Monday, June 15, 2009

Joy

Joy is knowing there was no cancer in my son's body. For the past two weeks we lived in limbo. A dr. had told us that our 31 year old son had testicular cancer. I wanted to scream and shout and fight back. But there was no one to fight. I tried to be strong for him but he was the strong one.
I cried continuously. I prayed and I praised God.

We are to Praise Him no matter the circumstances. I was praising Him and I knew He knew my tears and knew my pain.

Being a Christian does not mean there will not be pain and sorrow. It means that Jesus Christ is by ourside and guiding us through. We become stronger through our trials. I know all of that and believe it deep in my heart. Yet I hurt.

I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. A good CAT Scan....brought me joy.
My joy runs deeper than that. Friends and family gathered together to lift us in prayer. We were anointed in oil and love and praise and prayers.

I learned a lot these last year weeks. I learned it is time for me to slow down. I learned to hold my family closer. I learned to love them deeply at all times. I learned God loves me enough to send me a message through a kind stranger and through dear friends.

I found a hymn that I claimed as my own.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righeousness

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.

I will stand on the ROCK
I will hold tight to my Savior............for He lives

dg

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Return of the One-Minute Mysteries and Brain Teasers: More Good Clean Puzzles for All Ages!

Do you enjoy a challenge? Return of the One-Minute Mysteries and Brain Teasers: More Good Clean Puzzles for All Ages! is the book for you. Youth groups will love to stump each other on the mystery.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

FreckleFace Strawberry by Julianne Moore




We have a guest blogger today. Julianne Moore actress, author, an amazing woman .....please ask her questions and comments.

Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully by Julianne Moore

Acclaimed actress, and now beloved picture book author JULIANNE MOORE and bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join talents again for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY. This time, their perky, loveable seven-year-old encounters a bully on the playground-Windy Pants Patrick-during a game of dodgeball. As the brute prepares to hurl his might at Freckleface and her friends, she must figure out how to summon the courage to stand up to him. Ms. Moore tackles this all-to- prevalent problem with both humor and grace.

It is Ms. Moore's infusion of hilarity and heart that has won her praise from booksellers, educators, reviewers-and most importantly young readers!-for her debut picture book Freckleface Strawberry, a charming tale inspired by a childhood experience.

Nicknamed Freckleface Strawberry when she a young girl, Ms. Moore disliked the title as much as she disliked her red hair and freckles. "As a child, my hatred of my freckles was only matched by my love of reading," said the author, who eventually grew to tolerate her red hair and freckles and find amusement in telling her own kids abouther childhood nickname. Dodgeball isn't based on personal experience, but creating a feisty character who makes the best of a bad situation-and does so with style and wit-is essential to Ms. Moore.

Julianne Moore is U. S. Ambassador for Save the Children working with children and families in rural areas, focusing on literacy and early childhood education. She successfully launched the Save the Children Valentine program in 2008 whereby children's book illustrators donated art work for cards, with the proceeds benefiting poverty in the United States. She is also a member of Reach Out and Read, a children's literacy organization dedicated to educating parents on the importance of reading to their children, as well as an acclaimed actress who has appeared in such movies as The Hours, Far from Heaven, The End of the Affair, and Boogie Nights. Ms Moore was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting from Boston University's School of the Performing Arts. She now lives with her husband and children in New York City.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Have Your Been Royally Screwed?

Have Your Been Royally Screwed?
Myron Z. Bernstein
Kambs Publishing
9780982206904
5
Debra
How to Get What You Deserve by Making People and Companies Deliver on Their Promises, Products, Goods and Services…
Have Your Been Royally Screwed? May sound like a comical title but this is a very serious topic. Most of us can answer this question with a resounding YES! Myron Z. Bernstein is a consumer advocate. Did he plan to be one…I am not sure but I don’t think so. I think he became an advocate out of necessity. Everyone needs to be an advocate. Despite the term Customer Service, few companies care about you. Their goal is to make money even if they means cheating you. Bernstein exposes the abuses and the schemes behind warranties, insurance, contractors, rebates, and a number of other consumer “services.”
The reader will be shaking their head yes while reading some of the examples in this book. Myron is sharing situations most readers have faced. The difference between most consumers and Myron is –HE FIGHTS BACK—and he WINS. I admire Bernstein’s tenacity. Have Your Been Royally Screwed? Is filled with wisdom and expertise. The next time I deal with a customer service representative I will be armed with Bernstein’s strategies and techniques.
Bernstein writes in a interesting, easy to read and understand style. I felt as though I was sitting across the table, sharing a cup of tea with a good friend as he shared his vast knowledge with me. Don’t be victim to customer service again, purchase you copy at Amazon.

How To Train A Rock

How To Train A Rock
Paul Steven Stone
5 stars
9781442117211
Debra
Paul Steven Stone is a talented author. In his latest book, How To Train A Rock, he shares his insight and perspectives on a variety of topics. For approximately twenty-five years, he wrote a syndicated column, “A Stone’s Throw.” In his own words, the column was quirky. How To Train A Rock is a compilation of those columns. Most of the entries will leave you smiling and contemplating wisdom within the article; a few will leave you with tears.
Pet Peeves discusses allowing pets to leave droppings on other’s lawns. Stone discreetly points out the rudeness without personal attacks. My favorite entry was 1-800-Stomes-Throw, where he addresses the annoying trend toward automated answering services. I become so frustrated with the list of Press 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. What button do I push to talk to a real person? The Song Bird and Me is a look at happiness, with profound wisdom. “There is a part of me that wants to hold onto the things that bring me happiness; to them in my hand so they won’t fly away. However, there is also a part of me that knows you have to free all songbirds and let them fly away—if fly away they must.” His ode to little girls will touch the hearts of fathers. “Little girl there’s no need to rush into the future. There’s no one there who can’t wait a little longer.”
The reader will find deep thoughts, a unique way to look at life, and profound wisdom. How To Train a Rock is a book you want to savor. Do not rush! Read one or two a day and ponder the author’s true meaning behind each column.

Dreams Of Beauty

Dreams Of Beauty
Aubrie Dionne
Publisher: SynergEbooks http://www.synergebooks.com
ISBN: 0-7743-1097-0
Tweens
Purchase:
Website:
Almost every night Emme sees the man of her dreams.
Reviewed by Lynn for ReviewYourBook.com
Almost every night Emme sees the man of her dreams. She has no idea who he is. He seems so real. Davian is trapped in Emme’s dream. He was cursed by a Sorceress a hundred years ago, destined to live in a dream until a kiss breaks the curse.
Davian’s niece, has assumed control of the Hawthorn Estate. She had a plan to get rich quick. The whole village with be disrupted if she follows through with her plan . There was only one way to stop the evile woman from destroying the village, Davian. Emme set out to rescue Davian and the village.
Dreams of Beauty is a delightful read. I was reminded of a reverse Sleeping Beauty. The characters are well developed. The plot is strong, flows smoothly and will delight teen/young adult readers.

Winter Queen - Seasons of Fantasy

Winter Queen - Seasons of Fantasy
Aubrie Dionne
Publisher:
ISBN:
Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Purchase:
Website:
all good things come to an end
Reviewed by Kira for ReviewYourBook.com(17 years old)
We all have our reasons for who we are and what we do in our lives, in the past the Winter Queen had been a princess in a powerful family with all the riches of the world. Everything in her world had changed when she fell in love with a commoner, who held her heart. But all good things come to an end, her love then broke her heart into pieces with a great betrayal, which would never be healed. Now the Princess is controlling the cold winds that come across the lands and those who are in her way feel the wrath of the heart that was once whole, but now broken. To heal the coldest, most fragile heart in life all it takes is the kindest in a person’s heart.
Winter Queen by Aubrie Dionne reminds the reader that everyone has an appearance that we don’t want to show to others. We chose to show a side that everyone hates so that we wont let them get close to our hearts, and if we can never feel the pain of a loss again. Winter Queen also reminds the reader that we have to take a risk in life, every person is not the same, and that one person can heal our hearts and make something better for our lives. This story is amazing and will help people realize that with a big risk comes a great pleasure.