Recently, we were invited to attend the event live in Tampa! We are so excited!! I will be sharing some moments live on my Twitter and Instagram so make sure you are following those accounts now so you don’t miss out.

What is LIFE SURGE?

LIFE SURGE is the only Christian touring event in history that is geared to the marketplace and is filling up venues across the country. It is part Christian worship concert, part Christian conference, part business and motivational seminar and part entrepreneurial and investor education.

Its mission is to inspire, transform and equip people to SURGE their lives God’s way! The day focuses on 4 W’s:

• Worship-The Heart of God- John 4:23 “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”
• Wisdom-The Mind of God-Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing. In all your getting, get understanding.”
• Work-The Actions of God-Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
• Wealth-The Resources of God-Isaiah 48:17 “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.”

From LIFE SURGE Founder-Joe Johnson PhD

“We want to lead a global movement of people surging their lives God’s way, by inspiring, transforming and equipping believers to do all that God has called them to do. Years ago, Billy Graham Jr. said, “I believe one of the next great moves of God is going to be through the believers in the workplace.”

Not only do we believe that – we want to be a part of seeing that reality in our lifetime! From live events to digital media and ongoing education and training, we want to impact every sphere of our society with the Power of God and the life-altering truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

LIFE SURGE is passionate about bringing our events to our attendees, LIVE AND IN-PERSON! We believe in the power of a local community that fellowships together, worships together, and encourages each other exactly where they are. By bringing together some of the top Christian speakers, business minds, entrepreneurs, and worship teams, our hope is to create an atmosphere of transformation.

Our mandate is to provide an opportunity for each attendee and believer to experience increase in their personal lives, careers, businesses, wealth, and legacy for the generations to follow. Because of John 10:10, we believe that there are always opportunities to live a better life, and that can happen suddenly and powerfully.”

Why Are We Going?

My husband and I are both Christian small business owners. He owns his own musical instrument and sound system repair business-Schultz Services. I run this blog, teach private music lessons, and I am a Scentsy Consultant at The Scentsible Home. We are always looking at ways to honor God and our community with the gifts and talents He gave us. We are sure we will be inspired, encouraged, and challenged at LIFE SURGE and I think you will be too.

Upcoming LIFE SURGE Events

• Raleigh, NC Friday, June 7 9:00-5:30pm or Saturday, June 8 9:00-5:30pm
• Boston, MA Saturday, June 22 9:00-5:30pm
• Tampa, FL Saturday, June 29 8:00-4:30pm
• Reading, PA Saturday, July 13 9:00-5:30pm
• Cincinnati, OH Saturday, August 3 9:00-5:30pm
• Chicago, IL Saturday, August 10 9:00-5:30pm
• Boise, ID Saturday, August 24 9:00-5:30pm

Tickets for all these events are still available on the LIFE SURGE website. Get them before they sell out!

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About Bedtime with Mommy

All around the world, it’s bedtime, and Mommies are tucking little ones into bed. From the elephants on the grasslands to the camels in the desert to the polar bears in the Arctic, it’s time for snuggles, prayers, and bedtime kisses.
This adorable board book features a Mommy and baby animal in eight different habitats getting ready for bed. The final spread features Mommy tucking a child into bed.

The book is written by Nancy I. Sanders and illustrated by Felia Hanakata. You can purchase the book here.

Nancy I. Sanders is the children’s author of over 100 books, published with houses both big and small.
Nancy’s nonfiction picture book, D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet, (Sleeping Bear Press) won various awards and sold over 80,000copies upon initial publication.
Her delightful classroom bestseller with Scholastic Teaching Resources, 25 Read and Write Mini-Books That Teach Word Families, has sold over 300,000 copies and is still selling strong.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

Harmony and I love this book. She brings it to me to read every time she visits! She is learning about animals right now so we have expanded her animals to include the eight animals in this book. We love that the book comes from a Christian worldview and includes bedtime prayers, Bible reading, and hymn singing as regular parts of life. Not a lot of books for young children include these important daily activities.

Bedtime with Mommy would make a wonderful Christmas book for the young child in your life. You can purchase the book here, or you can enter to win a copy here. Either way, we know you will enjoy this book.

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We all have a unique father story, it may be positive or painful whatever it is, it’s personal. Our father story can deeply affect us as children and how we view Father God. SHOW ME THE FATHER is an inspiring film that EVERYONE needs to see to remember to lean into God’s goodness as He is our Father.

Make plans now to see this movie in theaters opening weekend! Also make sure to subscribe to The Mom Maven because I’ll be having a ticket giveaway (US residents only) very soon!

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About Butterfly Box

Life is busy, and it can be hard to find the time each day to connect with Christ. Butterfly Box is here to help! We thoughtfully curate a themed box each month to help reclaim those quiet moments with God, build your intimacy with Christ, and live out your faith in the world around you! 

• Each month’s box is designed to illustrate a biblical theme and encourage spiritual growth.
• 5 to 6 items such as ruby jewelry, artwork, books, decor, personal pampering items, faith sharing cards and other specialty items
• All items are carefully chosen and undergo a rigorous selection process
• Products are faith-based or support small Christian businesses.

Subscription Plans

• Month to Month $34.99 + shipping
• 3 Month Plan $101.97 ($33.99 + shipping)
• 6 Month Plan $197.99 ($32.99 + shipping) Bonus item-free sweatshirt
• 12 Month Plan $383.99 ($31.99 + shipping) Bonus items- free sweatshirt and a bonus box
• Use the code WELCOME10 to receive 10% off your purchase.

You can order Butterfly Box for yourself, or give it as a gift. I know I’d love to receive this as a gift!

My Butterfly Box

The Butterfly Box that I received was prayer themed. It included the book , “The Power of a Praying Woman” by Stormie Omartian. This is a powerful devotional. I used this many years ago. I’m excited to to have a beautiful new copy. Next is the Be Still and Know Journal. I love a good journal so this will be put to good use. The Butterfly Prayer Bracelet is a lovely gift that I plan to pass on to a friend who is walking through a difficult time to let her know I’m praying for her. The Vanilla White and Peppermint Tea Drops are unique teas to enjoy during your quiet time. Last but not least is a Weekly Prayer Strategy Guide with daily reminders of all the important things we can lift up in prayer.

You can enter to win 6 months of Butterfly Box! That’s a $197.99 value. To enter the giveaway click here.

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I am a planner junkie. I have had some kind of planner since I was in junior high. As a young adult, I was introduced to the large day planner of the 1980s and I felt like I had made a new best friend. Over the years I have tried digital planners, but I always come back to a paper planner. Yes, I use the calendar on my phone to record meetings and appointments but they are transferred to my physical planner weekly.

Every year I search for a better planner, one that will be even better than the one I used the year before. I have found some I love, I’ve spent a lot of money on some that I have hated, and didn’t even last a month with. For me choosing a planner is a very important decision. I have a lot on my plate.

I’m a wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, daughter-in-law, aunt, and friend. I run 4 businesses out of my home-blog, travel agent, Color Street Stylist, and Young Living Distributor. I’m a piano teacher at a Fine Arts Academy, I work a seasonal job for a Christian radio network, and I am on the tech crew for the Fine Arts Academy musical theater and dance productions. I also volunteer 15-20 hours a week with the Kid’s Ministry at our church. That’s 7 jobs,1 large volunteer gig, plus cooking, housework, family etc. I need a good planner.

One of the many things I keep track in my planner, along with appointments and to-dos, is spiritual disciplines. Prayer, Bible reading, books I’m reading etc. All those things are important and take time so they go in my planner. It is for this reason that the Spiritual Seed Planner excites me so much.

About the Spiritual Seeds Planner

Spiritual Seeds Planner is a planning tool designed to help Christians prioritize living a fruit filled life, guided by the Holy Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control. (Galatians 5:22-23) The planner uses a gardening theme concentrating on four garden plots – Friends/Family, Self, Community, Vocation/Work. Each month focuses on one Fruit, detailing actions to plant + cultivate + grow.  Actions are planned daily for highest yield. Cute garden themed stickers provide visuals for tracking growth. Unlike any other planner, Spiritual Seeds Planner prioritizes and plans Spiritual growth over daily “to do” lists and activities focusing on growth rather than achievement. 

What Makes this Planner Different:

• Puts God in charge
• Inspired, led and powered by the Holy Spirit
• Based on Scripture
• Impacts all areas of life
• Improves relationships
• Fills life with an abundance of Spiritual Fruit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

Features of the Spiritual Seeds Planner:

• Easy to follow instructions with visuals
• Vision Board 
• Monthly Fruit Focus & Planning Pages
• Monthly Inspirational Prayers 
• Weekly Planning
• Beautiful faux leather cover
• Fruit of the Spirit Bookmark with definitions and scriptures
• Fun Garden Themed Stickers 
• Back pocket 
• Blank pages for notes
• Brown Ribbon Bookmark
• Monthly Tabs

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I am already excited that I don’t have to hunt for a 2021 planner!!! It is on my shelf waiting for 2020 to be over. I am excited to spend a year thoughtfully cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in my life.

My current planner has 3 sections per day so that is the same set up as this one. I use the top section for meetings, appointments, chores, and meal planning. The middle section is for my to-dos. The bottom section is for my tracker sticker.

Personally, I don’t use the the times written in and I am glad they aren’t on every day, just the beginning of each week. I can cover them with washi tape and go about my life.

The faux leather cover is gorgeous and feels nice in my hands. I’m thankful for the elastic closure and the ribbon book mark for keeping things together.

The Spiritual Seeds Planner sells for $35 which is an amazing price for a 12 month weekly planner. If you use code FRUITOFSPIRIT you can receive 20% off your order!! You could also enter to win a planner by clicking the banner below.

The Spiritual Seeds Planner is a wonderful, tool to keep your life organized and focus on your Christian walk at the same time.

The post Spiritual Seeds Planner Review appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The FaithWords Book Club is a private Facebook group that is only available to join upon request. They select a new book to discuss each season and they’ve had authors like Joyce Meyer, Victoria Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and more stop by to answer questions or say hello. They do exclusive giveaways in the group, share unseen videos from their authors, and let bloggers, influencers, and readers connect with one another, the authors, and the FaithWords publishing group.

For October and November they studying Take the Day Off by Pastor Robert Morris with special “guest visits” from other FaithWords authors as well! I started reading this book on my recent vacation. I think God is trying to get my attention because at church I just finished and 8 week course that focused a lot on the commandment of Sabbath, which is also the topic of this book.

About the Current Faithwords Book Club Selection

A constant stream of busyness can slowly wear away at us over time: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Yet believers often forget that taking a day of rest is one of the Ten Commandments! When we don’t give our minds and emotions a break, our will to make good choices can often become compromised. Resting is also important to those around you. If you have a weary soul, you can’t pour yourself into others at home, work, or wherever you are. It’s vital-you must take the day off.

In Take the Day Off, Pastor Morris explains why rest is central to your wellbeing, how to do it, and how helpful it can be. You will be inspired to experience true rest and make it a priority in the rhythm of your weekly schedule. Don’t wait and delay God’s blessings in your life. Start implementing the principle of rest in your life and you will see eternal benefits.

You can enter to WIN a copy of Take the Day Off by Pastor Robert Morris.

JOIN the Faithwords Book Club on Facebook.

PURCHASE the book for yourself at a 25% discount.

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Wexelberg and her husband thought they had come to the end of the most difficult trials in their lives. After many years of infertility and desperately wanting to be parents, the Wexelbergs adopted their son Christian in 2005. Their family finally felt complete and the couple began a new season in their lives as the parents of an active little boy. Then, in March of last year, Wexelberg’s husband Mark was out for a Sunday motorcycle ride when a girl in a truck ran a stop sign and collided head-on with Mark’s bike. The impact broke 23 bones in his body and required three surgeries to place metal rods, screws and plates in his femurs, pelvis, ankle and knee -procedures that literally put him back together again. While the doctors have been encouraged by his year-long progress, Mark still has a long way to go in the healing process.

“The title song was actually inspired by the third chapter of the book of Habakkuk,” says Shannon. “I have an idea of how Habakkuk felt in those verses.” “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen, and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3: 17-18. The chorus of “I Have a Song” states the commitment Shannon has to hold on tight while she is on this bumpy ride.

“I have a song
And I’m singing to my Savior
Singing to the One who set me free
I have a song
And my heart will ever praise Him
This world can never take this joy from me
When all else is gone
I have a song”

As much as I love that song, my favorite on the CD is “This Is the Day”. For me it is one of those perfect start-my-morning-off-on-the-right-foot kind of songs, it helps me focus on God and His purpose for my day.

If you love great inspirational music that speaks to your soul then you will enjoy “I Have a Song” by Shannon Wexelberg. You can purchase the CD on her website or you can win it here.

Mandatory 1st Entry visit ShannonWexelberg.com, click on the “about” page and read her story then come back here and leave me a comment about something you learned about Shannon.

Bonus Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

• Subscribers get 1 entry
• GFC followers get 1 entry
• Networked Blog followers get 1 entry
• Facebook likers get 1 entry
• Tweet this “I want to be inspired by Shannon Wexelberg’s new CD! Thanks @MomMaven for a chance to win it! http://ow.ly/1UwCN” You can tweet 2x a day leave a separate comment with the tweet URL for each entry.

This giveaway will end June 13, 2010 9:00pm EDT and the winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Disclosure: I received a CD for the purpose of this review BUT I listened to all of the tracks online so that I could give my CD away to one lucky winner.

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The winner of Chicken Soup for the Soul:Devotional Stories for Women is…Debbie J. She said she and her girlfriends like to go bargain hunting together.

The winner of Chicken Soup for the Soul:Power Moms is Denise and this is what she had to say. “I love being a stay at home mom because my children bring me great joy. One of my children has a chronic illness and it would break my heart to leave him in someone else’s hands(other than Gods). I love that they teach me just as much as I teach them.”

Congratulations to both winners! Keep checking back I have an awesome new giveaway going live later this week.

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