A Rejoicing Heart

1 John 3:20-23
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 

Sometimes when I try to understand the Bible, I make things too complicated. Several times in the Bible God makes his commands clear. Love him and love people. Believe in Jesus, love one another. But because I over think what I need to do each day I often stumble and fall. In other words, I forget to be kind. I fret instead of rest in his peace. I let negativity in the world steal my joy. I criticize when I should be thankful. You get the picture.

Thank goodness God speaks to me through his word. I love what chapter three of 1 John has to say. When I stumble and fall on my face because I'm not following Jesus' lead, my heart lets me know. Or as my Bible's notes say, my conscience speaks up. I believe this is the Holy Spirit nudging me and telling me to get it together. But when I am on track and following my Jesus with all I have, my heart sings. And that's the best feeling ever. That's when I know I'm being obedient to my creator. I pray before making a decision, I listen to the Spirit's lead, I garner courage to follow my Lord. A clear conscience equals a rejoicing heart. Praise God for Jesus!

Fiction Book Review: Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

Book: Description:

In her kitchen at Rose's Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected, and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen--and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful.

Journalist Adam Jacobs is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He's also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he's falling in love with the island's red shores and Caden's sweets.

When Caden discovers Adam isn't who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he's writing could do more than ruin the inn's chances for survival--it might also break her heart.

My Review:

I absolutely loved When Two Hearts Meet. Once I started reading I had a hard time putting it down. There were parts I found myself smiling through, not just smiling but grinning, and others I wanted to cry. This is the second book in the Prince Edward Island Dream series, and I liked it even better than the first. I related so well to Caden Holt's sweet, insecure character. She's someone I'd choose for a friend. And Adam Jacob's story broke my heart. Visiting the island through these characters made me want to go there in person. The other characters who inhabit the island or just popped in for a visit add a great interest to the story. And this isn't just a sweet read, it's a story about courage, love, and honor with a great element of trust. For me, this is the perfect book to curl up with and get lost in. The Red Door Inn is a lovely place to visit and I look forward to book three in the summer of 2017. I received this book for free from Revell Publishing.

Faith Is...

Go in Joy!

Ever Green

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

One afternoon after work, I strolled along the sidewalk to my car. As usual at this time of year, I glanced at the trees to see the autumnal colors. The college has some lovely maples and several other smaller trees. Along one side of the walkway, a group of small pines stood in front of several deciduous trees whose scarlet, gold, and orange leaves were in the process of falling. It struck me that we, the people God created, are like the trees who go through seasons of change. Not just aging, but spiritual challenges, physical adjustments, and emotional trials.

As I studied the beautiful scene, my focus then rested on the pines. Evergreens don't lose their leaves. They retain their rich, verdant color, even after all the leaves from the deciduous trees fall to the ground. Just as the maples and oaks reminded me of people, the pines reminded me of Jesus. He's always the same. No matter what happens, Jesus is still Jesus and God is still God. Sovereign and in control. My faith rests in the one who never changes. Praise God that I can live without fear because he is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Fiction Book Review: The Cottage by Michael Phillips

Book Description:
When Loni Ford is informed that she has inherited property in the Shetland Islands, she laughs. She wants nothing more than to sell it and be done with it. But when she arrives in the North Sea enclave, she is stunned to find that "the Cottage" is not at all what she expected, nor is David Tulloch, the man most of the islanders believe to be the rightful heir.

The locals could hardly be more surprised that the heir is a woman--and an American. Loni, in turn, finds the islanders quaint and a bit behind the times. Expecting David to be as provincial as the rest of his clan, she discovers that there is far more to the man than meets the eye. And there is something about the peaceful atmosphere of the place--and the character of its most prominent citizen--that soon gets under her skin.

Beneath the peaceful surface, however, change is threatening the island of Whale's Reef. David's cousin Hardy Tulloch, whose claim to the inheritance now in Loni's hands was backed by oil investors, has not been deterred in his aim to control the island. But his co-conspirators have plans of their own, plans that put Loni's very life in danger.

My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the Shetland Islands Saga. The Inheritance introduced readers to the Tulloch family and their quaint island life. In The Cottage we meet the American who is next in line to take over the small community. I enjoyed book one. Book two was even better. I love the Scottish setting, the authentic dialog entwined in the conversations, and the history of the Shetland Islands. This is not a fast read, instead it's one I call a "January book"; a perfect book to curl up with this winter (or on a cool autumn day) with a cup of hot tea. This can be read as a stand-alone, but I'd recommend you read both. I like Loni and David. They're both solid characters with a whole town full of people surrounding them like a patchwork quilt. One of my favorite parts of reading this book is the peaceful beauty of the Shetlands and the pastoral life. This a long book, 416 pages. There are some places that are a bit slow, but interesting. I received this book for free from Bethany House.

Nonfiction Book Review: 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood: Devotions and Coloring Book to Nourish Mom by Sarah Humphrey

Book Description:

Wouldn't it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions---an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

-Self-acceptance

-Self-care

-Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations

-Generosity

-Presence

-Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

My Thoughts:
40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood offers uplifting devotions meant to encourage. As a mother of adult children I know how difficult mothering can be and how easily discouragement creeps in. Anything that shores up confidence in a new or seasoned mom is valued. The devotions touch on several common issues shared among moms. Sarah Humphrey shares scriptures, uplifting thoughts, questions and prayers to help bring joy to a mom's day. She keeps the writings brief and doable for a busy mother. I like the graphics created for coloring. They are simple and not super-detailed, so they don't require an intense amount of time. Instead they are relaxing and lovely. This would make a nice gift. I received this book for free from Litfuse.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2dPEdIC

About the author:
Often considered a dreamer and silly heart, Sarah Humphrey uses inspiration from her most beloved career, motherhood, to fuel her passion for writing, creative movement and teaching. She has and is authoring several books and children's books. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three beautiful, bouncy kids.

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