"Disciplines of a Godly Woman" Book Review and Top Ten Quotes

I enjoyed this book so much that it made it into my list of top ten non fiction books that I've ever read. Barbara Hughes has such an honest open heart and deep love for God and others she inspires readers to love more, serve more and spend more time with the Lord. She shares heart wrenching and soul inspiring stories as well as useful yet easily understandable doctrinal information.

I'd heartily recommend it to any christian woman looking to deepen her walk with the Lord. Often when I finish an eye opening book I like to type up my book notes and then pass the book on so someone else can benefit from it. However, this book was so chock filled with useful information I'd end up typing up half the book so I've decided to keep it. As mentioned back in January's Twelve Great Books to Read in 2012 post, I've been working on this book for a while but the time spent in it was definitely worth it.

Here are ten of my favorite quotes from the book (and it was really hard to pick just ten!).

1. "Remember that the Gospel is the foundation for every single thing you are and do." p. 26
2.  "Submission to God's will is the true heart of worship." p. 46
3. "True worship springs from within our spirit, from spontaneous affections of the heart - as it did from the heart of David when he wrote Psalm 130: 'I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning' (vv. 5-6)." p.60
4. "Let Christ be the Lord of your daytime and your prime time... Be different because you have a Christian mind." p. 71
5. "If you are filled with God's Word, your life can then be informed and directed by God - your relationships at home, your parenting, your career, your ethical decisions, your internal moral life. The way to a Christian mind is through God's Word!" p. 72
6. "Women who love God and love his Word find sources of joy and satisfaction that surpass any the world has to offer." p. 84
7. "Real love stands apart from circumstances and sees the object of love with all its flaws - and loves anyway. Real love is intentional, an act of the will. It's respect that's given because it's the Lord who requires that respect be given... Giving loving respect to your husband is God's will - even when he doesn't deserve it. Watch your actions and listen to your words. God sees and hears." p. 154
8. "We were designed to work, to create. Good deeds are the redeemed heart's response of gratitude for the gift of God's grace." p. 172
9. "Every person we encounter is an eternal soul of immense value - a person we should see in the same way that God sees him or her." p. 195
10. "The disciplined godly woman rids herself of associations, habits and attitudes that impede godliness. Then she invests her energy in the pursuit of godliness." p. 211

 I'm a far way from being the disciplined godly woman that Barbara Hughes clearly is but, by the grace of God, He's working on me and I pray that His love will be reflected in my life. May God bless you dear reader!

12 Great Books to Read in 2012

Every year as part of my resolutions/goals for the year I have a goal of reading 50 books during the calendar year. It's usually one of my easy and enjoyable resolutions. This is the first year I've named some specific books as part of my goals. Other than the Bible (listed first), they're in no particular order. The general themes are faith, health and relationships as those are my priorities for this year. Hopefully at least one of the twelve books I've selected will inspire you. 

1. The Bible.  This year my plan is to read it in chronological order using the New American Standard version. No other reading is as important as God's word.

2. Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith by Scotty Smith.  This book was a gift from my Pastor brother, Joshua. I've been reading and praying the daily entries before bed. The book was probably meant to be read in the morning but my morning routine's rather full and I wanted something like this for my evening routine.

3. Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes. Late in 2011 I joined a ladies' Bible study and even though they were wrapping up this book I jumped in and joined them on the last three chapters. Now I want to start at the beginning and read the whole thing.

4. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke. I forget where but I remember reading that this book had inspired someone greatly and I was intrigued.

5. Mighty Be Our Powers by Lehmah Gbowee and Carol Mithers. After reading an article about Ms. Gbowee I knew I had to read her book and look forward to it.

6. Authentic Relationships: Discover the Lost Art of One Anothering by Wayne Jacobsen.  Came across this while looking for another book and decided I wanted to read it.

7.  Fix Your Feet by Philip Maffetone. I think this one was recommended by www.peertrainer.com and as I have some foot pain and don't feel like seeing the doctor in person I thought I'd read this book first and see if Mr. Maffetone's advice might suffice.

8. Super Immunity by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I've been a fan of Dr. Fuhrman's since reading his Eat to Live book which I bought after reading my library copy (this is a rare thing for me as I'm at maximum book storage capacity in my home and have to purge an item from my collection every time I add one).

9. Love is a Verb: Stories of What Happens When Love Comes Alive by Gary Chapman. His The Five Love Languages book was really eye opening for me so I look forward to this book.

10. Treasured Moments with Mother Graham by Rose Adams and Donna Lee Toney. Hoping that this will read like a dear, faith filled, grandmother imparting her best spiritual advice and lessons.

11. Stage Your Home to Sell (or Keep): Easy Ways to Improve the Value of Your Home by Jean Nayar. It's unlikely that we'll be moving but making the house nicer makes my hubby happy so I consider this part of the relationship category.

12. The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health by T. Colin Campbell, Thomas M. Campbell II, Howard Lyman and John Robbins. This book may be one of my main motivators for wanting to pursue a vegan diet. I started reading it in 2011 and thought that I had finished it but as I was neatening a shelf I saw the telltale bookmark sticking out of it and, even though the reading can be challenging, I do want to finish this book this year.

What books are you planning on reading this year? Whatever your reading plans, I wish you the happiest of New Years and pray that God will shine His face and favor upon you!