Author Interview with Malinda Fugate about The Other Three Sixteens (book)

Let's welcome my author friend Malinda Fugate to the blog today!

She's here to talk about her book The Other Three Sixteens, that releases today (May 12)!

Malinda also has agreed to give away ONE signed, paperback copy of her book to the ONE winner of the giveaway contest that you can enter via the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this blog post. Please remember that this giveaway contest is ONLY for United States residents because mailing books internationally is expensive.

Read my interview with Malinda below and remember to wish her a 

"Happy BOOK birthday" in the comments!

~*~
Interview with Malinda Fugate about her book, 

The Other Three Sixteens:

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Malinda: The Other Three Sixteens began as a personal study, sparked by curiosity and, I’m certain, inspiration from the Lord. After memorizing and teaching John 3:16 to my church kids, I’d especially notice other three sixteen verses when I came across them. I wondered if this could be a unifying theme, and as I read, God revealed a deeper understanding of His love. If I was so blessed by this, I knew I needed to share it.

Alexis: What was your inspiration for sharing these words?

Malinda: When something is exceptionally good, you gotta share! The more we examine God’s love, the more wonder we find. We can’t possibly keep such amazingness to ourselves.

Alexis: Who is your target audience for this book? Why?

Malinda: The Other Three Sixteens is written for everyday people. Sometimes, the advanced vocabulary of theology can be a barrier if we’re unfamiliar with the terminology. But the Bible is accessible for everyone, and the Holy Spirit helps us understand things we couldn’t quite grasp on our own. I hope this book inspires anyone who needs reassurance of how much God cares for them and leads to a closer relationship with Him.

Alexis: What is your book about?

Malinda: God’s love! The Other Three Sixteens moves through each book of the Bible examining various aspects of God’s attentive care for us, His precious children.

Alexis: What were the easiest and most challenging parts about writing this book?

Malinda: I think the easiest parts were 3:16s that were part of a story, because we naturally become invested in narratives. Other 3:16s required a little more examination to uncover how they related to God’s love, particularly in the books of prophecy that discuss ancient Israel’s destruction. But the thing is, God’s love is all over every page of His Word, so the love was there, too.

Alexis: How did you choose the title for this book? Explain its significance.

Malinda: The title sums up just what you find in the book, which is all the other chapter three, verse sixteens in each book of the Bible. At least, most books in the Bible are covered in my book because there are a few that don’t have a third chapter with a sixteenth verse!

Alexis: Why do you believe that John 3:16 sums of the Gospel message?

Malinda: The Gospel message is so amazing and deep that it’s not easy to simplify. Yet, when Jesus has a conversation with a Jewish leader named Nicodemus, He explained a big truth clearly in what is now John 3:16. God loved us so immensely that He gave Jesus to forgive our sins, resulting in our reconciliation with Him. Sure, we can go into lots of details – which is good and we should – but we have to start with the basics, just like Nicodemus did the night he talked with Jesus.

Alexis: What do you hope your book will teach people about God?

Malinda: I very much pray that the Lord uses the words in this book to speak personally to each heart, whispering just how much He treasures them individually. You are not just one in a big crowd of humanity. You matter so much to God that He goes to great lengths to actively love you.

Alexis: How much time did you spend writing this book?

Malinda: It took me about a year to write, but I am such an inconsistent writer! I’d go through disciplined periods of time writing multiple chapters, then weeks or more would go by before I had another page. Publishing deadlines, however, kept me moving at a fairly steady pace, thankfully!

Alexis: Did you ever want to stop writing this book? If so, what kept you going? If not, why?

Malinda: I can’t think of a time when I wanted to stop writing, though there were challenging moments. The whole process was enjoyable, to be honest, because it was like opening a treasure chest with each new 3:16. Each chapter was a fresh, new look at God’s love, which never gets tiresome or mundane.

Alexis: If you choose just one word, sentence or message from your book that you want people to remember, what would that be and why?

Malinda: God loves you, and that means so very much.

Alexis: Tell us about your faith journey. When did you decide to follow Jesus? Why? How has your faith in God impacted your life?

Malinda: I’ve been blessed to know Jesus since childhood. My parents and grandparents instilled a love of Christ in me until I was mature enough to understand and choose to follow Him on my own. But the bottom line is that God has proven tangible and active in my life. His Word is consistent and true. He has been my joy and my lifeline, and I could not function without Him. There are many stories I could tell of good times and bad, provision and lifesaving, but maybe that’s another book!

Alexis: In what ways do you hope that your book will stir the faith of your readers?

Malinda: I think our faith often consists of believing without seeing, and so we stop looking for the things that are visible. However, when we are paying attention, we see God and His love in many very real ways. Then we discover that He has been doing great things all along and we can trust all the things He’s promised to do. And when we realize how busy He has been loving us in so many ways, our hearts are overflowing with … Gratitude? Love for Him? Wonder? All of this and more? It really is indescribable.

Alexis: If you could sell this book to people using just one phrase, what would it be?

Malinda: God passionately loves you, and you’ll be amazed when you see how.

Alexis: What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?

Malinda: You’d think I’d have a favorite with all this studying, but it’s actually made it more difficult to choose! And Scripture wasn’t designed to be isolated in quotable pieces, and the more I study, the more I see how it all fits together like a tapestry, each verse woven into the verses surrounding it. The passages that resonate most with me tend to change with the seasons of life. Right now, it might be 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Life seems to be turned upside down during this season, but we know just what to do.

Alexis: Complete this sentence: If I weren’t an author, I’d be _____________
because ________________________________.

Malinda: If I weren’t an author, I’d be finding some way to tell stories because I just can’t keep them contained!

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Malinda! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Malinda: I really do pray The Other Three Sixteens shines a light on how God so very much loves you. Thanks so much for this chat, Alexis!

~*~
Author Bio:

Malinda Fugate invites you to explore the various 3:16s in the Bible with her new book, The Other Three Sixteens (published by Ambassador International).

She serves full time as the Children’s Education Director at a Southern California church.

In addition to The Other Three Sixteens, Malinda has written Bible Time for Active Kids (an activities-based devotional) and The Pen and the Sword: Connecting With the Word of God (an interactive creative writing journal).

Malinda studied communications and theatre at Azusa Pacific University, then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA. She lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi.

~*~
Blurb for Malinda’s book:

"For God so loved the world . . . "

Many of us could finish that sentence in our sleep. John 3:16 is a beautiful Scripture that neatly and simply sums up the message of the Gospel. But what do all the other 3:16s in the Bible have to tell us?

The words of the Bible weave a tapestry of love, particularly the love that our Heavenly Father has for His children. But a love so deep and so wide cannot be contained in one memorized phrase. It takes multiple authors of sixty-six individual books to begin to explore the mystery of God's care for us.

The Other Three Sixteens by Malinda Fugate examines each third chapter and sixteenth verse in the Bible and invites a fresh, new perspective to help readers uncover surprises or remind them of forgotten truths of a faith that has become routine.

Through Genesis to Revelation, we can soak in its depth, wonder at its intricacies, and be moved at how much the Lord truly does lavish upon us. Together, we discover God's love under the weight of Eve's sin in the garden. It's there in front of Moses, burning in a bush that is somehow not consumed. God's love sits in the dark with Job, rebuilds a wall with Nehemiah, and encourages a young pastor named Timothy. Together we will find a deeper understanding of the way our Heavenly Father cares for each of us today.

Discussion questions suitable for individual or group use included.

~*~
Buy Malinda’s book on Amazon

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*United States residents ONLY may enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easter Sunday: Priceless (a devotional)

Priceless
A devotional by Alexis A. Goring

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)

One beautiful day in April 2020, I was looking up information on Google about my favorite Hollywood actresses and actors.

I noticed that one of the search results asked the question about their net worth. When I clicked on it, I saw the answer (millions of dollars). I also saw the same question popped up for several more actors. Each question was clickable with a drop down menu that revealed how much each actor (male and female) was worth financially. It awed me to know how much money these celebrities made just by their famous careers on the big screen.

Before I could go too far and become completely consumed by the lifestyles of the rich and famous, God placed this question on my heart, “How much is a human worth?” And to that, He answered, “Priceless.”

The Creator of humankind is the Eternal King of the entire Universe and He is also our Heavenly Father (God) who loves us with all of His heart. In fact, He thinks that we’re worth dying for so He sent His only Son (Jesus Christ) to save our life! Read John 3:16 for details.

Thanks to Him, we have hope. Thanks to Jesus, we have a chance at eternal life! All we have to do is accept His free gift of salvation that He carried out when He died for us on the Cross. But Christ’s death was not the closing act! After three days, He rose again on a Sunday, which is now celebrated by Christians around the world and listed on calendars as “Easter Sunday.”

Thanks to the life and resurrection of Christ, all who accept Him into their heart and follow Him know that one day He will return to take us home to Heaven. Until then, we need to live for Him and be encouraged by the fact that He died to save us and He’s coming again. The Bible says that, “God is not a man, that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19 KJV). So we can trust Him when He says that He’s preparing a place for us in Heaven (John 14:3) and that He will return to take us to be with Him there forever.

Meanwhile, as we journey through this Earth and experience all the highs and lows that life brings, we need to remember this precious truth:

Famous or not, we are all precious and priceless in God’s sight. 

We are completely loved by Him.

Reflection: 

How does it feel to know that the Creator of the Universe knows you completely and loves you unconditionally?

~*~

Author Bio: 

Alexis A. Goring, founder of "God is Love" blog, is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas from me to you!

Dearest Blog Readers,

You all are a dear part of my heart.

I appreciate your spending time to read all of the features here on my "God is Love" blog! Without you, no one would read my blog and my efforts of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through this platform would be in vain.

My mission is to encourage you with God's Love and teach you about the Savior of the World (Jesus Christ). My prayer is that you will get to know God and accept His Son Jesus Christ into your heart. I hope that you will fully realize that they love you unconditionally! They want you to receive their gift of salvation that leads to eternal life (John 3:16). It is the greatest gift!

Remember that Jesus is the true reason for this Christmas holiday season!

Keep Him first in your life and trust Him through every trial. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)!

May God bless your heart, your home and your loved ones on Christmas Day and always!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of "God is Love" blog

Thankful Thursdays: Friendships, Healing and Hope

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for friendships, healing and hope.

God has brought wonderful people in my life over the past decade who have become dear friends, mentors and prayer warriors for me. Through the ministry of my church home this past decade of membership, He’s restored me in every aspect of the word. But it hasn’t always been this easy for me.

I’m going to be a bit more open with this blog post in hopes of helping those who may need to hear what I have to say.

I struggled with friendships for most of my younger years. I was a shy and chubby child and though people could be nice to me, they also could be mean because of how I looked. I know what it’s like to be judged negatively based on appearance even before you say a word not just because of appearance but race too. There are people in this sin-ridden world who will not like you based solely on what category they think you fit in be it size, weight, race…the list goes on. But as an adult, I found hope and healing.

Growing up, it seemed like everyone had a best friend except me. Now, I don’t know how this works for guys but for girls, having a circle of close friends and a few best friends is crucial. I’d say it is part of our social development and a benchmark that we all want. I had friends but they were all in their own inner circles. So I got left out a lot but it was not their fault because they were just hanging out with the people who they felt close to. However, that pain created a void in my heart and I wondered if I would ever have a true best friend or an inner circle.

So with each new school year, I was on the lookout. Would we have a new student who wanted to be my best friend? Would things change? Would I be included in the closely bonded social circles that I envied?

But with each passing year, things remained the same. People liked me but I hadn’t managed to gain that close inner circle and the few times when I thought I did in high school and college, those friendships fell apart.

Looking back, I think that God played a role in having those friendships fail because He wanted me to seek Him first and be friends with Him and His Son (Jesus Christ) first because honestly, the truest friend that you and I will ever have is Jesus. He’s the ONLY friend who will never fail you, talk about you behind your back, make fun of you or hurt you. Best of all, once you’re friends with Jesus Christ, you’re friends for LIFE — not just during this temporary life here on Earth but for Heaven and throughout eternity. Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Best Friend and while it’s still nice to have best friends here on Earth, if you don’t have that but you have Jesus, you truly do have all that you need.

Now for the lessons I learned…

If you didn’t grow up with close friends, it’s not too late. You can still pray to God to bring positive, life-affirming people into your life who love Him and love you! The best advice I would give the younger me who was feeling left out socially, is to pray about your problems and ask God to bless you with good people who want to be your friend.

It didn’t dawn on me to pray to God about my heart’s desire for healthy, happy, genuine and close friendships until after my college years. I guess God was waiting for me to ask Him because that’s when He really started showering down the blessings of genuine friendships on me. He led me to a church home filled with members who embrace me, love me, pray for me and support me. He led me to a Christian writers’ organization filled with people who care about me, relate to me, encourage me in my journey as a writer and pray for me. God also brought kind people into my life through Christian, Bible-based ministries on social media.

So my point is, whether your problems are with friendships or romantic relationships or anything, go to God first. He is waiting for you to share the desires of your heart with Him and He is more than ready to bless you beyond your wildest dreams. Talk to Jesus like you would talk to the best friend that you want because He is your very best friend! If you’re lonely, pray about it then ask God for wisdom of who to reach out to. You’re never the only one who is going through something. Sometimes, even the people who you see surrounded by friends are on the inside, lonely.

Also, be kind. We all have issues. We’re all going through something. You never know the battle that someone is facing. So please, be kind to everyone, even if you don’t want to be his or her best friend. If you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, like me then you know that it’s important to love God with all your heart, soul and mind AND to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). You are supposed to show care and concern for ALL humans and you’re supposed to point them to Jesus who is more than their friend, but the solution to ALL of their problems in life. Remember, He is our Savior.

My closing thoughts

So again, it’s Thursday and I’m thankful for friendships, healing and hope.

I pray that you will seek God first for everything in life, especially in your choices of friends. I pray that He will heal your heart and restore your hope in Him. Remember, with God, ALL things are possible (Matthew 19:26) and with Him, you are NEVER alone. 

God loves YOU with ALL of His divine heart and He thinks that you are worth dying for, that’s why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to save your life (John 3:16). Always remember how much you’re loved, treasured and valued by Him.

May God bless you and keep you.

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of “God is Love” blog

God loves you! Merry Christmas!

A Song about God's Love for you!

Merry Christmas, dear hearts! :)

Thankful Thursday: The God Who Wants to Take You Back

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful that there is a God who always wants to take you back. No matter how far away you’ve strayed from Him, He’s always watching out for you, waiting for you to return to Him. Why? Because He loves you with a forever love. A love so true that He sent His only Son to die for you! Yes, the Creator of the Universe (God) thinks that you are worth dying for! Sounds romantic, doesn’t it? I know that most women think they’d want a man who loves them enough to give his life to save her. Well, guess what? This is better than a fictional love story because the Greatest Hero who ever lived (Jesus Christ) risked it ALL to die for you so that God could take you back! Just like the Bible says in John 3:16.

God is holy and pure. He hates sin and all the sorrow and trauma it brings. It’s often said by people that “God loves the sinner but hates the sin.” The Bible says that the wages of sin are death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~Romans 6:23-24 (KJV).

I love that verse in Romans because at first, the picture for humankind looks dark and hopeless because “The wages of sin is death.” But then there’s hope because the rest of that verse says, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” What a beautiful, romantic and heroic promise! There is hope for humanity and our hope has a name. His Name is Jesus Christ and He, my dear, loves you with His life! The Bible says that nothing can separate us from the love of God! Read Romans 8:31-39 (NLT) for proof. 

No matter how far away from Him we go astray, He’s right there with us. Jesus is going through our pain, our hurt, our sorrow, our everything. He experiences it with us. He’s able to relate to us on levels that no other human can and the beautiful part is that no matter how sullied we become by the troubles of this world, He’s always ready and willing to take us back! He accepts you as you are but He doesn’t leave you there! When you come back to Him, He puts you on a steady path to restoration and makes you whole again.

But God doesn’t restore you for you to keep it to yourself! No, He wants you to tell the world about who He is and celebrate what He’s done in your life. Why? Because, dear heart, there are many lost souls in this world. Souls thirsting for the gospel truth, souls thirsting for a Savior. Essentially, there’s a need for God in every human heart that only Jesus can fill.

So if this message speaks to you but you’re scared to reach out to God because you feel that you’ve done the unspeakable, I encourage you to still turn to Him. Reach out to Him, even if all you can say is, “Jesus.” The Bible says that before we call, God will answer; while we are speaking, God will hear (Isaiah 65:24, KJV). So go ahead, talk to God. He’s always listening.

Remember, you cannot hide from Him. No matter where you flee to on Earth, even if you become an astronaut and go to the moon, He is still with you in a very real way. And just because you cannot see Him does not mean that He’s not there! Think of it like air—we cannot see air but we know that we need it to breathe and without air, we will die. It’s the same with God. We cannot see Him but I can tell you, we all need Him whether we realize it or not because without Him in existence, evil would take over and we’d all die. Thankfully, the Bible says that God lives forever (Revelation 11:15) and no force of evil can destroy Him. So see, there’s always hope when God is in the picture…and He’s always in the picture!

Now, I’d like for you listen to this song by Meredith Andrews. It’s called, “Take Me Back.” Select the song's title where the words are underlined and highlighted in order to hear the song. Reflect on its message. It reminds me of the Bible story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). It’s a message that applies to every human on Earth because God created us all and loves us completely.

May God bless you! Always remember that He, the King of the Universe, loves you and wants to take you back to Him. 

In closing, please spend time reading the Bible texts listed below in this sweet journal entry that I found online today. It's simply called, "My Father" and it's talking about God as our Father in Heaven:

God bless your heart! 

Sincerely,

Alexis

Falling in Love with Jesus: He loved me first

Welcome Brandy Heineman to the blog today! She's here to share her story about how she first fell in love with Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. 

Brandy's story reminds me of the song, "When You Walk Through the Water" by Allison Durham which is based on the Bible verses in Isaiah 43, which Brandy quotes in her story.

I hope you will enjoy reading Brandy's story. It is the final post for my blog's Falling in Love with Jesus series. I found it to be very inspirational. I pray that Brandy's story and Allison's song will encourage your heart. 

~*~
He loved me first
A Falling in Love with Jesus story written by Brandy Heineman

Ah, love. The inexhaustible supply of poems, songs, romance novels, and love letters written in just about every language seem to suggest that words hardly do justice to the big, heady thrill ride of falling in love, though we never seem to tire of trying.

When I met my husband, I was not-quite-recovered from a broken heart. I enjoyed the time we spent together, but he had to put his heart on the line first before I came around to loving him back.

As it turned out, our love modeled what it meant for me to fall in love with Jesus.

Michael and I started dating in the summer of 2004. When we started getting serious, i.e., attending church together, our Sunday School teacher shared a thought that I had never heard before when he told us, “The Bible is God’s love letter to mankind.”

I probably nodded in agreement and smiled, liking the way that sounded. I knew John 3:16, of course. God had proved His love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins and reconcile us to Him.

Nonetheless, that was the first time I’d heard it put quite that way. Although I had attended church many times before and often prayed, I did not possess a deep well of Bible knowledge at the time. The idea of the Bible as a love letter sounded good in theory, but if you’d asked me for specifics, I doubt I could have offered any.

That pleasant idea tucked itself away in my memory and waited patiently as Michael and I became members of our church in 2005 and married there in December of the following year. I remember the verse I used on the front of our wedding programs: 1 John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.”

In the meantime, I began taking Bible study classes as I was able. I can’t say that I recognized exactly how dry my well was, but God placed the desire in me for more of His word.

That first year and a half of marriage was exhausting in every way imaginable. In roughly chronological order: my car quit immediately after the wedding, I took on a significant increase in responsibilities at work, and my husband survived a layoff only to find himself in a very different professional landscape. In addition, we had three deaths in the family, and a fourth family member nearly died.

Jesus brought us through, but it was hard. Those are the times when you really need a deep well of Bible knowledge, to pull out like a treasured love letter and reread the lines for comfort and hope. To rest in their beauty. To drink in the Living Water.

It took one of those in-depth Bible studies for me to find it, but in Isaiah 43, I saw what our Sunday School teacher had meant about God’s love letter to us. It turns out that words do just fine to describe love when they are spoken by our loving Creator God, to His passion and prize, as in the powerful words of verses 1-2 (quoted from NASB):

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel,

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name; you are Mine!”

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.”

And especially the explicit, passionate declaration found in Isaiah 43:4 (NASB):

“Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you…”

I can’t describe how those words affected me the first time I read them. How they still do. If I’d had them for those difficult days—but never mind. They are tucked away in my heart and mind for when they are needed again.

In closing, I’ll offer a thought that occurred to me as I was sifting through memories and thinking of what to write about falling in love with Jesus: that we would, each one of us, live our lives as our love letters back to Him.

~*~

Author bio:

Brandy Heineman loves stories of faith and family history. 

She’s a graduate of Wesleyan College and an author with Elk Lake Publishing. 

She is also a first-generation Southerner who occasionally gets caught saying things like, “Y’all want some pop?” 

Brandy lives in metro Atlanta with her husband, Michael. Find her on Twitter as @brandyhei, or visit her online at brandyheineman.com.

Love is in the Air: Is a Happy-ending Romance for Real?

What's a love story like when God is missing from the cast of characters?

Explore this real-life issue with Davalynn Spencer via her devotional below this message. 

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Is a Happy-ending Romance for Real?
A devotional written by Davalynn Spencer

During my recent Spring Break from teaching at the local community college, I spent one morning participating in an author event there. Several book tables were set up in the commons area through which attendees of a week-long Senior Mini-College passed between sessions.

“I used to read romance,” one woman said as she stopped to scan my table. “Used to believe all that stuff.” She swatted the air. “Humph! Three marriages later, I’m a cynic. Give me a good murder mystery any day.”

Not particularly quick-witted at that moment, I laughed and nodded. To each his own, right? Not everyone enjoys the same genre. But as I watched her walk away, regret rose—not from failing to sell her a book, but from failing to show her what God could do in a relationship.

And that’s why I write inspirational romance.

Some call it Christian romance. Call it what you will, the big difference between this type of romance and general market romance is not just in the absence of gratuitous sex, but in the presence of an unseen character.

I’ll take a stab at the type of romance novels the disgruntled woman read. “Slender thigh,” we used to called them. “Bodice-rippers,” with physically perfect heroes and heroines against whom no real human could stand. But the core issue lies far deeper than the stereotypical characters and plots. Guessing again at the woman’s type of romance novel, I’ll suggest that the stories she read were godless in the purest form.

God was missing from the cast.

The tiny book of First John in the New Testament tells us that God is love. The larger gospel of John shows us that God is love. And the last book in the New Testament, penned by the same man, is a spectacular display of God’s happy ending. It is, to overly simplify the matter, the romance between God and His bride, the church.

You see, that’s the difference between a love story and a romance. Consider Shakespeare’s classic love story, “Romeo and Juliet.” No happy ending. Not a romance.

Ever hear of a blockbuster movie from 1970 titled Love Story with Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal? Guess why it wasn’t called Romance?

Personally, I like happy-ending stories so I read them and write them. My favorites are full of fallible characters, with realistic challenges and heartaches, who involve God in their lives. Perhaps that’s the most important connection: God wants to be involved in our lives.

I think the Creator likes happy-ending stories too, because He wrote the best one of all. Talk about a hero who gives all for the one he loves (check out that book of John). And a hero who comes in on a white horse to rescue the object of his affection? You got it—Revelation. I take a heap of comfort in knowing that my relationship with Him is a happy-never-ending eternity with the Lover of my soul.

~*~
Author bio: Davalynn Spencer writes inspirational Western romance, historical and contemporary, complete with rugged cowboys, their challenges, and their loves. 

Connect with Davalynn:

Website - www.davalynnspencer.com

Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer

Twitter - @davalynnspencer

A Christmas devotional written by Ada Brownell

It's what American culture calls "The most wonderful time of the year" because Christmastime is here! :) Countless songs, books, blogs and devotionals have been written about this significant holiday on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who is known to Christians and people of faith as the "Savior of the World." 

But as the years go by, is it just me or does Christmastime become more and more commercialized? Christmas music fills the shopping malls as early as the first day of November (yes, before Thanksgiving Day) and with Christmas items go on display as early as mid-October! And who knew such a beautiful holiday would cause concern and issues? By that I mean, there are people who do not want to even mention Jesus Christ or say anything about God during this time of year--even nativity scenes can cause controversy.

So what believers in God do to keep Christ in Christmas without offending people or sounding like a "preachy" Christian?

Today, I invited prolific writer and journalist Ada Brownell to address this topic. Ada's written a devotional about teaching the reason for this Christmas season to a secular world. I hope Ada's words will enlighten you and encourage you during this time of year and always. God bless you and enjoy reading! 

~*~

How to Teach the Reason for Christmas in A Secular World

A holiday devotional written by Ada Brownell

A disabled man who grew up in a Chicago orphanage during the violent prohibition era of the '20s and '30s gave his testimony at our church in Arvada, Colo. He told how the famous bootlegger and gangster, Al Capone, visited the orphanage every Christmas, bearing gifts.

Historians say despite his unlawful activities, Capone became a somewhat respected public figure because of donations to charities. I'm sure most orphans adored the man. Yet, at least one child discovered someone greater. He heard about a Heavenly Father who loved him, and God's gift to this boy was His Son coming to earth—for Jesus brought the gift of eternal life to anyone who would accept it.

The world still needs to hear the wonder of God becoming man that we might have life.

Death is why God came down. Sin caused death. Adam and Eve believed Satan when he said, "You won't die!" So they disobeyed, ate the forbidden fruit, and soon after had to bury a son. They eventually died , too.

The Father promised a Redeemer in the early pages of the Bible, Genesis 3:15, to restore immortality. Jesus, God's Son, was that Redeemer and He suffered on the cross to take away sin.

So, Christmas is about the cross as much as it is about the manger.

How can we share the true message of Christmas with our children and grandchildren?

· Memorize and talk about John 3:16

· Don't talk about Santa as if he compares with the all-knowing, all-powerful God who is everywhere. No one is equal to God.

· Teach about the wonder of "God with us." Jesus has many names, counselor, almighty God, the alpha and omega, the lily of the valley, but "Immanuel," which means God with us, is most significant. Isaiah prophesied that it would be His name 700 years before the Messiah was born (Isaiah 7:14.) Even now, God's presence is with us and if we open our heart to him He is in us "He dwelleth with you and shall be in you" (John 14:17).

· Teach about angels. We should never worship them, but according to Psalm 91, God gives angels charge over us to protect us. They also sometimes deliver messages, as Gabriel did to Mary, when he told her she would be the mother of Jesus.

· Teach about giving and gifts. It is more blessed to give then to receive (Acts 20:35).

· Talk about the stable and how Mary and Joseph were content in the humble place.

· Discuss the inn and the innkeeper. What would we have done if we owned the inn? Would we have given our bed so the Son of God wouldn’t be born in a stinky stable?

· Have you opened your heart to Jesus? "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Rev. 3:20).
He will never leave or forsake you, and He’ll guide you and bless your life.

©Copyright Ada Brownell

~*~
Author bio:

Ada Brownell is the author of five books, about 300 stories and articles in Christian publications, and she spent a large chunk of her life as a reporter, mostly for The Pueblo Chieftain in Colorado. She and her husband L.C., have five children, one of them in heaven, eight wonderful grandchildren.and two great-grandchildren.

Among Ada's books: The Lady Fugitive (released July 18, 2014), Imagine the Future You, a youth Bible study (November 2013). Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult (Jan. 15, 2013), Swallowed by Life: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal (Dec. 6, 2011) and Confessions of a Pentecostal (out of print but released in 2012 for Kindle). All the books are available in paper or for Kindle. Imagine the Future You audio book is available at www.Audible.com Readers can receive a free book with new Audible membership.

Connect with Ada: 

Visit Ada's blog, http://www.inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com

Buy Ada's book The Lady Fugitive, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LYDWAIW

See Ada on her Amazon author page, http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06

"Like" Ada on Facebook, 
https://www.facebook.com/#!/AdaBrownellWritingMinistries

Follow Ada on Twitter, @adellerella

Subscribe to Ada's blog: http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com for "Stick to Your Soul Encouragement"

Powerful message from Pastor Steven Furtick

A New Way to See the Way God Sees Us from Elevation Media on Vimeo.

Ever wonder how much God loves you? Here's a clue :)

A message for you

Celebrating JESUS CHRIST the Messiah :)

MUSIC VIDEO: I Choose Jesus

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."-- Jesus Christ (John 15:16, NIV)

A beautiful message in song for you

Every true follower of Jesus Christ is a part of His body. How beautiful, the Bible says are the feet of those who bring good news (Romans 10:15)! How beautiful, Twila Paris sings, is the BODY OF CHRIST!

Be encouraged in knowing there is a God who is real, sovereign and in charge of the affairs of this world. He did not create our world and leave it to run itself or sit up high in heaven from a throne and watch us as the popular song by Bette Midler says, "From A Distance." No, no, NO! God is just as much involved in our everyday matters here on Earth as He is in Heaven and He wants you to know that He loves you and He is here for you no matter what! 

My prayer is that you will be blessed by this song and that you will if you do not already, come to know the God who loves you with ALL of His HEART. :)

Praying for peace in your life,

Alexis

There's Nobody Like Jesus

Dear friends,

Truly, there is nobody like JESUS!

My prayer for you is that if you do not know HIM already, you will come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord, Savior, Redeemer and Friend for life.

God bless you!

Love,

Alexis

P.S._Here's the beautiful gospel song to testify of our Faithful Friend (Jesus Christ):