Tuesday, November 25, 2014

2014 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide Thankful With Sharlene MacLaren + 2 Book #Giveaway

2014 ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 
WITH SHARLENE MACLAREN!


Today I have a special guest who I am happy to include during my gift guide. Sharlene MacLaren is one of those authors who writes books that resonate with the reader. These aren't just novels to read and enjoy, but to savor and take your time with. So when she offered to host a giveaway, I was soo happy! This way someone will be able to have a wonderful surprise gift or maybe even something to gift a friend or family member.



“With a Thankful Heart”
Sharlene MacLaren

Psalm 100:Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Giving thanks seems to be a normal routine for Christians. We daily thank Him for our food and for the clothes we wear, for warm blankets on a chilly night, and for our cozy homes. We praise Him for sunshine and even for the rain. Thanksgiving seems to be that special time of year for making lists of all our blessings. We reflect with grateful hearts on all the many good and wonderful things God has done for us – and we find it quite easy to do. Some begin their traditional “30 Days of Thankfulness” on November 1 and continue giving thanks throughout the month, naming at least one thing a day for which to be thankful. We are reminded in Psalm 34:1 of King David’s words when he said, "...His praise shall continually be in my mouth." In Psalm 119:62, he went on to say, "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments."

As I write this Thanksgiving devotional, it is after midnight in my little office. In fact, it is 2:30 a.m. to be exact, and I rose from my bed with this particular question on my mind. What do folks do who find it difficult to give thanks? There are, after all, those who don’t know where their next meal will come from; those who worry about their wayward children, their aging parents, and their sick and/or dying friends or relatives. Perhaps they even lie awake fearful over their own poor health situations. Giving thanks isn’t always easy, is it? Sometimes it’s downright hard. And yet we are encouraged, if not commanded, to give thanks in ALL situations, for it is the will of God.

David later went on to say, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." Seven times? Sometimes, it can be a difficult thing for even the most righteous Christian in crisis to stop and give thanks once, let alone seven times!

Psalm 32:11 says, “Shout for joy!” Really? But how? Surely, that can’t apply to those languishing in pain, suffering through incurable diseases, grieving over losses, and living through depression. Ah, but it does. What we need to do is develop a lifestyle of praise so that when the tough times come, we will be ready for them; we will be able to rise up and say, “Thank You, Lord. Yes, thank You for even this.” When we realize who God is, that He has designed us for a perfect purpose and with a heart created for praise, we can endure most anything. Look up with a thankful heart at all times – not just at Thanksgiving – but throughout the year, every day of your life.

"Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100: 3, 4

P-R-A-I-S-E God with a thankful heart! Why? Because He is:


Powerful – Righteous – Able – Infinite – Strong – Everlasting!


THE BOOKS BEING GIVEN AWAY

CHRISTMAS COMES TO LITTLE HICKMAN CREEK





WHO ARE THESE FOR?

This author writes books that are perfect for anyone. I enjoy them quite a bit and they are all on my keeper shelf. You can't go wrong giving these to someone as a gift.

THE GIVEAWAY!!
One of my readers will win two copies of Sharlene's books. One copy of Christmas Comes to Little Hickman Creek and one copy of Threads of Joy. Absolutely wonderful books that you can keep as a surprise gift for the holidays or to give as a gift. Books make for great presents! The giveaway will end 12/11 and the winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. USA ONLY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

46 comments:

Christy Maurer said...

I'm thankful for Christmas music because it makes me happy :)

Linda Kish said...

I'm thankful that my adult "kids" have jobs so they can help out financially here at home. Since my son and his wife live here, it's good that they can help me out and mot live for free. Social security only goes so far. And, I'm happy for my dogs for keeping me sane.

scottsgal said...

I'm thankful my 13 year old springer spaniel is still perky and doing well and healthy

Amy C said...

I'm thankful for a running vehicle to be able to get around.

Wendy said...

I am thankful I was able to go to the Captivating Retreat put on by Ransomed Heart Ministries. It was a great experience and just what I needed.

SHARLENE said...

Hello there, Christy, Linda, Scott's Gal, Amy, and Wendy!!! Thanks so much for your comments. I hope you enjoyed a marvelous Thanksgiving with family and/or friends. I LOVE this wonderful season, don't you?

Lord bless each of you!

Angel Moore said...

I am thankful for you! You always brighten my day!

Amy C said...

I'm thankful for heat this morning.

Sulyvan said...

I am thankful for Jesus and the free gift of salvation.

Susan vandenBerg said...

I am thankful for Jesus and the free gift of salvation.

Unknown said...

I am thankful for the season of life that I find myself in. It's not been easy, but I'm learning a great deal about Who my Lord is, who I am, and about life in general.

Ann said...

I am thankful that God sought me out and called me to Him through His grace and love. I am His child today and forever.

Hannah R. said...

I am incredibly thankful for God's mercy and grace. He has brought me so far within just a few years and I can never thank Him enough!!

SHARLENE said...

I am so thrilled to read everyone's responses. Love how we are all finding things in life for which to be thankful, everything from healthy pets to kids who help pay the expenses to God's faithfulness in carrying us through the different seasons of life.

Truly, every one of us is blessed beyond measure - and when we are down, we can ALWAYS find someone far worse off than we.

Be blessed this week, my friends.

Kelly Blackwell @ Heres My Take On It said...

I am thankful for the prayers of many for my sister-in-law's grandson Kiel (pronounced Kyle). Kiel is six years old and has cancer. Knowing that friends, family and strangers are praying for him is the greatest gift.

Unknown said...

I am thankful for the books I have won and can pass on to the library for more people to read.

Chrystal Finniff said...

I'm thankful for my friends and family!! Thanks for the chance to win some books from one awesome Author!!

Kelly O. said...

I am thankful for coffee. It helps me to get moving in the morning to chase after my little ones!

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for being an auntie.

SHARLENE said...

I find I'm thankful for pretty much the same things the rest of you are thankful for. Kelly Blackwell, I am so sorry to hear about your sis-in-law's grandson. I pray he will be all right after all the treatments. I have two 6-year-old grandchildren, so I can't IMAGINE what it would feel like to know one of them had cancer. Horrid pretty much sums it up. Praying for this precious little boy.

Jackie Tessnair said...

I am thankful for my pets and for all the great books to read.

Nancee said...

Shar is an awesome author! I've loved her books, but haven't read all of them. She's also a Michigan author, and I love to support Michigan authors. Please enter me in this wonderful contest, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I win these 2 books!

Nancee said...

I was so excited I forgot to say what I'm most thankful for this year. I'm most thankful for twin grandsons who were born early and spent some time in the NICU. They are healthy and doing well, and I praise God for his mercy and grace!

Shonda F said...

I am thankful for christian authors since the only books i will read is christian fiction.

Nancy M said...

I am thankful for the friends I have 'met' through Facebook. Many have become so supportive through health issues and now authors and reading friends. And many from the health groups don't know Christ so I have been able to witness to them. Nancycooks4u(at)gmail(dot)com

Cyndi said...

I am thankful for 2 grandbabies fixin' to be born... one in a couple of weeks to my daughter and sil and one in Jan. to my son and dil! Firsts for both and both boys! Also, I am thankful that as my church's librarian, not only do I read for pleasure and for "checking out" a book before putting it on our shelves, but I have the opportunity to recommend many good books and authors to others! These would probably be donated there after I read them if I could let them go. LOL Thanks for the giveaway!

Cyndi said...

Oh! And I meant to also say that I absolutely LOVE Sharlene's books! Got hooked early on! :)

Brenda said...

I am thankful that we have the freedom to go to the church of our choice!

Brenda said...

I am thankful that we can still go to the church of our choice!

Brenda said...

Tried 2 times and it kept saying they didn't get my comments.

Amy C said...

I am thankful for the beautiful mountain I live on.

Kristie said...

I'm thankful for Botox to help with my cerebral palsy! Amazing! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Kristie said...

I'm thankful that I had the day off work today! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Amy C said...

I'm thankful for being part of my father in laws life before he passed.

Amy C said...

This morning, I am really thankful that my hubby is home and can get out little girl ready for school. That child doesn't like to get ready!😃

Diane Estrella said...

Peace in our family. for many years there was strife that was difficult to enjoy the holidays with.

Bonnie Traher said...

I am thankful each day that God aloows me to get out of bed and be able to walk about and enjoy life.

Pam said...

I am thankful for my family, my church family, and every other blessing that I don't deserve but God has provided. We truly have an abundance but so often take it all for granted.

tmainini said...

I am thankful for friends that love and encourage me!

Caryl Kane said...

I am thankful for GRACE! :)

Unknown said...

I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for the men and woman who are serving this country in the armed forces and first responders. I am thankful for places that help those in need, and that I get to help out in such a place. I am thankful for Authors, publishers, editors, libraries, book stores and used book stores for the books that I get to read and enjoy. I am thankful for laughter. Above all else though I am thankful for my Savior.

PS I just loved the Little Hickman series :D

Julie Waldron said...

I'm thankful for dirty dishes=food on the table, dirty laundry=clothes on our back, lights left on=electricity. The things I complain about we are fortunate to have!

Julie Waldron said...

I'm thankful that our daughter go engaged to a great guy last summer!

Freda said...

I am so thankful that my husband's health has greatly improved this year!

Coolestmommy said...

I'm thankful that after 7 months of unemployment, my husband has a new job. And that God provided the entire time so we were ok.

apple blossom said...

my sewing machine love sewing

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