Women of Faith

This past October was my first experience at the Women of Faith Conference. I was asked by Thomas Nelson Publishers to attend the conference and provide an unbiased review of the event.

I attended the conference with a group of ladies from my family and am glad that I decided to go with my "ladies." The conference offers not only inspiring and challenging talks but also the opportunity to create with other women of God.

All the speakers were awesome but there were a few that spoke to me personally. Shelia Walsh shared her personal story of childhood tragedy thru lifetime struggle. She talked about how God's redeeming power to use a broken vessel for His glory transformed her life. She, like all the speakers, shared some of the lowest points of their life and God's awesome presence throughout. By the time she finished her session of the conference, you feel as though you've known Shelia all your life and she is in your circle of friends. Shelia inspired me that when we allow God to use our struggles to speak to those around you, He can do great things. So often as women we try to hide our hurts and pains behind a happy face. God has the power to take what shames us and shine His power and glory through it.

Another speaker that touched me was Angie Smith. As a young mother who has experienced the loss of a child. I could relate to her experience of carrying a baby to term knowing that she wouldn't survive even a few hours. She spoke about the emotional roller coaster ride of that experience and how God gave her the opportunity to choose to keep her eyes on him or to listen to the advice of the world. Whether or not you are a mother, we all face this question over and over in our lives. Angie inspired me to look in His direction in the face of all difficult choices in life.

All the speakers at the conference and the amazing worship times made for a total experience that was refreshment for my soul. To stand shoulder to should with a stadium full of women who are seeking the face of God was truly a life changing experience. I would recommend to all ladies to find a Women of Faith conference near you, grab a group of lady friends, and let your soul be refreshed.

up next...

Doing Virtuous Business

I was given a copy of “Doing Virtuous Business” by Theodore Roosevelt Mallock and published by Thomas Nelson to read and review. I don’t usually read books about economics but found this one interesting because my husband and I are small business owners and Christians. We have found in the last few years that many of the “motivational” business speakers have an “all about me” attitude. They talk about “getting everything you want right now.” I haven’t once heard a speaker stress the importance of ethics in business. Since it’s our personal goal to honor Christ first and foremost in our lives and work, it’s important to us that we operate ethically in all regards and then have a successful business.

Mallock’s book is a refreshing approach to the concept that spiritual capital as a product of virtue in the context of western capitalism, Judeo-Christian culture and faith. It illustrates case studies where companies operate with virtue, leadership, courage, patience, perseverance, discipline, justice, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and gratitude form the foundation of spiritual capital and in turn, the very foundation of profitable capitalism.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be in business. As a Christian, it’s a motivational and practical look at what needs to be the most important things in the company. Additionally, it offers the encouragement that honoring what is most important in faith; you will not only have a profitable business but a clean conscience as well.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Women of Faith

I am so excited to have the opportunity to attend and blog about an upcoming Women of Faith conference. I agreed to attend the conference being held in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA as part of the Thomas Nelson Blogger Review program.

I have been in several ladies Bible studies over the past few years. It provides the time I need to sit with other Christian women and have my faith challenged, my heart explored, and my relationship with Christ grow stronger. When I saw some of the excellent speakers that will be at the Women of Faith conference, I knew it was an opportunity not to be missed!

The speakers for the event include Shelia Walsh, Luci Swindoll, Lisa Harper, and Angie Smith. These ladies offer both experience and perspective in the walk of Christian woman and I'm thrilled to go and see what Rhema word God has for me.

As the summer comes to an end and the business of fall approaches, I am praying that the ladies who choose to come out for this event will find themselves blessed beyond measure!

Shiny Sequin Bible

As a blogger for Booksneeze, I had the opportunity to review the Shiny Sequin Bible - International Children's Bible published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. As seen in the photo, the colors on this Bible cover are bright and fun. The sequins appear to be glued onto the front cover securely. It did have glitter all over the cover but each time I've used it, I'm finding it on my hands instead. It does have a peculiar smell to it the first time it comes out of the box but after a while that smell fades.

This is the first time I've seen this translation of the Bible. It is designed to be understood on a third-grade reading level. (By comparison, most newspapers are written on a fourth-grade reading level.) This translation was prepared specifically for children to aid in their understanding of the concepts. The publisher claims to have accomplished this feat by addressing the geographical references, ancient customs, connotations, rhetorical questions, figures of speech, and idiomatic expressions. They have taken places and phrases that would be "unfamiliar to the modern reader" and adjusted them to our common language without changing the context of the verse. One example they give in the preface is, "Instead of using the phrase, "God drive the nations out of Cannan," ...they translated "forced them out of Cannan."

I like this Bible translation for a few reasons. First, it's very cute for a little girl to carry around. I think that it would be noticed by other children and give the opening in conversation for a child to share about their faith and where they attend church. Secondly, even as adults it can be difficult to follow the history of the countries and keep straight the where and when of events. This translation helps with consistency and allows the reader to develop the framework to understand more depth of detail when they are older. Lastly, any time a translation is taken straight for the original Greek and Hebrew, I feel that it is less influenced by the readers opinions (i.e. a paraphrase) and truer to the original text. Overall, I feel that this translation has much to offer the young female reader.

Adventures In Boogabooga Land

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review a children's DVD for Thomas Nelson. I received Adventures In Boogabooga Land: Stories from the Parables of Jesus. It contains three episodes: Squid Sushi Loses His Marbles, Wally the Waiter, and the Flaming Monkey. I snuggled up on the sofa with my 5 year old and 3 year old sons and got ready for a entertaining and educational experience.

I personally found the graphics to be bright and fun. The episodes were fast paced and interesting. I didn't feel the content was age appropriate for my young children. The characters seemed aggressive and even as an adult, the parable was unclear. My 5 year old lost interest half way through the first show and wouldn't watch either of the other episodes. He said that they were silly and didn't make sense. My younger son watched the movie on and off but hasn't asked to see it again. As a parent, I can't recommend a video that my kids refuse to watch. It kind of defeats the purpose of purchasing it if you can't get them to sit through it even once. I plan to put it away on the shelf and maybe see if they'll watch it in a year or so.

An Amish Love

An Amish Love, published by Thomas Nelson is a collection of three short novels that both delight the reader and inspire the heart.

"A Marriage of the Heart" by Kelly Long: Rachel Yoder is a young Amish girl who has lived alone with her domineering father since her mother died when she was a child. Feeling the need to rebel against her Amish lifestyle, she forces a marriage with Joseph Lambert. Thinking because he has only recently returned to the faith that he'll understand her better. The story follows Rachel's journey to love and self discovery as she falls in love with her husband.

"What the Heart Sees" By Katheleen Fuller: Ellie Chupp is a young women who lost her best friend and was blinded in a tragic accident. She is learning to cope with her disability and even feels that she has moved on with her life only to have her world shaken when Christopher Bender returns to town. The former fiannce of her best friend, Ellie finds herself dealing with unresloved emotions and finding love.

"Healing Hearts: by Beth Wiseman: Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman are faced with an empty next after 30 years of marriage and children. Naaman, leaved Levina for a year and this story picks up with his return. Levina is faced with deciding if she can love and forgive a man who she cannot trust.

I found all three stories to be well written and easy to read. I love a good romance and it's nice to read something that exemplifies what falling in love, being married and staying married means to a women. This collection is wonderful because it covers all three stages in inspiring stories where the Amish faith is the backdrop for true love and commitment. It is refreshing to read fiction that not only entertains but also reminds you what God intends for you in your own life.