Every day is a new day, filled with possibilities of new things to explore and do, new people to meet and hopefully, to touch their lives for Jesus Christ. Most of us, including me, get up every morning a little grumpy and not really wanting it to be morning. But, lately, God has been dealing with me about a new perspective He wants me to have. Each day that I have on this earth is a gift from the Heavenly Father, so I need to be thankful for it and look for ways in which I can serve Him and make His love known to others. For this elderly woman here, this seems impossible. But, not for God! He allows me to reach out and touch others using technology that was not even there when I was born. He allows me to have online friends with whom I can share the love of Jesus. He is allowing me daily to write a blog that I hope touches the hearts and minds of others. So, every day has its blessings and its challenges. Those of us who know the Lord and cling to the truth that is in His Word know that the challenges can never defeat us because the Lord is fighting right beside us.

I think that this Scripture has been misappropriated by many in the circle called “Name it and claim it.” They preach that we can pray for whatever we want or need to happen and God will answer. Well, I’m not a proponent of God being a genie in a bottle. I know that He is much bigger than that and I also know that He is not my servant. I am His! And as His servant, I am to look for opportunities to serve Him. It is within those opportunities, when I am doing His will, that I can ask and God will answer. He doesn’t send me a big car or a nicer home or any of those physical things that others seem to think is so important. No. He sends me His love and His desire for me to be a better person, to show that new person to others and to offer them His free gift of eternal life. You see, I guess that I have a simplified version of the Gospel. Jesus came to die for me and to set me free from sin. Now that I am free, I am to tell others about His great love and gift. In so doing, God will work out the impossible things that keep me from doing that which is His will. God is sovereign and can do the impossible at any time. We, however, need to know what it is that God wants us to do and start doing it. As we meet obstacles, that’s when God steps in and does the impossible. After all, He didn’t part the Red Sea until the Israelites were there and needed Him to do so. God is the God of the impossible and that makes anything possible in our lives. Isn’t that a wonderful truth to wake up to every morning? I hope you have a blessed day filled with God doing the impossible for you and your loved ones!

Photo from Surfertoday.com

The month is June. The year is 2019. There is no big election until November, 2020, yet you would think that the presidential and congressional elections are imminent if you listen to all of the hubbub on the news or radio. I have decided to remove myself from the conflict. There is a Scriptural reason for this.

When you turn on the water at your faucet, you can easily turn it off because there is a faucet there, a valve that lets water flow freely or turns it off. This isn’t so easy if you are just watching the natural flow of the water from a spring. You can change the course of the water by digging a trench, but you can’t stop its flow. Ask those who have been in the path of a raging river caused by torrential rains. Ask those in Louisiana if you can stop the destructive path of the water once it begins. They know because they lived through the destructive forces of floods. That is what arguing politics is like, a flood that cannot be stopped once it starts.

There are so many online posts that I want to respond to, sometimes with wisdom from above, but usually just from my own nature that cries against lies and deception. But I am holding myself away from the fray. I don’t want to be the one who starts that rolling flood of contention online about one candidate or another. Do I have my beliefs and my favorite candidate? Of course! But that doesn’t mean that I have to toot the horn of my candidate or make him look superior in any way. I have decided to sit quietly, be as active as possible in the local elections and let God help me to keep my spirit quiet. After all, the quarreling online does no one any good but generally causes ill feelings that last a long time. For example, one of my siblings did not speak to me for over a year because of my vote in the last election. She is speaking to me now, but she won’t allow my husband anywhere near her because he is such a staunch supporter of the one who was elected, and she wants no part of anyone who supports him. To me, it’s all like a game. I choose to sit it out and see what happens. I don’t argue online with my liberal sons who consistently post memes demonizing the one whom I support. I don’t answer any online friends who post political memes. Silence, as they say, is golden.

Did you know that when someone tries to start an argument with you and you remain silent, then the argument soon dissipates? It is absolutely true! I listen to my sibling rant and rave without answering her and pretty soon, there is silence. I had tried in the past to reason with her, to point out my reasons for my vote and support of a particular candidate. But that just made her angrier and more determined to show me “the error of my ways.” So now I just patiently (at least I try for patience) listen and wait for her to realize that I am not arguing. In the coming months, as the political campaigns ratchet up to fever pitch, my plan is just to stay calm and not answer. People who know me already know how I feel and I refuse to argue politics with anyone. That’s just how I feel. Water will flow…but I don’t plan to put myself into its destructive path when it starts to rage.

I wish you peace, joy and the love of the Father in your hearts and lives. Blessings!

This is one of those books that is hard to put down but it also a book that moves slowly, so you just want the author to get on with the story so you can find out what happens. Leona is a very protective mother, doing everything with her beloved daughter Beth. In fact, Leona has left her life in London behind to live in the Lake District because that is a better area for Beth. Leona lives with Scott, a tour guide for the area, and she makes a living creating jewelry to sell. Beth is miserable at school, friendless and constantly bullied, but she doesn’t tell her mom what is happening. Instead, she turns to a relationship with an older man, a secret she has to keep from her mother. The book is told from the perspective of Leona, Beth and another woman named Ria, a hapless creature caught in a loveless marriage and pregnant. The tales of Leona and Ria seem to be connected in some way, but the reader doesn’t find out how this is true until near the end of the book. The reveals in the book are done slowly and mostly via Leona talking to her therapist. This is a psychological suspense novel with a twist at the end. Readers of this genre will enjoy it, but I really thought that it moved too slowly to keep most readers interested until the end.

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.”

Available now at your local bookseller. This book has a disturbing theme so is not suitable for all readers.

This is a very dark and disturbing book that deals with children murdering a classmate. Charlotte, the female protagonist, has absolutely no memory of the crime and just wants a chance to start over, to rebuild her life without Sean, her partner in the crime. She has frequent visits to her therapist, Dr. Isherwood, and there is much mystery about this woman who takes phone calls in the middle of a therapy session. This is psychological suspense that has a slow start and a lot of flashbacks in the lives of Charlotte and Sean. The flashbacks are necessary to the story, but they do slow down the current action and are somewhat frustrating at times. The plot is interesting and drew me into the story of Charlotte and Sean, making me want to find out the truth about what really happened. Readers of psychological suspense will enjoy this story and will find the conclusion satisfactory.

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.”

Available now from your local bookseller. Has a dark theme, so be warned that this book is not for everyone. I would rate it PG-13 for the mature subject matter.

Readers of Claire Douglas’s latest mystery/suspense book will want to set aside time to read this book at one sitting because they will not want to put it down. Jess is friends with teen sisters Heather and Flora, that is until one night, Flora just vanishes. No one admits to knowing what happened to her, so it is like Flora vanished into thin air. Jess returns to her small hometown as a reporter, trying to report on the new mess that Heather has gotten into. Heather is accused of killing two people, and Jess is caught between reporting the story and being a good friend. Although there was not a lot of suspense in the story, there was plenty of mystery and lots of characters who could be involved in Flora’s disappearance and in the murder of which Heather is accused. Jess doggedly follows the clues, leading the reader in a circuitous route that finally leads to the truth. This was an entertaining mystery with plenty of questions to be answered, holding my interest to the end. Fans of Claire Douglas and readers of mysteries will enjoy this latest book!

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.”

This book will be available on June 27, 2019. TOMORROW!!

I used to take a lot of walks, when I was a child and then later as a spouse living on various military bases. I found that taking walks calmed me, the me that was angry over the things going on in my life over which I had no control. I can’t take as many walks now. One reason is that we live in a wooded area that is very rural and there are no sidewalks or even a safe space for me to walk. Another reason is that my ability to walk is impeded by a leg that doesn’t like to move around for very long without aching. So, I content myself with chair aerobics and going to the pool twice a week for swim aerobics. It just isn’t the same for me, but I am learning to be content with what is the natural course of my life. Everyone who doesn’t die young gets old. Getting older has challenges of its own, but it also has the promise of eternal life that will be coming sooner rather than later.

I love how this verse expresses what my future will ultimately be like…God’s call is UPward! That is the future for all of us who serve the Lord and have purposed to spend eternity with Him.

I don’t know if I will live until Jesus returns or not. I’m not even sure when the Church will be called away. I just know that I plan to be ready whenever it happens. And if I am already dead, then I will awaken to eternal life with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That is the positive part of this verse in Daniel. The negative side is that some will go to “everlasting contempt.” One version calls it “eternal shame.” (MSG) My grandson has been visiting this week and he is very curious about eternal life and what is to come. He asked me the other day, “What happens if I don’t believe in Hell or eternal condemnation?” My reply to him was very simple, “Your belief in the existence of Hell or not doesn’t make it not real. Hell is a very real place, created for Satan and his angels. But if you insist on living your life selfishly and not accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then God will sadly allow you to go there at the end. It wasn’t meant to you, but God will allow you to have your choices fulfilled.” Well, let me tell you that had him really thinking and asking more questions. I wish that I had all of the answers for him, but I honestly could only answer with my limited knowledge. God is God and will do as He has promised. He has promised salvation to those of us who love and worship His Son as our Lord and Savior. He has also promised judgment and condemnation to those who have not. As my grandson said, “That’s harsh!” Yes. Yes, it is. But God lives up to His character and fulfills His Word. If we choose to live outside of His plan for us, then we are choosing a final destination that He did not choose for us.

Yes, I am older. More of my life is behind me than in front of me. But I have no regrets about living for the Lord and making Him a priority of my life. I know that some day I will reap an eternal reward. I pray and hope that each of you has the same hope of salvation, of eternal life.

Made New by Lincoln Brewster

Do you remember when you were young and something bad happened? Your mom or dad “investigated” and then called you to explain what had happened and why you had acted inappropriately? Then you were expected to give an account of what happened, in your own words, of course. As a fan of mysteries since I was a young girl, I am accustomed to this kind of scene. It’s the “Perry Mason” moment when the bad guy is revealed and given a chance to “do the right thing” and confess. As a Christian, I know that one day I will be giving an account before the Father and although that thought intimidates me, I know that I will have Jesus there as my Advocate so I will be okay.

Notice that this verse uses the word “each.” That is a singular word. We will stand before Father God alone, just one person at a time, giving an account of all we have done in our lives to Him. Makes it sound ominous, doesn’t it? Again, I am a great believer in Jesus being my Advocate and that He will be my Defender. Are there things that I have done wrong? Yes! A resounding yes, of course! But all is covered by the blood of the Savior and so I need not fear. I used to be afraid of all of this “giving an account” thing. I knew that my siblings had probably already been questioned and my story needed to match theirs. The truth won’t make you afraid when you stand before the Lord because the Bible says it is the truth that sets us free! So many years, so many half-truths or lies in order to protect others. I can’t say that I am looking forward to this judgment, but since I know that it is inevitable, I am trying to be realistic about it and know that I just have to give God a truthful account. The Loving Father would expect no less. Blessings to you as you contemplate standing before God. Are you fearful or trusting?

This book is absolutely the best devotional book that I have ever seen. With activities that will grab the interest of the kids and make them look forward to the devotional, the Biblical teaching is sound and Biblically centered for each lesson. Some lessons take more preparation than others but they would be definitely worth it. As a grandmother who used to do devotions with my children, I am excited about the possibilities for this book in the hands of today’s Bible believing parents. I also think that the book would work well to pull some lessons from it for Sunday school, Children’s Church or VBS. It is multi-purpose tool to get children interested in the truths of the Bible and guiding them to explore their faith and what it personally means to them. I highly recommend this book and encourage kids’ leaders and parent to just have fun with it!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. 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.”

Available today at your local bookseller! Try it out! You will be pleasantly surprised at how practical and Bible-based it is!

I have joy, peace and hope because of my trust in God and because I know that there is power in Him through His Holy Spirit. Does that mean that I am totally healed now? No…I could be, but I’m not. Regardless of the outer appearance of my wounds, I know that God is working on me from the inside out and that knowledge fills me with joy, peace and hope. I am expecting God to work, and in that expectation lies my joy and peace. Blessings to you all!