Inspired Design

Inspired Design by Roxanne Hughes Packham and Hannah Packham (Inspired Designs Publications, 2010)

What is Inspired Design?
A book about three aspects of the home and how it's power to touch the souls of those within. Those three aspects are Designing for warmth and beauty to nurture others, meaningful touches and gestures to celebrate and honor your loved ones on special occasions and ordinary days, and lastly that it is not what we have or do not have that blesses others, and changes lives, but how we use what we have. It is about incorporating YOUR family heritage, and your unique gifts, into making a beautiful, family home.

Why did you write Inspired Design with your daughter?
My grandfather (Silversmith Allan Adler) passed this love of design to me, so it just seemed a natural, alongside a book about the design and subsequent use of our homes, infused with family heritage that my daughter who lives along side me take a large part the powerful subject of "the home". I also wanted to create a place where we could initiate, create, and complete a project where my daughter, Hannah, could learn along side me both the practical and the ethical implications of a project this size, where all the profits go to a charity that is dear to our hearts, Heart of Hope Ministries, Intl. I wanted show her an example of using our talents and gifts for the enjoyment of others, while benefiting others, not ourselves. It wasn't to be pious, but just a fun way to give back and truly make a difference while doing something together that we loved!

I know that a mother-daughter ministry, "Inspired 31", has begun along side of Inspired Design, why do you think it has resonated so powerfully?
Especially in this economic climate so many women are more resolute than ever that their families are the most important thing in their lives and their daughters, or close friends, should be celebrated and cherished. Without exception our gatherings (3 so far, in it's first 3 months) have attracted hundreds of mother/daughter/sister/friend combinations wanting to come, for 2 hours, and celebrate what is good, pure, worthy of praise especially each other. Inspired 31's mission is to teach girls (and now even woman of all ages) to find and follow God's unique path for their lives. We have inspiring speakers, and a wonderful positive/uplifting program. We have people inquiring about beginning a chapter in their area, in many cities.

Where can we purchase a copy of Inspired Design? Also, we heard this book is helping orphans and teenage girls as well.
Inspired Design makes a perfect gift with so many ideas for making Christmas, or any holiday, more special with all kinds of thoughtful little details. 100% of the profits go to Heart of Hope, which benefits orphans in Romania, and Inspired 31, a Mother-teenage girl ministry. With each purchase you are helping all kinds of different children.
Please visit my web site at http://inspireddesignpublications.com/.


My thoughts
I would love to be able to pull a room together and have it look as pretty as a picture but I can't! This book, though, has wonderful ideas and great pictures. It would make a very nice "coffee table" book or a nice gift for that hard to buy for person in your life. It's a double bonus that when you purchase the book, you're helping a great cause too!

If you would like the opportunity to win this book, check out the links below to enter random drawings conducted by Christian Speaker Services:

CSS Blog (please see blog posts for details)

CSS Virtual Blog Tour on Facebook (please see EVENTS pages for details)

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host by Inspired Design Publications in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about blog tour management services.

Sun Stand Still

About This Book

If you're not DARING TO BELIEVE GOD for the impossible,
you may be SLEEPING THROUGH
some of the BEST PARTS of your Christian Life.

"This book is not a Snuggie. The words on these pages will not go down like Ambien. I’m not writing to calm or coddle you. With God’s help, I intend to incite a riot in your mind. Trip your breakers and turn out the lights in your favorite hiding places of insecurity and fear. Then flip the switch back on so that God’s truth can illuminate the divine destiny that may have been lying dormant inside you for years.
   In short, I’m out to activate your audacious faith. To inspire you to ask God for the impossible. And in the process, to reconnect you with your God-sized purpose and potential."
    —STEVEN FURTICK, from Sun Stand Still
Steven Furtick is the founder and lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, named by Outreach magazine as one of the top 10 fastest growing churches in the nation. In four years, Elevation has grown to more than 6,000 people in regular attendance in three locations. Steven holds a degree in communication from North Greenville University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Holly, have two young sons—Elijah and Graham—and make their home in the Charlotte area.

For more information:
SunStandStill.org
www.StevenFurtick.com

Thank you WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing for the free review copy of this book.

McShane and His Bucket List

This post is written by my brother-in-law, Mike Davis, about his son (and my nephew), McShane. I think what he says is far better than what I can, so I'll leave it up to him.

Hello,

 

I would first like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season to all.

Now the tough part...McShane has made his bucket list and we are hoping to make a difference if you have time, please forward this letter to as many people as possible you never know who can help out, don't worry about the sensitive information on the bank account. Bank of America is ready.

 

Sincerely,

Michael Davis

My Childs Bucket List

4466 Clipper Cove Destin, Fl. 32541

Phone 850-393-6943

I am are writing this letter on behalf of Michael Shane Paton aka (McShane) as you may already know Since Feb 2009  15 year old McShane  has been dealing with a very bad cancer named Osteosarcoma which is a bone cancer that effects only a few children worldwide a year. After aggressively fighting and with over 20 surgeries, removing tumors, losing his right leg to this awful cancer the doctors at St Jude’s informed McShane and his family that after the 16 month treatment in Memphis the cancer has returned, the experimental drugs did not work and this will be terminal, but they could try more chemo and maybe radiation if he wanted. McShane informed the great doctors there, “that he was not doing anymore chemo and he was going home to have fun”. During this time McShanes’ attitude has been great and he always has a big smile for everyone… all the time. He has insisted on going to school and living life to its fullest, witch brings me to his bucket list. After returning home he wanted to make a list of things he wished to do or have before he goes to heaven. This by far is the hardest thing a family can go through. He is the strongest person I know ,not even a ‘’why me?’’ or “poor me” along the way. He demonstrates daily   what it means to be a survivor and champion, his faith is strong and his spirits’ are good. Even after all of this very hard stuff he gets up with anticipation and hope of what the new day will bring. He has had many days of pain and fear, and at the end of it, the hard truth, that he will probably die from this disease. How much more can the child take? I ask myself. I have seen him hold his head high even when people at the water park stared at him because he lost a limb, scars allover and was different. He has not let this cancer dictate what he can or cannot do. Because of his ability to draw strength from this experience and his real desire to live, I feel like it is my responsibility to provide him with as many of the experiences and wants that we can from his bucket list, with your help that is what we plan to do..  Thank you in advance for all your prayers and support

 Bucket list

1000 dollar visa card for shoes and other items
Cruise to Hawaii and go offshore fishing there!

Golf cart with stereo
Pittsburgh Steelers home game! :)
Ice pilots game
Hemingway’s on Pensacola beach
Go to lee and ricks oyster bar
LSU football game
Xbox 360 the new black one
I-phone 4 with unlimited everything plan from AT&T
Acme oyster house...
         
Love Mcshane

We have founded a nonprofit org. the # N10000007461 you can put this number on your check to help in the giving it’s a tax deductible account at Bank Of America the account # 229037173008 the name of the account is My Childs Bucket List Inc. if you wish to do a wire transfer you can 026009593 then account # 229037173008 the funds will help with the end of life care not to mention his bucket list If needed you can mail or send to My Childs Bucket List 4466 Clipper cove Destin Fl 32541 also attached is a letter from St. Jude’s confirming his unforgettable condition [note from cathy - I have the letter, it's not attached, but I'll gladly email it if you want]. If you have any question or concerns please give us a call at 850-393-6943. 

Sincerely

Michael Davis 

(Posted by Cathy Davis - proud aunt :0). cathys31gifts@gmail.com)

Ramblings of ...me...

I have so much rambling around in my mind but it's so hard to get it all out. Mostly, though, this year has just been tough. In preparing last year to go to India, I was told of various things that would probably happen. I was also told that many people have problems when they return (spiritual warfare). I thought I had escaped the "return home". I returned home; had a great Christmas; spent time with my husband and kids; took some various courses on prayer; life was going well. Then, in March, the bottom fell out and my husband left. Even though it has been 8, almost 9, months, I'm still in shock.

You know how you ask someone "What happened?" and expect she'll know the answer. Well, in this case, I honestly don't know. I can theorize all day long, and I have, but I am not sure he even knows. I changed everything in our marriage when I really started growing in relationship with God and maybe that's just it. I do know that regardless of why, it's happening and it's hard. But ... does anything ever happen without a reason?

In India, one of my friends told me to meditate on Psalm 27. It was "mine". Have you read 27:14? "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" I remember saying.."The only thing I see is 'wait'. I don't wanna wait". Well beloved, I'm learning how to wait on the Lord (and other people). I'm learning to trust in Him, to rely on His promises, to believe in Him.

After all these months, I can see other parts of this beautiful passage. Have you read verses 7 and 8: "Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! [Oh and He has!]  8 You have said, “Seek my face.”My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” [Oh yes I do!]

How about? v4 "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

I wish I could say that I have all the answers and that I have handled this situation beautifully, but I don't and I haven't. I have had much support from my family, coworkers and friends. I know so many people have kept me lifted up in prayer because there have been times when I could barely lift my head off the pillow. I have received a lot of encouragement - so much that I'll never be able to thank you. God has shown me those who are His hands and feet.

Thank you, Abba, for sending Your love and encouragement through people that could only be sent by You. You are truly my Jehovah-Jireh and You have been my Jehovah-Shalom. Thank You for giving me strength to face each day. Any good people have seen in this situation, let them know it was from You. The only thing I ask for is that I continue to seek Your face.

Psalm 27 (ESV)

A Woman and Her Workplace

Handling Workplace Gossip - 

Publisher: Beacon Hill Press
of Kansas City
ISBN-10: 0834125234
ISBN-13: 978-0834125230
Released: September 2010
Paperback: 192 pages
Retail: $14.99 

BOOK SUMMARY:

For most people, the workplace is their home-away-from-home. We spend most of our waking hours with coworkers and employers. No blood relation, but yet we must build healthy relationships with them if we hope to excel at our work and enjoy our careers. Just like families, our work families are disturbed by dysfunctional issues. Interactions at work are often anything but ideal, let alone godly.

We find someone to vent about the grumpy boss, that arrogant team member, the lazy coworker who gets by doing nothing, and the undermining woman who makes our lives miserable. Yes, it’s easy to blame them for our workplace woes—but it’s better to look inward at what we have control to change.

A Woman and Her Workplace shows how God can perform a deep heart transformation within us so His love flows through us to the people in our workplaces. By delving into the issues that wreak havoc on our workplace relationships, author Rosemary Flaaten provides readers the help they need to develop and apply strong biblical principles of humility, integrity, forgiveness, grace, and celebration in the workplace.

Through discussing relationships such as boss to staff, woman to man, woman to woman, and teamwork, Rosemary guides women to develop healthy interactions in their workplaces. It makes sense to invest some effort into the relationships where we spend the lion’s share of our waking hours. This book isn’t just for women, though. Men find the book gives them insight into how to make the best of their working relationships with the opposite sex in their offices.

 

CHAPTERS 

1. Building the Relationship Bridge
2. Pride Vanquished by Humility
3. Deception Defeated by Integrity
4. Anger Diffused by Forgiveness
5. Judgment Dissolved by Grace
6. Envy Rejected by Celebration
7. I'm Part of a Team
8. I'm the Boss
9. I'm NOT the Boss
10. I Work with Him
11. I Work with Her
12. Sharing Your Faith

 

ROSEMARY FLAATEN’S successful book, A Woman and Her Relationships helps women process their outside-of-work relationships, so now she’s delving into these 9-5 relationships. She writes from a fully equipped life-experience toolkit. In it we find her varied work experience, a counseling and educational background, and a deep love for God as well as a passion to help others. Her Relationships book won The Word Guild Award, which is Canada's top Christian literary honor. A dynamic speaker—Rosemary challenges women of all professions to view their work as a calling and their workplaces as opportunities to live out Christ’s love. Rosemary lives with her husband and three children in Calgary, Canada.

My thoughts:
This is a great book for us working women. I find the workplace is my hardest "mission field". Thank you Rosemary!

If you're interested in hosting a blog tour or finding out more information, please contact:

Kathy Carlton Willis Communications
1008 Ben Drive Brenham, TX 77833
WillisWay@aol.com | kcwcomm@att.net | 956-642-6319 | www.kathycarltonwillis.com

If I...I will by Debbie Covington (Guest Post)

Thank you for the post from Debbie Covington. She's the author of the new book "If I...I Will" (info below)

The Lord Closed the Door!

I love this image of the doors*. Presently I am reading the Chronological Bible and loved the reading from Genesis 7 about Noah boarding the ark. It is the story of Noah receiving all his instructions from God about what he is to do. A verse that jumped out at me this time was the verse – Then the Lord closed the door behind them.

How often I've wondered why it seemed like a missed opportunity or a chance just went away. Well, it hit me that God probably closed the door behind me! God took care of Noah and his valuable load on the ark and He takes care of us. Whether He is closing a door or opening the door He is in charge, if we allow Him to open and shut the doors.

Don't you love the image above? Place God in your home, office, or other places today and allow Him to open and close the right doors for you. I love the image of some being opened and others closed—after all, only God knows the right way to open and close the next door in our journey!

Happy openings and closings,

Debbie Covington

Debbie Sutton Covington writes and speaks on women in the church. She is also the founder of Journey of Sisters, a ministry that encourages women in their walk in faith through weekly devotionals, monthly newsletters, and fellowship opportunities. Debbie and her husband Kenny and their dogs live in Shreveport, Louisiana.

About If…I Will

If I…I will: simple words, but do we ever move past the “ifs” in our lives? Do we know in our hearts and minds that God indeed will help us to achieve our dreams and goals? If I…I Will is an insightful look at the healing of the suffering woman in Mark 5 whom Jesus healed. And just like that suffering woman, we must step past our suffering, the words we may hear, our own thoughts, and the crowds around us to reach for Jesus. What if we reach Jesus? Will He change our lives forever? Will He heal us? Yes, indeed! Maybe Jesus won’t follow the way we envision the healing or the change to happen, but faith in Jesus will forever change us. So, step out and reach for Jesus’ hand, and begin the adventure of a lifetime.


Purchase If I…I Will on Amazon.


If I…I Will Virtual Book Tour
November 1 – November 5, 2010
Coordinated by Rachel Randolph at RedCouch PR
November 1
A Room Without Books Is Empty
Latte With Me
Nikole Hahn’s Journal
Of Sound Mind Spirit
November 2
Nikole Hahn’s Journal
November 3
MiscMayzee
What You Reading Now?
All Grown Up?
Books+Beach=Escape
Hope & Despair Mingled Together
November 4
A New Kind of Normal
November 5
Life in Review
Mel’s World
Book Reviews by Molly
Double the Blessings
  
Thank you Red Couch PR and Debbie Covington for the preview copy of the book!


*Thank you to this site for the beautiful picture of the door (which is not what Ms. Debbie had in her post, but I couldn't get the copy of it) http://www.mccullagh.org/photo/1ds-14/weathered-red-door.