Beloved - 365 Devotions for Young Women

Beloved is a new devotional tool for young women.  I found this to be an excellent resource.  It's not too long for short attention spans, it focuses on scripture, and it gives lots of room for thinking and contemplating over the passages.  Every day is spent around a verse or two and it is tied into applicable things in the life of teen girl.  I think it's a great tool - and one that could be used over and over, even if you did choose to write in the book itself.

Scriptures are quoted from the NIV.



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

Sacred Rest

Sacred Rest - Recover your Life, Renew your Energy, Restore your Sanity - If that doesn't catch your interest, I'm not sure what else will.  This describes most of lives.  We long for energy, restoring sanity, etc.  Saundra Dalton-Smith has written this book that will be a tool many of us can go to again and again.  Dalton-Smith is a doctor and in her practice she has seen seven different types of rest she has found lacking in her patients.  She goes through those and shows how and why they are missing and then gives ways to regain them in our lives.  She uses scripture to bring us back to our Creator and point us to His best for us. 

I thought this book had some great suggestions and ideas for us as we try to make time for more rest in our lives.  I think I will need to re-read it to glean all it has for us in potential, but I was encouraged after my first read through.  I believe she knows what she is talking about!  This book will help you find rest, set boundaries, and seek the sanctuary of our Savior....it's THAT good!



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

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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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

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.

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.

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. 

When Jesus was a Green-Eyed Brunette

Want to challenge your spiritual life a bit?  Then I'd say to pick up Max Davis' When Jesus was a Green-Eyed Brunette and let the words sink in.  Davis uses real-life encounters and true stories to show how we can draw near to God in the most unexpected ways.  He shows how Jesus is alive and well and STILL doing supernatural things through his in depth look at scripture and life stories.  I am not sure how you can read this and not come away with new eyes to see Christ moving all around you.  He starts off in the first chapter introducing us to the Green-Eyed Brunette who changed his life with her story.  As Davis states, "It's a book about how real He really is and how allowing Jesus to live through us impacts our circumstances and the people around us."

 

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

Waiting for Wonder

Waiting is hard - no two ways about it - I can't think of many who enjoy waiting.  And for good reasons.....because waiting is not easy....we can begin to lose hope if the waiting continues too long as well.  I think that is why I so enjoyed Marlo Schalesky's book, Waiting for Wonder.  She shows, through the life of Sarah in the Bible, how waiting can also bring joy and blessing.  There can be wonder in waiting and Schalesky brilliantly points this out to her readers.  The book is well-written and easy to read and FULL of scripture through story.  I was encouraged and challenged through this book...I WILL be recommending it!


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

Getaway with God

Do you long to getaway and spend time with God in quiet and alone?  I think we all do - but how in the world can one make that happen in the world in which we live?  Letitia Suk's Getaway with God shows you exactly how to make that happen - from taking a short break to a weeklong retreat.  She is practical and tries to keep budget in mind as well as busy families.  She explains all different kinds of retreats and how each might be best for you.  I thought this book was genius - much-needed in our fast-paced world.  You can glean from all of her research and study and plan a getaway with God that will be just right for you.


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

Pray A to Z

There is not ONE THING I don't love about this little book!  Pray A to Z by Amelia Rhodes is a fabulous resource for Believers as we attempt to find new ways to pray intentionally.  In Pray A to Z, Rhodes gives us a practical guide for praying for our communities.  Each letter of the alphabet has a few different words that start with that letter that remind us how to pray for the area in which we live.  So, for example, A has entries on Adoption, Abuse, Alcoholism, Abundance, Almighty.  She adds short thoughts on each and a prayer.  I love the whole idea - how to pray for those around us in a strategic fashion and possibly in ways you've never considered before.  Let's use it a guide and take off from there praying for our neighbors!



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

Experiencing God through His Names

Sheryl Giesbrecht has written a book that will help grow and challenge your faith.  Experiencing God through His Names is a great book that is set up with each chapter being a different name of God.  Giesbrecht uses scripture and everyday life to challenge the reader to go deeper with God by experiencing His names and claiming what they mean to us as Believers.  The chapters are short and easy to digest.  I could see myself going through this short title every year to remind myself of who God is.  This was a great reminder and encouragement to me - would make an excellent gift for a friend as well!



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

Where Jesus Slept

What a delightful new Christmas story!  Norma Lewis has written Where Jesus Slept, a beautiful new picture book for Christmas.  In the tradition of "This is the House that Jack Built" you can go through the Christmas story in a whole new way.  The rhyming and sing-song fashion of the story lends itself beautifully to sharing with little ones.  I loved this - it would be so fun as a read-aloud with your little ones this Christmas.  The illustrations by Katy Hudson are gorgeous as well.  You can't go wrong with this story this Christmas season! 


*I was sent a copy by the publisher for review purposes on my blog.

Say and Pray Devotions

Diane Stortz's new board book, Say & Pray Devotions is a great idea for a board book.  It's a simple, fun way to introduce your little one to new words, biblical truths, and so much more.  The book gives a short - VERY SHORT - sentence, words to talk about on each page, a short Bible verse, and a prayer.  It's perfect for tiny hands and tiny bodies which are not able to sit still for long!  If you have a little one or need a gift for a little one - this may just be it!



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

Refresh: Spiritual Nourishment for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Sometimes we just need to be encouraged and that is exactly what this book did for me.  Parenting isn't easy to start with, but throw in a child with special needs and those challenges can be overwhelming.  We are going through this in our very own home as we speak...nothing easy about this task that we are called to.  But a breath of fresh air came to me in the form of Kimberly Drew and Jocelyn Green's book Refresh.  It is a compilation of stories about parenting children who have all forms of special needs....the challenges, the joys, and so much more.  It is one of those books that you need to devour slowly and process but I was encouraged over and over through the words of many who have gone before me on this journey.  If you need encouragement today - don't miss this book.



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

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood

Coloring is all the rage and I must admit that I enjoy that stress-relieving activity!  I have toyed with Bible journaling and find it all to be quite a fun pastime.  So Sarah Humphrey's 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood is a tool I am finding myself devouring.  The layout is so simple - a devotion for 40 days with a coloring page opposite it.  For me, it's perfect - I am not a doodler or artist so I love having it all created for me and all I need to do is add color and make it my own.  It is a fabulous idea and one that lets me be creative in my time with God.  The devotions are also great reminders to me- and sometimes challenging - which is ok too....we need that sometimes!  This will be my go-to gift for my girlfriends - it's wonderful!

I love what the publisher's website says:
40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood: Devotions and Coloring Book to Nourish Mom (Abingdon Press, August 2016)

Nourishment for a mother's soul through 40 days of devotion and . . . doodling!

Wouldn't it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions---an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

-Self-acceptance

-Self-care

-Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations

-Generosity

-Presence

-Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Visit the author's website to learn more.  OR visit the blog site to see other reviews. 
*I was sent a review copy by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

I Love You Just Because

Do you share books with little ones?  I have a wonderful suggestion for you - Donna Keith's I Love You Just Because is an adorable board book to enjoy with even the youngest budding readers.  It is a beautiful tale of a parent's love for their child and how it isn't earned - it's "just because".  Bible verses are sprinkled throughout to show how much God loves our little ones too.   Alison Edgson's illustrations just add to the tenderness of this story.  This is an endearing book to share with your little ones over and over.

 
*I was sent this title by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy

So when I typed this title in for my post, I had to chuckle.  I wondered if I should just leave it at that or go ahead with my post!?!?  Let's be honest, as wives you've thought it.  It's human nature to feel like it's not my fault and pass the blame on someone else. I think that's why this book resonated with me on such a deep level.  I know the truth - I just sometimes need to re-hear it.

Rhonda Stoppe has written If My Husband Would Change, I'd be Happy...& Other Myths Wives Believe.  I have read and re-read parts of this book already because Rhonda's message is truth.  We, as wives, have expectations of what it will take to make us happy but they are only that - unrealistic expectations and not truth.  They are myths and Rhonda's mission is to change those myths into reasons to rekindle that love that was there on our wedding day.  I highly recommend this biblically-centered, challenging but rewarding read. 

Visit Rhonda's Website to learn more about her and her mission.


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

The Life We Never Expected

You know when you pick up a book and plan to read it and get one to two things out of it....and then you come away with a MILLION!?!!?  That is totally this book!  Andrew and Rachel Wilson have written The Life We Never Expected, and it is a book I plan to read over and over.  This couple KNOWS the struggle of raising not one, but two children with special needs.  Their story isn't pretty - they don't sugarcoat - but they are real and give the ultimate advice over and over - you just need to take it to God.  I love how the book is arranged - in cycles of a lifetime - and how to navigate them.  As a parent to a child with special needs, I cried with them AND I was encouraged.  They get it and they point me to Christ - who is ultimately the only One who can give the rest and strength.  I would highly recommend this book!


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