My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:5–8)
Monday, June 24, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson
This week, the
is introducing
Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.
She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.
ABOUT THE BOOK
With high hopes, Daphe Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?
When her eccentric Aunt Dee passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Daphne, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.
Daphne only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dee’s cats.
And if Daphne thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dee's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.
Margie's Comments: I love Melody Carlson's books, so I was thrilled to review her newest release, Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel. The author's ability to create believable and lovable characters and to do so even with a fairly large cast of characters is once again evident in this story. I've been to Appleton, Wisconsin, and am familiar with many other small towns in the Midwest. So when Daphne came home in the story, I, too, came along with her. As I continued to read of the many changes Daphne faced with her eccentric aunt's bequest (and secrets), I wished I could have known Aunt Dee. I truly wanted the story to continue, and would have gladly read a much longer book, so I am glad to know there's another book in this series featuring Daphne and her new/old friends. Such a fun read—a great book to take along with you on vacation or to curl up with at home.
Taming Your Worry Habit
Top Ten Ways to Tame Your Worry
Habit
10. Separate toxic worry from genuine concern. Determine if you can do
anything about your situation. If so sketch a plan to handle it. (Commit your works to
the Lord and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3)
9. Don’t worry alone. Share your concerns
with a friend or a counselor. Talking about your fears often reveals solutions.
(The
heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Proverbs 27:9 nlt)
8. Take care of your physical body. Regular exercise and adequate rest
can define a lot of worry. Healthy bodies handle stress better and react more
appropriately. (Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who
lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought
you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 nlt)
7. Do
what is right. A guilty conscience causes great anxiety. Do your best to
live above reproach. Confess quickly and seek forgiveness. (In view of
this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before
God and before men. Acts 24:16)
6. Look
on the bright side. Consciously focus on what is good around you. Don’t
speak negatively, even about yourself. (Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good
and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear
them. Ephesians 4:29 nlt)
5. Control
your imagination. Be realistic about problems, but try to live in the “here
and now” not in the “what might be.” (“Energize the
limp hands, strengthen
the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way
to put things right and redress all
wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!” Isaiah 35:3–4 msg)
4. Prepare
for the unexpected. Put aside a cash reserve and take sensible measures so
you’ll be ready if difficulties arise. (There is
precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up. Proverbs 21:20)
3. Trust
God. Keep reminding yourself to put God in your equation. When fear knocks
send faith to answer the door. (They do not fear bad news; they
confidently trust the Lord to care for
them. Psalm 112:7 nlt)
2. Meditate
on God’s promises. Scripture has the power to transform our minds. Look for
scriptures that will help you answer life’s difficulties with God’s Word. (For by these
He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you
may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that
is in the world by lust. 2 Peter
1:4)
1. Pray!
Joseph M. Scriven’s hymn says it all: “O what peace we often forfeit . . . all
because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” (Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in
it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians
4:2)
Verse of the Day
Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For
we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against
the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those
mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked
spirits in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10–12 NLT)
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Verse of the Day
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so
that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold
that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in
praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT)
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes
This week, the
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."
Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.
ABOUT THE BOOK
From popular suspense author Creston Mapes comes another faith-building thriller, a tale that follows journalist Jack Crittendon as he fights to protect his family from a stalker's terrifying schemes, investigates a pastor's mysterious disappearance, and struggles to keep his faith amidst unthinkable fear.
With his family's safety on the line, Crittendon realizes there are secrets behind "Christian" walls--secrets with painful, deadly implications. He must find the faith to trust a God who allows inconceivable trials, and the courage to guard his family, with danger exploding at every turn.
Through it all--the sharp, character-driven writing for which Mapes is known--takes fans and new readers on an edge-of-your-seat journey that explores the harsh, far-reaching consequences of bullying and the Christian response to fear.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Fear Has a Name, go HERE.
Margie's Comments: I haven't read enough of the Fear Has a Name to post a full review, but I can say that the characters are real and the premise is one all believers must face if their faith is to be tested and genuine. The end is satisfying (yes, I read the end before I read too far into the story—and no, it doesn't spoil the suspense for me ;) but challenging in that it leaves me with a sense I'm not alone in this struggle of faith and forgiveness, even when I've been extremely wronged! God is in control, and He allows us to go through bad stuff in order to refine us, to make us more like Christ. And that process continues until we enter heaven's gates. . . . Now back to reading the entire book. More comments later.
Verse of the Day
"Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only
I can tell you the future before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish." (Isaiah 46:9–10 NLT)
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Verse of the Day
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
Monday, June 17, 2013
Verse of the Day
Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guide. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:97–98, 103–105 NLT)
Friday, June 14, 2013
Verse of the Day
For
from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the
eye seen a God besides You, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for
Him. (Isaiah 64:4)
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