Psalm 119:59-60

Psalm 119:59-60

(59)  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

When was the last time I stopped to really think about my ways? I shouldn't think about them to see if they're "okay" with me, but if they're "okay" with God. And, when I realize that any part of my way was not "okay" with God, do I turn my feet to His testimonies? Do I correct that which is not in line with His Word by then being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only?

Some verses to consider about our ways:

"Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?" (Job 31:4)

" I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me." (Psalm 39:1)

"O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" (Psalm 119:5)

"I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee." (Psalm 119:168)

"Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways." (Psalm 139:3)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

 (60)  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

Haste - OT:2363 chuwsh (koosh); a primitive root; to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment:

Delayed - OT:4102 mahahh (maw-hah'); apparently a denominative from OT:4100; properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant:

To make hast to keep God's commandments gives an idea of hurry. But this hurry isn't because of fear or to "get it done with" but excitement, eagerness, enjoyment! Do I find that attitude towards keeping God's commandments. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (1 John 5:3) Grievous: weighty, burdensome, grave - which gives the idea of the "delay" mentions in Psalm 119:60 (question, hesitate, be reluctant). For the child of God, their attitude towards His commands shouldn't be grief or delay, but excited haste!

Pass Me Not and I Love Thee | Book Reviews and Giveaway

Here we are again with two more novellas from Miss Faith Blum!

Pass Me Not
Another simple and sweet story from Faith Blum. "Pass Me Not" juggles the viewpoint of both Timothy and Abigail as they pray about a "marriage of convenience." Louise adds a little spicy touch to the story.

Again, as a novella, it is well-paced and doesn't get bogged down at any point.

Back Cover:

Let me at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief

Kneeling there in deep contrition

Help my unbelief

Timothy is at his wit's end. His twelve year old half-sister has run off five housekeepers in almost a year. Since their parents died, she has grown wilder than ever. What can he do? As he looks for a new housekeeper, his eye catches sight of a mail order bride advertisement. One young lady has a younger sister and sounds like a God-fearing woman. Could this be the answer to his dilemma or will Louise run her off, too?

Approximately 18,000 words

I Love Thee
Following the story of Cole Baxter as he suddenly finds himself rather to his four nieces and nephews, "I Love Thee" is a short and sweet story. Though stories with challenging kids are fun, I enjoyed the four well-behaved children portrayed in this story (part of what leads me to sum this up as "sweet"). The kitchen scene with Rhoda and the kids was adorable! I also liked getting to know some characters briefly mentioned in Faith's novel, "Amazing Grace."

As the third of Faith's novellas that I have read, the story flows nicely and does not take long to read and enjoy.

Back Cover:

Mom and Dad dead STOP Please come STOP Gage

When his sister dies, leaving him with four children ages 8 and under, Cole Baxter gets desperate. He decides he needs a wife. He writes to a mail order bride before realizing he almost through away the best woman he could have.

Approximately 18,000 words

About Faith:

An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?).

As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have.

You can find Faith on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

See where else Amazing Grace has appeared on the web here.

If you want to know a little more about Faith, I interviewed her here.

Giveaway

Faith is giving away prizes to two people. The first prize winner will receive:

~A paperback of the novel that started the novellas, Amazing Grace (or novel of choice)

 ~One handpainted bookmark (painted by the author’s sister)
~A silver pen nib bookmark

The second prize winner will receive:
~An ebook copy of Amazing Grace (or ebook of choice)
~Two handpainted bookmarks (painted by the author’s sister)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sales

From August 24-28 only, I Love Thee will be free! Also on sale during the blog tour are A Mighty Fortress which will be$0.99 from August 23-30 and Be Thou My Vision which will be $0.99 from August 30-September 6.

Tour Schedule

Monday, August 24

• Tour Intro at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
• Spotlights and Guest Post at Rebekah Lyn Books – Writing novellas
• Review of Pass Me Not at The Overactive Imagination
• Spotlights at Rise, Write, Shine!

Tuesday, August 25

• Spotlights at River of Stones
• Review of Redeemed of Wildflower Acres
• Author Interview at Jaye L. Knight
• Review of Pass Me Not at Hello Precious Bliss

Wednesday, August 26-RELEASE DAY!

• Review of Pass Me Not and Author Interview at Laura Whiskens
• Spotlight and Character Interview (Rhoda) at Shannon Pemrick
• Spotlights at God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae
• Release Day announcement with excerpt from Amazing Grace at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Thursday, August 27

• Review of Pass Me Not at Melanie Snitker, author
• Author Interview at Marianne Sciucco
• Review of Redeemed at With a Joyful Noise
• Review of I Love Thee at Hello Precious Bliss

Friday, August 28

• Review of I Love Thee at Laura Whiskens
• Review of Pass Me Not at Wildflower Acres
• Spotlights at Tialla’s Tellings

Saturday, August 29

• Review of I Love Thee and character interview at Flights from the Aerie
• Spotlights and Guest Post at Franky Brown
• Review of Redeemed at Hello Precious Bliss
• Sneak Peeks at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Sunday, August 30

• Review of Redeemed at Laura Whiskens
• Review of Pass Me Not and Author Interview at Flights from the Aerie
• Spotlights at Samantha Fury Novels

Monday, August 31

• Blog Tour Wrap-up and Giveaway winners at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Redeemed | Book Review and Giveaway

I am thrilled to review Faith Blum's new novella (you might remember it from the cover reveal)! Today I am joining her for the Overall, it was a short and sweet trilogy as I re-met some characters mentioned in her Hymns of the West Series and met some new ones.

Redeemed
As chapter after chapter progressed with Alex's scheme to "feign a marriage," I was like, "This isn't really happening?!" and couldn't stop because I was so intrigued. The end of chapter six, especially, had me shaking my head in disbelief. How was it all going to turn out? When would Alex's and Mona's eyes be opened?

"Redeemed" was a very easy-paced and easy-to-read novella and had an enjoyable plot with a satisfying ending.

Back Cover

Mail Order bride seeks wealthy Western man. Write Mona Sommers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Alexander Granger is tired of his father’s lectures and sermons. It’s time for payback. His plan is to pretend to marry a woman and scandalize his father when he finds out they aren’t really married. Will Mona accept his offer? Can Alex get away with his plan?

Approximately 14,000 words.

~*~*~

Come back on Saturday, as I review Faith's other two novellas! :)

About Faith:

An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?).

As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have.

You can find Faith on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

See where else Amazing Grace has appeared on the web here.

If you want to know a little more about Faith, I interviewed her here.

Giveaway

Faith is giving away prizes to two people. The first prize winner will receive:

~A paperback of the novel that started the novellas, Amazing Grace (or novel of choice)

 ~One handpainted bookmark (painted by the author’s sister)
~A silver pen nib bookmark

The second prize winner will receive:
~An ebook copy of Amazing Grace (or ebook of choice)
~Two handpainted bookmarks (painted by the author’s sister)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sales

From August 24-28 only, I Love Thee will be free! Also on sale during the blog tour are A Mighty Fortress which will be$0.99 from August 23-30 and Be Thou My Vision which will be $0.99 from August 30-September 6.

Tour Schedule

Monday, August 24

• Tour Intro at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
• Spotlights and Guest Post at Rebekah Lyn Books – Writing novellas
• Review of Pass Me Not at The Overactive Imagination
• Spotlights at Rise, Write, Shine!

Tuesday, August 25

• Spotlights at River of Stones
• Review of Redeemed of Wildflower Acres
• Author Interview at Jaye L. Knight
• Review of Pass Me Not at Hello Precious Bliss

Wednesday, August 26-RELEASE DAY!

• Review of Pass Me Not and Author Interview at Laura Whiskens
• Spotlight and Character Interview (Rhoda) at Shannon Pemrick
• Spotlights at God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae
• Release Day announcement with excerpt from Amazing Grace at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Thursday, August 27

• Review of Pass Me Not at Melanie Snitker, author
• Author Interview at Marianne Sciucco
• Review of Redeemed at With a Joyful Noise
• Review of I Love Thee at Hello Precious Bliss

Friday, August 28

• Review of I Love Thee at Laura Whiskens
• Review of Pass Me Not at Wildflower Acres
• Spotlights at Tialla’s Tellings

Saturday, August 29

• Review of I Love Thee and character interview at Flights from the Aerie
• Spotlights and Guest Post at Franky Brown
• Review of Redeemed at Hello Precious Bliss
• Sneak Peeks at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Sunday, August 30

• Review of Redeemed at Laura Whiskens
• Review of Pass Me Not and Author Interview at Flights from the Aerie
• Spotlights at Samantha Fury Novels

Monday, August 31

• Blog Tour Wrap-up and Giveaway winners at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Word Wednesday #69

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. (Mark 14:16-17)

The disciples saw what they had physically, without the power of Jesus. What is it Jesus is asking me to do, but I am relying on what I can physically see, not on Jesus' limitless power?

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 

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Psalm 119:57-58

Psalm 119:57-58

(57) Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

In this life, we tend to expect certain "portions" (allotment). But for the believer, we should realize that HE is our portion. Can we, like the Psalmist, say, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."? (Psalm 16:5) If we recognize God as our portion, perhaps we would be more inclined to keep His Words.

(58)  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Similar to verse 41 ("Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word."), there are promises "according to [God's] Word." It is amazing to think that those of us who have obtained God as our portion (through salvation) now have access to God's favor and His mercy - according to His Word.

Word Wednesday #68

"But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine." (Jeremiah 44:18)

Not only were the people in great delusion, it seemed that their motive to turning away from idols was rooted in "What can I get from this?" and when God justly did not grant their desires, they blamed Him. What is my motive for serving the Lord? My love for Him or my love for the benefits? Would I serve God even if I saw no blessings come my way?


Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 

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Psalm 119:53-56

Psalm 119:53-56

(53)  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

What is our response when others forsake God's law? Do we have a feeling of horror (glow, consuming)? or do we "let it slip?" The more we love God's law, the more we'll desire to see others follow it. "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them." (Proverbs 28:4)

(54)  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

"Pilgrimage" gives the idea of temporary abode. "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through." As we journey, what is the song on our lips? Do we love God's Word so much that we're willing to sing it so that we may better know it and be reminded of it?

(55)  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

What do we do at night? At night is when our thoughts tend to wander, our "daydreams" happen, our fears come. But as the believer, what should our nighttime activity be?

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:2)

"Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8)

"When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." (Psalm 63:6)

To keep God's law at night, be must meditate upon it at night.

(56)  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

To remember God's Name at night and keep His law will not happen automatically. Instead, it happens because we have determined to keep God's precepts in everyday living. What am I missing because I'm not keeping all of His precepts?

The Week I Came Home

By the end of summer, I will have spent over 50 days away from home (if you include some nights I was home enough to sleep). However, the weeks away from home were not what I was thinking of when titling this post. Because there were many times that I was home but not HOME.

Image from freerangestock.com

The summer progressed. On the days I was home (physically), I had this "feeling" of unrest. Of something that just wasn't quite right. Not in focus. Amidst the many revival and camp services I attended, no one had that "instant formula" that revealed to me what was wrong.

I prayed about it on and off and slowly, in a faint way, it seemed that the Lord hinted at a step I was to take. It didn't quite make sense to me and I couldn't really see how it was the "answer" to my unidentifiable problem.

So, one week, with God's prompting and my parents' encouragement, I took that small, insignificant step: a week off texting and internet (other than some things "business" related). How it was connected to my unrest I really didn't know. The first day passed and I don't want to admit how much my thoughts went towards "Oh I should text--oh...never mind..." or "Let me check on...oh wait, next week..."

As the days passed I began to realize something: how did I EVER have time to text and be online SO MUCH? I barely had enough time to keep up with everything! The answer is simple: I didn't have time. I was stealing it from God and from my family. You don't believe me? Without trying to exaggerate, here are some examples:

*Awakens in morning*

*Opens Bible*

"My devotion time. I need to get it done so I can head outside to help with the house. I wonder if __ replied to my question. What free books are on Amazon today? I should be able to squeeze that in before I head out."

*skims chapters*

"That was a bummer. Nothing really seemed to stand out to me today. I feel so dry."

"Has it really been three weeks since I memorized a new verse? I'll do that on my way to church this evening."

*Forgets to leave phone (distraction) home*

*Heads to church and back, catching up on texts*

"Aw man! I forgot again! I wasn't going to bring my phone. I'll do it tomorrow."

*Another week passes*

"Amanda, what's for breakfast?"

"Did I really forget about breakfast prep again (for the fourth day in a row)!? How did that happen?"

*Me on device*

Ashlyn: Amanda, look at what I did...and you know what...did you see...can you...and...

Me: Mmhmm...interesting...yeah...okay...no, I don't have time to...

*Me on device*

*Kitchen getting cluttered*

*Breakfast prep forgotten*

*Irritability at siblings or parents for asking me to do things that I knew I should do anyway but just couldn't find the time to do*

*No time for projects*

You get the picture.

These are things that sneak in when we don't realize it  and grab hold of our lives (I say "we" because I have seen many other girls and women realize the same thing in their lives). In the past year, my life has drastically changed. Some of the changes have been subtle. Wifi. Facebook. Goodreads. Pinterest. Texting. Yeah. Those things. All of which I have found to be very encouraging and useful at times. But what was it Paul said? "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."(1 Corinthians 6:12)

The Lord showed me that turning my time (unconsciously) to these "other things" actually turned my focus away from Him and my home. By taking a week's break there were two things I realized:

~I enjoyed my family. It was amazing how many little things brightened my day! How many fun things I had time for. Like having a "date night" with my youngest brother, teaching my younger sister how to eat an halved orange ("How did you get to be ten without knowing how to do this?!"), and listening to the chatter of one sibling after another. Things which blessed me--and didn't feel at all like "interruptions" of my day. And you know what? I rarely found myself using the excuse, "No, I'm too busy..."

~After a few days away from distractions (note: it didn't happen right away), my quiet, devotion life was enriched and my focus again turned to the Lord. No longer was it a "task" to be done, but a time of nourishment and guidance.

I know that I have been wordy and if you have read all the way through this you deserve a high-five at the least. :) Why did I write it all? Obviously not to applaud my failures or even small victories. But as a challenge.

Is there something in your life that you need a break from? Something that is pulling your focus away from God and your family? For me, it was texting and internet. For you, it may be something completely different--only you know. Why not prayerfully consider taking a full seven days' break (or more!) and use that time to get refocused? Maybe, like me, you will discover that it is a step needed to bring you back home. 

Word Wednesday #67

"Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountains of the house as the high places of a forest. Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the Lord, and besought the Lord, and the Lord repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls." (Jeremiah 26:18-19)

Hezekiah was unknowingly an example for good to those after him. The choices I make today are affecting and influencing others--even generations after me. Is my life an example for good and following God or self-centered, following the whims of my flesh?

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

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Psalm 119:50-52

Psalm 119:50-52

(50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

In any affliction we go through, God's Word is able to quicken us - give us life. If we sense no meaning to life, perhaps we should dig in God's Word: He promises that It is able to quicken (Hebrews 4:12). When we need comfort, do we turn to God's Word?

(51)  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

Others may scoff at our foundation of God's Word - but do we let that affect us? When others make fun of how much time we spend in God's Word, rail on us for not doing things with us because God's Word prohibits it, how do we respond? Do we go to God's Word with renewed passion? or do we let their words influence us? That which we love most (acceptance of men or praise from God) will shape our lives.

(52)  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

Similar to verse 50 ("This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me."), we are to go to God's Word for comfort. It is true that friends can comfort us, but there is no comfort like the Lord Himself and His Words.

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

"Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?" (Psalm 119:82)

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

Word Wednesday #66

"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1

Spoken to Israel, this is a truth every person must embrace by faith. Do you believe that there is only one God? that there is no Savior but the Lord Jesus Christ?

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25)

"Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any." (Isaiah 44:8)

"I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:5-6)

"Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:21-22)

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me," (Isaiah 46:9)

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 

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Psalm 119:49

Psalm 119:49

(49)  Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

We can hope in God's promises:

"My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word." (Psalms 119:81)

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." (Psalms 119:114)

"Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope."  (Psalms 119:116)

"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."  (Psalms 130:5)

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;" (Colossians 1:5)

Abraham is a great example of a man who hoped in God's Word and His promises: "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:20-22) He knew that God would remember His promises to His servant. And he did not stagger in his faith. Do I believe God's promises so much that my faith is unwavering?

Of Rocks and Trees

Pictures from our Colorado trip...might take me several weeks to get more pictures up (including pictures from Canyon Land, Utah!) but enjoy these for now!

For a fun effect, I used a slow shutter speed and zoomed out the lens while the shutter was still open

~*~*~

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

 Malt­bie D. Bab­cock