Hope

The Harbinger & The Harbinger Decoded – Reviews

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

harbinger1The Harbinger Decoded by Jonathan Cahn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read “The Harbinger” last year and loving it, I was excited to have the chance to review “The Harbinger Decoded” DVD. I will say that I was a bit disappointed during the first 5 – 7 minutes or so as it seemed that it was going to be a very long commercial for the Harbinger Book and there would be very little “decoding”. I was mistaken.

Rather quickly, the author, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, begins to unfold his story about the mystery’s of the Harbingers, or warnings, and how they relate to the United States of America starting in September 2001 – 9/11 to be exact.

He starts by showing us the ancient prophesy recorded Isaiah 9:10 and how it relates to Ancient Israel – specifically destruction of God’s chosen people and Israel and how that prophesy now relates to America. Through the series of the 9 Harbingers, we can clearly see how the ancient prophecies are signs that relate to the destruction and downfall of America. We are also given a glimpse of the impending judgments should America NOT choose to repent.

The information presented on the DVD is beautifully portrayed and narrated in a concise and logical way to lead the viewer through the revealing of the 9 Harbingers and beyond. The author does not just end the story and leave us wondering what can be done, if anything, to stop God’s judgment on America or is it too late. Rabbi Cahn invites the viewers to seek the truth in their own lives and recognize the wake up call that has been issued – that only a return to our Godly foundation on which this country was formed can save this nation. Continue reading →

Shenandoah Nights – A Book Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 1 Comment

Shenandoah Nights (Winds of Change, #1)Shenandoah Nights by Lisa Belcastro

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am not a huge fan of fiction and I am definitely not a fan of “sci-fi” time travel. That is just my preference. I do read fiction, but they are typically summer beach reads. But I guess that when I read that the novel takes place off the coast of Massachusetts (my home state), that I decided I would read it. I LOVED IT!

This is a wonderful story of intrigue and romance and history and adventure and yes… time-travel. The research for this book is done so well and the writing is crisp and precise. The author paints a breathtaking picture of the Shenandoah under full sail while bringing the innocent and wide-eyed Rebecca O’Neil and the rugged and good-looking Captain Ben to life… and we are there witness to their tentative blossoming romance.

This is the first in the “Winds of Change” series. I am so looking forward to Ms. Belcasto’s next novel “Shenandoah Crossing”.

Disclaimer: I recieved a copy of this book through the “For readers IOnly” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

View all my reviews

This book is available online at:
Deeper Shopping Christian Books and Bibles

Jesus Is In The House

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Some years ago, I came across an article called, “What If Jesus Toured Your Business?” by Buck Jacobs.  The summary of the article poses the question to Christian Business owners, “If Jesus took a tour of the organization you run, would He see anything that would distinguish you from your secular counterparts?”  The article goes on to where the author invites the business owners through a spiritual audit of the business.

This article got me to thinking.  While I am no longer a small business owner, I am about the business of my family, my home, my work and my community.  If Jesus knocked on my door today and asked to spend the week with me — would I pass the “spiritual audit”? Continue reading →

The Gospel Of God’s Grace

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

confident heart

“Have you I let the gospel of God’s grace move from your my head to your  my heart, so that you I know without a shadow of a doubt that you are I am known intimately and loved completely by God?” “A Confident Heart” pg 41.

I grew up in a wonderful, complete, warm and loving family.  Mom and dad saw to it that we were in church every weekend, that we attended weekly religious instructions, and received all of the Sacrements of the Church.

I grew up knowing about God.  I knew OF Him… I just didn’t KNOW Him.  I knew that God loved me.  I just didn’t know how deeply and how He truly loved me and how much He longed for a relationship with me.  I didn’t know that He wanted a relationship with me that would last for all eternity.  All is knew at that time is that if I followed all the rules that that would be good enough to get me into Heaven. Continue reading →

The Long Awakening – A Book Review

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

The Long Awakening, a memoirThe Long Awakening, a memoir by Lindsey O’Connor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The riveting true story of a life-threatening coma, a miraculous awakening, and the long quest to regain what was lost.

From the front flap: “The day our baby came into the world was the day I left. A day that began all smiles and excitement and anticipation and joy ended with running and panic and blood and tears. And then coma.I lay suspended in the deep, my newborn unknown. Nothingness. Layers where dark pulled from below, light called from above, and me, trapped in between, longing to break the surface. To live.
Forty-seven days later when I first saw my husband’s face leaning close to me, I knew where, and who, I was. But other things took much longer to know. Learning to restitch life–and love–when everything’s changed, and finding who we are afterward, can be the longest journey of all.

I’m Lindsey O’Connor, and this is the story of my long awakening.”

I just finished reading this book. This is, by far, one of the best written books that I have read in a very long time. It is a story of being alive just outside of deaths door. It is a story of love and despair. It is a story of returning back to life after being snatched back from the brink. Surviving the 47-day medically-induced coma is just the start to this beautifully written and brutally candid story.Be warned tho, The Long Awakening is no mere memoir…. if you pick up this book you will not soon put it down.

View all my reviews

This book is available online at:
Deeper Shopping Christian Books and Bibles

Time To Stop Complaining

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

Oct 9 jesus calling

From:  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young – page 296

“You have been on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent.  Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand.  I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me.  There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain.  You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following.  I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you.  You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you see things from My perspective.

Complaining to others is another matter altogether.  It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage.  Whenever you are temped to grumble, come to Me and talk it out  As you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.” Continue reading →

Preparing For The Storm

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

This post was originally written in August 2011. This is something that I wrote a few years back.  With all of the storms that have been beating up New England in the last couple of weeks…  well I decided to repost it.

___________________________________________

storm-pic-for-blog
Winter 2013

Growing up in northern New England, we are used to having massive winter storms.  I learned from my parents at a very young age about being prepared.   The preparations for an upcoming storm typically included making sure that there was “Blizzard” food in the house (milk, cereal,bread, etc… especially with 4 children) and the vehicles were gassed up.  It’s not that we weren’t going to be able to get out of the house for months after the storm, as usually within 8 hours after the end of the storm, we would be out and about.  But then again, you never know. (In December 2010 a freak ice storm resulted in 14 days without power for 100’s of thousands of folks – never know)  Mom and dad were always prepared.

Continue reading →

Sometimes crazy just keeps going

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ 2 Comments

So much has gone on around here the last few days that it is making my head spin.  I won’t go in to too much detail, but suffice to say a member of my extended family is walking a real fine line in breaking the law and is asking Michael to be complicit in it!  His refusal to do that, to lie for this person is causing some major issues here.

I wrote a note to some friends and family other other night asking for adivce on how I should handle things.  In my role in this persons life, I have no  persuasion power over this person, I am merely someone on the fringes with no input, yet on the receiving end of the end results. So, I have to tread lightly in some matters, regardless of my thoughts.  This matter has caused significant arguements between them and us…  especially when I hear comments like… “it’s no big deal, it’s not hurting anyone” and my favorite – “everybody does it”.

So as I said, I sent out a note asking for help and advice.  Not a single response!  What???? It wasn’t until yesterday when I read in my devotional “Quietness and trust accomplish far more than you can imagine…When you trust Me in a given area, you release that problem or person to my care.” (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young – page 267) Continue reading →

30 Day Prayer Challenge

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

So we’ve just entered the last week of the “When A Woman Says Yes To God” online bible study that I’ve been participating in.  This really has been an eye-opening time for me.  I’ve learned so much about myself and my walk with God during this time.  I’ve discovered that I’m tired of “dancing around the edges”.   I’ve found that I am hungry for more of Him.   I’m finding that I have no desire for useless noise (ie television)… I am savoring the quiet.  I am anxious to wake up in the morning to see what blessings and knowledge the day will hold.

In the last Chapter of the book, the author – Lysa TerKeurst – challenges the reader, that after reading and studying this book still says NO to becoming radically obedient to God, to spend the next 30 days praying and asking God to reveal Himself to her and fill her with a desire for Him like never before. (pg 143)

I read this paragraph a few times and I wondered why it pertained only to the reader that says NO to being radically obedient to God.   I have said Yes to God, and with apologies to the author, but I am going to spend the next 30 days asking God to reveal more of Himself to me and fill me with a deeper desire for Him like I’ve never felt before.

So what do I really want?

  • I want more of God’s blessing on my life and my family.
  • I want to know without a doubt what His plan is for my life. Continue reading →

A Changed Perspective

~ Ann Cuddy-Sullivan ~ Leave a comment

December 16, 2005

On that day everything I knew and loved came to a screeching halt.  That was the day that my late-husband was diagnosed with inoperable metastatic lung cancer.  We were given the prognosis of 6 – 8 months.  I don’t know how I knew, but I just did.  I knew when the doctors came in that the news was going to be this bad.  Of course the frantic calls were made to family and friends asking, no pleading for prayers for us.  Nothing short of a miracle could fix this.

This journey (which I will detail sometime) lasted just 8 weeks – not 8 months.  But in 8 short weeks, I learned to rely totally on God as my strength.  I had no choice.  I was alone 1000 miles from my nearest family member.  With no help except occasional help from friends, I had to do it all.  I don’t know where the superhuman strength and fortitude came from…, but when I needed it, it was there.  Continue reading →