We Can't Say it Any More Plainly! THANK YOU!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!

We can’t say it any more plainly.

As each day grows closer to those times of the year that makes one pause and reflect on what they are thankful for and what their year was like, we cannot help but come back to the one place any Author or Publisher needs to think of and consider with each and every word-YOU –our readers and supporters.

We count on you each and every “Thirsty Thursday” Party for your feedback, every review you give, every email and direct message you send the Authors in our Community. Without your guidance and support we know that we would cease to exist. “THANK YOU!!!!”

As a small token of our appreciation we are going to try to do a few fun things for you over the next 4 weeks.

We are going to offer all of the paperbacks, audio books and ebooks in the Helping Hands Press Store at 30% off from Nov. 20 to Dec.18th.All you need to do is use the code word “THANKYOU” when you check out to receive the discount.

We are also starting a contest that will run the same length of time. There will be a Rafflecopter located on the Helping Hands Press blog that will have all the details. There are a lot of prizes:
-Grand Prize -Kindle Fire HD6
-Second Prize- 12 paperbacks-Full list is below
-Third Prize-6 paperbacks-Full List below
-Fourth prize-6 audio books-Full List below
-Fifth Prize-audio book of choice
We hope that you have fun, enjoy the contest, and most of all know that all of us here at Helping Hands Press are very thankful for your support each and every day!
THANK YOU!!!!!

Second Prize-12 paperbacks: Declaration of Independence Series I, Colony Zero Complete Series I, The San Francisco Wedding Planner Series I, ’Tis The Season in Sweetland Complete, No Revolution Is Too Big Complete Series, Marsha Hubler’s Heart-Warming Christmas Stories Complete Series, No Matter What, Uplifting Devotionals Book I, 12Days of Christmas Complete Series, The Ambassadors, Preacher Man Volume I, Legacy of Grandpa’s Grapevine

Third Prize-6 paperbacks:Dark Enough To See The Stars, The Blizzard, The Christmas Wish, Mother Can You Hear Me?, Homeschool Co-ops 101, God,Me and a Cup of Tea

Fourth Place-6 audio books- The Swaddling Clothes, The Desperate Road, Rio Oro, Once Upon A Christmas Eve, Neighbors V1, A Mended Heart

"Critiquing Canticles: a 21 Day Devotional for a Doubt-filled Age" by Tony Hilling

"Critiquing Canticles: a 21 Day Devotional for a Doubt-filled Age" by Tony Hilling

Day 1


“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47)

As a young boy 12 years old, I left my home in Scotland and went to a Roman Catholic seminary in the north of England. At that time the liturgy of the RC church was still done completely in Latin. Every Sunday evening at the conclusion of Vespers (Evening Prayer), we would sing the Canticle of Mary. Now, more than fifty years later, I can still hear in my heart the beautiful tones of the Gregorian Chant: “Magnificat anima mea Dominum.”
Mary’s Canticle was reported to us originally in Greek. But her first two phrases still reveal a characteristic of Hebrew poetry: a couplet which simply states the same idea twice. A similar example would be the opening of Psalm 103. “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.”
The intention of the original writer is then to hit the main idea twice. Therefore, Psalm 103:1 and Luke 1:46 are saying essentially the same thing: praise and worship the Lord God with the very core of our being.

The context of the Canticle is a conversation between two women who had good reason to praise God: the previously barren Elizabeth was now carrying God’s messenger; Mary was carrying His only Son. But not only this, there has been a great absence of revelation from God over the past four hundred years. Some ancient commentators called it the Four Hundred Years of Silence. And now God is speaking very loudly indeed; more reason to praise Him. But do we praise God only when we have a clear reason to rejoice in something?

For the Christian there is something normative about praise of God; it must be done daily regardless of the circumstances. I remember listening to a message by Allan Vincent, a British missionary then resident in the U.S. He shared with us that in the Holy Land they have two main types of figs: the summer figs and the winter figs. The summer figs are planted in the Spring and harvested in the Fall. They are the fruit of the warm season and can be insipid. The winter figs are planted in the Fall and harvested in the Spring. They have to endure the cold season in the Holy Land. These figs are firm and juicy.

We must praise God daily in our lives, but especially in the difficult times for then it is real praise. Our praise of God becomes like the winter figs. The prophet Habakkuk echoes this attitude at 3:17 &18, where he writes that though there be no fruit on the vines or figs or olive trees, nor any cattle in the stall,
“…Yet, I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Such an attitude of mind bespeaks faith, trust and devotion to God beyond whatever He can do for us. It was Mary’s attitude; it must become ours.

Breakthrough by Marcia Lee Laycock

Breakthrough by Marcia Lee Laycock

I love the Old Testament. The history of the Hebrew people is fascinating. The history of how God provided for them, sustained them and brought them to the place where He wanted them, is awe inspiring. The book of 2 Samuel, verses 17-20 is a perfect example. David has just taken the city of Jerusalem. The Philistines are massing for attack. Picture them as a formidable wall of enemies spread out across the valley. In the face of this, I would have been tempted to just attack. The enemy was obvious, David knew He was the anointed King and had God’s blessing. But he did not rush off to the attack. First, he prayed and asked God what he should do.

God answered and the enemy was defeated.

David said, “as waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” (2Sam.5:20).

The word used for break out means to breach like water in flood. If you have ever experienced a flood you will know the power that David witnessed. I remember clearly the day I witnessed that force of nature.

We had purchased some property on the banks of the Klondike River, about ten miles out of Dawson City, Yukon. We hauled an old trailer on the property to live in while we built our log house. We were doing some work to that old trailer one afternoon in late spring when we heard what sounded like a very big freight train. But there were no railway tracks anywhere near us. We stood still and listened for a while. Then my husband’s eyes lit up.

“It’s the river,” he said.

We rushed down to the banks of the Klondike to watch the yearly event that every Yukoner is happy to see – breakup. The sound of the ice shifting and grinding was so loud we could hardly hear one another. We watched as a huge slab of ice broke free and was heaved into the air. A massive tree was tossed up as though it were a toothpick. And the river surged up and over its banks. We had to run to get away from it.

I will never forget the evidence of the power of nature on that day. It was unstoppable. I am sure David never forgot the evidence of the power of his God as his enemies fell before him. God’s plan was enough - it broke through before David’s army. David’s God was unstoppable.

What enemies are coming against you? In a spiritual sense, what enemies keep you from the Lord? Know that you have an all-powerful, unstoppable God who is just waiting for you to turn to Him and ask what you should do. He will answer.

But it is important to remember David’s attitude. He did not demand that God act, he did not demand a victory, he asked God to reveal His plan. Then he obeyed.

God has not changed since those long-ago days. He is still the almighty, all powerful God who will defeat your enemies. May we all go to Him like David did, not with the arrogance of entitlement, but with the humility of a servant.

New Release! Sue Badeau "Christmases Past - Volume 5 - The Christmas Primer"

“Did you and Poppa take a lunch pail when you went to school in Virginia?” Six-year-old Titus King innocently asks his parents as he gets ready for his first day of school. When he learns that his parents, former slaves, were not allowed to learn to read he is shocked and saddened. As Christmas in Civil-War-era Vermont rolls around, Titus worries he will not have anything to give his parents, until an experience at school gives him an idea. He can’t wait to see Poppa’s face!


What are readers saying about Sue's story:"The Christmas Primer is a must read! The story took me on a wonderful journey back to 1864 Vermont ... a place where escaped slaves were given the opportunity to build a life in freedom. Sue's vivid descriptions and attention to historical details drew me into that world. I became part of the King family, listing to Poppa's stories, enjoying Momma's biscuits and jam and walking with young Titus and his friends to and from school.

When reading a short story, I usually take a break half-way through, but I couldn't with this one....I didn't want to say good-bye! Kudos Sue!"

The Amazon Kindle link for Sue's story is:http://www.amazon.com/Christmases-Past-5-Christmas-Primer-ebook/dp/B00P37KKCI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414961087&sr=1-1&keywords=sue+badeau

Sue Badeau is a nationally known speaker, writer, and consultant with a heart for children and a desire to help adults and children build bridges of hope following the pain of trauma or loss. She writes and speaks extensively to public and private agencies, courts, parent groups, and churches. Sue and her husband, Hector, are lifetime parents of twenty-two children, two by birth and twenty adopted (three, with terminal illnesses, are now deceased). They have also served as foster parents for more than fifty children. They authored a book about their family’s parenting journey, Are We There Yet: The Ultimate Road Trip Adopting and Raising 22 Kids, which can be found on Amazon.com or on Sue’s website – www.suebadeau.com. She may be reached by email at sue@suebadeau.com. Sue is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference. She lives in Philadelphia and is a member of the Summit Presbyterian Church.

The Pearl Necklace by Patti J. Smith

I heard this story awhile back and I carry it's message in my heart......I know you will too.


THE PEARL NECKLACE


A cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll
think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her piggy bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a
bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess-- the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite." "That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" " Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And, when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of beautiful genuine pearls. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her a genuine treasure. (Author Unknown)

We all carry dime-store pearl necklaces...each pearl carrying something we're not willing to turn over to God. Let's give our Father the cheap necklace so He can give us the genuine treasure...a life filled with hope, love and serenity.