WORD up!

The Patriarchs Hour 4 was a fascinating look at the rest of Genesis, and specifically the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.   This hour presented many concepts that I have noted in the margins of my Bible or have done extensive study on.   Some of these concepts are:   the seven “I will” statements of Genesis 12:2-3, covenant and the similarities between Joseph and Jesus. I loved learning that, when God changed Abram’s and Sarai’s names, He symbolically filled them with His Spirit!   This language lesson was amazing!   But if your forte is science, we’ve also got something for you.   Circumcision is done on the 8 th day of life.   By faith, I am positive that it is not coincidental that the formation of vitamin K is on the 7 th day and levels of Prothrombin max out at 110% on the 8 th day, then lowers to 100%.   Both vitamin K and Prothrombin aid in clotting. The section on the offering of Isaac was also incredible.  ...

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Dani Pettrey and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Shattered" 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. “Shattered” by Dani Pettrey is an exciting and romantically infused suspense read!   It is a legally passionate story in which the leading lady, Piper McKenna, is frequently the only believer in the saying, “innocent until proven guilty”.   When a murder is committed during a sporting event in Yancey, the entire town is catapulted into an emotional frenzy.   The sheriff is posturing himself for re-election rather than fighting for justice.   The McKennas are rallying around the accused:   their brother, Reef.   Piper, dissatisfied with how the investigation is being handled, trusts her instincts and begins her own investigation, leading her to constantly bump head...

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Sue Edwards and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Revelation:  Discovering Life for Today and Eternity" 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. “Revelation: Discovering Life for Today and Eternity” is a Discover Together Bible Study by Sue Edwards. The nine lessons cover the first three and last two chapters of the book of Revelation, concentrating on the letters to the churches as representatives of churches today.   Each lesson contains a QR Code that, when you scan it with your smart phone, will lead you to a video teaching segment with Sue Edwards.   You can also view these videos online.   The website also contains leader guides for the Bible studies that are valuable assets if you are leading a small group study of the material. The format of the study is extremely fle...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of James, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. 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, summer 2009, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 3 of the book of James. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be s...

The Prehistorical Period Hour 3 is an enlightening study.   The genealogy of Genesis 5 and the fascinating look at Noah’s ark whet my appetite for a deeper look at God’s Word!   We were also presented with the following riddle:   Methuselah is the oldest man in the Bible at 969 years, yet he died before his father.   How can this be?   I’m not going to tell you.   Get into the Word to find out.   If you try to figure it out, but can’t, check out this Bible study or leave me a comment with your email address and I’ll share. We studied several of Satan’s stratagems (schemes), as well.   These were fascinating and got me thinking about the schemes he might be orchestrating now that the Messiah has done what He came to do.   I’d love to hear your own thoughts on this if you’d like to share a comment. I have discovered that it is more beneficial to sit down and answer the questions at the end of each chapter in the workbook before I g...

When the Heart Heals Sisters at Heart - #2 By Ann Shorey Readers are invited to travel back to 1867, to the town of Noble Springs, Missouri, for an engrossing story of love's tentative first steps and fragile future in the face of opposition. With tenderness and grace, Ann Shorey tells the story of Rosemary, a sympathetic but strong woman determined to thrive in a world that doesn't always understand.   Courageous and unconventional, Rosemary Saxon served as a nurse during the Civil War, a service that has caused most women in town to regard her as unfeminine and downright vulgar. Although she would like to put her experiences as a nurse behind her, she must support herself. She takes a position with Dr. Elijah Stewart and a mutual attraction begins to develop. But when a sophisticated woman arrives in town claiming to be Elijah's fiancée, a heartbroken Rosemary decides to leave Noble Springs and start fresh. Can Elijah convince her of the mystery woman'...

Picture Perfect Weddings by Design Series - #1 By Janice Thompson Known for her contagious humor and cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives her fans more of the bridal business drama in a brand-new series all about those long-suffering people who make beautiful weddings happen. Picture Perfect is the first in the new series and brings our favorite character, Bella, back in a big way, while introducing new characters readers will love. Fans will laugh out loud as they experience this breezy and entertaining novel from a great storyteller. Feisty wedding photographer Hannah McDermott has dealt with her share of difficult brides. But none can compare to the ultimate Bridezilla she's dealing with now. Still, she's trying desperately to impress Bella Neeley, Galveston Island's most sought-after wedding planner, so she can take the top spot in Bella's list of recommended photographers--a spot currently occupied by her arch-rival, Drew...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of James, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. 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, summer 2009, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 2 of the book of James. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be s...

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss and their publisher for sending me a copy of "Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska" 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. Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss have collaborated on several novels, and their proven partnership creates an entertaining and enlightening read in their latest novel “Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska”.   These gifted authors paint a majestic landscape with their narrative so that I feel like I have visited this incredible place.   And they meticulously present two incredible love stories that will capture the reader’s heart. Ginny made a decision to walk away from her engagement to Brett two years ago.   Since then, her music career has taken off… and so has Brett – back to Glacier Bay.   Now, Ginny is faced with some...

The Creation and the Fall of Man WOW!   Another incredibly scientific lesson was presented in this hour.   Our facilitator assures us that this will not be the case for every week of study.   Genesis is fascinating.   The timing for this aspect of the study is perfect since we are also studying Genesis in BSF this year. Do you subscribe to the creation taking place in six literal days?   The Stretch Factor is a fascinating concept introduced by Dr. Gerard Schroeder that explains how creation could have taken place in six days!   We also learned several scientific indicators that the earth is young. One of the more fascinating things I learned this week was regarding the words “erev” and “boker”.   Several times in the creation story occurs the phrase “…and there was evening and there was morning…”   “Erev” means “obscurity, disorder” and has come to mean “evening”.   “Boker” means “orderly, discernable” and has come to mean “morn...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of James, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. 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, summer 2009, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 1 of the book of James. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be s...

Some of the concepts presented in Hour 1 are familiar.   It’s almost like being transported back in time to scientific and mathematical teachings from my youth.   Other ideas were completely new to me, but fascinated me.   Still other teachings flew over my head faster than the speed of light or sound!   Einstein, Euclid, dimensions, spherical trigonometry, tesseract, hidden messages.   We talked about all of these things, and more.   I gained greater understanding of things I was introduced to through science fiction films.   I have a new appreciation for our Creator, Who effortlessly understands all of this because He invented it! Our Bible is sixty-six books authored by 40 different people over the course of thousands of years.   The Old Testament tells the story of a nation.   The New Testament tells the story of a man.   The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed; the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed. ...

Here is my review of this suspenseful romance: First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Colleen Coble and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Safe in His Arms" 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. Colleen Coble’s “Safe in His Arms” is a touching love story and a solidly crafted tale of suspense.   The Triple T Ranch is unlike any other cattle ranches in Texas.   Danger lurks around every corner.   Several attempts have been made to take the life of owner, Paddy O’Brien, which would leave the property in the care of his only daughter, Margaret.   Margaret loves the ranch as she would a husband, resolving that the ranch will be her life and that no man wants to take that priority position in her life.   But Paddy has his own ideas about wanting his daughter to marry. When Daniel shows up as the new ranch for...

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims and their publisher for sending me a copy of "5 Days to a Clutter Free House" 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 opening pages of “5 Days to a Clutter Free House: Quick, Easy Ways to Clear Up Your Space” by Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims has just explained the reason behind my issue with clutter!   If I were only cleaning up after myself, this would be a piece of cake.   But, thank the Lord, I have a family that blesses and challenges me on a daily basis.   And each member’s idea of clutter and “clean enough” is very different from mine!   And even though I am capable of a single-handed, whirlwind, extreme makeover of my home to combat clutter, this isn’t my favorite way to spend a few hours.   Still, I love the result of a tidy living spa...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Joshua, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. 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, summer 2009, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Stay strong and very courageous. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 24 of the Old Testament book of Joshua. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the...