Friday, September 24, 2010

Unhindered Running

Hebrews 12:1 says "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race which is set before us."

My 3 year old son, Eli, goes to preschool.  He loves it.  Eli is a social butterfly.  He likes the kids and he loves his teachers.  When he walked into the room today he saw Ms. Becky, yelled hi, dropped his backpack off his shoulders in one swift motion and ran across the room to give her a hug.

Seeing him cast the burden of his backpack aside so he could get where he was going as quickly as possible made me think of Hebrews 12.  I need to be that single-minded in my pursuit of Christ.  Not letting anything stop me.

A child's joy reminds me to seek Christ.  That is a finer thing!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

James- My new love

Yes, I have a new love, his name is James.  However, don't worry and call my husband, James lived 2000 years ago or so.  And I don't really love him, just his epistle to the church.

For Precepts this fall we are studying James and if that were not enough, I am also teaching a 5 week study on James for the ladies at my church.  I am loving it and I'm sure themes from James will arise throughout the next few months as I immerse myself in the book.


photo courtesy of Precepts Ministries International

The thought I have for today is from Kay Arthur's lesson on James 1 last week.  She said James is not about Ephesians 2:8-9, how a person can be saved, but rather it is about Ephesians 2:10, how to live once you are saved.  The book of James really is a 'how to' manual for Christian living!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Book Review: The Vigilante's Bride

I received this book from Bethany House Publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.


I got two FICTION books to review the same day and I decided to start with The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris, because it looked less interesting than the other book.  I went into it expecting it to be run-of-the-mill Christian romance.

Plot Summary:  Orphaned girl, Emily, in a group home reaches marriagable age and is sent west to marry a older, wealthy rancher in exchange for a donation to the orphanage.  Turns out the guy, Mr. Axel, is a jerk; unfaithful, abusive and theiving to name a few.  Emily is kidnapped in a stage coach robbery by a vigilante, Luke.  A man who is part of a group who take justice for cattle rustlers into their own hands (there is no law in some parts of Montana in 1884).  After a variety of mishaps, and Luke's return to the Lord, the two realize they complete each other!

I expected the ending and did not fall in love with any of the characters, but was entertained while reading.  I would certainly read more books by Harris.

I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Applesauce

My Grammy gave me a bucket of apples from her backyard.  These are organic since she doesn't do anything to them ;) 

They are not real pretty, but Grammy told me they are great in pies.  I had seen a recipe for crockpot applesauce and wanted to try it.


In crockpot with cinnamon and a bit of sugar
It turned out wonderful!
Blended with the hand mixer

In jars, ready for snacks!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Book Review: The Devil in Pew Number Seven

Much thanks to Tyndale Publishers for sending me this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.


The memories of a girl combined with her parents journals, eyewitness interviews, old newspaper clippings and court documents come together in an almost unbelievable true story.

This story was very interesting and easy to read.  The names of the small town folks did get confusing, but knowing exactly who everyone is, is not relevant to following the story.  While the book kept my attention, I am not convinced it is totally true.  These events took place decades ago, so memories may be skewed.  I do, however, certainly believe this family was harassed by a church member.

The moral of the story is remarkable.  The ability to forgive is divine.  When we forgive we become free.  That this family can forgive their tormentors is a wonderful example of God's love, grace and forgiveness to us.