Saturday, December 23, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: He Is! by Mark R. Worden

Book: HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations

Author: Mark R. Worden

Genre: Devotional – Personal Growth, Devotional Theology

Release Date: July 27, 2022

HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations is devotional theology that is inspirational in nature, coming right out of the Scriptures. The devotionals are practical and relatable as the author shares from his own stories of life and ministry like a grandpa would share with his grandchildren. Other edifying features at the end of each devotional are the reflection questions, Scripture verses for further reading for personal meditation and spiritual growth, and space for the reader’s own thoughts.

Through a decade-plus of his life, the author took on the challenge of Hebrew 11:6 to seek God purposefully by looking for all the “God is…” statements that he could find in the Bible. He discovered that God clearly reveals who HE IS throughout the history and stories of the Bible. Each chapter is a HE IS statement about God that helps us to know Him better as we meditate on each attribute or work of God.

The author suggests a slow reading of HE IS throughout the year to have time to pause and think about who God is by taking one chapter each week. However, many readers are choosing a daily read and finding the devotionals enlightening as they are exposed to approximately 800 quoted verses of Scripture through the fifty, HE IS meditations. Each chapter can be read independently; however, there is a flow to the order of the chapters with some chapters building upon the preceding ones. After reading the book post-publication in preparation for a speaking engagement, the author realized that there was an unplanned sub-theme of God the Heavenly Father and we, His children through faith, that runs like a thread through the chapters, tying the truths about God together. The crescendo of the book is Chapter 47: “HE IS OUR FATHER.”

The writing of the book HE IS was part of God’s healing and growing process in the author’s life as he encountered faith-challenging trials. He shares his spiritual journey briefly in the Preface of the book. He is thankful for the promise of Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Click here to get your copy!

Devotionals are a part of my daily life. He Is! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations by Mark R. Worden is the latest Devotional that I have read.

I know for me that I am always looking to grow in my faith and Daily Devotionals are a great way to help me grow. I REALLY LOVE the layout and topic of this devotional book. Mark R. Worden written a wonderful Devotional on getting to know WHO God is! He does this with 50 days of Meditations of the Scriptures that talk about WHO God Is! Each chapter covers 1 day and each chapter has questions of reflection to help the reader really understand that days Meditations and help them really dig deep to understand WHO God is!

Mark has written this book with his own experiences and stories and they are very encouraging.

I really enjoyed the Personal Stories and how strong this book is filled with Biblical Teachings and Scripture. I feel this book would be GREAT for Individuals and also for Small Group Studies. I have been encouraged and challenged while reading this Devotional. I HIGHLY recommend this devotional for all! ENCOURAGING BOOK!

Mark R. Worden is a lifelong learner and a student of the Bible. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bible and Teaching Bible. He has served as youth pastor, missionary, professor at a Bible institute in Manaus, Brazil, and pastor of a local Montana church for six years. Along with being a licensed property manager, he is a self-employed handyman and a fly-fishing guide. Mark also enjoys woodworking in his home shop in Dillon, Montana.

Book Awards:

American Writing Awards 2022 Finalist in the Religion Category
Readers Views, Reviewer’s Choice Award 2022-2023, Bronze Medal Winner
Ames Award Winner 2023, for courageous faith in Devotional – Personal Growth
Christian Indie Awards, 2023 Finalist – Devotional

More from Mark

God’s Providence in some of the History of HE IS!

Do you read the Acknowledgements and the Preface of books you read? I do! They often give the reader insight into the life of the author and possibly more understanding of his or her message. God’s grace and providence are thick in my life. Read about it from the Preface to the last page of the book, “HE IS!”
We know that God intervenes in our lives when we have a heart to recognize His work.

Providence in my salvation story!

In the Acknowledgement and the Preface of “HE IS!” I mention a friend by name. He was a fellow classmate in High School whom God used to encourage me to think about God. I didn’t really like it at the time because I was running away from God during those days. However, presently, I am eternally grateful for Jim’s life, for God used him to turn my life around to run towards God. Read more of the story in the Preface.

Providence in rewriting chapter 10, HE IS LOVE!

About three years ago, when I was rewriting each chapter of the manuscript, I was stuck on chapter 10, HE IS LOVE. Taking a break from writing to drive out to my hometown of Roseburg, Oregon, I participated in a Memorial Fun Run in honor of Jim who had months earlier passed into eternity. Sunday, I attended a worship service and sat with Jim’s widow by her invitation and heard a Bible message where the messenger defined love. I took notes. With his permission, I used his definition in Chapter 10. God providentially gave me the help I needed to get past some writer’s block.

Providence in the publication date!

Jim’s widow became a precious sister in Christ since his passing into eternity and she posted a comment on Facebook that shocked me into a big smile. I was in awe of God’s timing in the publication date of “HE IS!” She pointed out that the “HE IS!” paperback publication date of July 27, 2022, printed in the actual book, was Jim’s Birthday! I remember at one point in the publication process having to surrender my expectations to the timing of the publication where I said, “Lord, I give up; it’s in your hands!” Then I was surprised how quickly it got published and, unbeknownst to me, perfectly timed on Jim’s Birthday! Simply amazing! Jim had been one of God’s major human instruments in bringing me to faith in Jesus Christ! Seems so fitting! Providential!

Providence to come!

Before my mom passed into eternity to be face-to-face with her Savior in September of 2022, she told me, “Mark, don’t worry about this book you have written; God will get it into the hands of those who need to read it!” What trust and what peace those words brought me. While I am working on letting others know about “HE IS!” I can let go and let God take control. Amen! I look forward and expect to hear some more stories of God’s providence in regard to this book He led and helped me to write. All glory be to God because HE IS!

Providence in 2023!

It was through the publication and my offering of a free PDF of “HE IS!” in an online Christian author group on Facebook that a single, attractive, and fascinating author, by the name of Connie Cook, asked for a copy, saying, “This looks good!” I wondered who would say my book looked good and read her insightful apologetic work, Look Around! Ten Observations that Leads to one Conclusion. We were soon writing emails back and forth to each other, author style, and had a budding friendship started. By the time I had finished reading a self-autobiographical mixed with historical fiction work about Connie and her mother, entitled, Mae and Me, I had totally fallen in love with Connie. But would she choose me in return as I had chosen to lover her for as far as she would love me? Of course, there is a lot more to the story which we plan to tell in a sequel to Connie’s book, Mae and Me entitled, Mark and Me. I won’t leave you hanging too long; we do believe that God is calling us together in marriage to coauthor some books in the future. Yes, we believe in the providence of God and answers to prayer.

Blessings, Mark R. Worden

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 13

It’s Mama Safe, December 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 15

Lighthouse Academy Blog, December 16 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 17

Texas Book-aholic, December 18

Fiction Book Lover, December 19 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20

Artistic Nobody, December 21 (Author Interview)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 21

Cover Lover Book Review, December 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 24 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, December 25 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, December 25

Lily’s Corner, December 26

To celebrate his tour, Mark is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of HE IS! and a signed paperback copy of Look Around: Ten Observations that Leads to One Conclusion by Connie Cook!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/293d3/he-is-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Sweet Rivarly by Terri Gillespie

Book: Sweet Rivalry

Author: Terri Gillespie

Genre: Women’s Contemporary/ Christian Romance/Family Life Fiction

Release Date: October 27, 2021

Just an ordinary morning for Sarah Sweeting—watching her favorite baking show, Cupcake Rivalry, getting ready for work at her Granny’s small-town bakery. All that changes when Sarah spots a contestant who looks like her, sounds like her, moves like her.

Was this her twin sister? The twin her mother ran away with twenty years ago? Were hers and Granny’s prayers finally being answered?

When Granny confirms Sarah’s shocking discovery, Granny suffers a heart attack.

Raven Souwer’s morning began at a frenzied pace—incessantly ringing phones and a Beverly Hills’ bakery full of customers. All because everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the Cupcake Rivalry contestants—Raven and her best friend, Will Durning.

But a phone call from an excited woman who claims to be Raven’s long-lost sister—a sister Raven has no memory of—informs Raven that a grandmother she never knew was in the hospital.

The call changes the course of Raven’s life and brings up the pain she thought she’d overcome.

Will Sarah and Raven finally be united, or will other rivalries—like competing in a baking show—separate them again?

Click here to get your copy!

I LOVE a good Christian Romance book. Sweet Rivalry By Terri Gillespie is the latest book that I have read that fits that genre.

I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning. I will say I am an identical twin, so the concept of the book really drew me in. Sarah finding her long lost twin sister Raven after 20yrs was so touching, but the way they found each other, was even more amazing. Sarah discovered her sister while watching TV one morning. Sarah was raised by her Granny when her Mom ran away with Raven when they were babies. Raven had no clue about her Twin Sister until the morning Sarah called and told her Granny had a heart attack and was in the hospital. Will Sarah and Raven be able to reunite as sisters or will something try to stand in their way?

WOW, such a sweet story from beginning to end. I really LOVE how the Author is very creative with her writing. The story does have many twists and turns, but it all comes together and captivates the reader. My favorite character in the book was Granny. She has an AMAZING Faith and is the stronghold for the family. The Sisters do have a lot to work through and talk about and made for an interesting storyline as they aim to reunite! I HIGHLY Recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Romance books! GREAT BOOK!

Award-winning author, YouTube personality, and speaker, Terri Gillespie writes stories of faith and redemption. She has won best contemporary with the Lyra Awards, Rattler Contest, Golden Scroll, and placed in the Angel Book Awards.

Life is a journey. Terri lived in fear most of her life. Stories helped her see life through the lens of adventure and God’s abiding love. Those stories changed her life. They empowered her to be brave. She hopes hers will do the same for you.

She is the author of critically-acclaimed Making Eye Contact with God (now in its 15^th year), She Does Good Hair, CUT IT OUT!, Really Bad Hair Day, and Sweet Rivalry.

More from Terri

Where do stories come from? Oh, so many places. Sweet Rivalry began over ten years ago with an idea called the “cupcake sisters.” Two sisters who worked in a small hometown bakery trying to be true to family recipes and not get overrun by the food chains. Not much more than that. Boring, right?

The other day, I ran across my notes written years ago with other ideas for the sisters. No plot could carry an interesting enough story to get the creative juices going.

A dear friend—and amazing author—gave me a life-sized cupcake candle. The vibrant colors and glittery icing were meant to inspire me to develop the idea and write the book. It sat on my inspiration shelf for years.

At first every time I looked at it, I would smile.

But, as the years went by the sun faded the candle, as did my hope of finding the right story for the cupcake sisters.

Then, during COVID I got hooked on those reality shows about long-lost families being reunited after decades of separation. Some of the families had no idea the other family member existed.

Each episode meant a fist of soppy tissues. Yet, even with the dramatic music, professional editing, and big build-up, some families’ smiles didn’t quite reach their eyes.

I wondered, what happens to these people after the camera crews leave? After the emotional reunions, the drama and excitement subsides and reality settles into their respective homes? How do these people from very different histories become a family? Do they even try? Do they want to face the secrets that separated them?

Some of the “long-lost” family members were children of affairs. Most were children given up through adoption. Others abandoned. One man found his birth mother, only to learn he was the result of a rape. How do they navigate the choppy and complex psychological waters?

These interesting stories became delicious ingredients for the Sweet Rivalry novel. Twin sisters separated as toddlers by a troubled mother with addictions.

One sister, Sarah was raised by her loving, Christian grandmother who owned the local Sweet’s Bakery.

The other sister, Raven was raised by her using mother, in crack houses. Still, Raven manages to become a celebrated pastry chef.

How do twins with completely different childhoods become a family? How does the sister raised in a loving, stable, Christian environment form a relationship with the sister who has seen the worst of society and had to pull herself from a terrible background all on her own? Who now blames God for the horrific things that happened to her?

And a grandmother that hides a terrible secret?

Now, throw into the mix three handsome men vying for the twins’ affections, then bake with the emotional investments into the lives of these women, and you’ve got quite a recipe for a delectable story.

With humor, passion and delicious recipes, Sweet Rivalry will satisfy the hungry reader looking for a unique story of hope.

You know, Sweet Rivalry’s journey proved to me once again, that creativity can’t be forced, and GOD’s timing is always the best—even if it is a ten-year wait.

How about a recipe?

Raven’s Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cupcakes with Fritos Frosting

The Recipe That Almost Won the Cupcake Rivalry competition for Raven and Will.

Raven’s cupcake recipe:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup unsalted butter softened

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar packed

2 eggs room temperature

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup Dr Pepper

½ cup buttermilk

Will’s Fritos Cream Cheese Frosting

4 cup powdered sugar

½ cup unsalted butter softened

6 oz cream cheese softened

4 T Dr Pepper to taste

Original, Regular flavor Fritos (up to 1 cup)—Don’t use the scoop type

Instructions:

Raven’s Chocolate Dr Pepper Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350^o F. Prepare 2-12 count muffin tins with cupcake cup liners (22-24 total).
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer and large bowl), add in butter, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on low until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Keeping mixer speed on low, add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix in the Dr Pepper.
Add the other half of the dry ingredients as well as the buttermilk. Mix until just combined—do not overmix. Batter should be thick and fluffy.
Pour cupcake batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups 2/3 full. Tap the tin on the counter a few times to level the batter.
Bake cupcakes one batch at a time for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Place muffin tin on a wire cooling rack to cool for 5-10 minutes, then remove cupcakes and allow to finish cooling on wire rack.
Wait until cupcakes are completely cooled before applying the frosting.

Will’s Fritos Cream Cheese Frosting

Use a clean stand mixer (or a hand-mixer & large bowl) on high speed beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy, roughly 2 minutes.
Drop speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar. May be clumpy at this stage—don’t worry.
Keeping speed on low, slowly beat in softened cream cheese. Will recommends cutting the cream cheese into 4-5 pieces and mixing in one piece at a time.
Finally, add in the Dr. Pepper. Now if you want more Dr. Pepper flavor, you can add more, and you can add up to a cup more of powdered sugar, but after that, you lose the great cream cheese flavor.
Finely ground ½ cup of Fritos. Almost as fine as coffee grounds. Fold in by hand into frosting.
Frost the cupcakes.
Remaining Fritos you can either roughly ground and sprinkled on top, or Will likes to leave one Frito curl nestled on top, right before serving.
Eat immediately—I mean, who would wait?

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 16

Artistic Nobody, December 17 (Author Interview)

Books I’ve Read, December 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 18

Texas Book-aholic, December 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 20

Cover Lover Book Review, December 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, December 24 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, December 25

Beauty in the Binding, December 26 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, December 27

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 28 (Author Interview)

Exploring the Written Word, December 28

Lily’s Corner, December 29

To celebrate her tour, Terri is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of Sweet Rivalry, Cupcake Stickers, Sweet Rivalry bookmark, and a Hand-poured Cupcake Candle!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/293d5/sweet-rivalry-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Friday, December 22, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Long Live Love by Rena Roberts

Book: Long Live Love: Walking Out Freedom From Painful Generational Patterns

Author: Rena Roberts

Genre: Spiritual Memoir

Release Date: May 6, 2023

While utterly broken and at the end of herself, Rena Roberts broke free from spiritual bondage…and you can too.

In real life, victory over destructive generational patterns is rare. Psychologists have studied pathological family patterns for decades, trying to discover why they persist but to no avail. Part memoir, part psychological education and application, and part Christian living, Long Live Love is an invitation and opportunity for self-reflection and healing from family-of-origin issues.

Rena Roberts grew up in a profoundly dysfunctional home and set out to create a healthy, loving Christian family of her own. But when her daughter began to rebel in her late teens, Rena found herself stripped of her faith and everything she counted on from God. It was then that He began to radically transform her as she surrendered to His will and word, no matter what.

Rena’s approach to overcoming deep bondage and spiritual darkness will embolden others to go after freedom recklessly and bring the power of God’s supernatural love to their family line. This journey of freedom from generational jail is told in three sections: Longing, Living, and Loving. Each chapter ends with spiritual growth and reflection questions to examine the longings we have throughout our lives, how we try to live differently from our family of origin, and how we can truly love those we never thought we could.

Click here to get your copy!

I really enjoy reading Memoirs as it really gives a great view of the story and life of the author. Long Live Love: Walking Out Freedom from Painful Generational Patterns by Rena Roberts is the latest Memoir that I have read.

WOW, I am in awe of the Author, Rena Roberts, and her honesty and vulnerbity in telling her story. Rena was raised in a Dysfunctional Non-Christian household and she knew she wanted better for her own family. Rena knew that she wanted to be the one to break the Generational Cycle. She almost gave up on God when her Teenage Daughter began being rebellious. Rena began surrending to God and that is when she saw the transformation in herself and her family. I cried with happiness for Rena as she broke from the things that almost destroyed her. I really LOVE that each chapter ends with a Prayer, Growth Questions and information on how we can also BREAK FREE! The book is emotional, Spiritual, Inspring and Encouraging. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who needs to BREAK FREE from their past and being able to love those around them. GREAT BOOK!

Rena Roberts grew up in poverty amongst a profoundly dysfunctional family. She muscled her way through college and a graduate degree in Psychology/Counseling. Rena became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 1998. She specialized in the treatment of eating disorders for twenty-five years. She has worked as a primary therapist at a residential treatment center, a clinical director of a day treatment center and in private practice over the course of her career. After homeschooling her three children and holding leadership positions in her local church, she underwent a spiritual crisis that ultimately led to the authorship of her first book, Long Live Love: Walking Out Freedom From Painful Generational Patterns. She now speaks by invitation to various women’s and youth groups sharing her life’s work and God’s work in her so far.

More from Rena

I wouldn’t say there’s anything fun about my book. It’s intense and raw and very real. It has been super fun to receive feedback from readers! They love it. They are inspired by it. They all thank me for writing such a vulnerable book. They love the reflections questions..I think my chapters on forgiveness are most inspiring to my readers and
some have applied the practices I encourage and report to me that it has been life changing, saved their marriages, etc. That’s super fun!

I also realized that I love to write and that I am a writer. I did not know that prior to this project. I hope you enjoy it. I look forward to your thoughts.

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 15

Batya’s Bits , December 16

Artistic Nobody, December 17 (Author Interview)

Chronicles of Courage, December 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 19

Guild Master, December 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 22

Fiction Book Lover, December 23 (Author Interview)

Splashes of Joy, December 23

The Lit Lady, December 24

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 25 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 26

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, December 27

Life on Chickadee Lane, December 28

To celebrate her tour, Rena is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/29586/long-live-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, December 19, 2023

FrontGate Media Blog Tour: Sepulcher Candles at the Church of Holy Sepulcher

SEPULCHRE CANDLES

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is notable for many reasons: The church is located on sites of key importance to Christendom—the crucifixion, the tomb where Jesus was buried, and site of the resurrection. Inside the church one will see the stone slab upon which the body of Jesus was laid (the stone of anointing), Jesus’ burial chamber, and numerous rooms for prayer, reflection, candle lighting, and worship. Biblical Archeology notes 48 rooms or areas of special interest inside the historic church.

The church has strong ties to the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic denominations, but as Jesus came for all, the church is made available to all. The Paris Treaty of 1856 stipulates the church is to be jointly owned and maintained by six Christian denominations: the Catholic-Franciscans, the Greek-Orthodox, the Armenians, the Copts, the Assyrians, and the Ethiopians. Each one of these denominations are responsible for different aspects of the complex.

The tradition of lighting candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was inspired by a miracle that happened many centuries ago and has blessed so many lives since. Each year, before the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, a magnificent and glorious event takes place in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the miracle of the Lord’s Resurrection. Christians all over the world remember and look forward to this day as it symbolizes and brings to life much of what we truly believe in and hold in our hearts.

On the midday of Holy Saturday, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, together with the deacons, the priests and chief priests enter the Holy Sepulchre. After offering their prayers, a miraculous light comes forth and radiates to those who are present. The Patriarch of Jerusalem lights two candles from the flame that appeared and lights the candles of the other patriarchs waiting outside the Holy Sepulchre. From there the candles of the faithful are lit at the same time.

I had the opportunity to have Candles lit along with the Prayers I submitted. The process is easy and a wonderful price. I truly feel the meaning of Lighting Candles in Prayer in the Holy Land and in the Holy Sepulcher. I truly believe this would make a WONDERFUL and MEANINGFUL Gift this Holiday Season. If you are needing a last minute gift it would be great, as they are in the form of a Gift Certificate. I HIGHLY recommend Lighting the Candles witih Prayers as a GIFT!

My Experience in Pictures: