Book Review: The Logic of God by Ravi Zacharias

Good morning!! Hope this day finds you well. I was given this great book by Ravi Zacharias to read and review. I found that you really need a ”knife and fork” to really appreciate the gems contained within this book. You could use it a couple of different ways. You could read it as a daily devotion and it will take you fifty-two days to get through. You could use it as a weekly devotional in addition to one that you are currently reading. Then focus on the one reading for the week and the verse from the beginning. You also have the reflection questions and personal application questions that you can focus on during the week and really spend the time with God in answering these. I found many of them deep and penetrating to my own soul that I needed time to reflect on them. I would recommend this as a gift for anyone also for your own personal library. 

There was a part that I really appreciated. I would like to share with you. ”G.K. Chesterton said it well:” We do not really want a religion that is right where we are right. What we want is a religion that is right where we are wrong.” Only the Word of God provides that corrective. The warning comes to both skeptic and believer alike. You see, God corrects us not because of appearances but because of His character. Goodness points us not to theory but to the purpose of life.” This I appreciated as I mentioned. The reason is that where the quote says ”we want a religion that is right where we are wrong” I liked this because it is holding us accountable for our wrongs. 

Grace & Peace,

A Special Theater Card Given to a Special Friend

Good Afternoon Everyone!! I hope everyone is having a great day! I have had a great, but hard day today. We won't go into great details on that. I began my day, as usual, up early and getting the family ready for their day. Busy getting everyone sent off where they needed to be. I then later left for my physical therapy appointment. I look forward to them as I know they're there to help and get me back up and doing what I love to do. This day was a little different as I had to say goodbye to my physical therapist whom I really appreciate, Derek Powell. I made this card for him as he was leaving the physical therapy place where he had practiced to bigger adventures in the theater. He and his friends began a theater locally here where we live. I wanted to wish him well in his new adventure that he do well. It was great getting to know him and do hope to keep in touch. He does like some of the same things I do. Things such as walking in the cemetery. I know most people find this uncomfortable amongst other feelings. I, however, find it peaceful, soothing, a place to think, a place to walk, a place to write. Not many know about my table and chairs out back that they can use and sit at just to relax, think, and write.

Now let me give you the details of the card and the supplies I used in designing and making this card. I used Cricut Design Space for my platform in the designing and then cutting this card. 

Supplies:

8.5x11 Cardstock in Ivory

8.5x11 Cardstock in Black

8.5x11 Cardstock in Sage

8.5x11 Cardstock in Red

ATG Gun with adhesive

Pop dots for 3D effect

Details: 

Card size: 8.5x5.5

Rose Bud: 2.3x2.8

Piano Keyboard:4.2x2.3 

Phantom Mask:2.5x2.4

Once these dimensions were laid and things were cut this was the layout that I desired. I wanted the mask to appear that it was on a face when placed on the card. Working with this and getting it right for that appearance took some great time in doing, but I really like the final cut.  

I will close this out with a note to Derek. Thank you for all that you have done to help in my physical therapy needs with my right elbow. I will be back at the piano soon enough and playing those concert piano transcripts. Thank you for taking the time with me, for caring about what was needed for me to get better. Thanks for the chats when we could. I hope that someday you get to the 1,000 islands and see just what I mean about it being heaven on earth. It's a great getaway place to go. I hope also you get to Singer Castle in Chippewa Bay, New York and get to stay over in the castle. It's a great place. Enjoy exploring the secret passages, lol. I hope that I was an encouragement to you as you were to me. Maybe we will get that walk in the cemetery here. I will let you know the status of my book if it gets published. I do hope it does. Thank you again, my friend!

Grace & Peace,

Always Near by Robert J Morgan Book Review

Here I am with another book for review. Seems that's what I am doing lately. I do have some cards I am in the works of making. I will post them when I am able to. I have to say that when I saw this book I had to get it right away. I really love Robert Morgan's books. I get so much out of them and they're ones that you read and read again. A passage in here caught my attention where it referred to Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." If you notice in this verse that there are two Do Nots, Do not fear. Do not be dismayed. Two I AMs, I am with you, I am your God. Three I wills, I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. I read the verse again and added my name to make it more personal. I find when I do that in my personal time with God that I draw closer to Him and have a better understanding of certain passages. I recommend this book for a friend a family member or even yourself. I know this will be a great piece for my library, but I have decided that a friend needs the book more than I do right now. I will be sending it on to him. 

Grace & Peace,

Dr David Jeremiah’s Book of Signs Review

Book Description:

“The end times.” “The apocalypse.” “The day of judgment.” Terms such as these are both fascinating and frightening for any student of God’s Word. They point to key questions people have wrestled with for centuries, including:

• What does the Bible tell us about the future?
• How much can we understand biblical prophecy and its application in our lives?
• What signs and signals will precede the end of everything as we know it?
• Which of those signs and signals has already come to pass, which are we experiencing now, and which are still to come?

In this landmark collection, bestselling author Dr. David Jeremiah offers answers to these questions and much more. Drawing from decades of experience as one of the world’s most respected Bible teachers, Dr. Jeremiah has updated content from previously published works in addition to writing new material on a wide variety of subjects.

The result is a truly epic and authoritative guide to biblical prophecy—a must-have resource for Christians seeking to navigate the uncertainties of the present and embrace God’s promises for the future.

About the Author

David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point, an international ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching through radio and television, the Internet, live events, and resource materials and books. He is the author of more than fifty books, including Is This the End?, The Spiritual Warfare Answer Book, David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions, and Airship Genesis Kids Study Bible. Dr. Jeremiah serves as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, California, where he resides with his wife, Donna. They have four grown children and twelve grandchildren.

I have found that many of his books are very interesting, informative and have caused me to dig even deeper into the Word of God. What I really liked about this book is that it was very on to what to expect, what is going on currently in this world and also coming ahead. I have read other commentaries on the book of Revelation and none have compared to this book of Dr. David Jeremiah's. He made the book very understandable and easy to read. Also, I really liked how he laid out the timeline of the rapture and the second coming of Christ. He removed any confusion that was there. I highly recommend this book to anyone to read. I have already been asked to lend it out to family and friends. It will be cycling around through them and I will keep it for my library for future reference or requests from others to read. 

Grace & Peace,

The Wiersbe Study Bible Review

Good morning Everyone!! I wanted to share with you this great resource. I have been enjoying this study Bible. I have a bone disease that limits my hands from lifting heavy things at times. Rather than risking fractures I chose this in ebooks form. I love it because now I have it on the go wherever I go no matter where or what I am doing I always have God’s Word right there with me at all times. The extras as the maps are gloriously done, very detailed. The charts, the preaching outlines while I am not a Pastor they’d be a nice help maybe if you were to give to a Pastor. The concordance and catalyst notes is another great resource. I found there were many different questions and they were answered with scripture. I know many may think a Bible is a Bible, but my Bible is my life. I highly recommend this Bible to friends and family. Thanks for reading. 

Free Clothing Giveaway

I wanted to share this picture of our clothing giveaway at our church. Kirkville Community Wesleyan Church. We will have a giveaway on February 28th from 5pm-7pm. Then March 2nd from 10am-12pm. Come on out and see what’s available for you. We have many different sizes. Thanks for looking. We are located 7691 Bridgeport Kirkville Rd, Kirkville, Ny 13082. 

Grace & Peace,

Taste and See Book Review

The book opens to speak on hospitality and friendships being grown. How just a simple invitation, open door can be an opportunity that blesses you more than you realize. Especially when you may be grumbling on the inside. You leave satiated in belly and heart. God is intentional in each visit - each gathering. He uses these times to uncover a deep need and satiate a deep hunger. Where God could meet us and fill our hearts. God isn’t waiting for one particular season in the distant future to yield fruitfulness in our lives. He’s working throughout every season and every harvesting cycle. I enjoyed trying the different recipes within the book as well. Jesus tells his disciples and us today: We are agents of preserving. God has placed us in this culture, in this time, in this moment, in this slice of history, to preserve the ways, the teachings, the life, the power, the presence of Christ. This book made me feel like I wanted to have friends and others over so that we could connect, talk, eat together, build friendships with one another. 

Charlie Daniels Let's All Make The Day Count

Book Description

Beloved American icon and Grammy Award-winning musician Charlie Daniels shares wit, wisdom, and life lessons he has learned from traveling and playing across the country.

Let's All Make the Day Count imparts Charlie’s positive attitude, timeless insight, and powerful spirit, and it will encourage and inspire you to make your day count.

Learn how you can make your day count from the encouraging and inspiring Charlie Daniels. Charlie has written a song for Elvis, played on a Bob Dylan album, toured the country for decades, and delighted fans around the world with his fiddle playing and signature hit song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." More important, he’s dedicated his life to helping others, including children, troubled teens, and veterans.

Join Charlie as he shares many of the things he has learned over the years and be encouraged and empowered by his new book, Let's All Make the Day Count. The book includes 100 readings with Bible verses and clever and pithy "Let's All Make the Day Count" statements. Charlie will inspire you with his positive attitude, timeless wisdom, and powerful spirit.

Let's All Make the Day Count imparts Charlie’s positive attitude, timeless insight, and powerful spirit, and it will encourage and inspire you to make your day count.

Book Review

I must say when I saw this it drew me in and with the description, I was definitely hooked. I heard a lot of Charlie Daniel's music growing up in my house. When I saw his book I knew it was something I had to give to our family. I did just that in giving the book to my Dad for Christmas. I also found a bit from his book about our attitude. I will share that excerpt from the book. "I know, of course, things will happen that are beyond our control, but so much of our lives are within our own ability to affect. What we do with our God-given talent, how we face the problems we are confronted with, and how we choose to view each new day is up to us. Is it just another twenty-four-hour period? Or is it another opportunity, another chance to move forward--a reason to rejoice?" I really liked this because we can sulk in what's going on or we can choose to change the attitude and move forward and enjoy the day and our lives. I think of the God-given talents that I have, some like what I do and others have discouragement that they always give me about what I do. They see what's wrong with what I do, they see the waste of time according to them. I will say this is a great treasure to have and a great book to give as a gift.

Grace & Peace,

Overcomer by Dr David Jeremiah book review

I must say that this has been a great book to review. The opinions I will give are my own. A point that was brought out was about getting quiet before the Lord. How many times have you sat down to spend time with the Lord and have the music playing maybe the TV is on or just noise around you? I have and the time isn’t as quality time as it can be. When I get quiet and I begin then it’s as though the Lord adds His own way of keeping us focused that we think of or maybe hear music and continue to be focused. There were so many other things that jumped at me. When he spoke about David and Goliath. You really saw the sides of each of them. Goliath was more of size, shout, and sight. David was more of conviction, confidence and courage. You can see immediately between the two which you’d want to be. I would rather the heart of David, heart of conviction to keep me focused on the Lord, heart of confidence that I can do as the Lord has called me to do. The courage to not doubt, but to remain in Him and focused on what He has called me to do. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Leah 

Let the fun roll...Book Review : Simple Joys by Candace Payne

Hi Everyone!! I just want to take a quick moment of your time with this book review. I received Simple Joys by Candace Payne. I was not familiar with her, then when I looked up "Chewbacca Mom" and the video that I saw with it oh my goodness my sides split. I was laughing out loud over the video. I dug into the book after watching the video and was very blessed with what I read and also appreciated the thought-provoking questions that Candace put there with journalling space so that we could respond to them was great. I also want to ask have you ever struggled with discontent? Have you been overwhelmed and struggled with being happy? I know at times I have been overwhelmed and struggled with putting that smile on so that no one around me knew I was overwhelmed or struggling. When I change the perspective and find the simple joys, the time of overcoming something that seemed maybe impossible or that I wouldn't. I think of how I felt when I did. Being able to smile, face the next day with a smile, face the days with laughter just really changes your perspective. After reading Candace's book it reminded me again to keep looking for the joy, the simple joy in things around me. I would recommend this book as a gift or one to add to your own personal library.

Grace & Peace,

Unshakable Hope Promise Book by Max Lucado

Hi Everyone!!! I just wanted to take the time to share this review with all of you. I have been looking for a book for my teen son-something to help him to grow. I prayed about it and this came available. We jumped in and we were blessed. I enjoyed the questions posed at the end of the short readings. My son said he didn’t always enjoy them because they really made him think and some were hard for him. I am thankful for that as a parent. Not that they were hard for him, but that they challenged him. I will be sharing the book with our youth pastor and let him decide if he wants to bring it to the youth. I would encourage you to get this for your teen. I’m glad we have this resource available. Thanks for stopping by.

 Grace & Peace,

Once Upon A Farm by Rory Feek

Book Description:

Now raising their four-year-old daughter, Indiana, alone, after Joey’s passing, Rory Feek digs deeper into the soil of his life and the unusual choices he and his wife, Joey, made together and the ones he’s making now to lead his family into the future.

When Rory Feek and his older daughters moved into a run-down farmhouse almost twenty years ago, he had no idea of the almost fairy-tale love story that was going to unfold on that small piece of Tennessee land . . . and the lessons he and his family would learn along the way.

Now two years after Joey’s passing, as Rory takes their four-year-old daughter Indiana’s hand and walks forward into an unknown future, he takes readers on his incredible journey from heartbreak to hope and, ultimately, the kind of healing that comes only through faith.

A raw and vulnerable look deeper into Rory’s heart, Once Upon a Farm is filled with powerful stories of love, life, and hope and the insights that one extraordinary, ordinary man in bib overalls has gleamed along the way.

As opposed to homesteading, this is instead a book on lifesteading as Rory learns to cultivate faith, love, and fatherhood on a small farm while doing everything, at times, but farming. With frequent stories of his and Joey’s years together, and how those guide his life today, Rory unpacks just what it means to be open to new experiences.

“This isn’t a how-to book; it’s more of a how we, or more accurately, how He, God, planted us on a few acres of land and grew something bigger than Joey or I could have ever imagined.”

My Thoughts:

This book is a heartfelt story written about Rory and Joey and their relationship. The heartache that Rory felt after Joey's passing. Now he is raising their four-year-old daughter Indiana. I will tell you this with the stories you will read in this book will make you laugh, you will be excited, cheer, you'll cry so make sure you have that tissue, well, the box of tissues nearby. You will need them. I was lead to this one because I do know Rory and Joey's story so when I saw this I had to read it. This will remain in my library of books and will be passed around to others to read as well. I appreciated Rory's unflinching honesty and willingness to share his life in these pages. This is a book I will pick up again and read. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will pick up a copy for yourself. 

Once Upon a Farm by Rory Feek

Grace & Peace,

Horse Sympathy

Good Morning, Everyone! I hope you're having a great morning. I know my morning is going well so far. I have been thinking of what I want to make today. I will post some posts that should have been up long before now so I can catch Y'all up on what I have been doing. 

A dear friend of mine had lost a friend of hers and expressed that she had a love for horses. She asked if I could incorporate a horse into the sympathy card. This is something that I haven't done before. I didn't know how I was going to do this exactly. I started looking for horses and silhouettes of them. I found these two then couldn't decide which one I liked better. I showed my friend and she liked them both so she took both cards.

Grace & Peace,

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 33:22

I love this verse. There's so much in the content of this verse. I may share some more verses of the day here.  Thanks for stopping by.

Grace & Peace,

Why just send a letter...send the mailbox

Good Evening my crafty friends!! Hope you’re having a great weekend. My weekend has been going quite well I might add. I’ve had some great time with my hubby and son. I was also able to get these mailboxes made. I will be mailing one, delivering one, and hand delivering another.

There were quite a number of pieces to these to put together, but boy were they fun. I love how they turned out. The finished size of the mailbox is 6.25″H X 4″W X 2.75″ D. The envelope was perfect fit for the mailbox. 

Card Supply List:

2 Sheets White Cardstock 12x12

1 Sheet Lime Green Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Bubblegum Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Lipgloss Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Blossom Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Grapefruit Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Orchid Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Cabbage Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Spinach Cardstock 8.5x11

1 Sheet Gold Foil Paper 8.5x11

1 Sheet Blue Patterned Paper 12x12

1 Sheet Patterned Paper 12x12

Embellishments as desired 

Red Line Tape

ATG Gun and adhesive

Tombow Glue

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great night everyone!!  

Grace & Peace,

Anne Graham Lotz The Daniel Key Book Review

 Good Morning Everyone! I wanted to bring you the review of this book by Anne Graham Lotz, The Daniel Key. When I read this I felt that it would be very similar to a book I read by Robert J Morgan. I found that to be correct in ways. Daniel was honored by God, protected and trusted. His faith did not waiver from those who were against him, serving new kings in power, or even confronting hungry lions. How can you have the kind of faith Daniel had? Daniel made 20 key choices in his life. Those choices took him down a path to a closer relationship with the Lord. Also godly living to all around him. Daniel's choices can be our choices. There was a story that struck me in a powerful way. The story was about crossing Niagara Falls. Oh, this is a mighty trek for sure. However, this had a different plot twist to it. The tight rope walker made it across the falls. He then was going to attempt to push a wheelbarrow across. He asked do you think I can do that? The crowd cheered him on with great confidence that he could do it. Then the tight rope walker asked if anyone would volunteer to ride in the wheelbarrow across the falls. There were none. The tight rope walker explained that faith is more than just words. Faith is action. How quick are you going to show and act on your faith-or are you just going to be one of words? I will be one with faith in action. 

Grace & Peace,

The Better Mom Book Review

I was given this book for review, my opinions are my own.  They are not at all influenced by the company that provided the book. I am a Mom of a special needs child and love every moment with him. This book speaks on grace, it's not just about what we are doing; it is about what God is doing in us. It is who God is inviting us to become in the process. Mothering is messy. Our joy and hope in raising children does not change the reality that being a Mom can be frustrating, stressful, and tiring.  Just as God is using us to shape our children, God is using our children and motherhood to change us. I found this very encouraging. The work of motherhood is a high calling. It is full of goodness, adventure, fun, hard work, and sacrifice. At times even overwhelming. 

I found in reading this there were many nuggets to pull from here and apply to my life with our son and in our family. I found that in doing that our son has opened more and also we are closer as a family for applying more things like this. I would recommend this book for a small group for moms. 

Grace & Peace,

Have Dog Will Travel by Stephen Kuusisto

 Good Morning Everyone!! Hope you’re having a great start to your day. I have been reading this book off and on as I have been dealing with some medical issues that prevented me from reading when I wanted to. Seemed as though when the book would hook me and I couldn’t get to the next page fast enough that’s when I couldn’t read it. I can tell you this is a great book. I highly recommend the book. This book has made me cry at points, laugh out loud and even say “ouch!” at times in the book as well. This really tells of Stephen’s journey through life with him being born blind and learning to navigate in a seeing world. When he meets his beloved seeing eye dog Corky - you just fall in love with Corky. You learn of how demanding of training that Corky had to go through to be with Stephen and how they had to learn to work together as a team. I saw Stephen on our local channel promoting his book and saw his new companion Caitlin. She’s beautiful! I must say I have had the pleasure in meeting Stephen’s wife and enjoy her friendship. I hope to soon meet Stephen and Caitlin in person. This book is a great read, while it will tug at your emotions throughout the book - I recommend purchasing a copy of your own. I will be getting another copy to give as a gift. Thanks for stopping by. 

Grace & Peace,

NKJV Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible Review

I must say that this Bible is definitely packed with so much great information and illustrations that studying the Word is more fun. You get on chases that take you so deep in the Word you don’t realize how much time has passed and you come away within so much more knowledge than you had at the beginning of your study. I really enjoyed the genealogy timeline for clarification on the relationships and who was part of which family. I liked the timeline of events as well as it kept things in order for me. I also liked the pictures of things in there to tell you about them and inform you when they were used. I enjoy using this Bible with my study times and reading with friends and family. I would definitely get this for a gift for someone. The quality is there with the Bible.

Grace & Peace,

Stronger Than The Struggle Book Review

Good Afternoon Everyone! Hope you're having a great day. I have yet another book review for you.  This book was given to me to review the opinions are my own. I chose this book to review because I was reading a series of books that fell into this topic and thought I could pull some gems from it which I was indeed able to. This book left me refreshed. It was just what I needed. The book left me with inspiration, laughter and practical advice that I could apply to my life. I know it changed my perspective on faith. I am stronger in faith. I have fought many battles with my bone disease and thought at times this was the end, but God showed me it wasn't and friends placing certain books in my hands also helped me along this tough journey. I was so blessed to be able to review this book as well. This book also helped me and gave the tools to go to battle. Even though the war has already been won we still have to fight daily. I love books that are hard to put down and this was one of those books. I will read it again. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Grace & Peace,