Rambling Friday: A Cup of Wisdom

 How much happier and contented would we be 

if we all followed these words of wisdom 

on this mug? 

Think about it! 

Have a beautiful day!

Serious Wednesday: A Contest! and...A Visit with Alexis Goring!

Contest Details for:

Caleb's Destiny

a Historical Western Romantic Suspense

To win a Kindle copy:

1.  Answer this question in the comments below: 

What traits do you like to see in a man?

2. Make sure you leave your email address 

so you can be notified if you win.

That's it!

I will post the winner's name on

Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

*********************

Our guest today is Alexis Goring. 

She's talking about her devotion book:

Stories and Songs of Faith

And...

a bit about herself as a writer and author.

Read on, 

and be sure to check out the link to buy her book!

Book Blurb:  

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God is a 52-week devotional that will bless your heart, soothe your soul, encourage your mind, and strengthen your God-given spirit.

Join author Alexis A. Goring on an inspirational journey. Each devotional builds from real-life experiences that impart many faith lessons learned along the way.

Each day is built on the foundation of a Bible verse or edifying quote, followed by Goring's personal story and reflection questions for a personalized experience.

All of the devotionals are tied to a song in order to go a little deeper into the heart of the message. A song directory at the end of the book connects the reader with music online to further enhance the study experience and glorify God.

Spend a year on a journey growing closer to the Lord through Stories and Songs of Faith, and discover personal transformation as time with Jesus Christ changes your heart to look a little more like His.

Buy the book here:  

https://amzn.to/3eejLPv

Let's talk about you and your book, Alexis! 
Carole: Is there a story behind your devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God?

Alexis: Yes! A testimony, really … I’ve been writing devotionals for publication online since God gave me this devotional writing ministry after going through trauma at age 16. During the recovery process, God took me into His classroom and taught me many lessons that flowed out of me in the form of devotionals. God made a way for me to eventually get paid for my devotional writing, starting after college when I became the Growing Up columnist for a faith-based publication called Collegiate Quarterly. Since then, He’s blessed me with many more opportunities to write devotionals – some paid, some not but all so worth it! Yet even after all these years of devotional writing experience, I never thought of writing a devotional book until last year (January 2019).

Longer story short, when I decided to give this a go, God lined up everything I needed. He gave me wisdom to gather my devotionals that were previously published on blogs where I was a guest (I gathered about 30). He gave me wisdom to reach out to an editor colleague of mine (Dori) who told me that if I wrote 52 devotionals then my book could be a weekly devotional since there are 52 weeks in a year. God moved me to talk to a literary agent (Jevon), months after talking to Dori and not wanting to write more (I had 44 devotionals written by then). God moved me to take Jevon’s advice to “keep going” (until I had written a total of 52 devotionals for my book). I am so glad that I listened to Dori and Jevon because a 52-week devotional is just what I needed to write and according to the feedback I’ve been receiving, it is just what my readers needed too!

God was in every detail of this devotional book-writing journey! He even sent a new editor (Patty) to work for my publisher a few years prior and I learned that Patty has a background in editing devotionals! Patty noticed that all of my devotionals were tied to my paraphrase of Contemporary Christian songs and Gospel music so she suggested the title “Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God” and it fit perfectly!

Music has always been a major part of my life since childhood. And I’ve always loved sharing stories about life lessons learned as I continue on my journey with God. So the title that Patty suggested made perfect sense!

And that is the short version of the “story behind the story” of my devotional book!


Carole: What started you on your writing journey?

Alexis: An impromptu storytelling game led by my grandfather at my grandparents’ house. My Grandpa and Grandma used to babysit my brother and I. One day, while my Grandma was in the kitchen fixing lunch for all of us, my Grandpa said that we’re going to play a storytelling game. He told us to make up a story on the spot. I liked my story so much that writing and “publishing” it became my self-assigned homework that summer. I spent hours on the family computer typing it out. Then I printed it out and illustrated it before binding it like a book with staples and doing the cover design – all while using markers and colored pencils. I enjoyed this “book publishing” experience so much that I knew it was what I wanted to do when I grew up!


Carole: That is so amazing! What fun! 

Alexis: An impromptu storytelling game led by my grandfather at my grandparents’ house. My Grandpa and Grandma used to babysit my brother and I. One day, while my Grandma was in the kitchen fixing lunch for all of us, my Grandpa said that we’re going to play a storytelling game. He told us to make up a story on the spot. I liked my story so much that writing and “publishing” it became my self-assigned homework that summer. I spent hours on the family computer typing it out. Then I printed it out and illustrated it before binding it like a book with staples and doing the cover design – all while using markers and colored pencils. I enjoyed this “book publishing” experience so much that I knew it was what I wanted to do when I grew up!


Carole: What fun that must have been! What kind of books do you enjoy reading? (Book recommendations very welcome!)

Alexis: I enjoy reading Contemporary Romance stories and devotionals the most! Here’s a short list of books by my favorite authors that I recommend:

#1: Looks Like Love by Brandy Bruce
#2: Heart’s Design by JoAnn Durgin
#3: With No Reservations by Laurie Tomlinson
#4: Unmasked Heart by Vanessa Riley
#5: Chances Are by Traci Hunter Abramson

Carole: What is your favorite season of the year?

Alexis: I love the Autumn season because the weather is perfect (not too hot or cold but perfectly cool) and the changing colors of the leaves are so beautiful to observe! My favorite features of the Autumn season include but are not limited to: sunny days, a cool breeze that continues throughout the day, caramel apple cider from Starbucks, Autumn Squash Soup from PANERA, wearing my favorite tan boots that my fashion forward mama bought for me, dressing in sweater dresses with leggings (goes well with the boots) and the weather is really good to my hair (that salon-fresh look lasts for weeks)!


Carole: What is a favorite memory from your childhood?

Alexis: Christmastime with my family members who live nearby.


Carole: What's your favorite meal with family and friends?

Alexis: My most favorite meal with friends is wherever we go to eat good food! It’s the good quality of the food and quality time spent with loved ones that really makes that experience enjoyable! I’ve eaten good food at California Pizza Kitchen and The Cheesecake Factory with my friends. My most favorite meal with family is Christmas dinner! On the menu for Christmas dinner with family includes: turkey cooked and seasoned to perfection, collard greens, seven-layer salad, candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie (my Grandma’s recipe was the best), cherry pecan bread, cranberry orange bread, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, macaroni and cheese, honey wheat bread rolls with butter, cranberry jelly, chicken flavored bread stuffing … oh the food is SO good! Now I cannot wait until this year’s Christmas dinner, God-willing!


Carole: Where do you get the ideas for your books?

Alexis: Everywhere! For the sake of time, I’ll only talk about how I get ideas for my devotionals: God drops ideas into my head then He helps me form lesson points. Such as with a devotional titled, “Taste and See” that was published in this year’s edition of an annual devotional book that my church publishes. The book for this year is called I Am Loved: 365 Devotions for Women by Women.

The idea for “Taste and See” happened as I was walking through a town center and approached the tea store called Teavana, the words “taste and see” dropped into my head and a Bible verse followed: “Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8 KJV). 

Next, the devotional started writing itself in my head as I realized that just like the employees of Teavana stand outside of their shop, offering samples of their tea because they want people to “taste and see” that their tea is good … God does the same thing! He doesn’t sell tea. But He does want us to “taste and see” that He is good! 

That’s why God gives us opportunity after opportunity to get to know Him.

It’s beautiful.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit about your personal and writing life. Readers, be sure to check out Alexis' newest devotion book! It sounds good, doesn't it? 

Sunday Sunshine: Love

I told you:

You don't love someone because of their looks.

their clothes or their car.

You love them because they sing a song

only your heart can understand.

--L.J. Smith

Rambling Fridays: Old Fashion Christmas!

Give Me An Old Fashion Christmas!

Remember the old song that’s sung at Christmas time (one rendering by Andy Williams is lovely)? “My Favorite Things.” Always loved that crazy song. I have a feeling it has a deeper meaning than just the favorite things list.

Whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens. Coziness.

Copper kettles and raindrops on roses? How much nicer can you get?

Brown paper packages tied with string? That sends my curiosity sky high.

And who can resist the sound of bells whether from doors or sleighs? Can you taste the schnitzel and apple strudels?

Just the thought of wild geese flying with the moon on their wings: love it!

Snowflakes landing on your face, white dresses with blue satin sashes, and silver white winters all provoke pleasant thoughts.

But wait! What about the dog bites, the bee stings and sadness?

It’s then you can remember all those favorite things of the season that send the bad things skidding away.

Besides the above fun items, here’s a few more that I’ve found lightens my sadness and stirs me into a nostalgic mood when the busyness gets too much, the getting-ready-for-whatever-pressure is too tight, and the wondering if I’ll ever get done reaches a limit. When I remember the good, the load lightens.

Baby kisses–is there anything sweeter than an innocent child?

Grandson’s excitement opening packages. Grandson Jonathan thought opening the packages (at two years) was so much fun, he got into the act with Grandpa’s packages too! And as he grows older, he still enjoys helping Grandpa open his packages.

Christmas ornaments that have memories attached to them. I have some from when my sons were in grade school with their pictures on them. Still treasure these.

Mantels filled with caroler figurines, Santas, nativities, and garlands strung with lights, cones, bulbs and berries. Good stuff!

Colored lights and white shimmering lights on Christmas trees. One of my favorite things is to look at the decorated houses and trees during this season. It speaks of light and happiness, joy and peace! And, really, is there an ugly tree anywhere? Even the one we had to cut down on our farm that was a true eyesore. Our grandsons looked with big eyes at that one!

My hubby singing “O Holy Night” No, he’s not a professional singer, but he loves to sing. Unlike some that have to be pressured into it, he pours his heart into the effort, and I’m blest listening to him.

Reading Doctor Seuss to children. What fun to read of Cindy Lou and no matter how the Grinch tried, he couldn’t stop Christmas. No one can. If laws were passed that we couldn’t celebrate it, Christmas can live–in our hearts! The magic and hope can continue.

The biblical account of Jesus’ birth read right before we open packages. We started this practice when our sons were little, and I’ve loved listening to my husband’s rendering of the verses. How important it is to share God’s truth with our family!

The Christmas table laden with too much food, beautiful settings, laughter and prayer. What a real blessing that we have so much. And one special privilege is inviting someone who might not have a family to share in our happiness.

Holding hands while grace is said. Another great tradition that I hope our grandchildren will pass down to their children. The togetherness in the act, and the faith being spoken–what a treasure!

Gifts that have meaning. Gifts don’t have to be expensive in my eyes. Something from the heart is the best gift of all. I’ve been gifting my daughter-in-law a photo album of our grand boys. Pictures I’ve taken through the year and making copies for that album. I get a delight in watching her turn the pages, a smile on her face.

An old-fashion Christmas with beauty and love, joy and happiness, peace and good will. Give me that anytime over a sterilized, commercial Christmas. It’s the kind that lasts!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sunday Morning Peace: Music!

Music to Delight Your Ears!

The Cutest Version EVER!

The Little Drummer Boy

Does anyone do this better?

White Christmas

And a couple FUN ones for the kiddies! 

I Want a Hippopotamus

Shirley Temple sings this one!

I'm Gettin Nuttin for Christmas

And Our favorite hymns:

Silent Night

Oooo, I love the Piano Guys! 

Joy to the World

Whatever pleases your musical side,

have a blessed and wonder-filled Christmas!

God Bless!

Sunday Morning Peace: O Holy Night

O Holy Night by Susan Boyle

The song: O Holy Night

Be blest!

I Really Do Love All These Things!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

--From the Sound of Music

I know some people do not like this song, but really...?

What's not to love?

Raindrops on roses? Have you ever seen that drop of water on a velvety flower petal?

Copper kettles gleaming in the light?

And mittens keeping your fingers are warm and snuggly?

and I totally love brown paper packages! 

But that's not all! I also love:

Ponies and especially cream colored ones. 

Anything with apples.

Bells? yes! 

And hubby and I still adore watching  the geese flying and predicting winter's moods.

My loves don't stop there!

Adorable young girls with preening and all dressed up in their white dresses and sashes.

Pretending to be princesses and royalty...

And as much as I dislike the severe cold weather, 

I still enjoy watchng lazy, huge snowflakes falling and clinging.

And when winter melts into spring?

The best part yet! 

By the way,

these are just a few of my favorite things.

Merry Christmas!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Easter . . .

Especially good messages yesterday from hubby that inspired me to be a better christian
Beautiful, sunshiny, warm day
Flowers that enhanced the beauty of the sanctuary
An orchid corsage made by a friend for me that was lovely and made me happy!
God's touch upon my spirit
Appreciation shown for the gifts I gave.
Lovely mints and a sweet, sweet card from hubby.
The price my Savior paid
I serve a risen Savior.


Blessings!

Welcome, Sherry Carter: The Twelve Songs of Christmas

What a delight to host my dear friend Sherry Carter to my blog today! Following is her list of her Twelve Songs of Christmas. 


My 12 Favorite Christmas Songs
I love the Christmas hymns but many of my favorite songs are the ones that make me smile and bring back wonderful memories.

Sweet Little Jesus Boy
I can’t listen to Mahalia Jackson sing this without crying. “We didn’t know who you was.” Praise God, because Jesus was born, died, and rose again, we have new life!

Do You Hear What I Hear?
This is one of my very favorites. The little lamb, the shepherd boy, and the mighty king, all singing praises to the Child. I’ve heard it sung many times but it’s hard to top Carrie Underwood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad7KU9bCTAM

O Holy Night
I still get the chills when I hear, “Fall on your knees, Oh hear the Angel voices, O night divine, O night when Christ was born.”

Little Drummer Boy
How beautiful that this little boy gave what he had, from his heart. I know it was Baby Jesus’ favorite gift.

Jingle Bells
Mom and Dad and us kids would sing this at the top of our voices when we drove around on Christmas Eve looking at the lights.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland
I loved this when I was in junior high. Lots of artists sang this but the one I remember was by Andy Williams. The idea of building a snowman and promising him that you’d get married once you got back to town was so romantic. Who knows what goes on in the mind of a starry-eyed teenager?

Frosty the Snowman
Nobody beats Burl Ives! I still watch it every year. I am sad when he melts but I know he’ll be back next year.

Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer
I identified with poor Rudolf – I got teased a lot as a kid. Probably had something to do with my last name – Butts. But God certainly has transformed me into a pretty cool girl!

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
My favorite is done by Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band. We moved every few years when I was growing up and I always wondered if Santa would find me. He always did!

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
Way to go, Brenda Lee! I still like to dance around the tree.

Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer.
That’s what happens when Grandma has a little too much eggnog. I can’t help but laugh!

The Theme Song from A Charlie Brown Christmas!
And of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without dancing with Linus, Lucy, and the whole gang.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1LUXQWzCno

Book Blurb:

Discover indisputable truths in God's Word that remain unchanged by your difficult situations. This study guides you through Scripture to show you how your Father God longs to bring you through suffering to victory in Jesus - victory as you come through each storm with a stronger faith and a deeper relationship with Him. Find God's purpose and perspective in a time of suffering and draw close to Him for strength for healing.

Buy her book here:

Amazon

About Sherry:

After Sherry Carter left her career as an engineer with NASA, God began to transform her into a Bible study author. Her first Bible study, Storms of Life, won the 2007 Award for Excellence in Christian Literature at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference and was published in 2010. She loves God’s Word and her heart’s desire is to share her excitement with others. She lives and writes in west Texas.

Contact Sherry

Email: sherryjcarter@gmail.com

Website: www.sherrycarter.com

Blog: www.sherryjcarter.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrycarterauthor

Some good ones in here, Sherry, and lots of my favorites too! 
So many great memories come from songs and Sherry's choices are wonderful to add to our lists!

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
Blessings

The Vagabond Song

THERE is something in the autumn that is native to my blood—
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
And my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time.
The scarlet of the maples can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
To see the frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills.
There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir;
We must rise and follow her,
When from every hill of flame
She calls and calls each vagabond by name. Bliss Carman. 1861–