4.02.2014

Reading in February and March...

I didn't get around to posting my reading from February, which is okay, because it wasn't that much reading anyway, so it works well to combine it with March.

I have a whole host of posts (say it again...you know you want to!) in my head and I'm trying to find the time to get them all typed out for y'all to read....things like: how our family is using essential oils (including some recipes and DIY projects), my daily to-do list template, and a day in our life on a not-school-day...just to name a few... stay tuned...

For now, here's what I read in February and March...

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This book was a gift from my parents, and I found it to be encouraging and helpful.  It is very similar to The Homeschool Life, which I read in January.  The chapters are short and easy to read, especially for busy moms who are grabbing short sections of time here and there.  Andrea is a gifted writer and has a witty sense of humor.  She has many helpful suggestions for homeschooling parents.  If you are thinking of homeschooling or are currently homeschooling, you would probably be encouraged by this book.






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"If the focus is on what you must do instead of what Jesus has already done, it's anti-gospel."  This might be considered cheating for my 50 Books goal for 2014, because I was already about halfway through this book, but I finished it in February.  This is one of those books that I feel like everyone should read at least once, maybe more.  Tullian is a gifted and easy to read author, but the theology he teaches is rich and encouraging.  He has a way of teaching concepts that I think I've known all along, but never fully understood.  The depth of them and how they impact my everyday living is life-changing.  "When God's amazing grace in the gospel grips our hearts, the motivational structure of our hearts is radically changed, and we begin to obey out of faith not fear, gratitude not guilt."



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This book was a Christmas gift and I was anxious to begin reading it.  I don't know if I'm out of practice with reading Puritan-style writing or what, but I found it a difficult read both for style and content.  I'm glad I read it and I learned a lot more about the Edwards family having read it.  Honestly, I found some of it to be downright unbelievable and I'm continuing to wrestle with whether that is sinful pride in my own heart, the effects of living in a desensitized society, or both or neither.  If anyone has read it or does read it, I'd be interested in discussing it to hear your opinion on it.




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This book was another gift from my parents and is a short book of stories intended to be read-aloud to kids as a means of teaching responsibility and self-discipline.  It is probably just above the age-level of my daughter, although she would probably comprehend a good bit of the stories and lessons.  My one disappointment is that there is a lack of follow-up in the stories with regard to grace in the parent-child relationship as modeling the God-man relationship.  Perhaps this was the author's intention in order to allow for that conversation to be freely led by parents.  When I do read the stories to my daughter, that is one thing that I would want to include.



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I saw this book on another blog that I follow, and thought it looked interesting.  I usually like to read before I go to bed, but I don't like to read anything to "deep" and I usually can't stay awake for too long.  This is definitely not too deep, and definitely not too long.  In fact, I found myself reading several of the "blessings" because they were quite short.  Some were very simple and others gave me things to ponder as I drifted off to sleep.  As to whether I would recommend it, I think it is going to come down to a matter of personal preference.  I would not say "Don't read that book!" but in my opinion, your time could be better spent reading something else...



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...like this, for example.  This book, along with J+N=E, are the two that I take away from these two months of reading and say, please secure a copy of these and read them -- you will not regret it!  I read Paul Miller's book, A Praying Life, and it was truly life-changing.  I had never considered prayer or seen it presented in the way that he did.  When a former pastor's wife (and good friend!) recommended this book on facebook, I immediately purchased the e-book. (Yay for gift cards to Barnes & Noble!)  This book is a study of the hesed love shown in the book of Ruth.  As my friend said, "It is convicting {and astounding} at every turn of the page!"  I have heard the story of Ruth expounded many times, but never like this.  Another one that is truly life-changing.



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I read the majority of this short e-book while I was out of town visiting family.  I'm struggling to remember many of the particulars, but I know that I enjoyed reading it and I enjoyed the reminders of what True Christian Motherhood IS and what it ISN'T.  The beginning of the 13th Chapter gives a description of a busy mother and begins with a quote from Henry David Thoreau, "It's not enough to be busy, so are the ants.  The question is, what are we busy about?"  This chapter is a good reminder to step-back and evaluate what is filling our days and whether or not those things are our primary responsibilities and whether we need to make adjustments in order to care for our families in better ways.  I love the chapter on the Culture of our Homes - as wives/mothers we have been given the gift of "setting the tone" for our homes.



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I think I saw this book advertised in a recent issue of Thriving Family magazine and it caught my attention.  I went into parenting thinking that I knew exactly what I was going to do when my daughter disobeyed and how I would handle it.  Boy, was I surprised!  All kids are different and while some respond well to common disciplines, others do not.  The actions I was taking were actually provoking the problem and making them worse, not bringing us to a point of teaching and repentance.  So, I am always on the watch for creative ways to teach things to children, and I think "reality discipline" can be quite effective.  Lisa has a great sense of humor and this book is easy to read and a great resource for parents.  As with most parenting books, I don't agree with it all, but I do recommend it and I'd like to have a copy to keep, as I borrowed the one I read.


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