Thankful for the Bible!

Book Title:  Luther and Katharina
Author:  Jody Hedlund

Jody is a very good writer, I was captivated by the book and just kept reading.  It was neat to ponder and consider what life may have been like long ago when Luther first began his reformation work in regard to the church and the cost that was paid by many for the cause of Christ and the Bible.  I cannot imagine both how wonderful it was for those first learning of the Bible and what God's word teaches versus what the priests were teaching, but then also scary as it was not knowing what repercussions there might be for following what the Bible says.  I am so thankful for the Bible and the privilege to read it and study it without such persecution.

FTC Disclaimer:  "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Perspective - A Part of the Race

Going through this devotional and the answering the questions asked was challenging, encouraging and pushed me to continue to pursue serving Christ in a greater way.  It is easier sometimes to let go of something amazing when it becomes hard to continue giving effort, but this book encouraged me to continue looking at the bigger picture of how we spend our time here on earth - something that is so important to me!

FTC Disclaimer:  "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Turn That Frown Upside Down

In the book "In This House We Will Giggle", Courtney DeFeo does a great job of making learning good virtues a delight!  With a memory verse each month that my 3 year old son can handle and some fun ways to redirect poor attitudes or choices and turn them into a positive learning experience centered around Christ and all that He offers us - you can't help but have a good time!  Whether your family is in need of some help making learning virtues a joyful part of your daily life or not, this book will be of benefit to you!
May we experience joy and laughter often as we learn to love each other in our family well!


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

The Intentions of Our Heart

This devotional curriculum was wonderful!  Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver was gentle but direct and challenging to women who are at any place in their life urging them to continue to pursue growth at all times in their relationship with Christ and also to continually refresh the perspective they have toward their relationship with Christ and others in their sphere of influence.  The intentions of our heart are often good and well meaning - working hard for our family, church, employer or community but why?  And how?  What does our heart reflect as we do what we do each day and what is the root of the intentions of our heart as we live each day out and make the choices we make that map out each day?
This DVD, book, workbook study was enjoyable to work through and it challenged me in regard to the choices that I make each day....the small and the big choices.

May God teach us all every day to keep our perspective of people and life filtered through Him!



Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Do You Consider Yourself Sent?

This book, Sent, by Hilary Alan redefined and gave a beautiful but very real and very hard description of what it means to commit to overseas missions for a time.  Going to serve and love others with your whole heart and all that you have.

However, for me, I took so much away from this book in regard to how I live my life as a “sent” disciple right where I am.  Had I considered myself “sent” as a Christian?  I would have previously used the word “sent” to apply to full time ministers in the mission field.  Now I see this word as it applies to my life.  I am a Wife, Mother, Daughter, Employee, Volunteer, etc. just like many of you, but I did not view myself as “sent.”  I now see myself as a “sent” disciple called to give my all for the glory of God each and every day, in all circumstance and in all choices that I make.  Do I live my life on a daily basis and make choices each day as a missions minded individual?  Do I make decisions more often for me or for others?  Where is my focus?  Am I focused on Christ as the authority over each and every day or am I focused on me and allow God to fit into just a piece of my day?   I have made a lot of adjustments, and I have so much more yet to adjust!  I am reminded often that we are only on this earth for a short time.  How am I investing myself for Christ’s sake on this earth in the time that I have?  I now desire to choose to live each day the best that I can for Christ’s sake, for God’s glory.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Desiring a Healthy Church?

This book provides a lot of helpful information in its later chapters about building and serving in a healthy church ministry.  A good reminder read for anyone involved in the leadership ministry area of their local church.  I was a little disappointed that the book didn't cover the purpose and outpouring of ministry that comes from a church, but perhaps that would have made for just too long of a book!


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

The Ultimate Game

So there once was a game that we liked to play and we thought it was so much fun!  We played this game as often as we could.  We would always get excited to play the game and we always had fun during the game and when we were done playing we always came away satisfied having enjoyed our time.  We thought this game was soo great that we decided to tell our family and our friends and our neighbors all about this great game!  We described it to them, we told them how much fun it was and we talked about it often.  Each time we got together with people we would tell them all about this game.  Over time though, we became sad because no matter how many good things we told others about this game, they never seemed to enjoy it with us.  They would always kindly listen to us every time we talked about this game but they never seemed to understand the game, and they didn’t contribute to the conversation.  We pondered this long and hard, wondering how we could better help them to understand the game and enjoy it as we did.  Throughout time, neighbors moved out and new neighbors moved in, friends came and went from our lives and family grew up and moved away, and all the while the game seemed to be only something we enjoyed.

Then something clicked!!

Why don’t we invite people to play the game with us!  Then by experiencing the game, they can come to understand it better, and enjoy it as we do!  After trying this out, it seemed that our neighbors and friends and family all really, really enjoyed this game.  They began to tell others about this great game; but not just tell them about it, they invited them to play it with them!  What a difference that makes!

The above visual came to mind today as I was praying and pondering the various avenues of discipleship, and examining my life in regard to this Biblical command.  As a follow up to my thoughts I came up with the following questions for myself.

I have been enjoying my journey with Christ for a long time now, am I just telling others about my journey or am I inviting them to experience a journey with Christ for themselves?

Am I spreading the news of Christ or sharing the experience of Christ?

Our words are important but actions still speak louder than words…..what do my actions on a daily basis say?

It is such a precious gift that I have, to be God’s child and to know and walk with Him each day.  It is an exciting journey that I want to keep learning more about, I keep wanting to spend more time with Christ, I want to continue to study His book, the Bible, and I want to tell others how much joy I receive each time I “play” with my Lord.  Why would I not want to invite those that I love and those that Christ loves to “play” this incomparable game with me?

God, may we all be challenged to invite those we encounter to play the game with us, but not just to play the game….may we teach others the rules the best that we can and encourage those playing with us, to reach out and invite people to play the game with them!

Amen

Living Close to God - Gene Edwards

This book reminded me of the fast pace in which we live our lives and how to mentally choose to slow down and spend even small moments with God throughout our day.  He reminded me that small moments here and there are better than none!  Overall, I was not super impressed by this book, but I am thankful for the reminders it gave!



Disclaimer: “I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma

This book was written by a mom who desired to invest in and encourage the inner strengths of her children.  Serving them beyond meeting their needs by providing them with the knowledge and skills to be successful as young adults, preparing them for when they will be independently living.  I also find value in the new skills the children developed which enabled and encouraged them to contribute more fully to their home and family right now.  I admire the motivation and effort this mom put in to this experiment and I thank her for sharing it with others!  I took a lot of good ideas and gained insight on how to be observant of how each child might react and handle new responsibilities differently according to the personality that God gave them.  Thank you for the information and insight into youth entitlement and how to make a difference in my home regarding that! 



FTC Disclaimer:  "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

Motherhood - First Thoughts

I became a mother by the wonderful world of adoption.  The adoption process itself is a journey of faith and trusting in God and not in what little I know.  (Proverbs 3:5)  Before we even had our son I learned the lesson that our adoption pursuit is not about me!  What may have started as a desire to be a parent through the means of adoption gradually evolved into a new perspective on life as a whole.  We are not here on earth to pleasure ourselves.  Although we have been given a life on this earth to enjoy, we are here to bring glory to God by how we live our lives.  My husband and I now have adopted our son out of a desire to provide for God's children.  (Hebrews 13:1-6)  A benefit of this pursuit is the joy that my husband and I have experienced with the gift of parenthood!  Our son is a delight to us!  I tend to be a more logical thinker than an emotional one, but I wanted to share something important that I am learning.  I thought that I would be a good parent if I read all the books, etc. and learned how to best care for my son and how to guide him toward Christ.  However, one thing that I hadn't given much thought to was joy!  My husband is a goofy person and will do most anything, if he thinks it will be funny.  He is very good at making our son laugh.  One of my husbands favorite photos from our adoption trip to Colombia is of me at the mall taking a photo with our son and one of the tv chipmunk characters.  It is his favorite because it is something he knows I would never be seen doing - and it is now only because I am a mom that I am willing to do something so silly.  These moments are important and laughter in the home is a very key ingredient for a great family!  I Corinthians 13 is all about love and it is very loving to bring joy and laughter into your home!!
One thing I was surprised by was how easy it was to selflessly give of myself to this child - that I desired to give of myself to our son.....day after day!  My husband and I had experience nearly 8 years of living life doing what we wanted and now need to set aside some of those things for the sake of our son's best interest.
I have also now come to realize that I have entered a phase of my life where I am in the humble position of "mom."  A phase of being "Logan's mom" and at times our schedule will revolve around Logan and phone calls to our home will be for Logan, I will play chauffeur to Logan, etc.  I accept this position with gladness!
Being a parent does not come easy and is not without great responsibility.  I am grounded by the verse Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer."  Only by God's grace and through regular prayer do I have hope that I can be this example to my son!
Jumping back to adoption, it is a long and patience requiring wait, filled with more paperwork than you would think and for us many bumps in the road.......but in a heartbeat, I would wholeheartedly do it all over again.  The privilege of loving a child is immeasurable and so very very worth it!

Relentless - by John Bevere

This book was a good challenge to read and consider all the different aspects of my life  - all the resources I have as a child of God and whether or not I am using them to live a more purposeful and Christ centered life in all that I do.  The biggest challenge that stood out to me was the areas regarding resisting the devil.  I would agree that I am one of those people that strives to love and follow God, but I was just ignoring the enemy.  I was not considering that I would need to deal with the enemy in regard to some circumstances I may be in that would necessitate that in addition to seeking help/peace, etc. from God.
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  This verse means more to me in an active way now.

James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. "  I need to consider my time in prayer to be of greater importance and greater depth than I currently do.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."  I need to pursue God with all of my heart, through my thoughts, actions, prayer, and how I use my time.  I need to become relentless!


FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Consistency in Character...

Worlds Collide by Alison Strobel

This fictional book was thoroughly enjoyable!  I felt a part of the story and could feel what the characters were feeling while I read.  I identified with moments where you battle your sinful flesh to either do and think selfishly (living for today), or selflessly (living for eternity).  I took away from the book that genuine consistency in our spiritual walk; what we say and do; is of utmost importance when desiring to display Christ in our lives to those around us.  I am thankful for that reminder!  I look forward to reading future books written by this author!

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Is He a stranger to you?

This book was excellent!

Although I am God’s child and am striving to be like Christ – this book had me taking a look at how I choose to spend each day.  Is Jesus a stranger, acquaintance, close friend, or savior to me?  Is the relationship level that I have with Jesus in need of a time adjustment?  A quality or quantity adjustment?  I think this book is a good reminder for Christians on their priorities and their daily choices.   I also think this book did a great job taking a man who did not have any relationship with Christ to a point of wanting that – for no other reason than because it is true, right, good, and what we were created for.  This book is simple and profound!  I would recommend this book to my friends and family!

I also really enjoyed this books website and all the provided resources!

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Prayer Walk by Janet Holm McHenry

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was practical, encouraging and motivating. I have struggled to be
intentional about fitting both the exercise of walking and importance of prayer into my daily routine and
never thought to combine them! I am looking forward to building this habit and eventually reflecting
back on how the application of prayer walking has caused spiritual growth in my life. The 30-day Prayer
Walk Challenge is such a blessing and really helps you to focus more on the bigger picture around you
and less on yourself. Amen to that! The Bible study questions were enjoyed and I desire to do this
as a Bible study with a group of ladies. I think it would be wonderful to encourage and motivate each
other to build this habit and then be able to share in the joy that we are experiencing because of it! I
definitely recommend this book!


FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 

Love & War Devotional for Couples

John and Stasi Eldredge do a great job of incorporating Bible passages and truths into each step of this devotional. They also provide exercises at the end of every week that are reasonable to accomplish but worth doing. They also did a great job of pointing us toward Christ for our ultimate satisfaction and completion. My husband and I appreciated this devotional and the reminders that it provided regarding our marriage team of myself, my spouse and God.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Sun Stand Still - By Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick does a great job challenging his readers to consider, and better understand the importance of sun stand still prayers.  His book is easy to understand but very challenging.  He is truthful in his use of scripture and is an excellent teacher who leaves you without excuse to add the mentality of sun stand still prayers to your spiritual journey!  I thoroughly enjoyed the level of understanding that Steven Furtick provided and the all around coverage of the topic that leaves no room for doubt or excuses for lack of application.  He stresses the importance that everything needs to ultimately be glorifiying to God. On page 99 of this book Steven talks about living “a life that can only be explained by the existence of a God who is infinitely great.”  This challenged me to examine my own life and how I am living out my faith.  Does my life reflect my creator?  This book caused me to also take a second look at the tough moments in my life through a lense of opportunity; a perspective that I need to make use of more often!  Steven Furtick calls us to know God better by knowing His word and His promises and then through Christ’s work in our lives be an amazing vessel for His use and His glory.  I highly recommend this book!

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Weighed Down to Weightless

It is often that I come to points within the different seasons of my life that I feel weighed down, burdened, and weary.  Too many things to do, too many responsibilities and too busy.  Too many thoughts to keep track of in my head.  Too many categories of topics and conversations to process.  As I was working on some plans for the next ladies luncheon at our church to which the theme will be "Beautiful Strength", I was soaking in the truth and encouragement from the theme verse;
Isaiah 40:31 "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
The verse really can't be any more perfect to encourage those who are tired and in need of endurance to keep on going.  There is a bigger point though, to take careful note of in this verse.  It is speaking to those who wait for the Lord.  If you are waiting on God, then you will find your strength renewed and you will find endurance.  What does it mean to wait for the Lord?
The Hebrew word for "wait" is qavah, (kaw-vaw).  It means to bind together, by twisting. To collect, gather together, look patiently, tarry, wait.
I believe this passage indicates that to wait for the Lord, it is implying a coming together with the Lord - joining the Lord in a close relationship with Him.
As we invest in our relationship with Christ, we learn more and more to trust Him, and to wait on His guidance, and direction for our lives.  We wait on His timing for the things we desire and we trust that how He answers our prayers is in our best interest.  How can we know these things and trust so freely if we do not know in whom we are placing our trust?  Who bares their soul to a stranger or mere acquaintance?  Was their ever a time that someone asked you" what are you doing"; you replied "I am waiting"; and they asked "for what"; and you said "I don't know?"
I would hope not!  Most people do not wait for anything without reason.
In this passage we are challenged to invest in our relationship with God, to grow close to Him and wait on His guidance for our lives and in so doing we can confidently place our trust in Jesus Christ that He will renew our strength; He will give us endurance to continue "to run the race" without weariness and the ability to walk the journey of our lives without fainting.  Waiting on God is experiencing God; and when we experience God, we can experience a more weightless life.  A life that is like an eagle soaring on the winds above a storm - not escaping it, but overcoming it - and not apart from Christ!

For this gift today and many times over I am truly thankful!

Is there anything weighing you down and causing weariness that you could give to God today?

Have you given God your time, your trust, and your attention in regard to your relationship with Him?

May I encourage you to spend some time with God today and in exchange for that experience the truth that He provides strength and endurance for our lives when we are obedient to Him!

AMEN!

Lioness Arising - By Lisa Bevere

I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  The content of the book surprised me in a good way. I learned new things about the lioness as a creature made by God and also about characteristics and qualities that myself as a woman of God can learn from.  I was able to relate to the situations and circumstances that the author described which helped me see how applying the things I learned from this book could positively affect various areas of my life.   It was very comfortable for me to consider another perspective regarding things I have always been taught about women and their spiritual role in a family and in the church and dig into the scripture provided to learn about how I, specifically as a woman, can willingly submit to God for Him to use me as a vessel in ways that I would not have planned myself!  This book gave me some excitement to freely serve God in some new ways.   I would recommend this book to others!

FTC Disclaimer: "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

A Willing Spirit, A Weak Body

For several months now I have been trying to grasp the difficulty of the fight between desiring to fulfill my goals and grow in my relationship with Christ  - and - the temptation to give in to what my body is telling me.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell about the time when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before His betrayal and the disciples were asked to watch out for him and pray.....but although they wanted to be obedient, their flesh was tired and weak and they fell asleep.  In Mark's passage verse 38 it says, "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Then later on in verse 41 it says, "And He came the third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?  It is enough, the hour has come.  The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
This passage came to mind with a struggle I was having.  It was my desire to spend my personal devotional time with God every morning before work; rather than occasional mornings, or evenings, or lunch breaks which were not consistent or regular.  In the morning I would always have a reason as to why I needed that extra sleep instead of getting up early.  I rationed that I was up late the night before, or I have a long day ahead of me.  If I rest more today then I will better be able to get up early tomorrow, etc.  This went on for months and I began to feel frustrated that I could not do what I really wanted to do.
In a moment of God given wisdom, I realized I should ask God for His help!  I prayed that if He would wake me up, and have the spirit nudge me out of bed, I would get up and spend time with Him.  Guess what happened!  One morning, God woke me up!  I sat straight up in bed, turned off my alarm, felt the spirit nudging me.......and I shamefully chose to go back to sleep.  How could I?!  I just prayed for this, God answered my prayer, and I basically said "no" to Him!  Would I verbally say that sleep is more important to me than my relationship with God?  No.  However, my actions and choices that morning were reflecting that attitude.  I will say that I felt a sense of guilt all day that I had made that choice.  I felt like I had missed out on something.  I was sad that I had made the choice I had, knowing what it meant to me, but I also felt comfort knowing that God's love is unconditional and He would be ready to spend time with me the next time I took the opportunity.  That healthy dose of guilt led me to a place of humility that motivated me to have my actions in this situation reflect that which my heart desired.  I no longer wanted to sleep instead of spending my mornings with my Father.  It is pure joy to begin my day with Him!  Life is short, and in preparation for Christ's return I need to prioritize my relationship with Him!  That is most important!  It was time for me to decide that I had had enough of my choices, the season had come and I was ready, willing, and motivated to put God first in my life!

Lord, as I am changed by your grace, may these changes be lasting and honest and may my husband and others close to me be able to witness that my commitment is real.  May these changes and the resulting attitudes and actions in my life overflow to the lives of those around me...may they desire more of you as well!

What is an area of your life that you would like to experience growth in?
Would you be willing to ask God to help you experience that growth?
If He answers that prayer, would you hear Him?
Are you ready and willing to participate?

Make Every Moment Count!

Am I Ready? Am I Willing?

I am reading a book written by Anne Graham Lotz called The Magnificent Obsession.  The first chapter is about Genesis 12:1 - 13:4 and covers Abraham's choice to leave what is familiar to him and follow God to where He wanted to take him. Would you take a moment to read this passage and consider the decision that Abraham made so quickly to follow God to a place he had never been before! 
What is familiar to me is having people around me that extend grace to me, people who love me and have time for me, people who want to challenge me and help me learn more about God and desire to see me grow in my relationship with Christ.  I enjoy choosing the foods that I eat, I don't have to encounter animals I fear, I am comfortable in my home and my husband and I are able to pay our bills each month.  This all sounds nice, but where should I be?  I should be at a place that what I instead would describe as familiar to me is that I am 100% emotionally and physically dependent on God.  I should not rely on what I think is right, or what I have been taught is right....I should have a first impulse to read scripture - to look to the word of God that we have been given as a gift when seeking direction and answers!  I am surrounded by a quiet, careful, convenient culture; not a culture that would give everything away and leave family and friends easily.  My mind feels the pressure of the expectations to succeed; an expectation that I have assumed for myself or felt others had of me.  I push myself for success out of pride and an ingrained need to perform and I look for the same dedication in others toward what is valuable to them in their lives.  I would like to say that I desire any success I am allowed in life to be with God, BUT, really what I need to work on is pushing for God to reign successfully in my life.  Then possibly, if I am allowed any success in my life, I may not even realize it because my focus would be on Christ and Him receiving the glory!
Lord, help me to learn this well!

Growing up the impression I had of Christians was that we were to be good, be kind, participate in church activities and no one will question you.  I think this is a very dangerous place to be!

Shane Claiborne once said this bit in a video interview I watched of him. "And then I met Jesus and He wrecked my life..."

Do you feel like following what you know God is asking you to do will wreck your life?

When I ponder this thought I realize that I am stopping halfway with my desire to follow Christ.  Am I willing to respond to God's direction in my life as Abraham did?  Currently I am compromising my relationship with my Savior due to my chosen schedule, my desire for more sleep and my desire to keep my house clean and in order - but do these things have any eternal significance?  Am I willing and am I ready to let God "wreck" the life that I am building for myself in exchange for a life of following Christ?  Am I ready to surrender my schedule and trust God with my time, with my need for rest, and can I be okay with a house that isn't always clean and orderly?  Am I ready to experience the freedom that Abraham enjoyed in his obedient following of God to leave what was familiar to him and trust God with everything?

Lord, please stretch my faith and teach me to no longer compromise my relationship with You!

Are you ready?  Are you willing?

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