Bloggy Giveaway Carnival: Sharon Hinck book

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Comments are now closed. The winner is Chastidy! I’ll be contacting you shortly.

Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival Button

It is time for the quarterly Bloggy Giveaway Carnival! Go to Bloggy Giveaways this week, where there will likely be over 1,000 giveaways from bloggers all over the country and the world.

For my first giveaway this week, I am offering a copy of the book Stepping Into Sunlight by one of my favorite authors, Sharon Hinck. I reviewed it previously here, or you can click on the title for more information, but basically it is Christian fiction about a young mom who witnesses a violent crime as well as a threat to her own life.

stepping-into-sunlightJust after this occurs, her family moves to a new town due to her husband’s deployment, and then her husband has to go overseas, so she is without a support system. With all of this she begins experiencing panic attacks and is on her way to becoming agoraphobic. She tries to put on a brave face for her husband and family and tries to take care of the young son who depends on her, but she finds herself increasingly afraid and unable to take up even the ordinary tasks of life.

How she finds help and begins the long road to recovery make up the rest of this great book.

If you are interested, just leave a comment on this post. I will draw a winner Saturday morning, and I am willing to ship internationally.

Check back later this week for more giveaways! And check the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival through the week for a multitude of giveaways.

Blue Monday: Birds of a feather

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Smiling Sally hosts a Blue Monday in which we can post about anything blue — pretty, ugly, serious or funny — and then link up to other Blue Monday participants.

I love the I Can Has Cheezeburger site — it’s often the last thing I look at before I log off for the day. Most of the pictures are cats, and I am not particularly a cat lover, but often the captions are hilarious. They do use other animals as well. This one cracked me up the other day:

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It reminded me of a painting a friend from a former church did for me before we moved away. That was a pretty small church, and this lady was the only person who did any painting. She was also the primary “crafter” in church. So she couldn’t make anything for her “secret sister” because that would give away her identity. She instead sometimes made something nice after identities were revealed as a thank you to the secret sister who gave to her.

So the year I was her secret sister she gave me this painting she had done herself:

Painting from Gayle

I know I have shown this for Show and Tell Friday, but I don’t think I have shown it here. I love the fact that she did this for me, and I love the dogwood blossoms: two of the houses we have lived in have had dogwoods. She said the bird came out (unintentionally) looking like it could peck someone’s eye out, though I don’t know if you can tell it here, as the picture is a little dark. But that’s why the above picture reminded me of this one.

I hadn’t thought of it before, but it is kind of funny that the bird’s expression doesn’t match the verse she wrote: “Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17). She added the verse because she said it reminded her of me, though it is actually speaking of wisdom. I hope I have gained and display wisdom, pleasantness, and peace, though I assured her I am far from walking in any of those elements perfectly. But maybe this little birdie’s scowl can remind me of what I look like when I am not exhibiting peace and pleasantness!

Happy Monday to you! More Blue Monday participants for today can be found at Sally’s.

Trust in God, My Soul

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I was listening to the Depths of Mercy CD from Soundforth this morning and was blessed especially by this song:

Trust in God, My Soul

Words by Frances Havergal and David Burke

Oh, Lord, I trust Your grace; it is enough, enough for me.
In every trial I shall trace its all-sufficiency.

And, Lord, I trust Your strength; in You alone I shall be strong:
My failing flesh will learn at length a daily triumph song.

Oh, trust in God, my soul, and look into His face.
Oh, trust in God, my soul; His holy will embrace.
Then I shall stand complete and whole, a trophy of His grace
As I trust God.

Oh, Lord, I trust Your Word; it gives me hope and light to see.
The path ahead, though now obscured, will open wide for me.

Oh, Lord, I trust Your love; I feel its warm and changeless glow;
My life or death shall only prove its everlasting flow.

Oh, trust in God, my soul, and look into His face.
Oh, trust in God, my soul; His holy will embrace.
Then I shall stand complete and whole, a trophy of His grace
As I trust God.

Book Review: Falling For You Again

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falling Falling For You Again is the third in the Four Seasons series by Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman implementing Chapman’s teaching about seasons in marriage. I reviewed the first in the series, It Happens Every Spring, here, and the second, Summer Breeze, here.

Though all of the previous couples are mentioned, this book focuses on Charlie and Esther Moore, the “older couple” of the community, married nearly fifty years. Esther begins having memory problems and doing odd things, like driving the wrong way off the carport and putting the electric can opener in the dishwasher. Esther goes through depression, then denial, then fear and refusal to have the recommended treatment all the while becoming more irritable and confused. Though the Moores are looked up to as a stable example of marriage, they still have unresolved issues and everyday irritations that challenge both of them.

As they work through their problems, Charlie finds himself helping young, brash Brad Haynes on a housing project, alternately wanting to help and be an example to him and getting frustrated with Brad’s view of his own marriage and his seeming unwillingness to put any effort into it.

This book effectively and realistically dealt with different personalities, viewpoints, needs, and love languages in marriage. The Moore’s story is sweet but sad as they work through their challenges and focus on the good things and the underlying love they have for each other.

(This review will be linked to Semicolon‘s Saturday Review of Books, a great place to skim through reviews of titles you might be interested in.)

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt: Chipped

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Theme: Chipped | Become a Photo Hunter

I know I just posted this picture a week or so ago, but it fits the theme, and I figured you’d rather see this than my chipped dishes:

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

This is a Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar, like a peanut butter kiss cookie in bar form, filled with mini chocolate chips and topped with as Hershey’s kiss. I found the recipe on a Land O’ Lakes margarine box.

Visit TN Chick, the creator and hostess of the Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt, to see more variations on the chipped theme or to join in the fun.

A sad anniversary

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Today  marks the 36th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision of the Supreme Court legalizing the taking of life of those American citizens still in the womb. This has to be one of the saddest anniversaries of one of the most horrible decisions ever made.

Here are a few thoughts from around the web today:

Pastor Frank Sansone noted that within just moments after President Obama’s inauguration, the White House web site removed this message:

All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.

And added this one:

President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Adminstration (sic).

From author Robin Lee Hatcher:

I was feeling heartbroken that one of the new president’s first acts was to reverse a ban on the use of federal dollars by non-governmental organizations that discuss or provide abortions outside of the United States. First of all, why should my federal tax dollars be used to provide abortions elsewhere in the world? It’s bad enough that my tax dollars go to support countless abortions here in the US.

Jungle Mom writes about a barbaric practice among primitive Indians but wonders if our sanitary, scientific modern technological practices are any better.

I referenced Al Mohler’s prayer for President Obama on Inauguration Day. This part is especially applicable to this topic:

Father, we pray that you will change this president’s heart and mind on issues of urgent concern.  We are so thankful for his gifts and talents, for his intellect and power of influence.  Father, bend his heart to see the dignity and sanctity of every single human life, from the moment of conception until natural death.  Father, lead him to see abortion, not as a matter of misconstrued rights, but as a murderous violation of the right to life.  May he come to see every aborted life as a violation of human dignity and every abortion as an abhorrent blight upon this nation’s moral witness.  May he pledge himself to protect every human life at every stage of development.  He has declared himself as an energetic defender of abortion rights, and we fear that his election will lead directly to the deaths of countless unborn human beings.  Protect us from this unspeakable evil, we pray.   Most urgently, we pray that you will bring the reign of abortion to an end, even as you are the defender of the defenseless.

Father, may this new president see that human dignity is undermined when human embryos are destroyed in the name of medical progress, and may he see marriage as an institution that is vital to the very survival of civilization.  May he protect all that is right and good.  Father, change his heart where it must be changed, and give him resolve where his heart is right before you.

Father, when we face hard days ahead — when we find ourselves required by conscience to oppose this president within the bounds of our roles as citizens — may we be granted your guidance to do so with a proper spirit, with a proper demeanor, and with persuasive arguments.  May we learn anew how to confront without demonizing, and to oppose without abandoning hope.

Father, we are aware that our future is in your hands, and we are fully aware that you and you alone will judge the nations.  Much responsibility is now invested in President Barack Obama, and much will be required.  May we, as Christian citizens, also fulfill what you would require of us.  Even as we pray for you to protect this president and change his heart, we also pray that your church will be protected and that you will conform our hearts to your perfect will.

Father, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the ever-reigning once and future King, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  He and he alone can save, and his kingdom is forever.  Above all, may your great name be praised.  Amen.

Amen.

Booking Through Thursday: Inspiration

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The weekly Booking Through Thursday question for today is:

Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?

I’m wondering why inspiration should be the theme? Just curious. I don’t mind that it is, I’m just not sure what inspired inspiration as the theme.

This question can be taken two different ways: what inspires me to read, and what inspires me to read what I read.

I didn’t grow up in a reading family. My dad read the occasional Zane Grey novel but otherwise didn’t read much. If he saw me sitting and reading he thought I was being lazy and gave me something to do. (He did discover a love for reading in his later years.) I don’t remember my mom reading much except at night before she went to sleep. I probably had some books before I started school, but I don’t remember them. So it was probably when I started school and learned to read than I discovered the wonderful world of books. What wonderful worlds to explore, people and places to learn about! I think I’ve been an insatiable reader ever since.

My grandmother was a reader, and for a few years when we lived in the same town I remember spending the night with her, making dinner, watching a little TV, then reading in bed. She had an extra bed in her room, and we’d spend what seemed like hours with the bedside lamps on and our books open.

Semicolon and Janet have written excellent posts about reasons for reading, and they list many factors that have inspired my own reading over the years.

As to what inspires the specific choices I make to read, there are many factors.

I love to learn and books are my primary means of learning. I seem to learn best from a narrative or story format. I can read non-fiction informative books, but usually things make sense and stay with me better from a story format.

I also love reading books that make me think. I can and do occasionally read “lite” books just to relax, but even then I want to get something beneficial from them.

I often read biographies or true-life stories because I love finding out what makes people tick, what shaped them into the people they became.

I love to be inspired. I was reading some time back about a book of Victorian stories for children (wish I could remember what it was) but the men who published it, though they thought the stories charming, discounted the clear moral teaching of the stories. They were almost apologetic about that aspect. But I have always loved book that did inspire me to be a better person in some way.

I developed a love for biographies of missionaries and other Christians, both leaders and average ordinary people, when I was in college and heard a lady speak about missionary biographies. I wrote a post about missionary biographies earlier, but one paragraph from that post says:

We learn history for a number of reasons, among them: to better understand our current times, to appreciate our heritage, to avoid repeating mistakes. There are heroes in our national history who inspire us to a love of country and duty and courage. There are heroes of our spiritual heritage who inspire us in love and dedication to God and to greater faith in remembering that the God they served and loved and Who provided for and used them is the very same God we love and serve today and Who will provide for us and use us. Though times and culture change, human nature at its core doesn’t change much, and God never changes.

Plus I benefit from reading how others lived out their faith, how they wrestled with hard questions or truth, how the Lord taught them and used them.

When I find an author I really like, I am usually inspired to read others of his or her works. Plus I am often inspired by recommendations of other people I have an affinity for. Sometimes I am inspired (influenced might be a better word for this one) by mood.

I’ve been inspired to read the classics mainly to find out for myself why they are classics, what has made them appeal to so many people over so many years.

With all those inspirations to read and an ever-growing “to be read” list, I expect to keep busy for many years!

Snow, ceremonies, programs and challenges

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We had a light dusting of snow yesterday morning:

snow-09

(These are Jeremy’s pictures.) They were originally forecasting 1-2 inches Monday night and another couple Tuesday morning, but I don’t know if we got a whole inch all together.

It was enough to close the schools, though! You have to remember that here in the South they don’t spend the money to invest in a lot of snowplows and such (they do have a few) when they’d only use them maybe once or twice a year, plus people who aren’t used to it don’t know how to drive in it. And they have to make the call about school closings way early in order to get the word out, and they have to consider not just the main roads but the backs ones that school buses would be lumbering over. So usually any amount of snow causes school closings. But I do have to admit this one was probably miscalled. We could have gotten by with just a delay, but we probably didn’t even need that.

But it was nice to have a day off. Jeremy put together enough snow to make a 6-8″ snowman with a baby carrot for a nose:

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Even the baby carrot is a little big for him!

And it was neat the kids could be off for Inauguration Day. It made it seem like a holiday. I wanted Jesse to see it. He wasn’t terribly interested, but I turned the TV on anyway, just about the time they were introducing the former presidents. I probably would have had the TV on most of the day if I had been in the same room with one for the day. I was sorry I missed the parade. I don’t know why, but I really like that part.

I don’t have a laptop and my PC is in another room, but I jotted down some thoughts as I watched:

  • For a nation that has gone increasingly toward the casual, I am glad we retain a bit of pomp and ceremony for occasions like this.
  • They said the wind chill was 14 degrees. I just cannot imagine being out in that cold for that long! We joked about the trumpet players’ lips freezing on their instruments.
  • I also can’t imagine being way, way at the back. I was glad to be in my own warm house with my very own bathroom.
  • I enjoyed seeing the former presidents enter.
  • I hadn’t heard about Lynn Cheney being an author — will have to look up what she’s written. I was sorry to hear about Mr. Cheney’s accident.
  • I like that the mikes picked up a lot of side comments — one of the announcers said they were picking up more than intended, But that was fun.
  • It did this Southern girl’s heart good to hear Laura Bush say, “Hey there!” I enjoyed the announcers saying that she had really blossomed during her husband’s term in office. They said she had originally told him she didn’t want to make any speeches, but now she is quite an accomplished speaker. She has always been every inch a lady. I admire her a lot.
  • At some point they showed a glimpse of the moving vans behind the White House. I thought that was a little sad. Then I thought, you know how it is on moving day, even if you have professional movers, and I can’t imagine either Mrs. Bush or Mrs. Obama calmly sitting through a ceremony while other people are moving their things!
  • I was also thinking of Michelle Obama as her girls entered. I wonder if she would rather they entered with her. I would have. It must be hard in some instances to entrust them to other people.
  • It will be fun to have relatively young children in the White House again. I enjoyed watching Michelle Obama “mother” the girls and the older girl filming her dad on her camera.
  • I know some people would object to an opening prayer on this occasion at all, but it was a blessing to me to see a lot of people praying the Lord’s prayer out loud.
  • I’m glad Rick Warren did not refrain from praying in Jesus’ name.
  • I wonder why the vice-president’s contains a phrase about mental reservations while the president’s doesn’t? Either way — better not have any left at that point!
  • I really, really enjoyed the piece played by Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma and the two others (I wasn’t familiar with them). I have greatly liked Yo-Yo Ma ever since I first heard of or saw him years ago on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. (Don’t laugh — that’s where I got a lot of cultural enlightenment when the boys were little.)

No really deep thoughts there — I expressed those yesterday. I didn’t analyze the speeches — others can do that better than I can. We turned the TV off after people began disbursing from the area. I had it on again for a while last night to see some of the coverage of the different balls.

I also watched “The Biggest Loser.” This is my first season to watch it. I guess I am hoping it inspires me, and it is causing me to question some of my choices and say “no” a little more often. Just one thought so far: people don’t seem to be getting that Joellen isn’t motivated by yelling. She shuts down. I do, too. I don’t think she’s putting as much into it as she could, and I think her hesitation on the first “temptation” last time marked her, but I hope they find a different way to interact with her. She probably should have gone home last night, but, then again. Damien had the support and motivation to continue on his own. I think if Joellen had gone home she’d be done.

And that’s enough about that.

My blog friend Melli has started an ABC photo challenge over the next several Wednesdays. The idea is to find letters of the alphabet in the things around us — not in a letter on a sign or in something we manipulate to form the letter. She’s doing two letters at a time with today’s being A and B.

I wanted to look around outside to see if I could find something, but never did. Tese aren’t too exciting, but here they are:

This looks like an A shape to me:

A

And this turned on its side has a B shape in it:

B

The original picture:

House plaque

I’ll try to do better next time, Melli!

Thoughts on Inauguration Day

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  • For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. Psalm 75:6-7.
  • Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. Daniel 2: 20-22.
  • I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. I Timothy 2:1-4.
  • Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13:1-7.
  • It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:8-9.
  • Although Obama was not my choice for President, I believe ultimately God is in control of who is in office. For whatever reasons He has allowed Obama that responsibility for this season, our trust is in Him and not man. But He requires us to obey those in authority unless they ask us to violate Scripture (Acts 5:27-29), to honor them, and to pray for them.
  • Along those lines I can echo Melli’s prayer here and Albert Mohler’s here while sharing Linda’s reservations and concerns here.
  • Because we do live in a democracy, our leaders aren’t given carte blanche. We have the right, the privilege, and the responsibility to let our voice be heard in issues important to us in the years ahead.
  • I do celebrate the fact that, as a democracy, we can show the world a change of power without rioting and disarray in the country.
  • Although I differ with Obama in the areas of pro-life concerns and economics, I think he is personable and knowledgeable, and I celebrate the fact that an African-American has been elected. I still hope for the day when color truly doesn’t matter.
  • I’ve been dismayed by the attitude of the Bush-haters that I’ve seen on a few blogs and Facebook updates. My memory isn’t perfect by any means, but when Clinton was in office, for the most part I remember conservatives speaking out about his behavior and stands, but I don’t remember venomous comments against him as a person by more than just a couple of people. Then again, there weren’t blogs and Facebook then.

Repost: When afraid to surrender

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This was originally posted August 15, 2006. I am reposting it today because I needed to go over these thoughts again. I couldn’t sing “I Surrender All” last night in church — there was just a hesitancy to once again declare a relinquishment of everything, even though I have before.

Sometimes we wrestle with the thought, “If I really surrender all to God, what will He do to me?” Even if we have made that surrender before, that thought can come at odd moments. After all, Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed as a teen-ager and has been in a wheelchair for, I think, 30-some years. Elisabeth Elliot lost not one, but two husbands. A dear professor at BJU has had Lou Gehrig’s disease for 20 years before passing away. The apostle Paul’s ministry was certainly not all roses ands sunshine.….our minds can go on and on with other examples we know.

There have been whole books written about reasons for suffering, and we hear testimonies of God’s grace through those times. Yet that lurking fear or reluctance can still snake into our thoughts.

As I was pondering these things this morning, the thought came, “What’s the alternative, really?” Suffering will come to most of us in some form or another. We live in a fallen world and deal with its effects; we’re not in heaven yet, where there are no tears, sorrow, pain. We’re not going to stop these things from coming into our lives if we don’t surrender to God. We can’t somehow insulate ourselves or protect ourselves from any pain or trial.

But if we are the Lord’s, we can trust that He has a purpose in what He has allowed. We can trust Him for His presence, peace, grace, and help. If we’re surrendered to Him, we can face these things in a way that we can’t otherwise.

One comment that stayed with me from a forgotten article about a trial a lady faced was this: “I was glad, when this happened, that He was not a stranger to me.” It’s certainly better to face a trial with Him rather than apart from Him. Sometimes He does work through the trials of life to bring people to Himself from their position as a stranger to Him, or to bring His children back from a backslidden position, or draw His children closer. But after that, we can “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

We need not hold back our wills from the Lord for fear of what might happen. It’s futile to do so, really. But even aside from that, we can face whatever He sees fit to allow into our lives knowing that He will work all things together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:2) and by relying on His promises:

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (II Corinthians 12:8-10).

As I was going over this again, I thought sometimes the issue isn’t so much what He might do to me, but what He might ask me to give up. But, really, is anything worth holding onto if He wants us to relinquish it? When this life is over and we get to eternity, will we look back with regret over the petty things we let keep us from being fully and completely yielded?