Author Archives: Marie

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About Marie

Happily married to the same awesome guy for many years. Love God, reading, cats, and travel. Avid crafter especially counted cross stitch and crochet.

The Beginner Bible — Book review

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Do we read to much into the Bible?  Perhaps so.  It’s possible that we need to be reminded of the basic truths of God’s Word.  As I read through The Beginner’s Bible I was once again reminded of the simplicity of it all.

Through the eyes of a child these basic truths are evident:

  • God created us!
  • God chose us!
  • God loves us!
  • God wants us to love Him!

It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Throughout this Bible, for children, the pictures tell more of the story allowing for deeper understanding.  For instance, in the story of Hannah, Eli, the priest sees her praying and wonder’s what she is so intense about.  The picture shows Eli with the Ephod that is decorated with the 12 stones.  What an opportunity to discuss what this is and means.

I particularly loved the beautiful rendition of Psalm 23.  The archaic words of the KJV may be how many of us memorized it, but it never hurts to look at His Word through other ‘transliterations’.  Check it out here:

Psalm 23 – This is one of King David’s songs about God:

The Lord is my shepherd.  He gives me everything I need. He lets me lie down in fields of green grass.  He leads me beside quiet waters. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of His name.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid.  You, God, are with me.  Your shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me right in front of my enemies.  You pour oil on my head.  My cup runs over.  I am sure Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.  And I will live in the house of the LORD forever. (pp. 190-193)

I know your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephew, friends will love this delightful rendition of God’s Word.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harper Collins Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sunday Psalms

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LORD, I cannot bear Your anger with me.  Your displeasure is more than I can handle.

Have mercy on me. I am hurting into the marrow of my bones.  When will You heal my soul?

LORD, where are You?  I need to know Your merciful presence.  How can I say thanks?

I can’t sleep.  I cry all night.  My eyes are sore.  I am so discouraged!

Sinners and enemies get out of my house.  God is listening to me.  He has heard my prayer.

This is Psalm 6 in my own words.  Psalm 1, 2, 3, 4  and 5 are also posted.  Check them out by clicking on the number.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Becoming Gertrude — Book Review

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I have a beautiful, wonderful, friend.  She’s someone for whom I had looked for many years.  I have another beautiful, wonderful, friend who has been my friend for more than 40 years.  Both of these women speak caring, acceptance, service, hospitality, and encouragement into my life.  Both of them do friendship in their own way and I can trust them, love them, cry with them, be silent with them, and they know they can do the same with me.

Becoming Gertrude is the crowning touch of a life of relationships and good friendships that have shaped the faith of Janice Peterson.  The pages of this delightful, small book are full of stories that help the reader see how important friendship is in the life of a Christian woman.  Using the character traits mentioned above (caring, acceptance, service, hospitality, and encouragement) Mrs. Peterson shares how her life has been enriched by other women.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book are:

  • Good friends challenge us in the areas where we are weak and encourage us forward.  pp.xxvii
  • Caring for someone isn’t about you–it’s about the other person. pp. 23
  • We must learn to navigate disagreements and life differences with grace, understanding that friendship is more important than being right all the time.  pp. 32
  • Some of us are called in certain ways to serve, but we are all called to be servants, whatever our gifts are.  No one’s gift is more significant than anyone else’s! pp. 47
  • Friendship grows best in intentionality, and hospitality is the warmest kind of intentionality there is.
  • Our friends can be those who fill us up, who build encouragement into our lives so that we can then do the same in theirs and others’.

Bible verses from the Message by Eugene Peterson that support strong friendships:

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.   Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.  You’ll be changed from the inside out.  Romans 12:2

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath.  Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down.  Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up.  Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.  Romans 12:14-16

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Found Coins

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I recently came across this unique story of finding lost coins.  Imagine the change in this world if we all stopped to acknowledge our God when we see or pick up any coin.

A woman of modest means and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband’s employer’s home. The boss was very wealthy, with an estate home and several cars costing more than the average house.

The woman delighted to experience first hand the life of the extremely wealthy. The boss indulged his guests both at home on his estate as well as out as exclusive dining establishments.

On one occasion as they were about to enter an exclusive restaurant, the boss was walking slightly ahead of them. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

An awkward silence followed. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, a few cigarette butts and assorted litter. Quietly, the rich man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have of a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the penny bothered her. Finally, she casually mentioned that her son once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been rare.

A smile crept across the man’s face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see.

Look at it. He said. Read what it says. She read the words the United States of America.

No, not that; read further.

One cent? No, keep reading.

In God we Trust? Yes! And?

And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it!

God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by?

When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God’s way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

The author of this spiritual story is unknown and greatly appreciated. If you know who wrote this or can provide a source that I can cite then please contact me and let me know!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie