NICE

Since childhood we've always been told to be nice. As a mother, I feel like I say those two little words dozens of times week! But what if being nice is hindering us from living out the true fruits?

In her new book Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us to More, Sharon Hodde Miller says "Our need to be nice, our need to be liked, our commitment to the appearance of being a certain kind of Christian all become a burden that our increasingly weary souls must bear. And abiding in niceness instead of abiding in Christ wilts our souls at the same time it gives us the appearance of life." She also says, "Stop being nice, and start practicing true kindness, honesty, courage, and joy."

Often trying to be nice beats out truth, beats out growth. We want to be nice, but "niceness is a virtue of 'surface rather than depths,' meaning niceness is inherently shallow." Sharon teaches us why we are called to more.

Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us to More ends each chapter with Scripture and Digging Deeper questions to get your mind and heart thinking. I highly recommend this book!

A REDESIGNED LIFE

We all picture what we think life will look like. We picture who we think we will marry, what we think our kids will be like, what career we will have, what our home will look like, what life will be. Then, we grow up and life rarely is what we pictured.

We begin to feel unsettled, in need of something fresh. We scroll through Pinterest or watch hours of HGTV in hopes to find a new look. We redesign and it feels great, for a time. That unsettled feeling eventually comes back and we look to redesign again.

We are constantly trying to redesign what life looks like, but what if instead of trying the redesign on our own, we simply uncover God's plan?

In her new book A Redesigned Life: Uncovering God's Purpose When Life Doesn't Go as Planned, Tracy Steel helps us to embrace God's invitation to redesign the interior space that matters the most. Tracy says, "The more we focus on God, the more content and peaceful we become in the middle of life's surprises and detours."

Tracy uses real life stories and beautiful design parallels that will capture your attention and inspire you. All throughout A Redesigned Life you will find Scripture and design tips for your home and heart.

If you are a fan of all things HGTV, A Redesigned Life is a must read! If you are struggling with life not going as you planned, A Redesigned Life is a must read! Pick up your copy today, just click the banner below.

OVERCOMER {GIVEAWAY}

I absolutely love faith based movies! Two hours of entertainment, a lifetime of inspiration. The Kendricks Brothers have created another incredible faith based movie that is bound to change lives.

Overcomer is a powerful new movie about overcoming obstacles in life. Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison, played by Alex Kendrick, when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal, played by Priscilla Shirer, to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.

Overcomer is an incredible movie that you and your family will love. You will be inspired, encouraged, and challenged. Overcomer opens in theaters this Friday so make plans now to see it!

To enter to win 2 Fandango tickets for Overcomer, complete each task in the rafflecopter below. (Please note, tickets will only be good for Overcomer).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WEEKLY BLESSINGS

Continuing to count God's sweet blessings...

2635. Relaxing weekend.

2636. Rain.

2637. A good first week of school for my son.

2638. The opportunity to homeschool another year.

2639. My husband working hard for our family.

It's your turn! Share something you are praising God for. I would love to rejoice with you.

WEEKLY BLESSINGS

Continuing to count God's sweet blessings...

2630. Rain.

2631. Back to school outreach at church.

2632. Late night games with the family.

2633. Writing the Word each day.

2634. My grandfather going home after one month in the hospital on life support and then in rehab.

It's your turn! Share something you are praising God for. I would love to rejoice with you.