Book Launch Photo Preview: Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful

This book.... it moves my heart...it pushes me to know Him more...to be intimate with Him...a testimony of Hope sharing that we are all broken, yet beautiful.... worth the investment...


A meme walk through concepts of the book, that I need to review, focus on, internalize, and live... Katie Davis Major has a gift with words and puts concepts into real life perspective with power and motivation....







All day I'll be adding more meme's to inspire you to order this book, or ask your local library to order it for you!

Book Review: Walk it Out by Tricia Goyer Releasing October 1st

The Lord is speaking to me this summer, through many book launches, around similar concepts, each written from a different person's perspective or lens of the world.  This book is another book that reminds me where my focus needs to be....on Him, Who He is, In His Word, Hearing His call...  This theme is addressed again in a book that shared new strategies on following God in the broken, real, struggles He puts in our lives, and then seeing Radical responses!



You can still pre-order the book and get these free gifts....



This book is Tricia Goyer's testimony of learning that serving God (feeling she owed Him so much for her salvation) but yet being completely unfulfilled and feeling distant from God, she discovered that she needed to know God intimately and have a relationship with Him, and that through time in His Word and prayer, her life is very different. It's a common struggle for many of us 'doers' we get caught up in the busyness of serving God, that we stop sitting at His feet and looking at Who He is, and recognizing He alone meets all our needs, and our service bring glory to Him, but only if we serve with His perspective and control, and that requires time with Him. 

It's Mrs. Goyer's testimony of recognizing her life needed to be structured differently. It shares her story, her brokenness and vulnerability, as she learned to walk out her faith by stepping into the Word of God before serving Him. Each chapter covers different aspects and seasons of life, and you feel like she's your best friend, and you are having a heart to heart in the messiness of life, as she shares how she's learned to Walk out her faith in the midst of joy, suffering, struggles, adoption, etc. 




Written as a plan and with ideas and reflections for each chapter/theme,Walk it Out, is a wealth of content and ideas to live your faith as the author shares how in different seasons and opportunities she learned to obey Gods plan for her life. 

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words... here are some book chapter themes...




The style is prescriptive with big picture ideas and strategies to walk out your faith in many dimensions of life. It'd be a great Bible study or book study to process through with your mentors and friends. 





A great perspective shared in the book, but for all us Bible Whisperer's to our children...


Blessed to get an arc PDF to review. All opinions are mine alone.

Need help figuring out your life's purpose, a quiz here to help you process how to Walk Out your faith..

for more info: a podcast



Are you ready.... if you read this book it might help you...

Book Review: Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle

My blog has become a series of book reviews and launches, and yet I believe these books are true to my vision- helping us learn to whisper the Word of God into our own souls, and then to the children we love and influence on a regular basis.  Books encourage my heart.  Today, I want you to meet an Author of four books, three of which I've enjoyed thoroughly.  Her name is Melanie Shankle, from Texas, and I was introduced to her as "Big Mama", as her daughter referred to her, (that daughter started high school this fall) and that's how her blog started.  She's grown a bit, and now goes by her given name.  But I still think of the attention that an author called "Big Mama" made me decide I needed to read her book.  I read Sparkly Green Earrings first a book about seeing Christ's light in parenting, as my end of year school's done celebration in 24 hours. Then I had the library order The Antelope in the Living Room, a book on marriage. Which I also adored and read in a few days!  Somehow in the busyness of life and kids, I missed No One's Cuter than You, but it's on my to read list!  

This book releases October 3, 2017.  Counting down the days, til you can all appreciate it for yourself!

Fun. Relatable. Laugh out loud funny. Easy read. Great vacation or stress reliever book. 

Nothing too convicting, but good pauses to look at God in our day to day lives. 

Spiritual encouragement with lighthearted humor.  But also helps the reader identify purpose in her life, and makes her smile at the author's stories of discovering God in her mundane (which may not seem all that mundane with her humor!)  

Simple biblical truths, encouraging the reader to see God in the little things because "being faithful in the small things, because those are the moments that prepare us for the next thing."

It's a book presented with stories, humor, and even a few tears written in an enjoyable manner with a bit of sass and reality that it takes many by surprise at the humor and boldness. But we all relate and keep reading. In "big mama" style! As I first learned of this author. And loved relaxing with her book.  You can see more about her and her blog at:  ChurchOfTheSmallThings.com   

Quotes I loved as lessons (but you have to read the book to see how the author makes these memorable!): 

• "Because every moment in what some might consider a small life was a moment painted with great love." 
• "When we open ourselves up to the life God has for us, it probably isn't going to feel safe, but it will be infinitely better because it's a life filled with purpose...
• "We can never underestimate the grace and the strength he will give us for whatever he is calling us to do and whatever challenges we'll face."

As a 45 year old woman, we are in the same season of life and history, so I have many connections to her memories and life experiences, but even if you are much younger, you'll get it, she's funny and real. And I enjoy seeing her faith grow wings and her stories share her heart for God. Blessed to join the launch team, but the opinion is my honest review.

The Unseen Way Day 3

Sometimes you read a book and you love it, but you can't talk much about it a few weeks later.  But other times a book inspires you, motivates you, or captures your heart, and somehow you can't leave it behind.  That's how I'm feeling about Sara Hagerty's new book, The Unseen Way, the gift of being hidden in a world that loves to be noticed.

I'm a woman of the Word. I've had a love for it since I learned to read it every day at camp, at age 11, and came home and read through the whole Bible over the next two years.  But I'm also a woman who wants to be productive, to get things done, and sometimes, being in the Word has been a checkmark off the to do list.  But in this season of my life, I've learned it's so much more.  It's the air and nourishment I need to make it through the day.  It's the only source that helps me find joy in the journey and parent with connection and kindness as my focus.  If I miss my time in the Word, the people I love see it very clearly in my behaviors.

I remember a sermon a few years ago by Dr. Fish.  He made the same conclusion- that we are changed by the Word of God and our behavior reflects it.  It can be seen in us.

That's why this book has resonated with me.  Sara Hagerty not only shares her personal testimony of the impact the Word has in her heart, but also illustrations of how God impacts her children in those hard and unseen moments.  She's focusing her heart and theirs on adoration of who God is.  And she shows me how simple and easy it is to walk and talk the Word all through the day and nights of our lives.

On her website, she shares how she's learned to adore God, and even has created a tool that helps teach children the habit of adoration.

I'm learning how to spend time with God- by following Sara Hagerty's creation of the wonder hour, scheduled times in her busy day  to stop and seek Who God Is-- in this moment and how that can help her in that moment in her day, parenting, school, etc.

She models how she prays and her ideas are so simple, yet profound.  She's really showing us her thinking about how to be intimatly aquainted with the Lord and how the Holy Spirit has helped her to put habits in place to remember that God sees, loves, extends grace and rescue, and supports His followers at all times, it's us that forget to look at His face and ask for His help.  

Book Review Part 2: Unseen the Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to be Noticed by Sara Hagerty

I read a lot.  Reading is self care, and in my world, as a wife, Mom, servant of Christ, and educator, I need self care, more like a life line! It's a part of who I am, but as believers and followers of Christ, it's what we are called to do.  How can we know and love God intimately if we don't spend time with Him?  How can we hear Him in those nano second decisions if we aren't in communication with Him?  We can't.  Books come and go, and in this day and age, many books I let the library buy so I can read and share easily, and because I know I won't likely re-read it or consult the book again.  But this book, is so unique and motivating, I've purchased copies for friends who I think will value and find this message timely.  And my amazing library ordered me the audio-book, so that I can listen to it and have it come alive all over again.  

My life has changed drastically in the past year, I've gone from half time educator trainer to stay at home Mom, and that impacted my identity.  And I've learned that I'm okay, but not seeing people (especially more than family) on a day to day basis, has been a big change.  But as this book shares, the hidden, unseen aspects of our lives, are often where real life happens.  And I'm so blessed to have time to spend sitting at the feet of Jesus, talking with God the Father, getting more acquainted with Who He is, and learning to look to Him in all things both wonderful and broken, as I know the Lord will Provide.  

This book helped me find words for this journey and change, and inspired me with ways to include my children.  I love the perspective of thinking, What does God think about ____? What does God think about me with_____? and realizing the answers are clear- He loves me, He's here with me, He's providing for me, He's blessed by me, and I am His and for His glory.  And that's a better perspective than any other, and learning to live in light of this truth is a great focus.  

Book Review: Unseen The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to Be Noticed

This book is a gift and treasure.

It inspired me to live a life that is deeper in relationship with God. It's practical, engaging, full of scripture, and yet a book that draws you to stop, think, digest, and process the ideas given. I will re-read this book to soak in the ideas and even to remember how Sara Hagerty shares her poetic words of how she adores God til she knows it's true in her life!  And Sara Hagerty is a Mom to six beautiful children, and she shares how she communicates these concepts with her children and prays that they will be rooted and grounded in the Word.  She's a natural whisperer of the Word to children and adults.

If you pre-order, there are beautiful freebies!  http://sarahagerty.net/pre-order-unseen

Sara Hagerty shares her personal stories and connects the story of Mary's extravagant love poured out vulnerably at Jesus feet, to a lifestyle of seeking Him in all seasons, but especially in the hidden aspects of life.

Authors often become kindred spirits or mentors to the reader, and Sara Hagerty, is that for me. I adored her first book, Every Bitter Thing is Sweet when I discovered it several years ago, I love how she ends each chapter with scriptures for further review. And I'm half way through writing out the scriptures from Unseen in my journal, and processing small steps to see God more intimately and to fall in love more deeply with Him.

I can't wait for the Bible Study to be released that goes along side this book, and it will be free on the website www.sarahagerty.net/unseen. I'm going to need a whole series on my blog to share all the aspects of the book with the world, as it's a gem with so much richness, I'm inspired, encouraged, and learning how to have a fuller, hidden life with God, where I use the white space in my life to seek Him.

I'm blessed to be on the launch team for this book, inspired by the emphasis on praying for the book release, and the readers whose hands it will be placed in, that they would find God and fall more in love with Him this fall (or in the future). I certainly have, and I've pre-ordered several copies as gifts for several friends who will find inspiration.

I'll end with a list of a few things I believe are possible for the readers of this book:
*re-frame your life in God and before others by asking questions like: What does God think of this? and What does God think of me?
*see a fresh revelation of the story of Mary at Bethany sitting at Jesus feet.
*create a wonder hour to look at God more purposefully.
*find your own rhythm to adore and pray more intimately with God (and it's done without guilt!)
*love the Word of God more.
*look at Who God is.
*recognize how to practice God's love.
*lean in to Him.
*recognize you are seen by God alone (Psalm 139- woven together intimately).
*develop deeper intimacy with God.
*find that you can embrace living a life hidden before God, out of the limelight, but ever present to Him.

Kregel Book Review: A Pair of Miracles: A Story of Austim, Faith, Determined Parenting by Karla Akins

Thanks Kregel for the opportunity to review another book.  As a trained elementary teacher with a heart for special needs kids. This book interested me immensely.  I'm also a twin, so I love to learn about other twins.

This book is written by an adoptive mother and pastor's wife, and she is a follower of Christ who knows that God will bless her and her family and will faithfully provide the help needed.
This book covers a few different dimensions:
1) It defines autism, shares strategies for navigating school, medical, and other services.
2) It shares personal challenges, struggles, prayers, stories, and successes.
3) It's a spiritual tool kit (as the back cover states.) This, to me, was the most impressive aspect.  The first chapters are about self care- recognizing the grief and God's goodness in all things.  The author successfully shares how her faith impacted her parenting, how God provided for their needs, and she shares scriptures and thoughts that are encouraging and help ground other people (parents, teachers, helpers,...) who work with kids who are challenged.
4) It offers practical tips that would apply to any parent of a special needs child.  She uses section headers within chapters, bulleted lists, and italics very well to make it simple to read, easy to find what you need, in a short amount of time.  But her tips are quality, and very valid, and helpful.  Especially for an overwhelmed parent new to this frontier and feeling lost or hopeless.  Many tips might seem obvious to some, but when you are in the role of parent/guardian/protector for a child who cannot communicate easily or at all, it's easy to forget where to start.  (i.e. showering is part of her school routine, as it's not natural or easy for her boys.).
5) Appendixes- these are very helpful, all in one place, and essential for newbies to autism.  Occupational Therapy (including tantrum or meltdown chart), Reinforcers/Rewards for school/home, Fidget toys, Functional Skills Checklist, Further Resources (books and websites).  These are AWESOME and tried and true.

This book is easy to read and follow, but is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. It's so easy to find technical books that can loose a parent, and it's getting easier to find spiritual support as a parent of special needs, but to find one that includes both is a rare jewel.

I knew about autism, I've sat at IEP meetings as a parent and as a teacher, I've taught new teachers how to manage behavior in a classroom.   This book does it's job well, and was a great review for me to skim parts, and really read parts.  But as a parent of a child with different special needs, I found the spiritual principles integrated in her advice-  were spot on... represent your child with humble boldness, know you aren't alone, Jesus is there providing an advocate.  I also liked her explanations of how to be an 'intense' parent who has high standards for those who interact with her children, but how to identify the right type of people to add to the support team.  

It's my joy to read. It's my pleasure to review books.  It's a blessing when I enjoy them and find them easy to recommend, but I'm allowed to share my thoughts honestly.  Thank you Kregel for an excellent resource I can eagerly recommend to those who need it.