"Love and Respect" by Dr Emmerson Eggerich

My husband and I were not able to attend the “Love and Respect” course offered at our church. When I saw this being offered I grabbed it eagerly and was certainly not disappointed. It is certainly a marriage book with a difference as it focuses on two things – love and respect. Using “Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) It’s the kind of book where one chuckles and nods throughout.
Reading it has been a great time of conviction for me – I’ve seen how by respecting my husband, I respect and honour God. The book re-enforces how we see and interpret the same thing so differently. Reading it has helped me stop and think, “If I say this – how will it make my husband feel?”

Love and Respect are both verbs and this book shows how they are certainly nothing to be earned or deserved but yet a command from God. They are not mutually exclusive yet go together to complete a relationship. This book has sections that speak directly to the husband and the wife yet so plainly one can learn from both lessons.

People should also not wait for marriage to read this book! It’s also one that should be kept as a permanent reference guide in the home.

I received this book through the Thomas Nelson Book review blogger programme: http://brb.thomasnelson.com

Most us know all the scriptures that we can recite off pat, yet often it doesn’t hit were it needs to. That constant tugging of “what if” causes us to dwell on these thoughts and hold back many words and actions. With a cover picture that simply promotes freedom without reckless abandon, this book is a fast, simple read.

“Fearless” by Max Lucado once again uses common sense and practical ideas with bible teaching to help the reader see how unfounded and even silly most of our fears are. With the state that the world is in, it’s easy to expect the worst but ML reminds us that Jesus instructed us to “fear not”. It is written in plain simple terms so even people who don’t see themselves as accomplished readers could finish this in no time at all. ML’s attention to details and imagery is a delight and the reader can picture Jesus “walking in a scented, gardened valley of olive groves and luscious fruit trees”, which just adds to the pleasure of reading this book.

At the back of the book is a discussion guide that has a section for each chapter. It can be used for groups or individuals. This is definitely one of the best I have read from this gentleman’s collection. So instead of imagining the “what ifs” – imagine “why not” and as the book promotes, “living your life without fear”.

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Happy Birthday, Cameron!

Cameron and Mitchell have been friends since they have been about 18 months. Mitchell started at "Bread of Life" educare and Cameron was already settled in. When Mitchell left there to attend Carel du Toit Centre they remained friends and still had play dates.

These big boys are both in grade two now. Even though they attend different schools they remain close. They are born three weeks apart and each year Cameron's mom Wendy and I do the annual photo thing at each party, so we will be able to look back and see them growing up together.

Cammy has been such a great friend to Mitchell, and his mom has been a great friend to me. I really hope that this is a lifelong friendship for all of us.

So happy birthday, Cammy! We love you and your great family!

(and we are so looking forward to your nightwalk in the zoo tomorrow!)