Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Healthy Options Cookbook: Health Begins in the Kitchen with over 200 Recipes, Tips, and Remedies from the Amish

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Healthy Options Cookbook: Health Begins in the Kitchen with over 200 Recipes, Tips, and Remedies from the Amish 'Plastic Comb – 

May 1, 2021

by Wanda E. Brunstetter  (Author)

Publisher : Barbour Books 

Plastic Comb : 224 pages

ISBN-13 : 978-1643529257

Loaded with dozens of Amish recipes for the health conscious.

New, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is valuable cookbook that offers healthy recipe options.

Everyone wants to feel healthy, right? Food can be one of our best medicines, and many Amish are known for seeking ways for health to begin in the kitchen. Brand new, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is a helpful cookbook from Amish and Mennonite cooks who offer healthy recipe options. Over 200 recipes are divided into traditional categories from main dishes and sides to desserts and snacks with labels for gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, etc. Also included are health tips and remedies. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home cooks of all ages will be eager to add this cookbook to their collectio

Marilyn's thoughts:   

Amish Friends Healthy Options Cookbook is an ideal cookbook from healthy recipes to home remedies, quotes and scriptures.  The arrangement is perfect from beverages, breads, breakfast, salads and side dishes, main dishes, desserts, snacks and candy, miscellaneous things and homemade remedies. The bright colorful pictures are an added plus along with the spiral binding so the cookbook will lay flat while mixing up the recipe. The index is arranged by contributors, recipes by section, and key ingredients so it’s easy to locate a recipe. I appreciate how the recipes indicate if they are egg, dairy, gluten, nut free along with no added sugar or if the recipe is vegan.

 

Thank you to Barbour Publishers for a copy of this latest spiral cookbook by Wanda E. Brunstetter without any obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own thoughts. I will be recommending this cookbook to friends and family members who need healthy recipes based on their allergies or intolerance to certain foods.

 

 

 

Fun While It Lasts By Jenna V Hilton #Devotional

A while ago, while my family and I were coming home from church, we saw these two dogs running down the road. A smaller dog and a Labrador. I don’t know if it was chase, but they were having fun out on their adventure. Sooner or later, though, hopefully those dogs will be picked up and returned to their family/families. They might have fun out there for a little bit, but after a while, they might get hurt. And their family/ families must be scared to death for them.

God doesn’t like it when we run away either. I mean, we’re not his pets, but we are his kids. He loves us like a son and daughter and the rules we follow as Christians are for our good. We don’t see that sometimes, though. A lot of people think that Christianity is a stuffy religion full of thou shalt nots and holier than thou people who stuck up their noses at people who do wrong. And while their are people like that, not everyone is. And Christianity is not a religion. It’s a relationship with the God who made everything and yet pays attention to every little thing we do. He sees every tear that falls, and even collects them in a bottle! So, while some things might be appealing at first, or maybe you just wanna fit in, it’ll hurt you in the end. But here’s the thing. God is always looking, always watching for your return. He never gives up on us. Even when we give up on ourselves.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for loving us enough to keep looking for us when we run away, even if we spite you and turn our back on you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Jenna V. Hilton is nineteen, and lives in Arkansas with her parents, two sisters, a brother, and dog.  She is a senior in high school and planning to attend college to become a veterinarian.

Shock and Awe (Lantern Beach Guardians)

 

Shock and Awe

(Lantern Beach Guardians 3) 

Paperback – ebook'

February 15, 2021

by Christy Barritt  (Author

ASIN : B08WP95DVN

Publisher : Independently published 

Paperback : 356 pages

ISBN-13 : 979-8709844827

They thought the worst was over—but they were wrong.

When Police Chief Cassidy Chambers arrives at a grisly crime scene, she’s shocked at where the evidence leads. Then the threats start coming. Threats against her. Threats that could upend her life

.As more clues are uncovered, a sinister plot is revealed, and Cassidy fears the little girl in her care may be tangled in a deadly scheme. Cassidy and her husband, Ty, will do anything to protect the child, each other, and the island. But what happens when they might not be able to save all three?

My thoughts: this suspense was full of twist and turns, and the story is 

fast paced. Even though it is the second book of a series and I'm not sure 

what number book of a spin off series, it stands alone. Readers might want 

to read the first book of the series though to find out the story of Annabelle. 

There are some unfinished story lines but that just leaves the door wide 

open for another book to follow. And I can't wait to read it. If you'd like 

suspense, I recommend this book and this series. 

I was giving a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Be More Than a Christian, Be a Disciple Kick-Off Package and #giveaway! #Devotional

 

About the Book

Book:  Be More Than a Christian, Be a Disciple

Author: Pastor Oscar Walker

Genre: Christian Devotional

Release date: July 2020

Be More Than A Christian began as weekly devotional text messages to the members of Disciples Tabernacle Church with added thoughts of the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and experiences of Pastor Oscar Walker.  Overtime, these devotional were transitioned to emails due to the abundance of information.  The devotions included in this book are revelations and illuminations given to Pastor Walker by the Holy Spirit.  These 52 devotions focus on 52 aspects of our journey with the Lord.  A thought and a devotion for each week of the year.  Pastor Walker believes devotions are mediation books. Something written in these devotions may lead you into prayer; however, the goal of this book is to lead you into meditation.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2).

One important problem among believers today who call themselves Christians is their poor witness in the world.  They present a weak commitment to living by the precepts and teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22-23).

Marilyn's thoughts:  

 

This devotional is laid out in a weekly format instead of a daily read; although, it could be use as a daily devotional. Each devotional have scriptures and thoughts from the author with a short prayer at the end. I would recommend this book for small church groups or a Bible study group. Each devotional could be expanded upon by the user with more of an in depth study of their own to be discuss at the next session.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and was under no obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Pastor Oscar Walker has been in ministry for over 30 years and is the founding pastor of Disciples Tabernacle Church in Houston, Texas. Prior to becoming a full-time pastor, Pastor Walker worked 35 years in the airline industry and for several years as a high school teacher.

Pastor Walker surrendered to the call of ministry in April 1997 and has been running for the Lord ever since. In 2000, Disciples Tabernacle Church was founded and has birthed ministries, such as Ministers Training College, to help equip leaders and ministers for ministry work. Pastor Walker’s call is to make disciples who continue to make other disciples following his influence and his primary ministry assignment is to teach God’s people how to have a personal relationship with Him through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

Pastor Walker has been married to his wife, Joyce, for 54 years and has 3 daughters, 2 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, and 4 great granddaughters. His hobbies are auto mechanics, reading, gardening, and fishing. Now he tends to, “God’s garden”, and is a, “fisher of men.”

 

More from Oscar

Need to connect with God on a deeper level? Want to have a relationship with Christ that is beyond the surface level? Be More Than A Christian, Be A Disciple was born out a desire to help fellow believers develop a deeper relationship with Christ through studying His Word and applying biblical principles to our everyday lives. Originally, the devotions in the book were weekly devotionals sent to our church membership for encouragement throughout the week. Over the years, the devotionals became a path to grow in your relationship with Christ and now a book. Each month focuses on an aspect of your relationship with Christ and each week takes you step by step through how to mature in your belief and faith. From the beginning of the year, starting fresh and focusing on Christ, through the middle of the year learning about the power of prayer and trusting God, to the end of the year setting your eyes on your destiny, the devotions are meant to spur your fervor and thirst for knowledge about Christ. My prayer is this book inspires you to be more than a Christian but a devoted disciple of Christ.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 26

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 27

cats in the cradle blog, May 27

Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 28 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

deb’s Book Review, May 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 30

Inklings and notions, May 31

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 2

CarpeDiem, June 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 5

Spoken from the Heart, June 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 8

Mary Hake, June 8

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Oscar is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10c9f/be-more-than-a-christian-be-a-disciple-celebration-tour-giveaway

Part 2 of an Interview with Barb Roose, Author of Breakthrough #Nonfiction

For some, Christianity is a long list of rules to be followed, and it’s hard to be a “good Christian” because it always seems you’re breaking one of those rules. In Breakthrough: Finding Freedom in Christ (Abingdon Women), popular women’s conference speaker and author Barb Roose wants to help readers let go of the feeling they are not a “good enough” Christian and find freedom in Christ by studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians.Why do you think you have to be perfect for God?   Does God only show up or love you when you “get it right”?   Who has led you to believe you have to follow rules and “measure up”?   For anyone who has ever struggled with these questions or felt trapped by rules or religion, Breakthrough: Finding Freedom in Christ (Abingdon Women), by popular women’s conference speaker and author Barb Roose will provide a path to discovering freedom in Christ. Roose helps readers learn to:   Stop trying to measure up and embrace God’s grace Distinguish between lies and truth Embrace God’s promise of freedom

Q: What is the spiritual breakthrough you hope readers will experience by diving into your new Bible study?   In a word: FREEDOM! I’m so excited about the opportunity for readers to experience the freedom that comes from knowing that our God is at work in us and that we don’t have to jump through hoops to earn His approval, love or favor. He’s already given it to us in every promise that He’s made to us!   While spiritual breakthrough isn’t a term in the Bible, it is reflected in God’s promise to change and transform us by renewing eternally us in Christ (Galatians 2:20). I’ve seen a lot of descriptions of spiritual breakthrough that put the responsibility for spiritual growth or freedom on human effort, but only God can rescue us from the prisons of our pain, our past and our problems. We might be able to push against the prison bars on our own, but only God can break us free!   In fact, one of the key features of the Breakthrough study is the weekly Spiritual Breakthrough Exercise with unique tools to identify where God is at work. It’s been so much fun listening to women celebrate seeing where God is at work and their confidence in knowing that God is transforming them, and they don’t have to try to make it happen on their own.   Q: What are your six freedom principles?   As I studied Paul’s letter to the Galatian church, I created six Freedom Principles to capture the main themes of his letter. I pray that readers will use these principles as tools to apply to their lives when they feel like they need to do more to earn God’s love or blessing. The gospel is based on God’s perfect promises, not our performance. A relationship with God means that we receive from Him rather than follow rules for Him. Your freedom in Christ cannot be shaken or taken away by anyone who chooses not to live like Christ. Freedom in Christ is living free from fear and fully alive with joy and purpose. Spiritual breakthrough is an ah-ha moment when we recognize that God is at work within us, receive what He’s doing, and respond to it. You are God’s beautiful, loveable, capable daughter. You are confident in Christ and worthy of God’s best. Q: There was a season of your life when, even though you were saved, you decided to disconnect from God because of religious rules. What made you decide to reconnect with God?   My mom explained the gospel to me when I was eight years old. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and was baptized when I was nine years old. I was so happy that Jesus saved me that I wanted to be a good Christian and make God happy. I had my list of religious “to-do” rules and worked hard to make God happy. I thought that following all the rules would make me more faithful to God, but I spent so much time in fear. I always wondered if I was doing enough for God and kept pushing myself to jump through those hoops, always trying to do more and do better.   When I got to college, I saw all the other students having fun. I wasn’t having fun while following all of the rules, so I decided to stop. The only problem was that when I abandoned my “good” Christian rules, I felt like I was abandoning what I called my faith.   When I eventually messed up my life so badly that there was nothing I could do to fix it, I experienced an ah-ha moment that changed my life. That moment was realizing that God’s love for me is based on His perfect promises, not my performance. This was when I finally understood the freedom that comes from God’s grace, not following religious rules.   Q: Can you give us some examples of legalism that hold us back from freedom?   In Breakthrough, I tell the story of my conversation with a lovely young believer who felt like she was a bad Christian because she saw other Christians who seemed to read their Bibles more and never miss church. She told me, “Well, I forget to read my Bible sometimes, and I still smoke. I feel like I’m disappointing God.”   My heart hurt for that young believer and so many other Christians who feel exactly like she does. Legalism wants us to believe that we have to earn God’s love and favor by reading our Bibles a certain number of times a week or never missing church. Legalism’s focus is on “what are we doing for God” and the problem is that when the focus is on us, we miss out on receiving what God wants to give us.   When we read our Bibles because we know that God’s truth gives us life, that’s freedom. But when we read our Bibles because we think that will make God happy, that’s legalism. When we go to church because the sermon and music focus us on Jesus’ love, that leads us to freedom. But, when we go to church because we think that God will punish us if we don’t, that’s legalism.   Q: What are the three hoops of legalism Christians get trapped into believing they have to jump through?   I call these the “To-Do,” “Do-More,” and “Do-Better” hoops of religion:   To-Do Hoop – Our attempt to gain God’s forgiveness or save ourselves from sin or struggle Do-More Hoop – Our effort to compel God to act or gain favor (like a quid pro quo) Do-Better Hoop – Our determination to fix ourselves or reduce our shame or guilt after we mess up.   Some of us grew up in religious traditions that promoted certain religious rules or perhaps you’re like me and made up your own legalistic rules to try to earn God’s love or favor. The end result of legalism is never freedom, but rather more fear and frustration.   Q: What is the format of Breakthrough? How many weeks are there and what will participants do on their own vs. within a group?   The Breakthrough Bible study is six weeks long and it’s written for a solo use, but preferably in a group setting. I believe that life transformation happens when we gather together with each other to talk about God, our faith, and our life experience. God uses our individual stories to encourage and inspire each other. So, grab some friends and make a group! Best of all, geography isn’t a limitation. I love hearing from groups across the country who are using online technology to bring together friends for Bible study who live in different states as well as groups that meet in person.   Q: Where can participants access the videos that correspond with each week?   In response to the different ways that groups are meeting, I love that my publisher, Abingdon Women, has made a three video formats available: DVDs, digital download, and streaming media. There’s a solution for everyone!   Readers can order DVDs and access to digital downloads from cokesbury.com/barbroose or use the Amplify Media platform for streaming video access at amplifymedia.com.   If you’d like more information on those options, I recorded a video with my friend and fellow Abingdon Women author, Melissa Spoelstra that gives a demonstration of them all at barbroose.com/groupleaders.

About the author

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about teaching women to live beautifully strong and courageous in spite of their fears so that they can experience God’s great adventure of faith and purpose for their lives.   Roose enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, as well as internationally, including national platforms such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and many more.   She is the author of three books, Surrendered Devotional, Winning the Worry Battle, and Enough Already, and five Bible studies, Breakthrough, Surrendered, I’m Waiting, God, Joshua, and Beautiful Already. Her writing has been featured in many magazines, and she also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com. She hosts the “Better Together” Facebook Live events and podcast.   Roose lives in Toledo, Ohio, and is the proud mom of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes sleeping in, taking a long walk outside, shopping for shoes and eating two big bowls of chocolate peanut ice cream.   Visit Barb Roose’s online home at barbroose.com. Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook (BarbaraRoose), Twitter (barbroose), and Instagram (barbroose).

 

Part 2 of an Interview with Jodie Niznik, Author of Crossroads #nonfiction #BibleStudy

In her nine-week inductive Bible study, Crossroads: A Study of Esther and Jonah for Boldly Responding to Your Call (Kregel Publications), Jodie Niznik invites readers to learn that each Christian is uniquely equipped and called by God for a particular assignment in a specific time and place. As each of us stands at a crossroads, the choice is ours. Will we choose to boldly respond like Esther, or will we fight our calling like Jonah? With thoughtful questions and practical exercises, Niznik will gently help each participant examine their life through the lens of Scripture and take brave, bold steps forward in their Christian walk.   While Queen Esther and the prophet Jonah endured wildly different circumstances and had distinctly singular callings, they were both appointed by God. They were placed in a certain time and space in history. God carried them through unique experiences and gave them specific gifts. Despite their opposite attitudes of willingness, their lives are proof of the great things we can accomplish when we follow God's call.   Q: Unlike Esther, Jonah’s calling from God was clear, and God was very much seen as a main character in his story. How can we discern our calling from God?   Jonah was fortunate in that he got to hear the unmistakable and audible voice of God directing him. While God can certainly tell us in an audible voice what he wants us to do, this is not our normative experience. We discover God’s calling in our lives as we prayerfully notice where God is, what he is stirring in us, and what we think he is leading us to. When I am trying to discern God’s leading and calling in my life, I like to use a tool called the daily examen.   An examen is an intentional time to notice and reflect upon the last twenty-four hours and to ask God to guide you into the next twenty-four hours. The examen uses a set list of questions that helps you reflect on each day by noticing where you felt close to God and distant from God—among other things. The intention is to help you start to see his presence and promptings throughout your day. While God may not speak to us in an audible voice, he is present and moving. He also leads us through his Word, his people, and the circumstances around us. The examen helps me pay attention to all these things. While God can sometimes feel mysterious to us, he will never make his will a mystery when we earnestly seek him and are willing to follow wherever he leads.   Q: We don’t get swallowed by a giant fish when we don’t follow God’s call, but how does God get our attention in other ways?   One of the ways that God gets our attention is through the storms of life. Jonah found himself in a literal storm and wound up nearly drowning, only to be saved by an enormous fish. For us, storms can come into our lives when we run from or resist God. These storms are never meant to punish us because we do not serve a punishing God. These storms are meant to help us turn back to God and away from our resistance and running. One of the things Jonah (as well as many other Scriptures) teaches us is that our God is a God of second, third, and even one hundredth or more chances. God lovingly pursued Jonah and gave him a second chance to do what he was asking. God does the same for me—and he does the same for you. Even if, for some reason, a particular calling has passed and just can’t be done anymore, God still wants us to follow him. He is full of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Jonah shows us this.   It’s also worth noting here that not all storms come into our lives because of something we have done. We can see this in the fact that the storm Jonah kicked up also impacted a lot of innocent people around him. Sometimes storms come into our lives because of the actions of others, and sometimes they come just because we live in a sinful and broken world. But, no matter why the storm is there, God wants you to seek him in the midst of it.   Q: What should we learn from Jonah about talking to others about Jesus? Why did Jonah get mad when the people of Nineveh responded to his message?   Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh with very specific instructions to tell them the message God would give him. Jonah was to go and tell. We are given a similar calling today. As believers, we are called to go and tell people about Jesus. Jesus himself commissioned us to do this good work (Matthew 28:18–20), and the book of Romans echoes this by reminding us that people need to know about Jesus, but “how can they hear about him unless someone tells them (Romans 10:14 NLT)?” As followers of Jesus, our calling to tell others about him is crystal clear.   The difference between us and Jonah is that we probably won’t be called to wander through a hostile town full of people who had terrorized and murdered our ancestors while heralding the good news and calling people to repentance. This is why Jonah ran away in the first place. He didn’t want to go to these people because he didn’t believe they deserved God’s mercy. And then, when he did go, the strangest thing happened—they repented and turned to God, and God had mercy on them. Jonah was livid. His worst fear had materialized. Oddly, we don’t get to hear how Jonah reconciled all this with God, but I’m pretty sure he came around and learned a thing or two about his own brokenness and need for mercy, because otherwise how would his story have ever been told? Someone had to tell all the details about Jonah’s journey, and the only person who knew all the details was Jonah himself.   Q: Do we all have a distinct calling? What do we misunderstand about our calling?   We do have distinct callings. We have been created on purpose for a purpose. Like Esther and Jonah, we have been providentially placed in a specific time and place in history and given distinct gifts and experiences that enable us to do things that only we can do. To help us discern the next steps of our calling, God will use things like our circumstances, trusted advisers, his Word, and prayer.   I do want to dispel a myth many people have about callings: your calling isn’t a needle-in-a-haystack hunt for the one thing you are supposed to discover and do for the rest of your life. I mean, I guess it could happen that way, but that hasn’t been my or most people’s experience. Callings change and grow; they ebb and flow. Some callings are bigger and longer, like my calling to be in vocational ministry. Some callings are smaller and more embedded into our lives, such as my calling to love my neighbor well by reaching out to her today. Some callings are temporary, like going on a mission trip. Some callings are lifelong, such as being a disciple of Jesus. We are chosen by God to do many things over the course of our lives. In order to constantly follow where he leads, we need to maintain a vital and loving relationship with him.   Q: Crossroads is the second release in the Real People, Real Faith Bible study series. In what ways does the series look at familiar people from the Bible in new ways?   I think sometimes we forget that the people in Scripture were real people who lived real lives. And while it sounds obvious, they had to live their lives in real time—which means they didn’t know how their story would end. We have the advantage of knowing their whole story, which on the one hand is helpful, but I also think it can be an impediment for a deeper understanding of their journey with God.   When I dive into a character’s story, I try to slow down and really consider what was it like for them to walk through those moments of not knowing. What was it like for Esther to enter into the king’s presence? What was it like for Jonah to find himself inside the belly of a fish? What was it like for him to share God’s message with people he despised? Every story in Scripture has so much to teach us about God and ourselves. My hope and prayer for each of my studies is that women grow deeper in their love for God and find courage to take another step with him in some way.    Q: Can you share a little bit about Choose, which is the first book in the series? Who will the next study be about?   Choose: A Study of Moses for a Life That Matters follows the life of Moses. Like Esther and Jonah, Moses was invited to follow God on an extraordinary journey. There are so many practical lessons to be learned from Moses. Studying his life and seeing how he consistently chose to follow God’s lead inspires me to do the same. Moses truly led a life that matters, and so can we.   The next study coming out in the series is called Trust: A Study of Joseph for Persevering Through Life’s Challenges. As the title states, it is a study on the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. I wrote most of this study while we were in lockdown for COVID, which made it so timely for me. Joseph had so many hard things happen in his life—and each step of the way he trusted God. His life is a rich testimony to us that we can trust God no matter what comes our way. Joseph reminded me that God’s plan is good—even when the journey is hard or doesn’t make sense to us.

Click here to read an excerpt of Crossroads.

About the Author

Jodie Niznik has served in various roles on the pastoral team at her church over the last twelve years, including pastor to women. Her calling and passion is to equip people to take the next step in their journey with Jesus. She loves to write about and teach scriptural truths in practical and easy-to-understand ways. Niznik has an undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in Christian education with an emphasis in women’s ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is the author of Crossroads: A Study of Esther and Jonah for Boldly Responding to Your Call and Choose: A Study of Moses for a Life That Matters, and the coauthor of Galatians: Discovering Freedom in Christ Through Daily Practice with Sue Edwards. She is also the host of the So Much More podcast. Niznik and her husband, Tim, live in the Dallas area and have two young adult daughters, Taylor and Billie. The Nizniks miss their daughters but love their quiet Saturdays. Niznik believes gummy bears and coffee are sweet gifts from the Lord that provide fuel as she writes Bible studies and prepares biblical teachings. To learn more about Jodie Niznik, visit www.jodieniznik.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@JodieGNiznik) and Instagram (@jodieniznik).