Happy November!!
This year has really flown by and I can’t believe that I get to kick off this month’s blogging. Maybe because the year has flown by but has also still been impacted by covid, it seems unreal that November is now up on the calendar. And maybe because of covid and a whole of other life issues, it took me a while to think of what I wanted to blog about.
You see I’m rereleasing a book that was previously in the collection Something Borrowed. All the Moore tells the story of Leilah Anderson and Reggie Moore, two gamers who met online and struck up an unlikely friendship. It also tells the story of sufficient grace.
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
Leilah Anderson has a disability that only her best friends and her mother know about. She’s never told Reggie because she likes being just Leilah with him. But when an opportunity comes to meet him face-to-face, she can’t decide if she should say yes. Somehow, she knows telling him she’s in a wheelchair will change everything. (Teaser: This book my have some Affair to Remember type moments in it.)
In writing this story, I wanted Leilah to see that God’s grace was sufficient in the midst of her chronic pain. As I deal with chronic pain in my own life, I’ve discovered that it’s starting to creep into some of my characters. Partly because I know what it’s like to suffer, and partly because I know what it’s like to be cared for a loving God.
If I can help one person understand just how sufficient God’s grace is, then I’ll count the long hours of writing stories, editing, and marketing a win.
What about you? Has life dealt you a blow that had you reaching for understanding? Reaching for a hope that God is good and His grace sufficient? (These questions are totally rhetorical, you don’t have to share.) If you’re interested in a perspective from a person who has suffered and tentatively wheeled into the dating pool, then I hope you’ll pick up All the Moore.
Plus it has gaming references, best friends who’ll cheer you on in adversary, and just enough hint of New Orleans to make you smile.
As a happy November, I’d like to give 2 random commentators a chance to win a copy of All the Moore. One winner will get an ebook (so international friends, feel free to enter) and one winner will win a paperback copy (US only please). Please comment and tell me your favorite Bible verse by 11/5, 3:00pm EDT. I’ll then pick two random winners.
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Find out more on her website at http://tonishiloh.com.
The book sounds so encouraging and sweet. A favorite verse of mine is James 1:12
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“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV)”
That is a good one. The book of James is one of my faves.
I so loved this story!
Yay! You never know how people will respond. Thanks for reading!
The verses I go to ALL of the time are Ecc 3:1-8. No matter what life throws at me, those are the verses I cling to. During this season of mourning, after my 9 years of being caregiver to Mom, I’ve had people tell me she lived as long as she did because of the care I gave her. I’ve told many, many people that I was blessed to be able to care for her, and that it was my way of honoring her and my Daddy for all they did for me through the years. Daddy passed away 25 and a half years ago. I’ve had a friend tell me that because of how I talked about taking care of my Mom, she’s looking at taking care of her Mom differently. If she’s the only one I can help, so be it, and if there are more, then all the better! God use anything and anyone He choses.
Amen, Trudy. Sending you virtual hugs and prayers during this time.
I always liked Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want…”. I always found it to be very comforting to me. It was also what my mom and I chose to have read at my dad’s funeral because it meant a lot to us.
It is very comforting. I’m glad it’s gotten you through hard times.
As a chronic pain sufferer, this book appeals to me. Life is hard, with God’s Grace, it’s tolerable, even enjoyable at times.
Ecclesiastes 3 my favorite tysm.
Hi My favorite Bible verse is the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. Thank you for the chance. ( I don’t read ebooks at all, but Thank you) Have a great week and stay safe.
Amen. Prayers!
It’s a good chapter!
You stay safe as well.
One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Timothy 1:7. I use this verse as a reminder when I’m feeling afraid, that fear is not from God.
Yes! It’s one I used to say to my children when they were scared at nighttime.
Hi, Toni!
Be anxious for nothing but in all things, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I have chronic health issues also, not pain, but enough to have brought some significant emotional struggles along the way. God has made such provisions for us and has been faithful in His love.
I have (and have read) the Something Borrowed collection and really enjoyed all the stories. Leilah and Reggie were really special. I really identified with Leilah in being uncertain about being accepted in the presence of a handicap.
No need to include me in the drawing. Thanks so much for the encouraging post.
Thank you so much for sharing, Lincoln. Philippians 4:6-7 is another one of my go tos. Have a blessed week!
These verses have been my favorite for a few years now: “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” -Ephesians 3:18-19
I like the premise cos many of us have issues and disabilities where seen or unseen. I have chronic daily migraines and Occipital Neuralgia which causes head pain 24/7. This all started over 8 years ago and when it first started and didn’t stop I was struggling and wondering how I would handle it or keep going. Wanting it to stop. that first few months were really hard until I saw a Christmas plaque saying Hope. its a wooden plaque with the letters only (red with the outline of shiny things). It was the work I grabbed onto and have that plaque in the house. It gives me hope of being free of pain or learning to handle it etc. Without hope there is nothing. If you told me over 8 years ago I would still be dealing with this I would have wondered how I would go one. but its one day at a time and acceptance works. Yes I would like a cure but realistically I know that may never happen. I also had to get away from those who would say it was a lack of faith for me not being healed. I know that God could heal if its his will but I also know he uses these situations to reach others. Being on a couple of forums for this issue can help reach people where before it wouldn’t. One lady had some major issues with her daughter missing and is a non christian but was very happy for me to put her on a prayer list. There are other instances where I can share faith because they know I am in the same boat. I never understood people in constant pain till I was and feel really bad I didn’t realise how bad it is.
Favorite Bible verse? There’s so many! Two that stand out:
Proverbs 3:5-6~”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Romans 5:8~”But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
These verses have brought much comfort & encouragement to me when I needed it the most!
Psalm 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I also would have to say Proverbs 3:5-6 as someone else has mentioned. Thank you for writing a book about a person who is disabled. God bless you.
Two of my favorite verses are Psalm 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I also would have to say Proverbs 3:5-6 as someone else has mentioned. Thank you for writing a book about a person who is disabled. God bless you.
My favorite Bible verses are these: “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
John 14:7
I was converted one night at dawn when I spoke with the Lord and accepted Jesus, those verses appeared on a small paper pasted on the mirror of a bathroom at my university where I always went the next morning, They were just there and in another bathroom on the first floor where I used to go, nowhere else in the University.
Some time later I found out that a girl from a distant university went there to hit them because she felt she had to, although she never understood why.
So they are special to me.
I love books about people in a wheelchair, deaf, dumb, blind, etc. They give hope that love is really something that transcends the need for physical perfection, or even better, that there are men or women who see their partner as “perfect for them” even if it is not what the world says is perfect.
No matter how sweet some family, Hallmark or Disney movies are … the movies still don’t seem to be opening up to show protagonists in wheelchairs or some other disability .
I enjoyed the story
I liked the story
Oh good verses! I may have to write those down and post them some where.
I’m so sorry you have to deal with that on a daily basis. I’m so glad you have hope and use your experience to care for others. I think comforting others when they are dealing with an issue is one of the biggest blessings in disguise of a chronic health issue.
Oh those are great ones, Trixi!
Blessings to you too!
That’s true (about the movies). I hope that changes.
Thank you for reading it.
Thank you for reading, Sylvain.
I don’t have a favorite bible verse.
It’s all so good, it can be hard to narrow it down to just one.
“In Him I live and move and have my being…” ~Acts 17:28
My favorite bile verse is I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 KJV
Your book sounds great! Especially with having friends and family who have been touched by a similar illness. My favorite verse is Mt. 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they?”