Rambling and Some Books

I'm in a blah mood and have been for days. I blame it on the heat. It's too hot to go outside (close to 100 for how many days now), too hot to drag three kids out in it, too hot to cook (ice cream for breakfast lunch and dinner ensures that my family gets adequate dairy and stays cool), too hot to clean (who has any energy)? too hot to really want to run; in fact this morning, Jamison said that if I got on a bike I would have trained for a triathlon after my run since I swam through the air. Not to mention all 3 of my kids have serious sleeping problems now - we have started the day somewhere around 6 every day and not taken naps.  They are killing me and it's all I can do to keep my cool (I'm too hot) with them.  Any other Texans with me?  I mean I have a serious case of the blahs. I even cried this morning. Being cooped up in the house with three kids that are five and under can really do one in. I pray about it and then I snap. Nothing like the old sin nature to bite you in the rear hourly, ok by the minute to show you how unsanctified you really are.

So, I have decided that I am going to be productive. I am going to start blogging more regularly. I am going to get off my duff and do the book reviews that I have promised you. I have even asked some friends to help me along.  I see all the time on Facebook people asking for book recommendations and for thoughts on books. I hope to be able to help you out by providing some reviews.  I also plan on trying to journal some of my insights from my Bible reading.   I'm not sure how all this plays out, but I plan on doing a little more reading, a lot more thinking and a little more blogging.

For Now, here are some books that I think you should read.

On Marriage:
When Sinners Say I Do
Love and Respect
Sacred Marriage

On Parenting:
Parenting with Love and Logic
Don't Make Me Count to Three
Loving the Little Years
Shepherding a Child's Heart
Sacred Parenting
James Dobson's Arsenal of Books; take your pick
If you want a run down of the children's sleep books out there, I can give them to you. I've read them all. Grayson is still a horrible sleeper so I am not sure any of them helped.  I have learned this: sleep begets sleep and early to bed, late to rise.  Keep them on a routine - children thrive.
Baby 411 (good reference book on general newborn topics - EASY to read for the sleep deprived moms out there)

On Studying your Bible:
Living by the Book (and workbook too)
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus

Character Studies:
Twelve Ordinary Men (McArthur)
To Live is Christ (Beth Moore) - study of Paul
Passion for Faithfulness: (Henry Blackaby)- study of Nehemiah

Children's Books:
Truth and Grace Memory Books
Sammy and His Shepherd
Chronicles of Narnia (There is a children's picture edition that Grayson is loving right now)
Jesus Storybook Bible
Hymns for a Kid's Heart
With You All the Way
Pinkalicious (if you have a little girl that loves pink like mine does)
Going on a Bear Hunt (be sure to shoot the bear so you can end the story on that page)

Misc:
Interrupted: Jen Hatmaker
Discerning the Voice of God: Priscilla Shirer
The Pursuit of Holiness


Podcasts I Enjoy:
White Horse Inn
Gregg Matte
Richard Caldwell (He's a bit dry, but good, accurate, expository sermons)
My husband made a point to me that Dr. Young was not on the list - that is because I have the pleasure of listening to him live every Sunday morning.
Focus on the Family is on the list but that falls under James Dobson and his arsenal of parenting advice.

Fiction: I have enjoyed the Karen Kingsbury series on the Baxters.  Easy, light reads.  I am not a fan of Francine Rivers.  I know that I am in the  minority there, but I can't really get into her books.

Because I want to keep it real, I do read some not so sanctifying stuff as well.  I enjoy reading Nicholas Sparks.  I cry every single time.  I also like murder mysteries.  Sick, I know.

If you haven't done BSF, and want to study a book of the Bible, you need to march your happy self to a class this fall. The children's program is phenomenal, the training is great, and it is a verse by verse Bible study.  Added bonus, if you are single, you might just meet the love of your life (just ask me, Missy & Walker, Lisa & Reagan, Jen & Chris, Angela & Ryan....).  Am I still doing it?  Not right now, but I am so glad I went through 8 years of it.  BSF taught me to think Biblically, one of it's expressed goals. The other thing that BSF trains you to do is to serve in your home church, which is what I am currently doing.  I am involved with the women's ministry (working toward a great fall program with Gari Meachum called Outbreak.  It'll meet on Monday nights starting this fall, Second Baptist West location. Be there!  I also plan on returning to a Bible study this fall with the women of my church.)  Starting shortly I'll also be helping teach in the preschool ministry.

That's my rambling for the day.