Julie Arduini's Blog, page 119

Book Review: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

Book Description:

You have an enemy . . . and he’s dead set on destroying all you hold dear and keeping you from experiencing abundant life in Christ. What’s more, his approach to disrupting your life and discrediting your faith isn’t general or generic, not a one-size-fits-all. It’s specific. Personalized. Targeted.

So this book is your chance to strike back. With prayer. With a weapon that really works. Each chapter will guide you in crafting prayer strategies that hit the enemy where it hurts, letting him know you’re on to him and that you won’t back down. Because with every new strategy you build, you’re turning the fiercest battles of life into precise strikes against him and his handiwork, each one infused with the power of God’s Spirit.

New York Times bestselling author Priscilla Shirer, widely known for her international speaking, teaching, and writing ministries, brings her new role from the 2015 film War Room into the real lives of today’s women, addressing the topics that affect them most: renewing their passion, refocusing their identity, negotiating family strife, dealing with relentless regrets, navigating impossible schedules, succeeding against temptation, weathering their worst fears, uprooting bitterness, and more. Each chapter exposes the enemy’s cruel, crafty intentions in all kinds of these areas, then equips and encourages you to write out your own personalized prayer strategies on tear-out sheets you can post and pray over yourself and your loved ones on a regular basis.

Fervent is a hands-on, knees-down, don’t-give-up action guide to practical, purposeful praying.

Fervent is a book that wields serious power because the author creates a plan on how to defeat the true defeated one by giving the reader his playbook. I absolutely loved how Priscilla Shirer goes through each strategy the devil uses to bring women down and explains what it is, and how to overcome his plans with specific prayer. The book is easy to read but deep in information, truth, God’s word and strategies to be on the offensive. At the end there are prayer cards to tear out and use.

This is one of the resources Stephen and Alex Kendrick use to help families engage in prayer as part of their movie, War Room. Each book targets small children, kids, teens, family/men and women. I highly recommend all of them. Fervent is amazing. I hope you find out for yourself.

To see my reviews on the other War Room related books, click here.

To purchase Fervent, click here.

I received a copy of Fervent in exchange for an honest review.

Tags:  Alex Kendrick, book review, Book Review: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer, Julie Arduini, prayer, prayer strategies, Stephen Kendrick, War Room, women, women praying




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 COTT: Rachel Hauck's Once Upon a Prince Latest Clash Winner  Saturday Confession: My True Self  How Would You Handle It? Fat Girl Edition  Sabbath Sunday: He will Direct Your Path  Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!Copyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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COTT: A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

[image error] A BRIDE AT LAST by Melissa Jagears! Abandoned

by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to

recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation

have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her

whereabouts. Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon

realizing she’d been deceived about her intended groom, she’s now settled

into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away,

Kate assumes she’ll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony–until two men

suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy’s father. Silas can see

Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and

attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in

Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to

think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the

secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and

Anthony’s wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between

them leave them lonely forever?
 
 
 
 
Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly has to say:

In [Jagears’] latest novel [A Bride at Last], . . . the characters are all

well-balanced and engaging: Silas’ struggle with his failed marriage,

struggling faith, and dark past makes him sympathetic; Kate’s commitment to

Anthony gives her depth and pathos; and their romance develops

realistically . . . a memorable read for fans of redemptive historical

romances.

Check out her upcoming release, With This Ring?
[image error]

A historical novella compilation of four award winning authors – Karen

Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings and Melissa Jagears Four top

historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer

stories of love and romance with a twist of humor. In Karen Witemeyer’s

“The Husband Maneuver,” Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins when the

ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever. Regina Jennings offers

“Her Dearly Unintended,” where friends stranded by a rising river pretend

to be newlyweds when a dangerous stranger arrives. Mary Connealy’s “Runaway

Bride” finds a Texas ranger getting more than he expected when he rescues a

young woman fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage. And Melissa Jagears’

“Engaging the Competition” finds a young woman forced to assist the man

she’s often sparred with after an accident leaves him helpless. Each tale

is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.

Find

it here on Amazon

About Melissa:
[image error]

Melissa Jagears is a homeschooling mom who writes Christian Historical

Romance after everyone is asleep. She’s the author of the Unexpected Brides

Series with Bethany House. The prequel ebook novella, Love by the Letter is

free to try. You can learn more about her, her books, and where she hangs

out online at www.melissajagears.com

Tags:  author, Clash of the Titles, COTT, COTT: A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears, fiction, Julie Arduini, romance




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 COTT: Betrayal by Anne Patrick  Word Full Wednesday: Mere Man, Medical Bills, and Me  Write Integrity Press Christmas: Celebrating Christ's Birthday  Book Review: Hidden Falls Episode #1---Ordinary Secrets  About Me: Victory over People PleasingCopyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Sabbath Sunday: The Detour

 

This summer a small bridge closed that connects us to most of the routes I need. Thanks to the construction of a new bridge, I’ve had to take detours to find my way around.

Some detours were through official signage and others were roads I took by looking at my GPS.

The picture above is Evans Lake in Springfield, Ohio. Had the bridge been active, I would never have needed a detour.

I never would have seen this beautiful spot.

And that’s just how life is.

There are times, too many, actually, where I have it all mapped out.

And then comes a detour. Something I never planned and I don’t appreciate.

But that detour was never a surprise to God, and if I allow myself to take a look, I might find beauty, peace, blessings and so much more.

How about you?

Tags:  bridge out, detour, Evans Lake, God's plans, GPS, Julie Arduini, Ohio, Sabbath Sunday: The Detour, Springfield, sunset




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 Sabbath Sunday: Hope  Guest Blogger Rebecca Shares Characteristics of Jealousy  Julie Arduini's Favorite Kindle Read from 2013 is...    Character Confession: New Marching OrdersCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: The Detour], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Saturday Confession: I’ve Ghosted Before

I try as a mom and mentor of sorts to stay on top of the latest terms, crazes and technology. Not to be the cool middle aged lady, but to know what’s out there trying to harm my kids and children I care about. I’d love to say I always know the latest, but often I’m still behind the times.

Like when I heard the term “ghosted.” It was in a picture I saw of Scarlett Johansson. She was accused of ghosting Sean Penn, someone she had been involved with but no longer was. The commenters felt she was icing him out, treating him as if he wasn’t even in the room.

Apparently, that’s ghosting. It’s ignoring the relationship, whether in person, texts or calls. It can be romantic or friendship.

And I’ve ghosted long before it was a thing.

Years ago, I mean YEARS ago there was a boyfriend who disappeared. He went off to college but never said goodbye. I was angry more than anything else.  Everyone had their theories but months later, he came calling. As if this never happened. Talk about ghosting. He flat out disappeared. And when he returned, he asked for my number.

And I gave him the wrong number.

And he knew it.

His last words to me were, “You don’t want me to call you, do you?”

And I said nope and drove off.



As an adult, I’ve been ghosted and I’ve done the same. There’s no good excuse because when it happened to me it was almost as painful as losing my father. I ached. It was a loss that took me a long time to process.  Choices needed to be made outside of my power and who I am and how I live were outside the parameters. Someone had to go. I was an easy elimination to be rid of. I was obviously not as valued as I had valued them. That fact just about did me in.

When I’ve ghosted as an adult, it was never malicious or fun. I simply was at a loss. Either the relationship ran its course and I didn’t know how to communicate beyond what I’d already done, or, the other person required more out of me than I was able to give. Sometimes I ghosted because I gave and gave and gave and nothing changed because the other person was content to stay as is and keep coming me for changes. There were times I backed off because it was too draining, too high maintenance for me to handle. I also became invisible when I realized the relationship wasn’t what I thought it was. I was a crystal ball of sorts, the go-to when there was a crisis or a prayer request. When I was in need of prayer and support, I stood alone against the people I eventually ghosted. Lastly, I ghosted because trust had been broken and we knew it, but I didn’t have the courage to say so. I closed my circle in tighter and moved on.

I’m not proud of it and yet if I had to do it over again, I can’t say I’d act differently just yet. That’s the beauty of Saturday confession. I’m working on it, but I’m not perfect.  I’m simply being transparent enough to share my confession.

Right now in any of those situations I don’t have words that would be comforting. I’d create more hurt with honesty, and I definitely don’t want to lie. So like my wedding song, I Say Nothing at All.

Ghosting. Have you done it? Has it been done to you? Don’t be invisible. Share in the comments.

 

Tags:  friendships, ghosted, ghosting, grief, ignoring, introvert, Julie Arduini, rejection, relationships, Saturday Confession: I've Ghosted




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 Saturday Confession: No Substitute Will Do  Sabbath Sunday: When I See a Cave  Sabbath Sunday: He Will Direct Your Path  The Writing Sisters: Surrender and The Shepherd's Song  Book Review: Old Fashioned the Devotional by Ginger Kolbaba and Rik SwartzwelderCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: I've Ghosted Before], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen Kendrick, Alex Kendrick

Book Description:

Inspired by the Kendrick Brothers’ new movie, War Room, this exciting new resource from the #1 best-selling author team behind The Love Dare and The Resolution for Men is designed to help anyone learn how to become a powerful person of prayer. The Battle Plan for Prayer begins with prayer’s core purpose, its biblical design, and its impact throughout history. Readers will be guided scripturally through the fundamentals of how effective prayer works, inspired towards a closer, more intimate relationship with God, and shown how to develop specific prayer strategies for each area of life. Prayer can accomplish what a willing God can accomplish. It should be your first plan of attack in all of life’s battles, not your last resort. If you want to experience the joy of mightily answered prayer, then it’s time to engage with God at another level.

 The Battle Plan for Prayer reminds me a lot of The Love Dare, the book inspired by the movie, Fireproof. The Battle Plan starts with the basics and each day, as they suggest reading a chapter at a time daily, gets more intense. By the end of the book the reader is armed with Biblical definitions of prayer, Scripture, examples and then strategies for specific prayer events.

What I found especially helpful were the Appendix at the end. They are full of resources to turn to time and time again. The entire book was well done and a must have for any family hungry to turn or return to prayer as part of their lifestyle.

The Battle Plan is part of the resources available to all ages in conjunction with the upcoming movie, The War Room. Please check my reading page to see my other reviews.

To purchase The Battle Plan for Prayer, click here.

I received The Battle Plan for Prayer in exchange for an honest review.

Tags:  Alex Kendrick, book review, Book Review: The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen Kendrick, Julie Arduini, prayer, prayer strategies, Scripture, The War Room




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 Find Me on Kindle!  Sabbath Sunday: I Got This  Where Books, Reading, Mustangs and Chocolate Meet  Sabbath Sunday: Beyond the Branches  Character Confession: Those Other Facebook GamesCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen Kendrick, Alex Kendrick], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review/Movie Promotion: Captive by Ashley Smith

Overview

CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the attention of the entire nation, is a thrilling drama about the spiritual collision of two broken lives.  When Brian Nichols – on the run as the subject of a city wide manhunt and desperate to make contact with his newborn son – takes recovering meth addict Ashley Smith hostage in her own apartment, she turns for guidance to Rick Warren’s best-selling inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life.  While reading aloud, Ashley and her would-be killer each face crossroads where despair and death intersect hope.  

 

The movie stars David Oyelowo, who played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the recent film, Selma.

Click HERE for a special greeting from David Oyelowo

I remember Ashley Smith’s story well. She was the single mom who was held hostage in her home and read The Purpose Driven Life to her captor. She went from victim to instant hero with an onslaught of publicity. It was obvious she wasn’t comfortable with the attention and as time went on, I heard bits and pieces of her story. She was a recovering addict. She didn’t even have custody of her daughter. And then, the story disappeared.

Captive is a haunting read because in Ashley’s words, she re tells her story and puts the reader right there in the apartment with her. I was completely absorbed into the story and read it in an evening. As the scenario unfolds it is obvious God had His handprints all over this. It’s amazing for all the places Brian Nichols went, he arrived at Ashley’s neighborhood. She was in the process of unpacking. She was new. Faith was a very new thing for her and it was her lifeline. But she had a plan B. She still had a stash of drugs.

I loved Captive because it’s an intriguing story that shows what God can do with a willing vessel. What I found surprising was she didn’t read a lot of The Purpose Driven Life to him. I had the impression she read chapter after chapter. I came away thinking God guided her conversation. She kept talking to him. He was a churched man. And that’s what made his story so sad.

I Googled the two to see “where are they now?” Ashley is married with two more children. It appears as if she is doing well and is active in her relationship with Christ. Brian Nichols? I see no mention that he transformed for the better after all the conversations he shared with Ashley.

This is going to be a major movie this month and I believe it will be not only solid entertainment, but a solid message, too. Captive, the book, was. I hope you read it.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

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OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER

To Purchase Captive by Ashley Smith, click here.

Tags:  Ashley Smith, book review, Brian Nichols, Captive, David Oyelowo, drugs, FlyBy Promotions, Follow Your Purpose, grace, Julie Arduini, Kate Mara, movie, redemption, The Purpose Driven Life




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 Remembering Stephen Bly    WFW: God's 3:30 AM Answer  Entrusted on the Internet  COTT: Summer Reads Copyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review/Movie Promotion: Captive by Ashley Smith], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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COTT: Vote for Your Favorite Release

Beautiful New July Covers!

Welcome, fellow book lovers! As we wrap up summer, we’re bringing you four wonderful reads to take out on your deck chair. From the mountains to the rugged west, these books offer a great variety of escapes. But if you could only pick one, which would make it into your need-to-read pile? Vote at the end–and don’t forget to leave a kind word for your favorite author.

 

 

The Lady and the Mountain Fire by Misty M. Beller 

Claire Sullivan’s desire to help others carried her all the way to the Montana Territory to care for her blind grandmother, but the callous, hardworking doctor she meets there doesn’t fit her expectations. When disaster strikes their rough mining city, Claire must face her her greatest fear to help the man she’s come to love.

Purchase on Amazon

 

 

A Bride At Last by Melissa Jagears

Silas and Kate are both wary of love after failed mail-order engagements, but when a common interest in a motherless boy leads to an interest in each other, they begin to think they can set aside past hurts. However, neither is prepared for the secrets that have yet to come to light.

Purchase on Amazon

To Soar on Eagle’s Wings by Renee Blare

While the sun shines in Timber Springs, snow falls on the Snowy Range, and trouble’s brewing in the meadows. The area’s new game warden, Steve Mitchell launches his first wildlife investigation of the season, but the trouble follows him—straight to town.

Purchase on Amazon

The Daughters of Jim Farrell by Sylvia Bambola

Pennsylvania 1873: When Jim Farrell is hanged for murder, his three daughters resolve to clear his name. But all too soon their dangerous quest rips the family apart and could cost them the men they love.

Purchase on Amazon

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Tags:  A Bride at Last, Clash of the Titles, COTT: Vote for Your Favorite Release, fiction, Julie Arduini, Melissa Jagears, Misty M. Beller, Renee Blare, Sylvia Bambola, The Daughters of Jim Farrell, The Lady and the Mountain Fire, To Soar on Eagle's Wings




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 Dani Pettrey Celebrating Shattered with Facebook Party and Nook HD Giveaway Opportunity  COTT: Getting to Know Dineen Miller  Sabbath Sunday: The Windy Road  Dialogue: Snappy Dialogue, That Is  Mother of Pearl: Bonnie St. John's Stepping Out on FaithCopyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: Vote for Your Favorite Release], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Sabbath Sunday: The Detour

 

This summer a small bridge closed that connects us to most of the routes I need. Thanks to the construction of a new bridge, I’ve had to take detours to find my way around.

Some detours were through official signage and others were roads I took by looking at my GPS.

The picture above is Evans Lake in Springfield, Ohio. Had the bridge been active, I would never have needed a detour.

I never would have seen this beautiful spot.

And that’s just how life is.

There are times, too many, actually, where I have it all mapped out.

And then comes a detour. Something I never planned and I don’t appreciate.

But that detour was never a surprise to God, and if I allow myself to take a look, I might find beauty, peace, blessings and so much more.

How about you?

Tags:  bridge out, detour, Evans Lake, God's plans, GPS, Julie Arduini, nature, Ohio, Sabbath Sunday: The Detour, Springfield, sunset, surrender




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 Album Review: Let it Be Jesus by Christy Nockels (GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY!)  Sabbath Sunday: Waving a Flag but Not Living Free  Interview with Author Eileen Rife  Sabbath Sunday: Beyond the Branches  Unlikely Merger Authors: Business TripsCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: The Detour], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Confession Saturday: Kathie Lee Gifford’s Return to Work

I confess I’ve had many conversations regarding Kathie Lee Gifford over the years. She would be listed on my Women’s Bible Devotional and yet when I watched her on Regis and Kathie Lee she was suggestive at best. It drove me crazy. I didn’t see Christ’s light and her approach was a turn off.

Fast forward and she returned to television with the fourth hour of The Today Show. Although I thought it was a step down for Hoda Kotb and her journalism skills, I thought it was a good fit for Kathie Lee. She seemed tamer, more relatable. Her walk seemed to match her talk.

When I heard about Frank Gifford’s death, it really shook me. I think part of it was we have a ten year gap in our marriage and it was a topic we took seriously before we got engaged. We talked about leaving the other behind. I couldn’t imagine the grief Kathie Lee and her children had to be feeling.

Yet I saw her post on Twitter and I heard Hoda share how strong Kathie Lee was.

And then I saw this.

Honestly, it’s one of the best moments of live television I’ve ever seen.

Kathie Lee on her first day back to work after losing her husband shared his last moments. His faith. Her faith. Their faith.

And her challenge about the stone.

I challenge YOU to watch. It’s about 8 minutes and they go fast.

It’s inspiring and emotional.

May God bless her and her children.

Tags:  Christian faith, Confession Saturday: Kathie Lee Gifford's Return to Work, Frank Gifford, Julie Arduini, Kathie Lee Gifford, legacy, Regis and Kathie Lee, testimony, The Today show




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 Unlikely Merger Authors: Our Business Influences  Chuck E. Cheese and the Last Days  COTT: Kinsale Kisses by Elizabeth Maddrey Wins December Clash  12 Pearls of Christmas---Robin Dance's Panhandler's Breath  When Holly Got STARTedCopyright © Julie Arduini [Confession Saturday: Kathie Lee Gifford's Return to Work], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: Project Inspired by Nicole Weider

Nicole Weider is on a mission: to help young girls avoid the traps that culture sets. The trap that baits you into thinking you must sacrifice your self-worth in order to be beautiful and popular. Nicole launched Project Inspired in 2010 (www.projectinspired.com), a website for teen girls that analyzes pop culture and explores ways girls can live in their authentic beauty.

In Project Inspired, Nicole shares tips for you to stay true to yourself—to how you were created to be—as well as how to dress modestly yet fashionably, how to make a positive difference in the world, and how to enjoy your teen years while standing firm in your faith. With photographs, real behind-the-scenes stories from inside the fashion world, and an honest look at living a life that looks great on the outside and feels great on the inside, Project Inspired is a book you’ll turn to time and time again.

This easy-to-read book from model and actress Nicole Weider is a message all tween and teen girls need to read. Nicole briefly shares her modeling story where she had trouble fitting in at school and that she never felt enough. Through it all she had a friend who was always praying for her, and that friend’s faith helped Nicole realize she needed a relationship with Christ.

Now Nicole is on a mission to help girls find their identity in Christ and walk confidently with their peers. She has tips on clothes, makeup, modesty, friendship, dating, and much more. I found the tips to be at their level and yet Biblical and what I agree with as a parent.

I also found Nicole’s pictures modeling clothes very helpful. My daughter is visual and seeing what looks Nicole was writing about really helped.

Project Inspired is a book girls can read quickly, but it also contains so many gems, girls can also reference it again and again.

I definitely recommend!

To purchase Project Inspired, click here.

I received a copy of Project Inspired in exchange for my honest review.

Tags:  beauty, book review, Book Review: Project Inspired by Nicole Weider, Christian, Julie Arduini, modeling, modesty, Nicole Weider, Project Inspired, teen girls, teens




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 Sabbath Sunday: Swampy Yard  Introducing Chocolate and a Museum Gallery Opening  12 Pearls of Christmas---Debora M. Coty's Inside Out Christmas  A2Z Meme: Ultrasounds  SMITTEN BOOK CLUB | KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY, FACEBOOK PARTY, AND SATURDAY BRUNCHCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Project Inspired by Nicole Weider], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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