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Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 MSG
Helen Sunday, affectionately called "Nell" or "Ma" by her famous evangelist husband Billy Sunday, was the woman behind the man.
He was shy and insecure, needing his wife's support. They decided to leave their three older children with a nanny so that Nell could accompany Billy in his ministry.
They met shortly after Billy's conversion. He'd been a professional baseball player before he became an evangelist. Nell taught Sunday school as a teenager, became the Intermediate Department supervisor, and was influential in youth ministry.
Billy trusted her with his career. Her loyalty made her Billy's backbone. She acted as a buffer between Billy and the outside world, enabling him to concentrate on his preaching.
Later, she also spoke at women's meetings and civic organizations and became a religious figure in her own right. She answered voluminous mail and wrote a syndicated feature called "Mrs. Billy Sunday's Column," supporting greater opportunities for women.
After Billy's death, she began her 22-year preaching ministry, encouraged young evangelists, and raised funds for Christian organizations.
Bob Jones Jr. said in her eulogy, "I can hear Ma Sunday now saying, 'That’s enough of this foolishness. Let’s get down to business and talk about Jesus.’”
I agree. Let’s get down to business and talk about Jesus with believers and those who do not believe yet.
Father, I would like to be like Ma Sunday if it's Your will. Amen.
Reprinted from
The King’s Daughters
By B J Bassett
As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a
Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on
Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 -
February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.
Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper
publishers include Focus on the Family,
Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to
God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace,
WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).
She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College,
Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft
Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life,
but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion
questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published
book.
She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm
scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.
B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and
speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story;
and coauthor of a children’s devotional My
Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000
copies sold.
As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a
Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on
Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 -
February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.
Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper
publishers include Focus on the Family,
Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to
God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace,
WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).
She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College,
Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft
Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life,
but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion
questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published
book.
She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm
scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.
Book: Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way
Author: Linda Kozar
Genre: Devotional Book, Nonfiction
Release date: April 2, 2024
A perfect start to a joyful heart.
Good things from God can calm the soul and fill you with confidence. In Gimme Some Sugar, award-winning author Linda Kozar brings her southern wit and wisdom to sweeten your life with spiritual nourishment to ponder, perspective to pray about, and a touch of joy to put a smile on your face. This 90-day devotional will encourage you to set your heart and mind on God’s Word while having fun along the way. Each devotion includes
Brighten your day with a spoonful of biblical encouragement and reminders of God’s enduring love, hope, and peace.
Marilyn's thoughts:
Gimme Some Sugar, 90 Devotions to Sweeten
Your Day in a Godly Way, is an easy to read devotional. The author has included
a scripture verse, a quote from a well known individual, thought and sweet
spoonful thought to tie it all up. Some of the quotes or humorous and others
more serious to cause a deeper reflection on the Word, along with how it could
be applied to your daily life. This devotional is in a soft bound leather cover
that makes it perfect to give as a gift.
I received a complimentary copy of this
devotional from Celebrate Lit and have expressed my own thoughts.
Marilyn's thoughts:
Gimme Some Sugar, 90 Devotions to Sweeten
Your Day in a Godly Way, is an easy to read devotional. The author has included
a scripture verse, a quote from a well known individual, thought and sweet
spoonful thought to tie it all up. Some of the quotes or humorous and others
more serious to cause a deeper reflection on the Word, along with how it could
be applied to your daily life. This devotional is in a soft bound leather cover
that makes it perfect to give as a gift.
I received a complimentary copy of this
devotional from Celebrate Lit and have expressed my own thoughts.
Click here to get your copy!
Linda Kozar is an award-winning multi-published author of traditional and indie-published fiction and nonfiction books with a Southern flair. Linda and her husband Michael live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters, their wonderful son-in-law, two grands Eden and Wesley, and Gypsy their rascally Jack Russell Terrier.
The Southern life is simple, savory food, sweet tea, and family. Whether you have a twang or a drawl, or nothing at all, if you’re Southern at heart these devotions will perk you up, give you a scriptural truth to ponder, and a spoonful of inspiration to sweeten your day.
—Linda Kozar, Author of Gimme Some Sugar
Good Gracious! Company’s Coming Cheese Straws
Ingredients:
1 pound (4 cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (gotta be sharp!)
1 cup salted butter (yes to salted)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper (or white if preferred)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone sheets. Break out your box grater and go to town grating that sharp cheddar cheese on the fine side of the grater. When finished, (usually when your arm starts to hurt), cover and let it come to room temperature.
Add the butter and cheese to a stand mixer bowl and paddle beat for about ten minutes until creamed together.
Add salt, flour, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper l and mix on medium speed until fully combined.
Transfer dough to a cookie press fitted with a star tip (if you want your straws to look fancy). Or you can hand-roll long thin strips and cut into uniform lengths (about 3 inches) with a knife.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly-browned. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Its Mama Safe, May 2
She Lives To Read, May 3
Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Artistic Nobody, May 5 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 7
By The Book, May 8 (Author Interview)
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 9
Texas Book-aholic, May 10
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 11 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, May 12
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 13 (Author Interview)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 13
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 14
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 15
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2b581/gimme-some-sugar-celebration-tour-giveaway
Book: Courting an Amish Bishop
Author: Mindy Steele
Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction
Release Date: April, 2024
No One Is Ever Too Old to Love Again
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
Simon Graber became a widower and a bishop early in life. His focus is solely on his very close-knit Old Order Amish community—not entertaining the idea of marriage, despite what many of the elders think. When sickness comes to Cherry Grove, Kentucky, Simon reaches out into the next community for help. But help is beginning to look a lot like a second chance when Stella Schmucker agrees to offer her vast herbal knowledge to the sick. Can it be that these two, who have been too busy serving others to entertain the idea of love, have met at just the perfect time for an unlikely courtship?
Marilyn's thoughts: Courting an Amish Bishop is a fun read with a widower Bishop and a natural healer using teas and herbs. Stella is strong and determined with her ways for healing and assisting others. She had no problems going with Bishop Graber to his community to aid others. Their frustrations with one another was evident from the start but Stella focus was on remedies for the ill. Ellie, Stella’s hund, gave this tale humor with her antics. The unexpected events gave way to themes of letting go of past hurts, forgiveness, faith and budding romance.
I received an early copy of this book from
Celebrate Lit and Barbour Publisher for the book tour. I have expressed my own
thoughts.
Click here to get your copy!
Mindy Steele is the award-winning author and bestselling author of over a dozen novels and novellas in Christian fiction. Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon on the wall and lives in northeastern Kentucky—where many of her stories are set.
The Story Behind the Story with Mindy Steele
Courting an Amish Bishop
Sometimes the smallest detail can spark the greatest story. It can be a laugh, a flower petal, or even a cup of tea. I have always been drawn to little details and there are times when I felt God tapping on my shoulder, saying pay attention to this. So from a brief chat or set of bones found on a wooded path, stories have taken root.
For this story, it was a cup of elderberry tea late one evening that sent my thoughts to wander. I grew up on the edge of Appalachia and had learned a few herbal remedies to quickly ward off the flu or stop poison ivy before the first itch. As an Amish fiction writer, I wondered if the Amish resorted to the same such natural ways. I knew my neighbors used charcoal internally at times, as well as stockpiling burdock leaves to dry in their attic for burns and wounds, but I wanted to know more.
There is a strong belief among many that the Amish refuse modern medicine. This is simply not true. Most prefer modern medicine as a last resort. Though I once had an Amish neighbor who’d run to the doctor quite often for the least little thing.
Coincidentally, I had gone on to a summer book tour in southern Kentucky, and crossed paths with an Amish healer. She was a remarkable woman, full of wisdom and information. I have also been blessed to have Doc Sam, an Amish man, living just down the road, as well as a few Amish women willing to share their thoughts with me.
Healers have a vast knowledge that is not limited to just one thing. An Amish midwife is often sought after for more than when a child is ready to be welcomed into the world. A chiropractor, or muscle stretcher as they are called since no degree has been obtained, can tell you the best remedy for burns, womanly issues, or how to detox your liver.
Stella Schmucker was my most interesting character to write. As a woman who needed healing in her own life, it was by God’s grace she became one. As I got to know her, I knew a Bishop had to play a major part in her journey. We often think of men in such positions as stern, authoritarian, and well…old. But a man may draw the lot at as young as 30 if he has already held a position of a deacon or minister. I have seldom read a story where the bishop isn’t stern and always reminding us to follow the rules, but what we don’t see is the man under the hat! Simon reveals an outer and inner man, one struggling with loss, yet faithful in helping others. I have been waiting to write a Bishop’s story for some time, and once Stella’s life was laid out in front in me, the match was made.
I hope you enjoy this story and getting to know Ellie, my silver lab Stella borrows to entertain you. Who knows, you might even learn a few herbal remedies too.
Many blessings and good health,
Mindy
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 27
lakesidelivingsite, April 28
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 29
She Lives To Read, April 30
Texas Book-aholic, May 1
Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 3
For Him and My Family, May 4
Cover Lover Book Review, May 5
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 6 (Author Interview)
Mornings at Character Cafe, May 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 7
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 8
Holly’s Book Corner, May 9
Mary Hake, May 9
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 10
To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize package a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2b147/courting-an-amish-bishop-celebration-tour-giveaway
An Interview with Sarah Reju, Author of Coop Messes Up For parents with a little one who loves to play with cars and trucks, a new seri...