Good Friday, TGIF Devo

It's Friday, TGIF, people! Good Friday is a time to reflect on our Savior and what he gave up for us; how He suffered for us and what a great love He has for us.


I have a lot of devotionals that haven't been published, so at times I will post them online:
Here is one as my Easter gift to you:

A Constant Image
For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Galatians 6:14 The Message

In the front of my mind

In the back of my mind,

To the left and to the right,

There’s an image of a man on a cross.
Dallas Holm

These are the words to a song written by Dallas Holm that really moved my spirit. This is how I want to live my life, with the Lord in the front of my mind and in the back of my mind. As I go to the left or the right, may His image never leave me. May this picture in my mind help me to walk differently in the world I live in. I need to walk worthy of the calling God has put on me. Let me walk in a way that would not shame the one who is my Lord and Master. Jesus was born in a stable---yet He is the King of Glory.

He lived a simple life. He amazed His mother, confounded his neighborhood, (could anything good come from Nazareth?) called together a group of outcasts to disciple and write about His story.
He carried a heavy cross on which He was crucified for my sins and yours, years before we were ever conceived. He knew what pain was like. He understood how it felt to be rejected by friends and family alike. He wept. He understood what it was like to lose a loved one. But for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross. That joy was giving life to us.
Prayer: Lord, please keep the picture of what You did on the cross for us, ever before us.

Thought: What I allow myself to think on may control my day for good.

Focus: The Cross of Christ and his compassion towards His body of believers.
Donna Collins Tinsley



Wisdom to Know; A great resource for Crisis Pregnancy Centers!

Wisdom to Know by Elizabeth Maddrey may be the best book I have ever read through a Book Crash promotion. It was very well written, the characters were engaging, and the storyline drew me in immediately.

The issues, concerning abortion, addictions and forgiveness are issues that so many families wrestle with right now. There was a lot of education concerning Crisis Pregnancy Centers and the resources they have to give to the community. This is the first book in a series of books, evidently called the "Grant Us Grace" series. I can't wait to read the next one.

I do really relate to reality fiction and as far as something I would've liked included in the story, was more about the emptiness she felt after having the abortion and also the pain that her parents felt, knowing that their grandchild was aborted. The time spent in rehab was not portrayed very in-depth and I would really like to know more about what goes on in rehab. That seemed a bit brief but all in all especially with the surprise ending, I loved it. I also think with the title, there was a place that The Serenity Prayer could have been expounded on. It was because of the title and what that phrase means to me as I pray it so often that I ordered the book for review. I especially love the whole version of the prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr:

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.


Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

This book really portrayed a person trying to live by asking for the wisdom to know. Elizabeth Maddrey I am now a big fan of your work. Keep writing. I would love to be a pre-reader for the rest of the series.

*I received this book from BookCrash and the publisher in

exchange for my honest and fair review.

I Became a Zumba Mama Yesterday!

After attending Florida Christian Writer’s Conference I am finding it hard to get back on a blogging track. A lot of little dilemmas just seem to keep me playing catch up. Yesterday was a wild and crazy day with an opportunity to present a Bible Study, picking up my daughter and granddaughter afterwards for some errands, taking the van for a transmission check and ending with (at nearly 62 years of age,) my first Zumba class! Yay! I made it through without falling down or stepping on anyone else’s feet. Jacquee is a great teacher and uses it as an outreach ministry for FWC. So until I get to blogging better here is my introduction to the Bible Study I did yesterday, titled, “God’s Waiting Room.”


"Return to your fortress, o prisoners of hope, even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you" (Zechariah 9:12, NIV)

Have you ever pondered this verse about being a prisoner of Hope? It is such a beautiful verse and the book of Zechariah has so much in it concerning hope. I want to talk about being a prisoner of Hope and also about being in "God’s Waiting Room." Many of us are in various waiting rooms of life.

I’ll never forget the day my friend called me “the mother of dreams.” We were talking on the phone at that time; I was discouraged. She was cheering me up. She meant it in a special way, as if I was the mother of her dreams, a prayer warrior, faithful and kind. Yet I, knowing myself as I do, struggling at times just keep my sanity, heard it as what I truly am, a mother who dreams.

I dream of the day when my family will be whole and delivered from all dysfunctions and addictions. I dream of sanity in our lives instead of chaos. I dream of peace and right standing with God for all my children and grandchildren. I dream of testimonies given of overcoming by God’s grace and the mercy He lavishes upon us each day. I dream of happiness, wholeness and health. I dream of restored relationships. I dream of learning to go down a different path and being happy to stay on it, instead of falling in the dark pits of familiarity. And I dream of the day that all my children will be taught of the Lord and great will be the peace of my children.
“Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed." Isaiah 49:23

I’m praying that you will find being in a prison of hope is a good place to be.

"Unconditional" a book and movie you want to see!

I had a great time at Florida Christian Writer's Conference. Totally awesome classes, speakers, sermons, VIP breakfasts, Banquet and of course the icing on the cake was when our Word Weaver of Volusia County Group took home the"Word Weaver's Americas Cup" for having most members attending.

My sweet roommate, Sharron Knight Cosby gave me the gift of the book by Eva Marie Everson, "Unconditional" and after having some minor work done at the doctors's Friday, I gave myself a gift of taking time for myself. Not only did I finish the whole book, but then found the movie at the library and shared this powerful story with my family. You don't want to miss either of these, the book or the movie. I absolutely loved them both but I am partial to books and our lovely Eva Marie.

I promise I will get back on the blogging ball this week:) I'll be giving something away for those who sign up to follow my blog.