The most important traits

 

"While we do want to discover the uniqueness of each child, our praise must consist of verbal applause for more than appearance and talents. The most important traits we praise are those that exhibit Godly character. The Bible calls these "the fruit of the Spirit": love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). If even a sprout of these fruits peeks through the soil, a wise mother will fertilize the sprout with positive words in hopes of a bountiful harvest." - The Power of a Woman's Words by Sharon Jaynes 

I am loving this book! It's inspiring me so much that I'm reading it ultra slow, one section at a time, so I can drag out how long I'm inspired. Do you ever do that? 

Filling my home with scripture

Sources: Blue Chair Blessing // Christian bookstore... But theres something similar on Christianbook.com // Blue Chair Blessing // Dollar Tree (if you look at the reference closely you'll see why 😁) // scripture card back I had years ago // Dollar Tree // Blue Chair Blessing // bookmark my husband tucked into my stocking a few years ago // Blue Chair Blessing 

I have also had good success with dollar stores and thrift stores in the past. 

I've been steadily growing this collection for a few years now. What must it do to our souls to subconsciously read these words every day?

I have a few other pieces too but it's hard to make myself hang things up on walls that we hope to move out of soon. 

I would love to see yours, too! If you share some of the scripture hanging in your home will you send me a link? 💙

Bookish links- July 2024

I am more curious about both Amy Carmichael and Lisa Jo Baker's new book after this post. 

Stacy says these books will break your heart and restore your faith. 

Two Christian middle grade books I'll be previewing for my son this month: The Winter King and Evan Miller is Waking Down.

This is from last summer but- Christian fiction beach reads! 

A couple of homeschool resources I'm considering for this next school year: 3rd grade spelling workbook // Window on the World 

How to host a Bible study 

I have planned to make art out of this verse and another quote for years! Someday. 

For some reason I've had zero desire to read historical fiction at all lately so some of these sound perfect! I'm especially curious about The Nightmare Virus. 

I could never spend money on a Christian book subscription box... But also, I would like one 😂

We finally watched The Chosen! It lived up to the hype! Still dying to watch The Baxters. Have you watched either? 

10 books I hope to read this summer

Adventuring Together (Christian, nonfiction, parenting)... I heard about this one on a homeschool podcast. My default mode is to stay home as much as possible (ESPECIALLY during the heat of summer!) but I also think family adventures are really important so I force myself. I'm hoping this book gives me lots of good ideas and inspiration.

All That Really Matters (Christian, fiction)... I have been really fascinated lately by the concept of social media influencers (and the psychology... Of influencers themselves and of the collective herds of fans/followers and the collective herds of haters, so WEIRD!) lately. I've enjoyed a few fictional stories about them lately and I love Nicole Deese books so I'm excited!

Book Scavenger: The Alcatraz Escape (secular, middle grade)... Books 1 and 2 of this code-breaking adventure series were appropriate and a hit with my oldest so I'd like to finish the trilogy.

Evan Miller is Waking Down (Christian, middle grade, dystopian)... I always love a good dystopian and my oldest is interested in this one. It's about a 15-year-old though so it'll likely end up being more of a middle school read.

Jack Zulu and the Girl With the Golden Wings (Christian, middle grade, fantasy)... The new SD Smith book is of course on the list. We loved all the green ember books and we loved the first Jack Zulu book, too.

Move Your DNA (secular, nonfiction)... I have always believed exercise to be important for blood flow and therefore soft tissues, for heart health, for chemical/hormonal health, for bone and muscle health... Excited to explore a new angle because I love nerdy health science!

Pigture Perfect (secular, middle grade)... I actually find that cutesy books like this are often really bratty and just a general no for me but fingers crossed!

Stars of Alabama (Christian, fiction)... I LOVE reading books set in the south in the summer. This one is about a teen pregnancy + found family and has been on my TBR shelf for a few years now.

A Time to Speak (Christian, YA, dystopian)... Book 2 of a dystopian trilogy. I liked book one.

The Winter King (Christian, middle grade, fantasy)... I'm not big on fantasy but some of my kids are. This one had a very glowing review that sounded like a potential hit so we shall see! 

Time for a break

I'm ready for a blogging break. 

Other Christian book reviewers you can turn to in the meantime:  

Blogs: Books for Christian Girls // From Our Bookshelf // Gretchen Louise // MadLit Musings // So This is Me // Sonlight (children + homeschool focused) 

Podcasts: Basically Bookish // Because Fiction // Book Talk with Cara Putman // Christian Historical Fiction Talk // Hope Prose (YA-focused) // How to Faith a Life // MadLit Musings // Mysti's Book Nook // Redeeming Lit 

I also like Read-Aloud Revival for clean children's books and I love finding time slip novels via Split Time Fiction That Travels on Goodreads.  

YouTube: All Things Booked // Book Lover Amanda // Cara Putnam // Celestria // Chantel Reads All Day // Christian Faith and Fiction // The Good and the Beautiful (kids + homeschool focused) // Lindsey from BFCG // Oceana- Gotta Read 'Em All // Our Thrifty Homeschool (also reviews clean + Christian fiction each month) // Paperbacks and Ponytails // Sarah Mackenzie // Tyndale House Publishers //  Wandering With Stacy  

If you have other favorite Christian book reviewers, and through any other social media platforms, feel free to leave a comment so people know where to look!