Devotionals by Donna

Father's Day: Playing for My Father

2013-05-15T08:12:00.000-04:00

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. – Exodus 15:2 NIV Luther Jack Riley, L.J. for short, was not a musical man. His wife, Mammie, grew up singing, and when they visited her family, the whole clan gathered around the piano to sing for hours. But not L.J. – he sat to the side and listened,

Just for Fun - This is Einstein!

2013-05-14T09:22:00.001-04:00

Today's post might be fun to share with the kids - or kids at heart, like me!

Review: Coach and Four: Allisandra's Tale - Linore Rose Burkard

2013-05-13T17:11:00.001-04:00

A bit of intrigue, a lot of romance, and a whole lot of enjoyment - that's what you'll get reading Linore Rose Burkard's Coach and Four: Allisandra's Tale. Ms. Burkard researches and sets the scenes with such authenticity that you find yourself transported through time to the era in which her characters live. This is a delightful story, and gives you a taste of the talent that made Burkard's

Even at MY Age!

2013-05-10T09:39:00.000-04:00

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. - Proverbs 16:31 NIV In the grocery the other day, I commented on the high price of blueberries to a woman about my age or slightly older. She looked at me like I might mug her, turned her cart and practically ran. Then, when I looked like I couldn't find something in another aisle (and couldn't! Where DO

My Tips for Writers Using Pinterest

2013-05-07T08:47:00.000-04:00

What is Pinterest? Here's the official definition from Pinterest: "Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration

Review: Beyond Talent by John C. Maxwell

2013-05-06T15:01:00.000-04:00

I LOVE this book. I received this book several months ago, and am normally very quick to read and write reviews when my schedule allows. I have gotten so caught up with the stories, the advice, and the practical tips in this book that I actually forgot I had received it for review. My copy is bookmarked, starred, highlighted, and dog-eared. At the end of each chapter are Application Exercises

Review - 5 Days to a Clutter-Free House: Quick, Easy Ways to Clear Up Your Space

2013-05-02T11:45:00.000-04:00

In my never-ending pursuit of being an organized person, I asked to review this book. When it came time to read and review, I couldn't find it. Boy, do I need this book! The first section of the book focuses on cleaning and organizing your home using a team approach. While I think that would be a great way to tackle a big job, most of my friends and family are every bit as busy as I am.

For Mother's Day

2013-04-28T22:20:00.000-04:00

I wrote a poem called Mom's Retreat and I'm certain I'm not the only mother who's ever escaped to this special place. To read it on CWAHM.com, click HERE and leave a comment there or here on this blog. Thanks! Happy Mother's Day. - Donna *************

New Mother Syndrome (Baby Shower Devotion)

2013-02-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

I received an e-mail from a friend, its content riddled with errors. These weren’t small mistakes, but glaring oversights. A few moments later, I received a second message apologizing for the first e-mail. “Please forgive me. I must be suffering from New Mother Syndrome. All I can think of is the baby.” What mother hasn’t felt that way when she brings home a newborn? What is this syndrome, and

Valentine's Day: Say, “I Love You” to Someone Today

2013-01-07T14:12:00.000-05:00

“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:9 February is the month of love. A lot of people think Hallmark thought up Valentine’s Day, but few know how it really originated. One legend says Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided single men

Audio Bible Online - Christmas Story

2012-12-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

On Audio Bible Online, I read Luke 2:1-20, the story of Jesus Christ's birth. Click HERE to listen. I hope you are blessed. Photo courtesy of: Free Stock Photos

Born to Die

2012-11-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

The other night I heard the song by Steppenwolf, Born to Be Wild. It brought back memories of Junior High and High School - that song had legs! When it came on the radio, my friends and I turned the volume up, and da-da-da'd through the verses, and on the chorus belted out, "Born to be wi-l-d," and played air guitar or in my case, drums. Oh, were we wild. Born to be wild. Born to -- you fill in

Kindle Romance Giveaway - Love Under the Bubble Wrap

2012-11-13T18:49:00.002-05:00

Just for fun, I've decided to send someone a freebie - a download for Kindle of my novelette - a squeaky-clean, 'hen-lit' story. Here are some of the reviews: Love Under the Bubble Wrap - a novelette is a sweet escape for anyone wanting to discover love in everyday life. A charming, witty, engaging short story. - Mary DeMuth, author of The Muir House (Zondervan). With a story aimed to

Poetry by Donna: Ideal Meal - a Fun Thanksgiving Poem

2012-11-01T10:32:00.000-04:00

Poetry by Donna: Ideal Meal - a Fun Thanksgiving Poem

Giving Thanks in Gatlinburg

2012-10-12T23:20:00.000-04:00

Gatlinburg Department of Tourism Photo It’s nice to get away from our daily routine. In autumn, a drive through the mountains enjoying the spectacular range of color the Lord has created can be restorative. A few years ago, I took a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee with family. The weather cooperated with temperatures in the seventies and a slight breeze. Just right. It looked as if everyone

Book Announcement: Book for Girls! "Ava's Secret Tea Party"

2012-08-08T16:06:00.003-04:00

What child hasn't dreamed of meeting the elusive Tooth Fairy, Santa, Sandman, or the Easter Bunny? Ava wants to invite them all to tea, but how can she? Find out in "Ava's Secret Tea Party" - an imaginative tale sure to enthrall children for years to come. Boys and girls alike will delight in finding the hidden teacups and cookies in the fanciful illustrations and planning their own parties

Smelly Saints

2012-07-08T23:07:00.000-04:00

(*First posted 1-2-05) The Law appoints priests who have weaknesses. But God's promise, which came later than the Law, appoints his Son. And he is the perfect high priest forever. - Hebrews 7:28 (cev) Have you ever burned popcorn in your microwave? Let me tell you, it’s not a good thing. The other night my husband tried a new brand of low-fat popcorn. He misread the instructions, and the

CWAHM Video Devotion with Jill Hart

2012-05-23T13:26:00.000-04:00

Here's a wonderful devotion by Jill Hart of CWAHM.com (Christian Work at Home Moms), but the lesson she shares is applicable to anyone with faith in God.

A Better Plan

2012-04-10T10:32:00.000-04:00

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21 niv I got up bright and early on Monday ready to start my day and my Internet wouldn't work. Scree-e-e-ch! That will put a halt to your plans, won't it? I'm not on the web much on Sundays, so I look forward to catching up with everyone first thing Monday morning. I decided a big cup of coffee

Meaning of Easter - David Garibaldi

2012-03-08T05:40:00.000-05:00

My Pic of the Year - 2012

2011-12-31T19:28:00.000-05:00

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. – Colossians 4:2-4 In the past, I have prayed for and chosen a word or phrase for the New Year, a small reminder of what I wanted to accomplish and

Living With Expectancy

2011-12-27T19:41:00.000-05:00

“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14 Every year at this time a lot of people make many promises. Some of the New Year’s Resolutions I have heard (or made) are: “I am going to pray an hour each day.” “I intend to read the entire Bible!” “I

Guest Post - Rachel Hauck

2011-12-25T01:25:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Merry Christmas from all of us at Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoyed these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you missed a few posts, I hope you'll be able go back through and read them on this blog over the next few days. If you'd like to keep up with Pearl Girls and our new book project,

Guest Post - Robin Dance

2011-12-24T01:13:00.010-05:00

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND just for

Guest Post - Deborah M. Coty

2011-12-23T01:10:00.008-05:00