Book Giveaway, Day Six

Photo courtesy Erik Thorson copyright 2012

Yesterday was gray and subject to intermittent squalls. The weather was nasty, too. I walked around all day with a little black cloud hanging over me, occasionally blasted with a cold chill as I was pelted with a hail of discouraging news.

The rest of the family was fine, though, and when my husband came home with a new release of an animated movie, they decided to have a "movie night" with dinner. It wasn't a title that particularly interested me, so I joined them reluctantly in front of the television, determined to sit through it just to be near the gang.

About the time the monkey-thing was hit with a tranquilizer dart and started speaking in slow motion, a burst of laugher erupted from the direction of the loveseat.

Was that me? Hallelujah, I believe it was.

The Bible tells us "A joyful heart is good medicine...." Proverbs 17:22. I'm so thankful today for the gift of laughter. It makes me wonder why I don't give in to it more often, instead of giving in to the heartache that presents itself each day.

It really boils down to a choice: whether to dwell on the trials of life or live in the joy set before me.
 

A cheerful heart has a continual feast

Proverbs 15:15

Since it's the season for feasting, I think I'll choose the cheerful heart.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a free, hardcover copy of Song in the Night. There are four ways to enter the book giveaway:  leave me a comment,  "like" us on Facebook SongInTheNight.net  become a member of this blog, or send me an e-mail at thesong2008@live.com.

Song in the Night is the true account of our son's devastating spinal cord injury in 1997, the fight to keep the doctor from pulling the plug, and God's subsequent miraculous work in our lives. You will be encouraged and inspired by our story.

Book Giveaway, Day Five

Photo courtesy Erik Thorson copyright 2012

She was diminutive, classy, and sharply dressed. The twinkle in her eyes defied the gray in her hair. She sat at my dining room table and carefully took the papers out of her folder, revealing the story of her life to me in clippings of black and white.

She unsnarled the facts I had collected, slipped the missing pieces of her family history into place, and smiled sweetly as I connected the dots.

For years I have been working on a history of the place I have chosen to live out my days on earth, a nondescript railroad junction on the Nimipuu (Nez Perce) Reservation in Idaho. Its brown hills stand mute guard over the valley, as if reluctant to share its colorful past with strangers. The Clearwater River cuts through the canyon and traverses shores that once hosted Captains Lewis and Clark as they explored the vast wilderness to the ocean.

We landed here in 1963 after moving around the country many times when I was a child. It instantly became the place I set down my roots. After nearly fifty years of living here, I love this beautiful, dry, star-thistle-covered old valley more than ever.

One of my pets projects is compiling a history of Arrow, and with every new person I meet, I am more beguiled by the rich heritage it yields from its past.

Today, my heart is full of gratitude for being given such a wonderful place to live. I am thankful God took our family and set us down in a place where He knew we would best grow upward toward Him.

To those who lived here, and to those who are my neighbors, I just want to say I am a richer person for having known you.

(Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a free, hardcover copy of Song in the Night. There are four ways to enter the book giveaway:  leave me a comment,  "like" us on Facebook SongInTheNight.net  become a member of this blog, or send me an e-mail at thesong2008@live.com.)

Slightly Obsessed: From Caveman to King

Photo courtesy Erik Thorson copyright 2012

It's been a busy day on 'Til Dawn Comes. This morning I posted today's thankfulness post. Now you can go to CMADDICT.COM and join me for this Wednesday's devotional: From Caveman to King.

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement for us as we serve the cause of life.

Don't forget to check today's thankfulness post and enter the giveaway for a signed, hardcover copy of Song in the Night, the true account of our son's fight for life after a devastating spinal cord injury.

Book Giveaway, Day Four

Photo courtesty Erik Thorson copyright 2012

(There are four ways to enter the book giveaway:  leave me a comment,  "like" us on Facebook SongInTheNight.net , become a member of this blog, or send me an e-mail at thesong2008@live.com.)

Wait, it's just about to break, it's more than I can take,
Everything's about to change

-Thousand Foot Krutch

For those of us who celebrate life and work to promote the right of others to live, last night was a rough one. Forget the politics. It's not about right or left.

It's about right and wrong.

Last night's election has solidified the culture of death now permeating our society. This morning, my heart breaks at the realization that the slaughter of the innocents will continue unchecked as the right to an abortion remains the law of the land. To that will now be added a new healthcare system that will have to ration its limited resources to those most useful to society.

Don't tell me it can't happen. We lived through it.

Having nearly lost our son to rationed healthcare in another country, we've been so thankful for the wonderful medical care he now receives in the United States. With the implementation of Obamacare now secured, the future of  healthcare in America is filled with much uncertainty and is ensured of only one thing:

It cannot long succeed upon the course it is set.

Today, I am thankful that God is the Lord of life. He truly is the Blessed Controller of all things; He holds the power of resurrection and the keys to death. He grants kingdoms and dismantles nations with a word.

I am so glad our lives are in His hands. We do not depend upon governments to take care of us. We serve a bountiful, abundantly providential King who knows our needs and graciously delivers all who call upon Him.

The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,

A stronghold in times of trouble;

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,

For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 9:9-10

Book Giveaway, Day 3

Photo courtesy Erik Thorson copyright 2012

The dawn arose this morning with a yawn, unaware it was heralding in a momentous event. For those of us living in the United States of America, this is the day we select the team who will be leading this great country for another four years.

From sea to shining sea, America is voting.

Today I am thankful to live in such a country. Uncle Sam began over two hundred years ago as a radical experiment in the exercise of freedom and has risen to become the most powerful nation on earth.

As we go to the polls, we are keenly aware that our ship of state sails in stormy seas. In an hour such as this, we need leadership that is wise, decisive, and holy.

We need Jesus.

May He guide the hand of each voter, and may we support in prayer the leaders who are ushered into power today.

They'll need it.

(Be sure to leave a comment or "like" us on Facebook (SongInTheNight.net) to enter the book giveaway.)

Book Giveaway, Day 2

Today is day 2 of the book giveaway. Just leave a comment or "like" our Facebook page (SongInTheNight.net) to enter.

Children learn what they live.

And they live what they learn. Yesterday I had a vivid reminder of just how vital it is to show the generations following us how to grow their own faith. As we walk through our own struggles, we can never forget who is watching.

One of my granddaughters is a teenager. The other is perilously close to being one. The eldest is shouldering family burdens and a challenging grade level. The youngest has endured a series of frustrating health issues.

Neither one has turned to street drugs, alcohol, or the wrong crowd.

Both have turned to God for strength and comfort and victory over their very real trials. Both display a vibrant trust in their Savior.

So today my heart overflows with gratitude at seeing not only my children, but also my grandchildren turning to God when hardships enter their lives. Today I am thankful for a wonderful daughter and son-in-law who have given their daughters a living faith.

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children's children....

Psalm 103:17

Book Giveaway 2012

Photo courtesy Erik Thorson copyright 2012

Yay, we did it! This weekend we passed 5000 followers on Twitter. This year I have spent a lot of time meeting people, praying for new friends, and sharing what God has done in our lives.

It's time to celebrate! For the month of November, I'll post one thing for which I'm thankful every day. Each one of you who posts a comment telling me what you're thankful for will be entered in a giveaway for a hardcover, signed copy of Song in the Night. Just one comment on any one of my posts will enter you.

If you have trouble posting on the site, just go to the Song in the Night Facebook (SongInTheNight.net) page and "like" us to enter the giveaway.

For two chances to win, leave a comment AND "like" us!

On December 1st, we'll draw two winning names.

Thanks so much for helping us to this milestone. Blessings!

Giving Thanks, November 4, 2012

Today I'm thankful for you. I have been moved to tears more than once this past year by the kindness of total strangers who have encouraged me and prayed for our family. I am constantly amazed at the capacity of humanity to care. 

In many ways, we live in a jaded world. But tenderness, compassion, and a hunger for righteousness are very much alive in the hearts of the Godseekers. 

No wonder He loves you so much! 

In every encouraging word you have spoken, in every Scripture you have shared, in every prayer you have lifted to heaven, you have been the heart and hands and feet of the Master. You may think no one sees the efforts you give in the behalf of a hurting world. 

I want you to know that I have noticed. More importantly, God knows. Nothing you do for Him is in vain.

In this season of giving thanks, I give my most heartfelt thanks to God for all that you are, and for all you will become.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all....

Philippians 1:3-4