VLOG: Review of Jennie Allen's book and bible study

If you are looking for a book to read, or a bible study to complete...please take a few minutes and view my video review of Jennie Allen's new book and bible study.   This definitely is not a professional video :) but it will do :)

Blogging For Books Review-When Work and Family Collide

  I received a complimentary copy of Andy Stanley's new book, "When Work and Family Collide" from the Blogging for Books website.  In turn I have to write a review.   For this book, I let my husband read and write the review because he enjoys Andy Stanley's work. 

Before I go into reviewing this book, I should start by saying that I am a very large proponent of faith in God first, then family, then work.  It was while I was on a very long business trip that I heard a message by Andy Stanley in regards to this exact subject which had a profound impact on my life at that time.  It was that impact that led me to read and review this book.

In reading this book, I thought that it reinforced a biblical principal that has been lost in our society, namely the love for, affirmation of and prioritization of family.  This book will challenge the reader to take a real honest view of where they are currently at and where they could and maybe should go.  With that being said, the theology is rock solid, which is to be expected given the background of Andy Stanley.

The pros of this reading this is that it does not cut corners.  It spells out plainly why our family breakdown has occurred so prevalently, where our commitments are truly skewed, and how we’ve fallen off course and continue with the downward spiral.  It gives practical advice on how to approach a strained work/family life balance, and what must be done to correct it.  It also offers hope to the reader through real life examples and how nothing is impossible with God in it.  Finally, it also paints a real picture of while the hope is available, there will be considerable sacrifice that will need to be made to correct it.

The cons from my perspective were few, but some do exist.  While it easy to say that one wants to get to a point of balance and the book offers points on how to get there, it fails to address enough topical information on how to best handle the trials that will surely come once the changes are made (speaking from personal experience).  Next, this book offers sound biblical truth on where we should prioritize our time, but for most people who do not have deep rooted faith, a lot of the challenges listed may prove not only discouraging, but impossible, and could leave the reader feeling more lost after reading this than from when they first started.  Finally, while well written, it tends to belabor a lot of points over the course of the book as a whole when the information could have been easily disseminated over a select few chapters.

In conclusion, this book is well written and has sound advice for what is clearly a lost generation(s) as it pertains to work and family balance.  It offers true hope for so many that are caught in the worlds view of success, namely as it is viewed in the workplace.  While the encouragement is real, it will take a strong individual and a family communicating together and being on the same page to incorporate the change.  I would recommend it as a strong reading, but I believe the reader will have to have at minimum an advancing faith to truly incorporate the challenges that lie within the pages.

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.

A Must See Video

I posted a link to this Video on my Facebook, but wanted to post it here too. About a week ago, I was listening to "Revive Our Hearts" radio program with Nancy Leigh DeMoss (I love this radio program). Nancy's guest that day was Rachel Barkey. Rachel Barkey had terminal cancer and she was dying. Rachel was a young mom in her mid thirties with 2 young children (husband too), and one of the last things she did was give a talk about what she learned through this whole experience.

It was heartbreaking to watch the video, but in the middle of all the pain Rachel shared about her relationship with Jesus, and how he had changed her life. I was challenged and encouraged by her testimony, and I actually made a change in my attitude that day in regards to my children and husband because of what Rachel shared.

I know we are all busy, but you will not regret one bit watching this video. Click on this link here, and you will be directed to the homepage. The video is right on the homepage for anyone to view. Come back and let me know if you watch the video and tell me what you thought about it. (FYI: The website is www.deathisnotdying.com)

Are you up for a Challenge?

Hey Dear Bloggy Friends...

I have fallen a little short with my "Movie Monday" posts as of late, but I will soon pick that up again. I have seen some really good Christian movies, and would like to share that information with whomever would like to read it :)

But onto the reason for today's post. Last week I was listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss on her Revive our Hearts Radio program. She had a guest on the show (Janet Pope) that had memorized 14 books of the Bible and over 100 specific chapters in various books of the Bible (that info is what I remember...not exact numbers). I was so inspired listening to Janet's story, and as her interview went on I could tell the effect that memorizing scripture has had on her life. The Word of God was truly living in her heart and had changed the way she lived.

It was so beautiful and amazing when Nancy asked Janet if should would quote certain chapters from the Bible. I don't even think Janet knew that Nancy was going to ask her to quote the chapters that she had learned from memory. I loved sitting there listening to Janet read..no not read... quote God's Word from her heart.

Last week's radio shows challenged me to do the same thing Janet did. The challenge is overwhelming and seems impossible for me, since my memory is not at good as it used be... I wondered how I would even be able to retain entire books of the Bible from memory, but I serve a miracle working God and all I can do is to step out and try. Well, Nancy's ministry had a challenge to memorize the entire book of Philippians (4 chapters) by the end of the year (I think it is by the end of the year), so I decided to take the challenge. Not only did I decide to take the challenge, but I asked my best friend is she wanted to memorize the book of Philippians with me, and she was more than happy to join me in this task :)

My friend and I are well on our way to memorizing chapter one of Philippians. It has been such a blessing to try to memorize God's Word in this way (whole passages). I am praying that what I memorize will stick with me, and not fade away...more than that I am praying that God's Word will truly work its way into my heart, and then change my heart. I don't want to memorize God's Word, just to say I memorized it. I want it to change my life, and you know what... I think it will.

So is anyone out there in blogville up for the challenge of memorizing whole books of the Bible, or individual chapters? Let me know, so I can encourage you as you embark on this wonderful adventure. In Hebrews, God tells us that His Word is living and active... I sure do want His Word to be alive and active in my heart...Do you?

(Janet Pope has a book that she wrote to help you memorize scripture... I will be getting it soon. I think the title is "His Word in My Heart")

A Powerful Message by Francis Chan

I know that 40 minutes maybe time you feel like you don't have, but I tell you if you watch this video you will not be wasting your time. A friend told me to watch this video and I did last night. This message was not one that was easy to hear, but it meant so much to me. I need to make some changes in my life.

If you do watch this video, I would love to hear your thoughts on it... Blessings...

I bought it...

Today, I went to my local "Family Christian" store and bought my copy of "Travis Cottrell (Jesus Saves) Live. So many of the "Siestas" and some of my blogger buddies were at the actual taping for this CD.

OK, "Jesus Saves" is probably my favorite song on the CD...at least for now :) The cool thing is if you buy the CD there is a bonus DVD that comes with the CD. The full DVD will be released in September of the whole taping of the live event. (I tried to see if I saw any of my Siesta girls :)

Visit www.traviscottrell.com to get more information about the CD...

Blessings

Eye Candy...

I have recently discovered this cute little store called, "Eye Candy by Brandy". They make custom T-shirts (and a few other items). After attending a Kindergarten night with my youngest about a month ago, I decided that I wanted "ECbB" to make a shirt for me as a teacher of Pre-K students. That night I noticed that the Kindergarten teachers were all wearing black Tees with the words "Kindergarten Rocks (with a guitar on the shirt)"... Well, I didn't want to copy so a friend and I came up with this saying and design... The picture doesn't do it justice...it is so sparkly...blingy :)

I think now I may end up having myself a little Eye Candy collection :)