Unreached People - Rashaida

Pray for the Unreached People. 

"The Rashaida are known as a fierce warrior people group. However, if you show up at their tent uninvited, they will ask you in for a cup of tea and coffee. Their lives are built around Muslim traditions that have lasted for centuries. These traditions include big families, hospitality, praying regularly to Allah, hard work and sacrifice. The men are famous for sword dancing and the women for beadowrk, which can be seen on front of their burqas. 

They are a desert people group of more than 100,000 people. We do not know of one who believes in Jesus as his Savior. 

Pray for Rashaida people today ever time you see a Toyota. The Bedouin Rashaida cherish their Toyotas almost as much as their camels - they are often used for smuggling goods across the desert. Rashaida boys learn to drive them at about 10 years old."

Taken from The LIVE/DEAD Journal (copyright 2012/Dick Borgden)

Book Review - Domino Effect by Davis Bunn

So glad I read this book!!

Another riveting read from Davis Bunn! From start to finish, Bunn's clear knowledge of the international finance world slaps us with sobering reality of a very possible threat to America's economic future. I love how Mr. Bunn brings the characters to life and invites you into their world. He develops his characters with such nuances, flavor, background and real relationships. Esther is a brilliant introvert called to speak truth to the world; impressed by her pain I found myself cheering her on as she comes out of her shell, finding her true inner self through developing friendships, a budding new family and professional rewards as well.

Take a deep breath and delve into Esther's world of being a top risk analyst at one of the country's largest banking institutions as she becomes more and more convinced that she has uncovered a ticking bomb with the potential to overshadow 2008's market crash. Is this Esther's 'for such a time as this'? The markets are edging closer to a tipping point--like the teetering first domino in a standing row that circles the globe. And when Esther does sound the alarm, she wonders if anyone will take her seriously. But as public support grows for her ideas, so does the desperation of those whose conspiracy of greed she seeks to expose. With global markets on the brink, and her own life in danger, Esther is locked in a race with the clock to avert a worldwide financial meltdown.

This page turner will grab you and take you on the ride of your life. Fiction or Reality? You make the call.

I thankfully received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Yep, 62 Just Happened

62 just happened. That alone should be enough said. If you’re younger or older than that it is of no consequence.  You are either not at that pivot point or you’ve surmounted it. At any rate, I am there and experiencing mixed emotions. 

I have more wrinkles than energy. I also have more wisdom. I have aches and pains where I used to have muscle. I also love harder. I say things like “the kids these days” and “when I was that age”. I’m also able to laugh at myself for sounding like my parents and my grandparents. 

I’m less tolerant of drama, attention grabbing, and system twisting while finding myself more merciful toward those attempting to cope during a rough time in our world. 

I strive less to wait on God. I am more patient. I have learned to stand on His promises rather than run after my own desires.  I still want what I want when I want it, but have learned to ask first and be ok with ‘not right now’. 

I have idiosyncrasies that at one time would have made me blush but now I don’t even notice. I have lost my grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, friends, my sister, a beloved stepmom and husband; but my sweet parents are both very much alive and healthy and I've gained inexplicable love with Roy. 

My hearing is going south but my spiritual ears are more attuned. I’ve found quiet time is a good thing. In fact I crave it. Time to meditate on the Word of God; how I can give more, love more and become more like the Holy Spirit that hovers over me. Time to look back over the years; to laugh and cry and give thanks to the One who got me through so many situations. Time to ponder the future; to dream-build with Papa God and set my eyes on where he is taking me.

I feel old(er) today. But still and yet God has a plan for me. I’ve not finished the race, in fact have not even gotten to the sprint yet. I’ve lived more years than I have left but I’ve learned to live with abandonment; I say yes and no at will, dance even though I don’t look the same in reality as I do in my mind’s eye, sing at the top of my lungs & wear make-up as I please (oh yes, I appreciate those women who paint their faces & draw in their eyebrows and lips). 

I preach to whoever will listen, wax eloquent over global issues, read the news & tell whoever is with me how they (whoever they are) should fix whatever I don’t agree with. I am no longer too concerned with being politically correct because I have learned relevance is in the eyes of the beholder. What I DO care about is that I do not grieve the Holy Spirit, that anyone can tell I love Jesus just by my countenance, my words and my actions. 

So, 62 just happened. 

In MY mirror I see a young girl brimming with hopes and dreams. I see beauty the Lord created me with. I see Eve with her Adam trying to save a nation and bring revival to a world in need. I see a teacher, a preacher, a prophet, a missionary and a lover of life all encased in the wrinkles of a good, full and incredibly happy woman.

Happy Birthday to me.