Cute counterfeit of a cute counterfeit

One of the most gorgeous smiles God ever made appeared on the face of Elvis Presley. (Please indulge me, LOL! )

I had a blast recently at an outstanding Elvis impersonator's concert.

The "young Elvis" gave away a teddy bear and a hound dog and "How Great Thou Art" had us on our feet twice, applauding.

The "Las Vegas Elvis" opened with "2001 a Space Odyssey" and "CC Rider" and gave away dozens of scarves. He gave me one, along with a smile. I waved the scarf and draped it around my neck as I returned to my seat laughing.

(With the real Elvis, I would have been cool and aloof, don't you know, LOL)

This counterfeit King of Rock and Roll was cute and sweet as he signed autographs. We all just laughed and loved the game. And Elvis did not like being called The King, one of his buddies reported, saying that Elvis said the only King is Jesus.

C

Counterfeits live all around us in the world and it is no game. Some appear on our doorsteps, unaware they are totally lost, offering us their own eternal trap.

The apostle Paul warned us in Galatians 1:9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

There are no new revelations, no new ways to be saved, no new saviors for a new time or place. Only one way:

Jude 3 warns us, Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once and for all time delivered to the saints.

My heroine Maggie turned to a counterfeit. Her heart had broken twice and she felt betrayed by God. She turned to the occult for answers. The answers were not what she expected, from this counterfeit.

A good counterfeit only points out the value of the original.

As we worship, as we love, as we write, let us be true to the real thing--the standard God gives us.

Let us not forsake our first love, as did the first church listed in Revelation, or we may evolve to be like the seventh and last church, poor, wretched, miserable, blind and too blind to know it.

(As I look here at world politics and alliances and events I suspect we are already in the seventh church age. We must hold fast to our crowns.)

Elvis, himself a counterfeit of sorts, was called a king, worshiped by some, but how much wiser to worship the King of Kings who gave His life so that we could have eternal life.

And while we dance to the music of the King of Rock and Roll, and cheer and clap for our favorite football team, why not also consider the words of King David, "a man after God's own heart:" "for the Lord takes delight in His people"--







"Praise Him in dance!"

Wishing on Dandelions

I just finished Mary DeMuth's _Wishing on Dandelions_ and I am overwhelmed. The book is fabulous!

In spite of the darkness of this young heroine's experience, the story sparkles. Although her perceptions are colored by her horrible past experience, Maranatha presses on.

I confess, I was a little timid about reading such a heavy theme. I like my entertainment light and cheerful. But the abuse from _Watching the Tree Limbs_, which I also loved, is alluded to, not graphic, and while I hurt with Mara, I also laughed, rejoiced, and cheered her on, because there is much more to both books than the experience itself.

With courage, irony, humor, hope and often faltering faith, she triumphs with the help of some friends, her own strong spirit, and Jesus. And the faith message is woven through naturally. I imagine I will sometimes call upon Maranatha's example of doing the right thing when it was very, very hard.

Sometimes I laughed out loud, sometimes I wiped away tears. I loved both books.

Scroll down to read the author's thoughts. Leave a comment there or right here to enter a drawing for a free copy of this delightful book. I draw a name tomorrow, Saturday afternoon.

AND YOU'LL BE SAD as a scalded dog
If you don't leave a comment on my blog
For I give this book away tomorrow
And it's one you'll never let another borrow!

(With apologies to Camilla.)