30.12.17

100 DAYS TO BRAVE Book Review and a New Year's Challenge

by Sally Matheny


100 Days to Brave


In what area of your life do you crave courage? If you’re like me, you’re feeling a tug in a certain direction but, for whatever reason, you’re lacking the confidence to move forward. Have I got a book recommendation for you!

100 DAYS TO BRAVE, written by Annie F. Downs, is a compilation of devotions for “unlocking your most courageous self.”

How good is this book? Well, let’s just say I read one hundred devotions in thirty days. The devotions build on one another and unfold like a story. Downs intrigued me so I couldn’t stop reading after just one devotion a day.




The one hundred devotions cover eleven areas:

Brave Enough to Start
Brave Enough to Be You
Brave Enough to Believe God
Brave Enough to Dream
Brave Enough to Work Hard
Brave Enough to Love Others
Brave Enough to Face Change
Brave Enough to Persevere
Brave Enough to Pursue Healing
Brave Enough to Serve
Brave Enough to Be Where You Are
Brave Enough

The author includes personal experiences in most of the devotions to illustrate a point. She bravely exposes our fears and offers helpful encouragement on how to maneuver past them.

Encased in a beautiful hardcover, each devotion is about 400 words in length. Each begins with a short scripture and ends with a call to action.

I highly recommend this book. While men would certainly glean encouragement from it, I believe it is best suited for women. Even though the author writes of her experiences as a single Millenial, all ages of women will enjoy and benefit from her book.

Now, a challenge for you.

While you’re mulling over your list of goals for the new year, will you pray about those areas where you need courage? Ask God to help you follow through with whatever it is you just know you’re supposed to do.

Ask others to pray with you. I think this is where I’ve failed in dealing with my own fears.

Facing serious health issues requires courage. We often don’t hesitate to ask for prayer in those situations. There are many other personal battles that call for bravery. Why do we hesitate to ask for prayer in other areas of our lives?

Are we afraid to reveal the thing we feel led to do? For if we give it a voice, then we may have to actually follow through with it! It may be difficult. There may be repercussions. We may have to change.

Whew! Scary, isn’t it?

Let’s dedicate time to prayer, specifically about this THING. What is it for you? Say it—out loud. What fears have immobilized you? Why? Expose them for what they are.

Want us to pray for you? Share your request for bravery below or send it privately through the Contact Page.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

23.12.17

What Does Christmas Look Like in Your Home?

by Sally Matheny


What Does Christmas Look Like?
(Pixabay Photo)
Christmas is almost here. At the moment, my kitchen sink is full of mixing bowls, spatulas, and various splashes of colorful icing. 

The den floor begs to be vacuumed. Again. 

Good news! Laundry no longer rests on the treadmill. Now, wrapping paper, boxes, and gifts weigh it down. Ah…Christmas at my house. 

What does Christmas look like in your home?

Never mind the mess. We’ll gradually take care of that. Surely!



16.12.17

Who Moved Our Christmas Traditions?

by Sally Matheny


Who Moved Our Christmas Traditions?
(Photo by Pixabay)
The calendar is set. You’ve penned in all the festivities and family gatherings. No need for a pencil when it’s the same every year, right?

Then one day you gasp in horror. Someone has violated the calendar slashing it with red marks, arrows, and scribbles.

Who would dare infringe upon the long-established Cousin Cookie Swap, which ALWAYS takes place on the second Thursday of December?

And if that wasn’t enough to fuzz your wet, candy cane, your jaw drops when you see tampering with Dec. 24!

You yell, “Who moved our Christmas traditions?”

Before you react like Wassail on a high flame, let’s ponder for a moment.

4.12.17

Besides Love, the Best Gift for Baby's First Christmas

by Sally Matheny

(The Best Gift for Baby's First Christmas)
If God has blessed you with a precious, new life this year, I’m sure your Christmas morning will be extra sweet! 

Your little one already may have a cute stocking hung, and brightly wrapped gifts under the tree. Or, perhaps due to his adventurous spirit, all the gifts are well out of reach!
No matter what gifts you’ve chosen, I hope you've considered one spectacular gift you can give your baby, especially for his first Christmas.