Recap Book Chat

Andy Crouch gives readers a plethora of ways to put technology in its proper place in his book, The Tech-Wise Family. "To be a child, teenager, or young adult these days is to navigate a minefield of potentially life-altering choices." His daughter wrote in the forward explaining "...the best part of tech-wise parenting is focusing on something older and better than the newest thing. The key word is better." This better way involves choosing: Character, Shape Space, and Structuring Time.Character develops slowly, daily, as we painstakingly overcome problems. Shape spaces are places in our homes that are device free and packed with supplies to create or practice a skill which could include everything from books to board games and paints to a piano. Structuring time is intentionally setting time aside to rest from devices such as spending intentional time being grateful without instantly scrolling.Change is challenging but worthwhile. "We will have to teach our children, from early on, we're not here to make their lives easier but to make them better."Andy's Ten Tech-Wise Commitments1. We develop wisdom and courage together as a family.2. We want to create more than we consume. Fill the center of the home with things that reward skill and active engagement.3. We are designed for a rhythm of work and rest.4. We wake up before our devices do and they "go to bed" before we do.5. We aim for no screens before double digits. Avoid tethering to the glowing screen as long as you can.6. We use screens for a purpose and we use them together.7. Car time is conversation time. It takes 7 minutes to get a 'real' conversation going.8. Spouses have each other's passwords. Parents have total access to kids' devices.9. We learned to sing together. (Powerful picture book, Christmas in the Trenches, shows the power of song. A German soldier started singing Silent Night, and both sides sang together in different languages. They also shared what little treats they had been sent from home)10. We show up IN PERSON for big events in life. (weddings, births, & funerals)Interesting point, "...the quest to cure boredom with entertainment makes the problem worse, the more you entertain kids, the more bored they will get." When we choose the easy way, we miss cultivating patience. The first people to be bored were the first people who did not do manual labor. Frederick Douglass said, "Without struggle, there is no progress." The last thing learners need is for it to be too easy. Difficulty and resistance press learners forward and make the learning stick. We hope you glean much from the pages of this little jewel to bring your precious family closer together as routines are established and memories are made. Screens are probably here to stay, but our children are with us for but a season, may we live life well preparing them for the road ahead.

Greetings dear reader! Please join us as we recap Leviticus and Numbers a.k.a. In the Wilderness (in Hebrew). The focus is God's holiness and His desire for His people to be holy. It's a bumpy road but we see the steadfast love of God through it all. Leviticus is mostly God talking to Moses. Lev. 11:44 -  “Be holy, for I am holy.”Sin is costly. We have many lessons and blessings in these books. Atonement with animal blood temporarily covered the sins of the people. Today, we are so blessed that Jesus' blood continually cleanses us! Jesus' death was foreshadowed when the snake bitten people had to look at the snake on a stick to live. These books aren't all animal sacrifices, mold, and discharges. One of Jesus' familiar quotes is found in Leviticus 19:18, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Moses bridging the gap between the people and God is a foreshadowing of Jesus being our bridge to God today. What a beautiful picture of a holy sovereign God that refuses to give up on His people!Thank you for reading with us, in our quest to read the best! May you grow with God!

Join Kate and Sheila as they dive into the book of Exodus! God rescues His people from Egyptian bondage through 10 plagues defacing things the people of Egypt worshipped. Things get worse before they get better, as Pharaoh keeps saying no to letting God's people go. In this riveting book we meet Moses and follow him from the palace for 40 years, to desert for 40 years, where he encounters God who appoints him to free His people. Moses tries to talk God out of choosing him but God, the great I Am, knows best and He does not waver from Moses as leader for His people. To get a different look at Aaron, Moses' brother who helped him check out Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers.As the people leave Egypt they take unleavened bread, leaven symbolizes sin. As we partake of the Lord's Supper today unleavened bread represents Jesus' sinless body. If you would like to make unleavened bread, check out the links below.  https://grainsandgrit.com/unleavenedbread/Unleavened Bread with 100% Freshly Milled Wheat | Passover | Lord's SupperAdditional resource on Exodus:Book of Exodus Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1)https://www.thebiblerecap.com/ https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-exodusDear readers, we hope you have a blissful day that allows you time to curl up with a great book!Check out our website for summaries of all the podcasts https://recapbookchat.com/

What an amazing journey from dysfunction to dynamic! Join Kate and Sheila as the recap Here Be Dragons (Treading the Deep Waters of Motherhood, Mean Girls, and Generational Trauma) by Melanie Shankle! There are SO many quotes! Here's a sampling:“Sometimes the best teacher is the consequence of bad decisions.”“You can't lead someone to a place that's beyond where you've been able to go yourself.”“Our kids become who we allow them to be. If we choose to ignore bad behavior we're condoning it.”“We can't parent perfectly, but we can parent faithfully.”“Jesus is the one that holds fast despite human failings…Faith is not a riddle to be solved but rather a journey our hearts are on… God isn't afraid of our questions or our doubts.”Melanie shares how her turbulent childhood haunted her as she entered motherhood. She knew she loved her baby in a way that she was never loved. She vowed to break the cycle of dysfunction and lean on God to guide her out of her brokenness into the mother her daughter needed. She realized by praying for her daughter to be resilient and strong that she had to go through tough times. Battles shape us and as her husband cleverly puts it, “You have to carry your own bucket.”Kate is always saying, “Choose your hard” and this book highlights that mantra. Change is hard. When we embrace changing our default it is challenging indeed but with God giving us strength and guidance it is possible. The world is not the boss of possible, God is!Thanks for joining us on this growth journey through one good book talk at a time. We are blessed to partner with you!  

Greetings Readers! Join Kate and Sheila as they share time-tested, foolproof reading practices!Marcel Proust penned, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”Lets endeavor to have “new eyes” as we discover how we can up our reading game.True reading is active, we are conversing with the author, asking questions, and making meaning.This acrostic poem helps us to remember some important points:A - annotate by underlining, circles, starring sparingly, making connections, and creating your own personal indexC - choose wisely (Inspect the table of contents, index, preface…) Quickly get a feel for the Book, this survey can keep us from starting books that aren't worth our timeT - time to read (what is easy to do, is also easy not to do. Daily time to read needs to be a priorityI - investigate, meet the characters, spot important words, notice patterns, make meaning, discover the author's whyV - validate your reading journey, great habit that you will thank yourself for doingE - evaluate, did the author solve the problems,  answer the questions, make his point? Did I grow as a reader?We wanted to share practices that have helped us become better readers. We are so thankful you are a part of our reading journey! May we strive to be active in our reading and choose books that make us want to be a better person! Onward and upward once was said, let's be daring and read over our head!Sources:How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van DorenThe Art of Slow Reading by Thomas NewkirkCheck out our website for summaries of all the podcasts https://recapbookchat.com/

Today, April 15, takes us back to 1912, when the ‘unsinkable' Titanic met its match and sank with only 705 souls surviving. Join Kate and Sheila as they recap Jennifer A. Nielsen's gripping tale, Iceberg, told from the viewpoint of 12 year old Hazel who is forced to become a stowaway because she doesn't have enough money to buy a ticket.One word describing Hazel would be curious. A wise passenger, Mrs. Abelman celebrates curiosity even though Hazel thinks it is miserable to have so many questions.  “It's questions that keep us alive, Hazel, questions that keep us moving forward…It's only miserable if you see it as a problem. I think curiosity is a gift…”Another great character is Charlie, the porter who gives Hazel wise advice when she's worried about having dinner with her friend in first class and feeling out of place. “People are the same everywhere. Either they'll accept you as you are or they won't, but if they don't, that says more about them as snobs than you as coming from poverty.”Curiosity and courage summarize Iceberg, but intrigue and mystery along with a couple of surprises add to the mix for a remarkable read! Hop aboard the Titanic with Hazel and company where the difference in the classes is felt not seen, learn about the fire aboard the ship when it set off and discover just as the iceberg aka frozen monster cannot be clearly seen from the surface neither can the fearlessness of people be seen on the outside, time and trouble expose the truth.Here is your ticket to board! Thank you dear listener, you are a blessing!

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” This verse is not only on a  necklace but its meaning is woven throughout Charles Martin's heartwarming novel, When Crickets Cry. God crosses two paths, Reese, the former heart surgeon, who is hiding from his painful past and seven year old Annie who is selling lemonade and giving away sunshine and smiles. She has a failing heart and has been praying for a surgeon!Charlie is Reese's blind brother-in-law who lives next-door. The two rebuild old boats together. Both Charlie and Annie live life to the fullest! Charlie's favorite quote is from Helen Keller, “I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.”“People marvel at the genius of Mozart because he supposedly wrote “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” at the age of three and composed his first symphony at the age of twelve. And yes, of course, he was a genius, but another way to look at it is that he just discovered early what God had made him to do…Of course he was brilliant, but that's not the point. The point is he knew and then he got to work.” This wisdom came from Emma, Charlie's sister and Reese's late wife, who knew Reese was made to fix hearts.“If anything in the universe reflects the fingerprint of God, it is the human heart…It derives no benefit from the blood it pumps making it the most unselfish of organs…it is also the most courageous and faithful.” Can Reese get over the pain of the past? Will he be able to forgive himself? Will Annie get the surgery she desperately needs before her time runs out? Just like each piece of a puzzle is ‘critical to the whole', each person in this story reminds us that we all have a part to play in this life. Please join us as we take a trip to rural Georgia and learn about love, loss, and redemption! 

Please join Kate and Sheila as they discuss parts 2 & 3 of Victor Hugo's unforgettable tale of woe, Les Misérables. Today we meet the young girl, Cosette, who was left with the cruel innkeepers. The Thenardiers have taken money from Cosette's young mother under false pretenses. They make Cosette work tirelessly, and use money sent from her mother for themselves. Jean Valjean is at last free to rescue Fantine's daughter as he promised. Cosette was a “fly trembling in a spider's web”. The Bible tells us in Exodus 22:23, “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do, they will cry out to Me, I will certainly hear their cry.” Cosette does just that, after her prayer the paths of Jean Valjean and Cosette meet and the poor waif is removed from the sinister selfish family at last!“The bishop had taught him (Jean Valjean) the meaning of virtue; Cosette had now taught him the meaning of love.” Life was briefly sweet for the pair, as a devoted grandfather with his grateful granddaughter, until the detective, Javert, relentlessly tracked them down. Danger popped their new found joy like a pin in a balloon. How will they escape this unmerciful fame-seeking man? Next, we meet Marius, whose grandfather raised him until he disinherited him. “The rigors of his present life gratified and pleased him.” Time has passed and the despicable Thenardiers end up as Marius' next door neighbors. The showdown between the grafters along with their thugs-for-hire, kind-hearted Jean Valjean, and the unstoppable detective is viewed by an anything but calm Marius through a peephole in the wall connecting the rooms! Hugo challenges his readers, of yesterday and today, by addressing topics that many would   rather sweep under the rug than be exposed for all to see. Are you ready to jump into the fray? 

Rock Paper Scissors is a mystery with a thriller twist by Alice Feeney, whose trademark as a writer might be having untrustworthy narrators tell the tale. Readers meet Adam Wright, a playwright who suffers from face blindness, and his wife, Amelia, who won a trip from work to a getaway in Scotland. The accommodations are far from five star! Creepy, dark, and cold describes the out of the way location. The Wrights would have left, but a snow storm hits and the couple is forced to stay.Something is wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Wright's marriage and Amelia had hoped this trip might put things on the right track. The novel has an Alfred Hitchcock vibe! Eerie things happen rather quickly. A face was seen in the window, the lights went out while Amelia was in the wine cellar causing her to have an asthma attack, the bedroom is decorated just like their bedroom at home, even their dog was acting strange!Favorite quotes are more challenging with an audio, but here's a few favorites: “Believing in someone is one of the greatest gifts you can give them, it's free and the results are priceless.”“Patience is the answer to so many of life's questions.””If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.”Do you like suspenseful books that tell the story from different points of view? Join Kate and Sheila as they discuss this great audio without giving anything away, which is tough to do! Happy reading dear listeners!

Joyous Leadership is an authentic, memorable, life changing read. It is chalked full of nuggets, insight and wisdom that will help you live your best life. In this episode we were able to interview author John Mark Watson. He was as delightful and engaging to talk to as his book was to read.  In this conversation, Mark Watson discusses his journey of writing 'Joyous Leadership,' inspired by the challenges of COVID. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, vulnerability, and finding joy in challenges. The discussion also highlights the significance of community, kindness, and the mindset needed to embrace growth opportunities. Mark shares personal anecdotes and insights that resonate with listeners, encouraging them to take steps towards their goals and to appreciate the process of growth.Check out the links below to connect with Mark and order his book.  https://johnmarkwatson.com/  Order the book https://a.co/d/7NPnEvU Instagram https://www.instagram.com/johnmarkwatson/?hl=en

Kate and Sheila introduce part 1 of  Les Misérables a.k.a. ‘The Brick' by Victor Hugo.These episodes are dedicated to our dear friend, Matt Green, who passed from this life in 2024. His love for this story inspired us to tackle the Brick, thank you Matt!The Bishop is the first character we meet. He inspired us greatly with words such as…“I was not put in this world to protect lives but to save souls.”“We must never fear robbers and murderers. They are dangers from outside, small dangers. It is ourselves we have to fear. Prejudice is the real robber and vice the real murderer.”His message to Jean Valjean touched his heart and changed the trajectory of his life!“...my brother, you no longer belong to what is evil but to what is good. I have bought your soul to save it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.”Jean Valjean was imprisoned for breaking a shop window in his attempt to steal bread to feed his sister's family. He was sentenced to serve 5 years, however after 4 escape attempts his sentence was increased by 14 years!Are you ready to challenge yourself far beyond your life as a reader to the depth of your compassion as a  person? Published in 1862, this classic helps us to discover what is true! 

Please join us as we recap Joe Beam's book, Seeing the Unseen (Preparing Yourself for Spiritual Warfare). The dedication reads, “For my wife, Alice, If it had not been for her unquenchable love, I surely would have lost my spiritual war.”Satan's strategies haven't changed because they are still effective. First, he distorts the truth, next comes a hardening of the heart, then sensitivity is lost followed by an immersion in sensuality and finally spiritual destruction. His game plan worked with Adam and Eve and sadly it is still successful today.Destruction comes to those who don't love Truth. Christians aren't immune, however, God hasn't left us defenseless against evil. The vantage is ours but we must choose to use it:Spiritual Vision = Discernment + Bible Knowledge“Humans didn't invent evil and we will never eradicate it. Knowing there is a devil deceiving people into sin arms me for a successful fight.”Helpful questions to ask ourselves:Who benefits, God or satan?Who would be pleased, God or satan?Which people in my life encourage me spiritually or worldly?Just as gold is refined, so is our faith. Through trials, pain, and loss we must learn to trust God on this journey and not give the devil a foothold. Remember what he used to get to Job, evil people, natural disasters, boils, and even good people. He uses the same on us. “We don't have enough strength to face life when things get bad. Fortunately, God does. By His Spirit and by His power, He places His strength in our hearts.”“We cannot live like the enemy and continue in the ranks of the righteous. It is a war of commitment. The one we surrender to becomes our master.” (2Pet. 2:19)Connects with the Native American adage:“Two natures beat within my breast, one is cursed, one is blest, One I love, one I hate, The one I feed will dominate.”Are you ready to see the unseen? As Kate says, “Let's dive in!”You can listen to Joe Beam and his daughter on the podcast Relationship Radio…Marriage Helper found on Apple podcast.

Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap the second book in their chronological reading of the Bible this year. Genesis is such an amazing book, keeping readers in awe of God from creation to Joseph in Egypt! God has a plan, yet when man loses focus and strays (as we tend to do) God is not derailed. He is patient, loving, just and forgiving throughout the valleys and mountaintops of faithlessness and faithfulness. From the Fall to the flood to famines God leads His people onward and upward. Stories stick and facts fade, these timeless treasures guide readers in discovering how  tumultuous times develop faith which leads to growth as God guides His people ever forward!In our quest to read the best, the Bible is the pinnacle book! Grab a cup of coffee/tea and tune in as we discuss the wonders to be found in the book of Genesis!

Do you and your kids enjoy WW 2 books? If so, you are in luck! Join us as we discuss The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zekdus McDonough with our special guest! The opening line draws the reader in…“A gust of wind cut across Marcel's face as he cycled furiously down the street.”Twelve year old Marcel dreams of someday competing in the Tour de France as he races through the streets of France making bread deliveries for his parents' bakery. Soldiers have been everywhere since Germany's occupation of France two years ago. They interrupt Marcel's deliveries with checkpoints and questioning making for some tension that makes this book hard to put down!Marcel discovers two secrets. His parents are part of the Resistance and his friend's family is in grave danger! Marcel wants to help! A risky ride passing important information where the unexpected happens keeps our brave fast thinker pedaling quickly! “Escape? Where?” The hair on the back of Marcel's neck began to prickle and he knew it wasn't just from the crisp, cold air.” What a riveting read! Please join us as we recap this exciting and suspenseful book for middle grade readers! If you like gritty characters that keep going no matter what, this book's for you!

“All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank.”S.D. Smith's book, The Green Ember, wonderfully weaves a tale of adventure, family, friendship, betrayal and conquering fear. We meet Picket Longtreader and his sister, Heather, as they are forced to go on the run after they return home to find it on fire and their parents and baby brother missing.A wolf attack forces Heather and Picket into a cave. Thankfully in the nick of time, they are rescued by their uncle and a rabbit named Smalls who take them to Cloud Mountain.All the rabbits are working together to fight against evil forces that are trying to overtake them. Their beloved King Jupiter had been betrayed by someone in the Longtreader family so Heather and Picket do not have the red carpet rolled out for them if you know what I mean. Emma was not like the other rabbits, she was helpful and kind to the newcomers.Helmer is a big brute of a rabbit who keeps to himself. Picket wants Helmer to train him to be a fighter. Helmer calls him Ladybug.  The training is tough when “Everything is a weapon.” Will the rabbit community be strong enough to get peace from their enemies? “You can choose what you believe, Shuffler (Picket's other nickname), but you can't choose what's true.”Yes, dear listeners, “Healing is on the horizon, but fire comes first. Bear the flame.” Are you ready to meet these endearing characters and join the journey?

In this episode of the Recap Book Chat, Kate and Sheila dive into Rachel Norman's book 'If Mama Ain't Happy,' discussing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and the role of authenticity in relationships. They explore the difference between treating oneself and genuinely taking care of one's needs, emphasizing that self-care is essential for overall well-being. The conversation also touches on the significance of routine and planning in family life, and how clear communication can foster healthier relationships. The episode concludes with key takeaways and practical advice for listeners.

Kate recaps Rachel Norman's book, If Mama Ain't Happy which stresses the need we all have of setting healthy boundaries. Rachel's wake up call came when her cancer doctor told her that she couldn't keep doing what she was doing and survive. “Simplifying makes life less stressful.” Join us as Kate highlights some of the high points of this remarkable book that will benefit anyone trying to ‘white knuckle it through life'.  This quote resonated with me, “We can decide how far we want to push ourselves, but that doesn't change when we'll give out.” Do you stuff things in your emotional basement? It is what we do when we shove our feelings and emotions down. Sooner or later (and usually at the most inopportune time) they erupt and come out like overfilling a gas tank. This book will change the self-care mindset. Self-care actually needs to be done first. We can't pour from an empty cup. Treating ourselves is not the equivalent of taking care of ourselves. Self-care is a way of preparing ourselves to be our best self. Have you ever thought about self-care as an act of worship? Would our abundant God want us running on empty? “Being authentic attracts others.” Isn't this quote so true! “It's better to be honest about your capacity than to over promise and underdeliver.” Why not pick up a copy of this little jewel to get some help with setting beneficial boundaries and keeping them? Let's thrive in 2025!  Do you agree with the author about happiness being a natural byproduct of wise living? Dive into this recap as we continue our quest to read the best! Blessings to you dear listeners!

Have you walked through the struggles in the book of Job? God describes Job as blameless, however his friends did not get the memo. In the midst of severe loss Job's friends lambast him with all the wrongs they think he must have done to end up in the shape he's in. (Note to self: Give grace instead of advice, everyone is struggling with something.)  As Kate mentioned, the friends waited in silence for 7 days… definitely their finest hour.  We can learn so much from this book!  How to persevere in the throes of troubles and heartache. How NOT to help a grieving friend. Accepting that we must trust God, we're unable to get on His level. Connects with our lives, as Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble…” Comfort is not God's priority for our lives. The big question is… Why do bad things happen to good people? This is woven throughout life and the book of Job. God is no respecter of persons and He is just…this leads us to realize that life in this broken world will not be fair. If life were like Job's friends describe obeying God would not be from the heart but from a place of concern for self to avoid hardships. Please join us as we recap the amazing book of Job, we're sure you know the Author! Have a blessed day dear listeners! Let's continue our quest to read the best!

In Episode 172, we learned the difference between IQ (Incorrect questions) such as “Why did he cut me off?”, and QBQ (Questions that are positive and productive) like, “What can I do to help you out ?”  QBQs focus on action. How can I improve myself? How can I provide value to you? Action requires courage; inaction is fueled by fear Action builds confidence; inaction builds doubt Action even when it leads to mistakes leads to growth; inaction leads to stagnation In the Question Behind the Question we discovered the Power of ONE: Departments, teams, committees don't change, People change…one at a time. Asking questions that focus our efforts, thoughts, and energy is the way to be effective and really make a difference. John G. Miller was taught by his wrestling coach, aka his father,  he had 3 people to beat: The opponent Himself-overcome fears The Ref- never blame Please join us as we dive into QBQ: The Question Behind the Question and discover instead of thinking outside the box, it is beneficial to succeed using what is in our box, a Bloom Where You're Planted mentality.  Learning is about change. We always have a choice, even if it is choosing not to make a choice. What can we do to bless your day?

Happy New Year!!! May your reading continue to thrive in 2025!!! Join Kate and Sheila as they very carefully recap The Nature of Fragile Things  by Susan Meissner while striving to withhold all the plot twists and jaw droppers. This roller coaster of a read begins in 1906 just before the San Francisco earthquake. We meet a young mail order bride, Sophie. She is an Irish immigrant who answers an ad of the bereaved widower, Martin, who is seeking a mother for Kat, his 5 year old daughter. Sophie longs to have a home and be a mother. This book is unlike any historical fiction we've read!  “It is the nature of fragile things to break…it is also in our nature to start over after disaster.”  GloriaZ  recommended this book and The Frozen River, so far she's been a good resource in our Quest to Read the Best!  Have a blessed day dear readers! https://www.youtube.com/@GloriaZThompson

2024 Recap Book Chat Awards…Please join Kate and Sheila to see if you agree or disagree with their choices : ) Most Whimsical - ? Grittiest - ? Most Unique Format - ? Best Opening Line - ? Most Unpredictable - ? Most Intense - ? Most Impactful in Society - ? Most Creative - ? Best Leading Lady - ? Best Leading Man - ? Best Ending - ? Changed Our Lives - ? Stands the Test of Time - ? Overall Best Book - ? Quotes from The Green Ember: “All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank.” “Stay on the job, son. Do the next right thing.” Have a Happy New Year dear listeners! Happy Reading : )

“Knowledge is something given bit by bit. In life, there are few things that must be done the first time around.” I'm so thankful for God's grace! Let's join together and strive to learn and grow into the women that God designed us to be. We are all at different places on the road of life, some of us are on bumpy roads while some are smooth sailing and others experiencing dangerous hairpin curves! The beginning of the journey we tend to have more energy, and as the miles stack up behind us we gain wisdom. I get it, you want to make sure that hubbie is right before you're all in. But where is the trust in this kind of thinking? Life is uncertain, that is where faith comes in. “All men make mistakes. A woman's place is simply to obey for God's sake, not for right's sake. If you wait until you feel that your husband is right before you obey him, then you will seldom obey him, and you will never enjoy the miracles of God.” : ) We finished up Titus 2:3-5, we discussed being discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and last and  most challenging … obedient to their husbands. What tools do we need to have a glorious marriage? Joy Thankfulness Contentment Reverence Submission Prayer Believing God's Word Culture may have changed but God's plan for marriage remains consistent with His Word.  Please join Kate and Sheila as they wrap up Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl.  Merry Christmas dear listeners!

Episode 168 - A Christmas Carol What caused the miser, Scrooge, to choose his path? Was it his absence from home or his father's wrath? He chose his master passion, Gain- over his intended, Belle,  She released him with a heart full of love for the man she once knew so well. He grew self-absorbed, uncaring, and oh so tight, He might never have changed without his visitors each night. The ghost of Christmas Past taught a reluctant Scrooge a thing or two, To the  second shade  he was much more open to learning something new.  “Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all and infinitely more.” This little book hits everyone at their core. Thank you for sharing your day with Sheila and Kate and Dickens too, We wish a very Merry Christmas to each one of you! The Man Who Invented Christmas is the movie whose title escaped us, https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B077MFZMB3/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Please join Kate and Sheila as they continue discussing Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl.  Part 2 recaps how God encompasses all the kinds of men mentioned in part 1:  Mr. Command, Mr. Visionary, and Mr. Steady. We learn that our reactions define us because they are not premeditated so they show what is in our hearts. Luke 6:45…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  2 Cor.10 says to bring every thought into obedience of Christ.  “Eve was deceived, she was supposed to be Adam's helper but she helped herself to spiritual knowledge and acted independently, becoming his downfall instead of his help meet.” Jezebel and Ruth are two very different women, one lived for self and the other was a beautiful example of a woman with a thankful submissive attitude. Which one would you want to have coffee with? Being a godly wife is not contingent on your husband being godly, he might be a super jerk but enduring abusive words should not leave one feeling abused when living in the love of God. Women must gain their self-image from what God thinks of them instead of what their husbands might say in selfishness and anger. Titus 2:3-5 gives eight things God requires of women. We covered: To Be Sober is to do one's duty, be moderate, self-controlled, thoughtful, and to learn to  make wise decisions. Think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, a teenage girl clinging to the back of a bouncing donkey, contractions pulling at her exhausted body, while her desperate husband searched for a place for her to give birth. Her emotional well-being did not depend on her surroundings. To Love Their Husbands - put his needs above their own, Kate gives Debi Pearl's list of good reasons to be sexy for your husband at the end of our podcast.  This book is challenging, yes, but there is a delight and peace that comes from leaning into God's design for us instead of resisting it. 

Probably the most impactful and challenging book we've read besides the Bible, CREATED TO BE HIS HELP MEET by Debi Pearl takes us back to God's Word for a closer look on women's role. To say this book is countercultural is stating the obvious. Society tells us (Happy wife, happy life)  women are above men and deserve to be served, however that robs us of our true God-given role. “A good help meet has a passion to be of service.”  1 Cor. 11:8-9 tells us why women were created, something that many in our culture omit.  “NO man has ever crawled out from under his wife's criticism to be a better man. God stands with you when you stand by your man, but you stand alone if you stand by your rights.”  We have 40,000 thoughts a day, if we are to have a thankful spirit we need to practice being thankful. Phil. 4:8 tells us what we should think on, Pro.23:7 says as a man thinks in his heart so is he…bottom line: thoughts are powerful!  Debi Pearl describes in detail the three kinds of men: Mr. Command, Mr. Visionary, and Mr. Steady. The Key is to know your man. Ask God for wisdom and patience, James 1:5. Wisdom is mentioned in the Bible 223 times! If you're like me, you might've been avoiding praying for patience. It often gets swept under the rug along with self-control, while I focus on the love, joy, and peace part of the fruit of the spirit. However, it is not a buffet, I must work on them all, including the Mt. Everest one for me… patience. This book has been a life changer for both of us, so I guess, in my case, old dogs can learn new tricks, bahaha! Won't you learn along with us as we dive into discussing God's role for women eons before Helen Reddy belted out, “I Am Woman Hear Me Roar”.  Roaring is not a fulfilling way to live this earthly walk at all. Change is hard. Are you up for the challenge?

This nonfiction account of our nation's 20th president will knock your socks off.  Destiny of the Republic, A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard gives readers an amazing glimpse into the past. We get a front seat to the election of a man who did not want to be president but was willing to get out of his comfort zone for the good of the country, appealing to God for aid in the trial before him. He made great strides to bring a divided country together, yet little is known about James A. Garfield, “a man incapable of carrying a grudge, a poor hater but a good fighter.”.  Fatherless before the age of 2, Garfield grew up in abject poverty. Interestingly enough, so did Charles Guiteau, the man who shot him. What determined their vastly different paths? The big difference was attitude. “Garfield rose quickly through the layers of society, not with aggression or even overt ambition, but with a passionate love of learning.” Guiteau believed he was entitled to special treatment, his work ethic was almost non-existent. He survived by asking men for money when necessary or just not paying bills when he could get away with it.,  The real cause of Garfield's death surprised us, pride ended up being the culprit. Please join us as we unpack the sad facts about the disbelief doctors had about germs and the unwillingness of Dr. Bliss to listen to others which caused Garfield to suffer needlessly. “Ignorance is Bliss” is a quote that now has a new meaning. On the other side of the coin, there were helpful caring people who worked tirelessly to help the president (air-conditioning was invented by the Navy and Alexander Graham Bell worked on an invention to find the bullet). Garfield's many quotes are true gems, “I'd rather be beaten in Right than succeed in Wrong.”

Greetings dear listeners! Please join Kate & Sheila as they review some of their favorite books from A to Z! A-All the Light You Cannot See & A Tree Grows in Brooklyn B-Brothers Karamazov  C-Count of Monte Cristo D-David Copperfield & Dracula E-Everything Sad Is Untrue F-Forest of Vanishing Stars & Frozen River  G-God's Smuggler & Giver of the Stars H-House Rules & Habits of the Household & Hiding Place I-In His Steps & Imprinted J-Joyous Leadership K- L-Living Fearless & Ladies of the Lake M-Mere Christianity N-Nightingale O-Ordinary Grace P-Peace Like A River Q-Quiet by Susan Cain R-Reading Promise S-Saving My Assassin T-Things We Didn't Say  U-Unbroken & Unoffendable V- W-War & Peace X-tra special-At Home with Madame Chic Y-Yours Cheerfully series Z-Zhivago (Dr.) We are so thankful for each of you for listening to our attempt to highlight books from A to Z. We hope you can help us out on K & V : )

In this episode we discuss the awesome book Living Fearless by Jamie Winship! We delve into the exploration of themes such as fear, truth, identity, and the importance of confession. We discuss how fear can hinder creativity and relationships, and the transformative power of honesty and seeking God. Here are some of the key takeaways we found in Jamie's book... Fear shuts down creativity and the reception of new ideas. We are all afraid, and that fear leads to conflict. Honesty with ourselves, God, and others is crucial for growth. The mysteries of God, self, and others are essential to explore. Confession is the first step towards genuine transformation. Living in a false identity prevents us from knowing our true selves. Satan fears the truth, and deception thrives in its absence. We must seek God to find our true identity. Emotions can indicate underlying lies we believe. Living fearlessly involves confronting fears and lies. Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with us. Remember to stay on track and read your stack!

“Reading is the act of listening and speaking at the same time, with someone you've never met, but love…” Join Kate and Sheila as they embark on Daniel Nayeri's tale of an unbelievable but true journey, in Everything Sad is Untrue. The story describes how Daniel's mother and her children had to flee Iran after  converting to Christianity. The miraculous and harrowing road to freedom is beautifully told through the eyes of a young Daniel.  “The Legend of my mother is that she does not stop. And if you don't stop, you're unstoppable.” Everything Sad is Untrue is written in a traditional Eastern way of Storytelling where “the stories aren't the thing. The thing is the story of the story. The spending of the time. The falling in love.” It allows us to see each other as our true selves. Daniel tells us about the God who Listens and the God who speaks and the importance of a God that does both. May we implement this in our lives as we practice listening better and speaking kindness often.  “Love is empty without justice. Justice is cruel without love.”  “But what you believe about the future will change how you live in the present.”  What do you believe about the future? Meet Daniel and his unstoppable mom in this short video. Why this author and his mother fled Iran in the 80's

What do journaling, camaraderie, resilience, bravery, faith in God, and a cowboy from Texas have in common? Bram Stoker cleverly brought them all together in his masterpiece, Dracula, published in 1897. He uses journals, letters, news clippings, captain's log, and telegrams (epistolary format) which invites the reader to join the characters on their journey. We become vampire hunters along with:  Jonathan Harker, the English solicitor,  Mina Murray, Jonathan's soon to be wife,  Lucy, Mina's flighty friend,  Dr. John Seward, Lucy's rejected suitor #1,  Arthur Holmwood, aka Lord Godalming, Lucy's pick of the litter,   Quincy Morris, rejected suitor #2, a cowboy from Texas and finally,  Dr. Van Helsing, the oldest in the group, gives guidance and determination in this fearless fight against evil.  Without a  main character, everyone has equal importance. This talented Irish author illustrates the value of: Combination: “...we are all more strong together…” Failure: “We learn from failure, not from success.” Faith & Humility: “God alone knows what may be in store for any of us.” Journaling: “Hamlet said, “My tablets! Quick, my tablets!” The habit of entering accurately  must help to soothe me. Good versus evil can encompass many forms. The term energy vampires would not exist without Stoker's book. The Bible has another blood sucker in Proverbs 30:15,  “The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”. Those who take and take and never give have always been around. Bram Stoker gives readers a safe place to be scared while giving readers the  warning to be alert! Are you up for this frightful chase? Please join us for episode 163! Happy reading dear listeners!

”Memory is a wicked thing that warps and twists. But paper and ink receive the truth without emotion, and they read it back without partiality.” Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap,  The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.  Martha Ballard, a midwife in Hallowell, Maine in 1789, was thrown into a murder investigation when a body was found in the river. She was called to do an autopsy and later discovers her oldest son, Cyrus Ballard, while trying to  protect his sister's honor had fought with Joshua Burgess. When Burgess turns up dead, Cyrus is arrested! Martha and her husband, Ephraim aptly quote Shakespeare, “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.” Meanwhile, the trial of Joshua North (Hallowell's judge) is taking place. He is charged with raping of the young pastor's wife, Rebecca Foster (who is now with child). Rebecca Foster's fate depends on Martha's testimony. However, in 1789 a woman was not allowed testify without the presence of her husband. Will Ephraim make it to the courtroom in time? Martha Ballard is the great-aunt of Clara Baron, founder of the Red Cross. She is also the great-great-grandmother of Mary Hobart, one of the first female physicians in the U.S. She kept a diary for 27 years! Most of her entries included the phrase, “I have been at home”. What homemakers do matter more than they know, or as Martha put it, "Small acts done in love matter." She delivered over 1,000 babies and never lost a mother in childbirth! Ironically, Ariel Lawhon found an article stating this amazing fact about Martha while waiting at her obstetrician's office. “One of the greatest skills that I have as a midwife is to sit in silence…To sit and be. To pray and offer comfort… To say nothing when there are no words that can console.”  Let's meet this woman of incredible grit and wisdom. Blessings to you dear listeners and readers!

“It's not how much you have, but what you do with it that counts.” “Every challenge is an opportunity for growth.” “We find what we are looking for, if we look hard enough.” “In the face of adversity, never give up.” There are a plethora of inspiring quotes like these from Wilson Rawls',  Summer of the Monkeys! Join 14 year old Jay Berry in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma as he and his faithful hound, Rowdy, set out to capture the monkeys that escaped from the circus train mishap. He wants to get the head monkey and collect the reward for him which is one hundred dollars! Which would be more than enough to get his long dreamed of pony and .22. His sister, Daisy, dons her Red Cross uniform and cares for Jay Berry when he gets into scrapes even, her twisted leg and crutch do not slow her down at all. The family cannot afford the surgery to straighten out her leg, but she remains cheerful and always ready to help. Who is smarter, Jay Berry or the monkeys? Grandpa and Jay Berry come up with plan after plan to outwit the feisty furry fugitives. Are you ready for adventure, laughs, and family bonded beyond belief ? Join us as we dive into this treasure that shows readers why “Love and compassion are the keys to a fulfilled life.” 

This amazing story is told through the eyes of Reuben Land (aka Rube), the middle child in a motherless family living in the cold Midwest. He suffers greatly from asthma, adores his older brother, Davy (16 years old) and his younger sister, Swede (8+ she has a birthday– definitely one of the coolest siblings we've ever met from the pages of a book). Jeremiah Land is a father raising three kids on his own, but his full plate gets unbelievably fuller when life takes a disastrous turn. After he defends a girl being accosted by two thugs a  downward spiral begins.  Jeremiah's non-negotiable morning routine is his daily time in God's Word which gives him peace and guidance as he faces the trials and troubles life throws his way. Many lines flow like a cool stream but one that stuck with me was, “Fair is whatever God wants it to do.” Please join us as we recap Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, a beautiful book following the Land family through laughter, heartache, and healing. How blessed we were to meet this family! What a treasure!

“The world is yearning for men to show up, men who know who they are and why they are here.” We hear a lot about toxic masculinity, what about a masculine man of God? The ones who Grow Up and Show Up. They do not fall prey to the myth, “I'm not hurting anyone” as they fail to become the man God meant them to be choosing instead to engage in wasteful wiles that hijack their time. Ennui is a French word that means dissatisfaction that comes from not being mission focused. “In Gen. 2:15, man was to keep the garden (NKJV), the Hebrew word, shamar means to guard, to protect and to watch over. Adam totally blew it.”  Brant gives readers 6 Decisions TO SET US APART: Forsake the fake–Relish the real  Protect the Vulnerable Be Ambitious About the Right Things Make Women and Children Feel Safe Choose Today Who You Will Become Tomorrow Take Responsibility for your Own Spiritual Life The point of real love is to want your loved one to thrive and flourish even to the point of self-sacrifice! What great gift these books would be for the males in your life! The Men We Need and The (Young) Men We Need sum up God's role for men with wit and pithiness that packs a punch! Please join us as we dive into a subject that has baffled us for years,  at times brought us in tears when we were unaware of their gears, Brant has showed us how God wants men to be- beginning with their hearts, Isn't that where true transformation always starts?

Let's journey through Kids' Books from A to Z,  As we bookishly celebrate back to school with glee! As we endeavor to fertilize young minds we must be vigilant in exposing them to a plethora of books, priming the pump as one might say. Please join us as book suggestions are made that might ignite a love for reading in your little tike or emerging teen and all those in between. Resistant readers are those that have not found the right book. May we be as diligent as the proverbial prince searching for the foot that fit the lost glass slipper.  No, dear listeners we will not waver, let's discover a book for each little shaver : ) This episode gives listeners ideas to enrich or jumpstart the powerful habit of reading widely.  This could even supply gift ideas for Christmas and birthdays and such.  Let's make reading books a language in itself, adding tried and true books to shelf after shelf! Won't you listen along as we strive to meet the challenge of finding books of quality all the way from A to Z?

Twenty-two-year-old Emmy Lake, hopeful war correspondent, begins her new job at  Woman's Friend is working under a bear of a woman, Mrs. Henrietta Bird. Mr. Collins writes stories for the magazine, he helps Emmy get adjusted to her position. Emmy types Mr. Collins's stories and helps with the advice column, Henrietta Helps, however, Mrs. Bird refuses to answer most of the letters because they are too personal. “Spines, Miss Lake, that's what these women need.” But of course, Emmy's empathetic heart can't refuse the women writing in for Mrs. Bird's help so she starts answering them on her own time. Dear Anxious, You should be very proud of yourself for doing your best when things are at their worst. Emmy's best friend and roommate, Bunty, helps her through a tough time when Emmy's fiance  ended their engagement. Her folks are supportive as well, “Is your mother doing the Fatheads speech? Absolute dunderhead…look at the bright side at least we won't have idiots for grandchildren,” her dad said with a wink. Fortunately, even though fatheads may abound so do those of the handsome, brave, caring sort…enter Charles, Mr. Collins' ½ brother. Emmy's nights are spent volunteering at the fire station as a dispatcher. The bombings and fires made London in 1940 anything but safe. The camaraderie of Emmy and her friends during this terrible time in history draws readers into the fray living day by day in the shadow of bombings… surviving by grit and determination. When Bunty and Emmy's friendship hits a stonewall Emmy embraces the challenge of what a real friend must do even when proverbial doors are slammed in faces… She shows up and she keeps on showing up even while trouble's brewing at her day job as well. Won't you show up too? Please get a cup of tea and join Sheila and Kate, as they recap Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce, a novel first rate!

“You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.” Question: What is the chief End of man? Answer: Man's chief End is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Written in one night on a train trip, Kate and Sheila recap A. W. Tozer's powerfully written book, The Pursuit of God. This inspirational jewel was published in 1948 but timelessly impactful, challenging readers to look out instead of in. We cannot simply sit in a pew to please God; we must fervently pursue Him if we are to grow closer to Him. “Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.”  “Sin has twisted our vision inward and made it self-regarding.” Eli and his sons were sad examples of pursuing self instead of God. The self-sins are many: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love and a host of others that can so entangle our lives causing us to stagnate.   Are you ready to put down the spoon and dig deep to seek God wholeheartedly? “How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers.” As the parable told by Jesus about the 10 virgins illustrates, each one of us must prepare to be ready, we cannot rely on someone else to do the work. Let's make passionately pursuing our heavenly Father a vital part each day He gives us!

 Georgina Bassington-Hope is sent Maisie's way because she thinks  Inspector Stratton and company did less than stellar work investigating the death of her twin brother. Georginia believes her brother, Nick, did not accidentally fall from the scaffold in the art gallery. She feels like he was murdered. Will Maisie and her trusty assistant, Billy, be able to uncover the truth? The suspects are many, Nick's three artist friends, his brother, Harry with a gambling problem, the wealthy American that has paid handsomely for Nick's previous works, and many more! When Maisie and Billy discover their office ransacked and their case map stolen they basically had to start over from square one.  There's some heartbreaking in this novel as readers see the class difference in London at this time, however class does not determine joy. Kate connected this to a book she's reading, Created to Be His Help Meet, that explains how Gratitude comes before Joy. God stresses the importance of gratitude over and over in His Word. Join Kate and Sheila as they reconnect with Maisie Dobbs. It's 1931, she hits  the streets of London and the countryside as well to track down the truth. Some of our favorite quips and quotes: “How might I serve?” (The most important question, learned from her mentor, Maurice) “Things are rarely as they seem.” “Choose your battles, Billy.” “...if I am to keep Georgina Bassington-Hope out of your way, to effectively pick up your laundry, then wash and fold it, I should say you owe me a bit more than 15 minutes in a 3rd rate caff on Oxford Street.” : ) Maisie letting Inspector Stratton have a piece of her mind. Are you ready to sip a cuppa and solve the mystery in Jacqueline Winspear's  Messenger of Truth? Happy reading dear listeners! 

One of our favorite quotes from Haven by Megan Wagner Lloyd is… “You don't have to be big to be brave.” This book has love, adventure, and a whole lot of grit from a little cat that does not quit. Haven is on this journey to help Ma Millie, her human, who is very sick. She summons all her courage to venture outside to find the nearest neighbor, Jacob Levan, unfortunately he's not home. This forces Haven to trek into town, a daunting feat for this fearful feline, but fortunately she meets a fox who volunteers to lead the way! But can the fox be trusted??? “Today's biggest challenge will be the river,” the fox informed Haven. “Tomorrow, the ravine.” “What's a ravine?” Haven asked. This delightful duo invites the reader to join the journey. “What's a home?,” asked the fox. “A home is a place that's just yours…where you're safe.” “Life's not safe…All the forest is my home.”  Haven struggles to keep up with the fox as they journey through the forest, whenever her strength fails she focuses on rescuing Ma Millie. There is one danger the fox never tells Haven about…a bobcat is tracking them!  What a wonderful mix of adventure, friendship, resilience, and purpose! Let's join the boys for as they recap this beautiful book! Thanks to Aimee & Brody for recommending it!

Greetings Recapsters! Kate and Sheila dive into the Shakespearean comedy,  The Taming of the Shrew. Kate is the older sister that is as easy to get along with as a mama bear robbed of her cubs. Her sister, Bianca, draws suitors like bees to flowers. Here's the rub, their father forbids Bianca to wed until Kate is married. No one is up for this arduous task until Petruchio comes on the scene. He has come to Padua ‘to wive and thrive' and Kate suits his liking, however, she resists so forcefully he calls her a wasp to which she replies,  “If I be waspish, best beware my sting.” How will Petruchio tame Kate? He shows up to their wedding very late wearing rags riding a nag. “He has some meaning in his mad attire.” Why was he late? What's with his clownish clothes? Maybe, absence made Kate's heart grow fonder and when he finally arrived she was thrilled that he wasn't a no show. When asked about his clothes, Petruchio replied,  “To me she's married, not unto my clothes.” Then he whisks Kate away before their reception.  Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘kill them with kindness'? He deprives Kate of food because it's not good enough for her. Along with a new dress and the bed which were also not suitable for his new bride. As her ‘taming' continues readers can see Kate slowly beginning to change into a better version of herself. Some say Shakespeare crossed the line here. That he is a hater of  women but we beg to differ. He's using humor and wit to show something very daring for the 1590s. Are you up for a bit of comedic culture? “...There's small choice in rotten apples.” He is a wordsmith indeed, who but Shakespeare could make accident sound poetic…”'twas a fault unwilling.”  The Taming of the Shrew: Act I - The Play's the Thing | Acast Love Better: Untamed Love on Apple Podcasts

“And don't you know that it is just when we are weakest that God can use us the most?” Wisdom from Mrs. Whestra, Andy's neighbor in Witte, Holland.  While Andy's family went to church he would go fishing and show up right when everyone was exiting the building and listen to their comments so he could talk about the sermon at home. Papa asked him when he was 17 years old, “What do you plan to do with your life?” What a clarifying question! Andy didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps and become a blacksmith so he joined the army. His mama gave him her Bible which he packed away at the bottom of his duffle bag, unread, until he was wounded and needed time to heal from a shattered ankle.  “My sense of guilt wrapped around me like a chain–nothing I did — drinking, fighting, writing letters eased the stranglehold upon me.” He finally began to read his mama's Bible. He wrote letters with Bible questions to a girl he had met, she helped him understand it.  God's Word caused Brother Andy to do a 180. Andy said, “Karl Marx said, “Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world” meaning the letters of the alphabet. Well, this game could be played both ways.”  Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap Andy's amazing life story in God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew with John and Elizabeth Sherrill. Andy evolves from a hooligan who played hooky from church to godly guy delivering Bibles to communist countries. Once when he was without a translator he used Bible verses to communicate! Remember Mrs. Whestra? Her family donated their VW car to  Andy for his travels to impossible places, trusting and praying and relying on God every step of the way. “First, earn the right to get their attention; then show them Jesus – perhaps not with words but always with action.” We're thankful we met Andy in our quest to read the best, you will be too!

“Do you ever read any of the books you burn?”--young neighbor, Clarisse “That's against the law.”--Guy Montag Join Kate and Sheila as they dive into Ray Bradbury's classic, Fahrenheit 451. Guy Montag is a fireman in the future whose job is to burn books and houses in which the books are found. He begins to wonder how life got so empty after his wife, Mildred, emptied a bottle of sleeping pills. The pump snake guys come and ‘save' her, then head off to their next disillusioned resident.. Guy wants to help Millie, but she tells him, “Let me alone” to which he replies, “We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while.” This book will bother you and challenge you too. Guy's boss, Firechief Beatty quips, “People want to be happy, isn't that right?...They live for pleasure…” And as Dr. Phil always asks, “How's that working for you?” Sadly, TVs take up entire walls of the houses. Mildred has a three wall TVs, which is not enough; she needs four. She refers to the shows as her family…'her family' is on all the time. Guy has kept some books instead of burning them. When he tries to read Ecclesiastes 3, he struggles to get meaning from the text. He pays a visit to Faber, a retired English professor he met by chance in the park a year ago who had told him, “I don't talk things, sir, I talk the meaning of things. I sit here and know I'm alive.” Are you ready to turn up the heat and read Fahrenheit 451? “To everything there is a season. A time to break down and time to build up. A time to keep silent and a time to speak…”

Do you hear the drum roll? We are on Rule #10 of House Rules by Jacob Hudgins! Today, Kate and Sheila recap… Just Because You're Angry Doesn't Mean You're Right. Jacob starts with Cain, his anger was misinformed and misdirected. God told him, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7 Cain doesn't listen to God. He kills his brother, seeking a ‘permanent solution for a temporary problem.' Anger clouds our judgment, like alcohol, it lowers our inhibitions. What we are doing feels right and appropriate. Remember the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, who was filled with fury when 3 Jewish guys dared to defy him? He orders the fiery furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal, does this make sense? When we are angry we don't seem to notice that our reasoning is impaired. When Jonah was angry at God for saving the people of Nineveh, God asked him, “Do you do well to be angry?” What a great clarifying question! Are you ready for a solution? House Rules refers us to James 1:19-20. The tone of Christian homes should reflect James' powerful advice: Be quick to hear (we must learn to listen) Be slow to speak (anger can often alert us to character weaknesses within ourselves) Be slow to anger (the anger of men does not produce the righteousness of God) Please join us as we strive to keep anger in check! May you be blessed as we grow together striving to please God each day!

Lidia Zakrzewski's real-life story of the Polish resistance fighters who struggled to force out the Nazi occupiers inspired Jennifer A. Nielsen to write, Uprising, an amazing novel about Poland falling into the hands of Germany. Lidia's father went off to fight and she desperately wanted to go with him. The huge conflict of the occupation and the conflict on the homefront between Lidia and her mother keep readers on the edge of their seats. Why does her mother criticize so quickly? Why does Lidia refuse to see any good in her mother? Lidia's brother, Ryszard, tries to help her. “That's your problem, Lidia. You think you already know everything and can do everything and understand everything, but you don't.” Lidia becomes a messenger for the Resistance and is led through the sewers by a girl named Ester. “I wasn't worried. There was a calmness about Ester, and a confidence that kept me calm too…to have met Ester was entirely worth it.” What a goal for all of us to exude calmness and confidence in a confusing world because we are anchored to God! Uprising takes readers through the Invasion, the Occupation, the Uprising, and lastly, the Escape. Are you ready to join Poland's 55,000 resistance fighters as they strive daily to outwit the Nazis? Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap a turbulent time in history when chaos surrounded the Polish people but they were still able to say, “...whenever we are with those we love, we are home.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 “To the ancient mind, a city without walls is ripe for the picking. It lacks any defenses. It is susceptible to any passing army or group of bandits…When we lack self-control, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.” Self-control is not natural, it doesn't come easy. In fact, one of the hardest folks to control is the face I see in the mirror, but saying no to self is empowering. When we become far-sighted, in tune with the big picture, the daily battle plan is much easier to execute. My goal is to please God, that sets the course for my why. Would this please God? If not, He will give me the strength to say no to myself. Children are not born with limits. We must teach them in such a way that when they leave home they will have the capacity to say no to ungodly things that will bombard their adult lives. How? By modeling this struggle daily while they are at home and by letting them practice it with our support. Let us embrace the rhythms of life like working before playing, praying before eating, and asking permission before doing something we're not sure about. These rhythms will serve our children well, now and in adulthood, they won't hurt us either : ) Boundaries help us respect each other. We cannot teach kids what we are unwilling to practice. Are you ready for the challenge of being far-sighted... think eternity? Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap Rule #9 We Control Ourselves from House Rules by Jacob Hudgins. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

“The women had a story to tell, even if the world wasn't ready to hear it, and their story started with three simple words, ‘We were there.'” Are you ready for a challenge? The Women by Kristin Hannah was a tough read indeed! Sadly, Frankie McGrath's wealthy California family communicated with each other less than people who don't speak the same language. When her old brother was killed in action during the Vietnam Conflict Frankie quickly enlisted. The note, “Welcome to the 36 Evac Hospital, McGrath. Be the best version of yourself” starts her adventure with fellow nurses, Ethel and Barb. Frankie had no training but with their help she became a skilled surgical nurse. What's up with The Stars and Stripes informing the US that no soldiers are being killed while Frankie, Barb, and Ethel and a host of others serving in Vietnam know that is a falsehood? This book shows us that things are not always what they appear to be and sadly that includes people as well. A raw, gritty, and tense look at the horrors of war and the countless difficulties those returning experience day after day after day. Join Kate and Sheila as they recap the heaviness of the rigor of readjusting in a country that refused to reaffirm those who gave so much and were appreciated so little. When we know better, we do better. We are so grateful to all who have served, may God bless you and your families! Thank you so much for listening! Remember, Stay on Track & Read Your Stack! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

After you” “No, after you” Sounds a lot better than, “Me first!” Jacob Hudgins urges readers to break the pattern of getting, getting, getting to one of serving others instead. Join Kate and Sheila as they recap House Rules, Rule #8 We Lead By Serving. Let us make a shift from the “What's in it for me?” mantra to “Here's my opportunity to serve!” We want to emulate Jesus, the master of leading by serving! “We cannot allow the tone of the world to overwhelm us.” When we find ourselves anxious, upset, worried, or out-of-sorts we must adjust our focus from ourselves back to Jesus. “The pressing question for Christians in our time— is ‘what are we doing today that is good?' Let's teach ourselves and our kids that life's not about being fair. What is fair about an innocent man dying for our transgressions? Jesus is the ultimate example of true leadership: ‘Lowering ourselves in love. He demonstrates complete abandonment of His own will—leaving behind the privileges of His status.” “Jesus calls us to be different. He urged His power-hungry disciples to channel all of their energy and desperate need for validation into a desire to serve?” Our prayer is that we become aware of opportunities to serve that God sends our way. May we roll up our sleeves and give our time and effort to bless and help others every day. We must be countercultural, the challenge is real, Set boundaries to stay focused, serving others isn't based on how we feel! In the mighty name of Jesus, amen! Happy serving and reading dear listeners! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

We are hoping you can ‘squeeze' The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davis into your reading this summer. Join Kate, Sheila, and their special guest, Titus, as they recap the Treski siblings' war over who can sell the most lemonade. Evan, the oldest, discovers that his younger sister, Jessie, is going to be promoted into his class the upcoming school year. He has a lot of feelings but doesn't share any of them with Jessie. He chooses to ignore her. Jessie feels like she's lost her best friend, however figuring out feelings is not her forte and she's as confused as someone trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together without being able to look at the picture on the box. The sibling rivalry is real but so is their sibling comradery. Grumpminster Fink was a mean, cranky man that Evan and Jessie made up back when their mom and dad were fighting so much. Dealing with the stress of dysfunction and divorce bonds the two together. After their dad left, they promised never to fight in front of their mom and even in the midst of their ‘lemonade war' they kept this promise. Elbert Hubbbard was given credit for coming up with the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” back in 1915 when he wrote an obituary for an actor who achieved greatness despite dwarfism. The original phrase was “He picked up the lemons that fate had sent and started a lemonade stand.” We invite you to join us and let's all strive to turn our problems into opportunities! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

Please join Kate and Sheila as they tackle Rule # 7, We Deal with Our Problems, in House Rules by Jacob Hudgins. Lev. 19:17-18 gives us a great game plan. “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD” Why does God want us to make this difficult choice? Getting ‘it' out in the open helps us to: maintain healthy relationships… We don't want to give the devil a foothold. Stop sin before it spreads…Jesus teaches relationships are in constant need of maintenance, forgiveness, challenge, and reconciliation. How do we deal with our problems? The gift of discernment helps us to determine the best approach to discipline and confrontation. “Not every problem is a crisis.” The gift of courage is colossal. Hudgin made a powerful connection. The David who showed amazing courage in confronting and killing Goliath later on would refuse to deal with the problems of his own family. He did not want to challenge his kids and make them displeased with him for a season so he sacrificed their long-term flourishing and growing closer to God…which should be every parents' goal for their children. The gift of humility is huge! 2 Tim 2:24-25 reminds us…”the LORD'S servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” Humility must be practiced. Let's strive to give a determined effort to deal with our problems. Let's put the broom down and give up sweeping important things under the rug. Let's stop jumping to conclusions and seek to understand our loved ones and open up ourselves to the possibility that we are wrong. This mindset will help change avoiders into resolvers! Are you up for the challenge? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

Batter up! Join Kate and Sheila and their special guest, Jonah, as they recap Skinnybones by Barbara Park. Alex Frankovitch is an undersized uncoordinated sixth grader who has an oversized funny bone. When he tries to triumph over T.J. Stoner, the best of the best in baseball, all Alex can think to do is yell, “Booga booga” to distract the baseball star. “Every single year, I am always the smallest kid on the team. I mean it. For the first five years of my life, I thought I was a leprechaun.”---Alex When his coach tells him to bunt he thinks bunt means to throw up. He wonders how his coach can expect him to throw up on command. : ) Hey, batter batter! Are you ready to swing into a funny read-aloud? Alex could not be compared to Honest Abe. His parents never use the phrase, “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” but believe me they could! They choose to let consequences teach Alex a thing or two. See if Alex's wit can help him win the Kitty Fritters commercial contest! Happy Reading! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message

This attitude of humility, admission, and apology should be learned young, at home. In Christian homes, some phrases should be in regular use: I didn't know that. I made a mistake. I shouldn't have said/done that. You're right.Can you forgive me?I messed up. In a society that values victimhood, Christian homes must be countercultural.” Let's learn Rule #6 — We take responsibility from House Rules by Jacob Hudgins. What a blessing it is to work on building homes using our Heavenly Father's blueprint! Let us learn from David when he humbly confronted God after his sin with Bathsheba, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me of my sin! For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:1-10) Powerfully put! We need to be responsible for our work. We must be like the 5 wise virgins in the parable and work to have a full lamp, no one can do this for us. We need to be responsible for our actions, no excuses or blaming others, God gives us CHOICE. The disobedience of others doesn't justify me to act in an ungodly way. We need to be responsible for our messes. It's only when we admit our sins that we can grow and heal and be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. We need to be responsible for what we say. “Taking responsibility starts at home and radiates outward. Without it, we show up to work and resent being asked to do our jobs. We attend local churches and expect others to serve us. We frustrate others…” Are you ready to join Kate and Sheila for the challenge of taking responsibility? We hope this book has blessed you as much as it has us. Thanks so much for listening! May this recap bonus bite bless you and your family! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/recapbookchat/message