Keep Your Soul From Trouble

About 5 years ago, while laying in bed trying to fall asleep, this random thought came loudly and with authority—literally taking my breath away—seizing me in panic!

“You are going to die young!”

For days I walked in a stupor.  I had no idea what to make of it, nor what to do with it.

This was before I learned to practice the teaching from scripture, “resist {rebuke} the devil and he will flee from you”.  This was also before I fully understood that Satan feeds thoughts into our minds. 

For a long time, I wondered if it had been God speaking.  Was He warning me I had little time?  Why would He say it in such a way to invoke all kinds of fear?  Was it God or me or my enemy taking advantage of me?  I have since worked through that event and found peace. 

And then when I read this devotional entry* for September 22^nd I about leapt off the couch!

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.”  Proverbs 21:23

Many people have trouble in their soul, which includes the mind, will, and emotions.  But God gives the answer right here.

We’ve all dealt with doubts and fears at one time or another.  Fear often starts as a single thought.  As we dwell on that thought, it produces fear.  And if we continue to dwell on fearful thoughts, fear escalates into panic.

The devil likes to attack your mind with fearful thoughts.  He may say, I’m going to kill you.  You won’t live out your full life.  You’ll get cancer and die.  Most of the time there’s no basis at all for what the enemy is saying to your mind.  He doesn’t care.  He just wants you to dwell on his evil suggestions long enough for fear to take over.

I finally realized demonic thoughts come to our minds because the devil isn’t big enough to pull off his schemes on his own.  He’s trying to convince us to agree with him so he can operate in our lives.

Cast down the enemy’s thoughts the second they come.  How do you stop his thoughts?  Well, you can’t think one thing while you’re saying something else.  So open your mouth and start confessing, “Glory to God!  God sent His Word and healed me and satisfies me with long life.  It’s so good to be well!”

When you start speaking God’s Word, thoughts stop and fear leaves.  That will keep your soul from trouble.

Confession:

I refuse to allow fear and doubt to control me.

I keep my soul from trouble by speaking God’s Word.

I live a long, healthy life, and God will fulfill the number of my days.

{marks of emphasis are my own}

What fear is paralyzing you?

Has a random thought ever entered your mind causing fear, doubt, anger or confusion?

Are you consciously taking your thoughts captive to Christ?

Once a thought is thought over, entertained and spoken it has taken us captive—for good or for evil.  This is how Satan begins the establishment of a stronghold {foothold} in our lives. 

Be careful to not passively receive any thought that pops into your mind!

Get active with your thoughts! 

Take them over before they take over you!

* Mark Brazee; 365 Days of Healing; page 271.

Untamed by Lisa Harper—A Book Review & GIVEAWAY!

I was really excited to get this book.  Remembering Lisa as the gal behind Renewing the Heart conferences, I was anxious to read her words on “How the wild side of Jesus frees us to live and love with abandon”. 

What was particularly interesting was just the day before I came across Untamed as a review copy with Multnomah Books, my daughter and I had a conversation about how meek and mild and even wimpy some people view Jesus.  He is the Son of God after all.  I knew my own settled opinions of Christ could use a little shaking up.

Lisa has a Master’s in Theology, which was apparent in the Biblical knowledge shared throughout the book and in her segments “The Wild Ways of God”.  Interlaced with her own personal stories, the 12 chapters unfold a different aspect of Jesus’ wild side as redemptive, unsettling, devoted, tough, compelling, pro-women, confident, confrontational, unconventional, attentive, faithful, fearsome and liberating.  Quite a list, huh?  So much for meek and mild . . . let alone wimpy.

Lisa is heralded by several in the Christian writing and teaching circle as one of the best at mixing her writing with pop-culture references that help connect the dots between the Bible era and modern life.  Max Lucado, Priscilla Shirer, Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll and Anita Renfroe are a few of the names praising her writing in Untamed. 

I’ll be honest though and tell you that I really struggled with getting past the second chapter.  I love humor and engaging storytelling as well as the next person, but I do not believe the Bible needs to be dumbed-down or the characters in them overly moderninzed for a current reflection.  On page 28, Lisa is describing the scene where Mary and Joseph realize Jesus is missing and left behind in Jerusalem at the age of 12.  She writes, “I’m sure Mary’s face was tense with worry on the trek back to Jerusalem to find her misplaced son.  As soon as she and Joseph got to the edge of the Holy City, she pulled Jesus’s middle school picture—the one that showed His cowlick and braces—out of her wallet and began asking everyone if they’d seen Him.”  When referring to Lot and his wife she says, “I like to think that Lot and Mrs. Lot had just finished a floor-to-ceiling remodel of their kitchen.  Mrs. Lot had fussed and pouted until Lot finally dug deep in his pockets to spring for granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances.  It was the kitchen she’d always dreamed of, and the desperate housewives of her cul-de-sac were drooling with envy,” page 14. 

These instances lessen as the book goes on, but it did distract me from the points she was attempting to make.  But I am glad I stuck with it.  I will admit I am a picky reader!  I have read a lot of good books—I have been impacted and changed by the ministerial devotion of several Christian authors.  While I did not care so much for Lisa’s style at times, her love and passion for Jesus is evident.  I learned a couple of things I will tuck away in my Bible knowledge box and I can honestly say she brought up enough awe-factor in this book to unsettle anyone’s tamed opinion of the Lion of Judah!

Multnomah Books graciously sent me an extra copy of Untamed that I will be giving away.  If you want to enter to win just leave a comment below about . . . well, anything.  J  You can have additional entries if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or are signed up with Feed Burner (all located on my sidebar).  Be sure and make a separate comment for each entry opportunity.  Also, please give your contact information if you do not have a website linked to your comments.  I want to be able to contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open until Friday, June 10^th.  I’ll let random.org pick our winner on Saturday.  Good luck!

Disclosure: Multnomah Books provided me Untamed for free for review purposes with no expectation that I would provide a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions shared are entirely my own. 


I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a quick minute and rate this review.  The selection of books from which I get to choose from increases according to my number of ratings.  Thanks so much!

The Waiting Place by Eileen Button—A Book Review

The Waiting Place, by Eileen Button, is a book of essays on “Learning to appreciate life’s little delays”.  I was very intrigued by the title and subtitle alone!  Often, we rush through our moments—even the ones requiring wait.  We are not good waiters.  We are even less good at seeing the wait as a gift!

There are 22 essays in all, although the book as a whole is more like a memoir.  The author shares her own life stories from childhood on up, concluding with the wait to become a published author—which is accomplished by this book. 

Although the stories were well written and intriguing, with some of them deeply personal and honest, the book did not accomplish the hopeful expectation for this reader.  Some stories seemed more an applaud for perseverance than appreciation.  The middle stories in particular.  I felt like I was left hanging as she detailed the painful and frightening burn-out that her pastor husband experienced.  Is he well now—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically?  Is he still in ministry?  These chapters did nothing to encourage me in my times of waiting.  They just left me wondering about her family's well-being.

I enjoyed the book as a whole.  The first few chapters and those at the end particularly shined.  I can’t say as I learned any great lessons, but it did work as a springboard of conversation between God and me about my own waiting places over the years—simultaneously, some of my greatest growing places!  

Life is full of waiting.  All of us are in the midst of one or several “waits” right now.  Knowing our times are in His hands should encourage us to look at them for what they truly are—opportunities to trust Abba and rest in this often difficult world.

Disclosure: Thomas Nelson Company provided me The Waiting Place for free for review purposes with no expectation that I would provide a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions shared are entirely my own.

Women of Faith Worship—Rejoice! . . . A Music CD Review

When the Thomas Nelson Company offered me the chance to review the latest Women of Faith Worship CD, I was ecstatic!  Immediately I was reminded of the Renewing the Heart Conference I attended years ago.  What an impact that music had on me!  I actually wore out my tape! 

Yes . . . it was long enough ago to be on cassette tape!

Yes . . . I am that old! J

Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed with WOF’s album—Rejoice.  The lyrics are fine, the singers nice, the song-choice okay—the total package is simply lacking.  From first listen, I was ready for each song to be over part way through, hoping the next one would get better.  I never felt impacted or drawn into worship—which is the point, right? 

There are 10 songs total—a mix of new alongside popular worship songs out on radio.  In my opinion, the popular ones fell flat and the instrumentation throughout was mediocre.  They all started to sound the same.  With so many powerful worship songs/albums available, this one falls short of being worth the add to my ipod or CD player.

Perhaps if I had attended the Women of Faith event I would feel differently about this album.  Those who experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit moving amongst the raised hands and voices of thousands of women gathered in Jesus name may enjoy this.  Being personally involved in that kind of experience WOULD make the difference! 

But for me, having missed the impactful event, I never felt impacted by the music they shared together.

Disclosure: Thomas Nelson Company provided me Women of Faith Worship: Rejoice for free for review purposes with no expectation that I would provide a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions shared are entirely my own.

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Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver—A Book Review

This author’s popular title, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, has never made it to my hands or bookcase.  So grateful I am that her latest has!

The subtitle for Lazarus Awakening is Finding Your Place in the Heart of God.  And aren’t we all somewhat in the process of that—or have been?  In some way?  Many of us believe God, we believe IN God, but we struggle with God believing in us and being for us. 

One of the current arguments in Christendom today is that there is too much emphasis on love and grace without enough on righteous, holy living and eternal damnation.  Isn’t that interesting?  How does one desire to live holy apart from tasting a love so divine that all other appetites are quenched?  One does not evade hell out of fear of the place, but through grace extended by the only One Who conquered it!

So what does the story of Lazarus hold for us?  Much!  And Mrs. Weaver unfolds the story beautifully in this book.  If you are like me and have grown up in the church with Bible stories being as common to you as nursery rhymes, then you also understand the struggle to visit the story carefully, freshly—as an observer present during the exchange.  This author does a lovely job of slowing the reader down to see depth of truths in a miracle we may only recognize as further proof of the Messiahship of Jesus.

Ten chapters take us slowly and carefully through the story as well as through principles of Divine Love. 

“Lord, the One you Love is Sick” . . . don’t we all struggle with the sickness of sin and the spiritual slumber our Enemy threatens to lull in us.

“Our Friend Lazarus” . . . More than service and even our worship, God desires our friendship—our desire to live in deep relationship with Jesus.

“When Love Taries” . . . My time-table is not God’s.  And there’s good reason for that!

“Tomb Dwelling” . . . Living with strongholds in our lives and the freedom possible!

“Roll Away the Stone” . . . Roadblocks of faith—exalting God’s truth over my feelings!

“When Love Calls Your Name” . . . Following God’s voice; obedience and where it can take me.

“Unwinding Graveclothes” . . . Jesus brought the dead man back to life, but it was those around him that were asked to help with the process of freeing the bound man.

“Living Resurrected” . . . God’s glory is realized in the life fully alive in Him.  No partial resurrections!

“Laughing Lazarus” . . . No longer walking in fear or anxiety but believing God’s care is tangible in peace and serenity.

Being Precepts trained, I appreciated her digging into the original Greek language as well as the quotes she supplied by Bible Scholars Spiros Zodhiates and Warren Wiersbe.  Several brothers and sisters are given space for their nuggets of gleaned truth like Charles Spurgeon, George Mueller, Hannah Whitall Smith, Elisabeth Elliot, Beth Moore, and Francis Chan as well as others.

While much of this book was not “new” information to me, some of what she spoke of is only 3 or 4 years young in my Christian walk.  I appreciated her different format and take on thoughts and concepts I have been embracing and experiencing much freedom in.  There were a couple of areas in which I disagreed with her.  In one case, she asserts that God created humans because “God was lonely” and that he felt a “lack”.  Maybe it was poor wording, but there is no lack in the Triune God—nor any way us humans can fill or complete Him!

Personally, God met me in amongst the pages at various times through verses and words that He has been gently speaking over me the past 2 months.  How great is His love!  How infinite His way of showing it!  I was particularly moved by the second line of page 140 which stated, “Jesus cares for you,” followed by a name on the third line . . . Robin!  Not a common name to find in any book, let me tell you! J  This is an area where I have lived in unbelief—that God loves me personally and passionately; that He is always actively providing, protecting and caring for me!

I am anxious to one day read the previous two books in this trilogy.  I wonder what He holds for me there! 

{This book also contains a 10-week companion study guide and several helpful resources in the back.  I already had the information in Appendix D: Who I am in Christ by Neil Anderson, which is invaluable weaponry when countering the Enemy’s lies against us!}

Disclosure: Multnomah Books provided me Lazarus Awakening for free for review purposes with no expectation that I would provide a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions shared are entirely my own. 


I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a quick minute and rate this review.  The selection of books from which I get to choose from increases according to my number of ratings.  Thanks so much!

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Could You Take A Minute To Help Me Serve You?

My desire is to serve you well in this place.  The purpose for my little corner here is to encourage you in your own walk with Jesus as He encourages and challenges me in mine.  I love sharing what has been helpful, exciting, inspiring . . . even what's humbling or confusing to me. 

Transparency and vulnerability within the Body 

strengthens and fortifies throughout the Body!   

So in that spirit, I want our shared time together to be of value to you.  Besides . . . your time is precious!  What’s the point of visiting here if you don’t “click” away somewhat changed, excited or encouraged!

One of the ideas that surfaced not too long ago was the reviewing of books and other items available for Believers.  You probably noticed the DaySpring review on their Grace Tray with the $20 giveaway.  I have loved getting to know this company because I love what they have to offer me and my Christian home.  I have given some of their items as gifts—all well received.  Being able to share with you about them and helping one of you receive a gift in the process was just icing on the cake.  

I have also posted a couple book reviews—first on the book Radical and more recently Randy Alcorn’s newest release, 90 Days of God’s Goodness.  On it’s way to me right now for reading and review is Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver, author of the popular Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.  Yes, I receive these books for free for my review so I do get something out of this.  A book.  But God often uses the words of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ to work on softening our hearts or motivating, changing and encouraging us.  If there is a good book out there doing just that, I want to know about it and share it with you.  I want growth and change!

Here is where I need your help.

Currently I am signed up with 4 different publishing companies to review books.  I will only request a review copy of something that interests me and that I prayerfully feel led to request, read and review.  I don’t want a book just because it is free.  I don’t have a lot of free time to read so what I do choose needs to excite me to make time for it.  I refuse to post anything in this special-to-me-place that isn’t worth your time knowing about.  Now, of course, there is the chance I will read something that I don’t care for or disagree with and I will honestly write that in my review.  But if the book interested me enough to seek after it, I feel it is worth letting you know about it so you can make your own decision concerning it.

So . . . with all that being said . . . I have 2 requests to make of you. 

Multnomah Books is one of the publishers that I receive books from for review.  They just changed how they do things and I am asking that you rate my reviews for the 2 books I previously mentioned.  The more points I receive for rated reviews, the larger the selection of books I get to choose from the next time.  Does that make sense?  If I have no ratings, I am pretty much offered the books no one else wants to review.  If I have a rating of at least 50 points (each star given for my review equals 1 point) all the books that they currently have review copies for are available to me.  Obviously that’s better for us both.  My time will be spent on books of quality offering a review on something you perhaps may actually want to read! J

My second request is this . . . if you know of other review programs available to Christian bloggers could you please email me about them at robin_mckay at comcast dot net?  Any other ideas you have about what you would like to see posted here is welcome also!

My blogging niche is quite narrow as God has requested of me.  I don’t hop all over the place talking about all kinds of things.  But I would love to give you variety in what I believe would be pleasing to God to share in this place.  Reviews of items I believe may be of help and interest to you is just one of them.

For your review ratings and ideas shared—for just spending time with me here—thanks a bunch!  I truly appreciate your time gifted as we each set our hearts to seek God!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Robin

To read and rate my review of Radical, click here ...

If you already read it and just want to rate it, here you go . . .

To read and rate my review of 90 Days of God’s Goodness, click here

If you already read it and just want to rate it, THANKS . . .

~Your email is needed because only one rating per email address is allowed and this way they can keep people from "over" rating a bloggers reviews.  You will not be contacted via your email address unless you check the box under the "submit" button to receive updates from them.~

90 Days of God’s Goodness by Randy Alcorn—A Book Review

I was very excited about receiving this book.  Having heard good things about its author, Randy Alcorn, I was most anxious to read his newest release. 

90 Days of God’s Goodness is presented much like what you would expect from a daily devotional in size and comes in a hardcover.  There are 90 short meditations which take only minutes to read. 

One of the best features is the Scripture portions that open each entry.  Most of them are quite lengthy and so the reader is offered the full portion of thought in context.  I LOVED that!  I enjoy the fuller understanding offered with the surrounding verses.

Following the Scripture, the author shares his thoughts.  He presents several personal stories from his own life and testimonies of others who have undergone great suffering—also quoting faithful believers from the past like C. S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Corrie ten Boom and others.  I found these additions to be the best part of this section.  While at times I found the author to be a bit “preachy”—which no one who is in the midst of suffering really needs or responds too—these other additions were most encouraging and helpful in bringing the point of the Scriptures to light.

Each meditation ends with a prayer.  I found several of these to be very helpful and nice.  I like to do my own talking to Jesus, but I enjoy praying in agreement with others also.  

So . . . what’s my overall take of this book?  Personally, it was more of a chore for me to read through than an encouragement.  I loved the idea of the book—90 days of encouragement for one who is currently struggling with personal suffering or sharing alongside the suffering of another.  I loved that it began with extensive, full-context Scripture.  I loved the heart behind the prayers.  It was the middle section—the main point of the book— that really missed for me.  Apart from the personal stories and quotes, the thoughts just didn’t leave me feeling very . . . well . . . encouraged or enlightened!  I cannot see myself reading through it again or offering it to another as a gift.

I waited to read other reviews on this book until I had finished.  Many loved it and found it to be a great source of help.  To that I say, “Praise God!”  So if the idea of this book interests you at all, please do go and read those other reviews.  I have been asked to give my honest reaction and review to what I read and that I have tried to do.

One comment the author made that I wholeheartedly agree with was at the bottom of page 176.  “We dare not wait for a time of crisis to learn how to worship God.  The Guthries (a family whose story was shared) worshiped God in crisis because they worshiped God before the crisis.  Trusting in God’s sovereignty and goodness now will sustain us when suffering comes later.”

To that I say, “Amen!”

Disclosure: Multnomah Books provided me 90 Days of God's Goodness for free for review purposes with no expectation that I would provide a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions shared are entirely my own. 

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Wonderful Grace Wood Serving Tray & DAYSPRING GIVEAWAY!

This Giveaway is now CLOSED

The winner, chosen by random.org, is . . .

"Becca"

Congratulations to Becca and thanks to all who entered!

wonderful grace . . .
simple joy . . .
unending hope . . .
authentic peace . . .
unfathomable love . . .

Beautiful words of our promised blessings! 

Suitable to tack up on a 3 x 5 card for your bathroom mirror, huh? 

What if they were written in lovely script on a large, hand-carved wooden tray?  That would definitely beat out the index card

. . . no doubt about it! 

And it does . . .

  

I love the DaySpring company!  I have ordered several items from them over the years and have always been pleased.  Now, through their online community {in}courage, I was sent this beautiful, wooden tray to review . . . and I absolutely love it!

If you were to visit my home, you would see “the writing on the wall”.  Words of God’s love and faithfulness, of encouragement and challenge.  I love the vinyl wall art that is popular and most all of my pictures either have a scripture verse within the picture or some godly encouragement.  

I want every room in my home to breathe Jesus!

So when this lovely tray arrived, I couldn’t be happier.  

Look at the lovely, hand-carved flowers!  

For now, I have used it as part of the center piece on our dining room table for our Easter Tree.  Only because of Jesus . . . is this kind of grace, hope, joy, peace and love possible in our lives!  Later, I imagine I will use it for other table centerpieces, on an end table, as a serving tray for our small group night and who knows what else.  

It is a generous 14" square!  

So the possibilities are endless.

I want to invite you to visit DaySpring and all the goodies they offer.  And the Wonderful Grace Carved Serving Tray—it’s on sale this month for 50% off!  Only $24.  You really can’t beat that price for filling your home with the words of hope that fill our hearts!  

They would also make a nice gift for Mother’s Day—

in case you need an idea there . . .

When you spend $25 this month you will receive free shipping with the coupon code SHIPDEALS or  use discount code SPRING25 for an extra 25% off on all purchases!  (Must choose one of the 2 codes as they cannot be combined).

This tray was a gift to me in exchange for my honest review, which I have honestly given—I. Love. It!  

Now {in}courage wants to gift one of you readers with $20 towards any DaySpring purchase.  They have so many lovely, well made products, I just know that you’ll find something that you will enjoy for yourself or for giving. 

For a chance at winning that $20 giveaway (shipping charges will apply), it’s easy.  Leave a comment here on my blog for each entry opportunity below. 

1.  Visit DaySpring’s site and tell us which is your favorite product. 

2.  Become of Follower of this blog. (you'll find that link on my sidebar)

3.  Become a Facebook or Twitter friend of this blog. (yep...on the sidebar)

4.  Tweet or blog or share via Facebook about this giveaway.

See—pretty simple!

Being that we are getting close to Easter, I am only going to have this giveaway open through Wednesday night, the 20^th.  

I had meant to get this review and giveaway up earlier, but my parents gifted us with a mini vacation and, well—you don’t give those opportunities up, folks! J

I will announce the winner—chosen at random—Thursday morning, April 21.

Disclosure: DaySpring provided me the Grace Tray for free for review purposes with no expectation that I would provide a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions shared are entirely my own. It is nice, however, when I love the product I've been given! J

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Radical by David Platt—A Book Review

“David Platt challenges Christians to wake up, trade in false values rooted in the American dream, and embrace the notion that each of us is blessed by God for a global purpose . . . .  This is a must read for every believer!”  —Wess Stafford, president and CEO, Compassion International

This response appears on the cover of the book—

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream

by David Platt

I finished this book several weeks ago now.  Maybe it’s because I haven’t written a good book review since my college days or perhaps it’s because I don’t quite know how to explain his written words well, but it has taken me this long to sit down and try to sum up in my own words if this book is worth your time and money spent on it.

In three short words—yes, it is!

Mr. Platt presents his case right off the bat by challenging the reader’s walk as to whether it is Biblical or American.  And he has a point.  How we do church in America is not at all like how the body of believers lived and worshipped in the New Testament. 

I felt uncomfortable at some points—convicted at others.  I was quickly left asking myself the question, “Am I content to settle for less than radical obedience to Jesus because that is what I see in the lives of Christians around me and is the Christian life I’ve always lived?”

The American experience is not the norm.  I make myself read Voice of the Martyrs magazine every time it comes to our home just so I will never forget that truth!  Sending money to support others is one thing, praying for them is better, but being involved in the lives of our suffering brothers and sisters around the world is what Christ called us to do as the body.  

Jesus’ disciples abandoned everything.  And what do I abandon to follow Him?  Do I give up much to be a Christian?  In other countries, it would cost me my freedom, my possessions and even my life.  How uncomfortable do I live to perpetuate the gospel of Christ?

Do I deny self the least little, tiny bit?  Do I sacrifice?  Do I suffer?  Do I live differently and react differently?  Do I spend my money, time and vacations differently?  Or does the use of my time, my possessions and how I live my life look virtually the same as that of my non-Christian neighbors?

Mr. Platt issues a radical one-year experiment at the end of the book. 

1.  Pray for the entire world.

2.  Read through the entire Word.

3.  Sacrifice money for a specific purpose.

4.  Spend time in another context.

5.  Commit to a multiplying community.

I’ve seen other reviewers kind of rip it apart as laughable to be considered radical.  I’d kind of like to do a little ripping myself.  If doing these 5 things is so inconsequential, then why are we in the American church not doing them?  We can do nothing greater than devote ourselves to prayer.  The supernatural happens when we pray and fast. 

*If the majority of the American church were praying for the entire world by country, I think we’d see some amazing things happen. 

*If the majority of the American church read, studied, knew and lived according to the Word of God, we’d see some amazing things happen. 

*If the majority of the American church sacrificed money (the operative word here being “sacrificed”) for the Kingdom of God, we’d see some amazing things happen. 

*If the majority of the American church spent time doing and giving of themselves and not merely sending or praying for someone else “to do it”, we’d see some amazing things happen. 

*If the majority of the Americans who called themselves Christians lived as true followers of Jesus Christ and devoted themselves to serving and contributing to the Church Body, His Bride, we’d see some amazing things happen!

To whom much is given (American affluence) MUCH WILL BE EXPECTED!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this honest review.

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Give-away: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

And the winner is...Chosen by random.org 

parchmentgirl.com

Congratulations Kate! 

  

Thanks to everyone who took the time to join me on my first give-away.  Giving is fun and I look forward to hosting more give-aways in the future!


This give-away is now closed...

I have been waiting for this book for months now!

And today is the day—

Today is also the day that One Thousand Gifts was unwrapped as the Winter Book Club choice by Bloom at {in}courage...a ministry of Dayspring.

That makes me even happier still!

I believe in the Body, in the community of Believers.  We need each other to encourage and strengthen one another in our faith (Romans 1:12).

So I am even more excited now to read this book.  I know that while the Spirit goes to work on my heart, He will be working on hundreds of others as well.  I want to share with you what I’m receiving.  And I. can’t. wait. to have you share with me what you are hearing!

In all my excitement—exuberant, totally happy-dancing here joy—I am giving away an extra copy of this wonderful book that I purchased. (U.S. & Canada only, please)  

Go here to visit the beautiful author, Ann Voskamp...

  

Watch a trailer in Ann’s own words and voice...

Go here if you’d like more information on joining the book club discussion...

{oh, and just so’s ya know...Ann is participating in the discussions via weekly videos as we walk through chapter by chapter—delighted squeals once more!!!}

  

Then...when you’re done with all that...or before—it’s up to you... J

Come here and enter to win this wonderful book for free...nothing...nada...not a cent!

• Leave a comment about your thoughts on this book and/or how you found my blog and what you find helpful here
• Leave another comment for posting this give-away on your blog
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That’s 6 easy ways to enter to win this amazing book! 

Make sure you leave your comments at the end of this post--one comment for each bullet point entry option above.  And leave an email or link to your own blog so I can contact you if you win.

This give-away will close at the close of Sunday, January 23^rd.

Thanks for entering...

While you are here, I hope you stay awhile and visit.  Leave some thoughts behind—I just opened the comments last week and I am LOVING hearing and learning alongside you...

...as we all Set Our Hearts To Seek God!

Robin

Above Rubies

My eldest daughter and I attended an Above Rubies retreat with Nancy Campbell this past weekend.  If you are unfamiliar with Nancy and her ministry, here is a link to her webpage.

She ministers to the heart of women--encouraging them in their high calling as wives, mothers and homemakers.

This was the 8^th retreat I have been so fortunate to attend.  Each time I return home refreshed (albeit tired :), built up and encouraged in the Lord.  Because of what Nancy shares, yes, but even more so from the fellowship and conversation that I have with others over the days we spend together.  Although I only meet with most of these ladies this one time a year, I count them as some of my dearest friends. 

Their faces follow me throughout my year as I am busy in my home and busy with my Jesus!

The Above Rubies magazine has been published for over 30 years now.  It is free!  The writings are authored by both Nancy and her readers.  In its pages you will find the same refreshing fellowship and Godly encouragement that would meet you at a retreat—minus the late night chatting, laughing and snacking, of course! :)

Several of you visit this place of mine from across the world—a bit of a distance from the retreat camp!  Fortunately, the Above Rubies magazine is delivered to over 100 different countries so don’t let that keep you from checking it out.

"A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her?  She is far more precious  than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls."  Proverbs 31:10

The Calvary Road

"Do you long for revival and power in your life?  Learn how Jesus can fill you with His Spirit through brokenness, repentance and confession."  (back cover)

The Calvary Road, by Roy Hession.  (Link to book online)

This little book packs a powerful punch.  More sections are highlighted, starred and underlined in my copy than are not!

The following words were taken from pages 11, 12 of my book (all emphasis mine)—Preface to the 1973 edition:

“This little book was first published some twenty-three years ago (1950).  With the passage of years I am more sure now than even then that the truths expressed in these pages lie at the heart of all those movements of revival by which God has restored His church to new life in the hours of her dryness and need.  Such movements of revival are not only glorious memories of the past, but are taking place right now in various parts of the world.  The outward forms of such revivals do, of course, differ considerably, but the inward and permanent content of them all is always the same;  a new experience of conviction of sin among the saints; a new vision of the cross of Jesus and of redemption, a new willingness on man’s part for brokenness, repentance, confession, and restitution; a joyful experience of the power of the blood of Jesus to cleanse fully from sin and restore and heal all that that sin has lost and broken; a new entering into the fullness of the Holy Spirit and of His power to do His own work through His people; and a new gathering in of the lost ones to Jesus. For revival is not a green valley getting greener, but a valley full of dry bones being made to live again and stand up an exceeding great army (Ezek. 37).  It is not good Christians becoming better Christians—as God sees us there are not any good Christians—but rather Christians honestly confessing that their Christian life is a valley of dry bones and by that very confession qualifying for the grace that flows from the cross and makes all things new.”

Page 18...

“If God is to bless (the reader) at all through these pages he must come to them with a deep hunger of heart.  He must be possessed with a dissatisfaction of the state of the church in general, and of himself in particular—especially of himself.  He must be willing for God to begin His work in himself first, rather than in the other man.  He must, moreover, be possessed with the holy expectancy that God can and will meet his need.  He must be the first to humble himself at the cross.”

Next to the Bible, this is one book of small number to have a huge impact on my life, my heart, my view of the cross and the One who was crucified on it.  Powerful words! 

Powerful is the life that regularly experiences personal revival!