Category Archives: Faith

A relationship with The Lord through Jesus Christ, expressed in the disciplines of Bible Study, Prayer and Service to others.

Faith, Family, Reviews

Book Review & a Giveaway: The Growing Season

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The Growing Season by Sarah Philpott http://allamericanmom.net/

The Growing Season: A Year of Down-on-the-Farm Devotions didn’t make it a full year for me. Instead, I devoured Sarah Philpott’s anecdotes as fast as I could. Sarah describes farm life, calving season and adapting to challenges we face daily, whether we’re a farm gal or a city gal.

Sarah Philpott is the author of Loved Baby, a book I cherished on finding comfort in the midst of grief. She and her family live on a farm in Tennessee. Sarah finds life lessons in manure spreaders and mudcaked boots, and opens our eyes to the beauty of the fields beyond her window.

The Growing Season is broken into segments of seasons, following the cycle of life. Walk the furrows of the field with Sarah while you plant, cultivate, prune and meditate. Sarah starts with a recipe for hot cocoa (one of my go-to beverages), a challenge to tackle (I’m task oriented), and an invitation to look for the blessings in the mess of life (I need that perspective), and gives practical advice for every gal to “meet people where they are.” Farmer Perry even chimes in with tips for planting seeds, harvesting watermelons and chopping down a Christmas tree.

Farmer Perry Tip

Sarah says taking care of God’s land is holy work, and reminds us we are all stewards. Maybe not of a farm, like she and Perry, but “Stewards of our home. Stewards of our family. Stewards of God’s land. And most importantly, stewards of God’s Word.”

Sarah sees joy in the canvas of the farm horizon and says we can find it, too, when storms dot our landscape. She says, “We don’t always choose change—sometimes change chooses us… We know we can bounce back from anything when we walk with (God). In an ever-changing world, the one thing we can trust will never change is the great I Am.”

I’m loving this new book from Sarah Philpott and can’t wait to try out her recipes for Blackberry Cobbler, Fried Apple Pies, Honeybun Cake and more!

I am giving away a copy of The Growing Season to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title) and answer this question, “What are you thankful for in this season of your life?” You will be entered into the drawing to be held three days from now, Sunday, November 7. I can’t wait to hear about your blessings!

Sally

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through The Blog About Network book review program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Contentment
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Faith, Reviews

Book Review: The Light of His Presence

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Do you feel inadequate as a prayer warrior? Anne Graham Lotz does, and she’s written The Light of His Presence: Prayers to Draw You Near to the Heart of God, as an expression of her heartfelt desire to lead us into the Throne Room, too.

Anne Graham Lotz says “Jesus is the answer to all of our ‘why?’ questions,” and is the author of Why?: Trusting God When You Don’t Understand. Chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force 2016-2017, and daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, it may surprise you to know Anne says, “Prayer has been one of the greatest challenges of my Christian life.”

I find her admission reassuring, and basked in the peace that settled over me as I read her prayers. She reminded me, the world is in turmoil, but God is not.

Anne’s approach to prayer through worship, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession is familiar, yet Scripture is worded in such a way as to feel included in the conversation. She reminds us, “The purpose of prayer is not just to get answers. The purpose is to develop an intimate, personal relationship with the One who loves you…”

Do you need a reminder there is a God who is bigger than the turmoil around you?

“When everything familiar unravels… You are the Rock on which we stand.”

Do you need powerful Truths to cling to in uncertain times?

“In these days of desperation and confusion, we look to You and You alone.”

Do you feel like you’re the only one who can’t talk to God?

“I thank you. Like me, you have struggled in prayer but haven’t given up. My sincere prayer is that God will use this book to help you overcome your struggle as He draws you nearer to His heart.”

I resonate so much with Anne’s words and the tools she provides, including Appendix resources for growth and realigning with God’s purposes. She is straightforward and nudges me to reach for the best in my walk with God.

Get a copy of the book, kindle or audio, and let it be a part of your daily reading, meditating and conversing with the Lord!

Sally

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the WaterBrook/Multnomah book review program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/join-waterbrook-multnomah-book-launch-team/

Faith, Reviews

Book Review : #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time

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#beYOU

What does it mean to #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time? Kolleen Lucariello says, “There are some things we are never too old to learn.” She tells of looking for purpose when her children left for college and realizing God views us differently than we view ourselves.

Kolleen Lucariello is the mom of three, and wife to Pat. She is Executive Director of Communication and Content at Activ8Her, Inc, “a ministry that serves as a catalyst for women to activ8 growth in three areas: spiritually, leadership skills, and relationship skills.”

#beYOU is a call to transformation. Kolleen uses each letter of the alphabet to examine a life submitted to the Lord and the remodel of a person’s character. After unpacking the word representing that letter, the chapter exercises take the reader to the next level by adding the ABCs.

            Activate: start the work

            Become: come into existence and #beYou

            Confess: declare in faith

#beYOU is not just a nice devotional, it is an agent for life-change. I do not recommend speed-reading through to the end; take time to digest the meaty discussions and process what they look like in relation to your day-to-day interactions.

Kolleen’s unique insights bring refreshment to a thirsty soul. She reminds us “God desires that we walk in the fullness of who He created us to be.”

Topics include loneliness, acceptance, and compromise. Kolleen’s vulnerability makes me feel like she understands me and the battles I face. The illustrations she uses pull fresh meaning out of Bible passages, and encourage me to dig deeper into those passages for myself. One example is from Chapter E: Established. Kolleen says we can liken David’s miry pit to quicksand. Yet, God, our Rock, pulls us out of our muck to stand with firm footing in His Word.

In Chapter F: Forgiven. “Holding a grudge is like a high-paying job; I pay the high cost.”

And, the Samaritan Woman, “The woman who once avoided the crowd became the woman running to the crowd.”

#beYOU provides an in-depth look at our identity in Christ and in finding security “where I can see myself the way He sees me.” I wholeheartedly recommend this for your library and for those on your gift list. It will delight and inspire you!

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Encouragement, Faith

Top Ten Lessons I Learned from Jigsaw Puzzles

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I love to get lost in a puzzle. It takes me to a world of creativity and provides the brain a break from facts and figures.

10. The finished puzzle is more beautiful than the imitation on the box. When we get to heaven, it will be indescribable!

9. Enjoy the journey – the fun is in the challenge. When it is done, the experience is over, so make the most of the process.

8. Not everyone likes jigsaw puzzles. And that’s ok. It’s ok to be on your own adventure; not everyone else has to be a part of your puzzle.

7. The picture on the box doesn’t always represent the finished puzzle. One puzzle came in a generic package; you had to figure it out on the fly. Life is a lot like that… ya gotta figure it out as you go.

6. Sometimes you have to look at a puzzle from a different angle to see nuances of colors and shading. When I sit at a different spot at the table, the picture presents a different view. Many times I need a new perspective in order to finish the job in front of me.

5. Some pictures on the box are at a different magnification than the puzzle. Sometimes my view of life’s problems get blown out of proportion. When I look at it too long, I lose sight of the desired goal.

4. The colors on the piece can be deceiving. A piece may look completely out of place, until it is in the right place. Just so, the moods of my day don’t determine a true picture of my circumstances.

3. Some puzzles have a tighter cut or angled ones. So, too, life doesn’t always fit neatly in the designated peg. Work hard; press in with prayer.

2. Forcing a piece to fit in makes it more difficult when the right one needs to go in that spot. If I force something to work into my life, it creates emptiness when the Lord wants to complete me. God’s timing requires waiting until He wants to use that piece.

1. Holes in the picture just mean the puzzle isn’t finished. Life has holes, too. We have questions. We’re looking for missing pieces. It doesn’t mean I’m a ruined picture, just not finished, yet.

Is life puzzling? Let prayer help you sort out the pieces.

Sally

Faith, Reviews

Book Review: Old Paths and Ancient Markers

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Old Paths & Ancient Markershttps://mkgantt.com/books/

Old Paths and Ancient Markers is a call to action. It is a fitting of armor for the battle waged against the truth of God’s Word. M.K. Gantt says, “We are faced in our generation with a committed, concentrated, and full-frontal assault on the integrity and authority of the Word of God.”

“In his more than fifty years of public ministry Michael Gantt has served as a youth pastor, senior pastor, and gospel musician. He has written and directed numerous musical dramas for the stage. Michael is the author of six books including Cry Mercy, Cry Repent, and Sleeping Near the Ark. He is a frequent speaker for local congregations as well as men’s conferences, writers’ conferences, and mission events.”

Old Paths and Ancient Markers presents a clear case for Truth. Not individual truth, but Truth established for all to follow by the God who decreed it. As disciples who guard the treasure of the Gospel, we are a part of a long line of those who preserve the integrity of the message for the next generation.

Michael contends there is no place more important to the expansion of the kingdom of God, than the home. The home is God’s plan for sharing the message, teaching its values, and growing disciples. The home is where God intended His love to be modeled, lived out and passed on. It is the place where sacrificial love is best revealed.

Chapter 13 provides a vulnerable reveal of Michael’s life. It shows how his passion for the family was shaped in growing up without one. And then, in his years of having one, neglecting it. His own wakeup call became a clarion call for other fathers to also rise to the challenge to invest in their children. He says it is never too late to reclaim your family, and reminds of David’s army when Ziklag had been ransacked. God told David to “Pursue, overtake, and recover!”

Old Paths and Ancient Markers makes you squirm, yet eager to join the charge to reclaim the family as God’s center for instruction. It is a timely reminder to all disciples to stand up and be counted in the current events of our nation. We can no longer let someone else determine our value systems and morals. God’s Word is constant and true. It will never be out of date because God’s mercies are new every morning.

Get a copy of Old Paths and Ancient Markers for yourself. Use it as a study for your small group. But most of all let it point you back to the Bible as your measuring stick. It is the precious Word of God!

Sally

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Faith, Holidays

Life at a Standstill

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The Cross

Life has come to a standstill across the globe. The corona virus altered our lifestyles. The disciples experienced it, too. Their days had been full of activity as they traveled with Jesus. But life came to a standstill when all of their hopes and expectations were hammered onto the cross with the body of Jesus. Then, to make matters worse, His body was gone. Stolen, they assumed. Life certainly didn’t turn out like they anticipated.

Has your hope come to a standstill, along with your schedule?

Good news! Jesus hasn’t disappeared; He is here in the midst of upheaval. He walks the road of life with us because He rose from the dead and is now interceding at His Father’s side, on our behalf!

Jesus suffered torture and crucifixion, so that we could have forgiveness of sins and a relationship with God. He wants our “new normal”

And that’s the power of Easter, to reboot life as we know it, and turn it into a victory over death. Jesus brings life! Ask Him to open your mind to understand it.

Read Luke 24 and see for yourself. Jesus is alive!

Sally

Photo & Design Credit: David & Marilyn Reynolds

Encouragement, Faith, In the News

Fear Mongering

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As a camp counselor in my late teens, homesickness and insecurity plagued me. But the worst was fear. Here I was to protect my littles, and I was afraid of what could be lurking behind the trees. Often, their worries surfaced at night as the shadows fell and the busyness of camp activities stilled. Tucking them into bed, I’d lie on my bunk and softly sing every song I could think of, from “Jesus Loves Me” to bedtime lullabies. It soothed us all, until I would slip out of my cabin to go to the mess hall. The darkness echoed with every twig break and leaf scrunched under my feet. It was at that point I began memorizing 2 Timothy 1:7.

            “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” KJV

I’ve needed that verse in many seasons of life. When fear seizes the world, it reminds us our enemy is on the rampage. He rules this world, but not our hearts. Paul said,

            “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

In verse 16, he says, “Therefore, we do not lose heart.”

Go back and see what therefore is there for. He offers purpose and hope, and reminds us in the rest of the chapter, this trouble is temporary. When we fix our eyes on the eternal, the grip of fear is loosened from our minds and hearts. The footnotes in my NIV Bible say, “We live under pressure, perplexity, persecution, and pain. This is part of human existence. Despite all these problems, we know Christ is alive and working through us. This gives us confidence to face life’s threats and problems.”

So, how can we combat the mass hysteria we find in the media?

Philippians 4:8-9         Focus on these things, and peace will come.

Colossians 3:12-17      Pursue these things, and administer grace.

James 4:7-10               Do these things and your enemy will flee.

Have you ever been fly fishing? Does a fisherman drop a line straight down into the water? It’s a graceful sight to behold, as he casts his line far away into the depths. That’s what 1 Peter 5:7 and Psalm 55:22 remind us to do with our troubles; throw them to the Lord and let Him handle them. He will care for you. Don’t panic; pursue peace.

Sally

Faith, Reviews

Book Review: Waiting for God

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Waiting for God by Xochitl Dixon

Are you waiting for God to act on your behalf? Does it feel like He isn’t involved in the day to day details of your life? Xochitl Dixon brings a refreshing look at God’s Word and His pacing. She says God’s plan and pace are perfect, and then illustrates with personal examples, as well as through the stories of others walking the long road of the wait.

Xochitl (soh-cheel) Dixon writes through daily struggles with chronic pain, showing compassion for those who suffer. She is a regular contributor to the Our Daily Bread devotional and other publications. Through blogging, Xochitl shares her journey and yearning to nurture spiritual growth through prayer and the study and application of Scripture.

Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace is a gift of companionship. Often, pain sufferers live in isolation. Pain keeps us from reaching out for the help we need and makes us feel alone. But Waiting for God breaks the solitude with stories of perseverance, hope and encouragement. It equips us to “Inhale God’s Word. Exhale in prayer. And rest in God’s love.”

What kind of pain do you carry? Is it grief, physical ailments or broken relationships? Xochitl will comfort your heart by pointing to the Savior. She leads with passages of Scripture, prayer, and provoking questions. She reminds to view the wait as a collection of countless opportunities to get to know God more, trust God more, honor God more, and worship God more.

Xochitl says, “When we limit our desires to the things of this world, we’re hindered by our own limitations as created beings. Every idol we try to set up in our hearts can only fail us. No matter what happens in the wait, no matter what we’re longing for, the Lord Almighty will give us more than enough to persevere. He will be more than enough, because He is the only one who is enough, the one and only true God. The time God provides for us is precious and purposed for His glory. As we fall deeper in love with Jesus, He can give us an eternal perspective. The Holy Spirit can empower us to obey because we want His plan to prevail. Our loving Father can help us trust His perfectly timed pace.”

I want that deeper love; don’t you? Join me in the quest to thrive in the waiting seasons, as we see “the pause” through Xochitl’s eyes.

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received this book as a giveaway from the Celebrate Lit blog tour.

Faith, Reviews

Book Review & a Giveaway: Fresh Start Bible

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Do you ever need a reset button, and a chance for a do-over? The Fresh Start Bible is the perfect fit! “With over 500 discipleship articles and studies, Fresh Start Bible will help you find God’s direction for every day.”

Fresh Start is published by Gateway Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Provided in the New Living Translation, features include:

“Fresh Start Journey: 52 important questions about the foundations of faith

Intersections: 59 key Bible characters and events

Road Signs: Practical teachings that illuminate Scripture and inspire spiritual growth

Worship Way: Discusses the What, Whom, Why, and How of worship

Freedom Path: Explores the spiritual freedom available to every believer

Bible Reading Breakthrough: Explains the importance of reading God’s Word every day”

As a teacher of God’s Word, I appreciate the leader’s guide, including keys to a dynamic small group. As a reader of God’s Word, I appreciate the breakdown of a daily reading plan, to apply a practical method of study. And, as a student of God’s Word, I appreciate the study resources, including in-depth teachings, Bible studies and message notes. Each book of the Bible has an introduction, sidebars, footnotes and articles to pursue a better understanding of the material in the context and intent.

When I think about receiving my first study Bible, I remember the joy I found in the pages of notes. The cross-references became a delightful jigsaw puzzle and helped me piece together an understanding of who God is and who He wants to be in my life. The notes throughout gave insight to difficult passages and provide an “ah-ha” to God’s code book.

Today, that Bible is a cherished friend; the notes I scribbled in the margin became signposts for direction. Underlined portions of Scripture jump out every time I turn the page. My desire to share God’s Word in reviews, is that others would also find the thrill of discovery within its pages. God wants to be known by you, and He gifts so many translations, so that we can know Him. Fresh Start will delight, disciple and direct you, as you dig into daily deciphering!

I am giving away a copy of the Fresh Start Bible to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title) about tools you use to study God’s Word and you will be entered into the drawing, to be held in three days, December 18.

Sally

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from the publisher through The Blog About Network book review program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

http://theblythedanielagency.com/the-blog-spot/
Faith, Reviews

Book Review: Vulnerable by Raleigh Sadler

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Vulnerable by Raleigh Sadler

In a crucial conversation about what it means to be Vulnerable, in order to help those who are Vulnerable, Raleigh Sadler peels back layers of misinformation about combating the trafficking industry. Yes, “according to the Global Slavery Index, there are as many as 40.3 million people held in what amounts to modern-day slavery.”

And yes, there is something you and I can do about it.

Raleigh Sadler left his dream job as a college pastor, sold everything he owned and moved to New York City to save the world. He later came to realize, the world is not ours to save, but to fight for the justice of those without a voice. He says, “Part of (God’s) calling requires us to face our fears and trust God with the results.”

The book, Vulnerable, takes us into that journey of learning to be vulnerable, in order to share the pain of others. Raleigh founded the organization, Let My People Go, to equip churches to identify and reach the vulnerable in their communities.

One of the most important topics in the book is that we cannot plan to rescue people without reaffirming their dignity. A transactional gift of helping the poor has to be balanced by allowing them to give back into our lives. Otherwise, we are “re-exploiting the people we are trying to help.”

Read Vulnerable. It is an excellent book that equips with an understanding of the trafficking industry, but it also reaffirms our need to link arms in reaching our communities. None of us can aid others without the mutual aid we need for our own healing. Raleigh reminds us we can only work in tandem in order to partner in the fight for life.

Is there something an ordinary person can do? See the Appendix for 100 ways you can fight trafficking!

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Vulnerable from B & H Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.