Things Aren't What They Seem

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The boys and I started the last book of the Chronicles of Narnia series a few nights ago.
  The Last Battle may end up being my favorite one of all 7 books.

The book opens up with lies and treachery taking hold in the last days of Narnia.  An ugly, sinister ape named Shift is ruthlessly manipulating his "friend", a donkey named Puzzle.  They discover a lion's skin floating in Caldron Pool and Shift gets an idea....the donkey dressed up in a lion's suit could pass for Aslan, the Great Lion, Lord of the whole wood.  Then Shift will rule the country as his spokesperson.

Shift tricks this wary, but ultimately trusting donkey into believing that Aslan commands him to wear the lion skin, and that if he wears it he'll be just like Aslan and everyone will obey him.

The donkey submits to the evil plot and all Narnia begins to fall into ruin.  Shift forms an alliance with a neighboring country who doesn't fear the true Aslan, but worships other gods.  They work together to overtake Narnia and the residents are enslaved and some put to death.

The worst part is that the peaceful Narnians are tricked into believing that this is all Aslan's will.   They think that they must have done something terribly wrong for Aslan to punish them in this dreadful way.  The Narnians are confused because although he is a lion, the new "Aslan" speaks and acts much differently than the Aslan they've always known.

  Instead of relying on what they know of Aslan, they are deceived by what they see and hear and are confused.  They don't realize that things are not what they seem.

They've forgotten who Aslan really is and have fallen deeply into deception.

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By now word had reached Tirian, King of Narnia.  He set off to help, just he and his faithful unicorn, enraged at the news of the murders of Narnian creatures and, despite the warnings to wait for reinforcement.  The king was shocked to find things exactly as they were told to him; some creatures dying, others being enslaved, destruction to the country, all in the name of "Aslan."

  Tirian acted in rage and killed 2 men who were brutally beating one of the talking Narnian creatures.  Then the king was stripped of his sword, armor and crown by the evil ape, taken away, bound, and awaited what was assuredly to be his death. 

As day turned to night and the king was bound to a tree, he watched, in horror, what had become a nightly ritual here.  Up on the hillside a red fire blazed in the darkness as Shift brought Puzzle, dressed in the lion's suit out for all of Narnia to see.  Shift, as this fake Aslan's spokesperson, continued to spin his dark web of lies and bondage.  The Narnians cried out in deep despair.  And as quickly as the show began it ended without a glimmer of the Aslan the country knew and loved.

And this is only chapter 4.

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After reading these chapters, I began to think of times when we've been through heartbreaking challenges, like miscarriages, Samuel's diagnosis and financial trouble.  It was so tempting to get caught up in what we saw and heard...the empty crib, the doctor's reports, the pile of bills and the sparse cupboards.  Looking at and listening to those things can plummet you into deep despair.

Focusing on the problems can make you forget who Jesus is...and even question if  He is. 

Surely that's what's happened here with the Narnian's, they've forgotten who Aslan is.  They're faced with devastating destruction, murder and slavery.  They see "Aslan" and although they find him to be quite different than the Aslan they've known, they're tricked into believing that this is the Great Lion and that His will is to harm them and therefore steal their hopes and dreams.

They've been deceived.

But, there's one who is not a believer in this "Aslan", no matter the lion he just saw in the firelight. And, as Tirian stood bound against that tree in the darkness hope began to arise as he recounted generations of kings who came before him.  All who had spoken of great adventures, challenges to their reign and the ultimate victories.  Aslan had always been good to Narnia and had always caused them to triumph.  Aslan had brought rescue to the king's ancestors.  He showed them love and ruled in peace.

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"Aslan-and the children from another world," thought Tirian.  "They have always come in when things were at their worst."

Therefore, he knew this lion with Shift could not be the true Aslan.

So he began to cry out "Aslan! Aslan! Aslan! Come and help us now."

 And that's when it began to change.

  Tirian immediately slipped into what he thought was a dream and saw the children Aslan had used to help his ancestors to victory in the old days of Narnia.  When he awoke, they appeared to him there at the tree.  Sent from this world into that far away world as a rescue team from Aslan.

Aslan heard Tirian's cry, a cry he could have only sent up as one not willing to believe what he presently saw or heard, but as one willing to believe what he knew of the testimonies and victories of the past.

And he was heard.

So, today, instead of focusing on the trials you presently see and hear, choose to focus on what you know of Jesus.  Recount the victories He's given you in the past.  Recall the victories He's given to your friends and family.  Remind yourself of His ways by reading His story of love and redemption in the Bible.

  Do this and let faith and hope arise.

Then call on Him and watch how He rescues you.  

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 God is our refuge and strength, 

   an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 (niv)

Is this your first visit to Freedom Friday? 

We're embracing freedom each Friday here in 2012.
Click here for a list of the other posts in the series.

Books 2011

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I love to read.

Now, that's not something I would have said of myself for most of my life, but a few years ago I discovered the joys of escaping into a book and I haven't looked back.

But, I haven't had the chance to read much lately, or should I say I haven't made it a priority over the past several months.

One of my goals for 2012 is to read more.

 There are just so many good books out there, and hello, every time I go to the library I still can't believe that they let you just take a pile of books home for free for a few weeks!

Anyway, I was just thinking about this longing to read more when I came across The Nester's link-up today.

She shared her 2011 book list and what's on her shelf for 2012 and she's invited others to share their lists and link-up over at her space.

I don't know about you, but I love to check out other people's book lists so I can get some ideas of great reads for myself.

So, I decided to join in over at the Nesting Place with my book list, not anything earth shockingly exciting, but I did get some books read in 2011.

  And I'm also going to be checking out the other lists and hopefully get a few ideas of great books to grab for 2012.

Here's my list of books read in 2011:

(not including the many I started and never finished)

1.  Rekindled by Tamara Alexander

2.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

3.  The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

4.  Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

5.  The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

6.  The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (in progress)

7.  One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

8. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

9. Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

10.  Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

11.  Natural Health Remedies by Dr. Janet Macarro

12.  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (in progress)

I'm realizing as I compile this list that nearly half of them were read-alouds I did with my boys before bed time.

  We started the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis at the end of 2010 and in 2011 we completed books 3-5, book 6 is in progress.  That just leaves book 7.

  It's been a great series and the boys have really enjoyed it.

My favorite books on this list are Little Women and One Thousand Gifts.

  I shared about Little Women here and One Thousand Gifts here.

  I'd recommend them to everyone and I'd read them again and again.

Click here to pop over to the Nesting Place to check out all the great book lists.

My Favorite Things

Who didn't love to watch the Oprah's Favorite Things episode each December?

I loved to watch the looks on the unsuspecting audience's faces when they realized that they weren't there for the usual Oprah show but the much anticipated Fav Things episode.

And that they'd be going home with some pretty awesome booty...

Love it!

Well, The Nester is hosting her own favorite things party...just for fun, not for reals.  I was inspired by her post and just had to add some of Oprah's pics to mine.

Everyone's linking up over at her blog to share their favorite things under $30.

Here are just a few of mine, in no particular order:

1.  Dalton Lip Gloss in Lisa Lou $14

My friend gave this to me and I absolutely love it.  I'm a big fan of lip gloss and this one is a great peachy-nude shade with just a hint of iridescence and lots of shine.  Plus it has all of that good-for-your-skin stuff like collagen peptides, vitamins A and E...bonus. 

  But call me old-fashioned, I just like it because it's pretty and it makes my lips feel good.

2. bareMinerals Bare Radiance $19

It doesn't look like much here, but just sweep it onto your face with a brush and your skin has a natural glow.  It looks creamy and fresh on your skin.  The bonus is that you don't see makeup on your face you just see pretty skin.  I only wear bareMinerals makeup and I could have really gone with anything in their line as a fav, but I think the radiance beats all. 

3.  "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott  $10

I've shared before about my love for "Pride and Prejudice".  So this time I'm choosing another fav.  Although it's a classic, I hadn't read it until a year ago and I fell in love with this book about the March family.  The book just pulls you in to this beautiful family.  I loved "growing up" with these girls as I read about their lives and lessons learned.  It's so endearing and I quickly felt a part of their world.  I was actually sad when the book was over because it was that good.  Earlier this year I was at the Salvation Army and found a beautiful hard cover of the next book "Little Men" and am going to read it with my boys.

4.  "The Notebook" DVD $5
This is such a great movie.  I caught it on tv 2 years ago and fell in love with it.  Even my hubby loves it.  He bought it for me just a few weeks later at Christmas.  The love story that spans decades is so wonderful and touching.  Plus, I love the 1940s setting, costumes, hair and makeup.  Definitely grab the tissue box...you'll need it.

5.  U2 "The Unforgettable Fire" $6
This is an oldie...all the way back to 1984.  But thanks to Grooveshark (a place to listen to all your favorite music for free...I'm a huge fan) I've been listening to it a lot lately.  It's lyrics are poetic and gritty and the music is so good...you just feel it.  I find myself singing it throughout the day.  I think it only has 1 big commercial hit in "Pride (In the Name of Love)", but my favorites include the lesser known "Bad" and "A Sort of Homecoming".  I'm no Rolling Stone magazine music reviewer, I just like it. 

6.  Peppermint bark $5

I love this stuff!  I get it by the box full at the Produce Junction.  I was there before Thanksgiving and saw it already.  I was tempted to buy it, but knew that I would finish the box in like 2 days and then I'd be heading right back.  And this would continue right through Christmas.  So, I decided that I'll wait until a little closer to Christmas and then treat myself.

7.  Argan Oil by Josie Maran $48

(ok so this is $18 more, but you get the color stick as a bonus and you can pay in 3 easy payments of $16, so I think that may still qualify)

I saw this on QVC earlier in the year when Josie Maran, a well-travelled model, said she discovered this stuff years ago when she was traveling in Morocco.  She saw a beautiful woman, whom she guessed to be about 40, with flawless, wrinkle free skin and asked her what she used on her face, she said only Argan Oil.  Then she politely corrected her about her age, which was 70!  I was sold! 

This stuff makes my face feel so good and comfortable, whether I'm in the dry winter air or the summer sun, without feeling like an oil slick.  And it's all-natural straight from the Moroccan Argan tree.

So what do you think after I revealed my favorite things?  
Are you as excited as he is?

*All photos here of hysterical audience reactions from Oprah's Favorite Things.

Book {Love}

This has to be my all-time favorite book!

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"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen.


If you haven't read it...go get it now! And if you have, you most likely love it as I do.  Even though it was written in 1813, it remains to this day in the top of the 'most loved book lists' out there and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

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The book deals with the issues of status, manners, upbringing, education and marriage in 19th century England.  The main female character, Elizabeth Bennett, is the 2nd of 5 daughters of a country gentleman. She's a strong, intelligent, lively, quick-witted young woman, who tends to judge people upon their first impressions.  This doesn't bode well when she meets Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man 8 years her senior.  He's tall, handsome, unmarried and the very wealthy owner of a famous family estate.  Although he's valued by those who know him well, his aloofness is often seen as pride and causes him to make horrible impressions upon strangers.  They are from two different worlds.

Jane Austen was an amazing writer.  Her characters are well fleshed out and the storyline is engaging and thorough.  She leaves you thinking about the book and longing to get back to find out what happens next.  It's very romantic and the writing is very visual.  You can just imagine the clothing, the landscape, the beautiful estates and parties.

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For those who have read it, how much do you love it when Elizabeth finds out who the real Mr. Darcy is?
  Ahhh...loved it...I cried!
(I know...i'm a geek)

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{sigh}

So, get the book...you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll dream and be taken away to 19th century England.  And if you can't wait to read the book you could always watch the latest P&P movie.  It's not as rich and good as the book, but it's fun to see the characters come to life. 

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 Love that scene!


Inspiring literature...well worth the time spent.


So, I want to know, any other fans of Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett?

By the way, most of the pics for this post came from Pinterest.  I'm new to it and got a little giddy when I saw all of the photos! 

For those of you who don't already know, Pinterest is a virtual pinboard which allows you to organize and share all the beautiful pictures you find on the web.
It's very inspiring and lots of fun!
  

If you want to see more of my Pinterest boards, click the follow me on Pinterest button at the top of my side bar. 

31 Days {Day 4} Grace for the Good Girl

So yesterday, in seeking peace, we started dealing with our thoughts.  As I gave myself space today and started to examine my thoughts, I had to ask myself,


Why do I think these things?  Why am I so hard on myself?  Why do I sometimes feel that I'm not enough, and at other times that I'm just too much?  Why must I feel I need to be what others want me to be? Why do I feel that I must have all the answers?  That I must be the go-to girl...the fixer?  That I must be responsible and handle it all...no matter what?

Why do I feel that I can never rest? Or enjoy myself? And fear that if I do, things will fall apart?

Phew!  That's a hefty list of whys...and it ain't pretty.  They're also not the types of things you just share in everyday conversation.  And, while I'm being honest, I would say that they aren't the things I even like to examine in myself.  But, since we're Seeking Peace in the Midst of the Mess this month, we're going there and going deep enough to make a difference.

So, I'm confronting these thoughts and clutching onto that truth from Psalm 139 that we grabbed yesterday.
The one about how God loves me and created me with purpose.

And I recognize these as bullying thoughts.

As I went through my day, I remembered a video I had seen recently.  The brave, real women in this video speak those thoughts out loud, those ones that have rolled around in my head bullying me and directing my behavior.
  

People pleasing, performing and striving for perfection were the fruits of those "try-hard" thoughts.  Those relentless, task-master thoughts.

But there's a word that covers those thoughts, those behaviors...

Grace

And I'm receiving it today in heaps.  Won't you receive it too?

Grace for the Good Girl from Jason Windsor on Vimeo.

(this post has a video)
There are over 700 bloggers taking the challenge, along with me, to write about one topic for 31 days. You can check them out here.
I've been checking out as many as I can and would like to share some with you over the next weeks.  Today, check out Emily Freeman's blog, Chatting at the Sky, here and her 31 Days to Change the World. She's the inspiring author of



You can read the 1st chapter here.I plan on picking this book up. 
Blessings and grace!

Have you missed a day in reading 31 Days of Seeking Peace in the Midst of the Mess ?  

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If you aren't following  Loving This Life yet, I’d love to invite you to do so. Simply click here or go to the side bar and click on join this site.  There are also options on the side bar to subscribe to receive posts in a reader or to sign up for email to have each post delivered to you right into your inbox. 

  

One Thousand Gifts

So, not too long ago I finished reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp and loved it!

                   It's "a dare to live fully right where you are".  

A beautifully written and thought provoking book that challenges the reader to let go of your grasp for control, to see beyond life's pain and loss to catch God in your everyday, everywhere moments.  To begin to recognize His love for you by counting your gifts each day.  And it's so much more than a "gratitude journal", it's an awakening to the grace of God in the everyday, a realization of His never-ending love for you by counting the little things, the gifts that we can all too often take for granted in the rush and crazy disconnecting crush of life.  Ann was challenged by a friend to begin a list of 1000 gifts.  That list started out as a to-do and turned into a journey that transformed her life as she discovered deep joy....even through some very hard times.  The book documents that journey.  Here's the book's trailer...





This book is both challenging and affirming.  I underlined so much as I went along.  I read and re-read to really get it in.  I've grabbed it again as I've encountered tough times and battled lots of stress and fear.  I really wondered, how can I give thanks for this situation?  Well, in her words she writes,

"Fear thinks God is finite and fear believes that there is not going to be enough and hasn't counting one thousand gifts, endlessly counting gifts, exposed the lie at the heart of all fear?" 

She discovered that jotting down gifts, things once taken for granted, revealed that God is always there, always loving, always working things for good, always to be trusted.

Reading this book made me want to embrace and enjoy my life and live it to the full...right where I am.  That's why I began this blog.  So thankful to Ann Voskamp for writing this life-changing book.

I began my own journey of counting gifts and looking for "kisses" from God in my everyday.
And I'm linking up with Ann Voskamp on her blog today to share with others who are also on the journey to 1000 gifts and beyond.

And, here's a smattering from my gift list so far....

    1. "Koala baby" hugs

    7. Breezes through the sheers

  12. My little boys who pause during their day to kiss & hug their mommy & tell her they love her

  19. A mother I just met, further ahead of me, sharing words only You knew I needed to hear

  29. Great friends who care for me and rescue me during a migraine

  40. Freedom

  44. $ to go grocery shopping

  51. Peace in the storm

  64. A washer and dryer that work to clean clothes

  77. The past, already dealt with can hold no pain for me today because of Your grace

  79. Excited boys going to vbs

  80. Being treated to dinner by a dear friend

  82. Timely provision

  84. Giant marshmallows

  90. Boys and their legos

  97. Caterpillars in the garden...a promise of a gift to come

  98. This scripture

102. Opened eyes to my own mistakes and self-centeredness

104. A lame sparrow healed and flying, after the precious prayers of children

106. 2 trucks SOLD!  Only God!

110. A husband who loves me

112. Things aren't always what they seem

 On the journey....won't you join me?