Shine Like The Dawn - Review

Shine Like The Dawn

by Carrie Turansky

"Separated by an inconceivable tragedy,

 can faith and love reunite childhood friends 

and light the way to a bright future?"

Shine Like The Dawn is such a beautiful story of family, friendship, and faith. This historical Christian fiction novel will draw you close to the characters and touch your heart.  I loved the courage and trust it took for the characters to keep living through their circumstances.  Taking chances and growing your relationships is never easy, and the author did a wonderful job showing the struggle and emotion each character felt.  I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Carrie Turansky!

On Worship The King All Glorious Above

O Worship the King all glorious above

1 O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2 O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3 Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

4 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

5 O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise! 

-Robert Grant 

November Awareness

November is the month we all remember to be thankful. If you have trouble finding things to be thankful for, you can check into the calendars that show "national day of..." or "National Awareness...". Some of the awareness and causes that stick out the most in my life are:

National Alzheimers Disease Month
*Grandma King*

National Doughnut Day (Nov. 5)
*Evan's first powdered donut*

Saxophone Day (Nov. 6)
*My Michael plays the sax!*

National Home Care & Hospice Month
*Grandpa Stouffer was able to stay home
and the family was thankful for hospice.*

National Novel Writing Month
*I'm not writing, but I'm thankful for those who do!*

National Scholarship Month
*My beautiful Kaylee is a senior! She's looking at
colleges and looking for scholarships.*

NoSHAVEmber
*I can't remember the last time I
saw Mike's face. It's NoSHAVEember
every day here.*






















Epilepsy Awareness Month
*My dad has epilepsy and my brother-in-law had it.*
















Family Stories Month
*Always a great time with the family!*













Worldwide Bereaved Sibling Month
*Travis was such a great person. We all miss him
terribly. SUDEP*

I'm very thankful for the people who are and who were in my life.
I have many sweet memories and a future to look forward to.

You can find more at:
Holiday Insights
National Day Calendar

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI - "Holy Spirit"

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI LYRICS

"Holy Spirit"

There's nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I've tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord

[Chorus:]
Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Your presence, Lord

There's nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord

[Chorus]

[x4:]
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

[Chorus]

A Reluctant Assassin - Review

A Reluctant Assassin - Review

"Her mission was simple — get close to the Prince, and kill him...

Kayden entered the palace under a lie, one designed to get her close to the Prince. On the outside, she may look like a princess but beneath the mask, a killer lays in wait — for the perfect moment.

Dvarius was not ready to take the crown, nor was he ready for a wife . . .

But due to his father’s unexpected death and an archaic law — he must find a bride before he is allowed to take his rightful place on the throne.

And the one woman he wants — just might be the one who is there to kill him…"



I'm usually not a YA, fantasy, steampunk, speculative fiction reading person, but WOW! I feel pretty lucky being one of the few chosen to get an advanced copy of this book! +JC Morrows  did a fantastic job creating a suspenseful story. You will need to be sure you have plenty of spare time when you pick up this book because you will not want to put it down. And when you finish, you will definitely be wanting more!

I'm looking forward to reading A Reluctant Assassin by +JC Morrows!

Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending

Lo! He comes, with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand, thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of His train;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign,
God appears on earth to reign.

 
Every eye shall now behold Him,
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him,
Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see,
Shall the true Messiah see. 

The dear tokens of His passion
Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshipers;
With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture,
Gaze we on those glorious scars!
Gaze we on those glorious scars! 

Yea, Amen! Let all adore Thee,
High on Thy eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
Claim the kingdom for Thine own;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Everlasting God, come down
Everlasting God, come down
Charles Wesley

A Quick Bit of Encouragement

This album is one of my favorites. Jeremy Camp's music is always an encouragement. It's been a rough day, but I'm still following Jesus. 

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11 NKJV

The Triumphal Entry

21 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage,[a] at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

4 All[b] this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[c]

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him[d] on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’[e]
Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Our Lord entered the city in fulfillment of prophetic vision, but in great lowliness, along the road carpeted by the loving enthusiasm of the crowds. It was largely a Galilean and popular outburst. The upper classes kept aloof. Remember that ancient prediction quoted here, 

Isa_62:11 Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.' " , 

and especially 

Zec_9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. 

The King comes having salvation. That is the divine order! We shall never know the full power of Christ’s salvation until we have welcomed Him to our hearts as King. -F.B. Meyer

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days - Review

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days

I absolutely loved this book! It felt as if Holley Gerth had her arm around me and was giving encouraging advice from the Bible exactly when I needed it. These devotions will uplift you and give you the boost needed to keep moving forward in your daily life and walk with God.

The Haven of Rest

The Haven of Rest 

My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea,
So burdened with sin and distressed,
Till I heard a sweet voice, saying,
“Make Me your choice”;
And I entered the “Haven of Rest”!

 

Refrain

I’ve anchored my soul in the “Haven of Rest,”
I’ll sail the wide seas no more;
The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,
In Jesus I’m safe evermore.

I yielded myself to His tender embrace,
In faith taking hold of the Word,
My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul;
 The “Haven of Rest” is my Lord.

 

Refrain

The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,
Has been the old story so blest,
Of Jesus, who’ll save whosoever will have
A home in the “Haven of Rest.”

 

Refrain

How precious the thought that we all may recline,
Like John, the belovèd so blest,
On Jesus’ strong arm, where no tempest can harm,
Secure in the “Haven of Rest.”

 

Refrain

O come to the Savior, He patiently waits
To save by His power divine;
Come, anchor your soul in the “Haven of Rest,”
And say, “My Belovèd is mine.”

 

Refrain

 

 

Give Thanks

Give Thanks By Don Moen

 

 

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

 

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks

 

We give thanks to You oh Lord

We give thanks

 

 

 

 

Sunday, November 2, 2014

 

 

Today is Sunday. There are a lot of times I am feeling sad because I am home instead of church. There are a lot of times I am sad that I am home instead of anywhere. My fibromyalgia keeps me at home and I miss out on being able to live life the way I want to.  Making plans and scheduling anything is difficult. Yesterday was a good day and I didn't overdue anything so there wasn't any chance of being too tired or sore the next day. Sounds great except guess what? I'm too tired and in too much pain to be able to attend church today. At the beginning I mentioned I was sad, but I have a lot of other feelings that go along with being at home. Sad. Lonely. Angry. Bitter. Irritated. Left out. Isolated. And with all the emotions there are physical problems to deal with. Tired. Pain. Dizzy. Weak. Aching. Fibro fog. I struggle to make sense of all of this. I wonder what good will come of this? What good am I at all to anyone?

I search and I find little bits that help me through the pain.

 

From Randy Alcorn's book Seeing the Unseen:

Perspectives from God’s Word

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Perspectives from God’s People

“I want to stay in the habit of ‘glancing’ at my problems and ‘gazing’ at my Lord.” —Joni Eareckson Tada

“There are rare and wonderful species of joy that flourish only in the rainy atmosphere of suffering.” —John Piper

9 Traits of a Life-Giving Mom

Moms, a new resource just for you! 9 Traits of Life-Giving Mom

 http://amzn.to/ZrDLrb  #LifeGivingMOM 

 

 

 

9 Traits of a Life-Giving Mom: Replacing my Worst with God’s Best is written by a mom for moms. Sue admits that she, like most moms, has moments where her own unresolved issues come to the surface. Discover how to embody the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your own life and home.

Book Trailer on Facebook

OBX Souvenirs

Vacations are fun! Even though my fibromyalgia kept me inside today, I'm still enjoying myself. The family went out today and picked up some OBX Souvenirs for me. Dolphin goodies and a spoon. It was so awesome to see the dolphins swimming the other day and these dolphin trinkets will be sweet reminders of the special vacation I had with the family.

For the Beauty of the Earth

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 092
Text: Folliot S. Pierpoint
Music: Conrad Kocher; Arr. by W.H. Monk
Tune: DIX, Meter: 77.77.77

---

1. For the beauty of the earth, 
 for the glory of the skies, 
 for the love which from our birth 
 over and around us lies; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

2. For the beauty of each hour 
 of the day and of the night, 
 hill and vale, and tree and flower, 
 sun and moon, and stars of light; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

3. For the joy of ear and eye, 
 for the heart and mind's delight, 
 for the mystic harmony, 
 linking sense to sound and sight; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

4. For the joy of human love, 
 brother, sister, parent, child, 
 friends on earth and friends above, 
 for all gentle thoughts and mild; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

5. For thy church, that evermore 
 lifteth holy hands above, 
 offering up on every shore 
 her pure sacrifice of love; 
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

6. For thyself, best Gift Divine, 
 to the world so freely given, 
 for that great, great love of thine, 
 peace on earth, and joy in heaven:  
 Lord of all, to thee we raise 
 this our hymn of grateful praise.

Being Real With Chronic Illness

I have the perfect quote about chronic illness:

"Ok. I’ve thought a time or two that perhaps my “over-sharing” on my blog (and then to Facebook, etc) may make some of my friends uncomfortable. But, honestly, these are my “friends” (most in the internet sense, some in the very real sense) so I would hope that they would love me regardless.... Stop letting our pride get in the way of allowing our invisible illnesses to be visible. If we need help we need to reach out and take it, and not deny ourselves those things we need because we don’t want people to see how bad we really feel, or because we don’t want to make others uncomfortable... It’s time for those of us who are chronically ill to start making our illness more real to those around us."-Julie Ryan

 

You can read the entire blog post here:

 

The Slow Death of Compassion For the Chronically Ill

Avocado Cilantro Lime Rice

Avocado Cilantro Lime Rice
 

I love Pinterest! It is so much fun to collect so many different ideas.  The latest recipe I tried was from Cooking Classy. This rice is perfect for your next homemade Chipotle night!

Blessed Redeemer

	Blessed Redeemer
Author:	Avis B. Christiansen

1 Up Calv’ry’s mountain, one dreadful morn,
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn;
Facing for sinners death on the cross,
That He might save them from endless loss.
Refrain:
Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!
Seems I now see Him on Calvary’s tree;
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,
Blind and unheeding—dying for me!
2 “Father forgive them!” thus did He pray,
E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away;
Praying for sinners while in such woe—
No one but Jesus ever loved so. [Refrain]
3 Oh, how I love Him, Savior and Friend,
How can my praises ever find end!
Through years unnumbered on heaven’s shore,
My tongue shall praise Him forevermore. [Refrain]

Prayer Request

Elizabeth Rose

#PrayerRequest #preemie #NICU #Akron Please pray for Elizabeth Rose that God would help her body grow strong, pray for her parents Jesse and Laura, and pray for the Dr's and nurses in charge of her care.