Proving Our Love

 Today's Verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

As I walk by the television, there is yet another commercial for outrageously expensive gifts. I don't watch much tv, but over the past few weeks I've seen ads for many presents that cost in the hundreds and thousands of dollars. "Show her your love; buy diamonds." "Doesn't he deserve the best (a car ad)." And many more that show children with more toys than they could possibly play with...one even makes a 'toy angel' with all of them.

Why is it that we give each other gifts on Jesus' birthday? Shouldn't we be giving HIM gifts?

Then it hit me...God gave us the gift of salvation because He loved us. He gave us the moon, the stars, and Heaven to show how much he adored us. And now we make feeble attempts to show others how much we love them by giving gifts.

Over the years the gifts have become more of an obligation than a demonstration of love. We want to give our kids the latest, biggest, and best. Each year is supposed to be a magical, memorable celebration. I wonder if my kids even remember what they received last year? Most of us don't even know why we do it...it's just what you do at this time of year.

I'm thankful that I still have time to rethink this holiday season. We've purchased several gifts, and will continue to do so within the budget we've set, but I want to consciously think of ways to show people love, not just shower them with gifts.

I pray that we all may feel the love of God as we go through this holiday season, and that we can find tangible ways to show that love to others.

Originally posted in 2006

Poor Reflections

Verse of the Day - 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (NIV)

If you were to talk on the phone with a police artist, could you describe yourself well enough that he or she could draw you? No fair looking in a mirror or at a picture of yourself. Quick, think about your face and try to describe it. It's easy to get the main features, eye color, hair color, skin tone, but it's actually pretty difficult to provide specific details beyond that. Most likely we would exaggerate some features (those we especially like or dislike) and ignore others. 

Even if you could help the artist create a stunning likeness, it is only the external parts that would be shown, not who you really are. No drawing, not even a photograph, can portray the real you. One of my favorite exercises in leadership development training is to have each participant introduce himself or herself to another person. The room buzzes with conversations about where people work, what their jobs are, personal hobbies and interests, and family descriptions. Then I ask the participants to describe themselves without talking about job, family, or hobbies. There is usually a dead silence - we don't really know who we are without the trappings of everyday life. 

If we don't know ourselves well, how can we possibly understand God and His majesty? So many things happen on earth that we can't comprehend. That doesn't mean they are wrong, it just shows how little we are capable of grasping about the workings of the world. Yet God sees it all. He knows us perfectly, and His plan is brilliant if you know all the details. When I don't understand why something is happening in my life, I try to remember that I don't even fully know myself (too bad I don't do that before I struggle for days with wonder and worry). It's not my job to understand, just to obey. 

I'm thankful that our God is all knowing and in control. With the added knowledge that He wins in the end it is easier to accept things that don't make sense to me. I'm really looking forward to seeing the details of His big picture when I get to Heaven! 

Originally posted in 2006

To Disguise the Truth

 To Disguise the Truth

by Jen Turano

MY THOUGHTS:
This book is the conclusion to the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series by Turano, and I am sad to see it end! The women in these books became like friends. I love the quirky situations they get themselves into and the widely diverse personalities they have. In this book the owner of the boarding house where the women live is the main focus. Up to this point Eunice Holbrook has been hiding under widows veils, feigning the loss of her husband for well past the point required by society. We finally learn more about her, and she is quite the character! I love the way she finally displays her physical prowess and ability to defend herself from almost any attacker. The other women from the series play key roles in this book, so it's best if you read them first (but trust me, you'll love them).

While the book is light hearted in general, Turano brings up some difficult issues -- family dysfunction and the horrible way people (especially women) were treated if there was even a slight suspicion of mental illness (which could mean so many more things in the 1880's than it does today).

In Turano's signature style, she brings the series to a conclusion with a lot of humor, surprise, and romance!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When a man arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire them to find a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her...and that she may no longer be able to hide under the disguise that has kept her safe for so long. 

Arthur Livingston's goal in life is to make his mark on the world as a mining industrialist, but after the man who could help him achieve his goal is murdered, Arthur feels compelled to seek justice for the family--but he's left with more questions than answers after the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency refuses to take on his case.

Desperate to conceal her real identity and avoid the irritatingly handsome Arthur, Eunice takes on a different case that requires her to go deep undercover and entangles her in one troublesome situation after another. When other secrets come to light, Eunice has no choice but to confront her past, hopeful that it will set her free but knowing it could very well place her life -- and the lives of those she loves -- in jeopardy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jen Turano, a USA Today bestselling author, has written five historical romance series. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing a copy of this book. The review is totally my own.