GOOD News!

From humble beginnings in a village in Scotland 200 years ago to our modern-day publishing enterprise employing over 600 people, Thomas Nelson's goal has been to Honor God and Serve People.

You can learn more about Thomas Nelson History in this online presentation. You are welcome to click the menu located on the right hand side of the page; or you can click 'next' located under the menu bar.

I just received word from Thomas Nelson Publishers that my application has been approved to be a Book Review Blogger! I am so thrilled! Lo-ooovvveee it!!!

If you love to read, you can also join Thomas Nelson Review Bloggers! Any blogger can join in on the fun! Those that are approved will receive FREE copies of select Thomas Nelson products. In exchange for these FREE products, you MUST agree to read the book and submit a 200-word review on your blog and on any consumer retail website.

EASY!

Become a Book Review Blogger!

I just ordered my 1st read tonight; but, I'll keep it a surprise until it comes in the mail! Stay tuned!

"Thomas Nelson's fidelity to the Word of God and integrity in operation models the best in Christian publishing. May God add centuries more of this tradition until Jesus comes!"
~ Jack Hayford

The Paper Bag Christmas

Today, I received a message from @centerstreet on twitter that said, "You get a copy of THE PAPER BAG CHRISTMAS!"

I'm so excited! I love winning things, especially books!

The description of this book tugged at my heart. You can read full description of The Paper Bag Christmas here. Let me know what you think once you read the description.

I am an avid reader, and with hip replacement surgery on the horizon (11 more days to go); this book couldn't have been given to me at a better time. 'The Paper Bag Christmas' will be a 'perfect read' for the upcoming Christmas season!

Be sure to watch for my review.

SPECIAL THANKS to @centerstreet!

Center Street was launched in January 2005 to publish wholesome entertainment, helpful encouragement, and books of traditional values that appeal to readers in America's heartland.

Christmas Ornament Exchange

With Christmas only 2 months away, I thought it would be fun to particpate in The Siesta Fiesta's Christmas Ornament Exchange and CD giveaway!

Why don't you join us? You must have your name submitted by October 30th, if you want to participate.
Head over there right now!

What an excellent way to get into the spirit of giving!

Our Son is Home!

After 2 nights stay in the hospital, our little guy is home! I'm not sure who's happier...me or him! It's so nice to see a happy, healthier boy once again. :)

Tonight, my husband asked our son, "Are you happy to be home buddy?" Our son's reply, "oooooooooohhhhhh yeeeaaaahhhhhh!!!!"

Praising God for his healing touch.

Thankful to have our family home, together.

Ever Feel Like You're Being Squished?

The past 48 hours have been a whirlwind of activity around our home. Our son, who is 5 years old, has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and possibly RSV.
I'm exhausted...

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
~ Matthew 11:28 NIV

The house is quiet. My husband and son are in the city at the hospital, my daughter is at a friend's place and I have the house all to myself. I have time to seek God, time to enJOY the quiet. Time to JUST rest, relax and refresh. Ahhhhhh...feels so good!

But, you know what? I haven't always been someone who enJOYs the silence. I used to be like the cat in the photo. Sometimes, it would take my health coming down to a grinding halt with sickness before I would actually make the time to rest. I would ignore what my body was trying to tell me, trying hard to live a FULL life on "empty."

Thankfully, over the years, I have learned how to slow down and enJOY Sabbath rest; and it's not just on Sundays either! I love the quiet now! I love having time to sit in God's presence. I am like a sponge, soaking it all up! Refuelling to stay healthy!

Deciding to stay at home tonight (rather than going to the hospital with our son), was not an easy decision for me to make. In fact, I could feel the battle in my mind, the struggle between "what I WANTED to do" and "what I NEEDED to do."

indecision = un-rest

I finally chose to stay at home. I knew that the "indecision/un-rest" that I was feeling was a good indication that I needed to be listening to my body. My body was physically exhausted from having little sleep the night before and it was crying out for rest.

I knew what I needed to do. Stay at home and rest.

Everyone needs time to rest, but with me awaiting hip replacement surgery on Nov. 10th, I just knew that depleting my body's energy reserves would do me more harm than good. I'm glad I listened to my body tonight.

Resting frequently is a key factor in taking care of your body; it helps you to enJOY a MORE PEACEFUL and RELAXED LIFESTYLE.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~ Matthew 11:29 NIV

Are you feeling squished?

Isn't it time to quit striving?

God is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Is it time to crawl up on your Daddy's lap and be renewed?

He's waiting for you.

"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with ALL your heart."
~ Jeremiah 29:12 NIV

A.S.A.P.

There's work to do, deadlines to meet; You've got no time to spare, But as you hurry and scurry - A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos, 'Quality time' is rare. Do your best; let God do the rest- A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries Are more than you can bear. Slow down and take a breather- A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is; He wants to ease our cares, And He'll respond to all your needs A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

10 Powerful Phrases

Tonight, on twitter, it was announced by @centerstreet that I was a winner in their book giveaway. I will receive the book, 'Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People' by Rich Devos.

"The simple act of offering a kind word or two can have power to change lives in positive and profound ways."
~ (c)amazon.com

In this book, the author, Devos focuses on one key phrase in each chapter. These phrases have been compiled through Devos's experiences and have been found helpful for individual lives, either by saying the phrases or by hearing them said.

I'm an encourager at heart...I truly believe in the difference that words can make in people's lives...building up or tearing down...the Bible says it best!

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit ~ you choose. ~ Proverbs 18:21 The Message

I'm looking forward to reading this book.
Thanks again Center Street!

I'm Invited!

I'm one of the 1,000 lucky people that have been accepted to test the first release of the site, AddsYou.com!

November 28, 2008 is the official date of the alpha launch. I am so looking forward to participating!

It is Time

Today a friend from church called and said that she needed to share with me. You see, on Sunday, when our church team had prayed for me, she felt led to share, but hadn't...

The Word was "stay connected to the vine."

After service, she continued to think about what the Holy Spirit had revealed to her, seeking clarification.

The Lord impressed upon her to tell me "to speak in tongues more frequently; and in doing so that I would connect to the God more intimately and that I would experience a new level of freedom, one that I have never experienced before."

"I am the vine; you are the branches.

If a man remains in me and I in him,

he will bear much fruit;

apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:5 NIV

The word resonated with my spirit; I had confirmation! The Lord had been nudging me to spend more time speaking in tongues; but I had not been obedient to His leading.

It is time.

~ Karla Meachem

Resting in Jesus...

stop

rest

quiet your soul

calm -peaceful -tranquil

silence

surrender

abide in Me

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

~ Psalm 46:10 NIV

Can You Relate?

Attention Children:

The Bathroom Door is Closed.

Please do not stand there and talk, whine, or ask questions.

Wait until I get out.

Yes, it is locked. I want it that way.

It is not broken, I am not trapped.

I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times,

since you were born, because I was afraid

some horrible tragedy might occur

while I was in there,

but it's been 10 years and I want some

PRIVACY.

Do not ask me how long I will be.

I will come out when I am done.

Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door.

Do not go running back to the phone yelling

She's in the BATHROOM!

Do not begin to fight as soon as I go in.

Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them.

This was funny when you were two.

Do not slide pennies, Legos, or notes under the door.

Even when you were two this got a little tiresome.

If you have followed me down the hall talking,

and are still talking as you face this closed door,

please turn around, walk away,

and wait for me in another room.

I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.

And yes, I still love you.

Mom

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I love the internet! In my down time, I enJOY reading blogs because I can ALWAYS find something related to REAL LIFE that will make me LAUGH OUT LOUD!

This poem was found at I Will Take It Lord; All You Have to Give, but Marcia first shared the poem at eHomebody.com. Stop by their websites; both sites have excellent information.

I hope you enJOYed this poem as much as I did. It's a KEEPER!

I'm a Pearl Girl!

"The premise behind Pearl Girls is the metaphor of the oyster who encountered grit inside it's shell. We as women also encounter the unexpected grit in our lives until God's nacre of grace and love covers our pain and transforms it into a pearl." ~ Margaret McSweene

Lord, I am so grateful for your GRACE

So thankful for Your LOVE...

Help me to ALWAYS REMEMBER

that YOUR GRACE

is ENOUGH

for me.

Just HAVE to Share!

I am so excited! After a year and a half of waiting for a date to have my right hip replaced; I have received the call! My date is set for November 10th, 2008.

What's really AMAZING is that - just this morning - I was thinking that I should call the hospital and see if they have any indication when I will be scheduled.

I love it that I didn't even have to call! :)

God has such PERFECT TIMING!!!

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV

For those that don't know, I have lived with rheumatoid arthritis affecting my entire body since 1994; I was only 14 at the time of diagnosis. It's hard to fathom that I have lived the majority of my life in chronic pain; and that I only had 14 years without pain in my body.

And God shall wipe away ALL tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death,

Neither sorrow, nor crying,

NEITHER shall there be any more pain:

for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:3-5 NIV

My HOPE remains in Jesus.

A Couple Questions to Ponder...

What draws you closer to Christ?

What draws you away?

Love Is Not a Fight...

but, it's something worth fighting for!

Love is not a place
to come and go as we please
It's a house we enter in
then commit to never leave

So lock the door behind you
Throw away the key
Work it out together
Let it bring us to our knees

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for

To some love is a word
that they can fall into.
But when they're falling out
keeping that word is hard to do

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for

Love will come to save us
If we'll only call
He will ask nothing from us
but demand we give our all

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for.

Cause I Will Fight For You
Would You Fight For Me
It's Worth Fighting For. only lyrics.com

"True Christianity is about being Christ to others," Barfield says of the theme of the record. "If we really believe in the whole thing, if we really believe He came all that distance and gave His life because He loved us, it'd change the way we love each other. That kind of love really could change the world."
Visit Warren Barfield's sitewhere you can find out his latest news, tour dates, as well as listen to the entire album.

I'll never forget this song...God allowed me to hear this song quite some time ago...when I needed to hear it most.

Become a True Student of God

Are You on the Way
to Becoming God's Masterpiece?

A note from Ameerah Lewis,

owner of The School of the Spirit

"Don't forget that the first 50 Believers to register

for the School of the Spirit are getting my

Becoming God's Masterpiece Bible Study program for free

- Workbook, Prayer Journal, and Meditation Cards!

I know, I'm giving away a lot for $1 test drive.

But, that's only for the first 50,

so I don't think that the offer's going to last that much longer."

ALL the details can be found at

The New School of the Spirit!

You owe it to yourself to at least check it out

before the $1 test drive is finished.

I've been a member for a few months now and I love it! You have no idea how much Ameerah is offering until you actually get inside the school.

I hope you will join us!

Become a Student of God