Mother Inferior

A Huge Hearts-at-Home Sale :)

Everyone loves a good sale, Right? We'll let me tell you about a great one:

 

It’s a Hearts at Home Black Friday after Black Friday Sale Dec. 7-11

 

Did you sleep in on Black Friday? Did you drag yourself out of bed, but still miss out on some awesome deals because you were standing in line too long at one store? Do you still have shopping to do, but dread the crowds, traffic, and cost? Let Hearts at Home help!

 

Their Black Friday sale has been extended to the week of December 7-11. Shop in the convenience of your own home and receive an unprecedented 25% off all of Hearts books and merchandise. They have great gifts for everyone in your family.

 

Find gifts for friends, teachers, bible study leaders, bus drivers, and everyone else on your list. You may even find something for yourself. This is a great time to stock up on all those Hearts at Home books you’ve been wanting to read.

 

Let your family know how much you would love a Hearts at Home gift certificate so you can use it for your Hearts at Home conference registration and/or Mom’s Night Out tickets.

Go to Heartshoppe.com, choose your gifts, and enter code “HEARTGIFT” upon checkout. You will receive 25% off your total purchase (before tax and shipping).

 

I also want to fill you in on a couple of other great opportunities!

 

Be sure to check out Jill Savage's blog this month (she is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home). She is doing one giveaway A DAY through Christmas. And, if you stop by the Hearts at Home blog December 8 - 11, you will have an opportunity to win a Hearts at Home prayer journal. The prayer journal is a brand new resource from Hearts at Home.

 

Merry Christmas from Hearts at Home!

Is Parenting Our Highest Calling? 9 Parenting Myths Exposed

I recently "met" a wonderful author, a friend of a friend, who emailed and offered to send me her book so I could look over it. And I was blown away. It was so freeing! :)

I've read a lot of parenting books, and this is one of the best--and most biblically-based--I've come across. I'm excited to share it with you. Leslie Leyland Fields is the author, and I spoke to her so she could explain why she believes parenting is NOT our highest calling. :)

Q: What caused you to write this book?

A: This book came out of a deep sense of guilt and failure as a parent.  It felt to me that parenting well, and specifically parenting well as a Christian mother,  had become impossible. There was not only pressure from the culture at large to be a perfect parent, but there was so much pressure from the church. The messages---both implicit and
explicit---were that if you weren’t devoting yourself 150% to your children, if you weren’t having devotions every morning or night with them, homeschooling, taking them to every event at church, etc!! that you weren’t being a godly parent, and your child wouldn’t turn out well. The standards have risen so impossibly high! And if I could just do all those things, I was promised a peaceful, happy home as well. That if I did everything right, my kids would be happy all the time, I’d be completely fulfilled, all that. Those wonderful, sweet, peaceful times do come, but it’s not really an accurate picture of our day to day lives. There’s a lot of heartbreak and hurt in raising children. A lot of sheer perseverance, when very little emotion comes back to you.

One day I had a meltdown after a very hard week with my six children and cried out to God, “God, what do you know about parenting?”  And suddenly the obvious came to me: not only is God our own father who parents us, but He was the father of Israel, whom He calls, “my first born son.” And I thought about that relationship, what God’s parenting life was like, and suddenly I saw it!  The heartache, the hurt, the risk of love, the cost of love . .. . and I thought of the families in the Old Testament, all their struggles.  I realized these cotton-candy versions of the perfect Christian home today are mostly fabrications.  And I realized then that God had so much to say to us about parenting than most of us had realized, through the entire OT.  I suddenly felt like God really did  understand. And I suddenly realized as well that I had absorbed a bunch of myths and misconceptions about parenting that weren’t  biblical at all. Once I began really studying the whole of
Scripture on the topic of family, I was shocked at what I found.

Q: You talk about the 9 parenting myths in the book. Can you elaborate on one or two, just to give my readers an example of what you're talking about?

A: The first myth in the book is that “Having children will make you happy and fulfilled.”  We do this---we entice couples into having children by promising happiness and fulfillment and blessing. This message comes mostly to women, I think.  But there are a couple of problems with this. God doesn’t promise us this. There’s on ly one verse in the Scriptures that equates children with happiness. (“Blessed is the man whose quiver is full . ..”.)  Children are here not to fulfill our needs and purposes, but to fulfill God’s.  So we can opt out of the mommy wars, which right now are fighting over this very issue of fulfillment.  If you’re feeling fulfilled then, gosh! Parenting is so worth it!! If you’re not feeling fulfilled,” Darn, parenting is so not worth it!”  But the worth and value of parenting has nothing to do with our own fluctuating feelings of fulfillment!

The second myth I’ll mention, the title myth, that “Parenting is your highest calling.”  Scripture makes it clear that our highest calling is to love and serve God first. “You shall have no other gods before me.” We have tended to make our family a god, an idol in this age, I think. Jesus does not mince words but addresses this in a number of places, the
most direct in Mt. 10:37: “Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”  Wow!! We haven’t paid attention to that at all!  And it’s not a single aberrant verse. Jesus goes out of  his way to redefine, to enlarge the family to the family of God, to the kingdom of God. We’re so focused on the kingdom of our family, we
neglect the kingdom of God.

All of this sounds a little threatening to us at first, but wonderful things happen when we focus on loving God first. We can resist the constant temptation to see our children as extensions of ourselves, which gets us into a lot of trouble! We can resist the temptation to find our identity, significance and purpose through our children instead of through Christ. When we get this order right—loving God first—we have so much more love—the right kind of love!-- to offer our children. We have less pride, more understanding and patience to offer. Our children are freed as well from a burden they weren’t meant to bear. We no longer need to look to them to provide what only God can provide!

Q: I think your book is going to give freedom to a lot of mothers and fathers. How have you found freedom in your own parenting journey?

A: Oh my goodness, where do I start?? I start with getting up in the morning with sense of possibility and hope and freedom, that this parenting work is not all about me, nor is it all about my children. It’s about God and what He’s doing in my little world and in the vast
world beyond the walls of my house. I’m not filled with self-condemnation any more. I ‘m freed from a kind of works-righteousness  I was wrapped up in---trying to work and earn my kids salvation and sanctification rather trusting God with that work. I really thought I had to be Jesus to my children---not understanding that I don’t do the work of Jesus in my children’s lives, I do the work of a parent, which is to point my children to Jesus.  I have a much more biblical understanding of the family and what God is about in the larger
family of God.  I almost can’t describe to you the all the ways these fuller truths from God’s word have changed my life. Most of all, I have been freed from misconceptions that have blinded me to God’s amazing grace for mothers and fathers. It was so much more about me, and now it’s so much more about God.

THANKS, Leslie. And thanks to all of you who read this far. Be sure and check out Leslie's book and grab a copy for yourself--or a mom you know who needs more grace (Jesus!) and less stress and pressure.

FREE music from Joshua Bell and Thanksgiving recipes from Sandra Lee!

Boy, have I got some holiday treats for you! First, you can click on the following link to here Joshua Bell's (the Grammy-Award winning virtuoso violinist) entire new album in streaming form: Pop Up Audio

At Home with Friends features duets with Josh Groban, Sting, Regina Spektor, Kristin Chenoweth and many others. It's the perfect album to listen to while you're wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, or cooking. And speaking of cooking, as a working mom, I love quick, easy cooking with minimal prep and easy-to-find ingredients. The queen of that genre is Food Network star, Sandra Lee. Below are several holiday dishes, Sandra Lee-style. Enjoy!

Savory bread pudding - Appetizer

Prep 25 minutes Bake 35 minutes Makes 12 mini bread puddings

o-stick cooking spray, Pam®

8 ounces sweet Italian sausage, Johnsonville®

1 package (8-ounce) sliced fresh mushrooms

1 tablespoon canola oil, Wesson®

1 teaspoon bottled crushed garlic

2 cups milk

4 eggs

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, McCormick®

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1⁄2 loaf country-style bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

1.   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Coat twleve 2¹⁄2-inch muffin cups with cooking spray; set aside.

2.   In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook sausage until browned, breaking up lumps. Remove sausage from skillet. Add mushrooms, oil, and garlic to skillet. Cook and stir until mushrooms are lightly browned. Remove from heat and stir in sausage. Let cool.

3.   In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add cubed bread and sausage mixture to egg mixture; press bread with back of a large spoon to submerge into milk mixture. Let stand for 10 minutes or until bread absorbs milk mixture. Ladle bread pudding mixture into prepared muffin cups and place in a large rimmed baking pan. Carefully pour hot water into the baking pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until top is golden brown and bread pudding puffs. Serve warm.

Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cocktail Time, by Sandra Lee

Copyright © 2009 SLSH Enterprises, Inc. www.sandralee.com

Fig and Port Tartlets - Appetizer

Prep 15 minutes Cook 6 minutes Makes 15 tartlets

1 jar (12-ounce) royal fig preserves, St. Dalfour®

1⁄4 cup port

2 cups whipping cream

3 tablespoons granulated sugar, Domino®/C&H®

1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon extract, McCormick®

1 package (2.1-ounce) baked miniature phyllo dough shells, Athens®

round cinnamon, McCormick®

Powdered sugar, Domino®/C&H®

1.   In a saucepan, over medium heat, heat preserves and port, about 6 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat; set aside.

2.   In a chilled mixing bowl, beat whipping cream, sugar, and cinnamon extract with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Transfer whipped cream mixture to a large resealable plastic bag. Snip 1⁄2 inch off one corner of the bag. Fill each shell with about 1 tablespoon of fig mixture. Pipe whipped cream on top. Garnish with a dusting of ground cinnamon and powdered sugar.

Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cocktail Time, by Sandra Lee

Copyright © 2009 SLSH Enterprises, Inc. www.sandralee.com

Pork Roast and Cranberry Dressing - Entree

Prep 15 minutes Cook 5 to 6 hours (Low) Stand 15 minutes Makes 6 servings

1 1⁄2 cups frozen chopped onions

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 3-pound boneless pork shoulder roast

2 tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning

1 can (16-ounce) whole cranberry sauce

1⁄2 cup dry white wine

1 cup vegetable broth

1⁄4 cup butter

1 box (6-ounce) pork stuffing mix

3⁄4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1.   In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine onions and celery. Sprinkle roast with steak seasoning; place on vegetables in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry sauce and wine until combined. Spoon over roast in slow cooker.

2.   Cover and cook on Low heat setting for 5 to 6 hours.

3.   Transfer roast to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

4.   Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over high heat, bring vegetable broth and butter to a boil. Stir pork stuffing mix and dried cranberries into pan. Cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

5.   To serve, mound some stuffing on center of plate. Spoon a portion of celery, onions, cranberries, and accumulated juices from slow cooker over stuffing. Top with sliced roast.

Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Money Saving Slow Cooking, by Sandra Lee

Copyright © 2009 SLSH Enterprises, Inc. www.sandralee.com

 

Brownie Bottom Cheesecake  - Dessert

Prep 30 minutes Cook 2 1⁄2 to 3 hours (High) + 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours (Low) Chill 4 hours Makes 8 servings

Canola oil cooking spray

1 box (18.3-ounce) fudge brownie mix

4 eggs

2⁄3 cup canola oil

1⁄4 cup espresso-and-cream coffee drink

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese

1⁄3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cake flour

Pinch salt

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.   Coat an 8 1⁄2-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap foil around the bottom of cake pan. Crumple additional aluminum foil to create a “ring base” about 5 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. Set aside.

2.   In a large bowl, stir together brownie mix, two of the eggs, the oil, and coffee drink until combined. Pour into prepared pan.

3.   Place foil ring in bottom of slow cooker; pour 1⁄2 inch of hot water into bottom of slow cooker. Using 2 long strips of foil, make an “X” over foil ring and bring it up along the sides of slow cooker to assist removing pan from slow cooker. Place springform pan on top of ring and the “X” in slow cooker. Stack 6 paper towels; place over top of slow cooker bowl. Secure with lid.

4.   Cook on High heat setting for 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours. (Do not lift lid for the first 1 hour of cooking.)

5.   Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Add sugar, flour, and salt; beat until smooth. Add the remaining two eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add cream and vanilla; beat until combined. Pour over brownie mixture in slow cooker.

6.   Cover and cook for 1 1⁄2 hours more. Turn slow cooker to Low heat setting. Cook for 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours or until cheesecake is set with a wet-looking center. Turn off heat and let sit, covered, for 30 minutes.

7.   Use foil strips to lift springform pan from slow cooker. Place pan on wire rack; let cool to room temperature. Chill in pan for at least 4 hours. Just before serving, remove cake from pan.

Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Money Saving Slow Cooking, by Sandra Lee

Copyright © 2009 SLSH Enterprises, Inc. www.sandralee.com

Sandra says, “Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bring everyone together to celebrate a year of blessings. Serve savory and decadent dishes on an inviting table, filled with rich colors and seasonal textures. Simple, time-saving shortcuts to create a meaningful feast can be found in my new book Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cocktail Time."

Adventures in Missing the Point

A rare-for-me rant, which I began earlier this week when I was tired and cranky...

--When the coach of a little boys' football team berates his players with rough language, shouting, and threats...he's missing the point. It's a game, mister. And why in the world are elementary kids playing tackle football, anyway?!

--When mommy bloggers criticize the best-written book I've read in a LONG time (and I read a lot), about a painful and faith-building journey the author took with her family, simply because the author, Hope Edelman, had a nanny, they're missing the point.

I'm so tired of mommy wars. Can't we all agree to disagree? There are lots of ways to raise great kids, and just because someone doesn't do it "your" way doesn't make them wrong!--

--When the media bashes the overworked and underappreciated army for not seeing that a certain soldier's mental health was iffy, I think they're missing the point (consider this thought-provoking article). 

--When book publishers care more about fame/platform/visibility than craft and skill, they're missing the point. It makes me crazy when people like Joe the Plumber get book deals! Who's next, the balloon boy's parents?

--And last but not least, when we as Christians look down on people like John and Kate or Carrie Prejean (and when the media skewers them because they claim to be Christ-followers), I definitely think we're missing the point. Why do we put people on a pedestal so quickly, just because they claim to follow Jesus? Why do we elevate them to the status of spokesperson if they say they don't believe in abortion or gay marriage? Shouldn't we be a little more discerning as to who we look up to? I'm just sayin'....

Okay, I spewed and I feel better. :) What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? When do you or I totally miss the point?

From Pain to Pearls: A Movement is Born!

  
Have you heard of the Pearl Girls? It's a book (with contributions from Robin Jones Gunn, Debbie Macomber, Melody Carlson and Shaunti Feldhahn, among many others), a blog, a way to raise money for charity, and more. Founder Margaret McSweeney says:

"With His love and grace, God covered the unexpected pain in my life of becoming an adult orphan and transformed this pain into a pearl. Each of us has been touched by God's gift of love and grace, and it's a gift that I want to share with others. That's why I am launching Pearl Girls. Actually, my very first gift from my parents was a pearl. The gift of my name. Margaret means "precious pearl." So perhaps this is what I was always supposed to do. My heart's prayer is that Pearl Girls will be a blessing to others - to the women who contribute their literary talent to the Pearl Girls projects; to the readers who are inspired and comforted by the life experiences shared through these projects and to the women and children who will benefit from the proceeds given by Pearl Girls to various charities. "

Margaret doesn’t keep a penny of any proceeds from the first (and any subsequent) Pearl Girls books.  100% of the royalties go directly to two charities:

WINGS (women in need growing stronger). The proceeds will help fund a Safe House in the Chicago suburbs. It costs $50 a night to provide safe shelter for a woman and her children. During this economy, WINGS is receiving even more phone calls for a safe place to stay. Already, the Pearl Girls have provided 60 nights with the advance royalties!

Hands of Hope. The proceeds will help build wells in Uganda for school children. Can you imagine a child at school without a water fountain in the hallway where he or she can grab a quick sip of water in between classes on a hot day? These children have to drink from puddles and other water sources which carry diseases and parasites.  It costs $12,000 to build a well in Uganda. Already, the Pearl Girls have provided funds to build ¼ of a well!

Margaret says, "After the first Pearl Girls tea in Atlanta, I went to my brother, Claude's home to help sort through our parents' boxes in his basement. It was an emotional experience and tedious process to discover what was in each box, to decide what to do with each item and to discard those belongings which we needed to let go. After several long hours of sorting, I received an incredible hug from heaven - a confirmation that Pearl Girls is something that is meant to be. I discovered a three strand necklace of painted pearls belonging to my grandmother from the early 1900s! Isn't that amazing?"

She adds, "Inspired by the many women who opened their lives and shared their stories in Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, we have created sister site, Post-a-Pearl. A place to continue the connection and encouragement the book began. I hope you will take the opportunity to connect through the Post-a-Pearl site. We are all Pearl Girls! Please post your own Pearl story and reach out to share your journey with others. Collaborating is an important purpose of Pearl Girls. We connect to make a difference in the world." Interested in becoming a part of the movement? You can find all the info and instructions on the Post-a-Pearl website.

Wanna know more? Read an excerpt of the book here. Watch the video here. Or buy the book and make a difference here.

Don't Forget to Breathe (Book Tour)

 
Your physical body needs oxygen in order to survive. Inhale, exhale ... one leads naturally to the other. Inhale too long and you feel as if your lungs will burst. Exhale too long and you get light-headed.

The same rhythm is essential in the life of faith. You inhale life-giving strength from God through things like prayer, study, solitude, and silence. You exhale generosity, hospitality, and service to the poor. If you try to do one without the other, you wont' last very long.

A new book, O2: Breathing New Life into Faith, by Richard Dahlstrom, gives a fresh perspective on the classic disciplines of the faith. It will empower you to process the oxygen of the Spirit. Discover how you can develop a balanced spirituality that reflects the life of Jesus and keeps your faith growing stronger. It's well-written, with tons of personal stories and interesting anecdotes. And it gives LOTS of food for thought and spiritual growth. Fans of Donald Miller will like this one--in fact, he endorsed it! I can definitely see why Pub. Weekly voted it a "Top 10" book in 2008.

About Richard: Richard Dahlstrom is Senior Pastor of Bethany Community Church in Seattle, WA, in the heart of the city, among university students, young professionals, families, the homeless, and the elderly. He is also a popular teacher in North America and Europe for the Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers. He holds a M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary. Find out more about Richard at: http://raincitypastor.blogspot.com/

Interested? Check out the book here; watch a video about the book; or read the first chapter here, or enter the contest!

Win a signed copy of 02 for yourself! There are two ways to enter, and the winners will be announced 10/26.

1. Jump over to Pastor Richard’s blog “Pastoral Musings from Rain City” and leave a comment between October 5th and October 24th. Just say hi or tell Pastor Richard what you liked about his book, or share with him how you’ve experienced ‘new life’ in your faith!
2. Tweet this: @raincitypastor Pub. Weekly voted Breathing New Life into Faith as top 10 book in 2008 check it out! http://tr.im/Au8q #02

Blog tour schedule 

Celebrating Our Loud and Rowdy Life with Boys

Raising boys isn't easy. Life with them is loud. If it's quiet, they're probably up to something. Boys are messy, competitive, fearless, and proud. Living with them pretty much guarantees that you're in for an adventure.

In Boy-sterous Living, Jean shares a few of the priceless stories and laugh-out-loud lessons that she and her boys have experienced over the years. With humorous insight and practical advice, she offers encouragement and ideas to help both mothers and fathers impact and shape the lives of their sons. From understanding their love of sports to overcoming the superman complex, Jean shows moms how to find joy and contentment in everyday life by celebrating the laughter, passion, noise, and endless energy boys bring to our lives. I loved the book, and laughed with Jean as she shared her stories and her life. I asked her a few questions, and want to share that interview with you:

--What do you think is the hardest thing about raising boys? Being a girl. It's just hard to understand so many things about boys because I am a girl. Boys are typically energetic, physical, loud, messy, and overall very rambunctious. They do things that I truly don't get, like why do they love to blow up things with fireworks? I guess, allowing boys to be boys, and spending intentional time in learning about them and what makes them tick has made raising boys not so hard as just plain fun.

 

--And what's the best thing abour raising them? My boys have brought so much passion, energy and adventure into my life that I wouldn't ever have had without them. I've found myself experiencing things I never would have imagined, such as mountain biking on a trail and finding a rattlesnake, or grilling caterpillars as an appetizer for dinner. (I know it's gross.) They've opened my eyes to a world that I might have missed, such as seeing the colors of tiny spiders I would rather step on. Also, the relationship between a mother and son is something really special - there's no other relationship like it. I just sent my oldest son off to college and it's been really hard to see him go, like a part of me is gone, but at the same time I'm excited for his future, to see what his next adventure in life will be.

--You talk a lot about laughter in the home. I think it's very important to create a fun atmosphere, too--so could you share with my readers a few ways they can incorporate more laughter and fun into their homes? As the mom you really can set the tone for your home. If you can choose to laugh, even in moments that make you want to scream and stomp you're feet, you'll be beginning to create a home filled with laughter. For example, when my youngest son shaved off his eyebrows, I wanted to scold him but at the same time it was quite funny. I choose to laugh and he laughed and we still laugh about that. Sometimes we will go on YouTube and watch hysterical videos, or rent a good, clean, comedy, or read Calvin and Hobbes comic books. I have a list of 10 wild and wacky ways to have fun with your sons that include things like take a night hike in your pajamas and look for bats, buy chocolate covered bugs and daring everyone to eat one, (you can buy these at some candy stores.) I would encourage every family to come up with their own list and then do those things together.  Keep your eyes and mind open to the daily moments that can become really funny. Modeling to your children how to have a light-hearted attitude in life will be good for them as they grow up. Just choose to laugh.

 

--How do you advise moms who are fearful about their boys' recklessness and love of dangerous things? This question resonates with me because I'm a worrier. I've been told worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair and rocking back and forth but going nowhere. So, I've had to deal with this and my worry is usually fear based.  Some things I've done are: remind the boys that safety come first; talk about the difference between fearless and foolish behavior, (fearless is bold, brave and courageous whereas foolish is lacking sense or unwise);  encourage them to be smart about the choices they make and think about the consequences of their actions – BTW Boys are not good at thinking that way. At the same time I've tried not to squelch their need for adventure. I've had times where I have had to mentally and emotionally let go. I will actually close my eyes and open my hands and entrust their safety to God because I can't control everything. It's freeing to let go but it's still hard. To sum up a hard topic up, I would say  trust your boys, trust what you’ve taught them and most of all trust God.

 

--Finally, any advice for moms who want to raise boys with good manners? (I have this problem--I feel I'm fighting a losing battle at the dinner table and elsewhere!) It’s not uncommon to hear all sorts of bodily noises at our dinner table, and to hear me saying, “Guys, there’s a girl in the room.”  But they don’t often think of me as a girl, I’m their mom. Anyway, be consistent in re-enforcing, and modeling, polite behavior it will rub off on them. Even though you might not always see it at home you will hear from others, eventually, how polite your boys are – so don’t give up. And don’t forget to maintain that sense of humor. Teaching children manners is an important aspect of life, but more importantly teaching children to behave in a way that is most respectful to those they encounter is what really matters and is what we hope to instill in our boys.

 

Find out more about Jean here! And here's the link to purchase the book and the rest of the blog tour schedule.

And guess what? There's also a CONTEST: Enter your grossest or funniest moment as a mom of a boy (No boys? That’s okay – we still want to hear your story!) and you could win movie tickets and a snack for you and a friend to escape! Share your story by emailing your entry to amy@litfusegroup.comor posting it on the Moms of Boys facebook page!

A Brand-New Bible Study

If you're looking for a new Bible-study resource as you get back in the school-year groove, I want to recommend a brand-new one from Jennifer Kennedy Dean called Set Apart: A Six Week Study on the Beatitudes. You can read more about it here.

And here's the best part: if you place your order from there, you will get an email that directs you to a page of  bonus gifts from some of your favorite authors, ministries, and artists, all ready for you to download immediately. (One of those is an e-book from me--Becoming a Counter-Cultural Mom). You will also be invited to a free webinar with Jennifer Kennedy Dean as she introduces the study.

Jennifer is best known as a biblical expositor, and her unique and fresh insights never fail to inspire. I heard her speak a couple of years ago, and her talk was challenging, convicting, and encouraging---all at the same time! :)

Here's what a few other people have to say about Jennifer's new study:

"God calls His people to be set apart, living lives of holiness in devotion to Him. Jennifer Kennedy Dean leads you through the riches of God's Word and helps you learn in a very practical way how to live a holy life yielded to Him. Her love for the Bible shines brightly through the pages of this study, and I know your life will be enriched and blessed as you join into this journey of joy. Whether you use it for your own personal study or in a group setting, you are sure to grow in a deeper walk with Him."

Karol Ladd
Best-selling author of The Power of a Positive Woman


“Even though scripture has the power of profoundly change our lives, the familiarity of some passages can limit our receptivity to their transforming impact. Every time I hear or read Jennifer’s teaching, I am aware of her unique ability to extract applicable truth in a fresh way. While you may have read the Beatitudes many times, Set Apart will give you the sense that the Beatitudes are reading you.”

Daniel Henderson
President - Strategic Renewal, Author of numerous books, including PRAYzing and Fresh Encounters

Happy Bible study-ing! Be sure and let me know what you think of Jennifer's new one. :)

Blue Like Playdough

In Tricia Goyer's wonderful new spiritual memoir, Blue Like Play Dough she invites women to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary! To learn to see God's hand lovingly at work in every aspect of your life---from laundry-folding to the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon.

I read a lot of parenting books in the Christian genre, but what gets me excited about this one is that is crosses typical "book" boundaries. It's sort of a memoir and sort of a devotional--but whatever you want to "call it," it's awesome! Tricia has written her story with honesty, and she gives her fellow moms a glimpse into what life can be when we let God mold us. I absolutely loved it!

And now she's inviting YOU to come bring your stretched self and attend a fun Facebook Launch Party for Blue Like Play Dough! Says Tricia: 

"I know you’re busy (and tired), so I’m bringing the festivities to you! So grab your comfiest chair and slip away from that long To-Do list and join me for a two hour Play Dough Party. I’ll be sharing some of my mothering experiences (the good and the bad), hosting a fun trivia contest, giving away Mommy Play Dough Packs, answering questions, and getting to know YOU! I’d be honored to have you as my guest – and to prove it I’ll be giving away 2 ginormous Mommy Play Dough Packs to two party attendees at random! The winners will be announced at the end of the party. Grab your friends and let’s party! oh, and don't forget your camera! Snap pictures during the party and upload them during the festivities. I'll be giving a prize away for the best photo! So come join me on July 27th from 5-7 pm (PST)! Friend me on facebook and join the fun!"

With the release of this book Tricia is also launching the Get One, Give One Campaign!

For every copy of Blue Like Play Dough purchased, she’ll donate a copy of My Life Unscripted or Generation NeXt Parenting to a pregnancy, teen or family support ministry (while supplies last). All you have to do is buy a copy of Blue Like Play Dough on Christianbook, on Amazon, or at your local bookstore, and then go to Tricia's Go-Go page and fill out the form. EASY!

About the book: In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely place in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognize the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.

About the author: Using her own experiences as a teen mother, and leader of today’s generation, Tricia’s vision is to be a voice of hope and possibility for teenage girls, pregnant teen girls, mothers and wives through her educational and inspirational speaking, workshops and books. Her intention is to serve ordinary women by encouraging extraordinary things with God’s help. Tricia expresses real life, real hope, for real women.
 
Tricia is the author of 20+ books and has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Guideposts for Kids, Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award in 2005.

See the Author's website: http://www.triciagoyer.com

Purchase the book: http://triciagoyer.com/store.html

Look at the Blog Tour schedule:  http://www.litfusegroup.com/latest/what-is-new/87-blue-like-play-dough-blog-tour

 

Living Financially Free--10 Tips

The fear and reality of tough economic times, foreclosures, bailouts, bankruptcies and falling stocks strike fear in the hearts of many Americans today. With investors, newscasters and bankers giving advice, who can you trust? Marybeth and Curt Whalen share their financial successes and failures in their new book, Learning to Live Financially Free: Hard-Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Marriage & Your Money. If a family parenting six children can get out of debt and live financially free, anyone can. The Whalens readily admit they made their share of mistakes the first ten years of marriage. Becoming more disciplined and intentional in spending and saving helped them learn valuable lessons for better financial stewardship--lessons you'll want to learn too. Learning to Live Financially Free not only focuses on building a stronger financial understanding in the home, but also encourages couples to communicate, thus building better, stronger marriages. The Whalens clearly comprehend the need for careful money management and commitment in marriage. Money-strapped families will find peace of mind as they begin the process of becoming financially responsible and debt-free.

Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Kregel Publications Release Date: March 2009 ISBN-10: 0825441889 ISBN-13: 978-0825441882 Retail: $12.99

Marybeth and Curt Whalen know what it's like to juggle marriage, kids and money. Their new book will encourage readers to manage their money and marriage more effectively.

About the Authors Marybeth Whalen is a speaker and contributing writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries. The author of For the Write Reason, Marybeth has also written for Parent Life, Money Matters newsletter, The Old Schoolhouse, Hearts at Home magazine, and Homeschooling Today. She contributes regularly to the daily online devotions of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Curt Whalen is a trained financial counselor through Crown Financial Concepts. He has years of experience helping couples establish budgets, solve financial problems, and learn to communicate more effectively. He has written articles for TEACH Magazine and Money Matters Newsletter and has contributed to books by authors Lysa TerKeurst and Melanie Chitwood.

Are You A Financially Focused Couple?   Instructions: Give yourself 1 point for every "yes" answer, 0 points for every "no." 1.Do you have regular budget meetings? 2.Do you communicate about daily expenses? 3.Do you discuss large purchases before they're made? 4.Does each spouse have an equal vote about money decisions? 5.Have you planned for your future through life insurance and a will? 6.Do you agree about tithing and giving? 7.Can you both list out your debts, including the amounts and monthly payment for each account? 8.Do you have a plan that was written together for paying off debt and saving money? 9.Do you encourage each other to save money? 10.Have you discussed the spending habits and attitudes about money that you carried into the marriage? Tally up your score and use the guide to the right to see what category you fall into.

0-2 points: Don't get discouraged. There's nowhere to go from here except up!  3-5 points: You are taking steps towards being a financially focused couple.. Keep working together and you will get there. 6-8 points: You are almost 100% financially focused. Keep up the good work and get intentional about those trouble spots. 9-10 points: You are a financially focused couple and could show us all a thing or two! Consider sharing your wisdom with other couples who are struggling in today's uncertain times.

Top Ten Tips For Saving Money In Tough Times 1. Make a budget (and stick to it). A budget overwhelms many people but it is really nothing more than devising a plan for every dollar you bring in. Having a budget helps you spend smarter and think more. It also helps to improve your buying power. The best way to make a budget is to start by sitting down with your spouse and deciding how much you spend on regular categories like groceries, gas, medical, etc. each month. Talk through these things and get them down on paper. Then spend accordingly. An article that goes into step by step detail about making a budget can be found at: http://www.christianpf.com/how-to-make-a-budget/ 2. Stop using credit cards. Studies show that people who use credit cards buy more and think less about their purchases. By learning to spend cash and limiting your purchases, you make your money work for you rather than against you. Credit card companies are getting craftier as the economy struggles. 25% of all credit card users in this country will have their rates raised this year, or their monthly payment raised. When you are in debt, you are at the mercy of the company you owe. Don’t let yourself get bogged down by credit card debt. 3. Cook at home. It sounds so basic and yet how many of us resort to eating out because we just can’t deal with dinner? By taking a few moments once a week to devise a menu plan, shopping for the needed ingredients for that menu plan, and cooking the meals in your home, you can save lots of money and have more time to gather as a family and enjoy a slow evening at home. Eating at home not only saves money, it saves valuable family time. 4. Buy clothes at thrift or consignment stores. This is especially true with children’s clothes. When you are in a department store, always shop the clearance racks and avoid the other racks so you aren’t tempted. It’s also an income generator if you consign your own clothing. You can then take the money you earn on consignment and buy clothes for a new season without being out of pocket any money! 5. If you must eat out, only go to places you have coupons for. Keep a small photo album and arrange restaurant coupons so they are easy to find as you are heading out the door. It’s also a great idea to look for “kids eat free” nights and frequent those. Other ways to save on eating out include ordering water (big savings on this), share meals, order a kids’ portion if the restaurant allows it, and go out for lunch instead of dinner. For people who work, it’s always a good idea to pack your lunch regularly instead of running out to eat. A jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread will go a long way. 6. Learn to play the coupon game. Many people devote themselves to clipping and organizing coupons—and reap great savings from doing so. There are many frugal websites and blogs that detail exactly how to save a lot of money with coupons. A great one to start with is http://www.couponmom.com/. And here is a great tutorial video you can watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcAUZvGS6L8. 7. If you have children, limit the number of activities they do to one per child, per year. If you are struggling to pay for even one activity, consider asking for the activity as a gift from grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, etc. Instead of another toy that will end up broken or lost, your child can receive a gift that truly keeps on giving as well as one that invests in their future. 8. Think about the things you regularly spend money on like gas or utilities and research ways to save money on those things. For instance, http://www.gasbuddy.com/ tells you where to buy the cheapest gas according to your area code. Bundling services with your cable provider can save money each month. Calling your energy company to find out when their off-peak hours are and doing your laundry or dishes during those times can save on your monthly bill as well. 9. Don’t shop as a recreational activity. If you can’t see it, you won’t feel a need to have it. Use time you used to spend shopping to go for a walk, visit a park, exercise, read a book, or spend time researching money-saving sites on the internet! If you have a friend you used to enjoy shopping with, sit down and list out other alternatives for your time together. 10. Look for ways to generate additional income. Whether it be an additional part-time job or a way to make money from home using a skill or talent you possess, get creative, get motivated, and get excited about the potential you have to generate income that you didn’t have before. Every little bit helps, so put on your thinking cap and don’t be shy about stepping out and trying something!