Happy Mother’s Day!

I wanted to talk about two important biblical mothers today – Mary and Elizabeth! Mary, the mother who was impregnated by the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the baby Jesus. Mary’s kinswoman, Elizabeth, gave birth to John the Baptist. Elizabeth had been barren prior to being impregnated with John. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were advanced in years, and they didn’t believe they’d have children. Zechariah even questioned the validity of the news from Gabriel regarding his future son’s birth. Gabriel made Zechariah mute when he questioned Gabriel’s message.

When Mary went to visit Elizabeth to tell about Elizabeth about her pregnancy, Elizabeth felt John The Baptist leap in her womb! Wow! Mary stayed and visited with Elizabeth for three months:

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

It’s just so amazing! Both of these highly important mothers visited for three months. What do you think they discussed during this three-month visit?

I imagine that they discussed the upcoming birth of their sons. John probably leaped with joy in Elizabeth’s womb several times. Mary probably placed her hand on Elizabeth’s belly, feeling the baby kick. I’d imagine this was a time of laughter and joyful tears for both of these amazing mothers!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there!

Ordinary Secrets – Hidden Falls – Episode One

This is a new idea that’s being distributed by Barbour Publishing. Shiloh Run Studios is a line of short fiction pieces for a continuous story. I read the first episode for Hidden Falls and the story reminded me of a TV show – even reminded me of a soap opera a little bit since there were so many characters and storylines. In episode one, the story focuses on a reunion for current and former students – former students spanning 30 years of time – for high school teacher Quinn.

Many people come from out of town to see Quinn, their former teacher, honored. You get a glimpse of what these former students have been doing for the last few decades, and you also see the drama – including romances and problems – being faced by the current residents of Hidden Falls.

This story was so short that you could read it in one sitting. I read most of the story during my son’s soccer practice. I thought the story idea was unique – I’d never heard of having a reunion, inviting former townspeople, to honor a teacher. The story ended with a cliffhanger, too.

The first download is also free! Check it out if you have a chance!

Matched

***This is a secular title.

Can you imagine living in a Society that controlled what you ate? You had to rely on them to deliver your meals each day, and they dictate what you ate? Every move you make is watched, and you can’t even cook or attempt to grow your own food…how would you cope?

When I attended a Christmas party for one of my writers’ groups over a year ago, one of the attendees recommended this book. I thought it sounded like something I’d like to read since the premise reminded me of the Twilight Zone.

On Cassia’s seventeenth birthday, she attends a ball…a ball where she is matched with her future partner. Living in a futuristic, communist region, Cassia has always trusted the Society – those that rule her region.

When she views her mate, she’s shocked to see her best childhood friend, Xander. But, then his picture fades and is replaced with Ky.

The Society says they’ve made a mistake and Cassia’s ideal match is with Xander. However, she can’t get Ky out of her mind. And when she sees him, and they speak, his words opens up doors into the unknown, things that are forbidden in their region.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. However, I doubt I’ll be reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, futuristic novels, then you might like this one. I thought the setting seemed realistic for a communist, futuristic region. The people can’t even cook or get their own food, they rely on the government to deliver their food to their homes – each meal arrives encased in a foil tray, piping hot.

Can you imagine living in a Society that controlled what you ate? You had to rely on them to deliver your meals each day, and they dictate what you ate? Every move you make is watched, and you can’t even cook or attempt to grow your own food…how would you cope?