The Harvest of Grace–Cindy Woodsmall

I love Cindy Woodsmall's family gathering at Ada's House. The Harvest of Grace intertwines so many of her characters - if she would have added some holiday themes or a wedding, it would have felt like a family gathering! I read the book in a day - enjoying catching up with everyone and meeting a few new folks. It makes a great stand alone novel - but you'll get so much more out of it if you have read her other books!
Here is a chance to win a copy of the book!

Sweet Sanctuary–Book Review

"Without the storm, how would we know the sweetness of shelter?" -Ruth

Out of the clear blue, Wren’s Grandma Ruth arrives on her doorstep, dreaming of a grand party to celebrate her 95th birthday. Wren and her young son Charlie love the idea, but it quickly gets complicated: Ruth wants Wren’s estranged siblings to attend and she wants Wren to sing her all-time favorite song: “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” It’s the very song Wren sang one fateful day during her childhood . . . and Wren hasn’t sung a note since.

Though she’s glad to have Grandma back in her life, Wren’s sleeping on the couch in her own house now . . . and worried about the expenses piling up. After all, her job at the community library is in jeopardy after budget cuts, and the fancy music program she wants for her son is getting farther and farther out of reach. What’s more, Paul—the guy she's drawn to yet avoids—ends up being a major part of an important library project.

With family arriving and old wounds resurfacing, Wren’s about to fly when she discovers something special—a gift of grace beyond her wildest dreams.

I enjoyed this book!  After downloading it to my iPod and starting my iBooks App – I found that I was drawn to the story.  I did tire of the characters constantly “thinking” about all that has gone on and what will happen – for Wren – in the end – it really was the point of the book.  Grace – Peace – Trust.  I really enjoyed the way the story turned out – Sheila Walsh leaves a great big twist – to pull it all together – that you will not be expecting. Well. Ya will now – but I’m not going to tell what the twist is!  A perfect rainy day, rest day, read.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” BookSneeze.com gave me an ebook Reviewer Copy for the purpose of this review.

Grace Card–a DVD Movie Review

 

(An opportunity to WIN a Free Copy of the DVD
is presented at the end of my personal review.)

Everyone I have met has had that moment.

You’re cruising through life – doing all that “they” said you should do – setting up life just the way you want it to go.

And then IT happens. Outside of your control. Through no great fault of your own, although you’ll spend the weeks or years to come trying to tag it on yourself. Quickly, however, the finger can be pointed to The One at fault.

It doesn’t seem to matter if The One is family or stranger. The seeds have been sown, and time is left to grow the beast into a full grown plant of bitterness, sorrow, anger, rage, depression and despair.

Everyone I have met has their own version of the story. Death. Divorce. Loss. Unemployment. Estrangement. Affairs. Accidents. And sometimes, not just the big things. The big things seem to give one a sense of Entitlement to Anger.

What if – you are not The One was wronged – but The One at fault? What if you offered forgiveness – what if you righted the wrongs as best you could from this day forward? What if you are The One who has to accept that forgiveness? What if people would judge you for the rest of your life – wondering why or how someone could accept their plea and offer them Grace?

I will be praying for you

I watched Grace Card last evening with a couple of girl friends. Based on the rating and the beat of the trailers, we thought it was going to be more of a fast paced action movie. There is action – but it is slow. Deliberate. The type that sinks in. You can feel the pain that Mac and his Wife have been through these past 17 years. You can feel the Pride, and then the Shame that Sam goes through as he finds his life intertwined in Mac’s Anger and Grief. You can feel the regret from Grandpa George as he shares how Grace was extended to his Grandfather, and how his family has walked away from that path to loose a son to words spoken in anger. And each one watching – knows that their story is being played out on the screen.

And just like Sam, and Mac, You have a choice to make. Do you extend the Grace Card? Can you ? Will you? I read a book this week that asks the question – I wonder if one knows the ripples in the pond – how many and how far – are created from a single pebble? If the pebble – or the boulder – has been dropped in your pond – I urge you to watch this movie – and remember how we too – have been saved by grace.

Grandpa George’s own grandfather wrote these words as a boy: “I promise to pray for you every day, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always.” To whom in your life do you need to offer The Grace Card?

Ephesians 2:8-9

^7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.The Message (MSG)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. New King James Version (NKJV)

On their website – they offer a 4 week study - free PDF download – Here - http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/ministryresources

Leave a comment below – and I randomly draw a winner on Friday to have a DVD shipped to your home!

From the Publishers-

 The Grace Card    - Witness the Power of Forgiveness

Everything can change in an instant … and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God … and just about everyone else. Mac’s rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he’s partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force—who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man.

    Can they somehow join forces to help one another when it’s impossible for either of them to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God’s grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD … and never underestimate the power of God’s love.

    DVD Release Date: 8/16/2011

    Website: http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/

    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thegracecard

    “Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services  mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”