Davalynn Spencer's Blog, page 50

Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Manger

Remember when Christmas was simple?

You were probably a kid.

Music.

Pine trees.

Frosted sugar cookies.

Adults tend to complicate things.

Parties.

Pre-lit trees.

Maxed-out credit cards.

Sometimes in our attempt to simplify, we say no to all things Christmas. We go overboard and throw the baby out with the manger.

So how do we achieve the seasonal oxymoron of a simple Christmas? How can we remember, recognize, and rejoice over The Gift without getting caught up in the hoopla?

Do one different thing that relates to what Christmas is.

This year I’m focusing on the age of my youngest grandchild. She is two and a half—most likely the age of Jesus when Magi from the East showed up at the front door with very grown-up gifts.

No Fisher-Price. Instead, hard cash, perfume, and burial oil. Ever wonder what Mary and Joe thought of that?

When I look at our toddler, I imagine Jesus at her age. I can’t envision Him with a halo and folded hands, sitting dutifully at Mary’s feet.

I see Him running and squealing and tumbling and crying, just like our two-and-a-half-year-old.

God took the hard way in: childhood. Would you do yours over? Probably not. Nor would I. But that’s how much He loves us. There is no phase of our growing and living with which He cannot relate.

This year as we simplify our Christmas festivities, let’s remember the manger and the bundle lying there.

 

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Joy to you this Christmas!

 

#lovingthecowboy

Are We Good/Strong/Brave Enough for God?

This week, author Amy Blake shares an encouraging observation about God’s choice in people. I trust you will see her words as a beacon of hope for us all.

Weakness

Levi Prince, the main character in my new release, The Trojan Horse Traitor, isn’t anything special, at least from a worldly perspective. He’s skinny and short, has curly red hair, and isn’t athletic. In fact, among the kids at Camp Classic, Levi lands somewhere between mediocre and a complete flop at pretty much everything he tries—archery, fencing, canoeing, even art class.

Why would I choose a kid like Levi to be the hero of my young adult fantasy series? Because he’s the type God chose time and time again throughout Scripture. Think of David, the youngest son who wasn’t important enough to call home from his sheep-sitting duties when Samuel came over to anoint the next king from among Jesse’s boys. Think of Jael, the housewife (or should I say, tent-wife?) who was so insignificant that Sisera wasn’t afraid to nap in her tent. Think of Bethlehem, a backwater town no one expected to produce anybody of worth. Think of Jesus, a poor Jewish baby born in a barn to a teenage mother. Who would’ve expected somebody like him to be the Savior of the world?

Why did God choose these seemingly insignificant ones to fulfill His glorious plans? Because God uses our weakness to display His great strength. He loves to work through His children when we’re at our most fragile to demonstrate that He is the only one who could’ve caused us to conquer. He uses our frailty to show others that He is the one true God.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Aren’t you glad? Can you recall a time when God worked through you at your weakest?

 

 

The Trojan Horse Traitor

Left on Castle Island to attend Camp Classic, thirteen-year-old, scrawny, redheaded, homeschooler Levi Prince finds himself at the center of an enchanted world of amazing abilities, cloudy motives, and wicked beings that will challenge his very spirit. He begins to form friendships, but life at camp becomes more confusing as questionable activities and uncertain agendas bring about conflict that tests his character in ways he never expected. Finally, faced with a friend’s betrayal, Levi is forced to confront true evil. Will he find the courage to stand his ground, and to become the hero he was always meant to be?

The Trojan Horse Traitor is now available in both e-book and paperback formats. Amy is hosting a giveaway of two paperback copies of The Trojan Horse Traitor on Goodreads. You can enter now through December 14th.

 

Award-winning author Amy C. Blake is a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of four. She has an M.A. in English from Mississippi College and has written articles, devotionals, and short stories for a number of publications. She’d love for you to visit her website for tips on homeschooling, advice for the rookie pastor’s wife, and helps for the Christian life.

 

 

 

Little Things Make a Big Difference

It’s usually the little things in life that make a big impression, change our direction, or impact us the most.

This Thanksgiving, don’t forget those little things. Consider them to be as important as salt and pepper on the dinner table, cinnamon in the pumpkin pie, and sage in the dressing.

One of our traditions as a family is to offer round-robin thanks from person to person, mentioning one thing for which we are grateful from the previous year.

Sometimes we bring an item to the table that represents our gratitude—like a pencil for the privilege of writing, a fishing lure for good times spent with Grandpa, or a baby bootie announcing an upcoming arrival.

Whatever it is that stirs thanks in your heart this year, lift it as an offering to our Lord who has crowned the year with His goodness.

Nothing is too small or insignificant if it brings our heart to Him in praise.

Happy Thanksgiving!

#lovingthecowboy

What’s More Important: Strength or Rest?

Strength and rest – contradictory concepts.

Rest is sedentary.

Strength is active, right?

Not necessarily.

Ever hear the cliché, “quiet strength”? Maybe there’s more to it than meets the English-teacher’s eye.

I found an unlikely connection in the story of Moses. He begged God to go with the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land.

God said okay.

“My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”

Hmm. Why didn’t God say He would give them victory? Wouldn’t that be more important as they traveled through hostile territory?

And what about a verse in Isaiah 30 that mentions rest in an unusual context:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Again, an apparent contradiction: I’m saved not by fighting, but by resting?

Yes.

When God’s presence accompanied Moses and the Israelites, His strength was impressively attendant. They could rest in the confidence that He “had their back,” so to speak.

Isaiah reminds us of this idea. When we return to the Lord (after doing everything our way) and rest in His presence and provision, we are saved. We are safe.

A quiet confidence gives us the ability to say, “God’s got this,” whatever this may be.

I want that.

When I rest body, soul, and spirit in His presence, I find strength.

How about you? Have you ever found God’s answer in an apparent contradiction?

 

 

Two more days to sign up for the chance to win The 12 Brides of Christmas AND The 12 Days of Christmas cookbook! Click on this Rafflecopter link to enter.

           

 

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‘Tis the Season for cooking, loving, winning!

Something about this time of year makes me want to cook more. Is it the cooling weather? The shorter days? The anticipation of approaching feasts?

I’m sure all these things play into it, and I find myself tearing recipes from magazines in search of a new twist on an old favorite.

Evidently, a host of others feel that same urge. So with the holidays fast approaching, the twelve authors of The 12 Brides of Christmas are offering a give-away of four signed copies of the collection plus four copies of Barbour’s new release, The 12 Days of Christmas Cookbook.

What a package deal!

If you would like to enter for a chance (or many chances) to win one of these four sets being raffled, click on this Rafflecopter link to enter.

You have 24 different opportunities to toss your name in for a chance to win. The raffle runs through Tuesday, November 17 at midnight. Just sign up through the form you’ll find on the link.

Each author newsletter you sign up for counts as one opportunity to win. (12 authors x one each newsletter = 12 opportunities)
Each day we’ll post a new Tweet. If you’re on Twitter, retweeting that tweet will give you another opportunity.
Winners will be announced Friday, November 20, on the 12 Brides Facebook page, and by email.

Read more about these two great books:

The 12 Brides of Christmas :        

Christmas is the time for love, and twelve historical women are on their way to the altar, whether they know it or not. In settings across the heartland of America, readers will experience heartfelt gifts, old-fashioned Christmas traditions, sweet romance, and inspiring faith from twelve acclaimed Christian authors.

The twelve stories center on festivities, nutcrackers, stars, trees, creches, gifts, gingerbread and fruitcakes; they also are festive, advent-related, snowbound, evergreen and my favorite, yuletide.

All set in the mid and western United States, they cover the country from Illinois to Mississippi to Arizona to Wyoming and everywhere in between in the 19th century. For detailed descriptions of the individual stories, see the 12 Brides of Christmas webpage  here .

The 12 Days of Christmas Cookbook :

Wonderfully unique, The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookbook: 2015 will delight taste buds and make your Christmas even merrier! Featuring tasty recipes organized into fun categories including: Appetizers on a Platter; Beverages a-Blending; Breads a-Rising; Breakfast Dishes a-Baking; Candies a-Boiling; Cookies a-Cooling; Desserts a-Delighting; Kids a-Cooking; Main Dishes a-Mixing; Salads a-Crunching; Sides a Steaming and Soups a-Simmering

With easy entertaining tips and ideas, this sure-to-be-a-favorite cookbook is overflowing with fantastic recipe ideas for the entire holiday season and beyond!

 Happy cooking and reading!

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#lovingthecowboy

Don’t Wait, Look Now

When I was a child, my parents drove around town on wintry Christmastime nights so we could ooh and aah at decorated houses glowing with lights and roof-top displays. How I loved the fantasy lands that appeared, twinkling through the foggy dark.

When I had children of my own, we did the same, and I thrilled to see delight spark in their eyes. Even as an adult, I still enjoy the intricate beauty and balance of illumination against the night.

But there’s a display on right now that far exceeds what man can craft – the autumn leaves. Parks and neighborhoods and hills are exploding with color. And against a bright blue sky, the golds and reds and yellows are piercingly brilliant.

This year, before it’s too late, take a little time off and drive through older neighborhoods where established trees are in full glory. Enjoy autumn – one of God’s most exquisite displays.

Instead of waiting to see what will happen, let’s look at what God is doing right now.

… then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord, for He cometh …

Psalm 96:12, 13

 

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That Cold Shoulder Could Be a Trust Issue

Let me introduce you to Oakley, the hinder half of Annie and Oakley, my two teen-aged tabby mousers. Litter mates and identical in appearance, I can tell them apart only by their attitudes. On that point, they are as different as salt and pepper. Especially when it comes to the matter of trust.

Annie trusts me, Oakley does not. To say Oakley is skittish would be an understatement. I can’t get within ten feet of her.

When these pubescent, female felines arrived in their portable kennel, I was an unknown. Their eyes were dark and wide with fear. They hid behind anything they could find.

But I left them alone and left them food, and they left me a mouse one morning, right next to their dish. A fair trade.

Annie soon warmed to me, running her little ‘motorboat’ as my mother used to call a cat’s purr. Because of her trust, Annie sleeps in the garage at night, high atop stacked tubs in a soft kitty bed

Oakley sleeps outside beneath the low-spreading juniper bush, and dashes in each morning when I open the door. Wet if it rains, cold from the night, and always hungry, she scurries in and up to the dryer where the cat food dish sits beyond the reach of our dog, Blue.

I don’t shut Oakley out. I call her each night, just like I call Annie, but Oakley doesn’t come because she doesn’t trust me. If she did, she would sleep like Annie, dry and cushioned with a midnight snack always at the ready.

Oakley may start coming in when the weather forces her.

And isn’t that just like us? Running for shelter when we’re forced, rather than stepping into love via trust.

It reminds me of me and God. When I trust Him, circumstances always turn out better, and my needs are always met. But more than that, I have the peace of His presence. He loves me. I’ve learned to trust that.

Funny what we can learn from our animals.

Do you have a cold-shoulder pet with trust issues? How did you win it over?

 

 

#lovingthecowboy

Protection of the Path

I was off the path the other day, pulling weeds from the edge of my driveway where no one ever walks. At the time, I thought nothing of my attire, but since then I will be careful to dress appropriately for off-the-path work.

For there in the weeds, blending perfectly with its grassy surroundings was a rattlesnake. I froze.

In the minute I stared at it, I realized something was wrong—its position. Its lack of movement. Snakes see us before we see them, yet this one was not reacting.

Backing up to the wheel barrow where a pair of long shears lay, I picked them up and nudged the snake with the end. It was dead.

Regardless, I ended my weeding project. I’ve never heard of an only-child rattlesnake family, and I didn’t want to meet the siblings—or Mom and Dad!

The next time I work in the edges of the yard, I’ll wear boots and jeans in addition to my garden gloves. I’ll also be sure to keep our wide-open spaces mowed down. And no more cutting across the field when walking—I will stay to the path.

Why?

Because we live in snake country and snakes can’t hide out in the open.

 

 

 

Since finding that snake so close to my house, I’ve thought of a favorite verse in a different light:

You will show me the path of life. Psalm 16:11

Comfort lies in knowing the Lord will lead us in the path, in the way of His choosing. When I follow Him, He’s going before me, taking care of any threat in the way, and leading me in the safe way, not through the weeds and brush where danger hides.

#lovingthecowboy

 

Didn’t Have to Die to Go to Heaven.

Have you ever wanted to turn down the volume on your world? Go where there is no noise, no distraction, no demand on your attention?

I do. All the time.

Last week that blessed opportunity arrived and I headed to Music Meadows Ranch in the Wet Mountain Valley near Westcliffe, Colorado.

Paradise in the pines.

Rustic beauty.

Peace in the absence of clamor and crowds (though high-speed internet was available if I wanted it).

Quiet – other than the breeze whispering through the aspens, a nearby trickling creek, and the distant bugle of a bull elk.

Heaven. On. Earth. At least for a cowboy-loving writer like me.

I made coffee on a gas stove the old-fashioned way. Ate the best chili I’ve ever had that was left by the proprietor for my dining enjoyment.

Rode horseback into the aspen-draped hills.

Slept like a contented, new-born calf.

Because of this special blessing, I returned home a little more complete, where earlier I had been lacking.

If Jesus – without e-mail, cellphones, or computers – retreated to a quiet place, how much more do you suppose we need solitude?

Getting completely away is an infrequent luxury. So when we can’t, how do we find a quiet moment or a quiet place?

Where – or when – do you go to find solitude? How do you catch the quiet time to refill and refresh your spirit in our noisy world?

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31

#lovingthecowboy

Available now where books are sold – the complete print collection of last year’s 12 e-book novellas!

 

Enter to Win the Goodreads Give-away!

Three announcements:

1. I’m excited to announce a Goodreads give-away of six – yes, six! – print copies of The 12 Brides of Christmas novella collection.

And the best part? The books are signed by all 12 novella authors. The give-away starts today and runs through Oct. 12 – a little more than two weeks. Enter by clicking here on GOODREADS.

This print collection is a compilation of last year’s individually released e-book novellas. Mine was No. 11, The Snowbound Bride.

In three months, Christmas will be over. (Gasp – I can’t believe it!) But until then, plan ahead and enter the give-away for free!

2. I was recently interviewed by Christian fiction author/blogger Rebekah Millet, and what fun it was. Here’s a link to the interview. Enjoy!

3. And most important, here are a few words of wisdom shared with me by author Karen Whiting who is a great encourager. I pray they are as much a blessing to you as they were to me.

Rest in the Lord … Psalm 37:7

#lovingthecowboy