Sunday, September 9, 2018
Friday, September 7, 2018
God Doesn't Change
Psalm 28:7-8
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one (Jesus).
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one (Jesus).
I love the words that David wrote in this psalm. He’d been
through so many trials,
temptations and tribulations, yet he looked to God.
He’d tried doing things his own way and failed. But he knew where to turn. He
fell before the Lord with praise because his strength came from Him. He trusted
completely and understood that God shielded him from danger. God hasn’t changed. He remains the strength of his people.
Gathering with folks each week for worship reminds me that
God is my fortress of salvation. We sing,
pray, listen to the wisdom of the Bible, share in communion and dwell in His
presence. There are times that my soul is so stirred that my heart leaps for
joy, just like the psalm says. What a glorious reminder of His love.
Continue to seek God's joy and peace in this broken world.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Fiction Book Review: Alaskan Holiday: A Novel by Debbie Macomber
Book Description:
Before beginning her dream job as sous chef in one of Seattle’s hottest new
restaurants, Josie Avery takes a summer position cooking at a lakeside lodge in
the remote Alaskan town of Ponder. Josie falls for the rustic charms of the
local community—including Jack Corcoran, the crotchety keeper of Ponder’s famed
sourdough starter, and, in particular, the quiet and intense Palmer Saxon, a
famed master swordsmith.
Josie and Palmer become close during the long Alaskan summer days, but Josie knows that, come fall, she’ll be returning to reality and the career she’s worked so hard for. Palmer, on the other hand, would like nothing better than to make Josie his wife and to keep her in Ponder. But Josie can’t imagine abandoning her mother back in the Emerald City and sacrificing her career to stay in this isolated town—not even for a man she’s quickly coming to love.
Fate has other plans. Josie misses the last boat out of town before winter sets in, stranding her in Ponder and putting her dream job at risk. As the holidays approach, Josie and Palmer must grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality, and the Christmas magic that can happen when they put their faith in love.
My Review:
I enjoyed reading this fun story of love in Alaska. Macomber does a beautiful job creating an incredible setting. I felt like I was shivering in the cold along with Josie. Palmer is a sweet guy with a big heart. I found his swordsmithing to be an interesting occupation. And Jack is a hoot. He adds a comedic air to the story. If you enjoy a sweet, holiday romance with quirky characters and a beautiful setting, you'll enjoy Debbie Macomber's latest book, Alaskan Holiday. By the way, be prepared for a few surprises! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed reading this fun story of love in Alaska. Macomber does a beautiful job creating an incredible setting. I felt like I was shivering in the cold along with Josie. Palmer is a sweet guy with a big heart. I found his swordsmithing to be an interesting occupation. And Jack is a hoot. He adds a comedic air to the story. If you enjoy a sweet, holiday romance with quirky characters and a beautiful setting, you'll enjoy Debbie Macomber's latest book, Alaskan Holiday. By the way, be prepared for a few surprises! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
When Heaven Means Healing
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When my phone chimed before seven in the morning, apprehension
echoed through me. My daughter, Maggie, had news—sad news. A dear friend of
Maggie's and co-worker and close friend of my daughter Sara's had passed away
from cancer. We'd prayed for Tina for a year. My grandchildren, who had Tina as
their teacher, lifted her up to the Lord every night. Yet, she left this world
anyway. I know my daughters struggled with how to tell their kids. They all loved
Tina and had faith in God's healing. I could only think to tell them that
sometimes healing means heaven.
Now and then I wish I still had the innocence of a
child. I love their unmarred viewpoint that shows pure faith and compassion. After
Maggie talked to eight-year-old Zeke about Tina's passing, he expressed to his
momma that he wanted to visit Tina's mom Sandy, because he knew as sad as he
was, Miss Sandy was sadder. Bless his heart.
Sometimes I don't understand why life gives so
much heartache. Some days I can't comprehend God's plan. But what I do know is
that I can trust my heavenly Father. Jesus knows grief. He lived it. When his
good friend Lazarus died, the Bible says, "Jesus wept." He cried
tears of sorrow. Granted, Jesus had the ability to raise his friend from the
dead, but he gets it. He understands the sadness, the sorrow, the brokenhearted.
And for those who love and follow Jesus, he raises them up too; totally healed
and dancing in heaven.
Even when grief weighs me down and I struggle with reality, God guards my heart and holds my hand.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Jesus was a Carpenter
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old
has gone, the new is here!
The old house echoed with loneliness. The floors sagged, and
the lighting cried to be replaced. As we walked through the abandoned place, we
wondered what we were getting ourselves into. No one had lived in the home for
a few years. The sharp smell of emptiness made me cover my nose. But when I
walked into the middle room, I spied potential for a cozy place to create
memories with my family. A lovely built-in tea
cupboard reminded me of the
beauty the old place once had. In the front room's bay window, I imagined a
twinkling tree covered in ornaments. Then there was the porch with the Victorian
ginger breading, a wonderful place to contemplate and pray.
A beautiful home we saw on vacation |
With help from our families, we made the old house livable and spent many years there celebrating life together.
The other day my husband reminded me how much people can be
like an old, forgotten house. Hearts may echo with loneliness. Neglect of our physical,
emotional, and spiritual needs cause us to crumble and fall apart. Our
foundation cracks and the walls shift. Sounds depressing. But it doesn't have
to be.
Jesus recognizes the potential he created in me, just as I
saw the possibilities in that old house. We filled the rooms with laughter and
love. Jesus fills me with peace and hope. We built new cabinets, repaired the
roof, and painted the walls. My Savior gave me purpose, poured his grace over
me, and mended my soul. The Holy Spirit continues to work in me, because like
an old house, repairs and upkeep are a necessity.
Jesus was a carpenter, a fixer of the broken; mender of the damaged. He still repairs hearts with his generous, abundant grace.
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