2016 Goals

At this time of year, it seems like everyone is making New Year’s Resolutions they won’t be able to complete. I prefer making goals rather than resolutions since goals are things aimed for rather than resolving to do them. Last year I made ten goals. Check out last year’s post to see how I did. In case you are curious, here is the review of 2015 that WordPress made for me: https://faithblum.wordpress.com/2015/annual-report/. It’s pretty interesting to see some of those stats.

And now for my goals for 2016:

1. Publish two novella collections, three novellas, and two novels.
2. Read at least half of the writing books I own.
3. Be more conscientious of the time I waste on the computer.
4. Finish the study of Revelation.
5. Read through the Bible in a year.
6. Learn at least one new classical song on the piano.
7. Be better about responding to emails.
8. Finish the sewing projects I’ve put off, including my quilted dress.
9. Write at least one informational blog post every other month
10. Keep on top of church activities I am involved in.

I would love to hear from you to help me keep accountable. Feel free to ask me to help you keep accountable as well. What are some of your goals for 2016?

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How Great our Joy, part three

Part three of my Christmas story. If you haven’t read part one and part two, please do so before reading this section.

The Halberg’s spent the next few hours in prayer as other people drifted in and out waiting for their own family members and then leaving to visit their injured.

Three hours after arriving, a doctor came in. “Are you Virginia Halberg’s family?”

Mr. Halberg stood. “Yes, we are.” He looked around the room. No one else was there.

“Won’t you please sit back down?” the doctor asked. “I’m Doctor Rodgers.” When they were all seated, he spoke again, “We did everything we could, but the bullet must have ricocheted. When it entered her body, it went in multiply places, including a piece that lodged an eighth of an inch from her heart. I left that one for last, but by then, she was gone. I’m sorry. The only consolation I can give you is that she died with a smile on her face. I’m not sure why…”

Margaret beamed. “That would be because she saw Jesus.”

Doctor Rodgers jerked his head her direction. “What?”

How Great our Joy, part two

Part two of my Christmas story. If you haven’t read part one, please do so before reading this section.

“Margaret, where is your sister?”

Margaret’s eyes grew wide as she looked around her, then back at her father. “I thought she went to find you.”

Margaret’s parents exchanged a frightened glance. “Let’s stay together to find her.”

They pushed their way through the crowded street. The Christmas Bazaar was especially crowded this year because of the unusually warm weather and the decision to move it outside.

Life is short

Today I learned of the death of a friend. Although I had never met her in person and didn’t know her well, she touched my life. I had the privilege of proofreading three of her books and can heartily recommend them. I believe she is in heaven praising and worshiping God, but it is still sad for all of us that we will no longer see her beautiful smile, have her input, or find out more about the characters in the series she was writing.

Jess Strong’s death reminded me that life is short. I already knew that having heard of or known people who have died suddenly who were in their 20s and 30s, but this one really hit home hard. Life is short. We do not know the day or the hour of our death or of Jesus’ return. Are you truly ready to face God’s judgment seat?

If you are, Praise the Lord! Are you telling others about Jesus? If you aren’t and you would like to be ready, it is quite simple.

In Acts, when Paul and Silas were asked “What must I do to be saved?”  Their response was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.   And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.”

Earlier in Acts, Peter told the crowds he was preaching to: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Repentance means turning completely from your sins.  If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for your sins to give you the free gift of eternal life, and you feel convicted of your sins, you are one step closer to being saved.  At this point, you have two directions you can go.  One, you can ignore God’s conviction and keep living in your sin.  Or two, you can turn to him, confess your sins, repent of your sins and “go, sin no more.”

Now, I do want to clarify one thing before I go on.  This does not mean you will be sinless.  You will still sin, you will still have problems, but you will also have Jesus Christ, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit in you helping you as often as you need the help and ask for it.

All you have to do is lay your heart before Jesus’ feet.  Talk to him and tell Him what you want.

How Great our Joy, part one

Today, Wednesday, and Friday, I am posting three parts of a short story I wrote for Christmas. It’s a very different type of Christmas story, but I hope you enjoy it.

How Great our Joy!

Christmas. A time for family, food, and fun. But what happens when tragedy strikes?

Ginny ran as fast as her small legs could carry her. Why had she left her parents and sister to look at the silver ornaments? She scraped her hands and knees on the ground as the man chasing her landed on top of her with a thud. She tried to scream, but nothing came out.

The Bartered Bride: A review (Plus giveaway)

Today, we have a new book from Lena Goldfinch! In this blog post, you will find a review of The Bartered Bride, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Enjoy!

About the Book

COLORADO 1880
Jem Wheeler has always been a survivor. He just wants to make a fresh start in Colorado Springs after the loss of his wife. But then he happens upon a young mute woman being sold off to the highest bidder. He wasn’t looking for a mail-order bride. He wasn’t looking to rescue anyone either. But desperate circumstances can drive a good man to do things he hadn’t planned on doing…

When Jem steps into Annie’s life, she’s not expecting anyone to save her. Mute from birth, she’s just using all her wits to survive. All she’s ever really wanted is a family of her own. For someone to see her. To look at her long enough to hear the things she can’t say.

Can a rescued bride who can’t speak communicate her love for a grieving widower and his little girl? Will her love ever be returned?

The Brides Series #3

Note: Each book in The Brides Series can be read as a stand-alone novel, but reading in order will provide a more complete reading experience.

Taking a deep breath

November is over and December is already almost halfway done. Where does time fly? I don’t remember if I mentioned it on here or not, but I did NaNoWriMo again this year. And won with just over 60,000 words. I did not write a novel, however. I finished one novella and wrote two others. I am very excited for all of these novellas.