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 Trail – – Book Review

downloadStory telling is one of the most effective ways to share information that will be remembered and Ed Underwood does a powerful job of this in his book “The Trail”.  A young couple is having a difficult time making a life decision.  Wanting this decision to be not only the right one but also the one that fits God’s purpose for their life they seek help.

At the urging of  their friends (who have already gone through this process) Matt and Brenda undertake a hiking trip into the High Sierras with retired Firefighter, Sam Lucas who has agreed to help them come to agreement about their decision.  He shares eight principles with them during the time they travel together, each with a scripture reference and life lessons.  Trust, intimacy, God’s love and much more are covered.

Underwood makes it very clear that all people approach life decisions in different ways, but only trusting God, His Word, other believers and one another will bring us to the answer God intends.  Every person carries old ‘baggage’ and new experiences into a marriage.  Trusting one another with every bit, good and bad, of our lives allows the married couple to make solid decisions for all of life’s issues.

This book is a must-read for all couples!  Whether newly married or entering retirement, and at all stages during marriage, this delightful story grounds the reader in Biblical principals that will last through all the storms and turmoil of life as a couple.

I was a provided a copy of this book for my review.  No other compensation was received.  If you would like read it I have included the link to Amazon where you can purchase it.  I received no remuneration for your purchase.

 

I’m Living Proof

Living-Proof-Live-Simulcast-2014-Hero-v3I spent all day this last Saturday at the Living Proof Live Simulcast in Fort Wayne, Indiana with 11,000 awesome women and a few brave men. (190,000 were tuned in from around the world.)  God spent His day with us, too.  The Spirit was evident from beginning to end.

This video says it all.  It only takes 3 minutes to watch and it’s worth it.

Blessed is she who believed.  Luke 1:45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whisper

prayerI’ve heard Him whisper my name…

I’ve heard Him say no more shame….

I’ve heard Him whisper be brave…

I’ve heard Him say you’re saved…

I know His voice whether whisper or shout

He Has a plan that covers my life

He knows my name and calls me His own

He gave His all with all that He had

I’ve heard Him whisper my name……………………

Click on the picture and you’ll get to here a delightful old hymn.  Sing along if you like the words are printed there.  Blessings to you and yours!

 

I’ve written this with a flash mob of other bloggers for 5-Minute Friday.  If you would like to join the group just head on over to Heading Home and have fun!

Reach

When I saw the word ‘reach’ for this weeks 5-Minute Friday I immediately thought of Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, “God and Adam”.   Often, only the hands are shown but if one looks and gives some thought to what he was trying to say it’s not hard to understand that the artist is depicting the relationship of God and Man.

Hands_of_God_and_Adam

 

Notice that God is reaching down with His right hand while Adam is reaching up with his left.  The right hand is often a symbol of strength while the left is one of weakness.  That is exactly what is portrayed in this painting.  God’s hand (on the right) shows great strength as it strains to touch the weak left hand of Adam.  Paul speaks of this concept in 1 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you.  My strength is made perfect in your weakness.”  

Mighty God, let me know Your touch!  Let me reach out to You and know the grace that passes all understanding.  Give me the strength to reach out to those around me.  Make it so in the Precious and Holy name of Jesus!

 

All For A Sister–Book Review

All for A SisterA 12 year old in jail for a crime she didn’t commit…a mentally ill mother…a beautiful ingenue…questionable justice… mystery and intrigue…lies and secrets…the weak and strong…joy and sorrow…new life and death…this book has it all and more.

The story is set in the Roaring 2o’s.  A decade in American history that changed the country forever.  Social, cultural, and artistic dynamics of the time are woven into this very believable story.  The beginning of color films, clothing, convertibles, the opulence of the new rich as a result of World War 1, give this book a delightful sense of reality.

Imagine, if that’s possible, what it would be like to be jailed at 12…have absolutely no contact with the outside word…knowing you did not commit the crime you were accused of…not given a fair trial, actually no trial at all…released at 32 into a world that was far different that the one you knew as a child…  Allison Pittman, the author, writes so powerfully that it is not hard to become part of the story and live the action and drama along with the characters.

This twisting tale, written in past, present, and future is a delightful way to spend a warm, quiet, summer afternoon.  There are many thought provoking situations presented so be sure to give yourself enough to read then set back and reflect on the content.

Federal Trade Commission Compliance…I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers for the sole purpose of reviewing the content.  No other compensation was received or is expected.