God's Incredible Creation

We'd walked around the park's path a couple of times. Wanting to reach the two mile mark, we needed more steps. Across from the play area, a hiking trail wound up the hill. Other than a bit of mud, we enjoyed trekking along the small rise. As we tromped the path, we listened to the river rush and the birds sing.

As with any hike in the woods, I'm always searching for flowers and plants, particularly in the spring. I thought I'd missed discovering one of my favorite wildflowers. We hadn't visited the park where I usually see them. As we hiked along, I watched the floor of the woods. Along the edge, I spied not one, but many of the wildflowers I had hoped to see.

White Nodding Trillium

Red Trillium

Several red trillium squatted together along the edge of the woods. Only one white nodding trillium rested among them. Being a bit of a nerd, my excitement rose and I felt blessed to see these beauties of spring.

Anytime I am in the woods, I am recharged by God's incredible creation. His artwork revives my soul and increases my hope. If you can, visit a wooded area and take in God's beauty. Or step outside and listen to the birds' songs. Refresh your soul through his creation.

A little trivia—Ohio's official wildflower is the white trillium.

The Man Had Enemies

Psalm 56:1-4
Be merciful to me, my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
    all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long;
    in their pride many are attacking me.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Their target was King David.

The man had many enemies. In the Psalm, he wrote of being chased and pursued by armies. Thwarted on every side. He hid in caves, he ran, but in the end he knew where to find help.

In the midst of this health emergency we are in together—I hear fear. Will I get the virus? Will my loved one get it? Will we ever get to go back to work? Will we survive financially? So many questions, and all good ones. Everyone has been touched by this invisible nemesis.

When I ponder those same questions, I'm tempted to ball up with anxiety.

But I have good news. I've found comfort in the Psalms. As David was chased by his enemies, he recognized his refuge, his safe place, his best place to shelter in place—in the arms of God. Each day as I read a new chapter, I see God peeling away my layers of fear and replacing them with trust. No matter what happens, I trust God to love and comfort me.

Is this easy? No. But I choose to place my hope in God.

Do I fear? Yes. But I trust God more.

Psalm57:1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

Fiction Review: Love is in the Air: 5 Contemporary Christian Romances by Laura Hilton, Candee Fick, Kathleen Rouser, Kathleen Friesen, Tanya Eavenson

A while back I posted that Love is in the Air would be debuting May 1st. 
Since then, I have had the privilege to read and do an early review.

Book Description:

This collection of five brand new romances is sure to send your heart soaring.

First Class Wrong Flight by Laura V. Hilton:

Candi Walker is excited to attend her former college roommate’s wedding. At least it’s a direct flight across the country and the potential of messing up is next to impossible…until she crashes into a handsome pilot.

Alex Kuklewski has one last flight before he attends his stepsister’s wedding. Desperate to escape his tagalong ex-girlfriend’s clutches, Alex prays that his future wife would drop into his path. And she does.

Emotional baggage on both sides exceeds the weight limit. What will it take for them to launch true love into the air?

A Castle in the Clouds by Candee Fick:

Aspiring romance novelist Miranda Scott has her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book. Raised by a single mother, extravagant trips to castles overseas are only a fairy-tale…until a co-worker’s accident has her boarding a plane to teach creative writing on an all-expenses-paid school-sponsored trip.

Family responsibilities kept Joshua Clark close to home, but it’s finally time for the history teacher to spread his wings. Hopefully his time chaperoning an overseas trip will reveal what the next chapter holds.

Flying Into Love by Kathleen Rouser:

Unable to say no when others need her, Talia Sampson took on her deceased aunt’s advice column and the care of her special needs niece. Then new veteran, Ben Tanner, shows up unexpected on her doorstep. Hurt many times, he wonders where home is. Talia isn’t happy finding a hot-air balloon with him. And Talia hates flying.

Will she trust God—and Ben—enough to go airborne?

Written in the Clouds by Kathleen Friesen:

A mysterious cloud formation, a nerve-wracking introduction for JR and Serena, an unexpected reunion for Jim and Blythe, a few traumatic memories, a pilot for the company plane, and another afraid of flying. Mix them together…and what in the world is God up to? Is it love at first flight?

To Gain Forever by Tanya Eavenson:

Karianne Bennett, small-town wedding coordinator, has always believed in happily-ever-afters. That is, for everyone but herself. Hope comes when she adopts a retired service dog and a newcomer catches her eye.

Trey Scott has been fascinated with fireworks since he was a boy. If he can land the account for a hot-air balloon festival in an out-of-state town, he’ll be that much closer to achieving his lifelong goal. But his dreams never included a beautiful dog walker who also happens to be the stranger he’s been praying over for years.

My Review:
I enjoyed this collection of sweet romances by these talented authors. Each writer took the theme of love in the air and created a unique story. I had a couple of favorites as every reader will. You'll enjoy the history of a hot-air balloon, a mix up at the airport, rekindled love in a small business plane, fireworks celebrating love, and a delightful literary trip to Europe. The couples in the stories span several generations, which adds a special touch. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Kindle version is available for pre-order at 99 cents. Quite a deal for five wonderful novellas. 

Whom Shall I Fear

I'm human. 

I get scared. 

As I talk with family and friends, I hear fear. 

Fear that life won't get back to normal for a long while.

Fear of contracting a vicious virus.

Fear of fear.

Instead of living in a state of anxiety, I'm choosing to trust God

as I practice common sense and apply wisdom.

Have a Blessed Day!

Jesus rose on the third day!

He conquered death so we could have freedom through him.

Thank God for his love and mercy.

He Opened Their Minds

Luke 24:36-47

While they [the disciples] were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ”

Easter—the day we remember Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Prophets spoke of the Messiah, how he would die and on the third day break the chains of death. The Lord himself taught the disciples about his purpose on earth. They traveled with him and witnessed miracles. They heard the Pharisees mock him. Every one of them knew Jesus' story inside and out. But here they were humming and hawing about the very truth he showed them.

They thought they saw a ghost.

They'd witnessed Jesus being drug through the streets and beaten. Yet, the man they loved and missed, the one they'd seen nailed to a cross, and placed in a tomb, dead as could be—stood in front of them in full flesh and blood and declared victory over the grave.

Peter's guilty conscious plucked at him because he had cowered and denied he ever knew him. Thomas shook his head in disbelief. The other disciples stood with their mouths hanging open. Yet, Jesus didn't give up. He opened their minds to the truth.

In this time of pandemic, stop doubting and open your minds to the truth and hope of Jesus. The world is a mess. Not just from COVID-19, but from evil and sin. That's the bad news. The good news is, Jesus opened the doors to hope and heaven.

Jesus stands with outstretched hands in hopes everyone will trust in him.

I thank God for the opportunity to worship my Savior this Easter. Let's sing praises to him from our couches. Lift up prayers from our living rooms. Search our hearts and accept Jesus as Savior. He died so we can live, here on earth with purpose and one day with Him in heaven.

Celebrate Easter with Him!

Peace to You

Sometimes the calm we need feels far away.

I know Jesus offers a peace that transcends whatever is going on in life.

He offers amazing grace and hope.

In this week before Easter, I pray peace fills your heart.