You Are NOT Junk

Skit Guys - God's Chisel Remastered from skitguys on GodTube.

Teach Me To Dance

I was never interested in learning to dance, however lately it has been on my mind.
I want to know what it's like to be held close in someone's arms, to look in their face and know I am loved.
I want to be chosen, not just be a wallflower.
I think I may even want to dance at my wedding (whenever that may be), although for years I have said there would be no dancing at my wedding.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come to the Table by Neta Jackson

New Novel from Best-selling Author Neta Jackson Kat Davies is suddenly wondering if her good deed was a bad idea…

Come to the Table by Neta Jackson Thomas Nelson December 11, 2012 ISBN-13/EAN: 978-1-59554-865-8 ISBN:1-59554-865-3 400 pages/Trade Paper/$15.99 Kat may be new in her faith, but she’s embraced the more radical implications of Christianity with reckless abandon. She invited Rochelle, a homeless mother, and her son to move into the apartment she shares with two other housemates. And she’s finally found a practical way to channel her passion for healthy eating by starting a food pantry at the church. And her feelings for Nick are getting harder to ignore. The fact that he’s the interning pastor at SouledOut Community Church and one of her housemates makes it complicated enough. But with Rochelle showing interest in Nick as a father-figure for her son, their apartment is feeling way too small. But -- not everyone thinks the food pantry is a good idea. When the woman she thought would be her biggest support just wants to “pray about it,” Kat is forced to look deeper at her own motives. Only when she begins to look beyond food as an issue does she see people who are hungry and thirsty for more than just food and drink and realizes the deeper significance of inviting them to “come to the table.” Kat must do some serious soul searching to determine where God is asking her to use her talents and passion . . . and what role she wants to play in Nick’s life. From best-selling author Neta Jackson (has sold more than 700,000 books) her new novel embodies Matthew 10:42 “If you give a cup of cold water to the least of these you will surely be rewarded.”

My Thoughts:
Sadly I didn't get this book in time to read it for reviewing. However I'm looking forward to reading it because I have enjoyed several of Neta's other books. I just need to get my hands on book 1 in this series.

Making Chocolate Freckles!!

This year I'm making mini gingerbread houses for Christmas and I thought it might be nice to have mini chocolate freckles to go on them.
I haven't found any in the shops (not that I've really looked), so I'm going to make my own.
Photos soon, but for now have a look at this video about how one person has made them!

A Little More Christmas

Listen along to this one! I discovered it today!

Christmas or Bible Memory?

I heard a snippet of this Andrew Peterson song a little while ago and cracked up laughing. Who would have thought to put the genealogy to music?!

Mother-Daughter Time at Christmas

Hospitality can be about time…one-on-one By Hannah Packham

Sometimes, it’s hard to find special time for your mom because she always seems available. The holidays can make it more difficult to nurture the mother-daughter relationship. However, this season allows for activities to do with your mom that are not available at other times. Here’s a list of activities that I enjoy doing with my mom:

Make Christmas cookies. You and your mom can make cookies for friends, a charity or for the family. In this case you are getting to enjoy time together, while serving others. The time alone baking is a good time to just talk about life. Go Christmas shopping together. It’s gotta be done so why not do it together and make it a date! Wrap together! You can talk while doing it and it puts you in the Christmas spirit. You could even add some hot chocolate and a Christmas movie into the mix to make it even more festive. Everyone gathers around and shares a meal during the holidays, but someone has to make it. Most likely that person is your mother. Not only would she appreciate your help, but also your company in the kitchen. This is a wonderful time to bond over tradition, family and yummy food. Take time for tea. Whether it’s at a cozy tea place or in your fire-lit living room, conversation over a cup of tea goes a long way. One of my family’s favorite parts of the holidays is the decoration. My mom is usually in charge of decorations and I happen to love helping decorate for the holidays. So, set aside a day or a few hours to deck the halls together. Choose a charity you both support. Make a meal, take people those cookies you made, think of some way you can give back in your community and do it together. Serving can draw you closer and change lives. With all the family, friends and parties that happen around the home during the holidays, the home itself takes quite a beating. Maybe, one way to spend some time together while showing your mom you want to help is helping her clean. Cleaning the house together can be fun and can result in some laughs and great conversation. Sit down together and write Christmas cards, or write individual cards to loved ones to accompany the gifts. You could even sneak your mom a note during this activity. It’s a gentle way to say you care. A little note goes a long way. Now, I don’t knit, sew or garden, but I can paint and so can my mom. If there’s any artsy activity that you both do, sit down together—or get up and go—and get creative. It might even make good gifts for your other loved ones. Some of these activities appeal to different people, and some are easier than others, but all are good ways to bond with your mom during the holidays while having fun and getting into the spirit! Enjoy! www.inspireddesignpublications.com ~ http://inspired31.org

ACRBA Tour - Back to Resolution by Rose Dee

3 - 7 December

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Back To Resolution

(Even Before Publishing November 2012)

by Rose Dee

Available from Light the dark this week for $12.95

About the Author:

Rose Dee

Rose Dee was born in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel.

Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, decided to try her hand at writing two years ago. The result of that attempt is her first novel, 'Back to Resolution'.

Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women.

Rose’s other releases include, 'Beyond Resolution' - the second book in the 'Resolution' series. And ‘A New Resolution’ – the final book in the series.

Rose has also co-written a novel in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian Authors; ‘The Greenfield Legacy’.

Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.

Book Description:

Back to Resolution

Bay Anders is lost. She enjoys every privilege a wealthy upbringing affords, but the void in her soul refuses to be filled.
Her mother's dying revelation drives Bay to the brink of self destruction, before a move to Australia changes everything. She embarks upon a search for her father that leads her to his island home, into a hazardous melting pot of hostile locals and a mystery – her father's disappearance.
The only person who can help her is a strong, selfassured and intensely magnetic man. Bay must fight an overwhelming attraction to stay focused on her goal.

Flynn McKenna is hiding from the world. A past filled with mistakes drove him to withdraw from society and live in seclusion. But the arrival of a woman he cannot avoid
shatters his solitary existence. As the search for Bay's father unites them, can he resist his desire for her?
It becomes a race against time as developers try to take over the island.

From the glittering streets of LA, to the beautiful
Daintree forest in North Queensland, to the idyllic island `Resolution', Back to Resolution is a romantic mystery that shows how far a little faith can go.

Website - http://rosedee.com/

My Thoughts:

This book is a wonderful combination of mystery, romance, faith and figuring out who you are.

I love reading books set in Australia, and this one made me want to head to Queensland for a holiday and find my own private island - just without the drama.

I can't wait to read the next 2 books in this series.