Praying for Children

I've heard a bit of buzz over the last few months about an e-book called Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most. I haven't personally checked it out yet, but I've been hearing quite a bit about it. In September, the author is hosting 21 Days of Prayer for Sons on her blog.

Today only, you can get a FREE copy of the e-book ... just in time to participate in the challenge. Even if you don't have sons, this would be a great time of prayer for your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, friends' children, etc.

Secret Church News!

A few weeks ago I posted about the upcoming Secret Church. I wanted to share a couple of updates with you.

There's been a change in topic! The six-hour study of Scripture will focus on "Marriage, Family, Sex, and the Gospel."

From the website:

Manhood. Womanhood. Marriage. Parenting. Singleness. Sex. Divorce. Homosexuality. Same-sex marriage. Polygamy. Pornography. Adoption. Abortion. Cultures around the world perceive each of these issues differently. So how does God's Word address them? During Secret Church we will explore how the gospel uniquely affects our understanding of family, marriage, sex, and a host of related (and controversial) issues that are ultimately foundational for the display of the glory of God in our lives, in the church, and in the world.

Tickets for the event at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL are $5 each and will go on sale August 15 at 9:00am CST. Tickets can only be purchased online.

If you can't make it to the live event, Secret Church will also be simulcast through a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources. So you can watch it wherever you are in the world! Simulcast registration will begin online on September 1.

Don't miss out!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by MizB on her blog Should Be Reading.

It's easy! Just pick up your current read (or one of them!), open to a random page, and choose a couple of sentences on the page to post as a teaser. No spoilers please! Make sure to tell which book you pulled the quote from so others can check it out if they're interested.

Today's teaser comes from Denise Hildreth's The First Gardener.

She pulled at the arm again and finally got Mackenzie out of bed. But it hurt. Even rolling over hurt. Getting up could be excrutiating. Mackenzie held her ribs and winced as Eugenia put one arm underneath her and struggled to get her to the bathroom. (pg. 145)

This is by far one of the best books I've read this year. Full review coming soon!

More Freebies!

This summer Tyndale House launched a new program called Digital First. Essentially, they are now publishing some books directly to digital formats rather than paperback/hardback. They hope this will allow more authors to be published. The four debut releases are FREE for a short time so make sure to check them out! Right now, you can only get them digitally, so do a happy dance for FREE books!

Cash Burn by Michael Berrier

Billions of dollars flow through Jason Dunn's banking office each year. But when he suffers a series of career setbacks and his marriage begins to crumble, he and his new assistant devise a plan to disappear with a slice of the bank's cash flow. The unwelcome appearance of his brother on the scene, just released from prison, threatens to sidetrack Jason's plans. But Jason's brother "Flip" has his own problems with a parole officer who isn't fooled by this dangerous parolee.  In the race to the jackpot between Jason and Flip, and the unwinding of their troubled history, the question soon becomes, Who will get burned?

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman

When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-Fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself. Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better...but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Reinventing Leona by Lynne Gentry

Leona Harper loves being a pastor's wife. Her impressive resume touts thirty years of coaxing hot water from rusty parsonage plumbing, planning church potlucks, and standing beside her husband while members take potshots at his sermons. Except for the little tiff with her grown children, Leona feels her life is right on track with the wishes of the Almighty...until her husband drops dead in the pulpit. When the church board decides to fill the Reverend's vacated position Leona is forced to find a paying job, mend her fractured family, and tackle her fears. With life spiraling out of control, Leona might find the church members antics comical if she weren't so completely panicked. Can the faith of an overwhelmed widow withstand the added heartache of two resentful children and several underhanded church members? If Leona can't trust God, how will she learn to trust herself?

Delivery by Diana Prusik

Livi has struggled for decades to avoid her painful past, but she finds new purpose in her troubled life when she join the staff of her family's small-town florist shop.  The strong and wacky Wilson's Florist gang monitors the pulse of Mount Helicon; tales of birth and death, sickness and sorrow, love and betrayal, and even forgiveness. And yet, privy to some of the community's deepest secrets, she sometimes wishes she didn't know so much--especially when news arrives that a dear family friend is dead.

I found them FREE on Amazon (for Kindle) and Barnes&Noble (for Nook). Not sure where else you can get them right now.

Book Club?

I've been tossing a few thoughts around for the past few days ... trying to think of some new ways to infuse a little life into this blog. I've got a few ideas that I'll keep to myself for now, but look for a few new things coming soon!

I've also been tossing around the idea of having a book club. Believe it or not, I've never been part of a book club before. My aunt and some of her friends have met monthly for a book club for several years and they have a blast. I thought it might be something fun to do ... discuss a book, have dinner, spend an evening with friends. What do you think? Anyone interested? For now, I'd like to have an actual, in-person thing ... maybe every other month or so. Let me know if you'd like to participate!

Has anyone ever been in or hosted a book club? I'd love to hear what you did!

Anybody love a good mystery?

Mysteries were the first genre that I truly fell in love with. It started with The Boxcar Children and The Bobbsey Twins and quickly progressed to Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. By middle school I was devouring every book that Mary Higgins Clark wrote and tried to find new authors once I'd finished them all. I still love a good mystery ... Linda Fairstein, Catherine Coulter, Iris Johansen, James Patterson, John Grisham. I've read them all.

Today, I received an email from Bethany House offering several books to review over the next few weeks. Imagine my delight when I realized that they were mysteries/thrillers!

Why am I even telling you this now ... before the review? Because several of these authors have FREE e-books available NOW. I haven't read any of these ... yet. I'll let you know what I think!

 

Teaser Tuesday

I decided to add a new featurette to my regular posts. I'm not sure that I'll do this every week but we'll see.

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by MizB on her blog Should Be Reading.

It's easy! Just pick up your current read (or one of them!), open to a random page, and choose a couple of sentences on the page to post as a teaser. No spoilers please! Make sure to tell which book you pulled the quote from so others can check it out if they're interested.

For today, I've chosen a paragraph from Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson.

Ida wove a pin through the back of her hat. Why was she spending so much time thinking about him? The ice man was a curiosity, that was all. Certainly not someone she'd have business with, so she'd have to live without knowing the rest of his story. She had her own story to live anyway - a tale of inspiring success. (p.76)

Check it out! I'm enjoying it so far! Full review coming soon!

Blog Tour: Praying Through Your Adoption

I recently received a copy of Praying Through Your Adoption by Michele Scott from Christian Speaker Services. Check out the interview below to get to know Michele and read a bit of her story.

What can you tell us about yourself, your childhood, and the present?
I grew up as an only child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Faith was a vital part of our family life, so I believed in God from an early age. About mid-way through college, after heartaches and some poor decisions, I decided to trust Jesus and the plans He has for my life. I graduated, moved to the suburbs, and married my husband, Eric. I worked in the corporate world and Christian ministry before becoming a work-at-home mom through adoption.

When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
I started writing poems and stories for fun as a child. I even had a poem published in Highlights for Children. Through high school and college I enjoyed researching and writing papers, but I never considered becoming a professional writer until I wrote Praying Through Your Adoption.

What inspired you to write Praying Through Your Adoption?
I've been talking to God in prayer for as long as I can remember. I turned to prayer during our infertility, and I had planned to pray through a pregnancy if that had been God's plan. While adopting our son from Russia, we experienced painful delays and obstacles, such as increased fees and additional paperwork. At a particularly low point in the adoption process, I participated in an online prayer vigil that directed me to pray for very specific aspects of adoption – from government officials to waiting children. I realized the power of prayer specifically in adoption and saw the need to help other families pray through their adoptions as well.

How did you come up with the title?
Becoming an adoptive family is a process. First, you make decisions about the type of adoption and the age of the child you wish to pursue. Then you work to become approved, educated, and prepared for welcoming and parenting this new child. Praying Through Your Adoption shows families how to rely on God and their faith through the entire journey of creating and nurturing their forever family.

What other life experiences shaped you to write this book?
Wow, many life experiences influenced this book. Our infertility is probably the biggest since the longing and waiting for our son is a large portion of our story. But even getting laid-off right before our adoption, experiencing post-adoption depression, and dealing with special needs made me want to encourage others dealing with similar difficulties.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Retelling my experience with post-adoption depression was hard. After our difficult time becoming parents, I never imagined I'd feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed as a new mom. As much as I wanted to skip over that chapter in my life and in the book, I felt it was important to paint a realistic picture for prospective adoptive families. Thankfully, other adoptive families were willing to share their real-life joys and challenges in the book as well.

What's one of the most important things people need to know about adoption?
One of my favorite quotes in the book is from the late Derek Loux, an adoptive father of and an advocate for orphans. He said,

“My friends, adoption is redemption. It's costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can't even really appreciate or comprehend it.”

Derek's words capture so much. There is loss, and, yes, there are sacrifices – financial and otherwise – in adoption. But the rewards for answering God's call to care for orphans are priceless.




Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
In writing the book, I had the opportunity to feature around 20 families and their unique adoption stories. No matter the circumstances, I could see the special love that ordinary families experience as forever families. I'm grateful for their transparency and support for this project, and I think the readers will be, too.


Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
With over 143 million orphans across the globe, I would love to see more families consider adoption. But I deeply respect the person who reads this interview or picks up this book and, for whatever reason, decides adoption is not right for them. I hope they would at least consider providing prayer support and perhaps even financial support to families pursuing adoption.

Where can readers learn more about you and adoption?
I encourage readers to visit www.PrayLoveAdopt.com, a website I created to provide information, encouragement, and prayer support for families in any stage of the adoption journey. Visitors can read an excerpt from Praying Through Your Adoption and order a paperback or e-book copy if they desire. They can also visit my blog, www.MommyForward.com, and my main website, www.MicheleCScott.com to learn more about me and my other projects.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services.

Life in a Retirement Community

Hubs and I have joked since we bought our house that we live in a retirement community. Seriously. We're the youngest in our neighborhood by a solid 30 years.

A few Sunday mornings ago I woke up WAY too early and moved to the couch to read / try to go back to sleep for another hour or so. About ten minutes later (at 6:50 am), someone knocked on the door. I didn't really know what to do, so I just stayed really still to see what would happen. When the doorbell rang, I ran to the back to get Hubs (in case it was a burglar ... ringing the doorbell).

Hubs (who is not a morning person) got up and answered the door. One of our neighbor ladies was standing on the front porch with a hoe in hand. Apparently she was walking her dog and it was pooping in our yard when she noticed one of our "pet" rubber snakes. (Side note: Something was eating all of our flowers. Hubs researched and found out that rubber snacks in the flower beds will scare away critters and preserve the flowers.) So she ran home to get a hoe to kill it. When she got back she thought it looked fake (see the picture ... I don't think we have these kinds of vipers anywhere in the US ... except maybe the zoo!) but she wanted to make sure so she rang the doorbell. I don't think it ever occurred to her that we might not already be awake!

Such is the life of a newlywed couple living in a retirement community!

Take Refuge

Okay ... somehow it seems like the days are flying by faster than they were earlier in the year. Not sure how that happens, but it's true! I can't believe it's been two more weeks and we are nearing the end of summer ... or the middle at least. We have a ton going on at our house right now with trips and jobs and parties and friends and family and just ordinary life stuff.

But, alas, two more weeks have come and gone and it's time to choose another memory verse.

This verse has been staring at my from my computer desktop since July 1 (thanks (in)courage for the awesome desktop background!) so I'm going to work at memorizing it over the next two weeks.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11, NIV

I think this is a perfect verse to commit to memory. In the busyness of life, it's easy to forget to rejoice in the protection of our heavenly Father and to take refuge in Him. What a perfect reminder for the next two weeks ... and every week after!

A Second Chance at Life

When we got home from our trip, we were surprised to find this hanging out on our back porch.

When the bird flew away, I investigated the nest and found these.

I've been watching our feathered friend very carefully to make sure she doesn't abandon her eggs like the front porch nester.

So far, so good. We should have babies any day now!

Busy!

We've been a little bit busy around here.

Can you tell by looking at our grass? 

 

I'm trying to blog about all of the busyness but I just haven't had the time.

For now ... just enjoy the hilarity of our ankle-high grass.

Thirteen Months by Don Brobst

Thirteen Months by Don Brobst is an incredibly moving memoir of Don and Gwen's life, particularly the final thirteen months of her life. Don's writing style makes you feel like you are talking over coffee rather than reading a book. Don shares his and Gwen's thoughts about the events that unfolded during those thirteen months and shares of the spiritual growth that took place. He also masterfully weaves in bits and pieces from their meeting, dating, and married life together. More than just a story about Gwen's illness and subsequent death, this is a testimony of God's grace in the lives of the Brobst family. I consider it a privilege to recommend this book!

This is a bit different than most (all?) of the books that I review on this site.

Don is the father of one of my dearest friends in the whole world. Wendy and I have been friends since middle school, stayed close through the years, and were in each others' weddings the past two summers. So in an effort of full disclosure ... I love these people. BUT no one has asked me to post anything about this book.

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego???

Does anyone remember that old computer game? I LOVED playing that game ... on our OLD pc in the kitchen (one computer shared by our entire family) ... usually while mom was cooking dinner ... or perhaps after homework. Anyway. You had to use clues given by the game to solve mysteries.

Hubs and I have been out of town for the past week. Check out the pics below to see if you can guess where we were. (No fair guessing if you already knew!) :)

Pirate of My Heart by Jaime Carie

I wasn't sure what to expect when I pulled Pirate of My Heart by Jaime Carie out of the stack on my nightstand, but I was more than pleasantly surprised! Lady Kendra Townsend has lost everything and the only uncle that she knows kicks her out of her home and sends her to America to live with relatives she didn't know existed. While trying to find her way in the world, she meets Captain Dorian Colburn, a man who has been burned by love and has sworn off women forever. Both are shocked by their feelings for one another and must learn to trust in God as one thing after another comes between them.

It's not often that a story grabs my attention so completely, but I was hooked by the second page. The characters were intriguing and the story offered twists that were unexpected and kept me guessing. Carie is a masterful writer and I can't wait to read more of her books! Ignore the (somewhat) cheesy cover and pirate-y title and read this book!

I received a free copy of this book from B&H Books in exchange for my fair and honest review.

NOTE: Pirate of My Heart will be available for purchase in September 2011.


About the Book
When her doting father dies, Lady Kendra Townsend is given a choice: marry the horrid man of her cold, money-grubbing uncle's choosing or leave England to risk a new life in America with unknown relatives. Armed with the faith that God has a plan for her, Kendra boards a cargo ship and meets American sea captain Dorian Colburn. But the captain has been wounded by a woman before and guards his independent life. A swashbuckling man doesn't need an English heiress to make him slow down, feel again, or be challenged with questions about his faith-or so he thinks. It is not until Dorian must save Kendra from the dark forces surrounding her that he decides she may be worth the risk.

About the Author
Jamie Carie is the author of Snow Angel, winner of a 2007 National "Best Books" Award and a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year nominee. She lives with  her husband and three children in Indianapolis.

Intrigued by Young Marriage

I've been intrigued to learn over the past year or so that there's a "movement" of sorts advocating for people to get married at a younger age (19, 20, 21ish). There are lots of arguments for and against this, but I find it fascinating. Since I got married when I was 28, I can see some benefits of getting married a little bit older, but I can also see how some of the patterns that we both adopted have been difficult to overcome as we learn to share our lives together.

Anyway. Ted Cunningham has recently written a new book promoting young marriage. While I haven't read the book, I found this interview to be thought-provoking.

What are your thoughts on marriage at a younger age?

Early marriage might not be a problem; instead, it might just be a solution.

 

In Young and in Love, Pastor Ted Cunningham boldly suggests that early marriage is not as harmful as many believe and even offers the solution to staying sexually pure. He guides young adults through the arguments against early marriage and then reveals the secrets to creating a healthy, successful, and life-long relationship in early adulthood.

 

Q&A with Ted Cunningham, Author of Young and in Love

 

Q:  Over the past century, the national average for marrying age has increased and has continued to creep upwards.  In the 1950’s, for example, marrying at 20 was the norm.  Why are that many people waiting until they are older to marry?

 

The two primary reasons for delaying marriage today are fear of having a marriage like their parents and prolonged adolescence.  First, mom and dad may have been committed but did not enjoy one another.  Second, they grew up in homes where they were given too much privilege and not enough responsibility.  They were not prepared or trained to be a husband or wife.

 

Q:  Why has marriage become discouraged at a young age?  Do you think the Bible encourages young love?

 

Young marriage is discouraged because parents and the young adults themselves know they are not ready for marriage.  The Bible has two stages of life: childhood and adulthood.  There is no in-between.  When you left home, you cleaved to your spouse (Gen. 2:24).  Marriage and adulthood are linked.

 

Q:  Do you think the struggle our generation has with sexual impurity can be linked to the fact that marriages are being delayed?  Do you think that young adults would be more sexually pure if they married earlier?

 

It would certainly give them more hope.  After they reach puberty, we implore them to wait 15+ years.  We teach them to delay sex until marriage.  Most are having sex and delaying marriage.

 

Q:  Why do you think that “purity” talks are failing with Christian youth?

 

We’ve been teaching them how to honor purity, not marriage.  The Scripture calls us to honor marriage and purity is just one way to do that (Hebrews 13:4).  We need to prepare them to be husbands and wives.  Purity is a lifelong pursuit for all Christians.  It is not an issue for singles alone.

Q:  You were 21 when you first called home to tell your parents about Amy, who would soon become your wife.  How did your parents respond to your news?  Were her parents supportive?

 

Our parents were more than excited because they knew we were ready for the responsibility.

Q:  At what age do you encourage marriage?  When do you believe that someone is too young?

For starters, you must be a legal adult.  The youngest couple I have ever married was 19.  Their life circumstances forced them into adulthood at an early age and they understood and embraced responsibility.  I’ve married thirtysomethings with less maturity than this couple.  Again, the issue for me is not age, but maturity.

Q:  Can you give us some examples of unnecessary and necessary delays for marriage?

 

Necessary delays would include finishing high school and seeking your parents’ blessing.  Going after mom and dad’s blessing is a huge mark of maturity and a fantastic transition from childhood to adulthood.

Unnecessary delays would include waiting for a fat bank account, finishing college or graduate degrees, getting settled into the perfect job or exploring an extended season of self-exploration (independence).

 

Q:  Many people think you should be more financially secure, for example, because money is such a big issue in marriages.  In this economy, that may not even be possible, but how big of an impact does that have on a young marriage?

 

Plan on a poor or modest start.  That may mean coffee from gas stations, used cars and hand me down furniture.  You may need to start with flip phones.  Delay iPhones, iPads amd Macbooks, not marriage.

Interview taken from an email from Audra Jennings with The B&B Media Group. For more information on this book, for a review copy, or for interview information, please contact Audra.

Happy Indpendence Day!!!

I'm not going to lie. After our super-patriotic spring break vacation, Independence Day this year has a bit more ... well ... meaning to me now. Seeing the Declaration of Independence with my own two eyes was incredibly moving. And learning more about many of the founding fathers and the Revolutionary War as we toured historical sites in Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Boston is a powerful reminder of how much our freedom cost those who came before us.

Today I am thankful for the many freedoms that we have ... to speak our minds, to openly share our faith, to vote (vote, people!!!), and so many other things. More importantly, I am thankful that the Lord has blessed us with these freedoms.

Today I am also thankful for the men and women who have fought for and are currently fighting for our country around the world. I don't have the words to adequately express my gratitude to them and to their families who choose to give so much for our country.

Happy Independence Day!!!

A few days late ...

Since I've been gone for the past week ... and completely unplugged from the rest of the world ... I'm a few days late posting my verse for the next two weeks.

These verses came up several times as we were preparing for our mission trip and while we were there, so I thought it would be good to commit them to memory. I prayed these verses while we were in New York.

How then will they call on them in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Romans 10:14-15