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

Prayers for Our Children

My sister, Marsha, posted this on her blog today. I think this is a great way to pray for our children and so I wanted to share it with my readers as well!

That Jesus will call them and no one will hinder them from coming.
"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.' And he laid his hands on them and went away." Matthew 19:13-15

That they will respond in faith to Jesus' faithful, persistent call.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

That they will experience sanctification through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and will increasingly desire to fulfill the greatest commandments.
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39

That they will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

That their thoughts will be pure.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

That their hearts will be stirred to give generously to the Lord's work.
"All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord." Exodus 35:29

That when the time is right, they will GO!
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20

Shake it all around...Share God's commands

Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Ok, I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things. Having vacations, a sick baby, and now a whiny teething baby is not making things easy, but I know God can help me through it! He has definitely helped me through worse before!

Today, I want to encourage everyone reading this to "Shake it all around" this week! We need to be sharing God's commands and his love to everyone we see. Everyone needs to know that God is with them "to the very end of the age". In these trying economic times many people are looking for some kind of change in their lives or just someone to tell them things will get better. We as Christians should be the ones out there helping others in whatever way we can. Some of you help by donating money or food to those that need it while others lend an ear to those that just need someone to talk to. Even simple things, the "common courtesy" things like smiling at someone or holding a door for someone can make their day better.

I'd like to challenge everyone reading this to invite 2 (or more!) people to church this week. This is where I struggle the most. I like to help people and do the common courtesy type things whenever I can, but when it comes to inviting people to church or really sharing my faith I start to argue with God and tell him that there must be someone better than me to do it. I know I'm not the only one that struggles with this, so I'm hoping that this challenge will help others share God's word as well as me. If you have any helpful suggestions for getting over this "I'm not good enough to do this" problem I have let me know!

Without Ceasing?

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted. I've been trying to spend more time with family lately, and I'm finding it harder to balance my time, but I'm trying and with God's help I'll find a way to do it!

Everyone has heard to "pray without ceasing" but how many of us actually do this? Over the past 2 weeks, I just haven't been feeling myself so I have have been desperately trying to pray without ceasing. When you have a child, pets, spouse, and other family duties that all need your attention also it can be very hard. I find myself starting a prayer and then getting distracted way too often. Even when in church I'll occasionally find myself thinking about what to do for lunch, etc.

When I find myself completely unable to concentrate, I just pray one simple prayer over and over..."God, help me." He knows what I need. He knows when I need it. And I know He can help me!


So this week...Shake it for the Lord...without ceasing!

Shake it down...Fall down and worship

Matthew 4:9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

This one seems very self-explanatory I know, but so many of us get caught up in the "stuff" of our everyday lives that we forget to do this! It's easy to remember to do this in hard times or when prayers are answered, but we should be doing this ALL the time just as we should be praying without ceasing!

My birthday was last week, so I used the whole week to spend extra time with my family. God showed me that I have A LOT to be thankful for and I realized that I need to start praising God and worshiping him more in my everyday life. If I start now, it will be so much easier to teach Sydney (my 7 month old daughter) that we don't have to wait until church Sunday morning to worship.

Think about all of the things you have to praise and worship God for and just do it! Ricky's blood cell count is in the normal range now, he will be able to see Sydney again this weekend, my nephew is turning a year old, and those are just a few of my praises this week!

So shake it down this week!

Shake it up - Change your life!!

Ezekial 36:26-27 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

Life-changing...there are so many thing that could fall under this category...having a baby, getting married, life-long illnesses, but the main one that comes to my mind is the decision to follow Christ in your everyday life. This one is probably one of the harder ones to continually follow-through on. Once you get married or have a baby or find out you have a long-term illness, you're basically "stuck" with it. You don't wake up every morning and decide to keep the baby or spouse or illness. It's there, no decision to make other than change your life and continue living! You do have to wake up every morning and decide whether or not to follow Christ. Only you can decide whether or not you want to live for Christ and only you can show everyone around you who you are living for!

Knowing WHO we are living for can help us make many changes in our lives. My mom would always tell my little sister "you can make it a good day or a bad day." This is so true for everyone. We know the ending to our story, and if we are living for Christ then we know it's a happy ending. So why would we choose anything other than a good day? Just because small things go wrong doesn't mean we can't continue to have a good day. If you have a child, then you know things rarely go as planned. Things happen, but with Christ on our side, we can choose to have a good day anyway.

So, tomorrow morning when you wake up, expect to be shaken up...life is always changing. Tell yourself you are going to have a good day because you've made the biggest change already - to live your life for the Lord!

Shake it off!!

Mathew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

"Don't worry"...If you're like me, then you hear this a lot. This is a big problem for me. I come from a family of worry-ers (my husband will tell you that one), so it’s not easy for me to “just not worry about it” like everyone says. I know that God is in control and I’m not, but sometimes I can’t help but worry about things.

Since my daughter was born 6 months ago, we decided I should stay home with her (which in itself was a big leap of faith). Yes we have enough money, but barely. Which is where the worrying starts. No, we haven’t been so broke we couldn’t afford the necessities. We have had to give up some of the “extra” things like eating out, taking vacations, buying new clothes, and other things like that…but you know what? It hasn’t killed us! Actually, it has been really good for us! We stay home and have more family time or we go visit other family members nearby.

I recently read a book called “Momma’s Guide to Thriving on One Income” by Kimberly Eddy and it discusses the worry issue. I really suggest this book for the mom’s out there, especially if you plan to stay at home! It really helped put into perspective all of the things I have that I take for granted. It was one of the eye-openers that helped me start this blog. It showed me that God doesn’t say anywhere in the Bible that we are going to have an easy life in a big house with a white picket fence (AKA the “American dream”). God doesn’t promise us 2 cars for every family, new clothes, a washing machine, or a dishwasher. He DOES say that he will provide our needs if we just put our faith and trust in him! I’m learning to do that, and so far I’m doing ok! I just tell myself everyday to “shake it off” and leave it to God in prayer.

When I first found out that my step-dad, Ricky, had leukemia I immediately started praying. I knew there was nothing else I could do about it. Oddly enough, when I finished my prayer I wasn’t worried. Well, I was a little worried, but I wasn’t dwelling on it (which is still a HUGE step for me). Every time I start to get worried about it I just say a little prayer and ask God to help me “shake it off”. I’m learning that all I can do is pray and “shake it off” and that’s what I do. I’m not perfect, I still worry about things…but I’m trying and I think that’s all God expects us to do….Just TRY.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and just remember to SHAKE IT OFF!

Shake it for the Lord!

2 Samuel 6:14 "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might..."

This is the verse that helps to explain what “Shake it for the Lord” really means. No matter what is going on in my life, be it good or bad, I can always put away my own thoughts and worries and dance and pray before the Lord. If it was good enough when David did it, then I’m sure it will be good enough when I do it!

I’m not a good dancer by any means, but when I’m having a good day I like to dance around and sing and let others know it! When I’m having a bad day, I can dance around and act silly and suddenly things don’t seem quite so bad (it helps that I usually get a smile or a laugh from my 6 month old daughter when I do it).

God blesses us with so many things each day, and we should thank Him and praise Him for those things…and when I praise Him, I like to show Him how thankful I am for the days I have been given with my family here on earth.

So, however you want to do it today…show Him your praise! Sing at the top of your lungs on the way to work or while playing with your kids (kids almost always like to sing loud!) or dance while you pray…just make sure you are praising the Lord!

And when you wake up every morning just remember to Shake it for the one that made you!

Welcome!!

Welcome to my new blog! God has laid it on my heart to start a devotional journal type blog on here to share my thoughts with others and have others share their thoughts as well…so feel free to comment and share your thoughts or prayer requests!

I guess you’re wondering (or maybe not?) how the idea came to me…well I was taking a nap one day (I have a 6 month old—I’m allowed to nap!) and I had a dream about an uplifting real-life devotional journal type blog. The name came in my dream, along with the names explanation (which will come in the next few posts).

When I woke up, I wasn’t sure if God wanted me to do the website or if it was one of those crazy creative dreams that comes from lack of sleep. Well I followed my heart and pulled out my bible and found bible verses to go along with what the name and explanations meant to me. I think God knew I was going to need an “escape” to share what is going on in my life, so he gave me this.

Two days after I had the dream about the blog, we found out my step-dad has chronic myelogenous leukemia. This came as a complete shock to my whole family, and it really hit me hard because my step-dad has kind of been my rock ever since I have known him. So now I am starting my “escape” and I hope you all enjoy it and find it helpful as well!

Oh, and you may be asking what “Shake it for the Lord” means? Well, you’ll have to wait for my next post to find out the answer to that one!!