Thank you so much, my friend! I'm so glad to know this isn't just me being overly attached to a lot of paper bound together in a book! I, too, hope that it will show up--soon, please!

Thank you, dear friend. I know mine may show up, "eventually," but it hasn't, yet. We actually have quite a few Bibles, most of them mine from many years ago, but none of them study Bibles. Well, except for Bruce's, but we can't share that one, because he does not mark his up, and my markings, notes, etc., make reading more difficult for him. It is helpful to know that someone understands my pain--and I'm not surprised that that person would be you! Love you!

TypePad HTML Email I appreciate your comment on this post. I agree that the perspective presented is an interesting one, and I found it freeing, a few years after I had divorced. I've since learned that, while it is somewhat grudgingly acknowledged by some evangelical pastors as "one interpretation," it is not widely accepted as valid. While I certainly agree that marriage between one husband and one wife is God's ideal, I am always troubled when Christian leaders superimpose biases of any kind onto scripture; you may have noticed my dislike for mistreating scripture. And, oddly enough, the article that first introduced me to the difference between divorcing and putting away was written by a Baptist minister! You might think that I am merely biased, myself, having been divorced, but that is not the case. Both my first husband and I struggled greatly--and for much of our marriage--with trying to honor our marital vows of "'til death do you part." I don't think I have ever agonized over any other decision as I did over that one. We did not take our vows lightly, yet we were utterly incapable of building a marriage that was, indeed, a marriage of mind and heart. I have known people who thought that suicide was their only way out of a bad marriage. When a marriage is so badly broken and the parties are so broken through adultery (perhaps a series of affairs), addictions, destructive views of themselves or others, mental illness that is not responsive to treatment, and other causes, that healing and rebuilding are not possible, then isn't enforcement of a "no-divorce" position another form of legalism? However . . . I reviewed a manuscript, a couple of years ago, that included what was for me a new perspective on this issue. While the book deals primarily with issues involved in ministry partnerships among men and women, the author included some material on marriage that you might find interesting. Look for Jeanene Reese's book, Bound & Determined: Christian Men and Women in Partnership. Breaking a vow is not a good thing, and you are absolutely correct in pointing out the great damage done to children because of divorce. As we humans are wont to do, way too many couples take the "easy way out" of divorce, only to find, often, that it is not so easy, and it is hardest on the kids, unless the divorce is for their protection from abuse, whether the abuse has been directed at them or at an adult in the household. Divorce is not God's plan. That is so plain in scripture. And you might have picked up my own difficulty in talking about this issue; while it seems so black-and-white to many people, for anyone in a really bad marriage, it just isn't so clear cut. But, as God always does and always has done, He provides a way of grace by allowing a certificate of divorce and the possibility of remarriage. Thanks, again, for commenting. I do appreciate your thoughts on this, oh, so difficult topic. Vicki Give hope to a child in severe poverty. www.compassion.com/vickismall

Thanks for commenting! A couple of people have mentioned to me, elsewhere, that the plot line reads like a soap opera--and I didn't even include all the complications. But I think that the issues the author has brought out and the different ways characters approached and/or ultimately resolved those issues outweighs the soap-opera-like story line. Wish I'd thought that through to include it in my review!

Ms. Blackstock! Never have I received a comment from the author of a book I've reviewed! So thank you very much. I liked the first book just as much as Downfall. I'm about half-way through Vicious Cycle; again, I experience the same pull to my Kindle throughout my day, although I don't often get to read, except at night. But the itch is ever with me. Thanks for your decision to focus on writing Christian fiction, so that our Lord's Truth gets out there in contexts that people can relate to.

So well said, Bethany, and I fully agree! My Update on Rejoicing in Suffering, posted today, included my paraphrase of Rom. 5:3-5, which is simply my further processed interpretation or understandin of the passage. I've had more real joy in my heart, in pain and not, than I've ever known--as opposed to happiness, which depends on circumstances. I'm not sure I should say that, because Bruce (God's very best gift to me, other than Jesus Christ) brings me tremendous joy. But aside from our exceptional relationship (well, we think it is!), I have never really known joy in my heart, based solely on God's love and some understanding of what He's doing in my life. I prayed and prayed for healing from the pain, and many other people prayed for me. When I saw or heard of friends' prayers being answered, while I was still in pain, I began thinking exactly as you have said: that God must have a reason, and I wanted to cooperate with Him. A few nights ago, I was thinking about this, because God can choose to heal me of the pain, anytime He wants. But, I asked myself, would I want Him to do that, now? What if it would mean that I'd lose the joy I've found?

Yes, seeing and cooperating with His purpose are keys to the blessings. It's only in the past 5 years, or less, that I have increasingly understood and focused on His one overarching purposes for me--to become more and more like Christ. Thanks for reading and commenting, Dave.

Yes, He does. That's grace.

Thank you so much, Dave. I'm glad you found the post helpful. I'm still grappling, but I know God hangs in there with me, while I do that! I chose to publish your second comment, because you got all the same content in there, and mostly because you went to the trouble to leave it again. I'm sorry; I should have given Typepad more time to send me the e-mail. But, again, thank you bunches! Blessings to you!

My. I guess I haven't been to your blog in quite some time! Great quote; I'll have to get ahold of the book. for now, I'll venture an extension of this portion: "And of course when they were set free, quite a lot of them didn't do well -- of course they didn't. But quite a lot of them prospered enormously, and have never looked back since they got their hands on their council houses!" To which the liberals reply, "That's just not fair! Those who did well must give everything above what they started with to those who screwed up--uh, we mean...to those who are not so fortunate!"

If I can't get into the Classics illustrated comic version, what does that say about me? ;-)

You're most welcome, Bryon

Very happily surprised, that is!

Well, if he CAN'T get anyone to LISTEN to him, what do you EXPECT him to do? WHISPER?

Bless Helen's heart, I'm so glad she's getting a break! About the challenge...I don't wanna wait until Wednesday! Seriously, you guys deserve every penny of that award and so much more! Voting for you has been my substitute method of support, given our severe cutback in income, this year. Hoping next year will be better so we can get back into the swing of giving!

I am so sorry to read about your latest loss. Luna was such a joy to you, and I pray that you will find comfort in your memories of her and in the knowledge that you gave her a good and pain-free final three years.

TypePad HTML EmailEasy to do. When I see more than one choice pop up, I click on the one I think is right, but I sometimes wonder what the online gremlins might have done!

I can't believe I missed this, but surely I would have commented! Our Kat has not yet become a lap cat, but we sometimes think he may be moving in that direction. I'm inclined to think he will be more inclined, when he's older, although we still don't really know how old he is. But he does love his belly rubs and chin/head rubs, not to mention the head butts. I'm so sorry you lost your sweet Poirot. Have you brought in another B&W, yet? We lost Hoagie two weeks ago, tonight, and it came as a total surprise. He was still so active that we figured he'd be around another year, anyway. I gave him his thyroid supp' in p-nut butter around 6:40 p.m. He had eaten supper, he licked all the p-nut butter off my finger and neighboring fingers, too, just to be sure; he ate the few pieces of kibble that I gave him, after the pill. And then, apparently, he went to sleep and just didn't wake up. Over the next couple of hours, and then some, we were variously at our computers or exercising, and then showering. When I finished my shower, I went to the kitchen to get my snack ready, stepped into the dining room, and there he was, sleeping (I thought) in his favorite corner. Except he didn't wake up. We had both noticed the smell of a dead animal, but we figured it was something Kat had brought in. We were stunned. Totally taken aback. But after the shock, I have to say it's better than watching them suffer and then watching them die. I just felt bad that he was alone, but if he was asleep....

TypePad HTML EmailYes, but thank you for the thought, Latiff. It is now published. Vicki

I'm so sorry; diabetes was my guess, and I'm sorry to have been right. All the best to him and to the two of you. He is a plucky little guy, to have survived so long, untreated.

I'm sorry, but I think your claim to 15 new designs is misleading. What I see looks like 1 new design in 15 colors. But that's something, so good work, and keep it up! Now...if you'd give us emoticons, that would be a nice addition!