Wordless Wednesday!

Home away from home!

If you don't own a copy of Surrender the Night yet....

Here's another place to enter to win.   Plus you get to read another fascinating interview by Moi!  LOL.
http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com/

What does a true Christian look like?

I was reading through James and came across these Scriptures once again where James admonishes us to behave in a way worthy of our calling. And it struck me how simple James laid out for us how to be the people God wants us to be. I thought it was worth posting on my blog.

Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God. 

So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble, gentle, modest spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted in your hearts contains the power to save your souls. But be doers of the Word  and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves.  James 1:19-22
But he who looks carefully into the faultless law of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer who obeys, he shall be blessed in his doing.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religion is useless. 25-26

  
Simply put.

• Listen more than you speak.
• Don't be quick to get upset and offended and angry
• Have a gentle, humble modest spirit.
• Get rid of all uncleanliness and wickedness in your life
• Be a doer of the Word
• Study the Word
• Control your tongue

Can you imagine if every Christian did these 7 things daily?  I believe we would set the world on fire with the Truth and Love of God!.

Rain, Rain, Go away!!

 Winner of Winning Him without Words is: Brooke !  Congratulations. And thanks everyone for entering.

It's been raining here in Northern California non-stop for over a week.  I thought you'd like to see how my backyard his slowly being transformed into a river.
This is right off my back porch.

My vegetable garden

I don't know if you can see this, but there's a waterfall trickling down the rock wall.

And even worse, it's cold!












Now, this is what I want to see when I step outside.

 

I actually have a Caribbean DVD that I can pop on the Flat Screen that flashes up live pictures of different gorgeous beaches.  Sometimes, when it's so miserable out for so long a time, I have to put it on, grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit on the couch just staring at it.  

This will be my heaven. I hope God puts me in charge if warm, tropical beaches! 

On that thought, have a great weekend, everyone. Stay dry and warm but either way, give thanks to God!

Wordless Wednesday!

My other car

Another chance to win Surrender the Night!

Click here :   http://thechristianscroll.blogspot.com/2011/03/author-book-giveaway-surrender-night.html

Was Jesus Seeker Friendly?

What has happened to the Church in America that makes us believe we must have a beautiful building, a great worship band, cushy seats, entertainment, programs for all ages, BBQ's and potlucks and a riveting, heart-warming sermon in order to draw in the lost? Where a big building and huge crowds are measures of our success?

It seems to me that Jesus wasn't like that at all. In fact, he was quite the opposite. He often told people that to follow him was going to cost them everything. That to follow Him was not going to be easy.  Jesus was selective. He didn't want huge crowds. In fact more often than not, He turned people away. No, Jesus only wanted people around Him who were truly committed to Him, wholly submitted to His will, no matter what.
And He didn't care if they were only a few in number.

Let's look at some of Jesus's seeker-friendly statements: 

Now Jesus, when He saw the great throngs around Him, gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.  (Notice he left the huge crowd!)  And a scribe came up and said to Him, Master, I will accompany You wherever You go. And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have lodging places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord, let me first go and bury my father.  But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead. Matthew 8:18-22

And Jesus said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you cannot have any life in you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood. He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:53-54
After he said this:  After this, many of His disciples drew back and no longer accompanied Him.  John 6:66
 
If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple Luke 14:26
 

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34


Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. Matthew 24:9


Then there's the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking what he had to do to be saved.
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”   When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22

Can you imagine a preacher saying these things from the pulpit these days? If he did, it's likely most of the people would get up and walk out. Why are we so obsessed with massive churches and crowds when Jesus wasn't.  He changed the world with 11 devoted men.


My fear is that the American version of the gospel has become more about us and less about God. More about what God can do for us and less about how we can glorify Him with our lives. Let's examine our own hearts and see where we stand with God. Are we part of the crowd who only follows Him hoping for a miracle, a blessing, or some food (like the crowds that followed him long ago)  Or are we truly like the eleven men who followed him, sleeping on the ground, hungry and cold, leaving everything behind, even risking death, simply for the treasure of knowing Him?

Another chance to win Surrender the Night!!

And read an interview with Moi!   (I know, exciting, huh?)   Here's the link:  http://www.mindyobenhaus.blogspot.com/

The winner of Love Finds you in Tombstone, Arizona is....

Sarah!!   (Who didn't leave her last name or her email!)  So, Sarah, if you read this, please send me a note with your address so I can pass that info onto Miralee.
And a huge thanks to Miralee Ferrel for being on my blog and for answering all your questions!  And for donating a book to the winner. Thanks, Miralee!!

Writing news

I have finished the first draft of Beauty for Ashes. This is a short story that will be part of a novella entitled Rendezvous at Central Park with fellow authors Dineen Miller, Kim Vogel Sawyer, and Ronnie Kendig. I believe I've mentioned the storyline before so I won't repeat it here. Anyway, next week, I hope to dive right into my next novel, Veil of Pearls.

Here's a brief summary of the story

It is 1811, and the prosperous port city of Charleston is bustling with plantation owners, slaves, and immigrants. Immigrants such as the raven-haired Adalia Winston. But Adalia has a secret: her light skin belies that she is part black and a runaway slave from Barbados. Skilled in herbal remedies, Adalia soon finds employment with a local doctor, and settles into a quiet life, thanking God every day for her freedom. Still, she lives in terror that her owner will come looking for her.

           

 Born into one of Charleston’s prominent plantation families, Morgan Rutledge is handsome, charming, bored—and enamored of the beautiful Adalia, who spurns his advances. His persistence, however, finally wins, and soon Adalia is swept into the glamorous world of Charleston high society, a world of luxury and opulence she never knew existed.  

But her new life comes at a high price—that of denying her heritage and her zeal for God. How far is Adalia willing to go to win the approval of society and the heart of the man she loves?   And when her secret is discovered, will that love be enough or will the truth ruin Morgan and send Adalia back into slavery?

Have a great weekend, everyone! And please remember to pray for Japan.

Wordless Wednesday!

My secret getaway! (I wish)

Another chance to win Surrender the Night.. good grief!

And read an interview by me:  Here at :   http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2011/03/surrender-night-marylu-tyndall-free.html

Winning him without Words - giveaway!

Instead of my usual devotional today, I have some very special guests.  Dineen Miller and Lynn Donovan. These lovely ladies have written a book called Winning Him Without Words. It is a fabulous guide for Christians who are struggling in marriages to non-Christians.  This book is very dear to my heart because I was one of those Christians for many years. My husband was an atheist during the first 12 years of our marriage.  And I would have given anything to have a book like this!!

Here's a message from Lynn:


Thank you for having me over to your place today. I have to tell you that when I began blogging five years ago, I had no idea what a crazy and fantastic journey God had in store. It’s been a wild ride filled with rich blessings and you are one of them. Thank you.
Who would have guessed that God would take my little website and turn it into a ministry for the thousands of men and women who are unequally yoked? But indeed, our God has great plans and five years later, my passion to serve this community is stronger than ever.
My co-writer, Dineen Miller and I watched the Lord take this ministry a step further this year with the launch of our book, Winning Him Without Words. This is a book written from our personal experience and from a deep place in our hearts and it presents 10 Christ-centered keys to thriving in a spiritual mismatch. Readers are encouraged to commit to Christian community, to release their spouse to God’s capable hands, to believe their marriage is blessed, to pick and choose their battles, and to continue their pursuit of a growing faith and to love their spouse with fresh enthusiasm.

In the book I share, “It matters not how we came to be in our crazy, mixed-up and unexpected marriage situations. What matters is that God desires that we honor our marriage commitment and fulfill our marriage vows through His power and His strength. There were many years of confusion, sadness and unfulfilled expectations, but I discovered it’s possible to love, live and thrive in an unequally yoked marriage.”
Both Dineen and I are Christian women who continue to live and thrive in our spiritually unequally yoked marriages and we believe that God wants every marriage to exude peace and love.
Chapters include:

• Know You’re Not Alone: (Lynn) Recognizing that we aren’t the only person living in an unequally yoked marriage is a key aspect to restoring hope. Having Christ in our lives enables us to view our husbands as the wonderful man God created, regardless of your different beliefs.
• Don’t Save Your Husband – Save Yourself: (Lynn) The best thing I ever did was to get out of the way so that Jesus could be Jesus. I relinquished control and turned my man completely over to Christ and an unexpected, peaceful freedom emerged in our marriage.
• Trade Perfection for Authenticity: (Dineen) I came to understand that many of my disappointments had come from expectations I’d placed upon him to fulfill needs he wasn’t even aware of. In the end, all I really accomplished was a heart full of resentment.
• Keep Your Armor On-You’re at War! (Dineen) Instead of putting on the label of martyr in a spiritually mismatched marriage, we need to put on the label of missionaries. We need to think of ourselves as soldiers on the front lines of our marriages. Other chapters include parenting children in an unequally yoked marriage, praying into the life of your spouse and scriptures to encourage and strengthen you.
Winning Him Without Words empowers readers to create that environment in their homes and thrive as God works.
About Winning Him Without Words:
Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. Published by Regal Books. February 2011. Trade Paper, 224 pages. $14.99.
You can find more information at our website and enter the drawing for the Marriage Trio. www.winninghimwithoutwords.com
Thank you for allowing me to share the hope I have for my marriage through the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Hugging you, Lynn Donovan

Watch the video about the book:




To go to the website and order, click here:

Leave a comment and your email address if you'd like to be entered to win this fabulous book! Even if you aren't married to a non-believer, no doubt, you know someone who is.

Thank you Lynn and Dineen for being obedient to God in writing this book that I know will bless so many people!

Win a copy of Love Finds you in Tombstone, Arizona!!

By our special guest for the day, author Miralee Ferrel!  Welcome, Miralee!

In a town where dreams are buried, does love stand a chance?

Love and second chances aren’t easy to come by in a town named Tombstone. When Christy Grey receives an urgent summons to Tombstone, Arizona, she reluctantly leaves her new life in California. The trip goes from bad to worse when four masked men hold up Christy’s stage. She finally arrives in Tombstone to find her mother ill and her brother trapped in a life of gambling. Desperate for money to support her family, will Christy bow to pressure from the local saloon owners and return to the life she thought she’d given up for good?

Nevada King has problems of his own. He’s been dodging bullets for years and wants nothing more than to settle down. But he’s on the run from outlaws bent on revenge, and the one woman who captures his interest recognizes him from the stagecoach holdup. Will Christy turn Nevada in to the authorities, or will the outlaws on his trail catch him first?

MaryLu here: I don't know about you, but that sounds like a great story!! I've read prior books of Miralee's and she's an awesome writer!

Here's a bit about Miralee

Miralee serves as president of the Portland, Oregon, chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers and belongs to a number of writer’s groups. She also speaks at women’s groups, libraries, and churches about her writing journey. When she started writing fiction Miralee believed that she’d always stay with women’s contemporary, but has since branched out to historical romance. Exploring family and marriage issues, The Other Daughter follows a family of four who receive a shock in the form of a 13-year-old girl who lands on their doorstep, claiming to be the daughter of the husband/father of the family—a girl they didn’t know existed. Finding Jeena features a character from the first book and explores socio-economic issues through a single woman’s sudden job-loss and ensuing struggle for survival. 

She’s working on her third historical romance with Summerside Press in their Love Finds You series, set in Sundance, Wyoming (it releases this August). All the Love Finds You books are stand-alone novels, and take place in a real town in America. Miralee’s first three are set in 1877, Love Finds You in Last Chance, CA, 1902, Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon, and 1881, Love Finds You in Tombstone, AZ.  The first two have a suspense thread as well as romance and the third has a higher degree of action. 

Miralee and her husband Allen have been married 37 yrs. They live on 11 acres in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where they love to garden, play with their dogs, take walks, and go sailing. Miralee also rides her horse on the wooded trails near their home with her grown daughter who lives nearby.

Where can people find out more about you/connect with you online?

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/miralee

Web site:    www.miraleeferrell.com   (you can find pictures of our research trips to the historical locations, my journey into writing, family pics and info about my books here)

Blog:          www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com  (I do occasional book give aways for my book & other authors, as well as random posts on daily life and my upcoming books)

Now, for the giveaway. In order to be entered to win a signed copy of Love finds You in Tombstone, Arizona, you must post a comment asking Miralee a question. Any question about her book, about her, about her writing process, her testimony.. whatever. Don't be shy!  

I'll draw a name next Friday.

Wordless Wednesday!

A fierce battle in a storm!

Take off those filthy rags!

 Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord (Jesus), and Satan standing at Joshua's right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! Even the Lord, Who chooses Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this returned captive Joshua a brand plucked out of the fire?  Zechariah 3

 Are you a brand plucked out of the fire?  If  you don't think you are, then you probably don't truly understand your horrible predicament before you came to know Christ.  We were all brands in the fire, filthy, degenerate, prideful,evil and headed straight toward hell. Some of us were probably much hotter than others (moi included), and took a bit more time to cool off.   :-)

Here's what these verses impressed upon me

1. It was God who plucked me from the fire. I'd still be there if He hadn't reached down and grabbed me. None of us can come to know Him unless He makes the first move. 
2. What a frightening and precarious situation I was in before God rescued me. !!! I was burning up and didn't even know it.
   
3.  Satan has access to the throne room of God and stands there accusing us day and night. But if you are God's child, God will rebuke him and not listen to him.  (Loved it when God rebuked Satan, basically telling him to shut up!)
   

Here's the rest of the passage. Picture yourself in place of Joshua, standing in the throne room of God. Jesus is standing beside you. I would guess also present are a host of angels and saints as well as the giant Cerephin who stand before the throne. And Satan is there accusing you. Trouble is, he's not lying. He's telling God about all the rotten things you did last week. The selfish things, the little lies, the jealousy, the lust, the anger, hatred... And it's all true. So, there you stand, condemned, guilty as charged. ......

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the Angel of the Lord (Jesus). And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to Joshua, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel.....So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with rich garments.... And the Angel of the Lord solemnly and earnestly protested and affirmed to Joshua, saying,    Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then also you shall rule My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you access to My presence and places to walk among these who stand here.

 Love this! Jesus cleanses you of all your sin, takes off your filthy apparel (representing your sins) and clothes you in rich, clean garments.  There's no better picture of the divine grace of God available to us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross!  So, maybe you've messed up lately. Maybe you done or said things you wished you hadn't... and you're feeling like scum. Sure, you've apologized to whoever you offended and you repented before God, but you still feel horrible, covered with guilt and shame. May I offer that you're probably listening to Satan accuse you before the throne? Stop it! If you're truly repentant, God wants to clothe you in white rich garments. He ignores the taunts of the enemy. And so should you! So, picture yourself standing before him and imagine your filthy rags being removed and a glorious white glittering gown placed over your body.  And the loving admonition of the Father, telling you to walk in His ways and keep His commandments and you will have eternal access to His presence.

And believe me, there's no better place to be!.

Vote in a Romance Novel Poll - March 5th - 6th only!

Where my book, Surrender the Night is up for Best Book Award!


LASR reviews want to know which book sounds like the best read based on their review.
Click here to read the review:

http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/surrender-night-by-marylu-tyndall.html

Click the button below to vote in the poll.  Now, I'm not suggesting you vote for my book. I have no idea what other novels are entered. Vote from your heart! 

Another chance to win Surrender the Night.. good grief!

Go to this blog, read my interview (if you want) and leave a comment.

http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/2011/03/marylu-tyndall-interview-giveaway.html

And the final winner of Surrender the Night is....

Kaitlin Rose!  Congratulations!!  And thanks everyone for entering and for your great comments.

Here are the answers to last week's quiz.

What does Alex say next?

 A, Of course, anything to please you, my dear.
 B. Need I remind you, I am an officer, not a farmer?
 C. When did I become part of your rebel American family?
 D. Tell your precious cow to sleep in today.


Most of you got this wrong and I realized later on that it was pretty hard to tell what his answer would be. Anyway, the answer is B. Most of you guessed D. Which is also a great answer and one I should have probably used in the book!

What does Rose say next?     
       A. Rose narrowed her eyes. "I'm afraid it's all we can afford."
       B.  She smiled at him sweetly. "American beds are reserved for Americans."
       C. Rose's heart sank. "I'll see what I can do for you, sir."

D. Rose grimaced. Pompous bore. “No sir. We reserve our barns strictly for odious beasts.”

Most of you guessed this right. It is D.



Anyway, it was a fun month.  I wish I could give you all a free book!

On the writing front, I'm working on the editorial changes to Surrender the Dawn. They are due Monday and I'm hoping to finish today since my hubby, who has been gone for a week on business in Japan, is coming home tomorrow.    Want a sample? For those of you who have read the first book, you're quite familiar with Luke Heaton.

 This is a snippet from chapter 2 of my next book SURRENDER THE DAWN!
Not to be released until August 2011

“Nevertheless, miss, you shouldn’t walk about town at night without benefit of an escort.”

“Lately, there are many things I’m told I should not do.”

He swayed slightly on his feet and the smell of rum once again stung her nose. “Indeed. I suffer from the same malady.”

“I doubt our situations are comparable.” She glanced at the dark frame of a schooner tied at the dock. “How did you come to my rescue so suddenly? I did not see anyone else about.”

“I was working on my ship when I spotted you across the street.”

His ship. But she’d heard no one would hire him as a captain. “A privateer?”   

Mr. Heaton gazed at the vessel bobbing in harbor and sighed. “Alas, she could be one day.” He gestured toward her reticule. “What is it you have in your reticule that would lure such rats from their holes?”

She eyed him suspiciously, wishing she could see the details of his face more clearly. “Nothing of import.” She gripped it tighter. “I had business at the Merchants coffee house.” A chill prickled her skin. Surely this man wouldn’t attempt to rob her after he’d defended her so admirably. She took a step back. “I thank you again, Mr. Heaton, but I really must be on my way.”

“Allow me to escort you home.” Closing the distance between them once again, he proffered his elbow. His massive chest spanned her vision even as his body heat cloaked her in warmth. Her breath quickened.

“There is no need.” Turning, she waved him off. “I’m sure there are no more ruffians afoot.” Except you, perhaps.

Mr. Heaton fell in step beside her. “Nevertheless, I would never forgive myself should any harm come to you, especially carrying such a fortune.”

Shock halted her. “What did you say?”

One dark brow rose. “They wouldn’t accept your money for a privateer, would they?”

Cassandra flattened her lips.

Mr. Heaton scratched the stubble on his chin. “I was aware of the proceedings at the coffee shop tonight, miss. I would have been there myself looking for investors if I’d thought anyone in town would take a chance on me as captain.” Sorrow weighed his voice.

Cassandra took in this news and allowed it to stir excitement within her. If only for a moment. But no. Even if he would take her money, Mr. Heaton was not a man to be trusted. She clutched her reticule closer and started on her way.

Clearing his throat, he walked beside her. “You have nothing to fear from me, Miss Channing. I am no thief. A gambler, perhaps, even a libertine, but no thief.”  He stumbled, but quickly leveled his steps.

Cassandra shook her head. How on earth had he managed to wield his sword so skillfully in his condition? She stopped and faced him. “You are drunk, sir.”

“Ah, yes.” He gave her a rakish grin. “How could I forget? Apparently, I’m also a sot.”

Cassandra searched for a glimpse of his eyes in the darkness, but the shadows denied her. How could he joke about such a disgusting habit?

“Wondering how I managed to fend off three men?”

“Two.” She lifted her chin. “I took care of one of them.”

He chuckled and reached up as if he would touch the loose strands of her hair. 

She began walking again. “Please leave me be, Mr. Heaton. I thank you for your assistance. Good night.”

“You should see my swordplay when I’m sober, miss,” he shouted after her.

“I’d rather not see you at all, Mr. Heaton.”

MaryLu here:  Have a great weekend!

Vist this blog for another chance to win a copy of Surrender the Night!

And read an interview with yours truly. 

http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/

And yet.. another chance to win Surrender the Night!

At this blog: http://jamiecarie.com/blog
I'll try to post all of these as they happen, just so you have a chance to get my book if you can't afford it.

On the writing front, I'm working on the editorial changes from my publisher on Surrender the Dawn. Boy, do I love Luke's story!!  I think you all will too. The changes are due on Monday so I'm scrambling a bit. Then, I must get back to work on my part of the Novella I'm writing.... more on that and the additional 4 books I've been contracted to write, later.

Another chance to win both books in my Destiny series!

Hey everyone! I'm featured on the Romantic Times blog with an article on writing from your heart! They are also giving away the first two books in my destiny series... head on over to enter. 

http://bit.ly/hcv9vA 

Wordless Wednesday!

Tell me a tale! What's happening here?