LCMC Gathering 2009

I just got back on Wednesday from the Annual LCMC Gathering in Fargo, North Dakota. I was a bit apprehensive to attend this gathering. First, I was going to be away from Jeremy for 3 days (that is the longest we have been apart since we got married). Second, I wasn't too familiar with what the LCMC believed and why we left the ELCA. Third, well it was Fargo...I didn't want to come back with an accent!!

What I came home with wasn't an accent, but has been an understanding of what LCMC is, where the ELCA is biblically mistaken and a passion for the Lord. To all of those visitors at the conference and those who were not at the conference but are looking at what they should do now, my prayer is that God would guide you to truth.

Extraordinary Blog Tour

Growing up, I always wanted to just be normal. For some reason, though, I was mixing up "being normal" with "being like my friends". I wasn't, however, I was different. I was short, I was light skinned, I had freckles, my parents were still together, I loved my family, I had a white picket fence around my house. Growing up, I wasn't what I thought was "normal" and I longed for that. Now that I am older, and a bit wiser, I realize how skewed my thinking was.

In Extraordinary, John Bevere reveals to us how God hasn't called us to just be normal. Rather, He has called us to be extraordinary. Bevere reminds us who God is to us -- Daddy -- and what He wants from us -- to be pleased. But can we really please someone as big as God? After all, we are broken people who make mistakes. Bevere shows us how we can lead a God fearing, honoring and pleasing life, and how to do it in all aspects of our life with the help of Christ who is the giver of all life.

I found this book to be a great look into what God calls us to be for those who are new to the faith, and a great reminder of what we are called to be for those who have been walking with Christ for a month, a year or a lifetime. Extraordinary calls out to all of us and really gives us a reminded hope of who we are and how God calls us to live our lives.

If you would like to find out more details on purchasing Extraordinary, please visit the Random House website.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

A Fighting Spirit

I posted this back in January, but after the passing of Patrick Swayze, I felt it a good time to repost about this man and his courageous fighting spirit.

This week I was finally able to watch the Barbara Walters interview with Patrick Swazye. I sat down with my mom for what I thought would be an interesting interview with a man who is dying. When I finally wipped my eyes for the last time, as the interview came to an end, I thought to myself that this man has great courage, great faith and a great drive to live.

Instead of giving in to this disease that takes most sufferers within a few months, he is determined to LIVE. He is not sitting in a dark room waiting to die, he is out shooting a television show and taking care of his many horses. I found his drive and determination something to be thankful for. I'm glad there are people like Patrick in this world to show us what a fighting spirit looks like, and to give us hope that no matter how bad things may look to us, there is always a reason to LIVE your life to its fullest. For that, I am thankful!

Extraordinary

Hey, are you looking to live "The Life You're Meant to Live"?? I know I am. I am lucky enough to be participating in a blog tour featuring John Bevere's book, "Extraordinary". Join me the week of October 5-9 as I review his book. There might be a little something in it for you (hint: a copy of the book). For more information, check out the Random House website.

Ready for Halloween

I saw this the other day at Favecrafts and I am bound and determined to make it for Halloween!