Check out this awesome interview with Karol Ladd:

Who are you really…beneath the surface?

Really take a minutes to honestly answer that question.

If everything in your life was peeled away, what kind of person would be left standing? Would you still have confidence in your own abilities? All too often we define ourselves by money, a nice home, cars, beautiful things or how we look. Struggles with insecurity and self-confidence are now daily battles. What is shown on TV only adds to the increasing fire of women never feeling they are “enough” because they fail to recognize that their true identity is found in a much deeper source. Karol Ladd, author and speaker, believes that it is only when women truly understand their purpose and walk with a God-confidence, will they become what they were always created to be.

ith biblical wisdom and an inspiring belief in God’s purpose for each woman, bestselling author Karol Ladd helps readers transform the way they see themselves and how they live out their lives as they discover their value and confidence in God.

Based on the book of Colossians, Karol reveals an exciting path of confident living through God’s love and grace. With this vital perspective shift, a woman will:

• Transform her thinking through powerful prayers
• Cultivate potential by exploring the dreams God gives to her
• Step forward with a strong sense of identity in Christ
• Deepen relationships and communication with others and with God
• Shine with joy and assurance of what she brings to the world

Lasting beauty radiates from the woman whose life is enriched by the unfading love of Christ. Stop yourself from becoming a prisoner of this world, and allow yourself to live with purpose and confidence as you discover A Woman’s Secret to Confident Living.

Karol Ladd is a gifted Bible teacher and a bestselling author. Her more than 20 releases include A Woman’s Passionate Pursuit of God (book and DVD) and The Power of a Positive Woman. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and regularly posts positive messages and videos on her website: www.KarolLadd.com.

Jay and Beth Loecken were an ordinary family searching for meaning in their lives while living the American Dream.  They owned their dream house, drove nice cars, and from the outside seemed to have all they needed.  Yet something kept pulling at them—a stirring, a sense that they were being called to a greater purpose in life.  They couldn’t escape the feeling that there was more to life than the relentless pursuit of material possessions.

In Passion to Action: How God Uses Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways, the Loeckens share the remarkable story of how they rediscovered another dream and how it turned their life upside down and fulfilled them more than they ever thought possible.  It will inspire readers to discover their own passions and put them into action.

In the summer of 2007, the Loeckens headed to Africa on a mission trip with three of their four children.  That trip changed their lives.  When they returned home to their comfortable lifestyle, they all knew they wanted something more.  In April of 2008, the family made the daring decision to sell their home, purchase an RV, and begin traveling the country serving communities in need: crushing cans for a senior center in McCall, Idaho, cleaning used books for a program in Portland, Oregon, and serving meals at the Rescue Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Being in Africa gave us a true and new understanding of what it means to have a sense of community.  The people we met and mingled with for those two weeks really rely on one another.  They work together and share everything and don’t just think about themselves.  They instinctively put others first,” says Jay.  Upon returning home, the family realized that they had abandoned their dreams, so they made a u-turn, deciding to recreate what they had found on the other side of the world: purpose, joy, simplicity, and service.

The Loeckens knew they were not just called to live their dream, but to encourage others to do the same through their Passion to Action ministry.  Their mission is to inspire others, empower them with tools and resources, and mobilize them to put their faith into action.  While reading their story, including excerpts from their children (Ben, Bekah, Abigail, and Noah), readers will witness remarkable courage and see how far God can lead us to places we never imagined.  Their book includes ten challenges for readers to complete on their own, such as identifying their passion, conquering fears, and helping someone who is different than them.

Passion to Action is more than just a story about the Loecken family; it is a movement that encourages action in discovering one’s life passion and beginning to live it.  According to Beth, “There is a God-given dream in each of us.  That dream looks different for every person, but it is definitely there.  For some, perhaps the dream is to write a novel, compete in a marathon, or work with disadvantaged kids.  Deep down, we all have a dream.  But sadly, most people will never act on it.”

To find out more about Passion to Action visit…www.PassionToAction.org!

The Baker’s Wife is one of those books that will attract and pull you into the very forces of evil versus good. This book touched my deepest desires to become more Christ like. In my opinion, the compassion displayed throughout the book every Christian should strive to attain.

Audrey, The Baker’s Wife, has a rare ability to “feel with deep compassion” to the degree of physical pain. She is a woman God uses to bring comfort and healing to hurting and dying individuals. She also faces enormous and insidious evil forces to try and shake her resolve. For in the midst of those forces she boldly proclaims, “For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted.”

In conclusion, we need to ask ourselves the question Diane (another character) asked Audrey, “What I mean is, do you think someone can truly walk a mile in another person’s shoes, or put herself in someone else’s place?”

Read on!

Sandra T.

What is a slightly bad girl anyway? They’re women just like us—well-intentioned yet flawed. Liz Curtis Higgs, author of Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible (WaterBrook Press, September 2007) explains they are “women who love and serve God yet are unwilling to submit fully to God.” Sound like anyone we know?

Higgs continues her exploration of biblical women as well as vignettes of contemporary women in modern-day situations in this third book in her “Bad Girl” series. Her research is impeccable as is her ability as a storyteller. Throughout the book she reveals some of her own flaws and vulnerabilities using personal antidotes. Readers just may see a bit more of themselves in the pages of this book than is comfortable.

The skillful blend of well-researched biblical commentary and modern-day fiction are artfully woven together as Higgs reveals some of the bible’s often overlooked women: Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. None of these women was all-bad. They were simply not perfect. Which means each of them were a lot like each of us!

The subtitle of this book is “Flawed Women Loved by a Flawless God.” Each of these ancient women as well as their contemporary counterparts is pretty bad in this reviewer’s opinion! Yet I found myself unable to fault any of them for what they did because they truly believed at the time they knew what was best. Sarah used and then banished her maidservant. Hagar detested her mistress for the mistreatment she endured at Sarah’s hand.

Rebekah, unable to manipulate her husband, used her influence over her son to draw him into her plan. Leah and Rachel, though sisters, envied and resented each other. The five modern-day women don’t exhibit the most virtuous qualities either! Adultery, manipulation and resentment are alive and thriving today just as they were in ancient times.

I enjoyed reading this book because Higgs provides a historical framework in which the biblical women live out their lives. The contemporary vignettes are readily relatable—if not regarding our own lives, certainly the life of some women we know. Higgs masterfully inserts herself and her own experiences into the pages of this book. I appreciate her willingness to display her own “bad girl” tendencies as they relate to the stories in this book.

Written in the informal language that one reviewer describes as “girlfriend talk,” this book offers a great introduction to five biblical women who are often overlooked. They were good women who had hard lives. They sought meaning and significance, if not for themselves, for their children. They are redeemed, as are we, by a God who loves flawlessly, completely and with the same reckless abandon of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel.

Each chapter ends with a “Good Girl Thoughts Worth Considering” section which is ideal for individual or group study.

Reviewed by: Mary Moss who is the Founder and Owner of Divinely Designed, a ministry fueled by inspiration, imagination and faith. She and her husband of 30 years have two college age children.

Mary believes each person is uniquely and divinely designed for a specific purpose on this earth. Mary is called to create opportunities where people can experience how their stories interconnect with God’s story. She lives this out through writing, sermons and storytelling. Her desire is to encourage, support and uplift others on their journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and their pursuit of their own divine purpose. You can find Mary on the web at Divinely Designed.

Captured immediately by the age old human quandary concerning what is the meaning of life, Craig T. Feigh readdresses this dilemma by asking the question to his Sunday school class, “What is the most important thing you can do in your lifetime?” He states that since life is short (and eternity is a long time), mankind should spend the majority of their efforts concentrating on exactly “where” and “how” they will be spending forever. Feigh states that one cannot “do” the most important thing without “getting” something first. This something is Godly Wisdom as stated in Proverbs 4:7. It is only when we receive God’s Wisdom, can we do the most important thing in life, which is to be sure of going to heaven and not hell.

As proof that American’s doubt their eternal destiny, Feigh references a recent ABC poll where it states that 89% of American’s believe in heaven, yet 66% of them doubt that they will get there physically. Here it is assumed that Americans want to get to heaven, but the majority of them (200 Million) are not sure how to get there. “This is the premise for writing the book,” says Feigh.

Feigh uses the acronym S.U.R.E. to help illustrate the basic premise of Christianity. With accurate biblical references, he states that “S” stand for sin. Like an alcoholic, one must admit to their “disease” before they can be cured. The letter “U” stands for understand. One must understand that they cannot sin without the impending consequences (both temporal and eternal). The “R” stands for repent. The act of humbling oneself in order to be repentant is stressed nicely by Feigh in this section. Unlike other religions (which are mentioned briefly), Christianity is based on faith and not works. The letter “E” stands for enhance. It is the Christian “mission” to enhance the kingdom of God by sharing one’s faith with friends and family.

The introduction of how sin began by describing twelve characteristics of God that are immutable, and how this affects God’s response to any transgression against Him, is a nice touch. So too is Fiegh’s description of Lucifer and his fall. Feigh states that “seduction is the foundation of Satan’s world system and the lie is the cornerstone.” The “lie” is anything that takes mankind away from the saving truth of Jesus Christ as Savior. Ultimately, says Feigh, mankind will either have an allegiance to the “world system” controlled by Satan or to God’s “secret plan” of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Feigh states that when mankind is sure of their salvation they “win” life’s race. This allows each believer to live each day with a more positive attitude. Feigh goes on to address five biblical promises found in the third chapter of Proverbs. Here he uses the acronym T.O. H.I.M. to show God’s way to finding guidance, health, fulfillment, happiness, and intimacy respectfully. Feigh infers that there is no need to see a Psychiatrist when “the Bible is the best self-help book there is.”

As a boy he performed concerts singing old-time hymns with his family and got so famous he’s still known around Iowa as Danny Gospel. But since then, things haven’t worked out quite the way he planned. And now Danny prays for just one thing: a normal, happy life.

What he gets instead is a kiss.

He wakes one morning to a perfectly lovely woman dressed in white who leans down, kisses him on the lips…and then disappears. The next moment, Danny finds himself launched into a quest to find this woman he’s sure is his true love. He is an everyday hero on anything but an everyday journey – dreaming impossible dreams and, no matter how much he must suffer, pursuing romance and heavenly glory.

Two Marriages. Two Secrets. One Last Chance…

Jesse Law: I was one of the biggest names in R&B music. But that can’t match the happiness I’ve found as the lead singer of gospels’ hottest group – and in my wife, Dionne, a fiery revend. Now the one joy that an complete our marriage is my worst betrayal and the truth can cost us everything.

Dionne Law: I couldn’t have been happier when Jesse and I prepared to adopt a baby from a single, unwed mother. But now that I know the real story about “our” son, I don’t know what to do. I’m struggling with the ministry of a lifetime and trying to help our best friends Coleman and Suzette…but my own world is falling apart.

Coleman Hill: Teaming up with Jesse made me a star and a role model. But success made it hard and hard to conceal who I really am. Now my life is turning into a media nightmare – and the tough choices I have to make are leaving me and everyone I care about with no place to hid.

Suzette Hill: Coleman was just what I wanted in man, a caring husband and a devoted father to our children. But when you find out that almost everything you believed in was a lie, how do you pick up the pieces? And is the love that’s left worth saving?

In all the years Joe Esterhouse has served on the board of supervisors for Wardsville, North Carolina, never has a single piece of paper caused so much trouble. But after he reads it aloud at a meeting, this quiet little community will nearly be torn apart.

It’s a simple invitation to complete the long-delayed Gold River Highway project, but behind it are the reek of corruption and the shadow of something even more dangerous. With millions to be gained in land and development deals – and millions to be lost for those in the road’s way –everyone has something at stake.

As neighbor turns on neighbor the weight of the decision falls on the members of the Wardsville board. Their vote will determine the fate of the project and the future of the town. But when someone may have gone as far as a cold-blooded murder, is anyone safe?

As a woman lies unconscious in a hospital bed, her husband waits beside her, urging her to wake up and come home. Between them lies an ocean of fear and the tenuous grip of memories long past. Memories of wonder. Of love. Memories of a girl named Madison and a boy named Paul…

Madison Foster knew she was going blind. But she didn’t want pity – not from her mother, not from her roommate, and especially not from her best friend, Paul – the man she secretly loved.

Paul Tilden knew a good thing when he saw it. And a good thing was his friendship with Maddie Foster. That is, until he started to fall in love.

With the music of the seventies as their soundtrack and its groovy fashions as their scenery, Maddie and Paul were drawn together and driven apart. Then one night changed everything…forever.

And only now, when life tiptoes past the edge of yesterday, along the rim of today, can they glimpse the beauty that awaits them…beyond the night.

Listen in as Takiela interviews Marcy Heidish author of Soul and the City. Marcy shares tips on how different sounds throughout the city can trigger mini prayers with God.