Christian Living E-book Bundle

*Bundle of the Week affiliate links used in this post. See full note below.

My ebook Shine is featured in a Christian Living e-book bundle this week!

BundleoftheWeek.com offers five e-books on a specific topic, and sells the bundle all for one great price of $7.40. A new bundle is featured each Monday and available for one week.

Today starts this Christian Living themed bundle that includes the following five ebooks...

complete // shine // holey, wholly, holy // desires of my heart // 31 days of forgiveness

Yep, that's my ebook (based on this 31-day series) on the second from the left. And, yes, I'm wishing I jumped onto making a vertical version before this feature.

If you haven't read Shine yet, this is a perfect opportunity to do so. If you have already read it, then the other four books in this bundle are still worth far more than the less than 10 bucks this bundle costs.

In my search, great Christian living e-books have been a little harder to come by. I know I'll be snatching up these inspiring reads at this great price.

Get the latest e-book bundle >> here.


*Note: Bundle of the Week affiliate links used in this post. Any purchase you make through one of these links will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. I, then, donate with love 30% of all my proceeds to support poor children in India, anti-trafficking efforts in South Asia, or other similar needs.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 31: do something

Today concludes 31 Days of Letting Your Lil Light Shine. As I look back on the month, two words come to mind: Do something.

I almost excused us all from doing anything extravagant, like Kylie's plan to serve in Nepal for three years. (Read her story here.) But, why not? Why do we limit ourselves to mediocrity as if that's God's calling for us? In fact, God calls us as the weak to be strong in Him, and the foolish to be wise in Him. He replaces our ashes with beauty, and exchanges our heaviness for praise.

Extravagance in the midst of our mediocrity is exactly the kind of testimony--the kind of light--God calls us to be.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 30: know your time of life

We were in the mountains of California enjoying a get-away at my parents' cabin. Leading up to the trip I had all these visions of rejuvenation and productivity during this time nestled in nature. I would enjoy some "me-time" while the kids did their morning activities (my parents manage a lodge that runs family camps), then I'd do some writing during afternoon nap. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 29: learn from children

Jesus says that we must become like little children. But do we really know what we have to learn from them? And what might becoming like children teach us about shining for Christ?

I think I came a little closer to understanding the children-shine connection last month when my daughter made a new friend.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 28: use your influence

This post is a continuation of day 21: realize your influence. Kylie shares how she has been lead to take her influence overseas. I pray you will ask God how He is calling you to use yours.

>> There’s a verse in the song “This Little Light of Mine” that talks about shining our lights all around the neighborhood. Until recently, I’ve never thought much of this statement. I mean, sure, love your neighbor as you love yourself--we’ve all heard this a time or two, right? Somewhere along the way, I gave my “neighborhood” boundaries, and allowed myself to believe that as long as I was doing my best to love my local barista and give a kind shout out to the mailman, I had that idea covered.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 27: start a Sabbath tradition

amanda | the paper arrow

Today's post is from Amanda. We met through The Influence Conference. She was the only other Adventist there (to my knowledge) other than my sister-in-law and me, and grew up near where I lived in my early teens. I asked Amanda to share about Sabbath traditions, and she came up with some great ideas for starting your own Sabbath traditions. Check into her blog www.ohamandaleigh.com for updates. (She's currently switching hosts, so it's under construction.)


>> I was born and raised as a (seventh-day) Sabbath keeper in the rolling hills of Tennessee. And to be honest with you, when non-Seventh-Day Adventists ask me how I always lived this way….I have to say, it was pretty simple. (I mean, have you seen the rolling hills of Tennessee?! Gorgeous.)

We had so many warm traditions that upheld the Sabbath idea and so much nature to take in where we are from that it was just like breathing to me.

Sabbath was a given and completely normal for us. What I want to share are some of the most memorable ways we honored this 24-hour period of rest and how simple it really is for anyone to do.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 26: set your sights

My husband travels for work. Sometimes he's gone just for one or two days, and I hardly notice he was away because the kids keep me plenty busy. But when he's away for several days or more, I start to feel it. I finally notice the empty spot next to me in bed, and see the kids restlessly wrestling each other the way they usually do their dad.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 25: build community

tammy | raggle-taggle

Sometimes, I feel like something is missing. Do you ever feel it? Like there's some discontentment, or some disconnect in daily life. Like something may be missing. Or that maybe something is simply "off" keeping me from feeling attached and like I have something of value to offer. Something keeping me feeling on the "outside."

Do you ever feel it?

Whether or not I take the time to investigate, there's always a reason. Often a reason related to my lack of community. You know, when the truth becomes evident that no amount of "likes" or comments on Facebook photos is enough to fill that void--the one only genuine community with others can fill. Or when I long to not do this mom-thing alone through the day, and dream of Bible times when surely the women carried their burdens together--in community.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 24: give unexpectedly

Life was a bit of a mess last Friday. (Read about that "daughter-vomiting, son-throwing-yogurt-in-my-hair day" here.) I sat frozen in front of my laptop, attempting the words to describe it. A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, and I answered it to find a friend, gifts in hand.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 23: send a note

Pulling out the fancy stationary that's sat untouched in a photo box for actual years. Spending less than 50 cents on a forever stamp. Facebooking a friend for their address because it's never been needed. Googling inspirational words from Real Simple, Oprah, and Pinterest. Encouraging someone with a few words in smooth-writing ink.

How much does it really take to send a note?

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 22: learn from each other

You'd think this 31 days series would teach me about writing and committing to a goal and getting through blocks and challenges. Sure, maybe it's doing a little of that too. What I'm really getting from 22 days of writing about letting our lights shine is everything I've learned from you.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 21: realize your influence

You have influence.

Do you know that?

We all have influence. Either with a few close friends and family members, or with coworkers, or with strangers who read our writing or buy our products. We have influence through our words and our actions, and through our online presence and our in-real-life presence. We have influence to bring down or to lift up--to discourage or to encourage.

How are you using your influence? Because you have one, and it's worth using intentionally.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 20: be in his presence

 >> What you are about to read was written Friday (yesterday) and scheduled for today. I'm taking an everything break. I hope you will too!

Today is a daughter-vomiting, son-throwing-yogurt-in-my-hair kind of day. The kind where clean towels, clothes, and diapers no longer fresh from the drier now overflow from living room seating. The sort of day where I'm regretting laziness over last night's dishes, because they're still there--lost under today's.

I'm stationed at the dining table, attempting productivity while ready for vomit-catching and well-child-entertaining every moment in between. Mail needs filed, budget needs balanced, eye appointment needs rescheduled. I'm playing put-together mom, unsuccessfully hiding that my soul needs a break.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 19: give thanks

When a messy home overwhelms me, I will give thanks for a homey retreat when I feel overwhelmed. When the kids drive me crazy, I will put away the technology and give thanks for their sweet lil hugs. When the laundry seems endless and the dishes, I swear, dirty themselves, I will give thanks for naked-less bodies and food-filled plates.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 18: plan a shine party

What's better than joining our efforts with others to increase our shine? Making a party out of it!

That's just what some friends and I did in September. We got together for a girls' night (most of us are moms, so it's an extra special treat to get together without kids), enjoying sweet treats and girl talk while we made cookies for our neighbors and wrote notes of encouragement to send to a friend. It's that simple to take our own little break of community and friendship and encouragement, and use it to inspire community and friendship and encouragement with and for others in our lives.

What does it take to throw your own shine party? Keep reading to find out!

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 17: leave a positive message

I'm going to say something we all know, but don't always follow: We don't have to see the receiver's reaction to our random act of kindness. In fact, it's even better if we don't. It adds a dose of altruism that's missing when we stick around for a thank you.

Take for instance Matthew 6:3-4...
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 16: invite someone over

Sometimes, inviting someone over just seems like too much work. Doesn't it?

That would mean I'd have to corral the kids to pick up their toys, while I throw miscellaneous shoes and sweatshirts in the closet, and Daniel runs the vacuum. I'd have to finally transfer the pile of dishes from the sink to the dishwasher. Overflowing recycling would be moved to the top of the dryer, and hidden behind closed doors. I'd have to quickly wipe up stray crumbs from counters and dining room table--we won't even go into the recurring mess that is Ian's high chair.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 15: learn from bloggers

Blogs can focus on any number of topics with bloggers sharing a variety of opinions and experiences. There's a blog out for their for everyone. If you're interested in it, there's a blog about it.

I'm particularly inspired by and grateful for the positive influence from Christian bloggers. Bloggers who inspire with their written words (like Emily from Chatting at the Sky). Bloggers who encourage with words that say we're not alone (like Kara's series at The Mom Diggity). Bloggers who introduce us to creative ways to help others (like The Pixi Project by Blaire at Wild and Precious).

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 14: start a conversation

Have you ever heard the stories of people that witness to complete strangers? They meet someone on an airplane or in line at the grocery store. They start with a friendly observation (It sure has gotten cold these last few days!) or a question (Where are you flying to?) or maybe an offer to help. Then somehow the conversation leads somewhere positive. Either a direct sharing of faith, or maybe a subtle glimpse into the Light.

I've always marveled at (and perhaps envied) these experiences. Namely because starting conversations with strangers is so far out of my comfort zone. It can feel awkward and even saying the first word goes through my mind for what feels like eternity before (if) ever coming out of my mouth.

But in efforts of becoming more Christ-like, and letting His light shine through me, I believe He wants me to do this more. Every person He met was a stranger. Even the people He called to be His best friends and peer support in His ministry were strangers when He first invited them. And that first conversation was essential.

Letting Your Lil Light Shine | day 13: rejuvenate outdoors

If Shabbat is about stopping, what better place to stop than outdoors?

There's a song we used to sing in lil tyke Sabbath School classes (like Sunday School, but it's on Saturday, for those wondering):

The trees are gently swaying... The flowers are lightly nodding... The birds are swiftly flying... The leaves are softly falling... showing God's great love.

Such a simple song. One that gets at the heart of taking time each week to stop outdoors. All the creatures God made, the beautiful flow of life, the peaceful rhythms of nature, all show God's great love.

And rejuvenating in God's great love is just what we need more of in our lives... soaking in more of His love until it spills out into all areas of our lives, and soon, His children brightly shining is where all around will see God's great love.