Movie Review

Click HERE to see my movie review for the new Faith based film "What if...". I wrote the review for the A Martha Heart Website. Blessings...

Check out my article at the AMH website...

I wrote an article at the A Martha Heart website today...click here to be directed to the site. I have been writing about my journey to become spiritually free from food addiction at the AMH website as well as here at my own blog.

Blessings all...

"Quotes" from Max Lucado (Fear and Temptation)

This quotes (or sections) are from Max Lucado's newest book, "Max on Life"...

(This section is actually from his book "Fearless", but is stated again in his new book)

When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god. When safety becomes our god, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety lover do anything great? Can the risk-averse accomplish noble deeds? For God? For others? No. The fear filled cannot love deeply. Love is risky. They cannot give to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return. The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky? The worship of safety emasculates greatness. No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear.

Lately I would describe myself as being in a dry season in my Christian walk...a wilderness of sorts. When I read this quote from Max Lucado in his new book, I took note. Below is an excerpt from Max's new book and it has to do with temptation.

In the wilderness you think the unthinkable.... (Max then mentions about Jesus being tempted) And "one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust" (James 1:14 NASB). Temptation carries you and entices you. What was unimaginable prior to the wilderness becomes possible in it. A tough marriage can make a good man look twice at the wrong woman. Extended sickness makes the stoutest soul consider suicide. Stress makes the smokiest nightclub smell sweet. In the wilderness you think the unthinkable.

For that reason the wilderness is the maternity ward for addictions. Binge eating, budget-busting gambling, excessive drinking, pornography-all short-term solutions to deep-seated problems. Typically they have no appeal, but in the wilderness you give thought to the unthinkable.

I have struggled in both of these areas, and thought it would be beneficial to share what Max wrote here at my blog...

Book Sneeze Book Review- "Max on Life"

I just received Max Lucado's newest release from the Thomas Nelson publishing company (Book Sneeze). Thomas Nelson has given me a complimentary copy of the book, and in exchange I have to write a review of the book. Well, I have reviewed several Max Lucado books, and when his newest book "Max on Life" came out I knew I wanted to review this book as well.

Max's newest book is a compilation of questions that he has received from people throughout his years as a pastor and author. Max tackles 172 of those questions and the questions are divided up into 7 different categories (Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Haves/Have-Nots, Hereafter). Lucado has truly been given a gift from God when it comes to his writing. He paints pictures with his words and is a master storyteller. Even though this book feels more like a question and answer session, you still get to see Max at his best as he answers questions from people just like you and me.

Lucado fans will really enjoy this book, and those that are not familiar with Max's books will probably like this one because of the variety of topics covered in the book. Lucado does his best to answer the questions that are asked of him according to the Bible. Some of the questions that are in the book are those "tough" life questions that are hard to answer, but Max does answer them. However, Max's answers are short and to the point. They are encouraging, but for those tough questions one should seek God's Word for the answers.

I thank Book Sneeze and Thomas Nelson once again for allowing me to review this new book, and I would definitely recommend you buy it if you are looking for a good book to read. We all have questions in life and I am sure that you will find at least one question you have been wanting to ask someone in Max's newest release.

Made to Crave Monday (Online Group Meeting 3)

Welcome to Week 3 of our "Made to Crave" online study. I waited to post this session so some of my friends could catch up from the last 2 weeks :) Life sure does get busy at times... I have just so thoroughly enjoyed reading the answers to the last two group sessions. There are some amazing women that are taking this journey with me, and I feel so blessed to lead this group. If you are visiting this blog and reading this post for the first time (or tenth time) feel free to join this online group, and to join in on the weekly discussions. All you have to do is just leave a comment. Also, if you have been reading any of these online posts, but have just felt a little shy to join in, go ahead and take the plunge and jump in on the discussion this week...the more the merrier :) Facebook girls...you know what to do (remember feel free to go back and answer any questions you did not get to answer...it is never too late) OK, onto Week 3's questions. QUESTIONS WEEK 3 1. In chapter 3, Lysa talks about getting a "PLAN" in place that works for you...preferably a healthy plan :). Currently, do you have any kind of plan in place when it comes to eating and developing a healthy lifestyle overall? If you answered "no", why not? If you answered "yes", tell us about your plan and if it is working for you, or does it need to be revamped? 2. In chapter 4, Lysa talks about accountability... This online group is a form of accountability, but it cannot replace having an actual person in your life that holds you accountable when it comes to your healthy eating plan (or shall I say healthy living plan)? Do you TRULY have someone in your life that holds your accountable when it comes to your food issues/addiction? If you answered "yes", please share a couple of ways your accountability person helps you? If you answered "no", is it because you don't want an accountability person in your life, or is it that you just have not found a person that can help you as of yet? 3. Please share one victory you have had since you started this group or started reading Lysa's new book. (Remember this is a spiritual battle, so please don't forget to share those victories as well) OK, we will stop at 3 questions this week. For homework, make sure to read Chapters 5 and 6 before our next session. Remember feel free at anytime to go back and answer any week's questions that you may have missed. Blessing to you, and remember as Lysa says, "We were made to crave God, not food" :)