Listen, Love, Repeat

Listen, Love, Repeat: Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World by Karen Ehman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World"... man, if that doesnt describe today's world, I dont know what does.

I absolutely loved this book.

It's full of things we already know - putting people first, loving the unlovable, giving of yourself in your time & your gifts - but its just good to be reminded of these things. Its full of great ideas too & tips to learn how to hear people's "heart drops" - the things that matter to them. They're there if we just notice.

I really loved the reminder on how everything we have here is not ours, but God's... & we need to use it to glorify & honor him.
& of course, I loved that in this book, there's a Beauty & the Beast shout out! HOLLA!! I had to laugh when she asks if anyone know thats movie & I'm sitting there with a Belle bookmark holding the page ;)

Probably the best take away I got from this book though is how Jesus always served the person in front of him... even if he was traveling to help someone else. It was really eye opening to me to notice every one in my path every minute of the day. How can I serve that one person, that group of people. This was really moving to me... a kick in the butt by Jesus himself.

This really is a nice easy read - full of tips & ideas. I love how there the tips are scattered throughout, as well as little snippets. I especially loved the one with about "sandpaper spouses" - the opposite that can rub you the wrong way - or to make one another better, stronger. (Was Karen watching Ricky & I when she wrote that snippet?)

I wasn't sure if this was going to bore me - which some of these self aware books do - but this one was really enjoyable to me.

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Starting Now

Starting Now by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I always enjoy Debbie Macomber. Clean stories that are refreshing & laid back, always holding good values & sense of faith, grace & all the good things of God.

I really was excited to see another book in the Blossom series. When "A Good Yarn" came out, it was one of my favorite. A story revolved around a yarn store & knitting? I'm so there! And its been nice to see all the books following including all the people who have stopped into this little store & we've gotten to know. It was nice to visit with Lydia, Brad, Casey & Cody again.

This time, we meet Libby. A lawyer who has no time for knitting... until she gets laid off. Her life changes completely. How do you go from being a workaholic whose only concern is making partner, to someone who spends her time rocking babies in a hospital & mentoring a young middle school girl.

Libby learns what friendship is, what it means to invest in others, how it feels to fall in love again... but what happens when she gets her old life back.

I enjoyed reading about Libby's life & decisions she had to make, but as most Macomber books, I could tell you how it was going to end, & how it was pretty predictable. That's my only grief with it... but I still enjoyed it... & looking forward to meeting more people who stop on Blossom Street.

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31 Verses to Write on Your Heart

31 Verses to Write on Your Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have always been a fan of Liz Curtis Higgs... Shout out for a Louisville gal!!!!
But I love her writing & her personality which shines through her books.

This one is a little different than some of her others as this can be used as a devotional, which I've been doing.

She had asked for some of women's favorite scriptures & she took the top 31 that people sent & this is what the book is - a break down of the scriptures for every day.

& I love the way she breaks it down. It's not 'teachy' in the over-your-head way teaching scripture can be - but a way of breaking it down like you're sitting with your girlfriend & she's explaining to you in the simpliest of terms.

Liz urges you to memorize these scriptures too so you know they deeply & more personally as well.

I really do love this book & am glad to have it & learn from it.

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