NLT Facebook page giveaway!

Dear Friends,
Wanted to let you know about a great giveaway happening over at the New Living Translation Facebook page.
Here are the NLT Facebook page giveaway details:

From today until December 24th at the New Living Translation Facebook page we're giving away lots of great prizes and something free for you just for singing up.

By visiting the giveaway entry page (located on the NLT Facebook page, the link is under the profile picture) and entering your name and e-mail address you'll be entered to win the following prizes:

One random person each day will win a Life Application Study Bible Family Pack (Guys Life Application Study Bible hc, Girls Life Application Study Bible hc, Student's Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible Large Print hc).
One Random person each week will win an Apple iPad 2!
Everyone that signs up gets a free download copy of the Life Application Bible Study – Book of Luke!

The Realms Thereunder

I just finished reading The Realms Thereunder by Ross Lawhead....it took me much longer to read this book than it normally takes and I was so happy to be done with it! I absolutely could not get in to this book....it had a crazy story-line and just did not make sense to me. The main characters have found themselves in a different dimension and while trying to figure out how to get home they run in to all kinds of strange characters and obstacles. The idea sounds like a good story-line for a book...but I wasn't impressed with the way it was written. There were way too many characters and they basically all did the same thing over and over....there was much too much killing and blood....and the ending left you thinking that there will be another book where the main characters Daniel and Freya will do the same thing for another 300+ pages! I did get a little enjoyment out of the chapter with the gnomes and he did throw a little mystery into the last chapter...but other than that I did not enjoy the book. I'm sure that there are people that would enjoy this book.....but I cannot recommend it.
I was sent a free copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

When the Hurt Runs Deep

The subtitle for Kay Arthur’s book “When the Hurt Runs Deep” is Healing and Hope for Life’s Desperate Moments! All of us have found ourselves in those desperate moments from time to time…deep hurts that may have been caused by our own actions or the actions of others. Have you ever asked God “why me”? Have you ever wondered if the pain would ever go away? Do you ever find yourself wondering if you have anything left to hope for? This Author understands the questions because she has gone through those moments herself and through her own insight and the Words of the Lord she helps the reader to work through the tough spots and walk towards Hope and Healing. Through key principles she helps us to see that pain doesn’t have to destroy us, but that it can be a path that leads us to greater strength. She gives us 12 amazing “Healing Truths” to remember when your hurt runs deep. One of my favorites is #6.…”Nothing that has ever happened to you has escaped God’s notice. You can trust that He will bring to account everyone who has hurt you, in His time and in His way.” If you are hurting and need Hope and Healing I recommend this book!

I was given a copy of “When the Hurt Runs Deep” by Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review.

The Betrayal

New York Times Best Selling Author Jerry B. Jenkins has another hit! The Betrayal is a fast-moving novel that is set in the Chicago PD Precinct 11. Detective Boone Drake has just led a major sting that brought down the top people of the biggest street gangs in Chicago….and also leaders of the old crime syndicate. He has been seriously injured in a shooting while protecting the key witness in the operation. It’s apparent there is a leak within the Chicago PD and Boone tries to put the pieces together. Things point to someone close to Boone and he is wondering who he can trust. Could it be Haeley Lamonica, the new love of his life? Through this action-packed story you will find the answer.
I had not read the previous book in the Precinct 11 series, but I did not feel that it took anything away from my enjoyment of The Betrayal. The only complaint I would have about the book is that there were a few too many characters involved and became a bit confusing at times. Other than that it was a book I enjoyed and would recommend to others.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of The Betrayal by Tyndale House in exchange for my honest review.

Women of Faith 2011

Our Women of Faith weekend was fabulous! What a blessing to be able to share it all with my daughter Sarah. Laughter, tears, worship, fellowship, encouragement.....all of it was just what we needed. Sheila Walsch reminded us that when we feel lost our Shepherd knows right where to find us! Nicole Johnson brought us to both laughter and tears through her dramatic skits. The Worship Team led us in amazing worship and Natalie Grant thrilled us with her voice. And Mary Mary......well, they just make my feet want to dance! Down to earth Lucy Swindoll reminded us to live in this moment.....that this moment is a gift....and we don't want to miss it by regretting the past or by yearning too much for the future. And Angie Smith.....What a precious addition to the Women of Faith Family! Her story touched our hearts and her humor touched our souls.
This Women of Faith weekend will always be a special memory for me......and I'm already looking forward to the next one!

It’s going to be an amazing weekend!! Not only do I get to spend it with my beautiful Daughter…..but we get to spend it at Women of Faith in St Paul. I have been to Women of Faith several times and I have never been disappointed. Wonderful speakers, great music, and amazing fellowship with thousands of other Christian women…..what could be better? At Women of Faith I have cried at things that have touched a place deep in my heart, I have laughed at things that I can relate to, and I have developed long-lasting relationships with the women I have shared the experience with. I have listened to Steven Curtis Chapman share the experience of the tragic loss of a child, I have received help with my anxieties from the encouragement of Patsy Clairmont, and I have been revived in my spirit watching the antics of Anita Renfroe. So if you have the chance to attend a Women of Faith this year……do everything in your power to get there. You won’t be disappointed…..and you just might be blessed!

A Conversation With God

Who wouldn't want to have a conversation with God and find out what the real answers to life are? Of course, this book isn't actually written by God, it’s written by Alton Gansky. I was a little skeptical when I first saw the book….how could a mere man speak for God and know how God would answer our questions about life? But the author actually does a really good job of searching the Bible (which is, of course, God's Word) to find the answers to questions that people wrestle with....."God, How can we believe you created us?"...."How do we know the Bible is accurate?"....."Is Jesus really Your Son?"...."What is Heaven like?"....."Is there really such a place as hell?"....and many others. The author also has Jesus, Luke, Peter, Lazarus of Bethany, and many other Biblical characters answering the questions as well. As you read the book you may want to check for yourself the actual Scripture passages that the author has gleaned the answers from……they can be found at the back of the book. So....if you have unanswered questions or know someone who is struggling with questions about Christianity and you want to know how to help them, take a look at this book.

The Final Hour

Andrew Klavan is one of my favorite Thriller authors….and he certainly did not disappoint me with Book Four of the Homelander Series….”The Final Hour”. Teen-ager Charlie West is in prison for the death of a friend. And not just any prison, but Abingdon Prison, where beatings are a daily occurrence and death seems to be moments away. Because of something he sees in flash-backs of a time before being sent to prison, he knows that the remaining members of the Homelanders are planning a terrorist attack on NYC. But getting someone to believe him seems impossible. He feels like there is no way out until an unlikely group within the prison asks him to join them in a prison break….and he makes the decision to go with them. Through many twists and turns, including flying and landing a small plane, he finds help on the outside and at the very last moment stops Prince from setting off a device of poisonous gas in Times Square on Year‘s eve….and in so doing saves millions of lives! A great ending to a wonderful series.
So….if you love a fast-paced thriller that leaves your head spinning….this book is for you! I highly recommend it!

Out of A Far Country

“Out of A Far Country” is written by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan, a Mother and Son who traveled a troubled and dangerous road through homosexuality, drugs, and prison that eventually led them both back home. Christopher was the Son of Chinese immigrants who felt as a young child that he was somehow different from other kids and these feelings led him into a gay lifestyle. His Mother Angela was so distraught with her son’s choices and the fear of what might happen to him that she tried everything in her power to “change” him. When she felt like she was absolutely at the end of her rope God showed up in an interesting turn of events and she realized that not only was her Son a Prodigal, but she was as well. She gave her life to the Lord and gave her fears for her Son to God and began to trust Him with he results. Angela started praying and fasting for her Son, spending many hours on her knees in her makeshift prayer closet. When Christopher was imprisoned for drug dealing instead of being fearful she had a calm assurance that God was going to work in his life while he was in prison…..and He certainly did! While in prison Christopher found out that he had been infected and was HIV positive…..but more importantly he found God in prison which turned his life in a direction that he never thought possible and eventually it led him back home.
This is a powerful story of hope, love, forgiveness, and redemption….it is amazing to see the way God works in the lives of this Mother and Son. I highly recommend this book.

"When Sparrows Fall"

I am reviewing the book “When Sparrows Fall” by Meg Moseley that I received free from Water Brook Multnomah Publishing Group. I first thought that this was going to be a typical story about a young widowed Mother who falls for the Brother-in-law when he steps in to help. That did happen, but it became much more than that! Miranda, who had been repressed by an overbearing husband and a controlling Pastor, had some secrets in her past. But she wasn’t the only one with secrets. The Pastor also had some and because of the scandal that would ensue if his indiscretions were found out, he was leaving town and taking his entire congregation with him. When Miranda took a terrible fall off the cliffs behind her home her husband’s brother was called to help. She had only met him once, but in that one visit she saw someone who she could trust her children with. And she also found that she could trust her secrets with him as well. Together they worked through the mire of her life, helped the Pastor’s wife leave her abusive husband, and let the Church members know why the Pastor was moving them away. This is a good love story with several intriguing twists…..I recommend it!

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews is a New York Times best-selling author and his latest book is "The Final Summit". This book takes place 28 years after David Ponder found the Seven Decisions for life in "The Traveler's Gift". In this book Gabriel appears to David and gives him the ominous challenge of finding the answer that will allow humankind to carry on...and the answer must be in the form of two words. As in the first book the main character in this book meets people from the past who are there to assist him in coming up with the answer. Fellow "travelers", including Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc, and George Washington Carver, give David what they feel was the key to their success and what they believe to be the critical answer. After several unsuccessful tries and as time is running out, they finally come up with the correct 2 word answer that will save humanity!

This book is at times a bit confusing, but it is interesting, fast-paced, and fun to see who is on the scene next to help David Ponder! If you enjoy parables, suspense, and a bit of history....you will enjoy this book!

Voices of the Faithful

Do you have a heart for Missions and want to hear more about what is happening on the Mission Fields…….then you will want to read Book 2 of “Voices of the Faithful”. It is a series of daily devotionals compiled by Kim P. Davis and written by Missionaries currently serving in other countries. This book not only inspires the reader to courageously spread the Good News to those on our “mission field”, but it also is a wonderful source of information about the cultures of other countries and religions. In reading this book I have learned things about other religions that I had never heard before. One thing that really made an impression is that when Muslims are being wooed by the Holy Spirit they have dreams about Jesus……then as they are later approached by someone with the Gospel message they understand who the Missionary is talking about. It is also made clear to the reader that new believers in many countries do not have the freedom to express their new beliefs…..in fact, they are many times shunned by family, persecuted by governments, or perhaps even martyred for their new faith. This is definitely a book that I am recommending.