Comfort in the Midst of Chaos - Guest Post

I am over at Comfort in the Midst of Chaos today. I love this ministry geared toward parents of special needs children. Go and check them out here.

When you have the opportunity of raising a special needs child you have more available occasions to express true love than others. It can be easier to love a compliant child than a ten-year-old throwing a temper-tantrum in the middle of Walmart's floor. Anyone can love a cute and compliant child easily but when it gets tough can you still love unconditionally? READ MORE

Book Review: Spiritual Warfare by Borgman and Ventura

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

To the point, hands down, this is one of my favorite books of all time. The topic of prayer, specifically spiritual warfare, has not always been given the best biblical kind of teaching and training. I have read scores upon scores of books on this topic and this one is the most balanced and biblical I have found yet. I think all Christians should read this. I really hope you do, it will help you immensely in your Christian day to day walk.

Essentially this book is just a book that takes a look at the Ephesians six passage on prayer. Simple. Yet so profound. It walks you through this teaching in context and easily. It not only applies the text to the cultural period brilliantly but also helps the reader see how to apply the text to one self in this culture. It flowed in a pleasing way that made it not only easy to read but also a joy to read. It will spurn you on in good works and bring you closer to Christ. Get this one! It will be worth the time.

You can get a copy of this on AMAZON HERE or CHRISTIAN BOOK HERE.

Book Review: 10 Day Without by Daniel Day

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

10 Days Without sounded like an interesting book by the title alone and I was thrilled to read it because it did not disappoint. Often when I read a book like this I worry about it being a guilt-inducing kind of book but first off there were two things the author stated that I liked. The first thing he stated was, "Ten Days Without is not about guilt" and then, "Ten Days Without is about lovingly drawing people's attention to important causes."

These two statements proved to be true about this book. The author took ten days to go without something while using that time to raise awareness and help for a particular need in the world. Each chapter was informative about the issue chosen, which I really enjoyed. The author also included others who had experience doing some of these same experiments and what their journey looked like doing them.

It was an easy read and authentically written. The author was trying to get people to see beyond themselves. The topics he tackled were:
1-Disease by going shoeless.
2-Homelessness by going with out a coat.
3-Distractions by going without media.
4-Global Poverty by going without furniture.
5-Disability by going without legs.
6-Slavery by going silent
7-Orphans, Widows, prisoners, and other untouchables by going without touch.

These all proved to change the author going through them. I hope they inspire continually and are not forgotten over time. This was an interesting read and worth the time.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here.

Trades of Hope - Feature - USA

Did you know that Trades of Hope does not only partner with women in poverty overseas but also women here in our own country? Well here is a wonderful ministry in California that would be great to support and help through the purchases of their products.

This is the redeemed necklace that you can get HERE.

The story of the ministry is above. I know it is small writing and hard to read but essentially it is a ministry that helps women who are taken advantage of who come to California believing they can get into show business. Often times women are promised things that get them to this location then they are trapped in industry they would not like to be in. This ministry helps these vulnerable women find freedom.
To purchase the redeemed necklace go HERE.

Book Review: Risky Gospel by Owen Strachan

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

I loved this book! Hands down, I need you to hear that, you should read this book. It is a book that will challenge you, encourage you, and spurn you on toward good works because of the gospel. If that interests you; read this!

The book did not contain anything that was new to me, however it was full of things I needed to be reminded of which makes it appropriate for a new believer or one who has been a follower for some time. The writing style flows nicely which makes this title easy to read. The subtitle indicates a little more of precisely what this book is about: Abandon Fear and Build Something Awesome. Honestly, as believers, most of us get hung up by fear in our day to day lives. We often find ourselves comfortable and we just live our lives in comfort but don't take the time to really sacrifice to build something great. We have been given a light to shine for Christ so we should not let fear hold us back in this.

God's perfect love and good news through the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us all we need for life and godliness. In response to that we should work fearlessly and without abandon. This book looks at these issues in our lives addressing them with our family, witness, work, community, and other important areas relevant to daily living.

I recommend this book. If you would like to get a copy of this book from Amazon go HERE.

Book Review: Magnificent Obsession, Why Jesus is Great

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

I really enjoyed this book. I was a little nervous when I chose this book for review because often times books on apologetics seem to fly way over my head. I often don't feel smart enough to read them. However, this book is different. It is a great book that not only can the lay reader understand but also any person who may be wrestling to understand if God is even real.

This book was written in response to a book written by an atheist that was entitled, God is Not Great. It is written in the form of a series of letters addressing certain questions a non believing friend has about God. It is written in love and truth. It is written with authenticity. It was beautiful. I only wish more relationships like what was written in this book existed. Only then would God's truth reach more people. Sharing Christ can only be done in love and truth if it is to be done well. This book did that.

If you are looking for a good book on an apologetics get this. You can get a copy of it from Amazon here.

If:Local Friday Night

Wow is the only word that comes to mind after tonight's live stream of the If gathering. I do not know what God is doing but I know it is good! Women uniting in the name of Jesus is always a good thing! When women are challenged to really live the Bible and live as if the gospel is true and good news, families, marriages; the world will change. I love that!

Kind of at the last minute my friend opened up her home to stream this event and we just said come to whoever would. A beautiful group of all ages from different walks formed. I was so amazed at women who came without knowing anyone else. Beautiful women who would brave going to a strangers home whom they have never met to be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord! I was so inspired by these ladies because I would have never done that! They made me want to be brave.

Then there was amazing praise and worship which was so beautiful because we had a random group of women who just met worshiping our God, our Daddy together. We can do this freely because in HIM we are sisters. It was such a joy to experience this and meet one another.

We listened to such powerful messages about living what God has for us. Not comparing. Walking in faith and throwing off all that entangles. Running our race well and together. And not being afraid of the obstacles. God does equip us for what He calls us to do. He is so in love with us that He came for us, each of us in different ways. We each have our stories and each story is beautiful. We have a pursuing God, never forceful but who runs after a mess like me.

It was great and encouraging stuff! That was only day one. I cannot wait for what tomorrow holds!

Tragedy of Being Unequally Yoked and God's Grace - Our Story - 22 Years Out

We were out with a group of some friends and among them were a couple who were engaged. Our group was encouraged to answer questions about marriage so we could all talk about it with them. There are things you learn looking back and it was meant for encouraging them to see the important things during this time.

The first question was to name a precious memory from your wedding. For most this would be a simple thing. I mean a precious memory.... Yet my husband and I just looked at each other lovingly, knowing we are not who we once were all those years ago. We did not have "precious" memories.

For one I was a child! I was a mere 19 years old. He was just turning 21. Yet I was a Christian, a worldly one but I am convinced the Holy Spirit dwelled within me. My boyfriend was not a believer, but his life resembled mine a lot.

This is why this unequally yoked thing can be tricky. First, my boyfriend went to church with me. He got baptized and professed to believe. There was not any reason to doubt him, except those little things that bothered me but not him. Sin was something I was convicted of but he was not. That makes living together as one hard!

Where the Spirit was uprooting me from the throne of my life bit by bit, my husband was very content to be the ruler of the throne of his heart. Why is this? Because of the Spirit. Believers can look like unbelievers because the Spirit works in His timing. Believers change as He moves and we stay in step with Him. The beauty of it is Jesus did all that needed to be done and as we realize this more and more we are more apt to change and reflect Him.

This is the danger of legalism. Someone can look outwardly like a believer but their heart may not be changed. It is all in the heart. We cannot see the heart, only God can. It is so hard to tell sometimes.

No one around us knew that my husband was not sincere in his relationship with Jesus. In fact, either did he. It was only after spending time in the word and watching a life lived out sincerely for Jesus that he was moved in his heart to receive Christ.

As you can imagine being unequally yoked was hard! We were so young and living separate belief systems, honestly there was no reason for us to last. Yet God did right our wrong! He redeemed and restored! He healed! He took our mess and made it beautiful! I am so thankful for that. I can now look at the miracle of what He gave us and just be in awe! We are different people. We are His and only when we know we are so loved by Christ, understanding His sacrifice and resurrection from the dead on our behalf, can we serve and cherish one another well.

There is hope for our messes. You cannot out sin what God has planned for you. You cannot mess it up too bad. If you are His, He will work ALL things together for His glory and your good for all of us who belong to Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28-29). So though we cannot remember any precious memories from the past, now He has given us a far greater thing! His glory is seen HUGE when we look at what we were and I love my marriage and my man and see that it is good.

Trades of Hope - Feature Uganda

I love Trades of Hope. It is an organization that empowers people out of poverty and shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with others! I absolutely love it! Because of this I have become a compassion entrepreneur. All that means is I help sell this product to help these people continue to receive an income in working conditions that meet fair trade standards.

You can help by hosting a party, purchasing products, or spreading the word. Today I will feature these precious Ugandan women. Here is a blurb from the website:
Trades of Hope is excited to be working with a group in Uganda that feeds, educates, and encourages orphaned and vulnerable children and families in Uganda. Founded in 2008 by then 19-year-old Katie Davis (Kisses from Katie), they spreads the truth of God's love and empower the Ugandan people through education sponsorship, community outreach,  vocational projects, and discipleship programs.  READ MORE HERE. 

If you go to the page to check out more be sure to read the stories of two of these women featured there. It is a blessing to be a part of this. And in the meantime when products sell I get a little income as well to put back into our mission expenses. I love that! Please go and check it out. If you want to join in this adventure with me let me know. To Shop go HERE.

This particular group is near and dear to our hearts because we are reading through Kisses from Katie as our modern missionary book. It is exciting to be connected in such an amazing way that makes a true and lasting difference.

Pulling Back Out Hope for the Peaceful Home

I wrote this devotional book a year ago this month! It is hard to believe how time flies. However, I need to pull it out to do alongside my children again. Strife peaks time and again. We must remember that Christ is the center of our lives. We need to be reminded about putting Him back in the center.

All reasons of strife come from not living gospel centered lives. This will be good to refocus. Looking at writing one on living love next. I may ask you to join me if you are interested let me know and I will post it.

If you want to do this study alongside us you can get a copy of it in ebook form at the kindle store here.