A Woman Overwhelmed

I read the back of the book, "Are you overwhelmed?  Did you know that you were made to be overwhelmed?"  And thought, "Well, I DON'T need that!!!"  But I'm glad I read further.  DiMarco goes on to share that you aren't made to be overwhelmed by the world, but by God!  AMEN!  And what an honor - to be filled to the brim, overwhelmed - by our BIG God.  Hayley DiMarco's book, A Woman Overwhelmed, is such an encouragement with something so many women face.  We are overwhelmed by life in general and we can take that, empty ourselves of it, and let God fill it with Him.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it is funny but yet also full of strong truths.  "For it is when an overwhelmed woman gives up the mission of "me" and exchanges it for the mission of God that being overwhelmed becomes a good thing."

**I was sent a copy of the book for an honest review on my blog.

A Small Book About A Big Problem

Edward Welch is a master - a master of taking something so big, so meaty - and making it so simple.  His latest book, A Small Book About A BIG Problem, is just that.  It deals with anger - a problem that so many of us struggle with.  His reason is simple, "Anger leaves its mark."  We need to deal with it and take time to make these readings sink in.  Anger hurts us all - and we can make that change in our lives to battle it.  What is the opposite of anger?  "Wisdom," Welch states.  So I hope I am not alone in this, but I need more wisdom and less anger.

This book has 50 short readings on anger.  Welch encourages us to read only one a day - really chew on it - share it with others so you can challenge yourself and others.

I really can't say enough good about this one - it IS worth your 50 days!


**I was sent a copy of this book for an honest review on my blog

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Glory Song

Matt Redman's latest album, Glory Song, is one of my new favorite albums.  Redman is a master of worship.  His songs are full of variety but focus on the Lord.  There were so may songs on this album that I enjoyed that I could go song-by-song.  But I will list a few that hit me as I've been listening.

"One Day (When we all get to Heaven) is an amazing song that brings to life a song I grew up on "When we all get to Heaven."  Love the new rendition!

The following song, "Redemption Ground" is another that spoke to me and continues to as well.  What a touching, deep song with words that resonate on so many levels.

This album is the first thing that turns on when I listen now - I listen daily and still have moments when I am spoken to deeply.  I highly recommend this thoughtful album - it will speak to your soul.

Awakening to God Today App

I want you to be aware of a new app that has really encouraged me.  It is called Awakening to God app and it is such a great tool to see God working in your life.  Upon opening the app, you are given a daily verse.  From there you can add notes in a journaling format that has been set up for you and you can even include photos.  It becomes a journal of sorts because you can go back on your timeline at any time and see what you previously noted.  I love that it's all in one place and it saves for you to come back to later.  I am excited to continue using it and see how God has worked!

The purpose:

·         to inspire and encourage thousands of people in their walk with Christ (hopefully, leading to another ‘Awakening’ – see 2 Chron 7:14); and

·         to raise the funds to: dig a well in 100 villages in India, provide 40,000 meals to widows and orphans, 15,000 mosquito nets and a medical team for immunizations, cataract operations and other services.

Watch the video explaining about the app - - https://youtu.be/QmYoDXjHi8o
Visit their website - https://www.awakeningtogod.org/

A little about the founder’s: Gerald & Jeannie Long experienced success and wealth based on the values of the world and also the deepest grief and suffering from the death of two of their three children.  On their journey, God has revealed His grace and glory to them in extraordinary ways.  In particular, they’ve experienced how God is able to redeem the most painful areas of our lives and turn them around for good.  Gerard has caught a deep awareness of eternity and Jeannie has experienced God’s presence and glory when she was close to ending her own life.  Their marriage has triumphed when all seemed lost and they’ve learnt invaluable lessons on their unbelievable journey.  And, they have a very clear message of God’s calling for each Christ follower to obey the Great Command and the Great Commission.

#ATGToday 

#FlyBy

Independence Cake

What a fun story - a story of young girl who loves to cook and is asked to make a cake for the new president, George Washington.  In Independence Cake, our young readers will thoroughly enjoy this tale of a young girl who wants to be busy with her hands and the great honor she is given to cook for the president.  The illustrations were so fun and whimsical - just right for this story.  This would be a great read aloud and very fun for 4th of July or cooking story times.  Deborah Hopkinson has crafted a tale that you will not want to miss.

The story is not true but it is loosely based on a true female in history.

A Letter To My Teacher

I'm pretty sure this children's book should have been for adults!  I LOVED every inch of this tender story.  BUT I am sure kids will enjoy it as well.  Deborah Hopkinson's A Letter to My Teacher is a picture book that tells the story of a little girl who finds school hard because she just wants to be busy!  She is a typical second grader with lots of energy but, thankfully, she is given a teacher who "gets" her.  She is writing the story as a letter back to her second grade teacher to thank her.  It's a sweet, sweet story that deserves to be shared.

A Fragile Hope

Cynthia Ruchti is a master at crafting characters you feel like you know.  It seems like Josiah and Karin become your personal friends as you see their story unravel ... as well as their marriage.  Josiah knows all the right words - he's helped others with marriage struggles - but when he sees his own marriage falling apart, he has no idea how to fix it.  The story becomes even more interesting when Karin's life is in danger.  The path back to healing is a long one with many lessons for the reader.  It is not preachy, but tells a story that many will be able to relate to.  Ruchti keeps the reader interested and turning pages goes way too quickly as you near the end.....you don't want the friendship with Josiah and Karin to end.

Unsinkable Faith

Tracie Miles' Unsinkable Faith is a read that challenged me on many levels.  We struggle with taking negative thoughts captive - that is just truth.  Miles explores this in her book and gives real examples of how to let positivity rule instead of negative thoughts.  She shows through real women's lives how choosing positivity can change your mind and renew your thoughts.

Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life. This book will equip you to:

-Replace pessimism with positive thinking by becoming the captain of your thoughts;

-Learn how true joy and happiness are based on choice, not circumstances;

-Overcome unhealthy habits of negative thinking by intentionally implementing three easy mind-renewing steps;

-Stop feeling hopeless and pitiful, and start feeling hope-filled and powerful instead; and

-Discover that when you change the way you think, you change the way feel, and in turn you can change your life completely.

About the author:

Tracie Miles is a national speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries and a bestselling author who's spent the last twelve years inspiring women to become who God called them to be. She's the author of "Your Life Still Counts" and "Stressed-Less Living," and a contributor to Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotions.

Find out more about Tracie at http://traciemiles.com.

To see what others are saying about this book, visit the blog tour page.

Have negative thought patterns overtaken your life and shaken your faith? Learn how to anchor your heart in God despite what storms roll in in Tracie Miles' new book, Unsinkable Faith. Each chapter explores Tracie's and other women's personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds. Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life.

Join Tracie and other readers on April 25th for a fun Facebook Live event and the Anchored in Faith Prize Pack Giveaway (details below)!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of Unsinkable Faith
• Two pillows
• Desk decor
• A journal
• An anchor necklace
• A nautical scarf

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 25. The winner will be announced at the Unsinkable Faith Facebook Live event. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie and others searching for unsinkable faith, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 25th!

**I was sent a copy of the book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Woman's Study Bible

I was sent a beautiful Bible and I want to make sure you know it's available with all new features!  The Woman's Study Bible in the NKJV is gorgeous.  The cover is beautiful and the layout is nice.  Some of the new and improved features are:

-Beautiful full-color design throughout
-Detailed biographical portraits of over 100 biblical women
-Thousands of extensive verse-by-verse study notes
-Over 300 in-text topical articles on relevant issues
-Insightful essays by women who are recognized experts in the fields of theology, biblical studies, archaeology, and philosophy
-Book introductions and outlines
-Hundreds of full-color in-text maps, charts, timelines, and family trees
-Quotes from godly women throughout history
-Set of full-page maps of the biblical world
-Topical index
-Concordance

In this new version, a group of women from all different ethnicities and backgrounds came together to decide what was most important in a Bible that had at it's main goal to "speak to a woman's heart ... throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman's identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom."

Do not miss this gorgeous new woman's Bible.
To read what others have thought of the Bible - go here.

You're invited to receive God's truth for balance, hope, and transformation in the fully revised and redesigned The NKJV Woman's Study Bible. The new edition features a beautiful, full-color redesign and poignantly reveals the Word of God with Scripture insights and the contributions of more than eighty women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Special features designed to speak to a woman's heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman's identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom.

This spring, cultivate your heart's spiritual roots and enter to win the Grow in the Word Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The NKJV Woman's Study Bible (winner's choice of design)
• A decorative plaque
• A rose gold Tree of Life necklace

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on April 27. The winner will be announced April 28 on the Litfuse blog.

**I was sent a copy of this Bible by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Once Upon A Time Bible

I was asked to look at this new Bible and Bible storybook for younger readers and I have been pleasantly surprised.  The Once Upon a Time Bible is a great way to show kids "The Bible is not a fairy tale.  Every great story happened once upon a time."  So the editors are showing how the stories are true but it is presented with pictures that show fairytale settings.  I think girls, especially, will love it.  It is printed in the New International Reader's Version and the pictures throughout really make it attractive to our younger readers.

The Once Upon a Time Storybook Bible takes many of the popular Bible stories and begins each with "Once Upon a Time".  They impress upon children in the opening that all of the stories are true but that they are going to begin as all good stories do with "Once Upon a Time."  It's creative and fun - and maybe will open up new avenues to discuss after you read the familiar stories with your little ones.




**I was sent copies for review by the publisher.

Argyle Fox

Treat yourself to a children's book that you and your child will enjoy!  Marie Letourneau's Argyle Fox is just that!  It's a fun story about a fox who just wants to play outside in the wind.  BUT everything he tries doesn't seem to work in the wind.  I can just hear the little ones saying, "Yes, that will work,"  or "No, that won't work!"  And just wait until you see what Argyle Fox finds that DOES work in the wind... every child will smile as they relate to his struggle!


*I was sent a copy of the book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Control Girl

What caught me right off on the cover of this book was the title - The Control Girl:  Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.  Control is a burden - that's what it says - a burden.  Do you think of control as a burden?  If you don't or even if you'd just like to know more, Shannon Popkin's book will challenge you on the topic.  By studying the lives of Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, and Miriam, you can see how much of a burden the need for control can be.  As women, we weren't meant to carry the need for control and Popkin shows how it's selfish and self-protective and it can ruin lives and steal the joy you were meant to have.  I loved the humor Popkin uses to make her point....sometimes I caught myself chuckling out loud!  The book is easy to read, with short chapters that drive the points home.  There are so many ways to apply the challenges to your own life too - the book is practical and applicable.


*I was sent a copy of the book by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Kari Jobe - The Garden

A new Kari Jobe CD is out!!!  Pause for a moment of joyful celebration!

And it's all I hoped it would be and more!
I have some favorites off the album already -

"Let Your Glory Fall" is WONDERFUL!  It is meditative and uplifting - and catchy....I find myself singing the words throughout my day. "Let your glory fall...overwhelm my soul."

"Heal our Land" is a tender cry for more of His mercy and revival in our land.  "Breathe on your church, pour out your presence, speak through your word."

"Speak to Me" could be my daily prayer - "Speak to me, I'm listening."  

Don't miss the simplicity and yet the deep truths in Jobe's lyrics - I resonated with so much in this album - it is powerful!



*I was sent a copy of the CD for an honest review on my blog.

The Ology

I want you to be aware of a book that crossed my path this week that I think is quite a find!  The Ology is a book that focuses on theology - and shares it in a way that is both understandable to younger children and shared in a fun way.  The book begins with two young children finding a secret doorway in the bottom of a cathedral and upon entering, they find a book called The Ology.  Thus begins chapters that focus on many different truths we find in the Bible told in bite-able chapters.

The publisher says, "Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. The doctrine of God, for example, is presented in the larger framework of creation, where the attributes of God are on display and easier to understand. Designed for six-year-olds through preteens, this flexible resource includes built-in adaptations for use with younger or older children, so that entire families can enjoy it together."

I strongly feel even adults will benefit from the easily-understandable theology presented here.  This isn't a children's book - it's one all families could benefit from reading together.