Ferguson Missouri; My Humble Opinion And Prayer

I live about 130 miles south of Ferguson so I offer this disclaimer; I am not in the middle of this only watching from afar. I also want to point out to anyone who may happen upon this that I am white and don't know first hand what it is like to be black. I talked to someone who has a tumbler account recently and she said everything she is seeing regarding Ferguson makes it sound like the police are bullying a bunch of peaceful protesters. Though there has been a lot of overreaction on the part of the police in the area; that is not he whole story. What happened to Michael Brown was wrong, awful, and possibly criminal. I would like to know how taking to the streets and burning down small businesses that individuals not involved in what happened is an appropriate response. How does all of this violence do anything to bring peace and comfort to Michael's family? Michael's mother has called for calm from the very beginning of this and if she can be patient and wait for an investigation; why then can't everyone? Many of those protesting don't even live in Ferguson; making crowds even harder for the police to handle. I get solidarity, I do. What I don't get is what looting and violence do to further solidarity. Surely there are other things we could be doing to speak to the injustice we see and feel. Prayer services and/ or letter writing campaigns come to mind. Yes, racism and discrimination exists and it is wrong. But I can't think of one example from history that the kind of behavior we are seeing in Ferguson right now has brought about positive change. Malcolm X abandoned his violent stance as did Nelson Mandela. Martin Luther King never approved of this kind of behavior and though he was murdered his family has carried on with that message because it is still a valid message. We cannot respond to ugliness with more ugliness. Peace begins in the heart of the individual who says " I will rise above the darkness, not become a part of it". There is so much that can be said on this topic, so much is wrong with what is happening right now. I urge all to withhold judgment until more is known. I do believe an independent investigation is a good idea so that the results will be believed by everyone. I found this video; he says things I think only a black man can say on the subject. Pardon the swearing here In closing I pray for peace and justice in Ferguson MO. I pray the truth will come out quickly and that somehow we will learn from this madness and tragedy. Grace and peace CAC

In Which Molten Lava Flows From Her Mouth

I feel sometimes like I am a volcano. Trying so hard to leave so many things unsaid , so many thoughts not spoken, so many tears un-shed that I become unstable and suddenly erupt with little or no warning. Most people would never guess this of me. They wouldn't believe that I could anything but quiet and sweet. They don' realize that I am filled with smoldering lava. It stays there and it simmers; waiting for a that moment when all is quiet and seemingly calm; to boil and erupt; and burn every good thing that has grown, every step of progress made, and every hope ever dreamed.
Most people do not know that I am a monster.

But God knows, and somehow, He doesn't turn away, He doesn't turn His back and say "you are not worthy of my love, monster" Instead God embraces me and speaks in my ear softly of a love I cannot comprehend. He speaks of a love that sacrifices the very Son Of God, to save me. A love that doesn't exclude monsters, but instead tells me I am made in the very image of God and I am beautiful.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Happy Easter

Today is the day we commemorate death of, not a man, not a great teacher, nor a prophet but of the Son of God; . Why would the Son of God let Himself be murdered? There are many answers to that question but the only one that is true is this...to be the final sacrifice for sin; to bridge the gap between a Holy God and sinful man.
But today is not the end of Easter, it is only the beginning....
Stay tuned

Primal Screams And Other Horrors

I let the stress of all the changes I am going through get the best of me today. I ended up doing a few primal screams in the basement, threatening to cut my son's hands off and did and said a few other things that mortify me in the recollection of them.
Please Lord, help keep from defining myself by my actions this afternoon. Lord help me remember Your mercies are ever flowing, and never fail. Help me remember that I am not You and that my failures don't define me.

Winner Night Watchman

Congratulations Nicole, you have won Night Watchman. I will get to your book to you soon. Enjoy and thanks for your participation.

Stealing Home Blog Tour

I must admit I had my doubts about this book when I heard about it. I didn't think I would really enjoy a book about a baseball player. I am happy to report I was wrong. This book is about so much more than baseball and yet made me appreciate the game and those who love it too. Stealing Home transported me back to the early 1900's so effectively I felt a bit of culture shock at coming back to reality when I finished the book. The writing in this book makes reading it a delight and putting it down a disappointment. The characters are quite believable and likable. Duke Dennison, Ned Clovis, Ellie and Morris were as real to me as my own daughter for the time I was reading this engaging book and linger with me still. I see in my mind, the tilt of Ellie's head as she observes people coming off of the train and the frustration of Ned's brow when someone turns away while talking to him. Even now I can see Duke's cocky grin the first time he meets Ellie and Morris' smile as Duke deposits "a whole" five dollars in his hand.
I look forward to finding more books by this author; whose bio follows.
Allison Pittman spent seventeen years as a high school English teacher, and then shunned the advice of “experts,” quit her day job and set out to write novels that bring glory to God. She relishes inspiring other writers and leading the theater arts group at her church. She and her husband and three sons live in Universal City, Texas.
If you would like to own a copy of this book go here to purchase or you can leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy. Happy reading!

Night Watchman Blog Tour

The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir is a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! In fact I have not enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed Night Watchman in quite some time. The author had me hooked on the first page and it just kept getting better from there on.
Quinn is the hero of the book, but I didn't like him at first. He is rude and mean and drowning himself in Jim Beam and self loathing. There were times I wanted to slap him for the way he treated people, but as the story progressed I couldn't help but begin to like him a little. After all, someone had loved him and died defending his life, so he must have something going for him.
From the gritty dialogue, to the apt descriptions and believable characters, Night Watchman sings with emotion. The tension and drama start on the first page and continue through to the last.
I have never read this author before, but will be looking for more from him and really hope he continues the exploits of Detective Quinn and the lovable Crevis into another book or two at least.
Kudos to Mark Mynheir for a fantastic escape into the story of Ray Quinn. Keep them coming!

Author Bio:
A detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Palm Bay Police Department, Mark Mynheir investigates violent crimes and writes riveting Christian fiction. A U.S. Marine with a passion for martial arts and firearms training, Mark has worked on narcotics units, SWAT teams, and myriad high-risk situations. His four novels offer a realistic glimpse into the gritty world of law enforcement and the rarely seen raw emotions behind the badge. Mark lives in Florida with his wife and three children.

OK folks, if you want to read this book you can purchase it here or you can leave a comment on this post for a chance at winning a copy. Happy reading!

Stop That Thief, She Stole A Priceless Plastic....

I am overdue for an update, as usual. I am trying to do better, really I am!

I mentioned in an earlier post that my daughter was fired from her job. I didn't go into details at the time as I was deeply depressed at the time. But the details beg to be shared.
Those of you who don't know my daughter may not believe there is not more to the story, but trust me there is not. I would think the same thing of someone I didn't know if I were told something like the following. My daughter worked for National Asset Recovery Services, she started in August on last year. NARS has Cafeterias in their workplace but they are not open all shifts. She was working the 2-11 pm shift one Saturday about 2 weeks ago,and brought a salad to work. The cafeteria wasn't open but since other times she had brought a salad and they had given her a fork, she simply hopped over the counter and grabbed a fork. Almost a week later she was called in from her desk and told she what she had done constituted breaking and entering and robbery and she was immediately fired.

She had NEVER been in trouble before, never been late for work, had just earned a free jeans for a week pass for doing well at her job the day before. Like I said, if I didn't' know her I would think, she had to have been messing up all along. It still amazes me, and everyone I tell thinks I am joking at first. I wish I were! Some have chastised her for not fighting it, but for what? Why would one want to work for someone who treats valuable employees like this?

Sigh, we were both stunned and discouraged for awhile. She went back to her old standby BK, whom she was still working for part time anyway, and started working on her resume. Stay tuned for the happy conclusion to this saga. Also coming soon, more blog tours and giveaways.

In the meantime, please pray for me and for her, that we will not hold bitterness in our hearts over this and allow the enemy a foothold in our lives.

Love is in the air... The Valentines Blog Tour

In his book Love As a Way of Life , best-selling author Gary Chapman shows readers how to cultivate a new lifestyle built around the seven characteristics of authentic love. Now in a companion devotional, he provides ninety inspirational readings to help Christians consistently live out the characteristics of love in every relationship.

Each devotional entry showcases biblical truths that guide a life of love, offering fresh insight and practical guidance in how to make love a lasting habit. Over the course of three months, readers will learn to follow God’s lead as they practice the characteristics of a loving person: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.

The Love As a Way of Life Devotional makes an ideal gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Couples, parents, new graduates, and anyone celebrating a milestone in life will welcome this inspiring daily guide to richer, more satisfying relationships.

Author Bio:

Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-six books, including the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. His daily radio program, A Love Language Minute, is broadcast on more than 100 stations nationwide. Dr. Chapman, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Wake-Forest University, and Southwestern Seminary, serves on a church staff in North Carolina.

I have just begun to read this and it has already made me cry. It is chock full of wonderful reminders of God's love for us and how that can and should affect our daily lives. If you have read any of Dr Chapman's other works, you have some idea of how eloquent he is, yet you will be encouraged and challenged afresh in this amazing little book. If you have not read Dr Chapman before, let this be the first taste of his insight, then go on and find his other books for more.


You may know the routine by now; leave a comment for a chance to receive a free copy of Love As A Way Of Life. I will select a winner on Valentines Day by random number generator.

You can purchase this book here

Pinpricks Of Light

My sweet daughter shared a song with me earlier this evening. I have listened to it three times now,and am beginning to feel the Light penetrating.

Thank you dear daughter, thank you to those who have commented, and prayed, and thank YOU God. Please let me feel Your love.">

Not To Beat A Dead Horse

but reading Job has brought up some things I am still struggling to move past. A few months ago I wrote some things that were critical of a group of people. I admit it was not the wisest thing I have ever done. I did not think about how it could be taken by some. I deleted the posts soon after and then just went ahead and deleted the whole blog. What niggles at my brain is how a someone I considered my best friend reacted to it, and her actions surrounding it. I had posted a lot of good things proir to that, lots of poetry and the like and not once did she comment on any of it. No, encourgement, praise, critquie, nothing. Then all of sudden wham. I guess I am still reeling from it somewhat.
Now I am reading Job ( the only thing I can usually say it great about August,;my Daily Bible put me in Job about midway through and I feel almost like I have come home again). I get to around Chapter 4 where Job's friends begin to talk. Eliphaz says Job has sinned and that he is being chastened by God; and while I am reading Jobs response to this it hits me. This is how I felt at that time and still do. I read Job's words in, Chapter 6:14-21 that really express what I feel as well as these later on - " you undermine your friend" and, " but you are forgers of lies, you are worthless physicians. Oh that you would be silent, and it would be your wisdom" or " Miserable comforters are you"
You see what Job's friends were saying was not all wrong; most of it was dead on right theologically. But they lacked compassion for Job and judged his position with God by his circumstances. I feel this is what my friend did to me. Had she been keeping up with my blog she should have known that I was not, as she accused, depending on others to lift my burdens from me rather than looking to God. She would have realized were it not for God's strength things would have been more than I could bear and I would be either dead or in the hospital's psych ward. But instead she assumed since I was pointing out that I had been abandoned by this group of people, that I was in need of admonishment for assuming someone owed me something or that I was being ungrateful for prior help.
Sigh, I know I need to move past this, I know I need to forgive and that part of that is letting it go, in spite of the fact that one never apologized for the attack. I need Jesus to show me how far the east is from the west; and show me how to fling these feelings that far.
Like Job, God spoke to me about my attitude and showed me that I could have leaned on Him more and accepted things for what they were without lashing becasue He was and is in control; but unlkie Job, God didn't put my friend in her place for me. Is this what I expect, or want? I mean imagine how those friends of Job must have felt after God spoke to them like that, small enough to " crawl under the floor", I would think. I don't want anyone to experience that on my behalf; I am not worthy of that by a long shot. Job afterall was blameless and upright, so not me.
But I do wonder sometimes what became of Job's relationship with his friends after this. Did their friendship continue, did it change?
Sigh, oh well I guess I will lay my stick down now, poor horse has surely had enough.

Got me thinking

I read a blog post yesterday that got me to thinking.
I do have several difficult people in my life and I either tend to vent about them or hide. One of the difficult people in my life is a brother who abused me as a child and now seeks reconciliation. This is one I am really hiding from. I pray about it some, then tuck it away in closet until later, which turns into months later. Then something reminds me and I pray about it a little and on and on.
I want to forgive, know I am supposed to forgive as Christ forgave me, but whew, I don't know what that looks like. I know this isn't exactly the type of person Beth Moore was talking about but still it applies, and I am convicted again to pray and NOT put it in the closet but keep praying.