I purchased this book from Amazon to read with my sister. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph. This book sorts your walk with God along with your feelings, emotions, and families. What kind of example to set as a Mother but most importantly as a Christian and still find quiet time for God. I enjoyed discussing each chapter with my sister and gathering a perception from another's point of view as well. Review also posted on Library Thing, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Go Read, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com ( )

This was not a book I wanted to rush through because I wanted to take my time and really soak in the message of the book. There were passages I needed to really stop and think/pray about. There were notes I wanted to take and suggestions to remember. Keep in mind, not everything in this book resonated with me or fit into our family and lifestyle, but their are definitely principles, tips, and Biblical teachings that can guide and support you through your home, marriage, and parenting life.

Courtney's journey in helping other women began by growing up in a loving and structured home that was guided by Biblical principles and strong values. Her parents held strong to their beliefs in a world full of temptation and sin and Courtney runs her home with those same values. Courtney began by leading women in Bible Studies in her community and then started her blog, www.WomenLivingWell.org. Her blog reaches women all over the world and allows Courtney to share wisdom, offer support, and encourage others to love Jesus.

In WOMEN LIVING WELL, Courtney is very careful not to preach or tell the reader "what she needs to do". But, instead, she offers what she has done, her personal values, the Biblical teachings and lets the reader decide what will work best for her. Each section of the book takes us through your personal walk with Jesus, your marriage, parenting, and managing your home. This book is not just for those who are stay-at-home-moms or those who homeschool, but for any woman who feels like she needs some support, guidance and a basis for creating structure in the home.

In the past, I have attended a weekly Bible Study called BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which required daily study in the Word and weekly group sessions that I really enjoyed. But, due to time issues, I had to let that go. I try to find time to read the Bible and really make time to pray. But, Courtney gave me a great idea that I am incorporating this week. Buy taking one verse a week, you can focus on memorizing that one verse and the meaning behind it each week. I plan to write that verse as a reminder on my phone and at the top of my to-do list each day. Just one small way I can stay focused on God's word and by choosing verses that will help me with patience, anger, and other struggles.

Courtney spends a great deal of time on social media and the dangers it can create both personally and within your family. I loved the tip she gave that I plan to use with our kids as well....."If the pastor of my church put up on a large screen all the comments, status updates, and pictures I've posted for the entire congregation to see, is there anything that would embarrass me?" Pg.43

In the marriage section, there were several passages that got my attention, but when she asked if I was giving my husband the leftovers rather than the best of me, I stopped and realized I was guilty. After the demands of work, home, children, outside family, and other obligations, it is easy to put your spouse last and this is truly how a marriage can go from warm and loving to difficult. Something so simple and yet, can make such a huge difference in your home.

I also found Courtney's take on social media and parenting very convicting. I noted that at times I am a distracted and distant parent making my children wait until a commercial, or until I finish typing an email or reading an online post on twitter. I am guilty of this and am going to be sure that when my child is talking, I am looking at them and listening. Everything else can wait.

Courtney's encouragement, teachings, and tips for women of any age and at any stage of life are rooted in her Biblical upbringing, but are truly ones that can bring peace and order to your life. Her soothing way of writing makes you feel like you are sitting at the counter sharing a cup of coffee. She seems to know your struggles and knows just what to say to make you feel like you can tackle anything. The key is making sure you are walking through your day with Jesus at your side. A lighted candle, some music and a cup of coffee may help too! ( )

I was excited to dive into Courtney Joseph’s new book -- Women Living Well. And with a subtitle of “Finding Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home”, I suspect most Christ-following women will be interested in what is shared and how she shares. Not everything she does you will want to do, not every tip you will utilize...but you can tell that she has a heart for God and for helping us to grow - closer to God and our family. Also, it’s very encouraging to see the influence her mom was in her life growing up, because we as moms all desire to leave a legacy!

Women Living Well is split into four sections, which are mentioned in the subtitle. Here are just a few great quotes from each area...

**Our relationship with God: “I learned that I could not throw in the towel when the hike with God got tough. It was this duty of listening to God’s voice in His Word and prayer that maintained my daily life. Time with God was as crucial to me as breathing.”

**Our marriage: “Let go of your expectations, remain steadfastly faithful to your marriage vows, and remember that you married a sinner who needs grace--the same grace Christ gave us at the cross.”

**Our parenting: “I had to learn to strive for progress, not perfection, and to focus on the character traits that I wanted to see in my children rather than on the negative things they sometimes did.”... “Dear mamas, do not lose heart. Do not grow weary of doing good (Gal. 6:9). We are raising the next generation, and we can’t do it alone, We need to daily be on our knees in prayer, not just for our husband and children, but for ourselves!”

**Our homemaking: “God does not base your worthiness of His love on the cleanliness of your home. We stand before God justified by the blood of Jesus! But I want to encourage you, do not grow weary in your mundane tasks. Mundane tasks are the hidden treasure to creating a home that is a haven.”

Courtney Joseph shares some of her ups and downs, but always points us to God’s truth! She also reminds us (and I believe this is a VERY important element of this book) that all these areas of our lives will look different from each other’s because we are all individuals who are married to their own husband and raising unique kids in varying home situations. Her emphasis throughout is that God is our living well and filling up with Him daily and purposefully will transform our marriages, our parenting and our home management. What a clear and encouraging message she shares through out Women Living Well!! Read it with a highlighter and then make it personal -- apply God’s truth shared in her practical tips, lots of very practical tips!

More about the author... “... After over a decade of leading women’s Bible studies, mentorships and workshops in her local church, she decided to move her ministry on-line at WomenLivingWell.org and WomenLivingWell.TV. Courtney’s desire is to see women living well through discipleship in God’s Word. ... This led her to co-found the rapidly growing, on-line Bible study community at GoodMorningGirls.org. There thousands of women globally, join together daily, to dig into their Bibles through on-line devotionals, videos, free Bible reading plans and tech-based accountability groups.” --from her “About Me” link on her website

Disclosure: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group’s book review bloggers program, BookSneeze. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I also received an ebook since I was a part of ithe launch team for this book. I was familiar with Courtney Joseph through her websites, especially Good Morning Girls and the Bible studies available there (my kids and I LOVED the last Christmas one!). I looked forward to getting an advanced glimpse at her new book, however I still reviewed this book as I would any other --with honesty and grace. ( )