Tag: non-fiction

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure: Book Review

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
Purchase your copy! HERE

I’ve read many a
book over the decades on healthy eating and eating in general. Many of them
have been faith-based books. When I had the opportunity to review Sheri Rose
Shepherd’s new book on experiencing food, faith & fulfillment a whole new
way, I jumped.
Shepherd’s view is
anything can be eaten and enjoyed without the guilt and depression one normally
has when eating something they think they shouldn’t.
She shares personal
experiences, New Life tips (scriptures that correlate with the chapters) and
Soul Food (more scriptures) as well as over 100+ recipes. I’ll be honest, I’m a
super picky eater. I haven’t found a single salad dressing I really like–not
even Ranch. And salad, well, it’s for the birds. Literally. So, having said
that, I’ll tell you that I didn’t find many of the recipes suitable to my
palette. But, for those of you who like onions, peppers, vinaigrettes, and feta
cheese you’ll be pleased. Not that every recipe has those ingredients. I’m just
letting you know how truly picky of an eater I am.
Each chapter has a
QR code that links you to her website for additional weight loss and coaching
tips, which I found uber-cool and helpful.
Is it my favorite
faith-based book on eating? No. But I was impressed with the  scriptures and enjoyed reading her own
personal experiences.  The chapter set up
is truly unique and it’s worth a read!
Visit Sheri at
Bible Life Coaching
Best-selling
Author, Speaker, Teacher, Humorist 

Sheri
Rose has a very refreshing way of bringing the Word of God to life. She knows
how to renew the Eternal Hope in our hearts. Her speaking style is humorous,
heartwarming and inspires every one to make their life count for eternity.

Sheri
Rose is a woman who can relate to almost any woman’s battle. This former Mrs.
United States grew up in a dysfunctional home and was severely overweight as a
teen. As a young woman, she battled depression and an eating disorder. She
understands the pain that comes from a broken home and she knows what it means
to fight for freedom from your past. In spite of an English teacher telling her
she was “born to lose” and a learning disorder–Dyslexia–Sheri Rose
has (in God’s strength) written best-selling books, founded His Princess
Ministries and speaks to tens of thousands each year at churches and women’s
conferences like the Extraordinary Women Tour.

Her Joy
for the Lord, humorous heart-warming stories mixed with truth and transparency
renews our Faith by reminding us how much we are truly loved and adored by our
Father in heaven. Once you heard Sheri Rose speak you will never again doubt
that you are…”God’s Chosen Princess”… here for a divine purpose!

She
lives in Southern California with her husband of 22 years and their daughter.

How many books (ballpark figure) would you say you’ve read on healthy eating? How many of those were faith-based books? 



*I appreciate Tyndale House for letting me review this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Must Meet Monday: Donna Pyle

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I met Donna Pyle at the Writing for the Soul Conference this past February. Donna’s one of those people you feel like you’ve known forever.

Donna’s story is amazing. She gave her testimony on Jennifer Slattery’s blog last week. Click here to read it. Donna and I still keep in touch daily by facebook, twitters, or texts. I’m thrilled she’s here today.  Let me tell you a little about my favorite Texan and her ministry.

Donna is a soul-stirring, engaging speaker, author, Bible teacher and worship leader, who has a passion for studying and teaching God’s Word. Her clear, down-to-earth messages encourage women of all ages to passionately love, serve and live for Jesus Christ.
Donna has authored 17 Bible studies, is currently writing her first book, and also preparing to tape her first DVD-based Bible study series before a live audience. She attends Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX where she serves in the worship ministry. Donna enjoys traveling, reading, singing, and driving her cats crazy with feather toys.
Donna, you know cats terrify me! Tell us a little about the book you’re currently writing?



      
taken from Donna’s website

 I’m so excited about it!  “Living Water for a Parched    Soul” provides a roadmap on how to journey from spiritual dehydration toward a life fully hydrated by Christ.

I’m excited about it too. To know Donna is to truly see a hydrated life. Since you write non-fiction, how do you plan and where do you write?

Most of my serious writing is done at the desk in my study, but I also write wherever I land – park bench, home dining table, local coffee shop – you name it! Since I frequently travel to speak, I find that plane rides provide the perfect escape from electronic distractions to get some writing done. J

Since I write non-fiction and don’t have characters to develop, I actually name the book’s chapters first and tie key Scripture passages to each. Those few words trigger the progressive journey toward the goal and it just rolls right along!
What’s a typical writing day look like for you?
Each day starts out with quiet time in the Word. That focuses my heart and mind for the day ahead. I block out time each day to write based on that day’s schedule. Unfortunately, there’s normally not a “typical” day, but when it’s all said and done, there’s something new on paper!
Tell us what else you have in the works besides your book?
I’m currently writing the study guide that will accompany my upcoming DVD-based Bible study series on the armor of God is an exciting adventure into Ephesians 6:10-18 as we unpack each piece of armor and the protection they provide to us. If you’re in the Tomball, Texas area on May 6-7, 2011, join us at Salem Lutheran Church for the live taping. I would SO love to see you there, ladies!
I would love to come and be a part of that! I need to see how far away that is from me. I’m all about a road trip. Donna, you’re a busy woman in the kingdom. Share with us why you wrote Living Water for a Parched Soul.
This topic is close to my heart. Since I didn’t grow up in the church or have a relationship with Christ, I know what it feels like to be spiritually parched. I was drowning in the world’s well until someone introduced me to Christ at age 23. Now 20 years later, I am blessed beyond measure to live a life fully hydrated and tethered to Him. Even through heartbreaking, unexpected divorce, God’s wellspring of life fostered true forgiveness and restoration in my life. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But I believe that the lessons learned along my journey will provide hope and draw readers to the only One who can satiate us: Jesus.
When you aren’t writing, what do you like to do?
I love music and am passionate about worship, so it is such a joy to be very active in my church’s worship ministry. Music has always been a part of my life, so to use those gifts to praise God is just the best thing on the planet!
We all want to convey a message to our readers. What would you like for them to take away from your book?
I’d love for them to walk away knowing without a doubt that no matter what storm hits their life or the desert seasons that descend on us, Jesus is the canteen that never runs dry. He will always provide the hydration we need when we keep our face plastered on Him.
I think that’s amazing and so are you, Donna. Even if you do have cats! 🙂 Tell everyone how they can connect with you and read your inspiring and encouraging blog.
I’d love to meet as many readers as I possibly can!  Visit my website, Artesian Ministries.  Click here to visit my blog. Connect with me on Facebook, as well as Twitter. Stop by and say “hi!”
Donna is represented by Rachelle Gardner. Click here to read Rachelle’s blog!

Donna, thanks so much for popping in and sharing your heart. Can’t wait until your book is published and you can come back and share some more of your journey, as well as give a book away!


Question: What bible study/studies have you done that have been life-changing?

Must Read Monday: Gray Matter (I’m giving away a copy!)

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

“The role of prayer in health care is itself a gray matter.”

Dr. David Levy tells his story through the pen of Joel Kilpatrick.

Dr. Levy didn’t start out knowing he wanted to be a neurosurgeon. He started out as a mechanic. He was good at fixing machines, and what machine is as beautiful and complex as the human brain?

He excelled through his classes, the typical overachiever, and was glorified by peers and colleagues. But something changed in Dr. Levy. That “something” was a Someone. God.

So…what if he brought prayer into health care? He grappled with the idea. What if he was rejected? Belittled? Humiliated? Yet he took the chance and started what he knew God wanted him to do–asking patients if he could pray with them before surgeries.

This book describes not only his procedures, which are explained easily for gals like me to understand and are incredibly fascinating, but it details the outcomes physically and spiritually.

Some physical symptoms experienced by patients had no medical cure –but the spiritual cure was forgiveness. Bitterness, hate, and resentment, doesn’t just effect the mind but the heart. These emotions can cause physical ailments and debilitating symptoms. Some of Dr. Levy’s stories are his experiences helping patients find Jesus and experience forgiveness as well as helping lead them to forgive others. It was beautiful!

Don’t expect every single procedure to be miraculous in this book–not all were– and I like that. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but what God did in the lives of the patients, families, and Dr. Levy are remarkable. No, not everyone verbally showed that they’d been moved by God, but that’s real life. We don’t always know how we touch others through simple prayers or our behaviors that reflect Christ.

If you question how effective prayer is, read this book. If you’re interested in amazing, complex neurosurgery, read this book, or if you simply need uplifted, encouraged, and hope–read this book. Thanks, Tyndale for giving me this book complimentary for review purposes!

For a limited time, it’s FREE on kindle! Click HERE to get it!
If you don’t have a kindle or just want the feel of a book in your hand, I’m giving away a copy of Gray Matter!
To enter: Answer the following question in the comments section below. “What kind of doctor would you be and why?” You have until Tuesday evening to enter into the random drawing. I will post the winner on Friday.