Tag Archives: Grace

Nov 9 2010

A Rush Of Wings–Free Book Giveaway!

UPDATE:

CONGRATULATIONS TO JENEE DESSENBERG

WINNER OF THE BOOK GIVEAWAY!

PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH YOUR MAILING ADDRESS WITHIN 5 DAYS AT:

hearttreasurescontact@yahoo.com

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RESULTS FROM RANDOM.ORG:

There were 4 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

  1. Jenee Dessenberg
  2. JoAnn Fernandez
  3. Heather Fairman
  4. Heather Doy

Timestamp: 2010-11-22 04:09:13 UTC

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A Rush Of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann is about a 24 year old girl named Noelle. Her father William is a wealthy lawyer who provides the very best for his daughter and shelters her from the outside world. Noelle suddenly starts to have flashbacks and memories that she does not understand. Gripped with fear, she runs away from her home hoping to escape whatever is causing her unknown fears. Weary from travel, she finally chooses to rent a room at a horse ranch in the mountains of Colorado.

Rick, the owner of the ranch, and his brother Morgan are complete opposites. Both of them in their own way try to break through the barriers that Noelle has built. Rick’s belief in God is completely foriegn to her and she tries to rationalize why she doesn’t want anything to do with God. Noelle’s new found freedom leads to events that trigger more memories. As she tries to piece together the meaning behind her fears, she starts to fall in love.

This book deals with a few tough topics while incorporating romance. It also follows Noelle’s journey toward God and healing from her past. I love the fact that the author used prayers and scriptures throughout the book. This was a story of God’s healing, grace, forgiveness, comfort, etc. I have to admit that there were several times where I thought the book did not move quickly enough for my taste. It seems as if the author was going for a suspense feel but it did not fully reach a suspense level. I felt that it put too much emphasis into some parts of the story and not enough in others. That being said, overall, it was a good and unique story line and I look forward to reading more of the author’s books.

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission I am required to disclose that Bethany House provided this book for free in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Order at Christian Book Distributors through the following link!

I get credit for all purchases made through my CBD links!

A Rush of Wings 

By Kristen Heitzmann / Bethany House

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FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY

To be entered in the giveaway:

1. Post a link to my blog (any post) to your blog, facebook, etc.

2. Comment on this blog post to let me know 1. which post you linked to, 2. why you chose that post, and 3. where you posted my blog link! (Only one comment per person please.)

3. Entries will be accepted until midnight Saturday, November 20, 2010. I will insert all entries into http://www.random.org and whoever randomly gets the #1 spot will win the book!

4. On Sunday, November 21, 2010 the top of this post will be updated with the announcement of the winner.

5. Winner must e-mail me with mailing address within 5 days of announcement otherwise the book will be sent to a new winner. hearttreasurescontact@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: Remember this is a free giveaway at my expense, therefore, Heart Treasures Blog is not responsible for loss or damage of the giveaway item(s). Giveaway open only to residents of the United States (unless you have a US Military address such as APO, FPO, etc. -OR- I know you personally.)

Oct 19 2010

The Grace Of God

This book was written by pastor and author Andy Stanley. He tells the story of God’s grace as it weaves throughout the Bible. He describes it in the beginning, at the flood, and throughout Genesis in the lives of Joseph & Judah. He continues along the thread of grace in the Old Testament with the ten commandments, Rahab, David, & Jonah. Entering the New Testament he tells the stories of several of Jesus’ disciples, the Pharisee Nicodemus, the woman at the well, Paul, the thief on the cross next to Jesus, the prodigal son, and the early church.

I have written in my Bible a quote (author unknown) that I heard when I was a young teenager: “Grace is a gift of God that we don’t deserve and mercy is the punishment that we do deserve that God takes away.”  This is very humbling. I know that I can never earn God’s grace, I can only accept it.

Stanley notes that, “Grace plus anything is anything but grace.” In other words, Grace plus works or Grace plus traditions or Grace plus ‘fill in the blank’–IS NOT GRACE! What a wonderful gift that God has offered to undeserving me and you!

I thought that this book was an easy read with thought provoking stories and illustrations of God’s grace. I would recommend it to anyone wishing to better understand the subject of grace.

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission I am required to disclose that Thomas Nelson provided this book for free in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Order at Christian Book Distributors through the following link!

I get credit for all purchases made through my CBD links!

The Grace of God

By Andy Stanley / Thomas Nelson

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NOTE TO SELF:

Don’t let 1 year old anywhere near my books! They don’t hold up well in the bathtub!

Now I have to go buy a new copy! 🙂


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I review for BookSneeze

Aug 9 2010

Sermon Jam: “Because He Is Good”

I have been following Theologigal for a few weeks. Her latest post has a great video which sums up why I need Jesus. I encourage you to view the video and her commentary here.

“So often when Christians hear or read a call to repentance they think, “Yes, that’s so true! People have sinned! People need to repent!” But the word, “people” includes you, and before you can think of anyone else in your life who you think needs repentance you first need to think about yourself, how you have sinned, how you need to repent, before you fall into the trap of being a finger-pointing Pharisee (Matt. 7:5).”

Jun 27 2010

I Need You!

Several years ago, there was a young woman who was struggling on many different levels. She found out she was pregnant for the first time but few days later she miscarried. She and her husband worked long stressful hours on different shifts. They worked, slept, ate, socialized, etc. at different times. They eventually became like room mates who hardly ever saw each other. As her life was falling apart; she sank into a depression. She was good at hiding it though. She smiled in public and cried when she was alone. Her heart was breaking and no one seemed to notice or care. One day as she was driving to work; she listened to a song she had never heard before on the radio. Tears poured from her eyes as the words echoed in her soul. When she was able to track down the name of the song; she bought the cd that it was on. She copied the lyrics into her journal and the song became a prayer for her. Throughout the years the song reminded her of her sin and faults but also about God’s forgiveness and grace.

This morning, the woman sang the song in church with one of her close friends. As only God can do; He matched the song perfectly with the pastor’s sermon on Prayer. She barely made it through the song without crying because of how personal it was to her. Later during the alter call; she knelt and whispered the lyrics to God. She thanked him for all He has done over the years to bring her closer to Him. She squeezed her husband’s hand as the pastor prayed over the marriages and families in the church. She was grateful that God kept them together through all the trials they had faced.

Tonight, she tucked her girls in bed. With tears in her eyes, she prayed asking God to make her a better wife for her husband and better mother for her children. And above all, she thanked Him for continually being her Comfort and Strength.

I Need You–By: The Swift

My heart is restless in me
My wings are all worn out
I’m walking in the wilderness
And I cannot get out

I need You, oh I need You
Blessed savior come
I need You, oh I need You
Fill the every longing of my soul

Oh how I need You Lord
I need Your perfect word
With tearful eyes I see
The sin that I afford
I need to weep and pray
For all the thousand ways
That I have failed You just today

And my bed is soaked with sadness
My sadness has no end
A downward spiral of despair
That I keep falling in

I need You, oh I need You
To You my soul shall fly
I need You, oh I need You
Yahweh how I love you more than life

Oh how I need You Lord
I need Your perfect word
With tearful eyes I see
The sin that I afford
I need to weep and pray
For all the thousand ways
That I have failed You just today

Your silence is like death to me
So won’t You hear my desperate plea

Today my soul is soaring
Way over mountains high
Though I can see the valleys
They are all just passing by
Its not that I am stronger
Look at my feeble wings
But I’ve been lifted higher
Yahweh’s lifted me in His own strength

Oh how I love You Lord
I love your perfect word
With tearful eyes I see
The God who always will endure
Now I will celebrate
For all the thousand ways
That you have shown me grace
And made my heart in grace to stay

You made my heart in grace to stay
Lord, make my heart in grace to stay

I need You, oh I need You

DL128751-8: I Need You [Music Download] I Need You [Music Download]

By The Swift / Flicker Records

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Image found here.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

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