Are you local to the Greenville area? We’d love to have you at our signing and discussion event with “Love Him Anyway” author Abby Banks! Join us at the Barnes and Noble on Woodruff Road on April 22, at 10am! Read more about Wyatt’s incredible story here, and find out more about the event on our Facebook page. Hope to see you there!
Just in time for Easter, and available HERE for only $.99!
Everyone supposed that Jesus, the man from Nazareth, was the son of Mary and Joseph the carpenter. But who was He really? The debate over Jesus’ identity has continued for two thousand years. Was Jesus actually God or was He simply a man with an unusual teaching gift? Did He possess a divine nature that equipped Him to perform miracles, or were His miracles a slight of hand? Could He have actually been the incarnation of Jehovah? His conversations prove that Jesus of Nazareth knew that He was God in human form. The four Gospels record over sixty different conversations that Jesus Christ had with many different people in many different settings. His conversations consistently pointed to the truth that He was indeed, 
God in the flesh. When Peter looked at this man who was very much like himself and concluded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” he was exactly right. The plethora of modern theories denying Christ’s divinity must be abandoned when we comprehend what He revealed about Himself through His conversations.
Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Randy Blankenship, Sr. is the author of “The Mystery and the Masterpiece,” an encouraging and convicting study of marriage and relationships. Here are Randy’s “five things”:
I am married to a triplet. This is my claim to fame. My wife comes from a very large family in our area. When she was born, triplets at the time were like sextuplets today. On her first birthday, people sent her pictures from a newspaper article featuring her and her sisters in the Los Angeles Times. For years they were featured as children in local fashion shows, school programs, etc. Everyone knows “The Fivecoate Triplets.” For a number of years they travelled and sang in ministry as “One in the Spirit.” And yes, on one occasion for each sister-in-law, I happened to put my arm around the wrong one!
I am a Floridian living on the mission field in Indiana. When I was 2 years old, my parents moved me from Florida to Indiana. I suppose my dad did need work, but I’m still not sure I’ve forgiven them for this momentous life-changing event. However, like the salmon swimming upstream, I still have to return to the place of my birth at least once a year. As I type this, I have returned for my annual trek to Florida. 
I began formally teaching the Bible at age 15. Shortly after I felt led to full-time ministry, I had the opportunity to accept a number of speaking engagements at a very young age. By the time I graduated high school at age 17, I had already ministered in a number of special events over much of Northern Indiana. I am now in the fifth generation in my family to be in ministry.
The call to full-time vocational ministry is not hereditary, but God often leads families through generations. Now we have ministers serving in various capacities all over the world. My children are in the sixth generation, and they are all also involved in devoting their lives to ministry.
Still single, at the age of 20, I planted a church in Ohio. After 4 1/2 years, felt led to pursue foreign missionary work, and met my wife on the way. We were in the Philippines in time for our first wedding anniversary. After returning, we planted a church together in Indianapolis before leading a state-wide church planting ministry, then returning to our hometown to pastor.
I wanted to be a dentist. Hearing my parents regularly discuss the high price of dental care, I figured becoming a dentist would be a profitable occupation. I had my entire college and career life planned out, until I felt the direction of the Lord to pursue ministry . . . well, at least I didn’t have to take calculus, trigonometry, analytic geometry, chemistry, physics, etc.
I met Ronald Reagan. In September of 1980, two months before being elected president, Ronald Reagan visited Kokomo, Indiana, which had been adversely affected in the automobile industry. I had the opportunity to shake his hand. I’m not saying that had anything to do with his election . . . but there is no way of knowing what might have happened had that encounter not occurred!
“Many Christians are unable to give the names, or many details, of Jesus’ twelve disciples and yet we can learn many lessons from their lives. Each of them had his own personality but Jesus was able to change and use them in the service of the Kingdom of God. They had faults like we do. They were a mixed bunch of people, each with their own gifts and struggles. God calls all sorts of people, and we cannot forget that Jesus was selecting men for a leadership role in the early church. We can use the example of the apostles to inspire and teach us.
This is a tremendously useful book that will have a place on many a minister’s bookshelf. From Andrew through to Judas, Ian Fleck’s survey is detailed but accessible and never dry. This is a timely book, coming at a time when many in the church are speaking of the need for discipleship, yet, all too often, little or nothing is ever said of the first disciples. This book opens up their lives to us.”
Rev. Dr. Paul Bailie
Chief Executive, Mission Africa (Working in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad and Kenya)
“Inspired by material concerning the Twelve disciples which he has assembled from the Four Gospels, and in interaction with other Scripture texts and some ancient traditions, Ian Fleck in this series of meditations has succeeded in deriving, from the lives of Jesus’ choses followers, challenging, inspirational and practical lessons for readers to apply in discipleship of Christ today.”
Rev Dr. Gordon Campbell
Professor of New Testament, Union Theological College, Belfast
Available HERE for just $.99!
Check back here daily to keep up with The High Calling of Motherhood blog tour stops!
March 1, 2017 www.ambassador-international.com
March 2, 2017 www.rebelbookreviews.blogspot.com
March 3, 2017 www.themommyfactor.wordpress.com
March 4, 2017 www.cathyharris.org
March 5, 2017 www.frolicsomelife.wordpress.com
March 6, 2017 www.homemaking4hisglory.typepad.com
March 7, 2017 www.carriedaws.com
March 8, 2017 www.pattishene.com/pattisporch
March 9, 2017 www.eowyns-heir.blogspot.com
March 10, 2017 www.athomeatlakemac.blogspot.com
March 11, 2017 www.makingahouseahome.net
March 12, 2017 www.joaniebruce.com
March 13, 2017 www.writingunderthemapleleaves.blogspot.com
March 14, 2017 www.thegildedwife.com
March 15, 2017 www.themusingsofmum.com
March 16, 2017 www.Aflourishingrabbit.wordpress.com
March 17, 2017 www.leslieannesphotography.com
March 18, 2017 www.amamascorneroftheworld.com
March 19, 2017 www.emeralddaysandsapphirenights.blogspot.com
March 20, 2017 www.kellyparkison.com
March 21, 2017 www.scatteredjourney.blogspot.com
March 22, 2017 www.living31.org
March 23, 2017 www.danielandkellie.com
March 24, 2017 www.delesmuses.blogspot.com
March 25, 2017 www.beltwayBargainMom.com
March 26, 2017 www.amominhautepursuit.com
March 27, 2017 www.madetomother.com
March 28, 2017 www.themorrelltale.com
March 29, 2017 www.parentcoachnova.com
March 30, 2017 www.livelovelearngracefully.com
March 31, 2017 www.jaimewiebel.com
I was so glad that I was able to read The High Calling of Motherhood and am excited to introduce it to you today. This was a book that went straight to my heart. As “Mom” to a 7-month old son, I’m still knee deep in the midnight feedings, teething pains, sleepless nights, you-name-its, and am finding that motherhood can be hard. But alternately, I’m finding that motherhood is one of the most beautiful things I’ve faced to date. To watch my son learn and explore and to “see” things through his eyes, it’s amazing. And to add in the kisses and the smiles he reserves for mama – or the way he snuggles up in my arms and he’s content and happy. I love those moments. But sometimes, it can hard to see the beauty through the hard times and that’s exactly what The High Calling of Motherhood helped me do.
What stuck out to me most was Chimene’s discussion over Judea and Jerusalem and how we, as mothers, are supposed to focus on “our Jerusalem”—our mission field {and in this context, that’s my child}. Chimene explains it so well in the book and you should read it for yourself to get a full understanding of this concept, but in essence, Jerusalem was the home base for the disciples—even if they were to go into the world—and our home base is our family and our home. She writes, “Our primary mission field is home base, first and foremost. This is a gift and honor. We have been chosen to share Jesus with our children. We are chosen and called to preach the gospel, first making disciples in our own homes. Just think of the exponential influence this intentionality could have when our children begin making disciples of their own!” I love this concept of the ripple effect. It’s not a new concept and applies to so many areas of life, but when viewing it in light of raising my child to be a “World Changer” for Jesus, it’s such a helpful visual to have and I find it helps me have a better perspective.
Since I’m still knee deep in the baby stage, I haven’t had the chance to put much of that into practice, but I appreciate that I have this advice in mind now before heading into these prime child-rearing years and admit to highlighting a lot of points in The High Calling of Motherhood! It’s a book that I think I will reference many times over the next few years and a book I think is good for every mother to read—no matter what stage of life you’re in. There is SO much more covered in the book than what I covered in this introductory review, but I want to save some so you have a reason to read the book yourself! I’ll leave you with this, my favorite quote from the book that goes along with the previous concept: “The greatest place of influence is a mother in the home. If we can reach the mom, we can reach the family. If we can reach the family, we can change the world {emphasis mine}.”
You can pre-order your own copy of The High Calling of Motherhood at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Ambassador’s online retail store {use code “HighCalling” entered at time of purchase for a 10% pre-order discount}.
Don’t forget to enter The High Calling of Motherhood “Winner’s Choice” blog tour giveaway. One winner will be chosen and will get to choose between a custom made “World Changer” necklace by The Giving Keys {that is being unveiled at the Passion4Moms conference} or two tickets to attend the Passion4Moms conference being held in DC, May 5-6, 2017. Enter below!
The High of Calling of Motherhood Blog Tour Giveaway
We’re looking for members to join our Street Team for upcoming release, The Reliant. Soon to be a major motion picture! Join our street team and get an advance digital copy of The Reliant. More details soon!
Join HERE!
When the dollar collapses, widespread rioting and looting threaten the peace of a family in Zanesville, Ohio. Eight children tragically lose their parents in the chaos. The oldest, 19-year-old lovesick Sophie, is forced to care for her defenseless and hungry siblings in a stretch of woods surrounded by lawless anarchy. Their father has been killed, and their mother and Adam, Sophie’s fiancé, have gone missing. Running out of food and facing threats from encroaching marauders, they are tempted to doubt God’s love.
When Adam is found and Sophie discovers he has resorted to looting to survive, she cannot bring herself to forgive him, however hard he tries to make amends. Must he sacrifice everything to win her back?
When the group captures a thief, they learn the attack on their home was no random act of violence. Torn between justice and mercy, with their allies turning against them, their faith is heated in the fire.
Will God answer their prayers and deliver them, or must their faith remain blind to facts?
As the Chief Operating Office of Ambassador International, I don’t get to decide which books we publish, instead I have the joy of helping our authors and their books as they make their way through the publishing process. One of my favorite parts of my job, though, is the proofreading that I get to do. It helps me keep up with what we’re publishing.
I am honored to be opening the blog tour of Love Him Anyway by Abby Banks and to share with you my heart on this book. Here’s where I have to fully confess first. When I first started the {proof}reading of Love Him Anyway, I found myself thinking, Why are we publishing this book!?!? {Sorry, Abby.} The second thought that trailed not too far behind was, How am I supposed to get people to buy this book?!?! {Again, super sorry about that, Abby}. You should have seen me. Here I was trying to work, and instead I was a sobbing basket case. I couldn’t read through the tears pouring down my face! But as sad as I was, I had been “sucked in” to the story, and I couldn’t stop reading. Abby’s writing was so raw and real, she hooked me in. I am fairly certain I finished this proofreading in record time! And I can honestly tell you, I’m glad I did finish it and it’s a story that I now highly recommend.
I don’t want to give too many spoilers, but as you can find in the book description, Abby’s son, Wyatt, was paralyzed at 7-months old. {I am sure this book was especially hard for me to read because I’m “Mom” to a seven-month old son}. But this story isn’t just about Wyatt—it’s about the entire Banks family, and for me, it was a story about Abby, a fellow mom. As I read Love Him Anyway, I kept picturing the face of my baby and thinking, What if that had been me? What if MY son had become paralyzed? And this point here is what I’d like to focus on. What if it had been my son? Or, what if, instead of watching the livestream of a 5-month-old’s funeral from my living room {like I did yesterday}, I was the mom that had to stand there in the church, brokenhearted at my loss. I’m fortunate to still have my healthy, happy little 7-month old boy with me today, but I’m not guaranteed that, not even for the next five minutes. My boy belongs to Jesus first and foremost, and what Abby taught me through her story is to trust the Lord through the good times and the bad. It’s easy to say this from this side of the mountain, but my prayer is that if I ever face a trial like the Banks family, that I’ll respond as they did and cling to the Lord and “find hope in the hardest places.”
I was moved by Abby’s strength amidst the turmoil, and while she calls Wyatt her hero, I call her mine. She admits that their lives aren’t always easy and that she doesn’t always respond as she should, but that’s just a part of being human, and the overall theme you’ll find in Love Him Anyway is that the Banks family loves and trusts the Lord, despite of and through the trials they face.
You need to know in advance that Love Him Anyway is a hard read, especially if you’re a mom, but it’s such an encouragement and I highly recommend it—not because I’m the Chief Operating Officer of the company that published it—but because I believe you’ll get the same lesson from it that I did: Life may be hard sometimes, but God is good all the time and you can always find hope in those hard places. And sometimes, we need that reminder.
Love Him Anyway releases February 21, 2017 in paperback at all major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com. You can also purchase Love Him Anyway through Ambassador International’s online store and use the coupon code “LoveHim” for a 10% discount. Lastly, you can enter to win a free signed copy below.
And if you’re local, you can join the Banks family at the Barnes and Noble at The Shops at Greenridge on March 18th from 10am-12pm for a book signing. We’d love to have you there!
Win a signed copy of Love Him Anyway!
No matter where you get Love Him Anyway, just make sure you have tissues handy!
And stay tuned for Day 2 of the blog tour at rebelbookreviews.blogspot.com.
For the month of March, Ambassador International will be hosting a Book Tour for one of our new releases, The High Calling of Motherhood, by Chimene Shipley Dupler. We’re looking for bloggers to join in! Approved bloggers who sign up for a specific day on the tour will also be entered to win two tickets to the Passion4Moms Conference in DC!
So, what is The High Calling of Motherhood? Does motherhood matter?
Have we lost our sense of identity, especially through social media, which can pour both accolades and acid into our hearts and minds? Does our role as a mother have any lasting purpose? What about the hard stuff? Do we self-medicate more than we self-motivate to fight for our families? If we don’t have a sense of purpose, how will our children?
In The High Calling of Motherhood, Chimene will challenge and inspire you. Motherhood can change the trajectory of a generation as we discover the authority that God has given mothers. Chimene desires to see mothers experience the joy that comes in the value and worth that God places on motherhood.
Motherhood is a calling—a high calling from God. Chimene will equip you and give you tools for success. You are a difference maker. You are raising world changers. You are a mom!
If you are interested, please let us know when you could post your review and we’ll send you an advance digital copy of the book. When you sign up for a specific day on the tour, we’ll also enter you to win two tickets to the Passion4Moms Conference in Washington, DC!
If interested, please send Anna an email at [email protected].
