Begin Again

The Brave Practice of Releasing Hurt & Receiving Rest

Published April 3rd 2018 

by Fleming H. Revell Company

"Always we begin again."--St. Benedict

What do we do when we feel stuck, restless, cornered in our own lives? 
We can shut down. Or we can begin again.

To begin again is to open the window, even an inch, to let the breeze of grace come in. It is a call to open our hands when all we want to do is clench our fists.

Join Leeana Tankersley as she shares a journey of beginning again--in her relationships, in her faith practices, and with herself. Her small, daily shifts dramatically influenced her larger ways of doing and being, allowing her to trade trying for trust, striving for surrender. If you've been feeling stuck, Leeana's life-giving words will show you how to forgive yourself, develop new and healthier patterns of living, and do away with resentment and regret. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BAKER BOOK HOUSE

My Thoughts:

As the New Year approached I made plans for things I would like to do, projects I wanted to accomplish, and goals I wanted to reach.  As the clock turns everything feels fresh and new, but as the day brightens my routine is the same.  I often wonder why I never get anything accomplished or so it seems.  I do think I'm alone in my thoughts and feelings, but unfortunately I'm not.  

When I saw the cover for this book my first thought was the flowers reminded me of spring and the beautiful colors coming.  When I read the excerpt I thought this is a book I would enjoy reading and I did.  It was sort of like opening a window into my heart.  It reminded me from the first page that wherever you are in your life, you can begin again, whether it's a new day, month, season, year or even hour.  The author opens her heart and shares her story of the valleys she's fought and the mountains she has climbed during her life.  She's very open about her struggles.  

This is a well written book that is easy to navigate through and understand.  Leeana Tankersley reminds us that no matter what struggles you are facing today there is another chapter in you story.   The pages are full of both inspiration and faith.  

This is a book that would be great for anyone.  

*I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program.  I was not expected to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

All She Left Behind

Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s is an unforgiving place--especially for a single mother. To support herself and her young son, Jennie finds work caring for an older woman. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman's widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal--but the road forward is uncertain. 

Published September 5th 2017

 by Fleming H. Revell Company 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER BOOK HOUSE

Meet the Author:

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than 30 books, including A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader's Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award, USABestBooks, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Medallion Award. Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry. 

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My Thoughts:

This is a heartbreaking story that quickly weaved it's way into my heart.  

I was quickly swept away to the Oregon frontier during the 1870's.  This book is based on the true story of Jennie Pickett.  Jennie quickly weaves her way into my heart. She was a young woman who has faced personal challenges all her life, but she has dreams and aspirations.  After the loss of her infant daughter she has a desire to help women and children with what we now know as essential oils.  She is a complex character that her turmoil is shown through raw and real emotions. Coming to the realization that her husband was drinking heavily, at times putting her son in harms way, and that her husband didn't support her dreams I think was a turning point in her life. She is a woman to be admired for her determination and inspiration.  This story takes on some tough issues that in the 1870's were not discussed and very little if anything was truly known about.  

This story has so many elements......personal and family challenges, grief, turmoil, dreams, and lots of faith.  After closing the last page I find myself still thinking about the characters.  This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who loves history, an inspirational story, or who loves hearing about strong women. 

*I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Faithful Friday

 

Published November 1st 2015

 by B&H Books 


Synopsis:
 
Thirty years in the making, Audacious is a deep dive into the message that has compelled Beth Moore to serve women around the globe. Glancing over the years of ministry behind her and strengthening her resolve to the call before her, she came to the realization that her vision for women was incomplete. It lacked something they were aching for. Something Jesus was longing for. Beth identifies that missing link by digging through Scripture, unearthing life experiences, and spotlighting a turning point with the capacity to infuse any life with holy passion and purpose. What was missing? Well, let's just say, it's audacious and it's for all of us. And it's the path to the life you were born to live. 

Meet the Author:



Beth founded Living Proof Ministries in 1994 with the purpose of teaching women how to love and live on God’s Word. She has written numerous books and Bible studies, including Breaking Free, Believing God, and When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, that have been read by women of all ages, races, and denominations. Through the years, American missionaries and expatriates have taken the Bible studies overseas, resulting in Beth Moore Bible study groups popping up all over the world. Beth’s Living Proof Live conferences have taken her to thirty-nine states since 1994 and have been attended by more than 421,000 women. God has graciously given her the opportunity to speak to the body of Christ in many different countries, including Ireland, England, Singapore, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and India. With great joy, she began a radio ministry in 2004 called Living Proof with Beth Moore.
Ever the storyteller, Beth is known to pepper her teaching with stories and poems written from the perspective of pertinent characters. She communicates with great energy, passion, humor, warmth, and grace. 
Beth attends Houston’s First Baptist Church, where she hosts an interdenominational Tuesday-night Bible study for women in her city. Because of her burden for unity in the body of Christ, Beth counts serving women of all denominations as one of her greatest privileges in life. 
Beth and Keith praise God for 28 years of marriage. They enjoy traveling, hiking, drinking coffee on the back porch, eating Mexican food, making each other laugh, walking their dogs, Beanie and Sunny, and being grandparents. Amanda and her husband, Curtis, serve at a church in the Dallas area and have a one-year-old son named Jackson. Melissa, who shares her mother’s appreciation for the Greek language, is completing her Master’s degree in Biblical exegesis.  


My Thoughts:

Beth Moore has written several powerful books, but this is my first one.  When the opportunity came available to review this book I jumped at the chance.    Up until this year I had not read many nonfiction books about faith, but I must admit this is one I truly enjoyed, but I did not agree with everything she presented. 
 The book is written in a very easy to read style, almost like sitting and having a conversation. The first few pages were hard to get through, but necessary. She shares stories that will keep the reader not only entertained, but drawn into her insights. She has set the book up strategically that each chapter pulls the reader deeper in.  The first chapter gives background for writing of the book and chapter four actually examines the word "audacious".  Chapter 7 is where she takes a look at the personal journey an individual takes when following Christ.  This chapter touched me deeply.  She gives powerful quotes and great insight into walking in a closer relationship with Christ. 
This may have been the first book from Beth Moore that I have read, but it will not be the last.  I do recommend this book to any woman who want to enrich their lives and walk closer with Christ.  
**I received this book from BH Lifeway free for a honest review without bias or outside influence.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  
 

In His Steps

A Modern-Day Challenge in the Tradition of Charles Sheldon's Classic

In His Steps

 

Published May 1st 2016

 by Shiloh Run Press  

Synopsis:

Charles Sheldon’s WWJD? was a significant challenge in its time, but God calls us to do more than wait until we are facing a decision and then choose to do what we think Jesus would do. We are to incarnate Christ in our time, being conscious of the presence and power of God within us in all of our thoughts and actions. This is what pastor Steve Long wants his congregation to understand. When Long challenges his prominent but self-satisfied congregation to become a living force for Christ in their small North Georgia town, he is blindsided by personal trials. Responding to Christ’s command “As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” Pastor Long tackles these difficult situations—and more—over a tumultuous week of trials and testing and ultimately learns (as he leads) what it means to walk In His Place.

Meet the Author:

  

Harry C. Griffith is an attorney by education, graduating from the University of Mississippi Law School as editor-in-chief of the Mississippi Law Journal and winner of the Phi Delta Phi Award as Outstanding Law Graduate. After serving in the Army JAG Corps, he became a corporate attorney and then executive, rising to the position of vice president-administration before accepting God's call into full-time Christian work as a layperson.
He founded the Bible Reading Fellowship in the United States in 1971 and served as its president for twenty-seven years. He was also executive director of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer for eleven years and executive officer during the formation years of the Anglican Mission in America. He was a cofounder of Faith Alive, a lay witnessing ministry, and Adventures in Ministry, a lay ministry organization.

He has had more than twenty books published on a wide range of subjects: prayer, Bible study, evangelism, lay ministry, and marriage. His publishers include Tyndale, Zondervan, Eerdmans, and A. R. Mowbray (England).
Harry has been called a Christian entrepreneur because of his varied and creative ministries over the years. He is a speaker, writer, teacher, poet, lawyer, business executive, husband, father, grandfather, and founder of several Christian and business organizations. He has also held a wide range of positions in civic, service, business, and political organizations. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES 

CHRISTIANBOOK  

  

My Thoughts:

What a wonderful story!!

How many times do you pray for your pastor and the difficult job he has to do?

After reading this book I began to question myself and have I prayed enough for Bro. Chad and the difficulties he faces leading our small church.  I do pray for Bro. Chad and his family, but I find that maybe I only have a small understanding of the job that he does.  

This story centers around Steve Long who lives in a small town in Georgia and pastors a relatively large church.  When faced with the death of one of his church members he begins to question the role of a church member to his/her fellow members.  It is laid upon his heart to address this in a sermon, but unfortunately this in not well received from the congregation.  Suddenly his small town is shaken by a tragedy that touches almost every home and he faces a situation that forces him to make decisions that can test his very faith.  

This is a very thought provoking story.  I was pulled into the story from page one and with each page I turned I was more captivated.  This story, to me, is denominational free and focused more at the core of Christianity.  The author explores the very heart of the Christian.  For me, this book made me take a long look at not only my own heart, but also my beliefs.  I have always believed that actions speak louder that words.  Do you have to reveal your faith or does the life you live reveal your faith?  That's a big question and one that for some is hard to answer.   

I have to tell you this is a book I would recommend for anyone to read.  The message is one that anyone can relate to.  

**I received this book from Barbour Publishing for a honest review without bias or outside influence.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.