Two Great Giveaways this Week!

We have two great book giveaways going on this week. This is a great opportunity to get some good books for yourself or save for gift-giving.

Don’t forget to click through the links and enter one or both.

The Person I Marry and Other Bower Family Titles
Deadline to enter is Friday night, April 27th, at midnight.

Carla Anne Coroy’s new book, Married Mom, Solo Parent
Deadline to enter is Saturday night, April 28th, at midnight.

Let your family and friends know too!

 

Book Review: Married Mom, Solo Parent

Several years ago, while munching on chips and salsa with fellow MMCW writer Carla Anne Coroy, we talked about the book she was writing for an often unrecognized group of mothers. Late last year Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge hit shelves in both Carla’s native Canada and adopted United States.

In her new book, Carla Anne discusses the growing challenge faced by many women nowadays–parenting alone because a spouse travels for work or may be addicted or disengaged from his family. These married women struggle to raise children, run a household, and in many cases work full time without the help or support of their spouse.

Carla Anne shares her personal story of raising four children while her workaholic and computer game-addicted husband was either physically or mentally absent for years. Married Mom, Solo Parent is the real-life testimony of a broken family and the redeeming power of Jesus Christ. Carla Anne shares private struggles openly, even broaching subjects many would consider taboo. She encourages women in similar circumstances to not give up, but to give it all to Christ. Her book is also sprinkled with testimonies and tips from wives who successfully manage homes and raise children while their husbands are away. Think military, truck drivers, oil rig workers, and husbands whose work requires extensive travel.

Married Mom, Solo Parent is not a three-steps-to-a-perfect-family book. Carla fills her book with practical tips and advice. I was surprised at the amount of meaty information such as: emotional divorce, discipline divided, making the most of mealtimes,  and honoring the man you don’t see enough. If you are a solo parent, this book will be a goldmine of encouragement and practical nuggets for everyday issues. What you will not find is a husband-bashing or dishonoring book.

Published by Kregel Publications, Married Mom, Solo Parent was reviewed by Focus on the Family and is available through their online catalog and other book outlets. Carla Anne is also a ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist for Married Mom, Solo Parent in the parenting category.

Along with the book, Carla Anne has a companion small group study guide and journal available for free at Carlaanne.com. Be sure and check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest too.

Sitting in the Mexican restaurant sharing lunch years ago, I saw the passion the Lord has placed in Carla Anne’s heart to point women to Jesus. I recommend this book for any woman who is in a marriage filled with loneliness and heartache, raising children while her husband is elsewhere, or for any wife who is overwhelmed with responsibilities falling largely to her.

I have a copy of Married Mom, Solo Parent to give away this week. To enter, just leave an encouraging word or Scripture by midnight, Saturday, April 28th. One winner will be chosen using And the Winner Is and notified by Monday, April 30th. Winner has three business days to respond with mailing address or a new winner will be chosen.

If you are not a Married Mom, Solo Parent, enter the drawing with a friend or family member who could use it in mind.

 

 

 

 

All outgoing book links go MMCW affiliate CBD.com.

I was not paid or compensated for this review. Carla Anne did bless me with a review copy of her book. The opinion is my own, and I am biased–Carla Anne is a good writer and friend.

Backyard Blessings

 

For one week last summer, our church did something radically different than anything we had ever done before. Rather than send our youth on a mission trip to another state or country, we joined together as a church body for an intensive week of serving locally in our own community.

To kick off our week, we held an evangelism conference for our entire church. Then, bright and early on Monday morning, more than 50 students and youth leaders hit the ground running for a rigorous week of ministry. In the mornings, they scattered to different homes in our area and held nine backyard Bible clubs for kids in those neighborhoods. From noon to 3:00, they gathered at an inner-city ministry called Arkansas Dream Center (http://ardreamcenter.tv/) and held a VBS there with the same curriculum used in the morning backyard Bible clubs. From 4:00 – 6:00 pm, the group moved to a local Boys & Girls Club and held a free basketball camp. In the evenings, they gathered at the church for dinner, provided by different care groups within our church. They would use this time to eat, share stories about the day, and prepare crafts and lessons for the next day. They then split up to go to their host homes to spend the night.

For me, this week was one of overwhelming gratitude. I was humbled and amazed once again at the power of a body serving together. I was privileged to host a Back Yard Bible Club at our home that week. A few people said thank you to me for this service, but let me assure you the blessing was mine. I wanted to share with you a few of the blessings of the week.

First, our family was blessed as we began to promote this event. We went from house to house and knocked on doors, introducing ourselves and telling them about the Backyard Bible Club. In a society where people often don’t know their neighbors, this event gave us a great excuse to broaden our knowledge of our neighborhood. We had neighbors without children loaning us a shade tent and staking our sign at the end of the road. As the week progressed, others would ask me how the Bible study was going. These have all been great opportunities to identify with Christ and to begin many new relationships.

The second blessing was the joy of getting to know the children. I cannot describe how thrilling it was to see kids running down the street, eager to come. As the week went on, they continued to come earlier and earlier. I had three different moms express how amazed they were their children were so excited about attending. Our attendance was remarkably consistent and moms were changing previous plans so their children could attend. What a great reminder to me of how the love of Christ draws people to Him! We did not have a flashy program or over-the-top games; we did have students loving these kids and sharing the love of Christ with them.

Third, as I mentioned earlier, seeing our church work together to reach our city for Christ was one of the greatest blessings. I cannot describe the joy of ministering together with the youth that came to my home. Somehow the distinction of youth and adult was lost as we were brothers and sisters in Christ working to share the Gospel together. No longer was the distinction in age important as we joined arms with the same mission. The sweetness of recalling two young men sitting on my step sharing Christ with my neighbor brings tears to my eyes.

I am thankful for our church body, for functioning so well. All of those who labored behind the scenes packing lunches, buying snacks, printing flyers, providing meals, housing students–all have my utmost appreciation. Many of them did not get to see firsthand the incredible impact of this week, but they were faithful to labor behind the scenes.

I am thankful for our amazing office ladies, who pulled off an incredible feat of administration and used their gifts so well.

I am thankful for our youth, for investing in the lives of others, for boldly standing for Christ, and for giving their all to serve Him. I am thankful they have the faith to believe the Word of God changes lives and they live out that faith. They are a joy to be around! May God reward their efforts.

I am thankful for our youth pastor and his wife, for their vision, and labor to adequately train our youth.

Most of all, I am thankful to the Lord! He is gracious to allow us to be some small part of His kingdom work. May we as a body continue to bring glory to Him as we serve Him together. To God be the glory!

Hannah Senn lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband Tim and their four daughters. She is a pastor’s wife and home-school mom. She is involved in ladies Bible study, care group ministry, and the Scripture memory program at The Bible Church of Little Rock. She enjoys serving in her church, reading, exercising, and spending time with her family.

Meet Engaging Today’s Prodigal Author Carol Barnier

You’ve said you put off writing this book for years. Why is that?

In truth, I was embarrassed. It was just so much easier to let people think I’d always been a Christian, that I’d always been faithful to God’s plans for me, that I’d never left the church. But that wasn’t truth. And I eventually felt this strong nudge from God saying, “It’s not enough to just receive my grace and be quiet about it. It’s time to tell.”

So this book is your story?

Actually the book isn’t truly memoir. I do tell my story, but only as a backdrop It takes up very little of the pages. Instead, it’s about things I’ve learned about prodigals that would be helpful to families who are dealing with a prodigal of their own. The first big section deals with all the myths surrounding prodigals. We do a sort of mental “clearing the junk off the table.” Myths like: Perfect Parenting Makes for Perfect Children, I Can Rescue My Child, It’s My Fault—Says So in the Bible. The other big section is a list of Dos and Don’ts to help parents provide better, healthier, less damaging responses to the challenges that this child is bringing to them. Things like Do Advise, Don’t Badger; Do Focus on Boundaries, Not on Behavior. It’s a book that will not only give parents encouragement, but will give them things to do.

What’s the last thing you’d like to share with these parents?

God’s not done yet. Don’t give up hope. I was an atheist for 13 years before I could even begin to consider that my worldview was faulty. And one of God’s biggest delights is to take people’s ugliest situations and make something beautiful out of it. So hang on and watch what God can yet do.

Engaging Today’s Prodigal: Clear Thinking, New Approaches, and Reasons for Hope

 Carol Barnier is a popular Christian conference speaker. She is the author of four books, including Engaging Today’s Prodigal, dozens of articles, and a frequent radio guest. Her objective is to have the wit of Erma Bombeck crossed with the depth of C.S. Lewis, but admits that on most days, she only achieves a solid Lucy Ricardo with a bit of Bob the Tomato.  Follow her blog at Carolbarnier.com or her free on-line community for parents with highly distractible kids, www.SizzleBop.com.

* Book link will take you to MMCW’s affiliate link with CBD.com.

False Hope or Real Hope?

“A horse is a false hope for victory;

 Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.”

 Psalm 33:17 NASB

 

Horses are known for their strength and speed.  In 1973 a thoroughbred horse named Secretariat became a household word.  His winning streak was tremendous; making him the first U. S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years.  Imagine the surprise of many who placed their bets at the Kentucky Derby on other horses hoping for victory only to have Secretariat win and set a record.  Daily, people place their bets on false hope.  They place their hope in people, careers, family, government, money, success and their ability to be in control.  A false hope means going contrary to God’s Law and leads an individual away from the only source where victory can be found—in Christ.

Many times it is hard to know if something is false or real.  We are living in a world filled with deception and false religions.  Jesus said, “I am the way,  the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, but through Me (John 14:6).”  Simple and to the point—there is but one way.  Because He is the truth, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to discern what is false and what is true.  God’s Word is the plumb line.

One additional word of encouragement from the Psalmist: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness,” (Psalm 33:18 NASB). Charles Spurgeon writes, “Those who fear God need not fear anything else. Let them fix their eye of faith on Him and His eye of love will always rest on them.”

Would you rather have a false hope or the real hope?  ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).  Real hope found in Christ is the true victory!

Book Review: The Person I Marry and other Bower Family Titles

When I first saw The Person I Marry I knew I had to get it for my kids.  In fact, I was blown away by all the books I saw on the Bower Family Books website!  Jan Bower’s fabulous artwork makes these books unique among anything that is available on the market for children.  Most importantly, each book clearly and winsomely teaches truths of Scripture to children. The Bower’s have generously offered to give one reader the book of their choice…keep reading to find out how to enter to win!

The Person I Marry gently encourages children to look at character qualities such as kindness and faithfulness when thinking about their future spouse, rather than focusing on externals.  The uplifting text includes several Scripture verses and the luminescent pictures are frame-worthy.  This book would also be an appropriate wedding keepsake gift.  Take a look at this video excerpt from the book and you’ll see why I immediately ordered The Person I Marry along with several other titles from Bower Family Books.

 

The Person I Marry from Bower Books on Vimeo.

The Jingle in My Pocket is another great children’s title from husband-wife team Gary and Jan Bower.  In this book, children learn all about handling money, including the topics of earning, saving, tithing, giving, spending, borrowing, honesty, and diligence.  There are many words of wisdom from the book of Proverbs included throughout the book, and Jan Bower’s gorgeous illustrations grace every page.  My children loved this book and it was a great and thoroughly biblical introduction to this crucial topic.  Click play to watch a video clip of The Jingle in My Pocket.

 

The Jingle In My Pocket from Bower Books on Vimeo.

Finally, I adore their Little Lovables baby board books Mommy Love and Daddy Love for ages 0-3.  My baby loves the tender pictures of mommies and daddies caring for their children.  The text speaks of the simple things that parents do every day to show love to their children.  These books make a great baby shower gift and they are among my favorite titles to read to my 1-year-old daughter.  One thing that makes these board books special is that the pictures show families of various ethnicities.

 

Daddy Love, Mommy Love from Bower Books on Vimeo.

* One reader will be selected using Random.org to win the title of their choice from Bower Family Books. To enter, view one of the brief 2 minute videos linked in this post or visit the Bower Family Books website to view their other titles and leave a comment about one book that looks interesting to you. Deadline for entries is Friday, April 27, 2012 at midnight. Winner will be contacted by Monday, May 1st, 2012 and will have three business days to respond with mailing address or a new winner will be chosen.

**If you are viewing this post in an email and don’t see the video players, please click on each video title’s link to view the videos online.

The Coupon of All Coupons

I’m a couponing newbie. I don’t know much about getting the most value from coupons. In fact, several weeks ago, I bought almost $100 in groceries and saved only two dollars and some change. I have a feeling that I’ll be learning soon enough—my husband and I are adopting a sibling group of five.

I do know one thing about coupons: They are redeemable—but only if I take specific steps. When I find something I want, I can take the coupon into a grocery store within a specific time frame and redeem it for the specific item.

Couponing is a lot like salvation.

Jesus alone was able to take the specific steps needed to redeem us—to buy back our souls from the bondage of sin and death. He died on the cross more than 2,000 years ago because He loved us so much, He wanted us to spend eternity with Him.

Jesus redeemed us. He exchanged His blood for our souls.

You can’t beat that deal!

O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing! He forgives your sins – every one. He heals your diseases – every one. He redeems you from hell – saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy – a paradise crown. (Psalm 103:2-4, The Message)

Daphne Tarango

The Greatest Hope

“Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth,” the Ringmaster for the Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Circus announces as the curtains open wide.  Anticipation and excitement fills the air.  The music plays loudly and the parade beings.  The procession consists of clowns, trapeze artists, elephants, beautiful horses, dogs, lions, and tigers.  The audience’s eyes are eventually drawn to the inner circle where the show begins.

Many people would say the circus is not necessarily the place to find the greatest show on earth.  Perhaps the slogan would best fit a sunset over the Mediterranean Sea or the display of the Aurora Lights in the northern hemisphere.  Many times the greatest show on earth has been found in my own back yard as I watch my children or grandchildren play.  God has graciously granted individuals, through His creation, the ability to daily witness The Greatest Show on Earth.

But have you ever thought about The Greatest Hope?  Many people know and have memorized John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  Many people consider this the greatest verse when we look at biblical hope.  God provided a way, through grace, for mankind to know The Greatest Hope. At Easter we remember all Christ did for us on the cross—the suffering, the agony.  The blood shed for man’s sin-the supreme sacrifice.  Many times at Easter we place the emphasis on Jesus’ death on the cross, but as Paul writes in the book of Romans, the greater emphasis is to be on the resurrection (Romans 1:4).   This is what sets true Christianity apart from any other religion.  Furthermore, Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3).

Easter morning produced both The Greatest Show on Earth and The Greatest Hope.  Jesus said, to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this (John 11:25-26)?”  Hallelujah what a Savior!

Written Into the Story

Ever since Adam and Eve, God has been writing earth’s most passionate and powerful drama, a narrative from ancient past to triumphant future, a tale of redemption and hope. Most amazing of all, God is writing you and me into His story.

Consider this—has anyone ever understood their place in history? Surely Abraham knew. God promised him he’d be the father of many nations, but all he experienced of the blessing was the miracle of a child born in his old age. Did he even live long enough to meet his grandsons, Esau and Jacob?

In Luke we read about the thief on the cross. Everyone around him cursed the man crucified next to him. Suddenly we hear him say, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” In his greatest moment of humiliation and shame, the thief only knew death’s agony, clueless that the faith his dying words expressed would shout a message of hope down through the ages. Because God wrote him into the story, we believe that it’s never too late to repent.

What about modern examples? Christian Wolfke prayed for years that he might win a Jew for Christ even though there were none in his Romanian village, and he was too ill to travel. When Richard and Sabrina Wurmbrand arrived, the old carpenter prayed many hours for their salvation, gave them a New Testament and eventually won them to Christ.

This Jewish couple later stood up to the communist government and, after suffering many years in prison for his faith, Richard wrote the well-known book, Tortured for Christ, and founded Voice of the Martyrs. Christian Wolfkes only saw himself as a carpenter who wanted to win a Jew to Christ. He never lived to see how his investment in the Wurmbrands later impacted the world.

What about you and me? We’re just as ordinary and unsuspecting as these folks, but our faithfulness may also reverberate down through the ages in ways we could never imagine. If today we’re perplexed by our lives, should this be surprising? We’re all part of a greater story which the Author has not yet finished.

When at last all plot lines in the Great Author’s story converge, all mysteries are solved, and the lovers finally wed, I’m convinced we’ll let out a deep sigh of satisfaction and maybe wipe a tear or two from our eyes. Then I imagine we’ll slip to our knees in stunned awe…

 

Ruth Wood writes at www.Comfort-Cafe.net/blog. She is married, has two grown sons, a delightful daughter-in-law and one rambunctious grandcat.

Jesus Is…the Answer

So many hymns talk about blood. And that picture has a certain “ick” factor. One familiar hymn reveals the paradox:  Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Another similar hymn was one of the praise songs in our summer VBS program. Each day the 100 elementary kids belted out the jazzed up version of this gospel tune with an accompaniment CD that turned the familiar hymn into an upbeat rap song.

However, on day four of VBS, the focus became serious as we learned of Jesus’ death and resurrection. As worship leader, I was instructed by the booklet to begin the hymn but without the CD. I was supposed to simply sing the opening as a solo and watch for what happened. Apprehensive, I began a cappella, “What can wash away my sin?” I waited and in amazement listened as a hundred children’s voices echoed the answer, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Hearing kids sing that simple truth, is a moment I will never forget.

My question had only one answer. Jesus washed away our sin by sacrificing Himself on the cross as the Lamb of God. The song is timeless because the answer to the question will never change. Do you know the answer?

What can wash away my sin?            Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again?     Nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is all my hope and peace            Nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is all my righteousness               Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Chorus:

Oh! Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow

No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus

Lord, it is nothing but YOUR blood. Wash us white as snow. Be all our hope and peace and all our righteousness. You are the Answer.

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