You probably awakened this morning with a long “to do” list, most likely based on what you would like to get done besides your job. But how many of us have a “to do” list of things that we plan to do for God that day? When I ask this question, I am speaking to myself as much as to you, my readers. If what we have to accomplish is so important to us, how much more important is it to accomplish what God would have us do each day? After all, he created us and wants us to do His work here on earth. As one pastor told me long ago, “Occupy until He returns.” Have you ever been part of an occupying force? My mental image is not of a bunch of troops just sitting around drinking coffee and playing cards all day. Instead, I see the troops interacting with the people, helping them to build up their infrastructure, and increasing their stability. So, if we are part of an occupying force here on earth, waiting until Jesus returns, is that not what we should be doing? We should be out among the people, meeting needs when and where we can. We should be helping them to build their knowledge of Christ because that is the “infrastructure” that really matters, the foundation that will stand when all else fails. Finally, we increase stability by showing them the way they should be living by being the example that they need for their lives. One cannot be stable if he/she is constantly chasing after pipe dreams of believing in one thing or another. We need to be the example of steadfastness in the Lord, with a belief in God that does not waver no matter the obstacles that we face.

We were created to do good works. What does that encompass? I think that it is anything that Jesus speaks to our hearts to do. I don’t know about you, but I meet up frequently with people who need to know that the Lord loves them and cannot know that unless we show them. It’s our actions that speak so much louder than words. I also had another pastor say to me, “People want to see your love at work, not just hear your words about love.” What can one person do? You would be surprised! You can buy a cup of coffee for the homeless person begging on the street. Or purchase a five-dollar gift card for the needy. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to show that you care. How about taking out some of that leftover yarn that you have put away? How about using it to make a warm scarf or mittens for the homeless person begging on the streets? I was so amazed at the story of the young woman who used her credit card to pay for hotel rooms for the people living on the streets when a bitter winter storm was coming. That, my friends, is Jesus’s love in action!

We can say that we love others daily, but until they see our actions, they probably won’t believe it. That is something that I lived with for years with my husband. We had moved a lot, chasing his career and his promotions in the military. I always felt like an afterthought, and I can remember more than once telling him that he needed him to show me that he loved me by his actions. So he would buy me flowers or candy. It wasn’t until he started actually spending time with me that I felt loved. To me, time was a precious commodity that couldn’t be bought for any price and I cherished the moments he spent with just me, looking me in the eyes and talking to me about our love and our future together. It is our actions that show love to others. Our commitment to Christ’s Great Commission is not meant to be something that we cannot do; it’s as easy as spending time with a lonely person, or purchasing a cup of coffee and a muffin, or even paying for a hotel room for someone. You don’t have to go into debt to show love; you just have to be open to God’s leading. Once you have told Him that you are willing to be His love in action, you will be surprised at all of the ways that He shows you to love others. Since He is the Creator God, He is not limited by our finite imaginations and His love is without bounds. He will show you who to love, when and where. Blessings for a good and loving day!

#TGHUTKnatasha. Available at your local bookseller on April 2, 2019

I can’t say enough about how wonderful this book is! It is a really fast-paced read with short chapters and realistic characters. Annika loves Jonathan and he seems to love her, too. They work out all of the strange habits that Annika has, like wearing the same clothes and never really trying anything new. The big thing that they have in common is Chess Club, and this seems to be the center of their budding relationship. The reader will recognize early in the book that Annika has some kind of mental disability. I knew right away what it was because my granddaughter has been diagnosed with the same disability and has some of the same strange habits that Annika has. I was heartened to learn that Annika could finish college, find a job, live on her own and discover love, even with all of her disabilities. That gave me hope for my granddaughter! My favorite part of the book was when Annika loved Jonathan so much that she actually goes out of her comfort zone to be with him when he needs her. What a fantastic story of unselfish love and sacrifice! Readers of romance will absolutely love this book! It’s a different kind of romance, with people who are individuals and who overcome obstacles to become a couple. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I am beyond upset today since I have to talk to my surgeon’s office about changing the date of my surgery. I am too sick to have it tomorrow. Since I am asthmatic, I have a lot of allergies. Thursday night, when my husband was making dinner, there was a lot of smoke, triggering an asthma attack and leading to my being totally congested today and heading to my primary care doctor’s office. Not to despair! Yesterday at church, God spoke to me and told me that His timing is perfect. I knew that I was not feeling well, but I figured that I could “power through” this whole thing. But, alas! That isn’t possible, so now I have to wait until I am well again to schedule my surgery. God is in charge, so I am just waiting. Waiting isn’t easy, but I have to believe that God will work things out for my best.

I don’t think it’s by chance that this is the memory verse for the Sunday school class that I teach. I’m believing this promise, and I hope that you will believe it with me. Blessings!

This book is a trumpet call to all believers in Jesus Christ everywhere to heed His Great Commission. It is a story of not just looking for a mission field, but to see the mission field where you live, whether it be in a rural area or a large city. The author begins by saying that she was from a small town in the Midwest and was happily ensconced there with her family. But God called her and her family to live in San Francisco, a big city with a lot of problems. So, from her experience, she penned this book that is an encouragement for all Christians to live in a way that you are a missionary wherever you call home. You may never get to visit a foreign missions field, but the author states emphatically that you are to get to know your neighborhood and your neighbors, whoever they are, and let them know that Jesus loves them. You are to live in such a way that others see Jesus in you. Through a series of tales of her life as a “sent believer”, the author shows us how possible it is to “Live Sent in the Place You Call Home.” This was one of the best books that I have read to help believers to feel a purpose right where they are and to accept where God has placed us as His place for us right now and in this time. I would highly recommend this book to all Christians everywhere, especially those who feel as if they are not doing work for the Lord. Yes, you are and yes, you can! That is the message of this book, and it is forthright and challenging in its honesty.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Do you read God’s Word daily? Do you let it speak to your heart? I believe that God uses His Word to change me, to make me more like Him as I read and meditate on the words that He spoke to His people so many years ago. No other book has survived the centuries of time as the Holy Bible has. It is not a coincidence which Scriptures I read daily, or at least that is my belief. God gives me the Word that He knows that I will need for that day. Sometimes, I use it to bless others. Other times, it is just for me, to help me to grow or to persevere through a particular trial. God is faithful to speak to me. He is faithful to make sure that His Word brings forth the fruit that He desires. These are the verses for me today. Maybe they are for you, too. If not, then God has another word for you when you pick up your Bible and let Him speak to you through it.

Blessings for a good and productive day in the Lord! Prayers that He will speak to your heart.

I follow author Jessica Turner and I received an email this morning with this beautiful, touching video. Her husband Matthew Paul Turner has written a book about praying for your children and Amy Grant read an excerpt from it. Follow the link and have tissues handy!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2325509651028255&id=218252274912312&_rdr

Enjoy and remember that each day is a new day for you to help others!

I pray for you all to have a blessed day, full of encouragement for yourselves and for those whose lives you touch.

Yesterday I went for my pre-op appointment at the surgical center. I had lab work done and lots of questions and advice, including things like using clean towels each time I take a shower for three days before my surgery and changing my bedsheets the night before I head to the hospital for surgery. All very serious stuff! I got a little upset when I was told that my husband won’t be able to be with me in the prep area of surgery because of the sterile environment there. So, I will be called back at noon and Harry will be in the waiting area looking at a board that says “Prepping for Sugery” or “Surgery in Progress” or “In Recovery.” My surgery actually begins at two, so I’m sure that Harry will be praying as he waits. Even more, it was brought home to me that I will be alone with the Lord when I head into surgery. Yes, the doctor and all of his helpers will be there, including the robot, but my help is in the Lord and in Him is my life. My Scripture this morning in my devotional really spoke to me and was certainly timely.

My life is in the hands of the Lord. He has already destroyed death. When does one start fearing death? Well, in my experience, it began happening for me as I aged and as my health problems began. That was actually four years ago, on January 23, 2015, when I had a major stroke. But I didn’t find the answers that I was seeking until recently when I began to seek the Lord earnestly before going into this surgery. God has spoken to me again and again that life and death are in His hands, so as His child I don’t need to be afraid. Yes, it’s a scary thing to go through, but God knows what is happening and what the end result will be.

I was also reminded last night as I was falling asleep of the first song that I ever learned how to sign to. I was in a sign language class with my former pastor and hoping to learn enough sign to be able to communicate with our autistic granddaughter who is non-verbal. I learned those signs that I needed, but I also learned how to praise God in sign language. Here is the song that I learned to sing and sign to. I hope that it blesses you as much as it blesses me. Have a great day in the Lord!

My Life Is In You, Lord by Hillsong

This book is both depressing and captivating. It is depressing because the stories of the young women at 17 Sean Street is so sad, with little hope that any of them will fully recover and live the lives that they dream of. It is captivating because I was drawn into the story of Anna Roux, a dancer who hurt her leg, moved from Paris to the United States with he husband, and finds herself spiraling into loneliness, depression and anorexia. When the book opens, we see Anna entering the treatment house at 17 Swann Street. The other woman who lives there have stories also, but it is Anna’s story that is compelling and told in detail. The reader is introduced to Matthias, Anna’s spouse who sincerely wants her to succeed in her recovery. This was a fiction novel but at times it seemed like an entry from Wikipedia with its detailed description of what the women had to go through in their quest for recovery. A most memorable scene for me was when Ann had to complete a menu for the week, with six meals each day. The foods that she used to enjoy and which she no longer eats become evident as she checks off what she is willing to eat daily. This was a realistic look at a very complex problem. The struggles of the women are real, and the author presents Anna’s story with empathy and authenticity. Readers of contemporary fiction will enjoy this book, as will those who want to know more about eating discorders and how it ravages the bodies of those affected and the lives of their loved ones.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”