Book Review: A Vine-Ripened Life by Gale

This was a great read on the Fruit of the Spirit. On every page it directs you to Christ over and over again. It was convicting yet restoring. It broke down each component of the fruit of the Spirit and discussed what they look like one by one. Over all the arching topic to making these fruit flourish is keeping oneself connected to the Vine, which is Jesus.

In order for this fruit to grow, we must stay connected to Christ which requires a dying to self and looking to Him. I was encouraged by this book and I believe it would be helpful to anyone desiring to grow in fruitfulness. We cannot just make fruit happen because that is God's work but we can certainly chose to go along with Him and stay connected to Him intentionally. It is a book that will help you see if you are growing in grace.

One interesting aspect of the book was the section on will-power vs. self-control. So many people assert will-power over things but it eventually fails because it is law and in our strength where as self-control is dependent fully on the Holy Spirit in our lives so it looks completely different. There is a peace to that type of living, a freedom, where will-power is law. This section helped me think through a few things in this area of my life.

I do recommend this book. You can get a copy from Amazon here.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

Back to School Unity

I love the ministry of Heart of the Matter. I am honored to guest post there monthly and today I am over there. Here is an article preview:

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:23).

A desire for unity among Christian brothers and sisters is recorded as one of Jesus last prayers before He went to the cross. He knew the cross was coming and as He was praying, He was praying for us to have unity.

Now to me, this is powerful. Unity must be important to Jesus. If I were the one about to face a horrible torture I would probably be praying for it to be quick, pain to not linger, or various things of the self-focused nature but I am not Jesus. It is important to remember He was fully man and fully God so He struggled with the same temptations that we do, yet He prayed for future believer’s unity.

Now this may be something hard to swallow for some but READ MORE (full article is at Heart of the Matter Online.)

Rejection from Unexpected Places

The pain of rejection can be earth shattering especially when the people who you believe would unconditionally cheer you on most will not. There are dreams that we have, good dreams, eternity rocking dreams but we are not supported by those we desire support from the most. What do we do with that pain and hurt?

When you birth a child you have many hopes and dreams but it is reality to realize that your dreams and hopes for that child may not be the same as what that child itself has for their life. It is important to love them unconditionally as the perfect Father loves us. Not for what we do or don't do but because He chose us and delights in us as we are. I could do many things with my life and no matter what, I have the delight of my Father in Heaven. I love that. I need to remember that because ultimately He is all we need. I want to pour that same love and support onto my children when they figure out what they want to do with their lives. After all God places those desires there in their hearts and He knows our children best of all. He has given us this gift of raising them with loose hands, not holding too tightly, in order to let them go and fly free wherever He has in mind. Even if it is hard places.

I cannot wait to see the plans He has for them. I need to be reminded to hold them loosely for they are His. I need to remember to support their crazy dreams because though I cannot imagine myself doing some of the things they desire, I am for them. No matter what. I need to resolve to be their greatest cheer leader. That is how our Heavenly Father is toward us. That is how we should in turn be toward them.

If you are scared or worried, commit to pray, He will give you peace.
If you can't catch their vision, pray God's will be done.
If you can't understand, talk like adults should talk together to try to grasp some understanding and don't shame or make them feel like they cannot talk to you about their lives. Don't chase them away.

Ultimately children, no matter the age, desire their parents approval. Sadly, in this life some of us may never get it. Yet ultimately I am accountable to my Heavenly Father and in Him I am fully approved. That has to be enough. Lord please make it enough. And in that perfect love I can forgive and be free despite the pain. I press on in Him.

Book Review: The Berenstain Bears: Blessed are the Peacemakers

I chose to review this book because I received one previously that I just adored, however this one was not like that. It was an okay book but the wording on the pages was too much to keep the attention of my five year old. The lessons in this one were not as concise either. I was just not as impressed with it as I was with the other three I read.

It is still entertaining and a good book for children compared to others. The pictures were very well done and did help to keep attention of my child. He does have happy feelings about Berenstain Bears so I just hope the next one we try will be better for us.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

You can get a copy from Amazon here.

Book Review: Dirty Faith by Nowell

This book was what I would describe as a call to action to believers to help those who are considered the least of these. It discusses stories that the author specifically experienced in the country of Brazil. Stories that are sad. Stories that may be prevented if everyone did their share in helping.

It is thought provoking and gives the reader much to think about regarding where they can be helpful. It also discusses poor ways to help because just because we think something may help does not mean it always does. It helps us explore our motivations as well.

I think it was a good read. It will spurn the reader on to take action because they have the ability to do so but take action with wisdom.

I received a copy of this book at no charge for the purpose of an honest review.

You can get a copy of it on Amazon here.

The Highly Sensitive Child as Special Needs

I love the ministry Comfort in the Midst of Chaos toward the special needs community and their Christ centeredness and I am honored to be posting over there today. Here is a preview:

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29). 

Today I went to the grocery store and like always I dreaded the check out process (unless it is the self-checkout). I also dread that question at the end of the bagging when they ask if they can help me out to my car. There have been times when my groceries ended up in two carts forcing me to need help to my car. Then the panic ensues.

I love people. I like to get to know people yet these kind of encounters I dread terribly. Today I was pushing my cart out and was spooked by the really nice man coming back in because he asked if I needed help. Why do I feel this way? READ MORE. (The full article is at Comfort in the Midst of Chaos).

Book Review: Good News for Weary Women by Fitzpatrick

To experience this book you have to imagine a grace grenade disengaging and then opening a book to capture it all. When you read this, it will pour grace out all over you. It is a deeply needed book for women today. Women are weary and feel pressure to be "super" all the time. We are inundated with this pressure through the media, other women, and even from ourselves.

This book is very freeing to the soul and rooted deeply in Scripture. Anyone who picks it up to read will be better off for doing it. It is refreshing to the heart and soul and I highly recommend it. It is for any woman who desires to be free in Christ.

For me personally this book came at just the right time because it is easy to struggle with grace. We don't feel like we deserve it so we want to justify ourselves by some way of earning it. This is not gospel. Jesus took everything for us, we do not have to measure up. He chose us because He loved us first. This is astonishing truth we need to be reminded of daily. This book is just another useful tool in that arsenal.

To see an except of this book you can go here.

I received this book at no charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

To get a copy of this book from Amazon you can go here.