La Belle Design

  Revelation 19:6-9 ESV - Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb ." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." February is the month of love, and as we finish it out I can't help but speak of Christ's love. As a writer of Christian romance, love is often in the forefront of my mind. We long for love stories with heroes who protect us both physically and emotionally, and who love us unconditionally. Yet it is...

  Kim Griffin's review: Happy release day to Mandi Blake! I loved this emotional roller coaster of a book with its beautiful theme of redemption. Read my review below. Love Undercover by Mandi Blake delivers a powerful story of redemption that will resonate deeply with Christian romantic suspense readers. This is an unlikely love story done beautifully, with emotional depth and spiritual truth woven throughout. Zach Wilson was imprisoned for abducting Lauren Vincent, yet she becomes the very person who extends forgiveness to him. What begins as an unlikely friendship slowly transforms into something deeper as Lauren's Christ-like love creates space for healing and change. Fans of the Love in Blackwater Series will enjoy seeing familiar faces, though this book works perfectly as a standalone. This presents a stunning picture of God's redemptive power. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between hardened Zach and Lauren who radiates Christ’s love works wonderfully. Lauren shine...

  Kim Griffin's review: Boundless by Amy Caldwell is a beautiful coming of age story of forgiveness, redemption, and finding real faith in the midst of a world where a perfect image is everything except real.  Oakleigh Davenport is the girl you hate to love—an influencer whose life appears perfect, living the beach life in California. She’s the daughter of a mega-church pastor and has every material thing she could want until she makes a huge mistake and gets sent to her Aunt Maeve’s cattle ranch in Montana. This story explores superficial Christianity versus real heart-changing faith from the lens of both Oakley and Maeve. I loved the contrast of the glitz and glam that is often considered the good life contrasted with a life that may not look pretty but reflects the love of Christ and seeks Him first.  Maeve was my favorite character with her words of wisdom, realistic struggles, and flashbacks to her own mistakes. There is also a bit of romance, which was sweet...

Christian, do you want to know who you are? Get to know who God is. Isaiah 40:28 ESV - Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. When you know more of who God is, you'll understand how great your sin is in light of His holiness. 1 Peter 1:16 ESV - Since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." When you know more of who God is, His love for you takes on so much more value and meaning. Psalm 18:2 ESV - 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 62:6-7 ESV - 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Revelation 7:10-12 ESV - And crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the thr...

  And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b (ESV) I've just finished studying Esther with BSF and it is a beautiful story of the things God will do through us when we follow His lead. Esther, an orphan of no consequence changed the course of a kingdom and saved her people. She fasted and prayed before acting and was wise in her dealings with the king and Haman. She planned her steps. Christian, where has God placed you? Even things you think are small can make a huge difference. You may never see seeds you plant grow, but trust God to bring the harvest. Your success doesn't depend on your abilities, they depend on God's and through His Spirit in you He can accomplish the seemingly impossible. Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV) 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Joshua 1:9 ESV - ...