"The Shack"

Yay, I just finished over the weekend, a Christian Fiction book titled,

"The Shack". My husband had received this book as a Christmas gift from a co-worker, and he really enjoyed it, and bragged on the book, so I decided to give it a shot and read it. I'm not much of a reader, I do well to read my Bible, and hardly can get into reading anything else. When I started reading I could hardly put it down. It is definately a book that captivates your attention. While I didn't agree with everything that the author wrote, I do have to say it was a good book, and I do recommend reading it. There is only one other book, that, as an adult, I have read from front to cover and that was the one by Michael English, "A Prodigal Comes Home." Excellent as well. Right now, I'm trying to read a book about Sister Aimee Semple McPherson. She seems to have been a very interesting person. I think I prefer biographies/auto-biographies over fiction. Partly due to my noseyness, but also I find it interesting to read how others have lived or what simple people have accomplished in their lives. It's inspiring. So do you have any great reads you'd like to share? Have you read "The Shack"? What did you think?

A Prodigal Comes Home!

My blogging is becoming few and far between. Life seems busy right now. But I must share some exciting, encouraging news. My dad who has been away from the Lord for about 17 years has come back home. It's something we believed and prayed would happen, but didn't know when. God's timing is always perfect. 17 years for my mom probably seemed hopeless in him ever returning to the fold, but God had a plan, and in his time my dad returned on his own. No prodding or begging. Somewhere, between just he and the Lord, he made the decision to give his life back to the Lord. I knew the Lord had been dealing with him, and he finally gave in. I can't express to you how giddy I am in my spirit over this. I'm reminded of the parable in Luke 15 of the Prodigal Son:



"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. (NIV)



I would have liked to of just glimpsed the party that was going on in Heaven when he came home. So, I guess in closing, I want this post to be an encouragement to the wife, the daughter, the son, the father, whoever you may be and you've been praying for that lost loved one. Don't give up hope, never stop praying, for as long as there is breath, there is hope!!

Whoa...where has the time gone? I can hardly believe that this year has come, and in a few days, will be gone. There are days that I wish time would just slow down a bit. Then there are those days that I can't wait for the day to end! No matter if I'm having a good or bad day, I want to savor every minute that God has given me. I don't ever want to take my life for granite. We are told in the New Testament in James that life is like a vapor. It appears for a short time, then it's gone. So I want to live my life to the fullest and live in such a way that will be pleasing to my Lord. A friend emailed the following to me and I wanted to share.

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.

A Death Certificate shows that we died.

Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe... That just because two people argue, Doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, Doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe... That we don't have to change friends, if we understand that friends Change.

I Believe... That no matter how good a friend is,....they're going to hurt you every once in a while...and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe....That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for True Love.

I Believe....That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for Life.

I Believe... That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe... That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. Because it may be the last time you see them.

I Believe... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe... That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe... That either you control your attitude...or it controls you.

I Believe... That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe... That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe... That my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing,
and have the best Time.
I Believe... That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down....will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe... That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe... That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them.....and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe... That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.... Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe... That no matter how bad your heart is broken...the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe... That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, But we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe... That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I Believe... Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe... That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe... That even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you....... You will find the strength to help.

I Believe... That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. I Believe... That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Emmaus Walk

So, I haven't blogged in a while, and I had intentions of blogging on Monday after my return from my Emmaus Walk, but I was very tired, and smacked back into reality when I came home. {chuckle} My kids didn't have school on Monday, and after being on a "Spiritual High" all weekend I soon remembered that kids fight, laundry still needs washin', floors need swept, bathrooms need cleaned....No, the world didn't change. Just me. I never expected to receive what I did from my Walk. It was life changing. If you haven't been, or don't know what in the world I'm talking about, get online and do a search for the Emmaus Walk, find your local chapter, and get signed up. You do have to have a sponser, if you don't know anyone personally that has been, I'm sure they'll find one for you. You won't regret going. I promise!

Emmaus Walk

Thursday evening I will be going to a local chapter of the Emmaus Walk. I really don't know what to expect. I just know that it's supposed to help strengthen your spiritual walk with the Lord. I'm kinda nervous about being out of my "comfort zone." Being away from home and surrounded by strangers is a little unnerving to me, but I've heard nothing but good about the ministry. I'll be gone from Thursday evening until Sunday evening. Cell phones, cameras, computers, even watches are not allowed. Hopefully Monday I'll be able to blog a little about my experience. So please keep me in your prayers that I won't get to homesick. Thank you!