Book Review: Tangerine Morning

Book Synopsis: Tangerine Morning, Jezzica’s Story. Book Two of the Serenity Cove Series. Jezzica Leigh, a young widow, struggles in her relationship with Christ and with starting over. She moves to Serenity Cove and purchases the Sea Glass Bookshop on Main Street, in hopes of letting go of the past and moving forward with her life. Detective Zack Johnston, the first man her heart reacts to since her husband’s death, also represents a world that failed to bring her husband’s murderers to justice. The same criminals that now seek to harm Jezzica. Can Dr. Ellie Clarimonde help Jezzica find her way back to Christ and the freedom to love again?

Review:  I was immediately drawn into the mystery of this book. As a huge mystery fan, I love a "who dun it" and "why did they do it" book. The characters were well developed, and the mystery was exciting. I was disappointed, however, when a little more than half way through the book the mystery was solved. It took a lot of air out of the book for me.

Then I realized, Tangerine Morning is primarily a romance novel with a little mystery. Not a mystery novel with a little romance.  Armed with that knowledge, I would recommend Tangerine Morning to those who enjoy romance novels; or romance novels with a little mystery. It is a sweet romance, and an enjoyable read.

The author, Rita Garcia, is a talented writer, and created a compelling mystery within her romance, and left me wanted more...mystery! But overall, her talents overcame and I really enjoyed the book. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Does Jesus Have a Tattoo? - Interpreting the Bible

"And Jesus is going to come back riding a white horse, and with a tattoo on his thigh!"....

Jesus...with a tattoo? Chapel at my daughter's school started out simply enough. I love the Chaplin there, who is a wonderful teacher and the kids hang on her every word. But Jesus with a tattoo?  I'd never heard such a thing. I leaned in to the mom next to me, "Did you ever hear that Jesus had a tattoo before?" She hadn't.

Upon coming home I began my research, when I found the verse the Chaplin was interpreting: Revelations 19:16:

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:  king of kings and lord of lords.

When Jesus returns he will have "king of kings and lord of lords" written on his thigh. How will it be written? It could be a tattoo. If could be a mark similar to a birthmark. For all I know, it could be written in Sharpie. The fact is, it's Jesus. There are lots of ways it could be "written", but the Chaplin shared her interpretation, that the writing would be a tattoo.  And I'm not disputing that fact.

But likewise on the same verse, I could say that Jesus is going to return wearing a monogrammed robe. Because really, if your name or mine were written on our robe, it would be monogrammed, right? So I could interpret that Jesus is going to wear a monogrammed robe. But that isn't what the scripture says. It says his name will be written on it.

There are lots of ways that we can "re-word" scripture to make it more understandable to us.  But we must exhibit care not to over reach. 

Whether Jesus has a tattoo or not, I don't know. Isaiah 49:16 has been translated several ways; having our name engraved, inscribed, written and graven in God's palm. Yet, I have heard some folks interpret it to mean God has our names tattooed in his hand.

Some people are strongly against "The Message" Bible, because it is paraphrased, not a word by word or thought by thought translation. Still others will only read from the King James.

I don't know the answers. Does it matter whether Jesus or God have a tattoo? Does it matter if we read a paraphrase? Does it matter how we interpret, as long as we believe Jesus IS the king of kings, and lord or lords?  I don't know. I just pray that God leads me the way he wants me to go. And that when I get the details wrong, not from lack of trying, that he will forgive me and help me find the answers on the things that matter.

What do you think?

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Long Suffering

The first time I heard about long suffering as a fruit of the spirit was in a Bible study. Of course I was used to my NIV Bible translation: "Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Patience is hard. Like waiting in line at the grocery store when they're calling for snow. Or worse, waiting at the DMV. Or dealing with a strong willed child. And never, ever pray for patience, cause God will make you wait for something, right? Patience is a virtue.

But then someone with the King James Bible read the verse, and instead of patience, she read the word longsuffering. Longsuffing? I actually said something to the effect of, "Who would want the fruit of longsuffering? That is a terrible fruit!"

Several years later, in 2001, my best friend wrote me a letter where she shared the ways I exhibited the fruits of the Spirit. On patience, she said:

The 4th fruit is Patience - another translation is longsuffering. The definition is a person who has the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint. I have seen you in situations where this definition could have said, 'here is Kelly.' I have been amazed at your ability to 'let things go' when others hurt you. This is truly God's patience manifested in you.

From her letter I was able to look back at my relationship with my mom. A childhood and early adulthood filled with longsuffering. (Also defined as patiently enduring wrongs or difficulties; patient endurance.) While I was in that phase, I didn't realize it was longsuffering. It just seemed like life. But in hindsight, I see it for what it was. Now I am able to see other times of the fruit of longsuffering in my life, and there are several.

What I've noticed is that longsuffering without Jesus produces bitterness in people. But longsuffering with Jesus makes us hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

I may have felt broken at times, but I am stronger because of my longsuffering. 

I can't imagine ever praying for the fruit of longsuffering in my life. But I am thankful to have come through it with Jesus. While I am hopeful that my fruit of longsuffering has matured, and I don't need to go through more, I am confident that with Jesus I will not lose heart.

When you experience times of longsuffering in your life, I hope you know that Jesus is walking through it with you, and that together you are achieving eternal glory.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Book Review: A Thin Film of Lies

A Thin Film of Lies is a Christian crime novel. 

If you like suspense and crime novels, this book is a great Christian option to that genre. Still packed with the crime and action, we see a police woman who follows God, and listens to his nudge.  No, He doesn't help her solve cases, but His presence is presented true to life in His still small voice to follow Him.

Full of intrigue this is not only a  "who-done-it," it is a "why did they do it" that keeps you wondering how it will end. A fun summer read for the beach, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Summary:
The story tells of a homicide detective, Fran Anders. Fran is a dedicated, no-frills cop who takes her job seriously but with a wry sense of humor. A middle-aged, divorced, single parent with two teens, Fran hopes someday to find a great man and remarry, but she’s not holding her breath. Right now, she just wants to be a good cop and mother, and use her faith to help those she encounters in her line of work learn there’s someone “up there” who truly cares for them.

Her next case throws her into the lives of Mike and Alisa Jepson, a couple whose marriage is disintegrating fast. As leads come into the precinct for a recent murder case point at Mike Jepson, Fran watches the damage wrought on this couple, yet is unable to ignore the incriminating evidence. 

Although Fran reaches out to Alisa during her crisis of faith, she is unable to stop events from barreling toward a crash. Yet, despite the tragedies to follow, Fran sees how God has used the Jepsons’ trials and pain to bring Alisa back into His arms, with hope that Mike might follow suit.

Note: This novel is a suspense, crime fiction novel, faith-based but an intense exploration of human failings. It is spiritually uplifting but does have some gritty characters. This book would be best suited for readers who like to read mystery/suspense and like relational drama.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

The Tape

I was late. And tardiness is one of my biggest pet peeves!

The day started out well enough. I was speaking for a women's luncheon, so I was busy prepping and praying. As I began to get dressed I remembered I needed my Bible. The day before my 9 year old asked if she could read my Bible - and when your kid asks to read your Bible YOU SAY YES! But now, the next day, she didn't know where it was. So I sent her on a seek and find mission.

Soon, I enlisted the help of her sister, and finally after I was ready I joined in, but the Bible was gone. Finally, I had to leave, so I grabbed another Bible and headed out the door. However, if you are in YOUR Bible often, you know that "another Bible" is a foreign place.  You can't "feel" you way to verses, you actually have to look them up. But - I had a Bible and it was time to go.

I jumped on the interstate and started practicing my talk. About 15 minutes later I noticed an exit sign. A distressing exit sign - because it was an exit in the opposite direction of the way I was supposed to be going. In my stress over the Bible situation, and speaking in general, I had gotten on the interstate in the WRONG direction. Now, I was 15 minutes away, in the wrong direction, and I was going to be late!

Immediately the tape started. You know the one? The negative self talk tape. Maybe you have one too, it's always on standby ready to play. It starts with a true fact, "You're going to be late." But from there it turns into all fiction, "How could you be late, how stupid! You are an idiot. What kind of person gets on the interstate the wrong direction. They'll never respect you if you're late. And what makes you think they want to hear anything you have to say anyway?" and on, and on.

But this time, I hit the "stop" button. And I started to pray. I thanked God for loving me just as I am, and for sending Jesus for filling the gaps by my failures.

One of my favorite contemporary Christian praise songs is Redeemed, Savior, Friend. I love the lyric that states, "You're familiar with my weakness, devoted to the end." Jesus knows full well all my weaknesses, but he loves my anyway. He doesn't expect me to be perfect, he died because I can't be. He knows my weakness, but he is devoted to me anyway.

Next time you "mess up big" like I did, stop the tape! Don't let the recording in your mind remind you of all your faults. Instead, remember your Redeemer. He knows your weakness, and he loves you anyway.

And as for being late...I was indeed 15 minutes later than the time I wanted to be there. But still 15 minutes before the event began. Because I hate being late. :-)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

The Devil Made Me Do It

Vacation Bible School has ruined my diet.  This week, my church hosted their annual Vacation Bible School (VBS). In addition to kids, my church also holds adult VBS. The adults have a time of praise, a lesson, a drama, and of course food, lots and lots of food. Meatballs, barbecue, ham biscuits, casseroles of every kind, dips, cheeses, crackers...and that's just the meal table! Next comes the dessert table, filled with cookies, cakes and pies of every type. Yes, VBS has ruined my diet. Or did it?

Truthfully, I am the only one who controls my diet. I have the free will to choose to eat a light dinner at home before VBS, or to go through the buffet line like it's my last meal. I made the decision to "sample" 3 different desserts. VBS didn't ruin my diet. I did.

Why do we always try to blame something or someone else for our poor decisions? Whether it be a simple misdirection, mistake or full blown sin, we point the finger anywhere but to ourselves. "She gave me bad advice." "Everyone else was doing it." "He started it." Or even, "The devil made me do it!"  

No one, not even the devil can control our behavior. God gave us the free will to make our own decisions. And thankfully, he gave us Jesus to pay the price for our bad decisions. But we have to confess them, not make excuses, or point our finger the other direction. We have to repent (change our behavior). And we have to accept the forgiveness God offers through Jesus' sacrifice.

Yes, I ruined my diet this week. But next week I will make better decisions. Because, I can do all things through Christ...when I chose to. And when I don't, I only have myself to blame.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Counting the Costs

Last September I joined Weight Watchers. I counted points with great dedication, and by November I'd lost 15 lbs. In January, by keeping the weight off I achieved "Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers."  And by staying within 2 pounds of my target weight, I've maintained that goal.

Fast forward ahead to May. I became complacent in my weight management system. I stopped counted points, and estimated in my head. Suddenly it was the last day of May and I had to weigh in. And there it was. 

.04 lbs over my 2 lb weight gain limit. But then the weight counselor said, "I'm not going to charge you. Just get it back down by next month's weigh in."  I couldn't believe it! She gave me grace, even though I'd stopped counting points.

But now it is up to me to get back to counting, and back to my goal, for this month there will be no more grace.

Most people don't set out to sin. No, initially as Christians we are vigilant in our plan to follow Jesus. But at some point we become complacent, and we stop counting the costs. We slip into sin, accidentally.  Suddenly we find ourselves weighed down. Thankfully, Jesus too offers grace! He forgives our missteps and slips into sin. When sin increases, grace increases all the more. But does that mean we should keep on sinning?

As the Apostle Paul states, "By no means!" We are dead to sin, and need to live a life of righteousness.

So I'm back to counting points, trying hard to stay on track so that when I weigh in this month I reach my goal. And in the same way, I'll keep counting myself dead to sin but alive in Jesus. Because following Jesus is what counts, most of all!

 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Romans 6:11,12

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com