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Time-Out for Tired Moms by Judy Crawford








Time-Out for Tired Moms:
finally Mom, go to your room!
Mom, are you Tired?
Tired of Laundry!
Tired of Multi-Tasking!
Tired of Boys Belching in the Backseat of your Mini-Van!
Have you ever sent your kids to their rooms for a Time-Out and wondered...
When is it my turn?
Well today, it is finally Your Turn to GO TO YOUR ROOM!
This delightful devotional will lift your spirit, lighten your step,
and give you a much needed chuckle too! 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

judy123.jpgJudy Crawford holds a Master’s degree in Music Education and taught as a band director for many years.  Her most cherished degree, however, is her MAMA which stands for Momma, a degree she has obtained from the School of Hard Knocks.  It is from this experience of raising four children that she has gathered a wealth of humorous and heartwarming anecdotal stories that she loves to share.

Judy is deeply committed to Women’s ministries.  She is the co-founder and continued coordinator of the Mom’s Group called M.I.L.K. (Mothers, Infants, Little Kids).  She also enjoys traveling and speaking at women’s events.  Her off-beat lighthearted humor and transparent honesty has made her a popular speaker at MOPS meetings, retreats, and other various women’s events.

Judy also writes.  Her kitchen was once featured in Country Woman Magazine and recently her first book, Time-Out for Tired Moms:  finally Mom, go to your room! was released by Ambassador International.  She is also a member of the Heart of American Christian Writers’ Network and has published several articles in devotional magazines and even a research journal.

All of Judy’s messages are Biblically grounded.  It is her purpose to not only entertain, but also to educate and challenge women to deeper walk with Christ.

Judy Crawford and her husband Gary live in rural Mid-Missouri with their four children, Michaela, Adam, Will, and Joseph.




Time-Out Tips
By Judy Crawford


Definition:  A Time-Out is anything that lifts your spirit and adjusts your attitude in a positive way.
Isn't that why we send our kids to their rooms in the first place...
To positively adjust their attitudes.
The following tips will help you adjust your attitude right back to where it should be.  ENJOY!

1.  Nurture Your Spirit 
Organize a devotional basket with some Quiet Time supplies.  Include:  a Bible, a devotional book (I’ve heard that Time-Out for Tired Moms is a great resource!  I couldn’t resist!), tissues, prayer journal, pen, and note cards to write down your favorite verses.  Place these items in a cute basket so that they are readily available.  Next time your kids are quietly occupying themselves, grab your basket and go to your room to enjoy your own quiet time-out with God.

2.  Take Ten 
This is a literal time-out.  For a short time go someplace by yourself.  Hide in the closet or bathroom---wherever your family can’t find you and just breathe in the serenity of the moment.  Now don’t forget--you must go back--you can’t hide forever.  But for a short time, take ten and enjoy some literal time-out. 

3.  Pamper and Indulge
Calgone, take me away!  We’ve seen the ad, but do we really take the time to do it.  Today, take some time-out to pamper and indulge: enjoy a good hot soak, splurge on good chocolate, relax over a cup of hot tea, or simply read something other than Dr. Suess.  Take care of the care-giver!  Go ahead Mom, spoil yourself!

4.  Beauty and Order
Unfortunately, chaos seems to be status quoi when kids are little.  Today, lift your spirit by adding beauty and order to your surroundings:  light the candles, brighten the room with flowers, clean out the closet, pop in your favorite CD.   Do simple things to add beauty and order to your home and then enjoy it before your kids discover what you’ve been up to.

5.  Create
The to-do list of a Mother seems to be forever undone.  Today, take some time-out to create something that stays done:  craft, scrap-book, sew, cook (that is... cooking for fun!).  Make something that doesn’t involve play-dough or finger paints and then be sure to share it, “Hey honey, look what I did today!

6.  Work Those Muscles
Yes, I am referring to exercise.  Break a sweat!  Work-out your intellectual muscles as well:  take a class, research a topic, do aerobics, walk or run.  Work out your mind and body and enjoy a time-out that not only gives you a break, but produces positive results at the same time.

7.  Stay Connected
Mothering can be a very lonely job.  I know this sounds ridiculous when you have multiple children attached to various parts of your body at any given time.  But it’s true!  And although we love our men, they really can only handle so many spoken words in a given day.  That is why we need women!  Stay connected with your female friends:  e-mail, phone a friend, write a real letter, join a Mom’s group, be a friend.  Nourish your friendships and they will nourish you.

8.  Pursue the Dream
The dream!  We all have one, even you Mom.  Take some time-out to pursue your dream:  identify the dream, take inventory of your talents, research it, and then simply start.  You are Mom and so much more.  Today, cultivate your talents and then take some baby steps to pursue your dream.     


Incorporate the above time-out tips into the everydayness of Mothering and see how your attitude will begin to turn those 180 degrees back to where it should be.

Go ahead Mom, Enjoy some Time-Out! 
GO TO YOUR ROOM!


Excerpts taken from Time-Out for Tired Moms by Judy Crawford. 
Ambassador International       Copyright 2008        All rights reserved




MY REVIEW
I found Time-Out for Tired Moms to be uplifting, fun, humorous and so full of truth. Judy's thought provoking devotions, with a splash of humor to keep your soul lifted is just what the doctor ordered for any mom chasing kids, washing dishes, folding endless loads of laundry and doing it all while running on empty.

Judy hits the nail right on the head as she shares with moms that she is not perfect herself. That makes this all the more better of a book. As I read, I felt that I had a friend over for coffee as Judy shared her heart with me.

A new favorite "Mom" devotion for me! Will loan to friends, but this is one that I will be sure gets returned to me!

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The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Ambassador International.

Ruby Slippers by Leanna Ellis

Product Description
Dottie Meyers, 35, is a real-life Dorothy Gale living with her little black dog on a small farm in Kansas that’s about to be hit by a tornado. Knocked unconscious by the storm, she awakes three months later at a recovery facility in California where her father, last seen when she was four, has left her a mysterious pair of ruby slippers.
But unlike The Wizard of Oz, this isn’t a dream, and the yellow brick road journey that Dottie and three friends are about to take from Los Angeles to Seattle in search of her dad will show the realities of a broken childhood. More importantly, everything connected to those sparkling red shoes will prove to Dottie that there’s only one true wonder worker behind the so-called curtain who can heal her wounds and prepare the heart for love.

About the Author

Image of Leanna EllisLeanna Ellis takes a back seat to no one,' says Debbie Macomber. But Leanna knows God is in the driver's seat as she taxies her two children to and from all their activities, chases her menagerie of pets in and out ... in and out ..., tracks down what to cook for dinner (or where to order takeout), and traverse the hills and dales of this writing career. Winner of the National Readers Choice Award, Leanna writes quirky women's fiction with a splash of romance. Descended from a long line of southerners and patriots, she lives with her family in Texas.




My Review
What a great story!  Finding your Heavenly Father is always amazing!

Dottie is a character that you can easily fall in love with!  This 35 year old women is so easy to get a long with! I can imagine being a friend with her, though she is a few years older than I! (I had to throw that in there!! LOL!) 

This story was very engaging and fun! Well written and easy to read.

Worth the journey! Worth the read! Worth your time! Read it!


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This books was provided by B&H Publishing.

Sweet Waters by Julie Carobini (With Giveaway!) ~CLOSED~


Product Description
There's nothing left for Tara Sweet in landlocked Dexton, Missouri. Her fiancé called off their wedding, her sister is moving to Manhattan, and now her mother is marrying a much younger man with plans for a yearlong honeymoon in Europe. Tara believes a move back to her childhood home of Otter Bay, California, will help restore the fun and fearlessness she?s already missing in her twenties. Playing back memories of idyllic times spent there with her father along the majestic coast, a fairytale seems just around the corner.
Better make that a soap opera. After Tara finds a job in Otter Bay, makes friends at The Red Abalone Grill, and perhaps even a new flame in firefighter Josh, she begins to uncover shocking secrets about why her family left this heaven on earth all those years ago. And though she will have to question everything she has ever known, the faith that Tara must depend upon will be sweeter than ever before.




About the Author
Julie Carobini is a self-described 'beach-lit' novelist who writes women's fiction for the young at heart. Her previous books include Chocolate Beach and Truffles by the Sea. She has also published articles in Aspire, Decision, Expecting, and Focus on the Family magazines and received awards for her fiction and nonfiction from the National League of Pen Women. Julie lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura, California.


My Review
Though Sweet Water unfolded slowly, I found Julie's writing keeping me wanting to continue. This Christian Romance, that is not shoving the gospel down your throat, has twists that keep you thinking.

Wow! Advice from a soap opera star... when Tara's life feels like a soap opera!

I can't wait to re-read this as I lay on a California beach in September! This will be packed with me for my family vacation. This 'beach-lit' book can be enjoyed by all, anywhere, but I look forward to becoming one with the beach and with Tara's story once again!


I've heard Julie's writing to that of Kristen Billerbeck and Melody Carlson, so if you like these authors... be sure pick up a copy of Sweet Waters by Julie Carobini!


More by Julie....
Look for A Shore Thing to be released in July 2010!


Callie Duflay just isn’t like the rest of her family. While they’ve built white collar lives, she prefers getting her hands dirty by working with children and local California causes. When Callie learns that a beloved piece of untouched property in her town of Otter Bay may soon be developed, she confronts the architect assigned to the project.
Gage Mitchell may be an easygoing, eco-friendly professional, but he’s not about to back off this job no matter how cute Callie or her pet pooch, Moondoggy, may be. His reasons and hers are noble—both have a heart for protecting God’s creation, and the truth is these two would be perfect for each other outside of this face-off. But will they ever figure that out?



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Julie will be sending the winner a copy of Sweet Waters!

Here's how to enter:
(You MUST be a follower to be eligible!)

Mandatory entry:  LEAVE A COMMENT! (That's it!  Don't forget your email address though!)


Want an extra entry?
Earn 1 extra entry per each of the following! (Don't forget to leave a comment for each entry!)
  1. Become a follower of Julie's Waves of Grace Blog!
  2. Follower Julie on Twitter!
  3. Follow me on Twitter!
  4. Tweet, blog or post about this giveaway on FB! Share anyway you can! 
    • Post the link to blog post! 
    • When tweeting use @JulieCarobini and/or @SuperMomV for entry to count. 

    Winner will be chosen by random drawing on April 9!

    Good Luck!

    ~~~~~WINNER ANNOUNCED!~~~~~
    Congrats to #2~~ WENDY! 
    (No response so I picked a new winner!)


    NEW WINNER IS:
     Congrats to #10~Skizzor- KELLI
    You are the Winner!
    I've sent you an email, please respond within 24 hours!

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    Legal Stuff: This book was provided by B&H Publishing Group. 
    This review is all mine! 

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Amy Newmark

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    Product Description
    Everyone loves a good love story.  And we all love stories about how the love started and blossomed.  This fun new book about dating, romance, love, and marriage, will make you laugh and make you cry, and is guaranteed to inspire you to renew that search for your soul mate or open your heart a little more to the one you already have.  Read about how couples met, when "they knew", good and bad dates, proposals, maintaining the relationship, second chances, and all the other ups and downs of love, romance and marriage.


    About Jack Canfield
    While Jack Canfield himself may not necessarily be a household name, it's very likely that you have heard of his famed Chicken Soup for the Soul series and nearly as likely that you have at least one of them sitting on your very own bookshelf! Having got his start as an inspirational speaker, Canfield's own story is nothing less than inspirational.

    Jack Canfield had been traveling around delivering key note speeches and organizing workshops to help audiences build their self-esteem and maximize their potential when he had an inht brainstorm that changed his life. While flying home from a gig, Canfield realized that the very same advice he had been delivering during his in-person addresses could potentially form the basis of a book. Canfield used inspirational stories he'd gleaned over the years as the basis of his speeches, and he thought it would be a terrific idea to gather together 101 inspirational stories and anthologize them in a single volume. Upon returning home, Canfield approached friend and author Mark Victor Hansen about his concept. Hansen agreed it was a great idea, and the two men set about finding a publisher. Believe it or not, the mega-selling series was not an easy sell to publishers. "We were rejected by 123 publishers all told," Canfield told Shareguide.com. "The first time we went to New York, we visited with about a dozen publishers in a two day period with our agent, and nobody wanted it. They all said it was a stupid title, that nobody bought collections of short stories, that there was no edge -- no sex, no violence. Why would anyone read it?"

    Canfield wisely practiced what he preached -- and persisted. Ultimately, he and Hansen sold the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book to a small press based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, called Health Communications. The rest, as they say, is history. There are currently 80 million copies of the Chicken Soup books in print, with subjects as varied as Chicken Soup For the Horse Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup For the Prisoner's Soul. Canfield and Hansen ranked as the top-selling authors of 1997 and are multiple New York Times bestsellers. Most important of all, the inspirational stories they have gathered in their many volumes have improved the lives of countless readers.
    This year, expect to see Canfield's name gracing the covers of such titles as Chicken Soup For the Scrapbooker's Soul, Chicken Soup For the Mother and Son Soul, and Chicken Soup For the African American Woman's Soul. He and Hansen have also launched the all-new "Healthy Living" series and 8 titles in that series have already been released this year. There is also the fascinating You've GOT to Read This Book!, in which Canfield compiles personal accounts by 55 people each discussing a book that has changed his or her life. The most compelling of these may be the story of young entrepreneur Farrah Gray, who read Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success at the age of 11 and made his first million dollars at the age of 14!

    With no sign of slowing down, Canfield continues to be an inspiration to millions, who fortunately refused to give up when it seemed as though he would never even get his first book published. "Mark and I are big believers in perseverance," he said. "If you have a vision and a life purpose, and you believe in it, then you do not let external events tell you what is so. You follow your internal guidance and follow your bliss, as Joseph Campbell used to say."

    My Review



    I laughed. I cried. It moved my, Bob. 
    (Line from Veggies Tales, Larry the Cucumber says it to Bob the Tomato.... what can I say, I'm a mom to young ones! LOL!)

    Seriously though, I did laugh, cry and I was inspired that love is out there. I am very blessed to have a great husband by my side. Though I do not have an Eiffel Tower proposal to share, or love at first sight story, I have a great hubby nonetheless and have been blessed with... 

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    With Chicken Soup for the Soul books you can never go wrong. 

    Whether it is the book left in the bathroom, um, for your reading pleasure. Or a gift for that hard to buy for someone in your life... you can't go wrong with Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

    Any women will love Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love.


    Other Chicken Soup books I'm looking forward to reading:

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms
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    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More
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    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christian Kids




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    I get the pleasure to offer three winners each a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love!
    (Thanks Phenix & Phenix!)

    Here's how to win:
    (You MUST be a follower to be eligible!)

    1. Leave a comment!
    2. Become a fan of Chicken Soup on Facebook.
    3. Follow ChickenSoupSoul on Twitter.
    4. Follow me on Twitter.
    5. Tweet, blog or share this giveaway on FB! 

    Leave a separate comment for each for the entry to count! Don't forget to leave an email address!

    Enter by midnight on April 9!

    Good Luck!

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    Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Phenix & Phenix for review purposes. 
    The review is truly mine, and was not swayed in any way.

    Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times by William Moss



    Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times: Living in the Presence of God through Prayer and Meditation



    Product Description
    Peace is perhaps the most elusive, miraculous phenomenon in the human experience. From the kindergarteners arguing on the playground to the world powers storing up technologically advanced weapons, we clearly struggle to coexist peacefully with each other. Yet for all our efforts to generate peace between people, we often overlook the importance of finding peace within ourselves. Though we long for this inner peace, our world full of war, famine, bank collapses, pandemics, and day-to-day struggles has discouraged us from even trying to find it. In his new book, Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times, author William Moss shows readers that inner peace is indeed attainable in the person and presence of Jesus. As a high-powered businessman and a key political decision-maker, Moss has faced his share of daily distractions. For over a decade, he has studied and practiced the lost art of Christian meditation. I believe God wants us to find peace and will show us the way, if we are willing to accept it. But for many, the peace of God is elusive. They are not sure how to accept it or where to begin in their pursuit of it, says Moss. There are many difficulties, distractions, and hardships that stand in the way of our inner peace. Sometimes these are due to our circumstances. Other times it is our sin or the attitudes of our hearts that stand between us and the inner peace we crave. Through prayer and meditation we can transcend all the distractions and difficulties of our days if we live by the Spirit and put Gods love and presence first. Many believers are wary of any form of meditation because of its association with Eastern religions. These Christians might be surprised to learn that meditation was regarded as a key spiritual discipline throughout church history. Eastern meditation focuses on emptying the mind completely. Christians find inner peace by filling their mindswith scripture and with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Another fundamental difference is the motivation behind the meditation. Peace, like life, is a gift from God that is for His gloryand it is meant to be shared. For those who are in Christ, meditation is not about practicing the kind of self-focus that precludes people from being involved in the solutions of the many problems that confront them. It is communion with God through the Holy Spirit. It is letting go of anger, worry, and fear and taking on the loving, serving character of Christ instead. Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times uses key scriptures to demonstrate Gods gift of peace to every believer. This slender book encourages readers to be intentional about pursuing that peace, even including a simple, step-by-step example of Christian meditation. With the constant stream of media, noise, commitments, conflicts, and other distractions, you will not likely find times of quiet, stillness, and spiritual reflection unless you plan them, unless you pursue meditation as a discipline, states Moss. The key to inner peace and a fulfilled life is one that is grounded in Christian mediation.





    About the Author
    William Moss career has involved oil and gas exploration, real estate development, ranching operations, security investments, motion picture and television production, and public service. Among his many accomplishments, Moss has organized and successfully operated 15 corporations. He established the Free Enterprise Institute at Southern Methodist University and was appointed to the Executive Advisory Board of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation. Moss served on the George H. W. Bush for President National Steering Committee. From 1989 to 1992, he was Chairman of the Presidents Drug Advisory Council which was part of the Executive Branch of the White House. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the American University in Washington D.C. Currently Moss serves as a Trustee of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation. He is a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas, and is active with the Fel lowship of the Society of St. John the Evangelist Monastery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Since becoming an Episcopalian in 1995, he has pursued Bible study, written many prayers, joined Alcoholics Anonymous, and studied Christian meditation. He resides in Dallas with his wife Dianne and little dog Champ.


    Q & A with William Moss 

    Q: Our world is characterized by war, violence, and conflict, and many of us experience that conflict in our inner beings. What would you say to those who long for inner peace but wonder if it is possible to find?
    A: I believe God wants us to find peace and will show us the way, if we are willing to accept it. But for many of us, the peace of God is elusive, and we are not sure how to accept it. How do we search for this peace? Should we isolate ourselves from the world around us by withdrawing and adopting an inward focus, that we might gain that peace for ourselves? Though this seems the obvious answer, I believe those who are in Christ should avoid the kind of self focus and withdrawal that would preclude us from being involved in the solutions of the many problems that confront us. Instead, we search for inner peace because we want to share it, that we may be able to help others. Inner peace, like life, is a gift from God that is for His glory—and it is meant to be shared.

    Q: If God wants us to find peace, why is it so rare to meet someone who has truly found it?
    A: Obviously, there are many difficulties, distractions, and hardships that stand in the way of our inner peace.
    As Paul said to the Galatians, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law of Moses.”
    Paul says, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”
    Today there are some distractions Paul did not include such as: worry, self-preservation, hunger, lack of money, arrogance, competitiveness, criticism, and illness, to name a few. It is these distractions—whether due to circumstances or the attitudes of our hearts—that stand between us and the inner peace we crave.

    Q: Who is the source of our inner peace?
    A: The Bible clearly tells us, time and again, that Jesus Christ Himself is the source of that peace. In Romans Paul says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Again in Ephesians, Paul says, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” In Colossians, we read, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” And consider the words of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, found in the book of John: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
    Jesus gives peace to every believer. But so often, we allow the distractions of our days and our choices to pursue sin instead of the character of Christ to prevent us from accepting that peace.

    Q: Some Christians have been wary of the art of Christian meditation because they have associated the word “meditation” with Eastern religions. Why is meditation so vital to our search for inner peace?
    A: We live in a strange and changing world shaped by banking collapses, recessions, wars, politics, famine, hurricanes, pollution, and diverse economies and demographics. How does this changing, strange world affect our daily decisions? Where does God fit into all of this? One of our biggest hurdles to hearing God’s voice is the fact that we simply are not listening.
    Many people wrongly believe that Eastern religions have the monopoly on “meditation.” The truth is that meditating on scripture was a spiritual discipline valued by the early church fathers, and it is a practice the church desperately needs to return to today. Whereas the aim of eastern meditation is to focus on nothing (in effect, emptying the mind), Christian meditation is about filling the mind—focusing on Holy Scripture and Christ. With the constant stream of media, noise, commitments, conflicts, and other distractions, you will not likely find times of quiet, stillness, and spiritual reflection unless you are intentional, unless you pursue meditation as a discipline. Through prayer and meditation we can transcend all the distractions and difficulties of our days if we live by the Spirit and put God’s love and presence first.

    Q: What role does the Holy Spirit play in our search for inner peace?
    A: God’s Spirit is within us constantly. As we read in John, “We know that we live in Him and He in us because He has given us His Spirit.” Therefore, because God is in Jesus, Jesus is in you, and you are in God. The Holy Spirit dwells in you at all times, and it is the Holy Spirit that connects you to Christ and to God, the power source that brings inner peace. Prayer and Christian meditation takes on a completely different quality when we realize that God knows us intimately from within. And God is love; within God’s love are the seeds for inner peace. When God comforts and encourages our souls through His love and when we share that love with others, He is guiding us along the path that leads to inner peace.

    Q: Because the practice of Christian meditation has been neglected for so long, many Christians aren’t sure how to begin. Can you offer an example to get them started?
    A: Start prayer and meditation by finding a quiet comfortable place, by closing your eyes, by breathing deeply until you are completely relaxed. Quietly and slowly open your heart and mind to a loving God whose Spirit is dwelling within you. Breathe in love, breathe out anger.
    Breathe in peace, breathe out despair. Relax: let God’s love into your heart. Be calm. Be at peace. Take more deep breaths, and feel the stress, anxiety and fear drain from your bodies.
    This exercise will prepare you to listen to God’s voice as you concentrate on a scripture passage and to respond in prayer.

    Q: What is the most important message you want to communicate in Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times?
    A: If we seek inner peace we will find it. In the book of John, Jesus says “And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.” So many people don’t experience inner peace because they haven’t truly sought it. My hope is that through reading this book, people will commit themselves to that search for inner peace and share this peace to the glory of God.





    My Review
    This small book (26 pages) carries a divine message! But was delivered poorly.

    This 'essay' (as called by Moss himself at the end of the book) is in an easy to read format. Some pages have as little as three sentences (pg 15). Though it does contain many scriptures from the Holy Bible on peace, to me seems much as to what could easily be found in the concordance or even in those small 'gift books' that are popular that contain scriptures and quotes in them. Moss doesn't give an real insight into the scripture, just states the obvious about it, or sometimes even just quotes it.


    I found that having a page a full blank page, for jotting down thoughts and prayers, next to each written page (some that only contained a short paragraph of writing) was a bit much. I felt that this might have been just to make the book longer. If all the writing we to be taken and put in paragraph form it would be about 6-8 pages. Period. 

    The set up of this book is more like a child's picture book, having just a few sentences on a page. Instead of having a picture, it has a blank page for note taking.

    I would not purchase or gift this book. I did not get much out of it personally, but then again, I am not much into the 'gift books' either, so maybe that is why. I feel that is was a great message, but maybe it should have just been published as an article in a Christian magazine or something. 


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    B&B Media has sent me a copy to give away.

    As always, you MUST be a follower to be eligible.

    Leave a comment to be entered.

    Random drawing will take place on April 1!

    Good Luck!




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    Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Audra at B&B Media Group. This review is fully mine!

    Maybe Someday by Ede Clarke

    Maybe Someday


    Product Description
    In Buffalo, New York, Patti settles into her life as an accomplished librarian where she prefers a good book to a romantic dinner, hot-fudge sundaes topped with gossip to solitary hours in front of the TV, and pursuing present goals to languishing over past losses. But when the family of a friend is plunged into the grips of tragedy, Patti chooses to walk a new path as the nanny of five children who lost their mother. The Five force Patti to face her own history of disappointment in love and abandonment by family. Their pain and struggle eventually brings truth, overcoming lies told to them all. But just as restoration and hope begin to take root in their lives, another tragedy takes from Patti. Will she once again cling to her career or people to give her life value, or will she build her life on peace and freedom found in truth.

    About the Author
    Ede has a passion to serve people who are enslaved, forgotten, and without a voice. Since 2003 she has answered this call in China, where she helps women trapped in slavery in brothels, and men coming out of prison or off the streets. Ede has formed the non-profit organization Gotta Go to manage, grow and sustain this work. When Ede is visiting in the United States, Coos Bay, Oregon, is home.


    My Review


    I found this book very hard to follow. I was unable to finish reading because I would get lost in the dialog parts.
    This is how the dialog is written: (not actual text from book, just an example) "Hi Frank, how was your day?" Sara asked as she flipped the burgers. "Same as every day," Frank responded as he opened his soda, "Bob is mad that sales are suffering and takes it out on all of us in the office." "Why can't he realize that he isn't helping the situation at all." "I know, that is why he company has never hit full potential. He just has no clue." "Guess what!? Sara called today. James finally popped the question! Pack your bags, we are headin' to sunny Florida for the wedding next month." "I'm so happy for her. She deserves a good guy. Especially after that loser Brian broke her heart."  




    Most books would separate the dialog to look like this: 


    "Hi Frank, how was your day?" Sara asked as she flipped the burgers.


    "Same as every day," Frank responded as he opened his soda, "Bob is mad that sales are suffering and takes it out on all of us in the office."


    "Why can't he realize that he isn't helping the situation at all."


    "I know, that is why he company has never hit full potential. He just has no clue."


    "Guess what!? Sara called today. James finally popped the question! Pack your bags, we are headin' to sunny Florida for the wedding next month."


    "I'm so happy for her. She deserves a good guy. Especially after that loser Brian broke her heart."




    Maybe Someday seemed like it would be good story. I would have loved to see how things turned out for Patti. What self history has she overcome? What's the other tragedy that Patti faces? Can she overcome that one? How? With help from whom?


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    Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Ambassador International. 
    Accepting this book from the publisher has not swayed my opinion of the book.

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    Songbird Under a German Moon by Tricia Goyer







    PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
    The year is 1945. The war is over and 21-year-old Betty Lake has been invited to Europe to sing in a USO tour for American soldiers who now occupy Hitler's Germany. The first nights performance is a hit. Betty becomes enthralled with the applause, the former Nazi-held mansion they're housed in and the attention of Frank Witt, the US Army Signal Corp Photographer. Yet the next night this songbird is ready to fly the coop when Betty's dear friend, Kat, turns up missing. Betty soon realizes Franks photographs could be the key to finding Kat. Betty and Frank team up against post-war Nazi influences and the two lovebirds' hearts may find the answers...in each other.
    But will they have a chance for their romance to sing? The truth will be revealed under a German moon.


    Meet Tricia!

    Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted,
    and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in
    2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.


    My Review
    I've tried the historical fiction a few times, and haven't been able to complete many of them. I forced myself to finish this one.

    It is nothing bad with Tricia writing, story line or characters. Those are all actually great!

    Tricia's writing is flowing and easy to read. Her characters were real, believable and engaging. Her story line was well researched and was intense at some points.Betty is a gal that any one of us women would want to be friends with. (I know I'd love t meet her!)

    Historical fiction is just not my cup of tea. I gave it a try because it was a suspense novel and I love love love (did I say that I love) the suspense genre!

    If you like historical fiction, RUN out now and pick up this book. If not, my suggest is give it a try anyway! You  may change your mind!


    fractal_background_red-2-1.jpg picture by raaez

    Tricia is hosting a contest on her blog
    The winners will receive an autographed copy of Songbird Under a German Moon!


    What Era? Contest: 
    Leave a comment on Tricia’s blog or send an email through her website CONNECT page and answer this question: 
    What era in history do you wish you'd lived in and why? 
    Earn extra entries by signing up for Tricia's newsletter here, becoming a Fan on Facebook or Tweeting about the contest on Twitter (use hashtag #songbird)! 
    You’ll be entered to win one of three signed copies of Songbird Under a German Moon.

    SuperMom Signature

    *This book was provided by LitFuse Publicity Group free of charge in exchange for my honest review. This did not sway my review and opinion of this book in anyway.

    Enter to Worship- Exit to Serve by Ronald K. Gray






    Product Description


    This book is intended to help the local church realize its destiny. There has been a severe deterioration in our worship and the Church's place in the world. The Body of Christ is struggling today in many places. This is not God's plan for His church! These Biblical principles from the book of Nehemiah can help us grow into the people God intended us to be. I urge you to read and allow the Holy Spirit to make these truths real to you. Apply them in your life and the life of your church and you will see God bring restoration to your life, just as He did to the walls and temple in Nehemiah.



    About the Author
    Ronald Gray serves the Kingdom of God through sharing the uncompromised Word of God. He has been faithful to his call since 1974. He is on the board of International Outreach Ministries and Charles Simpson Ministries. He is the Director of Mission Growth for IOM leading short-term teams to various countries in the world. Ronald began his ministry with Gulf Coast Teen Challenge in Pensacola, FL. He has served as an Associate Pastor and Senior Pastor. Ronald and his wife Sharon, have lived in the Mobile, AL area since 1995. He and Sharon have two daughters and four grandchildren. Ronald has traveled extensively in the United States and in over 38 countries, spreading the message of the Kingdom of God. Many people have received salvation, healing, restoration and deliverance in their lives.





    Q: What is the book about? 
    Ronald: While the book’s title puts it in the praise and worship section in book stores, the book is more about the total life of the believer. Nehemiah10:39 is the core scripture for the book’s teachings. Nehemiah had gone to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and also rebuilt the temple, restoring worship to the people. Worship was centered around sacrifice. I use the different groups pictured in Nehemiah to talk about fundamental areas of the believers life. The scripture says they would not forsake the temple of God. We have forsaken the house of God today. We are so busy with our agendas, we have left the true reason for worship. God is looking for something real from our lives, not just our words.
    Q: Why Enter to Worship and Exit to Serve? 
    Ronald: The life of the believer comes from our life in God. We bring to Him a sacrifice of our monies, our gifts, our fruit and lay it at His feet. The premise for most Christians today is what can God do for them instead of how can I worship God with all that is within me. The scriptures teach us that everyone has something to offer. When we worship in the fullness of our lives, God then fills us to be able to affect our world. We then exit to serve God through proclaiming His Word, serving those around us and exalting His name in all the earth. Everything we do in church is to help us fulfill God’s calling on our lives in the world.
    Q: Why do you talk about money? 
    Ronald: The very first thing that was brought into the temple was an offering of grain or corn. This is symbolic of money. I go to Kenya every year and they trade their corn for other items such as meat, oil, etc. God is interested in our money. He speaks of money more than He does either prayer or heaven. I think there has been a lot of negative about money and there has been a lot of error through the years. I hope that what I teach in the book is balanced. Many pastors have said this teaching has helped their churches understand the truth about tithes, first fruits and seed offerings. 
    Q: What do you think is the most important chapter of the book? 
    Ronald: In over 35 years of full time ministry, I have never heard anyone else teach about porters. In Nehemiah 10:39 it lists porters between priest and singers. I thought that was very interesting and researched porters. It is basically a janitor. So between priests and porters are janitors. Servants that do the basics. People who do ordinary things to keep ministries going. God wants servants. That is a concept that is lost in the big time world of church ministries today. Jesus came to serve. I believe that we can make a difference in our community, our neighborhoods, and our world if we are willing to lay our lives down to serve God.
    Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your book? 
    Ronald: I hope that ordinary believers will recognize they have something to offer. We can bring our monies and touch the nations. We can bring our gifts and see the power of God touch people and their needs. We can offer our fruit and not wait for the pastors or elders, but be instruments to bring life to those around us who are seeking a relevant relationship with Jesus. The five fold ministries of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher were never supposed to do everything in the church. The church is supposed to be equipped for ministry. Everyone should be able to proclaim the message and everyone should have praise for the God we serve. That should not happen just on Sunday mornings between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. We should be able to give God praise in our homes and throughout the week. I truly believe this can be the church’s finest hour.
    Q: Where are these resources available to purchase?  
    Ronald: You can obtain this book and many other resources on my web site at RonaldGrayMinistries.org. 
    Q: Are there other available resources connected with this book?
    Ronald: Yes, I taught my book at a conference and had it professionally recorded on video and audio. These sessions are great for small groups and Bible studies. There is a Study Guide to help the leader go through the sessions. The book and the video provide different insights that will help people to grow into maturity.

    My Review
    Ronald's book caught my attention because of my love and desire to worship God. I love being in His presence and loving Him, and letting Him love me in return.


    There something that Ronald says in Chapter 6, that is so true and I will forever remember these words!


    "All places of ministry are not in the limelight. All places of ministry do not win the acclaim and the fame of men, nor get much applause. Some of the most needed ministry is not seen."
    Make that a plaque. Hang it on every wall of your house. Make it your screen saver on your computer, iPod, cell phone!


    The ministry I feel God has called to me is one of those types of ministries! I organize, lead and arrange a meals ministry at church for those who have had a death in the family, a major surgery or a family emergency. I make calls to the others ladies in the church, set up a schedule of who takes a meal when and what they are taking. 

    Ask some of the congregation who is in charge of this ministry... some won't know. They just know that while Mommy Dearest was down in bed recovering from an emergency gall bladder surgery, they had a hot fresh meal on the table.


    Does this both me?!? OH NO! I am not sharing this to seem like I am in need of letting the cyber world know that I am working for God. I am not wanting any of you to take out an ad space just to spread the word. (And for the record, not many of the people that I go to church with read my blog so I am not saying it so that they will know either.)


    I am simply saying that I have an important job in the body of Christ, though many may not know that my job even exists!


    Chapter 6 was my favorite chapter. Ronald reminded me that I need to remember that God has something for each of us to do. My job is important. And it's okay if only HE sees my work!



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    This books was provided by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
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