4/30/13

Psalm 91 for Mothers

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!



Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

Charisma House (March 5, 2013)

***Special thanks to Althea Thompson for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Peggy Joyce Ruth and her husband, Jack, are former pastors from Brownwood, Texas. Peggy has taught an adult Bible study each week at her church for the past thirty years. She is a popular conference speaker and continues to teach a weekly radio Bible study called Better Living on KPSM and KBUB.


Visit the author's website.


SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

In Psalm 91 for Mothers, Peggy Joyce Ruth takes the concept from her best-selling book Psalm 91 and applies it to her personal experience as a mother and grandmother. With compelling, emotional stories from her life and the lives of others who have been touched by this psalm, she guides you through a personal study, explaining verse by verse God’s promises of protection, provision, and blessing for your children.


Product Details:
List Price: $12.99

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Charisma House (March 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616387343
ISBN-13: 978-1616387341


MY THOUGHTS:

What a great book!  It is filled with loving reminders of God's promise to us in this Psalm, specifically applying it to your children; however, the truth is applicable us all, as God's children.  Each chapter of the book focuses on a specific verse.  You can break it up and read a chapter a day, or read it all at once.  It is an easy read packed with the incredible promises of Psalm 91.  There are relevant anecdotes that apply to each aspect of the Psalm.  Some of the chapters include A Mighty Fortress is My God, I will not fear the destruction, God is my deliverer, I am seated on high, God answers my call, and I behold His Salvation.  The powerful titles indicate the amazing messages delivered.  This book would make a great addition to your library.  I'm keeping it on my shelf so that I can pick it up when I need reminded of His amazing promise of protection and deliverance!  I did receive my copy free in exchange for my honest review.


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:  


Where Is My Dwelling Place?

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. —Psalm 91:1
Think for just a minute of where, more than anyplace else in the world, you like to be when you want to feel protected and peaceful. I remember when I was a little girl and would wake up in the middle of the night and feel frightened. I would tiptoe down to my mother and dad’s room and very quietly slip in bed with them. As I lay there—silently listening to them breathe and feeling all cozy and protected—before I knew it, the fear was gone, and I would be sound asleep.

I am sure you can think of something that represents security to you personally. When I think of security and protection, I have a couple of childhood memories that automatically come to mind. My dad was a large, muscular man who played football during his high school and college years, but he interrupted his education to serve in the military during World War II. Mother, who was pregnant with my little brother, and I lived with my grandparents in San Saba while Dad was in the service. As young as I was, I vividly remember one ecstatically happy day when my dad unexpectedly opened the door and walked into my grandmother’s living room. Before that eventful day I had been tormented with fears because some neighborhood children had told me I would never see my dad again. Like kids telling a ghost story, they taunted me that my dad would come home in a box. When he walked through that door that day, a sense of peace and security came over me and stayed with me for the rest of his time in the army.

My Father, Albert Crow
It was past time for my baby brother to be born, and I found out when I was older that Dad’s outfit at the time was being relocated by train from Long Beach, California, to Virginia Beach, Virginia. The train was coming through Fort Worth, Texas, on its way to Virginia, so my dad caught a ride from Fort Worth to San Saba in the hopes of seeing his new son. He then hitchhiked until he caught up with the train shortly before it reached Virginia Beach. The memory of his walking into that room still brings a feeling of peaceful calm to my soul. In fact, that incident set the stage for later seeking the security a heavenly Father’s presence could bring.

When I think of dwelling in the shelter of God, I have another childhood memory that always comes to mind. My parents would often take my younger brother and sister and me to a lake. There was a wonderful place to fish for perch that very few people knew about, and we children loved to perch fish. It was such a thrill to see the cork begin to bobble and then suddenly go completely out of sight. There were very few things that I liked better than jerking back on that old cane pole and landing a huge perch. Dad had a good reason for having us catch those perch. They were what he used for bait on the trotline that he had stretched out across one of the secret coves at the lake.

Dad and family on fishing trip
Dad would drive the boat over to the place where his trotline was located. Then he would cut off the boat motor and inch the boat across the water as he ran the trotline. That’s what he called it when he would hold onto to the trotline with his hands and pull the boat alongside all the hooks he had baited in hopes that he had caught a big catfish. A trotline was like having about twenty-five fishing poles baited and placed all the way across the lake.

I loved to perch fish, but it was an even greater thrill when Dad would get to a place where the trotline rope would begin to jerk almost out of his hand. That meant he had hooked a fish. It was then that all three of us children would watch, wideeyed, as Dad wrestled with that line until finally, in victory, he would flip that huge catfish over the side of the boat, right at our feet. Money could never buy that kind of excitement! The circus and a carnival all rolled up into one couldn’t give us that kind of a thrill.

One of those outings proved to be more exciting than most, turning out to be an action-packed experience that I will never forget. It had been a beautiful day when we started out, but by the time we finished our perch fishing and were headed toward the trotline, everything changed. A storm came up on the lake so suddenly there was no time to get back to the boat dock. The sky turned black, lightning was flashing, and drops of rain were falling so hard that they stung our skin when they hit. Then, moments later, we were in the middle of a hailstorm with large, marble-sized hail.

I could see the fear in my mother’s eyes, and I knew we were in danger. But before I had time to wonder what we were going to do, Dad had driven the boat to the rugged shoreline of the only island on the lake. There are many boat docks that surround the island now, but back then it looked like an abandoned island with absolutely no place to take refuge from the storm. In just moments Dad had us all out of the boat and ordered the three of us to lie down beside our mother on the ground. Quickly pulling a canvas tarp out of the bottom of the boat, he knelt down on the ground beside us and pulled that tarp up over all five of us. That storm raged outside the homemade tent he had made—the rain beat down, the lightning flashed, and the thunder rolled. But all I could think about was how it felt to have his arms around us. There was a certain peace that is hard to explain as we lay there under the protection of the shield my father had provided. In fact, I had never felt as safe and secure in my entire life. I can remember thinking that I wished the storm would last forever. I didn’t want anything to spoil the wonderful security I felt that day—there in our secret hiding place. Feeling my father’s strong, protective arms around me, I wanted it to never end.

Although I have never forgotten that experience when we were fishing at the lake, today it has taken on new meaning. Just as Dad put a tarp over us to shield us from the storm, our heavenly Father has a secret place in His arms that protects us from the storms that are raging in the world around us.

Fear is running rampant in the world today. Even children who have the security of a home filled with the love of a mother and father cannot help but sense the growing anxiety that is plaguing our schools, our streets, our newspapers, and our televisions. Suicides are becoming a common occurrence. But did you know that this place in God is real for anyone who wants to seek refuge in Him? It is a literal place of physical safety and security that God tells us about in this Psalm 91.

This secret place is literal, but it is also conditional! In verse 1 of Psalm 91 God lists our part of the condition before He even mentions the promises included in His part. That’s because our part has to come first. To abide in the shadow of the Almighty, we must first choose to dwell in the shelter of the Most High.

The question is, how do we dwell in the security and shelter of the Most High? It is more than an intellectual experience. This verse speaks of a dwelling place in which we can be physically protected if we run to Him. You may utterly believe that God is your refuge, and you may give mental assent to it in your prayer time, but unless you actually get up and run to the shelter—you will never experience it. I call that place of refuge a love walk!

Most children have a secret hideout where they feel all safe and secure, hidden away from the whole world. They need to be taught, however, that those places where they feel protected are nice, but a hideout cannot keep them safe from everything. It will be life changing, however, when they are told that there is a place of shelter that will keep them protected from every evil this world has ever known. What a treasure you are leaving them when you teach them that God says He is a place of real safety from any bad thing they can think of in the whole earth—if they will run to Him. And how do they run to God? They don’t run there with their feet. They run to God with their heart! They need to be taught that they are running to God every time they think about Him—every time they tell the Lord that they love Him.

Cullen and Meritt
When our grandchildren Cullen and Meritt were young, they would often stay the night with us. The moment they finished breakfast, each would run to his own secret place to spend some time talking with God. Cullen found a place behind the couch in the den, and Meritt headed behind the lamp table in the corner of our bedroom. Those places became very special to them.

Where is your secret place? Everyone needs the security and shelter of a secret place with the Most High.

4/29/13

Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn

Guideposts Books is celebrating the release of their new Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn series with a fun giveaway and a Facebook party on May 9th.

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One fortunate winner will receive:
  • A Nook HD
  • Seaside Harmony and Sunflower Summer by Evangeline Kelley
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 8th. Winner will be announced at the Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/9. Connect with Patti Berg, Pam Andrews, Barbara Hanson, and Camy Tang (who collaborated together under the pen name, Evangeline Kelley) for an evening of book chat, trivia, and fun! There will also be great giveaways (gift certificates, books, and more) as well as a sneak peek at the next book in the series!

My Thoughts:
Well, I've only read Sunflower Summer, but I really enjoyed it--more than I thought I would.  Sunflower Summer is actually the second book in the series.  I wish I had read them in order, but this novel does stand alone well.  The characters are unique and lovable.  The story moves quickly with a hint of mystery.  There is a little bit of repetition (mostly of the characters thoughts and ruminations); however, I would definitely recommend this book/series.  Focusing on three sisters who have joined together to open a Bed and Breakfast in Nantucket, Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn is a sweet series.  It is a fun, quick read-perfect for beach or vacation reading!  I did receive my copy free in exchange for my honest review.

So grab your copies of Seaside Harmony and Sunflower Summer and join readers just like you on the evening of May 9th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!

4/25/13

Sweet sanctuary

To celebrate the release of  Sweet Sanctuary Kim Vogel Sawyer is giving away a Cupcake Club membership (monthly cupcake delivery!) from the amazing Magnolia Bakery in New York and hosting a Facebook Author Chat party {4/30}!
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The book tells the story of single mother, Lydia Eldredge and her quest to keep her son, Nicky safe from his drug addict father.  When Dr. Micah Hatcher is brought back into Lydia's life, God clearly has a plan for them, but not without  some risks.  This book reminds me of my favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do."  The story clearly demonstrates God's hand in our lives and the tasks he gives us in order to bless us further.  

I was immediately drawn into the story, curious about the back-story and the characters.  The story swept me along as I followed the lives of Lydia, Micah, and their families.  It is a sweet story with a good message and strong theme.  I would not hesitate to recommend this author.  You can see my review of In Every Heartbeat here.
(I did receive a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

And Now for the Giveaway:

One "sweet" winner will receive:


    • Cupcakes from NYC’s Magnolia Bakery delivered to your door every month. (Eat them all yourself or share!)

    • Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer for you and four of your friends. (Start a book group — cupcakes and a "sweet" read!)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the "Sweet Sanctuary" Author Chat Party on 4/30. Connect with Kim, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be fun giveaways - gift certificates, books, and more!


So grab your copy of Sweet Sanctuary and join Kim on the evening of April 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)



Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!

4/23/13

When Jesus Wept

Bodie and Brock Thoene are icons in the Christian fiction world.  They have written over 65 books and won 8 Gold Medallion Awards.  Those numbers alone speak to the talent of these authors!  In When Jesus Wept, they turn to Biblical fiction and focus on Lazarus and his relationship with Jesus.  The characters and settings are vivid and real.  The novel succeeds in bringing the Bible stories to life.  When reading Biblical fiction, I always recommend going back to the source to read what His Word says.  That is the Truth!   This book is a work of fiction; therefore, much is left to speculation.  Although, the Thoene's work to stay true to the scriptures.  I don't necessarily believe every conclusion that the authors include in the novel, I did enjoy the book.  It helped me to imagine the lives of that time period and what it would be like to live and witness Jesus on earth.  It also had me thinking about different aspects of the relationships between Jesus and his followers.  The Thoene's are talented and well-loved authors, and this is another good one--especially if you are fans of Biblical fiction.  I did receive my copy free in exchange for my honest review.

Celebrate the release of When Jesus Wept with the Thoenes by entering their iPad Mini giveaway and RSVPing to their {4/23} Facebook Author Chat party!

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One fortunate winner will receive:
  • A brand new iPad Mini
  • A book club kit - 10 copies of When Jesus Wept
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "When Jesus Wept" Author Chat Party on 4/23. Connect with the Thoenes, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Jerusalem Chronicles series, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be fun giveaways - gift certificates, books, and more!


So grab your copy of When Jesus Wept and join Bodie and Brock on the evening of the April 23rd for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!



4/22/13

Tales of the Defended Ones with iPad Giveaway and Facebook party

Last summer, I read Tales of the Unforgotten Ones, which brought me to tears more than once!!  So I jumped at the chance to read and review Beth Guckenberger's new book, Tales of the Defended Ones.  This one is just as emotional with stirring stories and great additions.  Each story includes things like prayers, scriptures, journal entries, definitions and other interesting facts.  The vivid depictions of life outside our normal daily lives is a difficult, but necessary reality to face.  It is beautiful to see how God defends His people!  I would definitely recommend this inspiring book!  (I did receive my copy for free in exchange for my honest review.)


Beth Guckenberger is celebrating the release of her new book in the Storyweaver series, Tales of the Defended Ones, with an iPad giveaway and Facebook party {4/25}. 


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 One fortunate winner will receive:
  • An iPad Mini
  • A Tales of the Defended Ones small group kit (books and DVD)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 24th. Winner will be announced at the "Storyweaver" Author Chat Party on April 25th. Beth will be chatting with guests, answering questions, and offering tips about beginning a dialog with children and youth about the orphans around the world, the basic needs of children living in poverty, and what we can all do to help. (It’s okay if you haven’t read the book – who knows, you might WIN a copy!) Beth will also be hosting a fun trivia contest and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, and more!)

My Thoughts:


So grab your copy of Tales of the Defended Ones and join Beth and friends on the evening of the April 25th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 25th!

Ephesians

EphesiansBibleStudybuttonEphesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose for Christ. Join the online Bible study (4/15 -6/7) with Sue Edwards! And invite your friends to join you.

Between April 15 and June 17 Sue will be posting weekly on the Year of Discovery Facebook Page and interacting with groups and individuals around the country going through the study at the same time. Women will be able to discuss the study with each other and ask questions via Facebook.

Completing each lesson requires about one-and-a-half hours. Readers still receive in-depth Bible study but with a minimum time commitment. For those who desire a more thorough study, including an opportunity to learn more about the history, culture and geography related to the Bible, Edwards has provided “Digging Deeper” questions. Answering these questions may require outside resources such as an atlas, Bible dictionary or concordance and challenge readers to examine complex theological issues and differing views more closely.

More about the Ephesians study: This insightful Bible study uses the example of Paul’s church in Ephesus to show readers how they can be victorious Christians, living in God’s Word, and free from sin. Part of the discovery series, the Ephesians edition includes tips for either individual or group use, inspirational sidebars and short, 3-5 minute teaching videos.

Purchase a copy of Ephesians and join the on-line Bible study today.
“Ephesians” Online Bible Study – JOIN ME!

My thoughts: I have been working through this book, but I just may join the online study too!  It is a good study, with some really neat features.  There are video links to check out with each chapter.  Also included are thoughtful questions, interesting quotes, and options for doing further study on your own. With each week there is a simple, but useful prayer log.  I love the book of Ephesians, and I love the idea of "Discovering your identity and purpose for Christ!"  What an important theme!  I would recommend this study and I will probably check out some of the other "Discover Together" series!

I did receive a free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

4/15/13

Love at Any Cost

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Julie Lessman.  She is one of my favorites!  Her books are well-written, fun to read, and always have a strong Christian message.  Love at any Cost fits that description and more.

Cassie McClare heads to San Fransisco to live with her cousins after her fiance breaks her heart by leaving her when her family's wells ran dry.    She swears off "pretty boys," but runs smack into Jamie McKenna exiting her train.  Jamie turns out to be one of her cousins best friends and the two grow close.  Unfortunately, he is also hoping to marry into money.  Cassie finds herself confused multiple times, as does Jamie.  The two are on a journey toward trust and growth.

I loved this book!  The characters are quirky and fun.  There is relationship, romance, and various trials to overcome, as well as great spiritual growth.  I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend this or any of Julie Lessman's books.

I did receive a copy for free in exchange for my honest review.  


4/3/13

Win a Kindle Fire from @Regina Jennings and RSVP for 4/4 Facebook Party!

Regina Jennings is celebrating the release of Love in the Balance with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on 4/4!


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One "lovely" winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire 
  • A copy of Regina's Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Love in the Balance" Author Chat Party on April 4th. Connect with Regina, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!

Now for my thoughts:
This is an enjoyable read.  "Love in the Balance" is book two of the Ladies of Caldwell County series, but it stands alone quite well.  The characters are well-rounded and the growth and development is strong.  The events and decisions of the main characters worked together to refine them and develop them into better and stronger individuals.  I didn't always like their decisions and the outcomes; however they always fit the character and plot-line.  Overall, this book has strong writing, three-dimensional characters, and a pretty good story.  I plan to read more by Jennings!  (I did receive a free e-copy in exchange for my honest review.)

So grab your copy of Love in the Balance and join Regina on the evening of April 4th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!