Because the book of Proverbs provides us with a poetic road map of how God has designed the world to work, following its practical day-to-day guidance will surely make your life more pleasant. But disconnected from its divine source, even this will prove hollow in the end.

Throughout the book, Lydia takes us through the book of Proverbs, but more importantly points us to our ultimate hope, found only in Christ.

The nine chapters of this book are divided in three parts. Part one discusses what wisdom is and why it matters. The heart of the book, part two, explores six things wise women know. These six chapters cover our words, friendship, self-control, feelings, finances, and sex. The final part is an in-depth look at Proverbs 31.

All the book is solidly biblical and helpful. The final chapter on Proverbs 31 was, in my opinion, the strongest chapter in the book. This chapter is often boiled down to a giant, unrealistic “to-do” list, but Lydia managed to bring out the heart issues behind the actions, all while grounding it in the gospel.

I also enjoyed the study guide at the end. This is not just a handful of discussion questions tacked on the end, but a thorough exploration of the principles in every chapter. The questions meatier than those of many Bible studies on the market today. The book also provides a web address where the study guide can be printed out at a larger size, which would be very helpful.

And though were not supposed to judge books this way, I think cover is exceptionally pretty, which is a plus.

This book would be a good choice for a book study or to use in a discipling setting. Even if you feel you don’t need advice in say, finances, you might find something to think about. This is a solid resource for Christian women.

A review copy of this book was provided by Crossway Publishers. This review contains my honest opinion.

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The Daniel Plan got a page or two (and I still think it’s based on a faulty application of Daniel 1), the rest of the pages (all 448 of them), describe Dr. Hyman’s plan to reverse the effects of “diabesity” (diabetes and obesity).

This book contained a lot of filler. A lot of success stories from Dr. Hyman’s patients. A lot of statistics. A lot of studies that show that the American diet of processed foods and refined sugar and flour is killing us. It’s a little short on new information.

I have two main points of disagreement with Dr. Hyman. First off, he paints a pretty bad picture of American physicians. He implies that doctors just write prescriptions for diabetes without realizing that lifestyle changes would help their patients. I disagree. The lifestyle changes Dr. Hyman recommends are difficult and require a level of sacrifice most people won’t be willing to commit to. Most doctors would be thrilled if their patients eliminated processed foods and exercised daily. If doctors are too quick to rely on prescriptions, it’s borne out of a realistic observation of human nature, not ignorance of the benefits of diet and exercise.

I also have trouble with the amount of supplements this plan recommends — which he conveniently sells at his website. I’m sure you could find them for less elsewhere, but it’s still a huge investment. It’s true that I saw a lot of drugs withdrawn from the market in my years as a pharmacist, but I’ve also seen supplements that were once touted as cure-alls fall out of favor (or be deemed dangerous). I’m sure people who follow the plan and take the supplements have great results, but I’d be willing to bet that simply cutting out processed foods and exercising as much as Dr. Hyman recommends would yield dramatic results as well — without investing hundreds of dollars per month in supplements.

I have a few other quibbles. I can’t get behind some of the taxes and restrictions he wants to impose on the food industry. Christians will be opposed to his recommendations of meditation and yoga (although that’s only a couple of paragraphs, not an overarching theme).

If you need to lose weight, are worried about diabetes (or have diabetes), or would like a book that points you to a healthier lifestyle, this one is fine. But if you’re aware of the dangers of processed foods and have a good handle on the correlation between a high carbohydrate diet and weight gain, you probably won’t find a lot of new information here.

A free copy of this book was provided for review purposes. This review reflects my honest opinion.

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After I spoke, I chatted with a woman who was my teacher for one of the kids’ programs. Every Sunday evening from 1st through 3rd grade, I walked to the church where Joan (am I spelling that right?) and Betty taught us and helped us memorize Bible verses. They also arranged fun things like hayrides and at least once took us to Santa Claus Land (which is now known as Holiday World). The church used a program called Whirlybirds. We were awarded small prizes for memory work that we attached to little beanies like the one in the picture. We were very cool.

I can’t quote her exactly, but she mentioned that in the moment it often seemed so hectic that she wondered if anything was being accomplished. My response was an eloquent, “Wait…what?”

You see, in my mind, we filed in with our hands folded, recited our verses perfectly, then sat silently during the lesson time. And so now, as an adult leader of the same age group, I find myself in despair that I’m faced with a roomful of wiggling bodies who would sometimes rather kick their chairs and stare at the ceiling than listen.

I’ve been doing it long enough to see some fruit. The child who I once chased through the halls during VBS is now a leader in the youth group. But I assumed those beanies covered up some shiny halos, which is apparently not correct.

I told Joan of my surprise the next morning at church. “When I remember it,” I said, “it just seemed to go so smoothly for you.”

And she laughed. And she laughed some more. Which is more encouraging than she’ll ever know.

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2 college degrees

4 homes

2 cities

3 career changes (2 for him, 1 for me)

3 dogs

3 babies

18 years

Previous posts about us:

One Sunday in February

Foresight May be Vain

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The mistake wasn’t the kind of thing I’ll be worried about in 20 years, but it was too important to ignore. I had to try to make it right.

I don’t like confrontation, and I avoid it to a degree that isn’t always good (unless it’s my kids or my husband, but that’s another post). Sometimes people just mess up, and you can show them grace by letting it go. Other times people make mistakes that cause problems for a whole bunch of people, you aren’t doing them any favors by staying quiet. And I hate that part.

So today I am thankful for a good outcome. The person could have felt cornered and come out fighting. Instead, a gracious apology was offered, with the promise to make it right.

And for that I am thankful.

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Dan Phillips says the reasons for both problems is the same: People don’t have a full understanding of the Gospel. In our efforts to make the Gospel more palatable, we have robbed it of its power. He seeks to solve that error in his book, The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight.

The book answers four questions: who we are, what God has done for us, how we get in, and how we get going. And he answers these four questions thoroughly, with plenty of helpful examples and Scripture references to further clarify.

I think this book be ideal for new Christians. I wish I had had it twenty years ago, because it would have saved me a world of hurt. But even if you think you have a firm grasp of the Gospel, Dan’s clear explanations will help you understand it better. It’s also possible (probable?) you might have a few fuzzy ideas that this book will help clarify. Besides that, Christians need to understand that though the Gospel is what saves us, it’s also what empowers us to live the Christian life. We all need the Gospel, and even if we already know it, we need to know it more deeply.

Most books are aimed at one group of people, to fix one particular problem. The beauty of this book is that anyone can get something out of it, regardless of how long you’ve been a Christian, or even if you’re just exploring. Not many books can fill such a tall order, but this one does. It’s worth your time and money.

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Sitting…on the couch.

Drinking…coffee

Reading…A Woman’s Wisdom: How the Book of Proverbs Speaks to Everything by Lydia Brownback (review copy from Crossway). Last night I finished World-Tilting Gospel (review tomorrow, Lord willing).

Hoping…to finish the school year strong. It always feels a bit like slogging this time of year. Oldest has mostly enjoyed his first year of public school, but you can’t take a day off if everybody’s tired. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…

Thankful…that we’re almost there. A lot of our weekly stuff is over for the summer, which helps a lot. Our Wednesday night children’s ministry has its final meeting tomorrow night. It’s rewarding work, but getting everyone where they need to be on Wednesdays has been tricky lately.

Preparing…my talk for the women’s banquet at my home church this weekend. Don’t have a title, but it’s going to be about how to examine the chaos in our lives through the lens of the gospel. I just need something…pithier.

Surprised…that pithier is a real word. Who’d a thunk it?

Discovering…that preparing to speak to any group is intimidating, but the prospect of speaking to people who have known you since before you were born? A whole different kettle of fish.

Realizing…that I could research till the cows come home, but I have a hard time knowing when to stop researching and start getting my ideas down on paper.

Grateful…for the Holy Spirit. My job is simply to tell the truth and get out of the way.

Praying…for several friends who are facing very hard things.

Pondering…this quote (from one of those friends who is going through a hard thing):

Take heed that you overlook not the many precious mercies which the people of God enjoy amidst all their trouble.” —John Flavel

And all I can add to that is: Amen!

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We were not being raucous, but we were also not pursuing the things of God. I knew the tenor of our conversation would be offensive to them, and I hoped my friends would remain quiet until the couple went inside. I didn’t expect a lecture, but I braced for a scowl of disapproval.

The young man smiled as he passed. “Hello. How are you all?”

We nodded. We were fine.

“Have a nice night.”

We all mumbled our thanks and watched as they disappeared into their apartment.

That, I thought to myself, is the kind of life I want to have someday.

But no sooner had the thought entered my mind than my conscience stabbed. Someday? Could one really put God aside until one was ready?

Of course, I reasoned. It will be easier to live the Christian life later. In a few years, maybe. Just not now.

I knew in my soul that my logic was flawed. The lie that people could have God on their own terms was first told in the garden by a serpent. The verses I had learned as a child reminded me that Christianity was not a garment one could put on and remove at will, but a life. A dying to oneself. A cross to carry.

But apart from that, if the evening was successful, and I finally caught the eye of that college boy across the way, was that a choice that would lead me to this final goal?

I mostly pushed the thoughts aside, but the shell of a seed, faithfully planted by so many godly teachers through the years, began to soften. It would take several months for the barriers to finally fall away, but that night was a beginning.

I am indebted to that couple, wherever they are. It was nothing more than a kind hello and a friendly smile, but it helped turn me to a different path.

Never underestimate the impact of your witness to a watching world.

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I’ve seen a lot of links to Nathan Bingham’s post on Why the internet isn’t Magic Land, but here’s another in case you didn’t see it earlier. Just as there is no free lunch, there is no free internet. A good reminder.

What is the Gospel? by D.A. Carson. A very good sermon from a very good teacher.

Trisha says it so well in this post about our Haunting Ideals and how they never really satisfy.

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Unimportant but related facts:

My family assures me I really sound like that. I’m not convinced.

Aaron suggested it was the contrast between his Canadian accent and my Midwestern one. That was kind of him, but he doesn’t sound as Canadian as some other people I know. (I’m looking at you Kim. And Neil. And Tim. Eh?)

Aaron’s done a few interviews now. I probably have the longest outtake reel so far. (I may or may not have gotten the giggles towards the end.)

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