Jesus Lives by Sarah Young ~ Book Review and GIVEAWAY! :)

Hello friends! :)

I am so excited for today's Book Review and Giveaway!

You may remember, I shared that my favorite book of 2009 was Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Imagine my delight when I was asked by Thomas Nelson Publishers to review Sarah Young's newest book Jesus Lives! Woo Hoo!! :)

If you are familiar with Jesus Calling, Jesus Lives! is very similar. It's a cute little devotional book packed full of powerful Truth!

In this book, author Sarah Young provides 180 topical devotionals (including trust, love, peace, victory, and brokenness). Her writing is taken straight from Scripture, and it as if Jesus is talking specifically to the reader...full of much grace and truth! :)

In her introduction, Sarah reminds us that "we followers of Jesus face a glorious challenge every single day to trust in His love regardless of our circumstances....We must search for and "see" His love in the moments of our lives". I immediately knew this was a book I could relate to! :)

As always, I enjoy Sarah's writing. You can tell that she spent abundant time in prayer and fellowship with the Lord as she was writing this book. I found the topics to be inspiring and helpful, and I appreciated that Sarah included the whole scripture with each mini-devotional (rather than just the scripture address, as in Jesus Calling).

I wanted to love this book and have it be my new favorite ~ instead I will say that it is "really good". (Jesus Calling is still at the very top of my list!) Overall, I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. :)

If you've finished Jesus Calling and desire more of Sarah's writings, I definitely think Jesus Lives! is a perfect "Part 2". Sarah's insights are deep and profound, while at the same time, quick enough to pick up and read when time is short (esp. for busy women!).

Jesus Lives! would also make a great gift for anyone you know desiring to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Most of my friends are reading and loving Jesus Calling, so Jesus Lives! is perfect for them ~ I've already bought some and shared! :)

And because I love my passing along great books to my readers ~ I purchased a copy of Jesus Lives! to giveaway to one blessed blog friend as well!

To Win my Giveaway: Leave a comment in the comment section answering this question:

What is your current favorite book of 2010??

RULES: Starts today, Friday, February 26th and ends Tuesday, March 2nd at 9 PM. Winner will be posted on my blog on Wednesday, March 3rd.

If your email address is not connected to your ID, please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at cindy.bultema@comcast.net with the subject "Giveaway".

I can't wait to hear from you!! Have a GREAT weekend!!

Thanks for stopping by * She Sparkles*! God's richest blessings to you! :)

P.S. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received my copy of the book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thankful Thursday ~ Blessed in the Mess

Hello dear Friends!

It's Thankful Thursday and Iris from Grace Alone is our host! :)

I'll be honest ~ I am intentionally choosing "gratitude" today. It's been a long week filled with sickness, challenges, struggles, long to-do lists, cancelled appointments (due to sick kids), and more!

But today, I will choose gratitude. I will choose joy. I will thank God for the new load of laundry. I will thank God that my son made it to the bucket rather than the carpet. I will choose peace in the midst of our chaos. I have a choice....and I choose to thank Him! :)

I've been sitting on the couch watching Olympics with my sick little guy, naming my blessings one by one. So many. Not doubt about it ~ even in the midst of our struggles ~ I am blessed.

Here is my Top 5 Thankful Thursday list for today....

1. My Family ~ John, Jake, Benj, Manda & Sarah


What would I do without my gang?! :) Boy do they fill my life with JOY! :)
2. Magnificent Monday Bible Study ~

I shared last week that our new Winter Bible study is AMAZING!! God has put such a special love in my heart for each and every woman that attends on Monday nights (all 90+)! They are committed to "do the thing" and not just show up at a social gathering for snacks and giggles.

These women inspire me, teach me, make me laugh, make me cry. Monday's are a highlight of my week! To give you a glimpse...here is a sweet note I received just this week....

... Cindy, once again you have picked a study that is pushing me to look at myself in the light of God's truth and it's forcing me out of some comfortable but destructive places.

I have so much respect for you and I want you to know that whenever I look at you on Monday night the prayer in my heart is that someday I will be as free as you are.

That someday I will finally know deep in my heart who I really am in Christ and be able to live out of that....

See what I mean?? God is doing a powerful work in our midst, and I'm so grateful to watch Him in action! :)

3. My 40th Birthday is coming....

And you know me, I love to celebrate!! My dear friends Nick and Julie came over last night to go the party plan rolling!!

Mark your calendars....May 8, 2010 ~ fun! fun! fun! :)

Want to guess what we'll be doing for my 40th Birthday???? (And I'm so thankful for my mom to be willing to underwrite the cost ~ you are so generous, Mom!! :) )

4. My dear Mentor ~ Mary Swierenga

For years and years I prayed very specifically that God would bring a Godly mentor into my life. God is so faithful ~ over the years, not only did He supply me one ~ He has blessed me with MANY! :)

God has brought leadership mentors, mom mentors, mentors in prayer and marriage and public speaking into my life. And then, a few years ago, the Lord graciously introduced me to Mary Swierenga. Although we go to different churches, our paths crossed. Mary is an amazing, seasoned Bible teacher, prayer warrior, and woman of the Lord. I cherish our times together. Here we are studying in her office last week...

Mary always reminds me to point others to the Scripture "since the power is in the Word!" ("Give 'em the meat, Cindy" ~ she always says!) I am so thankful for her presence and mentoring in my life!

5. My kids' school ~ Grand Rapids Christian Schools

John and I prayed and prayed for the right teachers for our kids. This week we had conferences for our 3 youngest. Boy are we blessed! Each teacher is the exact right fit for our kids' unique personalities. Thank you Mrs. Minnema, Ms. Rozendal, and Mrs. Malefyt. We thank God for you! :)

And our son Jake is having a fabulous year at the high school. We are so grateful! :)

Whew!! I'm feeling better already! Isn't gratitude a beautiful thing?! :)

I also am thankful for my parents, in-laws, and friends for all of their help this week. Wouldn't have made it without the extra support! Thank you so very much!!

What about for you?? On this Thankful Thursday, what are you thankful for today?? I'd love to hear from you!!

Many blessings to you!



P.S. Be sure to stop by tomorrow ~ I have a new great book GIVEAWAY! I'll give you a clue...it's written by the author of my favorite book of 2009.

Caffeinated Randomness: The joys of being a Hockey Mom! :)

Hello dear Bloggy friends! Happy Friday to you! :)

My mini van is stocked with gatorade, mini hockey sticks, Diet coke, and Cheez its ~ and in less than an hour, I'll be on the road! To a hockey rink, of course!

My little guy Benj is playing in a hockey tournament this weekend at Ferris State University. He has a game this afternoon, 2 games tomorrow, and the championship game will be on Sunday morning! Woo Hoo!! :)

Plus...tonight we have tickets to go to the Ferris vs. Michigan State (my alma mater) hockey game. Benj and I are both huge MSU fans ~ so this will be a real treat! And don't worry, I already have my MSU sweatshirt and tattoos packed and ready to go!!

The only sad part is that John and the other 3 kids will be staying around town this weekend. Our older son Jake (another hockey player) has a game tonight and tomorrow night too. I'm sad to miss being there to cheer him on as goalie! :( But I rarely get an opportunity like this to be just with Benj! (Thank you Jake for understanding!!)

And since this is a "Caffeinated Randomness" post ~ here's one more quick update! I can't wait to share more about our new Magnificent Monday Bible Study! We have nearly 100 of the most enthusiastic, beautiful, fun attending ~ and I am having a BLAST!

As many of you know, I am PASSIONATE about teaching on the renewing of our mind! My life has been transformed because my mind has been transformed! I love sharing the miracle of God has done in my life (recap here).

And to watch these women already growing in Truth and freedom is AWESOME! Can't tell you more about it next week!

But for now...I need to make a quick Starbucks run before I head north for the weekend. The sun is shining, my music is packed, and my spirit is light!! Yippee!!

What about for you?? Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend?? I'd love to hear from you!!!

Have a GREAT weekend filled with much love, joy, and celebration!!!

P.S. For more Friday Caffeinated Randomness Fun, head on over to Under Grace Over Coffee. You'll love Andrea and her fun insights! And better yet, link up and play along!! :)

Kid-Friendly Olympics/Valentine's Celebration Update :)

Hello dear bloggy Friends!! :)

I hope you've had a GREAT week! I once heard someone say,

"Life should not just be lived, it should be CELEBRATED!".

I love it! :) I try to make every day a CELEBRATION ~ for me, my family and our friends! This past week has been no exception!! Here are some fun photo highlights from our recent Celebrations!!

I mentioned last week we were excited for our Let the Games Begin ~ Olympics Celebration (recap here). We had a BLAST!!

Our Olympics Celebration had Winter Olympics color sheets and crafts...


Rice Krispie Treat torches....


And, of course, Olympic~size tacos (you can see some of our party decorations behind the boys in this picture)....

A great time was had by all!! It's not too late to celebrate the Olympics with your family. The evening of closing ceremonies is also a fun time to "mark the moment"! :) What fun! :)

And, then, of course there was Valentine's Day. My favorite holiday of all! (Read more here)

It wouldn't be a holiday without tattoos...

Valentine's Day BINGO....

And My Valentine......

What have you been up to lately?? Have you been enjoying the Olympics?? Did you celebrate Valentine's Day??

I'd love to hear from you!!

Have a SUPER day!! Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*!

God's richest blessings to you!!

P.S. Please know my love for LIFE and CELEBRATING each day comes from my deep desire to experience all that Jesus has for me! :)

This hasn't always been the case...in fact, I didn't come to know Jesus until I was almost 30 years old. If you have questions about faith or wrestle with wondering, "God, where are you??" ~ I'd love to join you on your journey. Please leave me a comment or send me an e-mail. You are not alone! :)