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Real Moms...Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands
Tired of feeling like no one understands your struggles as a mom? Look no further.
What does Jesus know about the everyday life of a mom? Plenty! Jill Savage, founder and director of Hearts at Home, introduces the real Jesus to real moms. Through chapters that examine key behaviors and decisions Jesus made during His life on earth, Jill brings those lessons right down to the tiring, laundry-filled, sticky-fingered days every mother knows.
Between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into real, messy, busy lives. In Real Moms . . . Real Jesus , Jill continually reminds the reader that Jesus is not an unattainable deity, but a Friend who truly understands. A Leader's Guide is available for mom's or small group study.
What does Jesus know about the everyday life of a mom? Plenty! Jill Savage, founder and director of Hearts at Home, introduces the real Jesus to real moms. Through chapters that examine key behaviors and decisions Jesus made during His life on earth, Jill brings those lessons right down to the tiring, laundry-filled, sticky-fingered days every mother knows.
Between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into real, messy, busy lives. In Real Moms . . . Real Jesus , Jill continually reminds the reader that Jesus is not an unattainable deity, but a Friend who truly understands. A Leader's Guide is available for mom's or small group study.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2009
54 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 15, 2012
Amazing book! Love it! I'm currently doing an online Facebook bible study with the author herself. So much fun :-) I highly recommend this book to any Christian mommy.
January 22, 2025
This book was a great tool for deep discussion with the moms group at my church.
September 23, 2010
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
As moms, we sometimes struggle with feeling like no one really understands. We believe Hebrews 4:15 in a general sense, but never really think about how Jesus might be able to relate to some of the specific situations we encounter as moms.
Jill Savage, executive director of Hearts at Home and mom of five herself, sets out to show us that He really does relate to our lives, in very specific ways in her newest book, Real Moms...Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands. It focuses on the struggles all moms face and offers encouragement that Jesus both understands completely and offers us the perfect example of how to handle each situation.
Real Moms...Real Jesus has a unique format. First comes a short, two to three page "perspective" section, which poses a real-life scenario for a mom and then relates an actual event in the Gospels that illustrates how Jesus' experiences parallel it. For example, the third "perspective" is titled "Can I please go to the bathroom alone?" No explanation needed for most moms on that one, but Ms. Savage points out that, when we read the Gospels, we see that large crowds were constantly following Jesus everywhere He went. When He tried to slip away for a few moments alone to pray, they found Him. He truly does understand the weariness, the need for just a few moments of peace and quiet so we can hear ourselves think...He's been there! This is followed by a prayer with space for journaling, a suggested reading (following these will take you through the entire book of Matthew as you read the book), and a key verse.
The chapter that follows explores a character quality Jesus exhibits in that particular situation that we should seek to develop ourselves. This format is followed for thirteen "perspectives" and chapters, covering issues from the aforementioned finding time alone, to dealing with disobedience and squabbling, lack of sleep, and cultivating a gentle spirit.
I particularly enjoyed going through this because it coincided with my reading of the Gospels in my Bible reading challenge and perfectly complemented it.
I've read and enjoyed a couple of other books by Ms. Savage on motherhood and household topics, so I expected to enjoy this one as well, but I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and Gospel focus in this little volume! There's definitely plenty to chew on here.
A leader's guide in the back makes this a wonderful resource for a group study. I'd love to go through Real Moms...Real Jesus with a group using the guide. It also works wonderfully for personal devotions, with the reflections, prayers, and journaling spaces provided.
All in all, I highly recommend this one to all moms. You'll find it encouraging, challenging, and inspirational. Thanks so much to Moody Publishers for providing a copy to me for review.
Read more: http://homewithpurpose.blogspot.com/2...
Under Creative Commons License
As moms, we sometimes struggle with feeling like no one really understands. We believe Hebrews 4:15 in a general sense, but never really think about how Jesus might be able to relate to some of the specific situations we encounter as moms.
Jill Savage, executive director of Hearts at Home and mom of five herself, sets out to show us that He really does relate to our lives, in very specific ways in her newest book, Real Moms...Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands. It focuses on the struggles all moms face and offers encouragement that Jesus both understands completely and offers us the perfect example of how to handle each situation.
Real Moms...Real Jesus has a unique format. First comes a short, two to three page "perspective" section, which poses a real-life scenario for a mom and then relates an actual event in the Gospels that illustrates how Jesus' experiences parallel it. For example, the third "perspective" is titled "Can I please go to the bathroom alone?" No explanation needed for most moms on that one, but Ms. Savage points out that, when we read the Gospels, we see that large crowds were constantly following Jesus everywhere He went. When He tried to slip away for a few moments alone to pray, they found Him. He truly does understand the weariness, the need for just a few moments of peace and quiet so we can hear ourselves think...He's been there! This is followed by a prayer with space for journaling, a suggested reading (following these will take you through the entire book of Matthew as you read the book), and a key verse.
The chapter that follows explores a character quality Jesus exhibits in that particular situation that we should seek to develop ourselves. This format is followed for thirteen "perspectives" and chapters, covering issues from the aforementioned finding time alone, to dealing with disobedience and squabbling, lack of sleep, and cultivating a gentle spirit.
I particularly enjoyed going through this because it coincided with my reading of the Gospels in my Bible reading challenge and perfectly complemented it.
I've read and enjoyed a couple of other books by Ms. Savage on motherhood and household topics, so I expected to enjoy this one as well, but I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and Gospel focus in this little volume! There's definitely plenty to chew on here.
A leader's guide in the back makes this a wonderful resource for a group study. I'd love to go through Real Moms...Real Jesus with a group using the guide. It also works wonderfully for personal devotions, with the reflections, prayers, and journaling spaces provided.
All in all, I highly recommend this one to all moms. You'll find it encouraging, challenging, and inspirational. Thanks so much to Moody Publishers for providing a copy to me for review.
Read more: http://homewithpurpose.blogspot.com/2...
Under Creative Commons License
July 19, 2010
MY REVIEW:
Mothers come in different sizes, shapes, and styles, but they all share the same feeling over and over again - weariness. In the midst of answering questions, cleaning up messes, running errands, we Moms tend to loose our perspective in the one load of laundry that never seems to get folded! Jill Savage writes this book to guide us like a close girlfriend in refocusing our eyes on Jesus Christ.
Real Moms...Real Jesus takes 13 perspectives we Moms cling to and shows us 13 new perspectives that Jesus models for us. Through personal examples, Scripture passages, and a heart that seeks God, Jill gives us a real and refreshing handbook for Moms at any stage of the journey.
I enjoyed each "perspective" story and it's companion chapter showing us the real Jesus and the hope He gives for being faithful to our call of motherhood. It's an easy-to-read book that hits home quickly and encourages deeply. In the back of the book are some great discussion questions and helpful small-group study guides that make this book a perfect match for a small study group of Moms.
If you are in the trenches of motherhood, or know someone in them, this is a wonderful gift of encouragement for her.
BOOK OVERVIEW:
What does Jesus know about the peanut-butter-and-jelly life of a mom? Plenty! Jill Savage, founder and director of Hearts at Home, introduces the real Jesus to real moms. In chapters that examine key behaviors and decisions Jesus made during His life on earth, Jill brings those lessons right down to the laundry-filled, sticky-fingered days every mother knows.
Between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into real, messy, busy lives. Jill continually reminds the reader that Jesus is not an unattainable deity, but a Friend who understands.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of Moody Publishers.
Mothers come in different sizes, shapes, and styles, but they all share the same feeling over and over again - weariness. In the midst of answering questions, cleaning up messes, running errands, we Moms tend to loose our perspective in the one load of laundry that never seems to get folded! Jill Savage writes this book to guide us like a close girlfriend in refocusing our eyes on Jesus Christ.
Real Moms...Real Jesus takes 13 perspectives we Moms cling to and shows us 13 new perspectives that Jesus models for us. Through personal examples, Scripture passages, and a heart that seeks God, Jill gives us a real and refreshing handbook for Moms at any stage of the journey.
I enjoyed each "perspective" story and it's companion chapter showing us the real Jesus and the hope He gives for being faithful to our call of motherhood. It's an easy-to-read book that hits home quickly and encourages deeply. In the back of the book are some great discussion questions and helpful small-group study guides that make this book a perfect match for a small study group of Moms.
If you are in the trenches of motherhood, or know someone in them, this is a wonderful gift of encouragement for her.
BOOK OVERVIEW:
What does Jesus know about the peanut-butter-and-jelly life of a mom? Plenty! Jill Savage, founder and director of Hearts at Home, introduces the real Jesus to real moms. In chapters that examine key behaviors and decisions Jesus made during His life on earth, Jill brings those lessons right down to the laundry-filled, sticky-fingered days every mother knows.
Between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into real, messy, busy lives. Jill continually reminds the reader that Jesus is not an unattainable deity, but a Friend who understands.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of Moody Publishers.
November 28, 2010
Wonderfully written reflection of the role of motherhood and the life of Jesus. So many of Jesus' experiences mimic what a mother's role entails. This book definetly sheds new light and deepens your relationship with Jesus. The roles we play and the challenges mothers face are all things Jesus has experienced before. This book was great at recharging my spirit and prayer life. Though this book was mostly geared towards stay-at-home moms, I could totally relate to the experiences! I would recommend this book to all Christian mothers, in fact any mother. It is beautifully written, thoughtfully constructed, and a wonderful new perspective on the life of Jesus.
April 13, 2015
This was an amazing book. It was an easy read and well organized. Jill did a wonderful job of showing how all the craziness of being a wife and mother is something that Jesus understands. I looked forward to each chapter. I loved how she included moments of her life to demonstrate what point she was sharing. Most of all, I loved that at the end of every other chapter she has you read one or more chapters in the book of Matthew. It was pretty much a mini bible study of Matthew. Having not done that before, I loved it! I would recommend this book to every mom no matter what stage of motherhood you are at.
August 18, 2009
We read this book for my summer Bible study. It's light and written more for someone newer in their faith. But the author is funny and does a nice job just being honest with describing the daily struggles of motherhood. The book also has you read a couple chapters of Matthew alongside each book chapter to gain greater perspective on the life of Jesus and the struggles he dealt with. I can't say I had any "a-ha" moments, but it was an enjoyable book.
December 25, 2010
This was a great book! Our women's Bible study group did this together. What we really liked was that it was real--it does not come across as a lofty ideal of motherhood. She also connects very well how Jesus really understands moms, and how you can meet with Him in the craziness of everyday life!
July 18, 2012
A gem of a book; the type you buy for a girlfriend going through an aggravating time of motherhood. Most chapters end in Bible passage readings most of which were from Matthew. I liked how Jesus is referred to as a "Friend who understands". She was able to make great parallels between Jesus's time on Earth and motherhood.
May 6, 2015
I read this book as part of a Bible study with other women. I liked that the author had you reading the book of Matthew to help fully relate to the story of Jesus and how he went through many things that we as Moms do. That really helped bring the concepts to fruition. I highly recommend this book.
August 5, 2015
The book teaches a variety of great lessons that are important for each and every mom, no matter the season. Jill does a good job of being both relatable and well-informed as she discusses scripture and the history behind it. There were moments where it felt a little too "girly-girl" for me, but overall, I'd recommend this book to any mom who needs an uplifting, hope-giving read.
December 29, 2015
A little bit fluffy at times, but the overall message of giving ourselves grace as moms and putting Jesus above all else was clear. She makes some good points about trusting the Lord with your kids, the future, and your spouse. It would be best for a newer Christian mom or a mom of younger children just starting the child-rearing journey.
August 7, 2025
This book is a winner! The way she takes everyday mom situations and helps you to realize that Jesus really does understand what you are going through from not just a heavenly point of view but from having been there feeling the same feelings as a human man. Really insightful!!
April 17, 2013
I liked this and found it encouraging. She's a little loose with her application of scripture, in my opinion. But I still loved it and found it an affirming and encouraging read as I was adjusting to life with a baby and a two-year-old! Would definitely recommend.
July 6, 2015
This is a great devotional for Christian Moms. Each chapter allows us to reflect on how we can turn to Christ through our difficulties because he was human too. Through anger, temptation, loneliness, hurt... We have a friend in Jesus who has set an example for us.
October 6, 2010
GREAT book! Wonderful encouragement. Recommend to all moms! I'll be keeping close by to refer back to.
April 4, 2010
Reading this for my Mom's Bible Study group. Am enjoying the book and the discussions.
December 28, 2010
I'm so excited to read this book with the MOMS group! Looking forward to great discussions!
June 20, 2011
I thought it was a pretty good book. I got some killer quotes from it.
March 27, 2012
Read this book for my mom's group from church.
February 5, 2013
An easy read with a few good reminders and some fresh perspectives on Jesus as a person and his sacred role on earth among humanity.
May 17, 2013
The best part of this book is Jill's sharing how God has worked and answered prayers in her life.
June 17, 2014
I read this with a study group and it sparked up good conversations about being a mom. It was an easy read and definitely one I plan to read again to refresh.
November 22, 2013
Short chapters with concrete, concise examples of the way Jesus lived his life that directly relate to how moms live life, including challenges and successes.
October 30, 2016
This book gave me the strength and courage to write my children letters....I have notes on just about every page. ABSOLUTELY a book I need to read every year!!
November 25, 2016
A very encouraging and insightful book. Much to think about!
February 6, 2017
Highly recommend to any mother! This book has given me a completely different outlook on motherhood!
April 15, 2020
A needed reminder that we do not face this alone. Jesus understands and is with us. If you struggle with different versions of scripture like the Message, please know that Jill Savage uses many different versions of the scripture including the Mesaage, but for me it was a hurdle to get over, not a stumbling block.
January 16, 2024
I did this as part of a daily reading/devotional for myself and I really loved it.
There were some super profound things that she wrote, I love the scripture intertwined, and some of the stories that were accounts of herself or others were definitely “God moments” that I’ll always remember. I really suggest giving this book a try!
There were some super profound things that she wrote, I love the scripture intertwined, and some of the stories that were accounts of herself or others were definitely “God moments” that I’ll always remember. I really suggest giving this book a try!
February 5, 2025
I tried to read this book once before but wasn’t in the right place to do so. I found it again in a box and gave it another try. I read each morning along with the Bible. The way the author relates everyday life and struggles to Jesus was a wonderful surprise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews