Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms ~ Review

I have had the honor of being on the launch team for a wonderful devotional for all of us Supermom wanna-be's. The e-book devotional is Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms by Katie Hornor and it is now available for Kindle on Amazon in English and Spanish! You can get your copy (English only) for FREE today (Tuesday, December 10, 2013) only. After today, it will be .99 cents December 11-13. The regular price of $4.99 is still a great deal for this 28-day devotional on the Fruit of the Spirit. Once you have your e-book, be sure to get your FREE workbook that is available as a download on Katie's blog, Paradise Praises. Want to know more about the woman behind Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms? Then be sure to read my author interview post to find out more about Katie Hornor.

28-Day Journey

Get ready to be led on an amazing journey through Galatians 5:22-23 with Katie lovingly leading the way! Take a look at what our daily focus will be during our 28-day journey through Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms:

• Days 1-3: Putting on Love 
• Days 4-6: Putting on Joy 
• Days 7-9: Putting on Peace 
• Days 10-12: Putting on Longsuffering 
• Days 13-14: Putting on Gentleness 
• Days 15-17: Putting on Goodness
• Days 18-22: Putting on Faith
• Days 23-25: Putting on Meekness
• Days 26-27: Putting on Temperance
• Day 28: The Whole Fruit

I love how Katie takes her time sharing about the fruit, which allows us to plant the truths of Galatians 5:22-23 deep within our hearts so that we can grow and develop the Fruit of the Spirit within our own personal lives.  

Laying Aside My Supermom Cape

Katie does a terrific job showing us how we can lay aside our Supermom capes...you know, trying to do everything in our own strength...so that we can clothe ourselves with the Fruit of the Spirit. She takes us through the fruit found in Galatians 5:22-23 in just 10 minutes a day. You'll notice as you go through the devotional and workbook study that no one piece of fruit is discussed without mentioning another fruit in conjunction. If you are like me, as you take this journey with Katie, there will be many beautiful, new discoveries made about the Fruit of the Spirit. I love how she uses the analogy of an orange to make her point so clear on the last day. Our Christian life is built on the whole Fruit of the Spirit, and with God's help, we can clothe ourselves with His characteristics as we put on the Fruit of the Spirit instead of trying to do everything in our own strength. It's truly been a new revelation to me that I don't have to master one fruit before moving on to the next - they are all parts of a whole! I don't think God is finished planting this truth deep within my heart. I feel like He is leading me to do a book study of Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms in the new year. Stay tuned friends, and be sure to get your FREE copy of this amazing devotional e-book today and the workbook download, so you'll be ready to join me in the book study next year!


Learning to Put on the Spirit,
Laurie

  

Devotions from the Torah Review & Giveaway!

If you are looking for a series of devotional books that will take you on a beautiful journey through the Torah, then Devotions from Genesis and Devotions from Exodus Part One are what you want! These two devotionals are a part of the wonderful Devotions from the Torah series by Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn, and are available now on Amazon. I have been so blessed to add these two devotionals to my personal library for spiritual growth! I will definitely be on the lookout for the third devotional in this series, Devotions from Exodus Part Two, that is currently in the works.

 

Introduction to Devotions from Genesis

Devotions from Genesis
See for yourself how Genesis, the book of beginnings, is not just ancient history and that the Word of God is still alive and timeless. Nicole Vaughn’s Devotions from Genesis will take you on a journey from the garden of Eden to the courts of Pharaoh in Egypt, allowing you to see your own hurts, struggles, and joys through the lives of patriarchs from Adam to Joseph. You will gain insight into your heart and more importantly, insight into the very heart of God. One day at a time, you will be reminded that you are not alone with these Devotions from Genesis.

Devotions from Genesis is divided into three sections following the Introduction:

1. Genesis 1–11: Discovering the Character of God and Man through the Creation, the Fall, and the Flood
2. Genesis 12–36: Discovering Faith and Obedience through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
3. Genesis 37–50: Discovering the Comings of Christ and Trust in the Midst of Trial through the Life of Joseph

Amazon Price: Paperback $12.59 and Kindle $8.95

 

Introduction to Devotions from Exodus Part One 

Devotions from Exodus Part One
Devotions From Exodus Part One will take you from the bondage of the children of Israel to their freedom. The children of Israel were set free from their bondage in Egypt, and they had to learn how to live in this new freedom. As you study through these first twenty chapters of Exodus, you will see that after God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, he still had to get Egypt out of them. Our deliverance in Christ is no different. God delivers us from the world, but he still has to get the world out of us. We, like the Israelites, are learning to live in this freedom.

Devotions from Exodus Part One is divided into four sections following the Introduction:

1. Moses Meets the I Am (Exodus 1-6)
2. The Plagues (Exodus 7-15:21)
3. Entering the Wilderness (Exodus 15:22-19)
4. The Giving of the Law (Exodus 20:1-26) 

Amazon Price: Paperback $12.59 and Kindle $8.49

My Review of Devotions from Genesis

I received a copy of both books in this devotional series and chose to use Devotions in Genesis first - after all it is the book of beginnings! There are no specific dates to this devotional so feel free to take your time on your journey. Linger in God's Word as you discover Him more deeply through your study of the book of Genesis. Let the truth of the Scriptures sink deep into your heart as Nicole opens your eyes in ways you've never experienced before in this book of beginnings. I would suggest getting a special notebook to go along with Devotions in Genesis so you can write down your thoughts as the Holy Spirit whispers to your heart. Believe me, He will.

Each day I began my devotional time with prayer and asked God to open my eyes to things I had never seen before in Genesis. Next I read the chapter of Genesis that the daily devotional topic was based on. Nicole takes one verse and explains it so that the reader can understand and then she applies it to us today - I was amazed by how wonderfully Nicole weaved the two together! The daily devotional is ended with a heartfelt prayer from Nicole. And believe me, by the time you are done with the daily devotional it becomes your heartfelt prayer too!

There is no way for me to fully explain my personal experience with Devotions from Genesis. You truly have to experience it for yourself. I hope that what I have been able to share with you today will encourage you to get your copy of both of these beautifully written devotionals that are available now on Amazon.

But wait friends...

I have 3 PDF copies of  

Devotions from Genesis and Devotions from Exodus Part One

 as a special giveaway to 3 winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Nicole for making this special giveaway possible! I am so excited to be able to offer this to 3 lucky winners! These two wonderful devotionals will be a blessing to your spiritual life as they have been to mine!

Growing in Christ Together,
Laurie

Meet Katie Hornor, Author of Putting on the Spirit

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been blessed to be part of the launch team for Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms, a wonderful devotional by Katie Hornor. The expected release date for the ebook is December 9. Katie has even made a companion workbook to go along with her devotional!

I thought you would enjoy getting to know a little bit about the woman behind this devotional. It has been such a pleasure working with and getting to know Katie. She really cares about helping busy moms get into the Word of God. I tell you the truth...I have never experienced a 10-minute devotional that has fed my soul like Putting on the Spirit has. I'm looking forward to sharing with you my review of Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms and the companion workbook in just a couple more weeks!

Meet Katie Hornor

Katie is a wife and homeschooling mother of four children. They have been missionaries in Mexico since 2007. You can find Katie blogging at Paradise Praises.

I'm excited to share with you now a recent interview with author Katie Hornor.


What inspired you to write your first book?
I have always loved to write. I was one of those kids who had a gazillion note pads and packs of stationery hoarded away growing up. I have filled countless notebooks and diaries with my thoughts, poems, short stories and writings. I even wrote a letter to President Reagan once (but never mailed it). I always dreamed of becoming a published author, but it wasn't until recently that the digital technology and self publishing options have to made that dream a real possibility. 

At the beginning of 2013 I set several goals for myself including one about a book: I wanted to do the research and preparation this year so that I could publish an ebook in 2014. Well, on March 30th, I actually published on Amazon "Loving You Long Distance", followed by "Divine Design" on May 7th. I am very humbled and grateful that the Lord is blessing me to accomplish this goal of an ebook early and with more than one! 

"Loving You Long Distance" came out right before Easter and is meant to be a help to those families like my own who find holidays painful because of the distance separating us from relatives. We try very hard to keep our family ties strong and we wanted to share those ideas with others who may be wondering how to do it. 

"Divine Design" is a short Bible study that I wrote based on a couple of devotional talks I did for a group of ladies last year. And "Putting on the Spirit" started out as a couple of thoughts in a few blog posts that grew into a full fledged month long Bible Study. I'm SO very excited that the Lord is also giving us the opportunity to have these Bible studies translated into Spanish as well! 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing a book? 
So far the most challenging thing is the Bible studies is to keep a consistent voice and to keep it the same length for each days study. Sometimes there is just SO much... I'm so thankful for those of you who previewed "Putting on the Spirit" and gave such helpful feedback. 

What books have influenced you most? 
As an adult my favorite devotional book of all time is "Streams in the Desert" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. I hope to one day write a one-year devotional as meaningful and timeless as hers. 

Books that have influenced my personal life: Grace for the Good Girl by Emilie P. Freeman and Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. 

Books that have influenced me as a wife: Created to be his helpmeet by Debi Pearl (disclaimer: I don't recommend this for everyone, but God used it greatly in our young marriage), Ribbing Him Rightly by Benneth Peters Jones, and The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John.

Books that have impacted me as a mother: Don't Make me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman, Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick, and Ish by Peter Reynolds (if you haven't read this picture book, you NEED to!)

What did you learn from writing your latest book? 
I'm learning to be patient, that good things take time. I'm also learning that often when God gives us things to share with others, it's because we (I) need the lesson more than anyone else. Be assured that if you write a book, you will be tested over your own content. :) 

What other projects will you be working on in the near future? 
Once Putting on the Spirit launches, I will be concentrating on getting it and Divine Design published in Spanish. I am also working on a Biblical discipleship reference book for parents in Spanish, and the second and third grade levels of our Lemonhass homeschool curriculum for Spanish speakers which is scheduled to release Summer 2014. And of course Paradise Praises blog, and the Educando en el Hogar Spanish blog and bi-weekly radio show are ongoing projects. 

With all of the duties that you juggle, when do you fit in the time to write a book?
The ideas usually come easily, it's fleshing them out that takes time. I am blessed to have a very supportive husband who encourages my writing and willingly critiques what I write. He is my biggest fan and my Hero. Most of my writing is done between the kids' bedtime and midnight :) but occasionally when a big project is needing some attention or approaching a due date, we will arrange a way for me to have a few hours of no-kid quiet or even a day to myself to concentrate on the project. 


Friends, I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Katie a little better. Remember that Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms will be released on December 9 on Amazon.

Don't forget about the celebration GIVEAWAY of 13 books (including Putting on the Spirit: Ten Minute Devotions for Busy Moms) going on until December 8. You can enter to win here.


Until next time,
Laurie

Putting on the Spirit Group Giveaway!

I have been blessed to be a part of the launch team for Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms by author, Katie Hornor. Katie has proven with the writing of this book that it is possible, even with the busy schedules all moms have, to get into the Word of God in as few as ten minutes a day - and to learn and grow from it. I have thoroughly enjoyed using this devotional! It has opened my eyes to things I never realized about the Fruit of the Spirit. I'm writing another blog post of my experience that I'll be sharing with you in December that I hope will inspire you to get your own copy of this amazing book. The expected release date for Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms is December 9.

In the meantime, you have an amazing opportunity today to enter in a giveaway of 13 books that would be great additions to any mom's bookshelf! Included in the line-up is a copy of Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms. I'm so happy to be able to tell you about this wonderful giveaway! Be sure to enter today using the Rafflecopter at the end of this post. 

The Putting on the Spirit Launch Team is excited to help Katie celebrate the release of her new book with a special giveaway of  books that will encourage, equip, and inspire any mom.  One winner will win all of the books listed below (a $120 value), plus 3 more winners will win a digital copy of Putting on the Spirit.

We would like to thank the following friends for their generous sponsorship of this giveaway! Be sure to stop by their websites to say thank you!

Heidi St. John, The Busy Mom
Home School Adventure Co.
Great Waters Press
National Center for Biblical Parenting
Sally Clarkson
PhyllisSather.com
Raising Arrows

Here's what you can win --

Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms eBook by Katie Hornor

Loving You Long Distance eBook by Katie Hornor

Divine Design eBook by Katie Hornor

Purposeful Planning eBook by Phyllis Sather

The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John

Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae

Raising Real Men by Hal & Melanie Young

My Beloved and My Friend (release date of Feb 2014) by Hal & Melanie Young

The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN

Philippians in 28 Weeks by Stacy Farrell

The Wise Woman Literary Analysis Journal Questions by Stacy Farrell

Streams in the Desert eBook by L.B.E. Cowman

The Homemaker's Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule eBook by Amy Roberts


To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. One winner will be selected and announced by noon ET on December 13, 2013. U.S. residents age 18 and older only please. Other Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

In addition to this great giveaway, Katie is offering her book, Loving You Long Distance, free for Kindle for 5 days -- November 19-23. Be sure to click over and grab that one after you enter the giveaway!

What an amazing giveaway in celebration of the release of Putting on the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms! I'm heading over to get my free copy of "Loving You Long Distance" while you enter in this amazing giveaway. Don't forget to go grab your free copy too!

Happy Reading,

Laurie

Devotions from the Torah Group Giveaway!

I am excited to be a part of the launch team for an excellent devotional series, Devotions from the Torah which includes Devotions from Genesis and Devotions from Exodus Part One, from Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn. I'm currently using Devotions from Genesis during my personal morning devotions. Get ready to take a journey, with Nicole gently leading the way, through the book of Genesis like you've never experienced before! I can't wait to tell you all about my experience with Devotions from Genesis. That post is coming in December, but today I have a special giveaway to share with you!

The Devotions from the Torah Launch Team is excited to help Nicole celebrate the release of the first 2 books in this series -- Devotions from Genesis and Devotions from Exodus Part One -- with a special giveaway of incredible books, several of which will enhance your study of the Torah! This giveaway is a $160 value!

We would like to thank the following companies for their generous sponsorship of this giveaway! Be sure to stop by their websites to say thank you!

Home School Adventure Co.
Knowledge Quest
Great Waters Press
PhyllisSather.com

To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. One winner will be selected and announced by noon ET on December 5, 2013. U.S. residents age 18 and older only please. Other Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter.

Here's what you could win!

Devotions from Genesis by Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn
See for yourself how Genesis, the book of beginnings, is not just ancient history and that the Word of God is still alive and timeless. Nicole Vaughn’s Devotions from Genesis will take you on a journey from the garden of Eden to the courts of Pharaoh in Egypt, allowing you to see your own hurts, struggles, and joys through the lives of patriarchs from Adam to Joseph. You will gain insight into your heart and more importantly, insight into the very heart of God. One day at a time, you will be reminded that you are not alone with these Devotions from Genesis.

Devotions from Exodus Part One by Nicole Halbrooks Vaughn
Devotions From Exodus Part One will take you from the bondage of the children of Israel to their freedom. The children of Israel were set free from their bondage in Egypt, and they had to learn how to live in this new freedom. As you study through these first twenty chapters of Exodus, you will see that after God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, he still had to get Egypt out of them. Our deliverance in Christ is no different. God delivers us from the world, but he still has to get the world out of us. We, like the Israelites, are learning to live in this freedom.

Philosophy Adventure: Pre-Socratics (digital download) by Stacy Farrell
Philosophy Adventure™ is designed to help students 6th-12th grade cultivate and defend a biblical worldview by teaching them how to write skillfully, think critically, and speak articulately as they explore the history of ideas.

Philippians in 28 Weeks (digital download) by Stacy Farrell

The Bible is banned in many countries. Countless believers have sacrificed their freedom—and many, their lives—to spread the message of God’s love and salvation contained within its pages. Are we exercising our freedom responsibly. Memorize the entire book of Philippians in 28 weeks!

A Child's Geography: Explore the Holy Land by Ann Voskamp
Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey...your family probably hears or reads about these names frequently. In an increasingly complex world, it is vitally important that children learn to see the world through their Creator's eyes. As we explore the Holy Land you and your family will delight in incredible, mysterious landscapes, hidden wonders and beautiful peoples - all created in God's image.

A Cry from Egypt by Hope Auer

Have you ever wondered what life was like in ancient Egypt? As an Israelite? And a slave? Want your children to understand the Bible is history? Adventure, excitement, love, and faith come together when Jarah and her family find themselves at the culmination of four hundred years of history.

Purposeful Planning eBook by Phyllis Sather
Do you need a plan to keep your family moving in the direction the Lord is leading you? Perhaps you don’t know where the Lord is leading you. Phyllis takes you step-by-step through the process of planning a time together for your family to help determine the path the Lord is choosing for each area of your life. Her family has followed this format for over 12 years and has found that it provides the compass they’ve needed to plan and stay on course.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

These books sound amazing, right! All of them are definitely on my reading list. Have fun getting in on the celebration with the giveaway!


Blessings,
Laurie