Category: Books

Book Review

What I Learned from The Pain Companion

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I was given this book, The Pain Companion, as a gift. In return, I am writing this review. I am not otherwise being paid and the thoughts on this post our my own.

Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

What if there was no pain.

For some of us that would be like heaven. But really? Do we want there to truly be no pain? We might want to rethink that. What if you touched something hot but felt no pain. What if you kept pushing yourself to work, run, play without feeling pain? Not exactly a good thing, right? Continue reading →

Sacred Marriage – For a Better Marriage Relationship And More

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I heard a radio interview the other day with Gary Thomas, the author of Sacred Marriage, and it really caught my attention. What especially drew me in was the subtitle, “What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?”. I had to purchase the book to get “the rest of the story”.

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Twenty Things We Would Tell Our 20-Something Selves

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20 Somethings

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. However, the views are my own personal thoughts about this book. Links to purchase are my affiliate links.

What would I tell my 20-something self? 

Don’t waste this decade waiting and wishing for what you are hoping for.

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Go out and grab it because life will all too soon get full and busy and the next thing you know your 20’s will be twenty years ago. I waited till I was 28 to start planning great vacations and fulfilling dreams. No sooner did I plan a trip to Taiwan, then I met and married my husband. Never made it to  Taiwan.

Excellent Resource for Your Life

I found this book chock full of excellent advice for any of us. Possibly, even those who are looking back and wondering what has happened to all your hopes and dreams. It’s never too late to take a turn for the better. And this book can help you do it, so purchase this book today. Dog-ear the pages that are important to you and start taking stock in your life. Store this book on a convenient shelf so that you can go back and read next year, and the next year, and the next. You will find ways to improve your life every time. Continue reading →

Book Review: Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together

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I have been waiting years for a women’s mentoring resource like this.

Book Review AdornedADORNED

Living out the Beauty of the Gospel Together

by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

{There are affiliate links on the page}

{I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review}

As a pastor’s wife, I have tried different times to encourage our ladies to live out the Titus 2 woman model. I used Bible Studies on the topic but I never seemed able to really get the point across. I could never explain it all well and why we should live this kind of life. Partly, I had older women I respected questioning the principle and I didn’t know how to answer them. But mainly, I didn’t have the right mentoring resource to help me.

Today, we have millennial women begging for help to find their way. But the situation is worse, the older women believe that the younger women do not want their help nor do they want to hear their message. This really isn’t true.

And I believe “Adorned” is the answer.

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Reignite Your Marriage by Valentine’s Day

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Is your marriage getting a little dull in the romance department?

romance challenge

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Have you lost the passion you once had for each other?

Sharon Jaynes has written a little book that I’m sure will help you ignite the fires again. In 14 days she can help you spark that fire. She will take you step by step, offering little things you can do to reignite the fires.

Add a spark a day for 14 days

In just a page or two a day, Sharon talks about the things that will get the passion ignited for your guy. She explains what’s going on in his head and what you need to do to get his fires going. Each day she offers 3 or 4 little things you can do for your husband each day. It could be as simple as sending a sweet text or some a bit hot and sexy. She offers testimonials from women who tried them and from the men who received them. These will certainly, be an encouragement to you to try them out.

Each day she offers 3 or 4 little things you can do for your husband each day. It could be as simple as sending a sweet text or some a bit hot and sexy. She offers testimonials from women who tried them and from the men who received them. These will certainly, be an encouragement to you to try them out.

One Act of Romance a Dayadmiration

Each day she challenges you to do one small act of love. She offers 3 or 4 little things you can do for your husband each day. It could be as simple as sending a sweet text or something a bit more hot and sexy. She offers testimonials from women who have tried them and from the men who received them. These will certainly, be an encouragement to you to try them out.

The Best Little Romance Reference Book

In the last third of the book, Sharon includes some great addendums.

  • 150 additional Ways to Romance Your Husband
  • 10 Ways to Romance Your Husband According to His Love Language
  • 14 Tips for a More Romantic Bedroom
  • 10 Easy steps to Writing a Love Letter

Even if you don’t complete an act every day, you will find the passion in your marriage escalating. This is a book you will want to keep in your bedstand as a reference for whenever you need to add a spark to your relationship. Go out and buy yours today!

Mandy Farmer

 

The best little romance reference book ever. https://ctt.ec/64TIk+ #14-dayromancechallenge @ggmandy

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How God Restores a Broken Heart

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So many of us find ourselves BROKEN. But God can make all things BEAUTIFUL if you will let Him.

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I picked up Gwen Smith’s book from a pile of books I have purchased and never finish reading because I am writing a series of devotionals on emotional trauma. I wanted to find out how others dealt with their own traumatic events and how God helped them recover.

We have all found ourselves broken and unable to fix it. Only God can restore our hearts and make us whole again. Gwen brings to mind how this life can beat us up and break our tender hearts. Each chapter tells of someone she knows personally and links her together with a Biblical woman. She then shows us that “God can use each and every person who surrenders her brokenness into His hands…no matter what.” It doesn’t matter if we are broken from past sin. Sometimes, we ourselves have sinned. Other times, those around us have sinned and we became the object of the sin. Either way, God CAN use the brokenness and turn it into something beautiful. The key is our own surrender of the heart. We must allow God to do the work in our hearts and lives. Then and only then will the beauty shine through.

Gwen reminds us that Satan would like to take us down for the last time. He wants to defeat us and convince us that God does not care. These crafty lies of the evil one can hold us back and keep us struggling in the hurt. We must let the lies go. Stop believing the lies and begin believing in the God who created us. Gwen tells us that “when we invite God into our circumstances, He will faithfully respond to our needs”. And then we will experience His peace, his presence, His power!

At the end of each chapter, Gwen leaves us with lyrics to one of her songs

 

Pick up this book today and find your way to beautiful! #brokenintobeautiful @gwensmithmusic @ggmandy

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From one beautiful heart to another!

 

Mandy Farmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Gwen Smith’s Music

Book Review : Simply Tuesday

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By Emily P. Freeman / Revell

Simply Tuesday

I picked up this book because I had enjoyed some of the author’s blog writings. Little did I know that I would connect with her immediately because we are both experiencing a similar time in life. We are both the wife of a pastor who has recently resigned his position and still in the “waiting on God” moments in life.

The Speed of Fast

In this world of everything in the speed of fast, Emily Freeman, encourages us to enjoy the small things, to slow down and enjoy life. She says, “Small is an invitation to participate in something greater than ourselves.” When we take the time to sit, watch and listen we find the beautiful again. We are refreshed and we see what God is doing … in our own lives and in the world. We see how our small part is significant in the whole wide scheme of things.

“Never despise small beginnings”. Start by picking up this book and be encouraged!

Mandy Farmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find Emily P Freeman on Instagram.

#simplytuesday

or her blog

Click on the following affiliate links below to purchase this book today.

Paperback or E-book!

An Adult Coloring Book!

 

Book Review : Wounded By God’s People

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We tend to think that God’s servants are protected against being wounded, but that is just not true.

As a matter of fact, I would venture to say that most ministers of the Word are hurt at least once in their ministry. I so appreciate Anne for being vulnerable and opening up to us about her own life while she teaches us through the life of Hagar on how to deal with hurt.

I had not ever taken much thought to Hagar and her son but God did. @ggmandy http://wp.me/p7NFKu-Nk

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It is in the story of Hagar, that we find the name of God, El Roi, The God Who Sees Me. He cares so much about each one of us and the plight in which we find ourselves. AND he is watching over us.

What I learned was the God Who Sees Me cares deeply for His own. He sees each and every one of us. The love that He has for us is unfathomable. He has a plan for us but He also allows us to make our own decisions. So He waits for us to call out to Him to rescue Him.

Studying the plight of Hagar has helped me face my own situation.

It has taught me to look at where I may have failed. I have been warned against wounding others in my hurt. It has taught me to forgive regardless of what the other party may or may not do towards repentance and reconciliation.

This book would help anyone who has been hurt not only by the church but by anyone.

In this age where we seem to think everyone is bullying everyone else. I think we need to start looking at how Jesus handled those who bullied Him. “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

If you have ever been hurt by someone, read this book.

Start looking at how Jesus handled those who bullied Him. #forgiveness @ggmandy http://wp.me/p7NFKu-Nk 

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Expecting Great things;

Mandy Farmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below you will find an affiliate link to purchase this book and Nan Jones book Perils of a Pastor’s wife. Nan writes from experience about being rejected congregations. Thank you.


ATTENTION PASTORS AND SPOUSES

Have you felt abandoned by God in the lonely fires of ministry? 

This Group is expressly for men and women trying to find Joy in the Wilderness after losing

their pastorate. Please share this with others you know who are struggling with the transition.

This is a place for support and encouragement. No judgment, just a shoulder to lean on.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO JOIN.

Joy in the WIlderness

Facebook Group for Hurting Shepherds

The Peril’s of a Pastor’s Wife ~ Book Review

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The Perils of a Pastor’s Wife

by Nan Jones

The Perils of A Pastor’s Wife will speak to your deepest wounds and help you find God’s Presence through it all. Sweet Sister—somewhere, somehow, somebody knows. You are not alone.

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How did I find this book?

In order to do some blogging to assist pastors and wives, I ran a questionaire a few months ago. Nan Jones was one that answered my questionaire. I went to her blog to read some of her writings. After reading several of her posts, I decided I should read her book, since I was in the same predicament that she was writing about. It was one of the best decisions I have made.

 Who will Benefit from this Book?

“Perils ...”  is written to help other pastor’s wives who are dealing with the sad situation of being dismissed by a church. This is something that is happening in alarming numbers these days. While this book was written from the viewpoint of a woman and written for women, I think men could benefit as well. It is a wonderful book for those of us journeying the path of rejection and being in transition (without a “flock”).

My Personal Experience.

I found that God used the very some scriptures AND books to inspire Nan as He did me in my journey with chronic pain and then our dismissal from our last church.  Hannah Hurnard’s “Hinds’ Feet in High Places” is an amazing book and Ann Voskamp’s book “One Thousand Gifts” which set me on the right path for my journey.
Her words are so gentle and encouraging. She shows us how to respond and get through it all with grace and (eventual) forgiveness.
Ministers in transition need to buy this book.
Mandy Farmer

Have you been hurt by the church?

Have you felt abandoned by God in the lonely fires of ministry? The Perils of A Pastor’s Wife will speak to your deepest wounds and help you find God’s Presence through it all. Sweet Sister—somewhere, somehow, somebody knows. You are not alone.

JOY IN THE WILDERNESS

This Group is expressly for men and women trying to find Joy in the Wilderness

after losing their pastorate. Please share this with others you may know

who are struggling with the transition.

This is a place for support and encouragement. No judgment, just a shoulder to lean on.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO JOIN.

Joy in the WIlderness

Facebook Group for Hurting Shepherds