Movie Review: He Calls Me Daughter

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the film titled “He Calls Me Daughter”, I agreed because it looked like a movie that would make a significant difference in the lives of females who are suffering from father wounds and struggling in their faith walk with Jesus Christ. 

Before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this film:

A Heavenly Father changes everything. True healing isn’t found in earthly relationships, but a relationship with our heavenly Father. He Calls Me Daughter is for women who have felt unseen, unsupported, or unsure of their worth. Through intimate, first-person stories, viewers follow women as they begin to name the pain they’ve carried for years: father wound. Audiences are invited to reflect on their own story as they walk alongside these women on a journey toward healing. He Calls Me Daughter is an invitation to experience the love of a Father who does not withdraw—One who offers peace, belonging, and restoration.

~*~

My Review of “He Calls Me Daughter” (film):

Captivating. Poignant. Transformational.

Those are three words to accurately describe this film aptly titled “He Calls Me Daughter”. If you are a female who has had a complicated relationship (or no relationship) with your earthly father so much so that it has distorted your view of your Heavenly Father, then this movie is for you.

Filled with real-life stories and testimonies from women in the real world, this movie will touch your heart and transform your mind to see God as who He really is—a loving Heavenly Father who will heal your wounds inflicted by your earthly father if you let Him.

This movie highlights the pain of several women—a few who are not well-known but have influence and the rest who are famous, including Christian comedian Chonda Pierce and Lynsi Lavelle Snyder-Ellingson who the owner and heiress of the In-N-Out Burger company that is most popular in the state of California. The testimonies shared by these ladies are both heart-touching and heart-wrenching at the same time. But the powerful point in everyone’s story is how God has touched the broken hearts of these women and carefully restored their faith in His Love which is greater than the love any earthly father can give his daughter.

I like how this movie showed a full-circle journey for each woman featured. I also appreciated how they featured stories that a variety of women from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds can relate to. This movie leaves no stone unturned in getting their core message across to women who are hurting.

This film was worth the time I spent watching it. At the end of the film, the hosts talk to the audience for a few minutes to point them to a resource you access by scanning a QR code. The resource is a curriculum for women who need help healing from their father wounds. I’ve included the direct download link to this resource toward the end of this blog post today.

He Calls Me Daughter will play in theaters only this March 17 and March 18. You can buy your tickets to see this movie online via this website: https://www.fathomentertainment.com/releases/he-calls-me-daughter/

I highly recommend this movie to all females who are suffering from father wounds and need a healthy dose of hope and healing from their Savior.

~*~

Watch the trailer for "He Calls Me Daughter" here.

Visit the official website for He Calls Me Daughter film here:
https://hecallsmedaughter.org/

Download “Healing the Father Wound” curriculum (free of cost) here:
https://hecallsmedaughter.org/resources

#HeCallsMeDaughterMIN #HeCallsMeDaughter #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to "He Calls Me Daughter" for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

My Review of CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible and a special giveaway for you!

Momentum Influencer Network sent a copy of the CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible to me and asked me to write a review of it. 

Before I share my review, read these words below from the professionals of Momentum:

The CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible makes for a beautiful, thoughtful Christmas gift for the women of God in your life! 

The Lifeway Women’s Bible includes an in-depth collection of:

• Bible reading helps from prominent voices in the Lifeway Women community (including Jackie Hill Perry, Jennifer Rothschild, Priscilla Shirer, Angie Smith, Lisa Harper, Lauren Chandler, Gloria Furman, Mary Kassian, Kelly King, Trillia Newbell, Kelly Minter and more!) 
• Over 100 articles placed alongside the corresponding biblical text to foster deep reflection on Bible passages and topics focused on the life needs of women 
• Nearly 100 short devotional thoughts placed throughout the Bible 
• Bible genre introductions with a short overview and reading plan highlighting key passages in that section 
• 66 book-focused introductions providing a concise overview with book-specific timelines 
• Over 40 character profiles of key women in the Bible with questions for application 
• More than 35 reflection questions to help women engage more deeply with the Bible 
• Nearly 100 brief inspirational quotes on the Bible 
• Over 25 word studies on individual words or phrases detailing meaning and significance, and over 30 charts, tables, and maps. It features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). 

Fun Fact: You can get 50% off your purchase of one (1) Lifeway Women’s Bible with code SAVE50LWB (Only available on Lifeway.com. Limit 1 Bible at 50% off retail price, any Lifeway Women’s Bible sku. Limit one offer per person. Cannot be stacked with any other offer. Valid 11/15/22-12/31/22.)

Visit the Lifeway website for more details:
https://csblifewaywomensbible.com

~*~

My Review of the Lifeway CSB Women’s Bible:

What is not to love about this Bible? Absolutely nothing!

I loved the smooth, professional packaging that was the shell that held the actual Bible. Upon removing the Bible from the shell casing, the texture of the leather cover was smooth to touch. And the marigold color of it was so beautiful. 

Just holding this precious book in my hands made me want to open it and read it. So I opened it and browsed its lovely features that were perfectly placed throughout this word of God.

This is not your ordinary Bible because the extra features within cater to the faith walk of women who are chasing God. Reading this special edition will help the female reader to feel more closely connected to God. Poring through these sacred pages will help her see her worth in the way that her Creator has seen her all along.

You will be inspired by the features from famous Christian women of God like Priscilla Shirer, Angie Smith, Lisa Harper, Lauren Chandler and Kelly Minter.

You will be educated by the 100 articles that help you dive deeper into the Biblical text that focus on the life needs that you have as a woman. You will love all of the devotional thoughts placed strategically throughout this Bible. You will be challenged to engage more by way of the reflection questions within and you will be uplifted by the brief inspirational quotes!

My only regret is not finding out about this beautiful edition sooner! It’s a must-have that will change your life for the better, forever. 

~*~

Giveaway for U.S. Residents ONLY: 1 (one) copy of the Lifeway CSB Women’s Bible (Marigold LeatherTouch Edition)

Enter the giveaway contest here:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c429/?

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#CSBWomensBibleMIN #LifewayWomensBible #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Thankful Thursdays: God's Provision

Thankful Thursdays: God’s Provision 

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for God’s provision!

Over the course of these past five weeks, God has provided answers to my prayers in sweet surprises that I did not expect!

Ever since last year, I’d wanted to attend the Entrusted Women Conference. However, I had not been able to afford the travel fees along with other fees, and I wasn’t able to go over the weekend (it usually takes place on Fridays and Saturdays which conflicts with the time I spend in church and with ministry related events).

But this year, due to COVID-19, most in-person conferences had to be cancelled because of social distancing and protecting people’s health. So it was announced a few months ago this year that the Entrusted Women Conference would take place online. It would be their first virtual conference!

Delighted, I put a note on my calendar earlier this year to pay the registration fee by the deadline in June 2020. I figured that I would have more work that pays well by then and that I’d be able to pay the fee. However, two days before the money was due, I still could not afford it. I saw the note on my calendar and gave a resigning sigh because I thought that there was no way I was going to have the money in only two days. I deleted that note in my calendar and accepted the fact that I wasn’t attending this phenomenal conference for women communicators of color.

However, minutes later, I saw a new post on the Entrusted Women Facebook Group page from the founder Kia Stephens. She said that someone “just paid for a VIP Registration” to the conference. She suggested that anyone in financial need should send a message to her inbox. I noticed that the time stamp on Kia’s post indicated that she posted this message exactly 17 minutes before I read it. I figured that someone else in our group, which at the time, consisted of nearly 800 women, had already grabbed that opportunity. But as a leap of faith, I decided to apply anyway. And minutes later, I received a message from Kia saying, “You got it!” I was overjoyed!

I was also able to attend because the online version of this conference started on a Wednesday and ended on Saturday of that same week. So I was able to attend from Wednesday right up until Friday afternoon. Then since my VIP Membership included free replays until July 11, I had plenty of time after that Saturday of the conference to watch what I missed that took place after sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.

The conference was truly remarkable! I learned so much from the presenters and the workshops were wonderful! I am so grateful to God for making this happen for me! One point that I didn’t mention earlier: For the past five years since attending my first in-person writers’ conference, I had thought deep in my heart that I’d love to be able to attend more conferences. I had prayed about it too. After almost five years of not being able to attend any conferences, God answered my prayers by making a way for me to attend Entrusted Women Conference in June 2020. He also made a way for me to attend a Christian editors’ conference called PENCON in July 2020!

Now about the PENCON 2020 Conference … I wasn’t sure if I would be able to attend this one either because I could not afford it, even with the discount that I was given as a benefit of being their social media person and for serving on the conference planning team. However, at the last minute before the deadline to pay my fee, a family member surprised me with the money I needed! So I paid the fee and attended that conference from July 8 to July 10! It was a blessing.

In closing, please remember these main points:

#1: God knows the desires of your heart. If you delight yourself in Him, He will give you those desires if they are in accordance to His will. Read Psalm 37:4.

#2: God is the giver of good gifts! He wants to bless you! Read James 1:17.

#3: Just when you think all hope is lost, God will provide whatever you need! Read Philippians 4:19. My maternal grandmother used to say, “God may not come when you want Him to but He’s always on time!”

I hope that my testimony has encouraged you to reflect on God’s goodness in your own life. 

Don’t be afraid to tell your story!

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for God’s provision. What are you thankful for?

Love,

Alexis A. Goring, MFA
Founder of “God is Love” blog

Devotionals for the Heart: The Woman at the Well and the Savior of the world

At the Well
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” 

–John 4:13-15 (ESV)

She was struggling, and He knew it all. Every detail that could be used against her. She saw no way out and had resigned to stay in sin. She was an outcast and went to the well in the heat of the day to avoid the ridicule and judgement she probably felt internally every minute of the day.

How often do we too choose to stay in difficult situations because of sin and feelings of shame?

Jesus Christ waited at Jacob’s Well for the sin-struggling Samaritan woman. She was the first to whom He verbally revealed Himself as The Messiah. The significance of His act is that it placed them both in a precarious position. Jesus was a Jewish man talking to a Samaritan woman. He had crossed a cultural boundary, “for Jews did not associate with Samaritans” (John 4:9), as well as a social one, for He as a man conversing with an adulteress woman at a public place. It could be classified as a meeting contrary to everyone’s expectations of the “savior of the world” (John 4:42).

Jesus took a risk to change the woman’s life because as the Messiah, He was and is the bringer and sustainer of life. The woman was intrigued when she thought she could receive a ‘living water’, never to grow thirsty again or have the need to keep coming to the well; to keep from facing her sin (John 4:15). But what Jesus was offering her was not the chance to run from her problems, but to change them by His spirit and truth.

Why then don’t we immediately bring our burdens and surrender them to the one who knows all? Jesus was not repelled or offended by the woman’s sin. He offered her the chance at a new life despite it. It was her chance to be saved and to be changed by the living water of eternal life (John 4:13). He afforded the same offering to all that believe on Him as the woman did (John 4:42).

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always come to God first but have relied on my own experience to work around some of my problems. Truthfully, I have never found my own way through them either. The solution has always been to surrender them to Jesus, the one who’s always waiting with unconditional love. I know that He sees me beyond the situation I am in. Each time, instead of asking me to draw the water from the well where He’s been waiting for me, I am given the living water straight from His loving hands.

Will you bring your current burden to Jesus at the well with me today? Let us come and seek our savior at the well-spring of life. He knows what we need and what we should do. In turn, He’s waiting to reveal more of Himself, His truth, and His love as only the Savior of the world can.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater.

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Author Interview with Courtnaye Richard about her devotional book

Dear Sweet Blogging Friends,

Today, you're in for a special treat!

My blogging friend Courtnaye Richard is here to talk about her NEW book! It's a book filled with weekly devotionals! One devotional for each week of an entire year. The devotionals are not dated, so can read this book any year!

Courtnaye also wants to give away one signed paperback copy of her book! Read the details about that and find out how you can have a chance to win toward the end of this blog post.

God bless you!

~*~

Interview with Courtnaye Richard about her book, Inside Out with Courtnaye: 52 Week Devotional: Growing from the Inside Out One Week at a Time

Alexis: Congrats on your new book, Courtnaye! Let’s talk about it.

Courtnaye: Thanks so much Alexis and sure thing!

Alexis: Is this your first devotional book?

Courtnaye: Yep! This is my first devotional.

Alexis: Why did you choose to write a total of 52 devotionals? Explain the significance.

Courtnaye: Honestly, it just came out of nowhere! I was about to write on something else, but then the Lord impressed upon my heart to write a weekly devotional book vs. a daily one. I believe the significance that resonated with me was that we’re all busy, right? Well, at least most of us. So I felt led by the Holy Spirit to write short, weekly devotionals. The goal was instead of a daily devotional, a weekly one just gives us an alternative in the busy culture that we’re currently living in. And not that I’m knocking a “daily” devotional (I have many). However, this was just the direction the Lord was leading me.

Alexis: How did you determine your book’s format and layout (one devotional for each week of the year, then each of the selections such as the Study Guide and God’s Word for You, that are listed within each devotional)?

Courtnaye: It was actually my husband’s idea. Of course, I wanted to do something different than other devotionals that I’ve purchased and seen on bookshelves in stores. So, his suggestion was well-received. Moving forward, the determination was really guided by prayer after that. I prayed about the layout and its monthly topics, and began writing them out. I also wanted women to dive in deeper for personal reflection through the study guide, but also provide monthly topics and scriptures that they could not only do personally, but also use it for monthly small group meetings.

Alexis: What does it mean to “grow from the inside out” and how will your book help readers grow in that way?

Courtnaye: Growing from the inside out is all about loving God from the heart and living the life of Christianity in biblical and practical ways. It’s also about allowing Jesus to change you spiritually, personally, mentally, and emotionally. When we take time praying, reading and studying the Word, we grow. We mature. For the readers, I want them to understand that what we do when no one is watching and as we spend devoted time with God, in return, that inward change will eventually be noticed on the outside for others to glean and grow from as well. It’s the inner work that makes a huge difference in our lives, but also in the lives of those whom we influence for Christ.

Alexis: Tell about your life as a blogger. How and why did you start your blog? Why did you give your blog the name, Inside Out with Courtnaye? What do you want your audience to learn from your posts?

Courtnaye: I’ve been blogging since 2011. I absolutely love writing! With that being said, I was looking for a way to reach more women with the gospel and to help them grow spiritually, personally, and vocationally through the gift of writing. It wasn’t until one day, my husband said, “Why don’t you start blogging?” And I was like, “What? What is that, actually?” That started my research! When I learned all about it, that’s when it all began.

I had no idea that the Lord would use a weekly blog to reach thousands of women across the globe for His glory. He did it! I’m still amazed! I named the blog “Inside Out with Courtnaye” because we’re growing together. We’re in this Christian walk together, as sisters. I’m doing it with you. So, what I want my audience to learn from my posts is to let God change them from the inside out (from the heart and lifestyle). Allow Him to change them through the power of prayer, His Word, the Holy Spirit, godly mentorship, and wholesome fellowship. I love the Bible verse found in Philippians 2:13 (NLT) which says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Alexis: Your book title borrows from the name of your blog. Is this like an extension of your blog posts? Why or why not?

Courtnaye: It is actually (chuckling). You know, the Lord inspired me to write each weekly devotional like a blog post. That was His divine instruction. I thought it was for my other book that I’m working on, but I had no idea that He was referring to a brand new project, which is the 52 Week Devotional. Our thoughts and ways are definitely not like His (see Isaiah 55:8). And I’m good with that! Hence, that’s where the title came from. It was derived from my blog in every way!

Alexis: What is the mission of your blog and how does it carry over into the main message of your devotional book? 

Courtnaye: I would say that the mission is to grow. Let God change you from the inside out. No holding back. Surrender your life to His way and His will. God knows our hearts. Psalm 4:23 (NIV) says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” And it’s so true! Love and evil stems from it. So allowing the Lord to transform us from the inside out, stems from the heart, followed by Christ-like action. My blog and devotional both blend in perfect harmony right there.

Alexis: Do you have a writing mentor? If so, how did he or she help you become such a good author?

Courtnaye: I’d have to say that my writing mentor is the Holy Spirit. I am truly inspired by the Lord. I actually pray and ask the Holy Spirit to take over my hands as I write. The Bible was God-inspired. Men simply penned it. So when I write my blog or books, I write as I am inspired by the Lord. I literally say, “Lord, you know where your daughters and aspiring daughters are, help me to write what they need to read.” And from there, I trust and lean on Him as I write each post or chapter.

Alexis: If you could sell your devotional book with just one sentence, what would you say?

Courtnaye: Grab it today from www.courtnayerichard.com or www.amazon.com, because it will definitely begin changing your life one week at a time!

Alexis: Now for the fun and quick questions…Coffee or tea?

Courtnaye: Definitely coffee!

Alexis: Bagels or waffles?

Courtnaye: Waffles.

Alexis: Kindle of paperback?

Courtnaye: Paperback (I like my pen and highlighter). ;-)

Alexis: Who is your favorite author?

Courtnaye: Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Alexis: What is your favorite book?

Courtnaye: My favorite book is the The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.

Alexis: What is your favorite season?

Courtnaye: Winter, definitely (boots and blankets)!

Alexis: Thanks for the interview Courtnaye! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Courtnaye: Absolutely and thank you Alexis! Let God change you from the inside out, sister! Jesus is coming back soon!

~*~
Author Bio:

Courtnaye is the founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye, a ministry that helps women grow in their walk with Christ from the heart and equips them to fulfill their God-given purpose. 

She is also the author of the book, IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ and Moving Forward in Your Purpose.

Courtnaye is married with three beautiful children and is a contributing writer for ibelieve.com, Women’s Ministry Tools, speaker of a host of women’s conferences. Her blog reaches thousands of women across the globe. 

She resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country (outside of Austin, Texas).

~*~
Blurb for Courtnaye's devotional book:

Behold all things are made new! In this 52-week devotional, get ready to grow in your Christian walk one week at a time with influential blogger, author, mentor, and conference speaker, Courtnaye Richard.

Each week, you will be encouraged, challenged, instructed, and equipped through real life topics and practices such as...

• Spending focused time with God
• Working well with others in church and at work
• Trusting God even when you can't see
• Controlling your emotions from the inside out
• Setting boundaries in life
• Self-care principles for Christian women
• Pressing through fear in life and endeavors
• And so many more topics

Courtnaye has created this brief, life-changing weekly women's devotional complete with monthly themes, scripture, practical insight, transparency, and a BONUS study guide! 

Choose to do it alone or use it for a small group. It's time to grow from the Inside Out, this week and beyond!

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My thoughts on "Sweet Inspirations"

Dearest Readers of my "God is Love" blog,

Earlier today, I rewatched a favorite movie of mine called Sweet Inspirations.

It’s available for viewing on PureFlix, which is the Christian version of Netflix. 

PureFlix is a wonderful platform that is filled with inspirational content for you to view and most of the material there is guaranteed (in my honest opinion) to be amazing!

Sweet Inspirations is one of their most amazing stories yet! I loved watching this movie for the second time around and loved sharing it with my Mom.

Here’s an interview with the star of the movie, Cassie Self: 



I’d like to encourage you to watch Sweet Inspirations too and share this movie with a friend or family member. It will inspire your heart!

Continue reading this blog post for my favorite lines from the film then if you can, go watch the movie! 

Listed below are my favorite lines from Sweet Inspirations ...

“Is crazy contagious?”

“Have any of you quilted a prayer blanket or done a house blessing or a bake off? I mean, outreach programs do make a difference but sometimes we have to stop asking the community to come to the church. Sometimes we have to get out from underneath those prayer blankets and take the church out into the communities because that is where the real difference is made!”

“Maybe this was His plan all along.”

“We both need to remember that this is not our burden to carry alone. Believe me, I have wrestled with God over this issue many nights. And I don’t think there’s any sort of easy answer. But He’s bigger than any debt. He’s bigger than any injustice. We just have to believe that He’s in control. All we should ever do is seek Him first. Surrender this.”

*Note from Alexis: Toward to the ending of the movie Sweet Inspirations, the main characters who are best friends, prayed together. I believe that is one of the sweetest scenes in the entire film. 

Here’s what the star of the story said when she prayed:

“Dear Heavenly Father: I don’t know what you’re doing, why you’re doing it. As hard as it is to believe, I trust You. I trust that You have something far greater than anything we can think of or do. God, these girls at the shelter, they need you right now. Please, God, pour out your love and your blessings on them during this very dark time. And above all, Your will be done. Amen.”

Those were some of my favorite lines from the movie but I believe that other lines that the characters speak may inspire you too! So don't delay, watch Sweet Inspirations today!

It is a truly special movie with a message that will resonate with your soul, uplift your spirit, and encourage your heart.

God bless you, your heart and your home.

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of "God is Love" blog

Read with Audra: Blog tour stop for "Dear Daughters" by Susie Davis

Welcome to my blog's stop on the "Dear Daughters" book tour coordinated by Audra Jennings PR!

Today, we're featuring my review of Dear Daughters by Susie Davis and other fun features related to her book like a special giveaway contest!

Enjoy!

~*~
My Review:

The book Dear Daughters by Susie Davis is a sweet read written from the heart of a mother who loves to encourage her children or in this case, her readers!

Affectionately known as "Mama Suz" by the friends of her real-life daughters, Susie takes her mission of encouraging the hearts of young women seriously.

Her book is filled with kind words of wisdom to help guide the younger generations through the obstacle course of life. She writes in a warm tone and doesn't shy away from wearing her heart on her sleeve. The author's transparency and heart for women shines through every page of this book.

Susie writes with a desire to help her readers figure out everything from what they should do with their life to how they can trust that God is in control and seek Him even when they feel alone and confused. The author proves that her readers can trust God's plan for their life and encourages them to find peace and contentment in their journey.

This book is a wonderful, inspirational work of nonfiction that will help and encourage the hearts of young women everywhere!

*I (Alexis A. Goring) received a complimentary copy of "Dear Daughters" from Audra Jennings PR. My opinions in this honest review are my own.

~*~

About the book:

Do you sometimes wonder what you’re supposed to be doing with your life? Do you wish you could find someone a little older who is walking just a few steps ahead who would give you some wisdom and remind you that God is still in control and that everything is going to be okay? Would you like a mentor in your life?

Susie Davis understands the importance of having and being a mentor. In Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation, she will help you:

• Understand God’s will for your life
• Listen to God’s voice through your daily circumstances
• Find contentment and peace right where you are
• Foster friendship and deep connection with other women

No matter your season of life, Susie invites you to join her in pondering things that matter most. And she gently reassures you that you are not alone and that God is still in control.

Click here to read the introduction and chapter 1

Click here to view the sample note pages

Links to purchase

~*~

About the author:

Susie Davis is an author, speaker and co-founder of Austin Christian Fellowship. 

She is married to her high school sweetheart, Will Davis, Jr., and they have three delightful young adult children (Will III, Emily, and Sara) who are all married and living their own beautiful life.

Susie’s podcast, Dear Daughters, is full of wisdom and joy, offering women young and old the kind of comfort and companionship they crave.

Aside from family and ministry, Susie is hopelessly addicted to horseback riding, McDonald’s coffee and pink geraniums. She loves bird watching, creek walking and connecting the dots between God and nature. Her favorites include cooking, gathering people at her big French farm table and asking deep questions.

Visit her website: www.susiedavis.org.

She is also active on Facebook (@davis.susie), Twitter (@susiedavis) and Instagram (@susiedavis).

~*~

A Word from the Author: 

~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Devotionals for the Heart: Mothers and the meaning of "nurture"

Nurture and Share with Those Around You
A devotional by Tammy Karasek

Not every woman, young or old, is a mother. Yet, God has designed women in general to be nurturers. But before we go any further, let’s see how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word nurture:

nurture (noun): the care and attention given to someone or something that is growing or developing

nurture (verb): to help something or someone to grow, develop, or succeed

As we see by the definition, to nurture is to give care and attention to another person. Society always says that moms are our nurturers. But I believe that we, as women, are nurturers regardless if we have children or not.

Whether or not you’ve had a great relationship with your own mother, more than likely, somewhere along the way, someone has mothered or nurtured you in your life. Maybe it was your mom, grandmother, aunt or an older sister. It could have been a neighbor, Sunday school teacher, coach or an older friend.

Whoever it was, think back to some of the things that person taught you that you’ve carried through your life thus far. It could be a great recipe, kitchen technique or tip. Has someone shown you the ropes on gardening and how to have a green thumb? (And if you have this, I admire you as my thumb can only get as green as the color of celery!) Maybe it’s your love of decorating, singing, playing an instrument—has an older woman taught you the how-to on those?

I know I’ve had many nurturers in my life that have taught me so many gems. These gems—I’ve tumbled and polished from raw to shiny with their teaching, patience, and encouragement and I’ve seen my life change in wonderful ways. 

My love of cooking, sewing, and quilting come straight through the family line from my great grandma to me. While their expertise in these may have come from necessity, my passion for those came from working elbow to elbow watching and learning beside these three women I loved so dearly. My love of words—writing and reading—comes from my mom. 

My love of scripture grew from my mentor Helga, and my teacher-friend, Beth. My heart to always choose joy no matter how hard the circumstances, that comes from my dear sweet friend and birthday twin, Cathy. (She’s older by a few hours, and I often remind her she’s older!)

Here’s a fun little exercise for you: I’m going to help you see who had been your nurturers. Take out a pen and paper and jot things down that you love to do or even things you do well. Now go back and write down beside each item you’ve listed, the person who taught it to you or helped you get better at it. There are your nurturers my friend!

A challenge for you today: Be on the lookout for someone you may nurture. Keep your mind open to someone who casually mentions they’d like to learn something that you know how to do. Also, pray for God to show you who might need someone to come alongside of her for some care and attention to grow in a specific area. As the Scripture below says we are to share what we have. I feel it’s not just our material things but also our knowledge and expertise that we are to share

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." ~Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)

Share with us in the comments below who has nurtured you and how. Also—are you nurturing someone currently? What are you doing?

~*~
Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Tammy’s past filled with bullying and criticism is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and share with them the Reason to smile. 

She’s been blissfully wedded to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 36 years, mom to their grown daughter, Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little puppy named Hattie.

She’s the President of Cross N Pens Christian Writers and a member of ACFW. She will be published in the 2018 Divine Moments book – Cool-nary Moments.
~*~
Connect with Tammy:
Blog - http://www.tammykarasek.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/tickledpinktam
Email - tickledpinktammy@gmail.com

Thankful Thursday: Fervent Fridays

It's Thursday and I'm thankful for Priscilla Shirer's "Going Beyond Ministries" and her "Fervent Fridays" Vimeo series based on her book!

The full title for Priscilla's book is, Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer. Today, I'm sharing one of her videos from her "Fervent Friday" series.

In this video, Priscilla talks about how to be free from your past. I hope and pray that her God-breathed thoughts on this topic will inspire your mind and encourage your heart.

Enjoy!
#FerventFridays - Week 5 - Your Past from Going Beyond on Vimeo.

Book Review about friendships between women

Book: Messy Beautiful Friendship: Finding and Nurturing Deep and Lasting Relationships
Author: Christine Hoover
Reviewed by: Alexis A. Goring

In her book, Messy Beautiful Friendship, Christine Hoover tackles the topic of friendship between women.

She doesn’t hold back in her exhortation and encouragement for women who have struggled to find and nurture deep, lasting relationships. The author shares scenes from her personal life story and points out her flaws. Yet her tone is not critical. She writes with wisdom, care and finesse. Her tone is kind and comforting yet at times a bit forthcoming but for good reason.

It is obvious that the author has learned life lessons and she wants to save the reader the heartache that comes when you don’t have a close, honest and open friendship with another woman. She makes a clear case that no matter what stage of life a woman is in, she needs women friends who speak her language and can uplift her heart. The value of a friend who understands you and isn’t afraid to point out what you need to work on is priceless.

Hoover doesn’t leave her readers clueless. She provides sound advice in each chapter as to how to find and nurture deep relationships with other women that last. She shares strategies to help women overcome the roadblocks that stand in their way to having true, reliable friends. She addresses the issues of insecurity and isolation. The author does a great job of letting the reader know that she is not alone. She opens the readers’ eyes with her “biblical vision for friendship” that, if applied, will reap great benefits.

This book is divided into five parts:

#1: A New Vision for Friendship

#2: Threats to Friendship

#3: Discovering and Deepening Friendship

#4: Being a Friend

#5: Receiving Friendship

The real-life scenarios in each of these five parts of Hoover’s book are written in a way that’s engaging and encourages empathy. She talks about how the struggle to find good friends gets harder when you get older but shows the reader how it is still possible to have your dreams come true for friendships that stand the test of time, with God’s help. God is part of the picture in this book. The author reveals to the reader how faith in God plays a key role in finding and keeping friendships that are godly and good for you.

Hoover accomplishes her goals in this book page by page. Her writing style is friendly and warm. Her stories are relatable and applicable to the modern woman. This entire book is wonderful and inspirational.

As a reader, I now feel motivated to invest in finding and nurturing friendships with women that last for a lifetime.

*Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksbloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

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