Girl, Wash Your Face

Sometimes as women we need that emotional cheerleader in our life that takes whatever we are going through to take us by the hand and give us that much needed talk to stop feeling sorry for whatever you're going through and get moving forward. Yet all too often we fall for the lies our own self is telling us. Lies that we aren't a good enough mom, while others around us seem to breeze through motherhood without a care in the world. Lies that all of our dreams will remain just that, dreams of a life we never got around to living. Lies that we are not good enough, when God cared enough to make us the fine women we are today. Don't you need someone to give you that honest talk to shake you out of your pity party of one and get moving on with your life with a better outlook for tomorrow.

Enter Rachel Hollis, who I think resembles Anna Kendrick quite a bit and who always seems to have it together and never seems to have a bad day, a bad month or even a bad year. Yet as women that is how we constantly compare ourselves to others around us instead of comparing our yesterday person to our today person. Why do we do that? In her book, Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel gets brutally honest, like your best friend would and holds nothing back to get you through the lies she faced and quite honestly like most of the lies all women believe. It is a cry along with her book as she faces adoption struggles, laugh with her when she shares the most incredible stories of her own life and gives you a transparent look at how she can appear to have it all together on the outside and is barely holding it all together on the inside.

She is the one friend I think all of dream of having. She is the person who would come cry with you while your enduring one of life's most challenging struggles, like losing her brother to suicide and then helping you back on your feet to show you that you don't have to stay in that place, and you can use what you're going through to make you stronger. She is such a wonder to listen to and trust me, all of us women NEED this book. I found so many great take away's that I believe I'm going to have to buy another one so I can have a pristine copy, while this one is my reference source to run to when I need a quick pick me up. For me, this book is a much needed book for all women both young and old and why I feel it is beyond worthy of 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel Hollis, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

You can find https://www.facebook.com/TheChicSite/Rachel Hollis on Facebook to stay up to date with all her wonderful projects.

Same Kind of Different As Me - FREE Movie Ticket Giveaway!

A simple act of kindness can change everything.

In the upcoming movie slated to hit theaters on October 20th, this is a movie you won't want to miss. Long gone are those "cheesy" Christian movies most of us have seen in the past, and this one will be one that will undoubtedly provoke a change in your own life if not in your own heart. Based on the New York Time's Best Selling book by the same name, this is a movie that will live in your heart long after the credits roll.

An all-star cast featuring Greg Kinnear, Renee Zellweger, Jon Voight and Djimon Hounsou, viewers are taken into the lives of Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear) who is an international art dealer that seems to be too busy for his wife, Deborah (Renee Zellweger) and that places a strain on their marriage. She spends her time, caring for the kids and house, managing things so life is easy for Ron, even managing to find time to volunteer at the inner city rescue mission where she meets Denver, a homeless man, she has dreams about. The Hall's literally have more money than they need, and what they need is some help with their troubled marriage. She feels that she must find a way to befriend this man because he holds the answers to her problem with Ron somehow.

As arguments grow more heated between Ron and Deborah, she learns of Ron's unfaithfulness she gives him the ultimatum to leave. She will only allow him to stay if he spends some time doing something other than taking care of himself and thus the challenge to help Denver out, even if it means the possibility of losing his status with the elite people in his life. If he can accomplish that task, Deborah will consider making a go of their marriage again, but perhaps more than just the marriage will be saved in the end. Denver's motto: "Nobody can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody" is the theme of this incredible movie.

Now for the best amazing part. Thanks to the generosity of Pure Flix Entertainment and Lev3L Digital, I am giving away 2 movie ticket codes in time to see this incredible movie. Here is all you need to do to enter the giveaway.

1. Use your social media expertise to generate some interest in this film. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, you name it. The more you share, the greater the chances of winning a pair of these tickets. Each time you post, grab that link and share it back here under the comments window. Enter as many times as you want, post every day from now until the release date. Just make sure to come back here and post those links so we can track the response of your social media campaign.

2. Winner's must be in the US only at this time.

3. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a pair of tickets to see this and who you plan on taking. You will receive the codes before the release date and the codes can only be used for this film. You will have some time to view it if you can't make it on October 20th.

4. Provide an email address in the comments section below. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols if you wish. Without an email address, I have no way of contacting you if you're the lucky winner.

You can even get pictures, trailers, ticket information and details from the film's website, Same Kind of Different as Me. 

Same Kind of Different As Me by Pure Flix Entertainment and Paramount Studios.

You can find more incredible information about the movie on the movie's Facebook as well. 
 

All Saints - Movie Ticket Giveaway

From the makers of films like Miracles From Heaven and the War Room,  Provident Films and Sony Affirm Pictures once again has created what I believe will be another life changing movie. All Saints is coming soon to a theater near you on August 25th and with it the chance to win a pair of movie tickets to go see the film in theaters. All Saints is a movie based on true life events and takes a pastor, Michael Spurlock played by John Corbett who is sent to a small town to close the All Saints church due to low or what some might say is poor attendance. There are only 12 current members attending. Using his prior sales experience Michael is given inspiration to try one more time to see what he can do to generate interest in the church.

With the arrival of a group of Burmese refugees who understand the power of faith, they help inspire Michael to give God a chance to revive the church again. He is reminded that when Jesus started the church on earth, he began with just 12 people too and yet He did alright. Coupled with the faith and hope of those who can see God's hand in making use of their talents, from beginning a farm based on the great soil surrounding the church, and being reminded that we all have a purpose to serve by being created. Kind of like Matthew West's song, Do Something. Sometimes we all wait around in this world hoping for a better world and hoping that it will come about without us having to lift a finger. What if God's purpose is for us all to contribute while we still have breath in our lungs. That is what Pastor Spurlock will face when he struggles to understand his purpose by being assigned to save this church.

After all, what will happen if the church closes? Then what will those who attended do? Makes you consider what might happen if that very thing happened even within the doors of our own church, because we have come to expect that others will step up so we can have a place to worship. What happens when those around you go hungry and there isn't resources to feed them. Pastor Spurlock believes God has called him to do just that. To not only save the church, but to feed the people both the come to All Saints but even those in the community in hopes that a small spark will ignite into a flaming fire of redemption and restoration. From a seed of faith, grows hope!

I received this giveaway promotion compliments of Sony Affirm Pictures and LEV3L Digital. As a Featured Contributor of Sony’s ALL SAINTS Influencer Program, I received the value of two movie tickets in exchange for an honest review on my blog. The giveaway winner will receive a Fandago code to purchase two tickets FREE to see it on the night of your choice. It's simple and I've done it in the past! The giveaway codes will be received in time to see the movie, so you won't miss out. What I need your participate in is to help spread the word about this movie. So often as Christians, we look for great entertainment for the entire family in light of what is currently being shown in movie theaters, so lets remind the world, we want more movies like this one!

So please visit all the resource sites below to copy and share banners and movie clips and trailers like the ones features in this post. Use your social media sites to help spread the word. For each share, simply copy and paste your links below in the comment box to be entered to win in this giveaway. From Facebook, to Pinterest, to Instagram, Snap Chat, Twitter and any other way to can think of, let's join forces as a Christian community and share the good news about this upcoming movie. The giveaway will end on August 18, 2017.

For more information about All Saints, Sony Affirm Pictures, or Provident Films please click on the links below:

All Saints by Sony Affirm Pictures and Provident Films

You can find All Saints on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest about the movie.

Please find some great resources about the film like movie discussion guides, refugee information, and more by visiting All Saint's website.  

A Day at the Beach - Devotional

One of the best places I love to go to gain some peace and perspective is the beach. There is something calming, mesmerizing, and relaxing watching the waves splash along the sand, the saltiness of the breeze and laughter of children. Its a place where we can let go of the stress and just let go of our daily worries. Sadly many people are landlocked and few have actually visited a real beach so these experiences are not commonly shared but often times have lakes or rivers they visit. The experience is relatively the same.

Jedd and Todd Hafer have written a wonderful devotional called A Day at the Beach with daily inspirations to help you relax, reflect and renew yourself. Each devotional carries with it a Bible verse and how we can simply change our attitudes to help reflect the peace that God can provide. So many of the best things in life are willing to wait for us. Perhaps this is God's way of telling us to embrace the anticipation rather than fight it. To surf with the tide rather than swim against it. To let the journey unfold on its own schedule so it can be savored. Good advice for the beach to road trips and for life itself. You can refresh your soul and encounter God even if there isn't an ocean in the picture.

This devotional is filled with a collection of personal accounts, intriguing beach trivia, and even a fable or two. It is geared to help your reading to be as refreshing as a day at the beach, offering soothing waters for your mind and sunshine for your soul. There are devotionals reminding us about the importance of being unplugged, which seems to be common place, that we simply forget about the things and people around us because we are caught up in social media, texting and our smart phones. People seem to use the phrase that they are simply, "too busy to find time to spend with God," but the truth is if we simply set our phones to vibrate, we can let go and find quality time in our days to get things done and enjoy those around us more and spend time with God in our devotionals or Bible reading. These are short and sweet but pack a lot of things to consider and hopefully give the reader a break for all the things that can drive us crazy.

I received A Day at the Beach by Jedd and Todd Hafer compliments of Tyndale House Publishers. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. Some of the topics include, Making the Ordinary Extraordinary, Nothing Ever Happens on "Someday," Ocean Baptism, A Sail With Attitude, The Throwaway Ritual, Uses for Sand, Thanks for Nothing and so many more. There are 70 devotions tucked inside a beautiful orange soft cover that is so cool to tuck away into your purse or beach bag. This would make the perfect graduation gift or even something to use to have a short Bible devotion the next time you are at the beach or lake. The topics are perfect for discussion to utilize ways to make our days a bit more stress-free and relaxing. I easily give this a 5 out of 5 stars and now have to find a way to get it back from my 18-year-old daughter who took it to a beach birthday party for her Christian friends.

For more information about A Day at the Beach, Jedd and Todd Hafer or where you can pick up a copy of this devotional today, please click on the links below:

A Day at the Beach by Jedd and Todd Hafer

To read more reviews on A Day at the Beach, please visit Tyndale House Publisher's website. 

Life is Better at the Beach

Some of life's best memories are made at the beach: the boat rides and the waterskiing, the smell of saltwater in your hair, those early-morning walks when the beach is quiet. So many memories remain vivid, even after the last laundry load is washed and summer settles into fall. Living and experiencing every moment created lasting memories of the beach. You heard, saw, smelled, tasted, and touched different things every day, and they all combined to form some of your life's best memories.

You may not be able to live at the beach 365 days a year. Your home may be in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania or the cornfields of Wisconsin. You might live in a city amidst skyscrapers and office buildings or in the suburbs of west Michigan. Wherever your home lies, even if it's not by the beach, you can still make and incorporate this ideas and memories into each and even day. That is where "Life is Better At The Beach" by Christina Vinson comes into play. This adorable and whimsical hardcover book is inspiration for living each day like you're at the beach. One of my favorite places to be of all time.

There are 15 Beach Rules and not only are they followed by wonderful beach seascapes but also with a quote or Scripture verse that applicably applies to the beach rule. Such as beach rule # 4, Look for Seashells. "If you have ever looked for seashells by the ocean, you know that the best shells aren't always visible - they're often in the water. And in order to walk home with your hands full of unique sea souvenirs, you need to get wet. Sometimes that may feel like a risk.

Getting wet doesn't always seem appealing. Perhaps it's a rainy day, or maybe you aren't dressed appropriately for the water, or maybe the water is a tad chilly. But to find something good, you need to venture in. Sure, there's a big possibility there won't be any shells when you wade in. But then again, there just might be.

This rings true over and over in life, doesn't it? The biggest opportunities may look a little daunting, whether it's introducing yourself to a new friend, applying for a new job, taking that evening class, or trying to patch up a broken relationship.

Maybe you don't feel qualified, the risk seems too big, or perhaps you're just plain shaking-in-you-flip-flops afraid. It's okay to feel those feelings. But what if giving into your fears means you miss what is perhaps the most beautiful shell you've ever seen? You won't find it scanning the edges of the water or walking on dry land. Getting wet will often feel daunting, but you may emerge with a treasure in the end." (pg 43).

I received Life Is Better At The Beach by Christina Vinson compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a copy of the novel in exchange for my unbiased and personal evaluation. Being born and raised at the beach, my heart is always at peace whenever I hear the ocean call or smell the salty air. Peace inevitably follows. This is such a wonderful way to incorporate all those beach memories into life applications that can make your day a whole lot less stressed and enable you to remember what is important and to keep on creating those memories wherever you are. For me, this book rated a 5 out of 5 stars and I love all the ocean and beach analogies that apply to every single thing in my day.

For more information about Life Is Better At The Beach, Christina Vinson or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Life is Better at the Beach by Christina Vinson

To read more reviews on Life is Better At the Beach, please visit Thomas Nelson Publisher's website.

Once Upon A Time

If you were writing a story about your life up to this point, how would it begin? "Once upon a time," or "a long, long time ago," or "in a faraway land," or "happily ever after?" Just hearing these words offers a sense of excitement and expectation, a sense of anticipation. A story is about to unfold, and those key words tell all we need to know about the kind of story it will be. As we explore ways to see our lives as one grand story, we're going to realize that all the parts - the good parts and the bad, the trouble and the heartache, the disappointment and the discouragements we face - are important to the story, and, as we already know redemption is coming.

In the latest inspiration novel from best selling author Debbie Macomber, Once Upon A Time, she invites readers to take a journey into their own story, the story of their life. Most of us would never think our own story is worth reading much worth sharing, but that is where you are wrong. As Debbie encourages the reader throughout this book to take a look at different parts of our life, back to our favorite part of growing up, our childhood home, room or town; to look at we loved most about growing up, perhaps a family tradition that even now you carry into your own family, or a memorable time in school you have never forgotten. When we look back at the smaller pieces one at a time, she encourages the reader to pick up a journal and begin to write these thoughts down. Maybe it's a place you love to go for some unknown reason, she encourages you to dig deep to understand what the draw might be. Who were the main characters in your own life? Perhaps siblings, relatives, friends or even a stranger has impacted your life so much you will never forget them.

Working her way through the book chapter by chapter much like writing her own books, she encourages the reader to spend some time looking back at their life. It might surprise you to see just how much amazing details and stories you would have to share. This is the point of this book. To encourage you to begin your own story, a legacy, a way to share what impact you have made in this life, the things that are important to you. What about your name? Who picked it out, why, what significance does your name mean? Does that have any impact on the person you are today or what the desires of your heart are?

Debbie works through this novel with the reader as if you're having an intimate conversation with her. From sharing her own stories or stories that have impacted her own life, you feel as if you're on this journey together. I even love the idea of using this book if you're thinking about writing your own book, fiction or not, to help you through the process of putting ideas together on character development or settings. This is also a great book to encourage you to begin journaling your own family stories, perhaps as a basis to interview your grandparents and see what they have to share. Life stories are important. They are important to God.

"Without memory, we'd have to relearn everything every day. Without memory, we'd forget who we are and where we've been. Without memory, we'd lose faith because we'd forget the faithfulness of God." 

I received Once Upon A Time by Debbie Macomber compliments of Howard Books, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This one will forever have a permanent home on my library shelf at home because I plan on referring to it quite a bit. My husband and I are even now chronicling our parents lives so we can keep their stories alive long after that have passed away so we can share them with future generations. This book is an exceptional tool to use for just that purpose and perhaps for creating your own personal legacy. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and gives you insight on just how interesting your own life really and truly is. Perhaps there is even a happily ever after waiting just for you!

For more information about Once Upon a Time, Debbie Macomber or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Once Upon A Time by Debbie Macomber

You can also find Debbie Macomber on Facebook so you don't miss out on any of her latest books.

You can also visit Debbie Macomber at her website by clicking here. 

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books (May 28, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451607792
• ISBN-13: 978-1451607796
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches 

You can find this book at your favorite book retailer in Hardcover and ebook formats.