SURRENDER YOUR JUNIOR GOD BADGE by JACKIE KENDALL

This book is one of the best books I have ever read about the subject on controlling women. I am guilty of trying to control everything. Earlier in my marriage, I controlled everything and if it didn't go my way, I found ways to pout . I wanted to make sure everyone knew I was unhappy unless I got my way. I was very overprotective of my children as they grew up . My excuse was that I wanted to protect them, but really I was controlling them while leaving little room for them to grow and become independent .

I loved the author's description od the very first women who "thought she was smarter than God." Thanks Eve for thinking you knew better than God. It is funny how we think once we get married we will be able to change our spouse. "Controlling women think they are responsible to change people who are not going in the right direction." What a funny statement that is. Controlling women thinking they know best and should direct others to the right way to go. How many of us are guilty of controlling and proudly wearing our badge?

What a powerful book that opens your eyes to what being controlling can do to yourself. We can find ourselves anxious, angry , fearful, insecure and have low self-esteem and turn to controlling others to overcome these issues. This book has hit home for me and I saw myself doing many of the things she talked about without realizing I was self  destructing . One of the things she talks about in the book is a struggle I have had for many  years. I have dealt with anxiety attacks for so long that it can sometimes become overwhelming. But then I read this verse , "Be still and know I am God." (Ps 46:10) I have read that scripture many times but not really thought about it until I started reading this book.  All I need to do is give God control and trust Him.

We are all a work in progress and work on our imperfections everyday. The good news is that God is in control. We need to give that control back to Him and find peace and confort in knowing that if we don't get something done or it doesn't go the right way, that the world won't end. "The more secure a woman is, the less likely she will need to be in control."

I highly recommend this book to every woman to feel secure in theirselves and let God be in control. He has this. He doesn't need our help and we don't need to get in His way. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions that I would encourage readers to use as you begin to heal from being a controlling woman.

I received a copy of  this amazing book from The BookClub NetWork for an honest review.

POWER OF GOD-GIVEN IMAGINATION by RAY MC COLLUM

I enjoy books that make me think and dig deeper into the Word. THE POWER Of GOD-GIVEN IMAGINATION will take you on a journey of a "gift that God has given every human being." We are have daydreams but don't always act on them. I remember as a kid being told to just use my imagination. It was fun to imagine going to grandma's house and playing tea with her.

Now as I read this book, I realize that we all can use that power of imagination " to dream, desire, envision and  imagine ."  We all have dreams of having the perfect job, or writing the next bestseller. If we start using our gift that God has given us, those dreams can become a reality. The author gives readers many biblical examples of people that had imaginations and it came to pass. One of those mentioned in the bible  was Abraham. He and his wife dreamed of having a child. They envisioned their child and knew that they would have one someday. It might not have happened in their timing , but God knew exactly when it was time to make their desire a reality.

There are great tools in the book to consider as you read this thought provoking book.  I found the book fascinating and loved the scriptures that backed up what he said. God wants the best for us and reminds us to "keep in mind that finding and serving the purpose of God involves a motivation to love and serve others."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

THE FORGOTTEN RECIPE by AMY CLIPSTON

In the book THE FORGOTTEN RECIPE we are introduced to Veronica Fisher. She is a very kind and sweet young lady. Her life is simple and she is happy about her upcoming marriage to Seth. Seth is very loyal and hardworking.  It sounds like an idealic  life until tragedy strikes.

Veronica must now deal with her loss and it becomes almost to much for her. I liked the way the author wrote with compassion the emotional struggle Veronica  had while trying to move on with her life. The author does a great job of sharing Veronica's deep hurt and loneliness that she can't shake. She finds chores to do to keep herself busy. One day she decides to clean the attic. She finds a chest that will lead to her a new beginning and open doors for her heart to heal.

Jason was Seth's best friend and was with him with the tragedy occurs. He feels guilt over the accident and wants to find Seth's fiancé to express his deep condolences and make sure she is doing ok. When they meet at Veronica's bake stand, Jason is immediately attracted to her. He can't bring himself to tell her who he really is. As their feelings start to grow, Jason knows he must tell Veronica the truth.

The story starts will a recipe that had been stored away for years and weaves a tale of hope, faith, forgiveness and love that grows with each passing day. What happens when a secret is found out? Will the secret destroy a relationship? Can Veronica find love again and learn to trust? THE FORGOTTEN RECIPE is an emotional journey of two young people who will learn to follow their heart , let go of the past and focus on the future. I look forward to the next book in the series called THE COURTSHIP BASKET.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.