La Belle Design

  Gratitude for God and the things He has provided should drive us to worship. In BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) last week, we were looking at Ezra and the return of the Jews to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. They had been in captivity in Babylon for 70 years. In chapter 3 verse 3 it shows that they had reason to fear.  Ezra 3:3 (ESV) They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, burnt offerings morning and evening. In the years they were gone others had filled in their land. Those others were not happy these Jewish people were returning and reclaiming things. And yet the first thing the Jewish people did was build an altar and worship. It immediately brought to mind David when he had disobeyed the Lord and recognized it then gone to build an altar at a place God commanded. It was to be built on land that belonged to someone else. Below is king David’s response to the man’s...

Needing some Christmas gift ideas for a book lover? Look no further, I've got some ideas for you. There are 3 sections: Section 1:The first section includes bookish gift ideas for all readers Section 2: The second section includes ideas for items to go with my books Section 3: The last section has Kim Griffin books. Christian Book Lovers Gift List*   * Important : Please keep in mind that any prices pictured may change. Some are shown as Black Friday deals which means they might change significantly. -Click on the pictures to go to the links. Section 1. Bookish gift ideas (for all readers) Kindle Unlimited Membership: Most of my books are included as well as books by many other Christian authors I know and whose books I recommend. Audible Membership: Click the picture for all the details. Thousands of titles are included For the audiobook listener. For Black Friday 2025 these are at a steep discount! Book lovers and faith mugs Chenille Throw (comes in different colors) Book ...

As an early Christmas gift for my newsletter subscribers, I'm giving away an ebook copy of my recent release, Not Quite Miss Austen! It's only available free until Jane Austen's 250th birthday on December 16, 2025. It is also available for purchase at most online retailers. I would love for you to get it if you haven't already. It is the prequel to my Not Quite Series and can be read before any of the other books in my Not Quite Series (Not Quite Mr. Darcy, Not Quite Colonel Brandon, and Not Quite Mr. Knightley), or as a standalone. It's main character is Margaret, and she is the thread through the series. In this book she is a young woman finding her way. In Darcy she is in the end stages of life, and in the other two books she's referred to. Get the links for both the free ebook and paperbacks  here ! Book blurb for Not Quite Miss Austen by Kim Griffin: Step back to 1955 England in this heartwarming romance that blends friendship and faith with a note of myste...

The Swedish Milkmaid is a sweet story based on the true story of a woman once considered the most beautiful woman in Sweden . The story was exaggerated until it became like a folktale. Olivia has taken the tale and brought it to life with her vivid descriptions that make you feel like you are part of another time and place. It’s filled with faith and lessons learned on how to deny ourselves and live in the way God has shown us is right. It also points to discerning what is truly beautiful and worthy to be treasured.   Central to the story is Linnéa’s friendship with her handsome neighbor Rane who helps her in ways she never expected and adds a touch of romance to the book.  I enjoyed mining the riches found in this beautiful yet simple story.  Get The Swedish Milkmaid paperback here . Get the ebook here . Book Blurb: Based on the legend of Sweden's most beautiful woman. Stockholm, Sweden, 1833. Linnéa’s striking beauty draws stares wherever she goes, bur her stammeri...

Daniel 3:17-18 ESV - If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." The courage and steadfastness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo was astounding. They trusted God’s will in both life and death and made sure that if God’s will was that they die in the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar and all present knew that He is still a God worthy of worship. Most of us will never face such a dire circumstance, but there are choices we make regularly. Are we willing to stand firm and trust God even if we are placing our own desires at risk? I’m speaking to myself too. Be bold, even when the circumstances don’t look promising. He is God even then.  How can you stand for Jesus this week?

Playing for Keeps by Mandi Blake is a sweet second chance Christian romance that is short enough for a quick read but manages to pack a lot of depth in the characters in that short time.   In the small town of Redemption Ridge, Caroline Taylor is sweet in every sense of the word—right down to her bakery. She loves the Lord and she’s able to see the best in everything except her failed secret relationship with Justin McKinnon from her past and that drives her relationships in the present.  When Justin comes back in town as a police officer and her small business is attacked, Caroline is forced to face those feelings for him that she’s never let go of. This book has a few time hops to the past so you can see snippets of Justin and Caroline’s early relationship. With those flashbacks it also reveals the growth and maturity that both have had. They’ve gone from sneaking around behind their parents’ (who were feuding) backs and jumping into a relationship instantly to wanting ...

When studying the Bible, I recommend putting away (or ignoring) the notes in a study Bible and not looking at the internet or other sources for the answers in each section you’re studying until you have done all you can to see what God is teaching you in it. This is why I encourage and teach with inductive Bible studies. This type of study encourages you to find your own answers through observation, interpretation, and application rather than the author of the study telling you at the outset, “this is what the text means.” This allows God to speak to you personally and you may see things you would never have seen. Much of God’s word has such depth of meaning that you could study the same set of verses many times and each time God may show you something different that He wants you to see and apply. When we study God’s word, we always want to study it to know Him better. Our secondary purpose is to learn how He wants us to apply what we learn by living it out. My preferred way to s...