Groomed her whole life for marriage to a gentleman, a man she has never met, Marget despairs of ever having the love of her husband. The Earl of Lytham, doomed to marriage to a beauty is filled with fear. For surely fear drives Lytham's need to shun his lovely bride.
Siri Mitchell creates a world filled with attention to detail. British Royal Court comes alive with the Courtier’s elegance. Beautiful Victorian era jewels, lace, silk and ruffs in attendance, designed with the desire only of pleasing the Queen, as each Courtier seeks Her Majesty's favor.
Marget struggles to learn exactly what is required of her, in order to further the Earl of Lytham’s place at Court and so earn his attention for herself. Station is everything at the Queen’s Court, though treachery may befall at any moment.
An engaging read indeed. Much is woven through this story of seeking that illusive thing that will bring unity to a marriage. Well done Ms. Mitchell.
A Constant Heart
Siri Mitchell
Bethany House
www.bethanyhouse.com
ISBN # 978-0-7642-0431-9
$13.99
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Hurricane Ike
Forced evacuation is no fun, especially when at the end you can’t return as quickly as you wish. Though my reasons for delay were necessary and though I was glad to stay and take care of my parents, who were sick, I still yearned to be home with my family, to see for myself that all was well and that my sweetheart, who had to stay at work, was really alright.
The ache was deep and could have distanced me from my circumstances and my responsibility. Making it through the days ahead depended on my ability to give everything to God. He was my source for peace and strength.
Now that I am home and things are getting back to normal I can see how His hand kept me calm when all I wanted to do was sit and cry. Our God is faithful. He is the source of everything we need. When things are out of our hands and we don’t feel able to cope He will take over, if we ask.
We left, our son, Patrick and I, on Sept. 11th at 9 AM. Pat came home on the 15th. I returned on the 22nd to a place that was changed from a shady quiet street to a sunny street with constant noise of chain saws, huge brush removal vehicles and stump grinders.
Pictures on TV of outlying areas in Galveston, Chrystal Beach, & Chambers County show some of the devestation. There are those in Baytown who have lost everything, their homes and possetions, but if you talk to them they will tell you that they are blessed to be alive and whole, things can be replaced.
Thank You Lord for carrying me through, for keeping our family and home safe, for being with our friends and neighbors, may we never forget that You are the source of our every need. I praise You, Lord, may all be for Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, amen & amen.
The ache was deep and could have distanced me from my circumstances and my responsibility. Making it through the days ahead depended on my ability to give everything to God. He was my source for peace and strength.
Now that I am home and things are getting back to normal I can see how His hand kept me calm when all I wanted to do was sit and cry. Our God is faithful. He is the source of everything we need. When things are out of our hands and we don’t feel able to cope He will take over, if we ask.
We left, our son, Patrick and I, on Sept. 11th at 9 AM. Pat came home on the 15th. I returned on the 22nd to a place that was changed from a shady quiet street to a sunny street with constant noise of chain saws, huge brush removal vehicles and stump grinders.
Pictures on TV of outlying areas in Galveston, Chrystal Beach, & Chambers County show some of the devestation. There are those in Baytown who have lost everything, their homes and possetions, but if you talk to them they will tell you that they are blessed to be alive and whole, things can be replaced.
Thank You Lord for carrying me through, for keeping our family and home safe, for being with our friends and neighbors, may we never forget that You are the source of our every need. I praise You, Lord, may all be for Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, amen & amen.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Review of "Hill Country Christmas" by: Laurie Kingery
When you have very little, and you lose your only living relative what do you do? Delia Keller turns to the God, He’s the only one who can help her. Circumstances continue to change for Delia. Not only is she a poor girl, having to sell eggs to get the basics to live on until the weekend is over and she can seek employment, she is an orphan.
When Jude, sent to tell her of her father’s death, delivers the rest of her father’s message Delia is shocked. Finally able to grasp the fact of her wealth Delia decides to build a home of her own, one that doesn’t have a leaky roof and with plenty of room for guests. While she makes plans for her new life Jude Tucker continues to run from his past.
Jude plans to fulfill his mission and head back to the mines in Nevada and the obscurity he finds there. He is convinced that he wouldn’t be welcome in this little town, nor by the beautiful girl whose father had been his boss and friend. But God has other plans for Jude.
Laurie Kingery has done a wonderful job of bringing life to the story of Delia and Jude in Hill Country Christmas. The things these characters face are commonplace, particularly in the 19th century, and each event needs God’s calming presence. Traversing troubled waters to find blessing is nothing new to Christians. What's important are our attitudes and the way we treat others as we travel through those dangerous currants. Ms. Kingery has done a great job building characters with spiritual strength who seek God even as they doubt themselves. Hill Country Christmas is a great read.
Laurie Kingery
Steeple Hill
Love Inspired Historical
ISBN # 13:978-0-373-82798-5
$5.50
When Jude, sent to tell her of her father’s death, delivers the rest of her father’s message Delia is shocked. Finally able to grasp the fact of her wealth Delia decides to build a home of her own, one that doesn’t have a leaky roof and with plenty of room for guests. While she makes plans for her new life Jude Tucker continues to run from his past.
Jude plans to fulfill his mission and head back to the mines in Nevada and the obscurity he finds there. He is convinced that he wouldn’t be welcome in this little town, nor by the beautiful girl whose father had been his boss and friend. But God has other plans for Jude.
Laurie Kingery has done a wonderful job of bringing life to the story of Delia and Jude in Hill Country Christmas. The things these characters face are commonplace, particularly in the 19th century, and each event needs God’s calming presence. Traversing troubled waters to find blessing is nothing new to Christians. What's important are our attitudes and the way we treat others as we travel through those dangerous currants. Ms. Kingery has done a great job building characters with spiritual strength who seek God even as they doubt themselves. Hill Country Christmas is a great read.
Laurie Kingery
Steeple Hill
Love Inspired Historical
ISBN # 13:978-0-373-82798-5
$5.50
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Canvas
The day stretches ahead like a huge blank canvas. What will I fill it with? Lately my days have been pretty blank, with line sketches and maybe a patch of color here or there. Realizing today that I have a choice as to how it is filled makes me realize that too often the colors I use are bleak, watered down versions of the bright, vibrant colors that could grace the canvas if I would just start with God.
It puzzles me that anyone would choose to start their day without the Lord. And that I would make that choice is more puzzling still. I only do this when I’m stressed, burdened or depressed. This time I think I’m just tired from our vacation. But you can only do so much resting up. Then again perhaps the rest would do me more good if I started the day with the Lord. I’m not saying that I have neglected prayer, I pray constantly from the time I get up until I go to bed and every time I wake up at night. I pray for family, friends, pets, work, our country, all the soldiers and their families. Protection, direction, provision and healing are just a few of the things I pray for.
More than anything I want to be better, be more obedient, be healthier, be more available, and I know that God alone can help me do these things. What I need to realize is that God’s plan may not hold all of these things for me. I may struggle with weight for the rest of my life. I may have to wait ten more years to be published. God may have something totally different in mind for me. The sooner I give my; day, life, thoughts and efforts to Him the better.
I praise God that the canvas of my day may be a blessing to others no matter what colors, or lack thereof, cover it. That He is with me is something I will forever be grateful for. Even on those bleak days when the canvas remains blank I can praise my Father and thank Him for His presence.
May you feel His loving presence today, and may the canvas of your day reflect that presence to all who come in contact with you. God bless!
It puzzles me that anyone would choose to start their day without the Lord. And that I would make that choice is more puzzling still. I only do this when I’m stressed, burdened or depressed. This time I think I’m just tired from our vacation. But you can only do so much resting up. Then again perhaps the rest would do me more good if I started the day with the Lord. I’m not saying that I have neglected prayer, I pray constantly from the time I get up until I go to bed and every time I wake up at night. I pray for family, friends, pets, work, our country, all the soldiers and their families. Protection, direction, provision and healing are just a few of the things I pray for.
More than anything I want to be better, be more obedient, be healthier, be more available, and I know that God alone can help me do these things. What I need to realize is that God’s plan may not hold all of these things for me. I may struggle with weight for the rest of my life. I may have to wait ten more years to be published. God may have something totally different in mind for me. The sooner I give my; day, life, thoughts and efforts to Him the better.
I praise God that the canvas of my day may be a blessing to others no matter what colors, or lack thereof, cover it. That He is with me is something I will forever be grateful for. Even on those bleak days when the canvas remains blank I can praise my Father and thank Him for His presence.
May you feel His loving presence today, and may the canvas of your day reflect that presence to all who come in contact with you. God bless!
Friday, August 15, 2008
How Great Is Our Father’s Love!
I’ve been reading a lot of loop emails from ACFW, and it came to me just how much I have to learn. At first I felt overwhelmed with all the technical and composition information I don't know, but after reading to the end of the page, where I had pasted three days of the digest, I realized every writer has to learn these things. That was encouraging.
I was so moved that I decided to send a letter to the loop, something I rarely do. In return I received encouragement and support from a host of members, who’ve been there. What a humbling experience it is to receive such a gift from my Father. I know it was He who inspired me to send that letter and I know He is leading those who respond.
How wonderful to know He loves me so much, to feel His presence inhabit the words of others, to know that the plan He has for me will be fulfilled. I don’t need to know the date or how it will happen or even who will be affected by my work. Just to know I am being used is an amazing gift.
How is God showing His love to you today?
I was so moved that I decided to send a letter to the loop, something I rarely do. In return I received encouragement and support from a host of members, who’ve been there. What a humbling experience it is to receive such a gift from my Father. I know it was He who inspired me to send that letter and I know He is leading those who respond.
How wonderful to know He loves me so much, to feel His presence inhabit the words of others, to know that the plan He has for me will be fulfilled. I don’t need to know the date or how it will happen or even who will be affected by my work. Just to know I am being used is an amazing gift.
How is God showing His love to you today?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Storm
Wow, we had a close call. It seams these storms from the gulf get closer every year. I am so thankful this was a small one. I wonder, what is it about storms that put us on edge?
Is it the realization that we have a lot to do to prepare? Or the possibly of leaving our homes to come back much later to a pile of rubble? Maybe the biggest thing storms do is bring to light the fact that we aren’t in control.
We walk through this life; working, caring for our families, visiting friends and family, helping others, going to church, taking vacations, making plans for the future when if we allow ourselves to admit it we have no control over any of these things. God allows us to live and do these things. He even blesses us with some of our dreams; travel, time with family, work, ministry, good friends, grandchildren, dream homes, etc.
What would happen if it was all gone in one day? If we were left on this earth with no family or possessions? Would we think God failed us? I know that if it happened to me I would be devastated. I would find it hard to go on, but I also know that if God allows hardship he will provide the very thing that will help me get on with His plan for my life.
Bad things do happen, but that doesn’t make God any less; God, creator, provider, Father. I can see that I would have to hold onto God with both hands if my world was so shaken. We have no guarantee that it will not happen to us one day, but we do have the promise that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. And we must trust Him to bring us through.
In the meantime; I am determined to ask Him to remove all of those things that hinder His will in my life. I’m tired of all the clutter in my life, you know, all those things I participate in that He hasn't ordained as well as the "stuff" I've accumulated that I don't need. I want what He wants. Let’s see what He moves or removes.
Is it the realization that we have a lot to do to prepare? Or the possibly of leaving our homes to come back much later to a pile of rubble? Maybe the biggest thing storms do is bring to light the fact that we aren’t in control.
We walk through this life; working, caring for our families, visiting friends and family, helping others, going to church, taking vacations, making plans for the future when if we allow ourselves to admit it we have no control over any of these things. God allows us to live and do these things. He even blesses us with some of our dreams; travel, time with family, work, ministry, good friends, grandchildren, dream homes, etc.
What would happen if it was all gone in one day? If we were left on this earth with no family or possessions? Would we think God failed us? I know that if it happened to me I would be devastated. I would find it hard to go on, but I also know that if God allows hardship he will provide the very thing that will help me get on with His plan for my life.
Bad things do happen, but that doesn’t make God any less; God, creator, provider, Father. I can see that I would have to hold onto God with both hands if my world was so shaken. We have no guarantee that it will not happen to us one day, but we do have the promise that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. And we must trust Him to bring us through.
In the meantime; I am determined to ask Him to remove all of those things that hinder His will in my life. I’m tired of all the clutter in my life, you know, all those things I participate in that He hasn't ordained as well as the "stuff" I've accumulated that I don't need. I want what He wants. Let’s see what He moves or removes.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Truth
Okay, it’s confession time. I’m a writer who has been off track for two years. I thought I was back on track, but have realized that I’ve been lying to myself and everyone else.
No wonder I am so frustrated with life. No wonder I struggle to accomplish anything during my long days home alone. I have lied to myself about the problem and now that I am able to admit it I can see where that has caused more problems with my life.
I lost the joy of keeping our home and cooking for my family. I lost the creative abilities that carried me through thirty two of our thirty four years, making suppers and desserts and special breakfasts. Why? I allowed grief to claim my heart and I retreated from life. I blamed being stuck home alone with no car or “The Change” for many of my problems. Don't mistake me, they did cause problems. Those things may have made life more difficult but they weren't the main problem.
This is where God's word comes in, it says in Matt. 10:26 "...there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." God will always bring to light those things that hinder His will in our lives.
Those three losses in about 18 weeks took a heavy toll. I trusted God to get me through, and He has, I just didn’t expect it to take this long. I am so grateful that our Father knows exactly what we need and when. I thank our Lord for walking with me through this long valley, for helping me to navigate the treacherous paths that were often hidden by a fog, or at least a foggy mind.
What joy to know He cares so much and brought Bible study back into my life. God is growing me and I am ready to rejoin the working, ministering, writing world. It will be exciting to see what is ahead. And I know I won’t be walking the road alone.
There will still be rough places along the way but I know that my Father will be with me. He will even prepare the way before me. Thank You, Lord may all praise and honor and glory be yours. In Christ name, Amen.
God bless you.
No wonder I am so frustrated with life. No wonder I struggle to accomplish anything during my long days home alone. I have lied to myself about the problem and now that I am able to admit it I can see where that has caused more problems with my life.
I lost the joy of keeping our home and cooking for my family. I lost the creative abilities that carried me through thirty two of our thirty four years, making suppers and desserts and special breakfasts. Why? I allowed grief to claim my heart and I retreated from life. I blamed being stuck home alone with no car or “The Change” for many of my problems. Don't mistake me, they did cause problems. Those things may have made life more difficult but they weren't the main problem.
This is where God's word comes in, it says in Matt. 10:26 "...there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." God will always bring to light those things that hinder His will in our lives.
Those three losses in about 18 weeks took a heavy toll. I trusted God to get me through, and He has, I just didn’t expect it to take this long. I am so grateful that our Father knows exactly what we need and when. I thank our Lord for walking with me through this long valley, for helping me to navigate the treacherous paths that were often hidden by a fog, or at least a foggy mind.
What joy to know He cares so much and brought Bible study back into my life. God is growing me and I am ready to rejoin the working, ministering, writing world. It will be exciting to see what is ahead. And I know I won’t be walking the road alone.
There will still be rough places along the way but I know that my Father will be with me. He will even prepare the way before me. Thank You, Lord may all praise and honor and glory be yours. In Christ name, Amen.
God bless you.
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