Monthly Book Giveaway--The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

For more information about Monthly Book Giveaways, click HERE. 

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

This month's book giveaway is for a book that has deeply spoken to my heart, a book that holds a tremendous message for the church today. The Cost of Discipleship was written by the German pastor/Theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed by hanging under the regime of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. 

If you have never read Bonhoeffer, this book is an excellent way to become acquainted with this man who had a powerful, effective, and beautiful witness for Christ, a man who was not ashamed of the Gospel and who stood upon the Promises with unshakeable confidence in God. 

In an age of "cheap grace," as Bonhoeffer describes it, where the sacrifice of Christ is taken lightly by His church--and Bonhoeffer describes this state of the church in depth in his book--he challenges believers to instead embrace "costly grace," following in Christ's footsteps though the personal sacrifice may be high. 

Quotes from the book:

“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession...Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I pray that this month's book would be a great blessing to someone!

Please enter the giveaway by commenting below on a historic believer who has influenced your walk with the Lord or about why you would like to read this book! A winner will be randomly chosen one week from today and announced on the blog. 

Winner of the Monthly Book Giveaway--please follow this LINK :-)

You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What 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 Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, So Much At Home Link Up Party

Target, Transgenderism, and the Toughest Love

What you applaud you encourage, but beware what you celebrate... 
~Ravi Zacharias

We went to an Amish nursery the other day. And we bought some flowers and we walked around and we petted the sweet puppies that this simple hard-working Amish family is selling. 

And I quietly marveled at the order and the neatness and the attention to detail and the unusual beauty of it all. 

Another world. 

I wanted to linger there awhile. 

I think that the Amish understand something that most of us have lost -- something that my mom often reminds me of--

That underneath the pavement, the concrete, the constructions and buildings and noise  (and the wild rush and race of "progressive" civilization) is dirt. 

Simple, unassuming, real, gritty dirt. 

A reminder of where we have all come from and where our physical bodies will eventually return. 

Every person -- from dust to dust. 

And what we do here with this tiny span of life given to us -- minute in the hush of the infinitesimal song of eternity -- matters. 

We get so caught up in sipping our Starbucks and planning our next vacation and worrying about clothing, food, shelter, and what we will do for retirement--

That we forget that what we do here matters, really matters.

I signed a petition the other day. 

I signed a petition, but I had already stopped supporting Target some months before, after it had taken an activist stance supporting LGBT marriage. 

I don't like Wal-Mart; I never really have -- but I have been shopping there for awhile now. 

Because my conscience was pricked -- and I could no longer in good conscience push those sleek red carts at Target and hope for a sale on over-priced clothing. 

My conscience was pricked -- as much as I am able I try not to support businesses that openly push an agenda that brazenly and pompously flies in the face of God's express commands. 

Christ's sacrifice  was too costly -- and I cheapen grace when I make light of His Word by supporting those who do--

And I realize that it is impossible to remove our financial support from every secular institution that runs in some or in many ways, contrary to the Word of God -- we cannot live in a bubble and there are times when we buy meat in the temple. 

But for me, as much as I am able, I would rather support businesses and individuals who align themselves more closely with value systems that are not death-producing. 

I realize that this is not possible in every circumstance -- but we have to humble ourselves before God and before our fellow Christians and ask ourselves as individuals and as the Bride of Christ, purchased with His blood -- Are my actions/decisions pointing people towards Christ and His truth, or away from Him? 

We do not need to be afraid of transgender individuals -- people just like us -- in sin just as we were before Christ,  who desperately need Him and we hold the Word of Life -- Who will bring it to them? 

We do not need to fear "giants" like Target, who try to push and push and push their liberal agenda until it suffocates and kills us--

But I have to ask--where are the Davids who will stand and hurl the stone of the Word of God at its ugly, leering, menacing head?

And I didn't decide to stop shopping at Target because I'm afraid of a transgender individual molesting my child -- I will be honest (although I understand that there are legitimate concerns about a child's safety in these new and unusual situations in our "brave new world").

What I fear more than these things is Christians who make light of supporting or not supporting businesses who are taking an activist stance regarding issues that are black and white--

What I'm concerned about is Christian modesty blogs continuing to advertise for companies like these who are openly paving the way for Christian persecution and encouraging others to buy their clothing and accessories. We have to be honest with ourselves: Do we love money or the Word of God? 

What I'm concerned about is our witness to our weaker brothers and sisters in the Lord who, by observing our support of businesses that are taking an open, activist stance against the principles in the Word of God, may think that we agree with them and may think that what they are doing is at best "not a big deal," and at worst, OK. 

For a long time now, and we are all guilty of this as believers, we have at first shyly and then increasingly brazenly lived as if nothing really matters outside of the express commands of God--

But things like this matter -- and the world is watching. 

Because there is a point when a store crossed over from its usual secular agenda to an activist one -- when it is brazenly taking a stand against the basic principles of God's Word--

And it is not the transgender individual that we need to be afraid of -- it is our own complacency. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says--

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.

Sometimes we need to just step back and look at the dirt. We need to remember Who made us. We need to remember where we came from -- We need to press His truth and His Word and His principles to our hearts and ask ourselves whether we love Him enough to stand -- or whether we are clutching the concrete of this world. 

There is evil enough in this world to stand against. 

So stand. 

We need to stop wavering between two opinions -- the world doesn't need wishy-washy Christians -- it needs the Truth -- spoken in love, lived in love-

So stand. 

You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What 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 Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, So Much At Home Link Up Party

Swimsuits, Sports Illustrated, and the Safest Place

When God speaks, oftentimes His voice will call for an act of courage on our part.

~Charles Stanley

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
~ Billy Graham

My husband and I were nearing the end of a Wal-Mart shopping "adventure" :-) with our almost-two-year-old and three-year-old. The end was in sight, and the checkout line awaited our happy souls, glad to be preparing for our "final descent" and entrance back into the sunlight. 

When I saw it. Staring at me from the end of the checkout line. The notorious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and as my husband with his quirky humor aptly described it -"There was a whole lot of swim, but not very much suit." 

I'm used to seeing tabloids with voluptuous figures emblazoned across the front gracing the checkout lines of our "liberated" society, but this one was over the top - and something that children should not be exposed to. My first reaction was to hurriedly place a seemingly less "toxic" magazine across the front of the Swimsuit issue, but then I thought twice about it. 

I am not by nature a bold person. But there are times when the "fire enters my bones," so to speak, and I feel that the Holy Spirit is urging me not to remain silent. As a customer of Wal-Mart, I should be able to express an opinion or voice a concern - as a follower of Jesus Christ, I should be willing to step out of my comfort zone and speak the truth in a loving fashion, even if it is not welcomed or appreciated, even if it is ignored or if I am laughed at -  and so I did. 

Taking the whole stack up to the cashier, I asked him respectfully if this was something that he would want his children to see, explaining that these types of magazines are usually covered or placed in a separate "non-child-friendly" aisle. Surprisingly, he seemed to agree, or at least acquiesce, assuring me that he would voice my concern. My husband took a step further, expressing our concern to one of the managers of the store, who also seemed to agree that the magazines should be covered or kept out of the view of children. 

I honestly doubted that anything would come of it. I would just have to keep covering up the offending Sports Illustrated issues with Good Housekeeping magazines whenever I exited Wal-Mart. 

But the next time we shopped there, they were gone - the management must have taken our concern to heart and covered them or placed them in a less conspicuous place, at least. 

It was worth it to "speak up; " we did it kindly  and we did it graciously, and the Lord touched the hearts of the management. 

And this experience reiterated to me the importance of speaking the truth in love, of living out our faith in Christ through our daily actions and interactions with unbelievers, and with slowing down our pace enough to be concerned about the direction that the world is going--because it will surely impact the future of our children. 

Because as Christians we should care - and no, we should not be worried, not be consumed, not be taken up in cultural issues in the sense that we forget that this world is not our home, but we have a responsibility. 

To our children, to our fellow humans, to our God - to preserve truth as much as it depends upon us - to speak when we are given the opportunity, to dam up the floods of ungodliness before their toxic waste overpowers the culture utterly and completely and irrevocably. Do we care enough?

How can we be silent who hold the truth? In the face of evil, how can we remain silent? 

Our pastor is preaching through the book of Esther, and I think of Mordecai's words to his cousin that he recently preached on -

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NKJV)

Esther's response - prayer, fasting, and - ultimately - boldly speaking the truth.

The result was deliverance. Life. 

If we remain utterly silent, will our consciences perish with the culture? Will we remain unscathed? Can we know God in truth if we are ashamed to speak it? Do we even care enough to pray about the issues impacting our culture...?

These are questions that I must ask myself. 

I have heard Christians say or infer that their calling is not to offend, only to connect with others on issues that are edifying. 

But I say this boldly -- truth is edifying -- truth spoken in love and with grace and with a good conscience before God edifies and revives and ultimately brings life instead of the lukewarm waters of death.

You may lose "followers" on your blog. You may lose friends. You may lose popularity.

Do we realize that there are believers in other countries who lose their lives for the sake of truth? 

What is Christ worth to us? Do we love Him even enough to warn those around us? To protect our children, our families, our own souls? 

Are we willing to speak truth? 

And we think that we will have to go out on a limb and risk it all if we really take Christ seriously. And we are afraid. We are afraid of losing our comfort, our friends, our life as we know it. 

It seems unsafe.

And yet, following Jesus Christ is the safest place. The place where the rock meets our feet, the unsinkable sand, the Refuge, and the Retreat of our hearts. 

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:25-26 NKJV)

All other ground is sinking sand. All other gain is loss. 

And sometimes we're just too caught up in the cares of this life to care - the vacations, the luxuries, the comforts... until we surrender all -

As He did - the One Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life -

The Truth sets us free. 

And speaking it in love is life. 

May we find it - and rest for our souls - in His Safe Place, the place of life. 

But we never can prove

the delights of His love,

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows,

And the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we'll walk by His side in the way; 

What He says we will do;

Where He sends we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey.

~ John Henry Sammis

	Suggested Resources:

The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Triumph of John and Betty Stam, by Mrs. Howard Taylor

Don't Waste Your Life, by John Piper 

Absolute Surrender, by Andrew Murray

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A' Kempis

 A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael, by Elisabeth Elliot

You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, 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 Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, So Much At Home Link Up Party

Monthly Book Giveaway Winner--Mr. Portly Finds His Purpose

And the Winner of the Monthly Book Giveaway (for a paperback copy of Mr. Portly Finds His Purpose ) is. . . 

Vicki G. (:-)) 

(name was randomly drawn from a "hat" (well, a bowl, this time :-)). 

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

Monthly book Giveaway--Mr. Portly Finds His Purpose

For more information about Monthly Book Giveaways, click HERE. 

This month's book giveaway is for a delightful read-aloud or alone illustrated picture book, Mr. Portly Finds His Purpose. Please read to the end of the post to enter the giveaway! :-)

This creative, wonderful book is written by my sister, Alicia Ruggieri, and illustrated by her husband, Alex. They are a couple devoted to the Lord, and their teamwork in this endeavor has produced this sweet, endearing story of a pug who discovers his purpose and worth. It is a great read-aloud story for families--or for an individual child or adult. 

Description from the back of the book:

When Miss Cat-Next-Door informs Mr. Portly the Pug that he is Useless, Mr. Portly is heartbroken. He decides to find out for himself whether or not the Cat is telling the truth...and discovers that everyone - even the most seemingly-useless among us - has worth. A sweet and encouraging read-aloud story for children, the childlike, and all pug-lovers!

Alicia writes: This book is available in paperback only, and it is currently available exclusively through Amazon. My hope is that sharing and reading it with your children or grandchildren will bless you with sarcasm-free, humorous enjoyment that also encourages each of us to be thankful for the worth God with which our Creator has endowed us. :-) 

Author Biography: 

The Ruggieris and their emotionally-troubled second-hand pug live on the New England coast. They dream of having their very own "grumble" of pugs someday.

Other books written by Alicia:

The House of Mercy (read my review HERE), 

~~~~~~~~~
A Time of Grace Trilogy:

Book One: The Fragrance of Geraniums (Read my review HERE)

Book Two: All Our Empty Places (Read my Review HERE)

~~~~~~~~~

The Mystery of the Missing Cufflinks (middle-grade fiction) 

Find Alicia on: 
Blog 
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Google +

To ENTER the Giveaway, please comment below about WHY you would like to win this book or about one of your family's favorite read-aloud stories. The Giveaway will end one week from this Thursday (last day to enter is April 6th, 2016). The entrants names will be placed in a hat and a winner will be randomly selected. Please be sure to check back here, where I will announce the winner (winner will also be announced on Facebook, but you DO NOT need to be on Facebook to enter!) 

You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, 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 Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, So Much At Home Link Up Party

Resurrection Eggs--Discovering the Beauty of the Cross with Our Children

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

--John 11:25 NKJV

I had heard about Resurrection Eggs years ago, and decided to purchase them this year for our family. I am very glad that we did! We have two young children (an almost 2-year-old and a 3-year-old) and they have really been enjoying using the eggs to learn more about Jesus' progression to the cross and of His sacrifice for the sins of the world. 

The eggs are very easy to use. The children love opening them up to see what is inside. The parent then has the opportunity to explain about whatever item is inside the egg and its significance and meaning for those for whom Christ died. 

There are twelve eggs and each holds a specific symbol. One egg is left empty, signifying the open tomb. 

We have opened the eggs and read through the booklet--my 3 year old especially likes to do this with me while her brother is taking his nap, but I am planning to focus on opening one egg each day as we approach Easter Sunday and reading the corresponding page in the booklet given. We then discuss what was inside the egg and talk about the object and its meaning/significance. 

The Resurrection eggs are wonderful for families doing a devotional time together, for use during the Easter season, and for directing our focus upon the cross and the Resurrection. The meanings behind the symbols can be simplified for younger children and elaborated upon for older children. They are a wonderful way to grow as a family in focusing upon the Lord and what He has done for us during this season. We have really benefited from them! 

Another resource that we have enjoyed has been the book The Story of the Resurrection Eggs in Rhyme and Song; my little ones really enjoy it, especially the songs (I usually make up tunes for them as we go along!). 

I am looking forward to reading Benjamin's Box to them when they are a little older as a supplement with the Resurrection eggs. 

Another book we've been enjoying . . . 

It is amazing how much children pick up! Teach them while they're young! Fill them with good and beautiful truth--fill their hearts with the Scriptures--talk to them about His mercy--sing to them about Jesus--sing them hymns--make up songs and pour out your heart with them. You will never regret it. 

I pray that your Easter season is filled with His beauty and gladness and joy; happy Spring, dear children of the Heavenly Father! 

You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, 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 Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup, Word of God Speak, Booknificent Thursday, So Much At Home Link Up Party