The Good News, the Bad News & the Giveaway (Carol Kent DVD series!)

Hey Friends!

Happy Weekend to you! :)

First my good news...only 5 days until I leave for Turkey. I've shed many a tear as I've been packing, praying, and preparing this week. Only God!

THANK YOU for your sweet notes of encouragement and your many prayers! Your support means more than you know. Thank you! :)

The bad news...I lost my voice. Can you believe it??! How can I teach 8 Bible lessons with no voice. AHHHH! Will you join me in praying I am restored to complete health - and quickly?!

And now the giveaway! Rather than sulk in my discomfort and get all freaked out, I'm trying to think about blessing others! I want to share one of my favorite resources with you!!!

If you've spent any time hanging out here at *She Sparkles*, you know I have a ton of respect for my friend, award winning writer & dynamic communicator, Carol Kent.

Carol's latest book, "Between A Rock and A Grace Place" has been a huge source of strength, encouragement, and inspiration to many women (and men) around the world!

If you haven't read it yet, trust me...you will LOVE it!


Last winter, I had the joy of sitting in with Carol and 20 other amazing, beautiful women, along with the Zondervan team, as Carol taped 6 powerful teachings to correspond with her best-selling book.


Introducing the "Between A Rock And A Grace Place Kit" Woo Hoo!


Here's more...

"Bestselling author Carol Kent teaches this six-session video based study of facing the challenges of life and discovering the last thing you ever expected-the sweet spot of grace.

Join Carol as she teaches the liberating truth that when we are caught between a rock and a hard place, we are given a choice: Will we place ourselves in a posture of humility and complete dependence on God, or will we just “try harder” and stumble over what could be a transforming encounter with grace?

With hope, joy and a sense of humor, Carol Kent will help you and your group see God’s “grace places” in the middle of your worst moments.

Each pack contains one soft cover participant’s guide and one six-session DVD study. Retail: $31.99

Not only are Carol's teachings awesome, the publisher sent a production team to Florida to videotape her son Jason behind the razor wire. Cameo appearances from Jason are featured in each of the six sessions of the small group study. You will find him honest, transparent, humble, and encouraging.

Trust me, you are going to love this series!!! :)

You could go here to order a kit, OR you could enter to win one here....because I have a set to giveaway to you!! Yippee!

To Win my Between A Rock and A Grace Place Giveaway: Leave a comment in the comment section answering this question:

Why would you like to win Carol Kent's Between A Rock and A Grace Place DVD Set & Study Guide??

Extra Entries:

•Follow *She Sparkles*
•Subscribe to *She Sparkles*
•Add my *She Sparkles* button to your blog
•Tweet about this giveaway including a link to this post

Please be sure to leave me a comment to let me know your extra entries.

RULES: Starts today, Saturday, March 10th and ends Tuesday, March 13th at 9 PM. Winner will be posted on my blog during the week of March 14th.

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@gmail.com with the subject "Giveaway".

I'll close with these powerful words shared by Carol (from 1 Peter 4).

"Be encouraged with these words: Friends when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 (MSG)

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. Have a wonderful, grace-filled, weekend!!



P.S. Here's a little promo of the DVD's. See if you can find me too! :)



P.P.S. Carol will be hosting her amazing Speak Up Conference in Grand Rapids, MI again this June. Her conference is AWESOME! I'll also be there teaching 3 different workshops and other fun stuff. I'd love for you to join us!!!

Choosing to See - Meeting Mary Beth Chapman Pt 2

Hey Friends!

How are you??? Are you off to a good week?? :)

I'm feeling much better emotionally after Jake's accident. Thanks for your kind words and prayers!

I've been so excited to tell you about our trip to Nashville. (If you missed Part 1, including my husband's sweet message from Steven Curtis Chapman, recap here)

If you're wondering how I ended up in Nashville last week....

Last spring I taught a lesson from the Lukewarm Church in Revelation 3, particularly on how Jesus came to give sight to the blind.

(In fact, you can even watch it on Youtube - Part 1 starts here)

Anyway, now I am working with RBC Ministries to take these teachings and put them into a DVD/Bible study series (except rather than teach in front of women, I'll be teaching them on site in Turkey).

RBC also wants to include testimonies of women who are living with Red Hot Faith and weave their stories into my teachings.

When I was writing this "eye salve" message last year, I was drawn to Mary Beth Chapman's story. As I was thinking and praying about how Jesus came to give sight to the blind...I kept going back to her powerful book, "Choosing to SEE".


In case you are not familiar with Mary Beth or her story, here's a quick 3 minute recap. (You may want to grab a tissue - powerful!!)



As I was writing the "script" ~ I kept picturing someone "like" Mary Beth to share her story, because clearly Mary Beth Chapman would never be a part of the Bible Study. Her family's schedule is so full with their traveling and all - it'd never work.

Oh me of little faith!


As I sat in the interview, it was such an answer to my prayers. God is so good!

Listening to Mary Beth share her story was amazing. We laughed, we cried, we reflected on God's love and grace and strength in the midst of tragic, heart-wrenching circumstances.

I admire the Chapman's commitment and desire to "do hard" and to continually use their platform to point others to Christ, as well as share their heart for adoption. They are the real deal! :)

I also enjoyed hearing Mary Beth's stories of what she calls "bread crumbs of grace" - little reminders from God that He is with us in the midst of hard circumstances.

Here's Mary Beth...

"I could only see a few feet in front of me. If I could see any farther than that, the journey ahead would be too scary. But He was showing me all that I needed, just a few steps at a time...giving me little glimmers of grace...if I would choose to SEE them." -Choosing to SEE

I cannot wait for you to see the interview we captured last week. God is so good!

How about for you, my dear bloggy friends? Have you ever experienced "bread crumbs of grace" during your journey? Been through a season where you needed God to restore your sight?? I would love to hear from you!

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

P.S. I'm linking up today with Jen and friends at Soli Deo Gloria. Be sure to check out this amazing sisterhood of women! :)

Feeling Fragile

If you are waiting to hear the rest of the story of my trip to Nashville to meet Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman, I promise to continue it soon. Today my heart is heavy with the incidents of last night.

Hey Friends!

Every had one of those days where you feel extremely fragile and like you could start weeping at any moment??

Yep, that's me today. I'm a bit of a mess.

First, you should know, one of the "after effects" of David's accident is that I get really frazzled if John or Jake are late. If my guys aren't on time and I haven't heard from them - I'm convinced it's extremely bad news.

Last weekend, Jake was over 30 minutes past curfew. It was horrible. (Here we are earlier in the night at his Varsity hockey game...)


Thankfully Jake was just running really late and his cell phone was dead and he forgot how his mom freaks out like she does when her guys aren't home.

So this weekend I was confident Jake would be on time. When John and I went to bed and Jake still wasn't home, I was pretty surprised and started to get a bit worked up.

And then the phone rang.

The very good news - Jake is totally ok.

The bad news - While Jake was driving home, he slipped on ice, and slammed into a tree. The air bags went off and Jake completely totalled his truck.

John tried to get a good picture, but it was pretty dark. Note Jake's tire which was thrown off his truck and went rolling into the street.

This mama is pretty shaken up, but I'm thanking God BIG TIME for protecting Jake. ♥

I didn't get much sleep last night as I tossed and turned thinking about what could have happened. (Not good, I know). Thankfully Jake is physically ok today ~ and I knew I had to get my head on straight.

I desperately need to be washed over by God's Word.

As I opened the Scriptures, I began to meditate on one of my favorite verses, Psalm 16:8.


Even though Jake ended up hitting a tree last night (and no longer has a car)...I will not be shaken.

Although I'm leaving for Turkey in 10 days and have knots in my stomach as I take a big leap of faith...I will not be shaken.

Regardless of my feelings, or my circumstances, my health, or my finances...I will not be shaken.

In spite of my full To-Do list, e-mails to return, phone calls to make...I will not be shaken.

The lists could go on and on, couldn't they??

But because I have set the Lord always before me, I will not be shaken. I WILL NOT!

The tests will come, the trials will come, but (with God's help), I will not be shaken!!

Want to know one of my secrets?? I always keep a bracelet on my right hand to remind me of this promise.

Usually the bigger, the chunkier the bracelet, the better. I must remind myself of God's presence and His protection and His sovereignty in the midst of my crazy days.

A chunky bracelet on my right wrist is like a string tied around my pinkie finger reminding me of God's promises, protection and care.

Now, do I always get this right? Of course not! (please do not ask me how many lattes I consumed today!) But in the midst of my mess of a day, I was suddenly filled with gratitude (for Jake's safety & protection) and peace rather than experiencing more fear and anxiety.

What about for you?? What challenges or difficult circumstances are you faced with this week? Please be encouraged! Give your circumstances and feelings to Him, sense His presence and power within you, and then stand tall on His promises and Truth!

And whatever you do, do NOT BE SHAKEN!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! Have a peace-filled, victorious week!

Nashville, Flu Bugs, & a Surprise from the Chapman's

Hey y'all :)

What a crazy week it has been!

First, the flu bug struck again. Which normally wouldn't stress me out so much (well, maybe it would!) - but this week I was headed to Nashville with the RBC's Day of Discovery team to interview Mary Beth Chapman.

One sweet friend sent this note on FB - Apparently I need to stay more in tune with what you're doing. Why are you in Nashville getting to hang out with the Chapmans?!

Here's the story....

You remember how I'm working with RBC on this new Women's Bible Study??

How we're filming in Turkey later this month (13 days - gulp.)?

Well, woven through my different teaching sessions will be personal stories of women who are living Red Hot for Christ.

I can't wait for you to "meet" these women and hear their stories. POWERFUL stuff. I'm in awe of God and the doors He is opening. And so very grateful to serve with the RBC team. Shed many tears this week over God's goodness and grace.

Tuesday the team was scheduled to drive to Nashville to meet Mary Beth Chapman. However, then the flu bug hit. Monday night I had to call the Production Asst and tell her I didn't think I could go. John had a crazy week at work, my Sarah had a bad bug, so I needed to be home.

I was super disappointed, but I desire to walk out my priorities (God. Family. then Ministry)...so went to bed praying and thinking Bummer. BIG BUMMER.

Tuesday morning Sarah was still sick - but so was John. There was no way he could go to work.

At 8:30 AM he said, "You should go. Really. We'll be fine"....so I prayed, made a quick phone call, packed like a crazy woman, and rushed to meet the 9:00 AM departure deadline. Nashville, TN here I come!

(John William Bultema, you are a treasure!)


Wouldn't you know, the next morning I called from Nashville. All 4 kids were sick with the flu. NOOOO! So many people were praying for our family - I could not even believe it.

The bad news - even my dad had caught it.

The good news - he told John to bring all the kids to his house. He'd watch them so John could go to work.

Thanks, Dad - you are a life saver!!!

Meanwhile in Nashville, we had the chance to have lunch with Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman before Mary Beth's interview. I casually shared with Steven my "all 4 kids are sick at home" situation, and he sent this message along to my John...

(I also told him one of our first dates was one of his concerts - you'll hear him reference that too..)




Isn't that so fun?? John smiled big time when he watched it.

To Be Continued tomorrow.....

How has your week been? What is God teaching you?? I would love to hear from you!!!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! Have a fun, life-giving weekend!