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CSB Jesus Daily Bible Review & Giveaway

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

Growing up, my grandmother, Carolyn, started each new year with a new Bible. And this year, I’m taking this reference point to heart with the CSB Jesus Daily Bible. It is the perfect edition for the daily reading of scripture. From rich gold embossing, this affordably priced CSB Jesus Daily Bible will be your next favorite at-hand Bible.

With this Bible’s lengthy scripture learning points and small, but readable text, this format is a worthy addition to your daily scriptural library. Featuring 52 weekly divided sections, allowing readers to start at any point within the year, with lengthy readings, arranged to allow readers five thorough weekly readers. Allowing users a head start, guiding weekly, or yearly Bible reading sessions into customed reading to individual tastes and considerations. From Genesis to Revelation, teachings flow easily from one book to another. Giving readers a greater understanding of scripture with each read.

As with most Bibles, this edition’s text begins with an introduction, along with a detailed section outlining the format of the overall text. Allowing with a Daily Reading Plan checklist and a handy ribbon bookmark for easy at-hand referencing.

Within each book of the Bible included an overview of that book five weekly plans for the week, and a finishing thoughts section, titled, “Where will I find Christ in this week’s reading.” An overview of the book stating who wrote the book, what the focus was when it was written, where it was written, and why the written text is found within scripture. An informative section that brings clarity to Bible referencing. With an inclusive concordance, sharing in-color map and topography sections.

Key features of this Bible include:

  • Read this Bible in a yearly-centering daily reading on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
  • This new CSB Jesus Daily Bible includes a 52-week, Christ-focused reading plan you can join throughout the year.
  • From Genesis to Revelations, study Scripture through a weekly introduction, useful articles, infographics, and a weekly summary to help you understand Jesus’s central role in the New Testament.
  • View God’s Word in an easy-to-follow format.
  • The CSB Jesus Daily Bible will help your role in God’s world in an easy-to-follow daily format at home or on the go.

Order your copy of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible today! Learn more at CSBJesusDailyBible.com.

Then, be sure to enter to win a print copy of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible, courtesy of Momentum Influencers. One Theladyprefers2save.com reader their copy of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible. To enter, please leave a comment on this page letting me know why you’d most like to delve into the CSB Jesus Daily Bible. Please note, that this giveaway ends on January 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway is open to US entrants, only. CSB Jesus Daily Bible copies will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, why do you most want to read the CSB Jesus Daily Bible this season at home? Please leave your thoughts below.

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Americans With No Address Review & Giveaway

Thanks to Robert Craig Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are my own.

Winter. This is the time of year when watching new films and series is nearly a national pastime. Making now the right time to watch the new documentary, “Americans With No Address: The Documentary.” An inspirational new documentary film from The Americans With No Address team, a non-profit group working to raise awareness and offer community-based solutions to homelessness in America. Through a five-production approach, focusing on both documentaries, including “Americans With No Address,” on Prime Video, aiming to break the cycle of homelessness in the United States.

Both feature films provide an easy-to-follow, comprehensive plan and educational format that brings together a broader effort to build empathy and compassion for those experiencing homelessness. In addition to these powerful films, these documentaries offer viewers action-based solutions to homelessness in everyday American communities.

Focusing on increases in homelessness in recent years, filmmakers interview dozens of people, including experts, government officials, homeless people, doctors, and charity workers to hypothesize methods to house America’s unhoused communities, the millions of Americans lacking basic needs including medical care, housing, educational opportunities, and workplace initiatives. Exploring the homelessness epidemic across twenty domestic towns and cities, across eighteen American states. Focusing on the disconnect between government officials, law enforcement, physicians, social workers, educators, nonprofit groups, the clergy, and the unhoused themselves.

According to filmmakers, homelessness rose 12% in 2023, to 653,104 people. With one-third of the domestic population knowing a family member or a friend who became homeless in the last year. The film offers targeted governmental blame with little to no concern made of non-profit agencies collecting community funding that has not made it to its intended need.

Despite the film’s disturbing content dealing with crime, poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness, a film that may not be suitable for pre-teen children, this is a documentary with an uplifting perspective based on inherent dignity, “Americans With No Address,” offers viewers the opportunity to find non-profits in their communities to help become part of the solution. The GOP-sponsored IMD Exclusion Act of 1965, left the problem of homelessness to the states. Taking away the Federal government’s ability to offer assistance to homeless persons between the ages of 21 and 65.

Measures that despite the GOP gutting of the 2013 plan to bolster federal funding to HUD housing for homeless persons without requiring treatment for substance addiction recovery and mental health illnesses domestically. Believing that private programs such as the Salvation Army can offer more balanced, beneficial help. Despite the non-profit’s agreement to pay more than $1.87 million to resolve claims, it failed to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when procuring job applicant background checks, and many of its housing charities and thrift stores were closed nationally.

“Americans With No Address: The Documentary,” is a well-meaning film that speaks to the need to revamp both bureaucratic agencies and non-profit organizations aiding the unhoused within the United States. Sharing stories of those involved on both sides of this issue, the unhoused communities and the various charity workers, through myopic optimism.

Watch “Americans With No Address: The Documentary,” streaming now on Prime Video. To find out more about this organization and how you can help end the cycle of homelessness for the unhoused in America at: www.AmericansWithNoAddress.com.

Our friends at Momentum Influencers are also giving one Theladyprefers2save.com reader their own $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, please leave a comment on this page letting me know your takeaway from “Americans With No Address: A Documentary,” available now on Prime Video. This giveaway ends on January 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. Gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, will you be seeing “Americans With No Address: The Documentary,” on Prime Video? Please leave your thoughts below.

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Between Borders Film Review & Reader Giveaway

Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own. 

One of the greatest honors of my life was my time spent as a missionary in Kenya and Central America. Making the new film, “Between Borders,” and its portrait of the resilient nature of refugee families, a film that is needed in today’s modern America.

This faith-based film, from Angel Studios, which brought us recent titles such as this past holiday season’s, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” focuses on Kingdom Story Company’s take on modern refugee stories from the perspective of “the outsider,” and their aspiring role of the contemporary Christian Church’s call to aid refugees internationally.

“Between Borders” focuses on their interpretation of the refugees’ experience. Shares a tale of the Petrosyan family, a tight-knit clan leaving their home in Azerbaijan, escaping political upheaval in Armenia, for a Russian Christian community. Who in turn, aid the family’s escape to the United States, evading Russian violence. Then, in America, fighting the jurisprudence of the domestic court system.

The story’s virtue lies in its retelling of the Petrosyan family’s journey of ethnic, social, and religious persecution. Leaving the confines of communism, to being welcomed into moralistic America. A story that is both common and concerning. While refreshing to see an emboldened tale on the typical story of refugees coming to America, the story is simplistic in its understanding of domestic immigration, assimilation, and the modern post-Soviet state.

Packed with survivalist heroism, this story falls short of its intended interpretation. Russia is portrayed as a misguided haven for Christians, despite its current jurisprudence being riddled with human rights atrocities. At least 17 civilian journalists and media workers have been killed in the line of duty since the Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014. Thousands of domestic protestors were detained for undocumented human rights violations, including, notably, Alexei Navalny’s death in an Arctic Circle penal camp for protesting the Russian War efforts against Crimian and the Ukranian people. A war effort that has killed 34,047 (9,824 killed and 24,223 injured Ukranains) occurring on territory legally owned and occupied by the government of Ukraine, and 7,151 (2,632 killed and 4,519 injured) on territory controlled by Russian armed forces.

Highlighting the works of Christian communities aiding refugees, and highlighting the supposed tolerant nature of the American immigration system, the Petrosyan family’s experience remains exceptional. While treated badly in Russia, for reasons similar to other sections of the Ukranian population have been affected by the Russian War Machine. With America, often lambasted for its racist history, this film suggests that this may be less so in the modern-day United States. An assessment highlighting America’s perceived virtue, as compared to Russia’s lack thereof, regardless of domestic cultural and political identity.

Politics aside, the film’s actors are highly likable, including Elizabeth Tabish as Violetta Petrosyan, and Patrick Sabongui as the Petrosyan patriarch. Gives off a wholesome nature that plays well against Elizabeth’s more childlike demeanor.

While the film is longwinded and at times dawdling, its opening scene more than makes up for its internal pacing. Where viewers first meet Ivan, alone, before he walks into a courtroom, demonstrating his moralistic nature. Sharing the symbolism of the scene where the Petrosyan family hides while a neighbor is shot and maimed. Then, Ivan is confronted by bullies, and remains calm, sharing a true potential for internal pathos-aligned heroism. More than making up for the film’s disembodied camerawork, editing, and design as well as the widely-bantered notion falsely equating the communist economic system with that of Christianity, an organized religion. As seen in frames of Violetta sharing personal truths, and not commonly known actualization with her family’s attorney. Making her dialogues an off-kilter notions of communism to capitalism, unlettered.

Audiences are given a well-meaninged message, that the Petrosyan family narrowly escapes becoming victims of violence-scenes never show such exacting claims. Leading viewers to create their political sequencing in their minds. Did these near-deaths happen or were inserted into the film’s dialogue to gain a more sympathetic viewer? A failure of scripting.

Overall, Between Borders shares a message of hope for the Petrosyan family. Yet, leaves audiences feeling as much sympathy for the film’s protagonists as they do for the maligned citizens and American legal community-especially anyone who disagrees with the film’s Christian messaging. Creating a noxious spin on the current domestic immigration debate. Portraying those who wouldn’t nationally welcome Christian outsiders as motivated by xenophobia and faithlessness.

This film’s audience is in no way served by making art of social anxiety. Tutelage that leads viewers to believe that complex, legalistic issues can be made simple with cinematic coercion. Portraying diverges from moral talking points as perspectives lacking a chivalrous nature. The oversimplification of global and socioeconomic issues, as a means of fashioning narratives, a hero and villain dynamic, issues often seen throughout the faith-based film industry.

In all, the Petrosyan family’s story is one of moralistic integrity that seeks audiences to contemplate, “What does an American family look like, to you?” Positive messaging of a massively complex topic.

“Between Borders” is in theaters starting January 26-28, 2025. You can see its trailer, here, and purchase tickets, here.

Our friends at Momentum Influencers are also giving one Theladyprefers2save.com reader their own $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, please leave a comment on this page letting me know why you’d most want to see “Between Borders,” in theatres on January 26-28, 2025. This giveaway ends on January 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. Gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, will you be seeing “Between Borders” in theatres this January 26-28, 2025? Please leave your thoughts below.

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Choosing the Right Institution: Essential Tips for Working Professionals Pursuing Further Education 

Deciding to pursue further education while working full-time is a big step. Choosing the right institution to meet your needs is key to achieving your goals. Here are some essential tips for working professionals to find the best program.

Research Your Options

The first step is thoroughly researching all your options. List local colleges, universities, and online programs that offer degrees in your field. Compare costs, accreditation, flexibility, admissions requirements, and program length and format. Narrow your choices to a few top contenders that seem the best fit.

Consider Flexibility

For busy working adults, flexibility is often the most important factor. Look for programs that offer evening, weekend, or fully online courses that allow you to fit your studies around work and life. Accelerated course formats help you complete degrees faster. Schools like https://ce.fresno.edu/ offer a wider range of flexible, self-paced online courses for teacher professional development.

Finding the Right Fit

Make sure to choose an accredited program that provides the knowledge, training, and credentials you need to reach your career goals. Smaller class sizes and close faculty interaction are ideal for working students who need more personalized support. If you anticipate needing financial assistance, research aid options thoroughly.

Evaluate Program Quality

Carefully examine factors that indicate academic quality and student outcomes. Look at instructor qualifications, curriculum rigor, class format, research opportunities, career services, graduation, and job placement rates. Programs that support working adult learners tend to have higher completion rates. Reputable rankings like US News can also help gauge program excellence.

Talk to Advisors

Schedule appointments to meet with admissions counselors and academic advisors at your top schools. Discuss your situation, goals, and program details to get insight on whether it’s the right fit. Ask about support services for working adult learners. Their guidance can help inform your final decision.

Consider Convenience

For busy professionals, proximity and convenience are key factors. On-campus programs close to work or home cut down on commuting time. Fully online degrees allow you to complete coursework anywhere, anytime. Weigh location, class times, and format options for the least disruption to your schedule.

Evaluate Previous Credits

Many schools allow transfer credits from past college coursework or education and training obtained on the job. This allows you to save time and money. Thoroughly research policies on transferring credits and experiential learning to maximize what counts toward your degree.

Prepare Financially

Completing a degree as a working adult often requires financial planning and budget adjustments. Besides institutional aid, research scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and government funding sources. Develop a financial plan mapping out these funding sources and repayment options if loans are needed.

With proper research and planning, working professionals can find the right institution for pursuing higher education. Key factors like flexibility, convenience, cost, fit, credit transfers, and preparation are essential to evaluate. Taking the time to make the best choice leads to achieving your goals and advancing your career.

Friends, what are your tips for pursuing higher education as a working professional? Please leave your thoughts below.

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How to Save Money While Stocking Up on Cleaning Supplies

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Managing a household is a multifaceted job. You have to balance looking after your family, maintenance tasks, keeping the house clean, and saving money. Hopefully, This article will help you kill two birds in one stone by stocking up on cleaning supplies without breaking the bank.

Quality When You Need It

First, it makes sense to tackle those moments when you should consider getting something other than the cheapest possible option.

Let’s talk about the “boots theory”. This phrase was coined by Sir Terry Pratchet, an author most well-known for the Discworld series. As he says, a man who can spend enough for one expensive pair of boots that lasts for years will save money compared to the man who can only afford a cheap pair of boots that must be replaced yearly.

In short, if you can afford a quality item, you will often save money rather than having to replace a cheaper version each year.

We can’t spend more than we can afford on cleaning supplies, but it helps to know when to invest more for a better product. For example, a quality vacuum cleaner doesn’t just last longer and potentially come with a warranty, but it also has more features that improve cleaning time and quality.

Buy in Bulk

On a similar note, you can often save money in the long run by buying your cleaning supplies in bulk. Yes, there’s a larger upfront cost, but there’s a much lower cost over time that will ultimately save you money.

Focus on things like wet wipes that you always use but won’t lose quality over time. 

One downside to this is that you will need to find somewhere to store your extra supplies. But as well as cutting down on the cost of the item, you also save your time as you don’t have to restock as often.

Use Other Supplies

You might have heard that you can use basic cooking supplies as cleaning agents, and this is true. Vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda are popular choices for light cleaning, and they also don’t contain any harsh or harmful chemicals.

Vinegar and baking soda are especially inexpensive options because you can buy them in bulk for cleaning purposes.

Distilled vinegar is great for cleaning glass surfaces because it prevents water stains. Just open a window if you don’t like the smell of vinegar. Baking soda is an abrasive and an alkaline agent, so comes in handy for scrubbing.

Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is an alkaline, so it’s best not to mix the two for cleaning. The only time to do so is if you want to remove stubborn stains that are burned onto pans. Add baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes, then add the vinegar. The mixture will bubble up and dislodge some of the burnt-on mess. 

This isn’t to say that you can throw out the bleach. These are mild, chemical-free cleaners, which makes them great for cleaning surfaces. Bleach will kill germs.

Friends, how are you maintaining your home’s health this flu and cold season? Please leave your tips in the comments below.

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Guideposts Review & Reader Giveaway

Many thanks to Guideposts for providing a product sample for this review. My opinions are 100% my own. #GuidepostsMIN #AbideShop #AbideFromGuideposts #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Friends, if you’re anything like me you’re always on the lookout for mindful, minimalist-inspired gifts each holiday season. This season, Abide by Guideposts has everything you need to lavish your nearest and dearest with a charming collection of faith-inspired products for everyone on your holiday shopping list. From candles to mugs and a beautiful array of journals and jewelry, there’s something for everyone and all occasions this holiday season.

You can feast your eyes on their beautifully curated gift sets at shop.abide.com and use code SOCIAL20 for 20% off your order!

Here are a few favorites from their current holiday 2024 collection:

Be Still + Know Gift Set

Inundate your spaces with tranquility and peace with this American-crafted soy candle gift set. Featuring tranquil notes of sea salt, jasmine, wood, and cream, creating the perfect ambiance for any moment of quiet reflection or festive charm.

Plus, a beautiful, mindful expression of style, the REST Beaded Stretch Bracelet: Inspired by Matthew 11:28-30. A sophisticated bracelet featuring a soft, golden tag engraved with the previously mentioned verse. A stylish remembrance of Christ’s promise to provide rest and comfort to followers this holiday season.

Hold Onto Hope Cross Gift Set

Add humble harmony to your spaces with the Hold Onto Hope Cross. Featuring a uniquely textured cross sharing the encouragement of Numbers 6:24, 26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Plus, the For I Know The Plans Fabric Journal. A well-crafted journal designed to allow users to jot down all their goals and dreams in the coming year. Featuring hand-lettered guided journaling, cloth clover, inspirational quotes, list spacing, idea centers, and Biblical aspirational quoting featuring Jeremiah 29:11. The perfect desk accessory for successful personal planning in the New Year ahead.

With Abide’s faith-inspired products, there’s someone for everyone on your Christmas shopping list–family, parishioners, coworkers, neighbors, service members, teachers, care providers, delivery persons, or yourself!

Be sure to order a gift set from Guideposts today! Use code SOCIAL20 for 20% off your entire order–just in time for the holiday season.

Thanks to Momentum Influencers, one Theladyprefers2save.com reader can enter to win their own $10 Amazon gift card. Please note, that this giveaway is limited to winners within the continental United States. All entries must include their name, email address, and answer to the giveaway’s specified question. Duplicate answers across multiple platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway will run until December 12, 2024, at 11:59 P.M. CST. Good luck!

Friends, which gift sets from Guideposts will you be ordering for friends and family today? Please be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below, and remember to use code SOCIAL20 for 20% off your entire Guideposts order.

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“You Are A Child Of God” Coloring Book Review

Thanks to GoodWorks Mission for providing a product sample for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

As a minimalist, I believe in giving with purpose throughout the holiday season. Especially when it comes to gifting art supplies, paper products, and coloring books to those of all ages. This is why, this season, I’m loving Michelle Fritch’s newest coloring book, “You Are a Child of God coloring book.” A faith-based coloring book created to be colored, together, by both children and caregivers. Encouraging meaningful, purposed, seasonal dialogue about God’s love for humanity this holiday season. Created with Fritch’s ministerial background in mind as an ordained Episcopal Priest and a counselor. With a deep belief that love can change the world, this book is a reflection of her passion for teaching others about God’s love.

“You Are a Child of God” isn’t simply a book of coloring pages-it is an experience. Designed to foster creativity and faith for parents, educators, caregivers, and families alike. Featuring pages chock full of biblical expression, creativity, and love for the known world.

Perfect for reading and creatives, this book encourages thoughtfulness and Biblical perspective on special moments of clarity between little ones and loved ones, highlighting scriptural referencing, including Psalm 139:13-18 and Jeremiah 29:11. Aiding children of all ages in the necessity of keeping Christ in Christmas, this season and beyond. Promoting bonding, fellowship, and creativity this season and beyond. Order “You Are a Child of God” today, in time for Christmas!

“You Are a Child of God” is much more than a simple seasonal read. Focusing on interactive experiences, guiding readers of all ages, both parent and child, to color in print and meaningful dialogue. Filled with calming scenes and gently guided Biblical references, this is a gift that will encourage open dialogue and creative expression this season and beyond. Opening the door for important conversations about humility, mindfulness, and artistic creativity.

Looking to enrich your child, godchild, or parishioner’s spiritual journey this season? This is the coloring book experience you’ve been looking for this gift-giving season. Whether you’re gifting it to a loved one or using it yourself, as a welcome addition to your mindful self-care journey, this coloring book is a beautiful reminder of God’s love for us this holiday season.

“You Are a Child of God” is available for purchase just in time this holiday season. To purchase a copy for yourself and others, click here. The perfect way to inspire yourself, and others, through this season of creative, lasting joy.

Then, be sure to enter for your chance to win a $10.00 Amazon.com gift card, courtesy of Momentum Influencers. To enter, please leave me a comment below letting me know why you’re purchasing Michelle Fritch’s newest coloring book, “You Are a Child of God.” Please note, that this giveaway ends on December 12, 2024, at 11:59 P.M. CST. Giftcards will be delivered electronically from Momentum Influcners-duplicate or spam entries will be disqualified. Good luck!

Friends, now I want to ask, why are you most excited to purchase Michelle Fritch’s, “You Are a Child of God,” coloring book? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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