The Dream House

All my adult life, I've had a recurring dream. Although the visual details change with each dream, the main theme is the same.

I am in my house. I know it is my house because it is familiar and welcoming, and I feel at home. I walk through the rooms, and discover hidden passages, closets and rooms that are stuffed with lots of things. Sometimes it is doubles of new appliances, or old antique furniture. Sometimes clothing and books. Each time it is more 'stuff' than I would ever need and I am amazed at the things I 'forgot I had'.

The houses are either the one I currently live in, but it has been expanded, or one I have just recently moved into.   The dream always leaves me feeling like a wealthy woman with lots of resources. Even our garage of wonder, which I have dubbed the car-space-turned-storage area where I 'wonder' if I can ever find anything, contains far less than the collections I see in my dreams.

My husband and I have been homeowners for over 22 years. The latest dream came the night after we had made our final trial payment to make our current house modified to make our mortgage more affordable. It was an 11th hour miracle that we made it on time, and I am so grateful for my real house as it has been provided by God for the last 13 years.

I've looked up the usual sources on dream interpretation. I think that maybe, just maybe, in my soul I know that this world could not ever contain all that I truly want and need, and that my dream house is a shadowy hint of that other world that I believe exists after this life.

I also know that in my life, as well as yours, lies great unmined and undiscovered treasure, resources that we have not not been able to 'see' or 'feel'. They are often found at unexpected times and in surprising places. If you are aware, you will begin to appreciate them. 

Perhaps it is the utter amazement of learning that you can do something you thought you never could, when pressed by difficult circumstances. Often it is the realization that your true treasure is the people in your life who love you and that you love. Sometimes it is the pure and unadulterated joy in just being alive, which, except in moments of great clarity, I take so blithely for granted.

I am grateful for the messengers of my subconscious, these fleeting reminders that I have so much to be thankful for, and so much to look forward to!

You

You came and you give without taking. For instance:

You never take up too much room.
You have a soft touch.
You only eat a few ounces at a time.
You ask only for a few minutes of love each day.
You agree to multiple photo shoots.
You wake us up every morning very gently.
You inspire more baby talk in the house than I've heard in years.
You win the facebook upload contest for the most often featured.
You watch over the fishpond like you own it.
You keep London busy.
You're smarter than the average feline.
You are our tuxedo cat, and we are your loyal staff.

Book Inspires Paradigm Shift

A Review of Dreams and Visions by Tom Doyle

I didn't really want to choose this book from the book list, because I thought it was kind of a sensational title and I wouldn't like it.I couldn't imagine that hearing more about Muslims could be top on my the list. Boy, was I wrong. This is the book I mentioned in an earlier post that I couldn't wait to finish so I could review!

Pastor Tom Doyle, missionary to the Middle East, tells stories of Muslims all over the world who have received visitations from Jesus Himself and these dreams and visions are leading them to salvation. Often, these people came from strict, devout Muslim families, and some were even Imams,  mosque leaders whose job it is enforce Islamic ways on wayward followers. There are accounts of women as well as men. The dreams and visions often lead them to other Christians who help them understand the truth of the Word of God, and  are the gateway to a real and vibrant faith. These new believers are willing to die for Christ, and in many Middle East countries, it's a real possibility. Some have been martyred already.

Using first hand accounts and relaying stories told by friends, Doyle completely changed the fearful and predictable prejudice that I had harbored, unknowingly,  against my Arab brothers and sisters all over the world.

I have begun not only to pray for them, but also to ask for opportunities to serve Muslims in my own town.I can't remember when a book so transformed my thinking as well as my heart attitude.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in return for my honest opinion of the book.

Review and Book Giveaway: Update

 Didn't get any response on this great opportunity to win a free book! Gimme some love, readers! 

This day has been over 40 years in the making! My good friend is published, and I'm proud to offer this review and free copy of her book to one lucky commenter on this post! Winner will be announced Monday, September 17, 2012.

Terrorists have threatened the life of the president of the United States as he gives the keynote address at a college graduation. The president’s life is protected, but Aides and SSA discover that, despite heavy security, one of the operatives was killed with high-powered weapons at the site. Meanwhile, in Europe, a threat has been made to international French pop star Charm Dumotte, whisking Interpol into action, as the two incidents appear to be related.

Enter the world of imaginative author Debbie G. Brownfield as she weaves a globally inspired story of suspense, danger and, inevitably, love. The characters are larger than life, and numerous enough to warrant a helpful family tree graphic. Scenes of intrigue are interspersed with the flavor of friends and family having a good time, while dodging the perils of life in the 21^st century. Debbie is my childhood friend, and this is exactly how I remember my times with her! Let Secrets of the Enemy take you into its own world!

Buy it at Amazon.com

 

One Little Change

Sometimes change is dramatic. Like in the Scrooge story where one grumpy old miser sees what his life could be if he continues being an old grumpy miser, and changes overnight to a kind and generous man. Or in the case of an overnight snow, which transforms a brown landscape into a white wonderland.

But often, change is small and gradual. Like the three pounds you lose after literally starving yourself for a month or two. And the half an inch your hair grows, while your fingernails could have become footlongs if you hadn't cut them.

It's the watched pot that never boils, they say. That's why I was surprised to find one simple thing that changed the way I think about everything. Well, almost everything.

There's a new book I've been reading. I review books for free, that is, I get paid in books, and there's no price on that! I just can't wait to tell you about the change in my thinking that this book prompted.

So check back in a few days, because I'm not finished reading it yet, but I'm devouring it in big gulps and I can't wait to tell you about it!

Have you read a book that changed you? I'd love to hear about it.

Napoleon and Related Personalities

During the French Revolution the upper crust was removed from the loaf by Madame Guillotine in a senseless frenzy to purge France of a corrupt and out - of - touch Monarchy. Simultaneously, America, too was disdaining a Monarchical system that had held dozens of generations in its powerful grasp. It was the age of freedom.

How, then, did a little Italian man from Corsica manage to dupe the world into allowing him to crown himself Emperor of most of continental Europe, with a little help from the brute force of his 'Grand Army'. When he was finally exiled it is estimated that 5 million people, soldiers included, had been wiped out. Were the French, and all the world, blind?

There can only be one answer. Charisma. Bonaparte must have had it in boatloads.

Have you ever been in the presence of someone who can get pretty much whatever they want simply by force of a magnetic personality? This is a powerful tool, and as my daughter observed sagely, most people who have this facet to their personality should not get what they want.

Remember this when you go to the polls in November.

A Tale of Two Friends

The year was 1970. Long straight hair and bell  bottoms were 'in' for both boys and girls. Richard Nixon had just been elected president (pre-Watergate). L'eggs pantyhose were all the rage, as were the Dodge Colt, the Ford  Pinto, and the AMC Hornet.  Two 12 year old girls met at a private school and discovered that they had a lot more than pantyhose in common. They both played the piano, and they liked boys. The other common thread was books. You could almost say they liked books as much as boys.

They spent weekends at each other's houses plotting how to manage the boy question, playing the piano, and reading books. They went to summer camp together and spent hours playing through the piano scores of Oklahoma and Sound Of Music.

As they grew, the boys eventually became boyfriends and then husbands.They stood up at each other's weddings.  The books never changed. Both continued to read voraciously, and they drove out to the east coast to begin college and then finished their college education at separate institutions.  Both continued to play and also to teach piano.

They both raised a family and moved so far apart - on opposite coasts, actually - that seeing each other became a major event. Still, whenever they were together, it was as if they were 12 again playing and plotting and reading.

Both were still reading and both were now writing novels, plays and articles for magazines. Through the death of  both their fathers they consoled each other and through the ups and downs of the shaking economy they laughed, and thought about the good old days when the biggest question on their minds was whether the boys they liked even knew they were alive. They shared stories about their children and one of them became a grandmother.

When no one else around really understood them, they knew that they shared a very special bond that you can only experience when you have grown through adolescence together. No matter what, they had each other's backs.

One of the girls finished and published one of her books. The other one promoted it for her - I am that one!

Secrets of the Enemy by Debbie G. Brownfield!

Available now at Amazon.com

One lucky blog reader will win a free print copy - so check back for your chance to win by commenting on my upcoming review on September 15.