Author Pat Simmons: "What She's Grateful For This Christmas."

What I’m Grateful This Christmas

By author Pat Simmons

Is it possible to be grateful for the same thing year after year? If not, let me break protocol.

Last year around Memorial’s Day, my son, Jared, was involved in a horrific car accident. He was a passenger in an SUV. The driver was racing down a busy street in speeds excessive of one hundred miles her hour. The vehicle crashed into a pole, rolled over, and exploded. His friend was ejected from the SUV. This time last year, I was praising the Lord for sparing his life when during the same night, other wrecks killed people.

A few days ago, my son, who is twenty-five, and I revisited that life-alternating day. Jared told me a woman who was traveling behind that SUV was an eye-witness to the accident. She didn’t know Jared at the time, and she described how his foot was shaking uncontrollably as it hung from the twisted metal of the SUV.
Most bystanders thought Jared was dying, so did the investigating officer. Even the reconstruction team was dispatched then turned away. God snatched him and the driver from Satan’s death grip that they should live. Read the complete story in my June 2008 newsletter at www.patsimmonsnewsletters.blogspot.com, and view pictures of Jared and the vehicle’s remains at photos.www.patsimmons.net entitled Jared.

So, here I am again, another Christmas, not only grateful for my material possessions: money, clothes, a house, car (well when it starts anyway) and my spiritual benefits of salvation, but I have no doubt next Christmas and the Christmas after that, and even as many Christmases as the Lord Jesus will give me that I’ll continue to be grateful for one thing—how God miraculously spared my son’s life.

About the Author
Pat Simmons is the author of the national bestselling and award winning "Guility Series". Her latest release Not Guilty of Love is avaliable wherever books are sold. You may learn more about Pat at www.patsimmons.net

What I'm Most Grateful For This Christmas

When I asked my guests to visit and share the thing they were most grateful for this Christmas, I had no idea what a huge task I had asked of them. That is of course until I had to sit and do it myself. It’s been a great year. It seems impossible to narrow the best of it all down to one thing. I mentally ran through a list of ten incredible blessings; things that happened for me personally and professionally. I moved out of a very demanding 9 to 5 position into something that’s much less stressful and mentally draining. My husband and I amicably decided to call it quits on our failing marriage. It’s been a peaceful transition back to singlehood and God has carried me all the way. Then there are the things related to my writing. I thought of the people that came into my life with gifts of wisdom large enough to fill a Santa sack. Authors, readers, book clubs, and reviewers who I’ve connected with as a result of this blog; new associates on various Yahoo Groups, and Internet radio; my new family at Urban Christian Books and my clients at Legacy Editing. It seems even my creativity was on overdrive this year. I’m so excited about my upcoming writing projects I could just bust, and the contributions I’ve made to other projects has also given me a rush. There are so many more blessings I could list, but I realized in the end no matter what great thing came to mind, my thoughts would always come back to my children. So what I’m most grateful for this Christmas is my two sons, Aaron and Micah; their health, their awesome personalities, and the love they give back to me every day.

Thanks so much for visiting me at Urban Christian Fiction Today. Merry, Merry Christmas to You!

Blessings,

Rhonda

What I'm Most Grateful For This Christmas

What I’m grateful for this Christmas is multi-faceted. I’ll begin with my immediate circle. My family is still healthy and we’re all together. My children are both excelling in their high school classes. God has provided for our needs and given my husband and I extra jobs when we need the additional income. My husband and I are more in love than ever. We’d weather some storms over the past few years but God has brought us through them. There is so much more I could say about my family but those are the highlights.

In regards to being an author, I am grateful that I had my first book in print this year and it has been very well-received, thank the Lord. Because of the edgy content I wasn’t sure how that would go, but the people have spoken and they want real fiction and not stuff that is unrealistically chipper. Real life hurts, but there is also healing in Christ. I love writing about those things that touch the hearts of everyone around me. And many non-Christians have discovered my book. I’m praising God for that, too, because I want so badly to reach the lost. God showed me this is one way to reach people who I would otherwise never meet.

I’ve also become Editor in Chief of Christian Fiction Online magazine and have had many talented columnists write articles since the debut issue in July. This month, Stacy Hawkins Adams will be providing food for thought in the multicultural fiction column, which is one of my favorite columns, so check it out y’all.

About my book Second Glances series – all titles by Michelle Sutton

There are three titles coming from Sheaf House publishers.

It's Not About Me - When a young woman's future is destroyed by a senseless attack, two brothers who say they have her best interests in mind fight to win her heart.

It's Not About Him Sept 2009 - When a young woman places her fatherless infant for adoption, her best friend tries to persuade her to marry him and keep her child.

It's Not About Her (not contracted yet, but planned release date is Sept 2010) - When an unassuming, plain girl befriends a young man who only dates beautiful people, she longs to have him love her...until he starts looking her way.

Michelle Sutton’s website http://www.michellesutton.net/


Her blog is http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/


Her social site is http://edgychristianfictionlovers.blogspot.com/


Her online magazine is http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/

Her novel, It's Not About Me is available by clicking below!

Christ a Gift to You

Christ His Gift to You

A gift worth opening

NOW WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [astrologers] from the east came to Jerusalem, asking,

Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.

And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts--gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 10:1, 2, 11 Amplified

No one can out beat God on giving. No matter how much money you possess, you can not give more than the Lord. We are approaching another Holy season in which many of us have had to revaluate what the true meaning of Christmas is. When I was a child growing up I loved Christmas and still do. Even though I received all those wonderful gifts I never asked my mother why I didn’t give a gift to God since it was suppose to be his birthday. For weeks leading up to Christmas I couldn’t wait to see all those gifts under my tree. Just like all kids I would go and snoop for the gifts that had my name on them; shake the box and try to guest which one of the ten things I had asked for was inside. How excited I was. Oh I couldn’t wait. The closer it got to Christmas the more excitement built up within my heart. All I knew it was a time for me to receive.

I didn’t really understand the true meaning of Christmas until I was much older. Christmas is a time for giving but we must understand it is not about us giving to each other but giving to God the one who gave the ultimate gift of His son Jesus Christ.

Inside God’s gift, so indescribable I can only give you bits and pieces to what this gift actually entails. When Christ is presented to us we only think of Him saving us from our sins but that is just a prelude to all He has provided for us. The Greek word for salvation is “Soteria” which is translated rescue, safety, deliver, health, saving, to save. When I accepted the gift that God had presented to me I accepted the benefits that come alone with the package. Not only can He save me from my sins but He provides deliverance, healing, forgiveness, wholeness, peace, joy, mercy and grace.

If God has given us such a wonderful gift what on earth can we give back to Him? Believe it or not God wants you! Just like God presented Christ to the world, you can present yourself to God. He doesn’t want your good works but He does want your heart.

When you give your heart to God, what you are presenting to Him is your very life. God gave us His best by sending Christ to die for the world, so this season do something you haven’t done before, give yourself to God and God will give you a life worth living.

Instead of giving gifts that will tarnish and get old, present to your family, friends and loved one the greatest gift of all and that is Jesus. Just as excited I was when I was a child to get all those gifts, I’m even more excited today about sharing the gift of Salvation with the world.

Many Blessings,

Paulette Harper

About the Author

Paulette Harper is the Author of “That Was Then, This Is Now, This Broken Vessel Restored”. A heart-wrenching account of one woman’s true story of determination, loss and triumph. In her book, she outlines how a heart attitude of surrender allows God to use a broken vessel for His ultimate plans of Glory.
A native of Pittsburg, Ca, Paulette travels as an inspirational speaker teaching people how to overcome life’s unexpected experiences by delivering a strong message of hope.Her passion is to lead people to a clear and precise understanding of how life challenges can become one’s ultimate source of victory by sharing solid, biblical principles that will enable people to find a way out of every trial so they can reach their God given potential.

She has been featured on Comcast Channel 26, Gospel Search TV, San Francisco Radio Station KPOO, Artistfirst Radio Station, Access TV Channel 29 San Francisco, Grace and Mercy Magazine and on aakulturezone.com.

Paulette resides in Northern California and is a member of NewBirth Church in Pittsburg under the leadership of Pastor Carl Smith.For more information about “That Was Then, This Is Now visit http://www.bvministry.org/ or www.myspace.com/pauletteh

What I'm Most Grateful For This Christmas

I am most grateful that God has given me another year to experience motherhood with my daughter, Selah. I can honestly say that every day on this planet is a miracle for me. And I am so thankful I am here to see her grow and help her grow. Now if some of her sweetness could rub off of me...

Dee Stewart

Dee battles daily with heart disease. She writes Christian Fiction Blog to support writer’s of Christian Faith. She started Christian Fiction Blog in 2004 to help other writer’s deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of book promotion and book events marketing while still running a household and increasing in spiritual maturity. Today Christian Fiction Blog receives on average 10,000 hits a month. Dee is also the Atlanta satellite for Mocha Readers Books, an Essence Magazine Reporting bookseller, and for the past three years she has served as a Christys Book Awards Judge. Her writing has appeared in: Gospel Today, Precious Times, Anointed, Hope for Women, Rejoice Atlanta, Romantic Times, Spirit Led Woman, Mosaic Literary Journal, Atlanta Christian Family and Spirit Led Writer to name a few.

What I'm Grateful For This Christmas

What I'm most grateful for this Christmas is this anointing that God has given me to write these books. I'm still amazed with every email I receive where someone says my book touched them. I'm still shocked when new authors say they write because of me. I feel so honored that God chose me and my fingers. And on top of that to have such wonderful friends and supportive family - is there anything else that anyone needs?

Victoria was the receipient of two African American Literary Awards in the categories of "Best Fiction Book" for her most recent release, Too Little, Too Late and "Best Female Author" for 2008. Congrats to you, Victoria.

Make sure to share one of her great books as a Christmas present this year. A good book makes a great gift!

You may learn more about Victoria by visiting http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com/ for women's fiction or http://www.divinedivas.com/ for her phenomenal teen series.

What I'm Grateful For This Christmas

I'm grateful for the simplest of things this year, as well as for the opportunity to be living at a time when historic changes are sweeping our world.

Seeing the first black president elected and watching the preparations leading up to his inauguration have been a gift. My sister's miraculous return from the brink of death this past spring was a joyful reminder of God's awesome power and grace.

Knowing that God is my protector and provider during these uncertain economic times has kept me centered amid the media's cries of doom and gloom.

Reflecting on all that I've mentioned, I can't think of one trinket that would mean more or give me more joy this Dec. 25. Everything I've experienced this year has left me more grateful than ever for the birth of a very special babe 2,000 years ago. On Christmas morning, I'll celebrate Jesus’ birthday with my family, watch my children's glee over what they find under our tree, and spend the day building memories that will leave me even more thankful when I remember Christmas 2008 many years from now.

Christmas blessings to you and yours!

Stacy Hawkins Adams is the author of three bestselling novels, Speak to My Heart, Nothing But the Right Thing, and Watercolored Pearls. Her new title, The Someday List will be available on January 1, 2009.

The Someday List –
Rachelle Covington has it all. A fabulous home, a handsome and prestigious husband, two beautiful children, and a place in the upper crust that's quite comfortable. But her life is not all it's cracked up to be. When her husband goes away on business and the kids are sent off to the grandparents for a month, Rachelle takes up the challenge of a dying friend to start a list of things to do before she dies. She heads back to Jubilant, Texas, to reconnect with her past, her purpose, and herself. But when her ex shows up in town looking very fine and very single, Rachelle must confront feelings she thought she'd long buried. Will she give up everything to recover the past? Or will she find a reason to plan for the future.

Visit Stacy at http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/

What I'm Most Grateful For This Christmas

Grateful for the Gift

As leaves turn from red to yellow then fall to the ground our thoughts turn toward one of the most celebrated holidays of the year, Christmas.

It is during this time that the preoccupation of what we can give overshadows what has been given. In the name of capitalism, the blitz to capture our shopping dollars literally begins one day past Halloween. Evidence of the now legislated holiday is heard in the extension of the politically correct offering of Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas.

In spite of society’s determination to publicly remove Christ from Christmas, I am eternally blessed for the unconditional love, grace and mercy God daily bestows upon me. I am grateful for the Son who was given, the life He gave and the choice that I made to surrender my all to the true and living God.

Merry Christmas to all – Linda Beed!


Dr. Linda F. Beed is the author of Business Unusual.

Bernadette Lewis, without apology walks with confidence and humility upon the path to fulfilling purpose. Her serene world turns into a whirlwind of emotions when she finds herself faced with the forced re-acquaintance of her maternal grandmother; the possibility of insubordination by a key employee and the option of choice regarding the one man her father cautioned her to be careful with.

Business Unusual connects readers with those they can identify with and find themselves rooting for and against as they read of their process through life.

Business Unusual
A story of forgiveness, obedience and the option of choice!

http://www.lindabeed.com/

What I’m Most Grateful For This Christmas

Although I am grateful for so many things, I am most grateful for a renewed sense of purpose. Not so many years ago, I came from a very dark place where I was drifting along with no real vision, or atleast without God’s vision. The plan I had for my life was my own,exceptionally flawed and unfulfilling. On the outside I looked fairly successful, but inside I was trapped in a continual cycle God never intended for me to be in. I was moving and producing, but not in God’s perfect will for my life. In fact, I didn’t even know at first that such a thing existed.
My writing, which had been my passion and dream since I was a little girl, had been sucked out by post college life, student loans, marriage, children, bills, and a multitude of responsibilities. Somehow the passion, that had once burned so brightly , was lost and eventually buried alive.
It wasn’t until I had a revelation from God about purpose many years later, and ultimately about his purpose for my life, that my whole world started to turn around. God used a simple conversation to remind me of who I was in Christ-a writer- but no longer just a writer, one who was ordained to write for Him.
When I stopped fighting my destiny, God was able to supernaturally restore and favor me. I was blessed to not only complete my first novel, The Lovechild,but to also document the journey in my first non-fiction book, Resurrecting Vision. I was born to be a kingdom writer and just knowing my purpose gives me the strength and tenacity to forge ahead in Jesus’ name. Now I experience the unspeakable joy of knowing both whose I am and also who I am. So as we celebrate this Jesus’ birth, I am eternally grateful for what my Lord and Savior has birthed in me.

Ashea Goldson is the author of The Lovechild and several non-fiction books.

The Lovechild provides a riveting ride through the life of Makaeli Lovechild Hunt, a successful fashion designer who struggles with her biracial identity and her spirituality. Born into a dysfunctional family, and enduring many hardships,she eventually becomes estranged from them. She escapes to Italy where she dives into her career and masks her resentment for her family, for God, and for herself. Finally, a family emergency forces her to face her tumultuous past. In seven life altering days, she discovers what forgiveness really means and amidst crises painful enough to make her turn her back on God forever, she learns what it means to be God’s lovechild.

Vist Ashea at http://www.asheagoldson.com/ and at www.blogtalkradio.com/ashea-goldson

Thanks for sharing, Ashea and enjoy the holidays. All of them.

Blessings,

Rhonda