Christian Rehab ~ A Faith Based Choice to Freedom~!!

Today many people are looking to rid themselves of their personal "demons" and often, Christian Rehab centers offer a solution that not only heals the body, but also works on healing the mind and the spirit also.

Many people who are seeking, find themselves frustrated with life and turn to other venues in order to compensate for their lack of faith.  A point in one's life is reached where the addictions are more of a burden than the burdens themselves and many turn to rehabilitation centers in order to find the correct path in which to travel.

Regardless of one's faith, it is important to note that recovery works best when individuals work on their body, mind and spirit collectively.  Choosing a Christian Rehab program that works for each person is the next step in the correct direction.

There are basically three types of faith based recovery programs:

1.  100% Christian based programs that have little medical therapies such as clinical counselling or credentialed staff, they are essentially, centers run by recovering Christians.

2.  A "work~based" drug and/or alcohol programs are generally free to the individual provided you are willing to work 8 ~ 12 hours per day to offset any costs you may incur as well, daily prayer and scripture are normally used.

3.  Combines all different types of treatments, including both Christian and standard approaches.  Generally its regarded as the more successful approaches but is hindered by cost as usually on insurance coverage applies when seeking this type of assistance.

People are are completely in tune with their spiritual growth begin to recognize the value of that growth as they connect with others, leaving their addictions behind.  Returning to one's life can be just as addicting and with Christian Rehab centers, these tenets and morals are highlighted through scripture and inspirational attitudes.

When your spirituality is awakened, it is believes your body's craving of substance abuse subsides, replacing negative with the positive, and bringing a joy for life through God's grace and forgiveness.  Many people have walked the darker path, my own sister included, and has come out shining on the other side.  Though it can be a long, hard road to travel, being focused on the positive will in turn, bring positive to each individual the more the effort is issued.  Never give up and never surrender to those addictions that make you less of a worth than you truly are~!!

If you require help for your addictions, the first step is always to admitting to having a problem, there are many programs in each community, intended to set you on the correct path to truth.  Continue walking the path brothers and sisters and you will find where you are needing to go.

  **  This is a sponsored post for Pacific Hill, however, all points and views are my own.  **

Speroway ~ Raise Money For Haiti Campaign PLUS iPad GIVEAWAY~!!

Speroway, a registered Canadian Non~Profit organization, works with many wonderful and caring Canadians who believe in supporting the needs of children and their families, not only in Canada, but with those around the world as well.  They provide such valued things as medicine, food, education and many other necessities that many of us take for granted, thru their love, compassion and integrity.

Photo Credit:  Speroway Blog

Speroway's pledge is to provide dedicated commitment to being responsible guardians in order to deliver the necessary provisions for families across Canada while upholding the standards of Government guidelines.

Since its inception in 2004, Speroway (Formerly know as FTC Canada), has made it their number one priority to ensure that all donations collected are used to aid those children and their families who are in hungry or in need.  

"From Northern Ontario to Central America, Africa and Asia...Speroway is attempting to make a difference in the world today~!"

Feed A Child ~ If you have ever looked into the eyes of a hungry child you will find yourself before their innocence, seeing their need for love, life and food.  From devastating natural disasters to countries that are facing severe food shortages, there are numerous children who go hungry every day and they need your help~!

Child Champions ~ A child's future is an important cause to stand behind and by becoming a sponsor, you can provide a child with such basic necessities as food, shelter, education and medical care.

Medical Team ~ Support is required for the medical teams which provide medicines, food, vitamins and other supplies via a mobile clinic.  Help is also required in shipping containers full of food and medicines to locations around the world.

First Nations ~ With high unemployment rates and high costs of living, many of Canada's First Nation children are in need of assistance in order to sustain their health and spirit while building towards a better tomorrow.

Abandoned Baby Center ~ Every day babies in Kenya are left abandoned due to many reasons.  The ones that are found in time suffer with dehydration, tuberculosis, or worse; some so starved that your heart breaks for these orphaned children.  Shelters are established to provide the needed care for many of these children who have been left behind.

Food Drops ~ By gathering food from over 100 placements and other charitable organizations, a box of 25 lbs. of food is put together ~ enough to feed one child for one week.  Food drops enable Speroway's mission to branch forth while providing a community with helping hands.

Special Projects ~ A fun and fulfilling way to help a child is to host a Special Projects Fundraiser and help make a difference in a hungry child's life~!!


As well as the many other projects currently being practiced such as their Construction Project in which they build schools, rooms, wells and houses to help better empower the people who are in need of such facilities.

Now to bring recognition to Speroway's new name, new outlook, new attitude AND new Facebook page, they are graciously giving away some REALLY groovy prizes and all they want you to do is SHARE their beautiful message with the rest of the world via your social media connections...the more you share, the more entries you get to win...easy enough I think...we use the social media sites daily ANYHOW...why NOT do it for something as worthy as hungry children????

PRIZES INCLUDE:

Grand Prize Gift Basket:

1 ~ iPad HD 2012 (16GB)

1 ~ $500 WaySpa Gift Card

1 ~ Cineplex Night Out Gift Pace for 4

2 ~ Big Kaboodle Packages from "Mabels Labels" (whom I have had the privilege to review for & their labels are totally GROOVY~!!)

PLUS...Spotlight Prizes will be given away EVERY two weeks during the contest~!!

Please NOTE...you do NOT have to donate in order to participate...but it would be kind of nice...don't you think??  ;)

http://www.winwithsperoway.com/?purl=89e08C

Contest Period: April 26, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time and ends on June 22, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. EST. 

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

This contest is open to CANADA, excluding Quebec. A full list of rules and regulations can be found:

http://www.winwithsperoway.com/Rules-and-Regulations

This contest is a "SHARE & WIN" - once you enter the contest you will receive one ballot. You can receive more ballots by sharing your contest PURL with your online connections. There are 3 easy share buttons at the end of the entry form; Facebook, Twitter and Email, but any and all social channels can be used. You will just have to cut and paste your PURL where you want to share it.

Enter TODAY and share the news with the world~!!  

Speroway is groovy~!!!

Join Speroway on Facebook~!!

DONATE TODAY~!!

** DISCLAIMER:  

 "This post has been compensated, all opinions are my own. I’m not responsible for the prize in any way shape or form – just letting you know about it!"  ;)  **

BOOK REVIEW: Shattered by Melody Carlson

Shattered by Melody Carlson

Paperback: 208 pages

• Publisher: NavPress (April 15 2011)
• Language: English

Cleo Neilson is the only one who knows why her mother was in a seedy part of town that one night, but she's determined to keep the secret that's breaking her heart. 

Walk through this teen fiction novel of grief, guilt, faith, and forgiveness.

You won't forget the journey.

Cleo's best friend, Lola, is moving away and Cleo wants to spend their last weekend together at a Christian rock concert being held in the city.  However, both of Cleo's parents are busy and cannot drive them and Cleo's mom is quite adament that she is not to travel there on her own.

Cleo is exasparated and tired of her "helicopter mom" protecting and smothering her, so she makes up a story and both her and Lola head into the concert.  When Cleo's mom hears of this, she heads into the city to find her daughter and bring her home, however, she never makes it and is murdered.

When Cleo learns of her mother's death, she is left with much guilt and despair as she realizes her mother was only in the city to bring Cleo home.  Cleo does not share with her family her thoughts and they begin to eat at Cleo, quickly changing her personality and raising concerns from those around her.

Cleo must come to terms with her involvement with her mothers death and by the grace of God, accept and forgive herself.

I was intrigued with Cleo's story, I felt the author did a remarkable job expressing a delicate topic, the death of another as a result of your own actions.  I felt that Cleo's downward spiral into depression was well written and you come to feel for Cleo and her life.

I was impressed with the spiritual affirmations found within the pages, blending with the story without being too preachy.  Cleo is a strongly written character that many her age can relate to, especially if you have lost a parent to death.  Author, Melody Carlson, explains the stages of grief without the reader even realizing it occurring.

The people surrounding Cleo all shared in the story, enriching it further by their actions and their deeds.  Each person concerned for Cleo in their own way; trying to figure out the truth behind her depressive state while surrounding her with love and compassion.

I would give Shattered a four and a half out of five stars.  I shared in Cleo's journey and I cried for her heartache and if you like books on social issues having to deal with death and grief, then you will enjoy reading this tale.

Visit Melody Carlson at NavPress~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

SPOTLIGHT - Heidi Hanseen author of Holy Stable: Celebrate The Miracle

ONLINE BOOK TOUR
Title: Holy Stable: Celebrate the Miracle: (Book with CD)
Author: Heidi Hanseen
Category: Nativity story, music, play
Format: 8.5 x 6, 32 pages
Touring: December 2011

About the Book...

Holy Stable: Celebrate the Miracle, restores the tender joys of the season! Discover how sharing the gift of Jesus’ love blesses relationships, as you enjoy the magic of children’s narration, original music and song. Mary and Joseph’s devotion to God and sublime caring for each other will bring you to experience the story of Baby Jesus’ birth as never before.

Holy Stable is more than just a Christmas “play”! It has everything an actual pageant has and is a perfect highlight to our Christmas season! 

Holy Stable brings about inspired memories, the play adapts for a few participants or a larger group and for use with or without your own vocal talent. Harp, wooden flute and violin instrumentals come with and without vocals and narration and are coordinated with the innovative script, including tips, which are offered to you as a downloadable bonus gift at www.holystable.com.

About the Author...

Heidi is a mother of eight and first time author. Her long held interests in studying scripture, benefiting relationships, drama, music, artistic expression and nurturing love came together in this multi-media experience. She’s an avid reader and writer and has conducted children’s music and participated in choirs for many years.

With the desire to create more cherished Christmas memories and promote a deeper connection to the Savior, Heidi produced Holy Stable: Celebrate the Miracle…Story, Music, Nativity Play.

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

The Baker's Wife is a Literary Christian Mystery Fiction.

Audrey Bofinger is a pastor's wife and she loves to bake bread for those who are in need of some humanity.  She loves her husband, Geoff and her son, Ed and being a pastor's wife is the best job in the world.  Everything appears serene when Ed is caught up in a scandal and Jack Mansfield, detective and Church elder, demands Pastor Geoff's resignation.  However, not to be deterred by lies, Audrey and her family open up a bakery in town.

Diane Hall has just been released from prison for killing her sister and decides to head home to make amends with her past.  When she finds a cell phone on the side of the road, she has no idea what the future holds.  Diane has the misfortune to arrive in town on the very day that Audrey has run over Jack's wife, Juliet.

Audrey is shaken but determined to uncover the truth and with only blood, a wrecked scooter and no body, it is not going to be an easy mystery to solve.  Audrey has empathic abilities that she believes are entrusted to her from God and she feels connected to Juliet though the two women are virtually strangers to each other.

Jack Mansfield believes that Audrey and her family know more about Julie's murder than they are letting on and although he has been removed from the case, he comes up with a scenario and nothing can deter him from its outcome.  When his sanity finally cracks, Jack takes everyone hostage in the bakery and demands that Audrey and Diane return his wife within six hours or every hostage will die. 

With time racing against them, Audrey must trust in her instincts, Diane's tie in with the past and Miralee, Juliet's errant daughter, who could care less the outcome of her parent's dilemmas. 

I thought this was an excellent read with well-rounded characters and a believable plot.  I enjoyed reading the suspense and mystery of Juliet and her death.  I liked how Audrey and her family kept their heads level and worked towards a solution that everyone would find satisfactory.

I thought each of the main characters had a wonderful back story and their characters were interesting and entertaining.  I loved how everything tied in together, bring a balance to the plot.

I thought Jack's heretical craziness was written with clarity and he brought an edge of fear to the story and left the reader shaking their heads as they read how he twisted the scriptures to make his own plight justified in his own head.  I loved how Ed and Geoff handled his character and brought the story to its finality. 

I wished to have had a bit more back story from Leslie and Coach, if I had to find fault it would be with these two characters.  There wasn't enough reason for them to be there other than to add filler and allow for Jack to reign his torment upon.  A better tie in of the two would have made this story fantastic.  I understood why they were there, just found their reasons lacking.

I would give this four and a half stars out of five, while it is almost perfect in nature, there are a few issues that I had problems with, such as Leslie and Coach's involvement and I found the story to be predictable.  However, this is an excellent story that I am sure you will enjoy, it is filled with warmth, heart, fear and the determination to do what is correct in the eyes of our Lord.

SYNOPSIS:
Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey.

Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey's car strikes something-or someone-at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there's no trace of a body.

Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield's wife, and he's certain that Audrey is behind Julie's disappearance.

 

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

The Doctor's Wife by Jody Hedlund

The Doctor's Lady is a Christian Fiction.

Priscilla White wants to be a missionary and serve God's word.  She feels she has been chosen to travel to Africa to convert the poor lost souls who live there.  When Priscilla finds out she is barren, it becomes the family secret and not wishing to bring any shame to them, she makes missionary work her life's mission.

Dr. Eli Ernest is traveling with two young Nez Perce youths in order to raise money for awareness of a mission he wishes to create in the wild untamed country of Oregon.  When he arrives at the town's Church, he hopes to gain some financial support from the Mission Board.  However, the board insists he must take a wife in order to gain their funding.

Priscilla soon learns that she is not eligible to travel to Africa as she is unchaperoned and if she wishes to complete any missionary work in the States, then she must marry.  Not liking where her future appears to be heading, Priscilla tries to argue her way out of another man's arms and into those of God.  Not wanting to marry anyone, Priscilla must come to terms with her own demons in order to fulfill the destiny she feels God has set before her.

As the two travel across untamed country, through the cold and snow, each must come to terms with the path they have been set upon.  Will Priscilla see that in order to help those around her, she must first be willing to help herself?

I thought this was a charming read.  I liked the history involved with the plot and enjoyed reading the trials and trails across the then, virtually unknown, state of Oregon.  I thought some of the scenes had the correct amount of graphics depicted for the type of story this is.  It was done with taste and decorum for the  reader but giving it enough edge to realize the seriousness of any situation.

I wasn't drawn to Priscilla and preferred reading about the back story characters more.  I didn't find anything within her that I could relate to and there were only a few instances where I found her character shone.  I enjoyed Eli's character more, as it felt more believable and realistic.  I wish we could have had more interaction with John and Richard and learned more about them.

I would give this a three and a half out of five stars.  I found some of the dialogue forced and the comfort levels weren't apparent in some interactions.  I liked that The Doctor's Wife is based loosely on a true story and thought it was a good depiction on what could have been.

Jody Hedlund

SYNOPSIS:
Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

 

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

How Christianity Influenced CS Lewis’s work

“How could a good God allow pain to exist in the world?” C.S. Lewis asked. Lewis is well-known for the books he has published throughout the years, including the much lauded Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, among others. He was, however, also well-known as a proponent of Christianity—a theme that he often explored in many of his books.

The way he looked at the existence of Christ was a central feature of many of his works. And it was his few radio broadcasts during the war that brought him into the spotlight, precisely because he featured the subject of Christianity.

Christian Influences Present in His Works
Examining the works of CS Lewis, one can easily see influences of religion. The Chronicles of Narnia alone contain so many biblical allusions. There is the instance of Aslan the lion. At the start of the series, Aslan dies for the sake of a sinner, and rises again (although he doesn’t do so after three days). This is similar to the story of Jesus Christ’s passion and death, and in a passage in the Revelations, Jesus is referred to as a Lion.

Even the theme of creation is tackled. In one of the stories in the series, the realm starts as a black void, but as Aslan sings, the black void is no more and in the light, a new world starts to exist. We can look at the white witch Jadis as the advent of sin in the Garden of Eden, and her hundred-year reign culminating in the story of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as the period before the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Evidently, it is the belief in Christ’s existence and power that he finds vital in faith. In one his books that explains Christianity in terms of sufferings and revelations, Lewis attempts to sum up his belief in Jesus in the following quote: “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.'” Here we can see one of many CS Lewis Quotes that fully expresses his firm stand in faith, even though he has questions.

In his belief, throughout all our hardships, we shall be guided by the power of faith.

Legacy
It is the challenge to Christianity that he depicts Jesus as a great moralist although he wasn’t exactly God himself. “Lewis’s Trilemma” posits that one must either think that either Christ was a lunatic, one who thinks he is a son of God; or sincerely he was the son of God; or that he was a Devil of Hell.

But he does not think about, nor challenge, the greatness of Christ. In fact he states that the fact of him being a great human teacher should be dismissed. It is a widely popularized concept in which is still in question up to today.

He has also deeply influenced the way Christianity can be taught, as his books are used, side-by-side with Bible passages, to teach children and adults alike.

Conclusion
To some, his beliefs are still quite questionable. They find it irrational and lacking in logical evidence from the gospels of the Bible. It is beyond doubt, of course, that he has influenced literature and Christianity as a whole with his works. It is his belief that only by looking at Christianity from a perspective outside of Christianity can one truly understand—and make peace with his beliefs.

About the author: David is the manager of FamousQuotesIndex.com, an interactive database containing close to 30,000 quotes and citations from popular movies.

The Edge Of Grace by Christa Allan

The Edge of Grace is a Christian fictional drama.

On the day that Caryn Becker receives a phone call from her brother, David, her world and all she knew about it, comes crashing down.  David has just told Caryn that he is gay and will be heading off to Mexico with his new lover.

Caryn is shocked, David had been planning his wedding to his long-time girlfriend, Lori, and this announcement leaves Caryn with feelings of disgust and revulsion.

Caryn is a single, widowed mother of a seven year old boy.  Her husband, Harrison, died when their son, Ben, was only a toddler.  Caryn's best friends and neighbours, Julie and Trey, help Caryn through life's difficulties and offer her advice and wisdom.

Caryn ignores her brothers messages and her friends advice, she is angry, hurt and feels like she never knew her brother.  Her friends think Caryn is over-reacting and cannot understand her feelings.  She believes there is nothing that will mend the hurt that she is now experiencing.

On the day that David is beaten and left for dead, Caryn has to adjust her thoughts and remind herself that love can conquer all.  Caryn begins to heal from the betrayal she feels was bestowed upon her and tries to understand her brothers life choices.

I thought the story started out great.  The introduction of Caryn and her brother began right from the beginning and the reader is immersed in Caryn's thoughts and feelings.  The feelings and questions are real and her reactions are not uncommon to the situation before her.  However, not knowing David before this phone call, one cannot feel for David and his plight.

I thought the editorial issues were more than common, at times Lori, David's finance is called Lauren and I had to reread the passages a few times to make sure who it was being discussed in the chapter.  Mayhaps Lori is being used as a short form version of Lauren, but it isn't explained as such and from her first introduction, we meet her as Lori.

I didn't like the missing quotations around dialogue, you are left wondering if the characters are talking to someone or are they in thought mode, it was very confusing at times.  I found that most of the book played out like a commercial, there were too many product placements throughout and just came across as the author looking for anything to fill the pages.

The first half of the book is meandering thoughts and confusion about David's homosexuality and is rather ho-hum, however, after you get past that portion, the book does pick up and you are left with a read that is rife with human emotions and actions.

I would give this book two and a half stars out of five.  The editorial issues were annoying as was Caryn, she came across as a spoiled rotten brat in which the world should revolve around her.  I enjoyed Julie and her open minded, level-headed character brought much to the book.

SYNOPSIS:
In a matter of seconds her entire world shifted... 

An early morning call shatters Caryn Becker's world. Unable to cope with her brother’s news that he is gay, Caryn rejects him and disappears into her own turbulent life as a young widow and single mom. But when David is attacked and nearly killed, Caryn is forced to make hard choices about family, faith, and her own future; choices that take her to the very edge of grace.

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Spotlight - Gabby, God's Little Angel by Sheila Walsh

This first book in a delightful new series offers a comforting message for young readers-God loves you very much and is always watching over you!

What little girl wouldn't love her very own guardian angel? Parents and children alike will be won over by this humorous tale of Gabby, a guardian angel in training who has much to learn about taking care of God's little ones. Her new assignment is to protect a young girl named Sophie, but Gabby soon realizes that watching after Sophie is a bigger challenge than she had expected! After a close call while riding her pony, Sophie learns what the Bible says about guardian angels: "He will put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go" (Psalm 91:11 ICB).

Sheila Walsh set out to develop a new character that young readers would embrace and delight in, and out from her pen and from her heart poured a new series, Gabby, God's Little Angel. Gabby is an adorable guardian angel in training who finds that she has so much to learn about taking care of God's children.

Sheila is passionate about teaching the little angels in your own lives just how much God loves them. She prays that through her new little friend, Gabby, you will discover this truth and rest assured that He is always watching over them!

40 by Travis Thrasher

SYNOPSIS:
Nine months shy of his 40th birthday, freelance music producer Tyler Harrison has started to experience horrific hallucinations. At first, he thinks it's just the stress of his job, but the hallucinations continue until they culminate at the three-day concert in Chicago, Lollapalloza, which he is covering for work. There he is approached by an older man who tells him that he's going to die on his fortieth birthday.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time