Pursing Gold by Cynthia L. Simmons

From the publisher:

With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis. With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace
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Having lived in Chattanooga I was excited to read this book and the time era.  I was excited and really wanted to get into the book more than I did.  Cynthia L Simmons does a good job at her research and will bring readers new insight and information into this time period.

I felt that the characters were hard to believe and really like.  The dialogue seemed stifled a bit and I found  myself skimming to get more into the story instead of enjoying character development and the story plot.

I received this book free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Marlo Schalesky’s ‘Waiting for Wonder’ Blog Tour and Giveaway

Because God’s timing is so rarely our own and we lose the wonder in the waiting of life, desperation strikes, plans backfire, and we begin to wonder why God does not fill the emptiness. Be encouraged to find strength and hope in Marlo Schalesky's new book, Waiting for Wonder. Journey into the heart of God where you will wrestle with personal questions, think deeply about God’s true character, and learn to appreciate His divine work as you discover your own path to the promised land. Recapture your hope, restore your soul, and renew your vision of a wondrous Savior when you learn to live on God’s time.

Learn the true purpose of waiting on God and living on His timeline and enter to win Marlo's giveaway.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Two copies of Waiting for Wonder (one for you and one to give to a friend)
• A KEEP Collective watch set (with a band and watch)

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on December 23. The winner will be announced December 27 on Marlo's blog.

Discipline that Connects with Your Child's Heart by Jim & Lynne Jackson

Froom the publisher:
Did you know that the way we deal (or don't deal) with our kids' misbehavior shapes their beliefs about themselves, the world, and God? Therefore it's vital to connect with their hearts--not just their minds--amid the daily behavior battles.

With warmth and grace, Jim and Lynne Jackson, founders of Connected Families, offer four tried-and-true keys to handling any behavioral issues with love, truth, and authority. You will learn practical ways to communicate messages of grace and truth, how to discipline in a way that motivates your child, and how to keep your relationship strong, not antagonistic. Discipline is more than just a short-term attempt to modify your child's actions--it's a long-term investment to help them build faith, wisdom, and character for life. When you discover a better path to discipline, you'll find a more well-behaved--and well-believed--kid.
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I cannot tell you how excited I was to read this book!  I have a book called Parenting with Connection that speaks to foster and adoptive parents, and as I read it I kept seeing how it could apply to all parenting!  So when I saw this book, and how many of the principles are the same I was ecstatic.

Being a Christian I was so happy to see these concepts mixed with building faith, wisdom, and character.

This book is not a quick fix book.  You can easily implement the things immediately but the results might take a while to show.  But I wouldn't be discouraged or give up.  Instead, this book is for the long haul and for real character development along with faith and Christian characters. 

Through out each chapter there are "My Response" sections that help focus and apply the things being discussed. Also, they have a huge appendix section for specific challenges that are a great resource to add to the book. 

I am so thankful Jim and Lynne Jackson wrote this book!

I received this book free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.

Waiting for Wonder by Marlo Schalesky

From the publisher:

It’s easy to believe God when a promise is new. It’s hard when the years pass and nothing changes. It’s even harder when desperation strikes, your plans backfire, and still God does not fill the emptiness. But what if, in this waiting, God is calling us to more?

Join author Marlo Schalesky on a unique, contemplative journey to reveal the wonder that is often missed when we find ourselves struggling to wait well. Walking through the life of the biblical character Sarah, one who knows what it means to wait, you will discover a glimpse of God’s character that will give you strength to keep hoping and praying for the desires of your heart.

Waiting for Wonder is a journey into the heart of God where you will wrestle with personal questions, think deeply about God’s true character, and learn to appreciate His divine work as you discover your own path to the promised land. Recapture your hope, restore your soul, and renew your vision of a wondrous Savior when you learn to live on God’s time.

Leader guide also available.

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This book.  This book is possibly the best book I have read this year.  I started reading this because I thought I should, but I could tell that this was the book I was meant to read.

I have really been struggling during a waiting period of my life.  I have been begging God for a miracle...for 15 months.  Begging for the fulfillment of a promise I know He has given me.  And yet, as I have tried to make things go faster. But that has only ended in heartbreak.

And so I began the journey of Sarai as Marlo Schaelsky writes and shares the keys to waiting.  Never have I read a book like this.  This small book is so powerful.  I think I underlined almost every page, and some pages have underlining, stars, highlights, etc. filling the whole page. 

I know that my review of this book won't do it justice.  This book allowed me to breathe.  To find peace in waiting....waiting that can be SO hard.  This book was an incredible blessing.  If you are in a season of waiting.  Weeks, months, years....then get this book.  Sarai's journey will never be more real or applicable. 

I received this book free and was not required to write a positive review.

Scripture Doodle by April Knight

These books are really a great way for those who enjoy "hand lettering" or "scripture doodling" but aren't feeling brave enough to try on their own.  I, for one, am not super artistic and these little books are perfect. 

April Knight guides you step by step to improve your doodling and grow as an artist.  But what I love is that her goal is not to have you "become an artist" but rather for you do have a devotional experience with God and His Word. 

God's Word is so rich and deep and by using this book it allows you do experience His Word in a new way. 

This book could be for children or adults. 

I received these books free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.

KJV Journal the Word Bible: Large Print

This Bible is a wonderful edition of the Bible.  The large print is laid out in a single column style that makes reading easier than most multi-columned Bible. In addition to this classic version of the Bible, there are blank columns on each side of the two page spread. 

These free spaces are there for notes or Bible Word Art...or anything you would like.  I love this edition of the Bible because it blends the classic Word with allowing your own creative expression.

I received this book from the publisher and was no required to write a positive review.

Getaway with God: The Everywoman's Guide to Personal Retreat by Letitia Suk

From the publisher:
What if a simple day away could transform your life?
Does spending time with God sound like just one more thing to check off an ever-increasing to-do list? How are you supposed to fit in anything that threatens to be more time-consuming? Too often there's simply no room to experience the intimacy, grace, and peace that God offers us.
Getaway with God does more than invite you to step away from life's pressures to take a personal retreat. It shows you exactly why you must--for your sake and for your family's.
With grace and warmth, Letitia Suk provides step-by-step guidance and the necessary tools to enable any woman on any budget to plan time away, whether it's a quick, half-day break or a weeklong time of restoration. You'll find detailed steps for preparation, including descriptions of different kinds of retreats and how to choose the best one for you, and you'll learn ways to bring the renewal you experience home with you. Practical appendixes identify retreat centers nationwide and provide exercises and prayers to kick-start your getaway with God.
No matter what your season in life, the time for retreat is now!
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This small book is exactly what it claims to be.  It is a guide to personal retreat.  It says women but I think that men could easily adapt it to something for themselves. 

Here are a few things I really liked about this book:

Letitia Suk shows you that a personal retreat can be for different reasons and even allows one that is for rest and relaxation.  But she also shows how a retreat is meant to be a time to focus intently on God.  I liked how she gave Bible study suggestions as well as physical tips like napping and taking walks. 

I think it was important that she shows we can't always get a day away or a few days but sometimes it could be an afternoon or even setting one day aside during the week as the Ten Commandments say.  The Sabbath is a perfect way to have a retreat every week, but you would do it as a family. 

If you want to know how to do a personal retreat and how to have that focused time with God then this is the book for you.  It is full of practical suggestions and guidelines as well as reasons why it is so important. 

I received this book free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.