Great Books....Great Reviews

This past week (and weeks for one book), I have read several amazing books. They are books that have definately impacted my life and I know the words echoed in my thoughts will not cease anytime soon.

First, Amanda (Beth Moore's daughter) had a great review of a book that I decided to read. The book is now on my Top 10 books of all times. I highlighted a numerous amount of quotes from the book that I will definately be using in the future. The name of the book is Finding God's Will: Seek Him, Know Him, Take the Next Step, by Gregg Matte.

I can honestly say that this book is packed full of wisdom and the message is so timely at this pivotal time in my life. It is inspiring, endearing, honest and absolutely an absolute joy to read.

P.S. - I read it the kindle version for the ipad and iphone. I will be getting me a new ipad2 when they come out!

Next, I read Shelia Walsh's book called The Shelter of God's Promises. It was again packed full of wonderful examples of the promises that God has given each of us. I love it soooooo much!

Our Sunday School class is reading The Grace of God by Andy Stanley. We are reading one chapter at a time and it has been hard to stop and not finish the rest the book when the chapeter for the week ends. On top of the wonderful word illustrations from Andy Stanley, there has been such rich discussion. In Sunday School and at home with Kaleb, some of the greatest truths of God's word have been poured over with a new light.

Lastly, as many know we are reading daily the bible. Each one of these books above have impacted me more thanks to the study of God's word. A new meaning (or understanding) has allowed me to dig deeper and find precious truths that I can cling to.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

A picture of the cast of your favorite show

I LOVE Scrubs! I watch an episode (or a few) every single night before bed.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

No doubt about it, there is no one I have been closer with than my MOM! She is my biggest cheerleader and my wisest source of advice. I love her to pieces and am so thankful to have her in my life. I am blessed beyond words to be her daughter.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day One

Day One - A picture of myself with 10 facts....

1. I hate chocolate; but I do like Peanut Butter Cups.
2. I am head over heels in love with my amazing husband, Kaleb.
3. I have dreamed of being an author.
4. My world is defined by Kagan, Kade and Kenadee in so many ways.
5. I spend tons of time looking for the perfect chair which seems to only exist in my mind. I have a vision of my comfy chair but never seem to find at the store.
6. I am scared about my kids getting married and never coming home to see me.
7. I think God has something in store for me to do that I have not seen yet.
8. I get scared very easily.
9. I love to plan anything, especially family trips.
10. I put on my pj's the minute I walk into the house.

Thru The Bible - Deuteronomy

I was discouraged a little bit when I first started reading Deuteronomy because I just felt like it was a lot of repeat of what I had learned in the previous chapters. Then it hit me - if God put it in the bible more than once - he MUST have a reason. With that one little statement, I was humbled....

Then just as I was humbled, God showed me some great NEW things that I was almost apt to "skim" right over. Thank you God for your patience with me.

I had a thought that even with all the great things that Moses did, his last purpose was encourage Joshua to become the leader the people needed. Moses spent his last days preparing the way for Joshua to inherit what Moses knew as the Promised land.

I loved the number of times that people were showed that GOD would be fighting the battle for them. In some cases, they had to show up to swing the sword but how much power of God's they must have felt. Think about all the men that fought opponents that for all reason should have one; but the victory was theirs because God willed victory for them. It would have made a blockbuster movie, I am sure!

I forget how many "other gods" the Isrealites were comfronted with. The more I read, my thoughts are changed about how those chosen men and women lived. They lived in a society inindated with a god for everything. Not much different than today. Their "simple life" was much more complicated than I often consider it to be.

I felt blessed by the number of times that God chose to express his love for us. His abounding love that will carry us like a father a carrys a son and for thousand generations to come. Such a precious love letter from my father!

I love that God let us see His watchful care for all generations. He not only is working things out for us but may be fulfilling something in our life to open a great blessing to our children. There is no greater thought in the world than to be reminded that God planned in the beginning how HE would bless my children. It gives me goosebumps!

Such a great reminder about how a "little sin" of allowing destable things into our home cause us to be like the rest of people. Instead, God tells us to abhor and detest these things.

I love Deut. 11:19 - I want to be reminded by God's word to let my actions speak to my children as well as my words.

I am still so shocked how much of the American judicial system is embedded within the words of bible. If we could just get back to living within God's laws we would not need so many legalities!

The bible says women can not wear men's clothing. When we use to wear decorated boxers to school (as shorts) my dad said this was forbidden in the bible. I thought he was joking, but it appears he was right! LOL

In chapter 24, it talks about how a newly married man should not be sent to war. Once again, there is reminder of God's protection over marriage. He wants us to be successful and to have time to be with one another.

I was so taken with Chapter 32. I loved the verse that says to "let my teaching fall like rain". I stopped to pray that God would shower me withHis teaching so that I daily fall more in love with His ways. It closes by saying "They are not just idle words for you, they are your life". How true I want this to be in my life.

To wrap us this chapter that I first began reading as if it was a "repeat" I read these words : "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are everlasting arms". Thank you God for your grace...Thank you for your mercy....and most of all thank you for your love!

Thru the Bible....Numbers

We just finished the Book of Numbers and I am enjoying this journey so much. This year has been such a blessing of really "digging in" and finding new treasures from God's word.

Everyone talks about the beauty of the Mona Lisa, which is really quite ordinary if you think about it. A simple portrait done by an amazing artist who found a way to create a timeless piece of art. The "life" of her ability to follow people with her eyes as she moves is an oddity, to say the least. Yet, it was with precision, passion, talent, form, and artistic ability that da Vinci was able to create this piece of work even though he considered it unfinished.

To me, the book of Numbers was the same as the Mona Lisa in a few ways. It also is a timeless word portrait of a living society. It was an artistic expression of our Creators plan for eventual salvation. The record of millions of people living and awaiting God's instruction to reach a Promise Land. It is a beautiful strategic plan for God's army of which I am descendant of. Yet, unlike daVinci, God knew his work of creation would not be unfinished but reach completion.

- As one loving genealogies, I have to admit it makes me a little curious as to which one of the "tribes", I was a descendant of. Not that it matters, but wouldn't it be interesting to know?

- I found Numbers reminding me of a special bond and care that God had for women. Some things seem so unfair and so judgmental against women but really God set up a plan for man to care for his wife. He also set up a plan to have care for widows, for husbandless daughters and young women. An authority not to oppress us but to support us. That was really encouraging to me, even with the somewhat questionable liberties of males during this time.

- I loved the blessing of the Priest. I love the image of Lord's face shining upon me or those I ask for him to bless. I should spend more time asking for God's grace, blessing and favor be upon those I love and care for. How much better would my world be if those I surrounded myself with were shining with the glory of God?

- I wonder if there is a significance to a man retiring at the age of 50? At this time, people were living to be around 100 or 120. God determined for them to work half their life but to be able to rest in their older years. Our society has this so wrong. We don't have provisions that are easily obtainable to work hard and then retire at this age and allow ourselves years to just be "helpers".

- Moses seemed to be confident in his relationship with God to be so bold. I love that Moses was able to honestly express his hardship and express why the burden he was carrying was too heavy and God immediately granted him a solution. God never intends for us to carry more than we can, but I guess this just reminded me that sometimes He expects us to ask for help.

Before Kaleb's dad disappeared he highlighted a verse in a bible for Kaleb. Since Kaleb's childhood's friend was named Joshua, he marked where Caleb and Joshua would be the men that entered into the promise land. I wish Kaleb would have had a the chance to see his father live out a faithful Christian life but that was not the case. However, I see this gesture just a simple glimpse of God's provision that my Kaleb would one day see the Promise Land. Kaleb's father, no matter what others say, did lay one foundation of a promise for his son in God's word and I think God honored that suggestion in making my Kaleb an amazing man! "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to and his descendants will inherit it".

How true, that my Kaleb also, has a different spirit that I am sure that God is pleased with.

- Even though Moses was told he would never enter into the Promise Land, I think he knew his real Promise Land was elsewhere. Why would he care to get there when he could get to heaven with God? He did not give up but seemed to continue to plan of God without complaining but with purpose.

- I don't understand why God had Moses make a snake. I know it later becomes an idol and it just seems like it gave something made of medal a symbol of power.

- I think the story of talking donkey is funny. Sometimes I guess God's sense of humor is so appropriate. With us calling the donkey a stubborn animal and donkey (or the other name for donkey) being a connotation of being difficult, it is quite comical that a donkey's voice was use to correct Balaam being difficult.

- The verse where it recaps the Israelites journey and states that they marched out BOLDLY in FULL VIEW of the Egyptians was a treasure to me. When God determines that his people (or me) has a purpose and is receiving a blessing from Him he will allow us to march out BOLDLY in front our enemy!

- Of all the things I struggled with in this chapter, really the amount of bloodshed still bothers me. I know God has purpose but it still seems so violent. I see God wiping away people with a blink of his eye but when he used man to do, it just impacts me to think why he wants man to do this?

Valentine - For My Daughter

Actually, this is for anyone that wonders if their Valentine will ever come. Is there really a prince charming? Is the idea of a fairytale nothing more than a good story?

Well, as I watched Kenadee write out her Valentine's for her classmates last night I was thinking of all the wonderful things that will come in her life. I also thought of how many times her heart might break BEFORE she finds her own true love. So this, my sweet baby girl, is for you:

NEVER settle for a man that does not treat you like you are his EVERYTHING! No amount of diamonds, roses, or chocolates will ever amount to the worth of a man who treats you like his princess.

A man worthy of being your Valentine, will treat you with respect, with care and most of all with a deep appreciation of who you are.

I have been in places where Valentine's Day was a day of butterflies in your tummy wondering if your "boyfriend" would bring you a special Valentine or send you a candy gram at school. I have been an adult and felt the same way, wondering not if I would get a gift but if someone would acknowlege me as their Valentine. I have also been madly in love with your Daddy and been treated the way I hope you will want to be treated. Settle for NOTHING less than someone who will cherish you,my baby girl.

Today, you saw your daddy make me dinner. Clean up the house. Shower me with beautiful roses, write a special card to me and bring me my favorite cookies. Yet, what you did not realize was that the most valuable thing was the sweet kiss he gave me and the hug that said "You will always be my Valentine".

Remember, the roses are beautiful but they will die.

The words in a card will last as a great memory but should be said more than once a year.

The sweetest cookie will fill your tummy but not your heart...

Wait...Take your time and your Valentine will come! God has someone chosen just FOR YOU! He will be your forever Valentine, like your Daddy is mine. A prince charming with whom you can live happily ever after with.