Corrie Ten Boom

her quotes:

Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the 

temperature of the heart. 

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength. 

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.

The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy.

Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to faultfinding. 

Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future. 

Let God's promises shine on your problems.

There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still.

God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies. 

“When people come up and give me a compliment–‘Corrie, that was a good talk,’ or ‘Corrie, you were so brave,’ I take each remark as if it were a flower. At the end of each day I lift up the bouquet of flowers I have gathered throughout the day and say, ‘Here you are, Lord, it is all Yours.'”

~~~

her books:

• The Hiding Place 
• Tramp for the Lord 
• In My Father's House: The Years Before "The Hiding Place" 
• Corrie Ten Boom's Prison Letters 
• Each new day 
• Amazing Love 
• A prisoner and Yet... 
• Clippings from My Notebook 
• Not Good If Detached 
• Father ten Boom, God's man 
• Not I, but Christ 
• This Day Is the Lord's 
• Marching Orders for the End Battle 
• Plenty for Everyone 
• He Sets the Captive Free 
• Corrie's Christmas Memories 
• Don't Wrestle, Just Nestle 
• He Cares, He Comforts 
• Jesus Is Victor 
• Corrie Ten Boom: Her Story 
• Defeated Enemies 
• I Stand at the Door and Knock: Meditations by the Author of The Hiding… 
• Reflections of God's Glory 
• Prayers and Promises for Every Day 
• Anywhere He Leads Me (Life Messages of Great Christians) 
• Messages of God's Abundance 
• He Cares for You 
• The End Battle 
• Snowflakes in September: Stories About God's Mysterious Ways 
• Tramp Finds a Home 
• Reflect God's Glory 
• Common Sense Not Needed 
• Oh, How He Loves You
• Her Life Her Faith
• A Visit to the Hiding Place 
• True stories of survival: Prison letters; In the presence of mine enemies;… 
• Love Came Down: Reflections on the Christmas Story 

~~~

I have been listening to "The Hiding Place" for the second time and with better ears.  I feel the end days heating up and I want to remember more her story.  I started to do a little research on her and was so surprised to find that Corrie has written a lot of books!  She is a good storyteller and I now I am on the prowl to find more of her writings.  I love the title "Don't Wrestle, Just Nestle."  Happy reading!

fav reads of 2013

• "The Five  Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman and Ross canceled, M.D.

takeaway: teach your children to be fluent in all five love languages & teach them to manage anger and the rest of the emotions. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control and this book helps you as a parent or adult to pass this on to the next generation.

• "Cure for the Common Life"

~ Max Lucado  

living your sweet spot : 

use your uniqueness (what you do)

to make a big deal out of God (why you do it)

every day of your life(where you do it)

I love living your dreams and encouraging them.  My job and it isn't my sweet spot. I really don't know how to change it except to do my spot at home and surround myself and my day with creativity and creative thought. 

• "The Vow" by Kim & Krickett Carpenter 

I found this book in Mom's library and with all the hype I read it (I might read before?). You have to read the true story of how God can keep a marriage even when the memories are gone. The movie had the human drama but sadly kept God out of it. 

• "Danger in the Shadows" (prequel)& "The Negotiator" (book one) by Dee Henderson

Dee is a favorite author because there is a bit of intrigue in her love stores.  She is a Christian author and her focus is on the relationship we have in Christ and with each other.  I have been collecting the O'Malley series from my favorite op shop and have all but book two which I am ready to start reading.  I have recently gotten the tapes but I have started another series so I'll have to wait till next year!!  I need to make a family tree of the O'Malleys to keep them organized in my visual brain.  

~~~~~~~

Hmm, I wish my list was longer!  I do read several books at a time because they are informational where I read one story at a time.  So I have some reads that aren't finished to make this list cut off.   I have to admit that I have bad op shop addiction that feeds my book fetish!!  My library is brimming with unread books that I am looking forward to reading.  So until next year, stick your head in a book and take the best vacation ever!

Courageous

Ten stars!

I first saw the previews back in the spring and teared up.  I had to see this movie.  Then this summer while  having a play date with mom, I saw the book and pointed it out to Mom.  The author is a favorite of mine after reading "Deadline" by Randy Alcorn.  This definitely would be a good movie.  Mom was all excited to get this book for Dad.  I said I wasn't sure he would enjoy it.  Dad is a avid reader but not so much novels.  Mom got it and gave it to Dad on his birthday.  Dad loved it and he even asked why we got him the book.  I told him that I told Mom that I didn't he would enjoy it but so glad that I am wrong.

I haven't read the book YET but I did love the movie.  There is a great mix up laughter and even tears.  My favorite part was when Javier Martinez went to get a job and was turned down at the construction sight.  He is talking aloud to God and Adam Mitchell calls out his name.  Adam doesn't know Javier.  All Adam knows is that a Javier was suppose to help with building a shed.  My Dad's favorite scene is when Javier gets all crazy in the back of the cop car.  That is good too.  Oh, Dad says the book is better than the movie.  So of course, read the book too!

It is a story of fathers.  It is a story of loss.  It is a story of faith.  It is a story of making the right decisions even if it hurts and it feels like you are betraying a friend.  It is about making family memories and to cherish each moment you have with your love ones.  It is a story of commitment and not being afraid or being afraid but trusting God.

I recommend this for all fathers and for the women who stand with them.  Being a strong and honorable dad is tough in these last days.  They need all the encouragement they can get.  Girls, let them know they are successful my the light of your eyes and up curve of your smile.  Support good family friendly and faith building movies!!! Let them know we want more!

Fav reads of 2010

* "Come Alway My Beloved" by Frances J Roberts ***Best of Show***
Love her so much I got all her books!!!! I also have been giving to the girls in my life as gifts.

* "Vinegar Boy" by Alberta Haus
It was an audio that I must find the book for. It is a fictional story taking place at the time of Jesus at the Cross.

* "God Knows My Size" by Harvey Yoder.
Another audio book.

* "Daily Light" by Jonathan Bagster
I found this devotional to something simple but powerful for family time. It could be very thought provoking for teenagers. It is total God's Word and not someone else's take on it.

* "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks
Sparks's best book - about a father daughter love.

* "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks

* "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris
Of course the title is what drew me but I left it in the bookstore flyer until I found it at my favorite second hand shop! You could say I liked it because I have given up on getting married. I don't believe so because I do still believe in marriage so some of what Joshua purposes is hard to swallow for anyone especially those in love. What really struck home was he told both guys and girls to stop toying with each other. I totally agree. That is where the damage happens. I want to reread the book and I also want to check out his other book "Boy Meets Girl".

* "Oogy" by Larry Levin
A wonderful story about unconditional love of a dog even when mistreated.

* "Spoken from the Heart" by Laura Bush
I've started the book. It might be about Laura but also gives me a view into my Mom's world.

I am still working on the Narnia series! Yikes! On the docket is the GWB book. I also have the Kindle app so got some classics to read and others to reread.

Charlie St. Cloud

This movie rates up as a 10 for me! The sky scapes and water scenes took my breath away. Then the topper was the story. This movie will complete my personal trilogy. See, I am a keeper, a keeper of things that are important to me. I hold on and probably to long. I never have wanted to be one who didn't say everything to someone I loved. No regrets! I think this need to hold on comes from a childhood where I never had that storybook friend like in 'Anne of Green Gables'.

'It's a Wonderful Life' begins my trilogy. It gave me value when I felt like a very small worthless college freshman. 'Remember Me' comes next with its gritty and violent portrayal of how we mess up after the lost of losing someone and forget to love and live. 'Charlie St. Cloud' is a beautiful story rounding out my personal trilogy with Charlie finding out that he has a reason to live his life without his foot in death. There is a twist so I would love to see it again for that second time and hey, how about a third time for just the viewing pleasure!

I started to read the book but saw the movie before I finished. I waited to write a review until the last pages where read. The book started out with beautiful flowing language. Even though there where God references throughout the book, God's Name was taken in vain so much so that I lost respect of the book. The movie did stray from the book but it condensed it right down to its very essence like taking one bite of just right richness of dark chocolate with a good balance of sweetness that it you were satisfied. The movie rocked and the book flopped!

In the book Charlie is 28 and Tess is somewhere around 25. The story begins with Charlie at 15 (yes, driving illegally) and Sam, his little brother is 3 years younger. In the movie Charlie is 17 at graduation and after the accident that summer you see Charlie five years later. The author didn't picture Zac Efron doing the movie partly because he thought the character as older. The author did get to meet Zac and changed his mind. I think Zac is a great choice. This is my first time seeing Zac in a movie. He did a superb job with pulling off the manly gentleness of this character which is a huge draw for me.

A silent but loud character that really took the movie was the sky and sea scapes. The sunsets where golden and breathless and the ocean bi-polar tendencies of smooth and wild just took my 'eyes' away! I am sooo visual that it made me so satisfied and hungry to see it again and again!

author thoughts:
I have this theory that a movie should follow the book. I totally flipped out over The Last Song (part 2 of 'The Last Song'). The book was sooooo good and deep and the movie messed it up. However, this time I favored the movie. I just don't get it. I am an author-wannabe and I see writing as birthing. A good author picks just the right words, the perfect scenes, and quality characters. So why would you be ok with a director taking liberties with your baby? I also see my story like a director with a movie. So why would a screen writer have to change it for the movie? I suppose I will battle this thought a lifetime!

fyi:
This is a good chick flick. Not sure what the guys would make of it.

There is sex before marriage. Yes, you can still design a movie without it even this one. Especially if you are talented.

working for a 'huffer'

To serve with gladness has been taking a lot of trying to stand down & re-coat my back for extra ease of letting things roll off. I just cannot work in a constant state of trembling and huffing. If I wanted to work in such a place than I would be a police girl in a riot.

I had to take this job because it was offer from the same company that let me go from AP when the economy down turned. I didn't want this job but felt that God had something to this. I really want to be creative instead of being a bean counter and mastering excel sheets. I cried out to God last night on my way home and I promised that I would not think about w@(& during MY weekend.

Last week God brought me a rainbow to take the bend out of my back, this week it is a new favorite book that I happened to get on Monday when I took a day off to visit with a friend who is back from Germany. (this day off made me work 40hrs in 4 days to try to keep the boss happy with no luck.) The book is "Come Away My Beloved" by Frances J. Roberts. It is written as God talking to you. I am eating it up!

This is what I am dwelling on today:
Safety in God's Will
My Will is not a place, but a condition. Do not ask Me WHERE or WHEN, but ask Me HOW. You will discover blessing in every place, and any place, if thy spirit is in tune with Me. No place nor time is more hallow than another when ye are truly in love with Me.

I direct every motion in thy life, as the ocean bears a ship. Your will and intelligence may be at the helm, but divine providence and sovereignty are stronger forces. Ye can trust Me, knowing that any pressure that I bring to bear upon thy life is initiated by My Love, and I will not do this except as ye are willing and desire.

Many a ship has sailed from port to port with no interference by Me, because Strong Will has been at the wheel. Multitudes of pleasure cruises go merrily in their ways, untouched by the Power of My Hand.

But ye have put thy life into My Keeping, and because ye are depending on Me for guidance and direction, I shall give it. Move on steadily, and know that the waters that carry thee are the waters of My Love and My Kindness, and I shall keep thee on the right course.

Wow! I have found a new favorite book and author and want to get all of her books. What a blessing to dear broken and weary heart.

the Last Song ...

I read Nicholas Sparks because he rips out your heart every time but in "The Last Song" he more than rips out your heart. I swear this book made me cry more than all his other books combined. Supposedly, he wrote this book from the movie or at the same time, so I am expecting the movie to follow the book pretty closely. I can't wait to see the baby turtles and the stain glass window!!!!!

For the young girl this is a story about a summer love. For the grown woman it is a story of a girl growing up and her father's love and admiration for her. I believe that a young girl will have to read it again as she journeys into womanhood. It holds a treasure that will take on a different reflection depending on where you are at in your own journey. I am a keeper. I am a sensitive. I treasure moments in my heart. This book challenges you to double check your relationships and not to take any one of them for grant.

A father wants his kids to come down south to his house for the summer. Enters a grumpy girl of 18 who hasn't talked to her father for 3 years and her kid brother who is soooo funny and a bit wise. Dad teaches his son how to make a stained glass window for the church and dad stops playing the piano just to make his daughter happy. But the girl spends a lot of time away. If you know Nicholas Sparks, you pick up on the dark looming on the horizon. Note: Mr. Sparks writes about real life. This will not be wrapped up neatly in a bow and a box. He does leave you with possibles of love continuing... {smiles}

Threaded though out is the father's search of the Presence of God. Nicholas Sparks only touches on faith as a character trait but never fleshes faith out in the fullest. With every book I try to decide what he is up to and sadly, I don't think he fully knows the Salvation and vibrant life in Jesus Christ. This book he was sooooo close and I physically ached for him to get it right. I do appreciate greatly that the father's choice of reading was the Bible. The father notices that his pastor friend always comes back from walking along the beach with a peaceful face like he was in the Presence of God. The father wants this and searches for it and finally realizes it is in every moment.

I feel very strongly that we miss out on so much because we are continually searching for the next big thing in our lives that we miss out on the enjoyment of the moment. We rush and rush and fail to stop and take it in. It is more than just saying thank you but rather it is stopping and celebrating what God has done for you at the moment.

I love my Dad and yet I know there is more I can do with my relationship with him. I already know this and yet this book was poking me in the chest with raised eyebrows and tapping feet..... ok, ok!!!!

Well, talk about father movies out there! You have'Remember Me' and 'The Last Song' that really make you think about fathers and how to be better in your relationships. You can loose them at anytime. Life doesn't let you keep them forever present. Don't go through life on the surface. Breath deep and take it all in width and depth. Don't be afraid of being hurt. Scars are proof of triumph!!!!!!!

dear john ...

"That was a weird ending," said the lady next to me in the theater. When caught off guard, I usually just smile and let it go. Then this thought kicked in that Mr. Nicholas Sparks errors on the side that life doesn't come in neat little packages. Besides the movie ending isn't the book ending. He doesn't get the girl.

This story is a love story and like all his books, you will cry. The movie gave a smidgen of hope that the two would end up together in the end but not so with the book.

The book has stuck with me because this is about the pain of rejection and not holding on when distance is part of the relationship. Love was given up without a fight. Oh, I know what that is!!!

Not sure this is a date movie. Maybe just see it with the girls or even alone like me. I rate this movie a 8.9 ... keeping to the book would have been much better....

Here are a few words from the book:
"In any marriage, there's room for only two people."

"... I finally understood what true love really meant. .... love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be."

These are found in the epilogue.

get bug ...

Last month I bought 'Amigurumi Two' online because of the best deal found and the lack of local craft stores having it or allowing for discount. I also got two other packages in a week's time. I think I got bit by the online-packages-by-mail bug! When my quest to find "hana-ami flower loom' and yo-yo flower makers bottomed out, I got fed up from of making trips and having to come home frustrated.

So I thought that I would allow for a purchase this month for a Knitting Board book that only can be gotten online. Then next month I would get Snow Leopard & the 'hana-ami flower loom'. Then maybe I would stop because of the holiday season that is coming up quick and the pennies needing to stretch out a bit.

Problem - I was talking about the Chronological Bible I began reading in June to my little bro. He got excited because he wanted to try reading the Bible that way. I was going to give him the info but then I thought what a great 'just because' gift for him! However, one thing leads to another - especially when I begin to do comparative shopping between stores. I start putting in other little things in the search box like the Queensland series by Bonnie Leon. I was going to read them from the Library but what are you to do when you can get two of the books for 2.99 each?

So my list grows longer, the finds add up, and the bank empties! Ahh, one thing adds to another. I just need to reign myself in here and behave! So I bookmark for a later date and off I go to dream and scheme.... O, maybe that is the problem! Like all morning I have been thinking of a purse design for a prezzie for my niece in sunshine yellow and persimmon orange yarn. Wondering if I can pull it off and do it in a weeks time!

dead ends ...

I stumbled upon a really good book at the library that came to me at a really good time - 'God Works the Nightshift' by Ron Mehl. I loved this book as well as the 'Tender Commandments' that I went on a buying spree two years ago and got all his books.

Ron is a pastor who has leukemia. He knows the tender and dark side of living this life for God. Need some simple TLC? Read his books and maybe you will want to have him in your library. I feel that I can go back to his books over and over again. It is like a 'book soul mate'! Can that be? =)

I recently reread his book 'Surprise Endings' and now reading the last of his books I haven't read -'Dead Ends'. I am there feeling like I have been on a dead end for some time now but really has intensified in September. Tonight's chapter was about waiting rooms. Ahh, he really gave a good visual. Imagine that in your waiting room there is 'Noah reading a boating mag waiting for rain' etc. In my waiting room Noah is checking out my company's boat brochure as I am waiting to break out of a numbers job and into a writing books. {smiles} Oh, Ruth's in that waiting room too! She is waiting on a husband and Redeemer so I guess I am with good company.

God never ever said to be discouraged! Go ahead try to find it in His Word. Nope, it is always DON'T be afraid. DON'T be discouraged. Take heart. Be of Good Courage.

So here is to dead ends, nightshifts, and surprise endings...
*

not giving up ...

I love my Rings movies. A huge thank you to a co-worker who lent me the movies and tempted me to read the book. It has been 4 years since. The first and second time I read and watched the movies all I could think of was war. The third year I watched the movies and all I could think of was depression. Now the forth year and all I can think of was not giving up. There were sooooo many times Frodo wanted to give up not just mentally but physically. I know the feeling of being so tired that the easiest thing to do is give up. However, I have never been so beaten up like Frodo. It could be possible that I would not pass the test. I am here and alive. I have been a tenacious lot and giving up is so not my style. So much not my style that I kind of detest the giving up one sees in others. I love how the Rings show worth and honor in the fight and in sticking it out with the ones you have pledged to endure the adventure with.

I dearly love Sam and I feel most kin too. I have to peal my eyes off him and his story to the other characters like Aragorn & Arwen. Especially in movie two, I was very ticked off by Aragorn's eyes seemingly to take in another woman instead of Arwen who had told Aragorn that she would give up being an elf and become mortal. Aragorn who is a warrior through and through faltered with his love towards Arwen. I being a fan of love stories and tenacity was chalking it up that men just play games with girls hearts and here we go again allowing them to do so. This time for some silly reason my heart gave Aragorn a small glimmer of a chance to redeem himself. Arwen promised and pleaded with him to trust and believe in their love. Aragorn away at war I think began to wonder if he himself could allow Arwen to become mortal. But the other side of me is sooooo sick and tired of the guy not trusting the girl. Not every girl out there is going to be a fallen Eve. There are those of us that come from the Redeemed Eves. Anyways! He did pull through and did not give up on Arwen even though he seemed surprised to see her there when he was crowned king.

I am all about not giving up. The book/movie is all about decorating the 'not giving up' with honor. It makes you walk away daydreaming of a day when honor reigned supreme all across the land. Then you are awaken by blares of alarm clocks and horns and rude people. That is way I keep going back to the movies and will eventually reread the book. I want honor and valor in my life. It makes you feel worthy of the life you are given!

'whatever is noble - think on these things!' Phil 4:8 We are made for nobility!!!

I rest my case!

{cringes} Arrrrrgh! Come on!!! Why does it feel that this soapbox is always pulled out on me and I am an audience of ONE! I got the message loud and clear already! Enough! MERCY, please!

So I am just going to pull out the soapbox and you all can listen to it. I don't need it and maybe you do. sorry!

It was God who said, ''It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.''(gen 2:18) God, in His Wisdom, created Eve to be the companion that Adam didn't even recognize he needed. She was created to remove Adam's aloneness. No wonder God placed in Eve an intense drive toward relationship.

God knew that man's tendency was to be alone. He gave us a gravitational pull in marriage - our sex drive - so that we would pursue our wives who, in turn, would call us to know and be known in the context of a relationship.
'Rekindling the Romance' by Dennis & Barbara Rainey (the above written to the men by Dennis)

See I know all to well the man's tendency to be alone. I knew cold before but not like this. This is like being stuck on an ice block out in the middle of polar bear land with no winter clothing and the wind has picked up and the temp is a -50* F. I cannot hold on to life anymore. Allowing the cold to seep in and falling asleep sounds more warm than this...

wilderness ... part IV

I have listened to one describe a dark period in his life as a wilderness. I felt a little afraid for the person even as I reminded him to see how far he has come. As I read in ''The Way of the Wild Heart'', no wonder there was some fear in my heart.

(The Isrealites) decision NOT to fight is what led to their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. We often cite that part of the story, talking about our own wilderness experiences embracing the wilderness saga as if it were in inevitable. Rather, the wilderness was a punishment, the conseuence of refusing to trust God, and fight. We live in a world at war. We are suppose to fight back. ~John Eldredge

Whoa! That is real scary! I wonder if I have some wilderness lurking in my past or even in my present day...

part III

man phases ... part III

I've been reading "The Way of the Wild Heart" and the author gives 6 phases of a man's path. When I first read this, my thoughts went back to Psychology in high school where some guy thought up the different phases of man. That was depressing and very morbid as the man progress into his elder years. I like this new path. Very grounded and very true ... a catch though! Man must allow God to work these phases out in his life or the man will go though a morbid existance.

Ok here is the path:

Boyhood:- a time of wonder & exploration; time of being the Beloved Son, the apple of your father's eye; time of affirmation

Cowboy:- time of learning the lessons of the field; time of great adventures & testing; time for hard work; time of daring & danger; time of learning that he does have what it takes

Warrior:- realizes his mission & that it is crucial; he learns to battle the kingdom of darkness is even more crucial; to be a man he must learn to live with courage, take action, go into battle

Lover:- comes to offer his strength to a woman, not to get it from her; discovers the way of the heart; awakens to beauty, to life - becomes a romantic & it takes his spiritual life to a whole new level; Serviceof God is overshadowed by inimacy WITH God

King: - will be sorely tested to use his influence in humility for the benefits of others; time for ruling over a kingdom; draws around him a company of young warriors - for he is now a father to younger men

Sage: - mission now to counsel others; his influence ought to increase; the kingdom needs him as an elder at the gates; should spend time mentoring younger men; this should be the period of their greatest contribution
Ch 2 of "The Way of the Wild Heart by John Elderidge

See why I like this path? Exactly what a girl's heart hopes for in a man. Even a mother hopes her son can be raised like this!

I read this and I began to search for the path of a girl. I have some of the parts filled in but some are missing. My thought are a brewing. I am extremely excited. However, by the time I figure out the path for myself John will write it out with his wife! I hope they do come out with a book for us girls but I will beat my chest and figure it out for myself. Maybe I will share it here.... or it just might seep into my own book.

part II

if I have to give up... part II

Good grief! Here I go again reading a book that makes me mad, sad, and a whole lot of other feelings. I should just stop reading books by John Eldredge but I am compelled to grasp the man’s world and mine as well.

I read ‘Wild at Heart’ and was so furious that man is a broken man prone to hiding out and to refusing to tackle their world. Down with ‘cave dwellers’ and ‘escape artists’! I had hot tears and outbursts for God. I wasn’t happy that the author told about man’s wound without giveing some kind of hope. I also read the book for women called ‘Captivating’. Again mad about the wound. Again mad that there was no hope for healing.

The new book called ‘Way of the Wild Heart’ seems to be promising. There seems to be hope. He isn’t offering a self help but gives a path for a man’s life. However, I am not sure very many men are going to find this nugget nestled in chapter two. Salvation is the hugest gift given by our Heavenly Father but next treasure is that we must give up all and dwell in God. HOME. “Coming home to the Father is the goal.”

‘Errrrrrrrrrrrrrk.’ Here comes my soapbox!
If I have to give up every hope of having a husband, a lover, some teamship, some attentive love and let God be my Husbandman, my Great Lover, my teammate, and my Attentive Love, then why can’t man give up this notion of trying to gain love from their earthly father who has wounded them with a big hole in their heart that must be filled and let the Heavenly God be their Perfect Father who will calls them Beloved Sons and who will never leave them, and who will be with them through any fire or any hell and fill the gapping hole in their heart?{gasps for a breath}

You can bet that I threw the book down and started pacing and muttering to God about this very crazed feeling I was feeling. I have always viewed my God as my Heavenly Father. I am quite lucky to have a really good dad who yes, has weaknesses and who has struggled with his own father’s lack of making my dad feel beloved and prized. But I have been taken aback by a guy who is precious to my heart who did not like thinking of God as a Heavenly Father. This hurts!!!!! I never could understand this … back with the discussion of the first book I tried to point out to him that he was a good dad to his son and his daughter and that those feelings that you get as a dad wanting to give good gifts to your children is exactly what the Heavenly Father feels towards him. I wanted to yell and scream ‘You have it. Take it. Go with it.’

But today I want my eyes to heat up and I want to say with strongest intensity and you bet I have that! ‘If I have to let go of my deepest dreams of a husbandman, then you must give up wanting love from your earthly dad. If I have to let God be my Husbandman, then surely you can let God be your Heavenly Father. Don’t get me wrong. Prying your hands off this wound is the hardest. I can list a million things I have had to let go of so I know deeply how hard this is. However, you will never intimately know the greatest Joy of being prized and beloved by the Perfect Heavenly Father until you let go. He will catch you.’

No wonder I talk so much about going for your dreams. I believe so strongly that God put them there before your parents even thought of you. He has plans for those dreams and those precious gifts only you can bring to this world and pour out for this world.

Good grief! What a soapbox! What heated feelings that bubble in my very heart!!! I feel burned… blazes!

part I

Wild Heart's way ... part I

Jeremiah 6:16 has become a treasure scripture of mine and when John Eldredge used it to begin chapter one of his book called, “The Way of the Wild Heart”, I was intrigued.

’’Stand at the crossroads & look
Ask for the ancient paths,
Ask where the good way is & walk in it
& you will find rest for your souls.’’

I have been watching for this book after the first one called ‘Wild at Heart’ came out. I have been wondering if John would give some kind of hope after showing how every man alive has this big old hole in their heart!

I must say that he has begun his book with telling men that this is not a formula but rather a path that every man must take to be whole. There are six markers:

*Boyhood
*Cowboy
*Warrior
*Lover
*King
*Sage

I am still reading the book and have had some really powerful moments and I am wondering how I am going to get it all out! I am also looking at this with my girl-eyes and wondering what her path should look like spelled out. I think I am having some pretty good thoughts.

My dear friend told me that 'you can tell that the Bible was written by one BLOKE telling the story over and over again'. He called it the 'butterfly effect'. What it means is that if you look at the old testiment you see the stories repeated in the new testiment. What is your pet name for God? One of mine as you probably have heard me say over and over again is Heavenly Father. While I am reading this book I am seeing God my Heavenly Father in every Bible story with new eyes. My love for His Father figure has deepened even more.

Just today I realized there was a reason for Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, to have passed away before Jesus begain His ministry. It is to show every man who feels fatherless or feels that their father has let them down that they have no excuse. They have a Father or a King to come to for guidance and for fathering. Pretty powerful shake up - no excuse to whimp out.

This time the author makes sure his readers have the tools to heal up the wound. You, a man, is a beloved son. You have what it takes. You have the strength to use for good.

Not finished yet ... verrrrrrry powerful ... go read for yourself and see what you think...

meaning of life