Joy Comes from Perseverance | Shelia Walsh

 
  Welcome  to  Pearl  GirlsTM  Mother  of  Pearl  Mother's  Day  blog  series  -­‐  a  week  long   celebration  of  moms  and  mothering.  Each  day  will  feature  a  new  post  by  some  of   today's  best  writer's  (Tricia  Goyer,  Sheila  Walsh,  Suzanne  Woods  Fisher,  Bonnie  St.   John,  and  more).  I  hope  you'll  join  us  each  day  for  another  unique  perspective  on   Mother's  Day.

 
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  Joy  Comes  from  Perseverance  by  Sheila  Walsh
 

  One  of  the  most  important  lessons  I  have  learned  in  my  own  life  is  the  joy   that  comes  from  perseverance.  Eugene  Peterson,  borrowing  a  phrase  from   Friedrich  Nietzsche,  wrote  his  book   “A  Long  Obedience  in  the  Same  Direction   ...Discipleship  in  an  Instant  Society.”  He  points  to  the  Psalms  as  the  way  believers   have  always  learned  to  pray  what  they  live  and  live  what  they  pray  but  it  is  not  a   short  journey.  It  is  an  intentional  commitment  to  keep  walking  even  when  you   are  worn  out.
 

  *If  we  want  to  see  lasting  results  in  any  area  of  life  it’s  important  to  keep  walking  in   that  direction.
 
  *If  we  want  to  have  a  better  understanding  of  the  Gospel  of  John  then  it  takes  time   and  commitment  to  dig  deeper  day  after  day.
 
  *If  we  want  to  be  thinner  this  summer  than  last  summer  then  the  work  begins  now   not  then.
  So  too  in  our  relationship  with  Christ.....
 
  *If  we  want  to  know  Him  at  a  more  profoundly  intimate  level,  that  also  takes  an   intentional  seeking  after  Him  every  day.
 
  As  a  grown  woman  I  have  come  to  love  the  beauty  of  this  gift.  Passing  this  “mined   treasure”  onto  my  son  on  the  other  hand  has  been  an  interesting  challenge.    We  live  in  such  a  fast  paced,  attention-­‐challenged  culture  where  the  latest   thing  can  be  delivered  to  your  doorstep  by  tomorrow  for  a  few  dollars  more.  But,  as   you  know,  by  the  time  it  is  delivered  it  has  already  been  replaced  or  updated!
 
  How  do  we  speak  then  into  the  lives  of  our  children  to  help  them  understand   and  value  perseverance?
 
  For  me...part  of  the  puzzle  meant  a  large  piece  of  poster  board,  scissors,  some   photos  and  a  bottle  of  Elmer’s  glue.  My  son,  Christian  and  I  spread  everything  out  on   a  sheet  in  the  game  room  as  I  explained  our  project.  “We’re  going  to  make  a  family   faith-­‐tree,”  I  said.  “These  are  photos  of  family  on  your  dad’s  side  and  on  mine.  Many   of  them  have  gone  on  to  be  with  Jesus  but  the  seeds  they  planted  into  our  family   continue  to  grow.”  Then  we  wrote  down  their  names  and  when  they  came  to  faith  in   Christ  (as  many  as  I  knew).   It  was  quite  something  to  see  when  we  were   finished.
 
  “Your  life  matters  Christian.  Running  your  race  well  matters.”
 
  That  night  we  read  these  words  from  the  writer  to  the  Hebrews,
 
  “We  are  surrounded  by  a  great  cloud  of  people  whose  lives  tell  us  what  faith   means.  So  let  us  run  the  race  that  is  before  us  and  never  give  up.”
 

  Hebrews  12:1  (NCV)

 

 

 

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  Sheila  Walsh  is  a  Bible  teacher,  speaker,  singer,  and  best-­‐selling  author  with   more  than  4  million  books  sold.  Sheila  Walsh  is  the  creator  of  the  award-­‐winning   Gigi,  God’s  Little  Princess®  and  her  new  series,  Gabby,  God's  Little  Angel.  Meet   Gabby  in  Gabby's  Stick-­‐to-­‐It-­‐Day.  As  a  featured  speaker  with  Women  of  Faith®,   Sheila  has  reached  more  than  3.5  million  women  by  artistically  combining  honesty,   vulnerability  and  humor  with  God’s  Word.  She  resides  in  Dallas  with  her  husband   Barry  and  son  Christian. Visit  www.sheilawalsh.com  for  more   information  about  Sheila,  her  other  books  or  Women  of  Faith.
 

 

 

 

 
  Exciting  News  –  the  latest  Pearl  Girls  book,  Mother  of  Pearl:  Luminous  Legacies  and   Iridescent  Faith  will  be  released  this  month!  Please  visit  the  Pearl   Girls  Facebook  Page  (and  LIKE  us!)  for  more  information!  Thanks  so  much  for   your  support!
 

 

 
 

Leah's Choice by Emma Miller

Leah's Choice by Emma Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great feel good read. Yes there is some hard things that happen, but I love reading about Hannah Yoder's Daughter's! This being Leah's story, but great visits with the rest of the family.
Leah is going to meet a great Mennonite man named Daniel, and she is going to have to make some major life changing decisions. Of course her Grandmother, and Aunt Martha are back, and delightful Aunt Jezzy.
You do not have to have read the other books in this series to read this one, although I highly recommend it.

I received this book from the Publisher Harlequin Love Inspired through NetGalley, and was not required to give a positive review!

Litfuse Blog Tour: Baroness by Susan May Warren

Lily and Rose, daughters of an empire coming of age in the roaring twenties, can have anything they want ... except freedom. Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the empire, they have their lives planned out for them. But, Lily, Esme's daughter longs to return home to Montana, to adventure outside the confines of New York City. And Jinx's daughter Rosie dreams of the bright lights of the newly emerging silver screen. But following their dreams - from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers will take all their courage. And if they find love, will they choose freedom or happily ever after? Find out more from Behind the Pages: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/books/baroness

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award. A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. You can find her online at Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award. A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com. . Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/ajLQF Baroness Roaring 20s Kindle Fire Giveaway from @SusanMayWarren! Find out what the reviewers are saying here!

Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the family empire, they have their lives planned out for them. But following their dreams -- from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers -- will take all their courage.  And if they find love, will they choose freedom or happily ever after?

Celebrate with Susan by entering her Roaring 20s Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Signed copies of Baroness and Heiress by Susan May Warren

But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/7/12. The winner will be announced on 5/9/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

My Review:

The Baroness will grab you from the first page forward. It has it all and will leave you wanting more. This book is Lilly's story, and Rosie's .....and we begin in Romantic Paris. French fashion, hair dos, booze, gardens, and aeroplanes! A Parisian air plane ride unlocks a passion in Lilly, that she takes back to the States. While Rosie wants to unlock her love of acting. Both will get chances to do what they want, but at what cost? You will keep turning the pages as you try to figure out what is coming next? Some is so sad and others are sweet. I for one can't wait for the next book!! Enjoy this totally captivating read!

Heads Up...Free Christian Kindle Book: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic

Free Christian Kindle Book: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic Like Free Christian Kindle Book: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic on Facebook Hearts That Survive: A Novel of the TitanicHearts That Survive: A Novel of the Titanic by Yvonne Lehman On April 15, 1912, Lydia Beaumont is on her way to a new life with a boundless hope in love and faith. Her new friendship with Caroline Chadwick is bonded even more as they plan Lydia’s wedding on board the “grandest ship ever built.” Then both women suffer tragic losses when the “unsinkable” Titanic goes down. Can each survive the scars the disaster left on their lives? Decades later, Alan Morris feels like a failure until he discovers he is the descendant of an acclaimed, successful, heroic novelist who went down with the Titanic. Will he find his identity with the past, or will he listen to Joanna Bettencourt, Caroline’s granddaughter, who says inner peace and success come only with a personal relationship with the Lord? Will those who survived the Titanic’s sinking and their descendants be able to find a love more powerful than their pain? Though free at time of posting, prices may change at any time. Please verify that the “Kindle Price” is $0.00. If you see a price for “Prime Members” or “read for free”, then the book is NOT free any longer.

Guest Post From Joe This Frugal Family: Soda Stream Giveaway

I received the Soda Stream the day before Easter, so I figured what would be a better surprise for my wife than to give her this as a gift. She was so excited, she immediately opened it Easter morning, read the instructions and started going to town making the Soda. Her first liter, well, it wasn't too good, but I drank it anyway. Then she really got good at it. I wanted to try, but was told it was given to her and not to touch it. My 14 year old daughter, Sarah, asked how to make soda with the Soda Stream, and of course, she was allowed to make her own bottle. The unit is small enough that it doesn't take up much counter space, which is really nice. The thing I love most about the Soda Stream though is there's no more lugging bottles of soda in the house from the grocery store and no more garbage. When the bottle is empty, you just rinse it out and make another bottle. Less garbage is not only better for me (not having to empty the garbage with it being full so much), but great for the environment. There are so many different flavors to choose from as well, take a look at the online store. You can always buy locally. Also, don't forget to like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter for the latest updates.

Tywebbin Creations Blog Tour: Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams Review and Giveaway

About the Book If forgiving your ex-husband was easy, everybody would do it. Brent had cheated on Dayna and coldly said goodbye to her seven long years ago—dashing her hopes of having children or growing old with the love of her life. Working hard to make herself successful as a hospital executive, Dayna has moved on, finding comfort in a new relationship with a faith-filled colleague, Warren. But when Brent resurfaces on her doorstep at just the wrong time, Dayna’s heart threatens to come unglued. Why is Brent asking for forgiveness now? And why are he and his new wife, Tamara, interested in reconciliation with Dayna? The unbelievable answers begin to surface as Brent boldly asks Dayna to support him at the most crucial time of his life. While Tamara’s heart brims with guilt, both women will discover what it means to reach beyond pain and baggage to love unconditionally, while leaving the consequences to God.

About the Author Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning inspirational author, speaker and freelance journalist who has written about women’s relationships with God, each other, and themselves for more than a decade. She has penned seven nationally published women’s fiction novels and one nonfiction book, and is at work on her ninth book.Stacy also operates a group coaching service for aspiring authors called Author In You. For more information about Stacy, her books or her coaching services, visit www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com or www.AuthorInYou.com Book Trailer My Review

Wow! This is an interesting thought provoking read. What would you do in Dayna's place? She seems to have it all ....great job, great friendships, and in a relationship that seems to be leading to marriage. Then all of a sudden there is her former husband, who dumped her for another woman, at her door! Had to ask what would I do?? Very, very hard question. She has moved on and with the help of God has forgiven, but now it is in her face. Don't know how I felt about Warren, her new man, he was rather unsupportive at times. This is a real page turner of a book, and I enjoyed the story. Made you feel like you are in the real world, not a fictional book. Throughout the book there is a theme of Forgiveness and giving everything over to God. Loved the different relationships here and how they followed their Lord. Purchase the Book Online at: Amazon.com BarnesandNoble.com For More Information Visit the author online at: www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com or www.AuthorInYou.com. View the blog tour schedule at : http://www.tywebbin.com/blog-tours/authors-on-tour/2012-tours/ COMING HOME BOOK GIVEAWAY Leave a comment below to enter a chance to win a free copy of Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams.

Book Tour - Unconquered - Win Kindle Fire

Join J.D. Davis, author of Unconquered, as he virtually tours the blogosphere on May 1 during his one day blog blitz with Pump Up Your Book and win a FREE KINDLE!

ABOUT J.D. DAVIS

J.D. Davis was raised in Quitman, Texas, a quiet community in the northeast part of the state. Having grown up in a small town in the rural South—similar in many ways to the cousins’ hometown of Ferriday, Louisiana—with many similar influences as the cousins, he has meaningful insight into these three men. Davis attended the University of Texas on a full academic scholarship, received a B.A. with highest honors in economics, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He later received a master’s degree from SMU. As a successful businessman, Davis achieved the highest credentials as an actuary and became a principal in a large firm while still in his twenties. He currently manages an employee benefits consulting practice that covers the southern region of the United States, with offices in four cities. Davis remembers his father watching Jimmy Swaggart on television and being intrigued by the evangelist's magnificent piano talent. As a teenager, Davis became a huge fan of Jerry Lee Lewis. He first attended one of Lewis’s live performances as a college student and was awe-struck to see this man put on a breathtaking performance. Davis grew up listening to country music of the seventies and eighties, when Mickey Gilley was consistently producing number one country hits. He became fascinated by the ways these three very different cousins achieved and dealt with eventual success and has been a dedicated fan for years. Davis has worked with a talented team of many. His editors included Elizabeth Kaye, an award winning journalist who has often written about southern music and southern preachers. As a contributing editor to Rolling Stone, she interviewed Sam Phillips and gathered firsthand experience of Jerry Lee Lewis when covering sessions at which he played with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison. As a contributing editor to John Kennedy’s George magazine, Kaye wrote extensively about Billy Graham and his son Franklin, traveled on several missionary trips with Franklin, and worked with ABC’s 20/20 to produce and write a major Billy Graham profile. You can visit his website at http://www.unconqueredthebook.com. Visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UnconqueredTheBook Visit his Twitter page at https://twitter.com/Unconqueredbook If you would like to view his book trailer, you can view it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CrVQv2lJJ8

ABOUT UNCONQUERED

The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley In 1935 and early 1936, three cousins were born into tight-knit families in Ferriday, Louisiana. Rare piano talent, strong parental relationships, the Pentecostal church, family struggle, and a variety of musical influences worked together to produce men who changed twentieth-century music and culture. The individual stories of these three cousins illustrate their varied paths from small-town America to a world stage. Woven together, the collective story becomes even more compelling and amazing. UNCONQUERED is a story so unlikely that it would not be believable if written as fiction. It tells of rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, and country music star Mickey Gilley. These very different men, raised in the same time and place, with similar talents, were fated for entirely different destinies even as their lives would always be profoundly intertwined. Born into poverty, each man, in his own way, would become an iconic figure blessed with the ability to thrill and inspire. The story's touchstones of music, perseverance, and faith could wield such force only in the American South. There, in the Louisiana lowlands’ Concordia Parish, their story began in the midst of the Great Depression. Purchase your copy at http://unconqueredbook.com and claim cool free gifts!

~~~ WIN A FREE KINDLE ~ ~ ~

Win a FREE KINDLE! Leave a comment below and after that visit http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/04/30/pump-up-your-book-presents-j-d-davis-unconquered-may-1-blog-blitz-kindle-giveaway/ to fill out the Rafflecopter form!! This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada citizens. Deadline is June 1 and announced on June 2. If you are the winner, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife (at) gmail.com or Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner (at) gmail.com. You have 48 hours to reply. If we do not hear from you in 48 hours, another winner will be selected.

Thanks and good luck!