by Kimberly | Jul 25, 2017 | Books
I remember almost 20 years ago, my first trip to Amish County. I traveled together from St. Augustine for a wedding of two of my dear friends in northern Indiana Amish Country.
Our borrowed mini van cruised into a country of small stores, pretty house lit with candles, and wagons that were pulled by horses. It was certainly idyllic and different from tourist beach land where I was from.
Since then I’ve been a fan of most Amish fiction, some of the books good enough to rope me in during the first chapter, compelling me to keep reading it until I finish.
Kate Lloyd’s A Letter From Lancaster County was one of those. I finished it in about 3 days and found myself really identifying with both of the main characters.
I think that’s what a good fiction does. It pulls the reader in and makes you want to be in the setting, joining in on the conversation.
Her fiction tale of two sisters, an aunt, and a love interest of course, helps you think about marriage, singleness, death, life, living, and adventure pulls you in and helps you think about your own life.
For a married reader, I do find it hard to read romance fiction, even if I have a happy marriage, because it takes any romantic thoughts pulls you away from your spouse to another man, which never good. So, while this is very light in romance, I would still caution readers to guard your heart. Its not going to ruin the story for you to skip to the next chapter!
Thanks to Litfuse for the book. All opinions are my own. You can win some goodies by clicking on the above link!
by Kimberly | Jul 12, 2017 | Uncategorized
I fell in love with Marty Machowski’s writing for kids, youth, and parents when I was working on designing a curriculum for a church in Raleigh 7 years ago. And I’m still influenced by how he handles the Gospel to others. Whether its kids or teens or parents, any body can benefit from his writing.
His use of the Gospel and application and getting to the heart of the matter and correct theology – is all important parts of his writing.
And how hard is sin to explain to teens? When lives are hard, emotions run deep, friendships are off and on, hormones are raging, parenting relationships can be difficult. In his new book, Dragon Seed, Marty does a really good job using his sanctified imagination to explain sin, how it cuts us to the core, and how spiritual warfare is a real thing.
The Gospel is so crucial to that and the empty tomb wins though.
This would be a great book for parents to read with their pre-teen sons, I think especially sons. Maybe a good one for Dads and sons to read together or go on a weekend trip to discuss.
Thanks Litfuse for a chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Apr 11, 2017 | Books
One of the best things we can teach our children is to be children of faith. That may seem like a strange thing to say, because faith is a gift, but we can train them in that way.
Faith, saving faith, is indeed a gift from God. But, throughout Scripture we are encouraged to be faith-filled, faithful, and men and women of faith.
In her book, Unsinkable Faith, Tracie Miles encourages us as women to develop a game plan to be women of faith. For me, most of it has to do with a combination of mind and heart – especially when things aren’t going exactly the way that I would like. When we combine how we feel and how we think – it will change the way we live.
Romans 12:1-2 is a popular verse to use about how we live our lives for God. And not for this world. And really it starts with two things: worshiping God (knowing that we aren’t everything in this life) and training our minds by reading the Word of God.
Belief is an active process. We need to read what the Bible says about us, God himself, and the world around us. Actively believe it – repeating it to ourselves, memorizing it, embarking on a journey to apply it, and then acting upon it.
When this world doesn’t go exactly like we want it to, when our instagram pages don’t look as perfect as others, then we tend to start going down in our belief of the Word. Did God really say something and is that really true?
This book is a good read to encourage you to build your faith on something solid – the only unchanging thing in this world – God.
by Kimberly | Mar 13, 2017 | Books
I need to learn some things about reading. You think I’ve been reading for decades, I’d have it down, but my reading brain needs to be retrained.
For about 10 years now, post seminary, I’ve been reading mostly for review purposes, so it is hard for me to read for fun. I’ve read books that I love and adore, but most of those aren’t the ones I’m reviewing (there are exceptions of course). And when I read for review, it is hard for me to read for enjoyment.
And it is hard for me to read fiction, because it is hard for me to think that this will affect my heart and life.
Insert: why I don’t read much fiction anymore. I don’t know why it is so difficult.
Carolyn Miller, in her new book The Elusive Miss Ellison, has so many important things about life.
“But although she prayed and tried to believe things would somehow work out for good, the mortification continued to ebb and flow, the questions whirled, and heaviness of heart made sleep impossible.” – Carolyn Miller
Pride, love, family troubles, societal obstacles – you’ll find them all in this book.
Thanks Litfuse for this book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Mar 11, 2017 | Books
I have learned one thing in the last few years: there is no such thing as balance in life. If you are doing one thing – then you aren’t doing another thing. And so many of us women try to spin about 1000 plates.
Whether we are mommying and working, or mommying many, or doing a ministry at our church or teaching bible studies in our home, or being involved in creative communities, balance is hard to get right.
When I was younger I wasn’t very good at the balance beam in elementary school PE, but now that I’m older I have gotten better at the tree pose in my yoga practice.
Lisa Pennington gets the life of balance. In her book, Tightropes and Teeter-totters, she doesn’t appear to have it altogether, but instead, through humor and great tips, she helps us all maybe not fall completely off.
She hits on marriage, parenting, having a peaceful and clean home, all done with humor, personal illustrations, and biblical truth. Its a quick read and one you can for sure pull some tips from.
Thanks to Litfuse for this book. All opinions are my own.
