Dancing with the Father...

Ever dance with your daddy? I did. He was my first and "bestest" partner. Once a daddy's girl, always...!

But whether or not you were blessed to have a daddy who taught you to dance (or sing or throw a baseball or pray), you'll love Embraced by the Father by Susanne Scheppmann from New Hope Publishers. As the back cover declares, God wants us to "dance through life" in His everlasting arms. And this is the book that will teach you how to do that, face-to-face, toe-to-toe, and step-by-step.

Complete with journaling prompts, reflection questions, inspiring Scriptures, and an in-depth look at various names of God, Embraced by the Father is the perfect love-study for individuals or groups. I highly recommend it! Find out more about Susanne and her excellent resources at http://www.susanneonline.com/

Good morning from Kaitlyn!

Just checking to see if you're all awake!

Seriously, I thought a young (key word!), fresh face might get your attention this morning, and this is our youngest grandchild, hamming it up for the camera.

In honor of Kaitlyn, the first three blog followers to leave a comment (and clear contact info) will receive one of my new books (the Spanish edition of Mothers of the Bible, No Greater Love, or More than Conquerors). Just let me know which one you'd prefer. If you aren't sure, go to my website (www.kathimacias.com) and check them out first.

Blessings!

The Truth that sets us free comes from God

Author and Bible teacher Kathy Howard has compiled one of the most reader-friendly apologetics on Bible Truth imaginable. Whether a skeptic, a seeker, or a new believer, this book will clearly and engagingly answer your questions and steer you onto the right path.

God's Truth Revealed is full of real-life stories that show God's Truth, rather than just tell about it. It also contains questions for reflection, scripture memory and Bible reading plans, a dictionary of "churchy words," and a leader's guide for small-group use.

If you or someone you know could benefit from such a book, order one now at www.KathyHoward.org or www.NewHopePublishers.com.

Don't read this one alone!

Seriously. This is one terrific book, and the third one I've read by James H. Pence, who is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. This guy knows how to hold your interest and keep you on the edge of your seat, heart racing and mind engaged. And the entire time you almost forget that he has courageously tackled a very dicey topic.

From start to finish I was completely caught up in this story, and I can't encourage you enough to consider getting a copy for yourself--unless, of course, you don't like heart-pounding page turners. In that case, look for a novel with a bonnet on the cover. There are plenty of them, I assure you! But there are few Christian novels on the market today with the quality and impact of those by James H. Pence. This one deserves some recognition!

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Cp_27%3AJames%20H.%20Pence&field-author=James%20H.%20Pence&page=1

Words of Comfort...for Times of Loss

Everyone's beloved curmudgeon Cec Murphey (along with Liz Allison) has done it again--opened up his overflowing heart and poured out his love, his loss, his laughter, and his blessings to all of us.

Out of his own pain, Cec has willingly shared the myriad emotions he experienced in his own trials, even as he offers us hope for healing and comfort in the process.

This lovely gift book, Words of Comfort for Times of Loss by Cecil Murphey and Liz Allison, is one of the best investments you'll ever make. Buy one for yourself, but also buy a couple of extras to keep on hand for a future time when someone you know experiences a loss and needs a little comfort.

Moving from Fear to Freedom

If you're looking for a great book for individual or group study, Moving from Fear to Freedom by Grace Fox is one of the best. This excellent author will help you go beneath the surface to find the freedom that God has for you...if you'll just take that first step and follow along. You can order a copy and/or learn more about the book and the author by checking out Grace's website at www.gracefox.com. Blessings!

Another new video trailer!

Book two of my Extreme Devotion fiction series, More than Conquerors, will release simultaneously with book one, No Greater Love, on April 5. The video trailer is now up for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em2dX2XDKjA. Please take a moment to view it and leave a comment, will you? And then pass the word! Thanks so much.

When You Don't Know What to Pray...

I think we'd all admit that there is no shortage of needs to pray for/about, but at times we struggle with just how to do it. What do we say? How do we say it? What's the most effective approach? Are our prayers reaching beyond the ceiling to God's ears, or are they just empty words bouncing back at us and mocking our efforts?

Author and speaker Linda Evans Shepherd has tackled this common topic in her practical yet poignant new book When You Don't Know What to Pray: How to Talk to God About Anything. Because Linda is herself a deeply committed woman of prayer, driven to that place by desperate circumstances and her abiding faith in a merciful God, her words ring true and her advice is solid.

If you and/or someone you know struggle with effective prayer, consider getting a copy of this book for personal study--and get a copy (or two!) for someone else who needs it. Then watch and see what our faithful God will do!

Join me for a "Beyond Me" conference!

For anyone in easy driving distance of Santa Maria, CA, I’ll be leading a "Beyond Me" women’s conference on Saturday, February 27. The cost for entire day is only $15, including lunch, and is open to any women in the area (hosted by Santa Maria Foursquare Church). Here is the website if you’re interested: http://www.santamariafour...square.com/floating3.php Would love to see you there!

Faithbook of Jesus from the Devotional Diva!

A one-year devotional, Faithbook of Jesus offers timeless insights into faith for those who desire to grow daily in their walk with God. Written for twentysomethings by a twentysomething, this book gives real encouragement while providing a direct connection to pop culture and online community. With an honest voice, author Renee Johnson goes into relevant topics, such as body image, fear, balance, relationships, sexuality, and much more. The casual, conversational, time-efficient devotions are designed to make truth real.Faithbook of Jesus is a devotional that will speak to the heart of any twentysomething today.

If you’re searching for encouragement and direction as you strive to own your faith in a faithless culture, Faithbook of Jesus offers timeless insights as you grow daily in your walk with God.

This excellent book is available now for pre-order at http://www.amazon.com/Faithbook-Jesus-Connecting-Daily/dp/1615210253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265036552&sr=1-1. You can also learn more about Renee by stopping by her website at www.devotionaldiva.com, where you can sign up to receive her daily devotionals.