Seasons of Opportunities

The Legend of the Christmas Cookie  tells the story of a young boy named Jack who learns from his generous mother the story behind the Christmas cookie. The family who began the tradition of baking the special cookies gave them to the needy and shared the story of the very first Christmas. This sweet holiday book offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves and encourages them to share the true tale of Jesus' birth. A delicious recipe is included on the jacket flap so readers can make their own Christmas sugar cookies.

A grieving woman is abducted by a serial killer–and it may be the answer to her prayers. Despite her husband’s objections, 40-something Ruth Warner finds healing through prayer for Harry Silver, the former race car driver who brutally raped and murdered her niece. When a kidnapping-gone-wrong pegs her as his next victim, Harry claims that by destroying the one person who’d pray for him, he proves God can’t–or won’t–look after His own. Can Ruth’s faith sustain her to the end–whatever the cost? Heaven’s Prey is about a dangerous offender’s last chance at redemption and a vulnerable woman’s obedience to pray for her enemy–not the gentle

Every girl wants to know she’s totally unique and special. This Bible says that with Faithgirlz sparkle. Through the many in-text features found only in the Faithgirlz Bible, girls will grow closer to God as they discover the journey of a lifetime. Features include:  * Book introductions—Read about the who, when, where, and what of each book * Dream Girl—Use your imagination to put yourself in the story * Bring It On!—Take quizzes to really get to know yourself * Is There a Little (Eve, Ruth, Isaiah) in You?—See for yourself what you have in common * Words to Live By—Check out these Bible verses that are great for memorizing * What Happens Next?—Create a list of events to tell a Bible story in your own words * Oh, I Get It!—Find answers to Bible questions you've wondered about

Well, here it is Monday again. This past week just flew by. The kids were on fall break, so it was hustle and bustle all week. I fluctuated back and forth between two, four, and six kids all week. I was hoping to get my review of the faithgirlz Bible up along with the others but the week got away from me. So I will do my best to get it up within the next day or so. Also, I have a winner to announce for the Apologetics Bible. Drum Roll..... and the  winner   is Dawn Smith Congratulations!!!

Psalm 33 Praise to the Creator 1  Rejoice in the  Lord , you righteous ones; praise from the upright is beautiful. 2  Praise the  Lord  with the lyre; make music to Him with a ten-stringed harp. 3  Sing a new song to Him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.  

Saddle up for mysteries and laughs with the Wilde sisters! Bailey Wilde is the oldest sister--and the one who takes care of everyone else in her family. But after her sisters marry and move away, her little homestead becomes bleak and lonely, especially during the long winter months. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan concocted by her neighbor, Gage Coulter. Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune by being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of excellent grazing land is lost to him because Bailey's

This book is the second in the Adventures of the Sea Kids series. Melissa Blowfish likes to brag that she can swim the fastest, climb the highest, and has the best of everything. Corey finds her crying in the sand box with her broken shovel, the only toy she had. They all chip in treasure coins for her birthday present. Melissa prays giving thanks to God for her friends  and learns that true friendship is found  in love.

The reason I labeled these Monday posts that, is because that is what Monday feels like to me. I begin recovering from the weekend, which usually includes a houseful of extra kids, and lots of chaos, my madhouse! Monday's are my cleaning, catching up, laundry doing, etc days. I have a love/hate relationship with them. (smile) I hope you had a refreshing weekend. I did! I enjoyed a houseful of six children, a trip to the big city, beautiful sunny, breezy fall days, outdoor time, lots of laughter (and bickering - how can six kids not have a few of those moments). As of Friday, I am now the proud mother of a licensed barber/beautician. My daughter took her final state board exam and passed!!! YAY! She also got engaged this week. So I am a bundle of mixed emotions and excitement. Coming up for review this week:

Psalm 66 For the director of music. A song. A psalm. 1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.”

Winner is Melissa H. A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again . . . Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. But as her plans crumble before her eyes, she struggles to face an uncertain future. When a widow asks for help starting a new business, Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose.  What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farmhand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always

How was your past week? Seems like life just keeps getting busier. With Christmas fast approaching... YIKES... Did I just say Christmas? YES!! It is only 74 days away... I have been hard at it trying to finish up this quilt I am making for someone to give as a gift. Last week, I did not get all my reviews done or books read I had in mind to read. But I did enjoy some beautiful fall days, a trip to the circus with my children, some time sewing, and time reconnecting with friends. I am still working on The Imposter. Although, I am enjoying the story, I just didn't have much time to read this past week. I am hoping to finish this up and maybe read another one.  I have also decided to giveaway my book when I am through reading, so get ready to enter another giveaway!

Psalm 9 I will praise thee, O  Lord , with my whole heart;  I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2   I will be glad and rejoice in thee:   I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Ever just wish the world would stop for a day so you could catch up? Are you on overload? Not sure exactly what your priorities are or should be? Procrastinate on the important things that need to be done, because there is so much more urgent things that need to be done? You should read this! No matter how much we accomplish in a day, we nearly always feel a little guilt over what we  didn't  do. But do we really have more to do than the women who came before us? Maybe not. In  Taming the To-Do List , Glynnis Whitwer exposes a seismic shift in society: from one in which most of us were  proactive  to one in which we carry the burden of having to  respond --to every email, text, tweet, and message we receive. This creates a cycle where everyone else sets the priorities for our days rather than us directing our own lives. The result? We procrastinate, putting off the important stuff for later while we tend to the "urgent" stuff right now.

  “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” —Matthew 10:39 Christians are longing for more life in their lives, a sense that they’re more present to Jesus and to their own story in the everyday. They’re looking for the answer to the deepest question of human experience: “How do I find the freedom I crave, and become the person I long to be?” Too often, though, they’re scared to risk too much to find the answer—so they simply continue to lead lives of “quiet desperation.” Rick Lawrence says that’s exactly the problem. We’ve seen too much. We know too much. And so we manage our risk so well that we choke off the very fuel that our soul needs to stay alive. In fact, risk should be a primary aspect of our relationship with Jesus, not the thing we avoid. In this book, Lawrence argues that if we pay attention to the way Jesus related to people, we discover that he asked every person he ever met to put their “skin i...

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I spent most of my weekend sewing. Not only do I enjoy reading and blogging, but I am also a seamstress. I mostly handle alterations , but occasionally, I also custom make things for people. Right now my custom job happens to be a t-shirt quilt. I love the way it's turning out. I also had a my grandkids over, did some reading and enjoyed some rest and church on the Lord's day.

Psalm 96 1  Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord , all the earth. 2  Sing to Yahweh , praise His name ; proclaim His salvation from day to day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples . 4  For the Lord is great and is highly praised; He is feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

“I’m afraid there’s been a car accident...”  As Hannah Ryan waits for her family to return home from a camping trip, she  realizes she has everything going for her—a husband other women admire, two  charming teenage daughters, and a loving Christian home. As the sunny afternoon  turns into twilight, her uneasiness grows along with the shadows. Then a car pulls  into Hannah’s driveway, bringing two police officers...and devastating news that  shatters her life forever.  In the days that follow, Hannah struggles with unspeakable feelings of sorrow and  rage—feelings that fuse into one chilling purpose for living: revenge against  Brian Wesley, the drunk driver who has caused all her pain. In her fury, Hannah shuts the Lord out of her life. She’s determined not to forgive Wesley or the God who allowed this tragedy to happen. Can two caring people help

A call to Christians to be caught up in the powerful whirlwind that is the gospel of grace. Christianity is based on the foundation of the good news of the gospel. Yet how many Christians truly find their identity there? How many are thriving in a community clinging to the gospel? How many forget about the wondrous glory of Jesus? J. A. Medders is on a mission to help Christians remember that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is also the power for our everyday life in Christ. Yet living a gospel-centered life does not always come easily. The biblical meditations in  Gospel Formed  help to kindle, or rekindle, the passion to live a grace-addicted, truth-filled, Jesus-exalting life by constantly driving the reader back to the power of the cross and the empty tomb. Funny, punchy, and theologically accessible, readers will be encouraged, challenged, and ultimately reoriented to the true North of Christianity―Christ Himself.