May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
John 1:4-5
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
I like that extra hour of sleep when we fall back.
In the fall, I look forward to change. I love the way the
trees show off their red, orange, and yellow leaves. In Ohio we have a lot of
maple trees. They glow a golden yellow, and this year they have waved their
dressy branches in the most spectacular way. The cooler weather reminds me winter
peeks around the corner. Yes, I'm one who enjoys snow and bundling up or
cozying in for the colder months. Many folks may disagree with me, but I like
when the clocks fall back, and the hour of sleep I lost in the spring is
restored. The morning light wakes me, and in the evening, I can huddle in our
cozy home.
I've written about hygge before; the act of creating a comfortable
and inviting environment inside when the weather or time change gives us
darkness early. Part of the hygge experience is lighting candles, turning on
lights to brighten the darkness, and cuddling in a warm blanket.
When God created the earth, He made day and night—darkness
and light. As a believer, I experience a light, unlike the sun or a lamp. I
don't welcome the darkness of the world, a shadow of sin which Satan brings
with him. When that darkness falls, I cling to the light of Jesus. Psalm 119:105
says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
His word lights my way, and His light overcomes all darkness. Jesus is the
hygge I want when the darkness of despair, worry, sin, or sorrow try to smother
me. He is the light of the world. He alone brings peace and comfort in times of
darkness. As the dark surrounds me, Jesus' light of love and grace illuminate
my life.
Seek the light of Jesus.
Book Description:
The Safety of the First Lady Rests in Shirley’s Hands
Psalm 96:11-12
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Autumn dresses up in gold, the richest season of the
year. -Angie Weiland Crosby
I sat with my daughter at Trunk-or-Treat. In the corner of
the parking lot, a tree glowed golden. The sun's light, as it faded from the
sky, lit up the leaves as if gold dripped from the branches.
There is a rhythm to nature—a time to hold on and a time
to let go. Leaves tumble to the ground as the trees let go. As I watch the
branches drop their red and orange gems, I think about the things I want to let
go. Fear, worry, doubt, guilt. I want to hold up my arms like tree branches, and
let those things that plague me drop into God's hands.
After the leaves fall, the deciduous trees nap in winter.
Their trunks and branches adjust to a time of rest and prepare for regrowth. I
seem to remember God rested on the seventh day of creation, and Jesus said, "Come
to me and I will give you rest."
I've let go of the negative burdens, now I can rest in Jesus'
assurance, his promise of renewal and strength.
Let go—then rest sounds like good advice from the golden tree and
from the Father who created me. Release the overwhelming and rest in his
arms. Then in spring, or after renewal, rise stronger than before. With my arms
up, I rejoice and sing with joy like the forest.
In this month of November, as I enjoy the vibrant colors and
the cooler temperatures, I thank God for so much. The golden tree reminds me to
look at creation and appreciate the incredible gifts God has given. Because of
the rhythm of nature, I know the leaves will return after they rest for the winter.
Because of God's promises, I know my faith is renewed daily.
Stop and appreciate God's creation, rest in his beauty, and
thank Him.
Book Description:
Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her
hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a
three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better
circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next
target--nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.
After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring
himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his
best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate
as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder
investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only
question is, will it be too little, too late?
My Thoughts:
I've enjoyed the books in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. Crosshairs is
the best one yet. Filled with suspense from start to finish, Bradley kept me on
the edge of my seat, as I kept turning pages. Ainsley is a strong protagonist,
set on making things right for her aunt and grandmother, even though she is in
danger. Linc is scarred by his past, but he cares for Ainsley and wants to
protect her, even when he thinks he can't. The many twists and turns kept me
guessing who the killer was up to the end of the book. If you enjoy a good suspense
story in a unique setting, you'll enjoy Crosshairs. I received a complimentary
copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.