Stained Glass Hearts

What's not to love about Patsy Clairmont?? She has an amazing sense of humor, an honest approach to letting you into her own heart and mind, and a desire to let her own past affect the future of others for Christ.

Like the rest of her books, she lets her personality shine thru humor and transparency...and yet the tone of her newest title is deeper and more quick-to-the-point than most of her others.  She starts out with a plea for others to follow her into the delicate pieces of "stained glass" that exist, both in the world and in our own hearts...and she follows up immediately with the reminder of who our Great Redeemer is and how He longs to use each and every piece. I really liked that she ended each chapter with highlights for things like nature, art, books, and music...almost like she is longing for us to go on a sight-seeing adventure from right where we stand.

For any woman whose life has dealt her a hand that has seemed to blow her heart to bits...Patsy works to show you the beauty that comes from re-gathering the tiny shards as you allow the Lord to place them.  We often can't see the beauty that comes from the pain, but from His perspective...what we see as destruction and waste, He sees as colored beauty needed to complete the picture.

Cover Information:

Much like stained glass, life's broken pieces become the prism through which God's grace shines most brightly and beautifully.
"Life is no doubt full of difficulties, but it is also filled with promise and possibility," says best-selling author and WOF speaker Patsy Clairmont. In Stained Glass Hearts Clairmont guides readers to view the difficult experiences of life through the lens of God's grace. Using art as a theme, and likening people to stained glass windows, she shares that it's when we're surrounded by darkness that His healing light shines most brightly within us. Encouraging women to step back and see life from this new perspective, Patsy offers help and hope for the dark places of life.
Along with character studies of women in Scripture, and modern-day, relatable stories, each chapter includes:
Chalice—memorable quotes
Mosaic—recommended music
Spires—scriptures and readings
Litany—sample prayers

Am still working to process how all that she has to say can be used in my life (or by me in the lives around me), but I never have anything negative to say about this amazing woman named Patsy. :)

**Thomas Nelson provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read :) **

Still Reading...
Bina

Fresh-Brewed Life

With wit and wisdom,
Nicole Johnson leads readers in a journey of awakenings.

The opening line for this book's description sums up everything I would say so simply...but I wouldn't be me if I didn't add my own view in my own rambling fashion.

I first discovered this book 10 years ago.  I was at a Women Of Faith event with some great girlfriends and I snapped this baby up because of the way Nicole's talk spoke to my heart that day.  I brought it home, caressed the cover...and then sat it on my shelf and left it there.  It got moved when I did...and when I pulled it out of a box two years later, I cracked the cover on the first page.  As my eyes drifted, my heart felt invited in to sit and listen to Nicole's easy-going, arms-open approach...and I sat there for an hour, unable to pull myself away.

While I realize that the Holy Spirit is the One who does the work on an open heart, I can whole-heartedly say that He used this book to really open my eyes and my heart...to God, to my own heart and to the walls I had built between both.  She addresses anger at God, sexuality, friendships, surrender, and so many other topics that a woman on the path to giving into the heart of God.

I wasn't sure what to expect, having read the book once before...but as I opened my new revised and expanded version, I found myself sinking back into the same position ~ openly listening as a sweet, transparent woman shares from her heart in order to draw mine back to the feet of our Lord.

Book Description:
Living a fresh-brewed life requires that women encounter a beautiful awakening in three areas. First, to God as they respond to His tender, passionate love for them; second to themselves as they embrace their identities as women, their gifts, and their dreams; and third to others as they learn to love and communicate in ways that bring joy and closeness.

In this substantial revision—including new chapters and a study guide—of the successful 1999 Fresh-Brewed Life, Nicole offers a freshly brewed, wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee guide to living life to the fullest. She encourages Christian women to recognize the areas in their lives where they are sound asleep—and let God wake them up again.

Readers will find a heartwarming, honest book that’s good to the last drop.

If you are anything like me (hungry for God, not sure where to start opening up, and willing to be led by another's tender heart)...I would recommend this book to you with 100% confidence.

**Thomas Nelson provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read :) **

Still Reading...
Bina

fun from (in)courage

This month, (in)courage is focusing on how "encouragement is a powerful thing"...and I know that for me, that strikes a chord because I don't have a friend right now that doesn't have something going on.  As I sit here, I think over the variety of faces that mean a lot to my heart and I feel the weight of all that presses in on them...and I find myself wondering what it is that I can do to simply bring a smile to their faces.  I know that I don't have the power to fix anything...but if I can cause even the most temporary uplift of the corners of their mouths, I know that I will have helped to crack the shell on what burdens them.

It was great that I was given the chance to get greeting card variety pack this month!!! I tend to get kinda picky when it comes to picking out cards for people I really care about and most "religious" cards that I come across in my local stores leave so much to be desired as they are so generic in their messages...but, with these....I feel in love as SOON as I opened the plastic.  Not only are they cards gorgeous, they are 100% color, inside and out, and each contain a beautiful scripture and verse on the inside left cover. 

Reaonsibly priced at $2.99 a piece, these are sure fire winners in my book :)

Did you know that (in)courage offers bloggers a chance to get *free* product in exchange for a review??  I only found out about it recently myself...you can click here to find out more about the program. 

***I was provided free product by Dayspring in exchange for a review of the product sent.  All opinions listed here are my own...and other than product, I was given no other compensation for this review.***

Still Reading...
Bina

Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy

I signed up for this book simply because I was in desperate need of humor...and I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have picked up in a LONG time. 

Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy is a non-fiction book, actually labeled as a "self-help" book...but it is laughter that helps your "self" be better, in my opinon.  Shellie Rushing Tomlinson did an amazing job of taking her own experiences and turning them into laugh-out-loud material that leaves you wiping your eyes and wondering "Did she really live thru that???"   I would not only recommend this book...I plan on buying extra copies for a few good friends!!!

** Please read to the bottom to find out about a Facebook Release Party!! **

Cover Information:
The bestselling author of Suck Your Stomach In & Put Some Color On! returns with more helpful how-to's and keen observations from Dixie .

Guided by principles from the ancient Belle Doctrine, the host of radio and television's All Things Southern offers down-home advice on everything from health and fitness-managing thy caloric calculations without going Straight Running Crazy and surviving the Raging Inferno Syndrome (aka hot flashes)-to the Southern art of handling your man (Bubba Whispering). Whether giving business tips or debunking the Big Boned Theory, making political observations or celebrating the inevitable resurgence of big hair, Shellie is an adviser women can relate to and laugh with regardless of their age or which side of the Mason-Dixon they call home.

Facebook Release Party:

To celebrate the Sue Ellen’s release, Shellie is having a Facebook Party!  

Join Shellie and the gang on June 2^nd at 5:00 PM PST (6 MST, 7 CST, 8 EST) for a Southern style shin-dig! She'll be dishing on Bubba Whispering, debunking the Big Boned Theory, and how to manage going Straight Running Crazy. If you don't know what any of that is, then be sure to pick up a copy of the book (Not necessary to join the fun! Who knows - you might win a copy!) and join us at 5:00 pm on June 2nd at Shellie's Facebook page. And tell your friends - she's giving away copies of her books and some great gift certificates.

You can click on the Facebook link on the top of my sidebar to join in!!

**Litfuse Publicity Group provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read. :) **

Still Reading...
Bina

Rejoice, A Women of Faith CD

I am a total music fanatic, so when I got the chance to review a Women of Faith worship cd, Rejoice...I was all over it!

I was happy to find that some of the songs were ones I already knew, so that helped to draw me into the set...but I also enjoyed learning a few new tunes.  I will admit that I am not always a big fan of straight worship cd's...but for the most part, I enjoyed the tunes chosen for the disc as well as the beautiful voices displayed.  Is a definate go-to in the moments when I am alone in the car, needing to reconnect with my Lord.

Cover Information:
REJOICE captures the unbridled joy, awestruck adoration, and reverent worship audiences experience over the course of a two-day Women of Faith event.
In arena events across the U.S., the Women of Faith Worship Team leads audiences into deeper communion with God. Through the songs on this new studio recording, they bring that experience to the listener, no matter where they are. There’s a sound for every situation; a song for every emotion. This is not just worship for women - it’s music for anyone and everyone who is ready to rejoice over the incomparable love God has for us.
Includes:

1. Beautiful Redeemer
2. So Good
3. Forever Reign
4. Come As You Are
5. Hosanna
6. Our God
7. Glory To God
8. You Brought the Sunshine
9. Greatness of Our God
10. Great Is Thy Faithfulness

**Thomas Nelson provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read

(or listen as the case may be). :) **

Still Reading...
Bina

The Elemental Journal

I snatched this title up for a variety of reasons...I am an avid journaler, it has an amazing cover, and I was looking for new ways to compile my thoughts (outside the written word).  When the package came in the mail, I was so excited to flip thru the colorful pages and was happy to find that the directions were easy to follow and didn't call for a lot of odd tools or resources.

But...and this is probably on me for not paying more attention when I chose it...a lot of what is in the book is more, how shall I say, high end artsy than I personally am.  I wouldn't make most of what is shown because it really just isn't me...and I wouldn't use most of it, if I got them as gifts, for the same reason.  While there are a couple more "practical" items listed, most of the things are just too touch-me-not for this girlie.

Cover Information:
Rusty doorknobs, cardboard containers and plastic packaging may seem like trash to some, but through the creative mind, they are transformed into beautiful expressions - equally parts artful book and assemblage. The Elemental Journal will show you how to craft a wide variety of journals to hold your secrets or express your inner thoughts, and discover new ways to use wood, paper, fabric, plastic and metal in your art.

Peek inside The Elemental Journal and you will find...

15 stepped-out journal projects made from unusual materials and found objects, from tree bark to dismantled photo albums to tin boxes.

Tips for seeking out materials for your journals in flea markets, garage sales, and in your own attic or trash can.

Inspiring gallery projects from 9 contributing artists, including Susan Tuttle, Jen Osborn and Jill Berry.

One artist's trash is another's treasure. Discover yours with The Elemental Journal.

So...my overall opinion is that this is a great coffee table book, for all its amazing photos, but not so much a book I will use in journal or craft time.

**Thomas Nelson provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read

(or listen as the case may be). :) **

Still Reading...
Bina

Mine Is The Night

Here Burns My Candle was my first introduction to Liz Curtis Higgs and her amazing abilities...while I have since devoured most everything she has written, I was so very excited to get this book copy in the mail.

Picking up where she left off in HBMC, Liz  immediately sweeps us back into the world of Elisabeth and her mother-in-law, Marjory Kerr.  Now moved back to Selkirk (Marjory's hometown and the birthplace of Elisabeth's dead husband), the women find themself trying to live on no money and in confined quarters. 

I found myself falling in love with them all over again and enjoying the introductions to a bunch of new faces.  Although I "know" the storyline that this is based from (the Bible's book of Ruth), I couldn't help but get nervous and wonder as they story-line played out...and with Liz's ability to paint a picture with her words, it all played out as a movie in my mind...each and every scene vivid and real.

I love Liz's ability to create characters that seem so real and known by us readers...but also how she is careful to show reverence towards the orginial Bible stories she pulls from.   Complete with a couple budding romances, a bit of trouble in making it all come together and hearts bent on being the women God called them to ... this book was a perfect ending to the story began in last year's HBMC.

I finished this book with a joy for the places each character found themselves, a sadness that their stories were complete for my reading mind and a hunger to go back and re-read Ruth's story.  And if it wasn't clear before, I am a die-hard fan of this amazing author :)

**WaterBrook Multnomah provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read. :) **

Still Reading...
Bina