Sunday Words of Encouragement July 3, 2011

First let me say Happy Independence day too to the Canadian who celebrated their Independence Day on July 1st. We I get wrapped up in our lives my life and don't always acknowledge the important things going on around the world.

This morning our Pastor gave a very interesting history of money, particularly paper money, in the United States. He described its beginnings in 1690, through printings in the 1700's and finally reaching the bills as we know them today which were designed and authorized in 1957 - not so long ago for some of us! These bill have a lot of symbolism in the seals and the words. Two important phrases are "In God We Trust" and "One Nation Under God."  Pastor concluded that we must be a nation whose phrase is "In God We STILL Trust."

Although I was greatly stirred by our singing of God Bless America this morning that is not the video/song I decided to post.
I actually have chosen two videos.  The first is a version of the American Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, which includes the second verse that we seldom think about or sing.

This second video is one I found particularly meaningful as I have been listening to my Bible verses in 2nd Kings. Continually the people in Israel and Judah refuse to listen and obey the messages and laws of God. Therefore God allowed them, His Chosen People, to be carried off in captivity to Assyria and Babylon. I am mindful of God's faithfulness, even when His people are not faithful. The verse selected for today is, in my opinion, a verse for America, as it was for the Israelites.

[Note if this video doesn't cooperate you can find the preview version at You Tube and scroll down for a link to the site where the video is located.]

In Their Own Words (4th of July Version)

Sermonspice.com

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Verse for Today:

2 Chronicles 7:14

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

This morning I am grateful for God's blessings which include my being born and living in a free nation that was founded on the moral principles of God. I pray that America may continue to trust in God and experience blessings under His authority.
HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

Sharing Beyond Books #3

Thanks for the comments! It is interesting that most of us do have eReaders and the largest number, 6, goes to Kindle owners. I will have to find out more about Ricki's Cruz Tablet. I bought a pc tablet last year which I had planned to use for editing. I wanted to have hand writing recognition but I the program did one letter at a time...I can type faster than that! I may break down and get an IPAD the next time I get a big fee.

Five of us like swimming and tubing is a water sport. :-) Two moms are busy with little league and the other's are varied. Birgit...I don't think eating ice cream qualifies as a sport though it is a grand summer activity! LOL. Dollycas' choice is different - NASCAR racing!

I enjoyed learning your capitals and it was funny that tooncesmom and Linda K commented one after another and they are in the same state although it sounds like they are at different ends.

The Winner from last week's comments is: #5 scottsgal. (I would like to visit the home of Abraham Lincoln!) There are still 9 'love' books to pick from and 9 Christmas choices. So scottsgal - please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #3 Questions
 

Q1. Do you have a favorite genre? Well if you are like me it is hard to pick one so let's pick top 3!

I read a variety of genres but I think that historical romance is still my #1 favorite. Maybe because I still prefer the sensual romance more than the sexual romance which seems more common in the contemporary tale. #2 is now is Dystopia/Steampunk and #3 Romantic Suspense

Here's an interesting site for old romance book covers!

Q2. I know we shared our temperatures in December...so now it is time to share our June temperatures.

We have had a hot month. The High today was 100°F and the low is to be 73°F.  The current temperature on our porch has cooled to 80°F as we are having a thunder storm but that is okay because Florida desperately needs rain!

Q3. Because I have been wanting to share some book quotes - lets each share a favorite quote today.

This one is from Ceremony in Death by  J.D. Robb:
Eve Dallas meets a lawyer for a suspect she is interviewing and recognizes her from a ceremony she observed.

A lawyer witch, she mused. And wondered if that would be considered a redundancy.

Okay - it was a lawyer joke so it got my attention. :-)

DON'T FORGET any of you might have good questions you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this  Suggested Question Form.  At the beginning of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. 
No one made any suggestions in June so there is no book winner from June.

Your turn to share: 

1.  What are your top 3 favorite genres?

2.  What is your current temperature?

3.  Do you have a quote to share??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 17 books available to choose from plus 6 more summer title below.
Here are some Summer titles to choose from:

Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
The one I have is hardcover.

 

One Reckless Summer: A Destiny Novel

This book is brand new, but will be gently

read if I get to read it!

Under the Boardwalk: A Dazzling Collection of All-New Summertime Love Stories (Sonnet Books)

My paperback is from 1999 and
has a beach image.

The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006

with a different cover.

 The Summerhouse

 Hmmm - this has a bit of magic in the plot.

 

 A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles) 

I love Susan Wiggs historicals!

Six choices additional choices.

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, July 8 at 10PM central. 

Four Winners - Giveaways Ending July 1!

Thank you to everyone who entered these giveaways.

CONGRATULATIONS

THREE WINNERS of

Beg for Mercy

by Jami Alden

WINNER of

Ex-Girlfriends United

by Matt Dunn

 

All winners, ChrisS, Linda Kish, latishajean, and Margaret, please send your info by completing the WINNER FORM.
Thank you!

MBS Blogoversary FLASH GIVEAWAY- Ends July 4 at 10PM.

Just for fun this is a FLASH GIVEAWAY during my Blogoversary 30 days of partying!

The giveaway is for ANY book on my Review and ARC giveaway list!
This is the newest set of books that I just added to the post but there are lots more there!

•  Must be a follower and state how you follow (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads); all links are on the sidebars.

• It must be a book from the Review and ARC list but it is the Winner's Choice. 

• Check out the available books, make a choice and leave a comment saying what book you would like!
Also state how you follow.

I will mail my review or ARC copy OR order the chosen book through Book Depository provided the postage or book cost is under $10.00.

Open Worldwide.

Ends July 4, 2011 at 10 PM Central.

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #12 Publisher Etreasures Publishing

SPOTLIGHT: PUBLISHER ETREASURES PUBLISHING

Etreasures Publishing is the publishing company I purchased in 2010. It took a bit of time to get the website set up to my satisfaction so we were in a holding pattern, as well as a learning time, for much of the first year. We continue to move forward and we are releasing some really good books...if I do say so myself!  If you want to test that out, get a book and let me know what you think. :-)
Meanwhile enter this Blogoversary Giveaway and you may win a book and some other goodies!
Here are several backlist books (available at Amazon also):
Coming From Nowhere
Sci Fi
by Pembroke Sinclair

Sam Specter & the Book of Spells
Childrens' Fantasy

by Ricardo Delgado
Print Only

Fool's Gold
Fantasy Comedy
by Hank Quense

The Once & Future Now
Action and Adventure
by Jim Gilbert

Some new releases available at the bookstore
and in the set up stages for
Amazon, B&N, ARe and other distributors:
Desperate Measures
Romantic Suspense
by Cindy Cromer

Sweethearts in Bloom

Anthology
Historical Romance
to be released
this week

Drinna YA Fantasy
by Jared Gullage




Please visit eTreasures Publishing at the links below.
For extra credit you can comment at one of the social links to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway.
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Giveaway donated by eTreasures Publishing:

3 Winners will get a sticky notepad set, a handmade bookmark and a book light as shown above; plus a choice ANY Print book or eBooks totaling $10.00 if US or Canada winner or eBook choice(s) totaling $10.00 if an International winner.

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
 If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDBlVmIzdFE2REJWazNsZHFBNkdlblE6MA
PLEASE ENTER WITH THIS FORM: