Thoughts on Prayer and Keeping Hope Alive in the New Year

We're off and running into 2024, and we can hardly keep up with the snowballing changes and craziness going on in the world. Never have I seen so many things happening that point to these church-age days winding down to God's glorious return.

BUT, God might wait. In the meantime, what are we to do? We are to pray
always and not lose hope6Luke 18. $Oh, hey, my hero in Polly talks a bit
how those words had an impact on him.)

The Holy Spirit reminded me recently of how important continual prayer is
in everything. We cannot always expect a one-and-done answer when
we pray, especially when it comes to the Big, Deep, Important Things.
The HUGE battles.

In Exodus 17I 8613, God sent the armies of Israel out to fight against the
armies of Amalek near Rephidim (in the Sinai Peninsula near Mt. Sinai).
God offered Moses victory, but it only lasted while Moses held his arms
and staff aloft. As the battle raged for hours and hours, Moses grew
weary and his arms drooped. Each time that happened, the tide of battle
would turn against the Israelites. Thankfully, two men, Aaron and Hur,
came alongside Moses and helped him hold his arms up for the duration
of the battle, and as he held them, beseeching God, God answered
in victory. In fact, we are told that Joshua (the first in command)
overwhelmed the Amalekites with the sword.

Victory O Lord! 1871 painting by John Everett Millais

I have often found that the same holds true for our prayers. As long as I

keep my praises and request ever before Him, he responds. But
sometimes when I lag, He calls me back to stark attention--not always
comfortably.

As we go march forward into 2024 let us remember not to let our prayers
grow wearisome. There are loved ones for whom we've prayed a very
long time. There are continual needs surrounding us. Let's keep in
constant, ever-vigilant prayer over those people who hold places deep in
our hearts and on behalf of others, and let us not weary on our spiritual
laurels in the face of whatever lengthy battles lie before us.

We must keep watch. We must pray. We must not lose hope.

Hopefully,

Naomi

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And don't miss my brand-new release!

POLLY, BOOK ONE IN THE NEW APRON STRINGS SERIES

The Kindle version releases officially on Monday, January 15th,

but the paperback is available right now!

History with a Dash of Romance and Intrigue -- A Review of Pegg Thomas's Freedom's Price - Path to Freedom, Book One

I have always been drawn to history surrounding indentureship in America. Now Freedom’s Price by Pegg Thomas is an ideal launch into her new Path to Freedom frontier series that grabs hold of this bit of history with well-rounded characters and a page-turning plot.

I was tugged along into the perilous adventure of Gwen Morgan, an Irish lass who is separated from her only family member, a sister, when they are orphaned and sent into separate indentures. Living amid danger in the household that purchased her indenture, Gwen makes a life-changing bargain that will offer her freedom, but with it she’ll have to carry a lie for the rest of her life.

Of course, Gwen can’t really comprehend the extent of what that lie means. Can she ever marry and settle down because of her choice? If the lie is jeopardized, will she be forced back into indenture? Soon, she’ll have to decide, but perils hang in the balance no matter what she chooses to do. And how can she acquire the help of the other servants, including the young man who is interested in her on the farm? (Not the wicked one whom she dreads, but another indentured servant who is also a trusted friend. He kept me guessing too.)

Meanwhile, the author weaves in the history of a group of Quakers traveling into the Northwest Territory, and Thomas does a fabulous job of sharing their way of life with the reader. Even with the archaic language they speak, the story is easy to read and remains compelling. Plus, there remained the question of Gwen’s future. Could she live the lie with these honest people, and what about another man she’s growing to care for? How can she ever reveal her secret, or will it be thrown into the open as the past dogs her heels?

I highly recommend Freedom’s Price to lovers of American historical fiction with a dash of romance and intrigue.

A Mystery on Church Street, by Gail Kittleson ~ A Book Review and Recommendation

 

A Mystery on Church Street

A Mystery on Church Street is a delightfully written WWII, small-town murder mystery also featuring two gently woven-in romances. One is that of a middle-age married couple who have weathered life’s storms and are still in love after years together (and the lady is quite a sleuth). The other involves a fresh and honest-feeling romance between the couple’s daughter and the town's new young pastor who is just learning what it’s like to pastor a church in a tightly-knit community—for good or bad. 

Author Gail Kittleson managed to work in all the historical details of small-town life on the WWII home front, when the war sometimes scarred people’s lives in invisible ways, and folks still searched for life’s balance in a world turned on end. Meanwhile espionage at home was a real concern, and suspicion of one’s neighbors was not taken lightly. I found this to be a very engaging story with lifelike characters I connected to. It hit on all the small town feels as well as historical buttons of interest. It's a very different sort of WWII novel. I would call it kind of a cozy historical, and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list.