The Best Gift

It's that simple.

Come let us adore, cherish, love, worship Him!

As I celebrate Christmas, I think about the best gift to give Jesus.

On my knees, hands lifted, I offer Him my heart.

What will you give Jesus?

 

Historical Fiction Book Review: The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel

Book Description:
In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the ÒliesÓ the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.

Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.

My Thoughts:
I love reading Jennifer Deibel's books. She pulls me into the story and allows me to live in Ireland for a bit. This story was particularly appealing to me because of the Claddagh ring. My daughter brought me one from Scotland, and I wear it to remind me of God's love for me. In the book, Stephen shares the history of the ring with Annabeth, and it's simply beautiful. And I love Annabeth's character, because she's so unexpected for her time and position in her life. Stephen is a bit brooding but lovable. Deibel's historical details show how unsettling life was for the Irish and how Annabeth's family grew to understand their plight. The romance just adds to the beauty of this story. This is a lovely story filled with hope in the midst of difficulty. If you enjoy Irish stories or historical romance, you'll enjoy The Lady of Galway Manor. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Consider This—God is in the Details

Matthew 1:18-21
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

An important decision requires consideration.

I had dreamed about retiring and pursuing writing for years. When the time neared for me to take the retirement years seriously, Tim and I contemplated what that would look like. We took into account my health, benefits my job offered, the practicality of me no longer working outside our home, and of course our income. We prayed about the decision for me to retire early and thought about what that would mean for our family. I'm thankful God saw fit for us to move forward with our plans and provide Tim with work and me with writing opportunities.

Joseph was a man who considered the needs of his wife-to-be, Mary. When he learned she was pregnant, he didn't jump to conclusions. He could have broken the engagement in haste, instead he contemplated his options. He prayed and pondered about what was best for Mary and for him. Before he made his final decision, God sent an angel to assure him. You see, God chose Mary to give birth to Jesus, and He also chose Joseph to be Jesus' father on earth. God knew Joseph's heart. He found Joseph to be a man of faith who considered what was best for the people he loved. God knew Joseph would do the same for Jesus.

God is in the details of my life, and He knows my heart. He hears me, sees me, and understands me. He has given me the beautiful gift of prayer to guide me as I reflect on decisions and life's choices.

Joseph trusted God with the decisions he made. God trusted Joseph with His Son.

Trust God and give Jesus your heart this Christmas.

Celebrate with Joy!

Something inside of me sparks when I near the Christmas season. 

I so wish every one could experience the holiday the way I do.

The joy that bubbles over comes from the beautiful baby born in a manger,

 so many years ago.

I love celebrating the One who came to earth to offer grace. 

His grace has saved my life.

Celebrate Jesus Joy!

 

Welcome Penny Zeller, Author of Love Under Construction

I'm excited to be part of the blog tour for Penny Zeller. Enjoy meeting Penny and learning about her latest release.

About Love Under Construction:

She builds websites. He builds houses. Together, can they build a family for two orphans?

Irelynn agreed two years ago to help raise her best friend’s twins should anything happen. When she is called upon to fulfill that agreement, there is only one problem—Irelynn must share the responsibility with the arrogant but handsome Quinton Gregory.

Quinton takes the role of raising his niece and nephew with all seriousness. He will do anything for the twins, even if it means putting up with the beautiful but stubborn Irelynn Brady.

When forced to be in each other’s presence far more often than is comfortable, things slowly begin to change. Will the unexpected attraction between Irelynn and Quinton become a love under construction?

Available for purchase:

https://amzn.to/3HZ86mN

About Penny Zeller:

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today Penny is a multi-published author of several inspirational books. She is also a homeschool mom and a fitness instructor.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, cycling, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her www. pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.

Find Penny at:

Website: https://pennyzeller.com/

Blog: www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennyZeller

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennyzeller/

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

To follow Penny's tour all week, check out:

Love Under Construction Mini Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 6:

Blog Tour Kickoff/Sneak Peek/Meet the Characters | Penny Zeller

Author Interview | Kristina Hall

Tuesday. December 7:

Book Spotlight | Joy Hannabass

Book Spotlight | Penny McGinness

Wednesday, December 8:

Author Interview | Vanessa Hall

Thursday, December 9:

Book Spotlight and Guest Post| June Foster

Friday, December 10:

Book Spotlight and Giveaway| Chat with Vera

Book Spotlight and Review | Madi’s Musings

Book Spotlight and Guest Post | Kathy McKinsey

Saturday, December 11:

Ebook Giveaway | Patti’s Porch

Blog Tour Wrap-up/Love Under Construction Quotables | Penny Zeller

Faith Before Fear

Luke 1:35-38
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

I love holding and rocking babies.

In 2009, we were thrilled to find out we'd have three grandbabies born. Max arrived in October, Eli in time for Christmas, and Zeke the following January. Our hearts overflowed with joy as we met each of these baby boys. As a grandma, I fell in love with them, just as I had my own babies. The boys have or will soon turn twelve, and they are lights in our lives. All so different from one another, yet so precious.

The mamas got to share in the joy and challenges of carrying a child, at the same time. Sisters, Sara and Maggie, expected Eli and Zeke with only five weeks separating their birth. What an exciting time for this grandma.

Cousins, Elizabeth and Mary, shared the experience of pregnancy and childbirth. Wow were their circumstances exceptional. Elizabeth was considered old, yet God blessed her with a child. Mary was a young virgin, yet God gave her a baby. Their stories are unusual and perhaps hard to believe. Yet the writers of the Bible tell the stories with clarity, truth, and hope.

I love Mary's humility as she accepts the angel's pronouncement. "For no word from God will ever fail." Her response says it all, "I am the Lord's servant." Mary believed. She trusted God and put her faith in front of her fear because she knew God never fails.

Can you imagine being in Mary's circumstance? Would people ridicule her? Would they punish her? She had more at stake than we might today. The Jewish laws were strict, and she could be severely punished for being unwed and pregnant. But she put her faith before her fear and trusted God with her life.

Elizabeth was old and her husband made mute before John the Baptist was born. Did Elizabeth hide with embarrassment or did she trust? She believed God blessed her, and she jumped with joy. She too put faith before fear.

This Christmas as we celebrate Jesus, put faith before fear and share about the babe who grew to be a man. Not just any man, but Jesus the Savior of this broken world.

Have the hard conversations and talk about the hope we have in Jesus.

Shine Brightly

In the book of Matthew, Jesus teaches about being a light to the world.

"...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds

 and glorify your Father in heaven."

Our acts of kindness, generosity, and love should shine the light on Jesus 

and spill over on others--

so the glory of God will illuminate the world.

As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth, shine a light that draws others to Him through kindness, love, giving, and caring.