Stood in Times Square and prayed out loud to God my Father over the noise of cars and people. Amazing they pointed to my North Carolina shirt. I introduced myself and told them we did shoe boxes, about Ken and Marilyn working with Billy Graham ministry, and it went from there. She Lejla was 11 - her brothers were at war - family trying to survive cold winter and war. She had no shoes- food scarce; she decided to take her life.
Went to school thinking about how to do it. Saw a white truck backed up to school door. All students called to auditorium. Samaritan Purse people passed out shoe boxes. She opened hers and had a pair of shoes. She knew God heard her prayers and wanted to live not die and become a worker with Samaritan Purse when she grew up. They asked me to be in the filming for S.
It happened so fast. News crew told us what to do and for 3 minutes we were live on GMA sharing about a ministry based in my home state that helps people all over the world - met woman who works for S. Purse -she received a shoebox in Bosnia when 11 yrs. She walked to school barefoot in snow and got a miracle in her shoe box: Exchanged phone numbers - hugs - prayer in Times Square.
On the same journal page, I wrote: Writing about a trip to New York, Samaritan Shoe Boxes, and what God is waiting on us to do for a story supposed to honor mothers makes no sense. Mothers train up their children in the way they should go, instilling courage, work ethic, joy, peace, love and pushing them to step in faith to each new season of life. I never faced war in my hometown, hunger with no food, or a day without shoes while growing up in a close knit family where blessings flowed greater than we could even imagine.
What then is God waiting for us to do? God is waiting, watching, and working miracles among us as we rush through life giving Him leftovers instead of our best! May you be moved to show gratitude to God for blessings beyond measure and make time to remember your mother whether here or in heaven How do you dine? Enjoying dining with deep appreciation was instilled at an early age in our home.
Mother was a master cook who made family mealtime delicious in many ways. The dining experience mother and daddy modeled fed our souls and kept us closely connected to the Lord and one another through seasons of sunshine and sorrow. Every morning, my brother, two sisters, and I gathered at the table with mama scrambling to feed her family before we would head to school and daddy would open our country store. Visions of daddy giving himself a shot for diabetes - before enjoying scrambled eggs and sausage, country ham with fried eggs and grits, or stacks of pancakes that disappeared quickly - impacted his little girl who thought he could walk on water - even with two prosthesis.
Daddy never grumbled during his daily routine of injecting sharp needles into his freckled skin and pulling on and buckling up his man made legs. His only complaints came when mama pulled the jar of homemade grape jelly from his reach. Did we always dine together? Closing our country store for nightly and Saturday meals was never an option, so mother put a plan in place and we handled meal shifts with ease.
When my older sister left for college, her empty seat made mama cry. One by one, we left home to start our own family traditions at mealtime. How I dine is different, but I am not alone. Memories of mealtimes through the years serve huge portions of peace and joy that satisfy my hungry heart.
The best gifts my family give are opened around our dining room table. I love cooking big meals complete with casseroles and welcoming my blended family home where dining together blesses my heart. The love and laughter around the table grows greater each time we come together to share good food and sweet fellowship while dining. Many people reading this story have experienced seasons when every dining room chair was filled and seasons when one by one chairs became empty and dining alone reality.
So, how do you dine? Whatever your situation or season that affects how you dine, I pray for joy to fill your heart and home where Jesus longs to be invited and dine with you morning, noon, and night. Whatever need you have in your season of life, Jesus can quench your thirst and fill your hungry heart with peace and joy for the rest of your journey. Joy rises inside with memories of my son dining with me and talking about Jesus. I keep the framed scripture close to the place I migrate for writing and studying while at Topsail.
The message stirs my heart and fills my hunger with contentment that only comes from Christ. May this verse - Revelation 3: I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. Kristin Burnett from Missouri is pictured above with Becky.
In her search for North Carolina non profits that help people, Tim's Gift popped up. She took that as a divine sign and contacted Tim's Gift, Clinton, N. She called and asked for more information on what we needed. Two weeks later, a UPS truck pulled up in our parking lot with a large package of medical supplies and ten cards to send to people in need of encouragement through our Card Ministry. She brought hundreds of Jesus dollars from herself and people all over the United States.
We had a wonderful visit and will share more abut what Kristin will be doing to help Tim's Gift in upcoming emails. What is your focus during the season of Lent and celebration of Easter? Honestly, have preparations for Easter been more secular than sacred in your heart and home? Family talks have surely included plans for long anticipated holidays away from work and school. Yet, has it been difficult to squeeze time into hectic schedules to talk about our Savior who gave His life as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins?
Are we including plans for praise, worship, prayer time, and serving the Savior by helping others during the days of celebrating Easter? Excuses for putting Jesus on the back burner never pan out. God knows our motives and messes we will encounter when we allow things of the world to crowd Him out of our lives. Including Him first in our plans is pleasing to our heavenly Father. Sharing His Word and ways while serving Him lovingly wherever we go gives joy on our journeys.
Being courageous and passionate about an intimate relationship with Christ can encourage others to become a close friend of Jesus too! When we all get to Heaven what a time of rejoicing it will be; we will sing and shout the victory and live for eternity…where God is! The woman at Bethany is one of the first women of the Bible I want to talk with when God calls me Home.
She walked up to Jesus, broke a flask of expensive oil, poured it on His head, and anointed Him. He saw the genuine love and gratitude behind her offering of devotion. However, His disciples did not grasp the significance of what was happening to the One who was about to drink from the cup and die on the cross. Judas even scoffed her act of love as one of wasting money on expensive oil to anoint Jesus when it could have been given to the poor.
Jesus told his closest friends that there would always be poor among them to help, but His divine words went right over their heads. His sermon inspired me to write this story and to search my own heart as I encourage you to search yours as we serve Christ courageously and help others selflessly.
And if you are not in a Bible believing, passion filled church, I encourage you to pray about it and find a church home where you can grow in faithful service and enjoy fellowship among believers. Just walk right in the church of your choice courageously and God will take care of the rest. He did that for the nameless woman who interrupted the meeting with His disciples. What Jesus understood, they could not! What the disciples criticized, Jesus upheld as a sacrificial act of love. In this story of the woman at Bethany, and often when we serve Jesus, the sacrifice outlives the one who sacrifices.
And when we are still and know He is God as we gaze into the starry sky…we can rest assured we, along with King David, are the apples of His eye! Do you believe recovery from loss and pain is possible? Do you believe God is faithful and full of surprises during recovery? Can celebrating recovery be real for you and me? I believe all three are possible when we put our faith in God who fulfills His promises and maintains His sovereignty in surprise.
God loves to care for His children and surprise them with special things, just as we do for our children. Visions of Christmas mornings with Cameron and Clint clad in pajamas waiting for the cue from their father to uncover their eyes and see the surprises dance in my head. My love story, like yours, has seen some troubles and triumphs.
Yet, God still cares for us and sends surprises. Plus, the best is yet to be for you and me when connected to Thee! Loss and pain prevail across the planet where our love stories are being written. The effect of the Fall, the reality of sin, the schemes of Satan, and the unexpected events of time and chance can rob our lives of meaningful joy and destroy love stories. Yet, even in these turbulent times there is a way in Christ to recover all and write chapters of celebrating recovery.
These stories of celebrating recovery with Christ as our cornerstone and main character could keep you faithful readers and myself busy writing, reading, and recovering through the summer season. We should read the Bible as a story, not a manual or catalog. It has a central storyline of Scripture told in the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, the patriarchs, Moses, David, Elijah, Jonah, the prophets and kings, the apostles and saints, and most of all the Gospel stories of Jesus.
And He does, over and over and over again! This fall brought sin, sorrow, war, injustice, pain, oppression, and loss to what could have been the end of the story. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. God is no stranger to horror and sorrow in stories throughout the Bible. He was with Mary when her family and friends were ready to stone her, with David when he hid in caves and returned to a ruined Ziklag, and Ruth when her husband and sons died and she surprised her mother in law by entreating not to leave thee.
God noticed, for He sees the heart. The sweet climax of what could have been a sad ending to her story surprised even Ruth. God sent Boaz, blessings, and a baby boy named Obed, all in the lineage of Jesus. Even in sad seasons when happiness is hard to see, God can open doors with divine surprises waiting for you and me. Oh to hear the stories of sweet surprises God has sent your way. He knows exactly what is needed to bring sunshine to cloudy days. God worked on my heart, showing me He knew what I was ready for. God heard James and my lonely cries, healed our broken hearts, and opened them to love again.
Our marriage and happy life together were gifts given lovingly from Him. James and I celebrated recovery. Our love touches eternity for we are sealed together with Thee. If you are recovering from loss and pain, put your trust in God and see what He can do! Surprises will show up unexpectedly, your frown will turn to a grin, and the sun will shine again!
Celebrating recovery and surprises from Thee are divine gifts that can be real for you and me. Are you depending on God? Have you been blessed by a Free Little Library? Three years ago, I was introduced to my first Free Little Library while visiting my son and his wife in Tampa, Florida. Clint and I were enjoying a morning walk through his neighborhood, when what to my wondering eyes did appear but a library on a pole with lots of books to behold.
I finished reading the book on my flight home with an inner stirring to see Free Little Libraries erected in Clinton. Plowing over possibilities, Hunter finally decided on beautifying the yards with a Prayer Garden and Free Little Library. Summer season was spent preparing for the project. Hunter and his dad, Glenn, drew plans and projected costs, while water drainage problems were taken care of with volunteers who helped me throughout the summer.
Hours of tedious planning by Hunter and his dad paid off as scouts measured, sawed, and hammered with a Little Library coming to life before our eyes. Many work sessions preparing the yards and putting finishing touches on the library were needed before dedication day. Piece by piece the library has been put in place, along with a prayer bench, flag poles and flower pots. Plans do not always go as planned.
An Unseen Angel
A warm Saturday in November, Hunter and his scout buddy, James, joined friends and family for a day of hard work, good food, and lots of fun. A work of progress was completed as the afternoon sun set in the western sky. He is home, still smiling, teaching through his trials, and filled with strong faith that his healing will happen. With fresh dirt still surrounding the pole, I surveyed every detail of the beautiful blue Free Little Library. My heart longed to browse through the books, but my friend pressed onward in the stillness of early dawn. So, I put browsing on hold, caught up with her, and walked home chattering about the little library with joy in every step I took.
For two months, I planned to stop and select a book from the library of a beautiful young couple who share my love for books. Finally, one Sunday afternoon I set out on a solo walk with a mission in mind. When I reached the little library, I marveled at the creative structure Paul, a seventh grade student of mine many moons ago, must have built.
He was always intrigued with projects and challenges to create new things. Surveying the details of the new Free Little Library in our neighborhood, an A plus for a job well done was well earned. As cars whizzed by, I wondered how many people really understood the concept of the Free Little Library or had stopped by to check it out. My excitement mounted as I prepared to pick a good read and head home. The job of choosing a book took longer than expected. Each book I pulled from the library perched on a post had something good to offer. Looking toward their home, I thought of the family pulling together as a team, planning, building, and stocking the library with books for others to read.
Resisting the stirring to ring their doorbell and share my appreciation for their gift to our community, I kept browsing and finally decided on the book meant to go home with me. Sharing a short version of the messages seems like the perfect ending for this story. Sometimes bad things happen when you never meant them to. Maybe you were trying to help a friend stand up but knocked them down by mistake.
Or maybe you said something then noticed that it sounded mean. You can tell Him everything. He will listen and help you. You can get lost in lots of ways, You can dawdle too long in front of the cereal aisle or get turned around between library shelves. Start depending on Him today.
An Unseen Angel: A Mother's Story of Faith, Hope, and Healing After Sandy Hook - Deseret Book
Thank you for free little libraries and time to sit in the swing and read good books. Without You, what in the world would we do? Are you blessed with rich moments and clear guidance from God? Confidence on making right decisions as we journey through life, while taking time to bless and be blessed can cloud minds and confuse hearts.
Hearing His voice comes easier when the pathway is cleared for that close relationship to flourish. Discernment is hindered when we have sin in our life and strong desires about situations. Repenting of sins and taking the focus off our desires opens the channel for communication and blessings. It takes strength to stand still and wait on the Lord. Yet, when we rush ahead of God, we may miss His will and blessings galore. Living overextended, offended, and opposing the clear guidance God willingly gives is dangerous.
He is well pleased when we stop the wrong attitudes and actions, look to Him for guidance and intimacy, and listen with discerning ears and tender, obedient hearts. The Bible clearly tells us to keep coming to the Lord with our concerns. When we keep praying, He weeds out confusion until we come to His conclusion about whatever we are praying about.
Searching the scriptures brings answers for every need we have. The Holy Spirit guides us in the right direction. We want quick answers, but God delights in deepening our relationship with Him. In HIs perfect timing, He answers. While we wait on the Lord, He longs for us to enjoy the intimacy of His presence while seeking His will.
Just to rest upon HIs promise. Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus. O for grace to trust Him more. Rich moments of trusting Jesus together, from the time Tim and I fell in love our junior year of high school until he took his last breath here at home, replay in my mind. I stop writing in the wee hours of the night, waiting for clarity on the right ending for this story, listening to the clock tick as my heart pounds in my chest, smiling at family pictures on my bookcase, and focusing on one of Tim and me enjoying time together on our sailboat at Topsail.
Closing my eyes, I wait in silence while pondering things in my heart. Tim and I made Rich Moments sailing that still sets my heart on fire. Seeds of sailing were sown when we were dating and dreaming, wishing and hoping, waiting and praying. God protected our love, guided our steps, and blessed us to write a beautiful love story with two children, two daughters in law, and two grandchildren - the apples of our eyes!
On our 25th wedding anniversary, Tim surprised me with a Hunter sailboat. Oh, the joy we shared sailing the ocean and soaking up intimate times with the Lord and one another. Thirty three years before our sailboat dream came true, Tim gave me a card with prophetic words of love and a picture of the ocean at dusk, setting sun casting light on the dark waters, silhouette of a sailboat on the horizon, and a person walking alone on the dark shoreline.
Taking a break from writing, I spent time in my prayer room tonight, my favorite hangout! Sitting on the floor in the middle of my room, I wondered which box on my shelves held the precious card. Are you with me? The joyous passion I felt in was even more powerful tonight when Iopened the card and read his words of love. Tim penned the message in a season when we were unsure of our future together and completely trusting God to work all things out. And He did in HIs perfect timing.
Tim and I shared our love passionately through actions and words written in letters, cards, church bulletins, our agendas, even on napkins that surprised us in special places. Take time to pen precious words to someone you love today. Without wind a sail hangs limp.
With a gust of wind that same sail blooms into a thing of beauty, reaching out to kiss the sky. Together the wind and sail work perfectly - moving along the surface of the world in search of a better horizon. But without one, the other is nothing! Let our love bloom. You are Sail; I am Wind. There is a greater LOVE to accompany that need. Our love bloomed through 32 years of raising two sons, moving four times, teaching school, building two businesses, working in church and community, and enjoying a good life together with God at the helm.
When we raised our sails and set out to sea for a day of sailing, we looked to the skies with honor and glory to God for keeping HIs promises and answering our prayers. Do you miss the joy of Rich Moments by stewing over situations that keep you captive to sadness or sorrow? Have you suffered for seasons with little hope of pulling from the pit of pity that consumes and keeps us from enjoying the good life?
Negative thinking and living consumes, giving an open door for the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy. Paul when he was Saul thought he had everything, prestige as a Pharisee, degrees of higher education, and fame for persecuting Christians, but after his conversion on the Road to Damascus, he had contentment with Christ. Paul learned to be content no matter what his conditions were. Mentoring young Christians was his cup of tea that satisfied his thirst to serve God! Sharing the good news wherever He was called to go kept Paul writing, speaking, encouraging, and staying closely connected to Christ through prison time, isolation on island time, prayer time, ANY time!
Are we willing to sacrifice our time to spread the joy of Jesus and serve Him with contented, happy hearts…even in persecution? Rich moments come when we rise up and reach out in love. This series of stories stirred while studying about Paul, finding a picture of Cameron and me sleeping in front of our fireplace our winter bedroom in and reading entries from my journal.
Reading the details of that day James and I shared together at the southern tip of Topsail Island brought joy to my still being mended by the Master heart. James hoisted his net to catch minnows with me admiring his strong body and big heart. I could see his lean, healthy body and his happy, big heart by the way he lived and loved. We soaked up every rich moment God gave as we enjoyed and cherished our time together.
Good News Stories
Experiencing the joy of him castingour lines, securing the poles, kissing me on the forehead, and reeling in his catch hoping for a flounder large enough to keep , was proof that contentment can come in all circumstances! God can fill hurting hearts with happiness and bring miracles from brokenness when we believe and give love a chance. Thanking God for this journal entry, I feel led to share with you the joy of rich moments that can be lost if we do not take time to make them and record them on our hearts and paper.
James came back to house to get me after setting up our fishing spot. We loaded our picnic lunch and headed to the point. James explained, shook hands, and went back to his fishing pole. They walked away but turned and came back to ask where James got his fishing cart. I closed my journal and laid it on the chair so we could talk. They Dennis and Barbara from Ind. His wife walked up on the dunes and stared at the water.
- An Unseen Angel?
- Estudios sobre la modernización de la Administración Local: teoría y práctica (Spanish Edition).
- IN QUESTO STATO Da spread a spread il trompe loeil del governo Monti (Italian Edition)?
- Rogue Tales.
- What is Kobo Super Points?.
- Girls Next Door: Lesbian Romance?
Her husband started to follow but hesitated. She is devastated and wanted to stay home. We decided to come anyway - a week away to think and relax. He stood still - James and I gripped hands and began sharing about Jesus. Then, we all joined hands and prayed. I gave him a card with our name and number promising to pray for them. They held hands and walked away. James and I praised God with happy hearts. Our beautiful day together brought even more healing to us when we were a blessing to a couple we did not know, but God did and sent them our way.
God was with us every sad moment we suffered just as He is with those reading this story who feel trapped in sorrow and situations that seem hopeless! Healing and happiness come when we get our hearts right with the Lord, loved ones, friends, even our enemies…and step in faith to the plans God has for the rest of our lives.
Next week, I will share the joy of finding clear guidance and being a blessing to people. Until then, take time to make rich moments and record them in your hearts…and in your journals. Do you believe the richest moments in life are not the most expensive? Thinking on things that are lovely, as Paul suggested in his writings, stirred this story. Pausing before penning some of my rich moments, I wonder what Paul would tell if he were writing this story.
In II Timothy, Paul shared personal words of love with his spiritual son that his race was almost over; Paul took time to stir up the gifts in Timothy. Paul reminded Timothy of how his faith came to him and that he would have to stir up himself through prayer, worship, and praising God. Paul even suggested Timothy preach to himself in times when he needed to be stirred up in God. In tough times, preaching to oneself can bring triumph!
Join Kobo & start eReading today
Paul shared rich moments with Timothy and Titus even during persecution. Titus was taught to live a holy life, be in a good church, and submit to godly, spiritual leadership. What are we teaching our youth today? Are lessons and living examples missing the mark that make for rich moments? He dished out death sentences for Christians until he saw the light and his life was changed.
Can you imagine the moments recorded in the personal journals belonging to Saul the persecutor and Paul the persecuted? Barnabusreceived no fame for helping convert Paul, but can you imagine the crowns waiting for him in heaven. Rich moments kisses from God make for eternal happiness!
Rich moments Paul penned stir me up as I mull over his writings and marvel at his faith. Are we standing up for Jesus or being silent? Silent Christians avoiding persecution and being shunned from social circles or situations where our faith would be frowned upon? Reading writings in old journals stirs memories of seasons when Tim and James colored my world with love.
Paul was in a hard place and needed help and encouragement from his friends. He beckoned them to come before winter. Tim and I moved to Clinton in with our six month old son and settled in our home sweet home on Warsaw Road. Our little family was happy even with little leftover money at the end of each month. When winter came, we were unable to pay for heating oil to fill the big, silver tank beside our house. I told Tim our parents would gladly help us with heating oil. He agreed but asked that we stick it out together and get through the winter without seeking their help.
At first, it seemed a hardship to lug a mattress in front of our fireplace with quilts and pillows to make our nesting place warm and comfy. However, after a few nights cuddled up in our temporary sleeping quarters with warmth and wonder from a crackling fire, we knew this would be our happy place for winter and embraced the lean season of finances with faith and passion!
Recently, I found a picture Tim took one night when I feel asleep reading a book to Cameron in our den - winter bedroom. Seeing his little footed pajamas prompted memories of rich moments when bed time baths and baby lotion, pampers and sweet, sloppy kisses made us feel like the wealthiest parents on the planet. In the eyes of our hearts we were are! We survived that sweet, cold winter with warmth in our home and hearts.
Rich moments continue to color our world with love as we grow older and closer to Christ. New tales of eros, romance, and adventure from the boldest and the best! Enter a midnight world of the supernatural—a world of vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, and demons. A seductive world limited only by your imagination, full of dark fantasies, hidden desires, and sexy women who rule the night. Edited by award-winning editors Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman, Women of the Dark Streets presents all new tales of the paranormal from your favorite Bold Strokes authors.
Lots of well known authors Georgia Beers, Ronica Black, Karis Walsh and a few newbies who are probably going to be well known soon. I think I need to move to see if I can find some new neighbors like the ones in these fun stories. You get a good assortment here. I hope there's a sequel. I enjoyed this theme about the The Girls Next Door. Reviewed by Samantha Luce. I enjoyed this collection of stories about finding exactly the woman you need unexpectedly. Sometimes the girl next door is overlooked until she is right there in front of you and it all feels so right.
I especially enjoyed 'Black Sheep' by Nell Stark as it was really sexy and fun. Brey Willows wrote a very hot story with a twist that grabbed my attention. This anthology is a collection of lovely stories by some talented writers. Reviewed by Karen McIntosh. What a great collection of stories. Phenomenal short story… sex scene was exquisite! This was definitely my favourite in the anthology and I was definitely left wanting more from these protagonists, especially Lane.
Black sheep by Nell Stark Wow! I truely was left wanting more… Please let there be more!! Hooper Street by Anna Larner One of my favourites from the collection. Anna Larner makes you believe in her characters and ultimately hope for them to give into love. The story was short and sweet but ultimately full of promise. Guilty Pleasure by M. Ullrich Great short story by M. I always enjoy story lines with an age gap romance so this ticked a major box for me and left me wanting more. Well this short story is about how two secondary Characters Kel and Gina get together.
I just loved getting the background on these two. Kiss Cam by Lisa Moreau This was a very sweet and rather seductive tale. The title speaks for itself but with an interesting turn of events. I felt like this could be the first chapter or prologue to a fantastic storyline. Totally drawn in by the characters and the scoundrel of a dog. Reviewed by Rachael Forrester. I don't read a lot of short stories because I am a greedy reader and I always want more but I was really happy to be able to read this little adorable and sexy collection!
It was really great to discover some authors I haven't read before and get a little taste for their writing. I have a ton of books and authors to add to me to-read list now! Thank you for that! Of course it was a treat to be able to read some stories by my favourite authors, to get a little fix of their writing until their next books come out in the fall. Here's looking at you Aurora Rey!
- Stories That Need to Be Told Contest;
- The Little Dyslexic Angel!
- Ive Got a Tiger by the Tail.
- A Story of Strangers and Emotional Celibacy?
- Buenos Aires Made Easy! (Kindle Edition)!
- Posts navigation.
- Select format.
I fell in love with Brey Willow's writing with her first book this year and I loved her addition to the collection.