A Couple of Bright New Readers

I am so encouraged this week by blogs written by two bright young women who recently read my book Taking Back October  and wrote to their own readers in response. They have chosen to make some changes in their family celebrations and have some great recommendations.

It is encouraging to see this generation of Jesus-followers giving thought to what they celebrate and how they parent. They are going deeper than surface beliefs passed down to them and plumbing the depths of their faith. They are asking why they do what they do and teaching their children to be critical thinkers about their faith.

Here are a couple of quotes from Marissa and Moriah Rice and links to their blogs regarding the question of Halloween and what Christians should do about it.

"I think it is important to note that the spiritual warfare is not just for parents! Children are more aware then we think. To share a story of this year, my sweet sensitive boy who is 3 years old, for the month of October has been having nightmares when we come in his room to comfort, pray and check on him, he has communicated the following reasons for his nightmares: spiders, death in the form of someone eating him, and ghosts that are trying to carry him away. SERIOUSLY! We have never shown or exposed or talked about these things, he is seeing them decorated around peoples houses and in the grocery stores. HE IS THREE!!! Our family is already now due to the display of fear and evil, addressing spiritual warfare! Positively, it is good because they are more aware then we think, negatively, sends my momma bear into a frenzy! So I ask myself: what is being promoted spiritually when it comes to Halloween? Again, this is opportunity for self and family evaluation."

~ Marissa Rice, https://raisingrices.com/2018/11/02/now-that-halloween-is-over-lets-talk-about-it/?fbclid=IwAR2VqYZTwdrX5grkhpGteHxoxLTWsRd-2VaJJmPRJmFChgYwnDeAU7zWPlg  

 "So November 1 is now known as All Saints Day while October 31 can be known as All Saints Day Eve. And I think that in the Rice household, it will become a regular holiday! Beth goes into so many great ideas within her book about how to continue to have fun dressing up, eating food (and candy if you wish!) and being with friends while honoring Christians and giving thanks (almost like a pre-Thanksgiving in my mind!)."

~ Moriah Rice, https://brendanandmariahrice.wixsite.com/home/blog/all-saints-day 

Great time at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference in Tualatin

What a terrific day! We met Saturday, October 20 at Rolling Hills Community Church. Kathi Lipp was our keynote speaker and we were all inspired and entertained by her presentation. What a motivator she is! I think everyone who went came away with ideas on how to do a better job as a writer, no matter what our level of experience is.

The next Oregon Christian Writers is on Saturday, February 23 at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. If you are interested in learning more about writing, check out the website and sign up! You won't be sorry.

Looking for the Perfect Book for August-September?

Now is the time to order Taking Back October for your small group Bible study, family devotions, or Sunday school class. The nine chapters arm and inform today’s Christ follower regarding the celebration of Halloween, and offer insight and alternatives. Learn how you, your family, and church can strengthen your faith and revel in the light and life Jesus offers.

A couple of the Amazon reviews:

“Beth Vice’s book, Taking Back October, is the culmination of years of personal experience and research. She not only tackles the undertones of modern Halloween in the spiritual realms, but she also offers scores of tried and true ideas for bringing light to a potentially dark, destructive time of the year. Well written and thorough, this book tackles an unpopular subject skillfully and constructively.” - Linda Jett

“In Taking Back October, Beth Vice reveals that our children are being handed much more than candy each Halloween. She exposes the underlying darkness of this holiday so parents and grandparents can make informed choices and changes. Then she offers an abundance of God-honoring alternatives for celebrating All Saints Day instead. As an added resource, Beth has included lists of suggested movies, books, and music which readers can refer to for years to come.” – Kathleen Wilcox

Pullout quotes, pertinent scriptures, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter are perfect conversation starters to get you excited about reclaiming this beautiful season for God’s glory. The five Appendixes at the end are full of party and decorating ideas, games, crafts, and lesson plans.

Whether you have children at home or are an empty nester, a church leader or follower, this book will get you excited about Taking Back October for the kingdom of Christ.

Available on Amazon for $8.99. Click on the following link to order now: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Back-October-Believers-Pursuit/dp/1502516292/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1534373955&sr=8-2

Book Table at Springtime Spectacular in Salem

If you’re in the Salem area, or plan to attend Springtime Spectacular at Salem First Church, come visit my book table before or after the conference, or during break times. I would love to see you whether you’re an old or new friend. I’ll be selling my books:

My First Bible Memory Book for kids

Forty Days of Lint Easter devotional

Louie the Lemon kids’ book

Taking Back October, my personal Halloween story and resource guide for God-honoring fall celebrations

iLove devotional and Bible study

The Four Gifts of Christmas Advent devotional

Springtime Spectacular is going to be an amazing event: April 13-14th at Salem First Church of the Nazarene, 1550 Market St. NE. Starts Friday @ 5:30 pm and ends Saturday @ 3:30.

The theme is “Love Never Gives Up.” I’m so glad God’s love never gives us on us, aren’t you? 

The music leaders will be Pastor Todd and Carla Joyner and the featured speaker is Cynthia Ulrich Tobias, a fantastic author and speaker. You won't want to miss it!

Hope to see you there.  

#springtimespectacular #CynthiaUlrichTobias #ToddCarlaJoyner #booksaleinSalem #BethAebischerSharptonVice

Happy Valentines/Ash Wednesday/Lent/April Fool's/Easter to You!

That's right. This is an unusual year in the way all these major holidays all coincide and overlap. Today is Valentine's Day, but it is also Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the Lenten season as we prepare our hearts for Easter. And Easter falls on April Fool's Day, which kind of makes you stop and think. In fact, it all works together wonderfully well. I will be saying more about that soon on my other blog: Epiphany--http://bethvice.blogspot.com/  so check in to see how all those work together in a wonderful anomalous message of love from God.

Today, however, I want you to know I have a great book available with a daily reading for every day of Lent called Forty Days of Lint (yep, I spelled it right). It's inspiring, solid, funny, and it will help you clean out all those areas of your life that tend to collect spiritual lint:

Dryer Lint—for times of Spiritual Dryness

Bellybutton Lint—At the Center of Things

Pocket Lint—Things Unseen

      Clothing Lint—Appearances…and where would Easter be without

Dust Bunnies—which require some Deep Cleaning  

Paperback copies available for $10, also in Kindle at : https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Lint-Playful-Prepare/dp/1523307897/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1518656799&sr=8-1&keywords=forty+days+of+lint%2C+beth+vice

Order a copy for you, your friends, or small group and savor every moment of this special season.

Book Event in Salem, February 5

If you live in the Salem area, you're invited to come to a Beth Vice Book Event at the home of Tara Newman, Monday, February 5 @ 6:30 pm. She will be hosting this gathering in their new lovely home. Please RSVP Tara @ selaphotography@gmail.com to let her know you would like to come, and get directions to her house.

This will be a relaxed time with some fantastic women who love Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him and other people.

I will be reading excerpts from my new book, My First Bible Memory Book, as well as Forty Days of Lint, and a few others. I'll have plenty of copies on hand, so come ready to buy books for yourself and as gifts. Lent begins on February 14 this year, so now is the time to buy this Easter devotional and begin preparing your heart for the season of resurrection!

I am looking forward to a fun evening of visiting, Q &A, yummy snacks, and sharing my work with you!

Hope to see you there.

Look For My Guest Post on Forgiveness: Rings of Forgiveness

My friend, Lynn Hare, from Oregon Christian Writers asked me if I would be willing to contribute to her blog series on Forgiveness and I was happy to do it. Here is the link to my article "Rings of Forgiveness"at her website, : http://lynnhare.com/blog/rings-of-forgiveness-beth-vice/#comment-100871

I hope you will read it and share it with others. And also, add Lynn's blog to your list of go-to's for spiritual inspiration and truth.

The more I thought about this assignment, the more I began to feel the power of self-forgiveness, or the lack thereof. I wanted to describe it in a memorable way and prayed some days before I began. God gave me the image of a tree, and the rings of added growth as it matures.

What I didn't know is what a miracle He would do in my own heart before I finished the piece.

Unknown to me, a seed of shame was lurking in my spirit that had kept me from forgiving myself. I hadn't realized how much it was dragging me down until God brought it to light in a surprising moment. His continued grace has freed me from the heaviness and self-hatred I felt for so long.

I praise God for His forgiveness, and that His mercies are new every morning!

#forgiveness #forgivingself #nomoreshame #spiritualgrowth #spiritualmaturity