Book Review: "Fight Back with Joy" by Margaret Feinberg

A few weeks ago, I was reading some magazines published by Lifeway, when I ran across an ad for a book called Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg. I thought it looked interesting, but I was preoccupied with other things, so I didn't give it another thought. The next month, I was reading a newer issue of the same magazine and found not one, but two articles about the book. One of them was an interview with the author, and I found myself sucked in to her fun personality and her humor.

I went to a Christian bookstore and bought the book, along with Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson. I read the book in about four days, and read the majority of the book while in the waiting room at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, as my dad was having liver surgery. I love to read and always a appreciate a good book, but this was more than a good book. This one will change your life. I know plenty of people who will say a book change their lives, but I'm serious.

The author, Margaret Feinberg, wrote the book about her journey through breast cancer. She is very candid and honest as she talks about the effects of the chemo treatments on her body, her feelings while battling cancer, and her double mastectomy. Through it all, Feinberg held fast to her faith and her decision to practice a "defiant joy" in the face of her cancer.

In short, I needed to read this book. You all know about some of the things I have been dealing with this year and last year. I have also been dealing with depression as a result- this book reminded me of something I already knew deep down inside, but needed to be reminded of: "You have joy not in spite of your circumstances, but because of them. You are drenched in the grace and mercy of God."

The author isn't just funny and inspiring, she's really down-to-earth, too. I posted a picture of the book on my Instagram account with the hashtag "FightBackwithJoy," and Feinberg herself responded to my picture saying she couldn't wait to hear what I thought of it. I was impressed by this. I was more impressed when I posted a message on her Facebook page about how much I loved the book and got a response.

In other words, read Fight Back With Joy.  It's wonderful and it will change your life.

Shopping guide: Growin' up in God's Word

My family is Christian. I grew up in church and so did my husband. So, you can imagine it's important to us that our daughter be raised in church as well.  Unfortunately, our church attendance as of late has not been as good as it should be. We are working to get back on track.

I have been faithfully reading devotions, reading my Bible and been more actively praying daily since June. I am not bragging about this, just stating it here to keep me accountable. A lot of things have happened in my life this year, and most of those things were a huge wake-up call for me. A lot of bad things happened this year, but some good things happened, too.

I'll talk more about the good and bad later, but I want to use this time to blog about some books we purchased for our daughter. My little girl is 3. Some of the books and materials we have purchased for her are a bit mature for her at the moment, but will be perfect in a few short years.

She has a toddler Bible. It is a board book, and she loves the pictures and Bible stories within it. She carries this Bible to church with her.  It's actually recommended for ages 2-4 and I purchased it for about $10 from Wal-Mart. It's perfect for her now, but when she turns four next summer, I'd like to get her one that's a little more mature. I haven't done much shopping around yet, so I'm not sure what we might get.

A few years ago, my librarian uncle gave Emorie a Books-A-Million gift card for Christmas. My kiddo is not short on books, for which I am grateful! We went together so she could choose something. We got some age-appropriate story books, and we also picked up this one-year children's Bible story book. It's a little too mature for her, but I've found if you explain the story to her, she understands it. Also, if we read a story she is already familiar with, she understands it just fine. 

Right now, you can buy this for less than $10 on Amazon. 

We have a book sale that comes to our school about every other month. They usually have some really nice things for low prices. I've often bought Christmas gifts from them. This past February, I found a copy of The Love Dare One-Year Devotional for Couples, which I quickly bought for me and the hubs to peruse. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the children's one-year devotional book, Jesus Calling.  I realize this is a bit too mature for my girl now, but in a few years, it will be perfect. Currently, you can get the book for $10.30 on Amazon. I think I paid $12 for it. I am so excited about reading this with her someday soon. 

Do any of you have some recommendations for Bible story books and kids' Bibles? I'd love to hear about them.