The Advent Collection Giveaway

Hello readers!

I'm excited to announce a giveaway for The Advent Collection, a project I participated in, published by Hope*Books. This beautiful collection features 78 authors who share their thoughts on what the coming of Christ means to them.

The book is divided into four topics: hope, peace, joy and love. My piece is in the peace section. My premise is we can have peace with God because the coming of Christ changed the way we relate to God.

Fun fact: in the hope section of the book, there is a daughter, a father and a granddaughter from the same family that contributes what the hope of Christ did for them.

You may ask why focus on Advent when Christ already came as a baby two thousand years ago. We celebrate Advent because we honor a God who keeps His word. There were numerous prophecies about the coming of Christ and they were all fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Just as Jesus came all those years ago, there are prophecies concerning His second coming. Advent gives us hope the second coming will be fulfilled. God kept His Word the first time, He will surely keep His Word the second time!

I would love for you to have a copy of this beautiful book. It's printed on premium paper with a lovely hard cover that will last for years. You will want to revisit this book year after year.

To win a copy for your personal library, just leave a comment telling what the coming of Christ means to you. The contest will be open for a week. Next Monday, December 15, I will draw a name from all the comments and an autographed copy will be on its way to the winner.

Best wishes to everyone who enters! If you can't wait to get your own copy, or want to gift it to someone for this Christmas, you can order your copy here from Amazon. 

Or if you live near me, you can get an autographed copy from me in person. Just leave a comment and we will connect to make it happen.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at:

Grace & Truth

Remember Me Monday

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Let's Have Coffee

Turkey Time

It's Thanksgiving weekend and the leftovers fill the fridge - but there's no turkey! My crew doesn't like turkey, so we have ham and chicken and dressing.

I'm already over the "leave overs" as my Granny always called it, but the good part is, I don't have to be in the kitchen making meals.

Instead, this weekend is the calm before the chaos of the Christmas season. A time to reflect and wonder why I do what I do ...

I’m a writer who wants to encourage believers with the truths I find in God’s Word. I’ve been blogging for many years with that aim in mind.
 
It’s true I have not yet achieved my goals for my writing and many times I’ve been tempted to quit. After all, writing is a lonely profession that takes a lot of time if you devote heart and soul to it. The enemy loves to whisper, “Who is really reading this stuff? Give up and use all this time for yourself. You could be doing a million other things.”
 
Somehow, I just can’t quit. Oh, there have been times I have given in to discouragement and slacked off, but it’s not long before inspiration has struck and I find myself writing again.
 
I am like the prophet Jeremiah who said the word of God was like a fire shut up in my bones and he had to speak it.
 
One of the scariest messages in the bible is the story of the Ten Talents. A master divided ten talents among three men according to their ability to use them. One of the men was afraid and so he went and buried his talent. The other two went to work with their talents and multiplied them. Those two received recognition and even more talent from the master; but the one who buried his talent was cast out, called wicked and lazy, and his talent was taken away.
 
I cannot let fear keep me from using the words God gives me. It would be wicked.
 
Somebody needs to hear what God gives me. Could it be you?

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I'm sharing this at Andrew's place as he fills in for Kate at Five Minute Friday. This was not technically a 5 minute free write on the prompt, "turkey," but it was what was on my heart.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!  

Praise Posts 2025 - Day 10

Praise Posts 2025 ends with focusing on the Omega, Jesus Christ!

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:13 English Standard Version

 

Lord,

 

You were there when time began; when life began, and You will be there when this world ends.

 

But more than that, You are eternal; and when the new heavens and the new earth are revealed, You will be there.

 

In fact, You will always be there. You can always be counted on. And the best part? You tell us You will love us with an everlasting love. (See Jeremiah 31:3)

Our souls can rest in that love. Thank You a million trillion times infinity.

 

In Jesus name, so be it, amen.

~~

What do you think? What causes gratitude when you think of who God is?

Welcome to Day 9 of Praise Posts 2025, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts are 10 days of prayers based on 10 of the Names and Attributes of God. There will be links below to each Praise Post.

We started on November 18, 2025, and will end on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to examine your life and see where the Lord has shown up for you. (This is a practice that doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful for who God is should be practiced every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Previous Posts:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 

Day 5 

Day 6 

Day 7 

Day 8 

Day 9

Also, you can view the Praise Posts 2024 posts here.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!  

~~

Sharing at Grace & Truth

Praise Posts 2025 - Day 9

Today, we are thankful He is the very definition of  LOVING KINDNESS

My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me. ~ Psalm 144:2 New King James Version

 

Note: Lovingkindness has been translated from the word hesed which means unfailing love

 

Abba,

 

I love Your name Lovingkindness because it means you will never fail me, never let me down. And even better, the rest of this scripture tells me I can hide in You when Life. Is. Too. Much.

 

Oh Lord, let us run to You whenever we face a trial or struggle. Also, let us run to You to share every joy because everything good in our lives comes from You.

 

What a blessing to have a God so intimately involved in our lives. I can’t get over it!

 

Praises multiplied to You, dear Lord!

 

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

~~

What do you think? What causes gratitude when you think of who God is?

Welcome to Day 9 of Praise Posts 2025, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts are 10 days of prayers based on 10 of the Names and Attributes of God. There will be links below to each Praise Post.

We started on November 18, 2025, and will end on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to examine your life and see where the Lord has shown up for you. (This is a practice that doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful for who God is should be practiced every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Previous Posts:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 

Day 5 

Day 6 

Day 7 

Day 8

Also, you can view the Praise Posts 2024 posts here.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!  

~~

I'm linking up today with Let's Have Coffee

Praise Posts 2025 - Day 8

 

Today, we will be thankful that Jesus models the Father for us.

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Hebrews 1:3 KJV

Father, 
 
I love that Jesus showed us who You are! Everything we see in Him is exactly like You.
 
Some people have the idea You are a mean old man, ready to strike us dead whenever we mess up, and that Jesus is the kind loving one. But the truth is You are both holy and filled with steadfast love for Your people. You both have compassion and mercy. But for those who continue to reject Jesus, there will come a day when judgment happens.
 
Thank You for sending Jesus to show us the heart of the Father! It’s an amazing and incredible thing we can barely comprehend.
 
One day, we will be with You in eternity and begin to unpack the wonder of it all.
 
May it be soon, Lord Jesus!
 
In Jesus’ name we pray, so be it, amen.

~~

What do you think? What causes gratitude when you think of who God is?

Welcome to Day 8 of Praise Posts 2025, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts are 10 days of prayers based on 10 of the Names and Attributes of God. There will be links below to each Praise Post.

We started on November 18, 2025, and will end on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to examine your life and see where the Lord has shown up for you. (This is a practice that doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful for who God is should be practiced every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Previous Posts:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 

Day 5 

Day 6 

Day 7

Also, you can view the Praise Posts 2024 posts here.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!  

~~

I'm linking up today with InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Praise Posts 2025 - Day 7

 

Today, we are thanking God for our High Priest

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 King James Version

 
(I love how the NLT translates “Partakers of the heavenly calling” as “partners with those called to heaven.”)
 
Father,
 
I’m so thankful for Christ who is our High Priest – one who walked among us and lived in the flesh and understands us so perfectly. How cool is it that Your plan involved a Priest such as Jesus?
 
He made the perfect sacrifice for us – once for all time!
 
Our part is to abide in Him.  Help us, Oh Lord! Sweet Holy Spirit, draw us back whenever we tend to drift away. We are sheeple – people who must be led.

 
Thank You, also, Abba for making us partners with those called to heaven. Let us each do our part in lifting up and encouraging our brothers and sisters.
 
In Jesus’ holy name, so be it, amen.

 

~~

What do you think? What causes gratitude when you think of who God is?

Welcome to Day 7 of Praise Posts 2025, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts are 10 days of prayers based on 10 of the Names and Attributes of God. There will be links below to each Praise Post.

We started on November 18, 2025, and will end on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to examine your life and see where the Lord has shown up for you. (This is a practice that doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful for who God is should be practiced every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Previous Posts:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 

Day 5 

Day 6

Also, you can view the Praise Posts 2024 posts here.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!  

~~

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Praise Posts 2025 - Day 6

Today, we focus on God as our Guide

For this God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death. Psalm 48:14 NKJV

 

Father,

 

I’m so thankful You are our guide because we are but sheep and prone to getting off the path. But You are powerful enough to get us back on the path!

 

I’m also thankful You are our guide forever, even when the time comes that we must face our death, You will be there, guiding us into our forever Home..

 

I believe Your children are right where You want them because You have guided us to this moment. 

If it is a place of blessing, we give You praise. 

If it is a place of difficulty, we give You praise because we stand on Your word, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Ps. 34:19 NKJV

 

Deliverance is coming!

 

In Jesus’ holy name, so be it, amen.

~~

What do you think? What causes gratitude when you think of who God is?

Welcome to Day 6 of Praise Posts 2025, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts are 10 days of prayers based on 10 of the Names and Attributes of God. There will be links below to each Praise Post.

We started on November 18, 2025, and will end on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to examine your life and see where the Lord has shown up for you. (This is a practice that doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful for who God is should be practiced every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Previous Posts:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 

Day 5

Also, you can view the Praise Posts 2024 posts here.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!