Last Book Giveaway of 2009

In my final drawing of 2009, I’m thrilled to give away “Eyes of Elisha” by Brandilyn Collins, bestselling Christian suspense novelist. From the back notes:

“The murder was ugly. The killer was sure no one saw him. Someone did.

“In a horrifying vision, Chelsea Adams has relived the victim’s last moments. But who will believe her? Certainly not the police, who must rely on hard evidence. Nor her husband, who barely tolerates Chelsea’s newfound Christian faith. Besides, he’s about to hire the man who Chelsea is certain is the killer to be vice president in his company. Torn between what she knows and the burden of proof, Chelsea must follow God’s leading and trust Him for protection. Meanwhile, the murderer is at liberty. And he’s not about to take Chelsea’s involvement lying down...”

Sound electrifying? Dying--excuse the pun--to win it?

Before I tell you how to enter this contest, I have a confession to make…

I won “Eyes of Elisha” on Brandilyn’s Face book fan page by agreeing to review it on my blog, then give it away to someone else who’d never read one of her books. When I read the first chapter, I realized it was not my cup of Starbuck’s. The writing is stellar, the story riveting. I just prefer the quieter style of Agatha Christie and Mary Roberts Rinehart. Call me old fashioned. I won’t mind. But what to do about my commitment to Brandilyn?

I prayed about it. Then God gave me this jazzy idea:

If one of YOU fulfills the criteria Brandilyn set forth , what difference does it make whether I read, review, and give away, or YOU do? So, in order to have your name entered to win this Hold Onto Your Poodle’s Fur While Turning the Page Thriller, you must:

A) Have never read a Brandilyn Collins novel before:
B) Agree to review it on your blog; and
C) Pass it on to someone else who fits A above.

If this description fits you, please leave a comment on this post, including your email address, in this form: jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com.

You will have until Sunday January 3, 2010 at noon. I will announce the winner on my blog post Monday, January 4th. Blessings on you as you write and live for your Audience of ONE.

What About YOU?

Every Monday I ask a question, to get to know YOU better.

Okay, ready for today’s? Do you like to shop? What are your favorite bargain-finding haunts? Are you crazy enough to swim though the crowds in after-Christmas sales?

I love TJ Maxx, Borders, and Cracker Barrel. I don’t enjoy competing for walking space in thick crowds, so the days after Christmas will find me at home putting away decorations or reading with my black cat, Puddin on my lap.

Your turn…

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Happy Birthday, Jesus.

I love you more than
Having my own way;
All the kitties in the universe;
Voicing my opinion;
Chocolate;
Spending money;
My grand babies;
Writing;
Apricots;
Life itself.

You are my life.
Thank you for coming.
Please come again soon.

Love,
Your Princess Jeanette

A Christmas Gift for YOU

In honor of all my blogging buddies and faithful followers, I bestow this blog award on YOU.

You don't have to do anything to receive it; you've already proven you deserve it by the blessings you've given me over the last year: Wisdom, laughter, inspiration, camaraderie, and love.

I applaud you. I treasure you. I am honored to be on this planet with you.

Post this on your blog with confidence. You have made a positive difference in one person's life. If not for you, I may have given up this arduous race. Because of you, I am still on the track. Thank you. My heart overflows with gratitude to you, and to the Lord, who brought you my way.

May Jesus, the King of the Ages, give you your heart's desires this Christmas. May 2010 be full of favor from His gracious hand and heart.

I love you dearly,
Jen

Just Give Me a Kiss!

I hadn't planned on participating in Blog Kissing Day today, but who wants to be on the cranky side of Sherrinda, Karin and Krista?

I hope you enjoy this kissing scene from my book, "God is Bigger"

When our children were tiny, neither of them could pronounce the letter “L.” Esther said it like a “Y” so that “I like you” came out “I yike you.” Ron’s sounded like “W” where “pillow” turned into “piwwow.” It was especially amusing when Esther was five and Ron was two, because neither had yet outgrown this little impediment.

One afternoon I paused from a book I was reading and asked, “Who wants to give Mommy a kiss?”

“A kiss on the yips?” said Estie.

Ron hotly corrected, “Not the yips, the wips!”

“Someone just give me a kiss!” I laughed.




Since the kids were too consumed with where to kiss me and how to say it, they missed the point of my simple request.

I wonder how often I behave the same way toward God. He says, “Talk to Me, please.” I argue, “Right here, in the middle of Wal-Mart? Can’t I at least wait ‘til I get in the car, or home in the bedroom on my knees?”

He asks, “Do a favor for that person who treated you nasty.” I argue, “And let them hurt me again?” As if God doesn’t know them, and I can’t trust Him to keep me safe or heal my hurt.

He tells me, “Just relax.” I want to make a list of forty-seven ways to relax, and then check them off as I do them!

Why do we enjoy complicating things? Does it make us feel important and powerful? Do we think we are helping God express Himself better than He could on His own?
Every year, bookstores sell millions of books on “how to live the Christian life.” Books like these can be helpful. They can also confuse us, if the messages contradict each other or have so many “steps to success” that we feel overwhelmed.

The Bible is not a list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” It is a roadmap to eternal life, a comfort in stress and sorrow, and a handbook for successful living. If we turn it into merely a rule book, it appears harsh and demanding. After awhile, we conclude that God is harsh and demanding, too. If we don’t memorize a verse a day or bow our heads while praying, we might think we’re displeasing God. Then when He says, “Give me a kiss,” we strive to learn how to pronounce it correctly and where to plant it!


Someone once asked Jesus, “What must I do to work the works of God?” His answer still shocks us: “Believe on Me, because I am the One sent from God.”

What? No do-do-doing stuff to impress God? Just trust in Jesus? Can it really be that simple?

I believe so. If you love someone, you will want to make them happy. Spending time with them, just getting to know each other, will come naturally. You don’t need them to fill out a questionnaire on what color tissues they like to blow their nose on, how many pickles they prefer on their sandwich, and what order they go on the rides at Disney World. That would subtract all the joy from your relationship.

Yet that’s what we do when we make Christianity into a religion instead of the relationship it was meant to be.

God doesn’t search for achievers. What He’s looking for are believers. A few good men, women, boys and girls who will trust Him enough to place their entire life in His hands. To go where He says go, to have faith in His love, and to believe His word even when situations look hopeless.

I know it’s harder to do that than following a long list of rules, because it requires listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, rather than men’s traditions. It means going to God for advice instead of Aunt Shirley or a talk show psychiatrist. It means believing in Jesus as the one and only Son of God.

It is called “faith,” and it's the only kiss God wants for Christmas.

Imposed Reverence

I published this last year when I'd first started blogging, so most of you have not read it...

Last Christmas time we attended an eye-misting, heart-stirring Christmas musical performed by an all-church community choir and several instrumental groups.

Some of the music was classical, some traditional, and I sat amazed at the talent and creativity in our little town, stuck away in the middle of Eastern Illinois. “My heart rejoiced in God my Savior” as Mary said. I even got goose bumps from the sheer joy of knowing this God-become-man, and His eternal love for me. But, I left the church with its jewel toned stained glass windows less than elated.

Instead of my joy remaining and spilling into the coming days, I found myself disappointed, sad and angry. Why? Because some zealous soul got the idea that reverence equals silence. And printed in the bulletin for this heavenly music was a request to refrain from applause, either during or after the program. We, the audience had to bottle and cork our thanks and exultation as we stoically listened to the story of the God of eternity stripping off His robe of glory to become a man. I was tortured.

Praise was shooting out my ears, oozing out my eyeballs and dripping from my hands, but I was not allowed to express it. I felt like a frog at a sitting convention, or a jumping bean in a straightjacket. The magnificence of the music was squelched by the rule of silence.

I understand that when some people are moved by beauty and awe, they are silent. I have experienced that myself in the presence of God as I’ve prayed or worshipped my Lord and Master.

But to impose it on the entire audience because it is one person’s idea of reverence is criminal. I felt cheated out of the blessing of giving my whole self to the One I owe my whole self to. I needed to clap! I needed to shout “Hallelujah, Jesus is real!” “God is good!” to fully enter into worship (I did sneak in a few amen’s that only Kevin could hear, but that didn’t satisfy my ‘praise’ appetite). I needed to be allowed to express my gratitude to the Savior of my soul, who bought my life from Satan and freed me from hell. But, I was obedient to the pharisee who made the law, and later on, the rocks and I cried out in praise to Jesus.

Sadly, I will not return to this program this year. Not because the artists didn’t render a splendid job of glorifying God and His majesty. But because they were the only ones allowed to do so.

Do you worship loudly, silently, or a little of both?

A Thoughtful and Economical Way to Give Gifts

On one of our frequent walks where we talk about everything and nothing, my husband and I discovered a new way to save money and still give thoughtful gifts.

“Isn’t today the day you were saved, about thirty-nine years ago?” I asked.

Knowing how prone I am to shenanigans, Kevin answered with caution. “Yessss… why do you ask?”

“Well, I meant to buy you a gift, but since it’s a week ‘til payday, I ate a cookie in your honor instead.”

He rolled his eyes. “Thanks a lot. That means the world to me.”

“I thought it would. Hey, we could do this for all our gift giving from now on. We send a card or email saying, “Happy Birthday. We ate a porterhouse steak in your honor,” or “Congratulations on your new baby; we bought some roses to celebrate. “

I picked up my stride as I warmed to this brilliant idea. “When our nephew Tim graduates, we can go on that cruise I’ve always longed for; we can bake a cake and eat it when my friend Terri gets a job; and we can buy a Get Well Soon balloon whenever someone we know is in the hospital. Balloons cheer me up, don’t they you, Kev?”

If he’d folded his answer in half he couldn’t have fit it in, I was yakking so fast. “We’ll start a whole new tradition of honoring people on their special day, and save money at the same time!”

He shook his head and grinned. “I’m sure it’ll go over real big, Honey. I’m just glad the Lord didn’t use that method when we needed the gift of salvation. He sent us the real thing, wrapped in baby skin. Now that was a true In Honor gift.”

What About YOU?

Every Monday I ask a question, to get to know YOU better. Ready for today’s? Have you travelled outside your home state or region? If so, what spot did you most enjoy visiting? If not, where would you like to visit?

I’ve travelled mostly in the United States, which fascinates all varieties of lovers: Mountain Mamas, Beach Buds, and Desert Darlings.

I’ve also gone on short jaunts to Hawaii and British Columbia, Canada. As a teenager, I lived for seven months on Saipan, a tiny Micronesian island not far from Guam.

If someone handed me a ticket today for anywhere I’d like to go, I’d fly right off to the Emerald Isle, where my grandmother Kelly’s family originated.

Your turn…

Amish Christmas Dinner, part 2

If you missed part one of our Amish Christmas dinner, please see the last post.

Today I’d like to share how I shocked myself when I discovered some preconceived ideas I’d had about the Amish. With each discovery, I wondered where I’d picked up such foolish notions as…

I was surprised to see the children playing with modern toys and books. I must’ve assumed they played only with handmade, faceless fabric dolls and miniature wooden pony carts!

Several Amish men and women participated in our crazy gift exchange, laughing as heartily as we when one of them received a “car vac” (when he had the chance to exchange it, he quickly traded for a flashlight). How embarrassing to realize I’d thought they rarely laughed.

I noticed half a dozen store bought greeting cards taped onto the glass doors of the hutch, most of them for “Mother” or “Mom.” I suppose I thought Amish hand-fashioned all their cards, or didn’t give cards at all.

A book or two written by an “English” author nestled on the shelf among the Amish books and German Bible. I had imagined they read only books written by Amish authors. This discovery surprised and delighted me the most.

What did not surprise me? Their gentle demeanor, deep humility, and respect for others. These kind, loving people who wear only plain colors and won’t pose for photos live what they believe. Their hearts are bowed down in reverence for God and His ways. They live to serve the Master, not their own desires or vanities.

Although I differ with them in many ways, I admire their modest attitudes. And if you could see the love gleaming in their eyes when they kiss the top of their baby’s downy head, you’d understand as I did—we are the same in our hearts.

Have you ever shocked yourself by realizing you posessed a preconceived idea about someone?

Amish Christmas Dinner

When some friends invited us for a Christmas celebration at an Amish home in nearby Arthur, IL, we were intrigued. We’ve lived in Central Illinois for over ten years, and had seen many horses and buggies on the highways just an hour from here. But we’d never had the privilege to visit in the home of one of these wonderful people. After all, you can’t just walk up their driveway, knock on the back door and ask, “May I see how you live? I’ve read several novels about your lifestyle, and want to observe firsthand how realistically they portray you.” This invitation gave us a rare opportunity, and we gratefully accepted.

On our arrival, we were greeted by a young man of around twenty who showed us where to put our coats, and the way to the dining hall. They had a huge room just off the kitchen that held eight or ten long tables, each seating eight people. This is where they hold their church meetings on Sundays. The families take turns hosting the worship services, so many of them have added these rooms to their homes.

The hostess of the celebration became acquainted with an Amish family when she sold Tupperware to them. Fifteen Christmases ago, she asked if she might pay them to cook a Christmas dinner for her sales crew, and they agreed. The dinner has grown to over seventy people, and the Amish women who serve the meal spend the entire day cooking.

And do they cook! Mashed potatoes that melt on your tongue, noodles cut thin, bursting with real butter, fresh homemade breads and jam, savory meatloaf, crisply fried chicken, and a variety of flakey-crusted pies for dessert. They serve family-style, starting the bowls at one end of the each table, allowing everyone to serve themselves as the food is passed. After the first “round,” they begin again, in case anyone needs seconds. I won’t need to eat for a week.

Every inch of the house gleamed. If I had dropped a slice of bread on the pristine linoleum, I’d have no qualms about eating it—five second rule or not!

The walls were decorated with Scripture plaques, wood-burned signs commemorating their children’s marriages, and shelves that held antique clocks and books.
The bathroom was divided up into two rooms side by side, each with a toilet. On the wall near the door was a plastic light fixture backing with a sign reading, “Amish Light Switch” and a portion from a match box to strike a match on—showing their sense of humor. Above the toilet on a shelf was a battery operated lamp, casting a soft light.

A larger room adjoining those two held a sink. This room was also the walkway between the kitchen and the back door, where a buggy and horse awaited anyone wanting to take a ride. The same smiling young man who greeted us on our arrival hitched up a dark beauty named Ruby for our jaunt.

Please join me Friday when I share how a few of the preconceived notions I held about the Amish got beautifully ruined…

Have you read Amish novels? Met any Amish? What were your impressions?

Coloring Inside the Lines?

Every Monday I ask a question, to get to know you better. Ready for today's?

What are your favorite colors? If you are a writer, how do you incorporate color into your writing?

My two favorites are orange and purple. Orange reflects my personality: casual, gregarious, sometimes loud. Purple reminds me of my darling grandma, Viola, who was the mirror of Jesus' kindness and grace. She decorated every inch of her bedroom in shades of purple. When I dance through the gates of pearl, I'm sure her mansion will stand out among the others, painted in purple by the Master Himself!

I don't use color as often as I'd like in my writing, but I like to find new ways to say the same old colors, such as crimson, blush, or cranberry instead of red.

Your turn...

Blonde and Redhead Joke/ Winners of Interview Drawing

Announcing the winners of the drawing from my interview on Caroline Brown's blog:

Terri Tiffany, Elaine Miller, and Rose McCauley. Congratulations! Please email me at jeanettelevellie(dot)gmail(dot)com with your addy, so I can mail you your prize.

Thank you to everyone who commented on the interview, and all your kind comments. If you missed it and would like to find out what makes me nutty, please go here.

Now for a little silliness.

Forgive me if you are blonde, but this joke could also apply to redheads...

A blonde and her husband were kept awake night after night by the next door neighbors' barking dog.

Throwing back the blankets one night, she stormed out of the bedroom, vowing to teach the neighbors a lesson. "Don't get hurt!" her husband called after her.

"Not to worry," she replied, "I have a plan."

A few minutes later she climbed back into bed and snuggled down next to her husband with a contended sigh. But the barking persisted. If anything, it was louder than ever.

"I thought you were going to take care of the dog!" said the husband.

"I did," she said. "I went over there, untied him and tied him up in our yard. Now let's see how they like it!"

Final Blogiversary Winners and An Interview Party

The final three winners of this month's Blogiversary Drawing are:

Patti, Jessica, and Cecelia, lovingly drawn by my seven-year-old granddaughter. Congratulations! Please contact me at jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com with your choice of: a fiction book, a non-fiction book, or a cd from a writers' conference.

If your name was not drawn, don't despair--you have another chance to win a prize, at my Interview Party, where fellow author Caroline Brown is interviewing me on her blog today. Since I still have several fun prizes left from my blogiversary, whomever comments on the interview before 7 p.m. tomorrow, December 3rd will be entered to win a book, a cd, or a box of Snowberry Christmas tea! I will announce the winners on my Friday post. Thanks for joining me...