Julie Arduini's Blog, page 52

Book Review: Shame Off You by Denise Pass

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1 
 
Shame is an assault on the core of who we are. It assassinates our character, minimizes our worth, and dashes our hope. Like Adam and Eve, we often hide shame, but hiding never heals it. Left unattended, shame can develop into a crippling reality that paralyzes us. Like an infectious disease, shame impacts everyone . . . but not all shame is bad.

Shame can either be an oppressive and powerful tool of worldly condemnation or a source of conviction that God uses to bring his people back to himself. Having the discernment to know the difference and recognize shame in its many forms can change the course of one’s life.

In a transparently honest style, Pass shares of her experience dealing with shame after learning that her former husband was a sexual offender. Having lived through the aftermath, she leads you into God’s Word where you will see for yourself that God is bigger than your pain, shame, mistakes, and limitations.

Shame Off You shares how freedom can be found in choosing to break the cycle of shame by learning from the past, developing healthy thinking patterns, silencing lies, and overcoming the traps of vanity and other people’s opinions.

I’ve watched women waste decades of what could have been a life full of abundance because of shame. Shame Off You is a book that’s been needed for quite some time. Denise Pass shares the different ways she’s experienced shame, as well as how to find healing. She is very transparent in her writing, and I believe any reader, no matter what their story, would relate to Denise and believe if she can move forward in healing, they can as well.

Each chapter has a recap as well as reflection questions and a devotional. I found those very helpful and essential for the healing journey. The themes include Shame’s Foundation, Shame’s Impact, and Overcoming Shame.

I think Shame Off You can be an incredibly useful tool God would use for readers in their quest to live free from condemnation. I definitely recommend!

PURCHASE SHAME OFF YOU HERE

Enter here for a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received Shame Off You from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way and any opinions shared are my own.

Where Do You Come From?

Earlier this month I traveled back to my hometown and looked at photos, furniture, and paperwork from years gone by. I loved that she labeled things so the history and origin was right there. There were memories of going to the drug store with the Green Stamp book, and she still has them. Sewing patterns that cost mere cents, and were the source of all our clothes. Ah, memories!

Years ago I remember creating a post about where I came from. Something to get to know me better. I realize there are new readers since then, so I thought I’d update. I’d love for you to share, too! Where do you come from? Drop me your answers at juliearduini@julieardui.com, or tag me @JulieArduini on social media, including SnapChat!

Where I Come From

I come from Corning Glass and Market Street. Watkins Glen and NASCAR. Corning East Trojans and the Gibson bus.

I come from pop in bottles, Polaroids, barrettes with strings and beads.

I come from preppy, turned up collars, neon, leg warmers, and acid washed jeans.

I come from John Boy Walton, Ponch and Jon, Frank and Joe, Growing Pains, Full House, Little House on the Prairie.

I come from tag, Marco Polo, Cowboys and Indians, watergun fights and night swims.

I come from Mayberrys’, Woolworths, Hudson Shoes, Crystal City Bakery and McDonalds.

I come from “Thriller,” “Like a Virgin,” “Hangin’ Tough” and “Dancing Queen.”

I come from disco, hair bands, girl groups and boy bands.

I come from Rocky, Rambo, Han Solo, The Terminator, Sixteen Candles, and The Breakfast Club

I come from blizzards and below freezing, snow women, snow balls and snow forts.

I come from wiffleball, sledding, and growing up with neighbors.

I come from patched clothes, hand-me-downs, and wishing from the JCPenney catalog.

I come from riding bikes, skipping rocks, and finding minnows.

I come from remembering Reagan being shot, the Challenger, and where I was on 9/11.

How about you?

***

Speaking of beginnings, my writing started in those days. My room, the back of the school bus, in class. My first published book remains my baby, and I’d love for you to check it out!

Book Review: Meditation for Relaxation by Adam O’Neill

Practical Meditations for Real Relaxation

When you’re caught in the waves of a busy mind, pushed and pulled from place to place, day and night―wouldn’t it be wonderful to finally relax? You can. The meditation strategies and practices inside this book will help you find calm, get better sleep, and beat stress.

Reset your thoughts and settle your emotions with a quick meditation or use belly breaths to achieve deep and restful sleep. Meditation for Relaxation gets right to the techniques to give you right nowbenefits of meditation.

Inside Meditation for Relaxation, you’ll find:

Theory into Practice―Go beyond theory and dive into the benefits of practicing meditation.60 meditations―Cultivate calm, reduce stress, and wake up feeling like you’ve actually slept.Minutes to Mindfulness―Choose form 5, 10, 15, or 20 minute meditations to reset no matter how busy you are.

No matter how crazy your day has been, you can find peace in the middle of swirling thoughts and emotions with meditation.

Meditation for Relaxation starts right off with the author’s upbringing around a mother who practiced yoga/meditation and he wasn’t so sure of it for a long time. That confession drew me in, and the contents of the book kept me engaged. I too have not known what to do with the word meditation, or the practice. As a Christian, I was taught it was a new age practice and to stay away. The author states right away that Meditation for Relaxation is for people of all faiths, or even no faith at all. I think he did a great job explaining that, and giving so many exercises to work with. Also, as a side note, meditation for Christians is prayer. We thought of it first, the devil just likes to counterfeit everything. Don’t get hung up on the word.

The exercises are easy to understand and divided into categories that again, make trying meditation a stress-free thing.

I went into this book a little skeptical, and walked away relaxed and impressed.

I definitely recommend.

I received this book for review from the publisher. I was not compensated nor did anyone influence my opinion.

The Hovering Parent that is Me

Have I mentioned parenting is hard?

How about that no one prepared me for the young adult years? I have been crushed more times watching them grow than I thought possible. Same for the teen.

Honestly?

I still struggle with wanting to wrap them up in bubble wrap and keep them inside.

Forever.

Well, that’s not healthy, and I want them to live God’s best life. That usually means I need to surrender them and back off. I wrote about a recent experience at Christians Read that I think you can relate to.

Find But I Want to Hover HERE

An Interview with Wholly Loved Ministries’ Jessica Brodie

An Interview with
Wholly Loved Ministries’ Jessica
Brodie on their New 90-day Devotional, Drawing Near

Today, we offer an interview with Jessica Brodie of
Wholly Loved Ministries. Wholly Loved Ministries has a new book, Drawing Near: 90 Day Devotional, that is
written by a number of women (including Jessica) designed to help deepen our faith and grow our relationship with
Christ.
Here, Jessica shares about how she felt God’s call on her writing and what motivated
her to contribute to this devotional.

1. Hi, Jessica.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thanks for hosting me, Julie! I’ve been writing since I could
pick up a pencil, and one of my first memories is of playing with my mom’s old
manual typewriter pretending to write books. I grew up very shy and moved
around a lot, so I was a huge bookworm, reading anything I could get my hands
on—especially novels. My love for writing prompted me to study journalism and
English in college, and today I write everything I possibly can. Not only do I
blog and write devotionals for Wholly Loved Ministries, but I write
contemporary women’s fiction, I have my own weekly faith blog called “Shining
the Light,” I am a freelance writer and editor, and I am the editor and primary
writer for the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper
in Methodism. 

2. When did you
know God wanted you to write?

I am an expressive person, but as a “reformed shy person,”
expressing my thoughts to people wasn’t always easy. God led me to writing in
childhood as a healthy outlet for my thoughts and feelings. As an adult, I ran
a secular community newspaper for a number of years, but I kept sensing a nudge
toward other opportunities. One day, without knowing why, I started browsing
the website for the South Carolina Press Association—I knew no one in that
state, so I had no reason at all to look there. Immediately, the job came up
for someone to run a religious newspaper for the United Methodist Church there.
I happened to attend a United Methodist Church, so I applied and got the job. I
was writing a lot of secular fiction at the time, and about two years into my
job at the Methodist newspaper, I was driving to work when I heard a voice
speak into me: “Jessica, I want you to write a Christian novel.” The entire
plot of that book, which became my first Christian novel, flashed before me as
though it were a movie. That day I turned all my writing over to the Lord and
haven’t stopped.

3. Did you ever
wrestle with the call?

I’ve never felt like I “shouldn’t” write, though for many years
I let my faith writing take a backburner to my professional writing.
Transitioning to a faith-based day job blurred those lines. Now I try my best
to led God lead whatever I write and stay out of His way.

4. How does your
marriage play into your writing?

My husband and I are both very creative yet practical
people—he’s a photographer and videographer—so being married to him really
helps me as a writer. We know we need to take days to fill our creative cups
through travel or a hike in the woods, while other days we have to focus intensely
on finishing a project.

5. What do you
enjoy most about writing/your career?

It’s so much fun to go deep and challenge myself to write tight
yet vulnerable. And I never get bored! There’s always a new devotional to
write, a new plot twist for my character, a new article, etc.

6. What is one
truth you wish you had rested in earlier?

I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to trust God, align
myself with His plan, and do my best.

7. What motivated
you to contribute to this devotional project?

I have a huge passion for digging into the Bible and growing in
faith as an authentic disciple, and I spent a lot of years getting over past
emotional baggage. I love this devotional because it’s from real women who have
been through real things, each of us struggling to push aside the past and grow
closer to God.

8. What are you
working on now? 

I’m working on an identity devotional for Wholly Loved
Ministries, a ton of blogs, my monthly newspaper, some fun
mental-health-and-faith articles, and my favorite—putting final tweaks on the
first draft of my new novel, Tangled
Roots.

To learn more about Jessica, including her fiction and weekly blog: https://www.jessicabrodie.com/. For more about Wholly Loved Ministries: https://youarewhollyloved.com/. For more about Drawing Near: 90 Day Devotional: https://www.amazon.com/dp/179757826X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_342lDbQQFHHVJ

Jessica
Brodie is an award-winning journalist and author who currently serves as the
editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest
newspaper in Methodism. She is the author of More Like Jesus: A Devotional
Journey (2018) and editor of Stories of Racial Awakening: Narratives on
Changed Hearts and Lives of South Carolina United Methodists (2018), both
from her newspaper’s Advocate Press. She also writes contemporary women’s fiction,
represented by Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency. Her novel The Memory Garden won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ 2018 Genesis Contest. She is a member of the Wholly
Loved Ministries team and has a faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com.

Life Really IS Like a Box of Chocolates!

I saw on the news that Forrest Gump is 25 years old. Hard to believe, isn’t it? A new classic, the movie was full of emotion, star power, and oh, the quotes. I still hear quotes today.

“Run, Forrest, Run” is what I hear when someone takes off in a jog.

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”

I got to thinking, I turn 50 in 2020. Through the post-Forest years, I’ve dealt with marriage, infertility, miracle births, miscarriage, moves, job transition, financial challenges, church “stuff,” near death of baby, special need issues, loss of parent and in-laws, marriage of older children, book publications, ministry work, births of grandchildren.

Lots of highs. Amazing things I remember in the moment I thought could not get better. They were the milk chocolate days. The chocolates with coconut. Or hazelnut. Or almonds. Wedding day. Births of children. Child graduation. Seeing my books on Amazon.

Then there are the valleys. The seasons where I’ve told Jesus in prayer I’m thankful for eternity because I want the tour of my teas to understand. Miscarriage. Financial troubles. Loss of loved ones. Near death of child. Teen heartbreak. Oh, to me, these are the chocolates filled with cherry. Vanilla. Anything that oozes fruit. Buttercreams.

As I’ve grown, I’m not as shocked as I used to be when hard times strike. What is changing is how I react to it. Years ago, I went from questioning the why to believing God. That was huge. Now? I’m working on praising Him at all times. Have you tried? As I type this, I’m supposed to drive and be social at an event where the heat index will be over 100. And my hormones are not in a good place, and I overheat when it’s 65. Praise God? But I don’t want to.

But, I’m trying. Recently I discovered news that wasn’t horrible, it wasn’t great, but it was…something. And I decided because of that, I was giving thanks.

The real mark of maturity for me is literal. Can I reach in and grab a cherry cordial and be thankful? That remains to be seen.

But I thought I’d share my revelation. Life really is like a box of chocolates. I don’t know what I’m going to get, but I’m working on being thankful.

How about you?

***

Did you know our daughter and I co-wrote a series for not only middle grade girls, but women of all ages? This unique series, Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’, features You’re Beautiful and You’re Amazing. Free for Kindle Unlimited. Check it out!

You’re Beautiful

You’re Amazing

Destroy or Destruction

JULIE’S NOTE: This summer I’m going through some very old posts (this server alone has over 2000 of my posts!) and sharing them with you with some minor updates. Enjoy!

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately regarding intercession and strategies and a lot of history takes me back to the Amalekites.  They were bad news for the Israelites and when Saul had victory over the Amalekites God was really specific.

Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys. 1 Samuel 15:3, NIV

It seems extreme but God has purpose to everything. Everything. He needed the Amalekites wiped off the face of the Earth for Israel’s protection.  Long story short, Saul disobeyed.

It’s easy for me to shake my finger at Saul and reflect on all the ways he blew it. He decided to play god and it was the beginning of the end for him. The consequences kept coming.

My heart is for surrender and freedom in Christ and although I had to Google “smite” and I wouldn’t recognize an Amalekite without God or a professor, I know disobedience.  I’ve yet to meet one recovering alcoholic that can keep a couple drinks on hand and not return to old ways. Anyone that struggles with p*rn knows they will never live free if they keep just one file on their computer or one magazine hidden. When I had relationships that I knew were toxic and God was asking me to let go, I had to completely release the friendship. When I thought oh, I’ll just e mail them, that will work…it. did. not.

God knows what He is doing and He loves you enough to tell you there is some destroying to do. When He asks you, it is for your good to obey.  Don’t play god and keep remnants around out of sympathy or for trophies.

Obey God.

***

If you enjoy my writing, please follow me on Amazon. I don’t want you to miss anything! Thanks for reading.

Laura V. Hilton: Married to a Stranger

The latest release from Laura V. Hilton

He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it? 
When her father falsely accuses a stranger of dishonoring her, Bethel Eicher finds herself promised in marriage to a man she’s never met. Not exactly a dream come true, but since she has spent several years caring for her handicapped mother, she’s already considered an old maid at twenty-five—and she longs to escape her lonely life as permanent caregiver.

When newly-called Amish preacher Gideon Kaiser learns he’s been accused of a dishonorable act, he’s horrified. But his wife died in childbirth and his baby needs a mother, so he figures marrying a woman he’s never met could be beneficial.

How can Bethel and Gideon possibly make their marriage work—especially when the truth behind the accusations is revealed?

PURCHASE Married to a Stranger HERE

Focus on the Family: Just for Kids!

Just for Kids!

Anyone hearing “I’m bored” yet? Well, Focus on the Family has the answer.

We’ve gathered together our large selection (over 300!) of kids resources in one convenient place. 
For your young kids check out the all new kids series – Otter B and Adventures with the King! 
And don’t forget about the award winning Adventures in Odyssey series! It is perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages. 
For older kids and teens we have plenty of options too. Check out Passages or our selection of Teen Fiction. 
We also offer award winning magazines full of educational, inspirational, and just plain fun articles.

Get started by checking out the Focus on the Family Store today!

I’m part of the Odyssey Adventure Club blogger team. I blog about their promotions and in return receive a membership to the OAC. All opinions are my own and I am not compensated.

Fiction Finder: July 2019 New Releases

July 2019 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Contemporary Romance:

Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount — In the three years since her mother’s death, widower Hoyt Bradley’s daughter, Jess, hasn’t spoken—until she suddenly begs him to save her favorite bookstore from closing. Hoyt is desperate to hear his daughter’s voice again, but he and the bookstore’s pretty owner, Anna Delaney, share a less-than-friendly past. Working together is complicated enough…but can they avoid falling in love? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

A Heart Surrendered by Joy K. Massenburge — Since her teens, pastor’s daughter Sharonda Peterson devoted her life to church service and solitude after the one night she gave Carl Ray Everhart everything. Sobered by a near-death experience, prodigal Carl returns home from an acting and singing career to serve as the worship leader at Sheronda’s church, and she finds that it takes every ounce of her resolve to resist his pursuits … not to mention memories that threaten to overturn the delicate balance she’s created. Can she finally surrender the one thing she’s tried all these years to protect: her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Harambee Press [Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas])

Starting Anew by Melanie D. Snitker — He’s afraid to trust. She has a secret that could change everything between them. Will they let go of their fear, or allow it to rob them of their chance at happiness? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Historical:

Underestimating Miss Cecilia by Carolyn Miller — Can shy, sweet Cecilia overcome her family’s prejudice to see a future with the recently returned prodigal son from next door? (Historical from Kregel Publications)

Benaiah: Might Man of God by PH Thompson — A novel of Biblical, historical fiction about Benaiah, one of King David’s mighty men, examining the premise: What happens when the king’s most obedient soldier is issued a wicked command? (Historical/Biblical from Word Alive Press)

Historical Romance:

Waltz with Destiny by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield — When the men and women of World War II marched off to war, they didn’t know what lay ahead. All they knew was that upon their young and inexperienced shoulders rested the plight of the free world. (Historical Romance from CrossRiver Media Group)

Thimbles and Threads by Mary Davis, Grace Hitchcock, Suzanne Norquist, and Liz Tolsma — Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When Tilly, a schoolteacher; Alice, a bridal shop owner; Sarah, a seamstress; and Melissa, a rag doll designer, put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to the surprising gift of love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Refiner’s Fire by J.M. Hochstetler —

Will the promise their hearts cling to finally find joyful fulfillment, or will war’s refining fire separate them forever? (Historical Romance from Sheaf House Publishers)

Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson — To escape an arranged marriage, Cassie Kendrick enlists in the Union army as a man, taking the name Thomas Turner. On the battlefields of the Civil War, keeping her identity a secret is only the beginning of her problems, especially after she meets Gabriel Avery, a handsome young photographer. Anxious to make his mark on the world and to erase past guilt, Gabriel works with renowned photographer Matthew Brady to capture images from the front lines of the war. As Gabriel forges friendships along the way, he wonders what the courageous, unpredictable Thomas Turner is hiding. Battling betrayal, their own personal demons, and a country torn apart by war, can Cassie and Gabriel forgive themselves and trust their futures to the God who births hope and healing in the darkest places? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse — Jacqueline Rivers manages a Pony Express station in 1860 Utah territory after her father’s death. There are daily stresses placed on her in this unconventional role—and now a government official is asking her to sniff out counterfeiters. When Elijah Johnson passes through on the stage while on an exhausting quest to find his boss’s heir, he doesn’t want to leave the beguiling station manager. In fact, he may never leave when caught in the crossfire of the territory’s criminal activities. Can she remain strong when secrets of the past and present are finally unearthed? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Legacy Rejected by Robin Patchen — She’s not giving up her home, no matter what threats come against her. Realtor Ginny Lamont’s family has abandoned her, leaving her with nothing but a warning that she’s in danger. But Ginny’s built a home in New Hampshire. After a childhood of nomadic living, she’s not running again, certainly not because of some nameless, baseless threat. Real estate developer Kade Powers is thrilled to go out with Nutfield’s beautiful new real estate agent. But the prowler they surprise after their first date offers a glimpse into Ginny’s past and the legacy of lies her parents left her with. She brings a mystery, one he’s determined to help her solve. With Kade’s help, Ginny searches for the truth of her parents’ criminal activity while her enemies close in. When mobsters show up in her quaint New England town, will she find a way to bring them down, or will she lose the home—and the man—she’s come to love? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Suspense:

Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig — Mentioned in the pages of the Old Testament but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets–and dangers–never before seen on earth. Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is once more given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as Viorica snatches the volume right out from under them. Iskra “Viorica” Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most–freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe, and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives, and entire nations. Though both are haunted by secrets of their past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in centuries-old words could unleash a storm of their own destruction. (Suspense from Bethany House [Baker])

Speculative:

The Story Raider by Lindsay A. Franklin — Deceiving an empire is a treacherous game. Tanwen and the Corsyth weavers race to collect the strands of an ancient cure that might save Gryfelle. But Tanwen has a secret–Gryfelle isn’t the only one afflicted by the weaver’s curse. As Queen Braith struggles to assert her rule, a new arrival throws her tenuous claim to the Tirian throne into question. Braith’s heart is turned upside down, and she’s not sure she can trust anyone–least of all herself. The puppet master behind Gareth’s rise to power has designs on Tanwen and the story weavers, and will stop at nothing to reclaim the throne. A plot to incite the angry peasants of Tir takes shape, and those dearest to Tanwen will be caught in the crossfire. As the fight for Tir consumes the realm, no one can remain innocent. (Speculative from Enclave Publishing)