Little Book of Dates by Dr. Greg & Erin Smalley

First of all, this is a cute little book!  I certainly wasn't expecting to open up the mailing envelope to find a little pocket-sized leather-covered cutie!  It made me want to read it even more!  Anyone who is married knows how important it is to date your spouse (and if you aren't having regular date nights you should be...so start this week!).  However, when date night rolls around are you in a rut?  Do you always go to the same restaurant and do the same thing?  I have to admit my hubby and I are in a bit of a dating rut.  We usually just go out to dinner...which is nice but can be boring sometimes.  This book is just what we needed!  He doesn't know I have it so I am going to keep it my little secret and use some of these date night ideas on him! 

The subtitle of this book is 52 creative ideas to make you marriage fun which pretty much sums up this book.  There are 52 date night ideas that go beyond the normal dinner and movie type of date.  It includes a description of the date night them, but then also gives ideas for an activity that you could do to go along with that theme.  It also then includes a section where it lists questions that you can ask each other to build intimacy and trust in your marriage regarding the date you went on. 

I have to admit, some of the date night ideas seem a bit corny and my husband would probably think I was nuts if I pulled one of those date nights on him, but not every date idea is going to appeal to every couple.  So get the book, pick which dates you think would improve your marriage, and go on a date!  This would also be great to give a newlywed couple as a wedding gift!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.*

Real: Becoming a 24/7 Follwer of Christ by Jamie Snyder

Jamie Snyder's book, Real: Becoming a 24/7 Follower of Christ, really got me thinking about my own spiritual life.  And I think it will do the same for any reader.  He urges us to take an in-depth look at our life and examine whether our spiritual walk is real or if we have made it become religious and ritualistic.  In his book he asks us if people would be able to tell if we were a Christ-follower if they didn't see us at church.  In other words, has our spiritual walk been reduced to only Sundays?  If the answer to that question is yes then we have a problem...and it's time to deepen our walk. 

Real is a short book that is easy to read fairly quickly.  The chapters are short and to the point but truly challenge us to take part in self-reflection and encourage us to seek true intimacy with our Maker.  Each chapter also includes a few questions and a short prayer which makes this book a great one to read with a friend or group.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.    

Whispers In The Midst of Chaos

I have had a stressful past few days.  I had 2 stressful and busy days at work last week.  I had my parents over for a Thanksgiving meal last week.  I celebrated my son's 13th birthday (yes, your prayers are appreciated!)with a party at our house and the guest list included all 4 sets of our parents (both mine and my hubby's parents are divorced and remarried)...and they all came!  Don't get me wrong, I am happy they all came, but this was a first for us and let's just say there was some tension and anxiety because they don't all get along.  A few days ago my dryer stopped blowing hot air which making drying clothes a looong process.  (Even on the line...in the winter...in Ohio)  The kids have been nuts and fighting like crazy and I feel as if I have been demoted to the position of referee.  My hubby also started his winter shift at work, which means I am home alone with the kids and their fighting all evening.  Then yesterday I realize that there was a $1,172.12 charge on our checking account that did not belong to us so I spent the morning calling the bank, the Apple store, and filing a police report. 

 

I have been a bit stressed.  Today I got to thinking about stress.  Why do we allow ourselves to get stressed about events in our lives?  We do this because WE are trying to control our universe instead of letting the one who created the universe be in control.  All these things we stress about are out of our control.  Through all of the chaos, God is whispering to us "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10) but are we able to hear him through all of the noise swirling around in our head when we are stressed?  I haven't been able to hear the whispers.  But today I did.  Not only did he tell me to calm down but to also KNOW, not hope, that He is God and will take care of me, but KNOW it without a shadow of a doubt.  When we truly KNOW that, our stress seems to melt away. 

 

So when you are faced with a busy day at work....Be still and know that He is God.

 

When you are at home with your fighting kids and are counting the minutes until your hubby gets home and can relieve you of your duties....Be still and know that He is God.

 

When someone halfway across the country or perhaps even the world decided to steal your debit card number and buy themselves 2 iPhones, taking the money you were planning to use to pay your house payment....Be still and know that He is God. 

 

God is in control.  Stop stressing and looking at all the negative things that are happening and focus on the positives and stop to actually recognize how God is working it out. 

 

I pray you all remember this and have a great NON-stressful day today!