by Kimberly | May 9, 2012 | Books
Growing up I can’t think of a single tradition we had as a family. Kind sad – but that doesn’t mean I can’t start any in our new family, especially as we welcome baby boy into the world in a few short months.
Noel Piper has written a tremendous book on why do you have traditions? I mean why do you watch the Rose Bowl Parade every New Years? Why do you go to grandma’s house for Easter lunch every year? What makes something a tradition? How do you start new ones?
Through many personal stories and Scriptural citations, Mrs. Piper exhorts families to share in traditions together that embrace the Savior and exalt Him to a world that doesn’t know Him. As parents, we have a huge burden and responsibility (and joy) to raise our children in the ways of Jesus – to help them come to know Christ and see Him for who He is. How do your traditions/holidays/birthdays, etc explain and display Christ to them and neighbors and other family members?
Honestly, I felt like the best part of the book was the one at the end about worship services and little children. Her and her pastor husband, John, gave great advice and helpful hints for having young children in corporate worship services. This is such an important issue in many churches. And I think every parent/couple must know what will happen come Sunday morning.
My one regret with this book is that I didn’t read it with my husband. A wife shouldn’t really establish traditions by herself and this book would have been great, or at least to discuss with my husband, so we can think and plan traditions for our family. I’m sure he is open for discussion!
“We are always teaching our children, whether we mean to or not.” (pg 34)
“Children need teaching from the Bible so they can grow into men and women of God. That’s what we long for on their behalf and what God offers through His Word.” (pg 44)
“Our celebrations work good in our own lives and in other people whose lives touch ours, by kindling our love fo God, by increasing our knowledge of Him, and by helping us remember who God is and how He works.” (pg 64)
by Kimberly | May 8, 2012 | Books, marriage
Using her years of ministry experience and over 100 surveys by minister’s wives with years in the ministry as well, Tina Wright writes a helpful and encouraging book for all ministry wives.
Its funny, I got this book years after I met Tina (about 5 years ago now) and just read it – only 7 months after I got married. The chapters are short, readable, makes you laugh, think, cry, uses illustrations you will definitely be able to identify with, and just a pick me up. I joked with E after each brief time I read a chapter or two. “You really like it when I read some of Tina’s book, don’t you. You get encouraged!” I would always say something positive and encouraging to my husband when I put down her book.
That is what I’ve learned from Tina, both in real life and through her book. I loved reading her book because I knew some of the people and stories that she shared. I also knew she, though not perfect, strived to live out the principles she put forth in Help! These aren’t just lofty ideas that can’t be obtained. Through her almost 20 years serving alongside Steve in ministry, through moves, schooling, raising three children, etc – she has had plenty of practice with the ideas and truths in this book.
Most ministry wives (especially moms) do not think they have time to read. You can easily read a chapter of this book in 10 minutes. I think we all can find 10 minutes, and believe me – your life, marriage, and ministry will be changed because of the biblical truths Tina gives in this book.
Thank you sweet friend. You are missed.
Photo credit: GreenFlash Productions from our wedding.
by Kimberly | May 7, 2012 | Books
I really enjoy reading books by people that I know…you feel more personally connected to the writer and therefore, the book itself. Brian Croft is a dear friend of my husband. He is the pastor of a church in Louisville, KY. He writes a blog for “normal” pastors called Practical Shepherding.
I picked this book (actually, thank you Eric for getting it for me) due to a friend’s asking if I had read it or knew anything about it. My pastor had just finished preaching through Hebrews 11 (the chapter of the Bible this book is based on) and life is just a BIT of a struggle right now. This was a perfect book.
Brian’s strength, both in his books and on his blog, is that he knows his audience. He is writing to pastors, not necessarily the mega church, celebrity pastors, but normal pastors who serve normal churches. These are the pastors who probably don’t get book deals or radio shows and their churches don’t put our their own CDs or fill up football stadiums. These are the pastors that shepherd anywhere from 15 – 500 people and press on, week in and week out. They may struggle with being the only staff pastor or may struggle with leadership issues. They may not have a huge choir and still sing from accompaniment tapes because their church hasn’t made it to the 21st Century. Brian knows his audience. He doesn’t use big theological terms (if he does, he defines them) and he uses stories that will resonate with the majority of his readers. This is a great benefit to his books that all authors need to learn (including me)!
Another of Brian’s strengths is his pointing to Christ through all of his chapters. This is what the writer of Hebrews wants to do anyway (doesn’t the whole Bible point to Christ?). The main goal of the book of Hebrews is for the reader to see that Christ is better, He is more supreme. Brian helps us see that AGAIN (because we often need to be reminded) by looking at the lives of the saints mentioned in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11). He shows us how God compels normal every day people, great sinners in need of a HUGE Savior, to persevere and endure to the end for great would be their reward!
Maybe life for you is kinda tough. Maybe you or your family is going through a tough time and you want to be made aware of God’s infinite faithfulness to us in giving us Christ. Pick up this book. Pastors, there is a specific chapter for you at the end, but the rest of the book can really be read and applied by everyone. The chapters are short and applicable – in fact there are application questions at the end of each of the chapters.
Be encouraged. Your God is good and faithful. Thank you Brian.
by Kimberly | May 3, 2012 | photo shoot
Its really interesting who God brings into your life and what their passions are. I first met Carrie back when I was doing college ministry at a local church and she was a student at UNC. How both of our lives have changed!
Her interests: designing beautiful girl’s clothing (all you moms out there need a new dress for your daughters – right?), loving people, encouraging them, being real with friends, making dreams happen for others. She is sweet and loves pink (can you tell by these pictures?). We had a fun photo shoot with balloons, fun accessories, and the hottest day in Durham so far. American Tobacco was quiet this morning for which I was thankful and the wind kept to a minimum so the balloons weren’t ALL over the place.
Loving God…loving others – this is what she likes to do!
by Kimberly | May 3, 2012 | Worship
Back before Easter our church commissioned a new Durham church, SoDu, and one of the songs we sang that day was this one by Jeff Bourque. He is a worship pastor near Nashville and a friend of my husband. I didn’t know it that well the first time, two weeks later, I wept through it hardly able to get the words out, and since then I’ve sung it as one of my new favorite songs. The words are challenging and exhortational!
May we run this race, may we keep the faith; may our eyes be fixed on Jesus –
That we’ll not lose heart in our struggle with sin, and through suffering know endurance.
May we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ to rejoice in trials and be not surprised.
May our hearts be so consumed by You that we never cease to praise.
May our company be the saints You’ve called may we all stand firm in one spirit –
That the gospel’s truth may resound on earth, that all living things may hear it.
May the fruits of faith mark the path we trod through the life of Christ, to the glory of God.
May our hearts be so consumed by You that we never cease to praise.
May the words we share be Your grace and peace, may our tongues speak Your proclamations –
That the many parts of the body of Christ be affirmed in their right relation.
As we long and wait for the groom to come, may we learn to love, and spur each other on.
May our hearts be so consumed by You that we never cease to praise.
When that day arrives, and the race is won, when our griefs give way to deliverance,
We will fully know, as we’re fully known all our groans will end as new songs begin,
And a multitude from every tribe and tongue wearing robes of white, will stand before Your throne
And our hearts will be so consumed by You that we’ll never cease to praise!
Written by Jeff Bourque. 2004 Universal Music Corp. / Cumberland Belle Music (ASCAP).
