Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Glorious Mess Blog Tour

                       


About the Book

Book:  Glorious Mess

Author: Mary McCullough

Genre:  Christian Nonfiction/Biblical Studies

Release Date: March 10, 2020

A woman struggles with a messy home situation, brokenness, rejection, and shame.

Know a woman like this?

Are you a woman like this?

Hannah, a powerful biblical example, was just such a woman. Through her life women can glean answers for their own life problems. Hannah didn’t stay in her grief and pain. She came to the end of her own striving and poured out her heart to the Lord—who answered her prayer.

Experience God’s love and healing in your own “messy” situations as you explore Hannah’s heartbreak and struggles in a Bible study just for women who don’t have it all together. This interactive six-week daily Bible study will help you pray transparently, praise wholeheartedly, and break off the shackles of spiritual barrenness, the need for approval, and perfectionism.

Hannah’s story will empower you to rise from your ashes, leave your messes in God’s hands, and live in service to the King of kings.

Wounds you thought would never heal will become scars that no longer hurt but remind you of the journey from broken to beautiful. As you wait, healing will come. Your soul will find rest even when the situation doesn’t change.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review 

This is a good Bible study addressing the barren and broken places in your life. McCullough suggests it be done with a trusted friend and has even included a covenant to sign for accountability and support.

I am impressed with the many spiritual themes McCullough discovered when exploring Hannah's story. She also derives lessons from a few of her own experiences. Hannah experienced it all, rejection, intimidation, weariness, and more. McCullough addresses the weariness you feel when waiting a long time to see God answer prayer. You'll find encouragement to stay committed even when the situation seems hopeless. You will also be challenged to see how women sometimes treat others in a messy situation.

I like how McCullough makes each lesson personal. She also has helps for prayer and a good discussion question for each lesson. I like her encouragement to be authentic, sharing her own messy life as an example.

This study is a good one for those of us who have messes in our lives. You'll be encouraged to know those messes do not disqualify you for God's love. Rather, you will find an emphasis on your value in Christ. Good news indeed.

My rating: 4/5 stars.


About the Author

Mary McCullough worked as an elementary school teacher for twenty-three years and is now an assistant elementary principal and building administrator. The co-founder of God First Friends, a ministry that helps women flourish as disciples of Christ, she is a longtime Bible study and Sunday school teacher for children and adults. She and her husband have been married for thirty-two years and have four adult children and three grandchildren. They live in Decatur, Indiana. Glorious Mess is her debut book.

More from Mary

Glorious Mess is the Biblical study of Hannah. As a perfectionist and control-freak, I had a neat and tidy life. That is until everything fell apart, and I found myself crying out to God for healing when life got out of control in so many areas. The more my world spun out of control, the more I identified with Hannah. She taught me about authenticity, grace, and perseverance. Her rival, Peninnah, taught me how to handle mean-spirited people and brought my own flaws to the surface so God could deal with them.

Year after year, I cried out for the healing I so desperately wanted at the foot of the cross. Mistreatment from others, the pain of watching others hurt, and my own weaknesses led me back to Hannah’s story time and again. It was Hannah’s journey from broken to bold and beautiful that kept me going. I wanted her confidence in the Lord. I wanted to stand up from my pain and never look back again on the pain but to know the God she knew. Some may think pain is in vain, but the Lord never wastes anything if we allow him to use it. I have learned of his kindness, faithfulness, and goodness beyond understanding. I’ve learned what it is like to be broken, and now I know what it means to be whole.

It is my prayer that each individual who goes through this study will be changed for eternal glory!

I’ve learned that your messes don’t define you, but they will refine you if you will lay them at the foot of the cross.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 14

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, October 15

Captive Dreams Window, October 15

Texas Book-aholic, October 16

Rebecca Tews, October 17

For Him and My Family, October 18

Inklings and notions, October 19

deb's Book Review, October 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 20

Remembrancy, October 21

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 22

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, October 23

Mary Hake, October 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 24

Artistic Nobody, October 24 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 25

Godly Book Reviews, October 25

Splashes of Joy, October 26

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 27

 

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

9 comments:

Debbie P said...

This sound great. I am really looking forward to get this book and studying daily.

Christina Gould said...

God First Friends sounds like a great ministry. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

This sounds very encouraging!

James Robert said...

Good morning and thank you for the book description and giveaway. 

Melissa W said...

Looks like a very practical book!

Caryl Kane said...

Excellent review! Thank you for sharing this valuable resource!

Robbye said...

Thanks for your review.
Blessings~

Bea LaRocca said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful review and the book and author details, this sounds like an inspirational read.

Dianna said...

Sounds like a book I could relate to, in many ways.