you, and you longed to be reunited with him again someday, wouldn't you read that book over and over again, savoring every sentence?

Surely you would. How could you not?

"Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." - 1 Peter 2:2

Later this week, I'll share some tips and a tool that we use in reading our Bible through, cover to cover. We've done it in years past, and plan to do it again this upcoming year.

Would you prayerfully consider reading the Bible through in 2012? Or perhaps at least one testament?

It will change you.

 

 

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*Updated to add: You can now read part two here.*

 

Also shared at Women Living Well.

Filed Under: Books Worth Reading, Reading the Bible 5 Comments

5 Christmas Books That Share the Birth of Jesus

December 13, 2011

 In our home, we try to reinforce that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. 

I especially enjoy sharing Christmas books with my children that tell the story of the birth of Jesus, but they can be surprisingly difficult to find;  I've had to become very intentional in my search.  Have you experienced this?  

On a recent trip to our local library I was shocked to find that nearly every Christmas story available shared everything but Jesus.  One story (on display, front and center) was about a Christmas witch.  Many others were about Santa, elves, reindeer, and the like.  Oh, how we are so easily distracted from what's really important --- cultivating a love for Jesus and celebrating His entrance into this world, this precious babe, God wrapped in flesh! 

If you are searching for Christmas books that share the message of Jesus, here are five your children will enjoy.  You can click on each one for more information:

 

Remember, though, that the best story of all is the one shared straight from your Bible while holding your little ones close. 

Can you add to this list?  What stories do your children enjoy during the Christmas season?  Let's see how many we can come up with.

 

Filed Under: Children's Books, Nurturing Family, Reading the Bible 4 Comments

My Thoughts on “The Money Saving Mom’s Budget”

December 5, 2011
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"The Money Saving Mom's Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year" by Crystal Paine of MoneySavingMom.com is due to be released January 10th; I was given an advance copy and am excited about sharing this fantastic book with you! 

Despite the long subtitle, you still can't begin to assume every essential principle that weaves through this transforming book.  It's a must-read.  No, it is not a complete re-packaging of the Money Saving Mom blog.  No, it is not about spending countless hours each week cutting coupons.  And no, it's not about creatively surviving on beans and rice.

When I began reading the book, I didn't really expect to learn anything new; I only expected to be encouraged in the money saving principles I've already embraced for the last 10+ years.  After all, we've already paid cash for a home, bought several vehicles with cash, and lived off a budget since before we were married. 

But then I read her first rule for financial success, "Set big goals and break them down into bite-size pieces"  and I thought to myself, "Oh, yes, we did that, too."  We DID that.  DID.  As in, past-tense. 

And then I had an epiphany: it has been awhile since we sat down and written out our financial goals.   We need to sit down and set new goals, break them down, and begin working towards them.

Thanks, Crystal.  I'd forgotten.  I'd become a bit too comfortable. 

And So It Continues

It wasn't just the first rule that impacted me, but many others as well.  Create a "time" budget so I can be more productive?  The thought never occured to me!  Price match competitor grocery sales at my local SuperTarget?  Hmm... I knew Walmart allowed that, but it's on the other side of town.  SuperTarget is just around the corner.  

As I continued through the book, I re-learned what I'd forgotten, discovered new ways to save, and, most importantly, was inspired to think creatively about our financial future.  It's not just about us or our stewardship, it's about doing more, giving more, living more. 

It's about being able to bless others, live beneath our means, and find contentment and joy in the journey.

Quotable Thoughts

"I know that many experts suggest doing fifteen minutes of clutter reduction on a daily basis for weeks or months until you've cleaned out your home.  This might work for some, but I think it's better to just get it all over within one big sweep.  You'll feel better, your house will show immediate improvement, and you won't be dragging it out for months on end."  p. 30

"Many people feel like they need a bigger home for all their stuff, but most people just need less stuff."  p. 33

"A cheerful attitude can go a long way in less than ideal situations; you can either complain about the thorns or you can savor the roses that bloom in their midst."  p. 170

"Contentment is a choice.  You can choose to be miserable in your situation or you can choose to bloom where you are planted.  You can choose to stop focusing on what you don't have and start being thankful for what you do have... it's all about perspective.  Choose to bloom where you're planted --- even if it seems like it's among thorns!"  p. 172

How Would It Change You?

It's true, I found myself moving quickly through the middle portion of the book --- the chapters dealing with creating a written budget, getting rid of plastic cards, and couponing.  I've been there, done that, and God has graciously allowed us to reap the fruits of those practices.

But, those first couple of chapters and last chapter contained wake-up calls I really needed to hear.  They shouted at me, tugged at my heart, showed me changes we needed to make in our own lives.

It's not all about budgeting and coupons.  It's about so much more.

I wonder --- if you read the book --- which chapters would tranform your thinking and the way you were living your life?

 

You can pre-order "The Money Saving Mom's Budget" here.

 

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I was given a free copy of this book in exhange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any way other than receiving the one free copy.  This post does include my Amazon.com referral link.  Read my disclosure policy here.

Filed Under: Books Worth Reading, Contentment, Frugal Living 5 Comments