Friday Reads

Friday! What are you going to read this weekend? I just finished Rust, by Corbin Bernsen. This book is well worth your hard-earned weekend time. It's a quick read, but the impact is huge. My Amazon review gave it five stars because it deserves it.

"James is suffering from a disconnect from God, leaves his pastoral ministry and heads home to Kipling. He finds himself in the midst of righting a terrible wrong, but must lean on the God who he can't feel anymore. His best friend Travis is accused of a horrific crime and James is certain he is innocent. Tensions at home with his father and the family he left to pursue his calling make his quest difficult. The deeply introspective point of view speaks to every seeker. Throw in engaging characters and a bit of mystery and you have a great story."

I love Rust for lots of other reasons, too. It's published by the Pelican Group, my publisher! Corbin Bernsen is one of my favorite actors. His character on Psych, Henry Spencer, is the perfect lovable cynic to counter his son Shawn's (James Roday) crazy existence. Psych, a USA Network original, is just one of his accomplishments in entertainment.

From Amazon: "Corbin Bernsen comes from an entertainment family and has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in television, theater and film. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theater and a master’s degree in playwriting from UCLA, and was nominated for both Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his performance as Arnie Becker in the hit NBC TV series LA Law.  He most recently starred as Henry Spencer on USA Network’s hit original series Psych. His work includes roles in Disorganized Crime, Wolfgang Peterson’s Shattered, The Great White Hype, and as the Cleveland Indians’ third baseman-turned-owner Roger Dorn in the Major League films. Other film credits include Lay the Favorite with Bruce Willis and The Big Year with Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. He also appeared with Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Rust is his first novel, and he also wrote, directed, and stars in the feature film of the same name. Bernsen’s latest film, Christian Mingle, was released in January, 2015 by Capitol. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife of 26 years, actress Amanda Pays, and their four sons."

A well established career, but this man can also write! His ability to make the reader feel what the character feels is remarkable. Bernsen's portrayal of James' spiritual crisis touches the heart. Any believer can relate and any seeker begin to find answers.

Yes! There's a movie, and that's my weekend plan. What's yours?

Winner and Wednesday Whimsy

Congratulations to Lisa Macomber. You win the Thomas Kinkade book! I hope you enjoy it. Please email me at jodybooks@faithwriters.net with your mailing address:) Thanks everyone who entered, and watch Monday for a new giveaway!



Now for the whimsy. I used to love this poem:

Jenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in;
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in!
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I'm growing old, but add,
Jenny kissed me. 

Leigh Hunt

This poem expresses the way I feel when I'm given a joyous hug and kiss from a child, especially grandchildren. Is there anything sweeter?

What sweet things do you look forward to?

Monday Giveaway and Something Beautiful

Where we love is home,
home that our feet may leave,
but not our hearts.
                Oliver Wendell Holmes

I have always loved the art of Thomas Kinkade.  Known as the Painter of Light, his beautiful paintings depict a sense of old-fashioned home and community.

If my husband and I, in our younger years, ever talked about leaving East Texas and pursuing ministry elsewhere, I always said, "Anywhere but the desert." I should have known to 'never say never.'

We've been living in the desert of West Texas for nearly 20 years now, and although it took me time to get used to it, I embrace this place as home. There is nothing like the sunsets here, and in the evening it is almost always cool, even in the dog days of summer. No mosquitoes! But it's my family and the people here that make it truly "home."

I'd love to give away this beautiful Thomas Kinkade book, filled with his luscious artwork and poems and prose about home. I'll do a drawing using Random.org from all the comments posted here.

I'd love to know about where you live; your favorite thing about your home and/or town. I hope your Monday is a wonderful day.

Winner and Wednesday Whimsey

Congratulations Serena Escobar - the patriotic note cards are yours! A new giveaway will post here on Monday:)


Have you ever listened to the Trim Healthy Mama podcast? It never fails to make me smile, and smiles are what we need on hump day, right? Check it out:  Trim Healthy Podcast

Yes, it's called the Poddy! 

I try to keep this short and sweet, because we're all busy. Just want to bring a little joy into your day. Hope you can look at Wednesday through Love Colored Glasses:) 

How can I pray for you today? If you don't want to post here, find me on Facebook and private message me, or email me at jodybooks@faithwriters.net. 

Monday Giveaway and Something Beautiful

Merry Monday! After 2 days of 100 degree temps, it's cold and rainy today! I don't mind:)Something beautiful from my daily calender:

 "Open yourself to the idea of a guilt-free you. This may be difficult. You've dragged around your past for so long that you can't imagine yourself without it. God can. He sees a revision of your script. Just because you were a villain in Act 1,  you needn't be one in Act 2. He makes all things new!"

         Max Lucado

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! If you are a child of God, say so in the comments! We'll have a Hallelujah time! If you're not, or you don't feel free, I'd love to tell you about it, just email me at jodybooks@faithwriters.net. Flag Day and the Fourth of July are coming up soon. I'd like to give away these patriotic cards. I'll draw Wednesday morning using Random.org

Let's have church!

Friday Reads - Are we ready?

Bailey Brown spent her whole life making decisions based on negative words she heard as a child. Beautiful and accomplished, she still felt she'd never measure up.

So she wasn't ready.

Everything she had in her life came from people pleasing decisions. When she lost her fiance, her job, and her inheritance all in the same day, she wasn't ready.

The world crashing around her, she barely remembered her faith. So she ran away.


I'm excited to reintroduce Washout Express! Wedding Express is the second in the series, and the series becomes complete this November with the release of Joy Express. Get up to speed by reading the first two before November:) Washout Express is 2.99 for Kindle, Wedding Express is 4.99 for Kindle, but free with Kindle Unlimited. I hope you enjoy these stories of faith and discovery of what helps make us ready for trials.

Happy Friday, y'all.

Who's read Washout Express? Who's your favorite character? Have you left me a review on Amazon? It really helps. Please and Thank you!

Wednesday Winners!

The winner of the Monday Blessing Angel is Alicia Haney!
Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address at jodybooks@faithwriters.net.

Check back Monday for a new Giveaway.

Here's a scripture and a quote to get you over Hump Day!


“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

 Don't Just

Don't just learn, experience.
Don't just read, absorb.
Don't just change, transform.
Don't just relate, advocate.
Don't just promise, prove.
Don't just criticize, encourage.
Don't just think, ponder.
Don't just take, give.
Don't just see, feel.
Don’t just dream, do.
Don't just hear, listen.
Don't just talk, act.
Don't just tell, show.
Don't just exist, live.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart 

I really appreciate you stopping by. How can I pray for you today?

  

Giveaway and Recipe

Monday - a chance to receive a giveaway and get a recipe! 

Isn't she sweet? She's a Bless You angel from Elements. The number on the bottom indicates it's a collector's item. I've had her on my desk for years, to the point that I don't even see her anymore. So it's time to pass her along and bless one of you!

Summertime is finally here.   Enjoy this recipe from my friend Glenda Bonham. Three Fruit Cup is featured in our writer's group June Newsletter.

Comment below with a Monday blessing (May you...) for a chance to win the angel. Invite someone to subscribe to my blog for two chances to win. Just include in your comment that you sent the link to my blog to someone. I will draw using Random.org on Wednesday. 

Three Fruit Cup

Dressing -½ cup honey and about 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice. In a jar or tub, shake and stir the two until well combined. You may have to adjust slightly, as some limes are tarter than others. Dressing should be well-balanced. Taste to assure a good balance.

2 cups drained pineapple chunks

2 cups fresh sliced strawberries

2 cups fresh grapes- halved

Toss in large bowl to combine, and add dressing.

Toss to coat and serve at once. To prep ahead of time, place prepared fruits in separate bags with a dry paper towel until ready to serve. Toss with dressing in a large bowl and serve. Do not mix fruits with dressing ahead of time. The honey will break down strawberries and make a runny red slush in the bottom of the serving bowl. 

 Here's my Monday blessing: May you find joy in the opportunity to be grateful in your frustrations today:) What's yours?

Be sure and stop by Wednesday to see who wins the angel:)