Into the Deep: Diving Into a Life of Courageous Faith by Lauren Gaskill

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Christian, Christian living, women's issues, spiritual growth, religion and spirituality 

Paperback: 240 pages

• Publisher: Abingdon Press (November 6, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1501869744
• ISBN-13: 978-1501869747

Synopsis: 
Develop enduring faith for the turbulent waters of life.

Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters.

Into the Deep is an invitation to dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. With endearing warmth and authenticity, Lauren Gaskill shares how she and others have learned to swim with Jesus in the deep waters of life—facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and chronic illness—only to discover a more authentic, enduring faith that cannot be shaken by circumstances. In addition to examining the character of God and the lives of women and men of the Bible who chose to dive deeper with God, she provides practical examples and tools that help us take our faith to the next level by learning to make decisions by faith alone, control our reactions to overwhelming situations, and live a life rooted in love.

Get ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage, and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy!

Review: This is a fabulously well-written book that you can read on your own or use as a group study. If you want to know how to discover a deeper, more authentic faith in God, this is the book for you. The author uses stories from her own life, as well as the lives of men and women in the Bible to show how deep, courageous unshakable faith is possible. I highly recommend this to everyone!

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Lauren Gaskill is an author, speaker and host of the Finding Joy podcast and Finding Joy Ladies Night Out events. After being diagnosed with an incurable connective tissue disorder, Lauren made it her life mission to encourage others to fight for faith and find joy — no matter what life’s circumstances might bring.

Gaskill is a storyteller who believes stories are powerful and loves how God uses them for His good. She writes and speaks to motivate and inspire others to experience abundant life in Christ. She is particularly passionate about encouraging women to fight for faith and go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. Gaskill also writes and speaks about what it looks like to walk with Jesus through pain and suffering.

She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Find her online at LaurenGaskillInspires.com or on Facebook (lauren.gaskill.inspires), Twitter (lauren_inspires) and Instagram (lauren_inspires).  

TOUR SCHEDULE

Walking In The Light	11/6/2018
Anita Ojeda	11/6/2018
Feeling in Red	11/6/2018
this chattanooga mommy saves	11/6/2018
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader	11/7/2018
Grace Space Christian Coaching blog	11/7/2018
Julie Arduini: Surrender Issues and Chocolate	11/8/2018
Natalie Walters	11/8/2018
Meagan Davenport	11/9/2018
SK Bell Blog	11/9/2018
Inklings and Notions	11/10/2018
Julie Danielson	11/10/2018
PamelaBlack	11/10/2018
Rachel's Reading	11/11/2018
This Is Me	11/11/2018
Back Porchervations	11/12/2018
Courage. Hope. Love.	11/12/2018
Jen Howat	11/13/2018
Book Babble	11/14/2018
A Beautiful Inheritance	11/14/2018
Once Upon a Storyville	11/14/2018
A Peace of Mind	11/14/2018
Genesis 5020	11/14/2018
Happily Managing a Household of Boys	11/15/2018
snidbits	11/15/2018
Texas Book-aholic	11/16/2018
Faithful Acres Body Soul Spirit	11/17/2018
Edits and Reviews by Leslie	11/17/2018
The Little Friar	11/18/2018
Blogging About Everything!!!	11/18/2018
The Writer's Tool	11/19/2018
Mommy Ramblings	11/19/2018
Thoughts on Books	11/19/2018
Veronica's 'Views	11/19/2018
God is Love	11/20/2018
Deep Imprints	11/20/2018
EnchantedExcurse	11/20/2018
Rachel Dawn Writes
Melinda Means

BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: Too Blessed To Be Stressed For Moms by Debora M.Coty

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Christian living, motherhood, women's issues

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (September 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781683224105
• ISBN-13: 978-1683224105
• ASIN: 1683224108
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Synopsis: Do you feel like you’re drowning in the everyday stress-pool? . . .

Wish you could make busy-ness a business so you’d be a millionaire? . . .

Welcome to the maternal order of slightly sagging sisters of the 'hood. The motherhood. 

With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, popular inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of moms drowning in the churning stress-pool of busyness. In her beloved mom-to-mom, grin-provoking style, Coty offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help you hear Papa God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos. 

Whether you're struggling with stress related to attitude, time-management, guilt trips, patience, or something in between...this humor-filled volume will deliver a much-needed smile and equip you with simple-to-implement tips for attaining the peace we all crave—the peace that passes all understanding.

QUIZ

Take this quiz to discover just how stressed you are!
My results: Orange Alert! Look out—you’re at toxic stress levels.

Woah, mama, you are about to break! You're almost ready to pull your hair out. You need help now before you lose it.

Review: This is a must-read book for Christian mothers of all ages. It is entertaining and inspiring on every page. The cover is adorable and draws attention to the book immediately. 

There are verses, quotes, and discussion questions, making this a perfect book for small groups (of Moms), Mom's Time Out groups, or even your own personal study. It also has a beautiful cover and a ribbon marker to make it a perfect gift for a mom for Christmas, for Mother's Day or just because. 

Motherhood is a blessing and this book gently reminds you of that fact, helps you to find the blessings in the mundane, and is a reminder that God is walking right there with you.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Debora M. Coty is a popular humorist, speaker, and award-winning author of numerous inspirational books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed line. Deb considers herself a tennis junkie and choco-athlete (meaning she exercises just so she can eat more chocolate). A retired piano teacher and orthopedic occupational therapist, Debora currently lives, loves, and laughs in central Florida with her husband, Chuck, and three grandbuddies and one grandprincess. 

Readers can connect with Debora M. Coty via her website, deboracoty.com, or on Facebook (AuthorDeboraCoty), Twitter (DeboraCoty) and Instagram (DeboraCoty). 

GIVEAWAY

No one is immune to stress, least of all moms. That’s why Debora M. Coty, author of the best-selling Too Blessed to be Stressed series decided it was time to write an edition specifically addressing the stresses and needs in the daily life of moms. In Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms (Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing), Deb offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help frazzled moms of all ages hear God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos.

To celebrate the release of Too Blessed to Be Stressed for Moms and to bless a mom that needs to de-stress, Deb is giving away a “Take a Day for Mom” $75 VISA Cash Card. The card can be used by a mom for a day of pampering or just getting away and enjoying a day to herself. Do you need a day away or know a mom that does? (Is that a trick question?) Then, enter the giveaway and share it with all your friends. (Another little secret… You don’t have to prove you are a mom in order to win!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stepparenting With Grace: Encouragement For Blended Families by Gayla Grace

BOOK INFORMATION
Genre: Christian living; Devotional; Family

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Worthy Inspired (August 7, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683972686
• ISBN-13: 978-1683972686

Synopsis: These devotions provide companionship, encouragement, understanding, and biblical insights from a veteran stepmom. This trusted resource will help you gain strength, wisdom, and comfort as you navigate the rocky terrain of creating a blended family.  You will learn how to:
Trust a loving God when the kids do not.
Find unity in your new marriage and parenting through grace and understanding.
Explore your worth in Christ amid rejection.
Gain confidence in the stepparent role as you take on the armor of God.
Persevere through challenges and obstacles toward healthy, thriving relationships.
Each devotion begins with Scripture along with an encouraging thought for the day and closes with prayer.

Review: This is a resource I would highly recommend for any blended family. The devotions are relatively short, and each one is practical and filled with encouragement. The author writes from her own experiences and does so with understanding, love, and knowledge. The index is arranged so that the reader can easily find a devotional about a specific topic or immediate need.
Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Gayla Grace is the leader and co-founder of Sisterhood of Stepmoms, a non-profit organization designed to create community and a retreat for stepmothers. She holds a master's degree in Psychology and Counseling and founded StepparentingWithGrace.com more than a decade ago to offer coaching services, resources, and other encouragement to stepfamilies. Gayla and her husband, Randy, have five children in their blended family, ages sixteen to thirty-two, and reside in Bossier City, Louisiana, with an ours child still at home.

A Spoonful of Grace: Mealtime Blessings in Bite-Sized Pieces by Annette Hubbell

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Christian Living, Religion and Spirituality

• Paperback: 444 pages
• Publisher: Credo House Publishers; First edition (February 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1625860668
• ISBN-13: 978-1625860668

Synopsis: ABOUT TWO MINUTES! That’s how long it takes to read each of these mealtime reflections. A Spoonful of Grace is a collection of 366 thought provoking, gratitude-building, supercharged daily graces. Each prayer is accompanied by a companion Bible verse and a conversation starter—impactful yet brief enough to hold the attention of hungry kids. As part of a well-balanced diet of conversations with God, A Spoonful of Grace:

- Sows the seeds of a thankful attitude

- Whets the appetite about the Bible and what’s in it

- Nourishes the heart, mind, and soul

- Taken with food, constitutes a complete meal

Review: I really enjoy this book. There are enough prayers to go through an entire year without repeating one, with an added section of special ones for holidays and birthdays. Each day also provides a scripture reading and "Grace Notes," which are quotations and ideas to continue a discussion.

One of the things I like about this book is that the scripture readings include selections from all 66 books of the Bible, even those which are sometimes ignored/neglected. While I no longer have small children in the home on a daily basis, this is something I will use whenever my grandchildren are visiting, and for any family get-togethers in the future.

**I received a copy of this book from Adams PR Group, with no expectation of a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating:  Five stars

Q&A with author/actor Annette Hubbell
​Author of "A Spoonful Of Grace"

Q: What inspired you to write your new book?
At a casual lunch with some friends, our host led us in a grace prayer before the meal, and the idea hit me like lightning. Writing a book was the furthest thing from my mind—and my abilities.  I think that’s why God started me out easily; to have given me a glimpse of the final product would have overwhelmed me and stopped me dead in my tracks.
 
I had grown up with the Catholic grace, but except for a general, spur of the moment grace, I had never heard any other formal, standardized grace. So when our host began his grace, the Lutheran Grace, I was amazed with this new piece of information.  There must be others, I concluded.  What if I were to collect them—from all over the world—and create a book out of it? I could even pair them with Scripture for added meaning.  In effect, I would simply become a compiler, or so I thought. I sent out inquiries, asking everyone to share, eagerly awaiting the replies.  What I got back surprised me. It seemed there were, in fact, only three types of graces ever said: The Catholic and Lutheran graces, and the ones made up every night. Even more surprising were the responses of those who never said grace but wished they did, and would if they had some structure. 
 
I set about to write, but publishers soon informed me that there had to be an application. Back to the drawing board to add what came to be the “Grace Notes”: side bars—much like what you see in a Study Bible—to add context, or set the stage for God’s word.  I needed a much bigger education to pull that off, so I studied hard, received a Certificate in Apologetics from Biola University, immersed myself in Bible studies, and traveled throughout the Holy Lands.  After ten years of work, prayer and relying on God, A Spoonful of Grace is the result.
 
Q: What should parents know about this book?
A Spoonful of Grace is a collection of 366 evening meal graces taken from all 66 books of the Bible. They are designed to provide meaningful exposure to prayer and the Bible at a most opportune time: the family evening meal. They are unique, too, because each one is inspired by its companion Bible verse(s), designed to be read in its entirety in about two minutes, and enhanced by a section called “Grace Notes.” Using quotations and ideas to further illustrate the theme of the verse, these “Grace Notes” promote lively and meaningful conversation. Interestingly enough, I’ve had people—people who attend church often—tell me that saying grace, other than on spe­cial occasions, had never occurred to them. Each day’s grace and devotional are meant to be read aloud by all family members, with friendly, approachable illustrations that are short enough to keep the attention of hungry kids.

 Q: How do you envision this book being used by families?

A Spoonful of Grace is suitable for every family, wherever its members are in their individual faith journeys. Whether the parents are just beginning to integrate prayer and Scripture into their daily routine or already say grace together, this book sets the tone for family mealtimes-light-hearted, yet at the same time, full of meaning and purpose. TheGrace Notes allow children to think about actions and their ability to make choices.  I envision the children taking turns reading each day’s grace, and the parents guiding the conversation around it.
 
This book, however, is not just for families. A seeker or new believer is given doses of theology in small pieces that might be more easily absorbed. A Spoonful of Grace is also great for grandparents and caregivers to have in the house, busy people who want to add more Bible reading into their lives, or people who would like to say grace with others but are uncertain how to start. Because Scripture is taken from easier-to-understand versions like The Message or the New International Version, adult students who are learning English as a second language would also benefit.

Q: Why do you believe it is important to create intentional family time in today's culture? 
A Spoonful of Grace is a response to diminished attention spans wrought by social media, and the expectation of instant gratification. When I tested A Spoonful of Grace with some families, one said “This consumed the entire conversation during dinner.” Another family told me that their 15-year- old was appreciating his family more through simply spending more quality time together. My aim was to keep these graces and devotionals witty and to the point in order to capture a young person’s interest quickly. I hope that the book will help turn mealtime into conversations about faith and values such as sharing, honesty, friendship, and honorable conduct.

About the author

Annette Hubbell earned her undergraduate degree in Marketing from San Diego State University, her M.B.A. from Cal State University in San Marcos, and a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University.  She has been featured in over 160 performances, and starred in the DVD, “Witness To Gettysburg” edited by 33-time Emmy Award winner Robert Gardner. She was awarded Presenter of the Year twice at the Civil War Round Table of San Diego, and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Hubbell lives in San Diego, California with her husband of 33 years, Monte. They have a daughter, Amy. She and her husband Scott live in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit www.AnnetteHubbell.com.

When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette: Loving People Like God Does By Max Davis #JesusGreenEyedBrunette #FlyBy

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Christian living

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Worthy Publishing (November 1, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 161795800X
• ISBN-13: 978-1617958007
• List price: $15.99
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Synopsis: When Jesus Was a Green-Eyed Brunette weaves heartwarming and miraculous stories of Jesus showing up in ordinary people, revealing that He knows us and is fully present in our everyday circumstances, especially in our difficulties. Those hurting and weary from worn-out religion are longing for a fresh touch from the living Jesus. Best-selling author Max Davis challenges us to do more than simply receive God’s grace—we need to allow grace to soften, change, and shape us. As you read this book you will laugh, cry, and come face-to-face with the living Jesus, much like Davis did, when he found Him living in a green-eyed brunette. As Davis puts it, “Jesus is very much alive today and still does incredible things—sometimes supernatural things—through us!”

Product URL: http://worthypublishing.com/books/When-Jesus-Was-a-Green-Eyed-Brunette/

Review: I was fascinated by the title of this book, and loved reading it. I found so many great quotes throughout. Here is one of my favorites:

**Religion is man's way working hard to try to be accepted by God. True Christianity is about receiving what God has done for us and His Spirit coming inside us to have an ongoing relationship with us.**

To me, those two sentences sum up the lesson of the entire book. We need to receive God's grace, let His Spirit live within in, and let it change our entire life. Everything about us should reflect His unconditional love.

The discussion of people-pleasing and what a HUGE burden it can be truly hit home for me. I've spent pretty much all of my 55 yrs. trying to make everyone around me happy--from parents to teachers to husbands to children. Between some real life events and the things I read in this book, I think 2017 is going to be a year of real, lasting change in that area.

I highly recommend this book to every Christian--I will be personally recommending it to those near and dear to me over the next few weeks, and will gladly share my copy with anyone who has an interest in reading it.

Rating: Five stars,

About the author

Max Davis is the author of over 20 published books and has been featured in USA Today and Publishers Weekly and has appeared on The Today Show and The 700 Club. He holds degrees in Journalism and Biblical Studies and is a much sought-after speaker for churches and organizations worldwide. He and his wife, Alanna, live on 50 beautiful acres in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana.

Blessings Of Unity: God's Best For Our Marriage by Richard T. Case #AllForJesus #Flyby

Book Information

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Elevate Faith (September 15, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943425108
• ISBN-13: 978-1943425105
• Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Blessings-Unity-God’s-Best-Marriages/dp/1943425108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474726271&sr=8-1&keywords=blessings+of+unity+richard+case  

About the book:

The Blessings of Unity offers insight and ideas for creating godly unity in our marriages centered around two key concepts:

1) Abiding in the Vine and walking in the Spirit, and

2) Learning and applying the concept of unity.

Unity is achieved when a man and woman strive for agreement with God by processing His Will on every decision and in every issue. Through Biblically-centered discussions of discord, division, unity, discipleship, and prayer, and through exploring Biblical examples of unity, Richard Case offers husbands and wives practical and spiritual advice for working together in unity in the Spirit so that they can more perfectly present themselves to God for his divine approval.

($13.43 on Amazon, paperback)

You can also download a free ebook from the All For Jesus ministry. Get Unshakable here: http://allforjesusunshakeable.gr8.com and learn about living an unshakable life.

Review: This is a short read, but it is definitely not short on information. It's a very in-depth look at marriage and creating/keeping unity in your relationship. It starts with a quiz for each spouse to take and then compare their answers, to evaluate where their unity level stands in the present moment, and where they need work.

The author begins with a discussion of disunity, and then his subsequent chapters look at ways to turn that around and bring the unity God intended for your marriage. No matter how unified you may believe your marriage to be, there is most likely an area or two where you could benefit from the advice found in this book.

Each chapter is outlined fully, with a list of numbered points as well as scriptural references, so that you can easily locate all of the key points of the book. I would highly recommend this book to all married or engaged couples.

**I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Before his current role in developing retreats and serving this ministry, All for Jesus, Richard Case worked for many years with Fortune 500 companies in management and consulting roles. He holds a BS in Management and Finance from Bradley University, an MBA from the University of Southern California, and a seminary Masters degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Richard has been a featured speaker at conferences and seminars; he has hosted a radio show and is a published author. Richard and his wife, Linda, answered the call from the Lord to Abide in Him through the Spirit. Together, Richard and Linda have started up several churches that remain strong today, and have served as interim pastors of troubled churches, bringing reconciliation and new vision to these situations. Richard and Linda began conducting marriage retreats in 2001. Richard and Linda currently live in Castle Rock, CO.

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BOOK TOUR: Giant Killers by Steve Lawson

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Christian, Christian Living, Personal Empowerment

File Size: 941 KB

Print Length: 145 pages

Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1519655118

Publication Date: January 18, 2016

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Language: English

ASIN: B01ATR9A2C

Synopsis: It seemed a lopsided battle. On one side, a small shepherd with a sling and five stones. On the other, a heavily armored ten-foot giant whose taunts and challenges immobilized an army of seasoned warriors.

The story of David and Goliath has become an almost universal underdog story; but in reality, Goliath never stood a chance.

In Giant Killers, emotional intelligence speaker, consultant, and author Steve Lawson identifies the five vital emotional and social skills David possessed: identity, discipline, graciousness, action, and hope. When combined with the power of God’s grace, these strengths made it possible for David to defeat Goliath, build a mighty army out of social rejects, and establish the greatest kingdom in the history of Israel.

Identity. Discipline. Graciousness. Action. Hope. These five important emotional skills establish how we perceive and express ourselves—and how willingly we seize the opportunities God provides. Who better to demonstrate these powerful traits than David, who slew his own giant?

We all face giants in our lives—challenges and obstacles that intimidate us, limit our potential, and keep us from moving forward. It’s easy to feel like David fighting Goliath. And that’s good—because David won. Like David, we can overcome any challenge, seizing with confidence the opportunities God places in our path. Giant Killers teaches you how to do so, providing a foundation on which you can build success after success. It all begins with you—and your willingness to trust in God’s grace.

Review: This book was a quick easy read, but it is jam-packed with inspirational information. I enjoyed every single page of it, and couldn't put it down until I was finished with it.

This book talks about "giants" or "glass ceilings" we all have in our lives--things that keep us from moving forward, from reaching our full potential. These things can be internal (guilt, insecurity,worry, etc.), external (trauma, crisis, stress, finances, relationships), or opportunities (new job, new school, new ministry, personal growth, dreams, etc.). Thanks to the strategies in this book, we can learn to face them and to conquer them.

The most important quote I took away from this book was "Don't let your giants make the rules." To me, that means keeping focused on the goal and pressing on no matter what the obstacle.

If you have "giants" in your life (and let's face it, who doesn't?), I highly recommend this book!

**I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

A former small-business owner and church planter, Steve Lawson recently stepped down as the senior pastor of Grace Community Church in Greenville, Texas, to focus on his writing, speaking, and leadership training activities.

He holds a doctor of strategic leadership degree from Regent University, a master of divinity degree from The King’s University, an MBA from Amberton University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Texas.

Lawson owns Leadership Transformation Inc., providing emotional intelligence training and consulting to organizations of all sizes. More information on his consulting services is available at www.leadershiptransformation.net. An avid blogger and writer, Lawson is

available for speaking engagements in churches, seminars, and conferences. You can contact him at www.stevelawson.us.

He and his wife, Karen, live in Greenville, Texas. They are the parents of three grown daughters.

https://www.facebook.com/dr.steve.lawson

https://twitter.com/steveatgrace

www.stevelawson.us

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1q0EPPs

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13806275.Steve_Lawson