Thursday Thoughts: Guest Post by Delia Latham

Good Morning Friends,

Today I thought I'd give you a break from my random ramblings and share with you some thoughts from a dear friend of mine, Delia Latham.

DELIA LATHAM is a born-and-bred California gal, raised in a place called Weedpatch and currently living in the lovely mountain town of Tehachapi with her husband and a spoiled Pomeranian. She enjoys multiple roles as Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of Kings. She has a "thing" for Dr. Pepper, and loves to hear from her readers. Contact her through her website or send an e-mail to delia@delialatham.net. Find her also at the following online locations:

Living the Write Life (blog)

Facebook

Twitter

Amazon Author Page

Today Delia is sharing a devotion from her book, Morning Rendezvous, Devotions and Musings from My Heart to Yours....

Morning Rendezvous

by Delia Latham

©

Psalm 5:3

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

I am not a morning person.

Most of the time I'm up until the wee hours, either writing or doing something to avoid writing, and then I sleep half the morning away. I can do that now—it's one of the perks of having an empty nest.

But not on this day.

I crawled into bed sometime just prior to 3 a.m. only to have my eyes pop open at about a quarter to six. I blinked sleepily and looked to my window, noticing the colors of dawn still streaking the sky. Dawn? Huh-uh! Giving my pillow a firm, outraged plump, I turned over to go back to sleep. It was not time to get up!

"Come talk to Me.”

Just a whisper. A tiny little voice. I might have imagined it.

"Pssst! In here. I'm waiting."

He kept it up, gently nudging me. Finally I groaned and responded. "OK, Lord, I'm awake. What's the deal?"

But lying in bed pretending to pay attention wasn't working. I finally had to crawl out of my nice warm cocoon, grab my little devotion book and Bible, and park myself on the sofa for some time with the Lover of my soul. Turns out I'd been putting that at the bottom of my To-Do list a little too often, and God—being the good Friend that He is—woke me up to tell me He missed me.

I realized just how much I had missed Him too, when He snuggled me up close and whispered, "Beloved...where have you been?"

The glory of that early morning rendezvous reflected itself in every moment of that day. How could it not? The King of Kings and Lord of Lords desired my company enough to disturb my coveted slumber to get it.

I am blessed!

Precious Lord, I thank You for the times You awaken me to show me Your love. They are treasured times with You, and I hold them close to my heart. They give me strength to endure; they give me joy for the journey. You are welcome anytime you want to be with me! I invite you to come often, and stay long. Amen

Morning Rendezvous is available through Amazon in Print and on Kindle!

Well Friends, I hope you enjoyed this devotion and sneak peek into Delia's heart. 

Tomorrow I'll be guested at VB Tenery's blog, Agatha Remembered so if you have a minute, stop by!

IMW have a Blessed day!

PamT

Tuesday Treasure: Marriage by Arrangement by Anne Greene

Good Morning Friends,

It is my pleasure to bring you this book as this week's Tuesday Treasure. Anne Greene is a friend and fellow PBG author so please welcome her!

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement releases in December, 2013. A Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. She makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. View Anne’s travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com. Or at http://www.Amazon.com. Win prizes and learn about writing fiction at http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com 

A MARRIAGE COVENANT

Why does a handsome, powerful noble of the highest rank in England stoop to marry a mere Lady of Lowland Scotland?

A GREAT SECRET

Are the whispered stories about him true? With his shadowy past and strange behavior what awful secret does he hide? Each change of clothes transforms him into a different man.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

Can Lady Cailin keep her vow to make her marriage happy and successful, unlike that of her parents, or to save her unborn child, must she arrange for the Duke’s accidental death?

EXCERPT:

Castle Drummond, home of Lord and Lady MacMurry, near the Village of Kirkmichael in Lowland Scotland -– April 19, 1746

            “I won’t run.” A shudder skipped down Lady Cailin MacMurry’s spine, and she stared at her younger sister. “I’m committed.”

“It’s not too late. I heard another scandalous rumor about Duke Avondale.” Lady Megan MacMurry grasped Cailin’s arm.

            “I won’t listen to gossip.” Cailin pulled away from her sister and lifted her wedding bouquet to inhale the white rose fragrance. If only the sweet scent could overcome Megan’s words, and her own misgivings. Though most arranged marriages turned out badly, surely God would give her a loving one. After all, since her earliest years, she’d prayed for a happily-ever-after love.

            “Ask yourself why such a grand noble would stoop to marry a Scottish lass with but the title Lady? Why did he not choose an English Duchess or Marchioness or even a Countess?” Megan tilted her head and lifted elegant brows.

            Why indeed? Cailin clutched her enormous diamond engagement necklace. The thing felt heavy with responsibility. 

“The man’s an English duke. He owns palaces all over England.” Megan planted her hands on her slender, mossy-green silk covered hips. “Every noble lass in the land should be offering to give her right arm to be in your shoes. And yet they are not.”

New knots formed in the nape of Cailin’s neck. She held her finger to her lips. “Too late to turn back now. The wedding chorus has begun.” 

Marriage by Arrangement is available now from Pelican Book Group in Ebook and Print!

Well Friends, Books are always something to treasure and I hope you enjoyed today's post. Remember, the Holly Jolly Blog Hop is still going on so visit Saturday's spotlight and check out the various posts OR you can find most of them on my Pinterest board!

Until later take care, God Bless and remember.... Jesus is the reason for EVERY season!

Saturday Spotlight: Terri Weldon & Mistletoe Magic

Well, winter has officially moved into the hill country. It is freezing out there!

Today's spotlight is Pelican Book Group author, Terri Weldon with her book Mistletoe Magic.

Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince charming. She meets the man of her dreams through an internet dating service. Or is he? Because the new dentist in town sets her heart a flutter. It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99. Tyler begins to get jealous of Wes99, his online persona! Soon he's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty. As Christmas approaches Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

Mistletoe Magic is available now and part of PBG's 2013 Christmas Extravaganza!

Check out the other titles HERE!

Well friends hope you enjoyed this spotlight. Remember, I am participating in the Holly Jolly Blog Hop so check out each blog for great Christmas stories, recipes, traditions and lot's more!

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Thursday Thoughts: Bent but not Broken

Good Morning!

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the last couple of days but that wasn't the case Sunday. Cold, damp, misty....the perfect reflection of my mood.

That may sound strange to you because I always try to be upbeat and positive, but if you read my Thanksgiving post or follow me on Facebook, you'll know that Friday (the 29th) was my deceased husband's birthday which made for a tough couple of days. Add to that the workload here at the Silver Spur Guest Ranch and by Sunday I was ready to just go ahead and have that nervous break down I keep putting off.

So I took a prayer walk (hike actually since the terrain here is hilly and rocky).

Out on the trail I found this horseshoe .....

......My initial thought was, "I might be bent but I'm not broken."

So I picked it up and began to thank God for the blessings in my life, for the good I've experienced, the good to come, and for the 20 years of wonderful memories I had with Terry. 

Some say grief is a lifelong process and that we never get over losing a loved one, especially a spouse or child. Others say the cycle is five or seven years. 

I believe grieving is a personal thing and everyone heals in their own way and time. Some assimilate the feelings and move on quickly, others take years to do so. Some never recover. 

Not sure how long it'll take me to "get over" his death or stop grieving, but I have come a long way. Although I still have moments or days of profound, intense emotion, I am grateful that they are less frequent.

This horseshoe sits on my desk with the other treasures I've found out on the trail and will serve as a reminder that no matter what life throws at me, I am strong enough to bend without breaking.

No matter what you may be grieving (the loss of your spouse, child, parent, job, marriage) take heart and remember.... You might be bent but you are NOT broken.

Something to think about!

"Inspirational with an Edge!" ™

Tuesday Treasure: Gifts from the Heart

Hello Friends,

Well, here it is, the first Tuesday in December. Thanksgiving is over and folks are focusing on Christmas and wondering what to give to loved ones this year.

I've shared posts in the past about handmade gifts and Christmas ornaments I've created to share with family and friends, but today I'd like to share with you another idea....

Note Cards created by my dear friend, Peggy Borel.

These beautifully designed cards are created out of photos from Peggy's original artwork and left blank on the inside so you can share your heart with the recipient.

These are not the only designs she has and I'm sure she'll be creating more!

So if you're stumped for a gift, how about writing a letter inside one of these beautiful note cards.

However you choose to gift your loved ones, choose from the heart.

Thanks for stopping by. Drop in often for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course Saturday Spotlights!

Until later...take care, God Bless and remember....A gift from the heart is in and of itself a gift of art.

Pamela S Thibodeaux

"Inspirational with an Edge!" ™