David Phelps sings, O Holy Night. Enjoy!
I will be taking a blog break until Monday, January 6, 2014.
Writers and Readers: What's your favorite Christmas song and artist?
Photo Credit: alexbruda
Monday, December 23, 2013
Have a Blessed Christmas!
David Phelps sings, O Holy Night. Enjoy!
I will be taking a blog break until Monday, January 6, 2014.
Writers and Readers: What's your favorite Christmas song and artist?
Photo Credit: alexbruda
Friday, December 20, 2013
If You Agree to Accept This Mission...
God's love is an endless source of amazement to me. Although He knew Adam and Eve would sin, He still created them and made preparations to rescue mankind.
This plan would require tremendous sacrifice. Instead of walking on streets of gold, the Savior would travel dusty roads. The adoration of angels would be there, but muffled by those seeking to entrap Him with words. Heaven's perfection would give way to suffering humanity.
This plan would require tremendous sacrifice. Instead of walking on streets of gold, the Savior would travel dusty roads. The adoration of angels would be there, but muffled by those seeking to entrap Him with words. Heaven's perfection would give way to suffering humanity.
He had to succeed where Adam failed and fulfill the law as a
Spirit-filled man. Jesus would be born free of the curse Adam brought upon us via the virgin birth. A slave can't free a slave. Since the fallen nature is passed down through Adam, God had to be His father.
After they tortured and crucified Him, God raised His sinless Son from the dead after three days. How can anyone doubt God's love? He went to great lengths to obtain forgiveness and new life.
Years ago, I heard an old spiritual that said, "I don't know why Jesus loved me. I don't know why He cared. I don't know why He sacrificed His life. Oh, but I'm glad, so glad He did."
That song often runs through my mind and heart. I can't explain it. I can't understand it, but I'm so grateful God sent His Son.
Years ago, I heard an old spiritual that said, "I don't know why Jesus loved me. I don't know why He cared. I don't know why He sacrificed His life. Oh, but I'm glad, so glad He did."
That song often runs through my mind and heart. I can't explain it. I can't understand it, but I'm so grateful God sent His Son.
Photo Credit: dogmadic
Monday, December 16, 2013
It's About to Start!
First came The Moses Conspiracy, now comes..... The Scent of Fear.
The Zimmermans enjoy the tenuous peace in the wake of their hair-raising year battling the New Patriots. Unexpected visitors once again throw them into turmoil.
Jim Kenneman, Director of National Security, masterminded the plan to break up a hate group ravaging the Christian community. Now, his enemies are out to eliminate him. Should he make a run for it or stick by his tried-and-true negotiating skills?
Monty Addison, a topnotch operative, carried out his assignment in Bird-in-Hand. A plot to destroy his boss sends him on a mission. Without agency sanction, it may cost him everything - his career, his family, and maybe his life.
Dr. Abby Weaver strives to save infants and toddlers in Holmes County, Ohio. When she meets two strangers, she can't get the tall, handsome one out of her mind. Will their paths intersect again or will dangerous times keep them apart?
The Scent of Fear is available at:
~~~Amazon~~~
~~~Barnes and Noble~~~
The Book Series
About the Author
Susan J. Reinhardt's publishing credits include her debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy, as well as devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.
~Diane Estrella, www.dianeestrella.com ~Pamela Christian, http://pamelachristianministries.com/pamelas_blog December 17 ~Sandie Czosek, http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/ ~Linda O'Connell, http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/ December 18 ~Lynn Mosher, http://lynnmosher.com/ ~Jill Ivy, https://lucky4jill.wordpress.com/ December 19 ~Debbie Curto, http://debbieloseanything.
~Karen Korb, http://stillmagnolias.
December 23
~Maria I. Morgan, www.mariaimorgan.com
~Beckie Stoneking, www.inaminute-beckie.blogspot.Open to US addresses only. One person will receive a $25 Amazon GC and a copy of The Scent of Fear. Please use the Rafflecopter below to be entered:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The winner will be chosen from those entries and announced January 17, 2014. Good luck!
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as e-mailed, and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Diane at That’s What I’m Here For… and sponsored by the author, Susan J. Reinhardt. The author provided me with a free copy of The Scent of Fear to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free book.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Lots of Decor, but No Context
We hear a lot about generics these days. Everything from
prescription drugs to clothing has a no-name brand. The big draw is the lower
price tag.
I've discovered another kind of generic: the generic holiday.
Decorations adorn stores without the context of its meaning. In one store, the
decorations were linked with the word, "dream." Ah yes, dream of
those clothes and household items, and put them in your cart.
I'm sad today. I miss the Christmas Carols playing, the
Merry Christmas greetings, the warmth of society celebrating one of the
singular events in history - the birth of Jesus. We're left with the trappings
of a holy-day, stripped bare of its meaning.
As a believer, I've committed to keep things in context.
While I enjoy the decor and the fun, I'm in awe of the greatest gift I've ever
received: forgiveness and a relationship with the One who created heaven and
earth, Jesus Christ.
Writers and Readers: Has "generic holiday" sprung
up among your retailers? What are some of the things you miss from past
celebrations?
Photo Credit: suzz86
Photo Credit: suzz86
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
An Adoption Story - Guest Blog by Patti Smith
I
was going through some boxes and found an Anthology of Student Writing from my
son's elementary school. I went directly to a dog-eared page and this is what I
found:
THE LONG ROAD HOME
(A True Story)
Bobby Cleghorn
Grade 6
Up
until I was 7 I remember that I lived in a truck and under a roller coaster and
in motel rooms. When I was 7 my Mom left my sister Bonnie and I in a motel room
to go bail my dad out of jail and she never came back. The principal of my
school found out that we were left alone and called the police. We were taken
to a shelter home. We lived there for a year. Then we went to a foster home
with Debi as a foster mom. We stayed there for a year then Debi and my sister moved to Connecticut.
I moved to a group home. I was there for a year till Debi moved back and I went
to live with her and my sister again. When I moved back in we both went to a
new school. It was a small school. My teacher was really great and the school
secretary started taking me to her house on weekends. I also spent Spring Break
with her and Don. It was a “test-drive” to see if I would like living in
Aguanga with them but I didn't know it.
One
day, Debi took Bonnie and me out for ice cream. She wanted to tell us that
there were people who wanted to adopt us. Bonnie's teacher in Connecticut
wanted her and I guessed many names until Debi said Patti and Don wanted to
adopt me. I was really happy about that!
We
had to go to court and the judge said that Bonnie could move to Connecticut and
I could move in with Patti and Don. I lived with them a year and we went
to court again. The judge said the adoption was final and I was Patti and Don's
son forever. After court that day my new mom and dad had a surprise adoption
party for me at Stadium Pizza. All the people from my school were there and so
were my grandparents and my social worker. I was really surprised! I got really
nice gifts and had a fun time.
I
talk to my sister on the phone almost every week and we see each other in the
summers. We share stories of our new families.
I
am now in the sixth grade and still go to the same school. My new teacher is
great!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What
a blessing to have found that gem! Robert (I still call him Bobby, much to his
dismay) is now 33 and the father of two beautiful daughters. Even though
he's a grown man, I still see that little boy that walked into my office and
into my heart so many years ago.
Then and Now. :) 
Monday, December 9, 2013
It's Here!
Have you heard? The long-awaited Christmas novella, The
Christmas Wish, released on Amazon on Thursday, December 5, 2013. Here's the
backcover copy:
Freddie Gilroy faces a bully head-on. His mom and the
Director of the homeless shelter both
try different solutions to no avail. When a grown-up begins stalking him,
things get totally out of hand.
Norma Gilroy still believes her husband will come back for
them. As pressures mount, a former resident works hard to convince her she's
wasting her time and that he's the answer to her problems.
Annaliese and Aaron's continued disagreement on how to raise
Katie reach a serious impasse. One small boy's faith inspires them to trust God
and believe for their own Christmas miracle.
Ellie and John Zimmerman help the Gilroys even though
they're weary from their own challenges with The New Patriots. With storm
clouds on the horizon, they once again see God's faithfulness in the lives of
their friends and family.
Writers and Readers: Do you read Christmas novellas? What
elements make a Christmas story WOW you?
Friday, December 6, 2013
A Hop, Skip, and a Jump
I've been hopping, skipping, and jumping around the Net.
Here are a few posts I thought you'd find interesting.
1. The BloggingBistro had an article on what to do if your Facebook account gets hacked.
BTW, when an established friend sends you a second friend
request, their account has most likely been compromised. DO NOT CONFIRM THE
REQUEST UNTIL YOU CONTACT THEM THROUGH THEIR BLOG OR WEBSITE. Ask them if they
sent the request, and alert them to the possibility they've been hacked.
2. Have you seen blog with a button to share the
posts to multiple sites? I have and wondered how this was achieved. My
publisher sent the link to Add This: http://www.addthis.com/?r=0 It's FREE. If this techy-challenged gal can
get it on her blog, anyone can!
3. The Write Conversation posted a fun list of special day in November. If you're looking for ideas, you
may find one here.
Writers
and Readers: What social media tips have
you picked up lately? If you've tried Add This, please share your experience.
Has it generated more hits for your blog?
Photo Credit: TALUDA
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
How Veggie Tales Inspired a Novella - Guest Post by Amber Schamel
How Veggie Tales Inspired
a Biblical Novella
It was a summer evening, I was in the kitchen making dinner
while my little siblings (for some odd reason) were watching The Toy That Saved
Christmas, a Veggie-Tales movie. My publisher had asked me to write a Christmas
story and I was deep in thought wondering what I should write when I suddenly
tuned in to what was playing on the screen.
Grandpa George was reading a scripture to Bob, Larry and
Buzz-saw Louie. "And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him
in baby clothes and laid him in a manger."
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute, the passage didn't say baby clothes. In the King James it says swaddling clothes. That got me to
thinking, what exactly are swaddling clothes? Are they just baby clothes? Or is
there another meaning to them?
I looked up the passage in Luke chapter two and noted that
it was mentioned not only once, but twice that Mary wrapped her first-born son
in swaddling clothes. So I began my
research.
I found out that swaddling clothes did not necessarily mean
that Mary and Joseph were poor or destitute. Swaddling clothes were used by
people of all classes to wrap a newborn in hopes that it would help their limbs
grow straight, as well as calm the babe. But if swaddling clothes were so common
during that era, why was it specifically mentioned as a sign to the shepherds
of who the Messiah would be? So I searched some more.
Another source said that in the eastern countries they would
use a cloth to put between the yoke of an ox, and the ox's shoulders. When Mary
and Joseph were in the barn, they had nothing else to use, so they used this
ox's cloth that was translated as swaddling cloth to wrap the Messiah that
would carry the yoke of our sin and bondage.
Many hours and
websites later, I emerged armed with a ton of information, four different
theories, and a story forming inside my head. So, I guess you could say that my
new book The Swaddling Clothes was inspired by a Veggie Tales movie.
The things that inspire people, or give them an idea is very
interesting to me.
What are some odd
things that have given you an idea or inspiration?
The Swaddling Clothes
Synopsis:
Through the ages, many stories have been told about Mary,
Joseph and the birth of the Messiah. Stories of shepherds and sheep, kings,
angels, and stables. But there is one story that has never been told. One story
that has remained hidden in the fabric of time. The story of The Swaddling
Clothes.
Mentioned not once, but several times in the Scriptural
text, what is the significance of these special cloths? And how did they make
their way into a stable in Bethlehem?
From the author that brought you the Days of Messiah series comes a whole new
adventure critics are calling "intriguing...thought
provoking... a fresh twist on an age old story."
"I get tired of
Bible stories sometimes, but The Swaddling Clothes brings the story to life."
"Heartwarming...truly
inspired. A story you will want to read again and again. Rich details and a
suspenseful plot will keep you reading while giving you a glimpse of God's
wonderful power and His amazing love."
Amber
Schamel is a multi-published author of Christian Historical Fiction. Her
passion for history and culture has led her to travel extensively throughout
the United States, Europe,
and the Holy Land. Amber is actively involved
in her church and enjoys volunteer work and music ministry. Raised in a family of twelve children and
homeschooled throughout her education, she currently resides in the beautiful
state of Colorado
where she also serves as bookkeeper and marketing director for their family
businesses. Find Amber on her blog, or on all the main social media sites.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel
Twitter: @AmberSchamel
Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/
Twitter: @AmberSchamel
Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/
Monday, December 2, 2013
Where Do You Get Ideas?
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but in my
experience a picture can produce a thousand words. I've drawn inspiration from
a number of sources. Here are a few examples:
1. Often I'll be
searching for a graphic and see something that triggers an idea for a blog post
or a scene in one of my novels. I like the site, The Stock Exchange.
2. Pinterest - the
ultimate idea place. You can find pictures of clothing from various time
periods, food, nature scenes, and just about anything you can imagine.
3. Special Interest
Blogs - I like to visit blogs that talk about hobbies or subjects I find
interesting. Characters have hobbies or occupations that can be woven into a
plot. Tamara Leigh often gives her characters an obsession with a particular
food or activity. One of them, a romance writer, loved decking her nails out in
bright red polish.
Whether you're a writer or reader/blogger looking for a
quirky character trait, topic for a blog post, or theme for a child's party, a
picture can jumpstart your thought processes.
Question for you:
Have you ever been captivated by a picture? What did you do with the
idea?
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