A Book that Read Me! God's Provision in Tough Times by Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy--With #Giveaway

This 25 story collection was a gift to me by one if its contributors, Carrie Fancett Pagels. My review in no way reflects any obligation on my part to say something nice, or drum up promotion for it. I read this from cover to cover because it read me--my life situation needed the exact encouragement and faith that this collection of true stories of God's miraculous ways provides.

Being without work now for 10 months, my family has recently even lost our extended unemployment benefits. We've been waiting for over a month to hear back on a second interview, and our emotions have run high as we wait for something to break in our circumstance. We are people of faith, and we believe that God can make a way where there seems to be no way. And that is exactly what each of these stories is about--God opening up His abundant storehouse through unexpected and often miraculous ways. One author tells of unclaimed money they didn't know they were owed. Another tells of a phone number to a job connection that mysteriously appeared where it shouldn't have. Still another received an inheritance that had been tied up for years in court--exactly when they needed it most.

I loved the transparent and humble contribution by Cecil Stokes, the award-winning, uber-successful producer of Christian film and TV including October Baby. His pain, his soul-searching, his utter dependence on God for a few years as he trusted in God's leading, ultimately led to the pinnacle of his career so far. I related to so many of the different stories, sympathized with them all. Carrie Pagels talked about how her physical health led her and her family on a four state move within a year, and how the Lord finally brought them to their personal promised land. Cynthia's ongoing story shared through out the book in chapters was perhaps my favorite, as she challenged me to dare to believe not for just any job, but the right job. And to expect the Lord to meet our needs along the way.

All of these true stories blessed me as I waited on God, and read, and prayed over my own situation. Each of the authors' personal experiences gave me courage to keep believing, to keep trusting in a God that seemed to take away, but who also blesses and gives. For instance, this past week, we had finally run out of all of our money. My husband decided to organize our bills and paperwork and pray over each one. Hidden in the middle of the piles and stacks was a check we had never seen. It gave us enough to get by on, like manna--our daily provision.

Then, my husband received a call out of the blue yesterday to come to a training today--a Saturday. He is there as I type this, potentially starting a new job. He had to give up celebrating our son's birthday party, but we are hopeful, expectant. The faith that was stirred reading these testimonies of God's faithfulness played a role in our own breakthrough. Thank you Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy, and especially to Carrie Pagels, for providing a copy to read, relish and review.

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask, think or imagine. . . Let this collection build up your expectation for your own miracle.

Carrie Pagels has graciously offered to give away a copy of this book to one commenter. Please leave your email addy below if you wish to be entered. Drawing to be announced Wednesday, Jan 22 at 8 PM Eastern

Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall

The second book in the Surrender to Destiny series, Surrender the Night reads among the best of Christian historical romance. Set in Baltimore during the War of 1812, the story's drama lifts off the page with invading British looking to pillage and plunder nearby farming villages. The unsuspecting heroine, Rose McGuire, tends her farm pets as the alarm bells sound and the menace draws dangerously near.
Alexander Reed, Second Lieutenant for her Majesty's Royal Navy, accompanies his First Lieutenant on a mission inland. He must choose whether to obey wicked orders or his conscience when the mission turns into an assault on an innocent civilian--the lovely and terrified young Rose McGuire. Alex defends Rose and takes a bullet his leg. Rose must overcome her terror and loathing of the British by whom she has suffered greatly, in order to tend Alex. By saving his life as he saved hers, she risks detection by those who would hang both of them.
Tyndall creates two endearing and sympathetic characters foist into uncommon circumstances, and the natural attraction which grows between them charges the book with as much tension as the ongoing war and imminent British invasion. While Alex must choose where his loyalties lie, Rose must overcome her past terrors and learn to trust both God and men again. Their obstacles are as imposing as the titanic force mustered against the fledgling country, and I was turning pages to see how either the romance or the American country would survive.
The dynamic climax of the book swept me away with the awe and power of Providence at work on our nation's behalf. Tyndall writes a gripping and factual account of events one would almost have to suspend belief to take in were they not historically true. It is a book not to be missed--a true classic of the genre.