Meghan has a lot to learn about Christians and belonging to God. The winding road to Miracle leads through fertile hills of change. Perhaps more change than Meggie can handle.
It all begins with her grandmother. Loretta offers a place to stay when Meghan is accepted as the new teacher at a charter school for gifted kids. When her grandmother gives in to the notion of match making Meghan isn’t sure she’s ready, but who can say no to Grams?
The year ahead is filled with adjustment, strife and reconciliation. Meghan could have never known that coming to Miracle would indeed be a miraculous journey into life and love.
Andrea Boeshaar has presented us with a wonderful story. We’ve all wondered what we would do if we had to start over. For the first time Meghan is truly free, but how to use that freedom? Read for yourself, you won’t be sorry.
Love Finds You in Miracle Kentucky
By: Andrea Boeshaar
Summerside Press
ISBN-10: 1-934770-37-X
$12.99
Monday, December 8, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Love Finds You in Snowball Arkansas
True love comes in many shapes and sizes. Much to our chagrin it also comes in surprising ways. Lucy is tired of waiting! She signs up for a retreat and ends up doing things she’s never dreamed of, all to get the attention of the man of her dreams.
Determined to make this trip worthwhile she throws herself into it with abandon, knowing it could change her life. Just thinking about spending all those hours with Justin has her planning things she had never given a thought to before.
When things go wrong and she ends up looking like a klutz Lucy tries to keep her hopes alive. But who would want to take the time to get to know such a clumsy girl. Surely, Justin, the perfect sportsman wouldn’t want to ruin his trip hanging out with such a loser.
Will Justin find out how much fun Lucy is to be around? Will Lucy find love in Snowball Arkansas? Read for yourself, I can assure you it is a snowy sleigh ride of laughter and fun.
Ms. Bricker has written a story that shows all the hope of a young girl in love. It also shows the spiritual growth of a girl who is willing to continually seek God and His will in her life, in spite of what she wants. Well done.
Love Finds You in Snowball Arkansas
By: Sandra D. Bricker
Summerside Press
ISBN-10: 1-934770-45-0
$12.99
Determined to make this trip worthwhile she throws herself into it with abandon, knowing it could change her life. Just thinking about spending all those hours with Justin has her planning things she had never given a thought to before.
When things go wrong and she ends up looking like a klutz Lucy tries to keep her hopes alive. But who would want to take the time to get to know such a clumsy girl. Surely, Justin, the perfect sportsman wouldn’t want to ruin his trip hanging out with such a loser.
Will Justin find out how much fun Lucy is to be around? Will Lucy find love in Snowball Arkansas? Read for yourself, I can assure you it is a snowy sleigh ride of laughter and fun.
Ms. Bricker has written a story that shows all the hope of a young girl in love. It also shows the spiritual growth of a girl who is willing to continually seek God and His will in her life, in spite of what she wants. Well done.
Love Finds You in Snowball Arkansas
By: Sandra D. Bricker
Summerside Press
ISBN-10: 1-934770-45-0
$12.99
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Which Came First, Forgiveness or Love?
So very often I get this feeling of guilt, an overwhelming sense that I’m not worthy. There is so much to support that thought; the many failures in my life, the fact that my thought patterns can run rampant and drive me from project to project during the course of the day, so easily side tracked that staying on focus is practically impossible, etc.
But God, through His infinite love and provision always draws me back to Himself. Of all the things He uses the top four are; family, friends, Bible studies and prayer. He speaks in so many ways, His voice always calm. Drawing from me the desires of my heart, of course He already knows but He wants me to ask. Lately my prayer time has been sporadic at best.
Those feelings of guilt and frustration over my inability to complete my list to my satisfaction can keep me away. But God is faithful. He is always there waiting when I return to my quiet place. He takes my fears and removes them, filling me with His peace and reminding me that I am His.
I can trust God to use me where I am, no matter how I may feel about myself and my inadequacies. And that puts a smile on my face and joy in my heart. To know that He is in control and will use me in some way daily for His glory puts joy in my day and gives my life purpose.
So, knowing how forgiveness came to our world, we must say “Love came first.” For God is love. I am convinced that everything in our lives, as Christians, comes back to that love. Even when we go through things we don’t like or don’t understand, when we reach the other side we can look back and see God’s love.
Remembering that God will convict our hearts when we sin, we must also know that He will not condemn us. We are His and He loves us, with an everlasting love. “We are now therefore under no condemnation…” So when guilt comes to condemn we must reject it, praise God for the ways He is using us and trust that in His hands we will accomplish what He has put us here to do.
So, walk through those valleys with your heart set on Him. Let His love fill you and flow from you, expect something wonderful to happen in your relationship to Him. Though the walls of the valley may be so steep they block out all light, His light will shine through us. Nothing can quench His light. His love always shines through.
Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for Your faithfulness. We thank You for Your love that never fails. And we trust You to use us for Your glory. In the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
But God, through His infinite love and provision always draws me back to Himself. Of all the things He uses the top four are; family, friends, Bible studies and prayer. He speaks in so many ways, His voice always calm. Drawing from me the desires of my heart, of course He already knows but He wants me to ask. Lately my prayer time has been sporadic at best.
Those feelings of guilt and frustration over my inability to complete my list to my satisfaction can keep me away. But God is faithful. He is always there waiting when I return to my quiet place. He takes my fears and removes them, filling me with His peace and reminding me that I am His.
I can trust God to use me where I am, no matter how I may feel about myself and my inadequacies. And that puts a smile on my face and joy in my heart. To know that He is in control and will use me in some way daily for His glory puts joy in my day and gives my life purpose.
So, knowing how forgiveness came to our world, we must say “Love came first.” For God is love. I am convinced that everything in our lives, as Christians, comes back to that love. Even when we go through things we don’t like or don’t understand, when we reach the other side we can look back and see God’s love.
Remembering that God will convict our hearts when we sin, we must also know that He will not condemn us. We are His and He loves us, with an everlasting love. “We are now therefore under no condemnation…” So when guilt comes to condemn we must reject it, praise God for the ways He is using us and trust that in His hands we will accomplish what He has put us here to do.
So, walk through those valleys with your heart set on Him. Let His love fill you and flow from you, expect something wonderful to happen in your relationship to Him. Though the walls of the valley may be so steep they block out all light, His light will shine through us. Nothing can quench His light. His love always shines through.
Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for Your faithfulness. We thank You for Your love that never fails. And we trust You to use us for Your glory. In the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Review of "A Constant Heart" by: Siri Mitchell
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
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, 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!
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