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SNEAK PEEK: Miss Brenda and the Loveladies by Brenda Spahn

December 9, 2013

One woman’s fight to provide hope for the hopeless…
Seven ex-cons who changed her heart forever…

Click here to download chapter one of Miss Brenda and the Loveladies.

For Brenda Spahn, entrepreneur and businesswoman, wealth was a lifestyle—until a brush with the law threatened to send her to prison. In those dark moments, Brenda made a promise to God.  Spared incarceration, a renewed Brenda glimpsed into the lives of women serving time in one of the worst places in America—the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama.

What she saw prompted a God-inspired vision.

Click here to download chapter one of Miss Brenda and the Loveladies.

 

Faith

December 9, 2013

On the heels of trauma or during times of difficult transition, anxiety is often exaggerated. Our psychological defenses are weakened by severe or chronic stress, making it more difficult to ward off worries. The unpredictable nature of life seems magnified and keeps us from enjoying the positive aspects of our journey. When we are pooped out, fear screams, “Yesterday was bad, today is horrible, and tomorrow will be even worse.” It can be difficult to believe the best. Ah, but these are also the times when our faith can take quantum leaps forward.

Many of the dilemmas life brings us don’t have easy, tidy answers. But God will have personal answers for us if we risk asking tough questions and then take time to listen. Why not quiet your heart, open the Scriptures, and listen to what the Holy Spirit [ … ]

NEWS: Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Entire List!

December 6, 2013

Books make a perfect Christmas gift. Right?

We have compiled ideas for even the most challenging person on your list this year… from the adventure seekers to theology buffs, from “non-readers” to fiction addicts. And ALL the books listed are also available in e-book format! Click here for the list!

If still stumped about what to buy those special people…email us at info@WaterBrookMultnomah.com letting us know who you’re shopping for, along with their unique reading interests and we’ll do our best to guide you to that ideal choice. Or visit our Facebook page to see what recommendations we’ve posted for others.

 

NEWS: Liz Curtis Higgs Featured on iBelieve.com

December 6, 2013

iBelieve.com has featured an article entitled “The Good Shepherd” by Liz Curtis Higgs, author of The Women of Christmas.

Writes Higgs, “Shepherds were despised. They couldn’t keep the ceremonial laws while traveling about the hills, they were often regarded as thieves, and because they were considered unreliable, they were not permitted to give evidence in court. Yet this was whom God chose for his witnesses and entrusted with his good news. Men of humble means, they too were homeless, living outside ‘under the open sky’ (amp) near Bethlehem.”

To read the whole article, visit iBelieve.com. 

Impossibilites and Miracles

December 6, 2013

“…and they were both very old.” Luke 1:7

We don’t know their ages, whether forty or sixty or eighty. We know only that Elizabeth and Zechariah were “well stricken in years” (asv). More to the point, they were “too old to have children” (God’s Word), just like the patriarch Abraham, and his wife, Sarah. We know how that story ended: with a baby in ninety-year-old Sarah’s arms!

The stage was set for God to intervene and make the impossible possible.
Christmas is all about miracles. The first one is ready to unfold.

***

Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27. What “impossibility” are you facing in your life? Are you ready to put it entirely in God’s hands?

Excerpted from The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs

On the 4th Day of Christmas…Finding the Real Meaning in Christmas

December 5, 2013

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer follows the lives of individuals and a community effected by a devastating fire. It’s a story that deals with loss, grief, and recovery, and are real-life issues that my family and I have experienced.

While living in Florida, our family of six was hit by the “No Name Storm of the Century.” Hitting our home at high tide, the 14-16 feet waves ripped off the hurricane shutters and broke out windows, as the water rushed through our house, sweeping furniture, household items, toys, and personal items out into the Gulf of Mexico.

During the storm, none of our possessions seem to matter anymore, only the safety of each other and our four daughters.

Surviving through the storm surge, we were evacuated the next day, and spent the next [ … ]

Stretching You

December 4, 2013

God knows what He can do through your life if you’re willing to open yourself up to Him. He’ll remove obstacles such as pride, fear, and greed that hinder your spiritual growth. Then He’ll build in qualities such as humility, forgiveness, and faith.

Excerpted from Unlimiting God by Richard Blackaby

Daily Reflection: Are you satisfied with your present state of service to God? Or are you open to growth—even when it’s painful?

Doing Less

December 3, 2013

“Instead of applauding Martha, Jesus gently rebukes her, telling her Mary has chosen ‘what is better.’ Or, as another translation puts it, ‘Mary has chosen the better part’ (NRSV).
‘The better part?’ Martha must have echoed incredulously.
‘The better part!’ I say to God in the midst of my own whirl of activity. ‘You mean there’s more? I have to do more?’
No, no, comes the answer to my tired heart. Jesus’ words in Luke 10 are incredibly freeing to those of us on the performance treadmill of life.
It isn’t ‘more’ he requires of us.
In fact, it may be less.”

Excerpted from Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

Daily Reflection: Do you strive to do more for God or simply be by His side?

NEWS: Dr. Mary C. Neal Featured in CNN “To Heaven and Back” Documentary

December 3, 2013

Dr. Mary C. Neal, author of New York Times #1 Bestseller To Heaven and Back, was featured in CNN’s program on stories of life, death and faith, entitled “To Heaven and Back.” This documentary aired on Sunday, December 1st and will air again this coming Sunday, December 7th at 7 pm and 10 pm EST.

To watch part of her interview where she recounts her near death experience while kayaking in Chile, please click here, or read more at cnn.com. 

NEWS: Focus on the Family to Rebroadcast “The Emotionally Destructive Marriage” Author in Best of 2013 Series

December 2, 2013

 Focus on the Family is re-broadcasting their top radio segments in a Best of 2013 series. We’re proud to announce that FIVE of our authors have made it into the Best of series, including Leslie Vernick!

On February 5th-6th, 2014 Leslie’s original broadcasts will be aired one more time on the Focus on the Family radio daily program. (If you’d like to tune in live, go here to find a local station.)

You can listen to the original broadcasts here:

Finding Freedom From Destructive Relationships – 1

Finding Freedom From Destructive Relationships – 2