Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

women living well {book review two + giveaway}

Women Living Well
Find Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home
By: Courtney Joseph

Check out my previous review HERE also!  Annnnnnnnd {drum roll please} you can enter to win a free copy from the publisher right here on my blog! My first ever giveaway!!!  Squeeeeeeeee!

Now for my second review…
I must say, even after reading this book for weeks, I’m still completely and utterly in love with it.  When I open the book, I’m always so excited to “sit at the feet” of my mentor and soak in all her wisdom.  As I read through the book, I find myself soaking in the words.  Sometimes reading over a section two or three times just to be sure I savor her advice and lock it in my heart.  Highlighting wisdom I want to read over and over.
The section that is making the biggest impact in my life right now is the “Marriage Challenge”.  I’ll let Courtney explain the challenge in her own words…

It’s a ten-day marriage challenge that is about being intentional as we complete our husbands rather than compete with our husbands. Our husbands are each unique, so this challenge will be about discovering what it is your husband needs. Each of the ten days will include a verse, a thought, a challenge, and an application. Your husband is going to be blown away by your desire to please him over the next ten days!

Courtney’s writing is absolutely beautiful. She is so transparent, honest and shares her heart. She doesn’t write as someone that knows it all, or thinks they are above you, she writes as a sister-in-Christ who has shared the same struggles as you and I.

I absolutely consider Women Living Well one book that every Christian wife and mother should read. And the great news is … Courtney has a wonderful gift she’s providing to everyone who pre-orders her book. It’s a 10 eBook bundle for FREE that you’ll receive when you simply email Courtney a copy of your Amazon receipt (offer available through September 30, 2013).

How Do You Win?

If you scroll down just a bit you will see the Rafflecopter entry form which outlines a bunch of ways to enter the Women Living Well giveaway. Just complete as many as you would like to be entered to win!

Enter The Give Away

Follow the instructions below to enter the Women Living Well contest and then spread the word to others! The contest ends at midnight on Sunday, October 6th and the winner will be announced on Monday, October 7th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Interview {Heart of Still}

A heart that’s full of gratitude, grounded in truth and genuine expression…that’s a Heart of Still

I recently received a message from a sweet girl, telling me she found my work on etsy, loved it and she was now a follower! She sent me a link to her shop, and i was off to creep. Once i started looking around her shop, oh my stars, i was in love. Super cute, stylish Christian t-shirts for women!

Heart of Still was launched by Ann Brown. She offers hand screen-printed inspirational messages and images on apparel and home accessories.  She uses eco-friendly supplies, like water-based inks and recycled materials whenever possible, Heart of Still attempts to tread lightly on the earth.

When i received my shirt, as soon as i put it on i was in love.  It is the softest t-shirt i’ve ever had on.  Seriously y’all, i didn’t want to take it off.  I am in loooooove with this shirt!  From the message, to the screen-print to the shirt.  I adore it!

I was absolutely truly honored to interview Ann, learn more about her and get to know her heart.  Check out her interview below.

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When did your relationship with the Lord begin? Can you share your testimony?

Well, I was raised in the church, and I had a special relationship with God as a young child, I’d say prior to the age of eight. But when I turned eight years old, I’d reached my breaking point. Many unfortunate incidents occurred including multiple forms of abuse, unhealthy relationships, bullying at school – all without explanation. My emotions mounted, and I was not allowed many outlets, so I became numb.

During my late teens/early twenties, I denounced God altogether. I could not understand how my life could be so tumultuous and there be a God in Heaven. By the age of twenty-four, my relationship with God slowly reignited, but I still struggled with feelings of self-hatred and feeling invalidated by others. On January 11, 2004, I was in a really dark place and decided that that night would be my last night on earth. In my spirit, I heard God whisper that I could start over again. I began to listen to sermons that described God as Abba, my loving father. I had not felt loved in that way since I was seven.

Over time, I have learned more and more about the nature of God. My life is not perfect, but I have come to know peace that surpasses understanding.

How did you decide on your business name, Heart of Still?

I think that the answer to this question is related to my testimony. For most of my life, I incessantly searched for outer peace, but I have come to a place in my life where I experience inner stillness regardless of what is happening around me, and I would like to share that sentiment with others.

Describe your style in 5 words.

Earthy, simple, typographical, sometimes eclectic, and tranquil

What types of products do you offer?

Screen-printing is a new creative process for me, but it is a good fit. I am still exploring ways in which to express my artistic ideas using this medium. My goal is to simplistically communicate encouraging messages using words and hand-drawn graphics. Currently, this plays out on women’s tops, paper and flour sack towels.

What is your most popular item?

My Heart of Still Emblem receives the most views and favorites on Etsy, but I have sold more Fruit of the Spirit tees than any other style.

What inspired you to start your business?

I have always had some sort of creative hobby over the years and have sold paintings and crafts here and there, but this is the first time that I have taken a more structured approach to starting a small business.

This specific idea has been lingering in my mind for a long time. I love words, always have, and I believe that they hold a lot of power. I consider all creative Ideas to originate from the Creator, so this idea is greater than me in a lot of ways. After postponing this business idea for a while, the timing just felt right, so I decided to give it my best.

What do you love to do in your spare time?

I love long, quiet walks either early in the morning or late at night. I also enjoy reading and writing.

What are your “can’t live withouts”?

Tea, tangible books, including the Bible, and thick, cozy socks

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You can connect with Ann by visiting her etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartofStill
or email her at heartofstillstudio@gmail.com

P.S.  If you would like to have an interview featured on Forever Beloved, shoot me an email at gypsytree@windstream.net.  I’d love to discuss it with you!!!

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Love, Respect and Godly Submission {To The Men}

this is the first time i’ve written a blog post specifically for men.  it’s kinda strange but i’m actually super excited {and a little nervous} to share Gods marriage design with you as well!

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy,cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:25-33


three times in this passage of Scripture God commands you as a husband to do something specific: love your wife.  
while your wife is instructed to submit, you are instructed to love your wife.  not just kinda sorta love her, but love your wife as Christ loved the church.  Paul does not tell you in this passage to rule over your wife.  you are never told, “make sure your wife knows you’re in authority over her or show her who’s in charge.”  instead God tells you three times to love your wife.
love her.  
God’s command to love your wife involves more than just acting in love when you feel emotionally 
or physically close to your wife. God doesn’t tell you to love your wife just when she is being 
affectionate and loving to you.  He doesn’t say to love your wife only when you feel she is deserving of it.  and it doesn’t say to withhold love when she’s sassy {thank goodness}.  God commands: cherish your wife. have affection for your wife. love her.
guys, let your wife know how much she means to you.  tell her.  tell her over and over again.  write her a note to tell her and hide it in a place she’ll find it.  believe me, she’ll appreciate that more than you know.  and she’ll more than likely shed a few tears.  give her a big hug and kiss when you walk in the door after work.  just hold her in your arms.  from a woman’s perspective, this little act of kindness can wash away the negative things that happened during the day and change the tone of the evening.  and i betcha this would also be a good step towards getting that smokin’ hot marriage we all want  🙂    
how did Jesus ultimately show His love the church? He died to establish it. wow… i know, right. are you willing to do that?  you are also to love your wife more than you love yourself. in reality, Christ is asking you to put your wife’s needs before your own. what makes that difficult is our own selfish hearts. it doesn’t help that you have the world in your ear, telling you that you are entitled to put your own needs first.  and if you don’t…well then your either a sissy , hen-pecked or really foolish.

submission can’t be forced, ever.  trying to control others (including your wife) is prideful, selfish and sinful.  it doesn’t honor God or others.  and it certainly won’t make for a very happy marriage.  being controlling isn’t loving at all.  if your wife isn’t submitting, ask yourself “am i loving my wife as Christ loved the church?”. if the answer is no, then i’d say that is something you need to work on.  work on your part and don’t worry about her part.  once your heart is in the right place, then the two of you can work on submission together.

a truly Christian marriage will mirror the relationship between Christ and his church.  this mirroring will involve both the husband loving his wife as Christ loves the church, and the wife gladly submitting to her husband. the two elements, love and submission, are non-negotiable within the relationship. both elements, love and submission are required for our marriages to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.

so this week…guys, love on your wife.  hug her, kiss her, hold her, listen to her and just spend genuine quality time loving her.

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