Monday, June 24, 2013

Do you enjoy books that make you laugh out loud?


Do you enjoy books that make you laugh out loud?

 
I sent my latest book this morning to my publisher, Prism Book Group.  This little dyslexic angel, Sarah, experiences several misadventures in the new work entitled: Sarah and the Widow’s Mate.  I begin a new story of Sarah disasters in July, and I’m looking forward to this little spirit bringing me laughter as I sit at the computer.

Sarah: A Mission of Love was her first venture to Earth.  Oh my! The things she did. In Angel class 101, she received computer instruction, but operating those thingies in the upper realm didn’t prepare her for the real thing.  Poor Sarah—she simply can’t understand technology.  Klutzy?  The word doesn’t describe her. She falls off roofs and loves high heels but tumbles off them too. Did I mention her sense of direction?  I didn’t?  Well, that’s because she has none.
 

In Sarah: Laney’s Angel, I reveal her catastrophes as she attempts to unite a stubborn couple.  The Warrior Angel, Tomas helps her somewhat, but there’s only so much he can do.  The Lieutenant assigned to her in the upper realm finds himself often in prayer because of her antics. Sarah means well, her intentions are honorable, but she can’t help it. She’s merely an accident on her way to a mortal’s life.


In Sarah, a Widow’s Mate, Sarah must help a widow discover which man out of two is interested in her and not her vast wealth.  Sarah goes to a wedding disguised as a female human. Can you believe it? The poor thing falls down in the aisle with a sanctuary full of people gazing at her. Oh! While there, she inadvertently starts a church rumor. Will she be called up to Cloud Five for a reprimand? Angels aren’t supposed to create gossip.

Books that make me laugh as I read them make me happy.  One of the recent releases from Prism Book Group, Daddy Wanted, by Penelope Marzec promises to do just that.  In this book, Grace wakes up one morning to discover she has lost her job and her roommate is pregnant. Determined to solve both problems, she searches for jobs online and sets up an ad to find a daddy for the child. Russell, an IT repairman, needs a date for a wedding, but the woman on his arm must be the Perfect Woman. According to his list of specifications, Grace fits the bill—until he finds a pregnancy test kit box in the garbage. Deciding she’s only a little bit pregnant, he offers her a business deal.  Doesn’t that sound funny?  I’m reading it next.


I enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series for that humor reason. I also favor the Miss Julia series authored by Ann B. Ross.

Daily events bring us enough trauma and challenges.  It’s better to escape with a good book and laugh out loud.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Tears on Father's Day


 

 Tears. They wash the eyes and the heart.

They take the place of words. When verbal communication fails, our physiological system takes over and tears flow. Even when we try to stem the tide, the release comes.

 Most of us wish to prevent this event, but why should we attempt to halt the natural progression the Almighty created within us?

 God takes note of our weeping. In Psalm 56:8, He tells us he records them in his Book. In Revelation 21:4, God promises to “wipe every tear from every eye.  There will be no more death, crying or pain.”

Since God considers our tears important enough to write each one down, why are we embarrassed by them? Tears care not who sees them. They have no shame.
Jesus wept. John 11:35. It’s the shortest verse in the Bible.

Yesterday, Sunday, June 16, 2013 was Father’s Day.  Many tears streamed down cheeks as the young and old thought of and acknowledged their dad. Some cried tears of joy because their father still lives on the Earth and many wept because their dad is no longer here with them.

A few sons and daughters realized that this would be the last Father’s Day they would share with their dad. How could tears not pour down in this instance?
Others wept because they grew up without knowing the man who fathered them.

Don’t be afraid to cry. Joy, emotional pain, physical suffering, or anger, tears are a gift from God.  Father’s Day reminds us of love and love sometimes causes tears.
Our Heavenly Father welcomes our tears.
 



 

Monday, June 10, 2013

My Husband's Old Friend


 

MY HUSBAND’S OLD FRIEND

 
A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.

Charles Spurgeon

 
I bought the Bible in the picture about twenty years ago to use in the video I produced, Psalms from the Mountains.  My spouse liked the size of it, and after the filming ceased, he claimed it for his own. This time-honored book is the first thing he reads when he rises each morning. When he leaves for work, it goes with him. As he sits in his favorite chair, his Bible rests on the end table. His old friend is easily assessable and always by his side.

The aged companion is worn out, but this friend is irreplaceable to him. The pages fall out and almost every verse is underlined. I’ve bought new ones, but alas, the alternatives go back to the store. In desperation to preserve her dad’s treasure, our daughter gave him a folder for it so he wouldn’t lose the leaves of paper.

Other friends exist in our home. From where I sit, I count fourteen of them—Bibles in various vintages and translations. I think one of them is in the Greek language, and believe me, that one receives little attention. If I leave my computer and go to other areas, I would find more. My favorite friend sits beside my preferred chair in the living room. It too is well worn and will soon have sheets falling from the binder.

I know one family who assign their Bibles to the car so they will know where they are when Sunday comes around. Others I’m acquainted with have none at all in their possession.

Our church gives Bibles to young people, and we offer them to the less fortunate who can’t afford to purchase one.

The Bible possesses the answers to life and is the dearest treasure anyone can have. Is the one you own as dear as an Old Friend?

Thursday, June 6, 2013


 
I'm thankful to see these two books on Amazon's top 100 seller's list today.
 


Monday, June 3, 2013

ACTS


ACTS of Prayer

Someone once said prayer should be ACTS. If I knew who gave this prayer tool, I’d give him or her credit for this helpful tidbit, but since I only remember the acronym, I’ll share that with you.

A             Adoration.  Pray with praise.

C             Confession. Seek forgiveness for yourself and others.

T              Thanksgiving. Always find a word of gratitude for blessings.

S              Supplication. Seeking  Intercession for others.

 Now to ACTS.

*      A.  Holy God you are eternal and there is no one like You.

*      C.  You know my sin. Forgive me. Forgive the sins of my nation. They are also many.

*      T.  Thank you for the rain and cool breeze this morning.

*       S.  Here’s a few of the hurting I ask your favor upon.

                                The little boy fighting for life from a rattlesnake bite.

                                A mother waiting for results of a breast biopsy.

                                A friend You welcomed into heaven. Her family and friends need comfort.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

PBG Insider: Gay N. Lewis Introduces her "Sarah" series

Sarah at Christmas