Prebuy War Room- Out December 22nd!

December 17, 2015December 17, 2015 - Amy 2 Comments

Have you seen War Room yet? It was in theaters for a looooong time and I am so glad that it was. Quite possibly one of the best Christian films of all time, it seems to have spurred a new awakening to prayer.

The bible says:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. – Jeremiah 29:12

Prayer is the center of our very relationship with the Father. One of the most important things that I’ve learned about prayer is that our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (Eph. 6:12) The way to fight the wars of this world is with prayer.

That’s why I was so excited to see War Room come out in theaters! What a powerful message it conveyed. What an awakening it seemed to reveal among Christians. You don’t have to have all the answers or figure it all out.

Pray continually.

He will listen to you.

There are countless verses about prayer in the Bible. It is an important weapon against evil and Jesus wanted us to know that!

When War Room came out, the first thing I did was try to figure out where I could make a “war room”. I couldn’t think of a place. Our closet is pretty big, but honestly, it’s never clean enough to count on it as a usable space. And I loved the movie, but there is no way I can empty out my closet like the lady did on the movie! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED her space and all her notes and verses. I just don’t have the space to put the things that belong in my closet.

I just want to encourage you in that if you don’t have the “perfect” place for a war room, do not fret. A war room or prayer closet can be anywhere where you can go to be alone with God. It could be your bedroom after the kids go to bed. It could be your back porch.

Long commute anyone?

For years, my husband told me that he was having trouble finding good alone time with God. I finally asked him what he does with his commute. He drives about 45 minutes each way to work. He said he listened to podcasts and the Daily Audio Bible. That’s great! But how perfect is a long car ride. It’s like being in a silent bubble for 45 straight minutes. God can use that! The best thing is that it’s built in time. No need to make room in your day.

His war room became his car.

Use what you have, but make it intentional. Go to WAR with the evil forces and storm the gates of hell with prayer.

And guess what?! War Room is available to pre-buy right now! It comes out December 22nd!!

Watch the trailer below and go ahead and pre-buy your copy for just $14.99 at Family Christian!

With your pre-buy purchase you will get a FREE devotional journal along with it! Now is the time!

$25 Family Christian Certificate GIVEAWAY!

Who wants to win $25 to spend at Family Christian online or in-store? Simply leave a comment on this post!

This giveaway will end on Wednesday, December 23rd at 11:59pm CT. I will use And the Winner is plugin to choose a winner after the giveaway ends.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Christian. All opinions are 100% my own.

Wow Hits 2016

November 12, 2015November 12, 2015 - Amy Leave a comment

We’re driving down the road on the way to school when my 4 year old yells out, “Momma! Turn on “there is no such thing as impossible”!”. She does it on the way home from school too. On the way to church and on the way back.

I think she may like that song…

It’s a good thing I do too! I saw it performed live at the Dove Awards last month. Building 429 ROCKED THE HOUSE opening the show with it! Loved every minute of it.

See for yourself:

Another one of my girls’ favorites is “Start A Fire” by Unspoken. They have created hand motions for that song.

And then there’s my absolute favorite from the Outcry Tour, “Even So Come” by Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill. It’s so amazing.

If you listen to Christian radio, you’ve probably heard all of these. I love the radio, but sometimes I just want to have all my favorite songs in one place where I can turn them on whenever. Or be forced by a 4 year old to play what she wants.

That’s why I love the Wow Hits cds! I picked up the Wow Hits 2016 from Family Christian the other day. It has every one of those songs I mentioned and SO MANY MORE. I don’t think that it has a single song that I don’t like. It comes with 2 cds with a total of 33 hits.

Here are some on the cd:

“Greater” Mercy Me
“I Am Not Alone” Kari Jobe
“Brother” Needtobreathe
“Drops in the Ocean” Hawk Nelson
“Who I Am” Blanca
“King of My Heart” Love & The Outcome

That’s just a taste, there’s so much more. You can get Wow Hits 2016 at Family Christian! The regular version is $14.99 or you can get the Deluxe version for $18.99.

Enjoy!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Christian. All opinions expressed are 100% my own!

Living Our Glory Days

September 28, 2015September 29, 2015 - Amy Leave a comment

Our pastor has been preaching on the book of Exodus for quite a while. It’s been a 13-week message covering many different lessons learned through the story of the Israelites.

I find that I can relate to so many parts of the Exodus story. One of the greatest biblical figures of all time, Moses for instance. Moses argued with God about his inadequacy. Sounds like me…

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” – Exodus 4:10

Ahem, hello. Hi, yes me too. Not a good speaker. That’s me.

I relate to the fact that Moses didn’t consider himself good enough for the job God was calling him to do.

What I love about this story most is what God says next…

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹²Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”- Exodus 4:11-12

God says that HE made his very mouth! He didn’t intend to make Moses do it alone. He said that he would tell him everything he needed to say. Even still, there was a”but”…

But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” – Exodus 4:13

God doesn’t care about our “buts”. God turns our “buts” into “yes sirs”. He takes our discouragements and turns them into courage.

He told Moses that He would be there the whole way, even giving him help from his brother, Aaron.

I can also relate to the Israelites. They worried constantly, didn’t they?

Will there be enough food?
Can we trust that we’ll find our way?
Even though God has done miracles for us before, can He really do more?

At the end of our pastor’s sermon series, the big question of why was answered. Why did the Israelites go through all they went through? Why did God choose a people that would rebel and continuously lead them back to Himself even though they worshiped other gods?

I couldn’t help but think it was a simple answer. But it’s the answer to anything and everything that God does. And the answer why we should do everything that we do.

For God’s GLORY.

When we live our lives like Christ.
When we stop feeling inadequate, as if God can’t use us.
When we stop our worry and simply trust.
When we leave Egypt and the wilderness in the dust.

Only then can we enter our Promised Land where our exodus will finally end.

These are our Glory Days.

This is where we live to glorify God.

________________________________________________________________________________

How the review of this book and the end of our pastor’s sermon lined up so well is beyond me. God had this planned the whole time. Family Christian gave me a chance to read Max Lucado’s newest book, Glory Days. You know I’m a Max fanatic. This book didn’t disappoint. (It’s pretty too!)

Glory Days is full of subject matter for the very things that I mentioned above. If you find yourself as a wandering, worrying Israelite, you will find encouragement among the pages of this book.

Ever studied the book of Joshua before? No worries if you haven’t. Just read this book! Max Lucado breaks down the many stories of Joshua and the leading of his people with God’s help. My favorite chapter of this one is Chapter 13- You Be You. The entire book is jam-packed with wisdom. It’s all about learning to live out our inheritance!

Win A $10 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate

This giveaway will end on October 12th, at 11:59pm CT. I will contact the winner and they will have 24 hours to respond. If I have not heard from them, I will name a new winner.

This book was provided for review purposes by Family Christian. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Welcoming the Fall Season

September 16, 2015September 17, 2015 - Amy Leave a comment

The leaves on the tree across the street began to fall a couple of weeks ago. The green grass fades into the background as reds, golds, oranges, and browns now cover the ground in its place. I feel that first crisp chill in the air as summer is winding down. The world becomes a little more visible as the trees become transparent without their thick covering of leaves.

My how the world around us changes with a simple switch of the season.

It’s harvest time again.

Fall is the time of year when we transition from the harsh heat of the summer to the welcoming cool breezes of autumn. The cozy colors fall make their debut. Campfires fill their air with their smokey, warm goodness. Piles of leaves begin to form in front and backyards followed by cheerful giggles of children jumping into the piles.

There seems to be an overwhelming feeling of thanksgiving during the harvest months. Besides the obvious holiday, smells of apple cider and pumpkin spice always bring about a heightened sense of nostalgia.

Reminds me of this verse:

The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. – Matthew 9:37

What if we adopted a new nostalgia during the fall season? What is we used this time of year to share Jesus with others out of the abundance in our hearts? Jesus told his disciples that there is a large harvest of potential believers out there, but the laborers to go and bring them into the Kingdom are few. It’s like an entire apple orchard brimming with an abundance of apples and no one to pick them. It’s exciting to me to think that Jesus could use me as His laborer. What a special harvest that I could reap!

Gathering Grain is all about abundance. Abundance of love, life, prayer, and blessings.

Let’s pray that as we enter into this new season that God shows us where we need to reap, but also where we should sow.

The first day of fall is Wednesday, September 23rd!

If you LOVE the pillow wraps in my pictures above like I do, Family Christian is the place to get them! I am in love with their new home decor products. Those adorable pillow wraps are only $6.90! You can find them at your local store or online!

My favorite is my new Grace & Gratitude lumbar pillow. It has brought a cozy and warm feeling to my chair. They have so much more than pillows, though! Head to Family Christian and take a look around!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Christian Stores. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

You’ll Get Through This {A Cake Story}

July 23, 2015 - Amy Leave a comment

If I only had a dime for every time that I heard someone tell me that “it’s going to be ok”. I would be filthy rich and I really would be doing alright wouldn’t I? It’s easier said than done. That person on the other side of your personal trial declaring that everything is going to end up fine. Thanks person. If only you were where I was.

I once offered to make a friend’s wedding cake. I had made one before. It just totally stressed me out so I didn’t make them often. So why did I offer to make this one? I think that it must be because I’m a glutton for punishment.

I was ahead of schedule with this cake the week of the wedding. So much, in fact, that I questioned why I ever hesitated to do more wedding cakes. The day of the wedding came and I was whipping buttercream and frosting those bad boys like a pro. I was feeling so confident.

Then it came time to roll out the fondant and over each tier. Mind you, this is my least favorite part of making a cake. I was kneading. I was rolling. I was ripping. Wait, I was WHAT?! The fondant melts, rips, and falls apart as if I’ve just been plucked from my kitchen and placed in a sauna to make this cake. I had not even considered the simmering 92 degree heat that day having an effect on the fondant.

I panicked.

My heart is racing. There are only TWO hours until I have to deliver this cake and it isn’t covered in fondant. Frankly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to live to see another day at the rate of which my mental meltdown was happening. I was now on the floor screaming the phrase “I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO” over and over with tears running down my face. My husband walks in, grabs my shoulders, and proclaims “EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK!”.

Yeah right.

He then tells me that he is going to the store to purchase new fondant and that we are going to get this done together.

I want to make a point here. Here I am in the present looking back on this cake story and thinking about how truly awful that day was. Horrific, just terrible. But do you know something? Everything was ok.

I made it through.

I thought life itself was over that day. God has a way of taking end-of-the-world moments and turning them into good, doesn’t He? It’s not always something we see in the midst of the storm, but that we look back from a place of resolution and see. Times are hard. Trials are rough, but Jesus calms the waves. When we come out on the other side of that trial we see where Jesus’s hand was.

Like for instance, the day I made this cake. After my crisis ended and I was able to deliver the cake (covered in fondant- hubby to the rescue!), not a single person had any idea that it was different fondant and that I had such a hard time. The cake was a hit and tasted wonderful! I see how God got me through those last couple of hours. I see now that He wanted me to go through that in order to look back on it now and know that even in the roughest times, He got me through. I obviously didn’t have the strength or mental state to get through it on my own.

This goes for any trial or tribulation that you may go through. Job loss, financial troubles, health problems, marital problems, you name it. It can seem so dark at times with no way out. God pulls us through these very situations so that we can see how He has rescued us and then remember it for the next storm.

John 16:33 says, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. God never says that tribulations are easy. He says that we are going to have tribulation (or terrible experiences making a wedding cake). But the very same God that overcame the world through his son, Jesus is here to help you get through your stuff. Can I get an Amen to that?

You, my friend, will get through it.

By the way, if you’re ever considering, oh I don’t know, offering to make a wedding cake for a friend in 92 degree heat: be sure that you do a trial run to see if your fondant is going to hold up in that heat. Or even better, opt for no fondant. Ummm kay?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I read another Max Lucado book. (No real surprise there, eh?) It’s so good. Talk about tribulations. This book is called You’ll Get Through This and I think it’s one of my favorites of his. Full of stories of trials throughout the Bible, Max Lucado does a great job reminding the reader of ways that God does and can turn evil to good.

This book is encouraging, especially for those currently going through their own storms. The first time I read this book I was struggling with some serious things and it comforted me. It really did.

The one thing that he says over and over in this book is this:

You’ll get through this.

It won’t be painless.

It won’t be quick.

But God will use this mess for good.

Don’t be foolish or naive.

But don’t despair either.

With God’s help, you’ll get through this.

I may have despaired just a teensy bit in that cake trial. Ok, maybe more like a whole lot. We don’t have to despair. God has got this. We can lean on the promises that we find all throughout the Bible.

You can get You’ll Get Through This at Family Christian online or at your local store!

I was provided with a copy of this book for review purposes by Family Christian. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Savor: A Devotional For Living Abundantly

June 4, 2015 - Amy Leave a comment

I was pretty excited when Family Christian asked me to review a brand new devotional that recently came out. Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are by Shauna Niequist came out in March and I heard great things about it. So I set out to get my hands on a copy and to my surprise (sorta), they were out at my local store. Next thing I knew, I received this opportunity to review it and of course I said YES!

A few things I want to point out about this devotional:

1) It is simple. This isn’t a super deep, studying, and very involved devo. Shauna is to the point sharing her heart through her stories.

2) It makes you think. It may be simple, but there is still time for reflection. The Bible verses and thought-provoking questions are great for helping you to relate each daily reading to your walk with God.

3) It is real. My favorite part of every day is reading Shauna’s experiences. Some make me laugh. Some make me cry. But they are all accessible and remind me that we’re all human. They truly are encouraging.

4) It has recipes too! I loved coming across all the recipes. Each one had a little story to go along with is so you know that it is a Shauna favorite.

This is a great devotional for daily encouragement. We all need this daily. It is all about living abundantly where you are, as you are. Spending this time each day in God’s presence and reflecting on His love for you and your walk with Him is so very important.

I am thankful for resource like this one!

You can get Savor by Shauna Niequist at Family Christian right now for $16.99. Or you can enter my giveaway and get a copy for free!

Savor Devotional by Shauna Niequist Giveaway

I was provided with a copy of Savor by Family Christian for review purposes. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

This giveaway will end on Thursday, June 18th at 11:59pm CT. I will contact the winner on Friday, the 19th and they will have 24 hours to respond. If I have not heard from them, I will name a new winner. US entries only.

Let The Journey Begin

May 28, 2015 - Amy Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that I graduated from high school 12 years ago. Wow does that make me feel old!

It feels like it was just yesterday. It was such an exciting time!

13 years of school was about to come to an end. I felt like such an adult all dressed up in my cap and gown.

Isn’t it funny how much more life there is to be had after graduation? I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was just the beginning. Each year another chance to learn and grow into the person that God made me to be.

I remember thinking that I already had life figured out. And in the last 12 years, God has shown me that I, in fact, do not have it figured out. That I will constantly need His help to get through each and every trial and tribulation.

Sometimes, I wish that I could go back in time and tell myself things that I know now.

You know what though? I am thankful to look back over those years during my journey so far and see where God has been there helping me every step of the way. I see His mark in so many places and though I had no idea what I was doing, God did.

___________________________________________________________

Max Lucado has a book for every season of life I have decided. He didn’t forget the graduates! I got the chance to check out Let the Journey Begin which makes a great gift for those who have just walked across that stage for their diploma.

It is chocked full of quotes, scriptures, inspirations, and encouragements for those setting out on a new journey. They are excerpts from Max Lucado’s other books that are so full of wisdom.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “You will never forgive anyone more than God has forgiven you.” So. good.

This is one of those books that makes for an easy devotional in the morning or just a quick pick me up when you need some direction. PERFECT for your graduate. I would have LOVED to get this book when I graduated.

Family Christian is a great place to pick this one up. Let The Journey Begin is $14.99 right now. You could get this as a graduation gift or even just as a little something to slip into their things as they pack up for college. A great reminder that God is with them everywhere they go.

Enjoy and God bless!

I was provided with a copy of Let the Journey Begin by Family Christian. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Leaning On You

May 13, 2015 - Amy 1 Comment

Between the peaceful moments of opening my eyes to a new morning full of possibilities and mercy, to closing my eyes and leaving my cares behind as I drift off to sleep, I find myself struggling with the worldly things. Things that are so unimportant, yet feel as though the world itself will end if I don’t figure them out right. now.

You know the things.

The ones that pretty much suck the life out of my body as though it was a bag of lunchmeat being put through a FoodSaver. You can watch every ounce of air slowly being siphoned so that nothing gets out and nothing gets in. These very things that I nonchalantly might say don’t bother me, find a way to push the buttons that I pretend I don’t have.

I often feel like siphoned salami. Not a very pretty analogy, but true to the way I really feel.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

It’s in the middle of the mess (there is always a mess) and among the mishaps and crazy that I find the very end of myself. Well hello there scraggly, beat down, and frustrated lady. We meet again.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. – John 6:63

Can you relate? That place during your day when it feels as though Satan has placed you at the top of his list. The place where even the stranger who doesn’t see you smile at them and doesn’t smile back at you can make you curl up and cry. I end up in this place all too often.

I imagine Jesus watching over me as I have my little pity parties. (Heh, I’m sure that He gets a kick out of my toddleresque tantrums) How He must grieve to see me overwhelmed, stressed, and consumed by the cares of this world.

Then I imagine myself walking over to Jesus and leaning on His shoulder. He wipes my tears and tells me that I am His daughter. He reminds me that a dirty kitchen, a garden full of weeds, and a stranger that doesn’t smile at me means nothing in the light of eternity spent with Him. I tell Him that I need Him more than He will ever know. Of course, He tells me that He knows everything and that I didn’t even have to say that and then I giggle. We have a little heart to heart and my day is immediately better.

I lean on Jesus often. It sometimes takes getting to the end of my rope. To the place where I can no longer stand. Let’s lean on Him. His arms are everlasting. When all else fails, they will still be there spread wide for us to take refuge within. Deuteronomy 33:27 says, The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’

Can I get an AMEN?! The fact that He is eternal means that will always be able to lean on Him. What a comforting thing to reflect on when you’re in the middle of one of “those days”. The enemy may have you at the top of his list, but Jesus has you IN HIS ARMS.

One of my favorite worship singers, Christy Nockels, came out with a new cd recently and I was floored to be able to review it thanks to Family Christian! Christy’s songs have a way of simply leading me to His presence. Let It Be Jesus, I think, is her best yet!

The entire cd is amazing, but my favorites are:

My Anchor
The Wondrous Cross
Let It Be Jesus
Jesus, Rock of Ages
Leaning On You, Jesus

Leaning On You, Jesus has become my fave! I’ve got this one on repeat in my car right now. You can bet I have some serious mini worship sessions! My girls love it, too. 🙂

WANT TO WIN A COPY?! Family Christian gave me one to give away to one of YOU!

You can purchase a copy of Christy Nockels, Let It Be Jesus along with a ton of other awesome music over at Family Christian!

This giveaway will end on Wednesday, May 20th at 11:59pm CT. I will contact the winner on Thursday, May 21st and they will have 24 hours to respond. If I have not heard from them, I will name a new winner.

I was provided with the Christy Nockels CD for review purposes and provided with another for a giveaway. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe

April 13, 2015 - Amy 4 Comments

Max Lucado, my favorite encouraging Christian author surprised me recently with a new book. I have found so much comfort and healing among the pages of his powerful writings. So of course I wanted to hear about this new one.

This is not just any book, but a novel. How’s that for a little twist in your Max Lucado collection? I have read some of his children’s books that were fiction, but I’ve never seen him write a novel.

Family Christian sent me a copy of Miracle at the Higher Ground Cafe to check out. The cover itself being different from what I’m used to, (very cute!), but the story line brings out everything that I would expect of Max.

The setting? An old-fashioned coffee shop with the newness of its grand reopening.
The characters? Interesting and charming at the same time.
The story? A heartwarming one that features the main character, Chelsea’s struggles as a single mom and coffee shop owner, and the help of her guardian angel, Manny which we may never have seen coming.

She wants to revamp the coffee shop and when other methods (ahem- even cupcakes) don’t work, the cafe begins offering internet to draw new customers. Boy did that change things! A mysterious blog comes up and allows the patrons to ask God anything and receive actual answers. Wouldn’t that be nice!

If you’re a Max fan like me, be sure to check out Miracle at the Higher Ground Cafe for yourself! The chapters are short and the cover is pretty. Not to mention that there is a lot of talk about lattes and God! French Vanilla with whip and yes please!

You can get this one written by Max Lucado with Candace Lee and Eric Newman at Family Christian. Stop by and check it out!

I was provided with a copy of Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe for review purposes by Family Christian. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Grasping Easter On Calvary’s Hill

March 18, 2015March 18, 2015 - Amy Leave a comment

Over the last few years I’ve felt a tug on my heart around Easter. Not the usual tug of simple remembrance, but a real tug like God wanted me to know something.

I’ve known the meaning of Easter for as long as I can remember. I’ve gone through the motions, but it’s only been recently that I felt God seem to say, “I want you to hear my son’s story. I want you to feel deep compassion for Christ who came to save your life on the cross.”

I have watched The Passion of The Christ many times. It’s pretty easy to see those scenes and to think, “Wow this is terrible. Oh my goodness. Lord have mercy on him.” etc. But I really wanted to get into the word and into the things that Jesus said and did leading up to and during his Crucifixion and also when he rose again in glorious victory.

As painful as it was, it was supposed to happen.

Yet it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! ⁵But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed—and we were healed! ⁶We—every one of us—have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! – Isaiah 53:4-6

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

It was God’s will that his son die for our sins. It was this way from the beginning. It’s hard to believe that the purpose of one’s life would be to die, but we NOW know that he didn’t die and that he LIVES! So thankful for his Spirit living inside me.

The devil must really have been laughing to himself as this went down, but you know I think God was probably snickering himself. This terrible scene lead to the salvation of the WORLD. Hallelujah!

Even Jesus feared.

How human does this make our Savior! I’m not the only one…

He took Peter, James, and John with him and began to be filled with horror and deepest distress. ³⁴And he said to them, “My soul is crushed by sorrow to the point of death; stay here and watch with me.” ³⁵He went on a little farther and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the awful hour awaiting him might never come. ³⁶“Father, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take away this cup from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” – Mark 14: 33-26

He walked away, perhaps a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed this prayer: “Father, if you are willing, please take away this cup of horror from me. But I want your will, not mine.” ⁴³Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him, ⁴⁴for he was in such agony of spirit that he broke into a sweat of blood, with great drops falling to the ground as he prayed more and more earnestly. – Luke 22:41-42

Jesus wanted the fear and impending circumstances to go away if it was God’s will. He feared so much he sweat blood. I have been in some serious fear before, but never sweat blood. His was completely warranted I would say.

I love that he said “I want your will, not mine”. Thank you God!

This is how much he loved us.

A man that loved a broken world, DIED for us so that we may live. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. When we’re wallowing in lack of self-worth we should always remember that there is One who loves us so very much that He sent his only son to die for us.

With Easter coming up, let’s really try to grasp this.

And let’s also grasp the JOY that came with the Resurrection of that same selfless man! He is alive! Not even DEATH could hold down the Savior. He overcame so that each and every one of us can overcome.

I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

I adore this verse. Makes me think of Jesus as saying, “Hey, you’re gonna go through some crap, but don’t lose heart, I’ve overcome the worst for you!”

If you’re really wanting some great reading leading up to Easter this year, I have just the thing for you. My favorite author, Max Lucado has a great little companion for getting into the season. On Calvary’s Hill is 40 readings for the Easter Season.

It’s a compilation from several of his books that relate to Easter and what happened to Jesus during this time. It has got some really great stories and goes into pretty much every aspect of the Crucifixion and Resurrection story. But with an awesome Max Lucado twist, of course.

I especially love that it’s excerpts from so many of his awesome books. Put together they tell the incredible and redeeming story of Jesus Christ.

It’s goooooood stuff y’all. I’ve been trying to read one per day leading up to Easter Sunday.

You can get a copy of One Calvary’s Hill by Max Lucado at Family Christian for $9.99! Makes a fantastic gift idea.

OR you could win the $10 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate and buy your own copy! Enter my giveaway below.

$10 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate Giveaway

This giveaway will end on March 25th, 2015 at 11:59pm CT. I was given a copy of this book for review purposes by Family Christian. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.