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‘Thin Places’ Winner & A Marvelous Blog Link

Congratulations to Denise from ‘Shortybear’s Place‘ for winning Mary DeMuth’s books “Thin Places“. As I had mentioned in my Thankful Thursday post last week, this book has changed something drastically in my heart…As my sweet friend Lori said in her blog ‘Chill, Be Sick, Be Loved and Live out Plan B‘ – ‘God is gentle and God leads…’. I am a work in progress through His hands. I pray that I will allow Him to do the growth until I see Him face-to-face.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

I also wanted to share a new Blog with my readers. Joan’s blog “The Beauty in His Grip” is beautiful and her writings are such an encouragement to me. If you have not visited Joan yet, I greatly encourage you to take a look when you have time. I am most certain that “The Beauty in His Grip” will soon become a well-know Blog in the blogsphere 🙂 .

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God is ready to lead us if we let Him.

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Thankful Thursday ~ “Thin Places”

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
~ Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

I personally put books in three categories: pure enjoyment, teaching and life-changing. Mary DeMuth’s book “Thin Places“, which came highly recommended by my sweet friend Lori, fits in the third category — life-changing.

Last weekend I was able to read “Thin Places” (hubby was down with a terrible migraine 🙁 ). Little did I know that Mary’s book would have such an impact on me personally; one chapter in particular (“Like Me”) hit very close to home. You see, I want all people I come in contact with to like me. I usually do not speak up when someone is disrespectful or hurtful; I just let it be. I want to be accepted; fit in; do not want to ‘rock the boat’.

But guess what: not all people liked Jesus either (He was actually hated by some of His contemporaries). How in the world would I think that I could ‘satisfy’ all people — that is sheer impossible. There will always be people who won’t like me – and I am good with that. I am who I am – why should I always ‘fit-in’? No more! I will stand by what I believe is right and speak up!!!! So what if that bothers some people…I can still be respectful.

Mary, your book is amazing and am thankful that I was able to read it. Thank you for your willingness to share your story; God used the book to bring healing to my aching soul.

If you have not had the chance to read the book “Thin Places” please let me know in the comment section. I highly recommend this book and would like to give away a copy (random drawing). Winner will be announced next week (Friday – April 30th).

What are you thankful for this week? Please visit my dear friend Lynn at “Spiritually Unequal Marriage” to link up with other Thankful Thursday participants.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God can use regular books to bring healing to your soul…

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Peace with God

In 1990 my husband left for the United States to set up a ‘new’ life for us. In order for us to save some money for the new home, I had moved back in with my parents. My dad had been sick for years with cancer. He was always in good spirits, no matter how he felt or how sick the chemotherapy made him.

I remember the day Daniel and I left Germany. My dad and I sat down in the waiting room of the airport to have a heart-to-heart talk. Looking into my dad’s sad eyes, I knew it would be the last time I see him this side of heaven.

He died a month after we had left.

After receiving the call at 4am on March 23rd 1991, I was angry at God, the world and myself. I cried for 3 days. How could a loving and just God take a man who loved and served Him at a age of 52? How could I, his daughter, leave Germany knowing that 6,000 miles would be between us? Why was I not allowed to leave the US to attend my dad’s funeral? I was heartbroken for years.

It took 6 years and a Sunday sermon to get over the death of my dad. That particular Sunday morning, God spoke peace to my heart; that one day I shall see my dad again, celebrating new life in heaven.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Word count: 259

This short memoir is my submission to Mary DeMuth’s 259-WORD MEMOIR KINDLE CONTEST in honor of her new book “Thin Places“. The contest runs until tomorrow night, February 12th, 2010 – still time for you to enter :). To find out more about Mary’s new book and the contest, please visit “Thin Places Blog Tour“.