Time for another book drawing! My pick for November is Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God by Kristine Brown.
I love all books on trusting God, especially because that challenge is such a central part of the Christian life. And most of my books are about trusting God more–one way or another. So I knew Kristine Brown’s book would be important. And the fact that the biblical story of Rahab is at its center is even more fascinating to me.
Read to the end and find out how to enter the book drawing. Kristine is making TWO copies available of her book!!!!! So two of you who enter will win! UPDATE: The drawing is now finished. Janis and Fran are the winners! Congratulations!
Here’s an excerpt from Cinched to whet your appetite. 
Trading Decision-Guilt for Trusting God
by Kristine Brown
When my son grew into a young adult, my fears became all too real when I missed several middle-of-church phone calls from 1500 miles away.
I hadn’t stepped in when his mission team set out on a cross-country trip toward a potential snowstorm. They had already traveled halfway to their destination when my son informed me they’d set a new course several states away to help out at a ministry event.
Although every mom-instinct inside me screamed no, I had to trust that God would protect them. That meant continuing to trust, even when while serving at the event, my boy landed in the emergency room with stitches from a near-fatal mishap.
You’d better believe my first reaction sent me searching for any possible way to get there, but being in the midst of a cancer battle meant I had to stay put.
There’s nothing quite like the heartache distance creates when a loved one needs us.
God in his grace and mercy surrounded our son with level-headed people to get him the help he needed and be there when I couldn’t. That left me confined at home with a choice to make. I could respond in a frantic attempt to ease my own guilt over my decision to let him go on the trip, or I could respond Rahab’s way. I could walk in instant obedience.
In this situation, my instant obedience meant praying for God’s provision and resting in His goodness.
Trusting God to take care of our families can be hard. Boy, can we heap that guilt on ourselves when something bad happens! TWEET THAT!!!
I could’ve very well blamed myself for not intervening and keeping my boy in a bubble of protection I’d built, even with the added unexpected surgery in the weeks following the accident. Instead, I chose to praise God for bringing him through the ordeal and teaching us both more about trust in the process.
There are times when all we can do is pray the words of Psalm 84:12, “Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (NIV). When I noticed call after call in my voicemail that Sunday after church, I knew it had to be bad news. There was no way I could’ve possibly helped from so far away, but I also knew this: I had prayed, so I decided to trust God over wallowing in the guilt of feeling responsible.
God did not create us to carry guilt for our actions, including past decisions made. He created us to carry them to Christ. TWEET THAT!!!!!
We may not be able to remove decision guilt from our lives for good, but we can overcome it with God’s help. When we find ourselves in that familiar place, looking at the two, three, or four paths ahead, let’s remember Rahab and praise God that we’re becoming better deciders.
Did Rahab face the challenges of wanting to do what was best for her family? Had she overcome any decision guilt as she demonstrated complete trust?
I love how Rahab asked for a guarantee for her family, acting on the truth of God’s promise for their rescue. But even more, I love that her trust in the One powerful enough to save them would not shift. With roads diverging before her in every direction, she chose the one that held the promise. And she would soon find out, that choice would mean everything.
Thank you, Kristine, for strengthening our trust in God.
To my readers: Enter the book drawing by writing a comment on the blog post page. I will pick the two winners on November Sunday, November 14, 2021. Only USA addresses can win. UPDATE: The drawing is now finished and the two winners are Janis and Fran. Congratulations to you both.
Here’s more about Cinched:
In Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God, Kristine Brown takes readers on a journey with Rahab and uncovers 10 lessons to help us trust God like we mean it. Complete with a Glossary of God’s Promises, Cinched is a unique call-to-hope for every woman ready to move to a life-changing level of trust. A companion workbook is available. Find out more at Cinchedbook.com.
Kristine Brown is a ministry wife, mom, stepmom, and Mimi. A former chronic worrier, Kristine loves connecting women today with women of the Bible and sharing lessons learned through her website, freelance writing, and speaking to women’s groups. Any given day you can find her texting her young adult kids, checking on neighbors, or searching for a new way to cook broccoli. To connect with Kristine, visit kristinebrown.net.
Yes please! I would love to read this!
Mona.
Thank you for entering the drawing, Mona! It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.
I would love toread this as well.
Thanks for entering Debra. I know you will love it whether you win it or purchase it.
Thank you for sharing this opportunity with your blog community, Kathy! I can’t wait to share a copy of Cinched with one of your readers:)
Kristine, you are very welcome. It is a book worthy to be shared.
Would love to read this and thanks for the opportunity
I’m so glad you see a great opportunity in this, Amber. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Wow! So pwerful. I know that quilt struggle so well. My daughter is anorexic, and I didn’t notice for much too long. God has ways of teaching us to trust, even when we’re not sure we want to.
So true, Michele, so true. For any variety of reasons, our eyes can be unseeing. I’m so glad the Lord has given Kristine wisdom to help us deal with the guilt. I’ve put your name into the drawing. Thank you!
This sounds like a wonderful and inspirational read.
Yes, indeed, Wen, it is. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Please enter me Kathy. My daughter is going through very serious health challenges and I need to trust that the Lord will bring her through this. Thank you!
We all are so sorry to hear of these health problems for your daughter. And of course, our mother’s heart feels the pain and struggle. We are praying for you and your daughter. And I’ve put your name into the drawing.
I would like to read as well! Thanks for the chance to win.
You are very welcome, Julie. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Such trying times we are experiencing now and we need that reinforcement your book offers to help dispel the doubt and fear.
Amen, on that, Linda. We do need Kristine’s book to strengthen us in trying times. The key is trusting God. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Love the idea of being “cinched” up to God for this journey through life. When I hear the word cinch, I instantly picture that wide strap that secures the saddle to the horse by cinching it around their belly. When we would stop on the trail or for lunch, you loosen the cinch and they breathe easier and seem to relax more (I think). From a spiritual perspective, I think God wrapping His arms around me to ensure I can stick close to Him. When I am resting in Him, He loosens the cinch a bit and I find it easier to relax and rest. Of course, when it’s time to get back to work, we’ll cinch it up tight and get the work done. 🙂 Enjoyed the preview; thank you and God’s blessings ladies.
So cool, JD., your metaphor of the strap around a horse. That adds a beautiful insight. Thanks for entering the drawing!
I would like to say I agree with everything I read in the book. I would love to be considered for the book drawing.
Thank You,
Betty
I’m so glad you saw the value of “Cinched.” I’ve put you into the drawing!
I felt decision guilt yesterday. Cinched would help me with that feeling. Also, the story of Rahab is amazing and I would like to learn more about her. Thank you for this opportunity.
I’m so glad to give you the opportunity to enter the drawing, Marianne. I think we all have decision guilt at times. I’m glad we are not alone and the Lord gave us lessons like the life of Rahab to help us.
Thank you for the opportunity to read some of your book. “Cinched,” is an interesting title and wonder how you came up with the name. Perhaps it was a God thing. Looking forward to reading the rest of the book.
Hello Quenne, I’m so glad you entered the drawing. What a great question for Kristine to answer. The title “Cinched” is a fascinating concept. I guess we’ll just have to purchase the book to find out.
Thank you for this opportunity. I would love to read her book and share it with my study group at church.
What a great idea, Courtenay. I hope you will tell your study group about this important book. I’ve entered you into the drawing.
“Cinched” is a very good’witness’ to many who can identify with similar, especially, critical decisions;
and in particular, with ‘loved ones’/who are near and
dear to our hearts*
A thoughtful, disciplined God lesson. It’s all in His
hands, right?
Thanks for your personal story ‘sharing’* Blessings 🌝
Thank you for commenting, Fran. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Congratulations, Fran! You are one of the winners! IL’m so happy for you. I will connect you with Kristine Brown by email. Thank you again for stopping by!
This book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
You are very welcome, Carolyn. I love featuring a book drawing every month of books I consider very important. Thank you for entering.
Hello. I believe this book would be great for my Mom whom has had guilt over the loss of my twin sister in 1967. She was just 21 then herself. The Doctors asked if my folks would donate her baby body for science and they agreed. Long story short, none us know what they did with the rest of the remains after they were gone on her little fragile body. My Mom has carried that guilt 53 years now. I thank you for writing this awesome book and hope my Mother could receive it to read.
Stephanie, our hearts break for your mom and her grief because of such a difficult loss. I can’t imagine. I hope that whether you win “Cinched” or you purchase the book for your mom, that she will be strengthened to trust God for the past. We are praying for her and you all. Thank you for entering the drawing.
I would absolutely be so blessed to receive a copy ! Ever since I found Kristine brown and subscribed I was in a dark place and God sent her . It’s been on time everything that’s been talked about like God is speaking to me personally I have been struggling really bad mentally . I know this would help change my mind set and get me back where God wants me . Thank you for rahab story and be still and know that I am God story and all your doing I pray for blessings for. You and your team
Love your sister in Christ
Charity
Hello Charity, we are so glad you are being blessed by the Lord through Kristine’s ministry. We will be praying for you as you continue growing closer to the Lord, which is a life-long journey for all of us. Our prayers are with you for your strength. Thank you for entering the drawing.
Thank you for sharing this book and the opportunity to possibly win the full copy. Forgiving myself for past, poor decisions has been very difficult. Working on it!
Thank you, Janis, for sharing. I think we all can relate to struggling to fully receiving God’s forgiveness. Please know you are not alone and “working on it” is acceptable –it’s called “sanctification”. I’m so glad God doesn’t expect us to be perfect (Phil. 1:6). Thank you for entering the drawing!
Congratulations, Janis! You are one of the two winners of a copy of Kristine Brown’s book. I will connect you by email with Kristine. I’m so happy for you and appreciate your participation.
This is Kathy and I’m entering the name of Teresa who is having trouble getting her comment into the system.
I will love to win this book. Kristen stories about Rabah amazes me. Loved her daily devotionals
Thank you for entering, Lourdes. I’m so glad you are a “follower” of Kristine.
Would love to read this! I always look forward to Kristine’s devotionals I receive through email.
Carly, I know you’re going to love Kristine’s book as much as her devotionals. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Thanks for entering, Mona! It’s great to connect with you.
Thanks for your comment, Debra. I appreciate you entering!
Thanks for being here Amber, and submitting your comment as part of the drawing! Blessings.
Michele, thank you for sharing from your heart. Your comment touched me deeply, and I am thankful God is continually showing us how to trust Him more through our most difficult circumstances. Lifting you up in prayer today.
Thank you for commenting, Wen. I am glad you joined us here today!
Praying for you and your daughter today, Kim. Thank you for sharing. Trusting God with our kids is so hard when we see them going through such difficult circumstances. May you feel His peace, presence, and guidance.
Thanks for being here, Julie! So glad you entered:)
So true, Linda! Now more than ever, we need to deepen our trust in the One who is faithful. Thank you for commenting.
Love that thought, J.D! Your words also make me think of a friend and preacher who shares an analogy of our faith walk with horses in his book called, “Fit to Be Tied.” Your comment blessed me! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Betty, great to see you here. Thank you for entering the drawing!
Marianne I am so grateful you can relate to the message of Cinched. Letting go of decision guilt is something I have to practice over and over, with God’s help. Thank you for joining the conversation!
Hey Quenne, great to see you here at Kathy’s blog! That title was totally God-given inspiration, but I also explain all about its significance in chapter 5. Blessings to you!
Hi Courtenay, what a great idea! Cinched would make a wonderful study to read as a group. I also have companion workbooks available. If your group is interested, they can find links to all of that at http://www.cinchedbook.com. Thank you for entering!
Yes indeed, Fran! It is all in His hands. What a beautiful thought. Thank you for sharing your comment!
Thank you for entering by leaving youur comment, Carolyn! I am grateful the message of Cinched sounds interesting to you. Rahab’s life is one that can teach us so much about trusting God. Blessings!
Stephanie, thank you so much for sharing this with us here. I am praying for your mom today, trusting God to touch her heart in a powerful way. I pray she will feel His love like never before. What a thoughtful gift for you to reach out here and enter the drawing with her in mind. Bless you. <3
Charity, your comment blessed me so much! Thank you for telling me how much you have connected with my words. That is confirmation that God is moving in and through our lives as He binds us together for His glory! I am glad you entered the drawing for a copy of Cinched.
Janis, I’m right there with you! It’s a daily commitment to turn it over to the One who holds us in the palm of His hand. Thanks for being here!
Thank you Lourdes! What a blessing to read your comment here today.
Hi Carly! Thank you for joining the conversation here at Kathy’s place and entering the drawing.