Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Category: Book Review

  • Through My Headset–Kingdom Woman

    I recently started trying to do some light workouts. To encourage me I turn on my audiobooks. During last month I  struggled through these workouts to the sound of Tony Evans and his daughter, Chrystal Evans Hurst, reading “Kingdom Woman”.

    I enjoyed this book very much. Each chapter was a story and application to any woman’s life. This part is read by Tony Evans. This is followed by a personal story by his daughter. She becomes very open and real during “Chrystal’s Chronicles”.

    It is difficult being a woman, and in today’s world the demands on her are enormous. Does God care she is exhausted from getting the kids up, fed and off to school or daycare, then off to work where she is completing her job responsibilities as well as planning kids transportation to evening activities, dinner arrangements, and then when home also help with homework and cleaning up the kitchen? Yes, he does.

    If you are a woman, no matter what stage of life, I recommend this uplifting and encouraging book. Read or listen, you will be blessed.

    “You are much more valuable than you may even realize. You are a child of the King; you are uniquely called and positioned to live devoted to God as one of His primary agents for advancing His purposes on earth. That is a high calling, and He will enable you to live it well. Never forget your value. Never settle for less than who you truly are.” —Kingdom Woman

  • Through My Headset–The Magnolia Story

    While working on a sweater I abandoned to the closet quite some time ago I listened to ‘The Magnolia Story’ by Chip and Joanna Gaines.

    I fell in love with this couple watching their Fixer Upper show on HGTV.

    In the audio version of the book, Chip and JoJo read their story.  They captured my attention from the very beginning.

    I was impressed by their genuine openness. I don’t know that I would want to share some of those stories.  They are as open and authentic in the book as they appear in their show.

    They started their married life with no television, at the challenge made during their pre-marital counseling. The challenge was for 6 months. Now, years later and with a TV show of their own, they still have no TV.  There are days I think my life would be better without the TV always blaring in the background. Could I, would I, accept the challenge?  I digress. That is something for another post.

    I thoroughly enjoyed listening to “The Magnolia Story”.  The Gaines didn’t sound like they were reading the book. The sounded like they were sitting on the couch across my me, telling me their story. 

    If you are ‘fixing up’ a WIP, consider listening to this Fixer Upper couple tell you their story.

  • Through My Headset – Precious In His Sight

    I recently ran across an audio series by Theresa Ingram, wife of Pastor Chip Ingram of Living on the Edge.  I downloaded the MP3 and PDF files and thoroughly enjoyed the “Precious In His Sight” series and teachings of Theresa.  I related so well to her words.

    The first part is titled “Mirror, Mirror On the Wall” and looks at  what God says is true about my appearance; I am Beautiful in Jesus’ Eyes.  I was created in God’s image. I am beautiful because He designed me, knows me intimately, and loves me. Though man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart.

    Part 2 is titled “From Cinderella to a Princess”, noting we are righteous in Jesus’ eyes. There is a difference in our lives before and after Christ.

    In part 3 you are “Born to be a Winner”. Theresa discusses how to experience in you what is true of you. What untruths do you tell yourself? What is true of you? I loved her question “what is tatooed on your mind?’   Your self-talk could be your biggest weapon satan will use against you.

    Finally, in part 4, appropriately titled “Wings” you are reminded how uniquely gifted and enabled by God to make a significant impact with your life. Yes, are can make an impact. She discusses the 4 road blocks we set up that hinder God from using us.

    I was very touched by this series. I heard myself in her stories.

    Once I finished I learned that there is an audiobook titled “Precious in His Sight” which is unabridged. The MP3 files are available through Amazon and the Living on the Edge website.

    I highly recommend this to every woman who has even the slightest bit of self-doubt.  Yes, God can use you and wants to use you. He can and wants to use me.

    This website, my desire to become a life coach and to begin public speak, along with my Knit and Crochet Bibles Studies, and my teddy bears are just the tip of the story He is unfolding in my life.

    What story is He unfolding in your life?

  • Through My Headset – Born With Teeth

    If you read my last newsletter, you know I am in my mid-50s. Okay, I am now 56.   

    So I remember well, as a teenager, a new soap opera that came on the scene. Ryan’s Hope featured a spirited young woman who was very strong, yet not vindictive like most strong women appeared in those shows ( at least the few I saw ).  She was played by a new up and coming actress, Kate Mulgrew.

    I enjoyed watching that show, and was excited when she was named the Captain of Voyager.  I admired the character she portrayed.

    So, I eagerly preordered the audible version of her book “Born With Teeth” when it became available.

    I am now listening to Kate read the book, telling her life story.  It is very interesting.  With Kate being the narrator, it feels like we are sitting over coffee and she is telling me all about herself.

    I am only to the part where she is working on Ryan’s Hope.  I must return to the story and the shawl I am knitting.

  • Through My Headset – Twelve Extraordinary Women

    I am currently listening to AND reading in print, the book Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur.

    This books takes a look at 12 women in the Bible. He goes deep into the culture and through Scripture tells a story of each women.  I am reading it with 2 other women and we are using the corresponding workbook to add to our reading.

    I find the book very encouraging. He brings to light different angles of the stories we hear. Through Scripture he brings out how God used each woman to tell the gospel story. God’s mercy and grace abound!

    For example, consider Rahab the prostitute. She hid the Israeli spies and lied to protect them. She later told the spies of her fear of what the Lord could do that motivated her faith.  She had grown up hearing stories of the God of Israel and the triumphs in battle.

    John MacCarthur goes on to say “Hers was a healthy kind of fear. It had convinced her that YHWH was indeed the one true God.

    As a child we feared our parents discipline when we knew we did wrong. That led us to doing the right thing.

    “Fear of the Lord” can be frightening OR it can lead us to believing in the One True God. Is your ‘fear’ a healthy fear leading you into the arms of the Lord?

    John MacArthur is very encouraging of women throughout this book. He shows a respect of I don’t often find in male translations.

    If you are looking for a study of women in the Bible for yourself or as a group, I highly recommend this book

  • Through My Headset – Undone

    Not all my books are audio. I have just completed a preview of a soon-to-be-released book from Michele Cushatt titled “UNDONE”. The book looks at her life and is subtitled “A story of making peace with an unexpected life”.

    So many unexpected things happen in our lives. A phone call from a doctor, loss of a job, busted water pipes, a sick child.

    In scripture we are promised “life abundant” not “a bed of roses” (however, even a rose garden is filled with thorns)

    undoneMichele takes you through many of her unexpected happenings with family, work, cancer, and just life in general. 

    I was able to relate to much of her story. Even if I did not experience an event exactly as she did, I could equate her emotions to happenings in my own life.

    When I started reading, I picked up some post-it note tags and marked places I related to or wanted to share. The book is filled with neon pink stickers. Way to many to share; but enough to remind me I am not alone.

    Anyone who has experienced life, will be able to relate to her story. She reacts to life’s events much as I would, much as I believe many of you would. Her journey to finding how to deal with these events with God’s peace in encouraging. Accepting His peace doesn’t usually come with a snap of the finger as we would hope; it comes in time, in learning to trust, in accepting, in being made undone.

    I highly recommend this book. You can find details on her website: http://undonebook.com/

    P.S.  I received a preview copy of this book for promotion and review purposes. No compensation was made and these words are my own opinion.

  • Through My Headset – Not A Fan

     

    I first learned of Kyle Idleman when my small group did a study on his book ‘‘gods at war’.  I found it well written and inspiring.

    Recently I downloaded and started listening to the audible dot com version of “Not A Fan”.  I was hooked listening to the introduction!!

    As I continue to listen, he brings out the difference in being a FAN of Christ and being a FOLLOWER of Christ. One phrase in particular really stands out. He is reading from a follower who says “I was raised in church, but not in Christ”.

    How many of us were ‘raised in church, but not in Christ’? One is the same as the other, isn’t it?  not-a-fan

    He uses a term I hadn’t heard, but understood the meaning: DTR – defining the relationship.

    Kyle uses Scripture to show us the difference between being a fan of Jesus and a true follower of Jesus and helps you to ‘define the relationship’ you have or desire to have with Jesus Christ.

    I highly recommend this book, whether in print or audio. If you are ready to take a look at  your own life, or are considering what it means to follow Christ, this book will bring to light many things you may not have considered.

  • Through My Headset – The Betrayal

    Anxious to continue with the story of “The Brotherhood” I quickly loaded the audio story “The Betrayal” , part 2 of the story.

    The story did conclude, exciting to the end. It reminded me of many of today’s police dramas with the twist of a man seeking to follow God.  I am pleased to know there are additional books in the series.

    Jerry B. Jenkins brings life to characters who believe in the Word and face daily trials where they learn to rely on it. He doesn’t add the falseness often portrayed on television.

    The narration and writing were very good.  I could visualize the scene and follow the action. Sometimes I found it hard to knit or crochet while listening, because I was so engrossed in the story.

    As I looked into the next book, I found this is a trilogy, thus only 1 more book. The story could end at Betrayal, I am anxious to see what happens next. I was, however,  looking forward to long series…. oh well.

  • Through My Headset – The Brotherhood

    I have just completed and quickly moved on to Book 2 of this Precinct 11 series by Jerry B. Jenkins.  I want to know what happens next.

    I have only read/heard books from Jerry Jenkins related to Christ’s return.  This is fiction novel, dealing with everyday life.

    I enjoyed the writing and the narration.  I particularly enjoyed the pastor’s comments during a funeral after a tragedy.  I don’t want to leave any spoilers, but I found his words comforting.

    I am now more than half way through the 2nd book, “The Betrayal”. 

    The biggest problem? I am so intent on the book my stitches are on hold 🙂

  • Through My Headset – The Prodigal Project

    Struggling with some last minute Christmas crafting, I have a book on CD playing in the background.  This is the first of a series called THE PRODIGAL PROJECT. This one is title “The Prodigal Project: Genesis”  (click here to see this item in Amazon, no affiiliation)

    Written by Ken Abrahan and Daniel Hart, this story takes you into the lives of several people who, after you meet them, are faced with a massive worldwide  ‘disappearance’.

    The reader, Dick Hill, has a good narrative voice which keeps me focused on the story.

    The storyline takes us through the lives of those ‘left behind’. As the tagline reads: ‘For Some, The End Times Are Just Beginning’. I will probably listen to more of the series.

    Whether you believe in the idea of a rapture or not, the story will make you think about the world as it is today and look to your own life.

    Do you have a favorite novel about the rapture? Please let me know your recommendations in the comments below.