trusting god

God’s Plan For Spiritual Battle

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 1 Comment

God’s Plan for Spiritual BattleGod’s Plan for Spiritual Battle by Russell Stendal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“I love a good fight. When unjustly attacked, I have learned to seek the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit and retaliate by Overcoming Evil with Good. There is a huge difference between a Peacemaker and a Pacifist!

This Battle Plan for spiritual warfare, gleaned from the life and message of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes.”

God’s Plan for Spiritual Battle; Victory of Sin, the World, and the Devil, is a book that is written to all Christians. The author, Russell Stendal, brings about the premise that we, as Christ Followers, not only should, but must be living our lives and interacting with this world in the way that Jesus spoke of when He taught the Beatitudes in order to live in victory over sin this world and most definitely the devil. The author walks us through each of the Beatitudes… not with flowery words, but real truth. Nothing in this book is sugar-coated. Continue reading →

The Prosperous Soul

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 1 Comment

The Prosperous Soul: Your Journey to a Richer LifeThe Prosperous Soul: Your Journey to a Richer Life by Cindy Trimm

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and letter life than they ever dreamed of.” “Prosperity comes from within. You were created to enjoy prosperity on every level – from a rich spiritual and intellectual life, to richness in your relationships and professional pursuits! The problem is that prosperity has often been reduced to a single measure: A dollar amount. Truth is, financial abundance is just one expression of what it means to live a rich life.”

I wondered when I asked to review this book if it was going to be another “do this and you’ll be rich… prosperity gospel” book. Oh how wrong I was. This book by Dr. Cindy Trimm is amazing! It truly spoke to my heart.
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When You Need Peace

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

The Beauty of Grace: Stories of God's Love from Today's Most Popular Writers“The Beauty of Grace: Stories of God’s Love from Today’s Most Popular Writers by Dawn Camp

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

” This is your invitation . . . to slow down, take a deep breath, and know that you are loved “

“In this hectic life, it’s easy to forget that God is always near at hand, even though He sends us frequent reminders. The beauty amid the mess, a well-timed word of encouragement from a friend, the memories that won’t let go of our hearts–they’re all ways God extends an open hand to us. But if we’re not paying attention, we can miss it.

Combining heartfelt stories from some of today’s foremost writers with Dawn’s stunning photography of God’s incredible creation, The Beauty of Grace is your haven of calm contemplation amid the chaos. This inspiring collection includes stories of cultivating friendship, waiting on God, choosing joy, staying connected, learning to trust, and much more.”

This book, The Beauty of Grace, is just… peaceful. It is a wonderful compilation of stories written by women from all walks of life. They are stories of Grace. Grace in our Purpose, Our Surrender, Our Trust, in Our Hope and Encouragement, in our Lessons Learned and in Our Worship. These are more than mere stories written by some of the most popular writers, they are stories that almost make you feel that they are right there with you, sharing their words. Continue reading →

Peace Through Prayer

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

“The Stress Cure” by Linda Evans Shepherd is a book that I read and reviewed in October 2014.  This is a profound book that touched me deeply.  I felt that I needed not just to read the book again, but to really give it my attention and let it work to soothe me in the craziness of all that is going on around here.

With head-strong, unbelieving extended family members, there is never a shortage of drama.  Lately however, the level of crazy has gone to a whole new level.  One that I didn’t think was possible.  Most days, I don’t want to answer the phone and consider running away as a viable option.

So the other day as I was flipping through the pages of this book, I can upon this prayer:

Dear Lord, Please forgive me for allowing my circumstance to overwhelm me instead of trusting in You.  I close all the doors I have opened to the enemy in this area.  In addition, I cancel any plans the enemy has for my life.  I cast out any power of influence from any evil spirit trying to overwhelm me.  I pray this in the power of the name and blood of Jesus   I exchange the enemy’s work for God’s peace.  Send the river of Your peace not only to me, but also to those overwhelmed by the same influences and circumstances.  I pray this also in the power of the name and blood of Jesus!  (The Stress Cure – page 45)

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What Am I Supposed To Do With My Life

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God’s Will Demystified?? Part of me understands exactly what the author is saying in this book… perhaps the other part of me does much life the way it’s put out there.  I will let you decide for yourself.

 

What Am I Supposed to Do with My Life?: God's Will DemystifiedWhat Am I Supposed to Do with My Life?: God’s Will Demystified by Johnnie Moore

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“For nearly two thousand years too many Christians have embraced a lie. The lie is cast in spiritual tones and seems, on the surface, to be innocent enough.

Yet, it’s a lie so deceptive that even the most pious believe it without knowing it, and its widespread practice has robbed the world of a thousand types of good that would have been hers had Christianity followed God’s path. It’s a lie so clandestine that it has weaved its way in and out of Christian history nearly undetected.

It’s a lie so sinister that it has robbed millions of people of their souls. What is the lie? It is that “God’s will” is hard to find. It isn’t.”
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Own Your Life

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Own Your Life: How to Grow a Legacy of Faith, Love, and Spiritual InfluenceOwn Your Life: How to Grow a Legacy of Faith, Love, and Spiritual Influence by Sally Clarkson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

God has made you with the capacity to live courageously, to have great faith, and to become a person of influence. Will you follow hard after Him and live into your potential? Will you choose today to own your life?

Learn to live each day with spiritual intention—and see how your moment-by-moment decisions add up to a breathtaking life story that shines with God’s love. You’ll come alive with confidence, energy, and purpose as you discover His fingerprints in your most ordinary days. Your life will become a lasting legacy that points others to Him—and He will honor your decisions beyond what you ever imagined.”

“What will be the legacy of your life? What story will the day of your life tell? Will you invest your life for eternity, or spend it, wasting the days on things that do not matter, on issues that will quickly fade away?” (Page xv) Those are the first words in the opening of this book and they are powerful. They are the words that challenged the author, Sally Clarkson, all those years ago. They are the basis for this thought-provoking book, a book written to challenge you to ponder your life, and own it. Own and take responsibility for your own behavior, decisions, and attitudes. Continue reading →

Fight Back With Joy

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Fight Back With Joy: Celebrate More. Regret Less. Stare Down Your Greatest FearsFight Back With Joy: Celebrate More. Regret Less. Stare Down Your Greatest Fears by Margaret Feinberg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Great Joy Waits in Life’s Greatest Battles. Joy is stamped on coffee mugs, sewn onto decorative pillows – even displayed on dish soap. But what if there’s a deeper power and purpose to this mighty virtue? Through vulnerable story telling, a difficult diagnosis, and a good dose of humor, Margaret Feinberg revels how joy is more than whimsy. Its’ the weapon you can use to fight life’s battles.”

This is an extraordinary book that will take you by surprise. When I read the first few pages of the first chapter, I though to myself… here we go, another book that is going to try to teach me the how’s and why’s of being joyful. And then came chapter two. Continue reading →

Keep It Shut

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 6 Comments

Do not just read this book….   study it and live it.  This is another on my list of second read 2015.  Truly loved the book.

Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at AllKeep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All by Karen Ehman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“From Bible times to modern times women have struggled with their words. What to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it is best to remain silent. And what to do when you’ve said something you wish you could now take back. In this book a woman whose mouth has gotten her into loads of trouble shares the hows (and how-not-tos) of dealing with the tongue.

Beyond just a “how not to gossip” book, this book explores what the Bible says about the many ways we are to use our words and the times when we are to remain silent. Karen will cover using our speech to interact with friends, co-workers, family, and strangers as well as in the many places we use our words in private, in public, online, and in prayer. Even the words we say silently to ourselves. She will address unsolicited opinion-slinging, speaking the truth in love, not saying words just to people-please, and dealing with our verbal anger.”

This book – Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman– arrived just before Christmas and so I was able to read it before the onslaught of the holiday madness. Oh am I so ever grateful that this book arrived when it did. While it did require some serious work on my part to Keep It Shut, the madness became a bit less maddening and my need to lash out at the perceived crazy was tempered by Karen’s words that came to mind quite often. Continue reading →

Your past does not define you

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 1 Comment

Your Life Still Counts: How God Uses Your Past to Create a Beautiful FutureYour Life Still Counts: How God Uses Your Past to Create a Beautiful Future by Tracie Miles

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“God still has a plan for you–not in spite of your past, but because of it! Do regret and shame over your failures, sins, and shortcomings make you wonder how you could ever be loved, much less used, by a holy God? Tracie Miles felt the same way until she discovered the path to healing, peace, and significance.

She helps you recognize that God not only has a purpose for you, but He has prepared you for your divine purpose based specifically on the experiences of your past. Through her own story and stories from other women who have discovered God’s purpose for their lives because of adverse experiences, Tracie helps you see how God can turn pain into purpose. You will find forgiveness and healing from the troubles of your past, discover the courage to step out of your comfort zone to help others find hope and strength, and be inspired to step into the beautiful future God divinely designed for you.”

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Ignite God’s Vision

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Greater Devotional: A Forty-Day Experience to Ignite God's Vision for Your LifeGreater Devotional: A Forty-Day Experience to Ignite God’s Vision for Your Life by Steven Furtick

My rating:

Recently I became aware of a GodTube video of Pastor Furtick that I, as an evangelical Christian, find truly offensive.  For that reason,  I will not promote any products of Pastor Furtick and have removed my reviews of his books from my blog.

To understand this post, please visit:

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FFCM2CNU