I am in a Mutually Satisfying Love Affair

...with my husband. Really, I am.

And this is the beginning of my input on the first chapter of John Ensor's book, Doing Things Right in Matter's of the Heart.
Yep. It's book club time with Girl Talk.

Ensor starts out strong. No beating around the bush. He just dives right in with the truth we all need to hear... and pursue. He even quotes Mahaney from that fabulous book about humility: "I'm a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God."

We are all proud people. According to this chapter, it is called the error of self-confidence.

It is one thing to act foolishly--to be a simpleton--when buying a used car. It is another when it comes to matters of the heart. The stakes are infinitely higher. Failure here means weeping into tear-stained pillows through sleepless nights. It means hot flashes of shame. It means spiritual incapacitation when it comes to things like prayer and worship... it has dragged too many off to Planned Parenthood with an innocent in the womb...

...It is time to revolt against the times... to learn how to spot fraud in matters of the heart, and to enter into a relationship as one "who gives thought to his steps" (Prov. 14:15).

Whew! See what I mean? And that is only the tip of the iceburg of straightforward wisdom pouring out of this 160 page book. It's really not too late to get one and participate in the book club.

So, why did I mention I was in a mutually satisfying love affair with my husband? Because Ensor has a section within this chapter where he mentions a staff member that introduced her husband as Mr. Wonderful and then rattled off a few of the things he did to make her so fulfilled and happy. Essentially she was simply enjoying the love of a good man and saying it as if it were as normal as iced tea in August. Sadly to Ensor and everyone else, I'm sure, it sounded radical--winsomely radical.
It isn't that these people are not full of human frailty as Ensor points out. It is just that they are reaping the wonderful benefits of a healthy, enduring, mutually satisfying love affair with one another.

Honestly, the first seven years of my marriage was hell. A hell that I made for myself in which I would easily involve myself in conversation with others who would sit around talking about all the things their spouses did wrong. You know, that human frailty factor just makes for flesh-appealing gossip. But then the Lord, and it really is His work alone that transformed my life, my marriage, into something unexpectedly beautiful and satisfying, gave me this LOVE for my husband that I had never had before. So deep and sweet. A love that caused me to see all those things about Him that reflect Christ. A love that caused me to find him irresistibly attractive. Oh, and a love that really does cover a multitude of sins when it comes to marriage. Not to the point of delusional denial of ongoing sin that needs to be confronted. No. It is the mindset love that focuses NOT on those annoying human frailty sins, but on what made me fall in love with the guy in the first place and the things he does now that make me fall in love with him even more. LOVE HAS TO cover a multitude of sins when it comes to marriage or you will be miserable. Though I do believe my husband got the short end of the stick. :-D

Now go read this hilariously sad, sometimes scarily true article about the lunatic bride. It will entertain you in a freakishly funny way.

And make sure you watch this video "I Want to Leave a Legacy"... I found it on No Shadow of Turning who found it on a young ladies blog that writes thought-provoking articles on her life with cancer and a longing to leave a legacy of Christ... Meet Heather and be blessed.

Book Give-Away

Have you ever come across a book so excellent, besides the Word of God, that you buy several copies to give away? There are just a few books like that for me and I am so excited to add The Mother at Home by John S. C. Abbott to that small list.

I had two step-mothers come into my life; One at around age 9 who was verbally and physically abusive whom my father divorced within a year and the other he married when I was 13. She had four children of her own and it was quite an adjustment. This second one hung in there and is still happily married to my dad. She is someone I consider a dear friend.

But again, I ask, what IS a mother? And how in the world was I going to find out? I read book after book after book to find out. I observed mothers, I sought mentors that could teach me... I was still scared. I so longed to be the kind of mother that would bless her children and raise them to be respectful children that behaved in such a way that other people actually enjoyed being around them. I so longed to be a "Mother at Home" that baked cookies with them, stomped in mud puddles with them and was there for them whenever they needed me.

There I was... pregnant and mortified.

After I became a genuine Christian, which was after I already had two children, the longing to raise them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord became so strong. I picked up more books... searched the Scriptures and pleaded before the Lord for direction. I quite literally desired and have been searching for a "HOW TO" manual. I have finally found, out of all of the books I have read on the topic of motherhood, the BEST and most God-honoring book out there. A book that just happens to be a classic written in the 1800's that Solid Ground Christian Books got ahold of and thankfully did a reprint.

Mother's Day is coming up and what I want to do is ask that you write either about tips for mothering, things you learned about motherhood from your mother, or just fun motherhood testimonials and send it to me via e-mail at lisa4given@hotmail.com or provide a link. I will read your tips or testimonials and choose 2 people to give a copy of this book to. ($10 value... but actually invaluable)

Perhaps through the week I will share quotes from the book that will whet your appetite... and if you already have this book, please still consider participating. (If you win, you can give it away to another mother).

May 7th is the deadline for submissions and the winners will be announced on May 11th. Mother's Day is May 13th.

Mothers can always learn from and be encouraged by one another and I am so thankful for the mothers that the Lord put in my path that taught and encouraged me by patient example; especially my mother-in-law.

I am not sure I am real good at reviewing books

... for this might just be the world's longest book review on such a small book. And yes, it is a review of the book I thought I could not even objectively recommend. Read on and see why I changed my mind.

Continue reading "I am not sure I am real good at reviewing books" »