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A Review for the book "Decision to Love" Sacred Vows, book 3 by Michelle Sutton

Book Review for Christian Women's group called the "Review Crew." at  Christian Women Affiliate!

Love is a decision, or is it merely an emotion?

Eight years after Tony and Hope’s affair ended, new problems arise. Jimmy has gone off to college, but returns home with a startling revelation that devastates his father and causes his final heart attack. Now Hope is grieving the loss of both her husband and their son. She tries to make sense of everything, and in the end she decides to love her son through the grief. More than that, she makes the decision to love whoever her son chooses to love, whether she agrees with his choices or not.Tony’s life has its own disaster tearing through it. First, he is accused of killing his ex-wife, but he is soon released once the authorities realize he had nothing to do with it. The tragedy with his ex led to some major changes in his life, however, and some soul-searching that ultimately turns Tony’s life around. While he is still adjusting to his new perspective on life, his long-lost daughter Nina contacts him and has some secrets of her own. He is overjoyed to be reunited with his daughter, but with their relationship comes an entirely new set of challenges.Jimmy is confused about his faith, his life, and ultimately, whom he should love. After some severe trials knock him off what he thought was the right course for his life, he makes the decision to love himself enough not to be used by someone again. But will his decision protect him in the end?

 About the Author: Michelle Sutton is a social worker (and now supervisor) who has been writing romantic fiction with an inspirational message for over nine years. Southeastern Arizona is where Michelle calls home. She loves being surrounded by mountains and fresh air, which inspires many of her novels. She and her husband are approaching twenty-two years of marriage and their two sons will begin their third year of college in August. She is the author of well over a dozen novels in print and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, as well as an avid book reviewer and blogger on a variety of sites. She founded Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers social networking site which has nearly 1200 members. Crafting new stories and reading/reviewing great books is her idea of a fun time.








I had a very difficult time reading this novel. I might not have signed up to read it if I had realized that it was such a hard read for me.  When it comes right down to it I believe the writer could have written it somewhat less visual to a lifestyle that is not acceptable in the eyes of God. Then we as Christians know that we serve a forgiving God of Love.  If someone is aware of the sins in their lives and seeks Gods forgiveness he is just in forgiving when we are willing to change our ways.
I was not able to read past the homosexual theme in  this book.
Now, if this is your type of book to read I guess it is the reason the writer has written it. As for me, I could not let myself read all of it. This book can not be listed as  "family friendly" in my house. Especially in my Christian family.

You can find out more about Michelle Sutton and her books at this link.

http://cwareviewcrew.com/decision-to-love-by-michelle-sutton/

*I received this book free from Michelle Sutton through Christian Women Affiliates. All opinions stated are mine and were in no way influenced.*

 I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of   

Creamy filling that is just like pumpkin pie with a crunchy topping like a cobbler? 1 full size yellow cake mix 1 small yellow cake mix (like jiffy) 1 1/2 cups softened butter, divided 4 large eggs 1 15-ounce can of 100% pure pumpkin (not pie filling) 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1 can evaporated milk 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon real vanilla 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 cup chopped pecans (if you like) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Remove 1 cup of the cake mix from the box, and set aside. In a large bowl, beat remaining cake mix, 1/2 cup of the butter, and 1 egg. Evenly press into the prepared pan. In the same bowl, beat the pumpkin, the 3 remaining eggs, all the sugar, the can of evaporated milk, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Pour mixture over crust. Mix the 1 c of cake mix left with the other box of cake mix. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over batter in the pan; drizzle the other cup of melted butter evenly over the top then sprinkle with pecans. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool for 30 minutes,cut into squares, and top with sweetened whipped cream if desired.

Calhoun Baptist Church News

Calhoun Baptist Church News Rev. David Van Bebber, Pastor: The Third Sunday of Advent Sister Shonda Self and her children, Abby and Trent brought the Advent Message at the wonderful Christmas Program in the evening. It was an evening of worship of singing Christmas Carols and reminding each one of us the reason for the Holiday Season that we call Christmas! The story of how Jesus come into the world is as awesome to most of us as it was when we first learned it as a small child. There were several folks who took part in the Christmas Program making it a most enjoyable evening in the Lord! Brother David’s reading of the Word was in John Ch 9: Verses 28-38. His sermon was about Spiritual Blindness. Before we believed upon the Son of God we were spiritually blind. Now that we are His and believe in Him, we were once blind, but now we see. God has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives. At any point in time we must be prepared to speak for God and His son Jesus. The Word became Flesh and lived among us! PRAYER CONCERNS: The Family of Allene Stover~ Chad Price~ Anna Myrtle Hansen~ Renee Brooks~ Charles Brown~ Lorine Henzlik~ Cathy Jo Sellars ~ Allene ~Becki Schildnecht ~ Daryl Fallin ~ Lucy Greer~ June Berry~ Also Pray for the Men and Women in Service of our Country ~ Dec. 23rd.4th. Sunday of Advent~ Dec 24th.Candle Light Services 6 PM Dec. 30th. Singapiration @ Mt. Olivet Baptist Church @ 7 PM Sunday School 10:00- There is a class for all ages~ Worship Services @ 11 AM Bible Study and Prayer Sunday Evening @ 6 PM Wednesday Nights @ 7 PM Youth Group, RA’S & GA’S We are located 3 blocks off 52 on Highway V Our Website: calhounbaptist.org

The Story of the Christmas Guest: by Helen Steiner Rice

The Story of the Christmas Guest by Helen Steiner Rice It happened one day at December's end Some neighbors called on an old-time friend. And they found his shop so meager and mean, Made gay with a thousand boughs of green. And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine. When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine. And he said "My friends at dawn today, When the cock was crowing the night away, The Lord appeared in a dream to me. And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be" So I've been busy with feet astir, Strewing my shop with branches of fir. The table is spread and the kettle is shined, And over the rafters the holly is twined. And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear; And listen closely so I will hear, His steps as he nears my humble place. And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face." Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone, For this was the happiest day he had known. For long since his family had passed away. And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day. But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest, This Christmas would be the dearest and best. So he listened with only joy in his heart, And with every sound he would rise with a start, And looked for the Lord to be at his door. Like the vision that he had had a few hours before. So he ran to the window after hearing a sound, But all he could see on the snow covered ground Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn. And all his clothes were ragged and worn. But old Conrad was touched and he went to the door And he said, "Your feet must be cold and sore. I have some shoes in my shop for you. And I have a coat to keep you warmer, too." So with grateful heart the man went away. But Conrad notice the time of day And he wondered what made the dear Lord so late, And how much longer he'd have to wait. Then he heard another knock, and he ran to the door, But it was only a stranger once more. A bent old lady with a shawl of black, And a bundle of kindling piled on her back. But she asked only for a place to rest, a place that was reserved, for Conrad's great guest. But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away, Let me rest for awhile this Christmas Day." So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup And told her to sit at the table and sup. After she had left, he was filled with dismay For he saw that the hours were slipping away The Lord had not come as He said He would And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood. When out of the stillness he heard a cry. "Please help, me and tell me - Where am I?" So again he opened his friendly door. And stood disappointed as twice before. It was a child who had wandered away, And was lost from her family on Christmas Day. Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad, But he knew he could make this little girl glad. So he called her in and he wiped her tears, And he quieted all her childish fears. Then he led her back to her home once more. Then as he entered his own darkened door, He knew that the Lord was not coming today, For the hours of Christmas, had all passed away. So he went to his room, and he knelt down to pray. He said, "Lord, why did you delay? What kept You from coming to call on me? I wanted so much Your face to see." Then softly, in the silence, a voice he heard. "Lift up your head - I have kept My word. Three times my shadow crossed your floor. Three times I came to your lowly door. I was the beggar with bruised cold feet; I was the woman you gave something to eat; I was the child on the homeless street. Three times I knocked, three times I came in, And each time I found the warmth of a friend. Of all the gifts, love is the best. I was honored to be your Christmas guest.

Calhoun Baptist Church News December 9, 2012

Calhoun Baptist Church News December 9, 2012~ Rev. David Van Bebber, Pastor:

Rev. David Van Bebber, Pastor: This Second Sunday of Advent Brother Terry and Sister Mary Barrow and their children Victoria and Curtis lighted the Candles of Advent and read the Scriptures and ended with Prayer. “As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God Who comes among us to make divine judgement manifest. When asked who he was, John spoke in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” Brother David continues his sermons from the book of John. The Word became Flesh and lived among us! PRAYER CONCERNS: The Family of Charles “Pete” Hansen ~ Anna Myrtle Hansen~ The Family of Paul Mckinney~ Renee Brooks~ Charles Brown~ Lorine Henzlik~ Cathy Jo Sellars ~ Allene Stover ~Becki Schildnecht ~ Daryl Fallin ~ Jackie Caldwell ~ Lucy Greer~ Pray for the Men and Women in Service of our Country ~ Dec. 16th. 3rd. Sunday of Advent AM Services Dec. 16th.Christmas Program 6 PM Dec. 23rd.4th. Sunday of Advent~ Dec 24th.Candle Light Services 6 PM Sunday School 10:00- There is a class for all ages~ Worship Services @ 11 AM Bible Study and Prayer Sunday Evening @ 6PM Wednesday Nights @ 7 PM Youth Group, RA’S & GA’S We are located 3 blocks off 52 on Highway V Our Website: calhounbaptist.org

Food for Thought: If you're too busy dwelling on the past or thinking about the future, you won't be able to fully notice how fantastic things are right now. Like the old saying goes "Past is History, Future is a Mystery and Today is a Gift and hence it is called the Present". Enjoy today, this moment and don't postpone your enjoyment.