Ungodly Clutter by Monica Mynk

We recently returned from a teen lectureship and I've been thinking a lot about how I can do more for God in several areas of my life. I know keeping you up to date on great new books written by Christian authors is a full-time effort, but it is worth it! (And one I need to work at.) It is wonderful to know that someone looking for a study book can find one here. Or, if a sister needs to get away from it all and disappear into a book, she can find a clean read from fellow Christian authors.

I am uncertain who still follows COCWA, but if you're out there, I want to thank you. And, if you have a moment check out Ungodly Clutter by Monica Mynk!


About Ungodly Clutter:

"Have you ever been embarrassed to invite someone into your home? Cobwebs in the corners? Laundry piled to the ceiling? Mile-high dishes in the sink? If it’s true that cleanliness is next to godliness, does that mean those of us too stressed and over-worked to maintain a clean home are ungodly?
Perhaps, God would be appalled to enter many of our homes... but not for the reasons we might think! Today’s world is full of distractions and many litter our living space without us giving them a second thought.
How can Christian women cleanse their homes of the idols and temptations that hinder salvation?"

Sisters at Sea by Jenny Harp

About Sisters at Sea:

"How many “ships” will you encounter on your sea of life? Sisters at Sea is a guide for a woman’s “ships” including Partnership, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Is your Swordsmanship rusty? Learn of salvation and Membership. Energize your Bible study with Sisters at Sea. Sinking is not an option. 13 chapters. Questions." (Publishing Designs)







What lessons ideas can you come up with from the thought of the Sea?

Leading Ladies: Willing Hearts, Willing Hands by Teresa Hampton

About Leading Ladies: Willing Hearts, Willing Hands:

"Refreshing ideas and simple guidelines show women divine parameters for leadership. A how-to book for ladies who want to put away complaining, worrying, and gossiping, and step into God's service. Thirteen chapters with questions." (Publishing Designs)

From Church of Christ Women Authors:

I LOVE this book. I started teaching ladies classes several years ago, and I found this book a great encouragement to me as I adjusted to teaching peers. I would recommend this book for women of all ages.

--Susan Elliott

What are your tips for teaching peers about the Bible?

The Treasured Woman: Profiles from Proverbs 31 by Christa Bryant

About: The Treasured Woman: Profiles from Proverbs 31 :

"In The Treasured Woman, Christa Bryant brings to life the qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman as she examines them and relates them back to some of the most honored, beloved women in Scripture. This book goes beyond the lofty expectations that Proverbs 31 tends to place upon women, digging deeper into the Word of God to reveal that these “unattainable” qualities can actually be achieved. 

In this thirteen-lesson study guide, Christa gives the reader real-life examples of a virtuous woman. You will be re-introduced to women such as Mary, Abigail, Ruth, Hannah, Rahab, and many others—all of whom lived the Proverbs 31 way of life and became treasured women to their families and to God. Questions at the end of each chapter serve to spark additional reflection and discussion. This study will give you the inspiration, confidence, and guidance you need to become a precious gem among the fellowship of believers."  (Amazon)

Genre: Wisdom Literature

More In-depth Information From Christa Bryant:

Why did you decided to write a book on this topic? 

I wanted women to realize that the Proverbs 31 woman was not just the June Cleaver image our culture seems to have of her. I wanted her to be real in a way that everyone could relate to her and find ways to emulate her in their personal lives. 

What are your goals with this work? 

I want to encourage women to be able to live up to the woman God wants them to be, not what the church, society, or culture seems to promote.

Who do you think the target audience is? 

Young women from teenagers to older women.

Are you working on any other book at this time? 

I am working on a book on confidence and self worth. I hope to take some of the women of the Bible an show how they demonstrated confidence and how Biblical confidence is better than worldly confidence. 

Don't forget to check out Christa Bryant's Meet the Author Page.



What are your favorite passages about female Bible Characters?

Christianity or Islam: The Contrasts by Katheryn Maddox Haddad

About the Book: Christianity or Islam: The Contrasts


"This book was written to help Christians understand Islam, and Muslims understand Christianity. It is not ABOUT the two religions, but quotes directly from the scriptures of both groups so the reader can know personally what they teach instead of relying on rumors. Quotes from the Quran and New Testament (Injil) of the Bible cover the same topics for comparison purposes. 

Also addressed in the book are misconceptions Muslims have of Christianity such as Christians believing in three Gods and God having a wife. Also addressed are the rumors that, though the Quran says the Bible should be read and obeyed, it has been corrupted, so would be a waste of time to read. 

The author grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, a hub of Islam today. She has also taught the Bible over the internet to some 5000 Muslims worldwide, with converts in hiding in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and Palestine. Near the end of the book are nearly 100 testimonials of Muslims who are now convinced Jesus really was the Son of God and not just a prophet." (Amazon)

Learn more about the author at Katheryn Maddox Haddad's meet the author page.


Recommended Reading:

"Description: Shadowland - Islam: Behind The Veil is an easy-to-understand overview of Islam. But it is more. It is an opportunity for reckoning. Examine a simple religion full of complexities that shock and motivate the reader to appreciate Truth. Sample facts: 

• Foreign religions do not receive freedoms in Muslim countries. 

• Most Muslim countries do not receive international newscasts. 

• Americans may not believe that war has religious significance, but her enemies do! 

• Devout Muslims and devout Christians cannot possibly agree. 

This book is excellent for church libraries, resource material, individual study, and classroom study. Nine chapters."  (Amazon)


Articles about Radical Islam from Becoming Women of Virtue:

Dangers of Radical Islam Part I
Dangers of Radical Islam Part 2
Dangers of Radical Islam Part 3
Can you recommend any other good books for people to learn the differences between Christianity and Islam? 

Life Lessons from the Book of Ruth by Susan Elliott

About the Book:

"Life Lessons from the Book of Ruth covers a variety of topics. It not only looks at the book of Ruth, but covers the Virtuous Women of Proverbs 31, and the Beattitudes of Matthew 5.

Susan provides the historical background to the Book of Ruth as well as shows the importance of why we should study the Book of Ruth." (Amazon)

Genre: Women's Studies, General Knowledge

Susan Elliott has several published religious study books.


For more information about her and her books, please check out Susan Elliott's Meet the Author Page.


What is your favorite book of the Bible?

The Stained Glass Pickup: Glimpses of God's Uncommon Wisdom by Cathy Messecar

"About the Book The Stained Glass Pickup: Glimpses of God's Uncommon Wisdom :

Where do you meet God? In Cathy Messecar's The Stained Glass Pickup discover God waiting for you in unpredictable places. Through poignant stories, the author points you to the One who created you - the One who is waiting for you in the details and chaos of everyday life. 52 inspiring chapters. This makes a wonderful gift book." (Amazon)

Check out more from Cathy Messecar on her Meet the Author's Page!


Have you read any of Cathy's works? Don't forget to comment here, and make sure to leave a review on Amazon. Thanks!

A Still and Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment by Cathy Messecar

About the Book:

"“But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2

"Life is chaotic. Schedules, stress and strife can quickly spiral out of control leaving you frustrated, exhausted and angry. But God wants more for you. He wants you to be content.

In A Still & Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment by  author Cathy Messecar shows you how to adorn your life with contentment and anchor your days with joy. In the midst of the mess, you can journey towards a life of worship through being content wherever you are.

You will see how God grants contentment to ordinary people in scripture as He shows us extraordinary things. Each chapter ends with a personal story of how God granted contentment to people like your next door neighbor, co-worker, grandfather, aunt and sister.

With her easy-to-read style and biblically founded truths, Cathy helps you discern contentment in your life even in the midst of the chaos, helping you cultivate A Still and Quiet Soul"" (Amazon)

About the Author:

""Cathy Turner Messecar, born in Nashville, Arkansas, has lived in Texas most of her life. Married to David, they live in Montgomery, Texas, birthplace of the Texas flag. From their rural farm, Leaning Tree Acres, they own and operate a trucking company offering rock and alfalfa. Their family includes two children and their spouses, and five grandchildren who live on the farm or nearby. Cathy says, “Just call us the Waltons.”

She has taught women’s Bible classes for over 25 years. She also speaks at retreats and organizations such as garden clubs, Retired Teachers, MOPS (mothers of preschoolers), and writing guilds. She does occasional radio interviews.

For 11 years, she wrote an inspirational column for Houston Community Newspapers, The Courier, Conroe, Texas, and has received a Roaring Lambs award from the Amy Foundation. Cathy also received the award of Competent Toastmaster from Toastmasters International (speakers’ club).

A freelance writer, she has written for the Houston Chronicle, Christian Woman, Sisterhood, Power for Today, Christian Mirror Webzine and the Pen & Sword Newsletter for the Amy Foundation. She writes for Heartlight.org Magazine and CBN.com and others. Her inspirational writings also appear in devotional compilation books.

Cathy’s interests are family and friends, snooping around antique fairs, collecting old linens, serving tea from her teapots and cups and of course, writing."" (Amazon)

Cathy also has her own website titled, Threads of Peace from a Farmscribe.

Don't miss Cathy Messecar's Meet the Author Page!

Other books by Cathy:

A Still & Quiet Soul: Embracing Contentment

Dogwood Winter: Weathering Cancer with Hope

The Stained Glass Pickup: Glimpses of God's Uncommon Wisdom

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holidays

The Holy Spirit in 365 Scriptures by Katheryn Maddox Haddad

About the Book:

"There are numerous books on the Holy Spirit, but they are based on only a few Bible verses. This study was not done to prove the author’s or anyone else’s pet assessment of the Holy Spirit. The study was made with the desire to forget all pre-conceived notions and opinions, and discover only God’s opinion. 

The Bible has 365 verses on the Holy Spirit and God’s Spirit. This is the only book of its kind to cover all verses. All other books take a few ideas about the Holy Spirit and elaborate on them. 
To make sense out of all 365 verses, they were categorized according to what you see in the table of contents in this book ~ the types of people affected by the Holy Spirit. 

Within each category, are sub-categories, usually based on how the Holy Spirit connected with each person, and how each person reacted. 

The same subcategory terms will sometimes appear in each category of the people the Holy Spirit affected. At first those little words may seem to have no special significance. But as you progressed through them, you will see that even little words like “within” and “upon”, and “full” sometimes had big significance. All those word studies prepare you for the even more dynamic later chapters in the book. 
The study is based on the New King James Version of the Bible. 

Read through these chapters, not to prove what you already believe, but with an open mind and heart that perhaps you don’t believe in enough things the Holy Spirit does, or you believe in more things than the scriptures actually teach.

Let us be careful that we do not go beyond what is written (I Corinthians 4:6). Now, let us gear up for all things God’s Holy Spirit does, and get ready to be amazed."  (Amazon)


About the Author:

"Katheryn Haddad hails from Arizona with palm trees and cacti in her yard, and a computer with the letters worn away to keep her company.

With a bachelor's degree in English, Bible and social science from Harding University and part of a master's degree in Bible, including Greek, from the Harding Graduate School of Theology, she also has a master's degree in management and human relations from Abilene University. 

Her newspaper column appeared for several years in newspapers in Texas and North Carolina ~ Little Known Facts About the Bible ~ and she has written for numerous Christian publications. 

For 20 years, she was a genealogist, and traced her family back to the early 1600s in England and Wales.

Currently she teaches English over the internet every morning, using the Bible as a text book. Most of her students are Muslims. She has taught some 5000 thus far, and has former students, now Christians, in hiding in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine. "They are my heroes" she declares.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Christian Writers of the West, and is also an energetic public speaker who can touch the heart of audiences." (Amazon)

Genre: New Testament Study

A Study in Art: More Than a Passing Glance: Early Christian Art by Susan Elliott

More Than a Passing Glance: Early Christian Art was a true labor of love. I absolutely love all things pertaining to early art. I remember the first time I studied early Christian art at the University of Arkansas. My professor opened my eyes to a world I had never known or understood.

The important lessons of early Christians came alive before my eyes, and I understood their lives better than I had ever thought possible. Journey with me through this amazing walk in the lives of the early Christians.

--Susan

About More Than a Passing Glance: Early Christian Art:

Susan invites you to take a walk through the ancient Christian world of art to gain a deeper appreciation of symbols and faith. When you read More Than a Passing Glance: Early Christian Art, you will immerse yourself into a visual tour of the catacombs, and understand what messages the early Christians wanted you to know from their funerary art. Through your study you will gain a better understanding of the Bible truths these paintings and symbols represent. If you’ve ever looked at ancient Christian art and wondered, this book is for you.

Audience:

More Than a Passing Glance: Early Christian Art is suitable for use as a home school book, or as a ladies class book. It is a book of general knowledge that even young students need to learn.

Author Interview with Susan Elliott:

Check out Susan's other books at Susan Elliott's Meet the Author Page.

Welcome to Church of Christ Women Authors!

Susan Elliott: Sunflowers

      There are a growing number of Christian women authors among the churches of Christ who have been both traditionally published and published through the Indie market. We finally have a presence on Facebook and are working hard to help each other learn tricks of the trade and writing tips through our own experiences. If you're a church of Christ woman author don't hesitate to comment and join us on Facebook. If you're just looking for a good read, you've come to the right place.

Since one of our major goals is to get our material into your hands, where possible there will be links to Amazon, Author's Pages, blogs, and other places where materials can be purchased. Please feel free to check out the books. Here and there I may sneak in a few of my favorite Bible study helps along the way as well.

Thanks for stopping by.

--Susan