​This is a review for Shame Off You by Denise Pass. This book was offered to me for review but all thoughts are my own. 

From the Book: “In a transparently honest style, Pass shares her experience dealing with shame after learning that her former husband was a sexual offender. She leads you into God’s Word where you will see for yourself that God is bigger than your pain, shame, mistakes, and limitations."
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​I want to preface my review with the fact that I don’t seem to be the intended audience for this book. The cover and style of writing seem to be directed to a feminine audience. However, this book is a good reference for anyone. If shame or guilt are emotions that you experience then this book is a helpful resource to work through. The author gives personal stories, truth to battle these feelings, and then writes devotional material to work through and apply to your own life. 
 
Now if this doesn’t seem like a topic directed to your life there is still reason to read this book. Chances are there are people who have these feeling of shame around you and sometimes we are the ones causing them shame. Hearing these stories and feelings gives a chance to reach out to those around us and understand their situation better. For instance, Pass writes that the church she was a part of told her that she would be the one sinning if she divorced the man who was sexually harming their daughter. She was shamed for protecting her children from a predator. Sadly, these situations are not rare and recognizing our contribution in the cycle will hopefully make a more Christ centered community and give healing to the people around us. Whether you’re the one dealing with shame or the one who may be causing shame take time to read this book and understand someone else’s experiences in life. 

Purchase Shame Off You

A review of Talk the Walk by Steve Brown. This book was offered to me for review all thoughts are my own.
Purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/2YI7gHa

It has been a while since I created a business and since then things have been moving! This post is just a chance for me to give a small update on the things I have been working on.

Not too long ago I posted about selling candles. They are 100% soy wax and we currently have new scents. We are selling 6oz only with Rise & Shine, Lime & Co., and Tropical Mint. We had our first vendor site on July 4th selling our candles. It was a success and while we were there we made some friends. If you missed that vendor show the next update is for you!

For the past few months I have been contacting stores, setting up business licenses and accounts and I am finally proud to say the products of BrandynJaymes are in a permanent store. The store is Ripple Effect located at 6561b Lake Michigan Dr. Allendale Michigan 49401. Being in this store is a great opportunity for us and the store and I encourage you to check it out! But there is more...

After selling at the craft and vendor show I began to research other products. I learned and experimented and now am able to make a few more products. Along with he candles we already sell we are now also selling bath fizzier, soaps, and beard oils. I'm super proud of the beard oils. These will all be on sale right here on brandynjaymes.com (click through the drop down menu and find the shoppe). Or they can all be found at Ripple Effect.  (the shoppe page is still being updated but will be complete soon).

The main reason I started this blog and made a business license was to share the story. I have been working to create more bible study materials as well as researching topics and ways to share them with you. Keep an eye out for that soon. I have a few more book reviews to complete in the coming weeks but will be back to posting regular content soon. 

Thanks for following this journey with me and remember that you can show support by sharing these posts or if your feeling generous you can support me on Patreon.com/brandynjaymes. 

A Review of Raising Disciples by Natalie Frisk. This book was given to me for review and all thoughts are my own. 
Purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/2Y1T6fH

From the book: As curriculum pastor at The Meeting House, one of the largest churches in Canada, Frisk calls parents who follow Christ to ask the big questions about the spiritual formation of children and teens. In practical and thoughtful ways, she equips parents to disciple their kids in various stages of childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Raising Disciples will awaken parents to the possibly of Jesus-centered parenting and encourage us to engage in the lost art of discipling our own kids.

​Any book that starts with a Mr. Rogers quote automatically deserves five stars, but this book does more than just quote my hero. This book is helpful for parents, but it is also a book for youth pastors, grand parents, teachers, anyone interested in teaching a younger generation about faith in a way that is meaningful to them. One of the main points I gleaned was from chapter three. This was discussing outsourcing discipleship, meaning it has become the norm to assume kids get their bible teaching at church and it’s over.  Instead, just as a child learns an instrument and has practice time or how parents help with homework the path of discipleship needs space to grow at home with practice and involvement from parents. This ultimately, means we can’t just instill faith into someone else but must live it ourselves.

A review of: A Guide to Bible Basics by Tyler D. Mayfield 
This book was offered to me for review all thoughts are my own. 

(from the books description)
What's actually in the Bible? Where do we find the story of Moses or Jesus's Parable of the Prodigal Son? Who are the main characters in the books of Joshua and Acts? A Guide to Bible Basics provides a summary and chapter outline of each biblical book to facilitate comprehension of its fundamental story and subject matter. This accessible and concise book presents the basic content of the Bible with the conviction that readers first need some level of comprehension of the Bible's stories, poetry, regulations, and teachings before addressing theological, historical, and literary concerns for its relevance today. Tyler Mayfield discusses important people, places, and terms so that the reader can quickly see the primary focus. This book can be used alone to help readers in their knowledge of the Bible and is great for beginners or those in need of a refresher course.

This blog is called share the story. In which I try to encourage and inspire readers to share God’s story through everyday living, thinking, and personal evangelism. Sometimes though we question how to share the story. Maybe we don’t fully know the story or only know pieces of the story. That is where a bible handbook would come in… handy! A guide to Bible Basics is a great option. 
 
Mayfield offers book by book and chapter by chapter descriptions of the biblical narrative. He offers ample charts and graphs that help bring the full narrative into view. There are plenty of great options to choose from and this book is one of them. My only suggestion is get a physical copy trying to read this through kindle was not the easiest or most enjoyable. If you want to lear the story better check out this book. 
 
You can purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/2L43SAa

A review of ​The Self Examined: Christian Perspectives on Human Identity by Jenny McGill

Click here to buy a copy
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“Less of Moreexposes the American pursuit of more for what truly is: an attempt to satisfy our souls with the temporary instead of the eternal. Pastor and writer Chris Nye invites us to consider what a full and abundant life looks like apart form money, status, and power. He exposes the lies inherent in our obsession with growth, fame, and wealth, and calls us to a countercultural life marked by connection, obscurity, vulnerability, and generosity.”  
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A common phrase I hear is that, “things aren’t the way they use to be” or “it wasn’t like this when we were kids.” Two phrases rooted in the idea that someone else is the problem. Two phrases that shift the blame and focus onto someone other than ourselves. Chris Nye writes this book with the point that these problems we face are not new. The problems of this world have faced humanity since the beginning. Problems of wealth, power, and the need for more and more. The book is filled with insight that made me reshape views on ministry, business, and how I see success. This is a book that will be on my mind for a long time. I hope you give it a chance!

Thank you to Chris Nye and Baker Books for the chance to read and review this book.
Get your copy here!

​Patreon. Patreon is a site that allows you to donate any amount to support me and this ministry. Just donating might feel good, but you also get access to early blog posts and exclusive videos from my life. Whether you donate or not you are still a support just by reading and sharing these posts.