S Club Mama

Slow. That almost seems like a curse word in today's world. You ask a friend how they are and their answer is inevitably "busy." And I am, too. We have cub scout meetings, small group, Bible studies, playdates, laundry, supper. Our ancestors were busy also (laundry, cooking, butchering, farming, mending and sewing, quilting...everything took so much longer), but that word seems to be a badge of honor...or a badge of martyrdom (??). It's something we say almost with a tinge of pride (aren't you proud of how not idle I am? how productive we are?) when I don't think "busy" has ever been the ideal. We could have loads of free time and down time with all of our modern conveniences but it seems like we just naturally (selfishly, perhaps) fill that time with "busy." It's exhausting, isn't it? image via amazon.com Erin Loecher is an hgtv.com reality show star and blogger and author of "Chasing Slow." She found herself ...

A few months ago at my moms group, a few lovely ladies told me that I seem like a very patient and calm mom. Let me be the first to say, that is unfortunately not true. I struggle so very much with yelling and being angry with my children and my husband. Usually, it is over things that are not important. Mountains out of molehills. So this year, I decided to fight against it. I have read other books about anger, including "The Orange Rhino," and studies on Bible verses that speak of anger and patience. I started to read "Anger: taming a powerful emotion" by Gary Chapman because the author is someone that I have grown to trust through his other publications (The 5 Love Languages). I don't know if you are a yeller or if you struggle with anger (passive-aggressive is also anger), but I will say that this book has helped me so greatly. I will say it is a divine intervention for me. image via amazon.com Chapman introduces his book with a reminder in t...

I was an avid watcher of the original Beverly Hills 90210 as a child (don't judge me). That's where my love of Luke Perry kicked in, aided immensely by the movie 8 Seconds. I've seen very little of him over the past decade so was pleased to learn he was in the movie "Race to Win." However, my disappointment kicked in when he DIED (not a spoiler - in the movie description) at the start. He was off and on during the rest of the film but not in a main character way that would showcase his acting. So if you're looking for a Luke Perry film; this is not the one you want. BUT! That doesn't mean you should write this movie off entirely. Danielle Campbell plays his daughter who rallies things together on their ranch so they don't have to sell it to the bad guy. I don't want to give too much away because it is a good movie to watch, but just know there are trials! Another disappointment is that there is no mention of God in this movie. I was expect...

I was the story time lady for 2 1/2 years at our local library - I love children's books! I especially love well-written children's books. There are a few things to look for in a good story time book. I'd like to share those with you using the illustration of "The Beautiful Garden of Eden" by Gary Bower because it exemplifies those characteristics. 1. It must be beautiful. This, of course, has more to do with the illustrations than the writing but a book with pictures that look like I drew them (definitely no artistry coming from my hands) are not going to draw in a child. The Beautiful Garden of Eden is illustrated by Barbara Chotiner. They are not too intricate but not too elementary. It's a beautiful blend of the two that lends wonderful pictures with this story. I love the bold colors she uses - deep pink and luscious green. I adore her details of the serpent's scales and the bramble thorns. image via Amazon.com 2. The words must dance. This is...

God has really been speaking to my heart in the past year or two, showing me how self-centered I have become. And it's easy to do that when you have gone through a crisis as we have and having a new baby. But He really is calling me to "other center in living in a self-centered world." That is the subtitle of "Listen Love Repeat " by Karen Ehman.  image via Proverbs 31 ministry I found great practical advice in this book. How to listen for the "heart drops" that other people leave in every day conversation. We must listen for things such as their favorite childhood toy, their favorite drink, a hardship they are going through, something they are celebrating, or of many various other things. We can you and then use these things to come alongside them in their sorrow or joy or reminiscing. Other-centered living seems like it would take a lot of work, but I believe that it takes one very precious thing: time. Time is a precious commodity in th...

Many of you may remember a little book phenomenon called "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. It came around either in my late high school or early college days and was a sensation world-wide. I can tell you right now, what that book is about: living for Christ! Although I've never read the book myself, I know what it's about because I know what Rick Warren is about - living for Christ! image via BookLook I had the opportunity to read "The Lord's Prayer" by Rick Warren . It's a board book for small children, walking them through this prayer made by Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible. Warren provides the commentary to the prayer, taking kids through the whole prayer little by little. The prayer and commentary are accompanied by illustrations of children by Richard Jesse Watson. These beautiful pictures give a clear idea of the meaning of the Scripture. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will...