What Kind Of Reader Are You? by Tara Randel

Posted on October 25, 2021 by tararandel

So many books, so little time!

Long before I started writing, and then became a published author, I was a huge reader. Still am to this day. Some of my fondest memories are of going to the library in our town and coming home with a stack of books. I’d sit in the yard under a tree and get lost in the stories.

When I was in high school, I hung out in the library, mainly to do homework or reports, but I still picked out the occasional fiction novel.  In college, I read less for pleasure and more for my classes, but once I graduated and started in the work force, I went back to the joy of reading novels.

So what do I like to read? Pretty much anything. I can devour a book a week, sometimes more depending on my schedule. Do I have a problem? Yes. A good one, I think. I can happily sit by a pool at a resort or snuggled on a couch, before a fire, in a cozy cabin, with a book in my hands. At home, I read either on the couch in my living room or in my bed before I go to sleep.

So, back to books. There are so many genres.

Classical literature. Romance with all the offshoots; suspense, historical, paranormal, to name a few. Then there are mysteries, thrillers, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, horror, (not for me!) action adventure, family sagas and women’s fiction. I’m sure I’ve left out a few. You can also find Christian or secular books in some of the same categories. My point is, if you love to read, you can find just about any type of book to make you happy.

My To-Read pile, which seems to grow weekly, is a variety of genres. I mainly read fiction novels, going to non-fiction if I’m doing research. I do love devotionals and Bible study books as well. If you look through my pile, you’ll find mysteries, contemporary romance, historical romance, either Regency or Victorian periods.  I enjoy WWII stories as well. Also, you’ll find romantic suspense. Any plot line I have to solve makes me happy.

Every once in a while my husband and I will find an author we both like. Then we’ll read the books and say. ‘Wait till you get to this part!’ or ‘Where in the book did you figure it out?’  Yeah, we’re a little competitive.

As far as authors go, I have my favorites. I’ll buy their books as soon as a new one is released. But I love discovering new voices, of which there are many. I constantly find new-to-me authors and savor the journey of reading their body of work. New books are like opening a present on a special occasion.

So, if you love to read, what would be your favorite reading list? You know you want to share!

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her Harlequin Heartwarming romance, STEALING HER BEST FRIEND’S HEART, available  now. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.

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Lying Lips by James R. Coggins

Posted on October 20, 2021 by jrcoggins

A mother confronts her son: “Did you write on the wall?”

The boy replies, “No, Mom, my little brother did it.”

The mother says, “But your little brother can’t spell.”

“Oh.”

*****

On another day, the mother confronts the same son: “Did you write on the wall?”

“No, Mom. My little brother did it,” the boy replies. “And this time I spelled it wrong so you would believe me.”

*****

On still another day, the mother confronts the younger brother: “Did you draw on the wall?”

“No, Mom,” the boy replies. “The cousins did it.”

“The cousins haven’t been here for two months.”

“Oh.”

*****

It strikes me that we have no more chance of deceiving God with our lies than those boys have of deceiving their mother.

Here are some Bible verses on the subject (from the NIV):

• “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Proverbs 12:22)

• “Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” (Psalm 120:2)

• “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32)

• “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17)

• “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

• “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6)

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Trusting God When You Can’t See the Path Ahead Of You

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

When things are going smoothly, it’s easy to say, “Yeah, God, I trust You.”

You’re on the mountaintop. Everything is so good. Work, family, friends. Even worship comes easy.

But sooner or later, we are all going to leave the mountain and face the valley. It could be a lost job. Trouble with children. A death. Those moments shake us to our core. It’s easy to look into the unknown and panic. But the same God that was beside you on the mountaintop is there with you in the valley.

Those moment when the problem seems too great for us and we can’t see the path ahead, saying you trust God is easy, but actually trusting Him to get you through the unseen is hard.

Isaiah 58:11 says,

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

A few years back, I lost my mother and my father-in-law in the space of eight months. My heart was breaking and it was hard to see the path ahead. Praying was hard, because I didn’t understand. But I poured out my heart to God and He helped me to understand that sometimes healing does not come this side of heaven.

Though it is still hard, and I miss them terribly, God has been moving me forward, one tiny step at a time, and I am trusting Him as He leads me through the valley to the next mountaintop.

So, no matter what you are going through, even if you can’t see the path ahead, put your hand in God’s and trust Him. He will get you where you need to be.

Blessings always,

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net     

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Confidence in God by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Bridget

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! – Psalm 108:1

Do you have confidence in God? You might ask, “What does it mean to have confidence in God?”

According to Merriam-Webster, confidence can mean:
1a : a feeling or consciousness of one’s powers or of reliance on one’s circumstances
b : faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way
2 : the quality or state of being certain :
3a : a relation of trust or intimacy
b : reliance on another’s discretion
c : support especially in a legislative body

Do you have a feeling or consciousness of God’s power? Do you have faith or believe that God will act in a right, proper, or effective way? Do you have a relation of trust or intimacy with God? Do you have a reliance on God’s discretion?

When our hearts are confident in God, we trust Him. No matter what we might be facing, we trust Him. Some days we might walk through terrible circumstances. We might feel as though something or someone we love is being torn away from us. Maybe you had to change jobs or move to a new community, and this change is painful. Maybe a friendship is disintegrating and it hurts. I know so many of us have faced hard things this year. We don’t know what lies ahead. But one thing is certain, our hearts can remain confident in God.

This means we know He has a plan and a purpose. This means that we trust Him with our present situation and we trust Him with our future. What we are walking through might be beyond difficult, but we can hold onto the fact that God is working all things together for good, as it says in Romans 8:28. Whatever you might be facing today, I pray you are able to turn to our trustworthy Lord and put your confidence in Him.

© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas

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Where Do We Go From Here by Julie Arduini

Posted on October 13, 2021 by juliearduini

I remember my first conversation with my mother after dad died. She had been taking care of people since she was a teen. Now her home was empty and “for the first morning in fifty years, I have no one to take care of.”

She didn’t know what to do with the transition.

Our married life has seen changes, seen and unforseen. One that sticks out was a couple years after 9/11. The financial impact trickled to Upstate NY, and our small city was devastated by job loss. My own job lost funding, but expecting our daughter, I knew I wasn’t returning after having her. My husband, the only one with income, went to work one day to find the owner left to find his own employment. The business was alive only if each person found their own work with commission. All benefits gone. No steady income. We looked at each other that night and wondered what will we do?

Years later we were front pew observers of a nasty church split. All our friends and people our age were angry right with us, and they left that church the morning everything came to a head, not to return en masse. Our kids loved being there. We had felt like it was home. What were we to do?

Today I took our daughter to lunch and we discussed her options after high school. She’s that baby I was expecting when my husband’s job changed. Her first year was full of health situations, one so critical we nearly lost her. The events caused significant delays that year, and some remain. Early on we were told to prepare for retardation. That didn’t happen, but then we were told she was in need of full time special ed. That lasted a month before they dismissed her. Now she’s in regular classes with a 504, and is a National Honor Society member.

Her future isn’t the straight shot her brother’s trajectory was. College is an option, but with comprehension and memory issues, it will take her longer. She tires easily and her health can be compromised. At this time she does not drive. Entering the work force isn’t an automatic choice. Most kids can enter a fast food restaurant and handle the kitchen or front register. That’s not available for her at this time. Exchanging money or working in a high traffic area isn’t just yet.

So where do we go from here?

The experiences I’ve observed and learned on my own have shown me one thing when we aren’t sure what to do: PRAY. @juliearduini @christiansread

Since 2020, we’ve been praying for the Lord to direct specific steps with the kids. As our son completed his college education and our daughter faces the end of high school. As I received the call mom passed on and now it was just my sister and me. When my husband announced he had a job opportunity he was considering. His first question was, would you pray with me?

Prayer has seen us through every single situation. His answer might not have been what I wanted, it might not have been easy, but it was always best. When a door closed, if there was a delay or disappointment, through prayer we saw His blessings in time.

We don’t know the plan for our daughter. But we trust that God does, and that He will show us.

Years ago we were on vacation and unfortunately some of our daughter’s health issues were manifesting while we were a thousand miles from her doctors. Although a doctor was nearby, we knew he wasn’t equipped to handle what might happen based on our experiences. We were in a gift shop and held hands and prayed.

The clerk saw us and in the most beautiful accent declared, “The family that prays together stays together.”

I with I could tell my daughter exactly what’s next, or better yet, she announce to us. In time, by faith, she will.

For now, we keep asking God to direct our steps.

If you’re facing anything similar, I encourage you to the same. How the Lord loves you and longs to give you puzzle pieces and strategies for your life!

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Loving Fervently by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Nancy J. Farrier
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

A few weeks ago we visited a church that two of our daughters attend. We were sitting toward the back and there were several open seats in front of us as often happens with an earlier service. A couple of minutes before the service started a father herded his three daughters into the seats a couple of rows in front of us. I was immediately blessed to see a father taking the time to bring his children to church.

As the worship started and we all stood, a woman came hurrying down the aisle. She slipped past the father and squeezed in between two of the daughters. What followed was like a beautiful homecoming without the shouts of joy or streamers in the air.

The daughters immediately threw their arms around the mother to hug her as she hugged them back and kissed them. The father leaned past the girls and gave her a hug, never removing his arm as he straightened. Throughout the rest of the service the whole family continued to touch one another. Between hugs or just hands on one another’s back, they stayed connected in such a beautiful display of love it brought tears to my eyes. 

My thought was that the mother had been gone and just returned home in time to join her family in church. I spoke with her afterwards and she said she’d been helping out elsewhere before the service and that her family just loved to show affection. I told her what a blessing they were to me, and what a picture they were of how we are to be as Christians. We both ended up a little teary as we chatted.

I haven’t been able to get that family out of my thoughts. I keep seeing their utter joy at being together and thinking of how I interact with my Christian family. I do not interact in a way that brings joy to those around me.

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, loveone another fervently with a pure heart…” I Pet. 1:22

That word fervently carries the meaning of earnestly or strenuously. It’s an action. Like the hugging and touching of this family in church, we are to actively love one another. Maybe not with hugs and touching as they were doing, but in other ways that are just as meaninggul. How often do we go to church and exchange banalities that are instincive while never knowing the underlying needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ? 

I know I am guilty of this. And God is stressing to me that I need to make an effort to have a deeper relationship with those in my church. Will it be easy? No. I live quite a distance away. I’m not good at relationships or friendships. Will it be worth it? Yes, because God is asking and He always has a purpose for what he requests.

I know the family I saw in my daughters’ church has moments that are difficult. They’ve had to work to develop the close relationship they have. But the beauty of what they show the world around them is worth the struggle.

I challenge each of you to join me as I commit to work fervently to establish deeper relationships with others in church or in the community where I live. We must love others as God loves us. Then, without a word, the world will see God through our love for one another.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love oneanother. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

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An Introduction for Modern Readers by James R. Coggins

Posted on October 6, 2021 by jrcoggins

A couple of generations ago, things were much different. Back then, most people in North America—whether believing Christians or not—had a basic understanding of the main teachings of Christianity. Today, the church exists in a culture that is largely disconnected from Christian ideas and perspectives. Many people no longer accept the authority of the Bible, and Jesus is a mystery to them. Where, then, do we begin if we want to introduce them to Jesus?

That is the question B. W. Spinney wrestled with. For years as a pastor, he had been looking for an evangelistic tool that was not only meant for non-Christians but was aimed at a culture that was not familiar with the basic tenets of the faith. Not finding what he was looking for, he decided to write his own. The result is a small book called Faith: A path to understanding God. The book does not attempt to prove the existence of God. Indeed, Spinney argues that, while there is ample evidence, God has deliberately left room for doubt so that people would have a choice of whether to believe in Him or not. Instead, Spinney starts by saying that “Christians believe in a whole bunch of things (and disagree on a few as well), but the most foundational belief is that there is a God who is responsible for the creation of everything.” From there, he leads the reader through basic concepts such as God, revelation, sin, human nature, Jesus Christ, praying, the real universe, the Holy Spirit, church, heaven, and daily faith. Step by step, he presents Christian truths and encourages the reader to take a leap of faith.

Different presentations of the gospel will appeal to different people, and this is one that should speak to more than a few modern readers. It is a small book (112 pages) that can be put into a pocket and easily carried around. Christian churches might find it suitable to give to new believers and seekers.

Faith: A path to understanding God (2021, ISBN: 978-1-7771926-3-1) by B. W. Spinney is published by my own Mill Lake Books and is available from online retailers and bookstores around the world.

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A Time For Everything!

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

King Solomon was a wise man. Solomon wrote much of the book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes, and two psalms. King Solomon knew a few things about life.

In Ecclesiastes 3: 2-8, this wise man said, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Here in Texas, we are slowly leaving behind the long hot, and dry summer and entering the season of fall.

It seems like only yesterday, I was a teenager with all the teenage drama, then married and watching kids grow up. Now, I have grandkids that are entering their teenage years.  

As I grow older, I look back on all the wonderful things God has blessed me with, along with those seasons of mourning, and realize my life has been full. He has been there with me through it all and will continue to walk by my side until my final breath. But the silver in my hair, and the daily aches and pains, remind me that I am growing closer to the end than I am to the beginning, and I take each day with what it brings and give thanks.

What about you? What season are you in?

 Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Thank you, Jesus!

All the best…

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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The Benefits of Walking by Tara Randel

Posted on October 4, 2021 by tararandel

While it is still pretty hot during the day here in Florida, the humidity has lifted. That has made the mornings quite nice, so I’ve been able to resume my walking in the neighborhood. There is nothing like getting outdoors to revive your spirits and get some exercise. I’m greeted by the calls of the whippoorwills, the breeze drifting through the trees and the sun is warm and toasty on my shoulders.

I ran across a woman walking her baby in a stroller this morning and started thinking back to the days when my girls were little. We’d go outside every chance we could, first with them in strollers, then trotting beside me down the road. I couldn’t wait for them to be old enough to read, so I plopped them in a red wagon and pulled them to the library to check out picture books before they’d mastered words. Not surprising they both grew up loving to read.

Today I walk not just because I love to get outdoors, but as I grow older, I find that keeping healthy is a top priority. I still take a class at the gym, but walking on the off days keeps me active and varies my routine.

So, what are the benefits of walking?

Good health. Walking for 30 minutes a day or more on most days of the week is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Walking increases cardiovascular and lung fitness, strengthens bones, reduces joint pain and improves balance, along with burning calories and boosting immune function and energy. With this in mind, getting in 10,000 steps is worthwhile.

Clear your mind. Regular aerobic exercise appears to increase memory. Walking also opens up a free flow of ideas and is a great way to increase creativity. I find that when I’m stuck while writing a book, going out for a walk stimulates my creativity and I’m able to problem solve in my story. Walking allows you to take in what’s going on around you and what you’re experiencing through your senses.

 Stress buster. Walking can calm your mind and elevates your mood. Boosting the circulation that delivers more nutrients and oxygen to cells produces feel-good hormones. It will also improve your sleep.

Make it pleasurable.  In order to get out a few times a day, walking should be fun. Vary where you walk, walk with friends or join a walking club. Having a conversation makes walking less of a chore and more fun. You can work up to longer hikes. This is what my daughter and I did when we traveled to the mountains this summer to hike the trails. It was challenging and fun.

Spending quiet time with God. I find some of my best conversations with God happen when I’m walking. I’m not distracted by daily life and can purposely focus on spending time with Him.

Now that the weather is changing, it’s a good time to take up walking or to get back at it if you stopped during the summer. The benefits are well worth it and having a sense of accomplishment is a great way to start, or end, the day.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her Harlequin Heartwarming romance, STEALING HER BEST FRIEND’S HEART, available NOW. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.

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Made to Praise by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Bridget

I remember visiting with my grandmother late in her years when she wanted to share Psalm 100 with me. This was one of the passages of Scripture she had memorized. But she drew a blank and couldn’t remember the words. She was frustrated with herself. But once she got the first few words of this chapter, she was then able to finish reciting it all.

I don’t know for sure what translation my grandmother had memorized, but I will share NIV with you:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

I was recently reading this Psalm and thinking about this incident with my grandmother. But something struck me. It occurred to me that this is a tune our hearts know well. Even if we forget the words, as my grandmother did, our hearts never forget this rhythm. Once we truly have the Lord in our hearts, praising Him is something each of our souls long to do.

It says in Isaiah 43:21, “This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.” (NKJV)

We were made for worship. Sadly many of us turn in other directions and worship other things. As a result, we never find true satisfaction and joy. But when we worship God wholeheartedly, then we find our rightful place. That is one of the reasons why singing praise songs feels so good.

Another reason why praising God feels so good is because He is there in the midst of the praise. Perhaps you have heard it said that God inhabits the praise of His people. And in Psalm 22:3 it says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (KJV) How amazing to know that anytime we praise God, He is there! What comfort and peace that brings.

So let us keep God in His rightful place in our lives. Let us prayerfully lay aside anything that we put ahead of Him. Let us remember to cling to the Lord and to sing God’s praises daily. Let us thank God for His goodness and character.

And as the writer of Hebrews said, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” (Heb 13:15 NIV)

Original photo by Benjamin Voros on unsplash.com.

© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas

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New Clothes and Shoes by Julie Arduini

Posted on September 29, 2021 by juliearduini

Happy Fall! This is typically my favorite time of year with the gorgeous leaves, smells of apples and bonfires, and cooler weather that I long for in the heat of July. I’m also done with big travels this year, so it feels good to be HOME.

Now that I’m home, I’m taking the time to clean and organize. This week it has been my dresser and closet. There’s a scary story. Between the quarantine, stress, and medicine adjustments, a lot of my clothes don’t fit. I like a baggy feel anyway, but sadly some jeans are not just worn out, they aren’t budging across my bulging middle. Giving myself grace but heading to the cheaper stores, I have shirts and jeans for the season that aren’t so tight.

I also realized after injuring myself on vacation that the few shoes I have are ones that didn’t fit our daughter. She has a wide foot and finding shoes that are comfortable for her, affordable, AND ones she wants to be seen in is quite the achievement. I’ve been wearing sneakers for years that she was sure would be comfortable only to come home and decide they were not. Refusing to let them go to waste, I wore them. They have holes, aren’t the best fit, and have overall seen better days. I splurged for the sake of my need for a shoe with traction that would be good for my knees and went with Vivonic. I forgot how comfortable a shoe can be. I also feel much more secure when I go into a store and see that it has the potential to be a slippery surface. That’s what started that vacation mishap, so yay for new shoes.

This fall I’m also going through another Sheryl Pellatiro Bible Study. Her studies have kept me grounded in His Word this last year. The current study is on Deuteronomy, and is called Higher Ground. Sheryl writes in a way that makes the material easy to understand. She also doesn’t do all the work. There are verses to look up and although I recently finished The Bible in a Year, I’m still surprised when I read the verses and see how it lines up with what’s going on in Deuteronomy.

Imagine my surprise when the study covered Deuteronomy 29:5, NIV.

Yet the LORD says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.”

Moses is speaking to the Israelites in order to establish a covenant between them and the Lord at Moab. He’s reminding them of all God has seen them through. They were slaves. They left Egypt in an epic show of His hand in the Red Sea and received provisions every day. There were victories in battle. God was with them. This wasn’t in a span of a few days or even years. This was forty years.

Forty years in the same sandals. I can hear some of you gasp. You love your shoes, but for forty years? That’s hard to imagine. Like I said, in just a year I’ve had to replace clothes and shoes. I’m thankful for His provision because I am very aware not everyone can run to Gabe’s or the Salvation Army or Amazon and buy something that fits.

My friends and I have been talking lately on why things we felt God has promised for this season show a hint of happening, but have not. We shared different articles and sermons we’ve read, and what trusted mentors have shared in their prayer time.

Everything that came with COVID, at least as far as effecting my life and those around me, isn’t even five years old. Or three. I promise you in my prayers I’ve been begging for change, healings, answers. How the Israelites made it four decades—oh, wait.

They had God.

A God so specific He made sure every single Israelite had clothes and sandals that did not wear out.

For forty years.

We can’t see everything God is doing, and how arrogant of us to assume we should. There is so much in the heavenlies at work, I believe, that’s in place to usher in the greatest awakening to the Body of Christ and the world. I think we’ll see that on earth soon.

While we wait, I know it’s been excruciating. I lost my mom this year, not to the virus, but the protocols left her alone in a hospital with us banned from visiting. I’m surviving that guilt and grief because of my Heavenly Father. He provides. Even and especially when we don’t see it, or when we do and we don’t appreciate it.

Those Israelites did a lot of complaining.

And the Body of Christ has been bellyaching the last couple years as well.

Here’s the deal. We need to unite despite our differences of opinion regarding the last couple of years. Despite the protocols (I don’t mean full rebellion, but if your church is open and you are not at risk, get to church..) Despite what we see around us. Look up and ask God for a Kingdom mindset. To see as He sees. Trust Him with the timing. And remember how He provides.

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What a Gift by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Nancy J. Farrier

My youngest daughter had a birthday last week. Her twenty-eighth birthday. It’s hard to believe how the years have flown past. 

Twenty-eight years ago, when I was going through a very difficult pregnancy with her, my mom gave me a gift. I was at such a low point. We had four children with one on the way and struggled some financially, so special gifts or treats were few and far between. 

My mother sent me a gift of money and asked me to use it to buy something just for me—an unheard of thought when you have several children. I prayed about it and decided I would purchase a ring that I had wanted for some time. Not just any ring, but a sterling silver ring with a Christian message.

When I went to my favorite Christian bookstore, they had the ring I wanted and the amount turned out to be exactly the same as my mom gifted me. During the rest of that pregnancy and the healthy birth of my daughter—a miracle—I wore my Jesus ring. And I have been wearing it for twenty-eight years.

Some days I barely notice I have it on, but often I am drawn to glance at the word Jesus on my finger. I’ve rarely had anyone else notice the ring. It is a message for me.

I am reminded that Jesus is with me. He is there when I do an act of kindness for someone. He is there when I lose my temper and mutter unkind thoughts. He is there when I ignore someone in need that I should help. He is there when I reach out to someone to encourage them. 

He is there with me every minute of every day. Even when I take the ring off, which is rare, I know Jesus never leaves me. He never stops loving me. No matter how horrible I might be, He is still there with me. Knowing me. Giving me grace. Loving me.

My ring is now bent out of shape. The last s in Jesus is hard to make out because the metal is so worn. It slips around on my finger, so sometimes all I see is the band, but I still know the name of Jesus is there. Just as I still know my Savior, Jesus, is there with me.

Be encouraged. He is with you every moment of every day. Through hard times and through good times. He loves you when you’re awful and He loves you when you’re good. 

My mom gave me a lasting gift twenty-eight years ago. God gave me the amazing gift of my daughter then too. But He also gave me the eternal gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. I pray you have that same gift.

Treasure Him. Hold fast to His presence. 

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Posted in Nancy J. Farrier | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Nora’s Review of: Under the Tulip Tree

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Vicki Hinze

Under the Tulip Tree

By Michelle Shocklee

Tyndale House Publishers

400 pages

NORA’S REVIEW: Lorena’s father, a bank president, had a comfortable lifestyle and was well received in social circles before the market took a dive. Lorena Leland and her family were forever changed by the stock market crash in 1929. Little did Lorena know that taking a job with the FWP (Federal Writers’ Project) would rock her world even more than it had in the last seven years of the Great Depression. 

I too wanted to know more. It was remarkable to find out what the Federal Writers Project was and how the author based her narrative on it. It was astounding to read that the President deemed slaves’ stories were important to preserve for future generations. I was fascinated to learn about history through Lorena’s (nicknamed Rena) eyes as she meets 101-year-old Frankie Washington, born a slave and has seen a lot in her 101 years.

Both women were facing their fears Rena Leland, going to a scary part of town to interview a black woman in her home. Frankie Washington had to trust a white woman, welcome her inside and divulge horrific things she had not thought about for years. Could she share these events? Would this woman write what Frankie says or would they change it when things get too hard to hear?

Rena sits down next to Frankie. She is stunned by her courage and trust to share heartaches, lessons, and joys intertwined in hard-tragic times. Frankie had been prompted by the Lord to open her home to Rena, make her feel welcome, as she shared, she let God do the rest.

These women become fast friends and Rena desires to hear more of Frankie’s story. She could not just ask the scripted few questions and go onto the next person. Rena had to know it all. I was on the end of my seat wanting to know it all too.

I liked what the author says in her note to readers, “I first learned of the slave narratives, as they’re called, while researching slavery in Texas. Drawn to the word-for-word and often heart-wrenching telling of life in bondage, I wanted to learn more about the narratives and how they came about.”

The author weaves an incredible story that has you hearing Frankie’s story at the feet of these two women. The author says…”My hope is that Frankie and Rena’s story of friendship, love, and forgiveness honors those whose lives now fill the pages of history.”

Oh, I was blown away by the depth of this story, it’s unforgettable characters, its surprises and the natural spiritual thread. This story would work well for your next book club pick. It is a rich story that you’ll be thinking about long after you close the book. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last.

FROM THE BACK COVER: Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland’s dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena’s banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena.

As Frankie recounts her life as a slave, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured—especially because Rena’s ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie’s story challenges Rena’s preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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”

Nora St. Laurent 

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!

The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

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In Praise of Libraries by James R. Coggins

Posted on September 22, 2021 by jrcoggins

I’ve always wanted to own a castle or at least a country estate.

I particularly wanted to have my office at the top of a tower in the castle or country manor house. From there I would have great vision and perspective on the world. The reality is that my office has most often been in a basement, where, by necessity, my vision was turned inward.

But the real attraction of owning a country estate was books. My parents had a marvelous collection of books, some dating back to the 1800s that they had in turn inherited from their parents and grandparents. Back then, books were very expensive and highly valued. My sister has had the unenviable task of trying to find homes for many of those books.

My own collection of books really took off when I was in university. I was obsessed and thrilled with the opportunity to accumulate knowledge. My daughter has said that she would like to inherit my library. The reality is that she does not have space to accommodate my library in her house and in her life. I have begun the sad task of trying to find homes for some of my books. I have donated some of them to university libraries, rare book rooms, thrift stores, and the Christian Salvage Mission, which ships Christian books to less privileged societies around the world. And I have begun setting aside a small collection of the best of the best to give to my daughter and perhaps eventually her sons.

If I had inherited a country estate, I could have kept my parents library and added my own to it. It is a great vision of each succeeding generation treasuring the wisdom and knowledge of the past and making its own contribution.

My impulse is a good one. In his great survey of world history (Civilisation) Kenneth Clark opened his book with a chapter called “The Skin of our Teeth.” He credited medieval monasteries with copying and preserving the great literature, not only of the Christian era but also of Greek, Roman, and other ancient civilizations, which laid the foundation for Western civilization.

When I was in graduate school in university, part of my research involved spending hours scrolling through microfilm. A project had been initiated in England to catalogue and microfilm every book published in the United Kingdom from the invention of the printing press in the late 15th century until sometime a couple of centuries later. In many cases, there were only one or two copies of a book scattered in university and country estate libraries. The microfilm project preserved these books and made them available to a wider audience. Universities could buy a copy of this collection of microfilm for the exorbitant price of about a million dollars. It filled an entire wall in the university library. It made some of my own research possible.  

Also when I was in graduate school, I was appointed to be a student representative on the university library advisory committee. At that time, the university was struggling to find enough space to contain its burgeoning collections. The science student representative on the committee suggested discarding all books and journals more than ten years old since they were obsolete and had been superseded by more recent research. That might have worked for some science disciplines, but it would have destroyed the literature and historical departments of the university.

The work of preserving the wisdom of the past is a noble one. Perhaps the most notable and remarkable task is the preservation of the Bible, which has preserved the story of God’s revelation to humanity through wars, invasions, long journeys, neglect, and other disasters, often “by the skin of our teeth.” God made that happen.

The reality is that, try as we might, we cannot preserve everything. As Ecclesiastes so eloquently points out, everything in human life is temporary.

It is encouraging, then, to remember that God has no limitations and has His own libraries, where He has preserved the record of humanity. One day, the books will be opened. We can be sure that everything that we have entrusted to Him (2 Timothy 1:12) will be preserved.

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Homecoming

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

Usually at this time of the year, high schools around the country are celebrating a tradition known as homecoming. I’m sure with Covid, there are many schools that are not having the homecoming ceremonies or perhaps they are taking place in a different format.   

In the past, homecoming in high school was a big deal. There were mum corsages, parades, and pep rallies. Signs created by the cheerleaders and pep squad meant to fire-up both the football team and its fans. There is usually a weeklong celebration in which the school and the entire town get involved. The culmination of the week’s events is the football game and the crowning of the homecoming queen. Many former alumni from around the state and beyond return to their beloved high school to relive their teenage years.

Homecomings are special.

Recently, our church had a homecoming as well. We usually have one each year. Former members come and we fellowship over a meal and simply enjoy those who have come back home.

But there is another homecoming that I am looking forward to more than anything. The homecoming in Heaven when all those loved ones that have gone on before me will be there waiting for me. All the saints from the bible, and most importantly, the Father and the Son.

Can you imagine what a homecoming that will be? There are brief descriptions in the bible of Heaven, though we still know very little about it. But one day, there will be no more tears. No more sorrow, and no more pain. We will know each other as we are known. Jesus is preparing a place for us there. And there is worship like nothing we’ve experienced here on earth taking place in Heaven right now. I believe it will be loud and joyous and well, I can’t even imagine.

But I do know one thing. I can’t wait to be part of that homecoming. What about you?   

All the best…

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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