Looking Out the Window: CBA Best Selling Author Maggie Brendan Shares a Beautiful Fall Devotional and Talks about Her New Book, Twice Promised. She'll Give Away a Copy..
Read about Three Heavens. She'll Give Away a copy of Twice Promised. To enter to win leave a comment and an email address.
AUTUMN SOVEREIGNTY
We are having perfect fall weather today, and I relish walking through my neighborhood each afternoon admiring the canvas of Godās handiwork. Many times Iāll carry my camera or cell phone to snap a picture of autumnās beauty.
As usual, Iām energized when leaves will soon change from deep orange, brilliant reds, and burnished gold from the oaks, sweetgums, and maples on either side of our boulevard. I think God speaks to my heart through what I see reminding me of His goodness, and the fact that he remains faithful beyond what we humans can begin to conceive or even comprehend.
He does this in many ways, but one thatās so evident to anyone with a pair of eyes, is by ushering in fall with all its brilliancy on time without fail. The cerulean sky is cloudless and bright as I look up knowing that beyond this atmosphere is the third Heaven in all its splendor where He sits at the right hand of the Father. I contemplate my loved ones whoāve passed from this life, awaiting the time that they will return to this earth to reign with him right where Kind David ruled in Israel and my soul is comforted. Isnāt that a wonderful promise? God said Heaven is My throne and earth is My footstool, from where he observes the poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. Psalm 14:2. Heās not saying that we should be scared of Him, but rather that we take His Word seriously and be humbled at His sovereignty.
Did you know that Heaven is mentioned 559 times in scripture? Did you know that there are three Heavens? One is the atmosphere where the bird, the wind and clouds are. The second Heaven is the celestial Heaven where the sun, moon and our solar system hangs. The third Heaven is where God dwells. God has placed eternity in our hearts and nothing else will entirely satisfy us while we have our temporary existence here on earth.
As I take my daily walk contemplating our bad economy, terrorism that we face, and our changing world status, Iām reminded that my hope is in Heaven and not Washington politics as America faces another presidential election. Have you considered this? So I dwell on the sovereignty of Godās glorious autumn and this verse comes to mind: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7.)
About Twice Promised
Two beautiful brides. One unsuspecting groom. Three weeks to figure it all out.
Greta Olsen arrives in Central City, Colorado, as a mail-order bride, expecting to marry Jess Gifford, the man sheās come to know through his tender letters. But when the dust clears, she meets Cora Johnson and discovers sheās not the only bride waiting at the train station for Jess.
Already shocked to find they must compete for Jessās affection, the young women can hardly believe it when not Jess but his brother Zach picks them up from the stationāand reveals that Jess knows nothing about any mail-order bride, let alone two. Will either bride make the match she hopes for?
Filled with surprises, misunderstandings, and tender romance, Twice Promised is the story of how two unlikely women become twice blessed.
Praise for Twice Promised
āTwice Promised is another great love story by Maggie Brendan . . . with fast-paced plot twists as the characters find their way to true love.āāMary Connealy, author of Over the Edge, In Too Deep, and Out of Control
āMemorable characters and solid storytelling abound in Maggie Brendanās delightful tale. The two romances will double your reading pleasure, and the twists and turns will keep you guessing until the end. I loved it!āāMargaret Brownley, New York Times bestselling author of the Brides of Last Chance Ranch series
Bio
Maggie Brendan is a CBA bestselling author, was nominated for the Rita, a finalist for Inspirational Readerās Choice awards and a finalist for Heart of Excellence award for Deeply Devoted. She is a member of the Authorās Guild, the American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Faith, Hope and Love and Georgia Romance Writers. She is the author of the Heart of the West series. Her latest series is The Blue Willow Brides. When sheās not writing, she enjoys reading, singing, painting, scrapbooking and being with her family. You can follow Maggie on her website here and her blog, Southern Belle Writer She is also a resident blogger on Bustles and Spurs
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Comments
Blessings,
Jodie Wolfe
digging4pearls(at)comcast(dot)net
Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Love,
Kelly Long
Sheryl
RedeemedReaders@bellsouth.net
Campbellamyd at gmail dot com
babykf629 at gmail dot com
Could you give a reference of where in the Scriptures it says there are three heavens? I'd like to know.
Thanks for doing the giveaway!
marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
mama2six (at) bresnan (dot) net
tina_pinson(at)yahoo(dot)com
Blessings! Darlene
spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com
Scripture describes three heavens not just one. Many people believe they are going to heaven when they die and one question for them might be "to which heaven are you going?"
The FIRST heaven mentioned in Scripture is the sky: the abode of blue birds, blue flies, and blue airplanes. Genesis 1:20, Job 12:7, and Psalm 8:8 (and other verses) speak of this first heaven.
The SECOND heaven described in Scripture is "outer space": the abode of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Genesis 15:5, Deuteronomy 4:19, Psalm 8:3 all speak of this second heaven.
The THIRD heaven spoken of in Scripture is the spiritual realm that is the abode of G-d and angels. Ephesians 1:20 says that the Father has raised Messiah from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Paul tells us about a man who visisted to this third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. Many scholars believe that Paul was speaking modestly of himself and his (possible) death in Acts 14:19.
Thanks for asking, Marissa!
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
jringalls@msn.com
Deeply Devoted was a treasure of a book. I loved the characters and the tension of how they worked through their difficulties. I know I will like this Blue Willow Brides book, too.
Thank you for the opportunity to win it. And thank you for sharing the devotional thoughts, particularily relevant this evening with the presidential debate coming on television in a short time from now.
Blessings, Janice
jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the opportunity to win Maggie's book. I love her stories!
Many blessings during this wonderful time of year ~ Anne
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
clSwalwell@gmail.com
In Him,
Cheri
Anne and Jaime--thank you for your encouraging remarks about my books!I hope you enjoy the new one. I just got the title for book #3 and it's a great one--Perfectly Matched!
Thank you again, Gail, for the chance to share my devotional. :)