31 Days of Prayer

If Prayer is a passion -- one of my passions is prayer.  This little book "31 days of prayer" by Ruth and Warren Myers was given to me as a gift by one of my prayer partners.  It is simply wonderful.  My copy is highlighted, underlined, written in with different colors, and has exclamation points and astericks thoughout.  There is a different prayer and extra thoughts for each day of the month.  Each prayer is written using the words of our God.  They are powerful and touch your spirit.  It is amazing how they speak into your life and circumstances at just the right time.   The subtitle of this book is "moving God's mighty hand"; Ruth and Warren Meyers share these personal prayers where they have seen and lived, seeing the mighty hand of God move in their lives.  It can also move in yours.

Radical Review

This book could be an easy read for some. Platt writes this book just like you are sitting and having coffee with him and explains the Bible in simple and tangible ways which make it real and leaves you craving more. But this was not a fast read for me. This is a book that challenges me to look inside and outside and all around me to figure out who I really am in this world, what I am doing in this world, and how I am living it out if I say I am a follower of Christ. Platt is not just challenging me, he is living what he writes. His steps out of “the American dream” into a life of radial abandonment to Jesus are simple, yet profound.
He introduces me to take an honest look at Jesus and ask myself if I really believe and really want to obey Christ. What do my decisions & my lifestyle show? This is not easy to do – to evaluate my own life and see just how much I have chosen the “American dream” over faith in Christ. And yet Platt understands as he has the same failings as me. He encourages and offer a simple “Radial Experiment” for me to commit to for a year; and in taking this risk knows that following Jesus will turn my life upside down and crazy and that it will never be the same; and is confident I would never want it to be.
This is a must read for every believer in America. . It’s time to take our faith back and from the American dream and let Jesus Christ transform and make that dream His.

I Can See Clearly Now

I talk to so many people who are deceived. They believe lies. They don't know the Truth and are so indoctrinated by the culture that they actually argue for the lies they believe. They walk around pretending to be full but are empty. They are in despair and confused -as if in a FOG. Only God can part the fog and bring clear skies. And this is not deceit - for "it is God himself who has given those who know Him the work of telling others. So we never give up. We do not try to trick people into believing - we are not interested in fooling anyone. We never try to get anyhone to believe that the Bible teaches what it doesn't. All such shameful methods we forego. We stand in the presence of God as we speak and so we tell the truth, as all who know us will agree." God will let there be light in the dark FOG and will bring bright rainbows and blue skies. Here's one of my favorite songs..... sing along, dance, and enjoy.



Lyrics | Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now lyrics

Waterbrook Multnomah Book Review "Lady In Waiting"

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

The first page of "Lady In Waiting" had me hooked when Jane, the main character, managed an attic store. You see, I come from a town of 80 people, and for ten years I prayed for God to send me a prayer partner. When He did, she opened an antique shop and we had a blast setting it up and buying new products for it. So right away I was connected to Jane and wanted to know more.

Then in Chapter 2, Jane's marriage is on the rocks. I am drawn even closer to Jane now because I talk to so many women who are in similar marraiges; so I am very curious as to what Jane is going to do.

Then the book turns to the 1500's because of an old ring Jane finds and we are introducted to another "Jane". Susan Meissner transitions easily to this time period and the story flows, told passionately by Lucy, Jane' seamstress. This is a book you can't (or don't want to) put down.

I love how the author knows how to relate to us readers in the small things, such as eating "a bag of jalapeno kettle chips, the kind that once you start, you can't stop eating," and in the big things, like our responsibilities and relationships with the family God has given us. Duty and loyalty or the lack of teach us that life for those of royalty is not what it appears to be.

"Lady in Waiting" is like reading two fantastic books at once, one contemporary fiction, and the other historial fiction. It also stretches your imagination to dream and stirs in you to think about your life, the people you love, and the choices you make. This book is about choices we make and how each one is like a ripple in the water and affects th other. Just read it; you won't be disappointed.

Disclaimer: I received this book compliments of Waterbrook Multnomah for which I am so thankful.

Reading & More Reading

In 2010, I decided to read the books that had been on my shelves collecting dust. I had either gotten them as a gift or picked them up randomly. It was either read them or give them away. I took them out and put them in a basket (I mean baskets) so I could easily see them. Many of them were nonfiction, which I really like, so I had to throw in a fiction from a friend or the library just to lighten up my reading every once in a while. So here's list of the 2010 books I read! 1. Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury - this is a fiction book about abortion and finding forgivesness. It's an easy read and has strong emphasis in scripture and prayer. 2. Unveiled by Francene Rivers - this is the a historial fiction on the real life of Tamar from the Bible. She is such a great writer and it brings this sad story alive. 3. The Beginner's Guide to Fasting by Elmer Towns - this was a wonderful book and it really stirred my faith. This is one of the books God used to move my heart to Praise Him and to seek His Presence and Power (the 3P's) in a new way in 2010. I'd like to read more book by him. 4. Called & Accountable by Henry Blackaby - this was my son's book and it was fun to read because he had written in it and highlighted. I also highlighted so this book is marked up. It is full of scripture and wisdom and I loved it. It is the 2nd book that God gave me with the 3P's in for 2010. 5. If I Gained the World by Linda Nichols - was a wonderful fiction book with scriptures and God's hand in the characters, with the rejected and desolute turning to Christ to transform their lives. A great read and I recommend to everyone. I finished this book on the airplane and gave it to another woman who was reading. 6. Triving Despite a Difficult Marraige by Michael & Chuck Misja - this is a very good book on marriage and how to live (thrive) God's way (I read and have alot of book on marriage because God has given me a passion for marriage His way.) 7. Shaped by Faith by Theresa L.Rowe - tells 10 secrets to strengthening the body and soul. Good information on whole body wellness, combining exercises, physically and spiritually. Wonderful prayers at the end of each chapter. (This book came with a DVD of pilates exercises with soft music, great instruction and the words of God being read during exercises.) 8. Living the Lord's Prayer by David Timms - this is a fantastic book. Eleven chapters that take phrases of the Lord's prayer and go deep to really know the Lord. Not a quick easy read. I really should read it again to grasp more. The ideal thing would be to read this with others and dicussion as a study. (David Timms writes a weekly devotional that is worthy looking up.) 9. Victory over Darkness by Neil Anderson - a great book on knowing your identity in Christ. 10. Come Thirsty by Max Lucado - an easy to read book, faith strengthening stories and scripture. 11. All That Glitters by Gilbert Morris. I really did not like this book and just wanted to get through with it. The end was my favorite party and a few other spots where faith was brought in. 12. The Hidden Power of a Believer's Touch by Mahesh Chavda is on healing and the power of the Holy Spirit. This was another book on my road to know the Lord more initmately. 13. Then Comes Marraige by Angela Hunt & Bill Myers is a novella about marraige and doubt and your vows to God. It's a cute book and good for newlyweds. 14. Forgotten God by Francis Chan. My husband (who doesn't read many books) bought this book and read it first. It is a fantastic book on learning and living with the Holy Spirit in our lives. Great examples that will WOW you. 15. Cast the Wind before me by Brandlynn Collins is an easy to read fiction book that I read when I was visiting my grandkids. It's a fast read because you have to find out what happens. It's an okay book but not my favorite. 16. Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas is a great book on marriage from a male author. Biblical perspective and sound teaching and real life examples. I highly recommend this book. 17. Take 3 by Karen Kingsbury. I was not going to read this because Take 1 and Take 2 were not my favorites but our bookmobile sent it to me. It's an easy read and better than the first two but still not my favorite. It is too much back and forth with the thoughts of college age kids and not enough scripture. 18. Total Forgiveness by RT Kendall was recommended to me by one of my prayer partners. I related more to the last half of the book. It has great tools and increased my awareness to forgive God's way. 19. Faith Like Potatoes by Angus Buchan. A friend gave Jerry this post to read. I wasn't going to read it since I'd seen the movie but it was a small book and I knew it would only take me a couple days so I read it. What a huge blessing! It's a story of someone who falls in love with God and commits his life to get to know and listen and act and obey and follow Him. I loved this book. It is about common sense and God and if you step out He does miracles. 20. Oswald Chambers Abandoned to God by David McCasland. Wow, what a man and what a wife, people really and truly abandoned to God. This book left me wanting to leave more of myself and want more of Him. 21. A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado. Max is s great storyteller and went through 1 Corinthians 13. Chapter 12 was my favorite. 22. Turn by Max Lucado - a great book on 1 Chonicles. 23. Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. An excellent book that ALL women should read. God has alot to say through this author. 24. The Secret's of Dr. Kildare by Max Brand. I picked this 1939 fiction up off my friend's shelf of antic book. It was fun easy reading but I missed the "more" that I find in Christian fictionl 25. The Power of Praying Together by Stormie Omartian & Jack Hayford. This book really confirms and teaches my beliefs in prayer and taught me alot more of what an intercessor is and drives me to want to pray and be in prayer groups. 26. Loneliness by Elizabeth Elliott. One of my favorite books. She is a great writer. It's about losing our lives for the Lord and laying our lives down. 27. At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols. She is my favorite fiction author right now. This book is based on the book of Job - suffering, pride, blame, repenance and forgiveness. 28. Take Four by Karen Kingsbury. As in Take Three, not my favorite fiction. Too much college girl drama for me. 29. Mark of the Lion Series Book 1 - Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers 30. Book 2 - Echo in the Darkness 31. Book 3 - Sure of the Dawn

• My friend gave my these books and told me to read them. They are at least 500 pages each and I thought "maybe sometime", but once I started I was captivated. Rivers has written life-changing fiction that stirs you to become an empty vessel so Christ can fill you to serve Him and others in radial ways. If you like to read, these are a MUST.

32. God's Missionary People by Charles VanEngen. I read this for our Wednesday night study at church. It was a hard read, dry but lots of Biblical points.

33. Crazy Love by Francis Chan was one of those books that challenged me to love the Lord and love others and to step out of my comfort zone into the world to be a disciple of Jesus. I loved it and should read it again. This book should not be on the shelf. I would love to discuss it slowly with others and be held accountable to live as crazy in love with Jesus.

34. THE BIBLE -- All year I was reading through the Bible -- the living words of God. They are always life changing. I had to read it quickly and there were so many times I wanted to study and know more. I do not consider it an accomplishment, I consider it a privledge and an honor. May God give me the mind and heart to remember His words, to live them out daily, and share them with others.