February Book of the Month

February book(s) of the month

Expect a complete review of the Return of the Prodigal Son on Monday, but some of you have asked me for next month's book so I wanted to get it to you before the weekend. Last day for comments on this month's book is Sunday.

I've been back and forth over which book to choose of these 2. Some of you have told me you just don't feel God's love lately. Others have told me you have certainly lost your joy in some very dark times. So, it's my bookclub and I can have 2 books if I want to! You can read both, one or neither. I just can't choose between them! Here's the rundown.

#1 God speaks your love language by Gary Chapman is brand new. From the author of the very popular Five Love Languages, this is his best book in a long time. God speaks to us through the 5 love languages - words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service and physical touch. Once we realize what our preferred love language is we can better communicate with God and with others. His approach to humanity is so wonderful - I think you'll enjoy this one.

#2 Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner is a wonderful new book as well. This is a story of a woman who was raped and how she recovered and found God to be faithful through everything. I love what Nancy Leigh DeMoss says about this book, "Wendy's journey from fear to faith will help every traveler who has grappled with issues of trust and is not content to settle for simple answers to difficult questions." It's a wonderful account and will encourage your faith.

Happy Reading!
Brenda

It's Your world we're just living in it

It's Your world, we're just living in it.

Sometimes I feel like a house guest on the Earth - you know like I don't really belong here. Don't you? Like I stopped here on my way to somewhere else, somewhere better, like vacation! I appreciate life and know I am here at this time for a reason and a purpose that exceeds my knowledge of the day to day mundane, but still, I'm looking forward to the day when we're really Home. Maybe it's the uncertainty in the world today, the violence, the hunger, the world wide spread of poverty, AIDS, ungodliness, and the downward plummet of the economy. And maybe it's just because we were never meant to be at home here. I just feel a little homesick for Heaven today. I wish I could sit on a big couch with My Father and talk and listen for hours and not be a guest, but be home forever.

Press on until then!
Brenda

Survey says - She likes it!

I love cereal. I could eat it 3 times a day for days and not mind a bit. Kashi is by far one of my favorite brands. Lo and Behold at the grocery store last night what did I find???? NEW CERAL FROM KASHI! Oh my it's so wonderful. I've already eaten 2 bowls of it. Awesome and so healthy! Love it.

Tuesday Book Review

YES I know it's Thursday. Give me a break I'm busy this week! Nobody wants to hear someone talk about something they know nothing about least of all me, but I do end up reading marriage books on occasion for the store. This is a great one. Surviving a spiritual mismatch by Leslie Strobel offers great hope for those with unsaved spouses or even those not as "involved" (for lack of a better word) than the other partner. I think it is a necessary addition to the Christian market and something we as believers need to freely discuss more often.

Brenda

wonderful

I love this coffee and the missions that they stand for. When you place your order you can give a percentage of your total to assist with the fight against human trafficking, clean water for Africa, the fight against HIV/AIDS, world hunger, etc. It's like love in a cup! And they have a wonderful website. Check it out!

Cauzal.com

Daily Peek

I tried to get some pictures of my new bedding for the daily peek last night, but this is what happened! And you know I would never upset my 2 sweet dogs out of a sound sleep by moving them for a picture.

Brenda

Just say the word!!!

I hate to watch people struggle. It's heartbreaking really. My dear sweet friend (who doesn't read this blog, but doesn't mind me writing about it) had an affair about a month ago. She's a wonderful Christian with the sweetest spirit and in my opinion the greatest marriage I've ever seen. They have 2 beautiful adopted children. But 2 years ago the day after my dad died expectedly, her mom died very unexpectedly. She fell - hard. Started drinking, hanging out with the wrong crowd (yes you can hang out with the wrong crowd as an adult - absolutely), and started a perpetual fall downhill. It broke my heart to watch. A few weeks ago she told me she was trying a new church and she was "going to love it". I'm all for loving church, but the way she said it made me think something was up. Last weekend she told me the whole story. And when she told her husband she had an affair - he confessed to her that he had one too, 7 years ago, right before they adopted their first child. I said to her, "God works all things together for good - even this - and even though God didn't want for his affair to happen, when your affair happened and you confessed to him, it gave you a level playing field and the ability to understand each other. He's working even that together for good." That was God - not Brenda - trust me. Their marriage is on the mend just weeks later. He is SO GOOD to grant us grace even when we fall again and again.

But it so hurts to fall and too often we bring people down with us. I know it was such a difficult process for her and her family and the other families involved. I hate Satan and his scheming ways. I know we have free will and that we are responsible to God for our actions, but I also know the Devil has NOTHING better to do than wait for a weakness to surface and attack us. Or for that matter make us so aware of our strength that we trip right over his foot on our pride. He's so annoying and I cannot WAIT for the day that he is thrown into his pit and locked up for good! SEE Ya!

One of my favorite stories of all time in scriputre is The Centurion. My favorite verse is this one.
Matthew 8:8 (New International Version)
The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed."

We need to do more than believe IN God, we need to BELIEVE GOD. When God says you can, you can. When God says you will, you will. When God says He is, He is. You fill in the blanks with what you're going through today.

Bottom line, we're not worthy. Bottom line take two - We can have what He promises-just say the word! (disclaimer: I'm certainly not a big fan of the name it claim in theology that will get you a new corvette, a winning lottery ticket, and front row seats at the super bowl, but the things that God has promised ARE ALREADY OURS!) Satan would love for us to miss out on the blessings that are ours just because we are children of the King of Kings. It's not a matter of it-they're ours, we just have to claim them.

We are healed, forgiven, at peace, encouraged, hopeful, saved . . .and the list goes on. We are in Him all that He says we are.

Today for some reason, for me, I need the assurance that I am His, that I belong to Him, that he will never leave me and will certainly never forsake me, that He knows and he cares and He is with me. Nothing is wrong, I just need him especially close today and he is happy to do just as he promised. When I say to the Lord, "You promised to be with me, so be with me today." He sends out the word and the universe pauses to make sure His promises are true. He CANNOT go back on His word. STOP DOUBTING HIM. Believe it and move on. "You said you'd be with me so be with me." And just like that He is. Go forth and believe. And for good measure tell Satan to SHUT UP. :)

Satan would love for us to walk in doubt, to be healed and then buy some spiritual bandages "just in case" it doesn't stick. Don't do it. BY FAITH BELIEVING. Thanks to the Centurion for knowing he wasn't worthy, but believing anyway. His servant was healed and we can be too. . .for good, for eternity.

Brenda

Information Overload

I consider it a great blessing to work at a Christian bookstore. The vast amount of material at my fingertips is really unbelievable even to me. I rarely have to pay for any book I want to read. I usually have a huge stack of CD's without enough time to listen to them. I own at least 20 Bibles all brand new leather bound the latest and greatest versions with the best perks the Bible industry has to offer. I usually end up with such a surplus of great stuff that I make my friends take some of it when they leave my house.

But sometimes I get envious of people that don't know so much about the "business of christianity." They cherish the latest book on forgiveness. They wear out the newest CD. Getting a new Bible is like a major life changing exciting event.

I've just felt this week that I don't appreciate what I have to help me grow in my faith. I have so much "stuff" that I read a few chapters in the newest books and toss them or donate them, I listen to a few songs maybe once or twice and throw the CD away (demos have to be destroyed), and I use a different Bible all the time and get a brand new $90 bible at least twice a year totally for free.

I'm not complaining at all, but right now I have 25 + fiction books on my nightstand, an electronic reader totally stuffed with books I haven't even started, every new Christian Living author's brand new book (Lucado, Stanley, Swindoll, Ortberg. . . .you name it, I have an advanced copy), literally hundreds of CD's I'm supposed to be reviewing, a complete audio bible of the message edition (so cool), the new Chronological Bible and the new ESV study bible, and at least 10 audio books still in their cases, and a bunch of DVD's. I don't appreciate the truths hidden in these wonderful tools because I have WAY too many of them.

And you don't have to have that many things to be overwhelmed with information. I crave simplicity. I love Brennen Manning and Robert Benson and Henri Nouwen and those great people of faith that can take a single scripture and meditate on it for a year or more and find it life changing. I love when a simple single truth lights up my soul from the inside and I know I'll never be the same. We are blessed to live in an era when we can find complete libraries on everything from fasting to Gethsemane, but bottom line is we don't need it. I believe in tools that enhance our faith, but we need to find the ones that God is bringing to us and disregard the rest.

One of my friends is reading Ruthless Trust by Brennen Manning and I'm jealous of her. That book changed my life each of the 5 times I read it. God led me to that book and I have watched him change the lives of many people in my life through that book. Of the hundreds of books I have read I can only say that about a handfull of them. Lately I've only been listening to Andrew Peterson's Music. His lyrics take me right to the throne of God and my faith is renewed. And I've gone back to the comfort of an old Bible that the pages are coffee stained and the Psalms are tear soaked. It's not the prettiest or newest Bible I own by any means, but it is the Bible where I found God to be faithful and true. It was with that Bible that I learned to take God at His word. There are notes throughout that make me want to laugh and cry at the same time. I'm not in love with the word of God because it's on italian fine crafted paper with a genuine leather sculpted cover, I'm in love with it because the Author loves me and wrote that for me and for you. And more than anything I need to spend time with the Author and Perfector of my faith.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for tools and resources that help us to study and learn and grow in our walk with the Lord. I'm so thankful for the experiences and discoveries of those who have gone before us and paved their own way with the Lord. I'm so thankful that when God leads me in a study of forgiveness or eternity or pride or love that there are amazing tools at my disposal. BUT, I want to make sure these are tools in the Master's Hand and not in Brenda's hand. The enemy seeks to overwhelm and confuse and get us to disregard what God is trying to teach us. I don't want that to happen. I want to be intentional in the ways that I spend time with Him.

Enough

My verse for this week has been the following:

“He removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21)

I disagree with President Obama's stance on abortion. I disagree with some of the policies and procedures being put into place even as I'm typing this. I think our government more than once has put into practice ideas that were immoral, unethical, and totally against the Word of God.

REGARDLESS

If we take scripture as a whole and keep verses in context and trust that God does indeed have a plan for this world and the ability and knowledge to act out those plans - then we can assume that GOD put Barak Obama into office for such a time as this.

Because I trust that God does not make mistakes, knows what He is doing, and has had a plan for not only me but the United States of America before the foundation of the world - I will pray for our new President. I will pray for his endurance and strength as on only day 3 - he looks exhausted already. I will appreciate the knowledge and responsibility he has been entrusted with and believe that God is leading his steps even today. I will pray for a sound mind for a human being put into extraordinary circumstances. I will pray for his safety and the safety of his family during a time when human life means next to nothing to most of the world.

You know why? Because God said so. Enough with putting him down and making fun of his inexperience. He deserves our respect for the office he holds. Whatever happens in the first 100 days, the next 4-8 years, and the rest of the time the world is spinning - is up to Jesus Christ who has not moved off his throne since he took his place there many years ago.

Pray for our President, our leaders nationally and locally that God would guide them, direct them, and be there for them in a difficult time in our world.

Brenda

Tag I'm it

So I've been tagged to say 16 random things about me. I think I'm supposed to do it on Facebook but I'll put it on here too.

1. I drink Starbucks at least once and usually twice a day during the week and at least twice a day on the weekends-without fail. (Triple venti non fat no whip no foam latte for those who are interested - YUM!)

2. I am madly in love with my dogs and can start bawling at the mere thought that I might outlive them. I don't like them to be sick or injured or hurt or unhappy for any reason. They sleep right next to me at night and usually have dreams about chasing something (Their feet run in their sleep - so sweet!)

3. I just got new bedding that is mint green and white and it is so pretty! It matches my new floor so well. I love, love, love a comfy bed!

4. I read all the time, but I wish I had more time to read. I could read forever. Right now I'm reading The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, the new Sheila Walsh Book Let Go (for the 3rd time) and His Princess Bride by Sheri Rose Shepherd (one of my favorites).

5. My laptop died a few days ago. Very sad. Thinking an Apple will be next for Brenda.

6. I want to do the Esther study by Beth Moore more than anything but do not have another night in the week to devote to it. Maybe next quarter.

7. I worked with a personal trainer at the gym and am so glad I did - she gave me great time saving ideas for working out and the inability to walk the next day!

8. I work as a mental health assessment coordinator at a psychiatric hospital and as an inventory specialist at a christian bookstore.

9. I like Clinique free gift time especially when my grandmother buys her makeup and just gives me the free gift :)

10. I love Maya Angelou and she said one of my favorite quotes of all time, "Life is a gift. . . let us respond with grace and courtesy."

11. I wish more of my favorite people lived closer to me so we could meet for coffee and spend more quality time together.

12. I want to travel to India and spend time at an ashram.

13. I wish I would committ to started every day with Yoga because I'm always happier when I make the time.

14. I got my hair cut today and I like it.

15. It's freezing in Georgia tonight. Bless my southern soul it needs to warm up!

16. I really don't like these random fact things because it makes me think my life is not so interesting :)

Brenda

Oh car of mine

If I haven't already mentioned it - I hate all things to do with cars. They're expensive and confusing and I hate it. I might get married just to let someone else handle the whole car situation. I digress. Yesterday my car started making a weird noise like it was bumping into something when I turned left. No big deal, right? WRONG. I decided to take it in this morning after I got my hair done. Here's the rundown.

Good news:
The extended warrenty covers it
I made it to the dealership BEFORE my axel broke loose
The total cost for the repairs is roughly $215 and not $2400
They can fix it today

Bad news:
THE AXEL BROKE OFF MY CAR! What in the world?
It's still going to be $215 because there's something wrong with the brakes too (naturally)

It could be worse. I was just there a few weeks ago! Did they not notice the front end cracking in half!?!?!?! Good night. Alright back to work. Thanks for listening :)

A heartfelt Thank you.

Say what you will about outgoing President George W. Bush - bottom line is he has kept this country safe since the brutal attacks on our nation September 11, 2001. For that we should all be grateful. I hope the new administration lives up to all the promises it has made and all the expectations so many people have for him, but I'm kind of skeptical about all the fairy tales coming true. We'll see. We need to pray for both the outgoing and incoming administrations as we're told to do in Scripture.

Thanks for keeping us safe George and for all that you have done to help our country. Praying great rest for you and a fulfilling rest of your life. We honor you as our president and leader. Personally I'm sorry to see the Republicans head to Texas - but that's just me. :)

Well done Mrs. President

Say what you will about her husband, Mrs. President looked FABULOUS at the inaugeration. Stunning. Well done!

Remembering Catie

2 Years ago today sweet Catie went home to be with Jesus. And this week Baby Chip came into the world. What a wide range of emotions for January for my sweet friends. Praying for you guys this week :) Brenda

I Believe You are the Christ Son of the Living God

I actually like to watch the news but normally don't even have time to check the internet for the latest events. This week though when I've caught the news it's been all about the incoming administration of Obama and the swearing in of new cabinet members and questioning of people taking new offices.

And maybe I'm just sensitive because I'm sick (AGAIN!), but it kind of got on my nerves last night. Here are these people who have been involved in extramarital affairs, scandelous lifestyles and illegal, immoral and unethical things swearing in on the WORD OF GOD. Get your grubby little paws off of that which I love so much!!! And God gently whispered to me, "I love them too." Which preceeded a little argument we had about whether they were worthy of His word (Like I am-humph!) and of course He won, but STILL!

But this morning it made me think of a day in the perhaps not so distant future when we will stand in some kind of Heavenly court room. The Word of God will no longer be needed because it will have been fulfilled and we will be in the presense - forever - with the author, the perfector of our faith. And I believe we will be asked why we're there.

Andrew Peterson who has taken over my music libraray this week has a wonderful song called The Confession. The chorus is simply, "I believe. You are the Christ. The Son of the Living God." It's the answer to why He should grant us access into Heaven with Him. It's the final destination for those of us who do believe. It's why we can make it through today with the hope of tomorrow in hearts of various stages being healed by Him.

It's the answer to the dillemmas of this life. I'm going to initiate a new motto for my life. Whenever I face some uncertainty or someone I don't necessarily care for or a situation I'd rather not deal with I'm going to say before I say anything else, to the Lord, I Believe you are the Christ Son of the Living God. It changes perspective - quickly!

To those of you who are struggling-He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.
To those of you who are rejoicing-He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.
To those of you who are grieving-He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.
To those of you who are alone-He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.
To those of you who are impatient-He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.
To those of you who are uncertain-He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.

And the day is coming when we'll see Him face to face and the things of this world will be long forgotten.

Praying a Sabbath filled weekend for all of you -
Brenda

Valdosta Book Club

The Potter's House has asked me to be in charge of a bookclub at the store where I work. Those of you in town that want to be a part send me a quick e-mail and I will add you to the list. We will have an informational meeting sometime in February and the official club will start in March. The plan right now is to meet 2 times a month. The first meeting will just be to introduce the club and announce the first title and the second one will be to discuss the first title and announce the next and so on and so on. You can also come by the store and sign up - just look for the big picture of my head right in the front door (my word!). This is going to be a great time of fellowship! Hope to see you there.

Brenda

Andrew Peterson

I don't really know why I feel the need to blog every 5 minutes today but here ya go anyway. Goodness, I love Andrew Peterson's music. If you don't have any of his I strongly (like do it right now) suggest getting Resurrection Letters. I could go on and on but these lyrics are bouncing around in my heart lately like a pinball.

All I know is that I was blind but now I see that though I kick and scream, Love is leading me. And every step of the way his grace is making me; with every breath I breathe, he is saving me. And I believe.

Wow-love it.
Brenda

Welcome to the world!

To my sweet friend Jenny and her husband, her angel baby Catie in Heaven and now big sister Izzy-Welcome to the world Baby Charles James IV. We're so glad you're here Chip! CONGRATULATIONS!

Cancer Friends

One of the greatest things I've ever done is to join a cancer prayer circle after my friend Jenny's little girl was diagnosed with cancer. It's so sad but also so wonderful to pray for these people young and old who are diagnosed with cancer every day. I don't want to turn my blog into just a cancer report from these "friends" but today I have a few very special people who need some extra prayer. Would you pray for them today?

First up is Kristi Walker. After giving birth to her 3rd child she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with mestastasis in the liver, spine, and pelvis. She continues to fight through treatments while trying to care for her 3 children, one an infant. Please pray for her husband and children as well.

Next up is a sweet little girl Eden Adams who died 12/29/08 of Neuroblastoma at age eight and a half. Please pray for her family during such a difficult time.

This next story is almost too much. The Maxey Family has and continues to go through such a struggle. This is their first child Madeline. Madeline only lived to be 13 months old and died of a bladder tumor. This same family. . . . . .

gave birth to sweet Annette just a few months ago. Annette has a brain tumor. She is undergoing treatment right now. Please pray for the strength to get up in the morning and stay strong for this sweet girl. She has already had at least one surgery and has much medical care still ahead of her.

And this is my sweet friend Barb. I joined the organization Chemo angels several years ago where you send gifts and cards to someone with cancer. We've been friends ever since. Barb has an incurable form of blood cancer and struggles through many rounds of treatment. The symptoms kind of come and go, but as she said the other day, "I'm so tired of fighting. I'm sometimes just ready to go home." Please pray for endurance for her and her husband. It's a battle that without a miracle will never end for her. She's a wonderful person.

Thank you so much! I know they appreciate your prayers!

Brenda

Tuesday book review

Sorry this is another advanced copy, but it is WELL worth the wait. It releases in March. I adore Sheila Walsh and so respect her story. Anyone who has stood on an edge of a bridge ready to jump off and from there become who she is in Christ today has my respect for sure. She's an eloquent speaker and a great author. This is by far her best work yet.

Brenda

Daily Peek

I thought it would be fun to offer you a daily peek into my life once in awhile especially since so many of you live far away. I probably won't do it everyday, but it will still be fun when I get around to it!

This is my desk at work at the bookstore STILL not cleaned up from Christmas! So funny. The bunnies on the floor are headed to my garden, the wrapping paper definitely needs to go somewhere! Everything ends up on my desk! So there ya go!

Brenda

It must be rough

When I looked over last night this is how I found my Ella. It must be just exhausting to play ball all day, eat treats and chase Odyssey and the cats. I don't know how she does it. Too tired to even pick her head up!!

All eyes on Israel

You're going to have to forgive this initial rant here. I am so tired of Christians living in cushy America saying things like, "I'm so glad I'm not over there." Yes we have been blessed abundantly to live where we live having the things that we have and the opportunites that we take for granted. But, lest we forget, we are the body of Christ and Israel is His chosen nation. What happens to Israel (and Samalia, and china, and romainia, and australia, and canada for that matter!) happens to us.

Psalm 122:6 has been resonating in my heart for awhile now. It says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love You be secure." People in Israel today want only security for themselves and for their families and for their nation. Unfortunately, they aren't going to get it for awhile according to prophecy.

When Israel got attacked a few years ago Billy Graham made a public announcement that the more unrest there is in Israel the sooner Jesus would return. He's on his way back. It may not be today or tomorrow or in the next decade but you don't have to read far into Revelation to notice the signs. You can almost use Revelation as your cliff notes to the nightly news.

Scripture has much to say about Israel and our responsibility to pray for them and be concerned for them and to treat them like the chosen people they are and have always been. It's their current state and our future. The new Jerusalem is coming-are you ready?

All eyes on Israel!

Brenda

The end of a journey

Dawn Nelson a fellow classmate of mine at Asbury College lost a hard fought 1 year battle with Leukemia yesterday. She endured months of radiation, bone marrow transplant and multiple medical procedures, but could not keep up with the Leukemia that took over her blood and eventually her body. At 27 years old she leaves behind a loving boyfriend, a great family, and a sweet dog named Buddy. Please pray for this family as they lay her to rest in the week to come and learn to adjust to life without this wonderful person.

Thanks-

Brenda

thanks!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful thoughts and prayers this week. Fortunately or unfortunately I haven't heard much at all. Maybe some more information will be available when I go in for the weekend. Don't know! But, I have definitely felt your prayers and so appreciate the support. Otherwise it's been kind of a busy week with other stuff so that was good. Thanks again blog friends!
Brenda

oops

I forgot to finish the post! I also had them look at the convertible top that was coming undone in just a little place. They basically couldn't do anything with it because the warrenty expired a few weeks ago (of course), but they said, "You could sew it." Are you kidding? They must have seen the look on my face because they very sweet lady said, "Or you could take it to an upholstry shop and have it fixed." That's better :)

You could sew it

This is a picture of my car. Well, not exactly this car - I don't know who those people are, but it's the car I have none the less. PT Crusier convertible. I pretty much adore the thing. It's red, it's fast, and it's a convertible. What else could I possibly want in a vehicle? But I do hate EVERYTHING that has to do with maintaining a car. Not a big fan of getting gas, I get free oil changes but don't love having to make the appt. and sit and wait, and I hate when anything goes wrong with it - because I have no clue usually what to do about it. Plus anytime anything is wrong it's a least 100 bucks - I don't care what it is - it's going to be pricey.

So today 1000 miles over what it was supposed to be I took her in for an oil change. The only good thing was Starbucks messed up my order and gave me 2 drinks for the price of one so I was busy with those for awhile. They were supposed to change the oil, but of course the guy pulls out this white thing that's covered in something black (oil?) and says, "Ma'am, this isn't supposed to be black." Ummmmm. . . .okay? And he just stood there like I was going to think up an explanation for why this random piece or car is covered in goo. So finally he said, "Well, we probably need to replace it because it's not supposed to be black." Got it dude. So, I said, "Replace it then." And he said, "Oh, okay." DUH! You don't have to know much about cars to know more than me - believe me. So, they changed it and it was only $30.00 so I suppose I got a bargain. Whatever.

Cars should just last however long and then stop and then you'd have to get a new one!

Don't make me come get you

My dad died this week 2 years ago so he's been on my mind a lot lately. This morning while I was in the shower at the gym I was thinking about the life he could have had. Honestly, and I try not to really think about this too much, I don't know that he was saved. Salvation had definitely been shared with him by me and I'm sure others, but whether or not he committed to a relationship with Christ I don't know. He got married and had a family - twice - and neither one was especially happy. He had two children and then another one, but never seemed to really locate the fatherhood gene. He had a career and good money - twice - but it never made him happy. He died with a big house lots of cars and tons of toys, but you'd have to really try to convince me that he was fulfilled.

It breaks my heart like in half that my dad could be in Hell right now with Satan himself. And even though I know the only way to heaven is by faith in Christ, the human side of me wants to shout out, "But he was a good guy! Everyone's friend! He did good things for people. He tried!" It's not enough. And whether he is in Heaven or Hell I'll have to wait to find out, but either way, it's too late.

How many people right this second are on the road that think is leading them home that one quick accident later will take them to their final destination? How many people are ready for that?

I had a pastor in Kentucky that did on a sermon called Don't make me come get you. I wish I had a copy. It was like the best sermon ever. And unfortunately I can't remember all of it, but the bottom line was we'd rather stay with the Lord then make him come after us to bring us back home. We may not like his chosen method of bringing us back to him!

I didn't really know my dad for most of the last decade of his life well enough to know if he had a wake up call, but I'm pretty sure the Lord was always trying to bring him to Himself. It's just the way He is! And I'm certainly not saying my dad died because he didn't heed the wake up calls - that makes no sense. What I am saying is I think God had a whole lot more for my dad that he never chose to experience.

And it's pretty much gotten me thinking about all the Lord must have for my life that I am not at the moment experiencing, all that I am missing because I'm not heeding his warnings and doing all I know to fall more deeply in love with the one who created me. I don't ever want him to have to come find me, I want to be right behind him. I don't want him to have to go far to look for me.

I am committing in 2009 more than ever to live a life above reproach most importantly in my life with the Lord. I want him to be my number one priority more so than ever before.

Brenda

Tuesday book review and an update on a sweet family

This is a picture of my sweet friend Jenny with her precious girl Catie who died a few years ago. Cancer may have taken her at 4 years old from this life, but her joy and spirit definitely live on in the life of this wonderful family. This is a picture of her opening a birthday card from her dog that she thought was so funny! Since her death Jenny has given birth to precious Izzy and soon Jenny will give birth to Chip. He is scheduled to be delivered by C-section January 19th - Catie's birthday. God is gracious to these precious people. Pray for a happy, healthy little boy!

Hannah's Gift is a wonderful story of a woman who loses her precious girl. Maria offers great insights into grief and the lessons left by a little girl dying of cancer. My favorite quote from the book is, "My suffering wasn't something I was going to have to let go of; it became part of what I had to offer, part of who I am." A great gift for anyone who has lost someone, but especially those dealing with the loss of a child.

Francesca Battistelli

My new favorite Christian musician is Francesca Battistelli. I thought maybe I just liked her name because it makes me want to marry someone Italian so I can have a cool name, but no, I do in fact like her music as well! I'm especially loving this song right now so I'll share the lyrics with you.

Time In Between - Lyrics
Album: My Paper HeartArtist: Francesca Battistelli

You were there when your Father said

Let there be light

You obeyed when He whispered

Son, You have to leave tonight

To spend nine months in a mothers womb

Three days in a borrowed tomb

(Chorus One)

But it’s the time in between

That brings me to my knees

Knowing you came for me

And all that I can't be

I'm amazed, so amazed

And I thank You for the time in between

Don't take much for this crazy world

To rob me of my peace

And the enemy of my soul

Says You’re holding out on me

So I stand here lifting empty hands

For you to fill me up again

But it’s the time in between

That I fall down to my knees

Waiting on what You'll bring

And the things that I can't see

I know my song’s incomplete

Still I'll sing in the time in between

So many ways

Your love has saved the day

And I'm grateful for them all

But it’s the time in between

The middle of two thieves

That says everything

It’s the reason I believe

I'm amazed, so amazed

And I thank you for the time in between

Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between

A verse for today. . . .

Oh I HATE being stressed out! The last 60 hours or so have been so uncertain and anxiety filled over changes at work. The unknown is my least favorite thing in the whole world! So when this verse fell into my lap I knew it was perfect for times of uncertainty and thought you might like it too.

He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all to those who fear Him. Isaiah 33:6 NET (New English Translation)

Thank you Lord for a breath of fresh air in an otherwise shallowly breathing girl who loves you! I know you know and that You can be trusted. Amen

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Return of the Prodigal Son

Some of you have asked me for the ISBN for this month's book of the month. Here ya go!

978-0385473071

My new bedroom wall quote

As a little Christmas gift this is the new quote painted on my bedroom wall. My favorite book/quote/thought etc is that we are living between the dreaming and the coming true and now I get to wake up and see it every morning! You can't really tell but the wall is like a dark khaki color. I love it!