Day 305: Have No Anxiety...

An unpeaceful mind cannot operate normally. Hence the Apostle teaches us to “have no anxiety [stress] about anything” (Phil. 4:6). Deliver all anxious thoughts to God as soon as they arise. Let the peace of God maintain your heart and mind (v. 7).” ~Watchman Nee ♥

Day 304: You Are Still...

"All of my life, in every season, You are still God." ~Hillsong

Day 303: Light...

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
~Matthew 5:14-16

Day 302: Whatever...

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. ~ Philippians 4:8

Day 301: My Redeemer is Strong...

May you step out of the hurriedness of the day and step into a pace that allows for face to face conversation with those you love. May you tighten your belt of truth and let go of the lie that says you carry your burden... alone. May you set your face like flint and trust God's promise to carry and establish you. And may you enjoy deep healing sleep tonight and precious Sabbath rest tomorrow. Your Redeemer is strong.
 ~Susie Larson

Day 300: He Only...

He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. ~Psalm 62:6

Day 299: Wonderful...

For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.

My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].
Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Psalm 139:13-17

Day 298: May You...

May you have the presence of mind to cherish every second with the ones you love. May you make time for fun, for rest, and for reflection. May you plan time in your schedule not to have plans, and see what happens. May you come to know--on a whole new level--that much more rests on God shoulders than on yours. And may you learn to enjoy the journey because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. And He's crazy in love with you. Sleep well tonight. ~Susie Larson

Day 299: Reveal...

As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. ~Proverbs 27:19 ♥

Day 298: Guide Me...

Yes, You are my Rock and my Fortress; therefore for Your name’s sake lead me and guide me.~Psalm 31:3

Day 297: Made For...

"If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world” ~C.S. Lewis

Day 296: Worn...

♥ the lyrics... "Worn" is a tender ballad that acknowledges our human frailty and the rest that's awaits in our heavenly Father's arms.

Day 295: Always Have Hope...

Always remember, no matter what is going on, you always have hope in Christ. ~Joyce Meyer

Day 294: Ten Promises...

But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt [to the Babylonians] for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba [a province of Ethiopia] in exchange [for your release]. 4 Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed] and gather you from the west.~ ISAIAH 43:1-5 Ten Promises Within These Verses http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/ten-promises-from-isaiah-431-5-tony-abram-sermon-on-gods-love-97514.asp

Day293: Refreshes and Restores...

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. 4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a] oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. 6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Day 292: Love...

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].~ 1 John 4:7

Teen Novel Team: The New Recruit by Jill Williamson...

About the book:
Name: The Mission League
Book One: The New Recruit
Author:  Jill Williamson
Gera: Adventure/ Action/ Spy-Thriller/ Speculative/ Christian
Page Count: 399
Age Range: 14+ (Has a few mentions of drugs in it (shown in a bad way of course). More geared towards boys, teens, and young adults.
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Forced to choose between military school and a Christian spy organization, skeptic Spencer Garmond signs on with the Bible geeks. But before he even boards the plane for Moscow, Spencer realizes this is no Bible club.

These guys mean business.

Stumbling onto a case involving a gang of homeless boys, a chilling tattoo, and the always beautiful Anya Vseveloda, Spencer struggles to find the faith needed to save the Mission League from enemy infiltration.

My Review
Wonderful humor written throughout and great messages woven within. Jill Williamson has become a favorite author of mine.

Jill Williamson is one talented writer! She inspires me to try new steps in my writing. I am surprised over her ability to write so smoothly in different genre’s ( fantasy, Sci-Fi, Spy-adventure, and soon to be dystopian ). It’s something I don’t often see in writers. She still holds her special style/touch within them too

I know I have used “ fun” to describe her books in the past, but I can’t help but say it again. The New Recruit was fun!  I wish there was a real  Mission League. What a neat idea she has created. A Christian spy organization... so, so cool!

Jill Williamson truly knows the heart of guys and has a huge heart for our youth. It shines in her books (especially  Replication and The New Recruit). Spencer struggles with things that I’ve seen a lot of our youth struggle with. He had so many layers of realness sometimes you forget he’s fictional  ;-)

There are quite a few characters in The New Recruit, but Mrs. Williamson does a grand job at giving them all a distinct personality which makes them rememberable to the reader. My favorite character was Gabe. He was a great friend to Spencer and I could kinda relate to him sometimes… his prayer situation with Spencer later on in the book was something I got. It’s hard having non-Christian friends, especially when you greatly care and love them. It’s painful to see their struggles and know a way that can ease their hearts and comfort their mind... if only they seek it.

The book cover is a perfect fitting for the book. That is exactly how I would picture Spencer and it has a wonderful “spy” feel to it with the fiery bullet hole and the palace of Russia. In the beginning of each chapter there is a lovely cross logo with a rather witty idea of having each chapter title written out like a  report. I loved it! Brilliant! There is also a cool page of face drawings of most of the characters located in the front of the book… helped me picture and remember them better. A neat map of Russia done by the talented Nichole White, towards the middle of the book, and a character and Russian language guild located in the back… that really came in handy sometimes. Hey, I now know Russian… nyet, ya ne ponimayu. ;-)

The only bad thing I can say about this book is… it ends on a fast cliff hanger and you’ll have to wait to find out all the fun twist and turns in her plot in the next three books (I heard it’s a four book series). I look forward to finding out all the answers and joining in more adventures with Spencer and his friends.

Also there are a few typos, but I find that’s in any book. I’m sure there’s a typo or two within my review. ;-)

I would HIGHLY recommend The New Recruit, especially to teen boys 14+. The book is geared more to Christians but I think it would be a neat thing to give to a non-believer. I don’t know if everyone would agree with me on that.  My younger sister, who despises reading is wanting to read this book… how cool is that. ;-)

To purchase the paperback book follow this link Amazon
or this one Marcher Lord Press

Ebook fan...
Kindle
Nook

Check out the author's awesome website (she does free book contest every month) Also tons of writing tips http://www.jillwilliamson.com/

Be sure to look at the book series webpage and become a spy in this fun contest.
 http://themissionleague.com/

“Like” Facebook pages.
The Mission League series Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheMissionLeague

Spencer Garmond’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spencer-Garmond/254361318000507
 

Day 290: Jesus in Disguise...

(Remember to pause my purple music box, located on the right sidebar.... below My Blog Archive. The bottom middle button will pause it)

I love this song! Enjoy :-)

Day 289: Bestowed Upon Us..

3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [ [d] full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, [e] adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in [f] exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), 6 And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), 7 And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. 8 For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [ [g] full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [ [h] spiritually] shortsighted, [i] seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. 2 Peter 1:3-10

Day288: We Do Not Belong...

For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. ~1 Thessalonians 5:5

Day 287: Made Us Free...

In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. ~Galatians 5:1

Day 286: High Rock...

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me]. ~Psalm 61:1-2

Day 285: Do It All...

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~1 Corinthians 10:31

Day 284: Be Strong and Immovable...

When you have no idea what to do and you’re too weak to fight the good fight, just be still and know He is God. Let Him fight for you. All you need to do is stand. What I mean by “stand” is to avoid making any decisions while you’re in the ...

heat of emotion. Instead, take time to seek wise counsel and to allow your heart to calm down. Stand; don’t walk away. God will walk you through this, and when you follow Him, you will find you’re still standing once the crisis has passed.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Sheri Rose Shepherd

Day 283: Victory...

May you roll today's burden off your shoulders and receive a fresh outpouring of grace from above. May you release your worries to God and receive His word of truth deep in your soul. May you stomp on your fears and raise high the banner of faith that declares "Overwhelming victory is MINE because I am HIS!
 ~Susie Larson

Day 282: The Truth...

Many of us have experienced spiritual identity theft. We’ve lost our confidence in who we are in Christ, and we feel worthless or wounded by someone’s words. Others of us hold in our hearts a false identity. We believe a lie about ourselves..., and that lie defines us.
You do not have to let others’ hurtful words define you anymore. Those who spoke them did not give their lives, as Jesus did, to prove your worth...the truth is you are a treasure of the King!!!!


You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
 -John 8:32

~Sheri Rose Shepherd

Day 281: Always There...

It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit—depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]. ~Deuteronomy 31:8

Day 280: A Servant...

"A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." ~ John 13:16-17 

The highest positions in the universe are the positions of service to the King. ~ Anne Graham Lotz

Day 279: Don't Give Up...

God is not the least bit surprised or shocked by you or your behavior. He's not put off. He knew everything about you when He invited you to come into relationship with Him, and He's committed to work with you through the whole process, if you just won't give up. (Psalm 139)
~Joyce Meyer

Day 278: Shattered Dreams...

If your dream has shattered into hundreds of pieces don't be afraid to let Jesus pick one piece up and start all over again. He may turn it into a masterpiece.~Jos

Day 277: May You...

May God help you renew your mind and redeem your words. May you refuse thoughts that weaken you, thoughts that take your eyes off of God. May you instead, embrace thoughts that are true based on God's great love for you...

May you refuse to speak about your life apart from faith. May you, instead embrace faith, speak life, and choose life every single moment of every single day. Sleep well tonight.
Susie Larson

Day 276: They Are...

“The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them,and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols,breaking the hearts of their worshipers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.” ~C.S. Lewis