Does truth matter? Andrew Petiprin argues that Truth (with a capital T) not only matters, but grounding your life on the ancient truths of the Bible is the way to a better life. Check out his book Truth Matters: Knowing God And Yourself.
Discovering the true answers to the age-old questions, Who is God? and Who am I? will help us flourish. These questions are always connected to our beliefs what we put our faith in. True faith is not a vague belief in a higher power. It is faith in the God who has revealed himself in specific ways in the Bible as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The life of Christ is there. The church is there. Forgiveness is there. Resurrection, eternal life, and everything else is there. Truth Matters champions the authentic teachings of the Christian faith as the best means of human flourishing. Along the way, readers will learn how doctrine was debated and decided. Doctrine develops, but Truth never changes.
The purpose of doctrine is to make Truth clearer than before, because our lives depend on it. Orthodox Christian doctrine simply paves the way for a better life (both now and forever) than any alternative. It is the only balm for our wounds during inevitable times of distress, and it is also the joy of our hearts in times of blessing. It keeps us from thinking too highly of ourselves by instilling in us an infinite worth given by an all-loving God.
Truth Matters: Knowing God And Yourself is a good choice if you want to learn more about Christian doctrine and how it can help us lead a more fulfilling live. If you find yourself confused this book may help to clear things up for your especially if you are a new Christian.
I received this book at no cost to facilitate my review. My words and views are 100% my own.
If you browse self-help parenting books, you are sure to see titles like, 5 Easy Steps to this or 3 Weeks to that. Literally thousands of books promising you results if you follow a precise formula. Do they work? That is debatable, and given how many new titles join them each year it does not look favorable.
Author Julie Lowe, an experienced children and family counselor provides a different principle to her book, Child Proof. Child Proof is not a book about moving things out-of-the-way for your new baby but one that demonstrates how parenting with biblical wisdom is best for a pro,active rather than reactive approach to parenting.
Julie is an adoptive and foster mom who applies the CCEF model of biblical change, and uses Scripture and biblical wisdom to teach parents how to know their children and specifically love them with the love of Christ. As a freedom-over-formula parenting book for parents of all ages, Child Proof provides biblical insight and encouragement for readers who want to parent by faith.
Every family is unique, which is why Child Proof explores the need for parents to cultivate personal and intimate care for their children as modeled in God’s individual, personal, and fatherly care to his children. This parenting book lays a foundation of parenting by faith and progresses by teaching parents how they can know their own children well and parent accordingly. By discussing particular issues parents might have in family life, Lowe demonstrates how parenting formulas aren’t the answer, and parenting with biblical wisdom is best for a proactive rather than reactive approach to parenting.
Through Lowe’s personal and professional experience, parents as well as those helping parents—pastors, counselors and counseling students, youth workers, and churches—will discover gospel-centered application rather than formulas for the ideal family, equipping parents to be experts at knowing their own children so they can know Scripture and live it out personally in their homes.
About the Author
Julie Lowe is a faculty member at CCEF. She holds an MA in counseling from Biblical Theological Seminary. She is a licensed professional counselor with over 18 years of counseling experience. Julie is also a registered play therapist and has developed a play therapy office at CCEF to better serve families, teens and children Julie and her husband, Greg, have six children and serve as foster and adoptive parents.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my post. As always, my words and views are 100% my own.
The world can be a tough place. The tween and teen years are especially hard. While it was no picnic when we were growing up, this generation has challenges and issues we could not even imagine, thanks to technology. Don’t get me wrong, I love technology, but it has brought about some darker things along with all the good.
Girls today have to deal with bullying, social media friendships as well as the awful social media “unfriending”, dating, changing bodies, awkward growth phases, mean girls and much more. Proper guidance and support is paramount to a healthy attitude and self-image as they navigate this stage of life.
Adored is a 365-day devotional that features an easy-to-read, relevant devotion paired with a scripture verse and journaling space to help readers reflect on that day’s special message. This book tackles those tough topics mentioned above, and shows readers how infinitely precious they are in God’s sight. This hardcover devotional is published by Zondervan, written for girls ages 13 and up and has a retail price of $14.99. You can purchase it HERE. Right now, you can get it on sale for just $8.49.
Having a book like this reminds girls they are not the only ones facing challenges, it helps them on the tough days and lifts them up every day. The journaling space is a wonderful way for girls to track their own growth and mindset through the year. This devotional makes a very meaningful gift this Christmas season. We have added it to Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. You can visit the publisher’s site to access a Free 7-Day Download.
What a week! With so many going through unspeakable pain due to the shooting in Las Vegas and the people trying to rebuild their lives in Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida and the Caribbean, one questions keeps coming to the surface…What is going on in this world?
This week, I also received Jeremy Camp’s new CD, The Answer. I thought the lyrics to the title track summed up a lot of what is on my mind and I am sure on the minds of thousands of others.
So many questions, the world is reaching So many hurting, so many lost With all this thriving, who can we lean on? Creations crying, out from the dark
Another song on the CD that I think many will relate to is, Never Stopped Loving Me. It reminds us that no matter if you go astray or through a dark period, God never stops loving you. He is always there for you, and that is a very comforting.
Many of the tracks on this CD, have that recurring message in them. In Love So Great, the lyrics say:
You made a way when I was so lost You came running when I could not You gave your life to show me true love And took my chains and gave me freedom
Word of Life, is another powerful song and I think it will speak to many in these times. You can view the video below.
Word of life
Speak to my weary heart Strengthen my broken parts Lead me to Your open arms Word of truth
Illuminate all these lies The enemy speaks inside In freedom I will rise‘Cause You called me out from the grave So I can live like I’ve been changed There is a new song in my soul And it begins when I breathe in Your word of life (Your word of life)
Spirit of God Take me to a deeper place Take me out of what is safe And I will not be afraid Spirit of God Fill me with joy again Springing up from within It cannot be contained
The lyrics to My Defender are very applicable to what is going on in the world. I think this whole album can bring hope and comfort to those who feel broken and hopeless in this world.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow And I stand face to face with the enemy I will know that I am not forsaken You surround me when the fire’s at my feetYou’re my defender You fight for me I will remember You’re all I need You are my healer My remedy Against the power of the unknown And I will not stand alone ‘Cause You’re my defender
I can see You when the night is closing in And I will trust You when it seems that there’s no hope And I hold tight to the promise You have given ‘Cause this I know and I am confident
The Answer was just released on October 6th and is Jeremy Camp’s 15th career album in 15 years. Since his debut album, 2002’s STAY, Camp has established himself with numerous landmark accolades including four RIAA-Certified Gold albums, more than 4.5 million albums sold, a GRAMMY nomination, three American Music Awards nominations, multiple ASCAP awards, 41 radio No. 1’s, a Gold digital single (There Will Be A Day) and a multi-platinum DVD.
“What’s been amazing about The Answer is that all of the songs were inspired by just being present,” Camp shares. “There was no song where I was sitting there and had this epiphany when I was writing. In every writing session, any idea literally just came in the moment. I was praying the whole time, ‘Lord, give me opportunities to combine these things that You are doing in our hearts.”
Camp continues, “When things get tough our first initial reaction is to say, ‘I don’t know if I can handle this.’ I can just tell you there is nowhere else to run. We can turn our backs on the Lord, but that’s where the problems are. There is pain and there is hurt, and Jesus literally offers peace, He offers hope and joy, and He offers the words of eternal life. This song is to encourage others to stick to the only true source of life who gives us all we need – Jesus Christ.”
Giveaway:
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Did you know that 50-60% of all Christian marriages end in divorce? In his book, The Blessings of Unity, Richard Case who with his wife Linda has been doing marriage retreats for over 14 years, found only a few of those marriages that have not moved to divorce are truly reflecting the wonder and glory of God. The remainder are living in mediocrity, ongoing conflict and certainly not enjoying the beauty of marriage.
Richard says that while we may be initially attracted to our spouse because of how different their personality is to ours, it is those differences that cause conflict. The husband tries to get his wife to be more like him while the wife does the same with her husband. These attempts to change the other person lead to significant conflict.
Richard and his wife Linda learned from their own marriage troubles that something was not right. They then learned the 2 keys to a successful marriage were :
Be abiding in the Vine and walking in the Spirit. (John 15: 1-15)
Learning the concept of unity–we are to live and only live through the principle of unity. This means working toward reaching agreement on all decisions, all issues and all things of our lives 100 percent of the time, all the time. (Psalm 133)
Next, there is a written exercise for husbands and wives to evaluate their marriage.
Chapter 2 is all about the opposite of unity-division and discord. This is a great chapter filled with concepts, scripture and personal examples from the author’s marriage.
Now you may be thinking, this is crazy, my spouse and I cannot agree on everything. I admit, I had the same thought. The author does not think that is possible either and says it is okay to disagree. In fact it is important for each of us to hold integrity with our true thoughts, beliefs and insights. The important thing is they don’t let it ruin their night or weekend, instead they get to unity by seeking God’s will.
There is also a chapter dedicated to handling disagreements and differences in opinion.
I think this is important and I think the whole concept can help us give up the fight to be right and seek peace and pray for God’s will instead. Who does not want more peace in their life?
Giveaway:
Enter our giveaway below for a chance to win your own copy of TheBlessings of Unity. In the meantime check out this free eBook, Unshakeable, from the All for Jesus Ministry.
The Blessings of Unity Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US and Canadian residents. Good Luck!!!
With all of the negative messages that our kids are exposed to every day, it is nice to find ways to bring positive, spiritual and inspirational words into their lives. I was so happy to find a great book that does that and is on a level my little ones can understand.
Every Day With God is the newest 365-day devotional from VeggieTales. It is a book that can be read together and older kids can read alone. There are 2 versions, one for boys and one for girls. The updated content and art in this new version make the book even better!
Every day they can open the book to find a Bible verse, short devotion, thought of the day and a prayer. Through this book, kids can learn more about God as it helps them develop a habit of taking time each day to keep God close. More than that, the pages are full of words that can speak right to a child’s heart.
The words can calm an anxious child, give courage to a fearful child, lift the spirits of a child who feels down and more. Knowing that God has their back and will always be with them is very comforting in a world that can be very cruel. As children grow they face many things that can really hurt them and this book can help them to know, they are special and God created them perfectly.
When we read it aloud with our kids it can help spur thoughtful conversation. I like that I can quickly find the right verse to speak to a particular issue that might be needed. It is also a wonderful gift for any child and one that carries so much meaning. We will be adding this book to our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide which will be live next week.
Would you like a chance to win a copy? Check out and enter on our giveaway below.
Giveaway:
Propeller Consulting, LLC is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their choice of the Girl or Boy Version of Every Day With GodDevotional. Thank you to Propeller Consulting, LLC for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US and Canadian residents.
VeggieTales: Every Day With God Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
