Kristi Woods

Strengthen Your Marriage with These {Book Review}

October 15, 2019 by Kristi 14 Comments

Two Christian Marriage books in upper left corner with blog post title — **Pin me for later!**
*This post may contain* *affiliate links.*

Strengthen Your Marriage with These New Releases

Are you looking for marriage tips, practical ways to strengthen your bond with that wonderful spouse of yours? Do you like short and sweet yet effective? Consider two new books on the market.

Super easy to read, both overflow with helpful, realistic ideas to strengthen your marriage.

Find more on marriage here and here.

New Marriage Book for Wives

Say hello to 100 Ways to Love Your Husband by Lisa Jacobson. Call it solid equipment for our wifely toolboxes, friend.

736618: 100 Ways to Love Your Husband: The Simple, Powerful Path to a Loving Marriage

100 Ways to Love Your Husband: The Simple, Powerful Path to a Loving Marriage
By Lisa Jacobson

Many marriage books crowd the market, several good ones, too. But I hope folks make room for this one.

Here’s why:

Practical Ideas
Lisa pulls from her decades of marriage to Matt and the practical ideas that have worked for them. Some action steps seem rather small and inconsequential, but results assure something much more impacting. (My own 25+ of wedded bliss attests to this.)
Easy to Read
For the busy woman, speed and ease warm her like the bright rays of summer sunshine. With large-font action steps listed on each page, readers easily skim to find which idea sticks best…then read the small paragraph below it for further encouragement or insight.
Story
Lisa includes a few stories of her own throughout this book. It creates credibility and allows readers to relate to her and her struggles as well as her successes.

(Not to mention we women need a little conversation, right?)
Gratitude
In “Way” #87, Lisa mentions showing gratitude for his gifts. Girl, I’ve hiccuped on this one in the past. She’s right. Be thankful for those gifts the hubster offers.

New Book Release for Husbands

We can’t review one book without the other. So shall we dive into the husband’s version?

736658: 100 Ways to Love Your Wife: The Simple, Powerful Path to a Loving Marriage

100 Ways to Love Your Wife: The Simple, Powerful Path to a Loving Marriage
By Matt Jacobson

Say hello to 100 Ways to Love Your Wife by Matt Jacobson–the companion to 100 Ways to Love Your Husband. Sold separately, they would make a wonderful, helpful wedding or anniversary gift when combined. Their formats mimic each other, and although the “ways” listed are similar in idea, Matt presents them from a male’s view. Several action steps remain specific to the husband’s book only.

Here’s why I love this book:

Faithful
In “Way” #69 Matt mentions assuring her you’ll be faithful forever. That simple yet powerful conversation boosts a wife’s confidence sky-high. (Experience speaking here. Tony and I conversed about this when we were first married. When rocky times came, and they did, knowing we were both in it for the long haul brought solace and hope to those volatile situations.)
Story
Matt offers fewer personal anecdotes than Lisa, evidencing the difference between men and women. 🙂 The two or three he includes are effective. As a woman, I would have liked to have seen more. I suspect my husband would disagree.
Podcast
Look for a bonus in the back pages of each book. Lisa and Matt host a marriage podcast. I’ve just started listening to it. So far, so good. I’d recommend it. If you already listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Would I recommend purchasing 100 Ways to Love Your Husband and 100 Ways to Love Your Wife? Absolutely. Keep in mind the practicalness, simplicity, effectiveness, and the overflowing ideas contained within each to help strengthen marriages–yours, mine, and even the people we pass these books along to.

How Can I Purchase?

Purchase your copy by clicking on the book cover graphics above. (Affiliate link.) This link supports Christian business.

Or, find them wherever books are sold.

(The publisher supplied a free copy of these books that help strengthen your marriage in exchange for an honest review. )

More Book Reviews

Do you appreciate book reviews? If so, you might also enjoy these:

Announcing the Christian Faith Library - light green with gold

Here’s a New Christian Book Release to Savor

October 8, 2019 by Kristi 6 Comments

Stack of books with the title for a new Christian book. — Don’t forget to pin me for later!

Allow me to introduce you to Janet Hines, a beautiful follower of God and craftswoman of words. We’re celebrating her new Christian book release, and today she’s sharing with us this beautiful, peace-laden devotional. Enjoy, friends. ~ Kristi

Note: This blog post is a bonus devotion celebrating the launch of Janet Hines’ new book Between the Valley and the Mountaintop: Glimpses of God in the Middle Places.

“We can’t all walk through the same open door – there isn’t room for all of us.”

When I spoke those words, I was in conversation with friends. We were talking about how to know where to place our best efforts in ministry. One’s opinion differed from the others and truthfully I don’t think any of the four of us saw the same open door in front of us. But as I listened carefully there was value in what we individually saw and I could see how God had laid a path for each of us to follow that would make this a strong and dedicated kingdom work.

That’s when I realized the importance of knowing God’s voice in our own lives. So true! How we learn to discern His plan for us depends on how we have learned to connect with Him. How we connect with Him determines our commitment to Him and our commitment to Him decides which door we choose.

I love Jesus’ words about knowing His voice and which door He has created for us.

Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (ESV)

John 10:9

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (ESV)

We learn God’s voice by spending time with Him. Think of when you answer the phone and you instantly recognize the other person by their voice. Think of when you answer the phone and don’t recognize the voice. Aren’t we cautious until they identify themselves? At that time, we chose whether we would continue the conversation or hang up.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (ESV)

Traversing the valleys and the mountains of my life, I realize there have been times when I tried to force myself through doors because that was the direction everyone else was going. It wasn’t until I developed a personal relationship with God that I was able to discern His plan for me. Even in the middle places, it was hard because there were so many distractions. I often ended up making no commitment to any door. I stood there like a lost sheep not knowing which way to turn.

Until I learned to pick out God’s voice in the midst of the chaotic noise of the world, I wasn’t able to clearly see the door with my name on it.

There isn’t a lot of room for others to walk through my door because God created each of us as part of a body that works together. Each door builds the house of God’s kingdom.

Much of our journey is focused on finding our purpose and finding our purpose happens when we allow God to lead us to and open the very door He designed for just us.

This is about the door and the Voice.

Do you know the Voice of our Savior? Have you deliberately chosen to seek and follow His?

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (ESV)

God promises us He will answer us when we turn to Him and depend on Him to lead us through the valleys. He leads us through the middle places and on to the mountaintop!

Isaiah 30:21

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (ESV)

Meet Him. He is in the valley, the middle places and the mountaintop and He will meet you when you turn to Him no matter where you are. With Him as your Guide, you will begin a new journey filled with an eternal hope.

“Father, God. Meet each of us today, right now, wherever we are. Clear a path for us Lord. Lead us to the door because we know You have one created just for us. We praise You, Lord. We love You. Amen.”

Other pieces you may enjoy:
Is God Prompting You to Step out in Faith Right Now?
Ever Tried to Define Faith this Way?

About Janet

Janet Hines is a photographer and author on a journey of restoration and learning to be grateful for brokenness. Through
photography, travel experiences and writing, she brings together
pieces of life in ways that connect with the hurting people who need
to know they are not alone. Her heart’s desire is to build a
community of hope through sharing Christ all of her days. Connect
with Janet at janethines.com and order her new book through
Amazon.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Announcing the Faith Library - light green with gold

My 5 Favorite Christian Books on Prayer

October 1, 2019 by Kristi 8 Comments

Do you enjoy reading and using Christian books on prayer? Maybe you’re a newcomer to the Christian faith, a parent or spouse looking for prayer guidance, or a seasoned believer eager to learn more about prayer. There’s something in this list of my favorite Christian books on prayer for a wide array of folks.

Many of these titles have been in print for several years, so it looks as though other folks like these, too. All of them not only help our Christian faith, but they help to build up others by encouraging simple conversation and intercession with God. See if one of these books fits your needs.

(Affiliates links may be included in this post.)

A Simple Way to Pray

Becky Tirabassi has a wonderful way of making prayer seem approachable. After all, God is. So is prayer! She encourages us to see prayer simply as a conversation with God.

This author helps each of us ease into prayer with this Christian book on prayer: Let God Talk to You. This is an especially good book for those beginning their journey with God and prayer.

208411: Let God Talk to You: When You Hear Him, You Will Never Be the Same

Let God Talk to You: When You Hear Him, You Will Never Be the Same
By Becky Tirabassi

Books on How to Pray Effectively

Some of the most effective prayer times I’ve had with the Lord include praying His Word. Beth Moore’s on to something with this.

Praying God’s Word helps us to pray to overcome spiritual strongholds.

464337: Praying God&quot;s Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds, Paperback Edition

Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds, Paperback Edition
By Beth Moore

Prayers for Your Children

We reviewed the two books below on the blog a few months ago. You can read the post here. I love these! They are two of my favorite parenting prayer tools.

One book targets daughters and the other sons. Because each faces different adversities, the prayers and focus change accordingly. Both books are well worth the simple investment.

Powerful Prayers for Your Daughter: Praying for Every Part of Her Life

Powerful Prayers for Your Son: Praying for Every Part of His Life

Find other book reviews here and here.

Powerful Prayer Books

The two books listed below (plus a whole library of other prayer titles) were written by Stormie Omartian. They’re simple but powerful, too. (Read this review of The Power of a Praying Wife .)

One thing I like about each of these titles is that they are easily read and prayed. Simple can equate to powerful, too. Look for other titles concerning husbands, adult children, and more.

The Power of a Praying Wife
By Stormie Omartian

The Power of a Praying Woman
By Stormie Omartian

Pray Like a Warrior

I read this book Christian book on prayer nearly twenty years ago. It’s been around for a bit.

If you’re looking for a handbook of sorts that encourages a deeper prayer life, one that dives into the depths far beyond lukewarmness and includes personal stories, consider this one. Become a prayer warrior.

797970: Becoming a Prayer Warrior, repackaged edition

Becoming a Prayer Warrior, repackaged edition
By Elizabeth Alves

So there you have it — my 5 favorite Christian books on prayer. (Plus a couple of related bonus titles! ) How about you? What are your favorite books on prayer? Go ahead and mention them in the comments below. We’d love to learn from you, too.

Bible Memory Verses

Now that we’re back to blogging, we’re also back to memory verses. But there’s a slight change. Look for a link to this year’s Who Am I memory verses on the Free Christian Resources page. (Halfway down, under the Memory Verses tab.)

Look for additions to this file 2x/month for October and November. You’re welcome to print these files for your personal use, or download them and use them as a screen saver.

Take God’s Word with you wherever you go!