Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

Ordering Your Private World is one of those books that would have been awesome to read about twenty years ago. I'm thankful that I read it now with its re-release. MacDonald has been a pastor for over 50 years. In the beginning of the book, he shares a time in which he was constantly moving from one thing to the next within his work. After arriving at a place in which he couldn't continue the pace, he realized that his private world needed some priority in his life.

Ordering Your Private World is basically of how MacDonald went about moving from the world directing his steps to his steps directed by God. Not that he wasn't seeking God's will before but there is a definite difference in the priorities of life when you are centering yourself in God's will on a regular basis and when you just do what others say you should be doing even if those others are fellow Christians.

This book systematically takes the reader through the ability to recognize if your inner life is in need of a tune-up (which we all are if we're honest) and what steps you can take. There is a great mixture of things that you can do alone as well as communal aspects of ordering your private world. One of my favorite chapters was on friends and how we can seek out Godly friendship and cultivate it. Another favorite was on Sabbath, something our family tries to practice.

Overall, it's a great read and a wonderful reminder that we need to take time to be with God if we want to be directed by God.

I received a free copy of this book from Handlebar Marketing for the purpose of the review. I'm never required to post positive reviews but I'm always thankful when I can.

Comments

Sweet Caroline by Kelda Poynot

First off, my copy of Sweet Caroline (aff link) is not a gifted review book, I spent my well earned Amazon No-Rush Rewards money on this book. Second of all, this is not my standard close door kind of romance. Third of all, this is a really fun read. Caroline is a hard working young lady that is doing all that she can to make ends meet and to get her graduate degree. Part of that work is renting out the room above her garage. When she answers the phone of an unknown number, believing it's a future tenant, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. The young man on the other end of that call, Hashim, is tall, dark, and mysterious in all the right ways. The story quickly moves from the girl next door falling for a stranger to a fight for their lives. And in true real life fashion, those fights aren't just with external enemies but the ones we carry within. It's an entertaining story of Caroline and Hashim, discovering their love for each other and ...

Loving Disagreement by Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos

If you're human, which I'm assuming you are if you found your way here, there will come a moment in your life when you're right and they're wrong and you're going to have to not win because the relationship is more important than your rightness It might be over where to go to dinner, which type of coat to wear for the weather, what ever it may be, you're going to find yourself there. Khang and Mikalatos have got together and written Loving Disagreement for that exact moment, especially if that exact moment isn't occurring with a loved one but with someone you encountered on the internet or maybe the break room at work, the where and who don't really matter because we can be loving towards anyone, even when we're not in relationship with the offending person. The book uses the concept of the fruit of the spirit to go through different ways to handle conflict. Khang and Mikalatos take turns writing the meat of each section but there's a quite enj...

Tasty Tuesday: Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I've had loaded baked potato soup on the menu most of the month of November, not really knowing when I was going to make it. Last night was the night. I started with this recipe from Betty Crocker as an idea but as I saw that it served 15 and looked at the various quantities while I cooked, some things changed, and wanted to share the final recipe here so you can enjoy it and I won't forget it. Loaded Baked Potato Soup serves 3 with seconds and a serving left over 1/2 package of bacon 1 small onion chopped 3 cups chicken broth (I use Better Than Boullion) 2 large baking potatoes, peeled, cubed 2 tbsp butter 2 heaping tbsp all-purpose flour 2 cups milk divided 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2teaspoon freshly ground pepper A generous helping of sour cream 4 oz sharp Cheddar cheese shredded (half a block) separated 2 sliced green onions separated In skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes or until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons ...

Tina The Storyteller

Search This Blog