Julie Arduini's Blog, page 126

Saturday Confession: I’m Just Going to Shake…

It’s a line, or close to it, to Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off.”  I’m not a big fan of hers but I have to say, this one got me. No matter what role I play—mom, ministry worker, author…I get stuff like everyone else. It’s easy to get bogged down with it all.

Enough that we could choose the following when we hear “I’m just going to shake…”

Someone’s neck
Shake, Shake it off.

I’d love to tell you that every time it’s natural for me to choose to let it go (Hey, another song!) or shake it off.  It’s not. There are times I want to shake necks. Shake my fist and cry. Shake from anger and go with it.

How do I choose not to? Without prayer, I can’t. I’m too much of a justice girl to let stuff roll off me without supernatural help. I’m in constant communication with Jesus. Always talking or thinking about Him. And I’m honest. Boy, I’m honest.

Usually as marriage goes, my husband is in an opposite place as me so he can be a voice of reason as I fight temptation. Well, we’re both weary and ready to shake heads, shoulders, knees and toes (Hey, another song!!) It means I’m running to Jesus. We don’t need to encourage each other to act in the flesh against others, and we definitely don’t want to react that way toward each other.

This isn’t a deep post or one filled with answers and wisdom. It’s a confession. I struggle. I like the Taylor Swift song. I’m a work in progress, especially with the haters.

How about you?

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 COTT: 2013 Laurel Winner Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall  Sabbath Sunday: Still Waters  Two Years Later and They Are STILL Talking About This...  Character Confession: What Imperfect Progress Looks Like On Me  Featured Video of the Week: Edie Melson's Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for BattleCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: I'm Just Going to Shake...], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Odyssey Adventure Club: Buck Oliver is Back!

Memorial Day is just around the corner, which means school will be out for the summer! Parents, does that fill you with dread, knowing all you’ll hear for the next few months is, “I’m bored!”? Keep reading because we have a deal for you-one that will only cost you a buck and that will keep your kids safe online while allowing them to have fun and to grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Buck Oliver is back in the latest Adventures in Odyssey album, and to celebrate, you can try the Odyssey Adventure Club for just a buck for your first month. Sign up before May 31st using the promo code BUCK! *This deal only applies to first-time accounts and is good the first month only.

Members receive:

-24/7 streaming access to more than 750 Adventures in Odyssey episodes (a $1500 retail value).

-A new, members-only Adventures in Odyssey episode every month.

-A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine.

-A web quest of video stories and online activities reflecting the biblical theme of that month’s episode.

-On-the-go access with the OAClub mobile iOS app.

-Growing access to Odyssey books, a daily devotion, access to select Radio Theatre dramas and more.

Additionally, a portion of each Odyssey Adventure Club membership benefits Focus on the Family partner organizations, such as Carry the Cure and Mission Aviation Fellowship, providing parents with an opportunity to teach children about the value of serving others. The Odyssey Adventure Club hopes to spend another 25 years hand-in-hand with parents seeking to teach biblical truth to their children while inspiring the theater of their imagination.

Your favorite Adventures in Odyssey characters are also Taking the Plunge in Album 59 and now you can, too! This summer, dive into your faith and grow closer to God by joining the Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine Taking The Plunge Summer Challenge. It includes these simple things:

Learn 5 memory verses
Get active with 5 family activities together
Share God’s love and your faith in 5 different ways

When you commit to the Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine Taking The Plunge Summer Challenge , you’ll receive:

A promo code for an exclusive Odyssey Adventure Club first month offer (for new members only)
Adventures in Odyssey special studio message
“Strange Journey Back” book excerpt
“Jones and Parker Mysteries” book excerpt

To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

  Don’t Forget!!  

 

And if you loved these books be sure to put your reviews on:

 

Amazon

CBD

Barnes and Noble

Deeper Shopping

GoodReads

Novel Crossing

Library Thing

Net Galley (if reviewed via ebook)

 

When you post your reviews on these external sites, it really helps out the author!

Tags:  $1, Adventures in Odyssey, Carry the Cure, Clubhouse Magazine, family time, Julie Arduini, kids, Memorial Day, Mission Aviation Fellowship, OAC, Odyssey Adventure Club, parents, summer, Take the Plunge




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 How Would You Handle It? Fat Girl Edition  Sabbath Sunday: Because of Him, with Him, Toward Him  March Madness with CrossReads: Repent! by Staci Stallings  BookSneeze Valentine's Book Review: Couples Who Pray  COTT: Welcome Penelope Wilcock!Copyright © Julie Arduini [Odyssey Adventure Club: Buck Oliver is Back!], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: Bachelor to the Rescue by Lorraine Beatty

Book Description:

Building a Romance 

Young widow Lainie Hollings will do anything to protect her daughters—even if it means accepting help from Shaw McKinney. Though she blames Shaw for her husband’s death, he’s the only one she can turn to when a robbery forces her to take shelter in his home. Soon she’s surprised by the handsome contractor. He’s kind, charming and determined to protect her and her girls. Being with Lainie makes Shaw want to give up his bachelor life and become a family man. But he’ll need to win over the pretty librarian and prove to her he’s the right man for her future.

This is one of six books sent to me from the Love Inspired Line as part of their Mother’s Day promotion. The books are on sale from April 21-May 28.

BONUS: Love Inspired is giving $1 off. Click here to Save $1.00Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

I really enjoyed this book because it took an interesting plot and ran with it. Lainie is a widow with two young daughters trying to make a fresh start. She’s barely made it to the town line before trouble starts and it doesn’t let up. Everything that can come against her does. The hardest thing? The man Lainie feels is responsible for her husband’s death is the only one available to help her. That sets up immediate conflict and I loved that.

I also loved the conflict. As an author I’ve learned our job is to give each scene, each chapter an action and reaction. Keep the conflict. Raise the stakes. Bachelor to the Rescue is a great model of how this is done.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

By the end of the book I felt like I knew Lainie, Shaw, the girls and the townspeople. It was a fast read and a very satisfying one. Bachelor to the Rescue belongs in your beach bag for your summer reading.

To purchase Bachelor to the Rescue, click here.

I received Bachelor to the Rescue from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tags:  Bachelor to the Rescue, book review, fiction, Harlequin, Home to Dover, Julie Arduini, librarian, Lorraine Beatty, Love Inspired, romance, widow




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 Entrusted Book Release in Youngstown  Saturday Confession: I Thought I Was God's Punchline  Sabbath Sunday: I Don't Feel So Alone  Encouraged by Scaffolding  Character Confession: When I Keep Visiting a Closed StoreCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Bachelor to the Rescue by Lorraine Beatty], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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COTT: The Living Water Biblical Fiction Series by Stephanie Landsem

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This week Clash of the Titles is proud to feature Stephanie Landsem,

author of The Living Water biblical fiction series. She will carry you back

into the times of Jesus and explore beautiful truths that resonate deeply

with readers.

Let’s hear from Stephanie about her books and how she handles the

interesting challenge of writing about Jesus.

 

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1.) What was your favorite part of writing The Living Water series?

Research is the part of writing I love best. I usually spend about a month

just doing research before I start plotting a book. I find some of my best

plot twists, characters and settings right in the pages of history. Maps

and pictures of archeological finds really help me get the feel for the

setting. As I craft the story, this research comes out and helps the reader

become fully immersed in the story.

2) How do you balance the real person of Jesus with the other characters

in your story?

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I like to think of every encounter with Jesus recorded in the Bible as a

stone thrown in a pond. We know the initial splash — the cure of the man

born blind, or the raising of Lazarus — but I want to write about the

ripples. I love to imagine how these personal encounters with Jesus moved

outward in ever-widening circles to touch more people than we can even

imagine. So I start with the event described in the Bible and move outward

into imagination, always keeping in mind that Jesus knew exactly what

ripple-effect his actions would have and they would always be for his

father’s glory.

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3.) What are the binding themes throughout the Well, The Thief and the

Tomb and what do hope to bring to your readers in this series?

I love the gospel of John and how it shows the very personal way in which

Jesus connected with the people of his time. Each of the stories in The

Living Water Series begin with an encounter with Jesus from John—the

Samaritan woman, the man born blind, and Jesus’ relationship with Martha.

Each of these encounters were intensely personal and led to deep

conversion. I hope that in reading about these one-to-one meetings with

Jesus, readers can imagine themselves face to face with our Lord and come

to know him more deeply.

 

Purchase

these books here.

 

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The Living Water Series are a set

of intersecting stories based on personal encounters with Jesus in the

gospel of John. The first book, The Well, is the story of the Samaritan

woman at the well told from the point of view of her daughter, Mara. Mara,

a desperate Samaritan girl, must make a dangerous journey across Galilee to

find Jesus and save her dying mother. The second book focuses on Jesus

ministry in Jerusalem, starting with the healing of the man born blind and

continuing on to Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. It is told

from the perspective of a poor Jewish girl and a Roman centurion – both of

whom don’t know what to think of the so-called Messiah. The Tomb, A Novel

of Martha, is—of course—about the family of Lazarus in Bethany. It focuses

on Martha, her doubts and anxieties, and finally the desperate decision she

must make to save her brother’s life.

 

~ * ~

 

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Stephanie Landsem, author of The

Living Water Series, writes historical fiction because she loves adventure

in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins,

medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is

equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and

three fat cats. When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde,

avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in

person or on the page.

 

Connect with her online:

stephanielandsem.com

https://www.facebook.com/stephanielandsem

https://twitter.com/#!/stephlandsem

http://pinterest.com/slandsem/

Tags:  author interview, Biblical fiction, Clash of the Titles, COTT, Julie Arduini, Living Water, Stephanie Landsem




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 Character Confession: God Help Us All  Sabbath Sunday: Ever-Present  Letting Go of the Good Stuff  Character Confession: Cleaning Bread Crumbs  COTT: Hope Under Mistletoe by Jessica R. PatchCopyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: The Living Water Biblical Fiction Series by Stephanie Landsem], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Sabbath Sunday: Swampy Yard

There are times I think my life looks just like this.

Rain day after day after day after day.

Swampy yard.

Wormy smells.

Does it ever end?

His entire view was a swamp. As in all of Earth.

But one day the dove was able to land.

And Job received in the end more than he ever had in the first place.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

On those days where nothing goes right, all hope seems lost, remember it has purpose. It’s a growing season.

And soon, like my yard, you’ll be in bloom.

Tags:  amateur nature photo, bloom, Job, Julie Arduini, Noah, rainy days, Sabbath, Sunday, swamp




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 How Would You Handle It? Fat Girl Edition  Book Review: Winning the Teacher's Heart by Jean C. Gordon  Sabbath Sunday: The Cross Covers  Book Review: Tricia Goyer's Along Wooded Paths  A2Z Meme: Gimme a Break This Summer VacationCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: Swampy Yard], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Saturday Confession: The Pizza Ephinany

The real confession here is that it took me 18 years of marriage before I surrendered the charcoal grill. I was afraid of using the gas grill and didn’t know what to create. Now that we have one and my husband assured me my eyebrows are safe, I’ve been testing the waters.

My biggest challenge has been grilled pizza. My first crust was inedible. I took for granted how fast the grill heats and gets the job done, especially with a thin crust.

The second crust was perfection. So much so I wanted to do it again. Kind of like golf. and having kids. You forget the agony when it goes right.

So this week was my latest attempt. I put all the ingredients on trays, opened everything, got all the tools, pre heated the grill and went to work. The first crust was a little crispier than I wanted but it was edible. The second was fine.

It was in this week’s process I had an epiphany.

Grilling pizza is a lot like life. The adult life where deadlines matter. #confessionPowered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

My 5th grader has started summer early in her mind and decided getting me to sign her homework log every night isn’t so important. She’s now getting on yellow.

Well, there’s no yellow for me anymore. If I mess up,no one calls my mom or puts me in detention.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This Especially as an author, I’ve got to line it all up. Balance the timing. Wait too long and my work is inedible. Don’t wait long enough/serve too early and it’s not developed enough. There’s no time to run back in and retrieve something once that crust is on the grill.

It’s go time.

I’ve really struggled lately to get it all together because so much else has been going on. Thankfully in the year where my theme is “revive,” I’ve realized I can’t be driving a car, attending this and that, and still “be at the grill.” I’m cutting way back. It’s time. Not everyone is going to understand and not everyone is going to love it. I’ve been grilling pizza, so to speak, for a long time.

So that’s what I learned. Grilling pizza is a challenge and I’m up to the task.  It’s also an object lesson on writing and I’m ready for that challenge as well. And for the places where I’ve grilled crusts for a long time, I’m taking the apron off and having a seat.

And it feels good.

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Tags:  adult life, confession, deadlines, grilling pizza, grown up, Julie Arduini, pizza




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 Book Review: Judith MacNutt's Angels Are for Real  COTT: Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mulligan  New COTT Champion: A Familiar Evil by Anne Patrick  Sabbath Sunday: Christmas Season Rest  Blogging for Books Review: Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson and Tricia GoyerCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: The Pizza Ephinany], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Music Review: Exhale by Plumb

Music Description:

About PLUMB:

Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, better-known by her stage name Plumb, is a songwriter, recording artist, performer and author. Plumb has sold more than 500,000 albums and over two million singles worldwide, co-penned songs for numerous other artists, including Michelle Branch, Mandisa, Mandy Moore, Jaci Velasquez, and Natalie Grant, and had music placed in many films and television shows.Originally signed as a Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) recording artist in 1997, Plumb is now known as well as or better in alternative rock, electronic dance music, and for the use of her music in film and television than she is in the CCM market.

About the album:

EXHALE, the seventh studio album from acclaimed multi-genre singer, songwriter and author PLUMB, expresses a new focus and vision. After the runaway success of NEED YOU NOW (the album, title track and book), which coincided with her own moving story of brokenness and ultimately healing, Exhale brims with worshipful songs of gratitude and hope.

The defining concept of EXHALE was born from a sermon at Plumb’s home church, wherein her pastor Pete Wilson expressed the notion that the Church doesn’t exist for itself. Rather, believers come to church to breathe in grace and truth, be changed, and then go out and “exhale” that hope into their surrounding community.

“That idea of exhaling hope hit me right away and I couldn’t get to the Notes section on my phone fast enough. I started writing the chorus of Exhale right then and there,” explains Plumb. “I have been made new by the ultimate hope, and I want to share and exhale that hope in everyway I can.”

Plumb’s music has been a major part of my Pandora shuffle this year. Once I heard her testimony I resonated with her. Not that I’ve had the exact issues she’s surrendered, but that’s the rub. I can identify with her act of surrender.

Exhale to me is what surrender sounds like. #plumb #exhale #musicPowered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This. Whether it’s a declaration like “Lord I’m Ready Now” or a song of Thanksgiving like Champion, it all feels like surrender. The words don’t sound trite.

I only received the CD a couple days ago and worried I wouldn’t have enough time to review. No problem. It has been my mainstay while driving. My comfort while in quiet time.

Whether in a mountain or a valley each song is going to be an anthem of sorts to encourage and guide you, if you let God use Exhale.

I hope you do.

To purchase Exhale, click here for iTunes.

Click here for Amazon.

S O C I A L • C O R N E R

Official Website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

I received Exhale in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Tags:  Champion, declaration, Exhale, Julie Arduini, Lord I'm Ready Now, music, music review, Plumb, proclamation, Tiffany Lee Arbuckle, worship




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 Sabbath Sunday: That Brilliant Sun  Oh, The Places You Can Go With NaNoWriMo  Memorial Day: The Lord be with you All  12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 3 - Who is Mr. Carbunkle? by Debora M. Coty  Saturday Confession: The Great PretenderCopyright © Julie Arduini [Music Review: Exhale by Plumb], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Fear Can Take a Hike

When Jennifer sent word out that she was doing a study on fear I knew I wanted in before I even saw her notes and Scripture references. It seems every time Jennifer is doing a study, the Lord is growing me in the very same area.

As I grew in my relationship with Christ, He took me through the process of letting go of fear. Through His grace, patience and steadfast love I reached a point where man’s approval didn’t matter anymore. My eyes were completely focused on Him and what He thought. It was then I knew I could write. I wouldn’t be caught up in people pleasing, reader reviews and the rejection I would have to deal with. I was even given the wise advice for that eventual day when I’d have to deal with negative words to “have the skin of the rhino and the heart of the dove.” I’m so grateful for that quote because I’m now in a season where the hard stuff is here. There’s been criticism from readers and verbal lashings I never saw coming. And honestly? The fear started to creep back.

At first the rejection wasn’t so bad. I received my first not great review for my contemporary romance, Entrusted. It wasn’t mean and I actually thought it gave balance to the wonderful five star ones. What would have sent me to a pit of depression for weeks where I’d rehearse my reply in my head never happened. I thanked God for giving me the ability to appreciate the review.

A negative review I was prepared for. What I wasn’t ready to deal with was the unexpected. Someone not liking me. Forget the writing or ministry work or anything I do, people started taking issue with me. The words aimed at my direction were their opinion of me and it wasn’t positive. Not even close. The more I heard about the situations, the more I felt my eyes moving. The focus changed from Jesus to man. And I found myself worrying what others were thinking about me.

Whether intentional or not I walked away feeling unworthy and unfit for much of anything. Not as an author, blogger, servant, honestly, even as a human being.

I started to feel emotionally paralyzed. When I spoke or wrote I worried if I was being offensive. I knew I needed help.

During this time I was helping out a ministry and they are all friends and mentors. I shared my situation and they started to pray. Like the Taylor Swift song they encouraged me to “Shake it Off.” Not so much the words said against me but the fear I allowed to conquer. When they finished praying and giving me a bit of strategy, they came back with a Scripture card.

It was Psalm 32:7.

You are my hiding place;

you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance.

 

My friend went on to explain that the trouble here are the words and attacks lobbed at me. The songs of deliverance are His words. No matter who or how many people take issue with me in any role I take on, His words cover me. His promises and words are bigger than anything else.

That promise gave me such comfort and peace.

It was in this that Jennifer’s study caught my eye. I was curious what verses she would use.

When I saw Psalm 18:30, that felt like a big hug from my Heavenly Father. Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

 

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true.”

It was further encouragement that He’s got my back. He goes before me. He’s my rearguard. With that kind of protection, fear has no place. When I read Jennifer’s recollection, she reminded me about David. Saul was after his hide. His obsession with the lad was with laser focus. Yet God took care of him. So much so David had the opportunity to take Saul out and out of honor and obedience, he did not. And God blessed him.

I’m not in it for the blessings but I know as His beloved daughter He longs to lavish his love on me. One form of that love is protection and covering. To have His words, His song of deliverance, be bigger than trouble and a promise for me to take faith in, fear took a hike.

And my prayer is fear will take a hike in your life, too.

 

Father, I ask that You remind the precious person reading this post that Your promises, Your words, are bigger than any trouble they might be facing. Like David, protect them and bless them for their faith, honor and obedience. In Christ’s name, Amen.

 

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Tags:  author, Beyond I Do Bible Study, Bible, fear, Jennifer Slattery, Julie Arduini, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 32:7, rejection, verses




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 Sabbath Sunday: Waving a Flag but Not Living Free  Sabbath Sunday: Calm Day on the Sea  WFW: You Shall Not Pass  Book Review: Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble  My Adventures in Odyssey ConfessionCopyright © Julie Arduini [Fear Can Take a Hike], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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COTT: Andrea and the 5 Day Challenge by Cindy Green Wins Clash

Our March winner is….

Congratulations to CINDY GREEN, this month’s COTT Champ!! Her winning novel, Andrea and the Five Day Challenge, is part of a Goodreads giveaway right now–readers, you can win a signed copy of the book if you enter by May 7. Enter here!

One voter called the book “fun, refreshing, and encouraging!” Take a peek behind this beautiful, vibrant cover and step into the world of Andrea as she embarks on a Bible challenge at a very inconvenient time.

From Amazon:

High school junior Andrea Jamison, self-proclaimed change-o-phobic and, incidentally, a fabulous pianist in her own right has lost faith in herself and her abilities. At the exact moment when her parents begin pressuring her about an opportunity that just might lead to Julliard, Andrea’s friend Amy meddles in her personal life trying to pair her up with the cute, transfer jock Luke Ryan. Will Andrea learn to accept her parents often repeated word FOCUS or will she finally start trusting in God’s strength instead of cowering in her own weaknesses?

Dear Lord,

I need Your help and sooner would be better than later. Wouldn’t you know it, just as soon as I decide to attempt the 5-Day Bible Study Challenge, my parents start heaping on loads of pressure to get me into Julliard. My friend Amy isn’t any better, urging me to ask Luke Ryan to homecoming. As if the cute, transfer jock would actually go out with me. I mean, we’re kinda friends, and I’ve enjoyed our Geometry study sessions, but in case Amy hasn’t noticed, I’m the invisible one at Aubrey Christian Academy, and I like it that way. On top of that, I have a feeling Luke’s concealing something behind those chocolate-brown eyes of his. I know I can be self-centered and a bit melodramatic, but I really do want to seek Your will for my life. Then maybe I’ll even figure out which direction points up.

Sincerely,

Andrea Jamison

High School Junior, Change-o-phobic & complete neurotic Cindy K. Green is an award-winning author of more than 10 Sweet & Inspirational titles both in print and out of print for the Adult & Young Adult. She is also a mother, wife, teacher, and homeschooler. She blogs about her books, reading and whatever else comes to mind of interest.

Visit Cindy at her website, www.cindykgreen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter or follow her blog. A huge congratulations to clash champion Cindy Green!

Tags:  Andrea and the 5 Day Challenge, author, book, Cindy K. Green, Clash of the Titles, COTT, fiction, Julie Arduini




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 COTT: Grace's Pictures by Cindy Thomson  Memorial Day: The Old Geezer  My Two Cents About the Ice Bucket Challenge  UBP12: Tell Me You Love Chocolate  Book Review: Fashioned to Reign by Kris VallottonCopyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: Andrea and the 5 Day Challenge by Cindy Green Wins Clash], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Sabbath Sunday: Swampy Yard

There are times I think my life looks just like this.

Rain day after day after day after day.

Swampy yard.

Wormy smells.

Does it ever end?

It does.

Remember Job?

He lost everything to the point that his wife begged him to curse God.

Noah?

His entire view was a swamp. As in all of Earth.

But one day the dove was able to land.

And Job received in the end more than he ever had in the first place.Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

On those days where nothing goes right, all hope seems lost, remember it has purpose. It’s a growing season.

And soon, like my yard, you’ll be in bloom.

Tags:  A Christmas Chance. Julie Arduini, bloom, Job, nature photo, Noah, rain, Sabbath, Sunday, swamp




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 Featured Video of the Week: Secrets of the Heart by Jillian Kent, INCLUDES Giveaway Opportunity!  Sabbath Sunday: New Roads  12 Pearls of Christmas---Suzanne Woods Fisher's A Christmas of Kindness  Mother of Pearl: Sheila Walsh's Joy Comes from Perseverance  Sabbath Sunday: Waving a Flag but Not Living FreeCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: Swampy Yard], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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