The Unordinary Weapon to Overcoming Negativity. By Graham Cooke

To walk in the fullness of all that life in God is, we have to fight. And this fight is with no ordinary enemy; it’s against the opposing force of negativity.

Negativity shows up in our lives in all shapes and forms. From negative emotions and thoughts to negative words and actions, we are constantly presented with the opportunity to say “no” to negativity so that we can live an elevated life.

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)”

A mind set on the negative will kill everything it touches. It is hostile towards God and leads to death.

Any negative thought we have about ourselves or about anybody else immediately puts us into a hostile place in terms of our own relationship with God and works against His purposes. That doesn’t sound terribly clever, and gives us all the more reason to set our minds on the Spirit.

This unordinary fight requires unordinary weapons. The primary one being rest.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

This kind of rest in partnership with God is an invitation to live without fear, anxiety, worry, and panic. And once cultivated, it’s our greatest weapon against all opposition and negativity.

We can live a life where we never need to react to something because we are always responding to Someone. When we respond to Him and His rest, there is no room for any negatives.7

The key to cultivating this kind of rest is learning to change our mindset in terms of how we see ourselves, how we see people, and how we see our circumstances—showing all negativity the exit.

Every time we experience a negative, it is an opportunity to be led by the Spirit and dwell in the place that God has set aside for us.4

‘Dwell’ in this sense can literally mean “to occupy,” so we are learning to occupy our place in the Spirit through the daily situations we face.

This gives us a constant decision that we get to make as we encounter different situations and people:

“Will I choose the negativity or will I occupy my rest in Christ?9”

Just remember that when we occupy our rest in Christ, negativity has no power over us. This allows us to go to the places that God wants to take us in our development with Him.

So let’s be intentional about killing it in our thoughts, conversations, and actions. Let’s wage war on negativity because we are yoked with Jesus in rest!   LINK

BOOK REVIEW- LOVING EVANGELINE by Linda Howard

 
Evangeline Shaw is the key to the conspiracy that threatens Robert Cannon's company. Classified software developed by Cannon's group is being sold to a foreign government without his approval. It isn't just theft or a case of corporate espionage -- it's treason. And the trail leads straight to Shaw -- who by all accounts has both the means and the motives.Determined to handle his own investigation, Cannon tracks her to a small town in Alabama. But as he tries to untangle the knot that surrounds her, he finds himself questioning he's believed. The facts still seem pretty black-and-but his heart tells him she's no Mata Hari....AMAZON  3 STARS

Just okay.  Could have been better.  Although I liked it, it also caused mixed feelings too.  Robert was quite the manipulator; something I usually don't like.  And that part of his character showed up quite a few times in the story.  I will say that he was an unusual person and had an unusual way to keep people from knowing the real him.  He had a lot of people fooled.  Evie just wasn't one of them.  Evie had the scary (to him) ability to see and understand way more about him than anyone else ever had.   There was a fairly good story underneath it all but way too much when it came to the sex scenes.
I read this older version so I'm not sure how much was included in the new version.  Probably all of it and maybe more.  I did feel at times as though there were a lot of repetitions of several issues the people had.  Probably could have been dialed back a bit.

MAKE ROOM FOR WHAT YOU LOVE (BOOK)

I Love this title.  So simple but so profound  AMAZON

Jasmine Murray - Fearless (Official Lyric Video)

BOOK REVIEW- DEADLY DEALS #16 SISTERHOOD by Fern Michaels

After years of trying to become pregnant without success, Rachel Dawson and her husband Thomas felt their dreams had finally come true the day they brought home their newly adopted twin babies. Though the lawyer Baron Bell who arranged for the surrogate mother charged a hefty six-figure fee, one glance into the eyes of their precious children told them it was all worth it. Until the birth mother reappeared, first demanding more money, then the twins themselves. Suddenly Baron Bell was nowhere to be found, and the Dawsons were once again childless, heartbroken and nearly destitute  .
When the case finds its way to the offices of high-profile attorney Lizzie Fox, she can't wait to take down the so-called "Mr. Wonderful." And she knows she'll have all the help she needs as it's just the kind of crime that really gets the Sisterhood's adrenalin flowing. Once they get their hands on the perpetrators there will be hell to pay, and it will cost a lot more than cold, hard cash. . .  AMAZON  4 STARS

I really liked this one better than the last one.  Good plot, the "gang" is all there again too.  Lots of twists, turns and things that can go wrong and do. Add in a wild shift in the weather, which hinder movement and communications and you see problems add up.  Although this could be a stand alone book,  I think its better for the reader to have read the earlier books and get connected with some of the characters.  The Vigilantes are also getting restless about the promised pardons from Madame President.  They helped get her where she is and its been 2 years without those pardons.  They told her the clock was ticking and she has been fighting against a lot of resistance within her administration about this idea and other things too.  

BOOK REVIEW- VANISHING ACT #15 SISTERHOOD by Fern Michaels

It’s a hot, sunny afternoon on the mountain top, and the sisters are enjoying sitting around the pool chatting and laughing, frosty glasses of lemonade to keep them cool and relaxed. It’s a welcome hiatus after their last harrowing mission, and the only cloud over the happy occasion is that Charles, their mentor, is still mysteriously absent.

But amid the friendly bickering about who’s going to make dinner and what that might be, the Ladies of Pinewood receive some dreadful news: Harry Wong — Yoko’s true love and a staunch supporter of the Sisterhood — has become the victim of a ruthless identity theft ring. Harry’s bank accounts have been closed out, his beloved dojo is being foreclosed, and he’s being evicted. Distraught, Yoko is about to rush down the mountain to Harry’s aid when the Sisters intercept her. A situation like Harry’s requires finesse, careful planning, and the Sisterhood’s distinctive brand of vigilante justice…AMAZON 3.5 STARS

This one started out dramatic and with a surprise.  A good way to start the book.  It was good to re-visit all the gang again.  BUT.  Yes, there is a but in there, it feels a little flat at the same time.  Yes, there is action and yes they are up against a couple of really evil, clever thieves.  And their setup is a lot more complex and far-reaching than originally thought.  The punishment?  A little lack luster in my view.  Completed and all the loopholes being closed but where is the "Ta Da" moment? 

A little disappointed but holding on.

P.S.  Charles shows up in this book and the "girls" are still beyond angry with him..  What's gonna happen now?  Keep reading. 

BOOK REVIEW- JUST KATE: HIS ONLY WIFE

Ever since Kate Blake's sister died in a car accident, it's been just her. Just Kate to keep her family together. Just Kate to live up to her senator father's expectations and her mother's idea of perfection. But now, after a painful betrayal by those she loves, she decides it's time to live for herself and claim what she wants. And what she wants is Sean Harris. The only man she's ever loved. And her late sister's husband.

But years have passed since Abby's accident, and both Sean and Kate feel it's time to move on. Still, when Kate meets the rugged Australian on his home turf, she is surprised by what she finds with Sean—a sense of home and belonging that she's never known. And the one person who loves her for nothing else except being…just Kate.    AMAZON   3.5 STARS

I liked both stories, they were enjoyable and a fast read.  It isn't real clear from the title of the book, but there are two stories in this book.  "His Only Wife",  is the name of the second one.  And the main characters were married really young and have been apart/ divorced for at least 10 years  Interesting people with different settings and life experiences.  One thing both had in common is that in both stories, there were people who tried to control one or both of the M.C.'s.