Book Review: Stolen Postcards

Stolen Postcards
by Jan Ackerson

Jan Ackerson’s new release, Stolen Postcards, is a collection of 366 tiny stories, one for each day of the year. But much like the famous potato chip commercial claims, it’s hard to stop at just one. I wanted to read them all, one after another, without stopping, but I found it impossible.

Each story is exactly 100 words long, and each is a complete, tiny story in itself, revealing a moment in a variety of characters’ lives. But don’t think that these very short entries are mere excerpts of longer sagas. Ms. Ackerson manages to set scenes, flesh out characters, and tell a story in just a few paragraphs.




Many times I was so blown away by the depth of an entry, I needed to put the book down and take a breath. Often I needed to read a story two or three times, seeing something new with each read, peeling back the layers, before finding the stunning pearl in its heart.

I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I’m sure I will be returning to enjoy Stolen Postcards again and again. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Jewels of Encouragement: Just a Seed?

 

I'm scattering some mustard seeds at Jewels of Encouragement today. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Be blessed,





"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." 
Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Do we or don't we?

Here is the bottom line…I am conflicted over this whole ISIS / Syrian refugee debacle. My stomach and my brain are doing flip-flops.


How can we let our fear cause us to turn our collective backs on an entire nation of people – families, with children and grandparents – because a small percentage of them are terrorists? Aren’t we supposed to be the “good guys”?

 

How could we willingly let a nation of people, known for raising up terrorists, into our country to assimilate with our citizens, when they have openly claimed that there are ISIS infiltrators among the refugees? Aren’t we the nation that fought to be free from religious control and tyranny? Didn’t we fight for the right to defend ourselves? I raised my right hand and took an oath in my early twenties, and have never turned from it.

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How can the USA afford to settle 10,000 refugees across the country with housing, and jobs and a future, when over half a million Americans have no home, no job, and no hope?

Do we open our gates to a flock of sheep needing shelter, knowing it’s possible, probable, yes, likely even, that wolves sneaked in along with the peaceful lambs?

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Which talking head do we believe? How do we know what we read and hear is truth and what is propaganda? And when it is the truth, how many more truths are they not telling us? What is the right thing to do?

I don’t know.

But in the grand scheme of things, my opinion isn’t worth diddly squat. You know what they say about opinions…. So I won’t repeat it.

I do know that my prayers matter, so I pray that God, who is in control after all, will guide the right people to do the right thing. I pray for the refugees and I pray for their tormentors.

And since I can’t do anything about the refugee crisis, I do what I can for those in need around me. The local homeless men know where they can get a hot cup of coffee, a snack if they’re hungry, socks if their feet are wet and cold, and jackets, hats, and gloves every winter. They also get a smile and a loving welcome.

If the time comes when I need to make a decision, then I trust God to lead me. Until then, that’s my stand on the matter.

Peace,

Cat

Jewels of Encouragment: Snakes and Doves

 

God put this message on my heart and started giving me words, and I started writing. In fits and starts. Bits and pieces. When I decided to put it all together into a devotion, I thought I was contradicting myself and was at a standstill....until.... my pastor preached on the exact same Gospel story and theme. However, I had been reading the story in Luke, and he preached from Matthew. Luke doesn't include the "snakes and doves" passage, and that was the connection I was missing. Thank you, Dr. Charles Thomas! And also, thanks for always preaching the WHOLE Word of God, not just the "feel good" parts.

Be blessed!

 
"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." 
Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Jewels of Encouragement: Where's my cross??

Oops, I forgot to tell you about my new post on Jewels of Encouragement. How unlike me. (sarcasm)

My devotion was published on April 4 - Easter Eve. I originally titled it "Unburying the Cross" but when I posted it I changed it to "Resurrecting the Cross" for some reason. Seemed a more fitting word for the day, I guess. Anyway, I'd love you to read my story, and share yours if you have one. Click the pic below....

"Resurrecting the Cross"

Peace and Blessings,
Cat

Dried Out - Jewels of Encouragement

I've been feeling spiritually empty and disconnected lately. Join me at Jewels of Encouragement today to read about how an obscure and confusing Bible story is helping bring my relationship with God back to life.

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." 
Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Got Faith?

As much as this subject nagged at my spirit and my conscious this month, I'm thinking someone needs to hear this message. Or am I the only one? I did my best to express what God laid on my heart to share. I pray it blesses you.

You gotta have faith...