I could sit and listen to Lisa McKay talk for hours, I understand why God called her, ministry is all over her! Listen in…

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Like what you hear? Post a comment for a chance to win a FREE copy of her book You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes and Other Great Advice From an Unlikely Preacher’s Wife!

Excerpt from the introduction of You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes…and Other Great Advice from an Unlikely Preacher’s Wife by Lisa McKay (© David C Cook, 2010)

“God is calling you to do what?”

Such was my reaction fifteen years ago when my husband, Luke, told me he felt God was leading him into the gospel ministry. Even though I supported him wholeheartedly, I naively believed this calling was somehow just his gig. My job was simply to accompany him while he did his “thing.”

Reality didn’t hit until a well-meaning gentleman enlightened me on the expectations of a minister’s wife. He said, “The best thing you can do for Luke is learn how to play the piano. He’ll have a much easier time being called as a pastor of a church. Congregations love it when the pastor’s wife can contribute. It’s like they are getting two for one!” If I knew then what I know now, I would have had a serious fight with the flesh to keep from sharing my thoughts on the buy-one-get-one-free concept.

The restraint of the Holy Spirit is a beautiful thing.

Before that moment, it truly had not entered my mind that anyone would expect anything of me, or that my lack of musical talent could affect my husband’s “success” in ministry. I thought of my childhood pastor’s wife, a grim-faced woman whose hair was piled high in a bun. Polyester skirts and sensible shoes were her standard uniform. And yes, she played the piano. Was this the person I must become in order for God to use our family in ministry?

…It also did not help that the books I read about being a ministry wife only reinforced my insecurities. The advice ranged from how to brew a perfect cup of tea for a ladies’ luncheon to how to organize a large staff when hosting a dinner party. According to these books, I was to be gracious at all times, keep a spotless home, and have well-dressed, obedient children. I’m certainly not criticizing these noble aspirations, but even before children I was completely overwhelmed at this picture of perfection. I don’t agree with the busyness of our culture, yet there is no use in denying I often fall prey to its trappings. The truth is, I am a wife and mother deep in the trenches.  The only tea I brew is Lipton. And staff? Are you kidding me? If I ever have a workforce at my disposal, they will be too busy doing laundry to prepare a dinner for the deacons. And where do I begin with the kids? Someone please tell me what to do with a child who sneaks his Halloween costume under his clothes, strips off in the bathroom, and shakes hands as Spiderman during the greeting song when he is supposed to be in children’s church. Susanna Wesley would definitely not approve.

You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes by Lisa McKay

David C Cook   February 1, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-4347-6726-4/208 pages/softcover/$12.99

www.davidccook.com

www.apreacherswife.com

Sadly, many women today see their ongoing singleness as a weakness or lack of worth. In truth,our dreams go unfulfilled not because we do not deserve for them to come true, but often because of wrong assumptions–assumptions that can easily be corrected.

Drawing on both male and female perspectives, this book deals with the hard issues and questions you and other women ponder as you consider how to obtain lasting love. What Women Don’t Know(and men don’t tell you) will help you adjust your desires, redefine what you are attracted to, set your values in order, and determine your goals–freeing you at last to pursue the loving relationship you desire.

• How can you encourage and support your husband?
• How can you protect and nurture your children?
• How can you relate to women in your church?
• How can you serve the Lord with joy?

These questions are common to many women, but are specially crucial for ministry wives, who live in the midst of a unique culture and calling from God. If you are one of these women, you may feel disconnected from many of those around you ad you struggle to understand how to more faithfully fulfill this calling.

Susie Hawkins has been there. As the wife of a minister who has served in small rural Churches, large mega-churches, and in denominational leadership, she invites you to join her in a frank and hope-filled conversation about what it means to be a ministry wife.

I waited for quite a while for the opportunity to interview Sharon Jaynes. You know the saying, “good things come to those who wait”? In this case, that saying rang as true as the sky is blue.

Let’s face it, women lie to themselves all the time; I’m not pretty enough, thin enough, a good enough mother or wife, and the list easily grows. However, ladies, Sharon has combated those lies with truth in her book I’m Not Good Enough…and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves.

I had to get out pen and paper and take notes during this interview so you may want to do the same. Truthfully, I lie to myself all the time and this book helped me fight against those untruths with truth. I must confess, truth wins every time.

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To learn more about Sharon Jaynes visit www.SharonJaynes.com.

You’ve heard the lies before. Maybe even whispered one or two to yourself from time to time. Maybe repeated them so often you’ve started to believe them.

• Nobody loves me
• I’m worthless
• I would be happier married to someone else
• I can’t forgive the person who hurt me
• I’m just not good enough

The list goes on.

It’s time to recognize the enemy’s lies and to replace those lies with the Bible’s liberating truth.

It’s time to renew your mind and think God’s thoughts rather than be held in bondage by the enemy’s deceptions.

It’s time to be set free to see yourself as God sees you: His holy, chosen, cleansed, forgiven, and dearly loved child.

Now that’s a truth worth repeating.

(Group)

Connie has such a bubbly personality, I loved interviewing her!

Check it out:

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Me? A mentor? I don’t think so…Think again!

Mentoring can happen when you simply go out for coffee, catch a movie, drive to the airport, visit a favorite store, or walk around your neighborhood. Just think of anything two women can do together!

Sound too easy to be true? It isn’t.

Let God use you right now…just as you are.

* Discover an exciting way to mentor the younger women in your life – and those to come! Connie’s approach is not the bland & basic match-you-with-a-mentor program, and there’s no formal structure to follow.

* Learn how to watch for “God” moments & lifestyle connections with other women. You’ll gain lots of ideas and up-to-date research as Connie busts popular mentoring myths–and empowers you to invest in other women through relationships.

* It’s fun! Not time-consuming, not expensive. You don’t need to have an endless supply of wisdom or know the Bible inside & out. You just need to be available, ready to listen & share, and willing to walk through life situations with another person.

About the authors:

Connie Witt has worked alongside her husband as a pastor’s wife for more than 25 years. They recently started a ministry called REPLENISH, which focuses on refreshing and refueling Christian leaders. Connie speaks at women’s events nationally and internationally.

Cathi Workman share the voice of a younger generation through her own perspectives and extensive research.

Every Christian woman who desires to be married one day, should own a copy of Lord, I’m Ready to Be a Wife. Christine Pembleton broke the mold when she wrote this book. She is energetic and authentic with her approach to single Christian women. She addresses issues head on with no room for misunderstanding that most people sugar coat.

Christine challenges women to stop acting single and start acting like a wife-in-waiting.

I hope you’re ready for this awesome interview that will take you on a journey to another way of thinking.

About the author:

Christine Pembleton is a wife, mother, and minister. She hosts the Christian Wives Club Show, a weekly interview radio program that encourages women, both single and married, to become the vies God wants them to be. She and her husband Bob live in Philadelphia with their two children. To learn more about Christine or the book please visit www.ReadytoBeaWife.com.

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Have you built a relationship, only to tear it down with anger or jealousy?

Does your pursuit of peace end up shortchanged by stress?

Do you release past hurts and then carry the shame of them with you?

What controls you?

Author and speaker Michelle Borques knows firsthand what happens when deadly emotions take over our lives: ” We create havoc in our marriages, friendships, jobs, and in our relationship with Christ.”

Are you ready to trade a counterfeit life based on lies and destructive for an authentic life empowered by truth? Michelle invites you to share in her journey’s wisdom, biblical insights, stories of transformation from others, and Freedom Actions that will help you

recognize deadly patterns and embrace God’s positive emotional living.

find new and healthy ways to deal with previously damaged relationships

discover how god can use your emotions to help you live the way He intended

If you’ve ever thought ” Get control of yourself, girl!” now you can do something even better–you can give the control over to God and experience His peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, joy, faithfulness, and so much more.

]]> http://booksalatte.com/2009/08/13/overcoming-the-seven-deadly-emotions/feed/ 0 http://booksalatte.com/2009/08/12/the-friends-we-keep/ http://booksalatte.com/2009/08/12/the-friends-we-keep/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:38:05 +0000 admin http://booksalatte.com/?p=721

During a partially painful time in her life, Sara Zacharias Davis learned how delightful–and wounding– women can be in friendship. She saw how some friendships end badly, others die slow deaths, and how a chance acquaintance can become that enduring friend you need.

The Friends We Keep is Sarah’s thoughtful account of her own experiences and those of other women in navigating friendship. Her revealing discoveries tackle the questions every woman asks

Why do we long for women friends?

Do we need friends like we need air or food or water?

What causes cattiness, competition, and co-dependency  in too many friendships?

Why do some friendships last forever and others only a season?

How do we foster friendship?

When is it time to let a friend go, and how do we do so?

With heartfelt, intelligent writing, Sara explores these questions and more with personal stories, cultural references and history, faith, and grace. In the process, she delivers wisdom for navigating the challenges, mysteries, and delights of friendship: why we need friendships with other women, what it means to be safe in a relationship, and how to embrace what a friend has to offer, whether meager or generous.

]]> http://booksalatte.com/2009/08/12/the-friends-we-keep/feed/ 2 http://booksalatte.com/2009/08/07/dear-mom/ http://booksalatte.com/2009/08/07/dear-mom/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:49:22 +0000 admin http://booksalatte.com/?p=713

Raising a teen daughter can be like trying to chart a course underwater. You can drown i an ocean of one-word answers, defensive conversations, and unpredictable outbursts, and never get anywhere. Popular teen girls’ novelist Melody Carlson helps you cut through murky, deep, uncharted and seemingly unsafe waters so you can hear what you daughter’s really trying to tell you through her anger, silence, and mixed messages:

“I need you, but i wont admit it.”

“I’m not as confident as i appear.”

“I have friends. I need a mother.”

Instead of focusing on outward behaviors, Dear Mom captures your daughter’s heart and soul. You can know your daughter’s hopes and fears, and her doubts and dreans about her identity, guys, friendships, and even you. And you can connect on a deeper, more intimate level that will carry both you and your daughter throught the stormy seas of life.

Allison Bottke is a dynamic speaker and author and my heart rejoiced when I learned I would have the opportunity to interview her. This woman of God is full of energy and spunk and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Allison is a boomer babe who thrives on empowering and inspiring other boomer babies around the world. Allison is the creator of the best-selling God Allows U-Turns anthologies. To learn more about her visit www.BoomerBabesRock.com

Listen to Allison and I as we chat about her latest novel You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, and how it rocks to be a boomer babe!

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