Additional Books By Jennie Bishop

I have just recently learned that Karen Rhodes has written several other interesting books.  Several for children and one that seems appealing to me, a parent of three very curious children, sadly, living in a very sinful/temptatious world. I have yet to purchase these other three books, but I cannot wait for an excuse to order them for the kids, as well as for myself.  I loved "The Princess & The Kiss" so much, that I can't wait to see how Karen Rhodes begins and ends the other two stories that I mention below.  What wonderful, great lessons that all three of her books contain!  What an amazing author.  She is bold to share good, godly lessons that much of our world over looks or justifies as "ok" or "everyone is doing it", literally. Don't you want more for your child(ren)?

This captivating adventure follows a young squire who travels a long, dangerous road beside his brave knight, on a quest for their king. The action builds until the final face-off with the monstrous, evil dragon.  Only then does the squire learn of the secret beyond the cave that ends in a joyous celebration for the entire kingdom.  Children will gain valuable insight as they learn, along with the young squire, what it means to face the dangers of temptation, and what it takes to guard one's heart from all that is impure.

Once upon a time, there lived a little princess who enjoyed all the privileges of being wealthy, especially at Christmastime when visitors from far and wide would bring her piles and piles of presents.  But when the little princess becomes ungrateful for all she has been given, her parents decide to make a change to their Christmas celebration.  This Christmas, the princess will receive only three gifts.  Her three gifts are treasures that hold great meaning, but how the princess chooses to use her gifts is a surprise to everyone, as she learns that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

A successfully planned parenthood starts with Planned Purity.

Saving a kiss like the young people in The Princess and the Kiss is just the beginning.  In this groundbreaking purity training method for parents, best-selling children's author Jennie Bishop shares the key to sexual purity and an honorable life: a good heart. Using Planned Purity, any reader can construct a household of purity for themselves, a child or a family.  A resource section with parent/child scripts, object lessons and more makes this guide a must-have for any mom or dad planning for purity in today's sexualized culture.  

From what I can tell, amazon has the best prices for all three of the above books, written by Jennie Bishop.

The Princess And The Kiss

For Christmas, my dear friend Gretchen (also my pastor's wife), suggested this wonderful book that she, too, was going to be purchasing for her own/only daughter, Cami.  Even though Lilah is much younger than Cami, I thought I could NEVER start the purity conversation too early.  Obviously, my conversations with Lilah will be much less detailed and much more fairytale-like, but as she continues to grow and mature, that will change.  I thought this book was an incredible way to slowly begin the discussion of purity and the importance of saving NOT ONLY her body, but even her FIRST kiss for her wedding day! Sadly, even though Lilah received this book for Christmas, I read it to her for the first time last night.  It was just her and I and I have to say it magically captured my heart as well.  

I am so excited to discuss this book with you that I cannot even contain myself.  I pray that after you read this post, you will, with urgency, buy this book for your special "princess", even if she isn't your daughter. Be it your niece, granddaughter, neighbor, co-worker's child, student, or whatever, this book beautifully portrays the ageless message that "love... comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." ~1 Timothy 1:5

Here's the premise of the book, incase you are one to loose interest FAST and just likes to look at pictures: 

A loving king and queen

Present their daughter with a gift

From God-her first kiss-to keep or to give away.

The wise girl waits for the man who is worthy of her

Precious gift.  Where is he and how will she ever find him?

The surprising answer in this marvelous parable will touch the heart 

Of parent and child alike.  

Long ago, in a wonderful castle

on a mountain of splendor,

a beautiful princess was born.  

Her parents were the king and queen

of the mountain and 

all the green valley below.

The king and queen loved the little princess even before she

was born.  On the day she came into the world,

the royal couple gave their daughter a very special gift

from God-her first kiss.  While the princess was growing up, 

the king and the queen kept this precious gift safe in their care.  

When the princess was finally grown, the king and queen

called her to their side

"We have something very special to give you," said the queen.

Up, up, up the royal family went to a secret room in a tower of the castle.  On an elegant table in the center of the room was the same gift given to the princess long ago...the kiss.

"God gave this gift to you on the day you were born," said the queen,

"because he loves you so dearly."

"And now," continued the king, "this kiss is yours to keep...

or to give away, as you see fit."

The princess stared in amazement. She had never before received such a wonderful present.

"But use wisdom, my daughter," warned the king," and save your kiss for the man you will marry.  Never part with it for the sake of a stranger."

The wise little princess took her father's words to heart and kept 

the kiss safe in the castle tower.  But there were many days when 

she went to gaze at her precious possession.  She wondered how

she could ever give it up.  

Finally there came day when suitors began to appear, 

asking for the princess' hand in marriage.

The first man who came to court her was Prince Peacock.

"See the great muscles I have, Princess!" he said.  "I will

always be able to save your from danger.  I can run faster

and jump higher than any other prince in the world.

I am mighty! Marry me, for I am a man among men."

The princess watched Prince Peacock lift heavy boulders

and run the length of the castle wall.  His strength

was impressive, but the wise princess saw that his heart 

was full of himself. She knew there would be no room

for her kiss there.  

So the princess sent Prince Peacock away.

The next day, Prince Romance came to visit the princess.

He brought dozens of roses and boxes of chocolates.

"I can take you to many far off places, Princess," he said.

"We will eat the choicest foods.  We will see marvelous 

sights.  Marry me, Princess.  Every day will seem like a 

honeymoon if you are with me."

The princess' thoughts about what Prince Romance

had said.  It sounded very interesting and exciting,

but the wise princess knew that honeymoons and wonderful

feelings could not last forever.  This prince would soon lose

interest in her kiss.

The princess turned Prince Romance politely away.

On the following morning, Prince Treasurechest came to call.

He brought gifts of gold, jewels, and costly silken robes.  

"See the presents I have brought you, Princess," said Prince

Treasurechest.  "You will never lack for fine clothes. Marry me,

Princess, for I can give you the best of everything."

Indeed, when the princess saw the beautiful things the prince

had brought for her, she did not doubt that he would buy her

anything her heart desired. "But with all these riches," she thought,

"he does not need my kiss. My kiss will not be specials to him."

So the princess sent Prince Treasurechest away, too.

Many men came, one by one, to ask for the princess'

hand in marriage. One by one she turned them all

away. None seemed worthy of her kiss.  She began

to doubt that she would ever find a husband.

One night, she spoke with her mother,

the queen, about her fears.

"Mama," the princess asked,

"will I ever find a man

so special that I will be able 

to give him my kiss?"

The queen smiled, gazing at

the many stars twinkling

above in the velvet night.

"Oh, yes, my dear. I think 

God will bring a husband

to you. But, if he does not 

the kiss will be your to 

treasure forever."

The princess took comfort

in that thought, for she knew

that God could be trusted,

and she cherished the kiss

with all that she was.

The next day, a common man came to the castle, he asked to

see the princess. The man was dressed in farmers'

clothes and did not look like the suitors who had lately

come to call.  Strong and handsome, his hands were 

rough from working in the king's fields, and his face 

was tanned from the sun.

"Who is he?" the servants wondered as he was led

through the castle.

The man was taken to the royal garden where 

the princess and her parents were walking among 

the rosebushes.

The farmer bowed humbly, and addressed the king and queen,

"May I speak with your daughter?" he asked.

The princess' mother and father were surprised. Who was this man?

He seemed common, yet kindness was in his manner.

Nodding slowly, the king and queen moved aside and stood close by.

The man looked into the princess' eyes.

"I have worked in your father's fields for many years. I prayed and 

watched and waited for one who could be my wife, yet found no one.

Then one day I saw you walking on the palace lawn.  Your beauty was 

marvelous, and your purity sparkled like diamonds."

The princess blushed, and her heart began to beat wildly.  

"I have little to offer you, Princess," the man said softly. "I have no gold.

I have no means to travel the earth.  I am not as strong as many..."

The farmer stopped, and the princess was afraid he would not continue.

Then he whispered,"... but I do have one very special gift I can give to you."

"This is my first kiss, Princess,"  said the man.  "God gave this

gift to me on the day I was born. My parents kept it

for me until I became a man. I have saved it all my life

for you. Would you be my wife?"

The king, the queen, and the princess rejoiced and

embraced the humble farmer.  Was there any doubt that

he was the one the princess had been waiting for?

The princess thought her heart would burst with joy!

"Yes!" she cried. "Oh, yes, with all my heart!"

On the day of their wedding, the princess and her husband were dressed
in magnificent clothes and stood before the altar in the royal church,
where all the lords and ladies of the kingdom had gathered for the 
celebration. There, with the sun streaming through the windows, 
they exchange their kisses, and God and all the kingdom sang
for happiness.

The prince and princess lived happily ever after.  Soon God gave
them a child of their very own.  And on the day of the precious
baby's birth, the wise prince and princess received for their child
a very special gift from God... [a kiss].

"Love... comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 

~1 Timothy 1:5

Before I end this post, here is a excerpt, from an interview that I read, between a blogger and the author, Jennie Bishop, regarding someone who may have already given away their first kiss.

What words of encouragement would you give young people who have already ‘given their kisses’ away? 

I would remind them of the amazing grace we sing about. ANYONE can start again, ANYTIME. I’m fully aware that The Princess and the Kiss is an ideal, and that life does not often work out ideally. It is the nature of a human to make mistakes, learn from them, and start over. It’s so awesome that no one is without hope—no one.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!! 

CHRIST in MY Chaos!

I have finally finished reading "Desperate", by Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson.  I, first, thought that no book could top the short chapters, comedy, and realness (not to mention gospel centered) that "Loving The Little Years: Motherhood In The Trenches" provided me with, but then, I read "Desperate" and chapter after chapter I was left sitting there saying "WOW!". When I read each chapter, I truly felt like I wrote the book myself or like the authors had insight into my daily struggles as a momma.  AND THEN... as if those two books weren't amazing enough, I came across a book titled, "Christ in the Chaos" on Tim Challies' Blog.  I shared the book interest with Darren and within 3 days, the book arrived in my hands (+) the accompaniment of a kiss and an "I love you!"  I truly was BLOWN away at the FORWARD and INTRODUCTION alone.  This book will far surpass the first two books mentioned (but please do still read them).  

I beg you to read these excerpts that I highlighted and urge you to buy this book immediately.  It comes at an especially good time for me... SUMMER. Where children's lives get simpler and mothers' lives get busier.  

The Back:  First, check out a small excerpt from the back of the book

"Moms: Stop comparing yourself to others.  Stop striving to meet false expectations.  Stop thinking your performance dictates your worth.  LOOK TO THE GOSPEL.  Find rest, joy, sufficiency, identity & motivation."

AND one "review" from the back...

"Kimm gives us the truth of free grace that unshackles us from trying to be Mom of the Year, and shows us how the gospel changes motherhood from drudgery to joy. I pray each mom who finds this book becomes more aware of how Christ's love for her changes everything about her."

The Introduction:  The forward comes FIRST, in the book, but the intro gives you a small description of what this book is about.  So, I will share the intro's "notes" that I took before the forward's notes.

"This book is for moms who need to hear how the gospel changes motherhood."  

"This book is about what grace looks like for moms specifically.  It's about how Christ gives peace to women laboring under the burden of all those unwritten mom rules.  It's about how Christ sets mothers free to love him.  You will find the chapters of this book are sound, but short.  To the point, but not heavy - just right for the mom who has been up all night with the baby, the mom who only has a few minutes waiting for the school bus, and for the mom who relishes her own bathroom breaks as an opportunity to read a couple of pages even if her toddler spends the whole time pounding on the door.  This book will not weigh you down with another list of things to do, but aims to free you by reminding you of what's already been done for you."

"I need to hear the good news that he lived a perfect sinless life on my behalf because he knew just how much I would make a mess of things.(Which I do on a regular basis.)"

"He knew I could never life a life acceptable to his perfect standard.  So he lived... for me."

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing you need now in the thick of mothering.  In fact, it's the only thing you ever need.  The gospel will get you through those long nights of newborns crying and those long days of caring for clingy, feverish toddlers. Take the gospel with you on those car trips back and forth from soccer to piano. Let the gospel guide you when you drop your " baby" off at college and he steps forward into your adulthood.  Bask in Christ's love for you and bathe in the outrageous grace you receive day-in and day-out no matter how many times you fail: the gospel will help you find Christ in all that goes on within and around you."

The Forward: The forward was written by a grandmother.  This was perfectly designed because she presses the message home that even though she isn't a mother to young children anymore, she still has her own chaotic heart.  She goes on to explain...

"Heart chaos is the result of a worship disorder, not circumstances."

"Chaos is a worship disorder: it results from worship of myself, my abilities, my plans, me."

"Chaos turns into peace when the PRINCE OF PEACE speaks deeply into your heart and tells you , "Be still.  I am God.  I've got this."

"What you need for your chaotic heart is to remember the gospel."

HOW perfect does this book sound?  I am anxious to begin reading the first chapter now. Aren't you? Come on, stop pretending I'm the only one who perceives their lives as chaotic.  Or even better, stop allow me to think I am the only one with a chaotic heart.  LOL!  Read THIS book.

Taming the Beast of Housework

You might recall the post, on the book, called Desperate, that I received for my birthday from Darren.  I had high hopes of being done with it LONG before now, but the reality is, if I am going to make time to read, I put my Bible first (above anything... blogs, books, etc).  I am EXACTLY half way done with the book.  Yea!!! I am so anxious to read it all.

Anyway, I just finished reading a chapter titled, "Taming The Beast of Housework".  It's no secret... I desire to keep a very tidy and clean house.  It's not what I expect YOU to do, nor do I judge anyone on a messy house, but rather it's what I desire and expect from myself, my husband, and my children.  Having 5 people under 1 roof (especially in the summer time) can be a sure way to fail at this desire/expectation.  AND THEN, I read a section in this chapter.  It stopped me dead in my tracks.

Sally was discussing how for years she had a yearly tradition, at Christmas time.  It was a Christmas tea party.  Both herself and her girls invited their favorite friends. One year, they sat with made up faces, bejeweled necks, and girly attire conversing while sipping on tea.  At some point in the conversation an unexpected twist took place.

Sally asked all of the girls what they thought their own lives would look like in ten years.  Here were some of their answers:

"To be honest, I don't want to have very many kids like my parents did, because my mom is always worn out and grumpy."

"Yeah, I agree.  The way my mom acts about housework, always complaining, fussing, and running about lecturing us just makes us feel guilty, so whatever my future holds, it will not involve a house full of kids and messes - it just seems too hard."

"[Sally] gently tried to stir the comments in another direction, but the point had been made.  When a mom complains and fusses as a regular way of life, it will inevitably go into the hearts of her children with great force.  No child wants a mom who complains and whines.  

No child of such a mother will ever say, My mom tried her best, but she couldn't help being grumpy.  It was just who she was.  They most certainly will say, I always felt guilt in my home because my mom was never happy,and she complained all the time.  It was such a relief to leave.  

We can't get away with anything with children.  They are keen and attentive, and they will eventually grow up to tell the story of their home. 

On the flip side, I have come to see that a happy mom is a real gift to her children.  A good attitude about work makes her children feel that she is glad that she is a mom and that she is thankful for her children.  She communicates to them that even with a full workload, she is fulfilled and content."

OUCH!!!!!!!!  No, I do NOT walk around this house grumpy all day. But there are moments where the house becomes a little shipwrecked with baseball clay droppings, fingerprints, crumbs, hamster shavings, a laundry overflow or what have you AND I loose it.  I don't want my children absorbing my heated reactions into their hearts and leaving home remembering those moments.  TODAY, I will take steps at trying to train myself to respond differently aka RIGHTLY.  I will try to erase from their brains, those times, I just couldn't contain enough self control to breath DEEP and tell myself, this is NORMAL.

What about you?  Are you putting too many expectations on yourself that causes you to make your children feel guilty about living in their own home?  

It's something to think about.

What's on my night stand?

For my birthday, one of the gifts Darren gave me was this AMAZING book, titled, "DESPERATE".  I started reading it last night and I cannot put it down.  Ok... I guess I can put it down if I am blogging, but I am blogging about the book, so technically, I am still thinking about it. :)

I love what one person wrote after reading this book,

"Every single mom needs to read Desperate!  Sally and Sarah Mae have hit right at the heart of an epidemic that is sweeping our nation.  In our fast paced culture of today, moms are more exhausted than ever, lacking mentorship, and needing real encouragement... and a break.  Desperate will bring sweet comfort to your soul and inspire you to embrace the role that God has given you like never before." 

- Ruth Schwene, Speaker, Writer, and Creator of TheBetterMom.com

I love this book because it's not a book which includes a bunch of theories or steps on how to parent.  Nothing more overwhelms me than those types of books.  This book is real! It contains an author that is "right into the thick of it" and another author who has had the in-depth experience.  So far, each chapter I have read, comforts and inspires.  

I hope EVERY mother takes the time to read this book!!!