Amazing Days of Grace - John Barton

Amazing Days of Grace: God's Blessings through Difficult Afflictions and Unusual Disabilities by John Barton is a well-written book of inspiration and encouragement to all, but especially to those who are suffering unexpected trials with health issues. In this book, Barton shares his transformation journey with God following his diagnosis of Stage 4 tongue cancer.

Mr. Barton faces challenges that few can imagine but he has learned to manage a full life while making adjustments as needed. His wife, family, and friends have certainly played a vital role, but what shines brightly is his faith in and love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. The reminder that even in our weakest moments, we gain our strength in Christ, is the clear message of the book. Barton encourages the reader to not give up and that we still are to run the race given us to reach the goal of hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

I recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement and hope. His joy in the Lord is evident and his accomplishments will lead you to face and rise above your own disabilities, whether they be physical, mental, or spiritual. Trust God and step out in faith.

LINKS:
AMAZON - Buy Book

BARNES & NOBLE - Buy Book

John T. Barton website

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
John Barton is a follower of Jesus Christ, is originally from Starkville, Mississippi, and has lived in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, Tennessee, for twenty-seven years. He has served in several lay leadership and service roles in churches, including teacher, small group leader, deacon, treasurer, and elder. As a survivor of stage four tongue cancer, he deals with unusual disabilities daily. John has been married to Candy for thirty-seven years, and they are blessed to have three adult children and two daughters-in-law. John enjoys retirement and having more time to do the things he loves most: visiting family and friends, studying God's Word, journalling, walking, serving in church, reading, writing, and encouraging others.

*I received a copy of the book from the author at no cost to myself or compensation and with no promise or expectation of a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are 100% my own.

Ours For a Season - Kim Vogel Sawyer

An Old Order Mennonite couple's vows and beliefs are challenged in this stirring contemporary novel for fans of Cindy Woodsmall or Shelley Shepherd Gray.
  Anthony and Marty Hirschler are part of an Old Order Mennonite community in Pine Hill, Indiana. The couple has grown apart since a doctor confirmed they would never have children. Marty longs to escape the tight-knit area where large families are valued, and the opportunity to do so arises when her childhood friend, Brooke Spalding, resurfaces with the wild idea of rebuilding a ghost town into a resort community. Brooke hires Anthony to help with the construction, drawing the Hirschlers away from Indiana and into her plan, and then finds herself diagnosed with cancer. Moral complications with Brooke's vision for a casino as part of the resort and the discovery of a runaway teenager hiding on the property open up a world neither the Hirschlers nor Brooke had considered before. Will they be able to overcome their challenges and differences to help the ones among them hurting the most?

MY REVIEW: I always love Kim's books and Ours For a Season is no exception! Amish/Mennonite is not my favorite, but this one surprised me. There was more depth in the story with an unexpected range of topics. Marty's longing for a child has colored her world with a bitter outlook and has placed a strain on her marriage and her faith in God. So when her childhood friend offers the chance for Marty and Anthony to get away with an offer for his company to rebuild an abandoned community, Marty hopes to rebuild the relationship both with her husband and with her non-believing friend, Brooke.

The story of the tightly-knit group of Mennonites, along with a couple of people of no faith shows the bonds growing even stronger as Brooke battles a cancer diagnosis and a runaway discovered on the property sheds light on the plight of runaway teens and human trafficking. The challenges faced by the various characters bring new insight and strength and leads to surprising changes in their lives. I highly recommend this one!

I received a copy of the book at no cost to myself as part of the Waterbrook Launch Team as a #PRHpartner. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

To Joey, With Love DVD

To Joey, With Love is a documentary, based on home movies, of the final 2 and a half years of musician Joey Feek. Husband-and-wife singing duo Joey+Rory, 2010 Academy of Country Music New Vocal Duo winners, were in the midst of a whirlwind life when they did the unheard of for those who are experiencing extraordinary success. When Joey became pregnant, they decided to take a year off and simplify life for a year, living on their small farm. What started as Rory filming their lives and preparation for the birth of their child turned out to be an extended time when it was discovered later that Joey had cancer. The film follows the decision to take time off to the birth of their daughter Indiana, born with Down Syndrome, and continues through Joey’s struggle with and ultimate surrender to cancer—and is an intimate peek through the joy, despair, love, laughter, struggles, and hope as this family experiences a life they never planned. Narrated by Rory Feek, the DVD will be available on Dec. 20, 2016. You can pre-order it here: tojoeywithlove.com/buy

 
My Review: I seldom cry when watching movies, but this one did move me to tears several times, for varying reasons. To be honest, I hesitated when offered the chance to review the DVD since I knew so little about Joey+Rory. Of course, I had seen the stories trending and knew that Joey had passed away---I had even prayed for them frequently during her illness, but I don't think I had ever heard even 1 song by them until watching the DVD. Plus, knowing of her passing, I was not sure if this was something I would want to see.

I was wrong! Rather than a melancholy story of a life cut too short, this DVD is a celebration of life. Nothing is sugar-coated, but the viewer is drawn into the lives of these people in such a way that there are as many tears of joy as there are of sorrow. Watching them LIVE their lives rather than just accepting defeats and falling into despair is a true encouragement for others. Of course, their faith in God as their sustainer and hope is a message that shines through. I do recommend you see this for yourself and share it with others. In the midst of sorrow, there is also inspiration and hope for this life and beyond.

Website: ToJoeyWithLove.com
Buy DVD: ToJoeyWithLove.com/buy
Rory's Blog: thislifeilive.com
Facebook: To Joey With Love

Disclaimer: Thank you to Icon Media Group for sending me a link to watch this film! They also are offering a copy to one of my readers. Simply respond by Thursday, December 1, 2016 to be entered. USA residents only.

The Hardest Peace by Kara Tippetts

The Hardest Peace by Kara Tippetts is a thought-provoking, heart-breaking, and encouraging book written by a woman who has faced adversity of many types yet whose faith continues to grow stronger as she weathers each storm.

Raised in less than ideal circumstances, she had a grandmother who introduced her to the Lord at an early age. This made a tremendous impact that has continued to sustain her over the years. Being diagnosed with Stage-IV cancer at the age of 36 has been the hardest battle of all. Kara discusses the peace she has while relying on God and how His grace is sufficient, yet is realistic about the pain and suffering. The longing she has to grow old with her husband and watch her children grow is also eloquently expressed. Yet her ability to stand firm on the knowledge that God will see her and her loved ones through each moment is an encouragement to others.

 

Questions posed at the end of each chapter really help the reader reflect and dig deeper into their own relationships...with God, family, and friends; Very helpful in making you more intentional in your words and deeds, and your personal and spiritual growth. I confess that her writing style is not one that keeps my attention, but it is very similar to another author, Ann Voskamp, whose books and blog millions of women love. I believe this book will be a blessing to anyone who reads it, but fans of Voskamp and similar authors will especially love it.

Kara’s Blog: mundanefaithfulness.com

Follow her on Instagram

Follow @mother_to_many

Mundane Faithfulness on Facebook 

 

Kara Tippetts and her husband, Jason, have four children and are planting a church in Colorado Springs, CO. Cancer is only part of Kara’s story. Her real fight is to truly live while facing a crushing reality. 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

GIVEAWAY Rules: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
Leave a comment on the blog no later than midnight (CDT) Oct. 29, 2014 to be entered in to the drawing.