25 Apr
to walk or stay :: book club – week 2
You may remember my review last month of my friend Lara’s new book, To Walk or Stay? The book is amazing and I highly recommend it to just about everyone. Married, single, struggling, or not … it’s a must read!
If you read that post, you might remember me mentioning a lil’ something about a book club/study Lara put together for us all. Last week was the kick-off of the study {sorry I missed posting about it!} and you can catch up on the discussion over here.
Today, for week two, Crystal is hosting the discussion on her blog.
If you haven’t read To Walk or Stay yet, I really encourage you to do so … I promise, promise, promise your life and relationships {namely your marriage} will never be the same!
Before I give you the Amazon link, I’d like to give a cheesy plug for 31 Days of Forgiveness … right now Amazon is showing 31 Days and To Walk or Stay are “frequently bought together.” Plugging complete.
Anyway …
I love Lara, and after you watch this video she put together, I think you’ll know why!
Weekly discussion hosts!
April 18 – Chapter 1 :: Lara Williams at “To Overflowing”
April 25 – Chapter 2 :: Crystal Stine
May 2 – Chapter 3 :: Katie Orr at “Hello Mornings”
May 9 – Chapter 4 :: Kayse Pratt
May 16 – Chapter 5 :: Michele-Lyn Ault at “A Life Surrendered”
May 23 – Chapter 6 :: Tracie Stier-Johnson
May 30 – Chapter 7 :: Francie Winslow at “Up, In, and Out”
June 6 – Chapter 8 :: Joyce Moy
June 13 – Chapter 9 :: Erika Dawson
June 20 – Chapter 10 :: Stacey Thacker at “29 Lincoln Avenue”
27 Mar
on becoming a writer :: book review
I feel so blessed to have met some amazingly talented women around this ol’ World Wide Web thing! Especially when I can call them friend!
And so it is with Denise.
My friend Denise just wrote her first book and I was lucky enough to receive a preview copy. Denise is beautiful inside and out, and knows this craft of writing pretty well.
You see, not only is Denise a blogger, she’s also a writing professor. Does that intimidate any other writers out there? No? Just me then … carry on. :)
So what of this new book? As someone who’s both a blogger and writer aficionado, Denise’s On Becoming a Writer is chock-full of wisdom on writing in an easy-to-read-and-understand-sort-of-way.
Denise is the ultimate encourager and this book is proof. She believes “every blogger has a unique story — a unique purpose — for writing.” And her “deepest heart’s desire is to come alongside other bloggers to encourage them.”
Her simple definition of a writer is “someone who has something to say and wants to say it well.” And On Becoming a Writer is just that … an easy read for guide those of us who have something to say and want to say it well.
I highly encourage any blogger or writer to get a copy of On Becoming a Writer! It’s available on Amazon now for only $4.99. Go. Quick!
Is there an area of writing you struggle with?
25 Mar
bible study bundle
Are any of you familiar with Bundle of the Week? If not, it’s a pretty a cool deal and you might wanna take a look-see!
Each week a new bundle of ebooks — on all different subjects — is available for only $7.40 … that’s a savings of more than 70%!!
When I was contacted last week to see if I’d be willing to have 31 Days of Faith included in this week’s bundle, I wasn’t too sure. But when I checked it out I was all kinds of on board!
This week’s bundle is a “Bible Study” bundle and includes the following ebooks:
Savoring Living Water by Katie Orr and Lara Williams
Pursuit of Proverbs 31 by Amy Bayliss
Focused15: 1 Corinthians 13 by Katie Orr
31 Days of Faith by Tracie Stier-Johnson
Beholding Him, Becoming Missional by Laura Krokos
If you’d like to spread the word about these incredible Bible studies at this great price, click here to tweet this —> Strengthen your faith & deepen your knowledge of the Bible with these Bible Studies. http://ow.ly/joegu
Posted in 31 days of faith, resources
20 Mar
to walk or stay :: a book review {and giveaway}
Sooooo … a friend of mine wrote a book. A very good, very important, everyone must read it kind-of-book!
Lara’s words have always inspired me, both to be a better writer and to be a better Christ-follower. She’s real. Authentic. And knows her the Word of God like no other.
God’s given her a story to share — a heart story — one that comes from the depths of her personal valley and despair.
Although the basis of Lara’s story is the infidelity of her husband and how, with God’s help, she stayed, To Walk or Stay is a faith-filled story in “trusting God through shattered hopes and suffocating fears.”
I knew from reading Lara’s blog, she’d walked through a season of infidelity and betrayal by her husband. And when she released a book titled To Walk or Stay, I assumed she’d be disclosing some details of that season of her life.
Details? Countless.
Countless details on the goodness, faithfulness, and beauty of our Lord God when we listen to Him, press into Him, lean on Him, and trust Him with our everything.
As I was reading through the pages, I couldn’t help but think, “Every married woman I know should read this book!”
And then I thought, “Anyone walking through a valley-low should read this book!”
And then, “Anyone afraid to completely trust in God should read this book!”
And now? Just read it!
I’ve highlighted and marked up just about every page. And I plan to read it again … it’s that good. And necessary!
Let me share just a few of the life-changing words I’ve read:
You and I don’t have the power to pierce hearts and transform lives. It’s not our calling. But we can submit to God’s “change” within us. Introduction
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I chose to stay in our marriage in spite of how I felt. Page 18
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When I processed the pain with the Lover of my soul, I experienced a joy that this world couldn’t steal. Through the valley of brokenness I learned that true blessing rises as I bind to my God regardless of circumstance. Page 21
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God spoke a promise of restoration, but I still battled strong emotions. Page 25
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He allows every single valley in the life of His children out of love. Page 31
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When thoughts of his weaknesses arose, instead of tearing him down, I learned to break away to a quiet place and pray for him. Page 43
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As I prayed for him, my vision changed. I saw him with God’s eyes rather than my own. Page 43
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We always have the choice to pray for those who’ve hurt us rather than tear them down. It’s what Jesus did. Page 43
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Revival in our world begins with revival in our homes. And revival in our homes begins with revival in our individual hearts and minds. Page 46
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As we meditate on God’s Word rather than our volatile feelings, hope arises. As we choose to ponder the Truth of His character rather than our fleeting circumstance, peace falls. He gives us this one life, these few days. May we not waste them with futile thinking! AMEN! Page 47 {exclamation marks and AMEN are mine}
***
In spite of feelings, and regardless of what may seem like a hopeless situation, the Lord may challenge you to stay committed in your heart, regardless of the unlove of your spouse. He may dare you to stay because He may want to do something wildly miraculous in your home. Page 86 {I’d be remiss if I didn’t add another AMEN! here}
I believe To Walk or Stay will change marriages, lives, hearts, and relationships with our Creator. And I believe in it so strongly, I’m giving away two copies {details to follow}.
Friends, as Lara said … God give us these valleys out of love. And when we trust Him with our brokenness, He meets us in a way we never imagined. It’s then, that God can use our brokenness — our stories — for His glory. God will use Lara’s story in the lives of many, which ultimately points back to Him and brings Him glory.
I’m overwhelmed at the beauty found in His promises.
But wait there’s more!!
I’m excited to also announce details about an upcoming To Walk or Stay Book Club!
Lara did an amazing job including small group discussion points after each chapter, and also includes a “Digging Deeper” section.
The questions and talking points definitely cause one to dig deep. Some of them are even ouchie-deep, but much needed!
The Book Club discussion starts April 18, and will take place on a different blog each week. On May 23, you’ll find the discussion on Chapter 6 right here!
I hope you’ll join us … this study and book are going to bless many!
Giveaway details:
{what}
Two winners will receive one copy of To Walk or Stay!
{how}
~ leave a comment {any ol’ comment. winners picked via random.org}
~ tweet the giveaway {but come back & leave a comment}
~ facebook the giveaway {but come back & leave a comment}
~ blog the giveaway {but come back and leave a comment}
{when}
Now through Friday, March 22 – midnight {EST}
Posted in giveaway, marriage, resources
7 Mar
(in)couraged to mend :: week three
What a beautiful group of women we are journeying with! I’m so thankful for a community brought together by God.
I read from Luke 8 the other day. The part where Jesus was speaking to a large crowd gathered, and was told His mother and brothers wanted to see Him, but couldn’t get close because of the crowds. Verse 21 says, “Jesus replied, ‘My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.’”
Friends, I love the fact that because we are believers of God’s Word, we are bound together as family through it. What a beautiful community indeed!
This week I’m sharing my thoughts on chapters 5-8. I couldn’t wrap my head around a way to summarize the four chapters as a whole, so I’ve decided to share a little of my thoughts on each.
The Scarlet Cord:
“Essentially, she believed in God more than she feared for herself.” It’s the story of Rahab, a least likely heroine. She was imperfect, immoral, improper. A castoff and sin-filled woman with a controversial story. And proof that anyone can find redemption!
God hand-picked Rahab to play a vital part of His lineage. She most likely didn’t know at the time her faith-actions would be talked about even today, but what if fear had taken over? What if she didn’t find herself worthy to be part of His great story?
But God chose her for His story. And Rahab didn’t let her soiled life of sin prevent her from believing in the One True God and she was greatly blessed for the faith she possessed.
What if we too, let go of all fear from our sin-laden pasts. What if we decided to believe in God more than we fear for ourselves?
Our God IS the God of redemption. I believe with every fiber of my being there is nothing that cannot be redeemed in this life. Our God desires to redeem His people.
Flee and Don’t Look Back:
It’s true … I will never read this story again without thinking of the “salt shaker!” :)
Why friends do we insist on “looking back?” Piggy-backing on the previous chapter’s message … God desires to redeem our lives and situations. If we have our past on repeat, how can He bless our future?
God desires for us to move forward in our stories. Lot’s wife, this nameless woman, left a legacy of looking back. Our God desires for us to leave legacies of looking forward, giving Him glory with our stories.
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
Honeysuckles and Fireflies:
My heart was filled with joy as Angie shared these images — word-stories — of her neighbor boy. A boy who had no tangible equipment to play the game … yet “he had everything he needed for the perfect game.” And, “the ability to see the whole thing in a way I never could.”
Why do we need to have exactly the right equipment, the right temperature, the right crowd … why does everything have to be just right in order for us to “play the game.”
Angie says what God needs from us, “is the sweat rolling down {our} neck and a heart that believes He can use you.”
I once heard Beth Moore say something that’s been pivotal in my relationship with God … “Do you believe IN God? Or do you BELIEVE God?” Once I made the choice to simply believe … my life’s been forever changed.
Us, Not Me:
Comparison. Jealousy. Competition.
God has created each of us with uniquely different gifts. He’s also fully equipped us with what He’s called us to do. He needs many servants for His kingdom, not just a few “chosen” ones. We are all called. We all contribute in our own unique way.
Let’s not snuff out our specific callings with comparison, jealousy, and competition.
Instead let’s, as Angie suggests, “show everyone what true, Jesus-filled love looks like.”
######
What is the thing from your past that you fear will keep you from God?
Do you ever rewrite history?
What do you admire about someone else’s relationship with the Lord?
Whose life can you pour into today?
Here’s the reading schedule …
February 21 – Introduction :: Jacque
February 28 – Chapters 1-4 :: Denise
March 7 - Chapters 5-8 :: Tracie
March 14 – Chapters 9-12 :: Denise
March 21 – Chapters 13-16 :: Jacque
March 28 - Chapters 17-19 :: Tracie
April 4 – Chapters 20-22 :: Jacque
April 11 – Chapters 23-25 :: Denise
April 18 - Chapters 26-28 :: Tracie
April 25 – Chapters 29-31 :: Concluding Thoughts
In case you missed the news about the second session of the (in)couragers community starting, you can read all about it by clicking here. This session we’re walking through Angie Smith’s crazy, wonderful book, Mended: pieces of a life made whole and I’m loving it!
Posted in (in) courage, resources
