Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Fall is Here

There is a certain excitment in the air when you know fall has arrived.
Things start changing, colors POP, there is a shift in how we act.
I have noticed people start pulling things in closer to home, preparing to hibernate for the winter months. Nothing like spring and summer where windows come flying open and everything is set free. Just make sure everything is back by Sept...... for FALL!

Can't wait to visit the pumpkin patches- harvest festivals.

What is a favorite fall memory- is it the smells, the flavors, your favorite coffee comes out, the kids in school, pumpkins, jumping in the leaves, puddle jumping.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

HOPE

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.[1] Hopefulness is somewhat different from optimism in that hope is an emotional state, whereas optimism is a conclusion reached through a deliberate thought pattern that leads to a positive attitude.
When used in a religious context, hope carries a connotation of being aware of what Christians see as spiritual truth; see Hope (virtue). In Christian theology, hope is one of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, and love[2]), which are spiritual gifts of God. In contrast to the above, it is not a physical emotion but a spiritual grace. Hope is distinct from positive thinking, which refers to a therapeutic or systematic process used in psychology for reversing pessimism. The term false hope refers to a hope based entirely around a fantasy or an extremely unlikely outcome.
In some religious contexts hope changes from being a verb to a noun. For instance, when Christians say they have hope in God they are not saying they hope God will give them good things and make their lives happier but that God is in fact, their hope.

That is what the WIKI says about Hope.

The past week Hope has been a theme that has played over and over again. Either a song, scripture, a show, a devotion.. the word Hope is what remains constant. In the past it has been Faith, Grace, Mercy, trust but not this time. So I wonder what is Hope and what does it look like, Feel and how do we have Hope when we struggle.

I always thought I needed to have Faith in God and my walk with him but I am finding I need to have Hope.

Monday, September 21, 2009

TodaysMama Cricut Giveaway

This is contest entry for those crazy folks at TodaysMama and Cricut. Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at the Great Gypsy Escape site! http://bit.ly/FWcud

Great Escape Meme
1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be? Greece
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car? Letting Go-
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do? shopping spree with my kids- then hair- makeup- spa packages and then a night out at a great restaurant and seeing the city (which we would fly to)
4. What is your guilty pleasure? Turtles (Carmel- chocolate)
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home? London
6. Last book that you couldn't put down? Fearless
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch? Notebook
8. What is your favorite local escape? downtown Woodinville
9. How do you escape on a budget? Camping
10. Best food you've ever had while on vacation. Taco Soup

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Book Review of Fearless

I received a copy of Fearless by Max Lucado from Thomas Nelson publishing. My duty as a book review blogger is to read the book earlier then release date and post a review. I love this opportunity and think it is great that they do this.

I was very excited to receive this book. I immediatley started reading it. Wow by page 6 in chapter 1 of "Why are we Afraid" I was crying. Max is an amazing writer and just really knows how to capture you with the words and how to speak to your heart.

This book is truly a must have for everyone right now during these times of unstablity and doubt. With Chapter titles like Fear of Violence and Make Believe Money. I think we all can relate on any level with fear of losing our jobs, houses, lives, relationships etc... Max takes a really close look at that and really pulls back the wool and makes you realize how trapped we are and how we need to leave the darkness and step out into the light and stop living in Fear.
Be Fearless.

I love the passages and reference to Jesus and the bible- this is great for any christian who is doubting God during these times. In the back of the book there is a discussion guide that leads you with some very thought provoking questions and scripture to help you seek

Please go pick up this book- it will be worth your time and money. so step out and stop living in fear