Tag Archives: Devotional

#BookReview: 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path by Liz Curtis Higgs

19 Sep

31 Proverbs to Light Your Path is a lovely devotional! Ideal for personal and group study, the thirty-one verses from the book of Proverbs are presented in ways that are applicable and actionable. Higgs offers insights, stories, and inspiration, while compelling readers to perform a quick challenge at the end of each chapter. Uplifting and encouraging, I enjoyed spending time in this wonderful book and look forward to using it again and again!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

With her signature ability to blend ancient truth with real-life takeaway, best-selling author and Bible teacher Liz Curtis Higgs examines thirty-one verses from the book of Proverbs, and then offers a unique “One Minute, One Step” challenge at the end of each chapter, suggesting a do-it-now task that requires one minute or less. Readers will quickly discover how practical and applicable the book of Proverbs is, and how the Lord can use even the smallest steps to lead us in the right direction.

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview: The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional by Karen Moore

30 Apr

The Heart-Shaped Life is a lovely devotional! Karen Moore welcomes readers by saying, “It’s time to energize your spirit and realign your heart so you think more positively and lovingly about every circumstance you encounter.” Brimming with encouragement for every day of the year, I have enjoyed adding this devotional to my daily routine. Its uplifting reminders to make love a priority will hearten readers and inspire greater love and heart-shaped living.

“Actions created in love feel good. They lift our spirits and encourage our hearts. If what you did yesterday doesn’t brings you peace of mind today, then try again. Create meaningful interactions with the people around you, and let love guide all you do.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:2: “If I had the gift of prophecy and knew all about what is going to happen in the future, knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would it do?” . . .the Heart-Shaped Life series will encourage you to live life “heart first.”

The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional provides refreshing thoughts, prayers, and scripture selections to help you discover the best path to the good life. . .which is all about LOVE!

Learn more about The Heart-Shaped Life Daily Devotional.

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#BookReview: 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood by Sarah Humphrey

18 Oct

40-days-to-a-joyful-motherhood

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood by Sarah Humphrey

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2dPEdIC

Wouldn’t it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions—an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

-Self-acceptance
-Self-care
-Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations
-Generosity
-Presence
-Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

 

My thoughts:

In 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood, Sarah Humphrey has created a great source of refreshment and encouragement for mothers. These daily devotions focus on six topics of motherhood, and each day begins with a scripture and is followed by a short devotion and simple prayer. In addition to the devotions, handmade illustrations are included for journaling, doodling, and coloring.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is found in Day 12’s devotion. “Motherhood is hard work. Although there are books about it, there is not a manual for each of your particular children. You have been chosen to be their mother, and in the mistakes and in the joys, you are the best woman for the job.” I thoroughly enjoyed the insight and inspiration this book provided, as well as the joy it cultivated. 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood is a lovely book and a wonderful gift to give yourself and others!

 

sarah-humphrey

Often considered a dreamer and silly heart, Sarah Humphrey uses inspiration from her most beloved career, motherhood, to fuel her passion for writing, creative movement and teaching. She has and is authoring several books and children’s books. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three beautiful, bouncy kids.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

40-days-to-a-joyful-motherhood

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood.

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Review: Girl Meets Change

17 Sep

Girl Meets Change

Girl Meets Change by Kristen Strong

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

Whether chosen and celebrated–like going off to college or welcoming your first baby–or unexpected and anxiety-inducing–like losing a job or grappling with a broken trust–all change brings stress. Kristen Strong knows about change–especially the kind you didn’t choose or expect. What she’s fought hard to learn over the years is that change is not something to be feared but something to be received as a blessing from a God who, more often than not, works through change, not in spite of it. Strong has learned to see change not as a grievance but as a grace.

 

My thoughts:

Change is something we all experience. It’s inevitable and often met with resistance, fear, or dread. In this heartfelt book, Kristen Strong shares ways to embrace the changes we experience and realize they are part of God’s purpose for our life. She shares insight, experience, and practical advice for finding peace, purpose, and hope through life’s transitions. I delighted in the wisdom and encouragement offered in these pages and look forward to sharing this book with others. Girl Meets Change is a wonderful book that shares an inspiring message!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Change

 

Kristen Strong
Kristen Strong is a popular blogger at Chasing Blue Skies and DaySpring’s (in)courage. Her work has appeared in MOMSense and Family Fun magazines. She and her husband, David, have three children. Together this military family has zigzagged across the country (and one ocean) several times. They currently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

 

 

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Review: Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood

16 Apr

Walking with God

Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood
Melissa B. Kruger

Learn how God’s imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

Being a mom usually means being busy. Really busy. Whether you’re zipping from your children’s piano lessons to their next ballgame or nursing a baby while comforting a toddler, life is brimming with activities. 

Yet one encounter can help shape every moment: time in the Word with Jesus. In Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, you’ll learn how to nourish your own heart, mind, and soul with the wisdom you need to become the mother you long to be. 

As you spend time with God through this eleven-week Bible study, you’ll gain life-shaping insights to help you…
 ·         Understand and pursue your purpose as a mother
 ·         Live out your true priorities
 ·         Entrust your child to God
 ·         Bear the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday interactions
 ·         Recover from Perfect Mom Syndrome (PMS)

Each week offers four days of study geared specifically to a mother’s concerns, with the Bible passages already printed out for your convenience. The fifth day is a warm-hearted devotional reading to help you reflect on and apply the truths you’ve learned.

As your relationship with God deepens through prayer and studying His Word, you’ll discover how His imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

My thoughts:

“In the beauty of God’s design, He is in the process of parenting us as we parent our children.”

What a wonderful devotional!  Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood is an eleven-week devotional Bible study that will encourage you as a mother and as a child of God. 

In the busy days of motherhood, we often fail to set aside time for our own spiritual growth and strengthening.  This book is specifically tailored for mothers and each week offers four days of Scripture study and a fifth day of reflection and application.  I really enjoyed each lesson and loved that each Bible passage was included in the book for convenience.  I also enjoyed Kruger’s own stories of motherhood and words of encouragement.  Other helpful resources include verses for memorization for both mothers and children, as well as a study guide to use in a group setting. 

I loved Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood!  Melissa Kruger has written an encouraging study that I will use again and again. 

“Daily time in the Word and in prayer provides the nourishment our souls need as we care for our families.  The specific application for different ages may vary, but each of us needs wisdom, prayer, patience, kindness, and love as we raise our children.  We never graduate from our need of His grace.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging for Books and appreciate the opportunity to offer my honest opinion. 

 About the author:

Melissa Kruger teaches women at Uptown Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at conferences around the country. She regularly writes articles for the Gospel Coalition and Christianity.com, and she is the author of The Envy of Eve. Melissa’s most cherished roles include being a wife to Mike, president of Reformed Theological Seminary–Charlotte, and a mother to her three children, Emma, John, and Kate.

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Review: How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You?

19 Mar

How Many Times

How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You? by Rachael Carman

You’ve probably said these things to your kids, but have you listened to what you’re saying?

“I remember the day you were born.”

“Turn down the music!”

“This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you.”

“Hold my hand.”

Your heavenly Father wants to tell you many of these same things. Rachael Carman knows how noisy it can be when you’re raising children—she has seven! But this lovely devotional book will help you to hear God’s still, small voice amid the chaos of carpools, cut fingers, and carpet crawlers. You’ll learn how to recognize God’s instructions for you, even as you seek to follow His example as a parent.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1FcMvCl

 

My thoughts:

Rachael Carman shares her heart and her “everyday adventures” in How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You? and offers her own personal stories and insights gained as a parent of seven children.  In this encouraging book, Rachael suggests that, as a parent, you should examine what you are saying to your children and discover what God is saying to you.

Each short chapter begins with a common parenting phrase such as “We Don’t Act Like That” and “It Doesn’t Matter What Everyone Else Is Doing” and includes parenting and spiritual application.  I enjoyed the concise manner in which each phrase was addressed and the candidness with which Rachael shared her own life experiences.  I also enjoyed the “moment of introspection” that concludes each chapter.  These questions are great for thought, discussion, and reflection.

One of my favorite chapters in the book is “God Has Great Plans For You”.  Rachael talks about the ways she has shared this promise with her children from their infancy and also reminds us that God has great plans for each of us as His children.  I especially loved the following passage.

“God has great plans for you and for me, just as He does for our kids.  This motherhood gig isn’t just a bump in the road.  It’s not just another detour or quick pit stop.  It is a critical part of our journey.  It’s not meant to be rushed or resented, abdicated or averted, dismissed or diminished.  It’s meant to be relished.  This time is to be embraced and enjoyed.” 

How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You? is a heartfelt book that will encourage you and challenge you in your role as a parent and also as a child of God!    

 

RCarman-291

Rachael Carman is an author and speaker for Apologia Educational Ministries. The wife of Davis and the mother of seven children, Rachael challenges parents to live by reckless, obedient faith. As a direct reflection of her heart’s desire to encourage, inspire, and celebrate motherhood, Rachael also leads Real Refreshment Retreats, weekend events that energize and invigorate homeschooling mothers with meaningful worship and speakers plus practical encouragement for the homeschool journey.

Find Rachael online: website, Twitter, Facebook

Visit the Litfuse Landing Page to read what others are saying about How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You?. 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity.  All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received. 

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Free eBook- A Reader’s Journey Through Matthew

17 Feb

A Reader's Journey Through Matthew

A Reader’s Journey Through Matthew by Darlene Franklin

FREE from 02/16 – 02/18 at Amazon

Darlene Franklin shares a thought-provoking journey through the book of Matthew! Each day of this seven week devotional shares a scripture, insightful thoughts, and life applications. A Reader’s Journey Through Matthew is a unique study “written by and for avid readers and writers of literature.”

 

Darlene

Connect with Darlene on her author page at Amazon or find her on Facebook.

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GIVEAWAY: Devotionals by Darlene Franklin

21 Jan

Women of the Bible

Women of the Bible Devotional
Compiled by Barbour staff

Purchase Link:
Amazon

We can learn much from the successes and failures, lives, loves, and legacy of scriptural women—and readers will find great insights in the Women of the Bible Devotional. This brand-new book features 180 quick, easy-to-read entries on nearly every named woman of scripture—from Abigail to Zipporah—and many of the unnamed ladies, such as Job’s wife, the woman caught in adultery, and the persistent widow of Jesus’ parable. Biblical women played a powerful role in God’s plan for humanity, and their stories were recorded for our benefit today. The Women of the Bible Devotional can share important, even life-changing, principles for readers’ quiet time.

 

A Reader's Journey Through Matthew

 

A Reader’s Journey Through Matthew by Darlene Franklin

Darlene Franklin shares a thought-provoking journey through the book of Matthew in her upcoming release, A Reader’s Journey Through Matthew. 

 

 

 

 

Darlene

Connect with Darlene on her author page at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Franklin/e/B001K8993A/ or find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Poet.Darlene.Franklin.

 

GIVEAWAY!

Darlene is graciously offering one print copy (US only) of The Women of the Bible Devotional and one Kindle copy of A Reader’s Journey Through Matthew.  Two books ~ two winners!  To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below, including your email address.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 11: 59 p.m. CST. 

Do you enjoy devotionals?
 If so, what are some of your favorites? 

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