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Do you like change? Are you excited when you get a new phone or job? When a new restaurant opens in town do you rush to try it or stay with your favorite one? How about trading one loved thing in for something unknown. Most people are mixed when it comes to change. They do not really like it unless they control it or the outcome.

I do not like change. Familiar is comfortable to me. A new phone or computer is a nightmare for me….and my kids! I call them for help all of the time when I need to get a new one. There have been times in my life God has given me change. Sometimes I willingly accept and other times hold on tightly to my cheap pop bead necklace. Do you know that story?

“A little girl sees a beautiful necklace a the discount store. She begs her mother to buy it for her each time they go. Finally the mother lets the girl buy the inexpensive pop bead necklace kit with money from her piggy bank. The girl is thrilled and makes the necklace immediately. She wore it everywhere, even to bed.

Her father loved his daughter very much and after tucking her in one night asked “Daughter, do you love me?

“Yes, Daddy, you know I love you,” the little girl giggled.

“Well, then, give me your necklace.”

“Oh! Daddy, not my pretty necklace!” she cried and pouted. “You can have Emma, my favorite doll. I will let you have her glittery outfit, too.”

“No sweetie, that’s okay.” Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss. “Good night, sleep tight.”

A week later, her father once again asked her after reading her a bedtime story, “Do you love me?”

“Yes, yes, Daddy, you know I love you.”

“Well, then, give me your necklace.”

“Oh, Daddy, not that! But you can have Teddy, my bear.  ‘Member him? He’s my favorite. He is so soft, and you can cuddle with him and everything. You can have Teddy if you want him, Daddy,” the little girl said to her father nodding her head.

“No, that’s okay,” her father said and kissed her cheek again. “God bless you, my daughter. Sweet dreams.”

Several days later, when her father came in to tuck her in bed, the girl was sitting on her bed and her lip was trembling. “Here, Daddy,” she said, and held out her hand. She opened it and her beloved pop bead necklace was inside. She let it slip into her father’s hand.

With one hand her father held the plastic necklace and with the other he pulled out a red velvet box from his jacket.  Inside the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls.
He had them all along. He was just waiting for her to give up the cheap things willingly so he could give her the real thing that she deserved.”

Are you holding onto something that our Heavenly Father wants you to release?  Holding tightly to something or someone that just is not good enough for you? An abusive person, a bad habit, someone that uses you and doesn’t respect you, drugs, or…..? What are you hanging on to that you should not be attached to as much as you are that goes against God or His commands? Change is hard, but you have help.

Let go and let God replace that cheap plastic pop bead necklace with an expensive genuine pearl necklace in a beautiful velvet box that you certainly deserve. He will not take things away without rewarding you with something better. (I know first hand.)  He loves you, too much.

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

“Beneath Copper Falls” by USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble is one of her Rock Harbor novels. This 304 page paperback published by Thomas Nelson Publishers is a contemporary Christian crime thriller novel that takes readers ack to Rock Harbor, Michigan. While several of her old characters make appearances in this familiar place, this can be read as a standalone book.

Author Coble has woven suspense, intrigue, mystery, and romance intricately into the pages of this novel. Twists, turns, and surprises are thrown in to keep readers on their toes. It is a fast paced, page turning book. I love the author’s writing style. (And she’s a fellow Hoosier!). Her characters are extremely well rounded. Some are so likable I want to e friends and stay connected with them. Others are despicable and totally unlikable. She knows how to write nice and mean guys. Conversation flows effortlessly and never seems forced. The description of the setting takes me away on a mini vacation while I am reading to a place I have never gone. There is a reason she is a best selling author – she is a gifted storyteller.

This is the story of Dana Newell and Boone Carter. Dana, a 911 dispatch operator, returns to Copper Falls in the middle of winter. She needs to escape from her controlling ex fiancé and wants to get back to small town life. Bree Matthews, her old friend that trains search and rescue dogs, helps her settle in along with Boone, a new friend, and confront the manipulating man she left. Sparks fly immediately between Dana and Boone. Things are happening in the little town that reveal it be be not a cozy, quiet little place. Dana receives a 911 call from a friend that whispers “he’s going to kill me.” A secret is uncovered, mysterious things happen, and women kept being murdered.

Life lessons appear in all of author Coble’s books. This one is to judge people on who they are on the inside not on their appearance. It is about how beauty is more than skin-deep and evil can be in good looking, attractive packages. Mention of God and Christ is in this book but infrequently. This is not a scripture filled novel.

A great many endorsements, 4 pages, are at the beginning of the book for the author. You might recognize some names: Cara Putnam, Terri Blackstock, Denise Hunter, DiAnn Mills, Dani Pettrey, to name a few. These are followed by a Prologue, the forty chapter story itself, and concludes with a Note from Author Coble. I was excited to see that she includes Discussion Questions in this book. That makes study and reading groups easier. Acknowledgements and book covers of some of her series follow the questions, then an excerpt from her “Haven of Swans” novel, and information about the author closes the book.

I would highly recommend this book. If you enjoy page turning suspense, crime mysteries with romance this is your book! It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. For reading groups, the discussion questions are great. If you need a gift, this book would be well received. It is really good! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a review. This is my honest one.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”  Prov. 31:30 HCSB

The other day I was struggling. Nothing major was going on it was a culmination of a lot of little things. The dishwasher needs replaced, the house needs painting, the phone didn’t work, my dog would not quit barking, I lost something I needed, two television need replaced, my hubby wasn’t feeling well, I fractured my foot, and such went my “struggle” list. Feeling overwhelmed I got a bit panicky. Then logic set in. If those were my only problems I feel certain some people would line up to exchange theirs with mine. My Uncle JW used to say if we all put our problems in a bag and got to pick out someone’s, we would wish we had our own back. True, isn’t it? After hearing how bad someone else’s issues are, our own pale in comparison.

What matters in life to me is having family and friends that love me and I love in return. More than that is knowing I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and takes care of me. This past week I have thought about trusting God. I trust Him with the most important thing, my eternal life and that of my family. Okay, that’s big. So if I can trust Him to see that I live and do so happily after I die here on Earth, why can’t I trust Him with everything else? The truth is that I can. He cares about every area of my life because He cares about me.

Sure this is a lot easier said than done. I’m working on it. It’s going to take some time, but I believe God cares about the things that bother me. Don’t get me wrong. He isn’t a want list supplier or genie to grant our three wishes. Abba is our Creator, our Father. When I pray He listens and answers. I prayed for help finding the paper I had lost, and suddenly it can to me where I had put it. That was all God putting the thought in my head. Believe me, whenever I have a need, He supplies it. It might take one prayer or months of persistent, trusting prayers, but He answers according to His will. For months, years actually, I have been praying for certain family members to be saved and baptized. While that hasn’t happened yet, they are now consistently going to church. Others I have prayed for have received Jesus and are ministering to others through mission trips and leading groups. That makes my heart sing.

Are you struggling with something? Don’t panic. Believe me when I tell you God wants to help. If you need a prayer partner, I would love to call and pray with you. Your struggles might be like mine, not as bad as others, but they are bad to you. Trust God with your everything – your family, struggles, and most of all your eternity. He wants to help you. Why not let Him?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV

 

 

Happy 4th of July! It is almost time to celebrate the birthday of our great nation. Land of the free and home of the brave is 241 years old next week.  What would be a nice gift? Exactly what do you give a nation or wish for it on its 241st birthday? How about peace? Peace. That sounds wonderful.  Our nation could use some peace.

Many songs have been written about America.  Our national anthem, “God Bless America,” and “This Land is Your Land” are just a few.  One of my favorites is Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” It never ceases to touch my heart or bring a tear to my eye.

“If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I’d thank my lucky stars to be livin’ here today
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA”

Do you feel the same way? Do you love this land? After the worst mud-slinging election that I can remember Americans are still fussing and feuding. Instead of putting aside their personal feelings and working together, many are intent on continuing to argue and debate. On Facebook I have even noticed a profile picture was an upside down U.S. flag. This is so disrespectful. There are rules and codes concerning our glad and the respect it deserves. According to United States Flag Code, “8(a)The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” Political reasons do not validate flying the flag upside down.

Times have changed drastically. The nation that was formed in 1776 is much more different than it was then. It makes me ponder what our forefathers would think if they could see the disharmony today. Would they be proud of their children or ashamed.  Is this the nation they dreamed it would become?

When it’s all said and done we are all still Americans, citizens of this country. It deserves your respect, support, and love. We can make it a better place to live by working together and not continually fighting. Let’s give America and Americans peace for her birthday this year. It couldn’t hurt. In fact, it would only help.

“Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.” I Peter 2:17 NLT

 

Do you like to play game? I love games. Cards, board games, charades, word games, or even hide and seek are all fun to me. My entire family has played games as far back as I can remember. When I was small we played “I Doubt It,” “Button, Button,” “Kick the Can,” “Crazy 8’s”, and a list that would fill up this entire page. In High School we had “Monopoly” tournaments and played a word game called “Probe”. They make good memories and help keep minds sharp, too.

Recently our kids, grandkids, and my parents came over for dinner on Sunday night. It was a nice family evening of food, family, and fun. I played a game with my twin granddaughters, M&M (yes, they are sweet as candy), and son. The game was called “Things.” Have you played it? My hubby ventured out from in front of the television to see why we were laughing and hollering. We were having a ball! One person, the reader, reads a question that everyone answers on a piece of paper. He then reads the answers and the others try to guess who said which answer. Try playing this with twins. Very difficult. A couple of times mother and son had similar or the same answers.

Questions were all over the place. “Things you should not say to a policeman when getting a ticket” or “Things you wish your parents had told you.” One grand girl said to the latter, “take socks to a sleepover.” Parents, remember that. Our same answer came on “Things that need a referee” to which we both said…….”this game!”  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree here.

My aha moment came with question “Things you would buy if you won $1 million.” My son dreamed of a better vacation for his family while I wanted a vacation home large enough for our entire family in the Smoky Mountains. We were both shamed by the girls’ responses. “Help for the homeless” and “Give to charity and homeless people.”  Wow, what generous answers!

This Mother’s and Gram’s heart swelled with love and pride. My son has done a fabulous job teaching his children priorities and what is really important in life.  Let’s not forget his dear wife.  It was a tag team job. The girls have gentle, loving, giving souls already. Their answers were much better than ours. Obviously this was just a “what if” game, but they still answered with their hearts.

How were your answers? Did you play along with us?  How would your children or grandchildren do? Make memories with them and use a fun game to teach lessons, too. Sometimes you might be the one that learns something.  You might be pleasantly surprised!

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt. 6:21 NIV

  

I love animals, most of them anyway. My house doesn’t feel quite like a home without at least one dog and cat. Unfortunately within the past year or two my senior pets all crossed that rainbow bridge except my eleven year old Peke-a-poo protector Samson. I laughingly asked my hubby “please don’t ever tell Sam he’s a d.o.g.” To which he replied “Don’t worry. He wouldn’t believe me anyway.” That’s how important my furbabies are to me. They are family.

Previously at different times I had two Siamese cats, and this is the breed for me. I knew it was important to me that I rescue and not buy my pet so I searched and found the Siamese Cat Rescue Center. They are nationwide and divided into regions. I completed an application, got references, and received a telephone interview. The objective of this organization is to place the right cat with the right person. I was asked what I was looking for in a cat: lap sitter or active, gets along with animals and children, chatty, likes affection or a loner. After the conversation the interviewer determined a male cat, no younger than 18 months or so would be right for us, but no “torties”. I was excited and ready. Bring on the kitties!

Looking at the pictures I discovered I liked them all. I wanted a cat so I put in to be considered for a few of them. For one reason or another each time the adoption just didn’t work. There were family health issues, the cat wouldn’t do well with kids or dogs, or it was outside our transport area. After five months I had almost given up hope, but not JoAnn, my Fairy Catmother. She was diligently watching for the right match. She knew what I needed and had it down to a science. A male, lap sitter, love bug, chatty, playful, good with kids and dogs. JoAnn worked endlessly to make sure I received the “purrfect” pet. She assured me the right one was out there and just hadn’t come along yet. “Be patient.”

Throughout this ordeal I prayed and asked God for the right pet at the right time. It was difficult waiting. I was impatient. How silly was that? I asked my Creator and Maker of the universe for the perfect pet at the perfect time and got upset because that hadnt happened. God is good even when we don’t deserve it. He stills loves us and answers prayers.

One day it happened like JoAnn said it would. I watched the pages and saw a new boy. I never believed in love at first sight until I saw my Jesse’s picture. When I viewed it I immediately knew he was my forever furbaby and I was his human. I was in love. The waiting had paid off. He was available for adoption at 9:00 a.m. the next morning so I set a reminder on my iPad. It went off and I signed up as “First in Line” to adopt him! He is a beautiful seal point with sky blue eyes that melt my heart. After being here only three days he was right at home. He and Sam eat sleep, and play together. Jesse follows me around like a shadow, comes running when called and loves to play.  My life has so much joy in it with this sweet boy. Even my husband remarks that it is like we found a missing piece to our family we didn’t know we lost.

Could I have found a nicer, cuter, sweeter, cat? Absolutely not. He’s perfect! God answered my prayer in His time. If I had gotten a cat earlier, I would have missed out on this jewel.  Even though it is hard, the best thing to do is pray and wait. God’s timing is perfect. Believe me, I know from experience.

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

P.S.  If you are wanting to adopt a cat, I highly recommend the Siamese Cat Rescue.  They are still checking on us and offer great support.  Their cats come microchipped, with all shots, neutered, and with a goodie bag of food, treats, toys, scratching pad, and surprises.  It is very affordable and offers a senior discount.

Father’s Day is almost here. It is a day to honor and remember fathers and those men that have influenced our lives. I have been so fortunate to have had not only two Christian men as fathers, but also my grandfathers and uncles were as well. The memories I have and am still making are priceless. Having a husband that prays with me is a treasure, too. Every marriage needs God in it. Seeing the Christian man my son is brings joy to my soul as does knowing my daughter married one, too. Godly men come in all ages and are all important.

Who are the men that influence you or have influenced you? Are you honoring them on Father’s Day? Are you making them feel loved and respected? Two of the worst feelings are being ignored or forgotten. Don’t do that to them. Remember all the good times you have shared and reminence with them. Tell them how important they are and what a good job they are doing or have done. Let them know they are appreciated and adored. Encourage the young fathers.

For a long time Father’s Day was rough for me. After losing Daddy the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate fathers. It was a day of sadness and tears for me. I was so young then. God changed that and now I can rejoice in my blessings on Father’s Day. Abba gifted me with Dad almost forty years ago. Dad is awesome. The relationship we have is much different than the one I had with Daddy. Child verses adult, but the love is equally strong. The memories I have with my Daddy are happy memories of the past, and the memories of Dad are still being made. Those are definitely happy ones, too. He is a precious man and I treasure him. His wisdom and values are immeasurable. He is a great role model for the men in our family. Dad loves God and family. He has a servant’s heart.

Uncles equal happy memories for me. When I think of my uncles images of drives in the country, picnics, camping, family gatherings and fun pop into my head. Jokes and partial verses of songs come to mind, too. Uncles are just fun. They laugh, joke, tease, and love. I have one uncle left here on Earth. Dad’s brother could pass as his twin, and I know he loves me dearly as I do him. His laugh is contagious, just like my Dad’s.

How about those grandfathers? Are you fortunate enough to still have yours? So many times I want to ask one or the other of mine something. I want to hold their hands. See the twinkle in their eyes. Hear their loving raspy voices. I miss them.

Don’t for one minute take for granted something that could be taken away in the blink of an eye. Show love now. Tell family how important and loved they are. Pray for God to protect them. If you have grandchildren, be an influential, loving grandparent. If you are a parent, set a good example. Guide and direct them in God’s ways. This Father’s Day, don’t forget the greatest, best of all Fathers. Jehovah, God our Creator and Father. He has provided the perfect example of love.

Happy Fathers Day to my husband, Dad, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in, nephew, and Uncle G! To all the countless men, cousins and friends, who have helped us, I remember and thank you. You are appreciated, loved and respected. To my Father God, thank you for the perfect care you give us. Thank you for fathers.

“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Eph. 6:2-3