My Review of "Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart" devotional by Lysa TerKeurst

I was delighted to receive an offer from Momentum Influencers Network to participate in a book promotion campaign by reading Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional "Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart: 50 Devotions for Sleeping Well in a World Full of Worry", and writing a review! 

Lysa is one of my favorite Christian authors. She only writes nonfiction in the Christian Living category. This is the first devotional I’ve read that was written by Lysa and her guest writers. It was a wonderful read!

I’m happy to share my review with you but first, here’s a word from Momentum Influencers Network about Lysa’s new book:

God not only has the whole world in His hands; He's holding the details of your life in His faithful hands as well.

What lies heaviest on your heart as you lay your head on your pillow? Are paralyzing fear and anxiety stealing tomorrow's peace? Listen to this invitation from Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Experiencing this kind of rest won't come from escapism, more vacation days, or stuffing our feelings. Jesus Himself provides rest to our weary souls. While He may not always fix everything right away, we can fix our thoughts on His Word. In doing this, we can sleep at night with ease knowing that God has it all under control. Through the pages of “Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart”, written by New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst and her friends at Proverbs 31 Ministries, you will be equipped to:

- Quiet fearful and anxious thoughts that always seem to be the loudest before bedtime by incorporating the Bible into your nightly routine.

- Find relief from the stress of daily obligations and pressures through 50 encouraging devotions and guided prayers written by women like you.

- Release the heaviness you feel about hard situations in your life so you can wake up refreshed and walk into the next day with courage.

Learn more at www.ClearMindPeacefulHeart.com

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Now, here’s my review of "Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart" by Lysa TerKeurst:

Reading this devotional book is like sipping a cup of lemon balm tea. It quiets your mind and soothes your soul as it provides encouragement for your heart.

It truly lives up to its mission to help you focus on God and His Word, not the craziness and catastrophes happening in our world today. I found that reading one of these devotionals every night before going to bed helped me to focus on all the hope given by Jesus Christ. Hope for a hurting world. It was beautiful!

I appreciate how Lysa had guest writers to help fill the pages of this book with their real-life stories and experiences served to the reader in devotional format. It was encouraging to read something different by a new writer each day. Not everybody is the same. So I believe that having different viewpoints from a variety of writers helps to reach a wider audience of readers.

Each devotion in this book was refreshing and well-written. I also appreciate the interior and exterior graphic designs that make this book not only attractive but complete. If you’re struggling with chaos and losing your sense of peace, I encourage you to read this book, and also read the best book (The Holy Bible) prayerfully. God will meet you on those pages and provide comfort.

If you have not read this devotional yet, I encourage you to buy it online or in a local bookstore. Perhaps even ask if your local library carries it and if not, request that they make it available to borrow because it effectively addresses a felt need for so many people in our world today!

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Giveaway Contest: 

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#ClearMindMIN #clearmindpeacefulheart #newbacktoschoolroutine #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @tnzgift @lysaterkeurst @proverbs31ministries

Devotional by Mary Manners: Boundaries

Let's welcome my good friend Mary Manners to the blog today! She's here to share another devotional that she wrote. 

The title of today's devotional is, "Boundaries," and it is quite appropriate. You'll understand why when you read the story from Mary's childhood experience. I will give you a clue: it involves a child testing the boundaries (given to her by her dad) when she receives a brand new bike.

Enjoy your time with Mary! :)

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Boundaries
A devotional written by Mary Manners

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”~ Psalm 143:8, NIV 

My seventh birthday was a momentous occasion mainly because in my family, turning seven meant I was sure to receive what I imagined, in my child’s mind, to be the greatest gift of all—a shiny new bike.

It was a beauty—a splash of bubblegum pink with streamers flowing from curved handlebars. Pedal brakes and a chunky banana seat rounded out the mix. One look and I knew that suddenly I had my freedom, my independence, and the power to travel all the way to…the end of the block. It was better than the confines of our meager, chain-linked back yard. I grew up in Chicago, after all, and the streets could be a dangerous place.

My dad taught me how to ride. An hour, a few scrapes and bumps later, and I was ready to go. No helmets back then and no fancy riding gear…just the wind at my back and pure pedal power. Dad outlined the riding boundaries, cautioning me not to cross the street at either end of the block or the alley that ran behind our house. Cars were dangerous.

Dad’s firm warning rang through my mind for the first week or so, at least until my sister challenged me to a race around the block. We’d ride off in opposite directions, keeping our progress top-secret, until one of us returned to the starting line—and victory—at the front of our house.

Guilt nagged as I launched myself, pedaling into the wind. To circle the block and claim my victory I’d have to cross the alley twice, breaking my dad’s rule. Yet, the desire to be one of the ‘Big Kids’ along with my sister only served to make me pedal faster. The sky smiled clear-blue as the streets whispered encouragement. What could possibly go wrong?

Closing in on the alley, I picked up speed. The faster I crossed, the faster I would be done. No sound of an engine, nary a car in sight. Perfect until…Crash!

My gaze kissed the cerulean sky as the front tire of my bike plowed a canyon into the passenger door of an approaching Chevy station wagon. I sailed over the hood to sprawl, several yards beyond, across the unyielding concrete.

Needless to say, in the time it took for the frantic driver to scoop me off the cement, I knew that I suffered a much worse fate than losing the race to my sister. I’d broken my father’s steadfast rule. There was no choice but to return home and confess my transgression. The evidence was clearly etched over my cheeks…and my knees…and across my throbbing elbows.

But, just as it is with my Heavenly Father, Dad was more concerned about my welfare than my transgression. He cleaned my wounds and we had a long talk. Dad repaired my bike and eventually my bruises—both physical and emotional—healed.

I learned a valuable lesson that day, one that remains with me decades later.

Boundaries are set for a reason—not to confine but to protect with the deepest love. Yet, even when our free will takes us across a dangerous road or down a shadowed alley, God our Father welcomes us home with open arms and forgiveness. When we stray, we must remember that God is waiting for our return with open arms. No sin or transgression can separate us from Him. 

A Message for MOMs: