A Psalm for Giving Thanks

Psalm 100
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name."

My personal interpretation:
Don't hide your worship of the Lord by whispering it among those who already know. Let everyone see the joy you have in the Lord.

Don't drag into the church on Sunday with a bad attitude. Come in with his joy on your lips.

Don't try to tell God what you're going to do and expect Him to act in an advisory capacity. He is God - the I Am.

You didn't get where you are because of your own efforts. God created you, knowing exactly what He had in store for you. But, you have to acknowledge that He is the leader.

You should thank God and praise Him whenever you are in His presence. His presence is always near unless you move.

Don't forget that God deserves all of the thank-yous that can be mustered. You can never thank Him enough.

THANK YOU, GOD!

The Journey of Eleven Moons

Check out his story from author-friend, Bonnie Leon.

A successful walrus hunt means Anna and her beloved Kinauquak will soon be joined in marriage. But before they can seal their promise to one another, a tsunami wipes their tribe from the rugged shore—everyone except Anna and her little sister, Iya, who are left alone to face the Alaskan wilderness.

A stranger, a Civil War veteran with golden hair and blue eyes, wanders the untamed Aleutian Islands. He offers help, but can Anna trust him or his God? And if she doesn’t, how will she and Iya survive?

Bonnie Leon is the author of nineteen novels, including the recently released Joy Takes Flight, book three in the Alaskan Skies series and the popular Sydney Cover series published by Revell. 

She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and teaching at writing seminars and conventions. These days, her time is filled with writing, being a grandmother and relishing precious time with her aged mother.

Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

This sounds like a great read. I'm always fascinated with stories set in Alaska. 

Readers, let's add this to our "to be read" list. 

Thanks, Bonnie, for giving us this little teaser. 

May We Never Forget

A song has been plaguing me, and I have been playing it over and over again in my car. It is sung by the Martins and called, May We Never Forget.

We passed Veterans Day, remembering the sacrifices of our military.

We are fast approaching Thanksgiving, trying to give thanks for our blessings.

We are leading into Christmas, sharing gifts.

In all this my thoughts came back to Someone's actions I take granted. Jesus was the ultimate freedom sacrifice.

God has blessed us with many things but none more important than His own Son.

Jesus was the ultimate Christmas gift. I too often forget that when Mary counted those little fingers and toes, God the Father knew ultimately what His Son was coming to do.

The stories become so familiar, I don't stop to truly think about the cost of the love that meant I could live.

Take a moment to listen to this song and never forget or take for granted what we have through Jesus.

May We Never Forget by The Martins

Brave New Century Release

Brave New Century

Inspirational Historical Romance from Prism Book Group

Stories of four young women who are each braving challenges at the dawn of the 20^th century in the big city. Will they overcome their hardships and find love?

Three Rings for Alice by Lisa Lickel

Love and respect in 1899 Milwaukee is as close as a phone call.

Forgiven by Paula Mowery

When Henry and Jessie meet it seems to be classic love at first sight until a shocking revelation tears them apart.

The Pocket Watch by Kathleen Rouser

Searching for the past an orphan and a young doctor find love for the future.

Flames of Hope by Teena Stewart

Love ignites in the midst of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

More about Three Rings for Alice:

Our opening story, Three Rings For Alice, shows Alice Smith’s struggles to be a modern woman at the turn of the twentieth century in America. Orphaned, she must make her own way in an age when women are just coming into the workforce. Despite a proposal of marriage from a long time friend, she determines to marry for nothing less than love, even if her love is a voice over the telephone.

About the author: Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. A muti-published, best-selling and award-winning novelist, she also writes short stories and radio-theater, is an avid book reviewer, blogger, a freelance editor, and magazine editor. Visit LisaLickel.com.

More about Forgiven:

Henry Smith has little interest in the plans his parents have for him when it comes to his career and who he will marry. His world is turned upside-down when a shoot-out ends in fatalities. 

Jessie Lee Capelle and her sister strike out from the orphanage their father mysteriously abandoned them at to make a life for themselves. Shamed by her background, Jessie struggles with Henry's attention. 

Just as Henry and Jessie decide on a life together a shocking revelation could force them apart unless true forgiveness can be found. 

Paula Mowery is a published author, speaker, and acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group. Her articles have appeared in Woman's World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living. She reviews Christian fiction for several authors. She is a member of ACFW and on their author interview team. Paula is a pastor's wife who lives with her husband and daughter in East Tennessee.  Find her at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com or connect with her through her author page on Facebook.

More about The Pocket Watch:

Isabel Jones, an orphan, receives a ruby ring left by the mother she never knew and wants more than ever to find her roots. When a young physician, Daniel Harper, rescues her from an oncoming automobile and she finds his pocket watch in a puddle, her circumstances take a turn. She begins to consider what life outside the orphanage could be like. Daniel’s heart has been broken before and the attractive young lady who finds his treasured timepiece wouldn’t be deemed suitable by his social climbing parents.

When Isabel and Daniel work side by side, caring for the orphanage children during an influenza epidemic, she becomes gravely ill. Compelled to redeem the time by helping her find the past, Daniel finds a buried truth that creates an unbridgeable chasm between them. Where will they find hope in a hopeless situation?

About the author: Kathleen Rouser has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. The Pocket Watch is Kathleen’s debut novella. She has been published in Homeschool Digest and An Encouraging Word. She currently enjoys interviewing authors for the Novel PASTimes historical fiction blog. Her desire is to bring to life endearing characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in southeast Michigan with her hero and husband of 31 years, Jack, who not only listens to her stories, but also cooks for her. Find her at: www.kathleenrouser.com, www.novelpastimes.com and https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser

More about Flames of Hope:

Young San Francisco police officer Gideon Light is smitten the moment he sees Lily McMinn rolling down the awnings on her father’s mercantile. Lovely, petite, and spunky, Lily had to grow up quickly after her mother passed away. She not only oversees the welfare of two younger siblings, she also helps run her father’s business.

Gideon and Lily are immediately attracted to each other and soon become good friends. It doesn’t take long before Lily realizes her feelings for Gideon have changed to something far deeper. He secretly harbors dreams of advancing in the force to earn a substantial enough income to make Lily his wife.

Before either has a chance to pursue each other, however, an earthquake of unthinkable magnitude shatters their world. With a raging fire fast in its wake, tragedy and triumph await as Gideon, Lily, and her family flee for their lives with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Set during the time of the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, this tale of great loss, incredible human courage, and sweet romance, will inspire and warm your heart.

About the author: Teena Stewart is a published author, an accomplished artist, and a ministry leader. In addition to Brave New Century, her recent published books include Mothers and Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship and The Treasure Seeker: Finding Love and Value in the Arms of Your Loving Heavenly Father. Brave New Century represents Teena’s first fiction inclusion in a book. She and her husband Jeff are involved in “out-of-the-box” organic church ministry in Hickory, NC. For more info on Teena visit www.teenastewart.com

 Available in print or digital formats from online book distributors. 

Book Teaser for Brave New Century

Thanks to Jacqui, we have a book teaser for our book due out this week. Take a look.

Brave New Century Teaser

What's Hindering Your Thankfulness?

Blogs and Facebook pages have suddenly become places to share what you're thankful for. I've enjoyed reading these posts which are leading us up to that one big thankful day, Thanksgiving.

However, do you sometimes struggle with being thankful? Or, do you have trouble hanging on to that grateful feeling?

Don't feel bad. God knew that we would struggle like this. Jesus spoke specifically about the things that might get us down, stealing our ability to be truly thankful.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches us not to worry. Specifically, He says not to fret over food, drink, and clothing. At first thought, we might feel we're fine with these things, but when was the last time you groaned over your grocery bill because of its enormous jump in price? Have you ever chewed your fingernails over having to buy your child another pair of jeans because the last pair looks more like capris? Have you wrung your hands about the fact that you seem to have more month than money?

What was Jesus' answer for these worries? He reminds us that God provides for the birds of the air, and He will even more so provide for us.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:4-8, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Paul tells us in these verses to rejoice and not be anxious. Did you notice that we are to pray with an attitude of thanksgiving? We can pray with gratitude because God has promised He will take care of us. He will even replace those worried feelings with a peace that can't be explained. Paul even gives us a list of positive things to think on to ward off the negative talk.

So, how about it, Christian brother or sister? Let's get rid of what is hindering our thankfulness, so we can be truly thankful for all the Lord's blessings.

Let this encourage you!

Count Your Blessings