Plan B by Pete Wilson - Book Review

I received “Plan B” by Pete Wilson from Booksneeze to review. I think “Plan B” has a good topic and is good small group discussion material. Wilson seems to speak from experience – both personal and as a counselor and friend. The book would be a valuable tool for all Christians, but especially those that are currently going through a plan B scenario (job loss, financial struggles, marriage problems, etc). Wilson doesn’t necessarily give you the answers to your problems, but he does offer Biblical and real-life stories to guide you through those tough times.

The tone of the book is very conversational. It is easy to follow and understand. Sometimes the author is a little repetitive, but sometimes it helps to hammer home the message he is trying to get across. He gave slightly differing ideas on a similar topic, which could be a little confusing (or maybe it was just me getting confused). I like the study guide in the book. I think it will really help with small study groups, but helpful even for personal insights.

All in all, I think it is an insightful book that speaks plainly about God’s love, especially in times of trouble.

The Map: The Way of All Great Men Review

I was given a complimentary copy of “The Map” by David Murrow from Thomas Nelson Publishing to read and review. Having grown up in church, I was extremely interested to see what “map” Murrow had found in the book of Matthew. I am always looking for more information that will help me better myself, and the subtitle “The Way of All Great Men” sounded promising.

The book starts out as a fictional story that tells how the map was discovered. The author goes from his nice, quiet home in Alaska to a monastery in Greece. His adventure takes him around the world on an unbelievable adventure where he meets several unique individuals, some of which are from different Christian backgrounds.

In the second half of “The Map” the author explains the map (found in the book of Matthew) in further detail and offers guidance on how to follow its journeys. He uses biblical passages in conjunction with his explanations. He also uses some great men of the Bible to show how the map has helped them in becoming great men.

“The Map” was a very interesting and easy-to-read book (I read it in two days). It is a thought-provoking book without being overly intellectual. In saying that, I mean that you do not have to be a Bible scholar, but any “average” man could read and relate with the book. I do suggest reading the book of Matthew after reading the book to further understand the map Murrow speaks of. Overall, I feel that any man that strives to better himself through a relationship with God would benefit from reading this book.

Guest Post by: Kyle

Mom’s Bible: God’s Wisdom for Mothers, NCV

I recently received the ‘Mom’s Bible: God’s Wisdom for Mothers” from Thomas Nelson Publishing. The bible is written in NCV (New Century Version) and is a companion bible with helpful commentary such as subheadings and footnotes. It even includes a “Frequently Asked Questions” section in the back geared toward the questions children normally ask their parents.

When first reading though Philippians (my favorite book of the bible), it didn’t seem much different than the New International Version to me. It was very easy for me to read and understand. I really enjoyed the introduction commentary before each book of the bible. It was very helpful to me in understanding where the writer was coming from. The footnotes and insights were a great addition for studying the bible. They were geared toward mom’s and their problems and worries and such, which I found helpful and interesting.

The “Frequently Asked Questions” section immediately caught my husband’s eye when he picked up the bible. He started reading through them and said that they helped answer some questions he has always had. I started reading through them, and they are definitely questions I have asked or heard other kids ask at some point in their lives. The questions range from, “How did we get the bible if it was written so long ago?” to “Did Jesus go to school?” The answers refer back to scripture and give pretty good answers. I enjoyed reading through them so hopefully I will be prepared when my little one starts asking these questions.

I really enjoyed this bible as a study bible, and my favorite part was definitely the FAQs in the back of the bible. I think this bible would make a great gift to a mom in your life!

Master Plan

It’s no big secret that I like to have things planned out and organized. I need to know what’s going to happen and when so that I feel like I have control over some aspect of life. But part of the problem is that in all actuality I have absolutely no control. Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just me?

I have been working on my need for control…and it has gotten a little better (when you have a small child, you realize that you can’t control a lot of things…like getting somewhere on time). Things just don’t always work out like we plan them (I’ve always been told that “that’s life”). So should we stop planning things? I don’t think so! I think my family would be under a lot of stress if I didn’t plan things out. But I do think we need to learn to trust God’s plan instead of our own, after all, He holds the Master Plan.

So, I’ve decided that I’m going to start praying specifically for God to help me see (and follow) the Master Plan. Sometimes, I feel like I’m asking Him to share His biggest secret with me! I think He wants us to see the Master Plan, but our human minds just can’t comprehend the “big picture” (as my teacher in high school, Mrs. Reich always called it). I am confident that God is willing to share anything we ask for, but we have to be open to receiving it!

On a side note, Ricky’s last doctor appointment went well. No bad news, but no good news either. He will go back in 3 months to have his bloodwork done again. Also, our church youth group is getting ready for their Discovery weekend in February and looking for a lot of help. Kyle and I prayed about it and decided to allow 3 senior high students to spend the night with us the 2 nights of Discovery. Please pray for all of the kids attending and all of the people helping out so that these kids will see God move in their lives!

When you fall...Get up!

I'm a...
busy mom
wife
house cleaner
home organizer
grocery shopper
cook
friend
But most of all...sometimes I'm a procrastinator...which has shown on my blog over the past 3 months. I put it off for a day, which turns into a week, then a month, and before I realize it 3 months have past with no post!

I'm working on my next post now!!! But I wanted to leave you all with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by Superchick. Anytime I feel like I'm not good enough-this song shows me that we have to try in order to fail...so when I fail (so many times) at least I know I've tried!

"Get Up"

I'm not afraid to fall
it means i climbed up high
to fall is not to fail
you fail when you don't try
not afraid to fall
i might just learn to fly and
i will spread these wings of mine

[Chorus:]
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again
We'll just jump and see, even if it's the 20th time
we'll just jump and see if we can fly

I'm not afraid to fall
and here i told you so
don't want to rock the boat
but i just had to know
just a greener side
or can i touch the sky
but either way i will have tried

If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again
We'll just jump and see, even if it's the 30th time
we'll just jump and see if we can fly

i'm not afraid to fall
I've fallen many times
they laughed when i fell down
but i have dared to climb
I'm not afraid to fall
i know i'll fall again
but i can win this in the end

If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again
We'll just jump and see, even if it's the 40th time
we'll just jump and see if we can fly

If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again