Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson

Book Description

Your Grace-Filled Guide to Relationships

It's hard, sometimes, to get over that thing your husband said weeks ago; or to resolve that tension with your colleague at work; or to fix a lifelong friendship that's taken a bad turn. The biggest problem with relationships is they always seem to involve sinners--including ourselves. So how can we form strong, resilient bonds with people who, like us, are bound to mess up? 

Thankfully, it's not all on us. Through stories and biblical teaching, Jessica Thompson helps us move beyond trying to "fix" the people we interact with, and shows us a better way. Though our relationships may be marred by tension and frustration, because we are welcomed and known by Christ, they don't have to stay that way.

My Review

I wish I could go through every chapter and have a deep discussion about every subject in this book. I've only felt that way about one another author. This is the first book I've read from Jessica Thompson, but I absolutely love what she shares in this book.

Starting with a foreword by Elyse Fitzpatrick, Jessica's mother, you get a great feel for where this book is going. It's not a quick-fix, "how to" book on relationships. Instead, it's about Christ, how much he truly loves us, and how that can change our lives, especially our relationships. Extending the same grace God gave us to those around us an in our lives and relationships.

"If there's one commodity in this world that's rare, it's got to be grace. Let's face it, we all live in a quid quo world, a world in which we're taught to believe that "what goes around comes around." ⎼ Elyse Fitzpatrick.

Jessica shares stories from her and some of her friends lives to paint portraits of grace and how we all fail at relationships but because of God's unfailing love we Him to help us and love us through it, and teach us how to show love and grace to others. I found myself constantly looking to my Bible at the verses Jessica references throughout the book. It was wonderful!

This is a book every woman, and truthfully any Christian, should read and buy for their friends and family! I felt truly encouraged and inspired after reading this book! I will be reading this book again (which I don't do very often!)

I give this book a 5 out of 5! (I wish I could give it an even higher rating than that!)

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Bethany House Review program.

Once A Shy Little Butterfly

So, I've been thinking... I really want to involve more of your readers out there in this blog of mine. I used to think "Oh, they'll just jump in when they feel like it." But then I realized, I have to really give you something to jump in with! So far, I haven't really done that. I've always enjoyed talking to people but at one time I was the very shy butterfly (sometimes I still am that!).

If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Just leave a comment in the box below. How can I involve you, my readers, in my blog posts?

Now to give you a little taste of my day, a tweet from this morning!

Woken by one of our cats jailbreaking😼the kittens out of the bedtime carrier! 🙀 Why? So she could could get in! #sillycat #needsleepnow #lol
— Victoria (@MissTadoodles) May 14, 2014

Oh man! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it!

Oh man! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it! FOR KING & COUNTRY has a new single!!! EEEP! If this is a sign of the music to come on their next album, I'm gonna be squealing all the way to market! LOL

"Fix My Eyes" (Lyrics from the song!)

The things of Earth are dimming
In the light of Your glory and grace
I'll set my sights upon Heaven
I'm fixing my eyes on you

Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for your brother

I'd fight for the weak ones
speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
I'd fix my eyes on you



Aren't these just beautiful lyrics? :D

Be Still: Part I

It's been a little while since you've really heard from me, of my thoughts and my heart. Believe me when I tell you there's been a lot going on in both. The last couple of weeks have been a true test of faith. I won't bore you with details, but I am going to share with you some of the things I've learned. I'll separate them into two or three posts to give you all a chance to breathe between cake bites and milk, or tea if you prefer.

My family and I went to a book sale last month, we all had such a great time! I found so many books, for myself and my sister (I'm really good at iSpy, so my sister was really glad to have me around). It was a great start to a marvelous weekend. Usually I get a ton of books, but this time I decided I would keep it under $20 and sure enough once I had cut all the ones I didn't need or really truly want I got just under with 50 cents to spare! The rest of day was beautiful, sun shining and wind brushing across our cheeks so gently.

Saturday was just as fine a day. Our family doodled and doddled and cruised around town. Enjoying the lovely day as we may. I couldn't have had a better day, I thanked God. Well, you know how that ole Devil despises happiness and praise. And, he will do anything to shift our focus away from God.
That night we ate a local restaurant and all, except my mom praise the Lord, got food poisoning.
First my dad and younger sister got it so bad they both had to go to the emergency at 3am that night. The next day my youngest sister and I were sick, but thankfully we were spared from having to go to the emergency room, ours wasn't as severe. In fact, my sister had to go back again to the ER due to complications from the whole ordeal; her chest cavity was inflamed and she was having a hard time breathing. She's well now, thank the Lord! We are all well again.

First lesson from this story: watch what you eat! If the food looks
bad or doesn't seem cooked or is cold when it should be warm or is warm when it should be cold or something just plain doesn't seem right with even just one piece of food ...WALK AWAY.

Here's the thing though, even if you do get sick, whether its food poisoning, a common cold, or something much worse, don't forget that though your body may be weak your spirit is still strong. Cause that's what the Devil is really up to, he's out to crush our spirits by putting our bodies against us. But here's some wise words I'd like to share:

"The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?" --Proverbs 18:14 (NLT)

Seriously! When have you ever honestly heard of someone being able to bear a crushed spirit? They can live without legs and feet or hands and arms, but the spirit... It's worse to have a crushed spirit, believe me!
See these bodies aren't made to last (since sin entered the world) anymore, they are of this earth {Genesis 2:7} but God has new heavenly vessels waiting for us in Heaven.

"For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put in new heavenly bodies." -- 2 Corinthians 5:3

God has guaranteed it {2 Corinthians 5:5} by giving us his Holy Spirit. I'm honestly looking forward to it; excited to tell the truth. Since I know what he has made for me up there will be beautiful. The pain, the sickness, won't last forever but His love endures forever. It's easy to forget when your hurting and sick, I'm just as much at fault as anyone for doing it. He loves you, wants to help you; he does help you. But instead we say: "Just gotta let it run its course, I'll be fine." As if we are to bear, or are bearing, it on our own! Think about this a moment.
To anyone who's been helping you: fetching your water, a wet cloth, a bowl of chicken noodle soup, or keeping people from disturbing you as you rest, would you say, "It took a few days, but I got all better! I'm right as rain, fit as a fiddle, just had to give it some time"?

Wow.

If you were that helpful person, wouldn't you feel like you'd just been slapped in the face? You'd think "how ungrateful." Oh you know you would, don't fib sweetie. *wink* I know I would. I know I'd also feel like such a heel for not giving credit and my sincere thanks to the one who helped me get well. I wouldn't be able to look them straight in the eyes! How could I be so ungrateful?

Second Lesson: Remember to Thank Him {Psalms 136:1} even in your weary state. Even if its just a quick whisper, for He loves a thankful heart. And next time you're sick or weary from these earthly bodies, remember it is only your body that is ill, not your soul {Matthew 10:28}. Don't let that silly ole Devil get you down in the dumps, he can't win cause Jesus already has! Your soul is secure if you keep believing Jesus is your Savior and live for Him.

Alas this is only the beginning of the story. "Be Still: Part II" will be coming soon. I can't wait for you to come back, I really do enjoy our little chats. Sorry I couldn't offer you an apple but I'm afraid they weren't quite right. Maybe next time though, yes? Oh maybe you like pears, I love pears.

God bless you!

Getting Over Your Ex with Jesus, and more, by DeeannaScott

Dear friends and followers and guests!

Do I have a special treat for you today. As you know, I am Instagram. I love it, I find so many uplifting reminders of God's love.

Using God words and her own experiences she shares her heart which is for God and his children (that's you and me). Using Gods word to shed light on relationship values, both with God and with people in our lives. ~Her account came across my path, literally a God send, when I absolutely needed it most. :) I look forward to her post any chance she gets to post. I hope you will now too!

I'll share these few posts but I strongly encourage you to red all of her posts! If you're having trouble getting over your ex, as I have, than I think you will love this. If not, well I still think you'll find it encouraging and helpful in your life. :) God bless!