Into the Fire

Tuesday Tunes

 

Rockin' out with the Doobie Brothers for New Year's Eve. "Without Love, where would you be now?" 

We know who Love Is: the Lord Jesus Christ gave it all for you. Let Him have your life. Without Him, you know where you'd be now. 

Monday Musings

Many people make resolutions in hopes of keeping them, inspired by the dawn of a new year. No harm in that. Many people need to set goals, make lists, and determine by so doing to conquer lethargy, fears, laziness, or whatever keeps them from advancing in their daily lives.

My goal is the same every year, every day, every moment: Listen to the Lord's Spirit, discern His voice, and obey His requests. Christians often fail to remember His desires for us - whether they come via difficult tasks or simple endeavors - are for our good. Anything, any action, that brings us closer to Him will always prove to be an improvement in the way we live. Sometimes we're so engrossed in our selfish wants that we make the Lord's requests secondary to ours. That rarely works out well for us. 

As the New Year approaches, if you haven't had the absolute pleasure, privilege, and/or thrill of meeting Jesus, the Savior of the world, I pray you will. Nothing in this world offers a better way to live.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  - John 14:6 (NIV)

Sunday's Offerings

 

     Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

          "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

           you now dismiss your servant in peace.

          For my eyes have seen your salvation,

           which you have prepared in the sight of all people.

          a light for revelation to the Gentiles

           and for glory to your people Israel."

     The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 

Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)

Friday's Fare . . .

From Chapter 32:

REMINDER

Jean July had the luxury of being born into a holy house with two parents who managed to praise God’s love and provision in spite of her father’s disability and eventual amputation and even when the young and vivacious Jean was told there was nothing that could correct her heart condition at such a tender age.

     He heard her words of explanation after she took him to their favorite spot up above their hideaway homes, high in the evergreens with an occasional pine, alder, or maple draping over them like a primitive shelter. They called it Eden—this place of beauty and stillness. This place where their lips first touched.

     She huffed and stopped along the way, and he asked if she was okay. She just smiled and pushed herself to get there.

     “Micah,” she said, settling into the seat of an ancient root system of a long-fallen fir. “We know God. You’ve even seen our Lord.”

     He remembered she labored over the words, reaching for more air as she spoke. “We don’t have much time left together. They—” She stumbled then. “The doctors can’t help me. It’s my heart.”

     The tears came fast then, and he panicked. He almost lunged for her but pulled her gently to himself and started to tell her they didn’t know what they were talking about. She was too young to die, and no way would he allow it. But as he struggled to speak, the Lord made sure he understood this would not be compromised. Jean July belonged to Him and what He intended for her was more and better than anything Micah or anyone else could provide. Micah wept as he held her and made no grandiose statements of her miraculous healing.

     When he could find his own oxygen and stop his wretched sobbing, he found a way to whisper, “Marry me.”

     She pulled out of his embrace and looked with wonder at his statement. “I’m going to die, Micah.” She said it so sweetly as if bestowing some noble gift upon him.

     “I know. So marry me.” He grabbed her hands. “I love you, Jean. I’ll always love you.”

 

Father, thank you is never enough for all the inspiration, the desire to write, the words, characters, all of it. Please help me to continue it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The day after . . .

   

Gifts given, presents opened, sized up, returns ready. The day after Christmas when inventory is taken. Leftovers ready to roll on repeat. 

Some return to work, others finish the week off.

Hope your Christmas was beautiful and wonderful and definitely meaningful. 

The real reckoning comes with the continuation of realization about who Jesus Is and that super holiday that just celebrated His coming to earth. In the big picture, that's all that truly matters. Does the adoration of our Savior continue? Do we continue to walk in His ways and listen to His voice, His instructions? Or do we fall back into a pattern of life that leaves Him on the outside of it? That's the must-answer question of our intentions. 

I pray that as the first of 2025 gets closer that more people would decide to find out who Jesus really Is. There's no comparison to living life with Him. I've lived both ways: in the world and saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Redemption is everything. 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Merry, Joyful, Meaningful Christmas

                                       

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:11 (NIV) 

O Holy Night

 

HE IS. HE came for us, to save us after being born into sin. HE's the Savior of the World. Do you want HIM? Ask HIM to rescue you. HE WILL. 

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. 

Monday Musings . . .

My dad was a giver. Birthday cards, Christmas cards, and lots of presents under the tree. He was the son of Italian immigrants with lots of brothers and sisters. As a boy in Butte, Montana, he physically had to learn how to fight to claim a corner to sell newspapers. Butte was a place of ill repute in the early days. Later on, he had to work in the mines. He lost the tip off his right index finger there. Following that, this Roman Catholic raised boy met and fell in love with a Methodist girl and they eloped on his 21st birthday. She was 16. My mom and dad almost made it to their 50th wedding anniversary, but cancer claimed my mother at the young age of 62. She gave so much to us.

I think I inherited his love of giving gifts. At Christmas, he gave gifts to the mailman, the garbage man, and the milkman. I have kept that tradition with the exception of the milkman - we haven't had one. I have a mail lady who is a joy. I've never met my garbage men, but I leave them gifts on the garbage cans on the Monday or whatever day before Christmas arrives. I would buy my husband multiple gifts more than I do (which are quite a few). Same with my sons, but after a point, they need or want less and less. 

Friends get gifts - and give me precious things besides their friendships. 

Giving gives me great joy. To experience smiles or great gratitude even for the little things is such a reward. 

God has been so generous and gracious to me my entire life. Giving is a gift within a gift. Thank God for His Greatest Gift of Jesus for salvation and redemption. Unequaled. Unprecedented. Unstoppable. The Great I AM. Thank you is never enough for all the gifts that come with Jesus. Amen.  

Sunday's Offerings

 

     Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

                   "Glory to God in the highest,

                       and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

     When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

     So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Luke 2:13-20 (NIV)

Your Last Minute Novel Shopping . . .

A Police Procedural/Mystery with a romantic thread. Available here in print, e-book, and audible. 

A love story. He's a recluse. She needs refuge. Find them here.

Seeing . . . available in print and e-book here. She's broken. He knows who can mend her heart. Love story. 

You can find the rest of my novels here.

Writing love stories with a passion. Raw  Romantic  Redemptive 

Merry Christmas! 

 

Father, only you give me these stories and characters and the words to write them. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you, Jesus. And I ask that you'd keep me writing, please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Throwback Thursday

Today is the last Thursday before Christmas. Yes, that's me. I've always loved Christmas even way back then. 

Thank you, Lord, for watching over me even when I was so far away from you. Thank you for rescuing me. You've been so gracious to me. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Jesus Is The Reason for The Season. 

Wednesday Whimsy

The season where the Light shines in the darkness.

Jesus Is The Reason for The Season. 

Thank you is never enough, Lord Jesus. 

Tuesday Tunes . . . Christmastime

 

The wonderful smooth voice of Bing Crosby singing this wonderful classic Christmas song. The lyrics are always heartwarming. 

Thank you, Jesus. 

Monday Musings . . .

I've tried to decide how to market my books, but marketing is not my gift. I appreciate my readers beyond words. They vary in age, tastes, and preferred genres. Not all of them "fancy" love stories/romance. The competition for novels is unlimited. Literally millions of love stories and romance novels have been written and are published regularly. 

Those who've reviewed my work have been wonderful for the most part with a few exceptions. 

Although I would sincerely enjoy an increased audience for my novels, I have zero control over that. 

Why this is my topic on this particular Monday, I have no idea. Just my thoughts after thinking about the "book shopping" posts. 

If you know someone who loves Christian Fiction in the love story/romance genre, someone who doesn't need a series to keep them interested, someone who isn't easily offended by Raw Romantic Redemptive and an author who writes love stories with a passion, you might mention my novels to them . . . Thank you!

 

Father, thank you for every word, character, story, and finished book. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Sunday's Offerings

 

     And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger. 

     Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

                     "Glory to God in the highest,

                         and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

     When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 

Luke 2:8-15 (NIV)

It's Friday . . . Christmastime

Some sadly abhor the holidays for various reasons, most consistent with the loss of something very meaningful or important to them which they associate with Christmastime.

This is especially sad to imagine since the reason for the season is the greatest gift to every person, rich or poor, male or female, big or small. An unequaled gift of salvation, of God coming to earth as a person to sacrifice his life for the sins of mankind. Everyone and anyone who accepts His gift to them in repentance for sins will eventually be ushered into the heavenly realm where there will be no more tears or suffering and best of all: no more evil. 

Jesus is Lord to all, His love everlasting, His forgiveness divine. Jesus Is the Reason for the Season. Rejoice! We have been set free in Him. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

Throwback Thursday

Going back to my second novel written as a fictional biography, the life of one Joey Parr. 

 

Father, you gave me this story, the research, the inspiration. Thank you is never enough. Please help me to keep writing as you supply. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

That time of the year . . . Part Three

So. Day 3 of shopping for novels.

Variety is the wonder of novels. I don't stray too far in genres, but I love unique and meaningful characters. Today's selections will focus on a couple of them:

      1. Mike Romeo in James Scott Bell's Mike Romeo Thriller Series. These are no ordinary "thrillers." And Mike Romeo is no ordinary character. Incredibly witty, intelligent to the point where many he comes in contact with have no idea what he's talking about or referring to, and tough to the point of almost being indestructible, having been a cage fighter for a while. This series is truly enticing to those readers who long for something different but exciting and intriguing. James Scott Bell is an amazing writer. Highly recommend this series.

       2. Atticus Priest in Mark Dawson's Atticus Priest Murder, Mystery, and Crime Thrillers Series is next in the not-the-ordinary but fascinating character category. With both of these entries, readers will see protagonists with unusual personalities and talents, high intellects that can confound those around them but are profoundly accurate in discovering things others miss or ignore. Truly amazing characters. Highly recommend this series. 

If you are in the market for yourself or know someone who can truly appreciate unique characters, buy the first books in these series or all of them for that reader on your list.

Merry Book Shopping! 

 

Father, you know exactly what your authors need to keep writing their novels. Please provide them with all they need and keep those stories coming. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Tuesday Tunes . . . Christmastime

 

A little off the beaten path of Christmas Carols but with such great lyrics. Hope you enjoy it. 

Never enough thanks, Jesus, for your coming to earth to save us from Satan's power. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

That time of the year . . . Part Two

Back at the shopping for novels. Let's face it. The most convenient way to shop for them is through Amazon or directly through the author if they have their bookselling business on their websites.

Another female protagonist I must mention is Candace Irving's Kate Holland in the Hidden Valor Series with her K-9 Ruger. Exceptional, complex mystery/thriller/suspense combos with past military and present law enforcement experiences. A heroine who's seen the worst of wartime, with the assistance of her dog and the Sheriff she works for, she's making progress. An excellent series. You will see from her website Candace has more series novels to offer. Can't miss with this author. 

Slipping into the Cozy Mystery Genre: 

You know it's not my favorite genre, but when your author friends write superb examples of genres, you make exceptions. And Karin Kaufman's Juniper Grove Series and her new Kelsie Butler Series typify Cozy Mysteries that are well worth the investment of time and money. But don't stop there. Karin has multiple genre novels to choose from. 

Another familiar author of multiple genres is Heather Day Gilbert. From Viking novels to the beginning of her new psychological thriller series, you Cozy Mystery lovers will very much enjoy her selections in that genre. 

That should give you multiple choices in several genres from some truly worthy female authors in different genres. Great gifts await! Merry Book Shopping! 

 

Father, thank you for these terrific authors. Please bless them with all that they personally need to flourish body, soul, and spirit which includes their creativity. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.