Reviewing Unstuck as I am Booking Through Thursday

Welcome to my Book Review and Booking Through Thursday Post, this week question: Who taught you to read?

The answer is: I honestly do not know. I assume that a teacher in elementary school did as I started school early. It also might have been one of my many older cousins. 

My Book Review this week:

Source: via Eileen on Pinterest

I received a copy of Unstuck: Your Life. God's Design. Real Change by Arnie Cole and Micheal Ross in exchange for writing this review. This is my first review of this kind. 

When I received this book in the mail I was really excited because it seem like a message from God. I have been wondering in the desert a bit and God seem to be saying read this now. I started reading this book the day I received it and I could not put it down.

Unstuck is a great reminder that we cannot continue to grow in our walk with Christ if we are not daily engaging in His Word for ourselves. We need to read our Bibles, mediated on its words and listen to what God is telling us as individuals. Our walk with Christ is a personal one and will only grow if we spend personal time with Him.

Unstuck asks us to do three things: 

• read the Word for ourselves
• ask what does it say to me
• and mediate until it takes possession of you

Unstuck includes a 45 days study of scriptures and questions to help you get unstuck spiritually and back in a more deeper relationship with God. If you need a deeper study you can go to the website and receive a free copy of the study that is a bit more in-depth.

What I did not like about the book. They minimize the original call of getting Unstuck by saying that "Engaging the bible four or more times a week" is enough to "make a difference in how we think, live, grow, and relate to God and others." 

I was also a little taken back by the references to Go Tandem. A free service were you "receive scripture throughout the day in ways that fits your lifestyle" and "contain passages as well as nuggets that speak directly to your current spiritual needs." They do provide you with "a spiritual growth encourager who will discuss scripture you've read and pray specifically for you." 

Although these services sound great I felt like I was still being offered watered down Christianity. They cannot and should not take the place of opening your Bible, reading its words, praying for God's guidance and listening to His voice. 

This book calls us back to the basics of the Christian faith. Like the Berean we need to examine the scriptures every day to see if what we are being feed is true as this is the only way to a real relationship with Jesus.

How are you choosing to remain unstuck in your relationship with Jesus? 


As Always

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You can visit the Unstuck web site here.

Choosing Not to be Shocked

I am choosing not to be shocked by the media and their scandals. Yesterday while linking up my Wordless Wednesday post I came across a post by Karly of Three in Three. She used many words and asked linkers to please stop and read. 

I stopped and read what she had and say. I agree with her point that the shock value in the reports of the USAF scandal is so high as to instill a belief that this does not happen. Most of today's media is meant to shock us.

 
 

I had not heard about this scandal but then I never read or listen to the news as I find little value in it. Karly does not directly share the details of the scandal and I did not hop over to read them. What she does share is the heart of this scripture:

John 8:3-7

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Relationships between training officers and recruits happen across the board in all branches of military service and are most often consensual between adult parties. They are both well aware of the risk involved in such relationships but maybe it is the thrill of possibly getting caught or the impulsiveness of youth that it still happens.

And I say:

From 

Dinah and the Shechemites Genesis 34:1-3

David and Bathsheba 2 Samuel 11

to

Paul's call in 1 Corinthians 7:8

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Our shock says that sin in the world is unexpected but the Word tells us:

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

My chosen response should be that of Christ. 

1. Not to judge for I am not without sin 

John 8:3-7 

“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone"

2. Extend forgiveness for I need forgiveness

Luke 23:34 

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

 3. Pray for their salvation and coming to know the Lord as someone prayed for me.

John 17:20 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

I am choosing not to be shocked, what are you choosing today? 

As Always

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Linking with Tell me a story, Just Write, On your heart Tuesday,

Choosing to Look for Amazing {Word-less Wednesday}

You just never know where in life you will find amazing, we must always choose to look.

As Always

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Choosing to Bake Instead

I just love the concept of choice. Yesterday I choose to have a bit of a beauty day for me and did not get my regular post up. It is funny because then last night we had no Internet and of course I assumed that I would get my post up this morning. 


I made a choice not to set up my post ahead even thought is was ready and did not foresee the lack of Internet. Yet, I am thankful for my day of beauty and very happy that I took sometime for me.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Now I have started a brand new day, with many new choices before me. Today, I choose to spend my time baking with my nine year old and organizing my freezer and pantry. I just feel like baking.

I will let you know next week how it all went and thanks for choosing to join me here on my journey at Edwards Granddaughter.

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Choosing to add this to Five Minute Fridays, it did take only five minutes to write.

Reviewing The Next Story as I am Booking Through Thursday

Welcome to my Book Review and Booking Through Thursday Post, this week question:

Have you ever bought a book, started reading it and then realised you have already read it? If so, how far did you get? (Can you tell this happened to me for the first time ever this week!?!)

And–did you keep reading??

The answer is: no, I have yet to buy a book and realize that I already read it. I would probably return the book. Forgetting it would indicate that it was not that great during the first read. 

My Book Review this week:

Source: amazon.com via Eileen on Pinterest

I listened to the audio copy of The Next Story: Life and faith after the Digital explosion by Tim Challies. If you want to take a serious look at your life in relation to God and social media this is  the perfect book for you. I listened to this book twice manly because I enjoyed it so much and it does give you a way to find balance in your life. 

Challies tells us that technology is neither  inherently good nor evil but it is our use of anything we create that makes them either good or evil. We can either choose to use these items to glorify God or evil.

I gained a lot from listen to The Next Story and would recommend that it be read more than one. 

I help me realize that my migraine meds are good as long as they lead to my glorifying God. It remind me that my words on this blog are powerful and can be used to up lift my reader or beat the down. 

Great Questions I was left to ponder:

• Am I using my blog to bring love or death to its readers? 
• Am I using the internet as a mediator between God, people and me? 
• Am I thinking deeply and using this blog to sharpen the minds of others?  
• What does my data trail say about me? 
• Is technology taking over my life / am I allowing it to take over my life?
• Am I making communication a idol in my life? 

This book is a good heart check.

Choosing to share my love of books. What are you choosing today?

If you enjoyed this post, please stay awhile and read and choose to share Edwards Granddaughter with a friend. You can also subscribe by email and like us on Facebook, join us on Pinterest and Twitter. You can also email me @ Edwardsgranddaughter.gmail.com.

Choosing to Share an Inspiring Moment

We begin with the Word: Mark 10:8–9 

and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Covent Marriage is new to me. I have been married eighteen years and I only started hearing that word use about ten years ago. It is a great concept.

I am planning a few more marriage post but on this blog I tend to zig and zag a lot. I guess that happens when Christ is trying to keep you on the narrow path and you want to blaze your own trail.

When hubby and I got married 18 years ago, I was not a bridezilla. I wanted a simple wedding but on that day as we exchanged rings and said our vows, He said, "We will do this again." 

And I remember smiling for the cameras and trying to get through what was not my ideal day. The most important things WE WERE MARRIED, the deed was done.

Weeks later we would go collect the only thing we had paid for: "Our Wedding Pictures and Video."

I was say, "The best money ever spent!"

I was never quite sure it that was our wedding but the video created a memory of a wonderful event that I did not remember attending and I loved watching it.

Jump forward eighteen years and one month in our home with our three boys:

"Honey, what's the password again?"  

"Grounds for divorce!"

"I still don't know what it is."

My wild child: "I would never figure out the password, I cannot think of a reason why you would get divorce."

and my hearts sings. 


We did something right these eighteen years and one months, our children are secure that mom and dad are till death do us part.

Matthew 5:37 

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;anything more than this comes from evil.

We did not need a fancy term, or special contract, just a man and a woman before God making a promise.

Where are you choosing to see inspiration this week? 

If you want to check my perspective on trust in a marriage click HERE.

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Tell Me A Story, Just Write, Thankful Thursday, Living Well Wednesdays, Walk With Him, #Ifellowship, Teaching What is Good

The Wright Brothers {Word-less Wednesday}

I love this idea for kids room.

Our trip to Roanoke Island, the stops along the way.

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Who Are U Choosing To Live For

God leads us where he wants us to be. Our response is choosing to take the first step. I have been doing the Confident Heart study for my quiet time. Honestly I would tell you in no uncertain terms that I am very confident.

This week’s chapter 5 “Living Beyond the Shadow of My Doubts” pose and interesting question

How many times today did you wonder if you were measuring up to someone’s expectations of you?

My first inclination was to respond no, I am not trying to measure up, but God once again intervened and I saw myself clearly.

That wonder implies I feel like those around me are judging me. In the section titled “Getting Past Our Past” I think about what causes me to doubt I am measuring up to the expectations of others.

People who suffer with chronic pain often feel judged and we know that most healthy people do not understand.

Pain is very personal. It cannot be seen, or experience by another. Others have to either accept on face value what you say, unlike a broken leg that can be seemed.

I always fear this judgment with new people and doctors as I have felt the accuser’s sting many times.

With drug addiction on the rise and drug dealers posing as doctors people who deal with chronic pain consistently have to prove the impossible.

In response to a question about my health I once replied, “I feel like taking a hammer and hitting my head with it, the pain would be less.” I was told to stop talking nonsense.

There are times when the metaphors that best describe my pain make me sound like I should be committed or I am suicidal.

Let me assure you that is not the case although I long to go home and be with my Father, where pain will not exist for me. I am very committed to glorying Him in the life He has given me.

My vice and chosen sin has always been one of PRIDE.

I have always wanted so badly to be like every body else. I have asked God many times Why me? Why can I not be one of those people who are always healthy and never experience pain? I have suffered with migraines my entire life. Forty-one years and they are getting worse.

I should be thankful that this is how I was made in the image of God, perfect in His site.

But then comes the call for Community.

Community is hard for chronic pain sufferers.

They can make you feel welcome or strange, different and excluded. Sometimes community just does not understand and they judge you less than or place expectations on you.

I confess that when I open my eyes at 4:30 my first thought is how bad is my head hurting today. When I muster the courage to get out of bed and my feet hit the cold floor, I am already thinking how many pills will I need to make it through today.

Between trying to have a clear head in a drug fog, feeling like a drug addict, and taking care of my boys I am not willing to push through the pain of traffic and car lights to join any community. Sometimes, I wish community would come to me, other times I want pain free solace.

Many days lately I have thought about Leanna, one of the reason I started my blog, I cried for her dying and leaving behind a wonderful husband and two very young children, but then I realized how blessed she was to have died so young and no longer has the pain of this world.

Revelation 9:6 
 

During those days men will seek death,but will not find it;they will long to die,but death will elude them.

I daily remind myself that it is not about me but about Christ who died for me

I cling to Romans and my favorite is Roman 8:

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I long for community. I am thankful when I think of how many of you pray for me.

• I long to commune with you more fully.
• To encourage you to choose what is best.
• To embrace what God has placed before you.

When I choose not to honor how the creator made me because of what others might think. When I attend events and push my body beyond what it can stand I am not honoring God or creating an honest community.

I choose not to live a lie. I choose to accept all that God has given me with honest thanksgivings.

Are you choosing to live for other’s expectations or God’s today?

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Soli Deo Gloria, Hear it on Sunday, Multitudes on Monday, Changed By The Maker

Choosing to Accomplish Week 24 Going to Gethsemane

My focus scripture for this week is: 

On going Projects:

1. Meal planning – recipe testing  

2. Creating a weekly routine

3. Rebuilding and super gluing the boys Lego. 

4. My Homemakers Challenge monthly post

5. Photo albums

6. Putting together our two thousand pieces Coca-Cola puzzle. No puzzle picture this week.

My goals for this week are:

1. For my time in the Word: I am reading A Confident Heart by Renee Swope 

The meditation verse of the week is:  

Matthew 26:36-45

 ³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. 

Yet not as I will, but as you will."  

2. For my time in Prayer:       

•                Praying daily for my hubby  

•                Praying for my children that they may build great friendship. The continual softening of my children's hearts.  

•                Praying for the women in Group 95 Hello Morning Challenge that they may have an awesome morning time with our Lord.     

•                Praying for friends and extended family that have needs. 

•                That God to open my eyes to the learning and growing opportunities before me.    

•                For the new relationships that we are all building and that we are all open to sharing our hearts and lives.

3. I will still be saying good morning to my girls in Facebook group 95 from the Hello Morning Challenge with Inspired to Action they were a great support during this entire ordeal. 

4.  I will be spending some serious time in Gethsemane this week. I often think of how much He suffered and how excepting He was. God is journeying in my Heart and I have some hard choices to make this week and Gethsemane is the place for hard choices.

5. Homeschooling 

6. Blogging is was an amazing week I wrote a record 9 post. If you missed any here is a recap:

1. Choosing to Organize {Link for my Homemaker's Challenge Post.


2. Choosing to Put it all together {5 Days to Better Communication} 


3. Reviewing One Thousand Gifts as I am Booking Through Thursday


4. Words That Meet The Five Critical Needs {5 Days to Better Communication}


5. The Language of Love {Five Days to Better Communication} 


6. Setting The Ground Rules {5 Days to Better Communication}  


7. Thinking Word-less Wednesday


8. Words Are Powerful {5 Days to Better Communication}


9. Accomplish Week 23 More JOY Less Stress

7. Organizing and finishing our wedding album, writing birthday letters

8. Spending 20 minutes every night setting up for the next day

9. Reading Unstuck: Your Life. God's Design. Real Change. by Arnie Cole and Michael Ross

10. Teaching my nine year old to play tennis

What are you Choosing to accomplish this week?

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Mosaic Mondays, Motivated Monday

Choosing to Organize

Hello Fellow Choosers,

First, thank you for choosing to read @Edwards Granddaughter today.   I have been struggling lately with organization and with so many online and apps sources to help it can be quite overwhelming. I had a great idea to help me be better organized and focus using my favorite website.  I am choosing to share this idea in my post over at Homemaker's Challenge today. If you are incline to choose planning and organizing your life with a tool you already use please visit me at Homemaker's Challenge.  

Don't forget to leave me a comment sharing your thoughts on what I is an innovative idea or just letting me know that you were there.


Click HERE to hop on over.

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