A Dry Spell...

Lately, my brain has been going through a bit of a dry spell. 

I've been carrying around my best friend, but I haven't been using it.  I've taken it out in order to try to clear the clutter in my brain, but I've found myself slightly fuzzy and ooze-less.

Thankfully, the dry spell seems to have cleared today, though the fuzziness still remains.

Unfortunately, it seems like all the clutter that wants to ooze today is such that I can't share it on my blog.  The details, even in vague, would be too revealing and possibly detrimental to others, and I don't want to ever hurt anyone with my blogging. 

Thankfully, nothing is ever detrimental to take to God.  He can, and will!!!, take all the clutter I bring Him and put it together in His perfect plan.  No matter what I'm thinking, feeling, or going through, He is the only One who can make sense of it all!

Thank YOU, Lord, for being the ultimate puzzle solver.  For being the One to whom I can run when all I have are pieces that I can't seem to fit together.  No piece is too small or too puzzling for You.  Make sense of the pieces of my life, and continue to draw me to Yourself.

Aren't you glad we have God?!?

"Thin Places" by Mary DeMuth

Over the past week, I've had the opportunity to read this honest and raw memoir of a beautiful (on the inside and out) Christian author.  Thin Places is a book that will challenge you to be open and honest with your own emotions and life challenges as the honest and raw emotion flows off the page.  Mary DeMuth writes poetry into prose as she shares her life in this all-revealing book.

One of the things I most appreciated about this book is Mary's honesty and openness in telling her own story.  God has brought her through so many difficult situations, and yet she is able to find His hand of grace and mercy in each of these "thin places".  She doesn't shy away from the difficult emotions that each of these memories brings.  She instead writes them onto the page, encouraging the reader to allow him/herself to delve into his/her memories experience the freedom that comes with allowing the emotions to flow freely.  Mary's life, and how she finds God in it all, is truly inspirational and freeing.

Be sure to check out what others are saying about Thin Places.

EDIT: Win a Kindle from Mary!

Thanks to Mary and Zondervan for sending me a copy of this book!

MIA for the weekend...

I'll be back sometime next week... I promise I won't be gone too long... it's just going to be a busy weekend and I don't have anything exciting prepared in advance.  Be sure to come back next week!

But while I'm gone, here are a few questions for you (to help me get to know you):

1. What's your favorite book?
2. How old are you? (age range is OK)
3. Do you blog? If so, where?
4. Do you have kids? What ages?
5. Name one pet peeve.
6. What's your favorite dessert?
7. What's your favorite post that I've written?

I can't wait to read all your answers (and I'm hoping you'll actually respond!) when I get back next week!!

Jumping in with both feet...

Today is Jump Day.  At least for me.  All the pieces have come together, and I am taking the plunge.

The mailman jump came and emptied the mailbox, taking with him the final pieces of my application process for school.  At this point, it will take a big door slamming for me to back out of this.

I am going to finish my Bachelors degree, and I'm going to get a Masters while I'm at it.  I've applied to BBC's Accelerated Degree Completion program, and pending any unforeseen complications, I'll be starting classes March 15th!!

Of course, this means cutting back on some "extras" in my life:
* I won't be starting my "new project" that I've been talking about.
* I won't be reading and reviewing as many books.
* I'll be cutting back on my social networking (Facebook and Twitter).
* I'll have to limit the amount of TV I watch, using the time to study and work on homework.  (Although I'll probably end up doing what I did in Bible school, and doing my homework in front of the TV... worked back then, and I got a 4.0!)

I think this new venture will definitely help me to feel "purposeful" in my life.  It will help me to better prioritize my time, and especially help me to better appreciate the time I have with my kids!

I'm excited to get started (though I might have a slightly different perspective in a few months when I have homework coming out my ears!!), but I'm also nervous.  I think that's probably the best place I can be right now - jumping in with both feet, scared, but trusting God that He'll see me through if it's in His plan for my life!

"Angels" by Dr. David Jeremiah

From the publisher:
What are angels? What is their role in God’s plan? Are they present? Do they appear? Do they give us personal insight about our work, our worship?

Many contemporary beliefs about angels are based on misconception and myth. Dr. David Jeremiah uses scripture to unveil the remarkable truth about these agents of heaven, and their role and work in our world—and lives.

More than 60,000 units of this powerful book have sold in two past editions. This repackage of the original 1996 paperback will surely capture the attention of readers of all ages who seek a broad and thorough survey of scripture that clearly separates fact from fiction as it relates to angels. The book will appeal to the thousands who follow Dr. Jeremiah’s books, and radio and TV broadcasts.

Relevant, little known biblical facts help readers sharpen their knowledge and sensitivities toward the spiritual reality of angels. Dr. Jeremiah’s enlightening findings are supported with illustrations and insights from Billy Graham, Corrie ten Boom, C.S. Lewis, and more.

I picked up Angels, eager to read more on this topic, as I have often found myself not knowing what to believe about angels.  I know they are real (the Bible says so), but how do they function in today's world?  Dr. David Jeremiah writes in a very conversational, easy to read style that makes a possibly dry topic inviting.  I found myself flying through the pages, trying to get a better Biblical understanding of angels, both in their Biblical roles and in their roles today.

Thanks to WaterBrook/Multnomah for providing me with two copies of this book.