31 Verses to Write on Your Heart

Here are the words of hope you’re looking for when your faith needs a boost or a friend needs encouragement. Chosen by more than a thousand women as their favorite verses in the Bible, each one is worth learning, worth sharing, worth remembering,

You’ll find verses you already know and love: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Others may be less familiar but are no less powerful: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). All of them capture the truth of God’s goodness, mercy, and love for His own.

Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs invites you to experience—

A deeper, richer understanding of thirty-one treasured verses.
A fresh look at how these timeless truths can impact your life.
A new passion for memorizing Scripture, verse by verse.
Thirty-one creative ways to keep them in your heart forever.

With a study guide included, 31 Verses to Write on Your Heart is a daily devotional and a small-group Bible study, wrapped in a lovely gift book overflowing with joy!

 Liz goes through 31 different verses, part by part and sometimes word by word often going back to the Greek meaning of the words. There are verses about strength, honor, love, and perseverance and verses for encouragement, hope, and honor.  Some of the 31 scriptures she has chosen may be well-known while others may be a little more obscure, but they will all touch your heart. Each chapter ends with a brief and lovely prayer, as well as some helps to memorize the Bible verse in the form of a memory tip, the verse typed out in the NIV version, and then space for you to look it up and write it in a different translation.  Higgs' book is an excellent resource which will not only help you memorize the scripture, but it will also encourage you in your spiritual walk.

I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogging for Books, as part of Waterbrook Multnomah’s Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Listen Love Repeat

Our culture is self-obsessed – in our schedules, relationships, and especially online. (Can you say selfie?) But in this near-narcissism, people are less content than in decades past. Why? Because we forgot the joy that comes from putting others first. Doing so requires us to live alert, listening for “heart drops,” hints from those in our lives who need a helping hand or a generous dose of encouragement. Living alert lifts our own spirits, showing us that blessing others blesses us even more.

Listen, Love, Repeat offers biblical teaching and suggests doable actions that are simple, heart-tugging, sentimental, even sneaky and hilarious. This message:

• Presents scriptural examples of those who lived alert, including Jesus, who noticed those who least expected to be seen.

• Explains the role of good works for followers of Christ. They aren’t our ticket to heaven but they are our marching orders on earth.

• Gives creative ideas for showing love to friends and family, and suggests practical ways to reach out to the lonely, the marginalized, the outcast, and the odd duck. Additionally, it helps you comfort the grieving, showing what you can do when you don’t know what to say.

• Provides inspiration for blessing the “necessary people” in your life, those often-overlooked souls who help you get life done every day, and teaches you how to hug a porcupine by genuinely loving the hard-to-love.

As we scatter love, we create a safe space where we can openly share the gospel. We get to see lives changed right before our eyes. Most importantly, Listen, Love, Repeat will enable you to live a life that is full of kind deeds, not to selfishly shout, “Hey! Look at me!” but to humbly implore, “Will you look at Him?”

This book is like having a conversation with a wise, sweet friend. Karen encourages us to show kindness to others, even those we don’t know. Who in this hard world doesn’t need a little kindness? Each chapter focuses on a different type of person you may encounter: a community helper that helps fulfill a daily necessity, someone grieving, someone lonely, someone who appears to be eternally cranky, someone that you are already close to and love at home. It's difficult to remain other-centered in this world.

I was privileged to be on the launch team for this book and received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Really Bad Girls of the Bible

Discover the Truth About
God’s Sovereignty
from the Bible’s Really Bad Girls.

Eight of the Bible’s most notorious females strut across the pages of Really Bad Girls of the Bible with troubles that still hit home in the twenty-first century.

The Medium of En Dor crossed over to the dark side. Jael stood up to a ruthless enemy. The Adulteress was caught between a rock and a hard place. Athaliah made a bid for power that ended badly. Bathsheba captured the wandering eye of a king. Herodias made a cruel request of her husband. Tamar exchanged her widow’s weeds for a harlot’s garb. And the Bleeding Woman had a serious health issue only a great physician could handle.

  “Higgs does such a remarkable job telling their stories that many of the Good Book's ‘bad girls’ become downright sympathetic.… Higgs is a refreshingly astute biblical commentator…(and) ably points readers to ‘good girl’ tips they can apply from the Bible’s cautionary tales.”
—Publishers Weekly 

Really Bad Girls of the Bible shines a spotlight on God’s sovereignty, demonstrating one life-changing truth: God rules the lives of those He loves with mercy, compassion, and hope.

Includes Discussion Questions and a Study Guide

This is a great book to read to understand the women in the Old Testament. From the poor judgment of Bathsheba to the blatant evil of Athaliah, both bad and good girls alike can learn from the errors of women who lived thousands of years ago. Each chapter begins with a modern short story before approaching the topic for that chapter. After the biblical topic, the Ms Higgs speaks of what lessons we can learn from that chapter. I loved the insight she gave. I recommend this study to all women who feel unacceptable to God.

I received a copy of the book from Blogging for Books and I have written an honest review.

A Baxter Family Christmas

Two years have passed since the terrible car accident that took the life of John Baxter’s daughter, Erin, her husband and three of their four daughters. Prompted by grief, and missing his daughter, John has invited a stranger for Christmas Eve dinner—Kendra Bryant, the transplant recipient who now has Erin’s heart.

In light of their father’s idea, Ashley and her brother Luke don’t think it’s right. They want to protect their ten-year-old niece, Amy—the only surviving member of the accident. But John is determined and believes meeting this woman is something his deceased daughter would want.

At the same time, Maddie West, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Brooke Baxter West, is praying for meaning this Christmas. Could she find it in a newfound friendship with a boy she never expected to see again? Maddie believes in miracles, especially at Christmastime, but this is a stretch even she can’t imagine.

Meanwhile, Kendra Bryant has been struggling these past few years to find purpose in the tragedy that gave her a second chance. She believes the invitation to see the Baxters and witness their unwavering faith in God can instill peace and happiness back into her life.

Heartwarming and touching, filled with love and redemption, A Baxter Family Christmas brings together two families in the aftermath of loss and in the midst of an unfolding love story, all with the help of one very special child.

I have enjoyed reading all the previous books about the Baxter family. This was a very emotional story as well as a beautiful story of redemption, hope, forgiveness and joy.  I recommend it as a heartwarming story full of love and tenderness, an excellent example of sharing faith with others.

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal invites you to bring creative journaling and the calming act of coloring into your quiet time with God. This beautifully designed interactive prayer book from Tyndale’s Living Expressions collection helps guide your thoughts as you pray about concerns such as health, overcoming stress, personal relationships, and more. Gratitude gives you a way to celebrate and give thanks to God for the many blessings he provides. Filled with over 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling and sketching, and 40 needs-based prayers, Gratitude helps you express your devotion to God with your whole heart!

This is a gorgeous book. I love the devotionals and I love that I get to color too. It contains selected verses and scriptural prayers to help the readers focus on praise and prayer. It's filled with prayers, scriptures, quotes, reflection questions that are certain to inspire thoughtfulness and gratitude. The art is lovely and eye-catching with plenty of space to doodle, draw, write and color.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

365 Pocket Morning Prayers: Strength and Joy to Begin Each Day

Each morning when you arise, take a moment to talk with God about the day ahead. Ask Him to prepare your heart so that you can be ready to face any challenge that comes your way. 365 Pocket Morning Prayers can guide this time of life-changing conversation and help you express your needs and concerns to God. Don’t worry about what the day will bring. Instead, release your troubles and concerns into God’s care by reading and meditating on the prayers featured in 365 Pocket Morning Prayers. Begin your day in joyful anticipation, trusting that God is in control of your life and wants only the best for you.

 There is a short prayer followed by a short Bible scripture to go along with the theme, such as confidence, courage, motives, or doubt. It takes me about two minutes to read. It’s really a great tool that will help me get my mornings off to the right start. The book is a great size as well, so it’s easy to pack for travel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. Thanks so much Tyndale!

Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely

The enemy wants us to feel rejected . . . left out, lonely, and less than. When we allow him to speak lies through our rejection, he pickpockets our purpose. Cripples our courage. Dismantles our dreams. And blinds us to the beauty of Christ’s powerful love.

In Uninvited, Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences with rejection—from the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father to the perceived judgment of the perfectly toned woman one elliptical over. 

With biblical depth, gut-honest vulnerability, and refreshing wit, Lysa helps readers:

-Release the desire to fall apart or control the actions of others by embracing God-honoring ways to process their hurt.

-Know exactly what to pray for the next ten days to steady their soul and restore their confidence.

-Overcome the two core fears that feed our insecurities by understanding the secret of belonging.

-Stop feeling left out and start believing that "set apart" does not mean "set aside."

-End the cycle of perceived rejection by refusing to turn a small incident into a full blown issue.

As you walk through the up and downs of life and end up feeling rejected yet again, Lysa leads you to ask three simple questions:

Is God good?

Is God good to me?

Do I trust God to be God?

This was a book that I deeply needed to read. I think every woman has felt the pain of rejection at some point in her life. God is the only one who we can get our identity from. Uninvited deals with the enemy's way of trying to make you feel like you're the only one who feels left out, how he tries to isolate you in your own head. Rejection delves deeper into the roots of our self doubt, insecurities, and so much more. Lysa gives scripture to show how to handle these feelings and to show that you're not alone in this. God is prepared for all of it.

Favorite quotes:

1) Honesty isn’t trying to hurt me. It’s trying to heal me

 (2) Rejection steals the best of who I am by reinforcing the worst of what’s been said to me

(3) Acceptance is like an antibiotic that prevents past rejections from turning into present-day infections. The need for belonging runs deep

 (4) If you want to know what’s really inside a person, listen carefully to the words she speaks

 (5) When a man is physically present but emotionally absent, a girl’s heart can feel quite hollow and helpless

 (6) The mind feasts on what it focuses on. What consumes my thinking will be the making or the breaking of my identity

 (7) The beliefs we hold should hold us up even when life feels like it’s falling apart

(8) Live from the abundant pace that you are loved, and you won't find yourself begging others for scraps of love

 (9) There is something wonderfully sacred that happens when a girl chooses to realize that being set aside is actually God’s call for her to be set apart

(10) People who care more about being right than ending right prove just how wrong they were all along.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by BookLook Bloggers

Disillusioned

I love a book that grabs you from the first word. Filled with suspense, danger, as well as numerous twists and surprises that will keep you guessing.  This book caused me to rethink some of my views of military service and some of my own judgmental views.

Nikki Wright is desperate to help her brother, Bobby, who hasn’t been the same since escaping from a detainment camp run by terrorists in Colombia. Rumor has it that he betrayed his navy brothers and conspired with those who held him hostage, and both the press and the military are hounding him for answers. All Nikki wants is to shield her brother so he has time to recover and heal.

But soon they realize the paparazzi are the least of their worries. When a group of men try to abduct Nikki and her brother, Bobby insists that Kade Wheaton, another former SEAL, can keep them out of harm’s way. But can Nikki trust Kade? After all, the man who broke her heart eight years ago is anything but safe…

Hiding out in a farmhouse on the Chesapeake Bay, Nikki finds her loyalties—and the remnants of her long-held faith—tested as she and Kade put aside their differences to keep Bobby’s increasingly erratic behavior under wraps. But when Bobby disappears, Nikki will have to trust Kade completely if she wants to uncover the truth about a rumored conspiracy. Nikki’s life—and the fate of the nation—depends on it.

It was an honor to become a member of her influencer team for “Disillusioned”. A digital copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.

When Calls the Heart Season 3 Complete Boxed 10 DVD Set

When Calls the Heart Season 3 DVD Set

Christian Movies  Free DVD Set for all Preorders For everyone who preorders the Season 3 Collector’s Edition from FishFlix.com, we’ll send the Season 1 “Episodes” set as a free gift. We believe that this set is a great item to give away to friends who are not yet familiar with the When Calls the Heart brand. With the release timed for October 11, this bonus item is a great Christmas gift for any fan of family-friendly romantic programming.

 Win a $100 Gift Card Another promotion we’re running is a drawing for a $100 gift card. In order to enter the drawing, one needs simply to leave a review of Season 3 on this page: 

https://www.fishflix.com/review/product/list/id/1836/category/153/#reviewform and send an email to promo@fishflix.com verifying the “nickname” used onthe product review. A drawing will take place on Sept 1, 2016 and one lucky winner will receive a $100 gift card to FishFlix.com.

 About the Season 3 Boxed Set We’re really excited about the When Calls the Heart Season 3 boxed set because it provides some truly unique bonuses for committed fans of the show (#Hearties.) As with the When Calls the Heart Season 1 and Season 2 Collector’s editions, this 10 DVD set contains both the film versions and the TV episode versions of When Calls the Heart Season 3. You can watch the series as 10 hour-long episodes or 5 feature films. As in previous years, fans will enjoy finding small differences between the film versions and the individual episodes. The really exciting elements of the Season 3 collectors’ edition are the three bonus Discs. Disc 8 features the typical bonus material one would expect from a project like this – behind the scenes footage, interviews, etc. Disc 9 is a special product devoted to the fans that have made When Calls the Heart such a grassroots success - featuring footage from the #Hearties gathering in Vancouver in January of 2016. The 10th disc is a When Calls the Heart trivia game that devoted fans are sure to love.

When Calls the Heart Season 3 Complete Boxed 10 DVD Set | Hallmark Channel Original Movie Series

Release Date: October 11th, 2016

NOTE: BONUS GIFT FOR PREORDERS: When Calls the Heart - Season 1 (3-DVD Set)All orders placed before October 11, 2016 will receive a free gift - When Calls the Heart Season 1 (3-DVD set) ($29.99 value).  This is a great gift to share with friends who have not seen the show. 

Included with the 10-DVD When Calls The Heart Season 3 Collector's Edition

Disc 1.       It Begins with Heart 
Disc 2.       Troubled Hearts
Disc 3.       Heart of a Hero
Disc 4.       Forever in My Heart
Disc 5.       Hearts In Question
Disc 6.       Episodes 1-5 (As aired on the Hallmark Channel)
Disc 7.       Episodes 6-10 (As aired on the Hallmark Channel)
Disc 8.       Special features
Disc 9:       The #HEARTIES - Footage from the #Hearties Family Reunion
Disc 10.     When Calls The Heart Trivia Game

From Hallmark Channel and acclaimed director Michael Landon Jr. comes the continuation of the series When Calls The Heart Season 3. Based on the beloved books by Janette Oke, season three continues the family friendly story of love, hope, courage, and faith on the Canadian frontier. Follow the young school teacher Elizabeth, and the young Mountie Jack, as they face new adventures, trials, and chapters in this unfolding story set in the small town of Hope Valley.

“It Begins With Heart”

Season three of When Calls The Heart picks up right were the story in season two left off, in an episode called “It Begins With Heart” (originally aired as “A New Years Wish”). Jack (Daniel Lissing)--hurt and confused after seeing Charles proposing to Elizabeth in the schoolhouse--is chopping wood in the forest. When Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) wanders up the whole story comes out, and despite her reassuring words Jack remains unconvinced. The distraught Elizabeth then seeks out Abigail (Lori Loughlin) in her cafe, who assures her that it is all a misunderstanding and Jack and Elizabeth’s love will stand the test. Meanwhile Jack wanders back to the jail, where the imprisoned Bill Avery (Jack Wagner) tries to convince him that he was not involved in the newly discovered counterfeiting ring, but Jack does not believe him. Inspector Huston soon arrives to prosecute Bill, but an encounter between the two reveals that not everything is as black and white as it first appeared. As the story unfolds Jack and Elizabeth have a deep conversation, and decide to take things slow and try again. Meanwhile, Rosemary has been making big plans for a New Years celebration--even winning a contest to get a reporter to come from San Francisco to cover New Years in Hope Valley. When it is discovered she needs to be married, the quick thinking Rosemary introduces Lee as her husband, making for some very comical scenes throughout the episode. Other stories entwine--an orphaned boy and his sick sister are found in the woods, a man from Pastor Frank’s past turns up, Bill escapes from the prison--making the first episode  of When Calls The Heart season 3 an exciting adventure, full of plot twists, that the entire family will enjoy.

When Calls the Heart Season 3 Complete Boxed 10 DVD Set

When Calls the Heart Season 3 DVD Set

Christian Movies  Free DVD Set for all Preorders For everyone who preorders the Season 3 Collector’s Edition from FishFlix.com, we’ll send the Season 1 “Episodes” set as a free gift. We believe that this set is a great item to give away to friends who are not yet familiar with the When Calls the Heart brand. With the release timed for October 11, this bonus item is a great Christmas gift for any fan of family-friendly romantic programming.

 Win a $100 Gift Card Another promotion we’re running is a drawing for a $100 gift card. In order to enter the drawing, one needs simply to leave a review of Season 3 on this page: 

https://www.fishflix.com/review/product/list/id/1836/category/153/#reviewform and send an email to promo@fishflix.com verifying the “nickname” used onthe product review. A drawing will take place on Sept 1, 2016 and one lucky winner will receive a $100 gift card to FishFlix.com.

 About the Season 3 Boxed Set We’re really excited about the When Calls the Heart Season 3 boxed set because it provides some truly unique bonuses for committed fans of the show (#Hearties.) As with the When Calls the Heart Season 1 and Season 2 Collector’s editions, this 10 DVD set contains both the film versions and the TV episode versions of When Calls the Heart Season 3. You can watch the series as 10 hour-long episodes or 5 feature films. As in previous years, fans will enjoy finding small differences between the film versions and the individual episodes. The really exciting elements of the Season 3 collectors’ edition are the three bonus Discs. Disc 8 features the typical bonus material one would expect from a project like this – behind the scenes footage, interviews, etc. Disc 9 is a special product devoted to the fans that have made When Calls the Heart such a grassroots success - featuring footage from the #Hearties gathering in Vancouver in January of 2016. The 10th disc is a When Calls the Heart trivia game that devoted fans are sure to love.

When Calls the Heart Season 3 Complete Boxed 10 DVD Set | Hallmark Channel Original Movie Series

Release Date: October 11th, 2016

NOTE: BONUS GIFT FOR PREORDERS: When Calls the Heart - Season 1 (3-DVD Set)All orders placed before October 11, 2016 will receive a free gift - When Calls the Heart Season 1 (3-DVD set) ($29.99 value).  This is a great gift to share with friends who have not seen the show. 

Included with the 10-DVD When Calls The Heart Season 3 Collector's Edition

Disc 1.       It Begins with Heart 
Disc 2.       Troubled Hearts
Disc 3.       Heart of a Hero
Disc 4.       Forever in My Heart
Disc 5.       Hearts In Question
Disc 6.       Episodes 1-5 (As aired on the Hallmark Channel)
Disc 7.       Episodes 6-10 (As aired on the Hallmark Channel)
Disc 8.       Special features
Disc 9:       The #HEARTIES - Footage from the #Hearties Family Reunion
Disc 10.     When Calls The Heart Trivia Game

From Hallmark Channel and acclaimed director Michael Landon Jr. comes the continuation of the series When Calls The Heart Season 3. Based on the beloved books by Janette Oke, season three continues the family friendly story of love, hope, courage, and faith on the Canadian frontier. Follow the young school teacher Elizabeth, and the young Mountie Jack, as they face new adventures, trials, and chapters in this unfolding story set in the small town of Hope Valley.

“It Begins With Heart”

Season three of When Calls The Heart picks up right were the story in season two left off, in an episode called “It Begins With Heart” (originally aired as “A New Years Wish”). Jack (Daniel Lissing)--hurt and confused after seeing Charles proposing to Elizabeth in the schoolhouse--is chopping wood in the forest. When Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) wanders up the whole story comes out, and despite her reassuring words Jack remains unconvinced. The distraught Elizabeth then seeks out Abigail (Lori Loughlin) in her cafe, who assures her that it is all a misunderstanding and Jack and Elizabeth’s love will stand the test. Meanwhile Jack wanders back to the jail, where the imprisoned Bill Avery (Jack Wagner) tries to convince him that he was not involved in the newly discovered counterfeiting ring, but Jack does not believe him. Inspector Huston soon arrives to prosecute Bill, but an encounter between the two reveals that not everything is as black and white as it first appeared. As the story unfolds Jack and Elizabeth have a deep conversation, and decide to take things slow and try again. Meanwhile, Rosemary has been making big plans for a New Years celebration--even winning a contest to get a reporter to come from San Francisco to cover New Years in Hope Valley. When it is discovered she needs to be married, the quick thinking Rosemary introduces Lee as her husband, making for some very comical scenes throughout the episode. Other stories entwine--an orphaned boy and his sick sister are found in the woods, a man from Pastor Frank’s past turns up, Bill escapes from the prison--making the first episode  of When Calls The Heart season 3 an exciting adventure, full of plot twists, that the entire family will enjoy.

HCSB Illustrator's Notetaking Bible, British Tan, LeatherTouch

The Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible combines two hot trends: Bible journaling and adult coloring. Through unique illustrations included on every page spread, readers, illustrator’s, and notetakers alike learn to engage the biblical text in a new way. The exceptional design offers a unique balance for everyone from seasoned artists to the creatively challenged, allowing for guided creativity and meaningful personalization of the Bible reading experience. From filigree, Scripture quotes, and unique images, these line-drawn illustrations are waiting to be brought to life.

Features include:

Over 600 images, including text designs, images, and filigree
Unique illustrations on every page spread
Open margin space for creating new, personalized images

Light grey illustrations allowing readers to add color to each image

Lined margins for note taking

This Bible has on almost every page has either a scripture passage lettered and illustrated, or a very pretty design on it. You can color the illustrations in and add some of your own. A great way of making this Bible your own! There is also ample space in the margins for your personal journaling. The Notetaking space is lined .

I love this Bible. I will be using it for my daily Bible reading as well as for coloring and illustrating the passages. I wish the font size was a little bigger but I understand it would make the Bible a lot bigger.

I do not recommend anything heavier than a color pencil or gel pen considering how thin the pages are and especially not markers as I think they'd bleed through. I am not sure you could use a highlighter with this Bible. I think the pages are to thin.

*I received this book from BHP/Lifeway Publishing Group as part of their book bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Unashamed: Drop the Baggage, Pick up Your Freedom, Fulfill Your Destiny

Shame can take on many forms. It hides in the shadows of the most successful, confident and high-achieving woman who struggles with balancing her work and children, as well as in the heart of the broken, abused and downtrodden woman who has been told that she will never amount to anything. Shame hides in plain sight and can hold us back in ways we do not realize. But Christine Caine wants readers to know something: we can all be free.

“I know. I’ve been there,” writes Christine. “I was schooled in shame. It has been my constant companion from my very earliest memories. I see shame everywhere I look in the world, including in the church. It creeps from heart to heart, growing in shadowy places, feeding on itself so that those struggling with it are too shamed to seek help from shame itself.”

In Unashamed, Christine reveals the often-hidden consequences of shame—in her own life and the lives of so many Christian women—and invites you to join her in moving from a shame-filled to a shame-free life.

In her passionate and candid style, Christine leads you into God’s Word where you will see for yourself how to believe that God is bigger than your mistakes, your inadequacies, your past, and your limitations. He is not only more powerful than anything you’ve done but also stronger than anything ever done to you. You can deal with your yesterday today, so that you can move on to what God has in store for you tomorrow—a powerful purpose and destiny he wants you to fulfill.

Join the journey. Lay ahold of the power of Jesus Christ today and step into the future—his future for you—a beautiful, full, life-giving future, where you can even become a shame-lifter to others. Live unashamed!

This is my first book I have read by Christine Caine. I enjoyed it. Women especially seem to be consumed with shame and guilt. This book was life-changing for me. Christine covers the spectrum of guilt, shame and negativity women carry with them. This weighs them down from the most severe of women trafficked to being made to feel lesser than for even small things in our lives that make us feel unworthy and ashamed. There is lots of Scripture in this book.

Shame is “the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging. . . Guilt says, ‘You’ve done something bad.’ Shame says: ‘You are bad.’ There is a big difference between ‘you made a mistake’ and ‘you are a mistake.’
Christine summarizes it this way:

“Guilt is about my do. Shame is about my who.”
Shame kept Adam and Eve hiding from God, rather than running to Him to deal with their guilt.

Enter: The Gospel.

If you are a woman who has ever felt ashamed or judged or rejected, this book is for you! I highly recommend this book. This book was very freeing. I will be reading it again.

This book was provided by Zondervan, through the BookLook Bloggers program, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Do Hard Things by Alex Harris and Brett Harris

Do Hard Things by Alex Harris and Brett Harris

Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last. We do. – Alex and Brett

A generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution"

Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life.  Then they map out five powerful ways teens can respond for personal and social change.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of an already-happening teen revolution challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

Now includes:
--A new introduction from the authors, “Looking Back, Looking Ahead”
--Questions (and Stories) To Get You Started
--A list of 100 Hard Things to help inspire you
--A study guide for personal or group use

 This book challenges teens to intentionally do 5 kinds of hard things:

1. Things that are outside your comfort zone.
2. Things that go beyond what is expected or required.
3. Things that are too big to accomplish alone.
4. Things that don't earn an immediate payoff.
5. Things that challenge the cultural norm.

I would recommend this book for teens and people who have teens in their lives to help them go in the right direction and work on doing the hard things. Adults, as,well as teens can benefit from reading this book. Don’t sink to the level of low expectations. You can do more, be more. We need to expect more of our teens and ourselves.  I recommend it for anyone, at any age, because all of us have areas in our lives that we don't attempt to do, simply because they seem too "hard".

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Bible Stories: Samson and Delilah

The greatest events from The Bible come to life in The Bible Stories, a series of full-length films presenting powerful and moving tales of faith and glory.

The tale of Samson and Delilah becomes a riveting narrative of betrayal and redemption in this lively adaptation. Chosen by God to defeat the Philistines, Samson (Eric Thal) is imbued with tremendous strength: but when he is charmed by the seductive Delilah (Elizabeth Hurley), the mighty Samson is brought to his knees. Only through divine forgiveness can he regain what he has lost in order to stand against the tyranny of the Philistines. 

The Bible Stories: Samson and Delilah is the incredible Biblical story of the Old Testament strong-man Samson brought to life on film. A judge from the Biblical book of Judges, Samson was a very unique character, known for his rebellious nature and uncontrollable anger. In this story, a simple shepherd becomes well-known for his unbelievable strength and has several violent encounters that only help to further his name as the strongest man alive. While he may have seemed generally uncouth and completely useless for God’s will, God was still able to work incredible things through the bizarre life of this man.

As Samson grew up, he ended up meeting a Philistine woman by the name of Delilah. Succumbing to her beautiful looks and sultry personality, he ended up marrying her. After many attempts at finding out what gave Samson his supernatural power, he eventually revealed it to be his long hair that had never been cut. Quickly after telling her, Samson found himself tied up with Philistines cutting his hair. Delilah, a spy for the Philistines had uncovered his secret and had sent the Philistines in to finish him off. Rendered useless after having his hair cut, Samson becomes a prisoner to Philistines. A trophy to the Philistine army, Samson is taken and humbled. Here, he works his last and greatest deed, affirming his title as a judge of Israel.

Dennis Hopper, Michael Gambon, and Diana Rigg also star in this dynamic entry in the Bible Stories series of films.

This is pretty realistic stuff and pretty brutal making this film not recommended for children. The performances are all around solid. With the exception of two steamy scenes, it sticks to the story. The scenery and costumes are wonderful.There were several inconsistencies and the order of some events were completely wrong. Samson seemed very weak. It has three great lead actors and a famous director, but it is greatly weakened by too much fictionalized filling-in around what the Bible says about the story. The movie is based on the three chapters of the book Of Judges from Chapters 13 to 16.

I would not recommend this movie if you are looking for an accurate portrayal of the Samson and Delilah story based on the Bible. I think it is not really a family friendly movie depending on the age of your children.

 I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A great place to buy these DVDs is at Fishflix.com.  You can get a $5 coupon to fishflix.com if you join their e-mail list!  Join by visiting www.fishflix.com/5gift or texting 5-GIFT to 44222.

Forever My Little Girl

From first steps to princess crowns . . .

starting school to walking down the aisle . . .

little girls grow up in the blink of an eye.

Even when children grow up, they always remain our little ones.

All the sweetness, challenges, and thrills of parenting are lovingly shared in this heart-touching poetic short story by bestselling fiction author Karen Kingsbury. From playing princess to school dances, first steps to tea parties, a lifetime goes by in the blink of an eye. This book celebrates all the ups and downs of parenting a little girl and will be a cherished keepsake for any parent.

Karen Kingsbury is a top inspirational novelist, and she imbues both nostalgia and inspiration in this sentimental book for parents of girls. This book offers a short story paired with prayers and Scripture about how quickly time goes by and the special bond between a mother or father and daughter.

A perfect gift for Mom, Dad, or for a grown-up little girl as she starts a new stage in life. The story begins with a daughter's birth and takes the little girl through her first steps, elementary years and into the teen years, first dance, first crush, first love, and ends as her parents are getting old. Scattered throughout each of these life's stages are Bible verses and short little poems. This book is a reminder that no matter how grown up she will be, she will always be her parent's little girl, cherished, loved, and prayed for.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the Booklook Bloggers program for review consideration. I was not required to write positive reviews. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

M is for Manger

Travel through the alphabet with this beautiful rhyming storybook that tells the story of Jesus’ birth. Begin with the angel who tells Mary that she is God’s chosen vessel and follow along until you reach the zillions of stars that paled in comparison to the star that announced the birthplace of the newborn King. Beautifully illustrated and written, this book will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas season.

This is definitely a book you'll want to add to your library for the children in your life. This book uses each letter of the alphabet to share the story of Christ's birth in a poem as well as including a Scripture verse to support why the author picked the word she did for that letter of the alphabet. The Bible verses were short and easy to be memorized by little ones. Each two-page spread includes four lines of rhymed text. "A is for Angel. An Angel said to Mary, 'You are the favored one. You're going to have a baby boy, and he will be God's Son.'" "The angel told her ... 'You have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son.' (Luke 1:30 - 31, NLT)."

I definitely recommend M is for Manger for all those with little ones in their lives!

Crystal Bowman loves writing books for kids. Her books come in all shapes and sizes and many of them have become best sellers. Whether her stories are written in playful rhythm and rhyme, or short sentences for beginning readers, she tries to make them so enjoyable that kids will want to read them over and over again. "But the most important part," she says, "is to teach children that God loves them and cares about them very much."

Claire Keay is an artist and illustrator based in Essex, England. She has illustrated two previous children's books: "I Love You All Year Long" (Tiger Tales) and "My ABC of Bible Verses" (Make Believe Ideas). She also illustrates greeting cards and sells her paintings worldwide.

I received a complimentary copy of M is for Manger from Tyndale House Publishers, but I was not otherwise compensated for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.

Brush of Wings

Despite needing a heart transplant and against the advice of her doctor, Mary Catherine moves to Uganda to work at a new orphanage. Whatever time she has left, Mary Catherine wants to spend it helping children—especially since there will be no children of her own. The only problem is Major League Baseball player Marcus Dillinger, the man she never meant to fall in love with. Neither Marcus nor Mary Catherine’s other friends—Tyler Ames and Sami Dawson—know just how serious her heart condition is.

Still, Marcus is sure in the depths of his soul that something isn’t right. Ultimately his correspondence with Mary Catherine leads him on a desperate life-or-death mission to rescue her and get her to a US hospital before time runs out. Meanwhile, Sami and Tyler struggle with issues of their own. In a season when Tyler plans to ask Sami to marry him, the very core of their relationship is in jeopardy.

The team of angels walking is busier than ever in this epic battle between life and death. Brush of Wings is a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and the power of faith.

This is the third book in the Angel Walking series. The courage to dream, the courage to believe in those dreams, the courage to fight for those dreams is the theme of this story that continues with the storyline of Marcus and Mary Catherine. The characters are so real they seem like family I always hate for Karen’s books to end. This is the perfect ending to the series though I am sad to see it end.

Ties That Bind

Ariana’s comfortable Old Order Amish world is about to unravel. Will holding tightly to the cords of family keep them together—or simply tear them apart?

Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach.

Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish. 
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Despite how things look, Quill’s goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever.     

Ties That Bind is the first novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.

You don't have to worry about language or sexual content while reading this book. I appreciated that. . There is mystery, drama, and a unique look into the world of the Amish in The Ties That Bind. There are many mini plots rolled into the main plot. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the second book in the series.

About the Author
Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written over a dozen works of fiction and one of nonfiction book. Her connection with the Amish community has been widely featured in national media outlets. She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards. Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.

I received a complimentary copy of Ties that Bind from Blogging for Books (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Parable Treasury

Bestselling favorite Parable books bring fun throughout the year in this new four books in one format.

With more than 1.1 million units sold in the Parable Series, Liz Curtis Higgs has given parents and kids alike beloved parables they can read throughout the year. This adorable compilation, Parable Treasury, allows families to get all their favorite stories in one value-packed book.

For nearly twenty years, Liz Curtis Higgs has made the holidays a little brighter throughout the year with her Parable Series. In a lovely padded hardcover format, the Gold Medallion–winning books from the Parable Series will include:

The Pumpkin Patch Parable,which focuses on the harvest season and shows that we can let God’s love shine through us

The Pine Tree Parable,a heartwarming tale of the farmer and his family, who nurture tiny seedlings into fragrant Christmas trees

The Parable of the Lily, which helps children understand the power of grace and forgiveness and the true meaning of Easter

The Sunflower Parable, which helps children discover the value of planting seeds, not only in the ground but also in the hearts of those around us

With simplicity and creative storytelling, this is sure to be a family favorite.

All of the stories focus around a farmer and his family. Nearly every page is covered with wonderful illustrations. This is a terrific read aloud for your little one or Sunday School class.  I love the corresponding Bible verse is on the bottom of each page, giving your children a Bible verse to study. All four of the stories included are wholesome, heartfelt, and offer a wonderful learning experience for children. I know that Parable Treasury will be a favorite in our family for many years to come.

In exchange for an honest review, I was provided with a free copy through the BookLook Bloggers Review program.