2009 Bible Reading Challenge

Bible reading for December 29 was the book of Amos. 

From January through mid summer I read all of the New Testament, then there was a lull. I picked back up with reading through the Bible in the early autumn. I read through Psalms, Isaiah and Luke--from October through December. I have over the past few weeks read several other Old Testament books. Last Spring I was in the Esther study by Beth Moore and this was when I read the book of Esther.

For the month of January 2010 I will be reading Genesis and Matthew.

I read 44 books of the Bible this year, 5 of them twice.

There are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. I was 22 short from reading all of the Bible in 2009. I'm hoping and challenging myself to read all of the Bible in 2010. I have read the entire Bible in one year twice, I'm planning for a third time in 2010.


H     umble yourself
O    pen the Word
L     ook at your life
Y    ield to His ways


"Jesus is not our personal assistant charged with granting our wishes. While He sometimes does not give us what we want, He always gives us what we need."
Randy Alcorn

Blissful New Year!
Annette 

Today's Bible Reading!

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible reading:
Song of Solomon 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Micah 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

"The only fear I have is to fear to get out of the will of God. Outside of the will of God, there's nothing I want, and in the will of God there's nothing I fear, for God has sworn to keep me in His will. If I'm out of His will, that is another matter. But if I'm in His will, He's sworn to keep me."
A. W. Tozer

Today's Bible Reading!

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible reading:
Haggai 1,2
Zechariah 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Malachi 1, 2, 3, 4

"Know that our living Lord is unspeakably pure. He is sinless, spotless, immaculate, stainless. In His person is an absolute fullness of purity that our words can never express. This fact alone changes our entire human and moral situation and outlook. We can always be sure of the most important of all positives: God is God and God is right. He is in control. Because he is God He will never change!"
A. W. Tozer 

Peace

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"And he will be their peace." Micah 5:5


"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14


Peace, if you are looking for a peace that the world offers, you'll not find it. It's not there. 
Since the fall of Adam and Eve there has been a continual propensity for violence, war, and strife amongst humans. 
Even in America where we've been given so many freedoms, disharmony flourishes. Road rage happens everyday, arguments and fighting on the job, abuse in the home and in our schools, our pseudo intellectual yet elected officials even argue and blast each other with frigid words. 
So what is this peace that the Bible is talking about, this peace that was predicted in the Old Testament that Jesus would bring, and then proclaimed by the angels at Jesus' birth?
It is a peace that humans desire more than any outward worldly offering of peace, we want peace in our heart. 
When all around you is turmoil and conflict, stress and worry, there is an inner peace.
We have peace with God by believing in His Son Jesus, and this then means we have a right standing before Him, as an unbeliever we were at conflict with Him.
We also have a peace in our inner being, that is not dependent or attached to anything going on around us. 
We receive this peace by His Spirit that lives in us and by His active involvement in our life. 

I don't know if you know this, but how we feel in our inner person is reflected in our outer person. Another words how we feel on the inside is reflected by our attitude, and definitely our actions.

Outside my window the skies are dark, the wind is howling, the temperatures are dropping. 
Inside my home it is warm, calm, soothing.
And in my heart I have a peace-a calmness in my inner person. 
When a driver cuts me off, a relative makes a snide remark, I don't get enough sleep at night, my bank balance in getting smaller and smaller, yet I am at peace. 
In October of 2005 when the surgeon told me I had breast cancer she looked at me and said, "well you are taking this well." Only and only because of Jesus was I at peace with this diagnosis. Because He is bigger than any cancer, any war, any fear. 
My prayer is that you my reader will have peace in your heart, peace that only Jesus can give. 
No this is not a secular song of "just give peace a chance."
This is real, and personal, and it is tangible--it is something you can firmly grip on to. 
Jesus.

End of the Year Reading

I started reading the book "The Shape of Mercy" by Susan Meissner last night. This book is the 2009 Christian Book Award Winner for Fiction. This is a fantastic story! I am loving it!
I am also reading "Chosen" Book 1 in the Lost Books series by Ted Dekker and "Unfaithful" by Gary and Mona Shriver.
I'm hoping to have all 3 books finished by the end of the year and post reviews, yet with the holidays and my husband will be home most of this time.....we will just have to see about that goal.

I am standing at 89 books read for this year, I might be able to increase that by December 31!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Today's Bible Reading

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible reading:
Lamentations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Joel 1, 2, 3
Obadiah 1
Jonah 1, 2, 3, 4 
Nahum 1, 2, 3
Habakkuk 1, 2, 3
Zephaniah 1, 2, 3

"Every once in a while our Lord gives us a glimpse of what we would be like if it were not for Him. This is a confirmation of what He said-"...without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). That is why the underlying foundation of Christianity is personal, passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus. We mistake the joy of our first introduction into God's kingdom as His purpose for getting us there. Yet God's purpose in getting us into His kingdom is what we may realize all that identification with Jesus Christ means."
Oswald Chambers 

Review-"The Silent Gift"

Review--"The Silent Gift" by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley
Bethany House, Published 2009
362 Pages, Book Provided For Review By Bethany House.

"The Silent Gift" is the story of a young boy Jack and his mother Mary.
The time period is the Great Depression.
Jack is silent--meaning he can neither speak nor hear.
When the story begins Mary and Jack are living under the strain of an abusive home life.
At an opportune moment, Mary and Jack escape and leave for a larger city in order to make a new life. Mary's focus is always on Jack, and I was drawn in to the story immediately because of her faithful and dedicated love to him.
Mary is trusting and naive, and for this I felt the story would be unlikely in real life.
From my parents and before them their parents, these generations of people were mistrustful of strangers, even fearful.
Almost no one had money during the Depression and those that did certainly kept it hidden away.
For the focus and theme of the story I felt it was beautiful; Mary's love is that of a perfectly faithful and loving mother, she would suffer through any crisis for his welfare.
This book touches on may things: despair, loneliness, rejection, fear, abuse, poverty, a child with a handicap, homelessness, prayer life, faith, love, patience, God's will. 
I loved this book and it made a deep impression in my heart. I have recommended this book to my Churches book club selection to read next year.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Christian Book Award Winners For 2009

http://christianbookawards.com/

Best Christian Books Of 2009-----Christian Book Award Winners

The Christian Book Of The Year And The Winner In The Bible Category Is The ESV Study Bible--Crossway Books and Bibles.

Bible References And Study--Dictionary Of The Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry And Writings--Tremper Longman III, Peter Enns, Editors--InterVarsity Press

Inspiration And Gift--Holiness Day By Day--Jerry Bridges--NavPress

Children And Youth--For Young Men Only--Jeff Feldhahn And Eric Rice With Shaunti Feldhahn--WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Fiction--The Shape Of Mercy--Susan Meissner--WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Christian Life--Spectacular Sins--John Piper--Crossway Books And Bibles

Congratulations To All The Winners!
Annette 

Review-"Primal"

Review--"Primal, A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity" by Mark Batterson
Multnomah Books----A Division of Random House
Published 2009
179 pages
Mark Batterson has a website @ Evotionial
Find the book at the following link:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421319

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Jesus taught us in Mark 12:30 to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Jesus had quoted Deuteronomy 6:5.

Mark Batterson uses this verse as the theme of a new book he has written----"Primal."

The four divisions of the book are based from this verse: The Heart of Christianity, The Soul of Christianity, The Mind of Christianity, and The Strength of Christianity.

Mark writes that the Church needs a reformation. This is a strong statement, I have visions of Martin Luther nailing his Ninety-Five Theses upon the door of the Catholic Church named All Saint's Church in 1517.

Mark writes that "the reformation will not be by just one person, but many people that have not created something new, but something primal." This primal, is what is basic in Christianity.

To "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and all with of your mind and with all of your strength."

Mark states that many in the Christian Church over the years have made things difficult, "the accumulated layers of traditions and institutions have obscured what lies beneath."

"We have complicated Christianity." To me this is a profound statement and one that I heartily agree with.

I have been a Christian nearly all of my life, even before I invited Jesus into my heart and became a Christian, I went to Church and was familiar with the Church service.

What must an unbeliever think of all of the various traditions, creeds, what to do and what not to do, how to dress, and of course the assortment of denominations?

I feel that many Christians that do attend Church regularly have become weighted down, and or hidden behind the mask of the busyness of Church.

Mark teaches us in "Primal" what we need to be reminded of, and that is to most importantly love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

I fell in love with this book. It has made an impact in my life, and it has been life changing to read it.

I felt this book was personal, honest, and convicting. I felt that Mark was quick to get to the reason and focus of the book. He gives a plan and a goal for us. He uses life situations from other people that are applications for us to understand better his points.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is:

"Loving God with all your strength really means loving God with all His strength. It's not about what you can do for God. It's about what God can do in you and through you."

 Other books by Mark Batterson are:

"In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day"

"Wild Goose Chase"

Blissful Reading!

Annette 

Today's Bible Reading

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible reading finished the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66

This completes the mini-challenge to read Isaiah and one of the Gospels--I chose Luke and finished it December 7. 


Blissful Reading!
Annette  

"One Question Friday"

Wendy from All in a Day's Thought had 2 questions I will address.

December 11
What does Church smell like to you?
I have a keen sense of smell, can't hear to well, but can smell with proficiency!
But, maybe this question has a deeper meaning than smelling on a physical level.

The smell of Church is a comfortable and familiar smell to me. But, when something becomes comfortable and familiar it can become drab and colorless, and sense we are speaking in olfactory--it can become bland.

"If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body."
1 Corinthians 12:17-20 NIV

Church has not become bland to me, but I don't know where my place is anymore. I'm a little lost. 

Without going into to much information I was teaching a Sunday morning Bible class for women. This is a class that has been together over 30 years. I had only taught this class a short time after the original teacher had died in 2006. My weekdays were full of reading, studying and preparing, and teaching on Sunday mornings. But because I made some changes in the class--I rearranged the tables differently and changed the style of praying (using a prayer journal and praying at the end of class.) The women were livid, they were hostile, many harsh ugly words were said to me. I forgave the women before I left the classroom, but I resigned. I am at peace about this decision, the Church staff has been supportive and gracious. 

Yet, I am wandering and even wondering, what now? 

I don't have an answer yet. The time is not right yet, God will let me know when the time is right for the next task. 

December 18
Morning Bird or Night Owl?
What an interesting question.
I am a night owl. For me mornings are for sleeping and then trying to wake up.
Night time is when I am at my best. Night makes the light bulb in my brain click on. I am more creative, relaxed, and settled at night.
My mother was a night owl, she sewed...sometimes until 1 or 2 in the morning.
I prefer to read, or write, or watch a Turner Classic movie.
Night is when dad is in the bed asleep and I can relax a little, I know he is safe in his bed. I also know he will not need me for anything.


Blissful Blogging!
Annette

"In Christ Alone"

 Please see original post at Titus 2 at the Well, Ashley is the author of this post dated December 21. 


"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

Can I truly say that I am satisfied in Christ alone, every day, every hour, every situation? 
Sadly my answer is no.
Why? Because I feel sorry for myself sometimes. I dwell and simmer on what I don't  have. Particularly I think about the fact that I live here in this home with my dad, because I care for him--he cannot live alone, cannot drive, needs assistance, etc. I do not get to live with my husband, he lives and works in another city, and we see each other on holidays and on weekends. 
It does not help my demeanor when well meaning people tell me how sorry they are for our situation. I even get "the look" sometimes, which I intensely dislike. You know, that look, like they pity me. 
Jeff and I love each other so deeply, we bring comfort to each other, we make each other laugh, there is great intimacy between us. We also truly like each other, we are buddies. 
When we are together on the weekends there are fix it jobs waiting on him, grandchildren to see, shopping to be done, laundry to do, a son that needs help fixing something at his house. Poor hubby is running here and there during the day; and finally when it is bedtime, we shut the door firmly and lock it. 
How long will this season last? Meaning how long will we be needed to care for my dad and live apart? Only the Lord knows this answer. Our job is to continue to fulfill this responsibility until the Lord says our task is complete. He will let us know, when His will for us has been completed. 



Blissful Blogging!
Annettte

Question of the Week

Becky from Operation Actually Read Bible 
has 2 new questions dated December 8 and 20.

December 8
Question of the week: Christmas songs.
Which traditional songs (think carols/hymns) are your favorites? Do you have one song that is more special than another?

I have a jewel to share with you, a favorite Christmas memory of mine. My memories of listening to these songs are a comfort and a joy, it brings a smile to my face. I remember as a little girl sitting in our formal living room (mother would not let me go in this room without permission), enjoying our decorated Christmas tree with presents scattered all around, and listening to this album on our 1959 Magnavox mahogany stereo. We no longer have the album, but I recently found and bought the cd from Amazon. The songs that Perry Como sings are traditional and they are my favorites. 
Please take the time to listen...to the Christmas story.



December 20
Question of the week: The Christmas Season.
The Christmas season seems to go by so quickly. There are so many great songs-great albums-how can anyone ever make enough time to hear it all, to appreciate it all. My question this week is which albums take priority in your house! Which ones are must-have for the season? Which ones are no-matter what albums? 
My answer is see the above question, the Perry Como "Season's Greetings" cd. He recorded these songs in 1959. 
http://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Greetings-Perry-Como/dp/B000002WGA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1261430827&sr=8-1


Merry Christmas!
Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Roundabout

Roundabout is the title of a post that I try to do every week listing the noteworthy blog's of that week that I follow.
I follow 55 blog's, they are all noteworthy in that the authors lovingly tend to their blog's as a dedicated gardener would to their garden. They sow and prune, in hopes of a reading audience that will enjoy the harvest.

All the blog's are a whirl in the same theme of subjects: wrapping up reading and challenges for 2009, looking forward to reading and challenges in 2010, and preparing for Christmas.

Reading Challenges are popping up, please see 3 blog's for information on 2010 Reading Challenges.
Becky's Book Reviews
Mini Challenges
J.Kaye's Book Blog

All in a Day's Thought Wendy is the author of this blog and she posts questions, great questions, questions that make you think and stew a little. Her questions are posted on Friday's. See the questions posted for December 11 and 18.

At the Well...In Pursuit of Titus 2 See the posting for December 21--"In Christ Alone," it is about transparency. The author is Ashley.

C.J. Darlington C.J. has a new book that will be available in January 2010, "Thicker than Blood" published by Tyndale House She is the winner of "Christian Writer's Guild Operation First Novel 2010."  Congrats C. J.!

Inspire Rita Gerlach is the author of this blog. See post on December 21 "The Day of His Birth."

Passages to the Past This blog is top notch for historical fiction reading. The author is Amy from Georgia.

The LPM Blog Beth Moore and her daughters maintain this blog. Please read***important to read*** on Beth and her recent...well I'll let you read it. The title of post is "OK, So Here's The Story" dated December 19.

Tom Toya's Blog (Send Me - Isaiah 6:8) Tom Toya is the author of this blog, see the post dated December 6, "Because of His Love."

Through the Looking-Glass... Dr. Mike Thomas is the author of this blog. He writes a post on Sunday's entitled, "Stunning Moments in the Bible." See the posts dated December 6-- "The Raising of Lazarus," December 13--"The Parting of the Red Sea," and December 20-- "The Birth of Jesus."

Merry Christmas to all of you! And a wonderful and joyous New Year!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette 

1982

27 years ago today, Jeff and I were married at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. It was a small ceremony in the church that I had grown up in, our family and closest friends attended. The weather was cold, it rained later in the evening. My mother had made my dress, and she had bought my bouquet of rose bud and baby breathe flowers. Jeff and his best friend Steve had rented their western style tuxes. My maid of honor had bought her dress, and both of us wore the same shoes we'd worn at our senior prom several months before. The Church was already decorated for Christmas. The ceremony was traditional and brief. We had no special music, nor any other wedding ceremony entertainment. 
We had two wedding receptions, my parents had a reception at their home and we had our family Christmas party at the same time. We had a second reception at Jeff's sister Denise and her husband Luther's home. Both receptions had a cake and punch, many pictures were taken. The houses were both full from the members of our large families. 
Jeff and I are the youngest children in our families. Jeff is the youngest of 8 children, and I am the youngest of 5 children. 

Our life began as Mr. and Mrs. but oh how naive we were of all those years ahead. Years that would bring children, bills, job changes, heart aches, pleasures, vacations... and then many years of no vacations, college, cancer, surgeries, sending a child off to war, sicknesses, caring for parents, burying a parent, and living apart in order to care for a parent. 

After all of these years Jeff still makes my heart flutter, he still makes me laugh with his ridiculous jokes, I always look forward to him coming home, I miss him when he is not there beside me in the bed at night. 
My favorite place in the whole world is when he hugs me, and I lay my head on his chest--literally the world's troubles melt away. 
He and I have grown up together, we were babies when we married. No one thought that we would make it (except God did), only but for the grace of God we have. 
Not long ago a dear friend with tears in her eyes told me, "you know Annette, you and Jeff are an inspiration to so many people." I was shocked when she said this, I just had no idea. Jeff and I have been a blessing to others and we did not even know it. The Lord has used our lives as a testimony of what He can do, not us--we are after all just people, frail, disobedient, prideful, stiff-necked people. 
It is the Lord who has worked in molding us into vessel's He can use, in order to bless others, and most importantly to reflect His Son in us--and in turn He is glorified. 
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV  

Today's Bible Reading

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible reading was from Isaiah, I read chapters 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59. 

"The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us. God calls us to His service and places tremendous responsibilities on us. He expects no complaining on our part and offers no explanation on His part. God wants to use us as His Own Son."
Oswald Chambers

Christmas 2009

Still!

I am still sick with a cold; the greatest symptoms are weakness, fatigue, some coughing.
I finished reading last night, "The Silent Gift" by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley. I can't wait to post a review on this great book! I cried and cried at the end; this is unusual for me to be so emotional after reading a book, I guess it could be that I'm not feeling well, but I insist the book is great!

Today's Bible Reading!

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible reading is from Isaiah (nearly complete.)
Isaiah 50, 51, 52, 53

Yesterday I read Isaiah 45, 46, 47, 48, 49

"Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will." Isaiah 50:4b NLT


 

Next!

I was sick with a stomach virus last week, then yesterday came down with a cold---but not to sick to read!
I am in the process of finishing up 2 books "The Silent Gift" by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, and "Primal" by Mark Batterson. I will post reviews this week on these books. 

Blissful Reading!
Annette 

Today's Bible Reading!

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible reading was from Isaiah, and I read chapters 41, 42, 43, 44.
I also read John chapter 8 for BSF  

On December 10 I read Isaiah 38, 39, 40. 


"Nothing pays greater dividends for the time invested, than writing God's Word on the tables of the heart."
Dawson Trotman  

Progressive Dinner

Merry Christmas! And Welcome to the Progressive Dinner!
http://www.bookblogsocialclub.com/
The Dinner is December 7-11
I am featuring a dessert.

Please see the previous blog for another tasty dessert
http://www.3rsblog.com/

"Imperial Sugar Cookie"
1 cup Margarine
1 cup Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 Egg
1 tsp. Water
3 cup Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt

Thoroughly cream together sugar, margarine and vanilla. Add egg and water; beat until light and fluffy. Blend in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half and chill 1 hour. On slightly floured surface roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Brush lightly with milk. Sprinkle with colored sugar, candy or chopped nuts. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet at 375 degree for 6-8 minutes (turn sheet around in middle of baking.) Cool slightly. Remove from sheet or bake cookies plain and glaze with confectioners sugar, blended with milk.
Makes 6 dozen.

Please see the following blog for another tasty dessert
http://www.sueysbooks.blogspot.com/

Today's Bible Reading!

Are You Reading Your Bible?

Yesterday's Bible Reading:
John 6

Today's Bible Reading:
John 7
Luke 23, 24
1 Timothy 6
2 Timothy 1, 2, 3, 4
Titus 1, 2, 3 

"A blind confidence which trusts without seeing is far dearer to God than any fancied knowledge that can explain everything..."
A.W. Tozer

Today's Bible Reading

Are you reading your Bible?

Today's Bible Reading:
1 Timothy 4 and 5
Luke 21, 22
Isaiah 36, 37, 
John (I am reading John to get caught up with where Bible Study Fellowship is---I just started back with this great Bible Study, this is my 8th year.)
Scriptures read in John's Gospel 4, 5


"Love the giver more than any gift He may bestow."
From "Treasured" by Leigh McLeroy 


 


 

Review-"Treasured"

Review--"Treasured, Knowing God by the Things He Keeps" by Leigh McLeroy
The authors sites are: www.leighmcleroy.com and www.wednesdaywords.com
Published by WaterBrook Press a division of Random House, 2009

Link to find the book: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074815

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.



Leigh McLeroy a Houstonian is an author and speaker.
She has written other articles and books such as:
"The Beautiful Ache," "The Sacred Ordinary," and "Moments for Singles."
Leigh writes and also tells in the above video, that the idea for this book came from a cigar box of treasured items that she received that had been her beloved grandfathers.
After receiving this gift, Leigh then began to think and wonder what other intrinsic treasures are in Scripture, that can personally compare to her own life's journey.
There are 13 chapters of Scripture stories and stories from her own life. The various stories that she shares from her life touch on different moments that she has traversed through.
Leigh writes with a depth that I find so amazingly beautiful and resonates in my heart.
To me it takes much insight and wisdom, to see the many everyday happenings through the lens that God is in all of the details of life.
So often we just live each day, going through the demands and habits as if on auto pilot. Yet, Leigh does not do this, she savors, ponders, digests, and learns. Most of all she gives the everyday God moments back to God, by praising Him and glorifying Him.
Leigh is one of those rare writers that writes as if you two are already cherished friends, and that they are sitting next to you, and with confident rhythm they tell you their story.
She writes with a poets hand, the book is meaty...powerful....memorable.

Leigh, you and I are sisters in Christ Jesus, but if we ever met I know we would be the best of friends!
This book touched my heart and I thank you!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Review-"God Gave Us Love" and "God Gave Us Christmas"

 

Review--"God Gave Us Love" by Lisa Tawn Bergren and art by Laura J. Bryant

and "God Gave Us Christmas" by Lisa Tawn Bergren and art by David Hohn

WaterBrook Press a division of Random House,

"God Gave Us Love" published in 2009

"God Gave Us Christmas" published 2006

Both books provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"God Gave Us Love"

Little Cub and her grandfather go fishing, but it is disturbed by pesky annoying otters. Little Cub is upset with the otters, but her grandfather uses this moment to be a teaching lesson about God's love. Grandpa Bear teaches Little Cub about the different kinds of love: the love that a Mama bear and a Papa bear feel for each other, the love between friends, and the love between other family members. Grandpa Bear tells Little Cub that "any time we show love, Little Cub, we're sharing a bit his love."

I felt this was an endearing book!

I love those teachable moments with our children and grandchildren, they are priceless and should not be passed by.

This book gave a beautiful message that any child would understand.

The large soft toned color pictures are sweet and as cozy as a stuffed animal.

The books pages alternated between a page of colored picture only and a page of picture plus wording.

I felt that the words could be read by a first grader. My granddaughter Celeste that is in kindergarten could read many of the words on the pages.

Celeste said she felt the book was sweet, cute, interesting, funny, she said the book made her happy!

In the book, Little Cub asks her grandfather if there was something we could do "to make God not love us?"

Grandpa said "nope." Celeste said that God never goes to sleep he is always awake, and He loves us all of the time and always.

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074471

"God Gave Us Christmas"

Little Cub and her family are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Little Cub asks her mother "who 'vented Christmas? Was it Santa?" Of course Mama Bear said "no." The next day Mama Bear and Little Cub leave for a trip in to the mountains and wilderness to find God and to ask God about the invention of Christmas.

On this trip wise and loving Mama Bear teaches Little Cub about Jesus and the meaning of Christmas.

Celeste and I both loved it that it was sweet and loving Mama Bear, that stopped her hurried rush of preparing for Christmas, to teach her baby about Jesus, and the real meaning of Christmas.

The pictures are stunning and glossy, they are calm and light-not bold or flashy.

The pictures of the bears--these giant polar bears, are sweet and gentle.

Mama Bear used their own environment to teach her Little Cub about Jesus and Christmas.

Celeste and I loved both of these books, they are a joy to read!

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400071753

The author has written 3 other books: "God Gave Us You,"  "God Gave Us Two," and "God Gave Us Heaven."

Blissful Reading!
Annette 

Review-"Why Did God Give Us Emotions?"

Review--"Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" by Reneau Peurifoy, M.A.
B&B Media Group, LifeSkills Publications, Published 2009, 228 pages
This book was provided by B&B Media Group for review.

"Emotions are such a mysterious gift. They take us to heights of ecstasy. They dash us on the rocks of despair. They can bind us together and tear us apart. They can move some to noble acts of courage and self-sacrifice, and in others, they are the force behind terrible acts of evil and destruction.
Why did God make us this way? How are we supposed to manage this wonderful and mystifying gift we call emotions? In his new book Why Did God Give Us Emotions?, author Reneau Peurifoy takes a detailed look at the many sources of our emotional responses and the roles our emotions play in our thoughts, actions, relationships with others, and relationship with God. Why Did God Give Us Emotions? is a book twenty years in the making, based on Peurifoy's focused study, counseling experiences, and growing maturity in the faith."

I felt this was an exceptional book for any Christian to read with the mission of understanding the many whys of our emotions.
Each chapter has applications/activities that the reader can work through.
The book would be excellent for individual use or group study.
At the back of the book are suggestions for finding a church, developing a prayer life, and for further counseling. Small group discussion is provided in the back of the book as well.
Some of the topics in this book are: the physical side of emotions, core beliefs, and emotions that are taboo.
The book is not lengthy, it is not a textbook style book, it is easy for any lay person to read and understand.


One of my favorite passages that struck a cord with me was, "many of our emotional responses and behaviors are simply ingrained habits." Darn those bad habits that creep up!
Another favorite part was "become comfortable with not knowing." A Scripture that he used was from 2 Corinthians 5:7 "We live by faith, not by sight."
In chapter 12 he gave a great list for 6 steps for managing emotions effectively. Question 1 is What am I feeling? I have written these 6 questions on an index card for quick reference.

I did not feel like this book was top heavy on secular psychology, but was more in line with Biblical
counseling.

Other books by Reneau Peurifoy are:
"Anger, Taming The Beast"
"Anxiety, Phobias, and Panic"
"Overcoming Anxiety"

Blissful Reading!
Annette 

Today's Bible Reading

Today's Bible Reading!

Isaiah 33, 34, 35
Luke 19, 20
1 Timothy 3
Gospel of John 1, 2, 3
All Scriptures read from NLT The Transformation Study Bible

"The great majority of people will go on observing forms that cannot be explained, they will keep Christmas Day with Christmas gifts and Christmas benedictions; they will continue to do it, and some day suddenly wake up and discover why."
G. K. Chesterton

Next Up!

This week I will be posting reviews on the following:
"Treasured" by Leigh McLeroy, "God Gave Us Christmas" and "God Gave Us Love" both by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Published by WaterBrook Multnomah
"Why Did God Give Us Emotions?" by Reneau Peurifoy, M.A. and published by David C. Cook.
"Clara's War" by Clara Kramer. Published by Harper Collins.This book review will be over at
A Garden of Books.
And I have started reading the next book that I will review for Bethany House Publishers, "The Silent Gift" by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Review-"Choosing Gratitude"

Review--"Choosing Gratitude, Your Journey To Joy" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada

Moody Publishers, Published 2009, 234 Pages

See the the website Revive Our Hearts

This was a book given to me to join in on the Revive Our Hearts online study, but I also chose to review this book. 

The focal theme of the book is to teach us to have a mind and heart committed to a life of thankfulness to God. To be thankful in all things and not just in some things. Our attitude at all times should be full of gratitude for and to Jesus.

The author shares many stories from the lives of people that had terrible and tragic circumstances, yet they were thankful for God's presence and love.

The world does not thank God for who He is and what He has blessed us with; but the world is quick to shut God out, and to complain and berate Him.

But we have the mind of Christ, and we should not only live differently from the world, but we should stand out and reflect to the world our gratitude to Jesus.

I loved this book and I read this book from cover to cover, leaving no page unturned.

It is a book of inspiring narrative that spoke to my heart.

The authors approach is teachable and yet did not sermonize.

The book is applicable with many questions in the chapters to allow the reader to dig deeper.

During my reading of the book there was a blog I visited and joined in on,

http://www.ReviveOurHearts.com/bookblog/choosinggratitude/

---it was devoted to readers comments and further deepening of teaching.

I feel this is a great book for a book discussion group, Bible study, or for individual study and reflection.

"Gratitude is a revealer of the heart, not just a reporter of details. And among the things it reveals about us most is our level of humility." 

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Review-"Breach of Trust"

Review--"Breach of Trust" by Diann Mills
Tyndale Fiction Published 2009, 392 Pages

This book was bought by me for the purpose of reading and review.

I first became aquainted with Diann Mills when I read the book "When The Nile Runs Red"
see my review of this book:
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-when-nile-runs-red.html
I felt she was an excellent story teller and I'd looked forward to reading more of her novels.
"Breach of Trust" was not a disapointment! I loved this novel and I felt it was quick action paced, interesting,  had engaging characters, and was suspenseful.

Paige Rogers has spent the last several years hiding behind a new life as a librarian in a small town in Oklahoma. She has an easy predictable job, a cozy home to live in, and new friends. Her mind often travels back to her previous life as a CIA agent, and the horrible covert mission thats aftermath was life changing.
Paige tries hard to keep her real name and previous life a secret, yet a devious person from her past is taunting her.
Paige's character is feminine, charming, and beautiful; yet she is also savy, unyielding, calm, and trained to percieve danger and know how to protect herself.
The characters that live in the small town of Split Creek, Oklahoma are a hodge-podge of temperment and age. One of the characters in Split Creek has a romantic interest in Paige.
The antagonist is a deceptive, manipulative, back stabbing, and powerful individual.
Each of the CIA characters were brought to life though the research that DiAnn did. She sought to write a story from a Christian's perspective of being a CIA agent and I feel she did a spendid job.
The story is suspenseful in not knowing if and when Paige's real identity would surface. Suspense is also compounded by the devious character that is trailing her.
I felt the story was never at a stand still, always enticing the reader to turn the page.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Hoots Up With Me!

On this first day of December it has been a cold, dark, and dreary day. The rain started around noon and has not let up since then. The temperatures have stayed in the mid 40's, with the upper 30's tonight.
Another cold front will come through later in the week, with a slight chance of snow on Friday.

Christmas shopping is nearly finished, one last gift I am looking for, it is a decorative box (maybe at Hobby Lobby) for a Barbie doll box for my granddaughter.
Tonight I am hoping to start on Christmas cards, between daddy and I, we send out about 70 cards.
I do not have the Christmas tree up yet, nor the house decorated. I am waiting on my husband and younger son to come in next weekend, and climb up in the attic to retrieve the Christmas decor.

Daddy and I shopped today at Lifeway Christian Bookstore and of course spent $$ on more books.
I already had piles of books to read, but I just can't help myself.....I love books! The books I bought are: "A Lineage of Grace" by Francine Rivers, "Intervention" by Terri Blackstock, "Chosen" by Ted Dekker, "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge, and a new devotional book " Volume 2, Daily Readings From The Life of Christ" by John MacArthur.

Are you watching or listening to the President speak tonight on television? What ever your opinions, or complaints, or political beliefs, we should be praying for the President and our nation----praying out of the overflow of the Holy Spirit that abides in us!

Do you keep a prayer journal? Do you have an organized prayer time? Do you pray before bedtime, or on the way to work? Maybe intermittently throughout the day?
I have a 3 ring binder with notebook paper in it. In this binder I have every member of my family and my husbands family written in it, including their birth dates and anniversaries. I also have most of my friends and their individual families written down. I pray for missionaries, our Church staff, neighbors, and our President and his staff.
I know you are thinking that all of this probably takes a long time and you do not have that kind of time,
I divide it up, family and friends I pray for everyday. I also pray for our President, and my Church staff everyday.
I pray on certain days for missionaries and neighbors.
Praying does not need to be lengthy, organized, detailed, or at a specific time of the day. Just do it!
Often when I am driving I pray for the strangers that are in the cars next to me....I get such a kick out of that!
I pray for the people that are in the check out line with me in the grocery store. I pray for the mail man, the UPS man, meter readers, and the lineman electricians that I pass by on the road.
I love to pray! And I love it that I am praying for people that will never know in this lifetime that I lifted them up in prayer on that day.

I am making a few changes on one of my blogs.
A Garden of Books will become children's and a juvenile fiction book blog. I have a 6 year old granddaughter and a 4 year old grandson---they both love books! Imagine that? My granddaughter has just started to read and I am so proud and excited. I want to take the opportunity to now collect/read and review books for my grand-babies. I also plan on giving their opinions and thoughts on the books. I am excited about this change, look for this new endeavor in January 2010.
I am in the process of creating a new blog Impressions in Ink. This blog will be for secular adult books, such as: biographies, reading challenges, classic literature, historical fiction, etc.
A Well-Watered Garden will continue unchanged from its present structure and theme, except for occasional changes in the layout or color.

I am thankful for all of my readers both those that are loyal followers and those that are occasional on-lookers!
My prayer is that you will have a Christ filled Christmas! And that you will take the time to read and ponder the "real" Christmas story. Every time you feel short of breath or anxious over the supposed necessities of the season, or the lack of funds for those gifts you feel obligated to buy; take a deep breathe and re-focus on what is the most important thing, that Christmas is about Jesus!
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Luke 1:32-33 NKJV