Hmmmmm! Just then I noticed the bottle of cooking oil right beside the flames was beginning to melt and the whole kitchen could have gone up in flames. God protected in spite of my less-thansanctimonious attitude. Even though this little episode did not make me a “dog person,” I have been able to show more grace and mercy. Some in my family think I am enabling my son and even the people in my group class for families of those with addictions are less-thancompassionate. I know God has called me to do this for now.
I have prayed for my son’s healing, and evidently I am making a little sacrifice for the answer to come. With eternity’s values in view, who am I to complain about caring for two little dogs for five months if my son can have his life back again? While I do this, I know that God is able to make all grace abound to me so that in ALL things (including caring for dogs), at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in grace to others. II Corinthians 9:8
As I shone the flashlight under the bushes, the scripture from Philippians 2:14 came to me…………. ”Do all things without complaining.” Redeeming Love Francine Rivers Book Review by Carol Peterson Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is the story of a young prostitute during the gold rush days in California. The plot is loosely based on the account of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible. But be forewarned: this is not a light story. It is definitely not a book you can read while sipping your afternoon tea. In fact, when our book club first began reading Redeeming Love, one woman asked, "Are we supposed to be reading this kind of book?" The book's subplots touch on the disturbing subjects of rape and incest. There are no graphic details though. Rather, Rivers uses the characters and plot to deal with issues of hatred, fear and shame. Many times you want to smack the character Angel upside the head and urge Michael to leave her behind. But keep reading. Rivers calls this book her "statement of faith," because ultimately Angel's underlying need is the same need we all have—healing, unconditional love and redemption though Jesus, the only One who can truly provide them. I first read Redeeming Love over 15 years ago and never forgot Rivers' strong characters and Jesus' message told through them. Neither will you.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner!