Sunday, December 8, 2024

Hope – A Supernatural Abstraction #Devotional by Laura Poole

 

Hope – A Supernatural Abstraction

 


“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words.” ~Emily Dickinson

 

Emily’s quote paints a beautiful image of a seemingly supernatural abstraction we all long for and find impossible to live without. Yet, hope often feels elusive, just out of reach of our grasp. When we suffer hardships or walk through trials, despair can easily nudge hope aside.

 

Hope is mentioned throughout the Bible, often coupled with other positive words, to encourage us to stay the course.

 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

 

Hope isn’t born in a vacuum, unaffected by outside influences. Hope is vital and often reborn as we journey through life’s trials. And hope walks hand-in-hand with joy and faith.

 

…And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:2-5

 

Despair does not defeat God’s supernatural hope which strengthens and edifies our souls. Hope whispers to us that tomorrow will be better, our problems have solutions, and healing can take place.

 

What is troubling you today? I want to assure you of the miraculous hope God can instill in your soul, despite your circumstances. All you have to do is believe, then reach out and take hold of his hand. His strength will see you through.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

 

Thank you, LORD!


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LAURA HODGES POOLE is an award-winning Christian author of several books. Her novel, Return to Walhalla, was a Selah Award finalist. She enjoys encouraging others through her blog, A Word of Encouragement. On beautiful days in South Carolina, you might find her hiking instead of writing. An empty-nester, Laura enjoys a quiet life with her husband when she’s not playing with her grandchildren.



Advent is a time of holy preparation that culminates in a celebration of our Lord’s birthday on Christmas. It is a turning away from self and toward Christ. With this devotional, the reader can delve into the four parts of Advent instead of getting caught up in the commercialism defining the secular celebration of Christmas. You’ll learn that hope, joy, and peace are intertwined with our Christian faith as you journey toward Christmas.



 

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Chapel Springs Revival (Chapel Springs Series) by Ane Mulligan

 


Chapel Springs Revival

 (Chapel Springs Series) 

September 2, 2014

Monday, December 2, 2024

What I Left for You: Volume 3 (Echoes of the Past) by Liz Tolsma

 


What I Left for You: 

Volume 3 

(Echoes of the Past) 

December 1, 2024

 

The research Tolsma included of her personal family heritage brought a fresh look at the past, landscape, buildings and foods that were popular in Poland, but yet newcomers to America kept the recipes alive in families. This is one story that will stay with me for a long time.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publisher without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own thoughts.

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Become Your Best Self #devotional by B J Bassett

 

Become Your Best Self

Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Colossians 4:5-6 MSG


Recently, I’ve heard the term: Become your best self. I’m not sure what it means. Is it a slogan for self-help books or a cult movement?

We have become a Me Society where everything revolves around us—constant exercising, dieting, juice cleansing—looking for a quick-fix solution for happiness. The things we find painful, overwhelming, or unbearable must be repressed. The constant movement seems to be the norm, never stopping to reflect or spend time in the presence of our Lord. Yet, in our society, with all these so-called remedies available, depression is on the rise.

I’ve read some self-help books and consider myself a positive thinker. Yet, as believers, we need to be aware of anything that may not be based on God’s Word. So when in doubt, go to the source. The Bible is full of everything we need to be our best selves. Maybe the way to become our best selves is to bring out the best in others.

Father, sometimes it’s hard to weed out what is of You and what is a cult. Help me be discerning, I pray. Thank You for Your Word, which teaches me how to live. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Reprinted from

The King’s Daughters

By BJ Bassett



 


B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.





Thursday, November 28, 2024

Mountain Christmas Brides: Nine Historical Novellas Celebrate Faith and Love in the Rocky Mountains by Mildred Colvin, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis, Lena Nelson Dooley, Darlene Franklin, Debby Lee, Tamela Hancock Murray Carrie Turansky, Gina Welborn

 


Mountain Christmas Brides: 

Nine Historical Novellas Celebrate Faith and Love in the Rocky Mountains

September 1, 2016

 

My top two favorites were Almost Home by Susan Page Davis and The Best Medicine by Lena Nelson Dooley. This book has been on my bookshelf for a while so with Christmas approaching it was nice to have novellas to read instead of a long novel to find the happy ending.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Things Left Unsaid by Courtney Walsh

 


Things Left Unsaid 

October 30, 2018

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Rooted in Love: Garden Grown Romance Book Two by Valerie Comer

 


Rooted in Love: 

Garden Grown Romance Book Two

November 14, 2017


Alaina Silva gets enough time with other people’s kids in her new job administrating the Grace Greenhouse programs. If she were looking to date — and she’s not — it wouldn’t be with a man offering her an insta-family. So why is it a struggle to keep the intriguing father of a pair of rambunctious twins out of her mind?

Divorcé Cameron Kraus has a busy life with a career and two six-year-olds. Now he’s finally scored full-time daycare at Grace Greenhouse, but his overbearing parents are in town for the summer offering to watch the boys. No thanks. Not when Cameron is hoping to build something with the gorgeous program director he sees at least twice a day.

Faced with disapproval from both families, Alaina and Cameron must dig roots deep into their faith if they hope to nurture their budding love.

About the Garden Grown Romance Series

These stories are part of the multi-author Arcadia Valley Romance series, where a foodie culture and romance grow hand-in-hand. In this sub-series, the congregation of Grace Fellowship repurposes a pair of derelict greenhouses and their attached lot, while providing a setting for romance.

1. Sown in Love (ebook only)
2. Sprouts of Love (ebook and paperback)
3. Rooted in Love (ebook and paperback)
4. Harvest of Love (ebook and paperback)

Join 
USA Today bestselling author Valerie Comer in this delightful contemporary Christian romance series showcasing the best in farm-to-table fiction! Then check out her many other titles in several series. Whether farm-fresh romances, small-town romances, or cowboy romances, they’re all full of her trademark engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith. These are clean, wholesome, sweet, and inspirational romances sure to be reread over and over. Find out more at valeriecomer.com/books.



My thoughts: Rooted in Love is an earlier book by Ms Comer that I somehow missed. This is about a divorced man and a single woman who both have issues to deal with and overprotective, meddling parents despite the fact they are almost 30. She is a child care provider and he has children. The children have a lot of issues and tangency to get into trouble so there is plenty of drama in this relationship. The story jumps around in time more than I expect Ms Comer's books to but it was a good story and if you like romance you will enjoy this book

Hope – A Supernatural Abstraction #Devotional by Laura Poole

  Hope – A Supernatural Abstraction   “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words.” ~...