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Sometimes in the still of the night when my house is quiet I lie on my bed and ponder on how great is my God. In 1 Samuel 3:9 9 And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord is speaking to Samuel and when Samuel runs to Eli thinking that Eli is calling him, Eli discerns that the Lord is calling Samuel. Eli then advises Samuel to lie down (be still and quiet) and listen for the Lord. Great advice for when Samuel got into his quiet place and just listened the Lord revealed great things to him.

Early this morning as I lay in my quiet place I pondered on how noisy my life is. I grew up in a very large family and I live in my own very large family. So there is really no such thing as quiet or peace until I purposely make it so. That is not always an easy task. With my day job, writing, the grand kids, and all things social media going full steam all day every day I have learned to treasure my quiet time alone in my “place” with the Lord.

On this Saturday morning my thoughts turned to how I would spend my day. I had been thinking I would like to go see Noah at the theater. I know, I know there is a lot of negative things floating around out there about this movie. I still want to see it and judge for myself. However, one little thing has been bothering me and that is there is no mention of God as we know him. God is referred to in this movie only as the Creator.

“God, how do you feel about being referred to as the Creator? I mean is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I ask out loud as I am still swaddled in my blankets lying in my quiet place.

Since the Lord is faithful it was not long before I had an answer in the peaceful voice that speaks on the inside of me. The Holy Spirit. In this way the Lord reveals to me two things.

One, in an effort to not offend the people of the world and their many diverse religions the makers of this movie went with a generic term “The Creator” to encompass all. Insert my own thought here: My God is all and he is “The Creator” of all things. This movie does not change the great “I AM” in any way shape or form nor does it change his word. No matter how people perceive God or his word, He never changes.

Two, and this is the real point of this article, no matter what you call our God, be it Jehova, Yaweh, “I AM”, or just plain Lord he answers to his name being called. In just the way you turn to a person who calls out your name the Lord turns to you when you call his name. Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

This is powerful stuff. By just calling out his name the Lord in his temple hears you. This is why there is power in his name. I want to add to this that no man may come to the father except through the son, Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

To me this makes perfect sense. When you don’t know what to say, just say Jesus. There is power in the name to gain the ear of the Lord. Amen.

Meet Archibald.

Excerpt:



Hundreds of years ago, when Archibald was a kitten, no one thought he would survive. The tiniest of the litter, while his brothers and sisters got loving homes, Archibald was forgotten.



Sad and unloved, he sat down, determined to never get back up. That was when God spoke to Archibald for the very first time. He said, in a way only God can speak to someone inside their heart, where no one else can hear, “You’re not alone, Archibald. I am always with you.”



Archibald perked up his ears, but couldn’t see where the voice had come from. “Where are you? Why can’t I see you?” He asked cautiously.



“It would be difficult to understand unless I show you.”



“Then show me.”



“Very well. Close your eyes.”



Archibald closed his eyes where he sat on the hard dirt ground. He first became aware of his own breathing, in and out evenly through his nose and mouth. Then he felt his heart speed up and slow down.



God spoke again, “I created you, Archibald. I am within and around you. I preserve your life.”



The wind increased. It ruffled Archibald’s black fur and he shivered. He opened his eyes to see the branches of the trees around him swaying. A bird burst into song and flapped its wings loudly, flying away.



“And You are in the breeze through the trees and the birds of the air?” Archibald asked, astonishment making his eyes grow wide.



“I am.”

Join Archibald on his first adventure, as he discovers God’s purpose for his life and meets Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Some say cats have nine lives, but Archibald only had one. However, while looking for his forever home, God placed Archibald in different lands and times to see amazing miracles that He did for His people. With lessons intertwined within each story and four included devotionals for you and your child at the back of the books in the series, these stories are sure to become a favorite. Each book also includes a “Find the Hidden Character” fun feature for younger children to look for as they listen. Included devotionals written by Karen Michelle Ricci.

See the Reviews and buy a Kindle or Paperback copy on Amazon.

 Win a Paperback Copy of Archibald’s First Bible Adventure below, Archibald and the Fiery Furnace by Laura J. Marshall. 

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Precarious Yates is a shepherdess living in the middle of the USA, 500 miles from the nearest beach. She hopes to live closer to the ocean soon. While in Ireland, she lived one mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Those landscapes and seascapes inspired The Heart of the Caveat Whale trilogy.

The whole trilogy is free for download for the next three days! Here’s an excerpt from book 3, The Tiller and the Song that features Shunda, the hero of the trilogy:

Many of the coral, basalt and stone buildings rose almost to the ceiling, and he imagined that the tips of them would be exposed in a storm or even destroyed if the waves pounded them in high winds. Still, he admired the look of these buildings—iridescent blue like the sky of a never-ending day, green as the pine forest in Landaũse, orange as the fruits the Ulys grew, pink as the tentacles of a nautilus, red as a snapper; he saw color in every corner and on every spire. The fish that swam through this city were arrayed as excellently as any of the buildings of coral. Tangs followed the Pataymbos into the portals at the bases of the coral and out through the doors at the tops of the structures as if they were pets.

Streets of soft, golden sands ran throughout the city. Some of the aquavians herded schools of large fish down the streets, while others, mostly the daughters of the sea, led crowds of aquavilings along the streets and through narrower channels.

Shunda laughed with joy at the sight of these children as they pointed in his direction and giggled with delight. The laugh felt so good he tried it again when more children came into view.

“Have you spent most of your time with this clan?” Shunda asked Zedellia.

“No, but wouldn’t you stay here if given the opportunity?”

Shunda smiled as he gazed about him in awe at the joyful and carefree life he witnessed.

“When the war is over,” Zedellia continued, “I want to live in a sea like this one.”

As they reached the city, the Pataymbos welcomed him warmly. He was skittish at first, since they were even more physically affectionate than Mother Uly at Raũse. After a time, he relaxed in their company.

“So where will we be staying while we’re here?” He gazed up at the buildings and patted yet another aquavian, this time one of the maidens, who hugged him in welcome and kissed him on the cheek.

“At the edge of the city,” Zedellia replied. “They really like you, Shunda. They’ve kissed you more often than they kissed your aunt. They must sense something special about you.”

For the first time, the each book of the trilogy is available for FREE download! This offer will end on Midnight of Wednesday, 1/22, so act fast!

The Captives

Pyromarne

The Tiller and the Song

 

Precarious Yates is a shepherdess living in the middle of the USA, 500 miles from the nearest beach. She hopes to live closer to the ocean soon. While in Ireland, she lived one mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Those landscapes and seascapes inspired The Heart of the Caveat Whale trilogy.

The whole trilogy is free for download for the next three days! Here’s an excerpt from book 3, The Tiller and the Song that features Shunda, the hero of the trilogy:

Many of the coral, basalt and stone buildings rose almost to the ceiling, and he imagined that the tips of them would be exposed in a storm or even destroyed if the waves pounded them in high winds. Still, he admired the look of these buildings—iridescent blue like the sky of a never-ending day, green as the pine forest in Landaũse, orange as the fruits the Ulys grew, pink as the tentacles of a nautilus, red as a snapper; he saw color in every corner and on every spire. The fish that swam through this city were arrayed as excellently as any of the buildings of coral. Tangs followed the Pataymbos into the portals at the bases of the coral and out through the doors at the tops of the structures as if they were pets.

Streets of soft, golden sands ran throughout the city. Some of the aquavians herded schools of large fish down the streets, while others, mostly the daughters of the sea, led crowds of aquavilings along the streets and through narrower channels.

Shunda laughed with joy at the sight of these children as they pointed in his direction and giggled with delight. The laugh felt so good he tried it again when more children came into view.

“Have you spent most of your time with this clan?” Shunda asked Zedellia.

“No, but wouldn’t you stay here if given the opportunity?”

Shunda smiled as he gazed about him in awe at the joyful and carefree life he witnessed.

“When the war is over,” Zedellia continued, “I want to live in a sea like this one.”

As they reached the city, the Pataymbos welcomed him warmly. He was skittish at first, since they were even more physically affectionate than Mother Uly at Raũse. After a time, he relaxed in their company.

“So where will we be staying while we’re here?” He gazed up at the buildings and patted yet another aquavian, this time one of the maidens, who hugged him in welcome and kissed him on the cheek.

“At the edge of the city,” Zedellia replied. “They really like you, Shunda. They’ve kissed you more often than they kissed your aunt. They must sense something special about you.”

For the first time, the each book of the trilogy is available for FREE download! This offer will end on Midnight of Wednesday, 1/22, so act fast!

The Captives

Pyromarne

The Tiller and the Song

If I had a penny for every would be author who asked me how I learned how to publish, market, and sell books I could pay off my mortgage. LOL

Seriously, you want to know how I did it? Check out this hands on seminar. You could be published in just four days. Learn from the Bestselling Authors of 40 Day Publishing as they take you from completed manuscript to PUBLISHED BOOK. (Yes, you will have a published book by the end of the weekend!) Then you will have the skills and know how to get your writing career off the ground.

Please join me in welcoming Best selling author Staci Stallings as a guest on my blog. Staci is sharing with us a wonderful excerpt from her book ETERNITY. Enjoy and be sure to check the book on Amazon.

Book Title: Eternity******** Aaron Foster thought he had the perfect life until his fiancée walked out of their apartment and then back in again with his new roommate. In desperation Aaron and his best friend, Harmony Jordan, devise The Plan, but when The Plan succeeds beyond their wildest expectation, it could spell heartache for them all. *~* Excerpt *~* Aaron’s heart constricted as he forced himself to close the door, slowly fitting it back into its frame. He stood there, hand on the doorknob fighting for every breath. Crying at this point seemed hopelessly stupid. It was obvious she had moved on. Curling and uncurling his fist, he stood there, knowing there was not one thing he could do to alter the situation he now found himself in. He was trapped. When he turned and leaned on the door, his gaze fell to the phone. In a flash he had it in his hand, and in less than a second the other end was ringing. “Hello?” her voice came. “It’s her,” he said in utter desperation. “Aaron?” “They’re downstairs.” “Right now?” “On my couch. They are making out on my couch!” “Oh, no.” “Could you give me something a little more than oh, no?” “Crud.” “Yeah, that’s closer. Oh, man. What am I going to do?” “Are you sure it’s her?” “Harmony.” “Okay. Of course you’re sure. Okay. Okay. Let me think. Where are you?” “In my room.” “Do they know you’re home?” “No. I don’t know. I don’t think so.” Her side went silent for a moment. “The fire escape’s on your window isn’t it?” He looked at the window in trepidation. “Yeah, but it’s only for emergencies.” “Hello!” The plan was looking better and better all the time. “But where am I supposed to go? It’s 12:30 in the morning!” Without more than a second’s pause, her voice softened. “You could come over here.” That stopped him. In all the time he had known her, he had never been to her place, not even once. “Your place? Are you sure?” “You’re in trouble,” she said as if stating the case for a jury. “When a friend’s in trouble, you do whatever you have to to help them out.” “Even this?” She didn’t say anything for a long moment. “I think I’ll live.” Quickly she gave him the directions. He smiled, momentarily forgetting the disaster downstairs as he wrote them down. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”******************************************************************* Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Eternity-The-Friendship-Series-ebook/dp/B00BC1UNOO************ BN Link: ****************** Peace, Staci Stallings Connect with Staci on Facebook Follow Staci on Twitter @StaciStallings Spirit Light Blog Ebook Romance Stories Stories of God's Hope and Love Signifying... Everything!

SECRET LIVES PAPERBACK AND STARBUCKS GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY Secret Lives takes the reader through a labyrinth of dead ends and false clues as LA Homicide Detective Lenny Browning investigates the bizarre death of Bob Wagner, prominent LA attorney. Upon arrival at the scene, he finds Wagner dead from wounds inflicted by Ella Russell’s Doberman, Amy. He interviews Ella at the scene and takes her statement, unconvinced that her dog only reacted when Bob lunged at her. Something doesn’t sound right and sets his detective radar buzzing. He allows her to take the dog home but wants her to remain available for questioning. The next morning, he asks Ella and her twin sister, Terry, to come in for an interview and learns the extent of Wagner’s longtime spousal abuse, his attempt to kill her the night before, and her mountain rescue from sure death by Ella’s fiancé, Jim Sessions. In the midst of cleaning out Bob’s downtown condo for sales prep, they discover a large amount of drugs and a series of porn pictures, some that seem to be of the snuff variety. Disgusted, the girls call Lenny, who meets them at the condo. He takes custody of the drugs and the porn and conducts a search for further contraband. It yields nothing, so he leaves. The next morning he calls Terry and asks permission to search her house, particularly Bob’s office. It doesn’t take him long to find more porn, which repulses Terry and makes her wonder who the man she spent the last five years with really was. One of the photos draws Lenny’s special interest, leading him to the mean streets of Hollywood in search of Slim Whiting, a photographer he hopes holds a key piece of the puzzle. Further inspection of Wagner’s belongings unearths detailed journals covering the last several decades that list, in chronological order, his life of crime, starting as a young boy and the lives he took with such careless disregard over the course of years. As Lenny continues to work the case, Terry finds herself falling in love with him. Secret Lives twists and turns its way through one shocking revelation after another, leaving the reader laughing one moment and gasping the next when another impossible tidbit from Bob’s past threatens Terry’s future. ******************************************************************************************************************************* Gayle Farmer lives in Palm Springs, California, with her husband Jeff, a Chihuahua named Maggie, who used to rule the roost until Julie, a Maltese mix moved in. She assumed the position of top dog until Amy, a young doberman, arrived to usurp the role. She's living up to her literary namesake with an uncanny accuracy that's giving Gayle the chills. Gayle and Jeff are tasked with entertaining the critters and providing lots of treats and pets. They also are allowed to write, edit and publish books, but the dogs come first. They insist! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hello to all visitors from Jen Gentry. Please welcome Bestselling author Shelley Hitz. Please join us as she talks about her inspirational new book A Life of Gratitude. And be sure to enter the giveaway for the book and Starbucks coffee. YUM!