the keeper

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who keeps you will not slumber... 

Psalm 121:1-2  

Sometimes I wonder where God is.  Those dry seasons come.  You know the ones: the dark, scary seasons.  The kind where you wonder if everything really is going to be okay.  Well?  Is it?

The words of this Psalm wash over my heart as I contemplate. 

"He who keeps you..."

The realization comes slowly and settles deep: He is my keeper.

He holds me in His hands.  

Through all the seasons.

Every dark season has to get through His glowing hands to get to me.

Every lonely time, it's in His heavenly embrace I'm walking through.

When I don't think it's going to turn out okay, He knows the end from the beginning.

He is my keeper.

No wonder I am commanded to rejoice always!  He is holding me, through everything.  Nothing can get through His hands without His permission.  No pain is unnecessary.  

And the best part: He loves me.

He loves me and protects me.  There is nothing I go through that He has not foreseen.  

There is no battle I face that He has not given me the strength to win.

There is no hurt that I can have that He can't heal.

There is no mountain I can't climb, because He will show me the way.

And keep my feet from stumbling.

He is my keeper.

And He loves me.

breathe {2015}

When the world seems so big.

I feel small.

These hands.  They're small. (Literally.)

This heart can only hold so much.

Seasons change.  The world turns 'round.

And I struggle and kick.  I want things to stay.

Breathe.  He whispers to me.

I fold my small hands that can only grasp so much.

I fall on these small knees that can only stride so far.

I bow this head that only thinks so much.

And close these eyes that can only see so far.

I can feel this heart thrum.

Beat.  Beat.  Beat.

Slow, steady, rhythm of heaven.

Beat.  Beat.  Beat.

This heart, can only hold so much love, dependent upon the Author of Love itself.

At His command, the core of my being jumps with joy at the life it brings.  Each leap, His order.  Each drop of blood that it stirs, life and love, racing through my veins.

I inhale.  I exhale.  I breathe His breath, from His very mouth.  The continuation of the first breath of life He breathed into Adam.  But Adam fell, and He had to make a way that we might keep His breath.

Now, every breath I take in is courtesy of the blood poured down from that hill.

Every breath I take in.  Every beat of my heart.  Grace.

I am often tempted to rush.  Efficiency is one of my favorite things.  But as I ponder the wonder of something so simple, oft taken for granted as a breath or a heartbeat, I realize that when I rush through life--I miss it.  I miss the simplicity of grace.  I turn around, I'm a few years older--and I may have gotten a couple of 'accomplishments' under my belt.  Have I thanked Him for the breath He gave me to do it?  Are they worthy of the gifts that He gave me for that moment?

My word of 2015 is breathe.

That I might not forget how I am ever dependent upon His grace for my very life, the very beating of my heart.  What am I doing with the thousands of breaths and beats that He graces me with every day?

in His lap

Life has been...normal, I guess.  Just not the normal that I expected.  Which, I suppose is normal...for life to be unexpected.  Unpredictable.  Crazy.  Too fast.  Unplanned.  Normal.

Things have been happening too fast, too much at one time.  Relationships have been sticky, my family has been suffering illness, we recently had to put down our dog of 12 years, we went on a trip a couple of weeks ago and came back with the flu, I felt called to leave a job very near to my heart, I found out about the death of a childhood friend... And if this doesn't sound crazy enough, that isn't all--I have actually left out a lot for privacy reasons, but I'm pretty sure this gives you a pretty good idea.

Yep, normal couple of weeks. Not really.  I mean, my life is usually crazy, but not this crazy.

Being that I had the flu a week ago, I also had a conference scheduled that I was supposed to work at this past weekend.  Over those 3-4 days, I did everything I could to cheat the illness.  I downed the garlic, vitamin C, echinacea, I did EVERYTHING!  I wanted to do this conference!  I had been scheduled to do it, and looking forward to it for MONTHS!

The day before I was supposed to leave, I was up and around, testing my body's strength.  On my feet all day doing laundry, everything.  I can DO this!  I was GOING.  That night I went to bed.  I had to get up at 3am to leave for my 5:15am flight.  But I couldn't sleep.  And I wasn't feeling well.  1:45am came, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to do this.  I was pushing myself too hard, and it could end up detrimental to my body, and those working with me at the conference if they had to pick up my pieces while I was sick away from home.  I sent an email admitting my weakness, and that I wasn't going to be able to make it.

So great was my disappointment, I felt terrible.  I slept practically all day.  My body was exhausted from my pushing...and my spirit was sad, unmotivated.

Even now, I feel the effects of the past couple of weeks weighing heavily.  Just everything, making my body emotionally and physically exhausted.

These are the times that Jesus has taught me that awkward, ironic feeling of resting in Him.

It's a strange feeling.  It's like I still feel all the chaos.  I feel the hurt.  I feel the disappointment.  I feel the frustration.  I still feel everything.  But there's something else.

I feel in the very deep recesses of my soul His rest. 

It's like a young child with a scraped up knee coming and crawling into the lap of a parent.  The child will still bleed.  Still hurt.  But she feels the arms of her parent around her and knows she's going to be okay.

It's the same with Jesus.  His rest does not mean that I won't feel pain. Hurt.  Disappointment.  Sadness.  It doesn't mean that I'll be immune to chaos.  Stress.  Strain.

But He does promise that He won't ever leave me, or forsake me.  He does promise me peace in the midst of it all.  He does promise abundant life.  He does promise Himself.  Rest.  Peace.

That strange yet beautiful feeling that He's got this.

Am I willing to let go of what I think I can control long enough to crawl into His lap and let Him hold me?  Let Him breath His words of peace into my heart:

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

~John 14:27

Book Review: Take Back the Land (and another giveaway!)

Name: Take Back the Land
Author: Rick Boyer
Format: Softcover
Pages: 253
Ages: 14+

  Wow.  This is one of the most amazing books that I have ever read in my life. (And I've read a lot of books!)

  Rick Boyer is sending a message out to my generation.  Be homeschooled or not, Mr. Boyer has a challenge for us:  Take back the land.
  Through his book Mr. Boyer shows us the problems going on in our country- he reveals how they are contrary to not only the Word of God but also to the way that our forefathers originally intended this country to be.
  But first (this was my favorite part) he exhorts us to "grow up".  "Don't waste your youth" is the title of the chapter in which Mr. Boyer basically tells us that he is not going to talk down to us, we are adults and he is going to treat us as such.  No childish behavior or short attention spans allowed- how can you impact the world if you are still sucking on a bottle?  The world glorifies youth.  It encourages us to "never grow up".  I want to encourage you- "Grow up!" Be responsible, show the world that you aren't an "Angry Birds" champion - you are an adult that holds responsibility and is careful with his/her time.  You would rather change the world for the better then be satisfied with mediocrity.
  Mr. Boyer goes on to reveal to us that we are the "Joshua Generation".  Those before us (the "Moses Generation") led us out of Egypt- out of slavery- we were given the rights to be homeschooled.  These rights were bought with an incredible price- Mr. Boyer attests to this with some of his own history.  But now, as my generation is entering the Promised Land, there are foes that have risen up and taken over.  God has called us, as He called the Israelites, to wipe them out- one at a time.
  On to more practical points, Mr. Boyer in the remaining chapters goes into specific detail on the problems in different areas of our nation, Education, Media, Family, Church, and more.  At the closing of each chapter he does not leave us hanging our heads ("woe is me!")- he shows us a practical way that we can be the solution in our land and bring about positive change.

 I was incredibly encouraged by this book!  It was well-written, though sometimes a lot to take in therefore a challenge to read- but it was exactly the wake-up call that I believe my generation needs.  I was so blessed to be able to read about the specific problems, how they occurred, and how they can be solved.  I wasn't even finished with it yet and I was recommending it to everyone!

  Thank you, Mr. Boyer, for such an encouragement to my generation!  I was so blessed by your book- and I pray that others in my generation will feel the same that we might rise up as one...

So are you loving what you hear so far?

Want your own copy- for free?

Master Books has generously sponsored another copy for me to give away!

(I know- two giveaways going on at once- crazy...)

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received this book from New Leaf Publishing at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Loresmen

Name of book:  Loresmen (Peleg Chronicles: Book Three)

Series: The Peleg Chronicles

Author:  Matthew Christian Harding

Format:  Soft Cover

Ages: 10+

Overall Rating: 5 stars

   The Peleg Chronicles takes place in the historical time setting of “the days of Peleg” a few generations after Noah and the Flood.  During this time of dragons, dwarves, heathen priests, giants and the like, adventure is bound to be discovered!

  

 Here the trilogy comes gracefully to a close...  After the nearly mind wracking cliff-hanger that left us at the last book, we find our heroes a midst a battle with three giants.  Can five mere men really defeat a force such as they?

Meanwhile, Thiery finds himself caught in the middle of a council- the trial of a friend that is being persecuted for his belief in Noah's God.  When Thiery stands up for him, testifying to the truths of his story, Thiery gets whirled into battle between the gods- a contest, if you will, to see who's God is true- the multiples of the heathens, or the God of Noah.  Will Thiery survive the cruel challenge?

-Worldview: Thoroughly Christian.  Even though this book is set in a time before Christ and before most scripture (save the book of Job) has been written, many Biblical passages are quoted by the characters as their own thoughts of God.

-Character Qualities: Loyalty, Perseverance, Trust,  Faith, Redemption, God's Love

-Romance:  None- until the epilogue in which two characters get married.

-Blasphemy/Profanity(Exodus 20:7):  None

-Era (historical time period):  2200-2000 BC

-Genre:  Historical Fiction

-Gospel Given:  Yes.  As well as it could be without mentioning Jesus- He hadn’t been born at that time.

Final thoughts or comments:

  While it is sad that the chronicles have come to a close- what a beautiful ending it had!  As in the previous book, the theme of redemption- the idea of grace for the worst of sinners, is glorified and exampled in this book.  

  I shouldn't say any more- I don't want to spoil it for anyone!

If you are unfamiliar with The Peleg Chronicles, click here to see the review of Book One: The Foundlings.

Book Review: Paladins

Name of book:  Paladins (Peleg Chronicles: Book Two)

Series: The Peleg Chronicles

Author:  Matthew Christian Harding

Format:  Soft Cover

Ages: 10+

Overall Rating: 5 stars

   The Peleg Chronicles takes place in the historical time setting of “the days of Peleg” a few generations after Noah and the Flood.  During this time of dragons, dwarves, heathen priests, giants, and the like, adventure is bound to be discovered!

  

  Springing right back into the action after the cliff-hanger ending of the previous book The Foundlings, Lord McDougal, Fergus Leatherhead, Igi Forkbeard, and Lady Mercy find themselves caught up in the seemingly suicidal "Death Hunt" fighting for their lives.

  But soon after their escape, Fergus has a run-in with Rush, an angry young man, seeking revenge for the humiliation that Fergus caused him one day in the past.  Rush lays a trap for Fergus, causing him to be pulled into a duel of honor the next day.

  Meanwhile, Gimcrack, Thiery, and Suzie settle into their new "home" and meet some new friends. When Thiery goes looking for a job he meets the "sneak" Pip, and his little brother, Percival, two orphaned boys.   Thiery invites them to come over for a "dinner party" and they become fast friends.  

  But when Thiery is met with persecution in his interview at Master Squilby's (his potential employer) will he be able to pass the test and get the job?

-Worldview: Thoroughly Christian.  Even though this book is set in a time before Christ and before most scripture (save the book of Job) has been written, many Biblical passages are quoted by the characters as their own thoughts of God.

-Character Qualities:  Loyalty, Perseverance, Trust, Faith, Redemption, God's Love

-Romance:  None.

-Blasphemy/Profanity(Exodus 20:7):  None

-Era (historical time period):  2200-2000 BC

-Genre:  Historical Fiction

-Gospel Given:  Yes.  As well as it could be without mentioning Jesus- He hadn’t been born at that time.

Final thoughts or comments:

  This book was just as wonderful, if not more, than the first in this series. The fast-paced paced scenes, and ever developing characters, continued to keep me turning pages.  I really enjoyed getting to know the character of Fergus more in this book- he seems to take more of a lead role. 

  The theme of redemption, God's love, resounds through this book- especially at the climax toward the ending which I would like to share but I must refrain so as to not spoil the book for you!

 Again, what a blessing it is to have such God-glorifying literature that I can hand to my younger brothers and sisters- or even my friends with no worries!

If you are unfamiliar with The Peleg Chronicles, click here to see the review of Book One: The Foundlings.

...until we meet...

Ever since the "Teach Them Diligently" convention, our home has been a little out of sorts.  Not because of the convention- because of my new little sister.

A few days after we arrived home from the convention, we discovered that my mother was expecting.  This new little baby would now be our tenth!  Unfortunately, all in the same three days we also discovered that our precious baby brother or sister had passed into eternal glory.

Why?   

One asks.  

Why did she have to die?  Didn't God know that we already loved her, already we desired to hold her, dress her, feed her, embrace her?  Didn't He realize that we want another baby?

Of course He did- and still does.

I received an email from Lamplighter Moments a day or so ago that featured this verse,

"All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam."

-1 Kings 14:13

(emphasis added)

The context of this verse is that Jeroboam's little son, Abijah, is dying.  Upon Jeroboam sending his wife to inquire of the prophet Ahijah this, among other things, was what he told her.

It was strange to receive this email after all that our family has been going through over the past couple of weeks.  

Perhaps God wished me to see it to assure me that my baby sister is in heaven with Him, not because she did anything wrong, not because we did anything wrong, but because He loved her, and wanted to bring her home to Himself.  

You may ask yourself, if He can so easily take her away- so quickly- why would He bother allowing her to be conceived in the first place?  Ah, my friend.  You are considering the child's worth to be placed on their physical body and appearance in this world.  But actually the worth of my sister lies in her soul.  Another child of God crying at His throne, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God Almighty!"  No matter what her physical worth was on this earth- she is another voice to sing the praises of the Creator in heaven.   She is another knee, bowing before the throne.  She has another crown, laying it down before Jesus, worshiping at His feet.

Many of us have such brothers and sisters that have been taken away sooner than we expect.  Take heart, my dear friend, that until we meet them in heaven, we must have faith and peace in the fact that the Lord loves them more than we do- just as He loves us more than anyone else can.

Won't it be wonderful someday to stand shoulder to shoulder with them praising God?  Bowing before His throne with my baby sister....  singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy..."

Book Review: The Foundlings

Name of book:  The Foundlings

Series: The Peleg Chronicles

Author:  Matthew Christian Harding

Format:  Soft Cover

Ages: 10+

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Brief Synopsis:

   The Peleg Chronicles takes place in the historical time setting of “the days of Peleg” a few generations after Noah and the Flood.  During this time of dragons, dwarves, heathen priests, giants, and the like, adventure is bound to be discovered!

  The story begins with an awkward Lord McDougal, and his faithful shield-bearer, Fergus Leatherhead, as they struggle to save a dwarf from what they find out to be a heathen sacrifice.  Gimcrack, the dwarf, recounts his story- that of the God-fearing orphan boy, Thiery, and how he tried to rescue Gimcrack from the human sacrifice.

  This just begins the tale.  As the story progresses you get to know 13-year-old Thiery and his trusty wolf, Horatio, and witness the faith and adoration that Thiery has in his Lord God.  Through startling discoveries, seemingly hopeless situations, and heart palpitating battles, Thiery demonstrates his trust in the God of Noah and helps to build not only the faith of his friends, but also the reader as well.
  Though there is no singular plot, the book is made up of a series of vignettes and adventures experienced by both our Lord McDougal and Thiery- demonstrating the relationships between the worshipers of the one true God and those whose hearts are turned away from Him. 

-Worldview: Thoroughly Christian.  Even though this book is set in a time before Christ and before most scripture (save the book of Job) has been written, many Biblical passages are quoted by the characters as their own thoughts of God.

-Character Qualities:  Loyalty, Perseverance, Trust, Faith

-Romance:  None.

-Blasphemy/Profanity(Exodus 20:7):  None

-Era (historical time period):  2200-2000 BC

-Genre:  Historical Fiction

-Gospel Given:  Yes.  As well as it could be without mentioning Jesus- He hadn’t been born at that time.

Final thoughts or comments:

  I LOVED this book!  I HIGHLY recommend this book to pretty much everyone.  I was so blessed by how much my faith was encouraged and built by this book.   As I read about the characters calling upon God in every distress, seeking His will, His direction in every area of their conduct, I was so encouraged. 

  The story kept me turning pages.  The chapters were fast-paced and the scenes well written.  The characters were noble and easy to love.  I especially loved Fergus- don’t ask me exactly why…

  I must congratulate the author in having a no-compromise worldview, writing a Christian fantasy book that those lovers of fantasy can enjoy without being worried about their Christianity being compromised or their time being wasted trying to pluck out the “values”.  Thank you, Mr. Harding!