Happy Thanksgiving!

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Turkey Day, Everyone! I figured I'd be snoopy ;) and see what you are thankful for today. 

Me, I am thankful for the wonderful love of God, family, and friends. I would be nothing without it.

Another Hit--Full Disclosure

When Dee Henderson's new book Full Disclosure arrived in the mail late last week, I couldn't resist. If you've read her O'Malley series and Uncommon Heroes series, you'll love this book. She manages to take many of the characters from those books and weave them into the story as friends and/or colleagues of the two main characters, Ann Silver and Paul Falcon. It's great! If you haven't read those books, you'll still enjoy this one. Dee layers in multiple mysteries and secrets with such enjoyable characters that you don't mind that the story is over 400 pages long. It's a terrific romantic suspense novel you've got to read. :)

Enjoyed - Threads of Faith

This past weekend I took the opportunity to enjoy a burst of cold weather with a warm blanket, a roaring fire, and a good book--Andrea Boeshaar's Threads of Faith. This is actually book 2 of Andrea's Fabric of Time series, but the first novel written by her that I've had the privilege of reading. I gladly tell you book 1 is in the mail. :)

This was a well-spun, heartwarming story set in 1877 involving a handsome, American sea captain and a fleeing, spunky, English maid. The antagonist was not who I expected, and although there were some things I could easily guess, I never tired of turning pages. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, easy, enjoyable read.

National Novel Writing Month

I've--maybe regrettably--accepted a challenge. The month of November is National Novel Writing Month. The challenge--write 50,000 words in 30 days. I think I might be slightly crazy to even consider this, but how do you know you can do something until you try, right?

So, I shall try :) and pray I survive.

Any other writers out there willing to wage a word war?

Loved--Love Finds You in Wildrose, ND

I've lost count of how many Love Finds You books I've read. I'm thinking at least a half dozen, but everyone of them have been great reads. Tracey Bateman's Love Finds You in Wildrose, North Dakota is no different. This was a wonderful story of a strong-willed, often outspoken woman who goes to ND after her father passes to live with her twin sister, only to find a fresh grave, a heartbroken brother-in-law and an underfed niece. You'll love this story full of excitement and twists.

Sad Second Try--A Texan's Honor

True to my word, I gave Shelly Gray a second try by reading her book A Texan's Honor. Although she had a great premise and no sagging middle, I'm sad to say I will never be reading her novels again. In her efforts to make her outlaws realistic, she chose vocabulary that I don't repeat. She also inserted a teaching not backed by Scripture. When I reached that point, I skimmed the last of the book and deleted it from my kindle.

ACFW Conference 2012

This past week I got to spend a wonderful time with other writers at the 2012 ACFW Conference in Dallas, Texas. I met some amazing people and was overwhelmed with the plethora of valuable information poured my direction. There were so many highlights to my trip that I couldn't go into them all, but I've posted some of the pictures I took on my facebook page--http://www.facebook.com/booksbybarnes--in case you'd like to take a look-see. The one I've included here is one I took with one of my favorite authors, Mary Connealy. She writes romantic comedy with cowboys and is a very sweet lady. You can't go wrong in reading one of her books. :)

A Tailor-Made Bride--Made for You

A Tailor-Made Bride is actually Karen Witemeyer's debut novel. Although, I didn't realize this until today. This is high-grade quality Christian Fiction. Hannah and J.T.'s story is very entertaining with no sagging middle whatsoever. They are constantly clashing or confusing each other in someway or another--which isn't so surprising when you realize she's a dressmaker who enjoys beauty in all things and he's a liveryman who despises vanity of any sort.

I started reading this one evening and made myself put it down around midnight . . . then I finished it the next morning. :)

A+ -- In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

I admit I've read In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson twice now. This is a nonfiction book on "how to survive and thrive when opportunity roars." If you've ever read about Benaiah in the Bible--or even if you haven't--you should read this book. Mark makes great points about being a lion chaser. (That was something on Benaiah's resume, if you didn't know.)

We have lions that roar at us in life. It's up to us how we react. If you're facing a lion, not facing a lion, or will be facing a lion, this book is for you. It has helped me to place my hope and courage in the Lord even when things look bleak. Go for what God leads you to do. Don't live with regrets of inaction.

Pros and Cons--A Texan's Promise

I caught Shelly Gray's A Texan's Promise  free on Kindle recently. I was immediately swept into the story from the first paragraph. The story has a great message, and for a good part of the book, a high amount of suspense. To give a complete and honest review though, I'd have to say that the middle lags just a bit when she sends the hero one way and the heroine another. She tries to keep them connected with letters, but to me the level of uncertainty and tension drops considerably. Another brief point I did not care for was when the heroine's brother prays for his deceased mother--which can't do her a bit of good (especially since she committed suicide).

I guess on scale of one to five I'd go for a 3.5. I have book two in the series as well, and I still think I'll give it a try to see if she has learned to improve her storytelling. After all, the writing business is one in which you can never learn enough.

Good Read--Over the Edge

Another wonderful book stayed glued to my hands recently--Mary Connealy's Over the Edge. If you haven't read The Kincaid Brides series, then I suggest you go out and get it (or download it--whichever :) ). All three are terrific reads.

Seth is an adrenaline junky with deep scars that plague him. Callie--the wife Seth has forgotten--can't decide whether to kill him or kiss him when she finally tracks him down.

It's surely a page turner you'll enjoy.

Good Read--Saving Hope

This past weekend I got to enjoy myself with a good book titled Saving Hope by Margaret Daley. Margaret is the current president of ACFW and as having met her at the ACFW conference last year, I can vouch that she is a very sweet lady. She's also a very talented writer. :)

I began reading this book thinking--probably because it'd been a while since I read the book description--that this would be a historical. Surprisingly, it's a contemporary romantic suspense. And a very good one at that. This novel kept me hooked to the very end. The plot has plenty of twists and turns that just beg you to continue flipping pages and occasionally hold your breath. :) Beacon of Hope School director Kate Winslow and Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan are wonderful characters that you can't help but root for as they try to find a missing student who formerly escaped from a human trafficking organization.

I give this book two thumbs way up and five stars to boot. :)

Go for the Gold

Life is a race. A steady climb for the top. Sometimes in this wearying battle, we forget what lies before us. This world is not the end. If we have given our lives to Jesus Christ, then we have a wonderful home in heaven to look forward to. If we have not done so, then our only expectations when we die are torture and torment in a hell that will go on for eternity. Often, we are too afraid to be this frank, but if we do not share this truth, how will people know.

I encourage you--make sure you're running this race for a home in heaven. A real gold worth obtaining.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB) ~ "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

2-4-6-8 Who Do We Appreciate?

In case you haven't heard, there has been much to-do about the stand Chick-Fil-A's president has taken in support of the traditional, biblical view of marriage. I agree that marriage is and should always remain a forever-binding union between one man and one woman.

I support Chick-Fil-A's stand and am proud to say my church is doing its part as well.

Assemblies of God Speaks Out on Chick-fil-A Controversy
Billy Graham Offers His Support to Chick-fil-A

What about you? Will you be a part of today's Chick-Fil-A appreciation day? Will you use your dollars as a vote for who you appreciate?

Remember--if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

Trivia Time

It's the last full week of July . . . oh, how the time flies! :)
Have you learned anything new this month? They say you learn new things everyday. Just this past week I learned that Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife of The Andy Griffith Show were supposed to be cousins on the sitcom. Did you know that?

Try your hand at this trivia:

1. What is the longest book in the Bible?
     A. Revelation
     B. Psalms
     C. Isaiah
     D. Proverbs

2. What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
     A. Psalm 117
     B. Psalm 119
     C. Psalm 131
     D. Psalm 133

3. Who wrote most of the Psalms?
    A. Solomon
    B. Asaph
    C. David
    D. Moses

Make Merry

While working, and working, and working at my church the past week, I noticed something--when you're laughing the whole time, it doesn't feel like work. :) There's just something about laughter that makes everything better.

The Bible states it...
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." ~ Proverbs 17:22
"For the joy of the Lord is your strength." ~ Nehemiah 8:10d

Science confirms it...
Here are some reasons I found at helpguide.org as to why laughter is good for you.

The Benefits of Laughter
Physical Health Benefits: Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease	Mental Health Benefits: Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and fear Relieves stress Improves mood Enhances resilience	Social Benefits: Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding

So why not give it a try and see for yourself? Find a reason to laugh--big or small. See if it doesn't make your day, then share that laughter and see if it isn't contagious. How about starting with a comment here? Let me share in that joy with you.

Morning Pick-Me-Up

Some people use coffee. Others a hot shower. Maybe a good dose of exercise. Why not let God be that pick-me-up? Turn to Him and be encouraged with this song.



"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." ~2 Corinthians 1:20

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" ~ Romans 8:31

Happy Birthday America!

What is 236 years old, 125 times larger than it's original size, and celebrated through the years by a host of activities from greased pig racing to watermelon seed spitting contests to fireworks?

The United States of America!

Happy Independence Day everyone!

(P.S. The 125 times larger is our population growth.)

Bible Trivia

Thought I'd have a little fun today. Here's a few questions to test your knowledge of the Best Book ever written....

     1. What king had both his son and his daughter rebel against him by protecting his enemy?
             A.  Solomon
             B.  Saul
             C.  Jonathan 
             D.  David
     2. What word is never mentioned in the Bible?
             A.  Rapture
             B.  Easter
             C.  Pulpit
             D.  All of the above
     3. Who was the oldest man in the Bible?
            A.  Lamech
            B.  Noah
            C.  Methuselah
            D.  Adam

Good Luck! I'll post the answers later this week, so you can see how well you did.

Balancing Act

This past week I went on a camping trip. A short getaway to get my focus and have some fun with my family. While camping (RV style) in the state park, I did at least three things I'd never done before (or at least don't remember doing before).

1. A 1 1/2 flip dive into a swimming pool
2. Walk across a fallen tree suspended over a draw
3. Traipse a mile-long boardwalk into the woods to see a duck pond (albeit a pond void of ducks)

Looking again at the pictures of my vacation, I realized oft times this one is a good picture of life. Sometimes it is a balancing act. We have to make sure we're walking the "straight and narrow", not leaning too far to the right or left. Our priorities must stay inline, in the proper order, if we're to continue on this path. If there's one thing I learned from my decade of gymnastics, it's that if you look down you fall down. I believe this holds true in life as well as on the balance beam.

Where is your focus? Do you have your eyes fixed on Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith? or do you have your gaze fixed on something or someone else?

Are You Strong Enough?

So often we try to do things on our own, in our own strength, only to wonder why we're exhausted. Maybe you're like me, and you don't realize how tired you are until you stop or are forced to stop. How much better would we be if we learn our strength is from God? That we don't have to do it on our own because He has promised to be our ever-present help in times of trouble? I dare say, we'd be more than better--we'd be great. Our shoulders would straighten, our worried frowns would lift, and we'd welcome each day with arms open wide. Try it this week with me. Be brave enough to trust the Almighty Creator of the universe who loves you with an infinite love we cannot begin to comprehend. Be brave enough to let go . . . and let God.

I'm willing to. Are you?

Congratulations

I'd like to voice my congratulations to the Historical Romance finalists of the ACFW Genesis contest:

Karen Barnett
Brandy Vallance
Becca Whitham

For a full list of the winners click here.

Stay Tuned...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I'd like to include my thanks for all the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. We are truly blessed to live in such wonderful country.

In other news, the results for the second round of the ACFW Genesis contest comes out this week.

Putting Off

Do you ever find yourself "putting off for tomorrow what you can do today"? Maybe it's washing the dishes, or doing the laundry, or vacuuming the house, or mowing the lawn. Honestly, sometimes it's all of these things for me. :) I don't know about you, but every time I buckle down and finally do those chores I've put off, it makes me feel better. Perhaps it's the bringing order to chaos. I don't know, but it's then I ask myself "why did I put it off to begin with?"

This topic is fresh on my mind because after letting my grass get so high I could lose my dog in it, I finally mowed yesterday. My, but I was a sight--faded blue jeans, bright yellow shirt, purple sunglasses, and a red bandana tied over my nose. If anyone saw me, they would've thought a rainbow bandit had commandeered my lawnmower. If anyone heard me, they'd have thought I'd taken leave of my senses. For someone who didn't want to mow, I truly seemed to enjoy myself. I was out there yeehaw-ing while bumping and bouncing my way through the waist-high grasses like a bronc-riding cowgirl. (Literally!) This morning I've got the bruises to prove it, but my freshly mowed lawn makes me smile. Maybe we should "never put off for tomorrow what we can do today." 

What are you waiting for? Seize the day!

Anna Finch and the Hired Gun

Okay, so who doesn't like to read stories set in Colorado in the 1800s? Anna Finch and the Hired Gun has it all--Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Pinkerton agents, and a woman who'd rather ride her high-spirited horse and shoot her Smith & Wesson pistol than look for a husband. This is definitely a page-turner that will keep you hooked 'til the end.

I read this book over the weekend and would recommend it to anyone in the market for a good read.

Have you read any good books lately? If so, please share.

Heartfelt Thanks

"Why do we have Mother's Day?" I actually had this question asked of me this past weekend. My mother and I came up with the response, "Someone must have really loved their mother and made a day to celebrate it." In a way this is true, but now I wonder what is the real history on the subject.

From what I gather, many countries celebrate mothers. Although, they do not all celebrate on the same day. My count came to 79 countries (including the U.S.) who will celebrate on the second Sunday in May. The push for a "Mother's Day" began in the U.S. as far back as the 1870s, but not until 1914 did it become a national holiday. Anna Jarvis is given credit for finally convincing others, including President Woodrow Wilson, that we should have a day for celebrating mothers.

I, for one, celebrate the gift of my mother. She is an amazing woman of God who loves me unconditionally. I am grateful she taught me God's Word from a young age. I am truly blessed to have her in my life.

How about you? Are you thankful for the mother figures in your life?

Impulse

Do you ever have that impulse to do something different? Break the monotony? Bring a change? Maybe it's moving the furniture, cutting your hair, or getting away for the weekend. Well, I felt the urge to do something a little on the crazy side this past week. Don't be afraid. I've done this before on a few occasions, but this time it went a little different--I was surprised with a wonderful blessing in the process. Okay, I can almost hear you asking, "what did you do already?!"

Answer: I donated my hair to Locks of Love.

Yes, I whacked off more than ten inches of hair. It now curls under my chin instead of hanging to the middle of my back. Impulsive, I know, but it's great! Besides, it'll grow back (and I can do it all over again :) ).

All right, so what was the blessing?

Unlike the times before, I didn't have to pay to have my hair cut! The guy did it for free, but I didn't find that out until he was finished. He was thrilled to get a donation and not only that but one of red hair.

My pastor has preached--and I've read it myself--that when you're in the center of God's will, He provides. God surely did that for me on Thursday.  :)

Now, here's some questions for you: Have you done anything impulsive lately? Has God provided for you in some special way? Or has He given you an unexpected blessing? Share your thoughts, and maybe I'll share a picture of my new haircut.

While I'm Waiting....

Too often in our walk of life we find ourselves waiting--waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting for the final results of the ACFW Genesis contest :), waiting on God to answer.... So what do we do while we're waiting?

You know the old adage, "Time flies when you're having fun." Why not apply it to your situation? Take a step back and don't forget to enjoy the life God has given you. Worship and serve Him while you wait.

As my pastor preached recently, it's the patient endurance of our trials that gives us the strength to continue following God. Romans 5:3 (NASB) testifies to this--"We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance." 

 What will you do while you wait?

Weehoo!

You know, those old timers knew what worked. I was reminded this past week of that very fact while standing on a roof . My mother watches one of my little cousins. At two-years-old, she loves to roam and explore (and put things where they don't belong--but that's another story :) ). As with most children as long as you can hear them you know their okay and not up to something. Well, my little cousin wandered over to my carport. We knew she hadn't gone far, but she was hidden behind my car--and she was quiet. Can you say trouble in the making? :)

My mom calls her name. She doesn't respond. Mom calls again. Still silence. My mom sing-songs, "weehoo!" My cousin mimics in her cute, little, childlike voice, "weehoo!" Oh, it was so adorable. I couldn't help but smile. Apparently, my great-grandmother used to employ this method with my sister when she was little. There are most definitely things we can learn from our elders.

What is one thing you've learned from those older and wiser than yourself?

You Can't Take It With You

This picture captures some of the items that belonged to one of my uncles that recently passed away. They now belong to me. Proof that you can't take anything with you when you go--unless you count the people that you can reach for Christ and take with you to heaven.

Believe it or not but someone was willing to throw away this antique dresser. Not me. My mom and I fixed the bottom portion that had come off with a few screws. Now the typewriter--I had to fight my grandma for it. :) As far as I can gather, it is a Royal Quiet De Luxe gold portable typewriter, dating back to around the late 1940s. The gold-plated machine was a limited edition and one of them was said to have been owned by the author Ian Fleming. How cool is that! Now I have one too. :)

Anyway, do you have any cool antiques?

When the Ceiling Caves

Sometimes life is so much more than what you expect. Sometimes for the good. Sometimes for the not-so-good. For example: yesterday, I walked into my building out back that we started re-roofing and discovered about a quarter of the ceiling had caved, depositing sheet rock and insulation and soot and dirt and wasp nests and water...all over my carpet. We'd thought we'd protected this from happening by covering the unfinished, unshingled roof with tarps. (We did this in the dark, in the rain before the bottom fell out and everything got drenched last week.) Clearly, one of those tarps had seen better days--as had I.

What do we do when these things happen? Do we cry? get angry? depressed? or just press on? Maybe it's a combination of all of these. My first reaction was to turn my back to the destruction and breathe, "Lord have mercy." Even my mother copied the prayer when she saw the mess. In these situations, so many factors are out of our control.  However, the one thing we have control over is our reaction. We can take the experiences we have and use them as stepping stones for higher ground or we can let them bury us. I prefer to be a climber. I do this by clinging to God's promises. Promises like--

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

I know and trust God can and will work everything out for my good. If anything, I can relate better to the woman in my book and write the scene in a more realistic fashion to touch the hearts of those who read it in a more meaningful way.

What about you? Has there ever been a time when something bad happened and later you could see God using it for good in your life? Leave a comment and share your experience. You never know who you might help with your story.

Have You Ever Been...?

Have you ever been so tired you pull the towels out of the dryer and stuff them in the cabinet unfolded?
Have you ever been so sore it hurts to move your fingers, your toes, your arms, your legs, your back, you name it?
Have you ever been in either of the situations and still have to get up and keep going?

Then you know how yesterday and today have been for my family and me. My mom did that first scenario last night. We're all doing the second this morning.
Why?
In one word--roofing. 
If you're ever in need of some real exercise, you should give it a try.

Sometimes we get like this with our walk of life. We get tired, worn out. We get bruised and sore until the only thing that can fix it is rest. Good thing that's what Jesus offers, rather He invites us to do. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

What situations have you been in that made you that tired or sore? How has God helped you when you thought you couldn't go on?

Packed

"The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present." ~ Alice Morse Earle

You ever had one of those days where it feels like you took two days worth of work and shoved it into one? Well, today is already turning into one of those days. Trees fell on high line wires sometime before 5 a.m. which meant lights out until sometime around 10 a.m. Oh and of course, one of those trees had to fall on my fence which meant clearing off the deadwood after the electrical people left (and didn't move it :( - more work for me - woohoo.) I also worked for at least an hour in the garden before the light people showed up, then loaded the dishwasher while they were working. Now, I'm working on my blog (yes, I'm writing this a day early) because with the high chance of rain my internet might very well be put out of commission tomorrow.

But I got to thinking--everyday is a gift from God. My uncle died of cancer over the weekend so it brings that realization home even more. Everyday is priceless whither it's packed or peaceful, hectic or happy. We are here for only a short time and not guaranteed tomorrow. Each day matters for eternity. How are you spending it?

Cats, Dogs, & Monkeys

Most people have heard the saying, "it's raining cats and dogs." Well at some point in time during my childhood. we took it a step further. When it's down-pouring especially hard--like it was this weekend--we say, "it's raining cats, dogs, and monkeys."

Often when it's raining cats, dogs, and monkeys, we lose our electricity. This weekend was no exception, except I took exception to what happened to me in the darkness. I love oil lamps. (Some call them hurricane lamps--I even have one with kerosene still in it.) However, I learned the hard way that refilling them is not always the easiest feat (especially without the best of lighting). I know the whole trick of pouring the oil down the wick so you don't pour it everywhere, but of course--talented girl that I am--I still managed to make a grand mess. How?

My brand new bottle of oil needed opening. It had one of those push-turn lids. Easy enough, right? Wrong. I pushed and turned. It didn't break loose. I pushed harder. The bottle capsized and started pouring liquid all over my counter. I hurried to pop the plastic back out, but not before I had a huge mess that I could hardly see to clean up. When I went to pour it in the oil lamp, I ended up spilling even more on my counter. I sopped with rags, paper towels, anything close by that I could get my hands on. Do you have any idea how overpowering that stench can be? I smelled it for days before I realized--after I began airing out my house and still smelled it--that I put the paper towels in the trash. :)

As you can see, I give myself plenty to laugh at. Share the joy. Have you had any of those I-can't-believe-that-happened-to-me moments?

Good Read--In Too Deep

I borrowed Mary Connealy's new book In Too Deep from my mother and I really enjoyed it. Book 1 of The Kincaid Brides Series was great and this one was just as wonderful. I can't wait for book 3 which you kind of get a taste for in the last few pages of the story. (I can see the conflict a-comin'!)

Anyway, Ethan's and Audra's story is unique, fun, suspenseful, and romantic. With two people that agree to a marriage of convenience, a deep danger-ridden cavern, one half-crazy brother, and one controlling older brother, excitement awaits you on every page. Throw in a greedy man out to retrieve his stolen money and you can't put it down. A great book I'd recommend to anyone.

(Okay...now back to bread making. :)  Have a great week. )

Look Out Below!

Question: What is two feet wide, towers far above your head, and can bury you in a second?

Answer: A closet full of games. :)

Now that I'm over being sick, I'm helping my sister. Her kids wanted to play games last night, so I raided the game closet. Of course, the game I wanted resided third from the top--a good three feet or more beyond my reach.

We fetched the step-stool.
I climbed up.
Then life got interesting.

I figured, "Okay, I'll slide mine out and push the rest back." Yeah. Easier said than done. Next thing I know, the games above rush toward me and the others underneath start slipping out as well. My balance is completely thrown off. I'm shoving games up only to have more tumble out at me. One of the kids had to pull me from behind (more than once), so I could regain my balance. Finally, I'm able to return things to rights after I nearly drop an armload of boxes. Believe it or not, but I only had one game slip past me. :)

P.S. For those of you wondering "what game was it?", it was Twister Hoopla. :) (The tangle to follow proved just as amusing. :) )

What is Love?

Love is the gentle wind after a storm.
Love is the majestic sunrise after the night.
Love is the clear meadow after the forest.
Love is the cool evening after the zenith.

Love is....

Love is the hand that holds when you stumble.
Love is the arms that carry when you fall.
Love is the voice that soothes when you cry.
Love is the heart that forgives when you fail.

Love is....

Love is the joy of a smile,
                  the life of a kiss,
                        the care of a hug,
                              the calm of a prayer.

Love is....

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; 
love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; 
it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(I Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)

What is love to you?

God Already Knew

Before Joseph was betrayed by his brothers...
       God already knew.
Before he landed in that dark and lonely pit...
       God already knew.
Before he was sold into slavery...
       God already knew.
Before he was unjustly thrown into jail ...
       God already knew.
Before he rose to second in command of the whole nation of Egypt...
       God already knew.
Before you received that disparaging news...
       God already knew.
Before you cried...
       God already knew.
Before...
       God knew.

No matter what you have faced, are facing, or will face...
- Remember -
God sees, God knows, and most important God cares.

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all."  ~ David (Psalm 139:1-4)

When Plans Go Awry

God has plans for the people He created - that is, everyone - including you. :) Needless to say, oft times our plans and His don't line up. When this happens, remember...

• We can't see the future, but He can
• We don't know what's best, but He does
• We are limited, but He is not.

Our job is to stick to His plan, even when we don't understand. He is a loving Father, a faithful Friend, and ever-present Helper.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
~ Jeremiah 29:11-13(NIV)

Share a time in your life when all you had was God and you discovered that He was/is enough.

Blessed & Broken

I've had so many blessings overtake me in the past week. Friday, I was blessed to attend a southern gospel concert. Blessed to buy floor seating at the door - at group rate price. :) Blessed to find up front parking. Blessed to hear wonderful songs that encourage the heart and uplift the spirit. Blessed to laugh and spend time with my mother. The list could go on and on and on. God has proved time and again Proverbs 10:22 - "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it."

The following clip is one of the songs sung at the event that has been stuck in my head. May we be like Maggie. Share the blessings God gives you. It doesn't take much to make someone's day better.

What blessings have come your way this week?

Youth Hunting - Oxymoron?

This past weekend makes me wonder if the phrase "youth hunting" is an oxymoron. Deer hunting for younguns accompanied by an adult ended this weekend, so my mother took my niece and nephew out to the deer stand.

First rattle out of the box, my mom suggests they bring a jacket because it'll get colder as the sun goes down. Do they take that advice? Of course not - well, at least not my nephew. Did he regret it? Of course he did. :)

But that was only the beginning of the fun. These two have ants in their pants and for them to sit still is a feat in and of itself. They're shushing each other and arguing over who gets to sit where - all in all making more noise than a hen house under a possum invasion. All this racket sets my mom to laughing until her sides hurt. She comments, "A deer'd have to be blind, deaf or sick to not hear you two and deserves to be shot."

Soon after, my nephew claims her lap and goes to sleep. He snores - loudly. Can you believe they didn't shoot a single thing? :) However, my mom says she knew that would happen. The point of the trip was to make memories and they made a slew of them.

Do you have any oxymoron moments?

Why God Made Litttle Girls

Yesterday, I pulled out the Bible I used as a kid - homemade Bible cover and all. Lo and behold, I found a bookmark within with my name scribbled in childish handwriting on the back. On the front, a poem by an unknown author called Why God Made Little Girls. I enjoyed it, so I'm sharing.

God made the world with towering trees,
majestic mountains and restless seas.
Then paused and said, "It needs one more thing...
someone to laugh and dance and sing.
To walk in the woods and gather flowers...
to commune with nature in quiet hours."
So God made little girls 
with laughing eyes and bouncing curls, 
with joyful hearts and infectious smiles, 
enchanting ways and feminine wiles.
And when He'd completed the task He'd begun,
He was pleased and proud of the job He'd done.
For the world, when seen through a little girl's eyes
greatly resembled Paradise.

Don't ever lose that little child inside.

 ³And [Jesus] said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

~ Matthew 18:3,4 (KJV)

 

New Year's Jumping Jacks

Ever had any of those crazy moments with fire crackers?
Well, I did on New Year's Eve. My niece and nephew invited me to share the joys with them, and it was quite an experience.

The honor of lighting the first bottle rocket fell to me, but everyone else got the most zing from the show. You see, I just happened to grab the one that was broken on the end (my fault :\). It lit. It fell. It shot toward the house (where everyone waited), brushed over the rooftop, and burst in a shower of sparks in the backyard. (The dog didn't like that - lol :D )

But I got my own dosage later. I took a string of jumping jacks. Lit them. Tossed them. Well...most of them. A few broke off and popped between my feet. I did my own form of jumping jacks which set the whole porch to laughing. My mom's oh-so-worried comment - "How'd that go again?" :)

What's your story?