The New Year, Devotions, and Free Books!

Nothing starts a day better than spending a few moments with God and a devotion -- and I'd like to help with that.




Before I elaborate, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, by Carole Brown, is:

susanmsj@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

Remember to enter your email address when you comment, as described in today's drawing information, below. If you win the drawing but haven't left your email address, I can't contact you!

Now, with regard to those morning devotions, I'd like to start the New Year off by sending a signed copy of one of my devotionals to two of my readers.

Working on these two books -- Delight Yourself in the Lord...Even on Bad Hair Days and His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT --  was such a blessing. Writing a devotion requires quite a bit of time with the Lord, and the experience is absolutely uplifting. I hope to work on another one someday, especially if it means working again with big-hearted, funny authors like Kristin Billerbeck, Sandra Bricker, Loree Lough, Debby Mayne, Cynthia Ruchti, and the late, lovely Diann Hunt.

Here's a quick description of each of the books.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) Probably the most quoted promise in the Bible, this one passage of scripture inspires hope, sustains faith, and oozes with joy.

Whether single or married, career girl or stay-at-home mom, today's Christian woman is faced with daily obstacles. Delight Yourself in the Lord...Even on Bad Hair Days is a devotional filled with upbeat reminders about infusing hope and joy in the Lord as the first step toward conquering life's problems and chasing down the desires of your heart. Through 100 funny and thought-provoking devotions, the authors remind women to go back to the basics with God. And we even share a few private "bad hair confessions" along the way!



"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). With this single promise, God's grace does what nothing else can. Grace enables us to do the impossible. When we don't have the ability, the resources, or even the drive to accomplish God's will for our lives, His grace is there. And when our feet slip or we've chosen the wrong path, His grace is a heartbeat away to dust us off and show us the way home, no questions asked.

Complete pardon? Clemency? Unearned favor? Oh, come on. What's the catch? Can it really be that, as we navigate the high-wire act of our busy lives, God's grace forms a quiet safety net beneath us? Each one of us has lived with imperfect (perhaps very conditional) love, and the concept of God's perfect love often seems unfathomable by comparison. But all those things we hope will justify or fortify us in some way--good works, career or family focus, even chocolate or caffeine!--contribute nothing long-lasting. They're just momentary, while the supply of God's grace never runs dry.

So does that mean when you step into line to order your next double espresso, we would suggest that you make it a decaf? Absolutely not! But we're here to show you...to gently remind you...that there is nothing else that offers the high-octane surge of His full-on grace.


If you would like to be entered in the drawing for one of these devotionals, leave your answer to the question I'm asking each of my January authors in the comments section below:

What is the one improvement you'd like to make in your life in 2014?

Personally, I'd like to strengthen the habit of asking people about themselves. Too often, when someone asks me about myself, I answer them without considering that they might have something to talk about, as well! When I look back on such conversations, I realize how self-centered I can be.

How about you? Leave your answer in the comments section below, and next week I'll draw two names and mail out a copy of each devotional. 

And if you're interested, both books can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:






CBD.com







CBD.com






Be sure to check out my interview with Anita Higman , below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.