New Review: Play to Their Strength

So our next book is a parenting book. I'm almost always up for reading someone else's take on parenting because as parents we don't know it all. And if someone has advice that can make me a better, more God-honouring parent then I'm all ears.

From the cover, this one promises both.

So in this book, we meet parents who have got it wrong then strove on how to get it right.  Their goal is to not parent from a place of fear but one of working to uncover what their children's gifts and talents are, then parent their children in such a way that nurtures those gifts and talents. Some practical tools they offer are to find the 5 e's (your child's enthusiasm, ease, excellence, energy, and enjoyment) regarding what your children are involved in; creating a vision board, which works with children the same way it does us, adults; and keeping an eye out for red flags that trigger frustration and keep parents from reacting and disciplining out of anger.

Then the last 80 pages of the book is the Bonus Playbook which helps parents actually used what they've read. There are practical tips to go with every chapter.

This book has been an interesting book to read, especially since we have five (5) children that span in an age range from 1 to 12. For me, Chapters 12 and 13 have been the most useful and implementor. I see this book as an ongoing reference book that would get a reread every so often for recharge. But all in all, I like their approach to parenting, its encouragement and cultivation at its best.

I also like that they encourage really learning our children and not taking the approach that we know them because we birthed them.

I definitely recommend this book to parents. 

{Also, please note that I received this book from the publisher, Harvest House, in exchange for my honest opinion.}

The Daniel Code

Hands down one of the BEST books I've ever read.

And for someone who reviews at least a dozen books a year, that's saying a lot.

O.S. Hawkins does an amazing job in bridging the gap between Daniel's time and this era. We truly do live in a modern day Babylonia. So much is taught and accepted that is contrary to the Word of God. And as Christians we often get caught up the idea that we must force the world to adhere to Christian beliefs. Yet we can be like Daniel.

Daniel understood that he would accomplish more if he just lived his life in obedience to God's Word. He knew that the kingdom he lived in was not obedient to God' Word but he didn't have to be like them. And in his obedience God shone like a the city on a hill.

I think that is the call to us today. We can't change the law. We can't force people to care about their neighbor beyond trying to make them adhere to Christian beliefs. But what we can do is love them. What we can do is LIVE out our lives in accordance with God's Word.

Whatever you do not believe in, do not promote it, do not do it. And leave it at that. Sometimes our lives is the only bible some people have ever read. So we need to make sure they're getting an accurate representation of the Word.

I sincerely recommend this book to EVERYONE. Does not matter where you are in your walk with Jesus. You should read this book as it will help live the Word of God in a world that is similar to Babylonia of Daniel's era.

{FYI: I did receive this book through the BookLook Blogger program in exchange for my HONEST opinion.}

The Art of Worship

I'll be honest for a while this book intimidated me. Maybe because I knew that with reading it came a need for change in how I do life, in how I worship God.

and I was right.

Worship in its purest form is a way of life. 

As John MacArthur puts it, nothing we do is more important than worship. It will govern every aspect of our lives.

This book takes us, passage by passage through the Bible showing us not only how to worship but also the importance of worship and why it needs to be a priority.

A lot of times, at least for me, people tend to see worship as the time during service when we are singing unto the Lord (i.e. praise and worship). However John MacArthur paints a picture of worship being more than that and extending beyond Sunday service. 

For the longest, I had thought of worship as just the singing unto God, regardless of time or location. But this book trumps that thought. It informs me that worship is everything. It is in my attitude towards everything I do. Is my attitude nasty? Am I doing things/working as unto man or as unto the Lord? 

And those questions will prompt the change that will accompany reading this book. The next question will be: where does worship lie on my list of priorities? Is far down the totem pole or is it at the top of my priorities, leading the way for my interaction with everything else on my list?

And one thing about God is that He says "He desires those who worship Him in spirit and in truth." And that is in everything that we do.

Even better is the study guide (free) available on Moody Publishers, just scroll down to "free resources."

The Jump to Trust God

This book addresses a few different topics of application of the Christian faith: 

• When we trust God's love for us, 
• when we choose to walk with Jesus, 
• when we choose to relax
• when we take the time to notice God in everything, 
• when we choose to invest our time and finances into God's kingdom, 
• when we choose to be kind to everyone, 
• and when we place our hope in God. 

When we do these things, Rusty then explains the different ways God shows up in our lives. Each topic of application is explain in an "if then" circumstance. IF we choose to walk with Jesus, THEN God will show us how. Too often we forget, all of the Christian life starts with a choice. A choice to trust God, to accept Jesus Christ, to confess our sins and turn our backs on that sin (repentance). But after we make that choice, we must live our lives in such a way that we start to look like Jesus Christ: walk like Jesus, talk like Jesus, point people past ourselves and on to Jesus.

This book is endorsed by Kyle Idleman (he wrote the forward) and I truly have enjoyed his books (Not a Fan & Gods at War). So that helped me become interested in the content of this book. And after reading it, it puts me in the mind of the Believe series of books by Randy Frazee. They seek to aid us in our walk in Jesus, in our relationship with God. And this book does the same.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to the application and benefit of application of walking with Jesus, trusting God, choosing God.

{fyi: I got this book through the BookLook Blogger program in exchange for my HONEST review.}

Trying Bible journaling?

So I've finally got my hands on a journaling bible, thanks to my amazing hubby!

And I must say, I love it! I got a single column ESV journaling bible (I got mine through Christianbook.com) and it is fantastic with the extra space to write in my bible. For me that writing is reflection on what I read and quick prayers. I've got the hardback edition which has the ribbon bookmark and the little stretchy band to hold it close (I have no idea what its really called, lol). Here's a little something I learned when getting mine, sometimes its OK to get a imperfectly imprinted one to save a little money. The only issue with mine is that at some point this bible was supposed to be engraved with someone's name on it and they must have changed their mind.

(This one is exactly what I have and its on sale for $19.99 on Christianbook.com)

I also got a new devotional as well. The 365 Jesus Calling Journaling Devotional. If you've never used a journaling devotional I strongly suggest you try it. 

Talk about being able to interact with what you read?! I think as we grow in our walk with God, the more we will interact with Him. The more we will want to interact with Him. The more we will NEED to interact with Him.


(Also on sale for $8.49 on Christianbook.com)

I've actually been using my journaling bible along with the journaling devotional to help me get into my word more and jot down what my reflections.

Have any of you tried bible journaling? Or use a journaling bible?





{this isn't a review, I just got super excited about these bible quiet time tools!}

If you haven't noticed, the Life His Way Store is now available! As of now it contains a few mini-bible studies that I've written for you! Also if you go on Amazon and search for Kris Bush you'll find FULL bible studies and a NEW journal for those of us who are married!

What if Marriage was intended to be sacred?

How often do we go into marriage with the understanding of being made happy by the marriage and our spouse? How often do we hear people end marriages because they were "unhappy?"

Now what if you were to learn that God did not design our marriage with our happiness as its central focus? What if our marriage is designed to make us holy before Him? What if marriage was not designed for our happiness but to completely glorify God?

That is what Gary Thomas is answering for us and opening our eyes to see in his book Sacred Marriage.

When I got married and throughout a great portion of marriage and even at times now, I get angry because of the times when we are unhappy and it is chaotic. I am still learning that my marriage was not designed for me to be happy. Yes happiness can be a by product of marriage. But that is not the original design for marriage. 

This book is filled with examples of couples who had been going about marriage (and in some cases divorce) the wrong way. They'd been consumed with themselves and what made them happy. Yet they either forgot or were completely unaware of the fact that happiness is fleeting and that is not marriage's purpose. That is not our spouses purpose. We cannot burden our spouses with the task of making us happy all the time. Our joy must come from the Lord and when that happens we become content to let marriage be what God designed it to be.

A really good example of this is Hosea in the bible. Hosea was instructed to marry a harlot (a prostitute) who would give birth to children that may not have even been Hosea's children. Yet God had a purpose in this. He wanted to use marriage, specifically Hosea's marriage, to demonstrate His purpose for marriage. God wanted to show that there needs to be constant forgiveness and not human forgiveness but Godly forgiveness. God wanted to show His relationship with the people and how before we get married to our earthly spouses we have a heavenly spouse. And in our submission & obedience & loving to our earthly spouse, we are essentially doing that unto our heavenly spouse. The same goes for the message Paul gives us in Ephesians 5.

Gary Thomas seeks to give this knowledge to the believer. To live out marriage the way God intended for it to be. To stop being prideful and selfish in our marriages. To allow God to use our marriages to make us holy before Him.

 As a wife one of the things my husband is charged to do is to "that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:26-27 NKJV) And in response my job is to submit and allow him to do so. No matter how hard that may be or how hard my flesh wants to fight. (And trust me my flesh has been and is fighting.)

That is what I have been learning from this book.

FYI: I received this book as a member of BooklookBloggers for free in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Communication at its Best

This morning I read an article on HappyWivesClub and I was quite surprised and yet not surprised in what I read.

Fawn Weaver reminds the reader of the age old saying that arguing is normal that all couples argue at some point and that to a degree arguing is healthy for a relationship. Something I think everyone has heard. But then she quotes something Rosie O'Donnell said on Oprah a while back in which Rosie said she wished she would have expressed her feelings versus getting angry and snapping off (in a situation with Barbara Walters). Rosie states that had she just reacted exactly how she felt, then the outcome of that situation would have probably been quite different.

Fawn then relates this to marriage in how most people do the same thing Rosie did which is to snap out in anger when they're hurt or offended.

So then I began to reflect on different arguments or "heated discussions" that I've had in my marriage and I can definitely agree. There have been several times that I have been hurt by something my husband said and instead of addressing my hurt feelings, I have snapped out in anger, which in hindsight did absolutely nothing to address my hurt feelings but did start an unnecessary argument. And I can honestly say the same has happened with my husband and its after the fact, after we've argued and further compounded the situation that we speak on the underlying feelings, on how an action made us feel & why we snapped. 

I wonder how much different the landscape and atmosphere in our marriage would be if instead of getting angry/yelling/snapping, we just addressed our actual feelings. No anger, no animosity just plain and simple, "this is how __ made me feel."

I challenge all of my readers to make this change, instead of getting angry and lashing out that you address your feelings. Now here's the side effect: it will make you face your vulnerability.

When you address your feelings instead of allowing anger to surface, you allow your vulnerability to surface. In marriage this can be crucial, to allow your husband/wife a look inside your feelings, inside your heart. To let them see what really affects you.


Remember love keeps no record of wrong doing, love covers a multitude of sin. We can start by being slow to anger and quick to address what has offended us in a respectful manner that gets across our "feelings" but does not point blame or offends. I read recently (somewhere on Facebook) that when you criticize a behavior be very careful to criticize the person.




We do better, when we know better.
~Kris

Women of Influence -Thursday

So sorry I am late...I intended on posting on Wednesday. 

Today's passage is Acts 9:36-41

"In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive."

This passage is about Tabitha/Dorcas a disciple who had died but was risen after Peter prayed over her. What's most interesting to me is not that Peter prayed over her and she rose in a similar fashion like Lazarus did but that the widows were grieving so much and that they were showing off the garments she had made for them. 

Think about like this, when a person passes away we tend to talk about the good they've done but how often can we show what they're hands have made for us.

Tabitha made these women clothing that they cherished because to do so requires her time and energy, giving of herself to them.

We are called to be that type of woman. To be the woman who gives of herself, of her time and energy to those around us. We can easily give of our money and think its enough. But its entirely different when we give people our time and energy because then they know that they mean something to us. That we are doing more than trying to meet a need but investing in them in a way that really matters.

What we want to leave behind when we leave this world is not just material things but things that matter. Memories that matter, lessons that are helping others in their walk in life. If we leave this world without leaving any non-material treasures then we have not really left them anything.

So strive to be like Tabitha, giving of yourself, of your time and energy. Give your attention to those around you but that's what truly matters and will last.

We are Women of Influence....we must live like it!

~Kris

Is it necessary?

Today I was on twitter and I was going back and forth with a follower on topic.

Then I got convicted deep in my spirit.

The conversation I was having was unnecessary. It was not building me or the other person up. All we were doing was giving our opinion on a situation. However I realized my opinion is not always necessary or warranted. Even if I see a post that asks for advice or asks for the opinions of others, I don't need to give mine.

Then I got even more convicted when the person assumed they knew me. They assumed that because they could read my TL, read my commentary on a few things that they knew me. That they knew my faith, that they knew my walk. And I had to step back.

What impression do I give of myself for a person to think they really know me via social media? Yes I speak on my faith but that's me. Any topic thrown at me will have my faith sprinkled all over my response.

Do I give the impression of perfection? *gulps* I surely hope not because I'm so far from perfect its not even funny. I have many issues. Just because they are not on broadcast, which some are, doesn't mean they don't exist.

Something I realized today. People will assume. It's in our nature as humans to assume we know. It hurts us though because many times our assumptions are wrong. In this case, I mean every conversation that does not bring God glory, that does not edify or educate a person is many times unnecessary. I think many times we will have these conversations. What does foolish talk do for me? Nothing.

Stay away from foolish, useless talk, because that will lead people further away from God. (2 Timothy 2:16)
Stay away from foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they grow into quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:23)

Some conversations need to be had to educate people. Whether they want to heed/yield or believe is on them. But the fact that I shared is what's important. You can lead a camel to the water, you cannot make them drink.

The Lord's servant must gently teach those who disagree. Then maybe God will let them change their minds so they can accept the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25).

 Many times I will comment on topics because much of what is acceptable to society is not acceptable to God. And should not acceptable to His people. So that is why I speak up. Because the behavior is unacceptable. If a person is doing wrong but they don't know what they're doing is wrong. They will continue to do it because they don't know any better. You have to give people the option to know better and do better OR know better and don't care to do better.

So my goal is this: really evaluate a topic before I decide to comment. Is it worth my time? Am I educating or edifying a person? If so take the time. If not forget it and move on.

~Kris

Don't ever get too comfortable

In life we get comfortable and its bound to happen especially when we get used to a person or situation.

I recently realized that usually we tend to get comfortable with our relationships and as such we will unknowingly take advantage of our loved ones. I think this is especially true in marriage as we see our spouse day in and day out so its VERY easy to get comfortable. We get into a rhythm of life and we just expect for things to happen without realizing that everything our spouses do for us (and vice versa) is a CHOICE. They don't have to do a thing yet many make it their obligation to take care of us and provide for us.

Recently I was out to eat with my husband and children, while we were waiting for our food I realized that I seriously take for granted what he does. Here's the stickler sometimes looking at others is not good but sometimes its just what we need to pull us out of our comfort zone.

I looked around me, at different relationships I saw and what I saw made me heavily appreciate my husband. Now mind you, I'm not saying he's perfect or he always gets it right. But what I am saying is that I appreciate his hard work and work ethic because I see women who MUST work to provide for their families because their husbands don't. I appreciate his faithfulness because I can say without any doubt, Chris Bush will NOT EVER cheat on me (His fear of God outweighs any and every thing). I'm fairly certain that he's often met with temptation however I trust that God dwells within him and will steer him away from it. I appreciate the fact that my husband doesn't hang in the streets and is a man of his word. 

I realize that he does not have to work hard to provide for us and ensure that I can stay home with our children. He does not have to remain faithful to me as I am well aware of society and the generation we were born in. I look at how he pushes me and how he strives for greatness. I look at how giving he is of his time to me and our children. I adore the fact that he prays with our children, something I don't see from a lot of men I know. It's not rag on them but I see it as something else to appreciate from the man I married.

( Sketch by Alexandra Vo, you can check her out here)

So the point of this whole post is to say don't get too comfortable that you miss out on all the greatness that you have in your loved ones, especially your husband!

~Kris

Women Living Well

Ever have that one blog you enjoy? Well I happen to enjoy Women Living Well and Good Morning Girls, the founder of both blogs, Courtney Joesph has written a BOOK! And it launched YESTERDAY!!!! You can order it on Thomas Nelson website or find it at your favorite bookstore!

 

The book is entitled Women Living Well and its about just THAT. It's geared towards women who want to live, who may need direction in different areas in their lives. I personally have enjoyed this book as a member of the book launch team. 

One of the things that I have gleaned from reading this book has been that it is more than important to take time for self because if I burn out how can I be of help to my husband. Another thing that I have gleaned is how important it is to respect my husband but also the ways that disrespect comes across. I also love that Courtney addresses motherhood in such a way that it does not make mothers feel guilty for their own specific way in raising their children but she gently encourages us to manage our homes without becoming an iron fist and to customize our homes to our specific family members. What may work for my home may not work for the next person. For example, it works best for my family that I don't work although to help out with our current savings plan I do work part-time and only on days that my husband does not work because our children are fully homeschooled.

I like that much of what Courtney blogs about is in her book. Its not as if she deviated from her fan base and what we regularly read on her blog. A great extra that is in Women Living Well is the Completing Him Marriage Challenge, it is a 2 week challenge (5 days per week). It's goal is to help us wives gain a better relationship with our husbands.
The book is sectioned off into four different parts (Your walk with the King, Your marriage, Your parenting, and Your Homemaking) with each section having about 3 chapters within it. I don't really have a favorite portion of the book as each section has very applicable information and I guess its even more so applicable because my home life is set up very similar as Courtney does not work outside of the home, I've only done it for the last 3 months and I will soon stop working outside of the home. I have also enjoyed the companion study guide that Courtney created to go along with the book as the questions reenforces what I've read.

I recommend this book to EVERY wife. It should be apart of your arsenal of books that help you as a wife, mom, and woman to personally grow.

I personally do not have a giveaway going HOWEVER here are a list of blogs who does:
http://www.irisparr.com/2013/09/women-living-well-review-and-giveaway.html 
http://www.sara.rrusselljr.com/women-living-well-a-review-and-a-giveaway 
http://www.jenifermetzger.org/2013/10/women-living-well-giveaway.html 
http://cacinance.blogspot.com/2013/10/giveaway-part-1-your-walk-with-king.html 
http://beechembrightspots.blogspot.com/2013/10/women-living-well-giveaway.html 
http://www.destinationproverbs22six.blogspot.com/2013/10/women-living-well-review-and-giveaway.html 
 

{FYI: I received this book for being a member of the Women Living Well Book Launch Team and as a member of the Booksneeze prgram through Thomas Nelson (the publisher)!}

When's its time to ask for forgiveness

Today is one of those days when I will sit before you in my transparency. 

Have you ever realized when you are in the wrong, and you are so convicted that it stirs you to action? Well I've had a day like that. 

You see, I've been reading Women Living Well by Courtney Joesph and in part II of this book Courtney addresses marriage. And whoa! Talk about conviction, its one thing for my husband to tell me my behavior is one way its another thing for another woman to say that certain behaviors that women are good for is disrespectful. Then not only is it disrespectful to our husbands, its disobedient to God since we are told, Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5:33 NKJV).

Now here's the stickler, I've blogged on this topic before! I've addressed that in marriage its extremely important that for both the husband and the wife to be happy, the husband needs respect and the wife needs love. Neither can be earned but must be given. 

So how is it that I screw this one up? Well try having a person who understands the concept of respect but never really understood what disrespect looked like....until today.

And boy was I ashamed! Courtney outlines what disrespect looks like coming from a woman, and I have to admit that I am guilty of ALL of it. Disheartening right?

I can admit, that my body language many times has been disrespectful, my tone of voice has been disrespectful, even how I treat him in bed has been disrespectful. So now I see that I've been disrespectful and I've got quite a lot of making up to do. Now I go on to read that I am in disobedience to God as this is what is commanded of us, encouraged as godly behavior. So now I am in debt to God and my husband. My number 1 and 2 priority. 

She made me realize that every time I had an attitude was disrespect, every eye roll is disrespect, every time I did not adhere to his leading was disrespect...and it hurt to realize that I have indeed been disrespectful when I thought otherwise.

Disrespect is a sign of a lack of faith in God and disobedience to God. When I have full faith in God and am in full obedience to Him, there will be harmony in every other area of life including my marriage.

So today marks a new journey, a path of repentance and hopefully forgiveness...and start to a refreshed marriage. However only time will tell and I trust God for the best.

Join me on this walk, purchase (pre-order) your copy of Women Living Well by Courtney Joesph here!

 

Journey with me! Comment below with your experience in this area

~ Kris