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 Christmas Blessing – Book Review

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Is there something special you do that until you’ve done it the Christmas Season isn’t quite what you need it to be?  Perhaps a movie that you watch? A kind of cookie you bake? A special ornament on the tree? I just finished reading a book that is going to be on my Christmas list for years to come.

The Christmas Blessing wraps its arms around you and draws you into a world that has snowy sprinkles all over it. It grabs your attention and gives all the awesome emotions that are present at Christmas.  The setting is World War 2.  The mores and morals of that era are really evident in this story.  It’s a story of life decisions, sometimes good, sometimes not so good.  It’s a story of relationships, friendships, and family.  To tell you more would be to give away the story.  BTW – it would make a great movie.

 

I highly recommend this book.  It’s a great read!!!

(See FTC disclosure at the bottom right.)

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

Life Style Evangelism

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I love having coffee or tea with neighbors or friends, don’t you?  Making a batch of cookies and/or sandwiches and calling a few people to come and talk is one of my favorite ways to connect.  I most often do this with women friends, sometimes couples too.  Oh, my, the conversations we’ve had.

 

This is one of the many ways to share your faith in Jesus without overwhelming those who may not believe yet.  You do not have to be a door knocking, tract placing, street corner shouting evangelizer.  People see Whose you are by what you say, what you wear, your countenance, and so much more.

Have you ever noticed some of the sayings on t-shirts.  They’re everywhere.  That’s certainly a way to let people know what you believe and what you stand for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you considered that the jewelry you wear gives a powerful message to others?  Someone may see what you’re wearing and that will open the door to a rich and meaningful conversation.

 

 

 

 

 

The picture on the right is not in my ‘collection’, yet!  It’s a stunning piece that will give many opportunities to share.  It’s part of the incentive gifts for purchasing 5 copies of Holley Gerth’s new book, Fiercehearted.  (Click on the picture and it will take you to the Fiercehearted site.)

Do you have other ways you share your love for the One and Only.  I’d love to hear about them.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ask For Anything — 5 Sentence Friday

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While reading today’s word in Jesus Speaks by Steven Scott I knew these were the words most needed by someone who reads this blog.  If that’s you would you take the time to leave a comment as to how this article has helped you? 

Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.  (John 14:13-14, ESV)

 

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.     (John 15:7, NIV)

  1. Jesus is the Word.
  2. To abide in the Word/Jesus is to actively live it out.
  3. Knowing the Word helps us know what is with His will.
  4. Jesus wants to do ‘things’ for us.
  5. His commandments (found in the Word) are the key to His response.

Are you spending time in His Word? That’s so very important.  It doesn’t matter if you read a book or a verse at a time.  It simply matters that you are spending time with Him and want to abide in His Word.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

The Wellness Revelation – Book Review

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I am a diet book junkie.  I’ve read, what seems to be, almost every new book on the subject.  When the opportunity came to read The Wellness Revelation I jumped at it.  Alisa Keeton has hit the nail on the head in this book.  The nail? Dieting is more than food.  I’ve read a lot of books about diet and exercise but, this is the first time I’ve read from cover to cover without trying to find the food plan chapter first.  Interestingly, she doesn’t really give a food plan.  A list of foods that are healthy for us, yes.  But not a specific plan.  The same goes for exercise…just do it!

Here are 8 concepts from the book.  (There are many more, but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out.)

  1. A healthy body is not all about the food you put in it.
  2. Wellness encompasses every aspect of our lives.
  3. Health focused goals such as, lower blood pressure, less processed food, controlling sugar intake, are as important (or maybe more so) as pounds lost or miles run.
  4. God created every part of the world we live in, including us.  The way we take care of ourselves, or not, shows how we feel about Him.
  5. We have to be aware that diet, exercise, and a variety of things that seem to be good for our body can also become bondage.  It can kill us if we aren’t careful.
  6. We are accountable and have the total responsibility of keeping these bodies we’ve been given in a healthy state.
  7. There is no good reason to be more or less than who we are.
  8. Prayer and meditation are part of a healthy life-style.

This book is a powerful tool in coming to grips with weight-loss and personal health.  I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to become what God wants us to be in all aspects of our lives.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Thomas Nelson and BookLook Bloggers. 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.”

 

 

Do Good and Share – Five Sentence Friday

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Whenever I read these words I think of the first day of school.  Especially with Kindergartners.  We would always tell them to be good to one another and to share with their neighbors.  God has applied to same words to adults.  Maybe we forget, as time goes by.  Maybe we don’t know how.  But the words are the same whether they apply to a 6-year-old or a 60-year-old.

  1. Part of God’s plan for our lives is to do good and share.
  2. When I sacrifice my time for others God is pleased.
  3. Whether I forget or remember, it’s still a choice.
  4. Sharing is hard.  After all, it’s mine, isn’t it?
  5. Doing good is more than being nice.

Think about that last one for a moment.  To do good we need to know what other’s need.  It’s not something we can assume.  For instance, I can assume that someone who is on a fixed income will need milk and bread by the end of the month.  Providing that is an awesome thing but what if you add a special treat to that.  I really don’t know anyone who doesn’t like some homemade cookies.  This is beyond nice and good.  It’s saying, I care about you and want you to enjoy the good things in life.  I hope this makes sense and that you can find it in your heart to go out and do good for someone.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie