Book Review: Feminine Appeal

We have been on a good reading run - each book I have picked up to read has been excellent, but even among that great selection of books

Feminine Appeal, Expanded Edition Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother

stood out as an exceptional read.

I was not raised in a strong Christian family, a Christian family yes, but not one that taught me how to be a godly wife to a godly man (even though my mom was an excellent example). And to be honest, I was not really paying that much attention, so Mom could have tried to teach me all this and I just missed it.

However, I have longed for a godly older woman to talk to, to ask these questions of, and have not found that, but this book filled an excellent gap for me, and answered questions I did not even know I have.

It has caused me to look at my marriage, my little sweet family, and my role as wife, mother, and homemaker completely differently. It confirmed in my heart that this is indeed what the Lord is calling me to, what He has gifted me for, and that has given me a peace at a time when our lives are in some tumult.

I would like to select one chapter and tell you that it is THE chapter in the book for me, but I cannot, because the all spoke to me in volumes, the chapters are:

1. Transformed by Titus 2
2. The Delight of Loving My Husband
3. The Blessing of Loving my Children
4. The Safety of Self-Control
5. The Pleasure of Purity
6. The Honor of Working at Home
7. The Reward of Kindness
8. The Beauty of Submission
9. Margaret's Story.

Each chapter had a very special lesson for me. And the list provides an excellent summary of the book, but it is so much more.

This is definitely a book I am planning on reading again very soon.

5 Pears - a book that made me think I needed a higher rating system!

5 Pears - Fabulous! Too good for words! What do you mean you haven't read this one yet! Go, immediately, and get a copy! This book must be in your library! I would lend you mind, but I cannot part with it! Besides, I think I will start rereading it tonight!

4 Pears - Excellent - I loved this book, definitely worth picking up or borrowing from a friend or getting from a library - a must read!

3 Pears - Good - I liked it, it would be a good book to get from your library or to borrow from a friend, probably not one to invest precious book money in though.

2 Pears - Not bad - it would be okay if I were stranded in an airport or on a deserted island and this was all I could find to read.

1 Pear - Awful! Do not waste your time or money on this one! How did this get published?

Book Review: We Have Seen the Lord!

This year for Lent Mr. Pear and I decided to read

We Have Seen the Lord! The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

to each other each evening. We have loved William Barclay for a very long time, frequently turning to his

The New Daily Study Bible, 17 Volumes: New Testament

to explain complicated passages of the New Testament.

The format for each day is a scripture reading (included in the book) and then exposition of the passage.

We knew that We Have Seen the Lord would be good, but we did not anticipate how good it would actually be. Reading this leading up to and after Easter (we fell behind but did not want to quit!) illuminated many things for us, and helped us to understand the gospel accounts much better. God used this book to make us think, to teach us, and to speak to our hearts. We already know that this will be our regular read each Lent now.

What I really appreciated was his ability to bring a new light to passages I knew well.

For example, looking at Luke 22:31-38, 54-62, he has one quote I simply have to share from page 112

Jesus did not speak to Peter in anger but looked at him in sorrow. Peter could have stood it if Jesus had turned and reviled him; but that voiceless, grief-laden look went to his heart like a sword and opened a fountain of tears....The penalty of sin is to face, not the anger of Jesus, but the heartbreak in His eyes.

Barclay always slows me down and makes me look at each piece of scripture, and for that I am always blessed.

I think when our next read aloud will come from his commentary series that I already mentioned because the format is the same - a passage of scripture and then exposition, and each volume is so wonderful!

Definitely 5 pears!

5 Pears - Fabulous! Too good for words! What do you mean you haven't read this one yet! Go, immediately, and get a copy! This book must be in your library! I would lend you mind, but I cannot part with it! Besides, I think I will start rereading it tonight!

4 Pears - Excellent - I loved this book, definitely worth picking up or borrowing from a friend or getting from a library - a must read!

3 Pears - Good - I liked it, it would be a good book to get from your library or to borrow from a friend, probably not one to invest precious book money in though.

2 Pears - Not bad - it would be okay if I were stranded in an airport or on a deserted island and this was all I could find to read.

1 Pear - Awful! Do not waste your time or money on this one! How did this get published?

Spring Reading Thing

I LOVE to read - it is my worst vice!

My "To Be Read" Pile threatens to take over the nightstand, the drawers, and the floor around. Okay, it is not quite that bad...unless you ask Mr. Pear, so because I love him, and because I love to read, I am making a serious and honest effort to get through my TBR pile.

Right now I have a ton of nonfiction books I want to read, but I cannot decide which 5 to rank at the top for the Spring Reading Thing. So this is technically my spring and summer reading list - although I am certain books will move in and out of this list depending on my mood! Also, I am awaiting a delivery from CDB and expect to be adding at least two more books to this list.

So without further babbling....

My Spring Reading thing List is:

Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney (Just started on Sunday)
I am really enjoying this book, and am being blessed tremendously through it.

Keep a Quiet Heart (In process, I read an article and put it aside then pick it up and read another article....)

Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith

Silent Music: The Life, Work, and Thought of st John of the Cross

The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children

Questioning Evangelism (This was a Christmas gift from a dear friend and is about using questions to engage in discussions about faith, kind of like Jesus did. It is NOT about questioning the validity of Evangelism, even though that is what the title seems to imply.)

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

Rediscovering Catechism: The Art of Equipping Covenant Children

The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit (Puritan Writings)

I am looking forward to reading all these books for very different reasons, and will probably post reviews as I finish them as I had wanted to do that on this blog any ways, so now I have two reasons to do it - that should keep me honest! :-)

Happy Spring, Happy Reading!

Spring Reading Thing

Have you seen this????

Looks like fun! I get to read, share the books I am reading, see what others are reading, AND have the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift certificate!

I think I will play!

Want to join too? Just click on the picture for all the info over at Callapidder Days