DREAM

Did you ever have one of those dreams that haunts you when you awake? One that brings up memories, thoughts, and even feelings from long ago. I had one last night that has disturbed me. The dream itself was pleasant enough but the residual effect is one I am surprised by. It was about people from my past and one I can't even put a name to. I find myself bewildered by the feelings it exposed and made me seriously question my handling of past situations and relationships. It amazes me even more that I can't quit thinking about it and have both the desire to examine it more and to shake it from my memory completely. I can't seem to do either. I can't shake it or the feeling it gave me. I also can't seem to examine it any deeper to find understanding or resolution. So I must leave it as it is. ...but still it haunts me.

The Nativity Collection by Robert J.Morgan

The Nativity Collection

The Nativity Collection is a collection of 6 Christmas stories told by Robert J Morgan to his congregation on the Sunday before Christmas. The stories include characters from different walks of life. The nativity in each story effects the characters for the remainders of their lives this is the connecting element for all 6 stories.
The nativity story has always held a special wonder for me. Each of these stories tie a navitity to the main character and reveal miraculous and inspiring endings. Each one is very different and only when the story was finished was I able to understand it in comparision to the other stories. Without it being overstated a nativity takes center stage. This makes for a delightful read and each story leaves that warm feeling that we have come to expect from Christmas stories. I would recommend this book to friends and would consider it a fine gift for those who enjoy sharing stories as part of their Christmas tradition.

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado, Illustrated by Gaby Hansen

This children ‘s book is all about the ways we can use our hands and ultimately how God can use our hands. I feel the book would be appropriate for toddlers learning to use their hands for a variety of tasks as well as for children with basic reading skills. The story features a little girl but would also be appropriate for little boys.

The whimsical illustrations show various examples of how to use our hands. Hands are described as helping, kind, and loving and the story not only addresses how we use hands for ourselves but also how we can use our hands for God’s service. I would recommend this book for parents of young children that want a way to teach children a practical application of service to God.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

Outlive Your Life is one of Lucado's finest works. It is a work that challenges the reader to service.With lots of examples of those who have been used to reach the world with the gospel, it leaves little excuse for why we cannot serve today, regardless of our circumstances. Even a small kindness can mean the world to the one receiving it.
I was challenged from the first chapter to consider what more I can do help others to know the truth. Lucado has a way of writing that does not offend yet exposes your heart. It also gives you validation that your service is important to God. The book is written in an easily understood manner and helps the reader identify with characters in the book, whether they be history's disciples or today's homeless. The usual study guide includes action plans to motivate and inspire the reader with practical applications of how they may put their faith to work to impact their community and their world.

Cast of Characters book review

I chose this book because of the author – he is one of my favorites. And he did not

disappoint.. Lucado manages to retell the old Bible stories in a modern day venue. He transports the reader deeper into scripture by asking questions beyond what we know but by asking these questions he lays open the reader’s heart for self inspection. Each character reveals their humanness and how they respond to their own circumstances. Several remind us that God can take what was meant for harm and use it for his glory. Others stress focusing on how big our God is not how big our problem is. Still other characters make us aware of the unfathomable love, mercy and grace of our God. The humanness of these characters negates all our excuses for why God could not use us. Among them we will find those who have denied Christ, who persecuted his followers, and those who sacrificed all to follow him.

Following each chapter Lucado includes questions for reflection and discussion that further the readers self inspection. Throughout the book we are reminded of God’s great love for us and that his love covers a multitude of sins.

This is my first adventure into blogging so we'll see how it goes. My daughter has 2 blogs and I enjoy reading them and others but I'm not sure what my blog will contain. I know I will be reviewing books I have read on here. And sometimes maybe I'll just vent. Maybe I'll also share stories about my grandchildren - ages 3 & 1. Those ages seem to be such an adventure.

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