The Dance

                                           Title: THE DANCE

Authors; Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Publisher: Revell

April 2013

ISBN: 978-0800721480

Genre: Contemporary

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs--a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she's too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons--something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn't anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him--starting with himself.

THE DANCE is the first book written by the Walsh/Smalley Duet and it is good… but not as stellar as what I’ve come to expect from Walsh.  The book has a lot of telling in it. And as a student of writing and what makes it good, I couldn’t turn my internal editor off long enough to thorough enjoy it. I was rewording sentences as I read them to make them less telling.

The plot line – as you can see above. Jim is all about Jim. Marilyn was only there to make his life easier. Who cares what she wanted? He certainly didn’t. So, despite warnings over the years, Jim was totally shocked to find out she left him. Even then, it was all about him. How dare she inconvenience him this way? He has to hire a maid to do his wife’s job. He is losing clients due to his wife not dressing him appropriately, or because she isn’t there.

Dan Walsh is a great author, really. Despite the telling, I cared for Marilyn and Jim and their kids. I loved some of the secondary characters. And I read through the book in an afternoon. Some good lessons to be learned in the book.  Recommended. 4.5 stars.  $14.99. 352 pages. 

Reality Check -- When Should I Start?

Reality Check - When Should I Start?                         By Wayne Nance Permission is granted to reprint or post this article provided acknowledgment is given to Wayne Nance, author of The 3 Minute Difference.

In my Ten Point Plan on improving your health, fitness, and ultimately relationships point number two is the dreaded Reality Check.  This is where you take the doctor's brutally honest assessment of your overall health and DO something NOW to get fit.  In case you really follow the plan, and I am hoping that you do, you should weigh yourself first so that you can celebrate your results at the end of your fitness journey. Here is where you commit to setting the "opportunity" clock to wake you up from 30 minutes to an hour earlier in the morning so that you can get busy with getting active.  I know this sounds very basic but get up and walk the dog, cat, pot bellied pig (no...I'm not referring to your spouse) and start with a short distance. VERY IMPORTANT--->Don't forget to stretch those muscles first so they can wake up too.  You have to realize that this is new to them also and they will fight back at first until you show them who is the boss. My friend in NE Texas starts at 4:30 (now that is early) and lets his six year old Lab/Husky mix puppy pull him around his neighborhood.  He said that she (his dog) is so excited to have this morning time with her best friend that she jumps almost 4 feet into the air and almost knocks him over.  His relationship with his dog is definitely improving.  Maybe he should take his wife along too, or maybe not...it is too early to attempt to wake her too.  That could be dangerous, he says. This same man told me how to tell who your friends really are.  DISCLAIMER:  Fellows...DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!  He said to take your dog and your wife and put them both in the trunk of your car.  Come back in an hour to let them out and see which one is happy to see you! Now that you are finished laughing, which by the way is great for your heart, I want to know how you are doing with the Reality Check.  Send me your comments below.  Let's have fun getting healthy this year. Take the 3 Minute Survey Follow Wayne’s blog: http://www.reallifeattitude.com/_blog

Six Sisters' Stuff Cookbook

Giveaway promotion ! Please do one of two things..

1) Like the Six Sister’s STUFF facebook page and comment that they are joining the 4x4 Dinner Challenge
https://www.facebook.com/SixSistersStuff

2)   Click the 4x4 Family dinner banner on the website www.SixSistersStuff.com (on the right sidebar) and leave a comment that they are joining the challenge.

Six Sisters STUFF – amazon link

Title: SIX SISTER STUFF COOKBOOK: Family Recipes, Fun Crafts, and so much more

Author: Six Sister Stuff

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

March 2013

ISBN: 978-1609073244

Genre: cookbook/crafts/lists

Cook, craft, and create with recipes, projects, and ideas from the enormously popular blog SixSistersStuff.com. Every recipe and project included in this book is quick, easy, and fun. More than 100 family-favorite recipes (including an entire section of slow-cooker recipes), use ingredients commonly found in your pantry. The crafts and home décor projects have easy-to-follow instructions with photographs and can be made with little or no money. We don t profess to be amazing chefs, they claim. We just know the importance of feeding our families a home-cooked meal and sitting down to eat it together. Our mom and dad taught us so many great values, and we are thankful that they instilled the importance of family time in our lives. Even the busiest of people can make the food and project ideas we share, which will give you even more time to spend with your family and loved ones. SixSistersStuff.com is an online phenomenon. More than 5 million page views per month More than 50,000 Facebook followers Nearly 10,000 followers on Twitter More than 80,000 followers on Pinterest.

SIX SISTERS’ STUFF COOKBOOK is a collection of recipes, children’s crafts and lists such as healthy snacks, date night ideas, and stuff to do to keep kids’ busy on car trips (and more).

We tried the black bean taco soup, the cheesy vegetable soup (with modifications, we didn’t have Velveeta on hand so we used shredded mild cheddar), the root beer cookies, and the breakfast casserole, because we did have the ingredients for them on-hand. It says the recipes all use common pantry items, but we don’t commonly have some of the things called for on hand for the recipes. I didn’t take pictures of the recipes. I should’ve. The cookies were interesting. Not great. I wouldn’t care to have them again. We all liked the black bean taco soup, the cheese soup, and the breakfast casserole. 

The children’s crafts and the lists were the best parts of the book – but even they weren’t super stupendous. Maybe if you never went on a long car trip with the kids, it’d be great, but for those who are used to traveling to see Grandma then they have their mental lists.

I wasn’t overly impressed with the book, but my best friend loved it. She’s a huge list-maker though, and it intrigued her to have lists of healthy snacks, 14 days of Valentines, and more. So, I’d say if you are a young mom and keep a lot of convenience foods on hand, and need ideas to keep your kids busy, or a date-night for you and the hubs, then this book is for you. If you’re more into homemade, old-fashioned cooking, have a huge family and have done it all – well you wouldn’t be as interested.

Oh and if you have a smart phone they have the little square bar codes so you can just scan it to go to get more recipes, instructions, and other great ideas. A great book for new moms and young moms.  $21.99. 200 pages. 4 stars.

World’s Largest Family Dinner 4.19,13 @ 6pm   How to Register:  http://challenge.sixsistersstuff.com/

Video from Six Sisters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bjCmhNIHEBc

Against The Tide

Title; AGAINST THE TIDE

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Publisher: Bethany House

October 2012

ISBN: 978-0764210235

Genre: Historical

After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.

When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive?

AGAINST THE TIDE is kind of a sequel to The Lady of Bolton Hill. Bane was a secondary character in that book, and not exactly a good guy. However, AGAINST THE TIDE easily stands alone. It’s an interesting story line dealing with the opium trade in the 1800’s. It was interesting to learn about the effects of addiction to this drug.

Due to her upbringing, born of a Greek father and a Turkish mother, Lydia was raised on fishing boats, going from country to country. Her ability to learn languages came in handy though as she found work with the U.S. Navy. Alexander Banebridge hired her on the side to translate documents for him, but his mission could put Lydia in danger.

Lydia was very tough, and meticulous, everything had to be in order before she could even think. Bane on the other hand was very mysterious. I did enjoy the story and it is very different than most historical novels I’ve read recently.  $14.99. 368 pages.

Threads of Grace

Title: THREADS OF GRACE

Author: Kelly Long

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

February 2013

ISBN: 978-1595548726

Genre: Amish

Grace’s beauty almost cost her everything. This new start is all she has left.

When Grace Beiler was only a girl, she was married off to an older Amish man in order to save her family’s farm. Years later, she finds herself newly widowed and a mother to a young son. She has finally fled her sad past and plans to settle into a quiet life in Pennsylvania.

As soon as she arrives, she captures the attention of Seth Wyse, the most eligible bachelor in Pine Creek. Seth is candid about his feelings for her, and for her son Abel, but Grace is determined to protect her heart. Her determination falters when her brother-in-law reveals the troubling contents of her late husband’s will.

Seth offers Grace his hand in marriage, and thus a means of escape. But despite his having saved her from another loveless marriage, Grace is slow to trust her new husband. And as the months wear on, Seth wonders if he has made a mistake. But God is quietly at work in their hearts, and Seth and Grace soon discover that threads of grace bind them together in a tapestry rich in hope and love.

THREADS OF GRACE is part of the Patch of Heaven series by Ms. Long, but it easily stands alone. For readers who want to read books in order though, Sarah’s Garden and Lilly’s Wedding Quilt are the first two in the series. I love Ms. Long’s contemporary Amish novels and novellas (not so much the historical one) and this one was no exception.

Grace is suffering from marital abuse. Her husband has passed, but he’s emotionally and physically abused her so much, she’s broken. Seth is infatuated with the beautiful widow, and when he discovers her continued danger from her former husband’s brother, he’s quick to jump in to help. Maybe without thinking things through clearly, but Seth is impulsive. Such an awesome man. I fell right in love with him. 

Fans of Amish fiction won’t want to miss Ms. Long’s Patch of Heaven series, and particularly not THREADS OF GRACE. $15.99. 304 pages. 5 stars.

Survivor Lends Voice to Child Abuse Prevention

Call for Survivor Stories of HOPE. The month of April is Sexual Abuse Awareness Month and also Child Abuse Prevention Month. During the month of April I will highlight YOUR stories of survival on the Just Show Up Blog.   Requirements: At …least 500 words no more than 1000. No graphic details, focus on how you’ve survived, overcome the shame and what you are doing to thrive today. Send all submissions to hopefulhearts333@gmail.com  between March 25 – April 5 All submission are subject for approval and proofing/editing at my discretion.   If your submission is chosen you will be asked for a name or psuedo name for publication onwww.hopefulheartsministry.com   I’m looking forward to reading and sharing YOUR story of HOPE.   Blessings, Shannon Survivor Lends Voice to Child Abuse Prevention Houston-based author/speaker reaches into the darkness of personal despair to offer a light of hope to victims of assault and abuse.  Dallas/Fort Worth—A sexual assault takes place in this country every two minutes, though it is estimated only about 30 percent of the assaults are reported and only one assailant in 16 will ever spend a day in jail. In addition, statistics tell us five children in America die each day from abuse or neglect. Seventy-five percent of those are less than four years old. Most know their attacker.

In an effort to shed light on the darkness surrounding these two equally prevalent and pervasive issues, April is designated nationwide as both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. For international speaker and author Shannon Deitz, first raped when she was 17 and then again while in college, these national awareness campaigns are an opportunity to reach more people with the message that the abuse need not define the victim. Having endured not only the anguish of being abused as a child and assaulted twice, but also the self-judgment, condemnation and feelings of worthlessness that most often accompany such violations, Deitz knows firsthand just how detrimental sexual assault and child abuse can be to emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Today, her primary goal in life is to help other victims regain a sense of self-worth. “Both sexual assault and child abuse are so distressful to most of us that we don’t even want to think about them being present in our society,” Deitz says. “This makes it almost impossible for any victim of assault or abuse to feel comfortable enough to speak out, which is, of course, exactly what they need to be able to do. Be it a child, a teenager or an adult, anyone who has been abused needs to be able to speak about what has been done to them without question or judgment.

“But instead of being made to feel safe talking about it,” she adds, “more often than not, they are made to feel as if they are the ones at fault. As a result, they tend to repress the experience, stuffing it down deep inside and allowing what has happened to define who they believe themselves to be. They begin living out a victim mentality where nothing good can ever happen because they think of themselves as unworthy or not good enough to deserve it.” According to Deitz, survivors of sexual abuse are three times more likely to suffer from depression, 13 times more likely to become addicted to alcohol and 26 more times more likely to develop an addiction to drugs. The shame, despair, depression and inability to cope with the painful events lead them to seek other ways to block out the memories and dull the pain. Deitz believes the annual focusing of public attention on sexual assault and child abuse throughout the month of April can be beneficial in aiding all victims of abuse. “Survivors want to know they are being heard and that they will be safe and protected,” she says. “They do not need to be silenced because their situation makes others feel uncomfortable or is too hard to hear. To the contrary, they need people around them who are willing to listen and willing to stand up for them if they choose to go public. During this national month of awareness, the more people will become tuned in to just how prevalent this problem is in our country, the more beneficial it will be for everyone.” While the month of April will most certainly be marked by a series of prevention and awareness-raising directives designed to grab public attention, Deitz knows that a mere thirty days is not enough and it cannot stop there. Passionately sharing her own story every day through her blog and speaking events in hopes of igniting a desire in others to do the same, Deitz remains optimistic as she strives to offer hope and rekindle a sense of self-worth in every victim of abuse she meets. Emphasizing the importance of openness, Deitz tells victims, “If you have suffered abuse at any point in your life and it has debilitated your marriage, your intimate relationships and your friendships, or even caused you to distrust others in general, then I want you to know, as one survivor speaking to another, that you can overcome this. The more you talk about it, the more you will heal. And though the experience will never totally disappear from your past, it will become a chapter in your life that you can eventually close. “At the time when the sexual abuse was taking place,” she advises, “you were not able to fight back. Now, you are. If you cannot talk about it or want to remain anonymous, at least write it all down in a journal. Do whatever you can in whatever way you can to get it out. Every single time you release the abuse from the depths of your memory, you are giving that little child or that woman or that man a voice and allowing them to finally fight back. You don’t have to be specific, reliving every vivid detail, but you do need to be willing to admit that it happened. In that admission is where your freedom will be found.” For those who know someone who has been abused or assaulted, Deitz encourages them to be good listeners. “Being able to share their story with others serves to help prevent future abuse from taking place. If there is a survivor in your midst, be willing to listen. Be willing to hear their story.” Deitz should know. It was her willingness to share her stories with others, first through her award-winning book, Exposed: Inexcusable Me, Irreplaceable Him,and later through subsequent speaking engagements, that led to her own transformation. Today, Deitz continues reaching out to those who are suffering through her speaking engagements, her blog (Just Show Up) and her ministry website. www.ShannonMDeitz.com      www.HopefulHeartsMinistry.com

Love in the Balance

Title: LOVE IN THE BALANCE

Author: Regina Jennings

Publisher: Bethany House

March 2013

ISBN: 

Genre: Historical

Handsome Cowboy or Debonair Tycoon. How's a Girl to Choose?

Molly Lovelace dreams of a life without cares in Lockhart, Texas. She also dreams of handsome wrangler Bailey Garner, her ardent but inconsistent beau. The problem is, with Bailey's poor prospects, she just can't fit the two dreams together.

Then mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont sweeps into town-and her life-and for the first time Molly wonders if she's met the man who can give her everything. But he won't be in Lockhart long and while it certainly seems like he talks about their glorious future together, she can't quite get Bailey out of her mind.

What's a girl to do with all these decisions when love is in the balance? 

LOVE IN THE BALANCE is the sequel to Ms. Jennings’ Sixty Acres and a Bride. I greatly enjoyed her first book and looked forward to this one—but it wasn’t what I hoped.

Unfortunately Molly was—ahem—very unkind. When Bailey asked for prayer in church regarding a temptation, she assumed (rightfully, but that was beside the point) that it was about her and she made a scene. She didn’t get much better as the book went on. Her parent’s needed her to marry money and so she dates her best friend’s boyfriend. Both under duress, but it hurt her friend. I won’t go on about her dating shenanigans, but I didn’t like Molly at all and I didn’t see what Bailey saw in her—other than her wonderful body.

I really hate giving negative reviews, even though the author may not read them. So, I will add that Ms. Jennings did bring the characters to life, she used great descriptive terms and there were some parts of the book that piqued my interest. All in all – an okay read. $14.99. 368 pages. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/iTdiA           Meet Regina:      Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.  Find out more about Regina at  http://www.reginajennings.com/.

Landing page:  http://litfusegroup.com/author/rjennings

Kingdom Principles for Everyday Living

Title: KINGDOM PRINCIPLES FOR EVERYDAY LIVING

Author: Stewart Perrilliat

Publisher: self-published

December 2012

ISBN: 978-0988391819

Genre: devotional

A 40 Day Devotional

The number forty symbolizes the beginning of something new. It is an indication that God is ready to birth something new and exciting in the life of the believer out of pain or challenge. If you  have been in a challenging place this book is for you.

Over the years, Mr. Prrilliat has come to understand the significance of the number forty. Scientifically speaking, forty weeks is the length of time it takes for a mother to carry an unborn child from conception to delivery. Biblically speaking forty is the number associated with a period of testing before a breakthrough.

As you read this book, you will experience the challenge to apply biblical principles for personal development, daily encouragement, authentic transformation, and restoration. Empowering words for life.

KINGDOM PRINCIPLES FOR EVERY DAY LIVING starts with scripture, followed by a devotional that varies in length from a paragraph to a couple pages, and practical application with plenty of lines for writing your thoughts. This is a book that will transform you and your thinking as you work though it. A lot of thought is required with some of the devotions. Great book. $14.99. 122 pages. 5 stars.

The book is a 40 day devotional. It's a great book for men and women. This book is designed to help those who are struggling with a consistent prayer life. It's easy to read and very fruitful.

About The Author

Minister, Father, Servant, Evangelist and Author.  Stewart Bernard Perrilliat is a gifted individual who has a passion to see broken lives restored and renewed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  A native of Oakland, California, Stewart grew up in a community that was plagued with a number of challenging institutional socio-economic ills.  Nevertheless, Stewart escaped the lures of the streets and became a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp before becoming the Founder and CEO of Perrilliat Enterprises, a general contracting and engineering firm based in Northern California.
Stewart began his ministry call as a Street Evangelist in 1995, and since that time he has been used by the Lord to win countless souls into the Kingdom of God.  He attributes his success as a Street Evangelist to his ability to present the gospel in a manner that meets people at the place of their need.  His call has become the central focus of his life and ministry.  Though Stewart is a gifted entrepreneur, he is first and foremost a service-driven person who is passionate about seeing people live their life now through having a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Stewart’s teaching gift empowers people to apply Biblical principles to improve and enhance their lives.  His approach is known for being encouraging, practical, and inspirational.  He is also known for motivating others to reach their highest potential.

Author website: www.kingdomfoundationrestorationcenter.com

***

(Post by Stewart Bernard Perrilliat)

Over the years, I have come to understand the significance of the number 40.
Scientifically speaking, 40 weeks is the length of time it takes for a mother to carry
an unborn child from conception to delivery. Biblically speaking, 40 is the number
associated with a period of testing before a breakthrough.

The number 40 is an indication that God is ready to birth something new out of pain or
challenge. According to the Bible, Noah was in the rain for 40 days and nights before
God brought a refreshing promise for His people.

When the Children of Israel were ready to cross over into their promise, the spies who
preceded them took 40 days to scout out the land. However, because of disobedience,
their 40 days turned into 40 years before they entered into the land of promise.
Goliath, who was killed by David, challenged the Children of Israel for 40 days prior to
their victory over the Philistine army.

Before He began His ministry, Jesus, while being tempted by satan, fasted for 40 days
and 40 nights in the wilderness.

I have experienced my own personal 40 days of trials and tribulations. However,
because I did not lose my confidence in God, I was able to realize the significance
of the number 40 and receive God’s blessings for me after my test. These truths
concerning the number 40 inspired me to write this devotional.

In modern times, 30 days is used to complete various programs or to create a new
habit. At the beginning of the year, Magazine cover stories often read, Thirty Days to a
New You. For the purpose of this devotional the true number for the manifestation of a
renewed life is the number 40.

Therefore, this devotional will afford you an opportunity to develop a more intimate
relationship with the Lord and transform your life. As you read this devotional, it will give
you hope and renew your strength. On those days when doubt and disbelief abound, I
encourage you to remain consistent with your 40 day cycle of reading Kingdom Principles
for Everyday Living: 40 Practical Principals for a Fruitful Life.
I challenge you to apply yourself and expect a breakthrough by the time you have
complete this devotional. I encourage you to not only read through the devotions in this
book, but to read the related scriptures and commit them to memory. This process will
increase your knowledge of God, and strengthen your faith towards Him.

God’s will for us is to increase in every area of our lives by being doers of His Word. I
pray that this devotional draw you closer to God and give you the incredible power to
break into your promise.


Links to purchase the book

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Principles-For-Everyday-Living/dp/0988391813/
ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359234183&sr=8-1&keywords=stewart+perrilliat

Author website: http://kingdomfoundationrestorationcenter.com/

Connect with Stewart

Email Address: perrilliatenterprises@yahoo.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.perrilliat?ref=ts&fref=ts

Website www.kingdomfoundationrestorationcenter.com

Tour schedule: http://wnlbooktours.com/

Discover Together Bible Study Series Allows . . .

Discover Together Bible Study Series Allows

Individuals and Groups to Dig Deeper into Scripture

Sue Edwards and Kregel Publications challenge women to discover the Bible this year by inviting them to join in The Year of Discovery, an interactive online experience. With the launch of the Edwards’ Discover Together Bible Study Series, individuals and groups will be able to participate in their choice of seven different studies that actively dig into six books of the Bible.

The Discover Together Bible Study Series includes six of Edwards’ popular studies (Psalms, Proverbs Volumes 1 & 2, Luke, Ephesians and I Peter) that have been reorganized and revised to be more reader-friendly for both personal and group reflection along with the completely new release on Revelation.  Each of the seven books is divided into weekly lessons and includes new inspirational sidebars and QR codes to take readers to supplemental teaching videos.

An Interview with Sue Edwards,

Author of the Discover Together Series

Q: Women often overcommit themselves and limit their Bible study time. How much time during a day or week is required for each Discover Together lesson?

Women today are busy, but fast-paced full lives mean they need God’s Word to guide them just as much, maybe even more, than women in previous generations. Most women can complete a lesson in one to one and a half hours a week, and even with this minimum time commitment, they can expect an in-depth grasp of the text. The key is consistency. Understanding, really understanding, God’s Word will radically change your life if you apply what you learn. Where else can you get life change for an hour to an hour and a half a week?

Q: How can women take part in The Year of Discovery?

Choices. Women can participate in The Year of Discovery along with their Bible study groups at church. Or, if they can’t commit to another night out of the house for a group study or their work schedule keeps them on the road, they can still engage in meaningful study by completing the lessons themselves and then finding community and discussions on my new Facebook page (Facebook.com/DiscoverTogetherSeries). I’ll be leading women through one study after another in 2013. Check out the calendar and join us.

Q: For those familiar with your Bible studies, what added features can readers expect from these new editions of the Discover Together Bible Study Series?

The new studies sport updated designs, colors, and formats, with sidebars quoting inspirational authors, helpful background information, and my own related stories. “Digging Deeper” questions have been moved into the sidebar space. Also, we’ve added QR codes to take readers to free supplemental online teaching videos, most between three and five minutes each. The new website www.discovertogetherseries.com features these videos as well as an introductory video for each study, most around eight minutes in length, to jump start students as they begin their individual or group study. The leader’s guides, previously part of the study guide itself, can now be accessed online. We have also changed the way questions are numbered, making them easier to lead. We’ve done everything we can think of to make these studies user friendly and adaptable to a variety of study situations. 

Q: Tell us about what readers will learn by working through the “Digging Deeper” portions of the studies.

“Digging Deeper” questions are for those who want to, and make time to, probe the text even more deeply. Answering these questions may require outside resources such as an atlas, Bible dictionary, or concordance; women may be asked to look up parallel passages for additional insight; or they may be encouraged to investigate the passage using an interlinear Greek-English text or Vine’s Expository Dictionary. This deeper study will challenge women to learn more about the history, culture, and geography related to the Bible, and to grapple with complex theological issues and differing views. Some with teaching gifts and an interest in advanced academics will enjoy exploring the depths of a passage, and might even find themselves creating outlines and charts and writing essays worthy of seminarians!

Q: Something unique to these studies are the videos that have been created for each lesson. What can we expect from each video message?

Some of the free online videos complement the question or question set adjacent to it in the lesson. Others relate to the general topic of the lesson. They are short, three to five minutes, and optional. Women can choose to listen to them all, or to none of them, as time and interest allow. In our sound bite world, short with high impact is often preferable to longer messages, although women who want to hear a longer message, thirty to forty-five minutes, will find some hiding among the shorter videos. Again, this Bible study series is about choices.

Q: Most of the devotionals being released this year are revised editions of previous devotionals; the exception is Revelation. Is there a reason why you had not written a study on Revelation before now?

Over my thirty-plus years of Bible teaching, students have requested Revelation more than any other book. Also, recently several respected Bible teachers have predicted that Jesus’ second coming is imminent, and that has heightened interest in studying the book that tells us more about his return than any other. I’m not making predictions, because Jesus told us in Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” I do agree however that we are living in unsettling times and we certainly could be the last generation, but I’m hesitant to insist that we definitely are. But all this speculation, as well as the unsettled world we now live in, convinced me that now was the time.

Q: You actually pick a few specific chapters of Revelation to study rather than the entire book. Can you explain to us your choice?

Revelation opens with a magnificent picture of the resurrected Christ. Following that overwhelming, dazzling picture are letters from Jesus to seven churches. They represent Christian communities throughout the ages. Imagine, letters from the resurrected Jesus to us! Throughout these letters, Jesus hints at rich promises and rewards that await the faithful when he ushers in the New Heavens and the New Earth, then eternity. We see the culmination of those promises and rewards at the end of the book. So going deep into the first and the last parts seemed like rich fare for hungry women. And, as I said, the middle is better taught by experts than a self-discovery method.

Q: What was one of your favorite things about researching and writing this study?

I’ve studied Jesus’ words in the Gospels, but I’d never gone deep into Revelation’s red-lettered words. I’d always assumed that John wrote the letters, but John was the scribe for Jesus. And Jesus’ words are particularly significant now because they are written in the context of end-times prophecy. They prepare us for what’s ahead.

Q: Why are you excited about women studying Revelation?

I’m hearing escalating, unsettling concerns related to the times in which we live. Globally, we are experiencing more natural disasters, economic strife, and political chaos, like birth pangs. How do we live in times like these? Revelation prepares us. And it is the only book in the Bible that promises blessings if we read and apply it. My fervent prayer and hope is that studying Revelation will calm concerns and bless women with a supernatural peace that only God can give.

Visit www.discovertogetherseries.com to learn more about the Bible study series, download leader’s guides and watch Sue Edward’s video messages that correspond with each lesson.

Keep up with The Year of Discovery on www.facebook.com/DiscoverTogetherSeries. 

Pocket Your Dollars

Title: POCKET YOUR DOLLARS

Author: Carrie Rocha

Publisher: Bethany House

December 2012

ISBN: 978-0-7642-1087-7

Genre: Personal Finance

When it comes to money, attitude is everything.

Carrie Rocha, founder and owner of Pocket Your Dollars.com, one of the most popular sites on the web, shares the secrets that will help you change the way you think about money. Seven years ago she and her husband were surprised to discover the mountain of debt they'd accumulated. They knew they'd have to make big changes. Thirty months later they were debt free and have stayed that way ever since.

How did they do it? It wasn't through a step-by-step financial program or spending plan. It turns out, budgets can't fix everything--real change takes an attitude adjustment.

You too can triumph over the pitfalls that lead to financial stress. With practical help in every chapter, including real-life examples and easy-to-use self-assessment tools, you'll soon understand what Carrie discovered: Lasting change can start today.

POCKET YOUR DOLLARS is the latest in a long line of financial wisdom books following in the wake of Dave Ramsey’s classes (which I would love to take.) For the most part, there wasn't anything new in POCKET YOUR DOLLARS. Most of it is all common sense. I did like that Ms. Rocha focused on our attitudes toward money. She discusses five different attitude changes needed to help us pay down debt and avoid financial stress. Such as:

Ø      If only I had more money

Ø      I deserve a treat (my biggest downfall)

Ø      It won’t happen to me

Ø      I’ll fake it ‘til I make it

Ø      I can’t afford it

She goes on to show us the skills we need to change our attitudes and some simple budgeting advice.

Ms. Rocha also shares the story of how she and her husband paid off over $50,000 in about thirty months. POCKET YOUR DOLLARS ends with some practical tips- all of which I was already aware, except one. Buy your gas on Tuesdays. In some parts of the country, apparently, that's when gas prices are at their lowest. Wow. I tracked prices here to see if it was true, and it didn’t seem to be where I live. Nothing changed. But, maybe where you live it is true.

POCKET YOUR DOLLARS reminds us that money (or lack, thereof) is not the root of the problem, but rather it’s our attitudes. 3.5 stars. $13.99. 224 pages.

Path of Freedom

Title: PATH OF FREEDOM

Author: Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Publisher: Abingdon Press

January 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4267-5263-6

Genre: Historical

How much would you risk to save another’s life?

When Quakers Flora Saferight and Bruce Millikan embark on the Underground Railroad, they agree to put their differences aside to save the lives of a pregnant slave couple. With only her mother’s quilt as a secret guide, the foursome follows the stitches through unknown treachery.

As they embark on their perilous journey, they hope and pray that their path is one of promise where love sustains them, courage builds faith, and forgiveness leads to freedom.

Flora has always disliked Bruce. He was unkind to her in school and she harbors grudges. Even when he returns home after an absence, she is unfriendly to him, especially after he accidentally insults her again. When her pastor asks her, her sister, and Bruce to accompany some run-away slaves north, Flora balks. It seems Bruce is experienced at working on the underground railroad, and knows the dangers. But this time, the female runaway is pregnant and likely not to make it to safety before giving birth. They need Flora to go along to help birth the baby if needed.

Bruce seemed a really kind individual in this story, and so caring. He does say what he thinks getting himself into quite a lot of trouble, especially with Flora. Flora and Irene both are really bitter individuals, prone to hold grudges and be unkind. I didn’t like Flora much at the beginning. But the story was exciting, I had to keep reading to see what happens. And Flora did grow on me.  This is an intriguing underground railroad story and should appeal to anyone who loves historical romances, underground railroads, and quilts. PATH OF FREEDOM is book three in Abingdon’s Quilts of Love series, but easily stands alone. The first two books were A Wild Goose Chase Christmas by Jennifer AlLee and Beyond the Storm by Carolyn Zane. Don’t miss PATH OF FREEDOM, or any of these great books. $12.99. 240 pages.