The Life Ready Woman

Are you a doing it all or doing what matters most kind of girl?

For me I often find myself overwhelmed by the burden of trying to get it all done. And to think that I don’t even have near the responsibilities of those of other woman, who are balancing motherhood, marriage and ministry. In The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World authors Shanti Feldhahn and Robert Lewis asks us women to examine our lives in light of God’s design.

The freedom to excel can also lead us to take on burdens we were never meant to carry, to find ourselves stressed and torn, and to experience an outlook that that is all too often marked by worry or guilt instead of the absolute peace of knowing we are in the exact center of God’s will every day.

The book is divided into two parts. Part 1: God’s Plan and Purposes for All of Us  and Part 2: Getting to God’s Best for You.  Authors point out that all humankind has been issued a call by God to leave and cleave, be fruitful and multiply and subdue and rule. In addition to our universal call, the book states that women share feminine callings to:

• help
• influence our setting
• nurture life
• bring special wisdom and perspective
• multitask.

As affirming as learning about and embracing these feminine calls may be, women are warned that these callings can leave us vulnerable to sinful tendencies such as manipulation, being controlling, and resisting set limits.

Part two focuses on living in view of our callings and how to be better stewards of our personal gifts by reliance on God.

It’s so easy to default to walking the path that we already know rather than the one God is leading us to.

What I like about the book:

It addresses the many faucets of womanhood from married women to the older single woman, who each faces a very different set of circumstances. The authors did not sugarcoat the fact that to really live according to God’s design requires self-sacrifice and obedience, which is not always popular or easy.

About the author: Shaunti Feldhahn is a former Wall Street analyst, best-selling author of the book For Women Only, national speaker, and regular commentator in the media. She has been featured on The Today Show, PBS, TNT and Fox News- to name a few. You can learn more about her many activities by visiting her website Shaunti.com or get some great mom advice from her at MomLifeToday.com. She and her husband live with their two young children in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoy every minute of living at warp speed.

Does this sound like a book, you would like to read? As a part of the LitFUSE blog tour I was graciously provided  a copy to give away to one of my readers. Simply enter your name and email address in the form below to enter.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes as a part of the Litfuse blog tour.  I was not required to write a positive review.

Review: iShine Bible

Designed specifically  for tweens, the iShine Bible packs a lot of punch in a small pink or blue package. I chose to review the one for girls and loved the girly designs on the Bible cover.  Its size of 6.13 x4.13 inches makes it a perfect to carry along in a purse or bag without being weighted down.

It uses the New Living Translation, which I find to be one of my favorite translations. It features 3 color sections that focuses on helping tweens to realize they are V.I.P(s). Meaning they are valued with a unique identity in Christ and called to a specific purpose. The front of the Bible is filled with helpful information about growing in their spiritual walk and a topical index addressing common questions tweens may have. Additionally, it incorporates multimedia by using links to videos and/or QR codes that are readable by smartphones.

Overall, I think the iShine Bible is one any tween would enjoy. For me, I wish it contained more culturally diverse tween photos. Since it is a compact Bible, the writing is small; however, most tweens would not find that to be a problem for their young eyes.

List Price: 19.99 
ISBN: 978-1-4143-4815-5
Trim Size: 4 1/8 x 6 1/8 
Binding: Leather-Like, Lip Sync Pink/Rockin' Ruby 
Release: February 2011

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When is long better than short?

Being what I call directionally challenged, I often go the route I know best rather than run the risk of getting lost. Times when I felt rather daring I have ventured down unchartered territory and on several occasions I have discovered that for months I had been going the long way around. I wasted needless time and gas going the sure way.

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land.

Now God is not directionally challenged like me but even He, the all-knowing one,  had people take the long way around. Everything He does is purposeful.

God said, If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.   So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.  Exodus 13:17

Going the long way around processed the Israelites for possession of the promise. Had they went the short route, perhaps they would have visited the land but certainly would not have had the stamina to maintain it.

Dear Lord, forgive me for all the times I’ve assumed that I really know best. Forgive me for all the times I have murmured and complained about what is yet to manifest in my life. For your promises are yea and Amen. You already know my final destination but it is me that you are preparing for it as I go along the journey of life. Thank you that you know the way that I take. I’m never out of your eyesight or reach of your loving hands.

Father I pray for my fellow brothers and sisters as they walk along the course you have set for them. May they be ever mindful that you are with them whether they find themselves wearily walking the long road or speeding down the fast track. Strengthen them I pray. May they have renewed confidence in You, Lord.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Hello

Wow, it seems like forever since I have the time to write something here. Wanted to send out quick hello and let you know I'm still around. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you've enjoyed a wonderful Sabbath rest. May the Father's love and peace be multiplied in your life.

Discover the Way to Love

Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG:  Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Happy Valentine’s Day

My Heart’s Answer

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

Like the rest of the world, there are so many things that require my attention during the course of the day. Needful things. Critical things. Routine things. So much stuff and things that at times, I find myself overwhelmed by it all. And, if I’m not very cautious all of those things will drown out my ability to hear His call and my willingness to answer.

 

Can you hear Him calling you today? Will you answer Him or leave him waiting?

Resisting the Urge to Run

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

Exodus 14:13-14 is Joanne of An Open Book pick for this week’s Monday Manna. It provides an opportunity for fellow bloggers to chew on the same scripture passage and share their insights.

Most of us are probably familiar with the Israelites exodus from Egypt. Oppressed for hundreds of years, they suddenly found themselves in the midst of God’s deliverance plan. However, it didn’t feel or look much like deliverance to them. In fact, it seemed foolish to leave oppressive comfort for a wilderness journey full of the unknown. So foolish that they were complaining and seeking to go back to bondage. Not to mention that their taskmasters were now pursing them.

When posed with danger, it is natural to be scared and to be tempted to run. Which makes Moses instructions sound illogical and like a sure recipe for disaster. So what does it take for one to be able to follow such unnatural instructions?

The exact same thing it takes for you and I to follow the illogical instructions, we hear uttered to us in our daily lives. TRUST.

To stand still when everything in us wants to run.

To forge ahead when our knees are shaking.

To face our enemies instead of avoiding them.

To rely on God rather than defend ourselves.

All takes TRUST.

Not in ourselves but in the one who is with us always to the ends of the earth.

What does this passage speak to you?  To find out what others are saying visit An Open Book.

Refuse to Lose Ground

Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. Philippians 3:16 (AMP)

The past two weeks Philippians 3:16 has been my siesta scripture I have been memorizing. While there are a lot of things I have yet to obtain or comprehend, this passage of scripture reminds me that as I wait on them to materialize, I should not  loose what I have already received. 
Rather than focus on what is missing in your life, take a moment to do an assessment of what is in your possession now. Do you still have a measure of faith? Then hold onto it. And don’t just hold onto it but put it to use.
Hope over to the café to find others dishing up the word for Word-Filled Wednesday.