Girls n' Grace Hits the Mark!

Just a short while ago I received a wonderful offer from Girls 'n Grace to review two newly released books written especially for young girls (ages 6 and older). After reading an overview about the new series, as well as the vision of Girls 'n Grace, I was excited to accept this offer and share the review opportunity with my own daughters.

Here's what Girls 'n Grace has to say about their company and products:

Girls ’n Grace author Pam Davis equips young girls to meet the cultural and moral challenges of today with grace and self-respect

While working as the coordinator of an American Girl style show in Fort Worth, Texas, Pam Davis was stunned when news broke that the popular book and doll series had aligned itself with organizations that supported a pro-left agenda that included homosexuality and abortion. As a Christian and mother of a young daughter, this information caused her to consider the lasting imprint that “playtime” can really leave on an impressionable little girl. In that moment, she began to envision an exciting new possibility. With the right character as a role model, God could use those sweet afternoon tea parties, hours of make-believe, and sleepovers to sow seeds of faith in tender hearts. This concept became the foundation for the Girls ’n Grace products, a line of dolls and books designed to fulfill Davis’ dream of demonstrating to today’s young girls what it means to be girls of grace.

The release of the first two Girls ’n Grace books will serve as the introduction to the product line. The series follows the lives of several fictional young female characters as all facets of their lives, from their friendships to their goals, are affected by their walks with Jesus. Spanning contemporary history as well as the globe, the characters—and the readers along with them—will learn to depend on God’s grace, especially when their decisions to honor or trust Him are difficult ones. Of particular note are Davis’ frank depictions of the protests and prejudices of the civil rights movement, an era that has traditionally been left relatively unexplored in Christian children’s fiction. These books will thoroughly engage young readers and provide the perfect opportunity for moms and daughters to engage in meaningful conversation.

Sydney Clair’s Season of Change tells the story of a tenacious and curious ten-year-old trying to keep up with all of the changes around her. Sydney Clair Wilcox finds herself right in the middle of the historic events of 1965 surrounding the civil rights, women’s rights, and environmental movements. As her beloved sister leaves for college, Sydney realizes her world is changing. Along with Sydney, readers will learn how God wants us to show His grace to all people and how He gives us everything we need to face each new season in our lives.

In Mesi: A Girl ’n Grace in Africa, young Mesi is growing up in a country where the people’s beliefs are as diverse as the landscape. Her family’s well being is threatened by drought, disease, and war. Yet, despite her hardships, Mesi (pronounced Maycee) finds that God is so very near to her that He cares about every detail of her life. Along her journey Mesi finds out about an inexhaustible treasure called grace.

Each doll from the Girls ’n Grace line comes with a mini Bible and a secret address code that acts as a key to a special online virtual world on the interactive website (www.girlsngrace.com). The site includes links for moms, mother/daughter Bible studies, games, a book club, and information about the line of dolls.

As soon as the books arrived, my daughters snatched them out of my hands. My eldest, has already completed reading Mesi and has written her first official book review (with mommy as editor) at her blog. I hope you swing by there to see what she had to say about the books. She definitely sold me on this series, as I listened to her enthusiasm about the book and witnessed her being inspired by Mesi. She hopes to write the second review soon.

The girls and I also spent time at the Girlsngrace.com website, which was great fun! Although there are some features not yet available, and there are few glitches in the make your own magazine feature (the color button doesn't work and there is no way to save your work, which we accidentally lost and had to begin all over), it was an overall positive experience. I look forward to my girls spending more time at the Girls 'n Grace website and watching what they learn as they navigate through the site.

In our culture, where it is so hard to find quality and sincere products for young girls, Girls 'n Grace has hit the mark square on. This series is exciting, motivating, educational, and entertaining. I'm looking forward to supporting their efforts in the future and I hope you will consider doing so as well.

Another Word on Marriage: Generation Next Marriage

Tricia Goyer has delivered well in her new book, Generation NeXt Marriage: The Couple's Guide to Keeping It Together. Reading this books feels like sitting down with Tricia while sharing a hot cup of coffee with a dear friend. She passionately looks at the state of marriage in our culture and challenges us to do it differently.

Goyer shares not only her thoughts on what it takes to keep a marriage working, but also statistics facing our generation as well as opinions of others, especially those from Generation X. Page after page, I was encouraged and comforted to know that I am not alone and that much of my marital experience is universally shared with my peers, which stems from the response of our own parents to the culture they were deeply influenced by.

Tricia gives plenty of opportunity to laugh and chuckle at the lessons we're learning, too, like this one about dating...

And yes, John tromped through the mall with me for hours at a time and wore the new clothes I picked out for him. After all, he was just like one of those birds that display its brightly colored feathers, strutting its stuff, as part of its mating ritual. John was on his best behavior.

As Madonna sang, "It's all brand new...I'm crazy for you." But often times we discover that the things that make us crazy-in-love are the very things that make us insane during marriage. Can anyone give me an amen?

The format of this book is unique. Divided into 19 different chapters, Goyer lightly considers theoretical aspects of culture and relationships combined with the practical application of how to communicate better and resolve conflict. What stands apart is how each chapter is packed with quotations from others, so that it feels like you're part of a bigger group considering the dynamics of marriage. There is also a discussion guide at the end of the book that points to specific Scriptures to study further as well as questions.

If you're marriage is in need of a energy boost, or if you are looking for a small group discussion guide on marriage, this is a worthwhile read. Tricia has put together a relevant and worthwhile resource that should become required reading for everyone belonging to Generation X.

For more information about Tricia, visit her website: http://triciagoyer.com/

Click here to order Generation NeXt Marriage: The Couple's Guide to Keeping It Together

Do Hard Things Winner

Congratulations Tricia! You have won the giveaway copy of "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations" by Alex and Brett Harris. Email your mailing address and I will get a copy in the mail to you soon!

Do Hard Things Giveaway

Multnomah is proud to present "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations" by Alex and Brett Harris. This is what they have to say about the book and these fabulous twin brothers.

With over 10 million hits to their website TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge in a growing movement of Christian young people who are rebelling against the low expectations of their culture by choosing to “do hard things” for the glory of God.

Written when they were 18 years old, Do Hard Things is the Harris twins’ revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential. Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of revolution already in progress challenges the next generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

As many of you know, I've been living with and working with teens for over a decade now. Regularly, I comb the literary market looking for books that will challenge and inspire intelligent and motivated teens to live life on purpose, without conforming to the norms of the culture. It is a hard find! Most books talk down to teens or use slang that is just foolishness coming from an adult. Other books, loaded with sound Biblical advice miss the mark for the teen audience, as their examples apply to life experiences they've yet to come into.

Alex and Brett have combined relevant content, appropriate examples, and language that is easy to read, without being overtly slang-driven. Even though this book is for teens by teens, I was equally as challenged to consider what Doing Hard Things (DHT) would look like in my own life. The message was just as relevant for me, as I took their 5 hard things and began to evaluate my life: "Am I just getting by...because of low expectations...instead of doing all that I could be doing in this particular situation?"

Believe it or not, I found this book incredibly helpful as a parent, as it gave a perspective of how I could better communicate with my six and eight year olds about the challenges and dreams they have for their own lives. I am keenly aware now of the low expectations swirling around the culture and have a renewed determination to challenge my own kids to live as rebelutionariers instead of conforming to complacency.

Alex and Brett coined more than a few phrases and concepts in Do Hard Things, and also offer wonderful perspectives from many young people that have taken on DHT challenge. Here are just some passages that caused me to stand up and take notice of the premise and potential of DHT:

"I think I have thoroughly shocked my family by doing thins that they (and I) never imagined I'd be doing. It's amazing what we can do if we will trust God enough to step out of our comfort zones." (p. 22)

"As one education expert put it, 'Our current ceiling for students is really much closer to where the floor ought to be.'...The most our society expects from teens is really much closer to the least we should expect." (p. 36)

"The truth is that all of us are susceptible to low expectations. Once we have satisfied the minimum requirements, we tend to stop pushing ourselves." (p. 39)

"A rebelutionary takes the time to identify the areas where he or she could accomplish more by stepping across the line of what comes easily and coming out from behind past accomplishments, complacency, and low expectations." (p. 93)

The Harris brothers have done the hard thing in writing this book and stepping out against the low expectations of the culture. In doing so, they've given us all a valuable resource manual for evaluating our low-bar standard, motivating us to raise it up, becoming all that God intended us to be and all for His glory.

Author Bio
Alex and Brett Harris founded TheRebelution.com in August 2005 and today at age 19 are the most popular Christian teen writers on the Web. The twins are frequent contributors to Focus on the Family’s Boundless webzine, serve as the main speakers for the Rebelution Tour conferences, and have been featured in WORLD magazine, Breakaway, The Old Schoolhouse, and the New York Daily News. Sons of homeschool pioneer Gregg Harris and younger brothers of best-selling author Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye), Alex and Brett live near Portland, Oregon.

Would you like a copy of Do Hard Things?

Enter the giveway for a free copy, compliments of Multnomah! Just leave a comment about what hard thing you think you ought to take on along with your email address. A random commentator will be chosen on Friday, April 19th!

Do the Hard Thing!

I just received a fantastic new book from Multnomah Press, "Do the Hard Things," by Alex and Brett Harris, founders of the Rebultion.com. I'm thrilled to be able to review this book, written by teens for teens, in the next few weeks. The timing is just perfect, with my "Radical Life" message about to be presented this coming Monday to teen girls.

Multnomah is going the extra mile and giving me extra copies to giveaway on Monday night to three of the girls (can't tell ya who, yet!), and I'll have one more copy to give away to a commentator here, when I post the official review on April 15th! Be sure to mark your calendars and come back for the "Do the Hard Thing" blog tour giveaway. If you work with teens, have a teen, or are a teen, you'll want this book to inspire you to do the hard thing for God!

Experiencing the Resurrection

Sick kids. Book reviews pressing in. Laundry piling up. Packing looming ahead. Speaking around the corner. Design gig calling my name. Kitchen floor begging a mopping. Easter baskets to fill. Emails to return. Bills to reconcile. Posts to write. Sick kids needing momma at all hours of the night. Doctor to visit.

Today. Tomorrow. Next week.

My best laid plans are futile. I can schedule, pray about, and orchestrate my time to my heart's content, even building in margin and anticipating the unexpected, but the reality is, I'll never be in control. Why, then, do I continue to believe I am, only to end up frustrated by my inability to finish off the to do list and feel the relief of accomplishing something?

I know the answer. Because I've yet to fully understand and practice what it means to trust the Lord completely with everything in my life, AND my self-worth/identity is still wrapped up in what I do instead of who I am in Christ.

It is time to yield, again, to the lesson at hand and give everything right back to the Lord. The sick kids. The limited time. The responsibilities, big and small. The desires of my heart. Knowing that this is what I must do is so much harder than doing it. I must swallow my pride and let go of expectations. I must trust that God, the Sovereign Lord I truly love will take care of every last detail. I must practice what I preach -- to set my eyes on Jesus, focus on and follow Him throughout my day, casting aside my plans for later and tomorrow. I must be willing to say, I can't do, instead of I can do -- all the while trusting the Lord to do all things, strengthening me in the process. It is the delicate balance between wisdom and belief. It is the "all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial" see-saw.

One of the tasks on my list is to complete a review of "Experiencing the Resurrection: The Everyday Encounter That Changes Your Life" by Dr. Henry Blackaby and Melvin Blackaby for Multnomah books. I'm about a third of the way in, and truly enjoying the read, yet it keeps finding itself covered by papers on my desk, hidden underneath the folded laundry on the couch, and pushed aside to culddle with a feverish child. Somehow, it's place seems exactly to be what Blackaby is talking about. He writes,

"As a Christ, you're to be a witness for Christ--a visible demonstration of every truth God has said. But the religious culture in which we live encourages us to just practice religious activity. As a result, we misunderstand our relationship with God and miss out on experiencing His power....But, as Christians, we're children of Go! If we're faithful in a little, He can make us rulers over much.

You've been given the opportunity to function in the realm of resurrection power--the most exciting life you could ever imagine. What then could God do in your life if He knew you were wholly yield to Him?" p. 4-5

Blackaby is calling the Christian to yield wholly to God. Yes, that is what I want to do, by trusting the Lord with my schedule and saying "yes" to the unexpected before me. I want to yield to His work instead of my own.

As the celebration of Christ's resurrection approaches, I pray we all will look beyond the Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, for a greater understanding of what it meant for Christ to lay down His life for us -- that through His death, we have the very life we cling to. As I focus on that in my own life, I'm going to lay down things this coming week that are of much worth to me. I'm going to yield to the Lord's work, instead of mine. In the absence of doing the things I consider important and of worth, I hope to reflect on the power of the resurrection and experience its truth on my life.

In my yielding, I will be laying down Extravagant Grace for the next 12 days. I look forward to sharing with you about what I've experienced when I return.

If you would like a copy of "Experiencing the Resurrection," compliments of Multnomah, please leave a comment, with your email, by Monday, March 17th. I will check my email, and pick one commentator at random and have it off to you by Easter.

More About the Book...

What does the resurrection of Christ really mean for us? What does it reveal about the heart and mind of God? And what real differences can the miracle of the resurrection make in your life today?

Discover answers to those and other questions as you examine God’s Word with this companion study guide to the book Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry Blackaby and Melvin Blackaby.

Packed with practical notes, advice, and questions for reflection, this highly interactive
guide—ideal for small group or individual use—shows you how to witness Christ’s resurrection in and through your life. Each chapter of the book is explored in a flexible one-week format with “life change objectives” that arise from applying the truth for each day to your life.

More about the Authors

Dr. Henry Blackaby, president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries, is the author of more than a dozen books, including the best-selling classic Experiencing God. He has spent his life in ministry, serving as a music director and as a senior pastor for churches in California and Canada. Today he provides consultative leadership on prayer for revival and spiritual awakening on a global level. He and his wife make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Melvin Blackaby coauthored with his father, Henry Blackaby, the Gold Medallion winner Experiencing God Together. He travels extensively as a conference speaker. He and his wife and their three children live in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, where he serves as senior pastor of Bow Valley Baptist Church.

May God's blessing and powerful work be upon you this Easter.

IOW: Becoming Beautiful

“But remember, for all your adult life you’ll be a woman. And how you live your life as a woman, all by yourself before God, is what makes the real you. Nothing on the exterior can touch or change that precious inner sanctuary—your heart, his dwelling place—unless you let it. And God, who loves you very much, has tailor made all your outer life—your circumstances, your relationships—to pressure you into becoming that beautiful woman he’s planned for you to be.”

~ Anne Ortlund ~

the quote can be found in
Disciplines Of The Beautiful Woman(p. 123) &
The Gentle Ways of a Beautiful Woman: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Beauty (p. 96)

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Beauty. Love. Relationships. Sanctuary. These words trigger a whole slew of reactions among modern day women. In our truth-is-relative culture, many of us would have a hard time agreeing about true beauty, authentic love, or even what would define a legitimately healthy relationship. We've become such creatures of comfort that imperfections and difficult circumstances instantly rob our inner sanctuary of the peace and strength we have in Christ.

Author and speaker, Anne Ortlund, describes a beautiful woman as someone whose whole life is centered on God. As a woman prioritizes her time, focus, and energy around her Maker, she becomes beautiful through the work of Christ in her life--stretching her, molding her, and making her a reflection of His love.

I am convicted by the truth Anne points out when she wrote in Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman, "But remember, for all your adult life you’ll be a woman. And how you live your life as a woman, all by yourself before God, is what makes the real you."

It is true that the woman I am has everything to do with woman I choose to become. It really isn't up to anyone else. Often, I’ve blamed others, including God, for my problems. Excuses of insecurity, fear, and worry have held me captive, keeping me from being the woman I want to be--the woman God created me to be.

So the question beckons, "How am I going to live my life so that I will be the real me, the one that God intended me to be, regardless of my circumstances?" It requires intentionality and purposing to live for God. I have the choice as to whether I will explode or react gently, regardless of the circumstance—whether the situation is as minor as cleaning up another potty training accident or as major as coping with repeated hurts that attempt to overtake my heart with bitterness.

The heart is truly where much of the solution resides. As Anne writes, "Nothing on the exterior can touch or change that precious inner sanctuary—your heart, his dwelling place—unless you let it." So will I let it become hardened like the Israelites as written about in Ezekiel 36:26, or allow God to turn it to flesh by returning to Him over and over again?

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Anne also challenges, "And God, who loves you very much, has tailor made all your outer life—your circumstances, your relationships—to pressure you into becoming that beautiful woman he’s planned for you to be.” How will we respond when difficulties like, abuse, death, adultery, our child's rebellion, a loved one's addictions, another's sin, make a full out assault to destroy our faith? Do we blame God and run from His love? The question we need to consider is not "Why God?" but rather "Why not?" Better said, if God is allowing this to happen in my life, what is it that He wants me to learn? How is this experience going to pressure me into becoming the beautiful woman He intended? How is this moment marked by His love for me?

These questions need to become the foundations of our faith walk, driving us into the arms of our loving and truly just Heavenly Father. It is time to stand-up against the culture that says beauty is defined by face-lifts and highlights. It is time to believe that love doesn't always give you what you want, but rather what you need. It is time to adapt a mindset that asks, "How can I be a women that is beautiful from the inside out, whose heart is an inner sanctuary of peace wrapped in the love a Father?"

Some of us may be paralyzed by these questions, not knowing where to find the answers. Anne lays out quite a few ideas in her books on how to live the life of a woman whose beauty is defined by the Lord's work in her and through her. But even without reading her words of wisdom, we can begin the process today.

Devote Time to Study the Scriptures. It truly doesn't matter what you read from the Bible, but that you make time every day to read the Word. Devotions and studies are great, but often replace our time spent in Scripture (guilty as charged!). Make sure you allow time for God to speak to you through His Word, first and foremost!

Pray! Talk to God often throughout your day about everything, but also slow down enough to have a one-0n-one conversation without distraction. Use a journal, if you'd like, to keep your mind and body focused on speaking with the Lord instead of worrying about the dishes in the sink and piles of laundry nearby.

Identity. Ask the Lord to reveal your identity in Christ, according to the Scriptures. Allow Him to redefined how you see yourself, honestly looking at your sin, confessing and repenting of it, to the Lord. And also look at how you think of yourself and if that is, indeed, how the Lord sees you.

Priorities. You say God is important to you, but how does your life--how you spend your time--reflect that statement. Take an inventory of your life, your time, and your energy. Look at what needs to change to make God number one. If you love Him, what are you doing to make time for Him and live according to His instructions spelled out in the Word.

Becoming a beautiful woman is possible for all of us. We just need to redefine beauty according to the Lord's perspective. Let's commit together, ladies, to allow God to make us into the most beautiful women this world has ever laid eyes on, and through that, may they see the Glory of God shining brightly!

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Thanks for participating in this week's "In Other's Words"!
What a blessing to have your thoughts and insights!

Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman

Disciplines Of The Beautiful Woman, by Anne Ortlund is one of the most profoundly influential books that I have ever read. Ortlund's thoughts, humble confessions, and incredible energy inspired me page after page.

Anne is not modern, and neither is this book, originally published in 1977, but her ideas and attitude about life are timeless. She lays out practical, hopeful, intriguing, and challenging ways to live life, based on the fact that being a beautiful woman in God's sight is a matter of the heart from the inside out.

Reading Disciplines Of The Beautiful Woman is like sitting down for a daily cup of tea with a woman full of wisdom, who shares her experience and success bathed in a spit-fire, go-get-it-girl, pep-rally like enthusiasm. This little book is like a "how-to" manual for getting your life on course and focused with the Lord. She takes time to consider practical things, like how to effectively use your desk and a "notebook" to organize your time, with the end goal being a desire to be most effectively used by God. She also lays out three priorities--God, the Body of Christ, and the Needy in our World--which she believes must determine how we use the time and resources bestowed on us by God.

I highly, highly recommend that you take the time to read this book, carefully consider Anne Ortlund's philosophy of life, while prayerfully evaluating your own life in light of the Biblical concepts she brings forth. While I'm saving my most treasured quote for when I host "In Other Words" in January, here are just a few that ought to tempt you to order yourself a copy of this book today and see how God will use it to transform you into the woman you want to be!

“The point is to get done as efficiently as possible the necessary mechanics of life, so that you can give yourself to what you really want to do—like getting to know God better, and fulfilling your gifts, and bringing others to know him.” P. 61

“If you say you don’t have enough drawers and closet space for everything, you own too many things. Give away, pare down, and let your intimate rooms and drawers and closets look serene and controlled—kept, like you.” p75

“If they’re just our children, then our only concerns are the concerns of any worldly mother: to feed and clothe them, get them into the right schools, well married, etc. But if they are also our disciples, then more than anyone else, within those twenty or so precious years we have them, we’re to teach them everything Jesus has taught us.” p93

“Look quality, think quality, talk quality—and expose yourself to quality…’Garbage In, Garbage Out’…” p98

“When Jesus is the control-center of you heart and life, you’ll express yourself in blessing, not cursing—and it will be the ‘real you’.” p77

I do pray that in addition to your study of the Word for all the instruction you'll ever need in how to live a Godly life, that you will also be inspired by this book. God has used it to show me some real deficits and areas that He wants me to put my time--like more time in the Word, loving my husband, and discipling my children. I'm sure God will use it equally as much in your life, too.

May we together consider the amazing ways God wants to change us, mold us, make us into the godly women of beauty that are satisfied to answer His call in life!

Be blessed, my friends, by God's extravagant grace!

For Parents Only Review & Giveaway -- WINNER

Updated 12.2.07

And the winner is...Sarah!

Thanks for taking the time to read the review and leave a comment.

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A few weeks ago, when Multnomah books invited me to review For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid, by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice, I thought, "Perfect! I'd love a book that would tell me exactly what what is going on inside of a tween/teens' mind from a parent's need to know basis!"

While half of my children are still wearing diapers (and the expense isn't enough to get me moving the twins along on the potty train), the other half seem to be blitzing right through elementary school, experiencing social pressures and attitudes which I thought were reserved for the teens years! Yes, I want to know all that I can to prepare for these adolescent years.

Event though I've lived and worked with teens at a boarding school for the past eleven years, and have (and continue to treasure) my fair share of first-hand experience with the teen culture, I still am curious about what it will be like with my own children. Yet I come at it with a unique perspective. I learned how to parent teens, in loco parentis, before I even gave birth to my own offspring. That dynamic alone has proven to be one of the greatest God-given strengths in my own parenting.

There have been many times I've challenged a teen gal to quit her fit, declaring she was doing nothing more than having a temper tantrum over not getting her own way. I wasn't her mom, nor worried about being her friend, but instead focused on doing my job, which meant I was looking out for her long-term best interest. I could see clearly that instead of two-year-old tears, she whipped harsh words off her tongue, all the while declaring she wanted her own way. My answer, painful for both of us, was NO. Was it fun. NO. Did it hurt me, too. Yes. Was it the wise thing to do. Absolutely.

As a mom, I've witnessed my little ones stomp a defiant "no," which although cute at the time, clearly would not be cute at 16--which I had the privilege of experiencing for years before facing my own toddlers head on. My experience reminds me to follow through with discipline instead of buying into the rampant lie that they'll just grow out of it. Because of my intimate work living with teens, I have not been easily deceived into believing that I would do irreparable damage if I infringe on my own little one's right to express her independence. That's hog wash! I've witnessed an unbridled spirit in a teen, and it is painful for both sides.

Needless to say, I come at this book from a unusual perspective. I'm a young parent--anxious about my own children nearing closer and closer to their teen years--wondering if I know enough, have done it right enough, and will survive the horror everyone says I'll face. In that regard, I am the intended audience for this book, and looked closely for insight and wisdom that would benefit my parenting now.

On the other hand, I already know the inside thoughts, heart-wrenched confessions, real life struggles, pain of eating disorders, recovery from cutting, and intensity of peer pressure of every kind, facing our teens today! In that sense, I was hoping that For Parents Only would not confirm what I already knew to be true. Yes, I wanted a rose-colored window to look through, because, quite frankly, the teens of our day have it worse than we did.

In my humble opinion, one of the biggest culprits are parents, themselves. We're a generation of adults that are afraid to say "NO." We're so focused on being our kid's friend and not infringing on their rights, that we continue to miss key opportunities to teach respect, healthy boundaries, and contentment in the early childhood years. This generation of parents (myself included) are so self-centered, impulse driven, comfort focused, that they don't even know how to respond to their kids needs because they are so busy responding to their own needs. Now, we've have wild and crazy teens on our hands, and are desperately grabbing at ways to make them settle down.

Shaunti and Lisa bring to the table in For Parents Only confirmation of what I've witnessed over the years of working with teens. While they do not delve into the reasons why it is the way it is (leaving me great opportunity to put in my two cents), they use statistics and quotes from data collected through interviews and focus groups with teens across the country to give a perspective on what is important to teens, what they want of their parents, and what they struggle with in their peer group. In eight fairly short chapters, the authors consider six areas: Freedom, Identity, Taking Charge, Security, Listening, Attitude. For each one, they explain the teen majority perspective based on the studies they conducted, they toss in an antidote from a parent's experience (usually either Shaunti's or Lisa's), and hint at more fruitful ways to respond to your teen. They also spend one chapter, on Attitudes, considering gender differences and healthy responses.

For Parents Only isn't a how-to book or novel-like read. It is a short collection of data that opens a window into the perspective of the majority of teen responses. While it is a worthwhile read for parents of teens, offering a "you're not in this alone" sort of comfort, it is probably more beneficial for parents with pre-tween/teen children, where the opportunity to step up their sphere of influence and make long-lasting healthy habits work for their family has the greatest potential! It isn't be an easy read to stomach, as the cold hard truth straight from the teens is hard to handle as a parent, but it may be just what many parents need to refuel their tanks and refocus their purpose.

Parenting is tough stuff, and the teen years may indeed be the most challenging. But Shaunti and Lisa offer words of encouragement and wisdom in For Parents Only, making it a valuable primer for parents with children of any age.

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About the Authors
Shaunti Feldhahn is the author of For Women Only and numerous other books, with sales totaling nearly one million copies. A nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and public speaker, Feldhahn earned her master’s degree at Harvard University. She and her husband, Jeff, have two young children. Lisa A. Rice is the associate editor of Christian Living magazine, the mother of two teenage girls, and a screenwriter and producer. You can visit their websites, www.shaunti.com, www.forparentsonlybook.com.

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Would you like a copy of For Parents Only?
Leave a comment below between now and Saturday, December 1st, with your email address. I'll pick one random winner by Sunday, December 2nd, for a free giveway copy, compliments of the publisher! You can also pick up a copy of For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid at Amazon.

For Parents Only Giveaway Winner!

The winner, chosen by Custom Random Number Generator, of the first giveaway copy of For Parents Only, by Shaunti Feldhann and Lisa Rice, is Cindi! Congratulations! I'm sure you'll find this a helpful read.

There's still one more giveaway copy left, which will be awarded to a commentator on the review post after Thanksgiving. Stop by around the 29th to toss your name in the hat!

Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman

I've been reading slowly through a little book by Anne Ortlund, entitled Disciplines Of The Beautiful Woman, which was recommended to me by a woman I greatly esteem. This friend has always been an example of a Proverbs 31 woman in my life, and in our conversation, she suggested this would be a good book to consider as I raise my own daughters.

It was written in 1977, and feels as such, in the way she expresses herself and the influences of the culture. Yet, there is something very endearing about the lack of modern jargon! I'm finding Anne Ortlund's ideas refreshing, challenging, and much more encouraging, than I expected! Here are just a few of her thoughts that I wanted to share with you this morning.

“The source of your money is never your job….No, the source of your money is God. He owns it all; he distributes it as he pleases; and he has promised over and over to take care of the physical needs of everyone of his children.” (p. 40)

Of Proverbs 31 “…one verse out of the twenty-two describes her good looks…’Father, I want to give 1/22 of my time to making myself as outwardly beautiful as I can; and I want to give all the rest of my time, 21/22 of my life, to becoming wise, kind, godly, hard-working, and the rest.'” (p. 45)

“You want to manage your time? You eliminate clutter and concentrate on your goals. You want to disciple? You eliminate crowds and concentrate on a few people
You want to keep a sharp wardrobe, before the Lord Jesus? Eliminate the unnecessary, concentrate on a few “right” outfits in one color scheme.
My goal here is to look really “together,” really “kept,” in the least possible time; to look quality on the least possible money; for 1/22 of my time and concentration to be a woman “clothed in fine line and purple,” and to use 21/22 of my concentration and time to be like this…" (p 49) and she goes on to quote verses 23 through 31 of Proverbs 31.

These thoughts are only from chapters 3 and 4, as I still have the remainder of the book to read. But, in my opinion, they were to good to not relay to you right away!

Anne provides much food for thought, as I see her building chapter upon chapter about what it means to care for our bodies, our minds, our souls, and use all that God has given us for His glory, in right measure. I'm not sure I agree with all her treatise, but it is as least worth considering, especially as I (and many of us) are choosing to Live Well and keep our minds steady on the Truth!

I'm sure you'll hear more from me on the Disciplines Of The Beautiful Woman, as I continue to read through this book!

For Parents Only... giveaway!

Are you looking for a way to reach your tween or teen?

Are you bewildered by what is going on inside their mind?

Shaunti Feldhann and Lisa Rice have put together, For Parents Only, with those questions in mind.

I've just started reading this little resource manual, and I'm excited to see what is in store. The publishers have provided two copies to give away to my readers. I'll give the first copy away to a random commentator on this post. Leave your name and email, and I'll pick one winner by Monday. The second copy will be giving away to a commentator on the review post that will be up around November 29th!

Blessings, extravagantly!

Jennifer Rothschild on Life Today

This morning, I caught part two of an interview with Jennifer Rothschild on Life Today. Although I've known of Jennifer for some time, this is the first I've heard her speak, in particular about her new book, Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself. If you have time, watch the program on the internet at Life Today. Here's the link: http://www.lifetoday.org/site/PageServer?pagename=tel_USCalendar

And here is her new book, which I've just popped into my shopping cart!

Amy Grant Book Giveaway Final Winner

Congratulations to Mama Zen for winning the last copy of Amy Grant's, Mosaic!

Mama Zen, be sure to send your mailing address to extragrace (at) gmail (.) com, so that I can pop it in the mail to you!

Sticky Post: Amy Grant's Mosaic Giveaway

Be sure to read this post, sign Mister Linky, and leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway for Amy Grant's book, Mosaic!

Mosaic by Amy Grant

Amy Grant. Musician. Wife. Mother. Daughter. Sinner. Redeemed. Depressed. Hopeful. Baptized. Rested. Restless. Niece. Sister. Friend. Mourning. Rejoicing. Learning.

Amy Grant is all these things. She wears just as many hats as the rest of us ordinary women hiding out in the shadows of fame and fortune, and uses her life to inspire her music.

Early on in Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far, Amy casually described a writing session at her house shortly after her daughter, Millie was born. It was a confession about the challenges of balancing motherhood and a career, which ultimately inspired the lyrics to Hats. As I read about her logistical challenge of writing a new song while feeding her babe, and having her two-year-old son run circles around her, I finally began to envision the real women behind the glitz and glamour; the one that faces the same challenges I face day in and day out--trying as I struggle to balance God-given passions with caring for God-given treasures.

This theme of learning how to navigate the routines, trials, and celebrations of life travels throughout Mosaic. Amy confesses that learning to do so while following God has been one of her greatest challenges.

"My mother asked me once if I felt that God was leading me in a tangible way. Did I feel that I was following a path marked out by him? On the contrary, I pictured myself like a milkweed in the wind, blown about until the breeze finally settles. I want to be led, by I am not a good follower. So how does a freewheeling, creative-thinking person absorb an invitation like the one Jesus spoke, 'Take up your cross and follow me?'" (p. 125)

Mosaic is Grant's attempt to piece together her life thus far. Her poetic stories and deeply moving perspectives tug on heartstrings. Vignette after vignette, Amy exposes a sliver of herself through the story telling of past memories, special occasions, unexpected opportunities, and most tenderly about the people that have had the greatest impact on her life.

Amy Grant has crafted together a soft and gentle read. It is not a tell-all autobiography about one famed musician's escapades; there are no explanations for the whys and hows and what-was-she-thinking dramas that have followed her since she debuted on the music scene over thirty years ago. If you're looking for a story about what happened to Amy's faith and why she divorced Gary Chapman, you'll be disappointed. If you're wondering if it was indeed an affair with Vince Gill that crumbled her marriage, you'll never know. You will, however, find a collection of stories and reflections that are shared with great compassion and thoughtful consideration. In the end, you'll forget you're reading about the famed Amy Grant, and instead feel like you're meeting a new friend--a woman full of passion, aware of her own weaknesses, and with a desire to be found by God as much as she wants to find Him.

The uncanny reality of Mosaic is that if you read between the lines, you'll walk away with a story that could just as easily be yours. You'll find yourself asking questions: What would I have done? Was that really the best choice? What impact will there be down the road? These questions exist on two levels, as you hold the frame of Amy's life against the canvas of yours.

We have each been given a life to lead. What will we do with it? How will we be used by God to glorify Him in it? Amy poetically, and I believe unintentionally, brings these questions to the forefront. Like a beautiful mosaic, replete with color, line, shape, and texture, Amy's book captures those same elements in the life of a real woman. A saved-by-grace gal. A praying mother. A gifted musician. A debuting author. And a life marked by a call that has continually pressed on to be found, which she poignantly shares is the prayer for herself as well as her own children. It is a prayer that we may choose to be ours, as well, as we consider the mosaic of our own lives.

"My prayer continues to be, God, find them the way you found me." (p. 194)

_________________________________________________

To purchase a copy of Mosaic, CLICK HERE.

To enter for the last giveaway copy of Mosaic,
leave a comment below and sign your name to the Mister Linky.
Be sure to leave the URL to your blog or your email address.

Mosaic Book 2 Winner

The folks from Waterbrook Press and Random House invited me to review Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far, by Amy Grant. In return for my time and sharing my thoughts with all of you, they have made three copies available to give away to my blog readers.

Book 1 was randomly awarded to one commentator that shared why they wanted to read this book! Book 2 has also be randomly selected from this list of participants that posted about this book giveaway at their blog. And the winner is...

Denise at http://shortybearsplace.blogspot.com/

Congratulations, Denise! I hope you enjoy the book. Be sure to email your address to me at extragrace (at) gmail (.) com so that I can pop the book in the mail to you asap!

There's still time to get your hands on Book 3. In the next few days, I'll post a review about Mosaic. All you have to do is read the review, leave a comment, and sign Mister Linky. One person will be chosen on Friday, October 19th to receive the third free book. So come on back later this week and get in on the giveaway.

Ellen Banks Elwell does it again!

Matthew 5:13-15
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness,
how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

I've often been inspired, challenged, and encouraged in my faith through Ellen Banks Elwell's, The One Year Devotions for Moms. Today, she's done it again! In the October 12 entry, Ellen shared from her heart about the power of our witness. Using Scripture from Matthew as the point of the lesson, she captured a story about her enthusiasm for the relatively insignificant compared to the glorious riches in Christ.

"Why is it, I thought, that I'll call a friend and share good news about a sale on sweaters at Gap, but sometimes I'm not as quick to share good news about gifts that Christ has given to me?"

Elwell's convictions echoed deeply in my heart. She has the gift of profoundly capturing Biblical truths and thereby leading us right back into Jesus' arms. If you're looking for a consistent reminder to return to the Word of God and a challenge to open yourself up to the working of the Holy Spirit, you should pick up this book. Nothing replaces God's Word nor the single-focused study of Scripture. It is a challenge to keep from depending on others, including books, for our spiritual nourishment. Of course, go to Scripture first and finally. Yet this book, left in your bathroom, by your bedside table, or on your kitchen counter may just provide the right-thinking and refocus toward the Lord on a regular basis! We must choose to fill our minds with His truth and this is just another tool in that effort!

Mosaic Book 1 Winner

Congrats to...

Using Custom Random Number Generator, the Book 1 winner for Amy Grant's,"Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far" is...Heather!

Don't despair if you didn't win! There are still two more opportunities to receive this book!

Book 2
Write a post about this Mosaic Giveaway being hosted at Extravagant Grace at your blog and sign Mister Linky below. One blogger will be picked at random on Friday, October 12th, to receive the second gift copy. Be sure to leave a comment noting your blog url and/or email address, so that I can contact you if you are chosen!

Here's text that you can used:

Elisa at Extravagant Grace is giving away three new copies of Amy Grant's new book, Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far. Head on over to her blog to find out how to get in on the contest!

Be sure to sign Mister Linky to link to your post...




Book 3
Come back to Extravagant Grace on Wednesday, October 17th, to read my review of Mosaic, and leave a comment with your email address or blog url to let me know you stopped by. You'll be automatically entered in the giveaway for the last free copy. That winner will be picked on Friday, October 19th!

I look forward to sharing with you about Mosaic! So far, it has been a delightful read offering warm and encouraging perspectives on life!

Mosaic Giveaway

Mosaic. Have you heard about it? No, I'm not referring to the process of making a mosaic out of tile. I'm talking about Amy Grant's new book, "Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far." Here's a sneak peak at what's inside...

"Salt water is the greatest component of our world, yet some people have never seen an ocean. That doesn't change the ocean. It is constant and powerful, and like the love of God, whether we're immersed in it, standing on the shore, or a thousand miles away, it remains." p 11

"Like everybody else, I wish I were in better shape or had planned an upcoming event a little more thoroughly. I wish I were neater. I wish I weighed what I weighed when I was in the thirties. but all those things are for another day. This day--at one hundred and forty-five pounds, at forty-six years old, with a few gray hairs and not quite enough sleep--this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." p. 144

The folks from Waterbrook Press and Random House invited me to review this intriguing new book, an autobiography of Amy's life. In return for my time and sharing my thoughts with all of you, they have made three copies available to give away to my blog readers.

How can you be one of three to receive Amy's brand new book? Well, here's how:

Book 1
Leave a comment in this post about why you would like to read Mosaic. One commentator will be picked at random on Monday, October 8th, to receive the first gift copy. Be sure to leave your email address or blog url so that I can contact you if you are chosen!

Book 2
Write a post about this Mosaic Giveaway being hosted at Extravagant Grace at your blog and sign Mister Linky below. One blogger will be picked at random on Friday, October 12th, to receive the second gift copy. Be sure to leave a comment noting your blog url and/or email address, so that I can contact you if you are chosen!

Here's text that you can used:

Elisa at Extravagant Grace is giving away three new copies of Amy Grant's new book, Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far. Head on over to her blog to find out how to get in on the contest!

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