Simple Joys

Candace Payne

We all know who Candace Payne is, if you don’t then she is the “Chewbacca Mom,” who reached millions with her outburst of joy over the Star Wars mask. Her laugh is contagious! She did what a lot of us dream about, using our laughter and craziness to make others laugh with us not at us.

Candace Payne has written a devotional called Simple Joys: Discovering Wonder in the Everyday. She is taking us on a journey to find the secret to happiness, satisfaction, and joy. This book is filled with her own joy, her own stories, stories she wants to use to help you find that simple joy. The joy that comes from knowing that you are not alone, that you don’t have to be unhappy.

Are you ready to find joy? Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone? Are you ready to laugh? Then Simple Joys and Candace Payne can help you with the answers to these questions.

I really loved this book and can’t wait for you to love it. Simple Joys is definitely a life changer. One you will want to share with others.

I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required, all opinions stated here are my own.

Always Enough, Never Too Much

100 Devotions to Quit Comparing, Stop Hiding, and

Start Living Wild and Free

Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan

Do you often feel like you are not enough for God? That you don’t deserve His love? I have so many times and I still do. When I was given the opportunity to review the devotional Always Enough, Never Too Much, I was elated. I knew this book would help me in so many ways.

This isn’t your ordinary devotional, this is a unique flip-book, yes you read correctly a flip-book. One side, the devotionals are based on Always Enough, flip the book over and you will find the devotionals for Never Too Much. This concept is different and it works. It gives you the opportunity to choose which side you want to read from. One day you may feel like you are not enough and other days you feel like your too much.

Using scripture along with the devotions you will find the tools you need to help you. Put a stake in the ground and take back your life, live for Christ, learn that you are enough. No matter where you are in life, this devotional is for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Essence of Joy Blog Tour with Giveaway

My Review:

Christmas is my favorite season for many reasons but the most important reason is that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Leading up to Christmas we celebrate the Advent season. I always try to do some sort of devotional or study during the Advent season to prepare myself for this wonderful time of year. Lynn Watson has written a Advent devotional for women that uses women of the Bible and everyday women like me to help prepare our hearts for this season.

I know you are probably thinking, “Why are you reviewing a Christmas book in March?” Well, is it ever to early to celebrate the birth of our Savior? I don’t think it is, in fact I believe we should celebrate his birth, death and resurrection all year long. He came to earth for us, he died for us and he arose for us.

The Essence of Joy will teach us things we didn’t know while preparing us for Christmas. I really enjoyed reading this devotional and plan to use it with my children this holiday season.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.”

About the Book

Book Title: The Essence of Joy

Author: Lynn U. Watson

Release Date: October 12, 2017

Genre: Women’s Devotional; Women’s Inspiration; Christmas/Advent Devotional

It’s Christmas in March!

The scents of Christmas invite our imaginations into the holiday season. What emotions flood your heart when the holiday aromas waft your way?

 

Did you know:

• Many favorite holiday scents like cinnamon, citrus, and cinnamon are found in the Bible?
• There is a rich heart connection attached to many of the plant essences found in Scripture?
• Myrrh is such an important essence, we can follow its trail from Genesis to Revelation with many significant stops along the way?
• Women of the Bible have personal encounters with God bringing aromas of His love and joy into their lives?
• Palm branches are an important part of Biblical celebrations beginning in Genesis and ending in the ultimate beach party around the Crystal Sea? (Christmas at the beach, anyone?)

In The Essence of Joy you’ll meet women of the Bible and contemporary women like you and me who will encourage you to discover the refreshing essence of a life lived in the presence of Jesus. Let JOY fill your heart with the aromas of His nativity.

Watch the book trailer here!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lynn Watson combines many years’ experience in women’s ministry, love of essential oils, and her passion for God’s word to bring her readers freshly inspired encouragement for their walk with Jesus. Her devotional, The Essence of Courage, was recognized as a ‘must read’ by regional publishing industry leaders. Married since 1973, Lynn and Steve have filled their Bartlett, Tennessee home with handmade treasures and lots of love for family, especially their five beautiful (of course) grandchildren. Aromas of freshly baked bread often fill Lynn’s kitchen. Jasmine, her tuxedo kitty, enjoys sleeping in Lynn’s lap while she writes.

Guest Post from Lynn Watson

A walk down memory lane on a snowy day (today) transported my thoughts to a Christmas shop our children and I visited every year. Open only for the holiday season, rich aromas reached out and drew you into this wonderland. The owners filled the space with unique treasures. A few we chose years ago remain prized member of my Christmas favorites close to four decades later.

My debut encounter with essential oils came many years later. I loved their aromas (including many of those Christmas scents) and studied their aromatic influences and potential benefits. Bible verses jumped to life in new ways. God created all plants and inspired the Biblical authors to include many. The desire to share my discoveries burned in my heart, until God finally released me to publish The Essence of Courage in December 2016. Before I completed the devotional based on Solomon’s locked garden in Song of Solomon 4:12-15, God reminded me just how many aromas and tastes of the Christmas season are found in the pages of His word, too.

Cinnamon, cedarwood, mint, citrus, myrrh, frankincense, rose, and figs are found in the pages of Scripture. So, are palms. They may not appear Christmasy unless you favor a tropical holiday, but they are an integral part of celebration in the Bible. The Essence of Joy offers discoveries of connections of all this plant life to Jesus’ nativity.

Looking back a dozen years to my first not-quite-inspired imaginings of a devotional book with aromatic offerings, I’m grateful God chose different timing. He presented me an unusual format for the collection. — one of those things easier experienced than explained. Contemporary women’s very real stories (fictionalized and often combined to create anonymity), stories from very real women living on the pages of Scripture, and a focused look at the botanical and its aromas, flavors, and essences as found in the Bible, are topped off with icing on the cake: ‘Fun Facts” and ‘Your Turn’ to invite the reader to more than read – to participate.

In The Essence of Joy you’ll encounter Scriptures in ways you had not considered before. Your faith will be enriched and stretched as you relate to the ancient women of the Bible and those that may be your next door neighbor today. You’ll be encouraged to breathe in the aromas of Jesus’ nativity, sample goodies from The Coffee Cottage’s specials of the day, and tune in to musical selections welcoming you into a posture of worship. I’m praying you are filled with His joy!

NOTE: Cinnamah-Brosia, the owner of The Coffee Cottage in the fictional stories asks readers at the very beginning of the book to be sure to read the introductory material. It helps set the stage for the book’s character and personality.

Blog Stops

Multifarious, March 3

Carpe Diem, March 4

A Baker’s Perspective, March 5

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6

Mary Hake, March 6

proud to be an autism mom, March 7

Bigreadersite, March 7

Texas Book-aholic, March 8

Seasons of Opportunities, March 9

Reading is my Super Power, March 9 (Interview)

Bibliophile Reviews, March 10

A Greater Yes, March 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 11

Janices book reviews, March 12

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 12

Pursuing Stacie, March 13

Aryn the Libraryan, March 14

Simple Harvest Reads, March 15 (Guest post from Mindy)

margaret kazmierczak, March 15 (Interview)

Pause for Tales, March 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lynn is giving away a grand prize of a “Choose Joy” hand made necklace, a “Cups of Joy” (adult coloring book) + set of 24 prismacolor colored pencils, a “Choose Joy Today” stamped silver-plated teaspoon,
flower Seeds, raspberry tea (it’s in the Cinnamah-Brosia story in the “Mint/Giving” section), a “Choose Joy” tote bag, and a signed copy of “The Essence of Joy”!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca47

21 Days of Love Blog Tour/Giveaway

My Review:

21 Days of Love is a collection of short stories that celebrate, you guessed it, love. Love is an emotion or feeling that we have for others, like relationships, marriage, dating, and for family members as well as friends. One day a year we celebrate love, February 14th Valentine’s Day. Love can be celebrated any day of the year that we choose to celebrate it. There is one love that surpasses all types of love, Agape Love. Agape love is the love God has for us. We can’t show this type of love.

Each story in this collection recognizes a different type of love. Stories from the hearts of each of its writers. I really enjoyed reading each of these stories and reading about the different types of love represented. This collection of stories is the perfect gift for someone who needs an extra dose of love this Valentine’s.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.”

About the Book

Title: 21 Days of Love

Compiled by: Kathy Ide

Genre: Non-fiction, Devotional

Release Date: January 1, 2016

Love can be found in many treasured relationships: boyfriend-girlfriend, husband-wife, parent-child … with a special friend, teacher, or pet … in the kindness of a stranger. We even have a national holiday to celebrate love.

The greatest love ever known is God’s abundant love for us, His children. And He often demonstrates that perfect love through imperfect people.

These stories represent all kinds of love. Woven through each story is the sustaining hand of our loving heavenly Father. On Valentine’s Day—and every day—whether your life is chocolates and flowers or loneliness and pain … let these stories fill your heart with hope, peace, and most important, love.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Compiler and editor KATHY IDE has been a published author since 1989. She has written fiction and nonfiction books and is the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors. She has ghostwritten ten nonfiction books and a series of five novels. She also writes columns of writing and editing tips for blogs and newsletters. Kathy makes her home in Orange County, California.

Guest Post from Kathy Ide

Kick off the new year with love!

21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships, book 3 in the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series, contains short fiction stories about all kinds of love. Boyfriend-girlfriend. Husband-wife. Parent-child. Teacher-student. Even love for pets and showing love to strangers. Since the greatest love ever known is God’s abundant love for us, His children, the sustaining hand of our loving heavenly Father is woven throughout. Each story is written by a different author and is followed by a brief Life Application in which the author shares how the fictional story relates to our day-to-day lives.

21 Days of Love has chapters written by well-known, best-selling novelists, including Susan May Warren, Sherry Kyle, Renae Brumbaugh, and New York Times best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall. There are also stories by writers you may not have heard of. At the end of each chapter is an author bio that gives some background information about the author. So if you really like a story you read, you can find out what else that author has written. You may just find some new names to add to your favorites list.

And if you haven’t read much Christian fiction, this devotional will give you a small taste of several different authors and genres, without having to commit to reading an entire novel. You might just discover that you actually love Christian fiction!

21 Days of Love, a finalist in the 2017 Selah awards, makes a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for friends and loved ones.

Blog Stops

Bibliophile Reviews, February 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 12

A Greater Yes, February 12

Captive Dreams Window, February 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 13

Mary Hake, February 14

Blossoms and Blessings, February 14

Bigreadersite, February 15

margaret kazmierczak, February 15 (Interview)

Janices book reviews, February 16

Christian Bookaholic, February 17

Reading is my Super Power, February 17 (Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

Carpe Diem, February 19

A Baker’s Perspective, February 20

Simple Harvest Reads, February 21 (Guest post from Mindy)

Pursuing Stacie, February 22

proud to be an autism mom, February 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away a

2 Grand Prizes of a full set of the 21 Days Hardback books
3 first place prizes of a hardback copy of 21 Days of Love
4 second place prizes of an eBook copy of 21 Days of Love!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c8e3

Growing a Strong Marriage

We all long to have a strong marriage, one that is built on trust, honor, respect, love but most importantly, Jesus Christ. Through 20 years of marriage, we have tried different things but the one thing that works is having the foundation of our marriage built on Christ. When I had the opportunity to review a new study on marriage, I jumped at the opportunity. Growing a Strong Marriage study series is a wonderful tool that I highly recommend to all married couples and engaged couples. I had the privilege to review Volume 1: Starting Strong.

Starting Strong has interviews from some famous Christian authors and leaders: Jon and Stasi Eldridge, Gary and Lisa Thomas, Art and Lysa TerKeurst, Chip and Theresa Ingram, Gordon and Gail MacDonald and Les and Leslie Parrott. This study will help you pursue deeper communication and understanding with one another. It will help you both become rooted and grounded together in Christ as well as being committed to one another.

The DVD consist of 4 sessions: How We Met, Foundation in Marriage, Identity in Christ and Paths to Christ in Marriage. With the DVD and study guide, you will learn to build a strong and solid biblical foundation with each other. Growing a Strong Marriage is the tool that I wished we would have had sooner. I am so glad we have it now.

I received a copy of the book and DVD for free, a favorable review was not required all opinions expressed are my own.

30 Days to Peace

30 Days to Peace: A One-Month Creative Journal

 

30 Days to Peace is a one month creative journal released by WaterBrook. This journal is a way for you to unwind and find peace amidst our busy lives and is perfect for this time of year when the hustle and bustle of the holidays have you stressed to the max.

You don’t have to be “creative” to use this journal, its designed for anyone. You can create, write, doodle and draw your way into the deep, lasting peace that Jesus has to offer. Filled with scripture, coloring pages, and spaces to write or draw your answers to the questions asked, this little book will help you destress and fill normal again.

Perfect for Christmas presents, stocking stuffers, or just to give that one person that needs peace. I will assure you that 30 Days to Peace is something that you will enjoy.

I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required, I chose to write this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

21 Days of Christmas Blog Tour/Giveaway

My Review:

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year to some, to others it may be the saddest time of the year. Christmas is the time of year where families get together, give gifts and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Each year, my heartaches for just one more Christmas with lost loved ones but I know that isn’t going to happen. So I think of the memories we had, I thank God for sending his only son to be born to a virgin, and I look for new books to start reading. This year I was honored to read and review a collection of Christian Fiction Devotionals entitled, 21 Days of Christmas!

21 Days of Christmas is a collection of stories written by several different authors and compiled by Kathy Ide. Stories about giving, love, and family that will warm your heart. These stories celebrate the hope and joy that make this blessed season unique. One feature that I love about this book is at the end of each story you will find an insightful message that will help you discover the true meaning of this time of year.

I encourage each of you to pick a copy of 21 Days of Christmas up today, get you a cup of Hot Chocolate, Coffee, or Hot Apple Cider, curl up with a blanket or by the fireplace and spend time reading each of these stories that will help you savor the true meaning of Christmas.

I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable was not required, all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book

Name of book: 21 Days of Christmas: A Fiction Lover’s Devotional

Author: Kathy Ide

Genre: Christian Fiction Devotional

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Christmas is more than just a holiday. It is a time to recapture the joy and wonder of God’s greatest gift: His Son, Jesus.

21 Days of Christmas will warm your heart with stories about giving, loving, and family. These engaging tales celebrate the hope and joy that make this blessed season unique. At the end of each story you’ll find an insightful message that will help you discover anew the true meaning of this special time of year. So grab a cup of hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick, curl up in your favorite chair beside a picture window overlooking a serene spot, and savor the true meaning of Christmas through these inspirational and encouraging stories.

Click here to purchase your copy.

More About Kathy Ide

Kathy is the editor/compiler of the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series (www.FictionDevo.com) and author of “Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors” (http://secretsofbestsellingauthors.com). She has also written numerous articles, short stories, devotionals, play scripts, and Sunday school curriculum. She has ghostwritten ten nonfiction books and a five-book novel series.

She is also a full-time freelance editor, working with aspiring, new, and experienced authors as well as publishers.

Kathy speaks at writers’ conferences across the country.

She is the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (www.TheChristianPEN.com) and the Christian Editor Connection (www.ChristianEditor.com).

For more about Kathy, visit http://www.KathyIde.com.

Guest Post from Kathy Ide

Looking for a great Christmas gift for friends and family who love fiction … or devotionals? You can give them both in one book!

21 Days of Christmas: Stories that Celebrate God’s Greatest Gift is book two in the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. It’s a collection of 21 fiction stories, each written by a different author—including well-known novelists such as Lena Nelson Dooley, Joanne Bischof, Jan Cline, and Lynn Kinnaman. Some stories are about the first Christmas, when Mary and Joseph brought God’s Son into the world. Others are about how we celebrate that history-changing event today. Each story is followed by a brief Life Application written by the author of that story.

The first chapter starts out with an amusing tale of a modern-day couple in the front seat of a car, on Christmas Eve, traveling to see relatives for the holiday. They’re griping about the hassles of the season, and hollering at the the kids, who are playing with the foil on Mom’s Jell-O salad in the backseat. Then we break from that to a scene of Mary and Joseph entering Bethlehem, about to bring God’s Son into the world. It contrasts the modern-day wife, not wanting to go into a sleazy diner because it’s the only place open on Christmas Eve, with Mary hesitating to go into a smelly barnyard to give birth. When the modern-day couple decide to tell their children the Christmas story—complete with snow and a little drummer boy—the contrasts become both highly funny and very poignant.

I wrote one of the chapters in the book. It’s about the first Christmas, from the perspective of Joseph. What he must have thought and felt when Mary was giving birth to Jesus, knowing that he had been personally given the divine responsibility to teach God’s Son about God. Based on the Old Testament teachings he’d been raised with, what did Joseph think Jesus would be like when He was born, and how did reality clash with those expectations?

This book makes a great gift for family and friends, with its beautiful debossed hardback cover, full-color interior, and a ribbon page marker. With stories about the Nativity as well as tales of modern-day people celebrating that event, almost anyone would enjoy receiving a copy and reading it—even those who don’t believe in Christ as their Savior. It’s small enough to be a stocking stuffer (or tucked into the pocket of a Christmas-themed pot holder!) and inexpensive enough to be a practical gift for those people you’re not sure will reciprocate, or who may feel uncomfortable if they didn’t get you anything.

This devotional would also be ideal to incorporate into an individual’s or a family’s advent celebration, reading one chapter a day during the three weeks leading up to Christmas.

Each chapter takes only about ten minutes to read, which makes it ideal for the hectic holiday season. And since each chapter stands alone, it doesn’t matter whether you read one or two stories, half the book, or the whole thing.

Other books in the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series are:

21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love

21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships

21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Motherhood

Blog Stops

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, November 21

Reflections From My Bookshelves, November 21

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 22

Reader’s Cozy Corner, November 22

Blossoms and Blessings, November 23

Carpe Diem, November 23

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, November 24

Multifarious, November 25

A Reader’s Brain, November 25

A Greater Yes, November 26

Lane Hill House, November 26

Texas Book -aholic, November 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 27

Karen Sue Hadley, November 28

By The Book, November 29

Seasons of Opportunities, November 29

Mary Hake, November 30

Have A Wonderful Day, December 1

Remebrancy, December 2

God’s Little Bookworm, December 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away a grand prize of a set of 21 days devotional books!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c3c2

Pockets of Joy Blog Tour & Giveaway

My Review:

We have all had battles to fight, we have all struggled with finding joy in the midst of the storm and each one of us has a story to tell. In Pockets of Joy, Roxane Battle goes through her story and tells us how she went on a journey of finding joy during her struggles. Roxane explains how her faith was the guiding force as she searched for moments of gratitude and found a lifetime of grace. Roxane’s story is different then mine and will be different or similar to yours, but we are all searching for the same thing, JOY!

Roxane gives us practical tips for us to use whether it be spiritual, professional or personal, we can find that wholeness. Pockets of Joy reveals that secret we need to live a joy-filled life.

This is a good book, she does give practical information. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Name of book: Pockets of Joy

Author: Roxane Battle

Genre: Non-fiction, inspirational

Release Date: September 5, 2017

”No matter your situation, you have a choice. I chose joy.”

Roxane Battle was on television for much of her adult life. As a news reporter and anchor, she traveled the world and met notable people from Jay Leno to Mariah Carey to Prince. But shortly after landing her dream job in her hometown of Minneapolis, Roxane’s marriage fell apart. Every day was a battle to keep it together on camera while piecing her life back together at home as the single mom of eleven-month-old Jarod. At one point, broke and alone, dinner was a single chicken McNugget. With wit, dignity, and gripping detail, Roxane shares her story of intentionally looking for joy during this challenging chapter of her life. Her faith was the guiding force as she searched for moments of gratitude and found a lifetime of grace. She also includes secrets to spiritual, professional, and personal wholeness for today’s woman, with chapters on authenticity, service, generosity, gratitude, self-care, yielding, forgiveness, and more.

click to purchase your copy

About the Author:

Author Roxane Battle is veteran TV news journalist well known in the Minneapolis region for her work as an anchor, reporter, and former co-host of the KARE 11-NBC Today show. She currently produces award-winning videos for corporate and non-profit clients through her company, Roxane Battle, M. A., LLC. Named an “Architect of Change,” Roxane is a contributor to mariashriver.com and has been featured in Working Mother, Ebony magazines, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press. An entertaining and inspiring speaker, she is regularly called upon to address civic, business, and philanthropic groups. She’s recently been a keynote speaker at events hosted by the Girl Scouts, TeamWomen Minnesota, and the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. For more on Roxane Battle: www.roxanebattle.com

www.pocketsofjoy.com

www.facebook.com/roxanebattle

Twitter @roxanebattle

Guest post from Roxane Battle

What this book is about is the season in my life when I was on my own and overwhelmed with trying to put my life back together while I learned how to raise a child and navigate a demanding television

career. A working, divorced single mom. That was me. For years.

There were many days when I smiled in front of the camera and cried alone at night. During those years, my time in the wilderness, I learned a lot about myself.

I am now at a point when I am able, willing, and desire to share the very personal and intimate stories of how I found peace in the midst of my struggles. I discovered what I call pockets. Pockets of joy. The kind of joy that causes your eyes to mist and wash over the hurt. The kind of joy that catches you by surprise and for a moment makes you forget, if ever so briefly, that you ever felt pain. The kind of joy that, in some ways, cannot even be described.

It is my hope and prayer my story will enable others to grasp a piece of the kind of joy I’m talking about and allow it to stir the kind of hope within that can renew and transform.

Blog Stops

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 26

Carpe Diem, October 26

autism mom, October 27

Avid Reader Book Reviews, October 28

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 29

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 30

Reflections From My Bookshelves, October 31

Moments Dipped in Ink, November 1

The Fizzy Pop Collection, November 2

A Greater Yes, November 3

A Reader’s Brain, November 4

Splashes of Joy, November 5

Mary Hake, November 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 7

Texas Book-aholic, November 8

Giveaway

In honor of her tour, Roxanne is giving away

Grand Prize Package: Pockets of Joy, hard cover edition, in Pockets of Joy tote bag with Abba Jerusalem Frankincense pillar candle, and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book.

1st Place Package: Pockets of Joy, hard cover edition, “You Are An Amazing Woman” (Abbey Press) mug, and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book.

2nd Place Package: Pockets of Joy, hard cover edition and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book!

Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c16e

Gospel-Centered Mom

Gospel-Centered Mom
Brooke McGlothlin

About the Book:

It’s Time to Stop Trying to Be the Perfect Mom

You long to be the mom your kids need, but often you’re convinced you come up short. The label “not enough” seems to be stamped across everything you do—and yet parenting is the one thing you want most to get right.

What if the solution is simply to embrace the truth that you are not enough—but God is?

In Gospel-Centered Mom Brooke McGlothlin reveals how our entire approach to motherhood shifts when we stop chasing our vision of a perfect family and start full-out pursuing God. With refreshing candor, Brooke examines the daunting task of raising children in the light of God’s Word and challenges you to:

· embrace your moment-by-moment need for Jesus
· release the stress of believing everything is your responsibility
· learn to fight for rather than against your child
· believe that the story God is writing with your life is worth the sacrifice
· practice the daily disciplines that lead to Gospel-centered parenting

As you learn to anchor your life in the Gospel, you’ll find increased freedom, purpose, and joy in motherhood. And you’ll discover that Jesus is more than capable of meeting every need, for your children and for you.

About the Author:

Brooke McGlothlin is cofounder and president of Raising Boys Ministries and The MOB (Mothers of Boys) Society, an online community for BoyMoms. The author of several books and resources for mothers, her words of encouragement and inspiration have been featured on LifeWay’s ParentLife blog, the Proverbs 31 Devotional Site, and Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience. Brooke lives in the mountains of southwest Virginia with her husband and their two sons.

 

 

My Review:

I can honestly admit that I am one of those mothers who is always hard on herself, tells herself you are not the mom you need or should be, and always wish that I can be the mom that I see others have. It wasn’t until I read Gospel Centered Mom that I had a new approach on being a mom. I’m not perfect and will never be, but I serve a loving God who is perfect. Brooke McGlothlin explains what happens when we stop chasing a vision of a having a perfect family and start full-out pursuing God. She talks about the task of raising children in the light of God’s word and challenges each of us to several practices like: embracing your moment-by-moment need for Jesus, releasing the stress of believing everything is your responsibility, learning to fight for rather than against your child, believing that the story of God is writing with your life is worth the sacrifice, and practicing the daily disciplines that lead to Gospel-centered parenting.

I know first hand how different your children act when you are raising them in a God-centered home. When we were doing daily devotionals, our girls listened, they did their homework, they did their chores and they enjoyed going to church. When life got to busy and we stopped the devotions things changed. That is why Daily Devotions are very important in our home.

I have found this book to be a must read for all moms. It has opened my eyes to the things that I need to start doing and to the things I don’t need to waste my time on.

I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

31 Proverbs to Light Your Path

31 Proverbs to Light Your Path
Liz Curtis Higgs

About the Book:

Take Heart, Beloved.
His Light Is Shining,
And Your Path Is Clear.

Wherever you are on your journey, here is the wisdom you need for the road ahead. Maybe you’re stuck and want to move forward. Or you feel anxious and long to know what’s next. Or you’re ready for an uplifting reminder that God holds your future in His loving hands.

Chosen by hundreds of women as their favorite verses in Proverbs, these thirty-one nuggets of truth reveal how faithfully God honors His promise, “I will instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths” (Proverbs 4:11).

Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs examines each word with care and adds a sprinkling of humor through her honest stories and personal examples. For each verse you’ll find a unique “One Minute, One Step” challenge—a do-it-now task that requires one minute or less. You’ll soon discover how practical and meaningful the book of Proverbs is as you apply its ancient wisdom to your thoroughly modern life.

With a study guide included, 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path is a daily devotional and a small-group Bible study, wrapped in a beautiful gift book brimming with encouragement!

About the Author: 

Liz Curtis Higgs has one goal: to help women embrace the grace of God with joy and abandon. She is the author of more than thirty books with 4.6 million copies in print, including her nonfiction bestsellers, Bad Girls of the Bible, The Girl’s Still Got It, The Women of Christmas, and The Women of Easter; her award-winning Parable Treasury for children; and several Scottish historical novels, including her New York Times bestseller, Mine Is the Night.

A seasoned professional speaker and Bible study teacher, Liz has toured with Women of Faith, Extraordinary Women, and Women of Joy, and has spoken at more than 1,700 conferences in all fifty states of the United States and fifteen foreign countries.

Liz is happily married to Bill Higgs, who serves as director of operations for her speaking and writing office. They share their life together in a nineteenth-century farmhouse in Louisville, Kentucky with their twin tabby cats, Boaz and Samson.

My Review:

I love Liz Curtis Higgs! I have had the opportunity to see her speak at Women of Faith and she is truly a woman after God’s own heart. She is on fire for God and lives to write books to help women be the same way. Her books have helped me in so many ways.

31 Proverbs to Light Your Path is the perfect companion to reading the Proverbs. Its a daily devotional that can be used as a devotional, or a Bible study all wrapped in one package. This book contains a study guide in the back. Liz has taken 31 verses that women have chosen as their favorite verses from Proverbs, these thirty-one nuggets of truth reveal how faithfully God honors His promise from Proverbs 4:11, “I will instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”

I loved each devotional but most importantly I really enjoyed the One Minute, One Step Challenge after each devotional. This is a do-it-now task that only requires one minute or less.

This book has been a wonderful tool and I highly recommend it to each lady out there. Perfect gift idea!!

I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required, all opinions expressed are my own.