Monday Devotional

I'm running late, but here is todays' devo, written by Hayley Finch.

"A voice says, 'Cry out.' And I said, 'What shall I cry?' All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

There are so many good things to enjoy and see every day. So many great people, fun movies, meaningful interactions, beautiful sunrises and sunsets..But it is important to remember that everything in this world will fade. Everything is 'meaningless' in terms of what the Lord has in store for those who love Him. So I pray you look at things a little differently today. Think to yourself-what will make what I do today help in God's plan? Live life a little lighter today. Knowing you have a Lord and Savior you can trust in because 'the word of our God stands forever.' (Isaiah 40:6-8)

The James Factor

I'm going to spend this week's James Factor posting to explain this strange phenomenon. It's a lot like Murphy's Law.

As my father-in-law put it, "You set up twelve and take a shot, you'll hit Greg every time." (Greg is my husband.)

Now this strange thing occurs to all those in our family bearing the name of James (last name) and those carrying the bloodline. Meaning my nieces and nephew are not exempt simply because they carry their father's last name. :D

And those of us that married those James men, we are not exempt either, are we Jamie and Katie? We usually get what amounts to a crash course right after the I do's are said. And thankfully we all have senses of humor so these tales of woe can actually be quite amusing.

Now it's not so much as anything that can go wrong will because that's a no-brainer in the James Factor. And every time one of us attempts something simple we will remember that in the backs of our minds....and think that just this one time it won't happen. But it always does and HOW! (It seems to be a stronger inclination in "The Gregs" as we non-Gregs call them.) They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Well, all the James roads are paved with those and some wonderful family members actually understand this and "get" us. Love you guys...you know who you are.

It is my intention to try to embarrass....no, that's not what I mean, to entertain you all with our foibles because by Friday everyone wants a reason to laugh so they can kick their weekend off on a happy note.

And to all the James Gang, you can email me your experiences for me to post here. (And just so you know, NEVER use that term in a bank. They get real nervous if you do. :D I wouldn't advise it in the police station either. You get really weird looks.)

First Encounter of the many before I was a James.

I should have known way before I married into this lovable family that there was this thing I named The James Factor.

When I met my husband I had just had a terrible dating experience and wanted nothing to do with dating at that time. Greg was content to be my friend. He'd come over and we'd watch TV, listen to music, record tapes, he could play my guitars which I couldn't do. :D Things that friends do.

He came over one day to borrow my cassette to cassette recorder which was upstairs in my room. My dad had no problem with a guy being in my room as long as I left the door open and he could wander in from time to time to see what was going on. So we recorder this tape and I believe it was for me. So we head down the stairs at my house (the house we now live in). Here I have to interject that I am about 5'3". Greg is about six foot. I sail down the stairs with my usual jaunt and Greg follows with his usual energy. Suddenly I hear a loud smacking sound and turn to find Greg on his back on the stairs! Holding his forehead!

Just past the landing there is a weird lowering of the ceiling level. With me being short enough to never encounter it (and not bothering to look up there...how boring) I didn't think of it being low enough to take him out. Now he bobs his head without even thinking about it to avoid the painful experience.

It has taken out both of our kids when they passed the height it requires to hit them just right. They now bob their heads too. I still, happily, have no problem cause I'm sure I'm the one that makes the most trips up and down those stairs. :D

Have a wonderful weekend! God bless you all.

Book Review

Most of my reviews will be of fiction books because that is what I like to read most, but occasionally I'll make an exception for a very good non-fiction book. Also most of the books I review are from my own library and not sent to me to review. But upon occasion I will do that too.

This is a non-fiction book written by a friend. She married a man that had been a friend of mine and my husband for many years. Over 20 years to be exact. And it's through that friendship that I met Ana and began to fall in love with her. Once you read this book and get a glimpse of her sweetness and her strength, you too will fall in love with her.

Cut in Half

How God mended me with 23 miracles

by Ana Le Roux

Do you believe miracles happen today?

Prepare to be amazed...

In 2003, Ana le Roux was an average thirty something mother. But three weeks after giving birth to her second child tragedy struck-the unimaginable-a violent head on collision. The force of impact thrust her forward with such intensity that it literally cut her in half!

Ana le Roux would tell you she was set to die that day, but instead, after seemingly endless dialogue with God, she relinquished her freedom of choice to Him. Cut in Half tells how in that instant Ana opened her eyes and began to experience the most amazing gift--healing.

In her awe inspiring testament of God's love, Ana's proves that miracles are not just an archaic phenomenon found in scripture; they really do happen every day in a variety of ways.

Pammer here: I like the way Ana set this up. She tells a verse, part of the story with the miracles listed, a food for thought section and a soul searching section. In such an intense story these breaks are important for the reader so they can fully digest and learn from her experience.

I love her spirit and her transparency in this book. I'd recommend it to anyone including those struggling with their faith and those wondering about miracles.