What the Bible is All About for Moms

What the Bible is all About for Moms
Written by Kathy Pride
Published at Regal
About the book
Renowned Bible teacher Henrietta Mears had a dream: to make the Bible accessible to everyone. What the Bible Is All About realizes her dream, and that book has become an essential companion for students of the Bible for more than 50 years. What the Bible Is All About for Moms is the second devotional based on Dr. Mears classic study guide. These 66 readings, one for each book of the Bible, will bring God's Word into the homes and hearts of moms of all ages. Each chapter includes mom-specific excerpts from Henrietta's original text, suggested Scripture reading for daily or weekly study, a devotional reading to connect the days verses to the everyday lives of mothers, a few ideas about applying God's Word to the reader's life and a suggested thought or question for further reflection. Moms are in the Bible from beginning to end, and now the Bible can be in the hearts and minds of moms!

Who is Kathy Pride?
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m trying to decide how to introduce myself… I have lots of energy (although I feel tired a lot), am decidedly middle aged (although I still seem to think I am in my twenties) and wage a losing battle with wanting to drop ten to fifteen pounds which have settled between my naval and my knees.

I worship at Community Mennonite Fellowship in Milton, Pennsylvania where I serve as the Director of the Missions/Outreach Ministry. I accepted Christ the very first day I showed up at this church on June 10, 2001 and am privileged to serve as part of the church with a group of people who walk the talk.

I grew up in New York City and now I live in a small town in Pennsylvania where I moved with my husband, Howie, in 1986. We chose Danville, PA because there is a large medical center and it is where my husband completed his residencies and now practices as a pediatric dermatologist.
Howie and I met at Brown University, where he graduated in 1980, and I graduated in 1982. I did not study English, journalism, or writing, (a question I am frequently asked) but majored in Health and Society. When we moved to Pennsylvania I continued my education, earning my BSN from Bloomsburg University and have spent over twenty years teaching huff and puff (childbirth education) classes.

We have four children, two big boys (OK, young men) in their twenties, and two daughters in elementary school. The quip is that we missed our generation completely, having our first two children as young fools, and our second two as old fogies. Our older daughter is Vietnamese, joining our family when she was five months old. Our other three children are birth children, our second son and second daughter red headed look a-likes.

My writing journey started in 2002 when we were in the midst of struggles with our son and I felt compelled to share a hand of hope and healing to other families who were struggling with substance abuse. The directive to share was very clear, as if I had heard an audible voice. I ended up writing the book I needed to read Winning the Drug War at Home. And that was the beginning of my writing life, which I love and find myself knee-deep in it.

What else can I tell you about myself? In an attempt to get rid of those nagging extra ten pounds I love to exercise but need a goal to keep me motivated. So my husband and I recently decided to join the world of short distance triathlons. I used to be quite competitive (swam at the National Level) but now my goal is simply to finish.

I love to travel and we have gone to Honduras on Medical Mission trips. Recently I did a high ropes course, and all I have to say is it really is a good thing I only had a vague idea of what I was getting myself into. I have never participated in sky diving (although our son Matt has; he also went down in a cage to visit with sharks and want to get his Avalanche certification…) but I have gone paragliding in the Swiss Alps.

An Interview with Kathy Pride
First, a little bit about me and how this book came to be…

So, let’s chat. I love chatting! And meeting new people, especially moms.
I am a mom, I have a mom, and I have worked with moms for years as a childbirth educator. And my writing style is much like my teaching style, telling things like they are with truth, humor and transparency.
I hated it when the instructor told me in Lamaze class that the contractions wouldn’t hurt. That was simply not true. And I vowed then and there that everything I did in life had to be truthful, but that sometimes the truth hurts so humor tempers lots.

Anyway, I have four kids, two adult sons, 28 and 25 and two younger daughters, eleven and thirteen, and for those who wonder about the gap, our third child was actually the only one truly, truly planned for the time she arrived, as she was adopted and brought home from Vietnam at five months of age.

My husband and I have been married for almost thirty years and met in college and have hung in and on ever since. We live in a small town in Central PA where he is a physician and I spend most of my time after three pm in the car.

The opportunity to write this book came to be as a result of a totally divine happenstance conversation I had with editor extraordinaire and grace dispenser Kim Bangs who invited me to submit a concept sheet and then proposal for this book.

Well, what about that soft spot for moms?

Moms have a tough job, don’t you think?

We do have the Bible, and not to minimize that as an instruction manual in right living by any stretch of the imagination, but it tends to come in after friends and family and all their free advice, that can be pretty costly…

So the question arose, how can we take Biblical wisdom and stories, role models and examples, and weave them into relevant (and funny) stories to encourage moms? I know I need encouragement! Everyone else’s kids may be perfect, but mine are NOT. And, shocker, neither am I. But guess what? Neither were many of the moms, ok, all of the moms in the Bible. Remember, Jesus has the corner on the market in the perfection department, so God has provided lots of examples of moms and how they dealt with different situations, similar to what current day moms deal with. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. But, the story of the Bible is one of redemption, and moms need to remember that.

So, the opening story for Genesis, is titled, “E is for Eve and Epidurals.”

So, tell us a little bit about how the book is laid out, and who is Henrietta Mears?

The book is inspired by the writing of Henrietta Mears, renowned Bible Teacher from Hollywood Presbyterian Church in the 1940’s and on. She believed in making the Bible accessible to everyone, and wrote her hallmark publication, What the Bible is All About, and was the founder of Gospel Light Publishing, Regal’s (the publisher of this book) parent company. So Regal has now published two devotionals inspired by her writing.

The book is comprised of 66 chapters, one for each book of the Bible, each one bit sized for busy moms.
Each chapter starts off with a brief section entitled “Snapshot from Henrietta” which serves as a basic overview for that particular book of the Bible. It is then followed by selected Scriptures, also inspired by the writing of Miss Mears, with one specific Scripture from among her selections highlighted. This Scripture is one that has particular relevance to moms.

A short one sentence synopsis precedes each story under the heading, “Momento” and then is followed by the story under the heading, “Mama Mia” which focuses on a mom or mom theme.

Each story is followed by an encouragement, “Lightening the Mother Load” and then closes with questions for reflection under “Musings for Moms.”

Tell us a little about the stories; some of these titles make me laugh.
I am so glad they make you laugh. Every mom who has gone through labor can relate to labor pain. Well, it says there right in the Bible, women will experience pain in childbirth, so E is for Eve (the grande dame mama) and epidurals…

Then there are others, like, “Bath”-Is That for Bathing or Bathsheba? (Being noticed and admired…); “White Teeth and Plastic Surgery” (paying attention to appearances); “Mean Girls 101” (raising great daughters); and “Too Much Idling Will Ruin Your Engine” (Gossiping).

But the stories are relevant, honest, and will result in many nods of recognition. I am simply the scribe (oh, and experiencer of most of the stories, which are all true, although some names have been changed….)

But aren’t Moms too busy to read?

I will be the first mom to admit that we are busy…and I often fall asleep at night, sometimes drooling, while trying to read. But these chapters are bite sized, uplifting and include lots of Scripture, and can be read on the go. They are great for the car or purse. Plus, with the Bible overview, if you have friends who don’t think the Bible is particularly relevant, or not for them, this is perfect to introduce them to the Bible as the real deal!

Is this for all moms, or just young moms?

The challenges that moms face are really universal throughout their lifetime. It may be a different story, but ultimately it is the same script. It may be sleepless nights with a colicky baby, but problems and not understanding what is wrong continues with your kids through a lifetime (sorry, if you have young kids you probably didn’t just want to read this…)

It includes single moms, young moms, older moms, and moms who aren’t yet moms. There are struggles in yearning to be a mom and God’s answers and timing that are also written about with bittersweet honesty.

Have you had experience with tough times in parenting?

Absolutely. But because God is in the grand business of redemption, while it doesn’t condone wrongs, He will use mistakes to help us reach out to others. I have experienced crisis pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, adoption and motherhood as a young fool, and older fogie…remember, we have seventeen years between number one and four. Our adult sons have had struggles (one son’s struggle with substance abuse is what paved the way to my relationship with Christ) and just real life issues, which would make it into my annual Christmas letter, and is why I no longer write one (no, I write a book instead…)

How has this book been redemptive to you?

That’s a great question, because the first draft of this manuscript was, well, a little let’s just say, sharp (ok, downright caustic in some places) and that showed me, through the eyes of another, that I still had significant healing to go through in my relationship with my own mother. And it is amazing how God has accomplished that, through allowing me to write, re write and then learn from Him through the writing of this book.

What kind of feedback have you had so far?

You know, it’s been really encouraging. Moms are relieved that they are not alone, that there is someone else who will acknowledge that they don’t have it all together (and don’t drive a clean car, either…) I have had so many women remark that they felt like I was just chatting with them over coffee, that the stories are so real to life. And that’s what we need isn’t it? Encouragement from others that we journey through life together, God loves us, will redeem our mistakes, and then enable us to share with the next sojourner on the journey of life.

What else would you like to share?

I would love for people to join the conversation, come stop by for a visit at my web site: http://www.kathypride.com/, also known as The Mennonite Diva. Friend me on Facebook, although there I listed my “full” name for some unknown reason, Katherine Pride (so formal) follow my blog on the home page of my website, and just hang out.

Wait just one minute…did you say Mennonite Diva? Tell me about that.

Sure. First of all, my message of encouragement to women is that they all need to release their Inner Diva’s. They are Divinely Chosen, Inspiring, Valued and Amazing. I worship at a Mennonite Church where I also serve as the Outreach and Missions Director, and I love pink and having fun. So please drop by!

My Thoughts
I see this book as a companion of the original What the Bible is All About.   Why?   Simply because I consider it more like a devotional that goes along with the original book written by Henrietta Mears. 
What the Bible is All About for Mom’s gives a snapshot of what Mrs. Mears has written in the original book and then you get a devotion with questions that will make you think and ponder on what you have read.  

I enjoyed reading the devotions of the books of the bible that I selected and look forward to pursue my discoveries in this book.   I am fortunate to have the original book from Mrs. Mears as well so I can take both and discover the Bible through a different way.

Getting to know your Bible from cover to cover should be a priority for every mom.   After all, how can you encourage your children to discover God’s Word when you yourself don’t take the time to do so?   Reading on a daily basis will show them that getting to know God is a priority.   This book will help you to discover how it can be applied in your life while you do through the devotional part of it.  

This review was possible because I received a copy of What the Bible is All About for Mom’s from Christian Speaker Services.

What the Bible is All About for Mom’s is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

Preparing for Adolescence

Preparing for Adolescence products
Written By Dr. James Dobson
Published at Gospel Light

The Products

Preparing for Adolescence CD Pack

How to Survive the Coming Years of Change Contains one parent CD with a message from Dr. Dobson regarding the use of the material. James Dobson interviews three couples who have gone through the "preparing for adolescence" process (with comments by some of their children.) Six additional CDs contain content from the best-selling paperback book, Preparing for Adolescence. An additional CD answers questions teens ask most in order to equip parents to spark discussions with their teens. The CDs can be used as an audio replacement for the book content when desired. There are 8 CDs which are approx. 60 min each.

Preparing for Adolescence Family Guide and Workbook

How to Survive the Coming Years of Change This workbook is designed to accompany and reinforce the best-selling book Preparing for Adolescence and the Preparing for Adolescence Family CD Pack. The workbook contains 20 lessons, designed for one-on-one parent and child sessions. It helps parents present the content of the Preparing for Adolescence book in a user-friendly way to the children. The Family Guide is purposefully designed to be a parent/child shared resource. The manual contains 20 lessons, approx. 10 minutes each.

Who is Dr. James Dobson?

James C. Dobson, Ph.D. is founder and chairman of the board for Focus on the Family. His internationally syndicated radio program, Focus on the Family, is heard daily by more than 200 million people. Dr. Dobson is featured in Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, and has authored many best-selling books including, Emotions: Can You Trust Them? and Preparing for Adolescence. He and his wife, Shirley, have two grown children and reside in Colorado. 

My Thoughts

This year we are going through changes in our family life.  Since last Friday we have now a tween in our household and three other kids are following the footsteps of their oldest brother.  

Consequently, it made us realized that we might not be ready for adolescence.   And knowing that Dr. Dobson has a wonderful product for both parents and teenager, I requested the opportunity to review the Preparing for Adolescence CDs and Family Guide and Workbook.  To my delighted surprised, I received both through the mail without knowing if I would be granted this request.   Thank you Gospel Light!

The series has been done for kids ages 10-14 years old depending of the level of maturity.   Dr. Dobson himself strongly suggest to go through this series while doing a small trip with the child going through puberty.  I so love this idea and planning is something we like to do.  So we can now planned for next year when our oldest will turn 10 years old. 

The CDs can be used at home or during a special trip with the young person.   We are planning a special trip with Dad for the boys and a special trip with Mom with our daughter when the time comes.  The CDs will help you have a conversation with your child about topics such as  growing up, sexuality, drugs and alcohol, inferiority, love and identity.  I like the way the CD set is setup.  The first CD is for parents only and will prepare you on what to expect and what to say.   This CD is encouraging for parents and gives you ideas, suggestions as well as helps you to remember your own passage through puberty.

Cds 2 to 7 are for young people and for parents together on various topics.   These are perfect for the special trip I mentioned above.  Then the last CD is for parents to listen and contains answers to questions your child might ask.  It is an optional CD which you have to review BEFORE going on that special trip with your child.   Pretty neat don’t you think?

The family guide & workbook contains discussion starters as well as activities and ideas that will help you talk about the issues found in the CD.   This workbook is linked to the book or the CD.  However, at the beginning of the workbook it is suggested to go see the corresponding CD segments at the back of it and the list is not there.   It is a bit disappointing I find.   I have contacted the publisher about this missing information and I am confident that they will send me the listening guide for the CDs. 

As for the activities included in the workbook, I can say that I wished I had had something like that when I was going through the teenage years.   I think it would have helped me to deal with a multitude of emotions and events.

I think Preparing for Adolescence is a curriculum that should be in every household.   This will help not only the young men and women to go through a hard period of time but also it will help parents to prepare to the roller-coaster years of adolescence.

Also available in this series are the book itself and the group guide which can be used in a church setting.

This review was possible because I received a copy of Preparing for Adolescence CD Pack and Preparing for Adolescence Family Guide and Workbook from Gospel Light.

Preparing for Adolescence Family Guide: How to Survive the Coming Years of Change @ christianbook.com

Preparing for Adolescence: How to Survive the Coming Years of Change -audio CD @ christianbook.com