*I am a member of BZZAGENT and was provided a coupon to get a free photo canvas at Meijer from them*
Starting on November 29th 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:
Everyone that signs up gets a free download copy of the Life Application Bible Study Book of Luke!
Check it out and maybe win!!
Andy Stanley hits another home run! I am an emotional girl, and I am willing to admit it. A lot of times I can be led by my emotions (which is not my desire). I thrive to be led by the Holy Spirit, which most days is difficult for this momma. He deals with four emotions: Guilt, Anger, Greed, and Jealousy. 
I have lots of friends doing the 24 days of thankful on Facebook. I was a day late (and a dollar short), and never jumped on the being thankful Facebook band wagon. I try my hardest to be thankful every day. If you've never read this book, I highly recommend it. The way you look at being thankful will be forever changed. I was blessed to receive the God's goodness wooden pedestal for this review. One of the many things I am thankful for is that my 3 boys all took adorable school pictures this year. Seriously, I loved each picture and was thankful not to have to deal with the hassle of retakes this year!
I decided to display my pedestal on the table by my front door. I think it looks great with these pumpkins and leaves from the Walmart. I also have visions of pine cones, bright Christmas ornaments, and many other beautiful displays.
Here is the display from the DaySpring website which you must look at. They have beautiful table decor for the Thanksgiving holiday. Any hostess would love to receive a gift from this collection. The pedestal is very eye-catching and everyone that passes by it asks about it.
Would you like to receive $20 to spend at the DaySpring website? (does not include shipping costs) If so leave a comment telling me you 1 thing you are thankful for. This contest will close November 16th at midnight. Make sure I have a way to contact you. Thankful for you!
Wouldn't this be oh so good for your holiday coffee? Especially after a long day of shopping in the crowded mall. Prop your feet up, make a cup of coffee, add some milk and a splash of EggNog syrup and enjoy!!
To enter this contest, please visit Torani's website and tell me what flavor of syrup you would pick if you win! Easy Peasy! Contest ends November 16th at midnight and I am only able to ship to US commenters. I will contact winners by email. Thanks and enjoy dreaming about yummy flavored coffees!!
One thing I look forward to every Christmas season is the newest Donna VanLiere book. This lady knows how to write a story. Her books are easy to read and always have a few twists in the plot. Just when you think you know how the book is going to end, she throws in a surprise. You can check out her website here.
So I decided to read this book with my 10 year old son in the evening right before bed. Some nights we could not stop reading. It is a very exciting and suspenseful book, and my son and I both enjoyed reading it. I love that there are graphic novels with a purpose. My son loves to read the Yu-Gi-Oh graphic novels, so I feel a little better when he has something like this to read. 
You only see a person’s front porch! You don’t see the living room, bathroom, or bedroom. If you saw the whole house, you probably wouldn’t want it! How often have I looked at another person’s life and wished I could have it. I think they are so much prettier, or smarter, or well-off financially, or their kids are better behaved, or they have never have to worry about their weight.
As an outsider looking in, you would think Brenda Warner has it all together. She has an amazing husband, kids, house, and life. And while it may look like that to the average person, after reading this book, I quickly realized she is just like you. And me. She has had struggles, insecurities, doubts, and things thrown in her face just like me. She has had to work hard to get where she is today just like me. She has had to rely on God when nothing seems to be working out just like me. Only she has had to do all this under the scrutiny of the public eye because her husband, Kurt Warner, is pretty much a national football icon. Brenda is honest and open about some of her choices she made in the past and regrets she still has to this day. One thing I did learn is that relationships are hard to maintain (especially after your family becomes famous), but should be a priority! We are not made to do life a lone, and having key people in your life to rely on is so important.
A friend of my husbands stopped by last night. I was in the front yard reading this book. He asked why I was reading this because I have been the bride. It's hard to explain my addiction to reading to people who don't read. (They just don't understand) I was so happy to read this book and love the twist at the end (don't worry, no spoilers here).
This novel is a story about a widow and her children who are trying to escape from the grips of a very controlling church. After her husband's death the main character, Miranda, decides it is time to make a clean break from the church she attended with her husband. She must also come to grips with a secret she and her husband had been keeping for years. The hero of the story is her former husband's half brother who comes in to rescue Miranda and her children. As the story unfolds, Miranda must embrace her past, the truth, and the grace of God which is sometimes difficult to do, even in the best of circumstances. This story of healing and love will become an example to many!
Eileen Button is an author, columnist, runner (well, sometimes), adjunct professor, mama, and committed java junkie. She believes in the goodness of God, the power of laughter, the inspiration of words, and the beauty of life.
Her essays have been published in Newsweek, Christianity Today's Gifted for Leadership, Holy Bible: Mosaic, and other online and print publications.
Eileen takes delight in stumbling on the miraculous in ordinary spaces - the repose of a child, the miracle of a garden, the face of a stranger. Through writing and speaking she encourages others to truly live and make room for the sacred.
This book is an everyday reminder that God has a plan and sometimes while we wait for His plan to unfold, it is hard. We want instant gratification. We want life to be easy and to go our way. We feel entitled to the good life. But that is not the case! In this world we will have troubles, trials, sadness, pain, and hard times. Sometimes all we can do (in the words of Eileen) is "hunker down, pray harder, and listen more keenly......and hold tightly to the belief that something good is yet to come". We know God is always good and we are always loved. And that is enough!
I grew up in a Baptist church and have very fond memories of singing many hymns on this CD. I also took a trip overseas in middle school and have seen bagpipes being played. The combination of these two things equals my love for this music. If you enjoy Celtic music, this album is for you. Their are several classic hymns plus a mix of new songs that are beautiful. There are two versions of the title track, Amazing Grace, that are both enjoyable and relazing to listen to. After listening to this, you will definitely want to learn how to play the bagpipes! 
I chose to review this book because I knew my nine year old son would enjoy reading this. We decided to read it together. It is a great adventure story with a little bit of history tucked in. My son, who has a pretty good imagination, enjoyed this story. The story is pretty gender neutral so I think both boys and girls would enjoy this book alike!
This story is all about how Rick & Bubba became big name radio personalities. They are just two country boys from Calhoun County, Alabama who happen to be in the right places at the right times. It tells all about the journey and the risks they (and those around them) took. It is an inspiring story for those trying to find their place in the big bad world called LIFE. A great (almost...haha) true story that will help the average Joe!
Originally submitted at CSN Stores
Great Apron
I'm a tall girl (5' 11") and this apron still fits great. It's the perfect length and fit. I get compliments everytime I wear it!!
(legalese)
I am not a big fan of buying books just to sit on a bookshelf; I am definitely more of a library kind of gal. But this book is one you will want to buy, keep close, and reread many times. I first became aware of Joanna Weaver when my aunt gave me a copy of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. I loved that book and tagged pages, highlighted, and underlined several passages. Joanna’s newest book Lazarus Awakening is just as good, maybe better! She takes the story of Lazarus, the one Jesus loves (John 11:3) and shows us how a relationship with Jesus is the most important thing. Just like Martha was taught, only one thing is needed .
I have to admit my favorite chapter in this book is chapter 4, When Love Tarries. Joanaa talks about her need to take control over situations when they aren’t going as planned. She wants to plot, plan, and scheme when things aren’t going so well. Yet in these times, if she listens closely, God is saying That wasn’t my plan. If you want to walk with Me, you have to SURRENDER your itinerary and TRUST Mine. This is when we must make the choice to choose the ”one thing” and not “our own thing”.
So when I got the opportunity to review her latest book, I was very excited! Her words are precious and just what I needed to hear. In this book, Sheila talks about the many things God has promised to those who are faithful to Him. One of the chapters contains this quote, "God doesn't want us to pretend our faith or give lip service to His promises". Each chapter contains several insights like this for those on the journey to Heaven. God is faithful and we are responsible for acting out our faith.
As an added bonus, this book also includes a Bible Study with scripture and questions to ponder for each chapter. This would be a great women's group study to consider!
In chapter 12 of this book, Abby says, "God is a great choreographer, isn't He? As I take a hard look now at that fateful day......I see how perfectly He had positioned me so that when my eyes were pried open by His fingers, I'd have the clearest possible view". This book is about Abby's eyes being opened to the reality of her occupation after spending years defending her life's work. Abby chose to walk away with dignity from her position at Planned Parenthood after He opened her eyes. She talks about how God is in the business of changing hearts and minds and opening eyes; He then uses these ordinary, everyday people to accomplish His extraordinary purpose! God used Abby's story to reach out to an untold amount of people who saw it on the news, read stories on the internet, and heard her radio interviews. I pray my eyes will be open to the calling of God just like Abby.
