Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Sept. 30, 1945: US Marines land at Tientsin, China. US ends War Savings Time (year-round Daylight Savings Time).

Movies and Memories Giveaway!

I'm so excited to present The Movies and Memories Giveaway to celebrate the release of book 2 in the Wings of Glory series. A Memory Between Us is available for purchase wherever fine books are sold. From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.




To celebrate, I'm giving one lucky winner A Movie and Memory Prize Package! One grand prize winner will receive:

* Make-your-own-photo book from Mypublisher.com (Capture your own Memories)

* Netflix Subscription (New or Nostalgic Movies delivered right to your house)

* Starbucks gift card (To keep your engine revvin’)

*Gourmet chocolate (A favorite in the 1940’s and now)

* British specialty teas in carved wooden box (Timeless tradition)

* Miniature model of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber & C-47 cargo plane (Everyone needs a few toy planes)

*Big Band music CD (Break out your dancing shoes)

* WWII authentic poster playing cards (Cards – a perfect game for two)

* Keep Calm and Carry On (Uplifting sayings from WWII, a boost for troubled times)

To enter simple click on the icons below (contest runs 9/27 - 10/17!)

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Sept. 29, 1945: British land in Java to combat nationalists.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 28, 1940: British begin evacuating mothers and children from London (489,000 evacuated by Oct. 17).

Lessons from the 1940s - Letting Go

All right, so this is a World War I poster, not World War II, but the message struck me this week. The mother presents her son to Uncle Sam: "Here he is, Sir." Uncle Sam replies, "We need him and you too!"

Forgive me for being sentimental, but this past week my husband and I moved our oldest son into the dorms for his freshman year of college. This is what we raised him for - to become a productive and upstanding member of society. This is what's best for him - to become independent and to fully grow up.

But it requires letting go. It means I don't see his smile and hear his voice every day. It means his peaceful and helpful presence is missing in our home. It means we look for a table for four at a restaurant rather than a table for five.

The entire process of raising a child is one long sequence of letting go. From that first painful push into light and air when we say, "Now you have to breathe on your own and speak up and tell me when you're hungry," we let go and move them toward independence. We teach them to feed themselves and dress themselves and read for themselves. We teach them how to go potty alone and cross a street alone and drive alone. We celebrate each success and grieve a little at what we've lost - the nursing baby, nighttime rituals of storybooks and songs, a chubby little hand in ours.

My son left for college, not war. My sacrifice is minor compared to the sacrifices the mothers of soldiers, sailors, and airmen make. But I can learn from these wartime mothers. I present my son to the world. The world needs his talent and intelligence and kind heart. May he always serve the Lord, and may he contribute well to society.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 27, 1940: Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 27, 1945: US Air Transport Command begins “Sunset Project”: return of planes, crews, & passengers from Pacific.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Sept. 26, 1945: Japanese forces on Andaman Islands surrender.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 25, 1940: Quisling government (Nazi controlled) officially formed in Norway.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 25, 1945: Nazi party and German armed forces declared illegal.

The Things We Do for Love

Two years ago we bought a yellow Labrador retriever puppy named Daisy. She had big brown eyes, soft floppy ears, and a little waggy tail, and we fell hopelessly in love with her. Because we loved her, we got her a crate to sleep in (which she gnawed on), her own little bed (which she shredded), and a squeaky rubber chicken (which she ate). Our house was littered with chew toys, balls, and rawhide treats in various states of destruction.

That summer the pet store sold wading pools for dogs. I told my husband that was the silliest thing I’d ever seen. So he bought one. She was a lab, he said, and she should get used to the water.

Uh huh.

Well, Daisy loved it! All summer, she splashed and frolicked and snapped at the water. In the fall, she chewed the pool to pieces.

Love can make you do crazy things. In the case of King Solomon of Israel, love led him to do far crazier things than buying wading pools for puppies. His love of power led him to take foreign wives in defiance of God’s law. His love of pleasure led him to take 700 wives and 300 concubines, far more than God allowed for a king. His love for these women led him to build altars to their false gods. Before long, Solomon worshipped those false gods.

The wisest man to ever live turned from the Lord, the only source of wisdom, and made foolish choices.

How can we avoid foolish choices? The way God told us to—seeking His wisdom. In Solomon’s own words, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

If only I could find a verse about puppies…

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 24, 1940: Vichy France launches air raids on British Gibraltar.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 23, 1940: Free French and British fail to seize Dakar in French West Africa from Vichy forces. Design for the jeep submitted to the US Army.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 23, 1945: US Marines land at Nagasaki, Japan.

Book Spotlight - The Unfinished Gift and The Homecoming

I don't normally post book reviews on my blog, but I thought it would be fun to occasionally point to other World War II books on the market you might be interested in.

What better place to start than with Dan Walsh's books, The Unfinished Gift (Revell, 2009) and The Homecoming (Revell, 2010). Just this weekend Dan Walsh won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award for outstanding debut novelist, and The Unfinished Gift won the Carol Award for best short historical.

I hesitated to read The Unfinished Gift. After too much research into World War II, historical errors jump out at me and pull me from the story. Well, I didn't find any in Dan Walsh's books - he has a nice way of including just the right amount of period details and historical backdrop, which freed me to enjoy the story, the characters, and the writing.

Patrick Collins is a little boy who has lost his mother at Christmastime while his father is away at war. He gets taken in by his estranged grandfather, Ian Collins, who wants nothing to do with the boy. Patrick is sweet and well-behaved, but never "precious" - he makes normal, child-like errors in reasoning, which keep him real. Ian is wonderfully crotchety. I enjoyed watching these two find each other through the course of the story.

The Homecoming is the sequel, in which Patrick's father, Shawn, comes home with a thrilling war story (involving B-17s!) and is sent on a bond tour. A sweet and reluctant romance develops between Shawn and Katherine Townsend, the social worker who watches over Patrick. Both books stand alone, but you'll want to read both to see these four characters grow and interact.

These are heartwarming books but never simplistic or sappy. I thoroughly enjoyed both and hope you do too!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 22, 1940: Vichy French allow Japanese to occupy air bases & harbors in Indo-China.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 22, 1945: US Marines land at Sasebo in western Japan.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 21, 1940: Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies wins re-election.

Lessons from the 1940s - Teamwork

The brave pilot risking his life for the sake of his country. The soldier and sailor and Marine in combat. These are the people we think about when we think of World War II. Their stories are told in movies and documentaries and books - including mine.

But this poster recognizes the truth - teamwork won the war. Even in the armed forces, few men saw combat. In the U.S. Eighth Air Force based in England, ten men served in noncombat positions for every man in the air. And while 11 million men and women served in the U.S. military, the population of the United States in 1940 was 132 million, and almost every man, woman, and child on the Home Front was involved in the war effort.

Men and women worked in factories, manufacturing the ammunition, weapons, planes, ships, and vehicles needed by the Army and Navy. They worked on the farms, producing enough food for civilians and military at home and abroad. Adults and children volunteered, collecting scrap, preparing surgical dressings, and helping in hospitals. Most people put large portions of their earnings into War Bonds to finance the heavy needs of total war.

This concept plays out today in corporations, businesses, and churches. Most organizations have their "fighter pilots," the upfront person who draws attention - the founder, the CEO, the pastor, the celebrity, the idea man/woman. But no organization could function on the fighter pilot alone. The wise pilot knows this, shows gratitude, and recognizes the help he receives. "You buy 'em, we'll fly 'em!"

Likewise, every organization has "noncombat personnel" and "civilians buying War Stamps." As in World War II, we should take pride in our contributions, even if they seem boring or insignificant, and recognize the part our roles play in the whole. I used to work in the church nursery, and no one was allowed to say, "I just hold babies." No, we introduced babies to the love of God and the love of the church, and we allowed stressed-out young parents to grow spiritually.

No job is too small, and no job is the most important.

How do you see this concept in your world?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 20, 1940: Germany first tries wolf-pack tactics in the Battle of the Atlantic (not fully implemented yet).
65 Years Ago—Sept. 20, 1945: British and US warships anchor at Shanghai, China.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Sept. 19, 1945: “Lord Haw Haw”—William Joyce sentenced to death for treason (he will be executed in January, 1946). British and French suppress Vietnamese nationalist insurgents in Saigon.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 18, 1940: Italian offensive halts near Sidi Barrani, Egypt for 3 months due to supply difficulties.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 18, 1945: Henry L. Stimson resigns as US Secretary of War, replaced by RB Patterson.

Book Club Beat - Bibliovore Reading List

Seven years of good reading, great friends, and fun! In 2003, two of my friends started a book club. I jumped at the idea and invited my book-reading friends itching for an "excuse" to read. This past month, we decided on a name for our club - the Bibliovores, because we devour books. The membership has changed, but the friendships have remained. In honor of our new name, I'm posting a list of the books we've read in the past seven years. Maybe you'll find a new favorite.

Deception - Randy Alcorn
Deadline - Randy Alcorn
Safely Home - Randy Alcorn
God’s Smuggler - Brother Andrew
The Sister Circle -Vonette Bright
Shadows of Lancaster County - Mindy Starns Clark
The Centurion’s Wife - Davis Bunn & Janette Oke
The Great Divide - T. Davis Bunn
Bad Ground - W. Dale Cramer
Blessed Child - Ted Dekker
Blink - Ted Dekker
Watching the Tree Limbs - Mary DeMuth
River Rising - Athol Dickson
Jamaican Me Crazy - Debbie DiGiovanni
Ella Minnow Pea - Mark Dunn
Peace Like a River - Leif Enger
Daughter of China - C. Hope Flinchbaugh
To End All Wars - Ernest Gordon
Sister Chicks do the Hula - Robin Jones Gunn
My Life as a Doormat - Rene Gutteridge
The Perfect Life - Robin Lee Hatcher
After Anne - Roxanne Henke
A Shred of Evidence - Kathy Herman
Thorn In My Heart - Liz Curtis Higgs
Hurricanes in Paradise - Denise Hildreth
Savannah by the Sea - Denise Hildreth
Savannah Comes Undone - Denise Hildreth
Savannah from Savannah - Denise Hildreth
Like a Watered Garden - Patti Hill
Magdalene - Angela Hunt
Yada Yada Prayer Group - Neta Jackson
Riven - Jerry Jenkins
Beyond Tuesday Morning - Karen Kingsbury
Bryson City Tales - Walt Larimore, MD
Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
In the Footsteps of Jesus - Bruce Marciano
Chasing Fireflies - Charles Martin
Wrapped in Rain - Charles Martin
Blue Heart Blessed - Susan Meissner
The Shape of Mercy - Susan Meissner
The Penny - Joyce Meyer
At the Scent of Water - Linda Nichols
In Search of Eden - Linda Nichols
Home Another Way - Christa Parrish
The Legend of the Firefish - George Bryan Polivka
Her Mother’s Hope - Francine Rivers
The Last Sin Eater - Francine Rivers
Leota’s Garden - Francine Rivers
The Scarlet Thread - Francine Rivers
A Voice in the Wind - Francine Rivers
Healing Sands - Nancy Rue & Steve Arterburn
Healing Stones - Nancy Rue & Steve Arterburn
Quaker Summer - Lisa Samson
Women’s Intuition - Lisa Samson
A Distant Melody - Sarah Sundin
Hadassah - Tommy Tenney
Some Wildflower in My Heart - Jamie Langston Turner
Me, Myself, and Bob - Phil Vischer
Jimmy - Robert Whitlow
Sophie's Heart - Lori Wick
Rain Song - Alice J. Wisler

If you'd like to join or start a book club, I strongly recommend the Book Club Network (http://www.bookfun.org) an online gathering of Christian book club members, book club leaders, and authors. Some great discussions take place there.

Also, I'm still looking for book clubs who would be interested in participating in Book Club Beat - I send you a short questionnaire about the book you read and post it here - I can even post a group picture if you'd like. For a sample, see my writeup of the Bibliovore's discussion of Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler - http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2010/08/book-club-beat-rain-song-by-alice.html

What do you think makes a good "book club book"?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 17, 1940: RAF and Royal Navy sink 12% of German invasion fleet (21 transports, 214 barges), and Hitler postpones the invasion of England “Seelöwe” indefinitely.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 17, 1945: Forty-five Nazi SS officers go on trial at Lüneburg for crimes at Auschwitz and Belsen.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 16, 1940: President Roosevelt signs the Selective Service Training and Service Act: men aged 20-36 required to register for the draft. First flight of Lockheed P-38 Lightning.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 16, 1945: Japanese forces in Hong Kong surrender.

Lessons from the 1940s - No Complaints

They waded ashore in chest-deep water in Algeria and took shelter behind sand dunes. Snipers and strafing fighter planes aimed for them. They ate cold K-rations and dug slit trenches and dealt with fleas, mosquitoes, lice, and flies. And they were women.

Lately I've been researching nursing in the Mediterranean Theater (North Africa, Sicily, and Italy) in World War II, and I've been struck by the conditions these young women worked in.

They had a difficult job to begin with. Work schedules varied, usually on the order of twelve hours a day, six days a week - but in crisis times, they worked far more. They took care of the wounded and watched healthy, promising young men die. Their tent hospitals were often bombed - sometimes by accident, sometimes when conditions forced them to set up close to military targets, and sometimes by intent.

Sleep, when it came, was in a crowded tent with a slit trench down the middle - both for protection during attack and for drainage of rainwater. The women dealt with mud so thick it pulled their combat boots off. To prevent malaria, they took Atabrine which turned their skin yellow. Supplies were often short, and the women improvised with available materials. They washed their underthings in their helmets.

This was no day at the spa.

Did they complain? I'm sure they did, but what I've read recounts girls giggling in their slit trenches, working together with purpose, and bearing up astoundingly well. During the Anzio campaign in early 1944, when the hospitals were attacked almost every day and several nurses were killed, the commanders considered evacuating the nurses. The women refused. They had work to do and they could handle it.

I'm writing this in my nice clean office wearing nice clean clothes with a nice clean meal in my tummy. No mud. No bugs. No enemy attack. How often do I complain?

We have a complaining culture. We have the best living conditions of any civilization in the history of mankind - and we complain. I know I can learn a lot from the nurses of World War II.

How about you?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 15, 1940: Battle of Britain Day: RAF deters major attack on London and downs 56 German planes.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 15, 1945: US Fifteenth Air Force, which flew strategic bombing missions from Italy to Nazi-occupied Europe, is inactivated.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 14, 1940: RAF and Royal Navy destroy 200 German barges loading for invasion of England at ports in France and Low Countries.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 14, 1945: Japanese forces at Celebes and on Nauru and Ocean Islands surrender.

A Friend in the Storm - Giveaway winner!

Thank you for visiting with me for my "Through the Storm" posts over the last three weeks. I drew a random number, and the winner of Cheryl Ricker's lovely gift book A Friend in the Storm is Laura! Laura, I know where you live :) I'll get the book to you soon.

If you missed the earlier posts, here are the links:

Through the Storm, Part 1: http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2010/08/friend-in-storm-part-1-and-giveaway.html

Part 2: http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2010/09/friend-in-storm-part-2-and-giveaway.html

Part 3: http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2010/09/friend-in-storm-part-3-and-giveaway.html

Please remember, whatever life throws at you, God truly is a friend in your storm. Lean on Him.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 13, 1940: Italians invade British-occupied Egypt from Libya, aiming for the Suez Canal. Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighter plane first flies, over China.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 13, 1945: Remaining Japanese forces in New Guinea surrender at Wewak.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 12, 1940: Nazis confine 500,000 Jews in the Warsaw ghetto. French schoolboys discover cave drawings in Lascaux Cave.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 12, 1945: In Singapore, Japanese forces in Southeast Asia officially surrender.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Sept. 11, 1945: Former Japanese Prime Minister Tojo attempts suicide to avoid war crimes trial, but fails.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 10, 1940: In London bombing raid, Luftwaffe accidentally bombs Chelsea, Victoria Station, and Buckingham Palace.

Caught in the Middle

Ever been caught in the middle? Ever felt you had no solution for your problem? Ever been in danger because of someone else’s bad decision?

In 1 Samuel 25, Abigail faced this situation. Her husband, Nabal, denied a reasonable request from David, showing a lack of gratitude for David’s protection—and insulting David to boot! She learned David planned to kill every male in Nabal’s household. She was caught in the middle.

Abigail could have notified Nabal, let him arm himself, and let the bloodbath play out. She could have sneaked off to save herself and let Nabal be killed—he was a mean and foolish man after all. However, she looked to God for wisdom.

At great danger—from both Nabal and David—Abigail took large quantities of food to David and his men. She fell on her face before him, acknowledged Nabal’s actions as foolish and wrong, and presented her gift. God’s wisdom shone in her words—she recognized David as God’s anointed who would be king of Israel, and hoped he wouldn’t be burdened by the shame of needless bloodshed and vengeance.

David’s reaction? He praised God. He knew the Lord sent Abigail to keep him from a stupid mistake. Abigail’s decision to follow the Lord was well rewarded.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

If you'd like to read a fictionalized account of Abigail's life - very well researched and nicely written - I highly recommend Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith, Book 2 in the Wives of King David series. The first book, Michal, is just as lovely, and I can't wait for the third book...Bathsheba.

How do you find inspiration from Abigail's story?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 9, 1940: RAF bombs Berlin, in first of 57 nights of bombing. Communist agitators “invade” Savoy Hotel in London.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 9, 1945: One million Japanese forces in China, Formosa, and North Vietnam surrender at Nanking. Canada reintroduces meat rationing to allow exports to Europe.

A Friend in the Storm - Part 3 - and Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of my friend Cheryl Ricker's new gift book, A Friend in the Storm, I'm posting a three-part series of devotions I wrote called "Through the Storm."

Leave a comment on any of the posts, and I'll enter your name in a drawing to win a copy of this lovely little book. A Friend in the Storm combines uplifting quotes, Bible verses, tasteful illustrations, and Cheryl's beautiful poetry to comfort someone going through hard times and point them to the best Friend ever.

Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll draw a winner on Monday, September 13.

Through the Storm, Part 3

Storms in life are inevitable. They pound you, wear you down, toss you around, and threaten to drown you. The apostle Paul faced many life storms before facing a literal storm at sea in Acts 27. Paul's experience offers more than a thrilling sea adventure - it offers practical principles for dealing with the storms of life.

7) Take care of yourself

As the storm raged, Paul told his shipmates, "'I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive'" (Acts 27:34). In crisis times, it's easy to neglect our physical need for proper nutrition and rest - but this is when you need food and rest most of all. If friends offer to brings meals, let them! And don't forget the importance of your daily allowance of chocolate. This is vital.

8) Give thanks

"[Paul] took some bread and gave thanks to God" (Acts 27:35). This may be the most difficult instruction of all, but focusing on God's blessings in the fury of the storm reminds you of His power, His love, and His provision.

9) Know there is a purpose

Paul wanted to take the gospel to Rome. The storm and shipwreck stranded him in Malta for three months - not his plan. In Acts 28, Paul healed many sick people on Malta, and history tells us a strong church formed on that island. This happened only because of a horrendous storm and shipwreck. Have faith that your storm will also serve a purpose, perhaps known only to the Lord, but a purpose that brings glory to His name.

Paul said, "'So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me'" (Acts 27:25).

Thank you for joining me for this series! Once again, please leave a comment with your email address, and I'll enter your name in a drawing for Cheryl's book on Sept. 13.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Sept. 8, 1945: US Cavalry enters Tokyo at 0800; Gen. Douglas MacArthur raises US flag over US embassy.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 7, 1940: London Blitz begins: Luftwaffe bombs London, kills 448, damages docks, razes East End in the first of 57 consecutive night raids; “invasion imminent” alarm is sounded—church bells are rung, bridges are blown, and mines are laid.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 7, 1945: Allied victory parade in Berlin.

Lessons from the 1940s - Labor Counts

On Labor Day I thought it was appropriate to honor the vital role of production in the Allied victory in World War II.

The United States was well situated to become the "Arsenal of Democracy." Other than a few random bombings from Japanese submarine-based planes and shellings from submarines, America was free from damage. The factories and shipyards functioned free from danger. The US also had a large industrial infrastructure with Yankee flexibility. Assembly lines for civilian cars and washing machines were reconfigured to crank out jeeps and tanks. Women stepped forward to work in the factories, with 16 million women in the workforce by 1943.

Work days were lengthened and manufacturing wages rose, from an average of $25 per week in 1940 to $45.70 in 1944, while civilian prices and rents were frozen.

American industry and workers stepped up production so that by 1944, real economic output had increased 150%. By 1942, the United States produced more arms than all the Axis countries combined. As a result, America was able to keep itself and the rest of the Allies well supplied.

Dark spots existed. Despite taking a "no-strike pledge" after Pearl Harbor, unions launched many strikes that slowed production, especially in the coal and steel industries, and in the railroads. The threat of government takeover, public outrage, and disgust from the military ended these strikes. In June 1944, sailors on the USS Coos Bay sarcastically sent $412 in pennies to buy off the workers at the Wright aircraft factory in Ohio.

In the end, American production was a key factor in the Allied victory. By keeping the Allies suppled with arms, vehicles, planes, ships, equipment, uniforms, medical supplies, and food, the "Arsenal of Democracy" lived up to its name.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 6, 1940: King Carol II of Romania is forced by Fascists to abdicate his throne to his eighteen-year-old son, Michael, and flees after Fascist riots.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 6, 1945: US Navy occupies naval bases on Honshu, Japan.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 5, 1940: King Carol II of Romania is forced to give full powers to Fascist Gen. Ion Antonescu.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 5, 1945: “Tokyo Rose,” Japanese-American Iva Toguri D’Aquino, is arrested in Yokohama for her radio broadcasts meant to demoralize US troops.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 4, 1940: Hitler vows to eradicate British cities.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 4, 1945: British forces return to Singapore.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Sept. 3, 1940: Britain agrees to lease western hemisphere bases to the US in exchange for fifty old destroyers.
65 Years Ago—Sept. 3, 1945: Japanese forces on Wake and Bonin Islands surrender.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Sept. 2, 1945: World War II officially ends when Japan formally surrenders to Gen. Douglas MacArthur on battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay at 0903.

A Friend in the Storm - Part 2 - and Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of my friend Cheryl Ricker's new gift book, A Friend in the Storm, I'm posting a three-part series over three weeks called "Through the Storm." Leave a comment on any of the posts, and I'll enter your name in a drawing to win a copy of this lovely little book. A Friend in the Storm combines uplifting quotes, Bible verses, tasteful illustrations, and Cheryl's beautiful poetry to comfort someone going through hard times and point them to the best Friend ever.

I forgot to mention in my post last week - in your comment, be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Through the Storm, Part 2

Storms in life are inevitable. They pound you, wear you down, toss you around, and threaten to drown you. The apostle Paul faced many life storms before facing a literal storm at sea in Acts 27. Paul's experience offers more than a thrilling sea adventure - it offers practical principles for dealing with the storms of life.

4) Do not fear

Paul told his shipmates, "'Keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed'" (Acts 27:22). Storms may batter you, change your world - and even kill you - but your eternal life is safe in Jesus' hands. You are His beloved child. You will not be lost.

5) Pray!

"They...prayed for daylight" (Acts 27:29). By all means, pray for an end to the storm. Pray for God's light to shine in the darkness. Pray for wisdom and comfort and healing and strength and courage. Our all-knowing God is the only source of wisdom. He is the God of all Comfort. He is the Great Physician. He is almighty. His perfect love drives out all fear. No storm can rip God from your side. Cling to Him.

6) Stick together

In Acts 27:30-32, the sailors conspire to abandon ship and let the passengers perish, but Paul says, "'Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.'" Lightening your load during the storm is vital, but resist the temptation to discard worship, small groups, and time with friends. You need support and prayer. Isolation only adds to stress and depression.

Next week, I'll share more thoughts from Paul's storm at sea. What practical advice do you have for someone facing a storm?