My Place of Grace

Hi every body! Just mulling over all of the wonderful books I've read over this past year, from some very talented and profound Christian authors. I thought I'd like to share them with you and encourage them in their ministry of spreading Gods word through their writing. As someone who loves to be swept away in a good book, I want to suggest that you acquire one of these great books, brew yourself a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and settle down for a treat! Here is the list of books that I highly recommend as absolute must reads! 1. The Bible 2. The Uncommon Woman by Susie Larson (non-fiction) 3. Embracing Your Freedom by Susie Larson (non-fiction) 4. Lord I Just Want To Be Happy by Leslie Vernick (non-fiction) 5. Thin Places by Mary DeMuth (non-fiction) 6. Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary DeMuth (fiction) 7. Wishing on Dandelions by Mary DeMuth (fiction) 8. Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth (fiction) 9. A Slow Burn by Mary DeMuth (fiction) 10. Thicker than Blood by CJ Darli

The last post I wrote was entitled "Don't Hold Back" It was basically about being afraid to give your all for God. Well, since I wrote that post I had an experience with my good friend when we met for lunch. This is a simple story, but I am telling it to make a point. This post also deals with fear. Not the holding back kind of fear, but the leaving your comfort zone kind of fear. Why is it that 2 grown women fear walking into a crowded restaurant? Oh, we walked in(to the lobby) where we both looked at each other and as if we could read each others minds we turned around and walked out. At that time we both had to laugh at our insecurity. But the reality is...there is something in us holding us captive. It's the F word (fear) I know it is...and now I am determined that the next time we meet for lunch that we are going to conquer our fear no matter what! I know this sounds really silly...but how many times during the course of our lives do we let these fearful insecuri

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:7,8 We are often times, throughout our life, ruled by fear. Fear that we won't have enough; enough time, enough money, enough energy, enough food, enough patience, etc...and this fear of not having enough, really tends to hold us back from doing the things we want to do, and the things God wants us to do. This verse in 2 Corinthians, tells us that we don't have to give in to our fear. If we believe God's word as truth, we must push past our fears and trust God. Here's a breakdown of this freeing verse: This verse tells us that God loves a cheerful giver...not a fearful giver! So when we are presented with an opportunity to give, whether it be money, time, food, talent

TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents: Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington Published by Tyndale House Winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest! Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late? To my blog readers...Every now and then I like to take time to read, it stretches my imagination and thinking, taking me to places and situations that I would nor

I am very much like the prodigal son, in that God, my Father saw me, while I was yet far off. He saw me there and He dropped what He was doing, ran to me, wrapped His arms around me and welcomed me with such undeserved joy and celebration...His unconditional love and compassion for me tore at my heart, at that moment i knew, there was NOTHING that could ever separate me from my Fathers love. God works it all out for good when we accept the gift of His unconditional and compassionate love and grace, receiving it even though we don't deserve it. The realization of this lavish love melts the pride in our hearts causing humble repentance. When we can see our brokenness and helplessness and complete need for God, then He can bring us to the place of restoration that He so desires for each one of us. Putting Him first and loving Him most becomes then, something we really want to do rather than something we feel we have to do. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, whoever

What are the enemies that threaten our life, our well being? Enemies can be defined as anything trying to destroy us, or in the spiritual sense, anything that hinders our relationship with God. Whether your enemies are of the human nature, or those of more subtle varieties, such as fear, shame, pride, guilt, self indulgence, self hatred and a myriad of others that infiltrate our land and try to steal out joy, we have a most powerful God waiting for us to trust Him and he will take them out! Read this chapter in 2 Samuel twice through. The first time as it is and the second time make it personal to you by replacing any reference to enemies with what ever enemy you are facing in your life right now. God's word is truth. Will we believe it? If so, we have access to it's power to use in overcoming our enemies that try to keep us bound to this world. Let us, as David did, praise God for the things He has done and is going to do in our lives! Blessed be the name of the Lord! 2 Samue

The Covering Snow flakes falling from the sky Knitting a blanket of white. Gently covering the world. Silently in the night In the stillness of it's aftermath As the sun begins to rise A beautiful glistening bed is revealed Before our very eyes. I wonder if God's reminding us As He gently tucks us in. Under the blanket so pure and white, How He also covers sin? It's an awesome revelation That no matter where we are, He invites us to this covering Of each sin's dirty scar. We just need to accept it, Believe God's Word is so... Allow Him in to do the work Like He blankets us with snow. Thank You Jesus!