Topic of the Day -- Reason to Rejoice!

The first week of October, my eighty-seven-year-old mother underwent open heart surgery to replace a bad valve, correct an irregular heart rhythm and to perform a single bi-pass. She experienced horrific pain and a grueling recovery. Even so, in the days following the surgery all signs were good . . . and then her pain increased and she started going downhill in every way. Staph had invaded the incision in her chest. This powerful infection sent my mother and our family on a journey we hadn't expected.

More than once we thought we'd lose her. In fact, one night in the ER my mother and I said our farewells. I had some serious and heart wrenching discussions with God. I didn't understand why he would allow an eighty-seven-year-old woman to suffer so terribly. In my mind He should either heal her or welcome her home to heaven. But then, I'm not God.

Yesterday, in the worst snow storm since the 1980's, Mom went home . . . to her comfy chair in front of her fireplace and the loving care of her husband. She's happy and counting on more time to enjoy this precious life. She's stronger. She's happy. And she's thankful.

Through the difficult and arduous weeks we've all grown and we've changed--for the better. Mom has always been a thankful person, but is even more so now. And I believe she appreciates every day in a way she never did before. I think I can speak for her children and her grandchildren when I say, we see our relationship with her as even more precious than we did before. On a personal level I'm so proud of and thankful for my stepfather. He was steadfast, always beside Mom and continues to do so today. All the days and weeks and months while Mom fought to live, he made sure to see her every day and did all in his power to make her life more comfortable. And he became a better man. He has my admiration and my support. The bond between us is stronger because of the ordeal we've shared.

I don't have an answer as to why God allowed this to happen to my sweet mother, but I have seen His work in the midst of it. And I thank Him for that and for keeping His hand upon my her and for giving us more time together. God is good . . . no matter what the circumstances. Praising Him!

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- Fifty Year Resolution

Last evening I attended a 50th wedding anniversary party for some dear friends. There were stories, photographs, songs, prayers and reminders of what it took to reach a fifty year anniversary. This couple was committed. They resolved to remain together. They resolved to be faithful. They resolved to do their best to help the other be their best. And most importantly, they resolved to make Christ the core of who they are as individuals and as a couple.

With the New Year approaching I got to thinking about resolutions. Many of us make them. Few of us uphold them. Our world is full of broken promises. Too many of us take promises lightly. And so, I have resolved to make a New Year resolution . . . but I'm going to think on it, pray about it and it's going to matter. I could come up with a list of needed resolutions, but I'm only choosing one, but that one must hit me at my core and promise true change within.

What is it? I don't know yet. I'm still praying about it. But just the idea of determining to make a promise to myself and to God and resolving to keep that promise is exciting and intimidating.

My husband and I have been married forty years. I'll be honest--it has nothing to do with me. It's God. The day I walked down the aisle I wasn't even certain I wanted to marry my fiance and I remember thinking, If it doesn't work out, I can get a divorce. That's pathetic, and I am grateful to God for holding us together.

A lot has happened since that day. I've grown older and fatter and I'm not so pretty any more, at least not on the outside, but in my core there is a place where my Lord lives and He continues to mold and change me.

This year's resolution is one more step in my growing up. And though I don't know yet what it will be I'm certain it will make life better and my relationship with God richer--because it's for Him and about Him.

And so, congratulations to my dear friends. Your fifty year commitment to each other has touched the lives of so many. Your resolution blessed us. Now it is up to us to play it forward and bless others with our own resolutions.


Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Topic Of The Day-- At A Dead Stop?

While going through some of the photos recently taken while on a trip to Seattle I came across one I took while stuck in a traffic jam. It reminded me of my life.

We'd been zipping along on the freeway when all of a sudden we were forced to a stop, surrounded by cars on every side. The freeway had functioned perfectly until it reached a certain threshold of numbers -- too many cars had created a log jam of vehicles.

Sometimes life is like that. We are moving along just fine until we pile on too many obligations or allow others to overload our lives with responsibilities. Have you experienced that place where you feel as if you're stooped beneath the weight of those obligations?

I have. And when it happens it's as if I'm stuck in traffic. I'm not making headway. My work isn't getting done, there's no energy for family or for fun and not even for God. Burn out can be more destructive than we realize. We believe it's only for a time, but sometimes we are unable to climb out of the weariness, the malaise.

The holidays are right in front of us. They contain the perfect recipe for burn out. Before we ruin our favorite time of year by over extending ourselves let's take stock of what really matters. Do what we want, not what's expected. And decide what really matters to us. The rest needs to be left to another time . . . or maybe never.

The house doesn't have to be spotless. Our tables don't need to look like something we've see in Good Housekeeping and we don't have to attend every outreach program or party we're invited to. Say no and find the joy in the season. Remember why we celebrate.

May you all have a holiday season filled with love, joy and peace.

Grace and peace to you,

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- Random Thoughts

My daughter Sarah and I just returned home from one of several trips to Washington. My eighty-six-year-old mother had open heart surgery six weeks ago. It wasn't what we expected.





Random Thoughts

Mom should be home -- Instead she's still sick, but she hasn't lost her smile.

I think staph infections are evil.

A Wound Vac is brutal but can save lives. I hope it saves my mother's.

Thank you God for doctors and nurses who care.

Mom wants to go home, but which home? You know God.

Why is it that when I remember and smile I also cry?

I love my mother's smile and her sweet disposition.

Mom loves to tell stories and I love to listen.

Love is powerful, healing and lasts forever.

I thank you God for my life -- It's been full of love and wonderful stories.

Memories are treasures.

I'm grateful for my mother--she taught me love and forgiveness.

I don't like cities--it's wonderful to be back in my peaceful country home.

Suffering is not necessarily bad, but I hate it.

We don't always have to understand why we feel the way we do.

Trust God -- He'll carry us home to heaven when the time is right.

Thank you Mom for loving me the way you do and for the many precious memories.



Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- The Death of Bookstores?

Bookstores are dying off--a bitter pill for readers, bookstore owners and writers to swallow. Why aren't we gathering together in protest, carrying our signs and demanding that someone save our our beloved stores?

Okay . . . protests may be a bit much, but we aren't helpless. We don't have to allow the stores to fail and drop by the wayside. We do have power. It's time to stand up to the bookstore slayers like Amazon and say, "Enough is enough."

Here in my town, we've already lost our bookstores. It's hard to believe.

Have you envisioned a world without bookstores? Will our only local choices be Walmart or Fred Meyer? That would be ugly -- best sellers only and almost no Christian fiction.

What can we do? First take a look at Ann Patchett. She did something. You can read her story at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us/ann-patchett-bucks-bookstore-tide-opening-her-own.html?smid.

Hooray for Ann! And there are others of you out there who are able to follow in her footsteps. Please don't wait. We need independent bookstores. The world just won't be the same without them.

If you're in the market and are managing a successful bookstore teach others how to do it. If you're struggling reach out for help, study the market, work smart and get creative. If you do "Readears will come".

And readers, we must band together. Buy books at your local stores. Remember how it used to be--a friendly local merchant chatted with you and often recommended just the right book, we used to get together with other readers and compare best reads, aisles filled with books, the smell of ink. Buying a book with the click of a button is easier but at what cost? Think about it before you click again.

I'm not anti kindle. After all, as a writer I make money off ebook sales. And I sometimes purchase books online, usually used books that I need for research, but I do shop online from time to time. Maybe there's room for both the hometown store and the online store. I'm just asking that you remember your local stores and don't turn your back on them. The owners work hard, they've made a huge investment of time, money and heart. And I have trouble with mega stores that have too much power and too much control over what we read. And personal? I don't think so.

Give it some thought. Here in my town we miss our local stores. The nearest full service bookstore is now ninety miles from my home. Such a sad outcome for me and other local readers. Ninety miles is a long drive to buy a book.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day--Gal Pals

This is my last evening in Bend. I've spent a weekend with my future daughter-in-law's (Brandi) friends and family. Her friends wanted to do something special for her upcoming wedding to my son (only eleven days away) and so they arranged a time for Brandi and friends to lounge and pamper themselves at a local spa. Last night Brandi prepared a delicious meal for my husband and I, our son Paul, and members of her family. This evening a group of friends and family shared a meal in downtown Bend, followed by more revelry.

This has been a weekend of fun, relaxation, memories, laughter and good food. Best of all of all has the company. I got to spend time with quality people and dear women who are true friends to Brandi. Friends are a special gift. But I sometimes think we take our friendships for granted and don't realize how important it is to pour time and love into one another's lives.

I witnessed healthy friendships this weekend and I was inspired by them. There was a time when my friends and I regularly got together. We were gal pals who used to shop together, go to the gym, walk, saw movies and joined for Bible study. Years passed and we became bogged down in parenting, careers, church activities and a multitude of other responsibilities. We're still friends, but sharing the celebration of sisterhood has slipped away. We rarely get together these days.

I think it's time for a change. We need each other. We need to share our joys and sorrows. We need to laugh, cry and get silly and remember life is a great big adventure to be shared.

If you feel like me and want to rebuild some of those friendships jump into the fun and share your ideas about how you're going to do that. I'd love to hear.

Maybe it's time to make a date with a gal pal.


Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- A Little Bit of Sunshine

Mom made it through surgery and though the days following were rough she's getting better and better. Today she was released from the hospital and will spend several weeks in a rehab center. I'm thankful.

The strange thing is that when I should be smiling and doing a jig, I'm feeling down in the dumps. I chatted with my sister today and we talked about how I'm feeling. She knows quite a bit about the human psyche and explained that while I sat with my mother as she went through her trauma I went right along with her. And so I've had my own trauma I'm working through.

God knows all things even "down in the dump" days. And so He sent me a little bit of sunshine today--my granddaughter, Olivia. She spent the afternoon with me. As always, she was full of smiles and hugs. We baked cookies together and when it was time for her to go home I felt better. I'd found my smile again.

I'm grateful for my sister's helpful words. And especially thankful my little sunshine girl, Olivia, was here with hugs for her grandma. And thank you, God, for loving me even though I don't deserve it.

Grace and peace to God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- Suffering

I don't know anyone who likes to suffer. I certainly don't. But because God created us and because from time to time pain and suffering is part of our life I figure there's a purpose for it. In fact, I can come up with a long list of reasons fairly quickly.

However, several days ago while sitting with my mother after she'd had open heart surgery I couldn't think of one. All I wanted was to release my mom from the agony. Instead, I sat beside her holding her hand feeling helpless. That night I cried myself to sleep.

But God's Word says, "Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character, hope."

Mom is better. I thank God.

As to pain, well it will continue to be part of life. Physical pain protects us from injury. Our lives would be short if we never felt the weaknesses in our body. Suffering is a teacher. Travails of the soul draw us closer to God where He waits to catch us and pull us into his embrace.

Though I sometimes rail against it, I cannot deny that pain is good. I am grateful for it.

Praise God in all things.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- Sarah Palin Says No.

Sarah said it's a no-go. She's not going to run. There have been several "No's" recently--Sarah, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio and others. Palin and Christie both sighted family as part of their reason for not running. Is there something that's keeping good people out of the race? Could it be intolerance, unfair practices by the press and a toxic public atmosphere? Could it be ambushes, assaults and outright lies that hold good candidates back?

What happened to Sarah Palin from the day she stepped into the race as the vice presidential candidate in 2008 until this day is abuse, plain and simple. Where were the voices of reason and honor? Why was the brutality allowed?

I don't blame Sarah Palin for staying out of the fight this time around. But it makes me sad that someone who could have brought another dimension to the election was bullied out of it. Frankly, the fetid atmosphere in American politics makes me sick to my stomach.

We've all watched it blasted over the television news and listened to it on the airwaves. Bashing others seems to be the new normal. I understand how it happens. We think we're right and they're wrong and we get so wrapped up in our own view that the end justifies the means. It's easy to be dragged into the fray and start blasting others. No one is immune.

Please don't misunderstand. I'm all for peaceful protests and showing up at town hall meetings where we can ask our questions or share our perspectives. Honest disagreement and discussion of real issues is good, in fact we need to do more of it. But when we wade into the cesspool of deceit, verbal brutality and treachery we become the enemy and that is not the way to win a war. We need to be smarter, more determined and committed to what is right.

We must hang on to our integrity.

Our job is to pray, be informed, pray, discuss the issues, pray and then pray some more. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 says this, "Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness."

Be wise in the spirit. And then on election day cast your vote. It is the reasonable thing to do and it is one of the greatest privileges we possess as Americans. I'm proud to be an American. How about you?


Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- What Do You See?

What do you see from your front porch?

I watched a movie tonight in which a man spent hours sitting on his front porch. He watched the world outside his home, observing the people but not really seeing them. He couldn't look beyond his own pain and prejudices. However, as the story progresses, against his better judgment he begins to connect with his neighbors. Strangers become friends. And by the end of the movie he loves them so deeply he gives his life for them. A man can do no more than that for another.

I got to thinking about what we see. Or if we see at all? Is it possible that we look through a veil of self interest, fear or prejudice?

I feel especially blessed because I live in the forest. When I look out from my front porch I see God. His creation surrounds me. The sights, sounds and smells are things he made with His own hands. But I am sometimes oblivious to His creation. I forget about God and His wonders, forget to be grateful. With forgetfulness comes spiritual blindness.

I've sometimes thought it would be so nice to live in town where I could watch the world go by--children getting on or off a school bus, a couple strolling down the street or a young man jogging. I'd enjoy feeling connected to the world, but even as I say that I wonder why I sometimes feel separate from it.

We are all linked to one another. We are created by the same God. And when we place our trust in Christ God becomes Father. We're all part of one family--God's awesome and amazing gift to us.

What do you see from your front porch?

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- Great Review!

Now, this is the kind of review I like! Just had to share. : - )

It was a long wait, but Bonnie Leon is back with the second book in the Alaskan Skies series, Wings of Promise. I'm more in love with her writing after this volume than ever before. If you're looking for a book with love, loss, forgiveness, reunions and more then this is for you. We meet up again with female Alaskan bush pilot Kate Evans. Her reputation precedes her and she's still trying to break down walls as a female in a male dominated profession. Her relationship with Paul grows into something more serious and life seems almost too perfect for Kate.

We all know that when it seems perfect is when the bottom falls out. Kate is shaken to the core and has to make decisions that will push her forward or send her packing back to the mainland.

From the back cover:

Her spunk has always gotten her through tough times. But does she have what it takes to go the distance?

Kate Evans may be a woman in a man's profession, but as Alaskan bush pilots go, she's one of the best. If only her personal life wasn't so complicated. Torn between her affection for fellow pilot Mike Conlin and doctor Paul Anderson, Kate longs for clarity in her heart. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, her mind may be made up for her.

Full of high-flying adventure and tender personal moments, Wings of Promise will sweep you away to the Alaskan skies.

****

It's true! Heart pounding action is in the pages of this book. This was very hard to put down and I recommend it 100%

Thanks, Bonnie, for this CLEAN READ.

By Rares Reviews



Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day -- Our Final Day

It has been six years today that my beautiful niece Crystal was snatched from us. She died in an auto accident.

The last time I saw her I didn't know it would be our final conversation, our final smiles exchanged, our final hug. There was no sign pasted across her forehead telling me, "Make the most of this moment. It is your last."

Isaiah 40:6-8 says, "People are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever."

We forget our time here is short. In our busyness we lose sight that any moment may be our last. Make the most of the moments. Do not waste time on trivial ambitions. Forgive others. Love one another. Desire God.

Savor the moments you've been given.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie


We miss you Crystal.

Topic of the Day -- Labor for Labor Day?

Labor Day is always on the first Monday in September. Greg and I usually take the day off and spend time with family or friends. We rarely travel because of the stampede to the campgrounds and resorts. We save our vacations for quieter seasons. Labor Day was created by the labor movement to set apart a time to honor the social and economic achievements of American workers. I like that. The people of this country work hard and most do a good job.

However in these troubled economic times there are many who can't find a job. They don't want to rest, not even on Labor Day. They'd rather be working. Some have searched for a job for a year or more, but there aren't any to be had. Our country is shipwrecked. I know that 9.1% unemployment doesn't sound all that bad, but the real numbers are much higher, and for those who can't find work the percentage doesn't matter.

What's happening in our country is a tragedy, but we can make it better. During the Great Depression of the 1930's hardship created innovation, softened hearts, and brought about dependence on God and on one another. I can't fix the financial crisis in this country. On our own, as single individuals there's little we can do, but if we work together we can make a difference. Let's not get political--that won't help. In fact, I'm convinced our government can't fix this problem. So, let's focus on what we can do.

How can we help those in our communities? Look inside yourselves and think about your gifts and abilities. Where do they fit in the bigger picture? How can you reach out to others? Off the top of my head, there are lots of places to plug in -- homeless shelters, food pantries, the Salvation Army. Is your neighbor in trouble? Are they losing their home? What might they need? Churches can help. Do you have a "needs" ministry in your church? If not, maybe you can start one. Get involved.

Unemployment, we know, is high. Do you own a business? Is it possible that you could hire just one more employee? Imagine if small businesses across the country added just one more person to the payroll. That would put huge numbers back to work. I know it's a stretch and some can't do it. But can you?

Pray.

Though I've listed it last, prayer is where we need to begin. Pray for our leaders, our country, our neighbors. Pray for discernment and generous hearts. And ask God what you can do. If we all do a little it can create a tsunami of aid.

To coin a phrase, "Just do it!" Become part of the wave. And if you have a suggestion please leave a comment and let us know.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic Of The Day -- Can Your Marriage Last?

Today, my husband and I celebrate forty years of marriage. Often people are surprised to hear we've been married so long. In today's world long marriages seem to be the exception rather than the rule. I think that's sad.

So, how did Greg and I make it this far?

It wasn't us. It was God. Without Him we wouldn't be together. Thirty-six years ago, we separated and Greg filed for divorce. He told me he didn't love me and never would. Life was awful. I cried a lot and thought I'd never find happiness.

Greg and I were a wreck of a couple, even from the very beginning. The day of our wedding, I walked down the aisle thinking, "If it doesn't work we can always get a divorce." Clearly I had little faith in us.

But God had plans.

Grieving and trying to learn to live on my own, I found Christ. I started praying that God would restore my marriage. Greg, for reasons he didn't understand, would stop by to see me . . . more and more often. Over several months friendship was restored and Greg discovered that he did love me after all. One surprising day he asked me to return to him. I was scared spitless, but knew that being at Greg's side is where I belonged. We were reunited and only two months later, Greg gave his life to Christ. Since that day, we've followed a Christian path together. There have been valleys to walk through and mountains to climb, but we've stuck together.

There is no magic formula. It's Christ. He is at the heart of our relationship. And when we chose one another for the second time we made a commitment to never throw in the towel. The "D" word was not allowed in our home.

Today, I look back over the years and see a long list of things we've done wrong, but so much of our life has been filled with richness and joy. We love each other more today than we did on our wedding day forty years ago. Greg is a good man and I'm so grateful God placed him in my life. And thankful for God's mercy and His greatness.

Every couple struggles--expect it. But don't give up. Instead give yourselves to God. He's in the business of restoration. Believe in Him and know that He can do it.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day: Celebrate!

We are rejoicing! Today, our new grandson, Kadin Matthew Ketcham was born. From the beginning of time, God knew about this momentous event. We only learned about it a few months ago. We've waited and prayed and anticipated his arrival. Today was the day.

When I held little Kadin in my arms I was overcome with emotion and couldn't hold back tears of joy and thankfulness. He is an answer to prayer. For many years, my daughter Kristina has prayed for another child. She has hung onto the belief that one day it would happen. Today her prayers were answered. We thank God for His goodness.

Looking upon Kadin's sweet face I see possibilities stretching out before him. Though God is the only one who knows the path he will walk, those who love him will be at his side, loving, teaching, encouraging and disciplining this child--supporting Kadin as he grows into a man we pray has a heart for God.

This is a day of new beginnings. A day filled with hopes, dreams and possibilities. It is a privilege to be a part of someone else's life. Today it is Kadin who is on our hearts, but whether it's a grandchild, a neighbor or a friend God asks us to care for and to love one another. He instructs us to uplift and to pray for each other. It is with joy and a sense of adventure that we set off together with Kadin on life's journey.

You and I are family too. May we see one another with the same wonder and expectation that I feel when I look at my grandson who is so recently from God. Who is in your life that you can join--that you can nurture--love? Whomever it is, rejoice at the wonder of the adventure.


Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Topic Of The Day: Bookstores--A Thing Of The Past?

Our small town is losing its Borders bookstore and its Christian bookstore, both in the same month. They are the only two in our community.

Our town's not the only one who is losing its stores. For months, brick and mortar bookstores have been closing across our nation. One by one, we've watched them fall, overtaken by huge online corporations, electronic books and a sick economy. How far will it go? Will we one day remember libraries with fondness and tell our grandchildren and great grandchildren how wonderful it once was to stoll along aisles of bookshelves where we could choose anyone we wanted? Will we have to explain what it feels like to curl up in a chair with a good old fashioned book?

I'm sad. Each Mom and Pop store represents people who invested time, money and their hearts into their business. Employees lose jobs and communities lose a place where they can connect.

In the Bible, God speaks often about how important it is for people to gather together. And I don't think He's talking just about churches, but all sorts of locals where we join others and are linked because of similar interests. I've been talking to people in my community who are stunned and they're asking, "What happens now?"

As long as I can remember I've loved books, real books made with paper and ink, not some hand-held device with the image of a book. I love the smell and feel of books. I make notations in some and the best ones I keep to read again.

The trend toward electonic books has come too far to stop. For centuries, books have been treasured, but in this quickly evolving world we seem willing to release one of mankind's most precious creations with barely a blink of the eye.

Convenience sucked us in. It's so easy to simply click a button and either instantly download a book or wait for it to arrive in the mail. Will real books go the way of our bookstores? What will we do when there are no more real books?

Have you thought about where you'll get your next Bible? What will happen when we can no longer hold a Bible in our hand, write notes in the margins and highlight special portions of scripture? I can't imagine a world like that.

I usually write posts that are uplifting and encouraging. And although the changes in the book world are hard for me to take, I don't think books are going to disappear. We will always have them in one form or another. I'm just going to miss the old fashioned bookstores along with the old fashioned books.

For now, I'm hanging on to my books and I'll share them. And although it will no longer be possible for me to drive into town and wander through my two favorite bookstores I'm continuing to do well without an electronic book.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day: The Verdict

The verdict is in. People are in shock. Casey Anthony innocent?

For nearly three years, we've heard what a monster Casey Anthony is. And maybe it's true. I don't know her heart, only God does. In recent weeks, during the trial, the news media pounced. They crucified Casey Anthony, reminding me of sharks in bloodied water.

The United States has a judicial system that was created to avoid things like lynch mobs. It's imperfect, but it works well most of the time. I agree that Casey Anthony's behavior was bizarre, suspicious and immoral, but that does not mean she murdered her daughter.

There is a standard in this country that says a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I'm embarrassed and ashamed of the conduct shown by our press and the "experts" and, yes, some of us. We needed to hear all of the testimony before a decision could be made. And sadly, so much of what we heard through radio and television was inaccurate. We were not on that jury, and we do not have the right to decide Casey Anthony's guilt or innocence.

How many of us made up our minds, pointed fingers, ridiculed the attorneys and determined guilt or innocence through the distorted lens of the media? What should we have done? Perhaps we should have prayed for the family, including Casey Anthony. After all, as vile as she may seem, God loves her. Did we pray for truth and justice? Did we pray . . . at all?

The morning the verdict was announced I read a devotional given from the viewpoint of God. He said, "I love to make your life a glorious adventure." The words pierced my heart. I am blessed. He has made my life a glorious adventure, even with the many troubles and heartaches I've endured. But the Anthony family, no matter what the verdict, have most likely lost their opportunity for such a life. Their lives are a waste land. They lost a beautiful child, their integrity, their faith in one another. They threw accusations at each, were mired in lies and their lives torn to shreds. And a sweet little girl lost her life.

God wanted better for them. We should want better for them.

Consider carefully the choices you make. And choose -- Love. Joy. Peace. Grace. Pray for others. Do not squander your lives. May it be a glorious adventure.


Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day: Book Review

I received my first review for my upcoming book, Wings of Promise. As much as I'd like to say I don't care about reviews, I do.

Romantic Times gave me 4 1/2 stars for my last two books. They don't give five stars, so those are excellent reviews. Four stars is also very good, which is what Wings of Promise received. I should be thrilled. Instead I'm having a bit of difficulty getting excited over four stars.

I realize I'm being silly and self absorbed over something like a review. However, I'm pretty certain that some of you authors know just how I feel. Writers work hard, putting months of work into one single book. We place ourselves and our skills out there for everyone to see, and we want the best results, not second best.

The truth is reviews are very subjective. I need to remember that I don't write for reviewers. I write for my readers and for God. They're the only ones who matter. So, here it is -- Romantic Times review for Wings of Promise.

"The Alaskan Skies series takes you into the forbidding Alaskan bush and gives readers new perspective on what it means to be a caring neighbor. The loneliness and desperation of the bush pilot makes a great story. This is about more than overcoming obstacles in the Alaskan skies. It is about finding the peace within ourselves to go on."

I feel much better after talking this over with you. Four Stars! Awesome!

Give the book a try and enjoy the adventure.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

TOPIC OF THE DAY: Just Another Saturday?

It's been all over the news -- Judgment is coming. It's true. But it didn't come last Saturday. Only God knows the time and day. Even Christ said He didn't know. It's foolish for man to believe he can figure it out. My heart aches for those who believed and prepared, some giving up everything. And then they waited and there was no return. It really was just another Saturday.

What was I doing last Saturday? I was living. And because of that Saturday wasn't JUST another day. It was special, filled with love and laughter. I watched my two eight-year-old grandsons play baseball. And I loved every minute of it. It was most definitely not ordinary.

Though I wait for Christ's return, He tells me to live and to love and to share His love with others. And then at the right time, He will return. My job, as it were, is to follow Him and be an ambassador for Him. I read and study His Word. I pray and worship. But I also spend time with the people I love and meet new people and pray that one day I will be able to share the good news of Christ with them.

Being at that baseball game was part of a bigger picture. I chatted with my daughter, husband and neighbors. We cheered for the kids out on that field. They were learning about discipline, sportsmanship and about having a good time. I saw a lot of smiles, leaps of joy, expressions of surprise and comradarie. Those kids were having a good time and they blessed my socks off.

I encourage each of you to look and wait for Christ, but while you do remember that as you go about your every day tasks enjoy God's gift of life and share His truths with others.

I thank God for grandsons and for baseball, for every good thing. And I look forward to the return of Christ, but until He comes I don't plan to waste the days given to me. There's so much to be done, so much to enjoy.

Treasure every moment.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day: Work

In today's economy, finding work is on the minds of many Americans. Living without a job is something far too many American are well acquainted with. Most are willing to take whatever they can get--they just need a job. Our area has been hit hard. In fact,not long ago while reading the classifieds in our local paper I was stunned to see only one job opening listed--one. Unbelievable!

Yesterday, while reading from "My Utmost For His Highest" the final line said something amazing, although it disturbed me at first. Oswald Chambers wrote, "No one has any right to demand where he will be put to work." My mind went to the previous night's news cast and its dismal jobs report and I thought who is demanding these days. But of course my wandering mind had moved out of the context of the devotional. Context is critical if we're going to understand the true meaning of a statement.

Mr. Chambers was not talking about "jobs", but rather discipleship. When God chooses men and women to build His Kingdom He goes to those who love Him, people who have a close relationship with Him and who are passionate about their devotion to Him. Disciples desire whatever God desires. However, we are just human and so we don't always stand up and cheer when we discover our "job" description. But those who seek God's will above their own step out in obedience even if they sometimes do so with fear and trembling.

When we hand our lives over to God, His desires become ours and even if we set out upon the path of His choosing with dismay and uncertainty we will discover joy and fulfillment. God knows the beginning and the end and His design for our lives is always best even when it's not what we would have chosen.

Working for the Master Builder means following His way, doing His work and finding peace and contentment in the work--no matter what that work might be.

And to those of you who are without a job, God knows and He sees. He will not desert you. And He may bless you with a job that is also placed upon the path He has chosen just for you. I pray you're needs will be met as you wait for His will.

God doesn't let anything in our lives go to waste and no life that is dedicated to Him can ever be a waste.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie