Prayers vs. Good Thoughts

Posted on April 16, 2020April 16, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Pet peeves. We all have them. Most of us have a long list of them. I know I do. Incorrect grammar drives me crazy. Younger people being disrespectful always makes me want to correct them on the spot. One of the biggies for me though is people saying “I am sending good (or positive) thoughts.” What is that? Explain it to me.

How does one send a thought? Do you put it in a box and send it? No, that wouldn’t work. I suppose in lieu of praying people believe this is the next best thing. Perhaps for them it even is the best thing, but it is not for me. I would much rather have and offer prayer. In fact, scripture tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Do you believe a person’s thoughts are powerful enough to change someone else’s life? I don’t. Do I believe prayer is that powerful? Pull up a chair and let me tell you some first hand experiences. Yes, prayer is absolutely that powerful and effective. Why, because God is powerful.

Several years ago I had a stroke. The doctors said there was damage done to my eyes and I would always see bright flashing lights, like strobe lights. Always meaning every minute of every day for the rest of my life. To the doctors’ baffling surprise my eyesight improved almost back to normal. I had an army of faithful prayer warriors praying for me. God heard and answered our prayers. No positive thoughts or vibes sent my way could have healed me.

Family members have had cancer literally disappear thanks to our healing Heavenly Father answering our prayers. Lives have been saved, jobs secured, and babies added to our family all because we prayed and God answered. Money miraculously became available to pay for food or important bills, all because of answered prayers. Accidents were avoided, injuries not as severe, and diagnoses not fatal where first thought, all due to faithful praying family and friends. God heard and answered. Prayer makes a difference, a big difference.

I encourage you to pray for one another instead of merely saying you are sending thoughts. It is not difficult. There is no special way to pray. It is a conversation between you and your Creator. He knows everything about you already, even what you are going to say. Open your heart and just talk to God. The more you pray, the more you will want to pray and the easier it will become.

Don’t get me wrong. Positive thinking is important. It makes a huge difference in a person’s day. We all awake each day with the choice to be happy and see life with the glass half full or we could be grumpy and negatively say the glass is half empty. I do believe in positive thinking, but I just don’t believe in sending positive thoughts.

Speaking of thoughts, I hope this has given you something to ponder if you ask for or offer good or positive thoughts. Honestly, I would rather not have someone say that to me except for the fact that I can pray for them. If they aren’t praying, they are missing such a blessing. We all need blessings and prayers. We all need God.

Covid19: What it Has Taken and Given

Posted on April 14, 2020April 14, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

In the matter of days our lives were turned upside down. Normal ceased to exist. Our daily routines changed. Spring Break plans were disrupted. Schools let scholars go home for the remainder of the year. Seniors were cheated out of their final semester of High School or College. People were quarantined at home. Why? A nasty extremely contagious, life threatening virus named Covid19.

Parks were closed. Sporting events were cancelled. Businesses were shut down and only essential workers were employed. Companies had employees work from home. Grocery store shelves were bare. Toilet paper became a rare item. Yes, stores were sold out of it everywhere. Hand sanitizer disappeared along with it. Health officials found it necessary to reteach us how to wash our hands.

Since groceries were out of meat, groceries were selling their raw protein along with prepared menu items. Delivery or curbside pick up were the only options since dining in had been banned. Gatherings were limited to ten people. Weddings were rescheduled and funerals kept private. Church doors were closed. Masks were worn in public for protection. Our world had completely changed.

Covid19 has taken our normal from us. Our secure, everyday life is now gone. Healthcare and grocery workers are exhausted. Parents are homeschooling and frustrated. Family and friends are missing each other. Children are frightened and do not understand. Adults are, too. This is a worldwide pandemic. What is a pandemic? Webster’s dictionary says “Pandemic definition is – occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population.”

Oh, but wait. It is not all gloom and doom. Covid19 has also given to us. Our priorities have been forced into perspective. Family has risen to the top. Those concerts and sporting events that we believed were essential have been replaced with family time. Family dinners have made a huge comeback. People are returning to the kitchen to prepare meals that will be eaten around a table with family. The weather has turned nice and families are going outside. We are rediscovering the treasure we have been taking for granted.

Communities and the entire nation have joined together. Meals are given to children

out of school and to healthcare workers. Restaurants are pitching where they can. Protective masks are being made at home to help. Many are giving them away. Neighbors are checking on each other. Teenagers are doing yard work to help elderly. Groceries are picked up for friends. Kindness is manifesting itself through people across this nation. We are thinking of others and their needs. America and mankind are pulling together to help win this war on Covid19. We are standing together to assist others.

With so much time spent in self quarantine parents are spending quality time with their children. Hiking, playing games, grilling or working in the kitchen, are just a few of the ways families are enjoying their time together. They are becoming reacquainted with each other. Families are doing more activities together and making lasting memories. For the most part, this is a great thing. Unfortunately there will be some children not blessed with a happy home.

The best thing to come out of this is that people have turned their hearts and minds back to God. Children are witnessing a revival in their homes. Prayers are said at mealtime and bedtime now more than ever. Bibles are being dusted off and opened. God’s Word is being read. We have more time now to begin our day with God’s Word and in prayer. That excuse has been taken away. Parents are able to set good examples for their children and teach them God’s Word.

God’s children have hit the reset button on their lives. We are putting things in proper order starting with Jesus, then others, and finally ourselves. We will come through this battle victorious. Always we need our Heavenly Father, but we need Him especially now. This is an epic battle we are fighting with Covid19. Fear not. Nothing is impossible with God. He is more powerful than anything, even this pandemic. I hope the lessons that we learned during this time will stay with us. I hope our world remains changed for the better. Don’t you?

Eden, Biblical Fiction, Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on April 13, 2020April 12, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thought

Eden, Biblical Fiction of the World’s First Family by author Brennan S. McPherson is Book One in the Christian Biblical fictional series, The Fall of Man. Biblical fiction is a genre where I either love the book or hate it. For me, it is difficult to read a biblical novel where too much literary freedom was taken. In the back of my mind I hear “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” from Proverbs.

Author McPherson has a great writing style. It is poetic, inviting, and even haunting. The emotional depth of this is astounding. With mere words the author pulls on heartstrings and has readers invested immediately. His story is told with a sadness that would have been believable if it had been more biblically accurate. Unfortunately it is not. I realize this is a tale based on the Bible’s account of what happened to Adam and his family, but the author took far too many liberties in his novel.

This tale describes Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden during their daily lives. Adam shares his story with Enoch in a bittersweet retelling. Some of the details were too fictional and far from the story I knew. Did Eve ask permission from Adam before eating the forbidden fruit? Not according to scripture. Did Adam have conversations with the serpent? It is not recorded in the Bible.

What I expected was a beautiful retelling of the perfect life in the garden of Eden and then the fall of man. What I read was a story laden with turmoil, sadness, and conflict. God was portrayed more like a human and friend to Adam rather than the Creator and one true God that He is. When addressing Him in the book, He was not even given the respect of a capitalized first letter. (This is one of my pet peeves.)

Author McPherson has a vivid imagination and great style of writing. There is no doubt that he has talent and creativity. I wish he had not strayed so far away from the facts. For that reason I cannot recommend this book.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit and these are my honest opinions.

About the Book

Book: Eden

Author: Brennan S. McPherson

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release Date: April 1, 2020

“You want me to tell of how I broke the world.”

It’s the year 641 since the beginning of the world, and when Eve passes away, she leaves Adam the only man on earth who remembers everything from the beginning of the world.

When Enoch, God’s newly appointed prophet, decides to collect the stories of the faithful from previous generations, he finds Adam in desperate need to

confess the dark secrets he’s held onto for too long.

Beside a slowly burning bonfire in the dead of night, Adam tells his story in searing detail. From the beginning of everything, to how he broke the world, shattered Eve’s heart, and watched his family crumble.

Will Enoch uncover what led so many of Adam’s children away from God? And will Adam find the redemption and forgiveness he longs for?

Click here for your copy.

About the Author

BRENNAN S. MCPHERSON writes epic, imaginative biblical fiction with heart-pounding plots and lyrical prose, for readers who like to think biblically and feel deeply. He lives with his wife and young daughter in the Midwest, and spends as much of his spare time with them as possible.

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

In my beginning was not darkness, but Light.

As I opened my eyes for the first time, I saw dust motes swirling around five bright points. I reached for them and realized the dust was not blowing past me but instead settling across the complex shapes in my arms.

Distracted, I twisted my wrist, seeing muscle, tendon, bone, and a partial layer of skin. Clenching my fingers one by one, I saw the movement in my joints.

Fascinated, I watched as a swathe of dust poured over me like a sheet of silk and morphed into smooth, brown flesh. I ran my fingers across my new skin, and when the sound of shifting sand settled, noticed what sounded like gentle Music riding on the breath that flowed into me.

I inhaled.

Exhaled.

Inhaled again.

“Adam,” I said, for I had heard that name—my name—in the Music.

I realized that my Father was singing over me, and in his singing, he had given me life and form, and had named me Adam.

He smiled at me, with those dark brown eyes, and let soft melodies fall from his tongue as I lay on my back.

He lifted me from the mud and burned the remaining dust from my skin with the heat of his presence. But he did not hurt me as a natural flame might. Instead, he filled and cleansed me. And the joy of him filled me with an insatiable desire to experience everything around me, to understand the world he had sung into existence.

I’ve never since felt so whole as I did with him in Eden. Because inside me was nothing that did not belong. Only him, and the breath he gave, and the Music he sang, and the smells of Eden, and the touch of his Light, and the taste of his name on my lips as I spoke for the second time. “Father.” I smiled and laughed.

He stood magnificent, warm, compassionate. The image of the invisible condensed in a life foreknown before the foundations of the world were formed.

I felt his pride over me and laughed again, only now with tears.

My first moments were not like those of a newborn child come from a womb. Instead, they were of a child gone into the womb. Swaddled in the Light of God. Cocooned in his satisfaction.

I was Adam. Man fully formed. Reflection of perfection.

In joy, I fell to my hands and knees and bowed my forehead to the ground. Tears flowed to the soil I’d been formed from. How great! How wonderful this being was who had made me for himself, and who so unendingly satisfied me. Nothing I’ve experienced in my long years could ever make me forget it. That sense of purpose. Of everything being right.

Ah, yes. I see wonder on your face, Enoch, at how tears could be present in a world yet unbroken by sin.

Have you never wondered why the kiss of a lover can bring tears to our eyes? It is because some goods are so great that they must be given vent. For not all tears spring from sorrow. And not all aches are unwanted.

Yet still, my Father lifted me and wiped my cheeks. Then he led me across hills and valleys, puddles and rivers. He pointed at plants and skittering animals and insects, and it seemed as though I could hear the echo of his melodies in their movements.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2

Rev. Rebecca Writes: Read, Write, Pray, April 3

Mary Hake, April 3

Texas Book-aholic, April 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5

My Devotional Thoughts, April 5

Through the Fire Blogs, April 6

Genesis 5020, April 6

Inklings and notions, April 7

For Him and My Family, April 8

deb’s Book Review, April 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 9

Betti Mace, April 9

For the Love of Literature, April 10

EmpowerMoms, April 10

Pause for Tales, April 11

Ashley’s Bookshelf, April 11

A Reader’s Brain, April 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 13

Hallie Reads, April 13

Mamma Loves Books, April 14

Lights in a Dark World, April 14

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 15

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Brennan is giving away the grand prize package of a “McPherson Publishing bundle”, which includes the following books: a copy of Flood, Babel, the three Psalm Series novellas, and The Simple Gospel book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f8a9/eden-celebration-tour-giveaway

Holy Saturday, When Jesus was Gone

Posted on April 11, 2020April 11, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today is the anniversary of Holy Saturday, Easter Eve or Black Saturday. It is the name given to the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is the seventh day of Holy Week. When Jesus died, He called out, “It is finished!” He had completed His job. Now what?

Where was Jesus on this day so long ago? He was dead. My heart breaks to write this. Jesus was away from God and descended into hell. Isn’t that what the Apostles Creed says? All of what was done was for us. The price was paid for us so that we would not owe it.

This day is traditionally a time of reflection and waiting like Lent. Jesus’ followers spent this day waiting after his crucifixion on Good Friday. He had said He would rise from the dead so they would be watching for Him. Most likely they would be recalling every word He said to them. I would. Wouldn’t you go over every detail?

Roman governor Pontius Pilate instructed guards to be posted at the tomb to prevent Jesus’ followers from removing the body to claim that He had risen from the dead. Pilate sealed the tomb, secured it, and posted guards. No one was getting in. Jesus’ body would not be taken.

Easter or Resurrection Sunday is tomorrow. I know the ending of this heart wrenching account. I also know this was God’s plan, but it still hurts. For those of us baptized, when we were we died with Christ (going down under water) and arose with Him (rising up again). Symbolic but not close to what my precious Savior endured.

Scripture tells us this in Romans 6:3-11 King James Version (KJV):

^”Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

So, while we await Resurrection Sunday, take a moment to reflect. Just as we were baptized and died with Jesus, we died to sin. We should sever the bond sin has over us and sin no more. After He died for us, let us live for Him.

Jesus’s Temper versus Ours

Posted on April 6, 2020April 6, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

We are all self-quarantined at home with this Covid19 pandemic. Emotions are on a roller coaster of ups and downs. Tempers are quick to flare. Our descendants will read about this in history books. How are you spending your time, and how are you maintaining your temper?

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. After Jesus arrived in Jerusalem did you ever wonder how he spent His final week in ministry? On Monday He taught His disciples a parable about faith when He cursed a fig tree that did not produce fruit. Do you remember that one?

They had been out walking and were hungry when they saw a fig tree with many leaves. After they looked for the fruit, none could be found. It was barren. Jesus cursed it, and when they came back to it had shriveled up and died. Scholars believe the tree being cursed represents God’s judgment on those that are spiritually dead.

Jesus was comparing the tree to the whole nation of Israel because it had become spiritually barren before the Lord. It no longer produced fruit. The people knew their religion but did not live it. They knew the correct words, but their hearts were away from God.

This story of what Jesus also did might be more familiar. Jesus also went into the temple and cleared it out of the dishonest money changers. This time He was mad. He had enough. They were cheating people and making a mockery of the temple. Jesus went through overturning tables and saying: “Scripture says ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer’, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” He drove the money changers and their animals out restoring order and respect.

What has stayed with me about this story for many years is that Jesus stopped and braided a whip so that He could think about what He was going to do before just charging into the temple. He didn’t fly off the handle but took time to think about the situation. Maybe He prayed. I would imagine He did.

How about you when you become angry?

“So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” John 2:15

Could you do this? I can’t tell you how many times I have flown off the handle in anger. Acted quickly without thinking things through. My family calls that having a “short fuse” because it does not take long to explode after the anger is lit.

Jesus is not like this. His righteous indignation toward what was happening in the temple was just. It needed to be done. He waited to think clearly and make certain it was done correctly. How many times have I wished that I had done things like that? Many! What do you do when you are angry? How do you react?

Jesus had one week left with his disciples before his crucifixion and resurrection. Everything was done in the right way without rushing. In His time and in His way. Even in a time of righteous anger He still slowed down and gave Himself time to cool off and think with a clear mind. What a beautiful example for all of us.

Hosanna! Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!

Posted on April 5, 2020April 5, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Happy Palm Sunday! Of all the Sundays before Easter throughout the years, this one will probably be the most memorable. Never in my lifetime did I expect the church doors to be closed for any reason, but now they are. You know what? Since it has happened now, we are all still able to worship at home with most of our churches and a plethora of others. Our souls will not starve. We have a buffet before us.

Today hundreds of years ago, Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Scripture tells us that Jesus rode into the city on a young donkey. The streets were lined with people who threw clothes and palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage and respect. This was what people did for kings. They were treating Jesus like royalty. Using palm branches symbolized peace and victory. Jesus was coming in peace, triumphantly. The crowd of people shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.”

This Palm Sunday we need to claim peace and victory in His name. Amen. Wave those palm branches high! Did you know the Bible tells us “Do not fear” three hundred and thirty five times? Wow! One time for each day of the year. Not only does He tell us not to fear or be afraid, but He has placed it in our spirit. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2Timothy 1:7.

Let’s be Warriors and not Worriers. In Matthew 6:34 it says “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” So how do you become a Warrior? Read your scripture and pray. Put on the armor of God.

Pandemic has cast a black cloud on this planet, but the bright glorious Light from God shines through it. Use good judgment and don’t lose hope. We are entering the celebration of Holy Week, the anniversary of the events the week before Jesus went to the cross and victoriously arose. Grab your palm branches and prepare for peace and victory. Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hope in the Mountain River Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

Posted on April 4, 2020April 3, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My thoughts

Hope in the Mountain River by bestselling author Misty M. Beller is Book 2 in her Call of the Rockies Series. This is a Christian Historical Romantic fiction that brings rugged life in 1800s Montana to life. It caught my attention immediately and was a pleasant diversion while being self-quarantined.

Author Beller does extensive research and has put some fascinating details in her beautifully written novel. I enjoyed the Native American language and like the character Suzanne in Chapter wish I knew it. Everything was easy to imagine with the vivid descriptions. I pondered living in a cave and eating roasted buffalo meat. The things they did or rather had to do pulled at my heartstrings.

This is the tale of Elan. She has endured much and trying hard to heal. It is also the story of Joel. His brother is missing, and Joel has ventured out to search for him. They struggle and encounter danger, but they persevere. I was captivated with their journey and this book. It was hard to stop reading it.

The main and secondary characters are great. Each one has a unique and well established personality. The conversations were smooth and sounded authentic. I looked forward to reading them.

One of the things I loved about this fictional story was its message of faith. Reading about a character coming to God is beautiful. The author did this journey wonderfully. Her message of trusting God is spot on. Faith, hope, and love are included as inspiration in this novel in such a way that I was so moved.

While this is Book 2 in the series, it could easily be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed Book 1, Freedom in the Mountain Wind, and am glad I had already read it. This series is very good. I highly recommend it. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided by a Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Hope in the Mountain River

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 31, 2020

This epic journey is not at all what she expected.

Joel Vargas can’t believe he’s lost his older brother in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains after surviving their harrowing voyage across the Atlantic. And he can’t shake the feeling that Adam—his only living relative—is in dire trouble. No matter what the cost, he and his band of friends won’t stop until Adam is found. He doesn’t have time to contend with the two Indian women who seem to be shadowing his every move.

After the devastating loss of her daughter and husband to a sickness that swept through their Nez Perce camp, Elan is desperate to find an escape from her grief. As she and her friend journey through the mountains toward the great river, a band of white men is the last thing she expects to find, especially as winter blows in full force.

When the dangers increase, accomplishing Joel’s mission becomes the only hope for all their survival. If the elements don’t consume them, Elan has a feeling life will never be the same for any of them.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and intense adventure.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

More from Misty

I’ve always been a horse lover, and was blessed to grow up on a farm. My brother and I each had ponies of our own and rode hours each day. When we were old enough to graduate to full-size horses, we met neighbors who also had horses and loved to ride together. The two mares they rode had a mottled black and white spotted look, which I knew to be part of the Appaloosa breed. Through hears of riding together, I developed a deep appreciation for those two Appaloosa horses, as well as respect for the entire breed! Those two mares proved they could outrun and outlast any of the other horses in our riding group.

I’ve long wanted to include Appaloosas in one of my stories, especially since the breed was said to have begun in the Nez Perce tribe who lived just west of the Rocky Mountains. I’m so excited for you to meet Elan, the heroine in Hope in the Mountain River!

Elan and her friend are traveling through the Rockies on their Appaloosa horses, animals who can ride faster and longer than all the other horses in their group—even through the treacherous terrain of the Rocky Mountains!

I pray you love this story as much as I loved writing it. Enjoy a glimpse of the famous Appaloosa horse!

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, March 31

Mary Hake, March 31

Through the Fire Blogs, April 1

deb’s Book Review, April 1

A Baker’s Perspective, April 2

Genesis 5020, April 2

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 2

Texas Book-aholic, April 3

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 3

For the Love of Literature, April 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 4

Rebecca Tews, April 5

For Him and My Family, April 5

Blessed & Bookish, April 6

Splashes of Joy, April 6

Bigreadersite, April 6

Betti Mace, April 7

She Lives To Read, April 7

Book of Ruth Ann, April 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 8

Simple Harvest Reads, April 9 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 10

janicebookreviews, April 10

Blossoms and Blessings, April 11

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 11

Artistic Nobody, April 12 (Guest Reviewer Donna Cline)

Pause for Tales, April 12

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 13

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f73b/hope-in-the-mountain-river-celebration-tour-giveaway

A People Chosen Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on April 2, 2020April 1, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts

A People Chosen, God’s Purpose and Plans for Israel and the Nations by author Karen Engle is a Bible Study that is meant to last for eight weeks. It can be done individually in a self guided manner. I found it absolutely fascinating beginning with its lovely cover.

Author Engle did in-depth research and presented it in a well organized study. Her writing style is clear and easy to understand. I had no trouble focusing on the lesson. The Bible versions she used were NIV and NLT which are two of the more popular versions followed closely by the KJV. (I owned a Christian Bookstore.)

The lessons are thought provoking, educational, and inspiring. I loved reading about prophecy. Some of the information was so extensive I needed to go back and read it again, but I wanted to absorb all of it. Israel is important to God and that should make it important to us.

This is a great Biblical study. I highly recommend it. Any small group would benefit from it. There is so much to ponder and discuss. If anyone is interested in the Jewish people or Bible Studies, they would love this one. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: A People Chosen

Author: Karen Engle

Genre: Non – Fiction / Christian / Bible Study

Release Date: March, 2017

Is God finished with the Jewish people? Understanding Israel according to the Bible and not the media, political views, or personal opinion sheds incredible light on why Israel and the Jewish people exist today. God is not finished with the tiny nation and has a great purpose and plan for Israel that will impact the world. A People Chosen: God’s Purpose and Plan for Israel and the Nations is a self-guided eight-lesson Bible study. You will learn about the creation of Israel in Genesis, God’s promises to Israel and the nations, Israel’s scattering and current regathering to Israel, the return of King Jesus to rule and reign from Jerusalem, and why Israel is pivotal in God’s plan of redemption. It is a love story of faithfulness, mercy, and justice. It is the story of a people chosen by God to be a conduit for God’s blessings to all mankind. It is a weighty call, and it has not come without a price.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Karen earned a master’s in biblical studies from Western Seminary. She is an adjunct writing instructor with Moody Bible Institute, a copy editor for Faithlife Corporation, and owner of East Gate Editing. Her passion is taking study groups to the land of Israel, which she says brings the Bible from “black and white to technicolor.”

More from Karen

There is something peculiar about the Jews. They are one of the few ancient people groups that has endured into modern times, and their religion—Judaism—is one of the world’s oldest.

The Jewish people have been miraculously regathered together into a thriving nation after being scattered throughout the earth. Hebrew, Israel’s official language, was once a dead speech but has been revived and is now an active, living language with more than five million native speakers.

They have been the most persecuted people in history and as such their existence baffles historians and theologians alike. There is no logical rationale for the Jews’ existence. Considering the Holocaust alone, the Jewish people should not have survived. And yet, they do.

In fact, they have flourished and been a blessing to the world.

The narrative of the Bible is centered on this unique nation of individuals established by God thousands of years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. From Abraham to King David to Jesus, the story of the Bible is knit together with a common thread: the Jewish people. It is a love story of faithfulness, mercy, and justice. It is the story of a people chosen by God to be a conduit for God’s blessings to humanity. It is a weighty call, and it has not come without a price.

Yet, many people, even Christians, don’t give this a second thought.

About twelve years ago, God stirred my heart toward this tiny nation, and I subsequently spent years studying the history of the Jewish people and God’s purpose and plan for them according to Scripture. And it rocked my theological world. I was in the middle of seminary, and no one (outside of one professor, who is still my favorite) talked about Israel. And though there were books on the topic, I could not find one Bible study.

When I talk to people about Israel and its importance in Scripture and thus modern-day world events, there seems to be a disconnect—a lack of understanding as to why anyone would bring up the topic. Why should anyone care? What is so significant about Israel?

I wrote this Bible study to answer these questions. It’s a cross between a book and a Bible study and is designed to take participants by the hand and help them understand why God cares so deeply about this peculiar nation. It’s a culmination of many trips to the land and years of personal study—and I’m still learning. Heavy on Scripture, full of beautiful images from around Israel, and focused on Christ, the study will turn the black and white pages of your Bible to technicolor.

I hope that those who do the study will begin to see Israel as a beautiful example of God’s faithfulness to his Word.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, March 26

Inklings and notions, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 28

Blossoms and Blessings, March 29 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, March 30

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 31

Genesis 5020, April 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

For the Love of Literature, April 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 4

Spoken from the Heart, April 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 6

Artistic Nobody, April 7 (Author Interview)

SPLASHES of Joy, April 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of an Israel-themed basket: 6 copies of my book/Bible study A People Chosen, the movie The Hope on the rebirth of Israel in 1948, the book Your People Will Be My People, and a $25 gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f737/a-people-chosen-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Blue Cloak Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

Posted on March 31, 2020March 29, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts

The Blue Cloak by author Shannon McNear is a gritty Christian Historical Suspense based on notorious real life killers the Harpes. This is book five in the True Colors, Historical Stories of American Crime Series. I was shocked as I read the horror these two men inflicted.

This was not an easy book for me to read nor was it easy to put down. I was horrified at the heinous acts “Big and Little” mindlessly doled out to innocents. The setting was in an area where some of my family lived so it was fun reading the names of familiar towns. The story begins in 1797 Tennessee and moves to Kentucky.

The author did her research exceptionally well. She has a style of writing that drew me in even though many times I shook my head or flinched. There are a few surprise twists. The historical true part of the story is unfathomable. My emotions were raw by the end. Only a good author can do that.

Faith was woven throughout this gruesome story. It was the light that shined through the darkness. The author spared us many details and left much to our own imagination. I was thankful for that.

This is the tale of what some consider the first American serial killers and the women they held captive. It is also the story of Rachel and Ben. A sweet love story in the midst of chaos. The characters were all well rounded. I wanted to counsel them and tell them when they were making mistakes.

If you like crime stories, you will love this. The history and story are rich with a depth of layers that will surprise you. I highly recommend it. A copy was provided by the publisher but this is my own opinion of this 5 star book.

About the Book

Book: The Blue Cloak

Author: Shannon McNear

Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense

Release Date: March, 2020

Evil Incarnate Leaves a Trail of Destruction across the Frontier

Book 5 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Rachel Taylor lives a rather mundane existence in 1797 at the way station her family runs along the Wilderness Road in Tennessee. She attends her friend Sally Rice’s wedding only to watch the marriage dissolve into horror has the groom, Wiley Harpe, and his cousin Micajah become murderers on the run, who drag their families along. Declaring a “war on all humanity,” the Harpes won’t be stopped, and Ben Langford is on their trail to see if his own cousin was one of their latest victims.

How many will die before peace can return to the frontier?

Click here for your copy.

About the Author

Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, grammie of two, and a member of ACFW and RWA. Her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® finalist. When she’s not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies. Connect with her at www.shannonmcnear.com, or on Facebook and Goodreads.

More from Shannon

How dark is too dark for a Christian to write?

That was the question I wrestled with when deciding whether or not to take on the story of the Harpes. The histories in Scripture itself aren’t rated G, but writing fiction requires a level of detail and depth of emotion I wasn’t sure would be wise, or helpful, to explore in this case. But as I prayed and sought the counsel of those whose discernment I trust, the answer came back, overwhelmingly …

Is God stronger than the darkness, or not?

Well, of course He is. And nothing in human history has ever escaped His notice, or taken Him by surprise.

So, was there something redeeming to be found in the tale of the Harpes?

For the first few weeks of research, I walked around in a state of shock at the horror of the historical accounts, but details surfaced that helped me shape my fictional characters Rachel and Ben. With Rachel working in her family’s trading post near the wild frontier town of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Ben a lawyer who recently passed the bar, the real-life Hugh Lawson White provided a handy connection point between them. Many other details fell together in ways I had not foreseen when I began developing the story. Sally Rice Harpe, however, rose to the forefront. This was more her story than anyone’s, but realizing I couldn’t properly write the book without using her point of view? That was scary. I knew the moments I’d have to visit, some of them in real-time.

Despite the tragedy, however, I could see an overarching story of spiritual warfare. Felt a growing conviction that prayer must have played a vital role in bringing the Harpes’ reign of terror to an end. So it is my hope that against the backdrop of one of the most chilling episodes of our country’s early history, the hand of God shows clearly, and that yes, the reader finds it redemptive.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, March 24

Texas Book-aholic, March 24

Inklings and notions, March 25

Girls in White Dresses, March 25

Emily Yager, March 25

Godly Book Reviews, March 26

Genesis 5020, March 26

Remembrancy, March 26

Among the Reads, March 27

Through the Fire Blogs, March 27

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 28

Christian Bookaholic, March 28

Inside the Wong Mind, March 28

For the Love of Literature, March 29

For Him and My Family, March 29

Betti Mace, March 30

Older & Smarter?, March 30

deb’s Book Review, March 30

Robin’s Nest, March 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 1

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 1

Stories By Gina, April 1

By The Book, April 2

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 2

Blossoms and Blessings, April 2

A Reader’s Brain, April 3

Connie’s History Classroom, April 3

Artistic Nobody, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 4

Back Porch Reads, April 4

Daysong Reflections, April 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 5

Pause for Tales, April 5

Britt Reads Fiction, April 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 6

Hallie Reads, April 6

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Shannon is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of The Blue Cloak and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f7a3/the-blue-cloak-celebration-tour-giveaway

Encountering God’s Heart for You Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

Posted on March 27, 2020March 24, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts

Author Diane Storting has provided a 365 Day Journal with her book Encountering God’s Heart for You. Going from Genesis all the way through Revelation this is a devotional journey throughout the Bible focusing on God’s heart and plan for us. It is not a replacement but rather a supplement to daily scripture reading.

The writing style was pleasing and easy to ready. The book was divided into two main sections: Encountering God’s Heart for You in the Old Testament and Encountering God’s Heart for You in the New Testament. That is rather expected. These two sections are further divided into categories. Old Testament ones include: The Books of Law, The Books of History, The Books of Poetry and Wisdom, and The Books of Prophecy. New Testament ones are: The Gospels, The Book of History (Acts), The Letters, and The Book of Prophecy (Revelation). As you can see, everything has been covered.

Daily offerings are numbered rather than dated. It doesn’t matter when this is started because the first day is actually Day 1 and not January 1st. Days begin with a title along with books and chapters of the Bible being discussed. A Scripture verse is highlighted and the devotion ends in prayer.

This is a lovely devotional. It makes a beautiful companion for daily bible reading. I learned from the timeless lessons. Anyone would glean something from this. I definitely recommend it for any Christian. It receives a 5 start rating from me. A copy was received from Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Encountering God’s Heart For You

Author: Diane Stortz

Genre: Christian non-fiction, Devotional

Release Date: September 3, 2019

God put the Bible together for you, and he wants you to understand and know him better. But sometimes you can get lost in the details and miss the big picture. The Bible is more than just a collection of wisdom, instructions, and history. It’s one unified story of the incredible love of God!

Encountering God’s Heart for You takes you on a daily journey through the full narrative of Scripture in a year. And in the process, it will draw you nearer to God as you discover his love and compassion. It won’t cover every verse, or even every chapter, in the Bible, but by the time you’re through, you’ll have a strong grasp of what the Bible is all about.

Reading Scripture isn’t just a way to collect information or check something off a to-do list. Let this book bring you into God’s presence to better understand the Bible’s story of love, sacrifice, and redemption as he draws you to himself.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Diane Stortz is a multipublished author who writes to make God’s wonders known to the next generation. Diane’s books for women, A Woman’s Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and Encountering God’s Heart for You, both from Bethany House, encourage women to get to know God through His Word, the Bible. Her children’s releases include the best-selling Say & Pray Bible and I AM: 40 Reasons to Trust God, both from Tommy Nelson. Diane and her husband have two married daughters and five grandchildren—all boys! Visit her at www.DianeStortz.com.

More from Diane

Twenty years ago, I was invited to join a women’s Bible study group planning to read through the Bible in a year to get to know God.

Although I’d been a Christian for many years and had read many parts of the Bible and used the Bible in my work as an editor, I had never actually read the entire Bible.

I joined the group. We read about three chapters a day and met weekly on Monday nights to discuss what we’d read.

I’ve repeated that experience in various forms most years since then, and it has changed my life in so many ways. (Getting to know God does that, right?)

I’m convinced that one of the most loving things we can do for someone else is to invite and encourage her to become a lifelong reader of the Word, and to read it together.

That’s how I view my new devotional, Encountering God’s Heart for You. It’s an invitation to every woman to pick up her Bible, read along with me, and look together for all the ways God teaches us about himself on every page.