Unafraid: Living God's Plan on a Ladder and a Promise

Are you ready for a new amazing, eye opening, thought provoking book?

You may already know that one of my favorite Christian authors is Karon Phillips Goodman, I've made many posts about her wonderful books and they've helped me throughout my own journey to a better relationship with God.

I was super excited when she contacted me letting me know that she had just released a new book and this one is, I think, so far, one of her best.

Unsteady? About to fall? Life one big scary pile of debris from everything you hoped to build? Don’t worry, God’s seen it all before and He’s still there with you, ready to work with you.

He has a grand plan for a life of great building waiting for you. Can you meet God there, on your ladder and His promise? He believes you can and will never leave you alone to find out. Trust Him and step up a rung. He wants you to live the magnificent life He’s already planned—unafraid. Now’s the time.

Here's what she said in her own words:

Unafraid: Living God’s Plan on a Ladder and a Promise, and it follows the Israelites’ story from the Book of Haggai as they rebuild Solomon’s temple after the Babylonian captivity, but the practical application to our lives is pure 21st century. The Israelites overcame all kinds of fear and obstacles to do the job God had for them, and He’s still giving jobs to those of us who follow Him today.

And here’s the wonderful part: now it’s our turn to build temples—our lives that honor God and reflect Him and His grace to those around us. Haggai 2:5 says “My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” If we trust Him to be true, we can build whatever He says.

The best part is that Karon is going to do a monthly tour on her blog, running from February through June and she'll address a specific fear, will include questions and strategies for overcoming it, it's a completely interactive blog tour and I think she would be more than happy to see you over there sharing your own stories and joining in.

Here's the monthly plan:

February – fear of change, we overcome and build with joy in new blessings to come

[brief Bible study of Ruth]


March – fear of failing, we overcome and build with willingness, belief and patience

[brief Bible study of Gideon]


April – fear of loss, we overcome and build with faith in God’s provision and care

[brief Bible study of Peter]


May – fear of rejection, we overcome and build with security and purpose

[brief Bible study of Moses]


June – fear of loss of control, we overcome and build with trust (the point of the whole book: Trust ME, God says.) [brief Bible study of Joseph]

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Karon has posted the very first part of the tour and you can go on to her blog and read all about overcoming our fear or change. You can also download the Study of Ruth for yourself or your group.

I promise you, this book will change your life, I have not yet completed it as I was sick but what I have read already has opened my eyes to a lot of my fears and insecurities and how to overcome them. I can't wait to finish.

What a weekend!!!

Saturday afternoon Jasmine had a birthday party at the Bowling Alley for one of her classmates. We took her and since we were already there, Curt, Nicholas and I decided to stay for lunch and a game of bowling.

Everything was going great, Jasmine and her friends were just a few lanes down from us with the boy's parents etc.

I was messing around with my camera because you know Nicholas loves bowling BEFORE we get there and then suddenly he has no patience for it and wants to go home....it's like this EVERYTIME we go. I snapped some pictures of him to share with you all,

Nothing like candid photos is there???

We're all sitting there having fun and bowling and the next thing we hear a blood curling scream from one of the kids, the ACTUAL birthday boy. He was getting ready to bowl, had his fingers in the ball, went to throw it, slipped and fell....because he was holding the ball it ripped his index finger nail right off. When I tell you there was blood, I mean THERE WAS BLOOD everywhere. Instantly I jumped up and ran to the kids, Bryce and his parents had run into the bathroom and the rest of the kids were left there in shock and some of them in tears with all the blood around them. Me and the other 3 moms proceeded to clean up the blood and calm the kids down.

Bryce went straight to the ER and didn't come back to the party. The mom stayed with the kids and let them eat and have some cake then left quickly to meet her husband and son.

WHAT A WAY to celebrate your birthday. We felt awful for poor Bryce and the parents....I swear nothing like this happening to make you go into the full mommy mode, "Nicholas, Jasmine, now do you understand why we're always telling you to be careful with the bowling balls?"........."I know mommy"....."Yes but do you really understand?" LOL

On Saturday I got home and found a package in my mailbox, it said Author's Gift and it instantly peeked my curiosity. You would NOT believe what I found inside. You all know Karon Phillips Goodman don't you, and if you don't you have no idea what you're missing. She is the author of wonderful christian books like "You're Late Again Lord: An Impatient Woman's Guide to God's Timing" and "Grab a Broom Lord: There's Dust Everywhere".



Inside was her new book called "Pursued by the Shepherd".

At one time or another, most of us have tried to find our way by ourselves. Like sheep that wander away from the shepherd, we wind up in undesirable pastures and in need of rescue.

Whether misguided by mistakes, lost in muddled priorities, or alone in denial, we all need encouragement, understanding, and guidance on reuniting with God. Though we don't always follow, the Lord waits patiently for us to answer His call. He will come after us every time, and the reunion leaves us forever changed.

If you have wandered, you can rest assured that God, in His grace, mercy, faithfulness, and unfailing love, will find you. If you're feeling weary, know that you can have a renewed sense of purpose, energy, and devotion. Karon Phillips Goodman reveals why you are never so lost that you won't be Pursued by the Shepherd. Each chapter includes questions for personal reflection or group study.

I'm thrilled and I'm so eager to start this book, I only have a few pages left on my Fannie Flagg book and then I'm moving on to Karon's book, I'll let you all know how I like it but I'm sure I'll love it, she has this way of writing that really gets you hooked, it's like being in an actual conversation with her.....AND she's hilarious, she says exactly what a lot of us are thinking :)

As usual there is a hodgepodge of things in my post, I honestly couldn't stick to one single topic if I tried LOL

I have a couple of things going on this week, lots of stuff to get ready for our move which is only 2 months away YIKES. I wish I could just sleep through it all LOL

BTW I'm sure you've noticed the music playing right now, I'm Sandra and I am an 80'scoholic, I don't think there will ever be music, tv shows, games and movies etc. like there was in the 80's. Don't hide though because I know that there are tons of you right now bopping your heads up and down or with your little feet tapping all happily away to the sound of Bananarama and Erasure. YOU there in the corner and YOU hiding behind the monitor....don't think I can't see you. LOL

My menu for this week is up and I am trying a few new recipes like Asian Beef Wraps and Cheese and Turkey Stromboli, the recipes will be up on my food blog later, but for now you can go by and check out my Menu Plan Monday.

I've decided to go back to Healthy Sandra, I have just been pigging out and I'm surprised my refrigerator doesn't OINK at me everytime I open the door. Seriously, why do I fill my body with so much crap??? Do I really need to snack on chips at 9pm??? Do I have to eat a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and butterscotch topping??? (but it's SO good though)....so I've decided enough is enough, I'm going back to SparkPeople and loosing weight, I just HAVE to do it, no if's or and's about it. Wish me Luck, I need it badly LOL

Anyway I'm out of here, I leave you with my plans for today, hope you're all having a great monday. God Bless,

Image credit: GettyImages

For dinner tonight I'm fixing Cheesy Turkey Stromboli, it's a new recipe so I'll let you know if we liked it.

Image credit: GettyImages

Dancing with the Stars - *New* - ABC 7pm

Eighth-round competition includes a ballroom dance and a Latin dance from each couple.

Little People Big World - *New* - TLC 9pm

Matt turns his barn into a "Men's Crisis Center" where he can hang out with his boys, but as he's cleaning up, he discovers his childhood diary and decides to show his daughter the meaning of their farm.

Little People Big World - *New* - TLC 9:30pm

Matt schemes to raise money by having soil dumped at the farm, but the caravan of trucks drives Amy crazy.

Image credit: GettyImages

Steam Cleaning Carpets (darn kids and their juice pouches)
Ironing
Social Security Application
Mail off for kids new birth certificates
Book TLF for here and Arizona
Pick up more boxes for move