Marriage Monday - Everyday is Valentine's Day

In all seriousness I think Valentine's Day is a wicked holiday that is used to raise expectations too high. If we are honest with ourselves we do really want a prince who will sweep us off our feet and come to our rescue, white horse and all. Cinderella ruined us for this. But she did not have to do much work. We were made with that hole in us that desires this, however, the place we get tripped up is we look to a man to fill this. This is not okay. Ladies, let's let our men off the hook here, okay?

The reason I say this is because no man can ever fill that hole. No man was ever meant too. The only way that hole can be filled is by giving that place to Jesus. He is the only one who can fill that empty space. He is the only one who can be that Savior. He is the only one who can be that Prince. He is the only one who can truly sweep us off our feet white horse and all! That is His to fill.

With all that said, I need to say that I am guilty a lot of the time by holding expectations that are too high for my husband to fill. Expectations that he is not meant to fill. I have a great man who loves me unconditionally. He loves me well, takes care of me, calms me, builds me up in God's word, speaks Scripture over me, and prays for me. There is no better thing than that. That is how we make everyday great. We love one another deeply in the mundane things in life. We spurn one another on toward the gospel of Jesus Christ. We let Jesus fill that hole that the other cannot and was not meant to fill. We walk it out this way and that is what love in action looks like. It is not a one day thing but an everyday thing.

To see what others are saying go to E-mom's blog here.

The Gospels - Just Give Me Jesus

I have been studying the gospels lately. God has me reflecting on Jesus. I am a huge old testament fan. I love how those Scriptures all point us to Jesus. But I have been in a season of looking around at others and comparing myself. "Am I good enough?" is the question that plagues me way too often. God sweetly and patiently guides me back to Jesus. He tells me that Jesus is the only one I need to look to. So I am studying and really loving Jesus even more because of it.

I started with the book of John. I love that he is the "love" guy. The disciple that Jesus loved. :) That just makes me smile. I love his style of writing and how personal the words are. Love his look at Jesus. Now I am in Matthew. Really liking his style as well. Getting some great stuff out of it. Learning to be more focused on Jesus. Lord, make me hold your gaze alone is my prayer.

Also, I am doing a great study over at Dee Brestin's blog. Join in if you want because it is AMAZING! www.deebrestin.com/blog. Right now we are learning to pray through the Psalms. Great stuff here and you can just pick up where you join in. You will love it. Dee has been a great mentor in my life. Her book "Falling in Love with Jesus" was used by God to really change my life. Good stuff.

What are you studying? I would love to know. Iron sharpens Iron.

Homeschool Snow Days

My poor children. They have missed tons of school cancellations because we homeschool and do not need to take snow days! We have had so much snow that the public schools have been out tons of times this school year.

As a homeschool family, this is just the norm. We don't break for many things. We live a life of learning so even on vacation you can expect us to be in some sort of school. We love learning. No matter how you school your children we should all live this way. Live a lifestyle of learning.

Yikes, Is It Possible to Walk In the Spirit at Walmart?

So today we were really having to be creative in food choices. Things that were against us were being snowed in for several days, waiting to get paid, and lack of convenience. We were really scraping the bottom of everything so grocery shopping was a must! We decided to get out and do it as a family today since it was still icy on our hills I really preferred my man driving us.

I checked out my favorite store's site for sales and they were not having any great ones and us being desperate for groceries knew we only had one choice then - to go to Walmart. WALMART. I swear that this place brings out the worse in all of us. We avoid it at all costs if possible. I am so sorry Walmart but I just cannot take it there.

I prayed before I went in but it was over crowded (because everyone else probably needed groceries) and busy coupled with tight isles makes a no fun run for my kiddos. They are hit with the bad attitude of Walmart too for some reason. Maybe it is just that they follow after me. I try to just be quiet in this mess but it is so hard. I blow it. I am not a good witness at Walmart, maybe that is why I despise it so. I leave saving the family some money if we truly constrain ourselves from the overabundance there. It is hard to be content with what we have when everything there is screaming, BUY ME!

It is a true test of my faith. Can I really stay surrendered to the Spirit when this place is so filled with the cravings of my flesh. Yelling at people, demanding my rights, falling into the it is all about me syndrome and those are just a few vices I face here. It feeds into my materialism, pride, among other things. It is hard to put yourself in a place like that and still not fall. That is why I tend to stay away from it. It may have been better just to spend a bit more money and shop in peace and in the Spirit. Who knows? The Walmart beast wins again but I am an overcomer and one day I know that the victory will be mine.

Tea with Hezbollah by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis

I was provided with a free copy of this book by the publisher for the purpose of review.

Tea with Hezbollah was a very interesting read. I was certainly surprised at how little I really know about the middle east. I found this book to be very informative including even a glossary in the back describing important people and things discussed in the book. That aid was nice because it further explained who certain people groups were or what certain words meant that are foreign to the everyday reader. I however wish I knew it was there before I finished the book.

This book was interesting because it addresses the question of "Can we or do we know how to love our neighbor as our self?" So, going to the middle east and speaking to some of our perceived enemies was the objective in seeking an answer to this question. Due to the very real issue of terrorism in our world I found this concept to be a great idea.

If you are interested in putting a face to others in the middle east and their personal thoughts about life and America and if we can indeed keep with Jesus teaching on love then you need to read this book. It is interesting to me to get a glimpse at peoples thoughts on this very subjects. I think these interviews will be found interesting to all.

To get a copy of the book from the publisher go here.
To get a copy from Amazon go here.

Confessions of a Former Mean Girl - Living With Purpose

Hey all! I am over at Radical Revolution today.

“We’ve come a long way, God,” is all I could think as I watched the home video of my fifteenth birthday. I could not believe my horrendous attitude. I thought I had arrived at perfection and the world revolved around me. I am not opposed to birthday party fun or a birthday girl being treated like a queen. However, Read more

The Male Factor by Shaunti Feldhahn

The Male Factor was provided to me free of charge by the publisher for this review.

This book has been an eye opening book just as the author's previous book for women entitled, "For Women Only." Men are truly wired completely different from women. It would be wise for us as women to understand those differences so we will be more effective communicators.

Shaunti again addresses those issues that are backed by research that will surprise us as women. This book is a helpful read for any woman who is working with men. I think that means it would be helpful for all of us. It amazes me that God purposely wired our brains the way He did. Men and woman can greatly compliment one another if they just learn to understand how to best work together. As approaching someone from another culture this book helps woman with that as they approach men appropriately.

I cannot say enough about how important this research is for woman to understand in relating to the opposite sex. Women, take the time to understand men. Don't assume they will react and respond the same way we do. As we are commanded as believers to love one another, I believe this book will help aid in that. Just as For Women Only did.

To see some interesting facts and research about this book go here.
To get a copy from the publisher go here.

Pure Pleasure by Gary Thomas

Zondervan and the blog tour spot has provided me with a free copy of this book for review.

Being a person of the melancholy personality, I found this book very enlightening. I do often need to learn to lighten up in many situations. However, there are others with opposite personalities who may need to lighten down-if that is even a proper phrase. This book addresses both and brings enjoying life into a proper balance.

God made us to enjoy the great things He created. There is no reason to feel guilty about that. There are extremes that we can take though on either end that are not what God intended. Pure pleasure speaks of maintaining balance in this. It was a breath of fresh air to me because I need to hear from time to time that it is okay to stop and smell the roses or enjoy my cafe mocha. However, there is a balance even to that and in finding that we will live healthy and holy lives in the Lord.

Pleasures can be taken in good and bad directions. We must learn to keep these in the proper boundaries that God intended them for and enjoy them in that context. Are you one of those who walk around feeling bad about feeling good? If so this is a must read for you.

To learn more about Gary Thomas go here.
To purchase a copy of this book from Amazon go here.
To purchase from the publisher go here.

Nurturing Creativity Conference Jan. 25-29

This will be an exciting conference with great speakers that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Join us and register today.

How to Reach Your Full Potential for God by Charles Stanley

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Stanley's book is about living your life doing the things that God has called you to do. It is a very practical book with helpful suggestions and tips on how to walk it out.

This book was not any real new information to me but a very good book to remind and encourage me to stay the course. If you are living your life in a way that is not steady this book will really help you to travel the right path.

God has called each of us to do certain things and we do not reach our full potential for Him and what we were created for if we lose sight of this. Picking this book up would help you discover those things and how to be certain you are traveling the right road. It will help you live a life of satisfaction no matter your circumstances because it puts you right in the center of God's will and that is the best way to live.

To purchase a copy of this book from the publisher go here.
To purchase a copy of this book from Amazon go here.
To see other reviews go here.

Radical Revolution - You Have Purpose

Hey all. I am over here today.