Book Review: The Love & Respect Experience: A Husband-Friendly Devotional that Wives Truly Love

Author's Website

I have heard of the Love and Respect Cycle and the ministry of Dr. Emerson Eggerichs to marriages around the world. When I was given the opportunity to review his new devotional that was based on his well-known book, I was excited.

This book is full of the truths of the original book he wrote, but it is a wonderful devotional for husbands and wives that can stand on it's own.  I think husbands and wives would find it to be a welcome tool for growing together in understanding and intimacy.

Dr. Eggerichs wants everyone to take note that this is a "husband-friendly" devotional, and I would have to agree after consulting with my husband.

1. The cover is made of soft, masculine "leather" that would appeal to any man.
2. The book is organized and each devotional is only 3-4 pages long - with large text.
3. There are 52 separate devotionals, but this book has no dates tied to each one.  You can take this devotional at your own pace and there is no pressure to keep up.
4. It's written by a man, for a man, to lead his wife in learning more about God and each other.  It's helpful without being intimidating.
5. Many men desire to lead their wives to a deeper level of spiritual closeness, but don't know where to start.  This book will help them jump in and be able to start that process.

I found it to be beautifully organized and full of wonderful information for the newly married, a marriage in crisis (financial/sexual, etc.), or the seasoned couple; it really can touch a couple in any situation.  

In thinking about how this book is set up, I especially wanted to point out the following: 

1. Introduction:

• Dr. E. starts the book with a helpful introduction.  It sets the tone, the atmosphere, for the husband from the get-go.  I believe that in reading the introduction, the husband will learn to trust this author and know that this devotional won't be full of husband-bashing or anything that will be overly confrontational.  That being said, the book uses Scripture to start, lead, and guide each devotional.  If there is conviction, it will be the work of the Holy Spirit through the reading of the Scripture focus.  
• The introduction covers and offers tips for the wife, giving her insight into her husband's needs/mindset/triggers that would prevent him from opening up to her and being faithful in leading her in this study.  In know that wives, as a general rule, desire this deep intimacy but can also be their own worst enemy by taking the wrong approach or attitude with their husbands during a time when he is sharing his heart and being vulnerable.  I thought it was great of Dr. E. to share this with the wives; I learned good things from it.
• He also gives helps to spouses doing this devotional alone.  It is a sad fact, but very likely, that there are men and women who are desiring to build and improve their marriages, but are doing it without the support of their spouse.  God will be there in their need and be with them in a special way as they do this study.  

2.  Devotions have a:

• Bible Verse for the Spiritual focus
• Boxes with key insights
• Questions to guide the couple 
• A prayer at the end of the reading passage
• An action step to take to put the devotional into "action"

3.  The "back" of the book includes:

• Extra helps in the appendix
• More in depth "discussion" questions that will expand on each devotional
• A summary of the Love and Respect Cycle (the information in the original book)

To conclude, this book would be a welcome addition to the library of any married couple that may be new to the Love and Respect concepts or of the seasoned couple that hopes to reinforce what they may already know but need help putting it into practice.  

"Without (his) love, she reacts without respect;

without (her) respect, he reacts without love."  p. 209

Stop the cycle of defeat in  your marriage 

and enjoy the blessings of God in your relationship.


(I received this book for free from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review: Life Without Limits

(Pictures on this post are from Amazon.com.)

Through videos on YouTube, the information on the Internet, and other forms of news media, most people have been able to learn and be inspired from the story of Nick Vujicic. This young man has become a hero to many, as he seeks to invest his life serving and inspiring others through his example of living a life without limits. 

He has been able to travel the world as an inspirational speaker through dedication, hard work, and fortitude, and he has been able to achieve many if not all of his childhood dreams. What makes him a remarkable man and his achievements so noteworthy is the fact that Nick has never let his life be limited by the fact that he was born with no arms or legs. He has had to open his mind and choose to live a life without limits - - - and the world has never been the same. 

I was able to read this book at a time when I was at a crossroads in my own life - I was seeking to know what to do about where I was at this point in my mid-thirties with being newly unemployed and seeking to know where I was called to go next. I was feeling trapped by my circumstances and unable to see how I was going to find my way out of this into the next step. Nick spoke to me, through this book, and I don't think that I will ever be the same again. 

He opened my eyes to see myself as a person of value, a person who can make a difference, and as a person with only this moment, this day, this life at my disposal. I know that I want to make it count! I don't want to waste a moment looking back; he encourages us to open your arms and mind to imagine the possibilities of what you can achieve when you purpose in your heart not to limit yourself by your attitude, the fear of potential failure, or the immense needs of others out there in the world. Each of us are here for a reason. . . and by seeking to make a difference in the lives of others we meet each day, we will find out true calling and life's work. 

By reading the accounts of his struggles and triumphs, along with his positive, encouraging words, I felt the flame of passion for serving and following my authentic calling again. This 30-something wife and mom of three kids was able to remember what it was that I used dream of doing and what I pursued with passion. Reading his words made my heart soar and my spirits rise! Nick's love for God and people comes through on every page, and his humorous take on rough times reminded me again of the importance of keeping an great attitude in facing the hard times; humor is the pillow to catch is when we get pushed to the floor in life! 

I would recommend this book to anyone, especially since the message is timeless, inspirational, and genuine. He has a pure heart of love for all and the enthusiasm he has for experiencing all that life has to offer really touches me. Nick works so hard every day to reach the stars in every area of his life that he has set off a tidal wave of service and philanthropy. Make each moment of your life count by investing it in the lives of others. Doing so will enable you to also live a life without limits!

     

Click here:  http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/1676

Disclaimer - Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group gave a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

Book Review: Lioness Arising

     This is the first book that I have ever read from this author, although I have heard of her and been intrigued by the titles of her works for a while.  When I found out that I could receive and review this book, I immediately could sense that it would change my life; there are books that can do that to the reader by just them reading the synopsis.  I can honestly say that from the moment I opened this book, I was not disappointed.  She has put words to my heart's cry.  

(Photo found here) 

     Lisa Bevere, along with her husband, are the visionaries behind Messenger International,  which seeks to "inspire(s) godliness while imparting freedom through uncompromised messages releasing people into their fulfilled life in Christ" (quote from their website).  This book, the latest in Lisa's focus in calling women into the truth of God's Word, takes the metaphor of a lioness and a modern-day Christian woman and weaves a riveting account of how God can use the lioness-woman to:

• be a stunning representation of strength*
• fiercely protect the young*
• lend your voice to the silenced*
• live in the light and hunt in the dark*
• raise a collective roar that changes everything*

           *Points found here, at her website.)

     Too often, it becomes easy to be focused on the here and now, in the small bubble of our own existence (and fight for survival) as modern-day women, even as women of Faith.  Lisa challenges us to start thinking of the impact we can (and should) be having on our world by becoming women-warriors who are mindful and deliberate in our focus to impact our world for Christ, as individuals and as a group united with a common calling.  

     As an English teacher and a lover of the written word, I throughly enjoyed the fact that she was able to take the metaphor of the lioness and develop it fully, weaving Scriptures throughout her book, showing me the truths of this concept.  Once I was able to finish reading and close this book, I was inspired anew; I could see that I needed to redirect my thinking to be intentional,  powerful, and visionary, according to the Word of God and not my narrow-mindedness of "reality" versus having the eyes of faith.

     After reading this book, I am reminded again that nothing is impossible for women of faith to achieve when God has called and then equipped all of us, regardless of our personal, daily tasks, age, or situations, in reaching our family, friends, communities, and the world with the truth and clarity of the Gospel and the Love of God.  For such a time as this, yes, we as women of God are called to be world-changers according to the lioness roaring inside all of us.

Will you listen and heed the roar of your sisters in the field?  We are calling you to unite and join us as we redeem the time and change our world for the Glory of God!

Disclaimer - Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group gave a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.

Rate my review here  

Book Review: Love at Last Sight

  

   It was the title that drew me in and hooked my interest to open this book to learn ASAP what would lie inside the cover.  With a title like "Love at Last Sight" one might take a guess that this book would be another run-of-the-mill self-help book, and I admit that I wasn't ready for the impact this book would have in my life and my relationships. I'm only getting started in absorbing all that this book had to offer.


     Right off the bat, this book started with the encouragement to choose three relationships that are not where you want them to be at the moment or that could be improved upon using the steps outlined in the book.  Immediately, I felt convicted, knowing that although I do my best to ensure that my conscience is clear towards others and I don't harbor any known grudges, there are relationships in my life that I value that haven't stayed as close as I want them to be. I immediately was awakened to the fact that I could do something about that.

     Rather than waiting on that other person in the weakened relationship to take the initiative to reach out of do something to improve things between us, I decided to seek God in knowing how *I* could be the one to make the first move, even if I was thinking it was "their" turn.

     The Shooks (the authors of LALS) have set up a wonderful website and developed a SmartPhone App that helps the reader apply the concepts in the book even more.  By taking this 30-day Challenge, you will learn how to practice the Four Lost Arts of Relationship Building:

 1. The Art of Being All There

 2. The Art of Acting Intentionally

 3. The Art of Risking Awkwardness

 4. The Art of Letting Go

     I can't report on how the relationships I am working on are improving; only God knows the ending of the story He is writing about them.  I do know and can report that I am left with the peace in knowing that I am taking an active role in improving the relationships in my life.  With God's help and the tips provided in this book, we can all have Love At Last Sight.


Disclaimer - Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group gave me a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes. 

Please rank my review: Click here