Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze

*multnomah sent me this book for free to review.  the opinions are solely mine, and i was not paid to review this book.

I love books that draw you in with the first few pages.  Unfortunately, this book did not do that.  However, once I got into it I literally could NOT put the book down.  It was a great read.  Very informative in an entertaining way.  I love that about books!

I have a few favorite passages.  Let me share one,

"you've got this weird notion that you have to earn her love, when love can't be earned.  She's got to give it, just like Christ himself's given you redemption by taking on the Cross.
     Christ had redeemed him.  Logically, he knew it.  But, knowing it, and feeling redeemed in your heart were 2 different things.  And, try as he might, he hadn't figured out the key to the second one."

Overall this story was awesome.

Thank you Vicki Hinze for writing this book, and thank you multnomah for allowing me a chance to review it!

on love and redemption

the following is from a book i'm reading, but man... it's something worth dwelling on.

a girl is speaking to a guy about love and redemption...

     "you've got this weird notion that you have to earn her love, when love can't be earned.  She's got to give it, just like Christ himself's given you redemption by taking on the Cross.
     Christ had redeemed him.  Logically, he knew it.  But, knowing it, and feeling redeemed in your heart were 2 different things.  And, try as he might, he hadn't figured out the key to the second one."  

i suggest inserting your name wherever it says he.  go back and reread it.  insert your name where it says he.  act like it's directed towards you... i did, and, wow, am i pondering.  i'll share more later on it.  i'd love to hear what it brings to your mind as well.

why did i get married?

 today is our anniversary.  we have been married 8 years today.

my husband is amazing.  we met at a bowling alley on feb. 14th, 2002.  we were married on feb. 7th, 2003.

the first thing i noticed about him when i met him was his eyes.  he has beautiful eyes.  and, he's a great hugger.  and, he loves Jesus.  

my roommate in college came home from work one day and said, "you've got to meet this guy i work with.  he's just like you.  he loves Jesus.  he's happy.  and, he loves kids."  i was like, "okay."  so she said she was going to ask him if he wanted to go on a double date on valentines day.  

she came home from work the next day and said, "he says he'll have to pray about it."  i was like, "WHAT?!"  this is the guy for me.   he's praying about it?  sweet.  turn on number one :)  well, she goes to work and comes home again and says, he said it sounds like fun.  so, on valentines day i met michael hullinger at chippewa bowling alley and then we went to steak and shake.  then we talked in his car for about 3 hours.  it was pretty much love at first hangout for me.  time went on, and it seemed like there were a lot of periods of waiting on my end, but we did get married less than a year later so really...  i must never have waited too long :)

reasons i am in love with michael hullinger.

*he loves Jesus.

*he loves me.

*he loves my son.

*he is funny.

*he is smart.

*he is cute.

*he is witty.

*he is sensitive.

*he has a good memory.

*he is an awesome dad.

*he is an awesome husband.

*he is strong in the Lord.

*he is continually looking for ways in which to be closer to Him.

*he is a leader.

*he loves people.

*he is strong.

*he is awesome with kids.

*he listens to his music with headphones on.

*he is nice to me.

*he listens to music that i will enjoy without headphones on.

*he loves music.

*he lets me go on vacations sometimes... and he stays home to work.

*he provides for me.

*he's a safe driver.

*he picks up after himself.

*he lets me use his things. (i just broke his computer bag while on vacation)

*he's got an awesome tattoo.

*he's got a cute smile.  i love it when he smiles.

*he's got a really good heart.

*he likes me more than the tv. (and the tv is pretty awesome)

*he is a good listener.

*he is a good story teller.

*he is an excellent writer.

*he gets me really nice cards.

*he's good at trivia.

i could go on and on.  i am more in love with michael hullinger today than i was the day that we met.  i love him more than tacos.  i love him more than my really comfortable couch.  i love  him more than my computer. i love him more than life itself.  i can't imagine life without him.  

thanks God, 

for giving me a best friend in my husband, michael.

i love you,

melissa

and thank you michael... for being my best friend.  i love you.

influential people

You know, most of us don't even realize that we are influencing people all of the time.  Let me tell you a true story.  It's the reason my son has the name Mazerick.

My husband Michael was going to a church when he was 17 or 18.  He was talked into counseling at Camp Raybird.  Someone convinced him that it was his "christian duty."  (not that that's always a bad thing, just made me laugh)   Well, he hesitated because in all reality he was not a fan of kids.  Actually he wasn't fond of them... at all.  Anyway, he did it.... because it was his "christian duty" you know?  He counseled at this camp.

The first kid he met from his cabin was a little boy of 8 or 9 (i think) named Mazerick.  This little boy was blond and full of life.  He was all boy.  He loved looking for frogs, picking up sticks, skipping rocks, you name it.  Anyway, my Michael had a change of heart this week.  He watched Mazerick, and well...  God changed his heart.  And, it was because of the inluence of a little boy that was just being a little boy...  

I don't think that Michael thought about it a ton at the time, but he did end up going into youth ministry.  And, it all started when he met that little boy.  

When I met Michael he said, "There are 2 things I want out of life.  2 things I live for.  I live to be a good husband and father."  (He obviously wants God, and I saw that, but I think you get the picture)  Anyway, I love that about him.  He desires to be a good husband and father.  Those are the 2 things that God has put in his heart.  And, I can assure you that he is.

About a year ago I was at church (The Vineyard), and I was calling Mazerick out of class.  (my Mazerick)  A girl off to the side of the room looked at a guy on the side of the room and said, "Did she just call him Mazerick?  No way!"  Anyway, I walked over to this girl and guy and said to the guy, "Is your name Mazerick?"  And, he said, "yeah.  I've never known anyone else with my name."  We got to talking and I asked him if he had been to this camp that my husband counseled at and had him as a counselor.  And, Mazerick said, "yeah."  We talked for a bit more.

I left church that Sunday amazed that I had just met the kid that my husband had told me about for years...  It actually took years of convincing me to name my own kid that, but now that I know the guy it makes it that much more meaningful to me.  

So, remember.... what you do today might influence people you have no clue about.  Live a good life.

God is good, isn't he?

inc

stuck on vacation

sounds great, doesn't it?  i'm sure a lot of people would love being stuck on vacation.  think about it.  there's a snow storm at home.  everything has been cancelled because of the bad weather.  including your flight to get home.  the thing is...  my husband and son are at home, and i was supposed to be home yesterday afternoon.  i came on vacation not to get away from my husband and son, but to enjoy my friends out here in california.  and, honestly, it's beautiful out here.  the weather is nice.  everything about this vacation has been smooth.  so, no real complaints on this end.  it's been a great vacation.  but really... i was ready to come home to my fam yesterday.  well, when i found out that i couldn't make it there because the airport was closed i had to make a choice.  i could either wallow in self pity...  or pity for my husband and son that don't get to see me... (sounds pretty arrogant)  or i could enjoy this warm weather and go see some more sites...  unfortunately my friends had to resume life as they know it so i couldn't hang out with them any longer.  but, fortunately my mom came on this trip with me, so i am not alone!  so, i did it... i went into hollywood yesterday.  it was a lot of fun.

i thought of my friends and familly a lot... i found spiderman, and was immediately thinking about my son.  so, i  took this picture for Mazerick...  Spiderman was walking around, and he posed with me!

i saw bigfoot and thought of my friend jeff.  so, i took a picture of my hand in his.

i saw samual jackson and thought of my friend byron, and all of my friends and family at church and the good times we have!

and i saw robin williams, and well... i just love robin williiams so i took my picture with him!

and, the last picture that i'm posting on my blog made me think of all of my friends and family that are back home freezing in the SNOWpocolipse...  wish i was there with you.... kind of...

glad i get to come home to all the smiling faces in the midwest... i've missed everyone!!!!  but, man... this weather is nothing to complain about :)

so, yesterday we missed our plane... but, we got to go into hollywood, california with no agenda.  it was relaxing.  my plane leaves in a few hours and i'm more than ready to see some smiling faces in the freezing cold.

Blessings everyone!

reflecting on the Spirit

i'm in love.  it's true.  and, i truly believe it wouldn't even be possible without the Spirit....  the Holy Spirit that is.  that's right.  even my relationship with my husband is based on the Spirit.  i wouldn't be where i'm at today if it weren't because of the Spirit.

i hadn't given the Spirit a ton of thought until recently.  i mean sure, the Spirit is God.  the Spirit is why we have a personal relationship with God.  the Spirit is.  it just is... but, is it really?  is it just a spirit?  no.  it is not even an it. the Holy Spirit is a person.  He is not an impersonal force or thing.  the Bible constantly describes the Spirit as a person.  matthew 28 talks about how the Spirit is a member of the Godhead, and ephesians 4 talks about how the Spirit is grieved... he has emotions.  would an IT have emotions?  i think not.

there's a ton more about who the Spirit is, but what i'm really focused on is who the Spirit is IN ME...  (at least who he could be in me)

i'm focused today on one specific thing in regards to Him... the Holy Spirit...  okay... here i go again.  my one thing has turned into a million, but let me lay it all out.  let me start from the beginning :)

in mark chapter 13 (i suggest you check it out for yourself as well) there are signs for the end of the age.  at least thats the description in the NIV...  the message describes it as "doomsday deceivers".  a bunch of disciples are asking Jesus... what will the signs be that the end is near?  and Jesus gives them a bunch of signs...  wars, rumors of wars, a bunch of people claiming to be (or Jesus), nations rising against nations, earthquakes, famines, etc. (my paraphrase)  He tells them to be on their guard (or He tells us to be on our guards)  He tells us we will be brought before officials and brought to trial.  and then He says not to worry about it.  it almost seems paradoxical, but the more i think about it the less i think so... because if we put all of our trust in the Spirit then our minds automatically depend on Him to give us exactly what we need... the exact words.... and He promises as much.  

now i don't think that means to sit on our butts and do nothing.  just expect Jesus to give us the Spirit to save the day.  i think that means that we must seek Him.  we must KNOW him.  we must allow Him to guide us.  if He tells us to go, then we must go.  if he tells us to sit, then we must sit.  if he tells us to do, then we must do.  basically, we must know his voice.  we must listen to it, and obey.  and, well... i'm in.  i'm listening.  i'm obeying.

in looking at these scriptures (there are many more) i am reminded to continue seeking and listening...  and doing whatever it is i am hearing.

"Lord, i know i'm a jerk sometimes, but fill me with your Spirit so that the world will see your work in my life.  i love you."