1 Peter-Lesson 7 (A Sue Edwards Inductive Study)

When I think about Christ and all that He suffered, it's quite humbling.  But even more, when I think of His ATTITUDE during His suffering, it's even more humbling.  Christ wasn't revengeful or irate.  Instead, He was gentle and respectful.  He never once slung words or dirty looks.  He never balled his fists ready to fight.  He simply took what was thrown at Him. 

So when I think about the times I suffer (which is mild in comparison to those persecuted around the world), I wonder about my attitude.  I must say, when I'm going through trials or periods of testing, usually my attitude is less than stellar.  In fact, sometimes I remind myself of my 3-year-old...impatient and wanting results YESTERDAY.  I'm not saying that I'm like that in every trial, but when it goes on a lot longer than I expected or I'm to the point of sheer exhaustion then I lose it.  Christ never lost it.  I know people would say that it's okay to lose it or to be snippy or to be frustrated or more.  However, if my life is to resemble that of Christ's and I'm to take on His characteristics then it's clearly not okay.  Not only does my life need to resemble His but my attitude needs to resemble His in the good times AND the tough times where I don't see a way to carry all of the pain or burdens being piled on.  Gentleness and respectfulness need to be demonstrated in all aspects of my life.

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I received this Bible Study free from Kregel Publications in exhcange for my honest opinion.

1 Peter-Lesson 6 (A Sue Edwards Inductive Study)

When I think of the church family and fellow believers, I think the thing that is missing most in them these days is unity.  It's so much easier to hold grudges or to gossip than it is to fix what needs fixing and continue on with the Lord's work.  But when it think about what causes the disunity within the church, I can sum it up with pride.  Most of the reason that churches split is because of pride: no one wants to give in and forget traditions or "ways we've always done it" but the heavenly focus is lost and is put on the earthly things that will pass.

So how do we express sibling love in our faith family?  After exploring a few verses, here's how.

Romans 12:10-Love with genuine affection and delight in honoring others--hospitality, taking food to someone

Romans 15:7-Accept others--quirks and all!

Romans 16:16-Greet in Christian love.

Galatians 5:13-Serve one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2-Be humble, gentle, patient, and make allowance for each other's faults.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-Encourage each other and build each other up.

Does this mean we are not to judge?  No!  In 1 Corinthians, the Bible clearly states that we ARE to judge those within the church when they are not representing Christ, but we are not to judge those outside of the church (those who don't believe) because God will judge them.  But it also means that we need to remember that we will all fall and no one is perfect.  However, if they have a heart for God then encourage them, accept them, hold them accountable.  This heart may just need a little maturing to understand what unity is all about.  When there is unity, God's message spreads like a wildfire because everyone is working together. 

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I received this Bible Study from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

God Gave Us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren

I have read several of the "God Gave Us..." books and absolutely love each one of them.  They are fun for me to read to my kids and I hope that one day they look back on the words of these books and realize that when I read them, I meant every word to them.

This book was a little different in the fact that it is a board book.  I was expecting it to not be a board book just because the other books aren't, but it was nice to be able to let my little girl read this book without fear of her ripping out the pages.  It's full of the same beautiful pictures though that are found in the other books.

The story is about Little Cub learning about love from his grandpa.  He learns that sometimes even when we want to love others like God loves us, we don't always feel like loving them.  Little Cub is told that choosing love is always right.  I love that because love is a choice in many ways.  The story continues and talks about God's love and how we can know He loves us because we have faith.  Grandpa explains faith to Little Cub and how if we love God then we will never ever be separated from God. 

Since this is a board book, this would be so great for an Easter basket for a little one.  It's great for any child, but I love that newborns-2 or so would greatly benefit from it being a board book.

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I received this book free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

Heart Echoes by Sally John

The third book in the Side Road Series, Heart Echoes is a book that can speak to every person.  I haven't read anything by Sally John before, nor have I read the first 2 books in this series.  With that said, I had no difficulty figuring out who was who and what was going on.  I don't really know if the characters carry over from book to book but I didn't feel like I had missed out on not knowing a certain character if it had.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I think I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading it.  It was incredibly hard to read the exchange between Teal and her dad.  My heart broke for her.  Not only that, but it was difficult to read what Teal had experienced in her life as well as River.  However, it was a heartwarming story at the same time and I found myself in tears over Teal's sister, Lacey and how her future looked (don't want to spoil the story for you!).  I loved how the book wrapped ended...it wasn't all perfect but it was how life usually turns out. 

Who knew an earthquake could change so much in the lives of three people.  Teal is a mother to Maiya and the wife to River.  Maiya is a daughter who just wants to know who her biological father is.  Did I  mention that she's a bit rebellious at the moment?  However, if Maiya finds out who her biological father is, it could upset Teal's life even more.  No one, and I do mean no one, knows who he is except for Teal.  Not even her husband knows. 

There's a wonderful side story about Lacey, who is Teal's sister, as well.  You get to hear the story from her point of view, too, and hear her struggles and thoughts as she goes through her trials with her husband Will.

Will Maiya find her biological father or will she decide that having a loving step dad is enough?  Will Teal be honest with her husband in order to build a stronger marriage?  Can River ever get through all of the trauma he has faced in his past?

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I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart

I'm a new reader to Ann Gabhart's books.  The last one I reviewed was a book on the Shakers and it was really good.  When I saw this one able to be reviewed, I was anxious to read it because I saw that it looked so different from the last one I had read from her.  I like it when authors can write in different ways that are so completely different from each other.  Mrs. Gabhart did a wonderful job in this book.  I was hooked from the very beginning and stayed up way too late last night reading because I just couldn't tear myself away from it.  It had a very unlikely villain, a heart-breaking marriage setup, and some decisions that led to life-changing circumstances. 

Adriane Darcy is not the proper girl but for some reason a proper man, Stanley Jimson, has his eyes set on her and wants to marry her.  However, the new rival editor, Blake Garrett,  at a competing newspaper has also noticed Adriane's beauty but has also noticed something else about her promised beau.  Determined for Adriane to not make a mistake she will regret despite the consequences, Blake has to first get Adriane to actually talk to him!  Headstrong Adraine who doesn't shy away from saying what she really thinks can give any man a run for his money.  But will she succeed when it becomes a life or death issue?  Will Adriane realize that sometimes happiness is better than convenience?  Can she break a promise despite the deadly consequences?

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Straight to the Heart of Romans by Phil Moore

This is a wonderful commentary that is actually able to be used as a daily devotional guide.  I love expository preaching, so it's not a surprise to me that I really enjoyed this book.  Phil Moore takes each verse in Romans and breaks it down verse by verse so we can better understand the history, the culture, and the message. 

This book isn't written like a normal commentary, though, where you sometimes find your mind wandering because of it's heavy words.  It reads like a book and is full of helpful information.  I'm actually studying Romans through a Precept class and have enjoyed using this book as a help to gain extra insight into certain passages.

This book/series would be a wonderful addition to any study library or to someone who is just desiring to go deeper and needs a little bit of guidance.

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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. Check out this fresh, and free, engagement with the Bible. Find it by following Kregel Publications or #Straight2Heart on Twitter.

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I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love

The second book in the Love's Hickory Ridge series, this book is a great follow-up to the first in the series.  I had previously read and reviewed Beyond All Measure, so I was very excited to review the second in the series.  I love series books because I become quite attached to characters.  Filled with some of the same characters in the first book, it also introduces some new characters for us to come to love.

Carrie and Griff have a beautiful love story that is not problem free.  Griff has to figure out if  he can finally settle down or if he needs to once again be on the move.  Carrie needs to figure out which man she really loves, as well as dealing with the death of her husband. 

I can't wait to read the third book in the series.  I'm hoping that she continues to use the same characters and update us on them and their lives!  If you're looking for a new series, pick up this one!

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You can find more reviews on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13456520/dorothylove

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I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell

Having read The 5 Love Languages that pertains to marriage, I enjoyed this book.  If you have read the 5 love languages, the concept stays the same in this book.  The love languages are all the same whether you are talking about your spouse, teens, or your young children.  Everyone needs their love tanks filled and it all depends on whether you deem that its worth the time to fill their tanks. 

This was a wonderful resource for all parents.  I feel like I now know the love language of both of my children.  My son seeks quality time, which is why he has difficulty playing by himself until I've given him some undivided attention.  My daughter needs physical touch, whether it's cuddling, being held, rocked, or playing with her.  This book had some great tips on how to relate to your children by filling their love tanks. 

My favorite chapter was the chapter of the love languages and discipline.  I learned some great information on how to use the love languages while disciplining.  That was extremely helpful and I've been able to put it into to practice already.

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I received this e-book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz

I just finished this book a few days ago and really felt that I needed to review it quickly to capture the feeling that I have about this book.  This book was written in first person so it took me a few chapters to get used to reading in that way because all of the previous books I had read were your typical third person views.  Once I got into the character, I was hooked.  The book was kind of predictable but they storyline wasn't, as far as the circumstances within the story weren't.  When I came to the last page and closed the book, I had the weirdest feeling that was truly indescribable.  The book was wonderful and I think it made me reflect on it long after the book had ended.  It was a beautiful story of reflection.  Perhaps the best way for me to sum it up.

Ally is an ex-flight attendant who loves to travel to get away from the one man in this world that she can't have.  Vesey Washington lives on the other side of the creek and is the man that has stolen Ally's heart.  What reasons could possibly keep these two apart?  And how does a girl from Nepal who is escaping for slavery happen to have in common with Ally?

This book is one that anyone will enjoy.  When you read it, let me know your thoughts!  I'd like to know if it leaves anyone else with such an odd feeling that makes it hard to describe this book because it's so good and so unique.

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To read more reviews on this book, visit this site:  http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13454766

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

1 Peter-Lesson 5 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

Submission.  What thoughts do you have when you hear that word mentioned?  Is it that of someone with no backbone or who has no will?  Perhaps it's someone who is weak and gets run over by others.  Is submission something that you desire or something that repulses you?

For me and my marriage, submission is not something that I run away from or hate.  It's something that I love and that I embrace.  I like submission.  Is it easy?  No.  Is it called of me to do by God?  Yes.  I'm thankful that my husband also knows and understands the word submission and he always takes my opinions and thoughts into consideration, prays over it or seeks counsel, and then comes to a final decision.  I know that the final decision was made with lots of thoughts and prayer.

John Piper says it best in his book The Momentary Marriage when he says what submission is not:

• It is not agreeing with everything my husband says.
• It does not mean leaving my brain or will at the wedding altar.
• It does not mean every effort to avoid changing my husband.
• It does not mean putting the will of my husband above the will of Christ.
• It does not mean that I get my personal/spiritual strength primarily through my husband.
• It does not mean that I act out of fear.

What Piper says submission is: "Submission is the divine calling of a wife to love and affirm her husband's leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts."  This is the submission I embrace in my walk with Christ and in my walk with my husband.

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I received this Bible Study for free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my participation in the study and my review of the study.

The Sneezy Wheezy Day by Sharon Cramer

This is my first introduction to the Cougar Cub Tales.  Since it is in black and white on my Kindle, I couldn't get a fair assessment of the pictures, although based on the cover it is bound to be beautiful illustrations.  The drawings that are in black and white look good, but not near as good as the full book version.

I read this book to the kids and they enjoyed the book.  I think they would have enjoyed it more in the book form since they like turning pages, but I did hand them my Kindle and let them "turn" the pages on that.  My oldest was fascinated with the animals in the book and the huge variety of animals mentioned.

I liked how the story ended because I thought it was a great lesson for my children.  The book goes through how the boy cougar gets sick and the girl cougar stayed with him and went with him to different people to try to figure out a cure for him to feel better.  At the end, he wakes up the next day and feels a lot better.  He realizes that he feels so much better simply because his SIS was there with him every step of the way and never left his side.  Since my kids are brother and sister, I love books that show a wonderful sibling relationship that is full of love and not fighting.

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I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

1 Peter-Lesson 4 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

This week we studied about how to live for Christ in a hostile society.  The verses that it focused on was 1 Peter 2:11-25.  When I think about our society versus the society in which Peter was writing about, I automatically think about slavery and persecution.  These believers were suffering for Christ.  They needed encouragement to continue in the Christian walk as they were persecuted in horrid ways.

When I think about the culture we live in here in America, persecution hasn't come to us physically, yet, in most cases.  I believe it's probably not far off, but so far we have only endured the verbal persecutions, etc.  For some reason that I will never understand, people of other religions are tolerated more so than Christians.  I know it's that there is power in the cross which can make people quite uncomfortable, but sometimes it's just mind blowing that Christians are treated as if they are crazy or are the scum.  I know Jesus promised it would be that way, but that doesn't mean that I'll ever understand the thinking of some people!

I love the verse in 1 Peter 2:21 that says "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example and you must follow in His footsteps."  Then the following verses proceed to tell you that He never sinned, He never deceived anyone, He did not retaliate, He did not threaten revenge when He suffered, He left His case in the hands of God, He carried our sins to the cross, we're healed by His wounds, and lastly we were once like sheep but have found our Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls.  How incredible would my life look like if it mirrored that of Christ...the traits I mentioned above?  That should be what we strive for in the midst of a hostile society.  That should give us strength to stand up and speak our mind when everyone else is speaking the opposite message louder than we are.  However, it still needs to be out of love, not condoning and critical, and they should be able to see that what we say comes from our heart.  Stand up, fellow sisters, and endure these trials with patience.

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I received this Bible Study for free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my participation in the study and my review of the study.

Married Mom, Solo Parenting by Carla Anne Coroy

In a generation where men aren't fulfilling their roles within the marriage and more men are leaving their wives to raise the children, this book is a great resource for those women who find themselves in this situation.  However, that's not all who this book is written for.  This book is for those who are military wives, those who  have husbands who work long hours or addicted to their jobs, perhaps those women who have husbands that like their hobbies more than their family, etc.  Many moms find themselves in this role unexpectedly. 

I found that this book was a great book that had tips for every mom to be able to be a bit more productive.  Not only was it full of parenting tips, but it had a lot of ideas on things for the children to do to help out around the house.  I was so glad that I read it, as well, because I feel like now I can know how to help those of my friends who are in this situation.  I now know how to better minister to them and that was such a wonderful thing for me to know.  I think every woman should read this book, whether you are in this situation or not.  Sadly, more women are in this situation than we realize.  What a great opportunity for those of us who are not in this situation to be able to ease the load of those who are doing all of the work.

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I received this book free from Kregel Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Incovenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This book is apparently a part of a series, in which I hadn't read the first books.  That said, there was the typical introduction of characters that I wasn't for sure what their story was since I had not read the earlier books.  That didn't deter me from this book.  Instead it made me want to read the books before this since I was more intrigued about the characters.  I would recommend that this series be read in order so that you can have a complete picture of what is going on and who is involved.

This book did have me laughing at a few points, like when they were "proposing" their marriage.  Their proposal wasn't your typical one.  In fact, it was one that was a deal....between Alex and Charlotte's father.  Or maybe Charlotte's father saw something that neither of them could.  Charlotte has a very strong personality and ends up in things that a typical woman wouldn't encounter.  And there's only one man who stands his ground and doesn't get afraid when he has to deal with Charlotte. 

Charlotte and Alex decide to go along with the plan, but they've devised a plan of their own.  Once they are married, they will both work quickly to have their marriage annulled.  That's their plan.  Their father's plan is for them to stay married.  Which plan happens and what situations will they have to endure during this crazy engagement and marriage?!

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I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

Abigail Harding is preparing to be making plans to a man in Vermont who is a fellow colleague in the school she teaches at.  That's why she's not afraid to go visit her sister when she suspects that something is wrong with her sister.  Why would Woodrow, the man she intends to marry, be afraid that she might find someone else when she was intended to be his?

Upon arriving in For Laramie, Wyoming, she finds that a stagecoach may not be the safest way to travel.  Not only that, but once she arrives at her sister's, she almost doesn't recognize her.  What could have possibly cause this poor condition in her sister?  Convinced that she was in the center of God's will in coming to Fort Laramie, she's a little surprised to find that her future may not arrive in Vermont.  How can a soldier who is determined not to love able to persuade her to stay?  Or will he?  On top of that, who is the cause of the stagecoach robberies that are becoming more frequent and what is the common tie?

I've never read any books by Amanda Cabot but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It's a little longer than most at 404 pages, but it's such a great book that you hardly notice the length of the book.  In fact, if she shortened it any, you would miss so much of the story.  I think I've found a new author to follow, as  well!  Can't wait for the rest of the books in the Westward Winds series.

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This book was provided free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion.  You can purchase this book at any retail store.