June Reading List

You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. John C. Maxwell


For every book I read, five more get added to my reading list. I don't know who wrote those words, but how true is it? It's true for this reader. So even though I failed to read all the May books, a good twenty more are on my list. 

This month I'm trying something different. After reading 
Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin, and Darrell Stetler's blog (https://darrellstetler2.wordpress.com/) , I have been challenged to become more productive and bring more order to my days. So this month I am focusing on books Gretchen and Darrell recommend. The list is long, because many of the books are on Kindle and I can read them in an evening or two. They also are on Kindle Unlimited, so I read many of them for free. 

Then, RB brought in an Amazon box. I had pre-ordered Pamela Havey Lau's book, A Friend in Me: How to be a safe haven for other women. So of course I need to add that to my list. 

Here's the list with links:

A Better Way to Think H. Norman Wright

Never Check E-mail in the Morning Julie Morgenstern

The Better Life Claire Diaz-Ortiz

Habit Stacking S. J. Scott

The Motivation Switch A. J. Winters

Mini Habits Stephen Guise

Writing Habit Mastery S. J. Scott

Master Evernote S. J. Scott

Bad Habits no More S. J. Scott

Wise men and women are always learning,

always listening for fresh insights.

Proverbs 18:15

What are you reading this month?

Linked to: 

Inerrancy: I Believe

The Bible is the Word of God, and God cannot err. So, to deny inerrancy, rightly understood, is to attack the very character of God. Those who deny inerrancy, soon enter the dangerous terrain of denying all Scriptural authority for both doctrine and practice. Ravi Zacharias

I have never thought to question the inerrancy of the word of God -- not as a child, not as a teen, not as an adult. My home, church, and school left no question in my mind of its truth. And while I have limited knowledge of the "emergent" church, I did want to address the emergent church and their view on the inerrancy of Scripture.

                

Leslie said, "This practice of constantly questioning the certainty of God's Word is literally sweeping over Christianity today, influencing our books, our music, the messages from our pulpits, and our daily lives. Even churches that don't claim to be "emergent" or "Postmodern" often accept the idea that questioning God's Word is a wise and responsible way to grapple with truth."

The questions, "Did God really say that?" and "Did God really mean that?" are as old as the first couple. Satan asked those very questions of Eve and we know how that turned out. Leslie challenges us with, "To replace doubt with certainty, you must settle this crucial truth in your heart once and for all: All God's Word is unchanging."

Study God's Word for yourself. God gave us His truth and intends it to be comprehended, understood, and lived out by His saints. Here are six ways Leslie gives us to explore God's Word.

1. Use tools such as inductive Bible study courses and Bible websites (e.g. www.blueletterbible.org) that can help you learn to use concordances and study the Greek and Hebrew roots of each word in the Bible.

2. Spend time around other believers who reverence and love the Word of God.

3. Talk about what you are learning in Scripture and listen to what they are learning.

4. Ask God's Spirit to make His timeless Word come alive to you.

5. Practice applying specific truths, commands, and promises to situations you face each day.

6. Memorize some key verses to help you immediately combat lies with Truth.

                                                                 
Billy Graham said,

The Bible has stood the test of time because it is divinely inspired by Almighty God, written in ink that cannot be erased by any man, religion, or belief system. Through the many dark ages of man, its glorious promises have survived unchanged. That is because God’s Word is pure—the beginning and the end. His written word has survived every scratch of the human pen.

I believe in the purity of the Word; God's promises are true -- I've proven them. His commandments are firm -- I've lived them. And the God of the Word is the one true God -- I believe in Him.

(I) have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given (me) the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach (me) what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects (me) when (I am) wrong and teaches (me) to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip (me) to do every good work.

Chapter Five: Incorruptable Beauty

When we seek to know everything about everyone, to find out every detail about the ups and downs of people's lives, and hear all about the nitty-gritty of every little saga they go through, we quickly become the "busybody" warned against in 1 Peter 4:15. ~Leslie Ludy

Chapter Five is Incorruptible Beauty: Exchanging Drama and Gossip for a quiet spirit. 

Questions to ask yourself:

1. Is your life built around Jesus or around the latest gossip?
2. Do you pass on gossip through prayer requests?
3. Does the drama on social media eat away at your energy? 
4. Does meddling in other people affairs make your heart happy?
5. Are you eager to stir up controversy on Facebook? 
6. Do you post hurtful articles or status updates pointed to specific       people or groups of people?

I was convicted when I read this question of Leslie's. Are we showcasing the incorruptible beauty of a Christ-consumed heart, or are we too busy gossiping with our girlfriends? I am a peace lover. I back away from conflict as fast as I can. But I admit to a bit of enjoyment of hearing other's conflicts -- a fascination of the pettiness of others. I'm asking God for a Christ-consumed heart.

There are real-life adventures where we can use our time and energy and find fulfillment:

1.Training your children in the ways of God
2. Ministering to the needs of our husbands
3. Rescuing orphans
4. Feeding the hungry 
5. Opening your home to foster-care children
6. Practicing hospitality
7. Sharing the Gospel

Learning and putting this verse into practice will go a long way in helping us become a set-apart woman. Let's release the drama and live in peace. Like a bee to nectar, others will be drawn to our quiet and peaceful lives. 

 

Set-Apart Woman: Chapter Two

Subtle sins -- that's what Leslie Ludy calls them in The Set-apart Woman.

"The more comfortable I had become with the world's messages, the easier it had become to allow subtle sins into my life. Self-pity, laziness and selfishness had become familiar companions, along with other small compromises" (page 7). 

The more I thought about those two words, "Subtle Sins," God brought others to mind:

Covetous

Comparison

Impatience

Irritability

Haughtiness

Vanity

Evil thoughts

Unthankful

Judgmentalism 

Can you think of more? What are the subtle sins God uses to convict your heart? Can you share them with your spouse or friend -- someone you can be accountable to?  

One hymn that has been singing in my head for the last few weeks is Charles Wesley's "I Want a Principle Within."


I want a principle within
Of jealous, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or fond desire,
To catch the wand’ring of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.

From Thee that I no more may part,
No more Thy goodness grieve,
The filial awe, the fleshly heart,
The tender conscience, give.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make;
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love,
To me Thy pow’r impart;
The mountain from my soul remove,
The hardness from my heart.
Oh, may the least omission pain
My reawakened soul,
And drive me to that blood again,
Which makes the wounded whole.

Highlight Revelation 2:5 in your Bible. Think back to your early days as a Christian -- What were you doing that kept your soul open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Were you effusive in praising God for your salvation? Were you enthusiastic in your  worship? Were you eager in reading and meditating on His Word. Was talking with God a continual conversation?  

These are the first deeds. These are the practices I've fallen from. Maybe not the practices, but the enthusiastic, the eagerness, the effusiveness -- that's what I desire to recapture.

I'm excited...and so thrilled for those of you who are joining me for this journey of Sacred Living. I'm praying for each of you as we remember and repent.  

God's Invitation to Sacred Living

The Set Apart Woman: Journaling Prompt One and Two

Printable 5x7 Set-Apart Woman Theme Verse

The Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood 

The Set-Apart Woman: Journaling Prompt One

In preparation for the beginning of our book discussion tomorrow, read Matthew 15:8. In your journal, rewrite the verse as a prayer of confession. Feel free to write your prayer in the comments or keep it private. There's no right or wrong way to participate in this discussion.

- See more at: http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/#sthash.PB1k46Ny.dpuf

The "In Valid" Woman

You are valuable just because you exist. Not because of what you do, or what you have done, but simply because you are. Max Lucado.

It's a close companion. I take it everywhere. On those times I forget it at home, I am invariably sorry. When it's in the hands of Landon, he'll ask, "What's your password, Mamaw?" When little Camron has it, I find new games -- free or purchased -- on it. I, myself, have purchased books upon books to feed it. I love touching a word and finding its definition. I love carrying hundreds of books in my purse. But hearing the resident Kindle female reader -- sometimes not so much.

The book I'm reading now is centered around an invalid. And hearing chapter after chapter with the dear woman proclaimed as "in valid" almost makes me feel like she isn't important.  It was last night as I listened I realized why it frustrated me so much -- too many woman hear in valid through the earphones of life. Women who turn their house into a home, women who raise their children to love God, women who re-enter the work field to provide for their children, or women who work behind the scene in ministry. 

We all experience different circumstances. Some of us are single mothers, some are empty nesters, and still others are defined by our careers. When a divorce requires us to leave our children at a daycare, we hear the in-valid words from those who believe a stay-at-home mother is best. When we are a stay-at-home mother we hear the domestic engineer career sneered upon. When our faith career of mentor, choir member, mail encourager, right-to-life center volunteer, or the beautiful gift of hospitality, is disparaged upon, we see the in-valid word stamped on our forehead again.

But we are not in-valid! We are not unworthy! Wherever we are in life, God gives us validity. It takes courage to sample these words, to internalize their truths.  To truly believe that in this time, in this life you have, you are doing your best. To truly believe that in the ministry God has placed you, you are giving it your all.

We many never speak to hundreds. We may never write a best-selling book. We may never be awarded  mother-of-the-year. But if we are doing our best, in accordance with God’s will, where we are, we are valid! We are worthy! Claim those words. Write them on your heart and on the mirrors of your home. Think of them on those days when life is hard and you wonder if your life has purpose. My Kindle may declare you as in-valid, your critics may sneer and count you as unworthy. But God, your Heavenly Father, knows you are valid -- and He calls you His!   

Linked to:

http://3dlessons4life.com/thought-provoking-thursday-welcome/ 

2015 Reading Plan

You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.  –Paul Sweeney

Some were recommended by family and friends, others I read about on blogs, and still others I found on my own -- but all the books on my stack make me wish for a day to do nothing but read. 

This year I decided to get back to novel reading, too. I'm shooting for twelve novels. I'm a non-fiction reader, loving to learn how to serve God better, to be a better wife, to love people better. But I have come to realize that sometimes my mind needs a rest. So some evenings I'll be picking up a novel in an attempt to stop my whirling mind.

"No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting."     --Lady M. W. Montagu

In previous years I purchased mostly Kindle books. This year I am purchasing print books so I can share them with others. Some don't like to loan their books, but I like well-worn books -- if a little wear and tear means the content has helped my family and friends.

A friend, Donna Nobles, from my writer's group published a devotional collection:14th and Central: Stop, Consider These Things. I love reading books from people I know and will continue this practice.

I also love purchasing books from blogging authors. Here are a few I've read this year.

I Never Saw a Purple Cow

Pure Eyes, Clean Heart

Bringing Home the Mission Linck

Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval - and Seeing Yourself through God's Eyes

Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith

I cannot imagine my life without books. It makes me happy to see my girls read -- and now when I see my grandchildren with a book, wow! 

There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all. –Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

So pick up some new books and create a "stack." Choose a few from a different genre than you usually read. Schedule reading time the same way you schedule other activities. Hold the words up to the light of your beliefs. Keep the good; throw out the rest. And you'll start 2016 a better person.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles William Eliot

Thoughts from the Bookcase and a Giveaway

My daughter, Melanie, wrote our post for the weekend. 

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. Abigail Van Buren

All we can do is add kindling to our children's lives, but it takes the Holy Spirit to light the fire. Taken from a man in Shawn's Bible class 

Coming to you live!..from the living room bookshelves of our home. 

For some of you sweet readers out there who know me personally, you would agree that this type of post/info is not something I share publicly. I share in our home or in small conversations, but this - this is a big step! People are so diverse, and their opinions -- I'm sorry to say -- bother me if they don't match up with mine. (Oh, the problems of a people pleaser.) I'm a speed reader and my comprehension skills are not that of a Harvard scholar. That being said, take what you can from these books and let the rest be. If you use what you agree with from the books, then it's worth it to forget the sections you may not agree with...Selah. 

(Before moving on, I cannot take credit for finding these words of knowledge on my own...friends and bloggers have lead me to these resources. And a shout out to my mom, who uses her well-earned money to purchase said books as Christmas presents or surprise UPS deliveries.)

Two things we (Shawn and myself) feel strongly about: raising our children to know God's Word/way and raising them with a strong work ethic. Jesus, help us!...and cover them with grace when we fall so short.

Created to be His helpmeet

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Let's just say that if you happen to be by a window while reading this particular book, then by all means make sure it's up. Wowzers! It will make you feel so challenged and convicted that you'll wanna hurl it out! Actually, on second thought, if you go ahead and read the book next in this line-up, then your kids will know how to work, and they may as well clean up the shattered-window glass for you. You're welcome. Problem solved. 

Cleaning House

This book is hands down my favorite book for training your children to have a good work ethic. It needs no explanation. Once read, you are welcome to do a victory dance. Well, as parents we have an enormous job to do...so maybe save the victory dance for when they leave the nest and maybe now just get right to work? (Smile) Oh, oops. First, the book To Train up a Child helped us the most with discipline. Even with me failing in being consistent in disciplinary procedures, God has been faithful in giving us obedient kids. With Shawn managing employees for 15 years, we definitely see areas that require firm foundations being established before our kids leave home. I love putting my kids to work, and I pray that God guides us showing them a healthy balance of work and play. Responsibility is a huge brick that gets dumped in a high school graduate's proverbial backpack once leaving home to be on their own. Starting now to train them that life is not all play, but includes responsibilities that have been placed upon them is the best advice ever. Nope. Didn't come up with that powerful revelation on my own -- I read things :-) My boys actually gobble up the time they get to spend with Dad on a job. In fact, just yesterday, from 5 AM until 6:30 PM, they were helping, and still begging, "Are we gonna finish tonight? Are we, are we?" Wonder when their enthusiasm will start to dwindle...btw, they stayed a bit longer and finished. A little child shall lead them...

Grandparents can help train! Mamaw always allowed my kids to enjoy washing dishes with soapy, sudsy water. Nana puts the grands to work in the yard or dusting in the house. One day, Ethan came home from Nana's, and I happened to mention, "Hey, you want to get some work done?" He gave me a look of utter annoyance and said, "But I've been working at Nana's!" Haha! Love it that they CAN work and they work because she knows they can. And before you fear they have unkind grandparents -- let's just say that their bellies are always kept full of chocolate milk, and other delightful things take place!!!

One author said something to the effects of: You may feel like it takes too much time to teach your kids to work, thus it's easier to do the tasks yourself. (I agree. It can take time, but it doesn't bother me in every area.) BUT, THEY SAVE YOU TIME ONCE THEY KNOW THE REQUIREMENTS! Woo-hoo!! Amen and amen! Case in point: The 10, 8, and 6 year olds have been having to help mom a lot in the house. Every week. But this week our schedule needed to change, so I declared a 'no work' day on our, well, normal work day. Happy kids! I believe it clicked with them that day. Keeping things up, being responsible, and working hard eventually pay off and we get extra fun time. An "Ah-ha" moment -- for mom and kids. Btw, they don't know that some mild work comes later this week...I just postponed it...

I'm not gonna give you a list of the things my kiddos do, but let me tell you, I am proud of them and I don't know why the good Lord has blessed me so much by giving me cheerful, hard-working kids when I fall so short of leading them. But I appreciate the help. It makes me feel like SuperMom. 

Discipleship in the Home

Shawn has taken this book and invested hours into our kids before bedtime. Proud of that man. By that time in the evening, I am in no frame of mind to recite anything spiritual or fictional.

Would you pray for Shawn and me to help our kids make it to Heaven? That they will be strong in their faith? And that they will one day glorify God in their workplace? I'm saying a prayer for you as you do the same!

Family training:

To Train Up a Child

How to Talk so the Kids will Listen and How to Listen so the Kids will Talk

Growing Grateful Kids

The Family Blessing 

365 ways to Say I love You to your Kids

The Brainy Bunch

Yell & Tell

To Love, Honor and Vacuum

Praying circles around your children

Six Ways to Keep the Little in your Girl

Managers of their Chores 

The Answers Book for Kids 

King Me (Shawn)

Bringing Up Boys (Shawn)

Other reads I really think are good knowledge resources:

24/6

Margin

Dressed to Kill

Circle Maker

Outlive your Life

Unglued

The Nesting Place

Goodbye to Survival Mode

Organize Now

He Loves Me (Shawn)

Crazy Love (Shawn)

Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (Shawn)

Whole Hearted Wednesday

Homemaking Wednesday - Word Filled Wednesday

                                                                 Create with Joy - Imparting Grace

Weekend Bloggy Reading - Spiritual Sundays
The Weekend Brew - Saturday Soiree
Everyday Jesus - Recommendation Saturday
Sharing His Beauty - Just Write
Monday's Musings - Modest Monday

Soli Deo Gloria - Playdates with God

Unite - Just Write - The Art of Homemaking Mondays

Inspire Me Monda

The Art of Living Through Books

To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life. ~W. Somerset Maugham

Books. Is there a way to live without them? I was shocked to read in a 2013 poll that 41% of Americans have not read a novel in the past year and 42% have not read a nonfiction book. Since discovering these stats, I've been thinking how to change that percentage. 

How do you share the wonder of the written word? How do you describe what books smell like or how they feel in your hand? How do you explain that little hiccup in your heart when you walk into a bookstore, or the sound of a newly released book calling to you? 

Books have formed me into the person I am.  

I skated with Hans Brinker and rode out west in the wagon with Laura. I strung prisms and played the glad game with Polyanna. I wrote with Jo and cried when Beth died. I tasted elderberry wine with Anne with an "e" and mourned Gentle Ben.

I raised my kids with Dr. Dobson and wrapped silver boxes with Florence Littauer. I experienced God with Blackaby and prayed Jabez's prayer alongside Wilkinson. I forgave my enemies with Carrie ten Boom and climbed to high places with Hannah Hurnard.

More recently, I have declared with Anne Graham Lotz, Just Give Me Jesus. I've counted gifts with Ann Voskamp and prayed with Stormie Omartain. I've wept over Randy Alcorn's dedication in Safely Home and prayed circles around my children. I have spent mornings with Henri Nouwen and learned to uncover the art I was made to live with Emily Freeman.

I learned God would still my rocking boat and so much more. And I wouldn't change the knowledge I gained for all the chocolate truffles in the world.  

In God's Word I spent the night with lions and killed a giant. I made tents with Priscilla and sewed with Dorcas. I wore a crown with Esther and traveled with my mother-in-law, Naomi. I wrestled with an angel and built an ark. I traveled with Abraham and grumbled with the Children of Israel. I asked God questions and sang His praises with the Psalms, and built Ebeneezer altars with Samuel.

I do love my books, but if I had to pick one book -- the Scriptures win. Perfect truth is found there -- grace and instruction. When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight (Jeremiah 15:16).

The Shelter of Sanctuary

Houses, like gardens, need our watchful eye, sunshine and nurturing. The houses where we live don’t thrive on neglect. Living abundantly requires loving energy. – Alexandra Stoddard

A collection of photographs on a grand piano in my sister's home, a Waterford bowl on my mother's dining room table, pink depression glass sugar bowls and trays in my bathroom, a zebra rug on the marble floor in my daughter Melanie's music room -- arrangements that show the love of homemaking through three generations. 

Alexandra Stoddard, one of my favorite authors, wrote, "I want my home to be a sanctuary.” I echo her words.  Our home should be a happy retreat, filled with color -- cheerful and pretty -- so it welcomes our family back from school and work each day, and makes them reluctant to leave.

Here are five ways to make your home a sanctuary:

1. Light candles. This is the best way to give your home an atmosphere of warmth with soft lighting and subtle fragrance. I use a lot of timer candles -- love that they come on automatically at six and shut off at midnight. I've found though, that I love to light a candle, too. Use warm scents like Apple Crisp, Cinnamon, Clove or Vanilla. 

2. Prepare a "you" spot. There should be some place in your home that someone says, "That is so you." Teapots for tea lovers or books for readers. Right now I'm loving all the accent reading chairs and one day...

3. Add music. Music gives an inviting mood. Let it play quietly throughout the day. 

4. Sprinkle photographs. A grouping of framed photographs bring a feeling of love to a home. These don't need to be formal; simply a picture from your dating days or a grandchild's first day of school.

5. Make memories. Is there a cookie jar filled with homemade cookies? Do you sing around the piano? Do you gather in the living room to read or prop up in bed to write in your journals? My memories of home include making taffy, churning homemade ice cream and playing Scrabble. 

These nesting ideas will turn your house into a home. But don't forget--of greatest importance is your attitude.  If you love your home, your family will most likely, too. And if you are cheerful during the day, twenty years from now your children probably won't remember the walls needed a coat of paint or that the bookshelves would have enjoyed more frequent dusting -- the warm thoughts of home will fill their hearts with joy.

Linked To:

Friendship Friday
Heart-Filled Fridays
Grace at Home
The Friday Five
Thought Provoking Thursday
Whole Hearted Wednesday
Homemaking Wednesday
Word Filled Wednesday
Hope in Every Season Homemaking Party
Thrive at Home