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.

Lost and Found – Book Review

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Sometimes what we think is real, true, or right, isn’t close to what is really going on. Most of the time we consider only our past experiences to determine the reasons for the situations we face on a daily basis. That can, and usually does get us into problems with our decision-making process.

New beginnings, even when necessary, are difficult and require a lot of planning. It’s when we don’t think things through, try to find the truth behind what’s happening, and come up with a usable plan that things begin to fall apart and life takes turns we aren’t ready for.

Suzanne Woods Fisher does a great job of putting together a great story in Lost and Found that gives much understanding to the necessity of thinking things through, finding the truth, and moving forward when the time is right. Using characters that are avid birders, the religious beliefs and life practises of the Pennsylvania Amish, and just the right amount of characters, Ms. Fisher creates a delightful story that kept me totally engaged from beginning to end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free directly from Revel/Baker Publishing Group 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 requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Sunday Psalm 16

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Psalm 16

LORD, protect me! You are all that is good in me.

Your people are a great joy to me. I refuse to recognize any who choose any GOD but You.

I have chosen You and know You have a beautiful plan and purpose for me.

Thank You for Your word! I am secure both day and night in it.

I will follow Your way. You are always with me! I will not fear what is to come. I am secure in You. I know heaven is waiting.

You are my Lifeguide, my Joy-giver! You are my happiness forever!

Sunday Psalms are the Psalms in my own words.  You can click on the Psalm number at the top to read it from the English Standard Version.

Sunday Psalm 15

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Psalm 15

Father, help me do and be all You want.

Forgive me, help me do what is right. Help me to speak and know Your truth, to never lie about others or harm my neighbors in any way, and to never speak against my friends.

I will despise all evil. I will honor and respect You! I will not change my witness. I will give without expecting anything in return. I will never speak against an innocent person. I will do the work You have given me with honesty and integrity.

Give me the strength to stand and never be moved!

Sunday Psalms are the Psalms in my own words.  You can click on the Psalm number at the top to read it from the English Standard Version.

The Path To Wholeness – Book Review

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The opportunity to read and review this book came at just the right moment. I had just had a total knee replacement and the physical pain was nearly indescribable. The long period of healing was wearing me down physically and emotionally. The pain medicine was causing an inability to focus. I was experiencing dark depression and anxiety and no Christian counselors were available anywhere in my area. The support system I had thought was very strong was inadequate.

A massive change of thought and attitude was necessary. Let me say here that my faith was stronger than ever and God and I were close companions through all of this but I was having great difficulty expressing what I really needed. The Path To Wholeness by Dr. Mark Mayfield arrived in the mail and reminded me of something I hadn’t done in a long time – writing in a journal all that I was thinking, imagining, and questioning. Throughout this engaging and easily understandable book, I was led through insightful and relatable discussions and writing prompts that started the mental healing process. I was able to define what was really happening and what I really needed.

Here is just one of the many ways this book guided me. I was, and still am, an expert at avoiding pain. I had developed, from childhood, the ability to close doors on any kind of pain, physical, emotional, contrived in my mind, and the real thing. I had thought I would be able to use that means in this situation. It didn’t work! I was becoming increasingly angry and knew something had to change. Working through the questions in this book helped me realize I was trying to control the pain by hiding from it. Now, I could move on and begin the healing process.

If you or someone you know is experiencing anything like this, read this book. It will change you. It will strengthen you. It will help you grow into the person God determined from the beginning. You will be blessed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free directly from the author, Dr. Mark Mayfield. 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 requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”