My Heart's Song

Book Review: "The Song of Sourwood Mountain" by Ann H. Gabhart

2024-06-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

I love Ann H. Gabhart's books. I love the rural setting of the Eastern Kentucky Hills! It makes me miss the four years I lived among them. Ann was able to transport me back to those hills with a beautiful and endearing story. The Song of Sourwood Mountain is the story of a city schoolteacher who answered a call to completely step outside of her comfort zone and say "Yes" to God in a big way! Exploring the simple, yet complicated lives of those in the Appalachian mountains was an adventure that only made the city schoolteacher fall more in love with her new country home.

How she got there, why she stayed, and what happens next will be up to you to uncover as you read through this story! Get your copy here.

From the back cover:

"The doors she thought were closed forever are starting to open up . . . just a crack

Though the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean's hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher--until Gordon Covington shows up.

No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in Eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that.

With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who just might end up becoming the family she always yearned for."

This book was given to me by Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: "Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story" by Jill Eileen Smith

2023-03-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Smith does it again in her latest book release: "Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story". This story chronicles the first 6 chapters of Genesis, and she does a fantastic job at taking some very difficult and at times, otherworldly situations in the Bible that are hard to understand and give some context to the mystery in the Holy text.

From the creation of the world and its inhabitants to the creation of angels and those in what Smith calls the "unseen realm" to the explanation of how Nephilim were created and a time where people lived to be close to a thousand years old, Smith eloquently weaves a believable story throughout.

Of course this book takes a lot of liberty as all biblical fiction does in interpretation of scripture and filling in the gray areas and holes where the Bible leaves us guessing, but it left me hungry at the end to read God's word.

I highly recommend this book as it gives a fascinating view on what life was like "in the beginning..." Click here to get your copy today!

From the back cover:

When the greatest joys she has ever known are stripped away, the first woman must find the courage to face an unknown future

The first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on one whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to another like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. Her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.

Then everything changes.

Through one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future--the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the only home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but also with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden?

Bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith imagines the life of the first woman to ever live, unspooling an epic story of love, loss, and the promise of redemption.

This book was given to me by Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: "The Prince and the Prodigal" by Jill Eileen Smith

2022-03-04T08:47:00.004-08:00

A book that makes you hungry to open scripture has always become my favorite. I love to read biblical fiction, and Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite authors that really gets the job done. To bring to life not just the story of Joseph, but his father Jacob's as well and explores brother Judah's also, is quite the feat. Smith does an incredible job explaining some very difficult-to-read Bible stories and really breathes life into each person's story that grabs your attention.

The story of Judah and Tamar and the incestual affair they had, the level of Joseph's brother's betrayal and how they came to their conclusions, and exploring Jacob's favoritism between his sons are complex and dysfunctional family issues brought to light in this riveting book. How Joseph kept his cool being unfairly mistreated his whole life is an example of a man after God's Heart and an early representation of Jesus being led like a lamb to the slaughter later in the New Testament- unfairly convicted and quiet to protest.

Smith's book just came out last month and is one I highly recommend adding to your Spring porch reading list!

From the back cover:

"Two brothers. One betrayal.

The patriarch Jacob has made it no secret that young Joseph is his favorite son. Growing up as the pampered heir to his father's legacy, Joseph thrives under the praise of his father but struggles with the disdain of his older brothers, especially Judah. When a chance comes along to rid themselves of Joseph, his brothers sell him to slave traders and deceive their father about his fate.

Joseph, now serving the captain of Pharaoh's palace guard, is imprisoned after being falsely accused of rape. Back home, Judah leaves his father and builds a new life in Canaan, attempting to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother.

Decades later, the brothers will come face-to-face, and this time Joseph has the upper hand. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?"

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: "Beyond the Tides" by Liz Johnson

2021-08-21T19:41:00.002-07:00

I am a big fan of books and most of the time I read pretty heavy things like World War II fiction or stories of people surviving harrowing ordeals like human trafficking. Survival stories inspire me, and I love hearing how people overcome some of life's hardest struggles.

But every once in a while, I like to sit and get lost in a book that is more on the lighthearted side. This is similar to a Hallmark movie but has a lot more depth to the characters. Meg and Oliver are forced to work a lobster boat while Meg's father decides who gets the business at the end of the season. Will it be Meg, his only daughter, that doesn't want to lose their family legacy? Or will it be Oliver- long time and loyal deckhand who always wanted his own fishing boat?

Besides the budding love story, a bigger story emerges- one about forgiveness and how important it is to give people second chances and remember the old saying "Hurting people hurt people". As Meg and Oliver work the boat together, they learn a lot more about each other and their family members that puts the boat competition in a different perspective altogether.

I won't spoil it for you, but I really enjoyed wrapping up my summer reading with this great book. It is book one of a series and I am interested to see what will happen next on Prince Edward Island. Get your copy here.

From the Back Cover

"When Meg Whitaker's father decides to sell the family's lobster fishing business to her high school nemesis, she sets out to prove she should take it over instead. Though she's never had any interest in running the small fleet--or even getting on a boat due to her persistent seasickness--she can't stand to see Oliver Ross in charge. Not when he ruined her dreams for a science scholarship and an Ivy League education ten years ago.

Oliver isn't proud of what he did back then. Angry and broken by his father walking out on his family, he lashed out at Meg--an innocent bystander. But owning a respected fishing fleet on Prince Edward Island is the opportunity of a lifetime, as well as a way to provide for his mother, and he's not about to walk away just because Meg wants him to.

Meg's father has the perfect solution: Oliver and Meg will work the business together, and at the end of the season, he'll decide who gets it. Along the way, they may discover that their stories are more similar than they thought . . . and their dreams aren't what they expected."

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: "Miriam's Song" by Jill Eilieen Smith

2021-03-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

Biblical Fiction has got to be one of my favorite genres! Jill Eileen Smith is one of the incredible Christian authors that can make someone's story out of the Bible jump right off the page and come to life!

I was thrilled to read about Miriam's account and get a glimpse into what it was like to live in the shadow of her little brother, Moses.

What courage it took for Miriam, as a little girl to watch her little brother be placed into the Nile River in hopes that he would be saved and not succumb to the wild waters or the creatures that lurked within. When Pharoah's daughter sees baby Moses in the basket and decides to raise him as her own, what strength it took for Miriam to step in and offer their own mother to be Moses' wet nurse.

Smith's book goes on to explore about 120 years worth of time between Miriam, Aaron, Moses, Joshua and Caleb's time. That is indeed a lot of ground to cover in one book and I think would have been more intriguing had she split this up and made it a series. Nonetheless, it makes for a thrilling account of the Israelite's exodus from Egypt and if you are a fan of Biblical fiction, this is not one to miss! Get your copy of this new book just released this month here.

From the Back Cover

She has prayed for deliverance from Egypt.

But perhaps the greatest liberation happens within the heart.

From the very beginning, Miriam has lived in her younger brother's shadow. Thrust into the role of protective older sister before Moses was even born, she will grow up into a woman who not only keeps her family's secret but bears the burden of leading a new nation.

In her mind, she knows that she is serving both her God and her people. But in her heart, Miriam yearns for more. She longs to experience the privileges Moses has--to talk with God face-to-face. But when God finally does speak directly to her, the outcome is not at all what she expects.

With her impeccable research and keen eye for detail, bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith offers this epic novel to fill in the gaps in Miriam's story, following her from childhood to motherhood, obscurity to notoriety, and yearning to fulfillment as she learns that what God promises He provides--in His own perfect timing.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

When God Doesn't Turn it Around

2021-02-26T08:20:00.001-08:00

When Mary came [to the place] where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

John 11: 32 (AMP)

This season of Covid has lasted entirely too long if you want to ask my opinion. I don't think that any of us would have ever thought it would have been something we would still be talking about and wearing masks for a year after first hearing about it.

I call it a season because although it feels unending, it will end. People will remove the masks, go on vacations, and move on with their lives. It will become one of the events in human history that will be in the history books for our grandchildren to read about one day.

But for some people, including me, its presence is going to be felt the rest of my life. January 29, 2021, my father passed away from Covid pneumonia. He battled it valiantly for about 30 days. It came as a complete and utter shock to the entire family. He was healthy, had no pre-existing conditions, was not overweight, was in his mid-60's and never even had pneumonia before.

This wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't supposed to be the way he went. It doesn't feel real. It honestly doesn't feel fair. I am mad, hurt, and I am telling God about it. I never in a million years thought my family would be apart of the statistics of a pandemic.

Although I am still struggling with enormous grief, I can find some consolation in God's word that so many people in the Bible, including Jesus himself, were no stranger to.

In the book of Job you read about him finding out about losing his livestock and his children all at the same time; "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell down to the ground in worship..." Job 1:20.

This was Job's first response to grief. I can honestly say this was not my first response. I was a lot more like Mary, weeping and telling God He could have healed my daddy if he had wanted to. I was standing next to my Dad when he was here one moment and then another he was gone. I, like Mary, fell to my feet in tears in the hospital room.

I have lost grandparents that were near and dear to my heart, but I have never felt a loss like this before. I can barely even describe what it feels like.

Although I lost a father who I loved very much, I did come to the realization that my Heavenly Father does love me and He loves my earthly father. He has both mine and my daddy's best interest at heart, and to that I cling too.

My dad was a believer and I do have hope and reassurance that I will see him again. I do believe that this was another form of healing for my Father and know that when he got to meet His maker, see his father, mother, and sister who passed before him, it was such a sweet reunion.

But, I also can't deny that what was heaven's gain was my loss. So I began to search the scriptures for hope in this difficult time and came across Isaiah 53:5, "He (Jesus) was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain."

I then went on to read the rest of the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus when he (Lazarus) had passed and Jesus arrived and both Mary and Martha confronted him. It goes on to say: "When Jesus saw her sobbing, and the Jews who had come with her also sobbing, He was deeply moved in spirit [to the point of anger at the sorrow caused by death] and was troubled, and said "Where have you laid him?" They said, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept" John 11:33-35 (AMP).

Although this story in the Bible has a happy ending (Jesus does raise Lazarus from the dead), I pause here to tell God thank you for something. I know Jesus had many purposes in doing what He did in this story: waiting 4 days before coming to see about Lazarus after hearing he had fallen ill and then choosing to raise Him. But, what I thank Jesus for in this story is that for a moment, he stepped into the grief and allowed that loss to wash over him and experience it, feel it, weep over it, and see what it did to the family and friends that deeply loved Lazarus.

This makes Jesus relatable. This makes me come to him with my anger, my hurt, my grief, and my questions. He hears me, He sees me, He understands. He cries with me, He holds me, He carries me at times when I feel too weak to go on. When Job's friends came to comfort him after tragedy struck his home, "...they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was" Job 2:13.

Sometimes I just sit with God, because I have no words and He is ok with that. God didn't turn my situation around like I would have hoped. I did pray for healing in my dad's body, He just chose to heal him in Heaven. As I grapple with things out of my control, I raise my hands in surrender to the one who is.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)

When my family and I were praying and interceding for my daddy's healing, there was a song on my heart that I sang in the car and even in the hospital room. It became my anthem during the most difficult time of my life.

"God, Turn it Around" by Jon Reddick is a powerful song. For a while I couldn't listen to it after my dad passed, but it's words do still ring true. There are still so many out there grappling with loved ones who have COVID and this is why I share this song and write these words, because someone besides me needs to hear them.

Even if God doesn't turn our situations around or bring the healing we pray for, may we still be bold in our faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and say, like they did when their faith was tested,

"our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods...” Daniel 3:17-18 (AMP)

Book Review: "When Twilight Breaks" by Sarah Sundin

2021-02-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

I was first introduced to Sundin's work through my church library. I started with her "Sunrise at Normandy" Series about three Texas brothers whose path led them all to participate in one way or another in the battle of Normandy. It was such a fantastic series and each book really stood out alone. When the opportunity came with Revell Reads to be a first reader for her latest, "When Twilight Breaks" book that came out this month, I jumped at the opportunity!

The best thing about this novel is that it makes you want to bust open a history book (or do a simple Google search) to research and look up some of these historical events that are brought to life in the story.

You can tell Sundin does her research- from what the characters wear, to how they style their hair, to the kinds of cars driven in the era.

What I thought was most interesting is that this book is set in 1938 which is Pre- World War II. It explores so much about the thoughts, feelings, and emotions from those who sympathized with Hitler and the Nazi's and those of the Jews when the anti-semitic laws began to become more frequent and more harsh.

I highly recommend this book as a fantastic exploration of this time period that explores love, history, war, and faith in God when it is put to the ultimate test.

From the back cover:

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession and to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she does not report truthfully, she'll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

As the world marches relentlessly toward war, Evelyn and Peter are on a collision course with destiny.

Get your copy today at Amazon or your favorite online retailer, or click here!

I was given a free copy of this book to review from Revell publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: “All That We Carried” by Erin Bartels

2021-01-04T08:37:00.004-08:00

I have been laying bed for the last several days sick and there is nothing like a good book to accompany you during a time like this. Erin Bartels is a new author to me and one I am looking forward to reading more in the future.

In "All That We Carried" the Greene sisters are estranged after the parent's death 10 years prior. They decide to go on a hiking trip to reconnect and end up discovering much more than they bargained for. The girls get lost in the woods multiple times, close encounters with bears, mountain lions, and forest fires, that comes to a dramatic conclusion that brings them to a point of reconciliation neither of them can deny.

Throughout most of the book the girls are bickering between each other and it reminds me of my two sons that never do seem to get along. (I had thought several times throughout the book that I needed to throw my kids into the forest and see if they can work out their issues.)

Beyond reconciliation with each other, they come to a point of reconciling their spiritual differences with God as well. They are both confused, hurt, and angry at a God that would allow both of their parents to die. Bartels does a great job of exploring the complicated emotions that comes with doubt, fear, and questioning God.

The raw honesty and emotions throughout the book are heartbreaking yet speak so much truth. Kudos to Bartels for exploring such a difficult topic. This book comes out tomorrow, January 5, and I implore you to get your copy here.

I was given a free copy of this book to review from Revell publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: "The Edge of Belonging" by Amanda Cox

2020-09-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

Unplanned pregnancies, abandonment, the plight of shuffled foster children, PTSD, abuse, human trafficking, infertility, adoption, and homelessness...Did I leave anything out? All of these major issues are beautifully interwoven into a gripping story that brings the most vulnerable populations at the feet of an endearing woman that points them all to Jesus.

In Amanda Cox's new novel, "The Edge of Belonging", I find myself reading through the eyes of multiple different characters from present day to the past. The matriarchal character, Pearl, reminds me of my own grandmother reaching out to the lost and hurting despite her own baggage to show them the love of the Father.

Ivy, the story's main character, goes on a journey to discover who she really is from the lessons of the past. In the process she realizes that despite her frail beginnings, she can rise up to be the strong woman God created her to be.

As someone who has a degree in human services and psychology and worked in the criminal justice system and crisis pregnancy centers, I appreciate the raw feelings and emotions the author conveys through the story of Harvey and Ivy. I appreciate the detail in their plight and heartache to explain how some people labeled "at risk" arrive to this label. Sometimes it's all about having that one person in your life to love you through the hardest and darkest times in your life to give you a glimpse of God's love for you.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

I gave this book 5 stars on my Goodreads profile and I don't hand those out just nilly willy. You should pick up your copy today!

**I received a free copy of this book by Revell publishing in exchange for my honest review.**

Book Review: “An Appalachian Summer” by Ann H. Gabhart

2020-07-23T17:23:00.002-07:00

I love when you pick up a book by an author you’ve never read and end up loving it! Ann H. Gabhart is an author local to me. I currently live in Kentucky and she is a local celebrity with her books for sale in a small-town gift shop that I have perused and never picked up until “An Appalachian Summer” came along.

I was delighted with the story of debutante, Piper Danson, who left a life of comfort and luxury among the socially elite of Louisville, Kentucky during the height of the Great Depression for a summer of soul searching. Piper leaves behind a summer of courtship with the most eligible bachelor in Louisville, Braxton Crandall, to be a courier in the Appalachian Mountains with the Frontier Nursing Service.

Feeling stifled by her father’s expectations of an arranged marriage back home is what inspires Piper to chart a new path for herself. She struggles with the loss of her best friend and childhood love, Jamie Russell, who fled town with his mother and siblings after their family loses all of their estate during the Great Depression. Piper also considers the proposal from the handsome Braxton Crandall knowing it could afford her the financial security so many lacked during this difficult time.

Confused and unsure of what she really wants, she hears about the need for help with the Frontier Nursing Service from Mary Breckenridge who comes to town to raise funds for medical assistance in the mountains. Piper decides to join as a courier and take the summer to “do something different” and not have to think about Braxton or Jamie.

As a courier, she assists nurses who deliver babies to mothers in some of the most treacherous and rural parts of the mountainous region. Riding horses, cleaning stalls, killing chickens for dinner, and watching out for rattlesnakes is just a small portion of what Piper experiences on her adventurous summer.

But what she doesn’t expect to happen is just when she thought she was far enough away from it all, life happened to catch up with her there.

I don’t want to tell you what happens, you will have to read it for yourself.

What I love most about this story is that Piper is showcased as a strong female lead who doesn’t ever play the damsel in distress part that I come across in so many books. When she is faced with a challenge, she perseveres even in the face of fear. She isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in and is brave enough to try new things.

There is more than one love story weaved in and a strong sense of family and faith prevails throughout the pages.

I can’t wait to read more of Ann H. Gabhart’s work knowing the incredible storytelling will take me on a journey that will allow for a fun escape in a world that is COVID crazy.

If you are looking for a lighthearted summer read, I highly recommend “An Appalachian Summer”. You should look for it at your local inspirational bookstore or online wherever your favorite books are sold. You can get your copy here

(This book was given to me by Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

Purpose in a Pandemic

2020-05-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and even or purpose under heaven…

A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.

A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to keep silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.

…He has made everything beautiful in its time…I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should be happy in his own works and activities, for that is his portion (share).”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 11; 22

This scripture came to mind during the last (almost) 2 months of quarantine. It feels a lot longer than that, especially for those of us who are extroverts and crave friendship, girl’s nights, and get togethers.

No one in this current generation or even in their parents’ generation has ever experienced anything like this before. The closest thing I could think of would have been the fear of our men overseas fighting in World War II and certain items being on ration. We aren’t fighting anything we can see, and we aren’t necessarily being rationed (although score gold stars for you if you can find cleaning supplies and toilet paper on the shelf right now). But, it is still a situation that incites fear, worry, anxiety, and stress unlike many of us have ever experienced. Despite the news and media telling us how we are living in trying, unprecedented, and unsure times, we can be sure of one thing, God is up to something.

Do I believe that God orchestrated this to teach us all a lesson? No, I am not going there either. As much as there is a good and heavenly Father looking down on us, there is also real evil in this world and because of that fact alone, we live in a fallen world and bad stuff happens. Yes, sometimes bad things happen to good people. I am not going to get all into theology and answering life’s questions as to why. But, I also can’t help but pause and think that even though we are in the middle of a pandemic we can find purpose here.

If we want to sit here and dwell on the negative, we can certainly find it. But, if we want to dwell on the positive and uplifting and ask God to reveal to us something he wants us to see and learn from all this, he will.

For example, I am a busy body. I am usually always doing something. I like to have something planned or a something to accomplish. Well, since that is all out the window, God is teaching me to enjoy the unplanned, the laidback, and mundane days that are seeming to all roll into each other. I can find contentment in being busy and I can find contentment in having nothing to do.

Another area this is teaching me is to be a good steward of everything God has given me. How am I spending my time and who am I spending it with? (Let’s get real, when my Apple screen time showed me that I went from 2 hours a day on my phone to 6, I felt some conviction). How am I spending my money and am I saving any (for situations like these if I had lost my job, what would that look like)? How am I raising my children and am I imparting to them the basic spiritual principles I want them to grow up on (or have I given way too much of that responsibility to our church)? How am I stewarding my health? Have I ever paid attention before to how much sleep I get on a regular basis? What about exercise and eating right? Am I filling up on junk and expecting a 6 pack by summer? (Hmmm, maybe I need to tweak my habits).

Listen many of us may have a lot more time on our hands than we know what to do with and although I don’t want to pressure anyone to do get up and do something they are uncomfortable with because our mental, social, emotional health are a bit fragile right now. The last thing we need in a crisis is pressure. What we need, instead, is purpose!

So where do you even begin? With whatever the next right thing is for you. Maybe it starts with journaling where you are and where you want to be. Maybe it starts with creating a vision board and a plan of action for where you are right now in some of those areas of your life and thinking through the next practical steps to where you would like to be.

Maybe you want to save more money for when the next crisis hits so you won’t be in such a state of despair- start with something small like an automatic draft of $25 a month into a savings account and build on that when you can.

Maybe you want to start reading your Bible more or reading it with your kids. Instead of feeling the pressure to do it every day, start with once a week- maybe a Sunday evening before your week begins. Perhaps reading a scripture and asking the members of your family what they want to pray about is a good start.

Perhaps you want to begin exercising or eating right. Start small- walk around your neighborhood or on the treadmill 10-15 minutes a day and build from there. Look up healthy recipes online and write down the ingredient list so the next time you go to the store you’ll have everything you need to make it.

I could go on and on, but your purpose is to take care of you so that you can then fulfill the God-given purpose God created you to fill. That looks different for every single one of us. If you feel a tug to do something do the next small step that will get you there.

A friend recently texted me “through the pressure and through waiting, that, my friend, is how diamonds are created.” This pressure, this pandemic that we are going through right now is going to make us stronger, braver, and refine our beauty like nothing else. It is during the most difficult moments of my life that I felt drawn to God’s presence and got to know him the most than in the most prosperous times. This pandemic has not drowned out your purpose. In fact, it is in the middle of all this that God is wanting to work in you to reveal what has been hidden in the dark, remove what needs to be removed, and place in you the strength, resolve, tenacity, and resiliency to be able to fulfill the purposes placed on this Earth only you can fill.

“…He has also placed eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God] -yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Book Review: Star of Persia (Esther's Story) by Jill Eileen Smith

2020-03-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

"For if you remain silent at this time,

liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place,

and you and your father's house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance].

And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this

[and for this very purpose]?"

Esther 4:14

The words above are from a story in the Bible that is one of my most favorite. This story is powerful and when I received my copy of Jill Eileen Smith's new book, "Star of Persia: Esther's Story", I couldn't wait to dive in. I did receive a copy from Revell publishing for my honest review, but let me tell you, I knew in advance it would not disappoint. I have read several of Smith's books in the past and her attention to biblical detail is on point. If there ever was an author that could bring the Old Testament stories to life it would be Jill Eileen Smith.

The story of a Jewish Queen over Persia hiding her ancestry before her king is one that never gets old to hear. When evil Haman seduces the king into thinking the Jews are the problem in their country and they need to be annihilated, Esther is forced to choose between keeping her ancestry a secret so that she may continue to live peacefully with her king in the palace or speaking up to save her people and risk losing her life.

Of course, I won't tell you what happens next, but as soon as I finished it, and in only a couple of days, I had to open up my Bible and re-read the story myself and Smith's story mixed with biblical and historical facts breathes new life into this incredible heroine's decision.

You see, coming before the king uninvited and unannounced could have been an automatic death sentence, by itself. But also sharing her ancestry and her plea to save her people could have also infuriated the king, so she had nothing to rely on but her faith in God (Adonai) and hope His presence in the room with her would be enough to soften the king's heart to her request.

I highly recommend this book and lucky for all my readers, this book just came out yesterday! Get your copy on Amazon asap!

I will leave you with a beautiful song that I think sums up what might have gone through Esther's mind as she pondered the big decision she had to make- My Weapon by Natalie Grant.

"Your presence is my greatest weapon

Pushing back the darkness
Breaking every chain

My worship opens up the heavens
Crushing every stronghold
When I speak Your name
Your presence is my weapon"

Input Equals Output

2020-02-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true,

noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst;

the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.

Do that, and God, who makes everything work together,

will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8 (MSG)

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you probably already know I am an avid reader. But recently two incredible books came to my attention that I had to share. First let me explain something, right after the holidays, I began to experience an anxiety level I haven’t experienced in years. I stressed about not being further along in paying off debt by the time 2020 rang in the new year. I stressed over seeing family over the holidays and making sure everyone felt like they had ample time to spend with us while also realizing not everyone got what they wanted. I came back to work (I work in the human services industry) to a caseload that had more than doubled and hit an all-time burnout with hearing about the families’ drama and trauma that I work with all day, every day. Not to mention my upcoming tonsillectomy that I had scheduled and frequently tried to talk myself out of needing.

It was too much, all of it and I was ready to wash my hands of it all and climb in bed with my three dogs and tell everyone to let me know when this anxious feeling I had passed, and when winter turned to spring. But, that did not happen. Thank God, literally! God wanted me to get my head out of the sand and put my big girl pants on one leg at a time and I felt like over the last month that He has been working on my heart, body, and mind, he has been giving me a hug with resources at my fingertips to encourage me on my journey. Input= Output.

First, God had me open His word again. I hate to admit it, but the daily Bible reading that I have preached about in the past had slipped through my fingers except for the occasional Bible study. I felt that God wanted to begin showing me things through revelation with Him that I then began to see confirmed in other avenues. Input= Output.

I knew a natural stress reliever for me and something I really enjoy doing is cardio dance. I began to make it a priority to attend more classes and make my health a priority. Because my day job can be very sedentary sitting behind a desk all day, God began to prompt me to wake up 20 minutes early everyday and get on the treadmill and get moving and the blood flowing. During this time, I would listen to my all-time favorite Bible teacher- Joyce Meyer on her podcast channel. Every morning this time with God is holy and I feel the need to protect it and savor it, no matter how tired I am. With my legs jogging and God’s word going through my ears, I feel as though my day can’t get started any better. Once I get to my office and check my emails, I open God’s word and look up scriptures God has put on my heart for the day for about 10 minutes. Input= Output.

I then began to watch what I ate because I didn’t want the increased physical activity to be all for nothing. I didn’t count calories, just limited my intake of sweets (I am a chocolate lover!), serve myself one portion of meals (no seconds), and incorporate more fruits and veggies in my life. Input= Output.

My husband and I spoke about our financial situation and planned to put so much money towards debt even if it meant we cut back on frivolous spending this year to reach a goal of paying off a certain amount of debt by the end of the year. Having a plan in place made me feel so much better about the situation and I am excited to see how God helps us reach this goal and the incredible growth trusting Him for this will inspire in our family. Being better stewards of our resources (input) will result in a greater blessing down the line- being debt free (output).

I also began to journal more often. Not everyday but about 2-3 times a week. I poured out my heart and soul on the pages of my journal, expressing my thoughts and feelings, praying prayers to God, and sorting through the place I found myself in physically, emotionally, and spiritually and asking myself “How did I get here?” and “What needs to change to get me to be emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially healthy?” Input= Output.

So back to the two book resources I wanted to share. The first is “Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones” by James Clear. This was a phenomenal read on the science behind habit forming and habit breaking without being too scientific and really abreaking it down to be very practical. This is a wonderful book for men, women and I want to give a copy to both my boys when they are around 16. The basis for the book is that if you want to create a habit you will stick with it needs to be obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. Behaviors and habits, you want to break or be rid of need to be invisible, unattractive, hard, and unsatisfying. I will leave that there and if you want more info, get the book.

The other book is “100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self” by Annie F. Downs. This is an incredible author, speaker, and host of one of my favorite podcasts “That Sounds Fun”. This book was the spiritual encouragement I needed for each day. From talking about working at your job as unto the Lord (whether or not it is your calling), to exercising and eating your fruits and veggies, to remembering to rest and make time for fun, to even how the pain of surgery God can use to heal (remember I am having a tonsillectomy soon). It was everything I needed to hear at just the right time I needed to hear it.

Input=Output. When I began to shift the input in my life to be habits that grew me spiritually and emotionally with my Bible and uplifting podcasts and books, to physically with healthier habits and exercise, to mentally and financially with learning to live more on budget, the output began to change. Shifting my focus to how big my God is made my problems I felt I had much smaller. My anxiety lessened greatly and the worries that kept me up at night began to dissipate.

“You will have nothing to fear at night and

no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day”

Psalm 91:5

Whether you like to read books, listen to podcasts, listen to audible, exercise, eat healthy or not. I implore you to start looking inward and see where your stresses are coming from and what you can do about them and rest and trust in God that He will take care of what you cannot. Promise me you won’t sit idle and let your fears swallow you up. Do what you can with what He’s given you.

I want to leave you with one of my favorite worship songs right now, “Nothing Else” by Cody Carnes. The words say it best:

“I'm sorry when I've just gone through the motions
I'm sorry when I just sang another song
Take me back to where we started
I open up my heart to You
I'm sorry when I've come with my agenda
I'm sorry when I forgot that You're enough
Take me back to where we started
I open up my heart to You”

Book Review: "An Uncommon Woman" by Laura Frantz

2020-01-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

I love reading a good fiction book. I love both secular and Christian fiction, but when I stumbled upon Francine Rivers’ book “Redeeming Love”, I feel in love with the genre of Christian fiction. Today I am excited to share with you another incredible story that I believe falls under Christian historical fiction called “Uncommon Woman” by Laura Frantz.

This is a new author, whose books I have not read before and was excited to dive into the book from a perspective of a colonist settling into new American territory around 1770. The era this book was written even referenced George Washington before he was our very first President. Dangers loomed everywhere for settlers between staking out new land from the local wildlife to the hostile tension that was created between settlers and Indian tribes.

There is a lot of heated debate, even today, about the mistreatment of the Native American tribes during the time the white people began moving West and taking over more and more ancestral lands. But, both main characters from Laura Frantz’z book- Tessa, a brave frontier woman and Clay, former captive of the Indians that grew to love the family and people he was raised with brought out both sides of the Indian and settler viewpoints. This brought compassion and heartfelt appreciation for both cultures, respectfully. Weaving a beautiful love story, heat wrenching action, and an interesting look at the times these characters lived brought me to the frontier of West Virginia in the 18^th century. Laura’s use of older colonial English made me feel like I was there.

For fans for fans of the historical fiction genre, you will want to get a copy of this book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Even if this is a book review, I can't leave you without a song to listen to and I thought I would add "Never Lost" by Elevation Worship. In the times this book speaks of there were battles beginning to be waged over freedoms and land. In this song, it speaks to God having never lost a battle...ever. Isn't that such an encouragement that as Christians he wins and we already know the outcome? I hope you are encouraged by this song as I was hearing it.

2019: Year in Book Reviews

2020-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

As you can see 2019 was a pretty busy year for me...as far as reading goes. I love to utilize my Goodreads app and list the books I have read, the books I am currently reading and make my "shelf" of books I want to read.

It's like a to do list, I get such satisfaction when I can check off another book and reach my goal. I had a goal of 25 books last year and surpassed by 2! I was quite proud. Mainly because I have always loved reading as a kid and then in my early 20's I got away from it but now, my passion and love for reading has hit full force. I am careful to choose books I know I will like, christian fiction and non fiction are always a go to, there are a few regular non fiction and fiction in the mix too.

Today, I want to share with you some of my favorites!

First and foremost, Connilyn Cosette is my new favorite biblical fiction author! She has a gift for bringing some pretty incredible stories to life that makes me want to open up God's word and re read the stories myself. Her fiction tales about many strong women who are not found in the Bible, but told from a perspective of if they lived during that time is like watching a movie. I highly recommend you start with her Out from Egypt Series that then feeds into her Cities of Refuge Series. I was sucked right into the families whose stories were being told!

Lisa Wingate's "Before We Were Yours" tells an incredible story of the Tennessee Children's Home Society that actually existed. The book gives a fictional spin on a family who survived the ordeal using real life accounts from other children that actually lived there. Thanks to this situation, we have many of the adoption laws in place today. Anything that makes me pique my interest in history is a win. "The Nightengale" by Kristin Hannah, although not a Christian book, tells a beautiful story of two sisters who lived in France during the time of WWII.

My absolute favorite non fiction of 2019 is as follows: "The Next Right Thing" by Emily P. Freeman who's soothing podcasts also soothes the soul and helps you to make the best decision based on the next right thing for you.

"Love Unending" by Becky Thompson is an excellent book on rekindling the marriage. I don't usually like reading marriage books, but this oneI soaked in and devoured each chapter and will keep to reread!

"All My Friends Have Issues" by Amanda Anderson was a book I used with a group of friends to read together and we had blast reading through Amanda's funny friendship stories. What happens at book club, stays at book club!

And for my last non fiction 2019 book shoutout is....drumroll, please.... "You are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You" by Jess Connelly. This was a wonderful and inspiring read and pair that with Jordan Lee Dooley's "Own Your Everyday: Overcome the Pressure to Prove and Show Up for What You Were Made to Do" is another incredibly inspiring read. (See what I did there? I totally added another because I couldn't leave it out!) In a world full of Rachel Hollis's it was refreshing to read the above two books about ceasing our striving and being content to do what God created us to without any pressure. Plus, Jess' book had to make the list because I got to really see and hear her heart as she came to our church's book club and I got to meet her!

So this concludes my book list for 2019. Keep checking back for book reviews and what I am reading next!

This blog is not called My Heart's Song for nothing so let me leave with you with one of my new favorite jams- acoustic style!

"Holy Water" by We The Kingdom

Book Review: "Still: 7 Ways to Find Calm in the Chaos" by Jenny L. Donnelly

2020-01-06T17:42:00.001-08:00

Have you ever gone through something really hard and wanted to give up? Have you ever thought you didn’t have what it takes to overcome an obstacle in your life that came crashing through your front door? Have you ever felt like you were losing your grip as your life’s circumstances swirled around you?

Well, what if I told you that you have everything you need inside to get through, push through, pull through, grasp tighter, hold your head up, and look that tornado in the eye and even be STILL. Well, we know Jesus can do that as told in Matthew 8:23-27. In this story, Jesus is riding in the boat with the disciples when the wind and waves were whipping wildly and water was pouring in the boat. In this story, Jesus stands up and asks profoundly, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”

In Jenny L. Donnelly’s new book, “Still: 7 Ways to Find Calm in the Chaos”, she beautifully paints a picture, even on the front cover of her book, of a silent and still eye of the storm seated in the middle of a hurricane.

Think of this statement Jenny makes in the book, “Water may be in the boat, but Jesus is too.” Sometimes I think we, as Christians, forget that we are in this boat of life with Jesus. Even when the storms are raging and He doesn’t calm the storm, He can calm the storm inside of us. Learning to be still and accessing God’s REST helps us to have the strength, perseverance, and endurance needed to pull through and come out of the storm and to the other side.

She does an incredible job of capturing God’s REST for us, even keeping the word in all caps throughout her book, to remind you that it is possible to walk through the most anxiety driven, fearful, and even depressing times with REST in our minds, spirit, and soul.

Jenny says,“If we think fear makes sense, then we will lend it power. We will say, “This is a fact, so it must be the highest truth.” In what seems like a logical conclusion, fear wins the moment. Even worse, the longer we believe in the fear, the more power it gains, eventually becoming a stronghold of the mind. A stronghold is a fortress of fear that becomes very strong and difficult to tear down.

At Universal Studios, we toured the movie sets. The buildings looked like solid brick and wood, but our guide said they were made of foam. Have you thought that maybe what you determined to be stone or fact is really foam? Fear is fake.”

What a powerful quote from Jenny’s book especially for someone like me who has experienced anxiety, fear, and worry of the unknown, the future, or other things that are uncomfortable to me. In doing so, I have allowed fear to incapacitate me and keep me in the fight, flight, or freeze mode of stress. Have you ever felt that? It’s a terrible feeling.

She tackles worry, fear, anxiety, dread and how putting on our garment of praise and being reminded of God’s grace that is given for every day as just a couple of examples to keep us grounded. These may sound like very spiritual terms for non-believers and new believers, but she really breaks this down into practical examples and scenarios of how and when this can come into play.

Most of this book is a perfect example of how we are to renew our minds and replace the negative with God’s promises and reminders of who we are- daughters and sons of the King of Kings. I love how this book brings all the glory ultimately to God. She doesn’t glorify herself or make remarks that she has this down to an exact science but talks about how she is still putting this into practice herself, slipping up at times, and falling into some of the same pitfalls as before, but keeps her focus on God. In doing so, it rearranges her perspective.

This book is filled with scripture, prayers, places for you to reflect, and keeps your eyes pointed towards the Lord. When we can get outside of our own heads and instead focus on the Lord and keep a kingdom perspective, we can better equip ourselves to handle life’s turmoil from a place of REST.

There are a million little nuggets of wisdom I could quote and share, but I highly encourage you to get a copy yourself, here. The very last chapter even has a beautiful prayer that wraps up the book while asking God to help our hearts and minds be still and remember to operate from our place of REST in God.

I will leave you with one of my favorite scriptures on the subject of entering God’s rest and being still. I will also leave you with one of my new favorite songs by Brian and Katie Torwalt that helps us remember to put on our garment of praise, even before our breakthrough fully comes.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I will always have everything I need.

He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water.

He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.

Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave, I will not be afraid of any danger,

because you are with me…” Psalm 23:1-4

The Year of the Snuffleupagus

2019-07-29T06:20:00.001-07:00

Every year, around New Year’s Day, I come up with my word for the year. I believe last year’s word was balance and I have also used courageous. But this year, 2019, the grand word chosen to bring enrichment and enlightenment into my life has been Snuffleupagus! Yep that’s right, the big, giant, furry elephant- like character from Sesame Street. Actually he started out being Big Bird's imaginary friend that brought him joy and friendship when he needed it.

So why am I sharing with you my word of the year now, while it is July? And why in the world is it a kid’s cartoon character? Well, to answer the first question, I had hoped that by now, mid- July I would have had something grander chosen as my word of the year- something more sophisticated, classy, and relatable.

Honestly, this word was chosen not by me, but my husband. Last winter when I was asking my husband what my word of the year should be it just popped out of his mouth. I immediately cracked up laughing at the ridiculous notion. I dismissed it and thought it was ludicrous, but come to find out, it’s been the perfect fit! Snuffleupagus represents to me not to take life or myself too seriously. A reminder to sit back, relax, and enjoy the life God has given me and not feel like I must have everything in life figured out.

When I become overwhelmed, burdened, and life begins to feel a bit heavy on my shoulders I realize that I am taking this situation too seriously, myself too seriously, or life in general too seriously. Then the word Snuffleupagus pops into my head and I envision the goofy looking character from tv with his endearing eyes and floppy nose and it puts a smile on my face. That’s it! It brings me joy! I remember that this is the word I chose for the year and for the moment it lightens my load. At the same time, I am reminded to leave my worries, cares, and burdens in God’s hands and stop stressing so much. Then it happened, the bible verse came to me that so perfectly encompassed the year of the Snuffleupagus:

“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in mean and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously- take God seriously.” Micah 6:8(MSG)

The words could not have jumped off the page more…"Take God seriously”! Oh, how I wish I would be more obedient to do that. I forget how amazing and perfect His plan for me is. How He truly has the whole world in his hands. How God has predestined plans prepared in advance for me to do. How God knew everything that would happen to me and my family and how it would all turn out. Sometimes I need to trust, sometimes I need to pray, sometimes I need to confront, sometimes I need to step back, sometimes I need to cry and sometimes I need to laugh.

Everytime I allow myself to get down in the dumps about a situation not turning out how I thought, a person not behaving how I think they should, or a plan changed from how I think it is supposed to go, I just think “Snuffleupagus” and I smile. I think of the joy and goofiness that character and that word brought to me as a child and what it brings to me now. I realize that no matter what, things are happening how they should and I need to give up more of my control so He can be in control.

Maybe you too need to lighten your load by lightening up. For you, the word snuffleupagus may not be the word that brings you joy. It may be the thought of your children, your favorite bible verse, or quote from some amazing author. It doesn't have to be complicated or religious. When life gets heavy and you feel bogged down, think of something that makes you smile and helps you to keep things all in perspective. Jesus didn’t die to give us all a life of stress. What kind of testimony would that be? He died to give us life more abundantly.

“Many are the plans in a person's heart,

but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”- Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

Your People, My People

2017-06-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

"But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.

Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay.

Your people will be my people and your God my God..."

Ruth 1: 16

There is a picture that hangs on our "gallery wall" as I call it. It is a wall filled with family pictures and signs with scripture and quotes and this one in particular quotes the famous words of Ruth from the Bible when she says to Naomi, "Where you go, I will go, where you stay I will stay." I had to have it when I saw it at the store because I quoted these same words to my husband about a year ago and they were a pivotal moment in our marriage.

You see we were about 8 months into settling into our new home in North Carolina and making friends after being relocated there, but we got word after the company buyout that we may be uprooted and asked to move again. At first I was livid! I was not having it and there was no way I was going to move my family across the country again and I didn't even want to think about it. I let my husband know that if another relocation was in the works he could go without me and I was going to go back to Dallas and be with my family.

But on my way to church that Wednesday night, God pricked my heart and showed me that I had spoken words of separation over our family and He certainly did not want those words to take root and cause a rift between me and my husband. My dad called me that evening on the phone and after venting to him about us possibly moving again, he said words I didn't expect him to say, "It is much more important for you to be there for your husband, than for your family to be there for you." I stopped in my tracks and thought about how terrible I was being. This move would bring opportunity, growth and financial blessing to our family but I was blindsided by the inconvenience it would cause our family to make new friends, find a new church and have our children adjust to being in new schools. Now don't get me wrong those are all big things to consider, but I knew that the same kindness shown to us by our new friends in North Carolina would be shown to us in Kentucky if God was with us.

So here I am 8 months into settling into our new home outside of Louisville, Kentucky and my kids having finished another year in another new school and we are yet again new in another church finding where we fit.

I am so glad I clung to those words Ruth spoke to Naomi and I noticed something. It's not the going or the staying that is hard, it's actually what comes after that, "...your people will be my people..."

Making my fellow Kentuckians my friends is what's daunting, intimidating, uncomfortable and takes me out of my comfort zone. Both I and my children wish we had the same strong friendships we left behind in Texas, but it took years for us to make those friendships and forge the strong bond we left behind. It will take years for us to make those best friendships and people you can call at any time of day and say "Hey I am coming over!" here too. But in the process of making these people, my people, I see God's hand in it all.

He brought us to a neighborhood overflowing with kids so there is no lack of finding someone for my kids to play with. He has brought together an incredible group of women who meet once a month at my house for book club and prayer. He placed me in a job working at one of my boy's schools so I am able to keep their same schedule, make a little money and get out of the house!

He is with us, Emmanuel!

God was with us in Texas, North Carolina and now here in Kentucky. Day by day, week by week and month by month he is showing us that His hand has been in it all- comforting, providing, directing, and loving.

So maybe you are in the same place I am in -making the people around you, your people. Or maybe your feet are frozen in place and He is asking you to go, perhaps He is asking you to stay. I want you to take comfort in the fact that the same all-knowing, omni present, ever-providing God that I serve is the same one that can come through for you and your situation. My God is your God. He can do the same miracles, restorations, and redemptions in your story as I see Him doing in mine.

I know that nothing that comes mine or my family's way has not first passed through His hand and He is going to either bring me through it or deliver me from it. Either way, growth, strength and courage await me on the other side.

Ruth had no idea what awaited her when she ventured out with Naomi. But when she met her Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, all that she had lost and more had been restored and her life became full.

I sometimes think that the difficult, uncomfortable and stretching times are now necessary for us as believers to scrape off the rough edges and buff out the marred places in our lives. The joy that comes in the morning is always well worth the pain in the night.

In Your Face, New Year!

2017-01-30T08:14:00.000-08:00

It's the end of the month of January and yes I am just now getting to my new year blog. But I figured now is probably better than to have written it on January 1st. I, personally, subscribe to many devotionals and blogs and I had an enormous influx of "New Year, New You" and "What's Your Word for 2017?" and "Be Healthy in the New Year" that they all kinda seemed to be the same and I began to just skim right over them and wish for the New Year newness to wear off a bit.

For some of you the New Year's Resolutions have already waved you goodbye and you find yourself struggling to get into the gym and validate that membership you put a bucket load of money into. For some, eating healthier eludes you as you walk into that coffee shop and smell the sweet scent of those blueberry scones as you sit down and pull out your laptop to blog, (Oh wait, is that just me?)

Bottom line is we struggle, all of us, with inner turmoil between what we wanna be and who we currently are. It's a never ending cycle of beating ourselves up internally for messing up and whipping ourselves into shape when the temptation to waver off our financial plan, diet plan, book reading plan falls apart or whatever New Year's resolution we made seems to come apart at the seams.

But let me encourage you with this, no matter what goal we set for ourselves this year, know this...you are a treasured and cherished daughter of the King and nothing will change that. No amount of pounds, no amount of books read or written, no amount of college finished or yet to be completed, no amount of healthy food in your fridge or brownies sitting on your counter can change that.

Being healthy and increasing your knowledge through going back to school or reading more books and even getting out of debt are fantastic habits and goals, but your identity in Christ is set despite what amount of money is in your bank account and what title is on your business card. Stay at home mommas, whether you got to shower today or not, put on your makeup or even get out of your pajamas, doesn't change how much God loves you or how beautiful He thinks you are.

So let's all stand up and hold hands this year sisters and say "In Your Face, New Year!" Don't let the would'a, could'a, should'a's get you down. Focus on today and the next right step. Focus your eyes on Jesus and spend time in His Presence asking Him what you are to prioritize today. Rest in knowing that you may not be where you want to be, but thank God you are not where you used to be. (Thank you Joyce Meyer for that quote.)

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Philippians 3:13 NLT

This song, "You are Loved" by Stars Go Dim could not be more appropriate...

We hide pain in the weirdest places
Broken souls with smiling faces
Fighting for surrender
For now and the after, yeah
Just look around and you'll see that people
Are scared to say how they really feel
Oh, we all need a little honesty

You are loved
If your heart's in a thousand pieces
If you're lost and you're far from reason
Just look up; know you are loved
Just look up; and know you are loved
When it feels like something's missing
If it hurts but you can't find healing
Just look up, know you are loved

We're not made to be superheroes
Photoshopped, all size zeroes
A light not expected
But not quite perfected yet
Look up; see the sun is shinning
There's hope on a new horizon
Calling you, it's calling

The Gift of Grace

2016-12-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

The best gift we can all give ourselves this Christmas season is grace.

As a recently returned to work mom, after staying at home with my children for many years, I have given myself the grace knowing my house getting clean and laundry getting done is not happening till Sunday afternoon...and that's ok.

As much as I try hard to stick to my weekly menu planning to save money and eat healthier at home, I give myself grace as I find myself going through another drive thru or ordering from another menu because time in the evenings goes at super speed...and that's OK.

As hard as it was to stay silent in my blogging world for the last three months, I needed that time of silence to regroup and re-encourage myself through another big life transition... and that's OK.

As hard as it is to stay away from sweets and my favorite food group- chocolate, I allow myself the grace to give in to one indulgence a week...and that's OK.

As much as I would love to spoil my family members with indulgent Christmas presents every year, I give myself grace as I go reaching for the gift-cards and sale racks making small purchases to allow my dollars to go further...and that's OK.

As this holiday season comes around with all of its hustle and bustle and the New Year's resolutions pressure returns its ugly heads, reminding of us of how far we fell off the wagon last year, we need to extend ourselves grace.

We aren't perfect, we will mess up, we will fail our family, friends and ourselves. But the important thing to remember here is that we get back up, try again or try harder next time. It's good to plan, it's good to budget, it's good to set goals, but sometimes we are a little hard on ourselves.

When we internally reprimand ourselves for screwing up or falling off the bandwagon, we bring thoughts of self condemnation upon ourselves that make us want to give up. That's not where our heads should be, we should extend grace to ourselves to not allow slack into our lives or a pattern of laziness to take hold but to remove the stress and pressure of perfectionism.

As we extend grace to ourselves, remember to extend grace to those around us too.

Did a certain family member forget to send you a Christmas card? Extend grace. Did an in law make a snide comment at the Christmas dinner table about your parenting skills? Extend grace. Did your husband change the tv from your Christmas movie to the football game? Extend grace. Did someone take your parking spot at the mall? Extend grace.

There are little ways to make this time of year a bit more peaceful and grace is the gift we can receive and gift to help make the holidays a bit more joyous this season.

This year give the gift of grace.

Strong and Courageous

2016-09-19T02:16:00.001-07:00

"Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

How many times in life are we in a position that we are called to be strong and courageous? Starting a new job, moving to a new city, becoming a parent for the first time, competing in our favorite sport, or trying a new activity like sky diving or zip lining!

Trusting the Lord with our children, holding our heads high even while struggling through a difficult diagnosis, or learning to put one foot in front of the other after losing someone we loved dearly. There are ample times and opportunities to share our strength and courage in different situations.

I am currently in one such situation myself and God has brought me to the book of Joshua for this season of my life. So when I have a heart for a certain story in the Bible I start from the beginning- Joshua chapter 1. God tells Joshua " I will give you every place where you set your foot...No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life." (verses 3, 5)

Wow! Pretty powerful stuff! Re-imagine that situation you are in with the promise that God has already got it covered, you will come out the other side not only fine but victorious, and any opposition will melt before you! Can you even imagine? So he goes on to instruct Joshua the battle plans for war and who he needs to conquer, the time he needs to conquer them, and how to do it, so as to claim the promised land for Israel.

Sounds amazing right? You would feel like you're on top of the world and can conquer just about anything! But... I notice something throughout the book of Joshua that catches my attention. God tells Joshua repeatedly " Be strong and courageous" or "Be very strong and very courageous". Why in the world would Joshua need so many reminders when God has already promised success and prosperity to Joshua and the Israelite's? The enemy was going to be delivered into Joshua's hands! So why all the reminders? You would think the promise of God's deliverance would be enough to power Joshua through all those battles. But the real enemy was not all the "-ites" that were inhabiting the promised land (Amorites, Gibeonites, Geshurites, etc...) The real enemy Joshua would need to face was his own fear.

Wow! This realization struck me and it's something that I have been going over and over again in my head, praying about and experiencing firsthand myself. Despite the victories that Joshua saw along the way, there were many times when the enemy looked very intimidating and their numbers seemed to not be in their favor. But in these moments that Joshua could have very well doubted his ability to win, He needed to remember who was on His side and the promise the Lord gave Him from the very beginning. God's promise didn't waver in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The thing Joshua needed to be careful of was that his faith in God didn't waver and that his doubt didn't take control.

I speak to the power fear can have over our lives in my book "Arm Yourself: Equipping Ourselves with the Armor of God." There is a whole section on fear and how it has the power to strip away our faith and lead to anxiety and anxiety can paralyze us. We can keep from moving forward and our unbelief leads to doubting God's ability to truly intervene in our situation, ultimately telling God that our problem is bigger than Him.

We can't walk in victory with that kind of attitude. Neither could Joshua, so that is why Joshua needed those reminders from the Lord to be strong and courageous!

Let me break this down just a bit more. Let's look at strength for a moment. According to Google, strength is defined as "the emotional or mental qualities necessary in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult." So what are these mental and emotional qualities needed? Well the verse that comes to mind is when Nehemiah says in Nehemiah 8:10, "...the joy of the Lord is your strength". How many times do we trade our joy for sorrow or despair when times are tough? A lot! Well, don't do that! Allowing joy which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives to shine through even in hard times is a gift to you in difficult situations. I am not talking about the feeling of happiness, but the decision you need to make everyday to operate in this joy despite what your feelings tell you the moment your feet hit the floor.

Courage is a quality we tap into when fear is knocking at our door, but we choose to trust in God's promises and His timing, purposes and plans for whatever situation we are currently facing. We may feel afraid, but we don't need to give into fear or let it control our lives. We need to speak to that fear-God's Word and His promises over our lives and situations that threaten to steal our victory!

Jesus has already won the victory over our lives! We need to walk in it. The same promise He gave Joshua, He has given to us. Don't live your life afraid of failure or rejection. Live boldly with strength and courage exuding from your soul and spirit. There were times when Joshua and the Israelites did stumble and offer treaties to tribes they should not have and allowed certain tribes to stay within the Promised Land that should not have stayed. Because of that, they were not able to fully conquer some parts for Israel's victory.

Don't make treaties with worry or stress. Don't allow things that strip away your victory to take places in your heart that God wants to fill with courage and boldness.

In Joshua chapter 21: 43-45, the promise becomes fulfilled. The Israelite's take possession of the land God promised and settled there. God gave them rest from war on every side and it ends with a verse I love (v.45) "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."

I don't know about you, but that makes me excited! So let me encourage you with this today, be strong and courageous! There are lots of things out there that threaten you, but remember it's not the people in our lives we need to fear or the situations seemingly out of our control:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6: 12

And over that, you can be sure we have already won the victory!!!

What courageous thing is God asking you to do? Write this verse down and carry it with you.

"So do not be afraid. I am with you.Do not be terrified. I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands.
I always do what is right.

11 “All those who are angry with you will be put to shame.
    And they will be dishonored.
Those who oppose you will be destroyed. And they will vanish.
12 You might search for your enemies. But you will not find them.
Those who go to war against you will completely disappear.
13 I am the Lord your God. I take hold of your right hand.
I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’ 

Isaiah 41: 10-13 

 

Re-routing (When God Takes You On A Detour)

2016-09-05T15:03:00.001-07:00

Traveling to visit my mom in far northeastern Arkansas from the Dallas, Texas area several years ago, me and my husband, along with my oldest son and my brother made the long trek to visit my mom for Thanksgiving.

During that 8 hour trip, the GPS on the phone would say "Re-routing..." when there was traffic up ahead or a faster detour we could take. My brother would look down at his phone and say "Aaah, Rita, she's done it again!"

"Rita?" I asked quizzically, "Who are you talking to?"

"My phone" my brother replied, "She re-routes so much I nicknamed her Rita Re-route."

So for the remainder of the trip and pretty much the rest of my life since then, I never looked at my phone the same way again, Rita Re-route always popped into my head when a re-route was necessary on our travels.

How many times I have listened to Rita Re-route willingly, and sometimes, not so willingly in my journey through life. Changing majors in college, switching professions (from aspiring Christian artist/preschool teacher turned stay at home mom/published author), relocating for my husband's job that has recently brought us across the country twice... all these things have definitely thrown kinks into my plans and at times, made me feel the rug was pulled out from underneath me.

But I can look back at all the re-routes in my life and see that the whole time, God was in control of mine and my family's ultimate destination. How we got there depended on whether or not we listened to take the faster detours or not.

That's why I love God's gift of free will. We can choose to listen to the Rita Re-routes in our minds or continue on our chosen path. But when we keep God first in our lives we will ultimately end up where we are suppose to be.

About a year ago I looked at my husband after we were settling into our new home in North Carolina and through homesick tears for Texas asked, "Is this where we will grow old? Or do you think well find our way back?"

He looked up, sighed heavily and replied, "I think we'll end up where God ultimately wants us to be."

I was not satisfied with that answer, I wanted to know and know now! I bent down on my knees asking God to answer this question for me, but all I ever got was silence. So I settled in my soul that I didn't need to know the answer, I just needed to bloom where God had currently planted me. So I did my very best with what I could with the time and talents I was given. I wrote, filmed and edited a bible study to go along with my first book, filmed a radio interview, hosted a book signing at a local coffee shop and got involved in a local church we started attending. But then I could feel a stirring in my soul, that we were about to get re-routed once again.

When my husband got the offer to relocate to Kentucky, we had the choice to accept and believe this was from God and provide us another opportunity to grow and flourish elsewhere or stay and see if maybe God was not quite finished with us here. When both my husband and I felt the release to move on and go with God, knowing He would provide for us there as much as He had here, we graciously accepted the detour.

As cliche as it sounds the quote that says "I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future" is my life's motto right now. I may not know what church we will attend or how my kids will like the schools or when well make new friends in Kentucky, but I do know that God is the center of this family and this home.

Sometimes God re-routes our lives to get us back on track, perhaps we've detoured far off the path that will be good for us. Sometimes He offers safer detours because there might be a dangerous path up ahead that can be avoided, and sometimes He re-routes us to grow us into the people He created us to be. That re-route might be what builds strength, character, hope or perseverance like it says in Romans 5:3-5 (NLT):

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Your re-route might not be a physical move like ours has been, but it may look like a cancer diagnosis or perhaps you got laid off from your job. Maybe your re-route is deciding whether or not to go back to school or get involved in that ministry opportunity at church. Perhaps your life is at one of those crossroads where your youngest started kindergarten this year and you feel the stirring to go back to work. Maybe all of your children have left home and you find yourself an empty-nester and that nudging to finish writing that book or maybe even to start your own business is constantly on your mind.

Life offers us many re-routes and a lot of detours. But we can trust we are on the right path when we consult with the ultimate navigator- Jesus!

Get Up and Go!

2016-08-08T06:20:00.001-07:00

Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Ephesians 5:14

I was a teenager sitting in church barely able to keep my eyes open. Hardly listening to the pastor's message that Sunday, I was in a season of my life where I was actively trying to grow in my faith. But that Sunday I just wasn't feeling it, wasn't paying attention at all, then my eyes closed.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you fall asleep in places that you know you shouldn't? Oh man, I remember the times in high school and college where I would drift off only to have my head jerk up so hard, if people around me didn't know I was asleep, they knew then by my wild reactive movements.

Well my head jerked up and I wildly looked around to see if anyone noticed and after breathing a sigh of relief, I looked down in my lap at my opened Bible and read the following words: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

It was almost like I received a shot of Espresso through an IV. I know no one around me saw me doze off that day, but God did. I can't tell you what the sermon was about or if anything profound happened after that service, but I woke up and got to listening to the Word of God being preached for that day.

This Summer, I have been enjoying the lazy days being at home with my boys, staying up late watching things like Shark Week and the Summer Olympics and getting to sleep in the next morning. But allowing myself to sleep in till the boys wake up, also keeps me from getting some quiet time with the Lord done in the morning.

When I hear my children rustling around, I look over at my phone, read the latest blog devotional in my email, say a little prayer and then drift back off to sleep before I hear the voice... For about a month now, I have been feeling the Lord telling me to get up, before my kids did and spend time with Him.

At first, I was frustrated. I thought I need that annoying voice telling me to get up to stop, because I need rest too! I justified rest is just as important to God as it is to me and he would understand. Only I knew no evil voice would be telling me to get up and spend time with God, the Holy Spirit was wanting to get me back in my quiet time, because there were things me and Him needed to hash out.

I had been feeling dry spiritually and frustrated. There were a lot of big decisions going on in my life and my family's that I should have been face down on the floor about, but I wasn't. In my quiet time I turn my Pandora channel on the Elevation Worship station, grab my Bible (not the one on my phone) and my journal and head to the front porch and get in the zone! In the stillness and quietness of those moments, that is when I hear God most speaking into my life. He and I both needed that.

He needed me to wake up from my sleep, rise up from the demands of my life trying to drown out His voice and take the time to let Jesus shine in me, through me and speak to me just like it says in Ephesians 5:14.

He needed me to get up and go spend time with Him, pray to Him and hear from Him. Let me tell you, I didn't regret it one bit!

What is God whispering into your life that you keep brushing aside? Does your spiritual walk feel like it is falling flat and lacking depth? Perhaps because it is. Get up and go to your quiet place. Do whatever you need to do to cancel out any distraction and mute all noise and just sit in God's presence to hear what He has for you today.

Deserts will bloom in the light of Your love
Valleys make room for the river of God

You never run dry
Never run dry
Never run dry

You're my source, never ending
You're my life, never lacking

Lyrics from "Never Run Dry" by Housefires

Never Say Never

2016-08-02T08:33:00.001-07:00

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

I have decided...NEVER SAY NEVER!

I always said I would never drive a minivan. After being voted "most likely to drive a minivan" in high school, I determined to rebel against people's expectations of me and become an SUV mom. But when it came time, the standard leather seats, automatic doors and dvd system with bucket seats were calling out to me in the form of a Chrysler Town and Country and the fact that it was much more affordable, made it even more appealing! So I drove off the lot and haven't looked back, loving my minivan and the spacious room it has afforded me and my family and friends.

I always said I would never home school my children. Yet I found myself purchasing the curriculum online yesterday in preparation of homeschooling my two boys into their 3rd grade and 6th grade year due to circumstances beyond my control.

I always said after our first cross-country move from Texas to North Carolina, I would never move across the country again! It was too hard, too expensive and emotionally way too messy. Filtering through the newness of our new town, fixing up a home, weeding through the homesickness and loneliness was at times more than I could bear. But here I am, getting ready to list my home here in the piney woods of North Carolina and searching for new homes in the state of Kentucky, venturing out once more to move across the country.

So I have resolved, never to say never. It's funny how God can take these "Nevers" and turn them into revelations. It's funny how God can take these "Nevers" and turn them into something we never knew we needed.

So I have resolved that if there is ever anything certain in this life, it's that things are going to change. Life evolves, people grow, circumstances shift from mountain tops to valleys. But here is one unchanging truth that truly will NEVER change...God is steadfast, he is unmovable and He is in control.

When entering into uncharted and unfamiliar territory in my life, I have learned it best to face it with wide open arms. Embracing the seasons of change, knowing that with every situation, new friendship, or opportunity comes with it growth that sprouts good things in my life. How do I know that? I cling tightly to Ephesians 2:10 as written above.

God is the center of my life, my marriage and my home. He hasn't veered me wrong before and he isn't going to start now. God has good things in store for me, my husband, my children, even in the uncomfortable, the new, the rocky, and the situations we say we would never find ourselves in.

I have used my minivan as a place of ministry. Both in Texas and North Carolina, I have taken my children and their friends and cousins to school and even in the simpleness of a child's prayer before they get out of the car, they jump out knowing that the God of the universe heard their voice that morning. I have had deep and insightful conversations with my 11 year old when he ponders why things are the way they are. I have heard my 8 year old crack the funniest jokes fills the minivan with laughter.

I look forward to this year of homeschooling my children, even though at times I find myself scared to death at the thought of it. Why? Because I have covered this decision in prayer and know that throughout another transition in our family's life this year, being able to be at home with them and pouring into them, will help them ensure a solid footing of family and faith, and help them adjust emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Believe it or not, I am excited about this move. I can hardly believe it myself. Why? Because I know that God is going to lead and guide our steps just as He has before. I have hope and confidence in His guiding hand because I have seen the work it produces in my life- strength, endurance, perseverance, courage, determination. I also rest in the fact that good things are prepared in advance for us in Kentucky, just as they were planned for me here.

Although it has been a whirlwind 9 months, I have met sweet friends that will forever leave an imprint on my heart. I have launched an online bible study for my book Arm Yourself and been able to share my story and passion with people in this coastal community. My husband has been able to grow professionally and have his talents and giftings in the world of computers be met with favor and blessing with promotions that stem from a wife's heart of earnest prayer over her husband the last 13 1/2 years. In world that has been wrought with turmoil and recession, God has always protected my husband's job and even been given positions of promotion throughout companies that have been littered with layoffs and many unknowns. God has great plans for Him in Kentucky too.

My children are learning that home is where we all are. It doesn't have to be the place of your birth, it just has to be where love welcomes you with open arms. Besides our homes here on this Earth are temporary, our eternal home is in Heaven. Moving releases the tight hold we have on material things and helps keep our focus on eternal things. The attitudes, the heart and the incredible strength my children have displayed is a blessing to behold.

You may not be moving to Kentucky, but you may be preparing to move into the unfamiliar and uncharted too and it scares you to death. You may be finding yourself doing exactly what you said you would never do. If that is you today, let go. Let Him lead. You don't have to be scared. He has good things planned for you, things He already has completely laid out, He's just asking you to take that next step of obedience. Will you?

Stop saying never and start saying yes!

A Different Kind of Blog: Love and the Outcome Concert Review

2016-06-14T07:16:00.002-07:00

I always love getting the opportunity to share with you the latest in Christian music. Today's post is a review on an up and coming band you might have heard on your local Christian radio station. "Love and the Outcome" is a band composed of Canadian husband and wife, Chris Rademaker and Jodi King.

I had the privilege to attend one of their concerts in my new town, Washington , NC. It was sponsored by 98.3 the Bridge, our local Christian radio station here in the inner banks. What I love most about concerts is that you get to hear the story behind the songs and their passion for writing inspirational music. They were newlyweds and sold everything they owned to follow God's call on their life. Their heart was burdened to take their music as a message and uplift and inspire fans all over the country to follow Jesus and share His love with them. Their motto, "God is love and we are the outcome", rings true in all of their music.

You might be most familiar with their tune "He is With Us" that currently plays on Christian radio, an upbeat song that will have you singing along quickly. My personal favorite is their new single, that I used in last week's blog, "The God I Know", that talks about letting go of perfection and laying everything we are, good and bad and imperfect at his feet and enjoying being in the presence of "The God I Know".

(Sidenote: I have never seen a live show where the female lead sings, plays the drums and the keyboard all at the same time. Kudos, to her, that takes skill! )

One of their most moving songs was written right after they moved away from Canada and found out that Chris's mom had cancer. They took a year off from music and touring to be there for her. Out of this situation birthed an amazing song called "The Story You're Building In Me".

Attending a concert gives you a glimpse into the heart of these fantastic musicians, that you wouldn't have otherwise known. I am grateful I got the chance to hear their incredible music and their story.

If you get a chance, I highly recommend you see this incredible couple in concert. Here are their tour dates.

Here is the link to purchase their latest album!