Children's Book Review: School Time Blessings by Mike Berenstain

Book Description:

It’s time for the new school year to begin and all three Bear cubs are excited and a little nervous too. When challenges and fears almost get the better of the cubs, Mama and Papa step in and remind Brother, Sister, and Honey that with their support, prayer, and God’s love they will each have a great year!

My Review:

Summer is winding down and school is just around the corner. And the Berenstain Bears are ready to help make the transition a little easier. Mike Berenstain has continued his family legacy with this delightful new book, School Time Blessings. This is a perfect book to read with your children before school starts, especially if they go to a public school or preschool. I like the way he incorporates prayer and scripture for reassurance in the story. Kids will love the latest Berenstain tale and will learn from the family's solution of how to calm the fears of a new school year. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.

Fiction Book Review: Missing by Lisa Harris

Book Description:
Nikki Boyd isn't usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she's ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant--and another dead body--Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business--including Nikki.

My Review:
Missing is the second book in the Nikki Boyd Files. Lisa Harris does a great job threading suspense through the entire book. Just when I thought Nikki and Jack had found an answer to the mystery of the missing person, another part of the puzzle goes missing. I also enjoyed the bit of romance that's tucked in here and there. I think that pulled me through the book as much as the suspense. If you enjoy NCIS, you'll love Missing. It's a quick read because it's hard to put down. 4 stars. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.

Chasing the Light?

1 John 1:5-7

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

As a child I remember chasing lightning bugs on warm summer evenings with my cousin Rusty. Before we wandered into the yard, we'd punch holes in the lid of an empty mayo jar and add grass to their "nest" so the little creatures could breath. Then we'd scamper after them and lure them into our hands. We loved the way the magical glow from their blinkers lit up our rooms at night. 

Lighthouses give off a different kind of light. One of warning. One the sailors didn't want to chase, but instead steered away from. Their glow sliced through the black skies and gave a signal to turn away.

Light can be a guide and a warning. The sun's brilliance illuminates our days. The radiance of a streetlamp shines on a path for safer passage. The flame of a candle embodies peace. The warmth of a fire gives comfort. As a follower of Jesus, I've been given the Holy Spirit as my light. He illuminates the way and leads me. Like a lighthouse, he beams a warning to send me away from sin. He pours the warmth of comfort over me and draws me nearer to God. Like a lightning bug, I want to chase him to capture the glow of hope that is Jesus. Praise God for his light in a dark world.

Best Birthday E.V.E.R.

Bucket list—a list of goals or accomplishments to be achieved by a set time.

To celebrate my fifty-ninth birthday, my husband Tim and I traveled to one of our favorite destinations—Marblehead, Ohio. We went to visit the the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the United States side of the Great Lakes. On that lovely eighty-degree day we gathered at the base of the lighthouse with a group of folks who intended, as we did, to climb to the top and view Lake Erie.

I'll admit, it was a struggle for me. My arthritic knee, and my new knee (replaced almost two years ago) made the journey literally one step of the seventy-seven at a time. Thanks to Tim's encouragement, I made it to the top. And the view was totally worth it! I loved looking out over the Lake. We caught sight of Kelleys Island, Cedar Point, and the water that rippled for what seemed like forever. As we chatted with fellow climbers, we learned that several of them were afraid of heights. Yet because we wanted this experience, we overcame our fear and enjoyed the incredible beauty below. Being so close to the light reminded me how both male and female lighthouse keepers-centuries before-carried heavy buckets of whale oil up the steps, no matter what season, and kept the light shining for oncoming ships. I gained an appreciation for their daily tasks.

The descent challenged me even more. Yet I'd probably do it again. But just in case I never have another opportunity, I crossed that one off my bucket list. Wonder what else I can do before I turn sixty. 

What's on your bucket list?

Best Birthday E.V.E.R.

Bucket list—a list of goals or accomplishments to be achieved by a set time.

To celebrate my fifty-ninth birthday, my husband Tim and I traveled to one of our favorite destinations—Marblehead, Ohio. We went to visit the the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the United States side of the Great Lakes. On that lovely eighty-degree day we gathered at the base of the lighthouse with a group of folks who intended, as we did, to climb to the top and view Lake Erie.

I'll admit, it was a struggle for me. My arthritic knee, and my new knee (replaced almost two years ago) made the journey literally one step of the seventy-seven at a time. Thanks to Tim's encouragement, I made it to the top. And the view was totally worth it! I loved looking out over the Lake. We catch sight of Kelleys Island, Cedar Point, and the water that rippled for what seemed like forever. As we chatted with fellow climbers, we learned that several of them were afraid of heights. Yet because we wanted this experience, we overcame our fear and enjoyed the incredible beauty below. Being so close to the light reminded me how both male and female lighthouse keepers-centuries before-carried heavy buckets of whale oil up the steps, no matter what season, and kept the light shining for oncoming ships. I gained an appreciation for their daily tasks.

The descent challenged me even more. Yet I'd probably do it again. But just in case I never have another opportunity, I crossed that one off my bucket list. Wonder what else I can do before I turn sixty. 

What's on your bucket list?

Happy Hollyhocks

Does anyone else remember playing dolls with hollyhock blossoms? My Aunt Rosetta grew them in her yard. When I saw all the hollyhocks blooming in Marblehead last week, sweet memories drifted through my mind. Hollyhocks equal a happy heart.

Sandy Beach or Rocky Shore?

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine [Jesus] and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

In the course of a day we walked on a sandy beach and stood upon a rocky shore. In the afternoon as my foot touched the warm sand on one of Lake Erie's beaches, the tiny grains shifted beneath my feet. I had to make an effort to keep my balance. I scooped a handful of sand and let it sift through my fingers. Each bit sprinkled to the shore and was washed away by the tide. Beautiful but not a solid foundation.

Later in the evening, Tim and searched for the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. We found huge rocks along the shore of the lake. As we climbed out to secure a place, the boulder I stood on felt solid under my feet. Waves crashed against the rocks, but we stayed put, in place, safe from the stormy water. From our safe spot we viewed orange, pinks and blues as the sun dipped down.

As Jesus told the story of where to build a house— on sand or on rock, he wanted his listeners to understand they needed a solid foundation for their faith. He was asking, "Will your faith shift like sand and be pulled out from under you? Or will your faith have a well-built foundation, strong, durable in times of trouble, secure?" Jesus cares about our faith. His desire is that we have a faith as solid as a rock that can't be moved. He wants us to be certain that our faith will stand up against the difficulties of life and give us confidence to serve him. I'm thankful that when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, God instilled the Holy Spirit in me so I would have a solid foundation, a reminder of my faith, a guide in life. I've built my faith on the solid rock of Jesus. I love him and he loves me. Praise God for Jesus Christ!