A Link

Just wanted to let you all know that this website has a ton of links to charities and ministries that take handmade items. 

If you're interested, check them out here http://www.handcraftingwithlove.net/charity/hcharity.html

Steadfast Love: Audiobook Review

Narrator Thoughts: I'm a huge fan of author read books. This one was so nice. Lauren has a lovely voice. It blended perfectly with the message of this book to provide a soothing read. 

Book Thoughts: Once again God knew what I needed to hear. This book highlights Psalm 107 and the Amazing Love of God. He has saved us and redeemed our lives. 

Still we put our trust in false anchors that won't hold. So many times, He loving places thorns in our path. This is to show us the folly of our ways. This is to draw us back to Him. To expose the real motives of our hearts. To free us from the false anchors we've put our trust in. 

Lauren expresses this so beautifully in Steadfast Love. I was encouraged and challenged by this book. It touched on some places that God and I need to work on. 

Here's one of my favorite quotes. The hard labor will force us to look at the chains that are on our hearts, if we would be willing to see.  

More than anything, in reading this book I was reminded of the amazing love of God. He cares for us no matter where we are. Ultimately He is our love and our redeemer. 

I highly recommend this book.

You can find it on Amazon and Christian Audio. 

Dirty Hands (A Real Post)

Sometimes the best ministry happens when you get your hands dirty. Very dirty.

When I started this blog, I wanted to create a place where girls could have a place to find different ministries to send their handmade creations to. 

Three years ago I felt God tugging at my heart to turn my words into action. To get my hands dirty so to speak. 

Now I am so glad I followed His leading. I started volunteering at a hospital, volunteered at a food pantry, talking and listening to messy people, loving those who needed to know someone cared, making gifts for the sick or hurting, working for a nonprofit disaster relief organization. I've never been "perfect" at it, but as I have opened my heart and my hands to those in need God has grown the size of my heart. As my hands have become dirty with His work, my capacity to love others has grown. 

God is good. 

How about you? What is God calling you to get your hands dirty with today? 

Let's find out. 

The End Of Me: Audio Review

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio

Narrator Thoughts: This Narrator was very good. He was clear and calm. A good listen. While he doesn't have the same passion in his voice as some narrators I've listened to, I thought he did a good job of reading the book. 

Book Thoughts: Once again, Kyle challenged me in my faith. I think this book, more then any of his others challenged me. 

Coming to the end of me has never been easy, but I can agree with him and say that when I come to the end of me, that is when Jesus' power can begin. It reminded me of the good that comes from coming to the end. 

By following in His footsteps we die to ourselves and our way of doing things. The chapter on humility especially hit home. It challenged my pride and reminded me of what I needed to be doing. 

This is definitely a worthwhile listen.

You can buy this on Christian Audio, Amazon, or Christianbook.com

The Truth About Lies: Audiobook Review

I received this audiobook courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review. 

Narrator Thoughts: Adam did a wonderful job of reading this book. He was clear, even and calming. I thought it was a perfect choice for a book on temptation. 

Book Thoughts: Far and Away this is the best book on temptation I have ever read. I think one of the most powerful elements in this book was that he took the wholistic approach to temptation. Talking about desires, day dreams, thought life, and everything inbetween Tim helps us to see how the key to overcoming temptation is not just saying no. It's a lifestyle that is focused on God and lives for Him. As we do that, saying no to temptation becomes easier. It is still there, but as we focus on God, temptions hold becomes less. 

I was encouraged, challenged, and strengthened as I read this book. 

I highly recommend it to anyone who is wanting to grow closer to God and know how to overcome temption. 

You can find this audiobook on Chistian Audio and on Amazon. 

Seeing In The Dark: Audiobook Review

I recieved this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review.

Narrator Thoughts: While not an author read book, I thought that this author did a very good job of reading this book. Her voice is very pleasent. Like a happy grandmother reading a book to you. 

Book Thoughts: Frist I want to say that I didn't finish this book. I listened to the first three chapters. 

I  thought that Nancy made some good points and was encouraging. As I continued to read the book I found myself agreeing with her on most points. 

Still I felt like the book lacked good structure. I felt like she would begin a thought and then get sidetracked with another point. Like I said they were good points, but I felt like it wasn't organized well. 

Overall I think that the style of the book was not one that speaks to me. I wasn't finidng it worth continuing, but maybe that was just me.

You can buy this on Christian Audio or Amazon. 

Called For Life: Audiobook Review

I received this book courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review.

Narrator thoughts: While this was not an author read book I did like the voices that they got to dramatize this book. The readers did an extremely good job of displaying the emotions that were written. I also enjoyed the two voices that played Amber and Dr. Brantley. They both did a great job capturing the spirit of this book. 

Book thoughts: Definitely this book is not for the faint of heart. Becuase you are talking about Ebola there's a lot of medical jargon and plenty of tough subjects discussed. 

But the heart and the story behind this audiobook is fantastic. I admire both Dr. Brantley and his wife for the sacrifice that they made in going to a foreign country and serving no matter the cost. They continued to believe in the mission that God called them to. I've admired their faith and the heart with which they served out the mission that God gave them. I enjoyed reading about their story. I enjoyed reading about their perspective. Like many so from around the world I had seen the reports of an American doctor working with Samaritans Purse that it come down with the Ebola and had heard a lot of different things about the doctor. But it's all it was great hearing it from Dr. Brantley's and his wifes  perspective. You hear what really happened, not just with the media told us. It was definitely neat to hear about how God brought him through and how God saw them through not only that but through the recovery process. 

As a hospital volunteer I'm accustomed to hearing some of the medical information, but it was still a little tough in places reading this book. Mainly because Ebola is a very nasty disease.

The neat thing that comes out of this is God saw him through. I think that's one of the things that comes out very clearly in this book is you see God's hand at work. Even in the little things. Even in the tough things. It worked for the good. To bring about Dr. Brantley's recovery. 

I would definitely recommend this book to friends but I would tell you that you should use some caution because it does go into a lot of the specifics about Ebola. Still, it's a fantastic book.  

You can get a copy of Called For Life by going to www.Amazon.com or at Christianaudio.com