Excerpt from Our Book

A sneak peek of the book I am writing, along with my family.  It may not be 100% accurate, for my memories are hazy from that time long ago when I was just four or five years old, but I do remember times like this, and the general feeling of it.  What a blessing godly mothers are!

Darkness and silence penetrated my being like a living force.  What was in the dark halls?  What lay beyond the window panes, creeping in the bushes or lurking beneath the swaying pine trees?  Why did everything seem so much scarier when the sky went dark?

I huddled under a blanket in the nursery, hoping someone would come along to keep me company.  And there!  Footsteps on the floorboards.  Mommy gently pushed open the door, a small smile lighting her face.

"Still awake?"

I nodded, blinking up at her.

She took me on her lap and enveloped me in her arms.

Softly, she sang, "Safe am I, safe am I, in the hollow of His hand.  Sheltered o'er, sheltered o'er, in the hollow of His hand.  No foe can harm me, no fear alarm me, for He keeps both day and night.  Safe am I, safe am I, in the hollow of His hand."

Her clear voice stopped, and again the stillness echoed like a tomb.

Then the tune that danced and cheered, "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine.  He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, the moon and stars that shine.  Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell.  He is my Father, so they're mine as well. . . . He owns the cattle on a thousand hills--I know that He will care for me!"

I smiled, content at last to close my eyes and sleep.

The Twelfth Imam - book review

This was quite an exciting read, especially in the last half (I read that for two hours straight), and there are definite things to be learned from this book. The Muslim doctrines of the Twelfth Imam are documented, as well as other beliefs. The characters evoke emotion and the traits of real people. How sadly deceived are so many people in this world, hoping in the false messiah, or a false hope of rewards for their martyrdom and works! One of the main characters, David, is an American with Iranian parents, and his story goes from his awkward teenage years to his secretive, busy life with the CIA. There is a bit of romance, and one instance of premarital sex (implied and not condoned), but it is not focused on romance. I believe the whole points of the novel are to show that Iran may be very close to having the nuclear bomb, the end of the world may be near, and that the Lord Jesus is working in the Muslim world, amid all the horror and deception. There are a couple of instances of mysterious appearances, both by Satanic/demonic forces and by Jesus, himself, the latter of which made me uncomfortable, since I don't believe He will appear to people before He returns in the air and later on the earth for good. However, it is basically a good story that will stick in my mind for some time. Recommended for discerning action-lovers ages 13+. Check with your parents before reading, of course.

(Read from November 03 to 08, 2011, and reviewed shortly after.)

See the review of the sequel here. 

Morning and Evening Quote - June 2

 Yes, I am a day off, but I'm glad I was mixed up and read this today.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.”

Galatians 5:17

In every believer’s heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active, and loses no opportunity of plying all the weapons of its deadly armoury against newborn grace; while on the other hand, the new nature is ever on the watch to resist and destroy its enemy. Grace within us will employ prayer, and faith, and hope, and love, to cast out the evil; it takes unto it the “whole armour of God,” and wrestles earnestly. These two opposing natures will never cease to struggle so long as we are in this world. The battle of “Christian” with “Apollyon” lasted three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the Wicket Gate to the river Jordan. The enemy is so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out while we are in this body: but although we are closely beset, and often in sore conflict, we have an Almighty helper, even Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is ever with us, and who assures us that we shall eventually come off more than conquerors through Him. With such assistance the new-born nature is more than a match for its foes. Are you fighting with the adversary today? Are Satan, the world, and the flesh, all against you? Be not discouraged nor dismayed. Fight on! For God Himself is with you; Jehovah Nissi is your banner, and Jehovah Rophi is the healer of your wounds. Fear not, you shall overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on, “looking unto Jesus;” and though long and stern be the conflict, sweet will be the victory, and glorious the promised reward. “From strength to strength go on; Wrestle, and fight, and pray, Tread all the powers of darkness down, And win the well-fought day.”

{via Christian Classics Ethereal Library}