“Sun Moon” ~ a lovely new film from Pure Flix (& GA, ends 5/13/23)

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Friends, I have the sweetest new film to tell you about from Pure Flix (plus a giveaway you can enter to win!). If you’re interested in other cultures or in living cross-culturally in other nations, you will love this. Brand-new from AFFIRM ORIGINALS, Sun Moon will capture your heart as Kelsey’s planned future takes direction from “Runaway Bride,” except she’s not the one running! She’ll never have dreamed where she’ll end up.

About Sun Moon

Kelsey, in her exquisite wedding dress, with the church decorated and prepared for her wedding…doesn’t get married when her fiance decides he prefers her best friend to her. That’s when we meet our heroine; curled up in her tub with her hair and makeup done and her dress crumpled around her.

What’s a girl to do when she feels humiliated, lost, and hopeless? Could perhaps a leap of faith change everything for her?

Because later, Kelsey hears a missionary couple speak at her church. They are telling their stories and encouraging parishioners to “take a leap of faith” and come to Taiwan to teach students. Kelsey, who’s still upset and bewildered at being left at the altar, decides that this will be her leap of faith: she’s going to move to Taiwan to teach.

Leap of faith: An acceptance of or willingness to do something based largely or entirely on one’s faith that it is correct or will work, despite having little or no evidence or assurance thereof.

TheFreeDictionary.com

But here’s what the leap of faith doesn’t inform Kelsey of: how to speak or even read the language in Taiwan. How to get around in her new city. How to understand her students and to meet their needs–as well as to actually teach them English. There’s no one who’s assigned to help Kelsey with these rather major challenges and goals. She feels absolutely alone.

But of course, we know that she’s not alone. God is there, working in her, working in her situation; developing love and compassion in her; and showing her that she’s meant for so much more than she ever imagined.

My thoughts

Like Kelsey, I had the incredible privilege (quite some time ago) of moving overseas to a different culture, with a VERY different language, for a couple of amazing and wonderful years. Unlike Kelsey, I wasn’t on my own. But I was faced with the need to learn a foreign language along with the requirement of learning to live with a team, all with the goal of sharing God’s Word and His deep love with individuals. (There was also this very normal yet still difficult thing called culture shock, which revolved around the main question of, How? How do I shop for food, how do I filter water, how do I not blow the fuses by using both a heater and a hair dryer at the same time?) One adjusts, and learns–and builds relationships that make all the difference of living cross-culturally

Even if I hadn’t shared a similar experience to Kelsey’s, I’d have loved watching her learn the ways of her new culture, and of trying to work with her new students. She travels the road that takes her from seeing a collective sea of faces that she’s trying to teach English to…to learning the lives and challenges behind those faces, which is one of the factors that changes her time in Taiwan.

The other is her friendship with Horace, a fellow teacher at the school. Unlike Kelsey, he’s won the hearts of his students while keeping the order and respect that’s necessary in their classroom. Also unlike Kelsey, he understands the culture AND speaks the language! So she approaches him with her questions. And eventually, she learns his heart as well.

So, watching Sun Moon felt at times, very familiar. And exciting! I love hearing stories of how God calls us from the familiar and places us in the unknown. (He can do this, of course, without our leaving our own culture.) But watching Kelsey navigate her way through a completely unfamiliar landscape to her eyes, ears, emotions, and heart–and seeing God move in incredible ways in the unfamiliarity was joyful and heartwarming. And the relationship-building? It will just gladden your heart.

And it’s not just living in Taiwan that brings challenges to Kelsey. Life back at home in the U.S. isn’t static; there are things going on there that touch her as well, with her sister and her mother. There is suffering happening in those she’s begun to love overseas; but it’s happening back in the U.S. too. There’s a decision that she’s going to have to make soon. How will she know the right way to go?

Don’t miss Sun Moon. It is precious, inspiring, and really unlike any other movie I’ve seen in quite awhile. You can find it on Pure Flix. And if you don’t have a Pure Flix membership? You can enter to win one below!

Enter to win a 3-month sub to Pure Flix

Sun Moon is available now only on Pure Flix, and you don’t want to miss it, I promise! So if you don’t have a Pure Flix membership, enter to win a 3-month Pure Flix subscription here! Just click on the link below that says, “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you can enter to win in a variety of ways. US entrants only; limited to those who have NOT won a Pure Flix subscription in the last 6 months. Giveaway closes on May 13, 2023. Best wishes!

Enter here!

And watch this fun video with the writer/director of Sun Moon!

The wonderful Jean Thomason from Momentum Influencer Network got to interview Sydney Tooley, the writer and the director of Sun Moon!

And last, but DEFINITELY not least, don’t miss the trailer for Sun Moon!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

“Do the Thing” – an interactive book to help you identify your calling with joy (& giveaway! ends 5/18/23)

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I have been so encouraged by reading Rebecca George’s Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl; and I’m very excited to tell you about it, plus an opportunity for you to win your own copy! The BlogAbout Blogger Network provided this book to me plus one copy to give away to a reader–and this is a book you’re definitely going to want to own.

About Do the Thing, from the publisher

Goal-Setters and Go-Getters

What’s your “thing”?

You may have a special cause, project, or talent you feel called to develop. But then fear and lack of clarity make it easier to avoid the “thing” than risk failing at it. Surely there’s a better way to view your calling than through a lens of striving and worldly achievement.

In Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl (Esther Press, April, 2023) by Rebecca George, Rebecca is an encouraging voice in your ear because she has had the same hesitations. With this generation’s drive, she knew she wanted to move past fear and into what she loved to do. She says, “Let’s not waste another minute of the all-too-brief time we have on this side of eternity.”

Do the Thing is part guide, part manifesto. It’s an interactive book, including a built-in study workbook, and access to video teachings by Rebecca. It beckons you to pursue the passions that stir your soul with grace and confidence.

On this journey, you will discover how to:

• See your gifts and talents from a gospel-centered perspective.
• Prioritize goals related to your calling as you move forward with gumption and grace.
• Overcome negative thought patterns to work and create with the confidence of a go-getter girl!

Today is the day to take a brave step in a purposeful direction, using God’s Word as your compass to do the thing He has designed for YOU to do!

And, a little Q&A with the author, Rebecca George

Why did you write Do the Thing?

When I think about the last decade or so of conversations I have had with women and the themes that consistently come up, the topic of our “calling” is very common. I often see women struggle in the areas of insecurity, doubt, comparison and more. There are also moments along the way that can be tricky – when God calls us to something new, when we endure through a hard
season, and/or when God prompts us to lay something down in order to create capacity for a new “thing” He has for us to do. I felt compelled to share my own journey and struggles in these areas and lead women toward the truth only found in God’s word that will help us walk through these moments with more confidence and clarity.

Who do you think would benefit from reading the book? Could it be done as a study – group or individual? Does it matter what denomination I am?

Any woman who desperately desires to see her work and her calling from a gospel-centered perspective and wants to be faithful in the hard moments that we all bump up against. The way it’s packaged makes it really easy to do as an individual or a group. There is an accompanying 6-session interactive video series that would be great encouragement along the way if you’re doing it
alone (or a great way to kick off your sessions in a book club or small group setting).

I do believe women from different denominations would benefit from reading the book. At the end of the day, my aim was to look at the source, scripture itself, as our guide for the conversations we’ll have inside the pages.

If there is one thing a reader takes away from the book, what do you hope it is?

I hope she walks away believing and knowing the character of God more deeply and, as a result, who He has made her to be. An outpouring of that truth will help us more rightly see the work He’s given us to do.

My thoughts about Do the Thing

Were you ever taught, did you ever learn, how to walk out your calling? Because you have one. I have one. And not only do we have callings, God has given us gifts and placed us just so, in the body of Christ and in our particular locations and times, so that we can walk them out and come to know and love Him better. But if you are like me? Perhaps you stumbled into yours. (I freely admit that I did!) I learned SO much from the Bible. But I’d have been oh, so grateful, to have had a female mentor in the early years of my walk. (I was super-blessed to have one at some crucial times later, though!)

I’d have been thrilled to have had a copy of Rebecca George’s wonderful Do the Thing back in the day. Reading Do the Thing made me feel almost as if I were sitting with a mentor, talking about the issues of life, and examining those issues through Scripture. Rebecca takes readers step-by-step through so many key truths about ministry, and what we need to know or do, to do it well, including:

• Christ in us; not only the hope of glory, but the power for all we do or hope to do
• Learning how and why to persevere
• Knowing that progressing in our callings includes not only the unexciting tasks, celebrating the faithful moments, and the crazy courageous ones, too
• And this was a HUGE one for me: cultivating an unrushed heart. Rebecca’s sentence, “I tend to run through life with all cylinders on go,” is one I’ve said often myself, albeit with different words!
• And a component of that one: doing vs. being. In fact, this one includes one of my favorite sentences in the book:

Our deepest places of struggle, when surrendered to God, can be the very places from which God moves in the most powerful ways.

Rebecca George, Do the Thing

In addition, she gives us practical tools that we can use to discern ways we’re shaped by God and how He might desire to use us. I really love the Prayer Prompts, Scriptures and Goals, and Do the Thing Manifesto sections she ends each chapter with. These are really wonderful writing exercises, which give you the opportunity to really think through, pray through, and write down what’s really going on in your own heart, and what God’s saying to you. And in addition to those cool tools, there is also a QR code enclosed in the book which takes you to some wonderful teaching videos of Rebecca that you can watch as you complete the chapters. These are both fun and full of kind and wise instruction.

I always imagine that in seminary, a Christian learns the ways that he or she can walk out a calling with grace, wisdom, and strength. But not all of us attends seminary. However, God can still make His wishes and desires for us known, and He does. I believe that Do the Thing is a kind, loving, and wonderful resource, both to equip us to grow closer to God and to minister effectively. I highly recommend this book. You’ll love working through it on your own, or with a group of like-minded friends. It will bless you, and bless you in your calling!

Here’s a bit from Rebecca on her new book:

Here’s how you can enter to win a copy!

The BlogAbout Blogger Network has provided a copy of Do the Thing for one FINCHNWREN reader to win! To enter, just click on the link below that says, “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. Giveaway ends on May 18, 2023. One entrant will be selected to win. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received Do the Thing from The BlogAbout Blogger Network. All opinions shared here are my own honest ones.

Andrea Bocelli’s “The Journey” film review (and giveaway, ends 4/10/23)

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Sweet friends, I have the most lovely film to tell you about today–and to encourage you to see this week, Holy Week, in theaters! It’s called “The Journey: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli,” and it provided one of the most beautiful times I’ve ever spent in a movie. Keep reading for more about this wonderful film. (Also, there’s a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway that you can enter.)

About his experience, from Andrea Bocelli:

“We journeyed by horse for over 300 kilometers along a path that was not always easy to travel, but absolutely beautiful, made of meadows and forests; sacred places filled with lasting testimonies of faith, full of art of incredible beauty, and views in front of which one can’t but ponder about creation and the miraculous work of our Heavenly Father.”

About “The Journey”

Oh my. What an experience.

This film is the most gorgeous interweaving of faith, song, gifting, and calling–combined with amazing landscape and meaningful word and conversation. Andrea Bocelli has combined his own incredible and mellifluous (really!) tenor with his friends’ musical talents–friends including Tauryn Wells, Tori Kelly, Michael W. Smith, TAYA, and many more, to create a film which takes viewers away to a quiet, worshipful place. The star and his musical guests travel by horseback throughout a special, pilgrimage road in Italy, and speak about God, relationships, worship–and share not only their music with us, but breathtaking Italy.

My thoughts about “The Journey”

Oh, precious ones!

Do anything you can to see “The Journey” in theaters. It is so, so worth your time, your eyes, and your ears. (Your heart is going to be blessed, as well!)

The idea of pilgrimage is communicated throughout the film, as Andrea Bocelli, his wife Veronica, and their friends travel on horseback throughout the Via Francigena in Italy (which believers and pilgrims–even the apostles!–have traveled for thousands of years even to the current day). I’ve read from current-day pilgrims traveling by foot along one of the pilgrim roads (like the one the Bocellis took, or one of the Camino de Santiago routes) that it’s a trip that causes people to slow down. To spend time living in the moment. To connect with the Lord in a special way.

Even though we as viewers only take an hour and a half of our own time to join the Bocellis and their friends, it is a restful and meaningful film, and “The Journey” communicates so much peace and beauty to us. The musical performances take place in the open air, with stunning Italy all around, in amphitheaters, and in ancient churches. Although the film moves along at a peaceful, measured pace, it’s so beautifully constructed that you never daydream or lose your place. Instead, you are drawn into an intimate sharing of friendship, conversation, music–and blessing!

The music includes current-day songs by Tori Kelly, Tauryn Wells, and Michael W. Smith; a Leonard Cohen heartbreaker reprise; and some incredible and lovely duets by the artists along with Andrea Bocelli. One of TAYA’s worship songs (one of my faves) is performed. And there are the sweetest conversations about life, faith, and calling.

There were moments that deeply touched my heart. (I admit there were several sob-fest moments for me!) There are some sweet, precious conversations or songs that Andrea and his wife Veronica, son Matteo, and daughter Virginia have together. (There is so much love that seems to flow between them!) I especially loved Tauryn’s and TAYA’s horseback conversations with Andrea and Veronica. (And one brief one with a walking pilgrim on the road!)

In all, I think that Jesus’s words in Mark 6:31 are what is lived in this film: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Dear ones, we all so desperately need that quiet place and rest with Jesus. Here’s a totally unexpected place where I believe you can find peace and rest, and music to soothe your soul. If this sounds appealing to you—click on the link below, purchase tickets (if they’re available where you live), and go enjoy beauty, worship, music, and tender conversation, all pointing to Jesus and the rest He so lovingly offers to us.

And take your hankies. You’re going to need them, especially for the film’s tender ending.

Watch the trailer for “The Journey” here!

Visit the movie website & purchase tickets here!

Check out more about “The Journey” at the film’s website here: “The Journey” website

And purchase tickets to see this film ONLY in theaters April 2-April 9, 2023 here: Purchase tickets here Dear friends, you will be so blessed by this sweet, loving, worship-filled movie. Only in theaters Palm Sunday, 2023 through Easter Sunday, 2023!

And, enter to win an Amazon gift card!

In celebration of “The Journey,” you can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

To enter to win, simply click on the link below that says, “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. US entrants only; must be 18 and older to win. Giveaway ends on

Enter here!

Be blessed! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to TBN for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

See the rich & wonderful “Southern Gospel” in theaters now–and enter to win an Amazon GC! (ends 3/18/23)

#sponsor #partner

Friends, I’ve had the opportunity to see an unusual and wonderful movie that you can see now in theaters: “Southern Gospel.” It is filled with so much beauty and redemption; as well as the deep, sometimes overwhelming pain that we can experience living on this earth. Let me tell you more about this film, and my impressions of it, its actors, and theme. Plus, you can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card below!

About “Southern Gospel”

Here’s a brief synopsis of the film from its production company:

“Samuel Allen, a 1960’s rockstar, finds himself in jail after struggling with years of anger and blame toward organized religion that has led him down a road of rebellion. In a moment of divine intervention, the judge dismisses drug charges against him under the pretense that Samuel speaks to local schools and churches about the dangers of drugs. Given a second chance, he follows in his father’s footsteps to become a preacher, overcoming the influence of a powerful church leader with a personal vendetta against his family.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL is the story of a man overcoming brokenness and never surrendering the dream on his journey to find the gospel…”Southern Gospel.””

The truly wonderful and so-believable cast includes:

• Four-time Emmy nominee Max Ehrich as Samuel
• Katelyn Nacon (“The Walking Dead”) as Julia
• Emma Myers (Netflix’s “Wednesday”) as Angie
• J. Alphonse Nicholson (“P. Valley,” “Just Mercy”) as Barry
• Gary Weeks (“Outer Banks,” “Spiderman: Homecoming”) as Samuel’s father, Joe

My thoughts

My heart was captured by the “Southern Gospel” trailer the first time I saw it–and oh, how I loved the film when I watched it, as well!

Stretching over a time period from the 1950s to the 1980s (though the very end carries viewers up to the present day), “Southern Gospel” brings it all: incredible music, fantastic performances by talented actors, a believable (and true!) storyline–and, told most beautifully, the redemptive power and love of God as He reaches out to human beings.

Do you ever feel as though you’re not “good enough” for God, or to set foot inside a church? People can certainly make us feel that way (and really, our own flesh can as well). That’s completely not how God feels about us. Recently, the pastor of a church we’ve just begun to attend preached a service on that very thing: the grace of God, offered to us all; and how that grace, extended to us and paid for by Jesus’s death on the cross and sealed by His resurrection, is the only thing that saves us. We’re not saved by our works, or by living a “good” life, or by our own winsomeness, attending the “right” church, or our standing here on earth.

It’s only His grace.

Samuel is loved incredibly by his dad, Joe, who pastors the church they attend. Joe preaches God’s love and grace, and encourages his son and parishioners to dwell in those things, and to hold fast to their dream and calling (intertwined, as this story tells it). Samuel’s gifting is in his music, but also in his ability to preach. Contrary to his dad’s sermons and life, though, some church officials are quick to tell people (including Samuel) that it’s not just God and His love. Instead, it’s having “perfect” behavior that saves a person–including not drinking. Not swimming with the opposite sex. Not dancing. Keeping all the church rules.

And Samuel is young enough that he hasn’t been able to discern the difference between those, just yet. And when tragedies strike, he walks away from God, his faith, and the church.

Those are not the end of Samuel’s (or our!) story. Because God has never let go of him. And his redemption has been waiting for him.

And…my favorite parts of this movie

Y’all, there is so much to recommend in “Southern Grace.” The acting is superb; you feel as though you really know the characters. It’s not really what I’d call a typical faith-based movie, however; the pain Samuel and his family and friends feel is real, honest, and sometimes terrible (I’d give a content warning for suicide, abuse, and drug and alcohol addiction). Yet while the pain he and his loved ones experience is realistic, the movie is not hopeless. God’s hand of redemption, love, and help are there, reaching out for and saving his precious children.

I loved so much about this movie! But I don’t want to give you spoilers, so I’ll make the description of those things brief. Here they are:

• Sam’s incredible relationship with his loving dad, Joe
• The forgiveness and grace not only that God extends to the characters (again, remember that this is based on a true story!) but that they extend to each other
• The faithfulness seen in so many relationships
• And last but not least, the music! It’s fantastic and covers so many eras

I recommend this movie to you wholeheartedly. It’s not really a film for kids but it’s something that you could take your teens to. There are so many conversations you could have based on this movie; on faith, God’s love for us, what church can be, and how to get through the pains and sorrows of life. Just so good!

Watch the “Southern Gospel” trailer here

Buy tickets for “Southern Gospel” here

Purchase tickets for “Southern Gospel” at the movie’s website below (plus you can check out more about the film there!)

Buy “Southern Gospel” movie tickets here

Enter to win an Amazon gift card here

You can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card now, as we celebrate the release of “Southern Gospel!” Just click on the link below that says, “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. US entrants only, ages 18 and older. Giveaway closes 3/18/23. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to BMG for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

“A Divine Romance” ~ wonderful Biblical historical fiction (& giveaway!)

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Have you ever wondered about Joseph’s time in Egypt? His story is told in the Bible’s book of Genesis, of course. But I’ve always wondered about his years there, and especially about his marriage to the daughter of the high priest, Potiphera. In Ifueko Ogbomo’s absolutely beautiful book, A Divine Romance, we get a peek into the lives and loves of these remarkable people.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Divine Romance by Ifueko Ogbomo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Divine Romance Author: Ifueko Ogbomo Publisher: InspiroLogos Publishing Release Date: February 14, 2023 Genre: Historical Romance Biblical Fiction Hers is the flawless face no man has seen—except her father. His is the foreign face everyone reveres—save his family. The royal decree that couples this unlikely pair will make or break the history of an ancient empire. Considered a gift from the sun god due to her arresting eyes, Asenath was veiled in childhood and destined to marry Egyptian royalty. The 17-year-old is resigned to a loveless future in the royal harem, when Pharaoh’s shocking declaration forces her to marry the new vizier of Egypt—a mystical foreigner with powers of divination. Known as Zaphnath-Paaneah, her husband turns out to be handsome, charming, and possibly insane since he worships an invisible god and expects her—the daughter of a high priest—to do the same. Facing a fate seemingly worse than that she grew up dreading, she desperately searches for a way out of the arranged marriage. The secrets she uncovers usher her into a world of intrigue and treachery that questions all her beliefs about men, gods, and love. Will theirs be the most monumental mismatch made in Egyptian history, or will her daring demand for a sign from his god make all her childhood fantasies come true? Combining original poetry with well-researched history, A Divine Romance is an Own Voices retelling of a beloved Biblical tale that takes readers on a riveting journey through Ancient Egypt and introduces them to a fresh, poetic voice in Christian fiction.

“In a writing style reminiscent of Tessa Afshar, Ifueko Ogbomo spins a breathtaking tale readers won’t be able to put down!”

~ Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol Award-winning author of The Orchard House and Hope Beyond the Waves “A Divine Romance that will resonate in our hearts well past the last page.” ~ Toni Shiloh, Christy Award-winning author of In Search of a Prince “Gifted storytelling brings an intricate cast of characters to life and portrays the greatest kind of love there is . . .” ~ Jenna Van Mourik, author of Jerusalem’s Daughter PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-divine-romance-ifueko-ogbomo/1143004914 | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub

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About the Author

Ifueko Fex Ogbomo is a prize-winning Nigerian poet, storyteller, voice artist, and sickle cell activist whose life’s motto is ‘to inspire with words.’ Under her alias ‘Lady InspiroLogos,’ she is best known for her custom spoken word and song performances, which have graced global stages. For her internationally-acclaimed work in the performing arts, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services classified her as an Alien of Extraordinary Ability in the Arts and awarded her permanent US residency (2017).

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writer’s association, Ifueko is passionate about using spoken word artistry and storytelling to share the gospel, and to raise awareness on both autism and sickle cell anemia. Her first book, Yellow Eyes Gone White!, is a faith-inspiring memoir that details her personal struggles with the genetic blood disorder. Ifueko’s poem, My Utmost Delight, is the opening chapter of Revell’s 2022 publication, Voices of Lament, a collection of essays, poems, liturgies, and prayers by 29 BIPOC Christian women contributors exploring issues of injustice, heartache, and deep suffering. A classically-trained vocalist, Ifueko graduated summa cum laude, with a B.A. Honors (Music with a minor in Computer Science) from Texas Lutheran University. The last of three children born to a military father and a fashion designer mother, Ifueko has visited four of the seven continents and known many “homes,” but she currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Proudly neurodivergent, and INFJ on the Myers-Briggs scale, she enjoys creative expression, African fashion, gluten-free dining, and exotic destinations. But nothing beats a quiet day at home, flying through the pages of a Christian romance while snacking on plantain chips! Connect with Ifueko by visiting ifuekoogbomo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of A Divine Romance and Voices of Lament!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 7, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 14, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

My thoughts about A Divine Romance

I am fond of Biblical fiction. I always wonder about the rest of the Bible figures’ lives; their childhoods, vocations, marriages, and their own children (if they had any). Of course, I realize that these books are *fiction* — but I love it when authors faithfully approach Scripture, then ponder the same questions that I have, and compose amazing books about Bible characters we know only a little about.

Ifueko Ogbomo has done just that, beautifully, in A Divine Romance. She has created personalities, a love story, and what Joseph’s and Asenath’s lives could have looked like over the years. Asenath is a lovely woman, prepared all of her life for a royal marriage (and all that entails, including negotiations, manipulations, foreign languages, and beauty treatments). We get a glimpse of who this mysterious woman from Scripture might have been; the woman who had two children with Joseph, who was the daughter (and we assume, worshiper, of Egypt’s pantheon of so-called gods) of Egypt’s high priest.

How could a woman who devoutly followed Egypt’s religious practices become the wife of Joseph, who wholeheartedly loved and followed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even during his years of suffering in a foreign land?

Ogbomo gives us what, perhaps, could have been that answer. What did Asenath’s years look like, as she was tutored (and hidden behind a veil, so that her royal husband-to-be would have the first look at her beauty) in the skills valued in a princess? And what would she have thought upon meeting a man who only worshiped one God; and, an invisible one, at that? And what would Joseph’s reaction have been to becoming affianced to a woman whom he didn’t know, who would find his faith not only confusing but perhaps ridiculous?

We learn the answers to those questions, and many more, in A Divine Romance, in a captivating, beautifully-written and -imagined book. Joseph and Asenath become in our minds people that we can imagine meeting or knowing, who have real human emotions and struggles, particularly the challenges of faith and the intrigues of palace life. Don’t miss this wonderful book. It’s a 5-star read, for sure!

B&N

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“Captive Set Free” by Valerie Limmer–a review

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Do you have a grip on, or understanding of, what it means to forgive? How to forgive? Why to forgive–and why we should forgive? I don’t mind telling you that this is something I’ve truly struggled with, off and on throughout my life. Valerie Limmer’s lovely, refreshing book is both a primer and an advanced-level teaching–in a kind, humble, and honest manner–on forgiveness. It is beautiful, sometimes full of epiphany, and definitely a book I recommend for you. Here’s more about it, plus my own review a little later in the post. (Plus, you can enter to win!)

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Captive Set Free by Valerie Limmer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Captive Set Free Author: Valerie Limmer Publisher: Green Sap Publications Release Date: October 18, 2022 Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Living

Have you been hurt? Are you hounded by turbulent feelings and looping thoughts? Do you know you need to forgive but aren’t sure where to begin?

Captive Set Free is a lamppost along the path of healing, offering engaging stories and examples, explaining how forgiveness fits into our spiritual DNA, and examining mindsets that make forgiving easier or harder. In this book, you’ll learn how to – take concrete steps to forgive; – be sure forgiveness has taken hold in your heart; and – guard your spirit from bitterness, both now and in the future. If you’re tired of being imprisoned by pain and toxicity and want to step into the free and abundant life Jesus has planned for His children, this book is for you.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub

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About the Author

Valerie Limmer is a missionary in Japan. She is neither a therapist nor a theologian, but she has experienced severe abuse from a handful of people. In Captive Set Free, she shares the principles and techniques she’s learned in her own life on her journeys towards forgiveness.

Connect with Valerie by visiting valerielimmer.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of Captive Set Free and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 9, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 16, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

My thoughts & experiences with Captive Set Free

Life isn’t easy. In fact, it’s sometimes breathtakingly hard; and painful. Despite the fact that at my core, I’d LOVE for life to be full of sunshine, flowers, and kittens every single day, I am reminded (sometimes more often than I’d prefer) that instead, it’s often difficult. It IS gorgeous too. But sometimes the things that bring us joy (people and relationships) can also bring us pain, heartbreak, and sorrow.

Here’s the question: what do we do with that deep inner pain that results from our interactions with people, whether they’re those we love or those we don’t even know? Scripture’s–and Jesus’s–answer is clear.

Forgive.

Honestly? I don’t even WANT to forgive, sometimes. I want justice! Restoration! Removal of the pain!

Yes, I’m really that emphatic about it in my heart of hearts. But that life and those habits and thought patterns, if left unchecked, can leave me in a well of bitterness. And that bitterness entraps me, binds me, fills my mind with ugly, critical thoughts. And keeps me from living the abundant life Jesus promises me.

Valerie Limmer knows that terrible pain can happen in life. And in her beautiful book, she talks about the wheres, whens, whys of forgiveness. And, she talks about the hows. I need to know why I should forgive. But I also need to know how–and Valerie speaks to that. Here are some of my favorite thoughts that she shares in Captive Set Free:

• “Jesus longs to free us from the painful burden of unforgiveness. He wants to construct a better future for us, but He won’t force us into anything. So, now we must decide what we want.”
• “We always tend to walk in the direction our eyes are looking. This is just as true in the emotional and spiritual realms as it is in the physical one…When we adjust the direction of our gaze and focus on the forgiveness of the cross rather than on the hurt that’s pierced our hearts, our futures are infused with Jesus’ hope and promise…We’re left with a decision. We may not have had a choice over what happened to us, but we have a choice now. It is a sacred gift God has given us.”
• “In reaching out for Him, we may realize we’ve been in His arms all along. God can redeem and heal lives filled with abuse. He can “give back the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25, my paraphrase) if only we have the courage to let Him perform His divine surgery on our hearts.”
• “It’s all a matter of focus. When we criticize others, our ability to examine ourselves begins to slip.”

Really, there is so much in this book that will equip you on your own journey toward learning to forgive. I’m a list person, so I love the practical actions that Valerie recommends. These are some of them that I’m embracing now:

• Take thoughts captive to the cause of Christ and decide to stop embracing past hurts–while at the same time acknowledging (and not denying) my own emotions
• Utilize exercises to encourage healing/enable forgiveness: realizing my own emotions; praying about it with God; being willing not to demand having the last word; journal; meditate on helpful Scriptures (listed in her book)
• Guard my heart WHILE actively engaging
• And–pace myself. This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon!

I so needed this book, and I’m truly thrilled to recommend it to you. It will encourage you, inform you, bless you, and help you to embrace and live–with beautiful outcomes–the path of forgiveness.

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Enter to win a $10 Amazon GC in celebration of “The Garden,” a sweet new faith-based cartoon series for kids!! (ends 12/29/22)

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I’m so excited to tell you that there is a fun new addition to the world of faith-based, quality children’s entertainment. It’s called The Garden, created and written by Butch Hartman. I was given the opportunity to watch The Garden‘s brand-new Christmas episode, “The Greatest Gift,” and I believe that both parents and littles will love this!

About The Garden

Here’s a bit from the producer:

The Garden is a Christ-centered children’s cartoon series aimed at teaching your kids the Gospel in a way they can understand. It features LENNY THE LION and LUCY THE LAMB—two best friends who work inside a magical garden where ANYTHING can grow! Each story revolves around them having to accomplish their goals by learning a Bible story or an original song. “The Garden” will take your kids right along on these adventures, too!

The Garden can be streamed now on both Pure Flix and Yippee TV. And soon, a Garden App will be available! 40 episodes of The Garden are being made.

The purpose of The Garden is to entertain kiddos while also teaching them God’s Word. Episodes include original songs, Bible verses (as well as their addresses or locations in the Bible). Best friends Lenny and Lucy play, sing, work, and worship together–as well as listen to God’s voice and direction to resolve the challenge or issue in each episode.

The show’s creator/writer and actors

So–before I tell you about them, I have to tell you a bit about why I’m so excited about them. I spent a delightful number of years with my family as our child began to explore the amazing world of animation. And it IS amazing. I found that once I began to watch with our son, I started to notice repeated names in the writers, directors, and voice actors–overlapping in different series and even different networks. Just so you know, the people involved in The Garden have worked on incredible high-quality programs. Friends, these people are basically animation, writing, and voice acting royalty! (Now, of course, I have to tell you who they are!)

Butch Hartman is the creator and writer, who also worked on Nickelodeon’s The Fairly Odd-Parents, Danny Phantom, Bunsen is a Beast, and Tuff Puppy. The incredible voice cast includes James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Leonardo in TMNT, Looney Tunes Cartoons, and more), Cristina Milizia (Poison Ivy in Batman, Jessica Cruz/Green Lantern, various voices in The Casagrandes and Monster High), and Brian Stivale (voice actor in an enormous number of video games, including Marvel Avengers Academy and Beats by Dre).

I love that these creative people came together to make something so colorful, fun, and faith-building!

My thoughts & impressions

The Garden‘s episode “The Greatest Gift” was fun, charming, and made me really focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas: because of Jesus’s birth, God’s greatest gift to all mankind. I found much to love, in this darling video. Lenny and Lucy are best friends (they’re a lion and a lamb–get it?). They joyfully make Christmas cookies together, and do a little tree decorating. Then, they get an assignment.

They’re to go decorate the concert hall for the upcoming Christmas event. And on the way, they have to pass the grumpiest, meanest person in town. Who scares them! But all that is the preparation for the cool things that God is going to do–through His people.

I don’t want to tell you any more, because I want you to have the joy of watching this, not knowing what is coming. But I do want to tell you some things I loved about “The Greatest Gift.”

• The sweet, clear way that Scripture is woven into the dialogue and the show
• Conversation with God (the Boss) is natural and normal for these characters
• The music! There is a wonderful combination of original music, with styles including pop, jazz, and even, if I’m not mistaken, big band!
• God’s very good purposes in what He asks Lucy and Lenny to do
• The fun animation! Its style (though not its content) is very reminiscent to me of 2D cartoons I grew up with.

Here’s a fun video from Butch & Julieann Hartman

Here’s where you can purchase The Garden’s episode “The Greatest Gift” — and more!

You can purchase this sweet Christmas episode now–for only $1.99! With your purchase, you’ll receive a quality curriculum based on the episode! Just follow these instructions:

• Go to this purchase link for “The Greatest Gift”
• Click on “The Greatest Gift”
• That will take you to a new page. Click on “Add to cart”
• Purchase the episode
• Download PDF
• Open Christmas streaming page with password
• Download free curriculum

And enjoy!

Now, you can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

In celebration of The Garden and its new Christmas episode, The Greatest Gift, you can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card! To enter, simply click on the link below that says “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. US entries only; must be 18 and older to win. Giveaway closes 12/29/22. Giveaway winners will received their gift card after the new year. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to Garden Productions for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible for kids: a review

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Have you ever had a book that combined all the best assets of a print publication with the excitement of video? I didn’t think it could happen, either–but with Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible, it has! FrontGate Media provided a copy of this amazing story Bible for kids and families for me, and I’m delighted to share its features (and coolness!) with you as well. Plus, you can enter to win this neat Bible too!

About the Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible

ABOUT THE BIBLE, from the publisher

With a proven track record of over 6 million copies sold, Egermeier’s Bible Storybook has been a favorite for generations.

The Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible now brings the Bible to life with new colorful illustrations and an entire series of quick-sketching videos that tell the stories as they magically appear on the screen.

Readers now have the choice to read the stories or to watch them being drawn before their very eyes!

Children of all ages may read the stories or watch them being drawn before their very eyes!   312 stories feature animation-style illustrations, scannable QR codes, Scripture references, and discussions questions – all designed to help kids understand how God’s word fits together and how the stories point to a relationship with Jesus!

Suitable for kids ages 8 and up! This hardcover, easy-to-read format is 660 pages and is makes the perfect gift!

My thoughts about this Bible

What a wonderful, engaging story Bible for little ones and families! The Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible is arranged chronologically, so that children can learn via story the big picture of God’s interactions with humans, and the ways He spoke about the coming Messiah, Jesus, all throughout the Old Testament and all the way through the New, when He arrives on earth as a baby, and grows into the adult Jesus; with His ministry, death on the cross, and resurrection. This Bible then continues through Acts and the Epistles, through Revelation. At the end, there’s an exceptional reference section which includes:

• How We Got Our Bible
• Explanation of the books of the Bible, what they contain, and their literature categories
• Interesting Facts About the Bible (fun factoids)
• Great Prayers of the Bible
• Our Lord’s Parables
• Wonderfully-drawn maps with Old Testament-time Israel, the Temple at Jerusalem, Jerusalem itself during Jesus’s days, the Holy Land in New Testament Times (current-day as well), and Paul’s missionary journeys

Although this Bible is designed for children ages 8 and older, I think it would also be a wonderful one for parents or grandparents to use with smaller children for reading aloud–and for using the QR codes! When parents scan the QR codes with their cell phones, a voice narrates the written story on the page with the QR code. Then, line drawings appear first in black and cream. Then, the drawings are colored in as the story is told. It’s as if the viewer is in an artist’s studio, watching the drawings be created and then colored in, all as they illustrate the Bible stories. (There are additional illustrations included in the QRs that aren’t in the print book, but that further illustrate the Bible stories. Not every Bible story has a QR code, but many do.) Each story also includes the Scripture references (addresses) that it comes from, with questions for parents to ask their children after reading.

The language is simple and clear, yet still reverent; easy for children to follow and understand.

And my impressions? I love this! I think often of the Bibles that were available to me when I was a child, at the time of my own salvation when I began to try to read the Bible on my own. I had a copy of the King James Bible, and one of the Living Bible. What a wonderful friend this Bible would have been to me! The story format is wonderful and engaging. I love that each Bible story has its originating Scripture references, and that the Bible stories are laid out in chronological order. How amazing and equipping this will be for each child that reads it (or who’s read to)!

The QR codes will also allow this Bible to engage children in this world that we all live in; where the Bible becomes to children the Living Book that it is, with animation, audio, and video proclaiming the Word. It’s rich, beautiful, captivating, and enjoyable. It will provide even more ways for God’s Word to be taken into little hearts; and enjoyed by the whole family. It is marvelous!

A fun short video about the Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible

You can watch a fun short video about the Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible at this link, to see all the amazing features I’ve told you about, and more!

Where you can purchase the Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible–plus a code!

You can purchase the Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible from Warner Press at the buy link below. Also, if you use the discount code BLOG30 during the months of November 2022 and December 2022, you’ll receive 30% off the purchase price!

Buy link for Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible

And! Enter this giveaway to win the Egermeier’s Interactive Story Bible

You can enter a giveaway to win your own copy of this cool Bible from Blessed Freebies! Just click on the link below that says, “Enter here!” That will take you to the Blessed Freebies website. Just follow the directions there to enter the giveaway. Giveaway closes on 12/27/22. Winner will be selected and notified on 12/28/22. US entrants only; must be 18 or older.

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions shared here are my own.

The beautiful “The Secret Garden Devotional” ~ this is one you’ll want for your own quiet times! (review & GA, ends 12/7/22)

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If you are anything like me (and I’m guessing you might be, since I’m clearly a book lover and you must be as well, if you’re reading this post), you adore good fiction in its many forms. The the book-loving pump was primed for me when much-loved relatives read me storybooks over and over, from my tiny child years on. When I learned to read to myself, it was if a door for joy and delight opened in my life. And, I never looked back.

I remember clearly the effect the book, The Secret Garden, had on me. Despite the fact that it starts with a tragedy and its protagonist is (at the beginning at least) an unlikable little girl–this classic masterwork of literature caught me squarely in its lovely narrative and pulled me along in, as Mary Lennox herself might say, its rich Magic. And now, author Rachel Dodge has taken this much-beloved childhood book and created an engaging and inspiring devotional based on it. Keep reading for more (including a giveaway!) plus my own review.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Secret Garden Devotional by Rachel Dodge, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Secret Garden Devotional Author: Rachel Dodge Publisher: Barbour Release Date: December 6, 2022 Genre: Devotional

Devotional Inspiration from Mary Lennox’s Beautifully Mysterious Secret Garden

The Secret Garden Devotional offers lovely inspiration that explores the themes of faith, family, contentment, wisdom, and joy in the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, cherished by generations of readers. Each reading corresponds with a chapter from the book and invites you to embrace God’s guiding hand in your life as you are becoming His new creation. With themes of growth, spiritual nourishment, God’s love and care, and His transforming power, this beautiful chapter-by-chapter devotional includes original artwork throughout. Each reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, and prayers perfect for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Dodge is the bestselling author of the award-winning Anne of Green Gables Devotional, The Little Women Devotional, and Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen. Rachel’s newest book is The Secret Garden Devotional! Rachel teaches college English classes, gives talks at libraries, teas, and book clubs, and is a writer for the popular Jane Austen’s World blog. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to grow closer to Jesus through prayer and the study of God’s Word. A true kindred spirit at heart, Rachel enjoys books, bonnets, and ball gowns.

Connect with Rachel by visiting racheldodge.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of The Secret Garden Devotional and a hardcover illustrated copy of The Secret Garden along with a bookmark and stickers.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 30, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 7, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

My thoughts

Oh my friends. Sometimes there is beauty in books that just makes you stop, ponder, and appreciate. The Secret Garden is one of those books. How fitting that Rachel Dodge’s The Secret Garden Devotional is, as well!

Mary Lennox’s story, although I’d never have realized it when I was a child myself, can be viewed as an archetype of the lives of humans before they step into lives of faith, and during and after that step, as Jesus begins to transform them and make them more like Himself. Mary is (for many understandable reasons) disagreeable, selfish, argumentative; generally quite unlikable! But Mary’s journey doesn’t end with her tragedy. The journey continues to what looks like, at first, an also very disagreeable place; to a huge dark mansion in the middle of forbidding-looking moors. That still isn’t looking so great–but oh, the transformation in Mary as she begins to live her new life! And she’s not the only one who has a transformation. Beautiful change is coming not only for Mary and the humans around her, but for the place she lives as well.

So Rachel takes this lovely story and breaks it down, bit by bit, into devotional illustrations for us, from Mary’s life. She uses Scripture generously to show us the beauty available in the walk of the believer as we see the blossoming of the secret garden at Misselthwaite. Her chapters cover so many things that we face as believers; joy, answered prayers, difficulty, the nearness of our Father–and so much more.

“Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” As a follower of Christ, you now have access to God’s throne of grace. As you come before Him with a humble heart, asking for His will to be done, don’t be bashful–and don’t leave anything out. Go to God with your eager, anxious requests. Run to Him freely and quickly with your every need, with your greatest fears, and with your wildest dreams. Ask Him to expand your territory and give you a “bit of earth” to tend.”

The Secret Garden Devotional, Rachel Dodge

Are you needing a fresh breath of life in your quiet times; a reminder of God’s deep, abiding, indescribable love for you? Then I recommend this lovely book for you. It will encourage and strengthen you even as you are re-established in the beauty available in the life of a Christ-follower; even if you feel that you’ve lost that sense of beauty for awhile. Be reminded that God is for us, and He is always with us. The Secret Garden Devotional will walk with you down that beautiful path where the garden of our soul-lives can be tended, refreshed, and brought back to life by the hand of Jesus, the master Gardener.

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“Invincible Joy” ~ a review & giveaway (ends 11/27/22)

*this is a sponsored post*

Hello there!

I have been a fan of the missions model of ANM (Advancing Native Missions) since I first learned of their organization. Essentially, it’s about equipping the members of a people group to share the gospel among themselves. So when I heard that Oliver Asher, the president of ANM, had just written a book, I was immediately interested. His book, Invincible Joy: Chasing God’s Dreams for Your Life, was itself an enormous joy to read. Let me tell you more, then you can enter to win a copy of this book for yourself!

About Invincible Joy

Here’s what Invincible Joy author Oliver Asher has to say about his new book:

“I’m not an extraordinary person. I came from next to nothing, from almost nowhere. But God had a plan and a purpose for my life. He picked me up from where I was and took me places I could never have expected to go. He invited me to join him in chasing his God-sized dreams for the world. And that is where I found invincible joy. You may have the same story. Or at least you can, and I hope you will. That’s what this book is for. I pray you will benefit from my story as you follow the Lord on your own adventure from where you came to where he wants to take you. I believe, as the Lord leads, you will end up with a stronger sense of God’s purpose for your life and your place in his plan for the world. That’s where you can find invincible joy too.”

Over the course of 12 chapters (plus a little extra), Asher shares experiences from his own life. These include: his childhood in the “holler” in southwest Virginia; his football scholarship and player time for the University of Virginia; meeting his wife Andrea there; their short-term missions experience; his engineering career; and his foray into full-time missions employment with Advancing Native Missions. Asher came to faith as a child, and over the course of his life he experienced both ups and downs. What he learned in times of danger, loss, provision, and success was that the source of the invincible joy in the book’s title is God and His presence.

This joy is something that each and every person who follows the Lord can have access to, and daily live in. Asher has broken the concept of this invincible joy, and its sources, into three foundational qualities:

• an unshakeable faith in the Father, our provider
• an unshakeable love for Jesus, our Savior
• and an unshakeable hope for the future

How Invincible Joy impacted me

This is what my copy of Invincible Joy looked like on the outside, when I finished it. The inside is pretty colorful as well, since I used both my peach and lavender highlighters on it!

I’m always surprised (but I shouldn’t be), by how God will put exactly the resource in our hands that we need; be it a book, a film, art–or last, but definitely not least, a Bible passage. Again, this book was given to me at just the right moment. Reading it nourished my soul, warmed my heart, and reminded me that God has a wonderful plan for my life. That overall plan will never change, although the particulars of it may (circumstances, jobs, provision). Of course, change does happen in our lives. Our jobs change, our children grow. We may have health issues, or other losses.

But God is not only ALWAYS there–but we can have joy always as well.

And that’s not just joy that’s birthed out of denial of troubles. It’s the joy of: His love and His constant support; of faith in Jesus, who loved us enough to give His life for us; and the hope for the future that we can have because of them.

“God has a plan for you. He will give you hope and joy, no matter what your situation, no matter how chaotic and dark. He’s the one who will shine the light in the darkness. He’s also a provider–not just the physical necessities such as food and shelter, but also the spiritual nourishment you need and the people who will help guide you along the path. Look to the Lord for everything you need.”

Oliver Asher, Invincible Joy

In Invincible Joy, Asher has described these three truths that can place us in the joy of the Lord, regardless of our circumstances. He uses Scripture to define that for us and illustrates them by the stories of God’s hand leading him throughout his own life. The result is a book that will comfort you, inspire you, and bless you as you read, and thereafter. Wonderful, rich, and encouraging–one of the best books I’ve read this year!

Some of my favorite passages

• Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?…With these simple illustrations, Jesus shows the people listening to him that God is aware of our needs. Because God is sovereign and because God designed and created us (and the birds and the flowers), he understands who we are and what we need.” (p. 25-26)
• “So you see, God is a dreamer. He envisions what can be and what will be, and he invites us to move toward that vision with him.” (p. 46)
• “God is writing a beautiful story through his people. I encourage you to find your role in that story and join in. I believe that the great purpose of our lives–my life and your life–is the Lord’s purpose. And I believe that is good and exciting and fulfilling.” (p. 114)

This is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend to you. It will encourage your heart and remind you of God’s enormous love for you (AND for everyone!). Perhaps more than that, I believe that God can use this to help bring healing to you of the moments of suffering you’ve experienced during your own life. God loves us. He cares for us, so deeply. Sometimes we need someone else to remind us of those truths. And Oliver Asher has done that here, as he’s shared with us the ways we really can have joy in in the Lord, every day.

Where you can find Oliver Asher and Advancing Native Missions online

Just click on the links below!

At Oliver Asher’s website, you can find out more about his book Invincible Joy

Oliver Asher on Twitter

Oliver Asher on Facebook

Oliver Asher on Instagram

And, here’s the About page for Advancing Native Missions, where you can find out how they’re enabling leaders in people groups around the globe to bring the gospel to their own.

Where you can purchase Invincible Joy

Invincible Joy is available to buy on Amazon. Just click on the highlighted link below to go to the purchase page.

Purchase Invincible Joy here

And, how to enter to win your own copy!

You can enter to win a copy of the wonderful Invincible Joy from Blessed Freebies! Just click on the link below that says “Enter here!” for your chance to win, then follow the instructions. Giveaway closes 11/27/22. Winner will be contacted by FrontGate Media. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed here are my own honest ones.