Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

My passion is for women and children to know the word deeply and to love it.  I have long been frustrated that so many times we aren't taught to study our Bibles, but to take our pastor's word or our Bible study leader's word for what the Bible teaches.  I'm very picky when it comes to Bible studies and books about Bible studies because so many times the books talk about how the Bible is about us.  It's not.  It's about God.

Thank you, Jen Wilkin, for a wonderful book on how to be a woman of the Word.  She was clear, concise, and spoke in everyday language.  She challenged me and affirmed me at the same time. I like how she reminded readers that the Bible is not about us.  It's about God.  We have to know who God is so we know who we are. 

While I was reading this book, all I wanted to do was to go back and study the Bible! She tells her readers how to study the Bible with: purpose, perspective, patience, process, and prayer.  I have taken those into my own quiet times and have been purposeful about adding all of these to my quiet time. It's so easy to rush through and I appreciate her reminders not to do so.

I also like the section for Teacher Help.  It was very informative on leading a group of women and things you could do and things to watch out for so as not to do.

I would love to use this study in discipleship, either with a group of women or one-on-one.  It's a good book for personal use, too.

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I received this book free from Crossway Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

I Need Some Help Here by Kathi Lipp

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the cover of this book.  I feel like this picture sums up some of the days I have and have had! That automatically made me interested in this book.  In fact, it was what made me want to read it.  I knew someone wrote about what I could easily relate to!

Kathi Lapp does a great job encouraging moms who have children that are struggling, making poor choices, not wanting a relationship with God, or who are being left out.  There is so much more talked about in these pages.  This book has something for anyone who has a child from a toddler to a teenager.

Parenting is hard enough as it is, but I think it's also hard to deal with ourselves as moms.  There are so many choices and so many things we want to teach our children so they don't have to learn the hard way.

I liked the chapter where she talks about her child with Down Syndrome.  The gifts she has received from him were simply beautiful.  I think if we stop to really think about it, from atop the trench, we can see the gifts our own children give us.  I laugh because when my children are gone, I always find myself missing their silly quirks and those things that drive me to my wits end!

Each chapter has a story from the trenches, practical steps, prayers for my child, and prayers for myself.  I think it's so important that we're not only praying for our child to change, but also us.

I also liked the chapter on shame.  I think I fall into that at sometimes and will probably fall into this more often than not.  I was very encouraged by her words throughout that section.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Mom's Night Out and other things I miss...by Kerri Pomarolli

This would be a good baby shower gift.  New, first-time moms may not fully appreciate it at the time, but they would eventually.  It would be an encouraging gift for new and old moms, especially those with little ones.  I would also pair it with a devotional that has more Scripture, since that's what is most important.

My only dislike about this book is that it's more like a self-help book in a way.  I wouldn't classify it as a book that points you back to the Word and encourages you to spend time in the Word, even in those desperate times during parenting.  This book wouldn't be what I would read to grow in my relationship with the Lord.  It does have Scripture verses before each devotional.  I feel like so much more could be brought out in the Scriptures to those moms who feel at the end of themselves.  I think that's where we need to be pointed to our eternal purpose in parenting.

With that said, it is a book that has lots of devotions.  The devotions themselves can be read in less than 5 minutes.  Then it has a section to think about.

To read more reviews, go to http://litfusegroup.com/books/moms-night-out-and-other-things-i-miss-devotions-to-help-you-survive.

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Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive
As a Mom, couldn’t you use a good laugh?
Inspired by the endearing, true-to-life movie MOMS’ NIGHT OUT, comedian Kerri Pomarolli has created this light, yet inspiring devotional that will definitely make you laugh, but will also help you discover that indeed you are not alone, and that God’s gracious provision of love and faithfulness is at work in your life and of your loved ones.
Whether you’re running full-speed-ahead or disappointed that it’s Monday (again), you’ll find joy in these devotions where Kerri shares hilarious stories and insights on daily life. Messy homes, messy kids, lost pets, never ending casseroles, forgetful husbands, and the desire to just take a long bath… This world can be a funny place, and these stories are bound to prove it. Read a devotion to brighten your morning, or catch a few words to make you smile before bed. There’s never a bad time for a good laugh, and as a Mom, you need a Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive.
The MOMS’ NIGHT OUT film features Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy), Sean Astin (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle), Alex Kendrick (COURAGEOUS), Robert Amaya (COURAGEOUS), Andrea Logan White (REVELATION ROAD), Kevin Downes (COURAGEOUS), and platinum-selling country recording artist Trace Adkins (THE LINCOLN LAWYER).
Learn more and purchase a copy at Kerri’s site.

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 I received this book free from B & H Books and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.