LOOK TO THE EAST (The Great War Series) by MAUREEN LANG

WWI is beginning to rage. Young men are lining up as they go off to battle a war they are yet to understand. In a small quaint town in France we find Juliette Toussaint, a young woman, with a strong grounded faith. Although she is adopted into the Toussaint family, she is not quite accepted. People see her as beautiful, yet strange. They know she prays and her prayers are answered. Those around her are not quite understanding her strong faith, but the gifts and works that come from it.

The Toussaints and de Colvilles have had a feud for years. No one really knows the reasons or beginnings of this feud, but these families are ready to come together as the war ignites and moves through their little village unknown to the world.

Juliette falls in love with one that she is forbidden to love. We see this young girl grow in faith and show a village what faith is all about. This was a lovely read. Maureen Lang brings her best and her books are page turners and leave you with a feeling of joy as you have moved to the last page. You feel as though you have completed a journey and have been part of what you have just read.

Look To The East was originally released in 2009 and is now repackaged. It is book 1 of this series, followed by book 2, Whisper On The Wind and book 3, Springtime Of The Spirit. If you enjoy Historical Romance you will enjoy this series as it takes you back to another time and place.

This book was a gift from Tyndale for it's review.

http://maureenlang.com/index.php/home-mainmenu-1

Getting a better view

Recently I went on an adventure with my husband. He is an over the road driver who carries US Military mail. His job is quite interesting. He has driven for over twenty-five years now and I have always wanted to ride along with him. Sure, he tells me of his sights and all that he is hammered with. I hear him, but as a wife, I have always wanted a better understanding of what he faces daily.

Did you know that over the road driving is one of the most dangerous jobs? As my husband walks out the door, I stand and wave as I pray for his protection. One of the main difficulties is lack of sleep. My husband has won award after award for his safe driving among other things. He has been offered many driving jobs, but always turns them down if they do not want to follow the strict guidelines. He is safety conscious. He has seen terribly graphic accidents. He knows the dangers of the road. There isn't one day he takes for granted. He knows there are good drivers out there and there are those drivers that shouldn't be behind the wheel.

This past week I was able to journey with him to Chicago. I did not do a long haul run, so I didn't experience sleeping in the truck, but I did experience a great deal. In fact, I was kind of proud sitting in the seat next to my husband. I must tell you he made it look so very easy. When hauling US mail you are on a time line. So, our stops were short. The most interesting thing for me? The view from way up there in that seat. Okay, now every car should come with air ride seats. lol My husband treated me to many special things over these few days. I think he too was excited to have me along.

My husband must be very attentive. He is on guard from every angle. All those mirrors. I find it hard just to keep up with the few in my car. He turns on the satellite radio and finds the greatest stations for us to listen to. He is constantly making sure I am comfortable and have my seat belt on. My mind is going in so many directions as we are driving down the road. If you have traveled through Illinois you will know that it is as flat as a pancake. I love the rolling hills of the Ozarks, but there is something special about all this farm land. I just kept thinking of the stories each of these people have to tell. These farms go back years and years. From where I sat you could see much higher. Things you could never see in a car. In fact, you pretty well know everything those passing you in cars are doing. You might want to file that tid bit of info for safe keeping:)

We stayed in a very nice hotel. I can tell you that your body does take a beating. When you are able to close your eyes you are grateful for every minute and you make every minute count. Thinking we would be able to rest I begin hearing the wind blow, thunder clap and lightening snap. Yes, Chicago just happens to have a storm like they haven't seen in years. Seventy-five mph winds attacked this city, knocking out 1/2 million people without electric. This puts a damper on your plans when you would like to get out and see a few things, but the most interesting thing is, we slept right through that storm! The hotel was being run on generators if you can imagine that. Mighty big ones in fact! The street lights were all out. Traffic was at a stand still. Kudos to you all who live in this gigantic city. We think traffic is bad here in St. Louis. To that I must laugh.

I too was in my first truck stop. I should say, real truck stop. This place was huge. It was filled with everything you could imagine. My husband laughed at me as I was shopping at 3:00AM. He asked if I wanted to come back for Christmas shopping. lol It might not be a bad idea!

The first thing I learned? Do not get a large cup of coffee when your husband suggests a small. Oh my gosh! You can't just pull that big truck over any place and hop out for a bathroom break. The rest of that interesting story is for me to know and only you to guess:)

The second thing I learned? While exiting the truck, you might want to turn around and back out as your husband suggests. Yeah, don't go out foreword. You might just land on your rump. Well, in fact you will.

The third? Don't pack a big bag. Okay, this was just a few days and I packed for like a week. Hey, you never know what could happen. But men do not think like women. I didn't use 3/4ths of the things I packed. You too cannot wear P.J's even though it's night. You just might have to stop and well, a truck stop isn't ready for a girl in jammies.

I had a blast with my husband. It only made me respect and love him more. A life of an over the road driver is not an easy one. There are many dangers that come with that territory. I can now relate to his stories a bit better. I think it is an awesome idea to take an interest in the job of your spouse. Not just ask, "How was your day?" But dive in and share the experience. Stepping in another's shoes gives us a greater understanding of who they are inside and out. In doing so we take our eyes off of our self.

Traveling in the night you see beautiful sights as refineries are lit up magnificently. In the day you see a crop duster that gives you the thrill of your life as he crosses over the highway and is coming straight for you. You think you are going to collide, but he pulls up just in time. This was simply fascinating to me. I learned just how sheltered from the world I really am. Now, that isn't a bad thing, but we too need to broaden that box we live in. We need to experience life through other people's eyes.

After getting out of that truck and into my car to drive home I realized just how different it is. I felt as though I was now sitting on the ground driving, but as a driver, I found myself being more aware of all that is around me. Many times there are fatal accidents and the truck driver is thought to be at blame. I must tell you after riding with my husband, I see how other drivers have no respect those big trucks on the road. People assume that they can just stop at the drop of a hat. People weave in and out and drive as close as they can to the end of that big truck.

For every driver out there, a man is away from his family. Now, you might say, well that's his or her choice. My husband has never taken a job where he is away for more than three days at a time. He simply would not be away for a month at a time like some. But what I would like for you to remember is, every shelf in the stores you shop in and every clothes rack you glance over is because of a driver who delivered those things to provide for you. The next time you see a truck pulled over at a truck stop or along side a ramp trying to catch some zzzz's, say a prayer for him or her. It just might be what they are needing to make it through the day until they reach home once more.

If anything, through this open window, I have learned to appreciate my husband even more. I want to make his time at home more special and be more attentive to him. I will now strive even harder to meet him at the door when he comes home. I want to work harder at home. As I am sitting down resting, having myself a cup of coffee, I can now envision what he might be doing. I just loved sharing this time with him. I will be blessed to go on more trips with him and cannot wait to learn even more. I know this has brought us closer together.

Ladies, lets be real. If we are honest, we can say that sometimes we are happy when that alarm goes off and our husbands are out the door. I am just saying, lets take more interest. Sure, we all like that time we have alone and quiet, but lets embrace that time we have together. Lets make every moment count and try to see things from a different view.

HITLER IN THE CROSSHAIRS A GI's Story of Courage and Faith by JOHN WOODBRIDGE and MAURICE POSSLEY

First I want to introduce you to the authors of this poignant and adventuresome book. This book is a true masterpiece. One of the best historical books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Maurice Possley is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who is a Research Fellow at the Santa Clara University School of Law’s Northern California Innocence Project. He is the author of two non-fiction books: Everybody Pays: Two Men, One Murder and the Price of Truth and The Brown’s Chicken Massacre.

John Woodbridge (PhD, University of Toulouse, France) is research professor of Church History and History of Christian Thought at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, where he has taught since 1970. He was previously a senior editor of Christianity Today and is the author of Biblical Authority: A Critique of the Rogers/McKim Proposal and coauthor of Letters Along the Way. He is the editor of Great Leaders of the Christian Church and coeditor of works including The Mark of Jesus. Woodbridge is the recipient of four Gold Medallion Awards.


There is no way for me to explain to you how much I enjoyed and loved this book. Only to say my husband and son are in line to read it. Who will get it first is the question. I opened these pages and there was no turning back. I learned so much about Hitler. Things I never knew about his early life. Although these pages are filled with interesting facts about Hitler, this book is about a GI, Ira "Teen" Palm, as he was called by those who knew him well. You will have to read the book to find out just how that name was acquired.

The book travels back and forth from the life and times of Hitler to Teen Palm and his life. This isn't confusing at all. I think it in fact helps you grasp the portrait of their lives even better. These authors give us a clear and profound look into the lives of these two men and others. Those surrounding them. It must have been a true adventure for these men to research all this information surrounding Hitler's pistol and all the clues surrounding how Teen Palm came to have it in his possession. If you love history, you will want to grab this book up for sure. It is one that takes us back in time and shines the light on who accepts his assignment with faith.

What I loved is the faith of Teen Palm and hearing how he came to faith and how his faith in God brought him through this tragic war. We see his mentor, Rev. Charles Woodbridge, and the effects his wisdom and values had on Teen Palm. Who knew one souvenir would be able to teach us so much about history.

This book was a gift from Zondervan for it's review.

THE BLESSED (Book four in the Shaker Series) by ANN H. GABHART

Can you imagine being a young girl leaving your family filled with troubles only to meet new sorrows? We see the heart of a young girl as she leaves her family and moves in with Pastor Elwood Palmer and his wife? This is what happens to Lacey Bishop in the year of 1844. Lacey was caring for the pastor's children, when he loses his wife. The only answer the pastor has is for Lacey and he to marry. Lacey loves sweet Rachel is willing to do anything to stay near her. She has formed a bond with this child and although not her mother, they have a close relationship that connects them together forever.

More heartache seems to come, and Lacey is left with her heart being fond of another, Isaac Kingston. Forbidden love is what Lacey is facing. She is trying to fit into this community, kind of like us trying to fit in and feel accepted in everyday life. We see her heart filled with loneliness. All she wants is to be accepted and loved. Don't we all want that? We get to follow the life of Lacey as she is searching for God's truth. This book is filled with hope. We see the battle that goes on in the heart. We see the love and compassion that Lacey is willing to offer. Lacey is selfless. I admire her character and how she places others before herself.

This is book four of the series. They seem to just keep getting better. Ann H. Gabhart has brought the Shaker community to life for us. These people and their ways are so different and distinct. Can you imagine marriage being a sin? So many things are hard to understand about this community, but Ann gives us a glimpse into understanding a people often misunderstood. I loved this book just as I did the others. Ann brings joy and hope out of sadness and despair. The detail she brings to her writing style is unmatched. If you love Historical Fiction you will love Ann H. Gabhart and all she brings to the pages.

This book was a gift from Revell for it's review.

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, and The Blessed. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in Kentucky.

Lets build that hedge

When my children were young I began praying for God to place a hedge of protection around our home and around every facet of our lives. I am not sure where that idea came from, but I felt at peace as I prayed for God's hedge of protection around us.

While admiring the farms spread all across Illinois, they made me think of that hedge of protection. I don't know whether you have witnessed them before, but just as in Kansas, when they built their home and farm, they planted trees all the way around it in a square. Well, these trees grow huge and they appear as a hedge all around the home and barns. They do this to block the wind from the storms that approach. Without this hedge of protection there would be nothing to guard against the dangers that blow in unexpected.

In Illinois as well as in Kansas these farms are out in the wide open flat lands. Where tornadoes form and run for miles, leaving nothing but rubble. Out in the wide open they are in perfect position for attack. Just as we are out in this wide open world. Just a little wind can do mighty damage, unless we are prepared before the storm and ready for those winds. If we are on watch we can see them coming before they hit. That hedge will form a cushion.

These farms are just simply beautiful to me. I would like to travel the country land and hear the stories of the people who farmed this land and all God has protected them from. Everyone has a story to tell. As I watched each one scattered across the green lands it reminded me of that prayer. That conversation between me and God.

We often see the attacks coming, but what if we prayed for the Lord to place a hedge of protection around us every morning when we woke? What if that was our first prayer? We must be on guard. We must be aware of all that is around us and be ready for those winds that seem to blow in out of no where causing devastation as they twist and turn everything upside down. As a matter of fact, we never realize how strong the storm until it's over and we see the davastation. Everything that was once in place and in perfect order is now in disarray. We now find ourselves piecing everything back together.

That hedge made of trees not only protects from the winds, but from the heat of the day. It gives shade and brings a coolness that makes you feel refreshed. Those farmers knew exactly what they were doing. Maybe they had seen the devestation before on other unprotected farms. Maybe they had been on the receiving end of the dangers of the storms and through their own experiences they now know how to keep them away and what will shelter them from the storm.

Too many times we just wake and we don't give thought to praying for protection. We can surrender all to God and place every single aspect of our lives in His hands. In doing so we are showing Him we not only trust Him, but believe in Him. A storm will brew and blow in and we find ourselves asking, "Where in the world did that come from?" Well, we may not know where it came from, but what if we were more prepared through prayer? We need to protect ourselves from the storms of this world. We need to guard ourselves against Satan, who is only here to kill us. He doesn't just want us destroyed, he wants us dead. Now, you can take that as a literal form or you could take that as being dead in our faith. We can be walking dead and not have a care in the world.

God has too much for us. He wants to see us grow and prosper in everything we do. We must place on that armor and stand guard. Sure, those winds will still blow. The rains will still come. The difference is we will be prepared. We will be grounded in our faith and know that God will provide. He will protect us. This world can take much from us. Really, it can take about just about everything. The one thing it cannot take is our faith. Our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will stand strong against the strongest winds and rains. Leaving us with a rainbow of hope to see. Reminding us that He is God. He is Creator. All that He does is beauty. If He can turn ashes into beauty, He too can calm the winds and quiet the storm. He can soften the blow and give us strength to stand without fear.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ..."  Psalm 91:1-16

 "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Psalm 5:11

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." Psalm 18:30


"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah" Psalm 32:7


"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57:1

Isn't grace wonderful?

Last week as my son and I shopped we had a wonderful time. We were at the mall going from store to store just having fun. We found ourselves at Macy's. In the purse section of course. The section that brings this girl joy. I mean I can get down right giddy searching for the right purse. It's almost as if they call to you. LOL You girls know exactly what I mean. It's as though you can hear them saying, "Pick me, pick me." Those tiny little things are so adorable. The big bags seem to say, "Yep, I am yours." But as I searched, I didn't find myself going for the "Hot bag" I would have chosen when I was twenty. Maybe I should even say last month. I was searching for that bag that spoke, "Your not twenty-four anymore. You are forty-four." Now don't get me wrong. I am not going to start dressing like an elderly little thing, but it hit me. I am not that same girl I was at twenty four. Life changes and sometimes if we are not careful we want to stay in that same exact place we once were.

I am sure you have heard people say, "Gosh, will that girl ever grow up?" Well, not everyone matures at twenty four. God is always at work in us. We are a work in progress. We were created not only in beauty and in His image, but for a purpose. He has a plan for each and every one of us.

I found that perfect purse. That purse that shouts, "This is me, for the moment!" Yes, for the moment. I can honestly say, I am beginning to be content with myself at forty four. Praise the Lord I am past those twenties that seem so very hard. You aren't yourself and you are trying to find yourself in others, always searching for who you are. Goodness, why does it take so long?

I have had such ups and downs through life. I have experienced many different things. When I was in that moment of despair I never envisioned crawling out of it. But I did. When going through such trying times we never think things will be the same. Should they be? It's funny, down the road, as we have passed that trial that has just about eaten us alive, we can then sit back and reflect. I can tell you that all through life I have always asked, "Why?" Sometimes God has answered right then and showed me. Sometimes I have had to wait on His answer. I am still waiting on His answer for many things in my life. Things I still don't understand and I may never until I am on the other side.

As a mom I have struggled. I am not very good at this almost empty nest thing. I look back to the easy times when things seemed to be all right. Yes, there are times I wish I could go back, just if not for five minutes and soak up all those hugs and kisses from my kids. But, we cannot go back. We must find a way to accept today. Spending too much time wishing for yesterday will only spoil the blessings of today.

As a wife, gosh. My husband and I married twenty years ago. Sometimes it seems a life time ago and others, well, it seems like yesterday. When we married I could only cook five dinners. I was not that girl who could whip up anything in a moments notice. Funny thing is, I still am not. LOL I have learned to cook quite a few new dishes that my family loves. Oh, but there is nothing wrong with throwing in a frozen pizza every now and then. Can I get an Amen?

I have learned so many lessons. Some of them came the hard way. Which happens to be the way I learn. I am one of those girls who takes a step and then looks back to see where I landed. Sometimes I have landed smack dab in the mud. But that is the amazing thing. God's grace is there when I mess up. He is there when I didn't choose to learn the first time. It is His very grace that washes me clean and picks me up to start all over again. In His forgiveness is where I find not only love, but the strength to begin a new day. Through His grace I am learning I am not perfect. I never will be, and that is okay. It is through Christ that I find perfection. He makes me complete.

I am learning if I totally surrender everything to Him somehow He always makes it turn out right. He always surprises me. Sure, there are things in my life right now that seem so screwed up. I sit back and wonder, "What in the world is going on?" Even though I can't see beyond today, God can. His grace covers yesterday. Today. His grace goes beyond tomorrow and reaches past the boundaries of heaven.

All those things that once made me happy no longer seem to do the trick. You would never catch me in a bar dancing with girlfriends today. I don't wear the same clothes I once wore. I don't think my pants seem to be as tight or my shorts so short. LOL I like to wear flats now instead of four inch heals. Okay, I might have rocked those at one time. But now? I would simply break my neck! I can look at younger women now and look at them with admiration. I use to be that twenty four. That young age where cellulite hasn't reached your thighs. That age where you can't leave the house without every hair perfect and make up on. Okay, I might still struggle with that a bit now. You won't see my going out of the house looking like I just crawled out of bed, although I might be feeling like it. And staying out until two in the morning. Are you kidding me? When it gets dark I begin to grab those jammies.

It seems everything is changing about me. Growing older seems to take on a whole new meaning when you are. I look at those older than me and think, "I hope and pray I walk in grace and class as she does." Beauty takes on a whole new meaning. It isn't painting yourself up. It's what's in your heart. It's how you wear Jesus. Is He your light or are you trying to hold your own candle? Maturing means you totally get that it's not all about you. You are not the center of attention and your okay with that because you no longer want to be the light, but in the shadow of the light of Jesus.

Our perspective changes. Our sight and hearing change. Those things that once caught our eye seem to be in the back ground now. Those things we once heard that excited us have been overtaken with new sounds that bring real joy. Joy everlasting. I think I once wondered if I would ever get there. You know, to that place where we are who we are suppose to be. I don't think that time comes until we are home with our Father. We are always changing and growing. Sure, we might take a few steps back every now and then, but if we have our eyes on God, He will teach us during those times and once again we will be on the path to becoming the girl He is creating in us. We never stop growing. I love that!

Friends, may we continue to grow in Christ. May each day we find ourselves a little closer to Him and the girl He is creating us to be. My advise? Don't look back so much. Look to today and see what He has for you. You never know what blessing is tucked right around the corner for your eyes only. A blessing that He has set up just for you. See, when we are young we can't seem to keep our eyes off our self long enough to see anything else. Once we begin to really see, God is all around us. Make today special. With each day that passes we are a little closer to heaven than we were the day before. That is something to be excited about. Really, it is. Grow where you are planted. Make each moment count.

In those times we lose sight of the goal, it's okay. God will get us back on course. Sometimes in our own stubbornness we might want to take our own road, but God knows exactly how to get us back on the road to Him. I have gone off road many times along my journey. It isn't over yet, so I am sure I still will. But God is there. He sees my travels and knows exactly where I am. He isn't letting me out of His sight.

I guess my message here is, embrace who you are. Embrace growing older. Embrace every moment of your life. Each day is a gift. Wrapped special just by God, our Savior. He created you and I with more love than we can imagine. I may not look as I once did when I was twenty four, but I am not suppose to. I am not suppose to be that same girl. I am to move on. Move forward embracing life and all that comes. Those trials and struggles all mean something. This world is our classroom. It's time to open our eyes and ears to all He has for us to learn and experience. Sometimes we might think our experience stinks at the moment and it very well might, but God has something special planned. Nothing is of chance. Find who you are in Christ and trust Him. He is calling out to you right now. I think it's about time to get absolutely giddy to hear His voice calling us to be all we can be for Him and His glory.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and goldy in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good workds. " Titus 2:11-14

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10

A TIME TO HEAL (Book 2 of Quilts Of Lancaster County Series) by BARBARA CAMERON

This was really a lovely read. To take a peek into the Amish life is fasinating for me. It is a life that the main character, Chris Matlock, was looking for. Chris was searching for peace. After being off in Afganistan, life had changed for him. So much was different, including his family. While he was in the hostipal he met Jenny Bontrager. They were both healing from injuries and could relate to one another, but there was something different about Jenny. She has something that Chris wanted. Peace and joy.

A Time To Heal is the second book of the series. The first book is A Time To Love. As time has passed, Chris comes to Lancaster County. Jenny has painted a picture of this county and Chris has come to see it for himself. As he arrives he finds that Jenny is now married to Matthew. They live with their children and family together in a place of paradise.

At first Matthew has a hard time trusting Chris. He knows he comes with a heart filled with pain of the past just as his wife carried, but he is witness to the kind of man Chris really is. Hannah, Matthew's sister, shows Chris the sights and sounds of the county. She thinks Chris is here to steal, Jenny, away from Matthew. Over time they form a friendship that turns to love, but there is a danger lurking. Someone has come following Chris. Someone from his past that has a score to settle. Chris wants to leave to protect Hannah, but he too knows he must face his adversary.

I really enjoyed this book. I am eager to read the next of the series, A Time For Peace. What can I take away from this book? We face trials of all kinds. It is always best not to run from them. It is when we face those trials that we see God at work. We too can find paradise, that peace that passes all understanding once we place our trust with God and surrender all to Him. We can find peace in the middle of every circumstance that finds us. I must say I would have enjoyed seeing Chris embrace the Amish life with more faith. Maybe that is to come in the next book? That I would love to see.

This book was a gift from Abingdon Press for it's review.

Barbara Cameron is the author of 21 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies (HBO-Cinemax), and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. When a relative took her to visit the Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she felt led to write about the spiritual values and simple joys she witnessed there. She currently resides in Edgewater, FL. Find out more about Barbara at http://www.barbaracameron.com/, http://www.amishhearts.com/ and http://www.amishliving.com/.

FOREVER AFTER (Book 2 of The Hanover Falls Series) by DEBORAH RANEY

The wait to return to Hanover Falls is over, my friends. Forever After is here!! Almost Forever was the first book in the series to take us there and the visit still isn't over. We have After All to wait on next! Forever After continues right where we ended in Almost Forever. If you haven't read, Almost Forever, you will still enjoy this second book. I encourage you to read the first book. It is award winning and one that will keep you turning pages into the night.

The two main characters are Jenna Morgan and Lucas Vermontez. To fill you in just a bit, there was a tragic fire in the homeless shelter in Hanover Falls. Jenna lost her firefighter, husband in that blaze. Lucas, a young firefighter, himself, lost his father and his best friend, Zack, which was Jenna's husband. Jenna is trying to heal and move forward, but she is carrying secrets.  Jenna is having a time with her in laws. Although lovely people, they want to control Jenna's life and that is only holding her back. Lucas has had surgery after surgery and is trying to heal from the injuries he received in that blaze trying to save his father. He will never be able to be a fireman again. He thinks his dream died in that fire along with his father and friends, but we see God bring him to a new place in life filled with much more than he ever imagined. He is struggling as he is watching his mother move forward. Although he wants her happy, he isn't ready to see her married to another man.

As you can see there is much to this story. We see Jenna and Lucas form a friendship. Lucas has stayed steadfast in his faith, while we see Jenna struggle. All throughout this story we see the hand of God at work. All though dreams seem to end, we see God move and make new dreams possible. We see Him bring healing. Struggle is ever present, but God is there with His strength to guide the people in Hanover Falls.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved it just as much as the first in the series. Struggle is real. It seems there is one obstacle after another, but the Lord is there through it all. We see beauty come from ashes. As these characters have faced loss we get a glimpse in their healing. They face real issues that effect us all. I think that is what makes them so relatable. I loved the fact I not only felt their pain, but rejoiced and laughed with them in their times of joy. I promise, this is a series by Deborah Raney that you do not want to miss out on!

I received this book from Glass Road Publishing as a gift for it's review.

Deborah Raney's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, was awarded a Silver Angel from Excellence in Media and inspired the acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Since then her books have won the RITA Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the National Readers' Choice Award; Raney was also a finalist for the Christy Award. She and her husband, artist Ken Raney, make their home in their native Kansas.


http://www.deborahraney.com/
 
 

There is a little Ariel in all of us

Last night I sat with my son watching a production of Little Mermaid at The Muny. Now, I must share, this show was a little girly for my son. The amazing thing is that he was willing to go and see what it was like. He still enjoys being with mom and I find that really cool. Many kids today want nothing to do with their parents. I am blessed beyond words that I have a son who loves doing everything with his parents.

As we watched this musical in front of us I sat with a smile. It was like I was seeing Little Mermaid with a whole new vision. My girls loved it when they were small. That video is still tucked away in our closet for our grandchildren to enjoy one day. Movies are just a great thing to share, aren't they? I had such great fun with our kids as we watched our favorites on all those rainy days.

Here we have Ariel, a young woman, who is growing up. Her father still thinks of her as his little girl, and always will. As she is trying to explore and reach beyond all boundaries, she is exited at everything her heart finds. She seems to treasure the most unusual things. It is those oddest of things that bring her the most joy. She has a beautiful voice. A voice her daddy knows is a gift. She is searching for love. A love to fill her like no other. She is willing to risk everything and everyone for this one love. There is nothing like a teenager in love. Think back to that time. That first boy you fell in love with. The boy your daddy didn't want you with. There was nothing going to keep you from seeing him, right? Oh, how I know this feeling all too well.

She finds treasure after treasure to behold. She too finds love. From where her father sits it is a forbidden love. He is protective of her. All he wants is the best for his little girl. He wants no harm or hardship to come to her. He isn't trying to hold her back. He just simply wants to guide her in the right direction. He knows what is out there in the world ready to attack and deceive her. He sees what is beyond her blindness. Don't we do that? We set our eyes on what we think we want and we get so focused on that one thing that we lose all sight of everything else that is right and true.

Not too long into the story we see that attack come. We see how she is deceived so quickly. Why? She had her eye on the treasure she thought would bring her love and nothing else. She was blinded by her own dream and she lost something valuable. Herself. Yes, in the movie, she loses her voice, but in life we lose so much more. It was almost as though she just ignored her father. Forgot her upbringing. And thought perhaps she knew what was best. Leaving all wisdom behind her.

I think there is a little Ariel in us all. We see the world as a huge treasure, filled with all kinds of trinkets. We focus on what we want and there is nothing going to get in our way until we get it, right? We leave behind all our teachings. All wisdom that we have heard. We are ready to leave behind everything so that we can capture what we think will bring us happiness.

The thing is, God knows which trinkets are of gold and which will tarnish. Ever try wearing a necklace that wasn't pure gold? It will leave a mark where it has rubbed. Not only does it tarnish, but everything it touches. He knows what will bring us a short time of happiness and what will bring us a life time of joy. He knows what will trap us and give us a life of trouble and what will set us free so we can soar.

But, in our own selfishness, we turn from Him. We seek shiny treasures all on our own. Those that glimmer and catch our eye. Leaving behind His guidance, we go to seek our own. Many times we feel that His love isn't enough and we go seeking for something better, only to find out He is enough and there is nothing more valuable. What is sad, is how much time we waste on what really isn't important and lasting.

What brings us happiness today might not be what will make us smile in a year from now. Ten years from now. We base decisions on our feelings instead of on the wisdom before us that God has made plain. He sees our future. He knows what He has planned for us. Just think what would happen if we prayed about each and every decision and waited for God's answer. Too many times we don't pray. We pray and we don't wait for God's answer. We want what we want so badly we twist God's Word to fit our every want.

As Ariel finds herself trapped who is it that rescues her? Who is it that she finally calls out for? Who is it that is ready to give all of himself for her freedom? Her father. Our Heavenly Father did that for us. He rescued us from death. Through His death and resurrection we can have life. Life abundant. Life with joy. Lasting joy. We don't have to search this world for all we can be. All we must do is seek the Lord and He will place before us a mapped out life, planned and perfected through His mighty hand.

If we would only keep our eyes on Him instead of the things of this world we would not find ourselves in such traps. Temptation has a way of trapping us before we know it. Just one look. One touch. One, "Wow, that is what I want", and we are there in the trap set by Satan to deceive us into thinking we must have everything we want in order to be happy.

Yes, in the movie everything turns out perfect. Ariel falls in love and gets the man of her dreams. She is reunited with her father and all her dreams come true. But that simply isn't real life. Look at all she went through. She deceived her father. She stopped singing with her family. She forgot her friends. Why? All because her eyes were on something else. Someone she couldn't get out of her mind. The closer she got to the man of her dreams the more of herself she let go of in order to have him. Ariel got her man, but what happens when he turns out not to be the one? We sit back and wonder what happened. Why didn't we see it before? Is this really the man God had chosen for us or is this who we picked ourselves? If our plans do not line up with God's something is always going to be missing. In the real world tragedy occurs. In the real world the wrong man only brings heartache and misbelief. We end up picking that one guy who we think is going to make our world perfect. What is wrong with that picture? No man can make us complete and no man can give us all we are searching for. Only God can do that.

God has perfection for us. If we follow Him, all of His dreams that He has instilled in us will come true. He will not send us to fall into traps. In fact, He will guide us from them. He will not keep us from the one we will spend the rest of our lives with. In fact, He will set up that first date. He will not keep us in a fish bowl, only able to look out and see all that is there. He will set us free to explore all He sets before us.

We place too much focus on our wants and what we think will make us happy. We need to focus on Him and He will not only meet our needs, but give us more than we could ever dream of finding in a treasure chest.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

"Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

RUMORS OF GOD by DARREN WHITEHEAD and JON TYSON

We don't often hear rumors that are truthful, but in Rumors of God we find rumors not only worth holding onto, but rumors worth sharing. I found this book to be insightful and engaging. We see what the church should be, but often don't discuss the how's to get us there or the reasons we are not.  Our culture has ceased our minds. We often sit in church pews just as dead as when we walked in.

Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson bring us something new. I like that. Often books repeats itself and we hear the same old thing over and over again. This one is different. It is real. They share real stories. Their stories. These guys open us up to a new way of thinking. I love how they combine scripture with everyday examples of human life. They teach us that we all have dreams, but our dreams as Christians should be different. We should be fueled by God and our desire to know Him on a deeper level.

This is one of my favorite statements from the book: Is it any wonder that young people grow up with a sense of entitlement? They have each been told they are the most important person in the world and deserve to have everything they've ever wanted. They are sold the idea that if they get everything they want, they will be happy.

This book is based on a prayer of Habakkuk. "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."

Here is another favorite part of mine: In other words, it is God's kindness toward us in the midst of our guilt that enables us to believe in Him; it's not the expectation that once we believe in Him, then He will be kind to us. God loved us when we were still His enemies, not once we have it altogether. The gay community hears the church say: "Change your ways, then God will love you." The Muslim community hears: "Change your ways, then we will love you." The atheist hears: "Believe in God, then He will love you." But what Jesus actually says is, "I love you now. As you are. Come to me. Receive My grace." You don't have to change for God to love you. God loves you as you are. This is what enables you to change. Paul said: "God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance." It is not faith, then grace; it's grace, then faith."

We see what the church use to be. We see the church growing all across the world, but in America something is missing. Not just something, but someone. God. I love how these authors bring us to a place where we must take a deep look inside our own hearts. There is a better way to live and this book will give you the tools to begin that journey to a new life in Christ and a new way of serving Him through the dreams He has given us.

This book was a gift from Thomas Nelson for it's review.