Control issues? Who me? Perhaps you? Book Review on Control Girl by Shannon Popkin

5 stars of truth!  Shannon Popkin writes a wonderful book filled with truths from God's Word and the issues of desiring control, having so called control, and letting go.  Serving in women's ministry for many years one begins to realize that most people struggle with control.  Some of us may not admit to it being a problem, but sometimes I don't think we realize it is control we are struggling with.  I recommend this book to women's groups to study together.  I recommend this to a woman that doesn't have a group available.  It is a must read.

I love the way that Shannon shared about the realization in Bible study one night that most of the prayer concerns all had to do with control.  Most with someone's mother or someone's mother-in-law and all the issues that were brought into their life from control.  Everyone wanted to control and it brought to Shannon's mind how she herself needed to deal now with this issue, so that she would not have to face this in her own relationships one day.  When she shared this story, I thought back to prayer concerns over the years and it was true.  Most of the prayer concerns other than health concerns all dealt with control of one sort or another.  

I liked the approach taken in this book with looking at women from the Bible that struggled with control.  Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, and Miriam quite a list of women that all struggled in different ways with control.  One I found most interesting on this list is Hagar.  After all, she was a slave with no choices, so how could she struggle with control?  Well, once she was having Abraham's baby she turned the tables on control.  I would have never though of her to place on a control list until looking at this with new eyes.  

I love the closing of the book with focus on the one woman in the Bible that didn't struggle with control.  She wasn't even a woman yet.  She was a young girl that became the mother of Jesus.  Mary is a beautiful lesson of how we all need to let go and let God.  

I really did enjoy this book and I believe studied with girlfriends this book would really come together great.  Discussion would be awesome and I know God would do great things!  I believe this because He really brought some things into focus for me with reading it on my own.  So either way order it immediately through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or whatever bookstore you use!

I was given this book by Kregel Publications for my honest review.  I loved it!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Mother's Love

Perhaps not the photo of a mom you were expecting, but moms look different.  Different from the children at times, but yet they are a mom.

Yesterday, I went to the movie Lion with Frankie and absolutely loved this movie.  It is a true story about a young boy that gets lost from his birth mom and finds a new mom.  Only to one day be reunited with his birth mom and still loving the mom that raised him.  It was beautiful!  Heartbreaking at times, but yet so very beautiful.  I highly recommend this movie to everyone.  It is a wonderful reminder about love.

Valentine's is next week and it is all about love.  Well, this movie would be a great beautiful reminder of what love looks like.

Sweet blessings,
Debbie

Love

1 John 4:16

...God is love.

February brings valentine's day and it is all about love.  So this thought brought me to these verses substituting God for love since God is love and divine.  Ponder these verses in February and everyday beyond.  Also, share with me any passages that surprise you thinking of God.

God is patient.  God is kind.  He God does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.  He does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs.  God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  God never fails. (adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

It provides so much hope and love, doesn't it?  God is patient.  Praise Him!!!  I treasure knowing this with how much I must let Him down.  He is kind!  Amen!  The list goes on and on about how amazing God truly is, but so much hope with the last sentence...God never fails!  Cling to the truth!  

God is definitely love!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Freedom

Study this week is about Moses.  The first text in the study lead me to was Exodus 2:23-25 and it is a great one.  It got me to really thinking because of these words that just jumped off the page at me:

The Israelites groaned and cried out for help.

God heard.

He remembered.

So God was concerned...

Are you groaning and crying out for help?  Who are you going to?  The cries of the Israelites went out to God.  Where are our cries going?  Are we talking to God?  Are we sharing with God?  Are we going to Him or someone else?  God hears!  God remembers!  God cares!

I don't know what you are struggling with or even if you are at the moment, but the time will come.  Turn to God.  Share with Him.  The image of being a slave to something and needing freedom is so profound with these scriptures.  Are you a slave to gossip?  food? exercise? love with the wrong person? jealously? bitterness? addiction? The list could go on and on because we all have our issues and some of which we desperately need freedom from...

I loved these verses read them for yourself and see which words God speaks to you about in your life.  He will, we must then listen for His truths.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie