Book Review ~ God's Shelter For Your Storm

God's Shelter For Your Storm

By: Sheila Walsh

Beat down, battered, and worn out...the storms surround every part of our lives. It may not be the middle of a storm for us right now, but certainly someone that we love is in the middle of one and let's face it, we do not always have the right words to say. Sometimes words are not even necessary...a big hug, a prayer, or even stepping in to fill a need can help.

In the times when the storms are so big and we struggle to keep our head above water, this book is an amazing little life preserver. With glimpses of hope and help found in God's Word these promises bring peace to every storm ridden and weary soul that peeks at the pages. It can be read cover to cover or even a chapter at a time where the need is the greatest.

"Christ's promise to us is not that He will give us shelter but that He will be our Shelter." With chapters on "Promises, Promises", "Provision", "Peace", "Confidence", "Love", "Grace", "Hope", "Strength", "More", and "Home" there is something in here for each of us.

Here are two of the many treasures that I have already found in my reading...

- "What the disciples learned - and what I am learning too - is that how far the provisions will go is not the issue. The issue is whose hands those provisions are in."

- "We can spend the rest of our lives looking at what we do not have, or we can bring everything we have and are to Him and watch miracles take place."

In a world of uncertainty, pain, and struggle, where do you go to find solid and steadfast assurance?

Gifted Women of Faith® speaker Sheila Walsh offers powerful, heart-filled teaching on ten bedrock promises of God, providing the foundation for daily living with confidence, hope, and joy. Sheila unveils principles that provide unshakable security during even the most difficult times by weaving her hallmark storytelling, personal experiences, and applicable Scripture to help readers gain a trust in God that will sustain them for a lifetime.

About Sheila Walsh:
Sheila Walsh is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. As a featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.

Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.

Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the preview book free from Overture Media / Thomas Nelson as part of their Blogger Review 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.”

Warrior Prayers ~ 21 Days of Prayer for Sons

A prayer challenge for moms of boys based on the eBook
"Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most"

If you have been around Mel's World for more than a minute you probably already know that my boys are two of my greatest gifts and accomplishments. I am absolutely head over heels crazy about my boys...are they perfect? Absolutely not...but then again, neither am I, right?

My boys aren't quite so little anymore...at 15 and 17 we have different challenges and stuff than boy mamas with a 5 and 7 year old...but boys are boys and they need their mamas now more than ever to take up the charge and pray WARRIOR PRAYERS over them.

When Brooke McGlothlin contacted me and asked me to write the foreword for the "21 Days of Prayer for Sons" I did a little happy dance and jumped right in to sharing a big piece of my heart about being a boy mama.

This book is packed with goodness, encouragement and prayers from Brooke and these other amazing boy mamas;

• Sally Clarkson (author of The Mission of Motherhood)
• Melanie Young (author of Raising Real Men and MOB Society contributor)
• Laura Lee Groves (author of I’m Outnumbered! One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys and MOB Society contributor)
• Melissa Smallwood (of Multi-tasking Mama and MOB Society contributor)
• Melissa Mashburn (of Mel’s World)

Guess what...you are just in time for the 21 day challenge!

It starts THIS Wednesday, June 8th!

Hop on over to pickup your copy of the "21 Days of Prayer for Sons" and join over 1100 boy mamas (is that crazy awesome or what?) as they link arm and arm to pray warrior prayers for their boys! You can find out more about the event on the Facebook page here.

I'm looking forward to watching God do a mighty work in our boys over these next 21 days!

Godly Gals ~ Carla MacLachlan

God, Better, Best

by: Carla MacLachlan

It seems I’m continually confronted with the idea of considering what I really want and how I want it. You know those T.V. ads that ask: What do you want from your bank? How do you want your coffee? And what about the magazine ads that entice you to picture yourself in the most luxurious vacation spots on earth?

In considering what I really want, how do I know if what I want for myself is also what my creator wants for me? How do I know when to include Him in my decision making process?

When I truly desire to know what God desires, I must choose to look at things from His perspective and that begins by searching His Word. Isaiah 48:17 says: This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel . I sense a need to stop here for a moment to review that God not only made us, but also redeemed us so we could share in an intimate relationship with Him. Therefore, He desires to regularly speak into our lives His truth and for us to consistently communicate with Him. 

Could it be that Isaiah is reminding us of God’s standard of holiness so we will continually be aware of when we are tempted to operate according to the world’s standard?

In verse 17 God Himself says, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you,…”

God loves His children so very much that He continually desires His absolute best for them rather than what is merely good or better. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God doesn’t expect us to recognize His best on our own, but promises to teach us as we abide in Him through His Word and prayer.

Could it be that there are moments throughout my day that I am so easily willing to settle for what is good for me rather than seek God’s absolute best? Do I examine options for my children based on good verses better, or am I willing to pursue God’s best for them?

Verse 17 ends by God stating, “…Who directs you in the way you should go.”

Is anyone else experiencing an “aha” moment? In order to be directed I must be willing to follow. If I choose to consider only my wants and desires, I leave no room for God’s input, instruction, or direction. God’s direction will always result in His best path and will reflect His will. Although the path God chooses for me may not be the same path as others, in choosing His direction I am acknowledging and trusting that He knows what is best for my life. 

The next time the world asks you what you want and how you want it, I encourage you to defer those questions to God.   

 
Bio: Carla has been ministering to adults, children, and families for over 20 years. She is author of the book Parenting Moment by Moment that relates biblical principles to all ages of children, infancy through adulthood. Carla has been married for 27 years and has two grown sons.

website: http://www.momentbymomentministries.com
twitter: http://twitter.com/MBMMinistries
facebook: www.facebook.com/momentbymomentministries

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Great stuff Carla...what perfect timing it is as well! I loved this..."In order to be directed I must be willing to follow"...good stuff! Thank you so much for taking time today to share this nugget of wisdom with us!

Sweet sisters, can you believe it is already summertime? Maybe not officially on the calendar yet, but the kids are getting out of school, the temps are already climbing in the 90's and it just feels like summer mentally too!

I pray you are encouraged each week when you stop by to visit the Godly Gals. I pray their "Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith" stories fill you up and also help you to see that you too are His Godly Gal.

Right now I am scheduling posts for the summer and I would LOVE to have one from YOU! 

If you have ever thought about writing something for the series, then what are you waiting for? Send me an email at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com and I'll send you a copy of the submission guidelines. 

Take the first step...you never know what God might be wanting to do through you!