Friday, March 28, 2014

Figgy Friday Spotlight #11

Welcome to today's Figgy Friday Spotlight... We're excited for today's feature is...




I was instantly drawn into this story from page one! The writing, description and detail, is really amazing in this sci-fi novel-in-progress. I've only read the first couple of chapters and I was already talking to the author about reading more! I plan to follow this story, hopefully all the way to the end! I highly recommend you do too. I don't know what's going to come next but it looks more than promising!



Until next time Figgy's and guests!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Be Still: Intermission

Has it been a long week or what? Wouldn't you know I caught, yet again, another cold last! That's the fourth time I've been sick since New Years, barely three months. But don't worry, I'm still fast at work with the rest of this piece. It's taking a lot of prayer time to get through it: How do I say this, Lord? Do I say whom did what? Do I share the story at all? Am I wrong if I do? How can you, the reader/friend, understand if I don't give exact details?

I know God will make it clear to both you and I when the time comes.

As for my cold, it has made vast improvements; I'm almost over it completely. I'm already working on the rest of "Be Still" and hope to share it with you all soon. In the meantime, remember this verse!



"And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." ~Philippians 1:6

GOD BLESS.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Be Still: Part I

It's been a little while since you've really heard from me, of my thoughts and my heart. Believe me when I tell you there's been a lot going on in both. The last couple of weeks have been a true test of faith. I won't bore you with details, but I am going to share with you some of the things I've learned. I'll separate them into two or three posts to give you all a chance to breathe between cake bites and milk, or tea if you prefer.

My family and I went to a book sale last month, we all had such a great time! I found so many books, for myself and my sister (I'm really good at iSpy, so my sister was really glad to have me around). It was a great start to a marvelous weekend. Usually I get a ton of books, but this time I decided I would keep it under $20 and sure enough once I had cut all the ones I didn't need or really truly want I got just under with 50 cents to spare! The rest of day was beautiful, sun shining and wind brushing across our cheeks so gently.

Saturday was just as fine a day. Our family doodled and doddled and cruised around town. Enjoying the lovely day as we may. I couldn't have had a better day, I thanked God. Well, you know how that ole Devil despises happiness and praise. And, he will do anything to shift our focus away from God.
That night we ate a local restaurant and all, except my mom praise the Lord, got food poisoning.
First my dad and younger sister got it so bad they both had to go to the emergency at 3am that night. The next day my youngest sister and I were sick, but thankfully we were spared from having to go to the emergency room, ours wasn't as severe. In fact, my sister had to go back again to the ER due to complications from the whole ordeal; her chest cavity was inflamed and she was having a hard time breathing. She's well now, thank the Lord! We are all well again.

First lesson from this story: watch what you eat! If the food looks
bad or doesn't seem cooked or is cold when it should be warm or is warm when it should be cold or something just plain doesn't seem right with even just one piece of food ...WALK AWAY.

Here's the thing though, even if you do get sick, whether its food poisoning, a common cold, or something much worse, don't forget that though your body may be weak your spirit is still strong. Cause that's what the Devil is really up to, he's out to crush our spirits by putting our bodies against us. But here's some wise words I'd like to share:
"The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?" --Proverbs 18:14 (NLT)
Seriously! When have you ever honestly heard of someone being able to bear a crushed spirit? They can live without legs and feet or hands and arms, but the spirit... It's worse to have a crushed spirit, believe me!
See these bodies aren't made to last (since sin entered the world) anymore, they are of this earth {Genesis 2:7} but God has new heavenly vessels waiting for us in Heaven.
"For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put in new heavenly bodies." -- 2 Corinthians 5:3
God has guaranteed it {2 Corinthians 5:5} by giving us his Holy Spirit. I'm honestly looking forward to it; excited to tell the truth. Since I know what he has made for me up there will be beautiful. The pain, the sickness, won't last forever but His love endures forever. It's easy to forget when your hurting and sick, I'm just as much at fault as anyone for doing it. He loves you, wants to help you; he does help you. But instead we say: "Just gotta let it run its course, I'll be fine." As if we are to bear, or are bearing, it on our own! Think about this a moment.
To anyone who's been helping you: fetching your water, a wet cloth, a bowl of chicken noodle soup, or keeping people from disturbing you as you rest, would you say, "It took a few days, but I got all better! I'm right as rain, fit as a fiddle, just had to give it some time"?

Wow.

If you were that helpful person, wouldn't you feel like you'd just been slapped in the face? You'd think "how ungrateful." Oh you know you would, don't fib sweetie. *wink* I know I would. I know I'd also feel like such a heel for not giving credit and my sincere thanks to the one who helped me get well. I wouldn't be able to look them straight in the eyes! How could I be so ungrateful?

Second Lesson: Remember to Thank Him {Psalms 136:1} even in your weary state. Even if its just a quick whisper, for He loves a thankful heart. And next time you're sick or weary from these earthly bodies, remember it is only your body that is ill, not your soul {Matthew 10:28}. Don't let that silly ole Devil get you down in the dumps, he can't win cause Jesus already has! Your soul is secure if you keep believing Jesus is your Savior and live for Him.

Alas this is only the beginning of the story. "Be Still: Part II" will be coming soon. I can't wait for you to come back, I really do enjoy our little chats. Sorry I couldn't offer you an apple but I'm afraid they weren't quite right. Maybe next time though, yes? Oh maybe you like pears, I love pears.

God bless you!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Figgy Friday Spotlight #10

Welcome to Figgy Friday Spotlight! Today I am glad to present...

Losing You
by
Grace Whitney C.



This piece was so moving and beautifully written. It felt like she was writing straight from my soul, speaking the words I couldn't find how to say. The rhyming was absolutely marvelous, it added more to the depth and feeling of this poem. Wonderful piece and job Whitney! I can't wait to to come back and read more of your work. 



Check back again soon for more Figgy Friday Spotlights!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Getting Over Your Ex with Jesus, and more, by DeeannaScott

Dear friends and followers and guests!

Do I have a special treat for you today. As you know, I am Instagram. I love it, I find so many uplifting reminders of God's love.

Using God words and her own experiences she shares her heart which is for God and his children (that's you and me). Using Gods word to shed light on relationship values, both with God and with people in our lives. ~Her account came across my path, literally a God send, when I absolutely needed it most. :) I look forward to her post any chance she gets to post. I hope you will now too!

I'll share these few posts but I strongly encourage you to red all of her posts! If you're having trouble getting over your ex, as I have, than I think you will love this. If not, well I still think you'll find it encouraging and helpful in your life. :) God bless!







Saturday, March 1, 2014

Unconditional: The Movie

Product Description 

Samantha Crawford (Lynn Collins, John Carter) is living a storybook life. That is, until her husband is killed in a senseless act of violence, causing her to lose her faith and her will to live. But will a death-defying encounter with two children---and a reunion with her childhood best friend, Joe Bradford (Michael Ealy, Common Law)---bring things into proper perspective again? Unconditional is inspired by true events. 

Dove approved (12+). Rated PG-13.

My Review

I had this movie on my Netflix watch list for months! I was looking through the Spiritual and Faith and it looked good. Little did I know just how good it would be! In past, watching a Christian movie meant you had to expect the low budget mediocrity cinema (I mean that lovingly). But over the last couple years I've seen great changes and I just have this to say about Unconditional. It's even better than Courageous (and I LOVE that movie). The actors are amazing the story telling was phenomenal and the cinematography astounding. If I had just passed by this on the TV I would have thought it was a high-end theater made movie (this did appear in select theaters in the US).

That alone makes you want to watch it, am I right? Well, don't let that be all. This movie is truly inspirational and spiritually uplifting. Seeing God's love pour out of Joe and to the children was enough to make me cry. And watching Samantha go through the trails she faced of losing her husband and then trying to find his killer and regaining her faith in God's unconditional love in the end. Well let's just say you will need some tissues for this movie. Tears of joy from the wonder of His mighty love are a very powerful thing.


One of my favorite parts and what I am so glad I can buy, is the book Firebird Samantha illustrates in the movie. It's a children's book but it's for all ages. It’s about a bird finding the light, God, behind the clouds. That no matter what trials and dark times we face, the light never vanishes. I don't own this book yet, but I am buying it when my first child is born one day.


I mentioned this movie on my Instagram and a fellow brother in Christ saw my post and watched it that very night. Here's what he had to say:
"I loved it! Thank you so much. It was so inspiring. I really needed that today because the enemy is laying it on thick against me and my faith in God. Thank you!
When someone feels better or his or her spirits are lifted even just a little bit higher, mine are lifted too. It breaks through the clouds and I see the sun even brighter.

I gave the movie and book each a 5 out of 5 stars!

Click the pictures for direct links to each product on Christianbooks.com