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

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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.

Overrated by Eugene Cho

Overrated by Eugene Cho asks if we are more in love with changing the world than we are in actually changing it. Many people want to change the world, but Eugene Cho found out that it takes more than a simple desire to change it. You need a plan of action, and you need to put thought into that plan. We live in a world where people think they have made a tremendous impact if they share something as a Facebook status or as their profile picture. And, we can't forget the power and promise of the #hashtag.

Eugene Cho talks about first seeing what changes you need to make within yourself. There are many who choose short term mission trips, but not always for the right reason. Did you do it to make yourself feel better or out of love for others. Feel-goodism may make you feel good about yourself, but be sure that more was accomplished. Sometimes our acts do more harm than good. We want to give and make life easier for others who are under tremendous burdens, but showing someone how to find methods of helping themselves is more important. You also want to point people to a relationship with Jesus. As Cho pointed out, too many of us have a "Messiah complex" and think we are supposed to save others (rather than pointing them to the only One who can save them) instead of showing them a way to keep dignity intact.

There was quite a bit in the book that I agreed with, especially in terms of many mission trips. I am in favor of them, and have seen lives impacted, but I have also seen too many instances of when the money could have been spent in a wiser way. Cho's views also resonated with thoughts I have had more and more about a food ministry I am involved with. We meet genuine needs, but we also set up a pattern of entitlement with some. Is helping others to break a cycle of poverty not showing the love of Jesus than simply letting people care only about a handout? I want to show my love for Jesus, and to love the people with whom I come in contact with. When they become merely numbers on a report, it is time for a heart check. Really good book that gives you some things to think about. Also, check out more of the work Eugene and others do at One Day's Wages.

About the author:

Eugene is the founder and visionary of One Day’s Wages, a grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty. He is the founder and senior pastor of Quest Church, an urban, multicultural, and multigenerational church in Seattle, Washington. Eugene and his wife, Minhee, have three children.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I received a copy of this book from Propeller Consulting, LLC in exchange for an honest review.

#OverratedBook

One Way Love by Tullian Tchividjian

Real life is long on law and short on grace—the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us—a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief. Bestselling author Tullian Tchividjian is convinced our world needs a fresh encounter with grace. (publisher description)

 “Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One Way Love by Tullivan Tchividjian is on a subject we sing about...and how Amazing it is, read about, and experience without always truly grasping the concept: GRACE. We live in a world of reciprocity and find it much easier to understand the concept of law---you do this, and that is your reward or consequence. But grace is unmerited favor that is undeserved. Using a variety of anecdotes from his own life, literature, celebrities, and familiar people from the Bible, Tchividjian gives us examples to bring home his point in a manner that makes it more easily understandable. You know how we exhaust ourselves trying to please God (and others) to prove we are worthy. There are also those (and I have been guilty) who defiantly break the rules, and are surprised when shown grace anyway. Tchividjian reminds us that God's grace is here for us to accept. When we try, and when we fail to live up to our own expectations of what we should do, God's love for us does not increase nor does it diminish. God's grace truly is sufficient. This is a really good book and I do recommend it.

CONTEST: Flyby Promotions has a copy of this book to send out to one of my readers. Simply leave a comment letting me know you would love to be entered by Oct. 31, 2013 by 10am (cdt)

 William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. A Florida native, Tullian is the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. He is a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, and a contributing editor to Leadership Journal. He is an ordained minister in Presbyterian Church of America. He is the author of six books; including the best seller, Jesus + Nothing = Everything  that won Christianity Today’s 2011 book of the year. He travels extensively, speaking at conferences throughout the U.S. (Photo Credit Mike Meyer).

Seven Days In Utopia

Seven Days In Utopia follows the story of Luke Chisolm (Lucas Black), a talented young golfer set on making the pro tour. When his first big shot turns out to be a very public disaster, Luke escapes the pressures of the game and finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas, home to eccentric rancher Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall). But Johnny's more than meets the eye, and his profound ways of looking at life force Luke to question not only his past choices, but his direction for the future.

I had heard good reviews of this film from various friends who had seen it, so I did look forward to seeing it. I have always loved Robert Duvall and am also a fan of Lucas Black (who was born in a town near me). Other than a childhood love for Goofy Golf in Panama City  (the one with the giant monkey!!), golf is not a sport that particularly interests me, though. So I was relieved to find this is more than just a golf movie: this is a message about golf... life, and God all wrapped up in a story that kept my interest. The lessons that Johnny teaches Luke are those that are important for everyone. The people in the film are flawed, but aren't we all? Suspicions and early jealousies turn into a mutual respect and friendship.

Seven Days In Utopia is more than just a film. Utopia, TX is also an actual place you can visit. There is a golf course, retreats, a book (Golf's Sacred Journey )and you can see videos of the lessons on their website.

Did He Make The Putt?