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.

Book Review – What Hope Remembers

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Are you looking for a great rainy day or warm summer afternoon read?  Johnny Alexander has written the book for you.  Check out What Hope Remembers.  There’s just enough drama and intrigue to hold your attention for that lazy, hazy day.

Well developed characters and the plot kept me wanting to know what were the secrets they were keeping.  Even the ‘bad guys’ were believable.

Real life issues and challenges kept me turning the pages to discover what was going to add a new twist to the story.

I’m giving this book 5 stars and recommending it highly!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revel, a division of Baker Publishing. 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.”

Keep Your Lamp Burning

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Mother Theresa once said, “To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.”  The same applies to life.  Unless we continue to learn, to grow, to excel, to know, we will stagnate and become just an empty lamp waiting …

There are several Bible verses that refer to lamps.  Proverbs 31:18b tells us ‘her lamp does not go out at night’.  This is not a reference to the night-light we use to get us to the bathroom in the middle of the night because our bladders are shot from childbirth or our bodies are ageing.  The night lights of ancient times were kept lit so a weary traveller would know a welcoming home.  The use of lamps in this verse suggests we are not only to be hospitable but ready to be hospitable.

5 Wick Christian

Multi-wick oil lamp from 1st Century Israel

Psalm 18:28 tells us we do not keep our own lamps burning.  God does.  That is a truly interesting statement.  When we have reached some maturity in our life walk with Jesus, we start to learn that our lives are all about Him.  He is not only the Light of the World but the individual Light of our lives.  As we grow, more wicks are added to our lamps making us a brighter and brighter light.  (Ancient people added more wicks to their lamps to create a brighter glow.)

The Parable of the Ten Virgins is another well-known lamp story (Matthew 25:1-13).  The point of this parable is obedience.  The virgins who were not prepared, they had to go and get more oil.  When they returned they could not enter the feast because the doors to the banquet were closed. (I really doubt anyone could have heard them knocking with the celebration that was going on.) Had they followed the instructions to keep their lamps trimmed and full they would have been attending the feast of a lifetime.  So will we, if we continue filling our minds with His Words and Ways.

Using His Word:

  • Be hospitable.
  • Be ready. (Unlike the virgins who had not thought ahead.)
  • Desire that more of His light shines through.

Heavenly Father, how humbled I am when I realise You are the One filling the lamps.  Oh Lord, fill mine to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Let my lamp continue burning brightly until I am finally admitted to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.  In His perfect Name make it so.

Rewritten and added to a post written in 2011

Book Review – Paul, The Apostle

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I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I agreed to review this book.  Although I enjoyed comic books as a child this was certainly a bit different.  I’m not sure whether I can recommend the book or not.  Here are my likes and dislikes:

Likes

  • The story is accurate and portrays some of the difficulties Paul faced in his journey.
  • Each page gave a scriptural reference for what was going on.
  • Very appropriate for the 8 to 12 year age group.

Dislikes

  • Very difficult to follow the storyline bubbles.
  • More violence than I like to deal with. (Yes, I know the time he lived in was very violent.)
  • There were so many graphically portrayed characters I found it difficult to determine who was speaking.

With that said, I recommend parts read through the book first to be prepared for any questions their children might ask.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Beartruth Collective, LLC  and Bookcrash 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.”

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

5 Sentence Friday Psalm 139:14

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Here it is. 5-Sentence Friday. Today’s verse is one that is often repeated. The One and Only thought of me, planned me, loved me from the beginning of time.  In the ‘fullness of time’ (phrase from Eph. 4:4) I came to be. Just thinking about this concept is overwhelming but it is what it is.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.  Psalm 139:14  TLB

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderfully made; I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14 NIV

  1. I had nothing to do with the complexity of who I would be.
  2. I am His wonderfully made creation.
  3. God deserves (and expects) my thanks for even thinking of me.
  4. Every heartbeat, every breath, every step is/was orchestrated by You.
  5. My skills, talents, and habits are part of Your purpose for me.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

5 Sentence Friday

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My goodness. Where has my brain gone.  I had this ready on Friday and forgot to post it.  Better late than never…I guess.

I always enjoy reading the book of Proverbs because each time I do I find new ideas.  Consider the verse I’m using for this Friday’s 5 Sentences.  Are you a refreshing kind of person?  Do others enjoy your company?  Would you be missed if not present at a gathering.

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.  Proverbs 11:25

My life goal should be putting others first.

Treat others well.

Giving the things I don’t need to another will refresh their life.

When I speak with others are my words and actions like a cool, refreshing drink?

Being generous is not hard when I understand that God gave it all to me to start with.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie