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Category Archives: Book Reviews

Who is “The Church Lady?”

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Who is The Church Lady? You may have an image in your mind of Dana Carvey dressed up like a gray-haired old woman in baggy hose. If you’re not old enough to remember this judgmental Saturday Night Live character, then you may think The Church Lady is a self-righteous woman who hits people over the head with her Bible. And some of you may picture the sweet, godly elderly lady who sits on the third pew at your church every Sunday.

Chandra & I had lunch this week. This is my signed copy!

My guess is that 99% of you reading this have a stereotypical view of The Church Lady. Friends, it’s time to tear down wrong images and allow the real Church Lady to step forward. My friend Chandra Peele has just released an exciting new book, Church Lady: Freed to Be a Woman of God. Chandra asked me to endorse the book, so I read it before it even went to print.

Here’s my endorsement:  Do you consider yourself a “Church Lady?” If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ then you are! In her book, “The Church Lady,” Chandra Peele tears down the old stereotype and breaks through preconceptions by painting a beautiful portrait of the Church Lady like God sees her. You will laugh, cry, cheer, and perhaps cringe as Chandra illustrates biblical truth through the stories of Church Ladies she has encountered all across the glove. She also personally and transparently shares her own journey to become the Church Lady God desires her to be. You will be encouraged. You will be challenged. But more importantly, you’ll find the freedom to be the Church Lady God designed you to be.

For years, Chandra has been asking Christian women if they consider themselves a “church lady.” Guess what? Nobody wanted to be one! Chandra also got three responses over and over:

  1. I’m not old enough to be a Church Lady.
  2. I’m not good enough to be a Church Lady.
  3. Please! Don’t call me a church lady because she is legalistic and judgmental.

Hear Chandra’s heart on what it means to be a Church Lady:

It’s heartbreaking that we’ve allowed the reputation of God’s daughters to become so tarnished.  Let’s reclaim the name and humbly, yet proudly consider it an honor to be called a Church Lady.  Can you see the damage done? Satan loves the fact that God’s daughters have been lumped into one negative stereotype regardless of our love for God, service to people and reflection of Christ.  We must lovingly and boldly reclaim the name.

 In Church Lady, I hope to shatter the stereotype and redefine the Church Lady. My hope is that the Lord will use these real stories, of real Church ladies, to set free those who may be held hostage by their past. For those who have been misguided or misunderstood.  Your heart is sure to be touched, perhaps changed. More than anything I pray you are freed-freed to be the woman God created you to be!

 Now…look in the mirror. Who is the church lady? You, woman of God, are the Church Lady!

Do you want to be a church lady? Do you long to be known as someone who belongs to God?

5 Ways to Spiritually Nurture Your Grandchildren

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Today I’m thrilled to have my friend Janet Thompson - who is a grandmother several times over – share with us today about ways we can spiritually nurture our grandchildren. (These tips would work with your own children too!) Janet, the author of a dozen books and Bible studies, has just released a new study in the New Hope Publishers line of Bible studies for women. “Face-to-Face with Lois and Eunice: Nurturing Faith in Your Family” helps women learn to pass their faith on to the next generation.

The only woman in the Bible referred to as a “grandmother” is Timothy’s grandmother, Lois. She and her daughter Eunice received accolades from the Apostle Paul on their rearing of his protégé and future pastor, young Timothy: “I [Paul] have been reminded of your sincere faith which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5, NIV).

He later adds: “And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15, NIV).

As a grandmother of 11 grandchildren who all know about Jesus (and some know Jesus as their Savior), here’s what I’ve learned from Lois:

  1. Pray for, mentor, and nurture the faith of your adult children—the parents of your grandchildren.
  2. Give with a purpose. Choose gifts that introduce grandchildren to Jesus at an early age. Shop at Christian bookstores or online to find age-appropriate games, books, DVDs, CDs, and toys.
  3. Look for opportunities to talk to grandchildren about Jesus and His love for them.
  4. Be a role model that family members admire and respect.
  5. Assume an active role in your grandchildren’s lives, even if you live far apart. Stay current and don’t criticize the things that interest them. Learn their communication style and method—email, texting, Skype or FaceTime, cell phone, social networking, etc. Remain relatable and relational with each generation.

Lois and Eunice were intentional in raising Timothy in the faith. The world didn’t set standards for their home, God did. They knew God’s Word and taught it to Timothy. I’ve found songs are one effective means to help children (and their parents) learn Scripture. Most kids love to sing along to CDs in the car and soon Mommy and Daddy are learning the words too.

Parents are often so busy raising their children that they rely on the church to educate the kids spiritually. We grandparents are usually at a stage of life where we can help parents nurture faith in the home. If relationships are strained with adult children or you don’t live close, you can still pray for them and/or keep in touch in different ways.

My prayer is that my legacy to my grandchildren will be: “Grammie taught us about the Bible and Jesus, and she lived what she believed.”

Share with us what are you doing to leave a spiritual legacy with your family.

 Find out more about Janet, her speaking, and books.

Get your own copy of “Face-to-Face with Lois and Eunice: Nurturing Faith in Your Family.”

Are you thirsty?

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Do you desire to draw closer to God but not sure how? Do you have a spiritual thirst that longs to be quenched? The brand-new ebook, Savoring Living Water, can help you drink long and full from God’s spiritual well.

This recent release, by Jesus-lovers and popular bloggers LaraWilliams and Katie Orr, will help believers of all stages of spiritual maturity in our quest to draw closer to God.Williams and Orr’s book is short – just 67 pages- and easy to read, but it’s packed with helpful advice for a meaningful daily time with God.

Williamsand Orr challenge reader to spend quality time with God daily, but admit it can be difficult. They openly share their own struggles and successes with readers in a way that encourages us to keep moving toward Christ. They allow us to see inside their time with the Lord so we can more easily see how to develop our own time with God.

The authors understand how daily life tries to get in the way of our time with God. They say spending time with Him is a choice we must make every day. “We can pursue the things we see on this earth for fullness. Or we can drink of Him.”

Many Christians, a bit intimidated by the 66 books of the Bible, don’t know how to get started.Williamsand Orr encourage readers to have a plan and give us tips to establish one. They walk through steps like scheduling a time, picking a place and gathering materials. The authors also offer practical suggestions for overcoming distractions, setting goals, and memorizing Scripture.

In the book, the authors also teach readers their own method of studying the Bible. They observe three specific aspects of His Word: truths, promises, and commands. “When we know His truths, we can combat the enemy’s lies. As we stand on promises, we won’t easily slip when circumstances fail. When we understand His commands, we can obey and live the blessed life.”

Williamsand Orr highlight application of God’s Word to our lives, but they aren’t “preachy.” Instead, readers feel as though they want to walk with us. They don’t think they’ve “arrived,” they are simply inviting us to join them on their journey toward greater intimacy with God.

Savoring Living Water is beautiful, challenging, practical, encouraging, and helpful. I highly recommend you download your copy today.

For more information about the ebook and the authors.

Download your copy now at Amazon.

The Team that Jesus Built

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Women’s ministry is an integral part of a healthy, vibrant church body. We women have unique relational, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs that can’t be met by “generic,” one-size-fits-all ministry. Check out this biblical mandate for women’s ministry:

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Titus 2:3-5

Scripture dictates that women should teach and minister to other women. But how? Where do we begin? Well, as in all things, Jesus is always our best example.

In her new book, The Team that Jesus Built, my friend Janet Thompson shows us how to develop, equip, and commission a women’s ministry team based on Jesus’ leadership style. Janet, who also developed the Woman to Woman mentoring program at Saddleback church, has vast experience in building and leading a women’s ministry team.

In The Team that Jesus Built, Janet shares her experience and wisdom in an easy-to-read and practical format. Whether you are “building” from scratch, “remodeling,” or simply “refurbishing” your women’s ministry you will find helpful and insightful direction. This book is packed with “how-to’s” that really do help, usable charts, forms, and case studies.

Here are just a few of the areas Janet covers:

  • Mission statements and goal setting
  • Job descriptions
  • Team recruiting and training
  • Conflict resolution
  • Accountability and spiritual growth
  • Ministry area evaluation and planning

Every women’s ministry leader and her team will benefit from The Team that Jesus Built. Get your copy today!

I would love to hear from you women’s ministry leaders! What is your biggest challenge right now?

Soul Surfer Living Unshakeable Faith

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Two days ago, I finally got to see the movie “Soul Surfer.” I rented it in an Atlanta hotel while there for the International Christian Retailers Show. This inspiring – and challenging – film tells the real-life story of Bethany Hamilton, the Hawaiian surfer girl attacked by a shark at the age of thirteen. In this devastating event, Bethany lost her left arm, but not her faith in Christ.

Bethany Hamilton & me at ICRS

Yesterday, while walking the convention floor and still feeling the impact of the movie’s message, I learned that the Hamilton family was in the building. Bethany was posing for photos and her mom, Cheri was signing copies of her book, “Raising a Soul Surfer.” Of course I hurried over and got in line! Today, I began reading Raising a Soul Surfer, the book written by Bethany’s mom Cheri Hamilton. Cheri emphasizes how their family’s faith in God remained strong despite their heartbreaking circumstances. Here are a few of Cheri’s words:

Our story is about a violently shattered dream that was replaced with a bigger one. But most of all, our life story has been, and continues to be, about trusting God in spite of circumstances, pressures and unexpected events… Most of all, this story is a glimpse into God’s perspective as it has been revealed to us. Only in retrospect have we been able to see how far back His amazing providence has reached into our lives. His hand has always been active, and not just since the events of that fateful Halloween morning in 2003… Before the attack, I had so many plans for my future and dreams of how my daughter’s amazing talents would affect the surfing community. But my hopes and dreams were too small for God. He always had much grander plans… My plans were way too small. It took a tragedy to shatter them and recast them into God’s plans.

Cheri and the rest of the Hamilton clan know that God is not surprised by anything that slips – or crashes – into our lives.  He has the power to stop, redirect, or change whatever He chooses. I wonder how many times just today God protected you and me from disastrous circumstances? I also often wonder why God allows hard things into our lives. Scripture is clear that Christians are not immune from trials and difficulties. But God promises to strengthen, guide, comfort, and keep in the midst of them. Trust in the God who has the power to bring His will to completion in your life for His glory. Times may be shaky, but our God is unshakeable. Stand firm on The Rock.