The Pirate Queen, by Patricia Hickman, is one of the best books I've read in awhile. It's published by Waterbrook Press and I read it on the Nook Color.
This book hits on many topics such as: love, marriage, adultery and forgiveness. It also includes: coming to know Jesus in an intimate way, standing up for those who are unable to, and relationships with family and friends.
This would make an awesome Hallmark movie. I wouldn't be surprised to see it there one of these days. Just watch and see!
The main character in The Pirate Queen, Saphora, had her bags packed, ready to leave her husband, when her husband came home and uttered the words, "I'm dying." All their lives changed at that point - for the better.
The book is about love and forgiveness and is beautifully written. It's real. Not watered down fluff. Awesome, awesome, awesome! I was sad when the book ended.
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."Read more...
This has been my day. See it? Can you imagine hearing it in a newly freshman-y bass voice? And it goes up at the end. What?
And the - Huh? Even when the kid knows what's going on. It was funny at first and then it got to be a little bit irritating.
Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?
Huh? Huh? Huh?
Huh?
Huh? Huh?
Irritating, isn't it?
Ha ha! Anyway, just thought I'd share a piece of my day with all of you for my A2z. W is the letter. WHAT is my whine:) I just threw HUH in there for good measure. Go to Peej's blog for more SANER W posts. See you next week for X then Y & Z. And yes, I said more saner:) It's just one of them there days.
I'm posting today at the Joe blog. I've been in a slump but I know it's time to pull up before I crash. I don't want you all having to visit me at a crash site. That wouldn't be good at all.
Today is the end of my seven week stint. It remains to be seen how it will play out. Anyone want to write the conclusion for me? I can give you a scenario. I have a cold. I'm run down. The kids are excited about their teacher coming back because it gives them some ray of hope that maybe she doesn't get grouchy like I do. Ha ha! Good luck there, kiddos!
Will this be a day of victory or will the kids vaporize me? Will adults win out or will students prevail? Will see you at the same bat time - same bat channel:)
And you can see other, much better V posts at Peej's blog, but you better hurry in case they are vaporized too! You never know about this day. You just never know!
Last week I talked about the Tontos in my life. I certainly depend on them. God put each and every one in my path for just the right time to speak just the right word. He continues to do that. Tonight I had a friend call me. She always lifts me up and speaks into my life. She usually challenges me too. That part isn't always so pleasant. HAHA:) But it is so very needed, you know? That's a true friend.
Sometimes a friend doesn't even have to say a word, just sitting beside you is enough - just like Charlie Brown and Snoopy over there. I love that picture:)
Sometimes God puts us all alone so we have to cling to Him. I experienced that a couple weeks ago as I got in the van to drive to school. It was pea soup. Just horrible. I had no idea it was bad out until I got going. I couldn't call anyone or text. There was NO WAY my hands could let go of that steering wheel. All of my senses had to focus on the road. I was scared. It was just me and God. God and me. When I got onto the main road, I realized just how bad it was. A car went by and I didn't see it until it was right on me. Talk about scared. It was one of those days you just pray and then gun it. Scary. Anyway, some days, God wants it like that. He reminds us that HE is all we need. He is always but He also gives us others. He is so awesome!
Okay, let me turn away from spiritual for a bit:) Today isn't T day. It's U and I was having trouble with U. Well, not with U personally. Ummm...U know what I mean. Shut up:) Ugh. Haha. Okay. All I could think about was underwear and I'm certainly NOT going to write about underwear! Not about granny panties or tightie whities! Nope! Not going there!!! See me not going there?
Okay! Now then. Seriously. I will go here. Right now I'm kind of in a bad spot. I'm with some people who have experienced things that I can't even imagine. I feel at a loss how to help. I'm at the end of my rope. I hear that's where God is though. Just waiting to catch me when I fall. I can't say anything more here. If you ask me personally I'll tell you but just suffice it to say - I would really appreciate your prayers!
I have UNDER a week - see? That's where the U comes in. And I'm pretty happy for the UNDER a week business. I will have fulfilled a commitment that God laid on my heart, partially anyway. I'll still be there but not in the same capacity. It will be very freeing to let go of the responsibility.
Soooo...I will continue to trust God and give Him full control. And I will keep breathing. Keep breathing... I might need to be reminded of that if you see me around. Keep breathing...Keep swimming...Maybe even remind me to let go of the rope if you see me hanging for dear life and the ground is like a foot under me:)
Now go on over the Peej's blog to see the other U posts. I betcha no one had the nerve to write about Underwear! I just betcha! See you next week if not before!
Today is Tuesday which makes a very good day to celebrate the letter T. Go on over to Peej's blog to see more T posts!
Yesterday as I was driving to school, I was praying for a certain friend. She's a fighter of injustices and is very upset right now at how some things are going. I don't know details. She just asked me to pray so that's what I was doing. God knows it all. He doesn't need me to know anything more than I do.
Funny thing is, I described her as the Lone Ranger to God. I prayed that she wouldn't feel that way. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto at his side. This friend has God, of course. The Holy Spirit is constantly filling her, giving her the words to say whenever she speaks - but sometimes we need a Tonto. I'm not sure if she has one but I hope she does.
No one ever remembers Lucy without Ethel or Fred without Barney. We were made to work together. Be a team. Hold each other up. Be accountable. Once in a while, sing the other's praises and then turn the tables and the other do the same. It's not a one-way street.
There wouldn't have been a Lone Ranger without Tonto. Tonto was the right-hand man. Lucy wouldn't have been nearly as funny without Ethel at her side. I'm sure we all would turn off the television sets without the crazy DUO. Can't have one without the other.
There are Tontos in our husbands, wives, friends... God gave us each other for a purpose, to meet needs in different ways, in ways that others can't. Amazing ways. I am so grateful for the many God has put in my life. I wouldn't be able to make it without my Tontos. And in turn, I am a Tonto to many.
Look a moment into your friendships. Do you acknowledge the Tontos there? Do you see maybe you are taking advantage and now it's time to be Tonto yourself? Just for a bit at least? October is Pastor Appreciation month. This is an excellent time to encourage and build up our Lone Rangers/Tontos Pastors. Many times, especially in small churches, they are both rolled up into one - sad to say.
I'm in an awesome church where the leadership all works together as one. There is NO one Lone Ranger but they all take turns being Lone Rangers/Tontos. Since this is my blog, I will take the time to appreciate my pastors at First Christian Church:Greg Taylor, Kent Hickerson, Ernie Harvey, and Adam Brucker -- all great men of God - truly!
AND, thank you, my loyal a2z readers, for encouraging me in this meme journey. Until we meet again -
I've just finished reading Saving Grace, by Annie Jones. I received the book from Blogging for Books, Waterbrook Multnomah. It's the second in the Prayer Tree series. I didn't read the first so it's a stand-alone book but I did feel I missed out on a bit. As in real life, the characters had lives before this book came into being, so I guess it makes sense that life happened that I didn't need to know about. Yes? But the author does a good job in explaining things that needs explaining as things play out.
As the title suggests, the book revolves, sort of, around saving Grace, an old woman in the town who everyone stays away from and is scared of because of silly gossip. A group of very good women friends bond together through various antics, life moments, and prayers, and make a big difference in this woman, Grace's life. In saving Grace, they tie together their friendships for the long haul.
The book really is good. It took a bit to get into it but once I got each character figured out, I was truly hooked. I highly recommend it. It's a fun read plus it reminds us to not get sucked into gossip but reach out to people and get to know them. They just might surprise you!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Blogging For Books review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
