Girl defined

Girl defined, by Kristen Clark and Bethany Baird. Well. I'm not sure how to write this review. I haven't ever come across a book I was so opposed to. This book in my opinion is nothing more than a traditional conservative view of women that plaques the church. I'm really not a fan of girl defined ministries, I find their views of women rooted in tradition rather than revelation from God. As much as they feel their view on women is a biblical one it seems that they've forgotten of all the women in the Bible rebelled against the social "norm" for women. For example: Mary carrying Jesus despite the great risk to her reputation and life, Rahab who hid spies and again risked her life! Dorcas who was called a disciple in acts going against the social norm for the times! I could go on and on, but rather the vast majority of "femininity" books want to focus on modesty and how to help men. I'm sorry but the idea that women should fit into this idea of womenhood is not scriptural and especially damaging to those who don't fit the mold. I wouldn't recommend this book unless the goal is oppressing women in the church more than they already are.  

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

5 Things every parent needs to know about their kids and sex

5 things every parent needs to know about their kids and sex, by Anne Marie Miller.  I am a firm believer of speaking to your children about sex, especially since we can give a Godly influence to it where as the public school system can't. My rule is to teach it at home before they teach it at school. There are just too many studies done that show us how speaking with our kids about sex helps protect them from abuse! So when this book was offered I knew I would want to read it because seriously we can all use as much help as we can get! And this book has so much advice or speaking with your children about sex! She gives practical advice on age appropriate talks. At this time in our world we also need to address the issue of pornography with kids and this is one of the few parenting books I've come across that deals with it! This is a must have resource for teaching children! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Finding God in the hard times

Find God in the hard times: choosing to trust, hope, and worship when you can't see the way. By Matt and Beth Redman.  I'm pretty sure everyone has heard the song by Matt Redman "blessed be your name", it's sang so often in church! This book's chapters are based off of the lines in the song. With such a powerful song, you have to know the book will be even so much better! Matt and Beth understand that we all have times of mountain top experiences with God, but we also have a fair share of time where we struggle in our relationship! It's a hard thing to do to get what you know in your head is true about God into your heart! The greatest thing of all, they point us back to the highest authority on this! The Bible! How good God is, how kind He is to us, how he wants to give to us, etc. This is a book I will read over and over again! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Think and eat yourself smart

Think and eat yourself smart, by Dr. Caroline Leaf. In all honesty I really wasn't interested on getting a book on eating and healthy habits. There's just so many of them out there, but what drew me to this book was the author! I have heard many great things about Dr. Caroline leaf and what she teaches on the brain and thinking habits etc, that I really wanted to read this one too. I really wasn't disappointed. I know our family needs to make changes, but the how part is really hard to start with. Dr. Leaf gives us the why we should eat healthier and what it does to our bodies when we don't. There's great tips about eating what's local so that you know what's in it (GMO), although that's a bit harder here in central Canada when our growing season is on,y a few months! But definitely a good book backed up with good facts and bible! 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Loving my actual life

Loving my actual life, by an experiment in relishing what's right in front of me. By Alexandra Kuykendall. In this book we hear lessons learned about loving the life we have rather than the one we wish we had. Treasuring the noise and the chaos, living in the moment, etc. There are so many valuable lessons in this book! I have used them all so many times. Technology time outs is one I've been making an effort with. But my absolute favourite has to be breathe prayers! Such a great tool! When life brings trouble or grief etc, we can use these breathe prayers. So simple and so effective. I know I love being busy, as a mom of four there's a lot to do in this house, but I also find myself wishing for more, feeling like I should be further ahead than where I am, etc. But what I really need is to love what's right in front of me. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin communications, inc. 

You're loved no matter what

You're loved no matter what, by Holly Gerth. This is the third book by Holly Gerth that I've had the pleasure to read. She's a wonderful author and life coach. In this book we hear about how we are so pressured by society, peers, church, etc. to reach some level of perfection. Yet that's the opposite of the grace that God offers us. I love the comparison she made about Eve and us, when Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil to become more like God. How we now try as women to achieve perfectionism or at least the appearance of it in our lives and how that's not so differnt than Eve's goal in the garden. We need to learn to embrace how God created us, to learn to extend grace to ourselves and others. Christ died for us and loves us, no matter what, no matter what we achieve or don't achieve. We don't earn His love, it's already available to us exactly as we are. 

    What a great and timely message for women! There is such a pull as women to get it all right, the heated debates about working moms vs. stay at home moms, is the house clean, etc. women are more than a wife, mother, and a clean house. They are daughters of the living king, with value that's all their own, not related to being a mom or a wife. It's time that women realize who they are in Christ!

     Great book! I'd definitely recommend it! 

Book was recieved in exchange for an honest review.  

Anna's crossing

Anna's crossing, by Suzanne woods fisher. Anna's people are making the long ship ride from Germany to America in hopes of leaving the persecution their people recieved behind. Anna is hesitant to go, not wanting to leave her home, but also wanting to make sure her people arrive safely in America. So they set off for America, crammed on to a ship that is holding far more people than it should. It's on this ship that Anna meets Bairn, drawn to him for some reason. Bairn grew up on ships after being orphaned as a child, he resents the "peculiar"people and the faith they represent. Yet there's something about Anna that draws him to her, he finds himself caring for her but knowing that since she's Amish and he is not, they could never be together. Fighting for survival and fighting to be kept safe from those on the ship we travel with Anna across the ocean. 

     I loved loved loved this book!!! Suzanne fisher is one of my favourite authors! This book was wonderful! She did her research on actual events to improve the storyline. It's so well written and so capturing! A great novel that I'd absolutely recommend!

Book was recieved in exchange of an honest review.