Clutter-Free Christianity: What God Really Desires for You ~ A Book Review and Giveaway!

Clutter has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a home with 9 siblings and a mother who worked full time ever since I started school. It was just something I learned to live with. Don't get me wrong, (especially Mom if you're reading this), our house was never really filthy, it was just hard to avoid that "lived in" look with that many people living under one roof.

As a wife and mother myself, I've had a constant struggle with clutter all my life too...and that was true even before I met my husband Ray, who is the King of clutter, and brings home every stray item he finds, just to give it a home...or because he MIGHT need it some day.

Anyway, in "Clutter-Free Christianity", Dr. Jeffress is talking about a whole different kind of clutter. He shows us how to cut through the clutter of everything we may have heard about being a Christian and get back to the basics of what God really expects and wants from us.

I'm finding this book truly fascinating. For instance, he tells us that a "kingdom" simply implies the territory that is ruled over by a particular monarch. Therefore, the "Kingdom of God" not only refers to heaven, or some future time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth, but that the Kingdom of God exists right here and now and means "any place where God's will is being obeyed." That was a real eye-opener for me.

Here is a summary of the book:

When did the Christian life become so complicated?
Your greatest desire is to please God, but with each passing week, your spiritual to-do list grows longer. As you strive to fulfill a never-ending inventory of requirements for being a godly parent, spouse, voter, employee, and more, you feel increasingly disconnected from the God you’re trying to serve.
It’s time to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of what it means to please God. In this liberating look at the core principles of faith, Dr. Robert Jeffress reveals the truth about what God really wants from you–and what He wants to do for you.
Through solid biblical teaching and practical insights, Dr. Jeffress points you toward a revitalized faith centered on becoming more like Jesus in action, attitude, and affection. You’ll learn how to partner with God in the process of spiritual transformation as you choose to follow Christ in forgiveness, obedience, trust, contentment, service, and prayer.
Through a renewed focus on experiencing the kingdom of God right now, you’ll find your to-do list shrinking and your spiritual life deepening. It all comes with embracing Clutter-Free Christianity.Includes a Bible study guide for personal growth and group discussion.

Clutter-Free Christianity would make a great bible study for small groups too, since it includes a bible study guide section in the back of the book. The book is available from Random House Books for just $13.99.

I am also going to GIVE AWAY a copy of this excellent book. To get your name into the random drawing for this book, just leave a comment after this post. You can come back and leave a comment each day for more chances to win, just remember to leave me a valid e-mail address, so that I can contact you in the event that you are chosen as the winner. This contest is open to all residents of the continental U.S. A winner will be randomly drawn on April 18, 2009. Thanks! and Good Luck!

Dr. Robert Jeffress is the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, one of the most historic churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. The author of sixteen books, he is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, live broadcasts of Dr. Jeffress’ weekly messages reach millions of listeners and viewers each week, while his daily sermon series airs on 1,100 television stations and cable systems nationwide. Dr. Jeffress and his wife, Amy, are the parents of two adult daughters.

Never Say Diet Book Set~Review and GIVEAWAY

This is my new "BEFORE" picture:

Because it's a brand new year, and because I've been virtually stagnant in my weight loss efforts for a couple of months now, I've decided to start over. I'm just not going to dwell on the weight that I've already lost. I'm going to start from where I'm at right now as if it were my "before". So, in addition to doing the basic program I had been doing to lose almost 40 lbs so far, I've decided to try something new.
I was sent a copy of "The Never Say Diet" Book by Chantel Hobbs to review. It looks to me like something that could work. After all, Chantel lost 200 pounds on this plan, so I figure I should be able to lose another 66 or so pounds, right?

Never Say Diet summary:

After years of failed diet attempts, Chantel Hobbs discovered the missing
ingredient to permanent weight loss: to change your life, you first have to
change the way you think. She developed a balanced plan for exercise and
nutrition and lost two hundred pounds. Now, through writing, speaking, and her
work as a personal trainer, she inspires others to achieve far more than they
thought possible. In Never Say Diet, now available in trade paperback, Chantel
provides everything readers need to lose weight for good, including:

· Simple, step-by-step workout routines that fit into a normal weekday schedule

· A realistic approach to nutrition that helps people break their bondage to food

· Strategies for staying motivated when life takes unexpected turns

· Keys to dealing with discouragement by relying on God’s strength

· The secret to moving beyond past failures and getting over old excuses

Chantel helps readers make the five commitments that are necessary for changing their lives. Her high-energy, no-nonsense approach inspires readers to achieve results that last in body, mind, and spirit.

Author Bio: Chantel Hobbs is a personal trainer, certified spinning instructor, and motivational speaker whose no-excuses approach to fitness has won her a grateful following across the country. The author of Never Say Diet, Chantel hosts a weekly fitness program on Reach FM radio and is a regular guest on Way FM. Her “Ditch the Diet, Do the Weekend” bootcamp takes place several times a year in a variety of locations. She has presented her unique approach to lasting fitness in People magazine and on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News, The 700 Club, Living the Life, and Paula White Today. Chantel enjoys life with her husband and their four children in South Florida.

I love the fact that Chantel is a Christian and that when she had reached her lowest point, (and her highest weight), she broke down and surrendered it all to GOD. She asked Him to give her a plan to lose the weight, and He answered her prayer. Chantel Hobbs sincerely believes that this plan is not just for her, but for all of us out there who have been struggling with our weight. I'm willing to give it a try. And if you think you'd like to try it with me...KEEP READING...

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But wait! There's More!!! I was also sent a copy of her latest book, "The Never Say Diet Fitness Trainer". This book is designed to be a companion workbook to the Never Say Diet Book and includes a 16 week program to get you started on your weight loss success.

Personal Trainer summary:

Her newest book, The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Coach, now allows
readers to have Chantel show up each week to inspire, encourage, and energize
them on the journey to a healthy life that centers on body, mind, and
spirit. This fitness guide helps readers set new weight-loss goals and create
an exercise schedule that works in the midst of life’s constant demands. Readers
will be inspired with Scripture, and they will welcome Chantel’s healthy eating
plan with simple, energy-and-nutrition-packed recipes. Weekly checklists and
personal evaluations direct readers in reaching their goals. Plus, Chantel’s
personal and entertaining stories provide the motivation needed to get through
even the most frustrating days. With Never Say Diet and The Never Say Diet
Personal Fitness Coach readers will establish new fitness habits that burn off
excess weight, increase strength, and establish a new, healthy way of living.

You can use this book set alone, with a group of friends, or in your small group bible study. A leader's guide can be found at http://www.chantelhobbs.com/.

Now, for the really exciting part!!! You can join me in this new weight loss endeavor, by picking up these books for yourself, or you can try to win them right here! I have an extra 2-book set to give away to one of my readers. All I ask you to do, is leave me a comment telling me how much weight you would love to lose, and I'll enter you into a random drawing.

This contest is open to everyone, NOT just bloggers. If you've never left a comment on a blog before, it's very easy. Just click on "comments" after this post, and check the "name" or anonymous" box. Just make sure you leave me your name and a valid e-mail address, so I can contact you, in the event that you are my lucky winner. I will leave the contest open through January 31st, and announce the winner within the following week. If the winner does not get back to me within 3 business days, I'll draw another. Thanks for entering, and GOOD LUCK!

It's Time...

To put my money where my mouth is, (or maybe my F.R.O.G. where my blog is), as it were. You've probably noticed my little frog sitting at the top of my blog with the words, "Fully Rely On God. Basically, I've decided it's time to practice what I preach.

A few weeks ago, I applied for a full time cake decorating position at our local grocery store. I had an interview and it seemed like everything went really well. Then I even found a few pairs of white pants and a brand new white polo shirt at the Used Clothing Center and garage sales, just in case I was hired and needed them to wear to work. The way things were going, I felt sure that this was where God was leading me. He was going to provide a way for us to have a stable income, and either be able to keep our home, or at least help pay the rent for wherever we end up moving to. I had the prayer chain from my church praying for this job and everything. I anxiously waited over the weekend, and then I got the call on Monday. This is what the bakery manager said, "It was a tough decision, but we decided to go with another applicant." She told me she would like to keep my application on file in case something opened up in the future, but this was not to be my job. Okay. I can deal with that. God must have something even better planned for my future, right?

Well, now that it looks as though there is no longer anything we can do to keep our house, we have been looking for one to rent. We thought we'd found the perfect house. In town, within walking distance to almost anywhere we might want to walk to. It was an older home, but had been nicely remodeled. The problem was, there was another couple in somewhat the same situation as we are, that the owner had promised a week to make their decision whether they wanted it or not. They took the full week...and then decided "Yes", they would take the house. Okay. I understand. We still don't have a place to live and I don't yet have a job to help pay for wherever we do end up renting either.

Ray and I have just started a new bible study at church. It's called, "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day". Interesting title, don't you think? It's based on a book by Mark Batterson. The title is in reference to a man in the bible named Benaiah, who ended up as one of King David's body guards. Apparently, he had killed a lion in a pit in the middle of winter in his past, which I guess made David decide to hire him as his bodyguard. Anyway, it's all about how we don't see the big picture that God does, and we don't know what He is preparing us for in the future while we are going through difficult times. The things we go through that seem the scariest while we are going through them, are oftentimes the greatest experiences we've ever had, once we are looking back on them. He also talks about how our "unanswered prayers" are usually blessings in disguise.

So last night, after reading some of this book, I got to thinking. I have this friendly little frog at the top of my blog telling people to "Fully Rely on God", but do I really do that??? Not usually. I'm always trying to figure out a way to fix things without going to Him first. I need to get it through my head that God knows what He's doing and that He is in control of everything in our lives... and that He will get us through this too. We just have to trust in Him!

Beth Was Awesome as Usual

Not that I've ever seen her in person before, but I have done some of her video bible studies in the past. She was great, and I had a wonderful weekend with friends. Sarah and I had a little trouble getting to the Target center in the first place, but once we got there, we had really good seats, thanks to our friends, Cheryl and Lyn who were volunteer "encouragers". Beth was as funny as ever too, and even put on her cheese hat as she announced they will be doing a conference in Green Bay WI next year.

This is Travis Cottrell, he was the worship leader. He has a very powerful voice, and even performed a new song he wrote recently. At the end of the conference on Saturday, the worship team started us off with a few songs and eventually the instruments all dropped out, and then the team quietly slipped off the stage. I had closed my eyes during this time...and was surprised when I opened them to find them gone. It sounded pretty cool to have that many people, (mostly women of course), singing praises to the Lord together.

Beth is so personable, everyone that knows of her at all thinks of her as their "best friend". She would go and sit and chat with people in the audience. Here she is picking on some guy that came to the conference with his wife.

After talking to him, she turned and saw this little 10 year old girl named Anna, and talked with her a bit. She asked her if her mother had dragged her there, or if Anna had wanted to come. Little Anna replied that she had seen Beth in SD and enjoyed it so she wanted to come again.

We all had a great time, and had a few laughs walking around the city and eating at the 8th Street Grill. We had 4 ladies in our hotel room, which only had double size beds. I joked that Sarah and I were sleeping "triple" in a double bed...because Sarah is expecting, of course. Ray was not far away, so he picked me up from the hotel, and another lady was nice enough to ride home with Sarah, so she wouldn't have to go solo.

I'm Off To See Beth!

I am going to the Beth Moore conference with a group of women from my church. Some of us have done several of her bible studies over the past few years, which all had videos that went along with them. I have always enjoyed these studies, because she's so good at relating to other women. During almost every video lesson, if you looked around the room, everyone was laughing, or crying...or crying until we laughed. Come to think of it, I should really pack my purse with a bunch of Kleenex right now.

It should be an inspirational and fun weekend. I also get to spend tonight in a hotel room with 3 other women...that should be interesting too! Although, we won't be done until 9:30 tonight, and the doors open at 7:30 tomorrow morning...so I guess we'll have to get some sleep...I've never done anything like this before, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll let y'all know how it went.