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Intercessors Arise

Falling Into Grace Conference

Hey all I will be speaking at this conference with the Women of a Passionate Purpose group. It is this Tuesday 8/31. The conference is online so you can listen in the comforts of your own home. For more info on the conference go here.

If you are interested in attending this conference please leave me a comment. I am giving away a few free tickets!

Vanity oh Vanity

I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.. (Psalm 139:14).

So today I had the great privilege of speaking to the girls who attended the Woman Inspired conference. This is how I had to do it. Look closely at my chin. After five months I am still battling a skin staph infection. Posted about it here.I was working in a nursery caring for kids while their parents learned English. One of those babies had a skin face infection and scratched me. I have been fighting it ever since. INSECURITIES!

Then to make matters worse I got a pink eye yesterday! You cannot see it well because of my glasses but it is slightly swollen closed and really pink! INSECURITIES!

I was however reminded that God thinks of my beauty and sees me as beautiful despite these outward things. He is enthralled with my beauty and I am to know in my heart of hearts that I am wonderfully made flawed and all. He accepts me as I am. And really any person who rejects me because of appearance has more going on in their own heart anyway which does not make it about me.

I have an in person event 9/16 and church directory pics coming up sooner than that. Hoping these things will go away before then but if not I am going to be okay. I am okay with myself just the way God made me. Help me remember that and I will help you too.

Book Review - No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin and Jennifer Degler

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

No More Christian Nice Girl: When Just Being Nice--Instead of Good--Hurts You, Your Family, and Your Friends was a good read. It is a problem that I encounter at times within myself and with others around me. I grew up in the north so I did not see this nice versus good as much of an issue there. However now in the south I do see it occur more often. I think culturally the southern sweetness is in this category at times. Nice is not good however when we lie.

Lying was the biggest thing I got from this book. Though there is so much helpful information for someone who seems to have problems saying no or defining clear boundaries for themselves, I realized that there are some things that I do that are actual lies. An example of this is saying yes to something when really I want to say no. My children are the ones who usually suffer when I do this. They beg for things and instead of saying no many times I cross the boundary I set in my mind and say yes. Then I feel resentment toward them because of this. Standing firm with the boundaries you set is important. I am not sure why these little people in my life can push me around. I have seen this and have been convicted to stand firm now. So, ask me how I am doing when you get a chance. This book looks at our boundaries with friends, workplace, family, etc.

I really liked how it also explored good women of the Bible and the balance of speaking truth in love. When we do not do this we are lying. If we love people we will tell them the truth. Sometimes this is hard but it is what we need to do. Nice people avoid conflict or turn the other way but good people (true loving people) will have confrontation where it is necessary.

One thing I wish we had more of in this book was talk about Jesus and His being well rounded with boundaries and attitude. There is a section in the back with all the Scripture references to Jesus and how He had appropriate boundaries however I wish the book took more time to speak on this.

Overall this book was a good read. If you know someone or you personally have issues with being nice instead of being good this book will give you much freedom in Christ.

To purchase a copy of this book from Amazon.com click on the link above.*

*If you purchase through this link I will get a small commission.

Hard Confessions

My husband I started Refresh My Soul Ministries because we looked around and saw all the weary saints. We wanted to help and help them come back to refreshment that can only truly come from the Lord. Great concept right? We knew for certain that the Lord laid this heavy burden on our hearts for a reason so we stepped out in faith and started this ministry.

God has brought along some dear life long friends through the Internet. Some really badly hurting people who have been beat up by life and even life in the church. We would offer our encouragement and walk alongside them the best we could. We were on a mountaintop with God. We could easily hear, see, and follow Him. Then it happened....

We ourselves started getting beat up. The world was already harsh enough for us but arrows started coming from every side. The place we thought we were safe was in the sanctuary of the church. However it ended up to be not as safe as we thought. We thought like minded ministry people would support us too and walk alongside us like we did others. This sadly did not happen. We were left hurting and fending for ourselves in the full heat of battle. Lots of wounding came from this. However, God showed us that He was the power in which we served His saints. He would bring healing and restoration in due time. He also showed us that we really didn't know what deep hurt felt like. The ministry we jumped into required more understanding of deep pain. Now we experienced it we could better serve.

God allowed a really hard sifting season. I imagine like what He told Peter happened to us. He said, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32). Now we are able to better strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ. We can be thankful for the trial because what Satan wanted to use to kill and destroy us God actually used to bring forth life and power.

God showed me things that were in my heart that were motivated by not putting Him first. Also not to bring Him glory but to bring it to myself. He showed me my lack of mercy and hard heartedness toward my brothers and sisters in Christ.

He also showed me a desire for things to run according to how God prescribed. A burning fire in my bones when they are not run this way. A deep jealousy for His people to come to Him and only give glory to Him. He showed me my soft spots spiritually so I can be better guarded. How to really fend off our enemy. How to be content with all things and circumstances. A more solid footing. I am so thankful for all of this.

He showed me things and how to walk but then life got busy and I started doing life. Quickly my focus shifts again off of Him and back to myself. I do not do this intentionally it just happens. I start doing life and think I can do it on my own. Then life gets hard again. I start struggling big time. I have been trying to get quenched by Him in this race we run by drinking from a water fountain when He has a tall cool glass of water waiting for me. Yet I chose the water fountain. It is faster, I will be okay. It takes too long to drink that glass of water I tell myself and I run. I get worn down and wonder why. Well my body craves water and I deny it of the portion it needs. So today I am back to the glass of water drinking. Oh how good our Father is to us. Hope you are drinking from the glass too.

Book Review - Good Girl's Don't Have to Dress Bad by Shari Braendel

I received a copy of this book at no charge from the publisher for the purpose of review.

I have been so blessed by this book. I never in my life thought that I would like a book on fashion. However this book won me over. It is a perfect balance of spiritual and physical on this subject matter. It was written like a letter from one friend to another. Any woman who picks this up will leave feeling better about herself. Now that is priceless in my opinion.

As women we struggle as loving and accepting ourselves exactly as God made us. He made us each unique and beautiful yet for some reason we often end up desiring to be someone else. This book helps with that. It helps you learn how to dress the way that makes you look the best you can. After all like Shari tells us "we are representing our King!"

Another great thing about this book is it is far from materialistic. You are never encouraged to go out and spend or buy things that you do not need. I loved that about this book. In fact the author did address the issue of shop therapy being wrong. The motivation of our heart should be that we look the best we can for representing our Father in Heaven. Period.

The book helps you know:

• Your body type and how to best dress that type.
• The colors that look best with your skin, hair and eye colors.
• The perfect balance when wearing accessories. They are good for even the simplest of us. Help with knowing what looks best on you based on your build.
• Appropriateness of undergarments.
• Survival guide to swimsuit shopping.
• Hair and Makeup tips defining facial shapes and best cuts to compliment those along with best eye wear.
• Jeans-a great guide for shopping by body type and stores to purchase them in all price ranges.
• An encouraging shopping guide.
• Modesty-a must!

This is a book that I will continual look through. I discussed some of this even with my 8 year old daughter who really enjoyed it. I really think it would be a good read for any age. Also, the book is full of pictures to explain the things that are being discussed. This was very helpful to me because I learn visually. I do not usually encourage you to buy any book that I review but this one I am going to encourage you to go out and buy. You will not regret it. Really you will not.

The author Shari is the real deal. She is a speaker for Proverbs 31 ministries. Contributes a lot to the teen girls of that ministry through Radical Revolution. Check out her personal website here.


To purchase a copy of this book from Amazon click on the link on this post. However through that link I will get a small commission.

Power of the Ten Commandments

Today was a really rough day with the girls. They were not wanting to get along at all in the morning. It figures because I was trying to host a conference. This has been going on for about a week or so now and deeply grieves my heart. I have been praying for a breakthrough and today we got one! Praise God.

I was making them just sit with me while I was working out on the treadmill. They had to just sit there. It is what I call boot camp because they lose all privileges and lose the right to be on their own since they lack the ability to make proper choices. As they sat and waited for me to finish my work out we were listening to the conference.

My youngest decides to read the wall while she waited. We have this chart posted on it (pictured above). She spent most of those 20 minutes reading and studying this chart. I was unaware she was doing this until she said, "Mom, I broke number 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10." "And Mom, you broke number 10." At this I cracked up because I knew this meant coveting...I could not figure out what I was coveting. My child explained to me all the sin she committed and how she broke these commandments then went on to explain mine. I broke number 10 because God gave me these children and I should not want other better behaving children!! Ha! She is something! So I told her I was sorry and confessed and she confessed. She asked me if she could keep this chart in her room so she can keep studying it and know what was right and wrong. So we moved it to her room.

The best part was it lead into a good discussion that there is no way we can keep these commandments in our own strength. It is why we desperately need Jesus. He is the one who satisfies our sin. He died for us so that we are righteousness in Christ. These commandments remind us of the great need we have for Christ. I challenge you to read them in this child like form above. They are beneficial to her and she really understands them. I just love those little breakthroughs. Praying it helps her walk in a Christlike manner. A reminder to us both of our desperate need of Christ.

2:21 Release Check it out!

http://221mag.com/2010/08/the-first-issue-august-2010/

So excited to be a part of this new magazine through exemplify. Check it out.

Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad by Shari Braendel

So excited to have this book for review. Shari Braendel is with us at Radical Revolution the teen ministry of Proverbs 31 ministries. She is amazing when it comes to teaching others what to wear. Cannot wait to get this one done.

Book Review - The Lord's Prayer by R.T. Kendall

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher, Chosen Publishing.

My first encounter with R.T. Kendall was through his book Total Forgiveness. This book was one that the Lord used to uproot bitterness that I was having a hard time getting rid of. It was the last push that I needed to get it uprooted and out. I was so thankful for that book. When the opportunity came again to read something of his I was very excited to do so.

The Lord's Prayer  became available for review so I was thrilled to read it. It was also everything that I expected. Written with the same wisdom as Total Forgiveness, this book was packed with God's word. The author takes a look at the Lord's Prayer, that most Christians have memorized at some time in their lives, and looks at each part of it in great detail. I learned so much about this amazing prayer and God's heart. I really recommend it to anyone. You will be delighted in all you will learn from it. This prayer was one that Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him how to pray. It is a great guideline for anytime we pray. It is a great asset in helping us in our prayer life and praying God's will. Really a must read.

To get a copy from Amazon click on the link above (I will receive a commission if you purchase it there.)

Heart of the Matter Online Homeschool Conference is HERE!

Go here to join us!

Are You Ready?

I am over at Heart of the Matter Online today. Come on over and discuss this years school plans. We would love to hear from you.

Book Review: Cast of Characters by Max Lucado

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

Max Lucado is a wonderful writer. I am always better off for reading his books. Max has a great God given ability to paint a picture where you can really imagine yourself in the scene. This particular book takes a look at many people from the Bible. We need to remember these are ordinary people just like you and I. They had the same kind of struggles as we do. Yet most importantly God chose to use them right where they were at. This is a truth that we need to remember.

This is a book that is divided up in chapters that focus on different characters. You can skip around and read what you are interested in at the moment or just enjoy it and read it straight through. Either way you will be blessed. I do recommend this book. It will help you to imagine and relate to these very real people of the Bible.

To request a copy of this book from the publisher go here.
To get a copy from Amazon click on the book and link above.
*I will get a commission from any orders from the Amazon link above.