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Book Review – The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall
As our final love story leading up to Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share with you The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall. This book is the second book in the Ada’s House novel series. This book takes us to the world of the Old Order Amish with a young school teacher, Lena Kauffman, who has a noticeable birthmark on her face. She has felt burdened by it her whole life. Still it is not the birthmark but her lack of submission to the old ways that lands her into continuing trouble with the school board. Grey Graber, one of the school board members, has his own difficulties as his wife…
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Christian Devotional – February 11, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 11:9–and David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him. TRUTH: David did some incredible and amazing things in his life, yet he know where the victories came from. David was victorious because God was with him. Do we know and acknowledge the reason we have victory in our life? Only God gives us the victory over any area of our life. God is the One who provides us with all we have including the power and strength to overcome obstacles in our way. RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will forgive me when I take credit for the power You provide. You are…
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Christian Devotional – February 10, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 10:13–Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance. TRUTH: Saul had been hand-picked by God to lead the people of Israel. Much of the book of 1 Samuel tells of his reign, however here it is just a scant 14 verses telling of his death. This verse summarizes his life and the reason for his death. He was unfaithful, disobedient, and disloyal. When we choose to follow God, He expects that we are committing to be faithful to Him, obedient to Him, and that we will come to Him first with…
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Christian Devotional – February 9, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 9:1–All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. TRUTH: This one verse lists the entire reason for the 70 years of Babylonian captivity experienced by the people of Israel: unfaithfulness. All the struggles, all the hardships, trials, difficulties, relocations, everything was a result of unfaithfulness to God. Looking at our own lives, what has been the result of our acts of unfaithfulness? Will we repent and return and commit again to be faithful to God? RESPONSE: Father, You are gracious and merciful. You forgive me my areas…
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Christian Devotional – February 8, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 8:40–The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons–150 in all. TRUTH: These men were described as both brave warriors and skilled archers. Not only did they have the right attitude to face their circumstance, they also had the right skill to carry out their objective. God desires to use both our attitude and our skill to obey Him and bring Him glory. Do we have both? RESPONSE: Father, I pray that I will always be found with the right attitude as well as the right skills. I don’t want to be found lacking in either area so…
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Christian Devotional – February 7, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 7:22–Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. TRUTH: Tragedy struck the family of Ephraim and two of his sons were killed. He mourned for them, but wasn’t alone. His family also came and they mourned together. When we experience tragedy do we allow others to share with us in our grief or do we keep things solitary and alone. There is a time to be alone, but there is comfort in mourning and sharing together as well. RESPONSE: Father, when tragedy strikes it is so easy for me to try and go it alone. Help me to learn to trust…
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Christian Devotional – February 6, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 6:32–They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations lad down for them. TRUTH: Music is a ministry. These people were in charge of using music to minister and glorify the Lord. Music can stir the heart like nothing else. Do we guard the music we listen to so that we are stirred by the things that glorify God? Do we see our music as a ministry? RESPONSE: Lord, I will glorify You through music as well as through word today. My music choices will be a…
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Christian Devotional – February 5, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 5:20–They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagities and all their allies into their hands because they cried out to him during the battle. TRUTH: Are we crying out to God when we are going through difficulties? The Lord Himself delivered the people of Gad from their enemies because they cried out to Him. Do we rely on Him or try to do things on our own? What would a summary of our battles say? “They lost and were defeated because they clung to only themselves and not God.” Or instead, “They were victorious because they trusted in God.” RESPONSE: Father, I will cling…
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Book Review – Lorna by Debra White Smith
I ran across Lorna by Debra White Smith while looking through the bargain books again. This book is the second in The Debutantes series. In this story Lorna Leigh, the famous and rich former professional tennis player, works with her two other high society friends to investigate and solve crimes in the Houston area. What she didn’t expect was to become romantically involved with the new mayor of Houston who unfortunately has found himself in the middle of their latest investigation. How are the three friends supposed to catch the man responsible for accusing a local pastor of child pornography when Lorna’s new boyfriend is one of the leading suspects.…
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Christian Devotional – February 4, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 4:10–Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain,” and God granted his request. TRUTH: A few years back, a little book written about this verse became very popular, “The Prayer of Jabez.” As a result, this prayer has been the source of much discussion since, and to me, the beauty of this prayer is the simplicity with which it is prayed and the fact that God heard the request. Our prayers to God do not have to be…