Breathe and pray extra today.

 Some days we need a few extra prayers. Many people in our families are hurting, emotionally, physically and financially. Lord, we ask that You be over all that concerns us and our loved ones. We ask for special favor, blessing, a touch from You, to be held in Your great Father arms when we weep.

I thank You, Father, that a day of great favor is coming for those who are clinging to You, watching for You and Your answers to our prayers. We ask that You search the hearts for the unspoken or secret petitions and that You help us to pray in line with Your will for us.

We sometimes can only breathe the name of Jesus as our prayer when things seem hard. Breathe and pray, breathe and pray and may your day be blessed. Thanking the Lord for each tender mercy that He sends us.

Today, we pray for the one who is already dreading Christmas because of their grief. Their feeling of loss because there is going to be someone missing from their table, life, their family this year. We pray that You, Lord, send great Father arms of comfort to them. Give them the gift of peace that can only come from You in Jesus’ name. Help them to get their eyes off their own situation and be a source of love and comfort to others.

When I was reading about the children of Israel in Exodus 3, I felt like the Lord had a word for us, too. I am paraphrasing it a bit.

And the LORD said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Somebody's Mother Group and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, (The hurt and pain of the love they have for their family members who have are struggling) for I know their sorrows. So, I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the of the enemy and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, a land where you can have peace and praise the Lord

For the real deal read Exodus yourself.

TGIF!

 

Another Friday and many of you are on my mind. And the Lord’s. I pray He will be front and center in your life as we press on to more holidays. I pray you don’t get sucked into the “buy, buy, buy” mode and forget that your presence may be the best present ever. Live your life in a way that will make people want to be around you. Remember where you came from.

We pray especially for unspoken requests for families today. Families may be a source of pain, at times, but families can also be a source of healing. Choose which one you want to be.

 

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make it count for good. Magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together, forever.

Sunday quotes and a blessing.

 

My soul is a broken field plowed by pain. ~ Sara Teasdale

 

Her past was a tragedy to lament, but her future was an epic to anticipate.

( Mark Buchanan)

He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right.  Isaiah 42:3 The Message

 

Three quotes, with the third ending in hope. More than hope even is faith, that regardless of the hurt, the Lord is on the move to set things right in your life. May you be blessed this Sunday and every day this week. Blessed for your service, blessed for your kindness and blessed for the love you pay forward to others in Jesus’ name.

Grief is learning to dance with the limp

 

“Grief is just love with no place to go.” Jamie Anderson*

 

"You will lose someone you can't live

without, and your heart will be badly broken,

and the bad news is that you never completely

get over the loss of your beloved. But this ...

is also the good news. They live forever in

your broken heart that doesn't seal back up.

And you come through. It's like having a broken

leg that never heals perfectly--that still

hurts when the weather gets cold, but you

learn to dance with the limp."

― Anne Lamott

 

Learn to "dance with the limp."

I love that line but I know it's easier said than done and on Saturdays we pray strongly for those who grieve. Sometimes we grieve those we lost and sometimes we grieve those still among us that seem lost to us. Put your "little faith" together with mine and we will get through it, even if.

* Quote from Tending Dandelions

Praying for families in recovery today.

 “Family connection is harm reduction.” Michael Nolan

It’s Thursday and a great day for recovery for your family. No one said it would be easy but anything good is worth working towards. Yes, a day at a time, as speculating about the future can be overwhelming. Praying for anyone who needs a jump-start, anyone hitting a wall, and anyone who has the glow of finally getting it and overcoming, today.

Change comes. Change hurts, sometimes. Change must occur for help to come. A phrase I use a lot it seems is “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” It’s recovery related and can mean, if you keep doing the same old things expecting different results, it’s not going to happen. Change is essential to life. And life as we know it, will never be the same, it seems. But it can be better in Jesus’ name.

Just as there is no "one way" to recovery, there is no one way to be their family, either. My motto is "Do what you can live with." Some days I can live with what would be entirely impossible to live with for an entire life. That's why we do it one day at a time. In my case and many others, it's with the Lord. So let His praise ever be on our lips this day as we pray for those in a recovery walk and those who need to be. Open their eyes to reality and that there is always help available if they want to be well.

Praying for families, today

 A good thought from Chuck Swindoll: 'What seems frustrating and wrong and unfair is not the end of the story. It is just the end of a chapter."

"My story is more than the sum of my experiences. It is more than what I have seen and done and endured. It is more than what has happened to me.

I, too, am more than the sum of my chapters. I am more than my past or my present or my future. I am more than my history, forgotten or remembered.

I am His.

No matter what.

And that is my story."--Alece Ronzino

Lord, we wanted to live happily ever after, but You alone, will be our happiness. Let us look for that today as it is Monday, a good day to praise the Lord as we pray for families and those who love them. And for those in a season of grief or experiencing a recent loss of a loved one, or the death of a dream, please hold them close, Jesus.

Please send Your strength, help and protection to families, today. Please give us vision and hope as we look to You. And as always, I pray You wrap Your great Father arms around the one who is hurting the most.

Grief Prayers

 

 I read an article by Lori Hatcher and she put in a anonymous quote about grief that said, “I felt like my body had been cut open and all my happiness pulled out.”

 

Is there anyone else that can relate to that quote? As we go toward this week when on the 20^th it will be a year since I received the call that breaks a parent’s heart, it is very relatable to me.

 

We pray on Saturdays for those who have lost loved ones to death. The many senseless deaths in our nation and even our cities bring us once again to our knees. We must go back to the proverb of trusting the Lord with all of our hearts and leaning not on our own understanding. The evil is from the enemy of our souls. He is against our families, our nation and our very lives.

Many among us have lost loved ones, mates, children and young adult children. The most unnatural thing in the world they say is burying your child. I now, can attest to that as being so very painful.

 

Lord, send your strong father arms of comfort to those who are grieving.

Give them strong memories of good times with their loved one. Grief takes time and it is different for each person, so when we don't know what to say, praying is the best thing we can do. Though families are worn, give them new strength and vision for life. Give them the hope to press on and the ability to have joy again.

 

He is Faithful for our Families

One day I would love to sing this song, together with my family. Who could add words to lyrics like these? They are God-inspired and written by a brother who has paid his dues through pain and heartache, yet he sings on. How many of us will do the same?

It starts off:

"Here we stand, here we are

With all our wounds and battle scars

From all the storms and all the wars we’ve weathered together

We had no way of knowing when

We started way back there and then

How the road would twist and turn and bend

We just knew we belonged together

And if it wasn’t for God’s mercy and His grace

There’s no way we would be standing in this place

But because He has been faithful

Every step along the way

Here we are together."

Lyrics poignant to me are: "And we’ve crawled on our hands and knees

Through valleys cold and dark and deep

Sometimes not even sure if we could make it out alive together.

And if it wasn’t for God’s mercy and His grace

There’s no way we would be standing in this place

But because He has been faithful

Every step along the way

Here we are together, together."

I am so grateful that the Lord allows people to take the pain that they have suffered in life and create a beautiful song of hope to heal the brokenhearted. That is my prayer for today, hearts be healed, families by restored, and sweet comfort be given. Today!

"Together" by Steven Curtis Chapman

Repost of an old blog

 

I found this old blog and am reposting. I thought I wished my life was different back then, but would go back to it, if I could still have all my children alive. Tomorrow will be the eleven-month anniversary of Amber’s homecoming to the Lord.

Blog written several years ago.

 Right now I’m thinking of the kid’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, as a way to describe my day. Or maybe I’m having what may be called a Velveteen type day. I think this song is so poignant and I come back to it often.

When perfect (never quite, but that is the lyrics) turns to perfect mess and all I have is Your love, Lord, left, I’ll be as real as real can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF29lM8Hz5I

 

But sometimes I’d rather live a different life, a better life, a life where good hair days are the norm and when you eat the proper amount of protein, you lose weight instead of gain it. Sometimes, I have to admit I want to be a Walton’s family where everyone takes turns saying “Goodnight” to their mom and dad and everyone is at home. You know where everyone you love is, and that makes you happy. Because you know they are safe.

A day like this is the kind of day where I go back and reread journals and find once again, wonderful quotes that enhance my day. And I’m hoping, maybe yours.

‘‘It is only the women whose eyes have been washed clear with tears who get the broad vision that makes them little sisters to all the world’’—(Dorothy Dix) A quote like this is made for a  sister, a mother, a daughter among us and all the groups like Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group, Thrive, Silver Linings, Winning Women and others. One thing we all have in common is eyes washed clear with tears. Tears that shine like diamonds to the Lord and others who meet us.

“And I never knew if you were the lighthouse, or the storm.” (anon) I put that one in my journal. I feel something about it concerning Jesus as the Lighthouse but he also allows storms and brings us through the storm. But I also feel it deeply concerning people. Hopefully we can shine a light to help others through their storms. The storms of pain, trauma, and family division.

 

“Beginning today treat everyone as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the love, care and kindness you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” (anon) If I choose to do this, I’m sure my life would totally change. It is something I aspire to do.

I’m still looking over an old journal and some of the letters I wrote to people over two years ago would make you cry. I know I’m writing through tears but  Glory to God! We’ve been through a whole lot more than a bad hair day and survived and even thrived. I’m grateful for every little bit of healing that Jesus has brought to our family and looking forward to much more.

 

Memorial Day, Facebook tests and the Word of the Lord from Zephaniah.

 Memorial Day, let us be truly grateful and also pause to remember those who sacrificed all for our country.

Yesterday I saw one of those Facebook games and my daughter, Regina Lee, posted where if you touch the chair, you will see who is always with you. It said her grandmother, and that was absolutely true, as my mama, Nanny, to Regina was her biggest fan and constant helper. There are a lot of ways that Regina reminds us of my mama and that is a compliment as my mom had the biggest heart around.

Then I took the test, I tapped the chair, and it came up your Father. Well, I immediately dismissed that, as I probably never met my biological father, and grew up with an assortment of “dads” and substitutes that were at times, less than loveable.

But immediately in my heart, the Lord reminded me, that He, my heavenly Father, was exactly what was said on the chair test. HE WAS ALWAYS BY MY SIDE, AND HE ALWAYS WATCHED OVER ME!

I have a much deeper relationship with the Lord, than I ever might have had if I’d grown up with a good earthly father. I ran to the Lord early and clung to Him through much heartache and pain as a child.

I know and believe that He was always watching, sometimes weeping, at the things I went through when younger, but he never turned away and always gave me a WORD to hang on to. One of the best gifts in the world to me is the WORD OF GOD.

So, yes, I’ll accept that My Father, was not only sitting next to me, but holding me, escorting me and rejoicing over me, my whole life through. I don’t have to wonder why the circumstances of my birth were the way they were. I don’t have to wonder why I have the DNA that I have. I’ll take the DNA of the Lord my God, and heavenly Father any day.

Yesterday Pastor Jim asked had the Lord spoken to any of us that day? The Lord did before church with the test and then reminded me of the very same thing while at church. I would’ve gotten up and testified this story and the good thing is, I know I’d have the freedom to do it there, but since it involved Facebook, didn’t. I took the same test today, thinking it probably would give different results, but it still said, FATHER. So, thank You ABBA DADDY for your word of love towards me.

This is the Word of the Lord to me today:

“The LORD your God is in your midst,

A Warrior who saves.

He will rejoice over you with joy;

He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins],

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17 Amplified Bible

And perhaps to you, too. Peace and blessings to you and continue to hold up the people of Uvalde, Texas.

Asking for help for the people of Uvalde

 

Today is the day we pray for deep, unspoken prayer requests.  We continue to pray for those in Uvalde, Texas. Lord, heal their hurts and send Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to surround them during this time, we pray in Jesus name. Even give a holy numbness to help the grieving parents through this day. I know there will be testimonies of Your great help coming forth.

 

Joel Osteen says, “God wants you to ask Him for big things. Ask Him for those hidden dreams planted in your heart. Ask Him even for the unborn promise that might otherwise never come to pass in the natural. Ask Him to restore your broken ties to family members and other loved ones. Ask Him for a life free of illness. Ask Him for a full blossoming of your talents. Ask him to fulfill your highest hopes and dreams.”

 

I’m asking, Lord.

 

Psalm 2:8 “Ask Me and I will give you the nations as your inheritance.”

The Porter's Gate - Daughters of Zion (feat. Casey J & Urban Doxology) (Official Live Video) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zh9JgvRQsM

Got Tears? Dedicated to the families of Uvalde, Texas

 

 

Instead of our normal prayer topic of recovery for today, I ask that everyone touch and agree and hold up the family members of those killed in Uvalde, Texas. Lord, we are numb with grief and sorrow and just unbelief, that people in our world can be so callous and cruel. To shoot a family member, then many children and teachers is unbelievable. Yet we know that the enemy of our soul wants to destroy families and he delights in the sin of humans. There is evil in our world and it consumed first the predator and then used him to hurt the vulnerable innocent children and teachers. Lord, all we can do is plead Your blood and ask for mercy for America.

I call my thoughts on this tragedy: Got Tears?

You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle... Psalm 56:8 NKJV

On Tuesday, May 24,2022, a horrible tragedy occurred once again with many school children murdered and a community shattered.

Nineteen children – and two adults -- were shot and killed while at what probably started out as a normal school-day; a day where everyone was looking forward to finishing the school year and having a summer of fun.

This attack in the predominantly Latino town of Uvalde was the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012.

We want to say a tragedy like this is certainly abnormal; but with more frequent shootings, we may not be able to continue to say such a statement. We weep anew each day as we hear more about this tragedy and pray their families are finding solace in their faith, family and friends.

The grief process takes time and I pray that our great Father God will wrap arms of comfort around those whose family was affected.  Hopefully they will find comfort in the fact that the Lord sees our tears and bottles them in heaven.

In the eyes of our Father in heaven the tears we cry may look like liquid diamonds. They are so precious to Him that He stores them as jewels that He will uncover within us at the day of His coming.

When the tears you have cried are stored in His bottle and you are drained, He becomes your Restorer, Strength and Hope. Got tears? Yes, we all do, but we will be amazed at the beauty of those glistening bottles waiting for us in heaven. Our tears will be there, but our loved ones will be there as well. Trust that God, even still, has us close under His wing.

Donna Collins Tinsley

I will still post our recovery day song, though.

 Restore Them To You - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzbIrTF5KE&t=23s

Pray for the people of Uvalde, Texas

 

We hold up the people affected by the tragedy in Uvalde. Lord, we ask that You wrap arms of comfort around those who are grieving. We, as a nation, grieve. May peace reign once again in America we pray. We ask everyone to stop and pray for these people throughout the day, today.

Today the prayer focus is also on single parents. May the Lord be your Help, Fortress and Great Provider, Jehovah Jirah. So, we pray especially that You, Lord, give blessings and special favor to single parents and their children. Put them on a path that You can bless and let them know there is no lack with You. Send journeymates to encourage them, I pray. Put our children and grandchildren on a path that You, Lord, can bless every day of their lives. We speak grace to our mountains and ask that we all press on and don’t give up or run away.

We also pray for those sick, recovering from surgery or in the hospital. For those who are sick or still in the hospital I pray for healing mercies and thank the Lord for His tender mercies new every morning. For those who have had long, painful suffering I pray that You will do what is the very best for them. Thy will be done, thy kingdom come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC-zw0zCCtg

Don't miss, “Your Words Are Powerful Be Careful What You Speak: Encouragement for 365 Days” by Suzi Yelvington!

 

“Your Words Are Powerful Be Careful What You Speak: Encouragement for 365 Days”

by Suzi Yelvington uses the scripture, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, speak life,” (Proverbs 18:21) in a powerful way.

 

I’ve told many people, read your Bible and read Suzi Yelvington. I think I have nearly all her books now, and I treasure each one. I’ve given always countless books so that I can feel like I am on the “same page” with those I love, as each day, we are reading the same book.

 

Woven between life experiences, Suzi speaks common sense ways of living and loving to us each day. You would think these were written by a much older woman, but she has beautifully learned wisdom young, because I believe, God knew she wouldn’t waste one gift that He gave her. There were so very many one sentence quotes that got me, or became words that I passed on, or just powerful words that I could hold on to.

This is a long overdue review. I want Suzi to know how much I appreciate her faithfulness to the Lord, our God. Although I am much older than she is, I recognize the gifts and knowledge within her and I am blessed every time I open a page of “Your Words Are Powerful Be Careful What You Speak! “

 

Here are just a few powerful quotes:

 

 Do not let what you see happening allow you forget the promises of God.”

 

“Declare: Today I am going to make everything around me beautiful, this will be my life.”

“The Lord hears his people when they call. I depend on God alone.”

“When it’s not in God’s plan, you cannot force it. But when it is in the plan of God nothing can stop it.”

And this might be my favorite quote: “Let God put you back together right in front of the ones that broke you. You are somebody’s blessing.”

 

In the years that I’ve been following Suzi Yelvington on Facebook, I’ve become more aware of my words. It seems, at times, that I’ve become quieter, as the message has sunk deep within my soul. But hopefully, also when I speak it will be with words of life. I truly recommend this book and all other books that Suzi has written. It makes me happy to say Suzi is local to the Daytona Beach area and is also a speaker.

Proverbs 18:2: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, speak life.

Donna Collins Tinsley

Prayers for the weekend

 Happy Sunday and may the Lord send many blessings to your family today, a smile for the weary heart a hug to get you through the day.

A Fight to the Finish from Ephesians 6, key is "Pray hard and long.":

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

“Our attitude is the color that paints your life beautiful or gloomy.” She also says, “Be the well-thinker, the blesser. Your difficulties? Strengthened your mind! I speak only when I am certain what I will say is better than what is left unsaid. That’s godly wisdom. Watch your words.” Suzi Julian Yelvington

We're praying over at Somebody's Mother https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/119408188089314/

4/30/22 Once again we are back to the day we pray for those who are dealing with grief. Everywhere we look, we can find someone, missing someone, grieving someone, wishing they could be together again.

If they died in the Lord, we know they are in a better place. This world is not a bed of roses. Yet the One who wore a crown of thorns, will walk with us through this journey. He will comfort with great Father arms of comfort, like no one on earth can do. He will help you through. Those who miss someone in heaven will make sure they will get there to reunite with their loved one. What a glorious day that will be.

We also pray for those whose loved ones are getting close to leaving. Give them the strength for the journey and words of love and affirmation, and permission to leave. Peace, peace, peace to their hearts. And yours.

4/29 Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) "Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."

"Always-loving God, remind me that even the keenest disappointments aren’t evidence that You stand against me. Instead, those times may be when You’re closest and want me to change directions in my life. Help me to realize that when You withhold, You withhold out of love. I forget so easily, so remind me frequently. Amen." Cecil Murphey

Praying for families of prisoners, today.

 

On Tuesdays we pray for Jason Kent and all families who have a loved one incarcerated. There are many broken-hearted parents who are missing the normal joys of life with their family because of incarceration. Please send protection, help, wisdom and healing for these families and their loved ones in Jesus name. I know that there are brokenhearted grandparents and brothers and sisters also and of course the children of prisoners endure much each day.

Remember the words of the Lord to you.

This scripture is from another version of the Bible that I use. Psalm 118 The Message (MSG) 1-4 Thank GOD because he’s good, because his love never quits. Tell the world, Israel, “His love never quits.” And you, clan of (Donna)/Aaron, tell the world, “His love never quits.” And you who fear GOD, join in, “His love never quits.” 5-16 Pushed to the wall, I called to GOD; from the wide open spaces, he answered. GOD’s now at my side and I’m not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?

Here's some more verses, if you have the time:

Isaiah 54:13New Century Version (NCV)

 

All your children will be taught by the LORD,

and they will have much peace.

“Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied:

I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise,

Lay your foundations with sapphires,

construct your towers with rubies,

Your gates with jewels,

and all your walls with precious stones.

All your children will have GOD for their teacher—

what a mentor for your children!

You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness,

far from any trouble—nothing to fear!

far from terror—it won’t even come close!

If anyone attacks you,

don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them,

And if any should attack,

nothing will come of it.

I create the blacksmith

who fires up his forge

and makes a weapon designed to kill.

I also create the destroyer—

but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged.

Any accuser who takes you to court

will be dismissed as a liar.

This is what GOD’s servants can expect.

I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”

GOD’s Decree.

Isaiah 54:13-17The Message (MSG)

Prayers for those in a recovery walk

 

Thursday, a great day for Recovery in the State of Florida and around our nation. Go to a meeting, attend a small group, reach out to someone in prayer, be a light in this world. If you don’t feel like you can do much on your own, join with someone else in their ministry. The Bible says that one can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30).

Surround all who read this today with Your peace, love and Hope. We are praying strong prayers, though admitting we are flawed humans that don't really know what to ask for, except we join in Thy will be done, Thy kingdom come. We see the picture from below, the flawed strings; the messed-up threads, but You see the beautiful tapestry from heaven that is the complete, full and beautiful work of art. We yield to You dear Lord and still we pray. Help, us Lord this day and please be with that one who is hurting the most; you know who it is. I’m adding a prayer for a newly bereaved mom, today. Lord, please comfort as only you can do.

 

Replaying our theme song for the words and message. Many thanks again to Steven Scheffler for doing what I could not, with my words. His production is awesome and he is a blessing to so many people with his gift of music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzbIrTF5KE

This prayer was inspired by the mothers who pray over at Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group.

We are praying over at Somebody's Mother; please feel free to join us:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314/

I I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the one I love,

waiting as long as it takes for him to rescue me.

Only God is my Savior, and he will not fail me.

For he alone is my safe place.

His wraparound presence always protects me

as my champion defender.

There’s no risk of failure with God!

So why would I let worry paralyze me,

even when troubles multiply around me?

God’s glory is all around me!

His wraparound presence is all I need,

for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength.

Trust only in God every moment!

Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him.

Believe me when I tell you—he will help you! Psalms 62:5-8 The Passion Translation

Pause in his presence

Don't miss The Scandal of Mercy (Joe Boyd Suspense Series) by Dan Walsh

 

 

The Scandal of Mercy (Joe Boyd Suspense Series) by Dan Walsh

I've read all of the Jack Turner and Joe Boyd books and I have to say, I hope Dan continues writing suspense stories. Although I do love all his genres, I have to admit, it’s always hard to pick a favorite of his books. I normally read them all at least twice.

At first, I was a bit confused with the prologues and was not sure at all how we would get to the present day, but Dan is always a master at weaving words.

The dilemma of the aging ex-con who claimed to be innocent made the book a real page-turner.

I could picture all the characters in this small town and was so happy when justice finally came about. The reality of what the definition of the scandal of mercy means to each person on earth was thought provoking. I really liked Sam Clemens and could feel for him especially because of the time he served in prison.

I also liked the title and the cover of the book. Glad to hear that Dan is already researching his next book. Keep writing and we’ll keep reading.

You'll love The Prince and the Prodigal”, the newest novel by Jill Eileen Smith

 The Prince and the Prodigal”, the newest novel by Jill Eileen Smith

 

I loved reading The Prince and the Prodigal”, the newest novel by Jill Eileen Smith. Of course, that may be because this is one of my all-time favorite stories in the Bible.

I was a little thrown off at first, as in my readings, I can’t see that Judah had become a prodigal, but later was able to see where the author was going with the story.

Even knowing the end of the story, I felt myself hoping for the things that would get Joseph out of bed and into his destiny.

“Dysfunctional family are we” could be the name of Jacob’s family. We’ve had crazy stuff in our family, but I came away feeling better, in some ways. But it truly was heartbreaking the story of Judah with Tamar. Their customs surely were strange back then.

It is hard for me to conceive of brothers hating a brother, but I’m sure many families live with this sort of drama daily. Thank God for Joseph’s forgiving heart.

 Although I was given a free book for my review, I was not told how to review it by Revell. I am always happy to review books by Jill Eileen Smith.

Celebrating Author Mary F. Caltenco's first book published at age 77

Journey to the Cross: 10 Meditations on the Day that Changed Everything

by Mary F. Caltenco was a book that I thought I’d put with my other devotionals and read one day at a time. But once I started reading it, I finished it in one sitting!

The subject of the cross is one dear to my heart and I could tell it is close to Mary’s heart also. This book is a reflection of her two trips to Israel.

It seemed at first that the compulsion to write this book was to help mothers who have lost children. That in itself is a worthy subject, one that is needed. But the many and varied places she took us in the course of the book expounded more than that.

The book started with a beautiful poem, titled The Way of the Cross. Then the journeys start: The Upper Room, The Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of Pater Noster, the Mount of Olives, Golgotha and more. It was a life-giving journey filled with love and was also very thought-provoking. It is a beautiful book to read as we approach Easter this year and would make a timely gift.

The titles of chapters give you a word to meditate on each day.

LOVING

SOLITUDE

PRAYERFUL

FAITHFUL

HUMBLE

SACRIFICIAL

COURAGEOUS

FORGIVING

ETERNAL-MINDED

VICTORIOUS

The stories within each chapter were beautiful especially concerning her son, Jeff. Mary’s grief-journey is unique but beautiful I could tell by reading this book that she is a woman whose main goal in life was to love her family and friends well. She has surely accomplished that.

Now, I’ll be reading it again, taking it a day at a time. Looking for more books by Mary F. Caltenco.

Donna Collins Tinsley

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=journey+to+the+cross+by+Mary+F.+Caltenco&ref=nb_sb_noss

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