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Monday, March 21, 2016

I was hurt. Angry. Rejected.

I was hurt. Angry. I felt rejected.

I cried out to a friend through a text instead of praying about it. 

During the text conversation, I turned on the radio. Christian music spilled out and all of a sudden I was reminded. 

This is Holy Week. A time to really focus on the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion. 

All of a sudden God convicted me. Why am I getting caught up in emotion? Jesus died for me. He didn't reject me. He could have. Should have. But, He didn't. He loves us.

So why am I getting all worked up about something, in the greater scheme of things, is petty?

God didn't send His Son into this sinful world to condemn the world [us]. But to save [us] the world through Him. (John 3:17 roughly translated.)

God gave me the "gift" of emotions. I'm a crier. An ugly crier. But, someone who hardly cries told me once, "What a gift. People see God's heart through you." I'm not sure if that is true but I do believe He made me this way for a reason. However, I can't let those emotions rule my actions. And, to be honest, that is really difficult. 

I re-read the text messages and realized how many times I used "me" and "I". It reminded me of John 3:30; "He must become greater. I must become less."

May this week remind you of the love God has for us. On Friday, remember Sunday's coming!!! 


Saturday, March 5, 2016

A Daring Sacrifice Book Review

By now, I'm sure you all know all too well how much I enjoy Author Jody Hedlund's books. I know, I know, it is a bit obvious. So, I'm going to go all fan girl (is that the proper use of fan girl?!) on her latest book, A Daring Sacrifice.

Stick with me...I do have some meaningful thoughts at the end. ;)

A Daring Sacrifice is in the teen fiction genre but anyone 13+ years of age would enjoy reading this fast-paced, sweet story. It is the second book in a series involving Knights. And, really, who doesn't want to dream about Knights?!

Juliana is a late teen who is similar to Robin Hood – steal from the rich and give to the poor. Juliana and many peasants from the kingdom hide in the forest for protection from a hideous Lord, who happens to be her uncle. Can you even imagine?! No friendly Christmas gatherings on that side of the family, for sure!!! At first Juliana is raiding/stealing to help people survive. But, is it the right thing to do? Juliana begins to question her method.

In walks Lord Collin who is a true gentleman. And, I imagine him ruggedly handsome...just throwing that in for free... He is home after his father died to take over the estate. This life is certainly different than his role as a Knight under the training of The Noblest Knight.

Juliana and Collin are re-introduced after a certain situation occurs. As one of Juliana's cohorts said, "He's a nobleman and the only good nobleman is a dead one." Well, now. Read how both of their worlds collide and struggle with understanding their completely different ways of living. Will their past keep them from working together for a greater good? They do have chemistry, those two!!

A Daring Sacrifice reminded me of the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us on the cross as Collin made a sacrifice of his own. At one point, it seemed they wanted to out-do each other in this department. They were both willing to give up something huge for one another. Neither one deserved it, but each was willing to sacrifice for the other. Just like Jesus did for us...

The plot line also encouraged me to contemplate how my life is so different than the life of, say, a person in a third world country. Maybe it is because our favorite #2 daughter is flying with a team to Nepal soon. What ever it is, it made me wonder. And, think. We all know how dangerous it can be when I begin thinking deeply. I'm over here in my comfy house and full refrigerator, freezer, cupboards, and a comfy 68 degrees in here. Other areas of the world are trying to survive the next hour or the next day. I can get enraged at the injustice. I can spend money by supporting goods made (fair trade) in those countries. I can even send money to a trustworthy charity or group working in that foreign, to me, land. But, will I ever truly understand what that person's life is really like? I don't have all the answers. I just have many questions and concerns. Oh, Author Jody, thanks for making me think! ;)

As I say with Jody's books...RUN or CLICK over to your favorite book retailer to get a copy of this fabulous book. Well done, Jody!


I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.