Books for the New Year

I'm taking a break from the internet in the year 2008. This will be the last post for awhile. I wanted to give some tips about how to get books and also books I'm currently reading and those I hope to read in the next year.

PaperBackSwap is an easy way to get books. You make a wish-list and then when someone posts it, they send it free. You also have to post books and then pay to ship it to the person requesting it. I've gotten quite a few this way so far.

Local libraries sometimes have some Christian books. I've been delightfully surprised about what books are available. Check for your nearest public library here.

Books I'm currently enjoying:
The Portrait of the Saint
Family Driven Faith
The Peacemaker

My 2008 reading list:
Zion My Chiefest Joy
God's Purpose with Israel
The Name Above Every Name
Vox Dei
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Excellent Wife
Biblical Womanhood in the Home
Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
Future Men (skim)
Thoughts for Young Men (skim)
For the Family's Sake
Letters to a Daughter
Hollywood be thy Name

Before You Meet Prince Charming

I remember reading this a year ago and eager to share it with a friend. Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity is by the same author, Sarah Mally, who co-wrote Brothers and Sisters with her siblings. Out of all the books I've read on the subject of being a pure young woman for God, this is one of the best. Her personal style of writing keeps you reading! All the topics discussed are so important to understand Biblically and soundly so we may please God in all that we do and aspire to do. I even suggest parents reading this with their young girls, ages 8 and up. I recommend this to everyone but especially single ladies, young and old.

Buy it here or here
Website with other great resources

Matthew Henry's Commentary

It's only been in the past few months that I've gotten into Matthew Henry's Commentary. This man knew God's Word well! I have enjoyed reading his commentary on verses that I want to know more about and understand better. It is interesting to know that it was written over three hundred years ago. I loved the way Zondervan explained the commentary: "The straightfoward manner in which [it] brings Scripture to bear on the practical manners of life and of Christian character together with its deep reverent, devotional style, have made it the most beloved Bible commentary of all time. ...Passage by passage, its prayerful, penetrating reflections inspire and challenge the reader."

Buy it here.
Online unabridged version here.

The Virtuous Woman

One of my favorite booklets is The Virtuous Woman by Sister Jane Roberts. Her writings cover a multitude of questions one might have concerning being a woman of the Lord. It starts with young sisters, then onto married life and being at home. A chapter is dedicated to the relationship with husbands and children. Good works and the goal of life are the last two "chapters". At the end of the booklet is a supplement called "Sisters in Modern Times" which is also very helpful. Sister Jane's charming advice can be read over and over again to uplift and encourage you in the right direction.

Can be read online here
Can be bought here

Monstrous Regiment of Women

The full title of this DVD is The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women taken from the book by reformer John Knox. Since I'm just beginning to learn how imbedded feminism is in our society, this movie really helped me understand what is really going on. To borrow the description from their website: "The Monstrous Regiment of Women, The Gunn Brother’s second documentary, goes all out to demolish the feminist worldview. From a consistently Christian perspective, they show how feminism has had a devastating impact on the church, state, and family. Starting with the infamous 16th century essay written by the reformer John Knox against the reigning female monarch, the Gunn Brothers find plenty of application to America’s political landscape; where feminists vie for every possible office including the presidency. Featuring an all star, all female cast, the Gunn Brothers prove that feminism has in fact restricted choices for all women, brought heartache to the lives of many, and perpetuated the largest holocaust since the beginning of time." Please be aware that this is not a movie for kids!

Read more about it, watch a preview, and buy it here

The Eden String Quartet

Another beautiful family movie from Franklin Springs is The Eden String Quartet: A Bountiful Blessing. This is an hour long documentary about the Miller family on a cattle ranch with four grown daughters who formed a stringed quartet. The back cover: "The beneficiaries of a multi-generational vision for God-honoring family, the Millers encourage, entertain, and inspire an appreciation of hymns and classical music, and for the building of families that honor the Lord." Couldn't have said it any better!

Purchase here
Their website here

Return of the Daughters

The long-awaited documentary, The Return of Daughters:A vision of victory for the single women of the 21st century, came out this past month. The producers are the young ladies that wrote So Much More. "The Return of the Daughters, a one-hour documentary, will take viewers into the homes of young women who are rediscovering the biblical model for daughters, homes, and families and have been experiencing the blessings of God for their counter-cultural decisions...This film will show how the biblical model of family living--which includes working and playing together, demonstrating hospitality, serving the community, and more--is not just a fairy tale for a privileged few but is a roadmap for long-term happiness and a thriving culture." Not only is the main movie excellent, the bonus materials are just as helpful.

Watch the trailer here
Buy it here (with free shipping until Nov. 15)
Or buy it here