Time for getting in the Christmas spirit!

Are you getting ready for Christmas? Well, here's a really great book from an amazing author that will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit! Julie Lessman is having a contest on her blog where you can get a character named after you or a loved one in her next book! So don't be shy, go on and check out the giveaway and watch the video while you're at it. Handsome rogues vying for the attention of a beautiful young woman, a Christmas play, and one amazing story that will leave you wanting to read more of Julie's books. What more could you ask for? ;)
Hope you enjoy!

God bless,

Elyssa =)

http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots1/2013/11/8/friday-november-8-2013.html

Another Great Giveaway!

Hi, again!

Ok, I know, I know... I'm really terrible at this blogging thing. But I'm really going to try and get back to posting encouragement, Scriptures, songs, and maybe a book review here and there. We shall see! But for right now, here's the link to a really awesome giveaway! Sarah Sundin is an amazing author who writes WWII novels. You should really check them out! Vera is giving away a copy of Sarah's latest book on her blog! So go ahead and check it out... you don't want to miss out!

http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-distant-shores-by-sarah-sundin.html

God bless!

Elyssa

Awesome Giveaway!

Oh, dear... it's been a while since I've posted something.

Well, I guess I just lost track of time. But hopefully I'll get back into the habit of posting more- we shall see! =)

But enough of that for right now.

Down to business.

There's this great giveaway on a blog I follow... definitely check it out! I've read books by two of these authors (Robin Lee Hatcher and Mary Connealy), and they were awesome. This book should be LOTS of fun!

So go on, don't be shy. Click the link and see for yourself!

http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-bride-for-all-seasons-by-margaret.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChatWithVera+%28Chat+With+Vera%29

God bless, and stay cool!

Elyssa =)

Give Me Liberty...

With July 4th tomorrow, I thought I'd share some thought-provoking quotes with you guys. These just show me that not Deists, Free Masons, or atheists founded this country, but rather many Christians. It's sad to see that the children in public schools these days aren't learning about America being founded on Christian principles, but rather by people that didn't believe in the sovereignty of God- or even if He existed.

George Washington said: "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." 

I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a Free Mason to me.

Straight from one of the many men involved in fighting for liberty, Patrick Henry stated the truth that America was founded upon Christian principles: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."


Well, that right there pretty much says it all.


James Madison said: "It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage... Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe."


And finally, straight from the Declaration itself: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."


Do you think the men that came together to sign this important document that would forever separate them from the British rule would mention their Creator if they didn't believe in Him? Do you think that they just assumed that they could fight that battle by themselves? These men were striving for liberty, for freedom, and the right to be severed from the tyranny of England. They knew that they couldn't do it alone, but only with the help of God. They founded this nation upon His principles, and taught them to their children.

I am truly thankful that I am able to worship the Lord freely without worrying that someone might knock down my door and drag me off to jail. I am truly grateful that our Founding Fathers were brave enough to create and sign the Declaration with the fear of being thrown in jail and killed for tyranny against the king looming in the back of their minds. How many people would do that these days?

Well, that's just about it. I'll leave you with this question: do you think the Founding Fathers would be okay with the way our nation is run today? Honestly, I think that they're rolling around in their graves with everything going on. Sad, but true.

But anyway, I hope that you all have a safe, happy, and wonderful Fourth! May God bless you in whatever you do!

Give me liberty or give me death!
Elyssa =)

Caleb and Sol- Jesus is Better

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." ~Philippians 3:8 

Jesus. Is. Better. 

Word. 

God bless!

Elyssa =)

Food for Thought

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will."  ~Romans 12:2

This verse has been on my heart a lot these days. I'm not exactly sure why God's been giving this part of the chapter to me lately, but it's been getting me to thinking. As Christians, we are supposed to be non-conformists. This doesn't just mean that by calling ourselves Christians that we are not conforming. No, living this verse is so much more than that.

Think about everything that happens in your life on a daily basis. What consumes your mind? Are you more focused on hanging out with your friends, making sure your car is the one that everyone envies, which person likes whom, musicians, movies, or celebrities than on what is pleasing to God? Do you choose to become so consumed in your life that you don't even realize when you are grieving the Lord? Are you willing to throw your morals out the window to fit in to a group of people?

Sadly, this is true for many people that call themselves Christians. They become so obsessed with their lives, money, social standing, and posessions that they take their eyes off of the Lord. It reminds me of a song by Sanctus Real, called "Things Like You":

Everyone wants everyone else's eveything. Sometimes the more we have the less we really gain. I'm tired of life and all that money has to buy. Get out of my heart, out of my mind, leaving you behind.

Again, I'm not trying to judge here; I'm just voicing what's been on my heart and mind lately. I feel that, as Christians, we should be standing up more and more for our faith and pointing others towards Jesus. We can't show His love to people if we're acting exactly the way the world does. Think about it... as Paul said in verse 2 of Romans chapter 12, we are not to conform to the pattern of the world. We must be IN the world, but not OF it.

So there's some food for thought.

God bless!
Elyssa =)

You've Gotta Love Technology...

Oy, me and technology do NOT get along very well... I accidentally deleted all of my posts, so if you happen to see a ton of posts from me, I'm just trying to get back the important ones that I really hope will encourage you guys. Anyway, sorry if I'm a bother or anything!

Hope your weekend is great!

God bless,
Elyssa =)