Give us aid against the enemy,
for the help of man is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
Psalm 108:12-13 (NIV)
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Five reasons I love Christmas:
Jesus is the reason for the season. That He would come to experience manhood, to live humanity while being God, is unbelievable but grandiose and supernatural. He is real. He is Love. And celebrating His birth is the ultimate exercise in humility and joy.
Buying gifts. I can't tell you how much fun I have finding just the right presents. Nothing is more fun than giving gifts.
Christmas lights. I don't care how few or how many, I love seeing them.
Christmas trees, the colors red and green, and decorations that honor the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas carols – the real ones with meaningful recitations of our Savior's birth. One of my top more contemporary favorites:
Jesus, there are no words to thank you enough. For coming to earth, for saving the world if they choose to acknowledge you, for taking our sins upon your sinless self to pay the penalty of death for each one of us. I cannot imagine the pain you endured for me. I'm desperate for you and eternally grateful. I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Suffice it to say I've become a summer person. Love the sunshine and warmth. The color of skin from the fresh outdoors. The fall is lovely, melancholy, and of all the seasonal clothing, autumn colors are my favorites to wear – besides my Seahawks' attire.
I'm learning the winds in our new residence. Since we have no shortage of the stronger gusts at times, I've discovered the east wind is the most severe and threatening. Not fond of the east wind. Neither is our dog.
Our view is a 360 degree setting of God's beauty in His creation. Rural, a robust view of Mt. Rainier dressed in its neon winter white, green pastures, the foothills and Evergreens dusted with snow, that white speckling encroaching on the lower elevations.
Officially we're easing into winter but it's already here in spirit. The temps have dropped in our area into the 20s. The wind chill is a definite factor this evening as the flags whip around their pole and extend their banners straight out, flapping their protests.
I do appreciate each season, the variance, the clarity, the symbolic messages in each one. There is a purpose . . .
Father, thank you for the incredible beauty, your overwhelming generosity, and your endless love. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you. So much. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Not my "wish" but it is beautiful.
Father, may your beauty be evidenced by all who are looking for it and you. Help them to find you, Holy Spirit. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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In the vein of the late Vince Flynn and now Kyle Mills, Brad Thor has his own super-hero in the former military sense: Scot Harvath. True thrillers with complex plots, if you like Vince Flynn, you'll like Brad Thor. For me, no one is equal to Mitch Rapp, but Scot Harvath is definitely no slouch. Above is the cover of Thor's latest novel Foreign Agent, but if you want a complete list of his novels, go here. (Oddly enough, Foreign Agent contains a little more bad language and sexual activity than is normally found in Thor's books.) These novels bring the action and qualify as genuine thrillers in the espionage/political/counter-terrorism venue.
Lord, please stay close to Brad Thor and remind him of your love for him. Keep him safe. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
"Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:18-27 (NIV)
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If you're in the market for romance, consider Brenda S. Anderson's Risking Love. If you're in the market for women's fiction, Brenda offers the trilogy: Chain of Mercy, Memory Box Secrets, and Hungry for Home.
Patricia Bradley offers an interesting mystery with subtle romance.
Smart and stark characters in this romantic suspense, heavier on the suspense by Anne Patrick.
There will be more selections for you next week.
Father, these ladies write for your glory. Help them to continue to do just as you ask. Bless them for their skills offered to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Take a break from your Christmas shopping to enjoy this repeat of the Wells Fargo Christmas commercial. Love this one. And, yes, I cry when it's on. I'm a big time sap.
Father, thank you for all the beauty you inspire. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Christmas. We were desperate for you then and still are. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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The Famous One is available in both print and e-book. The blurb:
Joey Parr’s journey from a troubled childhood and rebellious adolescence leads him into a career in film and reluctant celebrity. The Famous One chronicles his life and allows the reader to share in his beginnings, his awkward fame, and the love which finally finds him when he least expects it. As his dream of having a family unfolds, he is stunned to learn something is still missing from his near perfect life.
Breath of Life is only available in print at this time. The blurb:
Breath of Life tells the story of embittered, wounded, and divorced Michael Jamison, who, after a prolonged period as the casual observer of a lovely woman, discovers his attraction to her supersedes remaining a stranger. With a smarting ego and nothing to lose, he figures out a non-threatening way to introduce himself and is overwhelmed with her pristine beauty and challenged to change everything about the way he's lived his life so far.
Destination is only available in e-book format at this time. The blurb:
An unlikely felon returns to his roots and the friendship of a fiery old widow. The last things he expects to find are true love, a ministry to youth, and the unusual burden for his new love’s ex-fiancé.
Thomas Grand serves his time for manslaughter in the second degree and leaves jail as a divorced felon for his unintentional crime. After an emotionally brutal encounter with his ex-wife and with little to look forward to except a hint of hope in his heart, he heads back to the obscure location of his childhood and the one person he hopes is still alive to propel his faith to the next level and to restore meaning to his damaged life.
Sweet Release is only available in e-book format at this time. The blurb:
Love is just a four letter word until its true revelation hits hard in the hearts of six people who have yet to experience it in its purest form. The journey these individuals make to realize the origin and reality of genuine love is both gut-wrenching and rapturous, searching to find the sweet release to love freely. A film critic, an architectural designer, a rape victim, a computer wizard, a lonely divorcée, and a longtime bachelor pastor discover love is far more powerful than anything they’ve experienced in their pasts.
Thus concludes my "Tuesday to me . . . " novel Christmas shopping self-promotion. The e-books are at bargain prices. Hope you can find something here to whet your appetite for a love story as a gift for you or someone you love.
Father, thank you for every story, every word, every moment spent doing what needed to be done. May I always honor you with my writing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Monday Mania begins the highly recommended Christmas book shopping selections beginning with none other than the continuing saga of the legendary Mitch Rapp in Order to Kill. Kyle Mills has successfully kept this character alive and well in his two novels taking over for the late Vince Flynn.
You really don't want to miss the new Raleigh Harmon novel by Sibella Giorello. One of the best female protagonists to ever grace the pages of the mystery/suspense genre, the fine, intelligent writing of Sibella Giorello will keep you emotionally engaged and enthralled throughout the twists of this story.
A new and powerful voice in the thriller genre, Joseph Courtemanche is no amateur in the business about which he writes. A bona fide thriller with incredible insights into today's terror threats, you simply must read Assault on St. Agnes. Offering a unique and salty protagonist, this book will leave you hungry for more of Courtemanche.
Father, please keep your staying hand of divine protection on each of these authors. Fill them up with new stories to tell and bless their writing endeavors as they fulfill what you have for them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
