Warfare Prayers for Women by Quin Sherrer & Ruthanne Garlock

Lots of wisdom. Lots of prayers. Lots of scripture. That's what Warfare Prayers for Women {Securing God's Victory in your Life} by Quin Sherrer & Ruthanne Garlock is all about!  This hardcover book is a sweet collection of many prayers for many different life circumstances.

Each section relates to a theme. Sections include: Praying with Power, Praying against Hinderances, Praying for Life's Milestones, Praying for Children and Grandchildren, Praying for Family and Friends, Praying when Single, Praying through Tough Times, Praying in My Senior Years, Praying for My Community and Nation, Important Prayer Helps and Scriptures for Intercession and Warfare.

Each section contains multiple specific prayers which include the prayer and two scriptures. This book is a great reference or great gift.

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I am happy to do!

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

If you like contemporary fiction you will enjoy Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner!  Hadley is at the pinnacle of her career. It's her big chance to win the cooking competition against Max. Max who is so annoying and keeps calling her the wrong name. Max who is intoxicated.  Max who could just ruin her. But sweet Hadley keeps her cool and wins the competition.

Fast forward, and Max is back. Just after Hadley has a new agent, who has replaced her sweet grandmother.  The future is bright for Hadley, but then Max enters the picture! Will this impact Hadley's rise to fame?

As I said, if you enjoy contemporary fiction, you will enjoy the book! It is a fun read. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.  All opinions are my own!

Shifting Shadows by Herman Mendoza

Shifting Shadows by Herman Mendoza is a MUST READ!  I have reviewed lots of books and normally do not say that, BUT...this book is great!  I read the book in two days!

Herman Mendoza grew up in the streets of New York City in a home that never went to church, nor shared much about their faith. Herman was always looking for something more, but never seemed to be able to find it.  He tried drugs, spent time in prison, and then landed the job of a lifetime, moving drugs through one of the largest cartels in America.  Along the way, he met a very special young lady, Alexandra.

This book shares Herman's story (and Alexandra's).  It will captivate you, draw you in, and most importantly encourage you to evaluate your ministry.  It is a life changing story that needs to be shared. I am still amazed at how Herman came to salvation and changed his life. I would encourage you to read this, pass it on and allow yourself to be challenged.

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.  All thoughts are opinions are my own! I highly recommend this book!

Florence Nightingale ~ Women of Courage

Florence Nightingale ~ Compassionate Care for People Who Need It Most is a historical collection of the life of Florence Nightingale and her service to others. This book is a compilation of Florence's (or Flo's) journals, letters and other historical documents.  It details Flo's growing up years, her years of service and everything in between.

While this book is a great resource, it is at times difficult to follow and a bit "choppy".  Nonetheless, the reader is gifted the life and upbringing of Florence along with those who influenced her and shaped her into who she came to be.  There is also much Biblical insight as Flo studied and wrestled through her calling and Biblical passages.

I was given a free copy from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

How Are You Praying for Your Kids?

Over the last few weeks {during COVID-19} I've learned new ways to pray for my kids! I compiled a list. It's by no means complete. I'd love to know how you are praying for your kids. Or how to organize this overwhelming list to make it manageable.  I collected these ideas from a variety of resources, but need to give credit to Lee Nienhuis' books Brave Moms Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting for many of the ideas (the bottom of the list is directly from Countercultural Parenting)!

Let me know if you want a printable list.

They would know their ministry and calling.

Kindness

Compassion

Good friendships that will point them toward God and for them to point others to God

God will be visible to them & that in some way each day they will clearly see him whether it's in something that happens,, someone that they come in contact with, something they may see.

Development of strong integrity and character

That they will have hearts that are fully committed to God. 

For them to know God and make Him known. 

To have a bold faith in their generation to make Christ know no matter the cost.

To be pure in body, mind and spirit. 

For them to come to know Christ as their Savior at a young age. 

To grow in stature with God and men.

Feet to be swift to run from sin, legs that support his/her walk with the Lord, His/her spouse and their upbringing, eyes that look for ways to bring glory to the Lord 

That they take time to sit at Jesus feet, so they continue to grow in His wisdom, love, & understanding. 

To trust in God's plans for their life & to have hope in all circumstances 

For their protection both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

They will love the Lord.

That they will seek His will. 

I pray they will have the courage to stand strong for God. 

That He will send them spouses who are strong in the Lord and will not only love them, but TREASURE them always! 

I pray that nothing I have done, said, or neglected to say will ever keep them from living for God.

May they not have spiritual amnesia and remember how God has worked.

May their own their faith and not rely on their parents. 

May they get caught in their sin.

May they be strong, faithful, and brave.

May they be mighty warriors for the kingdom of God.

Obedient to Christ

Passion for His Word

Make wise choices

Have courage

May they know God and not rest on someone else’s faith

My they know scripture

Love and fascination for God

Not to be complacent

May they find their identity in Christ

May they find their confidence in Christ

May they be prayer warriors

May they flee temptation

May they hear the Holy Spirit

May they know their value in Christ

May they not compare

May they serve boldly

May they have a passion for God’s Word and His Ways.

May they be Mighty Warriors for the Kingdom

May they know His Voice

May they have wisdom managing time and money

They would walk with Christ

Grow in wisdom. Pursue wisdom. Make wise decisions.

Family unity

Be wise, not be careful, but be wise

I pray that I will hear their heart and their story.

For ways that I can bless them.

I pray that I will not shame them.

Faithfulness

Compassion

Gratefulness

Contentment

Patience

Discretion

Self-control

Love

Truthfulness

Sexual purity

Humility

Impartiality

Gentleness

Mercy

Kindness

Openness to instruction

Forgiveness

Generosity

Joyfulness

(From NIENHUIS, LEE. COUNTERCULTURAL PARENTING: Building Character in a World of Compromise. HARVEST HOUSE PUB, 2020.)

Standoff by Patricia Bradley

Standoff by Patricia Bradley is a thrilling novel.  Brooke has recently become a law officer. Luke, who left her years ago to attend the Naval Academy and never returned, or even said goodbye is back in town.  He just left town with no respect for her feelings nor the romance they shared.  As Brooke starts her new career, just after her father is murdered, she is overwhelmed and determined to discover who killed her father. Who can you trust in the department and who is feeding the drug cartel their information?

While I must admit, it was hard to follow all of the characters in this story, it was a good read. The thrilled pace keep you wondering what is next and who is responsible for the murders! It is a plot twisting enjoyable novel!

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review!

Called Out by Paula Faris

Called Out by Paula Faros offers a candid look at Paula's life and all that she did to improve her career on the View and as a reporter for ABC news.  Paula shares her upbringing, including her parents turn to faith found in a church community, her journey to Cedarville University, and her climb as a top news reporter. Paula wanted to have it all no matter what the cost. Until. Paula finally realized there was a cost and shares her journey of faith and realizing what her calling really is.

This book is insightful.  It offers much wisdom to the reader, especially with Paula's driven attitude and quest for achievement.  Perhaps it can be summed up on page 178. Paula writes, "I came to a simple conclusion: Something is fundamentally broken with our society when we care so much about success that we slam preschoolers with questions of vocation and fifth-graders are considering resume builders for college admissions."

While this book is about Paula's Christian faith, she does try to include all faiths, maybe to a fault. I did enjoy this book and was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.

My Heart Ever His {Prayers for Women} by Barbara Rainey

My Heart Ever His {Prayers for Women} by Barbara Rainey is a beautiful collection of prayers for women.  Barbara shares wonderfully written prayers that reflect all stages of a woman's life. As an older women, Barbara has lived through many stages and touches on many of them in her book.  These prayers offer hope and come from a strong Biblical basis. Some are simply scripture quoted.

My Heart Ever His is a great gift for Mother's Day.  It can be an encouragement for women.  Barbara shares not only the prayers, but on some pages the story behind the prayers.  I like that it offered wisdom and words that you may not have thought about praying.

This book is a great encouragement. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do!

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris is a face paced fiction novel that is an enjoyable read!  Aubrey Grey is on an estate with her father like figure, a former senator.  Just as Aubrey and the former Senator start to enjoy the morning, the Senator is shot and next thing you know Aubrey is kidnapped. FBI Agent Jack Shannon arrives to investigate the case.  This is no longer a shooting investigation, but has now turned into a case involving shared intel with foreign countries.  Whatever happened between childhood best friends, Aubrey and Jack? When Aubrey started dating Jack's brother their relationship changed. Can it be salvaged after all these year?

I did enjoy reading The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris.  This book was rich in characters, kept you on the edge of your seat, and was overall great fiction.  The main character of Aubrey explored past hurts caused by her father and needed to look at forgiveness.  I enjoyed the themes in the book.

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do.

Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson

The Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson is a super fabulous activity book for children ages 5-12.  It offers many pages filled with countless activities.  Not only are the activities rich with content, but there are also a variety of pages.

If you hold the book and open it one direction, you will see pages for younger children. Then if you flip the book over you will see pages for older children! How clever!  Pages range from word puzzles, mazes, trace and color, how to draw, word searches, coloring pages and so much more.

This is a great resource for families of children that span ages, or can be used with a younger child and then used again when they are older.

The listed scripture passage and short devotional can be used with both the younger and older children.  This book offers great fun for children to pass the time and still learn a valuable

lesson at the same time!

I was given a free copy of Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson from the publisher for my honest review!