The Secret Garden Argo Classics by Frances Hodgson Burnett Narrated by Glenda Jackson - Harper Audio

The Secret Garden Argo Classics by Frances Hodgson Burnett Narrated by Glenda Jackson - Harper Audio


                                      


This book is a classic, there are a lot of formats of this title.. This one is a great audiobook option if you want to have fun and relax. I really enjoyed the voice they chose. I recommend listening for 20 or 30 minutes each night so it won´t finish soon (2 hours 58 min.). If you have children I guess they are also going to enjoy it. It is a great option for educators and homeschool.



Let's TalkConversation Starters for Dads and Daughtersby Michelle Watson - Bethany House Publishers

Talking Back to Purity Culture Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher - InterVarsity Press

Talking Back to Purity Culture Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher - InterVarsity Press


pub date: 10 nov 2020
you can pre order it here: https://amzn.to/3hhoyjN

Since Dannah Gresh, Josh Harris, and Wendy Shalit's books about purity I have not read anything about this topic. I think this kind of book is disappearing, they are very countercultural. Sad, I know. Why sad? because even when I know and understand some people felt wronged or pushed by a toxic legalistic culture I do not support, I have to admit there is another generation growing up without a purity option, this topic is banned, left behind and fear about hurting someone is now the way to hurt, again for young and teens giving away purity for shallow and empty promises.

This topic must be expressed, explained, and talked about openly, with sincerity and grace. I do not support bullies or people who treat others like trash because they did not think about purity and lived licentious sexual lives, but I do believe we need to know the facts so we can decide and that won't happen if we don't know different perspectives and options while growing up. I think Rachel tried to explain that not anything goes without consequences. Sexual prosperity gospel can also make many empty promises to the ones who live pure lives. Purity is not merely physical. There is sexual legalism, and not so much emphasis in our minds, our thoughts. 

I'm very concerned about how this generation blames everything and everyone for their own mistakes or consequences of their decisions. That is a shame, it is painful. Everything you read, you judge, think about it and decide what are you going to implement as an action in your life.  I invite you to read and think critically about these topics, freedom, purity, shame, how to approach people who have wronged themselves or others. Even when I think this may be a sensitive topic for many, probably some may be brave enough to go through the discussion questions at the end of each chapter.   I think parents, youth, and teen leaders, or counselors must read this kind of content.

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Advance Praise


Would You Rather? Made You Think! Edition Answer Hilarious Questions and Win the Game of Wits by Lindsey Daly - Zeitgeist Z Kids

Would You Rather? Made You Think! Edition Answer Hilarious Questions and Win the Game of Wits by Lindsey Daly - Zeitgeist Z Kids


These questions are hilarious! I don´t know how some people may think this way (I´m not funny at all). My 10yo and I have been laughing so hard with these things and having fun guessing what the other is going to choose. I find these questions very useful before starting a meeting to break the ice and also to get to know people better, because you not just give the answer, sometimes you start deep conversations. Most questions make you have funny images in your mind and you can not avoid laugh. The thing I like the most is that questions are clean, you may use it with children or anyone, it is comfortable to have good, healthy, and clean laughs. If you are not funny or you don´t know how to start conversations or keep going the flow, this may be helpful. Give it a try. 


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The Powerful Purpose of Introverts Why the World Needs You to Be You by Holley Gerth - Revell

The Powerful Purpose of Introverts Why the World Needs You to Be You by Holley Gerth - Revell



Pub date 15 sep 2020
You can pre-order it here: https://amzn.to/35lhd05

I like to read what Holley Gerth writes, it is not my first book by her. I find her style very fresh and sincere. I like her as a person and writer, I´d like to have a friend like her around (I feel like she is when I read her). Feel like I know her, and I really like that she embraces who she is, even when she doesn´t have the common or popular famous people personality, that is what attracted to me to this title (also all the people I love who are introverts). I consider myself 50% each so I feel related too. In this book, I found a way to love even better the introverts around me and appreciate their qualities also to enjoy and accept myself in the areas I´m one. I liked the test the author provided in the book/author site, probably is a good idea if you go and get to know your % of introversion. 

I like the emphasis she makes explaining the fact that introversion "isn´t about how much someone likes people or enjoy socializing, but it is wired into the brain and nervous system" (I dislike when people says that you are the way you are just because you were raised differently or because your social interactions were a lot or just a few, it is a different design from the womb). 

I liked the chapter on HSP Highly Sensitive People, if you are sensitive and observe/feel everything around you, you will resonate with this content, you will feel seen and understood. God made everyone different for a reason. 

This book is going to make you value who you and others are and respect them, their own limits, and peculiarities. Diversity has richness.

"It never occurred to me that it takes mental maturity to honor our limits. True strength isn’t gritting our teeth and ignoring our done point and pain. Instead, it’s saying, “That’s all I can do for now. It’s enough. I’m enough.” Never apologize for your sensitivity— no matter what area it’s in for you. It’s not a weakness. It’s not a fault. It’s not something to change. It’s a powerful way God made you."    (I´d like to add that some people will  never like or understand forget about love some aspects of you), they will always be trying to change you or won't be able to respect your limits, and it is ok to expect that... people are different and won´t love or accept every kind of personality). 

While reading this book I wanted to read Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas... she quotes him and shares about 9 spiritual pathways, I found that interesting, I´ll get it. 

The book club questions at the end I believe are so fun to go through and get to know each other's minds.

I really like her little note to extroverts, I think it is so sweet to know she wants to notice everyone and not to divide. 

What a priviledge to be able to read this material before it is available to everyone, I´m sure you want to preorder now. 

Please let me know your % (it is ok if you do it in private, I understand introverts preffer that). 











 


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Lead 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp - Crossway

Lead 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp - Crossway

you can pre order it here: https://amzn.to/2PN30Qz
pub date 15 sep 2020


ENGLISH. If I would have enough money to buy this book and gift it to all my friends who are Pastors and their teams, I would. I can´t bless them all, but I can start with one. This book (as every Paul David Tripp´book I have read goes direct to hard topics, issues that everyone faces. I grew up in a Christian home, so I have all my life going to church... and I have served in almost every role there is in the church (obviously never as pastor) so I have seen everything he shares in those pages. Reading moved me a lot. It was like having flashbacks and also like he was describing my last months. I just pray the Lord will glorify in the middle of everything people in ministry face. This book is very timely since this quarantine new problems have arisen, escalated, or exploited. There is a lot of things to deal with. I´m sure if you get this book and read it with your team you will be confronted, exhorted, and animated to keep going. Paul goes to the root of things and points you to the important things, the gospel, JesusChrist, and the work he wants to do in our lives while serving. There is a long long road to go. I´m glad to read in the USA happens exactly the same that every part in the world... sin is universal. Latin America follows almost every single thing that is considered modern or interesting in the north, so I wish we can see that or action and example matters. I really enjoy the deep lines Paul David Tripp writes, is like he is describing what you see, feel or think, He makes this to feel so easy to write, but I´m sure it is not that easy, it is a gift. I want to underline every single page. I´m glad there are people out there with that kind of brain, heart, and ability to write, communicate while pointing you to Christ, His Word, and what it is important. I wish there is a translation available soon to also gift to my Spanish speaking friends. I would love to translate books like this one. I hope to have the opportunity someday to have a book club with other people in ministry and learn together about this, share ideas, and pray to be found faithful.

I think I´ll share some quotes here, so you can enjoy too.

SPANISH.
Si tuviera suficiente dinero para comprar este libro y regalarlo a todos mis amigos que son pastores y a sus equipos, lo haría. No puedo bendecirlos a todos, pero puedo empezar con uno. Este libro (como todos los libros de Paul David Tripp que he leído va directo a temas difíciles, problemas que todos enfrentan. Crecí en un hogar cristiano, así que toda mi vida he ido a la iglesia ... y he servido en casi todos los roles que hay en la iglesia (obviamente nunca como pastor), así que he visto todo lo que él comparte en esas páginas. Leer me conmovió mucho. Fue como tener flashbacks y también como si estuviera describiendo mis últimos meses. Solo oro al Señor glorificará en medio de todo lo que enfrentan las personas en el ministerio. Este libro es muy oportuno ya que esta cuarentena han surgido, aumentado o explotado nuevos problemas. Hay muchas cosas con las que lidiar. Estoy seguro de que si obtienes este libro y lo lees con tu equipo, serás confrontado, exhortado y animado a seguir adelante. Paul Tripp va a la raíz de las cosas y apunta a las cosas importantes, el evangelio, Jesucristo y el trabajo que él quiere hacer en nuestras vidas mientras servimos. . Hay un largo camino por recorrer. Lo que sucede en los EE. UU. Sucede exactamente El mismo que en todas partes del mundo ... el pecado es universal. América Latina sigue casi todo lo que se considera moderno o interesante en el norte, así que me gustaría que pudiéramos ver que las acciones y el ejemplo son importantes (el que vemos y el que damos). Realmente disfruto las líneas profundas que escribe Paul David Tripp, es como si estuviera describiendo lo que ves, sientes o piensas. Quiero subrayar todo el libro. Leerlo es sentir que estan fácil escribir, pero estoy segura de que no es tan fácil, es un don hermoso el que tiene. Me alegro de que haya gente por ahí con ese tipo de cerebro, corazón, capacidad para escribir y comunicarse ,  mientras señala a Cristo, Su Palabra y lo que es en realidad importante. Deseo que haya una traducción disponible pronto para regalar también a mis amigos de habla hispana. Oh, cómo me encantaría traducir libros como este. Espero también buscar la oportunidad algún día de tener un club de lectura con otras personas en el ministerio y aprender juntos sobre esto, compartir ideas y orar para ser encontrados fieles. El Señor nos ayude.

Estoy pensando si luego compartir aquí algunas frases...

Fix it With Focus by Bryan Smith, Illustrator: Lisa M. Griffin - Boys Town Press


               

you can pre-order here: https://amzn.to/3hcno9V
pub date: 25 ago 2020

ENGLISH:

"Mom What happens to me?! I just can concentrate, it is so hard for me to focus... my mind just likes to travel
" My 10yo told me... kind of having fun and kind of being desperate because the pile of homework was overflowing. I have a little artist who needs also to focus.

I thought this book would be a good idea so she wouldn´t feel like she is the only person with that problem (in our house, the rest of us are very good about focusing and being silent working...). The little book has a very useful acrostic that helps children to have in mind what steps they may take to concentrate. The illustrations are cute. It may be fun for a boy or a girl, not only boys deal with that)


F igure our what your job is

O utline the steps

C oncentrate on your job until it´s complete

U se your focus tools

S top only when the job is finished

We learned about the work/brain break cycle.

The author uses the acrostic and fun little anecdotes the boy has to teach these tools to children. At the end of the short book he writes some more ideas for parents and educators if they have children around who need to fix it with focus. This book has not religious references.


Redeeming Power Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church by Diane Langberg - Baker Academic & Brazos Press

Redeeming Power Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church by Diane Langberg - Baker Academic & Brazos Press


pub date 20 oct 2020

ESPAÑOL
Si amas la iglesia, leer este libro significa dolerte en cada página. No lo leí para llorar o por masoquista, no... lo leí porque sé que ha habido, hay y seguirá habiendo abuso en la iglesia y eso me duele. El abuso es inaceptable, con consecuencias espantosas y un dolor incalculable en todos los que una situación así toca. El abuso no sólo afecta a los implicados o las víctimas, sino a todos los que se enteran alrededor, a los cercanos y lejanos y además el nombre de Cristo es vituperado por ello. Por eso mucho eso creen. La desconfianza y  decepción crecen. Por eso la confianza se quiebra y nada vuelve a ser igual. He crecido involucrada en la iglesia y sé que, lamentablemente, lo que Diane Langberg menciona en este libro es verdad, por otro lado, también he visto que aún hay verdad y personas que jamás se implicarían en algo así. Cuando ha habido abuso, aún puede haber arrepentimiento, perdón (pedido y otorgado) y la oportunidad que Dios da de volver a comenzar, esto, en el mejor de los casos. En el peor la falta de perdón siempre está presente y los deseos de venganza también.. Algunos  buscan perdón, misericordia y gracia. No todos. He de decir que prefiero los casos en los cuales jamás ocurre algo así pero sucede.Es mi oración que el pecado que rodea el mundo y se inflitra a veces detrás de las caras más inesperadas pare y la iglesia no siga sufriendo este tipo de abuso. Agradecida por este tipo de contenidos que abren los ojos a muchas personas a tiempo para no seguir siendo parte de esta cadena de abuso de poder, sino que la exponen para arrepentimiento, renuncia, cambio y que no vuelva a suceder.     

ENLSISHIf you love the church, reading this book means aching on every page. I didn't read it to cry or as a masochist, no ... I read it because I know that there has been, there is, and will continue to be abuse in the church, and that hurts me. Abuse is unacceptable, with dire consequences and incalculable pain for everyone touched by such a situation. Abuse not only affects those involved or the victims, but everyone who finds out about it, those near and far, and also the name of Christ is reviled for it. That's why they believe a lot. Distrust and disappointment grow. That is why trust is broken and nothing is the same again. I have grown involved in the church and I know that, unfortunately, what Diane Langberg mentions in this book is true, on the other hand, I have also seen that there is still truth and people who would never get involved in something like that. When there has been abuse, there can still be repentance, forgiveness (requested and granted), and the opportunity that God gives to start over, this, in the best of cases. At worst the unforgiveness is always present and the desires for revenge as well. Some seek forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Not all. I have to say that I prefer the cases in which something like this never happens but it happens. It is my prayer that the sin that surrounds the world and sometimes infiltrates behind the most unexpected faces stops and the church does not continue to suffer this type of abuse. Grateful for this type of content that opens the eyes of many people in time not to continue being part of this chain of abuse of power, but rather to expose it for repentance, resignation, change and that it does not happen again.

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Advance Praise

Awaking Wonder Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson - Bethany House

Awaking Wonder Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson - Bethany House



Sally's books, podcast, resources and content in general are always a blessing for me. When I saw this title I knew I needed it. Not just for my children, but for myself. In a world that is full of stress and chaos we need to stop and ponder everything that surrounded us. Sally's ideas will keep you in track to make it. If we are not intentional, days, months and years... Or whole lives can be affected and even wasted. Thank you Sally for being a choice of joy, calm, peace and wonder for us. I think this book could be a great book for moms and parents who need to remember they are raising little miracles. This is a very timely book for this pandemic time when everyone (including the ones who were not interested in homeschoooling their children, must do it. What an inspiring family and book. The only thing you must know is that you must adjust her ideas to your own family, budget and culture. I´ll edit this post later and share some favorite quotes from the book.

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