Category:

Gigi

Book ReviewGigi

The Wonder of His Love

by Gigi
written by Gigi

My friend, Margaret Feinberg [www.margaretfeinberg.com], has a new book and 7-session Bible Study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God [www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck] (releasing Christmas Day)—a personal invitation for you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life. Wonderstruck [www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck] will help you:

  • Recognize the presence of God in the midst of your routine
  • Unearth extraordinary moments on ordinary days
  • Develop a renewed passion for God
  • Identify what’s holding you back in prayer
  • Discover joy in knowing you’re wildly loved

To learn more, watch the Wonderstruck Video, here: https://vimeo.com/53953257
I have to say I’ve seen the WONDER of His love this year in the smile of my first grand daughter – Avery Lynn Murfitt!
She was born on October 25, 2012 and I just can’t get enough of her!

The Wonder of A New Family
Steve, Gigi, Tom, Dana, Zane, Kelsey and Avery


Imagine what God thinks of each precious child He creates. Oh the WONDER!
Follow Margaret’s snarky, funny, and inspirational posts on Twitter [www.twitter.com/mafeinberg]
Facebook [www.facebook.com/margaretfeinberg]
Margaret’s blog [www.margaretfeinberg.com].
You can learn more about this great book by visiting www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck where she’s offering some crazy promos right now with up to $300 of free stuff.
I’ve seen the book for as low as $7.57 ($14.99 retail) on Barnes & Noble [http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wonder-struck-margaret-feinberg/1110904808?ean=9781617950889] for all you savvy shoppers.
God Bless your heart with the wonder of His love!
So where have you seen the wonder of God in your life?
Gigi Murfitt
Author of Caregivers’ Devotions to GO and co-auther of My Message is C.L.E.A.R.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Book ReviewGigi

Everything I Love about EVERYTHING

by Gigi
written by Gigi

I’ve been reading a fabulous book by Mary Demuth.
Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus


I don’t even know where to begin to tell you how impactful and timely this book has been for me.
I scribbled on nearly every page as I saw something of myself in each story.
I took copious notes asking myself some tough questions.
I love everything about Everything.
Fellow Everything booklaunch team members have also shared the impact of this book on their lives.
Here’s a cool photo Renee Ann Smith created on Pinterest.

 
 
Truly, Everything is a life-changing book.

I’ve lived in the Great Yesterday most of my life, constantly looking back, so much so that my spiritual neck has whiplash. Quote by Author, Mary DeMuth

I should have written that line for myself.
I admit that I’ve been one to spend too much time looking back. (Maybe that explains my years of physical therapy on my neck!)
Too much reliving (and often regretting) my past.
So much thinking of yesterday that I miss out on today.
Too many “what if’s” and not enough “what next.”
I don’t want to look back. I want to live in the now.
I look forward to my future with great expectations of goodness–for my marriage and family, and my career.
Do I really need to figure out why things happened the way they did?
Or am I ready to just settle into the wonderful life God has given me.
It is time to remember God chose me for such a time as this. To live in this now.
To be married to Steve Murfitt.
To be mom to Zane and Gabe and mother-in-law to Kelsey.
To be “Nana” to the new babygirl due to arrive any day.
To be an author and speaker willing to share how Jesus is….My Everything.
This is all part of the plan for me all along.
God is rebuilding me and putting together the broken pieces of my life.
To make a new mosaic from my story that will shine for His glory.
To write a new book to draw people to Jesus.
Let’s make a deal and stop looking back.
God has so much planned for our today. And even more for our future.
God Bless you my sweet friend. I love EVERYTHING about you.
Gigi
Mary has a great FREE study guide here  http://www.marydemuth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EverythingBibleStudyGuide.pdf
If you are interested in joining me as we walk through this life-changing book, leave a comment and we’ll get a group started.
Buy the book today (October 23rd) and get some sweet FREEBIES
http://www.marydemuth.com/2012/10/everything-releases-buy-it-this-week-get-over-240-in-freebies/

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
GigiMy Message is C.L.E.A.R.

Grace Flow

by Gigi
written by Gigi

Over the past month I’ve found myself smiling at my husband and making the statement, “GRACE FLOW.”
I feel like God is moving in my family in enormous ways.
This “GRACE FLOW” talk started when our counselor was praying for us.
He blessed us with eyes to see the flow of God’s Grace upon our lives because we are willing to work on some “stuff” that has kept us stuck in our communication and family life.
He asked us to read Arthur Murray’s book, Humility. Out with pride. In with humilty.
We were challenged to release the wounds of our past. Healing begins.
We began to focus on how we could act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God in all areas of our life. Love grows.
Bondage that has kept us stuck is being removed. Grace flows.

Photo from WheatonBible.org


Whew! Can I say OVERWHELMING!
So many beautiful things that are evidenced in a life surrendered fully to Christ.
We have trusted God for our marriage and our family.
Here are just a few things that have happened in our GRACE FLOW

  • **Our book, My Message is C.L.E.A.R. was a finalist in the Reader’s Favorite book contest. We didn’t win but we made the top five in our category.
  • **We recorded the audio version of My Message is C.L.E.A.R. AudioInk it is producing it in record time. Watch for news on this soon.
  • **I orchestrated a successful writer’s retreat for The Northwest Christian Writer’s Association.
  • **Steve and I had a blast speaking together at The Father’s Network conference last weekend.
  • **Our oldest son, Zane, and his beautiful wife, Kelsey, are expecting their baby girl any day now.
  • **Our youngest son, Gabe, is off on a whirl-wind speaking tour where he’ll touch thousands of lives in the state of Montana.
  • **My Ebook, Caregivers’ Devotions to Go, was #1 on Amazon this past week when my publisher promoted it free for a day.
  • **We have been blessed with some nice donations to our foundation.
  • **We received an unexpected bonus.
  • **Gabe is signing books tonight for My Message is C.L.E.A.R. at the Billings Barnes and Noble
  • **Steve and Gabe will be speaking to a Businessman’s lunch in November
  • **Several schools in Washington state have booked Gabe to speak in the new year.

Like I said – WHEW. GRACE FLOW!
I am truly humbled by the magnificant change taking place in my family and ministry life.
My friend. I want to see the flow of Grace in your life too.
I pray for you so often.
I pray that whatever might be keeping you in bondage and blocking the flow of God’s grace will be revealed to your willing heart.
I pray God will bring people into your life to speak open and honest truth.
Please email me or comment on my blog so I can pray for you about any area of your life.
God bless you with GRACE! Let it FLOW!
Gigi

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Gigi

Speaking at The Father’s Network

by Gigi
written by Gigi

Steve and I have the priviledge of speaking together at The Father’s Network one-day conference held at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington on Saturday, October 6, 2012. We will speak at 11:40 a.m.
Here is a link to the conference information: http://fathersnetwork.org/2012/10/04/last-blast-of-conference-information/
It is an honor to share our story with a group of fathers of special needs children.
Steve relates. He is one of them.
I get to go along and share encouragement from the wife’s point of view.
Raising a child with a disability is not easy as a parent.
It is even more difficult as a spouse.
Too often our special needs child demands so much of our time we neglect our spouse and marital issues arise.
We’ve been there. It has caused some difficult days in our marriage.
But there is HOPE.
We’ve learned that if our focus is first turned to Jesus, then we have clear direction for a Godly life where we love our spouse first and then our children.
Pray with us as we share our story with the hope to encourage these dads to trust that God sees their individual situation and has answers for their challenges.
We’re moving into exciting times where God is gracing us with more opportunities to share our story. We are seeing a flow of grace that is unbelievably amazing!
I am truly doing a HAPPY DANCE as I Praise God for recent miracles in our family.
God Bless your heart,
Gigi

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Caregivers' Devotions to GoGigi

FREE Ebook October 4, 2012 – Caregivers’ Devotions to Go Hits #1 on Amazon

by Gigi
written by Gigi

My publisher has agreed to offer the EBook of Caregivers’ Devotions to Go on Amazon Kindle for FREE. It happened on October 4, 2012.
As a result, my book hit #1 in the Parenting Advice category and #4 in the Spiritual Religion – Christianity category.
Gotta love it.

Hurry while it remains free.
God bless your caring heart
Gigi Murfitt

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Gigi

So Long Summer, Hello Change

by Gigi
written by Gigi

Blessings to you, my friend. I’ve missed you.
It’s been awhile since we’ve connected on my blog.
I hope you are enjoying every last moment of summer.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, on Saturday morning (September 22, 2012) at 7:49 a.m. (PST) summer will officially be over. (Autumnal Equinox)
But here in Seattle, we are hanging on a bit longer. It has been an EPIC summer of sunshine!
I won’t complain. I love it! But I’m also looking forward to the changes ahead.
Fall is all about change.
Warm summer nights move into to cool snuggly evenings.
The green trees become shades of red, yellow and orange.

Autumnal Equinox
photo credit Kidzworld.com


All creatures prepare for the next season.
I’m preparing for the biggest change in my life.
I am going to be a GRANDMA! I can’t wait to meet my granddaughter next month.

Hello Change.
Over the next several weeks I’ll be sharing stories from my summer where God met me on the shores of a lake in Eastern Washington and changed my heart.
I have so much to tell you so please come back and share your stories too.
Tell me how God spoke to you this summer by leaving a comment below.
God bless your changing heart.
Gigi

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Book ReviewGigi

Jesus is My Everything

by Gigi
written by Gigi

If Jesus stood before you today and asked if you’d like to get well, how would you respond?

Especially lately, I’m challenged with this question from Mary DeMuth’s new book Everything – What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus (October 16, 2012).

I’ve been dealing with physical issues that have felt overwhelming at times.

Last week I learned I have arthritis in my back. (Big OUCH)

I’m not holding on to that diagnosis because I know that Jesus is my healer and I want to cooperate with Him to walk this out. So when Jesus asks me if I want to be well, my answer is YES, I will do EVERYTHING to cooperate to be whole.

I’ve experienced incredible healing in my soul as Jesus became my EVERYTHING twenty-two years ago when our son Gabe entered the world with multiple congenital birth defects. I learned to trust that Jesus would help us to teach Gabe how to live a successful life – even with short arms, crooked legs and a severe hearing loss.

As part of Mary’s launch team for her new book, we were challenged to make a short video to explain why Jesus is our EVERYTHING. So here goes!

http://youtu.be/xPIH5SkIMa4

I hope you’ll make Jesus your EVERYTHING too.

God Bless your heart with Everything He has for you.

Read a few sample chapters here!  http://nelsonfree.com/everythingbook
Tell me how Jesus is your EVERYTHING – leave a comment.  {HUGS}

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Gigi

God, A Woman and a Man

by Gigi
written by Gigi

Today is our twenty-seventh wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Steven!

June 22, 1985 -- Mr. and Mrs. Steven Murfitt


I was reflecting back on our ceremony and remembered the special song we chose for that day.
I  found the lyrics on Google along with a guitar rendition. Oh the power of the internet!

God, A Woman and a Man
If there never was a singer Then there’d never be song
If there never was a mother Where would the child belong
If a life was not worth living I could not understand
But as a gift was made for giving So was a woman made for a man
God from the beginning Had it in His plan
To join into one flesh This woman and this man
In the fullness of the Spirit’s love We move to make our stand
For the binding of a promise Between God a woman and a man
If there never was a painter Then there’d be no canvas done
If there never was a morning Then there’d be no rising sun
If the music had no melody No purpose for the band
But as a love was meant for sharing So was a woman made for a man
 


Marriage can be like an adventurous ride
— sometimes like the slow and sweet ferris wheel
—–and other times like the twisting and turnng roller coaster.
God has been faithful all these years to keep us from falling off!
Thank you, Steven, for riding with me all these years.
I’m asking the Lord to bless the next twenty-seven years with His amazing mercy and grace.
God bless you
Gigi

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Gigi

Remember the Days

by Gigi
written by Gigi

We celebrated Father’s day with my husband, Steve, this past weekend.
After a fun day at Gabe’s Challenger Little League Jamboree, my son, Zane, and his wife, Kelsey, came over to our house for dinner. We enjoyed hanging out on the back deck while Steve tended to the grill.
Gabe’s friend Danielle was able to join us too. She’s home from college and about to head off to Korea to teach English.

Father's Day Dinner 2012


There is nothing like the sound of your children’s laughter as they remember stories of their youth.
I come from a family of great story tellers. Each person’s version is unique and it makes for a fun time.
As the weekend wound to a close, I spent the evening combing through old pictures on my computer.
I was reminded how quickly time passes. I realized this was Steve’s twenty-sixth father’s day.
Really? Where has the time gone?
It wasn’t that long ago that Zane painted a big rock in his elementary school class to give to Steve as a Father’s day gift.
It seemed like he became a man in the blink of an eye.
Now Zane is about to become a father himself.
Some days I get frightened that the days are going by too quickly. If not for my journal where I record the memories, I’d forget all that God has done in these days.
But this I know.
The One who made time, has counted every moment as precious.
He has ordained every day before one of them came to be.
He sees me and all my concerns about missing that moment in time and He says, Gigi, focus your eyes on me and I will help you through the times and seasons I’ve ordained for you.
I don’t want to forget.
So I write it down.
I hope you write it down too.
God Bless your sweet memories.
Gigi

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Gigi

The River Rose – by Gilbert Morris

by Gigi
written by Gigi

Historical inspirational romance is a desired genre on my reading list so I am delighted I was given a copy of Gilbert Morris’s most recent novel, The River Rose. It released June 1, 2012 from B&H Publishing Group
I can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read by Dr. Morris. It won’t be my last.

Author Gilbert Morris


He didn’t start writing novels until he was nearly fifty years old. I can’t imagine writing a novel in one month but Gilbert Morris has done just that. He has written 228 novels.
From the beginning of this novel, The River Rose, I imagined myself becoming friends with the protagonist, Mrs. Jeanne Bettencourt.
I liked her spunky attitude as a single mom of eight-year old Marvel, living in the 1850’s. I’ve always wanted to wear the long dresses with petticoats, bonnets and parasols, so I envisioned strolling along the Memphis streets with Jeanne.

She struggles to provide support for her daughter until hope shines on their future when Jeanne inherits a half interest in a riverboat, The Helena Rose, from a distant relative.
Jeanne had grown up on her father’s riverboat , but had never piloted on her own. A strong will to succeed drove her to a new business venture piloting the paddle wheeler from Memphis to Little Rock and cities in between.
From the beginning, I had my eye on Clint Hardin, a handsome machinist with a beautiful singing voice and a fighting spirit. All the ladies are interested in Clint, except Jeanne Bettencourt. But when he inherits the other half of The Helena Rose, a business partnership is formed and their relationship is strictly business.
Although he is interested in the beautiful Jeanne, I wasn’t too sure which direction their relationship would go.
Along the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers, the plot takes some twists and turns. Circumstances continue to stretch Jeanne’s Christian faith. Throughout the book, I never knew what waited around the next bend. There are several unexpected surprises that make it an interesting read.
I highly recommend this book if you like inspirational historical fiction.

CONTEST!

I’d love to give you a FREE COPY of The River Rose by Gilbert Morris.
I will give you one entry into the contest for each item below. A winner will be randomly chosen and notified by Monday, June 18, 2012.
1. In the comments section of my blog, answer the following question:
If you inherited a paddle wheeler, what would you name her?
2. Go to Gilbert’s Facebook page and LIKE it: https://www.facebook.com/gilbertmorrisbooks
Be sure to come back to my blog and tell me you LIKED it.
I will contact the winner to make arrangements to send you the book.
Here are the links to Gilbert’s online outposts which will help you learn more about him:
Website and Blog: http://www.gilbertmorris.com/
Blog Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/GilbertMorris
E-Newsletter (to receive subscriber-only giveaways & previews of his upcoming novels): http://gilbertmorris.com/news.htm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/gilbertmorrisbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/gilbert_morris
Pinterest: https://twitter.com/#!/gilbert_morris
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from B&H Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Thanks for helping me spread the word about this enjoyable novel.
Come back to my blog for more book reviews in the coming weeks. Next up – Karen Kingsbury’s Coming Home.
Have a great week!
Gigi

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail