Hope is a Beautiful Thing!

He Created us on Purpose

Psalm 65:8
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

Some days I feel like Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit when he yells, "I'm going on an adventure!" And we did, to an African savanna. As I sat on a motorized scooter, (because of my bum knee) I watched giraffes, ostriches, lions, and zebras roam together on the grassy plain. Fascinated by the elegant and graceful giraffes, I thought about the wonders God has made. It kind of blows my mind when I consider how many different animals God has created. Each time we've toured the Columbus Zoo, where our daughter works, we've never visited every exhibit in one trip.

God's creation is vast. So many incredible creatures roam the earth, and God designed them all. Just imagine God's love pouring over the earth as he formed and placed each creature in its home. Every animal roams their part of the world on purpose,  because of God's plan.

The almighty father who put the creatures on the earth, also made you and me. He designed us with purpose, to love him and to love each other. Like the animals, each individual has a role in this life. We have people to encourage and influence. We have work to do. We have a Savior to worship. Whatever situation I find myself in, I've learned to pray for God's guidance and purpose. I want to be a positive, encouraging influence for Jesus, even when I don't feel like it. 

Ask God what you can do for him each day. He loves us so much and wants to speak into our lives. Pray for purpose.

No Matter What, Pray

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Some years ago, I reconnected with my college girlfriends. Since then we've renewed our strong bond of love for one another. Thanks to social media, we "talk" every week. Our Messenger thread is long and filled with our hearts' needs and joys. One of the beautiful things about our 40+ year friendship is our collective desire to follow and worship Jesus. Which makes it easy to share prayer requests. And we do. We pray for each other on a constant basis. There are days, I know my prayer warriors are raising me up to God, and I feel the love. I've sought prayer for other friends and my family, and they prayed. We do this because we love each other and we love our great Father, God.

In Ephesians 3, I love how Paul prays for his friends. He kneels before his Father and pours out his heart. He asks for strength and power through the Holy Spirit. And seeks to have Jesus fill their hearts with faith. Paul understood the magnitude and necessity of prayer. He knew that God wanted to hear from his people. That hasn't changed. God asks us to talk to him. He wants to hear from us. Simply because he loves us.

Pray when you're happy. Pray when you're sad. Pray with joy. Pray in fear. No matter what, pray. Talk to God. He's listening, always.

Historical Fiction Review: River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart

Book Description:

Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave named Louis, a man who stayed in Springfield, Kentucky, when anyone with means had fled. A man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions. Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She's determined to find a way to buy Louis's freedom. But in 1840s Kentucky, she'll face an uphill battle.

Based partly on a true story, Ann H. Gabhart's latest historical novel is a tour de force. The vividly rendered town of Springfield and its citizens immerse readers in a story of courage, betrayal, and honor that will stick with them long after they turn the last page.

My Review:
River to Redemption is a wonderful story, laced with hope. Ann Gabhart's research shines as she recounts the horrendous effects of cholera on a small town, plus the miserable circumstances of slavery. Even from the negative, she shares a beautiful story of love. The main character, Adria, is a brave young woman with a heart of gold and enough spunk to shake things up. Another character who touched my heart was Aunt Tilda. I've read several of Ann's books. I believe this is my favorite, so far. I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I'll read Ann's every time. She's that good.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Planting Seeds

Acts 4:1-4

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

Our neighbor plants hyacinth bean vine every summer. From the large terracotta pot, he strings wire from stakes in the dirt to a beam, so the plant will train its way up and stretch toward the sun. I enjoy watching the progress as the seeds germinate and push through the dirt and become seedlings. As they grow, large heart-shaped leaves emerge with pretty purple veins. By the end of summer purple blossoms spike from the stem, and deep purple seed pods dangle.

Like my neighbor's plant, my faith started from a seed sown by folks in my life who loved Jesus. The seed germinated because someone watered my faith with teaching and love, as God poured his grace over me. During challenging times I've pushed through the dirt of grief, stress, and sin to reach the Son. My stems have grown and stretched until I've produced flowers to encourage others and seeds to plant in someone else's life. What a beautiful process God has established. Love for Jesus begins with the tiniest kernel and stretches and grows throughout life to produce the glorious blossoms of his love.

In Acts 4, Peter and John planted the seeds of truth as they preached about Jesus. Even though the Sadducees were angered and threw Peter and John in jail, the people who heard the message took that seed and believed. "But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand." Jail time didn't stop Jesus' seeds of truth from sprouting and growing.

Who plants seeds in your life? Are you planting seeds?

Historical Fiction Book Review: The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright

Book Description:

For over a century, the town of Gossamer Grove has thrived on its charm and Midwestern values, but Annalise Forsythe knows painful secrets, including her own, hover just beneath the pleasant facade. Yet her strange and sudden inheritance of a run-down trailer home--full of pictures, vintage obituaries, and old revival posters--leaves her wholly unprepared for how truly dark and deadly those secrets may be.

A century earlier, Gossamer Grove is stirred into chaos by the arrival of controversial and charismatic twin revivalists. The chaos takes a murderous turn when Libby Sheffield, while working at her father's newspaper, receives an obituary for a reputable church deacon hours before his death. As she works with the deacon's son to solve the crime, it becomes clear that a reckoning has come to town--but it isn't until another obituary arrives at the paper that they realize the true depths of the danger they've waded into.

Two women, separated by a hundred years, must unravel the mysteries of their own town before it's too late and they lose their future--or their very souls.

My Review:

I've never read a book quite like The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Moving between two centuries was fascinating but a bit difficult for me. However, the story is well written and interesting. Jaime Jo Wright's research into old-time tent revivals adds a mysterious and at times frightening aspect to the story. The twin revivalists, based on real people—provoke thought about how the approach of teaching Jesus matters and adds a dark note of suspense to an already mind bending story. I loved the part of the story where redemption steps into the lime light. Annalise's story made me want to turn the pages faster to see what happened next. The characters learn some hard lessons, but in the end..well I can't tell you that. You'll have to read for yourself. If you enjoy suspense and mystery mixed with history, you'll want to read The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House by way of NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction Book Review: A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden

Book Description:

As a biochemist in early 1900s New York, Doctor Rosalind Werner has dedicated her life to the crusade against waterborne diseases. She is at the forefront of a groundbreaking technology that will change the way water is delivered to every household in the city--but only if she can get people to believe in her work.

Newly appointed Commissioner of Water for New York, Nicholas Drake is highly skeptical of Rosalind and her team's techniques. When a brewing court case throws him into direct confrontation with her, he is surprised by his reaction to the lovely scientist.

While Rosalind and Nick wage a private war against their own attraction, they stand firmly on opposite sides of a battle that will impact far more than just their own lives. As the controversy grows more public and inflammatory and Rosalind becomes the target of an unknown enemy, the odds stacked against these two rivals swiftly grow more insurmountable with every passing day.

My Review:
A Daring Venture is a fascinating story about scientist, Doctor Rosalind Werner and her struggle as a woman in an all male science field. She works to prove that her theories can save lives, even when her methods may be questionable. She's a strong character with a heart for saving people from water born disease. But who wants to listen to a petite lady when money and power are on the line. Nicholas Drake, charming and a little dangerous, climbed the ranks from plumber to a man who decides life and death decisions. But he has a soft spot for Rosalind. The back and forth of their relationship entertains. One of the things I like about this story is the light it brings to the conditions of living with contaminated water. Many countries still do. We can't take it for granted. Elizabeth Camden's research into the time period illuminates her wonderful writing. If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend you read A Daring Venture. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.