Favorite Book Friday

The Warrior Elite by Dick Couch. He follows a SEAL class through BUDs. It happens to be the class in which Marcus Luttrell (Lone Survivor) participated. Yes, I have a fascination for SEALs. As an abuse survivor, I've drawn on their courage to do what needs must and keep fighting to survive, no matter what. They understand endurance under unimaginable conditions. They've taught me about practicing doing what's necessary to survive, over and over again. Perhaps most importantly, as an abuse survivor I learned to disassociate from living, while they've taught me that life is for living, throwing yourself in heart and soul.

Musical Thursday

"On the Trail" from Grand Canyon Suite. The suite is just over a half hour long. "On the Trail" is about seven minutes. This is another piece I grew up hearing. I'm particularly fond of the mules. Riding a mule down requires making reservations at least a year in advance. I've never done it. I'm not particularly fond of the steep drop offs. LOL!

https://youtu.be/bVKVB0MImOg

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

The most recent addition to "Giving Thanks" novella #11 of the Holiday, USA series, unedited:
She'd agonized over how she'd present herself, a black sheep returning to the fold or a new creature seeking a home?

Monday Quote

So it is that real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed! ~ Neal A. Maxwell

Sunday Scripture

Psalms 4:13

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Saturday Links

Papberry is one of my favorite inspirational bloggers. She shared this post almost a month ago, but I wanted to read it again in the New Year.
https://papberry.wordpress.com/2016/12/12/todays-fragrance-by-papberry-dont-loose-your-flavor/
And another by Papberry. She has a regular feature called "Thankful Thursday":
https://papberry.wordpress.com/2016/12/22/thankful-thursday-4/

Over at Brettworks, a different perspective on creativity:
https://brettworks.com/2016/12/22/chasing-creativity/

Whitney Carter shared a bit of herb lore over on "A Writer's Path."
https://ryanlanz.com/2016/12/28/what-herb-to-use-in-your-fantasy-story/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. She shares her experience of World War II. She survived a Nazi concentration camp. A remarkable story of strength and courage and faith, well worth the read.

Musical Thursday

I love Cast in Bronze. He appears at the Renaissance Fair every year. I own several of the CDs and buy a new one every year, a tradition. Denny Hipsher shared this from the Arizona Ren Fair:
https://youtu.be/vNXGLN1wp9E

This is Carol of the Bells:
https://youtu.be/VbPnVQIIOlY

I look forward to seeing Cast in Bronze, every year. There are four performances throughout the day. I manage to make it to one or two. One year, I made it to all four. It used to be the same show was done for all four shows. Now, there are four different tracks.

Here's the website:
http://castinbronze.net/

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

From "Giving Thanks" novella #11 in the Holiday, USA series, last unedited line added:
"It's the warmest spot in the diner, a plus on a cold night."

Monday Quote

Never argue with someone who believes their own lies. ~ Unknown

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 4:9

She (wisdom) shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Praising God in the storm

The dog I dogsit had cancer. Last Thursday, she wasn't doing well. I keep thinking of Kipling's poem about never giving your heart to a dog to tear. I hesitated to give my heart to this precious creature, but how could I resist? She's a sweet, gentle soul. She taught me about unconditional love as only animals do. I've no regrets, except maybe I wish I'd given my heart sooner.

I woke Friday morning knowing my fur-baby greeted her on the other side.

Thank God for dogs. I hope the next fur-baby isn't too long in coming.

Favorite Book Friday

Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic. His motto is "No arms. No legs. No worries." He's a remarkable young man. I saw a video of him on YouTube, several years ago, and he inspired me. I follow him on social media. He taught me about being grateful. In many ways, he was the jump-start to my journey in learning how to praise God in the storm.

Musical Thursday

One Step Away by Casting Crowns:

https://youtu.be/ksQanoUc0qE

The story behind One Step away:

https://youtu.be/wd5qbLyt9AY

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

From "Giving Thanks," novella 11 in the Holiday, USA series, the last unedited sentence written:

She cranked up the Christian CD she'd been playing and drove into Holiday.

Monday Quote

King George VI quoted from the poem "God Knows" by Minnie Louise Haskins, in his 1939 Christmas broadcast. The first few lines are the most famous portion. However, I found the poem as a whole inspiring and apropos for the New Year. Written in 1908, it was privately published in 1912. I looked for copyright information specific to this poem and couldn't find anything. I'd rather error on the side of the author. Since the first portion has been widely used, it's all I'm sharing here. I'd encourage looking up the poem as a whole. It's beautiful.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Happy New Year

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.