by Kimberly | Jun 30, 2017 | Books, marriage
We all need marriage help. Whether we are single looking to get married (we read books on preparing for marriage). Or we are married and need help in our marriage (so many books on this topic). Or whether we’re no longer married (whether by divorce or death), and we can read books that will help us with that.
We are coming up on 6 years of marriage. They’ve not been easy because we’ve moved a lot and had many external changes and two kids to enter our family in that time. But, we’ve journeyed it together.
Mark and Jill Savage, who have been married a lot longer than we have, wrote a book together about their marriage – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
There are marriage books – and I put them in two categories: practical and theological. Theological books (think The Meaning of Marriage by Keller or This Momentary Marriage by Piper) are heavily theological. Yes, they are practical too, but that is not the main point of the book. Then there are marriage books that are primarily practical. Where these is Scripture in the book, and the author’s biblical worldview comes through, but it is mostly practical in nature.
No More Perfect Marriages falls into the latter category. I find it to be very refreshing that the authors share their story, heartbreak and all. They share how sin affected their relationship and how God redeems hurt and sin and pain.
One of the most helpful parts of this book is the talk about the masks we wear in our relationship with our spouse. I’ve thought about what mask I wear – and I think it definitely changes given the circumstance.
I think this book can help you and your spouse think through some helpful things that might prevent some heavy pain coming in the future – or may help you be prepared to fight that pain together.
Thanks to SideDoor Comm and Moody Publishers for this book. All opinions are my own. They are giving away a copy of this book too – if you would like a chance to win just leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite marriage books!
Handlettering: kcreatives
Photo: Audrey Grace Photo
by Kimberly | May 19, 2017 | Books
I don’t think you could ever read too many books on prayer, or be encouraged to read more books on prayer, or be encouraged to pray more.
Even though I’ve spent less time in “concentrated” prayer time – like sit with my eyes closed – I’ve spent so much more time in “always be praying” type prayers: with raising kids, driving in ATL traffic, going through painful times, praying for big prayers over and over.
God is very patient about teaching me that He will always answer my prayers: in His way and in His timing. I tend to still get anxious about waiting for an answer to prayer – even though I know He will answer. So, I need to keep learning patience and expectancy.
In the book Unshaken, Cyndie Claypool de Neve and Sally Burke, both who have served in praying ministries, give us practical tips and personal stories to help us see that prayer really is important and it is a way to actively engage with God and be a part of what He is doing in the world. They tell many stories and testimonies of what they have seen God do in the world and in other’s lives – all because of the power of prayer.
Again, if you need encouragement to pursue in your prayer life: maybe because its been a while since you’ve seen God work in powerful ways in your heart or environment through prayer, this one would be a good book to encourage your faith. Never give up. Prayer can definitely ground you in your relationship with God – as you communicate with Him and hear his Heart.
They basically take the prayer outline of ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication) and use it to encourage us in this ever-happening conversation. We have every reason to praise God, confess where we fall short, praise Him for what He has done, and interceded on the behalf of others. I’m learning all four of these all the time, especially as a mom. These were cherished reminders.
Thanks to SideDoor Com and Harvest House for this book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | May 2, 2017 | mothering
May is here in all its gorgeousness and it is a month to celebrate moms. Moms all play a special role in our lives (whether birth, foster, adopted, or mentor mom). We owe a lot to our moms: knowing how to tie our shoes, feeding us, making our school lunches, driving carpool, talking late in to the night about first boyfriends, being our biggest cheerleaders, praying for us, celebrating our biggest and smallest victories. The list never ends.
How do you celebrate your mom? Or another way to ask it: how would you like to be celebrated? This is a list of the ways that would be good to pamper me with – and hopefully you can get some ideas to pamper your mom with (or give the list to your husband and ask him).
- A night away or a weekend away (solo or a couple’s weekend – no kids). This is honestly what I ask for every year. Depending on our budget it might be a day or night away by myself or just a day in town doing my favorite things without the kids. The top three within a few hours of ATL that I would love to stay at is: Old Edwards Inn, Blackberry Farm, or Serenbe. We’ve celebrated a birthday at Serenbe, but would love the chance to stay there and eat at their amazing restaurant. Of course for me, the beach is ideal, and I’m always home there, but right now its a little far for an overnight. It if were a luxury beach trip, I’d stay here. This year for me I’m getting a day off to do some things I love. I’m heading south of ATL to do a styled shoot then stay and enjoy brunch, coffee, hiking, exploring, shopping, all by myself, which is so refreshing.
2. A great meal. We moms usually spend a lot of time in the kitchen or the drive-thru line or the grocery store. It is fun to be able to eat without working for it. My mister and I are going to a new-to-us place in Buckhead this May. My mister and I love food. For us though, we’ve learned that we love good food but the prices are so high for good food here in ATL, that we’d rather just cook it at home after the boys go to bed. And we love to cook for each other.
3. Gifts. My mister and I love giving gifts. When our bank account doesn’t let us give as big or as often as we would like, we have to get creative. Something both of us do for each other is we keep a gift list. It is a google doc list that both of us can always see and edit, and we love to surprise each other when we can. Right now, here are some of the things on my list. A subscription to this magazine, a gift card to this place (my fave in ATL), or concerts to some of my favorite artists.
4. Pampering. What woman doesn’t enjoy some pampering from time to time? Whether its a facial or a massage, a manicure or a pedicure, time at the spa is usually quiet and wonderful. But, sometimes you can’t get to the spa. Its hard especially with young kids. Well, if you don’t have time or money to get away to a spa this Mother’s Day, I’ve got a special package just for you. The ladies at Moody Sisters, who I have worked with before creating delicious healthy recipes, have given me a special Spring package just for you, a blessed winner. The set you will receive if you win includes: this scrub, this lotion, and this powder. I’ve been using this for the last month and love it. My face always feels super soft after the scrub. My skin feels refreshed in the morning when I wake up (even my hands, because of course that’s how I put on the scrub). The floral smell reminds me of spring in the South so I definitely love that. Moody Sisters makes all of their skin care line with natural ingredients. I love how they interact with their customers and want to make you feel special, especially as a Mom this Mother’s Day. And you don’t have to leave your house to be pampered. After your kids go to bed, turn on a shot bath or shower, play some music, use these Moody Sister’s products, and you’ll be all set!
So, here’s how you get entered to win.
- Leave a comment on the blog telling me what your favorite Mother’s Day gift would be.
- For another entry: go over to Moody Sisters and tell me what you would like to use next.
And to all you mamas out there – you are loved. You are delighted in. You are seen and known.
You’ll also get some lovely goodies from me. This post is sponsored by Moody Sisters and all thoughts are my own.
by Kimberly | Apr 28, 2017 | Books
Recently, we’ve been inviting our children to pray at meal times, when they go to bed, or really whenever they want. It is sweet (ok, maybe not after the 1000th time) to hear them pray for going to the dinosaur park. Or the fire trucks.
But, really, to hear them speak to God, in little faith, not really understanding fully what that means, is engaging.
Last night we read in our family devotion the chapter on the Lord’s Prayer in the Jesus Storybook Bible. How Jesus has a complete understanding how His Father works and hears prayers. And how he didn’t have to write down his prayers, use big words, or have his eyes closed. He just prayed. He spoke His heart.
Donald Whitney, in his typical pastoral, effective teaching style, in his book Praying the Bible, encourages his readers in a method of praying the Scriptures back to God. It unites our hearts with the heart of the One who hears our prayers. His chapter on praying the Psalms was interesting to me. A pastor friend of mine shared this with me when I was going through an extremely hard time a few years ago, and it was definitely one of the best pieces of advice I received.
Whitney acknowledges the problem of our weak prayer lives, but doesn’t leave us there. He guides us in a how-to of sorts of praying the very words of God. If we believe that the Bible is sufficient and perfect, then we can use it to pray for every area of our lives.
I don’t know anyone who would say they pray as good as they ever want to, so this would be a good book to engage your prayer life more.
Thanks Crossway for this book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Apr 27, 2017 | Books, mothering, parenting, Women
Ok – I’m not really a coffee fan. My mister wishes I would be, so we could sit at places and have cheap drinks (regular black coffee) and talk for hours on end. But, the drinks I like are 5$ so not quite as cheap.
But, I might go drink coffee after reading the Magic of Motherhood. Let me explain.
When you go to coffee with a friend, a true friend, one who shares your worldview, who champions what you are doing, who rejoices with you in the good, who encourages you even on the hard days. Or maybe its not coffee, but you have a margarita at their house, or enjoy some chips and guac together, or eat a bagel together, or a cupcake…friends you are comfortable with. Yeah, those friends…
That’s how I felt when I was reading The Magic of Motherhood. I felt I was chilling with some close friends, friends who were able to share whatever was on their heart, knowing that they shared the same biblical worldview as me (value of their children, value of being a mother, knowing that God loves them and has a great plan for their lives, knowing that we can’t do this thing called motherhood without the Gospel).
These friends knew they wouldn’t face judgment or shame for sharing what was on their hearts. These friends knew I would encourage them with truth.
My favorite genre of books is memoir/biography. I love the fact that the authors of memoirs feel the freedom to share what has gone on in their lives (the good, the bad, and the stuff you’d like to forget), and not feel that they would be punished for it. They were sharing what was going on in their lives so that others might be encouraged or learn from their lives. In biographies, we often learn that the people we look up to or admire don’t (or didn’t in some cases) have it all together.
In today’s Christian circles, we often feel like we have to put on a show to others like we have it all together. Or, we have to couch everything in quoting Bible verses so people will think that our hearts are saturated with truth (which they hopefully are but sometimes we do this just so people will not see the hurt in our hearts and any doubts we might have). When it comes to parenting, I’ve had experiences of shame and judgment when I’ve shared the struggles that I’ve had with motherhood. And I’ve experienced shame because my kids don’t always act perfect in public.
The Magic of Motherhood was like just sitting, reading, knowing I wasn’t alone, knowing that God is in charge and brings good, and we do go through hard stuff as mothers. And we won’t like every moment of it. And not once did I hear “the days are long but the years are short” or “enjoy every moment of it”. I read about real mamas who were sharing real struggles, real joys, real moments. And they even talked about their jobs and their husbands – knowing that when we are mamas life still goes on outside of our children.
If you are needing some encouragement along the motherhood journey, this is a good quick encouraging, non-notetaking, read. You can sit with a cup of coffee, in your yoga pants, and you don’t have to have a pen.
Thanks Tommy Nelson for this book. And you can win one – just tell me something you find fun about motherhood.
