FOOL PROOFING YOUR LIFE by Jan Silvious

Jan has brought God's word and His wisdom together in this book. We all have one in our lives that acts foolish and those foolish actions bring hurt and confusion. Jan teaches how we cannot change others, but we can change the way we react to them. Jan reminds us that we cannot save anyone, that is God's department. There are times when we need to let go and give God room to work. My favorite chapter is "Letting go when you want to hang on." This is something I struggle with in my own life and Jan's words were very helpful and reassuring. Jan uses real life stories to teach us how to deal with impossible people in our lives. She reinforces each chapter with God's word. She shows us how we can be in denial, how we let go of our own lives to try to save another. I embraced all of Jan's wisdom and I know you too would enjoy this book. I would suggest this book to anyone with a struggling relationship of any kind. This book was a gift to me from Multnomah WaterBrook Press.http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/

40 LOAVES by C.D. Baker Give-A-Way

I read 40 Loaves by C.D Baker and I will be doing a review December 14-December 18. This is a give-a-way, and I will choose the winner on the 18th of December. You will love this book as just a good read or a devotional packed full of knowledge. I am leaving you just a sneak peek, and please leave a comment under this post or the blog post beginning on the 14th, leaving your email address for me to contact you. This would be a great Christmas gift~“Why don’t I have more faith?”“Why am I so bored with Jesus?”“Why are Christians so hard for me to like?” There are many questions we’re not supposed to ask when playing by the religious rules. It makes people uncomfortable. So why is it that Jesus invited questions and even asked some of them himself? What is it that you’re afraid to ask God? It’s a risky prospect to begin asking–but far riskier to continue simply trying to get by without knowing. Author C. D. Baker asked himself 40 soul-searching questions which started a conversation in his heart and ultimately showed him more about God than He ever expected. Can we become more honest with who we really are and find who God says He really is at the same time? Come indulge yourself in daily readings with an honest exploration of your secret fears and thoughts, and know that you will always be welcomed in God’s unconditional love.Search me, O God … and know my anxious thoughts.–Psalm 139:23 NIV

C. David Baker founded an award-winning business before redirecting his career to write full-time from his small farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He is the author of eight books, including six novels, one of which was nominated for a Christy Award. He has contributed articles to the Christian History Institute’s international publication Glimpses, and to Christian Singles magazine. Baker has a Master’s degree in theological studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

BEGUILED by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Beguiled is a suspense/thriller that will keep you turning pages until you are finished. This book caught my attention from the very first page. This is a story about trust, believing, and the uncovering of Rylee's past. Rylee is a dog walker in a wealthy neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. She is struggling to take care of her grandmother in an upscale nursing home by her wages from dog walking, but its more than just dog walking, she loves those she is working for and adores the pets as well. There are a string of robberies in the township Rylee is working in, and in the midst of the night as she is walking a dog, she thinks she is being stalked, only to find out her so called stalker is a newspaper writer, Logan Woods,who is trying to find the story behind the break-ins. Those who Rylee has trusted are not who she thinks they are, and Logan befriends her, seeking the truth together.As the case grows there is one who is on the case that seems to think Rylee is guilty, Officer Nate Campbell thinks she is the Robin Hood thief. Rylee has left her faith, but through her arrest, through the trials she is facing, she finds Jesus again in a lonely jail cell. This thriller will take you on a ride, that shows us so much about our faith, and how in the midst of trials, we find Jesus and we find true friendships in places we never thought we would. Who is the Robin Hood thief? Who is at hand in Rylee's past? As you read these pages that go so smoothly, you will uncover the truth. I enjoyed this book, as it held me captivated from the first page. This book will be released Feb 2010. This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishers for its review of contents. Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas. Visit Deeanne's Web site at http://www.deeannegist.com/
J. Mark Bertrand has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. After one hurricane too many, he left Houston and relocated with his wife Laurie to the plains of South Dakota. For more information, visit http://www.jmarkbertrand.com/

in Your presence

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 As I read these few verses, they are anything but few with empowering words for us to live by. These verses do not come easy, it takes faith, it takes growth and it takes pain to learn the meaning of these verses. I know in my walk with Christ there are many verses I have read and had not taken them in, for I didn't understand the meanings until later, later when the Lord brought me back to these verses just when He knew I would understand and just when He knew I needed them. When we read we are not going to understand everything, but in time, in time we will learn more and more about Him and His word to us. He wrote His word to everyone, to His children to learn and to walk by. When the Spirit came upon all to write God's word, God knew exactly what we would need in our lives, He knew every trouble that would come and every temptation. Every need and every desire He knew and gave His word to lead us in the right path. Each year that I spend with my Savior I learn more and more. It is through the trials that have touched my life that have brought me closest to Him. So see, these verses make such an impact on our lives, if only we will abide by them. I cannot say I have found myself rejoicing always through my tears, and hurts. I cannot say I find myself praying without ceasing, for I have grown weary at times praying and not hearing from God. But with these verses here, I am learning to rejoice in all that comes to me, and I am learning to pray without ceasing, for I know I do hear from God, it just might not be what I want to hear or His answer may not come as fast I would like. There are those times I find it hard to be thankful when all around me is falling apart, but the Lord is showing me day by day that He is here in my life showing Himself through the storms, and as for quenching the Spirit, I have quenched the Spirit, knowing He was speaking, knowing He was asking me to move, but I made the choice not to listen only to regret later following my Savior in all He has for me. For Him to love me so much to speak to me, for Him to want to spend time with me? Who am I to turn away from the One who gave all for me? I am learning when He speaks I answer, I am learning that this relationship just isn't me sharing with Him, but Him sharing with me. It is not just me wanting Him to serve me, but it has nothing to do with me, but all with Him, serving Him in all I do. We all learn at different times, at different speeds and in different ways. The Lord created us all different for His glory, so why would we all do the same thing the same way? I know in teaching my children, they all learned in different ways at different speeds. I have grown enough to understand I am going to fall, I am going to fail, but that doesn't give me reason not to give all I have and to wake each morning with the right attitude, seeking my Savior. When I fall, I just need to accept where I have failed and begin right there and then, calling out to Jesus and knowing He is there to listen and to guide me in the right direction. Our christian joy is not based on circumstances, but on a growing awareness of God. The more we are aware of Him the more we grow and bring glory to Him. The more we are aware of His presence, the more we are aware of just who we should be. As a wise young man taught me years ago, our reputations will be known. We all carry a last name that we represent, but more than that we represent our Savior, we represent His name. So we should walk in such a way that brings Him glory not shame. And there are moments I know I have brought Him shame by not being thankful in all, by not praying without ceasing, and by quenching His Spirit for my own selfishness. I want so much to bring glory to God in all I do and say. Lord I pray to You today, fill me with Your Spirit, may I hear Your call and follow You in all ways. Help me Lord to pray always, to be thankful always, not in just good times and when the circumstances are right, but in all times, in troubles and trials, in temptations and in tears. Lord, open my heart today to all You have for me. Forgive me of my failings and as I read Your word, may it pierce my heart forever~

hands

Today would have been my dad's 69th birthday. Today is such a bittersweet day for me as I think of him. Although I miss him with all my heart, I know that he is in heaven celebrating with the Lord. My dad loved the holidays, and Christmas was his favorite. It was unbelievable to share the holidays with my dad and to share our birthdays in December together. We always opened our presents early, we always laughed and we shared a love of the snow. One thing I remember about my dad is just how big his hands were. He had huge hands and arms, arms that every boy I ever liked feared. Although my dad had huge hands, they were hands that were full of love. He had a working mans hands, callused and dry, but I remember just how soft he would touch the cheek of my mother. As I was thinking of my dad today, and thinking of his hands I couldn't stop thinking of our Savior's hands, my Heavenly Father's hands. The hands of a carpenter are hands that are scared, but the hands of our Savior carried much different scars on them. They carried the scars of nail piercing, the nails that brought life to us. I think just how big those hands were to create the world and everything in it from big to small, but just how loving they are to wipe our tears away from our cheeks. God not only created the universe, but he created the smallest creature, the smallest flower, along with the love He placed in our hearts. When I think of Him there are no words to describe all I feel. It is no wonder the cherubims surrounding Him are singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy", what else could you say to the One who is so great and mighty before us? As I remember my dad holding my hand and my little hand fitting into his, I can also have praise for my Savior holding onto my hand and never letting go. One day, one day we will finally meet, and I will see my Savior's face and feel those nail pierced hands. What a day that will be to celebrate. This time of year we celebrate His birth, and it is such a joy when we find the true meaning of Christmas, but we should celebrate His life daily, giving Him praise for all we have and for all that is to come. This time of year is so special to me. To celebrate my dad's birthday, to remember him and all he did for me, to celebrate my birthday and the life that has been given to me by Christ, and to celebrate my Savior's birth and all He gave for me. For me, I have realized its not the gifts, its not even the tree, its the love, the laughter, the time spent together with those we love. It about giving from your heart and reaching out to others. Lord, I thank You for my earthly father who gave his love to me freely, I thank you for my 43 years growing closer to You each day and for You, for your birth, your life, and the greatest gift anyone could give. May I spend the rest of my life showing You just how grateful I am for You and all of Your gifts. May our family begin new traditions, may we share the love that You have given us, and may our lives shine, bringing You all the glory that You so richly deserve~ Psalm 18:35 "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great." Isaiah 64:8 "But now, O Lord, You are the Father; We are the clay, and You are the potter; And all we are the work of Your hand."

are you looking for a little peace?

John 14:27 " Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Don't we all just want peace? What is it that you always hear the contestants of the Miss America Pageant say? They say, " I just want world peace." We may laugh at that, that answer they always give, but isn't it true? We want peace in our hearts, in our families, in our churches, in our work places, and yes, in the world. The only trouble is, we go everywhere else looking for peace except to the One who can give peace, Christ. There is no peace outside of Him, just as there is no fear in peace,and do we really want the kind of peace the world has to offer? For me, real peace comes when I let go of everything and give it all to Christ, trusting Him with my life and all around me. I have learned I have no control over anything, no matter how much I wish I could have. When we look at life as everything has a purpose, every little choice we make has purpose in our lives, when we realize that everything is connected in one way or another it takes on a whole new meaning. When I am trying to control the situations around me I will never find peace in that. When I am holding on to fear of all around me, or what is to come, I will never walk in peace. When I am always trying to be right or make my point, I am not living in peace, I am living in turmoil. We try so hard to try to find peace, but we are searching in the wrong places and not willing to give up our power we think we have over our lives. There is nothing in this world that can bring true peace, no matter what we see on billboards, the television, or in the bookstores. The world will try to tell us the more stuff we have the more peace we will have. Stuff does not bring peace. The commercials try to tell us to go have a cold one, and that will bring us right where we need to be. The only place that brings us is right back to the liquor store for more. We try to cover up our pain instead of facing it. We overlook the obvious staring us right in the face. We take detours in our lives, we try to go the shortest routes only to be on a road we are lost on. I have been right here looking for peace in my life. I have learned I cannot change the circumstances around me, I cannot change those I love, but I can have peace when I allow Christ to change me, and when I give over all I have from my fears to my joys, trusting Him with all I have. I don't wake up everyday with that same peace. I pick up those fears again, I pick up the "Fix its", but then I remember I am not the One who brings peace or fixes anything. Then I start all over again and give all to Him. We must stop trying to find peace in what this evil world has to offer. The evil is disguised by good to trick us into believing the lies of satan, we must find our wisdom and knowledge in God and with that we can begin to find the peace we so desire in our lives~

breathtaking blossoms

John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." I have these breath taking little violets. They are just about my favorite flower to have in the house. I have one of just about each color. My mom gets these little gifts for me which I treasure. As they begin to bloom I just get giddy. I love watching them blossom, and it is not an over night process, it takes time. Just the other day as I was watering them I noticed a little bud, and right then a smile came across my face. I usually don't get to keep house plants too long, as my husband will tell you, I try to love them to death and yes, it usually happens. He brought me back a cactus from the desert once after a trip, I even read the directions, and I still killed that poor thing. I learned with my violets to be patient, to take time caring for them, and to watch them and they will tell me just what they need. Why do I love these little flowers so much, to be honest, I can see Jesus in them. I can see His little creations and just how big they really are. Even being so small, they are so intricate, with each little blossom holds many different shades of color, just like our lives. As these little blooms begin to wilt I pick them off, for when I do, more grow, and the blossoms are brighter. Just as I prune my little glorious flowers God prunes us too. Without that pruning, without Him the fruit in my life has no meaning. Nothing I do for myself will survive, only with God is there lasting blossoms for His glory and for the legacy of life. When we choose to live our own way, we choose to walk away from Him. We need our Creator's care and love even when we think we don't. Just as my little violets would die without water, air and food, so would we, but we can live when we choose to live in Christ. When we do, He gives us all we need to blossom, to produce, and to keep growing for His kingdom. Without Christ living in us, without His presence in our lives, nothing we do without Him will ever have lasting value. In John 15:2 is says; "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." For God to prune us, we must be humble before Him. There is great beauty in pruning, just as there is in being humble. I don't think God just placed all His beauty and creation here just for His enjoyment. I believe we can learn from everything around us, from the tallest trees to the smallest insects, God has purpose in all. We just need to open our minds to all He has for us, open our eyes to all He wants us to see, and open our ears to all He has for us to hear. I know its not me keeping my little violets alive, its God, its always God doing all around us. But I can take joy in caring for them, in watching them blossom, just as God takes joy in watching His children blossom. When something in our lives begins to make us wilt, make a part of us die, it needs to be removed quickly so we can grow again, so we can live again in such a way that Christ wants us to. Is there something in your life today that you need to let go of? Pruning is something good, it means that the One who loves us so much, who cares for all we do just wants to see His creation blossom and shine in ways that can only happen with Him~

do you have your glove up?

A few years ago I coached my daughters softball team. What a treat that was to be able to work with these young girls. As I got to know each of them my heart grew fond of them. We had girls that had never played before, but there was one girl, our pitcher, she could throw a fast ball better than most boys. This girl knew every pitch there was, but there was a problem. No one wanted to be catcher after seeing her pitch. They were all fearful except one. She stepped out of the circle and said,"I will do it Ms. Robin!" This little thing amazed me, even more so than the pitcher. She had her glove and she was ready. This young girl caught every ball that came her way. These 90 mile an hour fast balls didn't scare her at all. She came to every practice, and every game ready for more. I noticed that after each game she had a bruised hand, but that didn't stop her. She had such a great time playing softball. She kept her glove up and she kept it ready at all times. There were times that ball hit her glove so hard you could hear it, and she would almost fall back catching it, but she didn't let it go. I admire that young girl, she taught me something I didn't know I would need until later. She taught me that whatever life throws at you, be ready, don't be afraid, and hold your glove up so you don't take the hit. Isn't that just like life, throwing stuff at us, we are fearful of what that bruise is going to do? Sometimes those pitches leave bruises, sometimes they leave a scar. When others hurt us we often don't know what to do. Sometimes we become angry, but we must remember its not that person, its satan attacking through them.When they throw that fast pitch to us, we don't have to throw it back, that is a lesson I am still learning. When we are getting hit hard from those we love we must remember not to take that attack personally, not to let each hurt wound us, but to reach back with love and prayer. Whats the glove, whats our protection from those hits? Jesus Christ. When those hits come, we don't run, we don't have to fear, we fight those battles with God's word, with His love and we hold that glove up while we are on our knees. Jesus is there to take those hits for us, but we must let them go and let Him handle them in His way. Sometimes I feel like I am dodging fast pitches, but I don't need to dodge them, I just need to be prepared with God's word and His love for whatever is to come and know that He is there to guide me and to see me through each catch. I need to stand firm in my beliefs and not change them for another, but live in such a way that others see Christ through me. That was my goal when I began coaching. I wanted to shine a light into the lives of these young girls. We had prayer before every practice and every game. Others stood and watched us, we didn't win many games, but we were winners in how we played the game. Here I wanted to make an impact on the lives of these girls and it was the total opposite, they impacted my life forever. We never know just what God has in store for us, but its best for us to keep our eyes open and keep them on the ball, being ready for whatever is coming our way! Psalm 61:3-4 "For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings." Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint." Whenever those fast balls are coming you don't have to be fearful, for our God will give you the strength you need to stand firm~

SHADES OF BLUE by Karen Kingsbury

Just when I think I have read her best she comes out with one that grabs my heart. Shades of Blue is a story about our choices, our pasts and just how they each effect the rest of our lives. Forgiveness and peace come with letting go, and we must let go before we can move on to our future. This is what takes place in the lives of Emma, Laura and Brad. These three lives intertwine and we see how God moves through each of them and how He restores them to shine for His glory. As Brad and Laura are getting ready to marry, Brad finds himself thinking of his past, the girl he left without saying good-bye, and the choices they made while young that has kept them from moving on and enjoying life to the fullest. As Emma and Brad find forgiveness in the past, Laura must find forgiveness in the here and now. I loved this story. We may not all have gone through the same situations, but we all have a past, we all need forgiveness and restoration and that is exactly what Karen brings to light in this amazing story filled with love. This is a keeper, this is one to pass on to your friends, and one that will change your heart, giving you a glimpse into just what abortion can do to all, and how one day, one choice will change your life forever.

the fruit of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 22-23a I have learned much about this verse this week. There is so much here to take in. There are nine of these beautiful qualities we are to live in. As the Spirit lives in us, we are to live out these qualities of the Spirit in our actions and words. As Christ lives in us, as He moves in us, we the branches of His vine are to carry out His works of His fruit. We cannot just pick the ones that are easy, just as we cannot let go of the ones that are hard. I have learned you just cannot carry out one, you must carry out all. You cannot carry out one without the other. For one of these qualities to be present, they all must be active in our lives. We can't show love if there is no kindness. We cannot show gentleness if there is no self-control. No peace without joy, just as no goodness without long suffering. Each one of these is to bring out fruit, when we are sharing beautiful fruit others will see the true Spirit living in us. When we are not living with these I have learned that we are living selfishly.When we are living in our flesh the Spirit cannot live through us. Each one of these is letting go of ourselves and allowing Christ to shine. Each one is a choice. We cannot just love those who are friendly to us, we cannot just show kindness when it benefits us, for when we try to put on the fruit of the Spirit it has to be pure, it has to be all Jesus. Have you ever seen the fake fruit sitting on tables as decorations? Some of it looks really good, almost real, but as soon as you get close enough, as soon as you pick it up, you can realize just how fake it is. The fruit of the Spirit is just not a decoration for our lives to appear good, it is a pure love from Jesus, it is giving of ourselves with a cheerful heart. As we walk this week with the Lord may we come to know and understand we must give all or nothing. Jesus is pure and for His Spirit to live in us we must lay down our flesh, our own selfish desires. I don't just want to be as the fake fruit on the table, I want others to take and eat of the Spirit, I want others to enjoy the taste, take those seeds and plant them for others to grow, for others to see. Just think if we all made the choice to live with the fruit of Spirit daily, what a difference in it would make in everything we do. Our attitudes, our actions and our words to others will not be full of flesh, but filled with the Spirit of Christ. Thank you Lord for teaching me this week that for the Spirit to shine through my life, I must be living in Your Spirit daily~