Those two seemingly innocuous words have created a great deal of controversy over the past several years. In our highly secularized society many people utter them without giving much thought to their meaning; but for those of us who know and understand the true connotation behind the greeting, it represents our heartfelt belief in God and genuine thankfulness to Him for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

2009 has been a year of numerous challenges: high unemployment, housing foreclosures, business failures, and the bad economy make it difficult for many to feel merry. In spite of these difficulties, however, Christmas is the perfect time of year for us to walk in gladness of heart. Why? Follow the Merry Christmas link to read the article for my answer. Merry Christmas!

June 21, 2009

I love words! Well, not literally, but I do enjoy perusing the dictionary looking for new and tasty words to use in my writing; words like 'melodious', which almost sing when you speak them. Or, better yet, words like 'effusive,' 'loquacious,' or 'mellifluous' because they pour out of the mouth like syrup. Words: they are the delightful tools writers use to feed their readers tasty trifles or succulent repasts.

Words create more than sentences; they create pictures in the mind of the reader meant to stir the imagination, and in some cases, stimulate the palate. Click the link to read my article on "Tasty Words."

The recipe I included in this update is rather simple. It's a long time favorite of my youngest daughter, who always asked me to prepare it when she would be home on break from college. Creamed chicken and vegetables can be served on egg noodles or hot buttered toast. You can substitute tuna for chicken and use any variety of canned vegetables. The white sauce can be used for any number of other recipes, and if followed as written, it should be easy to prepare.

Creamed Chicken and Vegetables on Egg Noodles.

In my July update I'll be including a special book offer, so be sure to check back.

June 8, 2009

Games...how important are they?

Children and adults of all ages generally enjoy playing games; growing up in a family with five siblings, our family played a variety of board and card games at night, after dinner, to entertain ourselves. And Rachel Todd, the protagonist of my novels, and her family enjoy them as well.

Read my article to find out more.  Games

This week I have included a delicious recipe for Cheesy Corn Chowder. It's easy to make and feeds a large family. Have you ever eaten hot baking powder biscuits right from the oven, smothered in butter or jam? This easy recipe is one you might enjoy. Try both for a simple, but delightful family meal.

Menus

May 25, 2009

Money...the Bible says the love of money, not money itself, is the root of all evil. I believe that's more than obvious.

However, we all need money to survive, and presently, it, and the means to obtain it, both seem to be dwindling. What can we do during this time of economic turmoil?

Read my thoughts in my article on Money.

I grew up watching my mother cook our meals in a very small kitchen, using her old red cookbook, whose binding became more and more frayed with each passing year. Recently, my father gave me this 60 year old treasure, and I have had a great deal of joy recreating many of the delicious dinners and desserts I grew to love as a child. This week, I prepared three recipes for bread using buttermilk as the common ingredient: Butterscotch Walnut Bread, Dark Walnut Bread, and Oatmeal Blueberry Bread. I've modified them slightly, and included them in my update. Simple and easy to make, they are delightful. Try them yourself and see!

May 10, 2009

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Rachel Todd, the protagonist of my series, having lost her parents and only brother in a tragic accident at the age of 10, keenly misses her family.  She does, however, honor the loving surrogates that raise her, her maternal grandparents, who instill in her a love of God and the desire to obey His commands.

Families are ever changing today; but regardless of who God places in our lives as our 'parents', He expects that we will listen to and obey them as His authority on earth.

Honoring One's Parents: What does that really entail? 

In honor of my own mother, who passed some years ago, I am including a recipe of a coffee cake she made for our family that we all loved.  It has been modified, somewhat, but it is still delicious. 

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

God Bless!

May 4, 2009

SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY OFFER!

Purchase a copy of The Doorkeeper from my order page between May 4, and May 10, 2009, and you will receive a free copy of Planted by the Rivers of Water.

NOTE: Planted by the Rivers of Water will automatically be sent to anyone ordering The Doorkeeper during this time period. Do not include the free book on your order, or you will be charged for it. Thanks!

Limit: One free book per customer order to the same address regardless of how many books are purchased. Offer good while supplies last.

Order Page:

Relationships...God is all about relationships. Since He is, so should we be.

The Moral Law, known to most as the Ten Commandments, but more appropriately translated as the Ten Sayings, Ten Words, or Ten Duties, all deal with relationships. The first five sayings listed speak to our relationship to God; the second five speak to our relationships with mankind.

Relationships are important to Rachel Todd, the protagonist of my fictional series. In each one of my novels, you will learn why she considers her relationships with God, family and friends so vitally fundamental to her life and health.

Read the update to find out more.  Relationships.

My mother used to make the most delicious low-cost dinners. I've included two of my childhood favorites that I've modified for my own family: Stuffed Green Peppers and Swedish Meatballs. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

April 27, 2009

What a busy week I've had.  My best friend came for a visit from California; we went to a baby shower, church picnic, a movie (The Soloist) and still had time to just sit and talk and catch up on each other's lives. It was incredible!

My update for this week is taken from my fourth novel, Out of the Miry Clay.  It focuses on the common needs of all mankind.  Click the link to read it.

Miry Clay

I've also included two new dinner recipes: Hungarian Goulash, and Mexican Lasagna.  These are some of our family favorites that I believe you will truly enjoy.

Until next week, I pray you will all be richly blessed!

April 20, 2009

Questions, questions, questions...this week my update is all about finding answers to important questions.  Click on the appropriate link to read each article.

Why we should ask questions?

Do you know who the Bereans were? They were open-minded men and women from the Macedonian city of Berea; they listened to Paul preach and teach, and searched the scriptures daily to see if his words were true. Follow their example: check things out. 

Acts 17:10-11
10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. KJV

What is a doorkeeper? Are you one?

The Doorkeeper is the title of my newest novel. It is based on three verses from Psalm 84. Read my explanation to find out if you are a doorkeeper doing all Christ expects of you.  Are you a doorkeeper?

Do you know what a RFID is? You need to.

RFIDs are a reality. You need to know what they are, and what the Bible has to say about them. RFIDs

Are you riding the S-N-O-B-B-E-R-Y EXPRESS?

Read my article to find out. SNOBBERY

Potatoes are a staple most of us enjoy. This week, I have provided some of my favorite potato recipes for you to try.

Potato pancakes, potato soup, and mashed potato cakes.

ENJOY!

APRIL 12, 2009

In honor of Easter, I have written a short commentary on the Words of Christ uttered from the Cross, through which I believe we can learn a wonderful lesson on the subject of suffering.  To read it, follow this link:

Christ's Words  

I've also posted three new recipes for delectable cookies: Cinnamon Stars, Greek Butter Cookies, and Lavender Shortbread, my personal favorite.

If you've not yet read this novel, you may want to wait to read the information I've posted regarding it.

Praying you had a Blessed Easter!  Until next week!

Searching for gold...last week I encouraged all those who had already read my second novel, The Pilgrimage, to attempt to unravel the teaching behind chapters 18 and 19, which deal with Rachel's heavenly excursion. In doing so, the reader will begin to discover how well they know and understand their Bible.

I've written a brief outline of what occurs in these two chapters, and then given the biblical verses behind different elements of the story. I believe if you read through this material, you will learn something new and interesting.  The teaching is posted under the Beyond the Obvious section and entitled-Heaven.  Here is the link:

Heaven

A new challenge...for those who have finished reading my new novel, The Doorkeeper. Decipher correctly the true identities of the new characters described in Chapter 23 entitled "Esteemed Companions."

Submit your deduction before next Saturday, and I'll post the answer in next week's update. Again, this is a challenge to readers to see how well they know and understand their Bible.

New Recipes...Easter Sunday is April 12^th. I have included a few dessert recipes that my readers might enjoy serving for brunch, or dessert.

Banana bran bread, blueberry tea bread, chocolate pudding, lemon poppy-seed tea bread and raisin fruit cake.

Next Week! Easter Sunday...I will be posting a teaching on Christ's Suffering, and how we can benefit from His Words spoken from the Cross.

God Bless!

March 30, 2009

This week on my website I've posted a delicious recipe for German Sauerbraten with Ginger Gravy!  It is wonderful served with mashed potatoes, and red cabbage.  For dessert consider baking the Applesauce Cake recipe I've included, or try gingerbread cake topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

In my Behind the Scenes section I've included a teaching on Moral Relativism and Color Blindness from my novel, Under the Shadow.  Here's the link:

Moral Relativism

For those who have already read my second novel, The Pilgrimage, I would like to invite you to join me in a quest for gold. Actually, next week I plan to unravel some of the teaching included in Rachel's heavenly excursion, which takes place in chapters 18 and 19 of that novel.

I would like to encourage my readers to search through those two chapters to see if they can decipher Rachel's vision and detect the verses of the Bible they are based on to test your Biblical acumen.

Happy Prospecting!

March 23, 2009

My personal history often finds its way into the stories I create in a variety of ways. Martha and Mary, characters that hale from County Cork, Ireland, were created to honor my mother's father's family who immigrated to the United States from that city. In my latest novel, The Doorkeeper, I've included a great deal of information about Alsace, France (a German region from time to time), where my mother's mother and grandparents were born.  I never knew my grandmother, but I did know my great-grandparents.

The early years of my life were spent in Tarrytown, New York where I lived with my parents and siblings. I have many delightful memories of the time I spent there with my father's family, who were of English descent. I have honored their heritage in a small way with my English characters. But some of my fondest memories spring from the pleasant trips we took as a family into Brooklyn to visit my French-German relatives. My great-grandparents lived on the lower floor of a Brownstone in the city; the upper level was inhabited by a great-aunt and uncle.

These trips into the city always included a delectable French or German dinner, and my great-grandparents home was infused with the fragrances of the delectable dishes that my great-grandmother prepared in her small but comfy kitchen.

The Brownstone in Brooklyn also had a lovely garden out back lined with rows of beautiful roses, so you won't be surprised to find Rachel, my protagonist, surrounded by them as well.

In this weeks update I've indulged myself in a trip down memory lane and included some ethnic recipes that I greatly enjoy. Irish soda bread is easy and delicious to make; broccoli quiche is lovely for brunch, and red cabbage with bratwurst or kielbasa is a hearty evening meal. I hope you enjoy them as well.

I've also included a page on Angeline Luster, as promised last week.  If you have read Under the Shadow, the third novel in the series, you know this very complex character.  To find out about her creation, read the page I've written under BTO...Shadow.  If you haven't yet read the novel, I suggest you do so first before indulging your curiosity.  Here's the link:

Angeline Luster

March 16, 2009