Showing posts with label True Love Tuesdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label True Love Tuesdays. Show all posts

Monday, September 27, 2010

Pondering Possibilities for Posts

Don't you just love that alliteration? ;) That phrase is just a fancy way of saying that I've been thinking about my weekly schedule.

I'm so excited about "Mondays for the Military"! It is my hope that this feature is only going to keep on growing, and that we might have the privilege of meeting more military men and women and showing our gratitude to them.

As for "Sundays by the Sea," I love the process of writing these posts. It's such a blessing to be able to consider this part of God's creation and be inspired by it. I hope you are finding these posts to be comforting and encouraging!

"Fall Fridays" have just started, but I'm looking forward to talking about all the wonderful parts of autumn with you. It will be nice to discuss fall and its corresponding season of humility. I'm thinking that it will be a great way to relax (and it might prove to be a good opportunity to sip some hot chocolate or tea while dwelling on God's provision!).

All three of these weekly post themes thrill me! I'm looking forward to writing the posts and reading your comments.

But did you notice that I haven't mentioned "True Love Tuesdays"? For some reason, I haven't really developed any passion for those posts. I have enjoyed writing them, but I feel that it's starting to get repetitive. (Not that I've written enough of them to really know for sure!)

So . . . which would be better: coming up with a new weekly themed day or revamping the one I already have? Or should I just stick with the three I mentioned above and leave the other days for reviews and random thoughts?

I confess that I'm personally torn over this. When I first proposed the idea of "True Love Tuesdays," it seemed to be a popular choice. However, at the moment I'm not really passionate about it (whereas I am pretty passionate about the other themes).

So what do you suggest? Do you have any ideas for where "True Love Tuesdays" could go? Or do you have any thoughts on what could take its place?

"True Love Tuesdays" want to know: "Should I stay or should I go?"

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

A Tardy True Love Tuesday

First of all, I apologize for being late in posting this. I've been keeping busy with homework and such, so I didn't quite find time for it until now--and it's only 15 minutes until Wednesday! Talk about waiting until the last minute (or 15)!

I had been thinking about doing a post on North & South for today, but I think I might reserve that for another day. ;) I definitely need time to compose a well-thought out post for such a beautiful, grand movie as that!

So today (which will be Wednesday for most of you!) I thought we could talk about the examples of true love that we've seen in the books we've read recently or are in the process of reading right now.

*There might be spoilers in the next part of this post, so if you haven't read the books I discuss proceed with caution!*

I'll start with Love, Charleston. I finished this book last week, and as hard to read as it was, there was one especially memorable example of true love within those pages.

One of the main characters, Della, and her husband are going through a rough time. The country is in a recession, and both of them are "artists" (one's a writer and one makes sculptures) who don't make very much money. Della detests their home and the way they are forced to barely get by. She is especially concerned about the welfare of her daughter. And so, she finds herself giving attention to the man she had turned down years before--a man who can afford a comfortable, "normal" life.

The relationship between Della and her husband is put to the test. Will they remain faithful to each other? I think it's so important, especially for those of us who are still single, to consider the "happily ever after" part of the story--the part that comes after you say "I do." I haven't yet experienced marriage, but from what I can tell it can be both wonderful and at times very difficult. It is so important to have openness, honesty, and patience in any sort of relationship, especially in marriage.

For those of you who are already married, perhaps you can give some pre-marriage advice to those of us who have yet to experience it. ;)

One thing I really loved in Surrender the Heart was its reminder that true beauty lies in the spirit of a person, and true love will see beyond the outward appearance. What a valuable lesson for us to be reminded of in this day and age!

I also appreciated the reminder that true love doesn't judge. Perhaps true love will take time to fully grow to this point, but when it does it shows understanding and compassion, realizing that there is much that one doesn't know about the other. This can be applied to many different relationships, for sure, but it certainly is an important aspect of romantic relationships!

I think I'm a little over a third of the way through with Making Waves, and I've really been enjoying it so far! =)

The heroine and the hero are really fun, and some elements of true love that I've seen are the importance of caring for each other and the importance of recognizing each other's dreams and passions (and encouraging them!). This has mostly been on the side of Trip (the hero), as he has come to Marguerite's rescue, shown her that he is willing to stand up for her, and appreciated her apparent love for sailing.

As for Roger, the other potential love interest . . . let's just say that I've been reminded that true love isn't selfish and it respects the other person. (Take the hint, Roger!) ;)

So, what have you been reading lately? Have you learned or been reminded of anything about true love that you could share with us? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

True Love Tuesday

Based on the poll I had going the last few days, I think you can guess what today's topic is: the "Love Finds You" series!

There's so much to love about the "Love Finds You" books! Not only do they take us to various locations across the United States, to places with great and memorable names, but they also take us through various periods of time, from the Old West to World War II to modern day. And the overall message of the series title is a lovely reminder: "Love Finds You" anywhere!

God's love is not limited by either time or space (or anything else, for that matter!). Our love for each other should be unlimited, as well. If we truly love someone else, we'll love them no matter how far away they are and no matter how much time goes by, because love "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Of all the "Love Finds You" books I've read, I think my two favorites so far are Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania and Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania reminds us that true love forgives and doesn't give up on the other person. Yes, we hurt each other. We all mess up; we all sin. But just as God forgives us, so we must forgive each other. That's a wonderful lesson to learn, and one I need to remember to take to heart!

To read my review of this great book, click HERE.

Love Fin
ds You in Lahaina, Hawaii reminds us (at least through the contemporary strand) that true love sees the person for who they really are. Love should look at who the person is in their soul; love should not focus primarily on the outward appearances. First Samuel 16: 7 says, "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." And that's what we should strive to do, as well. Again, it's easier said than done, but we should always try our best, through God's grace, to love as He loves.

To read my review of this enthralling book, click HERE. (Because there are two strands--contemporary and historical--in this story, there's lots to take from it, so I just picked one idea!)

I'm excited because I have two more "Love Finds You" books already in my TBR stack! I'm planning on starting Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington next. I love these stories, and I'm curious: which "Love Finds You" books are your favorites so far? What have you learned about true love from them?

Oh, and I'll share the poll results with you! The question was: "Which state would you like to see as the next setting for a 'Love Finds You' book?" The results were as follows:
  • Arizona (0--0%)
  • Louisiana (2--40%)
  • Maine (1--1%)
  • New York (1--20%)
  • Wyoming (0--0%)
  • Other (1--20%)
I guess we have so many of those wonderful Wild Wests settings that we are curious to hear more about those Southern and Eastern states! ;) Louisiana won, and I have to say that I wouldn't mind a "Love Finds You" book with some Cajun flavor!

If the person who voted "Other" is willing, I'm interested to see what other state you had in mind!

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on true love and the "Love Finds You" series!