40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood by Sarah Humphrey

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood

by Sarah Humphrey    Devotional/Mother Abingdon Press Wouldn't it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions ---an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood: * Self-acceptance * Self-care * Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations * Generosity * Presence * Forgiveness In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Meet the Author Often considered a dreamer and silly heart, Sarah Humphrey uses inspiration from her most beloved career, motherhood, to fuel her passion for writing, creative movement and teaching. She has and is authoring several books and children's books. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three beautiful, bouncy kids.     Here's my review of this engaging devotional: First, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Sarah Humphrey and her publisher for sending me a copy of "40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. '40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood' by Sarah Humphrey is a beautiful devotional coloring book.  Relax.  Unwind.  De-stress.  Spend time with God.  Worship.  Color.  Coloring has been a relaxing way for me to spend time since I was a child.  I remember my Mom coloring with me when I was little.  Who knew she was de-stressing back then. The devotions in this book are sweet and the accompanying doodle pages can be fun to color and add your own personal touches.  And they bring the devotional message home.

Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson "A delightful, yummy tale of faith and finding truth at the lovely Red Door Inn."--Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author In her kitchen at Rose's Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected, and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen--and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful. Journalist Adam Jacobs is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He's also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he's falling in love with the island's red shores and Caden's sweets. When Caden discovers Adam isn't who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he's writing could do more than ruin the inn's chances for survival--it might also break her heart. Here's my review of this delicious romance: First, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Liz Johnson and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Where Two Hearts Meet" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson is a mouth-watering romance!  From the opening sentences, Liz Johnson tantalizes the taste buds with her introduction to leading lady, Caden Holt and the conflict brewing at Rose’s Red Door Inn.  This conflict leads to Caden having to escort travel journalist, Adam Jocobs around Prince Edward Island in the hopes of a great review to save the Inn.  The heat really turns up in the kitchen when Caden and Adam’s repeated interaction becomes more personal that professional. Filled with humor and delicious romance, this book satisfies without impacting the scale!  The characters are likable. The setting is charming.  This book is so enticing, you may be looking for a bed and breakfast reservation for your next vacation.  Though I really don’t think any B-n-B could live up to what Liz has beautifully crafted in this book!

Homiletics - Romans 15

Contents (not sentence, direct verbiage from Scripture):  Where?                                                                Who?

1	1-2	We strong bear w/failings of weak, not to please ourselves; please neighbors to build them up.
2	3	Christ did not please self: insults have fallen on me.
3	4	Everything in past written to teach us so thru endurance taught in Scriptures and encouragement, we have hope.
4	5-6	May God Who gives endurance/encouragement give you attitude toward each other Christ had so you glorify God.
5	7	Accept another as Christ accepted you to bring praise to God.
6	8-12	Christ become servant of Jews so promised to patriarchs confirmed & Gents glorify G for mercy, written: I praise you among Gents; rejoice Gents w/His ppl; praise L, Gents, let all extol Him; Isa: Root of Jesse spring up, rule, in Him Gents hope.
7	13	May G of hope fill you w/joy & peace as you trust so you overflow w/hope by H.S.
8	14	I convinced you full of goodness, knowledge, competent to instruct one another.
9	15-16	I written you boldly to remind you bec of grace God gave me to minister to Gents – priestly duty of proclaiming Gospel so Gents bec offering acceptable to G, sanctified by H.S.
10	17	I glory in C is svc to G.
11	18-19	I not venture speak anything except what C accomplished thru me by pwr of signs/wonders thru Spirit; so from Jerus to Illyricum I proclaimed Gospel.
12	20	Always been my ambition to preach Gospel where Christ already known so I not build on someone else’s foundation.
13	21	Written: those not told about him will see, those who haven’t heard will understand.
14	22-24	This why I often hindered from coming, no more work in these regions & I’ve been longing years to visit you; when I go Spain I hope to see you & have you assist on my journey.
15	25-26	Now I on way to Jerus, Macedonia & Achaia make contribution for poor L’s ppl in Jerus.
16	27	They pleased to & owe it, if Gents share Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe mat’l blessings.
17	28-29	After I make sure they rec’d contribution, I go Spain, visit you on way; I come in full blessing of C.
18	30-33	I urge you by JC & love of Spirit, join me praying I kept safe from unbelievers in Judea and contribution favorably rec’d so I come to you w/joy by G’s will & in your co. be refreshed; G of peace be w/you.  Amen.

 

Divisions (run-on sentence OK, direct verbiage from Scripture):

1	1-13	The attitude of Christ brings praise to God
Principle:		When Christ is manifest, even in our attitude, God is glorified.
2	14-21	Instructing  each other about Christ
Principle:		All believers are called to proclaim the message of the Gospel.
3	22-33	Paul’s planned schedule
Principle:		God’s will is sovereign over our plans – especially those regarding His kingdom.

 

Subject Sentence (10-word sentence with proper structure):

Paul encourages Christ’s attitude and shares plans to visit Rome.

 

Aim (Christian and Non-Christian):

TCMAT know and desire the attitude of Christ and through prayer and cooperation with God and His Word to achieve that attitude.

 

Application:

1	How might the strong bear with the failings of the weak? In what way do you please neighbors to build them up?  How have you sacrificed pleasing yourself? What insults have you heard that Christ actually took upon Himself on your behalf? What passages of Scripture have given you hope? How would you describe the attitude of Christ?  Use Scripture to support your answer. What aspects of His attitude need to become part of your attitude?  How will you achieve this? How might you accept another as Christ accepted you to bring praise to God? In what way are you a servant to the Jews?  To the Gentiles? In what is your hope? What part might the apostle Paul have played in your salvation?  Name some other “Pauls” in your conversion story.  Are you a “Paul” to anyone else?
2	In what areas are you allowing God to use you to instruct others? Why might proclaiming the Gospel be a priestly duty?  How are you engaging in this activity? How is glorying in Christ a service to God? What has Christ accomplished through you by the power of signs and wonders through the Spirit? Where are you proclaiming the Gospel? What is the benefit of proclaiming the Gospel where Christ is already known? What does it mean that “those not told about him will see, those who haven’t heard will understand”?
3	What work have you been longing to do for the Lord but have been hindered from doing? What are your plans to serve the Lord? In what way could you solicit the help of fellow believers in your service to the Lord? How will you pray for Christian leaders this week? What will you ask others to pray for you? How are you refreshed in the company of other believers? In what way will you refresh another believer today?

 

Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon

Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon Finn has packed away his combat instincts--but he may need them again when danger begins to stalk his quiet hideaway . . .  After a disastrous Middle East mission ends his six-year Army Ranger career, Finn McGregor needs some downtime. A peaceful month in the woods sounds like the perfect way to decompress. But peace isn't on the agenda once he crosses paths with publishing executive Dana Lewis, a neighbor who is nursing wounds of her own. Someone seems bent on disrupting her stay in the lakeside cabin she inherited from her grandfather. As Finn and Dana work together to discover who is behind the disquieting pranks, the incidents begin to take on a menacing tone. And when it becomes apparent Dana's foe may have deadly intent, Finn finds himself back in the thick of the action--ready or not. Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon draws readers into a web of psychological suspense where danger lurks in dark corners . . . and keeps them captive until the very last page. Here is my review of this amazing suspense read: First, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Irene Hannon and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Tangled Webs" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. “Tangled Webs” by Irene Hannon is an engaging romantic suspense read that I invested myself in within the first few pages.  Finn McGregor and Dana Lewis meet under rather strange circumstances in the secluded woods.  Each of them taking time away from the real world to make life-changing decisions.  As a friendship develops, then deepens, mysterious occurrences continue to draw them together. Meanwhile Chief Burnett has his hands full.  His wife is a dementia patient who is about to lose her bed at a high-priced care facility, so when an opportunity presents itself to come up with the money necessary to secure her place, he barely hesitates, finding himself trespassing on Dana’s property to hunt his windfall.  Toss in a meth lab and you begin to see the strands of the web form. As always, Irene Hannon has penned a suspenseful and romantic story that thoroughly entertains!  Her character development is meticulous.  She crafts the story with attention to detail and skillfully creates a memorable and enjoyable read!

Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren

Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren "Watching Kacey and Ben maneuver past hurts and fall back in love made for a perfect afternoon reading. Wild Montana Skies is a wonderful love story."--Dee Henderson, author ofTaken The last thing Search and Rescue helicopter pilot Kacey Fairing needs upon returning home to Mercy Falls, Montana, is to run into her mistakes. After a devastating crash during her recent military tour in Afghanistan, she is emotionally broken but ready to start putting her life back together. She just wants to reconnect with her teenage daughter and spend the summer working as the new lead pilot of PEAK Rescue in Glacier National Park. But her mistakes aren't so easily forgotten. Because Ben King is also back in town. Country music star Ben King abandoned his past when he moved to Nashville thirteen years ago to start his career. He hoped to heal his broken heart, caused by losing the woman he loved. But when his father is injured, Ben is called home to help manage PEAK Rescue during his recovery. He doesn't realize his father has ulterior motives until his old flame, Kacey, walks into his house and back into his heart. Now, with Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben will have to work together to save lives. But when secrets are uncovered and old hurts rise to the surface, will they walk away again? Or can they find a different ending to their country love song? Here's my review of this Great Romantic Adventure: First, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Susan May Warren and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Wild Montana Skies" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. Once again, Susan May Warren has drawn me into her latest book “Wild Montana Skies”, the first in the Montana Rescue Series.  With every novel, Susie’s writing appeals even more.  She really knows her stuff!  I’m sure she spends lots of time meticulously researching to make her tales more believable.  Her characters are true to life with moods and facial expressions and thoughts.   Her plot points are more complex with greater impact within her stories.  She truly is one of my favorite storytellers. Kacey Fairing has returned home to Mercy Falls after a tour in Afghanistan.  What she truly needs is mercy but it’s the last thing she expects, having left behind many regrets and a daughter who is now a teenager.  Kacey is no stranger to challenges and meets them head-on without the aggression that her PTSD might dictate. Country music star Ben King walked away from Mercy Falls years ago.  Now he’s back to run the family rescue business while his father recuperates from an injury.  This leads to an unexpected reunion with Kacey, who still possesses Ben’s heart.  Lots of action, adventure and romance follow. “Wild Montana Skies” is a book I did not want to put down!  Pick a long weekend to read this one so you’ll have minimal interruptions!  I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK #2!

Homiletics - Romans 14

Contents (not sentence, direct verbiage from Scripture):  Where?                                                                Who?

1	1-2	Accept one whose faith=weak w/o quarreling; One faith allows eat anything, another (weak) only eats veggies.
2	3	One who eats everything not treat w/contempt one who doesn’t, one who doesn’t mustn’t judge one who does, God accepted them.
3	4	Who are you to judge another’s servant? To their master they stand or fall, L can make them stand.
4	5-6	One considers one day more sacred, another considers every day alike.  Each fully convinced.  Whoever regards 1 day special, does so to L; whoever eats meat, does so to L, whoever abstains, does so to L & gives thx.
5	7-9	None lives/dies for selves alone; we live/die for L, we belong to L; this why Christ died/ret’d to life so He be L of living & dead.
6	10-12	Why you judge bro/sis? Why you treat w/contempt? We’ll all stand before G’s judgmt seat; every knee bow before me/every tongue acknowledge G; each will give acct to God.
7	13	Stop judgmt on another, not put obstacle in way of bro/sis.
8	14	Fully persuaded in Jesus, nothing unclean in itself, if anyone regards unclean, for them it is.
9	15	If bro/sis distressed bec what you eat, you no acting in love; do not by eating destroy someone for whom C died.
10	16-18	Do not let what you know as good be spoken of as evil; koG not matter of eating/drinking, but righteousness, peace, joy in HS, bec who serves C this way=pleasing to G, rec’s human approval.
11	19-20	Make every effort do what leads to peace/mutual edification; don’t destroy work of G for food; all food=clean but wrong to eat what causes someone to stumble.
12	21	Better not eat meat/drink wine or do anything that cause bro/sis to fall.
13	22	Whatever you believe about these, keep betw you & G; blessed is on who doesn’t condemn self by what he approves.
14	23	Whoever doubts is condemned if they eat, bec eating not from faith; everything that doesn’t come from faith=sin.

 

Divisions (run-on sentence OK, direct verbiage from Scripture):

1	1-6	Faith and doing so to the Lord
Principle:		What you think of me is none of my business.
2	7-18	Judgment
Principle:		Judgment belongs to God alone.
3	19-23	Do what leads to peace in faith
Principle:		Sacrifices to keep others from stumbling leads to peaceful living.

 

Subject Sentence (10-word sentence with proper structure):

Paul cites weak faith in eating, stumbling and sin.

 

Aim (Christian and Non-Christian):

TCMATK it is wrong to judge fellow believers and cause them to stumble because their faith is weak.

 

Application:

1	How might you accept one whose faith is weak without quarreling? Why might one who has weak faith eat only vegetables?  What might one with strong faith eat? When have you been tempted to treat one who doesn’t eat as you do with contempt?  How did you refrain from doing so? How can God accept both the one who eats anything and the one who doesn’t? What do you do as to the Lord?
2	How do we live and die for the Lord? Why did Christ die? Why do we judge our brother s and sisters in Christ? Why do we treat our Christian siblings with contempt? When you stand before God’s judgment seat, what account will you give to Him? What action will you take this week to stop judging others? How will you refrain from putting obstacles in the way of others? Without naming names, share an example of someone who regards something as unclean, so for them it is. How might your eating habits destroy someone for whom Christ died? How will you obey “do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil”? What is the kingdom of God all about? What does the service of one who pleases God look like according to 14:18?
3	What effort will you make this week to do what leads to peace and mutual edification? How might one destroy the work of God for food? What sacrifice are you willing to make to avoid causing a brother or sister to stumble? How could you condemn yourself by what you approve? According to 14:23, what role does doubt play in sin? How can you be assured that your eating is from faith?