"Love Without Limits" Book Review

Love Without Limits by Nick Vujicic 

with Kanae Vujicic

If you’ve never heard of Nick Vujicic, the Australian guy born without arms or legs, who now goes around the world proclaiming the love of Jesus, where have you been?!  Nick is definitely a dynamic evangelist, & now, husband & father.  Sure, many didn’t believe this would ever be the story of his life, at times he admits he didn’t believe it would turn out so beautifully himself.  But, that’s the mighty, loving, working all things for our good God that has reigned forever for ya!

In Nick’s recent book Love Without Limits, which he coauthored with his lovely wife Kanae, a beautiful love story – complete with comic twists & turns – is told, along with advice from the newlywed couple.  The married couple found themselves on the road to parenthood with Kanae’s surprise pregnancy just a few short months after "I do."  Thus, the book covers parenting advice & family life, as well. 

The story of the two’s meeting, getting to know each other, long-distance relationship, proposal, & marriage is a joy to read.  The honesty the couple shares with readers about struggles & experiences is refreshing, yet the advice at times feels somewhat small in its depth of insight – which isn’t too surprising as the couple are still very little-traveled on this marriage road, as they both readily admit.  Still, this book can be a beneficial resource & delight to many, especially young couples who may see many of their struggles & joys reflected in Nick & Kanae’s life, & those who follow Nick’s remarkable story.

Bookish Love,

-Bess-

*I received this book free of charge through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest review.

For You

"No Longer Slaves" by Bethel Music


"Cast My Cares" by Finding Favour


"Here I Am Anyway" by Josh Wilson

Brave Love,

-Bess-

Take That Leap!

I know fear.  We've been like this {visualize me holding up 2 fingers twisted together} for a long while now.  Yep, we're old...  hmmm, I'm not sure what the word is - not friends...  Acquaintances?  Inseparable enemies?  I don't know, but one thing I do: it hasn't been a stellar association & it isn't a relationship from above.

God did not give us a spirit of fear {that's straight from 1 Timothy 1:7}.  Then, why can't I shake this?  How did this happen?  Let's look at what fear does first.

Fear causes us to make hasty, unwise decisions & it can paralyze us from taking the bold, risky steps God is calling us to.  It whispers every founded & unfounded "what-if."  It knows how to trigger our deepest dread &, if given the space & time, it will completely plunge our hope into utter darkness.

But if God did not give us a spirit of fear, who did?  That may be the easiest answer of the day: the enemy of our souls, Satan.  How do we combat fear?  That answer is a little more difficult.  What's the hardest part?  Putting it into practice when fear has become the default mode of a weary heart.

In all honesty, fear & I haven't always been so close.  Sometimes, when fear has come knocking, I've kicked him to the curb like a super-ninja with mad street skills.  But, after awhile I stopped going to my ninja training class {yep, I never got my diploma... sad}.  Anywho {& back to reality}, after multiple attacks from fear, its whispered lies {because who knows lies like he whose native tongue is lying (John 8:44)} started to sound like rock-solid truths.  Weakness won out, & taking my eyes off Jesus I began to focus on the anxiety that burdened my very bones.  Fear is a thief that wants to rob us ultimately of our very life.

So, what's the plan?  How do we fight?  Fear is such a multi-faceted, personal, evil-transformer kinda thing in its victim's lives that there's not a single ninja training video that can be presented.  Yep, that's messy real-world for ya.

Here's some starting places, however...

• Replace the lies with God's Truth!  Read His Word.  {Click here for some of my favorite scriptures on dealing with fear.}
• Let it out.  Talk with trusted, faithful family & friends.  Ask them to pray for you concerning this.  Christian counselors are also a godly resource & help.
• Find something that takes your mind off fear, & back on Jesus.  Sing worship songs, hang out with godly friends, or volunteer to help those who need it.  Fear doesn't thrive in such places.
• Pray.  Pray.  And pray some more.  It's true that God already knows what we need & what we are going to say, but He wants to hear it from us & it blesses us to speak to Him & expectantly await His loving reply.

This won't be an overnight change, it will be a journey.  Some days I battle hard & win, others I don't.  But through Jesus we can do all things {Philippians 4:13}!  Take that leap, & leave fear behind you, a fuller life through Christ's strength lies just beyond that anxious place you've been calling home.

Love & Fearlessness,
-Bess-

P.S.: Truth: I wrote this for my own fearful heart.  I pray it blesses yours, too.

Help us, Lord, to take a fearless leap knowing You will catch us.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Reminder {To Us}

Don't forget.  When all the 'what ifs,' insecurities, & shadows come creeping...

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love & of self-discipline."

-1 Timothy 1:7 NIV

Brave Love,

-Bess-

Currently {Feb.}

+Reading... Love Without Limits by Nick Vujicic {review coming soon} & the book of Hebrews.

+Working... as a substitute teacher {that's where the uber-sweet unicorn card came from that now resides on my fridge}.

+Praying... for God's will & strength {always}.

+Seeking... to be more selfless, giving, & trusting.

+Thankful... for the amazing guy God's placed in my life & all the smiles & love he brings!

+Excited... about future adventures & new places!

Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: What are you up to lately?

Song Love {Feb.}

"Diamonds" by Hawk Nelson


"Here's My Heart" by Lauren Daigle


"Awake Our Souls" by Tim Timmons

Music Love,

-Bess-

Just Saying...

"The grass withers & the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

-Isaiah 40:8

His promises are true.  His words are rock solid & eternal.

Love & Peace,

-Bess-