My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Jennifer Slattery's book giveaway

Welcome to the 14th day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Jennifer Slattery.

She's here to give away one of her books!

Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Jennifer and her book ...

Author Bio:

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels maintains a devotional blog found on her website at this address: http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com.

She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, (http://whollyloved.com) she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact.

When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband.

Connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/).

~*~

Back Cover Blurb for Building a Family:

Creating a circle of love together…

Can love for two little matchmakers unite their reluctant hearts?

Worried that Noah Williams is still the reckless bull rider she remembers, Kayla Fisher is convinced he isn’t the right person to care for their orphaned niece and nephew. Now she’s back home, determined to fight for custody.

But Noah is a changed man, and he intends to prove it. When Noah and Kayla start falling for each other, could raising the children together be the perfect solution?

~*~

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:

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Devotionals for the Heart: A jump-start for my car and my faith

A Jump-Start Kind of Day
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.”

—Isaiah 40:29-31 (NKJV)

Recently, I had a moment that every driver dreads: I went into the garage to start my wife Debra’s car and nothing happened.

Normally, I turn the key to the right, all the way, then release it. Immediately, the car would crank, then purr. Not today. I tried again. I pressed the horn and nothing happened. We had driven the car the day before and there was no hint of trouble. I was perplexed, but I knew what to do.

For such a time as this, I had bought a policy with the American Automobile Association (AAA) that would allow me to call for assistance if ever I had a problem with our cars. When I called the Customer Care Line, the phone was answered quickly. The attendant asked my name. When I responded, he called me by my name and asked me if I was safe. I responded yes. He then asked, “How may I help you today?”

When I explained the problem, he said that he understood and would dispatch a service truck to help me. He asked me to wait patiently and gave me an approximate time when my help would arrive. I waited and tinkered on some other tasks while waiting. Before too long, the AAA truck drove up to my house. The mechanic was polite and accommodating. His name was Frank. He asked me to turn the key. Again, nothing happened. He knew just what to do.

Frank had a portable device that he called a Hot Shot. He thought that it would give me enough power to jump-start the car. It did not. We laughed while musing about the good old days when you could jump-start a car by putting the transmission in neutral and pushing the car until it was going fast enough to “pop the clutch.” Not this car!

He had another option. It was a long set of cables that he connected to the battery in my car, then plugged into a contraption on the bumper of his truck. He said, “turn the key.” I did and the car turned on without hesitation. I remarked that I wished there was something like that to get me going when I feel tired and depleted.

His eyes lit up. Frank smiled as he said, “There is something you can use.” I replied, “Really?” Frank said, “Yes, the Bible says in Isaiah 40:29-31 that ‘He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.’”

I joined Frank as he was quoting the verse. Frank’s eyes shone brighter and his smile widened further. He asked me, with enthusiasm, “You are a believer?” I responded affirmatively and we ceremoniously bumped elbows. I told Frank that that verse was one of my favorite verses in Scripture.

Frank told me that when he was younger and a Track athlete, that verse was in his mind as he would sprint the last quarter of his races. He said that he rarely lost a race when he focused on that text as he ran.

We reminisced about times when we felt depleted, emotionally, spiritually or physically and intoned that verse. Invariably, we found renewal. Before he left, Frank paused and said something profound to me. He asked me, “What did you do while you waited for me to arrive?” My response was, “I worked on some other projects.” He replied, “That is what you should do when you are waiting on the Lord to renew you. Work on some other of His projects. Waiting on the Lord is not idleness; it is service!”

Frank continued, “You knew I was coming, so you did not just sit and pout, or sulk. You did something productive while you waited. Likewise, you know God is going to show up, at the right time, with just what you need to jump-start you. Just keep doing well and your help will always show up. You might have to wait a while, but your renewal is assured.”

I said, “Frank, you have made my day. Not just because you jump-started my car, but because you have given my faith a jolt too. Thank you.”

If you, dear reader, are feeling depleted, burned out, run down or dispirited, turn your mind to the Word of God (The Holy Bible). If you don’t have a favorite verse that restores your soul, may I commend you to the verse that Frank and I claim? Read Isaiah 40:29-31!

Wait on the Lord and He will jump-start your heart, your vision, your enthusiasm, your potential and your reality. Do something positive for someone else while you wait. Waiting on the Lord is not idleness; it is service.

Strangely, but thankfully, Debra’s car has started every time that we have needed it since that day when God used an agent named Frank to jump-start my car and my faith.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.  

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Thankful Thursdays: God Speaks

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for when God speaks!

Late Wednesday night (August 12), I was trying to focus on scheduling next week's set of devotionals for my blog. But my heart was heavy and my mind was bogged down by the issues that were hurting my heart. After what may have been about 20 minutes of feeling depressed, I felt God speak these words into my spirit:  Listen to "I Bless Your Name." 

So I went to YouTube and I looked up the version of the song "I Bless Your Name" that is performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

As I listened to this beautiful song of praise to God, slowly but surely, I felt like singing praises to God too! As I began to sing with the choir my burdens were lifted, my heart was healing, and my mind was given a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I was also reminded of the Bible story about Paul and Silas who followed Jesus and preached for Him. The pivotal part of the story takes place in prison where Paul and Silas are shackled is chains. This was after they were beaten by people who thought they were a threat to society. Not everybody wants to hear about Jesus Christ, but Paul and Silas were not afraid to preach the truth. They were not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they were willing to die for the cause of Christ! Their passion for God landed them in a desolate place (a prison cell).

But Paul and Silas did not let the bleakness of their situation rule in their hearts nor stay in their minds. They chose to lift their voices in singing praises to God! And when they praised His Name, God set them free! Literally! Read about it in Acts 16:25-34 (KJV) which says:

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." 

This song and Bible story gave me so much encouragement!

 I am so thankful that God is faithful! God speaks ... do you listen?

Love,

Alexis A. Goring, MFA

Founder of "God is Love" blog

My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Delia Latham's book giveaway

Welcome to the 13th day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Delia Latham.

She's here to give away one of her books!

Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Delia and her book ...

Author Bio:

Writing Heaven’s touch into earthly tales, Delia Latham puts her characters through the fire of earthly trials to bring them out victorious by the hand of God, His heavenly messengers, and good, old-fashioned love. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in her tales of sweet romance.

Delia and her husband Johnny live in East Texas, where their pampered Pomeranian, Kona, kindly allows them to share her home. 

The author enjoys multiple life roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but above all, she loves being a princess daughter to the King of kings. 

She admits to a lifelong, mostly un-battled Dr. Pepper addiction, and loves hearing from her readers.

~*~

Back Cover Blurb for Delia's book:

Toni Littlebird believes God has created someone especially for her. When she meets him, she’ll know he’s The One, and she will love him. But that’s before Dax Hendrick roars into Hummingbird Hollow on a noisy, crippled Harley, spitting stinky filth into the air and scaring away Toni’s beloved hummingbirds. 

Dax sports over-long hair, an unkempt beard, and a condescending attitude toward her ancestral home. Toni takes one look into his mesmerizing blue-green eyes and…she knows. This uncivilized creature is “The One.” She’d been right about knowing him, but wrong about something far more important: She will never love him. 

Why God sent Dax to this beautiful place is a mystery, and it’s clear he can’t expect any answers from the lovely but unsympathetic owner of Inn the Hollow—a haphazardly constructed dwelling that goes against every professional rule in Dax’s area of expertise. He hopes to get the green light on getting out of there before the uneven corners, crooked floor slats, and random construction wither his architectural creativity. 

Is it possible that, between God’s gentle leading and a lesson or two from the fascinating hummingbirds that populate the hollow, Dax and Toni will open their hearts to each other? Or will their stubborn wills ruin God’s beautiful gift of love?

~*~

Connect with Delia:
Website ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Facebook ~Twitter

~*~

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: 

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My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Deborah Raney's book giveaway

Welcome to the 12th day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Deborah Raney.

She's here to give away one of her books!

Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Deborah and her book ...

Author Bio:

Deborah Raney's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years and thirty-five books later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. 

Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. 

Deb is a recent transplant to Missouri, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard.

Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.

~*~

Back Cover Blurb for Deborah's book:

Phylicia thought life was passing her by, but maybe this was love’s plan all along ...

At twenty-nine, Phylicia Chandler put her life on hold to care for her dying mother with her sisters, Joanna and Britt. Now Mom is gone and their father stuns them all by running off with a woman young enough to be their sister. 

Life is moving forward all around her, but Phylicia feels stuck—until her father’s protégé, Quinn Mitchell, presents the sisters with an intriguing business opportunity to purchase a trio of cottages just outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Joanna and Britt are convinced the three of them should launch a vacation rental venture, but Phylicia remains skeptical.

To complicate matters, Quinn soon finds himself falling hard for Phylicia. But how can he pursue this beautiful, talented woman twelve years his junior when she’s still reeling over her father’s hasty engagement to a younger woman? 

Quinn is determined to give Phylicia her happily-ever-after. But first, he must help her come to terms with her discovery of long-held family secrets and persuade her that true love can transcend their differences.

~*~

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:

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Devotionals for the Heart: Superhero

Finding our Superhero
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” 

–Romans 8:37 (ESV)

When I was a little girl, my Dad was my superhero. He was the kind of individual who held the attention of a crowded room with his storytelling and boisterous laugh. He was big in stature with a deep, radio-worthy voice.

When we had company over, I would watch our guests, who, like me, were captivated by him. At the dinner table, I would sit in awe, feeling a sense of pride that this man was my dad. If I was the daughter of a superhero, then somehow, I was a superhero too.

As years passed, my big blue eyes saw more of the true picture of my father’s lifestyle. It began with separation. His job took him away from home for long periods of time. When he was home, he was too tired to engage. His income did not stretch far enough to cover the bills, and he was stressed. The booming voice, too often, thundered at mom, my sisters or me.

I have vivid memories of trying to engage my Hercules in play. I’d run grab the props he’d used previously to illustrate the stories of the golden days, only to be a distraction against the winning streak of the San Francisco 49ers.

As I grew, my hero withered, and along with him, my confidence in family, authority figures and, ultimately my self-worth. I was not the daughter of a superhero. Therefore, neither was I to be super.

My story is a common one. Your story might be a lot like mine. The more I talk about my childhood disappointments, the more I realize how many of us have experienced parallel events and feel a similar sadness. Self-esteem has been hard to come by for those of us who believed in the myths of our making.

But there is another story at play, a true chronicle, in which there is a superhero!

Romans 8:37 uses a term that is found only once in the entire Bible. According to Strong’s Concordance, this Greek word is hupernikaó. It’s prefix “huper” is translated “hyper” or “exceedingly,” while the root, “nikaó” means “conquer.” Many versions of the Bible, like the English Standard Version, translate hupernikaó as the phrase “more than conquerors.” But I think it’s no stretch to say this verse could be written: No, in all these things we are super-conquerors through Him who loved us.

Does this excite you like it excites me? My child’s heart reawakens to the dreams I once had! That little girl, sitting at the table, looking doe-eyed at daddy, thought she might just be super too.

This verse says it is we who are the super-conquerors through Him who loved us! Not we alone, but through Him ... or because of Him, who loved us first. God gave us a way, via Jesus Christ, to be His partner in victory.

All I wanted, as a kid, was to be my Daddy’s sidekick. I wanted him to be Superman so that I could be his Supergirl. Together we would fight against the foes of tribulation and distress, or mortgages and medical bills, or hunger and homelessness.

God wants to show me the Superhero He can’t help but be, and He wants me to be His partner. It begins with unity.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) goes on to say, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Our Heavenly Father has been reassuring us that He’s not leaving, He’s not too tired, and we’ve won the war! It’s no myth, I am super ... dear sibling in Christ, we are super ... because the Greatest Power made us to work alongside Him. Unified, we are marvels moving mountains in God’s Kingdom!

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior. 

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Dawn Kinzer's book giveaway

Welcome to the 11th day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Dawn Kinzer.

She's here to give away one of her books!

Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Dawn and her book ...

Author Bio:

Dawn Kinzer is a freelance editor, and her own work has been published in various devotionals and magazines. She co-hosts and writes for the Seriously Write blog.

Sarah’s Smile is the first book in her historical romance series, The Daughters of Riverton.

Hope’s Design is the second, and Rebecca’s Song completes the trilogy. Her first contemporary romance, By All Appearances, is set in the Seattle area.

A mother and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, good wine, strong coffee, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.

Connect and learn more about Dawn by visiting these online sites: Author Website, Faithfully Write Editing, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Amazon Author Page, BookBub, and Goodreads.

~*~

Back Cover Blurb for By All Appearances:

An attractive special events planner is determined to keep her distance.

A disfigured musician struggles to guard his heart.

By all appearances, both are destined to fail.

Liana Tate, a special events planner grew up in a high-profile family. No matter what she does, Liana feels she never measures up.

Bryan Langley, a talented musician, was close to signing a recording contract when a barn fire left part of his face severely burned. He survived, but his career did not.

When Liana’s father hires Bryan as a caretaker on the family estate outside of Seattle, Liana’s and Bryan’s lives become entangled. He risks public humiliation for Liana’s success, and she encourages him to use his musical gifts, despite his reluctance. 

Thrown together, will they achieve their elusive dreams? And will the two find the love and acceptance they yearn for, or will their actions only drive each other away?

~*~

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:

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