A Nice Surprise!

I have been out of town since Thursday. I had a great time! What was even better than a chance to get away was coming home to a clean house!! Yes, my wonderful husband had vacuumed, mopped, dusted, washed the dishes and made the beds.

I love you Ricky Hilliard!

Deadly Ties-Book Review

I chose to review the book “Deadly Ties” by Vicki Hinze from Blogging for Books because I love a good book. From what I read about this book, I thought it would be right up my alley, thriller, suspense, and romance. But I have to say, from the very beginning, I had trouble staying with it. When I get a good book, I usually can’t put it down. This book was hard for me to pick up. I have never read anything by Vicki Hinze and the fact that there was a book before this one may have been part of the problem.

The plot was hard to follow, and again, it may be because I had not read the first one in the series. But it was also very predictable. As much as I love to read a good book, this was not one I enjoyed at all. It was almost a chore to read it. I can’t recommend this book to anyone because I did not enjoy reading it myself.

I was given a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for my honest opinion.

Need I Say More??

Life...we have our struggles...our ups and downs...but all in all, we are blessed. Life is what we make of it. Our lives can change in an instant. It seems like only yesterday we were called into the doctors office to find out Ricky had leukemia. That was a life changer for us. It's all in how you respond to the changes. God has been so good to us.

Over the past year, there have been so many changes in my life that I have had to sit and ponder on them. It seems like for so long, I had just been going through the motions with so much of my life. The past year, I have really looked at things in a new light and tried to decide what is really important to me.

I have made many, many mistakes. I am a sinner saved by grace. That doesn't make me perfect though, just forgiven. I look back at my life and see all the wrong turns I have made, all the wrong decisions I have made. I have seen where I have "gotten off track" so to speak. It seems like I had learned to just settle for the mediocre relationship with God. Isn't that what most of us do? We settle, instead of selling out, we settle. Oh what a mistake that is!! God has so much more for us.

The past year has brought about so many changes in my life, my marriage, my family and most importantly my relationship with God. All these years, I have tried in my own strength to do what I thought I was suppose to do. That only gets me frustrated when I make mistakes. God doesn't want me doing what I can do, God wants to work through me. Why has it taken 45 years for me to finally realize this? I guess I am a slow learner! I am just so glad that God didn't give up on me, or through the towel in.

So many people look at all of our failures, all of our mistakes. God sees past all of those to the person we can become through Him.

I want to say, God has blessed me so much with a wonderful forgiving husband. God knew I needed someone like you in my life! Thank you Ricky for loving me unconditionally. He blessed me with three beautiful daughters, two wonderful sons-in-laws, 3 almost 4 wonderful grandbabies, a lovely step daughter, a new step son-in-law, two great step sons, two step grandchildren and a wonderful sister-in-law. Not to mention I have the greatest parents in the world, a wonderful sister and brother and I could go on and on. I have true friends...those that stick with you even when you try to push them away or made stupid choices. Those are true friends..those that will love you regardless...those that will not allow you to stay in the "pig pen". I never can say it enough...I love you all!!

Looking back sometimes causes you pain because of the bad choices, mistakes and failures in your life. I choose to look over that to the blessings! God has truly blessed me. First and foremost, God has forgiven me. That is enough...but He didn't stop there...He continues to bless me each and every day. I have failed Him in so many ways...but He looks past that..and loves me in spite of myself.

To all of those I have hurt in the past..I am truly sorry...I can never change things, but I can say I am sorry. I can pray for each of you to find the forgiveness and joy that I have found in God and God alone. I can pray that not only do you find forgiveness and joy but you learn to forgive as well. Forgiveness is one of those things that is so easy but for some reason we make it hard. Unforgiveness eats at us each and every moment of our lives, Not hurting anyone but ourselves. No wonder God tells us to forgive so many times in His Word.

Back to the beginning of my post...yes changes are not always fun...but they can be good for us. Changes can challenge us to become the person God has planned for us to become. Not perfect, just forgiven!

God Bless!!

The Principal Path-Book Review

When I saw the book The Principal Path by Andy Stanley on Booksneeze, I automatically wanted to read it. I had heard a lot about Andy Stanley and wanted to see for myself if his books were good. My first thoughts of the book were great. This book is very easy to read and will keep your interest easily.

This book is a self help book for everyday life.. Stanley shares with us his principle for success in life. He begins with a story from his own life. His applications can be useful in our relationships, our finances, our career, and even our parenting.

His insights in this book are very simple but very profound. Anyone can pick up this book and read it and put into practice Stanley’s principle and lead a better life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. This book would also make a great gift.

I was given this book free of charge from book sneeze in exchange for my honest opinion of the book. I was not required to give a favorable review.

Family Life Marriage Bible-Book Review

I chose to review the Family Life Marriage Bible from Booksneeze because I have read several books from the Rainey’s and enjoyed them. This book did not disappoint me at all. It has very practical help for those that are getting married or are already married.

Marriage can be difficult at times and anytime you can do something that will benefit your marriage it is well worth the time spent. This book is well worth the time spent, you will learn practical things you can do that will help strengthen your marriage. If you are having problems in your marriage or if you just want to strengthen your relationship with each other, this is the book for you.

The Rainey’s have done a tremendous job in compiling this book to help us through the good days and the bad days in our marriages. God’s word is the first place we need to go to when we are looking for answers in our marriage. The Rainey’s have combined God’s truth with their insight on marriage and have made a great resource for us.

I give this book 5 stars. I highly recommend this for those thinking about marriage or those that are already married. This book would also make a great gift!

I was given this book from booksneeze free of charge to give my honest opinion of the book.

Radical-Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream

I chose the book, Radical Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt, because I had heard so many different responses to the book. I had to read the book for myself and make up my own mind on it.

This book speaks of how so many messages on the Christian Faith have became watered down and really have no effect on people anymore. It talks of how we sit in our padded pews and air conditioned churches and never really have a change in our heart.

I myself enjoyed reading the book. It did convict me of many things. I think that any Christian should read this book. It will remind us of how blessed we are. Maybe, it will cause us to rethink a few things in our life.

The author speaks of getting your mind off of yourself and to start thinking of others. Reading your Bible. Helping others and going on mission trips. I think we can all use reminders of these things.

I would recommend this book to any Christian. I think it is a great eye opener and reminder of why we are here on this earth. I give this book 5 stars.

I was given this book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion. I did not have to give a favorable review.

Voices of the Faithful Book 2-Book Review

I chose the book "Voices of the Faithful Book-2" from Booksneeze.com to review. One reason I chose to review this book is that I had already reviewed "Voices of the Faithful Book-1" and I wanted to see if it was as good as the first one.

This book is a devotional book for everyday of the year. Much like the first edition, most of the devotionals only take one page. They are inspiring stories from all over the world. Each story gives you hope, shows you courage and lifts you up.

This book has an introduction by Beth Moore, which is one of my favorite Christian authors. I think this book would be great for any woman to add to her daily devotions. They are short enough that it can be read on a lunch break. I would highly recommend you add this book to your collection or give it as a gift.

I was given this book free of charge for my honest opinion. I did not have to give a favorable review.