My Valentine

Ready for Spring

So all of the snow has pretty much melted around here. The big news is that we are supposed to be getting 4-8 inches by 8am Monday. I am so ready for spring. I want to be able to go for long walks again. I love the snow but I'm ready to be done until next winter. Let's hope the SPRING really is only another 28 days away.

"God Gave Us the World" Book Review

God Gave Us the World is very cute and a quick read for bedtime or other times. It is a great way to introduce your children to other cultures. I know many families who focus on specific countries and the missionaries they know in those countries as way of studying those countries. This is a great way to help with introducing this concept to the elementary aged student. I did receive a complimentary copy of the book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for review purposes.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Zehnder's Snowfest in Frankenmuth, MI. It was so fun walking around looking at all of the competitive sculptures. The only problem was that it was super overcast that day. So, I convinced my husband to go back a few days later, the day after a "blizzard" hit the area to be precise, when the sun was shining and just gorgeous outside.

"Radical" Book Review

I recently finished reading the book “Radical” by David Platt, a complimentary book that was provided to me by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for review purposes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was thought provoking as well as spiritually convicting. While I would have liked to have seen a few more scripture references listed within the reading, the book is scripturally sound and something every one of us needs to think about and act upon. My views have changed immensely and still I have a long way to go in changing my thoughts and actions in order to truly fulfill the request of Christ in my life. In the book, we are reminded that “the gospel is the revelation of who God is, who we are, and how we can be reconciled to him.” (28) This really hit home. While I knew mentally that we are to be reconciled to God, reconciliation to God is not how I always live my life. I realize that all too often I am trying to make God fit into my mold instead of trying to make myself fit into God’s mold. Platt also states that the “Biblical proclamation of the gospel…demands and enables us to turn from our sin, to take up our cross, to die to ourselves, and to follow Jesus…Jesus is no longer one to be accepted or invited in but one who is infinitely worthy of our immediate and total surrender.” (39) Oh how this statement rang true in my ears. We need to surrender our lives to Jesus and live for Him. Mere acceptance just simply isn’t enough. It is this “total surrender” that He needs from us. Granted it is not easy to surrender and something each of us do daily and most often fail miserably daily but the key is in surrendering daily. Platt has given an excellent challenge to today’s church. I would completely recommend this book to others and have actually already referred to ideas found in the book in my everyday conversations.

Blue Jay in Pine Tree

I snapped this guys picture back on January 22 during a snowfall. I love how brilliant his colors were. I did enhance the photo by desaturating the scenery and leaving him at full color.