Unashamed to bear His Name

He Is Risen!

When you read this I hope you're enjoying a glorious Sunday morning and church service.  If you're in Amarillo please feel free to stop by Hillside Christian Church.  There are so many different revenues there that I'm sure you would find the spot for you.  In fact I'll be playing my cello in the 8:15 Assembly service and the 9:30 Traditions service.  Here is the website if you want to see what services there are www.hillsidewired.com . We would love to see you there :-)  And if you don't live in Amarillo, TX  enjoy your day and hopefully you'll be going to church on this incredibly wonderful day that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I really didn't know much about  R.T. Kendall and I really like to know where the author is coming from theologically.  So I googled him and he is described as a very charismatic theologian.  Here is a quote about him by Ernest Paddon.

R.T. Kendall is a man of great authority and leadership. He has an amazing knowledge of the Scriptures and a willingness to deal with any verse in the passage preached, however difficult it might be. I can never remember hearing a sermon which did not bless me. He truly practiced what he has preached. He has sought to reach every type of person and shown increasing patience and love to difficult people. Sometimes too patient! He has always shown himself to be open and honest. —Ernest Paddon, In Pursuit of His Glory

This book is really a good book.  The title I feel is almost deceiving, and the small definition of the book in the front as well.  I really felt that there was just more to the book then what it described on the covers.    I was expecting a book to be for mainly new believers who were having trouble with defending there faith.  I was corrected on that thought several times through out the book.  What this book was for me was a strong base to minister to people and to share the gospel with them.  I learned an amazing amount from a 201 page book.  If you're someone who is looking to get better at sharing the gospel this is the book for you.  It's a sound book that's very sincere.  So please dear friends read Unashamed to Bear His Name.


*Chosen Books provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review, and I honestly did.

John 20:18

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" -- and that he had said these things to her.

What a beautiful phrase, "I have seen the Lord."  After three days of being dead Jesus comes back to life.  Has this ever happened before?  Has a human being ever done this after being dead for three days?  I only know of one and that one was God, Jesus Christ.  What an amazing thing!  What an incredible sacrifice for our Lord and Savior to sacrifice Himself for us, that we may have a relationship with the Father.  For we can only have a relationship with God if we confess that Jesus is God and that He died and rose again.  Please consider this, please think through how wonderful this is.  If you have time read the book of John to see Jesus' life.  He truly is God and He truly sacrificed Himself so that we may live.  

The Half-Stitched Amish quilting Club

Hello,
Just in the nick of time I am writing to you.  I know it's not the morning and for some of you it's not even Wednesday anymore, but for me it is so there ha.  What an extremely busy day with my kids, we got a lot done in the house and it's practically clean.  Please note that I'm pretty sure that my house will not be fully clean until everyone has moved out including my husband and myself.

The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club is a story about recently widowed Emma Yoder.  Feeling that she has been burdening her children financially Emma prays that God guides her to help with her income.  God guides her to teach a six week quilting class.  Never would she have imagined the diverse characters that join this class and never would she imagine the role God plays in her ministering to them.  So begins a great story about seven character's everyday life.  Their ups and downs all come out in this little Amish home.

What an interesting book.  It definitely is not a book that will smack you in the face with conviction, but there were quite a few times where I could relate.  Ms. Brunstetter does a great job of describing the Amish way of life, and for someone that has very little knowledge of their way, it was helpful while I was reading this book.  I enjoyed the simple lessons that this book had, one of them being that there is more then meets the eye.  If you love a good stroll through a story this is the book for you.

*This ebook was given to me by netgalley via Barbour Books for my honest opinion, and I honestly did that.


Isaiah 6:8 ESV
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?'  Then I said, "Here am I!  Send me."


I'm guessing that know one lately has heard the voice of the Lord speak out loud to you asking whom should he send :-)  But we have had one command by Jesus to go and make disciples of men.  How many times have I heard that saying and simply took it in, but never truly cut me to the heart that we truly are to GO!  And here is Isaiah excited to do the will of God saying "Here am I!  Send me."  Lord Jesus please place that excitement and urgency in my heart, may I see what you see and love what you love.

Words Spoken True

Hello Monday Morning,
This morning I had my cup of coffee and I was on my way out and as I was walking past our garage door a paint chip fell into my coffee!!!  No joke, so a very nice and perfectly good cup of joe (hardly drunk) was ruined.  That's ok, because Todd my amazing husband said, just go to Palace Coffee House and get yourself something.  When I go there I get the Irish cream Breve (in house cup), it is simply wonderful and brilliant and truly you need to go there.  So, dear readers if you live in Amarillo or the area surrounding please drive to Canyon and let yourself experience a great cup of coffee and tell Patrick I said hi.

Can I just point out the beautiful cover!  Oh my goodness it's simply breathtaking.  Alright on to the story.  Our character Adriane Darcy was raised by a prominent newspaper owner.  Allowing his daughter free reign of the press, Adriane grew up with a quick wit and a sharp mind.  Growing into a beautiful lady Adriane finds herself pursued by one of Louisville's leading society members.  She has everything set for a happy marriage, but she isn't happy with the arrangement.  In walks in a straight forward thinker and competing newspaper editor Blake Garrett.  Sparks fly (yes I did say it)  as the two get to know each other.

I can not explain how amazing this book is.  It really has everything; mystery, romance, purpose, and seeking God's will.  What a great book!  Ms. Gabhart weaves a beautiful tale about a young lady who's main desire is to please her father and try to do the Lord's will.  Clearly Blake Garrett should not be in the picture, but she can't help thinking about him.  If you love a good romance with mystery and suspense you will love Words Spoken True.  Oh and I should write a little about the historical point of the book.  This is pre-civil war so there are quite a few debates on slavery, women's rights, and immigrants.  I found it extremely fascinating and being the researcher I am, I wanted to know more about this time in the United States history.  A good author will do that for me, create such an image in my mind that I'll search the web, or go to my library to check out books on that subject.  Thank you Ms. Gabhart for the book, it was truly inspiring.

Galatians 6:4 ESV
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.

I struggle the most with comparing myself with others.  Her house looks perfect, look how well dressed her kids are, or how in the world does she put herself together like that.  Why am I doing that?  Could it be that I'm not doing what God desires of me?  I think sometimes that is problem.   I laze about in the morning until I  have 15 minutes before I have to leave and then I rush about trying to put everyone and myself together.   Or another example would be letting the house get completely trashed by my three little bebs and then wondering why everyone's house looks so nice.  What a reminder for me!  To do what I should, to do my work well and then I'll have the personal satisfaction of having it done well.  No need to compare myself to anyone else then :-)

The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex

Hello Saturday morning non-fiction readers!

This morning I woke up in bed and miraculously the kids were still sleeping, and then oh surprises of all surprises I hear my husbands voice playing with the kids and getting them breakfast.  What a great treat to lay in bed just listening and enjoying the beautiful sound of laughing and giggles.  It's a good thing I'm reviewing a sex book because this morning definitely put me in the mood with my husband's chivalrous act.

The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex is a fun way of learning about your body (as a woman, sorry guys this is really is all about the lady's) and the way your body is when you're enjoying great sex.  Please let me preface this,  Sheila Wray Gregoire made this book for lady's having sex in the marriage bed.  If you're not doing that, you probably will really hate this book.  Sorry again, but that's the best way I can give forewarning.  This book is best read when you're about to enter in marriage, having a struggle in this specific department, or just really enjoy making you and your husband happy by bettering your sex life.

I really enjoyed reading a book on sex by a woman for a woman.  This, I think, is the best way to learn about your body.  There are numerous books out there on this topic, but this is the first I could really say "She knows exactly what I have had struggles with."  Many times a man can not understand the emotional roller coaster of your wedding night, or the frustration that can happen after a bad experience.  Ms.  Gregoire does an awesome job at doing this and giving the facts!  I actually will plan on using this for my daughters (in the far future),  Sheila had some awesome ideas and advice for women on why they should wait until they're married.  I just loved it.

One teeny tiny thing that just kind of irked me was the comparison of a good girl and bad girl. I'm sure the author knows fully well about this Biblical fact, but If we're referencing the Bible; all of us fall short and are bad.  There is no good, we are all bad in God's eyes, and the only thing that can save us is Jesus Christ.  Through His death and conquering death, He made our path to God so that we may have a relationship with God.  Jesus being our Lord and Savior died for our sins so that His blood may cover are sins and we may be holy and blameless in the sight of God.  I hope you understand why I had trouble swallowing the whole good girl versus bad girl, because in God's sight without Jesus we're all bad.  Other then that the book was great and the facts were dead on, so dear readers  please read this book.

*This e-book was given to me via netgalley for my honest opinion.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.


What a simple message, what a life changing decision.  Please think and consider this verse.  God loves you!  God loves you so much that he desires a relationship with you.  So much that He sacrificed His only Son, so that you can have a relationship with Him.  So do as the verse says believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and that He is God.  He is the way, the truth, and the light.

Lady Anne's Quest

Hello!

Well it's a beautiful sunny afternoon and I just had some sweet friends over for a play date.  We met at a Bible Study about two years ago and when the study stopped we decided to keep meeting.   While our kids play we catch up on what's going on.  It really is a great blessing to have these lady's walk through life with.  Do you have a group that you meet with?  I think it's really important to find people that share your same views to learn from each other and help each other out.

In the book Lady Anne's Quest; Lady Anne sets out on a journey to find her Uncle David.  Anne is the sole messenger of telling David the unfortunate news of his brother's passing away and David is now an Earl.  With her journey well on the way, we open the book to find Anne about two days away from finding David (well so she thinks).  With a hopeful suitor in tow and new friends helping her along the way Anne sets out to find her Uncle David.

Upon looking at reviews of this book, it is highly rated and a lot of reviewers say that it's historically accurate and a fun adventure where the characters come alive.  For me personally I just didn't seem to get into the story.  The character development was good, and the plot is exciting, the only thing I can think of is that the story just doesn't seem believable.  With all of the mishaps, dangerous situations, or lies I couldn't feel like this could happen to one person.  I could be totally wrong and please forgive my review.  I for one have to feel that the story could have happened in real life, and for me this story did not do it.  The one character that I really connected with was David Stone, his character had fine qualities and he was very real to me.  Ms. Davis is a good author, and an amazing story teller unfortunately for me I liked the book, I just didn't love it.

*This book was given to me through netgalley through Barbour Books for my honest review.


Isaiah 61:7
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.


A friend of mine always kept this verse in her shoe so it would be a reminder for her that God gives double for your trouble.  What an awesome thing to remember that when times are hard there is no shame for there will be a double portion, instead of dishonor there will be rejoicing, and we will everlasting joy.  So when there's trouble just read this verse and remind God "Lord you promised double for my trouble."

The Key on the Quilt

Hello World.
How is everyone doing?  It's Wednesday and I have a very brilliant achingly sad book for you today.  I'm going to very honest and poignant about this book.  It isn't a fluffy book; several times I had to set this book down just to think through everything.  It brought questions to my mind, and for me to have a book where I'm waking up in the middle of the night grieving for the main character is truly hard to do.

The Key on the Quilt is kind of like Shawshank Redemption.  I don't really like to compare things, but it's the best way to make you understand this book.  Our main character (Jane Prescott) is a woman broken from an abusive relationship serving time for manslaughter.  Here we have a woman wrongfully accused in a very desperate situation. The story takes place while she is serving her time and she encounters people that either build her up or try and tear her down.  I don't really want to give you more because truly I want you to read this story with an open heart and an open mind.

Ms. Whitson does a phenomenal job at creating books.  They are so beautifully written that one is magically drawn in.  Needless to say, I almost didn't read this book, because of reading the back cover.  I didn't want to be sad, but as a dear friend said to me "Sometimes you need to know the truth about the evils of this world."   What made me want to read this book was the amazing Christian characters who are in Jane Prescott's life.  They are wanting to do the will of God and yearning to glorify Him in every way.  Going about their daily work, using their own two feet as a mission field.  These characters made me want to do my best in what I am doing right now.  That's a good book to me, as sad as it is, the book made me desire to grow closer in my walk with Jesus.  Pleas read The Key on the Quilt you won't regret it.


*This e-book was given to me through netgalley by Barbour Books for my honest review, and I'm honestly very happy about that.


James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


I thought this was appropriate considering the book I reviewed :-)  Let me just tell you how these verses make me feel.  Joy, I don't think you fully realize this word unless you have faced a difficulty.  I don't know what your difficulty is, but it doesn't matter this command here is telling us to call it a joy.  Here's the kicker while we are struggling and going through difficult times we're asked not to run a way but to remain steadfast, to remain under the struggle.  Why?  Because the struggle and steadfastness will produce perfection and you will lack in nothing.  I'm sure this is the last thing you desire while going through a hard time, but please dear reader remember that God wants the best for you and He loves you so much more then anyone ever could.  So much that He desires you to be the best that you can be.  Like our character for The Key on the Quilt, she went through something terrible but in the end something far greater was given to her.

A Texan's Honor

I know what you're thinking... Bre it's not even Wednesday and you're writing another blog.  Here is why dear readers, I have too many books to read from all of theses awesome publishers.  Thank you netgalley.com you guys rock.  Thus why I am writing on a Monday about A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray.  This book was given to me by Abingdon Press in hopes of my honest opinion.  And I am honestly very excited to review this book.

A Texan's Honor immediately drew me in because of the cover.  I love adventure stories!  You can just tell it's going to be an adventure story with a train and a very contemplative looking man on it's cover.  This is the 2nd book in the series Heart of a Hero, don't fret though you don't need to read the first book to understand the second book.   Ok, on to the description!  I would like to describe this book kind of like jumping into a Lake.  The rush and excitement is immediate.  Jamie Ellis finds herself in a horrible situation, a gang of thieves has overtaken the train and is keeping her and several gentleman captive.  Very afraid for her virtue and life she finds herself in the precarious position of being the only female captive.  Will McMillan is undercover as a gang member of the Walton gang.  How does Will protect Jamie and see her safely to her Aunts?  What's the story of Scout Proffitt hmmmm....  Very intriguing

If this doesn't have you jumping out of your seat to go buy the book I don't know what does!  Ms. Gray does an excellent job of combining heart stopping adventure and truly meaningful characters.  She doesn't overdo the high risk, on the edge, nail biting scenes, which I'm very grateful for.  She weaves a great story with characters I loved getting to know and hoping the best for them.  It was a great read!  I hope you go pick A Texan's Honor and enjoy it as much as I did.  In fact as soon as I got done with the book I started re-reading it again (that is how good the book was, it is definitely a re-read book).

Romans 4:20
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. ESV


Oh to be like Abraham when times are tough!  This is actually a verse that I have memorized for this very reason.  When tough times come for me, or if I feel God has promised me something and it hasn't come yet I refer to this verse.  This verse is referencing Abraham and he didn't stop praising God, he didn't stop giving God the glory and praise He deserved.  Not only does he praise God, but He doesn't stop trusting in the promises God gave him.  I am so childish when it comes to not getting my way, and here I see I need to be trusting God and giving Him glory.  My faith grows strong every time I choose to do exactly what this verse says.  Hopefully I remember that when hard times comes and to give God the glory.