Monday, November 30, 2009

I HAVE A WINNER

Congratulations to Virginia! Your name was drawn from the list of comments about thankfulness.

I want to thank all of you that left me comments. It was so interesting to read what you're grateful for at this time of year. I like asking this question at Thanksgiving because I think it makes us all pause and see what's important. With Christmas and the celebration of our Lord's birth's just weeks away, it may help set the tone of our Christmas season.

I hope you've all recovered from the huge bounty of the Thanksgiving meal. and are busy making your list and checking it twice! :) I'm decorating the house this week. Something that I love to do at Christmas since it's such a special time. Don't forget to take time for yourself and don't neglect your private devotionals.

Until next time



Monday, November 23, 2009

BEING THANKFUL WHEN YOU HAVE A ROCK

Last week on my normal outdoor walk, feeling pensive and sad that all the brilliant leaves were dropping, I finally wound up at the park. I spied an adorable, tow-headed toddler trying to lift a big rock to add to several others he’d stacked on the walking trail. He made me think of my own son when he was little, who was also tow-headed and determined. Though he knew the rock was heavy and too big to lift on his own, he continued to try, resisting the offer of help from his mom. I smiled at his mom, who rolled her eyes and shrugged and as I walked on, but I couldn’t help but think that how like that toddler we all are.

From time to time, we all have burdens that lay heavy like a heavy rock in our heart which becomes too much to bear and we don’t know which way to turn for help, if we do at all. I wonder if you have a rock in your heart that needs to be removed. Maybe something that you’re trying to take care of on your own? Isn’t that just human nature? We are all good at trying to run our lives on our own terms and we shun offers of help. We try to forge ahead headlong because we think we can handle it, and we don’t really want another person’s opinion. Or we really don’t want to discuss personal difficulites. But close friends can offer good advice, and then we can use it or just toss it aside. The problem with holding onto a rock is that it can be so damaging mentally and physically.

So what should do we do when we have a rock and the load is too heavy to bear? Scripture tells us to be thankful in all things in 1 Thess.5:18. Sometimes I find this very hard to take, not being able to see through the fog to any possible outcome. Especially when I have family that is hurting or very ill and I’m beside myself with concern. But then I’m not God so I can’t possibly see how everything works together to create a good result.
However, I know that we need to look to our Power Source—God in us—when a set of circumstances threatened to take hold of us with an all consuming fire. He says He will give us more strength when the burdens grow greater, and give us more grace when the labors increase. To added affliction, He adds His mercy to multiplied power and peace. I don’t know any of us that couldn’t use some of this grace and power. All we really have to do is talk to Him about it. He’s already at work behind the scenes. He is the rock through all circumstances that I cling to because He promises that He will never leave me or forsake me. Christ is referred to as the Rock in many places in scripture. These are just a few:

The Lord is my rock
An Everlasting rock
My rock and my fortress
My Rock and my Redeemer
The Rock of Israel
He is the Rock
The spiritual Rock
The Rock eternal


My latest book, The Jewel of His Heart, is a lot about forgiveness and being thankful in all things. I didn’t start out to write the book that way, but that's how it evolved, and I wrote as God led me. So in honor of Thanksgiving and how much we have to be grateful for, I’m giving away a copy of my latest book. All you need to do is post me a comment and tell what you are grateful for this Thanksgiving season. Please be brief and to the point. I hope this will get you to really ponder the gifts that God has given you and many that you’ve taken for granted. I know I have.

I’ll start us off by giving what I’m thankful for and there’s too many to list, but here’s one of mine—that God in my life is forever faithful and His love endures forever. After all we are really the jewel of His heart.

Now post me a comment and leave your email by giving me your name, using (dot) at (your email addy). After Thanksgiving, I’ll have someone in my family draw the name and I’ll send you a personally signed copy of The Jewel of His Heart by mail.

Have a grateful Thanksgiving…

Friday, November 20, 2009

Book Giveaway

Want a chance to win a copy of The Jewel of His Heart? Hop on over to Carmen's blog, Continuous Delights. http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/2009/11/maggie-brendan-interview-giveaway.html.

This was a fun interview and it will run from Nov. 20th-26th when Carmen will randomly draw a winner. DO not leave you link on my blog to enter, instead go to the link and follow the rules. Good luck!

Next week, I'll be blogging about giving thanks and you'll have another chance to win in case you didn't on Carmen's blog.

Thanks for participating and Happy Trails...

Sunday, November 15, 2009


I had a wonderful time at Sweet Spirit bookstore this Saturday. The weather cooperated, bringing a fabulously beautiful day. Here's a picture of me with Marilyn Hood, owner of the store and Caitlyn one of the store clerks. Notice that Marilyn printed out the cover of my book coming out in June to place on the table as well.

Marilyn has read both of my books and I got ticked when she greeted her customers, eager to tell them how much she enjoyed
reading them.

Sweet Spirit has been a favorite bookstore of mine for many years. If they don't have what you're looking for, they'll happily order it. But besides all the great books, they have beautiful gifts for every occasions.

It's always great to meet new readers and enjoy being in the company of Sweet Spirit--they truly do have a sweet spirit! Thanks, Marilyn and Frank for hosting me.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Book Signing Saturday-Nov.14th


Once again I'll be signing at Sweet Spirit bookstore in Marietta, GA this Saturday. Frank Hood is the owner there and is such a gracious host. I always enjoy a trip to his store. His staff is eager to help and I find exactly what I'm looking for. Right now they have some incredible Thanksgiving items on display. I'll have to check those out!
Of course, they have books, cards and Bibles. They are located in Marietta, GA on Johnson Ferry Road.

So if you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by for a copy of my new book. I'd love to meet you and chat.

Until later...