Category: Link-Ups

Book Reviews, His Word, Link-Ups

Book Review – More Than Rivals

Michelle

Hi Friends!

Over the past 4-5 years, I’ve had the opportunity to read and review several books. The books are always given to me, and in return, I provide an honest review here.

This time, I have the honor and privilege to write my husband’s words here for the review of the book More Than Rivals: A Championship Game and a Friendship That Moved a Town Beyond Black and White by Ken Abraham.

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I requested this book from the publisher with the intent to write my own review. I thought it sounded like an inspiring and hope-filled message. I didn’t even have the chance to grab the book before my husband did…and he was off and running. I think he enjoyed the book, considering I didn’t really ‘talk’ to him during the 3-4 days it took him to read it.

Here’s what he has to say…

This book is a story of two boys, one Caucasian,Bill Legion, and one African American, Eddie Sherwin. The setting is Galleatin, Tennessee in the 1960’s. In this time and place, race was still a dividing issue in all arenas — church, school, stores.

These two boys are blinded to race by their love of a sport…basketball. To them, skin color is far less important than their passion for playing on the court.

As quickly as their friendship begins as young boys, it is uprooted when Eddie’s family moves to the other side of Gallatin. Eddie then attends Union school.

The two boys grow into young men who both excel in academics as well as athletics.  Although they no longer have the opportunity to see each other other on a regular basis, the local newspaper coverage allows them both to continue to follow one another and their success on the basketball court.

As the 60’s come to an end, the city of Gallatin is faced with the dilemma of consolidating two schools into one.  Both Gallatin and Union basketball teams are undefeated and it seems that for the first time ever, the boys’ paths are about to cross for the district championship.  It is around this time, the town is on edge with trying to figure out how both sides will coexist.  Eddie and Bill however, remain focused on the game they both love so much.

In what truly must have been a game of the ages, neither team backed down and fought like they never had.  Their respective communities filled the stands and the atmosphere had everyone on edge.  Local KKK groups were in attendance and did not make it any easier.

Sadly, we live in a world where race is still an issue. These boys remind us what it is to be followers of God.  God doesn’t discriminate, so why should we?  This book will move you to re-evaluate how you are living life and what areas still need improvement.  I wish I could be more like Eddie and Bill.

Special thanks to my husband for his review of this book. I’m adding it to my ever-growing ‘To Be Read’ pile.

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Link-Ups

Messengers

Michelle

A messenger can be found in many places, in many spaces. Just yesterday, I had two very special messengers.

The first messenger came to me when I was feeling discouraged about where I am in my bible reading plan, because I’m behind. Not to mention the fact that I was not feeling an overwhelming connection to the text.

And then, out of the blue, one of my favorite people sent me a message with these words:
“1 Kings 18:30b, ‘And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.’
Rightly dividing the Word of truth faithfully is like Elijah’s careful and meticulous preparations on the altar. Obedience and faith came before the fire.”
WOW! Talk about right. on. time. I needed this message from this messenger. I needed to hear that the important thing is not the timing of my bible reading, but the fact that I am faithfully in His Word. That I am reading and dissecting and trying to grasp the truth of His word. That I’m trying to not be just a hearer, but also a do-er of His Word.
This, yes this obedience of being in His Word daily. The faith that His Word does not return void. Yes, these come before the fire. These come before the miracles.
The second messenger was found in a song on the radio and the scripture on my wall. I was enjoying the company of a special guest in my home last night.
While we were sitting there, Jeremy Camp came on the radio. He was singing about walking by faith. At that point, I turned to my wall where the words of 2 Corinthians 5:7 are emblazoned. These words that were placed with careful consideration before I even had the hopes of owning my home…my little slice of heaven here on earth. These words that remind me that this home is my blessing. It has MY name on it. And if it’s my blessing, no one can take it from me.
At that moment, I had to smile. I had to smile knowing that God, in His infinite wisdom, gives us just what we need when we need it. The good and the bad. And I knew, while enjoying my guest’s company, that one day, God will give me what I need, right when I’m ready for it and not a moment too soon. I need only to walk by faith. And keep rightly dividing His Word of truth. Faithfully.
Link-Ups, My 'Farm'

Scrumptious Blueberry Cobbler

Michelle

Whenever we have family and friend gatherings, one of my most requested dishes is my blueberry cobbler. The kids and I are having very special guests for dinner tonight and I’m making this dish for our dessert. So, I thought I would share my recipe with you all. I have adapted this from The Pioneer Woman’s Blackberry Cobbler recipe.

Ingredients:
  • 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, melted (as a sidenote, you will NOT find margarine in my house – we always use butter)
  • 1 1/4 cups plus 2+ tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup half & half (you can substitute milk, if you prefer)
  • 2 cups fresh (or frozen) blueberries (if you’re local to Lafayette, you should check out the Prelock Blueberry Farm. This is where I get mine from and they’re quite possibly the BEST blueberries out there!)
Preheat the oven to 350.
Grease a 3-quart baking dish with butter.
Place the stick of butter in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-45 second increments until melted.
In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, salt, baking powder, and 1 cup of the sugar.
Whisk the half & half into the dry ingredients.
Whisk in the melted butter.
Rinse the blueberries and pat them dry. (If you’re working with frozen blueberries, it’s likely you’ve already done this step prior to freezing them.)
Pour the batter into the baking dish. Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the top of the batter.
Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup of sugar over the blueberries.
Bake for 1 hour, or until golden brown and bubbly. When 10 minutes of the baking time remain, evenly sprinkle the remaining 2+ tablespoons of sugar over the top (use your best guesstimate, sometimes I use more, sometimes just the 2 tablespoons).
When you’re done, you’re left with baked blueberry deliciousness that will keep ’em coming back for more!
His Word, Kids/Parenting, Link-Ups

Close…

Michelle

Sometimes I wonder if we’re close enough. Not as in geographically. Or even in the same house.

But are we close enough that it’s going to mean something when they get older. When they want to talk about things that really matter.

Do they genuinely see me as a refuge? As a safe haven? As someone who really has their back? Are we that kind of close?

I know at some point, they will turn to their peers before they turn to me. But, do we have that close-knit bond that will allow them to understand that, despite what predicament they get into with or without their friends, they can call home? They can call their Momma…and I will listen or help.

I want to be close enough to them that when they get older and they get into a wrong relationship, they can call me and I’ll listen without judgment or even negative non-verbal communication.

Will they know that I just have their best interests at heart?

Are we close enough for them to know that they can rely on me to be there when their friends decide to drink and drive and they aren’t comfortable getting into the car with them?

Are we close enough for them to know that they can rely on me to be there when they decide to drink and NOT drive and they need a ride home?

Am I laying the foundation, daily, that is required for us to be this kind of close?

Am I putting in the hard work, the dedication, the time necessary to make this kind of close a reality?

Am I praying the hard prayers that seem to go out into the abyss, only to be answered many days, weeks, months, and years later?

Kids/Parenting, Link-Ups

Has the Power Gone Out in Your Life?

Michelle

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So he (Samson) told her (Delilah) everything. ‘No razor has ever been used on my head,’ he said, ‘because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God…if my head were shaved, my strength would leave me…After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him…but he did not know that the Lord had left him.”  Judges 16:17,19-20

My son has always been afraid of the dark. He’s nine years old and I don’t even worry about his fear. Why? Well, my son is operating on a higher spiritual level than most. I get it, that may sound hokey or odd or just plain crazy to you. But there’s something in this beloved son of mine that others don’t see and may never experience.

How do I know, you ask? Mother’s intuition. That, and some of the things he says and dreams he shares with me.

Read more here at Lift Up Your Day…