EMBRACED BY GOD by Babbie Mason

[About the book]

Have you ever wondered, "Does God really love me? Do I really matter to him?"

HE LOVES YOU.

As a matter of fact, God loves you just as much as he loves His own Son.

In the pages of this heartwarming, thoughtful and life-affirming 21-day journey, award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and teacher Babbie Mason reminds you, when you know you are loved by God and that you are in His eternal plan, you’ll never again wonder if your life matters.

[About Babbie Mason]

Babbie Mason is a Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated gospel singer, songwriter, author, creator of the Embrace: A Worship Event for Women ministry, professor of songwriting at Atlanta Christian College and Lee University, and a television talk-show host. She was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and has appeared on numerous national television and radio programs. Babbie has been honored perform for Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes among many others. Babbie performs a holiday special at Carnegie Hall every year. Babbie lives near Atlanta on a farm with her husband Charles. 

[Link to buy the book] http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?id=141&pageid=677  

[About the Giveaway and Party]

Embraced by God is a 21-day encounter that shares the unconditional love of God. "If you watch what the media says as to where we should find our identity--" says Babbie, "--money, beauty, power and technology--you'll just be confused about who you are and what your purpose is. As a culture we are trying to buy or sell what can only be administered to the soul by Jesus."

Celebrate with Babbie by entering her Nook Tablet Giveaway!

 

One beloved winner will receive:

• A Brand new Nook Tablet with Wi-Fi
• Embraced by God by Babbie Mason
• Babbie's Embraced by God Music CD
• Babbie's Embraced by God Notecards

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/5/12. Winner will be announced at Babbie's "Embraced" Facebook Party on 3/6

. Babbie will be hosting an evening of chat, music, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, Embraced by God music CDs and Notecards, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club.) 

 

So grab your copy of Embraced by God and join Babbie and friends on the evening of March 6th for an evening of fun.

 

Don't miss a moment of the fun! RSVP today and tell your friends via Facebook or Twitter and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

[My Review]

Embraced by God: Celebrating Who and Whose You Are is a 21 day devotional. There are seven themes that are broken down into three days. Each theme covers a specific subject: God's Passion for You is Unconditional, God's Picture of You is Beautiful, God's Presence in You is Perpetual, God's Provision for You is Immeasurable, God's Plan for You is Exceptional, God's Power in You is Accessible, God's Promise in You is Incomparable, and then The encore: A Legacy of Love.

I don't know which theme or day was my favorite. I loved it all. Just reading about how much God loves me and thinks I'm beautiful and His favorite... I was overcome. Sometimes we women need to hear from our Heavenly Father those very things and Babbie has certainly been His voice to our eyes and ears and hearts.

Each day ends with an Embrace. Here I had the opportunity to pray about what I read, think about what He was saying to me, and read a scripture about the particular topic that was covered. I also was encouraged to apply it to my life.

Embrace by God is a wonderful devotion for women of all ages. Though there really isn't anything new being said here, Babbie has brought the love of the Father for His daughter forth in a clear, warm, embracing manner.

This is one devotional I will truly recommend to any woman I know who is looking for one that will bring encouragement to her heart and soul.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publishing for the purpose of review. I am not under any obligation to present a positive review.

 

  

Reasons for Hope: In the Mosaic of Your Life by Carl Kerby

An interview with Carl Kerby, author of

Reasons for Hope in the Mosaic of Your Life

“The two most important pieces of information I will take away from this book: stay bold and be prepared to give a defense of your faith. This book will inspire Christians to do just that. Your story, from your checkered childhood to your resistance to God’s path for you, is a strong reminder that God has a plan for us all. Your explanation of how the Bible fits into the modern-day world, tackling issues such as evolution and race, is crucial to today’s Christian.”

~ Rich “Ace” Franklin, three-time UFC MMA Champ

Life is often not picture-perfect, and difficult times can make it hard to see a plan or purpose for our lives. In this inspiring story of one man’s journey, you will learn to see life from a different perspective. No matter what your circumstances, God can gather up the broken pieces and random elements of your life and form them into a beautiful mosaic—making you a useful vessel for His glory.

Questions and Answers with Carl Kerby

Q: In what ways are our lives like mosaics?

To me, a mosaic is a fitting illustration of the way God can take the broken pieces of our lives and create something beautiful from them. My life has been filled with boulders and broken stones. Yet God, in His grace, has put those stones together in a mosaic to make me into a useful vessel for His glory.

I once saw a large mosaic but was too close to understand the design, so I backed up to get a better view. Just as the mosaic picture didn’t make sense until I got a broader perspective, I had to do the same thing with the struggles I’ve encountered. As I look back over my life from a different perspective, I can see why God has allowed me to undergo some of the challenges I’ve had.

I also realized that the more broken pieces in the mosaic, the more beautiful the picture and the greater its value. The more we’ve gone through, the more amazing the picture our lives can be when we have God’s perspective.

Q: How can Christians use the mosaic of their life to bring hope to others? 

People are often encouraged by my story, when they realize that God can use anyone to do His work—even the messed-up son of a professional wrestler who ended up earning his livelihood as an air-traffic controller and then a public creation speaker. Growing up I struggled with a lot of things other people do: an absentee father, my parents’ divorce, alcohol and drugs, run-ins with the law, even being homeless at one point.

No matter our background, we can all share our own life stories, our mosaic, to tell others how God has taken the broken pieces of our life and made something beautiful and valuable. Those rocky areas in our life can be steppingstones for sharing the love of Christ with others.

Q: You address the topic of racism in Reasons for Hope. Why was that issue important to include?

Sadly, evolutionary teaching promotes the idea that people are divided into different “races” with some “races” better than others, leading to all sorts of prejudice, hatred, and bloodshed. I know I was wrong in my racist attitudes when I was young, and many still believe the same way I did. That’s why I take such a strong stand on this issue today.

Ultimately, the issue of racism comes down to this: where did humans come from? When you reject what the Bible says about man’s origin, you will end up with all kinds of wrong beliefs. But biblically and scientifically, there is only one race of people—Homo sapiens—all made in the image of God. So we need to abandon the term “races” and instead talk about “cultures” or “people groups.”

We have to teach people the truth about racism, but what bothers me the most is that the church has dropped the ball on this issue. In fact, the church (in some instances) is one of the last bastions of racism and prejudice in America. And if we, as Christians, cannot grasp the need to eradicate racism, how can we expect the world to do that?

Carl Kerby's Bio...

Carl’s passion is to proclaim the authority and accuracy of the Bible and to engage the minds and hearts of believers and unbelievers in today’s culture so that they may experience the realities of the Word of God.

This happens whenever Carl speaks. Whether he speaks to youth or adults, large or small crowds, churches or schools, Carl has a way of connecting with almost everybody; and that is one of the reasons he is a much sought-after speaker both in the United States and abroad.  He has spoken in Bermuda, Canada, England, Greece, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico the Philippines and Wales just to name a few.

Carl was a founding Board Member of Answers in Genesis for 10 years and served there for over 15 years before stepping out in faith to become President and Founder of Reasons for Hope.

Though Carl has played many roles in his life, (son of a professional wrestler, air-traffic controller at O’Hare International Airport, Founding Board member and widely known speaker for Answers in Genesis), his most cherished accomplishment is his marriage to his wife, Masami, for over 28 years, and his role as a father to his daughter, Alisa, and his son, Carl, Jr., and grandfather to his grandchildren, Trey and those he’ll meet in 2012.

Carl's website

 

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading Reasons for Hope. I found Carl's writing style easy to follow, clear and direct. One of my favorite parts of the book is found on pages 28 and 29. Here he is talking about when the Hebrew children were crossing the river Jordan. (Joshua 3:15-17)

...As a reminder to the current and future generations of what a great thing God had done for His people, God commanded Joshua to build a memorial. Twelve men (one from each tribe) went to the riverbed, and each removed one stone. They carried these stones to where they camped on the western side of the Jordan and piled them up as a memorial.... The stone memorial on the riverbank testified to His faithfulness and served as a reminder to them and future generations that only God is their deliverer and their source of strength. The stones "cry out" the message to every generation that God is steadfast in His promises to deliver and bless His people.

Reading how God had His hand on Carl was insightful. I caused me to stop and look at how God has kept His hand on my own life even when I didn't realize it.

Being familiar with Answers In Genesis, I hadn't realized how close he worked with Ken Hamm and the organization. That was quite informative, especially since it caused Carl to step out of his comfort zone and begin public speaking.

A well written book, Reasons for Hope, is one I would chose to read again and recommend to those who may be struggling to find hope in their lives. Carl does a wonderful job in pointing his readers to our Great Hope, Christ Jesus. He also gives great arguments in why we should place our hope in the one true God, Jesus Christ.

This book was provided for review purposes by The B and B Media Group, Inc. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

Straight to the Heart of Moses: 60 Bite-sized Insights by Phil Moore

I have read many commentaries on the various books of the Bible. Some good, some not real informative and some I would never read again. However, I found this commentary to be informative, well written, easy to read, and applicable to my life today.

Phil Moore leads a thriving church in Wimbledon, London. He also serves as a Bible teacher and evangelist within the Newfrontiers family of churches. After graduating from Cambridge University, Phil spent time on the mission field and then in the business world. He had devoted many years to the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, and he brings them to life inthe language of today in the Straight to the Heart series. When Phil is not writing, he likes getting beaten at football by his young children.

Out of all of the books in this series I chose to review this one because Moses and the first five books of the Bible are dear to my heart. (As well as the rest of the Bible.) I especially wanted to see what he would say about the tabernacle the Israelites built in the wilderness. (Only because I wrote an indepth teaching about the tabernacle in the wilderness.) Also I wanted to see how Pastor Moore would take such a huge chunk of the Bible and make it into a manageable commentary.

I was not disappointed. For example: 

Could anything speak more loudly about the humility of God's presence? The same God who defeated Pharaoh, a ruler whose name was Egyptian for Great House, condenscended to make his dwelling place in a lowly desert tent.... The book of exodus goes out of its way to express that the glorious, transcendent God the Savior is also the intimate, immanent God the Indweller.... The mighty, invisible God of the Hebrews is humble enough to dwell in a tent among his People.... [pp 99, 100]

Through out the whole time I read this book, I was brought to tears. He showed me my God, God the Savior, was also God the Indweller, God the Holy One, God the Faithful One, and God the Covenant Keeper, in a fresh way that was relevant to me.

This book definitely has encouraged in my walk with Jesus, given me more ideas to think and write about and helped me to see my Lord in a fresh way. Sometimes we just need a fresh reminder of who our Lord God is, and this series will gently remind us if we keep our heart, eyes and spirit open to the Lord.

I am adding a link for you to click on to read a sample chapter from this book. Be sure to do so... you won't be disappointed.


Click here to read a sample chapter from this book.

Also, here is the link to Phil Moore's other commentaries. There are more sample chapters you may view.

Here is an extra bonus for you!

Beginning February 22 and continuing through Easter Sunday, Kregel Publications will be tweeting links to Straight to the Heart of Romans. The entire book will be posted as short, five to ten minute, daily readings. I want to encourage you to check out this fresh, and free, engagement with the Bible. Find it by following Kregel Publications  or #Straight2Heart on Twitter.

Kregel Publications made this review possible by providing me with a review copy of Straight to the Heart of Moses. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

SUNRISE ON THE BATTERY by Beth Webb Hart

She wanted her husband to attend the town’s society-driven church. God answered her prayer in a radical way.

An emptiness dogs Mary Lynn Scoville. But it shouldn’t.
After all, she’s achieved what few believed possible. Born in the rural south, she has reached the pinnacle of worldly success in Charleston, South Carolina. Married to a handsome real estate developer and mother to three accomplished daughters, Mary Lynn is one Debutante Society invitation away from truly having it all.

And yet, it remains—an emptiness that no shopping trip, European vacation, or social calendar can fill.

When a surprise encounter leads her to newfound faith, Mary Lynn longs to share it with her husband. But Jackson wrote God off long ago.

Mary Lynn prays for him on Christmas Eve . . . and her husband undergoes a life-altering Damascus Road experience. As Jackson begins to take the implications of the Gospel literally, Mary Lynn feels increasingly isolated from her husband . . . and betrayed by God. She only wanted Jackson beside her at church on Sunday mornings, not some Jesus freak who evangelizes prostitutes and invites the homeless to tea.

While her husband commits social suicide and the life they worked so hard for crumbles around them, Mary Lynn wonders if their marriage can survive. Or if perhaps there really is a more abundant life that Jackson has discovered, richer than any she’s ever dreamed of.

Read an excerpt from the book here

***************

Having grown up in a large family with no social standing other than my father was a blue collar worker, I could kind of understand why Lynn and her husband Jackson wanted the best for their children. I too wanted the best for my child. So I worked hard, taught her the value of the dollar, the difference between right and wrong, moral values... well you get the picture. 

Lynn and Jackson wanted the lives to their children to be more than better. They wanted them to have the best education, be musically talented, have the best social standing, shop in the best stores, whatever it would take to not just propel them into the uppercrust of Charleston, South Carolina, but become members of the elite.

Lynn remembered the heartache and heart break of not being accepted and Jackson never forgot how hard he had to work to obtain the current position he had in Charleston's society.

In Sunrise on the Battery, I found myself drawn to their oldest daughter, Catherine. The pressure to not just succeed but excel in everything was incredible. How her parents failed to notice there was something wrong with her was incredible sad. She almost..... oops.... I almost told you what happened!

When Lynn prayed for her husband to know Jesus.... she just didn't anticipate what would become of her life, the lives of her children or Jackson, himself.

I can see where the author, Beth Webb Hart, was influenced by David Platt's Radical. 

I did enjoy the book, though to me it seemed a little like a fairy tale in some places. (Maybe it's because I've never had the pleasure of hobnobbing with the uppercrust folk.) I found Beth Webb Hart's style of writing relaxing and warm. A bit like sipping a nice ice cold glass of sweet tea on a warm afternoon. (I have done that!)

So, if you are looking for a refreshing glass of ice tea.... I mean, a warm and lovely story about love, grace, compassion and life changes, then this is a great book for you.

Beth Webb Hart, a South Carolina native, holds a B.A. in English Literature from Hollins College and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. 

Her first novel, Grace at Low Tide, was one of three finalists for the 2006 Christy Awards in the general/contemporary/fiction category. Her second novel, Adelaide Piper, was selected for Books-a-Million's book club and for their national book of the month for December, 2006. Both titles were included in the "Top 10 Christian Novels of 2006" by Booklist, the American Library Association's review journal. Hart's third novel, The Wedding Machine, became an ECPA best-seller in July of 2008.

Beth Webb lectures on a variety of topics and has taught creative writing on the college and high school level where she received two national awards from Scholastic, Inc. She lives with her husband, composer Edward Hart, and their children in Charleston, South Carolina where she teaches English and Creative Writing at Ashley Hall.

This is her website: http://bethwebbhart.com/sunrise/

This book was provided by The B&B Media Group, Inc. for the sole purpose of reviewing. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

  

E-Book Recommendations!

Hi everyone!

I thought I would get your week-end started by recommending some e-books that I have recently read. I know that you will enjoy them as much as I have. 

I will give you a quick description of each e-book and where you can purchase them for your Kindle PC, Kindle or even your Kindle Android App. 

Okay then, without further ado....

 Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington. 

 C.J. Darlington is still one of my favorite authors and this book was first written by her when she was 15 years old. After much tweaking and polishing is was finally published after she was a finalist in the Operation First Novel contest, February 2009.


Thicker than Blood is a story about two young women, sisters, who went their separate ways after the death of their parents. The older sister, Christy, took the way of hard knocks and alcohol and her younger sister, May, became a partner in a cattle ranch. 

Now you have to read the story to find out just what is "Thicker than Blood." You won't be disappointed. C.J. Darlington is a wonderful writer and story teller.
 
Here is a link to read the first chapter: http://www.cjdarlington.com/excerpts/thicker-than-blood-excerpt.htm

Watch the trailer here: http://www.cjdarlington.com/books/thicker-than-blood/trailer.htm

A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher

Independent, single, and intelligent, Gwen Arlington decides to run for Mayor for Bethlehem Springs, Idaho in the year 1915. A time when women holding such an office is unheard of, and not encouraged. But the love she has for her community and its inhabitants prods her to make this ground-breaking decision. 

Well written and full of intrigue not to mention great historical research, Robin Lee Hatcher produces a book worth reading.

Hear is the link to watch the trailer for A Vote of Confidence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joHj76G47CA 

This is the link to Robin Lee Hatcher's website http://www.robinleehatcher.com/vote_of_confidence.html 


Another book by Robin Lee Hatcher

Legacy Lane is a warm, compelling story about a young woman, Angie Hunter, who returns home to help her mother, Francine Hunter. 

Angie quit her big city job at the paper after being passed for promotion and isn't sure what she's going to do. She agreed to return home, to Hart's Crossing, because her mother needed help after a surgery. But, she doesn't intend to stay.

What she learns about herself, her mother, and a caring community of people, will cause her to examine herself in a completely different way.

A wonderful story about love, grace and forgiveness, this is another winner by Robin Lee Hatcher.

Read an excerpt of the book here: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/legacy_lane.html#excerpt

 The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund is a well written story about the life of John Bunyan's wife, Elizabeth. 

Here is a little about the book:


In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher—whether her assistance is wanted or not.
Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John’s protests of her aid. She’s even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.
Yet Elizabeth’s new role as housekeeper takes a dangerous turn when John’s boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher’s enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she’s more determined than ever to save the child—and man—she’s come to love.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I know you will too. Jody Hedlund is a wonderful writer with strong characters. 

Click here to read and excerpt: http://www.jodyhedlund.com/Adobe/ThePreachersBrideSC.pdf 


To see more about Jody Hedlund and The Preacher's Bride click here

 

Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins is absolutely riveting. Brandilyn Collins is the queen of suspense.

Paige Williams, a new comer to Kanner Lake, finds out trying to hide in a small town may not be the best decision.  

Here is a short description about the book:

First in the Kanner Lake Series 

Something sinuous brushed against Paige’s knee. She jerked her leg away. What was that?

She rose to a sitting position, groped around with her left hand. Fine wisps wound themselves around her fingers.

Hair?

She yanked backward, but the tendrils clung. Something solid bumped her wrist. Paige gasped. With one frantic motion she shook her arm free, grabbed the side of the hot tub, and heaved herself out.
Paige Williams slips into her hot tub in the blackness of night—and finds herself face to face with death.

Alone, terrified, fleeing a dark past, Paige must make an unthinkable choice.

In Violet Dawn, hurtling events and richly drawn characters collide in a breathless story of murder, revenge and the need to belong. One woman’s secrets unleash an entire town’s pursuit, and the truth proves as elusive as the killer in their midst.

Here is where you can read an excerpt from the book: http://brandilyncollins.com/books/excerpts/vd-ex.html

Powerfully written, hanging on the edge of your seat suspenseful, Brandilyn Collins and her book Violet Dawn is a definite must read. Just don't read it in the dark! 

Any and all of these e-books can be purchased at Amazon.com
or directly from the author's site. You can also purchase them from most of your favorite on-line book stores. Don't forget to check your local library to see if they have Kindle e-books to borrow.

Have a great week-end and don't forget to download a book from your favorite author!