Book Blast: Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story by Arthur Luke (Giveaway)

Title: Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me 

Author: Arthur Luke 

Publisher: iUniverse 

Genre: Biography 

Format: Ebook/Paperback
Purchase at: iUniverse

Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story spans sixty-four years in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ, telling how God has watched over him and his family.

Arthur Luke begins with his childhood in Georgia, follows the sojourns of his military family, narrates the key events in his adult life, tells about his stroke, and shares the decision he and his wife, seniors at the time, made to adopt a child. He pairs twenty-four powerful scriptures with the key events in his life's journey. This potent mixture of personal history and biblical witness demonstrates an enduring truth. With faith in God and obedience to him in your life, his favor—his hand of protection—will guide you and lead you to offer him praise in all seasons, no matter what happens.

Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story promises to inspire and encourage readers by showing how God works, in accordance with his promises in the scriptures, to guard and guide all who believe in him. This is the story of Arthur Luke's life, but its message applies to all who believe.

Arthur Luke, a retired preacher of the gospel, holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA in financial management from National University in Sacramento. He and Sharon, his wife, have five children and live in Elk Grove, California.

Giveaway

Arthur is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
• This giveaway begins March 28 and ends on April 8.
• Winners will be contacted via email on April 9.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

March 28

The Hype and the Hoopla

Write and Take Flight

March 29

Teatime and Books

Harmonious Publicity

March 30

My Bookish Pleasures

Fiction to Fruition

March 31

Cheryl's Christian Book Connection

Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic

April 1

Author C.A. Milson

Books, Books the Magical Fruit

April 4

Mary's Cup of Tea

Deal Sharing Aunt

April 5

From Paperback to Leatherbound

The Literary Nook

April 6

Voodoo Princess

The Revolving Bookshelf

April 7

The Book Refuge

The Book Czar

April 8

Lover of Literature

Bent Over Bookwords

Christian Parenting Resource: Lead Your Family Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges & Tricia Goyer

Does your family need a five-star general at the helm? A psychologist? A referee? Ken Blanchard, best-selling co-author of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus, points to a better role model: the Son of God. Joined by veteran parents and authors Phil Hodges and Tricia Goyer, renowned business mentor Blanchard shows how every family member benefits when parents take the reins as servant-leaders. Moms and dads will see themselves in a whole new light―as life-changers who get their example, strength, and joy from following Jesus at home. This user-friendly book’s practical principles and personal stories mark the path to a truly Christ-centered family, where integrity, love, grace, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness make all the difference.

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Focus on the Family (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589977203
ISBN-13: 978-1589977204


Purchase here!

Results of the 21 Day Fix

My 21 Day Fix ended yesterday. I'm sure you'll all dying to learn the results. What? Only me?

Here's the scoop: I lost 7 pounds and even lost 1 inch. Since the first week of January, I have been eating better and exercising, so that has led me to lose a total of 14 pounds and 2 inches. Not bad.

My biggest challenge: making time to exercise.

The easiest part of the whole thing: getting more sleep. Between working, family life, and exercising I was pretty tired by the end of the day so I slept more and slept better.

What did I do right: Used my containers every morning to start my day off right.

Where did I flounder: Still can't seem to give up my one Pepsi a day and only once made time to exercise in the evening if I didn't get a chance to work out in the morning.

Am I happy? You bet. I am definitely on the road to where I want to be. Now that I have my DVDs and my containers--which really do help you think about what you're eating--I can keep on moving forward. Having met my weight loss goal of 110 pounds, I am going to focus on toning up.

Thanks to all those who have supported me along the way. I couldn't do it without you!

Visualize the Effects of Lupus on the Body Infographic

Free for Kindle: Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life--especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

File Size: 2924 KB
Print Length: 290 pages
Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2013)
Publication Date: August 1, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00B85M54A

Purchase here!

The 21-Day Fix Has Begun

Last week I started the 21 Day Fix. I have to admit when it arrived, I was unimpressed. I spent $70 on a book, a plastic shaker for shakes I won't be making, a meal chart, a couple of DVDs and a set of plastic containers I could have bought at Walmart for about $3?

I can't say the cost still doesn't irk me, but here's the thing: it's making exercising and eating right easier. Here's how it goes:

• There are six containers: green for veggies, purple for fruit, red for protein, yellow for carbs, blue for healthy fats, and orange for seeds and dressings. You start by calculating your current caloric intake. Then based upon your caloric intake, you are allowed a certain number of each containers a day. I'm within the 1200-1499 range, so I can have 3 containers of veggies, 2 fruit, four protein, two carbs, one healthy fat, and one seeds and dressings. The containers come with stick on labels so you remember how many servings you can have of a particular food group and what each color contains.
• In the eating plan book, you'll find not only ideas of what you can put in your containers, but recipes. 
• It also comes with a paper daily meal tracker so you can make sure you're getting the right number of containers each day. 
• The two DVDs have five days each of workout routines. They are not easy. If I hadn't been doing a bit of exercise before now it would be hard to keep up. Luckily, they have one person who performs a modified workout. I have to resort to that from time to time. You need some equipment for these workouts: exercise mat and light and heavy weights or resistance bands. 
• The plastic shake container is for those who will be making protein shakes. I can't, as even the smell of them makes me sick to my stomach.
• The 21 Day Fix Start Here pamphlet has a Transformation Tracker on the back where you can record your Before and After measurements. In addition, participants are encouraged to take Before and After photos. 

So, how's it going? The first week I took two days of rest because working out seven days is too tough for me. I am, however, doing a a mostly good job about sticking to the eating plan. I have to admit I can't give up that one last can of soda a day. Caffeine withdrawal headaches are still a pain. I also find that since I have been drinking more water--water is highly encouraged--I crave it more when I don't have it. 

I was supposed to work out today, but it didn't happen because of my schedule. Tuesday it must happen or I will start getting lazy. 

One thing I've found helpful is to take Probiotic Gummies. Probiotics are said to promote digestive and immune health. I definitely feel better when I take them daily. My belly feels too full otherwise.

I've been sharing photos on my regular Facebook page. Sometimes they are food photos. Other times it's just me looking exhausted after a workout. I'm a visual person, so these pictures help motive me to keep moving forward.

I'm not sure what the end of the 21 Day Fix will bring, but I know I'm working toward a healthier lifestyle, and that's all that matters. 

Little House Series Now Available for E-Readers!

This is the day Little House fans have been waiting for--HarperCollins Publishers released the series for e-readers today!

It looks like they are only offering a 5-eBook set on the HCP website, but if you visit:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
GooglePlay

you will find all nine books available in digital format.

While this is not Christian fiction, faith plays a role in Laura's life, and therefore, I felt this news fit in well with our family friendly book discussions.