Companion to Old Testament by Ted Leach

While I've read through the Bible a few times, I still have a hard time with the Old Testament. Well I have a hard time at times with the whole Bible, but the Old Testament seems to much different that the New, but it's really not. This book helps to show us that the New Testament is influenced by the Old Testament, as well as a lot of other things.

I loved as a I started reading  this, Leach talked about a Disciple class that he had been in, and I am currently taking the same Disciple class. Sorry just a little side note. 

There is a great deal of wealth in the pages of this book, breaking down the history of the Hebrew people, the places that are in the Bible, the events that took place, like all the kings that were in the two divided kingdoms. There is a lot of information that relates to the things going on around the world that the Old Testament covers that you wont find in the Bible that helps to explain more of the situation that the Hebrew people were dealing with.

I think this is a great resource for any library and for anyone who wants to know more about the Old Testament and how it ties in with so many different things in the Christian faith as well as the Jewish and even Muslim faith.

Book Description

This book helps Christians understand how the Old Testament is “community property” shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is a constructive resource for interfaith discussion, particularly for people of different faiths (or no faith) who are seeking to identify some shared principles of our common humanity.

From Amazon
Beginners to Bible study will enjoy the simple language in this useful introduction to the Old Testament. Long-time students of the Bible who want more than a literal approach to scripture will find refreshing interpretations for some of the more difficult passages. The author respects the historical context of the ancient biblical stories and encourages the reader to make practical application to today’s world. This book helps Christians understand how the Old Testament is “community property” shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is a constructive resource for interfaith discussion, particularly as people of different faiths (or no faith) seek to identify some shared principles of our common humanity. Abraham, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims, can be a starting point for greater mutual understanding. The Jewish concept of Messiah can be a metaphor of hope for all people.

Footnotes are included for those who “want to know more” about a given topic. “Questions for Reflection” at the end of each chapter facilitate group discussion. A concise index is provided. The book’s introduction and ten chapters are suitable for a 10-12 week study.

The Storm Inside Review

 

I love the subtitle of this book: Trade the Chaos of How you Feel for the Truth of Who You Are. That sounds awesome right? Shelia Walsh has great insight with her new book. There are 10 chapters that take you from one end of an emotional rollercoaster to the other, such as From Shame to Love and From Heartbreak to Strength. 

My favorite chapter by far was the Heartbreak to Strength, because it spoke to me right now in the place that I'm at. Each chapter starts with the hard stuff, but leads us to Christ and how we can come out of the trials/chaos/bad stuff going on in our lives with help from powerful stories of others, including Walsh, who have come through their storm and how we can rely on Scripture and God to get through them. 

At the end of each chapter there is a section called "Standing Through Your Storm" which offers activities and suggestions to help you through that particular topic from the chapter. So many great ideas to help change your storm into something calm. 

This was my first Shelia Walsh book and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading some of her other books as well.

 

Book Description

No matter the storm, God knows, God cares, and He is always there.
The chaos of life can be overwhelming, and women get a heavier dose than most. Each day comes with its own pressures, heartaches, and disappointments that slowly erode the joy, peace, and closeness to God every woman needs. Chaos always feels like the enemy as it rages around us and inside us. But there is hope!
In The Storm Inside, best-selling author and Women of Faith speaker Sheila Walsh invites you into ten life-changing, hope-filled transformations where hurt and heartache are divinely redeemed into joy and faith. With insightful biblical teaching, intimate stories of her own storms and the chaos other women have faced and overcome, Walsh shows how:

• Heartbreak can become strength
• Shame can lead to love
• Unforgiveness can find freedom
• Restoration can undo rage
• Courage overcomes insignificance
• And so much more

In The Storm Inside, you will find strength in the most profound truths—that you are always a child of God no matter how you feel. In these pages, you will learn to see yourself as God sees you, not as someone forever tossed by the waves but as a woman fully known, fully loved, and growing ever deeper in faith, hope, and love.
It is time as daughters of God to take the chaos of how we feel, lay it at the feet of God, and stand strong in who we are in Him. This simple teaching will be the difference between a life of joy and one of despair. Sheila powerfully reminds us that God offers no guarantee of a life without storms, but He does provide the strength and grace to make it through them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Pity party for me

Guess I'm going to have a pity me moment! This is what I wrote in my journal today:

I'm so stressed out. How am I supposed to be alone, with these two kids, for almost two years? I miss Hubs. I really kind of need him here with me. I am trying to be strong. Heck my word for this year was Strength. But I feel like it's not there and I'm failing. I guess that's the problem there too, ME ME ME. I'm not relying on God. I don't even mention Him. Why can't I make it easy? I guess because I want Hubs here to make it easy on me, to fix things, etc. I just need a hug. And some rest. But if I could just give some of this to God, then I would find rest, right? Like if I would follow Matthew 11:28, ya know, what I should carry around with me right now, but I just can't. This Fake it till you Make it just doesn't seem to be working for me right now. I want to give up the stress and the concerns, but because I feel like I need I need to control them and I just can't give them over to God. If I could just keep Jeremiah 29:11 in my mind since I do wear it on a ring on my hand, then I can remember that God does have a plan for me.

Find You on my knees

So there's this song that the Praise band does at our Thursday night worship service (called the Night Life) by Kari Jobe called Find You on My Knees. The first time I heard it, I cried because I was having a rough day (which is more often than not lately) and it just struck me to the core. And it helped me get through the next week. I added it to my playlist and then of course I sing it over and over when I need a pick me up (which again is more often than not). Maybe you need a pick me up or a new song, hopefully this song will give you some comfort as it does me right now. Enjoy!!!!

Happy Mother's day!

Trouble chasing me again
Breaking down my best defense
Iґm looking
God Iґm looking for your

Weary just wonґt let me rest
And fear is filling up my head
I'm longing
God Iґm longing for you
But I will

Find you in the place Iґm in
Find you when Iґm at my end
Find you when there's
Nothing left of me to offer you
Except for brokenness

You lift me up
You never leave me thirsty
When I am weak
When Iґm lost and searching
I find you on my knees

So what if sorrow shakes my faith
What if heartache still remains
I'll trust you
My god Iґll trust you
'Cause you are faithful
And I will

When my hope is gone
When the fear is strong
When the pain is real
When the it's hard to heal.

When my faith is shaken
And my heart is broken
And my joy is stolen
God I know that you lift me up
You never leave me searching

Store brand is just as good!!! Giveaway!!!!!

 Being on a budget, I love being able to find deals on anything. And shopping at stores that have the own brand of products is always a plus. And a supplier of a lot of the stores that I shop at for my baby's snacks and food is Perrigo Nutritionals.

Savvy moms know every little bit counts when it comes to saving money. From shopping around for the best deals to clipping coupons each week, there are plenty of tips and tricks to stretch a household budget. As families grow and new bundles of joy arrive, it becomes even more important to spend smartly. 

Perrigo Nutritionals store brand products are as nutritionally complete as the national brands, but cost significantly less. They are sold under individual retailer brands, such as Walmart’s Parent’s Choice and Target’s Up & Up Store brand product. Moms can purchase store brand products for their baby without compromising nutrition or spending a bundle!

Want more tips? Wife, mother, blogger extraordinaire Crystal Paine’s new book, “Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life”, is full of advice on how to not only save, but set priorities and manage time and money. Paine’s book contains practical ideas, like purchasing store brand products, and simple solutions that will help any parent become a super saver! 

The products that I was given to try were great. My daughter who just turned one and my son who's 4 and loves to steal his sister's snacks enjoyed them. I'm a big fan of the yogurt bites  and they were just as good as the name brand. 

Crystal's book is awesome. She offers so many great tips that she has learned from her many years of trying to keep her family running and her self sane. I love her blog, I'm a regular reader, so having a lot of her great advice in one book to refer to over and over is such a blessing to me.

 I am offering a giveaway of the same products I received:

•         A copy of “Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your  Passion for Life” by Crystal Paine
•         1 container of store brand formula
•         9 assorted Puree Pouches
•         5 assorted Puffs
•         4 assorted Yogurt Bites

Just enter through the Rafflecopter link. It's my first time using it so it's going to be a live and learn experiment. Thanks!!!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I received the book and snacks for my honest review of the products from Coyne PR.