tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844456810410137212024-02-07T20:25:00.606-08:00Hello, Dolly!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-83540518462197703562016-11-10T08:58:00.000-08:002016-11-10T08:59:01.792-08:00Reacting to the Election<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To the chagrin of many of my friends, I am pleased with how the election resulted. Not to say I'm a big fan of Trump, but I really don't think Hillary was best for the job for reasons that I could say, but would probably distract from my point in this post.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honestly, when November 8 rolled around, I was just stressed and felt stretched thin. This was one of the most stressful elections I can remember, and by the end, I was just <i>tired</i>. Tired of waiting and hoping and preparing for a possible result that I didn't want. Tired of being concerned about an outcome I literally had no control over. But yesterday morning, I awoke relieved.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a strange sensation. Relief. It felt amazing, after a year of worry. But next to Trump's presidential announcement, there were pictures of crying Clinton supporters. And although, I was still happy for Trump, I truly felt bad for the Clinton supporters, even though I don't agree with anything they believe. Defeat hurts, and I could see they hurt.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The long and the short of it is, God has it all under control, and I truly believe that even if Clinton had won. God has us, even when it seems that the whole world is crashing in on itself, and the sky looks like it's falling. The Jews probably thought the sky was falling when they spent all those years in slavery in Egypt, but God freed them. No matter how bleak it seems right now, God knows what is best. So if Clinton's presidency wasn't what was best, then God did what He always does.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-84562758737627173152016-11-02T13:52:00.004-07:002016-11-03T11:13:59.868-07:00Book Review for "The Raven" by Mike Nappa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu84FhLBqkGotuqRLAa_uYNN72CSHJS-moX78jeTb8ofdG-U44Rnra8tTgcyijnxuW6w-FW58QNlKSzZ3NTaioZAFeUvYbma8M3I_j7ALJ1j__N4nZzcMfU-ZqJ3OBa37sbbKt9dEbs-b8/s1600/raven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu84FhLBqkGotuqRLAa_uYNN72CSHJS-moX78jeTb8ofdG-U44Rnra8tTgcyijnxuW6w-FW58QNlKSzZ3NTaioZAFeUvYbma8M3I_j7ALJ1j__N4nZzcMfU-ZqJ3OBa37sbbKt9dEbs-b8/s400/raven.jpg" width="258" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Raven is an exciting, fast-paced, dramatic novel involving a private investigator divorcee and a "deception specialist" (con artist/ street magician). Together, they become involved in a plot code-named "Nevermore", the last word in Edgar Allen Poe's most famous poem. Nevermore is essentially a mystery until the last few chapters of this captivating novel. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I loved this book because it had a dash of humor despite its very serious subject. It was thrilling, yet down to earth; action packed, yet there was some romance as well. Nappa managed to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">write</span> a very complicated story, that seemed almost simplistic and easy to jump right back into. I think he is one of my new favorite authors.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I received</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-75611898785687101372016-11-01T06:59:00.003-07:002016-11-01T07:00:16.174-07:00Book Review for "Speaking of Homosexuality" by Joe Dallas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are a Christian who has ever struggled with what you believe on homosexuality; if you are a Christian who doesn't even know what they believe on homosexuality; Speaking of Homosexuality is the book for you. Dallas, a former gay activist, shares straightforward wisdom on homosexuality and reaching out to those who identify as such. Rather than having a book of combatant arguments, he gives answers on tough subjects with clarity and compassion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book absolutely blew me away. The practical advice in this book is so usable for today's conversations. Speaking of Homosexuality is well thought- out, easy to understand, and full of truths. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Baker books.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-71461456208828841282016-09-27T12:27:00.001-07:002016-09-27T12:27:17.728-07:00Dolly Rant: "Cringy"<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am in the ranting mood today, and "cringy" is my victim. Cringy is such a ridiculous word that spellcheck doesn't even get it. All I see is the word and angry red squiggly line. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cringy is the new word to describe anything that will make you cringe. I guess Buzzfeed was bored with typing out the tiresome "cringe worthy", so they shortened it to the meaningless "cringy". What the heck does cringy even mean? As a derivative from the word cringe, I get it, but as a new word, it is meaningless.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The long and the short of it is these stupid, inane words have no purpose and no place in our vocabularies. Does anyone remember the annoying '90's phrase "whatev". Do you see what I mean.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-19394154157154701252016-09-11T08:20:00.000-07:002016-09-11T08:20:00.014-07:0015 Years Later....My deepest sympathy and sadness goes out to all those families who lost loved ones on that horrible day of September 11, 2001. I was only a very small child when that happened, but even so, that event has been permanently ingrained into who I am as a person. September 11 will never be a late summer's day, but a day of great horror, but also of unity. That day, we said together as a nation that we would pull together and defend those we love and avenge those whom we lost.<br />
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One thing I can promise you is that I will never ever forget those that we lost.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-70808278447470518952016-08-22T06:53:00.000-07:002016-08-22T06:54:13.146-07:00For He Knows the Plans He has for Me<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This morning I woke up with the realization that this was the first day of my last year of school at home. I have been homeschooled since the beginning, so this imminent change is both thrilling and overwhelming (scary). I will be going to college next fall, with students and teachers and textbooks and exams. I'm not certain why I'm a tad freaked out, but I just am.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Logically, I've got nothing to be concerned about because I still will be living at home, and honestly, I am a pretty social person! The classes that I will take will take as far as my imagination and determination will allow, and finances aren't really an issue.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The long and the short of it is that I shouldn't be worried about what happens. God has my back, and I trust that He won't let me down.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Jeremiah 29: 11-13</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So my plan for this final school year? I'm going to savor every day that I have with my mom and brother. I'm going to work as hard as I can pulling down the best grade I can. I'm going to make memories, and prepare myself for next year. God's got me, and He's got plans for me.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-71825546590600082102016-08-17T07:02:00.001-07:002016-08-17T07:02:16.062-07:00My Road to Camp Perry<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Big news, kiddies: I just got back from the National Marksmanship Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, if you don't know what the National Marksmanship Matches are, it's only about 1300 people from all over the country getting together to shoot guns in competition. For two and a half weeks. In 98 degrees and 80% humidity. Crazy? Yes. Rewarding? That as well.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUXrY0g7y4i88OlcJ23snn1cDhxcWQzOfuZ3wqYRAWuhXrV33nSNMrtNhqDkQSUa6JBiuRtHAdwccWA_jV2jn7PpqMn5L5t191IdmRbKLdy3usZl05FpFk2uyhStY-txXl7EoZxyZ5Abs/s1600/CMPNTJuniorTeam16-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUXrY0g7y4i88OlcJ23snn1cDhxcWQzOfuZ3wqYRAWuhXrV33nSNMrtNhqDkQSUa6JBiuRtHAdwccWA_jV2jn7PpqMn5L5t191IdmRbKLdy3usZl05FpFk2uyhStY-txXl7EoZxyZ5Abs/s640/CMPNTJuniorTeam16-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happens when you get 11 teenagers together to shoot guns for 17 days. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How did I get to this point? Here's my story.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started shooting with my father at the tender age of eight. He would bribe me with a Dr. Pepper, and we go and shoot off about fifty rounds of .22 ammo at our local range for couple of hours. (Can you say "daddy-daughter bonding time"?) Anyhow, I fell in love with shooting, and Dad ended up signing me up for the NRA Smallbore Marksmanship Program when I was ten.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The smallbore program is basically the gateway to competitive shooting, though very few shooters actually go through it. We practice the four basic shooting positions and earn awards for it. Picture karate, but with a lot more hardware.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxE35igM6jBy1kUguji9j1Gi6E-8r0DR5c4VQFUBrvzeAywzw9MkOYhCyrgK5TOzi7oiNpZXNxFFhoM1OlRfi1xDIMsEL0PFQuGJzouUw9qZvicwc8SSon0nUVYZm2_I9LaQv3kyQOH34/s1600/der.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxE35igM6jBy1kUguji9j1Gi6E-8r0DR5c4VQFUBrvzeAywzw9MkOYhCyrgK5TOzi7oiNpZXNxFFhoM1OlRfi1xDIMsEL0PFQuGJzouUw9qZvicwc8SSon0nUVYZm2_I9LaQv3kyQOH34/s200/der.gif" width="96" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I earned my Distinguished Expert award when I was 12. Most kids finish up with six months to a year, but little miss drag-her-feet decided that procrastination would keep me in the program for two and a half years. I still smile in remembrance. Sort of.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However, after I finished the program, I had no definable shooting goal for the first time in three years. I drifted for a while, but then finally came to the realization that God had not have me come this far to be wasting the talent He'd given me. So this year, I finally buckled under and started competing in matches.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In NRA across the course matches, I shoot service rifle. We shoot eighty shots total, twenty in standing, twenty in sitting, and forty in prone (laying down). Across the course matches (RMC's) are one of the most physically and mentally challenging things I do. It requires vast amounts of mental focus and positivity, as well as raw skill. However, they are so worth it. In order to qualify for Camp Perry, you must attend at least four of these in a year beforehand. Also, the team I'm on requires that I attend at least once a month. So, obviously, I've gone to a few of them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On July 20, I got on a red eye flight with my teammates and said goodbye to my home and family for 17 days. I traveled across eight states and ended up Ohio. I shot with some of the best shooters in the world. I had the "Perry experience". I won gold with my teammate in a two man team match. I came home on August 5 with a new understanding about stamina and determination and shooting. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shooting has taught me so many things but here the key points: Never give up, even though it's hard. Breathe and squeeze. The last shot doesn't matter, this one does. Don't let anyone tell you you aren't good enough, especially yourself. God gave you a talent, so don't waste it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'd like to thank:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God, Dad, Mom, Bob, Jerry, Jeff, and everyone else who has helped me along in my journey with shooting. I will always be grateful for it.</span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-82920713438939071192016-08-17T06:02:00.002-07:002016-08-17T06:03:20.858-07:00Book Review for Without Warining by Lynette Eason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So to start this review off, I'd like to say that <i>Without Warning</i> is one of the best Christian romantic suspense novels I have read in a very long time. It has action, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and raw human feeling. I enjoyed the characters and the plot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved Daniel's strong, masculine identity. I found it refreshing in comparison to the numerous "wimpy" male personalities out there. I also loved Katie's character: professional, strong, active, but also vulnerable and almost weak in a way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only bad thing I have to say about this book is that there seemed to be expendable characters. There were a lot of names that you had to pay attention to, and to be quite honest, I got stuck a couple of times trying to remember who this person was again? Also, the beginning was rather slow, but it soon picked up speed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed reading <i>Without Warning</i>, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light summer read.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received <i>Without Warning</i> for Revell Books in exchange for my honest opinion.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-45215547791660905012016-07-19T07:22:00.000-07:002016-07-19T07:22:07.530-07:00Book Review for "Together at the Table" by Hillary Manton Lodge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebAA3O2Kd4Wittiq3fGuLLUnw440LD04i4m21vti5ocW0A7YFL1vS2OycNlUQqzgB3H9KyQ9sNW-P2zrT_T6maP-C08wVEMuZZKkdVhC1JpbZkXuqtV-6eTnptGbKutwqV-QbS0_cG2YJ/s1600/tatt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebAA3O2Kd4Wittiq3fGuLLUnw440LD04i4m21vti5ocW0A7YFL1vS2OycNlUQqzgB3H9KyQ9sNW-P2zrT_T6maP-C08wVEMuZZKkdVhC1JpbZkXuqtV-6eTnptGbKutwqV-QbS0_cG2YJ/s320/tatt.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Together at the Table</i> is an endearing story of love, family, and food. The third in its series, <i>Together at the Table</i> depicts Juliet, a young restaurant owner in Portland making delectable dishes with her close family and friends, finding out family facts that were unknown to her, getting heartbroken and falling in love again, and grieving over her beloved mother.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Together at the Table</i> was not the first story I had read about Juliet, but it was far more enjoyable. The story line was good, the characters more alive than ever, and I could almost taste the mouthwatering dishes they put together. Something I really liked in the book was that there were recipes at the end of most of the chapters (not that I tried any. I'm a busy gal!). A perfect summer read to help you relax, laugh, cry, and start cooking!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I received a copy of <i>Together a the Table</i> by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-7441817081182792082016-07-19T07:09:00.001-07:002016-07-19T07:09:53.895-07:00Book Review for "Missing" by Lisa Harris<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nikki Boyd's sister was kidnapped a decade ago. Since then she has been resolute in finding Sarah and other victims of kidnapping. However, when a case involves her close friend Tyler's family, it gets more and more dangerous to do her job.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiUPQR5CRVO2RCb8zc-eAAUcBuktrZ-8isSWOGfBOg6qAMyc1MQ7iGFKMOCJUUY0CO1VclLlILrVLGCBbce8jgyxSkFr7PXgrr3hOaM2BDMB_mah6WEFnW4AnH-PMXIoEcySqOKJqdMTz/s1600/MISSING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiUPQR5CRVO2RCb8zc-eAAUcBuktrZ-8isSWOGfBOg6qAMyc1MQ7iGFKMOCJUUY0CO1VclLlILrVLGCBbce8jgyxSkFr7PXgrr3hOaM2BDMB_mah6WEFnW4AnH-PMXIoEcySqOKJqdMTz/s320/MISSING.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I enjoyed reading<i> Missing</i>. It had a lot of twists and turns; it was exciting. The characters were well thought out, and the plot likewise.<i> Missing</i> was an easy summer-on-the-deck-with-a-glass-of-ice-tea kind of book. I liked the male character in Tyler because he was strong, and Nikki was a positive model for girls.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only a few things I didn't care for in this book was that the "bad guy" was kind of predictable, and the book itself was intense, however, upon realizing the topic, it's understandable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I received a copy of <i>Missing</i> by Revell Books in exchange for my honest opinion.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-27134845641438107292016-07-06T08:02:00.000-07:002016-07-06T08:02:35.167-07:00What is A Christian?<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Far be it for me to tell you what a Christian is and isn't, because, let's face it, everyone has their own idea of what that looks like. Some people baptize, others don't. Do you do communion? How many our fathers did you say this week? No unclean meats for us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui-fIO6DIDSliCfGSdgpFNTcz5UbEQlvXiSqALKFXIdcFMSTLdXEooOqeNRls9KTX523JGSTjF2qz6N_0-mim7ppKoAsB0SDwXvt9uJaGhawlKpxAothH6nWd2sUHAa2_zIr-rKc8p7Os/s1600/D880FB2F44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui-fIO6DIDSliCfGSdgpFNTcz5UbEQlvXiSqALKFXIdcFMSTLdXEooOqeNRls9KTX523JGSTjF2qz6N_0-mim7ppKoAsB0SDwXvt9uJaGhawlKpxAothH6nWd2sUHAa2_zIr-rKc8p7Os/s640/D880FB2F44.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No one can agree on what Christianity looks like. So this is why I'm telling what it looks like to me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Christian is a sinful person who is tired and beat down by life. They've made mistakes, they know they've made mistakes, and they want to be saved by the free gift that we don't deserve. It almost seems to easy, doesn't it?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The thing is, Christianity is hard. The devil seems to be endlessly trying to trap and kill us. People hate us because they either don't see eye to eye with us or they feel threatened. The church is being taken over by angry hypocritical people, and everyone is splitting into to teams, or more formally known as denominations. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins. I believe that God created the universe and everything inhabiting it. I believe that there is a heaven and a hell. I believe God has a plan for me and my life. I believe God loves you. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What do you believe?</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-45098822835559235172016-06-27T08:33:00.000-07:002016-06-27T08:33:51.278-07:00Reasons Why I Don't Get Predestination<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few months ago, my friend Josh and I had a thought provoking discussion on predestination. Now, if you don't know what predestination is, it essentially is the belief that God has predestined everyone to either go to heaven or hell. Although I believe this to a point, a lot of it I disagree with.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4O3Ju1gWlMgGh4fsWJjVb3mN2ggxEtYUglaD9uK-Cv6s8LfPOFUluVoFu7o6sEpdgOk4lz_4QYvgOUBcgOEDK_MdVSDuARSCafh77LgpIuuBQnP2V1UttJb3GY-_iS-s0ri4LSP0sELE/s1600/L0NKLRE5UH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4O3Ju1gWlMgGh4fsWJjVb3mN2ggxEtYUglaD9uK-Cv6s8LfPOFUluVoFu7o6sEpdgOk4lz_4QYvgOUBcgOEDK_MdVSDuARSCafh77LgpIuuBQnP2V1UttJb3GY-_iS-s0ri4LSP0sELE/s640/L0NKLRE5UH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First of all, why would God make people that He dearly loves, and then choose who will go to heaven and those who will go to hell? Why would Jesus die on the cross for people who he has already chosen to live? Why do we need to accept God into our hearts if he has already made up his mind on who should go to heaven? Why should those "chosen" live God's will if their eternity with Christ has already been decided?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What about the people predestined to burn in hell? Is there any hope for them? Will they ever be able to make it to heaven, if they changed their hearts? Why would a God who claims to love everyone, condemn them to eternal suffering? How could He let that happen?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is the beauty of free will. God knows who will go to heaven and hell. However, I have no belief that He chooses that for them. I have faith that God allows us to chose the way we want to live our lives. Therefore, it is our choice if we want to serve God or not. What would God care about us letting Him into our hearts if He has already deemed it so? Why did God give minds that think and react and love on their own if we didn't <i>choose </i>to love Him. There is no joy in making someone love you. Why would God want that?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know that I will be asked to cite a verse so here it is:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, <i>that whoever believes in Him</i> shall not perish but have eternal life. </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> John 3:16 (emphasis added)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God has given us free will for a reason. This is another great reason for us to minister to people, because without free will in their choice, what is the point of showing people Christ's love and grace? </span></span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-72837013717577441762016-06-18T09:59:00.000-07:002016-06-18T09:59:55.961-07:00A Thanks to My Father<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last month, I wrote about what my mother means to me. But now with Father's Day fast approaching, I think it only appropriate to share how thankful I am for my daddy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Dad:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For being a great father to me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For loving me even when I didn't like myself very much.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For showing me what a godly guy looks like.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For giving me an idea what I'd like my future husband to be.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For spending all that time on the range with me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For not giving up on me even when I'd given up on myself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For encouraging me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For being my cheerleader.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For showing me that I could do anything if I just set my mind to it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For driving me four hours to matches, and then taking me to Chinese.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For making me laugh hysterically.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For all those Star Trek episodes we've watched to gether.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For sponsoring me emotionally and financially.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For providing me with everything I need and want, except for one, so I always have something to stride for.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For laughing at my crazy antics.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For enjoying the good and not-so good cookies I have made (or attempted to make).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For not babying me, and showing how the real world is.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For letting me find my own way in life, but also having the wisdom to let me know when I'd gone astray.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For being there for me when I'd needed you most.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love you, Daddy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Tootie</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-46330131698709397182016-06-02T07:14:00.000-07:002016-06-02T07:16:00.775-07:00Things Girls Won't Tell Guys<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey, gents! You know, there are things girls wish they could tell you, but will never, under ordinary circumstances, will. Here are a couple of examples:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-gaexc8fJOPb_6LjNMCfqhPuHJ0APGoEiZGChepZX4fzhaWaiEftsd9lwba_6Qdgn7gXErcKsZ2EOe-6ZVwEFPkQpz5gDSZlrI7cdOqIRHeZzmlbsufQ5WqqvH-444DrGTL9qGzRT1es/s1600/EKDRRGKOI8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-gaexc8fJOPb_6LjNMCfqhPuHJ0APGoEiZGChepZX4fzhaWaiEftsd9lwba_6Qdgn7gXErcKsZ2EOe-6ZVwEFPkQpz5gDSZlrI7cdOqIRHeZzmlbsufQ5WqqvH-444DrGTL9qGzRT1es/s400/EKDRRGKOI8.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. She wants a gentleman. I know, it's true. You see, during the '60's and '70's there was this movement called Women's Liberation, which essentially was a bunch of ticked off women griping about how they were oppressed by men. This eventually resulted in the near- death of chivalry. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She won't admit it, but she wants you to pay the check, to open the door for her (this even includes the car door), to ask if you can kiss her good night, and to say hello to her family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. She wants appreciation. We gals go to a lot of effort to make ourselves attractive to guys. Between putting on make up to doing our hair to shaving our legs to plucking our eyebrows to a lot of other stuff that is needless to say. And, a lot of times, it seems our efforts are for naught. So, the next time your girlfriend or sister looks really pretty, please, please, please, tell her so! We don't go through all that crap for our health, you know.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. She wants commitment. I have never ever met a girl who did not want commitment. Maybe you're afraid of the c- word, but no girl wants to have an "on-again, off-again" relationship. We crave dependability, and if you're hot and cold, that's not helping. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're a teen, commitment is, well, hard to come by. Most of the time, high school relationships are built on shaky stuff. For this reason, it is (almost all the time) better to wait until you're older to start dating. It is nearly impossible for two seventeen year old's to offer each other commitment. How can you be sure of someone else when you aren't even sure of yourself?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. She wants a best friend. Maybe it's just me, but before you become my boyfriend, and eventually my husband, I want you to be my best friend. The beauty of being best friends first is that she learns all your little quirks, and vice versa. Also, you know the real person that she is, rather than who she portrays herself to be, because it is so easy for us girls to fudge on who we really are a bit to please you guys. Girls are natural born liars, and it is hard for us to check the nature at the door, especially when it comes to guys.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, guys, I hoped this cleared up a few curiosities about the fairer sex. Don't forget to comment if you have any questions or comments, and recommend if you liked this article. God bless!</span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-71679141945002952552016-06-01T20:22:00.000-07:002016-06-01T20:24:05.659-07:00I Have Too Little Faith to Believe in Evolution<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the truth about me: I have too little faith to believe in evolution. Here are some reasons why.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmNt1ILO8eZrTm6jGtZZ81481eDM6EQpFWvS_GUx7QkAfFFP8HZ5J_0ow6OPpNyyFPzMBu24y3jJ-iqe5heAdUXHezyhAgisfa1ItuGBK-ogFgahOo5RMExqusAuQswB7DlL7uPEMzwCI/s1600/Sunrise+and+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmNt1ILO8eZrTm6jGtZZ81481eDM6EQpFWvS_GUx7QkAfFFP8HZ5J_0ow6OPpNyyFPzMBu24y3jJ-iqe5heAdUXHezyhAgisfa1ItuGBK-ogFgahOo5RMExqusAuQswB7DlL7uPEMzwCI/s640/Sunrise+and+Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.Some might tell you that creationism is not "logical" or that it takes a lot of faith to believe that and omnipotent being created everything. But I find the exact opposite is true. Many of the accounts in the Bible have actually been scientifically proven. Do you remember the Bible story where the Israelite army had to fight the Amorites, and God set the sun still so they could finish the battle? If not, here's the passage:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h1 class="passage-display">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="passage-display-bcv">Joshua 10:12-14</span><span class="passage-display-version">New International Version (NIV)</span></span></span></span></h1>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Josh-10-12" id="en-NIV-6077"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>On the day the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> in the presence of Israel:</span></span></span><br />
<div class="poetry top-05">
<div class="line">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Josh-10-12">“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Josh-10-12">and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”</span></span><br /><span class="text Josh-10-13" id="en-NIV-6078"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>So the sun stood still,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Josh-10-13">and the moon stopped,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Josh-10-13">till the nation avenged itself on<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-6078a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-6078a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2010:12-14#fen-NIV-6078a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> its enemies,</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="first-line-none top-05">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Josh-10-13">as it is written in the Book of Jashar.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Josh-10-13">The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.</span> <span class="text Josh-10-14" id="en-NIV-6079"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> listened to a human being. Surely the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> was fighting for Israel!</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyhow, this was actually discovered by scientists! They found that a day was missing in the earth's rotation, and they couldn't figure out why. Well, a Christian scientist was among them, and he vaguely remembered this story. He looked it up, and found this story in his Bible. How is that possible if the Bible is so inaccurate? How was it possible to know that? How is that possible without some greater being?</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.I have too little faith too believe that everything you see, everything you touch, everything you hear, everything you smell, everything you taste, just happened by accident, and then evolved into what it is today. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is far easier to believe that God created everything rather than everything just... existing, out of the blue.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. I have too little faith to believe that my moral compass is just there. Without any spiritual guidance, how would I know that killing is wrong, that lying and stealing and raping are bad things to do? Naturally, my parents would teach me this, but how would the first people know? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.I have too little faith to believe that feelings are an accident. Animals don't have emotions the way we humans do. How do these complex feelings and emotions evolve into what they are today? Animals don't feel love, rather they feel devotion. How can love be explained by evolution?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All in all, it is because of my lack of faith in man and his discoveries that I find a faith in God and His works. Humanity is flawed, but God isn't. I choose to believe in God than mere faulted, sinful man. </span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-32289354371411057192016-05-28T09:53:00.001-07:002016-06-18T10:02:54.526-07:00This Memorial Day.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xxE63C5mALdir86-tgf9qr-Vvhf23Z42R43aq0h-tMdQ9FmtJZm1md8nJMhE2fpmtErryG8owO6VAN1GCM0XwWurUfLZh_LMZAo868o687gwLhbtk3cV9DZ4yq4p6Z6AqljTdJCJLYUX/s1600/troopin+jeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xxE63C5mALdir86-tgf9qr-Vvhf23Z42R43aq0h-tMdQ9FmtJZm1md8nJMhE2fpmtErryG8owO6VAN1GCM0XwWurUfLZh_LMZAo868o687gwLhbtk3cV9DZ4yq4p6Z6AqljTdJCJLYUX/s400/troopin+jeans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This Memorial Day remember to:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Thank a soldier. Whether he be relative, friend, or guy passing you with a Vietnam vet ballcap, please just remember to thank him for his service. Those men and women who have served our country deserve to be honored because they risked their lives to protect you and me. Believe me, they will appreciate your gratitude.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Hang an American flag. If you don't have a place to hang a flag i.e. if you live in an apartment or you don't have a flag pole, you can always put miniature flags along your house or in your home. Show your patriotism!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Pray for America. God is the reason why America was created, because of His will and His blessings. God is the only way our country will be saved. Please remember to prat for our troops, their families, and that God's Will be done with the United States.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God bless, my friends, and have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And to all the troops reading this right now, thank you so much for your service. </span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-38617951567412736182016-05-19T13:27:00.000-07:002016-06-18T10:03:17.099-07:00I am Different<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJgodPzxDbmxHXIUXiF7DWXADNTpcrim6XYuzFzcZWT0PvhGE4dxYjrnsC6Im7LYImwgRFiEsXUcP1rzx0bfF-5HnBBcnk9hO-qY7uSESoVYnjen4TmZVylbgc2UY35lhKW9Uv0rPQVJb/s1600/surfing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJgodPzxDbmxHXIUXiF7DWXADNTpcrim6XYuzFzcZWT0PvhGE4dxYjrnsC6Im7LYImwgRFiEsXUcP1rzx0bfF-5HnBBcnk9hO-qY7uSESoVYnjen4TmZVylbgc2UY35lhKW9Uv0rPQVJb/s640/surfing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A home schooler has a unique life. We spend our hours of the day at home with our parents learning, rather than heading to a building to learn the same things, but also enjoy peer pressure, bullies, and low expectations. We w<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ear</span> clothes that reflect what we enjoy. We do things that make us happy. We learn things that interest us. We spend quality time with the family. We have relaxed schedules. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are different.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Difference, in high school especially, is a scary and typically unwelcome thing. It smacks of confrontation, it oozes confidence. Being different as a teenager is a hard thing to do, but those who stick to their guns prosper.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think back to when I went to go sign up for driver's ed. Naturally, I had to make a visit to high school, which also meant I had to walk the hallways to the classroom with my mom. Not only had the students never seen me, but I was also toting my mom with me. What an explosive combination! That grand total of one and a half minutes of strolling down the hall proved to be the most uncomfortable. Rude glares were thrown at me, and I felt not unlike a bug under a microscope. Pure agony.Perhaps I was a little sensitive, but who wouldn't when fifty teenagers are looking at you like they're just about to haul out the pig's blood? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The thing is, home schooling let's you be yourself, even if that isn't necessarily the "in" thing to be. I am so grateful to my parents for the endless hours and patience they have given me so I could get a good education sans all the crap that I'd get at public/private school.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the other thing. Being a sheep in the herd is a habit. It may protect you now in high school, but one day you will regret your willingness to follow along with the crowd.</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The habits you make at fifteen don't magically disappear on you 25th birthday. -- Tindell Baldwin</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mrs. Baldwin has a fabulous point. The habits you make now will last the rest of your life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God made you special for a reason, whether you go to school or are home schooled. It's time for us to stop "going with the flow" and make some waves. </span></span> <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-31343580309162671872016-05-18T14:18:00.001-07:002016-05-18T14:19:24.029-07:00God's Place in Our Crazy World<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Sometimes it seems like God is on vacation.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF_tn1c4xB0katSpnhQL0kSUOw2NlMyfVxTE5D8Em1qylU4X41CzcYL2RSxoTFbwQWw6267Kuvs-htxcTHQz7hTm871ZE4FhNZ3wB_2y5aeAd8wo35u_uG2mxqDbogEQcrsOdij4lUc1T/s1600/beach+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF_tn1c4xB0katSpnhQL0kSUOw2NlMyfVxTE5D8Em1qylU4X41CzcYL2RSxoTFbwQWw6267Kuvs-htxcTHQz7hTm871ZE4FhNZ3wB_2y5aeAd8wo35u_uG2mxqDbogEQcrsOdij4lUc1T/s400/beach+boy.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> How could He possibly be around when ISIS is killing Christians every day, when small children are starving in Africa, when our country has a debt on $19 trillion, when cancer inflicts so many of our loved ones, when politicians try to take away our rights, when kids are bullied not just at school, but also in the privacy of their rooms on their screens, when parents are struggling to keep their family off the street, when you can't enter a big city without the threat of a bomb going off. Where is God in all of this? Does He really care about us?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> How could He let this happen?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even the most grounded Christian has thoughts like these. We all have doubts why we trust a Savior we can't see or hear or feel. People accuse us of being crazed lunatics who are so dependent on something that we create an imaginary King to fill the void. It shakes your faith when you hear of another famous pastor messing up <i>again</i>, doesn't it. Where's God's place in our crazy world?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is so easy to blame God for the bad stuff the happens in the world, when those bad things are a result of our negative actions or someone else's mistakes. God can do anything He wants because He is almighty. But I have found that so many times that God lets bad things happen to us, that will teach us a lesson we will need later on in life or that we can use that experience to help someone else. God's pretty amazing like that.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other thing is that we need to accept a couple of things 1) we each have a purpose in life and when that purpose is finished, we die. 2) everyone dies. Both of the these truths are understandably hard to hear. God has a plan for everyone's life, and sometimes that plan leads to pain and suffering. Don't ask me to fully explain the ways of the Lord, because He has clearly said that His way are not our way and His thoughts are not our thoughts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although it sounds like a stereotypical answer it holds so much truth: God has a plan for you and He's asking you to trust even when it is hard. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-10990193634854113502016-05-16T09:20:00.001-07:002016-05-16T09:20:35.736-07:00Sins of the Past by Henderson, Pettrey, and Eason<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JC8lIzMfET_BFGFeEzLETTeuzQVC7Y18DCcpevjhwkIyPDFLT5Sg-ACybFRt71MQ09LTHcky1HBdzV5n17FIb91iO2ulENT8EUAsStJcqFOC-rAg-9U1YW8dhbq1r91nvvWkJsilQrHc/s1600/sinsofthepast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JC8lIzMfET_BFGFeEzLETTeuzQVC7Y18DCcpevjhwkIyPDFLT5Sg-ACybFRt71MQ09LTHcky1HBdzV5n17FIb91iO2ulENT8EUAsStJcqFOC-rAg-9U1YW8dhbq1r91nvvWkJsilQrHc/s320/sinsofthepast.jpg" width="204" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> In Dee Henderson's </i>Missing<i>, a Wyoming sheriff is
called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a
savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and
a race against the clock begins.<br /><br />Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska
with </i>Shadowed<i>, introducing readers to the parents of
her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a
young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who
may actually be a possible Russian defector.<br /><br />Lynette Eason's</i> Blackout <i>delivers the story of a woman once
implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but
her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember
enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Sins of the Past</i> is a fast paced compilation of three exciting novellas by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason. I enjoyed all the stories, especially <i>Shadowed</i> and <i>Blackout</i>. I liked the era set in <i>Shadowed</i> (1979), and the story line of <i>Blackout</i> was intriguing, and just plain addictive. This book is fantastic because three of the best Christian suspense writers ban together and create this masterpiece. Two big thumbs up!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was sent a free copy of Sins of the Past by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Excerpt taken from amazon.com.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-62825937573164717572016-05-11T14:08:00.001-07:002016-05-11T14:08:40.405-07:00Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0n-PregGQLxMoPlm7gMMcIGl2igSgAPFRyaaa11wCA6E46zbjdZBvDbv0S9INMZ2oxNi4lTjDT0UsNL4zDyiWhyphenhyphenVxW5qIS2E5x7DRbUzMFbIfBF4yWKfmYQ6n87jkZbDve-ls9LwGK1xa/s1600/backinthesaddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0n-PregGQLxMoPlm7gMMcIGl2igSgAPFRyaaa11wCA6E46zbjdZBvDbv0S9INMZ2oxNi4lTjDT0UsNL4zDyiWhyphenhyphenVxW5qIS2E5x7DRbUzMFbIfBF4yWKfmYQ6n87jkZbDve-ls9LwGK1xa/s320/backinthesaddle.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in the Saddle caught my attention because it was set in my home state. The story looked pretty good, so I thought I'd give it a try.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am sorry to say that I did not care for it. The first thing that drove me nuts was the "Southern" style of talking. Abbreviated drawl is something that is not original to Washington, so I don't know where the author go that impression, but it was off. Second, I did not find Colt and Angelina to be a believable couple. The topic was not my cup of tea.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I sound completely harsh here, but I just did not like this book.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in return for my honest (maybe way to honest) opinion.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-38086279939378552852016-05-06T07:10:00.000-07:002016-05-06T07:10:44.200-07:00A Thanks to My Mother<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Under the accusation of being slightly biased, my mom is the most incredible woman I have ever met. Strong, smart, hilarious, beautiful; these are just a few attributes of hers. My mom taught me about making goals and sticking to your guns and never giving up and loving people even when they're hard to love.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for always being there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for doing what was best for me even when it was inconvenient for you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for showing me what a good wife looks like.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for all the chick flicks we've watched together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for all the terrific (gluten free) meals you've made and always going out of your way to make them special.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for being a shoulder I could cry on.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for trusting and believing in me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for all the times you've made me laugh so hard with one of your witticisms.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for taking me to the mall, even when you hate shopping.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for always making me feel I could come to you with anything, even when I would never had told it to anyone else.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for being in the car squealing when I got my first job. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for always giving me your moral support.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for all your encouragement.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for telling me my blog was good even when it wasn't. :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for enabling my coffee addiction.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for the good memories.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for all the good memories yet to come.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Mother's Day! I love you Mom!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-12815227492140992692016-04-29T13:06:00.002-07:002016-05-06T07:11:06.711-07:00Why I Have Social Media<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Several months ago, I wrote a blog post about why I didn't have social media. If you'd like to read that highly self-righteous piece, click <a href="http://dollyspix.blogspot.com/2015/06/why-i-dont-have-social-media.html">here</a> .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I still hold to the belief that social media can be used for good and it can be used for bad.Sadly, it is often used for bad more than good, or kids get it to young and do stupid stuff with it. I could go on and on, really. However, I brought up the point in my post was, essentially, that if you use social media to reach out and minister to people, that's cool. Which I still agree with.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Social media, used in the best way, can be really awesome. I still am in awe that people from everywhere can congregate on my computer screen, and here we are. (When I was born, the cell phone was still a novel idea.) As Christians, we can do some real good with it!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, though, I have seen both good and bad come out of social media. I have seen people be uplifted, and others stomped down by someone with differing views. How sad is that? I am still surprised that grown (hopefully) people will call other people names just because they disagree on what color <i>is</i> that dress. (Recap: remember that dress that simultaneously looked black and blue or cream and gold? Stupid, yes it is.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I have social media for a couple of reasons:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. I have social media to reach out to Christians and connect, and also to reach out to people who aren't Christians and share the good news of Jesus.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. I have social media so I can practice my debate skills and to learn how people of different opinions think. Because I love being called names and told I'm stupid. And who doesn't? :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. I have social media to support my blog. It's not all a cakewalk after all!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. I have social media because I am always up for a good laugh. Who doesn't love those cat gif's anyway? They are just so funny!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTzq90UeXTElj5ZQHnLb4aADiUz1Jkj_v6V6atbuPycre1sllOCokPjWHI_5UeQ-iPQFCxdAFHmRLtwbMv92JhcfKF_BIqUt8UsDfZ9qLkFjlZO5DehFSO0fIsC5UqWB35ojx8t4l7Rng/s1600/funny-cat-gifs-051-006.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTzq90UeXTElj5ZQHnLb4aADiUz1Jkj_v6V6atbuPycre1sllOCokPjWHI_5UeQ-iPQFCxdAFHmRLtwbMv92JhcfKF_BIqUt8UsDfZ9qLkFjlZO5DehFSO0fIsC5UqWB35ojx8t4l7Rng/s320/funny-cat-gifs-051-006.gif" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a parting thought. Social media is not for everyone (despite popular opinion). If you don't have social media, I commend you! But if you do, there's nothing wrong with it. All I ask is that we, meaning everyone, should try to be more responsible with it. If you don't want your mother to read it, maybe it should phrase it a little differently.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a great day, everyone!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-90415600452238413252016-04-23T09:40:00.000-07:002016-04-23T09:40:28.012-07:00Is Bad Company Corrupting Your Good Morals?<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the edge of consciousness this morning, the old but wise Bible verse "bad company corrupts good morals" popped into my mind. For some unknown reason, this just started stewing in my barely awake head. Bad company... corrupts..... good morals.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. You know, this verse has been preached so many times over, but its "moral of the story" typically pertains to keeping good friends. Although I'd never thought of it this way, but "company" could also mean the books you read, the TV you watch, and the music you listen to. Maybe God isn't just talking about physical company, but also mental company too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alright, raise your hand if you ever watched a movie where the femme fatale had an awesome hair do you just <i>had</i> to try out. Or the hero had a really neat computer set up that you <i>needed</i> to have. You were affected by these things, even though you wouldn't normally do them. You were <i>encouraged </i>to do it because you watched that movie or you read that book. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's take this another step. I remember a few years ago when I was reading the <i>Christy Miller Series</i>. Despite the considerable age differences, I was convinced that my life was supposed to be like Christy's-- great boyfriend, rich aunt and uncle who would take me anywhere I wanted, being chased around by the cutest guy at school, lots of good Christian gal pals who loved me no matter what I did. It all seemed rather perfect. Unfortunately, books were breading discontent in my life, even though they were Christian and good morals-wise.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those are some examples were media can affect you. But what about when media gets harmful? What about when the song has racy innuendos? What about when that movie has a little too much cursing (sorry <i>Die Hard</i> fans...)? What about when the main character of that book has sex with her boyfriend? We may not want to admit it, but these things do affect us. I am speaking from first hand experience here. I really want to warn you about the dangers of bad company corrupting your good morals. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some questions for you:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever had to deal with friends who could probably be considered "bad company"? Did you s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ta</span>y friends with them?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are there examples in your life of media corrupting your good morals, or friends who you have noticed being affected?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How can we pray for you today? </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-54434705454584486912016-04-13T17:23:00.000-07:002016-04-13T17:23:25.461-07:00"Mother, Can You Not?" by Kate Siegel<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mother and I have an incredibly close relationship, in which we drive each other crazy, embarrass each other, but also love one another unconditionally. My mom is the single coolest, strongest, funniest person I have ever met, and that is why I chose to read <i>Mother, Can You Not</i>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY_nt6_pRh6dkMc2DcTLky327jEjWSbdjvYocb4Ke865_eWw57UKAyh8soFVkZ2XWsJhlAyg7jXlDiqSfx1qGjCdFLE0F55hVlUuIssHoSuD1vpFHZd2bvzLewE-4EBbZxZmR7nexs6ak/s1600/can+you+not.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY_nt6_pRh6dkMc2DcTLky327jEjWSbdjvYocb4Ke865_eWw57UKAyh8soFVkZ2XWsJhlAyg7jXlDiqSfx1qGjCdFLE0F55hVlUuIssHoSuD1vpFHZd2bvzLewE-4EBbZxZmR7nexs6ak/s320/can+you+not.jpg" width="246" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In <i>Mother, Can You Not</i>, Siegel shares various stories from her childhood and adulthood about the strange things her mother has done to her, to herself, and in general. A witty collection of memories will make the reader smile, blush, and just plain cover your face in embarrassment for Kate. There were many times while I read this book that I thanked the good Lord that mother never has tried to pull anything that Siegel's mother has. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Siegel paints a picture of a woman who is un-apologetically herself, who likes to give hugs, and doesn't gloss over things just because they hard to talk about, and the woman is her mother. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was funny and well written. Though I had never heard of Siegel's Instagram page "Crazy Jewish Mom", it was easy for me to jump into the whole story. A couple of warnings however is that there is language, and the dialogue between the mother and daughter has quite a bit of sexual content. I didn't care for that part, but the rest of the book was good.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Blogging for Books. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884445681041013721.post-88333159121334716002016-04-02T11:02:00.004-07:002016-04-07T20:45:54.301-07:00Stefne Miller and Major Excitement<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey y'all! A few days ago, I signed up to win <i>Salvaged</i>, which is a really awesome book by Stefne Miller. I didn't know if I was going to win, but I had a pretty darn good feeling about it. Last night, I found an email in my inbox saying that I won! I was literally screaming and hooting. Can you tell that I wasn't excited? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXJ5aHY1hMhj_JQFlgkUJEb-jkNiZ22SYsPL-GEVifT2w3bMKzr4Uc2niwOII7wIvCHlpVbBiVcV46jI3pbwmWylRtNWsaRIcWuS0aLrU4lzN40_OTur_7_HfxWo2WqXyzSRGFfM9KraZ/s1600/salvaged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXJ5aHY1hMhj_JQFlgkUJEb-jkNiZ22SYsPL-GEVifT2w3bMKzr4Uc2niwOII7wIvCHlpVbBiVcV46jI3pbwmWylRtNWsaRIcWuS0aLrU4lzN40_OTur_7_HfxWo2WqXyzSRGFfM9KraZ/s1600/salvaged.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>Salvaged</i> is about Attie Reed, who at the young age of sixteen lost her mother and best friend, Melody in a tragic car accident, and nearly lost her own life. The summer she turns seventeen, she moves to Guthrie, Oklahoma to spend the summer with the Bennet family-- Melody's family. Although she has physically recovered, she has a long way to go to recover from her emotional scars. With a little help from the Bennet's, Riley (Melody's brother), and Jesus, she can finally forgive.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now here's the ultra-super-duper-fantastically-neat thing. I read all three of Stefne's books through my library. When I emailed her telling her I read them through the library, she offered to not only send me <i>Salvaged</i>, but <i>Rise</i> and <i>Collision</i>, too. I was blown by her generosity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rKsf16l2IsDpXKrKu64F-eUTBx0J3CGq9cC9fGrLT-NQpkaMVSq7cZkSP5U6YhVs4vLZ1eZCtrhX7pfzOaeg2quIim0E4bmVxK7K0vciMU2mAXNZR4b6Bd330KQj-kGZn-OlwBqyemYv/s1600/rise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rKsf16l2IsDpXKrKu64F-eUTBx0J3CGq9cC9fGrLT-NQpkaMVSq7cZkSP5U6YhVs4vLZ1eZCtrhX7pfzOaeg2quIim0E4bmVxK7K0vciMU2mAXNZR4b6Bd330KQj-kGZn-OlwBqyemYv/s1600/rise.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EAkmXcZKsEFIX8tIjr3Vr2CyT7k2iOPQrDa7QPHquYOWrSNjkw1FzsWSdqp1QPo5ykV127RnbAaKcqtLC_KPAxpIM4sSCXfXoxfJo1eGsOjzNeOw_6xPZ6iZKkR9PmghPSY8AZGCm9MM/s1600/collision.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EAkmXcZKsEFIX8tIjr3Vr2CyT7k2iOPQrDa7QPHquYOWrSNjkw1FzsWSdqp1QPo5ykV127RnbAaKcqtLC_KPAxpIM4sSCXfXoxfJo1eGsOjzNeOw_6xPZ6iZKkR9PmghPSY8AZGCm9MM/s1600/collision.jpeg" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love Stefne's writing style. It's relaxed, yet poetic at the same time. She shares authentic characters, with real, believable problems. Filled with humor, heartbreak, and romance, they are the ultimate chick read.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All right, I will discontinue by gush-fest. I hope you all have a great day!</span></span><br />
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