WORD up!

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 16

2012-01-27T00:49:00.000-08:00

LESSON THREE: “1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times – A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study”

2012-01-25T00:27:00.000-08:00

Lesson 3 of “1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times – A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study” talks primarily about our call as Christians to ministry as priests. What a fantastic honor and responsibility! That places us in quite an elite group with Jesus as our High Priest. I really can’t completely grasp all that this honor entails. Maybe when I finish this 1 Peter study, I will do my own study on the priesthood throughout the Bible so that I might know what my responsibility really is.

My ministry has varied over the years. I’ve been involved in choir and drama. I’ve facilitated adult Bible studies and taught Sunday School. I’ve spent time in the nursery and taught children. I’ve maintained a Bible Study Blog for several years, and review books. I’ve encouraged others through cards, letters and emails of prayers that I’ve said for them. I’ve brought gifts to the medical professionals who treated me for cancer. One constant has remained through each of these activities and is a joy and a privilege that rewards me each time I engage in it: prayer. Definitely a priestly practice, wouldn’t you say?

"Firethorn" by Ronie Kendig

2012-01-23T00:34:00.000-08:00

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Ronie Kendig

and the book:

Firethorn, Discarded Heroes #4

Barbour Books; Discarded Heroes edition (2012)

***Special thanks to Ronie Kendig for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An Army brat, Ronie Kendig grew up in the classic military family, with her father often TDY and her mother holding down the proverbial fort. Their family moved often, which left Ronie attending six schools by the time she’d entered fourth grade. Her only respite and “friends” during this time were the characters she created.

It was no surprise when she married a military veteran—her real-life hero—in June 1990. Married more than twenty years, Ronie and her husband, Brian, homeschool their four children, the first of whom graduated in 2011. Despite the craziness of life, Ronie finds balance and peace with her faith, family and their three dogs in Dallas, TX.

Ronie has a deep love and passion for people, especially hurting people, which is why she pursued and obtained a B.S. in Psychology from Liberty University. Ronie is an active member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has volunteered extensively, serving in a variety of capacities from coordinator of a national contest to appointment assistant at the national annual conference.

Since launching onto the publishing scene in 2010, Ronie and her books have been gained critical acclaim and national attention, including:

Finalist in Christian Retailing’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards (Nightshade)

RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love’s 2011 Inspirational Readers’ Choice Awards in Romantic Suspense (Nightshade)

Named one of the Top 25 Christian Fiction Suspense, Mystery, and Thriller Writers by FamilyFiction (Sept 2011)

2011 FamilyFiction Readers’ Choice Awards – 3^rd place as New Favorite Author, 8^th place with Nightshade for Novel of the Year.

INSPY Award Shortlist final in Mystery/Thriller (Dead Reckoning)

The Christian Manifesto’s 2010 Lime Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Nightshade)

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Blown and dismantled, Nightshade is ready to repay the favor.

Former Marine and current Nightshade team member Griffin "Legend" Riddell is comfortable. So comfortable he never sees the set up that lands him in a maximum security prison, charged with murder. How can he prove his innocence behind bars?

Covert operative Kazi Faron is tasked with reassembling Nightshade—the black ops team someone dissected. Breaking Griffin out of a federal penitentiary amid explosive confusion may turn out to be her last assignment. What will it take to convince the fugitive that whoever set him up has also dissected the Nightshade team? As Kazi and Griffin race to rescue the others and discover the traitor,

love begins to awaken in their hearts.

Can a covert operative and the felon she's freed overcome their mutual distrust long enough to save Nightshade? Will anything prepare them for who—or what is coming?

Product Details:

List Price: $12.99

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Barbour Books; Discarded Heroes edition (2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1602607850

ISBN-13: 978-1602607859

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

To all American military heroes

At home and abroad,

Those who have gone before

and those serving today—

THANK YOU!

Because of you, we are FREE!

RECON CREED

Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me.

Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal. Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life. Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics—The title of Recon Marine is my honor.

Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure; To overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission.

On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition. Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate.

Never shall I forget the principles I accepted to become a Recon Marine. Honor, Perseverance, Spirit, and Heart.

A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what others can only imagine.

Swift, Silent, Deadly

Chapter 1

The Shack

“It’s sad, really.” Marshall “The Kid” Vaughn trudged away from the thumping rotors of the helo that had deposited them back at the Shack, his pack almost dragging the ground. “Ya don’t realize how much a person adds until he’s gone.”

“Legend’s not gone.” Max “Frogman” Jacobs hoisted his rucksack into a better group, his mind locked on Sydney and their two sons waiting for him at home. Poor woman had to be going out of her mind with two of his Mini-Me’s running around.

“Yeah.” John “Squirt” Dighton hit the light breaker, then waited for the six-man team to clear the door. “He’s just temporarily detained.”

Lights sizzled and popped to life. Groaning bounced off the grimy windows as he hauled the door closed, locked it, then started toward the showers.

The Kid grunted. “Forty-years-to-life temporary.”

In the locker room, a depressive gloom hung over the team. They’d been on countless missions, hit just about every terrain and environment imaginable, but none had taken the toll the last couple had. And there was one reason—they were down a man. Griffin “Legend” Riddell. If Max could write the playbook, they wouldn’t do another mission without the guy. But with the man in federal prison for murdering a congressman, it’d be a long wait.

It was quiet. Too quiet. Max looked around the Spartan room. Walls of lockers, most unused. A few benches. A giant once-white bin for dirty duds. And the team. Six men, now. All very skilled. Good men. Even the one missing. Every man here knew Legend had been set up—he didn’t murder that congressman. But nobody could prove it. The evidence was damning. Justice—injustice was more like it—came swiftly. Lambert, ever the puppeteer, couldn’t pull the right strings to get Legend off.

“I’m heading up to visit him tomorrow. Anyone game?” Colton “Cowboy” Neeley slumped on a bench and ran a hand over his short, dark hair. His blue eyes probed the group.

“Nah, man. I’ve got a date,” the Kid said.

Squirt beaned him with a towel. “What girl would go out with you, mate?”

The Kid snapped the terry cloth back at the former Navy SEAL. “Your sister.”

Squirt froze. His jaw went slack. Then his eyes darkened.

Laughing, Canyon “Midas” Metcalfe rose to his feet from the corner. “You just proved his point by thinking your sister would actually go out with him.”

Squirt swallowed, his face drained of color. “I introduced them at a New Year’s party.”

Midas laughed harder. “Your mistake, mate.”

Shuffling closer, Squirt pointed a finger at the Kid. “I swear, you touch her, I’ll shove a fist full of witchety grubs down your gullet.”

“Give me credit, dude.” The Kid raised his hands. “I’m a gentleman.”

Max grunted. “Right.” As he strode around the lockers to the shower well, he heard more threats and much more laughter from the Kid. Max shook his head. Would the Kid ever grow up, learn when to leave things alone?

As he tossed his oily, grimy duds on the bench, Max paused, thinking maybe he should send his report to Lambert now so he wouldn’t have to mess with it tomorrow. The mission had been simple enough, a snatch-n-grab of an Iranian doctor. It’d been nice and clean, in and out. The report wouldn’t take long. Then he could shower, bug out, and know he had the whole weekend with Syd and the boys.

Max jogged up the iron stairs, which creaked and groaned beneath his weight. Down the hall to the right. He punched in the code and entered the secure hub, the door hissing shut behind him. The most high-tech part of this dump-of-a-warehouse.

Shouts drew his attention to the blinds. He jabbed two fingers between a couple and spread them to peeked down into the main area. Squirt and the Kid raced into the bay and back the way they came. Squirt looked ready to kill. The Kid’s face revealed his fear. Max shook his head again. Man, he wanted Griffin back. The guy seemed to bring balance to the team. Badly needed balance.

Max powered up the computer. Hand propped on the warped wood, he waited for the system to boot.

More shouts. Loud thuds.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Would they never—?

Tat-a-tat! Tat-tat-a-tat!

Instinct drove Max to his knee at the sound of gunfire. He scrambled to the window. Through the slanted blinds, he peered down into the slab of cement. His brain wouldn’t assemble what he saw. Gunmen. A dozen or more. Rushing into the Shack from the parking bay. Moving swiftly, as if. . .

They know the layout.

Max darted to the door and jerked it open. He sprinted down the hall toward the stairs. As his boot hit steel, he froze. A shadow emerged. Floated into the hall.

Too late.

Max jerked back. Pressed his spine against the wall.

By the showers, the Kid looked up. Max signaled to him. Then made his best and loudest Nightshade whistle, hoping it would penetrate the building, give the men warning to take cover.

The Kid threw himself back into the locker room.

Men swarmed the corner. One looked to his left, one right. His weapon slowly rose as he traced the stairs with his M16.

Max leapt backward into the darkness and into office. He closed the door. As the lock clicked, darkness dropped like an anchor over the entire building. Behind him, a glow screamed his location. The monitor!

Max spun. Lunged across the desk. Stabbed the power button. And paused with his hand still near the monitor. If someone was coming after them. . .accessing this computer. . .

On his knees, Max yanked the cords free. With the box, he moved to the window and reassessed the parking bay. Another van with a half-dozen men with AK-47s. They streamed into the warehouse.

Max’s gut wound into a dozen knots. They were screwed.

Think! Hand on the door, he considered going back downstairs. But that would get him captured. Killed. Yet he’d rather be with his guys than running like a chicken.

No, not running. Considering options, gaining the advantage. Planning. The invasion force was armed to the teeth. They knew who they were coming after. They’d brought weapons. And those guys moved with precision. Swift, deadly precision.

Though Nightshade had a stellar ops record, perhaps they had finally met their match. Still. . .two to one? Nightshade had faced worse.

A large black Suburban screeched to a halt in the middle of the parking bay. Two men emerged, both wearing trench coats.

Max cursed his luck to be up here, away from his gear, his weapons. Up here, without firepower. Thus, powerless.

Okay, enough. He was going down there. He eased the door open and slid across the hall. Bathed in darkness, he crouched at edge of the landing, using the wall for cover. A dozen men so far, rushing here and there. Quick, quiet chatter between the men.

A smirk slid into Max’s face. His team had taken cover and these goons couldn’t find them. If he could just get a weapon. . .

“Can’t find them.”

“They’re here. I saw them go in,” the man nearest the SUV shouted. “Find them! Lights!”

Light rushed through the building as headlamps from the vehicles stabbed the dusty, damp building. Max yanked back, out of sight. He needed to get down there, defend his men. His boot hit the landing.

Shouts erupted. A shot bounced off the steel rafters, taunting as it echoed through the Shack. Stilled, Max waited. More shouts. The sound of a scuffle. The half-dozen men waiting by the SUV lifted their weapons to the ready.

The locker room door swung open. A man walked backward, his AK-47 aimed at a large form filling the doorway. Cowboy. Arms raised, dressed only in his jeans, he stalked forward. Someone shoved him from behind, which barely moved the big lug.

Spine pressed against the wood, Max peered down into the bay.

“You move one wrong muscle,” the one in front of Cowboy growled, “and so help me God, I’ll kill you.”

“No you won’t.” Cowboy lowered his hands. “If you wanted me dead, I wouldn’t be out here.”

Ride ’em, Cowboy.

From the side entrance to the showers, three men dragged a shouting, cursing Kid into the bay. Max smirked that it took three tangos to wrangle the Kid.

Hand clenched, Max’s mind went into overdrive. What could he do? God. . .I need. . .something. What could he pray for? Intercepting the team was impossible. Twelve, fifteen armed tangos against one unarmed man?

He latched on to the hope that they’d only found Cowboy and the Kid. No Midas, Squirt, or Aladdin. Good. Maybe they could regroup and—

A man flew through the bay door from the showers and landed with a thud a yard from the others. Midas flipped over, scissored his legs, and swept the thug off his feet. The Kid seized the confusion to attack the men guarding him. And impressively. With a hard right, he dropped the first and used that weapon to disable the second.

Cowboy took a step back and rammed his elbow into the gut of the nearest guard. The gunman bent forward—straight into Cowboy’s meaty fist. The big guy pivoted, slapped the interior of the gunman’s wrist, effectively seizing the weapon and flipping the muzzle around. He fired at the guy.

Crack!

In the split second it took for Max to realize the sonic boom that rent the air wasn’t the report of Cowboy’s .45 MEU but of a rifle, Max saw the man in the black trench coat drop to the ground. A circle spread out like a dark halo.

“Sniper!” someone shouted.

The dead guy had fallen backward. Most likely shot from the front. Which meant. . . Max’s gaze rose to the rafters. With no light, it’d be the perfect hiding spot. But. . .who? Squirt? Aladdin?

Crack!

The man guarding Colton stumbled forward, then went to his knees before hitting the cement.

The man in the black trench coat nearest the SUV dropped. A pool of blood spilled out.

“There!” One guard swung and fired his fully automatic at the ceiling. Four others followed suit, firing at the bank of grimy windows on the southeast wall of the building.

Max followed their direction and watched. Waited, his breath caught at the back of his throat. Cracks and shattering glass blended with the staccato punches of the guns to create a wild cacophony of noise. Max tuned it out, praying whoever—Aladdin or Squirt—wouldn’t be hit.

But then he saw it. A shift of a shadow. Like someone rolling. . .

The gunfire petered out as a body plummeted the eight feet to the ground.

The thud seemed to have supernatural powers as it pounded Max’s chest and pushed him back. Away from the window but not far enough that he lost line of sight.

Silence dropped on the Shack.

“Where’s Max Jacobs?”

As the question streaked through the warehouse, Max registered a red glow in the far corner. Even as he noticed it, he heard a beep. Another. His gaze darted to the source of the noise. Two men were walking the perimeter, their M16s dangling as they raised their arms and pressed something against the supports. Arms lowered and the men stepped back revealing gray bricks with wires.

Explosives.

Gotta stop this. Do something. His gaze collided with Cowboy’s. The big lug gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

Max’s nostrils flared as he wrestled with what to do.

“Where’s Dighton?”

How do they know our names?

“Dead,” someone answered.

Pulled back into the shadows, Max clenched his eyes and bit down on his tongue. Dighton was dead. What about Aladdin—had he survived the fall?

Sirens wailed in the distance.

“Load ’em up.”

“What about Jacobs?”

“Outta time.” The leader left as the gunmen dragged the team out of the building.

Stealthily, Max held on to the box and sprinted the length of the hall to the side of the Shack. In the conference room, he plunged toward the window. Craned his neck to peek out. Three vehicles—twin white vans and a black town car.

The guys were loaded into the van and one into the car.

The leader shifted, held something out, then it wavered.

Detonator.

Max spun around, searching for an out. Doors. Only one way down—the stairs. But they led to the bay, which would be engulfed.

Windows. Overlooked the dock. The canal. It was January. The water would be brutal cold. His split-second assessment told him no matter what route he took, it’d be deadly. Despite his training, if he didn’t find shelter out of the water once he broke surface, he’d die an ice cube. If he stayed, he’d die a fireball.

Good thing SEALs are insulated against cold water.

Max vaulted toward the window, hurtling the computer through the window. The glass shattered as a violent force blasted through the air. It lifted him. Up. . .up. . . Flipped him. Searing pain sliced through his arm. Heat stroked his back and legs. Fire chased him out of the building. Into the night.

Boom!

Another wave slammed into him. Threw him backward. Toward the water.

Something punched his gut. Knocked the breath from his lungs.

Bright white lit the night. Blinded him. Then—almost instantaneously—black. Pure black. And he was falling. . .down. . .down. . .

Ro n i e K e n d i g

Firethorn

Discarded Heroes # 4

OTHER BOOKS BY RONIE KENDIG

Nightshade (Discarded Heroes #1)

Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2)

Wolfsbane (Discarded Heroes #3)

© 2011 by Ronie Kendig

ISBN 978-1-60260-0785-9

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

For more information about Ronie Kendig, please access the author’s Web site at the following Internet address: www.roniekendig.com

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683,

www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

Printed in the United States of America.

Here is my review of this incredible romantic suspense novel:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Ronie Kendig and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Firethorn" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Ronie Kendig’s “Firethorn” is an incredible fourth addition to her Discarded Heroes Series. In this installment, Griffin “Legend” Riddell is imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. While behind bars, the black ops team – Nightshade – is attacked and disbanded. Now Legend must trust a covert operative, Kazi Faron (a.k.a. Kacie Whitcomb) to bust him out of prison, rescue his comrades, and discover who has targeted Nightshade.

This amazing novel showcases Griffin Riddell, but features all of the Nightshade teammates, their wives and some supporting characters from previous novels, like Range Metcalf. I was torn when I first started reading, thinking that there was too much interaction with the other characters and not enough of Griffin. But this is absolutely Griffin and Kazi’s story. And I cannot wait to see what Ronie Kendig has in store for future Discarded Heroes novels.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 15

2012-01-20T00:59:00.000-08:00

REVIEW: "Smitten"

2012-01-19T00:15:00.000-08:00

“Smitten” is an anthology of four romantic novellas about a small town and its inhabitants. Penned by four of the foremost Christian romance authors, each tale can be read independently, but complement each other perfectly. When the lumber mill in Smitten closes, the very survival of the town and its people is threatened. Then a few of the local ladies come up with the idea to capitalize on the town’s name and turn the community into a tourist destination for lovers and honeymooners.

***Colleen Coble’s tale, “Natalie: Birthday Wish” follows Smitten resident Natalie, part of the foursome who came up with the idea of turning Smitten into a lover’s paradise. She runs the local coffee shop with her mother and has her hands full raising her sister’s daughter, Mia. She believed when her sister claimed that Carson Smitten was Mia’s father, but now that Natalie is falling for Carson, she is having her doubts.

****“Julia: Small Town, Big Dreams”, Kristen Billerbeck’s contribution, is a charming love story. Back in Smitten to care for her mother after an accident, Julia, a successful New York esthetician feels her niche to help the town would be to open a spa. When her brother’s friend (aka her childhood tormenter), Zak takes an interest in helping her dream come true, Julia wants it to be because he loves her. But Zak keeps talking about duty to her brother.

****“Shelby: You’ve Got A Friend” by Diann Hunt is a beautiful tale of two fathers and their amazing daughters. Nick doesn’t want his manly town to transform into a girly, frilly place. He also doesn’t know what to do with his 12 year-old daughter when she moves in with him after her mother dies. Shelby has a strained relationship with her father, so she decides to help her friend, Nick, build a relationship with his girl, Willow.

*****Denise Hunter’s “Reese: All Along” beautifully wraps up the collection of stories. Reese is realizing her dream of owning an outfitter’s shop as Griffen works to renovate her new store to service the clientele that will come to Smitten as a lover’s paradise. They’ve been great friends for years, so Reese can’t act rashly when her feelings for Griff begin to change to something more romantic. Not wanting to ruin the friendship, she hatches a plan to make him notice her as a woman rather than a friend. But when the guy she plans to “date” to make him jealous cancels on her and Griffin offers to step in, are Reese’s plans ruined? Or is this the perfect way to make him love her?

LESSON TWO: “1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times – A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study”

2012-01-18T00:27:00.000-08:00

Lesson 2 of “1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times – A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study” provoked some intriguing thought. Challenged by the truth that the mind must be transformed for true change to take place, this week’s study has led me to glean an understanding that I must secure whatever might trip me up in my own thinking. Faulty thinking when it comes to God is not an option because it will taint everything we think and believe about Him.

God gives us understanding through the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Why? Because things of God cannot be understood with human wisdom. The gospel is foolishness to non-believers. God makes worldly wisdom foolishness. God chose the foolish things to shame the wise.

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” But how can we transform and renew our minds? Follow the advice of scripture: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Small Space Organizing: A Room-by-room Guide to Maximizing Your Space by Kathryn Bechen

2012-01-15T00:53:00.000-08:00

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Kathryn Bechen and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Small Space Organizing" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

I am thrilled to be a reviewer for Kathryn Bechen’s book, “Small Space Organizing: A Room-by-room Guide to Maximizing Your Space”. I don’t live in a small home, but my family does have some unique challenges that make this book a valuable resource. First of all, our kids’ bedrooms are on the small side, so getting the most out of that space can be pretty important to a teenage girl. We’ve converted my oldest daughter’s bedroom into an office because she and her husband just moved into our basement/family room. So, using this book to create for them a defined space that gives them both living and sleeping quarters was essential.

I love Kathryn’s quote at the beginning of the book: “Small spaces give us the opportunity to live sincerely, forcing us to choose which of our possessions make our hearts sing.” What a beautiful idea! I did discover that I have much room to downsize regardless of the space in my floor plan. There are questions to assess your space, website addresses for products and services, space for your own notes on each chapter, and plenty of ideas for embracing the “less is more” concept for every room in the house!

There were only two drawbacks to this amazing book: First, I would have loved some drawings to inspire my imagination. Second, I would have enjoyed reading about ideas for maximizing a small outdoor space.

Still, my plan is to sit down with my husband and choose an area of our house to work on. Then we will read Kathryn Bechen’s suggestions for that space and list our own ideas. Then we can start enjoying the process of investigating the changes we want to make. Maybe we can choose a different project every few months to make the “makeover” more affordable.

I think this would be a great blogging project! Choose a room, post BEFORE photos, blog about the process of “maximizing your space” including stores and websites shopped, decorating tips and challenges encountered, then post AFTER photos.

“Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 14

2012-01-13T00:47:00.000-08:00

LESSON ONE: “1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times – A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study”

2012-01-11T00:26:00.000-08:00

Lesson 1 of “1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times – A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study” was quite a challenge. I was particularly intrigued by the “Summit” question about God’s sovereignty versus our responsibility on page 12. Here is the rough essay I wrote containing my thoughts on the subject:

The references to “God’s elect” in 1 Peter 1:1 and “chosen” in verse 2 to describe the recipients of Peter’s epistle brings up intriguing questions on the topic of God’s sovereignty versus human responsibility. Why has God chosen some people and not others? Did those who were chosen have a part in their salvation by choosing God? Since I am resolved to work out my faith with fear and trembling, here are my thoughts on the subject. I do realize that full and complete knowledge on this subject is beyond my understanding and that any insight I glean on this topic comes directly from the Holy Spirit. My views on this subject are unimportant. Only the truth truly matters.

One truth that I have personally come to embrace is God’s sovereignty. In light of this question, I want to take a moment and find proof of this in scripture. Such proof is peppered throughout the Bible. According to a recent blueletterbible.com search on the term “Sovereign Lord”, this phrase occurs in scripture 288 times from Genesis to Jude. As a Christian and a believer in the truth of scripture, these 288 declarations tell me that God is sovereign. One of the several definitions of the adjective “sovereign” as displayed on the Dictionary.com website is “having supreme rank, power, or authority.” According to this definition, God’s “elect” or “chosen” would be selected with His absolute authority.

It’s difficult to attach relevance to my responsibility in accepting the free gift of salvation without demeaning God’s sovereignty, but the Bible says that this is part of the process. Trying to describe this idea reminded me of a scripture verse that says something like “draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” I think that verse captures the spirit of involvement. He is always near. If we reach out to Him, He grabs hold of us. This reminds me of the scene in “Titanic” where the crewmen are rowing through the bodies to rescue the survivors when Rose blows the whistle to get their attention. In a nutshell, dead men don’t reach out to be saved.

There is another passage in scripture that talks about being blotted out of the Book of Life. If God is omniscient, and I do believe He is, no one would ever need to be blotted out of the Book of Life because He already knows whose names will be there. Since our days are numbered from the dawn of time, and we are born into specific generations so that we will seek Him, this appears to be a strategic process so that we will gain the greatest opportunity to enjoy Him in this life. When I first contemplated this aspect of God’s sovereignty versus my choice, the question that popped into my mind was whether there is an age of accountability where everyone’s name appears in the Book of Life at birth and is blotted out when they decide to reject Christ – even though God knows they’re going to do it. This may be the reason anyone is blotted out of the Book of Life – to help humans understand that we all do have a choice, but God already knows what our choice is going to be. He works it out this way to solicit our participation in His plan so that He can bless us in this life by our involvement with Him and His creation (chosen and not).

Here are some of the facts as I see them: God, in His sovereignty, chose Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, aka Israel. The nation of Israel disobeyed, which logically opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles. Jesus died once for all, giving the free gift of salvation that every man must accept. God already knows every person who will accept this gift and everyone who will reject it. So, technically, He could have written only the names of the acceptors into the Book of Life. But, if that is the case, why would scripture mention being blotted out of the Book of Life? Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was always “plan A”. We do have free will and a choice. It’s just that God, in His omniscience, already knows what that choice is going to be. When scripture says that God hardened someone’s heart, He didn’t take away their choice. He used their choice for His purposes to advance His kingdom. He is the orchestrator of all things. His plan is perfection. His Word gives us understanding of His plan at different levels.

One can argue that, as the Creator and King of the Universe and everything in it, God has every right to determine who spends eternity with Him in heaven and who spends eternity in hell. Until we meet Him Face-to-face, we will not completely understand the concepts of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility or why God has chosen some people and not others or what the role of being chosen has in choosing God to receive salvation. I am willing to trust the Lord and the truth of His Word. I will gain understanding as He gives it to me. And this seems to be the case as I contemplate and record my thoughts. But for the purpose of this exercise, I believe we must close here if I’m to move on with the lesson.

“The Shadow of Your Smile” by Susan May Warren

2012-01-10T01:02:00.000-08:00

About the book: The Shadow of Your Smile

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage.

After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember?

Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story here: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/books/the-shadow-of-your-smile.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com. Sometimes love requires a little forgetting ... Come back to Deep Haven and find out what's been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you're new to the Deep Haven series - this is the perfect book to start with - each book in the series is a stand alone story.

Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.

One grand prize winner will receive:

A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)

The entire set of Deep Haven Books

The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Here is my review of this amazing love story:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Susan May Warren and his/her publisher for sending me an electronic copy of "The Shadow of Your Smile" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity.

“The Shadow of Your Smile” by Susan May Warren is a touching love story about a couple on the verge of a breakup blessed by a horrible accident. Noelle Hueston finds herself fleeing the scene of a robbery, but her escape ends abruptly when she hits her head. When she regains consciousness in the hospital, the trauma she suffered has stolen her memory. At first heartbreaking to her husband, Eli, and sons, Kyle and Kirby, the men soon see this incident as an opportunity to fix their formerly broken family.

The road to rediscovery leads to some startling realizations. Meanwhile, the robber is still on the loose and may believe that Noelle can identify him. So ex-sheriff Eli and Deep Haven deputy Kyle work to protect Noelle and solve the case while helping Noelle to regain her memory. As Noelle and Eli fall in love all over again, will their past resurface to tear them apart for good?

This Deep Haven novel contains several cameo appearances by leading characters from past Deep Haven novels. Susan May Warren crafts a suspenseful plot peppered with romantic storylines and godly wisdom for dealing with tragic circumstances. This is a must read work of fiction.

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

2012-01-09T00:43:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Denise Hunter

and the book:

The Accidental Bride

Thomas Nelson (January 3, 2012)

***Special thanks to
Audra Jennings – The B&B Media Group – for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Shay Brandenberger has built her entire life on the shifting sands of what others think. Constantly seeking the approval of others, she has struggled through a rocky childhood, a failed marriage and single parenthood. Now it looks like she’s losing the ranch that has been in her family for three generations, a surefire way to mark her as a failure in the eyes of the community. When Travis McCoy, the high school sweetheart who very publicly broke her heart fifteen years before, returns to Moose Creek, she is less than pleased. Not only does his re-appearance dredge up a deluge of painful memories, it also reminds everyone in town that it was he who left her, not the other way around. To make matters worse, Shay and Travis are unwittingly paired to play bride and groom in the annual Founder’s Day wedding re-enactment where, much to her chagrin, she discovers he still has the power to take her breath away.

Product Details:

List Price: $15.99

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 3, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1595548025

ISBN-13: 978-1595548023

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

The bell above the diner’s door jingled
and—despite her most valiant effort—Shay Brandenberger’s eyes darted toward the
entry. An unfamiliar couple entered—tourists. She could tell by their khaki
Eddie Bauer vests and spanking-new hiking boots. Look out, Yellowstone.

When her heart rate returned to normal,
she checked her watch and took a sip of coffee. Five minutes till she met Miss
Lucy at the Doll House, forty till she met John Oakley at the bank. What if he
said no? What would they do then?

“Mom . . . Earth to Mom . . .” Olivia
waved her hand too close to Shay’s face, her brown eyes widening.

“Sorry, hon.” The one bright moment of
her Saturday was breakfast with her daughter, and she couldn’t enjoy it for the
dread. “What were you saying?”

Olivia set her fork on her
pancake-sticky plate and heaved a sigh worthy of her twelve-year-old self.
“Never mind.” She bounced across the vinyl bench, her thick brown ponytail
swinging. “I’m going to meet Maddy.”

“Right back here at noon,” Shay called,
but Olivia was out the door with the flick of her hand.

The diner buzzed with idle chatter.
Silverware clattered and scraped, and the savory smell of bacon and fried eggs
unsettled her stomach. She took a sip of the strong brew from the fat rim of
her mug.

The bell jingled again. I will not look. I will
not look. I will not—

The server appeared at her booth, a new
girl, and gathered Olivia’s dishes. “On the house today.”

Shay set down her mug, bristling. “Why?”

The woman shrugged. “Boss’s orders,” she
said, then made off with the dirty dishes.

From the rectangular kitchen window,
Mabel Franklin gave Shay a pointed look.

So Shay had helped the couple with their
foal the week before. It was the neighborly thing to do.

Fine. She gave a reluctant smile and a
wave. She pulled her wallet from her purse, counted out the tip, and dragged
herself from the booth, remembering her daughter’s bouncy exit. Lately her
thirty-two years pressed down on her body like a two-ton boulder.

She opened the diner’s door and peeked
both ways before exiting the Tin Roof and turning toward the Doll House. She
was only checking sidewalk traffic, not hiding. Nope, she wasn’t hiding from
anyone. The boardwalks were busy on Saturdays. That was why she hadn’t come to
town for two weeks. Why their pantry was emptier than a water trough at high
noon.

She hurried three shops down and slipped
into the cool, welcoming air of Miss Lucy’s shop.

“ ’Morning, Miss Lucy.”

“ ’Morning, dear.” The elderly woman, in
the middle of helping a customer, called over her rounded shoulder, “It’s in
the back.” Miss Lucy’s brown eyes were big as buckeyes behind her thick
glasses, and her white curls glowed under the spotlights.

“Okeydoke.” Shay forced her feet toward
the storeroom.

A musty smell assaulted her as she
entered the back room and flipped on the overhead fluorescents. She scanned the
boxes of doll parts and skeins of yarn until she found what she was looking
for. She approached the box, lifted the lid, and parted the tissue.

The wedding gown had been carefully
folded and tucked away. Shay ran her fingers over the delicate lace and pearls.
Must’ve been crisp white in its day, but time had cast a long shadow over it.
Time had a way of doing that.

Her fingers lingered on the thin fabric.
She remembered another time, another dress. A simple white one that hung on her
young shoulders, just skimmed the cement of the courthouse steps. The ache that
squeezed her heart had faded with time, but it was there all the same. Would it
ever go away?

Shaking her head, Shay turned back to
the task at hand. The gown seemed too pretty, too fragile to disturb.

Oh well. She’d promised.

She pulled it out and draped it over the
box, then shimmied from her jeans. When she was down to the bare necessities,
she stepped carefully into the gown. She eased it over her narrow hips and slid
her arms into the long sleeves. The neckline was modest, the gathered skirt
fuller than anything she ever wore. Here in the air-conditioning it was fine,
but she would swelter next Saturday.

Leaving the button-up back gaping, she
hitched the skirt to the top of her cowboy boots and entered the store.

Miss Lucy was ushering the customer out
the door. When she turned, she stopped, her old-lady shoes squeaking on the
linoleum. “Land sakes.”

Shay took two steps forward and dropped
the skirt. It fell to the floor with a whoosh.

“Fits like a glove,” Miss Lucy said.
“And with some low heels it’ll be the perfect length.”

Shay didn’t even own heels. “My boots’ll
have to do. Button the back?”

Miss Lucy waddled forward, turned Shay
toward a small wall mirror flecked with time, and began working the tiny pearl
buttons.

Shay’s breath caught at her image. She
forced its release, then frowned. Wedding gowns were bad luck. She’d sworn
she’d never wear another. If someone had told her yesterday she’d be wearing
this thing today, she’d have said they were one straw short of a bale.

Miss Lucy moved up to the buttons
between her shoulders, and Shay lifted her hair. The dress did fit, clinging to
her torso like it was made for her, wouldn’t you know. Even the color
complemented her olive skin.

Still, there was that whole bad luck
thing.

And what would everyone think of Shay
Brandenberger wearing this valuable piece of Moose Creek heritage? A white
wedding gown, no less. If she didn’t have the approval of her closest friends
and neighbors, what did she have? Not much, to her thinking.

She wanted to cut and run. Wanted to
shimmy right out of the dress, tuck it into that box in the storeroom, slip
back into her Levi’s and plaid button-up, and go back to her ranch where she
could hole up for the next six months.

She checked the time and wished Miss
Lucy had nimbler fingers. Of all days to do this, a Saturday, when everyone
with two legs was in town. And she still had that infernal meeting with John
Oakley.

Please, God, I can’t lose our home . . .

“I’m obliged to you, dear. I completely
forgot Jessie was going out of town.”

“No problem.”

“Baloney. You’d rather be knee-deep in
cow dung.” The woman’s marionette lines at the sides of her mouth deepened.

“It’s one hour of my life.” A pittance,
after all Miss Lucy had done for her.

Miss Lucy finished buttoning, and Shay
dropped her hair and smoothed the delicate lace at the cuffs.

“Well, bless you for being willing. God
is smiling down on you today for your kindness.”

Shay doubted God really cared one way or
another. It was her neighbors she worried about.

“Beautiful, just beautiful. You’ll be
the talk of the town on Founders Day.”

“No doubt.” Everyone in Moose Creek
would be thinking about the last time she’d worn a wedding gown. And the time
before that.

Especially the time before that.

Third time’s a charm, Shay thought, the corner of her lip
turning up.

“Stop fretting,” Miss Lucy said,
squeezing her shoulders. “You look quite fetching, like the gown was made for
you. I won’t have to make a single alteration. Why, it fits you better than it
ever did Jessie—don’t you tell her I said so.”

Shay tilted her head. Maybe Miss Lucy
was right. The dress did make the most of her figure. And she had as much right
to wear it as anyone. Maybe more—she was born and raised here, after all. It
was just a silly old reenactment anyway. No one cared who the bride and groom
were.

The bell jingled as the door opened
behind her. She glanced in the mirror, over her shoulder, where a hulking
silhouette filled the shop’s doorway. There was something familiar in the set
of the man’s broad shoulders, in the slow way he reached up and removed his
hat.

The sight of him constricted her rib
cage, squeezed the air from her lungs as if she were wearing a corset. But she
wasn’t wearing a corset. She was wearing a wedding gown. Just as she had been
the last time she’d set eyes on Travis McCoy.

Here is my review of this wonderful novel:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Denise Hunter and her publisher for sending me a copy of "The Accidental Bride" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Denise Hunter’s “The Accidental Bride” is a thrilling sequel to “A Cowboy’s Touch” and the second triumphant novel in the Big Sky Romance series. In this story, characters whom you’ve grown to love in the first book take center stage. You may recall Shay Brandenberger and her daughter Olivia from the previous novel. Fourteen years ago, Travis McCoy left Shay at the altar. Now, Travis is back in town to watch over his parents’ ranch and he finds himself portraying the groom at the Founder’s Day festivities…to Shay’s bride. Travis really does want a second chance at love with Shay. But Shay wants nothing to do with him. So when it turns out that they were actually wed on Founder’s Day, Travis wants to make a go if it and Shay only wants to get herself out of debt with the intent of paying Travis back. She doesn’t trust that Travis can stay away from rodeo competition or the women that hang around the cowboys. But will the five months they’ve agreed to stay together be enough to link them for life?

This wonderful book went by way too fast. The solid plot, lovable characters and uplifting romance make this a must read for a long weekend. I am anxiously awaiting more terrific stories from Moose Creek, Montana.

REVIEW: Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

2012-01-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Colleen Coble and the Amazon Vine Prgram for sending me a copy of "Lonestar Angel" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“Lonestar Angel” by Colleen Coble is the touching fourth novel in the Lonestar book series. Eden and Clay Larson lost their infant daughter to a kidnapper five years ago. Eden assumed that Brianna was dead and moved on with her life – without Clay. As her boyfriend attempts to “pop the question”, Eden’s romantic dinner is interrupted by Clay with the news that Brianna is alive.

Clay has arranged for the two of them to act as counselors at the ranch where their daughter is supposed to be located. So the two of them travel to the Bluebird Youth Ranch in Texas. Almost immediately, it becomes apparent that the kidnapper is still nearby watching their every move and attempting murder. The Larsons must watch their backs, protect all of the children as they investigate and learn which of the little girls is Brianna. Can they do all of that and not fall for each other all over again?

Although this suspenseful tale did not engage my imagination as intensely as the other three books in the series, it still kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me reading into the late hours of the evening. I figured out which of the children was Brianna almost immediately. But I was thoroughly smitten by the romantic undercurrent that pulsed through every scene that contained Clay and Eden. This novel is definitely one for my “keeper” book shelf.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 13

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

REVIEW: “Love, God and the Art of French Cooking” by James F. Twyman

2012-01-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to James F. Twyman and Amazon Vine Program for sending me a copy of "Love, God and the Art of French Cooking" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

James F. Twyman’s “Love, God and the Art of French Cooking” is a charming and honest memoir of the author’s stay at a Canadian Bed and Breakfast where he encountered and confronted several truths revealed to him by the chef (Roger Dufau). It is an intimate look at the author’s journal of his travels and life. The characters almost beg to be made into a Neil Simon-esque play. Several parts feel more new-age spiritual and less godly spiritual, but the overall concepts are definitely godly in nature.

I particularly appreciated the “Alice in Wonderland” poem. I want to not only write it in my Bible and in cards to my husband. The “An American in Paris” poem is another keeper and something I’d write to several loved ones. I enjoyed going online to visit the Drew House (Canadian B&B) website. I can see how such a breathtakingly beautiful place would inspire such deep thoughts and soul-searching. I was disappointed that I couldn’t find the You Tube videos of James and Roger cooking. Overall, this wonderful book leaves me feeling as if I’ve experienced my own catharsis simply by ingesting its words.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 12

2011-12-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 11

2011-12-23T00:45:00.000-08:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapters 10 & 11 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

11:1-3 – Peter was being criticized for ministering to uncircumcised gentiles.

11:4-8 – God made all animals clean for eating. Previously, He declared certain animals unclean. See Leviticus 11. Making all animals clean enabled Jews to share meals with gentiles and increased opportunities to minister.

11:4-14 – Peter shared what God taught him with others by giving his testimony.

11:10 – Why did Peter see the vision 3 times? The symbolic meaning of the number 3 is holiness.

11:11-14 – God provided confirmation of what He showed Peter in the earlier vision.

11:15-18 – God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to the gentiles, also. The Jews listening to Peter praised God for this.

11:19-22 – How would the Jerusalem church react to the news about the increase of believers in Antioch? Why would they send Barnabas, an encourager, to the new believers since the Lord’s hand was on them and their numbers were increasing?

11:19 – the scattering brought the message to the places God wanted His message delivered to.

At this point, the disciples were still only delivering the gospel to the Jews.

11:20 – what is the Good News? Can you articulate what you believe to share your faith with others. Take a moment to contemplate, and perhaps write out, what you would say.

11:23-24 – Barnabas’ ministry of encouragement added large numbers to the believers in Antioch.

11:25 – Barnabas went looking for Saul. So, Saul was already known among the believers as a believer. Since Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit, he may have seen Saul’s spiritual potential and wanted to encourage it.

11:26 – Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch and they taught the believers together for a year. They probably taught them how to live and share their faith. For the first time, believers are called Christians. It’s a nickname. How do we receive nicknames? How do we create them for others? What do you think this particular nickname said about the people who were called Christians?

11:27-28 – Agabus was a prophet from Jerusalem who accurately predicted that there would be a famine throughout the Roman world.

11:27 – You always come “down” from Jerusalem regardless of the direction you are traveling because Jerusalem is a city on a hill. Conversely, to get there, you always go “up”.

11:29-30 – Because of Agabus’ prediction, Saul and Barnabas assumed the ministry of delivering donations to the brothers in Judea for famine relief.

11:29 – a concern for the welfare of others is a mark of Christian maturity.

Notice that the mere prediction of famine was enough to motivate the disciples to help.

Notice also that their aid was targeted to other believers. How can we put this example into practice in our own lives? Should we ignore the needs of non-believers?

• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

“Waiting for Dawn” by Susan May Warren

2011-12-22T01:03:00.000-08:00

Here is my review of this incredible novella:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Susan May Warren and her publisher for sending me an electronic copy of "Waiting For Dawn" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity.

Susan May Warren’s novella “Waiting for Dawn” is the prequel to her fabulous first novel in the Team Hope Series, “Flee the Night”. In this incredible back story, Jim Micah has been captured behind enemy lines and is awaiting rescue while encouraging scriptures and thoughts about how he would behave differently if he ever again got the opportunity to see the woman he loves. Lacey Galloway works for the Department of Defense, so she has access to information that leads her to believe she knows where to look for her long-time friend and Green Beret. So she takes a leave of absence and jumps on a plain to elicit help to rescue Micah – help from Micah’s best friend and Lacey’s former beau, John Montgomery.

This action- and romance-packed short novel is a brilliant primer to tantalize the reader with strong, likeable characters and thrilling situations. I haven’t read the Team Hope Series in several years, but I believe I will have to pull those novels off the shelf and enjoy them once again.

“Everyday Spiritual Warfare” by Amy Barkman

2011-12-16T02:15:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Amy Barkman

and the book:

Everyday Spiritual Warfare

Next Step Books (September 8, 2011)

***Special thanks to Christy Delliskave of Next Step Books for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy Barkman is the Director of Voice of Joy Ministries, a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the pastor of Mortonsville United Methodist church. She and her husband Gary live in Danville, KY and together have seven children, thirteen grandchildren, and one great grandson. Amy loves to read and to travel.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Everyday Spiritual Warfare gives practical knowledge for victorious living in a fallen world. Rev. Barkman has shared this wisdom in workshops, retreats, and sermons in several states over the past few decades. Both new and mature Christians have found the material very helpful in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

“This is a helpful manual that reminds the Body of Christ of the tremendous responsibility and awesome power we have through the Holy Spirit. Enjoy this book from Amy Barkman and be empowered to step out and up in Faith.” - Dr. Stephen and Kellie Swisher, Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 246 pages
Publisher: Next Step Books (September 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937671003
ISBN-13: 978-1937671006

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Spiritual Warfare Principles I

Praise the Lord for His mercy endureth forever.

II Chronicles 20:21

I came up out of the baptismal waters with eager anticipation. Rising to newness of life - what a relief. But as soon as I got to the changing room it was obvious that my extra twenty pounds rose with me. And the straight auburn hair I’d longed for all my life had not replaced my curly brown tresses. Within an hour there was no question about the desire to smoke a cigarette passing away; it didn’t. By the end of the month the blood test proved that my triglyceride level was still as high as ever. “Hey God, what happened? I thought you said all things would be made new.”

There’s a story in the Bible that reminds me of the way I felt after my baptism.

The Nation of Judah settled in the land that God promised them. And most of their enemies were destroyed in battle. But one day three armies showed up to surround them.

King Jehoshaphat called a fast and they all went to God in prayer. They said, in essence, “Hey, God, what happened? Here are three armies come to destroy us. They are from the three tribes you wouldn’t let us destroy when we came into this land. We don’t have any power against them so we’re looking to you. You do something!”

One day, many years after my disappointing baptismal experience, I was reading this story and the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “Look up the meaning of the names of those three armies.” So I did. The three armies are Moab, Ammon, and Mt. Seir.

Moab means “of the father,” Ammon means “tribal,” and Mt. Seir means “goat or devil.” Light dawned into my mind concerning the plight of the reborn, new creature in Christ that is the true Church.

We who accept Jesus Christ as our savior are born again. We begin a brand new life – the promised land. And just by that act of receiving Jesus as Savior, we defeat more enemies than we can imagine. But there are three enemies that are left in our promised land. Three armies that come against us to destroy.

Moab, “of the father," is symbolic of the genetic conditions we inherit in our bodies and personalities. When we are born again we do not get a new body but are stuck with the DNA given to us.

Ammon, “tribal,” is symbolic of the cultural situation into which we are born.

When we are born again, we are not transported into a perfect society but are bombarded all our lives with the evils in the world around us.

Mt. Seir, “goat or devil,” is symbolic of the forces of the devil who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. When we are born again, we are not automatically placed out of reach of the enemy.

We are born again children of God with the new life He promised but these three armies want to destroy us. And here they are – right in the promised land – genetic inheritance, cultural surroundings, and the devil with his destructive forces.

You may ask, “Why doesn’t God get rid of these enemies for us?” The answer is simple. He will. God did not leave these three enemy armies here so they could destroy us. He says to us, just as He said to His chosen people centuries ago, “… Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (II Chronicles 20:15).

His plan is to overcome them.

Paul wrote “… we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).

What does it mean to be more than a conqueror? The Greek word means preeminently victorious, or a winner before you even enter the battle. Wow! That’s good news indeed. And that is what God wants us to understand and practice.

But the way of winning battles through God is not the way of the world. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (II Cor. 10:4). There are some basic principles of spiritual warfare and we have to learn them if we are going to be winners in life. The first, and most important, principle is:

ONLY GOD CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEFEAT EVIL

This doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do. God’s Instruction Book, the Bible, is full of exhortations such as, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7) and “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). You are to resist the devil and stand against his schemes.

But did you notice? When your battle against the devil is mentioned, your relationship with God is also mentioned. You can’t win against evil in your own strength. But God won’t win in this physical realm without your cooperation.

When the nation of Judah sought the Lord for help against the armies that came to destroy them, they were told to present themselves but not to fight. Their response was to put a group of singers in the forefront of the army. Order of presentation was a way of protection in ancient times. The strong men, who were trained and able to fight, were at the forefront when meeting an opposing force, with the women, children, elderly and weak at the rear in the place of protection.

This time, however, the strong fighting men were among those being protected and the singers and praisers, which may have included women and children, went out first. We are told that when they began to sing and to praise God for His mercy, the Lord Himself caused the three armies to be defeated.

This story illustrates several principles of spiritual warfare. The first is evident and stated above … only God can successfully defeat evil.

“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies” (Psalm 108:13).

The second basic principle of spiritual warfare is:

PRAISING GOD BRINGS HIM ON THE SCENE

This principle is illustrated in the story we just examined. When the tribe of Judah praised God for His mercy to them, He showed no mercy to their enemies but caused them to be destroyed. “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten” (II Chronicles 20:22).

King David, from an earlier time in the history of God’s people, mentioned this principle in several of his songs. He sang, “I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence” (Psalm 9: 2, 3). When David sang praises to the name of God, He showed up in person.

What does it mean to sing praises to the Name of God? In today’s society, we have largely lost the understanding of names. When ancient men talked about the name of something or someone, they were talking about its or their essential nature or character.

God revealed Himself to Israel throughout the centuries by His Names through His actions. He revealed Himself, His essential nature, His character, as

Jehovah Jireh – the Lord your Provider

Jehovah Rapha – the Lord your Healer

Jehovah Tsidkenu- the Lord your

Righteousness

Jehovah Rohi – the Lord your Shepherd

Jehovah Shalom – the Lord your Peace

He revealed other aspects of Himself through names and eventually revealed Himself as Jesus – the Lord your Salvation.

When we praise His name, we are to be praising that aspect of Himself that we need to see active in our situation. Jesus quoted Psalm 8: 2, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” He quoted it on the occasion that we know as Palm Sunday when the chief priests and scribes were upset because the children were crying out, “Hosanna to the son of David” (Matthew 21: 15,16).

Hosanna is a word which means “Save.” By shouting out that word to Him, the children were recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior - and the religious people didn’t like it. Jesus then quoted Psalm 8, but instead of saying, “out of the mouths of children you have ordained strength”, He said, “out of the mouths of children you have ordained praise.” Jesus equated strength and praise, validating this principle that your battles are won by God as you praise Him for His mercy toward you in that area.

Some people say “Praise the Lord!” a lot. And there is certainly nothing wrong with saying that, but think about it. If you are going to praise a family member or friend, you don’t just say “Praise Richard!” or “Praise Tracy!” You say “Richard has a wonderful sense of humor.” Or “Tracy is very generous and kind.” So it should be with God. To truly praise Him is to announce gratitude for His specific acts and attributes. And most often it will be as the army of Judah proclaimed, “Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.”

One problem in our society that keeps us from understanding this principle is our picture of God as separate from us, doling out punishment or reward from outside our world. Many see God as an old man sitting on a throne pointing a finger downward toward earth and shooting lightning bolts to affect the physical realm. We can’t praise Him if we don’t really understand what He is like.

The apostle John opens his gospel by giving us the true nature of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). God is Spirit, Jesus tells us in John 4:24. He is Person who defines Himself by concepts and ideas. The very meaning of the word Word is “thought expressed.” WORD becomes flesh and has ever since God defined and spoke the physical universe into existence with the concept “Light!” Light energy is the basic component for all physical existence. God and His Word are the source of all Life. When we understand that, we can praise Him for being the ongoing Creator.

This concept of God as Spirit and Word is too big for our finite minds to understand completely all at once. But when we plant the seed of understanding and let it grow, we will one day know why Jesus told us that the parable of the sower sowing the Word was necessary for understanding all He teaches (Mark 4:13, 24). God is Spirit and He defines Himself in words. Those spoken words change our circumstances. To praise Him for specific actions and attributes is to bring those actions and attributes into the physical realm. “It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

We need to recognize that the devil and his followers are also spirit – evil spirits. They convey evil concepts - ideas and concepts that are contrary to the thoughts that God expresses to you through His Word. Just as we know God is not an old man sitting on a throne, the devil is not a man in a red suit holding a pitchfork, and evil spirits are not gargoyles. The Spirit realm, both good and evil, wants to affect the physical realm.

The more we understand God’s nature, the more we will praise Him, and the more we praise Him, the more we will see Him active in our lives.

The story of Jehoshaphat and the battle against the three armies illustrates a third principle.

EVIL ATTACKS ON THREE FRONTS

We’ve already looked at those three fronts in the account described in II Chronicles 20. Remember that in the Bible, names are very important because a name designates the nature of something. We often miss a lot of information that God wants to convey to us in His Word by not discovering what a person or group or place symbolizes.

The first thing I noticed the day the Lord was teaching me from this passage was that the third army is not mentioned at the beginning. “It came to pass after this also that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle” (II Chronicles 20:1).

Moab, representing our genetic inheritance, and Ammon, representing our cultural situation are identified right away. The third army is only mentioned as “and with them, other besides.” The group that came along with the first two armies isn’t named until verse 10.

“And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom thou would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt …” Mount Seir comes along with those things that attack us through our birth and cultural situations in life. As we saw earlier, the name Mount Seir means “goat or devil” and represents evil spirits, devils, demons, messengers of the enemy.

Spiritual enemies, evil spirits or devils, cannot just attack you physically – they have no bodies; they come in with the inherited and cultural enemies of your perfect happiness and your perfect good. When something has been established in you through your family heritage or cultural situation, then spiritual evil comes along with it to create and insure a stronghold.

My father’s family has a history of blood lipid disorder so out of balance that it was reported in medical journals. My brother and sister and I were the subjects of experimental research to develop drugs to reduce blood lipids. I inherited this disorder as extremely high triglycerides. With medication and moderate obedience to dietary good sense, my triglycerides stay at a healthy level, for me. Without medication and eating right, I get very sick.

The proclivity to high triglycerides is a genetic thing (Moab); the wrong diet is a cultural thing (Ammon); and the enemy (Mount Seir) comes along with those things to kill, steal, and destroy my life and the ministry that the Lord Jesus wants to accomplish through me. But when I praise Him for His mercy and thank Him that He is my life and my health, I receive His health and restoration, even when I have been unwise.

When the people of Judah went to God with their plea for help, they reminded Him that He would not let them invade and destroy these three armies at the time they entered the promised land. He left these possible enemies in the land.

In the same way, when you became a Christian you did not get a new body with a new genetic makeup. You were not translated into a perfect society with perfect cultural habits.

You were left with your genetic and cultural situation in a place where evil spirits operate through these things to kill, steal, and destroy all that God has promised you. In other words, you are in a war against the flesh, the world, and the devil. And you can’t win.

But God can.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Principles of Spiritual Warfare

Only God can successfully defeat evil.

Praising God brings Him on the scene.

Evil attacks on three fronts.

Scripture Truths
“Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” II Chronicles 20:15
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord sat ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” II Chronicles 20:22

“Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2

“I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.” Psalm 9:2,3
HE SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED THEM AND DELIVERED THEM FROM THEIR DESTRUCTIONS.

Everyday Spiritual Warfare

© 2011 by Amy Barkman

Published by Next Step Books, P.O. Box 70271, West Valley City, Utah 84170
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise – without written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in printed reviews.

All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.

Barkman, Amy

Everyday Spiritual Warfare

ISBN-13: 978-1937671006

ISBN-10: 1937671003

Here is my review of this incredible non-fiction book:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Amy Barkman and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Everyday Spiritual Warfare" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“Everyday Spiritual Warfare” by Amy Barkman is brilliantly broken down into topics so that you can go straight to a specific chapter that deals with the area where you are currently experiencing defeat. Each chapter is peppered with scripture. They contain personal stories of the author’s experience. They’re loaded with encouragement. There are lists of “Things to Remember” for each topic and more scripture truths close each chapter.

There are also incredible appendix helps for how to pray through each chapter of the book. The lists of study questions make this an ideal selection for a book club or small group Bible study.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 10

2011-12-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 9

2011-12-09T00:44:00.000-08:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 9 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

9:1-9 – Paul shares his testimony of this event in Acts 26:9-18 and Galatians 1:11-18.

9:1-2 – Saul was deeply committed to the persecution of Jesus’ followers.

9:3-6 – Saul needed a dramatic conversion because he was so bent on the destruction of the church. Nothing less would have turned him.

9:4 – whatever happens to the disciples, Jesus takes personally.

9:5 – Saul immediately recognizes the voice from heaven as God!

9:7-8 – Saul’s companions’ purpose was to lead the blind Saul to Damascus. This calling was important.

9:8 – Saul arrived in Damascus.

9:9 – Saul was fasting.

9:15-16 – Jesus tells Ananias that Saul is chosen to spread the gospel to the gentiles, their kings and then the Jews and that he will suffer for His name.

9:17 – Ananias submitted to Jesus and went to Saul to heal his eyes despite his fear of Saul. He even calls Saul “brother”, an indication of Saul’s acceptance into God’s family. Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit so that he will have the power and strength to do God’s work and endure suffering.

9:18 – scales fall from Saul’s eyes, representing his old life and the way he used to see things.

9:19-20 – Saul learned from the disciples he was planning to arrest! Then, he immediately began to preach in the synagogue.

9:20 – imagine the believers’ first response to Saul’s arrival. Would they run and hide? Stare open-mouthed in disbelief?

9:21 – these people were astonished because they knew Saul’s reputation and never expected to hear him preach.

9:23-25 – Saul learned of a plot by the Jews to kill him. Which Jews? Those he had persecuted? Probably not. He had been preaching here for three years (see Galatians 1:17-18). More than likely, they now trusted he was a genuine believer. This plot was political. See 2 Corinthians 11:32. The governor wanted Saul arrested. So, Saul’s followers lowered him over the gate in a basket.

9:23 – Saul’s persecution by the Jews solidified his witness.

9:26-28 – Saul went to Jerusalem and spent 15 days with Peter (and James). See Galatians 1:18-19.

9:26-27 – Barnabas had to vouch for Saul since the apostles didn’t believe in his motives. I want to be a Barnabas – one who doesn’t hold someone’s past against them or treat others suspiciously.

9:27 – for an introduction to Barnabas, see Acts 4:36-37.

9:29-30 – Saul talked with the Grecian (Hellenistic) Jews, who tried to kill him, so the disciples took Saul to Caesarea and shipped him off to Tarsus. These Grecian Jews may have been the same men who made accusations against Stephen. Saul may have sought them out thinking that he may be able to get through to them because of his former behavior.

• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

The Common English Bible

2011-12-07T14:14:00.001-08:00

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to the Editors and their publisher for sending me a copy of "The Common English Bible" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Recently, I had the privilege of reading the Common English Bible for the purpose of review. This translation is the result of a cross-denominational translation project. I received the Thinline Bible DecoTone Tan/Brick Red, and I really like the size. It’s about the same as a trade paperback. And it feels like soft, supple leather in my hand. Personally, I adore reading a Bible I like to hold. The 9 pt. font size is easy to read, and I am beginning to need magnifying glasses for my compact size translations.

This would be a wonderful Bible for personal reading when you don’t want to be distracted by commentary notes and references. While visiting the website, I learned that this Bible is also very affordable. The only drawback I’ve found is that the words of Christ are not printed in red.

Here are some of the verses I checked out:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

John 8:58 “I assure you,” Jesus replied, “before Abraham was, I Am.”

Psalm 1:1-3 The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing those things, these persons love the LORD ’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds.

“On the Path with God” by Erwin W. Lutzer

2011-12-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Erwin W. Lutzer

Photographed by:

John and Debora Scanlan

and the book:

On the Path with God

Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karri | Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR and PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor of The Moody Church since 1980, is an award-winning author of more than 20 books including Walking with God. He’s a celebrated international conference speaker and the featured speaker on three radio programs that are heard around the world. He and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for 35 years. They live in the Chicago area and are the parents of three married children.

Visit the author's website.

John and Debora Scanlan are partners in life and in creating Scanlan Windows to the World™ Fine Art Photography. They are internationally renowned for capturing the beauty, intrigue, and romance of the world while presenting the essence of every scene. Their work is featured in galleries, special exhibitions and juried art shows, on numerous products including cards and calendars, and in their breathtaking fine art photography book Windows to the World.

Visit the photographers' website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Inspiring meditations from the heart of popular pastor and author Dr. Erwin Lutzer join breathtaking photographs of winding country paths and cobblestone streets and invite readers to take time to walk with God. The joy-filled promises of faith await those who treasure an enriched journey with the Creator.

Product Details:

List Price: $15.99
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736939369
ISBN-13: 978-0736939362

AND NOW...THE FIRST FEW PAGES (The images were scanned so that you may see what this delightful book looks like, but the words were placed here from these scanned images, so that you may read and be blessed.) Please click on the images to see them larger:

Why Walk with God?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

A tour through a cemetery can be beneficial and educational. I like to read epitaphs because they often say something interesting about the person who is finished with this life and has gone on to the next. Maybe epitaphs should be required reading for everyone once a year. They are a reminder that life is short and that eternity is near.

Most epitaphs are serious, some are tragic, and yes, there are at least a few that are funny. I’m told that this poem is found on the tombstone of a lady named Anna Wallace in England:

The children of Israel wanted bread.

The Lord sent them manna.

Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife.

The devil sent him Anna.

Here is a poem I learned in grade school, though I doubt it is on a tombstone—it could be. It contains an important message about automobile safety:
Here lies the body of William Jay,

Who died while maintaining his right of way.

He was right, completely right as he sped along,

But he’s just as dead as if he’d been wrong!

My favorite epitaph is found in the Bible, embedded in a long list of genealogies in the fifth chapter of Genesis. To read these verses is like walking though a cemetery. The names are difficult to pronounce and we are left to guess what life was like so many centuries ago. Like the tolling of a bell, every tombstone bears the same message; six times we read the simple phrase “and he died.”

Then unexpectedly we discover that there was a man who did not die! His name was Enoch, and of him we read in verse 24, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Twice we are told that Enoch “walked with God.” In fact, He walked with God right into heaven!

This epitaph is perhaps one of the most beautiful phrases in the entire Bible. If it could be said of you and me that we “walked with God,” nothing more need be said. Those few words contain an eternity of meaning.

An Invitation to the Journey

Walking with God is both difficult and simple. Difficult because it takes thought, discipline, and commitment; simple because the same characteristics that apply to walking with a close friend or a loved one apply to walking with God.

Enoch walked with God in the midst of a society filled with temptations and obstacles just like those we face. He is a powerful reminder that we can be faithful to walk with God in our day as well. When we accept the invitation to begin the journey, trials and distractions need not keep us from our time with the Almighty.

Interestingly, Enoch was motivated to begin this journey after his first son Methuselah was born. Maybe he felt a new sense of responsibility as he held the baby boy in his arms. Perhaps as the child reached out to touch the stubble of his father’s beard Enoch said to himself, “I need to reorder my priorities and begin to take God more seriously.” Evidently he realized that the greatest contribution he could make in life was to guide his family on the right path.

Spend some moments reflecting on what motivates your heart to walk with the Lord today. Have you faced a trial and found yourself ready to give your sorrow to God? Do you long to leave a legacy of faith for your children? Maybe you’ve been in fellowship with the Lord for many years and you are ready for refreshment. Together we can explore how to walk with God and embrace the meaningful, remarkable, and abundant life He has planned for you. Let’s take a step forward toward the light of life.

You have declared this day that the LORD is your God

and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees,

commands and laws, and that you will obey him.

And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people,

his treasured possession as he promised, and that

you are to keep all his commands.

Deuteronomy 26:17-18

Help for the Journey

I’ve often thought about what others might say of me after I die. I don’t mean the beautiful eulogies often given at funerals. Instead, I wonder what people will really think—what they will really remember about the impact for good or ill I have had in their lives. God of course, will give the final evaluation, but imagine our legacy if it could be said that we “walked with God.”

If an epitaph were written for you today, what would it be? Are you satisfied with that? What do you hope you will be remembered for?

Consider Jesus’ simple invitation to brothers Simon and Andrew referenced below. Think about how wonderful it feels to have Jesus call to you today in the same, simple way. What is your response to Jesus as He waves to you and says, “Come, follow me?”

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:16-17).
God provides what you need each step of the way. What worries or weaknesses do you want to give to God—need to give to God—in exchange for His hope and renewing strength?

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

Here is my review of this beautiful gift book:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Erwin Lutzer and his publisher for sending me a copy of "On The Path With God" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“On the Path with God” by Erwin W. Lutzer is an incredibly beautiful, full-color gift book. It is filled with encouraging scripture verses and breathtaking photographs by John and Debora Scanlan. The challenging, informative and enlightening commentary uplifts the reader as it lauds the benefits of walking with the Lord. It also provides suggestions for having a more satisfying journey.

I was most impressed with the tiny details of this overwhelming visual feast! The watermarks on the pages are lovely bits of maps and cartographic symbols, fitting in perfectly with the theme detailing the Christian’s journey with God. This is one gift book I will not only review frequently, but will give often.

REVIEW: A Wedding Blunder In The Black Hills by Kim O'Brien

2011-12-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

“A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills” by Kim O’Brien is a wonderfully twisting romance that tickles the funny bone and deals sensitively with some important issues. Millie Hogan is a woman with a dream and a reputation. Never able to cut the apron strings and leave home, she wants a career in acting that will take her away from her meddlesome mother and the reputation she can’t outrun. David Denvers is also from Deer Park, South Dakota, but he is returning home after having made a life for himself in California. Taking over his father’s dental practice and moving home with his son, Bart, after the death of his wife, David finds himself at the clutches of his own matchmaking mom.

In a clever plot to “non-date,” Millie and David come up with a brilliant plan to keep their mothers off of their backs. After all, Millie doesn’t deserve a great guy like David and David is long over his high school crush on Millie. The plan is pretend to date until after the winter carnival. By then, David’s stalker, Cynthia, may have moved on. But David and Millie didn’t plan to fall in love for real.

In the midst of sled races, lots of great food and bullies, Millie, David and Bart become a family. This is a beautifully entertaining book. It would be a wonderful holiday read.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 8

2011-12-02T00:35:00.000-08:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 8 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

8:1-3 – was this experience the thorn in Paul’s flesh? This was the beginning of his career as a persecutor of Christians.

8:5 – When Philip escaped persecution in Jerusalem (see verse 1), he went to Samaria to preach. Remember how Jews felt about Samaritans. They were considered half-breeds, outcasts, detestable. And Philip brought them the gospel. Sounds a bit like Jonah and the Ninevites. How have you been asked to serve God in such a situation?

8:6 – Philip performed signs.

8:7 – Philip drove out unclean spirits and healed the lame and paralyzed.

8:8 – Philip’s actions brought great joy to the city. How did Samaritans feel about Jews?

8:9 – Simon Magus was an arch-heretic of the church and is recognized as the father of Gnostic teaching. His sorceries probably included healing, astrology and magic tricks.

8:10 – Simon claimed to be either God or His representative. Some scholars say he claimed to be the Messiah!

8:12-13 – Philip wasn’t intimidated by Simon. He first preached to, and made believers of, Simon’s followers.

8:16-17 – see Luke 9:54. John finally got to rain fire down on the Samaritans!

8:18-24 – Simon tried to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit at the laying on of hands, proving that his proclaimed belief in the gospel was false. Perhaps he simply wanted this ability to improve his act.

8:26 – God used an angel to communicate with Philip.

God gave Philip only one piece of information at a time to retain communication and dependence on Him.

8:27 – Candace – mother of Pharaoh. She ran the country.

8:29 – God used the Spirit to talk to Philip.

8:30 – Philip ran to the chariot in obedience. Then he listened to discover how to share with the Ethiopian eunuch.

The Ethiopian eunuch was “damaged goods”. see Leviticus 21:20; Matthew 19:11-12.

8:32-33 – see Isaiah 53:7-8; 56:3-5: 54:1…

8:34-35 – this is how the Gospel got to Africa.

8:39 – the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away – same word used in Thessalonians to describe rapture.

• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

The Names of God Bible

2011-11-28T00:37:00.000-08:00

Open the door to a more intimate relationship with God

Discover the Hebrew names of God within the biblical text
Encounter God through prayers, promises, and devotional readings
Experience God's character more deeply by studying his names
One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know his names and titles as revealed in Scripture. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus uncovers the richness of God's character and love found in his names right within the Bible text.

The Names of God Bible restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God--like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay--to help readers connect with the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith and experience a deeper understanding of God's character. Perfect for personal study, prayer, and reflection, The Names of God Bible includes these special features:

More than 10,000 names and titles of God restored to their Hebrew equivalent and printed in brown ink to stand out within the biblical text

Names of God reading paths lead readers to the next reference of the name so they can pray and study the names of God throughout Scripture

Name Pages feature

background information associated with the most important names and titles of God
key Scripture passages in which the name is revealed
devotional readings for each of the featured names
specific Bible promises connected to each of the featured names
Calling God by Name sidebars shed light on the relationship between biblical people and the specific names they called God

What People Are Saying about GOD'S WORD Translation

"An easy-to-understand Bible. . . . It is a wonderful version."--Rev. Billy Graham

"A remarkably fresh, accurate, and readable translation that communicates well the original text for modern readers. An outstanding achievement."--Dr. David Dockery

"The Bible is the means God has chosen to reach out in human language, reveal the essence of his relational heart, and relate the Good News of his redemptive plan. GOD'S WORD Translation presents that message in a way that makes sense to readers of all ages."--Josh McDowell

"Even if the rather prolific output of modern translations, paraphrases, and versions of Scripture should increase, this particular linguistic achievement, GOD'S WORD, will rank among the top contenders with the Bible-reading public."--Dr. D. James Kennedy

"GOD'S WORD is very possibly the most accurate English translation of the original text available today. A must-read for twenty-first century Christians."--Dr. Larry Richards

Here is my review of this wonderful Bible:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Ann Spangler and her publisher for sending me a copy of "The Names of God Bible" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“The Names of God Bible” in God’s Word Translation is amazing. Peppered with Ann Spangler’s writings on the Names of God, this easy-to-understand version of scripture is a joy to read. It doesn’t contain the number of references that you will find in a reference or study Bible, but what it does contain is a powerful prayer resource and a valuable way to know God.

This Bible showcases 71 names of God, their meanings, the promises associated with each name, and a devotional reading on praying to God as identified by that name. The introduction to each book identifies the key name(s) of God used in that book and the meaning of the name(s). Within the text, the names of God are printed in brown to set them apart. The reader’s eye is really drawn to the names.

Other helps include a chart showing the first appearance of each name in scripture and another showing the number of appearances of each name. There is also a valuable pronunciation guide, a topical prayer guide and several reading plans. Key scriptures are highlighted for reflection and memorization. This is a wonderful prayer tool that will draw the reader into a deeper, broader relationship with God as they get to know Him by His names.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 7

2011-11-25T00:10:00.000-08:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 7 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

7:1-53 – Stephen delivers a clear and concise speech beginning with Abraham that was designed to convict the listeners of their sins. This led to his execution. He is giving the Sanhedrin a lesson of the history they have obviously forgotten.

7:51-53 – Stephen took an offensive rather than a defensive posture at his trial.

7:54-60 – Stephen met earthly circumstances with heavenly responses.

“St. Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the faithful manner in which he preached the Gospel to the betrayers and murderers of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. The time when he suffered is generally supposed to have been at the passover which succeeded to that of our Lord's crucifixion, and to the era of his ascension, in the following spring.

“Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told by St. Luke, that "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles."

“About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the "persecution that arose about Stephen."” (Fox’s Book of Martyrs)

7:55 – Stephen saw God’s glory and Christ at God’s side before he was executed because he was full of the Holy Spirit.

7:58 – The mob stoned Stephen, but the Sanhedrin didn’t stop them.

Saul, an eye-witness, may have told this account to Luke, the author.

7:59-60 – forgiveness.

7:59 – “receive my spirit” is based on Psalm 31:5, a prayer Jewish children would say at bedtime.

7:60 – fell asleep – died.

• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

Live Abundantly and Live Reflectively

2011-11-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Lenya Heitzig
and
Penny Rose

and the books:

Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses

David C. Cook (November 1, 2011)

and

Live Abundantly: A Study in the Book of Ephesians

David C. Cook; 2 edition (November 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lenya Heitzig is an award-winning author and popular Bible teacher. She and her husband founded Calvary Church of Albuquerque—one of the fastest-growing churches worldwide. She is the author of Holy Moments: Recognizing God’s Fingerprints on Your Life and also contributed to the best-selling New Women’s Devotional Bible. Heitzig serves as Executive Director of She Ministries of Albuquerque, overseeing weekly Bible studies and yearly retreats. She and her husband Skip live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Penny Rose is the award-winning author of numerous books. Penny thrives on teaching at conferences and retreats nationwide. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband, Kerry, a pastor at Calvary of Albuquerque.

Visit the authors' website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The Fresh Life series was created for women who crave a profound experience of God’s Word without an overwhelming time commitment. Bible teachers Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose challenge readers to dig deep into Scripture by using a directed study method that only requires twenty minutes a day. With a fresh approach to studying Scripture that gives newcomers as well as seasoned students deep insight into God’s Word, the latest two additions in the series explore the life of Moses and the riches in the book of Ephesians.

Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses (Heitzig) is an engaging Bible study on the life of Moses. He was saved from death on the Nile and raised as an Egyptian prince. He met his wife at a Midianite well, witnessed the birth of a nation as the Red Sea parted and watched water gush from a rock with one touch of his rod. He died overlooking the Jordan River. Through viewing the water moments of Moses’ life, readers will be encouraged to consider the moments in their own lives that shape who they are and who they are becoming.

Live Abundantly: A Study in the Book of Ephesians (Heitzig and Rose) challenges readers to dig deep into the book of Ephesians to find the spiritual treasure God has for them. The book of Ephesians is God’s “last will and testament” that bequeaths his spiritual treasures to His beloved children. Covering topics such as living in God’s will and receiving peace no matter the circumstances, it reveals the magnitude of every Christian’s inheritance—a gift “exceedingly abundantly above” what you could ever ask for.

The Fresh Life series teaches readers to:
· Lift up...a prayer
· Look at…God’s Word (answering questions concerning what the passage says)
· Learn about…what the passage means (sidebars define words and profice background information)
· Live out…what they have learned (personalizing the text and learning how it can impact their daily life)
· Listen to…quotes from well-known figures to build on the truths uncovered in Scripture

Readers will develop a deeper intimacy with the Lord and walk away feeling inspired to move forward in their walks of faith. Live Abundantly and Live Reflectively continue the rich biblical tradition of the Fresh Life series. They offer wisdom that will leave readers encouraged in their present situations and hopeful for the spiritual journey ahead.

Product Details:

Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses

List Price: $17.99
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0781405939
ISBN-13: 978-0781405935

Product Details:

Live Abundantly: A Study in the Book of Ephesians

List Price: $17.99
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook; 2 edition (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1434703304
ISBN-13: 978-1434703309

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER (Click on images to expand):

Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses

Live Abundantly: A Study in the Book of Ephesians (Click on images to expand)

Here is my review of these engaging Bible study workbooks:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to AUTHOR and his/her publisher for sending me a copy of "NOVEL" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

These two incredible Bible studies would be incredible for personal or small group use. Both studies are user-friendly with intriguing activities and questions designed to draw truth from scripture and assist the student with life application. Each study contains lots of sidebars that teach truths about culture during Biblical times to add perspective to the content of scripture.

“Live Abundantly: A Study in the Book of Ephesians” by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose is a vibrant look at the New Testament letter penned by the Apostle Paul. Part of the Fresh Life Bible Study Series, “Live Abundantly” encourages the student over the course of 12 weeks in a five-day homework format. The study claims that each day’s lesson takes 20 minutes to complete, but the student can certainly spend more time poring over the passages of scripture to glean additional truths, if desired.

“Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses” by Lenya Heitzig is a ten-week study of the life of Moses. Each of the five daily lessons will encourage the study to develop the habit of remembering what God has done so that we may grow in relationship with Him.

I highly recommend both studies.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 6

2011-11-18T00:33:00.000-08:00

REVIEW: Tall, Dark and Determined by Kelly Eileen Hake

2011-11-14T00:30:00.000-08:00

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Kelly Eileen Hake and her publisher for sending me an electronic copy of "Tall, Dark and Determined" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and their generosity.

“Tall, Dark and Determined” by Kelly Eileen Hake is Book Two in the Husbands For Hire Series. In this second novel of Hope Falls, Colorado, the gals we’ve come to adore in Book One, “Rugged and Relentless”, are back, trying to make a go of a sawmill, having advertised in the newspaper for experienced loggers and potential husbands.

Jake Granger is taking Twyman back east to face the music for his brother’s murder. So he calls on Chase Dunston to look after the town and the ladies who run it while he is away. Chase has another reason to check out Hope Falls: a man he knows was killed in the mining cave-in that injured Braden Lyman, and Chase wants the opportunity to investigate the Lymans in the hopes of placing blame.

What Chase never counted on was falling for Lacey Lyman. His “murder” investigation was not meant to endear his suspect to himself or give him a longing to put down roots in a logging community. Although this is a similar plot to the first novel, the story is different enough that it doesn’t feel like a rehashing of book one. This is a truly enjoyable book.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 5

2011-11-11T00:12:00.000-08:00

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 4

2011-11-04T00:32:00.000-07:00

Lethal Remedy by RICHARD L. MABRY, MD

2011-11-01T00:24:00.000-07:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Richard L. Mabry, MD

and the book:

Lethal Remedy

Abingdon Press (October 2011)

***Special thanks to Julie Dowd (Abingdon Press) for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Richard L. Mabry, MD, is a retired physician and medical school professor who achieved worldwide recognition as a clinician, writer, and teacher before turning his talents to non-medical writing after his retirement. He is the author of The Prescription for Trouble Series, one non-fiction book, and his inspirational piesces have appeared in numerous periodicals. He and his wife, Kay, live in North Texas.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

An epidemic of a highly resistant bacteria, Staphylococcus luciferus, has ignited, and Dr. Sara Miles' patient is on the threshold of death. Only an experimental antibiotic developed and administered by Sara's ex-husband, Dr. Jack Ingersoll can save the girl's life.

Dr. John Ramsey is seeking to put his life together after the death of his wife by joining the medical school faculty. But his decision could prove to be costly, even fatal.
Potentially lethal late effects from the experimental drug send Sara and her colleague, Dr. Rip Pearson, on a hunt for hidden critical data that will let them reverse the changes before it’s too late. What is the missing puzzle piece? And who is hiding it?

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426735448
ISBN-13: 978-1426735448

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

No one knew the man’s name. White male, probably in his late seventies, found unresponsive in an alley about two o’clock in the morning and brought to the emergency room. Just another homeless derelict, another John Doe.

“Pneumonia, late stages,” the intern said. He yawned. “Happens all the time. Drank himself into a stupor, vomited, aspirated. Probably been lying in that alley for more than a day. Doesn’t look like he’ll make it.”

“Labs cooking? Got a sputum culture going?”

“Yeah, but it’ll take a day or two to get the results of the culture. The smear looks like Staph. Guess I’ll give him—”

“Wait. I’ve got access to an experimental drug that might help. Let me start him on that.”

The intern shrugged. It was two in the morning. He’d been on duty for more than twenty-four hours straight—why’d Johnson’s wife have to go into labor today?—and he was bushed. The bum probably didn’t have a snowball’s chance of surviving anyway. Why not? “You’ll be responsible?”

“I’ll take it from here. Even do the paperwork.”

“Deal,” the intern said, and ambled off to see the next patient.

Three hours later, John Doe lay on a gurney in a corner of the ER. An IV ran into one arm, a blood pressure cuff encircled the other. Spittle dripped from his open mouth and dotted his unshaven chin. His eyes were open and staring.

“Acute anaphylaxis, death within minutes. Interesting.” He scratched his chin. “Guess I need to make some adjustments in the compound.” He picked up the almost-blank chart. “I’ll say I gave him ampicillin and sulbactam. That should cover it.”

* * *

The woman’s look pierced Dr. Sara Miles’ heart. “Do you know what’s wrong with Chelsea?”

Chelsea Ferguson lay still and pale as a mannequin in the hospital bed. An IV carried precious fluids and medications into a vein in her arm. A plastic tube delivered a constant supply of oxygen to her nostrils. Above the girl’s head, monitors beeped and flashed. And over it all wafted the faint antiseptic smell of the ICU.

Chelsea’s mother sat quietly at the bedside, but her hands were never still: arranging and rearranging her daughter’s cover, twisting the hem of her plain brown skirt, shredding a tissue. Sara decided that the gray strands in Mrs. Ferguson’s long brunette hair were a recent addition, along with the lines etched in her face.

Sara put her hand on the teenager’s head and smoothed the matted brown curls. The girl’s hot flesh underscored the urgency of the situation. Since Chelsea’s admission to University Hospital three days ago, her fever hadn’t responded to any of the treatments Sara ordered. If anything, the girl was worse.

“Let’s slip out into the hall,” Sara said. She tiptoed from the bedside and waited outside the room while Mrs. Ferguson kissed her sleeping daughter and shuffled through the door.

Sara pointed. “Let’s go into the family room for a minute.”

“Will she be—?”

“The nurses will check on her, and they’ll call me if anything changes.” Sara led the way into the room and eased the door closed. This family room resembled so many others Sara had been in over the years: small, dim, and quiet. Six wooden chairs with lightly upholstered seats and backs were arranged along three of the walls. Illumination came from a lamp in the corner. A Bible, several devotional magazines, and a box of tissues stood within reach on a coffee table.

This was a room where families received bad news: the biopsy was positive, the treatment hadn’t worked, the doctors weren’t able to save their loved one. The cloying scent of flowers in a vase on an end table reminded Sara of a funeral home, and she shivered as memories came unbidden. She shoved her emotions aside and gestured Mrs. Ferguson to a seat. “Would you like something? Water? Coffee? A soft drink?”

The woman shook her head. “No. Just tell me what’s going on with my daughter. Do you know what’s wrong with her? Can you save her?” Her sob turned into a soft hiccup. “Is she going to die?”

Sara swallowed hard. “Chelsea has what we call sepsis. You might have heard it referred to as blood poisoning. It happens when bacteria get into the body and enter the bloodstream. In Chelsea’s case, this probably began when she had her wisdom teeth extracted.”

I can’t believe the dentist didn’t put her on a prophylactic antibiotic before the procedure. Sara brushed those thoughts aside. That wasn’t important now. The important thing was saving the girl’s life. Sara marshaled her thoughts. “We took samples of Chelsea’s blood at the time of her admission, and while we waited for the results of the blood cultures I started treatment with a potent mixture of antibiotics. As you can see, that hasn’t helped.”

“Why?”

Sara wished the woman wouldn’t be so reasonable, so placid. She wished Mrs. Ferguson would scream and cry. If the roles were reversed, she’d do just that. “While we wait for the results of blood cultures, we make a guess at the best antibiotics to use. Most of the time, our initial guess is right. This time, it was wrong—badly wrong.”

“But now you know what’s causing the infection?” It was a question, not a statement.

“Yes, we know.” And it’s not good news.

Hope tinged Mrs. Ferguson’s voice. “You can fix this, can’t you?”

I wish I could. “The bacteria causing Chelsea’s sepsis is one that . . .” Sara paused and started again. “Have you heard of Mersa?”

“Mersa? No. What’s that?”

“It’s actually MRSA, but doctors usually pronounce it that way. That’s sort of a medical shorthand for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that’s resistant to most of our common antibiotics.”

Mrs. Ferguson frowned. “You said most. Do you have something that will work?”

“Yes, we do. Matter of fact, when Chelsea was admitted I started her on two strong antibiotics, a combination that’s generally effective against MRSA. But she hasn’t responded, because this isn’t MRSA. It’s worse than MRSA.” She started to add “Much worse,” but the words died in her throat.

Sara paused and waited for Mrs. Ferguson to ask the next question. Instead, the woman crumpled the tissue she held and dabbed at the corner of her eyes, eyes in which hope seemed to die as Sara watched.

“This is what we call a ‘super-bug,’” Sara continued. “It used to be rare, but we’re seeing more and more infections with it. Right now, none of the commercially available antibiotics are effective. These bacteria are resistant to everything we can throw at them.”

Mrs. Ferguson’s voice was so quiet Sara almost missed the words. “What do you call it?”

“It’s a long name, and it’s not important that you know it.” Matter of fact, we don’t use the proper name most of the time. We just call it “The Killer.”

“So that’s it?”

“No, there’s a doctor at our medical center doing trials on an experimental drug that might work for Chelsea.” No need to mention that Jack is . . . No, let it go.

“Can you get some of this? Give it to Chelsea?”

“I can’t, but the man who can is an infectious disease specialist on the faculty here at the medical center. Actually, he helped develop it. Notice I said ‘experimental,’ which means there may be side effects. But if you want me—”

“Do it!” For the first time in days, Sara saw a spark of life in Mrs. Ferguson’s eyes, heard hope in her voice. “Call him! Now! Please!”

“You realize that this drug isn’t fully tested yet. It may not work. Or the drug may cause problems.” There, she’d said it twice in different words. She’d done her duty.

“I don’t care. My little girl is dying. I’ll sign the releases. Anything you need. If this is our only chance, please, let’s take it.”

Lord, I hope I haven’t made a mistake. “I’ll make the call.”

“I’m going back to be with my baby,” Mrs. Ferguson said. She stood and squared her shoulders. “While you call, I’ll pray.”

* * *

“Mr. Wolfe, you can come in now.” The secretary opened the doors to Dr. Patel’s office as though she were St. Peter ushering a supplicant through the Pearly Gates.

Bob Wolfe bit back the retort he wanted to utter. It’s Doctor Wolfe. Doctor of Pharmacology. I worked six years to earn that Pharm D, not to mention two years of research fellowship. How about some respect? But this wasn’t the time to fight that battle.

He straightened his tie, checked that there were no stains on his fresh white lab coat, and walked into the office of the head of Jandra Pharmaceuticals as though he had been summoned to receive a medal. Never let them see you sweat.

Dr. David Patel rose from behind his desk and beamed, gesturing toward the visitor’s chair opposite. “Bob, come in. Sit down. I appreciate your coming.”

Not much choice, was there? Wolfe studied his boss across the expanse of uncluttered mahogany that separated them. Pharmaceutical companies seemed to be made up of two groups: the geeks and the glad-handers. Patel typified the former group. PhD from Cal Tech, brilliant research mind, but the social skills of a tortoise. Patel had been snatched from the relative obscurity of a research lab at Berkeley by the Board of Directors of Jandra Pharmaceuticals, given the title of President and CEO, and charged with breathing life into the struggling company. How Patel planned to do that remained a mystery to Wolfe and his co-workers.

Patel leaned forward and punched a button on a console that looked like it could launch a space probe. “Cindy, please ask Mr. Lindberg to join us.”

Steve Lindberg ran the sales team from an office across the hall. Lindberg could memorize salient scientific material and regurgitate it with the best of them, but Wolfe would bet the man’s understanding of most of Jandra’s products and those of its major competitors was a mile wide and an inch deep. On the other hand, Lindberg had his own area of expertise: remembering names, paying for food and drinks, arranging golf games at exclusive clubs. No doubt about it, Lindberg was a classic glad-hander, which was why he had ascended to his current position, heading the marketing team at Jandra.

Wolfe hid a smile. Interesting. The President of the company and the Director of Marketing. This could be big. The door behind Wolfe opened. He deliberately kept his eyes front. Be cool. Let this play out.

“Hey, Bob. It’s good to see you.” Wolfe turned just in time to avoid the full force of a hand landing on his shoulder. Even the glancing blow made him wince. Lindberg dragged a chair to the side of Patel’s desk, positioning himself halfway between the two men. Clever. Not taking sides, but clearly separating himself from the underling.

Wolfe studied the two men and, not for the first time, marveled at the contrast in their appearance. Patel was swarthy, slim, and sleek, with jet-black hair and coal-black eyes. His blue shirt had a white collar on which was centered the unfashionably large knot of an unfashionably wide gold-and-black tie. Wolfe wondered whether the man was five years behind or one ahead of fashion trends. He spoke with a trace of a British accent, and Wolfe seemed to recall that Patel had received part of his education at Oxford. Maybe he wore an “old school” tie, without regard to current fashion. If so, it would be typical of Patel.

Lindberg was middle-aged but already running to fat—or, more accurately, flab. His florid complexion gave testimony to too many helpings of rare roast beef accompanied by glasses of single malt Scotch, undoubtedly shared with top-drawer doctors and paid for on the Janus expense account. Lindberg’s eyes were the color of burnished steel, and showed a glimmer of naked ambition that the smile pasted on his face couldn’t disguise. His thinning blond hair was combed carefully to cover early male pattern baldness. The sleeves of his white dress shirt were rolled halfway to his elbows. His tie was at half-mast and slightly askew.

Patel, the geek. Lindberg, the glad-hander. Different in so many ways. But both men shared one characteristic. Wolfe knew from experience that each man would sell his mother if it might benefit the company, or more specifically, their position in it. The two of them together could mean something very good or very bad for Bob Wolfe. He eased forward in his chair and kicked his senses into high gear.

Patel leaned back and tented his fingers. “Bob, I’m sure you’re wondering what this is about. Well, I wanted to congratulate you on the success of EpAm848. I’ve been looking over the preliminary information, especially the reports from Dr. Ingersoll at Southwestern Medical Center. Very impressive.”

“Well, it’s sort of Ingersoll’s baby. He stumbled onto it when he was doing some research here during his infectious disease fellowship at UC Berkeley. I think he wants it to succeed as much as we do.”

“I doubt that.” Patel leaned forward with both hands on the desk. “Jandra is on the verge of bankruptcy. I want that drug on the market ASAP!”

“But we’re not ready. We need more data,” Wolfe said.

“Here’s the good news,” Patel said. “The FDA is worried about The Killer bacteria outbreak. I’ve pulled a few strings, called in a bunch of favors, and I can assure you we can get this application fast-tracked.”

“How?” Wolfe said. “We’re still doing Phase II trials. What about Phase III? Assuming everything goes well, it’s going to be another year, maybe two, before we can do a rollout of EpAm848.”

“Not to worry,” Patel said. “Our inside man at the FDA assures me he can help us massage the data. We can get by with the Phase II trials we’ve already completed. And he’ll arrange things so we can use those plus some of our European studies to fulfill the Phase III requirements.”

Lindberg winked at Wolfe. “We may have to be creative in the way we handle our data. You and I need to get our heads together and see how many corners we can cut before the application is ready.”

Wolfe shook his head. “You say this drug will save us from bankruptcy. I don’t see that. I mean, yes, it looks like we may be in for a full-blown epidemic of Staph luciferus, but we won’t sell enough—“

Lindberg silenced him with an upraised hand. “Exposure, Bob. Exposure. If we get this drug on the market, if we’re the first with a cure, our name recognition will skyrocket. Doctors and patients will pay attention to our other drugs: blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes. Our market share will go through the roof in all of them.”

Wolfe could see the salesman in Lindberg take over as he leaned closer, as though to drive home his point by proximity. “We’re preparing a direct-to-consumer push on all those drugs, ready to launch at the same time we release Jandramycin.”

The name didn’t click with Wolfe for a moment. “I . . . Well, I’ll certainly do what I can.”

“Do more than that,” Lindberg said. “Jandra Pharmaceuticals is hurting. We’re staking everything on Jandramycin.”

That was the second time Wolfe had heard the term. “What—“

“Stop referring to the drug by its generic name,” Patel added. “From now on, the compound is Jandramycin. When people hear the name Jandra Pharmaceuticals, we want them to think of us as the people who developed the antibiotic that saved the world from the worst epidemic since the black plague.”

Lindberg eased from his chair and gave Wolfe another slap on the shoulder. “This is your project now. It’s on your shoulders. The company’s got a lot riding on this.”

And so do I. “But what if a problem turns up?”

Patel rose and drew himself up to his full five feet eight inches. His obsidian eyes seemed to burn right through Wolfe. “We’re depending on you to make sure that doesn’t happen. Are we clear on that?”

* * *

Sara leaned over the sink and splashed water on her face. The paper towels in the women’s rest room of the clinic were rough, but maybe that would put some color in the face that stared back at her from the mirror. Her brown eyes were red-rimmed from another sleepless night. Raven hair was pulled into a ponytail because she could never find time or energy for a haircut or a perm. Get it together, Sara. She took a deep breath and headed for the doctor’s dictation room, where she slumped into a chair.

“Something wrong, Dr. Miles?”

Sara turned to see Gloria, the clinic’s head nurse. “No, just taking a few deep breaths before I have to make a call I’m dreading.”

Gloria slid into the chair next to Sara. The controlled chaos of the internal medicine clinic hummed around them. The buzz of conversations and ringing of phones served as effectively as white noise to mask her next words. “Is it one of your hospital patients? Got some bad news to deliver?”

“Sort of. It’s Chelsea Ferguson.”

“The teenage girl? Is she worse?”

“Yes. The cultures grew Staph luciferus.”

Gloria whistled silently. “The Killer. That’s bad.”

“The only thing that seems to be working in these cases is that new drug of Jack Ingersoll’s.”

“Oh, I get it. That’s the call you don’t want to make.” Gloria touched Sara lightly on the shoulder. “When will you stop letting what Ingersoll did ruin the rest of your life? I can introduce you to a couple of nice men who go to our church. They’ve both gone through tough divorces—neither was their fault—and they want to move on. It would be good for you—”

Sara shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m not ready to date. I’m not sure if I can ever trust a man again.”

Gloria opened her mouth, but Sara silenced her with an upraised hand. No sense putting this off. She pulled the phone toward her and stabbed in a number.

* * *

Dr. John Ramsey found a spot in the Visitor’s Parking Lot. He exited his car and looked across the driveway at the main campus of Southwestern Medical Center. When he’d graduated, there were two buildings on the campus. Now those two had been swallowed up, incorporated into a complex that totaled about forty buildings on three separate campuses. Right now he only needed to find one: the tall white building directly across the driveway at the end of a flagstone plaza. The imposing glass façade of the medical library reflected sunlight into his eyes as he wove past benches where students sat chatting on cell phones or burrowing into book bags. He paused at the glass front doors of the complex, took a deep breath, and pushed forward.

There was a directory inside for anyone trying to negotiate the warren of inter-connected buildings, but John didn’t need it. He found the elevator he wanted, entered, and punched five. In a moment, he was in the office of the Chairman of Internal Medicine.

“Dr. Schaeffer will be with you in a moment.” The receptionist motioned him toward a seat opposite the magnificent rosewood desk that was the centerpiece of the spacious office, then glided out, closing the door softly behind her.

John eased into the visitor’s chair and looked around him. He’d spent forty years on the volunteer clinical faculty of Southwestern Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine. For forty years he’d instructed and mentored medical students and residents, for forty years he’d covered the teaching clinic once a month, and today was the first time he’d been in the department chairman’s office. He swallowed the resentment he felt bubbling up. No, John. You never wanted to be here. You were happy in your own world.

John couldn’t help comparing this room with the cubbyhole he’d called his private office. Now he didn’t even have that. The practice was closed, the equipment and furnishings sold to a young doctor just getting started. John’s files and patient records were in a locked storage facility, rent paid for a year.

He wondered how many of his patients had contacted his nurse to have their records transferred. No matter, she’d handle it. He’d paid her six months’ salary to take care of such things. What would happen after that? He didn’t have the energy to care. Things were different now.

For almost half a century he’d awakened to the aroma of coffee and a kiss from the most wonderful woman in the world. Now getting out of bed in the morning was an effort, shaving and getting dressed were more than he could manage some days. Since Beth died . . . He shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs that clogged his brain. The knowledge that he’d never again know the happiness of having a woman he loved by his side made him wish he’d died with her. What was the use of going on?

But something happened this morning. He’d awakened with a small spark of determination to do something, anything, to move on. He tried to fight it, to roll over and seek the sleep that eluded him. Instead, he heard the echo of Beth’s words: “You’re too good a physician to retire. People need you.” He remembered that conversation as though it were yesterday. She’d urged, he’d insisted. Let’s retire. I want to get out of the rat race and enjoy time with you. Retirement meant the travel they’d put off, the time to do things together. Only, now there was no more together.

This morning, he’d rolled out of bed determined that today would be different. It would be the start of his rebirth. As he shrugged into a robe, as he’d done each day since her death he looked at the picture on their dresser of him and Beth. She’d been radiant that spring day so many years ago, and he wondered yet again how he’d managed to snag her.

He’d shaved—for the first time in days—with special care, and his image in the mirror made him wonder. When did that slim young man in the picture develop a paunch and acquire an AARP card? When had the thick brown hair been replaced by gray strands that required careful combing to hide a retreating hairline? The eyes were still bright, although they hid behind wire-rimmed trifocals. “You’re too old for this, John,” he muttered. And as though she were in the room, he heard Beth’s words once more. “You’re too good a physician to retire. People need you.”

Fortified with coffee, the sole component of his breakfast nowadays, he’d forced himself to make the call. He asked his question and was gratified and a bit frightened by the positive response. John dressed carefully, choosing his best suit, spending a great deal of time selecting a tie. He’d noticed a gradual shift in doctors’ attire over the past few years. Now many wore jeans and golf shirts under their white coats. But for John Ramsey, putting on a tie before going to the office was tantamount to donning a uniform, one he’d worn proudly for years. And he—

“John, I was surprised when I got your call. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Dr. Donald Schaeffer breezed into the office, the starched tails of his white coat billowing behind him. He offered his hand, then settled in behind his desk.

“Donald, I appreciate your taking the time to see me. I was wondering—”

“Before we start, I want you to know how sorry we all are for your loss. Is there anything I can do?”

Perfect lead-in. See if you can get the words out. “As you know, I closed my office four months ago. Beth and I were going to enjoy retirement. Then . . .”

Schaeffer nodded and tented his fingers under his chin. At least he had the grace not to offer more platitudes. Ramsey had had enough of those.

“I was wondering if you could use me in the department.” There. Not the words he’d rehearsed, but at least he’d tossed the ball into Schaeffer’s court.

“John, are you talking about coming onto the faculty?”

“Maybe something half-time. I could staff resident clinics, teach medical students.”

Schaeffer was shaking his head before John finished. “That’s what the volunteer clinical faculty does. It’s what you did for . . . how many years? Thirty? Thirty-five?”

“Forty, actually. Well, I’m still a clinical professor in the department, so I guess I have privileges at Parkland Hospital. Can you use me there?”

Schaeffer pulled a yellow legal pad toward him and wrote a couple of words before he pushed it aside. “I’m not sure what I can do for you, if anything. It’s not that easy. You have no idea of the administrative hoops I have to jump through to run this department. Even if I could offer you a job today—and I can’t— I’d have to juggle the budget to support it, post the position for open applications, get half a dozen approvals before finalizing the appointment.” He spread his hands in a gesture of futility.

“So, is that a ‘no’?”

“”That’s an ‘I’ll see what I can do.’ Afraid that’s the best I have to offer.” Schaeffer looked at his watch, shoved his chair back and eased to his feet. “Coming to Grand Rounds?”

Why not? John’s house was an empty museum of bitter memories. His office belonged to someone else. Why not sit in the company of colleagues? “Sure. I’ll walk over with you.”

As the two men moved through the halls of the medical center, John prayed silently that Schaeffer would find a job for him. With all his prayers for Beth during her final illness, prayers that had gone unanswered, he figured that surely God owed him this one.

Here is my review of this incredibly suspenseful medical mystery:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Dr. Richard Mabry and his publisher for sending me a copy of "Lethal Remedy" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“Lethal Remedy” by Dr. Richard L. Mabry is a triumphant suspense read. Mabry creates an intellectual, suspenseful medical drama with multiple twisting plotlines that converge and diverge throughout the pages. His characters are crafted so realistically, he makes the task look easy. Introducing vocabulary and concepts to the reader understandably and with a respect for his audience’s intellect, Dr. Mabry makes his readers smarter as the pages turn.

Dr. Sara Miles is desperate. Her patient is in need of lifesaving medical treatment that is currently in clinical trial. But to get her patient admitted as part of the test group for the medication, she must contact the lead doctor on the trial who just happens to be her ex-husband, Jack Ingersoll. This miracle drug currently has a 100% success rate with no side effects. Or at least that’s what the pharmaceutical company is telling the general public.

Dr. Ingersoll’s own success hinges upon the success of the trial. The drug’s success has the potential to save a failing pharmaceutical company. Sara wants what’s best for her patients. So when she and her friends, and fellow doctors, begin investigating the miracle drug, they come under some very lethal attacks. This is one medical suspense novel that you will find impossible to put down!

REVIEW: Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills

2011-10-29T00:31:00.000-07:00

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to DiAnn Mills and her publisher for sending me an electronic copy of "Attracted to Fire" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and their generosity.

DiAnn Mills’ latest novel, “Attracted to Fire”, is an incredibly suspenseful crime drama. Lindsay, the Vice President’s daughter has a substance abuse problem…and a stalker. She also has a detail of uber-savvy Secret Service Agents working to keep her safe as she works through detox.
Ash, the Special Agent In Charge on the detail is butting heads with Meghan the moment she shows up at her assignment. She feels right at home on the ranch where Lindsay’s protection detail has been set up. And it doesn’t take Meghan long to become Ash’s favorite agent on the job and in his heart.

This wonderful read is loaded with suspense, intrigue, romance and plot twists and turns. “Attracted to Fire” will turn the reader into an armchair sleuth and keep you up late into the night to devour the addictive story. At the heart of the novel is a thread of godliness that shines brighter as the pages turn. This is truly an entertaining and refreshing read.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts - Chapter 3

2011-10-28T00:16:00.000-07:00

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts (Chapter 2)

2011-10-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 2 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

2 – First celebration of the harvest of the church.

See Leviticus 23:15-22.

2:1-4 – We can have power. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)

2:1 – Pentecost – 50 days after Passover.

2:2 – wind – see Ezekiel 37:9-14. This was the falling of the Holy Spirit upon the NT church. This sound of rushing wind would have been incredible. Combine it with the sight of tongues of fire that don’t blow out as the rushing wind continues to sound. WOW!

2:3 – the Holy Spirit appears as fire. They were baptized with fire. See Matthew 3:11.

The tongue is a symbol of communication.

2:4-6 – “speaking in tongues” – what would be the use of this today? To glorify God, of course. But the languages are dead, therefore it wouldn’t enable communication as originally intended. Still, God does give us the words to speak to reach hardened hearts. And the Bible is still being translated into different languages.

2:4 – at this moment, the Holy Spirit became the guiding force of the NT church by indwelling the believers. Today, we still need to give Him control of our lives for His power to be evident in us.

speak in other tongues – leleo.

God speaks EVERY man’s language!

The Holy Spirit makes us smarter than we are.

The Holy Spirit forces us out of our upper rooms and into the streets.

2:5-6 – We can use power. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)

the God-fearing Jews heard the sound of the wind. They heard the sound of the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

2:7 – utterly amazed – they were blown away.

2:12 – amazed and perplexed – they doubted.

2:13 – “they have had too much wine” – persecution continues…

2:14-41 – Peter delivers the gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit and about 3000 people accepted Christ (and the Holy Spirit) that day.

2:17-21 – Peter doesn’t quote Joel 2:28-32 perfectly, either. What is our mission? See notes on 1:8 and 1:20.

2:25-28 – Peter doesn’t quote Psalm 16:8-11 perfectly, either. What is our mission? See notes on 1:8, 1:20 and 2:17-21.

2:29 – David is called a patriarch.

2:34-35 – Peter doesn’t quote Psalm 110:1 perfectly, either. Okay. It’s just one word off, but it is another example of how we don’t need to be perfect.

2:36 – Lord and Christ – Master over all and Messiah.

2:37-41 – We can see power at work. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)

2:37 – what shall we do – shows hope. They asked because their hearts were pierced by the message.

2:38 – Peter’s instruction was to repent and be baptized as an act of obedience and an example to others that they had received forgiveness.

2:42 – devoted themselves – cleave faithfully, single-minded.

Teaching – teaching the Word was the apostles’ “center”.

Fellowship – See Genesis 4:12 – the curse of Cain (restless wandering) is broken here.

Breaking of bread – not just a meal, but also observing the Lord’s supper (communion).

Prayer – the Word is critical for prayer.

• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

A Dime A Dozen by Mindy Starns Clark

2011-10-19T00:59:00.000-07:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Mindy Starns Clark

and the book:

A Dime a Dozen

Harvest House Publishers; Reprint edition (October 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karri James | Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mindy Starns Clark is the author of many books (more than 450,000 copies sold), which include A Pocket Guide to Amish Life, Shadows of Lancaster County, Whispers of the Bayou, and The Amish Midwife. In addition, Mindy is a popular inspirational speaker and playwright.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Fast-paced and inspirational, The Million Dollar Mystery series is from bestselling author Mindy Starns Clark.

Attorney Callie Webber investigates nonprofit organizations for the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation and awards the best of them grants up to a million dollars. In this series, Callie comes across a mystery she must solve using her skills as a former private investigator. A young widow, Callie finds strength in her faith in God and joy in her relationship with her employer, Tom.

---

In book number three of The Million Dollar Mystery series, Callie suddenly finds herself involved in the life of a young wife and mother whose husband has disappeared…possibly the victim of foul play.

Callie has come to the beautiful Smoky Mountains hoping to award a million-dollar grant to the charity set up in the woman’s late husband’s honor. But in the search for a missing migrant worker, a body is discovered, which puts the grant on hold and her new romance with her mysterious boss in peril. Trusting in God, Callie forges steadily ahead through a mire of clues that lead her deeper and deeper into danger.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; Reprint edition (October 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736929584
ISBN-13: 978-0736929585

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

I’d never been part of a sting before. Sure, I’d blown the whistle on some defrauders in the past, and I had seen more than one person arrested because of felonious deeds I had brought to light. But this time was different. This time the crime was still in the process of being committed. Worse than that, most of the people at this party were involved.

I stood near French doors that led to the patio, holding a soda in my hand and looking out through the glass at the pool sparkling in the cool March afternoon. Behind the pool was a small lawn dotted here and there with ornamental groupings of shrubbery and plants, all surrounded by a high, thick hedge. I knew that a team of cops was on the other side of that hedge, ready to enter from every direction as soon as I gave the signal.

“Callie, would you like a hamburger? Maybe a hot dog?”

My hostess appeared in front of me bearing a platter of raw meat shaped into patties, and I assumed she was on her way back outside to the grill. My eyes focused on the marbled beef, and then at her expectant face. She was the very picture of charm and hospitality. Oh, and theft.

“No, thank you,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m fine.”

Her hands were full, so I opened the door to let her out. Music poured into the house, compliments of large speakers mounted under the eaves.

“You should come too,” she urged loudly as she handed the platter off to her husband, Skipper. “It’s a gorgeous day.”

“In a while, perhaps,” I said as I let the door fall shut between us. She turned her attention to a group of guests near the pool, and as she worked the crowd I thought, You don’t want me to go outside, Winnie. The last thing you want me to do is go outside.

I glanced at my watch, wondering how much longer this would take. The police had instructed me to wait until all of the elements had fallen into place, and so far that hadn’t happened. The tension was getting to me, so I set my glass on a nearby countertop and made my way through the small crowd in the kitchen to the upstairs bathroom. I needed to be alone, to catch my breath, to make a call.

Once I was locked inside, I pulled out my cell phone and dialed the number of the police captain. He knew it was me and that I couldn’t say much on my end for fear of being overheard.

“Looks like things are moving along as expected,” he said.

“Yes.”

“Have they brought out the hamburgers yet?”

“Oh, yes. Everything’s in full swing.”

He chuckled into the phone.

“I hope they’re enjoying it while they can,” he said.

“They seem to be.”

“We’re all set on our end. Soon as the guy shows up, we’ll text you.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“You found the garage?” he asked.

“Yep.”

“Empty?”

“Except for the boxes in the freezer.”

“Perfect. Simply perfect. Hang in there, kid. We’re on the homestretch.”

I hung up the phone and slid it into my pocket, wondering if all would go off as planned. There were so many elements coming into play here, and it was important that they close in at the moment when we could nab the greatest number of guilty parties. I shook my head, marveling at the situation I now found myself in. This wasn’t how I usually spent my Saturday afternoons!

As the Director of Research for the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation, my job was to investigate charitable organizations in order to verify their suitability for a grant. I had come here to get a closer look at Dinner Time, a food bank and soup kitchen for the homeless in a suburb of San Francisco. I had gone “undercover” by posing as a volunteer to get a good look at the organization from the inside. Almost immediately, however, I realized there was something stinky in the sauce. Dinner Time may have been providing food to the homeless, but it was also providing a handy second income to its founders and many of its employees by way of food donations that were ending up in places other than on Dinner Time’s tables.

Even this party was an appalling, blatant display of theft, and, according to my source, they had similar such events every few months. From the chips and hamburgers to the condiments, most of the food being consumed here today had actually been donated to the charity, intended for the poor. Instead, our hosts had simply loaded many of the boxes into their cars and driven the food home for this impromptu party. Any minute now a local food supplier would show up and collect his share of the take, which was waiting for him in the garage. Unbeknownst to any of them, however, much of the donated food this time was marked, from the codes printed on the bottom of the mustard bottles to the labels on the frozen steaks in the freezer.

A knock on the bathroom door startled me from my thoughts.

“Just a minute,” I called, and then I washed my hands in the sink and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My own image still surprised me sometimes. Four months ago I had gone from having long hair to short, from wearing my hair in a tight chignon at the back of my neck to having just enough length to frame my face and touch at my collar. I liked the new look, both because of the years it seemed to take from my features and the way it worked with my usual attire of suits and dresses. I’d spent this week in more casual clothes, however, and today was no exception. I had on jeans and a lightly knit tan shirt, and I felt I looked the part I was playing—that of a woman interested in some simple volunteer work at the local soup kitchen. Little did they know that I was something much more threatening: an investigator with a mission to ferret out the bad guys in the nonprofit world and bring them all to justice!

I opened the bathroom door and found a familiar face waiting to get in, an employee of Dinner Time named Clement Jackson.

“Oh, hey, Callie,” he said, “I didn’t realize that was you in there.”

“No problem.”

I moved out of the way so that he could pass me and go into the bathroom. As he closed the door behind him, I made my way back downstairs to the kitchen.

Clement was such a dear man, a tireless worker who served full time at the food bank for a salary so low I didn’t know how he managed to make ends meet. He wasn’t aware that I knew his salary rate or anything about him beyond facts he had mentioned to me in casual conversation. He had told me about his lovely wife of 36 years, his five grown children, his eight grandchildren. But the scope of my investigation had included all of the employees and volunteers of Dinner Time, so I also knew his address, his work record, and much more. In the end, he had turned out to be one of only three people connected to the center who apparently weren’t involved in the theft of the food.

I was so glad, because it confirmed what I had felt to be true about him all week, that he was a wonderful person with a true heart for charity. His personal side mission was to collect and distribute free used books to all of the children who came to the food bank and, whenever he had time, to sit and read to them and encourage them to read more for themselves.

“Reading can get you through some mighty tough spots,” I had heard him say more than once this week. “Even if your feet can’t always go somewhere else, your mind sure can.” Poor Clement was going to be stunned when this sting came together, for he believed most people were motivated by the same altruism and good faith he himself possessed.

“Callie, can I get you something to drink?”

This time, Winnie’s husband, Skipper, was playing the host, walking toward me with a newly filled ice bucket.

“No, thanks,” I replied. “My drink’s right over here.”

As if to prove it, I walked to the spot where I had left my soda, picked it up, and swirled the liquid. Skipper’s very presence made me so nervous I didn’t dare speak for fear I would begin to babble. Unfortunately, he persisted.

“How about a little ice then,” he said, using the tongs to load up my drink with ice. Holding my tongue, I watched as he clunked square cubes into the glass I was holding in front of me.

“So what do you think of our weather here in California?” he asked. “Winnie said you just recently moved here, right?”

Actually, I hadn’t told her that. What I had said was that I had never lived in California before, implying, I guess, that I lived here now. It was the kind of half-truth that going undercover necessitated and the very reason I hated playing a role. As a Christian, lying was hard for me to rationalize, even when the ends seemed to justify the means.

“It’s certainly a beautiful day today!” I said, glancing toward the window. I was desperately trying to think of some other sort of socially acceptable patter when I was saved by the bell—or the ring, to be exact, because Skipper’s cell phone began ringing from his hip pocket.

With a smile, he thrust the ice bucket at me, extricated the phone, and turned it on.

“Skipper here,” he said amiably, winking at me as he did so.

Clutching the ice in front of me, I took a step back, wondering if I could seize the moment and get away before his conversation was finished. Unfortunately, it seemed to last all of about 15 seconds. He said, “Yep. Okay. See ya,” and then hung up the phone.

“You’ll excuse me, won’t you, Callie?” he asked smoothly, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

“Of course.”

I held the ice bucket toward him, but he didn’t take it.

“Um, could you bring that ice out to Winnie?” he asked. “I need to get something from the garage.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked down the hall. I stood there for a moment, knowing I couldn’t do as he had requested without taking a step outside myself. Instead, I passed the bucket off to someone else who was heading that way. As the door fell shut behind him, I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. I moved away from the crowd and went into the empty dining room. Holding my breath, I whipped out my phone, pushed the button, and looked at the screen. As expected, it was a text from the captain: Our guy just turned into the driveway. Give it about two minutes and then take a peek in the garage.

Okay, I texted back.

I then pocketed my phone, glanced at my watch, and waited, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. For an absurd moment, I wondered if there was any hidden firepower here, if perhaps Skipper and Winnie kept a Colt .45 tucked in the nearest flowerpot or something. Just because their crimes of theft were of a nonviolent nature didn’t mean they didn’t know how to defend themselves when push came to shove. As it was about to.

At one minute, forty-three seconds, I heard my name called from the other room. I looked through the doorway to see Clement just coming down the stairs on the other side of the kitchen. Clement, who could be in the line of fire if things went down in a nasty way. Clement, who was heading toward me with a genial smile, eager to start a chat just when it was time for me to move.

“I need a favor!” I said urgently, walking forward to meet him. “I can’t find my contact lens. I’m afraid it came out in the bathroom. Do you think you could go back up and look for me? Check all over the floor, the sink, you know.”

“Well, I’ll try, Callie,” he said, nodding his head, the tightly curled gray hair a sharp contrast to his brown skin. “But my eyesight’s not so good myself. Come up and we’ll look for it together.”

I glanced at my watch. Two and a half minutes.

“You go on up,” I said. “I’ll be there in just a bit.”

“Okay.”

“And, listen, if you can’t find it, at least stay there and guard the door until I get there. I don’t want someone else stepping on it and breaking it.”

“All right.”

He dutifully trudged back up the stairs as I slipped from the kitchen, walking toward the long side hall Skipper had gone down less than three minutes before. I reached the door of the garage at the end, put my hand on the knob, and turned it.

The door swung open to reveal Skipper and another man lifting boxes into the open trunk of a black Cadillac. Both men looked up to see me, their faces about as guilty as two boys caught dipping their fingers in the peanut butter.

In a way, that’s exactly what they were doing.

The men recovered quickly. Both put the boxes into the trunk, but the man I didn’t know turned and stepped away where I couldn’t see his face. Skipper, on the other hand, took a step toward me, putting on a wide, fake smile.

“Can I help you, Callie?” he asked.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I was looking for some more soda. Maybe root beer?”

“There’s nothing like that out here,” he replied. “Try the pantry, off the kitchen.”

“Okay, thanks,” I said, returning his fake smile before stepping back out of the garage and pulling the door shut.

I turned on my heel and walked up the hall with my heartbeat pounding loudly in my head. Despite the chatter and confusion around me, I made straight for the French doors, opened them, and stepped outside. This was my signal to the police who were in hiding on the other side of the hedge, watching the party, waiting to pounce. Once on the patio, I simply kept walking through the loud music, heading around the pool and toward the backyard.

“Callie, can I help you with something?” I heard Winnie call after me.

Suddenly, before I could reply, there were shouts and screams and the sight of at least 20 police officers descending on the partygoers on the patio. I heard the words “freeze” and “raid” and “you have the right to remain silent.” Once I finally turned around and looked at the scene, all I could do was pray that Clement was safe, that the cops had apprehended the men in the garage before anyone could do anything stupid.

I waited at the back of the yard until I saw the captain come to the kitchen door and give the “all clear” signal to the cops outside. Breathing a great big sigh of relief, I headed toward the house, allowing myself to be herded into the corner of the patio where they were sorting everyone out. Counting heads, I realized they had managed to nab almost every single person who was on the list of those who had either stolen food or accepted food they knew was stolen. The cops didn’t single me out but merely pointed me in the direction of the innocent parties, the few standing near the garden shed who hadn’t the slightest idea what was going on.

Eventually, Clement was sent out from the house to join us. I gave him a big hug, certainly much bigger than our seemingly casual acquaintance would allow. Obviously shaken, he hugged me back even tighter.

When the police told us we were free to leave, I stuck with Clement, offering to take him home. In somewhat of a daze, he accepted that offer. Sitting in the passenger seat of my rental car, he stared blankly ahead as I drove toward his house and gently tried to explain all that he had just seen.

By the time we reached his house, he was still quite shaken. He invited me inside and I accepted, eager to see him safely delivered into the arms of his wife.

She wasn’t home, however, so I insisted that he call one of his children, perhaps Trey, since I knew he lived right down the street and could be here in a matter of minutes. While we waited, I heated some water on the stove for tea and essentially made myself at home in the kitchen. The house was small but tidy, and everything was easy to find in the neatly organized cabinets. As the water began to bubble on the stove, Clement took a seat at the table, silent, his expression blank. As I was setting his tea in front of him, Trey burst through the door, concern evident on his face.

“Pop?”

Short but muscular, with his father’s coffee-colored skin and deep brown eyes, Trey was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, both of which were covered with spatters of blue.

“We were painting the baby’s room,” he added, sounding breathless, looking from me to his father. “What’s going on?”

Clement didn’t answer, so I introduced myself and tried to explain the situation as best I could. The place where Clement worked, I said, had been busted for fraud and theft. Clement was in the clear, but he had been fairly traumatized by the whole event.

“And who are you, exactly?” Trey asked, looking at me as if this were all my fault. In a way, it was.

“My name is Callie Webber,” I said, carrying over two more cups of tea and taking a seat at the table. “I’m a private investigator.”

Clement turned toward me, his face suddenly registering disbelief rather than shock.

“You’re a what? ” he asked.

“A private investigator.”

“Since when?”

“Since I was old enough to get certified in the state of Virginia,” I said. “I’m also a lawyer. I work for the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation out of Washington, DC.”

Clement shook his head, as if to shake off the confusion. Before he could launch into more questions, I continued.

“I live in Maryland now,” I explained, “and I just came to California to investigate Dinner Time on behalf of my employer. Dinner Time had requested a grant, and it’s my job to verify eligibility.”

“You don’t even live here?” Clement asked me, still incredulous. “You mean you’ve been pretending all week?”

“I’m sorry, Clement,” I said. “Sometimes that’s the only way I can really see what’s going on.”

Trey slid into the seat across from me, ignoring the tea I had put there for him.

“So what happened today?” he asked. “I’m still confused.”

“In the course of the investigation of Dinner Time, I uncovered fraud, theft, tax evasion, distribution of stolen property, you name it. I took that information to the police, only to learn that they already knew about it and that they were very close to making some arrests. We worked together on a sting operation, and today we caught most of the guilty parties red-handed.”

“I can’t believe they were stealing food,” Clement said, shaking his head sadly.

“I always told you there was something slick about that Skipper person,” Trey said to his father. “‘Skipper and Winnie,’ good grief. Sounds like a pair of Barbie dolls.”

“Will Dinner Time have to close down?” Clement asked.

“Probably,” I answered. “Even if someone were to try to keep the place up and running, I doubt it would be able to stay open for very long. Between the bad publicity and the incarcerated principals, I think it’ll soon fold. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too,” Clement said. “I’m sorry I was so blind, so stupid.”

Trey put a reassuring hand on his father’s arm.

“C’mon, Pop,” he said. “You couldn’t know. You were just doing your job.”

“Oh, yeah, my job,” Clement said. “Guess I’m out of a job now.”

“We’ll find you something,” Trey said. “Maybe Tanisha can get you on over at the grocery store.”

“I liked working at a nonprofit,” Clement said, shaking his head. “I liked feeling that my efforts were making just a little difference in the world.”

I reached into my pocket, grasping the familiar square of paper there. I pulled it out and set it on the table in front of me, still folded in half.

“I’d like to talk to you about that,” I said. “And I’m glad Trey is here, because this would involve him too.”

Both men looked at me, their faces somber.

“In the course of my investigation,” I continued, “I had to check into everybody’s background. Including yours, Clement. Your life story paints a picture of a good man, a steady reliable worker who knows the value of a dollar.”

“That’s my dad,” Trey said suspiciously. “But what are you getting at?”

“Well, I’ve watched you this week reading to the children down at the food bank, Clement. I’ve heard you talk about the benefits of reading, of being read to. I want you to think about starting a charity of your own. Something that lets you go around and give away books and have regular reading times with homeless children.”

“Like a bookmobile?” Clement asked.

“Perhaps,” I said. “Or maybe you could get some space in the recreation center or a homeless shelter or another food bank. Somewhere that you could set up a little reading corner filled with books and beanbag chairs and stuffed animals. It’s not hard to get people to donate children’s books to a charity. You could provide reading times, give the books to the children who seem to want them, encourage their parents to read with them…”

I let my voice trail off, seeing that a spark was lighting up behind Clement’s eyes.

“What do I have to do with this?” Trey asked.

“Your father told me that you’re an accountant,” I said. “Maybe you can help him get started and then keep the books for him.”

“Well, yeah, I could do that.”

“And I understand your sister is a graphic artist? Maybe she could put together some brochures and promotional materials. You’d be surprised how many resources are available, usually right at your own fingertips.”

I looked at Trey and then at Clement, surprised to see the fire quickly fading from the older man’s eyes.

“As good as our intentions may be,” he said, shaking his head, “There’s one thing standing in the way. I can’t afford it.”

I smiled, fingering the square of paper in front of me.

“Well, then let me take it a step further,” I said. “My job allows me a certain amount of leeway with small monetary grants. What would you think if I gave you a check to get started? You could get yourself incorporated as a nonprofit, file for federal tax exemption, and cover your basic start-up costs. Once you’ve got that tax exemption, I would encourage you to fill out a grant application from the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation for a much larger amount of money. We believe strongly in what you could accomplish, Clement, and we would like to have some small part in furthering your efforts.”

I sat back, thinking that in the two and a half years I had worked for the foundation, this was the first time I had to talk someone into taking our money!

“Still, I don’t see how it would work,” Trey said. “He’d need at least a thousand dollars just to get set up.”

“How does five thousand sound?” I asked, unfolding the check and handing it to them. It was already made out to Clement Jackson, who picked it up and studied it as if it were a ticket to somewhere important. “And, like I said, once you’ve got that tax exemption and your policies and procedures in place, you can apply to us for more. I have a feeling we’ll be very generous as long as you can show you’ve got a good business plan.”

The two men looked at each other and grinned, and not for the first time I wished my boss, Tom, the philanthropist behind all J.O.S.H.U.A. grants, could be here to witness their joy. Tom was half a world away right now, and though later I would recount this entire scene for him over the phone, it still made me sad that he wasn’t here experiencing it for himself.

Then again, he never was. Tom always donated anonymously through the foundation and then enjoyed the moment of presentation vicariously through me. I was happy to recreate every word, every detail, but I had never understood why he chose to remain so removed from the whole process.

Of course, he and I talked frequently during every investigation, and in fact it was the time we spent on the phone that had allowed us to become friends and then eventually something much more than friends. Four months ago, after several years of a phone-only relationship, Tom and I had finally been able to meet face-to-face.

At the time, he had been out of the country for his work, but he had surprised me by flying back to the States and showing up at my home. We had spent exactly 12 hours together—12 amazing hours that I had relived again and again in my memories ever since—and then he had to leave, returning to Singapore and the urgent business that awaited him.

Now, four months later, Tom was still in Singapore, though his business there was quickly drawing to a close and soon he would be coming home for good. His home was in California and mine was in Maryland, but our plan was to meet somewhere between the two in exactly seven days at some quiet place where we would finally, finally be able to spend some real quality time together—time getting to know each other even better, time exploring the possibilities of a relationship that had gone from friendship to something much more in the space of one 12-hour visit. I was already counting the minutes until we could be together again, knowing that once he returned, a new chapter in my life would begin in earnest. Tom was handling the logistics of our reunion, and my primary concern was to wrap up my next investigation by the following Sunday, because I didn’t want work or anything else to detract from the time we were going to spend together.

Clement spoke, snapping me out of my thoughts and back to the moment at hand.

“I’ve been praying for something like this for quite a while,” he was saying, looking at his son, and I realized there were tears in his eyes. “For so long,” he repeated, blinking. “I didn’t think the Lord was hearing me. But He was. Because He sent me an angel.”

I held up one hand to stop him, emotion surging in my heart as well.

“Now, don’t—”

“I’m not kidding, girl. You are an angel. A very generous angel.”

“So you’ll take the money and start your own charity?” I asked.

“Oh, thank You, Lord,” he said, grinning up toward the ceiling. Then he looked back at me. “Yes, Callie. Yes. Most definitely yes.”

Here is my review of this amazing mystery:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Mindy Starns Clark and her publisher for sending me a copy of "A Dime A Dozen" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Incredible writing takes the reader deep into the the lush, green Great Smoky Mountains. In Mindy Starns Clark's "A Dime A Dozen", the mystery of a disappearing husband and a discovered body is peppered with romance between Callie Webber and her mysterious boss. The twists and turns in this Million Dollar Mystery are beautifully crafted and take the reader on a journey as winding as the Smoky Mountain roads, themselves.

This amazing read transported me back to a place I loved to visit as a child and gave me several nights of armchair suspense as the mystery unfolded in my hands. With likable characters that will have you second-guessing your armchair sleuthing, this is a terrific weekend read!

A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes

2011-10-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entrée into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?

Discover a world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past--and let love guide the future.

Endorsements
"With her clean, sleek prose, Laurie Alice Eakes is one of the best storytellers the world has today. A Necessary Deception is one of her best, deftly weaving an intriguing spy chase with the elegant life of the ton in a beautiful love story that kidnaps unwitting readers and holds them hostage to the very last page."--Delle Jacobs, award-winning author of His Majesty, the Prince of Toads

"In A Necessary Deception, Laurie Alice Eakes weaves the fine silk threads of historical richness, dangerous intrigue, and forbidden romance into a flawless literary tapestry. This is Georgette Heyer meets Terri Blackstock in 1812 Regency London, an adventure that will leave readers breathless."--Louise M. Gouge, award-winning author of At the Captain's Command

"Laurie Alice Eakes writes a page-turning story with an in-depth knowledge of the period, an eye for detail, and an escalating mystery that will keep readers guessing till the end."--Ruth Axtell Morren, author of Wild Rose and The Rogue's Redemption

"Intriguing, suspenseful, masterful, and romantic--all the things you want in a great book! Add to that enchanting characters with real problems and real flaws who grow throughout the story, and a twist-and-turn plot, and I guarantee that once you dive into this book, you'll be happily lost in Regency London for the duration."--MaryLu Tyndall, Christy Award nominee and author of the Surrender to Destiny series

"Laurie Alice Eakes's novel is a captivating combination of romance and suspense set in the glittering Regency period."--Jane Myers Perrine, author of Second Chance Bride

"A Necessary Deception will lure you into a fascinating Regency full of danger, surprises, and a romance to quicken your pulse."--Jillian Kent, author of Secrets of the Heart

"A time of romance and intrigue with characters who grip one's heart and won't let go--this is the kind of book I look forward to reading when I want to be uplifted and carried away."--Jennifer Hudson Taylor, author of Highland Blessings and Highland Sanctuary

Here is my review of this rich and entertaining read:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Laurie Alice Eakes and her publisher for sending me a copy of "A Necessary Deception" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“A Necessary Deception” is my first literary encounter with Laurie Alice Eakes and it will not be my last. The elegance in the prose takes me back to classic literature. The suspense and intrigue is worthy of the best spy novels. The characters are not contrived, but bear subtle elements of realism, making them appear to move across the pages of this engaging novel.

When Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner, Christophe Arnaud, obtain parole from Dartmoor Prison in England during the War of 1812, she never dreams that this seemingly innocent act is about to impact her life in frightening and powerful ways. Now she finds herself submerged in an intricate plot of treason and espionage within London Society while she tries to protect herself and her family. Meanwhile, a forbidden love is blossoming between Lydia and the former prisoner who now goes by the name Christien. “A Necessary Deception” will influence the reader to turn pages well into the night to learn if Lady Lydia’s suitor is truly friend or foe. The intricate, winding plotlines are beautifully crafted and addressed throughout the novel and leave the reader satisfied and wanting more from this gifted author.

Bible Study: The Acts of the Holy Spirit - A Study of the book of Acts (Chapter 1)

2011-10-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 1 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

Author is believed to be Luke – companion of Paul, physician, author of the gospel of Luke. Possibly written in AD 63 since the author is silent about significant events such as the burning of Rome and persecution of Christians in AD 64, the martyrdom of Peter and Paul in AD 67 (?), the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, and the outcome of Paul’s trial. But could have been written in AD 70 or later. (NIVSB)

A disciple assimilates what he learns as part of himself. Are we merely believers? Or believing disciples of Christ?

God can prune through His Word. This is easier and less painful for us than being pruned through circumstances. God MUST work in us before He can work through us! Rejoice in God’s plan – whatever it is!

Luke and Acts each cover about 33 years.

Some scholars call this book the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit unites. If we seek Him in the Spirit, we’ll be in agreement. The same Spirit won’t lead us in different directions.

ALL of the apostles gave up their lives for Jesus – 11 to the death.

1:1 – Theophilus – “one who loves God” – may have been a Roman official and/or a publisher for Luke’s book.

teach – to influence understanding aimed at shaping the will of the student.

1:2 – giving instructions – more than a decree.

1:3 – convincing proofs – some translations say infallible proofs.

1:4-8 – We need power. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)

1:4 – promised – immersed, submerged, overwhelmed.

We need the Holy Spirit’s power to accomplish God’s plan for our lives and the great commission of sharing the gospel with others.

1:5 – believers now receive the Holy Spirit (and are baptized by Him) at the moment of conversion. See 1 Corinthians 12:12-13.

1:6 – see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; 1 Corinthians 12:13.

1:7 – times – physical time.

Dates – quality.

1:8 – what does a witness do? He tells what he has seen or what he knows.

1:10 – are these the same two angels who guarded Christ’s body before He was resurrected?

1:15 – There were about 120 believers together in that place. What is about to happen is the birth of the NT church. Each of these 120 believers would soon have a tongue of fire above their head, making this room light up and look like a huge birthday cake with each believer representing a candle!

1:20 – may his place be deserted… - Peter doesn’t quote Psalm 69:25 perfectly. We don’t need to get it perfect! According to verse 8, our job is to be a witness for Christ! What does a witness do? See notes for verse 8.

1:21 – the two candidates had been with Christ the whole time.

• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

Autumn Song by Martha Rogers

2011-10-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Martha Rogers

and the book:

Autumn Song (Seasons of the Heart)

Realms (October 4, 2011)

***Special thanks to Kim Jones | Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House | Charisma Media for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Martha Rogers is the author of Becoming Lucy; Morning for Dove; Finding Becky; Caroline’s Choice; Not on the Menu, a part of a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y’Barbo; and River Walk Christmas, a novella collection with Beth Goddard, Lynette Sowell, and Kathleen Y’Barbo. A former schoolteacher and English instructor, she has a master’s degree in education and lives with her husband in Houston, Texas.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Why does everyone think a girl’s only lot in life is to find a husband and settle down?
Kathleen Muldoon is twenty-three and tired of ranch living. Fiercely independent and determined to become a nurse, she has left her family’s ranch to study medicine under Old Doc Jensen and live in town with her Aunt Mae, who runs a boardinghouse.

Daniel Monroe has just arrived in Porterfield to set up his law practice. Sparks fly when he is introduced to Kate at the boardinghouse, but the initial attraction quickly dissolves into an argument—the first of many. Daniel is enamored with Kate but uncomfortable with her independent spirit and dreams of becoming a nurse.

When trouble erupts between the ranchers and lumberjacks over timber rights, Kate is furious to learn that Daniel has worked out an agreement she believes will destroy her father’s land. Can they overcome their pride and help each other become everything God wants them to be?
Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Realms (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616384573
ISBN-13: 978-1616384579

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

August 1889

Kate Muldoon, I simply can’t understand why you haven’t found yourself a husband among all the eligible men in this town.” Sarah picked up a book from the bedside table in Kate’s room. “You’re twenty-three now, and hiding yourself away to read and study all the time will not help you find the right man.”

Kate grabbed the book from her sister-in-law, who had wandered into her room for a chat. As usual, the talk had turned to men. “I don’t need a man,” Kate declared.

“How can you say that?” Sarah gasped.

Kate shook her head. Marriage and family ranked last in the things she wanted out of life right now. Kate fought against the swelling tide of anger that had landed her in trouble on more than one occasion. Why did everyone think a woman’s only role was that of a wife and mother? Sarah meant well, but then she loved living on a ranch and taking care of her husband Donavan Muldoon. Sarah believed everyone should be in love, as did her other sisters-in-law.

Once again Kate tried to explain. “Sarah, I do not intend to marry a rancher or anyone connected with cattle. I was born on a ranch, grew up on a ranch, and have lived around cattle and horses all my life so far, and I don’t plan on spending the rest of it on one.” Despite her love of horses and riding, the ranch held no pull or fascination for her as it once did when she was younger. Kate hugged her textbook to her chest. “Why do you think I’ve studied everything about Florence Nightingale and nursing and moved into town to help Aunt Mae?”
Sarah waved her hand airily, dismissing Kate’s plans. “I don’t know about that, but I do know Auntie Mae’s boardinghouse is full of men who are not ranchers. Why, there’s my cousin Seth who just moved out here to pastor our church, and then there’s Doc Jensen’s nephew who came to town to assist his uncle with the infirmary. They’re both unattached. Sometimes I think you’re just too picky.”

Picky wasn’t exactly the word Kate would choose, but preachers and doctors held no interest for her other than as people she could work with. She did enjoy working with Doc Jensen and his nephew, Elliot Jensen, but they were teaching her to be a nurse. Besides, Elliot wasn’t really a friendly sort even if he did have an excellent bedside manner with his patients.
Kate sighed. Her sister-in-law was raised in an upperclass family in Boston, where the entire focus of her life in the last few years had been on her whirlwind romance, marriage to Donavan, then moving to Texas and having Jeremy. How could she possibly understand Kate’s dreams? “I’m learning all I can about nursing and treatments so I can work more with Doctor Jensen,” she explained with as much patience as she

could muster. “He lets me help with some of the lighter cases and says I’m getting good at recognizing symptoms. Besides, I was thinking that the preacher would make a wonderful match for Erin.”

Sarah brightened at the thought. “That might not be a bad idea now that she is of marrying age. Erin would be a good wife for Seth and a good mother for their little ones. She loves little Jeremy and has been a big help to me in taking care of him.” She turned to leave. “I’ll look for you Sunday at church and then afterward for dinner out at the ranch. Now I need to rescue Auntie Mae from Jeremy.”

As if Aunt Mae needed rescuing. Kate waved her hand in the air to say good-bye. Dinner with the Muldoon clan meant much food and lots of laughter, but it also meant another boring afternoon listening to talk of cattle drives and auctions and horses by the men, and talk of babies and mothering by the women—none of which held any interest whatsoever for Kate.
Three older brothers—Brody, Donavan, and Ian—had ranches of their own, and that’s all they talked about. The fourth older brother, Cory, had his sights set on being a lawman and had moved into town to be a deputy for Marshal Slade. Erin, the baby of the family, still lived on the ranch. She’d just turned nineteen and was by far the prettiest of the Muldoon clan.
Kate welcomed Cory’s company and his presence at the boardinghouse. At least he wasn’t interested in finding a bride, and he didn’t pester her about finding a mate. He had his sights set on being a marshal himself one day and figured that job too dangerous to take a wife. Kate snorted. So it was OK

for a man to be unmarried and pursue his dreams, but not a woman.
She laid aside her book and sauntered down to the hallway to find the mail from Aunt Mae’s boarders. One of her jobs at Aunt Mae’s included taking care of the mail. With a start, she realized she’d have to hurry to get there before the afternoon train arrived.

One afternoon train from the west would be picking up mail headed for the East Coast. An earlier train had dropped off its delivery, and that mail waited for her now at the post office. Ever since the railroads had been completed, Kate had seen more men coming to town to work the ranches around the area as well as find their own land and start farming or ranching. All the land around Porterfield belonged to ranchers

and farmers, but in a state as big as Texas, there seemed to be plenty of land to go around.

She donned her wide-brimmed straw hat to ward off the sun’s rays and hurried out to complete her task. The Grayson General Store and Post Office beckoned her to hurry. The train would be here any minute. Her feet kicked up puffs of dust as she walked. Her shoes would need a good cleaning later, but she didn’t mind as she enjoyed the four-block walk to the general store that housed the post office.

When Kate stepped into the store, the balding proprietor grinned and tilted his head. “Is that mail from the boarders at your aunt’s house?”

Kate plopped the letters on the counter along with coins

for stamps. “Yes, it is.”

Mr. Grayson affixed a two-penny stamp to each envelope. “How many boarders are there now?”

Kate closed her eyes to vision the count. “Counting Cory and me, there’s eight. All but one of the rooms is filled, and Aunt Mae is happy as a lark. For some reason, men come to this town, like it, and stay.”
Mrs. Grayson joined her husband. Her blue eyes sparkled as she gazed at Kate. “And when are you going to choose one of these men here for your own?”
Heat rose in Kate’s cheeks. Everyone thought they had to ask that question. “I don’t plan on marrying anytime soon. I’m studying to be a nurse, and besides, who’d help Aunt Mae take care of the house and all the meals if I wasn’t around?”

The plump, rosy-cheeked Mrs. Grayson laughed. “She’d do fine without you, and I’ve seen how Mr. Fuller over at the bank looks at her. Wouldn’t surprise me if she takes a husband one of these days.”
“That’s hard for me to imagine.” The very idea of her aunt with another man after the love she shared with Uncle Patrick caused Kate’s insides to quiver like the branches of a justfelled tree. Aunt Mae did have a few of the men, including Mr. Fuller, looking her way, but she paid them no mind. If Aunt Mae did decide to marry, Kate wouldn’t interfere, but she’d have no part in bringing about that possibility.
As soon as Mr. Grayson dropped the envelopes into the outgoing mail bag, he headed outside and toward the depot. Mrs. Grayson handed her mail from the boardinghouse box. “Thank you.” Kate slid the envelopes into her pocket and wiggled her fingers at Mrs. Grayson. “Bye, now. It’s time to get things started for dinner at Aunt Mae’s.”
On her way back to the boardinghouse, the idea of Aunt Mae marrying danced through her head. Would Aunt Mae give up running the boardinghouse if she married? Kate knew how much her aunt loved visiting with the boarders and preparing their meals. It was impossible to think of her ever leaving the place. Certainly she had found her calling, and for once in this town it didn’t focus only on being a wife and keeping house! Still, when Uncle Patrick was alive, Aunt Mae had combined being a wife and managing all those boarders without much trouble. Perhaps Kate could do the same sometime in the far distant

future.
Daniel Monroe finished his letter and sealed it in an envelope. In a few days he’d leave for the greatest adventure of his life, and he wanted Seth to know when to expect him. He reread the post from his friend telling him that the mayor was more than willing for Daniel to come to Porterfield, Texas, and practice

law as they had no lawyers in the town. If lawyers were needed in Porterfield, then that’s where he’d head.

Seth Winston had gone to Texas last year to pastor the church where his cousin Sarah and her family were members. The idea of going to Porterfield had grown more appealing as Seth had described it when he’d returned to Briar Ridge for his sister Rachel’s wedding this past spring. True, Texas was a long way from Connecticut, but images of the untamed West and all the adventures Daniel could have outweighed the

distance.
He envisioned cowboys, gunfights, saloon brawls, and train robberies. The tales he’d heard about Texas rolled through his mind in an endless stream of pictures. All the action and excitement sounded much better than the quiet town of Briar Ridge where he spent most of his time writing wills and taking care of legal documents for land sales or contracts for service. He’d already reassigned all his clients to other lawyers in

Briar Ridge, and none had truly complained, which only served to emphasize the fact that he wasn’t really needed here. Daniel cleaned out his desk and put it all in a box to carry home. He planned to have the desk, a gift from his parents, shipped to Texas with him. Now all he had to do was purchase his train ticket and say good-bye to family and friends. Since his parents, especially his mother, didn’t approve the move, he didn’t expect a going-away party.

Father seemed on the verge of understanding Daniel’s desire to travel to new frontiers and make a life for himself. Mother, on the other hand, wouldn’t and couldn’t accept the fact that her only son wanted to leave home and move thousands of miles away. His sister, Abigail, would hardly speak to him, but that did not keep Daniel from making arrangements to leave. After his twenty-fifth birthday last month, the desire

for a change came over him, and Texas seemed the best place to do just that.
On the way home he stopped at the depot and purchased a ticket that would begin his trip. He’d have stops in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Dallas before the last leg of the journey to Porterfield.
The ticket agent handed Daniel his passage. “That’s a mighty long trip. I take it you’re heading out West to join Seth Winston. I can see the need for a preacher out west, but what’s a fancy lawyer like yourself going to do there?”

Daniel laughed. His mother had asked the same question. “Not sure, but I hope to help tame some outlaws.” How he’d do that he had no idea, but it sounded good when he said it.

“Well, now, just don’t go and get yourself shot by one of ’em.”
“I don’t plan to, Mr. Colley.” He tipped his hat and walked back out to his rig. At least he knew how to ride a horse well. With all his many long trips to Hartford by horseback, he figured he’d have no trouble riding in Texas. The rig today was simply a convenience for carting home his personal belongings from his office. Tomorrow the desk would be crated and shipped westward.

He entered the foyer of the comfortable, two-story home he still shared with his family. At his age, many other men had places of their own, but Ellie’s cooking and the free lodging had tempted him to stay.
After handing over his hat to Stevens the butler, Daniel turned toward the voices he heard in the drawing room on his left. He knocked then pushed open the doors. “Good evening, Mother, Father.”

His mother stood and hurried to him. She wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, Daniel, please tell me you’ve changed your mind and are staying in Briar Ridge. I can’t bear for you to leave us.”

He patted her back and glanced at his father, who simply lifted his gray bushy eyebrows and shrugged. He turned back to his mother. “I’m sorry you feel this way, Mother, but I purchased my train ticket on the way home this evening and will leave the beginning of next week.”
She pushed away from him and held a handkerchief to her nose. “I simply can’t believe it. I don’t understand why you have to go all the way to Texas to practice law. New Haven and Hartford are much closer. Why, even Boston would be better than way out West.”

“We have a multitude of fine barristers in the cities here in the East. As I’ve said many times, this will give me the opportunity to travel and see what is happening in the rest of our great country.” No matter how many times he explained, his mother would never truly understand his desire to move on. She had grown up in this town, as had his father, and she would never leave it or her beautiful home.
Stevens appeared in the doorway. “Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, dinner is served.”
Mother hooked her hand into Daniel’s arm. “Thank you, Stevens. Tell Ellie we’ll be right in.” She patted Daniel’s hand now resting on hers. Although she held her head high, he noted the slight tremor in her voice as she spoke. “I had Ellie prepare your favorite meal tonight. She’ll be serving all your favorites until your departure.” She swallowed hard as she walked beside Daniel into the dining room.
Daniel’s younger sister, Abigail, bounded down the stairs but stopped short when she saw her parents and Daniel. Her next steps were much more sedate. “Good evening, Daniel. I didn’t know you were home.”

Father waited to escort her into dinner. “And what is your great hurry, my dear girl? Is Ellie’s food that tempting?”

“No, Father, I’m just happy about my trip to see Rachel and Nathan in Hartford next week. I haven’t seen her since the wedding, and I’m anxious to visit and talk with her.”

Daniel assisted his mother in her chair at the table. “I’m sure you two will have much to talk about. What’s it been? Two, three months since the wedding?”
She turned to glare at him. A month ago she wouldn’t have minded the teasing, but since his decision to leave, she had been less than sisterly. “Three, if you must count, but it may as well be three years.” Abigail dismissed him and turned to her mother. “I truly miss having Rachel here in Briar Ridge.”

Father held her chair while she seated herself. He bent and brushed his lips across her hair. “Then I’m glad you will have this chance to visit Rachel in Hartford.”

After his father said grace, Ellie brought in a platter emanating the most delicious aroma. His favorite roast beef as Mother had promised. Along with it came perfectly creamed potatoes, buttered asparagus, carrots, fresh baked bread, and his favorite sweet pickles. “What, no soup tonight?”

Mother pressed her lips together. “You said you didn’t care for soup at every meal, and since this is your meal, we skipped it.”

“Thank you, I prefer to fill up on the main course and not the first one.” He glanced over at Abigail, who scrunched up her nose as the asparagus was passed to her. “Not to worry, dear sister, after I’m on my way to Texas, you won’t have to worry about asparagus. Ellie only cooks it because she knows how much I like it.”

“Humph, that will be one good aspect of your leaving.” She placed two stalks on her plate and handed the bowl to their father.

As his parents began discussing their day, he noted the total lack of reference to his leaving the coming Monday. His mother believed if she ignored it, that perhaps it wouldn’t really happen. Father cast a wistful eye Daniel’s way a few times, as though he wanted to talk with his son. Perhaps after dinner he and Father could have a conversation.
Daniel gazed around at the opulent surroundings. Sparkling crystal, fine china, silver cutlery, and damask table cloth and napkins reminded him of his parent’s wealth. He would find nothing like this in Texas.
Then he glanced again at his mother and swallowed a lump in his throat along with a bite of potato. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he could see in her face and the way she only moved the food around her plate without actually eating it that he had done just that.

How could he make her understand his desire to move away and seek a new life? Somehow between now and Monday he must convince her that God had called him to the frontier. He had spent many hours in prayer over this move, and now he gladly embraced the future and all it held in the grand state of Texas.

Here is my review of this entertaining and encouraging novel:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Martha Rogers and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Autumn Song" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Martha Rogers' second book in the Seasons of the Heart Series, "Autumn Song", is the story of 23-year old Kate Muldoon. She is independant and full of determination not to be a ranch wife. She wants to put that life behind her and become a nurse. So she moves to Porterfield, Texas to study medicine and live with her Aunt.

Daniel Monroe has also just relocated to Porterfield to hang his shingle as the town lawyer. Sparks fly between the two and issues of what Kate wants from life conflict with growing feelings for Daniel. Then issues of family loyalty come between Daniel and Kate. Will Kate have to give up her dreams to become the woman God intends her to be?

Martha Rogers' beautifully written prose takes the reader straight to late 1880s Texas! Her lessons about how our dreams can change as God changes our hearts are valuable and peppered throughout the story that is easily read as a stand-alone novel.

The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller

2011-10-10T00:22:00.000-07:00

Her heart seeks sanctuary in the deep woods. But will trouble find her even here?

The Civil War has ended, but in Katie Calloway's Georgia home, conflict still rages. To protect herself and her young brother from her violent and unstable husband, she flees north, finding anonymity and sanctuary as the cook in a north woods lumber camp. The camp owner, Robert Foster, wonders if the lovely woman he's hired has the grit to survive the never-ending work and harsh conditions of a remote pine forest in winter. Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from a man she is slowly growing to love.

With grace and skill, Serena Miller brings to life a bygone era. From the ethereal, snowy forest and the rowdy shanty boys to the warm cookstove and mouth-watering apple pie, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting you to a time of danger and romance.

Endorsements
"With fascinating historical detail and heartfelt characters, The Measure of Katie Calloway captivated me from the very first line. Great storytelling, coupled with a unique north woods setting, will carry your heart from one vivid scene to the next. Miller writes the kind of rich historical fiction I love--with a plethora of romantic twists and turns to keep you reading far into the night. Not to be missed!"--Laura Frantz, author of The Colonel's Lady

"Serena Miller's charming characters leap off the pages and straight into your heart, and her setting feels so real you'll wonder why you don't hear trees falling in the forest and bacon sizzling on the woodstove."--Emilie Richards, author of Sunset Bridge

"Fascinating history. Fabulous characters. The Measure of Katie Calloway is a fast-paced story with a generous measure of romance that will have readers cheering on Katie Calloway as she conquers one trial after another. If you like stepping back in time and sharing an adventure with great characters, this is the book for you."--Ann H. Gabhart, author of Angel Sister

Here is my review of this incredible historical romance:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Serena Miller and her publisher for sending me a copy of "The Measure of Katie Calloway" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Has Katie Calloway gone from the frying pan into the fire? Fleeing from an abusive husband who wants her dead, she abandons her post-Civil War Georgia home as quickly as her battered body can carry her. She heads north to a lumber camp owned by Robert Forster, an honorable man with whom Katie could easily fall in love if she hadn't sworn off men and wasn't still someone's wife!

"The Measure of Katie Calloway" is a beautifully engaging novel by Serena Miller. The characters have dimension and the locations come to life in the mind's eye. Miller also addressed important life lessons about fleeing abusive relationships and not permitting your past to hold you captive by keeping secrets. This is a wonderful read that will quickly pass a weekend.

Hello, Hollywood! by Janice Thompson

2011-10-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

When it comes to love, one thing's for sure--it doesn't follow a script!

Athena Pappas is the head writer on Stars Collide, one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. But when Vegas comedian Stephen Cosse is brought in to beef up the show's suddenly sagging ratings, she starts to worry about her job. Sparks fly as the competition--and attraction--between the two writers heats up. Athena has never had a problem writing the romances of her characters. So why is her own love life so hard to script?

With humor and a Hollywood-insider viewpoint, Hello, Hollywood! delivers lots of laughs as Athena and Stephen discover that not being in control of the plot of their lives might just be the best thing that ever happened to them.

Here is my review of this entertaining read:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Janice Thompson and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Hello, Hollywood!" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Janice Thomson’s “Hello, Hollywood” is book #2 in her charming Backstage Pass series chronicling the lives of those involved in making a hit sitcom. This novel showcases the writers of Stars Collide, the hit show that has dropped a bit in its ratings. When the producers bring on another writer, the rest of the staff feels that this may be how one of them is going to be replaced.

Athena Pappas, head writer on the television sitcom is thinking she might be out of a job when former Las Vegas standup comedian, Stephen Cosse, is hired as a writer on the show. But when this Adonis-like man proves to be not only handsome but also talented and have other things in common with Athena, it appears that she won’t be losing her job, but her heart.

This incredibly entertaining novel is a charming romantic comedy from the gifted author of the “Weddings by Bella” series.

Bible Study: Battling For Perseverance In The Faith - Jude - Verses 18-25

2011-10-07T00:04:00.000-07:00

Bible Study: Battling For Perseverance In The Faith - Jude - verses 8-17

2011-09-30T00:57:00.000-07:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Jude. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, early 2009, things are looking pretty bleak with the economy and unemployment among other things. Natural disasters are happening – volcanic eruptions in Alaska and rising flood waters in North Dakota. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. Stay strong. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor the book of Jude again. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

8 – In the same way, these “dreamers” (as people at that time referred to godless men) mistreated their bodies (name ways). They rejected authority (anarchy, dissention). They talk bad about celestial beings (God, angels, church leaders, preachers).

BATTLE: Unreliable leaders. How do we combat this? First, pray for your leaders. Second, protect yourself from being misled by testing everything a leader tells you against the Word of God!

9 – This is a powerful statement.

The archangel Michael is one of the chief princes according to Daniel 10:13. He is the great prince who protects “your people” (the Jews) according to Daniel 12:1. He is the angelic warrior who commands angels according to Revelation 12:7. His voice will be heard before Christ returns. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

Why would Michael dispute with the devil over Moses’ body? God, Himself, buried Moses and no one knows where. Deuteronomy 34:5-6. If the devil learned the whereabouts of Moses’ bones, don’t you think he would make sure they were found and identified and worshiped as an idol?

BATTLE: Spiritual warfare. Although we learned earlier that angels have certain authority, Michael didn’t bring slanderous accusation against the devil. He said, “The Lord rebuke you.” We would be wise to do the same.

10 – The godless men who have infiltrated Christian circles speak blasphemy against what they don’t understand (2 Peter 2:12). Their animal instincts lead to their demise because they know they’re on a path to eternal destruction.

BATTLE: Blasphemy. Lack of Understanding. Have you ever pretended to know more about a topic than you actually did just so people would listen to your expert opinion? I certainly have. Stop this practice, now. And test everything you hear or read against the Word of God! Memorize it so you know it.

11 – These ungodly men take the way of Cain, which is evil (1 John 3:12), not approaching God as He demands, not giving the best to God, murderous (Genesis 4:3-8). They rushed for profit to Balaam’s error, which was loving the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15). Balaam wanted to curse Israel and take money from Balak (Numbers 22-24). They were destroyed by Korah’s rebellion. In Numbers 16, Korah led a rebellion against Moses that led to the Lord opening the earth and swallowing him and the other rebels.

BATTLE: Taking shortcuts. Doing things our way, not God’s. Are you motivated by money, power or jealousy? Pray fervently to break the hold these things have on you. Let Jesus be your motivation in all things.

12 – 2 Peter 2:13 says blemishes revel in pleasure, carousing in broad daylight. 1 Corinthians 11:20-21 says these godless people don’t gather for the Lord’s supper. They overindulge and don’t see that everyone is served, like the shepherds who feed only themselves – seeing to their own needs, but no one else’s.

BATTLE: Self-serving. Over-indulgent. Go out of your way to serve others. Practice random acts of kindness. What ideas can you come up with to be less selfish.

Who are the shepherds who don’t care for their flocks? Preachers. Ezekiel 34:8-10 says the shepherds didn’t protect the flock, so the flock became prey for wild animals. But God will rescue the flock and hold the shepherd responsible.

Clouds without rain are like a man who boasts about gifts he doesn’t give according to Proverbs 25:14. 2 Peter 2:17 says that the blackest darkness is reserved for them.

Blown away by the wind of false teaching and cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming, says Ephesians 4:14.

Trees without fruit and uprooted refers to Matthew 15:13 that says every plant that my Heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

Twice dead – in this life (mortality) and the next (eternity).

13 – wild waves of the sea – Isaiah 57:20 – the wicked are like the tossing sea that cannot rest.

BATTLE: Recklessness. Lack of discipline. Start with daily Bible reading, routine prayer time, memorizing scripture. Go for prayer walks. Just be with the Lord everyday. Schedule the time if you must.

Foaming up their shame – Philippians 3:19 says their glory is their shame. Their best will be an embarrassment.

Blackest darkness – see v. 12

14 – Enoch was 7th in Adam’s lineage according to Genesis 5:18. He was the father of Methuselah (Genesis 5:21). He walked with God for 300 years (Genesis 5:22). He was no more because God took him away (Genesis 5:24). Apparently, he walked with God as a prophet, and prophesied about the counterfeit Christians that the Lord is coming with 1000s of angels to judge.

15 – Jesus is coming with His angels to judge everyone (Daniel 7:9-10) and to convict the ungodly’s actions and words.

16 – The Israelites were notorious grumblers. See Exodus 15:24; 16:2; 17:3; Numbers 16. The consequences of grumbling are horrible. See Numbers 14:27-35 and take notice that even after this event, they grumbled again…

faultfinders – follow evil desires – boastful – flatter others for their own advantage.

BATTLE: Grumbling. Complaining. Look for Christ’s fingerprints everywhere. Praise Him when you least feel like it. Thank Him for the good things and the bad. Pray He will empower you to do His will and reveal His will clearly.

17 – What did the apostles foretell? We’ll look at that in verse 18.

The way this verse is phrased would indicate that Jude was not one of the apostles, but rather the brother of Jesus Christ.

• The book of Jude teaches much about how to protect yourself and others in the battle to keep and build our faith. What have you learned about how to guard your heart or the heart of others today?
• What attributes of God do you see in this chapter?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

REVIEW: Setting Boundaries with Difficult People by Allison Bottke

2011-09-27T11:12:00.001-07:00

Here is my review of this amazing self-help book:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Allison Bottke and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Setting Boundaries with Difficult People" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“Setting Boundaries with Difficult People: Six Steps to SANITY for Challenging Relationships” by Allison Bottke is a MUST HAVE guide for any human being who is not a hermit! There are so many things I ADORE about this book. First and foremost, it doesn’t encourage the reader to point fingers. Rather, you are persuaded to look in the mirror to resolve conflict. Hallelujah! The remaining five steps to SANITY are equally as challenging, yet completely do-able, and they will change your life – GUARANTEED!

Another thing that I love about this book is that it leads the reader to yield to God. The world would be a much different place if we would do that regularly. I keep a copy of this book at work. It provides the little extra inspiration I need to get through some frustrating circumstances, reminding me of the steps I must take to maintain my own SANITY.

Heiress by Susan May Warren

2011-09-24T00:53:00.000-07:00

About the book: Heiress

They can buy anything they want—fame, power, beauty, even loyalty.

But they can’t buy love.

The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it—will she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of the New York gilded society? What price will each woman pay for being an heiress?

Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, two women discover that being an heiress just might cost them everything they love.

Read an excerpt here.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia , Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota ’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota , where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

Check out these other blog tour reviews.

Here's my review of this amazing novel:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Susan May Warren and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Heiress" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

In her latest novel, “Heiress”, Susan May Warren whisks her audience immediately into the lifestyle of two high society debutantes at the end of the 19th century. Elegance and propriety drip from the opening pages of this story about the daughters of a New York newspaper magnate. Esme and Jinx Price have very different ideas about what their dream lives would look like.

Jinx, the youngest sister, desires a family and a household to manage within the New York high society she knows. Sadly, she cannot hope to marry until her older sister, Esme, is settled down with the right man. Unfortunately for Jinx, Esme dreams of being a published author rather than a dutiful society wife. This engaging story has it all: romance, betrayal, wealth and adventure.

I cannot wait for the release of “Baroness”, book two in the Daughters of Fortune series.

Bible Study: Battling For Perseverance In The Faith - Jude - Verses 1-7

2011-09-23T00:48:00.000-07:00

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Jude. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, early 2009, things are looking pretty bleak with the economy and unemployment among other things. Natural disasters are happening – volcanic eruptions in Alaska and rising flood waters in North Dakota. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. Stay strong. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…

Stacey

Take a few minutes to pray and savor the book of Jude. It’s only one chapter. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…

We're going to take three weeks to study this crucial new testament letter. So really savor it.

I’ve titled our study of Jude “Battling for Perseverance in the Faith”. You will notice that there are several specific things Jude mentions that we will have to contend with as Christians. Some battles that I mention are not specific warnings, but rather things I noticed while reading scripture that simply struck a chord with me, personally, so I mentioned them in the event that you may struggle with the same things.

1 – Jude is believed to be either Judas, the brother of Christ or Judas the disciple (not Iscariot). Matthew 13:55 says Jesus had a brother names James and a brother named Judas. He also had brothers named Simon and Joseph. Since Jude doesn’t claim to be an apostle (see v.17), it is likely that he was Jesus’ brother. According to Mark 3:21, Jesus’ own family said He was out of His mind. John 7:5 says that Jesus’ brothers didn’t believe in Him. Therefore, Jude wasn’t initially a follower of Christ. But Jesus’ death and resurrection changed them just as it changed you, me and the world! In Acts 1:14, the Bible tells us that Jesus’ brothers joined the apostles constantly in prayer which is an indication that they had come to follow Him. I hope they didn’t spend too much time brooding over all they missed out on by not following Him sooner.

This letter is addressed to those who have been called to belong to Christ. See Romans 1:6-7. What does that mean? He is writing to Christians and those who are destined to be Christians. Since Jude’s primary message in this letter is warn Christians at all stages of development about the infiltration of counterfeit Christians into their circles, this makes total sense.

BATTLE: His name. Notice that the title of the book is Jude, not Judas. Can you imagine the stigma attached to the name “Judas” after Jesus’ betrayal at the hands of one of those closest to Him with the same name? If the author is Christ’s brother as scholars believe, I wouldn’t blame Jude for going by a nickname – possibly even what Christ Himself called His brother when they were growing up together.

Have you ever struggled with your own name? I don’t mean to ask if you’ve ever liked your name. How did you overcome? Let me help with this: the Lord has a new name for you. He will present it to you when you join Him for eternity. And I promise you, that name will be the most beautiful name you’ve ever heard – except for the name Jesus, of course.

2 – Jude prays an abundance of love and grace upon those who belong to Christ.

BATTLE GEAR: Love and grace. They are like armor. They help us to persevere. Just remember that we are at war spiritually and must put on the armor of God. Read Ephesians 6:11-18.

3 – Jude’s purpose was to encourage Christians to build their faith in the face of counterfeit Christians.

The gospel was entrusted to us to share with others. Who have you shared with lately?

BATTLE: Perseverance. We battle to persevere on a daily basis. We are rejected when we share our faith. People avoid us because they think we’re pious. It’s hard to make friends because others don’t want to really know us. How do you push through under such circumstances? Are you asking God for help and direction? Or are you trying to persevere under your own strength?

4 – False brothers had infiltrated Christian circles according to Galatians 2:4. They claim to know God, but don’t behave as followers of Christ according to Titus 1:16. In fact, they use God’s grace as an excuse to keep on sinning! THIS IS IMPORTANT: How SHOULD a follower of Christ behave? You will know a true follower of Christ by the fruit they produce. The fruit of the Spirit appears in Galatians 5:22-23. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

BATTLE: False Christians. My advice: Don’t dwell on the negative. Keep your focus on Christ. Love others as He instructed so that we may draw all men to Him!

2 Peter 2:1 talks about false prophets and false teachers. I’ve commented in previous studies that one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned was during my participation in the study “Experiencing God” by Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King. In order to train Canadian police to identify counterfeit currency, these agents are not shown counterfeits. Instead, they study the genuine article so thoroughly that they come to know it so well and can’t help to spot the counterfeit. This is how diligent we need to be with studying Christ and His character. That way, we will not be fooled by counterfeit christs or counterfeit Christians! This will be imperative in the time of tribulation!

1 John 2:22 talks about the antichrist, which is anyone who denies the Father and the Son.

5 – Why would Jude want Christians to remember what the Lord had done? The simple answer is so we wouldn’t forget and sin by grumbling about Him. Israel did that a lot! See Numbers 14:27-30 for the sentence against Israel for grumbling that led to their death. Or you can read almost any account once the exodus from Egypt was underway (Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, Deuteronomy). It was a lack of remembering that led to unbelief that led to their grumbling.

BATTLE: Forgetfulness. We “forget” God even after we’ve seen Him working in our lives. We need to do something to remember. Pray that God will help you remember His work in your life. Create tangible reminders: journal, scrapbook, paint, draw – do whatever it takes to help yourself remember what God has done for you. Remember that forgetfulness leads to unbelief which leads to grumbling. Is there anything about which you complain? Pray God will help your unbelief just as a boy’s father asked Jesus in Mark 9:24.

6 – This passage describes the great white throne judgment.

BATTLE: Endurance. How we endure determines how effective our earthly ministry will be. This has a direct bearing on judgment – not our eternal destination, as there is nothing we can do since salvation is a gift from Jesus to us – but rather the rewards that we are given when we get to heaven. But remember that our responsibility is ONLY to share our faith. It’s God’s job to convict someone of sin and draw someone to Him.

Angels have authority. Those who didn’t keep their positions of authority are fallen angels. They chose to abandon heaven and follow the devil in rebellion against God. They will be judged for their sin. If even the angels knew better and chose poorly, why would we be any different?

7 – BATTLE: Peer Pressure. Entire cities gave in to sin as the angels did. The demise of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:1-19:29) is supposed to dissuade people from choosing to sin and thus suffering in the eternal fire. What does this teach us? Sin is contagious! RUN FROM IT!!!

The destruction of these cities was so complete according to Deuteronomy 29:23, that nothing would grow there. That is pretty complete destruction if you consider that a pine forest will rejuvenate itself with fire. The flames that decimate the trees also open the pine cones to release the seeds inside. Not that this is a Biblical principle, I just thought about how God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). The good that comes out of a pine forest fire is new trees. This complete destruction is a testament that there was no love for God, here. And that the lives lived here were NOT according to His purpose!

• The book of Jude teaches much about how to protect yourself and others in the battle to keep and build our faith. What have you learned about how to guard your heart or the heart of others today?
• What attributes of God do you see in this chapter?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?

A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman

2011-09-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

She Left Ireland And A Man Who Broke Her Heart...Only To Find An American Who Could Restore It.

Julie Lessman’s new novel A Heart Revealed, the second offering in the “Winds of Change” series, opens in Boston in 1931, where thirty-one-year-old Emma Malloy has fled from an abusive marriage in Ireland.

Although her former husband has left her haunted and deeply scarred. Emma cannot help but develop strong feelings for her friend Charity’s brother, Sean O’Connor.

Described by his sister as very stubborn, Sean maintains that he is not the marrying kind. But as he and Emma draw closer and closer, will her strong, tender heart ensnare him and change his mind?

Transporting readers back to a time when the Empire State Building was brand new and the local speakeasy was a common destination, Lessman outlines the fascinating era and its citizens with deft precision.

Lessman, who has been hailed as a writer with noteworthy skill by Publishers Weekly has once again delivered an epic tale featuring vibrant characterization, wonderful thrills, sharp dialogue, and surprises both large and small.

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose books give readers “Passion With a Purpose,” underscoring her intense passion for both God and romance. Julie is the recipient of 13 Romance Writers of America awards and was chosen as #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in the Family Fiction magazine 2011 Readers Choice Awards. She was the winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirational. She resides in Missouri with her husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law and is the author of “The Daughters of Boston” series, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Her “Winds of Change” series has recently released with A Hope Undaunted, which ranked #5 on Booklist’s Top 10 Inspirational Fiction for 2010. You can contact Julie through her website at http://www.julielessman.com/.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

Here is my review of this wonderful historical romance:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Julie Lessman and her publisher for sending me a copy of "A Heart Revealed" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“A Heart Revealed” is Julie Lessman’s second novel in the Winds of Change series. A continuation of the chronicles of the O’Connor family, this story belongs to characters that this reader has already developed affection for: Sean O’Connor and Emma Malloy.

Emma has borne the bruises of an Irish temper – enough for a lifetime. And she bears the scars, both physically and emotionally, of being the wife of an abusive husband. Although still married to Rory Malloy, Emma has left Ireland, taking a job in America and she has grown very close to her hosts, the O’Connor family.

Sean O’Connor is a confirmed bachelor. He is also Emma’s best friend’s brother. She falls for him unwillingly, fighting every step toward longing and love. Not only does Emma not believe that Sean will ever be able to see beyond her scars to the beautiful woman inside who loves him. Sadly, Emma also doesn’t feel that she is worthy of the love of a good man. Not only is she still married, but she believes that her life of abuse has been exactly what she deserves.

This beautiful, tender and passionate story of love, family and friendship is a masterpiece! Julie Lessman paints a very intimate portrait of her characters’ hearts with such depth and texture and color that these people seem capable of walking off the page and into the reader’s living room. You may want to pick a long weekend to read this novel since you will absolutely lose sleep from being so engrossed in this wonderful story that transports the reader to early 1900s Boston.

REVIEW: Saving Savvy by Kelly Hancock

2011-09-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Kelly Hancock and his/her publisher for sending me an electronic copy of "Saving Savvy" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and their generosity.

Kelly Hancock’s “Saving Savvy” is a fascinating book that will get your creative saving and spending juices flowing. The concept of saving money AND living generously may seem like an oxymoron, but Kelly has done it, herself, and is called by God to teach others to do the same. After leaving her high paying job to be a “stay-at-home-Mom”, Kelly developed several money-saving techniques that helped others to save and really aided her own family when her husband’s company downsized and he found himself out of a job.

The advice that Kelly Hancock offers to spend less really does work. However, living in this way is by no means effortless. But I am confident that the reader will get out of it what they put into it. Plus Kelly has done much of the research on how to save big. And more money in your pocket means being able to support more causes. And having a bulk package of chicken in the freezer will feed a couple of guests at your dinner table.

Check out Kelly’s blog for terrific recipes and offers: www.faithfulprovisions.com