Book Review: Hurting With God

Throughout our lives, we often wonder why things happen, why we have to go through certain seasons.  Many authors focus on the whys, but Glenn Pemberton does something a bit different.

In his book, Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms, Pemberton wants to demonstrate how we live and relate to God during life's less than ideal circumstances.  He does this by showing that the Psalms do not cover up or deny the hardships of life.  Throughout the book, the author defines lament, explores the connection between the Psalm and Protestant Hymnals, and uses the Psalms to support the fact that people of faith can and should lament.

This book is ideal for those who want to be able to help others (or themselves) live through the storms in life.  It is a great reference to using the Psalms when believers struggle.

I received a free copy of this book from Abilene Christian University Press for the purpose of an honest review. 

GIVEAWAY! MY MEMORIES SUITE SCRAPBOOK SOFTWARE

I am SO HAPPY to announce that I am GIVING AWAY the MY MEMORIES SUITE 3 SCRAPBOOKING SOFTWARE!!!!

My Memories Digital Scrapbooking is pretty cool.  Click HERE to read about it.  If you purchase this software, it is $39.97,  but you have the chance to receive it FREE!

If you have been to my blog much, you may have seen some of the things I have created using the software....

 Blog Headers:

My current blog header was created using My Memories Suite.  I love changing up my backgrounds and then creating a new header to go along with it.

I also used the software for displaying the boys' pictures in the right side bar.

 

Scripture Cards
I love these!  What better way to display your favorite scripture!
 

 Scrapbook Pages
Who doesn't like making cool pages to show off favorite photos?

 And more recently, my beloved chore chart!

There is SOOO much you can do with My Memories Suite.  What you see here is only a small sample of the possibilities.

One of the best things I like about using My Memories is the fact that when the kids need me, there is NO mess to clean up.  All I have to do is press SAVE and my projects will be there waiting for me when I get back.  

What do you think? 

Would you like to win the My Memories Suite 3 Software? 

To help you have more chances to WIN this cool prize, I'm giving you 5 ways to enter!

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow my blog. You can click on Google Friend Connect in the right sidebar. Leave me a comment on this post to let me know you are a follower.

2. Search my blog for things I have created with My Memories Suite 3.  Leave me a comment about which is your favorite.

3. Go over to the My Memories webpage and check out what they have there.  Then come back and leave a comment about something you found that was pretty cool.  You can leave a link to it so we can all check it out if you want.

4. Create a post on your own blog to tell your readers about my giveway.  Be sure to link back to this giveaway page and leave me a comment with your blog post so we can check it out. 

5. Download a FREE SAMPLE from here or here. Create something, post on your blog, and then leave a comment here telling us all about it with a link to your blog so we can see. 

Sound like fun?  Come on! Enter today! 

The contest will close on Friday, June 8.   

GOOD LUCK! 

The WINNER will be announced on Sunday, June 10. 

Disclaimer: I received a free My Memories Suite 2 package for the purpose of an honest review and giveaway as part of the Share The Memories Program. I was then given a free upgrade to Suite 3.  For hosting the FREE giveaway, I receive a coupon code for my readers to use. If they use this code, for purchases from My Memories, I can receive a small payment. 

If you decide later to make your own My Memories Software purchase, I would love for you to use my coupon code:  STMMMS34203.

MVP

Carson received the Game Ball for hitting a double in his game last night. He thinks he can get a triple in the championship game!

One Thousand Gifts

For Mother's Day, the boys gave me Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts. 

I have to say it is perhaps one of the best books I've read. 

Thought Provoking.

Self Reflecting.

Challenged.

Blessed.

Thankful.

This book has challenged me to be thankful, to look for the gifts in the ordinary.  Sure it is easy to pick out gifts on the mountaintop, but what about gifts in the valley? Gifts in the mundane? Gifts in the chaos? Gifts in the piles of laundry, messes that don't stay cleaned up, screaming, fighting kids?

Yes, it is possible to find those gifts.

A long time ago, we had Colin start a Thankful Book.  Each night we would write down something we were thankful for.  In our own way, we were finding the gifts of God in our lives. For a small child, the gifts were very concrete: my stuffed animal, my tv, my bike.  But the older we get, the gifts become "deeper:" the quietness of a blackout, the warmth of towels fresh out of the dryer, the lone cardinal perched overhead.

Since beginning the book, I have also begun my list of one thousand gifts. 

 Life isn't easy; God never said it would be.  He did promise he would always be here with us.  So each day, each sacred moment, I will try my best to remember....

I will rejoice and give thanks for the gifts My Father has given me. 

His Promise: Scripture for Memorial Day

Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Isaiah 2:4

Because we live in a broken world, we will train for war, we will be a part of combat. But God promises us that one day, we will live in a perfect world with no need of soldiers.  I am thankful for that promise.

 

 

I am also thankful for those that have served, are serving, and will serve our country in the Armed Forces. It takes a special kind of person to serve, willing to put his/her life on the line for our country. 

I am also thankful for the families that stay and serve on the homefront.  Your service is not easy, but it is greatly appreciated as well. 

Take a moment today to pray for our Soldiers. Thank them. Honor them. Remember them.

Book Review: The Truth About Grace

Have you ever wanted to understand God's grace a little better?  Well, this little book is a great resource just for that. 

John MacArthur takes a biblical look at God's grace, His saving grace.  He digs deep within Holy Scripture to show readers that salvation is soley based on God's grace, not the works of man. He clearly proves that we are utterly unworthy of salvation, but because God's love for us, His sovereign grace, we can be saved.

MacArthur defines grace and discusses how some misunderstand and twist it around. He also discusses how Christians live out grace.

I thought this was a well written, easy to understand book. It would serve as a fabulous resource for Bible study and and pastoral aide. 

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of an honest review through the Booksneeze program by Thomas Nelson.

To our Military, Past, Present, and Future

Daddy's Home

It Runs In the Family

You met my dad yesterday.....

 He takes after his grandson.....

The Perfect Way to Start the Morning