One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I've been reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. "A dare to live fully right where you are."

Her premise: Gratitude can awaken joy!

Here's 42 items on my list so far, in no particular order:

1. Green, everywhere!
2. Clock ticking
3. Soft chair
4. Barefeet on cool linoleum
5. Husband who loves me
6. God, who loves me even more
7. Children who walk with God
8. Six grandchildren who awaken my heart to what's really important
9. Giggles and grins
10. Wisdom from above
11. Jesus' blood
12. Forgivenesss
13. Healing
14. The Holy Spirit
15. Water
16. Rain
17. My garden
18. Whistlepigs eating mangos
19. Chocolate smoothies
20. Neighbors who watch out for each other
21. Weeping willows
22. Carrot juice
23. Walks
24. Jobs
25. Music
26. Bubbles
27. Belly laughter
28. Cuddling in bed
29. Reading in bed
30. Good books
31. Friends who pray
32. The Word of God
33. Moonlight on my pillow
34. Morning devotion time with Chuck
35. Purpose
36. A mind
37. Strength
38. Hugs
39. Hands that work
40. Soft puppies
41. Sunsets
42. Leaves that clap in the wind

God Loves Everyone!

I was saddened this morning when I encountered a gentleman who insisted that God hates homosexuals. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Let's use the Bible to set the record straight . . .

Jesus says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (NIV).

Jesus presented the perfect balance of conviction and compassion, truth and grace. He extended His hand and heart to all. He came to restore us to the Father. Anyone who desires to come can drink freely of His living water, which will become "in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life"(John 4:14).

Furthermore, Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."

Notice that homosexuality is only one among many sins which Paul condemns. The good news is that through Christ the Corinthian believers had been washed, sanctified, and justified. In short, they had been forgiven by the blood of Christ and restored to the Father.

If God hates homosexuals, then he hates us all, for we are all sinners and worthy of eternal damnation. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Through Christ alone are we made right before God.

The Cross stands forever as proof that God loves everyone!

For Writers: How do you go about "constructing" a character?

How do you go about "constructing" a character?

For Writers: This Week's Question

 


How do you decide which writing project to tackle next?

Add Some Romance to Your Marriage this Summer!

Watch the 21 Day Romance Challenge video clip.

Leave a comment about what you will do to add some romance to your marriage this summer, and automatically enter the drawing for a gift card to Bath & Body!

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Peter Rabbit, or Is It Paula?

 
 
 


Relishing in a before-supper snooze on the blanket in my side yard. I look up, and there s/he is again--my garden bunny. Sometimes s/he brings along another rabbit to nibble clover. But right now, s/he's alone. I inch my way closer. S/he stays put. Closer. No bolting. Closer. I think we're becoming friends. I can almost reach out and touch her silky fur.

With the bunnies, squirrels, plethora of birds, and whistlepig (the size of a very large cat), our woods and yard are a natural habitat for VA critters.

I like that. For now, anyway.

Welcome, K. Dawn Byrd to The Write Stuff this week!

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Mistaken Identity, her first young adult romance released on June 15 from Desert Breeze Publishing. Queen of Hearts, a WWII romantic suspense released in April 2010 and was the bestselling book for her publisher during its debut month. Killing Time, a contemporary romantic suspense, released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.



K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Book Blurb:
Eden Morgan longs for a boyfriend of her own, an impossible goal when her best friend, Lexi Branson, gets all the attention and all the guys. When they fall in love with the same guy, Eden believes she doesn't have a chance. She can only hope that sometimes the good girl gets the guy.

The Passion Behind the Story:
I admire Christian teenagers who take a stand for God so much. Life isn't easy for them in today's world. The idea for Mistaken Identity novel came to me when I wondered what would happen if a Christian girl and her non-Christian best friend fell in love with the same guy. To sweeten the plot, the best friend is a "wild child" who is popular with the guys if you know what I mean. Who will win the guy? My Christian good girl or the gorgeous best friend?
This book is dedicated to Christian young women who strive to live for Christ and wonder at times if it's worth it all. Temptation seems to come from all sides and sometimes it's hard to make the right decision. May God bless you richly as you carry on...

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWeGQ6Ueu4
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-178/K-Dawn-Byrd-Mistaken/Detail.bok
www.kdawnbyrd.com
www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com


Please leave a comment to automatically enter the drawing for a GIFT CARD FOR A FREE DOWNLOAD OF DAWN'S NOVEL, MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Chosen Ones, latest release in the Born for India trilogy, Take all three books to the beach this summer!

RESTORED HEARTS, your next summer read?