Floating Hearts

I don't have a lot of time to write today. I'm under the gun with a ghostwriting assignment, but just wanted to share a little soul food with you.

We've all had this happen to us. We've read the Bible stories and can recite them backwards and forwards, but then one morning we wake up and the Holy Spirit seems to whisper new depth and give fresh manna to an old familiar story. Today this happened to me while reading the story of Elisha and the floating axe-head. This tool was necessary to the man's everyday existence. The axe-head accidentally came off, fell into the deep water and was gone forever until a man of God cried out and the axe-head floated to the top.

Jesus cares about the little everyday axe-head situations in our life. He has provided godly leaders who know how to help us cry out to God and live a victorious Christian life. The presence of the Lord has lifting power. He doesn't want us to go under, but He wants to take us over the top for His honor and glory.

Broken hearts are heavier than iron axe-heads, but when one tiny sliver of Calvary's cross is inserted in that bleeding heart, they rise with Resurrection life and beat again.

Allow Jesus to help your wounded heart beat again.

Listen With Your Eyes

My husband Paul and I are official emptynesters. Not quite sure how the years slipped away so quickly, but they did. This morning as I sat quietly before the Lord I had this memory of our baby girl Libby. She was always our little firecracker of a child and had a large personality even as a toddler. I can remember being busy with my day and she would ask me a question. I would always answer her, but if I didn't look into her eyes and answer, she would take her little hands and grip my face and turn it so we met eye to eye. It was like she was saying, "Mommy, listen with your eyes."

This little sentimental journey was soul food for me. I think every individual wants to feel what they have to say is important. Hearts are crying throughout the land, "Do you see me? Am I worth loving? Does anyone care? Is what I have to say important to you?"

I would give anything to have little Libby on my lap right now and I would listen with my eyes.

KATYDIDN'T DID IT FOR ME!

Parents, grandparents, teachers, children’s pastors and homeschoolers of all ages are going to love Colleen Reece’s new children’s book Katydidn’t.

I have been involved in Christian education for over 20 years and consider myself to be pretty particular when it comes to Christian children’s literature. I found Katydidn’t to be a breath of fresh air. This book should be read in Sunday school classes, children’s church, Christian schools, homeschooling book clubs, mothers’ laps and in grandmas’ rocking chairs. I can see little ones’ spirits being opened up by this delightful story because they will begin to grasp the importance of seeing how our responses can help or hurt our relationships. Katydidn’t is like a mirror reflecting what every child has felt or said. What I liked best is the creative lesson in conflict resolution Ms. Reece ends with. She took a negative response and transformed it into a positive one. She is an author we can trust to help shape the small souls in our lives.

Throw in K.C. Snider’s colorful illustrations and you’ve got a ‘Blue Ribbon’ book. Her pictures are guaranteed to capture the attention the wiggle worms in your life.

I hope this dynamic duo will team up again because I know it will be another winner for sure!

Mom's Bible

I didn't really know what to expect when I signed up to review Mom's Bible, but I am delighted to report I love, love, LOVE this Bible. It is the New Century Version, which makes it easy to understand and tucked in the pages are inspirational devotionals. Our third daughter Beka just became a first-time mom and our oldest daughter Rachel is expecting a baby boy next month. I have already called our local Bible book store and placed my order for another copy of Mom's Bible. Motherhood is challenging enough and I believe God can use His Word and devotional in my daughters' lives to help shape the little ones in their lives. I can't say enough good about this Book. Thank you, Thomas Nelson for such quality literature.

A Must Read

About the book:
One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Reihl-plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Pr will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?

A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world-and shows that it's never too late to find your way back to God.

About the author:
Suzanne Woods Fisher's interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Dunkard Brethren Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne's work has appeared in many magazines. She has contributed to several nonfiction books and is the author of Amish Peace and the novel The Choice.


My review:
Hold on to your bonnet! Suzanne Woods Fisher’s new book The Choice is riveting! Of all the Amish fiction I have read, this is by far my favorite. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. This talented author introduces the readers to the main character Carrie Weaver. (What a great last name because she’s constantly “weaving” in and out of so many difficult situations.) In the second chapter, after Carrie’s father dies and the love of her life abandons her, Ms. Fisher writes: Carrie didn’t think it was possible that a heart could break twice, in just one week. When I read that sentence it was a slam dunk for me. Carrie completely captured my heart. I found myself hovering over her like a smother mother wanting to help her find her way.

There were so many great lessons interwoven in this book. The reader discovers God is the God of second chances. I loved the little Amish quotes and food for thought. My favorite was ‘If you listen through the wall, you’ll hear others reciting your faults.’

The best news of the day is The Choice is a series. This is good news for me because if it wasn’t I think I would plunge into deep depression and be in desperate need of Prozac. ;-)

I highly recommend this book. You will enjoy it immensely!

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the first in the Lancaster County Series; an Amish love story set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and published by Revell.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to review.

Plain Pursuit Beth Wisemen

I’ll admit it. I have an O.C.D. when it comes to Christian Amish fiction. Beth Wiseman’s Plain Pursuit is now on the top of my “favorites” bookshelf. Once I started the riveting story of career minded Carley Marek taking a forced vacation deep in the heart of Amish country, I couldn’t put it down. Just when Carley is getting adapted to the Plain community, her Amish friend’s son becomes gravely ill. (This is where the book really gets exciting.) A young doctor diagnoses the boy with end-stage renal failure and in need of a kidney transplant. There were moments I had to close the book and brush some tears from my eyes. I think it was because on June 12, 2008, our son gave his daddy a kidney. All the emotions Carley went through, I personally experienced, too. If you need to de-stress, this book is for you. Within the first few pages, you will be transported to life with the Amish and woven throughout the story are eternal spiritual truths. I give Beth Wiseman’s Plain Pursuit a perfect 10!

Sins of the Spirit

The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. Luke 15:28a NLT

Lord, today I was hurt and angry. When the one who hurt me extended friendship, I responded coolly. I was justified. After what “she” said, I had a right to treat her that way. After all Your Word does say people will reap what they sow. Who does “she” think “she” is making such condescending statements? And you know, Lord, what Your Word teaches about pride. She just oozes with her uppity ways. I haven’t done anything to deserve her cruel comments. In the long run, distancing myself will teach her a valuable lesson! Her behavior is unacceptable. I refuse to reward such dysfunction. After all, her attitude doesn't bring honor to You. I certainly don’t want to enable her. I’ve settled it once and for all. I am right. No doubt about it. There is no need in discussing it further. I am positively... positively... positively miserable.

Why am I in such unrest, Lord? How is it possible that I can I be right and yet be so wrong?

In the depths of my soul, I discern “I” am part of the problem. “I” am like the prodigal son’s older brother, who wouldn’t go in because of his heart was diseased with anger and hurt. The Holy Spirit gives me a much-needed diagnosis -- sins of the spirit; a spiritual malady, which can render the patient powerless to love. Many times manifestations can be masked and difficult to detect, but only for a short time. Eventually, everyone will notice their lovelessness. If not given a biblical antidote of love and humility, the disease can spread to vital organs of the soul.

Symptoms include:
• Polite coolness when friendship is available
• Consumed with proving your point
• Touchiness, sensitivity
• Needing to persuade others to embrace your point of view
• Loving your opinions more than you love people


“Forgive me, Lord. I’ll righten my wrong. Life is too short for me to nurse this grudge. Help me to not be like the older brother and refuse a relationship. Help me respond in a way that brings glory and honor to You.”