WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

I am so pleased that you have stopped by for a visit. I hope you will enjoy reading my book reviews. If you would be interested in reviewing books on your own blog, check out the links for litfuse and Booksneeze.



Saturday, January 29, 2011

MADE TO CRAVE by Lysa TerKeurst - BOOK REVIEW


Made To Crave KINDLE Giveaway


Enter to win a KINDLE in Lysa TerKeurst’s Made To Crave KINDLE Giveaway! Find out who won during the Made To Crave Facebook Party on February 8th! All the details here: http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/made-to-crave-by-lysa-terkeurst.html


Just because a woman finally fits into her skinny jeans doesn't mean she's won her battle with food. Too often, women overlook the spiritual component to their physical struggle with healthy eating. Made to Crave taps into the desires God gave you to consume food without letting food consume you!


Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman's desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. The reality is we were made to crave. Craving isn't a bad thing. But we must realize God created us to crave more of him. Many of us have misplaced that craving by overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. If you are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, you can break the "I'll start again Monday" cycle, and start feeling good about yourself today. Learn to stop beating yourself up over the numbers on the scale. Discover that your weight loss struggle isn't a curse but rather a blessing in the making, and replace justifications that lead to diet failure with empowering go-to scripts that lead to victory. You can reach your healthy weight goal - and grow closer to God in the process. This is not a how-to book. This is not the latest and greatest dieting plan. This book is the necessary companion for you to use alongside whatever healthy lifestyle plan you choose. This is a book and Bible study to help you find the "want to" in making healthy lifestyle choices. 224 pages. Companion Bible study DVD set also available. http://madetocrave.org/purchase-resources/

My review: I love the subtitle, Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food. This book is all about replacing our cravings for things with a craving for God, the only One who can truly satisfy. It is not about weight loss and skinny jeans, but about the attitude of our heart, and the choices we make. God has designed us to live victoriously. The choices we make have more to do with our freedom to become who we are meant to be, rather than restrictions. This is not a temporary "fix", but is all about the next decision we will make.

Lysa concludes each chapter with thoughtful questions, personal reflections to help us think through and apply the things she has shared. At the conclusion of the book, Lysa has included helpful Scriptures that she has mentioned in each chapter, or which relate to the chapter theme. She also includes healthy eating 'go-to' scripts for a number of scenarios. This book is written compassionately from Lysa's heart, and will be very helpful for any woman who is serious about a commitment to be all God meant her to be. Be sure and visit Lysa's website and blog for further encouragement.  DVD curriculum is also available for group discussion.





Lysa TerKeurst is an author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey.


Lysa wrote the book Made to Crave from the perspective of a woman who has never craved a carrot stick in her whole life. Having struggled with her weight her whole adult life, Lysa knows what it feels like to be in the vicious cycle of gaining and losing, but never feeling at peace in her struggle. Everything changed when Lysa decided to have her deepest desire met by God not food. Now, armed with the spiritual motivation she gained in her own journey, she is inspiring others to find lasting victory.

As a nationally known speaker, Lysa has been passionately teaching women God’s truths for years. Lysa’s personal adventures of following God led to appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, USA Today newspaper, Woman’s Day magazine, and Focus on the Family radio.

Today, Lysa and her ministry team at Proverbs 31 Ministries encourage more than 375,000 women through their daily online devotional. In addition, she co-hosts a 1-minute inspirational radio program aired on more than 1,200 stations around the world. Plus, she touches hearts through their monthly magazine, P31 Woman. Lysa’s blog averages over 70,000 avid readers per month. She is the award-winning author of 14 books, including her newest releases, Made to Crave and Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl. Other noteworthy books include What Happens When Woman Say Yes to God, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, Capture His Heart, and Capture Her Heart. Visit Lysa's website for more info and to visit her blog! http://lysaterkeurst.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Made-Crave-Satisfying-Deepest-Desire/dp/031029326X/ref=sprightly-20


Win a brand new KINDLE from Lysa Terkeurst during the Made To Crave KINDLE Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Made to Crave and the MTC Small Group DVD Study Set, Lysa is giving away a KINDLE prize package worth over $175.00! To enter just click on one of the icons below! (you’ll find these in the attached html code document) One winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle with Wi-Fi & the New E Ink Pearl Screen

KINDLE editions of Lysa’s Made to Crave and Becoming More Than A Good Girl

But, wait there is more!
Lysa will be announcing the winner of the Made to Crave KINDLE Giveaway on February 8th during the Made To Crave Party on Facebook!


During the party Lysa will chat with guests, host a trivia contest or two, and give away lots of other fun prizes (copies of Lysa’s other books and Amazon.com, iTunes & Starbucks gift certificates) – including a live Author Chat with Lysa for your small group!

Don’t miss the fun! Lysa is looking forward to learning more about you – so be sure to stop by Lysa's Facebook Author Page on February 8th at 5:00 PM PST (6 PM MST, 7 PM CST, & 8 PM EST).

Blog Tour Schedule: Be sure and check out all the blog reviews at the following:
http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/made-to-crave-by-lysa-terkeurst.html )


Made To Crave is published by Zondervan, and a copy was provided for review purposes by Litfuse Publicity.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

MINE IS THE NIGHT by Liz Curtis Higgs - Video book trailer

Liz Curtis Higgs concludes the story which began in Here Burns My Candle.  Mine Is The Night is now released!

Monday, January 24, 2011

THE SEARCH by Suzanne Woods Fisher - BOOK REVIEW , CONTEST, and MORE!



Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.

Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.

Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

"Beautifully written, 'The Search' is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past."

My review: I found this book enjoyable on many levels. It is skilfully written, and the author's interest in and knowledge of all things Amish is evident. I learned much about the Amish beliefs and way of life. The characters are well developed, and the reader can relate to the two girls, Lainey and Bess. We go through ups and downs with them, and tension mounts as details from the past are revealed. Suzanne weaves biblical truth throughout the story, with her themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, trust, and unconditional love. We accompany each character through their disappointments, discouragements, and inevitable trials as they face difficult decions. I highly recommend this book, and I also recommend keeping a box of tissues close at hand!  Everyone who enjoys Amish fiction will absolutely LOVE this book. I am looking forward to reading Suzanne's books in the future.Well done, Suzanne. You kept me turning pages well into the night.

About Suzanne:

In no particular order, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wife, mother, writer, lifelong student of the Bible, raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a gardener and a cook...the latter two with sporadic results.

Suzanne has loved to write since she was a young teen. After college, she started to write for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her family moved to Hong Kong for four years, just as the internet was developing, and she continued to write articles in a 44-story high-rise apartment, sending manuscripts 7,000 miles away with a click of a key.

After returning from Hong Kong, Suzanne decided to give her first novel a try. For four and a half months, she worked on an antediluvian computer in a cramped laundry room. She didn't even tell her husband what she was up to. When the novel was completed, she told her family at dinner one night that she had written a book. "That's why there's no food in this house!" said her slightly insensitive sons.

Undaunted...Suzanne found a small royalty publisher for that book and wrote three more (all earned multiple awards). With help from an agent, she now has numerous books under contract with Revell. Also look for Suzanne's Amish non-fiction, Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a non-fiction book of stories and examples about the Old Order Amish, as well as Amish Proverbs, and coming in Spring of 2011, look for Amish Values for Your Family. The Choice and The Waiting are the previous books in the Lancaster County Secrets Collection.

Writing, for Suzanne, is a way to express a love of God and His word. With every book or article, she hopes readers get a sense of what faith really looks like in the daily grind. She hopes they realize that life can be hard, but God is good, and never to confuse the two.

Suzanne can be found on-line at:
http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/

Enter to win your very own iPad in Suzanne Woods Fisher's The Search iPad Giveaway!
Enter by clicking the link below, then be sure to attend Everything Is Coming Up Roses Party of February 3rd to see if you won - and to chat about books and win one of the MANY other prizes Suzanne is giving away.

http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/the-search-by-suzanne-woods-fisher.html

The above link also includes reviews by other members of Litfuse. Check them out!

Thanks to Litfuse Group for providing a copy of the book for review purposes. The book is published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, and is available now through http://www.amazon.com/.

Monday, January 17, 2011

FATAL JUDGMENT by Irene Hannon - BOOK REVIEW




Fatal Judgment, the first book in Irene Hannon's latest series, Guardians of Justice, is romantic suspense at its best. Elements of faith are subtly yet intricately woven into the plot. Characterization is superb, and one feels with them from the beginning. Clearly, this novel is well-researched. It is gripping and believable. This is not the genre I usually read, but I have to say that it was  a thoroughly enjoyable page-turner. I look forward to reading other books by Irene in the future.

From back cover: "U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven't warmed in the five years since she drove her husband-and Jake's best friend-to despair...and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he's forced to change his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life-and his heart-are in danger."
       Up Close and Personal with Irene Hannon



An interview with the author, taken from her website, http://www.irenehannon.com/





When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?


I can’t remember ever not being a writer. I really believe people are born writers. It’s a gift, just like any other talent. I did toy with the idea of becoming a psychologist, but in the end, writing won out. However, my psychology degree is a great background for writing about relationships—a key ingredient in romantic fiction!

Until 2009, you wrote contemporary romance only. Why did you branch into suspense?


The truth is, the very first book I ever wrote was a romantic suspense novella. It was SO bad, however, that I stashed it in the deepest, darkest corner of my closest, where it will forever remain. I just didn’t have the necessary technical background to make it work, and in those days (20+ years ago), it was far more difficult to do research. So I focused on contemporary romance. But as an avid Nancy Drew reader in my younger days, I guess it’s no surprise that I eventually found my way back to suspense!

What inspires you to write?

Writers write. They have to write. It’s almost a compulsion. I can’t imagine my life without writing in it. As for what compels me to sit down every day at my computer—I like how one well-known writer once responded when asked if he waits for inspiration to strike before he writes. He said (and I’m paraphrasing), “Yes, I do. And I make sure I’m inspired every day at nine o’clock.”

What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?


While researching my Heroes of Quantico series, I enrolled in the local Citizen Police Academy. As part of that experience, I did a heart-pounding ride-along with a patrol officer that included a tense domestic violence call and a high-speed burglary response. The poor guy had to practically peel my fingers off the dashboard when we finally stopped. What I quickly learned is that I prefer to experience my suspense vicariously—safely tucked in the pages of a book!

What is your favorite book?

I don’t have one favorite. I’ve read many books I’ve liked. A few that come to mind are Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn, Mila 18 by Leon Uris and A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford. I’ve also enjoyed the Mitford series by Jan Karon, as well as books by LaVyrle Spencer and Dee Henderson.
What is your favorite movie?

Again, no single movie. But I do like happy endings! And for pure enjoyment, it’s hard to beat a Cary Grant flick. The Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer is fabulous if you like romantic comedy. And it’s timeless. Of more recent vintage, I enjoyed While You Were Sleeping and Return to Me.

What is your favorite Bible verse?


Matthew 6:21—“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Who has had the most influence on your life?


My parents. They have always been my ardent fans, encouraging me every step of the way in any venture I undertook. They believed in me, and because they believed, I believed, too. There’s an old saying about the two gifts parents can give their children—roots and wings. My parents gave me both. They created a home where I was accepted without question, loved without conditions and encouraged without restraint. With that kind of foundation, it’s easy to take on the world. I give thanks every day for the gift of their continued presence in my life.

Name one of the bravest things you've ever done.

Signing up for voice lessons in college—and going to auditions for musicals. I’d always wanted to sing, but had zero confidence in my abilities. Taking the first step of committing to voice lessons was tough…and going to those first auditions in front of a roomful of competitors who wanted you to fail was even tougher. But I wanted it badly enough to persevere—and it paid off. Kind of like getting published!

You juggled two careers concurrently for a long time. How did you manage that?


In the beginning, it wasn’t difficult. The demands of my entry level job in corporate communications were reasonable and I had regular hours. By the time I left the corporate world, however, I’d risen to the executive ranks. I was a senior group director in a Fortune 500 company, managing three departments and overseeing major projects like the annual report. I was also managing editor of the company’s worldwide magazine and the speechwriter for the CEO and president, as well as for other executives. When the job became 24/7, I knew I had to pick between the two careers. Winning the RITA award and being offered a three-book contract made the decision much easier, though.

Sounds like your corporate job was interesting—and a little glitzy!

It had its moments. My favorite memories include skimming over an Alaskan glacier in a float plane, flying first-class to a prestigious spa to get the full treatment as background for a magazine article I was writing, jet-setting with the CEO on the corporate plane to a cruise ship in the Caribbean for a business lunch, visiting a remote island in Ireland and soaring over the Grand Tetons in a hot-air balloon. Plus, I met some wonderful people along the way.

How did you make the adjustment from such an exciting, high-powered career to the rather solitary life of a writer?


The truth is, there was no adjustment. I’m perfectly happy spending my days with the fascinating characters who people my novels. And I definitely don’t miss the rush-hour commute, corporate politics or a relentless BlackBerry that never slept!

Any advice for aspiring writers?


Learn as much as you can about how the industry works. Read exhaustively in the genres that interest you. Target your work carefully. Join a professional writers organization like Romance Writers of America. Master the basics (spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.). Listen to criticism with an open mind. Set aside time to write on a regular basis. Believe in yourself. And don’t give up your day job!

Have you received a particularly memorable reader response?

Every reader letter touches me, and many have been memorable. A few stand out. With my contemporary romances, I recall one from a very atypical romance reader—a 23-year-old man who stumbled across my book, read it because he was bored, and told me it inspired him, taught him some valuable life lessons and gave him the guidance he’d had trouble finding himself. And I love the reader who wrote, “No one but Nicholas Sparks can grab me and get my attention after reading only a few pages—until YOU!”

With my suspense books, I’m getting feedback from both men and women, and I’m loving the letters that contain lines like this one: “I bought your book this past Tuesday evening and spent the entire day today reading it! I did have to put it down a few times just to breathe.” And I was thrilled with this comment: “I have been a Nora Roberts fan for a few years now and have just worked my way through all of her romantic suspense books. Your book was just as captivating.”

Do you have a pet peeve about the writing business?

One of my biggest pet peeves is how commercial fiction—and the romance genre in particular—is often considered less worthy than “literary” fiction. Not long ago, I read a review about a romance novel that said readers must pick between mental nourishment and romance—snarkily suggesting that stories about two people working to overcome formidable obstacles in order to build a life together can’t engage the reader’s mind as well as the heart. The reviewer also denigrated what she called “the best romance tradition” of an ending suffused with “a sense of almost religious redemption and possibility.” What a sad commentary on our world when a hope-filled ending seems so implausible that it renders a book too unrealistic to be taken seriously.

What has surprised you most about being a published novelist?


I didn’t realize how much making that first sale would change the complexion of writing. When you’re seeking that first contract and writing for the pure joy of following your muse, all you have to worry about is creating your best story. Once you’ve landed that contract, however, you realize that publishers don’t want one-book wonders—they want authors who can produce regularly. The first sale isn’t the summit; it’s the start of a whole new journey. And in addition to being expected to continually create new books, you now also find yourself doing promotion, creating/maintaining a website, answering reader mail, keeping accounting records, proofing galleys…the list keeps growing. So the pressure is on, and writing becomes a business as well as a passion. It’s still fun, but it’s a job—with deadlines. Which means you now have to plunk yourself in front of the computer even when you’d rather be doing something else. And that’s an adjustment.

What is your average writing day like?


Long! I’m usually at my computer by 8:30 a.m. First I answer e-mail and check a couple of websites and writing loops. Then I edit the work I wrote the previous day. At lunchtime I take a walk, then I’m back at the keyboard. I write 5-10 new pages a day, minimum. In the first third to half of a book, I’m usually closer to five because the characters and plot are loosely formed and still gelling in my mind. And depending on the subject matter, research can also slow the writing process. But I’m a stickler for accuracy, so I don’t shortchange the research piece. Without distractions, I can hit my page count by 5 or 6 p.m. So that’s my ideal writing day. However, distractions are common. Galleys show up, publicity requests come in, prep has to be done for speaking engagements…you get the idea. So I’m often at my computer well into the evening. It’s a busy life!

What do you hope readers take away from your books?


I have three goals with every book I write. First, I want to entertain. People need wholesome ways to unwind in today’s stressful, fast-paced world, and I do my best to write books that help them put aside their cares for a few hours. Second, I want to leave people with hope; with a belief that no matter how tough life gets, a happy ending is always possible. And finally, I want people to close the last page with a better appreciation for the tremendous power of love—both human and divine—to change lives. To sum up my goal in three words: entertain, enrich, uplift.

Are your books available in other countries?


Many of my novels are available in English-speaking parts of the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. I’ve also had books translated into German, Dutch, French and Afrikaans.

How do you integrate faith into the stories and lives of your characters?


For me, the faith element is organic to the story because at least one of my main characters has a strong faith that guides his or her life. But my books aren’t preachy. The faith content is subtle and reflected more in characters’ actions than in words. I prefer to show characters living their faith rather than talking about it.

Any parting words?

I’d like to say a few words about Christian fiction. For years it’s had a reputation as being too preachy and heavy-handed in terms of evangelizing. In truth, some of that is deserved. But the genre has changed considerably over the past few years. Now, Christian fiction refers more to books with a certain worldview. As a result, any reader who likes fiction that features traditional values would enjoy many Christian fiction books. I would love to find a way to convince more secular readers to wander into the Christian fiction aisle at their local bookstore. I think many of them would be very pleasantly surprised.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Saturday, January 15, 2011

DEEPER INTO THE WORD by Keri Wyatt Kent - BOOK REVIEW


Finally, a practical, easy to read reference book for every Christian desiring to delve a bit deeper into the meanings of New Testament words. One does not require a theological education to understand the nuances of Greek words, as Keri demonstrates so clearly.

In her new book, Keri Wyatt Kent presents us with reflections on 100 words from the New Testament clearly and simply, but in a way which will deepen our understanding of biblical passages. Keri lists the words alphabetically, and each entry is insightful yet concise. She also includes an appendix of helpful websites for those who wish to dig deeper, as well as an alphabetical index to the Greek words, together with the page(s) on which they are found in her book.

From the back cover: A fresh look at the words within the Word. Words matter. God cares about them and so should we. Going a little deeper into the Bible's words can make an old passage new again, enriching your understanding of God's message to his children. Why was this word chosen rather than that one? What does it imply in its original language that you can't see in English? And without knowing Greek, how can you learn to explore the details of God's Word for yourself? Keri Wyatt Kent provides a fresh encounter with the most important words of the New Testament.

I was delighted to pick up this book and to discover how readable it is. Keri explains the meaning and its usage in the biblical context in such a clear way. I recommend this book as a welcome addition to anyone's library for ready reference, as well as to be read devotionally. Each entry is short, yet packed with meaning and practical application. My copy is sitting beside my Bible, at the ready when I need a meaning clarified, or when I want to pick up a book for devotional reading. Hopefully Keri will now write a similar book of reflections on Hebrew words in their Old Testament context!

Keri Wyatt Kent is the author of seven previous books. She speaks at churches and retreats and frequently appears on Christian radio programs. Keri lives with her husband and two children in suburban Chicago.
For more information about Keri, check her website, http://www.keriwyattkent.com/. You may also follow her on Facebook.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Friday, January 14, 2011

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen - BOOK REVIEW

The Girl in the Gatehouse is the fourth of Julie Klassen's Regency fiction. Following Lady of Milkweed Manor, The Apothecary's Daughter, and The Silent Governess, this book does not fail to deliver a very well-written story. In the author's note, Julie writes "Jane Austen fans will recognize her influence in this book. Mariah is a secret author, as Jane Austen was during her lifetime. Many authors (female and male alike) published anonymously or under pseudonyms in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries."

This book is very well researched, and includes questions for discussion, thus making it suitable for book clubs.

From the back cover: "Mariah Aubrey lives in seclusion with her secrets. Will an ambitious captain uncover her identity...and her hidden past? Banished from the only home she'd ever known, Mariah Aubrey hides herself away in an abandoned gatehouse on a distant relative's estate. There she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how-by writing novels in secret.

When Captain Matthew Bryant leases the estate, he is intrigued by the beautiful girl in the gatehouse. But there are many things he doesn't know about this beguiling outcast. Will he risk his plans-and his heart-for a woman shadowed by scandal?"

I loved this story from beginning to end. Many themes are explored, from the previously mentioned position of a writer at the time, to love, rejection, revenge, secrecy and scandal, forgiveness and loyal commitment. To say "the plot thickens" is an understatement. There are stories within the story as relationships are developed, and the reader is left with new discoveries even as the book draws to its conclusion.

This is the first I've read of Klassen's books, but it surely won't be the last. What an enjoyable read, a real page-turner.


Julie Klassen loves all things Jane-Jane Eyre and Jane Austen.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie works as a fiction editor and novelist. Her book The Silent Governess won the 2010 Christy Award for Historical Romance. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information about Julie and her books, go to her website, www.julieklassen.com

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A post for the New Year by Margaret McSweeney

Title: Imua

A great Hawaiian saying is "Imua!" which means to move forward with confidence and courage. It's a great word for the upcoming new year as we explore new opportunities and perhaps face fears.

This week, I put into practice "imua" by facing my fear of ziplining. Yes, I stepped off a wooden platform to soar across 1800 feet of the world's fifth largest caldera located in Kauai. Encouraged by my teenage daughters, I faced my fear of not being in control of my destiny and took a leap of faith.



The excellent guides, Mitch and Chris of Outfitters Kauai prepared us well for our ultimate "black diamond" zipline adventure. We did several practice runs on what I thought were "big ziplines" but little did I know what was really awaiting. The guides constantly reminded us that the most important lesson we all needed to learn to be safe was to "trust our gear."

True wisdom that I needed to hear. For too long in life, I have "held on tightly" when what I should have done was to "let go and let God." He provides "the gear" that we need to sustain us through the difficult moments of life as we soar across jungles.

So I guess my advice would be this: "Face your fear and trust God's gear." IMUA!!

What fear do you need to face this year? What have you been holding on too tightly? What does "imua" mean to you?

Margaret McSweeney is the founder of Pearl Girls (www.pearlgirls.info), the host of Kitchen Chat (http://margaretmcsweeney.com/kitchen-chat/), and an author. Her book, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, was published in 2009. Margaret is fast at work on a fiction manuscript (or three) and can be found blogging at From Finance to Fiction (http://fromfinancetofiction.blogspot.com).


pearlgirls.info