Book Reviews

OK, I absolutely love, love, love to read. I read Christian fiction, usually in the category of suspense/sci fi. BUT, I will read some general fiction.

So, first let me tell you some of my favorite books that I have read IN THE LAST YEAR...

If you like Christian fantasy/sci fi, you will love:

Ted Dekker: Blink, Black, Red, White, Saint (yes, all of those are one word titles)

If you like mystery/ suspense, you will love:

Randy Alcorn: Deception, Dominion

Kathy Herman: too many to list

If you like Christian romance, you will love:

Karen Kingsbury

Beverly Lewis: The Brethren

If you like an author who can write about several genres, try:

Melody Carlson: Armando's Treasure, The Christmas Bus, An Irish Christmas, The Gift of Christmas Present, I Heart Bloomberg (one in a series of 3)

From time to time, I will list more of my favorite books. Tim LaHaye wrote a series that was like Christian Indian Jones. Maybe I will tell you about those next time. But, feel free to ask me if I have read an author or a book if you want my opinion. AND, if you read a great book and want to share, feel free to let me know about it. Just make sure it is a Christian book please. Thanks.

Out of the darkest night, shines the brightest light

I am not sure how to put my thoughts into words...which for those of you who know me may find surprising.

First, those that treat you the way God says they should, they usually stand out. Most people probably don't. Kind of like good customer service at a store. It is so rare, that when it happens, you notice and tell others.

I had something happen to me/my family that I thought was not right. It made me feel like my family was not shown the proper courtesy that I had bestowed upon the offenders. I prayed that I could forgive them, and for God to help me with it...and He will. That's not the point. The point is that people came to mind that DID make my family feel loved and accepted, warts and all...with no judgment and condemnation. They really shone thru.

I called one of those families to tell them about it. The mom told me she appreciated hearing that. You like to know if you are doing something right.

So, this was one big thing. The other was this: last week was Encouragement Week. So, I chose 2 (of the many) of my friends who had been a blessing to me, and I wrote them a card and told them so. I am so blessed to have several true friends, it was hard to choose. One of them called me later to thank me. The other sent me an email, and told me what a blessing I had been to her.

Here is what got me. I hope you are sitting down for this one. She said when someone has been a real blessing to you, then you understand what it means for them to say you are a blessing to them. Now, stop and think about that one. She said my life has been a witness to her in ways I could never imagine. (didn't I begin by blessing her?) By now, tears are coming down my face as I realize she is right. If you have ever been in need, and someone was a blessing to you, it does take on a new meaning when another says you are a blessing to them.

So I have been humbled in many ways, and reminded that even Christians can treat you unjustly...but you still have to forgive. God calls us to be the example whether we feel like it or not.

Go be a blessing to someone for no reason at all. Think about that.....

Who Are You???

Who you are when no one is looking, is who you are....

I put this as my Facebook status earlier this week. I try to live by this and teach my kids to live by this. If you try, you'll soon find out it is difficult sometimes. By nature we tend to go the easier route...to follow the crowd. If you do that long, you'll find out it is much better to go on a less traveled path.

So, who are you?

Do you cheat on your taxes?

Do you tell what Lucy Ricardo calls "social fibbs"? That is, do you find it easy to tell a white lie to get out of dinner with a friend or helping someone with something? Oh, and by the way, a lie is a lie...they don't have colors.

If you find cash on the floor of Harris Teeter, do you put it in your pocket or take it to customer service?

If you go to Chick Fil A with your mom, do you go sit down and let her order two senior meals so you can get yours at a discount? (yes, this is a lie)

I could go on, but you get the idea. I have been made fun of in my life because I chose to do the right thing. I didn't care because I am sure of who I am in Christ. I am sure the Lord used me as an example to people in that way.

So who are you? If you find it easy to lie, then there is a problem. Hit your knees now and repent, and ask God to help make it very hard for you to lie.

Would you punish your child if they did or said some of the things you do or say? Then you need to stop. Would you do or say those things right to Jesus' face? If not, don't do them to anyone.

God holds us to a very high standard. So as you go about your day, pay attention to what you do or say to others. Are you honest or do you lie?

Who you are when no one is looking, is who you are. Now, go think about that.....

Worry is a waste of the Imagination

Worry is a waste of the imagination! Truly!!

When you worry, how does that change anything in your situation? How often when we worry, does it end up not being as bad as we thought? How many times when we have worried, have we been able to control that situation? So, this means worry is useless...a waste of time. Right?

In Matthew 6, we are told that God knows we need to eat and drink, and He knows we need clothes to wear. We are not to worry about them. (Matt 6:28-31)

Jesus asked who by worrying can add any cubits to his stature? --Matt 6:27

So, if Jesus said not to worry, why would we think we know better and worry anyway? If Jesus said not to do it, it makes it a sin.

"If then God so clothes the grass which today is in the field, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith." --Luke 12:28

This scripture is a repeat of the above one, only it adds the phrase, you of little faith. This would mean you cannot have faith and worry at the same time. They cancel each other out. So, you either worry about something, or you give it to God and have faith that He will work it out.

This is so simple, some of you will not believe that is all there is to it. But it is. God is not complicated. Have you ever seen the bumper sticker from the 1980's that read: God said it. I believe it. That settles it.

How true it is!! Jesus does not lie. If you feel you need to worry about anything, then that is the devil feeding you a lie and you are listening to him. STOP IT!! The devil is the father of lies. Hello???

James 4:7 says If you submit to God, and resist the devil...he HAS to flee from you.

The key there is if you submit to God. God has given you a way out.

So, stop worrying and start praying. When you give something to God, let go of it!! He can't handle it if you still have it in your own hands. Now, go think about that.....

Trust and Sign Language

Good news! Well, it is good news to me!

I am going to begin teaching sign language classes starting October.

It has been requested of me for a while now, but I could not fit it in. Well, the Lord has worked it all out. Now, I can begin teaching homeschoolers during the day when my own children are in school.

I am dividing the class up into two eight week sessions. Each class will meet once a week for 2 hours, and it is from older elementary to adult. I hope by April, to have two classes a week, a Part 1 and a Part 2. I will just need a location for the second class.

I have been wanting to send my kids to a private Christian school in the area, but needed the tuition. This class will help me with that. Thank you Lord for answered prayer.

When is the last time you said to God, "OK, Lord, I need this much money a month by this time. You work it out and let me know what to do. Thanks. I'll be waiting for Your answer." and then just trusted that God would indeed work it out?

God won't put a desire in your heart and then laugh because you can't work it out. If He puts a desire in your heart, He already knows how He is going to work it out. He just wants us to ask Him for help, then trust that just like a Daddy, He will fix it.

I cannot stress to you enough how much God loves you. Think about a person you love more than anyone else in the universe. God loves you a million times more than that. He loves you so much that had it been only you, He would have died on the cross for just you. Now, you think about that...

Okay, have you ever been to the Outer Banks of NC? If not, you are missing out.
Not only does NC have the most beautiful coastline, but being one of the original 13 colonies, NC is rich in history. You could spend a lifetime visiting all the historical landmarks in our state, and still not see them all.

Are you aware that NC has the tallest lighthouse in America? Cape Hatteras at 208 feet. NC also has the oldest lighthouse in America....Ocracoke Lighthouse build in 1798.

If you go to http://www.outerbanks.org/, click the where to play drop down box, and then click lighthouses, you can read about all of NC lighthouses and see a picture.

5 years ago, I went on a vacation to the Outer Banks and did all the touristy stuff, including climbing the Hatteras lighthouse. Let me say two things: TALL and WINDY.

Make it a point to visit our famous coastline if you have not. It is well worth the time.

Think about that......

MIA

Sorry, I have been MIA for a while. Things got very busy here for me. It's no excuse, I know. I apologize. AND since things don't look like they are slowing down at all...I'm just going to do my best to keep up.

Yesterday on my Facebook page status, I wrote: So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.

My friends thought I was being deep and philosophical. Actually, it was a quote from a movie, but my how relevant that is today!!! I tell my children that as the government slowly, one by one, takes away our freedom, we let them. One day, we will wake up and have none. We will only have ourselves to blame. Forcing us to recycle may seem stupid to worry about, and comes across as helpful. But the emphasis is on FORCE. Recycling is good, but not if I am made to do it.

We need to wake up and not let our leaders do things that our Constitution does not allow them to do. We need to know our rights, and what they can and cannot do. The bible says "My people perish for lack of knowledge."

How much constitution knowledge do you have? Maybe you should Google it and have a good read. You will be amazed at what you will learn.
Now, go think about that.