Parenting- 14 Principles for Gospel Parenting- Book Review & Giveaway!

I have done some pretty hard things in my life.  But I must admit, parenting is by far the hardest. Parenting four- well, even harder.

Our littlest blessing

Each of our four kiddos are so very different.  We have a typical first born- very deep and introspective, type A, perfectionist.  Then we have our second daughter- a people pleaser, laid back, easy personality who loves almost everyone.  Then we have our two boys.  The first has been pretty easy to raise, sweet spirited and has a happy, even-keel look at life.  Our youngest is our challenge- loving and very loved, but passionate and hot tempered to a fault sometimes.

What worked for one does not work for the other.  Just when we felt like had the parenting thing mastered, God would throw us another curveball.  I mean blessing.

Each time we would regroup, read another best-selling book, and change our style to fit that particular child.

It is exhausting at times.  Ok, exhausting a lot!

But some things never change.

Like the Word of God and His desires for us and our children.  And the Gospel story.  The only magic formula or best selling book for parenting is His Word.  I am convinced of this!

So what does Mr. Paul David Tripp, Christian author and speaker, offer to parents looking for answers in his new book,  Parenting- 14 Godly Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family?

This is not a typical how-to parenting book.  It is a "why do we" parenting book.  While at times I just want someone to tell me what to do (you know- make it easy for me), this book points back to Jesus and the whys of what I need to do.  It is challenging and convicting, and it points back to our need for God in everything it says.  It points back to the Gospel time and time again. A refreshing read for sure!

Chapters include:

• Calling
• Grace
• Law
• Inability
• Identity
• Process
• Lost
• Authority
• Foolishness
• Character
• False Gods
• Control
• Rest 
• Mercy

Let me share a few take aways that I have been pondering since reading this book.

In the chapter on Calling, one of the questions Mr. Tripp asks is, "Do ministry decisions and commitments make it hard for you to faithfully do your work as a parent?"  Ouch!  Whether ministry or just commitments in general, I KNOW we must choose carefully where we spend our time.  We can get so busy doing good things, that we forget to do the best things.  It is a challenge I want to be very aware of!

The Inability chapter was another convicting one for me.  Listen to this- "God has given you authority for the work of change, but has not granted you the power to make that change happen." (p.61)  I love how Mr. Tripp reminds his readers that we can scare or reward our children into right behavior temporarily, but only God can truly change their hearts.  As silly as it sounds, it takes a little pressure off me.  I know that until a child's, or my, heart is changed into God's image, our behavior will never change.  We are just not able on our own.

From the reminders that our children misbehave because they are lost, foolish, and lack character, to the hope that they will change with God's grace, each page of this 209 page book is filled with Godly insight and encouragement.  I appreciate Mr. Tripp's honesty in his own failings as a parent and his honest questions to get you thinking about how you view your parenting and how you could improve.

If you are looking to make changes in your parenting and want to make the Gospel the center of your life and your child's, Parenting- 14 Godly Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family is a book you need in your hands!

Fly By Productions has graciously agreed to give one of our readers a copy of  Parenting- 14 Godly Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.  Just leave me a comment and tell me how many kiddos you have and a random winner will be chosen next Thursday!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Blessings,