she said what?

Did you over hear someone talking about another? What did you do? Join in, walk on by ignoring the conversation or step in and say, "We shouldn't be sharing things that do not concern us and it's not nice to talk about her when she isn't even hear to defend herself"? If we all could only step in and say the truth, but too many times we just walk on by or stop and listen, only to pass on what we hear later to another.

My wise Pastor shares, "If your not part of the problem or the solution do not talk about it." When it comes down to it isn't that true? If we are not in the problem and solution should we really be talking about something we really know nothing about? We can over hear a few comments made by another and think we have the truth and the whole story down. What happens is that as that story is passed on to others it changes, its added on to, and people are hurt for no good reason other than people love to talk.

If we spent more time thinking about ourselves and our own mistakes instead of pointing out all others and thinking we know how to correct them we would be the Christians we are called to be. Like my mom use to say, "You need to sweep off your own porch before you begin sweeping off another."

I remember when my girls left home, boy did the gossip train begin. I heard all kinds of things others were saying, and it hurt. It hurt for one because I was already hurting and those talking made it worse. It hurt because those talking had no idea of the truth of the matter. And they didn't stick around to see the pain they were causing themselves.

It's easy to add in, "Did you hear about Sherrie? Can you believe he did that? Oh my, they aren't even married!" Why do we feel the need to share about others? Does it make us feel more important? Does it make us feel righteous? What we are really saying is, "I have never made mistakes and I would never do such a thing." We are also forgetting the grace and mercy of the God of heaven. When we stand before Him, we will not be there for what others did or did not do, we will stand before Him for the lives WE lived. If it doesn't have to do with eternity does it really matter all that much? Is it really worth hurting another by talking about them?

I wouldn't want another to have to walk in the shoes I have walked in through pain and hurt. No one knows the real story of our lives unless they have lived it with us. So, it comes down to, "Does it really matter what others say and think?" There is no courage in gossip. But there is courage in standing tall against that gossip being said. There is courage in living our lives and not paying attention to those who love to talk and add so much more to our lives by just their words.

Our tongues are evil and we can all get caught up in gossip. We gossip about others, but when its about us, we get angry and think, "How could they?" For all those who have gossiped about me, I am learning not to care. I am learning their words mean nothing to me. When I take my last breath I will not be standing in front of the people here on this earth who choose to judge me. I will stand before a Holy God who will judge my life.

On either side of gossip it is hurtful, when your gossiping you just don't realize the hurt your causing to yourself until its too late. Gossip is sinful and its in our nature to wag our tongues about others, but we can overcome. We can be better than the ugly words we love to share. We can be the Christians God has called us to be. We can love our neighbors as He loves us. We can reach out in love to those who have made mistakes or are hurting instead of stomping them further into the ground. Isn't the hurt we are feeling bad enough? Who are we to pick up a stone and throw it at another?

As my mom use to say, "I would rather someone just spit on me than say mean words to me." You can wash that spit off, but those words? Those words are there to stay deep within our hearts.

If today you are having a problem with another go to that person in private and speak to them in love. Don't go to your friends and others speaking of them about all that is going wrong or what that person did. Two people can solve a problem, three can spread gossip like wild fire and do more damage and harm to the heart than ever intended. We don't really intend to hurt others with our words, but we do sometimes without meaning to. As Christians we like to say, "We aren't gossiping, we are just sharing prayer requests." God knows our requests before they are spoken, He doesn't need others to share what He already knows.

Proverbs 11:13 "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret."

Proverbs 16:28 "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends."

Proverbs 26:20 "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."

Sadly just as I have been gossiped about I too have been on the gossip train that takes us no where but to shame.

But for the grace of God there go I. Never point at another things you do not understand and never try to understand things you are not part of. The first step in overcoming gossip is asking yourself, "Would I want others to say these things about me?"

yesterday, today and tomorrow

"Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose from the grave today, and is coming back tomorrow."Theodore Epp

I read over this quote many times thinking to myself, "Am I living as though Jesus is returning today?' Do I have my eyes pointed to Him, waiting and watching? Too many times I think we find ourselves dancing to our own tune. We think today is just another day. There are many who wake up today and cannot wait for tomorrow to begin, wanting this day given to be over with before it has just begun.

Although Jesus died thousands of years ago, although He rose from the dead thousands of years ago, why do I not think upon that daily? Why am I not remembering all He has done, is doing and will do for me daily? We think of Christmas and His birth, but am I thinking upon His birth daily or just that once a year when the snow is falling, the presents are under the tree, and all are cheerful? We go to church on Easter to celebrate His resurrection, but shouldn't we be remembering His resurrection daily? Shouldn't our lives be shouting His name with every step, with every word? And yes, He is coming back. It could be in a hundred years, fifty, a week, or even before I finish this post. But in my life am I looking for Him, am preparing for Him? Am I sharing Him with others so they too know the way to heaven?

This world is so caught up in "ME" and what "I" want to do. Our lives are not our own. They belong to Jesus. They were bought with the price of His blood. He was our sacrifice for our sinful lives. When we count the cost of our sins, may we see Him upon the cross, and the love He bestowed upon that day.

We have paparazzi taking pictures of stars and Hollywood glamorizes all that is wrong. Today all that is right seems to be wrong and all that is wrong seems to be right. We spend our time focusing on what "We" want and need, instead of looking to Christ for His will for our lives. Everything is backwards to where is should be. Selfishness is an ugly. Pride is ugly. When we place "Me" over every other thing, we have lost why we are here. Its not about stuff, its all about Him. We can get so lost in our stuff and being proud of what we have, that we soon forget who blessed us with all that stuff.

When we take our eyes off Christ and His life, our eyes are on something else, and most likely it is something they shouldn't be on. If we are not standing firm, with our feet on good foundation we are going to be a stumbling block for others.

I don't want to hear this world's shouts to me. I don't want to be a stumbling block for others calling them to my own sin. I want to live each day looking for Him. Wanting more of Him, and reaching out to others in such a way they too want to seek Him more.

Although we can't change everything, we can't other people, but through our example we can point them to something much greater than this world has to offer, and that is Jesus Christ.

I think we get so caught up in our "Busy Lives" that we forget to be on the watch for Him. That is why Satan can sneak up on us so, we are not watchful, we are walking around with our eyes shut to what is most important.

Long ago they had Jesus in person. They walked with Him and talked with Him. Before Jesus was here they looked forward to His coming. They knew He would be here, but not when. We may look back and think they had it so much easier then walking with Him. But did they really? They had the same sins and lusts that we have today. The difference is, we don't have to wait for Him to come, we have His word right before our eyes. We don't have to miss out on anything, we can read about all that happened. We have His Living Word before us, our Compass home. We can pick up His word and hear Him speak to our hearts. No one has ever had an easy life, before us or after us. Life here on earth was never meant to be easy. Is anything worth having easy? That's where Satan tricks us. If it looks easy we are there, taking the easy way only to find ourselves wishing we would have stayed on the path before us.

I want to live each moment looking for Him, waiting for the call home. But until that call, until that trumpet sound, I want to live each moment surrounded by Him. I want to a reflection of Him. I want others to see Him through my life. If there is any good that comes from my life it is all Him. He gains all glory. Praise Jesus for giving us life. I praise Him for yesterday, today and for all that tomorrow holds before me. With Jesus in the spotlight, with all eyes on Him, think of what glory could take place, and one day we will see Him in all His glory before all men.

Shine before us Lord,in this dark world we live in, so that we may see You. May our lives speak Your name and may we show our love by always keeping our eyes on You. How are liven today? May today be the day we choose to live for Him and be sold out Christians for His glory not our own.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever."

Matthew 24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

Matthew 24:44 "So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him."

Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will."

trying without frustration

I use to call my mom daily, sometimes two or three times a day just to chat and check up on her. We use to go shopping, and out to eat at least once a week. Now, I can see drastic changes in my mom.

My mom is beginning to forget many things, and our conversations are now to one call a day if that. I call my mom wanting to talk and share, but it isn't so any more. She barely knows what to say, and her answers are short.

Today when I called she asked where my husband was. As I shared with her that it was his first day of work, she says, "Well, you didn't tell me that." I in turn say, "Yes Mom, I did a few days ago." But regardless what I say, if I try to correct her she becomes angry.

If we are not doing her shopping for her, my daughters are graciously stepping in to help their grandma, but even her lists are becoming shorter. She is not cooking as she once did, and the door to her home is often locked while she sleeps all day.

I must force her to go to the doctor and many times when I know she needs to she will refuse. Like now, she needs to return to the eye doctor and the dentist, but I cannot make her go. So this is where my frustration comes in. I want my mom to be the way she once was. I want her to want to get out of the house. I want her to do her own shopping with me. I want her to make phone calls and appointments, but she is relying on me to do so. It is not that I don't want to do these things for my mom, I do, but I want to see my mom push herself, and I feel that she is giving up.

As she began loosing the sight in her eye I knew then she was moving slowly downward, but at the last visit the specialist says she is better and will continue to get better, but she is refusing to go back.

So what does a daughter do? I feel that if I do nothing then I am not being the daughter I should, and if I push her, then too I feel bad because I know it is not something she wants me to do.

It is so hard watching your mother age, and with that age grow smaller, weaker, and more feeble in mind. It hurts to see her this way, and I want so badly to help her, but I am not sure at this stage as what to do next.

I keep calling, I keep shopping, doing her laundry and all things that need to be done, but I find myself feeling frustrated. Can anyone relate to me and how I am feeling right now? I feel that if I am not doing for my mom always then I am being selfish, but if I am not there who will be?

I see the loneliness on my mom's face when I come to visit. I see the pain she is carrying, and I too see the confusion as she counts off the days on her calendar. I see my mom as beauty, as grace, as mercy, and as giving. She has given throughout her life in countless ways and in the last day of her life she is still giving as she has chosen to give her little, wounded body to science to study, so one day maybe her granddaughters and their children will not have to suffer the illness' she has through her life. My mom is a blessing to me. I love to hear her voice, and no one makes better biscuits and gravy than my mom. She has much to give still, and I want to see her soar, not give up because she is tired. Is that selfish of me? Is it selfish to want your mom here, and for her to be the way she use to? Lord forgive me, but that is what this daughter wants.

I do not want to face that day when my mom can longer care for herself. I refuse to place her in a home. Those homes break my heart. They are full of elderly folks that are forgotten and misplaced, but I too know that I will never be able to care for my mom alone. I want to serve my mom with the same fervent grace she served me with. I want to be there when she needs me, and answer when she calls. But I am tired too. I don't want to be tired, I want to give with a loving heart without frustration. I wonder if my mother ever served me with frustration? If so, I never knew.

I am just writing to release these feelings I have inside today. Our parents raise us, we raise our children, and it comes back to our parents as we begin to care for them in ways we never expected.

Lord, I ask for Your guidance, for Your strength, and mercy. Please help me help my mother and do so with a loving attitude, not forgetting to honor and respect her always, even when its not so easy. As I know You love me when I am unlovable. Wash my mom with Your healing hands today, bring her comfort and remove her pain. Heal her eyes, and give her a body full of energy and renew her fight for life. Bring joy to her daily, and may laughter fill her home. Thank You Lord for giving me the mother You blessed me with, the mother who raised me with unconditional love, just as You choose to love me.

Colossians 3:20 "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."

Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise-that is may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

WILD AT HEART by JOHN ELDREDGE

When I first placed this book in my hands I said, "Praise God." Within these pages John shows us the heart of man, his childhood dreams, his adult struggles, and gives men the courage and permission to be who God created them to be. We see our churches with men not fully participating, and now with John's great read we can finally understand why. I love how John shares the weakness of men, and how much they really try to hide. He shares with us just how to be true to ourselves and how to leave behind the world's ideas of what a man is, and our vision of what a Christian man is. He brings such thought and wisdom through this openly, heartfelt book.Men are brought up to learn they do not have to depend on anyone much less God. That they can do it all. This book will help me teach me son to be the man he is called to be. This is one I am placing in my husband's hands to read also. Not only will women find answers that have been confused about, but men can find a new freedom. I loved this book and am blessed to have read each page. It will not only help me know my husband better, but with strengthen our relationship.

This book was a gift by Thomas Nelson for its review.

GIVE A WAY! INDIVISIBLE by KRISTEN HEITZMANN

Here is another awesome book give a way for you to enter. All you must do is leave a comment under this post or the posting of the review May 10-14. I will announce the winner on the 14th. This new book from Kristen Heitzmann sounds amazing and one you will want on your shelf. Here is just a little about the book and author:

An inseparable bond. An insatiable force. Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety. But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness. From best-selling author Kristen Heitzmann comes a spellbinding tale of severed connections and the consequences of life lived alone.

While home schooling her four kids, Kristen Heitzmann wrote her first novel. It became one of a five book historical series. Since then, she has written three more historical novels and eight contemporary romantic and psychological suspense novels including The Still of Night, nominated for the Colorado Book Award, The Tender Vine, a Christy Award finalist and Christy Award winning Secrets. She lives in Colorado with her husband Jim, sundry family members, and pets. Follow Kristen online at www.KristenHeitzmann.com

that ugly word betrayal

Remember being back in high school when your best friend told all your secrets? Maybe you had a friend gossip about you behind your back? Maybe you have had lies told and shared about you from those you love that are untrue and hurtful?

Betrayal is ugly. It cuts like a knife, but only it digs in deep and leaves a scar that doesn't heal so fast. Many times it leaves such a big scar that others can see it clearly.

Maybe your betrayal came from a boyfriend who said he loved you only to use you and throw you away like you were trash? Maybe betrayal has reached you through your husband or wife and betrayed those beautiful vows that stood for love and promise?

It can happen at school, at our work place as others fight their way to the top and it can even happen within the pews at our Church's.

Feeling betrayed is never an emotion we can grasp. When you trust another and they hurt you with betrayal how do you begin to trust again? Once we are betrayed it is hard to open up to others again, its hard to share and trust another, and its even harder to remove that offense, forgive and move forward. It seems those ugly betrayals have a way of hanging on to us, bringing tears and pain only to carry in bitterness and anger as we soak in all those feelings.

Betrayal is a such a devastating blow to the heart that it can take years getting over and learning to let go and love again. But Jesus knows all too well about betrayal. Those who were trying to get ahead of Him, fearful of His power and position,and those who told lies about Him, attacking with a vengeance never let up. Look at His own family? They too betrayed Him, along with His followers and friends. Those friends He held dear to His heart betrayed Him when He needed them the most. Sound familiar to your heart?

Remember Judas? He sold his friend and his Savior for silver? And what did that silver bring to him? Only pain and humiliation that brought him to take his own life. Did Judas not understand what a blessed friend Jesus was until it was too late or was he always just out for himself?

What about Peter, who stood and heard the stories of Jesus and sat with Him as He shared His heart? Peter betrayed his friend and his Savior for what? He denied knowing Jesus three times. Not just once, but three. What was going through Peter's mind when he spoke those words saying he didn't know Him? He walked away with pain in his own heart, for he knew what he had done, but didn't want to see it for himself. His fear got the best of him.

Just when Jesus needed His friends to stay with Him in the garden while He prayed, they fell asleep. Ever fall asleep on a friend, and not show up when they need you the most?

I could be Judas, Peter or the disciples standing in the garden. I may never had denied Jesus as my Savior by my mouth, but I am sure I have with my actions. I may not have been sold out for pieces of silver, but all that "Stuff" calling my name? I put those fleshly lusts before Him many times. When I put the things of this world over Christ I am denying Him. I am denying His glory and honor. When I am causing another to stumble I am betraying my love for my Savior, for I am placing myself first. Ever do so?

I have been on both sides of betrayal, and being honest, neither side is a blessing. In my being betrayed I felt alone and lost, hurt and disowned, but in my betraying another, I too felt the very same when the truth set in.

We can stay bitter or we can become better. We can hold on to so much hate and anger that it begins to take over our lives and begins to define us. We become that bitterness that hurt us in the beginning. If we are not able to forgive how then can we ask Jesus to forgive us? Its in that forgiveness that we find real peace, real comfort and we can move forward onto finding the joy that the Lord has for us.

Everyone will let us down at one point or another. None of us are perfect, we must give room for mistakes. For Jesus is the Perfection before us, and He shows us in His word forgiveness of those who have betrayed us. On the cross Jesus asked His Father to forgive them for they not know what they do. When we can accept that we are not perfect we will stop expecting it from others. When we expect perfection from those around us we are setting them up for failure, for they will never be able to meet our expectations.

If you are holding on to the hurt and anger this morning from the betrayal that has touched your life, let it go. Just simply let it go, and let God heal you. Even if you never hear an apology from the one who has betrayed you, forgive. Its through that forgiveness we find healing.

When I was raped at nineteen, I held on to that anger and rage for many years. It wasn't until I let it go that I began to heal. In high school when I was beat up daily, I held on to such hurt for years, but at some point I had to let it go to find myself and grow into the person the Lord has called me to be.

Whatever has touched your life and has brought deep pain, remove that anger for that offender and pray for them. Pray they too can come to healing. Pray they too will find peace that the Lord is so wanting them to have in Him. Pain reaches both sides of betrayal. Today can be the day you let it all go. That person who took your job, that person that took your trust, that person that robbed you of all your self worth, those that have caused hurt and pain in your life, they too must face Christ one day. Allow the Lord to move in their lives as it is His will, and allow your heart to forgive so you too can live in His will, full of grace and joy for all He has ahead for you today.When we give and surrender all our hurt, anger and bitterness, we allow God to move in awesome ways through us using us for His glory and honor.

let us raise our hands in praise!!

Tuesday morning my husband will be walking out the door to leave for work for the first time in almost two years! Praise Jesus. I think we are still in shock of the news that brings us to our knees in praise.

When he was laid off from his last job no one realized just how bad it would be. He is usually laid off a small time each year, but this time it turned out to be permanent. Losing your job a horrific blow to a man. My husband is not one to just sit. He is always working on something, and for almost two years now he has been working at finding a job. But while doing so he heard a lot of No's. He heard, "We are not hiring", "You are over qualified", and "Come back in about six months or so." He heard everything under the sun. But through all those No's, we knew God had a yes somewhere.

I must be honest and say these two years have been very difficult, almost devastating to our family. At times it brought us closer together, and others, the stress just about broke us. You find bills piled on the counter, still unpaid, you see your hopes of that day washed away, and you begin to wonder, "Is the Lord really seeing all this?"

He saw, He provided, He was right here with us every step of the way. Without our faith, I am not sure what would have happened. You find you no longer shop for those wants, you are just trying to meet each need. We didn't have those things we wanted, but God provided our needs. Each night at dinner there wasn't always food on the table, but we managed. We didn't always get to go to the doctor when needed, but God healed. Those nights out? We forgot what those were all about. No one really knows how bad it is until they too are standing in the kitchen trying to figure out how your going to put together a meal.

Praise Jesus for our parents who helped us, who sacrificed for us, and gave always. I praise Jesus for our Pastor, and those friends who reached out to us while we were in such need. It is humbling to know you cannot do it on your own.

Through these hard times we have seen God move in ways we never thought we would see. Just when you didn't think you were going to be able to pay the electric bill, there was a check in the mail that seemed to come from no where.

When my husband couldn't even go out to look for work because there was no gas money to fill the truck, a friend reaches out and steps in to wash us with grace.

When you are at your weakest moments you see God at His strongest. Even when those no answers were coming in, God just kept saying, "Wait, Be Still." Being still is not easy, but the Lord showed His power and might through our being still. This job came out of no where, and this job, it is better than the one he held before. Better pay, better benefits, and he is home everyday! God hears each prayer we lift up to Him. I learned and am still learning, everything is in His time, in His way, and with His purpose. I have watched my husband grow into a man who knows His Savior on a new level. His faith increased and I couldn't be more proud of him. Not proud that job finally came, but proud of him never giving up, never throwing in the towel when thing got hard. He could have easily, and I know there were days he wanted to. I could see the pain in his eyes, in his walk, but praise Jesus, He brought him through and set him on a new course.

I didn't just pray for a job. I prayed for a better job. I prayed for better benefits. I prayed for a job he would be home every night, and one that he loved going to each day. The Lord didn't just answer one prayer, He answered all of them! He is a God of wonder. He is a God of promise and hope. Hope is what kept us going. Belief in Christ is what moved us forward on those days we just wanted to stop.

We have had much, and now we have had very little. But through all we have found blessing upon blessing. The Lord sends those encouraging friends into your life to lift you up. He sends those who asked, "Do you need anything?" Just having a friend pray for us blessed us.

It's not about what we don't have, but finding the blessings in what we do have.

I have been praying for the day my husband sets his alarm, wakes early, and stands at the door kissing me good bye for the day. I have prayed for this for so long now, and I just thank Jesus with everything I have for seeing us through this hard time, and chasing away all fear and filling us with His hope. He now has that sparkle in his eye that was missing. He has a giddy up in his step this morning, and a smile that would light the world.

For this wife, I am grateful, so full of praise, and joy is streaming over this girl's cup today. I knew this day was coming. I knew the Lord had not forgotten His children. He had that perfect job just waiting. He knew exactly where my husband needed to be, and He placed him there.

My husband was hired at another job a while back. My husband thought it was the job he was to take, it was a job right? But while working here, he found the lies before him, and found his boss wanting him to lie also. Although others didn't understand, I was proud when my husband stood and walked out that door of that job. I was proud he stood his ground for his morals and values that others didn't seem to hold. And I know the Lord held that job for my husband and blessed him for standing for the truth. If we will not stand for the truth, what else is there to say? The Lord blesses those who follow Him and stand for the truth.

So today as I sit before you smiling from ear to ear, I say, "Thank You Jesus!!" With my hands held high today I can shout praises to You. I can stand before others can give testimony of how You carried us through a difficult time, and it was all You who brought us through and lifted us up through the miry clay.

If you are still standing in that unemployment line, the Lord is there with you. He will supply your needs. He will meet you where you are. He will bless you with that perfect job in His time. Although waiting is hard, struggle is heartbreaking at times, the Lord will see you through and in there are blessings to be held. You find them in the most unexpected places. There is light in the darkness around you. There is hope in the darkest of times. The Lord never gave up on us, and He is still with us, showing us just who He is.

This trial will not be the last to come. There will be more to face, but just as with all the others, and this one now included He never left us nor did He forsake us. He stood firm, and held us through each hard day. He opened our eyes clearly to see those blessings around us, and they had nothing to do with with what we didn't have, but all to do with what we did, and that was our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 100:4-5 "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

THE BRIDEGROOMS by ALLISON PITTMAN

Within these pages we have a story about Vada, the young girl who has become the head of the home, raising her young sisters. Vada was only eight when her mother vanished. Vada's father is the town doctor and when a baseball comes in contact with one of the players in town, fan fair begins and love is on the horizon.

We watch Vada and her sisters grow into women of Christ, women that their mother would be proud of. We see how these sisters react to one another through their spats and quarrels only sisters understand. We see how their father tries to raise his daughters to his best ability and we see what happens when the Bridegrooms come to town waking these sleepy young girls.

I had a hard time connecting with this one. I wanted to enjoy it so much, but found it slow and I really could not relate to any of these characters.

If you are a lover of "Pride and Prejudice or Little Women" this will be one you enjoy. It is of that same time period and will take you back to a different time and place.

This book was a gift from Multnomah WaterBrook Press for its review.

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421371

He never ceases to amaze!

I always seem to find myself amazed at how God moves in my life. But then, why should I ever be amazed at how He works? Should I ever expect anything less than amazement from a God who knows all and sees all?

He has brought such wonderful people into my life. I love it when my path crosses with another that only could happen with His touch. I find that I am being blessed with those who share in the same struggles as I do. I see in my life how God is placing those who hold the same passions as I hold.

I have met sisters in Christ who really feel like sisters. The more I get to know them, the more amazed I am at just how much we are alike. God doesn't do that by chance. He has a purpose for everyone that crosses our path, whether it be them blessing us or us blessing them, either way blessings are taking place, friendships are growing, and the Lord is gaining glory from all.

He is forever adding to my life joys that come so unexpected. It's like receiving a little package in the mail, just addressed to you, the perfect size and fit. Friendships come in all different ways and times in our life. And He is blessing me abundantly with beautiful ladies who are enriching life, teaching me, sharing with me, and encouraging me in ways I never thought possible. Each day I learn something new about another, and through these wonderful friendships I am learning more about myself.

So, today I just want to say, "Thank You Lord. Thank You for placing such amazing women in my life who are blessing me in ways that are only making my life shine for You."

When we are willing to let go, when we are willing to step out of our box and our circle of friends we are opening our lives up to more blessings that never would have taken place if we just stayed in that comfortable place. I am finding that although I may never see all of these new friends here and share a cup of coffee, one day we will have ourselves a mighty big party to celebrate with all of heaven when we see Jesus face to face, and what a day that will be! But for now, I am blessed to celebrate life with them each day. To You Jesus I say, "Thank You!" And to my new friends I say, "Thank you for blessing my life and making each day a new surprise!"

who is in the ring with you?

In this fight we have Robin Prater, champion of overcoming obstacles with faith, and in this corner we have Migraine, the attacker who tries to knock you down cold! Ever felt like you were in a ring or a cage with the biggest UFC fighter or the champion boxer of your time? It seems we are always fighting something, and something is always on the attack.

Today, for me, its a migraine, and this one is a big one. This one is trying its best to knock me down, but I am fighting with every ounce of stamina I have. It hit late yesterday afternoon, and I was up all night fighting this thing, this thing that is trying to overcome my body and mind. As I woke this morning, my head would not come off the pillow. I struggled, and thought, "I am not giving in that easy." As I reached for my pain meds, they seemed to take the edge off while I showered. Today it took a little more than thirty minutes to get ready. I made it to Sunday School, and was ready to worship when it came on even more fierce than before. Just when I thought I was overcoming it, it hit again. My husband drove me home and as I put on my P.J's the bed looked inviting, but so many thoughts kept going through my mind I had to press on.

For me, there are days when I can't go on, I must throw in the white towel, but there are those days like today I just want to fight it. I don't want to allow it to win. I know this one is a battle I will overcome, maybe not today, but tomorrow. Whatever this thing tries to throw at me I know I have a mighty Savior who is standing there giving me strength, and covering me with His healing hands.

This thing may knock me down, but I know without a doubt that I will not stay there long. The Lord will be there to lift me up, wipe me off, and help me stand again. This morning as I showered and the tears just seemed to fall, the only thought I had was to pray, and that it what I did. I asked the Lord to heal me as the water rushed over me. I asked for His strength, and I know He was there listening to each word.

Sometimes we feel as though we are in combat, fighting our way through the day, only to retreat, taking a few steps back. But in those steps back, we have time to rest, we have time to think upon the Lord. No matter what the fight, we can make it through each battle with a renewed strength in the Lord. We must learn which battles to fight and which ones to let go. It's okay to walk away and sometimes that is what is needed to win the battle.

As these UFC fighters and boxers get ready to walk into the ring they don't just show up, they are prepared, they have trained for years, for months, and they know their enemy. They are ready to battle with their gloves up. They don't just walk in unprotected, they make sure they have their gear on, and they keep their heads up. They may get knocked down, they may get bruised up, and they may even lose that battle, but they never give up! They persevere, and they try harder, giving it all they have. They don't walk away with defeat, they walk away knowing they gave it all they could. They learn from that fight as they move on to the next.

Whatever you are battling today you are not alone. The King of kings, Lord of lords is right there with you. He will meet you where you are at. He will give you all you need. This life can be hard at times. We have those moments when all is smooth sailing, and we feel as though we are winning, and out of no where comes this "Fighter" ready to knock us to our knees. I am learning the best way to fight back is on my knees. Those big battles are won when we are on our knees crying out to God. There are UFC fighters who are trained to fight on the ground, they know all the moves to overcome their assailant. We too can learn to win those battles by being in God's word, by covering ourselves with His armor, and learning the war is already won!

Psalm 61:3-4 "For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings."

Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, through the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

Romans 3:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."

Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

Whatever is attacking you today, you too can overcome by having faith in God, and placing your life in His hands. There is no one I would trust more with my life than He who created me. Whatever the fight, whoever is in the ring with me has no chance to overcome me when I have the King of kings on my side!