Reflecting on Lent in Italy at the Aversa Cathedral

Aversa Cathedral
The exterior of the Aversa Cathedral.

“Art used to be made in the name of faith. We made cathedrals, we made stained-glass windows, we made murals.” – Julia Cameron

It was Lent when we visited Italy.

Perusing through my travel journal on the anniversary of our trip, I realized I hadn’t written about the beautiful cathedral we toured. So, I am sharing these photos during Holy Week. Not only do they remind me of our travels, but seeing, breathing and touching some of the history of Christianity has helped me in my own spiritual journey.

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To Sharon, with love, on World Down Syndrome Day #WDSD18

World Down Syndrome Day
The crazy socks I bought my daughter, and what I believe are her aunt’s baby booties.

Sharon, if I had some crazy socks, I’d wear them. I promise you, I’ll find some to silly socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

Back in 1970, when my youngest sister was born, the term used to describe her condition was “retarded.” I still bristle when I hear that word. My ten-year-old self was horrified to think people would call my sister – or anyone else – that.

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The Day After

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“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” – Fred Rogers

It’s hard to believe that yesterday at this time, sleet, rain and snow flurries were taking turns smacking against the windows. It was gray, cold and dreary – a typical November day in our area of the world. Twenty-four hours later, the sun is streaming through the windows of a pretty late-fall day, and as I had let the dog back in the house, I could hear the comforting bells chiming at the church a block away.

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Miracle At the Higher Grounds Cafe Review

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Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book to review by Family Christian.  All opinions are my own.

Two of my indulgences: good coffee and good books. I absolutely love a great cup of coffee, especially when I am reading. So I was really excited to get a copy of Max Lucado’s “Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café” to read and review. I was curious how one of my favorite authors would be able to work coffee into a Christian fiction book, but he certainly did.

I couldn’t put the book down. It was that good.

At the time, I was on bed rest for a back injury. It took me a while to find a comfortable spot where the excruciating pain would subside enough for me to hold the book. But I did – yay, me! Then I opened the book and began to read. It was almost a good thing I had the injury, because if I needed to go to work or be productive, it was not going to happen until I finished the book – which took me less than two days.

The story begins with Chelsea Chambers heading back home to Texas with her two children. She had separated from her NFL football–star husband, and had a long road ahead of her as she took over her mother’s coffee shop. Mourning the loss of her mother and marriage, Chelsea dives into her new place in life, making cupcakes and lattes and struggling to balance it all, including a large IRS payment.

Max Lucado brilliantly takes the struggles most people face in their lives – joblessness, marital strife, parenting pressures, debt, family issues, loss and more – and weaves it into this story. Just as Chelsea is about to give up hope, she hires a clumsy guy who really has her back – and he helps her run the coffee shop  and provides moral and spiritual support. He also gives the go-ahead to an Internet company who installs a free-trial Wi-Fi service that brings customers into the Higher Grounds Café in record numbers. This divine Internet connection is a direct line to God, and everyone who logs on to this connection gets the chance to ask Him one question, which He answers. Needless to say, business is booming, with lines out the door from start until close, until the night the modem is stolen.  Once again, Chelsea is faced with the worry and stress of the business failing, in addition to the pressures of single parenting, dealing with family issues and trying to decide what she will do at this point in her life in regards to her marriage and career.

I think anyone who reads this book will feel the anxiety and stress of the main character, and can easily put themselves in her shoes. She feels completely alone in her battles. But once she types in her question to God and has her “a-ha” moment, she can see that she never was alone – that God was beside her the whole time.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book, it is available at Family Christian stores as well as their online store. If you read this book – or have already read it, please share your comments in the section below. Happy reading!

© Lynne Cobb – 2015

A Warrior’s Faith Book Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I was given an advance reader’s copy of this book to review by Family Christian.  All opinions are my own.wpid-2015-03-25-16.34.39.jpg.jpeg

Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours. – Wallace Bruce

It was with great interest I read “A Warrior’s Faith,” written by Robert Vera, who tells the story of Navy SEAL, Ryan Job.

Ryan was not your typical Navy SEAL. He was physically bigger than most, and put through the ringer from his trainers and teammates. Each rigorous test he encountered and passed was a credit to the true spirit he had deep inside – the desire to succeed and the desire to serve his country. In June of 2005, he completed his Naval Special Warfare Training, and was assigned to SEAL Team 3.

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Before Amen – A book review

before amen“If attention deficit disorder applies to prayer, I am afflicted.” Max Lucado – Before Amen

What an honor to review Before Amen, a book by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado.

One of the reasons I have always enjoyed Max Lucado’s books and devotionals is because he has a talent for writing the most profound messages in such an easy-to-comprehend way. He begins this book by announcing that he is a recovering prayer wimp, and admits that has dozed off while praying. He also admits that his thoughts zig, then zag, then zig again.

Though describing himself, he is also describing me. Continue reading “Before Amen – A book review”

Why It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas

Christmas tree

The decorations are up. The baking is done. Candy dishes are filled. Presents are wrapped. It is the eve of the holiday, and yet, all I hear is, “It doesn’t feel like Christmas.”

In our area of the country, there is no snow. Yet. We have a 50-50 chance that we may have a white Christmas if this depressing rain turns to snow. Is that why it doesn’t feel like Christmas? I have lived in places that it never snows, so I don’t think the icy white stuff has anything to do with the feeling.

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What is the ultimate sacrifice?

When thinking of our military, the statement “ultimate sacrifice” conjures up thoughts of dying in the line of fire.

For those of us not wearing the uniform, that truly does seem to be the ultimate sacrifice.

As a military wife and mother, “ultimate sacrifice” sends a blood-curdling chill down my spine.

Just this past week, my husband’s unit suffered an ultimate sacrifice, but it was not what anyone would have suspected.  Continue reading “What is the ultimate sacrifice?”

How Mother’s Intuition has deepened our bond

wpid-IMG_20130711_132239.jpg“Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way.” – Florence Scovel Shinn

I believe God has blessed mothers with a very special gift. Do a Google search for “Mother’s Intuition,” and you could spend days reading about this phenomenon. As Mother’s Day approaches, I got to thinking of my own experiences with Mother’s Intuition.

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Because you pray

wpid-2014-05-04-12.14.26.jpg.jpeg16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

My sister-in-law and I have a code. Since we communicate these days mostly by texting, we know that if we get a text that reads, “Got a minute to chat?” then it is time to talk  – whether on the phone or in person.

She was my one of my “battle buddies” while my husband was on an unaccompanied tour, and then a few months later, when he and our oldest son were deployed at the same time.  She has listened to me rant and rave like a crazy woman and has seen me at my absolute worse – mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

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