Ramblings-n-Writings

Archive for January 8th, 2009

“When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?” (Ps. 11:3)

How many times have we heard that question especially now with the current crises happening in our nation? Full of Scripture and references to Bible characters, For These Tough Times by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson, 2006) explores possible answers, all based on the Bible.

Within the pages is a simple reminder of God’s love for His children and of His orchestration of our lives. The numerous biblical examples show the reader the power of prayer and the steps needed to overcome difficulties.

This little book (85 pages and easy to read in one sitting) hit home for me. The brief exploration of Job’s life was a great reminder of what my response should be to our current situation. I particularly enjoyed Chapter 7: In the Storm, We Pray. What an awesome statement – “Action in heaven begins when someone prays on earth.”

According to the Library of Congress information, this book is filed under consolation (death, grief, bereavement). Please don’t let that deter you from reading this gem. Even if you are on the mountaintop right now, and not in a valley of tribulation, you will benefit from the simplicity and reminders contained in its pages.

A little over fifty years ago many people in our area didn’t have electricity, running water, or other modern conveniences in their homes. After spending 24 hours without electricity, I am so glad that I live in the 21st century. (Albeit, some acquaintances of ours don’t have running water.)

About 4:30 p.m. Wednesday our lights started flickering. Twenty minutes later everything went dark. Initially, the power company said power would be restored by 8 p.m. Then it changed to 9 p.m. Then unknown.

Having a power outage doesn’t usually bother me probably because they tend to occur in the summertime because of thunderstorms. In the middle of winter is another story. Once the power went out, it became difficult to do anything in the house. I almost felt like my evening was wasted. Snow was swirling outside and the sky was overcast – very little natural light.

We kept the main living area fairly warm with our fireplace. Then about midnight the lights came on. Yay! End of story, right?

We turned up the heat a little and went to bed.

The Farmer got up at 5 a.m. and wasn’t up but a few minutes when the power went out … again. Three inches of snow were on the ground, more was falling, and the wind was howling.

I spent a large portion of the day wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, and reading a book…or two. I had three cats curled around me too.

Even though I was bundled up, I struggled with staying warm. Once I’m cold for a long period of time, it’s really hard for me to warm up my hands and feet. (I think it has something to do with my hypothyroidism.)

I had all these brilliant thoughts too while reading. The floor was dirty from the wood. I could vacuum. Oh wait, that requires electric. Some pots and pans were on the counter. I could wash them. Oh wait, no electric. I could … Yeah. Probably not. Whatever it is requires electric.

Thankfully, about 5 p.m. the fish tank made a gurgling noise and the refrigerator motor turned on. Electric!!! Heat!!! Yippee!!!

So almost 24 hours without electricity made me grateful for the modern convenience. It makes life so much easier – cooking, cleaning, working. And in the winter, the days are longer.

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Don’t miss out on my giveaway this week!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ellie Karlson is new to Deep Haven. As the town’s interim fire chief, she is determined to lead the local macho fire crew in spite of their misconceptions about her. But when someone begins setting deadly fires, Ellie faces the biggest challenge of her life. Especially when sparks fly with one of the volunteers on her crew: Pastor Dan Matthews. As Ellie battles to do her job and win the respect of her crew, she finds that there is one fire she can’t fight—the one Dan has set in her heart.
(This book is the repackaged edition published in 2004)

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Perfect Match, go HERE.

Awards:
2004 American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year
A Romantic Times Magazine TOP PICK – 4½ stars

Review from Romantic Times Magazine:

Vibrant characters and vivid language zoom this action-packed romance to the top of the charts. This is a one-sitting read –once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. Her favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota is where she met her husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living.

The north woods easily became the foundation for her first series, The Deep Haven series, based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. Her first full-length book, Happily Ever After, became a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

As an award winning author, Susan returned home in 2004, to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota’s north woods and the beautiful town that she always dreamed of living in.

You can sample a chapter of each and every one of Susan’s novels, on her website, HERE.