5 Minutes With Jesus - Sheila Walsh

5 Minutes with Jesus: A Fresh Infusion of Joy by Sheila Walsh is a small book that packs a powerful punch of hope and joy. When you are going through a dark valley or just stuck in a boring rut, joy can be difficult to find---but, our strength and joy are found in the Lord. It may not be easy to reach joy, but it is attainable. Jesus embraces His followers with a love that is almost tangible, but is manifested as a feeling of joy in spite of circumstances.

Sheila Walsh uses short stories, insights, and encouraging scriptures to help the reader discover joy in God's goodness, creation, and love. Each devotion reminds you that, no matter what, there is joy and peace to be found, and you can find it when you are frequently spending time in Jesus’ presence! Walsh and co-author Sherri Gragg provide a daily dose of encouragement through humorous or touching stories coupled with scripture that will provide light, no matter how dark life may seem. This book would be an excellent gift for anyone who needs encouragement and joy---including yourself! I highly recommend it.

I received this book free through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Women of Faith Cinematic Event

Spanning nearly 20 years,  Women of Faith has grown to become the largest, most well-known, non-denominational Christian's women's conference in North America. Created by Steven Arterburn, Women of Faith began with a group of friends, Lucy Swindoll, Patsy Clairmont, Thelma Wells, Sheila Walsh and Marilyn Meberg, sitting on a stage candidly chatting about their personal stories. The tears and laughter invoked also brought about an intimacy between the speakers and the audience that has impacted the lives of millions.

The tour, which has expanded to include speakers like Korie Robertson, Mary Graham, Sandi Patty, Jen Hatmaker, and many others over the years, is now on its final tour. However, a cinema event is scheduled for limited engagement for several nights. "An Amazing Joyful Journey" is a historical, and hysterical, look at the Women of Faith over the past two decades. Some of the most popular pieces from the speakers and musicians, plus never-before-seen interviews, outtakes, and behind the scenes footage will bring back memories for all those who have attended a Women of Faith weekend as well as create new memories for those experiencing it for the first time. 

 

Since I never had the chance to attend a Woman of Faith weekend, I am very excited that I am going to be able to attend one of the screenings of this film. This is a limited event to be held at select theaters only on February 18th, February 20th, March 3rd, and March 5th. To see where the nearest theater and date for you location, type in your city here. This is an end of an era for many as "THE" women's conference that has impacted millions of women and changed the course of how conferences are done.

Whether you are a veteran of one or more of the WOF weekends, or have never experienced one, this would be an amazing final opportunity to be a part of it. Thanks to the generosity of FlyBy Promotions and Fathom Events, I will be attending a screening at Carmike 12 - Decatur Mall with three family members. This would also be a fun event to attend with your Women's Ministry at church. Gather all the ladies for a fun night at the movies with a meal before or perhaps, a dessert party afterward (or both!). Depending on whether you attend a Thursday or a Saturday screening, there are any number of activities you can incorporate with a Girl's Night Out! If you have any ideas, please leave them as a comment. Just make sure you don't miss this marvelous movie filled with memories and special moments.

Find a Cinema Event

Official Website: womenoffaith.com

Facebook: Women of Faith

Twitter: @womenoffaith

Instagram: @WomenofFaith

God Loves Broken People

The latest book release by Sheila Walsh is one that will speak to many people. God Loves Broken People (And Those Who Pretend They're Not) is not a book designed to make all of your problems evaporate with a sprinkling of Scripture, or buzz words to make you feel good about yourself. Nor, does it make any guarantees that all of your brokenness can be placed firmly in the past. However, it is filled with stories of others who have faced sorrow and insecurities and assures the reader that God can be trusted and does love us.

"It’s not that God loves broken people more than those who imagine themselves to be whole―it’s simply that they know they are loved. They dare to believe it . . . and through such trust, a new wholeness emerges from yesterday’s broken pieces." ~ from the book jacket. From personal experience, I know that it often feels during the times of bleakness that God simply doesn't love you. The reminders that His promises are for all of us who seek Him and that He longs for a relationship with His people are a great reassurance. Sometimes what we know in our head, can be overpowered by what we are feeling. Logic can flee when sorrow invades, so that is the times we need to cling to what we know to be true.

This wasn't the most profound book I have ever read, but it did provide glimmers of light and hope to those going through a time of darkness. Sometimes, the lighter fare is easier to absorb and several of the anecdotes did speak to me, and cause me to think from a slightly different angle. The Bible studies that go along with the chapters are good for both self-evaluation or for a discussion group. Just the reminder that God may allow part of my life to be broken, but is able to use those broken pieces for a much greater purpose was reason enough for me to be glad I read this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”