Merry Christmas

 

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

John 3:16-17

Books

My home has always been filled with the aroma of printed paper. Ever since I was a young child, a book was a friend who would go with me and fill my life with entertainment. Books capture my imagination and take me to places I will never visit. I relish entering into the lives of characters who often defy odds. 

When we travel, I make it a habit of searching out places where older books are sold. I found a half price book store in Minnesota, and there's always a wide variety of books at the Goodwill or Hospice thrift stores. Have I found treasures? Yes, I often find out of print books or by some of my favorite authors. 

One thing has perked a question in my mind. With all of the ebooks on Kindle and other hand held devices, what is happening to the printed word? Will we still go to the library or book store to acquire a solid, page turning book? Maybe one day books will become obsolete, but for now I think not. I recently went into two thrift stores, and is my habit, went to the book section. As I stood there, head leaning to the right searching out titles, the whole section filled with people. It becomes a bit of a treasure hunt, mostly because the books are not sectioned. But oh the fun and thrill of finding that one special prize. A title, or an author that will take me away to places where my imagination will fill in the gaps. 

Let's not lose the love of books. I've passed that love on to my children. And I hope they will pass it on to the next generation.

Bread for the Journey

Blessed are they that mourn

 

Today has been a different day. It is a day full of thoughts and memories. Every year I try not to allow this day to get me down, but something inside of me just won't let it go.

Forty one years ago today my sweet Mom left her place here on earth and walked the streets of gold. She left suddenly and quickly. Which does not make it easy on family.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

I know forty one years seems like a very long time, but when you are young and you lose your Mom, there is a hole left in your heart. It really never heals, but it becomes like a wound that has a scar over it. You always know it is there.

With time the pain does subside, but the memories are still there. And I am so thankful that our loving Lord has come along side of me to lift me up on the days when the memories bring back pangs of pain.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Spread your wings............

Bread for the Journey

Teach us to number our days

I recently received a newsletter where the writer made this comment -

The brevity of life can act as a spur to disciplined faithfulness. Each of us has a sphere of influence and usefulness. All our days and our deeds may be good for someone and for something.........
When I reflect on the way in which (someone's) life was, from an earthly perspective, cut short, I am reminded that there is a longer lived "morning" (Psalm 90:6) for all who are in Christ. We are daily face-to-face with the reality of suffering in one form or another. It is not for the Christian to flee from such difficulty or to deny the often ravaging impact of hardship. Instead, the believer turns to the TRUTH of God's Word FOR the living of his LIFE.

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

(Alistair Begg)

***********************

Bread for the Journey

Prayer- a powerful tool

Prayer is such a powerful tool.

We pray to communicate with God our Heavenly Father. I have a lovely little book called "For the Family" by Sylvia Gunter. She shares Steps to Powerful Prayer.

1. Worship God -
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise" Psa 100:4

2. Be Still -
"Be still and know that I am God" Psa 46:10

3. Confess -
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord the Lord will not hear me." Psa 66:18
"But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

4. Submit -
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." 1 Pet 5:6

5. Believe -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Heb. 11:6

6. Do battle in spiritual warfare -
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms." Eph 6:12

7. Listen to the Holy Spirit -
"no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him - but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit." 1 Cor 2:9-10

8. Ask God what He wants you to pray about. -
"I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it." John 14:13-14

9. Join together in agreement with other believers -
"If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them. Matt 18:19-20

10. Persist until the answer comes! -
"Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find, keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you." Matt 7:7

11. Praise the Lord that He has heard -
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him." 1 John 5:14-15

12. Act on what God has revealed to you -
"Do whatever He tell you" John 2:5
"If you abide in me and My words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will and it shall be done unto you in My name." John 15:7

I hope these verses are an encouragement to you. Remember that God's promises are unlimited, but God's fulfilling it may depend on our abiding in truth (2 Cor. 10:6)

Bread for the Journey

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot

 A humbling look into the life of Betty Howard Elliot. It follows the letters and journals of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot. From her humble beginnings to their first meeting and the wait of five years til they marry. Amazing people. You may have read and heard the stories, but this one goes deeper. It's their thoughts and deep convictions. Talk about sacrifice. Sacrifice upon sacrifice. They were truly called of God and ANSWERED! With their whole hearts and lives.

While many may scoff at their devotion, we look at their lives and see Jim and Elisabeth's deep desire to put God first. There is just some thing about a person who cares so much about the lost, to take the message of God's redeeming love to savages.

Ellen Vaughn writes about the turmoil and anxiousness of waiting on God's timing. About learning a language so foreign that it takes years to translate. About finding hope and direction after the bruising reality of grief. Ellen translates the words of two flawed mortal people, not to grant them sainthood, but to see them as they really were. Flesh and blood humans, with hopes and dreams, hurts and disappointments, joys and sorrows, isolation and loneliness.

Elisabeth was a prolific writer  She wrote about her time with the Waodani Indians, the very ones who killed her husband. She wrote over 20 books and was a speaker well into her seventies.  When she walked into the jungle with her 3 year old daughter, she didn't know what was ahead. Would the Stone Age people kill her too? She was ready to lay down her life because she believed she should obey the call of God, whatever the price.

A quote from Joni Eareckson Tata~

  "Courage is rare. Good character, rarer. Moral purity feels arcane. Suffering should be mitigated at all costs. And if it cannot be avoided, it must be drugged, divorced, escaped from, or prayed away."

But Elisabeth left Joni with these words.

"Suffering is never for nothing."

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Bread for the Journey

Bread for the Journey

The Crushing Depth

 

The Crushing Depth by Dani Pettrey is a suspense filled story about the Coastal Guardians. The second in a series about Coast Guard Investigators.

The death on an oil rig brings CGIS agents Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers to investigate. Having a history since teens years, they are reunited on this case, resurrecting feelings after the lost years. Bringing more interest into the story line are the secondary characters, Logan and Emmy. Noah and Brooke's story also adds to the suspense.

Good faith content, and clean fiction always draw my attention. As a stand alone story, I found I had to gain an understanding about some of the characters. The first book in the series, The Killing Tide, introduced many of them. Finding out who the killer was kept you in suspense until the very end.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Small Town Christmas romance

Christmas in Bayberry by Jennifer Faye is a heartwarming Christmas romance that will entice you into the small town of Bayberry Vermont.

New York consultant Wesley Adams is moving toward a promotion when he is instructed to do an analysis of the Bayberry Candle Company. When he arrives in Bayberry, he bumps into his old teen crush, Kate Taylor.

Kate is all about Christmas and Bayberry. She loves the people and the town. She is all fired up about saving the family candle factory, but doesn't know what Wes is doing sitting in her office. As she and Wes work closely together, the chemistry between them grows. To the point that Wes is left with some heavy decisions.

Faye has written a classic Hallmark story. I loved all the characters and the feel of the town, as they pull together when most needed.

This is a great holiday story. Clean romance. Thank you to Netgalley and Hallmark Publishing for an ecopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Bread for the Journey

Misty River series

Stay With Me by Becky Wade is another heart pounding,powerful, sweet romance that will capture your attention. The first novel in the new Misty River series.

Popular Bible study author and motivational speaker Genevieve Woodward finds herself in a strangers guest house. When Aussie Sam Turner finds her, he wants her out! But Gen finds a way to rent the cottage, and even with all his walls up, Sam finds his heart melting. 

Becky Wade has written a beautiful story about two troubled people, who find themselves in life's situations as they face the struggles of pain and loneliness. There is so much going on in this story that captures your heart and attention. Gen's flashbacks about the Miracle Five and Sam's feelings of guilt are reflected back as they work through their faith and find forgiveness in themselves.

This story is one of hope, love, redemption and forgiveness. Ms Wades ability to use words to magnify the depth of feelings surrounding the struggles of addictions gives place to the very real problems many face today. And the relationship between Sam and Gen blossoms and blooms as their struggles draws them together.

Becky Wades books have always captured me, as she has a way of bringing her characters to life in such moving ways. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Bread for the Journey

Happy Easter

 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said" (Matt. 28:6)

May the light of the Savior's love shine on you today.

Happy Easter!

Bread for the Journey

Bread for the Journey

Bread for the Journey

The Land Beneath Us

 

If you enjoy reading historical fiction, especially books about WWII, you might enjoy this story. The third book in the Sunrise at Normandy series, this one is again well researched.  

I have loved every one of Ms. Sundin's books, but I found this one not among my favorites. With a slow moving start, the story had a little too much violence for me personally. The story behind the Paxton brothers and the anger it generated, gave Clay having a recurring dream concerning his own death. He struggles with forgiveness, yet in the end there is redemption and hope. It was sad to see so many thoughts of worthlessness and guilt in both Clay and Leah. 

However Susan Sundin is an exceptional author, who has a keen eye on history and accuracy.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review

Happy New Year