Books

            Our library is open and I’ve been enjoying suspenseful romance novels by Mindy Starns Clark. One is A Penny for Your Thoughts, copyrighted in 2002 by author Mindy Starns Clark, published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR.

https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Thoughts-Million-Dollar-Mysteries/dp/0736929568

I don’t know why I didn’t start with this first book but I finally got to it last week. I am enjoying this series. I was going to write that she is a new author to me, but as I looked for an image of this book, I saw that she wrote a book I bought a few years back, entitled The House That Cleans Itself, copyrighted in 2007 by Mindy Starns Clark, published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR.

https://www.abebooks.com/House-Cleans-Creative-Solutions-Clean-Orderly/30819463303/bd?cm_mmc=ggl

Another author in the same genre is Colleen Coble and I started the Sunset Cove Series last week. The first book is The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, copyright 2015 by Colleen Coble, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/series/sunset-cove/79841/?gclid=CjwKCAjwj6SEBhAOEiwAvFRuKJGwmrCNDc8YFMzoEa3YIdApkPwT61GZvwz_w50mi9SXVUuNcwdRBxoC2M0QAvD_BwE

Both authors penned books with family betraying their members, which made me feel sad. I don’t have a perfect family. I don’t know anyone who does. But maybe it’s the way I was brought up-as best we could our siblings watched out for one another. I recommend both these authors if you enjoy solving a puzzle while wondering if the heroine will find the love of her life.

I usually read Christian novels. Non-fiction is the kind of book I select most often, but I can relax and learn a little something from fiction at the same time as well.

Sometimes I’ll read and feel dissatisfied, so I’ll stick a bookmark in the tome and pick up my Bible. After a few pages, I’ll think about the life I find in Scripture. It doesn’t compare to a normal book. I ponder why I’m reading things other than the Word.

I don’t think God minds me reading other books since I do read the Bible, but I do know He wouldn’t have me make an idol of fiction or non-fiction works. God is jealous for us. He made mankind for relationship with Him. Rather amazing when I consider that He’s so much more than a tiny human being.

I hope you are well. May God bless you.

Charade

(This image is from Amazon.com.)

I read a Christian book by prolific writer, Gilbert Morris called Charade last week. It was copyrighted in 2005, published by Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI. Once I started, it seemed this wasn’t the first time I perused this fictional tome.

Maybe because it wasn’t new to me, I found myself getting into the mindset of the morbidly obese main character, Ollie Benson. He weighed over 400 pounds and most people treated him like a freak. An intelligent, sensitive man about to become a millionaire.

I don’t want to spoil the story, but I began to notice some health tips interspersed where it made sense to the plot. With COVID 19, I’ve heard many individuals gained 35 pounds as the norm.

I’ve not put on much, but after finishing a diet competition ending in July of this year, my weight’s set point went up a few pounds a month or so afterwards. I’m trying to find my way back to a previous lower weight where I felt better.

I liked Charade because of the interesting characters and because I know Gilbert Morris researches the factional information. The twists in the action kept me turning the pages.

Gilbert Morris doesn’t usually write this kind of book. It’s more suspenseful than his historical novels with sweet romance included.

If you’re reading more than usual during this pandemic and in America, during the political processes going on, perhaps you’ll discover Charade, and enter a world outside of the ordinary.

May God bless you!

God’s Healing Touch

 

 

Every afternoon or later, I take some time to read A More Excellent Way: Be in Health by Dr. Henry W. Wright. I read the Bible earlier because I’m aware that I need God’s input sooner, before I’m scrambling.

I own Dr. Wright’s book copyrighted in 1999, 2005, and 2009 by Be in Health®, Inc.https://resources.beinhealth.com/

Whitaker House, New Kensington, PA published it. On page 13, Dr. Henry Wright emphasized this statement: “The beginning of all healing of spiritually rooted diseases begins when you make your peace with God, and accept His love once and for all, accepting yourself and others.”

After giving two Scriptures from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, he tells us how Jesus put the two together in the book of Matthew: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

God helps us to love Him wholeheartedly. God restores our emotions, our mind, our physical being so we can love ourselves after we’ve been condemned by people and the enemy of our soul. Then we’re able to love others.

In Romans 12 it says: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2 NRSV)

I wrote, “So much to think about as I rest.”

Then, on yesterday I thought I heard the still, small voice of God say, “You are healed.”

I felt a tiny increase of health, so I said, “Thank You!”

Then, I found I was needed for Celebrate Recovery at night and I had the strength to go and cover a couple of the leadership spots because we had just enough leaders. Praise God!

I hope this finds you well. May God bless you!

Reality Strikes

Last week, I thought I’d return to Celebrate Recovery but that morning I woke up with rashes on my feet and hands. So, I stayed home.

Yesterday, I went to a doctor and he asked questions and listened for over an hour and a half. Looking at three blood draw results from the end of October, he said I’m definitely getting better, but I’m run down. So, he told me to continue resting and hydrating and eating healthy. He doesn’t know what I have, and he gave me another lab slip for more blood tests.

Last week, when the rash showed up, I told God, the great “I AM,” the Creator of the universe, that I give my health to Him. When praying, I’ve learned that in addition to having faith that God wants to answer prayer positively according to His will, that letting go of the results and trusting God-a prayer of relinquishment, can be one of the most important steps I take.

I’ve been reading in the book of Jeremiah for a while now, and God likes it when we turn to Him. He likes it when we don’t seek stuff and relationships with people and spend hours watching sports with rarely a thought for Him-when we don’t put those things before Him. He knows we need housing and clothing and food. He understands our need for close ties with people, that’s why He designed families. He realizes we need to unwind and relax. In the book of Matthew in the New King James Version it says:

Do Not Be Anxious

Mat 6:25  “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Mat 6:26  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Mat 6:27  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Mat 6:28  “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

Mat 6:29  and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Mat 6:30  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Mat 6:31  “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

Mat 6:32  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Mat 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Mat 6:34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

In my own case, I don’t think God minds me going to the doctor, and this particular one happens to be a Christian, and I have been praying and seeking God while I’m laid up. Yesterday, the doctor told me to continue to rest so I can recuperate and then don’t fill up my schedule. He doesn’t want me to relapse. So, apparently, I’m still on the shelf. I asked if I ought to eat some meat and he said it’s probably a good idea because my red blood cells are low. My husband took me to eat in a restaurant in town and I ordered a Reuben sandwich on rye bread. I could only eat half because my appetite has been low and I don’t have the room to fit too much food in now. Which is not a bad thing. I wanted to lose a little weight.

I hope this finds you well. I’m asking God to direct my steps as Thanksgiving is approaching and we’re expecting company. I warned my youngest daughter that I may not be as much help as usual. My family blesses me.https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-multi-generation-family-celebrating-thanksgiving-image28082785

May God bless you!!

Full Focus

https://fullfocusplanner.com/wp-content/themes/fullfocusplanner-v3/images/v3/ffp-stack-white.jpg

I ordered Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner. When I made the purchase there was a special offer of free training videos, which I appreciated. I went through the training and filled out a couple of goal sheets which have similarities and differences from others I’ve used over the years.

Something I’ll find helpful is the limit of 7-10 goals for the whole year, 2-3 goals for the quarter of the year. I chose work around the house for one and writing for number two. My third goal will be holiday preparations and I’m delighted to break the whole into small steps.

I got invited to a seaside home and requested the last part of September before the cold weather hits. We’ve had extraordinarily warm weather this Fall, although yesterday the temperature dipped down to our ordinary cooler days and nights. Today stayed the same, and I wore a couple of jackets when we went out. Tonight, in our heated home, I left one of the jackets on and put on a knit cap with ear flaps and tie strings for under the chin. My husband suggested I take a selfie and put it out on the blog. I looked in the mirror and decided it didn’t look too bad. He glanced up and smiled big time. Well, laughed really. I had already told him I’m not putting a picture of me in this warm cap online. I mean, why would I? 😊

So, at the end of September, near the lake, we boarded a pontoon boat, with a wide sturdy dock which suited this grandma perfectly. I wore a raincoat even though it was significantly warmer than today because I know I get chilled on the water unless it’s around 75 degrees F or higher. A breeze kicked up from the lake and we turned around to stay on the smaller waterways leading to the bigger body of water. I’ve been wanting to get on a boat, but I didn’t tell anyone. I thought of the verse that says if we’ll delight ourselves in the Lord, He’ll give us the desires of our heart. I’m not perfect at delighting myself in the Lord because I get my mind on self or responsibilities, but I do appreciate God for Who He is and how He blesses me. I thanked my friends personally, but I’ve been writing on my planner for days now, send a thank you note. They said it’s not necessary, but my mom always stressed sending a handwritten thanks to someone who did something nice for you. And the folks I went to visit provided a pleasant place for a sleep over, pleasant company, pleasant food, a pleasant dog and a pleasant cat who purred while sitting cozily next to me.

The only downside was going home to reality. Not only did we eat at a delightful soup and sandwich shop, which my co-visitor treated us at on our last day, but we stopped at some local stores with friendly workers with low costs compared to my neck of the woods. After I got home, it was my turn to cook, clean, do laundry, figure out the menu, etc. So spoiled. But, as has been said many a time, “home is home and it’s always wonderful to be in your own bed,” and with people you’ve grown fond of and see regularly.

I’m still reading Isaiah, going through the book, and it has harsh warnings and wonderful promises. A friend said today that true Christianity is a religion that embraces questions and thinking and reasoning, which is based on a verse in Isaiah: (Isa 1:18, CEV) “I, the LORD, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.”

I hope you are well. May God bless you.

 

 

You’ve Got to Hear This Guy

 

I’m at the second library of the day, waiting for time to elapse between doctor’s appointments. I’ve been on the go so much, I haven’t been resting well. So, I’ve been trying to heal up using home remedies, praying and sitting down in the middle of the day to relax. I finally called the doctor this morning and maybe the healing is beginning after seeing him and before applying any medicine. Sometimes it’s just that way.

This afternoon, I’m heading back to the dermatologist and plan on avoiding that place until Spring.

My husband and I listened to some CD’s borrowed from a friend on our way up and then home from seeing family up north. Twice in nine days, someone recommended we see or hear Dan Mohler and his associate, Todd White. Our friend got home from seeing speaker Dan Mohler in PA that morning and the evening before.

When she offered the CD’s, I thought perhaps the Lord wanted us to hear the man. We both enjoyed his ministry and learned a few things. Many of his comments echoed our understanding of the Word of God. And as I said, we learned from him and appreciated the passion he spoke with and the clarity he imparted, as God had blessed him with insight.

My friend said her family listens to Dan Mohler on YouTube before the children go to bed each night. I couldn’t understand why until I heard him talk about the joy he finds with life in Christ.

I hope this finds you well. May God bless you.

What Helps You?

I’m with some of my children and got to see all of my grandchildren. I love it when my son and his wife get vacation time. https://pixabay.com/en/photos/grandparents/

For two weeks before this I drove north to babysit for four of my “grands” and scooted home for the weekends. At the end of the two weeks, I was worn out!

Every once in a while, my husband and I will look at each other and say, “I’m not in my twenties anymore.”

An advantage of seeing my son-he takes the time to work on my computer, which keeps freezing up and gets in the way of my blogging. Another reason I love being with younger people is because by the time you reach grandparent age, you’ve seen a lot of disappointment and sorrow with the joys of life balancing things out.

When I get overwhelmed with hard things, I hold onto Phil. 4:8, NKJV: Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

The Apostle Paul continued in Phil. 4:9: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

If I get hit with fear or my thoughts are all over the place and I can’t remember what I was doing or what word I need to describe something, I stop a minute and breathe. Then, I repeat 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

The Word of God is true and works. I also consider the physical aspect. Am I feeling tired or thirsty or am I trying to focus on more than one thing at a time? I take care of those things if it’s possible.

Have you used a Scripture and seen God fulfill it? I would love to hear from you! Have you taken a vitamin B tablet to help when you’re in a stressful situation? Or exercised? What helps you?

May God bless you!

Peace

https://www.iloveny.com/listing/letchworth-state-park/4625/

The first time I went to Letchworth State Park was as a child with my family.

Happy Memorial Day to those who celebrate this holiday. I got thinking about peace today, not really pondering peace among nations, but peace in the hearts of ordinary people. My husband has been preaching out of Matthew 24 about end times. Some day there will be peace for 1,000 years when Jesus reigns on this earth. Then Satan will be loosed from the prison he was in and the people will choose-God or the devil, as we have freedom to choose now. God must really value free choice or He wouldn’t have set up the world the way He did.

Here are a couple of sections of Scripture I turn to when I want comfort and/or instruction:

Wisdom from Above

 

James 3:13, (ASV):  Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Jas 3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Jas 3:15  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Jas 3:16  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Jas 3:17  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Jas 3:18  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

These Scriptures are from e-sword.com:

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

Psa 34:1  Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psa 34:2  My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Psa 34:3  Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Psa 34:4  I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psa 34:5  Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psa 34:6  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psa 34:8  Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psa 34:9  Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

Psa 34:10  The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psa 34:11  Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psa 34:12  What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

Psa 34:13  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Psa 34:14  Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psa 34:15  The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

Psa 34:16  The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Psa 34:17  When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psa 34:18  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psa 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Psa 34:20  He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Psa 34:21  Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

Psa 34:22  The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

 

And finally: God Is Our Fortress

Psalm 46:1  To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psa 46:2  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

Psa 46:3  though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

Psa 46:4  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

Psa 46:5  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

Psa 46:6  The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Psa 46:7  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psa 46:8  Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.

Psa 46:9  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

Psa 46:10  “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psa 46:11  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

 

I hope you are well! May God bless you!

“I Can Only Imagine”

 

https://icanonlyimagine.com/share

Last week, my husband and I went to see the movie, “I Can Only Imagine”.

I didn’t read any reviews and when I heard people speaking of the film I asked them not to spoil it for me.

I didn’t know what to expect, but as a music lover, it satisfied my soul.

I love seeing people making choices in their relationships, their jobs, their education, and how they react to others.

If you have the opportunity to see the film in your area, you might want to check it out.

May God bless you!

Northanger Abbey

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51FWZHBC37L._AC_US218_.jpg

I am about to read Chapter VI in Jane Austen’s novel, Northanger Abbey, with the Introduction, Bibliography, and Chronology copyrighted in 1991 by Everyman’s Library. It was published by Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY and elsewhere around the world.

 

It seems that I pick up a book or begin a chore more easily than I read the Bible lately, and my disposition suffers from the lack of the Word. So, I read some of the book of Joshua today, but in addition, the quiet sitting and thinking of the meaning of the passages has been avoided.

 

Another habit that’s slipped by the wayside- a regular writing of this blog!

 

So, tonight, I decided to just write a little and to say hello.

 

I wrote about Easter the second week in March because a lady did a devotional on the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I will type it out this week rather than go into detail tonight, although it is a very short blog.

 

One of my children, with our grandchildren in tow arrived at our house on Thursday and stayed until Monday morning. Making pancakes, and Easter bread, which came out well, (yay!) kept me busy, in the midst of hide and go seek, and monster tag, etc.

 

Since I bought a soft cast for my leg to support my sore foot, I decided to chase the kids with the big black velcroed boot on, which stiffens the whole leg. Extending arms and making scary noises started a new game a little while ago. That event caused them to beg for the chase again this week.

 

When we moved to the back yard, which is not flat and smooth, it made it awkward for me. My granddaughter stood before me to guard against the boy monsters getting me. When I told her she didn’t have to always be the monster, she said, “I’ll just be your apprentice monster.”

 

Kids grow up so fast!

 

I wonder what Jane Austen would think of modern day England and America. She mentions in Chapter V, “As soon as divine service was over, the Thorpes and Allens eagerly joined each other;”

 

The Christian world was commonplace to her in the novels I’ve already read, but she didn’t mention “divine service,” as far as I can recall. I liked that phrase, “divine service.”

 

Before the story begins, there are pages of narration in the Introduction and then there are a few pages of her history, and other author’s names and works, and the history of the world all in corresponding rows set up according to the years. The events of war and major political happenings concerned Europe and Russia and occasionally the United States. Napoleon was alive and engaged in taking over much of the world during her lifetime.

 

Today, I heard in the news that Chinese diplomats are talking to Russian diplomats and possibly America and South Korea will join the conversation. As I read the Bible, it makes me think of the alliances of nations that it talks about at the end of the ages. China and Russia are mentioned. The United States is not mentioned, as far as I can tell, unless we are included with Great Britain. It’s a little complicated.

 

I hope this finds you well. May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His outstretched hand.