Food Triggers: Exchanging Unhealthy Patterns for God-Honoring Habits by Amber Lia Book Review

In Food Triggers, Amber Lia explored 31 food triggers that trap us into unhealthy eating and how we kept repeating the same cycle over and over. Some of these triggers included, “when you feel defeated before you start, bored, lack portion control, doctor tells you to lose weight, community means food, hit a plateau, feed your emotions, lonely, fixated on the scale”, and much more. She explained how she was a cross country player in college. During this time, she carried extra weight. By the time, she met her husband she was healthier and a bodybuilder. She even ran three miles regularly. She stated how she was in control of her health and not controlled by gluttony. She revealed how all of that changed within ten years and had five pregnancies and a miscarriage. She explained how she felt her metabolism was stuck. She was struggling with keeping up with all four of her sons and was overweight. She studied scriptures and learned to renew her mind and what caused her to overindulge. One of the first things, she looked at was the why behind why we want to get healthy it could be to get more energy or get off diabetes medications. She shared that she lost over 60 pounds and her husband was able to lose a lot of weight as well. 

 

 

Another area, she explored was portion size. She began to study the serving size and what was in foods. She even placed measuring cups and spoons and taught her children how to get the correct serving size for meals and snacks. They use smaller plates for meals and use measuring spoons for condiments. They share meals when they go out to eat to eat less. She also looked at Exodus 16 and how they were complaining that they would die in the desert. God provided them quail and they were told to eat but not to keep the leftovers. Some of them kept the leftovers and they were filled with maggots. She compared to how this has led us to having to deal with cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. 

 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is struggling with food triggers and they are ready to break free. I liked how this book was written where readers could tackle a different trigger a day for a month. I liked how the book explored multiple different areas and tips to control our overeating indulges. One of my favorite chapters was the one on sugar and how much it controls us and how a study was conducted on rats portraying how they were addicted to Oreos and how it activated more neurons in their pleasure center than when they tried cocaine.  This was very shocking and very eye opening on how much we are addicted to craving something sweet. I loved how she shared how she was able to lose her desire for sweets and reply on more natural foods. I immensely enjoyed how she included a lot of tips on how to beat your food triggers and how to also to grow your spiritual appetite. This is also a special prayer at the end of each chapter. 

 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Food-Triggers-Exchanging-Unhealthy-God-Honoring/dp/0764238884/

Next Level Believers: Advanced Strategies for Godly Kingdom Influence by Venner J. Alston Book Review

Next Level Believers explored the topic of anointing, understanding your supernatural identity, and getting ready for battle. This book teaches the rules of engagement and how to stand against the powers of darkness. In the book, she looked at the meaning behind the word ekklesia and how this means an assembly or gathering. She explained the purpose of the church and how this is a movement of people with a common goal of influencing families, workplaces, cities, and nations for the Kingdom of Christ. She looks at Acts 2:32-47 and the eleven characteristics of the church: Kingdom message, influence, increase, fear of the Lord, favor, unity, and more. She revealed the importance of how we need to understand the authority Christ has given us. Another big part of the book is how she was open about the current events affecting the world. Some of this included families breaking up and not raising their children, abortion, and the changes in the structure of marriage. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is ready to become a new level believer. My favorite topics were the one about supernatural identity and anointing. I liked how she discussed who we are in Christ and how mess up we are in our thinking and how we can change it. I also immensely loved how transparent and wasn’t afraid to take a strong stance against same-sex marriage, abortion, and families not raising their children. I liked how she explained the term ekklesia and related back to the church. It was later on in the book before she went into detail about what it meant. The only thing is I wish she would have included some description of what the word meant in the intro because this wasn’t a term I knew of. I also loved how she include nine protocols in giving a prophetic word in a corporate service gathering. This book has powerful strategies to enhance and influence the world around us. 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Next-Level-Believers-Advanced-Strategies-Influence/dp/0800762371/

Sons of Thunder: Redemption Episode 3 Cowboys and Cowgirls Review and Giveaway

· Background / Plot synopsis: Logan is now working on the ranch, undercover for the Devil’s Hand, unbeknownst to Jacob. More Devil’s Hand members show up in the ranch town looking for Jacob. Preparations are underway for the rodeo.

· Themes

o Trust - broken trust, knowing who to trust and when

· Bible Verses

o Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

o Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

o Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Sons of Thunder: Redemption Episode 3 Cowboys and Cowgirls Plot:

 

Jacob is still working on the ranch helping to get the ranch ready for the rodeo. They are trying to raise money to save the ranch. It is revealed in this episode that the new ranch hand, Logan is undercover for the gang, Devil’s Hand. Jacob has no idea that he is in danger and being watched by the gang. Logan is also falling for Allison a new love interest. 

 

 

My Review:

 

I think I love this series even more than the first series. This one seems is a little different than the first series. Each episode builds on the previous one and the whole story is more connected. I loved how this one has a little more drama and action. I liked how there is also two major storylines so far. One is how the gang is trying to catch up with Jacob to get revenge and the other is how an evil man is determined to stop them from saving the ranch from going into foreclosure. Watchers can see the evil forces present and how faith is going to have the finally say. I can see there is a big aspect on the topic of forgiveness and redemption. I also liked how this one ended with a cliff hanger and I’m excited to see what happens and how this affects the rodeo.

 

Sign up for Pure Flix to watch this series: LINK 

 

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a temporary subscription for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Things I Should Have Said by Jamie Lynn Spears Book Review

Things I Should Have Said is a brand-new autobiography about the life of Jamie Lynn Spears. She grew up in a small town in Louisiana. She begins the book by sharing how she was the third child of the family. When she was born her brother, Brian was 12 and Britney, was 9. She explained how she was a surprise baby and her dad had a vasectomy and he failed to get the follow up test done. She explained how money was tight for them and she recalls a time a friend of her mother’s had to pay for her clothing at a store and how she felt the humiliation. Her mother owned and operated the Little Red School House. Her father worked on developing businesses and he was good at construction and welding, he owned a restaurant, and he opened up a gym. Her father had one big problem and that was he liked to drink. She revealed how Britney recorded a demo and was eventually picked up by a record label and had natural talent. Jamie also took voice and dance lessons but she cared more about acting. She opened up about how the rise to fame changed the dynamic of their home. She shared how they were all expected to keep Britney happy and her mother would remind her often not to upset Britney. Her parent’s marriage also struggled and they divorced in 2002. They still worked together in business in Britney’s career. 

 

 

In the book, Jamie shared how she was asked to join the cast of Nickelodeon’s, All That. She opened up about her experiences on the show. She also felt that the show created more havoc in her parent’s marriage because they were busy trying to manage both girl’s careers. She also revealed how she was asked to be the lead character in Zoey 101 and how it became a huge hit. She later also shared how this presented challenges between her and her mother. She described how her mother hit her with a purse and how she emotionally snapped at her. She also discussed how she met Casper and eventually had a teenage pregnancy.

 

 

Another part of the book was the story and relationship of Britney. Throughout the book, readers will get to hear from Jamie’s side of events that happened. Britney has recently made headlines for speaking out about the events and how she claims that some of them are false. She also touched on Britney’s conservatorship in 2008. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome autobiography on the life of Jamie Lynn Spears to anyone who is eager to hear her side of the story. I have always enjoyed Jamie’s acting in Zoey 101. I remember watching all the episodes as a teenager. I enjoyed reading some of the behind-the-scenes stories. I also appreciated in the book she revealed the story behind her daughter’s scary accident in 2017 involving an ATV for the very first time. I immensely liked how transparent she was in sharing about her life story and her relationship with her parents and Britney. I can see that fame definably added drama and messed up their family relationships. I’m personally a believer in Jamie’s side of the events and that they did in fact happened. Some of the events are very shocking. Readers will be eager to learn from Jamie’s side of things and her own life story.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Things I Should Have Said, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Things-Should-Have-Said-Figuring/dp/1546001026/

Redeeming Love Movie Review

• REDEEMING LOVE is a life-changing story of the power of unconditional and all-consuming love 

• REDEEMING LOVE is coming to theaters January 21, 2022! 

• You and your friends will walk away impacted by the perfect, relentless love of the Father after watching the film. 

Synopsis:

Based on the bestselling novel by Francine Rivers, REDEEMING LOVE is a powerful story of relentless love and perseverance as a young couple’s relationship clashes with the harsh realities of the California Gold Rush of 1850. Angel expects only pain from those around her. Sold into prostitution as a child, Angel survives with hatred towards herself and the men that use her. She meets Michael Hosea, a farmer who believes God wants Angel to be his wife. Dire circumstances force Angel to accept his proposal, but when Michael defies her bitter expectations, her wounded heart begins to mend. As Angel encounters a love unlike anything she ever experienced, feelings of unworthiness and shame cause her to run from a life she doesn’t think she deserves. As Michael sets out to find her, Angel discovers there is no brokenness that love can’t heal. 

My Review:

I would recommend this movie to anyone who ready to receive the power of the love of God into their lives. This movie was very entertaining and I loved how it contained such a powerful message and how it’s based off of the Book of Hosea. I haven’t ever read the book but after seeing the movie, I really would like to read the book to see the differences. At first glance viewers are seeing Angel lose her mother and meeting a father who didn’t care about her. We see a little girl lost in the world alone viewers can feel her pain. One of the first scenes is seeing how she ended up her getting the name Angel. It was tough watching her experience men leading her and forcing into the path of prostitution. They didn’t care about how young she was at the time. Seeing Michael and how when they first met how he refused to sleep with her, instead he just wanted to talk to her and save her from that brothel and marry her. It was difficult at times watching her go forward and go backwards whenever she felt close to love she would run past to her past and it would only lead her to more trouble. The demons seemed to haunt her. I will say Michael was probably one of my favorite characters, I loved watching how he continued to love her and forgive her and he wasn’t bother with the fact that she was with many men sexually. He would reply on God and pray for her. The film does contain sexual images but they are still pretty clean in how they portray them and it does talk about rape and prostitution. One of the favorite actresses in this film was a duchess played by, Famke Janssen. She played Jean Grey in the original X-Men movie series and she did an excellent job at playing a dark character who only cares about money and running a brothel. I also loved the surprise at the ending and what her real name is revealed to be and how is able to display His love and how His promises can still happen. Overall, I believe this movie will be one of the top movies of this year. I know the book was very successful and it was original was published in 1991. It’s kind of surprising it took almost 30 years for it to be made into a movie.  

 

Buy Links  

https://tickets.redeeminglovemovie.com/ 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z-0C02cqFo 

Disclosure:  

Many thanks to Universal for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  

 

Unleashing Peace: Experiencing God's Shalom in Your Pursuit of Happiness by Jeremiah J. Johnston Book Review

Unleashing Peace is a book about living in God’s peace, his shalom. This word appears 550 times in scripture. But as readers will witness this isn’t something that is discussed a lot in today’s times. This book hopes to change just that. He begins the book by sharing a heartbreaking story about a guy in London who was trying to jump off a bridge. In London, he shared how pedestrians don’t have the right of way and cars and where this bridge is located there is a lot of heavy traffic. A half dozen of people tried to stop him from jumping and they refused to let him go. He explained how God doesn’t give up on people but that we do. He looked at greatly in the book about how churches don’t speak on mental health, depressing, suicidal thoughts, and PTSD. There was survey even completed on how 70% of pastors don’t discuss it at all and how people wish they would. There is a wonderful amount of information included in this book about the suicide epidemic. The book is divided into three parts: how to unlock and unleash God’s shalom in your life, applying it to others and the world around us, and protecting our shalom in difficult times. 

 

 

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is tired of not living in peace. This book will assist readers into discovering their true shalom and how we can apply the principles enclosed in this book to our everyday life. I immensely loved how he included interviews from doctors to explain their take on the topic. One of the doctors revealed a study conducted about depressed individuals and how the group who ran thirty minutes three times a week had improved overall moods compared to the one who took medication. Dr. Tague also explained how he had a better mood when he took the time each day to spend time with God and ask for joy. One of my favorite discussions was the one on magnesium and how critical this key component is to boosting their moods, providing nutrients, and how it helped to lift depression. I also greatly love how he discussed if someone kills themselves, do they go to hell and he included a fact section on the topic and he tries to encourage people to reach out for help when needed. I also liked how he looked at the unpardoned sin and what these consist of. There is a lot of scriptures verses and stories that explore peace and they will help us apply it daily in our lives. 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Unleashing-Peace-Experiencing-Pursuit-Happiness/dp/0764230824/

Sons of Thunder: Redemption Series Premieres January 13

There is a brand-new spin off series coming January 13. The spin off follows new adventures and new characters and it is still faith based. Fans can get ready for the new series by watching the original one that contains 7 episodes. The first series followed the storyline of Simon who is a biker and acts tough. Throughout the series, he travels around the country and each episode he meets someone he tries to help. He is a newly Christian who read his Bible and tried to touch someone else’s life and make it better. 

 

I would recommend this series to anyone who loves shows that have a faith-based background. The series reminded me a little like touch by an angel just no angels are present in this show. I loved how they made Simon appear to be more of a rough character who is trying to follow Christ and His teaching and reach others. I liked how the show tried to break the stereotype of what a Jesus follow should look like. We most likely wouldn’t think a biker man who looks like a rebel would love God and want to be a blessing to others everywhere they go. I’m excited to see if in the new show if they have them do a crossover event in it. I think it would be really cool if they had both major characters meet up in an episode. The new series features a man who has a trouble past and has been in jail and it seems to add even more conflict to this new series. There is also bike gang members threatening to come back for revenge. In the trailer, we can see that this new series will be more action packed and this one look like it might be more of a drama type series. 

 

Trailer for the new series:

 

https://app.pureflix.com/videos/475932198621/sons-of-thunder-redemption-trailer?_ga=2.33465526.984603448.1641759492-885689137.1631405447

 

To Watch the Original Series:

 

https://app.pureflix.com/series/302915622496/sons-of-thunder

 

Press Release:

 

https://media.pureflix.com/sons-of-thunder-redemption

 

A Show about Anthem Lights New Animated Show Coming Soon

Who are Anthem Lights?

 

Anthem Lights is a Christian based band consisting of four members, Chad Graham, Caleb Grimm, Spencer Kane, and Joey Stamper. They are known for their YouTube videos featuring a new spin of other artists songs. They tend to mash together a few songs and create a new creative masterpiece. They typically mash together songs on TV shows, pop, country, rock, Christian, Disney, and much more. But they have also done full covers of popular songs as well as recorded their own songs. Some of the cover/mashed songs, they have recorded was, “Roar, Give Your Heart a Break, The Greatest Showman Medley, Taylor Swift Mash-up, Graduation Mix: My Wish/I Hope You Dance/ The Climb/ I Lived, Don’t Stop Believing, High School Musical, K-Love Fan Awards: Hello My Name Is, This Is Amazing Grace, Overcomer, The Only Name, and Lord, I Need You”. 

 

 

One of my favorite cover songs, they have recorded is the 90’s TV show mash up. This one featured Everywhere You Look (Full House/Fuller House), Save by the Bell, Bel Air, and Boy Meets World. I just loved how they were able to craft together and make all of these songs fit together to create a fun mix.

 

 

Another favorite is Roar and this is one is the whole song covered. I liked how this one they turned into more of a piano type song. It’s way different than Katy Perry’s more upbeat high tempo song. They do tend to pick up the beat when they are at the chorus part. It does make the song work together into an anthem of being a champion. 

 

 

Another top favorite is the Sam Hunt cover featuring House Party, Leave the Night On, and Take Your Time. It isn’t as fast paced and fast tempo compared to Sam Hunt’s versions. I liked their take on these songs and how they tend to slow it down and they make it their own. 

 

 

 

The great news is they are featured in a brand-new show coming soon 1/12 on Pure Flix. 

 

 

"A Show About Anthem Lights" is a 20-episode animated show featuring the characters of the band, Anthem Lights. Featuring the voices of the actual band mates, this new show is filled with tongue-in-cheek humor about the everyday life of being a Christian in a celebrity band. Adults and kids of all ages will be laughing through each episode.

Check out Anthem Lights:

https://anthemlights.com 

To Sign Up for Pure Flix:

https://www.pureflix.com/anthemlights?_ga=2.105757891.1392326900.1641419169-668515004.1620660537 

Check out the press release:

https://media.pureflix.com/a-show-about-anthem-lights

Strength for Each Day: 365 Devotions to Make Everyday a Great Day by Joyce Meyer Book Review

Strength for Each Day is a brand-new devotional from popular pastor, Joyce Meyer. It’s written with the mindset to assist readers into making each day a great day and maintaining a positive attitude. This book is geared towards empowering you to live a more peaceful lifestyle. She begins the first day by looking at Isaiah 40:31 and how if we wait on the Lord, then we will have our strength renewed. The verse also discussed how our wings will mount up like eagles, we will run and not get weary, and walk and not faint. She used an illustration on how we must refill our gas tank or if we never did, we would then be stranded. In the same way, we must spend time with our Creator and be refreshed, recharged, and changed. We can do this by reading the Word, praying, listening to music, reading a faith filled book, or enjoying God’s presence. Each day included a teaching, scripture verse, and a prayer. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome devotional to anyone who is tired of just trying to get by and they are going through the motions without feeling empowered to live their lives to the fullest. I immensely loved how she discussed many different strengths, mindsets, and ways to build up our faith. One of my favorites was about servicing others and loving them as foretold in Galatians 6:10. We are instructed to be good to all people especially to the family of believers. She explained how the world is starving for love and she revealed how we can follow Jesus and His teaching and be a blessing to others. She reminded readers that this should be our highest purpose in life. I liked how she encouraged readers to compliment and to always say thank you when we are being served. The devotional is one that is meant to be reread and apply daily to our lives and to gain strength for whatever we may face in life. 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Strength for Each Day, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Each-Day-Devotions-Every/dp/1546026452/

God With Us: 365 Devotionals on the Person and Work of Christ (Readings from Classic Christian Writers) Complied and Edited by Justin S. Holcomb Book Review

God With Us is a new devotional that contained readings from classic Christian writers that offers a fresh preceptive about the person known as Jesus Christ and the work of Christ. Some of these included: Martin Luther, Augustine, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, John Calvin, and much more. Each day included scriptures and a short writing.

 

 

I would recommend this inspirational devotional to anyone who loves theological and enjoys Christian writers. The book contained a wide scope of writers and they were each different in their style of writing. I liked how he included a variety of authors and pastors to guide readers into understanding Christ. One of my favorites was the one that discussed that we don’t have to feel sorry for Christ when he died for our sins. He told us not to weep but to weep for ourselves and our children. D. Martin Lloyd-Jones explained how it was deliberate and was meant to be a public act to portray God’s love and power. 

 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087RTRPPP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

Kingdom Men Rising Devotional by Tony Evans Book Review

Kingdom Men Rising is a brand-new devotional written by pastor, Tony Evans. He begins the book by explaining the creation of man and how they were made in His image. He stated how men were the foundations and how we were told to be in charge over everything. Tony described how we as men need to reverse the negative decay that is hurting and destroying our world. Men need to display honor, discipline, investing in others, taking responsibility, following our purpose, and much more. The book contained many principles on becoming men of God that can make a difference and transform the world around them. 

 

 

 

I would recommend this wonderful devotional that is written just for men to rise above all of the challenges that are negatively affecting our world. This book will cause men to want to get up off their seats and to make a difference and step up and become effective leaders. One of my favorite topics was the one on disobedience and how this creates a spiritual distance between us and God. I appreciated how Tony explained how this has caused us to become dry and how instead we can align our lives back into God. I also liked how he discussed dry bones and how God can change our lives, marriage, relationships, careers, and anything else that is in a dry season and make them thrive again. I loved how the book was in a nice brown leather type book and it makes it super easy to travel with it and carry it around. I liked the ribbon bookmarker included in it. 

 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Rising-Devotional-Tony-Evans/dp/0764238841

One Word for Today For Spirit Filled Living: A 90 Days Devotional Book Review

One Word for Today for Spirit Filled Living is a new 90-days devotional written by Baker Publishing Group. The book is written with the idea of focusing on one word that will guide us into getting closer to Christ. Some of the topics included, “Shine, Press, Comfort, Vision, Believe”, and much more. Each day included things to build our spirit lives. Each day enclosed a verse, a story/teaching, reflect, pray, declare, and act. 

 

 

One of my favorite topics was the one on vision. It begins by asking readers where do we find joy. Sometimes we can feel lost and in a daze. But in the mist of our challenges, God wants us to focus and direct our attention to Him. This day explained how we need to have fresh vision for our lives and to quit dwelling on what’s not working. We can instead pray and refocus on God’s vision for our lives. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome devotional to anyone who is seeking assistance in living more spirit lives. I immensely enjoyed the wide vast range of topics and how they are all geared to build up our faith. I loved how easy readying the devotionals are and you can finish them in under three minutes. I also liked how each day had a prayer and a declaration to help change the scope of our lives. I also liked how they had a built-in ribbon to help bookmark your process. 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com: 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/One-Word-Today-Spirit-Filled-Living/dp/0800762304/