Thank You, Father

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of being able to call you Father.

 

Thank you for my incredible family:

My husband Murray, who treasures me;

Five exciting children;

My sweet mother;

My three squirrelly brothers;

 

Books that make me smile;

 

This wonderful house which keeps us warm and dry;

 

Our new, sweet kitty;

 

Music that touches my heart;

 

Jesus, my Savior

 

Coffee;

 

Chocolate;

 

The abundant way you meet my needs;

 

Being able to call Jesus friend;

 

Remind me all year, Lord, to share the wealth you have entrusted to me. 

Two Sweet Christmas Stories

I recently found a fun Christmas book, The wish book Christmas by Lynn Austin. In 1951, two five-year-old boys have a lot of gifts they want to ask Santa for, after they see the Sears Christmas Catalog. Plus, they want to ask him for new daddies.

 

Their mothers work to teach them about Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, and the joy there is in giving gifts to others. God has a few lessons for the mothers, too, about the gifts he’s given them.

 

My children’s Christmas book, Millie’s Christmas, is available on Amazon again.

 

When my first publisher, Mantle Rock Publishing, closed down earlier this year, my two adult books, All my Tears and Gifts of Grace, went to Scrivenings Press, and Millie’s Christmas came to me to be republished independently.

 

My poor family put up with my grumbling and pressure and helped me get my sweet Christmas story out again. The process only made me appreciate my publishers more than I already did.

 

Millie’s Christmas was a precious gift to me from God. It can be shared with children four to eight, but adults enjoy it too.

 

Ruthie says Millie will love Christmas. Ruthie is Millie’s best friend, so she’s sure Ruthie’s right, but why does Millie keep finding Ruthie and her brother Jake crying?

 

Millie, an orange kitten, shares about her first Christmas. Her best friend Ruthie, six years old, teaches Millie about Christmas—food, decorations, music, presents, and Jesus!

Millie’s friend Bruce, the family dog, also helps her celebrate Christmas, and sometimes gets her in trouble.

When Ruthie’s big brother Jake breaks his ankle, Millie learns about sad things, like divorce, when Jake can’t visit his mommy for Christmas. Millie watches Ruthie’s family love each other through the sadness, and find joy in Christmas.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Millies-Christmas-Kathy-McKinsey/dp/B09HQBTL7J

 

These are both great books. 

Guest Author, Jodie Wolfe

Thank you, Jodie, for the encouragement of coming back to writing after a dry spell. And, I love quirky.

 

Writing in the Midst of Chaos

By Jodie Wolfe

I often have a hard time coming up with a blog topic, especially when it’s been a while since I’ve done much creative writing. While I have a book releasing today, I wrote it many years ago. I know, I’m a writer, so don’t I write a lot? It’s been several years since I’ve written a new book. I’ve had times where I’ve tried to start one, but I haven’t gotten any farther than a few chapters.

 

So, what happened to make me stop writing? I had an extremely stressful situation I went through that challenged me to the core of my being. My reaction was to close up and to do what was safe…not write. The longer I stayed away from it, the harder it was to get started again.

 

In 2020 I planned to get back up on the writing horse again, but then Covid hit. My husband started working from home and our lives became chaotic. I had gotten a book to read called Chaos Can’t by Allen Arnold, but I didn’t read it. I kept thinking that when things calm down, I’ll start writing again, and I’ll read that book. You guessed it; things didn’t settle down. In fact, 2021 has been more chaotic than 2020. Things I never imagined my husband and I would be facing.

 

In September, I kept thinking about my chaotic life. It had been a LONG time since I had any creative thoughts or words. I felt God was encouraging me to not fight against the chaos, but instead look to Him for strength and direction in the midst of it. I finally gave in and said, “Okay, Lord. Help me to write even when all I can see is the chaos around me.”

 

It wasn’t long after that prayer that I started having ideas for book three in the Burrton Springs Brides series. While the first two books were written many years ago, I now had an idea for the next installment. One morning I was awakened in the wee hours and was praying for our son who is going through a very difficult time in his life. In the midst of those prayers, God gave me an idea for the plot of the next book. Then a couple days later when I was walking and praying, He gave me the opening scene. I came home and started writing. The words flowed…the way they used to when writing a new story.

 

My question for you is this…is your life in chaos? What is God calling you to do in spite of it?

 

Blurb

After twenty years of living along the trail as a deputy U.S. Marshal, Joshua Walker takes a job as sheriff in Burrton Springs, Kansas so he can be closer to his sister. Only problem, she no longer requires his protecting so he's unsure of his next step.

 

Annie McPherson needs a change after the death of her father. She accepts a position as schoolmarm, hoping her past won't catch up with her. Life is good, except for the pesky sheriff who continues to question her ability to adjust to life in the west and creates confrontations at every turn.

 

When the irritating schoolteacher's past and present collide, dragging him into the turmoil, Josh has to decide who he's willing to defend.

 

Bio

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers, and COMPEL Training. She's been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

 

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.jodiewolfe.com

 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jodie-wolfe

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jodie-Wolfe-553400191384913

 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JodieAWolfe

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15220520.Jodie_Wolfe

 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jodie-Wolfe/e/B01EAWOHXO/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

 

MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/jodiewolfe

 

Purchase Links

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protecting-annie-jodie-wolfe/1139707155?ean=9781522303763

 

https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=1544

 

https://www.amazon.com/Protecting-Annie-Burrton-Springs-Brides-ebook/dp/B097F5GZ47/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=protecting+annie&qid=1635627329&sr=8-2

 

 

Sweet Memories and Fun Thoughts

July 30, 1998: The other night the kids took invitations to a 5-day Bible club at our house to our neighbors. Rebecca said one neighbor boy handed it back to her and said they don't read the Bible. Ping-Hwei didn't understand that. He kept asking over and over, "Why some people no love Jesus?"

 

August 11, 1998: Benjamin drinks whole milk, which is sometimes called homogenized on the jug. This morning I asked Rebecca which milk I had, Benjamin's or the low-fat milk which the rest of us drink. She said, "That's hypnotized, or whatever."

 

Murray and the kids were in the car this afternoon, and Rebecca said that animals had to be the kind of animals that their parents were. Murray said, no, there were animals not quite like their parents. Rebecca said, "Yeah, aren't camels and donkeys the parents of llamas?" (we're pretty sure she was thinking of mules).

 

August 15, 1998: Murray and the kids were on the way to Branson, and Murray said, "We're almost there -- soon we'll see grandma and Morgan and Myles and maybe Dylan." Sarah said, "Don't get me so excited."

 

On the trip, there was some violin music on the radio, and Murray asked what kind of instrument that was. Sarah answered, "I think accordion."

 

We have decided that Caleb is the strangest person we know. Since he's had chicken pox, he's been taking baths in this oatmeal bath stuff. This morning we were talking about how you use oatmeal for itchiness, and tomato juice for skunk smell, and he asked, "But what if you went outside and ten million horses sneezed on you?"

 

August 27, 1998: Rebecca is showing Sarah a book about body parts, and she just showed her a picture of the brain, and excitedly, Sarah said, "Daddy's right! It does look like lettuce!" "Cabbage," Rebecca corrected.

  

Psalm 2, Be Wise

Psalm 2

1 

Why do the nations conspire

    and the peoples plot in vain?

2 

The kings of the earth rise up

    and the rulers band together

    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

3 

“Let us break their chains

    and throw off their shackles.”

4 

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

    the Lord scoffs at them.

5 

He rebukes them in his anger

    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6 

“I have installed my king

    on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;

    today I have become your father.

8 

Ask me,

    and I will make the nations your inheritance,

    the ends of the earth your possession.

9 

You will break them with a rod of iron[b];

    you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10 

Therefore, you kings, be wise;

    be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11 

Serve the Lord with fear

    and celebrate his rule with trembling.

12 

Kiss his son, or he will be angry

    and your way will lead to your destruction,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

 

 

Father God, help me to understand you better. You have great wrath against evil, and against those who mistreat other people. Frightening wrath. And yet, the end of the passage says, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” This is how you want us to relate to you, Father.

  

Thoughts on a Few Books

I love books. Many different kinds of books. Here are a few I’ve read recently.

 

Grace will lead us home: the Charleston church massacre and the hard, inspiring journey to forgiveness by Jennifer Hawes. This tells of the June, 2015 mass shooting at a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Besides an account of the tragedy, it is a respectful story of the survivors and families of the victims, and what came after, for the families, the community and around the world. We read about the trial for the killer. This is not an easy book to read, but I believe it is important. A great picture of sharing God’s grace.

 

The Legend of Storey County by Brock Thoene. The story of a run-away slave during the Civil War, with a surprising friend. They travel to Nevada territory to work the silver mines, and win a victory against Rebels who plot and make an attack in Nevada.

 

Harvest of Rubies; Pearl in the Sand; Harvest of Gold; by Tessa Afshar. stories taking place during Old Testament times, in Canaan, Persia, and Jerusalem. Showing through Scripture and beautiful writing, the grace, forgiveness, and closeness to God that people of that time could have.

 

Wild Montana Skies, Wait for me, rescue Me, by Susan May Warren. Suspense, rescues, forgiveness and romance in Montana.

 

River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart. This book is based on a true story about a man who was a slave in Kentucky in 1833. Instead of taking the opportunity to run away, he stayed and helped a town through a cholera epidemic.

 

Deadly pursuit: Guardians of justice, book 2 by Irene Hannon. Suspense in St. Louis and rural Missouri.

Grace and Truth John 12:1-11:

Verses 1-11: Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

 

Jesus was close to this family, good friends. In John 11:5, it says he loved them.

 

A feast was being given to honor Jesus, sometime after he raised Lazarus from the dead. They may already have known that Lazarus was in danger from the leaders, too, but Lazarus was willing to dine with Jesus to honor him.

 

Martha served Jesus, the best way she knew to honor him.

 

Mary anointed him with the costly perfume which she would have used to bury him. She wanted him to enjoy this honor while he was still alive.

 

When Judas objected to this, Jesus told him to leave Mary alone. When this story is mentioned in Mark 14, VERSE 9, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

 

What a lovely picture of Jesus, that even though his crucifixion was coming soon, he took the time and thought to honor his friend.