Book Review and TWO Giveaways~Lead Your Family Like Jesus

I've been blessed this year to be part of Tricia Goyer's launch teams.  The most recent book I've reviewed is Lead Your Family Like Jesus from Focus on the Family and authors Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, and Tricia Goyer.

About the Book:

(Focus on the Family/Tyndale) - "Does your family need a five-star general at the helm? A psychologist? A referee? Ken Blanchard, best-selling co-author of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus, points to a better role model: the Son of God. Joined by veteran parents and authors Phil Hodges and Tricia Goyer, renowned business mentor Blanchard shows how every family member benefits when parents take the reins as servant-leaders. Moms and dads will see themselves in a whole new light—as life-changers who get their example, strength, and joy from following Jesus at home. This user-friendly book’s practical principles and personal stories mark the path to a truly Christ-centered family, where integrity, love, grace, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness make all the difference."

Lead Your Family Like Jesus is broken up into four leadership domains: The Heart, The Head, The Hands, and The Habits, with three chapters each.  You can purchase it at several retailers online, including Amazon. You can also click here to be taken to Litfuse's Lead Your Family Like Jesus Landing page, to get more information, order your own copy, and get a free booklet!

My Thoughts/Personal Testimony: 

Lead Your Family Like Jesus is a must-read for parents, grandparents, and anyone with children in their lives!  This book impacted me greatly.  To give you an example of how it impacted me, I have NEVER written, underlined, or highlighted in a book-it just has always seemed wrong.  So when I started reading, I had a notepad to take notes.  I found I was taking SO MANY notes that I decided to underline  (in ink even!) important parts I wanted to remember. This is big for me. So my copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus is almost all underlined!!  There are so many things I want to share with you from the book, but I know I need to keep the length of this post under control, so here are a few of my favorites quotes: 

"Leading your family like Jesus starts with being led by Jesus.  Being led by Jesus is all about turning to Him, following Him, and knowing He's not only walking beside you on your journey as a parent; He's doing so with tender, loving care."

"Influencing hearts for generations is the true purpose of our parenting."

This one really hit home-on the days you may be stressed, overwhelmed, and short-tempered, "Is this really how you want your kids to remember their home life?"

I also liked the ideas of the Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down game, and the Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes prayer method.  

Although I've only had this book for a few weeks now, I can already feel a difference in myself and subsequently our household. It is so true that Mom can really set the tone for the family. I can't stress enough what a wonderful parenting book this is-be sure to order a copy for yourself, and let friends and family know about it!  Lead Your Family Like Jesus would make a great gift for new parents too!

GIVEAWAY

 *I am having my own giveaway for one hardcover copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus, and there is a Webcast event on 4/16 you can register for and enter to win an iPad and Tricia Goyer library!

Win your own hardcover copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus by simply leaving a comment below, answering this question: What family values are important to you and your family?

This contest will run through April 11th. I will choose a winner using random.org, and the winner will receive an email so make sure to leave your email address!! 

WEBCAST EVENT WITH GIVEAWAY

Celebrate the release of Lead Your Family Like Jesus with Tricia by entering her iPad Mini Giveaway and RSVPing for the Lead, Momma Lead LIVE Webcast Event (with MomLife Today's Tracey Eyster) on April 16th.

  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Tricia Goyer library 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 15th. Winner will be announced at the "Lead, Momma Lead" Live Webcast Event on April 16th. Connect with authors and everyday moms, Tricia Goyer and Tracey Eyster, for an evening of sharing and perspective-changing encouragement for leading your family. Tricia and Tracey will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus and join Tricia and Tracey on the evening of April 16th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 16th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Litfuse Publicity. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Book Review~The Gospel-Centered Woman

About the Book: 
"Understanding Biblical Womanhood through the Lens of the Gospel

Many Christian books written to women claim to present God's good instructions for their lives. Some expound on the value of marriage and children. Many extol the virtues of the Proverbs 31 wife. A good number teach the value of love, submission, and respect in Christian marriages. Though this book deals with these topics, The Gospel-Centered Woman addresses women from an entirely different perspective. The most important part of the Bible's instructions to women center around the gospel. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection brought about a seismic shift in our understanding of Scripture. After His resurrection, His disciples understood words written thousands of years before with a clarity they never had previously. The good news of Christ illuminates all other Scripture, including instructions to women. "

TheGospel-Centered Woman is divided into three sections, with chapters in each section. The sections are: 

1. Created in God's Image

2. Redeemed to Reflect God Once More

3.  Wisdom in the Tension

What I Thought: The Gospel-Centered Woman was different from any Women's Bible Study I've ever read.  It really focuses on the Bible and it's instructions to women, whether single or married, with or without children. The chapter that impacted me the most was Chapter 9, Wisdom from Proverbs 31.  The typical Proverbs 31 woman can make many women feel very inferior, and Wendy Alsup approaches it from a different, fresh perspective that opened my eyes to what is really important from this part of the Gospel. I think this book is a must-read for any age woman, and would make a great gift for a newly married woman.

 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/jgKJd   

Click here to learn more about The Gospel-Centered Woman and read more reviews.

Meet Wendy:  

  

Wendy Alsup is a wife, mom, and math teacher. She is the author of "Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives" and "By His Wounds You are Healed: How the Message of Ephesians Transforms a Woman's Identity". Find out more about Wendy at www.theologyforwomen.org.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Litfuse Publicity as part of a blog tour. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Book Review~The Guardian

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Guardian Bethany House Publishers (March 26, 2013) by Beverly Lewis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

ABOUT THE BOOK

When schoolteacher Jodi Winfield goes for a morning run, the last thing she expects is to find a disheveled little girl all alone on the side of the Pennsylvania road, clad only in her undergarments, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Jodi takes the preschooler home with her, intending to find out where she belongs. But Jodi is mystified when no one seems to know of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak a word of English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

As the days pass, Jodi becomes increasingly attached to the mysterious girl, yet she is no closer to learning her identity. Then an unexpected opportunity brings Jodi to Hickory Hollow--and into the cloistered world of the Lancaster Old Order Amish. Might the answers lie there?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Guardian, go HERE.

What I Thought: Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite Amish authors, and I have read many of her books.  She is such a talented writer, and The Guardian is no exception.  The Englisch and Amish worlds are combined in this story, and it was interesting to consider the ramifications of the Amish not involving police in their matters.  Very quickly in the story I got attached to Maryanna and sweet little Sarah.  This was a book I didn't want to put down, which is the way I usually am with Beverly Lewis'  wonderful storylines!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from CFBA . 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

~Wordless Wednesday~

Try a New Recipe Tuesday~Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

This is a great way to use up left over ham from Easter, and its really good.  This recipe came from Taste of Home Magazine and has been a favorite in our home for a few years now.  

85

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup powdered nondairy creamer
• 1-3/4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• 6 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 cups diced fully cooked ham
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine creamer and water until smooth. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, onion, salt and paprika until smooth; gradually add creamer mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
• In a greased shallow 2-1/2-qt. baking dish, combine potatoes and ham. Pour sauce over the top.
• Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 40-50 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with cheese; bake for 5-10 minutes or until edges are bubbly and cheese is melted. Yield: 6 servings

Check out this week's new recipes: 

Book Review~Scorned Justice

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Scorned Justice Abingdon Press (April 1, 2013) by Margaret Daley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold eighty-three books to date.

Margaret was the president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization of Christia writers with over 2300 members. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.

Until she retired a few years ago, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community as well as serving on her church’s vestry.

On a more personal note, she has been married for over forty years to Mike and has one son and four granddaughters. She treasures her time with her family and friends.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Texas Ranger Brody Calhoun is with his parents in west Texas when an unexpected attack injures the brother of Rebecca Morgan, Brody's high school sweetheart. The local sheriff, a good friend, asks for Brody's help. At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case. However, as Brody digs deeper, he realizes the attack may be related to an organized crime trial Rebecca will be overseeing. With Rebecca's help, he compiles evidence which involves cattle rustlers, bribery, and dirty payoffs that shatter the entire community and put Rebecca directly in the line of fire.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Scorned Justice, go HERE.


What I Thought: Scorned Justice is the first book I've read by Margaret Daley, and wow did it suck me right in!  Full of action with of course some romance, it kept me guessing until the end, and it wasn't one of those mysteries where you have a pretty good feeling you know how its going to end, and then you are right. I'm glad there is a fourth book in the series, and I just might have to go back and read the first two now!!