Book Worm

So, I have always had a love for books.

I spent many hours in used book stores with my dad. He would take me there on father/daughter dates and we would just get lost in the books.

I love the smell of them...the feel of the different pages...it's just so comforting to me.

So, when I found out Gussy's Inspiration Workshop this week was about inspiring books, I was really excited.

I have read many, many books...but there are some I have been so moved by.

(pinned by Danielle via Google)

One of my favorite recent books is Nicholas Sparks's The Last Song (the book is 10 times better than the movie). It's a beautiful story of redemption...and the power of faith. The book focuses a lot on the faith aspect...where the movie barely addresses it. It's a must read.

(pinned by Danielle via Google)

The Chronicles of Narnia

I have seriously read these books so many times. I first read them in my elementary years (maybe 4th grade?). I loved the imagination of the stories as a kid...as an adult, I love the comparison to Jesus and His love for us. The movies are good...but the books are definitely better (seeing a pattern here?).

(pinned by Breeann via Google)

Harry Potter

Yep. I am one of those people...and I'm quite proud of it. While there is controversy revolving around these books and their content...I find so many values of God throughout them. If you haven't read the last book (or seen the last two movies) and picked up on the comparisons there, you're really missing out. The stories are so good...and I enjoy the books (better than the movies) and the movies so much.

Click on over to Gussy's blog to find out what other people find inspirational...or to link up your post with the books you find inspiring.

In Word and in Deed

Today is a good day.

Not only is today Tuesday (and the first day of the work week, due to our wonderful three day weekend) which means it's time for We Encourage...but it's also the start of my women's Bible study for the fall. We are going to be reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan and I am super excited about it.

This verse has had significant impact in my life in recent months...because I've witnessed and experienced many different things that demonstrate the truth of these words.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
(1 John 3:16-18, NIV)

We are not supposed to live our lives only thinking about ourselves. We are supposed to live our lives looking out for those around us and helping them out when we see they have a need. Otherwise, we need to question if we are truly in love with God.

(Me and some of the ladies from my church at the missions conference last weekend)

In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about the sheep and the goats. After asking why some helped those around them...and why others did not, Jesus says this in verse 45:

"...I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Ouch.

It's not enough to say that we love other people...our actions have to reflect that.

That does not mean that we should only show people God's love with our actions...and never breathe a word to them about Jesus. I know many of us have used this verse and others like it as a cop-out, thinking all we have to do is show them our love through our actions...but that's just not right.

What does "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20) mean, if it doesn't mean to use our words? We have to use our words...but our actions need to reflect what we're saying as well.

Let's be a light that shines and reflects Christ to those around us...with our words and our deeds.



(This is my 200th post. Just thought I'd throw that out there)

My Testimony

To read it, you'll have to visit this wonderful woman's blog today for her "His Faithfulness" series! You can find my post here.

Secret Sister Blog Party 2011

So, the other night, I was up late (which should come as no surprise to those who know me), and this idea came to me. I am really excited about it...and I hope you will be, too!

I am going to host a Secret Sister Blog Party!

The way it will work is that each participant (who obviously must be a female, hence the name, Secret Sister) will be given the name and info of another fabulous participant. You will need to either send some sort of note in the mail, through email, or leave an anonymous comment on your sister's blog at least once a week. The final note you send will be when you reveal your identity! You will also be required to send a gift of at least $10, but not exceeding $20 to your sister (although, if you own your own indie biz, you are free to send something from your shop that you made that is valued over that amount).

The party will run from November 1st-December 31st (to give everyone a little extra time to get their reveal gift to their sister around the holidays).

The other big detail is that you must have a blog to participate. The reason being so you can link up a post of who your secret sister was, how you revealed yourself to her, and how your experience was.

More details will be given through email to those that want to participate!

Sign ups will not "officially" start until October 1st, but I will send out the additional details before that to anyone that is interested in participating...so that you can be sure it is something you'd like to do!

This will be limited to the US only, so that no one is having to send anything internationally.

And, most importantly, all information you send me will be kept confidential and will only be given to your secret sister.

If you would like additional details sent to you, click on my Email tab on the right side bar. I have also created a blog button to help promote this party, so feel free to grab and add it to your blog! You are also welcome to post about this party on your blog, Twitter, or Facebook.

I am very excited about this party and I hope you will consider joining it! It will be a wonderful way to encourage another blogger and give her some love!




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It Comes in Waves

It's been one of those weeks...

I know you've had them before.

The kind where you get lots of good news...and lots of bad news.

And, many of the good and bad things were the opposites of each other.


One of my friends got engaged this week...and another broke off an engagement.

One of my friends is due to have her baby any day now...and another lost her precious little one far too soon.


I don't pretend to know why God allows things to go this way. Not even for a second. But, times like these always remind me of the song Blessed Be Your Name:

You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

There always seems to be moments of giving...and moments of taking.

And while I would much prefer if God only gave us things...I know He takes things away for a reason.


I am beyond excited for my beautiful engaged friend. Having known her for almost four years now, my heart is just so full for her. I know she has been longing for the day that she would be married...and now it will be here before she knows it.

I am so very excited to see pics of the beautiful baby boy that will be born very soon. It seems like it was just yesterday that his amazing momma sent me an email to tell me she was expecting (and told me she didn't want to tell me right away because she didn't want to hurt me. She is truly a beautiful soul). My heart longs to hold him close...and I'm hoping that moment will come sooner rather than later.

But then there's the flip side...

I am sad for my friends that broke off their engagement.

I am beyond heartbroken for the beautiful woman who had to say goodbye to her sweet Addison...who died before ever entering this world. Yet I know that Jesus is taking care of that sweet little baby...and that my wonderful friend is going to be able to hold that baby in her arms again one day.

But the one thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt...through all of this...is that God is in control.

And, in each and every situation, He will receive the glory. Whether it's a joyful situation or one filled with sadness and many tears, He will be glorified...some way, somehow.

And that is all this bittersweet heart can hold onto tonight.