Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller

When I married my husband nearly 18 years ago, we were both non-believers.  After 13 years of marriage, I became a Christian.  It's been almost five years since then, and I continue to pray for my husband's salvation. 

For those of us living in a spiritually unequal marriage, we can find help and encouragement in this new book, Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage, by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller.  The book released in February 2011, and is already receiving great reviews at Amazon.  For more information, you can visit Spiritually Unequal Marriage. 

I'm personally waiting for my copy, but I am very much looking forward to reading the book.  I listened to Dineen Miller yesterday on The Debbie Chavez Show via Faithplace.org.  In the interview, Debbie chats with Dineen about the book, and provides encouragement for wives of non-believers.

I look forward to providing you with a review after I finish the book.

Forgiveness - Chris August Official Music Video - 7 X 70

                                                                      
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV

It is from his own life experience and this verse that Chris August found inspiration to write this song, 7 x 70.


How are we able to forgive?
I  know that forgiving someone isn't so much about them, as it is about me.  When I choose not to carry the bitterness, resentment, and the unforgiveness, it releases me from the bondage.  The unforgiveness no longer has a stronghold over me, and I'm in obedience to God's word.  Jesus tells us in Mark 11:25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  It's very difficult to forgive others on our own, but it's through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can.

Here are some tips on how we can forgive others that I found on Joyce Meyer's Website . . .

Would you like to become more successful at forgiving others? There are practical steps that must be taken. One time I asked the Lord why so many people want to forgive but aren’t successful doing it. And He said, "Because they aren’t obeying what I tell them to do in My Word." As I searched the Word, I found the following instructions:
1. Decide – You will never forgive if you wait until you feel like it. Choose to obey God and steadfastly resist the devil in his attempts to poison you with bitter thoughts. Make a quality decision to forgive, and God will heal your wounded emotions in due time (see Matthew 6:12,14).
2. Depend – You cannot forgive without the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s too hard to do on your own. If you are truly willing, God will enable you, but you must humble yourself and cry out to Him for help. In John 20:22,23 Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” His next instruction was about forgiving people. Ask God to breathe the Holy Spirit on you so you can forgive those who’ve hurt you.
3. Obey – The Word tells us several things we’re to do concerning forgiving our enemies:
a. Pray for your enemies and those who abuse and misuse you. Pray for their happiness and welfare (see Luke 6:27,28). As you pray, God can give them revelation that will bring them out of deception. They may not even be aware they hurt you, or maybe they’re aware but are so self-centered that they don’t care. Either way, they need revelation.
b. …Bless and do not curse them (Romans 12:14). In the Greek to bless means "to speak well of" and to curse means "to speak evil of." You can’t walk in forgiveness and be a gossip. You must stop repeating the offense. You can’t get over it if you continue to talk about it. Proverbs 17:9 says that he who covers an offense seeks love.

Forgiving is not easy, but as with every trial we face in life, we can turn to God and His word, and we will guide us to what we need to do, and equip us to do it.
 

Book Review: Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer (4 Stars)

About the book:
Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind. When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate. When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?
My Review:
Karen Witemeyer is proving herself to be an excellent writer!  I thoroughly enjoyed her first book, A Tailor-Maid Bride, and her second book Head in the Clouds is certainly no exception.  I loved all of the characters, and even loved to hate one in particular (Reginald Petchey).  Karen beautifully crafted all of her characters; I couldn't help but fall in love with Adelaide, Gideon, Bella, and the supporting cast of characters.  But boy, that Reginald Petchey!  Wasn't he something?  Karen created him to be a perfect villain.

I enjoyed everything about the book!  Head in the Clouds is a wonderful combination of all of the elements I admire most in a novel; faith, romance, suspense, and a story that keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next.  The suspense scenes were so well written, that I actually felt myself tensing up, and my heart pounding a little faster.  And the tender love scenes were done perfectly, just enough to leave you swooning.

If you like well written Christian Historical fiction, this one is for you!  I highly recommend it!  And remember to be on the look out for Karen's new novel, To Win Her Heart, due out May 1, 2011.

Book Review: Beautiful Bandit by Loree Lough

About the book:
Joshua Neville is a quiet, even-keeled rancher who was just minding his own business when he witnessed a brazen bank robbery in San Antonio, Texas, that leaves three men dead. Even more shocking than the heist itself is that the ringleader looked like a woman!Weeks later, when Josh is on the trail, a lost and confused woman stumbles upon his campsite. He agrees to take "Dinah" to Mexico, but soon their journey is hampered by harsh weather and wild animals. When Dinah breaks her ankle, Josh takes her to his ranch to heal.As the two grow closer, Josh realizes he's fallen in love, even as he learns the truth about Dinah. But does he know the whole story? And, after the truth comes out, will he put his life at risk to keep her with him?

My Review:
I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read Loree's novel, Beautiful Bandit! It was the first novel by her that I have read, and I was not disappointed! Loree Lough is an accomplished writer, with a wonderful talent for drawing you into the story. From the very beginning, I wanted to know what would happen to Kate and Josh, and I enjoyed the journey every step of the way.

This is a beautiful story of love and redemption, written by an author who knows how to hold your interest and keep you turning the pages! I give this book 2 thumbs up, and highly recommend it! If you love stories filled with love, faith, redemption, and adventure, I think you'll be happily satisfied with this book. (Review written October 20, 2010)