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~ Book Review: Love and Respect in the Family ~

Book Review:  Love and Respect in the Family

                  by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I first saw this new member of the "Love and Respect" family while at a counseling conference.  I knew then that I had to read this book!  I am familiar with Love & Respect Ministries and have read the original "Love and Respect" which applies to marriage.  I had high expectations for this book taylored to family life and I was not disappoitned!

Dr. Eggerichs comes alongside of parents to show them the crucial roles of love and respect when parenting our children.  Dr. Eggerichs observes that children desire to feel loved by their parents above all else.  He also affirms that parents desire to be respected by their children.  Many of the problems between parent and child stem from one of these components missing in the relationship. 

Dr. Eggerichs walks the reader through how this disconnect can put a family on what is callled "the crazy family cycle"!  He encourages the parent to ask: 1) Is my child feeling unloved?  2) Am I feeling disrespected and 3) How will I parent God's way regardless?  Dr. Eggerichs gently reminds parents that as the adults, we have the responsibility to approach our children with maturity.  Once Dr. Eggerichs points out what the crazy family cycle looks like (and how it begins), he instructs the reader with how to replace it with an energizing cycle instead.  He covers practical topics such as discipline, how to incorporate discipleship in parenting, praying for your children and gender appropriate parenting. 

I loved this book!  I immediately found myself implementing principles that I read about with my children.  I greatly appreciate the transparency that the entire Eggerichs family shows through the pages.  I love how the family agreed to use some of their own successes and failures to edify us all in the journey of parenting. 

I would whole heartedly recommend this book for parents.  I love that it can reach both the parent who is new to the Christian faith as well as those who have a long history of faith.  Any parent will walk away feeling encouraged and equipped from reading this book!

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the BookLook Bloggers program.  All opinions are entirely my own.

 

~ Raising Boys By Design - A Book Review ~

Raising Boys By Design by Gregory L Jantz and Michael Guiran is a must read for parents of boys!   I know there are a lot of parenting books out there and among those several that pertain specifically to parenting boys.  This book is in a category of it's own and worth picking up among the many choices out there. 

Raising Boys By Design is written from two main perspectives based on the authors backgrounds and education.  It emphasizes the neurobiology that contributes to your son's "boyness."  It also emphasizes the Christian perspective of wanting to raise your son according to Biblical values.  I personally have not found these two perspectives combined into one parenting book. 

I was very enlightened by the chapter that explains the difference between the male brain and the female brain.  It has really opened my eyes on how to best approach my son.  I have greater understanding of what realistic expectations I should have with how I handle my son, communicate with him, and motivate him. 

I particularly enjoyed the two chapters which delineate what a boy needs from a father and what a boy needs from a mother.  I could see how this is already played out in my family's dynamics.  I am able to better fulfill my role as a mother after seeing some of those traits labeled as unique to me as a mother. 

A final unique benefit to this book is that it is up to date.  Our sons face a culture of media everywhere they turn.  I love that the authors take time to devote a chapter to how parents may best approach a son's use of media while having balance in their lives. 

In conclusion - this is one of the best books I have read in a long time regarding parenting boys.  I highly recommend picking up a copy to guide you as you face the task of raising your son!

*This book was provided to me by the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest review.  All thoughts in this review are my own!

~ Real Marriage - A Book Review ~

I was very excited to hear about the release of Real Marriage by Mark & Grace Driscoll!  We have greatly appreciated some of Mark Driscoll's previous writings.  I was very eager to have an opportunity to hear from the combination of Mark and Grace together in this work. 

I highly recommend having this book on your shelf!  I was greatly edified by reading what the Driscoll's had to say about marriage.  I also found myself being able to use this as a great tool to help others who came to me seeking help in their relationships and marriages. 

I have read my fair share of marriage books (many written by pastors).  Sometimes after reading this genre, the reader walks away feeling defeated and discouraged.  How could you possibly every meet the standards of the perfect marriage presented in the pages?  This is probably what I love most about Real Marriage!  I was moved by the Driscoll's level of openness in the pages.  They do not sugar coat relationship and marital issues.  They present the raw honesty of what marriage between two sinners can look like.  They share personal stories and lessons learned.  This level of transparency left me encouraged and inspired.  The Driscoll's manage to discuss delicate issues that many Christian books leave out all the while pointing the reader back to Biblical truths.  I love that they are not afraid to tackle difficult topics with grace and truth.

I truly believe this book belongs in the library of all pastors and those providing marriage counseling.  It is a resource you will use repeatedly - not to mention for your own personal edification!

* I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the Book Sneeze blogger review program.  All opinions are my own.

~ Upside Down Prayers for Parents - Book Review ~

I was so excited to have an opportunity to review Upside Down Prayers for Parents: Thirty-One Daring Devotions for Entrusting Your Child--and Yourself -- to God by Lisa Tawn Bergren.  I had seen snippets of info about it on several websites I follow and was very interested in reading more!

 

Upside Down Prayers for Parents is a unique devotional book unlike any other I've seen.  Each chapter focuses in on one specific prayer for your children.  Bergren shares a short devotional from her personal life and parenting experiences, provides a theme scripture, and a written prayer.  One of the hidden gems in this devotional is the discussion questions Bergren includes with each chapter.  She provides a question to discuss with a younger child as well as an older child.  This makes this devotional easy to apply whether you have young kids, older kids, or both! 

My favorite part of this devotional book is that Bergren forces you to go outside of the traditional prayer mindset we can develop for our children.  If you are looking for a book that focuses on superficial hopes and prayers for your kids such as - "keep them happy" and "never let them experience hurt" - then this is not the book for you.  The emphasis on "daring" prayers in the book's subtitle is appropriate.  I think another possible title could've been 31 Dangerous Prayers for Parents.  Lisa Bergren takes a typical prayer we as parents often find ourselves praying and turns it upside down.  I have to admit - I had to think twice and check my heart before actually praying some of these over my kids!  Some examples of the prayers in this devotional are:

I pray you'll encounter battles - and find God is your greatest ally

I pray you'll know what it is to be lonely - and find intimacy with the One who is always beside you

I pray you'll be shattered - and allow God to build you up again

I pray you'll be farsighted - able to see where our God is leading us

See what I mean?  Just rereading all these amazing prayers makes me want to reread the devotional all over again! 

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Upside Down Prayers for Parents by Lisa Bergren.  It will grow and challenge you personally as well as edify you as a parent.  If you are searching for some deep meaningful ways to take your children before the Father, this is the perfect tool to help you!

 

**I received this book free as a part of the Blogging for Books program by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.  The opinions stated above are 100% my own!

~ Book Review: God Gave Us Christmas ~

 

I was very excited to have the opportunity to review God Gave Us Christmas since we already have read and love God Gave Us So Much by the same author!  Lisa T. Bergren does a beautiful job teaching your child about the true meaning of Christmas.  She focuses on God giving the best gift of all - Jesus.  Bergren helps your child to appreciate the good qualities portrayed in Santa while at the same time, making Jesus the center of the Christmas holiday.  Little Cub discovers on the expedition with her mother that God is all around us if we look for Him.  She finds that God loves everyone (even those who make bad choices) and that is why God gave us Christmas!  God's love for us is why baby Jesus was born.  The illustrations are beautiful and captivating to little eyes.  I highly recommend adding this book to your list of children's Christmas books.  Don't just take my word for it - here's my 6 year old's opinion:

 

Josiah decided that Slinky also needed to give a review:                   So, there you have it! 6 year olds and wiener dogs agree that this is a must read book!

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of WaterBrook/Multnomah's Blogging for Books program.

~ Book Review: His Mighty Warrior ~

Do you have an adventure seeking pirate loving boy?  Do you want your son to see the adventure and excitement of Scripture?  Are you eager for your child to embrace that God desires to use him to change the world?  His Mighty Warrior:  A Treasure Map from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd may be just what you are looking for!

This book makes the Bible come alive in new and exciting ways that engages the mind of a little boy.  The table of contents provides various topics relevant to the life of a little boy.  He can choose whatever is pertaining to him in the moment and read what God has to say about it.  Each topic includes a personal letter to your little boy from God, Bible verses, and a prayer.  The language is perfect for capturing the mind of your son.  The beautiful and interesting full color illustrations further enhance this work.  You must check out a preview for yourself here!

I love that my son is learning Scripture at his level.  What I love most, though, is that he is starting to see that God created him for a purpose.  God wants to use him - even at the young age of 5!  He loves that the pictures and wording talk of him being on a mission and adventure. 

*Thanks to Waterbrook/Mutonomah for providing this book in exchange for my honest review!

~ Book Review: Just In Case You Ever Wonder ~

Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado and illustrated by Toni Goffe is a real gem of a book!  Max Lucado has yet to disappoint me with any of his works.  God has uniquely gifted him to not only write to a mature audience but also to stoop down to the level of a child.  He makes faith and God so easy to understand and be interested in even for a young child.  The engaging text is further enhanced with the beautiful and interesting full color illustrations by Toni Goffe.

Just In Case You Ever Wonder is written from the perspective of a parent talking to his/her child.  The story begins with how wonderfully God made the child.  It talks about how unique and special the child is.  Lucado then talks about how God also uniquely chose the child's parents.  The narrating parent continues to tell the child how they will always be there for them...even when they change and grow.  The story ends with the parent talking about how God wants the child to know about heaven, how wonderful it is, and that we will be there together forever!

I love reading this book to my son!  One of my favorite things about this book is that it totally fits for an adoptive family.  Many times a book like this will emphasize how the child was born to the parents.  This book leaves room for the child to put their own interpretation of how they became a part of their family.  The other aspect I like is that it is at the perfect developmental level for my child.  It talks about being scared of monsters (which he is!) or kids being mean at school (which sometimes they are).  He can really relate to words.  This makes it that much more meaningful that God and his parents will always be there to love him no matter what!

You don't want to pass up the opportunity to read this story with your little ones.  They will love it.  You will too!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

~ Book Review: The Blessing ~

I received a copy of The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance by Trent & Smalley to review on my blog.  I was intrigued by the idea of the book and how it could impact me as a parent.  The attractive cover and engaging subtitle further instilled my curiosity.

The premise of the book is that we can choose as parents to either empty our children (criticize, etc.) or fill them up (bless, love, etc.).  We have choice between these two mulitple times a day.  The book shows you how to think through this biblically.  You are also challenged as the reader to take the blessing challenge.  Another aspect the reader can gain from this work is to filter through past hurts or failures from childhood and move forward in blessing and acceptance.

I love the idea of this book as a Christian woman, mom, and counselor.  I have to admit, however, that I just could not get through it.  I was not very engaged in the text despite believing in and being in agreement with what it had to say.  The writing style might not match up with what interests me.  The content itself is very good and could be a big help to many parents wanting to show love and blessing to their families.  I recommend flipping through a preview before purchasing to see if it fits your style.

*I received this book free of charge from the Book Sneeze Blog Review Program in exchange for my honest review.

~ Book Review: Craving Grace ~

The description of Craving Grace by Lisa Velthouse immediately grabbed my attention.  I was attracted to Velthouse's honest quest for God's grace - both in her own life and the ability to demonstrate it to those around her. I could understand and relate to her struggle with legalism that seems to be common to many who have grown up in the church.

Lisa Velthouse offers a unique and inspiring memoir in Craving Grace.  She begins by sharing about her goal to never kiss a man until her wedding day.  Her world and moral code is turned upside down, however, when she finds herself breaking this "rule."  Velthouse takes us through the journey of learning about and accepting God's grace in our lives...especially when we have little to offer or when we fail.  The reader journeys with Velthouse as she commits to fasting from sweets in order to focus on the sweetness of grace that Jesus offers. 

I really enjoyed this book, despite not being a huge memoir reader.  I found myself endeared to Velthouse and her internal struggles.  She easily invests the reader in her story.  I also liked her stream of consciousness "Donald Miller-esque" style of writing.  Reading this book was like sitting and having coffee and conversation with an old friend.  I also found myself being challenged to think through how I experience (and show) God's grace versus being held to legalistic standards. 

Overall, I think that Craving Grace is a title worthy of adding to your summer reading list!  The content is engaging, the book is easy to read and it is thought provoking.

*Thanks to Tyndale for offering me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

~ Book Review: When God Created My Toes ~

We received a review copy of When God Created My Toes by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrations by David Hohn a few weeks ago.  We've had the opportunity to review another Dandilion Rhymes book so we were excited when this one arrived!

When God Created My Toes captures your child's imagination with fun questions surrounding the mysterious time that God was creating him/her.  Mackall engages your child with a fun sing-song rhyme on each page.  Some of my favorites are: When God created my eyes could I see him too, plyaing peek-a-boo?  When God created my nose did he know I'd sneeze in a wintry breeze?  When God created my heart did he make it beat?  Did he make it sweet?  Did I love him from the start when God created my heart? 

The illustrations by David Hohn are equally interesting and engaging.  We love how each page is full color illustrations.  Each page brings a smile to your face! 

This is a fun and wonderful book to read to your little one.  The questions are sweet and really make you think about all the detail God puts into creating us.  I love how the text also emphasizes how unique and special your child is to God and you.  Your child walks away from the story knowing that God thinks your child is a job well done!

*I received this copy free from Water Brook Press in exchange for my honest review.