Courageous Reviews!

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Lynn

Oftentimes I am asked to participate in reviewing and/or participating in a blog tour that promotes some great authors and their books.  Regular readers of Journey Thoughts will know of the many Christian authors I have had the pleasure of interviewing over these past two years, and I hope many of you would have read some of their books.  I post my reviews on Amazon.  Most recently, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the “Courageous” books – books that were inspired by the movie, “Courageous”.  I gave 5 Star reviews for all the books!  I am reposting my reviews of the books here today, but you can read those and many more of my book reviews on Amazon or Goodreads.  At the end of today’s posting all my readers can print off a coupon to get $5.00 off the “Courageous” movie available on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 17th, 2012.  ENJOY!

My review of Courageous Living: Dare to Take a Stand – Michael Catt

“In the new film COURAGEOUS (from the makers of Fireproof), four police officers are confident and focused when it comes tofacing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.

Because it is important to take a faithful, fearless stand in so many areas of life, pastor and COURAGEOUS executive producer Michael Catt offers Courageous Living as a closer look at biblical themes and characters that inspired the greatly anticipated movie. Catt brings fresh insight to “stories of people in the Bible who displayed great courage when it would have been easier to play it safe… (who) challenge me to keep moving forward. They demand that I examine my priorities and deal with anything that brings fear to my heart.”

Readers will catch a new wind of bravery in the bold accounts of Abraham (“The Courage to Get Going”), Nehemiah (“The Courage to Face Criticism”), and Ruth (“The Courage to Face an Uncertain Future”). There are also growth opportunities in the stirring stories of Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Daniel, Gideon, Nehemiah, Stephen, and Paul and Timothy.”

I read this book in just a couple of hours. Fast paced and a fast read with a message that hits the reader right between the eyes with its impacting message for today’s parent. Although possibly aimed more towards men (which makes sense since it follows on the heals of the widely popular “Courageous” movie), this book is equally important for women to read.

Although I appreciated the examples Catt used from the Bible and stories about historical figures; great men and women who displayed Godly courage sometimes in the face of great adversity, I also enjoyed the analogy of the “eagle, chicken and ostrich” parenting styles that Catt describes in detail in the book.

It is definitely a book with wise counsel and practical application for all parents and I highly recommend reading it.

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My review of The Resolution for Men – Stephen Kendrick

“A man cannot be passive about what Scripture tells him to do for his family and expect to be found faithful to God in the end. Hemust see with spiritual eyes and realize that future generations are directly impacted by his daily decisions.” –The Resolution for Men

The Resolution for Men is the inspiring book born out of Courageous, a new film by the makers of Fireproof coming to theaters nationwide in fall 2011. The movie, which presents a powerful story of strong male leadership, is an emotionally charged wake-up call to fathers whose influence upon their children and society is immeasurable. The Resolution for Men follows to challenge men of all ages to become as bold and intentional about embracing their responsibilities as leaders of their homes, marriages, and children.

Written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, screenwriters of Courageous and authors of New York Times No. 1 best seller The Love Dare (five million copies sold), The Resolution for Men strategically inspires men to reconcile with their past, re-engage in the present by taking full responsibility for their wives and children, and then move forward with a bold and clear resolution for the future. Written in partnership with the movie and Priscilla Shirer’s new book, The Resolution for Women, it is designed to inspire a revolution.”

After seeing the widely popular “Courageous” movie, I was determined to follow up by reading the book by Randy Alcorn as well as the “Resolution” books for men and for women.

An important point that is stressed in all of the books is the fact that there is an ongoing attack on the men’s role in the family and in the church. Men are relinquishing their spiritual role in the home and within the church while pursuing career and lifestyle. This is not a new idea. The erosion of the family has been an ongoing attack of the enemy (Satan) since the dawn of man. The result however in a world where divorce is rampant, alternative lifestyles are accepted as normal and children are raised more and more by a single parent, women are fast becoming the spiritual leaders in the home, and while that may not seem bad, (especially in a single parent home) it is not biblical.

The book is meant to inspire, challenge and encourage men pointing them to accept their God-given responsibility to lead by example and be courageous even in the face of great opposition and adversity.

I highly recommend reading this book and the other “Courageous” books. As several of the reviewers have stated, these books are not meant to be read and then shelved. They need to be read, discussed, pondered upon so that the message is ingrained and applied daily.

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My review of The Resolution for Women – Priscilla Evans Shirer

“Written in partnership with Sherwood Pictures’ upcoming film, COURAGEOUS, in The Resolution for Women, popular speaker andauthor Priscilla Shirer challenges all women to be intentional about embracing and thriving in God’s beautiful and eternal calling on their lives.

Like the men in the movie who resolve to fully accept their responsibilities before God, Shirer explains how today’s women can and should live out their own resolution. It is “a defining banner that hangs over your life, written in the ink of your own choices.” A woman’s banner should be an accurate reflection of who she desires to be-someone completely Christ-centered who blesses and changes things in her world for the better.

The Resolution for Women inspires women with intentional, spirit-filled living from three unique angles. Section one, entitled, “This Is Who I Am,” helps a woman define herself as “authentically me, purposefully feminine, surprisingly satisfied, and faithfully His.” Section two, “This Is What I Have,” invites her to value “my best, my blessing, my honor, and my heart.” And Section three, “This Is What Matters To Me,” focuses on joyfully honoring God as a wife, mother, and family member while resolving to live with the grace that leaves a godly legacy. The Resolution for Women is designed to inspire a revolution.”

This book written specifically for women defines the biblical role of the woman in the home by giving practical suggestions on how to support the role of her husband as the spiritual leader and then by being content in her role as wife, mother and follower of Christ.

In a postfeminist culture, this book challenges a woman to be champions for God’s model for womanhood. The message asks women to embrace their femininity, draw on God’s strength and wisdom in raising children and supporting men in their God-given responsibility as spiritual leaders in the home.

Like in the book, The Resolution for Men, where there is a “resolution” (a list) that men are encouraged to print off and sign, there is a similar “resolution” for women that I intend to print off and frame for myself.

A great book for working mothers, stay-at-home moms, newly marrieds and grandmothers. It bridges all age groups giving relevance to women in every “season” of their life.

Like the Resolution for Men, this book is not meant to be read and then shelved. It needs to be read, shared with other women, discussed, and pondered upon so that the message is ingrained and applied in daily living.

“Books were provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group”.

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Chocolate Paradise – Guest Post – Kathy Howard

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Lynn

Readers of Journey Thoughts will recognize my friend, Kathy Howard immediately.  Her books have been on my “Best 10 Christian Books” the last two years, with “God’s Truth Revealed” and “Unshakeable Faith“, and I had the privilege of interviewing her on Journey Thoughts once before.  Kathy is currently leading a Facebook group, Reading the Bible Together(Chronologically) in 2012, and I am thoroughly enjoying it!  She will be leading a study of the book of Ephesians beginning Wed. Jan. 18 on her blogsite.  I plan on joining her…will you?  http://www.kathyhoward.org/why-dont-you-just-grow-up-youre-invited-to-study-ephesians

Chocolate paradise and every spiritual blessing

– Kathy Howard-

Chocolate surrounded me. Left, right, ahead, and behind. Everywhere I turned, chocolate lay in great mounds. Every shape and size, wrapped and unwrapped, with nuts and without, cream-filled and nougat, round and rectangle. I have dreamed of a chocolate paradise such as this many times, but this wasn’t a dream.

This time I stood in an actual chocolate paradise. This was not some average, American chocolate shop. I had the joy of salivating in a European chocolate establishment. (And yes, Hershey, they do it better.) The chocolate aroma overwhelmed me and I had to squash the thought of Eve eyeing the forbidden fruit.

Everything I could have hoped for was here – plus many I could have never imagined. The tantalizing smorgasbord of tastes and textures excited me. Chocolate with coconut for my husband? Three choices! Sugar-free chocolate for my diabetic father-in-law? Oh yes, more than he could ever eat! The experience far surpassed my greatest chocolate fantasy. I left with gifts in one hand and my own personal stash in the other.

This morning I fondly thought about this chocolate shop visit when I read through the Bible book of Ephesians. Here’s a couple of passages that thrilled me:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3, NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20, NIV

I know my chocolate experience is a weak analogy for these glorious promises, but no physical comparison can measure up to the spiritual blessing God desires to pour into our lives. (So everything considered, being set loose with an unlimited chocolate selection was a good choice.)

Are you experiencing “every spiritual blessing in Christ?” Have you witnessed God do “immeasurable more than all you can ask or imagine?” I honestly can’t say I have, but I’m growing that direction. Want to come along?

You’re invited to join me in a study of the book of Ephesians. “Growing Up Together – a study of Ephesians,” begins Wednesday, January 18th on my blogsite. You can visit my blog now for a bit more information.

Do you long to experience God’s blessing in your life? In what areas do you feel your faith needs to grow?

Kathy Howard calls herself a “confused southerner.” Raised in Louisiana, she and her husband have lived all over North America. She doesn’t know whether to say “coke” and “ya’ll” or “pop” and “you guys.” But this Southern girl loves to encourage women through teaching and writing about God’s Word. Find out more about Kathy’s Bible studies and speaking ministry and get lots of free resources at www.kathyhoward.org

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A Parenting Faux Pas

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Lynn

Regret weighs a person down.  Regret, for the most part, cannot be undone.  It reminds us of things we should have done, but didn’t.  We had the opportunity in front of us, but let it slip away.  Regret can haunt us if we dwell on all the “what ifs” in life.  It will stop us from moving forward if we carry regret with us like that proverbial monkey on our back.

Certainly all of us have a certain number of regrets in our life.  I have a long list, some I won’t share here for obvious reasons, but God is helping me deal with all of them.  As a parent, there were times when I have said the wrong thing, or did the wrong thing (sometimes with the best of intentions).  Now, when my kids are young adults, they have no problem reminding me about the times I really messed up when they were younger.  Luckily, most of my mistakes can be laughed off by my kids and I have become the brunt of some of their more good-natured teasing throughout the years.  So we mostly laugh off some of my more comical and less-than-stellar parenting skills and my kids seem to have turned out to be fairly well-adjusted human beings all things considered.

I know that my latest parenting faux pas will likely be remembered for years to come and will no doubt go down in my son’s memory record as the “worst Christmas present Mom ever got for me”.  I had no idea that putting a picture of my son on a t-shirt would elicit such a backlash of criticism.  Apparently, according to my family, one does not put pictures of oneself on ones t-shirt and then actually wear said t-shirt…ever!

I thought it was a great idea at the time.  I found a funny picture of my son, had it printed on a t-shirt thinking he would think it funny and unique.  He was more than a little mortified.  “When would I ever wear this, Mom?” he demanded.

“I don’t know, maybe to work?”

Yeah, it got the same reaction from my son…”Are you serious, Mom?  I can’t wear a picture of “me” to work!”

All my other suggestions like wearing it to church, or around friends, or even use the t-shirt as a rag to polish his car, were met with the same “are you kidding me?” looks.  Lesson learned.  Do not put pictures of your children on t-shirts and expect them to wear the t-shirt…I wonder if that goes for grandchildren too?

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