Scripture for the Second Thursday in Advent
December 10, 2009 by Lillie
John 4:23
The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Lord, make us true worshipers, the kind of worshipers Jesus told us You seek; motivate and empower us to worship You in spirit and truth. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Christmas Gift-Giving
December 9, 2009 by Lillie
Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas is celebrating the coming of Christ to earth as a tiny babe in a manger to give us all eternal life. That should always be our focus.
However, gift-giving has long been part of our Christmas traditions. The Wise Men worshipped and gave gifts to the Christ Child. The tradition of Santa Claus came from Saint Nicholas, a bishop known for giving gifts to the poor.
Giving gifts to family and friends is a way to show our love for them. Our gifts don’t have to be lavish or expensive. In fact, the best gifts are often simple and inexpensive.
- Coupons that can be redeemed for babysitting, shopping, running errands, or other chores can be a real treat for a busy mom, an individual with limitations that make those chores difficult, or anyone who enjoys being pampered.
- Volunteering together to help with a charity toy drive or a party for disadvantaged children can create special Christmas memories for everyone involved.
- Recipients cherish handmade gifts and value the time and effort the giver puts into creating the gift.
- When you buy gifts, choose them to match the recipient’s interests, even if the cost is low and the gift isn’t a typical choice. The purpose isn’t to impress people with how much money you spend or how glamorous the gift is. The purpose is to show your love and give pleasure to someone you care about.
Of course, I may be just a tad biased, but I can’t think of a better gift than a book. Choosing a title and genre that appeals to the reader on your list demonstrates that you pay attention to their interests. For suggestions on great books (she said modestly), visit these pages of my Web site:
- My books—books I’ve written
- My clients’ books—books I’ve edited for clients
- My guests’ books—books I’ve reviewed or by authors I’ve interviewed
If you don’t find the perfect book there, you can also find information about great books at the following sites:
- Books We Love—promotional site for authors of books is all genres and formats, with a contest going on now
- Goodreads—reader community with reviews and ratings from readers
- Nothing Binding—site featuring independent authors of books in all genres
- Book Hitch—search engine for books of all kinds
You can find equally wonderful gifts for people on your list with interests other than reading. What does he love to do? What is her favorite indulgence? What would smiles on their faces? When you can answer those questions, gift-giving is made easy.
Don’t forget to download my gift to you: Scripture/prayer cards that have a Bible verse on one side and a prayer on the other. You can download a PDF file and print the cards on your own computer printer. Reading one of the cards can create a brief moment of devotion in a busy day.
Wishing you a blessed and joyous Christmas!
photo credit: wolfsavard
Scripture for the Second Wednesday in Advent
December 9, 2009 by Lillie
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.
Heavenly Father, turn our hearts from apathy and self-centeredness and empower by Your Holy Spirit all of us who love You to encourage one another and build each other up. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture for the Second Tuesday in Advent
December 8, 2009 by Lillie
Ephesians 4:27
Do not give the devil a foothold.
Almighty and everlasting God, we don’t want the devil to get a foothold in our lives or in our community. But sometimes we let the world intrude on our worship and our service. We don’t participate in worship and study. Our prayers and devotions are hasty. We don’t like to admit we’re giving the devil a foothold, but we are. Empower us by the Holy Spirit to stand strong against the enemy of our souls. Save us from giving the devil a foothold. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture for the Second Monday in Advent
December 7, 2009 by Lillie
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace so we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture for the Second Sunday in Advent
December 6, 2009 by Lillie
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Heavenly Father, we find it so easy to want you to send someone else—the priests or the teachers or others who serve. We think they are more qualified than we are, and we’re not sure that our participation is important. But deep in our hearts the Holy Spirit is prompting us to say, “Here am I. Send me!” Empower us by the Spirit to act on those promptings. Give us the motivation, the courage, and the strength to say, “Here am I, Lord. Send me!” We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Scripture for the First Saturday in Advent
December 5, 2009 by Lillie
Ephesians 4:11-13
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
O Lord, our God, we thank you for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. They prepare us, Your people, for works of service to build up the Body of Christ, but we they cannot prepare us if we do not listen and respond to their teaching and preaching. Open our ears and our minds to hear Your Word, and open our hearts and spirits to do Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Supporting Indie Authors
December 4, 2009 by Lillie
April L. Hamilton has posted An Indie Call to Action at her Indie Author blog. She’s started a campaign for indie (self-published and small-press published) authors to support each other and independent publishing.
Find an indie book you LOVE, from an author to whom you have no connection.
Then she recommends that you spread the word about the book in your own sphere of influence: Twitter, social networks, blog, word of mouth. Post positive reviews of the book at every site where the book can be purchased as well as on reader community sites such as Goodreads. Give the book to family and friends for Christmas.
I like April’s idea. Though I haven’t focused in on one author, I have supported fellow indie authors through the years. Most of the books I review here are published by the author or a small press. I personally read a lot of indie books. I will publish more reviews of indie books at Goodreads. I started posting reviews there only a few months ago and have a lot more books to enter.
Though I do have a connection to many of the indie authors I support, I always disclose if the author is a client or a friend. Some of my favorite authors were unknown to me when I first read their books, but we’ve since connected.
What do you think of April’s campaign? Are you an indie author? Do you read indie books?
Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite indie book or author.
Scripture for the First Friday in Advent
December 4, 2009 by Lillie
John 13:35 NIV
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Heavenly Father, You commanded us to love one another. You said this love for one another would show the world that we are Your disciples. Fill our hearts with love for all of Your Body. Empower us by the Holy Spirit to show this love in active service and support of one another. The enemy of our souls entices us to let others serve, to stay apathetic and comfortable. But we know Your Word tells us otherwise. Strengthen us to follow Your commands and not the enticements of the enemy. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.
Scripture for the First Thursday in Advent
December 3, 2009 by Lillie
Romans 8:26 NIV
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Lord, we want to pray, but sometimes we don’t have the words. We are grateful that the Spirit intercedes for us and that You understand and respond to the groans that words cannot express. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
