What I'm Reading Wednesday: Bringing Heaven Here

 

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!  Are you excited about Thanksgiving tomorrow?  I know I am!  I'm looking forward to delicious food and spending time with my husband and daughter.  We might even watch a little football, too!

Today I am sharing in my What I'm Reading Wednesday post Bringing Heaven Here: How the Lord's Prayer Can Change Your Life and Our World by Brad Gray and Brad Nelson.  

About Bringing Heaven Here: How the Lord’s Prayer Can Change Your Life and Our World

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 25, 2025)

• Hardcover: 237 pages

From the creators of the global television series The Sacred Thread comes a transformative exploration of how the Lord’s Prayer unlocks the power of God to guide, heal, and renew our lives and the world around us.

The Lord’s Prayer is the most iconic and widely spoken prayer in human history. It’s not only a sacred prayer, but the very essence of the Bible’s message—showing us who God is, why Jesus came, and how we fit into the unfolding story of God’s redemption. Yet, familiarity often dulls the power of this profound prayer, leaving its deep meaning untapped and unlived.

Every single phrase of the Lord’s Prayer is loaded with revolutionary significance for Jesus’ original audience—and for us. In this book, Brad Gray and Brad Nelson draw on decades of research to unpack these words in their original historical and cultural context, revealing the bold truths that can still shake our lives today.

You’ll discover how to:

• partner with Jesus in bringing heaven here by aligning your daily actions and influence with His kingdom and will.
• gain wisdom to mend broken relationships and stand against the forces of evil.
• understand what Jesus’ words meant to his original audience.
• gain confidence and peace from bearing God’s name, goodness, and glory to the world.
• experience each moment as holy—as an opportunity for the life of heaven to be a part of your life now.

We are called to actively participate in Jesus’ mission to restore all things, bringing the abundance of heaven to earth. Bringing Heaven Here will unveil the hidden truths and untapped power of the world’s most famous prayer—and show how it applies to your life today. Discover how to stay rooted in Him, embrace the purpose He has for you, and let the Lord’s Prayer guide you into a life of true transformation.

My Impressions So Far

I can read fairly quickly, y'all.  And although I've read a big chunk of this book, the rereads are slowing me down.  There is so much information about this prayer (especially the historical/contextual tidbits) that I find myself rereading entire chapters!  One thing I never knew is that Jesus may have shaped the Lord's Prayer from the Kaddish, which is the mourner's prayer.  After reading the Kaddish, I can certainly see how Jesus might have used the framework of the prayer and transformed it into a prayer about how "God's kingdom works intself out and into the lives of others through us" (p. 35).

First of all, I didn't think I would like reading this book because it is coauthored by two friends.  My perception was that each author would present his own interpretation and application to his life.  I was so wrong!  What the two Brads have done is take certain aspects of the prayer, line for line, and expound on them.  Let me give you an example.  For "in the heavens" (who art in heaven), Brad Gray discusses "The One Who Sits Above It All."  In the next chapter, Brad Nelson shares "The One Who Is Always Near."  

So far the chapter on forgiveness "Make Us People of Release" is my very favorite.  Forgiveness is so hard, but it is obviously a very large part of God's kingdom because Jesus taught us to pray about it, to not only ask for forgiveness from Our Father, but to forgive others who have wronged us and those we love.  I have read this chapter several times, and I probably need to read it often because it is so instructive.

If you want to learn more about The Lord's Prayer and enjoy reading about biblical history, I think you will love this book.  The history is presented in a straightforward way, and it is not a "dry read" at all.  The anecdotes both authors share from their own lives are interesting and engaging. It's a nice mix.

I also thought you might be interested in reading the authors' version of the Lord's Prayer below.

Our Father in the heavens,

holy be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom and the power

and the glory forever.  Amen.

Disclosure:  I received a hardback copy of Bringing Heaven Here: How the Lord's Prayer Can Change Your Life and Our World from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

TLC review tour:

Monday, November 24th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Wednesday, November 26th: The Bookish Dilettante

Monday, December 1st: @dana.loves.books

Wednesday, December 3rd: @deannaturnsthepage

Thursday, December 4th: @gigithebibliophile

Friday, December 5th: @oilycaffeinatedmama

Monday, December 8th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering

Wednesday, December 10th: @the.joy.within.every.page

Friday, December 12th: @suzylew_bookreview 

Monday, December 15th: @beckys_bookshelves

Friday, December 19th: @lovemybooks2020

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill 

What I'm Reading Wednesday: Bringing Heaven Here

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Book Review: Why Not You? by Ed Newton

 

Happy Monday, My Lovelies!  How are you?  It's been a minute since I last blogged, but when TLC Book Tours asked if I'd be interested in reading and reviewing Ed Newton's Why Not You?: Believing What God Believes About You, I was happy to oblige.  This is one of the best Christian nonfiction works I've read in recent years because I felt so encouraged after reading it.

About Why Not You?: Believing What God Believes About You

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 11, 2025)

• Paperback: 202 pages

God is going to use someone to walk in purpose, meaning, destiny and anointing. So why not you? You can operate in your God-given abilities when you operate out of your God-given identity.

There is a very human tendency to believe the best for others and the worst for ourselves. To believe that someone else can operate in their full potential, while we settle to exist in our scraps of talent and personal limitations. But what if we could identify these lies for what they are and learn to take hold of the life God has actually called us to?

When Ed Newton was ten years old, a woman at McDonald’s prophesied over him that God was going to use him in a great way. Ed, who was eating lunch with his deaf parents, didn’t even have a relationship with the Lord at the time. He had no idea that the story that God was writing would one day be something he’d feel compelled to share with others.

Ed has walked the road of biblical identity and is now inviting others to do the same. Why Not You? is filled with his stories of growing up as a child of deaf parents (CODA) as well as other life experiences. Ed shows how the truth of God’s Word can cut through the web of self-doubt so many followers of Christ struggle with and show them who God created them to be. This book will help readers:

• battle through negative self-talk, doubts, and insecurities;
• retrain their minds to view themselves from God’s perspective;
• see their setbacks as setups for success;
• stop questioning their gifts and talents and start living in them.

Backed with Scripture and a raw look at his journey from childhood until a miraculous, spiritual encounter with the Lord in early 2024, Ed shows readers that it’s not only possible for God to use them, but that God wants to use them. Each chapter challenges readers to confidently walk in the calling and identity God has placed on their lives.

About the author

Born in North Carolina, but raised primarily in Florida, Dr. Ed Newton graduated from Clearwater Christian College and holds multiple graduate degrees in religious education, as well as a Doctorate in pulpit education and expository preaching from Memphis Mid- America Baptist Theological Seminary. Ed has been the lead pastor of Community Bible Church since 2016. He has authored several books, the most recent being an evangelism resource titled My 8: Embrace and Engage in the Wonder of Evangelism that dives into practical methods of sharing the Good News of Jesus with others.

Ed lives in San Antonio with his wife, Stephanie, and their four children: London, Lola, Liv, and Lawson. He enjoys skateboarding, basketball and running, as well as exploring the culture of his beloved San Antonio in his spare time.

My Review

The book synopsis does an excellent job describing the purpose of the book, so I don't want to rehash it.  Instead, I will share what I like most about this book.  

This is not a self-help book.  It is about finding your identity in Christ Jesus, and it also gives the reader practical advice on how to fulfill God's plan for his or her life.  Newton shares how both Moses and King David were called by God, and how he equipped each to serve God's purpose.  Moses had plenty of reason why he didn't think he was qualified to lead his people out of bondage in Egypt, but God would not accept any of his objections.  God used Moses's upbringing to prepare him for his mission, and God did not allow Moses's mistakes to disqualify him.  Moses tried very hard not to answer God's call, but God would not have it!

One of my favorite characters from the Bible is King David.  He was a man after God's own heart, and he did not fit any of the expected criteria for a king.  When Samuel was searching for King Saul's replacement, it was other people who overlooked David because of his age, lack of experience, and lack of stature.  The youngest of eight brothers, he wasn't even present when God sent Samuel to choose the new king from Jesse's sons.  David was overlooked because of the labels placed on him by his father, but God looks to the heart of a person, not outward appearances.  

After a couple of other biblical examples, Newton then applies God's Word to our own lives.  Perhaps the most important chapter is "Break Your Patterns."  In it we are taught how to reject the lies from the enemy, develop healthy habits rather than relying on default coping mechanisms, and maintaining an attitude that all things are possible with God.  There is even a short prayer in this chapter that Christians should pray everyday in my opinion!  

Lovelies, God wants us to live a full life now.  We know how our stories end because Christ Jesus fulfilled his ministry for us.  So if we know that Christ won, and we know that our future is secure, then why on earth can we not live in victory TODAY and stop living in defeat?  That's the crux of this book.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

~John 10:10

Another thing I like about this book that it is not a book about the "prosperity gospel."  It is about accepting what God thinks about us and having the courage to live with faith and purpose.  If you are inspired by Christian nonfiction, then I highly recommend Why Not You?.  I almost used an entire packet of flags while reading it!

Disclosure:  I was given a paperback copy of Why Not You? from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

TLC review tour schedule:

Monday, November 10th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering

Saturday, November 15th: @spaceonthebookcase

Monday, November 17th:  @suzylew_bookreview

Wednesday, November 19th: @thecalicobooks 

Thursday, November 20th: @deannaturnsthepage

Monday, November 24th: The Bookish Dilettante

Tuesday, November 25th: @carlasbookcrush and Carla’s Book Crush

Monday, December 1st: @niks.bookshelf 

Tuesday, December 2nd: @gigithebibliophile

Thursday, December 4th: @pickagoodbook 

Monday, December 8th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Wednesday, December 10th: @nissa_the.bookworm

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

Book Review: Why Not You? by Ed Newton

Monday, November 24, 2025

Happy Pinktober Tablescape

 

Happy Pinktober, My Lovelies!  I hope you are having a lovely October so far.  Today I'm participating in a Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by the Lovely Rita from the Panoply Blog.

Thank-you, Rita, for organizing and hosting these tablescape blog hop parties throughout the year.  You do an excellent job, and I always look forward to them.

This year my theme is "Happy Pinktober" for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I would like to invite you personally for tea and pink, strawberry-flavored petits fours.  

I'm a breast cancer survivor, and I'm so thankful for early detection, my tumor board, chemo nurses (who are angels on earth), and God, who Heals us of all our diseases (Psalm 103:3).  

I'm using some of the same decor from last year, and I've add a couple of elements to it as well.  First let's take a look at my plate stacks:

The bottom plate is Venetian Lace, and the top heart-shaped plate is in the Rosy Check.

The napkin is from Shabby Chic, and the ribbon napkin ring is from LoveShackFancy.

Many of the decorations on the table are from Michael's Enchanted Forest collection from last year.  I purchased a few things like the botanical candle holders at the end of the season.

The candle holders might be my favorite from the Enchanted Forest collection.

The table has two pumpkins on it, and both are pink.

Top to bottom:

The white florals are in a vintage crystal vase.  The Rosy Pink check pumpkin is from MacKenzie-Childs.

I like the witch's broom from the Enchanted Forest collection, too.

The pink floral pumpkin is actually a pillow from LoveShackFancy.

The large Think Pink roses are from Trader Joe's.  They opened-up so prettily!

Here are some more of the details, top to bottom, left to right:

I love the flowers with the collection.  They have pretty butterflies and incandescent orbs in the arrangements.

The "Freaks like me drink tea" teapot always makes me smile.

The roses and spiders' webs trays with metal lacework are fun, too.

I love mushrooms, and the beaded mushrooms in the collection were a must.  The white violets are my sorority's flowers.  Our philanthropy is breast cancer education, and the peer pressure of mammogram reminders from my sisters saved my life.

I have pink votives and roses on the table for Pinktober, and the specimen test tubes add mystique to the enchanted table theme.

Pink petits fours are festive for our tea party.

I hung bunting that has "Happy Halloween" on one side, and a pretty floral print on the other side.  I am enjoying it while in my art studio.

I also decorated our Welsh dresser with pink ribbons and pink moths that coordinate with the butterflies and colors on the dining table.

Resources:

Many of the elements on the table and Welsh dresser are from Michael's Crafts.  Assume something is from Michael's unless otherwise noted.

Moths on Welsh Dresser:  Moth and Myth

White tablecloth:  Williams-Sonoma

Ruffled and crochet-edged table runners and napkins:  Shabby Chic

Napkin rings, Halloween bunting, and stuffed pumpkin:  LoveShackFancy

Venetian lace plates:  Juliana Collection

Rosy Check heart plate, pumpkin, and creamer and sugar set:  MacKenzie-Childs

Pink wire coasters:  World Market

Crystal vase:  Vintage American Brilliant Cut Ruffled Edge Vase

Small pink votives, pink salt votive holder, and white violet:  Leaf 'n Petal

Roses:  Trader Joe's

Spoons:  Horchow

Blog Hop Participant Links:

Panoply - Spellbound Halloween Tablescape

Home is Where the Boat Is - Stay for a Spell

Everyday Living - Fo(u)r the Love of Treats

Hyacinths for the Soul - "Caw, Caw" ~ Spread Your Wings for Halloween

Me and My Captain - Harvest Moon? We Have A Ghost Of A Chance To See It Tonight!

Life and Linda - Haunted Manor of Dark Secrets

The Little Yellow Corner Store - A Witch's Brew Tablescape

My Thrift Store Addiction - Frightfully FAN-tastic Wine and Cheese Buffet

The Cat's Whizkerz - We're All Batty Here

Red Cottage Chronicles - Spooky Halloween with Cheesecloth Ghosts

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - A Little Bit of Ghoulish Glamour

Olla-Podrida - A Hauntingly Charming Halloween Tablescape for Two

The Bookish Dilettante - Happy Pinktober Tablescape

Since I am the last link for this blog hop, please take this time to call and make an appointment for a mammogram if you have not had one during this past year.  Early prevention is key for your survival.  

Until next time...

Happy Pinktober!

Ricki Jill

Happy Pinktober Tablescape

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Welcome Fall with Neutrals and Yellows

 

Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies!  Did you have a nice Labor Day yesterday?  I hope you had a nice time grilling out with your family.  And if you didn't grill, I hope you had a lovely day and ate something delicious!

Today I'm joining fourteen other stylists as we share our Welcome Fall Tablescapes!

Sweet Rita from the Panoply blog hosts our blog hop parties.

Thank-you, Rita, for your hard work in hosting.  You're the best!

I wanted to use these fairly new napkins on my table.  The neutral seersucker ones were purchased from Anthropologie, and the bright yellow check napkins are from Farmhouse Pottery.

When I was looking around for table linens and tableware for this tablescape, I decided to go with mostly neutrals and yellow.  I think these colors are reminiscent of autumn, especially the browns.

The yellow cabbage rose tablecloth is the most summery thing on the table.  But this table is definitely a transition from summer to fall.  The checked table runner with the bright yellow stitching complements it.

The little salt and pepper shaker set is definitely a nod to autumn.  I like how it matches the table runner.

I chose chrysanthemums and sunflowers for the centerpiece.  Sunflowers are so plentiful this time of the year, and I love the colors of the mums.

For the past couple of falls I've taken out this espresso set.  The colors remind me of fall.

I also like how the cups and saucers look with our Longaberber stoneware.

I love the bright sunflower napkin rings.  Yellows and golds are lovely colors for fall!

Resources

Tablecloth:  Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic

Table runner:  Terrain

Seersucker napkins and salt and pepper set:  Anthropologie

Check napkins:  Farmhouse Pottery

Napkin rings:  Pier 1

Plates, bowls, mugs, and tea light holders:  Longaberger stoneware

Cutlery pouches: Smith's Variety

Green cut glass tumblers:  Green Row

Coffee press and espresso set:  Target

Vase:  MacKenzie-Childs

Flowers:  The Fresh Market and The Piggly Wiggly

Below are the links for the party.  Thrifting Wonderland is next if you're linking in order.

Panoply - Shuffling Seasons with an Early Fall Tablescape

Home is Where the Boat Is - Woodland Friends and Harvest Plaid

Everyday Living - The Colorful Bliss of Autumn

Hyacinths for the Soul - On the Cusp of Autumn

Celebrating Everyday Life - Welcome Fall with a Cozy & Elegant Tablescape

My Thrift Store Addiction - Curated Charm Autumn Breakfast Table

The Bookish Dilettante - Welcome Fall with Neutral and Yellow

Thrifting Wonderland - Thrifting for a Welcome Fall Tablescape

The Cat's Whiskerz - Hydrangeas, Sunflowers, and Pumpkins for a Fall Tablescape

Red Cottage Chronicles - A Cozy Autumn Dinner

Dinner at Eight - Leaves of Green - and Gold, Crimson, Rust and Bronze

Life and Linda - An Enchanted Fall Faerie Tablescape

Me and My Captain - Another Fall...Another Turned Page...in New Mexico

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - A Little Taste of Fall Tablescape

Mantel and Table - An Intimate Al Fresco Tablescape: Cozy & Beautiful Fall Dining

I love the color of these light yellow sunflowers from Mississippi.

I just wanted to share them with y'all!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Welcome Fall with Neutrals and Yellows

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Tales of the Traveling Tote: My Motherships

 

Hello, My Lovelies!  Welcome to the 44th Tales of the Traveling Tote.  I have not been traveling much or even going to the lake recently.  I have had family obligations keeping me busy, but my family held an intervention a couple of weeks ago and insisted that I get away for a quick weekend to my favorite city, Chicago.  We planned to visit my two motherships:  Wrigley Field and The Art Institute of Chicago.

We enjoy staying at the historic Palmer House because it's within walking distance to the Art Institute.  Below is the pretty ceiling in the lobby.

On Friday night we ate at a fantastic Mediterranean restaurant called Avec.  Everyone loved it, and we particularly enjoyed the family-style presentation.

Saturday morning, we ate breakfast at our favorite bakery and coffee shop, The Goddess and the Baker.  They have the best breakfast pastries in Chicago!  Then we headed to Wrigleyville.  Shanley Belle and I visited a romance-only bookshop called The Last Chapter and had a ball.  We like visiting Indie Bookshops while traveling.

After the bookshop, we met up with Christopher and Trip at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.

Unfortunately, La Countess de Monet is too large to get into the stadium.  Miss Square Peggy and Miss Candy Max are also too large.  The dimensions must be no larger than 16" X 16" X 8".  So I carried Miss Check You're Out! because she is petite at 16" X 11.5" X 4".  She loved the game!

Clark the Cubbies' mascot before the game.  We had great seats behind the dugout on the third base side.

The Cubbies beat the Pirates 3-1, so the W flag was flown!

Saturday night after the game we ate dinner at our favorite pizza place in the city, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders.  They have the best pizza pie in the world!  I always order the individual mushroom one.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast at The Goddess and the Baker again because we love it so much.  Then we walked to the Art Institute for the Gustave Caillebotte:  Painting His World exhibit.   Since we're members, we were able to visit an hour earlier than the general public, so we saw the exhibit almost by ourselves.  For the Sunday before school started on Monday, there were few people at the museum.  I think it might have had something to do with the flooding rains on Saturday night.  

Gustave Caillebotte was an independently wealthy Impressionist.  He was good friends with Renoir, and he painted pretty much what he wanted to paint.  During this time, painters usually painted lovely young women, but Caillebotte preferred painting men.  

One of the lions in front of the museum.

I wanted to share with you two paintings, one by Renoir and one by Caillebotte.

I chose the mums by Renoir for autumn.

Chrysanthemums

Pierre August Renoir (French, 1841–1919)

1881-1882

Oil on canvas

21 5/8" × 25 7/8 "

I chose the Caillebotte painting (below) because I thought the perspective was neat.

The Boulevard Seen From Above

Gustave Caillebotte (French, 1848-1894)

1880

Oil on canvas

25 3/5" × 21 3/10"

We enjoyed the member's lounge and a late lunch of Giordano's Pizza.  Before heading to the airport, we went to the world's largest Starbucks, the Starbucks Reserve.  The four-story shop is truly something.  We had the Chicago blend, and I brought some home with me.

I also purchased a beautiful book of the Van Gogh bedrooms because we saw the exhibit in 2016 at the Art Institute.  I was so happy to have a lovely reminder of that trip, too.  The Caillebotte brochures were really large, so I didn't buy one of them.

I love how the page folds out to show all three bedroom paintings.

This book is so nice, and it also features other paintings shown at the exhibit.

I hope you enjoyed my post on my whirlwind trip to Chicago.  I literally have nothing else to share!  

I'm sure the other Traveling Tote Ladies have much more interesting posts than mine, so give them a visit using the links below!

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch   

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box  

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Bookish Dilettante  

This TTT giveaway is hosted by Sarah.  Please make sure to leave a comment on her post in order to be entered.

Join us for our next adventures in December!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Tales of the Traveling Tote: My Motherships

Monday, September 1, 2025