Review: The One Year Book of Amish Peace

The One Year Book of Amish Peace: Hearing God's Voice in the Simple Things by Tricia Goyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In our instantly connected world, it's surprisingly easy to lose our connection to God. This devotional taps Amish wisdom in order to help us draw closer to God and hear his voice. In "The One Year Book of Amish Peace," you'll get a daily taste of Amish values and wisdom. Tricia Goyer shares her fascination with the Amish in a way that will inspire and encourage believers to carve out more time in each day to listen to God and experience his presence. This daily devotional contains interesting facts about the Amish, recipes, and information about the way the Amish handle money, rear their children, and center their lives on faith in God. You'll be inspired to slow down and find ways to simplify so that you, too, can experience God in the ordinary.

Looking for a short devotional to read each morning? Look no further! Tricia's new The One Year Book of Amish Peace is just the one for you! Each day has a verse, and then a short little devotion relating to the verse and Amish life quite frequently. Then a little nugget of practicality and closes with a prayer. One that I have started writing out every day. Then on the side is little Amish facts.

I have become enamored with the Amish lifestyle. Seems so peaceful. - There are lots of proverbs and just little things to brighten your day. So make it a great day every day, start it out with God and Tricia!

I received a copy of this devotion from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Storm Inside and GIVEAWAY!!!

The Storm Inside: Trade the Chaos of How You Feel for the Truth of Who You Are by Sheila Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Women feel the storm activity all around. We find ourselves teetering somewhere between everyday chaos and crisis.

We can feel a storm brewing, we are in the middle of a storm, or we are facing the aftermath of a storm. But don't be afraid because it is possible to grow through turbulent times.

Storms show you what's really going on inside, reveal what you really believe, and actually make you stronger. In this powerful book Sheila will help you: Redefine your failures as a new beginning instead of an end. Replace the words "always" and "never" in your life with positive declarations of hope. Know with confidence how to help a friend in chaos or crisis.

Wow. This book is everything I wanted it to be and so much more. Sheila Walsh has been my favorite singer since I was a little girl, so reading this book was a real treat.

In The Storm Inside:

From heartbreak to strength
from disappointment to hope
from unforgiveness to freedom
from rage to restoration
from fear to joy
from shame to love
from regret to rest
from insecurity to confidence
from insignificance to courage
from despair to faith

In each chapter, Sheila shares what stories in the Bible are relevant, who's story can help us in today's world? I love this! I also love how much Sheila shares with us about her life. I could hear her reading it with her accent the whole time! Then at the end of each chapter, she calls it Standing Through Your Storm and she gives you some clear and helpful ways to go from one to the other, biblically.

Sheila says, "Fair doesn't live here anymore but Jesus does." --

Read this book, you won't regret it ONE bit!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion from the publisher.

The book releases Feb 11th. I am offering ONE copy, but to win you MUST comment on my blog by Feb 11th! Blessings!

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GIVEAWAY!!!

Giveaway day! I will be giving away FIVE ebooks of Darlene Schacht's newest book Virtuous Life of a Christ Centered Wife. I will choose five winners on the 29th. So please tell all of your friends, comment below to enter and please also leave your email so if you win, I can send the ebook!!! Blessings on your SONday! http://www.amazon.com/Virtuous-Life-Christ-Centered-Wife-Powerful-ebook/dp/B00HZFSVLI/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390749024&sr=1-1&keywords=virtuous+life

Review: Women Living Well

Women Living Well: Find Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home by Courtney Joseph
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Women desire to live well. However, living well in this modern world is a challenge.The pace of life, along with the new front porch of social media, has changed the landscape of our lives.Women have been told for far too long that being on the go and accumulating more things will make their lives full.As a result, we grasp for the wrong things in life and come up empty.

God created us to walk with him; to know him and to be loved by him.He is our living well and when we drink from the water he continually provides, it will change us.Our marriages, our parenting, and our homemaking will be transformed.

Mommy-blogger Courtney Joseph is a cheerful realist. She tackles the challenge of holding onto vintage values in a modern world, starting with the keys to protecting our walk with God. No subject is off-limits as she moves on to marriage, parenting, and household management.

Rooted in the Bible, her practical approach includes tons of tips that are perfect for busy moms, including:


Simple Solutions for Studying God s Word How to Handle Marriage, Parenting, and Homemaking in a Digital Age 10 Steps to Completing Your Husband Dealing With Disappointed Expectations in Motherhood Creating Routines that Bring Rest Pursuing the Discipline and Diligence of the Proverbs 31 Woman
There is nothing more important than fostering your faith, building your marriage, training your children, and creating a haven for your family. "Women Living Well" is a clear and personal guide to making the most of these precious responsibilities.

-- I was so excited to hear that Courtney was coming out with a book. Her blog and everything else she has been involved in has been such a blessing to me. This book is totally for women who want to become all that God created us and wants us to be.

She is currently doing a bible study with this book, so glad my review is timely. I had to read and re-read it, I just gleaned so much information from each page. I love how she says we are all busy with the ipad, iphone but are we listening to the great I AM?

This study is perfect for small groups, you will be blessed no matter if you read it by yourself or with a group though!

I received a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Review: The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife

The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife: 18 Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth by Darlene Schacht
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife is written in the format of an 18-part study for daily or weekly reflection. Not only is it a powerful tool for personal growth, it’s also an ideal study-guide for small groups!

Each lesson leads you through one virtue at a time, offering you applicable and inspiring ways for a wife to grow closer to God and her husband. The virtues discussed are these:

• Purity
• Self-control
• Love
• Diligence
• Patience
• Kindness
• Humility
• Faith
• Forgiveness
• Joy
• Passion
• Radiance
• Encouragement
• Balance
• Goodness
• Trustworthy
• Courage

Virtue calls us to action. As we exercise each one, they bring our flesh in line with our Spirit.

It’s one thing to know what’s good, and it’s another to walk in obedience to the knowledge that we have received. Not always easy, but obedience to our faith is always worth the effort it takes!

-- Darlene takes us so easily down a path with each virtue, not staying too long but a few verses and thoughts about each virtue. Then using the SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer) method you work through each virtue a little bit.

With Darlene's style of writing, you read and re-read it, possibly stopping to pen notes, pray and sometimes cry a bit. Darlene gives bits of herself, leaving her open and vulnerable. I always loved the idea of a mission statement, but being married for so long, I thought, heck those are only for the newlyweds. But after Darlene's urgings, I think I will request we do one!

I could hear Darlene's voice the whole time I was reading, you can just tell her heart is in this book. As she gently nudges us all closer to Him. What a blessing! This will make great small bible studies as well as great gifts for others.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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EIGHT DAYS TILL WISHING ON BUTTERCUPS releases!!!

Officially, eight days. Word is, the book is ready to ship. Go run to Amazon and order your's! In the mean time, there is a new group on Goodreads for Miralee Ferrell book lovers to unite!! Might even be talk of reading together, and many other fun things coming! So I asked Miralee what her favorite to-go meal is when she is in a pinch and this is what she said: --OK, if it's been a busy day and we're both tired, we occasionally like breakfast for dinner. I'll fix a batch of fluffy, scrambled eggs mixed with grated cheese and if I have any on hand, bits of ham or bacon, and toast on the side. Yummy!-- She is just a doll! You just must join the group and get to know her yourself! Also, get the book and come read with us! Come back tomorrow and see what I have planned!!!

Review: Redeemed

Redeemed: A Devotional Based on the #1 Classic Song That Has Inspired Millions by Mike Weaver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Understand the Truths behind the inspiring #1 song.

Big Daddy Weave's Redeemed spent months at #1 on radio charts, quickly establishing itself as a classic. Now, Big Daddy Weave songwriter Mike Weaver has written a collection of 30 devotions to help fans understand the ideas of grace and healing that inspired this beloved song.

Redeemed from:
- the ghosts of the past
- the tears
- regret
- shame
- failure
- the struggle
- the world's pressures
- the fight that's already been won

"If you are God's child, you are no longer bound to your past or to what you were. You are a brand new creature in Christ Jesus." - Kay Arthur


This 30 day devotional is an excellent resource. Each chapter starts out with a verse, and a small little blurb, then more promises from God's Word, which I found brilliant! Really excellent way to go deeper each day with being redeemed and being a new creature in Christ.

Then there are more great ideas (quotes). The timely tips are just small little notes, but really make you think, such as -- the past is past, so don't invest all your energy there. If you're focused on the past, change your focus. If you're living in the past, move on. -- Then there is a prayer for today.

And last but not least, your own thoughts about accepting the past and moving on, or whatever the chapter is about.

Excellent devotional, put together very well. Will make nice stocking stuffers this Christmas I think!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Let the countdown begin!!!

NINE days till Miralee's newest book, Wishing on Buttercups is released. It is the second part of the Love Blossoms in Oregon series. I totally love it... Why do you ask? So many reasons. Each day, I will come back and tell you either a fact about the book or about Miralee. Look forward to spending a few minutes with me, each day, counting down the days until this next fabulous part is released!!

Review: Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who am I?

My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen and I’m about to die. I’m buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I’m lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won’t stop shaking.

Some will say that I’m not really here. Some will say I’m delusional. Some will say that I don’t even exist. But who are they? I’m the one buried in a grave.

My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen. I’m about to die.

So who are you?

In a return to the kind of storytelling that made Showdown and Three unforgettable, Ted Dekker drags that question into the light with this modern day parable about how we see ourselves.

Humming with intensity and blindsided twists, Eyes Wide Open is raw adrenaline from the first page to the last pure escapism packed with inescapable truth. Not all is as it seems. Or is it? Strap yourself in for the ride of your life. Literally.

My review:

If I thought I would enjoy this book, I was wrong. I loved it. I had to put it down about a million times, telling my family I couldn't figure out if they were crazy, if I was crazy. Such a thrilling book, and yet you can't help but see the meaning behind it. Dekker does an excellent job. I haven't ever read anything by him, but I was so surprised by the twists and turns in this book I quickly came to see why so many people love his books.

I couldn't tell one way or the other if they were really crazy and to me that is an excellent book! The way he wove Christ in, and what is perception vs reality was amazing. What we have the power to change. This book will stay with you for a LONG time. Highly recommended!

I was provided a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Review, and a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Food Triggers: End Your Cravings, Eat Well and Live Better by Rhona Epstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chemical explanation. Treatable. Recovery.

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. - Psalm 40:2

Rhona Epstein writes, "We are not alone, and God never meant for us to live in agony over what was created to nurture and sustain us. He never meant for us to struggle with food." -- If you have ever felt like this, this book is for you. Rhona writes like she knows what your mind and heart are thinking. Rhona goes on to say that the truth of God's promises of love, freedom, and strength began to sink in. She discovered her ability to be free was totally dependent on Him. Relying on God and His strength instead of herself brought about true metamorphosis.

Rhona uses many different examples of people she has worked with. I also really enjoyed the Trigger Talks. ** Events and circumstances can change, but the emotions triggered repeat themselves.** How true is that? Rhona's book will be such a blessing to so many, I know it will. It has a reader's discussion, if you would like to do it in a small group setting as well.

Rhona says happiness is really an inside job. Want to know more? Leave me a comment, and on Jan 25th, I will pick a lucky winner and send them a free copy of the book!! Good luck all!!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. I was not compensated in any form.

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