Sunday Words of Encouragement July 18, 2010

Our Pastor  spoke on Renewing Your Passion today. The verses are 2 Timothy 1:3-12.  It was an excellent message which culminated with "Do not despair; never lose hope. Live with Passion." It was certainly upbeat and a "never quit" type of message. Don't forget that God has a purpose for you.

On a second theme- today was our daughter's 23rd birthday. The DH was disappointed that she wasn't coming over today to celebrate. She had her best friend in from out of town and they wanted to go to the beach (an hour away) with the children.
This reminded me of the following:

On Children
 Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

I found this video for our daughter. 

She likes Carrie Underwood and this song. It has a message that is good for all of us.

A verse for today:

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

I prayed today for blessings for our children - that they might know God more clearly in their lives and that He might bless them and bless others through their witness.

Three Winners of The 9th Judgment Audio Book!

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to three winners of The 9th Judgment by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

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Five Winners of Ravished by a Highlander!

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Giveaway - Five Copies Still the One by Robin Wells

If you love "reunion" romances this is one for you. Five books available to win! THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO HACHETTE AND ANNA for the opportunity to give away this emotionally beautiful book.

Still the One by Robin Wells

Check out the Five Fun Facts
Download the Reading Group Guide - This would be a great group book and the questions are very thought provoking.
Follow @RobinRWells on Twitter
Visit RobinWells.com

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. For your main entry make a comment on one of these two links a) - c). Make sure you leave your e-mail address!
a) Check out the Author's Website and tell me something you found interesting there.OR
b) You can visit five fun facts and comment on one of those.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. For TWO extra entries comment on the review post.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Five total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! Five winners!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on August 6, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Review - Still the One by Robin Wells

"...read this story and allow the warmth to bloom in your own heart."
Still the One by Robin Wells

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (May 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446555983
• ISBN-13: 978-0446555982

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5 of 5

Product Description
Robin Wells takes us back to Chartreuse, Louisiana, for a deeply moving story of forgiveness and second chances. After Katie Charmaine's husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she's always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows up in town . . . with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.  Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn't felt in years. But he's in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the world, and-worst of all-pregnant. She needs the love of her two parents now more than ever. Can these three forgive the hurts of the past and open their hearts to each other?

Review: This may have started just a little bit slowly but once I got past that I was definitely enthralled.  Two words can describe this: Just lovely.

Katie fell in love with Zack at age 17.  She got pregnant during their first love encounter; then Zack disappeared.  Kate gave her baby girl up for adoption so Grace would have a better life. Although Kate's childhood was empty of love, she grew into a beautiful woman who is gracious and loving to others. She was blessed with a wonderful marriage that was full of love on both sides but her husband died in Iraq leaving Kate alone with nothing but memories.

Zack grew up in an abusive home and has no belief in love or commitment. Although he cared for Katie that summer of teenage love, he never intended anything permanent. He didn’t mean to abandon Katie but circumstances dragged him away and he thought it would be best for her if he stayed out of her life.

Imagine Kate’s feelings when Zack moves to town with 16 year old Gracie...who is pregnant. Grace is grieving the loss of her parents and is an extremely hurting, bitter and rebellious teenager.  Kate, with her fountain of love, is thrilled to meet her daughter even if Grace refuses to acknowledge her as mother. And Kate might want to resist Zack but that old chemistry never left them.  Can Kate risk being hurt again by a man who doesn’t believe in ever-afters? Even if Kate can move beyond mourning her husband, what can become of any relationship with Zack except heart ache? Is it possible for Zack to change how he feels about commitment especially when he sees the expanse of Katie’s love?

As these three struggle to find some even ground, there is a side story for Katie’s separated in-laws. The author does a beautiful job in showing the misery of anger, bitterness and loneliness and the opportunities for peace and happiness if we are willing to embrace love.The characters have a true sense of realism. It brought to mind several emotional memories from my own life.

I loved this expression: “Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice.  You have to want to be in a relationship.” There are several other wonderful expressions that are worth remembering. I recommend you read this story and allow the warmth to bloom in your own heart. (And you might need a tissue or two.)

xxx

Check out the Giveaway - five copies to lucky winners.