Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. ~Luke 24:15Jesus never sends a man ahead alone. He blazes a clear way through every thicket and woods, and then softly calls, "Follow me. Let's go on together, you and I." He has been everywhere that we're called to go. His feet have trodden down smooth a path through every experience that comes to us. He knows every road, and knows it well: the valley road of disappointment with its dark shadows; the steep path of temptation down through the rocky ravines and slippery gullies; the narrow path of pain, with the brambly thornbushes so close on each side, with their slash and sting; the dizzy road along the heights of victory; the old beaten road of commonplace daily routine. Everyday paths He has trodden and glorified, and will walk anew with each of us. The only safe way to travel is with Him alongside and in control.
~Springs in the Valley
I'd love to give away these two new devotional books to two of you readers. Years ago I started a morning devotional habit with prayer time that has become my favorite part of each day. If you'd like, please leave a comment below and note which book you'd like to be entered for ~ or both! I'll leave this post up till next Wednesday, January 5th and announce the names then. Bless you all and happy new year!
Happy New Year, Laura! What a lovely way to start off 2011. Such an uplifting post and a poignant reminder that He not blazed the trail ahead, but walks beside us now. I'd love a chance at either devotional book. Thanks for offering them!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Laura! It's so good to have you back! :D I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season!
ReplyDeleteI would love the opportunity to read The Sheep of His Hand. Thank you! :)
~Amber
stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net
Happy New Year! Isnt this always a fun time of the year! Time to look back and see where you've been and think about where you want to go. I think the quote you shared is perfect for that!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited that this year we'll have another book :) I cant wait to follow along on your writing journey. And I'm curious to see where my art journey leads me, its anyone's guess ;)
These books look great! I think if my name does get drawn, you'll probably know which would fit me best, so I'll let you choose ;)
Happy New Year!~
Happy New Year, Laura! I'm trying to be more than just sporadic with my devotional readings. I would love to read Babes With a Beatitude. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI loved the message you started your post with. What an amazing thought that He goes in ahead and then calls us to follow.
ReplyDeleteMy only question is why is my brain such a sieve? These things go in and fall right out!
Have you any bible studies or devotionals that you found greatly improved your prayer life as well?
I'd love either of these books and I thank you for the suggestions.
It's been so nice to get to know you a bit more through our shared interests and not just as an author that I greatly admire for her writing.
Debra
Thank you, Laura. I love that He goes before us, behind us, all the while holding us up in His Everlasting Arms. The challenge is keeping our eyes on Him always. One of His promises is He is with us always. (Deut. 31:8)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift you had having the entire month with your family. Welcome back!
Thank you for offering the devotionals.
Laura
Please enter me, you know Laura I follow you every where, LoL
ReplyDeletemamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
So glad you made it back to WA and that your blog is up and running again! Missed it! Looking forward to sharing 2011 with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the excerpt. I especially liked this sentence:
ReplyDeleteThe only safe way to travel is with Him alongside and in control.
Words a control freak like me, really needs to be reminded of on a regular basis.
Happy New Year to you, Laura! Please enter me for Babes with a Beatitude. I like the title, and it just sounds wonderful.
mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net
Laura, I hope you had a blessed Christmas season and thoroughly enjoyed the time with your family. I wish you all the best in 2011.
ReplyDelete.Happy New Year!! I am so ready for this new year and all the wonderful books it will bring. I'd love to read the Babes with a Beatitude devotional!
ReplyDeleteI so prayed your mini blog break gave you the time you needed to find heart and meaning in every experience around you this holiday season. Welcome back!
I was so glad to read this post about my forerunner today, Laura. It encouraged me and reminded me of one of my favorite verses: "Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21) Please enter me in the giveaway for The Sheep of His Hand. Thanks so much! reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Laura! Thanks for the great reminder. :) I'd love a chance to read either book, thank you for the opportunity! ruthellenanderson (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Thank you for
ReplyDeleteoffering these two devotionals...
I'd like to win either one! I enjoy your
site, and am so glad to see you back!! I started the book, Christy, from your book list over the holidays. Thank you... great,
great read!
Happy New Year, Laura! We look forward to seeing what the Lord does in your life this year, as you are such a blessing to so many of us!
ReplyDeleteI love that Steams in the Valley passage and sent it to my Mom to encourage her. I think I'd like to keep it foremost in my own thought for a while, always, actually. It reminds me that sometimes we think we are forging our own way, especially when we are putting so much effort into something. It brings to mind a deer run when adventures in the woods thinking they have found their own new trail and the way has already been cleared for them. But it is the Lord who goes before us and clears the path for us to obediently follow.
Happy New Year, Laura!! Thank you for sharing these beautiful words with us- it was just what I needed today, my friend, you have no idea. I love that you start your day with the Lord in devotions! I've done that sporadically throughout the years, but I really want that to change in 2011- definitely a resolution of mine! There is something so special and strengthening in meeting with your greatest Friend every morning :) This post also brought Psalm 37:31 to mind: "The law of His God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide."
ReplyDeleteBoth of these books look awesome and I thank you for giving us a chance to be blessed by them :) I would love a chance to read The Sheep of His Hand!
Praying you have a beautiful week in Jesus!
Blessings,
Amanda
That was absolutely beautiful Laura. I so appreciate reading that today. Very much needed. :) If I happen to win I would love to just be surprised. :) Thanks much Laura!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me to win both. They both sound great!
ReplyDeleteruthaw_1974@yahoo.com
Thank you for your thoughtfulness in sharing the devotionals- I would love to read either one.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Courting Morrow Little- I loved it! The lesson on forgiveness and the love between them- and then especially Louis! Can't wait for your next book.
I wanted to share that whenever you post these I am so blessed by the quotes, but equally blessed by the insights others share in the comment section. This time it is Carla that speaks to my heart with her thoughts of a deer run. What a great picture of what the Lord does for us!
ReplyDeleteKav, I'm so glad the devotional books appeal to you. I have sure benefitted from them over the years. It's funny how certain ones minister to you in different seasons of your life. Right now I'm reading Streams in the Desert which I thought was reading material for my mother years ago! Wow, was I wrong! Anyway, your name is in the hat. Bless you today and thanks so much for chiming in! I love the thought that He's walking right beside us, too.
ReplyDeleteAmber,
ReplyDeleteOh, I think you'd love TSOHH! I had a hard time pacing myself and wanted to gobble the whole book up in one sitting:) This book reminds me of Casey as I think it's she who has tended sheep. I have another one of Suzanne's books coming on the Psalms and can't wait to get started. Bless you and so good to see you here again! I hope 2011 will be your best year yet:)
Heather, If I had my choice, you would definitely be a babe with a beatitude:) It's a great book - I picked it up in Monterey so has some good memories attached. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the new year holds for you art-wise, too! Anything-wise, actually! Thanks for being so faithful here and checking in. It sure blesses me on a regular basis! And I feel so blessed to get a dose of creativity when I check in at yours!
ReplyDeleteMary, You'd love this book:) Into the hats for BWAB:) I'm so glad you're back online! Computer issues are such a stress but it sounds per your last post that you enjoyed the break and P and G kept you plenty happy and busy with holiday fare. Bless you bunches!
ReplyDeleteDebra, I laughed at the "sieve" comment. Is it just our age or hormones or what?! Funny thing is, I have reread some devotional books two years in a row and they always seem fresh and new to me:)
ReplyDeleteAs for those books that have helped me the most, Beth Moore's Praying God's Word has really blessed me as has all of her Bible studies. Right now I'm really into Streams in the Desert for mornings and Springs in the Valley for evenings. They've been updated as they are about 100 years old. As for prayer, the Ludy books Amanda and Julia mention here sound really life-changing.
Thanks so much for keeping in touch. You're so busy I know it's hard to do but I truly appreciate your presence here!
Laura,
ReplyDeleteYou said something so important - that our challenge is keeping our eyes on Him. YES! Bless you for that. It's all about our focus. And mine has been off-center lately. Waht a blessed reminder for you to include that verse from Deut.! So glad you find the devotionals appealing. I'm so pleased to put your name in the hat:)
Edna, I'm so glad you follow me everywhere:) My pleasure to enter you in the drawings. Hope 2011 is a blessed year for you in every way!
ReplyDeletePatti, Well said! Looking forward to sharing 2011 with you, too:) Love all this book talk and making the journey with you. It would be a lonely road without fellowship, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteI think you'd love the babes devotional. I do, only I feel I'm a little old for it! I can't even get into the posture of the girl on the cover!
We think alike as the italicized line you mention is my favorite, too. Definitely need the "alongside and in control" part. Being a control freak also (reforming slowly), this really speaks to me. Surrender is key.
Bless you for chiming in here. Always a better day when you're in it!
Keli,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. It's kind of awesome hovering on a new year with all the unknowns. I'm praying this year brings all of us closer to Him and nearer to what He's called each of us to do. Thanks so much for being here!
Gillian,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are here! BTW, I think your lovely name belongs in a novel! You're in the hat for the babes devotional. I think you'd love it.
Thanks for saying such thoughtful things about my time away. I was a bit afraid nobody would be here when I came back:) So I'm thrilled you are! It really was a time of rest and focus on family. I hope your holiday was wonderful and you feel refreshed and ready for the new year!
Renee Ann, Love the verse you quoted. It really does comfort the heart to believe that He is saying that to us if we will only listen! I think you'd love TSOHH. When Jesus talked about us being like sheep and His being a shepherd, He couldn't have picked a more perfect analogy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for blessing this blog with your comments.
Ruth! I can tell your new year is off to a great start as your blog has been both busy and happy:) I'm so glad to put you in the hat for the devotionals. I think you'd love both!
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteI'm smiling in a big way over hearing you like Christy! It's such a beloved, timeless book - one that impacted my writing in a huge way. So, so glad you're enjoying it!! Thanks for telling me:)
Your name is in the hat for both books! Bless you today!
Carla, Like Julia said, your comment was something she needed and appreciated so much. Your key word for me was "obediently follow." Without complaining, I might add! I have a long way to go this year...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you could share the Streams quote with your mom. It's one of my favorites now. The old language is beautiful, I think. Am looking foward to hearing more about your writing journey this year - and holding your book in my hands!!
Amanda, Thanks for the beautiful verse - love that "none of his steps shall slide"! Everyone's input here makes for a very encouraging rest stop. We all have so many struggles and issues that can't even be addressed on a blog so it's wonderful we can glean a bit from a quote or minister to each other with a verse or insight. I appreciate that more than I can say. And it sounds like you do, too!
ReplyDeleteIt IS wonderful to start your day with your greatest friend. I must admit when my boys were small my devotional time was hit or miss or not at all! But the last few years I've discovered what meeting with Him in the morning does for me. I like the Lord's "covering" on the day before I begin. I really feel His presence when I start the morning with Him and am better able to handle what life throws at me. Well, some days are better than others:) Life requires a lot of courage and sometimes I'm not up to the task. But He is.
I think you'd love the sheep book. I sure do! If Randy would let me, I'd raise sheep:) Something about those little lambs...
Bless u today!
Casey, Love your expectant attitude about either book:) I struggle with giveaways because I want everyone to be the winner and then I remember that the Lord has someone in mind for a particular book. Like when you won TFD and Julia won CML! I think more than the book(s) it was about fellowshipping here via our blogs. And I'm so thankful. So your name is in both hats, so to speak:)
ReplyDeleteRuthHill, I think you'd love either:) Thanks so much for commenting and saying so! It's always great to see a fresh name here!
ReplyDeleteYee-Fan, Can you sense me smiling from ear to ear?! I'm so thrilled you liked Morrow's story and the theme of forgiveness woven in. I don't know why all my books are about forgiveness, maybe because it's something I've struggled with over time. Bless you for making my day and saying you enjoyed the story!
ReplyDeleteYou also said something else that touched my heart. You liked Louis! I think he needs his own story:)
So happy to put your name in for the drawings. It's a joy to start the new year with you!
Julia, You are so good at checking back in and encouraging people. I think that must be your spiritual gift (one of them:). It's such a blessed thing!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Laura,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
These devotional books sound fantastic.
You are a special person whom God has given the gift of being a sweet person. Not many people are like that.
Blessings,
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com
Wanda/Trinity Rose,
ReplyDeleteLikewise, so sweet of you to say that! God does give us the gift of kindness like you said - a much needed trait in a cold world. I'm so happy to have you in the drawings - I think these 2 devotionals are just tops and a great way to start off the year. Hoping you are doing well and enjoying the start of 2011!
Just thought I'd follow-up with this from Our Daily Bread. Sometimes it's someone saying something in a different way that strikes a chord - it certainly dovetails with what we've been talking about here.
ReplyDelete"We were created to be in relationship with God; and when we take that relationship to an intimate level, it bonds us not only to His presence but also to His strength. Prayers that express our hurts and emotions are most assuredly welcomed by God because they demonstrate our trust in Him. We will often find perspective, and nearly always come away comforted, knowing we've entrusted the things that are troubling us - whether criticism or deep desires - to the One who is best able to sort through them."
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI read that in Our Daily Bread yesterday and it really spoke to me, because our son is going through a divorce and trying to get custody of his son (our first grandchild). So I'm going through a lot of hurt and emotions. Having you post this at this time really has strengthened me and lets me know God is really listening and is there to help me.
Thank you so much Laura
Oh, Laura I love what you posted from Daily Bread this morning. I cannot tell you how much I needed to read that. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh, and what you said about the pose on the cover of Babes with Beatitudes, I think I could probably get into that pose. Now, the real question is could I get back up. ;)
Good words from The Daily Bread, Laura. One thing I have learned is that God understands how I feel and what I want better than I do myself. So when I go to Him, He helps me see those things more clearly--if I let Him!
ReplyDeleteWanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found those repeated words confirmation that God is there for you and very involved in your family situation. I'm so glad you took time to share that here and please know I've already prayed for your son, grandbaby, and all involved. Prayers will continue for you, also. My heart hurts for you but I know He will guide and protect you all. Bless you so much and please stay in touch.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteGod is SO good because He just proved Himself once again by speaking to you, me, Renee Ann, and Trinity Rose/Wanda through this. I'm so thankful you needed those words like we did. I found them so moving last night and couldn't wait to post this morning.
And lol (I needed to laugh today) about that pose! I am glad you can get those legs up there. I can't get them up or down:)
Renee Ann - YES! If we let Him! Oh, the lessons I've learned and am learning about that...
ReplyDeletehey, you're back!! I've been on a blog break for most of Dec. too. It was nice. So glad to hear that your brother made it home for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love my devotion time also. God is really speaking to me lately. It's exciting.
Either book would be great. Thanks, laura!
Lisa, So happy you're here and hearing from Him personally! What an amazing way to start off the new year! I know there must have been plenty of holiday fun at your house with your 4 littles (or not so littles) and all that baking and such:) Will have to come over and see what you've been up to. Your name is in both hats:)
ReplyDelete