Giant - Word Nerd Blog Hop

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Do you ever feel like there are giants in your path? Maybe it's just those thoughts that get you down saying 'You can do it' or 'The job is too big for you to handle'. Perhaps it's a physical obstacle preventing you from achieving something.

I'm reminded of this verse in Philippians that tells us we can do all things through the Lord's strength. Of course you need to make sure you are first following God's will for your life instead of just plowing ahead on your own strength and not asking Him for guidance.

So what is the giant in your life right now? What is God asking you to do about it?

Hope in the Lord

Welcome! If you happen to be stopping by because you read my post on Stitches Thru Time, I'm glad you decided to stop by for a visit.

I did a quick search on Biblegateway.com using the word hope and Lord and came up with 28 different verses - 11 which are in Psalms. Here are a sampling.

Be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24

I put my hope in You, Lord;
You will answer, Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15

For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:11-12

For You are my hope, Lord God,
my confidence from my youth.
Psalm 71:5

I'm so thankful that we can hope in the Lord, and He promises to be with us if we are one of His followers. 

I'm thankful today for the hope God gives me. What can you praise Him for?

Fishing - Part One of the Word Nerd Meme

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 

Matthew 4:18-20

Today is the beginning of a new blog meme - ten weeks of looking at ten different words as part of the Word Nerd Blog Hops.

The word for this week is fishing, and I couldn't help but think of when Jesus called two men to be a part of His life's work. I chose the KJV because I like the way its worded.  Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

I think there are two key things to note here. The men - Peter and Andrew didn't question the call, they just followed - blindly trusting in the Man who called them. 

Another noteworthy thing is that they abandoned their livelihood to follow Jesus. I can't help but recall a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman with a line that said, "We will abandon it all, for the sake of the call."

So my question for you on this blog hop Thursday is this, what are you willing to abandon in order to follow God's call on your life? 

Are you ready to go fishing and see what He has for you?

The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd

William Sterling is facing serious financial ruin if he can't find a way to pay off his debts and even has a threat of mortal danger. After being attacked by henchman, he finds himself on the property of one of his tenants - the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. A lovely headmistress dressed his wounds.

Patience Creighton has long given up any notions of marriage and a family of her own. Since her father's death, she has had to shoulder all the responsibilities for Rosemere - a school that was his vision. But when her injured landlord shows up on her doorstep, some of those long-forsaken dreams are stirred into flame.

The Headmistress of Rosemere is the second book from Sarah E. Ladd. It was my first introduction to this author and I found it to be a delight. I will definitely look for her first novel to read as well. You won't be disappointed to add this book to your reading list for this year.

This book was provided free for review by Thomas Nelson.Don't miss Sarah Ladd's latest Regency novel, The Headmistress of Rosemere. She is celebrating the release of book two in her Whispers on the Moors series with a fun "School" Your Desk Kindle Fire Giveaway and an Author Chat Facebook Party!

Between January 17–28, visit Sarah Ladd's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win a Kindle Fire grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 28th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.)

RSVP today for Sarah's The Headmistress of Rosemere Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your Regency trivia skills, announcing the winner of the "School" Your Desk Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at the next book in the Whispers on the Moors series!

So grab your copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere and hope to see you on the evening of January 28th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 28th!

Call of the Prairie by Vickie McDonough

Sophie Davenport longs for a life of independence instead of being smothered by her parents' constant concern for her delicate health. After years of dealing with asthma, they aren't exactly willing to let her out of their domain. When extenuating circumstances allow her a brief respite to travel to Kansas and care of her ill aunt, Sophie jumps at the opportunity for a change in her situation.

 Josh Harper isn't impressed when he meets the young woman who came to assist her aunt and also watch his niece and nephew after school each day. He doubts her privileged background prepared her to deal with the three additional youngsters that live with her aunt and also maintain a home too. In fact, he isn't sure he should entrust his loved ones into her care at all. Sparks fly when the two battle wits over her abilities.

Vickie McDonough has another potential award-winning book on her hands with Call of the Prairie. She weaves a delightful tale of life on the Kansas prairie. With her lively dialogue and gift for description, the reader is easily drawn into the story of young Sophie and Josh. It won't disappoint.

This book was provided free for review by Whitaker House.

Z is for Zion - Last Day of Blog Hop Friday

I did a quick search on Biblegateway and found over 170 Bible verses with references to Zion - which most scholars believe is the promise of a new heaven.

You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.” No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. - Hebrew 12:18-24

As we come to the end of our blog hop Friday, my question for you is, do you have the assurance of your name written down in Heaven? Maybe you aren't sure what that means. If you have chosen to follow and serve Christ, have sought His forgiveness for your sins, and asked Him to be Lord and Savior, your name was written in heaven that you belong to Him. If you've never done so, now is your chance to set things right. When you make this decision, you have the assurance of living with God in Zion.

Is today your day to take that step of faith and turn your life over to Him? I can tell you from 40+ years of walking with my Savior, it's a decision I've never regretted.

Y is for Yesterday - Blog Hop Friday

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13b-14

I heard a sermon this past Sunday from James MacDonald. He encouraged the need to pray and ask what God wants you to forget from 2013 and find out what He desires you to lean toward for 2014. I've been thinking about this all week.

What from your past... or yesterday is God asking you to forget?

X is for X-Ray - Blog Hop Friday

We are down to the final three weeks of Blog Hop Friday. This week is X for x-ray, but not in the traditional use of the word. Psalm 26:2 says:

Test me, Lord, and try me;
examine my heart and mind.

When was the last time you allowed God to examine your heart? When have you x-rayed your days and life to evaluate how you spend your time? The beginning of the New Year is a great opportunity to make necessary changes so our hearts and minds are in accord with Christ and what He wants us to be doing.

Is it time you had an x-ray?

Happy New Year - 2014

Can you believe it's the first day into a brand new year? I can't help but wonder what happened to 2013. Many talk about making resolutions for the New Year. I tend to more so look at the chance to have some new goals to accomplish. I'm thankful for the fact that each day God gives us a fresh start - an opportunity to start things over. I'm excited to see what He has in store for 2014.

Happy New Year. May your 2014 be blessed.