Book Club

[Kelly]

Hey ladies,

I don't know about you, but I plan to read a LOT this summer. That's one thing I haven't done much of in the last year. Maybe I just needed a year to recover from all the college textbooks I've read over the past 8 years hehe. But I decided to start reading again, and I hope to read a lot this summer! I thought we could use a thread where we share what books we're reading and make recommendations for those looking for books to read.

I just got one in the mail today from the Billy Graham Association called God's Power to Change Your Life. I saw a link for it when I went to view Let it Fade on the website and went for it :) It was totally free, so I figured why not? But it's written by Rick Warren who I love, so it should be good. I'll let you know :)

[LauraA]

What a cool idea, Kelly!

I love to read, but I never have the time I need to really get into a book. I've got about 5 started. I'm not kidding. LOL. The one I'm reading the most right now is "We Survived". It's about the holocaust. It's so inspiring how complete strangers would risk their lives for each other and hide someone in their home to keep them safe.

[Kelly]

Hehe I believe you Laura because I was there once! I think I had 4 going at once....bad idea. Never finished any of them :p My sister has a book right now called Twilight. I don't know a whole lot about it but I got a Christian magazine in the mail yesterday that recommends reading it. Apparently it's all about vampires, but the magazine said it's a great thought-provoking book. So I may borrow that after I finish this one.

[LauraA]

Eeekkk. That's nightmare material. LOL. (Yes, I have nightmares if I read or see anything the least bit "scary". So I avoid it.)

[LauraA]

Ok, you know I LOVE to read, and I have NO time. So what did I do? I went to a garage sale on Saturday and bought about 25 books. Yup. They'll last me for years unless my life slows down. lol. Of course, Kelly could move up here and read them so they don't just sit there waiting their turn! ;)

[souledoutforchrist]

I just got done reading "Deadline", "Dominion" & "Deception" by Randy Alcorn. They were pretty good. The first one was a bit slow & took me a couple weeks to read. The last one was my favorite & I had it done in a few days. They focus alot of characters after they die & are in heaven. It was interesting, different from other books I have read.

[gracie_010]

I absolutely love any Karen Kingsbury book. I would recommend any of her books, especially the Redemption Series. She is by far my favorite auther, but my all-time favorite book is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It's a must read.

[confused]

i love karen kingsbury too

i just got finished reading a book called "the year of fog" about a woman who loses her fiances child.
its one you have to read in one sitting. or i did anyway. :D

[JeepGirl83]

They are not new, but I am into reading the Love Comes Softly series by Jeanette Oke. Sooo good! I love stories just like these ones. I got into them after seeing several of the made for tv movies. Lovely stories :D

[souledoutforchrist]

They are not new, but I am into reading the Love Comes Softly series by Jeanette Oke. Sooo good! I love stories just like these ones. I got into them after seeing several of the made for tv movies. Lovely stories :D

Oh those are so good. I was bummed they didn't follow the books better with the movies.

[Kelly]

Wow! Thanks for all the recommendations!!!! I guess I need to make a trip to the library :p Actually I'm still working on "God's Power to Change Your Life" and I have these lined up:

Lessons from the Road - Nigel James (Third Day's road pastor) - talks about life on the road, devotionals that he shared with the guys, etc...
The Word of the Cross in a World of Glory - Philip Ruge-Jones - Phil was actually my college professor and he is so awesome, I know this book will be too! I can't wait to read it!!!!
She's Come Undone - Wally Lamb - a story about a woman, written in first person narrative by a man...one of my college professors actually recommended this book for a project i was doing in class but i never had time to read it
The Shack - William Young - never heard of it, but I'm participating in Mark Lee's (Third Day) summer reading club and everyone else has recommended this one so I figured I'd give it a shot :)

[Wheels4Jesus]

I just got the Chronicles of Narnia series of books. I am in chapter 3 of book 1. I have noticed though that the movies coming out are not in the order of the books. what's up with that?!?!

[souledoutforchrist]

Hmm I'm thinking cause they're only doing the books with the 3 kids in them. Just a guess, I haven't read the books since before the movies came out.

[almostXbrooklyn]

ohh ^-^ twilight is a really good book actually. and i'm not much of a reader..

as for me i might finish the book i got like 1/4th through for school called playing for the ashes, which was realllly good but kinda messed up and confusing but i think most of my summer will be spent between working and sleeping.

[jayhawk4]

I just got the Chronicles of Narnia series of books. I am in chapter 3 of book 1. I have noticed though that the movies coming out are not in the order of the books. what's up with that?!?!

Yeah, they are in order...they've just skipped a couple of books. They've skipped the ones that have different characters in them.

[jayhawk4]

Right now I'm reading Miss Match by Erynn Mangum and loving it. Her style is a lot of fun to read and funny. Erynn is in her early twenties, as is the book's main character, so I can relate. :)

[Kelly]

Ok if yall get the chance, you need to read "Do It Afraid" by Joyce Meyer. It's a TINY book....no bigger than my hand, and only about 50 pages. I read it in a little over an hour. Very good though! I just love her! I used to watch her program every morning before school....but that requires getting up before the sun, which I don't do too often these days :p But anyways, this book is all about pushing through your fears and finding the strength to do things even when you're afraid to.

[wormie412]

Yeah, they are in order...they've just skipped a couple of books. They've skipped the ones that have different characters in them.I read that they were coming out in the order they were written.

But anyways.. I'm currently reading White by Ted Dekker. The last in the Circle series.

[4him]

I am reading a series by Beverly Lewis called "The Courtship of Nellie Fisher" and it is really good. I love reading books about the Amish life and especially those that have the characters come to truly know God and what he desires of us. I really recomend this series and any other books by her to all of you wanting something good to read. Enjoy!

In Him, Leah

[krazyyouth]

Im reading Your not your own-
Jason Perry its a really good book

[LauraA]

I am reading a series by Beverly Lewis called "The Courtship of Nellie Fisher" and it is really good. I love reading books about the Amish life and especially those that have the characters come to truly know God and what he desires of us. I really recomend this series and any other books by her to all of you wanting something good to read. Enjoy!

In Him, Leah

Hi Leah!

I LOVE Beverly Lewis books! Is the one you are reading now a new one?

[4him]

Hi Leah!

I LOVE Beverly Lewis books! Is the one you are reading now a new one?



I am not sure how new the book is, probably pretty recent. If you haven't read it, or the other ones of it's series, than you should. Beverly Lewis is one of my favoritest authors too.

[krazyyouth]

Yeah i just Finish readin Your not your own...Jason Perry. It was very good he talked about his walk with Christ and how for pepole to get a mentor and that it is hard and no christian is perfect and eeryone does stuff stupit basicly

[Kissy]

"Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers.
I like that book I couldn't put it down. Both daughters read it.
Now my husband is reading it. I plan to pass it on to a cousin when he is
finished.
I like to read :D

[4him]

"Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers.
I like that book I couldn't put it down. Both daughters read it.
Now my husband is reading it. I plan to pass it on to a cousin when he is
finished.
I like to read :D

I read that one too, it made me cry because it was so good. Do you, or have you read any of her other books? They are all just so powerful and very addicting.

[Kissy]

No have not read any of her other books.

[beautiful_love]

I absolutely love any Karen Kingsbury book. I would recommend any of her books, especially the Redemption Series. She is by far my favorite auther, but my all-time favorite book is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It's a must read.

I read that book a couple months back. I loved it. I'd definitely recommend that one to anybody! It is truly amazing.

[Special_K]

I L-O-V-E to read!!!!!! Alot of my friends think im crazy cuz im only 14 and can finish a 300 page book in like 3 hours. And remember the whole story. But heres my dilema im not reading anything right now. :[ Sad to say. Its cuz my mom has decided not to buy anymore books for me and says i need to go to the library. Thats a major dilema for me. I just dont like reading books from the library. lol Its just not the same as owning the book. :] lol

[ktyme06]

I read "She Said Yes" in 2 days...it is really good. my mom read it all in like one night.

[krazyyouth]

hey ktyme06 is that about the gril who lost her life in the school schooting and smitty wrote the songe this is youe time fir her

[ktyme06]

yeah...he does the afterword too. it is kinda cool. and like the Flyleaf song "Cassie" is about her.

[LauraA]

I'm reading "A Man Named Dave". It's the third book in the series. The first two are, "A Boy Named It" and "The Lost Boy". (I think that was the name of number two.) Have any of you read these?

[xoShaniexo]

I love to read! My favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. I first got into his books after I saw the trailer for "The Notebook" on TV, I read the book and then I saw the movie. I've been addicted ever since! I own all of his books, and I've read them all at least twice, so now I'm giving them to my mom to read. Every time after she's finished and she brings it back to me, she says "Why do you keep giving me books that make me cry?!". lol.

[Kelly]

I need to read some of his books!!!! I love all those movies....The Notebook, A Walk To Remember, etc...

[LauraA]

I just started a book yesterday called "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's hard to put down! Have you heard of it? A friend of ours works at Family Book Store and she said they can hardly keep them on the shelves, they are going so fast. She gave me hers to read.

[krazyyouth]

yeah in the next couple weeks im going to be reading a book called
"Do Hard things" by Alex and Brett Harris

[krazyyouth]

Got the book im half way through it cant put it down :) awsome book

[krazyyouth]

I'm reading "A Man Named Dave". It's the third book in the series. The first two are, "A Boy Named It" and "The Lost Boy". (I think that was the name of number two.) Have any of you read these?
Hey Laura not being mean here but the book is called "A child called it" These books made me cry

[Kelly]

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Mark Lee from Third Day hosts a Summer Reading Club and practically everyone else in the club is reading The Shack. Well a few days ago mom and I went to the new SuperTarget that just opened up in town and there it was staring me in the face with a big 20% off sticker....so I bought it :) Love it!

I just started a book yesterday called "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's hard to put down! Have you heard of it? A friend of ours works at Family Book Store and she said they can hardly keep them on the shelves, they are going so fast. She gave me hers to read.

[krazyyouth]

Yeah the book "Do Hard things" is really good and it makes me think about am i doing things right like i was awsys aming low in school but im going to aim has high as i can. Now going to am for All A's and Maybe B's just keep everything above C's because i can do better than that :)

[LauraA]

Hey Laura not being mean here but the book is called "A child called it" These books made me cry

Yeah, I cried too. They were very sad and shocking. I didn't think I'd make it through them. I knew that there was a good outcome, so I think that is why I decided I could read them. I can't imagine how anyone could treat a child so horrendously. It broke my heart. And to think of the huge number of children who are abused in the world. Something to pray about, for sure!

I just finished a book by Gilbert Morris (love to read his books!) named Edge of Honor. It was a really good book.

The book I'm just starting now is "Treasures of the North" by Tracie Peterson. It's #1 of 3 in the Yukon Quest Series. Has anyone read these?

[krazyyouth]

Yeah I Just finshed readin "Do Hard things" Oh my you would not belive on how much that book as touched my hreat making me think of diffrent things, yeah it talks about how we as "Teenager Christians" we need to rebel agiastion Low Expections, and that like how in school in our fiath learn, how to stand up for what we believe in and that is one hard thing that wont happen over night, Like Standing up what we belive in because pepole will do things and all kinds of things, In School instead of doing enough to get by reach for the mile instead of making c's and d's reach fot A's its ok to not make a's just try but if you fail get back up agian, and agian, and agian. there is more but thats the most i remeber, but i might re-read it to comprehand some more of it

[taryns93]

THE SHACK IS SUCH AN AMAZING BOOK! I realize that Laura has already talked about this one. My youth minister thought that it would be a good idea to start a "book club" in my youth group. We have only read one book though. "The Shack" is the first one that we have read. I was so good. I really didn't like it at the beginning, but then I really got into it. It is so amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone. It is a little freaky at the beginning, but it gets better, so don't give up on it. Also, has anyone ever heard of Melody Carlson? She is one of my favorite authors! She writes teen girls Christian books. I absolutely L-O-V-E her Diary of a Teenage Girl (D.O.T.A.G) series! She also writes some adult books too! I say that if you haven't read any of her books yet...GO BUY SOME!!!! You WILL NOT regret it! :)

[Kelly]

I read it a little bit at work yesterday and had to stop in the middle of The Great Sadness chapter to close up shop and head home....it was tough putting it down in the middle of that chapter!!!!

[LauraA]

Yeah, there were a couple spots in the book I had to quit reading and almost quit reading the book, but I pushed on and was glad I did. Lots of thought provoking things in there. Almost too much because I wanted to keep putting the book down to think, but I didn't have time to think. LOL. I'd like to say more about it, but I don't want to ruin it for ya.

[Kelly]

That's how I was with The Holy Spirit. It wasn't that long of a book, but it took several weeks to read because I had to constantly reference my Bible, and I journaled a lot while reading it.

[Kelly]

I'll let you know when I'm done with The Shack so you can share :)

[LauraA]

^^^Sounds like a plan.

[ktbug23]

I was planning on reading some over the summer, but...not so much.

I do have several books that I've read a little bit of each. I need to pick one and read all of it, instead of reading some of each, haha.
I'm a History nerd, so that's why I have some WWII books listed.

Haven't read yet:
Iwo Jima by Richard F. Newcomb
Blood Evidence by Mel Odom
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Shiloh by Shelby Foote
Flyboys by James Bradley (the movie's really good)

Read bits and pieces of:
WWII for Dummies
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
Iwo Jima - WWII Veterans Remember the Greatest Battle of the Pacific by Larry Smith
America's Hidden History by Kenneth C. Davis

Finished reading:
Assassins by Stephen Sondheim & John Weidman (not sure why I read this. it's actually a play about Presidential assassins and would-be assassins. I think I read it mainly for the Historical aspect of it. It's weird.)

[taryns93]

I really liked the part in "The Shack" where Mack said to Jesus "I'm lost.". It made me think how truly lost we are all in this world, but when we find Christ in our lives, we can find our path once again. I really thought of how many times I have been lost in my life and haven't turned to Christ, and can't imagine how I did that. Apperently, when you turn 15 you can say slightly intellgent things like that. I didn't know that I had that in me.

John Eldridge is one of my favorite writers! I watched his "Epic" DVDs with my youth group and then at the end we all got a copy of the book I have read it so many times. It was one of the first books that I actually highlighted and studied. It will change your life. I am about to start "Wild at Heart". Has anyone read it? My sister loved it.

Oh yeah, and if anyone hasn't read Tony Dungy's "Quiet Strength" book. You are missing out! BIG TIME!

[LauraA]

^^^I haven't read it, but I'll keep an eye out for it. I'm reading the first of a three series book right now.

I do what you do, too. I also am reading bits and pieces of "We Survived" (World War 2), Bringing Up Boys, and a few others. I want to read everything and it's hard to focus on just one, unless I get into a good one. Then I can't read anything else. lol.

It would really be fun if all of us read the same book at the same time one of these days. Like in 2 months. We should come up with a book, so we all have time to decide on one, each buy or check out a copy of it, then start it at the same time. It would be fun. Do you think it would work? Is anyone interested.

[Stella]

Good morning Laura,
This is a good idea, and perhaps I can join in.
However, my reading is kinda "educating Mom" type of books; and may bore you guys. Then maybe I would benefit from reading what you have to say about novels that may be very enjoyable, as opposed to "homework".
I am currently going thru a recommended school counsellor's read:
Yes, Your Teen is Crazy, Loving your kid without losing your mind
by Michael J. Bradley.
This is surprisingly amazing, the premise is that recent studies revealed that there is a part of the brain that is still maturing, causing them to behave illogically. It has already helped me.:D

The school's pastoral animator 's suggestion is next on the list:
Girls Gone Mild - Young Women Reclaim Self Respect and Find its Not Bad to Be Good... by Wendy Shalit
Flipping thru its scary from a mom's perspective, but a really good preparation for moms of teenage girls.

Then Focus On the Family:
Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free
by Nancy Leigh De Moss
and Dannah Gresh

I am about to begin my very busy season, and may have trouble committing to any books beyond these. These should have been read before September.:o

Bringing Up Boys is an excellent book.

Just realized the string of conversation is below my window - ah ha...
yeah well my reading isnt what you meant, huh? Oops.

Anyway if anyone has a teenage daughter...

Maybe I'll just read along the convos instead next time.

The Lord brings us together for a reason,
Be strong in the Lord,
Stella:o

[LauraA]

Hey Stella! All of those books sound awesome! I would love to read every one of them.

We could go either way with the books. Either educational/spiritual or one for fun. I love both of them. I think something like the "Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free" would be awesome for all of us to read. In fact, I think I would vote for that at this point. But let's see if there are other suggestions and what every one thinks. We could read and discuss the chapters, ideas, thoughts, etc. as we go.

[Kelly]

I've heard of that Lies Young Women Believe. You'll have to let me know if that's a good one.

[taryns93]

I would love to do Laura's idea! It sounds like a lot of fun! Then again school starts on the 25th so, I don't know how much time I will have to read, plus I have band practice on top of school, but I'm sure that I can find time! I was supposed to do a book culd with my youth group this summer but it (for lack of a better word) "died". I really wanted to do it though. So, I'm hoping that this will go through.

[Kelly]

I love that idea! :)

Hey Stella! All of those books sound awesome! I would love to read every one of them.

We could go either way with the books. Either educational/spiritual or one for fun. I love both of them. I think something like the "Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free" would be awesome for all of us to read. In fact, I think I would vote for that at this point. But let's see if there are other suggestions and what every one thinks. We could read and discuss the chapters, ideas, thoughts, etc. as we go.

[LauraA]

Ok, so we have several who are interested. Should we go with this book? Should we try to have them ordered and in our hands by what...Sept. 15th? Does that sound do-able for all of you? Will anyone else join us?

Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free
by Nancy Leigh De Moss
and Dannah Gresh

[Kelly]

Definitely doable...just wanna make sure though....there are two books:

Lies Women Believe and Lies Young Women Believe....which one are we going with?

[Kelly]

This is cool...it comes with a study guide....

http://www.amazon.com/Women-Believe-Companion-books-shrink-wrapped/dp/0802476007/ref=pd_bbs_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218935315&sr=8-4

They have one for the Young Women book too, but they don't sell them together so it would cost a little more....just an idea if you're interested :)

And just a heads up, the Young Women book is actually geared towards teenagers, so should we get whichever one is better catered to us and compare maybe?

[LauraA]

Yeah, I'm definitely a little past the teenage stage. lol. AWESOME that there is a study guide we can get with it. Shall we, ladies?

[Kelly]

Ordering mine now!

Edit: DONE! :) So excited about this....looks like it's gonna be a REALLY good book and I hope the study guide is helpful! Should be right? :p

FYI for those of you ordering, the two books together cost me less than $20 with shipping and tax! :) And it said estimated delivery Aug 21st! That's FAST! They only have 4 in stock though, so hurry! :)

[LauraA]

I'll go order mind now. Thanks, Kelly!

LOL...Edit (me, too). I just bought it. I ordered some computer math and reading games for Ben, too. Free shipping! Arrival date is 8/25.

[Stella]

Hi ladies,
Wow, this is so cool. It has a study guide too! I shall order it.

I originally bought it because my teenage daughter doesnt read these books, ...its not "popular"...
but she does tune in big time when I talk to her about it.
She wont do a bible study with me, so I informally have a little one with her whenever she seems receptive.
The Lord leads me with this daughter, aka my limit tester...
(went into labor Dec 12, she came out dec 13...I knew then and there, and was scared :eek:)

The Lord brings us sisters!
Thank you for your encouragement and support in this.

I am approaching the school year with trepidation, it was a real doozy last year. The Lord bless all the children starting school and give them wisdom and discretion; and protect them from the evil one. They are vulnerable targets and we need to place a wall of prayer around them.
Acts 1:14:
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the WOMEN, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers.

God bless you my sisters in Christ,
I am blessed just by your words of fearless devotion to Christ,
Stella

[Kelly]

I thought about doing that....ordering something else to get the free shipping, but I would've had to spend at least $25 to get the free shipping and with shipping it was less than $20 so I opted to save a few bucks :) Especially since I just cashed in on all those CDs (which should also be here any day now! Woohoo!)

I'll go order mind now. Thanks, Kelly!

LOL...Edit (me, too). I just bought it. I ordered some computer math and reading games for Ben, too. Free shipping! Arrival date is 8/25.

[LauraA]

I know what you mean. I was going to order Ben some computer software anyway so it was perfect timing. I'm looking forward to our little book club/discussion coming up. I hope more join.

Stella, I'm so happy that you are joining us! Hey, by the way, I had one of those spunky ones, too. She's out of the nest now, but there were some years back when she was a teen that I thought she'd make me bonkers. Hang in there...she will come around. Keep praying and lifting up the name of Jesus.

[Kelly]

My sis is in those wonderful teen years and she's a PAIN! :p But I love her ;) I just don't always like her hehe

[Amanda]

Well, I've hardly been around at all these last months since the switch to the new board..but I'd like to do this with you guys.

[LauraA]

Hi Amanda! I'm glad you are joining us for the book club (and on the NBs). :)

[Kelly]

I don't believe it...guess what came in the mail today! :) Great mail day for me! Wow! Two J CDs and the books! :)

[Kelly]

Ok this study guide is AWESOME. I'm so glad I found it and I hope yall are getting it too! It breaks the book down into a 10 week study, reading just a few pages a day, 5 days a week. Then there are several pages of personal reflection questions as well as a set of questions to discuss with a group. Perfect! When yall get yours and look it over we can decide how we want to tackle it :) I'm so excited!

[LauraA]

Oh so cool!!! Mine should be here this week, too. This will be such a blessing.

[Kelly]

Definitely! I can't wait to dive in! But I'm waiting till yall get your books so we can all start together! Still have to finish The Shack anyways. Gotta be done by Friday! Can I do it? Hmmmm....

[LauraA]

How do you like it so far? (The Shack)

[Kelly]

Love it! But it gets REALLY deep once he goes back to the shack! Takes more to read and digest it all!

[LauraA]

Yeah, that's what I thought. I didn't really have or take a lot of time to stop and think on it, but it really was deep in many ways.

My books came today! Can't wait to start. We'll have to come up with a plan for how to do this.

[CaraBear]

I would love to join but right now I am so Bogged down with home work that I can't keep up. But school will be over in Dec yay!

[Kelly]

So ladies....do we have a plan yet? Hehe....has everyone gotten their books?

[Stella]

Hi!
Yup! I have my book, but not the study guide.
I am almost done with the other book.
This is a really nice thing to do, it boggles my mind, I am here in Montreal, and you are in the US.
We spent 5 summers in Charlottesville ( 2 weeks each year), my husband was grading exams for the CFA - So I picture these beautiful magnolia trees and the amazing beautiful countryside. Thats where I picture "ya'll"
Way cool.
In Him, my Great Restorer,
Stella

[LauraA]

^^^That's awesome, Stella. It's really cool, I have two very close friends who I've met online through rubber-stamping who live in Canada. You have lots of nice people up there! :)

OK, should we start getting ready to go for it? Is anyone else going to join us? Should we go ahead and read up to Chapter 1, the Intro, Prologue and all that? Say, be done by next Monday, then go from there? That will give Stella time to finish her other book and others to get their books if they are waiting on them.

[Kelly]

Are we going to do it by chapter? Or follow the study guide guidelines?

[LauraA]

What do you think would be best? Probably the study guide, I would suggest. It would make for sense, but any way you all want to do it will work great for me. I'm really looking forward to this.

[Kelly]

I think it might be best to follow the study guide...I know it only has you read like 6 pages a day, but there are a LOT of questions to answer after reading :p

[LauraA]

Sounds good to me. And what is our start date? Does next Tuesday work for everyone? Or are some of you still waiting on the book? We will wait if you are.

[Kelly]

Works for me :) We'll need to figure out a schedule...like what days we'll have off because it's a 5-day-a-week plan. Do we wanna do it where we have weekends off? Those may actually be the best days for reading hehe. I'm thinking Mondays off :p Just because of the craziness of getting the week started.

[LauraA]

Mondays would be good to have off for me, too. And Saturdays. Saturdays are always PACKED with busy-ness. What about you? And Stella? Who else was joining us?

[LauraA]

Well, I've hardly been around at all these last months since the switch to the new board..but I'd like to do this with you guys.

Have you ordered the book and workbook yet?

[LauraA]

I would love to do Laura's idea! It sounds like a lot of fun! Then again school starts on the 25th so, I don't know how much time I will have to read, plus I have band practice on top of school, but I'm sure that I can find time! I was supposed to do a book culd with my youth group this summer but it (for lack of a better word) "died". I really wanted to do it though. So, I'm hoping that this will go through.

Would you still like to join us? Have you ordered the book? This will be great!

And Cara, maybe when things slow down we can do another one and you can join us.

[Kelly]

Mondays would be good to have off for me, too. And Saturdays. Saturdays are always PACKED with busy-ness. What about you? And Stella? Who else was joining us?

Sounds great to me! :) Especially Saturdays! I work all day, but my job is SOOOOO boring that usually by the time I get home, I'm itching to do something that involves LOTS of movement! :p That's when I do my best cleaning and organizing. It's hard to bring myself to sit down to a book after sitting in an office alone all day :p

[LauraA]

Can you read at work? We could also just say for each to read their pages in the next 7 days, and by this day next week, we will start the discussion. Then people could take off the days that work best for them. Know what I mean? Would that work out?

[Kelly]

That's a great idea :) Much better that way. And yes I do actually have LOTS of reading time at work ;) Didn't think of that! :p

So did we wanna make Tuesday our check-in day?

[LauraA]

That sounds good to me. Should we start this next Tuesday? Or wait until we hear from the other gals who expressed interest?

[Kelly]

I say we plan to start this Tuesday unless we haven't heard from the others yet.

[taryns93]

Would you still like to join us? Have you ordered the book? This will be great!

And Cara, maybe when things slow down we can do another one and you can join us.

I still would love to do this and the book greatly interests me, but I still haven't ordered it, becuase I just looked to see what the book is, I would rather read the one for young women though considering that I'm 15. I definately want to do this though! I'll see what I can do about getting it soon!

[LauraA]

^^^There is a lot of information in the book about marriage and family, but a lot that isn't about those, too.

You can either order it or follow along with our discussions. We'll be talking and sharing things in here about what we read.

[Kelly]

So have we officially started now? If so, I'm behind! Hehehe....but with as little as the readings are I think I can catch up if need be :)

[LauraA]

Well, we were going to start, but I'm behind, too. LOL. Should we "Officially" start next Tuesday? Then we'll have a couple days to get ahead if we want to instead of starting off behind. I know you've had a rough week, and I've just found myself running in circles, and Stella is on a mini vacation...seeing J in concert. So should we start over? lol

[Kelly]

Next Tuesday sounds good :)

[Heidiej]

This book has been on my to-be-read list! I would love to read it along with you! I don't have the companion book tho. I can catch up on that when I get a chance to get to the bookstore.

In Him,

Heidie

[Kelly]

Sounds great Heidie! I think we're planning to start tomorrow actually so you're just in time! I'll post the reading schedule for you because we're going by the one in the companion book. That way you can follow along with us! :) And I'll post the discussion questions from the book on here so you can participate as well! So excited you're going to join us!

If we are in fact starting tomorrow, then here is the reading schedule for this week:

Day One: pg 15-23
Day Two: pg 27-32
Day Three: 32-37
Day Four: pg 37-40
Day Five: pg 40-41

And next Tuesday (the 23rd) we will discuss these questions:

Group Discussion Questions
1. Why is our understanding of Truth so important?
2. A popular theme in our culture is that there are no absolutes. "All truth is good. Whatever truth works for you is good for you, and what works for me is good for me." While on the surface that appears very tolerant, where does this kind of thinking ultimately lead?
3. Describe some lies that are widely accepted as truth by our society. In what ways do these lies influence people's choices, and in what ways are they destructive to people's lives?
4. List three or four widespread problems in our world, and discuss how each could be the result of deception.
5. What women can you think of in the Scripture who were deceived and then influenced others to sin?
6. Discuss some ways women in our day have been deceived. How has that deception influenced sinful choices in others?
7. Share one or more ways that you have opened yourself up to deception in the past by choosing to expose yourself to input that is contrary to the Truth.
8. What are some illustrations of Satan's offers that women today find appealing? (Keep in mind that the things Satan tempts us with are not always inherently evil. The fruit that Eve ate wasn't bad or sinful in and of itself - in fact, it was something God had created. What made Eve's choice sinful was that God had said not to eat the fruit.)
9. Share a choice you were tempted to make that looked appealing and seemed right, but was contrary to God's Word. If you fell for the lie, describe any negative consequences that resulted.
10. Read together Acts 17:10-12. What did the people in Berea do in order to discern the Truth? How can we avoid being deceived and become more discerning about the input we receive?

[LauraA]

Wow, Kelly! Thanks for posting that. I started reading the book and it's awesome. I already have a few comments to make on it.

[Kelly]

Definitely :) I'd hate for anyone not to be able to follow along just because they don't have the companion book! I'll start reading tomorrow night :) Can't wait!

[LauraA]

How are you all liking the book so far?

[Kelly]

I actually haven't had the chance to start yet! But I'm taking it to work with me today...PLENTY of catch-up reading time! :) I'll let ya know :)

[Heidiej]

I've made it through the introduction and a couple pages of chapter 1 and I like what i've read so far. There's quite a few topics that hit home for me so I think it will open my eyes to a lot of things!

[LauraA]

A couple things that have really stood out to me so far:

Pg. 31 of book
"Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honor, and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure, and pays with pain; he promises profit, and pays with loss; he promises life, and pays with death."

This is so true. If we could all remember that, we would not be as tempted to fall for his lies.

Also, on page 38, I thought this was really good:
"Listening to counsel or ways of thinking that are not according to the Truth is the first step in developing wrong beliefs that will ultimately place us in bondage. Once we have listened to the lie, the next step toward bondage is that we... Dwell On The Lie"

Then "Believe The Lie"
Followed by "Act On The Lie"

So true! What are some of those lies?

I think the beauty issue is a BIG one. We are bombarded with ads for make up, hair die, diet products, clothing, etc. that insinuate that we are not good enough just as God made us. They want to "improve" us, make us look better. (In other words, make money on what they are selling.)

[Kelly]

I am so with you on that! The beauty issue would definitely be one of the biggest if not THE biggest one! Like you said there's so much that goes into it....the makeup, the hair products, the diet pills, magazines....it's sad!

That quote from pg 31 really stuck out with me too! I read it over and over just soaking it in. Wow!

And lie #4 on pg 54 "God is not really enough." That was a tough one to read, because they're right. It's easy to be in the middle of a church service or praise and worship singing about how God is all you need, and there are times when I'm worshipping and singing those words and I just smile really big because I realize deep down inside that it's true. But outside of church or praise and worship, I still look to other things to "fill the gaps" instead of turning to God.

I also get caught up in number 6 MANY times - "God should fix my problems." So many times if I find myself in a bind, or needing healing, I turn to God thinking He's going to wave his magic wand and as soon as I'm done praying, my prayers will have been answered. But that's not always the case. God doesn't always fix our problems for us. Many times He just gives us what we need to fix our own problems, but we continuously fail to see that.

[LauraA]

^^^Yeah, exactly. Sometimes we need those problems to get us to a point of growth that Jesus wants us to be at. Or we need to learn something specific, or it may be simply God's will that we are in that trial for whatever reason He has. If I/we could only see that when we are hurting and suffering with whatever situation we are in.

[rosemae]

Hey gals! I LOVE reading, especially spiritual growth books! I had to go wa-------aaay back on this thread to find out what book you're talking about, everyone just kept posting refrences to "the book" but I wanted to know what book! I will find it ASAP, I'm a quick reader.
Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss-
In case others are wondering.