Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Closing Out November

Still laptop-less but at least I'm home. My man is headed to the store today to find the part that is hopefully the problem. This is one of those times that it's great being married to a computer engineer!

My boy and I had a great visit to Rice University yesterday, which is my man's alma mater. It's an awesome school but one of my biggest impressions is "cha-ching, cha-ching!" We'll have to see how generous their Financial Aid Department is.

And it's been awhile since my hair has been quite as frizzy as it was yesterday when we toured the campus in 80 degree weather and 120% humidity! It was one of those days where the covered walkways were wet even though it hadn't rained!

As another November draws to a close, I've once again enjoyed participating in the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm. As in previous years, I am posting the complete list so I can remind myself in the future of those things for which I was especially thankful this month.

http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html

1. My family
2. Music
3. The privilege to vote
4. Memories
5. The Bible
6. Sleep
7. My wonderful church family
8. Prayer
9. God's faithfulness
10. Laughter
11. Our Veterans
12. Grace
13. God's Unconditional Love
14. Migraine medicine
15. The internet
16. Opportunities
17. Books
18. (Dark) Chocolate
19. Beauty of creation
20. My dentist
21. Sunshine. . .and rain
22. Our exchange student "daughter"
23, My mother-in-law
24. Downtime
25. Good food
26. The piano
27. Mexican food
28. Sunday afternoons
29. My reliable van
30.My washer and dryer



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Monday, November 29, 2010

A Quick Hello

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I'm still pretending mine isn't over yet, because my boy and I are on a college visit today. I'm just praying that the "scattered thunderstorms" which are forecasted don't happen during the campus tour. . . .

I haven't been visiting blogs in the past few days, and that is not only due to the holiday weekend. My laptop bit the dust Wednesday, so I've been limited to my phone and occasional sessions at my MIL's computer to check email, do a few quick posts, etc. If my man's diagnosis is correct (and it usually is!) it just needs one part replaced and he will hopefully be able to get it locally and have me up and running by the time I get back home tonight.

So please bear with me. I think I'm going to have to start with a clean slate since my Reader already has over 100 blog posts.

And I'm doubly hoping I can get back in the blogging swing of things soon so I can kick off Booked for the Holidays!






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Saturday, November 27, 2010

TSMSS - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus


I absolutely love Christmas music. Cheery songs about sleigh rides and jingle bells, traditional songs that dream of white christmases, joyous carols proclaiming the wonder of the birth of Christ, contemplative songs that take a peek into the hearts and minds of Mary and Joseph, majestic orchestral and choral renditions of classic songs, the beauty of Handel's Messiah and quiet songs that reflect on the hope the promised Messiah brings---each and every style celebrates the incomparable gift of God to a broken world.

This song has been in the hymnbooks for decades, and is one that was rarely sung and underappreciated when I was a child, but it is beautiful. Christy Nockels sings this version, which is found on Chris Tomlin's album Glory in the Highest.

Visit Signs, Miracles and Wonders for more great songs.




COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

WORDS: Charles Wesley
MUSIC: Rowland H. Pritchard

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Friday, November 26, 2010

Flashback Friday - Gobbling Up Memories, Part 2



I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, food, fun, and a heaping helping of gratitude. This week we are continuing with our Thanksgiving flashbacks. Share more about Thanksgivings from your growing up years, your early adult years, or flashback all the way to yesterday and tell us how you celebrated!

Last year was the first time that my man's side of the family has eaten at a restaurant on Thanksgiving, and we did it again this year. The restaurant where we ate has beautiful grounds, and after finishing our food we enjoyed a walk along the winding paths and over bridges by a waterfall and a small pond. Last year there were quite a few peacocks, but this year we only saw one. A first this year, though, was seeing a bunny hopping across the grass, and there was a beautiful swan floating along the pond. Most of us came back to my MIL's house to relax and visit, and for supper my SIL and I set out a a taco buffet, which allowed folks to eat as lightly or heavily as they felt like!

And I am NOT racing out the door to participate in Black Friday this morning!

Share your memories and link up here!



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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Wednesday Hodgepodge, Thanksgiving Edition



This week's Hodgepodge has a bit of a Thanksgiving theme. Go figure!


1. If you had known what they knew then, would you have boarded the Mayflower?

No. I'm not a risk-taker.

2. How far have you traveled on a boat and how do you feel about boats in general?

I've been on dinner cruises which usually take a couple of hours. And I've been on the lake in friends' boats. Boats - I can take 'em or leave 'em.

3. What traditions have you kept, acquired thru marriage, and/or tossed? If you're single what are some of your family's favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

We never had sweet potatoes when I was growing up, but my husband's family always does. My kids have never been interested in the Macy's Parade so it doesn't usually get turned on, but that was a Thanksgiving must when I was growing up!

4. What time is dinner and how many will be round your table? And what is the one side dish you cannot do without on Thanksgiving day?

Yes, I know it goes against all I believe in to ask for 'just one', but I made up for it by asking three questions here.


I think there will be 21 of us: my MIL, my man's siblings and their families, GG, and my sister go out to eat at noon on Thursday. I love, love, love dressing. Made with cornbread, of course!

5. Have you ever used a fire extinguisher? Do tell....

Fortunately, no.

6. Tell about a situation that caused you dreadful trepidation and feet dragging, only to realize later it was a true blessing.

My fifth grade teacher. She was the scariest of all the teachers---super strict, and in the lunchroom when she stood up and clapped her hands and pointed to tell someone to straighten up, I quaked in my shoes. I was so disappointed when I got her, but I ended up really liking her and she was a good teacher.

I've noticed that's happened several times in my life. If I don't like someone, God will make sure I spend plenty of time with that person until I eventually like them!

7. Baked, sweet, mashed, hash browned or french fried...which one's your favorite?

Baked, especially with lots of butter, cheese, and bacon. I do love me some sweet potato casserole during the holidays, but it's not something I could eat on a regular basis.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

C'mon Texas -- 85 degrees just before Thanksgiving?



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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Lightkeeper's Bride



This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Lightkeeper's Bride
Thomas Nelson (October 19, 2010)

by

Colleen Coble



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.

A word from Colleen: God has been faithful, though the path has not been easy. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. God wouldn’t let me give up, and I like to think the struggle made me stronger. God has given me so much in my life, most importantly my great family, a loving church family at New Life Baptist Church, and my wonderful publishing family at Nelson Books.


ABOUT THE BOOK
A thrilling romantic mystery set in the lush Victorian age.

Central Operator Katie Russell's inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents' plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.

Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.

Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will's bravery and kindness remove Katie's suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lightkeeper's Bride, go HERE.


MY THOUGHTS:
I can always count on Colleen Coble to deliver a good novel, and this book is just another example of her talent. I enjoyed the setting, both the early 20th century time frame and the lighthouse. Intrigue and romance combine to make this a satisfying read.



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Monday, November 22, 2010

It's a Girl!

No, I'm not expecting a baby. But I am happy to announce that a new "daughter" came to live with us on Friday, an exchange student from Germany. (I'll refer to her as GG - for German Girl!) She arrived in August and was living with another family in our church, but unforeseen circumstances led to her needing to live elsewhere. She will be with us until June.

It is so neat to see how God set things in motion long before we even realized we would be hosting her. GG and another exchange student, who was from Italy, arrived in August and were staying with an "empty nest" couple in our church who also live just about 5 blocks from us. So the girls go to the same high school as my kids. Most of the families in our church live in the zones of a couple of district high schools, so my girl was thrilled to have some friends that she would see both at church and at school. The three of them did several things together, and my girl likes both of them, but she and GG just "clicked" and became really close.

About six weeks ago or so, GG's school scheduled got altered a bit and she ended up with the last period off on her "B" days. My boy is also off then, so I began picking her up as well, dropping her off at her host family's house so she didn't have to sit in the library that last period. Due to the locations of their classrooms, GG always got to the car first, and we had about 5 minutes to chat and get to know each other before my boy got to the car.

Hmmm, do you think God intentionally caused those two situations to occur, bonding her to our family before we even knew there would be a need? I love seeing how He orchestrates things!

I wonder if He'll orchestrate me right out of the jury duty for which I'm scheduled the week before Christmas, when the kids have abbreviated days and potential final exam exemptions?!


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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Angry


Angry
Laura L. Smith
(NavPress)
ISBN: 978-1600066238
August, 2010/160 pages/$12.99

Emma's life is crazily careening out of control. In the midst of her anger and hurt, can she choose a different direction?

Emma is angry. She’s angry at her siblings, who she always has to baby sit; her parents, who are divorcing and ruining her life in the process; and herself for not measuring up to anyone’s standards.

With her simmering feelings ready to spill over at any time, Emma's self-worth plummets. Her faith in God is tested in the face of overwhelming hurt that threatens to send her over the edge. Can she turn back in time?

Online study guide companion available.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Smith graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Upon graduation, she moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in corporate real estate. After the birth of her first child, she had an epiphany to follow her lifelong dream of writing. She is realizing this dream as the author of Skinny, Hot, and Angry . Smith has returned to her college town, where she lives happily ever after with her husband and four children. Visit her website at www.laurasmithauthor.com


MY THOUGHTS:
This is the second of Laura Smith's books geared specifically toward teenage issues that I've read (I reviewed Hot here), and she demonstrates once again that she is in touch with the feelings that teenagers experience. In an unfallen world, families would not deal with the heartache of divorce and the fallout as a result. But the reality is that even Christian families experience this, which is all the more confusing to the children impacted. This book excellently portrays the disappointment, anger, and uncertainty that a teenager feels when her life is turned upside down. Emma's anger occasionally spills out into confrontations with her mom and the occasional mild expletive. And because no one lives in a bubble, in addition to her family turmoil, she also deals with angst and jealousy when she tries out for the school production of her favorite show, Les Mis. I love Emma's raw honesty as she cries out to God:
"Lord, help me not to be so angry! I want to break something or hit my dad square in the nose or cut Carol's pretty blond hair with pinking shears. Jesus, you were so kind to people who were mean to You--like those soldiers who nailed Your hands. You said You forgave them. How did You do that? I don't even want to do that!"
As God often does, He speaks to Laura right within her circumstances, even using the school play as an allegory of His love.

The free discussion guide available for download, is peppered with Scriptures. This would be a wonderful book for a youth leader to use in a small group setting or teenage girls book club.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Saturday, November 20, 2010

TSMSS - Come, Ye Thankful People, Come





COME, YE THANKFUL PEOPLE, COME

Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field,
Fruit as praise to God we yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
Are to joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take the harvest home;
From the field shall in that day
All offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In the garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
Bring thy final harvest home;
Bather thou thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
In thy presence to abide;
Come, with all thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.

Words: Henry Alford, 1810-1871
Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893

Visit Amy's for more songs.

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Friday, November 19, 2010

Flashback Friday - Gobbling Up Memories




I can't believe I left off a crucial question: Do you call it dressing or stuffing?

What was Thanksgiving like when you were growing up? What days did you usually have off from school? Do you remember any Thanksgiving activities at school, such as a play or a meal? During the Thanksgiving weekend, did you travel to spend it with relatives or did you stay home? Or did relatives travel to you? What was your family's day typically like? Did you watch the Macy's Parade or something else on TV? Have you ever attended a Thanksgiving parade? Was football a big part of the day? And of course, we have to hear what your family ate! Were there any traditional foods that were part of your family's meal? Which of your growing-up traditions do you do with your family today? And if you are married, how did it go merging your two traditions/expectations?

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. Some of my earliest memories are of smelling the turkey cooking while I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our typical meal when I was little was turkey (more on that later), dressing (cooked on top of the stove, not baked), homemade cranberry sauce, a vegetable, and our traditional family dessert. When we moved and my mom had a bigger kitchen, she sometimes cooked rolls as well. I had never heard of having both dressing and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving until I got married, and I always thought that was a bit strange--way overkill on the carbs! When I was little I always got a big helping of cranberry sauce and hated dressing; now that I'm an adult, I love dressing and just take a dab of cranberry sauce!

I love turkey. Which is a bit of an aggravating memory for me. My brother and his family alternated Thanksgiving between her family and ours. On the "off" years when there weren't as many of us, my mom would often bake a chicken instead of a turkey. I have never liked baked chicken as much as turkey, partly because it is too moist. (I know I'm weird; most people prefer moist meat, but I love me some dry turkey breast!) I would campaign for turkey instead of chicken, but she would rarely give in and she often said, "_______ (my sister) likes the chicken better." Hmmpff. My parents never favored one child over another, and this really bugged me. I didn't expect her never to fix chicken, but I figured she shouldn't ignore my desire either! Years later after I was grown, I asked her about it. And she said, "I didn't think you were able to tell the difference." (Um, remember that question from this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge about being underestimated?!) I never understood why she figured my sister could have a preference but I didn't. Part of being the youngest, I guess.

Our dessert was unique to our family. My mom "just didn't see the need" for all those pies and cakes that most other people fixed. Plus, she just didn't have the time or kitchen space to do it all. So we had fruit salad for dessert. But it wasn't just any fruit salad. There wasn't anything unusual about the fruit itself; she combined apples, oranges, a can of crushed pineapple, and bananas (added when it was served so they wouldn't discolor). My dad would serve our bowls and then the best part began. We would all "doctor" our salad the way we wanted, adding pecans, walnuts, coconut, and/or miniature marshmallows. Everyone had a little different preference. Then we'd pass our bowls back to Daddy, who would spoon freshly whipped cream over the top. It looked like a snow-covered mountain! Of course, we had to "fight over" who got to lick the beaters and the bowl it was whipped in. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

We always had our big meal at lunch, usually around 12:30 or 1:00. Then in the afternoons, the TV was always on with college football games. The big game, of course, was the traditional shootout between The University of Texas and Texas A&M. (Then for a number of years they moved the game to Thanksgiving Friday.) I still remember the first time I went to my then-future in-laws. My FIL was a hard-core (and hard-Corps!) Aggie, and there I was from a very orange-blooded family! I just sat there very quietly!

I don't remember there ever being a Thanksgiving meal at the school. But since I bought my lunch, I might not have noticed. It definitely would not have been something where parents came and ate with their kids like so many schools do today. I have only two memories of commemorating Thanksgiving at school, and I probably remember those because I think we did them every single year! One is making the construction paper turkey from a handprint. And the other, which was my favorite, was seeing how many words we could find in the phrase "Happy Thanksgiving." I was a word geek even way back then, and my competitive streak made it that much more fun!

One of our poetry books had a Thanksgiving poem in it that I memorized as a child. I'm not sure if I had to memorize it for school or if I just read it so many times I memorized it on my own. I can still say all but a couple of lines in the middle of the poem, and it was fun getting out our old poetry book yesterday and looking it up. And the book pretty much fell open right to that page!

The Pilgrims Came
by Annette Wynne

The Pilgrims came across the sea
And never thought of you and me
And yet it's very strange the way
We think of them Thanksgiving Day

We tell their story old and true
Of how they sailed across the blue,
And found a new land to be free
And built their homes quite near the sea.

Every child knows well the tale
Of how they bravely turned the sail,
And journeyed many a day and night
To worship God as they thought right.

Some people think that they were sad
And grave. I'm sure that they were glad--
They made Thanksgiving Day--that's fun--
We thank the pilgrims, everyone!

We're usually with my man's family on Thanksgiving. For most of the years, it was a joint effort, with one sibling hosting and everyone bringing something. Last year for the first time we all went out on Thanksgiving, and we are going to the same place this year. The good thing about it is that there's less of an opportunity to overindulge. The bad thing about it is that there are no leftovers! The relaxing morning is nice, too.


Since this is potentially a big topic with lots of memories, feel free to divide it two posts, one for this week and one for next week. Since Thanksgiving is next Thursday, I won't post an official prompt, but I will have a linky on Friday for anyone who wants to post. Or if you prefer, next Friday you can "flash back" to the day before and share about this year's Thanksgiving!

Share your Thanksgiving memories and link up here!




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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Flashback Friday Prompt




As a friend of mine used to say, "Three guesses, and the first two don't count" what this week's Flashback Friday is about!

What was Thanksgiving like when you were growing up? What days did you usually have off from school? Do you remember any Thanksgiving activities at school, such as a play or a meal? During the Thanksgiving weekend, did you travel to spend it with relatives or did you stay home? Or did relatives travel to you? What was your family's day typically like? Did you watch the Macy's Parade or something else on TV? Have you ever attended a Thanksgiving parade? Was football a big part of the day? And of course, we have to hear what your family ate! Were there any traditional foods that were part of your family's meal? Which of your growing-up traditions do you do with your family today? And if you are married, how did it go merging your two traditions/expectations?

Since this is potentially a big topic with lots of memories, feel free to divide it two posts, one for this week and one for next week. Since Thanksgiving is next Thursday, I won't post an official prompt, but I will have a linky on Friday for anyone who wants to post. Or if you prefer, next Friday you can "flash back" to the day before and share about this year's Thanksgiving!

Share your memories tomorrow and come back here to link up!


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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Silent Order

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Silent Order
Summerside Press (November 1, 2010)

by

Melanie Dobson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.


ABOUT THE BOOK
Rural America - 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is

collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Silent Order, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is not your typical Amish novel. After all, who would ever imagine entwining the late 1920's Cleveland Mafia with the pastoral Amish town of Sugarcreek, Ohio?! Melanie Dobson not only imagins it, but she expertly weaves these two very different cultures in a compelling story. In the process she presents the age-old dilemma between turning the other cheek and protecting one's family, between vengeance and justice. I was captivated by this book from the first page to its conclusion and look forward to more of her books.



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Wednesday Hodgepodge



1. What is the most amazing weather you've ever seen?

The Houston flood of June, 1975, when we got 7 inches of water in our house. I was 14. Although we weren't home at the time, and it had receded by the time we returned (my dad knew how high the water got by the mark on the wall), it was still gross. Things on the floors of closets were disgusting.

2. What is a sound or noise you love?

A laughing baby. Opening a Dr. Pepper. The words "I love you."

3. Do you like seafood? What's your favorite seafood dish?

I have really tried, but the only seafood I like is grilled shrimp. (Fried shrimp is okay, too, but grilled is by far my first choice.)

4. What part of your day requires the most patience?

It varies depending on how tired I am. As a general rule, I'd say either between school and dinner or trying to get out the door in the mornings. I am OCD about leaving on time and I get really aggravated if kids aren't ready when they are supposed to be.

5. What's your favorite shade of blue?

A bright, royal blue. That was the color of the bridesmaids' dresses in my wedding.

6. Do people underestimate you?

I think most people recognize how wonderful I am.

Ahem.

Actually, I don't think they do with the exception of my family--not my man and kids, but parents and siblings. Except the parents aren't an issue any more.

7. When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach?

Not long before I wrote this post, as I was waiting for a phone call to tell me if an exchange student from Germany, who is currently with another family in our church, would be moving in with us for the rest of the school year. The answer is yes. My girl is soooo excited; she's become really good friends with this student.

8. Insert your own random thought here, and remember...I have a wooden spoon and I'm not afraid to use it.

I haven't paid much attention to Britain's Royal Family in recent years, but I enjoyed watching this interview with Prince William and his new fiancee, Kate Middleton. Prince William has such a cute self-deprecating smile and wit, and they obviously enjoy bantering with each other. When I first caught a glimpse of her engagement ring, I recognized it, and they later confirmed that it was Princess Diana's ring. Prince William: "'It’s very special to me. As Kate’s very special to me now, it was right to put the two together,’ he said. ‘It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement, and the fact that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.’" At the same time, he said, "No one's trying to fill my mother's shoes." So touching. And a reminder that royalty and wealth don't keep a boy from the heartache of losing his mom.

The media always amuses me, however. Articles abound which talk about Kate being from a middle-class family, and what a good thing for Britain that is, as opposed to aristocracy. And it then went on to say her parents are millionaires. I think my socioeconomic status just dropped!



Come play and read some other answers over at Joyce's!



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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tuesday Tidbits

How can it be possible that we are over the half-way point of November?! And Thanksgiving is next week!

I've managed to keep up with the Giving Thanks Challenge by adding each day to the list in my sidebar, and it's been a blessing. I appreciate the intentionality of coming up with something different each day; sometimes it's easy to get stuck in a rut of thanking God for the same things.

And the waning days of November mean two things near and dear to my heart are coming:



and

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

(Get those Pumpkin Lattes outta here!)

And OH.MY.GOODNESS! When I went to find the picture above, I discovered that Starbucks now has Limited Edition Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream, sold in grocery stores.


On their ice cream website it is described as "a swirl of Mocha and Peppermint ice creams adorned with rich, dark chocolaty chunks."

Excuse me a moment while I wipe the drool off of the keyboard and have a moment of anticipatory silence!

In a little--okay, a lot!--more serious vein, I've been pondering something from my pastor's message a couple of Sundays ago on envy. He said, "Envy questions God's sovereignty; we want what God has given someone else." I'd never thought about it quite that way. Very convicting, and it certainly makes "petty jealousy" an oxymoron!

Finally, judging by the 6 million-plus hits, I'm apparently the only one that had never seen this before yesterday. Absolutely incredible. Their balance is amazing beyond words.



Have a great Tuesday!

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Monday, November 15, 2010

It's No Secret


It's No Secret:
Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know

Rachel Olsen
(David C Cook)
ISBN: 978-1434765376
September, 2010/240 pages/$14.99


With passion, wisdom, and wit, Rachel Olsen provides the "secrets" to what every woman is looking for-answers to issues and hang-ups like exhausting schedules, unpaid bills, relational conflict, and unmet expectations.

Exploring 12 kingdom principles from Scripture, Rachel invites women to connect their real selves with God and with their sisters in Christ. With tongue-in-cheek prose but serious purpose, Rachel urges women to: "Know When to Pay Retail," "Kill Your Competition," "Have Eyes Bigger Than Your Stomach," "Get By with a Little Help from Your Friends," "Diversify Your Portfolio," and more. A Bible study section after each chapter encourages women to dig deeper. Fun, readable, witty with a solid scriptural punch-It's No Secret is perfect for individual or group study.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Olsen is a popular national women's speaker, a staffer with Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a communication instructor at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. She also served as a writer and general editor for God's Purpose for Every Woman. Rachel and her family enjoy life in a beach town in the Carolinas.

Visit her website to learn more.


MY THOUGHTS:
This book is a refreshing change from the plethora of feel-good, prosperity-gospel, and motivational books on the shelves of so many bookstores. Steeped with Biblical principles and illustrations, Rachel Olsen has written a book that is ideal for individual quiet times, small groups, or accountability partners. Each chapter is followed by a Bible Study section with questions and verses for the reader to consider which emphasize and expand on the chapter's topic. The author's personal and honest examples make reading this book seem like a chat with a friend over coffee. I knew I would be able to relate to the author when the dedication to her daughter not only asserted that "My love for you fuels my pursuit of these 'secrets' to godly womanhood," but is followed by this encouragement: "Don't reject them just because Mom wrote them."


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The B&B Media Group and David C Cook as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Christmas at Harrington's


Christmas at Harrington’s
Melody Carlson
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1925-8
October, 2010/Hardcover/176 pages/$15.99


Just in time for the holidays, comes Christmas at Harrington’s, a tender story about fresh starts from Melody Carlson, the bestselling author of The Christmas Bus.

In Carlson’s latest tale that will charm readers, Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life after false accusations landed her in prison, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent.
When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington's will be readers' newest Christmas tradition.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.

MY THOUGHTS:
What a delightful story Melody Carlson has created in Christmas at Harrington's! I love the cover and the story within was just as charming. I was captivated by Lena's situation as well as the other characters in the story. A beautiful message of grace and restoration, this is the perfect book to curl up with by the fireplace during the Christmas season.


Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Sunday, November 14, 2010

More Glimpses of Heaven


More Glimpses of Heaven:
Inspiring True Stories of Hope and Peace
at the End of Life's Journey

Trudy Harris, RN
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800734404
November, 2010/204 pages/$13.99


More true stories of the tender beauty of life's end

There is more to death than simply ceasing to live. In Glimpses of Heaven, retired hospice nurse Trudy Harris offered an intimate look at the final days and moments of terminally ill and dying people. Now she shares more of her stories and also stories from other medical and hospice professionals, allowing the veil to be drawn back on God's handiwork, while we are both living and dying.

If you have lost a loved one, are facing a terminal illness, or are simply curious about what happens when we pass from life to death, More Glimpses of Heaven offers you an even deeper insight into God's plan for our lives every day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Trudy Harris, RN, is the author of Glimpses of Heaven, a former hospice nurse, and former president of the Hospice Foundation for Caring. Since retirement, Harris remains active in connecting the needs of terminally ill and dying people in her community with the hospice program she knows can best meet their needs.




MY THOUGHTS:
This is both a fascinating and a touching book. As a nurse, I have a tremendous respect and appreciation for the incredible care that so many hospice organizations provide. Over the past few decades they have helped dying patients and their families face their final days with dignity and grace. Trudy Harris has allowed us to be the proverbial "fly on the wall" of the last days and moments of individuals ranging in age from children to ninety-plus-year-olds. While I don't necessarily agree with all the theology and beliefs exhibited by the patients and caregivers within the book, I recognize that only God knows the spiritual condition of a person's heart in their last moments. And for those who are believers, the peace and assurance they experience as they approach their transition to heaven is awe-inspiring, and it is a privilege to watch as a soul becomes "absent from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) This book will minister to many.


Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Costly Grace


Costly Grace"
A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer's
The Cost of Discipleship

Jon Walker
(ACU/Leafwood Publishers)
ISBN 978-0-89112-676-8
September, 2010/224 pages/$15.99


In 1937, on the threshold of Nazi Germany's war on the world, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote one of the most influential books of the century, The Cost of Discipleship. He challenged the flabby faith and compromises of German Christians, famously writing, "When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die."

Now, seventy-three years after the book was first published, Jon Walker has written Costly Grace: A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship. Although Bonhoeffer’s book still has a loyal readership, it has not been adequately viewed through the eyes of the twenty-first century. Walker brings to a new generation the timeless message of Bonhoeffer against the background of today’s political upheaval and societal change and what it means to those who claim to follow Christ’s teachings, challenging contemporary teachings and lifestyles.

Grace is a foundational doctrine for Christians, yet it is one of the most misunderstood. Bonhoeffer watched as many used the doctrine of grace as an excuse to do whatever they wanted, and in response, he wrote his classic work on what it truly means to follow Jesus. We cheapen grace, he declared, when we use it to compromise our behavior or to lower the standards of God’s Word. In a modern retelling of this Christian classic, Walker explains what Bonhoeffer meant when he taught that grace is free but will cost us everything.

“Bonhoeffer called for a return to ‘costly grace,’ to a recognition that God’s grace comes at the cost of Christ’s passion. Grace is free, but it demands a disciple’s whole life, not just partial obedience to the commands of Christ. Bonhoeffer’s message resonates with our time of instability and insecurity,” Walker explains. “We’re tempted to compromise in order to keep things as they have been, but the cost of discipleship requires that our loyalty be only to Christ and Christ alone. Where our behavior is at odds with our belief, God requires we be ruthless in letting go of the things that entangle us and keep us from becoming just like Jesus.”

Costly Grace is a clear call to discipleship, reminding us what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and makes the doctrine of grace understandable and practical. Following Bonhoeffer’s example, Walker has anchored this book around an expository study of Matthew 5–7, including the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. As such, Costly Grace is an excellent resource for small group curriculum or congregation-wide study.

Also available is the Costly Grace 90-Day Devotional. The companion devotional is dedicated to bringing home to the heart of every Christian the vital call that Bonhoeffer made in his book and that Walker now makes in his. What decisions do we need to act on to walk the road Jesus shows us? Who is it we are called to love and forgive? And why is it imperative that the Beatitudes become our way of life? These are just some of the challenges that Walker helps us tackle in his valuable guide.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jon Walker has worked closely with Rick Warren for many years, first as a writer/editor at Pastors.com, later as vice president of communications at Purpose Driven Ministries, and then as a pastor at Saddleback Church. He's also served as editor-in-chief of LifeWay's HomeLife magazine and founding editor of Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox. His articles have appeared in publications and Web sites around the world. You can learn more about his ministry at www.gracecreates.com.


MY THOUGHTS:
I had previously seen excerpts from Bonhoffer's classic book but had never read it, so I was eager to read this one. Costly Grace is one of those books that I both love and hate: love it because it has such great truths and hate it because it makes me squirm! I haven't completely finished it yet; this is not a book to breeze through but one to read thoughtfully. I think every person in today's church should read this book. I do believe it is the antidote for the feel-good, prosperity gospel that is so rampant, particularly in the USA. One of my favorite quotes from Bonhoffer has always been "Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance. Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner." If you long for more in your Christian life, I encourage you to read this book.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The B&B Media Group and Leafwood Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”




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Saturday, November 13, 2010

TSMSS - Love Me


I discovered J J Heller about this time last year and shared her song Your Hands. I've been hearing her latest song on KLOVE the past few weeks and it is wonderful, as well. Praise God for His unconditional love which fills the hole in our hearts.



You'll find more songs at Amy's!

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