A Fresh Batch of Book Reviews #3

Enjoy three book reviews and check out my latest book, Newness of Lifeon sale for $1.99 this week only!

Katharine and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther.  As a longtime Lutheran this book idea held appeal for me.  I just started reading this book and I can’t put it down.  Even though I learned much about Luther’s history as a Lutheran schoolgirl, Michelle DeRusha fills in many gaps in this storyline so familiar to me.  She is a gifted historian and storyteller, bringing ancient manuscripts to life and painting a sympathetic portrait of Martin and Katharina, imagining their emotions and challenges in a way that seems instantly relatable in 2017.  What a perfect time for this book to come into print (January 31)!  I will post a more in-depth review once I finish the book.

100-Day Vocabulary Word Devotional by Alan Balmer

I love Bible studies, and I love discovering new words. This book caters to both of my affections. Each day begins with a new, somewhat unfamiliar word and its definition. The following scripture and devotion explains how the word can be applied. It’s a vocabulary lesson tied together with solid Bible teaching. I like the “Bottom Line of the Day,” which helps you apply both the vocabulary word and the scripture teaching to everyday situations. The English major in me is enjoying this unique new study!

 

Epic Christianity by Jamie Mailhot

I liked the positive tone of this book and its solid biblical basis. I found the suggestions to be positive also, but not truly original. The chapters were very long. The book is advertised as a seven-day journery, but plan on spending two to three days per chapter unless you have an hour to spend each day. Overall this book is a decent resource if you haven’t read anything else on goal-setting and life-planning before.  For goal-setting, I prefer Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy.

Looking for Newness of Life in your current life season?

My new book Newness of Life will help you apply Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 so you can understand God’s plan in your current season.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

No matter what season you are in, God is teaching you valuable lessons to grow your faith and trust in Him.  We will discover what God is saying through the different times and activities we traverse.

If you comment in my online Bible study throughout this study, you’ll be entered to win prizes every Friday through Feb. 3.

This week’s winner will receive a copy of Jesus Today and a magnet set of these beauties:


Please vote 17 on this link: Click HERE! so I can make my publishing dream come true. God set me free from my fear of abandonment, and I want the world to know!

Please spread the word about Newness of Life on social media, using the buttons below to share this post!
This post will be linked up at #momentsofhope, #mondaymusings, #mommymoments, #modestmommondays, #heartofhomemaking, #dreamtogether, #soulsurvival, #smallwonder, and #glimpsesofhisbeauty. Visit my linkups page to find links to these wonderful blogs.


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Festive Friday #2

Festive Fridays are for counting blessings, recapping posts, announcing giveaways, and sharing special treats with you.

Special Treat

Since I plan to be at the She Speaks 2017 conference on my daughter’s birthday, we are celebrating her half-birthday with a snowman party this weekend.  Even though the temperature is forecasted to be in the 60’s, we’ll have a snowy, girly holiday inside with four of her friends.  I kept my Christmas tree up and replaced the red and gold decor with snowmen and snowflakes.  We’ll decorate wintry butter cookies and create snowmen crafts.

Here’s my recipe for Ultimate Baked Potato Soup, in the lineup with all the white foods at our party.

  • 6 large Russet potatoes, or 3 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes (your choice)
  • 1 T vegetable oil
  • 1 T kosher salt
  • 3 T butter
  • 3 T flour
  • 1 t. seasoned salt (I like Penzey’s 4S)
  • 1 t. freshly ground black pepper
  • 2-3 cups milk (I use skim)
  • 1 14-oz. can fat-free evaporated milk
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground cayenne pepper
  • Additional salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings:  shredded cheddar or Colby cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions

Scrub baking potatoes.  Wipe dry with clean towel.  Rub with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt.  Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until tender when knife is inserted, about 1 hour.  Cool until able to handle.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise.  Scoop out insides and set aside. Reserve the skins for other use (great for potato skin appetizers, and they freeze well in resealable bags).

In a large stock pan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat.  Whisk in flour, seasoned salt, and pepper.  When roux is light brown, slowly whisk in 2 cups milk, about 1/2 cup at a time, until mixture is incorporated.  Pour in one can of fat-free evaporated milk, which gives the soup wonderful body and richness.  Season with nutmeg and cayenne pepper.  Heat through on medium-low heat, stirring often with whisk.

Place potatoes in milk mixture.  Heat through and emulsify with an immersion blender, or put batches in a blender and pulse until mixture is smooth, adding more milk as needed.  Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

Recap of This Week’s Posts

On Monday I shared a fresh batch of book reviews.

On Tuesday I wrote about a time to cry and a time to laugh.

On Wednesday I wrote about grieving and dancing (memoir poem included!).

On Thursday I shared my past struggle with idol worship.

Questions for reflection: (please comment below)

Which post from this week resonated most deeply with you?

Have you joined the online Bible study?  If not, please visit the link now!

Counting Blessings

  • I am currently in second place in the Fear Fighting Bloggers Contest.  If you will take 30 seconds and vote for me, I will be so grateful!  Vote 17 in the comments section on this link (click here)! One vote per email/IP address. Please comment if you voted for me.  I will have a special prize drawing for all my voters at the end of February.
  • My new book Newness of Life is priced at 99 cents through Sun. 1/22.  If you have downloaded the book, please post a review to Amazon and consider reviewing it on your blog, thanks!
  • January is more than halfway through, and this is the first time in years I haven’t succumbed to serious winter blues.  My passion for writing is apparently giving me a great boost of endorphins!

Giveaways

Congratulations to Mary Ann H.,

this week’s giveaway winner!  Thanks for your comment in the online Bible study group!

Mary Ann will receive a copy of Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him and a magnet set of these beauties:

More prizes will be given on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, so please join the online Bible study today!

Congratulations to Meghan W., winner of a free download of Newness of Life!  Thanks for entering the giveaway!

My new book Newness of Life will help you apply Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 so you can understand God’s plan in your current season.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

No matter what season you are in, God is teaching you valuable lessons to grow your faith and trust in Him.  We will discover what God is saying through the different times and activities we traverse.

I look forward to hearing how God is working in your current life season.  I hope you will join in the fun and discussion on the online Bible study.


Please spread the word about Newness of Life on social media, using the buttons below to share this post!

This post will be linked up at #dancewithjesus, #faithnfriends, #freshmarketfriday, #graceandtruth, and #fridayfive. Visit my linkups page to find links to these wonderful blogs.


 

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Subscribe to my mailing list and receive two free gifts:  7 Ways to Find and Share Encouragement and a 2017 Peaceful Garden printable calendar!

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A Time for Crying and Laughing

A time to laugh and a time to cry--both are precious to God. Eccl. 3:4 #newnessoflife #bible

Today’s post is based on chapter 6 of my book, Newness of Life.

Newness of Life by Sarah GeringerI’ve done my fair share of crying.  The last time I cried was Sunday evening, when I felt overstimulated in a good way from a meeting with other writers.  My tears needed to flow to release internal pressure.  I felt relieved and reset after those tears fell.

I won a contest with this post on how God collects my tears in little bottles. If you’re struggling with a time to cry, this post can encourage you.

I intentionally seek out times for laughing to counter my serious, melancholy nature. Here are my top ten favorite sources of laughter:

Continue reading A Time for Crying and Laughing