"If I Plug My Ears, God Can’t Tell Me What to Do" by Jesse Clemence Review

As a member of the Family Christian group of bloggers, I was blessed to receive a copy of “If I Plug My Ears, God Can't Tell Me What to Do" by Jesse Clemence. This is my review of that book. All opinions are my own. 

Okay, so think back to when you were a child and someone was telling you something you didn’t want to hear. If you’re like most children I know, you stuck your fingers in your ears- or started singing/shouting- and saying “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” Am I right? I know that I definitely did that. I’ve even been guilty of doing it to God. When I feel God telling me something that I don’t want to hear or leading me to do things I don’t want to do, I’ve said “I can’t hear you!”

Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans Review

As a member of the Family Christian group of bloggers, I was blessed to receive a copy of "Searching for Sunday" by Rachel Held Evans. This is my review of that book. All opinions are my own. 

Comforting and terrifying…..two words that combined, describe one thing: FAITH. I do believe that faith should be both comforting and terrifying. I know, sounds like a contradiction, right? Let me explain what I mean.

Faith should be comforting. It should be where you turn for support in times of trouble. It should be where you find rest. However, faith should also be terrifying. It should call you to grow and to step out in obedience when God calls you.

“Searching for Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans is the story of her own thorny relationship with the church. She voices the hopes, concerns, and even frustrations that people have with the church. As I’ve read this book, I’ve heard the voices of others in my life voice these same hopes, concerns, and frustrations.

I was born and raised in the Southern Baptist church. As I grew older, I found myself with some of these same feelings. I felt myself begin to doubt the church (but never my faith- that has always been strong). There was something missing.

In 2011, I discovered the Catholic Church. I began to do research on my own and started taking RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes and learning all I could. It was there that I found what I had been missing. My faith is now both comforting and terrifying. I’ve been called to do more now than ever before- and I’m heeding those calls.

In “Searching for Sunday” Rachel Held Evans tells stories around the church’s sacraments: baptism, confession, and communion- as well as others. You will find yourself agreeing, disagreeing, laughing, and may even shed some tears. You will be touched in the deepest part of your soul with this book.

If you’re searching for something that you feel is missing in your faith life, this is definitely the book for you. You can pick up your copy today from Family Christian Stores. When you shop at Family Christian, they give back to help others to grow in their faith. 

8th Grade: Leading the Way with the “Real You” Devotional Review

As a member of the Family Christian group of bloggers, I received a copy of the 30-day devotional “8^th Grade: Leading the Way with the ‘Real You’” for the purposes of review. Here is my review- all opinions are my own.

Looking back, when I was going into 8^th grade, I was starting a new school. My parents had moved from one county to the next, so I felt like I was all alone. I wish this devotional had been around for me when I was that age. I was raised in church and I knew that God was there for me, all I had to do was reach out- and reach out I did. I prayed constantly for God to lead me through that phase in my life.

Why I Ride with the PGR

Today is Memorial Day- a day that we remember that freedom is NOT free. As a whole, we tend to take our freedom for granted. However, there are many men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice- their lives- so that we can be free to do what we choose to do. 

Today, I want to tell you a little bit about a group of bikers that my husband and I ride with. The news lately has been colored by how bad and how violent bikers are. We hear about bikers killing people and about bikers causing riots. However, the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) is anything but violent. 

Let the Journey Begin by Max Lucado Review

As a member of the Family Christian group of bloggers, I was blessed to receive a copy of “Let the Journey Begin: Finding God’s Best for Your Life” by Max Lucado. This is my review of that book. All opinions are my own.

As you know, graduation season is upon us. There are so many high school and college graduates walking down the aisles and receiving their degrees and honors. Now comes the question, “What’s next?”

“Let the Journey Begin” is full of Scriptural guidance, wisdom, and support as you embark on the next step in your journey of life. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you will be blessed beyond belief with this book.

Each reading is short & sweet and can be read in just a few minutes. There are five sections:

1)      God’s Plan for the Journey of Life- A Road Map for Success

2)     Stop, Look, and Listen- Good Habits for a Good Journey

3)     A Fork in the Road- Deciding Which Way to Go

4)     Dangers and Detours Ahead- Slow Down, Avoid Disaster

5)     Two is Fine Company- A Friend for the Journey

This is great for reading alone or reading with someone. I’m thinking of incorporating it into the nightly devotional time that my husband & I do in the evenings. I think it would be a great book for us to use! I also love that it is a small book that I can keep in my purse and it only takes about a minute to read one of the readings. 

In addition to all the great readings, there’s a section at the end where you can record your own goals, prayers, your favorite Scriptures, and much more. So, if you- or someone you know- is setting out on a new journey in life, consider picking up this book for them from Family Christian Stores. While you’re there, browse the rest of their Graduate Gift selections. You can get so many great things- PLUS, when you buy from Family Christian, you’re changing lives because Family Christian gives back!