Wonderful Storybooks

Teeth-chattering Happy!!!

>> Friday, May 24, 2013

"Shiloh" by award-winning artist Donny Finley, created for my storybook-in-the-making: Secrets of Shiloh

“A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13)

I am very happy (and grateful to God) to announce that WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, is publishing my second storybook: Secrets of Shiloh. When I got off the phone with Tadd, a Westbow representative, I was so excited that my teeth were chattering!

“Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed!” (Isa. 49:23b)

Secrets of Shiloh, a storybook for families, coming soon:

After the loss of her beloved friend, Col. James Beauregard Hamilton, life appears bleak for teenager Rachel Grant. Watching her mother struggle to make ends meet between stacks of bills and a meager income causes the teen’s dreams for college to shift toward an aimless destination called “nowhere”.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Rachel reads for the hundredth time the mysterious letter left by the old World War II veteran.

When she finally musters the courage to return to Shiloh, the pre-Civil War plantation home of Col. James, a childhood playmate partners with her to help decipher the hidden meaning of the encrypted letter. Together, Rachel and Martin journey through a labyrinth of encoded clues to unlock the Secrets of Shiloh.

(I invite you to not just read this storybook but to apply it to your life by means of thought-provoking “Reflections” at the end of each chapter. These pages take you to Scripture verses related to the chapter’s theme and offer valuable personal application of Biblical truths.)

Neck Check!

>> Thursday, May 23, 2013

My brave, leatherneck son, 2009

“Leathernecks” is a historical title of honor for US Marines. From 1798 until 1872, Marines wore a uniform that contained a stiff leather collar, called “The Stock”, which held a Marine’s neck erect while on parade.

“Stiff-necked”, on the other hand, is a Biblical term of rebuke. Displeased with Aaron’s rebellion, God stated, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people.” (Ex. 32:9 NKJV)

Yesterday, a couple of people bugged me, got under my skin, sat on my last nerve, if you will. When I woke up this morning, my neck was a bit stiff.

Hmmmmm….

“Lord, am I acting “stiff-necked” in anyway?” I asked.

The very next verse in my Bible reading: “Do NOT be agitated – it can only bring harm.” (Psalm 37:8b HCS)

“Yes Sir! I confess and repent of agitation, irritability, and frustration, in Jesus name! I choose to love and be patience and kindness.”

How’s your neck today?

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal…Love is patient and kind. Love is not…rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.” (1 Cor. 13:1-4 NLT)

The Voice

>> Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Rebecca's soccer team, 1990s

“Who among you fears the Lord, listening to THE VOICE of His Servant (Jesus)? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of YAHWEH; let him lean on his God.” (Isa. 50:10 HCS)

When Bill moved his family to Birmingham, our daughters “just happened” to land on the same soccer team. Since everybody in the South is a Christian, I asked, “Have y’all found a church?”

“No,” they said.

“Then please visit our church. We’re having an Easter pageant and here are three tickets. You can sit with us,” I offered.

They accepted and came to the Easter program.

The following week, Bill and his family also joined us for Wednesday supper at the church. As I told them about that night’s activities, Bill suddenly slapped the table with both palms and said, “Look! You don’t understand. I’ve never attended a church. I don’t know what this is all about!”

I sat stunned for a moment, then replied, “Well, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…”

Never assume! The one believed to walk in light may very well be a lost treasure in darkness! Oh, servant of the Living God, be THE VOICE that sounds the GOOD NEWS: relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Son.

“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up His kingdom: preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:1-2 NLT)