Celebrating Christmas 365 days a year

Okay I know what you are thinking "um, is this girl crazy?" But Christmas is about celebrating our Savior's birth and giving thanks to Him. Why don't we celebrate that every day? Christmas isn't meant about decorations, boxes wrapped up under a tree, it's suppose to be about praising God. He gave us His only son so that we might be saved from our past, present, and future sins.

"Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in my Lord and Savior! For he took notice of a lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy. His mercy goes on from generation after generation, to all who fear Him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel! For He promised our ancestors-- Abraham and his children-- to be merciful forever."  Luke 1:46-55

Mary sang this out with great joy when she met with Elizabeth, praising God for blessing her with a son, and for entrusting her with His only son. Some people think that Mary was bring prideful, but she wasn't. She was accepting the position and gift God had given her with humbleness and joy, and giving Him praises for all that He is and all He has done for her. How would you feel if someone didn't accept a gift because you felt it was too much? what if they sent it back? Wouldn't that hurt? Just yesterday I received my birthday present from my best friend Ashlyn and her mother, they sent me a laptop. It was far more then ever expected when she told me she was sending me a gift, she said it was to help with my schoolwork, which I had admitted to her I was having trouble with. It stirred my heart so deeply. I didn't know what to say to her but thank you. It was a great blessing from God to receive such a gift. I wanted to sing out in thanks, but I figured that I didn't want to scare Ashlyn with my horrible singing, since she was on the phone with me when I opened my present.

"I love you Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. I will call on the Lord who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies" Psalm 18:1-3

The book of Psalm is filled with so many beautiful songs singing praises to God, more and more lately I have felt my heart singing out to Him, praising Him for everything he has bestowed upon me, his child. I want to burst out into song when I hear good news for my friends and family, even complete strangers, which they did a lot back in biblical times. Music is such a huge part of our lives. So if you feel the need burst out into song, sing to your heart's content, cry out your joyful noise. I found myself having a hard time communicating with God, I felt like my prayers were hitting the ceiling? have you ever felt like that? I talked to my friend William, he suggested a few things. He said to try dancing, drawing, writing, or even singing to Him, God will listen to what I have to say, I just had to break through that mental barrier I'd put up. It worked wonders for me, so why don't you give it a try?


"But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry reached his ears" Psalm 18:6

I have been listening to the song Let it go from Disney's Frozen, mostly the version by Demi Lovato (Her voice is so beautiful)

And I can't help thinking about how Elsa felt to be free, and how much I want that myself. I know much of how she felt, even though I am the youngest. I had to struggle to be the "Good girl" to be what everyone else wanted me instead of what God wanted me to be. The mask I wore to please the people around me almost became permanent, along with the torture in my heart, but God revealed Himself to me, saying this was not who I was meant to be, nor should I try to be anyone else but who I am. Relief was one of the many things felt when Christ began filling my heart and soul. So let go of the past, let God's peace and freedom envelope you, for He will take all your fears and pains to a place where they an never reach you again.

There are so many ways to celebrate Christ, don't miss the chance to praise him for all the wonderful blessings He has placed before your very eyes, you never know if He's setting down another one, maybe even under the Christmas tree.

Coming soon to Figment.com, a devotional inspired by God and written by Kaitlyn W.


                                 





 Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Cloak of the Light Review

Another book from Blogging for books!

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18


With Chuck Black’s Cloak of the Light I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but I got something better then I expected. We all imagine the world we cannot see, but believe in with all our hearts; the world of Angels and Demon. He brings this world to life with surprising detail, though he had little to go on, Chuck Black used the few biblical facts about angels and demons that he could find.

In the book our focus is on the character Drew Carter, a man who’s had a very hard lot in life, and an unbeliever. Three deaths hit him hard in the gut, change his life for the worse, strengthening his resolve that there is no God and that in this world only logic and good sense will serve you well. There were so many times I wanted to whack him over the head and tell him to get a clue. Even when his crush brought him to a bible study, the pastor even felt a need in his heart to change the sermon, and used very good logic Drew refused to believe.

Drew’s best friend Benjamin was a science wizard from the start, but when his collage professor goes missing after an amazing project is completed he believes the FBI is after them, because the invention could speed up light and what they thought to be aliens were revealed. Benjamin came to Drew with this, and to prove he wasn’t crazy took drew to the lab and let him look through the machine. But one of these beings saw them, and wasn’t too happy. The machine exploded, leaving Ben badly burned, and Drew completely blind.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

So many times we rely on what we understand, what we think is possible and impossible, but we forget that the Lord is the Almighty, and he has the power to do anything. He did create every single one of us after all. But Drew knows nothing of Him and such a thing is going to be dangerous for him with an army of demons wanting the young man dead.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” Proverbs 4:23

What I liked most about this book was the character Sydney. Her faith in Christ was so amazing; she kept it with her and let the light in her heart shine. Even Drew noticed there was something different about this girl, though he could never place it. She refused to date someone who did not share her faith, though she loved Drew greatly she kept her heart on guard for she knew the effects it would make if she compromised. Sydney also showed great strength even when she knew the situation looked really, really, bad! But she prayed to the Lord to watch over them and to save them, and she showed Drew that power, though again he didn’t know it.

All in all this is a great book for reader’s young and old. It stays at a good pace, keeps you interested, and wanting more. I cannot wait for book two of Wars of the Realm!

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.



Pre order this awesome book today!
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226912

To Family (Blood related and non blood related) and Friends, this is for you.

This is a thank you and an confession to my friends and family, who have been there for me through so much.

So many times before I came to Christ I held bitterness and resentment towards my family, for holding me back, telling me no, for cancelling plans last minute, I blamed them all for it. Every night for three years I cried myself to sleep, wondering why everything hurt so much, why I didn't have any friends, and why God was punishing us. I never got an answer to my cries, at least not right away.

A year and a half before I joined Figment.com I went into a serious state of depression, anytime I found a spark of happiness it faded before I could hold onto it, no matter what my family did I couldn't put on a real smile. After so long the thoughts of suicide drifted into my head, I thought anything could be better then this horrible pain in my heart, better then crying night after night, better then feeling a burden and a waste to my family. I even had a dream that I put a knife in my chest, went to bed, bleed to death, and my family didn't notice till it was far too late to save me. It scared me to the core, not because the thought of death scared me, but because I knew I could do it. I really wanted to kill myself and I felt I had nothing to hold me back from it, but all that time I could have done it, so close to doing it, something told me NO. 

After that ordeal I thought of cutting myself. I knew my family would see, so I didn't, I wouldn't have able to handle their questions. Everyday my anger and bitterness grew, turning it towards my family brought some relief from it, but it never lasted long. Then I just stayed in my room, keeping myself as far away as I could from my family as much as humanly possible. Then medical problems started to arise, though I gave little care to them, the thought of suicide coming up again. If I let my medical problems kill me then I wouldn't have to answer any questions, I wouldn't have to do anything except not take my medicine and go to sleep, my body would take care of the rest. Again I felt something screaming in the back of my head saying NO.

One day my dad found figment.com, a place for aspiring authors to show off their work, he knew how much my sisters and I loved to write. It was my chance to make friends, I signed up right away. It took me about a week to make a friend, I didn't have too much experience in that department, but I gave it a go with a girl who commented on one of my stories. Her name was Faith. My first friend in years, and her name just happened to be Faith.

With that friendship growing more each day other friendships were brought into my life. A girl with the username Ashlyn James befriended me in a Roleplaying group, there I also met a girl named Julia, all three of us stuck together harder then super glue. To have so many wonderful friends surrounding me was something I had never imagined, but there was still a pain in my heart. 

I met a boy through my sister, David. My sister and I became good friends with him, he was funny, a good listener, loved to talk even if it wasn't about anything particular. He was there for us through the tough times when it seemed our family would tear apart at the seams. I fell in love with him. I told no one, not even David, of what I felt. Not much later something happened to David, he stopped talking to me, I would try and it seemed he could get rid of me fast enough, it cut my heart to ribbons. I tried talking to my sister about it, but she kept telling me our friendship wasn't that strong anyways and I should just forget about it, those words hurt me even more, more then she knew. I can't blame her now, I didn't tell her how deep my feelings went, but back then I did and felt there was no point in telling anyone, no one would care.

Months went by after that, I let go of my feelings for him and just stopped talking to him all together, but I still felt the heat of anger and betrayal whenever my sister brought him up. I went deeper into my seclusion. After a while I started getting a lot of prayer request from my friend Rebekah, she was having a hard time with medical problems that the doctors still haven't discovered the problem to yet, but I didn't pray for her. I honestly didn't think I needed to, God didn't listen to my prayers, and I felt horrible for not doing the one little thing she asked of me. Then I bought some Christian fiction books at the local booksale that year, just thinking they would be good clean romance novels. The more I read the more I saw what real Christians were meant to be like. In my head I told myself I was a christian, but in my heart I knew better, I couldn't even pick up the bible. I began question myself again and again; was I a real Christian? I believed there was a God, but that was about the sum of what I believed. After a few agonizing days I texted Ashlyn, telling her my faith had come into question. We talked for hours and hours, me going on with endless questions and telling her EVERYTHING, she listened and help me to the best of her abilities, telling me God was there and to just ask for his help. I didn't do it right away. 

On one Sunday afternoon I was reading the book City girl by Lori Wick. The way the main character felt about Christianity was the same way I felt. Throughout the book the world around me changed, the main character went into a church, so did I, she listened to the message the Pastor was preaching to the people, as was I, she asked the Lord to forgive her and that she accepted Him as her savior, I found myself doing the exact same thing as she. I had never felt so relieved in all my life, all those burdens, the pain, everything was gone. Exchanged for a wonderful peace I feel now every time I pray to Him.

I told Ashlyn what had happened and I never thought someone could be so happy for me! I felt loved. I could pray for Rebekah, for myself and my family, I was so happy.

Months went on, I learned about God and the work he did in Biblical times, VERY SLOWLY might I add. I hadn't told any of my family there was a time I had been lost, and I was ashamed to tell them that. A time came when my sister and David got into a big argument, I won't go into detail, but it got really bad, and I was stuck in the crossfires. David talked to me, only to get information about my sister and to be comforted about some of his actions. My sister came to me wanting to talk everything out and hoping to get advice or answers on what she should do. It wore me down, drove me crazy, and brought back a depression I never wanted to come back. Thoughts of suicide came back as well. I told my sister and David to leave me out of it, but I managed to either get dragged into it by them or by angry text message I sent him after my sister showed me couple of his texts (which I then felt bad about and sent an apology an hour after the last texts) I put my foot down again, telling David and my sister not to talk to me about the fighting between them again, I couldn't take it anymore.

The Lord used Ashlyn and her family to get me through the depression that seemed to come with an even greater power then before, giving them the right words to say, and pointing me in the right direction. I can never thank them enough for that.

I tell you all this to say that the Lord is so wonderful, please don't let the chance slip by to get to know Him. This is also for family and friends. I'm so sorry for the pain I've caused you, there are no excuses for what I did and I pray one day the Lord can make them right, for I know I can't do it on my own. Also thank you. I thank my parents for dealing with all my bad moods and hissy fits and for raising me in a home full of love, even through the hard times. I thank my friends who have stuck by me and helped my faith in God grow stronger each day, I couldn't have done it without you! I thank my best friend and sister in Christ Ashlyn and her mom, both have inspired me to be a better person, to give myself up to God, and have been two very strong pillars of Hope in my life.

Thank you to anyone who is reading this. I hope the Lord works miracles in your life, just like he did mine.

What Once Was Lost review

Hello everyone! here is another review of another wonderful book. This time it's What once was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Enjoy

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others -- it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.” Psalm 37: 7-9

What once was lost was my first novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer, though her name had popped out on Amazon.com quite a few times, I never found her novels caught my attention very much until I saw the description for this one. I was honestly surprised to find myself hooked by the second page. The characters are so realistic I found myself wishing throughout every page that they were real, that I could hold and comfort them when they needed it. Christina had a rough time after the poorhouse kitchen was burned down, the men and women who became her family were scattered across the town, and no one wanted a blind boy in their house. Christina was forced to beg/force the Miller owner Levi to take him in.

This book faces many issues, but a large part of it is gossip and self worth. Cora made the mistake of being with a man before marriage, and she became pregnant. Self worth is so important to us, when we strip a person of their worth they are left with nothing, they feel they are nothing, and they believe every harsh word against them is true. The young blind boy Tommy faced this. It was heartbreaking to hear Cora’s and Tommy’s past, but it is something that still happens often today. The weight of the world is pressed on our shoulders, the people we love hurt us, and to protect our hearts we become cold and distant, and hurting the people we are suppose to love. And we hurt God as well because he weeps with us, yet we continue to push Him away.
How many times have we forgotten that we are meant to do God’s will, not ours? How many times have you thought something is okay because others are doing it? I know I have a lot. The book faces the problems of people thinking what is right and wrong. Timmy was moved from Levi’s home to the bank owner’s house, for they had brought it to Christina’s attention that Levi wasn’t a Christian man because he didn’t attend church. They treated Tommy differently, making him eat in the kitchen by himself, sleeping on the floor, while the other two kids from the poorhouse slept in beds and ate in the dining room with everyone else. They claimed it was their Christian duty to take him in and that he was blind and couldn’t tell the difference. When Cora let the owners of the store she was working for know she was pregnant she expected to be tossed out into the street again, but they welcomed her with God’s love, and helped the soon-to-be mother find her way to God again

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

The book was just so wonderful, I would read it again, and probably will soon! Even Christina had some stuff to work out, for she forgot we do not things for ourselves, but for Him, and the glory shall be His. So when you’re feeling unloved, under appreciated, or completely left out remember that God loves you very much, He is happy to see you doing His work and will bless you, and he shall never leave you.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.


To Purchase click the link below
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=221537

We don't have to be Strangers

"Wonderland has grown stranger. I'm stranger, you're stranger, together we are strangers" Cheshire cat from once upon a time in Wonderland

These were words from this wickedly grinning cat  were to tell a young woman who, as a child, had been friends with the grinning cat. But with years between them both changed, some for the worse. Such was the case with the Cheshire cat.

While watching this episode I began to think just how much the Cheshire's words rang true. When we let too much time grow between us and our friends, our family, even our spouses, we become strangers to each one another. We are meant to show love to one another, not with just our words but with our actions. So this thanksgiving give a call to a friend you haven't talked to in a long time, listen out for those who silently pleading out for taste of love, release any former arguments that are stuck in your head and in turn show love. Sometimes this can be hard, trust me I know. 
There have been so many arguments with my sisters and my parents that I can't keep count, and for a very long time I harbored those hateful words in my heart for a very long time. But I released those hurt feelings and angry words, and He threw them far away, where they'll never be found. I think we all sometimes hold onto hurt, I know when I get into an argument memories will come up and I want to say something about it, but then I feel God's hand touch my heart and suddenly those nasty words are gone, and I feel a great peace. My friends have even noticed the changes in me since I came to Christ, and I have to say it feels great! I've still got a long way to go, but if it's enough for other's to notice then God is really working some miracles in me!

"Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions" 1 John 3:18

I wish you all a happy thanksgiving and I hope this will encourage not only to give a little love to someone who needs it, but to turn them to the ultimate source of love; our savior Jesus Christ.

Fun Figgy Friday: Historical week

Hello everyone and welcome to another week of Fun Figgy Fridays! This week will be one of my favorite genres Historical. Let's see what stories are written down from our ancestors!

First up is The Musician's Maid by Brittany Law


                                         

In this historical romance a Musician turns the tables on an opera house full of traditions, such as not hiring a scullery maid as the lead singer in his latest master pieces. Emily posses the voice of an angel, but since she came to the opera strange things have been happening, and everything seems against her playing out this play. Will the Musician and the maid survive?

Next up is Chase or be Chased by Camzie


                                        

The story has just began, there isn't much to it yet, but the one chapter was enough to capture my attention. A princess running for her life from unknown enemies, a knight adding in her escape. Please read and encourage the author to write more!

Last of all is Resolved by Noelle Alabasteter, and author from our last figgy friday


                                        

You'll taking on water the roaring English seas in Resolved, headed for the dreaded pirate lair of Tortuga, why might you ask? Hawke Cutter must save his brother from the accusation of treason, he believes only one man can help him, but what happens when he arrives at Tortuga? read to find out!

I'd like to thank all the authors of these amazing stories, and urge them to continue their writing, for without these stories I wouldn't have a reason to be speaking to you all today! God bless you and have a wonderful day!

Eyes Wide Open

"As reason clouds my eyes, splendors fading. Illusions of the sunlight. And the reflection of a lie will keep me waiting." Shattered by trading yesterday.

Just last night I finished Duchess and the Dragon by Jamie Carie, it took me less the twenty-four hours to finish this 300 plus paged book, and it was an eye opener, all of her books are honestly eye openers. The book was about what our choices will do, how they ripple out and effect the people we love most, and about walking into the unknown and putting our trust in God to lead us through the darkest of times.

For a long time I didn't understand what it meant to lose innocence, the story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit didn't click. I understood they disobeyed God's command, but what had the knowledge done to them? Why did it change them so much? Duchess and the Dragon shows that with it heroine, how knowledge and stripe away the innocence in one's heart, and how it can change you. By putting her faith in God she became stronger because of it.

"And I've lost who I am, and I can't understand why my heart is so broken, rejecting your love. Without love gone wrong, lifeless words carry on. But I know, all I know, is that the end's beginning. Who I am from the start, take me home to my heart, let me go and I will run, I will not be silenced. All this time spend in vein, wasted years, wasted gain. All is lost, hope remains, and this war's not over. There's a light, there's a sun, taking all shattered ones to the place we belong and His love will conquer all" Shattered by Trading yesterday

After that book I began looking back at my own life, had I let God make me stronger with this new knowledge? Or had I piled it all on my back, or stuffed it in a bottle? Unfortunately I did that ladder.

"For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything He does is worthy of our trust" Psalm 33:4

It seems so hard sometimes to trust something you cannot see, but I've learned in recent months that God can be heard, He can be felt, He is in all of us and in everything we do. My best friend's mother gave me a book, Jesus Today by Sarah Young, not only was the gesture heart warming but as I read the pages of the inspiring devotional I felt my connection to God growing stronger, I felt my heart melt, my eyes open a little more to the wonder of our glorious God and how he worked through this woman to help spread His word. I am so grateful she shared this book with me, and I am grateful to God for how much he has blessed me by letting me get to know this wonderful and amazing family whom I have no idea how I could have gotten on without. They helped me come back to Him. He worked through them, giving their hearts the right things to say and the right actions to take so that I might come back to Him. This year at thanksgiving I will be with the Lord for the first time in a long time, my heart will be so full I won't know what to do with myself!

I hope everyone can feel this way and that I will continue to have this in my heart for the rest of my life

Happy holidays and TTFN (ta ta for now)

Governess of Highland Hall review

Here's another review for another awesome book!

“Let this encourage God’s holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus” Revelations 12:12

This first book of the Edwardian brides series was a great read, the England setting only made it even more interesting. The book starts of with Julia Foster returning to her homeland after living in India as a missionary with her parents for twelve years. She’s come to feel of India as her home and is sad to leave it, but with her father in poor health and only getting worse she must go and secure a job to help her family. With times getting harder we come more to rely on our families and working together with them as we use to, and as I see it helps bring us closer together. Julia’s faith in God is aspiring and helps remind me to be strong in my faith, and that God is with us every step of our lives. Though it is not to say Julia, and many other characters in this story, didn’t have their wavering moments when they began to lose their faith in Him, as we all do at some point in our lives.
Once Julia arrives at highland she meets a very irritable man fixing a motor car, little did Julia know this man was her employer, and she did not learn this until after completing the first part of the interview with Mrs. Emmitt. She felt bad for not holding her tongue, though the man had been as Julia herself put it “entirely too familiar and too rude with your words.” And in that time period in England it was a tad un-proper for him to address her in that way. Now when she learned this man’s true identity she expected to not get the job, but Sir William liked her honesty, so she received the position of Governess.

“If you keep your mouth shut you will stay out of trouble. Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.” Proverbs 21:23-24

Sir William’s cousins Katharine and Penelope lost their father not even a year ago, and it turns that Sir William would inherit the estate of Highland and become their guardian, neither knew how to react, but Katharine soon learned. The two young women began challenging him at every turn, faking illness to not come downstairs when called for scripture reading, yet going out horse back riding a few hours later, visiting their friends, whatever caught their fancy. When Sir William they will now have a governess Katharine is not pleased, and the sister’s fight her authority every step of the way. One day while working on their entrance, for this will be Katharine’s first season in London, Sarah, Sir William’s sister, and Julia playfully and innocently jest about their awkward first attempts, Katharine overhears and does not take kindly to it. She lashes out at Sarah the most, aiming horrible words at her heart about her crippled arm. Words can take the form of a sword, and cut deeply, this book shows how words can be used in such a way, and the damage they can so easily cause. But God has his ways, and even though Sarah was hurt and believed every cruel Katharine said God proved that He was there, and they she is loved.


“But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk 2:3

This verse applies greatly to the book, sometimes we don’t know what God’s plans are for us, and waiting patiently is a great struggle we all must face. Waiting for the right person to come into your life or waiting for the world to crash under your feet God always has a plan for us, and he will not let us fall. He will work His way into your heart, even with your faith is being greatly tested trust in Him, and He will get you through it. Please read this wonderful book that I recommend to everyone.

Music Monday's Fall music

Hello everyone, and welcome to the third week of Music Monday's. This week I am going to showcase some cover's of my favorite songs that just make me think of Fall. These folks did an amazing job with their covers and I couldn't wait to show them to all of you. Hope you enjoy!

Fun Figgy Friday; Romance

Welcome to Fun Figgy Fridays, this weeks theme will be Romance. With fall here it's the perfect to curl up on the couch with a good love story, and a bit of adventure added into the mix!


First off is; The story of Lady by Amantha Annabeth James

                                                   

Based on the story of Disney's Lady and the Tramp this sweet story brings us into the world of Lady, a beautiful young woman in the 1920's who's life is about to be turned upside down, all by a boy and a pair of evil twins.

Next is Changing like the Autumn breeze by Kaitlyn Watson, AKA me!

                                                   

A single wish can hold the most strongest of magic. When a pumpkin wishes to become a human to find someone special a fairy is more then happy to help it come true. But she only has one month to find him, and it's in the dead of winter, how will she find the one she loves? and even if she does will it be too late?

Last of all is The Drifter by Noelle Alabaster

                                                   

Western romance has always been my weakness, and when I started reading this book I fell head over heals for it! the adventure, the excitement and romance!!!!! Read this story and fall for it as I have.

God's Redeeming love

Hello everyone I have a review for you all of this wonderful, wonderful book Redeeming love by Francine Rivers!

“When the lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him “Go and marry a prostitute, so some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will Illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the Lord by worshiping other gods” Hosea 1:2. 

I believe this is verse has to be the bases of Redeeming Love, a wonderful retelling of the book of Hosea.

Michael Hosea is a normal farmer who loves God and worships him everyday, and while selling some of his harvest to store owner in Pair-A-Dice, Joseph Hochschild. And in the midst of this a beautiful young woman passes by, and Michael’s heart goes wild “This one, Beloved” (Pg. 53) that is what the Lord tells Michael. Joseph sees his friends gaze and inform just who the woman is; A prostitute named Angel. Michael can’t believe this is the one God has chosen for him, but after a small debate Michael decides to gather up his gold dust and go see Angel.

Now Angel has a very tragic back-story, but I won’t spoil that for you. But she was taught by her mother’s maid that God’s truth was that everyone used the other to get what they wanted and you just had to deal with it the cards you were dealt in life. When sold a horrid man named Duke she believed that and gave up what little faith she had in God. Reading all of this made me weep, what child should be put through that? It only made me feel worse to think it happens more often in this day and time then it did in the 1850’s. Angel escaped Duke, but only to get robbed stuck on a ship half-sunk and then end up in the clutches of a woman named Duchess, falling back into prostitution. All she wants is freedom, a little cottage in the woods where she could live out the rest of her day. Then the last customer of the night comes in, and he just wants to talk.

Things really pick up from there, the more Michael tries to talk to Angel, the more she pushes him away, and after some ill spoken words to some of the other girls working for duchess Michael finally leaves.

Angel struggles with him leaving, going over how he called her angel for the first time, instead of Mara (which means bitter) for that’s what he saw the bitterness in her. Michael brewed over his anger, saying God had sent him the wrong woman and that he didn’t want someone without feelings. A big mistake there.  Angel tried to get the money she’d earned from duchess, but that didn’t work out, the duchess sent her bodyguard upstairs to teach her a lesson, Angel had other plans. So many wonder why some want to commit suicide, and how feelings could bring you into such a state, reading that chapter gave me great insight, and I was given great insight into her mind and heart, I cried again for this young woman. She taunted him until at last he beat her to within an inch of her life. Michael came into the saloon as the doctor was treating Angel’s injuries, and that’s when Michael made his choice and asked Angel to marry him. “Why not” was her reply, and so the two became one.

“But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the dessert and speak to her tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the valley of trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from captivity in Egypt” Hosea 2:14-15. And the Lord kept his word. Angel tried to run from Michael, even with the help of his brother-in-law once, so many times I began to wonder if he would give up on her completely, but the Lord sent him after her, though Michael took his time doing it a couple times. Then there was a time God asked Michael to let her go, and to give Angel the opportunity she needed to turn to Him, and Michael obeyed with a heavy heart. This story is all about God’s redeeming love, and each page shows more how far His reach is, and no matter how far we fall he will always pick us back up.

I love how Francine Rivers added a sort of side story to the main one, it flowed perfectly and again showed how much God loves us and what it can do for us. Paul, Michael's brother-in-law, had quite a few problems he refused to take reasonability for, and instead shoved the blame onto Angel. He couldn’t see the woman behind the stone walls and the icy glares and only saw the prostitute he and many others had slept with. But in the end God helped him see the truth, and helped bring Angel home.

This is a very beautiful story, and I recommend it to anyone, to those who’ve lost their faith it will inspire them to get it back, for those who still have their faith then it will only strengthen it. 

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group provided this book to me for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review as part of their Blogging for Books program.

Music Mondays! Halloween week

With this being the month of Halloween I figured I would give you guys a few good remakes from one of the best Halloween movies ever; The Nightmare before Christmas. This movie had some awesome songs, and these artists have made some awesome versions!

 

Fun Figgy Friday! Thriller week

With Halloween coming up I thought some stories to get us hooked and our hearts racing was the best thing. So let us begin!

First up is Run by Cassandra wood


                                               

In this story we meet Gia Santi, a young girl who's been in juvi, now in the Itali she meets two very strange men, both angels of heaven! Not only that but Gia herself is a Power Angel, one of the very few left. Now she must defeat the one who has killed all the other Power Angels; Venustas The first born son of Satan himself. Why he is taking them out no one knows, their fate rests on Gia's shoulders


Next is Golden Machines by K. A. Lesinski


                                           

In this steampunk fiction it is the Golden age, or so they say. Automatons make up the army of The golden League, only generals are human in their ranks. Emeline Arkwright is a rouge, a rebellion of the Golden League and their Golden Age. Having been stripped of her family she learns that the automatons are not as helpful as they are lead to be, quite the opposite. Having received a letter from her father Emeline leaves her childhood home to journey to New York, where she will join the Alliance to put the Golden Age to an end.

Last is The queen of Dragons by Martina Dominique


                                            

Aryn Teffani is not human. She is not phaerie. What exactly she is, she has never known, but she has managed to live a normal life in the sleepy town of Jurad in Argor under the care of her also non-human guardian, Lovestone. All that changes one night when she buys an amulet that glows at her touch from the local black market. In this amazing world of dragons and phaeries This young thief will have her world turned upside down, accused of stealing the precious and powerful Keystone she is forced to flee her home. To learn more of this amazing girl and her journeys through a dangerous world go to Figment.com

That's all I've got for you this week, come again and let's see what page we'll land on next.

Little things

The little things are what add up in our lives, few people seems to know this, and it's honestly very sad to think of. Little words we say here and there don't seem so bad to us at the time, but to someone else that can be the final nail on their coffin. There are many verses in the Bible that speak about the power of tongues, and even if you are not a religious person listen to these words.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21

"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." Proverbs 17: 27


Many books speak about bullying, 13 reasons why by Jay Asher is a perfect example how our actions and words can pile up on one person and push them to their limits, take the time to looks at and read it, you'll get a good bit of insight from it. Also try The veritas project Hangman's curse by Frank Peretti, that's what inspired this little post.

"the popular belief is that Lawrence's girlfriend was mabel johnson" Mrs. Aimsley pointed her out in the year book "but she wasn't murdered; she died of influenza. Lawrence my have done away with himself out of grief but..." She reflected a moment "I think he had other problems in his life. He was homely, gaunt, from a very poor family. I can just imagine what kind of treatment from the other kids who had better clothes, shoes to wear, better abilities." She sighed and placed her hand mournfully on the picture of Lawrence's Matthews' picture "I've seen many Lawrence's come through this school, Mrs. springfield, and sometimes I've wondered how they ever survived when all the other kids worked so hard to convince them they couldn't-- Or even shouldn't" The Veritas project, Hangman's curse by Frank Peretti.

How have we let it come to this? Why do other kids bully those under them? It's a hard thing to grasp, but we need to show each other better. God calls us to care for the poor and weak, those who are not fortunate as us, yet sometimes without realizing we throw stones. Please watch what you say, watch your actions, for every little thing adds up, becomes another brick they have to carry on their backs. Help lift their burden, even a little can change the course of someone else's life. This will be the last I have to say for this post, then I'm finished; Love your fellow man

This song is what most kids feel inside, they may have one person in their life who cares if they're alive, or they may have no one. Listen and take in the hurt in this song. For the kids being hurt listen to this song and note the three lyrics that stand out to me most "nobody but You" God is with you and he loves you more then anyone.

Music Mondays

Hey music lovers, I’ve got a special treat just for you! MAD MUSIC MONDAYS!!!  Every other Monday I will showcase three songs that have really stood out to me during that time! This week I have three special songs for you, each one is from one of the Kingdom hearts game series, but what really makes them special is that this youtuber named Lizz wrote her own lyrics to match the music and sang them herself. She has a beautiful voice and a talent for lyrics. So press the like button on youtube.com if you like these songs


Xion’s theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbLMOAOoqvk

Roxas' theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSRucPLYvhY

Namine’s theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gzmba4F8CA

Fun Figgy Fridays!

Welcome to the marvelous and spectacular "Fun Figgy Fridays!" every other Friday I'm going to showcase some great new stories from writers on the awesome website Figment.com The first week of Figgy Fridays will be all about fairytales, fall just made it's way here and it's the perfect time for a spot of romance, and a little humor. We all need a taste of it before the cold sets in!

 First off is: Untouchable by Rachel Danielle

                                         
In this story a young woman named Rosalie Dustin is untouchable, her body so fragile that a little bump on the chin causes the largest bruise. But Prince Stephen cares for none of this, all he sees is the wonderful girl who loves to pick flowers, write letters, and help those she can. Their love for each other grows quickly in this short story, but all flows nice and neatly. This story not only shows the love two people can have for each other, and how the devil can try to drive them apart in many ways, but also how God's love is limitless and how he always has a plan, even for what we believe to be the unexpected.


Next up: The stepsister by Frank Weasley

                                        

In this comical retelling of the well known classic Cinderella just before the wicked Anastasia is about to head off for the ball with her mother and sister she searches the attic for a set of jewelry she sees in her Great-grandmother's portrait, instead of that she finds a book, The story of Cinderella, and she doesn't like the outcome. Finding a green feathered quill Anastasia is able to change the outcome. Read to find out if this fairy tale has a happily ever after... for the right person.

Last story for this week is: The Beautiful Beast by Addison Brookes

                                          

In this wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast the classic tale has been spun around a little, instead of the beast being a selfish and handsome prince it's a lonely girl, believing the lie told to her that she is ugly, so she gets a potion form a sorceress to make her beautiful, but this potion only works on the outside, and the long-term side effects of the potion are horrible. A young man name Cyrus stumbles upon her castle in the middle of the woods, and stays with her for three night, but then he returns to his family and his fiance. Years pass, poor Cyrus does everything to support his ill mother and younger sister. Teased for his tale of the Beautiful Beast, his hard work unnoticed, finally Cyrus has had enough and rides into the woods to escape his troubles, and that is where he finds the Beautiful beast's castle once again. Things are different there now, and this time the beautiful beast has an offer for him, one that could free him from the worry of his family's care. Will he take the deal or not? Read to find out.

That's it this week for Fun Figgy Fridays, come next time to see more fabulous stories.

Welcome one and All

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20

Welcome to my blog, there is so much to talk about! but first of I shall introduce myself; I am Miss Birdy Belle, AKA Kaitlyn. I am a daughter of Christ, the youngest of three sisters, a book fanatic, music lover, TV movie watcher, and so much more. From the time I was a little girl with unmanageable curls I have had a huge imagination and with so many great stories in my life, from cows jumping over the moon, to a little mermaid at the bottom of the sea with big dreams, my imagination just got bigger. As I got older stories took shape in my head, but I didn't know what to do with all of them! One day I was telling my oldest sister one of my stories, and she suggested that I start writing them down, and that was the day I became an author. Many years, and movies and songs, later my dad found a website for writers. Knowing how much his girls wrote on the computer he asked if we would be interested in signing up, soon enough we did and I was posting as much of my writings as I could and finding new stories to read, and many good friends along the way.

I hope to find and share many new exciting little adventures with all of you, from new songs, aspiring authors, and great new movies (or old ones) Good tidings to you all!