Plant Roots in His Truth

 Jeremiah 17:7-8

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

"Jesus found the muddiest parts of my heart and planted flowers." -the soul doctor

Crocus, daffodil, hyacinth and tulip leaves have pushed through the soil in my tiny garden. A few of the daffodils are already showing their pretty yellow heads and the crocus are waving goodbye to winter. When I planted the bulbs for each flower, I made sure the root of the bulb turned toward the earth. The roots needed to be where they could shoot down into the soil and draw up nourishment for the leaves and blossoms. If I had turned them the wrong way, the bulb would eventually rot.

A few years ago, I had a bush removed from the flower garden, most of the roots came out, but occasionally a little sprout from the bush pushes through the soil. Even though the plant went through trauma, the deep roots survived and still produce foliage.

Plants depend on their roots to provide what they need. With my feet planted in Jesus' mercy and grace, I continue to grow in Him. When I bloom, it doesn't matter what I look like on the outside, my roots in Jesus give me strength inside. No matter what I have gone through, I know Jesus is with me because I've planted my feet in His Word. Even when I've been cut down, my roots in Jesus give me strength. I often pray that my children and grandchildren have their roots firmly planted in Jesus. I pray that for my readers, too.

Each year my flowers fade as winter comes to visit, but the roots continue to grow and gather. By spring they're ready to sprout their green leaves and bloom with joy, like believers who love Jesus.

Plant roots in the truth of Jesus. Soak in His love and strength.

Praise Him With Every Breath

The tulip leaves are pushing their way through the dirt 

and preparing to burst into bloom.

After a difficult winter, I'm ready for vibrant blooms to adorn the earth. 

One of the things my mom and I talked about was gardening.

I have wonderful memories of her tending the flowers 

she grew behind our home.

I know I can honor her now by continuing to grow flowers 

and praise God while I work.

 

Fiction Suspense Review: Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn (Defend and Protect Book 2)

Description:
Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been heralded by government, medical, and advocacy groups and everyone hopes the device will be a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the launch, but to what purpose--and how far will they go to get what they want? 

Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again, Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

Perfectly balancing chilling suspense and uplifting romance, award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn delivers a story of revenge, greed, and overcoming that you won't want to put down no matter how late it gets.

My Thoughts:
Blackburn always brings the action and intensity. Gil and Ivy knew each other as children and vowed to never part, but circumstances tore them away from each other. Now they meet again under extenuating circumstances. The threats toward Ivy force Gil to protect her, whether she wants him to or not. I love that the story brings out how greed and revenge can destroy a person's heart and how good wins over evil. Gil and Ivy's story is sweet and intense and the friendship of all the agents is uplifting and encouraging. If you enjoy suspense, Blackburn is for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's How You Live

Proverbs 31: 25-28

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her.

"It's not how you die; it's how you live." -JP

Most of you know my mom passed away on February 25. At ninety-five, we knew the days grew short, even still, losing a parent is hard. I doubt Mom ever dreamed she would live as long as she did, but once she passed ninety, she embraced her age.

Per Mom's request, in her last days we were able to keep her at home. She wanted to live as independently as possible, and being in the apartment attached to my brother's home gave her the independence she desired. There were times in her last days we wondered if she could stay there, but with the help of hospice, she remained comfortable in her own bed.

As a family, we did this to honor our mom's wishes. I'm thankful we had so many years with her and the opportunity to learn from her wisdom. Mom loved Jesus and her family. I remember as a child, and even an adult, Mom reminding me to wear my coat and to always be careful. She was concerned about our well-being and questioned us when she thought we needed it. She did that because she loved us like only a mother can. She loved with a fierceness and protectiveness.

Her love reminds me of how God loves. He has a deep adoration for His people and He wants nothing more than for us to love Him back. When I think about how much Mom loved me and how much I love my children, I begin to understand God's intense care for me. God loves us so much He sent his son to live on earth, to teach and to die for our sins. But He didn't stop there, He brought Jesus back to life.

Why did God do that? So people would have a chance to repent, be saved and baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, live a faith-filled life, and join Him in heaven. My mom would want you to know the love of Jesus, His forgiveness, and His amazing love.

Seek Jesus.

Mom Lived Ninety-five Years

Mom taught me a lot of things...

to finish my work

to work with my hands

to read and respect the written word

to love fiercely

to laugh

to cry

to hug

to cherish my family

to grow flowers

to love Jesus and share His hope.

Thank you, Mom

In remembrance of my mother, Maxine Frost

1927-2022

 

Historical Fiction Review: The Spark of Love (Mesquite Springs Book #3) by Amanda Cabot

Book Description:
When a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.

But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler. When a series of apparent accidents threaten her life, Alexandra and Gabe will have to work together to discover the truth. And perhaps along the way they will discover that the sparks of attraction they've felt from the beginning are more than sparks--they're love.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you back to 1850s Texas for this exciting and heartwarming tale of treachery, love, and learning to trust.

My Thoughts:
I've enjoyed this series so much. The Spark of Love took me back to Mesquite Springs where Alexandra goes in search of her father. I love how characters from the first two books in the series are woven into the fabric of Alexandra's story. Detective Gabe's job takes him into the heart of deception in Mesquite Springs. He hopes Alexandra will trust him, even as he uncovers the truth. This story of trust, redemption, and love is a wonderful read. I recommend the whole Mesquite Springs series, but each book can stand alone. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm Glad One Thing Never Changes

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

White dust drifted to the floor, from the blackboard.

Remember at the end of the school day wanting to be the student who erased the whole board, then went outside to slam the erasers together to clean them. Of course I just wanted to go outside, yet there was something about wiping the board clean that brought satisfaction at the end of the day.

Classrooms today have changed. Instead of a blackboard, my daughter, Sara's first grade class has a whiteboard she uses to either write on with special markers or use as a place to hang important classroom learning tools. There's also a smartboard, a large screen hooked to her computer, where she shares lessons, directions, and educational videos.

Classrooms have changed. Students are learning more now than ever. They also learn the basics, in new and innovative ways. Sara has been teaching for more than a decade and has had to continue to learn new and interesting ways to teach.

Change can be good, and most things in life evolve in some way. Look at our kitchens and compare them to our grandparents or great grandparents' kitchens. Yet one thing never changes because He is already as good as it gets. Jesus stays the same. He's always loving, and forgiving as He seeks our hearts. He's the rock I stand on, the One I depend on, the One I pray to. Jesus never waivers from being the Son of God, my perfect hope.

When I'm in the middle of uncertain circumstances and I'm not sure what to do, I turn to the One who stays the same, the One who loves me no matter what. I'm thankful Jesus is the same every day, and with confidence I can move forward and trust Him.

Count on Jesus in your season of change.