Chase the Lion - Mark Batterson

Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson is based on the Old Testament story in 2 Samuel 23 about a warrior in the army of King David named Benaiah. Those who read Batterson's 2006 best seller are familiar with Benaiah---who chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day—and then killed it.

But there is more that is known of Benaiah, and a bigger lesson to be learned from his action with the lion. Most people would run from a lion, but Benaiah chased it. He overcame his fear and went after the personification of it.

This is what Batterson is saying in his sequel to In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. Benaiah chased his fear, faced his fear, and used it as an opportunity to move forward. For Benaiah, becoming King David’s bodyguard and eventually the Commander-in-Chief of Israel’s army under David's son, King Solomon. Batterson says that your dreams should be so big they scare you. He says that 'Chase the Lion' is not just a catch phrase, but a radical approach to life. The fear of failure prevents one from seizing opportunity by the mane and conquering all fear.  You cannot succeed if you are afraid of failure, but you have to accept that you may fail several times.

Do I agree? Yes and no...but my opinion does not really matter for a book review. I know many people who have huge dreams that may feel overwhelming. For those, this book can be a huge inspiration to never give up "chasing the lion" until ultimate success. For others, like myself, there are no grandiose dreams and we are quite content. I do, however, love to cheer on others, and I recommend this book. Not only is it great for those who feel God has called them to greater things, but I enjoyed reading it and felt inspired. Even the smaller dreams and dreamers need encouragement. I admit that I did prefer 'In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day' but 'Chase The Lion' did engage my attention and was well-written.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook-Multnomah "Blogging For Books" program at no cost to myself. However, I was not required to write a positive review.


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Say and Pray Devotions ~ Diane Stortz

Say and Pray Devotions is a very sturdy padded board book that serves many purposes. The left hand side gives a topic, with a short sentence to expand upon it and then the right side gives a short Scripture that could be easily memorized by a 3 or 4 year-old and a simple prayer to use. Examples are listed below:

• YUMMY!
  Good food tastes yummy and helps me grow.
  [God] gives food to the hungry - Psalm 146:7
  Thank You, God, for good food. Amen.
• Good News
  Jesus is our Savior. That's the good news!
  We bring you the good news. - Acts 13:32
  Thank You, God, for Jesus! Amen.

And then there are the illustrations, by Sarah Ward, on all pages that are labeled to help teach reading and word identification. Just as we read the Bible to learn and for it to make an impact on our lives, this simple book can be used the same way for toddlers and younger kids. 

I want to add that this is a very sturdy padded board book. It has easily survived my 14 month old great-granddaughter's attempts to read it by herself and the sticky pages were easily cleaned after she left. I love having a book that I am comfortable with the little ones holding themselves that is also useful for me teaching them simple concepts of my faith. The pictures with just a one word description are fabulous for the younger ones, but can also lead to conversations ranging from what is seen on to telling stories based on imagination. I believe this is going to be a favorite book at my house.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through FlyBy Promotions.

66 Ways God Loves You ~ Jennifer Rothschild

The Bible is a book that is actually 66 books in one volume. It contains history, poetry, instruction, but it is also God's love letter to his people. In 66 Ways God Loves You, Jennifer Rothschild goes book by book as she walks with you through the 66 letters from God. 

• In Genesis God Fashions Me With His Hands
• In Proverbs God Offers Me Wisdom More Precious Than Rubies
• In Revelation God Receives Me as His Beloved and Treasured Bride

Those are just 3 examples of how God speaks to His people through His Word. Rothschild gives a short reading that sums up each book, along with Scripture that brings a deeper understanding. Using only a couple of pages for each book, this is a wonderful small devotional to use daily or to use as you read through the Bible. You can begin each book with this concise overview to gain a better understanding of what the Author is saying.

I love it! It is a small book, but it contains a powerful message of God's love for us. It's great that it also reminds me of a favorite song: "He Is" by Aaron Jeoffrey! This book has the same impact, letting me know the different ways God reveals Himself to me. Whether it is used as a reminder, a reassurance or balm to a broken spirit, I highly recommend this. It is also a wonderful gift for a friend or yourself. Definitely 5 stars.

Many thanks to Icon Media Group for providing me with a copy of this book at no cost to myself. I was not required to give a positive review.

Teal Pumpkin Project

Kayden painting a teal pumpkin

Halloween is approaching at the end of the month, and many churches and organizations are already having events. Most children love to dress up and go to these annual parties and many still participate in the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treat experience. However, kids with food allergies are often left out of the fun, especially the treats. I know we have had items set aside for kids at church events, but I was not aware that there is a nation-wide site to bring awareness. Thanks to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) for teaming up with other partners to make a difference.

FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project came about through the desire to make sure all kids can have fun and get special treats to enjoy. Just picking up a few non-food items as an alternative makes a difference. You may even decide to do only non-food instead of buying candy. The idea is to simply create a safer, happier Halloween for all children.

Need ideas or downloadables? Go to the Teal Pumpkin Project website at www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project and explore the rich resources available! You still have a couple of days to make this year's Halloween safer and more fun, plus you can start making plans for next year's! 

Teal Pumpkin Project

Take Your Life Back - Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop

Take Your Life Back: How to Stop Letting the Past and Other People Control You by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop is written for those who react to life rather than respond. Are you always letting the past and other people control your life? This may be the book for you. Using personal examples from their own lives, along with both clinical insights and truth found in Scripture, the authors demonstrate that your past history and habits can be overcome. When you set clear boundaries with others, you can learn to appropriately respond. Not letting people and situations control you will bring a new confidence and freedom to your life. Many things that happened in your childhood set the pattern to how you view yourself and your expectation from others. The book covers a wide spectrum of behaviors that impact one's life through forms of abuse, trauma, dependency, and more that can make you unaware of circumstances that may prove to be eye-opening as you reflect and remember how even a seemingly small matter may have shaped the way you see yourself and how you react to others.

Authors of the Life Recovery® series, Stephen Arterburn and Dr. David Stoop, are well experienced in helping others understand the issues that cause them to struggle and stumble, and can equip you with the tools to make positive changes in your life. Although it can be difficult, especially if you have deep-seated trust issues, the idea of having a "safe person" to talk with and provide support as you begin the healing process. There was a lot of info and insights provided in the book, but I did sometimes lose interest while reading. However, I would recommend it to those wanting to take control of their lives.

Disclaimer: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Cheryl Wicker - Coach at Amplify with PR

Cheryl Wicker, PR expert, speaker, agency owner and entertainment professional has branched out to use her expertise and knowledge gained in the industry to launch a new coaching program for professionals who want to learn to effectively do their own publicity. This “hands-on” solution is perfect for those on a tight budget, or for people who simply prefer to do their own marketing. Using virtual workshops and coaching calls to walk clients through the process, Wicker created “Amplify: How to Get Your Message HeardThrough Free Media Exposure” to teach them how to do their own PR during a 6 week program. A free educational webinar based on the program is currently available to those wanting to learn more: FreeMediaExposure.com.

Equally comfortable both in front of and behind the camera (‘Flag of My Father,’ ‘Finding Normal,’ and ‘God’s Not Dead.’), plus with additional experience as a multi-media journalist and working at Howard Publishing (now Howard Books with Simon & Schuster), Wicker is a multi-talented creative freelancer, utilizing communication, promotion, organizational and networking skills in a variety of roles: TV/film producer, casting director, actress, publicist, host of “Christian Movie Connect” and Media Correspondent for several events and conferences. As she has become more in demand as a speaker due to her experience in PR, people turned to her for advice with increasing frequency.  “My life mission is to help people of purpose impact the culture through media. However, I have to combine the practicalities of running a business with my mission to help others reach the world with a message that matters,” explains Wicker. “My solution is to help equip and empower people with the necessary tools and knowledge required to do their own PR at a fraction of the cost.”

The Amplify virtual coaching program created by Wicker teaches the ABC’s of DIY PR for both those new to marketing, as well as those who have experience.  Wicker teaches “journalist-focused PR” to help those enrolled in her program to craft a press release that is more likely to capture the interest of journalists who receive numerous pitches daily. Participants in the Amplify program will have access to downloadable material and videos that are used during the training. 

Wicker will be speaking next at the Churches Making Movies Film Festival, a three day event of movie screenings, insightful workshops, and family-friendlyactivities in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Wicker will be leading a workshop on Oct 8^th at 10:15am. Her topic, “The Indie's Guide to DIY Film Marketing,” will include teaching you some of the tricks of the trade she uses in her own agency. She will also show you how to hire and manage your own freelance team.

Other workshop leaders include screenwriter Sean Paul Murphy and Isaac Hernandez, Vice President of Parables TV. However, the festivities start Oct 7 with a Red Carpet event with host actress Jenn Gotzon when director Dallas Jenkins will present a Sneak Peek Red Carpet Screening of his eagerly anticipated film, “The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.” Keynote Speaker for the evening will be Mrs. Austen Williams. To learn more about speakers and films, visit ChurchesMakingMovies.com

Contact Info For Cheryl Wicker:
Cheryl Wicker - PR Expert & Coach
Free Media Exposure.com
Cheryl Wicker.com
Premier1 Studios - Facebook
Christian Movie Connect - Facebook
ChristianMovieConnect.com
Follow @CherylAWicker
Cheryl Wicker - LinkedIn
Cheryl Ariaz Wicker - IMDb
Cafe Connect - Facebook

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.