Choose LIFE

I have been enjoying my morning quiet time using the One Year Book of HOPE by Nancy Guthrie. I discovered this devotional after reading Nancy's incredible book titled: "Holding on to HOPE - A pathway through suffering to the heart of God." This book tells the story of Nancy's journey of suffering as she loved and cared for her daughter Hope and her son Gabriel who were both born with a rare birth defect allowing them to live only about six months.

I was overwhelmed by the names Nancy chose for her babies since our nonprofit organization is Gabriel's Foundation of HOPE. I read the book with tears as I related to some of the struggles Nancy and her husband David and older son Matt went through as they walked the path of suffering.
When I finished the book I immediately picked up The One Year Book of HOPE devotional. I have loved it and although I may not complete a devotional every day, my journal is filling up fast!

I relate so much to each daily devotional and it sets me on a journey into Scripture that starts my day with a refreshing spirit of peace. I've been amazed at the providence of God for the timing of the particular daily study compared to what I am going through at the time.

This week I've been overwhelmed by the goodness of God in how he meets me right where I need Him to be. He gives me tools to keep me going on the path He designed for my life. Oh believe me, I've strayed from that path too many times to count and sometimes the result is disastrous. I get up out of the ditch with scars to show from my detour and God always gets me back on the path headed in the right direction.
Today's devotional reminded me to choose life. Guthrie states "Every life is valuable because God gives life and breath to everything. God is also the source of satisfaction and meaning in life."

I love this scripture referenced in the devotion for the subject of LIFE.

24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’


Here is another Scripture I'm chewing on today:
19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Oh that those I love would CHOOSE life! Oh that our nation would choose GOD! That is my prayer today as I venture out into the world.
May the God of HOPE fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Him!

Every Monday Matters

Every Monday Matters
I hope you will check out this amazing inspirational video from one of my favorite inspirational gift companies. Simple Truths has wonderful ideas for Christmas gifts or gifts for your corporate accounts. Every Monday Matters is just one of the stories I enjoyed. Check it out and make every Monday matter. It's the little things that count!

Jelly Belly Shop - Belly Flops - The Less Than Perfect Candy

No body's perfect right? Ever wonder what happens to a Jelly Belly that doesn't make the cut? Now you can buy them as a Belly Flop! I kinda like that idea of being used when you are less than perfect! Sounds just like a few of the disciples doesn't it?

I found a link for where you can buy these yummy treats!

Jelly Belly Shop - Belly Flops 2 lb. Bag

My First Book "Caregivers' Devotions to Go" is Now Available for Pre-Sale!

My first book is scheduled to release in late fall 2009 but it is available for PRE-SALE at a 30% discount at my Extreme Diva Media's book store! Caregivers' Devotions to Go is the title! Order it at my publisher's website www.edmbookstore.com

It is expected to be available sometime in the late fall. Hurry so you can take advantage of the pre-sale discount! If you want it now you can order it as an E-Book. Check out my website links on the right portion of my blog and read about all of the amazing books in the Devotions to Go series!

Beautiful Prayer

My friend Violet Skiles posted this on her blog. I want to share it with you.

Enjoy! Oh what a beautiful young voice. Thanks for letting me share.

I Learned it all at Dog Training!

The past week has been spent learning the basic commands a canine companion needs to do his or her job. I've witnessed amazing intelligence and strength in these big lovable labs. I'm in Santa Rosa, CA at Canine Companions for Independence. This organization has placed over 3,000 teams of dogs and their skilled leaders.

My son Gabe has been given a beautiful dog. We can't share the details quite yet until the match is confirmed and the puppy raiser is notified. That should happen on Monday. But I will say the match was made in heaven and Gabe is delighted.

It has been so fun to watch this dog do things Gabe has difficulty doing. Like turning on lights or retrieving dropped items. But more than that she is a companion - a friend who will love and snuggle him for the next ten years.

Check out the facility at CCI on their website at http://www.cci.org/ During this training session we have experienced what this organization is all about - changing lives one dog at a time. I've been taking notes on the whole process and hope to write a story or blog about the amazing process of correction and praise that successfully gets an animal to do what you want.

It's so human like! What I've been most intrigued by is the fact that most of the trainees are having a harder time praising the dog than they are correcting it. Aren't we all like that? Isn't it easier to tell someone or something (a dog) that they are doing something wrong vs praising them for getting it right?

The instructors are constantly reminding us to motivate with praise. I think we need to take this rule home with each of us every day. I know I'm much more motivated by praise than I am by correction.

So tomorrow I'm going to take more time to praise than I do to correct. Oh yes, I will probably need to correct to teach but I'll definitely follow it up with a "Good Girl!"

Check back on Monday and I'll post a few photos of this beautiful dog who is Gabe's new best friend. (Well - Jesus is Gabe's best friend but this dog will stick closer than a brother just like Jesus).

I can't wait for you to meet our new friend.....

Hope in Hard Times!

I don't know about you, but I need hope in these hard times. All of us are going through our own definition of hard times. In my current season of transition it's been hard. But I'm not going to lose hope!

I'm finalizing a book proposal entitled Hope in Hard Times. I am excited to share my stories with you as I help you build the foundation of hope in your life.

Today I had to follow my own advice. I needed some hope. So I remembered that the foundation of hope in my life is strong. God has been faithful. He has put his fingerprints on every story in my life and brought me hope.

He's even brought me hope when I've been in despair. In the times when I've really messed up and acted against His will for my life, He still gives me hope for tomorrow. God is a hope-giver. I needed to remember that today. I pray you'll hang on to God's hope too.

Some days I wonder if I am I really called to write life changing books. Yes! I'm sure. For so many years I've sensed that call from the Lord. But doubt crept into my heart today as I edited the chapters of this book. Am I good enough? Will anyone want to read my book? Will I change lives? Yes! and Amen! Because God will be at my side.

I have hope in my heart that God will really make a way for the things I desire to happen in my life. He has been faithful in my past. He will be faithful in my future.

So tonight I'm hanging on to the hope in hard times. I'm excited to get this proposal sent off to an agent who requested it. Please pray with me that we'll be able to find a publisher to help me change the lives of my readers.

God Bless Your Heart. Stay cool in our 100 degree Seattle weather! HOT! I'd better go get my writing done!