Yes….you read it….two, but with them happening online, its been a nice way to work at a slow pace, and sometimes, “uh-oh, need to catch up pace” as well, while just basking in the quiet of the night, while everyone is sleeping, save for the cat, whose out prowling late at night.

The first one that I’m doing, is a book, I’ve heard so much about, “A Confident Heart” by Renee Swope and its been really inspiring with her word of the week, and encouraging message that she has posted on her blog.

I could see what all the buzz about the book has been about and it’s just one of those books, that one can re-read over and over, but then again, I’m passionate about books as well as that of God’s word, so its hard to be impartial to reading.

The other bible study, I’m currently going through, is Kathy Howard’s, “Unshakeable Faith” bible study and before you wonder, how am I juggling two bible studies…well…they are both online which as mention, is a big help so there is no fear of falling behind and I can work at my own pace, but also, they are short studies, which I’ve always felt, if you can’t find the time to attend an hour’s bible study, or spend time an hour bible’s study, don’t worry about it.

Truth is, we live in a very busy and distracting world these days, and you have to work through a pace that fits you and your home and not just because of your friend, your church, or the internet community is all a buzz about…..If anything, that’s a great guarantee to deter you from participating in some form of bible study and a great guarantee for failure and feeling, “I’m so far behind, I might as well just stop now”.

Better to do something than nothing and even if its small steps, those small steps do add up and you’ll find yourself getting passionate about reading God’s word and even maybe finding more time unexpectedly.

So if you are feeling discouraged doing even just one, don’t….There are plenty of bible studies that you can fit into a five or even twenty minutes if you can fit in twenty minutes and keep going at it; Don’t feel like if its not an hour’s worth, you’re not measuring up.

It’s not about measuring up to anyone…its about encouraging yourself to keep moving forward….Before you know it…you’ll find an opportunity in some season of life to spend more time in His word and really getting into the bible like you want….just keep moving forward.

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Mornings with Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul 366 Devotions” is a series of selected devotionals by Judy Baer, Gwen Ford Faulkenberry, Tricia Goyer, Sharon Hinck, Keri Wyatt Kent, Erin Keeley Marshall and Camy Tang that will help you start each morning with a selected passage from the bible,personal devotional to inspire and encourage and followed at the end of each day with a,”Faith Step” to contemplate on, throughout the day.

I really enjoy using these devotionals and thought this would be perfect for busy moms who are struggling to balance being a Christian, a mom, a wife and in some cases, if they work in or outside the home, an employee, while maintaining a contemplative and growing relationship with our Father in Heaven.

Everything is a quick five minute read and for the busy mom (and women, not just moms) who are on the go, and with this being available on Kindle and Nook, talk about a great, while on the way to work, dropping or picking up the kids at school, waiting at the doctor, quick, morning/afternoon/or evening boost.

Although,”Mornings with Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul 366 Devotions” is a light read for many who may prefer something “heavier” and more in depth, I found,”Mornings with Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul 366 Devotions” to be really good for the busy moms (and women) that are out there and just don’t have time for that sit down, thirty minute to hour devotional, or maybe you are struggling to start a quiet time/devotional period to just dwell in God’s word, this captures the best of both worlds, since sometimes what we need, is a quick faith boost and the faith lifts that are included at the end of each devotional is just right for all of us who need that motivation to move through the day or if we find ourselves struggling through a difficult time or just plain bad day.

As I read, “Mornings with Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul 366 Devotions”, I couldn’t help but think…this would make a fantastic app if you have a smartphone or iphone.

The devotionals are relevant to today’s busy world and many women find themselves balancing many roles in today’s modern and complicated world will find this as a way to set down the needed roots to keep them grounded.

These are a great group of inspiring women who, in and through Christ, will help lift up your day (or if you read it at night, end the night with inspiring encouragement for the next day), and so well worth to check out, “”Mornings with Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul”.

For a little encouragement of what this book is about, here’s what the publisher has to say about the book:

“Be still and know that I am God.” is one of the most beautiful verses from the Bible, but it’s not easy to practice in this busy world. Mornings with Jesus will help you do just that—“be still” in Jesus’ beautiful and powerful presence. For those who are seeking a deeper experience in their relationship with Christ, Mornings with Jesus offers a fresh perspective of who Jesus is (the Healer, the Son of God, the Comforter, the Good Shepherd) and what that means for day-to-day life. With a warm and friendly voice, 365 short devotional writings on the character and teachings of Jesus encourage readers to greet each day by drawing near to Him and inviting His presence into their day. Spend time with Jesus at the beginning of each day and experience His nearness and peace in a new way throughout the year. Each day’s selection includes:

• a Bible verse
• an entry based on Jesus: His words, miracles, and parables; His wisdom, compassion, and comfort; His mystery, power, divinity, and humanity
• a “faith step” that will inspire and challenge readers to apply the day’s message to their lives”

 

Using this devotional, day 1, January 1, the first devotional was over, Mark 1:35

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (NIV)

WOW..what a reminder about starting off the New Year and just each day, praying and spending time, FIRST, with our Father in Heaven; Though we may not always feel like we have time, this is an inspiring devotional to encourage you that we are all busy women, with many different seasons going on in our life, and we can be encouraged and inspired to find time with our Father in Heaven!

To make this a little fun, I am hosting a giveaway for your own copy of, ”
Mornings with Jesus 2012: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul 366 Devotions” and one lucky winner will be picked on January 31, 2012.

Basic rules for entry:
1. Make sure to log your entries into rafflecopter, where the winner will be picked from, so your entries can be counted.

2. The winner will be notified first by email on January 31, 2012 and after being contacted, posted on the Sunflower Faith, FB fan page and here.

It’s not too late to start the New Year, being strengthened and inspired!

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer: This post contains my personal opinions and does not reflect the opinion of any organization I am/was associated with or affiliated to.The product I have reviewed was/is based on my honest opinion and was not influenced or edited by anyone and was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest opinion.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life can happen in a matter of seconds.

“The Shadow of Your Smile” is the story of a couple, whose known each other for twenty-five years and find themselves drifting apart to the point of divorce and in a matter of seconds, through a tragic accident, become strangers rediscovering who they are and who each other are, all over again.

Second chances?

Hope?

“The Shadow of Your Smile” is a touching, love story that readers, like myself, will find themselves, having a hard time putting down as the main characters, Noelle and Eli Hueston, struggle with the implications of Noelle’s amnesia, and Noelle struggling to not only remember her life, but struggling with the question if this is an opportunity to rediscover a love for a man that, an accident has taken away memories of.

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes deeply heart warming, I enjoy reading, “The Shadow of a Smile” and its one of those books, that you will find yourself, not only just taken away, but wondering….in the midst of tragedy, can love re-grow?

Come participate in Litfuse and Susan May Warren’s giveaway to celebrate the release of, “The Shadow of Your Smile”!

Sometimes love requires a little forgetting … Come back to Deep Haven and find out what’s been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you’re new to the Deep Haven series – this is the perfect book to start with – each book in the series is a stand alone story.

Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)

• The entire set of Deep Haven Books 

The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer: This post contains my personal opinions and does not reflect the opinion of any organization I am/was associated with or affiliated to.The product I have reviewed was/is based on my honest opinion and was not influenced or edited by anyone and was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest opinion.

“The Gospel Story Bible” by Marty Machowski is a very colorful and richly illustrated bible that makes learning about the basic bible stories for kids fun, with interactive discussions for parents to discuss with their kids.

Having used this for some time, I like how from as young as 5 to even as old as 11, the stories help provide a basic, broad spectrum for the bible and get kids interested in learning more when they are ready to start reading the bible on their own.

In the meantime, “The Gospel Story Bible” provides a great basic starting point for families looking for ways to create a “Family Devotion Time” or just for nightly readings and discussions, before the kids go to bed.

Younger children will be captivated by the illustrations that abound in this book, while its still “sophisticated” enough for the older kids to get involved without feeling like the parables and stories share are not watered down or talking down to them and I was just very impressed by the discussion questions that are provided to help encourage discussions in the family about the Bible.

The book itself is a hardcover and really well bounded that I feel would last through several little hands and many nights of reading through the bible or even for use with family devotions and a great starting point for families who are wondering how to share God’s word with their younger kids.

Parents really won’t be able to get over the illustrations and how they beautifully capture the stories (along with Scriptural references) that are shared and will find that the illustrations, for the younger kids, really encourage not only just narration but gives kids a chance to have a medium to discover and re-tell the stories they’ve just heard on their own and I personally thought that it was “toddler hands” friendly from the way the pages are designed to the toddler friendly hard cover.

Though not spill free or mess proof, it still invites kids to even just look through the pictures, if they are not reading yet and provide them with eye catching images for parents to discuss the corresponding pictures with them.

The Gospel Story Bible, is a beautiful, well written bible for families and kids to share and something to look into adding into the family library.



View all my reviews

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings – The B&B Media Group – for sending me a review copy.***

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church, a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for twenty-three years. Marty leads Promise Kingdom, the children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is also the author of Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and the forthcoming Gospel Story Sunday school curriculum. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Visit the author’s Facebook Page.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

Visit the illustrator’s Website.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles and conflicting priorities. For many Christians, God often becomes little more than an afterthought after days absorbed and depleted by the busyness of life. But the truth is that he is the hero of every story—including the mundane, ordinary ones we experience on a regular basis. That is why Marty Machowski beckons families to take time out from the daily grind to be transformed by the message of the Good News in his latest release, The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments (New Growth Press, November 2011).

Based on the ESV Bible, this uniquely illustrated Bible storybook uses 156 stories to present God’s plan of salvation in Christ from its opening narrative in Genesis to its finale in Revelation. This easy-to-read storybook written for children from preschool to high school introduces readers to many captivating people, places and events from the Bible’s Old and New Testaments. At the same time, Machowski skillfully connects the individual stories to the overall gospel narrative of how God redeemed a broken world through sending his son Jesus to save his people. Each story ends by connecting to Jesus and his gospel of grace. By sharing these Bible stories with each other, young and old will learn together the life-changing habit of recognizing the presence and workings of Christ in every moment of their day.

“The gospel is deep enough to keep the oldest and wisest parents learning and growing all their lives, yet simple enough to change the heart of the first grader who has just begun to read,” says Machowski. “That’s what makes The Gospel Story Bible ideal as a storybook for a preschooler, a devotional for a grade school student, a refresher for the adult believer or an introduction for the new one. Parents and children will learn together to read the whole Bible as one story, with one hero—Jesus Christ.”

Vibrant illustrations by A. E. Macha, child-friendly discussion questions and Scripture references accompany each story to help lead families in exploring the Bible. Parents and teachers will be delighted to discover how easily even a young child can understand the original text of a story that he or she has already come to love. A companion to the family devotional Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and the soon-to-be-released Gospel Story Sunday school curriculum (February 2012), The Gospel Story Bible is also a great resource for churches, Sunday school classes, home-schoolers and Christian schools who want to teach their children to apply the gospel to every situation and make Jesus the most important part of their everyday lives.

Product Details:

• List Price: $29.99
• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: New Growth Press (December 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936768127
• ISBN-13: 978-1936768127

AND NOW…Some Sample Pages (click images to see them larger):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

photo credit: Chapendra

Thinking back to my days in college, some of the things that always came in handy while reading an assignment and even now with general reading, was keeping a highlighter,pen and index cards or notepad handy for notes that I may jot down while reading.

I remember reading about an author, who talked about having a file cabinet filled with notebooks that he jotted down quotes, personal thoughts and reflections about books he had read and even a list of the books that he read and how it served as both a time capsule and inspiration down the road.

While studying and reading the bible, I keep beside me, some of the same things that I would use for any type of note taking:

• A Bic, 4 color pen
• Notepad of course
• Life Journal (Find out more about the Life Journal from the New Hope church in Oahu, Hawaiithat is the beginning of using this new way of reflecting on scripture and using the S.O.A.P. method. It was through New Hope, that I first learn about S.O.A.P. back in 2008)
• Sharpie pencil (actually erases but looks like ink and from what I have seen and read, will have permanence after a few days)
• Although I like the “dry” highlighters that are market out there, I’ve found that the Crayola® twistables are just as useful and effective.

First of all, I like the variety of colors you can get and they are inexpensive.
Second, if you are doing the inductive bible study (Kay Arthur has written a book about inductive bible study, there’s a bible called the, “Inductive Bible Study” and you can find out more about what is the inductive bible study via this link,”Inductive Bible Study“)
If you go to the bottom of the post, I’ve included several printables you can download, that I hope and pray, can help you start out, making the most of your bible study/reading time.

Without going into a large expose’ on using Crayola® Twistables, for those

who do mark in their bibles, you’ll find this a bible friendly (meaning no worries the ink will bleed through onion tissue thin paper or just bleed through the

paper as is) alternative to highlighters and cheaper to use than the dry highlighters that are out there.

Some people prefer color pencils as well and that’s another great alternative to look into.
“Wisdom”, it helps to keep consistent and also a color coded key in your bible to help you use as a quick reference to what means what.What colors you assign for highlighting the bible, really is personal preference and one major reminder, is if you assign a color to say……

Something I came up with that might be of help, is a printable bookmark with some basic subjects that are usually highlighted in the bible as a well as an editable bookmark (please let me know though if you have any issues using the editable bookmark. You should be able to just fill it in and print on cardstock, and/or laminate to extend the life of the biblemark), in case you prefer to add your own themes to highlight, along with corresponding color, in the bible.

There is a bookmark with the themes and a box available to color in, the twistable or color pencil or even highlighter used, a pretty floral bookmark and of course the editable bookmark, that is available.

Bookmarks to download:

Click on image to download floral bookmark

Click on image to download plain bookmark

Of course, if you need a bookmark to remind you about using the, S.O.A.P. method, here’s this to download:

Click on the image to download the S.O.A.P. bookmark

Editable Bookmark for customizing with your own topics or keywords

Open editable bookmark to enter your own topics or keywords you will be highlighting for your bible study/reading.

This bookmark is great if you are doing a specific bible study or specific topic in the bible.

AND, one last free printable, a book study form to use when you are working on your favorite bible study topic, be it in a group or personal use.

This form has space for scripture that is being covered, and you can print out several copies or fill in the name of the “Book Study” that you are doing, i.e., say you are working on “Breaking Free” by Beth Moore. Type in “Breaking Free” and then print several copies, hole punch and keep in an 8.5 x 5.5 binder or dayplanner and you’ll have a record of what you have been reading/working on.

Download Book Study with area for Scripture here

Biggest thing is find the time, study and method that works for you…not based just on what your church is doing, what’s happening online, or your friends or family are doing, but what works for you and your schedule. There isn’t really a cookie cutter method that is out there and take the time to see what is out there and if anything, tweaking it so that it works successfully for you!

Hope you enjoy the downloads and if you use them, drop me a line and let me know how they have worked out!

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

Follow that with an idea of what type of home that you want.

Then there is the blueprint.

The blueprint shows the structure and layout of the home and while building the home, the plans are closely examined, studied and followed, to ensure that the home being built, follows the creator’s intentions.

As followers of Christ, we are given a special outline, a blueprint, of God’s plan of Salvation, showing the beginning and the final result and when we study and read and followed what He has laid out, we find ourselves building a strong foundation of faith that, based on His word, can face all that life has before us.

¹¹ I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. (Jeremiah 29:11, New Century Version)

Ever remember the parable of the two builders?

One built his home on sand and we all know what happens to homes built on sandy foundations. It’s unstable. It can be washed away by the sea, in earthquakes, it can easily fall apart, it can be swallowed by sinkholes.

The other. He built his home on rock and follow three simple principles:

1. Building his home on a rock, he was listening and reading God’s word and doing the following:

• ¹⁵ Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly. (2 Timothy 2:15, Common English Bible)
• ¹⁷ So, faith comes from listening, but it’s listening by means of Christ’s message. (Romans 10:17, Common English Bible)

2.  He didn’t just say I am a builder, but he obey and follow God’s words and teachings. The builder who built his home on a solid foundation, took his time and was a doer.

•  ²¹ “Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:21, Common English Bible)

3. The builder followed his faith and followed what he knew was sound principles and a foundation.

• ¹⁹ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
  (2 Timothy 2:19, New King James Version)
• ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:11-14, New King James Version)

We can tell a lot the difference between a home built to withstand heavy storms or say if in a hurricane prone area, withstand up to a certain hurricane category and followed required building codes and procedures versus one that hasn’t.

Someone close said….oak trees are pretty,but take a bad storm and it doesn’t take long to see how shallow their roots can really be.

So the same can be said of our faith.

A good dose of trials….persecution….whatever it is and it doesn’t take much to see who is truly strong in their faith and who is…well…built on sand, whose foundation easily shift from one thing to another.

Those with a good strong foundation…whose follow the blueprints…tend to be consistant in what and who they are.

¹² Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (Luke 8:12-14, New King James Version)

The Matthew Henry Commentary, looks into the parable of the sower and shares the following insight,
“There are many very needful and excellent rules and cautions for hearing the word, in the parable of the sower, and the application of it.

Happy are we, and for ever indebted to free grace, if the same thing that is a parable to others, with which they are only amused, is a plain truth to us, by which we are taught and governed.

We ought to take heed of the things that will hinder our profiting by the word we hear; to take heed lest we hear carelessly and slightly, lest we entertain prejudices against the word we hear; and to take heed to our spirits after we have heard the word, lest we lose what we have gained. The gifts we have, will be continued to us or not, as we use them for the glory of God, and the good of our brethren. Nor is it enough not to hold the truth in unrighteousness; we should desire to hold forth the word of life, and to shine, giving light to all around.

Great encouragement is given to those who prove themselves faithful hearers of the word, by being doers of the work. Christ owns them as his relations. (Lu 8:22-40)”

Are you using the blueprints (The Bible) God has given us to establish a strong foundation in our growth and relationship with Him? If not….its never too late to dust off the cover and open it up…

Download Jeremiah 29:11 Bookmark here

****This was originally posted on December 12, 2012****

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

photo credit: jonpurdy

Maybe you enjoy journaling and haven’t found the time or you’re wanting to find time to spend more reading the bible…the biggest thing it seems, has always been about finding the time and even just the place to do so.

photo credit: MomMaven

In today’s world with busy schedules, it seems getting up early before everyone else is impossible, and if you work in or outside the home, even harder with the phones (including the cell phones) ringing off the hook and projects and deadlines looming in the horizon.

One great idea can be found over at, Marsha Musings, where via a free pdf download, she shares ways, you can create 5 minute retreats around your home and maybe glean ideas to create while you’re at work.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4 KJV) “

The past month, I stumbled on two other great sources that is worth checking out. One of them is ,”Savoring Living Water” that can be found at Do Not Depart (@DoNotDepart)  and is available via the Kindle, Nook and even in print, and then there is,”Maximize Your Mornings” , both blog posts and available as a free e-book, by Inspired to Action ( @inspired2action)  if you are trying to find ways, as a mom, to make the most of your mornings, instead of letting your mornings make the most of you.

Taking a cue from high school and even going to college, creating an effective study or reading time,  helps in keeping handy reference books, materials and supplies nearby that are needed, close by, to cut down rummaging around for whatever it is that you may need to sit down to read or study your bible (or bible study).

photo credit: georgiapeachez

It can be as simple as a basket or tote bag to keep all your reading and study materials in.

Though for many in this busy world, there are many apps out there for the Ipads-tablets-smartphones-ipod-iphone users out there who find themselves always on the go or just dealing with busy schedules.

No matter what you use, remember, its about finding the time, place and way that will fit your schedule.

Sometimes the most effective time spent reading the bible or even studying the bible or committing to a bible study, is having the right materials on hand to help out.

What are ways have you found, has helped you create a more focus bible study/reading time?

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

For myself, I’m actually starting two on two separate days, due to the fact that they are perfect for the everyday busy woman.

Maybe you homeschool, volunteer, work at home, work outside the home, and find it hard to make time in your busy schedule to sit down, but if you have an e-reader, a smart phone, an iphone or ipod, it’s easy to find that five or ten minute time in your day to sit down and work on some of the following studies that will be going on and are focused directly in His word and the ones I will be doing are within the five and ten minute time frames.

First of all, for those of you who know about the, “Becoming You” bible study that I worked through in December, Stephanie Shott @stephanieshott , is going to start an online bible study, for this particular study, starting January 23, 2012. From personal experience, “Becoming You” is a great ten minute bible study that will still have you digging in deep and sharing principles that will help you change your way of responding to life.

If you haven’t had a chance to try her bible study, it is a free download that you can get simply by signing up to her blog and she will send you a copy and now with an online bible study to go with it, so worth taking the time (hey it’s only ten minutes out of the day) to work through this study.

Second, there is Kathy Howard‘s ( @KathyHHoward) , “Growing Up Together-A Study in Ephesians” that she will be hosting, starting January 18, 2012. It’s said to not be time intensive, but will be posted every Wednesday and the focus will be working through Ephesians, of course, to grow and develop spiritual encouragement.

Finally, another one to consider is, “Do Not Depart” and (@DoNotDepart)  the study, “Run to Him” , that will dig into selections from Psalms and starting January 13, 2012, and will be posted every Friday.

There’s already a study guide with a printable bookmark for easy access to the study schedule that is already available and can be downloaded.

With that said, I will be posting a few posts this week about, getting into the “Bible Study and Reading Mode” leading up to the start of these and no doubt other wonderful bible studies that are happening online and even offline for many of you.

If you are incorporating scripture memorization, with your many goals this year, and could use a little encouragement as you strive on memorizing passages from the bible, would love to have you join my January 2012-Scripture Memorization that I have going on.

Just drop on by and link up and every Saturday on the Sunflower Faith fan page, drop by and share how you are doing, tips and resources you are using for memorization (be surprised how this can cover memorization in other areas of your life as well) and just be encouraged in your goal to memorize scripture for the month of 2012.

In the meantime, keep an eye here, this week, for future posts about ideas and tips for setting time aside for bible study/reading, just general quiet time for devotional and prayer and building a basis for growing as a Christian.

If you’re not subscribed to my blog, yet, I invite you to fan, “Sunflower Faith” or sign up to my RSS or email to keep up to date with this and other latest posts from Sunflower Faith!

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The Accidental Bride” by Denise Hunter is a sweet, heart warming romance set out in Montana; It has cowboys, it has the open plains, it has our Father in Heaven working behind the scenes, readers will fall in love with the characters and find themselves misty eye and smiling by the book’s end.

I really enjoy reading this book and it was just one of those romances with a blend of God’s word, weaved into a very delightful story about not basing one lives on other’s opinions, overcoming heartaches and the beauty of finding love and second chances.

Set in modern day Montana, I loved how Denise Hunter, created characters that really warmed the heart and she does a wonderful job of weaving in both romance and suspense of will they or won’t they as her main characters, after a heartbroken history together, find themselves “married by accident” and from that incident, set on a path of redemption, growth and moving forward from each of their own pasts.

This is a very well written romance and I’m normally not big on romances, but I found myself unable to put the book down and by story’s end, thinking, “I have to re-read this book again”; It’s a perfect summer vacation read, when you’re in need of a little “romance” in your life and just an all around feel good story that captures not only the scriptural message of Galatians 1:10 but about not allowing one’s one personal experiences, cloud one’s thoughts of others or prevent oneself from moving forward.

“The Accidental Bride” has a strong story line, it has cowboys, and the main character is a strong willed, hard headed woman struggling to save and keep her family’s ranch while at the same time, mending a broken heart that was broken, one to many times while dealing with a first love who sweeps back into town and turns everything, all the more upside down.

Readers will love how the main character overcomes the obstacles in her life and in the process find healing and love as well.

Get swept away to a Montana ranch and discover for yourself, “The Accidental Bride”

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

***Special thanks to
Audra Jennings – The B&B Media Group –  for sending me a review copy.***

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Visit the author’s website.

Shay Brandenberger has built her entire life on the shifting sands of what others think. Constantly seeking the approval of others, she has struggled through a rocky childhood, a failed marriage and single parenthood. Now it looks like she’s losing the ranch that has been in her family for three generations, a surefire way to mark her as a failure in the eyes of the community. When Travis McCoy, the high school sweetheart who very publicly broke her heart fifteen years before, returns to Moose Creek, she is less than pleased. Not only does his re-appearance dredge up a deluge of painful memories, it also reminds everyone in town that it was he who left her, not the other way around. To make matters worse, Shay and Travis are unwittingly paired to play bride and groom in the annual Founder’s Day wedding re-enactment where, much to her chagrin, she discovers he still has the power to take her breath away. 

Product Details:

List Price: $15.99

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595548025
• ISBN-13: 978-1595548023

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

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©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.

Well…..Whatever are the reasons, I hope you will join me either each month, or a month when you have time set aside to work on scripture memorization or even, through the whole year, and together, we can work together on memorization scripture for 2012.

From,”Why Memorize Scripture“, the following was poised to contemplate on:

“Is the Bible made up of the very words of God or is it a book of human wisdom?

Your answer to this question will determine your response to its teachings and will significantly influence your world view.

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified” (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61)

It is the starting point and most important doctrine of the Church and it will be a basis for the beliefs and practices of its members.

All other doctrine of the Church is based on the Bible, so if the Bible is not reliable then neither is the doctrine and neither is our faith and neither is our salvation.” 

As a follower of Christ, remembering, understanding and studying Scripture is part of understanding what the Bible is about, why we believe what we believe and like anything else that we seek to develop growth in, memorizing Scripture provides comfort to those who are followers of Christ and believe in our Father in Heaven and because of that, strengthen their faith and personal walk.

Nothing can be said better than as quoted from, “Why Memorize Scripture” the reason’s that a Christian would take the time to not just memorize, but along with memorization, read and study God’s

• We are told to be prepared to answer questions concerning our faith in Christ. (1PE 3:15)
• Paul was able to reason with non-Christians because of a knowledge of the word. (AC 17:1-4)
• Having the word in our hearts allows us to encourage and teach others. (CO 3:16; 2 TI 2:14-17)
• Knowing and using the Word teaches us right from wrong. (HE 5:13-14)
• It can increase our ability to distinguish truth from error in doctrine
• It will help our prayer life (John 15:7)
• Knowing God’s word allows us to study the Bible more effectively
• If we know the scriptures we can meditate on it anytime wherever we are. (Ps 119:97; Ps 16:7)
• It helps us to stand firm against Satan’s attacks.

¹¹ Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11, New King James Version)

Learning scripture, for the follower of Christ, enriches one’s life with the words and comfort of the faith.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16, New King James Version)

Remembering scripture helps us in explaining why we believe what we believe.

¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (1 Peter 3:15, New King James Version)

 

If you plan or if you are participating either through another blog or for personal reasons, to memorize scripture, I invite you to share, either here in the comments, or grab the participation badge on the right side and on your own blog (would be great if you would link back here to help spread the word too about this), share the following:

1. List the verses you plan on memorizing this month
2. What resources are you using to help you memorize those verses

For myself, for the month of January 2012, I plan on memorizing the verses, using the memory cards available at,”More to Be“. Right now, Elisa is having an “Immersed Challenge” at her blog and I thought that would be a fitting resource to use and who knows, it could work for you too!

The verses that her memory card covers and I will be memorizing are the following:

1. 2 Timothy 3:16
2. Romans 10:9-10
3. Romans 12:1-2
4. Ephesians 1:3-8
5. John 14:6
6. Hebrews 2:9
7. 1 Corinthians 10:31
8. Psalm 86:12

Some of the resources that I will be using is an app that is available on the ipod called Bible Memory Verse, that has:

• audio recording as one of its features
• flashcards
• several different versions of the bible to choose from

In addition, it was shared on the post, Scripture Memorization for 2012, an online program, called, Scripture Typer, (that is free and has a widget available for those who use blogger as their blogging platform), to help with memorizing scripture and so far from what I’ve seen, its easy to use and looks to be very helpful. I also love the fact it has an option that you can input the scripture you are memorizing and then print it out on business cards.

If you would like to join me and others in memorizing scripture for January 2012, grab the January 2012 participation badge that is on the right sidebar, post about it on your facebook, twitter or blog to spread the word and more than anything, leave a link to your blog here!

Each Saturday on the Facebook page, we would do a weekly check-in to see how each other are doing, post words of encouragement and prayers and tips and advice to help with memorizing that can be help not only with just scripture, but hopefully, anything you are wanting to memorize!

© 2012, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012

©2012 Sunflower Faith. All Rights Reserved.