Month: August 2024

Spotlight on THE MOSES PROJECT

On By vickleaIn SpotlightLeave a comment

I am writing this blog today to encourage my readers to hold up authors by sending them notes or emails just to let them know you are thinking about them. Writing a book is a lonely profession with a lot of bumps along the way and Vickie Escalante, an online friend, recognized that authors need encouragement to get over their hurdles. Thus “The Moses Project” came to be, named for Aaron and Hur who held up Moses’s arms so that the Israelites would be victorious against their enemies.

Here is a link to join the project:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV8myHAGwpsCUpFIhEp04uZIlFs36uKdHzzYrGNRQeUJNcJw/viewform

It’s really an easy form to complete. Once it’s done, Vickie E. will contact you and let you know the name and contact information for the author you will encourage. This is not a big time commitment, nor is it expensive. I contacted my author a couple of times via email, she wrote me back with some basic information about herself and then I contacted her again about a week and a half later to check on her and let her know I am praying for her. Vickie has suggestions in the welcome e-mail that she will send you. I hope some of you will consider joining this group of encouragers. I depend on authors and their books to help me through some tough days, so I figure I can give back a little.

There is also a link for authors to sign up if they want someone to stand alongside them and be their cheerleader. Here is that link for the authors out there:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0LBGUcu12NsaGqV7QQS9JPusl8vA8_BbOql1WFgIE4lrjeQ/viewform

If you aren’t quite ready to sign up but want more information, there’s a link for that, too that will connect you to Vickie Escalante.

Email sign up for additional info: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD2OOf40Y6UOlwjiRN-5259b43yEEyn4QHk5TUT4GhKt3-qg/viewform

One more favor before I go…can you share this with other readers who might want to help an author in their ministry to us? Thank you for considering my requests and being willing to bless an author who may just need a little encouragement right now.

God Always Remembers Us

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/15112/day/3

The story of Samson has always mystified me a little. He was given great strength from God for the purpose of destroying the Philistines. He fought and won many battles but his lust is what defeated him. That is what befuddles me. He was strong enough in the physical battles but the battle against his own lust he lost and thus lost his sight and his connection to his strength. Even in that, God remembered him so that when it was the right time, He again used Samson in a mighty victory against the Philistines. We have to wage war all the time against the enemies of our soul. The spiritual battles we fight will not be over until we are called home to be with the Lord. So, we have to expect to continue fighting and remember that God never forgets that we are here and waging a battle against an enemy whom Jesus already conquered.

Open Hands and a Surrendered Heart

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/15112/day/2

In order to fully appreciate all that God does for us on a daily basis, we should be approaching His throne the way Hannah did, with open hands and a surrendered heart. She wanted a child so badly that she was willing to look foolish to the priest in the temple, then she was willing to give back to God the much sought for child. God, in turn, blessed her with Samuel (whom she dedicated to the Lord after weaning him) and five other children. When we let God be God, He can bless us above what we are hoping for and give us an awesome testimony for Him.

Feeling Forgotten

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/15112/day/1

I think being forgotten and feeling rejected go hand in hand. So many times in my youth and after, I was the one not picked for the teams until the teacher pointed out that I had not yet been chosen. I was the one who seemed to be “forgotten” and I did feel rejected. When I got married, I thought those days were behind me. But the wives of the military spouses had their own cliques and once again, I often felt rejected and forgotten. My husband was busy building his career and gaining rank while I was in a new place with no friends. But I quickly found out that God had not forgotten me. Each time I prayed for a job in a new place, I got one. And if there was no job, God opened doors for me to do volunteer work and get to know others that way. I also always found a church to belong to so that when my husband was thousands of miles away, I still had a support system. God has always been there for me and has reminded me over and over that He has not forgotten me. I am thankful that He doesn’t need strings on his fingers or a notepad to carry with Him to remind Him of me. He just remembers, and I pray that I will never forget all of the times that He has faithfully and lovingly remembered me.

Spotlight on the “Shadow Stalkers Series” by Lisa Harris

On By vickleaIn Book PromoLeave a comment

About the Book

Riley Bishop is a single mother, working at home as a security analyst to provide for her two children, Sadie and Oliver. But something is very wrong. Riley starts forgetting things—like appointments, where she put her keys, and where she parked her car. And then she thinks she sees her deceased ex-husband while out shopping. But as Riley begins to question her own sanity, her twelve-year-old Sadie goes missing. Soon Riley finds it harder and harder to know what is truth and what are lies as she is forced to question her own reality while she searches for her daughter.

Apprehending fugitives as a part of the US Marshals Service Special Operations Group gives Tucker Shaw the purpose and drive he needs to fight the demons from his past. When he’s called out on a mission, Operation Jackal, to track down a group of endangered children, he has no idea how drastically his life is about to change. It’s a frantic hunt as Tucker and his team race to save thirteen children, including Sadie. But when Sadie’s mother comes to him with credible evidence on who is behind the girls’ disappearances, the situation quickly spirals out of control with a final twist that has Tucker questioning everything he knows to be true.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

About the Book

Riley Bishop thought the nightmare was over. 

Her daughter Sadie is making progress in therapy, and her son Oliver is thriving in school. Deputy US Marshal Tucker Shaw, once a stranger, has become an integral part of their lives. But when a mysterious figure demands the twenty-five million dollars her late husband embezzled, Riley’s fragile peace shatters. With her life at stake, she must not only find a way to keep her children safe, but also find a way to convince Tucker she’s telling the truth while navigating a frightening maze of mind games and deceit. 

Purchase Link:

Amazon

About the Author

LISA HARRIS, a USA Today and CBA bestselling author, has penned over sixty novels and novellas, including Christian romantic suspense, medical thrillers, and psychological thrillers. Celebrated for crafting tight, adrenaline-fueled plots, she has sold nearly one and a half million books. Her accolades include a Christy Award for Dangerous Passage and Romantic Times Awards for Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for Blood Covenantand Vendetta.
A confessed travel junkie, Lisa has lived on four continents and spent 19 years as a missionary in southern Africa. These experiences enrich her narratives, allowing her to incorporate unique and realistic settings into her action-packed stories. Now residing in Texas with her husband, Lisa enjoys family time, cooking ethnic dishes, and gardening.
For more information about Lisa and her books, visit her website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com

Note to my readers: I am currently reading the second book and anticipate that it will be another five star read from a stellar Christian author.

Hands Off

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/26293/day/21

I will confess that it is hard for me to let go of things while I wait for God to act. Like Sarah, I am probably the one who is going to try to help God out so the waiting doesn’t take so long. The advice in this devotional is just to take your hands off, step back and wait for God to act. Easier said than done, but I am working on it. I have a tendency to look around and check to see if there is anything God might need some assistance with, only to find out later that He doesn’t need my help and as I used to tell my children, “I will let you know if I need your help.” God will tell us if there is something He wants us to do while we wait. Meanwhile, just wait, hands off and up in the air, surrendered to Him and His will and timing.

Your Best Days

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/26293/day/20

No matter how old you are or how “creaky” you feel, thank God for each day you have had on the earth and for all the ones He will give you. We don’t know how many years we will live, but we do know that we are called for a purpose and we will be here until that purpose is fulfilled. Jacob lived long enough to see Joseph again, to bless Joseph’s sons and include them in the twelve tribes and to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. Let’s all be like Jacob and leave this world blessing others!