Wives of Faith

Somehow I ended up with an extra copy of the book; occasionally this happens with Zondervan.  I’d like to offer it to one of our Wives of Faith readers as a giveaway. And this time, I’m going to make you work a little! (Kind of like our blog carnival at Christmas and the one coming up in May.)

To enter the giveaway, you need to write a response to this prompt:

In Leeana’s book she writes about little pieces of “found art” that grew in significance to her. Write about something that you have found at some time in your life that has become significant to you.

Write about it on your blog and leave the link in the comments. If you don’t blog, leave your response in the comments here.

Go visit Jocelyn’s blog at Faith Deployed to read a wonderful interview with our own Sara Horn!

Faith Deployed: Sara Horn’s Military Wife Life

The following article is an excerpt from a new book coauthored by Jocelyn Green of Faith Deployed. This is one of the books that will be a prize during the blog carnival in May, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, enjoy!

My Times Are in Your Hands

By Kristen Hamilton, wife of Kevin Hamilton, U.S. Army, Iraq, 2003-2004

My heart was heavy. I desperately missed my husband and longed to be with him. I could only imagine just how lonely, scary, and disconcerting it would be to be sent halfway around the world to risk your life in really uncomfortable conditions with people that you had only known for a matter of months. I wanted so badly to fly to him and “take care” of all his needs. Kevin is a strong, independent man – certainly more than capable of taking care of himself. Still, I would lay awake and wonder: Who’s encouraging my husband when he feels down? Who’s ministering to his spirit when he needs a friend? Is anyone praying with him? In the end, I felt like no one could replace me in looking out for my husband.

Then I read a book called The Hand of God by Alistair Begg. What an incredible blessing! The book follows the life of Joseph, and in chapter four Begg drives home a key point that I felt was written directly for us: Joseph was a long way from home and everything familiar to him, yet he was still hemmed in “behind and before” by God.

It pierced my soul because I realized that I could so easily replace Joseph’s name with Kevin’s. Begg writes that God’s presence was the source of Joseph’s protection. What a relief! My burden was lifted when I understood that there was nothing that my presence could do that God’s presence wasn’t already doing. In fact, God’s presence was all that Kevin needed. His circumstances could have been a thousand times worse, and still God was with him and God was sufficient. I didn’t have to be burdened with anxiety or concern. My amazing God was taking care of my amazing husband in ways well beyond my capabilities. From quiet, possibly lonely nights in his cot in the barracks to riding in the military vehicles on patrol, to helicopter rides to Baghdad, he was surrounded and secured with the power of God. What was left to worry about?

“My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me” (Psalm 31:15).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for remaining in complete control of all my days, and those of my loved ones.

____________

This devotion is an excerpt from Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan (AMG Publishers 2009) by Jocelyn Green, Jane Hampton Cook and John Croushorn.

I’m thrilled to let you know that my new book, God Strong: A Military Wife’s Spiritual Survival Guide, releases this month. If there ever was a book that defined what Wives of Faith is about, this is it. I wrote it to be a reminder to myself and to other wives so we can remember whose strength it is we really need to lean on.

After all, strength is a big part of being part of a military wife, isn’t it? Without it, how could we function? Yet too often we convince ourselves we can do it all, take care of everything and keep it all together – but eventually our own strength runs out. But God offers an unending supply. That’s what being God Strong is all about.

We will be having some fun giveaways and promotions later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Amazon has officially released it, and it will be available at a bookstore near you if it isn’t already (official release date is Feb. 15). My publisher, Zondervan, has the first two pages of each chapter available for you to see at their website as well as a sample chapter from the audio book.

Also, if you’d like to do the book with a group or do some additional Bible study on your own, I’m excited to tell you that I’ve created a special group guide and individual guide that’s free and available for download (visit godstrongbook.com).

We’re taking signups right now for our God Strong Street Team so be sure to check that out – Street Team members will receive a free copy of the book, a cool Living God Strong T-shirt (limited availability) as well as behind the scenes exclusives as we start doing book signings and speaking events.

If you’re on Facebook, please consider signing up for our fan page at facebook.com/godstrongbook. Media interviews, bookstore appearances and speaking engagements will all be posted there.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I hope the book encourages and inspires military wives to be everything God has called them to be.

I was very excited to get to read and review this book because I had heard great things about it, and I was not disappointed. Jocelyn Green along with 14 other military wives from all different branches, has written a wonderful selection of 86 different devotionals filled with scripture verses, faith, and encouragement.

Each devotional has verse that goes along with it, and at the end of each has an “Ask” and “Pray” section which asks you questions that make you think about what you just read and a written prayer for you to pray aloud. There was a wide range of topics that covered almost every area and aspect of military life including main topics such as:

-Taking Every Thought Captive: Training Our Minds to a Biblical Perspective.
-Guarding the Heart: Protecting Ourselves from the World’s Temptations.
-Ambassadors for Christ: Viewing Our Role as a Ministry.
-Taking Orders: Living the Life That Has Been Set Before Us.
-Total Surrender: Giving Up Our Attempts to be in Control.
-The Price of Duty: Overcoming the Trials Inherent in Serving.
-Active Duty Faith: Leaning on a Faith that Sustains.
-Hope of Victory: Recognizing God’s Goodness.

This book really hits close to home with real-life stories of other military wives and their daily struggles. There were so many things that convicted me and really spoke to me through this book and also so much to learn from! I was able to get something out of every single devotional in this book, and walk away feeling encouraged on a daily basis. There were some sections that just brought me to tears, because of how much I was able to relate, or because of something that God used to show me. This is a book that women of all ages, no matter how long they have been a military wife, can relate to. It’s something I will definitely be reading again and will be passing on for others to read as well!

Just to let you ladies know, if you would like to win a copy of this book I am doing a giveaway right now until Sept. 26th, so feel free to come check it out!  Faith Deployed Book Giveaway

I got this book for free on a website, with the only reason being I had to read and review it. Being newly married, I was looking forward to reading a book about marriage, because I know that getting encouragement and reading and learning about other’s experiences could only be a help. I know there are many books out there about marriage and it’s hard to find the right one you want to read, because who is to say it will be a help you or not?

Many people know Gary Smalley, the writer of over 28 books on marriage and other topics, but now is son Greg Smalley is following in his footsteps to write books, and bring marriages together. Greg Smalley, co-authors this book with Shawn Stoever and together they make a great team! Their humor lights up the pages and makes for fast reading, and the things they share really make the book become real. They give personal life stories, tons of examples, and really share their hearts on the matter of living and loving whole-heartedly.

Not only did I learn about marriage and what it really takes to make a great marriage, but I learned a lot about myself. This book shows that no marriage is perfect, but every marriage can have the chance to last a lifetime. It just starts with the heart! Come along this journery and discover things you never knew about your spouse, your marriage, and yourself!

If you would like to know more about the authors:

http://www.smalleymarriage.com/

www.winshape.org

I meant to do this last month during the official “Military Kids Appreciation” month, but I’m sure the information will be just as needed today as it was in April.

A publisher sent me a copy of Kathleen Edick and Paula Johnson’s book, We Serve Too! and I wanted to let you know about it. I know if you’re a mom, you’re constantly looking for good resources that your kids will be able to relate to and I think this book is a good one to check out.

The illustrations are cute and I like how there are several pages that parallel what the daddy soldier is doing overseas with what the kids are doing back home.

In the back of the book, there is a great pullout sheet that offfers a list of “things to do while dad’s away” and “my prayer for daddy”.

Check out the website, weservetoo.com, for a lot more resources and ideas to help your children. You can also download coloring pages, free stickers and other activities.

Keeping in the spirit of Pattie and giving things away – – I’d like to give this copy away to someone, so share with us in the comments section your ideas or a resource that has helped you as a parent with your kids in dealing with military life and deployment.

I’ll pick a winner a week from today – May 14 – so let your own blog readers know and spread the word!

I am offering a giveaway for our Wives of Faith readers! Please be sure to read the entire post to enter.

I am what is called an “influencer” for Christian publishers (Big surprise, right? Everyone knows I’m a bookworm!). Anyway, what I do is read and review books. I use whatever little bit of influence I have, through the platform of my blog, to promote good Christian books. I can read fiction faster, thus promoting it more frequently, but I also review nonfiction books.

Anyway, I ended up with an extra review copy of Mary De Muth’s latest novel Daisy Chain. It’s an intense book about a boy coming of age one Texas summer, after his best friend Daisy goes missing. (please click to read more!)

I struggled with this novel, both subject matter and my own strong emotional response to the story. It is not at all what some people would consider typical inspirational fiction. (You can read my review here, posted today). However, it is a beautifully-written and well-crafted novel.

If you think you might be interested in reading it, I’m giving away one of the extra copies I was given. (I am also giving away one on my other blog, Fresh-Brewed Writer, if you want two chances to win!)

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment here with your name and either a link to your blog, or a “disguised” email address (such as pattie (at) whatever dot com). I’ll draw a winner on Thursday, March 26 after noon central time when I get home from work.

**BOTH COMMENTERS WON!** Thank you!

A Cup of Comfort for Military Families: Stories that Celebrate Heroism on the Home Front is a collection of essays edited by Colleen Sell.

As other “Cup of Comfort” books, this anthology is a collection of inspiring and thought-provoking and heartwarming stories, in this volume focusing on the military.

As a military spouse, some of them were harder to read than others, but all of them warmed my heart and brought me joy and comfort, and yes, even a few tears.

I was impressed by the range of services represented, as well as the range of experiences shared (veterans, current servicemembers, family, and friends of military personnel).

I was also excited to learn that a gal I took an online writing course with (taught by The Writer Mama) was published in this anthology! Her essay “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pans” brought tears to my eyes.

I think this book would make a great Christmas gift for a fellow military spouse or parent of a servicemember.

From the publisher’s description:

It has been said that military life is “not for the faint of heart.” But neither is it without its benefits and blessings. One thing is certain: It is an experience like no other—for both the soldiers and their families. In this collection, readers will experience the pride that wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends feel when a loved one chooses to put his or her needs aside for the benefit of the country. Featuring stories from the current Iraq war as well as stories of servicemen and -women who have long retired from the armed forces, this timely collection will span generations. This book is sure to inspire every reader, whether a husband whose wife is defending freedom today, or a grandchild who wants to know why her grandfather is called “hero.”

To purchase this book, please click here for Amazon.com and here for Barnes & Noble.com.

I wanted to take a moment and plug a book. When Duty Calls by Carol Vandesteeg is the best resouce for military families I have come by. My copy is from 2005 but I found on Amazon that there is an updated and revised edition (I’ll have to get that one also!). There is something for every branch and every situation. There is a wealth of information from books to websites to companies that provide helpful materials. I highy recommend this book to any wife facing a deployment, it can answer most any question you have!