God sees the little things as big things, and the least as most important.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Quiet Moments of Purpose
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Value Others
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each
of you to the interests of the others.
What would the world look like if we truly valued people?
My granddaughter, Dylan, and her best friend, Emma, have played doubles tennis together for three years. The day I dropped Dylan off for her first practice, she was the only student who showed up. A few days later, more girls joined, and she had recruited Emma to play with her.
In the last three years, I’ve watched these young ladies grow in the game. They’ve improved their serves, thought through their strategies, and learned to slam the ball, when needed. Their prowess on the court has grown from uncertain to confident. And more importantly, they’ve learned to trust each other. They don’t play for themselves or try to steal the limelight. Instead, they encourage each other and value the other one’s skills. I love watching them because they play as a team, dependent on one another. As a matter of fact, their whole team cheers for and champions each other.
What would the church look like if we did that?
Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians to encourage them and to advise on how to live life together as believers. His writing emphasizes the opposite of the ‘me first’ mentality. Instead, he instructed the people of the church of Philippi to humble themselves as Jesus did when He lived life on earth.
Jesus humbled Himself to the point of being a servant to the people He met.
He didn’t bang His chest and command attention. Instead, He lifted people up
with His words, He washed the feet of the disciples, and He healed the broken
and wounded. Jesus, by example, taught how to love other people and placed
great value on everyone.
Be a team player and encourage each other.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
He Lights the Way
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Life is Not a Checklist
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by
faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I like lists and calendars. Something about the orderly way they help me organize my life gives me satisfaction. I use a program called Scrivener that helps me organize my writing, and I create Excel sheets to help me keep track of editing. Notebooks with check-off lists and the calendar on my phone help me show up where I’m supposed to. Without my notes, there's a great chance I'd forget something important.
As much as I like lists and organization, I can't
live my life by checking off boxes. Organization works wonders for a project,
like writing a book, but not so much for life. Living life is more about
prompts, nudges, crossroads, inspiration, and endurance. Life in Christ includes
hope, conviction, the nudges from the Holy Spirit, opportunities to serve, and
unexpected joy. If I only stick to my to do lists, I’ll miss out on the
blessings.
How about a list infused with hope and joy!
- If you're a parent, take time to play with your kids. If your children are teens or adults, hang out with them. Enjoy making memories.
- If you're married, date your spouse and be attentive.
- If you're single enjoy the adventure God's given you.
- If you work outside the home, stop and ask your co-worker how their day is going.
- Take the walk, pet the dog, smell the flowers, smile at the folks God puts in your path.
- Sing out loud in church or in the car and worship freely.
My point--God has plans for me. If my head is focused on a check list all the time, I'm going to miss out. Instead I want to live like the Thessalonians who were faithful, and prompted by love and inspired by hope.
Be flexible when it comes to living a life mapped out by God. He has unexpected surprises, if we pay attention.
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
What Can We Do?
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Contemporary Fiction Review: Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin
What it’s About:
Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safely over the border in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.
Melissa Koslin throws you right into the middle of the action in this high-stakes thriller that poses the question: What is the price of freedom?
My Thoughts:
I believe Melissa Koslin had good intentions with this story, but I didn’t
really enjoy it. There were too many slow spots and too much repetition. Liliana
is a strong character who had been through a terrible situation and Meric
Toledan seemed an unlikely protector. I appreciate that Koslin is bringing a
horrific crime to light and hopefully Liliana’s story can make a difference.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review
are completely my own.
Romance Book Review: To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh
What it's About:
Can she stop herself from falling before she's too far gone?
As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island
country Ọlọrọ Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a
sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honor the
country's resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo--the man who
betrayed her best friend--will be her business consultant, the battle between
her desires and reality begins.
Though they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together--if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way . . .
My Thoughts:
I love Shiloh's books set on the island of Ọlọrọ Ilé. In this second book which
follows In Search of a Prince, we find Iris, a delightful, dedicated
lady, setting up a new business to help local artisans. Ekon Diallo's story
continues from book one, and now he is making penance for his wrong doing that
happens to mean he is working with Iris in her new business. Sparks fly in this
story of redemption, forgiveness, and romance. Shiloh has written another
lovely story set on an amazing island with interesting characters. If you enjoy
romance that is sweet, fun, and a bit fiery you'll love To Win a Prince.