• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives
  • Feathers Podcast
  • Entangled eBook
  • Disclosure
You are here: Home / Archives for ebook

ebook

The Power of Thoughts, Entanglement and an Emotional Affair: My Interview on the Mud Stories Podcast

October 8, 2015 by Amy Leave a Comment

mudstoriesamybennett

Heather and I recorded her podcast episode last Saturday. It was a last-minute one, although I’d been thinking on it for weeks. As I was sitting there, a message popped up from Jacque, would I, could I, record my emotional affair story for her podcast Mud Stories? Do you know, though, we’re 10 years out from this relationship and 4 since the eBook and I’ve never really spoken out loud about it publicly? But  without hesitation, I said yes. Remember how God has been calling me to speak this year? Yeah, this is one of those open doors I’m walking through.

I find God’s timing is impeccable to have both my sister and I sharing our stories of brokenness and redemption the same week in the same format. It’s a tale of two sisters, both with very different stories, but at the heart, finally learning that God is the lover of our souls.

It’s my prayer that even if we don’t share the same story, that you too would be beckoned by our Savior in your own mud, throw off whatever entangles you and fix your eyes on Him.

Listen right over here.

Filed Under: book, ebook, Podcasting, spiritual stuff

When You Think You Have Nothing to Offer

September 24, 2013 by Amy 2 Comments

I’m over at Ashley Brooks’ place today talking about writing an e-book.  Even if you’re not writing a book, I think we can all relate to feeling like we have nothing to offer.  Would love for you to hop over and say hello.

 

 

writingpenWhat’s holding you back from writing an e-book? Time? Money? Know-how? 

For me, it was the belief that my e-book wouldn’t make a difference.

Eight years ago I had an emotional affair.  Years after it was over and my marriage was restored, I felt led to write the journey we had taken and lessons we had learned.  I was nervous about sharing my story because no one knew, but I was also convinced it wouldn’t matter.

I told myself my story wasn’t that big of a deal, that I didn’t write well enough to write an e-book, that no one would read it even if I did.  I mean, who was I?

In my head, I imagined I would write the book, my friends and family would learn of my mistakes and shun me and then everyone else wouldn’t care. All that work and there would be no point but more pain.

When it launched, however, I found quite the opposite.

Read the rest over at Ashley’s blog.

Filed Under: ebook

31 Days: Mind Your Thoughts

October 15, 2012 by Amy 2 Comments

31dayswisdomlong

 

Many give little attention to their thought-life.  I recall during my emotional affair, I reasoned my thoughts away. As long as I wasn’t doing anything and just thinking about it, there were no ill effects.  How wrong I was.

Those thoughts, played on repeat, led to a desire and temptation to act them out.  James 1:13-15 says it like this:

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their ownevil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Your thoughts, when unchecked, are desires that lead to death.

Proverbs 15:26 tells us wicked thoughts are actually detestable to God:

The Lord detests the thoughtsof the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.

We would be wise to mind our thoughts.

Challenge: Take stock of your thought-life.  Are you replaying something in your mind someone did against you and it’s making you more angry with every replay?  Are you dreaming about the guy at the office? Are you picturing that beautiful woman from the gym?  Are you replaying in your mind all the ways your friend has everything you don’t? Are you scheming of ways to hurt someone?  Check your thoughts and redirect any hurt, anger or jealous to prayer before it is full-grown.

This post is part of The Nester’s 31 Days Series

Filed Under: 31 Days, ebook, spiritual stuff

Marriage, Broken and Beautiful

August 8, 2012 by Amy 6 Comments

Have you seen this photo yet? 

Michelle Newell Photography06

It’s been making it’s social media rounds and it’s just wow. *sigh*  Check out the full album here.

It’s especially sweet to see because today Scott and I are celebrating 14 years of marriage.  It was a sweet day.  A sweet, sweet, memorable day. 

 

What I would say to that couple and me, 14 years ago would be this: 

It’s gonna get hard.  I know you’re nodding your head but it’s way harder than you think.  You’re going to say mean things and think meaner things and want to get violent and walk away.  You might love someone else and be just fine with not kissing him all day. 

I know you can’t imagine that because right now because you’re saying We’re different.  It couldn’t happen to us.  But really, you’re going to wonder if you were feeling sane on your wedding day when you said I do and you’re going to wish you’d thought a little harder.

But.

Hold on.

If you just do it God’s way and forgive and assume the best and follow the golden rule and kiss anyway, the joy on the other side is a love you can’t even imagine right now.  It’s as beautiful as a groom crying over his bride but soul deep.  It’s a different beautiful that can’t be manufactured because it’s not made of new, but of all the broken pieces taped and glued together. 

And you’ll see all the pieces are really glimpses of God.

That one piece where you loved someone else and he kept loving you anyway.

That one piece where you were mad and yelled and he kept loving you anyway.

That one piece where you ignored him and he kept loving you anyway.

That one piece where you thought about walking away and he kept loving you anyway.

Marriage is forgiveness and faithfulness and love at its best and worst.  I hope you experience every piece.

 

To Scott, thanks for loving me anyway.

 

If you haven’t read my book Entangled, which is one big broken, beautiful piece of our marriage, I’d love to offer some hope in your broken.  Use code 14 here and get the PDF free.

Filed Under: ebook, friends and/or family

Simplify Your Family Life eBook Sale

April 16, 2012 by Amy Leave a Comment

syfl-300

 

If you like eBooks you need to pay attention to this post.  If you don’t like eBooks yet and you want to, you should listen too.

Mandi from Life Your Way and Corey from Simple Marriage have come together for the second time to create a 96 hour eBook package including $375 of eBooks for only $29.  It includes 38 books and let me just do the math for you…that’s .75 for each book.  You cannot get all these books at the price at one time anywhere else.  And I’m so honored they have included my eBook Entangled!

A few familiar others that jumped out at me were:

Blogger Behave by Laura @ 10 Million Miles ($4.99)

Tell Your Time by Amy @ Blogging with Amy ($4.99)

One Bite at a Time by Tsh @ Simple Mom ($5.00)

That Works for Me by Kristen @ We Are THAT Family ($8.00)

Truth in the Tinsel by Amanda @ Impress Your Kids ($6.99)

 

That right there is $30 worth of AMAZING books and well worth the other THIRTY-THREE books you’ll get.  Click here if you just can’t wait.  If you’re just dying to see the whole list first, here ya go:

 

Entrepreneurship & Blogging

Blogger Behave by Laura @ 10 Million Miles ($4.99) How to Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too by Mandi @ Life Your Way ($12.00) Make Money Blogging by Tara @ Feels Like Home ($4.99) Tap Into Your Unique Creativity and Self Expression Webinar by Lisa @ WellGrounded Life ($39.00) Tell Your Time by Amy @ Blogging with Amy ($4.99) Your Blogging Business: Tax Talk & Tips from a Bookkeeper Turned Blogger by Nikki @ Christian Mommy Blogger ($4.99)

 

Food & Cooking

Get Lean Recipe for Success by Nisha @ Healthy Mom’s Kitchen ($37.00) Got Dinner? by Susan @ The Confident Mom ($4.00) How To Cook For Yourself: A Complete Beginner’s Guide by Rachael @ Kitchen Courses ($35.00) Plan It, Don’t Panic by Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home ($4.99) Real Food Basics by Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama ($6.95) Real Food, Real Easy by Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker ($9.95) Smart Sweets by Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship ($9.95) The Everything Beans Book by Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship ($9.95)

 

Homemaking

2012 Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner by Susan @ The Confident Mom ($9.00) Clean Start: Your Guide to Natural Home Cleaning by Michelle @ Open Eye Health ($4.95) Complete Printables Download Pack by Mandi @ Life Your Way ($7.00) Food on Your Face for Acne & Oily Skin by Leslie @ Crunchy Betty ($7.99) From Debtor to Better by Barry @ Debtor to Better ($15.00) My Buttered Life {Summer + Gift Giving Editions} by Renee @ MadeOn Hard Lotion ($10.00) Not a DIY Diva by Melissa @ The Inspired Room ($3.99) One Bite at a Time by Tsh @ Simple Mom ($5.00) That Works for Me by Kristen @ We Are THAT Family ($8.00)

 

Marriage & Relationships

A Simple Marriage by Corey @ Simple Marriage ($4.99) Buck Naked Marriage by Corey @ Simple Marriage ($2.99) Entangled by Amy @ Permission to Peruse ($4.99) The A to Z Guide: 26 Ways in 26 Days to a Happier, Healthier Marriage by The Dating Divas ($9.97)

 

Minimalism for Families

101 Ways to Simplify Your Life by Laura @ Journey to a Simple Life ($9.95) 321-Stop by Lori @ Loving Simple Living ($9.97) Inside Out Simplicity by Joshua @ Becoming Minimalist ($11.99) Simple Ways to Be More with Less by Courtney @ Be More with Less ($9.97) The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year by Rachel @ The Minimalist Mom ($9.95)

 

Parenting & Kids

4 Moms of 35+ Kids Answer Your Parenting Questions by the Moms @ 4 Moms, 35+ Kids ($7.99) Flourishing Spring by Michele @ Frugal Granola ($5.95) Mindset for Moms by Jamie @ Steady Mom ($4.99) Nurturing Creativity by Renee @ FIMBY ($3.00) Parenting with Positive Guidance by Amanda @ Not Just Cute ($9.00) Truth in the Tinsel by Amanda @ Impress Your Kids ($6.99)

The Simplify Your Family Life Sale is brought to you in part by Plan to Eat, an online meal planner that makes eating at home simple. Receive an exclusive coupon code on a one-year membership with your purchase!

Isn’t that an amazing list? Remember, this collection is only available from Monday April 16th 8 a.m.  to Friday April 20th 8 a.m.  Click here to purchase your collection today!  You’ll be taken to the Life Your Way page and it will have the link for you.

Filed Under: book, ebook Tagged With: entangled, simply your family life

Top Ten Signs of an Emotional Affair

November 15, 2011 by Amy 2 Comments

EntangledCover200

Are you unsure what an emotional affair is or wonder what one looks like? The following list is an excerpt from my eBook Entangled.  It’s not an exhaustive list of ways to recognize if you’re in an emotional affair and there are many more details in the book.  But if these spark something in you, I want to highly encourage you to read Entangled.

  1. You think about him all the time.
  2. Your daydreams are consumed with him.
  3. Songs make you think of him.  You may or may not share lyrics.
  4. You write poems or stories reflecting feelings or fantasies.
  5. You think of him when you dress or fix your hair.
  6. You confess dreams or feelings for each other.
  7. When you’re not together you remain connected. Your spouse is unaware.
  8. You desire to see him or being where you know he will be.
  9. You refer to each other as girlfriend/boyfriend or office wife/husband.
  10. You wish you’d never met your husband or you fantasize his death.

You can check out more about the book at the site EntangledBook.com

This list is linked with Top Ten Tuesday over at ohamanda.com.

Filed Under: ebook, Top Ten

Entangled: The River

November 14, 2011 by Amy 4 Comments

God gave me something really cool this weekend regarding Entangled. Well, lot’s of things but I want to share this one. You’re going to have to read an excerpt of a chapter though to get the gist of it. The following is from the beginning of the Love chapter.

A flower, watered by the rain, grew on the side of the riverbank. When the rain stopped, it reached through its roots to the river. The flower bloomed like never before. In time, the river dried up and the flower wilted until the rain came back gently. However, the flower was the same as the others now, never blooming as it once had when fed by the river water.
That was the gist of a metaphorical short story I wrote the year after my affair ended. It defined how I felt about what had happened. Scott had been providing what I needed to survive. When his “love” felt like it ended, I started looking elsewhere to survive. This new person, the river, made me feel like I never had before. But that was temporary. Scott eventually began pouring his love out again and I could bloom once more. At the time I wrote the story, I just knew I would never feel complete.

I went on to talk about how our source of love should be from God and not man. I used the verse in John 15 where it talks about Jesus being the vine and us, the branches.

Now, before I sound like some disciplined saint, I have to be honest and say I have not been reading Scripture lately like I should be. Sure, I listen to sermons and music and read books but haven’t sat down with the Bible like I should be. All my extra time has been spent on launching this book. It’s no excuse, but true.

Last night my Bible opened to Jeremiah 17 and of course I recognized 17:9 so I decided to back up a bit and read what was leading up to that verse. And look!

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7, 8 NIV

I mean, are you for real? The same weekend I launch this thing he gives me a picture of the EXACT thing I had written years ago, for sinful purposes, at that. Another beautiful reminder of how our source of love is only in Christ. I love that it says in a year of drought, it never fails. Yes! When we have those times of drought when our marriages and relationships are suffering, if we are getting our love needs met through Him, we will not fail. In fact, the beginning of the passage says we’ll be blessed.

God is so cool.

If you want to read more from Entangled, please hop over to the site!

Filed Under: ebook, spiritual stuff

Entangled: The Morning After

November 12, 2011 by Amy 8 Comments

EntangledCover200 Well, it’s the morning after launch day.  I didn’t think I would feel different but I do.  Free. Light. Peaceful. Loved. Grateful.  While in many ways, the journey has just begun, I feel like my obedience is complete.  If I were Moses, I think I’m at that part where he raised his staff over the water.  It’s a scary, but simple thing.  But also the difference between death and a miracle.  The rest of this is up to God.  I fully expect to see my own Red Sea part.  There are already hearts being touched.  My greatest hope is that people cling to truth and our darkest places are revealed and replaced by God’s love.

A few people (that aren’t my mom, sister or best friends) took the time to read it yesterday.  Some shared privately how it was affecting them.  Please pray for those ladies.  Many are stuck in that maze.  I thought I could share a few thoughts from others today:

‎"If you want an example of what it is to be ‘Bold for Christ’ read Entangled and let the healing begin."- Katrina Harman Roper CEO Sheriff Snacks LLC A ministry for deputies and those they serve.

“Emotional affairs almost ruined my marriage as they were happening on both sides of the coin. We did make it through them without the book, but it would have been so much easier with the book. A hardcopy of this book would go right next to Fireproof and the Love Dare to remind us of what could be and what we have accomplished together. This book is definitely a lifesaver for us.” – Mandy Reilly

“I spent the afternoon and part of tonight reading (its past midnight here), and … This story is … Moving, inspiring, and touching.” – Claire 

“..already thru half the book…she says "women’s guide"…I think not…it is "everyone’s" guide” – Chris

“I have already read most of it – just finishing up and I love it. She is right on target. I’m on the pride and deceit portions of the book – fighting back tears – I’m glad God humbles us, but it is painful. Some of the things I’ve come to realize in myself is ugly to look at, but I know God is cleaning the junk out of me. I’m grateful she wrote this book – I don’t feel quite so alone now.” – Lisa Taylor

“I don’t feel quite so alone now.”  That is powerful.  What more of God could I have asked? 

If you haven’t gotten your copy, head over to EntangledBook.com.  Also, be sure to watch Facebook and Twitter for more review posts coming out today.

Filed Under: ebook

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Feed Twitter Facebook Email Feed Feed

Welcome


Hey! I'm so glad you're here. I'm Amy, working mom of 3 in the Southern suburbs. I love Jesus, my family, books, chocolate and coffee. I write about faith, parenting, adoption, marriage, fashion, and design. Read more here

The Podcast

Feathers

Feathers

Feathers

  • Search
  • Categories

Popular Posts

WIWW

WIWW

WIWW

Follow Me on Instagram

Load More...Follow on Instagram

Hear My Carolina Accent

Copyright © 2023 · Infinity Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in