#Asheritah Ciuciu

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Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction by Asheritah Ciuciu [REVIEW]

SYNOPSIS Can the Bible help me with my food struggles?Have you ever felt stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of overeating, yo-yo dieting, and obsessive thoughts about food?Whether you feel defeated by your lack of self-control or overwhelmed by thoughts and longings for food, the answer to our food fixation does not lie in the $500 billion global diet industry.This is not a diet book and it’s…

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TGIF: Roundup for December 23, 2022

Merry Christmas! This week our Editorial Board picked The Best Christian Books by Asian American Authors, Faith Chang shared her Favorite Children’s Books from Westminster Kids, I explained Why It’s Better to Be a New Creation in Christ, and Karisa You wrote on Meeting Jesus in the Parking Lot.

We recently hit 400 subscribers on our YouTube channel! Our Most Popular Videos is a good place to start. Check out our Author Interviews and The Asian American Church playlists. And in case you missed it, you can still join us on Substack. We’re sending daily devotions up until the new year!

This newsletter is one of the many ways you can keep in touch with us. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more, check out my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group and TGIF Playlist on Spotify. You can reach me on Twitter and Instagram.

Enter to win this wonderful book! Read my review. Thanks to Baker Academic for providing this book for our giveaway, in partnership with my newsletters for @diveindigdeep and FCBC Walnut.

Articles From Around The Web

Isabel Ong: Is Christmas a ‘Western’ Holiday in Asia?

Theologians and church leaders around the region share how December 25 is perceived in their contexts.

Eric Beach: Lessons for Missions from the Ministries of John G. Paton and Wang Ming-dao (王明道)

“Christians don’t always recognize the importance of the local church and church polity to missions. Yet some of the great missionaries and evangelists of the past knew that building healthy churches was central to their work.”

Abe Cho: Gleanings from Ruth: An Advent Reflection

“The view from above, paradoxically, is not the viewpoint of God. A truly biblical worldview is one in which we see the world the way God sees it by looking over the shoulder of the poor, the despised, and the oppressed. It is the view from below.”

In case you missed it, you can still join us on Substack. We’re sending daily devotions up until the new year!

Books, Podcasts, Music, And More

Jen Oshman: Faithful Disobedience: The State of Christianity in China with Hannah Nation

“The church in China has so much to teach us in the west. My conversation with Hannah is encouraging and challenging. My hope is that listeners to All Things will be spurred on by our brothers and sisters in the faith in China, pray for China, learn from believers there, and grab a copy of this book to continue learning more.”

The MacArthur Center Podcast: MacArthur and His Successor

Who will succeed John MacArthur? This episode looks at his succession plan. It also, with the help of John Piper, Sinclair Ferguson, Tony Reinke, David Gibson, and Geoffrey Chang, explores how any of us who love the church can think wisely about passing truth to the next generation.  

Aaron Lee: Related Works

Book Reviews: 27 Servants of Sovereign Joy by John Piper, and Unwrapping the Names of Jesus and Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids by Asheritah Ciuciu. Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.

Subscribe to our podcast for our interviews, messages, and article reads! Available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Featured This Week On SOLA Network

Karisa You: Meeting Jesus in the Parking Lot this Christmas Season

“While the Bible clearly emphasizes that we are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus and forgiven of our sins by God’s kindness, passages like Matthew 25 remind us of Jesus’s command that those who love Him must love His people too and help meet their tangible needs.”

Aaron Lee: Shaping Your Identity with Spotify? Why It’s Better to Be a New Creation in Christ

“The world thinks we’re a blank slate able to shape our own story and craft our own identities. The Bible presents to us a different picture. We’re born as enemies of God. But when we become reconciled to Jesus, our identity then becomes in Christ, and our safety is in the cross.”

Faith Chang: Our Family’s Favorite Children’s Books from Westminster Kids

Powered by the Westminster Bookstore, Westminster Kids is a ministry of Westminster Theological Seminary that is dedicated to curating biblically faithful children’s books. Faith Chang shares books she’s often recommended, given away, and loved.

SOLA Editorial Board: The Best Christian Books by Asian American Authors in 2022

We are encouraged that Asian American voices are being added to Christian bookshelves and libraries all over the world. We hope you will be encouraged by our Asian American brothers and sisters as they share their stories for the entire body of Christ.

TGIF: Roundup for December 16, 2022

How to Redeem Your Singles Ministry / Our Main Goals for Youth Ministry / Chan’s Wisdom Tips for Evangelism / Christianity Today’s 2022 Book Awards / Spurgeon the Pastor

General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors.

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Book Review: Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids, by Asheritah Ciuciu

What was Jesus all about? Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids, by Asheritah Ciuciu, is a beautiful book to bring your family to wonder and worship.

Through the eyes of a little girl, Jesus is seen to be the Good Shepherd, the Prince of Peace, the Light of the World, and more. The life of Christ is on full display, culminating at the cross with his death and resurrection.

The Rich and Meaningful Life of Jesus

With gorgeous illustrations by Jennifer Zivoin, your kids will be drawn to the rich and meaningful life of Jesus. Action abounds in this book, whether it’s breaking and multiplying bread, reading on a donkey, or resurrecting out of the tomb. The warm and colorful pictures are captivating.

This book will bring about awe and wonder as you join Jesus on his journeys. You will learn about his powerful names, and you can help your children love him as their Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, and King of Kings.

I received a media copy of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.

[tetha1950]

¿Cómo descansar cuando estás agotado?

Jesús no nos dice que nos levantemos temprano y nos acostemos tarde para apresurarnos a entrar en Su Reino. Todo lo contrario. Él nos invita a dejar nuestras cargas pesadas y encontrar descanso en Él.

¿Cómo se ve eso en la vida real? Desarrollé un abecedario sencillo como recordatorio para guiarme hacia Jesús cuando me siento abrumada, y tú también puedes usarlo:

A: Alaba a Dios por Su bondad. La próxima vez que nos encontremos apuradas, hagamos una pausa para alabar a Dios por quién es Él y por lo que ya está haciendo (ver Salmo 103:1-2). ¿Por qué podemos agradecerle? Comencemos por ahí.

B: Busca Su quietud. A continuación, nos tomamos un tiempo para hacer lo que nos instruye: “Estén quietos, y sepan que Yo soy Dios” (Salmo 46:10a, NBLA). Aquietemos nuestros corazones para escuchar Su voz apacible y delicada. ¿Hay algo que Él quiera decirnos?

C: Cuéntale tu necesidad. Luego somos honestas con Dios acerca de nuestras luchas y pecados, echando nuestras cargas sobre Él porque Él tiene cuidado de nosotras. (1 Pedro 5:7)

D: Deposita confianza en Su fidelidad. Finalmente, declaramos nuestra confianza en que nuestro buen Dios, que comenzó en nosotras una buena obra, será fiel para completarla. (Filipenses 1:6)

No tenemos que esperar ese “algún día” escurridizo para experimentar el descanso de Dios. Jesús, manso y humilde, abre Sus brazos de par en par y dice: «ven». Hoy, tal como te encuentras, ven.

Vengamos a Jesús, dejemos nuestras cargas pesadas y recibamos el regalo que solo Él puede darnos: descanso para nuestras almas en Su presencia amorosa.

(Asheritah Ciuciu)

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Bible and Breakfast

Bible and Breakfast: 31 Mornings with Jesus--Feeding Our Bodies and Souls Together by @asheritah #breakfast #devotion #breakfastwithjesus #bibleandbreakfast #recipes @MoodyPublishers

Bible and Breakfast: 31 Mornings with Jesus–Feeding Our Bodies and Souls Together By Asheritah Ciuciu

Are you starting your day on empty?

Before your feet hit the ground, chaos drowns out any hope of quiet time with Jesus, as the alarm blares, kids run around the house, and your to-do list reminds you that you’re already behind.

Bible and Breakfast is for you. In just a month, you’ll kickstart a…

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So recently I have been deeply convicted by the Holy Spirit that I have been seeking comfort in food rather than God. It was easy to. Anywhere I go there are delicious chips, sweet treats, and savory burgers. They are on every isle, in every vending machine, on every menu. Food is a necessity after all so it is easy to “get away” with it. 

Sure I can go on a diet and lose a few pounds but it would never get to the root of the problem-that I would still be food obsessed! Furthermore, there is a tremendous amount of guilt, shame and hatred for one’s self to be released from.  

As some of you seen, I’ve started a new devotional/book called “Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction” by Asheritah Ciuciu which has been down-to-earth and enlightening. 

I hope to encourage others who are like me, an emotional eater in recovery, as I take on this food freedom journey. 

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Book review: Full by Asheritah Ciuciu

Book review: Full by Asheritah Ciuciu

Before I get into the review, I need to give two disclaimers: I am reviewing this book as part of the Moody Publishers review program. This means that I am sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. My goal is to provide an honest opinion from the perspective of a devout Catholic. There is an affiliate link in this post. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking the…

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June 23, 2022

The Surprisingly Good News About Bad News ASHERITAH CIUCIU

Lee en español

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

“Did you hear the news?”

I pried open my eyes in the early morning light, my husband’s face peering earnestly over me.

“Russia invaded Ukraine.”

The news settled like a brick on my heart, and I pulled the covers back over my head. This can’t be happening. But it was.

Over the following weeks, I obsessively read updates about the situation in Ukraine — the country that bordered my homeland. Both my husband and I grew up in Romania, and while I was grateful the conflict remained far from my relatives’ homes, my heart ached for displaced families, bombed hospitals and senseless casualties.

We seem surrounded by bad news these days, not just out there but also in our local churches, in our homes and in our own hearts.

It’s the late-night text about changes in church leadership. It’s our loved one’s painful symptoms that evade a diagnosis. It’s the online notification that someone else got what we wanted so badly.

We live in a broken world, and try as we might, we can’t hide from heartache under a blanket, in the pantry or in a Netflix binge. Those coping mechanisms will never bring us peace because peace comes in the form of a Person: Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

That’s the good news about bad news: It paves the way for us to run to Jesus. Simply put, when our world feels like it’s falling apart, we get to fall into the arms of Jesus, the One who welcomes us every single time.

And the Prince of Peace will never turn us away. Just look at how Jesus responded to those who came to Him needy and broken:

When “important people” marginalized little children, Jesus welcomed them, embraced them and spoke a blessing over their lives. (Matthew 19:13-15)

When a rich young ruler was trying to find his way, not realizing how spiritually needy he was, Jesus looked at him with love and compassion. (Mark 10:21)

When a gentile mother pleaded for her sick daughter, Jesus commended her faith and healed her daughter immediately. (Matthew 15:21-28)

When a widow mourned the death of her only son, Jesus was moved with compassion. Then He reached out and raised the widow’s son from the dead. (Luke 7:13)

When Lazarus died, even though Jesus knew his death was temporary, Jesus still wept over the devastation and pain caused by death. (John 11:35)

These stories reveal that Jesus knows what it means to be human. He knows what it’s like to live in a broken world. He knows what it feels like to be disappointed, hurt and betrayed. He is the Man of Sorrows, well-acquainted with grief. After all, He is Emmanuel — God with us.

That’s why He invites us with open arms: “Come to me …” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). Because when we bring our burdens to Jesus, He takes on our burdens. Whereas our friends can offer a listening ear and a sympathetic shoulder to cry on, Jesus offers us His very self.

He is our Great High Priest who is always making intercession for us, who walks with us through pain and who gives us His own Spirit as a promise of what’s to come. He doesn't leave us helpless and hopeless. And that is good news indeed.

We can prayerfully “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). This is the privilege of prayer as rest: We get to rest in God's presence, not because there’s nothing wrong in the world but because we trust in the One who makes all things right.

No matter what is weighing you down today, take it to Jesus. He’s waiting for you with open arms.

Precious Jesus, Your love is too marvelous to comprehend. Thank You for continually making intercession on our behalf. It is because of You and Your perfect sacrifice that we dare come before the Father with what's on our hearts. And I do that now. [Take a moment to put into words what's weighing you down.] I trust You with the good things and the hard things. And I love You too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] – Details)

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How to focus on Christ during Advent

Most Christians agree that Christmas is all about Jesus, yet most of us spend little time preparing our hearts to celebrate Him. Why is this? Partly because we don’t know how.

In Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, Asheritah Ciuciu leads readers through the four weeks of Advent (Hope,…

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Book Review: Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, by Asheritah Ciuciu

Where can you find true happiness in the holidays? In Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, Asheritah Ciuciu helps you recapture the joy of Christmas. 

This short yet insightful devotional is perfect for the busy Christmas season. By studying the different names of Jesus, Ciuciu helps you better understand and grow closer to the Savior. She writes with warmth and keeps God’s Word at the center of her study.

Encouraging and Uplifting

I learned that the title “Lion of Judah” reminds us not only of Jesus ‘valor and sovereignty, but also His faithfulness. The many allusions to the Lion of Judah in the Old Testament point to Jesus, and God keeps his promises. And as the True Vine, Jesus supports us when the weight we carry seems too much to bear.

Ciuciu includes a challenge, prayer, and passages for further study at the end of each devotional reading. They are encouraging and uplifting. Suggested activities at the end of each section are practical, fun, and fitting for the holidays. This book will be a blessing to you and your family as you learn to adore Christ and share his love.

I received a media copy of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.

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Bible & Breakfast: 31 Mornings With Jesus– Book Review — Create With Joy Bibles And Breakfast: 31 Mornings With Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu – Book Review Are you the kind of gal who believes that breakfast is the most important meal of the day (even if you’re so rushed most mornings, you rarely enjoy it)?

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Treat your family to the ultimate gift this Christmas as you "unwrap" the meaning-filled name of Jesus, week by week! https://www.christianbook.com/unwrapping-the-names-jesus-advent-devotional/asheritah-ciuciu/9780802416728/pd/41672X?event=Christmas|1000275

[kaitlinmcduffie]

McDuffie Advent Guide

Perhaps you’ve heard of Advent and you’re curious what it’s about. Or maybe you’re like me and grew up doing it as part of your holiday traditions, and are looking for a way to incorporate with your own kids. For a time, it was difficult to find good resources! When I went to Barnes and Noble seven Christmases ago, they had *one* Advent resource for kids. Fortunately, it turned out to be a great book (I’ve linked it later in this post) and I’m so glad it was available because it helped me reignite my love for this tradition and gave me the ability to jumpstart it with my own family! But thankfully, in the past several years, that has largely changed and I am delighted to be able to share an entire list with you (also linked later in this post) 

So, if you’re wondering how to go about this wonderful tradition, I wanted to share my ideas and the resources I have discovered, to hopefully inspire you.

One: candles and a wreath. There is long-standing tradition and symbolism that goes into this portion. The wreath, being a circle, represents the unending love of God or the eternal aspect of His nature. The candles–three purple, one pink, one white–represent love (purple), joy (pink), and Christ/purity (white). However, since I’m going for simple, I think you need only find 5 candles of your liking (I picked red because it’s festive) and a device to hold them all together in the center of your dining room table. I incorporate a wreath to hide the candle holders so take that as your cue to be as creative as you like to match your holiday decor! I’ve linked the candle holders I’ve found on Amazon, Hobby Lobby, and Etsy. Note: for this last resource, just type “advent candle holder” into the Etsy search engine and there are dozens of options beyond the one I chose to share here. 

Two: light the candles, recite scripture, sing, read a devotional, and say a prayer; in other words, “order of service.” We all know kids have a short attention span! But I think Advent can be a short program–10-20 minutes!–and easily integrated with bedtime during the holidays.

1. Light the candle and say its name (see below in bold letters).

2. Read/recite a short Bible verse (I’ve put a succinct version in italics below, for you to coach your kids through; they have a week to memorize it and it’s beyond amazing to hear little voices lisp Scripture).

3. Sing a Christmas hymn, also below (it’s all right if you’re off key; remember, it’s about “making a joyful noise”).

4. Read a Christmas devotional (link to the entire list on Amazon). There are truly so many resources now, praise God, that it’s the simplest thing in the world to find one! I’ve typed up the list for you to see: 

-The Advent Storybook (Laura Richie) -Unwrapping the Names of Jesus (Asheritah Ciuciu) -25 Days of the Christmas Story (Dr. Josh Straub) -The 25 Days of Christmas (James Merritt) -The Advent of Glory (RC Sproul) -One Wintry Night (Ruth Bell Graham) -God in the Manger (John MacArthur) -Hosanna in Excelsis (David & Barbara Leeman) -From Heaven (A. W. Tozer) -The Dawning of Indestructible Joy (John Piper) -Good News of Great Joy (John Piper) -Heaven & Nature Sing (Hannah Anderson) -Joy to the World (Charles Spurgeon) -Come, Let Us Adore Him (Paul David Tripp) -Emmanuel: An Invitation To Prepare Him Room (Ruth C. Simons)

5. Pray together, asking God to make your hearts soft to the Savior’s invitation as you anticipate celebrating His birth.

6. Snuff the candle out (snuffer here)! Kids take great joy in this responsibility (and it’s less dangerous than letting them light the candles!).

Week 1: Hope  Luke 2:30-32/O Come, O Come Emmanuel “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” Week 2: Love Micah 5:2/O Little Town of Bethlehem “For out of you shall come forth a ruler.” Week 3: Joy  Luke 1:46-49/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing “My soul exalts the Lord.” Week 4: Peace Isaiah 9:6/Silent Night “And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Christmas Day: Jesus Luke 2:11/Joy to the World + Go Tell It on the Mountain “There has been born a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.”

Three: a Christmas book. That Advent resource I mentioned at the beginning? It’s called “Advent Storybook” by Antonie Schneider and is currently available on Amazon for ten dollars! It follows the adventures of Benjamin Bear as his mother tells him twenty-five stories in which he is shown the path to Christ in tales of heroism, love, and kindness. Think of it as a compact book of virtues. Sweetly told and illustrated, my oldest son loved this book from the get-go. Each story is one to three paragraphs and can be easily read in five minutes or less. It’s a great way to cap off an evening of Advent! And if this doesn’t strike your fancy, there are any number of sweet and beautiful picture Christmas books out there, many of which may already be tradition in your home.

And that’s it! The reason I love Advent is simple: Advent pulls you out of the chaos and centers your heart on Christ. The holidays can feel so worrisome, am I right? What family are you visiting, have you bought the right presents, how do you get out of attending yet another Christmas party. But bringing your family around some candles and turning your heart to the truths of Christmas with Scripture, song, and story could be the simple holiday tradition you’re looking for. And I hope these ideas help you get started.

My oldest son doing Advent (2017).

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Full - Asheritah Ciuciu & Linda Dillow http://dlvr.it/R74RcV http://dlvr.it/R74RcV