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?
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:
I'm thankful for Christmas music because it makes me happy :)
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.
I'm thankful my 13 year old springer spaniel is still perky and doing well and healthy
I'm thankful for a running vehicle to be able to get around.
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.
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!
I am thankful for you! You always brighten my day!
I'm thankful for heat this morning.
I am thankful for Jesus and the free gift of salvation.
I am thankful for Jesus and the free gift of salvation.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
I am thankful for the books I have won and can pass on to the library for more people to read.
I'm thankful for my friends and family!! Thanks for the chance to win some books from one awesome Author!!
I am thankful for coffee. It helps me to get moving in the morning to chase after my little ones!
I'm thankful for being an auntie.
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.
I am thankful for my pets and for all the great books to read.
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!
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!
I am thankful for christian authors since the only books i will read is christian fiction.
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
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!
Oh! And I meant to also say that I absolutely LOVE Sharlene's books! Got hooked early on! :)
I am thankful that we have the freedom to go to the church of our choice!
I am thankful that we can still go to the church of our choice!
Tried 2 times and it kept saying they didn't get my comments.
I am thankful for the beautiful mountain I live on.
I'm thankful for Botox to help with my cerebral palsy! Amazing! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I'm thankful that I had the day off work today! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I'm thankful for being part of my father in laws life before he passed.
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!😃
Peace in our family. for many years there was strife that was difficult to enjoy the holidays with.
I am thankful each day that God aloows me to get out of bed and be able to walk about and enjoy life.
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.
I am thankful for friends that love and encourage me!
I am thankful for GRACE! :)
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
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!
I'm thankful that our daughter go engaged to a great guy last summer!
I am so thankful that my husband's health has greatly improved this year!
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.
my sewing machine love sewing
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