Courageous by Randy Alcorn

This book is a novelization written by Randy Alcorn based on a screenplay the Kendrick brothers wrote. They are the creators of Fireproof. This book is about four policemen who learn that they need to do more than just serve and protect their town, but also their families. That God has called them to rise up and be men of God and teach their children the ways of God. To be honorable men who hold up high standards and expect nothing less. These men encourage each other to be "courageous" enough to live up to God's standards regardless of what others may say around them. To hold each other accountable.

This book also deals with the everyday worries of policemen and their families. How, many families break up over the high stress of their jobs and that these men need to hold strong and fight for their families.  It deals with the overwhelming facts that children who grow up without fathers are often easily led into doing wrong because they have no role models to show them otherwise.

I really enjoyed this book and it has made me realize that had it not been for the prayers and discipline of my own dad, I wouldn't be who I am today.  I am very thankful that I have a "godly" dad.

I was happy to see that much scripture was used to support this book. To show us the things God expects from us, not just fathers but mothers too, and from the children we must teach. We need to take a stand and be "courageous". We need to fight for our families and encourage others to fight for theirs.

Men, if you see a child who needs mentoring and if you feel God calling you to do so, step up and do it. Pray and ask for God's help. Women, if we see a girl who needs a godly female influence and we feel God calling us to be that influence, step up and do it. Many can go to the mission fields and lead those to Christ but what about our own backyards full of "needy" children and probably even "needy" parents, whether single or otherwise.

I know I need to do some more praying not just for my own family but for whatever needs God leads me to be "courageous" and fill.

One other note...This book, as I stated, was written based on a screenplay. The Kendrick brothers will be releasing this movie September 30th. Following in the footsteps of their other movies such as Fireproof and Facing the Giants, it should be good and I cannot wait to see it.  Here is a website to check out a clip of that film.  http://courageousthemovie.com/

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me a complimentary copy of this book and does not require a positive review

making jewelry and other such fun

I have been kind of in a funk when it comes to making jewelry lately. One day I'll make a few pieces, then nothing for a couple of weeks. The only thing I have been trying to participate in is my facebook group's weekly challenges. The group is called CCC group: (color combo challenge)

It actually helps because it will make me think of color combos that I would not have tried otherwise. I have a lot of fun doing this. It is very humbling and inspiring to see the others post their creations. It is a very talented group of people.

I have been so busy this summer with visiting my family, going to see an old friend in West Virginia with a couple of other old friends, and camping at Raystown Lake with my family(much fun there). My oldest daughter is going to college this fall and I am excited and nervous for her.

I have come to realize that I probably should get a job to help out with finances or at least to support my jewelry habit. Meg will be going to Headstart this fall again so I hope to find a job that will let me work only the hours she is in school, so that I do not have to pay for daycare. *fingers crossed*

I made a few pieces of jewelry for my friends. I made a mother's ring and a beautiful stone ring and now I must get started on a bracelet. Well, I guess that is about all for this summer. I am trying to finish a book for review, so I will post that when it is done.  Look for more posted pictures of my CCC challenge pieces and  for the jewelry I made for my friends down at the bottom of my blog page.

PrayerWalk by Janet Holm McHenry

"Challenge your body.   Feed your spirit.   Change the world.
Ask any Christian woman about her most recent New Year’s resolutions, and you’ll likely find that “exercise regularly” and “pray more” were at the top of her list. We all long to look and feel our best, to live actively and healthfully. More than that, we desire to connect intimately with our God. Yet physical health and spiritual growth often take a backseat to the urgent demands of grocery shopping and bill paying, time with family and friends, and long hours at the office.

It’s Time to Exercise Your Prayer Life.

Three years ago, author Janet Holm McHenry suffered from depression, weight gain, and exhaustion. Then she began a prayerwalk routine that not only transformed her life but also profoundly impacted the lives of those around her.

Learn how you, too, can set out on a journey to increased energy, better health, and greater joy—and experience a rich, full prayer ministry that will have a lasting impact on your loved ones and community—in PrayerWalk."

I love this book. It has inspired me to make my walks more than just "me" time. I have often felt frustrated because the only time I could pray uninterrupted was right as I fell asleep or right before my daughter woke up. And since I was usually very tired either way I often left out those on my list of people to pray for.

I got up this morning to try my very first prayer walk and I feel a little jumbled in talking to God but I know He knows my heart. I also know that I do not need to be overly wordy or eloquent with Him. I did feel happy that I was able to pray without having someone asking me a zillion questions.

In this book Janet Holm McHenry not only gives advice on how to start your prayers and suggestions on what to pray for but also how to start out physically. And she also emphasises that it needs to be a burden that God has laid on our hearts. I will be rereading this book again or at least all the parts I underlined and highlighted in this book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in walking and praying.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Managing God's money by Randy Alcorn

"God cares a great deal more about our money than most of us imagine. The sheer enormity of Scripture’s teaching on this subject screams for our attention. In fact, Jesus says more about how we are to view and handle money and possessions than about any other topic—including both heaven and hell. In Managing God's Money, Randy Alcorn breaks down exactly what the Bible has to say about how we are to handle our money and posessions in a simple, easy-to-follow format. Filled with Scripture references, Managing God's Money is the perfect reference tool for anyone who is interested in gaining a solid biblical understanding of money, possessions, and eternity."

I just struggled my way throught his book. It was a struggle for many reasons: 1) It's summer and I just can't get into reading right now. 2) I am at my parents for a long visit and have much to do, but only a short time to read and review this book.  and 3) I call it conviction, my daughter calls it "a really boring book judging by the title"..teenagers!. We all know that conviction can really make us want to hide and avoid things.

As I read this book I underlined and dog-earred many pages so that I can go back and reread those specific areas that I thought applied to me personally. These questions for example:  In spending money am I acting as if it is mine or God's?  What scripture passage requires me to spend in this was? Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to God?  This book goes over many areas, he has split them into 6 sections with 22 total sub-sections. He covers subjects such as: ownership,  stewardship, materialism,  giving, wise handling of God's money( for he points out in this book that it IS all God's afterall.) and how to teach our children to handle money.

It is defintiely a good book and one that could be taught in classes at churches. There is no "soap boxing" or "brow beating" from Randy Alcorn and he backs everything up with scripture. I will reread this book again later this fall and then donate it to my church.

 Tyndale House Publishers has provided me a complimentary copy of this book and does not require a positive review.

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity by Andy Andrews

"Andrews combines a riveting narrative with astounding history in order to discover the one solution that will save humanity. Time is running out, and the final summit of Travelers must work quickly to avoid dire consequences." 

I thought this book sounded very interesting but it ended up being somewhat bland for me. The characters are likable and I enjoyed the history and the author's take on how the historical characters would react and respond in this story. It did make me curious about these historical figures and I may dig up some biographies and find out more about them.

David Ponder is asked one question in this story and he has to answer it correctly to save humanity. It is only a too word answer and many of the "answers" they mulled over were good ones but not exactly the right one. I did find myself trying to figure out what possible answer the archangel Gabriel and God may have been looking for. I felt the author's answer was almost too simplistic and maybe not what I would imagine God wanting. But who am I to know God's mind?

I did not find it as riveting as the book description made it out to be. If I hadn't been reading it to post a review I may have tossed it aside to read some other day, month or year even.  I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Posting on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ejamsmama?ref=ss_profile

Well I just finished putting my jewelry on Etsy and I have to say; listing all those pieces was tedious. I sure hope they sell. Or at least a few of them to compensate for the listing fee and time I put into listing them. I had a hard time coming up with the prices for each item. I wanted to be fair to myself and any potential buyers.

Then there was posting clear and accurate pictures. I realized, as I went to download the photos, that I had plenty of group photos of my stuff and not individual shots. My camera was only somewhat cooperative. The sun and shadows through the windows weren't helping either. Inside lighting was iffy.

I started yesterday afternoon and finished this morning. They will be posted for 4 months, so at least I won't have to do that over again for awhile. I will be sure to only list a few pieces at a time from now on. That way it's not brain overload trying to come up with clever titles and descriptions. I definitely flaked at the end and went with simple descriptions.

It's funny how you forget how to spell a word that you have spelled 20 times in the last hour. Your fingers sit above the keyboard awaiting the brain's instructions, which finger needs to type which letter first and you blank. I was wishing I had voice activated technology but the with as noisy as Megan gets sometimes I can only guess at what would be typed.....Silver mommy can  pink I get earrings milk. These are can I crystal go round outside beads....Yeah, it wouldn't be pretty.

As I looked at the recent postings in the jewelry section, it was mind boggling to see 10 to 20 new items pop up every 3 seconds. There are so many talented people out there, all posting similar items, hoping that theirs will be the one to sell. As I went through the listing, my last item posted was about 8 pages back. I had only put it on 15 minutes prior to getting on that page. Wow.

So I now place it in God's capable hands and will not fret about whether I sell or not. God will provide, He always has and always will. I am just thankful that I can do what I love and if God allows me to make money doing it, then I will be even more grateful to His wonderful grace.

Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann

After Trevor MacDaniel, a high country outfitter, rescues a toddler from the jaws of a mountain lion, he can't foresee the far-reaching consequences of his action, or how it will entwine his life with gifted sculptor, Natalie Reeve--and attract a grim admirer.

In a clash of light and darkness, can courage prevail?


I really enjoyed this book. I read it in 3 days because I just couldn't put it down. The descriptions the author used made me wish I could visit the town the story was set it. And I really would have loved to see the art that Natalie created. Being artistic I really enjoy other artists' works.

Kristen Heitzmann kept you guess as to what to "villian" in the story was really up to. This is the first of her books that I have read and now I am looking forward to finding and reading more of her work.

I enjoyed the way she put God in by having the characters pray or find a comforting bible verse. Also in having the characters realize how God works in their lives even through handicaps or devastating circumstances. It wasn't preachy but realistic.

I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family who are looking for a mystery written by a christian author.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.