Holy Vulnerability Spiritual Practices for the Broken, Ashamed, Anxious, and Afraid by Kellye Fabian - Tyndale House Publishers, NavPress

Holy Vulnerability Spiritual Practices for the Broken, Ashamed, Anxious, and Afraid by Kellye Fabian - Tyndale House Publishers, NavPress

Pasta blanda

Kindle

Yes, I found this book vulnerable and the author shared interesting and practical things you can implement to grow in this area. You may find helpful ways to open up and grow in vulnerability. I perceived this was not an easy task for the author and I admire the enormous effort that it took to write this. What I didn´t expect was so many references and quotations to Brené Brown, I´d rather read something more personal or researched by someone than read something inspired by another author´s work, it´s just my personal preference. When that happens, I would prefer to read all the material someone quotes than her actual books. I admire the author´s efforts to open up and help others, being brave enough to be vulnerable. It is a small and easy book to go through and reflect.

Description

Life can seemingly be fine on the surface. But for any of us who scratch that surface, we recognize anxiety, shame, disappointment, and regret. And yet, in the depths of these feelings, in the things we hate about ourselves, others, and this world, we can invite God’s presence.

This is the essence of holy vulnerability. To enter into holy vulnerability is to intentionally expose our raw wounds so that God can heal and mend and transform us.

What happens when we refuse this depth of healing? Something that author Kellye Fabian calls “unholy leakage”—that thing that happens when we are afraid, ashamed, or anxious, and instead of facing the reality of what we’re experiencing, we just spill it on everyone around us. Where is anxiety occupying our hearts and minds? Where is fear hindering our relationships and limiting our faith and joy? Where is shame causing us to question our self-worth? Is there another way? Yes.

Holy Vulnerability unpacks six atypical, unexpected spiritual practices intended to open us to God’s healing and transformation. Through practices like laughter, community, and tangible engagement with creation, Kellye guides us to notice where brokenness is breaking into our lives. And as we intentionally seek God in the midst of these practices—as we step out in holy vulnerability—God will meet us there.

The Well-Watered Woman Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith by Gretchen Saffles - Tyndale House Publishers

The Well-Watered Woman Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith by Gretchen Saffles - Tyndale House Publishers

you can get it here: https://amzn.to/3qX4lob

Hace varios años me topé con Gretchen Saffles en redes sociales y comencé a seguirla porque la sentí muy pacífica, dulce y me encantaba compartir oración en ciertos días. Su contenido comenzó a ser tan bonito (estéticamente hablando) que lo voltee a ver y me gustó que también era lindo en contenido (y no solo en colores y florecitas). Me da mucho gusto que haya escrito este libro pues va con la misma línea que he visto durante todo este tiempo, enfocarse en Cristo, su Palabra y en permanecer, dar fruto, tener fe. Si quieres ser animada en estos aspectos este libro puede ser para ti.

Several years ago I came across Gretchen Saffles on social media and started following her because she felt very peaceful, sweet and I loved sharing prayer with her on certain days. Her passion and authenticity was contagious. Its content began to be so beautiful (aesthetically speaking) that I turned to look at it and I liked that it was also beautiful in content (and not only in colors and flowers). I am very happy that you have written this book because it goes along the same lines that I have seen all this time, focusing on Christ, his Word, and abiding, bearing fruit, having faith. If you want to be encouraged in these aspects this book may be for you.

Description

Discover the bottomless, refreshing Well of God’s Word—and experience a fullness and peace beyond your circumstances.
In the chaos of our everyday, it can be difficult to live out and apply the truths of Scripture. We want more of Jesus, but we find ourselves looking to our own lives and accomplishments for our worth and identity. And while that may buoy us for a time, we’re often left feeling dried up, discouraged, and longing for more.

Gretchen Saffles knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and unable to flourish. In The Well-Watered Woman, Gretchen leads us to the Well of fullness, the Word of freedom, and the Way of fruitfulness. She teaches that God’s Word will satisfy us for all eternity.

Using Scripture and her own personal story of surrender, Gretchen offers spiritually hungry women tangible tools to not only know Jesus more but to live a life that thoroughly enjoys Him, seeks Him, and follows Him into freedom.

Journey to the Cross A 40-Day Lenten Devotional by Paul David Tripp - Crossway

 Viaje a la Cruz Devocional de Cuaresma de 40 días por Paul David Tripp - Crossway
Journey to the Cross A 40-Day Lenten Devotional by Paul David Tripp - Crossway

5 enero 2021

get the book here https://amzn.to/30QPYHt

Es un libro ideal para leer y preparar tu corazón para la semana santa. A mi siempre me gustan los libros de PDT, en serio, no he leído uno que no me guste (bueno el de AWE/asombro me gustó pero se me hizo un tanto repetitivo). Entonces mi opinión de que es buen libro está condicionada a que es un autor que me gusta. Está organizado por días entonces es muy conveniente tener esos devocionales a la mano. 

Descripción

A través de este devocional de Cuaresma de 40 días, el autor más vendido Paul David Tripp invita a los lectores a encontrar la libertad del mundo a medida que experimentan al Salvador más plenamente, lo celebran más profundamente y lo siguen más fielmente.

Alabanza anticipada

“Esto es todo lo que esperamos y disfrutamos de Paul Tripp: una nueva entrega diaria de consuelo y esperanza del Evangelio. Esto nos ayudará a todos a profundizar nuestro sentido de aprecio y a maravillarnos de lo que Jesús ha hecho por nosotros ”.

—Sam Allberry, locutor; autor, ¿Por qué le importa a Dios con quién duermo? y 7 mitos sobre la soltería

“Paul Tripp una vez más nos ha llevado más allá de los lugares comunes para sentirse bien y hacia una reflexión enfocada hacia Cristo. A través de la tensión y la ternura, el lamento y la acción de gracias, el tiempo de Cuaresma nos transformará cuando nos lleve a la cruz de Cristo ”.

—Ruth Chou Simons, fundadora, GraceLaced Co .; autor, GraceLaced y Beholding and Becoming; coautor, Fundaciones

“Como tantos otros, me he beneficiado enormemente, y durante años, del ministerio y los escritos de Paul Tripp. Este último trabajo no es una excepción. El viaje a la cruz es un recordatorio precioso, al que vale la pena volver una y otra vez, no solo de los ricos beneficios que recibimos a través de la humillación, muerte y sepultura de Cristo, sino también de su digna invitación a lamentar adecuadamente el mal que hay en el mundo. y el mal que hay dentro de nosotros. La temporada de Cuaresma es una temporada especial de cuarenta días para permitir y capacitar al pueblo de Dios para que haga precisamente eso, y Tripp nos ha proporcionado una hoja de ruta extraordinaria para el viaje. No puedo recomendar este maravilloso recurso lo suficiente ".

—Scott Sauls, pastor principal, Iglesia Presbiteriana de Cristo, Nashville, Tennessee; autor, Jesús fuera de las líneas y una respuesta amable

“No puedo imaginarme ofrecerme como voluntario para emprender un viaje hacia un lugar de ejecución espantosa. ¿Quién podría? Pero ese es el tipo de pasaje que la Cuaresma nos pide todos los años: un viaje de evaluación, examen y bendita humillación que conduce a una nueva vida y una mayor alegría. Entonces, si debemos atravesar este camino, entonces no conozco a nadie a quien prefiera tener como guía turístico que a mi hermano, Paul Tripp. A través de sus décadas de cuidado del alma, su fe transparente y su profundo amor por Dios y su palabra, te encontrarás aprendiendo a detenerte, a escuchar y, en última instancia, a adorar a quien recorrió este camino antes que tú ".

—Elyse Fitzpatrick, coautora de Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women

“Journey to the Cross nos anima a ser honestos acerca de nuestro pecado y abrazar la cruz de Cristo, donde encontramos misericordia, gracia y salvación. Mientras nos demoramos en nuestra necesidad de un Salvador, nos sentimos impulsados ​​a regocijarnos nuevamente en la esperanza que tenemos en Jesús. Espero leer este hermoso devocional de Paul Trip en cada temporada de Cuaresma ”.

—Hunter Beless, fundadora y directora ejecutiva del podcast Journeywomen

“¡Este libro me entendió tan bien y me convenció tanto que casi tuve que dejar de leer después del noveno día! Paul Tripp trae poderosamente muchas verdades a casa en este viaje de reflexiones sobre el amor de Dios en la cruz. Quizás la más relevante es la buena noticia que se necesita desesperadamente de que hay una apropiación piadosa en el duelo por un mundo quebrantado y por nuestros propios corazones quebrantados y pecadores. Podemos lamentarnos sinceramente porque Dios tiene compasión. Podemos llorar con esperanza confiada porque Cristo obra en nuestro duelo para hacernos crecer en el gozo de la victoria sobre el pecado ”.

—J. Alasdair Groves, director ejecutivo, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation; coautor de Untangling Emotions

“Las mayores fiestas son anticipadas y acentuadas por ayunos precedentes. El Adviento espera la Navidad, y cuando llega, es mucho más dulce. Y la Cuaresma, el largo y sinuoso viaje de cuarenta días por el desierto a través del valle de la sombra de la muerte, prepara nuestras almas para las mayores alegrías del año, marcando el día más grande en la historia del mundo hasta ahora: el domingo de resurrección. Durante años, tanto mi esposa como yo hemos sido guiados, fortalecidos y renovados por el ministerio de Paul Tripp, como un instrumento en las manos redentoras de Dios. Es alentador y aleccionador ahora contar con esta ayuda de Tripp para el viaje agridulce a lo largo del camino de la Cuaresma ".

—David Mathis, maestro principal y editor ejecutivo, desiringGod.org; Pastor, Cities Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota; autor, Hábitos de gracia

"Es increíble. Una y otra vez, las profundas reflexiones de Paul Tripp sobre las Escrituras ayudan a llevar la verdad de Dios al aquí y ahora de la vida diaria. Tripp ilumina de manera brillante y elegante por qué la temporada de Cuaresma es tan importante, ya que nos señala el acto de amor más grande de toda la historia. Journey to the Cross es la escritura de Paul Tripp en su máxima expresión; me encantó este libro y a ti también lo harás ".

—Shelby Abbott, autor, DoubtLess and Pressure Points; vocero; ministro del campus

Aging with Grace Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt - Crossway

 Aging with Grace Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt - Crossway

pub date 5 Jan 2021
you can pre-order it here: https://amzn.to/34PYt87

I absolutely love Susan Hunt, I didn´t know Sharon till this book and you will love her too. To be old is forbidden in our culture, that is why I find this book so relatable. When I was young I used to long for old ladies in my life, but none of them wanted to be or to look "old" I promised myself I was going to give that gift to my generation and me. I want them to look at me and find a woman who thanks God for her age and her looks. This book is full of wisdom and I wish many women would be able to read it and be encouraged by this message. It gives me hope to know that this resource is out there to bless many. I really like Crossway and their content. I wish I could meet these ladies and give them a great hug I kind of need it so much. I´ve read all of Susan Hunt´s books and I couldn´t miss this one. My prayer is to be at least a little bit like these wise ladies when I get older.

#AgingwithGrace

Description

Aging with Grace by the Power of the Gospel

Whatever season of life you’re in, God has equipped you to flourish—to live in the transforming power and beauty of his grace. As we age, we can easily lose sight of this message as cultural ideals glorifying youth take center stage.

In this book, Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt offer present-day and biblical examples of women who rediscovered gospel-rooted joy later in their lives. Equipped with a biblical view of aging, Aging with Grace will help you encounter afresh the gospel that “is big enough, good enough, and powerful enough to make every season of life significant and glorious.”

Advance Praise

“My childhood dream was to one day become a ‘godly old lady.’ At the time, that goal didn’t seem particularly daunting. Now that I’m in my sixties, it sometimes feels like climbing Mount Everest. Always a few steps ahead of me, Susan Hunt has encouraged and inspired me to press on in my journey. She has also been a spiritual ‘grandmother’ to the True Woman ministry since it launched. She has given us all a vision of flourishing in old age, for the glory of God and the good of his people. In this book, Susan and Sharon Betters have teamed together to provide perspective, wisdom, and hope for women coming behind them. They call us to keep our eyes on Christ—the prize—and to persevere to the summit, dependent on his grace every step of the way.”

—Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, author; Founder, Revive Our Hearts and True Woman

“Some women seem to grow increasingly lovely with every year that passes. I want to learn from women who display that type of beauty and grace. That’s why I’m so thankful for Aging with Grace. This book is a wealth of wisdom for women of all ages to learn from God’s word the secret of aging with grace—I highly recommend it!”

—Melissa B. Kruger, Director of Women’s Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition; author, Growing Together: Taking Mentoring beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests

“As I embark on my seventh decade, I find myself saying things about ‘finishing well,’ while at the same time moaning about the aches and trials that are my unbidden companions. But one of the gifts I love most are the friends who are walking with me. Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt are two of those friends. Let me encourage you to join them as they encourage you to walk through the final steps of your journey with faith and joy. They have encouraged me.”

—Elyse Fitzpatrick, coauthor, Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women

“As a woman on the cusp of her forties, I’ve harbored a secret fear of aging. More than the changes of my physical appearance, I’ve feared becoming obsolete as I age. I read Aging with Grace with a lot of tears and thankfulness as my fears were turned to praise. Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt address the realities of aging with biblical encouragement to fix our gaze on our timeless God who will finish the work he started in us. Because God is faithful, our growth in Christ will continue as we age. This is a book I will return to over and over again.”

—Glenna Marshall, author, The Promise Is His Presence and Everyday Faithfulness

“Seasoned with wisdom, Aging with Grace offers us the biblical recipe for a life marked by hoping in Christ. Through examples of women in the Bible as well as women in the church today, Susan Hunt and Sharon Betters guide us to reflect on God’s faithfulness to his people throughout all of redemptive history, reminding us that it’s never too late to sink our roots in the soil of God’s word for his glory and our good.”

—Hunter Beless, Founder and Executive Director, Journeywomen podcast

“As I read the accounts of the godly women in this book, I was confronted with thoughts about flourishing in aging that I had not previously considered. I felt guided by godly compassion and wise instruction, rather than by the frustrations of past significance or selfish pay-attention-to-me-nowness. This book is truly about flourishing in the years of God’s maturing grace.”

—Bryan Chapell, Pastor Emeritus, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois

“Through their insightful observations on Scripture, telling the stories of godly women in the Bible, and sharing contemporary testimonies, the authors show us how to flourish in our experiences with God and impact on others. Reading Aging with Grace will not only bless you but will also allow you to bless others.”

—John Dunlop, MD, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Yale School of Medicine; author, Finishing Well to the Glory of God

“Aging with Grace is a remarkably authentic, heartwarming, and scriptural balm for the soul in the context of growing older. Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt consider the wisdom of godly biblical women in light of their own and other’s personal experiences, thereby guiding readers on how to age with grace in an anti-aging culture. Gospel hope radiates from each page, so read and be blessed.”

—Peter A. Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary

“In Aging with Grace, Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt provide a beautiful picture of fruitfulness in the later season of life. They explore God’s word to all generations, as they also introduce you to women shaped by divine truth in good times and bad. This resource is valuable for any leader who longs to serve God’s people with biblical wisdom and compassion.”

—Stephen T. Estock, Coordinator, PCA Discipleship Ministries

“Susan Hunt and Sharon Betters have written a book that is simultaneously timeless and timely. Practical and inspirational, warmly personal and profoundly biblical, apt for young and old alike, Aging with Grace needs to go right to the top of your must-read nightstand stack.”

—George Grant, Pastor, Parish Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Tennessee

“Reading this book made me feel like my two older sisters, walking toward Jesus in deep conversation, turned and saw me trying to find my own way, looked at each other, then ran back to grab my hands, laugh with joy, and resume with me between them. You are never too young or too old to glean solid, biblical, and practical wisdom from Aging with Grace.”

—Karen Grant, wife of George Grant, pastor, Parish Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Tennessee

“In a society that seems to value only youth and viability, Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt reach deep into Scripture to illustrate God’s value on his children as they age and mature. They help calm the fears of aging while pointing to often hidden treasures, perspectives, and the depth of God’s presence and faithfulness as we age.”

—Peter Rosenberger, author; Host, Hope for the Caregiver

Esta libreta me la regaló mi suegra, con ese versículo: https://amzn.to/3o2dwD4

25 Days of the Christmas Story An Advent Family Experience by Josh Straub, Christi Straub - B&H Publishing Group, B&H Books, Holman Bibles, B&H Español, and B&H Kids

 25 Days of the Christmas Story An Advent Family Experience by Josh Straub, Christi Straub - B&H Publishing Group, B&H Books, Holman Bibles, B&H Español, and B&H Kids

pub date 13 oct 2020

you can get it here: https://amzn.to/3nYuDpc

I really enjoy to read this kind of books with my daughter, the illustration is absolutely lovely, I liked the topics the life lessons and activities proposed by the authors. It is easy to read and follow. I think this could be a lovely gift for grandchildren or parents who have never had advent experiences, you can feel relaxed and confident following their guidance. I hope you don´t rush that much and enjoy the meaning of Christmas while enjoying these pages. My daughter is 10 and she still thinks this book is cute.

#25DaysoftheChristmasStory

Description

This December, spend a few moments of each day leading up to Christmas helping your family focus on the true joys and meaning of Advent with 25 Days of the Christmas Story: An Advent Family Experience. This is a devotional perfect for families of all shapes, sizes, and schedules. Each of the 25 days highlights a different person, place, or object from the Christmas story—from the prophet Isaiah to Baby Jesus, from the Christmas star to the gift of frankincense. All devotions include an easy-to-read story, character trait, activity, and more—each designed to reinforce the main theme of the day.
 
Your family can choose simply to read each day’s story or to go deeper and engage with each day’s features. Either way, parents and children are sure to learn and celebrate the season of Advent together while having fun in the process!
 
A true heirloom in the making, the book includes pages in the back where parents and kids can record memories of each day’s activities and write journal entries to look back on year after year, Christmas after Christmas.
 

Walking Through Fire A Memoir of Loss and Redemption by Vaneetha Rendall Risner - Nelson Books

Walking Through Fire A Memoir of Loss and Redemption by Vaneetha Rendall Risner - Nelson Books

pub date 19 jan 2021
I encourage you to pre-order it here: https://amzn.to/33I2qLL

Spanish

Qué vida. Si estás sufriendo, de cualquier tipo de enfermedad, dolor, o pérdida, lo mejor que puedo recomendarte es conocer a otras personas que sufren, pero que sufren bien, con fe, cimentadas en la Roca, Cristo y en Su Palabra. De otra manera puedes desmayar, pensar que eres la única persona en el mundo que tiene tantos "problemas" o dolor. Vaneetha ha sido un ejemplo para mi a la distancia y sin saberlo, desde su libro "The scars that have shaped me" la he sentido como una amiga a la distancia. Este libro es un tanto diferente pues es como una autobiografía, encontrarás más detalles de cómo llegó a donde está parada hoy. En lo personal disfruté mucho más el de "The scars that have shaped me" pero este me ayudó a comprender cómo fue ese proceso. Estoy agradecida con Dios por la vida de Vaneetha y me anima pensar que su existencia tiene un propósito eterno, glorioso, incluso en la vida de personas como yo, a las cuales ella nunca conocerá. Su dolor ha tenido sentido, al menos para mi, y su fidelidad en medio de las lágrimas, valles y soledad también. Me encantaría un día conocerla y darle un abrazo muy fuerte, y simplemente decirle: gracias, por acompañarme en mi cuarto, en la cama, en medio de mis propias lágrimas, enfermedad, quebrando y dolor. Gracias por escribir, por estar ahí. Este libro es un regalo para personas que aman a Cristo y quieren permanecer fieles aunque todo parece derrumbarse alrededor. Espero pronto lo traduzcan al español, uno de mis sueños es ayudar a traducir alguno de los libros que reviso en inglés primero y que me gustan, inspiran o exhortan.

English

What a life. If you are suffering from any kind of illness, pain, or loss, the best I can do for you is to encourage you to meet other Christian people who suffer, but the ones who suffer well, with faith, founded on the Rock, Christ, and His Word. Otherwise, you may pass out and you will want to quit, thinking that you are "the only person in the world" who has so many "problems" or pain. Vaneetha has been a lovely example for me from through the distance and even when she doesn´t know me I feel that I love her. Since her book "The scars that have shaped me" I have felt her as a friend living in another country so far away, and I´m the one who prays for her through the distance. This book is a bit different because it is like an autobiography, you will find more details of how it got to where it stands today. Personally, I enjoyed "The scars that have shaped me" a lot and this one helped me to understand how that process and what lead her to where she is today. I am grateful to God for Vaneetha's life and everything she shares encourages me to think that her existence has an eternal and glorious purpose, even in the lives of people like me, whom she will never meet, and she has encouraged and shared hope in the middle of chaos. Her pain has a purpose, at least for me, and her fidelity in the midst of tears, valleys, and loneliness too. I would love to meet her one day and give her a very strong hug, and simply say: thank you, for being with me in my room, in bed, in the midst of my own tears, illness, heartbreak, and pain. Thanks for writing, for being there. Allowing God to break you will bear fruit. This book is a gift for people who love Christ and want to remain faithful even though everything seems to collapse around them. Consider getting this book even if you are not walking through fire right now, because someday the most certain thing is that you will. I hope they will translate it into Spanish soon, one of my dreams is to help translate some of the books that I review in English first and that I like, inspire or encourage.

Here I share with you some quotes and small paragraphs so you can feel the tone and passion of the book:


“But is there anything happy?” they ask. “Did you ever laugh with all the tears?” And then, quietly, “Has your life been good?” My eyes sparkle as I grin, my joy evident. “Come and see.”

"This is the place you reach when after years and years of trials and difficulties, you see that all has been working out for your good, and that God’s will is perfect. You see that He has made no mistakes. He knew all of the “what if’s” in your life. When you finally recognize this, even during the trials, it’s possible to have joy, deep down joy".

“Jesus, I don’t understand [...],” I said out loud. “But I need you right now. I can’t live like this anymore. I can’t. I want to feel your presence again and know that you love me.”

"Jesus is feeding me. God’s promises are true. God will never leave me and will walk with me through everything. Then my eyes widened. God has never left me."

"I wrote furiously in my journal, asking God questions and telling him how angry and hurt I was. But every sentence , every tear, drew me toward God and not away. My silence since Paul’s death had raised walls, and now it felt as if every word was helping to tear them down.

[...],

“God, I don’t know if you exist. But if you are real, please show me.”

[...],

I asked out loud, “So why did all this happen to me anyway, God ? If you are so loving, why did I get polio ? Why have I had to struggle all my life? How could you possibly be good?”

[...],

Could God use my life and disability for something good? Was God telling me that my polio had a purpose ? That it wasn’t senseless or random? As I rolled these thoughts around in my head, something changed inside me.

[...],

I felt a newfound freedom to be authentic with God. Every day I discovered pain on the pages of my Bible, and every day I offered it back to God. I yelled it, whispered it, cried it through tears.

[...],

"I realized that he wasn’t waiting for the pain to disappear. No, he was already inside it. Pain and lament were not opposed to praise—after voicing my lament, praise naturally followed. It happened to the psalmists. And it happened to me."

"It would be a very sharp and trying experience to me to think that I have an affliction which God never sent me—that the bitter cup was never filled by His hand , that my trials were never measured out by Him, nor sent to me by His arrangement of their weight and quantity."

I´ll share some more here later if you com back I´ll edit here.

Description

The astonishing, Job-like story of how an existence filled with loss, suffering, questioning, and anger became a life filled with shocking and incomprehensible peace and joy.

Vaneetha Risner contracted polio as an infant, was misdiagnosed, and lived with widespread paralysis. She lived in and out of the hospital for ten years and, after each stay, would return to a life filled with bullying. When she became a Christian, though, she thought things would get easier, and they did: carefree college days, a dream job in Boston, and an MBA from Stanford where she met and married a classmate.

But life unraveled. Again. She had four miscarriages. Her son died because of a doctor's mistake. And Vaneetha was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, meaning she would likely become a quadriplegic. And then her husband betrayed her and moved out, leaving her to raise two adolescent daughters alone. This was not the abundant life she thought God had promised her. But, as Vaneetha discovered, everything she experienced was designed to draw her closer to Christ as she discovered "that intimacy with God in suffering can be breathtakingly beautiful."

 #WalkingThroughFire

P.D. Esta agenda/planner es mi favorita hasta el momento y créeme... he probado muchas... https://amzn.to/2SU2uSA este librito para mamis me encantó también: https://amzn.to/34P3EFD

Recomendaciones: 

Reloj Xiaomi Mi Band 5: https://amzn.to/36mRDH0

Tripie: https://amzn.to/38CQWfq

God Does His Best Work with Empty by Nancy Guthrie - Tyndale House Publishers

God Does His Best Work with Empty by Nancy Guthrie - Tyndale House Publishers

Pub date 15-Sep-2020

you can pre-order it here: https://amzn.to/33c4Q3L

Sometimes it is not what is in a book that captures your attention, but what makes you think... sometimes is related to the actual words printed in the book and sometimes it just led you to a way of thoughts and you just can´t stop. This was the case. As weird as you may find my words, this book made me think a lot in motherhood and the meaning of life (and the author was not even talking about this, well... she shares some of her own struggles with motherhood, which I found odd because she lost children, I don´t get it, and probably never will). I´m thankful to Nancy for the reflections she lightens up inside of me and because I was encouraged to remember that even when you feel left out, drained, burned out, and basically empty, it is a good thing because God needs you to be in order to fill you. In this book, if you are a Christian, you will find things that you already know, but I´m sure you need to remember, why? because we tend to forget, and we need to remember. You will find some paragraphs where she quotes from other books she wrote and I have also enjoyed (like Holding on to hope with Tyndale, 2002 and Hearing Jesus speak into your sorrow, also with Tyndale, 2009, and the latest from Even Better than Eden, 9 ways the Bible´s story changes everything about your story) but you won´t find that annoying because those are some short passages that are short and truly related).

I can relate... Here some quotes...

"...we simply can’t expect any human to fill us up completely. No human relationship, no matter how good, can bear the weight of our expectations of complete satisfaction, perfect harmony, and intimacy that only this ultimate and eternal marriage will provide. Instead, our less-than-perfect marriages or our longings to be married can serve to keep us thirsty for this perfect marriage to come. We can expect God to be at work in our emptiness to woo us to himself. Whether we’re married or single, divorced or widowed, our lives are meant to be spent nurturing our longing for this better marriage. And someday that longing will be fulfilled. Don’t stuff down those desires to be loved in this way; direct your desires toward the only one who can love you this way".

"I know the empty place is still there. There’s an empty place in your family photo, an empty place at the table, an empty place in the plans you had for your future. I’m praying that God will continue to do his best work, not in spite of your emptiness, but in it and through it. I’m praying that God will fill your lives with his life and light, beauty and purpose, hope and joy".

"I have often found myself fighting off a sense of emptiness, or perhaps more accurately wallowing in a wave of emptiness. Sometimes I feel as if there is a bottomless pit inside of me that no amount of entertainment, affirmation, or accumulation can fill. I’m ashamed of how envious I can be of what someone else has or does when I have so much and get to do so much. I’ve often wondered how I can feel empty immediately after accomplishing something I’ve worked hard for or while I’m still on the vacation I’ve dreamed of. I’ve wondered how I can feel lonely in a room full of interesting people or in a marriage to a wonderful man. I’ve wondered how it is that I can so quickly descend from thrilling satisfaction into nagging dissatisfaction after an expensive purchase, a successful event, or a sought-after experience. But I do."

"Sometimes your sense of emptiness haunts you as an undefined yet relentless ache. At other times it overwhelms you as an undeniable agony."

"When all you can see are the empty places, put your confident hope in what you can’t see. Put your hope in a God who is for you. God has not raised his fist against you; instead, God’s hand is at work in your life. See that even the hardest providences of life come to us through our Redeemer’s nail-scarred hands. He’s allowing this emptiness in your life, seeking to draw you back to the place where he intends to bless you beyond what you can imagine . You just can’t see it at this point in your story. Trust him to the end. He is guiding the story of your life toward restoration, toward redemption, toward resurrection."

"Whatever it is that has carved out a huge cistern in your soul, God wants to fill your emptiness with his grace and kindness. Your Redeemer longs to take you under his wing and cover you with his robe, to protect you and provide for you. He has done what is necessary under the law to redeem you from your desperate situation and has paid the price required with his own blood. He will take you into his home. He will satisfy your hunger with himself because he is the Bread of Life. He will heal your heart, which has been broken by the sorrows and losses inflicted on it by life in this world. He will be kind to you. He will love you. He will share with you his own inheritance in the heavenly land. He will fill your future with all of the royal privileges of being in the family of Jesus Christ, the son of David."

Description

It’s amazing how heavy the weight of emptiness can feel, how much room it can take up in our souls, how much pain can be caused by something that isn’t even there. But while we may see the emptiness of our lives as our greatest problem, that’s not how God sees it. When God looks into the empty places of our lives, He sees His greatest opportunity. God does His best work in the emptiness of our . . .Insatiable craving for things that don’t satisfyRelational disappointments and lonelinessFrustrated search for purpose and meaningRelentless desire for comfort and securityOngoing struggle to live with loss and unfulfilled dreamsJoin Nancy Guthrie in discovering why emptiness has never been, and never will be, a problem to God. As Nancy pulls back the curtain on God’s work to fill up emptiness as revealed throughout the Bible, you’ll experience page after page of grace and hope that your emptiness can and will be filled. You’ll begin to see that God really does do His best work with empty—as he fills it with Himself.

#GodDoesHisBestWorkwithEmpty

When the Stars Disappear Help and Hope from Stories of Suffering in Scripture by Mark Talbot - Crossway

When the Stars Disappear Help and Hope from Stories of Suffering in Scripture by Mark Talbot - Crossway

pub date 25 ago 2020

you can pre-order here https://amzn.to/3kDXQVi

I can´t talk for all of the presbyterian authors, because I don´t know them all, but the ones I have read are very, very enjoyable. This is the first time I take one of Mark Talbot´s book. The title got me. I think all of us have been there, where everything becomes dark, nothing makes sense and you just forget about things you thought were going to be always there. I know it is when we need to go to the fountain of truth, go to stories of saints who endure till the end. "We need to feel scripture plumbing the life-despairing depths of human suffering. It is what you need, to know there is true hope and even when you see not stars, not even the light at the end of the tunnel, there is light for every step of the way. I pray this book to encourage many.

"We need to know how to maintain our faith and hope even in the midst of our suffering. And we need assurance that God will carry us through".
"Suffering has been near the center of a biblical outlook almost from the start. It has never surprised god, an so it shouldn´t surprise us".
The book is full of biblical references, a lot, I like when the author writes the bible verse and adds the book and number at the end, because when not, the book is full with numbers and parenthesis (that is just a personal preference). 
I will continue reading books about lament, suffering, pain, hope, and faith, because is part of life and because sadly, a lot of people don´t like to talk about it.

Description

In When the Stars Disappear, Mark Talbot encourages readers to digest the lessons of some of the Bible’s great saints who, when faced with similar trials, learned to continue believing and hoping as they realized that God in his steadfast love continued caring for them.

Advance Praise

“Talbot’s experience of suffering gives him a heart of empathy for anyone who struggles to understand the hard ways of God. His rigor as a Christian philosopher equips him to voice the most disturbing questions we have about human pain without minimizing their difficulty or giving in to despair. Talbot uses stories from Scripture to offer the clear practical and theological guidance that suffering believers need to move forward in hope. This beautiful book will comfort readers with the assurance that we are never alone in our suffering but sustained by our ever-loving Savior.”
—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College

“Books offering palliatives to the problem of pain are ten a penny. But this splendid study is different. It is a careful, spiritual, sensitive treatment that does not shirk the emotional and imaginative dimensions of our lives. More importantly, it has to do with human expectations: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). Talbot sets a high standard of fidelity to Scripture as he considers three Old Testament figures—Naomi, Job and Jeremiah—and the New Testament passages that follow in that vein. So here Talbot is paying particular attention to suffering and the Christian life. This is not a purely theoretical approach to the issues, though it is very thoughtfully written. The discerning reader will have his appetite whetted for the other studies to follow. Unreservedly recommended.”
—Paul Helm, Former Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion, King’s College London

“If you are a Christian who is experiencing suffering—or who is weighed down by the suffering of someone you love—then this book is for you. Talbot—a philosopher-theologian who is also a wheelchair-bound, chronic sufferer—knows what he is talking about. He offers profound, biblical reflections that do not dodge the hard questions or try to minimize the sometimes overpowering reality of pain and loss. When the Stars Disappear is a gift to every Christian who is hoping for a reason to hope.”
—Timothy Larsen, McManis Professor of Christian Thought, Wheaton College

“Through decades of quadriplegia and chronic pain, the Bible has been my source of great comfort and encouragement. And I don’t mean only the Psalms or verses about affliction. For me, it’s been the stories of godly men and women in the Bible who radiate courage and perseverance despite unthinkable suffering. I have learned how to trust God from their examples, even when painful challenges try to drag me down. It’s why I love this new book, When the Stars Disappear. Mark Talbot gives the reader a remarkable study of suffering saints and how their mistakes and victories teach us lessons of endurance. I highly recommend this stellar discussion of true Bible stories that will inspire and refresh your heart!”
—Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

“When the Stars Disappear leads us through a deep, sobering, and powerful encounter with the depths of suffering experienced by three pivotal Old Testament figures. To those who suffer, it offers new hope, comfort, and insight into how to understand and endure such trials with biblically rooted and wise instruction regarding the indwelling grace of God and the ultimate outcome of our journeys. Talbot’s unique combination of wisdom, pastoral discernment, biblical fluency, and philosophical and theological mastery combines with his long personal experience of suffering to inform this unique work.”
—Stanton L. Jones, Provost Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Wheaton College

“I can think of no better way to ask hard questions about the suffering of believers than by delving into the words and stories of Scripture. In this first of four volumes, Talbot dives in deep. He sets the reality of personal, painful experience in the sure context of God’s revelation, which not only fully acknowledges Christians’ suffering but also lights up hope in God, ultimately through his Son.”
—Kathleen Nielson, author; speaker; Senior Adviser, The Gospel Coalition

“Writing from the depths of his own experience, thorough understanding of philosophical issues surrounding the theme of theodicy, and careful reading of Scripture, Mark Talbot offers a superb study for people walking through the valley of deepest darkness and for those who function as the Lord’s wings to those in distress (Ruth 2:12). With keen insight, an engaging literary style, and a deep commitment to the authority of the Scriptures, Talbot presents a powerful, practical, and pastoral treatment of a subject that we all encounter at some point in life.”
—Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Wheaton College

“In the face of radical suffering, words often cannot do justice to the gravity of the situation, but sometimes they help us climb through our grief and hold onto the God who has not yet made manifest why such profound suffering surrounds us and happens to us. In this profound and poignant volume, Mark Talbot takes us on a terrifying journey into the depths of suffering to make sure we are brutally honest with it, and to help us understand that our very souls are at stake in clinging to the graciousness of God. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is for everyone whose lives have been scorched by suffering and do not want to give up.”
—Richard Lints, Senior Distinguished Professor of Theology, Provost Emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“Talbot’s unique blend of careful scholarship and distinctively Christian faith and hope are evidenced throughout When the Stars Disappear, which serves as a reliable guide and companion to those who have faced calamity. Through Talbot’s faithful biblical exegesis and practical theological application, this book is a gift to the church.”
—Mark A. Yarhouse, Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Endowed Chair in Psychology, Wheaton College

“Anyone who has suffered, regardless of how much, should read this book. It ministered to me. We are reminded to be honest with God in prayer about how we feel about our suffering by, for example, asking God questions like the suffering psalmists do. But then Talbot places our suffering within Scripture’s overall storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation, reminding us always to try to understand how God is using our suffering to fulfill that storyline. He explains how our suffering helps us better understand our relationship to Christ and his suffering. By continually going to Scripture, he shows us how saints such as Naomi, Job, and Jeremiah worked through their suffering and came to ultimate trust and hope in God about it.”
—G. K. Beale, J. Gresham Machen Professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary

“Many and varied are the books that wrestle with suffering and evil, but in his projected four volumes on the subject Mark Talbot has found some fresh approaches. In this first volume he avoids philosophical and abstract questions, but focuses close attention on a handful of people in the Bible who went through suffering. Their suffering was highly diverse: Naomi, Job, Jeremiah, and some of the psalmists. By leading us through their darkest hours, Talbot lends a personal realism to their sorrow while showing that God often provides life-transforming grace to his suffering people in the midst of their pain, rather than simply taking it all away as fast as possible.”
—D. A. Carson, Theologian-at-Large, The Gospel Coalition

Mark Talbot (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) is associate professor of philosophy at Wheaton College. His areas of expertise include philosophical psychology, philosophical theology, David Hume, Augustine, and Jonathan Edwards. He and his wife, Cindy, have one daughter and three grandchildren. Mark attends Christ Presbyterian Church in Roselle, Illinois.

Chasing Perfect Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better by Alisha Illian - Harvest House Publishers

Chasing Perfect Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better by Alisha Illian - Harvest House Publishers

pub date 6-oct-2020

you can pre order it here: https://amzn.to/3bGKl3b

When I read the description of this book I had a huge laugh (especially in the part about washing your face and the hustle). I like it when girls focus on God instead of themselves, culture or what other people say. Firstborns may benefit themselves a lot of this kind of topic, to grow in gratitude and have your priorities clear. It is not a very deep book but a practical one even people who don´t read a lot may understand.

Description

Girl, read your Bible.

You can eat all the kale, buy all the things, lift all the weights, take all the trips, trash all that doesn’t spark joy, wash your face and hustle like mad, but if you don’t rest your soul in Jesus, you’ll never find peace and purpose.  

You’ve had enough of the hustle. You’ve given up trying to meet social media’s impossible standards, and you’re done living a life ruled by busyness. But where do you go from here?
 
For Alisha Illian, it wasn’t until she learned to abide in God’s truth that she finally found fulfillment. In Chasing Perfect, Alisha shares how God awakened her heart to prioritize what matters to Him. She’ll help you learn what it means to look beyond each day’s diversions and live in surrender to the Savior. You’ll see why it’s so important to…

+separate yourself from the self-first attitude of self-help culture

+savor each blessing God has given you

+schedule—rather than squeeze in—daily time to spend with God

You don’t have to keep filling your calendar to the brim with unsatisfying distractions. Chasing Perfect will help you submit to God and experience His perfect renewal and rest.

Weep with Me How Lament Opens a Door for Racial Reconciliation by Mark Vroegop - Crossway

Weep with Me How Lament Opens a Door for Racial Reconciliation by Mark Vroegop - Crossway

14 jul 2020

you can get it here https://amzn.to/35tbB40

Where I live there is a lot of classism, you don´t see that much problem with racial issues, but with economic issues. It is sad and this book made me think about it even when it is another topic. It is so important to talk about Lament, not many Christians are related to the topic and they don´t care about being biblical with this important part of dealing with pain and hard issues such as racial reconciliation. I don´t remember if I told you about the other book by the same author Dark clouds, deep mercy (I also enjoyed that one). I hope this author continues writing. I pray God help us to love as He loves. 

Description

Here is a timely reminder that in the Bible, lament is a prayer that leads to trust, which can be a starting point for the church to “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). As Vroegop writes: “Reconciliation in the church starts with tears and ends in trust.”

Advance Praise

“I am so grateful to God that Mark Vroegop has written this book. Far too often our discussions about racial harmony and reconciliation center on analysis, history, strategies, or the ‘best practices’ of those who have made some progress with regard to inclusion and diversity. What is overlooked is the primacy and power of empathy, ‘weeping with those who weep.’ This profound sense of identification is what the Bible calls lament. I am thankful to Vroegop for calling us to the heart of the matter—our hearts. Weep with Me is a gift and a treasure.”
—Crawford W. Loritts Jr., Senior Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, Georgia; author, Unshaken; Host, Living a Legacy

“If the sinful and tragic issues of racial injustice do not drive Christians to lament, it can only be because we do not, or will not, see the reality all around us. This book by the brilliant and faithful Mark Vroegop helps us to see that lament is not despair and resignation but instead the first step toward healing and restoration. This book will help Christians of every ethnicity to learn to love one another and to bear each other’s burdens.”
—Russell Moore, President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

“When conversations on race and racial reconciliation seem to produce more heat than light, and more accusation than appreciation, Mark Vroegop provides a timely word in Weep with Me. He reveals the simple yet poignant power in the prayers of biblical lament, teaching us the need to weep with those who weep. Lament gives language to both speakers who’ve suffered and listeners who long to understand. This is the hope of lament and the hope of the book: that the language of lament would bring blessing out of brokenness. The author is neither a hopeless romantic nor a helpless idealist. With realistic expectations and unbridled hope, Vroegop conveys inspiration from the biblical language of lament to help us find ways that will promote trust, understanding, and hope. He has helped me to love, listen, and lament; to learn and to leverage. Reconciliation is never easy, yet because of the gospel of Jesus, I will still dare to hope.”
—Julius J. Kim, President, The Gospel Coalition; Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California

“As a nation, we no longer know how to talk to each other about issues over which we disagree. Sadly, when it comes to issues of race or ethnicity, that inability has permeated the church. As a result, progress appears to have slowed. But because we are in Christ, we can and should fight for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. That’s why I welcome Mark Vroegop’s Weep with Me. He gives us a language we can use as we work together toward ethnic harmony. It’s not a man-made language; it’s the biblical language of lament. If your heart longs to see the church display the wisdom and glory of God to the cosmic powers, then you’ll want to pick up this book, read it, practice it, and give it away. Let the conversations begin!”
—Juan R. Sanchez, Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas

“Imagine if, in Jesus’s story of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9–14), the publican, instead of repenting of his sins, had become offended by the Pharisee’s assessment of him. Had that happened, you would have had two self-justifying sinners in the story, and we wouldn’t have heard Jesus’s beautiful declaration ‘I tell you, this man [the publican] went down to his house justified.’ So, please, if you are picking up this book in order to be offended, just don’t. But if there is a weariness in your bones over your own sin and the sin of your people, and you long to see gospel unity and solidarity replace suspicion, separation, strife, division, indifference, ignorance, condescension, and contempt, come lament with me for a while, and pray. We are up against something only the Holy Spirit can fix, but he is more than a match for the challenge. Let’s lament our hearts of stone and ask him to give us hearts of flesh (Ezek. 36:26–27). He can. He will.”
—Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Weep with Me is grounded in theology, informed by history, and saturated with humility. As a black member of Mark Vroegop’s church, I have witnessed, primarily as an observer, how applying the biblical language of lament to racism has opened the door to reconciliation. Painful conversations between a white church leader and a black church member developed into a deep, trusting relationship. Intense early-morning discussions about race among a multiethnic group of leaders and members led to deeper understanding and biblical unity. A monthly discussion group exposed personal pain, yet weeping together increased shared knowledge and formed healthy relationships. Casual multicultural interactions on Sundays led to meals together in each other’s homes. Civil Rights vision trips with the church exposed deep wounds and caused weeping among some and silence and confusion among others, but the language of lament led to enlightenment, caring, and mutual embrace as a reconciled body. Yes, the journey is difficult at times. No, we have not arrived at the dream. Through this book, Vroegop shows us how the language of lament leads to racial reconciliation. It is an encouraging read!”
—A. Charles Ware, author; speaker; Founder and Executive Director, Grace Relations

“Mark Vroegop’s earlier book, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, is the best book I have read on Christian lament. It moved me to preach through the book of Lamentations in my own church. Yet I was unprepared for how stirred I would be by the potential impact of Christian lament on racial tensions in the church today. But this is what Vroegop has done in Weep with Me. This book is a uniquely insightful contribution to a very difficult issue still largely ignored by modern-day evangelicals. It is a biblically faithful, immensely practical tool that guides us to a simple, clear solution to racial division in the church—empathy through Christian lament. Pastors especially need to read this book and use it to lead their congregations down a path of introspection rooted in the gospel and embodied in Christlike empathy toward all those in Christ. I highly commend this book and the faithful example of its author.”
—Brian Croft, Senior Pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky; Founder, Practical Shepherding

“The challenges of racial division in America broadly and our churches specifically feel intractable. The conversation is riddled with indictment, hurt, anger, uncertainty, and fear. Yet Mark Vroegop offers a simple, mature, and biblical next step: learn the language of lament. Lament means one thing for the majority-culture Christian and a slightly different thing for the minority-culture Christian, and both lessons are crucial for preparing our hearts for understanding, forgiveness, reconciliation, and action. This book is excellent, and it’s hard to imagine how churches will move toward racial reconciliation and the heavenly picture of unity in diversity apart from the biblical wisdom it provides.”
—Jonathan Leeman, Elder, Cheverly Baptist Church, Bladensburg, Maryland; Editorial Director, 9Marks 

Is God Speaking to Me? How to Discern His Voice and Direction by Lysa TerKeurst - Harvest House Publishers

Is God Speaking to Me? How to Discern His Voice and Direction by Lysa TerKeurst - Harvest House Publishers 

you can pre order it here https://amzn.to/3gUqdLH

pub date 1 sep 2020

This is not exactly a book, but a short little booklet is going to be enjoyable for you if you like Lysa TerKeurst. I liked the way she talks about obedience and If you read her book "When Women say yes to God" you will see that is kind of the same content (I´m not sure if it exactly the same because I gave the other one away). I had a nice memory about when I was single and I also felt I had to give my bible away... in a bus station. And later a book in a plane never imagined the same thing happened to someone else and it was written in a but. That was fun. I obviously didn´t "hear" the voice of God in my ears, but it was like an inner conviction inside that I should do it (just to let it clear: I wanted to keep my book and my bible, didn´t intend to give them away). I already read the book she is referring to and didn´t know it was about it when I got this one. I must admit I don´t like the title very much, because it sounds kind of mistic and I believe the Word of God is written and we can have access to it, with no need of guessing what is he telling. I like that she admits she has never heard (audible) the voice of God. She talks about impressions and thoughts. There are study questions and I just invite you to check it out and find out if you find it helpful or not. We all need to be very into God´s word so we can discern his will. We need to separate feelings from His Word. Not my favorite by her, one must admit. She has other great titles by the way.

Description

Living with a deeper awareness of God’s leading isn’t just for a select few…it’s for you too!

Have you ever wondered if God still speaks to us today? Or do you worry that what you’re perceiving as God’s voice is really just your own thoughts? You’re not alone.

In Is God Speaking to Me?, Lysa TerKeurst shares her own wrestling with these questions and how God has taught her to more clearly discern His direction in her everyday life.

Using Scripture, encouraging personal stories, and practical application, Lysa will help you:

+Stop merely going through the motions of life by learning how to recognize and respond to the Lord’s divine appointments for you.

+Uncomplicate the idea of listening to God as you use five key questions to help you determine if what you’re discerning is from Him or not.

+Discover the joy of truly walking with the Lord as you learn how to live in expectation of hearing from Him.

Is God Speaking to Me? is both an invitation to a life of adventure with the Lord and the tender reminder that we serve a God who loves us deeply and longs to speak to us personally.