Gentle Reminder

There seems to be so many loud and often times angry voices about masks and when I saw this graphic on FB yesterday, I knew it needed to be shared. 

Image/Graphic -- I am not taking any credit for this image. It was shared on Facebook.

I understand there are people who are immuno-compromised and it's risky for them to go out. But please put a little more thought into why someone might not be wearing a mask and stop saying they are being selfish and/or don't love others. And certainly stop calling into question someone's Christianity because they choose not wear a mask. That's just plain judgmental. Here's a really good article on that at JenniferRichmond.com.

I will be meditating on the following verses and asking the Lord to calm all our anxieties, thereby bringing His peace to our hearts. 

John 16:33

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 4:8

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Daniel 10:19

“And he said, ‘O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.' And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, 'Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’ ”

Isaiah 53:5

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

A Thanksgiving Thought...

Today is a hard day for many people. 

I'm reminded to pray diligently for those who are suffering loss whether it's through death, distance, severed relationships, or all of the above. 

I pray each one of us feel God's mercy and compassion. That we realize his unfailing love and respond to his gentle persuasion to place our heartache in his hands where comfort resides. 

Grace and peace to you all!

*image:  https://pixabay.com/users/tsukiko-kiyomidzu-1850874/

Review ~ Until the Mountains Fall (Cities of Refuge #3) by Connilyn Cossette

Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 2nd 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Recently widowed, Rivkah refuses to submit to the Torah law compelling her to marry her husband's brother and instead flees Kedesh, hoping to use her talents as a scribe to support herself. Without the protections of her father, Kedesh's head priest, and the safety of the city of refuge, Rivkah soon discovers that the cost of recklessness is her own freedom.

Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but he never imagined his older brother's death would mean wedding her himself. After her disappearance, he throws himself into the ongoing fight against the Canaanites instead of dwelling on all he has lost. But with impending war looming over Israel, Rivkah's father comes to Malakhi with an impossible request.

As the enemies that Rivkah and Malakhi face from without and within Israel grow more threatening each day, is it too late for the restoration their wounded souls seek?

Purchase link:
CBD 
I am not affiliated with any vendors. Purchase links are a courtesy only.

My Review

5 STARS!!!

"Every day I stand here on the roof before I pray and just watch the road, imagining she will appear..."

Connilyn Cossette has written a powerful re-telling of The Prodigal Son. Until the Mountains Fall powerfully balances tension and humor in such an eloquent way; completed by its cast of fallible, relatable characters. As I read along, I fell deeper and deeper emotionally and spiritually in to the story, feeling apprehensive when Rivkah was in rebellion and grieving the choices she had made. That same grief was only compounded when Rivkah assumed that she could never return home, especially to her betrothed.

This story brought to mind how much I love my own children and how many times I have told them there is nothing they could ever do that would sever my love or close my arms to them. Poor Rivkah was cut to the core with self-incriminations that literally robbed five years of her life, causing deep rivulets of pain to her father and family. Remarkably, he never gave up hoping and trusting that one day they would be reunited. If you have a prodigal, I encourage you to maintain that same level of hope. God can fully restore them to their faith and bring them home!

I didn’t think Cossette could top the second book in this series, Shelter of the Most High, but in my opinion, she did. The steady adventure and rich story line evoked complex emotions; so much so that I came away more affected than before.

Until the Mountains Fall, never stop praying!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Review ~ No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky

COMING JUNE 25th!!!

Paperback, 368 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Multnomah Books 

Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans–but was that the truth?

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans’ home before Laura is notified about her family’s unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God”.

Pre-order:

Amazon 

CBD

I am NOT affiliated with any of these vendors. Links are for your convenience only. 

My Review

4 STARS!!!

No Ocean Too Wide is a gripping story about the British Home Children, some of whom were separated from their families by mistake. It tells the tale of a sister’s love and determination to find her three siblings after they’ve been sent to Canada. It’s truly heart wrenching what happened to one of the children and brings to light all of the pitfalls associated with ‘foster’ care before regulation and oversight really came into being. I found myself appalled and yet sadly not surprised by some of the scenarios so vividly described. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those who suffered such unconscionable treatment.

Laura McAlister and Andrew Fraser are willing to fight the system in order to bring restoration to the McAlister family and so many others. Their romance brings joy and light to the story and is well done. But then I expect nothing less from this author. :)

I highly recommend No Ocean Too Wide to enthusiasts of historical fiction, especially those who like it based on actual events. I received a copy of the book from the publisher. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. No compensation has been received.

~Happy Reading~

How Cupid Shot Me :-)

Reblogging this post from 2012! 


My freshman year of college, WAY back in 1980, I stopped at the local Mickey D's most days on the way to, or from, classes to get a cinnamon danish, or a double cheeseburger with no ketchup, extra onions, depending on if I was eating breakfast or lunch.


Now I don't know about your local McD's but mine had a couple of cute guys working there! A couple times I saw this one guy stick his head around the shake machine and all I could see were these gorgeous blue eyes under a shock of dark hair! No body ever came out, just part of the head. Apparently, he was interested. So much so that as I was standing in line one day he came in the front door, unbeknownst to me, and bumped me from behind into an elderly man in front of me, all the while grinning from ear to ear as he went on back behind the counter. I was not amused!

The next day...I go in for my double cheeseburger, no ketchup, extra onions. Little do I know that "the pushy guy" is going to make my burger and he has a little surprise for me. Back then those particular burgers came in boxes. Remember? Well, extra onions would normally mean...a few extra. Not a TON. He put so many onions on that burger it wasn't even funny! Ok, it was funny. He knew I would bring it back. There was that big grin again and those blue eyes sparkled!!!

 Fast forward to a few days later - You knew I was going back, right?! It was super busy that morning and I had a friend who worked there. As I was walking out she hollared across the restaurant at me, "Hey! My manager wants to know if you'll go out with him." I hollared back, "He can ask me himself!" And I walked out. Humph! That'll show him.

When I came in the next time, I honestly don't remember how many days it was, but I do remember the date. It was December 4th, 1980, early morning. The "guy" finally came out from behind the counter, walked over to my table... well, he sort of swaggered ;) asked if he could sit down and proceeded to ask me out! My heart was pounding so hard and fast I was sure he could see it beating :)

It was love at first bite sight! I know in my ♥ that God brought us together but Mickey D's will always hold a special place in our ♥'s!

 We'll celebrate 30 37 years of marriage this summer!

 And that's How Cupid Shot Me!

Genesis 2:24 ~ For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.


*cupid is from microsoft clipart 

 How did you meet the one who holds the key to your heart?