I'm Back -- Sorta

 I know, it's been a while. I've pretty well settled into life in a commune. Well, not exactly a commune. More like a community. Four years ago, I moved into a retirement facility, tired of cleaning my own house, making my own meals, etc. It's become home, finally. A little cramped, but still I've managed to mess it up a bit until it's kinda like before. I'm on the top floor, and there's a balcony facing due west. In the summer, it's pretty warm out there. As in Central California warm. My yearly effort at flowers went to pot (pardon the pun) as the plants withered up and croaked when the weather lingered too near 100 degrees. So this year (with help) I put up a shade. So far, that's working.

So. What's been going on in the past four years? To be truthful, not much. This is my first effort at writing since the last post. No new books either. Not even a letter to a friend or relative. That's the bad news. The good news is that I'm drawing closer to God. I won't reach perfection in this lifetime, but it's a good feeling. I'm off the depressants -- also a good feeling. I've given up driving -- not necessarily a good feeling, but a more relaxed one. At the worst, it's inconvenient at times. There is a bus here to take us to doctor appointments, etc., but only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I need to find a closer vet for Meggie and Cleo, though. The previous one is in Silverton, 20 miles away, and the bus doesn't go there. My daughter could drive us, but she's working full time plus, and I hate to ask too often.

Speaking of my daughter and driving--Renae drove me to my class reunion last month. We spent a week plus together, most of it in my home town, all of which was almost heaven for me. (With apologies to Glen Campbell, Idaho comes closer to heaven than West Virginia.)

I'm getting older, so a thing or two age-related has crept up. It goes with the territory, and let it be said that I remain 90 percent content. I still miss my husband. I see a few more doctors. I travel a few less miles. All in all, I don't regret the lack of as much activity. I may write another paragraph or two on the second in the series of books beginning with Blessed by Time. Tammy needs to prophesy a little more. Paulos needs to become a little more comfortable with local customs so different from his own, and Sarah maybe needs to become a little more uncomfortable. As if being pregnant in a summer with no A/C wasn't enough.

Long, rambling story shortened, it's been a inspirational, exciting, boring, and mostly uneventful four years. I have no idea what the next four will be. God knows, and He ain't saying.

Hang onto me, Lord. It could be wild.

Breaking? Retiring?

I'm not for sure exactly how long yet, but I'm taking a break from blogging. Maybe retiring forever, but only God knows for sure.

Book Review - A MOUNTAIN WORTH MOVING by Amanda Mason

This one is definitely a Christian romance. Not a historical, though you might have thought that because of the cover. No, this is about a modern-day Montana cowboy who falls in love--of course. A lot of love stories are so predictable that they lose my interests, but this one has enough unusual twists that it kept me fascinated. I'd say about 4 stars or so.

So here we have one cowboy totally disabled (Ben), another one drowning his guilt in alcohol (Jamie), and another one who feels responsible for everyone and everything (John). John's easily driven to anger because of conclusions he jumps into. And there we have an attractive young physical therapist (Jill) who, with the rest of the clinic she works for, specializes in the extremely disabled who might be helped. She pleads Ben into their clinic's program, even though they have a full complement of patients. Jill's seen something in Ben she thinks can be a route to healing--but John's pretty sure she's seen deep pockets she can go fishing in.

Lots of problems and progresses will keep you turning the pages, promise. Available from Amazon.

I was given a free copy of this book by the author, but the views expressed herein are my own.

Book Review - EXPERIENCING GOD'S LOVE IN A BROKEN WORLD: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY by Roy Haggerty and Deb Haggerty

I love it when an author includes the purpose of their book (at least in the case of nonfiction) right in the front, which makes it a lot easier to determine if the author achieved his or her goal. In this case, the Haggertys include it in paragraph No. 1 of the prologue. They says that this book "... is designed to encourage people who are Christians to know God more intimately and to serve him more effectively." That goal began at the forefront of each section and carried through the entire book. I was impressed--and inspired. Five stars.

You can read this day by day in the same manner as a devotional, each little section of a chapter on each day, or--if you're feeling the need for some sensory overload--go ahead and read the whole thing nonstop. Personally, I'm afraid that would stretch my sensibilities to the outer limits. I do recommend this book highly. I think it would work especially well in a Bible Study. Thank you, Roy and Deb Haggerty, for all the research, experience, and devotion you put into this work.

Available from Amazon.

I received a free copy of this book from the authors, but the opinions expressed herein are mine alone.

Monday Devo - Try a Little Kindness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:21-23, NKJV.

You all probably remember Glen Campbell's song, "Try a Little Kindness." (If you'd like to hear him sing this song, this is a link: "Try a Little Kindness".

I like the way he thought. When all else fails, try kindness. In fact, you might try that first.

Not long ago, I saw a woman snubbed by her neighbors. She has either dementia or Alzheimer's, and apparently a bit of kleptomania. She's been accused of stealing. A few missing items from her neighbors' yards and patios have a habit of showing up in her apartment. I can understand their unhappiness but wish they would treat her with more kindness. I don't think she knows she's stealing. I do think she needs to be in a memory care place, and that's probably next on her lifeline, but I'd love to see her remaining time on the "outside" to be pleasant.

You might know someone who is, for one reason or another, particularly annoying or irritating. You might know others who seem to deliberately agitate and stir things up. Have you noticed that chastising them just adds fuel to the fire?

I wonder if treating them with kindness might change things for the better. It might not change the kleptomania--that's not something they have a pill for--but it might change some of her defensive behavior. I know it has worked for me when I've been kind to her.

Know anyone who could maybe need a little sweetness in their lives?

Lord, please lead us to those who need to be treated with more respect and kindness, and give us the strength, wisdom, and courage to begin the change. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Book Review - THE NUMBER OF LOVE by Roseanna M. White

Definitely another ten for Writing Roseanna. Okay, so I'm only allowed to give her a five-star review, but she deserves at least double that. This is a first-class WWI historical romance chock full enough of suspense to classify it in at least three or four genres.

Margot De Wilde is a rare genius in math, a code-breaker for the English intelligence. She thinks in terms of numbers, and when God keeps giving her the number 18 to pray for, she does. She's pretty sure she's praying for someone in dire danger, so her prayers are most fervent ... until the day when her mother dies. Margot refuses--God should have had her praying for her mother! God stops speaking to her, and she stops speaking to Him.

But then she reluctantly begins to be attracted to this one guy, the brother of her best friend, a man who has been severely wounded. See how all the numbers come together by buying The Number of Love through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Christian Book Distributors.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley, but this review reflects only my own opinions.

Monday Devo - Jesus wasn't always gentle and sweet

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence." Matthew 25:25, NKJV.

Jesus always seemed to call a thorn bush "a thorn bush," even if it was beautifully adorned with a rose. Odd, He didn't verbally attack those the general populace would call the sinners. Instead, He called out the thorn bushes of His time, the high society folks who constantly looked down on others.

Scribes (writers; attorneys) and Pharisees (along with the Sadducees) weren't Jesus's favorite people. They were the politicians of the day, and they were also the church leaders. Instead of teaching people to love God, they taught strict obedience to every jot and tittle of the law; they sought (and got) the best seats at the Synagogue; and they seemed to feel superior in every way to the general population. Jesus called them out so many times it was no wonder they went after Him.

I suspect He'd call people out now, too. I'm not going to speculate on who; all of us have differing opinions of who it would be. However, I would love for all of us to examine ourselves and get rid of those dirty insides.

Who, me? Yeah, me too.

Lord, Search me and see if there is any wicked way in me. Bring it bluntly to my attention and help me change into the type of mirror (reflecting You) that You want me to be. In Jesus's Name, Amen.

Boook Review - I PRAYED FOR PATIENCE; GOD GAVE ME CHILDREN by Linda Wood Rondeau

Most Christians know better than to pray for patience. God's sense of humor can't help but grant that desire, because, you know, muscles only get stronger when you exercise them. The patience muscle must need lots of exercise, that's all I got to say. Linda Wood Rondeau also found this out, and she's shared some of her stratagems for those times when the patience muscles are stretched nearly to the breaking point. Four stars. Reminds me a bit of Don't Eat the Daisies.

This is not fiction. Nowhere near fiction, but definitely entertaining AND educational. The book is filled with pithy quotes, cartoons, and bits of Godly wisdom. If you didn't know before that God has a sense of humor--after all, He created us in His image--you might get a glimmer by the end of the book.

Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

I received a free copy of the book from the author, but my opinions are strictly mine.

Monday Morning Devo - How Long, O Lord?

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O Lord—how long? Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! Psalm 6:2-4, NKJV

The psalms are amazing. They so often reflect how I'm feeling or how I'm seeing things happen. It's doubly amazing, seeing a man lay bare his own soul--so many guys are nervous about expressing their feelings. However, King David and the other writers of the Psalms seemed to have no hesitation about standing soul-naked before God--and essentially, before trillions of people for generations and eons to come. Crying was no more shameful than breathing. Depression was easily discussed.

I know God walks with me through all kinds of wildernesses, but still, I wonder how long it will have to be endured. I know that the walks in the wildernesses are, in the long run, good. Good for me, and good because I can really empathize with others in their own wildernesses.

God is wise. He knows how long it will take. I just need to lean on Him, and He'll make sure I find Oases when they're necessary.

How long, O Lord? I know--exactly as long as it takes. Thank You. I love You with my whole naked soul. Amen

Saturday Sermonette - That Day

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before [c]God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. Revelation 20:11-12, NKJV

I know that one day we're going to have to stand in front of God and be judged. I don't believe for one square second that He will be checking out whether we have a Greek-god physique or basketball bellies. He won't notice how many wrinkles or brown spots we have. Blond, brown, gray (or pink) hair isn't going to matter. Brown, red, yellow, black, or white skin won't be important.

He's going to be checking out the condition of the heart. Does it have scars? Good--because that means we've had experiences that, hopefully, have led us to grant grace to others. Soft spots lacking strong muscles? Fully acceptable--tenderness is necessary. Angry, red spots might not be so good, right? Smudges of filth will have to be washed.

What do you think your heart should look like?

O Lord, search me and see if there are wicked ways in me. Cleanse me so that my heart will be whiter than snow. Teach me thy ways that I might look more like a mirror of Thee. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus's name and for His sake, Amen.

Book Review - THE STRING by Caleb Breakey

Gulp. Christian mystery and suspense, oh my! F-Five S-S-Stars. I wanted to give it more, but, but, well, you know. Not allowed. The first of the Deadly Games series, and oh, what a stage Mr. Breakey has set.

Where can we hide? It seems everyone we meet is one of the knots on the string and forced by the conductor to ....

I'm not sure when (or if) I've read a book with such tension. When I had to close the book to go to sleep, it kept running through my mind. Through my dreams too. Caleb, you naughty-naughty knot!

I was given a free copy of this book, but my reviews ALWAYS reflect only my own opinions.

Saturday Sermonette - Biting My Tongue

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. Proverbs 12:18, NKJV

Sometimes I tend to speak without thinking. Have you ever had that problem? Head-slapping, whether physically or mentally, occurs way too often.

Normally, it's not all that big a deal, unless I hurt someone in the process. Yesterday, I blurted out a question, caught myself, gave myself a mental head slap, and said, "Unless it bothers you to talk about it." Caught myself a little too late, didn't I? It all came around okay, thanks to God, but I sure wish that head slap had come around a little quicker and stopped me from asking how the gentleman had become disabled.

He was gracious; he probably was used to dealing with curious idiots like me. Still ....

I guess I need to pray that God will alert me that I'm about to commit a social gaff. That worked when I wanted to stop swearing. God's good that way.

So--if there's some wrong habit you have that you'd like to get rid of, maybe you can pray with me?

Lord, I ask that You be in all my speaking today, that words won't slip out with the power to harm or hurt. Thank you. In Jesus's wonderful name, Amen.

Book Review - DARK OF NIGHT: WHERE NIGHTMARES BECOME REALITY by Alice K. Arenz

Suspenseful and Surprising!

When I saw the title of this one--plus the cover--I wondered if Ms. Arenz had taken a dive into the horror genre, but not so. Definitely suspenseful, though. Well done! Five stars-worth easily.

Kelsey Carol has a disturbing gap in her memory. She was twelve; she should have been able to remember who it was that killed her parents. But as some children do, Kelsey had so efficiently repressed the memory that it still didn't show up in her head even now when she's an adult.

Who are the heroes, and who are the villains? What's in the old dark tunnel? It's worth the cost of the book to find out. Available on Amazon.

Book Review - DELILAH by Fay Lamb

This continuation of The Ties That Bind (Book 4), as I experienced it, is a tangle of genres. You've got Christian suspense, romance, mystery, and maybe some women's fiction. Plus a political cause. Hm. Fay, did you have a problem making up your mind? Nevertheless, it was done with all of the beautiful expertise that this lady has. She's a dynamite writer, and she has been and is, whether she knows it or not, my writing mentor. I'd give this one five stars.

Delilah has seemed to be a self-confident, fashion-conscious, domineering, hot-tempered, vengeful snipe. No one knew her ugly past, and that's the way she intended to keep it. Until one determined lady, Libby Carter, loves her anyway. This story begins after that fateful day that Delilah, with Libby's help, gives her heart to the Lord, The changes begin.

She lost the prosecutor race to John Turner, and he expects fireworks when she lands in his court. Delilah tries her best to behave, but words slip out that land her with a contempt of court and a fine that will begin their sometimes friendly-sometimes foe-ly relationship.

Digging into her past to find truths she didn't want to find--or maybe she did--leads to lots of complications.

And you know how we love complications, at least as long as it's fictional, right? Available from Amazon.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, but my opinions remain my own.

Monday Devo - The most important part

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14, NKJV

Yesterday, I heard an interesting sermon, and in the Sunday School, I saw something unusual.

Two men sat together, obviously good friends, and they were talking about the day's topic; they weren't agreeing, but they didn't even come a country mile from being angry. One of them spoke up, chuckling and saying, "I'm a democrat, and he's a republican." Other things they said made it obvious they were both Christians. Hm. Is that possible????

Later, the pastor's sermon delved into politics and patriotism. He said he looked forward to and prayed for the day when he could see people loving each other through the differences.

I really, really relate to that. For years now, I have become less and less patriotic. Willing to die for my country? No, I'm not. I would cheerfully and gratefully sacrifice my own life to save that of someone else. Especially children. Even if they are illegal immigrants or are throwing rocks at me. I believe God loves people a whole more than a big island of dirt and rocks and trees, no matter how beautiful it is.

I'm a citizen of Heaven, and am patriotic for that far country. I would willingly die to defend the right of people to follow the Lord. Even if they were die-hard politically opposites of me.

What the pastor said resonated with me. Like this pastor, I want to be able to look that opposing person in the eye and say, "God loves you, and so do I. Even if you don't love or agree with me."

As this pastor said, the most important thing is loving the Lord, not the current president or senator or governor.

Jesus chose twelve disciples who often disagreed with each other.

Got any comebacks for me? I'm listening.

Lord, thank You for loving us even before we deserve it. Thank You for loving me through my mistakes. Please help me to love others the way You love us. In Jesus name and for His beautiful glory, Amen.

Book Review - A SCARLET CORD by Deborah Raney

Christian romance with a good bit of mystery and suspense. Five stars.

When you have loved deeply and that love is dead, it's very hard to let yourself ever love again. Busyness is the answer. Run so fast at your work that there's no time to reminisce. Leave only enough time to nurture your little girl. Let no other man into your life.

That works until God steps into the picture and causes you to run into a handsome mean with a mysterious past. It's obvious he loves God. He even seems to love her daughter. And her. Asks her to marry him. And then disappears, leaving her with a scarlet cord and a mysterious note..

Available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble, also from a lot of local bookstores. I think you'll love it.

Book Review - THE EMPEROR'S VISIONS by R.A. Denny

This is the fourth in a series of YA adventures with at least one more to go. The series is one that I believe the YAs will thoroughly enjoy. I give it four stars.

Once again, our heroes, Amanki (of the mud people), Brina (of the tree people), and Moshoi,(a scaled humans) are trying to make sense of their assignment from the Creator. Adon asked that they carry their three blue cylinder seals to Tzoladia, the capital of the country. Much easier said than done. Brina's was stolen by Matlan of the Lion Riders; Amanki has his displayed for all to see; and Moshoi has his hidden under the fur of his pack animal, Star.

In the last book Matlan was crowned king of several of the people of Tzoladia, but he wants to be emperor. The present emperor seems to be short just one or two cards of a full deck, and he's ruled by his mother, a woman with vipers for pets. He feels a little guilty for stealing Brina's cylinder seals, but not enough to give it back. People might not think he was king material without it. Matlan also has discovered he is a twin to Amanki, the duck boy. They look alike from the ankles up, but Amanki has duck-like feet. Amanki has taken over a fleet of the emperor's ships.

Whew. I don't want to give it away, but there have been several battles going on, and it looks like maybe the emperor is winning. Or is he? Hard to tell from here.

Available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

I received a free review copy of this book from the author, but my opinions remain my own.

Book Review - REVOLUTION NOW, THE BEGINNING by J.S. Hudson

An old lady reading a book aimed at young adults--sometimes I make me wonder. The is the first book of a series, not sure how many total, and the end of this is a bit of a cliffhanger. It's not really in my favorite alley, but I give it a three-star rating. Imaginative and pretty realistic in most respects. As with a lot of first-time authors (including me), the book has some writerly errors, but I think most readers will still enjoy it.

Two teenagers Ty and Jaime, mad because they got booted out in their senior year, decide they're going to get rid of a few of the teachers and students who gave them the most hassling. Trouble is, on the way to the school, Jesus intervenes. A mysterious notebook has instructions in it for what to do next. And a nosy neighbor girl keeps butting in. Plus a weird homeless guy called Mike shows up and really steals a scene or two.

I think especially late teens to college age will really get into this one. Available from Amazon.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, but my opinions are still my own.

Book Review - COWBOY FAIRYTALES: BOOKS 1 & 2 by Lacy Williams

Hi. My name is Anne, and I'm addicted to fairy tales. Which is why it took very little persuasion for me to review this book. Besides, I've read Lacy Williams before and liked her writing. All I had to do is ask myself, "Self, does this book sound okay to read?" Self said, "Indeedy do." So Self did. And thoroughly enjoyed both sorta believable/totally unbelievable stories. Five stars for readability, great stories, and satisfying rough cowboys meet sweet but spoiled princesses.

Story No. 1--Princess Allesandra finds herself the target of assassins and runs for the hills. Of Oklahoma, that is. Enter the cowboy--a rather reluctant cowboy. He's just spent the late winter night with a heifer giving birth to twins in tail-freezing weather, and he can't go to bed and catch a catnap before getting on with the day. No, his brother Matt was flying in for a few days leave, so he went to the airport in his old pickup. Which was fine, but he'd picked up an extra passenger in the truck before they rode back to the ranch. You guessed it: the princess, looking to hide out. Where better than a remote ranch?

Story No. 2--Princess Mia, Allesandra's sister, has a wild reputation. "The kissing princess," they called her. But she grew royally tired of the guys who not only kissed and told but were only after her for the title. She vowed never to kiss another guy unless she was going to marry him. Then you need to get acquainted with Ethan, a young guy who'd given up his chance at college to try to raise two wicked stepbrothers. So long veterinarian career, hello back-breaking dairy farm work, barely making it from milk sale to milk sale while the boys managed to get into trouble and denigrate him for being poor and not providing better for them. Why would a princess ever give a smelly dairyman a second glance?

But these are fairy tales, so of course....

Oops, can't say that. Grab this two-in-one and settle in for a good-old-fashioned story or two. I think maybe even guys might like them.

Available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Monday Devo - WHISPERED OR SHOUTED

I'm having trouble coming up with a Bible verse that specifically says you can pray under your breath and still be heard by God, or you can shout your prayers. Not that they're not in the Bible, just Google isn't helping me a lot.

There are some "don't's" - don't pray aloud just so that others will notice how eloquent you are. Don't use prayer to draw attention to yourself. Don't ask without need. Don't pray things you don't mean. Don't stop praying.

It only stands to reason that prayers can be whispered and still heard by the Lord. He himself usually speaks in a "still small voice" that we (and only we) can hear. If we "pray without ceasing" as Paul prescribed and we did it all out loud, we'd be mumbling and jabbering all day, or at least until someone put a piece of tape over our mouths.

Shouting prayers isn't really necessary--God's not hard of hearing--but sometimes joy or anger is expressed with a loud voice--and I don't believe God objects.

So, what's the point of all this rambling? Just this: God can hear you. Go ahead and pray. Tell Him everything--even if you're angry. He knows you are anyway, so you might just as well tell him. Tell Him when you're sad, joyful, afraid, upset, anxious--the whole gamut. Trust that He understands and is listening with His whole attention. He loves you and desires the best for you.

Go for it. And don't forget to also say thanks (that expresses faith that He heard, understands, and will act as is best).

Lord--I love You. I trust You. I need You constantly in my life. You're the best. Amen.