Book + Bible Study

I have a new book and Bible study to share with you today by Lysa Terkeurst.

       

About the book:

New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst shows you what to do with your skepticism and distrust so you can heal from past betrayals and move forward with strength and resilience.

Trust is the oxygen of all human relationships. But it's also what trips you up after you've been burned. Maybe a friend constantly lets you down. A leader or organization you respect turns out to be different than they portray themselves to be. A spouse cheats on you. A family member betrays you. You're exhausted by other people's choices and starting to question your own discernment. And you're wondering, If God let this happen, can he even be trusted?

How can you live well and step into the future when you keep stumbling over trust issues? Lysa TerKeurst says it's not simply about finding better people to walk with. It's about developing the stability you long for within yourself and with God, so you don't become cynical and carry a broken belief system into every new relationship. In I Want to Trust You, But I Don't, Lysa shows you how to

• identify which of the eleven relational red flags are stirring up distrust, so you can pinpoint why you're feeling uneasy;
• stop having more faith in your fears coming true than God coming through for you by asking crucial "what if" questions to better process your doubts;
• recognize when a fractured relationship can be repaired by considering a reasonable list of characteristics necessary for rebuilding trust; and
• understand the physical, emotional, and neurological impact of the betrayals you've experienced and start healing from the inside out.

In a world where so many things feel alarming, this book will give you a peace that isn't dependent on unpredictable people, circumstances, and experiences. Instead, it offers practical and biblical ways to make real progress toward healthier perspectives, relationships, and a future you can authentically look forward to.

About the study:

Building upon and further unpacking the scriptural concepts in her book I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t, this six-session Bible study (video access included) will equip you to:

• Identify which of the 11 relational red flags are stirring up distrust, so you're able to better pinpoint why you're feeling uneasy.
• Recognize when it's possible to repair a fractured relationship and how to do it with a five-step framework you can start using today.
• Understand what the Bible says about trusting God and others so you're equipped to make decisions that are in line with Scripture.
• Learn how to know the difference between a feeling you're having and true discernment from the Holy Spirit so you can move on from the past with more wisdom and assurance.

This study guide includes:

• Individual access to six streaming video sessions
• A guide to best practices for leading a group
• Video notes and a comprehensive structure for group discussion time
• Personal study for deeper reflection between sessions

My thoughts:

I felt there was a lot in this book that I couldn't relate to in regards to losing trust in marriage; however, she does give examples of other situations where a person can lose trust.  I appreciate that she shares some of her personal experiences and the process of trusting again when trust was broken.  She makes it clear this is not an overnight thing and will take time.  

Each chapter ends with "One More Thing I Want You to Know" followed by Remember, Receive, Reflect, and Pray.  I like this feature as it is helpful to review when you read nonfiction.   Here is an example from one chapter.  

There are single quotes on individual pages throughout the book.  Here is one.  

This is the type of book you may need to read more than once to glean information from it.  

About the Bible Study:

I have done many Bible studies through the years by a variety of authors.  I like the set up of this one with a schedule for you to follow for each chapter/session.  

The personal study days are similar to other studies I've done with questions, passages to read, and fill in the blanks to answer.  

For the video sessions notes are included as well with space to take your own notes.

Click on this link to learn more about this author and these books and to purchase.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

#iwanttotrustyoubook

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Bible: CSB Study Bible for Women + GIVEAWAY

 Are you looking for a new Study Bible? Let me share with you a little about this Bible.

About the Bible:The CSB Study Bible for Women features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

My thoughts:I have thoroughly enjoyed using this Bible over the past couple of months.  There are SO many features.  One thing I found interesting were all of the full color maps.  There are some at the back but also I like the ones in the text.  Another positive feature I liked is the index where off of the special features are divided....Biblical Womanhood, Character Profiles, Charts, Doctrine, Hard Questions, and Maps and Reconstructions. The "Word Study" features and Timelines throughout were helpful.  One of my favorite things was how each book ended with a short write up about the book called "Written on my Heart." 

I was not really familiar with the CSB version.  I am glad I had the opportunity to read this to study God's word. It is very well done in my opinion.

Here is a picture of the closed Bible. Notice the two bookmarks. (Another plus in my opinion that it has two!)

There is a giveaway happening right now where you can win a copy of this study Bible.  Go HERE to enter for your chance to win this beautiful Bible.

Visit this link to order the Bible.

I received a copy of this Bible from the FrontGate Reviewers program for my honest review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings! 

  Bethany

Book: I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars

About the book:
Too often, women wonder if the abundant life Jesus promised is buried somewhere beneath the piles of dirty laundry or the layers of crumbs and abandoned toys on the floor of the minivan. Overwhelming to-do lists--pay the bills, go to work, parent the children, volunteer at church, bake four dozen cupcakes before bed--can feel like weights around their necks.

Jessie Clemence knows the struggles of women everywhere who are just trying to get through the million stresses--small and large--that come with living day to day. This funny, warm, and honest book speaks directly to them, and offers real hope.

With hilarity and wit sure to make every mom chuckle in recognition, Jessie discusses what the Bible says about reactions to daily frustrations and God's expectations for Christians' lives. For any overwhelmed woman wanting a new way of handling life's crazy moments, God is waiting to offer abundant life, peace, and joy--all found through seeking Him.

I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars will give readers a respite, time to laugh out loud, and a new focus on the God who can turn their stresses into blessings.

My thoughts:When I read the book description, I thought this sounded like a good book to review.  I have enjoyed reading it.  The book is divided into three sections....

• The Relentless, Endless Muck of Adulthood
• Other People and Their Chaos Stress Me Out
• Sometimes I Stress Myself Out 

She has a lot of funny stories which the readers will be able to relate to.  I appreciate the biblical perspective she adds to these too. 

Topics covered in the chapters of this book include procrastination, finances, housework, misunderstandings, and entitlement to name a few.

As I read I kept a list of quotes that really stood out to me.  Here are a couple of those:

"The Bible never once tells us our value is based on how clean our tubs are or how tidily our linens are folded.  But it does tell us to carefully guard the important things in our hearts and to focus on what's really important."

"Our eternal security and citizenship rest in what Christ has done for us, not in how many religious memes we post on Facebook.  We've lost our focus, and we desperately need to get it back."  

I think you will be encouraged by this book.  Sometimes we just get all bent out of shape over things that don't ever matter. It's good to take a step back and recheck our priorities. There were a lot of things that made me stop and think, which I always appreciate as I read.

While I didn't agree with everything the author said, I did enjoy this book overall and found it to be a good read and encouraging to me.

Check out more about this book here.

I received a copy of this book for my review for being part of the Kregel Blog Tour.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Book: Calm, Cool, and Connected

About the book:
It's easy to become consumed and preoccupied with our devices. In turn, we begin to suppress or ignore what’s most important, focusing instead on the urgent and sensational. In Calm, Cool, and Connected, Arlene Pellicane walks you through an easy 5-step plan that will help you center your life on Jesus and love others by decluttering your screen time. By introducing a few easy habits into your daily routine, you can transform your relationship with technology and enjoy more time with God and others.
About the author:
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker, author of six books, media personality, and blogger. Arlene has appeared in major media outlets including the Today Show, Focus on the Family, Fox & Friends, Family Life Today, The 700 Club, The Better Show, The Hour of Power, Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, and Home Made Simple on TLC, been interviewed on numerous radio programs, and written for several national magazines.

My thoughts:
This is a timely book and easy to read.  I have read others on this topic and really like this one. The plan given by the author using the letters of the word HABIT will be helpful to anyone who needs to put down their phone and connect with the people in their life.  Our phones/technology are overtaking our lives, and this would be a beneficial read for anyone.  Everyone can learn something from it I feel.

I appreciated that the author wasn't "preachy;" she just shared her ideas and tips that are helpful and very "do-able."  There are facts/statistics included throughout the book which I find interesting as well.  I am working to follow these tips in my own life relating to technology.   

I was sent a copy of this book from Moody Publishers for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
Bethany

Book: Pierced & Embraced

About the book:

Throughout the Gospel accounts, Jesus engaged women differently than He did men. Sometimes the difference is subtle. Sometimes it is stark. Always it is profound.

Sometimes the love He offers them is gentle. Sometimes it is fierce. Always it is powerful.

Sometimes that love feels like a warm embrace. Sometimes it’s more like a piercing jab. Always, it changes everything.

Women today long to experience the same sort of life-changing love that Jesus lavished on His followers 2000 years ago. We still want to be completely seen and known and valued and set free—as painful as that process might sometimes be.

Pierced and Embraced digs deeply into seven encounters that Jesus had with a wide variety of women in the Gospels to show how His love can be equally transformative in our lives today. It mixes attentive Scriptural engagement with personal narrative and relevant application, making the content fresh, accessible, engaging, and practical.

You will:

• Understand the unique and powerful and complex ways in which Jesus loves the women of the gospels.
• Recognize your own longings for love and the (often inadequate) ways we seek to satisfy them.
• Discover how to live in the fullness of Jesus’ love for you.

My thoughts:
I received this book in the mail to review as a surprise, it was not one I requested.  I did enjoy it and feel like I learned a lot from the book.  As you can see in the book description, in this book each chapter focuses on the encounter Jesus had with a different woman of the Bible.  The author relates these encounters to our present lives and how Jesus comes to meet our needs too.  It opened my eyes to the ways Jesus interacted with the women, these are stories I have been familiar with my whole life but this book offered a new approach to them.  One thing I particularly liked was that the author added her own stories to connect with the Bible stories.

You can read more about this book here.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
Bethany

Crossflix + GIVEAWAY

I was recently introduced to Crossflix.  I had never heard of this subscription service. Have you?
Let me share a little about it.

Product Description:
Crossflix delivers the best in Faith Oriented Entertainment, Education and Inspiration by licensing and producing the best faith Content see New Featured Movies every week like "Like a Country Song" Starring Billy Ray Circus,  Revive Us with Kirk Cameron, Gallows Road starring Kevin Sorbo and Ernie Hudson, Savannah Starring Jim Caviezel and Chiwetel Ejiofor, plus hundreds of award winning documentaries, Kids animation and the Crossflix Living Bible Series consisting of 50 Half hour Episodes.

My thoughts:
I was surprised by the variety of shows offered.  There is pretty much something for everyone in the family.  There are movies and also shorter cartoons for younger ones.  Some are about familiar Bible stories.  They have categories for drama, comedy, family, Christmas, children's, sermons, and others. I like that these programs are something we can watch as a family without worrying about content.  You should check out Crossflix.  Keep reading to find out about a giveaway!  


GIVEAWAY:
Go to this link to enter a giveaway to win a subscription to this great service!!  Click here.  Ends soon so enter today!

I was provided a trial version of Crossflix for my review from the Frontgate review program.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Whispers of Rest

Today I'd like to share a book with you called Whispers of Rest by Bonnie Gray.   I was intrigued by the description I read.

About the book:
Life is noisy. But what would happen if every day - for the next 40 days - you soaked in God's love as He intimately whispered words of rest just for you?
WHISPERS OF REST is a 40-day devotional detox for your soul, a spiritual journey to refresh you and guide you to greater peace, while helping you discover who God truly made you to be: His beloved. Renew your spirit with powerful affirmations of God's love with uplifting words of Scripture, journaling prompts for reflection, and practical challenges to spark joy. Bonnie will lead you to places of rest, where you can deeply experience the Savior's presence in your everyday life.

This beautiful guidebook will create space for your soul to breathe:
         Soul Care Tips & Trail Notes - Reduce stress and nurture your body and spirit.
         Daily Beloved Challenges - Brighten your day by taking simple soul care actions.
         A Simple Prayer Practice - Deepen your intimacy with God through easy-to-enjoy prayer prompts, inspired by classic devotional practices.

A lot can happen in 40 days. A new rhythm. A new heart. A renewed faith. Transform your life as you take the journey to say yes to God, embrace your true identity, rediscover your dreams, and begin your healing. Dare to enjoy each day fully and celebrate your calling as the beloved.

My thoughts:
I am over half-way finished with this book. I have been reading it for part of my quiet time.  The book is divided into 6 sections. Each one has a different focus for the days.  I really liked the layout of each chapter with something to read, then a short reminder from God's word and prayer, then some questions followed by a prayer prompt and a challenge related to the day.

I really liked all of the different prayer prompts and the challenges.  These challenges have helped me look at my life in a different way and to look for ways to stop and rest.

I received this book from the Hachette Group for my review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Lists To Love By

About the book:
It's no secret that there is a wide emotional gap between men and women. Couples crave love and attention from one another, but they don't always know how to show it. LISTS TO LOVE BY FOR BUSY WIVES presents creative and practical ways for wives to bridge this gap and improve their relationship. These thirty lists will carry wives through an entire month of learning to love their husbands more deeply with advice they will come back to again and again. From lists addressing a wide range of topics, readers will learn to set better expectations for their marriage, to communicate more effectively with their husband, to build a deeper foundation of love in their marriage, and much more.

My thoughts:
What a neat little book!  This set of books came out earlier this month, and I'm glad to tell you about them.

There are 30 lists here about a variety of marriage topics.  For example there is "10 things husbands want to hear from their wives," "4 decisions that define forgiveness," "6 things to do when you're lonely in marriage," and "7 things you should stop doing to your husband in public."

I found this book to be very helpful as a wife.  It is one that is good to go back and reread the lists. We all need the reminders, and I think this will help me improve as a wife.

Since there are 30 lists, this is a good size book to read in a month and read a different list each day. Or you may just find the lists that seem applicable to your current situation and read them in that order.  Either way you will surely find useful ideas and help for your marriage.

I enjoyed the lists and recommend this to you.

Also, there is another book for your husband called Lists to Love by For Busy Husbands.....

About the book:
Husbands and wives bring different personalities, upbringings, experiences, and expectations into their marriage, which can lead to miscommunication and emotional turmoil. LISTS TO LOVE BY FOR BUSY HUSBANDS presents practical dos and don'ts along with step-by-step advice for husbands who want to bridge the emotional gap and improve their marriage. Mark and Susan Merrill understand that couples crave love, but don't always know how to express it to one another. These thirty lists will carry husbands through an entire month of learning to love their wives more deeply--wisdom they will come back to again and again. These real-life answers from a Christian perspective will help readers evaluate, refresh, and strengthen their own marriage.

My thoughts:
 I have not read all of this book, but it is similar to the one for wives.  The ones I read I did think were applicable and would be good for husbands to know about wives. My husband read some of the lists and thought it was good, useful information.

This set of books was provided to me for my review by Hachette reviewer program.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Climbing With Abraham

Several months ago I received an email asking if I'd be interested in reviewing a 30 day devotional called Climbing With Abraham by David Ramos.

I must say I was very pleased with this devotional, both its content and format.  Each day has a passage to read from the Bible about the life of Abraham followed by a devotional thought and prayer.

I like how each day related a different event of Abraham's life to something that we may face today. It was encouraging to be reminded again of how God was with Abraham and used him.  I appreciated the practicality of this devotion.  It is one that I would read again as I found it so beneficial the first time I read it.  There are many aspects of Abraham's story that have always been some of my favorites of the Bible, but this book showed me some things I had missed.  I look forward to reading more in the future from this author.

I apologize for my delay in posting my review. I received an electronic copy of the book for my review.

Have a day of blessings!
 

LWG: Under Construction

At nearly 34 weeks pregnant I am amazed week after week to read the updates on baby sites that tell about the baby's development during that week.  There are constant changes and growth to prepare the baby for his or her arrival into the world.

We have had three ultrasounds between weeks 8 and 20.  Each one shows a little more detail and development of our baby. It is clear to see the baby growing.

One of my church friends gave me this little picture frame for one of our ultrasound pictures. I love the "Under Construction" at the bottom.

Read the rest today at Laced With Grace. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
 

The Fringe Hours

I have seen this new book called The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner mentioned on a few blogs.  I was glad to be able to listen to the audio version.

About the book:
Every woman has had this experience: you get to the end of the day and realize you did nothing for you. And if you go days, weeks, or even months in this cycle, you begin to feel like you have lost a bit of yourself.

While life is busy with a litany of must-dos--work, child-rearing, keeping house, grocery shopping, laundry and on and on--women do not have to push their own needs aside. Yet this is often what happens. There's just no time, right? Wrong.

In this practical and liberating book, Jessica Turner empowers women to take back pockets of time they already have in their day in order to practice self-care and do the things they love. Turner uses her own experiences and those of women across the country to teach readers how to balance their many responsibilities while still taking time to invest in themselves. She also addresses barriers to this lifestyle, such as comparison and guilt, and demonstrates how eliminating these feelings and making changes to one's schedule will make the reader a better wife, mother, and friend.

Perfect for any woman who is doing everything for everyone--except herself--The Fringe Hours is ideal for both individuals and small group use.

My thoughts:
When I read this book's description, I thought it sounded interesting so I would give it a try.  What I liked was this was a practical book of ways for women to take time for themselves.  Women are busy whether they are stay at home Moms or work outside the home, and it is vital for women to make time for themselves in all stages of life.  Women need to make it a priority to find time to do something they enjoy just for them.  There are many reasons we do not do this because of guilt and the pressures of comparison due to social media.  The author asks the reader to identify her passions and use those to find what you will enjoy doing during your "fringe hours." When we pursue our passions as women, we will end up being better wives, mothers, and friends.  Some scriptures are mentioned but not many.  I found this to be a useful book that would be beneficial to women no matter what stage of life they are experiencing.

Reading this book would be a good first step in making time for yourself as a woman!

This audio book was read by Carla Mercer-Meyer.  I did not enjoy her reading at first but got used to it as the book went on.

I received this book via the christianaudio Reviewers Program for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Rhinestone Jesus

 

I was so excited to receive Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch to review.  I have read the author's blog "We are THAT family" for years now and am thrilled to share her wonderful book with you today.  I read this so fast and really enjoyed all of it and was looking forward to writing my review! 


About the book:  ARE YOU SETTLING for a shiny, pinned-on, ornamental faith? Get ready for one that’s messy, bold, and courageous.

In high school, Kristen Welch wore a big, sparkly rhinestone “Jesus” pin every day and carried her Bible wherever she went. (Yes, she was that girl.) But she didn’t realize her faith, though sincere, was shallow; much like her artificial accessory, it would one day tarnish, no longer a true reflection of who she was.

Real life and motherhood catapulted Kristen into places and situations she’d never imagined. There came a day when she stood in the slums of Africa, poised on the brink of a risk bigger than any she’d ever taken. And she knew she didn’t stand a chance—unless she was ready to put aside the rhinestones and get branded by the real thing.

Rhinestone Jesus is the spiritual adventure story of one woman who went from living a safe, “good-girl” faith that didn’t cost much, to realizing that God was daring her to say yes to a deeper, more authentic way. This book throws the doors wide open for any woman who’s ever thought of herself as “just a mom.” Read it and be inspired. Be empowered. Say yes to God right where you are—and stand amazed at how your life will shine. Tyndale House Publishers

My thoughts: 
I felt I could relate to Kristen so much in this book and learn more about her and her family than I already knew from reading her blog.  She has lived a Christian life, even wearing a JESUS pin to school (I remember those pins and had one myself so seeing that on the cover made me want to know more about this book and read it myself!).  But things change for her as she is standing in the middle of an African slum on a trip with Compassion International.    Her whole life changes when she comes home and realizes there is more to following God than how she has lived so far. 

She shares so honestly and openly about her family, her marriage, and her struggles.  I appreciate that she doesn't paint some rosy picture of a perfect little life she lives before or after she said "yes" to God.  She is just a normal woman who trusted God with her life and family and said "yes" to being used for Him when she saw a need.   

Reading this book was very thought-provoking to me and really made me ponder my own life and what saying "yes" looks like for me.  I normally don't reread books but this is one I wouldn't mind rereading.   I liked the pictures that are included throughout the book as well, these make it more personal I thought.  

I hope you will read it too and be changed by it. 

About the Author:
Kristen Welch writes the parenting blog We are THAT Family (you know the ones). She is an (in)Courage writer, a Compassion International blogger, and a regular featured contributor to LifeWay's HomeLife and ParentLife magazines. In 2010, Kristen founded Mercy House, a nonprofit maternity home in Kenya, Africa, which rescues young pregnant girls from extreme poverty. Mercy House is almost entirely funded by readers of her blog. Read Kristen’s blog at www.wearethatfamily.com .

Author Q & A:
1. What is your hope for your book, Rhinestone Jesus?
My hope is that every person who picks it up will be inspired to say yes to God right where they are.

2. That’s an interesting title. Can you provide for us some context and meaning?
Rhinestone Jesus is a very personal title. As a teenager, I wore a rhinestone pin on my clothes that spelled J-e-s-u-s. I was introverted, so this was a way for me to "wear" my faith without having to say much about it. I was involved in Theatre Arts and each year they gave up made-up awards. I won The Rhinestone Jesus award from my peers.

3. What message do you hope will resonate with your readers?
That God can do anything through anyone. He asks us to do the impossible-not because we are capable, but because we need Him to accomplish it. Saying yes to God requires ultimate dependence in our inadequacy. And He does it so that He will be glorified.

4. What do you feel "just a mom" can do with bold faith and a God-inspired dream?
I think the beauty of my yes to God to start a maternity home in Kenya is that I am just a mom. It’s obvious to everyone who has witnessed this story, that I’m not the real author—God is. It’s proof that He can use anyone to do anything. When I initially said yes in the small daily stuff, I didn’t know it would lead to Mercy House. But I was called to obedience and that’s really what Rhinestone Jesus is about: saying yes to God right where you are and not waiting to have all the answers or a perfect life before you obey.

5. How did you feel God’s leading to step out in faith?
It was saying yes to a lot of small things that led my family to a greater yes. We were terrified and still are most days, but God is faithful and teaches us through the challenges and victories. Our yes to God isn’t really about success or failure. It’s about being obedient.

6. What prompted you to follow through with this particular dream or calling—founding Mercy House, the non-profit maternity home in Kenya, Africa to rescue young pregnant women from extreme poverty?
 Starting Mercy House was a response to what I saw in Kenya. I saw a need and couldn’t find anyone meeting it. I prayed that God would send someone. And He sent me (dangerous prayer, by the way!) I have always felt that God wanted me to encourage and connect mothers through writing. Mercy House in many ways has become an extension of that dream that started as seed many years ago.

7. How has this dream taken shape? Can you provide an update?
Mercy House runs two residential homes with pregnant and teen moms in Kenya. We have babies of all ages. It’s a lot like a (loud) home, where the girls live and learn, heal and grow. They stay with us until they are able to return home or until they can live on their own. We also reach out to single mothers in the slums surrounding the homes, with plans to expand this outreach in years to come.

8. How did you lead and mobilize a community to care deeply, and help build this dream?
When I returned from that first trip from Kenya, I was wrecked. I processed the emotions on my blog for months. Looking back, I can see that I was in labor, working hard to birth something. I believe other moms were too, and when I asked for help, they said yes with me.

9. Why is it important to you to affirm moms who wonder whether their work really matters?
Because many wonder if it does. I think it’s part of our make-up--we long to make a difference and we wonder if what we do does, in fact, matter. I am compelled to tell mothers YES. It matters so much more than you think. It doesn’t matter how small or big, saying yes to marriage, motherhood, and ministry--you name it, it matters.

10. What have you learned about listening to, and obeying God’s call?
Sometimes people call me brave. If they only knew… Not only am I not courageous, I live with the same fear and inadequacies as other God-sized dreamers. Without a doubt, I think the Church (with a capital C) lacks obedience. I did for so much of my Christian life. I think if we have faith to believe in Jesus, we also have to believe that when we do what He tells us, He won’t leave us alone. It’s been the hardest journey of my life, stretched me further than I thought possible, but I’ve never been alone, not for a second.

11. How have you, and those closest to you, been impacted by trusting God and saying yes to a deeper, richer, more authentic faith?
Simply put, it has changed every area of my life, in so many ways. I can honestly say I’m not the same person. When we step out and obey, God changes the world—our world. He changes us. My family said yes with me and God has used that to alter the legacy we will leave in the future.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by the Tyndale Reviewers Program for my review.  Thank you! 

Have a day of blessings!

Special offer for "No More Perfect Kids"

Guess what??? It's time! I've been telling you about the No More Perfect Kids book and encouraging you to wait to get it until Bonus Week and it's finally here!

Hearts at Home, Celebrate Kids, Inc, and Moody Publishers have put together an incredible package of parenting tools for anyone who buys the book during Bonus Week!

Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the bestselling book The Five Love Languages, says, "Few things in life are more satisfying than succeeding as a parent. No More Perfect Kids will help you do just that!"

If you pick up the No More Perfect Kids book (e-book or hard copy from any brick and mortar store or online retailer) anytime between March 13 - 23, 2014, you will be eligible to receive over $100 in free resources! Here's how it works: 1) Buy the No More Perfect Kids book between March 13 and March 23 2) Scan or take a picture of the receipt 3) email a copy of your receipt to freebies@nmpk-extras.com 4)Within 24 hours your will receipt a reply with a link and password to unlock you free resources! So what is included in the bonus offers? It's over $100 of incredible parenting resources! Here's what you'll get: 4 Printables:

• You're Special Poster
• I Corinthians 13 for Parents Poster
• Compliments and Corrections Booklet by Dr. Kathy Koch
• Conversation Starters for Parents and Grandparents Booklet by Dr. Kathy Koch

4 Hearts at Home Audio Workshops:

• When You Feel Like Screaming--Sue Heimer,
• Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid--Shaunti Feldhahn
• Raising Grateful Kids--Marianne Miller
• Real Ways to Connect with Your Kids--Kathi Lipp

3 E-Books:

• A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman,
• How Am I Smart? by Kathy Koch
• The 10 Commandments of Parenting by Dr. Ed Young

You'll also want to check out www.NoMorePerfect.com where you'll find free videos to accompany the No More Perfect Kids book and other great resources! What a wonderful opportunity this is to get some great parenting resources at an incredible price! Tell your friends, your moms group, and any other parent who would benefit from this wonderful opportunity!


Have a day of blessings!

Review: No More Perfect Kids

I was excited to be part of the launch team for a new book called No More Perfect Kids.  I've posted some excerpts from the book here on the blog and wanted to share my own review of the book with you today. 

I have loved and appreciated every book I have ever read by Jill Savage, and this one is another to add to that list. The basic idea of this book is to show parents that children are each unique beings with special talents. As parents we need to accept that reality and accept our children as they are, not as we dream them to be. If we do this, we are allowing our children to grow and develop the God given talents and gifts they have. Our children are not perfect and we should not expect them to be.  They are going to make mistakes and do things differently than we may desire.  This book helps you see your children as unique individuals created with a purpose by God. 

This books is a great encouragement with ideas for ways to improve as parents.  If you begin reading and see ways to improve, the book encourages you to do just that. Don't dwell on the mistakes of the past or feel guilty because of how you have handled certain situations.  I found many ideas to try in my own parenting...ways to rephrase questions, discussions to have as a family, and several others.

Another thing I want to mention is I feel this book is appropriate for both Dads and Moms. Personally I'd like to read it again with my husband and see what we get out of it together.  I believe teachers could also benefit from this book in how they deal with their students. There are also discussion questions at the end which would be ideal for a small group.

There is a special going on through the 23rd when you buy the book. I will post more about that tomorrow.  If you pick up the No More Perfect Kids book (e-book or hard copy from any brick and mortar store or online retailer) anytime between March 13 - 23, 2014, you will be eligible to receive over $100 in free resources! I hope you will take advantage of this offer and check out this wonderful resource.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Prepared for a Purpose

I have finished to listening to the book Prepared for a Purpose by Antoinette Tuff.  What an interesting story! 
About the book:

True Story of Courage and Compassion in a School Under Siege

As 870 children waited in fear, their elementary school rushed into lockdown mode. As the nation faced yet another Sandy Hook story of tragedy, one woman rewrote the ending.

Yet the story doesn't start with those first steps Michael Hill took into that Atlanta elementary school. It starts with Antoinette Tuff, a woman who faced her own pain, hurt, and rejection, yet held onto grace, faith, and hope. A hope that anchored her in the most high stakes of moments, a grace that allowed her to empathize with a hurting young man, and a faith that gave her the courage to love him back from the brink.

This is more than just the amazing account of tragedy averted. It's the evidence of what we can do when we allow ourselves to be used by God. And it's a story of how God uses all of our life experiences--the good and the bad--to prepare us for our own moment of divine purpose.

My thoughts:
What would you do if you were caught in a room with an intruder carrying a gun and lots of ammunition?  How would you handle such a terrifying experience? 

In this book, we learn what happened on a day in August 2013 when an intruder came into a school in Atlanta.  Antoinette Tuff is the woman who is filling in at the front desk when the intruder enters the building.  This book tells her side of the story.  It covers her own life from the pains of her childhood and then on to her marriage and birth of children.  She had a very hard life with lots of painful things happening from the time she was a little girl.  When she is faced with an experience no one ever wants to face, she feels that she was prepared for this day because of her life events. 

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was very encouraging to me to be reminded that God has a purpose for the things that happen in our lives.  I appreciated the author's honesty in sharing the painful aspects of her past.  Also, this book shows the value of having a real relationship with God as she felt He gave her the words to say that day. 

This book was read by Robin Miles, and she did a great job reading it.  She was very pleasant to hear.

I received this audio book as part of the christianaudio Reviewers program for my honest opinion about the book.  Thank  you.

Have a day of blessings!

Book: Hands Free Mama

About the book:
If technology is the new addiction, then multi-tasking is the new marching order. We check our email while cooking dinner, send a text while bathing the kids, and spend more time looking into electronic screens than into the eyes of our loved ones. With our never-ending to-do lists and jam-packed schedules, it’s no wonder we’re distracted.

But this isn’t the way it has to be.

In July 2010, special education teacher and mother Rachel Macy Stafford decided enough was enough. Tired of losing track of what matters most in life, Rachel began practicing simple strategies that enabled her to momentarily let go of largely meaningless distractions and engage in meaningful soul-to-soul connections. She started a blog to chronicle her endeavors and soon saw how both external and internal distractions had been sabotaging her happiness and preventing her from bonding with the people she loves most.

Hands Free Mama is the digital society’s answer to finding balance in a media-saturated, perfection-obsessed world. It doesn’t mean giving up all technology forever. It doesn’t mean forgoing our jobs and responsibilities. What it does mean is seizing the little moments that life offers us to engage in real and meaningful interaction. It means looking our loved ones in the eye and giving them the gift of our undivided attention, leaving the laundry till later to dance with our kids in the rain, and living a present, authentic, and intentional life despite a world full of distractions.

So join Rachel and go hands-free. Discover what happens when you choose to open your heart---and your hands---to the possibilities of each God-given moment.

My thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and felt it was very eye opening to me as a mother.  We know that time goes quickly, and before we know it our children are grown.  When they are grown will we truly know them? 

The author realized she was missing out on things that mattered most in life because of her constant distractions and the ways she was over committed.  She offers honest, painful stories of things she realized through her journey.  She offers some amazing realizations that happened for her along the way and shares these through her creative writing style. 

I think the message of this book is one that needs to be heard by our society that is constantly attached to a phone or to-do list.  It's important to realize that becoming hands free wasn't something that happened overnight, it is a continuing process, and we can't live in guilt when we do mess up.         
I appreciated the ideas she shared on ways to help readers become hands free based on things that had happened on her own journey.   

I hope others will read this book and realize the need to pay attention to the most important part of life instead of letting life pass by without meaning and value. 

This is the Hands Free Mama website.  Be sure to check out this book. 

This book was provided to me through the BookSneeze reviewer program for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!

Book: Praying for Boys

There is a new book called Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin that I would like to share with you today.  If you are a parent or grandparent of boys, I encourage you to check out this valuable resource. 

About the book:
What Are Your Biggest Concerns for Your Son?
Instead of trying harder to change your boy's behavior or worrying about his future, enjoy the peace that comes when you pray specific prayers for him straight from the Bible. This encouraging book helps you target your prayers on what your son needs most--from patience and self-control to having a pure heart and making wise decisions.
Today you can start giving whatever concerns you have to God and
- learn to fight for your son's heart in prayer
- look at raising boys as a gift
- see how even quick prayers make a difference
- understand boys' deepest struggles, no matter their age
- rest in knowing that God is the only One who can change your son's heart

Written for moms but great for dads (and grandparents) too, this easy-to-use book is filled with uplifting stories and biblical wisdom that will equip you on your journey to raising a godly man.

Includes a 21-Day Prayer Guide for Small Groups, in Person or Online!My thoughts:I have read a blog called The MOB Society for a while now which is written for Moms of boys by other Moms of boys. (Check it out if you have boys!)

Brooke McGlothlin had previously published a 21 day guide to praying for boys and that turned into this book.  First she shares some background on why we should pray for our sons as well as a chapter for single Moms.  Then there are 21 chapters about specific areas to pray about for our sons such as integrity, a servant's heart, purity, and overcoming fears.  I thought the author did a great job choosing 21 things that apply to boys.  She shares a little story about her own mothering of boys in each of these chapters to make it relevant.  Each chapter is followed by verses to pray over our sons about that particular area.  Then there are some questions too if you want to use this book in a group. 

Our boys need our prayers and praying for them does make a difference.  This is a wonderful guide to help us pray daily for our boys using scriptures.    
You can find out more about this book at this website. 

This book was sent to me for my honest review by Bethany House publishers.  Thank you. 

Have a day of blessings!

Book: Redeemed

Have you heard the song Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave?  It is a very popular Christian song and is a "KLOVE fan awards song of the year."  Click here for the lyrics.

There is a book with the same title that is a 30 day devotional. The devotions are about God's grace, love, and redemption. Each devotional is about a page in length followed by a page of verses, another page of quotes about the topic, and a lined page to record your personal thoughts. This is a link for more information about this book.

This is a nice devotional to have to remind you in an easy to read format of the promises of God's Word about His grace in our lives.  I found it encouraging to read these reminders. 

This book was sent to me by the Worthy Publishing Group for my honest review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!

Living Victoriously in Christ

Living Victoriously in Christ Growing in Christ is a 30-day devotional.

These devotions are written by two women, Cindy Cross and Lisa Vanderbilt. The short one to two page devotionals are each followed by questions to ponder, a Bible verse and a prayer.

What I like about these devotionals is they are quick to read, yet each one makes a powerful point about Christian living. You will be strengthened and encouraged as you read through this book. Also, I think that each one will give you much to consider for your own life and walk with Christ.  The authors take events from their daily lives as the basis for these devotional thoughts and then tie in supporting scripture references. 

If you are looking for a devotional book at the beginning of this new year, I recommend this one to you.

Thank you to Book Crash reviewer program for sending me this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!
 

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God

I have finished listening to What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst. 

About this book:
Total obedience to Christ can transform an ordinary life into a remarkable journey. This is the hope found in the liberating message of Lysa TerKeurst--president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

In What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, Lysa shares inspiring stories from her own life along with compelling biblical insights as she describes what it means to partner with God in all decisions and actions.
My thoughts:I am familiar with the author because of Proverbs 31 Ministries and also I have read some of her other books.  I enjoyed the message of this book and appreciated the examples shared from her own life of how God has blessed her for her obedience to Him.  I liked that she included examples of times when she did and other times when she did not obey.  She has a good message in this book to encourage women to radical obedience to God. 

I did not give this more stars because of the narrator I guess.  Several times I wondered if her tone and inflection was giving the message that the author intended.  It just felt like she was bragging or had an attitude or something in some parts regarding what she had done, the choices she had made, or the blessings she received.  I don't know if I would have felt that way if it had been read by the author or I had read the book version myself; however, at times I felt this voice distracted from the author's true intent and message.      

Thank you to christianaudio Reviewers Program for providing this audio book for my review.

Have a day of blessings!