you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
What it’s About:
Uncovering a long-lost family story is the only way to bring her grandmother peace.
Kieran Lucas's grandmother is slipping into dementia, and,
when her memory is gone, Kieran's last tie to the family she barely knows will
be lost forever. Worse, Granny Mac is being tormented by flashbacks of her
mother’s death and the loss of their home.
In 1931, Rosie McCauley's Smoky Mountains home is threatened
by the Tennessee Great Smokies Park Commission as they create a new national
park. But Rosie vows the only way they'll get her land is if they haul her out
in a pine box. When a compromise offers her and her disabled sister the
opportunity to stay for her lifetime, it seems too good to be true.
Ornithologist Benton Fuller arrives to conduct a bird survey
for the park and the two form a tenuous bond. But their friendship broadens a
rift between her and the other mountain folk who are suspicious of any
government connections. Then the discovery of an illegal still in the woods
near her cabin leads to a violent clash between sides that could destroy them
all.
Eighty-five years later, Kieran heads back to the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park to find answers to her great-grandmother's
mysterious death and bring peace to Granny Mac before it's too late. Park
Historian Zach Jensen may be the key to locating both the answers and a
precious family heirloom. But just as in the past, Kieran's needs clash with
government regulations. Will Zach block her from recovering what she needs and
solving this family mystery?
My Thoughts:
I anticipated reading When Stone Wings Fly, and it did
not disappoint. Karen Barnett brings us another wonderful book featuring the
National Parks. This time we find Rosie McCauley in the midst of the creation
of the Great Smoky Mountain’s National Park, with a threat to lose her land.
Benton Fuller, researching for the park system, discovers the place his heart
has longed for. Two generations later, Kieran Lucas wants more than anything to
bring the grandmother she’s longed for a peace in the midst of dementia. As she
searches for that peace, she finds Zach, a kind-hearted man troubled by his
past. Barnett set up a heart-wrenching, yet hopeful story in the midst of the
beautiful Smokies. Grandma Mac’s story weaves together this beautiful tale of determination
and love. Realistic, yet romantic, this story touches the heart in so many ways.
If you enjoy split-time, historical, or romance, I think you’ll enjoy When
Stone Wings Fly. I purchased a copy, and my opinions are my own.
What it’s About:
Little Kiki is an aspiring author and illustrator who weaves daring tales about swashbuckling otters, all-knowing sea cucumbers, and nail-biting rescues from the clutches of gerblins (part gerbil, part goblin). But where do her imagination, creativity, and ideas come from?
My Thoughts:
The Stories of
God (and Kiki) is a delightful
book that focuses on how God created us in His image. Kiki is a writer and
illustrator who understands she may make mistakes in her stories, but God never
will. Amy Domingo’s illustrations are refreshing, colorful, and fun. This is a
great book to share with a child and help them understand God created them to
be themselves, even as He, in his wisdom, created the world. This would be a
great book to use in Sunday School or with a group of children, then
have them write a story and illustrate it. I received a complimentary
copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks for the free
#TheStoriesofGodandKiki @
1 Corinthians 2:9-13
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit
searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s
thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one
knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have
received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from
God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what
we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by
the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
Some
things are hard to comprehend. My granddaughter and her friend
In high school, we split into groups according to what we wanted to do after we graduated. I was in the college prep program with specific classes assigned. The school required I take algebra 1 & 2 and geometry. I’m not ashamed to admit, I didn’t enjoy algebra or even begin to understand it. I felt frustrated because I couldn’t wrap my head around the concepts. I struggled through and managed to pass, but I still don’t enjoy math.
Life,
compared to algebra, has proven to be much harder at times, but as a follower
and believer in Jesus, I’ve been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. At times
understanding the supernatural abilities of the Holy Spirit seems out of reach,
yet the Spirit knows me and knows God better than anyone. The Spirit
understands my needs, helps me navigate the world and keeps me on the path God
created for me.
I love the
words in 1 Corinthians 2:9; “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and
what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love
him.” God has revealed through the Spirit the very life He has prepared for me.
It sounds so simple, but without faith is so hard to comprehend. God had given
his followers the Holy Spirit as a guide, a wisdom revealer, a prayer, and a
caretaker. In faith, I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me and whisper to me what
I need to know.
Even though
I don’t understand the supernatural elements of God, Jesus, and the Holy
Spirit, I know the Three-in-One loves me and wants the best for me.
Trust the
Holy Spirit’s lead.
What
it’s About:
Even though secrets lie off the coast of Rock Harbor, the truth will set Annie
Pederson free—if it doesn’t kill her first. Return to the beloved town of Rock
Harbor in the first installment of a new series by bestselling suspense author
Colleen Coble.
Nine-year-old
Annie Pederson’s life changed the night her sister was kidnapped. The two had
been outside playing on a dock, and Annie never forgave herself for her role in
her sister’s disappearance. Twenty-four years later and now a law enforcement
ranger, Annie is still searching for answers as she grieves a new loss: the
death of her husband and parents in a boating accident.
But Annie
and her eight-year-old daughter, Kylie, aren’t the only people in the town of
Rock Harbor whose lives have been marred by tragedy. While managing the
property around the Tremolo Resort and Marina she inherited, Annie discovers a
dead body floating in the cold Superior surf and begins to work with the
sheriff’s office to tie the death to a series of other mysterious reports in
the area.
At the same
time, her first love, Jon Dustan, returns after nine years away, reigniting the
town’s memory of a cold case he’d been suspiciously linked to before he left to
pursue his orthopedic residency. For the sake of her investigation and her
heart, Annie tries to stay away. But avoiding Jon becomes impossible once Annie
realizes she is being targeted by someone desperate to keep secrets from the
past hidden.
In this new
series, bestselling romantic-suspense author Colleen Coble returns to one of
her most beloved towns, where familiar faces—and unsolved cases—await.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed going back to Rock Harbor and thought the appearances of characters
from Coble’s other Rock Harbor books was a great addition to the story. Coble’s layering
of emotion, experience, and determination creates depth in the characters and
makes the story more intense. Lots of mystery and uncertainty make Edge of
Dusk a true page turner, and without giving anything away, the ending makes
me want the next book in the series now. The setting is beautiful, yet full of
mystery, like another character added to the story. If you enjoy romantic suspense,
you’ll want to read Colleen Coble’s Edge of Dusk. I’ve never read a
Coble book I didn’t like. I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
A green light shone every six seconds.
Seventy-seven steps. The number of stairs a person would
need to climb to get to the top of Marblehead Lighthouse. Tim and I have
climbed those steps to the top, in the daytime, where we stood against the
railing and viewed Kelleys Island in Lake Erie. When we turned to face the
lighthouse, we peeked in on the magnificent LED lights that shine in the night.
We are drawn to the lighthouse at dusk, when the green light flashes every six seconds. There isn’t a beam, like a search light, instead there is a steady lamplight warning boats of the hazard of the nearby land and rocks.
Boats aren’t the only thing aware of the light at night.
Mayflies are drawn to it. They appear around May, June, and July on Lake Erie.
If there are a large number of the flying creatures, the lake is clean because
these insects choose a clean environment to lay eggs. On Kelleys Island, I
asked a young lady if they were bothered with mayflies. She told me they mostly
come out at night because they love the light.
In my everyday life, God is my lighthouse. He’s not shining
a search light, instead He’s a steady beam of light which draws me to Him out
of the darkness of our broken world. Like the boats, I need Him to warn me of
the dangers, and like the mayfly, I’m drawn to Him as my shelter.
David reminds me God is my stronghold and my shelter. I have
no need to fear, because He’s the light which draws me to Him and the salvation
for my soul.
When I keep my focus to God’s light, as I walk through this
dark world, hope wells up in me and I embrace His peace.
Seek God’s light and salvation.
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July is my birthday, and this one is a milestone. A lot of
people don’t like to talk about age, but I don’t mind. I’m grateful everyday
for one more day to spend with my family and friends.
To celebrate, I want to give one of my reader friends a gift
for my 65th birthday!
Sign up for my newsletter by July 12, 2022, unless you’re
already a subscriber, then you’ll be entered automatically, to have a chance to
win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. I'll contact the winner by July 15, 2022.
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Thank you!!!
When I sit on a rock under Marblehead Lighthouse, my mind stills.
Most days my brain spins a dozen directions, but God has given me
this one place where I can guarantee I will be still.
I also enjoy my flower bed when I water it or sit in my Adirondack chair
and soak in the beauty of the blooms.
Sometimes in our busy lives, sitting silent and
letting the Holy Spirit speak is difficult, yet necessary.
Find a place to be still, and soak in
the love of God and His amazing creation.
It's okay to rest the body and mind and allow yourself to recharge.
Book Description:
Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment
than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas
City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial
task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered
hospice care.
But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian
may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy
away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young
reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants,
that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her--but she's going to have to work for
it.
Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational
story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little
deaths to self. You'll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!
My Thoughts:
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip took great talent and understanding
to write. Brunsvold created a beautiful story of life and death that touched on
every emotion. Clara Kip believes in God and trusts Him in everything, but only
after life had tromped on her heart. Aidyn Kelley wants to succeed as the journalist
she knows she can be, if only the editor would give her the chance. Through connections
unknown to Aidyn, she is given an assignment that involves Mrs. Kip. The more
she learns about the woman, the more fascinated she becomes. If you want to
read a story that tugs at the heart-strings and leaves you with hope, this one
is for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in
this review are completely my own.
1
Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No
temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can
bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so
that you can endure it.
The rocks
along the shore wore green algae like a coat. The waves washed over the slick
surface and presented a tempting place to walk.
We sat on
the boulders near the lighthouse and watched people meander as close to the
water as they could. On a hot summer day, folks were tempted to let the cool
water run over their feet and relieve the heat. Moms and Dads held the hands of
their little ones or carried them on their hip. One misstep on the mossy rocks
could result in injury. Yet, the water tempted.
In 1
Corinthians, the author wrote to the Corinthian church about temptation. They had
been enticed by sins common to their times, much like the sins that tempt
people now. As I watched the water slide over the moss-covered rock, and I
thought about how slippery the surface must be, and how the allure of the cool
water on the soft algae might feel—I pictured Satan whispering to come test
the waters.
That’s how
he works. He sets up an alluring situation, crooks his evil finger, and invites
anyone he can fool to come to his side.
Be aware of
the trickster, the one who invites people down the road of sin and rewards with
heartache and sorrow. One step on those moss-covered rocks and down the person
would go—inevitably injury would follow.
Corinthians
doesn’t just warn against temptation, the author shares good news, the best
news—God has His hand out to help me if or when I fall. He gives
me a way out of sin and temptation. Through Jesus, God gives a fresh start, a
new life, and the hope of heaven. That’s a reason to sing praise to God.
Through Jesus
life, death, and resurrection, He gives everyone the opportunity to be forgiven
and be with Him in heaven. His hand is reaching out to anyone who wants to grab
on.
When
temptation comes, seek Jesus.
About the Book:
The Town of Brenham, Texas, Has Gone to the Dogs!
Curl up with your pup and sink into a delightful small-town mystery as riddles
and rescues stack up in book one of a new cozy mystery series.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this first book in Barbour Publishing's Gone to the Dogs
series. Marigold Evans is a delightful character whose heart for furry
four-legged creatures endears her to the reader. As she works as a vet tech,
she dreams of owning her own dog rescue. Right after she saves her first pup, she
and her coworkers find the vet clinic broken into and vandalized. As they try
to find the culprit, Marigold discovers who has her back and who is out to stop
her. If you enjoy a fun read with delightful characters, you'll want to read Off
the Chain. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed
in this review are completely my own.
Book Description:
Remembering a serial killer’s face…could be deadly
While interviewing the Coastline Strangler’s only surviving victim, forensic
artist Scarlet Wells is attacked and left with amnesia. Now she’s his next mark
and has no choice but to work with constable Jace Allen to unlock the
criminal’s true identity trapped in her mind. Will they be able to recover the
hidden memory and hunt down the killer before he strikes again?
My Thoughts:
If you enjoy fast paced, sit on the edge of your seat stories, you'll want to
read Fatal Forensic Investigation. Yes, there is a serial killer and he's after
the woman who he thinks can identify him, but she can't. She has lost her memory,
including the memories she has from college of constable Jace Allen. As the two
take on this madman, they find themselves attracted to each other, but more
important, they discover a faith they thought they had lost. Turner weaves a
wonderful spiritual thread through the story as these characters face
insurmountable situations. I received a
complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit isn’t fruits.
By the time you read this, I will have talked to a group of
moms and daughters at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp. A while back, Amy, the
director of Mother/Daughter camp asked me if I would put together a devotion to
share about the fruit of the Spirit.
As I’ve searched for the words and examples to share, I remembered
my realization that the “fruit” is not “fruits.” As a child I thought the word
was plural, like there were nine different fruits standing on their own. As an
adult, I realized I was wrong.
Now I see the fruit of the Spirit like an apple. When I
purchase an apple at the grocery store or orchard, I have one whole piece of
fruit in my hand. I bring it home and cut it into pieces. Is the apple multiple
fruits now? No it’s still one apple, just with several slices.
The fruit of the Spirit is like the apple, one fruit with
many pieces. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control are all part of the same fruit. As a follower of
Jesus, I need to nurture all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. If I seek
peace and joy, without kindness, my fruit spoils. If I try to be good and
faithful, but lose my self-control, my fruit rots. God has given his children
this amazing gift through the Holy Spirit, and I long to embrace all the fruit
and make them a constant in my life.
God calls His children to live with all nine segments of
fruit. He knows the world needs all of these and as Christians we are the ones
to inject love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control into all aspects of our lives.
Take the challenge to actively live by the fruit of the
Spirit and share God’s gift with the world.
Daniel
3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do
not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown
into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it,
and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he
does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods
or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The thermometer in the car screamed 102 degrees.
In southwest
Ohio, the temperatures are registering in the high nineties. We’ve had storms
and electric out. My daughter’s family had no electric for almost twenty-four
hours. So what did we do? We gathered at the pool and stayed cool. I am
thankful we live in a place where I have the opportunity to swim with my kids
and grands. When we left, Sara’s car registered 102.
In all of my
almost 65 years, I’ve only had central air since we moved into the condo almost
eight years ago. Up to then, I dealt with the heat in whatever way I could. Let’s
just say, I’m not a summer person, especially in this heat. But I know as the
seasons do, this will pass and before long cooler weather will grace Ohio.
During this oppressive
heat, I’ve been reading the book of Daniel, and you can imagine my thoughts on
the fiery furnace. Without reservation those brave young men, Shadrack,
Meshach, and Abednego, did not fear the heat. They put their lives and hearts
in God’s hands. That’s called faith.
We have a
lot of negatives going on in our country and in the world. I can imagine the
Christians in Ukraine are holding on to their faith for dear life. I love this
line in Daniel: “the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he
will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does
not, we want you to know... we will not
serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” These men
believed God would deliver them, but even if He didn’t, they continued to have
faith in the God they served even if He didn’t save them. They trusted God with
their lives and knew He held their future in His hands.
I wonder if
I have the faith they did. Can I keep the faith regardless of my circumstances?
I pray the answer is yes. I want faith like the men in Daniel. A faith without
doubt. I pray God strengthens my faith as I continue on my life’s path.
Have faith,
God will see you through.
3 John 1:2-4
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well
with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy
when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the
truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than
to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
"God does not depend on our abilities—He depends on our availability." -Jay Henry
As a camper at Butler Springs Christian Assembly in the
1970s, I heard many missionaries speak. Then in some of the churches I
attended, the same servants of God came to share their story. One I remember well,
Jay Henry, has moved full circle through many years of service. On Sunday, our
minister invited Jay to the stage. This wonderful, faithful servant shared that
he had stepped down and turned the mission work over to his son and grandson,
even though he will still be a part of it. He's blessed many lives in India for
Jesus as he has shown up and done the work. The quote I posted above, that Jay
shared, spoke to me.
Yes, God gifts each of us with abilities, but rather than
depend on the ability itself, God depends on His people to be available. I find
this in my writing. God may have blessed me with a gift for writing, but
without showing up and putting in the work, where would the writing be? If I
don't put my fingers on the keyboard and use the talent God gives me, the
talent will die and the audience He gave me won't be blessed.
The apostle John wrote a letter to one of his friends in his
third book. He thanked his friend, Gaius, for being faithful and sharing his
walk with other believers. A couple of things I love about this passage—John
tells Gaius he hopes his health is good, including his spiritual well-being. Faithfulness
to God results in a healthy soul because that faithfulness includes walking in
the truth, the second idea I love.
As I do my best to walk in God's truth and show up as a
faithful servant, I pray God blesses my availability with ability. Whatever ability God has given, whether speaking, encouraging, hospitality, or many others, show up and He'll provide.
Seek God first and be faithful.
Book Description:
When Leah Miller's entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person
believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah left the Amish and
joined the police force. Now, after another Amish woman is found murdered with
the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her
family's deaths.
As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to
fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they can't help but grow
closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected
connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning. Could it
be that the former police chief framed an innocent man to keep the biggest
secret of all buried? And what will it mean for Leah--and Dalton--when the full
truth comes to light?
USA Today bestselling author Mary Alford keeps you guessing as two
determined souls plumb the dark depths of the past in order to forge a brighter
future--together.
My Thoughts:
If you like the television show, Criminal Minds, you would enjoy Among the
Innocent. From my viewpoint, the book has too much graphic violence, and I
struggled with being in the protagonist's point of view because he is so
deranged, however, the story line is interesting and compelling, and the faith
thread is strong. I finished reading the story because I wanted to know what
happened to Leah and Dalton. The emotion Alford writes into her characters goes deep and the story line intense. If you enjoy feverishly suspenseful stories with
romance, this may be the book for you. I received a complimentary copy of this
book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.