It's my pleasure to welcome my dear friend, Tamera Kraft today! Please make sure to check out her debut novel: Soldier's Heart. She will be giving away one digital copy of her book so be sure to comment and leave your email address!
Now on to her post:
Our Thought Life
In my Civil War novella, Soldier’s Heart, Noah Andrews returns home but struggles with the residual after effects of the war. While most of us will never go through an experience as horrific as war, everyone goes through hard times. We, like Noah, need to learn to take control of our thoughts if we want to overcome those tragedies.
2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Noah used scripture to help himself. There are many times I’ve had to do the same. That can be challenging, but here are a few scriptures we can meditate when going through difficult times. All verses are NKJV unless otherwise stated.
Grief: If we live long enough, we’ll all lose someone we love to death. But we can remember that death is not the end for a Christian. We will see our loved ones again.
John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Offense: Offense comes to everyone, sometimes because people intend to offend us and sometimes by mistake. But we can’t dwell on that offense. We need to learn to forgive and give the offense to God.
Proverbs 19:11(NIV) A person’s wisdom yields patience;it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Matthew 6:14:15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Tragedy and Trials: Tragedies come in life. Bad things sometimes happen to good people, but here’s some promises we can hold onto in the midst of tragedy.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Isaiah 43:1-2 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
Depression: Some people deal with medical depression and need medical treatment and counseling. But everyone goes through periods of depression and discouragement. Here’s some verses to remember during those times.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Back Cover Blurb:
After returning home from the Civil War, will his soldier’s heart come between them?
Noah Andrews, a soldier with the Ohio Seventh Regiment can’t wait to get home now that his three year enlistment is coming to an end. He plans to start a new life with his young wife. Molly was only sixteen when she married her hero husband. She prayed every day for him to return home safe and take over the burden of running a farm.
But they can’t keep the war from following Noah home. Can they build a life together when his soldier’s heart comes between them?
Soldier’s Heart is available in e-book from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Reader, and Barnes & Noble Nook. It will also be available in paperback in a couple of months.
To Buy her book, go here:
Amazon
Bio:
Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction because there are so many stories in history. Tamera has recently celebrated her thirty-fourth anniversary with her loving husband. She has two grown and married children and two grandchildren.
Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist. She is also a writer and has curriculum published including Kid Konnection 5: Kids Entering the Presence of God published by Pathway Press. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.
You can contact Tamera online at these sites.
Website: http://tameralynnkraft.net
Word Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.com
Revival Fire For Kids Blog: http://revivalfire4kids.com
Adventures in American History: http://tameralynnkraft.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TameraLynnKraft
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamerakraft
For a chance to win her book, please leave a comment and email address.
Blessings!
A Few Suspense Thoughts:
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