The Grace Effect By Larry Taunton

A Book Review of : The Grace Effect by Larry Taunton

In all honesty I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book - much less to benefit from it spiritually and intellectually- But that's exactly what happened.

"Simply defined, the 'grace effect' is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes." This is a direct quote from the author - who by the way, did an awesome job of giving us real life examples in his life, the life of his adopted daughter Sasha and the people of the very secular nation of her birth in Eastern Europe. You travel between this family's quest to bring a beautiful and fragile soul out of a cold and spiritually sterile world and how this country and it's people reached that point. The author affords you a layman's history lesson that explains the present day socio-economic foes, it's almost self-impost blindness to their own spiritual poverty, moral depravity and wide-spread corruption.

This is a great book for anyone wondering if a country devoid of religion is truly progressive. If atheism is the answer to our social problems. If tolerance on steroids is really just indifference justified. Perfect for young adults especially those on their way to college who need a load of assurance that Grace is an Awesome Gift. Read this book and then share it - it's so worth the time.

Note: I was given this book for free by the publisher for an unbiased opinion... and that's exactly what you got. When you read it - Tell me what you think

If You Give a Terrorist a Toy

Several years ago my husband asked some of his friends at a dinner party to donate toys for our Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. One gentleman's answer, " If they're going to little terrorist I want nothing to do with it."  He explained that yes some the boxes would go to children in places known for terrorism. A greater reason for us to do the project. Our fellow Christian wasn't having it, he believed we would just be feeding the one's who would later kill us. My husband and I were shocked and sadden by this harsh response to a call to help spread the Gospel. I have never forgotten that experience. Those words rang in my ear and heart a totally different message. What happens when we give these children, toys, candies, and the living Word of God? 


One of my favorite kids books, that I would read often to my children was, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Here is a summary of the book by the Scholastic website:

When a generous boy shares a cookie with a hungry mouse, it is the beginning of a chain of events that keeps the boy busy all day long, and might keep him busy for days to come. If you give a mouse a cookie, after all, he's bound to ask for a glass of milk, for which he'll certainly need a straw, not to mention a napkin, and a mirror to check for a milk mustache, which will only lead to him noticing that he needs a haircut. 

Well here is my revised version: 

When a generous Christian shares a gift-filled shoe box with a child, it can be the beginning of a chain of events. After all, he's bound to ask why would a Christian give a toy to a Muslim for which he certainly will be more curious about that faith. He will certainly need a copy of that Holy Book to read for himself which will take him to look in his spiritual mirror which will only lead to him noticing that he needs a Savior.

Is that like a Tragedy or a Total Blessing. .. In Matthew 19:14: 

NIV - Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."


He did mean ALL children - even terrorist. Let's keep this in mind as we approach the 10th anniversary of 911.

How to Make a Charm Bracelet - Beginner EASY and Cheap

This is soooooooooooo easy. The hardest thing to do is to gather your supplies… and those are not many. After that, all you really need to learn to do is open a split ring.

What You Will Need

Tools:

(2) Pliers – I prefer a pair of needle nose and a bent nose – Any pliers that DON’T cut will work. I bet you’ll find some around your house or garage.

Supplies: - You can get these on Ebay- REAL Cheap or Buy with a coupon at local craft store
               Note: Some sellers on Ebay will sell you a (lot) of 20 or even 50 charms for as little as $.99

(1)       6 – 8 inch Blank Charm Bracelet

(2)      Small Split Rings - 5mm

(7-9)   Large Split Rings –  8mm

(7-9)   Charms of your chose

        

(1)       Lobster Clasp - Note : Toggles work best if you know the exact size of a persons wrist

(1)       Very Small chain about a half an inch in length – (optional)

        

 

Instructions:

Grab the two ends of your charm bracelet and bring them together so that you can find the middle. This is where you will put your first charm. It helps keep things balanced.

Grab one large split ring with your two pliers (one on each side) and twist with one of the pliers towards you and with the other away from you until you “split the ring” open.

Insert your biggest charm into the split ring and then insert the split ring with the charm in it into the middle chain link on your bracelet. With your two pliers close the split ring back up. .. Repeat this with all your other large split rings and charms until you have no more large split rings or charms.

Then grab a small split ring – split it open. Insert your lobster clasp into the split ring and then insert the split ring with the clasp in it into the last (end of right or left side) chain link on your bracelet. With your two pliers close the split ring back up.

Grab a small split ring – split it open. Insert your tiny chain (the extender). Then insert your split ring with the extender in it into the opposite end (the very last) chain link on your bracelet. Close the split ring

Optional: Open the last chain link on your extender in the same way that you opened the split rings and add a tiny charm or a bead. Close the link.

ENJOY your new charm bracelet – then – Make One more to Send on Missions.

Visit our website at Mission Bound Creations

Barbie Rehab - How to Recycle, Renew & Send On a Blessed Mission

Barbie is known and loved all over the world.  Since our team sends gift-filled shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child all over the world I wanted to include this most coveted item for our precious little recipients.

However I was facing two dilemas. Our budget was very low and Barbie had become to Sexy. What to do?..Well I prayed and my father blessed me with this idea.. BARBIE REHAB.

I called on all my team members, especially those under the age of 9 and told them that I needed all their dirty, naked, crazy hair, throw away Barbies that had been in closets, toy chest and under the bed since last Christmas. My OCC family responded and we got to work. Here is the process we used.

* Ordered generic pretty conservative dresses and shoes online
* Washed Barbies hair with dishwashing liquid as instruted by YouTube
* Made sure we Combed not Brushed the synthetic hair
* Styled it before it dried - No Blow dyers 
* For hair buns we bought the tiny clear rubberbands normally used for braids at the local beauty supply store
* Cheap Hair Spray - A lot of it... And Hair Gel - A lot of it....
* Removed ink and dirt with Magic Erasers
* Used tiny beads and jewelry glue for Earrings
* Tiny Beads and Sewing Thread for Necklaces and Bracelets
* Left over Foam Paper cut-outs for Earrings and Bracelets
* Ironed the dresses with an iron on a cool setting
* Added ribbons, fabric flower and beads to the dresses by sewing or fabric glue

Here are pictures of just a few of the 24 Barbies and Brats sent for missions for a cost between $1.80 and $2.50 per Doll. 


TO SEE MORE PICTURES WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE PAGE


Rehab is a Beautiful Thing !

If you want to see more pics of us in action here is a link to our meetup.com site Operation Christmas Child Group of Volunteers and look for the photo album Barbie Rehab.

Note: Thanks to the inspiration of our Members Loretta and Rachel - Rehab is back in session August 2011. If you sew and would like to help us with this awesome ministry project by making a few of the needed dresses (or ANY thing else you can think of.....) PLEASE email me at denise@missionboundcreations.com or visit our website by clicking the link below.

Mission Bound Creations

The Best Cure for Pain - of Any Kind - is Service

This is my first post - EVER! I thought it best to say what is ALWAYS paramount on my mind... Jesus wants me to serve Others. That is what He wants you to do too. Our minds and bodies were made for this. 


If you don't believe me - Well consider the phlebotomist at your local blood bank ( which I hope you do visit every so often ), who always tells you to look away so you don't see the needle coming. Why does she/he do that? To take your mind off of YOU and spare you some pain. .. Another example, please do not try this at home.. but if you hit your thumb with the hammer while trying to put up a picture, there is a way to diminish that pain.. Let the life size picture of your entire family including the dog and cat, built with a heavy frame slip from your fingers and hit your big toe.. GREAT! Now you'll forget about the pain in your thumb. 


It is called, Redirecting Your Focus, of course not back to yourself but to Jesus and his plan for you. The plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Remember those plans? What happens is that people forget Jesus' definition of Prosperity. To put it simple: Its not all about you! 


If you have ever been lonely (like I have been), depressed (like I have been), angry ( I do this one to often - just have to remember not to sin), frustrated (almost every weekday - especially Mondays), sad ( because I miss my mother sooooooooooooooo much - although she now walks streets of gold), felt abandoned, abused, neglected, taken for granted, ignored, insulted, constrained, belittled, beaten down.. you put the word that best fits your situation, then My Sister, My Brother .. GO FEED GODS CHILDREN ! With your words, your wealth, your talents, your prayers. 


YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE. I PROMISE! How do I know this? Because you don't need sight to speak Gods words, you don't need wealth to sit with someone in pain, you don't need hands or knees to pray for others, you don't  need a loud voice to write a letter to someone in jail, you don't need feet to sing a song of encouragement. Whatever you don't have - you don't need it to accomplish what your Heavenly Father created you for.. just go.. say here I am.. and redirect your focus.


One more thing: If you're ever in South Florida and want something to do visit our website. Click on our link for a schedule of mission events:  MissionBoundCreations.com