I finished up this book a few weeks back.  I love this one!!  It is a must read if you have a mind like mine.  My favorite sections were "Training Your Thoughts" and "Winning Over Worry".  I think I am going to go back and read the 10 chapters in those two sections again soon, just for a quick reminder!

Training Your Thoughts
- Whatsoever things are true...   think on these things.  Philippians 4:8

She says in the book, "...choose to "think on these things" -these comforting, tender, and rock-solid, never-changing truths about God's care and concern for us- rather than focus on our own faulty thoughts or feelings."

God cares for us!

These four points she made in this chapter are really good.
*I am fearfully and wonderfully made, no matter what I or others think about me.
(Psalm 139:14)
*He has a grand plan and purpose for my life, no matter how the present may look.
(2 Timothy 1:9)
*He has given me spiritual gifts that I can use to benefit other believers, no matter how I may be floundering or failing at the moment.
(1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
*I am always loved and accepted by God, no matter what I experience or who may reject me.
(Romans 8:35)
I think chapter 3 in the section Training Your Thoughts was just what I needed.  Just as she admits that she second-guesses other peoples motives, I do this as well.  She uses this as an example, "She hasn't called me in awhile, I must have done something to offend her."
She advises to simply ask yourself, "What is true?"  This will help to stop the second-guessing, the analysis, and the introspection that hinder the development of healthy relationships.  She says, "Until someone tells you that you have offended them, only think on what is true.  Choose to think no evil about people," she says.  "Determine to trust what others say and do.  Count on others to come to you when you have failed them and count on God to reveal where you have offended them, " she continues.  

It may sound silly, but this was something I was struggling with.  I analyze everything, and just about everyone.  Constantly wondering who I have offended or why this person did this or said that,  what did I do.  My mind was driving me crazy!  I am so glad I did this Bible Study and realize I need to keep these words on my heart and in my mind. 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

I do not want to make this post too long, but I do want to share a few more points from chapter 5. 

She says, "Your God is the God of the past, the present, and the future! He has promised to guide you throughout your life and receive you to glory afterward.  "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."  Psalm 73:24    "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."  Psalm 23:6

*Nothing will ever happen to you that God does not already know about.  
(Psalm 139:1-4)
*Nothing will ever happen to you that is a mistake.
(Psalm 139:4,16)
*Nothing will ever happen that you cannot handle by God's power and grace.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
*Nothing will ever happen to you that will not eventually be used by God for some good purpose in your life.
(Romans 8:28)
*Nothing will ever happen to you without God's presence.
(Matthew 28:20)

God Knows All About Your Life!

In reading this book you'll learn to -
*grasp God's purpose for life... and move toward it.
*trust the Lord in all things...even those you don't understand.
*think on what is true or real...about God and about your life.
*live one day at a time...without worry or anxiety.
*navigate the maze of life...successfully.
​

Note:  By recommending this book I am not suggesting you follow the author, nor am I saying I agree with everything she has ever said.  I had never heard of her prior to the title of the book catching my eye on the book shelf.    Like I always say when I recommend a book, I am a strong KJV girl.  This book uses other translations.  I encourage you to read this book, however, pull out your Bible and read the verses for yourself to see what it says!  I would never recommend a book that changes doctrine of God's Word.   If I read a book, for instance this one, that has a good message, and sticks with the teaching of the Word,  I will share it with you!   Happy Reading! xoxo

 A couple of months ago I picked up the book, "The Power of a Positive Mom" at a thrift shop.  I read a chapter here and there when I get a free moment.  I have received a lot of good encouragement thus far.    Anyhow, I read chapter 9 today, titled "The Ladies Pity Party, Don't Accept The Invitation".  Wow!  This was a really good chapter!!  I just want to share a few lines from this with you.
(these are taken straight from this book, I did not write these)
~Life is not always fair.  It's not always easy, especially for mothers.  But you and I have a choice each day whether to wallow in self-pity or put our trust in God as he works in our lives.  
~A third reason we complain is to get attention.  It's not always popular to sound like a Pollyanna, pointing out the positive.  But when we sing that all-too-familiar tune, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen," our friends rush to our side to give us sympathy to be reciprocated when it's their turn to whine!
(My words here: She talks about the Israelites and all their complaining.  Lack of water, lack of food, lack of meat, and hardships. They grumbled and complained to the point of saying they'd be better off back in Egypt as slaves. She pointed out that not only did God provide for them in all these things, their shoes did not even wear out during their journey.  Then she points out God's reaction to their groanings in Numbers 11:1-2.  God heard them and it says, " His anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp."  Now read what the author wrote in the book "The Power of a Positive Mom".)
~God was not at all pleased with the Israelites' constant complaining.  ...Instead of focusing on the great miracles God had done on their behalf and His goodness toward them in securing their freedom, they focused on what was bad about the situation.
~Are we able to see God's provision for us?  Do we see his hand at work for our good?  Or are we so focused  on our problems that all we can do is complain?
~The question is not "What are you going through?" but "What is your perspective and attitude in the process?"
~(Read Hebrews 12:2) Jesus was able to endure more than you and I will ever have to-all because he had His eyes focused on the joy of securing our salvation.  If we are going to be positive moms, we need to check our focus. ...."Stop Whining!"
~The truth is, our contentment is independent of what we have or who surrounds us.  Contentment is the opposite of self-pity.  If our hearts are content because we trust in God as our loving provider, then we'll tend to keep our eyes off our troubles.  But if we dwell on our wants or our difficulties (great or small), we will lose sight of the provisions God is granting us.
~(read Job 1:21 and think about the trials of Job)
~Contentment is not based on what you have; it is based on how you choose to view life.  It is an issue of the heart.
~(read Philippians 4:11-13 and think about the trails of Paul) Now if Paul could say this from his prison cell, I wonder if we could say it from our laundry room?
~1.)Recognize who the enemy is. Satan... 
2.)Change your perspective. Consider what is good... 
​3.)Ask God to give you strength. Based on Philippians 4:11-13...
~(after a story about kids whining and complaining about everything, she says this) Believe me, God understands.  His children frequently complain and grumble and whine, oblivious to all the good he is doing in their lives.  May you and I not be those kinds of kids!

Pretty good stuff!!  What I got from this chapter; Quit whining and be content!   :)

Note:  By recommending this book I am not suggesting you follow the author, nor am I saying I agree with everything she has ever said.  I had never heard of her prior to the title of the book catching my eye on the book shelf.    Like I always say when I recommend a book, I am a strong KJV girl.  This book uses other translations.  I encourage you to read this book, however, pull out your Bible and read the verses for yourself to see what it says!  I would never recommend a book that changes doctrine of God's Word.   If I read a book, for instance this one, that has a good message, and sticks with the teaching of the Word,  I will share it with you!   Happy Reading!

So a few weeks ago I found this book at our local thrift shop.  I sat it aside and forgot about it somehow in the mix of the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  Well, today I had six hours of sitting in the car, so I brought this little 'find' with me.   With no kids in the car, which is a rare experience for us, I read most of it aloud to Sam as he was cruising along.  We laughed and agreed with so much of what the author writes.  Maybe Sam can now see I am not the only crazy homeschool mom in existence.  It was good to see my feelings and reactions are so common with other hsm's.  I am a very strong KJV girl!  That is the only thing I would change about this book, I do highly recommend "LIES Homeschooling MOMS Believe"  by Todd Wilson.  You will not waste your time reading it!  ...and if you're reading this and you are a homeschool mom, keep your head up, sometimes it's hard, but like this book says,
" No one homeschools because it is easy.  Most do it because they think it is the best.  That should comfort you, because the best things are almost always the hardest things.  Think about it.  The things that are easiest are usually not very good for you, but those things that take blood, sweat and tears are worth everything.  So take heart.  Homeschooling must be really, really good because it's really, really hard."  ~Todd Wilson