When A Heart Stops

Hello World,
We are getting small projects done at my house today.  Fixing an electrical socket, removing carpet, installing laminate wood flooring, and looking at painting my kitchen.  I love these things and the weather has turned colder, so now it's time to look at our sweet little home.  Are you doing any home repairs?

When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason is a suspense mystery romance novel (uftah what a sentence).  Serena Hopkins is a medical examiner who has helped the FBI in the past with unsolved crimes.  Now she has been called for her expertise once more to help solve a series of murders.  What looks to be a copycat has turned for the worse when former classmates of Serena's are showing up dead with a doll look a like next to them.  Along with the help of her childhood crush now FBI agent Dominic Allen, Serena has to find the killer before it's too late.

Hold on to your toes dear readers, this is a great suspense book.  I literally was on the edge reading it because it was that good.  Not only will you be reading Serena's point of view, but numerous others, one of them being the killer.  That for me is what made the book.  Seeing all the points of view and wondering who really is killing these people made me want to stay up late and finish it.  So dear readers if you want a book to make you screech from the suspense please read Ms. Eason's When a Heart Stops.
*This book was given to me via Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group in hopes of my honest opinion and I honestly gave it.
“Available October 2012  at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What a beautiful thing.  Have you ever stopped to really think about this verse?  I can do all things. What does that mean to you?  For me, it means that anything I put my mind to I can do it no matter how big the challenge may look, as long as I have Christ who strengthens me, I truly can do all things!

Tough Guys and Drama Queens by Mark Gregston

Hello World,
Today has been a great day.  Sometimes you just have days where you can look back at it and be grateful for what God gave you in the people you spent time with.  Have you done anything fun today?  How are you doing today?  Seriously, are you having a good day?  I would love to hear how you're doing and be able to pray for you if you ever need me too.  If you do have a prayer request please feel free to leave it under the comments.

Tough Guys and Drama Queens by Mark Gregston is a book for parents with teenagers.  This book talks about the challenges for today's teenager.  Mr. Gregston goes in depth about what they are feeling, what they are dealing with, how to handle certain situations, and how to parent the way  God would want you to.  Not only will you read about the facts, but you'll read about real life situations with teens and parents.

I can't recommend this book enough.  We live in an incredibly sexual, violent, and scary world.  Not only are our children being exposed to things that we as adults have probably never had to handle, but they're being exposed to it at an extremely young age.  Mr. Gregston does a great job at fully writing a picture of what our children have to go through and how we as parents can not only handle it, but grow closer to our children during it.  This book is complete in how to handle situations and gives questions to help get your child talking.  Parents please read this book, this is a book that I plan on reading and re-reading over and over again.

*This book was given to me via Booksneeze in hopes of my honest opinion and I honestly gave it.

Isaiah 40:22
It is God who sits above the circle of the earth.  The people below must seem to him like grasshoppers!  He is the one who spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them.

What a mighty thing, too many times I lose my perspective of our Father.   These words pain an incredible picture for me and reminds me that  The Almighty God should be revered.  Revered means to show devoted deferential honor to: regard as worthy of great honor.  I know God loves me, but sometimes I don't show devoted deferential honor, I forget His mighty power.  Father may I never forget that you sit above the circle of the earth.  That we the people below seem like grasshoppers.  You are the one who spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes Your tent from them.  Thank you for you greatness, and your mercy.

Life with Lily

Hello World!
Yesterday it hit me that this would be the last year of pj's all day long, or sleeping in on a weekday.  Kylar will be going to school next year, and with that is added responsibility of waking up early, getting ready on time, and leaving the house.  These days are numbered and it made me grateful for them all the more.  Are you thankful for anything?

Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher is a book about a little Amish girl.  Lily lives in Upstate New York with her mom, dad, and two brothers.  Her life is full of adventures and learning experiences.   With her responsibility to her family, learning at school, and growing up Lily is a very busy girl.

This book would be excellent for you to read to your sweet little girl, or maybe even have her read it herself.  The lessons that your little one will learn from reading about Lily is Biblical, and wise.  I also appreciated how Ms. Kinsinger and Ms. Woods Fisher wrote about Amish life.  So dear readers if you have a little girl in your life that would like to learn life lessons and have a few laughs to boot you should read the book Life with Lily to her.

*This book was given to me via Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest opinion and I honestly did.
“Available October 2012  at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Psalm 20:4
May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose.

Sometimes I forget that God wants the best for me.  That He truly desires a life blessed, and complete.  So when I'm feeling down in the dumps or mopey I look to this verse to remind me that God wants to grant me my heart's desire, and to have a fulfilled purpose in life.  Don't you forget that either dear readers.

A Love Surrendered

Hello World,
We are very fortunate today to have Todd with us.  My amazing husband :)  The kids love having him here too.  Now Todd and I are sitting together enjoying the quiet of nap time and each other.  I know I have things to do, groceries to get, but right now I'm loving this sweet moment.

A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman is the story of Annie Kennedy.  Annie has just recently moved to Boston after the death of both her parents.  Feeling alone and abandoned by God she throws her cares away wanting to live the free and easy life.  Steven O'Conner doesn't want sweet innocent Annie to be taken in by speakeasies, or wild friends.  Taking on the protective brother coat he wants to make sure Annie doesn't get in too deep.  Will he be able to stop her from making an unwise choice?

This book is full of high drama, romance, and emotions.  I know Ms. Lessman is extremely popular and her books always makes me curious as to what happens next.  A few of the scenes are quite steamy, and there were some moments in the book where I felt weren't scriptural.  For instance Annie had been sneaking out of her Aunt's house to go to a dance hall.  Feeling convicted she approached a spiritual mentor to ask her if she should come clean to her Aunt.  Here let me quote what follows.

Pg 158
              "Good for your soul, maybe, but not Aunt Eleanor's.  Yes, honesty is crucial in
               our walk with God, for sure, but the Bible tells us that although some things
               are lawful, not all are profitable or edify.  It's the rule of love God is so partial
               to -- let no one seek his own, it says, but that of the other.  Which means,"
               Faith said with a pointed look, "we have to weigh every word out of our mouth.
               Although what we want to say may be the truth, if it doesn't lift the person up
               encourage, or set free, more than likely we need to keep it between God and
               ourselves."

This excerpt is Biblical up until the last sentence.  Everything Ms. Lessman says is true, and I agree that we need to lift people up, but what I don't agree with is when we should keep things from someone we lied to. I sought help from one of my pastor's at church because I wanted to make sure I wasn't taking verses out of context.  He discussed how not only is confession good so you can be healed, but also it allows forgiveness.  When you don't tell the person you've been lying to about the lie it doesn't allow healing for either of you.  When you lie it causes sin and unfortunately no matter what it's going to hurt people, but that's what sin does.  Sin is painful, but when you hide something it stops accountability and it stops you from having a closer relationship with them.  So that's why James 5:16 is written.  A person who doesn't confess sins (such as lying) will never be fully healed and can be tempted to do the same thing again.  The Bible doesn't tell us to hide the truth, because it will be more damaging then good.  With that being said, Ms. Lessman made a great fictional book full of memorable characters and lively conversation.  A book that you will read quickly.

If you're interested in knowing more about what the Bible says about lying, my church (Hillside Christian Church) just did a great series on it.  Here is the link (HillsideMessages)  click on the Camouflage picture :)

This book was given to me via Revel, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest opinion and I honestly gave it.
“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.

How important it is to handle our sins in such a matter.  :)  Don't ever forget what confessing your sins to others can do for your soul.

You Are What You Wear

Hello World,
What a rainy day it has been.  I had the great privilege to be able to play with my church's worship team tonight and tomorrow as well.  It's always fun to play well arranged pieces with a band and great singers, but then to add worshiping our amazing Father in heaven, well words can't describe it :)  Are you doing anything fun this weekend?

You Are What You Wear by Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner is a book about clothes and what certain clothes reveal about you.  I was drawn in (as usual) by the cover.  It's an interesting cover and it made me think about my years of trying to  be comfortable in what I wear.  Our author known as  Dr. B is a wardrobe consultant, but also has a doctoral degree in psychology.  She looks in to her patients wardrobe to really see what is going on with their life and style.

I would like to preface these next few statements with, this is not a Christian book.  I know that generally speaking I don't review books that aren't Christian, but this is just a book that I needed right now.  I've struggled with style for a good portion of my life, so I really wanted to read what a doctor would say about it.  This book was refreshing, and honest and really dealt with a multitude of problems us gals can have mental as well as physical.  Not only is it honest, but it's eloquent.  This book made me look at myself and my wardrobe and really see what I like about my style, and what I can potentially get rid of.  So dear readers, if you're feeling frumpy, or in a rut over what to wear please get the book You Are What You Wear.

2 Timothy 1:7-8
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.  And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for Christ.  With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News.  

Sometimes I'm timid, and I fear the repercussions of inviting someone to church.  Why?  I seriously have no clue.  I have never felt any physical punishment from me inviting someone, maybe an odd stare but that's it.  So when I read this verse I feel convicted and a very real reminder of what God has given me.  I have been given a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.  Why should I be ashamed to tell others about God or invite them to a place that worships him fully.  What a relief, what an immense feeling to have that burden off my shoulders.

Every Storm

Hello World!
It is a quiet Wednesday morning.  The fall colors are starting to spread through out the trees and there is a briskness to the air.  I love Texas, but there is one thing that Texas doesn't have and it's fall.  In Wisconsin the trees would be a beautiful array of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns.  Here it's mainly yellows.  In Wisconsin farms are fresh with corn mazes, hay rides, apple orchards, and pumpkins. Here it's just pumpkins :)  Don't get me wrong I love where I live, but you can't get good ol' Wisconsin falls anywhere else, but Wisconsin.  So if you live in Wisconsin be sure to drive by the bluffs near LaCrosse, or go apple picking at Elegant Farmer, or stop by Prellwitz Produce and tour their brand new winery!  And don't forget to be thankful for the beauty surrounding you :)

Every Storm by Lori Wick is just one of those books that you can re-read over and over :)  Well truthfully I re-read all of her books over and over.  I never have to worry that any of her books aren't scriptural, or feel that some of her scenes are too steamy.  It's just a fun romantic read.  Most of the time her books are life books.  When I say that, Ms. Wick's books will take you on one characters journey of faith.  Of course there is always romance, but there is also adventure, growth, or suspense too.  I love it.

In Every Storm we have Ms. Lorraine Archer's life story.  Her journey starts her off on a cattle ranch in Australia where her sister Josie and her teach.  What seemed to be a fun adventure took a turn for the worse when World War Two broke out and their plane crashes on an island.   I won't say much more, but be prepared to cry a little and see what happens in Lorraine's life :)

1 Timothy 2:1-3
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.  As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks.  Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior.

I think we forget this plea from Paul.  How important it is to pray for everyone.  Most importantly for people who have authority.  I have been convicted of that recently.  I don't share the same views as our President, but that doesn't give me an excuse to not pray for him.  I would much rather live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity, how about you?

Wisdom for Your Walk

Hello World,

Today has been a very full day.  With my baby girl's first sleep over party the night before, cheering a friend who ran a half marathon, and teaching at church.  It has been one of those days where you're like whew.  So as I'm typing I'm eating some left over lemon garlic fish with lemon garlic spaghetti and savory the last bit of the day.  Have you had a busy day or was it very relaxing?

Wisdom for Your Walk is by the author James Macdonald.  If you do not know Pastor James I highly suggest you go and look at his website Walk in the Word (click here).  He is a man that my family listens to on a regular basis and we also have the great privilege of supporting Walk in the Word.   What amazes me with this certain ministry 1) they have a genuine love and belief in preaching the word of God using the Bible, and 2) they pour into their supporters.  Sending monthly encouraging devotionals, books, and sermons.  It truly is just an amazing ministry.   

Wisdom for Your Walk was one of those sweet gifts that made me just grateful that we can support Walk in the Word.  In this book you will get quick encouraging writings on your daily life, quiet times, grace, heaven, hell, and Jesus Christ just to list a few of them.  This should be used for a quick reminder or to get back on track on what God has planned for your day.  A little bit of encouragement does a world of good when a day seems hard.  So dear readers if you looking for a quick one paragraph reads through out your day I would highly recommend Wisdom for Your Walk.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 

So lately a dear friend of mine and I have been convicted to pray for our husbands.  Truly, I try and read The Power of a Praying Wife every year for my and Todd's relationship.  With that being said as I scanned the chapter I realized how important it was.  Today's chapter was praying for your husbands fears.  So today I pray this verse for my husband; that he knows how to seek the Lord, and as always the Lord hears him, and delivers Todd from all of his fears.  I pray that for you too dear readers, that when you're afraid that you seek the Lord, you know that He will listen and then deliver you from every single one of your fears.