Elphame's Choice ~ Partholon #4

OK so like I said yesterday, the next 2 books in the Partholon series take place a 100 years after Shannon & Rhiannon's stories. Although it's years later, the books remind of you what happened in Partholon. They remind you of Shannon's story and her life as Rhiannon.

Now we find Etain, Shannon's granddaughter giving birth to a unique creature. Remember all of the high priestesses in Partholon are wed to shape-shifting centaurs. Though they change into humans there real form is centaur. Well Etain gives birth to the first 1/2 human 1/2 centaur in Partholon. Her name is Elphame. Naturally everyone looks at her like an alien being with the exception of her parents & brothers. Her parents go on to have 3 boys one of which Elphame is very close to. His name is Cuchulainn.

Once they reach adulthood, Elphame feels the call to bring life back into the MacCallan castle. MacCallan is Rhiannon's dad and in a sense Elphame's great-great grandfather. Her brother Cu goes with her as do a few others who never really found their place in Partholon. Elphame falls in love with a mysterious winged creature and the Fomorians are once again front & center. Elphame has to convince the people of Partholon that these New Fomorians are not like their deadly ancestors and that they are simply looking for a new home and love.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's conclusion with book #5, Brighid's Choice.

Shelly



I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:15-16


You know, it’s pretty simple. To claim real victory over temptation and sin in our lives, you and I need to get in the Word of God and we need to stay in the Word of God.

There really is no excuse not to read the Bible! I mean, it’s on the internet in every possible version and translation, you can download it on your iPod, and it’s on CD! You can even listen to it on your way to work! There are more opportunities than ever to get into God’s Word.

But there’s more than just reading or listening to the Word of God. It must be applied to our lives. One of the best things you can do for your Christian walk is to memorize Scripture. Because when you memorize Scripture, it becomes a part of you… it becomes your way of life… and it becomes your defense against satan. You will be amazed how God will use those verses you have memorized in your life!

But also, you must be obedient to God’s Word. You must do what it says… you must be obedient to the counsel, guidance, and advice found in God’s Word.
Following Jesus Christ means obedience in every way… not just in some parts of your life, but obedience in every aspect of your life.

Maybe today you’d admit that you’re struggling with sin… that you’re about ready to give in to temptation. If so, turn to God’s Word. Read it… meditate on it… pray about the verses you read, and strive to live it out day by day. You will be pleasantly surprised!

Pastor Hersch

Divine by Blood ~ Partholon #3

OK sorry about not getting in yesterday. I took the boys out to my aunt's house so she could cut Brandon's hair. Well so she could fix it actually. I cut it on Monday and did a horrible job! But she did a fantabulous job and now I can see his face again!



So book 3 Partholon series is Divine by Blood. This time the story picks up with the children of Shannon & Rhiannon. Both daughters. Actually most of book 3 is about Rhiannon's daughter. Rhiannon died right after Morrigan was born. Some Indians were there and took Morrigan to Shannon's father as Rhiannon requested. He & his wife raised her just as they did Shannon. As far as they were concerned she was Shannon's daughter and told her so.

Then evil comes knocking. Morrigan learns the truth about her parents and the world of Partholon. Guess what. She decides to go there. While there she learns that Shannon had also had a daughter. One that looked just like her. However Shannon's daughter wasn't to be the next high priestess. This knowledge of course ignites that age old battle between evil & good. The one we all war against within ourselves. Morrigan must decide if she will follow the path evil wants for her, or Epona's path.

Now this is where I get annoyed with the books. LOL I simply didn't want the story to end! And in a sense it doesn't. But when P.C. Cast writes about Partholon next it takes place 100 years later. They're great reads too and I will talk about them tomorrow & Saturday.

Shelly



Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalms 36:5

God is faithful to His children. His children listen to Him and obey Him. That is the key element to exercise to receive the promises that God has in store for us.

Are there times when you might wonder why life isn't going as well as you had thought, hoped or wished it to would? I am sure that if you are anything like me that sort of experience may have visited you on at least one and possibly multiple occasions.

Interestingly though, God has spoken about this subject in various places throughout Scripture, Psalm 36 being just one example. Psalm 86:15 is another wonderful example for us: "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” So, not only is God faithful to us, but He is compassionate, gracious and slow to anger. Isn't that comforting to know? He's not going to deck us when we probably deserve it?

Psalm 91:4 shows us even more about this aspect of God's character: "He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield.” Not only will He not deck us, but He will protect us and defend us.

When we are obedient, as Joshua was when God told him to step into the Jordan River so that he and the Israelites could go into the Promised Land, He will do the same for us.

He will part the waters, open the doors, lay a bridge, or provide for a need in just the right way, at just the right time. This is how God fulfills His promises to us, in so many different ways. All we have to do is say, "Lord here I am, I am yours and will follow you." When God hears that, He knows you are ready to accept the promises that He has for you.

Our job as His children is to look to Him for guidance and to stay close!

So easy, yet so hard.



Pastor Hersch

Divine by Choice/Partholon Series

Today is my birthday. 37 years old! Someone was shocked on Sunday when I said that. She thought I was only 31. How that made my day!! Then my aunt said I could easily lie and tell people I'm only 30. But let's not forget that I do have a boy about to turn 16! I was naughty as a teen but I was not a mom! Kristin took me out for lunch. Chick-Fil-A...YUM!! It was fun hanging with her again even though it was short. She wants to hit sawgrass soon. Always love that trip with her.

OK so book 2 is all about choices. In Divine by Mistake we find Shannon Parker rudely transported to another world where exact doubles from her own world live. The only person in Partholon that knows Shannon isn't the rude, selfish Lady Rhiannon is Rhiannon's right hand Alanna. Alanna knows everything because she has been there, by Rhiannon's side forever. And though she didn't like Rhiannon, she quickly comes to love Shannon. Oh and by the way, she happens to be the double of Shannon's best friend from Oklahoma. During Divine by Choice, poor Shannon gets ripped from Partholon just as she's starting to get used to everything. She loves her people, she loves her hand maidens, and she is madly in love with her husband. Now we find her back in Oklahoma. ClanFinton (her husband) also has a double in Oklahoma. Shannon had never met him before but Rhiannon quickly found him. Of course she's evil as hell and poor Clint wants desperately to send her back to her world and return Shannon to Oklahoma. In trying to do that he screws up and pulls Shannon back along with the evil Nauda she thought she had killed in Partholon. In Divine by Choice Shannon sees the destruction Rhiannon has made of her life and also tragically witnesses the death of someone she loves.
Tomorrow I will tell ya about Divine by Blood. ☺

Shelly


Had rained down manna on them to eat, And given them of the bread of heaven. Psalm 78:24



Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, deep into the wilderness of Sinai. There they complained of hunger and looked longingly back on the security of their captivity, preferring meat eaten in bondage to the bread of their desert freedom, for which they were dependent on God.



In a miracle made new every morning, God provided manna from heaven, the bread of angels, to sustain them in their journey. This bread could not be hoarded: enough was provided for every household each day, but attempts to gather more than was needed led only to decay.



Two things have always struck me about this story: first, God will not, it seems, encourage us in any sort of “self-sufficiency” that leads away from our reliance on Him.



God seems strongly to intend us to have our bread on a daily basis. If we persuade ourselves that we have enough spiritual strength for a while and need not in the meantime ask God for anything, we may find ourselves soon in trouble.

Secondly: the people did not recognize the bread that God had provided them as food. In fact, they did not recognize it at all; when the people saw the “fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground,” they said to one another, “What is it?” Manna is the Hebrew word meaning what is it?



How often, I wonder, do I not recognize the food from heaven right under my nose? How often does my greed or pride or insecurity make me try to hoard God’s mercy for tomorrow? How often does yours.



Remember what Jesus said… "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”



Pastor Hersch

Divine/Partholon Series - Spoiler Alert

OK, I finally have a minute. So I'm gonna talk about Divine by Mistake written by P.C. Cast. Amazing set of books tho I strongly recommended that they are not for children. Now then, in the first book, Divine by Mistake we meet Shannon Parker, a 30something, high school English teacher from Oklahoma. She is very witty and quick on her feet. And it's a good thing thing too because she is about to have her entire world literally ripped from her. Through an estate auction Shannon is magically transported to a world where her exact double is an evil high priestess and she's to wed a shape shifting centaur. The story takes you through ups and downs as Shannon has to restart her life and must win the love & affection that her double was awarded in title only. She quickly falls in love with the perks of being "rich & famous" like all the jewelry and the fabulous tho primitive bathroom. Then just as she starts to get used to her new technology free life, she is waist high in war. Her double's father, who looks just like her own father, is killed right in front of her...sorta. The god in this world is a goddess and Shannon gets visions of the future from her. In one said vision she see this death. As the visions continue, Shannon is given the chance to end the war and free the people she has come to love. She also falls madly in love with her husband and just as she thinks everything is quieting down and becoming peaceful she gets a "feeling".

I couldn't put the books down! I love the humor throughout and love the character Shannon. I personally could do without the whole goddess theme but that's what P.C. puts in her books. I just read it in my mind as the God I believe in. When I have another hot minute I will discuss book 2, Divine by Choice.


Shelly



Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. Psalm 25:7


Perry had paid the penalty a thousand times. The guilt that he carried with him gnawed away constantly. When he was teenager, he had foolishly tossed a firecracker at a friend of his, to scare him. The explosive had gone off in his friend's face, blinding him.

Perry played the scene over and over in his mind, even though many years had passed. His friend had forgiven him, and he had even asked forgiveness from God. His pastor told him that the sin was forgiven, but Perry just couldn't forgive himself.

Who are we to hold onto past sins when our Lord has forgiven and forgotten them? As long as we're human, we will have pasts filled with sins abundant.

To dwell on them is to make ourselves less than God wants us to be. Ask forgiveness from the Lord, receive it, and move forward in the glory of God's grace. Your sins are forgiven, indeed!


Pastor Hersch

Billy Burke Baby!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE Billy! Please don't ask who he is! OK fine, maybe everyone isn't as obsessed as I am. He's Charlie from Twilight. Totally fab! Couple weeks ago he put out a single. Anywho, here's his video:

Rob on Ellen

craziness!!

Things have been so crazy here. The twins turned 11 on Mother's day. They were sick as dogs so their party had to be postponed. Then I got it, then Brandon. Now Dave is recovering from it and bronchitis. Why is it the whole family can't get sick at once? At least Brett never did get it. Sunday will be crazy busy too because we have a service at the park then a volleyball tournament then a picnic. At least I took the day off from work. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to put up my reviews of the Partholon series. Well time to light a fire under some little behinds. :)

Shelly

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10



Sometimes, people think Christians live the most boring lives imaginable. But nothing could be further from the truth.

The fact of the matter is that a happy life is a holy life—a life that is lived for God. Jesus not only promised us life beyond the grave, but He certainly promised us a dimension of life on this earth that is worth living when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”



There are two ways we can live our lives: the right way and the wrong way. There are two paths we can take: the narrow path that leads to life or the broad way that leads to destruction. There are two foundations we can build on: the rock or sinking sand. The result is that we can either live a happy and holy life or a miserable and unholy life.



When most people think of a life dedicated to God, they envision something full of misery and rules and regulations. The picture that most unbelievers have of a Christian is one of gloom and boredom.



But when you know Jesus and you realize that the Bible is not a mere book, but God’s living Word to each of us, it takes on a whole new meaning. When you realize that prayer is not just going through some ritual, but it is communicating with the all- powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God who has compassion for you, that means a lot.



That is something the world does not have. There is nothing like it out there. When you truly come to know God, you realize the Christian life is the greatest life there is.



Pastor Hersch

Twilight on Oprah

FRIDAY!!!!!

Because I'm obsessed, I'm posting the videos again today. >:}









Because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Philemon 1:5-7


What are some keys to sharing your faith on a daily basis?

The first key to giving your faith away every day is to be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God is at work in the lives of men, women and children all around you… and He wants to use you to help them come to know Jesus. If you are open to the Holy Spirit… and sensitive to His gentle promptings… you will walk into divine opportunities to share your faith every single day.

The second key to giving your faith away is to be obedient. Once you have felt the Lord’s gentle nudge to make that phone call… to buy that gift… or to visit that person… don’t be slow to act! Be sure to obey the Lord right away! Often the Lord will prompt you at a specific moment so you can deliver a timely word to a person who is in desperate need. For you to delay might cause you to miss that crucial moment.

The third important key to giving your faith away is to be observant. Sometimes it is possible to see that God is at work in someone’s life and that they are becoming more open to talking about Christ. So pay attention to what is happening in the lives of those around you. And take every opportunity to speak into situations where you know that people are ready and open to hearing about Jesus!

The Lord is constantly presenting you and me with opportunities to share our faith! The challenge before us—every single day—is to become more open to the Holy Spirit… more obedient to His promptings… and more observant of the opportunities around us!

Pastor Hersch

Eclipse Movie Trailers

Tupperware Specilas!!!!

Just a few awesome deals for the next 12 days. If you're local to me do not order from my website! I can save you that extra shipping charge if you place your orders through me. Sorry Angela, I didn't know you were gonna order.
:(








Also May is Tupperware's birthday so if you ever thought about having a party NOW is the time. Double hostess rewards!!! Call me 954-934-8598 with any questions!

In the next couple days I will post my reviews of the Partholon series by P.C. Cast as well as my Eclipse schedule for my Twilight Club. I've been working and now the twins are sick. Even had to cancel their birthday party today. Poor babies. But hey now everyone can come that wouldn't have been able to since it was Mother's Day today. Did I mention they were actually born on Mommy Day 11 years ago? I thank God all the time that they survived and are so healthy today!

Shelly

BREAKING DAWN !!!!

OK so I am copying this from TwilightMoms.com who so totally rock by the way! And I'm not saying that just cause I won a contest they had! :)

Breaking Dawn release date: November 18, 2011

Posted on 05. May, 2010 by Amanda31 in News

According to HitFlix, a Summit Entertainment spokesperson has confirmed that Breaking Dawn will open nationwide on Nov. 18, 2011. Still no word on if it will be one more or two. The Los Angeles Times 24 Frames blog speculates on the 17 month delay between Eclipse and Breaking Dawn:

The surprising news here is that the movie, which will likely shoot in the fall, won’t be accelerated to come out next summer (as the third film, “Eclipse,” will when it’s released in June). Instead, Summit will wait another five months to bring out “Dawn” — which means it will be nearly 18 months between the release of the third and fourth movies in the franchise, the longest layoff since “Twilight” began. (While Summit said in the announcement that it wouldn’t confirm a fifth film carved out of the latter part of the “Breaking Dawn” novel — which furthers the mythology of Bella, Edward, Jacob and everyone else you’ve either devoured or struggled to avoid lo these many months – it would be almost shocking if they didn’t do just that.)

It’s hard to know what’s motivating the 17-month lag. Talent schedules would seem to be a factor, but almost as likely, especially given the fifth-movie talk, is that the fourth and fifth films would need to be shot back-to-back — which, depending on how it’s shot and edited, could require more time.

And from the fabulous Stephenie Meyer's website:

April 28, 2010

Here is a press release from Summit Entertainment that came out today:

BILL CONDON TO DIRECT SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT'S THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN

Los Angeles, CA April 28, 2010 — Summit Entertainment has confirmed that Academy Award winner Bill Condon will direct THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN, is currently being written by Melissa Rosenberg, and will star Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt, and Stephenie Meyer will produce the project.

"Bringing Stephenie Meyer's BREAKING DAWN to the screen requires a graceful and intelligent hand and we believe Bill Condon is exactly the right steward, having shown equal and abundant talents of immense creativity and subtle sensitivity," said Erik Feig, President of Production and Acquisitions, for Summit Entertainment.

Added author Stephenie Meyer, "I'm so thrilled that Bill wants to work with us. I think he's going to be a great fit, and I'm excited to see what he does with the material."

"I'm very excited to get the chance to bring the climax of this saga to life on-screen. As fans of the series know, this is a one-of-a-kind book—and we're hoping to create an equally unique experience," said Bill Condon.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

Condon is well known for writing and directing DREAMGIRLS, KINSEY, and GODS AND MONSTERS, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1999. He was nominated for a second Oscar for his screenplay for the movie musical CHICAGO in 2003. Most recently the multi-hyphenate directed the pilot episode for the Showtime series "The Big C" and produced the 81st Annual Academy Awards telecast, hosted by Hugh Jackman.

--Seth

Kellan Lutz!!!