Has God Provided for You?

I read the words again for the thousandth time this morning. The red ones. The ones that say this:

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? ... And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:22-26, 29-32).

How often in life do you stay awake into the dark night wondering how you're going to make it through another day? How often do you worry about when the next paycheck is going to come in as you stare at an empty refrigerator and empty closets? How often do you look at the pile of sneakers your kids have just outgrown - all at the same time - and know the bills will use the entire paycheck while your kids are running barefoot in the wind?

You're not alone.

We all go through trials and tribulations in life. Many have found themselves standing in the unemployment line over the last five years and before. Many have wondered the same. Many face financial hardship even when they have a job, living paycheck-to-paycheck and watching costs of basic necessities increase.

What's one to do?

Based on Luke 12, we should do (or, not do) the following:

1. Do not worry about your life. God has His hand on it.
2. Do not worry about what you will eat or what you will wear. God will provide.
3. Consider all of God's creation - the ravens, the flowers of the field. God takes care of them, and they aren't the height of His creation. We are. You are. You are of more value than all of these. If God feeds them, He'll feed you.
4. Do not be anxious for the rest when you are unable to do the least. Let God show you the way.
5. Don't seek the physical things in life - what you should eat or drink. God knows you need these things.
6. Don't have an anxious mind. It's not getting you anywhere but worn out.
7. Seek first the kingdom of God. All of these things will be provided by the hand of God. Watch for His hand in your life every moment of every day, and be grateful. Seek instead the spiritual things of His kingdom. Serve and love one another and watch what God will do.
8. Do not fear. It's God's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Receive your inheritance, child of God.

I've recently had the pleasure of editing a book entitled God's Provision in Tough Times. I even have a story of my own in there. This incredible book is filled with testimonies of people who have found themselves in dire straits, financial difficulty, and the unemployment line. Some have had to apply for food stamps, as humbling as that is to admit. But each one tells the testimony of God's provision. Every one has a thread of hope woven throughout. If you are facing difficulties in your life, financial or not, this book becomes a gift of encouragement. I hope you'll order your copy today and allow God to minister to you through your reading it.

Book Review: Slow Moon Rising by Eva Marie Everson

If you're looking for a relaxing summer read, Eva Marie Everson provides just that with Slow Moon Rising.

Once again we join the Claybourne family, this time visiting the four sisters (Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami) and their step-mother, Anise. The family is hiding a secret, and one daughter in particular wants to know the truth behind the lies and the cover ups.

As always, Eva Marie provides a compelling story that brings the reader straight into the written world. Slow Moon Rising may be a meandering read, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth turning the pages. Just as it takes time to reveal any family secret in the real world, the truth slowly rises throughout the novel.

This is definitely a beach read, especially if you'll be visiting Cedar Key.

Back Cover Copy:

The beautiful Claybourne home on Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release. Each member of the family has turned there in times of confusion, loss, and hurt, only to feel their spirits renewed and their hearts restored.

But Cedar Key might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within.

Join the five Claybourne women--Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami--as they search the past and confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and the precious renewal of love in their own lives.

In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is--family.

To order your copy of Slow Moon Rising, visit the following:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
CBD
Parable

Available June 2013 at your favorite retail bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review - Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson

Once again, Eva Marie Everson writes an engaging emotional drama within the pages of her latest novel.

Waiting for Sunrise tells a double tale of abandonment and the feelings of neglect that coincide with the act.

Patsy Milstrap finds herself facing her past as she vacations with her husband in Cedar Key, Florida. Patsy’s mother put her on a bus when she was thirteen with no explanation as to why she had to leave. Harboring unforgiveness toward her mother has caused her to curl up inside of herself, unable to focus on life. Internally distant from her husband and children, Patsy struggles to find peace.

Meanwhile, her mother’s tale continues to play out through the eyes of Billy, Pasty’s youngest brother. Watching his father abuse his mother and his brother, Billy shows us just how far a mother’s love will go to protect her child.

Will Pasty ever be able to get beyond the feelings of abandonment she holds so far inside of her? What if Pasty can’t forgive her own mother? How will it affect her children? What if she loses her family, too?

Waiting for Sunrise touches on many issues women may face within their lifetime: abuse, neglect, unforgiveness, and the tough decision to hold a child close or send her away in the name of protection. Eva Marie brings her gentle touch to a tough story and tells yet another tale containing the harsh realities of life.

The only difficulty I had with the novel was in following the double story. The years go by and are noted in bold print throughout the book. But the character viewpoints switched with a lightly noted hard break. Sometimes it took me a moment to catch whose viewpoint I was now reading. This, however, was the only thing I found challenging in reading Waiting for Sunrise.

Eva Marie Everson continues to be one of my favorite authors, and I look very forward to the final chapter of her Cedar Keys novels. 

 *Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Please note: I did receive a copy of this novel from the publishing company for review. In no way was I required to write a good review. But when you have a great author, a great review always follows...

Book Review - Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

Kimberly Tucker doesn’t want her ex-husband, Charlie, to have more time with their two boys, Chase and Cody. The boys are her life, and it’s come to her attention they spend more time with their grandparents when visiting their father, who is once again enjoying the dating scene. What she can’t understand is why they divorced in the first place. Their life represented the picture-perfect American family.

When the judge awards Charlie the right to keep his boys over the summer, Kimberly is faced with coming to terms with the situation. At her father’s request, she heads for the beach house in Cedar Key, where she will work at finding a replacement housekeeper. Kimberly doesn’t want to be there, and she plans to return home, close to her boys, within a week or two.

What Kimberly doesn’t expect is to befriend the older woman next door, run into her first love, and have a second chance at the life and love she’s desired all along.

 

Eva Marie Everson shows us that love still prevails in her Cedar Key novel Chasing Sunsets.

Perfect for that summer beach read, Chasing Sunsets is filled with Eva’s wonderful descriptions and characters we can relate to and fall in love with. If you can’t make it to the beach, no worries, she’ll take you there!

Available June 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Find your copy of Chasing Sunsets here:

http://tinyurl.com/Chasing-Sunsets-Amazon 

http://tinyurl.com/Chasing-Sunsets-BnN

http://tinyurl.com/Chasing-Sunsets-CBD

If you desire a summer’s worth of great reading material, be sure to pick up copies of Eva’s novels Things Left Unspoken and This Fine Life, as well. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Please note: I received a free copy of Chasing Sunset from Revell in exchange for this review. However, I was not required to provide a good review. I love reading Eva's books, and I am grateful to have been selected to review it!