NaBloPoMo Day #30.... The Session

Today is the last day of November. It is also the last day of National Blog Post Month. I actually have something to blog about today. I am going to pull the curtain aside and let you see the wizard. Well, sort of. I am going to talk about something I wasn't going to - counseling. My doctor has been urging me to do it, but the whole idea scares the daylights out of me, but I finally took the step and called the number she gave me. The clinic I go to goes on a sliding scale fee - the less money you make, the less your visits are. She said the counseling center also does that. My doctor's visits cost me $20, so I figured the counseling would charge the same. I was wrong.......

I will pay nothing. 0, zoink, nada. I was - and am - surprised. I didn't know I was THAT poor.

The counseling center is cool - looks like a house. The waiting room has sofas instead of hard chairs. Very nice and comfortable.

The counselor: he is a guy in I'd say his early to mid-forties. I was really nervous at first, but soon felt comfortable with him. He got a lot of information out of me. And no, I didn't lie on a couch, but sat in a chair.

All in all, I feel it went well, and think this will be beneficial to me. I have a lot of issues, and hoping counseling will help. It is something I should have done years ago. Prayers are appreciated, thanks,.

NaBloPoMo Day #29.. I Don't Belong

I am more down and depressed today than normal, so not in a blogging mood - but supposed to blog daily. I am cheating today and doing a re-post. It is a video of the song that I took my blog name from, "I Don't Belong (Sojourner's Song"

Christmas At Harringtons by Melody Carlson - re-post with giveaway

(Review posted already, re-posted here with a giveway)

Sometimes the best gift is a second chance


Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Reading Christmas at Harrington's, a story full of redemption and true holiday spirit, will be your newest Christmas tradition.

My review:
Melody Carlson has several Christmas novels under her belt, and she is quite the pro at writing them. This one may be her best yet.

The story is about Lena Markham, a woman in her early 40's who has just been released from prison after being in prison for eight years for embezzlement, which she did not do. She has been given some cash and clothes by the prison and sent to a new place to start her new life.

I don't want to give any of the book away, so that is it for my description. I will say that I immensely enjoyed the book. I started it at the doctor's office, but wouldn't you know, they took me in right away. Sigh. I did finish it later that day, and I loved it. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot - and the setting. I love Christmas books, and Christmas makes a great setting for this type of book: a new start, forgiveness, hope.

This is the type of book that you will want to read again, next Christmas. Melody Carlson has written a winner here, and you will not be disappointed if you read this book.

About the author:

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.
Christmas At Harrington's is available from Revell Publishers, an imprint of Baker Book House.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Giveaway:

Melody Carlson has graciously agreed to give away a copy of Christmas At Harrington's. To give more time to get the book before Christmas, I am going to run this one for one week, so on December 6, I will pick a winner using Random.org

To enter - I am going to do something different. For your entry to count, you must do one of the following:

1) if you have read a book by Melody Carlson, tell which one.

2) if you have not read a book by her, go to the author's website - melodycarlson.com - and find a book you would like to read by her and leave a comment saying so.

Thanks to Chris and Melody Carlson for agreeing to a giveaway.

NaBloPoMo Day #28... Loving winter

I have friends who love winter, so I am going to join them and do a positive blog about what there is to love about winter!

1) Cold. Frigid cold. 24/7

2) Snow. Cold, icky, white snow.

3) Cleaning snow off the car everytime you need to go somewhere - unless you have a garage. I don't.

4) Having to warm up my car before I go anywhere

5) Shoveling snow

6) Ugly grey/black trees - so much better than the pretty green of summer!

7) The constant grey days

8) Not being able to sit on the porch swing and enjoy the warmth and sun

9) ice

10) icy/snowy roads

11) having to dress warmer, wear a coat everywhere

12) slush

13) messy roads - always getting behind someone who throws enough slop on my windshield that I have to use my wipers and washer fluid constantly

14) Always getting just a big enough piece of ice under a wiper that the wiper won't meet the windshield

15) high heating bills

16) being stuck inside, no walking, no enjoyment of the outdoors, unless you like cold

17) colds, runny noses, sore throats

18) Snow - I know, said it already, but isn't it marvelous?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?

19) I feel sadder in the winter

20) winter is harder on my car - isn't that terrific?!

21) frosty windows

22) can't open windows and enjoy a nice day, for there are no nice days

23) absence of sun

I am sure there are more, but that is enough for now - isn't winter just marvelous?!

NaBloPoMo Day #27.. Top 10 Reasons to record an a capella song

(day #27, a day late)

If you know me well, you know I am not a fan of a capella singing, aka "boring singing." I groan when we do it in church, and when an artist insists on including one on an otherwise great CD. I do like the a capella style where there is back-up and cool sounds.

I decided to do a top 10. The top 10 reasons an artist would record an a capella song on their CD.

1) to give people like me an opportunity to test the skip/next button on our CD players

2) to save money - costs a lot to pay all of those musicians!

3) to do something special for the insomiacs

4) to give the musicians a break when performing in concert

5) to give people a chance to see what they sound like without instruments (the result is the same for all - boring!)

6) to cause fans a slightly ripped off feeling who do not like a capella

7) to give people a good bathroom break opportunity when performing it in concert

8) to give people like me something to complain about - and blog about :-)

9) to make the Church of Christ people happy (they don't believe in instruments)

10) to make it easier for us to hear their breathing without instruments to help cover it up.

NaBloPoMo Day #26... New Christmas CDs

I have bought three new Christmas CDs this year, and here are the two I am recommending if someone is looking for new Christmas music:

New this year, Everything Christmas by Greater Vision, Southern Gospel. It has 10 songs, the first is a Christmas Overture which is excellent. Most of the songs are classics, with two new songs. In my humble opinion, this is better overall than their first Christmas CD. The songs are: "Everything Christmas (Overture)", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Do You Hear What I Hear?", "A Cradle In Bethlehem", "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year", "O Holy Night", "Sleigh Ride", "I Heard The Bells", "Grace Has A Face (Hope Has Hands)", "There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays", and "I'll Be Home For Christmas".

Also new this year is another Christmas CD from Point of Grace, Home for the Holidays,  and I think this is their best yet. The 10 tracks are split evenly between classic Christmas songs, and new songs. Their arrangements on the familiar songs are different, but good.

I just bought this CD today for $9.99 - great price, and am enjoying it immensely. It isn't far out, and should appeal to a lot of people.

Here is the track listing for this CD:

1. White Christmas
2. Candy Cane Lane
3. Labor of Love
4. Home For The Holidays/Silver Bells
5. Immanuel
6. Little Drummer Boy
7. A Holly Jolly Christmas
8. Joy To The World
9. Not So Silent Night
10. The Giver And The Gift (featuring Jim Brickman)

NaBloPoMo Day #25...Happy Thanksgiving

Myspace Graphics, Thanksgiving Graphics at WishAFriend.com

We Are the Reason

Awesome song, awesome performance. We Are The Reason by Avalon

NaBloPoMo Day #24.. Christmas Songs, the Bad & Ugly

I am sure we all have Christmas songs we don't particularly enjoy. Here are some of mine......

1) Ave Maria - I cannot put into words how much I detest this song. My best friend forced me to listen to it once and wouldn't allow me to skip it. I still haven't forgiven him...... ;-)

2) Santa Baby - horrid song. Enough said.

3) Baby It's Cold Outside - I don't care who sings it, and enough people do - I cannot stand it.

4) Same Old Lang Syne -  (by Dan Fogelberg) - a simply stupid and awful song. Gets played way too often.

5) What Child Is This - never really cared for it. I can stand to hear it occasionally, but usually prefer not to

6) Blue Christmas by Elvis - or anything by him. I love Blue Christmas, but his version makes me shudder.

OK, enough for now - filled my blogging duty for the day. Any you would add to the list? :-)

NaBloPoMo Day #23... Being Thankful

This is the obligatory post saying what I am thankful for. To be honest, with the depression and discouragement it is easy to forget that I do have things to be thankful for. So here is a random list - very random.

1) friends
2) family
3) toilet paper
4) a roof over my head
5) Steven, my best friend
6) my car
7) Sarah Palin
8) freedom
9) the November election results
19) Fox News
20) books
21) blogging for books programs
22) a bed
23) my cell phone
24) money
25) email
26) texting
27) pizza
28) the internet
29) my computer
30) my computer chair
31) finger nail clippers
32) chicken
33) razora
34) shaving cream
35) chocolate
36) Summer
37) Spring
38) Fall
39) my co-workers - some of them
40) facebook
41) my blog
42) turkey
43) stuffing
44) my Wii
45) sleep
46) naps
47) light
48) warmth
49) an end to winter
50) winter days with no snow
51) shoes
52) jeans
53) clothes
54) pillows
55) vacations
56) toothbrushes
57) tooth paste
58) amazon.com
59) amazon.com's free shipping
60) mail
61) nice people
62) sandals
63) shopping
64) Ollie's Bargain Outlet
65) indoor plumbing
66) CDs
67) my Ipod
68) facebook
69) bags
70) wallets
71) heat
72) popscicles
73) ice cream
74) porch swings
75) bookstores
76) plastic totes with lids
77) health
78) locks
79) windows
80) refrigerators
81) freezers
82) ice cubes
83) the Booth Brothers
84) roads
85) pencil holders
86) games
87) blankets
88) people who do not smoke
89) the Chronicles of Narnia
90) keys
91) belts
92) digital cameras
93) Christmas
94) the "red" hymnal at church
95) bourbon chicken
96) diet caffeine free coke
97) iced tea
98) watches
99) our military
100) deoderant

The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Lightkeeper's BrideThomas Nelson (October 19, 2010)byColleen Coble
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.
A word from Colleen: God has been faithful, though the path has not been easy. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. God wouldn’t let me give up, and I like to think the struggle made me stronger. God has given me so much in my life, most importantly my great family, a loving church family at New Life Baptist Church, and my wonderful publishing family at Nelson Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:

A thrilling romantic mystery set in the lush Victorian age.

Central Operator Katie Russell's inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents' plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.
Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.

Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will's bravery and kindness remove Katie's suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lightkeeper's Bride, go HERE.

NaBloPoMo Day #22...Making Christmas too "Jesus-y", a re-post

I don't feel much like blogging today, and a post I did last December was on my mind for some reason, so I am going to re-post it today, and that will be my blog post for the day. Lazy, I know.

(Originally posted on December 12, 2009)

I learned a new word today! I was in line at the post office and the lady in front of me asked for a book of stamps. She was asked if "holiday" stamps were ok. Her reply, "as long as they aren't too Jesus-y - God doesn't belong where these stamps are going." Anyone who knows me, knows I can be outspoken, and I couldn't help myself. I spoke up, "Ma'am God belongs everywhere." - "Not on my stamps!" - "Oh yes, He does."


I stepped up to be waited on by the other clerk while she continued with her transaction. And her comments to the clerk. "I think it would be awful to have your birthday on Christmas Day." Again, that overwhelming urge to speak came over me - "That's when Jesus' birthday is, you know" (with a smile). She laughed and agreed with me.

The conversation has stuck with me though. How can a holiday stamp -aka Christmas - be too "Jesus-y" when it is all about Him? Can anything about Christmas be too "Jesus-y" when it is His birthday we are supposed to be celebrating?

I really doubt that God looks down at Christmas and thinks "Man, they really need to cut out emphasizing my Son so much at this time of year.!" Ok, for one thing, I doubt God says talks like that - but if anything, He looks down and shakes His head in sorrow that so many don't recognize Jesus enough at this time of year.

I bought six stamps and said I didn't care what kind they were. Had I to over again, I wish I had said "Give me the most Jesus-y stamps you have!"

I wonder how many Christians lose sight of Christ during the Christmas season. I am afraid a big majority of us.

NaBloPoMo Day #21... Voting for the wrong things

I make no secret of the fact that I think Barrack Obama is a terrible president and seems intent on ruining this country and turning it into a socialist state. So if you like him, you may want to skip this post. :-)

I was talking to my pastor a few evenings ago, and he told me something that still amazes me. Someone who has Mennonite relatives told him that a lot of Mennonites voted for Obama and just love him. The reason? He said he was going to end the wars, and doesn't like wars. They are non-resistant (anti-war), so they walked off the cliff with him. (Wonder how that war ending is working out for them?)

I was flabbergasted. I asked Stan "But he is the most pro-abortion president we have ever had. Is their anti-war cause more important than the murder of innocent babies?!" He wondered the same thing.

I saw a poll result on hotair.com last week that disappointed me. People were asked what they thought Republicans should focus more on -  fiscal issues, or social issues. I don't remember the numbers, but fiscal won out. Really? Are we truly conservative if taxes are more important to us than the murder of innocent babies?

On the abortion issue, I have a theory. I am afraid that most Republicans and conservatives have become numbed to it. We don't really think about the fact that it IS murder. Or we don't want to think about it. The next time you are seeing a newborn baby, just think about this: Up til the point that the baby actually came the whole way out of the mother's womb, it was legal to kill him or her. By stabbing a sharp object into the brain or sucking it up with a vaccum. Do you want to support that? Vote for people who support that?

Granted, we cannot be a one-issue voter, and there is no perfect politician, but I firmly believe abortion is a big enough issue that it should be one major focus when we vote. Would you vote for a candidate who supported and fought for the right of parents to murder a day old baby? A month old baby? A two-year-old? A five-year-old? Of course you wouldn't, and some would say that isn't the same. Why not? The only difference is they aren't inside the mother anymore. If it is murder outside of the womb, then why is it not murder inside the womb? It is. Too many people are swallowing the lies of the abortion industry. And another question - why is it not murder if the mother kills the baby inside of her, but if someone would attack her and cause the baby to die, they can be charged with murder. Oh right - because the mother didn't agree to it.

If you are pro-Obama and still reading this, did you know that there was legislation that was going to require that if a baby survived and abortion, they would have to save it? He was against that. He was all for letting that innocent little baby die. Just lie there alone, and die. Yet tons of people, Mennonite and others - voted for this man. Why? Because ending wars and other things were more important than killing babies.

It really does boggle my mind how a Christian could vote for someone who is strongly pro-abortion. Rose, from the conservative talk show around my area, Rose and Quinn, has commented on a few occasions that any Christian who voted for Obama is not a Christian at all and needs to repent. That is pretty strong. Not sure I agree with the first part, but maybe the latter.

I think when we vote for a person who supports something, we are placing a vote in favor of that. You might disagree, but I think I am right. Abortion was a biggie for Obama, so people who voted for him voted for abortion. There is no way around it.

This country seems to be going to hell in a handbasket. I strongly - very strongly believe - that if everyone in this country who professes to be a Christian and/or conservative, would vote according to their beliefs and according to God's principles, we would still be a Christian nation. Abortion would still be illegal. Disagree? That is ok. I am right.

It is time Christians started standing and voting for the right things. War is bad - yes, but a necessary evil. Abortion is far worse, and is not a necessay evil. It is plain evil and murder, and exists mostly because people do not want to take responsibility for their actions.

So don't go out and vote for murder/abortion. Vote for life.

NaBloPoMo Day #20... Christmas Songs, the new

I love it when a Christmas CD has some new songs on, or some songs that aren't recorded much. There are so many Christmas songs that have been done countless times. Here are some newer and unique ones I enjoy:

1) Coming Home for Christmas - Dolly Parton. She released this last year as a single. I really enjoy the song.

2) One King - David Phelps. One of the tenors of the Gaither Vocal Band, he penned this song. I love it. Has a cool line in it - there have been many babies to become a king, but only one King became a baby.

3) The Night Before Christmas - Brandon Heath. This young guy is a fairly new Christian singer. He released this single song last Christmas. I like it.

4) It's Still The Greatest Story - Gaither Vocal Band. Not too new now, recorded in the 90's, but it has not been done by anyone else that I know of, and is a great song. (And it just started playing on my Itunes as I typed this - what are the odds of that?)

5) Mary Wrapped a Present - The Hoppers. This one isn't very new either, recorded in about 1989-90, but hasn't been done by many artists and is a personal favorite of mine.

6) Reason for the Season - Lonestar. I don't know of anyone else recording this one either, and I love the song.

7) New Star Shining - I have heard a few different artists do this one, but I think Mark Wills does it best. A cool song.

8) Immanuel - Michael Card. I think this was an original with him. Awesome song.

9) It's Christmas - Ronnie Milsap. His Christmas CD has been around for a while now, but this is a song I never heard by anyone else, and it is a good one.

10) I Have Seen The Light - Integrity/Triumphant Quartet - awesome newer song, also done by Gold City, but Integrity did it best. They changed their name to Triumphant later.

Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

Book description:
Life Without Limits is an inspiring book by an extraordinary man. Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic overcame his disability to live not just independently but a rich, fulfilling life, becoming a model for anyone seeking true happiness. Now an internationally successful motivational speaker, his central message is that the most important goal for anyone is to find their life’s purpose despite whatever difficulties or seemingly impossible odds stand in their way.


Nick tells the story of his physical disabilities and the emotional battle he endured trying to deal with them as a child, a teen, and a young adult. “For the longest, loneliest time, I wondered if there was anyone on earth like me, and whether there was any purpose to my life other than pain and humiliation.” He shares how his faith in God has been his central source of strength and explains that once he found his own sense of purpose—inspiring others to make their lives and the world better—he found the confidence to build a rewarding and productive life without limits.


Nick offers practical advice for realizing a life of fulfillment and happiness by building trust in others, developing supportive relationships, and gaining strength for the journey. He encourages the reader by showing how he learned to accept what he could not control and focus instead on what he could.

My review:Several times as I read this book, I thought "man, I thought I had it bad!" This is a very inspiring and encouraging book. Nick tells a lot about how he learned to live with no arms or legs, and how he learned to deal with what many would view as limitations.

I am amazed at what this guy has done - and can do. He rides a surf board, swims, goes scuba diving, and other things that most people with arms and legs don't do.

Scattered throughout the pages of the book are also stories of people he met who had either disabilities or bad circumstances, yet overcame them. He is a motivational speaker, and gives a lot of advice on how to rise avove your circumstances. He is a Christian, an ordained evangelist, so he talks a lot in the book about depending on God and how God has helped him, and does help him.

I found myself to be encouraged, inspired, and convicted by reading this book. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with life, but after reading Nick's story, I realize all too often we give into our circumstances, and lose the battle.

I usually give my "read-in-one-sitting" status to a suspense type book, but this book was so interesting that I read it in one evening, and so I will bestow that status on it. I really recommend reading it.

About the author:

NICK VUJICIC is a motivational speaker and the directorfounding President of the a non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs. A longtime resident of Australia, he now lives in southern CaliforniaIt was in recent years that Nick made the move from Australia to Southern California from where he now continues to passionately travel around the world, spreading a message of hope to all people.


Visit his website at http://www.nickvujicic.com/.

Life Without Limits is available from Random House Publishing.

Thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah for the review copy.

NaBloPoMo Day 19...... Reading signs

OK, I put off yesterday's post too late, so here it is today. Means I get to blog twice today - woo hoo!

I have a confession. I go into the wrong restroom occasionally. Yeah. It can be embarrassing.

The first time was about 10 years ago. Actually, the first 3 were about 10 years ago. I was heading to Boardman, Ohio to do some shopping. Unfortunately, something I ate decided it didn't want to hang around to long, so I needed to use the restroom - and fast. I went tearing into the restroom of Walmart, and excuse my bluntness, but sat my butt down on the toilet to do my thing. Suddenly, I heard voices in the restroom. Female voices...... I waited til everyone left, and went dashing out of the women's restoom. My exit was viewed by the ladies in layway. Sigh.

Fast forward a bit. I was at Sea World and needed the men's room. Unfortunately, as I walked in, I met women walking out. Why is there always an audience in our most embarrassing moments?! I of course put it in reverse immediately!

Fast forward a bit more. My grandma Buzard had just died, and my sisters and I were on our way into PA for the funeral. Vicki was 7 months pregnant with my youngest niece and needed a restroom often. First pit stop was at Burger King in Poland, Ohio. My other sister, Pam and I, waited in the car - until I decided I had better use it also. I went strolling in to the restroom - I still wonder why I didn't notice the absence of urinals... and walked into a stall. To my horror, I heard high heeled shoes walking out of the stall next to me - that would be my sister. One of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life was walk out of that restroom with the eyes of everyone in the building on me. Vicki said if she had seen me in there, she would have had an accident from laughing so hard.

It seemed I learned my lesson. I vowed never to do it again. And it seemed I had learned my lesson - to read the sign. But alas....... Fast forward a lot. Like to this past spring. Yeah, that recent. 2010. We were having a week of revival services at church, and on Saturday evening after church, my parents and I, my one sis and her husband, and my 3 nieces met 2 other couples from church at Baskin Robbins. As we waited in line, I decided to wash my hands. As I walked into the restroom, I heard my brother-in-law call my name. I figured it could wait. I was wrong. I walked out to find them all in gales of laughter. Yes, I had done it again.

For some reason I was thinking about my restroom mishaps the other night and it hit me that life is like that. Sometimes we wind up where we never thought we would be. We find ourselves doing things that we never thought we would. And sometimes it is because we didn't read the signs - the warning signs. We may have been in a hurry, or just careless. But the signs were there, and we didn't see them.

I have a renewed determination to check out the signs on restroom doors more carefully now - though I have a sense of deja vu - thought that prior to my last mishap - but we can all use a renewed determination to slow down and pay attention to the signs in our lives that aren't tacked on a door. It will save us a lot of trouble in the long run.

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

Description:

Before You Take a Stand … You Got to Take a Chance.

Holden Harris is an eighteen-year-old locked in a prison of autism. Despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal—on the inside, in a private world all his own. In reality, he is bullied at school by kids who only see that he is very different.

Ella Reynolds is part of the “in” crowd. A cheerleader and star of the high school drama production, her life seems perfect. When she catches Holden listening to her rehearse for the school play, she is drawn to him … the way he is drawn to the music. Then, Ella makes a dramatic discovery—she and Holden were best friends as children.

Frustrated by the way Holden is bullied, and horrified at the indifference of her peers, Ella decides to take a stand against the most privileged and popular kids at school.

Including her boyfriend, Jake.

Ella believes miracles can happen in the unlikeliest places, and that just maybe an entire community might celebrate from the sidelines. But will Holden’s praying mother and the efforts of Ella and a cast of theater kids be enough to unlock the prison that contains Holden?

This time, friendship, faith, and the power of a song must be strong enough to open the doors to the miracle Holden needs.

My review
Though she does not write suspense, my favorite genre' to read, Karen Kingsbury is my favorite author. I thought this book sounded like a winner, as all of hers are, and was it ever. It is a very touching and emotional story, and she pulls out all of the stops on this one. It is obvious she did a lot of research on autism - and I learned a lot about it in the book. She also does an excellent job of portraying the emotions of the boy's parents. The feelings of loss, as if they had truly lost him out of their lives.

She also tackles the subject of bullying in the book. Kids picking on and making fun of kids who are different. I confess I have cried before while reading a Karen Kingsbury book, but this one really brought the waterworks. (I know, I'm a guy - you try reading this one without getting misty-eyed!) The story is not necessarily sad, though parts of it is, but it is an emotional story of hope. This has got to be one of her best books ever. I highly recommend it, and it definitely gets my "read-in-one-sitting" status.

About the author:

New York Times Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's favorite inspirational novelist with over fifteen million books in print. Her Life-Changing Fiction has produced multiple bestsellers, including Take One, Between Sundays, Even Now, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, and Ever After, which was named the 2007 Christian Book of the Year. An award-winning author and newly published songwriter, Karen has had several movies optioned for production, and her novel Like Dandelion Dust is in post production as a major motion picture release. Karen is also a nationally known speaker with several women's groups. She lives in Washington State with her husband Don, and their six children, three of whom were adopted from Haiti.

Unlocked is available from Zondervan Publishing.

Thanks to Zondervan for the review copy.

Check out the trailer for the book - very nicely done.

NaBloPoMo Day #18... Introducing Palin

No, not THAT Palin. Palin the teddy bear. I did a blog post a few days ago about things people don't know about me. One of them was that some nights I wish I had a teddy bear. Last night I came home to find one peeking out of a gift bag. The Hartleys from my church purchased got it for me. It truly made my day. And I did want a teddy bear. :-)

OK, so you might find it mildly disturbing that a 41-year-old guy just named a teddy bear. At least I named him a strong Republican name..... But you know what? I don't care. It is my bear, and if I want to name him, I will. Beats offing Todd Palin so I can marry Sarah..... ;-)

We grow up too fast. Remember as a kid, wanting to turn this age or that? Now I wonder why. The older we get, the less fun life seems to get. Bills, responsiblities, more trials and temptations. No more teddy bears......

Jesus said unless we become like children, we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What did He mean by that? That if we adults sit around playing with teddy bears, we will go to Heaven. Oh how I wish it were that simple. So what did He mean? I have a few ideas......

1) No worries. Think about it. Kids don't worry much. What do they have to worry about?! Mom and Dad take care of them, meet all of their needs. We adults worry. A lot. And we aren't supposed to.

2) Faith. Kids seem so much better at faith than we adults.

3) Laughter. When is the last time you laughed? Really laughed. I did last night. I read Ann Coulter's newest column, and laughed a lot.

4) Fun. We adults have way too many responsiblities. This thing called life isn't always fun, nor does it always allow time for fun. How sad. There is a lot more to life than work and bills. And fun doesn't always cost money either.

5) Innocence. Kids expect the best out of life, out of people. The older we get, the more jaded we get. The more we realize people aren't always what they appear to be. That there aren't always happy endings.

6) Belief. Why is it so much easier to believe as a child? We lost that as we become adults.

There are more. But those are the biggies. As I wrote this post, a song came to mind. I will put the video below, but here is the chorus. The song is titled "What Children Believe." Watch the video. It is a cool song. In the meantime, I will enjoy a bit of childhood as I enjoy my teddy bear......

Love lasts forever
Mom and Daddies stay together
Cheaters never win
And a promise is something you keep
Its bad to lie
And its ok to cry
Dreams never die
And faith is all you need
Ain't it crazy, what children believe

CSN Stores

If you are looking for counter stools, bookshelves, or other such items, look no further. Thanks to my friend, Molly, I have been given the opportunity to pick out an item to review for CSN stores. To be honest, I had never heard of CSN stores before, but I checked them out after Molly's email. They have 200+ websites with things like furniture, housewares, home improvement, baby and kids, outdoor living, office supply - you name it.

There are a ton of things to pick from. Molly did this bookcase, and maybe I will lean that way - can always use more bookcases - so watch for my review of a CSN product coming up in the next few weeks.

Christmas At Harringtons by Melody Carlson

Sometimes the best gift is a second chance


Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Reading Christmas at Harrington's, a story full of redemption and true holiday spirit, will be your newest Christmas tradition.

My review:
Melody Carlson has several Christmas novels under her belt, and she is quite the pro at writing them. This one may be her best yet.

The story is about Lena Markham, a woman in her early 40's who has just been released from prison after being in prison for eight years for embezzlement, which she did not do. She has been given some cash and clothes by the prison and sent to a new place to start her new life.

I don't want to give any of the book away, so that is it for my description. I will say that I immensely enjoyed the book. I started it at the doctor's office, but wouldn't you know, they took me in right away. Sigh. I did finish it later that day, and I loved it. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot - and the setting. I love Christmas books, and Christmas makes a great setting for this type of book: a new start, forgiveness, hope.

This is the type of book that you will want to read again, next Christmas. Melody Carlson has written a winner here, and you will not be disappointed if you read this book.

About the author:

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.
Christmas At Harrington's is available from Revell Publishers, an imprint of Baker Book House.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Silent OrderSummerside Press (November 1, 2010)byMelanie Dobson
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rural America - 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Silent Order, go HERE.

My review:
I gotta admit it. I wondered to myself "What on earth was this author thinking?! Amish and mafia?!" It does seem a strange mix, but it worked. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

It is set in Cleveland and Sugarcreek, Ohio. Sugarcreek is in Holmes County, and the whole area is a big Amish area. It is also not far from me - about an hour and fifteen minutes - great place to visit - so that made the book even more interesting to me, being set in a place I am familiar with.

So what does the mafia and Amish have to do with each other? Nothing, but in this book, the Amish end up hiding and protecting a police detective that the mafia is after. There is a lot in the book about Amish, and there is a lot in the book about the mafia. Makes for an interesting mix, and the average Amish book lover might not enjoy this one, unless you are also into suspense.

I really did enjoy the book, even more than the previous book that I read by this author. I have been disappointed in a couple of books I have read from this publisher, but not in this one. It is a great suspense novel, and is definitely Christian. I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to Summerside Press for the review copy.

NaBloPoMo Day #17... profiling

There is a lot in the news right now about airport security. About the intrusiveness. A man is now on the no fly list simply because he wouldn't allow them to pat down his crotch area. I don't blame him. He even volunteered to go through a scanner, but that wasn't enough.

They are searching young children, elderly, nuns - you name it. And granted, anyone can be a terrorist, and a bomb could be hidden in the child's teddy bear, but does anyone else think this is ridiculous? Why not focus on the people who are committing 99.99999% of the terrorist acts - Muslims.

I know, I know. Muslim does not equal terrorist, but most, if not all, of the terrorist acts and attempts in this country in the last decade were made by Muslims. Muslim extremists, but Musilms none the less. Yet, we can't profile. That sure makes it easier for them, don't ya think?!

I think they SHOULD focus on Middle Eastern people. If they don't like it, then stay off our planes. Sound terrible and racist? Well, here is a scenario for you:

Say a group of terrorists springs up that go with a certain look. Shaved head, swastika tattooed on their neck, and a swastika earring. Every time a terrorist attack is done or attempted, the terrorist sports this look. Now don't you think they would start watching for these guys? If they try to go on a plane, that they would single them out for special screening? You bet they would! And no one would be agains it - well, other than the ACLU and Democrats.

Well, wake up people: almost every terrorist attack in this country, whether attempted or failure, from 911 to the Fort Hood shooting, to the underwear bomber... have been done by Muslims. We ARE at war with Islam, whether radical Islam, or just plain old Islam.

The more I read, the more convinced I am that Muslims in general want the downfall of America. Oh, they all aren't going to be terrorists, but they hate Israel, they hate America, and they want us both to go down. Remember when 911 happened? They were dancing in the streets over in the Middle East. If Muslims don't hate us, don't want us destroyed...... then where is the outcry against the terrorist acts from the "peace-loving Muslims"?

I have friends who disagree with me, even in my church, and that is ok. I am afraid we are going to wake up someday, if the US is still here, and find that Islam is ruling America. That we will be forced to become Muslim, or die. No way Jose'? Oh yes, Jose'. We already have a president, government, and media who are pro-Muslim - where do you think that is going to go? If it comes down to a choice between Christianity or Islam, what will the liberal media and government pick? They already go out of their way to paint Muslims in the best way possible. They still won't call the Fort Hood shooting a terrorist attack, or say it was because the shooter was Muslim. No, the poor guy was picked on. Waaaaaaaaaaaaah! So was I, and I never killed anyone!

So what is the answer to the whole aiport security mess? Profile, profile, profile. Disagree? How safe would you feel seeing a couple of Muslim men getting bypassed for searching to get on the plane you are flying on. Wouldn't you feel the slightest bit nervous? Don't lie - God is watching.......

And again, to stave off such comments - yeah, ANYONE can be a terrorist, but anyone isn't.... Muslims are.

NaBloPoMo Day #16...... One of my biggest pet peeves

I had a couple of blogging suggestions given to me for this month, and will most likely use them, but I actually had an idea come to me today - to blog about one of my biggest pet peeves. No, it isn't acapella singing, the "black" book at church, or women drivers..... ;-).

Christmas is right around the corner. All of the things we associate with the season - shopping, Christmas trees, lights, and doing away with Merry Christmas. That just gets me. It is Christmas, and stores that forbid their employees to say "Merry Christmas" and advertise their "holiday specials" should be boycotted.

Yeah, I have heard the arguments from even Christians. Christmas isn't mentioned in the Bible by name, and nonsense like that, so it isn't a big deal. They may be right about the first part, but wrong about the second. You know why they want to not use"Christmas? Because of the first 6 letters - "Christ". There is a movement on this country to shut Christians up. Everyone else's rights are defended, but not ours. Trying to avoid the word "Christmas" is just another nail in our coffin. One that we should fight being driven.

So do it. Call stores that you know are doing this and tell them you are offended. It may seem like not a big deal, but in a few years it may not even be called Christmas, and we may not be allowed to say it, or celebrate it. Think about it.

NaBloPoMo Day #15...... Things you didn't know.....

Help! I am idealess - if that is a word - about what to blog about, but I committed to do this every day this month, so I am going to blog about me again. How exciting. Even makes me yawn! I decided to dig up stuff the average person may not know about me. Read it if you're bored. In the meantime, I could use some blogging ideas!

1) I love to eat spaghetti and pizza sauce. To this day, my mother gives me the can or jar to clean out after she is done with it.

2) Sweetened condensed milk....... I love to eat it out of the can, usually a little at a time. I made the mistake of eating a whole can recently at work and felt rather ill afterwards - guess it is better in small doses. :-)

3) I feel much better about myself with my head shaved, than when I was balding

4) I am scared to death of snakes.

5) I hate football. Ok, maybe that is well known......

6) I think it would be cool to live in a lighthouse

7) I am secretly in love with Sarah Palin

8) I can actually run pretty fast

9) I hate winter. OK, no big secret, but figured I'd toss it in anyway

10) I think Amy Grant is kind of hot, especially for her age

11) I tried smoking when I was about 8 years old. Thought I'd never quit choking. Wish certain other people had had the same experience

12) On most days, I question my decision of moving back to Ohio from Indiana

13) I have 2 other blogs, one very new

14) Of all the things I fear, I fear growing old alone the most

15) I usually start listening to Christmas music in late September

16) I make my bed daily.

17) I think Becky Hartley would make a great mother-in-law

18) I need new socks

19) I love covered bridges

20) I think my car is leaking transmission fluid

21) I counted the crosses at church once during a boring sermon. There are a lot - they are on the hymnbooks, the lights, even some people have crossed eyes....

22) Most of the time, I don't like myself

23) I went hunting one year - when I was 12. I got lost.

24) I hate ties. I blame my college days.

25) I read in the bathroom

26) I remember most of the jokes I read and hear. Some times it seems everything someone says triggers the memory of a joke

27) I like Dolly Parton's singing

28) People think I am outgoing, and maybe I am, but not until I get to know people. I can be very shy and backward

29) I cried for a few months before I turned 40. I am still depressed about it, and now I am 41.....

30) I want an SUV

31) I want enough $$ to afford an SUV

32) I can't swim

33) I feel totally alone most of the time

34) I have a hit out on Todd Palin so I can marry Sarah when he is out of the way (Ok - in case someone is dumb enough to not know it, I am kidding!)

35) I will buy and listen to Christmas CDs of artists that I don't normally listen to.

36) I play the piano, organ, and tuba. Ok, not the tuba

37) There are people whose houses I'd like to toilet paper

38) I always wanted a brother

39) I actually enjoy speaking. Not sure why

40) I dream of having a house big enough that I can set a room aside to be a library, complete with fireplace and a lazyboy recliner.

41) I don't like going to church anymore

42) Fear has held me back from a lot in life

43) I hate to shave, but I hate facial hair on men worse, even myself

44) I think women who wear eyeshadow look like raccoons

45) I secretly feel I will never measure up to anyone's expectations...... even God's

46) If my life's story was published, people would be shocked to know the real me

47) I stole a pen in 3rd grade, the only thing I ever stole

48) I hate weddings, and do not attend them unless I am roped into being in them, or unless they are my sisters getting married. But again.... I was in those weddings ;-)

49) I am very afraid of heights

50) Secretly...... I think tattoos are kind of cool - in moderation

51) Some nights I wish I had a teddy bear

52) The worst Christmas present I ever got was a football

53) The best Christmas present I ever got was an Ipod

54) Though I dreaded jury duty and was bored out of my mind, I enjoyed hanging out with my fellow jurors and had a lot of fun on our breaks

55) I have way too many regrets in life

56) I don't think I will ever be truly happy. Or ever have been

57) I started writing a book, but got sidetracked by depression

58) I am actually a rather good cook

59) I hate to ask for help

60) I have actually thought about running away. Weird at my age.

61) My favorite comic strip is Pearls Before Swine

62) My doctor is very pretty

63) I got my first ticket for going down a one way street the wrong way

64) Winter depresses me

65) I love hot tubs

Winner......

Congrats to Christy, who won the drawing for the book, Everything Christmas. I should have another Christmas book giveaway up in a day or two, this one for a Christmas novella - very good book!

NaBloPoMo Day #14...... Its all about me

I committed to blogging daily for National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo), and am completely blank on what to blog about. Big surprise, I know, so I decided I'd blog about me since I can't come up with anything else, here is some genuine randomness about me......

Favorite color: Green or blue, not sure

Favorite music: Southern Gospel

Favorite group: The Booth Brothers

Favorite hobby: reading, shopping

Favorite book genre: Christian suspense

My car: white 2002 Pontiac Sunfire

Favorite vacation spot: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Best friend: Steven Matlock

My dream: to own my own bookstore

Favorite food: chicken, pizza

Favorite clothes: jeans and button down shirt

Secret wish: Becoming a millionaire

Favorite holiday: Christmas

Dream job: getting paid to shop or read books, or both

What I am listening to right now: When Love First Cried by Sonicflood (Christmas)
What I want most for Christmas: my own place

My biggest regret: that I never got to experience fatherhood

Pet peeves: way too many to list.....

Best quality: punctuality.....

Secret ability: I can make gravy :-)

Person I would most like to meet: Sarah Palin

Weakness: chocolate, what else?!

Morning or evening person: evening

Favorite toy: my cell phone and computer

What I most dislike: at this point in life, that would be Barrack Obama......

Where I would most like to live: anywhere that it never snows or goes below 65 degrees......

Favorite game: Rook

OK, enough for now, in case I have trouble another day.....

NaBloPoMo Day #13 - go ahead, offend away!

OK, I forgot to post yesterday for day 13 of National Blogging Post month, so I will have to do two. This one shall be what some of my friends call a rant...... but I think anyone who reads this will agree, unless you have "drank the kool-aid"......

It is about the flag. The flag of the greatest country ever (though our current prez seems to disagree with that)......

This story led to my rant. (Click on the word story). In California, a 13-year-old boy has been riding his bicycle around, including to school, with an American flag flying on the back. This past week, he was told by the school that he could not do that anymore. They cited "racial tensions." Other kids might not like the flag. And so forth. After much outrage, they have reversed their decision and he is allowed to fly the flag again.

There have been too many stories like this in the news lately. In Idaho, just recently, a couple is flying a flag to honor their son who is fighting over in Iraq. They live in a condo, and the neighbors and condo management have told them they need to remove the flag - rules say nothing can be hung out....... story here.

And there are more stories. The woman in Ohio back in May who put a flag in her condo window to honor her son in the military, and was told she had to take it down - not sure how that one turned out.

Isn't patriotism a good thing? Should not flags be allowed everywhere? Sure, sometimes size can be an issue, but good grief! This is America, and patriotism used to be a good thing. The flag was flown everywhere. Now, we worry about people being offended by it, and rules, rules, rules. Well, I say if anyone is offended, they can leave. Go to another country where they don't have the freedoms we have. And fly your flag wherever - whether your condo management likes it or not. God bless America, and our flag!

NaBloPoMo Day #12 Free speech... or promoting molestaion

You may have heard about it, saw it on TV, the internet... Amazon was selling a book available for Kindle download only...."The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure". And yes, the book is exactly what it sounds like. The description said it was how to find kids to molest, and how to get off with a lighter sentence if caught. On Amazon, you can leave customer book reviews. For this, at last count, there were 1966 negative reviews - not from people who read the book, but from people upset and ticked off about the book being sold. I was #1966.

Amazon at first defended it. Claimed free speech, yada, yada, yada. They got flooded with complaints - I called - and finally they caved and pulled it.

I was reading comments about it on a news site, and one person was addressing the people who said they were for free speech "but...". He claimed either you are, or you aren't.

And I can see the dangers of cutting back on free speech - we all can - but should it be legal to publish a book telling how to commit such a horrific crime? And if it should be legal, does that mean a place like Amazon needs to sell it? They also sell a book on how to smuggle cocaine or some other drug across the border - which pales beside the pedophile book.

And if you DO defend this book as free speech, how would you feel if your child was molested - would you still defend it?

Kudos to Amazon for finally pulling the book, but thumbs down that they ever did. What are your thoughts? Should free speech cover a book telling how to commit a crime? I'm sure you couldn't publish one on how to kill the president - you can go to jail for just threatening, and we all agree with that - but what about a book saying how to get kids to molest, and how to get off with a lighter sentence if caught. Comment, please.

NaBloPoMo Day #11... My own personal "f" and "s" words

So what are my own personal "f" and "s" words? Football and sports. In that order. I cannot see the attraction. Watching a bunch of guys in weird outfits fighting over a weird-shaped ball? And guys you don't even know?! Wow - how exciting. Excuse me while I go watch a quilting bee to see who is the fastest quilter.....

Besides my above opinion, I do have a deep seated hatred of sports, and football in particular.

I grew up around mostly girls. Most of the boys in my life picked on me - even some of my male cousins. My dad hit a softball with me some and played catch, but sports just never caught on with me.

I still  remember when suddenly all of my male classmates became interested/obsessed with sports. I felt left behind, not experiencing that. And it got worse. I went to a small Christian school, and when I entered 7th grade, gym class became a requirement. How I wish it hadn't....

Some may disagree with me - and that's ok. You're an idiot. Just kidding... but think about what I say next: I believe it is 100% wrong and cruel to force a kid to play a sport for gym class. Can I repeat that? Ok - I will : I believe it is 100% wrong and cruel to force a kid to play a sport for gym class. Don't write me off, I will explain.

I was always picked on to some extent, but once sports entered the picture, it got worse. No one wanted me on their team, but since I was forced to play, I had to be on someone's team, so that meant that I was the last person to be picked. Always. Every time. Until soccer.... more on that later.

The bullying and picking on increased, and all these years later, I still believe most of it was due to my lack of interest in sports and my lack of ability in playing those sports. Week after week, I was forced to do so, never pulling more than a "C" in gym class/pyhsical ed. Does it not seem unfair to grade a kid on his poor abilities in sports - something he did not like? And the worse I did, the more I was singled out to be picked on. The teacher would leave the room, and I was fair game. I still remember being held down by a couple of boys when I was in about 8th grade while one of my cousins tried to shove a pencil up my nose. I managed to fight them off - but this was my cousin......

Softball and basketball were bad enough, but then along came football. No one had ever taught me to play, I was just thrown into the game, forced to play, because it was football season and God forbid we not bow to the god of football...... The more I had to play it, the more I hated it. By the time I had a faint idea of how to play the game, I had developed an extreme hatred of the game, so much that all these years later, it remains. It is such a deep hatred, it is most likely misunderstood by others. But you see, when one is bullied and picked on to the point I was, to the point that I am still scarred inside, where no one can see, still feeling like a lost kid who no one likes, who no one wants on their team - and mostly because of football and other sports - it makes a lot of sense.

Soccer was different. I was thrown into it and forced to play it also, and disliked it also, but I caught on faster. I was fairly fast and really good with my feet, and to my shock, they wanted me on their team. I excelled at soccer.. I wasn't just good at it. Sadly, that period was brief in my life, as soccer wasn't the "in" thing to play much.

One more story about sports and its effect on me. I was 26 years old, and had just had one of the most devesating moments in my life. Something that still affects me. I was reeling. My brother-in-law talked me into going along with him to play softball. Unfortunately, the man in charge had no patience for averageness. All that mattered was winning. He yelled at me for the way I held my bat, and for swinging at the wrong times. Then the outfield time came...... The batter was up, I was on third base. He told the short stop to get it, as it would come his way. It came mine. I stepped aside to let the short stop get it. I think he missed - don't remember that part. What I DO remember is being lit into for not going after the ball. I didn't say a word, but walked quietly off the field. I doubt he even noticed.

But this was more than a vulnerable 26-year-old getting his feelings hurt. It was reliving those horible teenage years. Years of being made fun of, picked on, of being stuck out in right field because they had to put me somewhere... of being the last one picked.

Some would say I should have stuck with it. I disagree. Sports had hurt me for the last time. I went home and sold my ball glove at a yard sale we had shortly after and made a vow that I have kept: I would never, ever play softball again. Or any other sport. Oh, I throw the ball to my nephews, but never again will I participate in a game of softball. I even tend to avoid volleyball - an easy sport. Why? Because sports hold too many bad memories for me. I have been hurt, and hurt badly because of this god of America. This thing that is so much more important to people than how they treat others and make them feel.

I admit some of my feelings are extreme and amaze people - that is ok. Not many people would get it. But really, what is more important - sports, or people? If you say sports, then you need help.

I'm honestly not bitter. I am vocal about sports, but if you could see inside me, see the scars, see what I have to deal with, a lot in part because of being picked on due to sports - it would make sense.

I would like to close this post with some advice. If your kid isn't interested in sports, don't force him or her to be. Let them have their own interests. And if you are a teacher... never, ever force a kid to play a sport. It is wrong, and it could lead to some permanent scarring.

Many will disagree with me. It has been said that sports is the god of America - and it does seem that way. I didn't do this post to slam sports or those who love it, but to show in part why I am so anti-sports, and to remind us that sports and winning are never more important than people.

Hatteras Girl by Alice Wisler

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHatteras GirlBethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2010)byAlice Wisler



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the country in jobs that minister to people. Alice was raised in Japan and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina.



Facts about Alice

* Born in Osaka, Japan and lived in Japan for 18 years

* Went to Kyoto International School and Canadian Academy

* Majored in Social Work and graduated in 1983 from Eastern Mennonite University

* Worked at a group home for disadvantaged kids outside of Philadelphia

* Taught English and Culture Orientation at a refugee camp in the Philippines

* Taught English as a Second Language in Japan

* Speaks and teaches on Writing the Heartache

* Has three kids on earth, and one in Heaven

* Recently got married to Carl on 2/7/09



ABOUT THE BOOK

There are two things twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan asks God for: an honest, wonderful man to marry, and to own a bed-and-breakfast in the Outer Banks region. In the meantime, Jackie works for Lighthouse Views magazine, writing articles about other local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.



There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: the Bailey Place, a fabulous old home where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons, a place that has now fallen into disrepair because of its outrageous price tag.



When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey Place, Jackie is sure God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to question her own motivation. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Hatteras Girl, go HERE.

Giveaway

Still a couple of more days to enter to win a cool Christms book here.

Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef

Book description:

Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence, and embraced instead the teachings of another famous Middle East leader. In Son of Hamas, Mosab Yousef—now called “Joseph”—reveals new information about the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization and unveils the truth about his own role, his agonizing separation from family and homeland, the dangerous decision to make his newfound faith public, and his belief that the Christian mandate to “love your enemies” is the only way to peace in the Middle East.

 

My review:

I honestly cannot remember reading a more interesting and gripping non-fiction book. This one gets my "read-in-one-sitting" status, for that is exactly what I did. The story is well written, and is a fascinating tale. I learned a lot about Islam, the Hamas, the conflict between Isreal and the Palestinians, and a lot more.

 

The most amazing part of the story is not that Mosab became an agent working with the Isrealis against Hamas, an organization his own father helped to start, but that in spite of his strict Islamic upbringing, that God reached down and changed him from a son of Hamas to a follower of Jesus Christ.

 

Though my normal genre' is Christian fiction, and my favorite is suspense/mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it. It will be worth your time.

 

About the author:

Mosab Hassan Yousef was born in Ramallah, in the Palestinian West Bank, in 1978. His father, Sheikh Hassan Yousef, is a founding leader of Hamas, internationally recognized as a terrorist organization and responsible for countless suicide bombings and other deadly attacks against Israel. Yousef was an integral part of the movement, for which he was imprisoned several times by the Shin Bet, the Israeli intelligence service. He withstood torture in prison only to discover Hamas was torturing its own people in a relentless search for collaborators. He began to question who his enemies really were—Israel? Hamas? America?

While in an Israeli prison, Yousef was approached about becoming a spy for the Shin Bet. Initially, Yousef accepted the offer with the idea that he would betray them, and in hopes he could use the role to protect his father and family. Later, as Yousef saw the hypocrisy within Hamas and became a Christian, he used the position to save lives on both sides of the conflict. Yousef worked as a double agent within Hamas for nearly 10 years. He became a vital intelligence asset for the Israeli government while serving side-by-side with his father within the upper ranks of Hamas. After a chance encounter with a British tourist, Yousef started a six-year quest that jeopardized Hamas, endangered his family, and threatened his life. He has since embraced the Christian faith and sought political asylum in America. His story was revealed in the 2008 Fox News documentary "Escape from Hamas."

Yousef 's first book, Son of Hamas, written with Ron Brackin (SaltRiver), released March 2, 2010. In Son of Hamas, Yousef reveals new information about this dangerous terrorist organization and unveils the truth behind his own secret role. He describes his surreal journey to a new faith that instructed him to love his enemies. And he tells the story of the agonizing decisions that led him to walk away from his family, friends, and homeland. For blog updates from Yousef, visit http://www.sonofhamas.com/.

Son of Hamas is available from Saltriver Publishing, an imprint of Tyndale Publishing.

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.

NaBloPoMo #10... RAOK

A couple of weeks ago, my church had a week of special services. On Saturday night of that meeting, my parents went to church and found a clear gift type bag addressed to me and containing the following: A bottled water, a candy bar, a small package of chocolate covered pretzels, and a sample size of Alieve(sp?). I have no idea who gave it to me, but I really appreciated the gesture, and the contents, though I haven't taken the pills yet.

The RAOK in my blog post title stands for "random acts of kindness", by the way, which my bag of goodies falls under. What if we all practiced RAOK? And often. It doesn't have to be big items....

My church does the "secret sister", aka "sisters of encouragement" thing for the women, but we guys are forgotten - I call us the "brothers of discouragement". Hmm, maybe that is why I got that stuff... because of my comments. :-) Admittedly, the RAOK might not have an effect on the ladies of the church since they already get nice things from their secret sister... although one could stick a note on the gift saying it is a RAOK, and not a secret sister gift........

Speaking of secret sisters, to be in this esteemed and exclusive group, one has to fill out a paper that asks for hobbies, favorite colors, music, etc to give the other person an idea of what to buy. I took one last year and filled it out. Not for me, but for Sarah Palin. For favorite hobbies, I put "moose hunting." My pastor's wife somehow knew I did it. I have a reputation. :-)

Only God knows what our fellow church members are dealing with. Only He knows how many of them feel discouraged, invisible, forgotten, on the verge of leaving the church..... or God. A small gift may not cure all, but who knows the good it can do.

And people remember this kind of stuff. I can still remember about 20 years ago getting a RAOK while in Bible College. I found a note in my mailbox that I had a package in the office. I opened it to find a Garfield mug that had my name on it and was filled with peppermints. How cool, I love Garfield, and whoever gave it to me knew that. They must not have known me too well or it would have been chocolate in the mug instead of peppermints.... ;-)

Anyway - I still have that mug, and that memory. I never found out who gave it to me, but it made my day.

Another RAOK done for me..... a few years ago, I spoke in church, and somehow ended up mentioning my Ipod, and how I listened to it at work. A week later, I found an envelope on the table in the church foyer with my name on it. Inside was a $10 Itunes gift card. Very cool - I used that fast.

When we do get a RAOK done to us, we then need to do something I read about. Pass it on. Oh, not the gift we received, but something else. Anonymously. That makes it more fun.

This is not a blanket statement, but all too often, we like to have it known when we do a RAOK - I don't mean telling the world, but we want the person receiving the RAOK to know it was us - and that is human, but somehow, I believe we would get a bigger blessing out of doing it anonymously. Try it.

NaBloPoMo Day #9... Christmas CDs, the bad and ugly

I covered my favorite Christmas CDs, now time for my least favorites. Ever hear an awesome song, run out and by the CD, only to find the rest of the CD is not so awesome? That has happened to me with some Christmas CDs. Unlike my favorite CDs, these do not warrant the bother of pictures. And again, in no particular order...

Hey Santa by Wendy and Carnie Wilson - I love the title song. Not sure why, as I am not a big fan of Santa...... Anyway, I bought the CD - cheap, fortunately, for the rest of the CD was.... boring. I didn't think they sang the songs well, and it was a letdown from the title song. I sold it on ebay.

Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey - I absolutely love the song from this CD, All I Want for Christmas Is You. And again, I bought the CD and yuk! Double yuk... I gave the CD away, hated it too much to sell it. :-)

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee - No one - and I mean no one - can sing this song like Brenda Lee. Yes, there are other great versions of the song, but she tops them all. A true classic. And the rest of her Christmas CD is classic.... classic horrid - awful CD. Not sure what I did with it after I bought it, but I listened to it once. The title song remains on my Ipod though.

Home for Christmas by Dolly Parton - I love Dolly's singing, and love the Christmas CD she did with Kenny Rogers. I was however, disappointed with this CD. It isn't bad, it just bored me. She needs to do a new one with newer, more lively arrangments. She released a single new song last Christmas - Coming Home for Christmas that I really love. But I didn't keep the Home for Christmas CD.

A Greater Vision Christmas by Greater Vision - These guys do a great job on "Cherish That Name", but overall, the CD was a disappointment to me. With a marvelous song writer in their group, Rodney Griffin, I was hoping for some new Christmas songs, but they were all classics, and it bored me. They have a new CD out this year that looks more promising.

Christmas by Jason Crabb - I did not buy this CD - thank God for the modern technology we have of being able to preview CDs before you buy them. I almost bought it until I listened to it. I like Jason's voice, but am not impressed with the CD, so I will not be buying it.

The Promise by Michael Card - I am not a fan of Michael Card. I like his voice, but not his style. His Christmas CD looked good, so I bought it. I liked 2 songs on it - Immanuel - an awesome song - and We Will Find Him. The rest of the CD.... no thanks.

Yuletide Joy by Sandi Patty - I like Sandi Patty's voice, and loved her Christmas CD, The Gift Goes On. This CD looked promising.... but I hated it. Especially her Jingle Bells rendition. I about shudder at the thoughts. This one went on ebay so fast it would have made heads spin.

Breath of Heaven by Vince Gill - His first Christmas CD was tops, but this one - not so much. It isn't a terrible CD, but was just disappointing. And why, oh why did he record "Breath of Heaven"... aka "Mary's Song"? That makes as much sense as Dolly Parton singing "He's Alive". "Breath of Heaven" is supposed to be Mary talking - I seriously doubt Vince Gill has ever been pregnant.... though he does have a very high voice....

I am sure there have been others, but these stick in my mind. Any you would add to the list?

Grace by Shelley Shephard Gray

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingGraceAvon Inspire; Original edition (October 26, 2010)byShelley Shepard Gray





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.







ABOUT THE BOOK

It's Christmastime at the Brenneman Bed & Breakfast, and everyone is excited about closing down for the holiday.



Anna and Henry will be celebrating their first Christmas as a married couple, and for Katie and Jonathan Lundy, it's their first Christmas with baby Stefan. Winnie and Samuel Miller plan to stop by as well for a wonderful two weeks of family and rest.



But when two unexpected visitors show up, hoping to stay for Christmas, the family must test their commitment to hospitality. Levi is a widower who lost his wife four years ago and can't bear the thought of another Christmas alone. And Melody is a young pregnant woman who won't open up about how she ended up on her own at Christmas at almost nine months pregnant.



Anna, who knows a thing or two about keeping secrets, doesn't trust her, and strives to find out the truth about these two strangers who have disrupted their holiday. But as the Christmas spirit descends on them all, as well as snow that traps them in the inn, a healing and hopefulness takes over, allowing new relationships to be built, and the boundaries of family to be extended.



If you'd like to read the first chapter of Grace, go HERE.

NaBloPoMo Day #8... Priorities

OK, I've done some light posts, it is time for one of my rants... on priorities. And yeah, I need some work in that area, not saying my priorities are all lined up perfectly. They aren't.

What led to this post was a comment I made on facebook, and some replies I got. I commented that it bothers me to see people who cannot kneel for prayer, yet they go engage in physical activities that are harder on you than kneeling. i.e. volleyball, softball, etc - I see it. At my church. Now, I am honestly not picking on people who do not kneel. I give them the benefit of the doubt - old age, pregnancy, bad knees, etc... but... this may be judging, but so what... if their condition is so bad that they can't kneel in church, then how on earth can they jump around playing sports? And they do. Seems they could change their priorities a bit - and yes, you can pray in any position.

Next up... arriving late. This one really gets me. Everyone is late occasionally, but many Christians are consistently late for church. It starts at the same time every week... what is the problem? These same people manage to make it on time for work, or even a party or invitation to supper - though not always - so what is the deal?

If you follow my blog much and know anything at all about where I am right now, you will know I need tons of help, and there is oh so much room for improvement. I know that - I admit it, but isn't being a Christian all about making God top priority? My examples may seem trivial, but there are other areas. My own personal one has been reading. When I am "normal" and depression isn't robbing me of the desire to read, I have battled the desire to read over prayer and reading my Bible - I have always struggled with priorities in that area.

Spending is another biggie. It is so much more fun to buy "stuff" than it is to put money into the offering.

Priorities.

Sure, God isn't going to send us to hell for being late to church. Good thing, or a lot of my church would be headed there....... but really, are our priorities where they need to be? I think most of us can use some work in that area. I know I can... how about you?