**Reviewers Wanted**

**Wanted!!!** Tis the summer time! A time for fun and relaxation. A time to just chill out on the beach or in your backyard reading a book. That is just what I need. I need people who are willing to write a review for a FREE ebook copy of STRENGTH FROM WITHIN. Also, there is a new book coming out that will need to be reviewed as well - THE CALL TO DUTY. These reviews will need to be posted on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes. Please message me if you are interested, or send me an email at: cjpetersonwrites@yahoo.com

God bless and have a terrific summer!
C.J Peterson
'While the stories are fiction, the journey is real.'

The Price of Freedom

Memorial Day is traditionally 'a day off', 'a day for bar-b-ques and fun,' but what is it truly about? Some people take the freedom we have in the United States for granted. After all, isn't it something we are used to or even entitled to? What would happen if we woke up one day and realized we no longer have the freedom we were supposed to have? That they have been slowly and methodically taken away from us? The freedom to future generations had a steep price that our military is currently fighting for. Those who have fought in the past and risked their lives and many have even lost their lives were willing to do so, because they knew the importance of those freedoms.
If you have ever visited a third world country, as I have had the privilege of an extended stay in two, you would appreciate America so much more. To have the freedom to say what is on your mind and to protest the wrongs in hopes of making them right - you have utilized the 'Freedom of Speech' Amendment. To carry a gun where you don't feel safe, or even the privilege of owning one where a lot of other countries do not have that right - you are utilizing the 'Right to Keep and Bear Arms' Amendment. When you can demand that the government has a search warrant, where there are many countries who are at the mercy of their government - you are utilizing the 'Right of Search and Seizure' Amendment. What I am basically saying is to keep watch and don't let someone take your rights away from you. There have been many men and women who have fought for and many who have given their lives so you can have those opportunities.
Freedom is never free. There is a price that must be paid. The cost of something fought for holds a higher value than something freely given.
Remember this Memorial Day those who have come before you and paved the way for you to enjoy the freedoms you hold dear. May God bless those in the military and the families of those in the military who understand the true cost of freedom...Until they all come home!

Journey of a Thousand Miles

While growing up, we all had dreams. Some wanted to be a nurse, a doctor, a firefighter, a soldier, a veterinarian, even an astronaut, or President of the United States. As we journey through our days sometimes our mind gets clouded, we get stressed, and we get lost. We forget why we are here. 

Why do our dreams that were once our focus, begin to be just that...dreams? Life happens. A rough relationship with parents or a former dating partner. Your spouse who you vowed your life to cheats on you, and your life begins to spiral out of control. A job you put stock in for retirement has to let you go, and you need to find new work at the age of fifty. There are precious young children relying on you to adjust your focus as you gratefully care for them, and as you shape and guide them through adolescence. What was once your dreams and focus is now put on a back shelf, to you seemingly out of reach.

We all have a life to live and a purpose to be on this earth. Take some time to remember why God placed you here, at this time in history. He has given us each a gift to give to the world. Are you too busy to fulfill your purpose? Do you even know what your purpose is, or are you just surviving day to day? You are never too far for God to help you. Remember, a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Take the chance, make the move, discover your future, remember your dreams...and go for it!

Crystal Rose

My husband sent a friend of his who got into a motorcyle accident some crystal roses. The more I thought about it, the more it began to make sense. I asked him, 'Did you send her those to let her know she is stronger than she thinks she is, and isn't made of crystal?' He responded, 'Something like that.'
In our lives, things happen every day. There is a saying, 'What doesn't kill you, makes your stronger.' I have seen many people, where something big happened to them, and it 'crippled' them for life. They used it as a 'crutch' for not progressing, or succeeding in this area, or that area. They give up...or 'break' under the pressure.
In Isaiah 40:31, it says, 'But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.'
Through the many struggles I have fought in life, I have leaned on God, the Father...My Father...to give me strength when I couldn't stand on my own. He gave me courage I didn't think I had, showed me through my faith that He made me to be a strong person.
When you look at the crystal rose below, remember that you are a beautiful flower, created by God. You are not made of crystal. You are more valuable than even the finest crystal created. You will not 'break' when there is too much pressure applied to you. And when you do make it through - as I have faith you will - know there is a purpose for your life; that God made you more beautiful than any rose currently in bloom; and have courage to face the struggle before you, with the faith that you will make it though!

Random Acts of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

John 15:13: 

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

 

 Where is the love in the world anymore? People killing others, children being kidnapped, basic human rights violated, just because someone was offended.

If you look around, without looking specifically at people for love, you will miss it. There is the elderly couple who is has been married for fifty years sitting on the park bench. While they don't talk, they don't need to. They have a special way of communication, that can only be shared by those deeply in love. There is also the young child, who brings her mother a handful of dandelions. To anyone else, they are weeds. To the mother, they are more valuable than a dozen red roses from the most expensive florist. That is the love between a mother and a child. Then there is the couple who are newlyweds. continuously holding hands, looking at each other as if they were the only two people in the world, and no one else exists. That is young love. There is also the generosity of a perfect stranger, giving a transient a bag of food. That may be his only meal for days. There is the doctor who gives the family samples, knowing they could barely afford the appointment to help their child get well. There are random acts of love all over, if you look for them.

What are you doing to promote love in this world? Without it, the world could swallow one up. Love is the only thing that can combat the dangers around this wold. With all of the hate, disdain, and violence in this world, please look for the love, and promote random acts of love, and it will make this world look that much better. :)

 

Random Thoughts

Sometimes I just let my mind wonder, and random thoughts creep in. Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes it is not.
It was among one of those days, that I ran across the quote at the bottom of this post. Please take a moment to read it before reading on......

This is a very true statement. We run across people every day, without a thought as to what may be going on in their lives. They may have just lost their best friend, or maybe even just won the lottery. My question is, what kind of 'impression' are you leaving on those around you. Yes, we all have our bad days, but during those days, don't you really want to find someone to laugh or cry with, instead of just being cast aside, because 'she's in a bad mood' or 'that's just the way he is'. When the shoe is on your foot, and you've walked their path, only then may you truly understand them.
Why do people judge others, without taking a few moments to get to know them? Why do they let their own misconceptions or preconceived ideas of them cast a cloud over what could potentially be a terrific friendship? It's really hard to 'hate', 'dislike', or 'talk bad about someone' when you take some time to get to know who they really are.
God has taken a lot of time to mold, shape, and work on people... if they let Him. He is the One who created you, who has a purpose for you. Are you even looking toward Him to find out what that is, or are you still carrying baggage around, dragging you to the ground, making you too tired to care about other people, let alone yourself.
My challenge to you is to take some time, set that baggage aside, and talk to the One who made you. Ask Him what purpose you are on this planet to do. Maybe it's to help your neighbor, who needs food; or the little boy in your classroom, who is dealing with an abusive home situation; or maybe, just maybe, it's to make someone's day, by showing them a smile, or reaching out to them with a hug.

Thank you!

I wanted to take a moment to thank those who 'hung in with me' as I dealt with Carpel Tunnel in both wrists for a couple weeks. While it's not gone, it's improved, and am restricted, but released to do some more writing.
I pray you all had a wonderful, safe, but fun New Year's Eve! I also pray God will keep you close to Him as you seek His guidance in this year of possibilities!
God bless,
CJ :)