Thursday, June 30, 2016

Monthly Book Giveaway~ The Heavenly Man~The Remarkable, True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

“There was once a fiddler who played so beautifully that everybody danced. A deaf man who could not hear the music considered them all insane. Those who are with Jesus in suffering hear this music to which other men are deaf. They dance and do not care if they are considered insane.” 
― Richard Wurmbrand

“It is not great men who change the world, but weak men in the hands of a great God.” 
― Brother Yun



For more information about Monthly Book Giveaways, click HERE

One cannot adequately describe the sufferings that the underground Chinese church has endured for the sake of Jesus Christ, nor completely fathom the spiritual life that has sprung from that suffering. Only when we embrace the promises of God through the sharp talons of suffering for His sake, can we know the comfort and joy that follows. 

The Heavenly Man is a testimony of that kind of suffering and of that kind of joy--the joy that sees Jesus Christ and endures hardship and deprivation for the sake of the Gospel. The joy that embraces beauty from ashes and the oil of joy from mourning. The joy that looks beyond what is seen to the unseen. Brother Yun's testimony should be read by every Christian who desires to experience a closer, more intimate walk with the Lord Jesus Christ--because this kind of intimacy is only gained through being identified with our Lord through suffering for His sake. 


For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake . . . 
Philippians 1:29 NKJV

Brief description of The Heavenly Man from CBD (Christian Book Distributors):
You've seen the headlines---government crackdowns on Chinese house churches; mass arrests and human rights violations. . . . Learn how God took a young half-starved boy from Henan Province and enabled him to stand strong on the front lines for Jesus, braving horrific opposition and impossible odds. Life-changing!

To enter the giveaway for a paperback copy of this book, written by Paul Hattaway, please comment below on why you would like to read this book or about one of your favorite examples of a follower of Christ who has endured persecution. A winner will be randomly drawn from the entrants' names one week from today and announced on the blog. 

Other books on this topic that I recommend:
Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand
The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
The Bible or the Axe, by William Levi 
Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan 

China's Book of Martyrs, by Paul Hattaway


You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on EarthInspire Me MondayLiteracy Musing MondaysThe Modest MomWhat Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical HomemakingA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony TuesdayTell His Story, Women With Intention WednesdaysMessy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Thought Provoking ThursdayChristian Mommy Blogger,  Soul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe Weekend BrewCounting My BlessingsThe HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link UpGrace and Truth LinkupFaith Filled FridayTell It To Me TuesdaysSHINE Blog HopA Little R&R WednesdaysTGI Saturdays Blog HopRaRaLinkupWord of God SpeakBooknificent ThursdayLiving Proverbs 31Sharing His Beauty Blog Linkup

Monday, June 20, 2016

Surrender~Piano Solo Book Release




Calling all pianists! With a Joyful Noise has released a new piano solo book for late-intermediate to early-advanced pianists. Whether you are your church's pianist or you simply enjoy learning new music for personal enjoyment and reflection, finding new music books is always a joy. Coming from a church pianist who knows the struggle of finding new offertories, Amanda Tero has taken timeless songs and woven advanced techniques into simple, relaxing settings.

The songs in the piano solo book are commonly known as “invitation songs,” and the messages ring true. Have we laid all on the altar for God to control? Have we acknowledge our need for Christ and turned fully to Him? Have we truly surrendered all to Him? Are we daily seeking to be near Him so that we can say in assurance, “It is well with my soul?” Are we eagerly awaiting His eternal plans for us or do we still cling to that which will one day fade away?

Listen to all of the songs on YouTube.



About the Book
Level: Late-intermediate/Early Advanced
Pages: 37

Buy the Book
Visit www.withajoyfulnoise.com or email Amanda at withajoyfulnoise@gmail.com for more information on purchasing your own copy (digital or print).

About the Arranger
Amanda Tero is a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, currently living and teaching in Mississippi. She has played piano since 1998, studying under Karen Tero, Donna Hopkins, and Shelley Hayes. The Lord has given her opportunities to be involved in accompaniment, congregational playing, hymn-arranging, and recording since 1999.


Connect with Amanda
Facebook: www.facebook.com/withajoyfulnoise


Be sure to hop by the other great blogs that are featuring Surrender on their blogs this month!







Sunday, June 12, 2016

The Sacrifice--A Poem

O Light of Grace
I lift my eyes--
The sacrifice
Lays on the altar stone
Alone
My timid heart 
With trepidation
Kneels before Your love

Remove my doubt
My clinging to
The things of dust
The clay
The heavy things
That weigh--
That weigh me down. 

I raise the knife
And flesh cries NO--

I go
Away and lay it down--the blade
Until my soul hangs heavy
Like a weight  around my neck
Regret will overcome me 
If I turn away 
From this stroke now. 

I place my heart--the dear thing-there upon the stone
The sacrifice lies still 
And in one final movement
Raise the knife and let it fall. 


My eyes are closed
My soul is stripped 
Of breath--

But when 
I tear these orbs away from darkness 
Into the expected sorrow 

I find there
Not the sacrifice I thought
But only grace sufficient
Hushing me with calm 
And offering the balm of hope



What was loss is gain
And in the dying ashes--life--
Not death--
But life
The Lamb of life--
Life fair
Looks back at me 
And laughs with joy. 







You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on EarthInspire Me MondayLiteracy Musing MondaysThe Modest MomWhat Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays,, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every SeasonA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony TuesdayTell His StoryA Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention WednesdaysMessy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology ThursdaysChildren Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking ThursdayCount My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe Weekend BrewBlessing Counters Link PartyThe HomeAcre HopMommy Moments Link UpGrace and Truth LinkupFaith Filled FridayTell It To Me TuesdaysSHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog HopMotivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-UpA Little R&R WednesdaysTGI Saturdays Blog HopTotally Terrific TuesdayRaRaLinkupWord of God SpeakBooknificent ThursdaySo Much At Home Link Up Party


Thursday, June 2, 2016

Monthly Book Giveaway Winner--The Cost of Discipleship

And the Winner of the Monthly Book Giveaway (for a paperback copy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship is ). . . 

Heather (:-)) 

(name was randomly drawn from a coffee mug :-)). 

Please e-mail me your address through the BLOGGER CONTACT FORM (found on the right -hand side of the blog) so that I may send this book to you! 
Winner will be given three days to respond before I randomly select another winner.

Thank you all for participating!  

Blessings in Christ,
Rebekah