Do You Want To Be Loved?

God wants to be loved. Don't you? Don't you want to be loved? God is waiting and longing for us to show Him love.

To be able to love yourself and others more, take time to love God. How do you show God love? Read His love letter to you. The Bible is God's love letter to the world. It will help you to love God more. When you love God more you will love yourself and others more.

Take time to talk to Him: you talk to God through prayer. Praying is telling God you love Him and appreciate Him. Praise Him for all He has done for you. Tell Him what's going on in your life. He wants to hear it from you.

When you allow God to speak to you from His Word and then speak to Him through prayer you will be on your way to a more loving heart.

Why is Forgiveness So Important?

Vote on a poll about forgiveness at Why is Forgiveness So Important? .  See how others have voted.  Forgiveness is an important grace for us to have.  It will give us peace. 

Rescue a Trafficked Woman

I found this article and I thought I would share it with you.  I have been hearing about women and children being stolen and trafficked.  Please pray for these victims.

Rescue a Trafficked Woman by Kimberly Rae 3/21/2011 / Womens Interest Human trafficking. These two words define the lives of hundreds and thousands and yes, even millions of young women and children, forced into lives of slavery and hopelessness. They are stolen from their homes, or sold by adults they once trusted, taken captive, sold like animals, some in cages. Many face futures chained to beds of sexual slavery, far from any hope of ever being freed. The buying and selling of souls has been happening for millennia, but never before has the true extent of this evil been so seared upon the American consciousness. Though slavery was outlawed and supposedly eradicated long ago, aware individuals know it has never left us, only changed its appearance to again slide far enough under the radar to avoid attention. Only now the flashlight of the world is shining upon itthe evil of human trafficking that is happening not just in third world countries around the world, but here in America as well. Becky McDonald decided to do something about it. Though she grew up in a traditional missionary setting in Bangladesh, the word traditional has never defined her outlook on ministry. Ever since age fourteen, when a young girl was brought into her life, the girl's vocal chords permanently damaged from acid poured down her throat by the men who had tried to rape her, Becky has been a warrior on behalf of the helpless and oppressed. Since starting Women At Risk International in 2006, Becky has fought tirelessly to free the enslaved, wrapping arms of love and protection around those most in need, rescuing them, and restoring their dignity and hope. WAR International now has projects in 14 countriessafe houses in Thailand and India where rescued women create quality jewelry to sell. Cake decorating in Nepal, which provides income to continue the ministry of rescuing trafficked women. Bridal rental shops in Latin America, that not only provide funds for ministry, but a creative means of outreach as well. And here in America, Becky works with homeland security to rescue our own. Though the majority of Americans once turned a blind eye from those enslaved, Americans today care deeply about ending the atrocities of human bondage. They care and they want to help. But how can one person make a difference when the need is so vast? By shopping, of course! As odd as that may sound, WAR International continues and thrives because women all over America are buying the beautiful jewelry, purses, scarves and clothing created by rescued women all over the world. Many churches and individuals are hosting WAR parties, where groups can come and shop together for a great cause. By buying WAR's products, the rescued women are restored to lives of dignity as they see that their work is sustainable. Money given to WAR might provide for a girl stolen from Nepal to escape the bonds of forced prostitution. It may provide for a former street worker, now dying of AIDS, to give the rest of her life to fulfilling ministry. It may help the emergency fund, which is specifically for those urgent, unexpected needs, like rescuing a baby going to be sold that very night. Every once in awhile, the moment comes when we have the chance to change someone else's whole lifegiving them hope, and the Gospel of hopea change that will last for eternity. That time is now. What will you do? How will you change the world? For more information on how you can get involved, see www.warinternational.org. Kimberly Rae lived in Bangladesh, Uganda, Kosovo and Indonesia before health problems brought her back to America, where she continues ministry through writing. Kimberly has been published over 100 times. Her first novel, STOLEN WOMAN, about human trafficking, is due for release Summer 2011. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS CLICK HERE and Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Now! JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.

"Texas Wildflowers" by Anita Higman Review and Giveaway

"Texas Wildflowers" by Anita Higman was sent to me to review. There is also some giveaway  information at the bottom of this post.  I don't usually read fiction but I am so glad I read this christian romance.  It was realistic and refreshing.  There are four romance stories in this book.  They are stories about four sisters.  Each one has a Texas flower for their first name.  Each story is about a different sister.  They have their own unique personalities.  I found myself in some of their situations.  Each one went through a tough situation and it shows how God helped them through it.  I enjoyed each one but my favorite was about Rosy.  Her personality and way of handling things were a little bit like me. 

Texas Wildflowers Author: Anita Higman Retail: $7.99 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Barbour Pub. Release: Nov. 1, 2012 ISBN-10: 1616265957 ISBN-13: 978-1616265953

  

 

 

Texas Wildflowers

 

"A romance assortment of petits fours, and as dreamy sweet."

—Harold Wolf

 

Author: Anita Higman

Retail: $7.99

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Barbour Pub.

Release: November 1, 2012

ISBN-10: 1616265957

ISBN-13: 978-1616265953

 

Chapter One:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/137142510/TexasWildflowers_ChapterOne

 

From the Back of the Book:

The four McBride sisters risk their hearts for love in the islands, canyons, mountains and bayous of Texas.

 

Deserted at the altar, a devastated Rosy McBride heads back to Galveston Island and begins working at her mother’s scrapbooking business. Will spending time with Larson Brookfield help mend her broken heart, or will she merely wind up pasting away?

 

Christian counselor Lily McBride relies on her quirky common sense and God’s wisdom to help her clients. Will she be successful at her new career or break the most solemn of counselor/patient vows by falling for the handsome, eccentric, and impossibly irresistible Rubin McCall while hiking the Palo Dura Canyon?

 

In the mountain town of Alpine, Violet McBride owns Romantic Images, a business that teaches people how to live romantically. Will Morgan Jones, a geek she meets online, show her the real meaning of romance and the art of love?

 

Heather McBride’s picture-perfect life has unraveled in the bayou. Will the free-spirited Evan Finch not only reawaken her artistic passion but also give her the courage to fall in love—without her day-planner?

 

Will God help give these women the pluck to love the least likely of soul mates?

 

 

 

 

 

An Interview with Anita:

 

Tell us a bit about Texas Wildflowers.

Texas Wildflowers is a 4-in-1 novella collection through Barbour Publishing. Each novella is set in an exotic location in Texas. They are lighthearted romances, and they’re all tied together with the four McBride sisters.

 

Which of the four novellas was the most fun to write?

They were each fun to write in their own way, but my favorite character was Lily, the counselor, in Forget Me Not Lily. She was quirky and fun, relatable and loveable. At least that’s what I hope readers will feel.

 

All these novellas are set in Texas. Are the towns and parks real?

Yes, in fact one of the novellas is set in Big Bend National Park, where my husband and I went on vacation. So, when you read about the characters on certain trails, they’re real, and we hiked them!

 

Did you have a favorite book when you were a child?
I loved fairytales. Cinderella was my favorite.

 

Do you have a vacation spot you’d love to visit?

I’m dreaming of Ireland. My husband and I plan to travel there next summer. Can’t wait! Then I’m going to use the emerald isle as a setting in one of my novels.

 

What are 5 things that your readers might not know about you?

1. While I was in college I tried working in a pillow factory. I was terrible at it. I got so weary with the repetition I started yakking with the woman next to me. We got reprimanded over and over until I quit. I discovered one thing from that college job—talking is something I excel at.
2. I once won a hog-calling contest at a banquet. I was not embarrassed, but I should have been.
3. I have a bird phobia, and yet I love birds! (That is, from a distance.) My house is filled with the fake kind—prints on the walls, statues, and general bird doodads. Go figure.
4. I keep some interesting treasures near me when I write—a wooden jewelry box my son made me when he was in school, a candle from the 1960s, a hat once owned by a famous mystery writer, the inner parts of a music box, a birthday card that plays The Twilight Zone theme song, and an old family toy helicopter that says, “Going up.”
5. Thirty-four years ago I rappelled off a cliff alongside the man I was dating. We kissed in mid-air while dangling off that cliff. I ended up marrying that man, and we've celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary!

What awards have you won?

I’ve won two book awards. One of my co-authored books entitled, A Tribute to Early Texas, won a San Antonio Conservation Society Citation as well as a Westerners International Book Award. Also, I was given three honors by readers: I was a Favorite New Author in the 15^th Annual Heartsong Presents Awards, and my co-authored novel, Castles in the Air, was a Favorite Contemporary Romance in the 16^th Annual Heartsong Presents Awards. My most recent award is a 2011 RWA Readers Choice Award (first place) for my novella, Once Upon a Christmas Eve.

 

When readers finish the last page of Texas Wildflowers, what do you want them to come away with?

I would love for them to be inspired, challenged, and entertained. If I accomplished even one of those things I would feel my writing time wasn’t wasted.

 

Where can your readers connect with you online?

Please drop by my website at www.anitahigman.com, or visit my Reader Page on Facebook and chat with me there at http://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorAnitaHigman.

 

 

About the Author:

Bestselling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has thirty-two books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Please visit her online at www.anitahigman.com.

 

Giveaway:

Every blog that gets comments from at least 10 different commenters (besides the author and the blog tour host) will offer a free book to one of the commenters. Be sure to tell your friends to come read this blog and leave a comment! Share on facebook, twitter, linked-in or wherever you hang out!

 

 

Make a Quiet Time For Yourself

Everyone needs some alone time.  It may be hard to carve that time out but it will be a blessing to you and others.

I don't know about you, but I feel like I lost this past Christmas season.  There were so many things to do.  There were cards to fill out and send.  Phone calls needed to be made.  Presents needed to be bought and so on.  All these things were good things that I wanted to do so others would know I cared.  They were good things.  I think next year I will start a little early.  That way I can carve out some solitutde for myself.  (I should have planned that for this year!) 

You and your family all need some time to slow down.

Why is Forgiveness So Important?

If you are having problems forgiving someone, go to Why is Forgiveness So Important?  This article will help you to understand what forgiveness is and how it affects your life. We all make mistakes.  If you can see your own mistakes and realize that you did not purposely do them, it might help you to see that others do the same thing.  They do things without thinking.  They may not even realize what they have done.  The Lord Bless.

 I heard a song on the radio as I was coming home.  I don't remember the name of it but there was one refrain that stuck with me.  "O Christian, why would you be discouraged when God is  on your side?"  I don't know about you but I get discouraged pretty easily.  I am not proud of that but it is true.  When I heard this song it struck a cord within my spirit.  I should not be discouraged no matter what.  Anything I am going to go through has to come through God first.  The good things and the bad things.  Even the bad things are used for our good. 

Are you discouraged today?  Remember you are in God's hand and He will not let you go.  If you are going through a storm He is going through it with you.  When you are hurting He feels your pain.  Trust Him.  Just trust Him.

Have a good day!