Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

St. Patrick’s Day Book Guide

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We’re all Irish this time of year and what better way to celebrate March 17 than with an Irish cookbook or by learning about the man himself– Saint Patrick. This is a special time of year for us at Ambassador International– after all we got our start in Belfast more than four decades ago. Here are some books perfect for helping you celebrate our Irish heritage:

Shamrock and Peach CoverShamrock and Peach: A Culinary Journey From the North of Ireland to the American South

The Shamrock and Peach is a unique book in many ways.

It is a cookbook that explores the best of Ulster-Scots cuisine but is also the tale of an immigrant’s journey, following in the footsteps of those Scots-Irish settlers who forged the trails of Appalachia years ago.

It is a story of the many cultural overlaps that exist between the North of Ireland and the Deep South, celebrating those cultural expressions through the language of really good food.

The first half of The Shamrock and Peach is set in the green fields of Ireland and from there we cross the ocean to the American South to discover some wonderful food experiences that have their roots in the Emerald Isle.

Filled with beautiful photographs of both regions, The Shamrock and Peach will be a fun and interesting resource to browse through and use in your kitchen for years to come.

 

Saint PatrickSaint Patrick: The Man and His Mission

Saint Patrick: The Man and His Mission will take you on a journey back to the early part of the 5th century. Little information exists regarding life and conditions prior to that time in the land named Hibernia – the island lay on the edge of the known world beyond the fringe of the Roman Empire. It took the mission of the man we call Saint Patrick and the discovery of his writings to see the beginning of any real history of Ireland. More important still is the fact that these writings provide such a vivid picture of Patrick himself that the force of his personality and the fervor of his faith still live today. Here then is a voice from the distant past! Not a faltering voice or a melancholy voice but a voice full of certainty and hope and joy. The voice of a man in touch with God.

 

A Little Irish Love Story

Set in post World War II Ireland, this retelling of the Biblical story of Ruth is an incredible love story . . . with a twist.

Elderly Sarah returns to her hometown of Adare, Ireland, with her daughter-in-law, Anna. The suffering that World War II brought them was unimaginable, but they still have each other. With all their loved ones killed in the war, the two women have nothing but a hope that one distant relative will help them. Will this new beginning bring the healing that both of them have prayed for?

With heart-pounding suspense, romance, and mystery tied up in one, A Little Irish Love Story contains unforgettable, human characters that bring humor and sweetness to the sweeping Irish backdrop.

Follow along as incredible moments of passionate faith are gleaned from the pages and a heroic young woman finds the truth about her life—that she is loved beyond what she could have ever imagined.

 

Ireland to the Wild West: A True Story of Romance, Faith, Tragedy, and Hope

Marcus PaulBorn in 1846 in Ireland at the start of the “Great Hunger,” James Kinnier Wilson emigrated to Philadelphia to start a new life at seventeen years old.

After his life took a dramatic turn, he found himself attending Princeton and then a college in Scotland, where he met Agnes Hately, the talented daughter of a famous figure in the Scottish “Disruption”-the emergence of the Free Church of Scotland.

Agnes and James, now newlyweds, crossed the dangerous Atlantic and settled in rural New Jersey. While there, Agnes wrote intimate letters home about her children, the people around her, the church, and the dangers of endemic disease.

Called in 1878 to the Wild West to found churches and to farm, Agnes again revealed in detail the conditions of her life on the frontier and her impressions of American women, cowboys, servant girls, church-goers, and provides some never before seen detail to what is called the “Last Indian Raid in Kansas.”

In Ireland to the Wild West, Marcus Paul uses these letters penned by Agnes to take readers on a journey through Agnes and James’ engagement, marriage, dangerous travels, and their arrival and life in America.

Through her letters, a treasure trove for historians, readers will gain a unique insight to that time period and will find an engrossing and inspiring story of romance, faith, tragedy, and hope.

A Shiver of Wonder: A Life of C. S. Lewis

He was an intellectual prig who was transformed into a man who had a mind and heart awake to holiness. He had no posterity, but few men in history have been so deeply loved by children.  He was but a mirror A Shiver of Wonderreflecting another Face.

He was an Oxford Don and a Cambridge Professor. He was an expert in Medieval and Renaissance English who gripped the imagination of millions through his wartime broadcasts of Christian truth for the BBC—broadcasts that later became his famous book, Mere Christianity.

He was C. S. Lewis, a name synonymous with legendary kindness, intellectual rigour, a love of nature and perhaps his greatest creation, Aslan and the land of Narnia. His writings still compel countless readers to shiver with wonder at the great imagination and depth of understanding he possessed. Controversial genius that he was, his life is a beacon for all who struggle with doubt and faith in Christ.

The Titanic’s Last Hero: A Startling True Story That Can Change Your Life Forever

The Inspiring Love Story That Will Change Your Life

Over one hundred years ago, an “unsinkable” luxury liner sank on its maiden voyage. More than 1,500 men, women, and children tragically lost their lives after the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912.

Shockingly, many who perished had refused to board the lifeboats at first, believing the ship as truly indestructible and would not sink!

From that dark disaster shines an inspirational love story—the true story of one man’s great love for his Savior and for humankind. This is the story of John Harper, the Titanic’s last hero, who set his only child in a lifeboat before setting his sights on the salvation of the lost souls around him.

Re-live John Harper’s last hours as the ship took on water and passengers swarmed the decks. “Let the women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats!” was Harper’s cry.

Discover, through the testimonies of those who knew him, what inspired this man to go down with the ship and flounder in icy waters under a starry sky as he searched for doomed souls who needed his message of love and salvation.

The Titanic’s Last Hero presents a hero whose courageous story you will never forget.

Favorite Flavors of Ireland

Favorite Flavors of Ireland invites readers, cooks, and armchair travelers alike on a nostalgic tour of one of Europe’s most beloved destinations. From her first visit in 1984, Margaret Johnson has forged an indelible bond with Ireland and Irish food, and she shares this unique relationship with you in her eleventh cookbook. You’ll find recipes that have become her favorites along with a few recent discoveries that are sure to please. The book brings home all the classics—Shepherd’s Pie, Bacon and Cabbage, Seafood Chowder, Bread and Butter Pudding—and provides an insightful look into the seasonal ingredients that shape the country’s cooking. With over 100 recipes and evocative photos that transport you to the Irish countryside, this colorful collection will awaken your senses to the delicious food of this warm and welcoming land and keep those Irish eyes smilin’ all through the year.

 

 

 

 

Summer Reads: July Releases

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What’s on your summer reading list? Our July Releases fit every wish-list!

 

 

 

Fool’s Luck by Dave Milbrandt

In Dave Milbrandt’s novel, Fool’s Luck, one lucky lottery ticket launches high school teacher, Myles Bradford, into a presidential campaign. However, in Myles Bradford’s bid for the most powerful office in the land, he begins to lose all that is precious to him. Fool’s Luck begs the question: what price is too high to pay?

To follow along with author Dave Milbrant, check out his website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub! Order Dave’s newest novel, Fool’s Luck, here!

 

Karrie’s Thorn: A Novel by Rev. Cheryl Anne Kincaid

In Reverend Cheryl Anne Kincaid’s novel, Karrie’s Thorn, one girl’s faith journey through foster care, abuse, rejection leads her to personal healing and empowerment. Karrie is a Christian, who finds herself removed from her abusive home and placed in foster care. Karrie struggles to balance the truth that God is good with the hardships she endures.

To follow along with author Rev. Cheryl Anne Kincaid, check out her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon! Order Cheryl’s newest novel, Karrie’s Thorn, here!

 

The Secret of Fire by J. J. Fischer:

The Secret of Fire finds El and Torsten in a land that has allowed the Outside in; separated and on the run from the man who seeks to destroy them, they explore the layered history of their beautiful, mysterious land. In The Secret of Fire, author J.J. Fischer once more explores the human condition by contrasting a medieval civilization with a WWII era one in this gripping, high-fantasy novel, leaving the reader grappling with his own human limitations. “Not all who live in chains are prisoners. Not all who win are victors.”

You can find J.J. on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Amazon, and Goodreads! Order J.J. newest novel, The Secret of Fire, here!

 

The Thrall’s Sword by Grace Caylor

The gripping tale of Sigrid, a slave girl meant to be a human sacrifice and spared – only to lose her mother to an evil
master. The Thrall’s Sword is a Viking adventure novel that weaves together the themes of loss, revenge, history, and even a spot of romance. Sigrid’s mother always told her, “Keep your head up.” Despite her hard life as a slave, Sigrid remains dignified. She keeps her head up when she is chosen to die on a funeral pyre as a
sacrificial slave.

You can find Grace on her website, her personal blog, Facebook, and Amazon! Order Grace’s newest novel, The Thrall’s Sword, here!

 

 

 

 

 

Hidden in Irish Hills by Mary Cates

When a surprise military action unfolds in the Mediterranean Sea that threatens world peace, Rachael decides to flee her New York City penthouse and move to her mansion in Irish Hills.“Rules and regulations turned the mansion into a place so different it seemed peculiar…she couldn’t help but feel like a stranger in her own home.” Hidden in Irish Hills tells the story of corrupt government, survival of natural disasters, courage against tremendous odds, the power of God’s presence, and faith that believes in miracles. “God’s presence would often meet them with power so strong a hush would come over them. When His presence came in fullness, no one could speak.

You can find Mary on her website, Amazon, and Bookbub. Order Mary’s newest novel, Hidden in Irish Hills, here!

 

The Broken Spear: Reformation Rising by Ruth Ann Ellinger

The Broken Spear.”follows the influential Carmichael Clan through 16th century Scotland as they struggle for freedom from the 1,000-year domination of Papal Rome. The Carmichael Clan dares to stand for what’s right as they set out on a quest to reveal the truth of God’s Word to all. The Scottish people have long been oppressed by the impenetrable stone of darkness, Papal Rome. After William Tyndale translated the Bible into English, the ignorance, superstition, and deception that the Scottish people had been living in was revealed. The new translation ignited the fires of the Protestant Reformation in the blood-soaked land
of Scotland as people were willing to sacrifice everything and pay the price for freedom. “Someone will sacrifice themselves to support a cause. Someone will pay the price

You can find Ruth Ann on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Amazon! Order Ruth Ann’s newest novel, The Broken Spear: Reformation Rising, here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farewell to Hollywood by Michelle Keener

Farewell to Hollywood  is an achingly poignant tale of forgiveness, love, and the power of God’s grace that spans from  Malibu’s beaches to Hollywood’s stage. When a successful corporate lawyer and an ambitious movie producer collide, their paths and hearts are forever intertwined. But can they focus on their passions as well as each other, or will they be forced to say farewell forever?

You can find Michelle on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Amazon, and Goodreads! Order Michelle’s newest novel, Farewell to Hollywood, here!

 

Serpentine by Christy Dietz

From the inspiring mind of Christy Dietz comes Serpentine this season’s toe-curling, dystopian thriller. Esther is an orphan, fighting for survival in an America she no longer recognizes, one taken over by an evil new order, the Federation. Esther has nothing to lose but freedom itself, which makes her the unlikely leader of the resistance that rises to fight back and reclaim what was lost. Serpentine uses a post-apocalyptic universe to teach an age-old truth: “Mankind is the only one to blame for where we are; the original sin at its fruition.”

You can find Christy on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon! Order Christy’s newest novel, Serpentine, here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollywood is Not Home: A Novel by Annmarie M. Roberts

Maggie Malone has what every little girl dreams of having: beauty, wealth, and fame. But with that lifestyle comes the paparazzi, crippling anxiety, and daily scrutiny of every area of her life – from her faith in God to the food she eats. Maggie longs for her southern roots where she grew up and flourished. Anxiety eats at her and begins to weaken her physical health as critics and paparazzi hound her; Maggie begins to wonder what price she is truly willing to pay for her peace of mind. When Maggie is presented with an intriguing opportunity: let a body double take her place in Hollywood and retreat to Home, a charming southern town intended to heal the exhausted starlet, she decides to seize the day. “Life is so mysterious. One day I make a kind impression on an old, widowed man. The
next day I am faced with a death threat.”

You can find Annmarie on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub, and Amazon! Order Annmarie’s newest novel, Hollywood is Not Home, here!

 

Obstacles by Odelia Chan

Obstacles is a brilliant, insightful novel about Parkour and those who practice it, traceurs.Leah Jung is passionate about Parkour and becoming the best traceur she can be. However, she has one secret, disabling trauma—a fear of one specific move in the sport she calls her life. “The memory surfaced. Overcoming obstacles—all except that one. The botched kong-gainer. The pain, the anger, the bitterness, the trauma. Fear and doubts? They were all there.”

You can find Odelia on her website and on Amazon! Order Odelia’s newest novel, Obstacles, here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You, Me, and the Stars & Her Sanctuary, His Heart by Michelle Dykman

Her Sanctuary, His Heart tells the story of a couple torn apart after the loss of a child. When the pair discovers one another again, their lives are immediately
threatened after they stumble upon an illegal poaching scheme. What follows is a journey of love, sacrifice, and trust after unimaginable loss.

You, Me, and the Stars  will melt the toughest heart with its tale of young love, the trials we face, and how God can ultimately change us into the people we long to be no matter what our age

You can find Michelle on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub! Order Michelle’s newest novel, Her Sanctuary, His Heart and You, Me, and the Stars by clicking on their links!

 

 

Runaway Home: A Contemporary Amish Romance by Amy Grochowski

Runaway Home is the story of second chances for a man whose tragic childhood caused him to leave the Amish. But can love ever redeem his desire for a home
and family with the woman he left behind? The pair remain separated, until one day, Noah returns to Prince Edward Island – and to Rachel. In Runaway Home, Noah and Rachel’s love fights to bridge the gap between the cowboy who ran away from the Amish and the Amish woman he left behind.

You can find Amy on her website, Twitter, FacebookInstagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub! Preorder Amy’s newest novel, Runaway Home, here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fugitive of Faith by David Mathews

Pastor Pete Holloway is an ordinary Bible-believing in pastor, Iraqi war vet, husband, and father in San Francisco, California. His world is upended when he is called to the local police precinct to answer to charges of disseminating hate speech per the Hate Speech Elimination and Reparation Act recently voted into law by the state of California. Pastor Pete soon realizes that he must make a choice: remain home and be arrested or abandon his family and church and begin the life of a fugitive, searching for freedom. He chooses the latter, and the man of God becomes the man on the run. Fugitive of Faith is far more than a
dystopian “what if ” novel. It is an insightful, necessary soul search of the ordinary American Christian.

You can find David on his website, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads! Oorder David’s newest novel, Fugitive of Faith, here!

 

We hope this list guides you to GREAT Christian books and inspires you in your spiritual walk and life. Happy reading!

 

For the Dads

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Source: iStock

These books are for the dads! We want to wish you a happy, happy Father’s Day! Read below to find a range of books to suit every dad. To those who don’t have an earthly father to celebrate this year, or who have broken relationships with their earthly fathers, our hearts break with you. This Father’s Day let us not forget our Father in Heaven who is the most perfect and the most loving!

 

If I Were a Puzzle by Kenneth Good, Illustrated by Anne-Marie Finn

If I Were a Puzzle by Kenneth Good is the perfect choice for the dads with little ones! Follow along with Sophie and her dad on their puzzling journey as Sophie poses the question, “Daddy, what if you were a puzzle?”

 

Armorbearers: The Revolutionary Choices of Servant-leadership by Gerald Watford

Armorbearers by Gerald Watford is for the dads who are servant-leaders at heart! Former marine Gerald Watford encourages readers to be helpful, supportive, and strengthening to those around them. Armorbearers is the ideal book to encourage the dad with a heart for servant-leadership!

 

 

 

 

Biblical Leadership: Becoming a Different Kind of Leader by Ken Collier and Matt Williams

Biblical Leadership by Ken Collier and Matt Williams is for the dads looking for a sincere approach to biblical leadership. Matt Williams teaches his readers about what they can give back rather than what they can gain from positions of power. Biblical Leadership is a great choice for dads who are daring enough to lead differently!

 

 

 

 

Christian Growth from A to Z: A Practical Discipleship Manual for Both New & Growing Christians by Doug Lowery

Christian Growth from A to Z by Doug Lowery is essential for the dads looking to mature in their faith. Doug Lowery teaches that salvation is only the beginning of one’s journey with Christ and, using the alphabet, Lowery provides a resource to well equip his readers in their faith journey. Grow and mature in the knowledge of Christ with Christian Growth from A to Z!

 

 

 

Walking in the Word: A Family Journey From Genesis to Revelation by Carolyn Wells

Walking in the Word by Carolyn Wells is for the dads who are looking for a devotional their entire family can enjoy! Carolyn Wells provides families with a guide that helps them read through the entire Bible together. Walking in the Word is a must for dads wanting to nourish not only their own faith, but their whole family’s faith as well.

 

 

 

 

You’re the Husband: A Blueprint for Leading in Marriage by Jeremy Howard

You’re the Husband by Jeremy Howard is for the married dad who longs to nourish his marriage! Jeremy Howard provides men with a road map to aid them in their marriage. You’re the Husband is an outstanding choice for dads wanting to learn more about God’s design for marriage!

 

 

 

 

Theology from the Spring: Reflections of the Creator Cast in Nature by Jacob A. Taggart

Theology from the Spring by Jacob A. Taggart is for the dads who love both theology and the outdoors! Jacob A. Taggart uses his love for the outdoors to point his readers back to the One Who created everything. Theology from the Spring encourages a deep admiration for the natural world and its Creator!

 

 

 

 

Called To Series by John Crosby

The Called To Series by John Crosby is for the dads who are workplace leaders, ministry leaders, pastors, or coaches and are looking for their new favorite weekly devotional! The Called To Series guides its readers through every day of the year with the challenge to align their lives and leadership with God’s Word.

 

 

Transformed Thinking: A Defense of the Christian Worldview, King James Version by Dr. Tom Wheeler

Transformed Thinking by Dr. Tom Wheeler is for the dads who are looking for solid and honest ways to defend the Christian worldview! Dr. Tom Wheeler lays out the fundamental beliefs of Christianity in Transformed Thinking and provides sound arguments to support his beliefs. Pick up a copy of Transformed Thinking to get solid answers for your faith!

 

 

 

 

Social Justice Goes to Church: The New Left in Modern American Evangelicalism by Jon Harris

Social Justice Goes to Church by Jon Harris is for the dads looking to understand the world today. Jon Harris digs into history to explore why so many evangelicals have started supporting left-leaning political causes. For the dads curious about the current political climate, this book’s for you!

 

 

 

 

Nuggets of Truth: A Bible Student’s Devotional and A Bible Teacher’s Resource Handbook by Dr. John Mannion

Nuggets of Truth by Dr. John Mannion is for the dads who are eager to learn more about the Bible. Dr. John Mannion shares nuggets of truth with his readers that are meant to teach and inspire their personal studies. Nuggets of Truth will take your devotional time to the next level!

 

 

 

Wish your dad and the father figures in your life Happy Father’s Day by recommending or buying them any of these books! Not sure what to get them? Share this post with them and let them decide!

Happy Father’s Day and happy reading!

Survivor Highlight

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In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Ambassador International would like to highlight Vanna Nguyen’s book, The Life She Once Knew: The Amazing Story of  Queena, The Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor.  It is a story, not only of a young woman who

In 1981, a Vanna Nguyen stared death in the face as she lay on the floor of a small boat in the South China Sea, fleeing the life she once knew in Vietnam. In 2008, her teenage daughter lay fighting for her life after being brutally raped and left for dead at a library near Tampa, Florida.

The attack in front of the Bloomingdale library left Queena with a traumatic brain injury, sentenced to a life unable to walk, see, or speak. As Vanna Nguyen lovingly poured herself into caring for her now severely disabled daughter, she also battled with reliving her own Vietnam War survival story. She was forced to confront a choice:  forgive the attacker whose unforgivable decision changed both their lives as they knew them forever or live forever in grief and bitterness?

In The Life She Once Knew, Vanna candidly chronicles the deeply spiritual and emotionally powerful journeys of these two strong women as they fight for their lives and their futures decades apart.

Join Queena in her in her journey to continue as a survivor, and witness to the testament of faith, grace, and determination. 

 

Preparing Our Hearts and Homes to Celebrate Thanksgiving

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This is the first in a three-part series on preparing our hearts and homes for Thanksgiving. Dee Travis is the author of  Celebrate Life: Living to Serve God and Encourage Others as We Celebrate Life Together.

November is here and it makes me start to think about the holidays. I always feel bad because Thanksgiving it such a great holiday and it gets here so fast and then after one day….it’s over and Christmas bells are ringing. Just one day of thankfulness doesn’t do it for me. There is so much to see and do as we think about Thanksgiving approaching. How about taking the whole month of November to celebrate Thanksgiving with me?

Thanksgiving-PinterestStep into November by getting outside and looking for God’s goodness and bounty! His glory in creation can be seen everywhere in the fall! The trees are changing into a beautiful display of God’s canvas of red, orange and yellow! How about visiting a pumpkin patch or a farm during harvest of the crops. Take your kids or grandkids to an apple orchard and pick some crisp juicy apples. We live on a farm in rural Iowa so we get to see harvesting of corn and soybeans first hand. We also grow a ton of pumpkins for the grandkids to pick. God is so good to us! We have a few apple trees so one of our favorite traditions is picking apples and making fresh apple cider! Those times all makes me reflect on how good and faithful God has been to us throughout another year. Harvest time with the bounty He gives us through crops and food and nature’s beauty will help us prepare our hearts to thank and praise an Almighty God!

Try reading a Psalm every day during November! Every day is a gift from God so celebrate His goodness every day. Start with Psalm 100 and go through Psalm 136. Some are short so you will be able to combine a couple of chapters on certain days. I kind of think that the Psalms and Thanksgiving go together like turkey and pumpkin pie! Each day after you are done reading write down three different things you are thankful for so that you can look at them during the month and then read them all on Thanksgiving Day! Always be ready to give thanks to God for what He had done for us! God is always good and you are always loved.

One of the things I love to do every year in November is attend my grandchildren’s Thanksgiving program at school. It really makes me think about our 9781620205310country and how the first Thanksgiving Day was started. The Pilgrims came to America to be able to worship God freely. They set aside this special time at harvest to thank God for all He had done for them. (And it was probably more than just one day!) It is such a good example for us to follow! The pilgrims not only shared their food with the Indians but they also shared their faith in a mighty God. Our forefathers sacrificed a lot for the freedoms we enjoy today and for that I am truly thankful!

Well are you in? I hope you will start to prepare your heart all month long and this Thanksgiving may be the most blessed ever!

Preparing for Thanksgiving: Five Verses to Ready Your Heart

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This is the third in a three-part series on preparing our hearts and homes for Thanksgiving. Dee Travis is the author of Celebrate Life: Living to Serve God and Encourage Others as We Celebrate Life Together.

 

Psalm 100 is one of my favorite scripture to meditate on as we approach the Thanksgiving season. When I think about that first Thanksgiving I imagine the Pilgrims and Indians in 1621 gathering to thank God for a bountiful harvest.

Thanksgiving-PinterestBut long before that another group of people had set aside a time to celebrate God’s goodness. It was the children of Israel during the Feast of Booths. In the fall after crops were harvested, the people had a time of worshiping and thanking God for all He had done for them. They brought their offerings of Thanksgiving to the Lord. (Leviticus 23: 39-44)

Psalm 100 is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God that we can reflect on during this Thanksgiving.

Day 1   “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.” Psalm 100:1

Have you ever felt so thankful you just couldn’t keep quiet? Sometimes I just stand in awe of God’s handiwork in the things I see around me in His creation. Sometimes I just want to proclaim what an awesome God we serve! Everyone on the earth is admonished to praise His name because everyone benefits from God’s goodness! In Psalm 19:1-3 and Psalm 98:7-8 it says that all nature joins in to declare the glory of God and sing praises to His name. It is neat to imagine the rivers clapping and hills singing together for joy in praise to God.

Day 2 “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.” Psalm 100:2

There is joy in serving Jesus! We can all serve Him whether we are young or old. Offer to teach a Sunday school class or volunteer to take a meal to someone or go visit someone who is in need of a friend. And sometimes the hardest thing is to do it with a happy heart. Many times we do something because we know we need to…. but our heart isn’t really in it. Having a joyful attitude comes from loving God and reading His word and spending time in prayer. With happy hearts we can use the talents God has given each one of us for serving Him not just during the holiday season but each and every day!

Day 3 “Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who made us and not we ourselves; we are His people the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3

God is the very one who created us. He knows us better than anyone. He know when we all overwhelmed or discouraged with so many things pulling at us in a hundred different directions during the holidays. That’s when we go to Him as His sheep and lie down in green pastures. (Psalm 23:2) Find that quiet spot and sit beside the still waters talk to God. He loves us and will restore our weary soul! He cares for us like a good shepherd and for that I am truly thankful.

Day 4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4

We are so blessed in this country to be able to go to church and worship God freely. Being thankful for God’s love will show in our actions as we enter into worship and praise with others who love Him too. I love to gather together with my church family during Thanksgiving and hear testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness and mercy. Bless His name for all he has done for us!

Day 5 “For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness is to all generations.” Psalm 100:5

One of my favorite sayings is “God is always good and you are always loved”. What a great truth to know that the God of this universe loves us so much He was willing to send His Son to die and take the punishment for our sins. We simply have to believe and He gives everlasting life! (John 3:16) God’s lovingkindness is everlasting! He will love us forever!! And His faithfulness is to ALL generations! God daily loads us with so many benefits. God knows our needs and watches over us and never leaves us to fend for ourselves. He cares about us and will always do what is best for us. God is so good!

 

Thanksgiving is a time of celebration and a time to turn our thoughts to God and His word and realize how very blessed we are of Him. Every day is a gift that we have been given…so every day (not just at Thanksgiving) thank Him and praise His name!

Preparing for Thanksgiving: Welcome an Attitude of Gratitude

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This is the second in a three-part series on preparing our hearts and homes for Thanksgiving. Dee Travis is the author of  Celebrate Life: Living to Serve God and Encourage Others as We Celebrate Life Together.

I really enjoy our church Thanksgiving Eve service. My week has usually been hectic and I have a house that needs cleaned and food that needs to be prepared but nothing helps my “attitude of gratitude” more Thanksgiving-Pinterestthan this night! Everyone enjoys homemade pie and then we have an informal time of singing and testimonies. It is good for me to hear others thanking God for what He has done in their lives over the last year. For some it has been a difficult year with pain and sorrow but they are still praising God and that is so encouraging. Sometimes it is a child who gives a testimony and it doesn’t get much better than childlike faith! I always go home feeling blessed and thankful for my church family! If you don’t have a Thanksgiving service at your church maybe you can make a list of the ways God has been good to you over the last year. Then have your own testimony time by thanking Him for all He has done!

We can also welcome gratitude to God for all He has done and provided for us by doing something special for others! We have so much to be thankful for as Christians. We have a God who loves us and has provided a way for us to have a home in heaven through Jesus Christ. When we place our trust in Him we receive eternal life. We enjoy the freedom to worship God here in America. We also have warm homes to live in and an abundance of food to eat at our tables. Every day God has richly blessed us and that should make us willing to bless others.

Plan to take a traditional Thanksgiving meal to some elderly or needy people in your church or neighborhood. It would probably be easiest to plan your dinner before Thanksgiving. This is a great service for kids to be involved in. They will love helping and it is good for them to see that we love and care about others. You might also want to print out Psalm 100 and attach it to one of the food containers. Contact families ahead of time so they will know you are coming and be sure to spend a few minutes and visit with them as you deliver their Thanksgiving meal. I know it seems like a lot of work but everyone will receive a blessing!

And then there is Thanksgiving Day that we spend with family and friends. It might be the biggest test for our attitude of gratitude! Most people get together on Thanksgiving Day with those they love and friends they care about. We celebrate together on Thanksgiving Evening. If we know of a family who doesn’t have their family close we will ask them to come join us. Since some have already had turkey and stuffing and are a little “stuffed” themselves we just do appetizers. It seems to be a big hit at our house. I usually put out our Scrabble game and everyone is to make a word about something they are thankful for. Mostly the kids like to do it! Sometimes I have the grandkids draw something they are thankful for and we have to guess what it is! An active game time usually finishes or evening together. I am so blessed and Thanksgiving Day and every day is a good time to celebrate God’s goodness!

 

Transformed Thinking: A Defense of the Christian Worldview

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Dr. Tom Wheeler grew up in a pastor’s home and received Christ as Lord and Savior as a child. He attended Christian college and then completed a Ph.D. in theology. He taught Bible and theology classes for a number of years in a Bible College and seminary and taught Bible classes in a Christian high school for a few years.

In his new book, Transformed Thinking: A Defense of the Christian Worldview, Dr. Tom Wheeler clearly lays out the most fundamental beliefs of Christianity and compares them to other worldviews, providing arguments to support his beliefs. Even though this book is purposed for the classroom setting, it would be a beneficial read for any believer who wants to have a firm foundation on which to share their beliefs with unbelievers.

From the beginning of the world to the inerrancy of Scripture, Transformed Thinking will provide you with solid answers for your faith because in today’s world of varying religions, it’s becoming more and more important for a Christian to know what they believe and why they believe it.

Now available in King James Version and English Standard Version editions.

Transformed Thinking

Transformed Thinking

Have you ever wondered?

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Have you ever wondered what it might have been like when Jesus walked on the Earth as a man amongst men? In the following two historical novels, S.A. Jewell and Andrew Stone both take a fictional approach to answering that question.

Of Friends and Followers follows the life of Miriam, a widow in Judea, who has only one hope for survival: she must go to Capernaum and live as a beggar. On her way to the city, she is viciously attacked and left for dead. A leper, an unlikely and dangerous hero, saves her life but Miriam’s journey has only begun.S.A. Jewell
Miriam’s resilience and faith are tested again and again. Meeting unlikely friends along the way, Miriam’s path winds from Capernaum to the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem. As she searches for friends and security, she eventually meets a man named Jesus of Nazareth. By His miracles and teaching, Miriam and her friends finally find something to believe in. Can they overcome the doubt and treachery that lurks in Jerusalem?

Realistic friendships, love interests, conflict, and bonding friendships await in Of Friends and Followers.

Learn more HERE.

 

Son of the Father is a modern storytelling of Barabbas, the man released in the hours leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Long before his life is traded for Jesus’, Barabbas’ family is ruined, a consequence of his own rage. Consumed with guilt he resolves to put things right, but this seems an impossible task. Huge debts, a man bent on revenge, theft, and murder hang above his head.
Son of the FatherAs Barabbas struggles to atone and restore his family’s honor and to bring himself out of poverty, he meets the new religious teacher. Barabbas can’t bring himself to trust this wandering preacher even though his family follows Him, until Barabbas’ life is spared, costing more than he thought possible.
In this thought-provoking and gripping novel by debut author Andrew Stone, readers will discover a much deeper meaning as the lives of Barabbas and Jesus intertwine between the pages and weave a story of love and sacrifice.

Learn more HERE.