Glory

John 3:34-36

For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Since mid-September I've pulled out yarn, wool, crochet hooks and felting needles to create Christmas gifts. If I didn't start early and work faithfully to complete the items, I'd never finish on time. Handmade gifts take time, energy, a dose of love and discipline. Along with creating I've been gathering, making purchases here and there as we find things our family might enjoy. Next week I plan to scribble a list of everything we've tucked away so far and start sorting (and maybe even wrapping.) Yes, I know Christmas is about two months away, but I want to be ready. Why go to all the effort? Because we have family and friends we love. It's that simple.

If I'm spending that much time preparing for the holidays, how much more should I do to be ready for eternity? Everything! Not that what I do will get me into heaven (that's all Jesus love and grace.) Yet for me to have the hope of eternal life with God, I need to keep my focus on heaven, even as I live on earth. Even though I often fail, I start fresh every day and measure life against the truth of the Bible, prepare my heart with an ongoing dialogue between Jesus and me and appreciate the Holy Spirit's work in my heart that helps me produce God's fruit. With discipline, obedience, and faith, I challenge myself to a life dedicated to God.

I pray when I'm finished in this world, that I'll meet Jesus face-to-face. What a glory that will be. In the meantime, I prepare. Why? Because I love Jesus. It's that simple.

Think about life with Jesus in eternity.    

Fall Findings Friday: A Truck Full of Fun

Love this old truck I saw at Burger Farms. 

The lovely plants, scarecrow, and pretty little girl in her pumpkin patch dress 

add joy to my autumn.

Let Go

Historical Fiction Review: A Distance Too Grand (American Wonders Collection Book #1) by Regina Scott

Description:

Meg Pero has been assisting her photographer father since she was big enough to carry his equipment, so when he dies she is determined to take over his profession--starting with fulfilling the contract he signed to serve on an Army survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1871. What she doesn't realize is that the leader of the expedition is none other than the man she once refused to marry.

Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart, but he refuses to wait even one more day to get started. This survey is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.

As dangers arise from all sides, including within the survey party, Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind.

My Review:
I enjoyed, A Distance Too Grand. The story is filled with mystery, adventure and romance. Meg is a strong woman determined to accomplish her goal to be an excellent photographer. Regina Scott created Meg's character as a great example of a lady who not only respects the beauty God created, but a woman willing to take risks. Ben's character has a great capacity for love and adventure. One of the things I like most about the story is the thread of hope, where Meg and Ben both contemplate the love God has for them. The other character that takes center stage in this story is the Grand Canyon. You get an up close view of this incredible work of art. If you enjoy historical fiction set in natural surroundings and filled with adventure, you'll love this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

God Promises Restoration

1 Peter 5:6-10

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 

Living life as a Christ follower is no picnic.

At fourteen years old, I walked down the church aisle and gave my life to Jesus. If you remember anything about the teen years, peer pressure and mean girls infiltrated the school. I'd accepted Jesus the summer between my eighth and ninth grade year. When I entered the doors to my high school years, I waltzed in as a shiny new Christian. Even though many of my friends went to church, my heartfelt love for God took a hit. For some reason, friends turned on me and made fun of me. They couldn't understand why I wanted to devote my life to Jesus. Thankfully, I was part of a great youth group. But even at that, I sometimes felt alone in my stand for Christ. Satan never let up. 

Fast forward to many years later. I worked in an academic library. My surroundings felt like high school all over again. As a believer working in a liberal setting, my faith remained challenged. But this time, I understood why.

God's people are tested every day, all over the world. Satan is relentless. But so is God.  His love and grace surpass anything the devil temps us with. No matter what damage we suffer in this world, God promises to restore his children. He offers his strength and support to give us the courage to continue life for him and the hope of eternal life in heaven.

No matter the struggle, the broken heart, the disappointment, the sorrow, God promises restoration.

Fall Findings Friday: Autumn Through the Eyes of a Child

As an elementary student, I loved kindergarten art. I remember the teacher giving us screens, construction paper, leaves, toothbrushes and cups of paint. We placed the leaves on the paper, dipped the brush in the paint and rubbed it over the screen. The red, yellow, and orange paint splattered over the leaves and left a delightful pattern. 

The other day, as I walked through the elementary where my daughter works, I noticed these colorful works of art on the kindergarten wall. How lovely for the children to express their vision of fall. 

The Poetry of Autumn

I snapped this photo on a field trip in southern Ohio.