Restless: Because You Were Made for More by Jennie Allen, ©2013 ~ published by Thomas Nelson

Oh! You are going to love God's tapestry. What looks like a mishmash of threads on the back looks like a super adventure on the front! Wait until the final picture is revealed ~ then you will know why all the color is in one spot. You are the depth of color! [I would guess mine will be p-u-r-p-l-e among beautiful hues ~ those He has given me.]

You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.
  --Saint Augustine

We each long to be at home with God ~ His sweet presence ~ His singing over us! How He delights in us. Psalm 139 is so, so special to our hearts. Here is a beautiful beginning quote from Jennie on page 4:

I want to dream of what our purposes may be.
   The conviction to write this book was born out of conversations with many of you. Since I wrote the first book, Anything, the most consistent thing I have been asked is some version of this question:
   "I am in. I am all surrendered to God. But now what? I don't know what he wants me to do."
   Every single one of us is designed to fit into a unique space with unique offerings. God's will for every one of us will look different. There is a framework within the commandments of Scripture, and within it we are free to create lives reflecting God and his passions here.

A quick overview of Jennie's study with us ~ Using the story of Joseph, the dreamer, Jennie explains how his suffering, gifts, relationships––all of the threads of his life––fit into the greater story of God and how our stories can do the same (Genesis 37-50). What would happen if God got bigger than your fear and insecurity, and you spent the rest of your life running without reservation after his purposes for you? You were created for more.

Part 1 is The Call; Part 2: The Threads; and Part 3: Living on Purpose

WooHoo ~ Join Restless Project LIVE with Jennie Allen and Jamie Ivey

Monday, March 10, 17, 24, 31

At 8:30 pm CST / 6:30 pm PST

Jennie Allen 

Founder of IF:Gathering
Author of Restless

Connect with me: 
 jennieallen.com | twitter | facebook

These Monday night chats are a place to connect with other women who are reading Restless and dive deeper into the material in a book club experience. For the book club you don’t need the Restless study guide, just a copy of the book. Don’t have the book yet? You can get it here from FaithGateway at 20% off. To interact with us during the live chat, post your questions on my Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #restlessproject. Jamie Ivey & I will do our best to get through as many of your questions as possible LIVE. And if you miss the live chat? Don’t worry! The video will be posted on my blog the very next morning! If you have questions, post them in the blog comments, and Jamie & I will be stopping by periodically to answer as many as we can.
If you want to read more about how it works, visit my blog. 

I hope you will dive in! Sorry I am tardy in getting the info to you. Jennie is posting the video on her blog for catch-up. I love how Jennie writes. It is like sitting alongside and sharing Scriptures together and dreaming, what can be a reality ... for us, for each of us.

Book Description ~ A practical plan to identify the threads of your life and how to intentionally weave them together for God's glory and purposes.

Restless explores the fact that God has called each of us to do great things in his name, and then helps us discover what that might mean for each of us individually. Jennie says, "We are called to dream but we're afraid to. But because we are called, when we don't act on it we become restless—restless to find purpose, to make a difference in the world, to matter."

Jennie doesn't suggest women add one more thing to their to-do list, but instead invites them to stop and listen where they are. She frees them to be themselves and to see themselves as valuable. In addition to this permission to dream she helps them get over themselves and their issues and then offers a simple process on highly designed journal pages to identify the raw materials—the unique threads—they've been given by digging into five areas: Gifts ~ Suffering ~ Places ~ People ~ Passions

Using her own story and that of women with whom she has walked through this process as examples, Jennie weaves in the story of Joseph the dreamer and how God used his threads to fit into the greater story of God. Untangling the threads of our lives and assembling them together in one place reveals a beautiful plan designed by the Creator himself:

God's Agenda + my threads + the need + the Holy Spirit = my purpose

And since living out our purpose is often filled with uncertainties Jennie addresses the doubts, fears, and challenges that hold women back from what they've been called to do. This repositioning of their lives is not a promise that all things will be perfect, or will go perfectly, but a promise that it will be the start of the best part of life—the part that completes what we were made for.

***Thank you to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for sending me a copy of Jennie Allen's Restless: Because You Were Made for More to review as part of BookLook Bloggers. This review was written in my own words interlaced among Jennie's. No other compensation was received.***

Also available is an 8-week Bible study ~ Restless

inScribed ~ Amazed and Confused: When God's Actions Collide with Our Expectations by Heather Zempel, ©2014

We are not able to know God's infinite love with our finite minds and reasoning. Habakkuk's name means "to embrace" or "to wrestle." (30) When we come to the end of ourselves, we find Christ. And there, the possibilities are endless. (41)

For the vision points ahead to a time I have appointed;

it testifies regarding the end, and it will not lie.

Even if there is a delay, wait for it.

It is coming and will come without delay.

  --Habakkuk 2:3 

God's timing is perfect. Wait ~ even if there is a delay. Put Him central in our life. Jeremiah 29:10-14 His plans for us include seeking Him.

Even if the fig tree does not blossom
     and there are no grapes on the vines,
If the olive trees fail to give fruit
     and the fields produce no food,
If the flocks die far from the fold
     and there are no cattle in the stalls;
Then I will still rejoice in the Eternal!
     I will rejoice in the God who saves me!
The Eternal Lord is my strength!
     He has made my feet like the feet of a deer;
He allows me to walk on high places.

For the worship leader—a song accompanied by
           strings. (Hab. 3:17-19)


God's character and promise is sure! ~ Even in the land of "If Not"

God's character is revealed to us and His blessings are discovered when we dare to step out in faith! (175)



Exploring the Book of Habakkuk


Amazed and Confused proceeds systematically through the book of Habakkuk, exploring the prophet’s prayer, God’s response, and the prophet’s journey from confusion to worship. This interactive Bible study is the perfect choice for those who are hurting and confused about God’s responses to their prayers.

***Thank you to inScribed for this study and the copy sent to me to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

inScribed ~ Leaving Ordinary: Encounter God through Extraordinary Prayer by Donna Gaines, ©2014

Join Donna Gaines as she takes us on the journey she walked to know God and to experience Him through the tabernacle and its articles as a guide. We leave the ordinary behind when we meet Christ.

There are times in your personal walk with God when you're reading the Word and a verse seems to jump off the page. You are very aware that this is not just a random thought, but one through which the Holy Spirit is revealing truth to you. Your heightened awareness enables you to understand that this is a moment when the eternal is piercing the temporal, and the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. And you know that. In your inner man, you know it. (109)

Date and write out your prayers to God and the verses that jump out from the page as you read His Word. From personal experience, you may find there is a common thread you can highlight in your daily readings and journaling from day-to-day.


~*Leaving Ordinary: Encounter God through Extraordinary Prayer by Donna Gaines*~


***Thank you to inScribed for this study and the copy sent to me to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

inScribed ~ Dive Deeper: finding deep faith beyond shallow religion by Jenifer Jernigan, ©2014

~*Dive Deeper: finding deep faith beyond shallow religion by Jenifer Jernigan*~ d.i.v.e. into Ephesians ~ d.efine, i.nvestigate, v.isualize, e.mbrace ~

"What it means to study the Bible? Head knowledge and fact-finding aren't the goal! Studying the Bible is about: being able to know God fully and not just know about Him; being able to experience His life-changing power actively working in your life; knowing how to open His Word and understand it for yourself instead of living on the regurgitated messages of someone else."

This study format will be applicable to any Book of the Bible ~ use it as a hands-on study of the Scriptures during your quiet time, beginning here with Ephesians.

You will find this diving deeper Bible study applicable with questions following each chapter; d.i.v.e. in deeply.

Ask, and it will be given to you: Seek, and you will find: Knock and it will be opened to you.  --Matthew 7:7

~*A S K*~

A question is asked to Jenifer ~ Is the Bible for me?
"YES! Oh, yes, yes, yes! God's Word is for YOU. It can work for YOU. He is for YOU. And He longs for you to know Him more through the pages of His life-changing Word." (xvi)

***Thank you to inScribed for this study and the copy sent to me to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

inScribed ~ Living "So That": Making Faith-Filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life by Wendy Blight, ©2014

Join this journey together with a small group or individually as Living So That takes you through five chapters of "so that" Scriptures in the New Testament. Each chapter begins with a memory verse and a prayer. Your heart will be prepared to receive all that God has for you. Set aside special time each day and ask the Lord to help you keep it a priority. ~*Living "So That": Making Faith-Filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life by Wendy Blight*~
There is space between the readings for you to write a response as you read. You can look up SO THAT verses in the Bible. A fun way to begin ~ making faith-filled choices! You might want to underline them [mine would be in awesome p-u-r-p-l-e] so you have a whole glance at so-thats!

Renewing our minds brings "life transformations." Life transformations prompts "so that" living.

God never gives up when He has a plan. Wendy tells of a neighbor down the street that she felt prompted to invite to her Bible study group, but didn't. Over a year's time she was cordial when their ~*paths crossed*~. One night Wendy gave her testimony at church. When she looked up, who did she see but the neighbor, with tears streaming down her face. Psalm 139! So thankful the Lord knows all about us and loves us so!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. --John 3:16

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. --Hebrews 4:16

And the neighbor's whispered response? "I want what you have."

Are we so filled with WHO we have that we overflow in His grace washing over onto others?

Some of my favorite so that's ~ this one maybe not so much as it is happening but... the end result is dreamed of and desired ~ to come to maturity and complete ~ some of you may already know it is James 1:2-4 count it all joy... I know His comfort is sure, for I have experienced it. I trust Him.

   "Comfort" is a translation of the Greek word paraklesis, which means "a calling to one's side." This same word is used in John 14-16 for the Holy Spirit. It means much more than God sympathizing with us. It is God actually coming alongside us and ministering to us. (188)

Several years ago, a pastor said, "God has seen to the end of your life here on earth, and comes back to walk through it with you." I have never forgotten that.

I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. --John 15:11

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. --John 16:33

***Thank you to inScribed for this study and the copy sent to me to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

Celebrate Worldwide Quilting Day, March 15, 2014

Today's the day!

Celebrate Worldwide Quilting Day

http://worldwidequiltingday.com/

Real Women: Leading with Proverbs 31 Values by Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder, ©2014

This is a book you may underline! The ten chapters are foundational principles found in Proverbs 31: understanding people, forgiveness, responsibility, attitude, resolving conflict, restraint, honesty, planning, generosity, and influence. Developing these traits in our lives will lead us to become the women God designed us to be. (23)

A study to do together in a group or as a personal study, you will be enriched in values and personal growth ~ share your specific action step for each IT chapter, specific with a "who, what, where, or when." IT? Daily happenings of Ignited Transformation.

The four basic needs that dwell within every human heart: to be appreciated, to experience achievement, to have a sense of belonging, and to feel secure.

Intentional ~ When Jesus went through Samaria (John 4:4), He intentionally went for a purpose. Not a chance meeting but He went that way to meet a woman at a well. Thirst. Deeper than the water she drew.
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." --John 4:10 

The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.  --Proverbs 20:5

Come see a man...I've met Him and I've never been the same

Walking in a shadowland

Of broken dreams and shifting sand

Cause I gave my heart away too many times

I didn't plan to meet You there

Your kindness took me by surprise

When grace and mercy showered over me

Now I live to praise

I live to praise You

The Father's heart is full of love for me

I live to praise, I live to praise You

The Lover of my soul has set me free

Jesus, you set me free

Lyric excerpt from LIVE TO PRAISE Lisa Troyer/Dawn Yoder McKinney Music/BMI (Adm. LifeWay Worship Nashville, TN USA)


Attention to planning and the results of a Spirit-led life ~ being intentional about staying in God's Word.

Real Women Leading with Proverbs 31 Values will be a resource you will want to return to.

Lisa Troyer & Dawn Yoder

**Lisa Troyer** Sometimes referred to by friends as the “singing executive,” wife, mom, radio personality, recording artist, speaker, and author. Her Circle of Friends women’s outreach, formed over a decade ago, is growing in all directions. Lisa uses her gift of encouragement, her influence, and her resources to open doors for women to discover their significance and belonging. She and her family currently live in Ohio. Find out more about Lisa Troyer at http://www.newhopedigital.com/2013/09/real-women-leading/.

**Dawn Yoder** is passionate about developing people to discover their strengths and reach their leadership potential. As CEO of a 500-plus employee company, she seeks to bring values and principle-based thinking into all aspects of society through a round table environment. Dawn is a member of the John Maxwell coaching team, an international trainer, a speaker with the Circle of Friends ministry, a contributing writer, a songwriter, and a frequent worship leader. She and her husband, Jeff, have been married for more than 20 years and have four children.

Today’s marketplace is not always a “values-friendly” environment. Business leaders Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder show you that you can live and thrive in a “valueless” workplace when you live by biblical values and principles.

Real Women: Leading with Proverbs 31 Values is a must-have leadership resource for today’s Christian woman. Written by women in the marketplace, Real Women cultivates biblical truth, credible relationship development, and practical application into everyday life through ten foundational principles. Once women embrace these ten principles, they will soon discover the multiple attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman in today’s marketplace and learn practical ways to implement the wisdom from that timeless Scripture passage.

Women will be encouraged to develop their God-given gifts and talents in the marketplace as they live out the principles that invite others to embrace the equality-inspiring values they live by. Knowing that we are not the end users of the gospel message, the Proverbs 31 leader will find the initiative to inspire the upcoming generation to view womanhood as a gift and continue the learning process that will impact generations to come.

***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for inviting me to join this blog tour and for sending a copy of Real Women Leading with Proverbs 31 Values for me to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

 “Real Women Leading” iPad Mini Giveaway and “Leading with Values” Facebook Party 3/20!

Real Women Leading: With Proverbs 31 Values is a must-have leadership resource for today’s Christian woman. Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder are celebrating the release of their book with an iPad Mini giveaway and a Facebook "Leading with Values" author chat event on March 20th.

  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Real Women Leading by Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 20th. Winner will be announced at "Leading with Values" Facebook Party on March 20th. Connect with Lisa and Dawn for an encouraging discussion on how we can lead (at home and in the workplace) effectively and with biblical values. Win prizes, connect with other leaders, and be inspired.

So grab your copy of Real Women Leading and join Lisa and Dawn on the evening of March 20th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!