BE MY VALENTINE

Valentine's Day has not always held a special place in my heart.  I can still remember those years in primary school, when it seemed that Valentine's Day was the focus during the first two weeks of February.  Our classroom would be lavishly decorated with red cardboard hearts, chubby cupids with their bows and arrrows, red and white streamers and lacey doilies.  My dread increased with each passing day.

My teacher would have us decorate brown paper bags and put our names on them, then attach them along the bottom of the blackboard ledge, in anticipation of that grand day when the bags would be filled with cards.  The cards had pictures of boys and girls, and had sentiments such as "Be my Valentine", "Valentine, Be Mine", "You are the one for me", and so on.

My mum took me shopping to buy a book of Valentines, which I carefully cut out, writing the name of a classmate as well as my own name on the back of each one, then placing it in a small white envelope.  I loved choosing special ones for each one in my class.

The day finally arrived.  As we entered the classroom, we each placed our Valentines in the appropriate bags, then waited until it was time to collect our bag and discover who had given us a special card.

I watched as others grabbed their bags and poured their cards out on their desks.  The children were giggling, giddy with excitement.  Most had their desk covered with those special cards.  Finally, I gathered courage to open my own bag, and there would be 3 or 4 cards in it.  Saddened, but not surprised, I placed those treasures back in my bag.  I was not one of the popular students, I was not one of the pretty ones, and did not have pretty clothes.  My hair was short and straight as a board, unlike some who had long flowing curls or ringlets.  Finally, the bell rang, and I sauntered off toward home, by myself.

As I think back on those early years, I wonder how many others feel as I did.  Neither pretty nor popular, just plain and ordinary.  Shy, sad, alone.

One day when I was 12, I reached into another Valentine bag.  In it there was one large heart.  On it were written words so loving and tender, words that stirred my heart and filled me with hope. "Lynn, I love you.  Jesus".  Joy overflowed as I sensed the embrace of the one who had sent that card.  For the first time, I knew that I was loved deeply and accepted, just as I was.  I wanted to run into the arms of the one who had sent that card to me that day.  And run I did, straight into the arms of the One Who loves and accepts me without condition, with an everlasting love.

There have been other loves in my life, such as my sweet husband, children, in-laws, grandchildren and dear friends.  But Jesus will always and forever be my one true love, above all others.  He had filled the emptiness in my heart as nothing else could.  Bags of valentine sentiments from classmates are nothing in comparison.  My heart is filled to the brim.  May that love spill over and touch those around me.  May they, too, come to know the love of our great Saviour.

"He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." 

(Zephaniah 3:17 - NIV)

No love song could ever compare with the one He sings over us, His beloved ones!

Happy Valentine's Day!

BOOK REVIEW - "THIN PLACES" by Mary DeMuth

In Thin Places - a memoir, Mary DeMuth takes us with her on an intimate journey into her childhood, detailing circumstances that lead up to where she is today.  This was not an easy book to write, as Mary exposes her past, becoming vulnerable and baring her heart. Mary was repeatedly abused physically, experiencing shame and wanting to please people, lonely and seeking to belong, looking for love in all the wrong places.  But Mary's story is not one of a victim, but of a victor, because she entered into a personal relationship with the God of redemption.

In Thin Places, Mary describes those moments when "the division between this world and the eternal fades. Thin places are snatches of holy ground, tucked into the corners of our world, where we might just catch a glimpse of eternity.  They are aha moments, the beautiful realizations." (quoted from back cover) 

In the telling of her story, Mary offers hope for all of us.  We may have experienced circumstances such as Mary describes.  She invites us to discover God through those circumstances, and to share that hope which He freely extends to all.

I found it encouraging that Mary is still on a journey.  Some questions still remain unanswered.  In spite of everything, Mary says "...the ultimate Author of my life is Jesus.  He has taken a frail, needy, empty girl and helped her to dance.  And even when she stumbles badly and makes a mess of her life, He still sees her, loves her, woos her, delights in her."

Thank you, Mary, for listening to God's voice and going to the painful places in order to touch the hearts of many hurting people.

http://marydemuth.com/ - Mary's website

Mary's blog

Thin Places is available through the following: http://www.amazon.com/, BarnesandNoble.com, Shelfari.com, Goodreads.com, Epinions.com, Librarything.com and Christianbooks.com.

To view the trailer for Thin Places, go to http://www.youtube.com/  and type in "Thin Places Mary DeMuth."

This is a book to be read slowly, allowing the message to touch your heart.  Then pass it on to a library, prison ministry or women's shelter.  And most important: consider giving the book to a friend who needs the message.

Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy of the book for review purposes.

BOOK REVIEW - Pure Pleasure by Gary Thomas

PURE PLEASURE by Gary Thomas is a thoughfully written and thought-provoking book.  In it, Gary addresses the question "Why do Christians feel so bad about feeling good?"

The book is full of Scripture quotations as well as illustrations from his personal experiences and those of well-known and lesser-known Christians throughout history.  Each chapter concludes with questions for discussion and reflection.  These are not questions with easy answers, but rather, the reader is challenged to delve deeper into the "why" of what we believe and how we live.

This book is not a quick read.  I would recommend it for group discussion.  It is powerful.  I have been challenged personally, and believe this will be a book to loan out to others.  Well done, Gary!

 Gary's website - http://www.garythomas.com/

Blog tour participants - Be sure and stop by for a visit Feb. 1-5 http://www.blogtourspot.com/thomas-tour/thomas-tour-stops

Pure Pleasure may be purchased through http://www.amazon.com/ 

I wish to thank Zondervan for providing a copy for review.

BOOK REVIEW - Simple Compassion by Keri Wyatt Kent

Subtitled "Devotions to Make a Difference in Your Neighborhood and Your World, is especially suitable for group discussion, but may also be used by individuals.  The book is broken down into four sections.  Part one deals with understanding our own worth, part two gives simple ways to show compassion to our families and neighbors, part three encourages us to show compassion to the poor in our city, and the fourth section has a global emphasis.  Keri's motivating Scripture is taken from Micah 6:8: :He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (TNIV)

From back cover: "An invitation to change the world, one life at a time.  Starting with your own."  There is one short chapter for each week of the year, followed by action steps.  A discussion guide is included at the end of the book, which is helpful for personal or group study.

In this book, Keri Wyatt Kent invites us to discover a life overflowing with creative compassion.  It is filled with stories as well as fresh insights from the Bible.  It is encouraging to know that even small acts of compassion by ordinary women can lead to meaningful change.  Keri challenges us to take action, and not just read about compassion.  To that end, she provides suggestions for living out principles of justice and compassion, beginning where we are.  The book ofers "a thoughtful, unhurried approach that will allow you to rest in God's love and then inspire you to move from being filled with God's Spirit to pouring out God's love."

My husband and I are involved in ministry in a community populated by new immigrants and refugees, so this book attracted my attention.  I have read the first chapter, and look forward to what God will do in my own life and in the community this year.

Thanks to Zondervan for providing a review copy of this wonderful book.

I invite you to check out the following:
Keri's website is http://www.keriwyattkent.com/
Participants in this blogtour: http://blogtourspot.com/kkent-simple-tour-spots
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/keri.wyatt.kent
This book can be purchased through http://www.amazon.com/

Memories of Christmases Long Ago

Do you find this time of year nostalgic?  I do.  I think back on the years gone by, all the memories of happy family times and traditions.  There is one that I would love to share with you today.

When I was in grade one, I coloured a Santa, which my parents placed in a focal point on our tree.  Daddy was so proud of me, since I "stayed between the lines."  I coloured that picture in 1955, and it was placed lovingly by my mother on their tree every year until 1988, her last Christmas on earth.  The picture was passed on to me, a precious memory.

In 1983, our daughter Heather was in grade one, so I thought it would be great if she would colour a picture of Mrs. Claus to join Santa on her grandparents' tree.  Needless to say, they were thrilled.

Then in 1985, Leanne turned 6, and I wondered what she could colour to go along with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  Why, of course, their children!  I found the perfect picture for Leanne.  Once again, her grandparents were ecstatic, and the three pictures were placed front row, centre stage on their tree.

We still find a treasured place for those three pictures, all coloured with love.

BOOK REVIEW - "The Mystery of the Cross"

The Mystery of the Cross

Bringing Ancient Christian Images to Life

by Judith Couchman

As a Christ-follower and a lover of both ancient history and art history, I was delighted to discover this treasure of a book. In forty short chapters, Judith includes a wealth of knowledge gleaned through intensive study. Each chapter includes photos and/or line drawings, helping the reader to visualize what is being described.

Judith invites the reader "to read intriguing stories about the sign of the cross, ponder their meaning and consider how these anecdotes speak to (us). She also suggests various ways in which the book can be used, such as" for art appreciation, historical information, personal meditation, spiritual formation, small group discussion, Lenten observation and worship insights. Reading this book will help the reader understand and appreciate the cross's spiritual work in the world and its power for everyday life."

This book is not meant for a quick read, but is one to which I will be returning again and again. Each chapter concludes with personal insight, relating the topic to our daily life experience. Beautifully written and illustrated, Judith has given us a treasure in this book!


Judith Couchman is the author or compiler of more than 40 books, and she teaches art history part-time for the University of Colorado. Her books include Art of Faith, The Shadow of His Hand and Designing a Woman's Life.

Published by Formatio, an imprint of InterVarsity Press, the book is available through the InterVarsity Press website at www.ivpress.com. It is also available through other on-line retailers, such as www.amazon.com and www.christianbooks.com , as well as through local bookstores.

Note:  I wish to thank Judith for providing a copy of her book for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review - Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana

From the back cover: "Julia Cavanaugh has never left New York.  But in 1889, the young woman rides the orphan train west to deliver the girls in her care to new families.  After Julia's final stop in Montana, she plans to...head straight back east.  But upon arriving in the remote town of Lonesome Prairie, she learns to her horror that she is also supposed to be delivered into the hands of an uncouth miner who carries a bill of purchase for his new "bride."  Julia turns to a respected circuit preacher to protect her from the marriage, but with no return fare, no home, and few friends, her options are bleak.  What is God's plan for a lonely woman stranded in the middle of the vast Montana prairie?"

This book is wonderful!  Co-authors Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss have produced a story that goes straight to the heart.  The characters are well-developed, and we are led to feel with Julia as she faces leaving the girls she has come to love.  We also feel with her in her personal plight.  This is a 'must-have' to add to the collection of anyone who loves historical fiction set in the prairies.

Love Finds You is a series based in actual towns.  Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana?  As described in the book, it can be "purty lonely", and if a local describes it in those terms, imagine how it must have been for Julia, coming all the way from New York by train!

Love Finds You in Lonsesome Prairie, Montana, is published by Summerside Press, and is due to be released on December 1, 2009.  It is available at local Christian bookstores as well as through http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.christianbooks.com/.
For further information about Tricia, see http://www.triciagoyer.com/ .  You may contact Ocieanna via Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/


I wish to thank litFUSE for providing a copy of this book for me to review.  The opinions expressed in the blog are my own.