I think it’s so important to have a good study Bible on hand. It really helps you to dig in deep into God’s Word. A good study Bible has the capability of opening your eyes to biblical history, topical studies and word studies like no other can. When I was asked to review the Thomas Nelson NKJV study Bible I was beyond excited. When it arrived in the mail and I opened the box, I could not stop “Oohing aahing” about what laid before me.

It comes in a very sturdy box, that is handy to keep your Bible in for safe keeping. On the outside of the box, you’ll see a wealth of information that describes this beautiful Bible. The color of the Bible is gorgeous. It’s a rich cranberry color with a beautiful etched design on the upper front half. It is stitched with gold thread and the embossing on the spine is done in gold which really sets off the elegance of the design.

The Thomas Nelson NKJV study Bible comes with many special features.

• Full color design
• Over, 15,000 verse by verse study notes
• Bible times and culture notes
• Word studies keyed to Strong’s numbers
• Extensive cross-reference system
• In-text map and charts
• Book introductions, outlines, and timelines
• Full length articles, a robust concordance, and full color maps

One of my favorite features of this Bible is the clear and readable 9-point Comfort Print® typeface.

As I was wandering around our mall this past weekend, I enjoyed watching all the shoppers looking for the best Christmas gift, for that special someone in their lives. Whether it be that just right pair of boots, the fanciest new purse, or the newest Seattle Seahawks jersey (I’m a little biased.), everyone had a mission to get the perfect gift. When I passed the section of toys filled with dolls, toy cars and more, it made me melancholy for when my own children were little. I used to love to see their eyes sparkle with wonderment and hear their squeals of delight as they opened up their Christmas presents and looked on in wonder at their new American Girl doll and new set of Star Wars Lego’s.

Now their Christmas lists are a little more practical. This year my son’s wish list included luggage for an upcoming trip to New York. While my daughter’s list included history books to help her teach her history students. The times have changed, but the love I have behind the giving of the gifts is still the same. This made me think about the true meaning of Christmas and the best Christmas gift we can give to one another.

I can just imagine the what it would have looked like.

A calm serene comes over the stable as Mary swaddles her new born child and gently sways this way and that, as the young babe drifts off to sleep in her arms. She is exhausted from labor yet her heart is filled with a peace and love that she has never felt before.

She wants to drink in the moment and hold it in her heart and never let it go. Her faithful Joseph is by her side and the animals are filled with content as they watch with wonder at what lay before them. The Lord God fulfilled His promise to her with the birth of the Christ child. She can hardly believe that He choose her for such a task, to be the mother of the Son of God, the Son that would one day save the world.

” So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

There are times in my life when I feel completely overwhelmed. Some days I feel as if my head is barely above water and I keep bobbing up and down trying to stay afloat. I splash vigorously trying to get to safety and it seems the harder I splash, the deeper I sink.

Then it happens…..

I turn around in the water and I see him, standing right next to me. The Father, holding out his hands, just waiting for me to come to Him. In tears I grab His hands and He tells me, “My child, I was right here all along.”

Does this ever happen to you? Like me, do you ever get too busy trying to solve your problems on your own that you miss the Father standing right next to you, just waiting for you to surrender to Him?

When I am able to rest in His presence, I find my whole outlook on life changes.

When I rise early in the morning and begin my day in prayer and reading His Word it gives my energy to face the day. It sets my mind on things above instead of on my problems.

I love the early morning hours of summer. I use this time to steal away on my back porch and spend alone time with God. I think it’s such a blessing to feel the cool crisp air on my face, hear the birds singing and watch the white, fluffy clouds dance along the expanse of the crystal blue sky.

I love to settle in my porch swing that once belonged to my mother, get out my Bible and journal and just relax in the moment as I learn from God. It sets the foundation for my day and gives me strength to face whatever lies ahead.

There are many other blessings that come along with the season of summer. Hearing the laughter of children as they play to their hearts content in the warm summer sun, lazy afternoon naps, family vacations, camping and campfires and so much more.

I have joined with a group of other bloggers to give you an additional blessing this summer. It is an amazing, “Summer Blessing Giveaway” worth $230 in PayPal Cash. This giveaway is hosted by Woman to Woman Ministries. Please take a moment to follow the instructions on the entry form to enter for your chance to win!

It seems like the Christmas season comes upon us so quickly. Before you know it, you blink, and it has gone from January to December in a flash.

As a stage IV breast cancer survivor Christmas takes on a new meaning to me. It makes me slow down and purposefully take in each moment and savor every second. As my family and I decorated for Christmas tonight, it made me stop and think about what the two most important things are at Christmas.

1.The most important thing about Christmas is Christ.

He is the real reason we celebrate this season. It’s because God decided to send His son down to earth in human form, born to a virgin, to one day save the world. It’s the beginning of the solution to rescue mankind from it’s transgressions. It’s the answer to the problem that was created so long ago when Eve first took that bite. This little baby born in a manger turned the tides and created the light that the world needed to live full and free in Him alone.

Throughout this season I want to encourage you to keep CHRIST in Christmas.

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We were not meant to live this life alone. God created each one of us, with special and unique traits to live together as the body of Christ.

However, something often happens when we talk about friendships among women, which could be summed up by one word, division.

Friends this is not how God intended our relationships with our sisters in Christ to be. He wants us to be united to work together as a team, without judgement or criticism, fulfilling the roles that Christ has intended for us. He wants more for our lives than gossip and comparison, He wants us to live a life free in Him.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”     ~ Luke 6:37 (NIV)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

Summer is in full swing! For some of us, it may mean park days and lazy days at the pool. For some of us it may be work as normal. Whatever your situation is, we want to bless you this summer!

Woman to Woman Ministries has teamed up with some fabulous bloggers to bring you the Summer Blessing Giveaway!

One blessed lady will receive:

Jewell by Thirty One Paris Purse in color of your choice $78 value

Jewell by Thirty One All About the Benjamins wallet in color of your choice $48 value

The Quiet Fight Among Women online course donated by Angie Tolpin $36 value

Essential Oil gift certificate donated by A Mama’s Story $15 value

Lilla Rose Freestyle Tiara Flexiclip donated by A Delightful Glow $13 value

Please stop by and support all of our participating bloggers:
Woman to Woman Ministries
Jenifer Metzger
Your Modern Family
Shari Miller
A Delightful Glow
Our Goodwin Journey
Sew a Fine Seam
I Choose Joy
A Mama’s Story
Beauty in the Mess
Our Good Family

Giveaway Rules: No purchase necessary.

I have been quiet around here lately.  These last two years have been challenging for me.

These past 24 months have been filled with…

• My mother being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
• Selling her home and moving her into and assisted living facility.
• Dealing with a stage IV breast cancer diagnosis and all the uncertainty that it brings.
• Side affects of chemotherapy.
• Financial difficulties.
• Family difficulties.
• Struggles in relationships.
• The fear of not being good enough.

Put all of these things together and it does not make for a very good combination.

The last point, the fear of not being good enough, is what has really put a halt to my writing.

I went to a writers conference in 2013, my first conference actually. The writers conference was wonderful. I made new friends, gleaned new information, met with an agent, met with published authors, and had an all around good time.

However, there was one thing that was not so good.

In meeting with one of the authors at the conference, I got a swift dose of reality.

As I write this I am sitting by the fire, and gazing at our Christmas tree, brightly lit, and decorated with ornaments from long ago. Each one holds memories of days gone by, moments frozen in time, and held in my heart to treasure forever. In order to make  Christmas a little brighter, and filled with special memories for two wonderful families,  I have teamed together with a wonderful group of bloggers to offer two amazing giveaways.

The bloggers of the Inspired Bloggers Network have gathered to add some SPARKLE and SHINE to your December with TWO $400 gift cards to Amazon!

Giveaway Sparkle

I am excited to be on the SPARKLE team with these other awesome bloggers:

• Betty Eisenhour from Peace Creek on the Prairie
• Kori Tomelden from Just Another Mom
• Kristi Kerr from The Potter’s Hand Academy
• Sheri Graham from Sheri Graham – Living, Learning, Loving…Intentionally
• Shari Miller from Shari A. Miller
• Daisy Teh from TheItMom.com
• Christina Root from Youthful Homemaker
• Erica Acevedo from The Crumby Cupcake
• Jeanae Osborne from Just Jeanae
• Cassandra Roth from bottlesoup
• Cara Koscinski from ThePocketOccupationalTherapist
• Jenna Kochenauer from he Not-So-Fit Girl’s Guide to Fitness
• Tesha Fritz from Freedom Pages
• kelli becton from AdventuresInChildRearing
• Kate Bilyj from Essential Wellness Bodywork and Fitness
• Tabitha from Frugal Family Favorites

In order to enter this giveaway all you need to do is follow the Rafflecopter instructions below.