Sacred Privilege

Life as a pastor's wife offers meaningful opportunities to play a significant part in God's work, to witness and participate in the beauty of changed lives. Yet it also carries the potential for deep wounds and great conflict that can drain the joy out of service. Is it worth it? Oh, yes, says Kay Warren, wife of Pastor Rick Warren and cofounder of Saddleback Church. It is more than worth the risk--it's a sacred privilege.
Drawing on more than forty years in ministry in every possible size church, Kay provides encouraging principles and life lessons, along with intimate personal stories, that will give readers the confidence needed to lead and live well. Pastor's wives learn to
- accept who they are
- adapt to change
- help their children survive and thrive
- protect their private lives
- deal with criticism
- live with integrity
- develop an eternal perspective
Whether she is excited, struggling, or feeling broken and tired, every pastor's wife will find hope and encouragement for their calling in Kay's warm and wise words.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent one to give the pastor's wife at your church! I loved Kay's honesty as she shares about crucial things that a pastor's wife is up against, like criticism and helping your children deal with the PK label. I feel like Kay takes her scriptural job, to be a mentor to younger women, seriously with the writing of this book.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Peace in the Valley

n spite of their differences, Trey Walker Stafford knows he owes his life to cowboy and legendary rancher Sam Stafford--the uncle who rescued him after his parents' death. Trey had left the Double S Ranch to pursue music against Sam's wishes, but returns to central Washington when he learns he's the best match for a procedure that could save Sam's life. Although Trey's found country music fame and success, he's also endured the tragic loss of his wife. He croons about love, but struggles with a yawning emptiness he can't explain.

Overwhelmed by a growing list of challenges, but mistrustful of Stafford men, single mother Lucy Carlton reluctantly accepts Trey's help to revive her crumbling farm when Sam instructs him to repay the overdue debt to her family.

As the two grow closer, Trey slowly begins to open his heart to this beautiful woman and strives to let go of the grief he's held for years. Lucy has a complicated history of her own. Can Trey accept her as she is, learn to forgive the past, and find the elusive peace he's sought for so long?

My thoughts: This series has been amazing! I hadn't read any of Ruth's books prior to the Double S Ranch series, but now I feel like I have been missing out.
The third book focuses on Trey's journey. The most sensitive of the brothers, Trey funnels his emotions into his music all the while feeling a little lost.
This series is not to be missed!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Friends, Partners, and Lovers: What It Takes to Make Your Marriage Work

Great marriages don't just happen--they're made, intentionally, day by day. Yet most of us enter the covenant of marriage thinking that the role of spouse will be easy, natural, effortless. Rarely is this true. In fact, the number one cause of divorce isn't adultery or finances or disagreements. It's apathy--a lack of intentional emotional, physical, and mental investment in the relationship.
With engaging stories and clear, simple language, pastor Kevin A. Thompson explains the three critical roles of a spouse--friend, partner, and lover--and shows how to nurture those roles in order to keep a marriage healthy and strong. Using solid biblical principles, he helps couples understand how to grow their friendship, be a supportive partner through the good times and the bad, and develop a healthy and satisfying sex life.
Friends, Partners, and Lovers offers essential insight for couples at any stage of marriage but will be especially helpful to those who are struggling and those who are engaged or newly married and looking to start their marriage on strong footing.

My thoughts: I've read a lot of marriage books over the years, especially when my husband and I were preparing for our wedding day. After a while, a lot of them start to sound the same, but I was thrilled to find out that this one is different! I feel like Kevin has more to say with focusing on being not just lovers, but also friends and partners. I appreciated the stories that he shares to drive points home.
This is an excellent book on marriage, whether to read yourself or give as a gift!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Take five: Mother's day freebie

Top five best moms in literature

1. Mrs. Weasley from the Harry Potter series
I love how she takes Harry under her wing and seeks to protect all her children!

2. Marmee in Little Women
This one is just how you would picture a story book mother from the 1800's to be.

Worst mothers in literature

1. Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice
A rather silly mother who, while she is thinking of seeing her daughters settled for their own good, is selfish and doesn't really care how they get to the point of being settled.

2. Hyacinth from Wives and Daughters
Okay, she is technically the step mother of the main character, but she still has a daughter and is a rather selfish mother who likes to dwell on how she was the belle of the ball "back in the day".

3. Queen Gertrude from Hamlet
Um, yeah...;)

A Day at the Beach

Do you yearn for a day at the beach where your mind and soul can wander away from life's troubles? Do you gaze up at the sun or the nighttime stars and wonder if God is really on your side? Do you long to hear his quiet voice in the roll of a gentle wave? In A Day at the Beach, brothers Todd and Jedd Hafer don't have the answers to all of life's troubles, but they'll help you see that the God who built the universe also wants to help you build a great life. Let these encouraging words bring a ray of warm sunshine to your doorstep as Todd and Jedd offer their joy-filled perspectives on life and faith. So take a deep breath, unplug from life's daily grind, and follow the call of your heart to Jesus, the ultimate source of life.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent little devotional to take with you on vacation, especially if you are heading to the beach! I love the different messages throughout the book, from small moments to listening, crossing the Channel to true love this book will help a vacation be a time to reflect and recharge. I highly recommend throwing this book in your beach bag when you go on vacation!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Getting Jesus Wrong

We all want something from Jesus, whether that’s help to get through life, a new job, a new direction, a new exercise plan. Learn why that approach doesn’t result in real faith or love in Matt Johnson’s new book, Getting Jesus Wrong. Whether we’ve followed a false Jesus or attempted to coopt the real Jesus, Getting Jesus Wrong ultimately offers us hope because it helps us see Jesus as he is. Getting Jesus right gives us more than spiritual vitamins or a blueprint for living; it gives us a full, rich life spent exploring the depths of gospel love together.

My thoughts: This book wound up being different than I thought it would be, though still interesting and insightful. I appreciated how the author shares his personal journey of growing comfortable with his faith. I thoughts he has some excellent thoughts on how Jesus is our Savior, He is the period, not a means to an end. This book is an excellent reminder to be read and allow Jesus to come to us in our messy places.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Brave is the New Beautiful

Our culture bombards women with “thinspiration” messages and pressure to “do it all” while wearing the mask of perfection.

Women are left feeling alone and overwhelmed. How can they stop comparing themselves to others? How can they live out who they really are?

Lee Wolfe Blum offers stories from everyday women who have answered these questions with their lives—and found true beauty in the process. In Brave Is the New Beautiful, Blum weaves reflections from her own journey with inspirational stories from everyday women who chose to take off their masks and live authentically. Through call-to-action questions and ideas, she encourages readers to be brave enough to be who they really are and the beloved that God knows they are.

My thoughts: Wow! This book is one that every woman needs. I love how it covers a myriad of different topics, all going back to the different ways women are brave. Filled with story after story that will leave you encouraged, this is a must for all women!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.