Leaving By Karen Kingsbury

Well, I recently submitted my review for Leaving by Karen Kingsbury as one of 40 readers who got chosen to read the book early and write a review for her!!! (I am very very excited about this, as if I did a good job, I may get chosen to review future books! YIKES!!!)

Well, since I already pre-ordered my book, and then got a free one, I am "stuck" with two copies of Leaving!  I have posted my review under the Book Review tab as well as emailed it to Karen.  If you haven't liked her on Facebook, do so today and watch for my review, she is posting 15 of the reviews, 1 every day until the 22nd, along with a line from the book everyday on her Twitter acct!

I am holding a giveaway for my extra copy of the book!  From now until the 20th, if you read the review, comment on this post (any book review feedback would be awsome as I am sorta new at this whole thing!), and then follow this blog, you are entered to win a new copy of Leaving!  You can also like The Gandy's Home Base on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! :)

If you are a fan of Karen's you know that this book is going to be amazing~ if you haven't read one of her books, you are missing an amazing Christian author!  Look forward to reading your comments!  Have a blessed Monday!

"For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the LORD,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Hiding God's Word in Your Heart

One thing that I have learned growing up is that it is very important to memorize God's words. Psalms 119:10-11 says "I see you with all of my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

What does "I have hidden your word in my heart" really mean? You can't place the actual bible in your heart. It is not an organ that you need to live physically. So let's take a minute and break it down. What does the word hide or hidden mean?

Hide:

* to conceal from sight; prevent from being seen or discovered: Where did she hide her jewels?

* to obstruct the view of; cover up: The sun was hidden by the clouds

* to conceal from knowledge or exposure; keep secret: to hide one's feelings.

So basically the word "hide" means to conceal. So why would you want to conceal or hide something? And what would you conceal or hide? I know I would hide or conceal my most treasured things. If I knew today that I was going to have my house broken into I would hide my most valuable, treasured items so they were protected.


Matthew 6:19-21 talks about storing up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Let me ask you, do you treasure the word in your heart? Do you love it? Do you do what ever you can to have it?


Having the word in your heart helps you stand against the devils schemes and standing against the trials and temptations. Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, and against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

There have been so many times in my life that I have needed to stand on a solid rock and remember what God has done for me and that He is there to be my strength. "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." Is. 40:29,31. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13. Knowing what God's says and standing on His promises are very powerful to a Christian.

Monday after Daylight Savings... tough day

So it was very hard to get up this morning at 4:45, usually by then it is starting to get a little light.  But no it was pitch black! 

Yesterday was a great day!  I went to church alone, Greg stayed home with the kiddos as they needed sleep and were not quite ready to wander out yet.  I am attending a Sunday School class right now on LOVE.  The priority of love, the parts of love, the picture of love, the power of love.  It really is a great class taught by a man who is very very passionate. 

He and his wife have been married 27, wait 28 weeks now!  And they are sickening!

 Yes it is a good sickening!  They are so inlove and do not hold back!  After SS I went on up to church where Pastor Ken talked on What Does it Mean to Be Human?  It was a great sermon on mirroring the image of God.  Mirroring his Moral likeness and mirroring his non-moral likeness. 

What does a life that images God look like?
...by connecting with God in an informed and passionate way.
...by submitting to Godly authority (this includes spouses, bosses, coaches, parents, country leaders, etc.)
...by serving Him in ways that advance His kingdom (fighting evil...)
...by respecting Human Life (abortions, murder)
...by living in harmony
...by suffering well

I took so many notes this week and am really looking forward to going over the verses given and diving in a little more! 

We were left with these applications.

1) We must never forget Jesus imaged God best!
2)Jesus invites us not to waste precious moments (every moment is precious!)
3) Every moment we live is a sacred opportunity for His glory!
4)We are created to live before the face of God! (there is nothing secret, secular, compartmentalized)
5) We are to reflect-mirror- God's image!

The questions that came to mind and were given...

How am I mirrioring God?

How am I reflecting God?

What are your thoughts on this?  If you would like to hear the full sermon you can check out http://www.doverbaptistchurch.org/  It might take a few days to get up, but check out the past sermons as well! :)

After church I came home spent some time with the hubby while kiddos were napping and then we took dinner over to family friends and spent the evening enjoying their company!  We got to fill the back of our truck with wood and stocked the house and some of the shed so we are all set for the rest of the cold spell!  Almost all our snow is gone from the back yard! PRAISE GOD! Yet we can see all the mole trails that have been dug this winter...

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday! 

Philippians 1:9-11

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Niagra Falls this summer~ our last trip as a family of 3

My family!  Me, Jacob and Greg!  We were soaked from the boat trip.  About 1.5 months before Chloe was born!