Wednesday, January 19, 2022
He Stands By Me
Monday, January 17, 2022
Historical Fiction Review: The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Book Description:
It's one thing to say you can find what people need--it's another to actually
do it.
It's 1932 and Sullivan Harris is on the run. An occasionally successful dowser, he promised the people of Kline, West Virginia, that he would find them water. But when wells turned up dry, he disappeared with their cash just a step or two ahead of Jeremiah Weber, who was elected to run him down.
Postmistress Gainey Floyd is suspicious of Sulley's abilities when he appears in her town but reconsiders after new wells fill with sweet water. Rather, it's Sulley who grows uneasy when his success makes folks wonder if he can find more than water--like forgotten items or missing people. He lights out to escape such expectations and runs smack into something worse.
Hundreds of men have found jobs digging the Hawks Nest Tunnel--but what they thought was a blessing is killing them. And no one seems to care. Here, Sulley finds something new--a desire to help. With it, he becomes an unexpected catalyst, bringing Jeremiah and Gainey together to find what even he has forgotten: hope.
My Thoughts:
I'd heard about The Finder of Lost Things for months and was
excited to win a copy in an online giveaway. The story twines with the Hawk's Nest
Tunnel in 1930s West Virginia, where the worst industrial disaster in US
history occurred. Many workers lost their lives to silicosis from the particles
in the tunnel. Although this story is shadowed by sadness, Thomas takes the
historical elements and infuses determination, hope, and friendship to create a
beautiful story of determination, change, and love. Postmistress Gainey Floyd
is an incredibly strong woman who has learned to live alone, content and determined
to help others. Jeremiah Weber has been a bachelor for so long, he's not sure
he wants to change. And Sullivan Harris, well he's a bit of a trickster who
hides his true heart and desires, even as he grows to care about the people put
in his path. I love the way Thomas weaves in the tragedy of Hawk's Nest and honors
the lives of those lost. She even memorializes many of them by name. I've
enjoyed every book I've read by Sarah Loudin Thomas. She's a wonderful writer
who touches on the soul of the character and the reader. Opinions written here
are my own. I received this book from a contest with no expectation for a
review.
Saturday, January 15, 2022
Anytime, Anywhere, Anything
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
The sweetest time of the day is...When you pray...Why?
Because you're talking to the One who loves you the most. -Anonymous
As we gathered around the dinner table in my parents' home,
we bowed our heads and my dad prayed. In his eighties, his voice sometimes quivered.
He'd served as an elder and deacon over the years, and prayed over communion at
church and at the bedside of the sick and shut in. Knowing my dad as I did, he
moved beyond his comfort zone, humbled himself, and prayed out loud because he
loved God and chose to serve the Lord.
I don't consider myself to be a great prayer. Oh, I talk to
God frequently but not eloquently. Sometimes my prayers are thrown up in
desperation, at times I find myself begging (maybe not the best idea,) while
other times I just talk as if I'm chatting with a friend. The chats are some of
the best prayers.
I love that God makes praying easy—any time of day or night—anywhere—about
anything. There are no walls to break through, no papers to fill out, no
meetings determining the proper way to pray. Instead, God just asks us to
communicate with Him. He longs to hear from us because He loves us so much.
Sometimes I feel anxious, something troubles me to the point
that my stomach aches, my nerves get on edge, and my heart hurts. There is only
one cure to calm my soul—prayer. Philippians says, in any situation—ANY
situation—take
requests to God through prayer. Thank Him and then talk to Him about anything
and everything.
One of the beautiful elements of prayer is when I can't find
the words; the Holy Spirit steps in and takes my needs to God for me. Prayer
is one of the most wonderful parts of my walk with God. I love that I can talk
to Him any time or place about life.
Talk to God as you would a friend. He listens.
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
He Hears Your Heart
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Look to Jesus
Proverbs 15:30
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
I tucked Christmas away.
Every year, our home is donned with Christmas displays,
trees, and memories. I usually pull out all the treasured ornaments and décor around
Thanksgiving. By early January, I'm ready to take down the beauty of the season
and store it away for another year. Wednesday morning, the 4th day
of January, I unhooked the ornaments from the tree, wrapped them, and placed
them in the Christmas tote. Once the baubles were packed away, I unwound the
purple beaded garland, then pulled the plug on the lights, the last remnant of
the holiday. When the colorful bulbs turned off, I felt a little tug of sadness.
Those little twinklers brought me joy.
When they glowed in various colors, they reminded me of why
I celebrate His birth—
Shades of pink—He came as a sweet babe
Green—He's
everlasting
Yellow—He's
the light of the world
Red—His
blood shed on the cross
Blue—everlasting
life in heaven
Proverbs 15:30 reminds me to put my sadness away and
remember the true light. Jesus came to earth to bring hope. His good news offers
peace. When my heart is at peace, the rest of my body feels better.
As Christmas is put away and the new year begins, I choose
to look to Jesus as the source of my joy and peace. He loves me more than I
understand. I'm a broken human being filled with hope because the King of Kings
who came as the only perfect person, loved me enough to die a harsh death on
the cross, then gloriously rise to life.
Jesus is grace. He forgives and loves like no other.
Begin this new year looking to Jesus.
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Keep Your Peace
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Suspense Book Review: Life Flight (Extreme Measure book 1) by Lynette Eason
EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.
In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.
Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason is back with another high-octane tale of close calls, narrow escapes, and the fight to bring a nefarious criminal to justice.
My Thoughts:
In Life Flight, Lynette Eason delivers a heart-pounding, page turner. Penny Carlton is determined to fly her rescue helicopter and save lives. Holt Satterfield is on the tail of a serial killer. With storms and dense woods and mountains causing havoc, Penny and Holt make tough decisions as they work together to capture the killer. I don't usually read books with a serial killer because frankly they scare me. With the main character sharing my name, I had to give this one a try. Eason is a master at suspense, proven by the late hours I spent reading Life Flight. I appreciate the thread of faith that runs throughout the book and the strong characters. Penny is an amazing heroine and Holt the perfect hero. If you enjoy suspense, you'll want to read book one of Extreme Measure. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.