Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church A book review

Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans

Rachel H. Evans shares with her readers the journey she took when church as she knew it growing up became something unknown and unwanted. She reveals her struggles finding what “church” really is. She leads the reader as she discusses the various sacraments of the church – baptism, confession, communion, Holy Orders, confirmation and others. She guides the reader through the steps she took to find what she needs in a church and how it affected her walk with God.

The author, Rachel Held Evans has written several books and is a well known blogger, but this is the first of her writings that I have read. 

“Millennials aren't looking for a hipper Christianity.... We're looking for a truer Christianity, a more authentic Christianity.”

This quote from the beginning of the book (above) says what many feel today about the church. Evans explains how many churches today do not meet the needs of the congregation and do not show the love of Christ to everyone as they should. I believe many people, not only the ones Evans relate to the most, are searching for what the church is supposed to be instead of what it is. They are looking for the Jesus who spent time with the sinners; the ones who others shunned.

The author shares the experiences they had as she and her husband visits various churches in search for what they desire in a place of worship. Each time they grow more and more disheartened as they fail to find what they need. This book gives insight to different types of congregations and doctrines; which church welcomes the lost and those who don't; some of which I can not agree with. The reader is inspired to search his/her own heart and soul to find exactly what it is he/she expects from the church and from Christianity.

If you are searching for Sunday, or what church is once again, then check out this book. I found it difficult to read and understand what I read in some parts, but that may just be me, and have nothing to do with the book itself. This is my honest opinion and the only compensation I received was the book itself.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Magnolia Market Review by Judy Christie

.

Photo from BookLook Bloggers.com

It has been a year since her life changed dramatically. A year since her husband suddenly died. She thought her situation was about to improve when the final steps were taken in her purchase of the classy boutique where she worked. A place she had brought back from ruin. A business that she had put her heart and soul into and loved. But, events happened suddenly that changed Avery Broussard's life forever.  

She is expecting someone else when this tall, dark, and handsome man walks in and immediately grabs her attention. She is unaware of why he is there or who he is until he says he is there to do repairs on the shop. She has no clue what is going on, but wants him gone before the guest she is expecting arrives. This mystery man becomes more and more important in Avery's life as it turns upside down when her mother-in-law, Evangeline arrives and tells her that she is selling the store to someone else. Avery is devastated when she discovers all that the almighty Broussards have planned for her. 

After accidentally running into a store building with her SUV called, Magnolia Market, she discovers exactly how much her life can change in a heartbeat even more than it already has. This event along with learning she has lost the boutique opens doors for Avery that she never dreamed were there. She is given new hope and challenges that enables her to create a new life. Avery's faith is tested and tried, but God prevails in what He wants for her. Her only family consists of her father who is a missionary and lets her know he is praying for her daily. That conversation leads Avery to open her Bible to Jeremiah 29:11. Two words stand out to her hope and future. These two words helps Avery survive during the next adventures she faces. Such an inspiring message!

Read this book to find out what all happens to Avery, and how God brings about blessings from trials and struggles, and how Avery discovers the plans God has to bring hope and a future for her. Avery shows what determination and hard work can bring into her life. She and T.J. work together to build a new futures. There are laughs, hard times, struggles of all kinds in this story. Neither of the main characters find themselves where they ever thought they would be at this time in their lives. 

Experience a great storyline creative writing, and interesting characters. Each character develops the story line and supports the main characters well. I really enjoyed this book and it was an inspiring story to me. I believe it will encourage any reader by showing that just because life has its struggles and hardships, that if we lean on God, He will make a way to bring happiness and new life.

Magnolia Market by Judy Christie is a book I received from BookLook Bloggers to review for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked at the beginning! If you love romantic stories, family feuds, business adventures, helping others, etc., you will like this book. This book contains all of the above and more. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more by Judy Christie.

I was sent this book free to review for BookLook Bloggers. I received no other compensation for review. This review shares my thought and opinions of the book.

Disney Princess Baby Quilt is Finished!

Good morning friends and family! How are you all doing this beautiful morning? It is stormy here at my home, or at least a storm is getting close. LOL We are up early and feeling blessed.

God is so good to me and my family. We are blessed in so many ways, and I am so thankful for what He is doing in my life. He is showing me ways that I can be more of a witness for Him through my blog, and social media. I am not ashamed to say that He is in my heart, and I am His. God sent His only Son to die on the cross for me, yes, little ol' me. I am not worthy of His love, but I don't have to be worthy, and neither do you.

If you will notice, my blog is slowly changing its format from just my quilting, handbags, and other projects to a mixture of that plus book and music reviews. I am doing reviews for Family Christian Bookstore and just became a member of BookLook Bloggers. You will see both badges on my sidebar. I love to read. Always have loved to read. I don't read as much as I did before I started quilting, but I still get in some reading everyday. I thought, why not use my love of reading to review Christian books, Bibles, children's books, music, devotionals and Bible study books? So, I signed up for Family Christian Bloggers on Facebook. Then, a comment on my last post sent me to the lady's blog where I saw that she reviews for BookLook. I looked them up and found that I could do it, too! I have sent for my first book, so be on the lookout for another book review soon. 

I started working on the king sized quilt yesterday. This is going to take awhile, I am afraid. That thing is so heavy!!! I am using some of my Acufil quilt program designs to quilt in each section of the 12 in. blocks. Plus I am stitching in the ditch around each square. This is not necessarily how I wanted to quilt it, but that is what is working for now. I stitched three blocks and around the six blocks in the middle row yesterday. I will stitch designs in the other three blocks when it isn't storming. I will have to work on more than one project at a time during this quilting project. I can't work on it longer than an hour or so at a time. I have another quilt I will be cutting out after pressing the fabric, so that will take care of the need for another project. I can tell you now, I will not be quilting another king sized quilt. I will make the top, but I will send it to be quilted by someone else. This girl's machine isn't large enough to handle many king sized quilts. LOL 

Here is my latest finish. I was asked to make a Disney Princess quilt for a new grand-baby on the way. I found this panel, and I fell in love! I see some things I will do differently next time, but I think it turned out pretty cute. I had planned on delivering it yesterday, but a storm blew in about the time I was ready to leave. I plan to deliver it today, so I'm hoping it isn't storming when I need to leave. 

I hope the baby enjoys it and the grand-mother who ordered it loves it, too. It has a pretty pink backing with a label the same color as the binding (purple). The embroidery on the label has pink thread. 

I will go for now. Stay tuned and hopefully, I will be blogging more in the future than I have in the past. May God bless you and your family.

Hugs,

Teresa