A brand-new year is before us! What a fantastic opportunity to make it the best year yet, with the Help of Jesus Christ! Don’t know Him personally? Check out my testimony. Having a personal relationship with Christ is the very best way to begin the New Year!

2020.

So different, but it sounds so right, too. It’s a clean slate "with no mistakes in it yet." (Anne of Green Gables, probably my favorite quote from that story!)

Very quickly, I’d like to share a few things to expect here on the blog; then, we will dive right into my word of the year (click here for 2019’s word of the year!)

I am a ministry kid (well, I’m technically an adult, but I still live at home, so “kid”!), and that means that sometimes, I cannot adhere to a schedule. I try to post on Saturdays (changing from Friday). But if something comes up and my posts are not there, you know what happened 😉. I post devotions, writing advice, historical articles and bookish posts! I also post reviews of books that I’ve read, fiction and non-fiction, traditionally published and Self-Published. But a new feature that I’m adding this year is a special post on the first Monday of each month (Lord Willing!) and that I shall share with you after our Word of the Year.

Word of the Year is very special to me, even though this is only my second year doing it. I learned so much from my 2019 word, Stand, and I can’t wait to see what God will show me with this word.

So without further ado…

*Drumroll*

2020’s Word of the Year is…

Now, before you go laughing, thinking this is a pun off of 20-20 Vision, it’s not. When I picked this word (or rather felt God impressing this word on my heart over and over), I hadn’t even thought about the fact that this was 2020.

This verse keeps coming to the forefront of my mind. Since my family travels full-time for the Fundamental Broadcasting Network, I attend multiple missions conferences a year. It has touched my heart in a way hard to express. Though I don’t feel called to overseas missions (but I’m open to that if it’s what God wants for my life), Missions means a lot to me. These people are dying, lost without Christ. And when we turn our backs on the Vision of Missions, not only do they perish, but so does our effectiveness in the Christian life. Missions is the heartbeat of God.

We’ll talk about this more in our upcoming devotion, “Where is Your Vision?”

Now, in keeping with this theme (although there are certainly more aspects to one’s vision beyond missions), I decided to share with you my Monday Blog post theme and a challenge for you.

Every First Monday (as I said, Lord Willing), I will be posting a spotlight on a different country in the world. Basic facts, interesting information, missionaries that serve there if applicable (Have to make sure they are the kind I want to promote!), and a little about the spiritual condition of the country.

Here’s where your part comes in.

Please join me in the Missions Vision Challenge! Will you commit to praying for that country throughout its assigned month? Will you pray for laborers to go to that country to reach it for Christ? Will you give to your church’s missions program, trusting the Lord to send it to the Missionary that needs it most? Will you find out if you have a missionary in that country, and if so, pray for them by name, read their prayer letter, and perhaps send them a card/email of encouragement?

Before we go, I have a few Missions themed Story Prompts for you. And a few Missions book recommendations. Here you go!

Books to Read

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose (18+ if read independently)
Missionaries with the Millers by Mildred A. Martin
Wounded Tiger by T. Martin Bennett (18+)
David Livingston, Louis Zamperini, Lilian Trasher, Amy Carmichael, and Jacob DeShazer by Janet and Geoff Benge.
 
That’s all I have for you today!
Have a Blessed New Year!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

This is the last post of 2019. Hard to believe, even harder to write.

This year, my word of the year was Stand. I had no idea how special this word would be to me.

I was challenged in several ways to stand. I was privileged to stand for life through working with Pregnant Options, attending a Pro-Life Rally, and signing a few petitions that came my way. I have been challenged to stand even firmer in my stance that the King James Bible is the Word of God by seeing the increase of people turning away from it. I’ve been inspired to stand in my Baptist Faith by reading of the mighty work God has done through my spiritual ancestors. And I’ve even be challenged to stand by the fundamental truths of American History 😉 (Try answering the question “What do you think of Abraham Lincoln?” when the one asking is a very kind northern lady and you desperately want to avoid hurting her feelings but be honest as well! Praise the Lord, He gave me a kind answer and we both left the conversation happy!)
 
Now more than ever, we need to take a stand for what we believe in. The devil is fighting hard, and man continues to call evil good and good evil. But we must stand! We have no choice! The gospel depends on it!
 
I’m eager to share my word of the year with you in my next post, and I can’t wait to see how God uses it in my life.
 
Now, my December Favorites!

Bible Verse: Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Don’t ask me why, but even more so than the actual account of Jesus Birth, this passage gives me chills. This is Who He Is! Look at all the promises in these verses, just in the names given to Jesus! What a genuinely mighty God we Serve!

Song: Good Christian Men Rejoice. It’s my official Favorite Christmas Song this Year!

Event: Our After-Christmas-Family-Gathering! Almost everyone made it in for lunch, and it was so nice having all my siblings and their families in at the same time!

Book of the Month: The Christmas Carol Society by Rebekah Jones. She’s a new author to me this year, and while I don’t approve of all her writing (and the scriptures are not King James), this book was incredibly thought-provoking. Didn’t really expect certain of the plot twists. I greatly enjoyed it!

Ministry: We performed a Christmas Play for my former home chirch, among other meetings this month! We had a lovely time acting out “The Greatest Gift” by Majesty Music. (BTW!!!! If you are not acquainted with Patch the Pirate{Put out by Majesty Music| You really need to check it out! Their latest episode was so good…and tear-jerking…)

Writing Update: I’ve been working on some personal revisions for A Song of Home, but stay tuned for the January update…it should be far more satisfying than anything I can tell you right now, Lol!

A Book I am Anticipating for January: Speak Truth in Your Heart by Sarah Mally. It’s her newest book, and I am so excited about this Bible Study! I also hope to put a dent in Jefferson Davis, American and read my Paw-Paw’s copy of Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly in preparation for book 5 rewrites…😉
 
And now for the whole reason you have stayed around this long…to see my list of 2019 Top Books!

Okay, so maybe that’s not why you are reading but, a girl can hope, right?

I specifically chose these books because they touched me personally, and I hope that if you read them, they will move you too.

10. The Real Lincoln by Thomas DiLorenzo.
This book showed me there are still people who know the truth about history, particularly about the War Between the States. The author is from Pennsylvania, giving him more credibility (though the region shouldn’t decide ones’ ability to serve the facts) and a larger platform than the average Joe could hope for. If you want the truth or some hope that real history can still be found, pick up this book.

9. Through the Tunnel by Rebekah A. Morris.
Foster kids have always touched me. Their lives are so sad in general. But this story provides hope. The forever home is out there, if not physically, then certainly spiritually. This is one of my favorite books by Ms. Morris.

8. Freedom by Faith Potts.
Now, this book will need editing for those who do not prefer Romance (like myself), but the message of this story goes far beyond any fictional relationship. This is about PTSD, a very real thing our servicemen go through daily. And it’s about another frightening reality: Suicide. Because of the romance content and suicide, I recommend this for 18+. But this book was so powerful. It was not written to entertain. It was written to educate, encourage and reach out to those in need. And most importantly, this book is about the most essential Relationship you could ever have: A Relationship with Jesus Christ.

7. The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenburg.
This one is fiction, but so powerful. The ending wasn’t entirely satisfactory for me, but it was still so eye-opening. I’ll never think of the Holocaust quite the same way again.

6. Three People by Isabella Alden.
This is my favorite book by my favorite author. If you have never read any of her books, and need one to start with, pick this one!

5. Wedding Score by Amanda Tero.
This book was such an encouragement to me, particularly in the Bible Study section of the story. It was profound, compelling, and very touching. I hope to re-read it soon, it was so encouraging in waiting on God’s time in all things.

4. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.
I’ve wanted to read this book ever since it came out. And this year, I did. It’s deep, and definitely not for young people without being editing first. But it’s a compelling story and one we can all learn from today.

3. Let’s Roll! by Lisa Beamer.
If you’ve read my testimony, then you know how much 9/11 has impacted my life. This book has only endeared the heroes of that day to me even more. I will never forget. I hope you won’t either. But this book will ensure that you don’t.

2. Worth Dying For by Rorke Denver.
It’s by a Navy SEAL…😊 But Seriously, this book explains some of the core values of the American Spirit. And in teaching us what things are worth dying for…He has shown us some things worth Living for.

And finally...





1. O To Be Like Thee by Kassie Angle.
I know you saw that coming, but this book really did touch me deeply. It’s powerful. Heart-wrenching…and real. For those of you looking for a Clean Military Read not meant to be forgotten…yeah, get this book ASAP.
 
And that, my friends, concludes the blog posts of 2019!
God Bless and Keep Standing!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

So today is the official first day of the 12 Days of Christmas! Last year, I posted everyday…that is not happening this year 😉 But I do have some fun posts planned to share with you over the next few days. And I will link a few posts from last year as well!

Today, I have a few new Christmas books to share with you! So let’s hop right in!

The Quiet Little Woman and other stories by Louisa May Alcott
Never thought I would be recommending one of her books, but here I am! Granted, I’ve only read this one and Hospital Sketches (it was pretty good, but there were a few parts that made me want to shake her!) but I’ve heard some things that have made me leery of her writing. This book was great! So sweet and perfect for a winter evening!

A Providence Christmas by Rebekah A. Morris
This book was so sweet! I enjoyed the setting and the sweet story of a girl without a home. It was old-fashioned, and a sweet Gospel presentation. And it’s even better if you have some colonial style music to listen to in the background! (Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as a beta-reader from the author. I was not required to review the book or to give a positive review.)

A Police Force for Christmas by Rebekah A. Morris
Another new Christmas short story from Miss Morris! This one was so sweet! I love Police officers and this book didn’t disappoint. While Christmas isn’t about the presents, it’s so sweet to see others reach out to those who don’t have what others have…or have been struck by a random act of meanness. Also a good lesson in paying it forward to our friends walking the Thin Blue Line!

In the Heart of the Christmas Pines by Leona Dalrymple
Now to me, this seemed more like an old-fashioned winter story, since there wasn’t just a whole lot mentioned about Christmas, other than the giving of gifts to the poor and someone dressing in a red suit in one scene towards the end (I do not condone this!), but it was a sweet story about how a widow woman, a young heiress, a soldier and a hermit boy find out what really matters: People, not things. Relationships, not prejudice. Very sweet, innocent and old (1914!).

Christmas Quilts by Rebekah A. Morris
Okay, I’ve read a lot of her books 😉 Anyway, this one was super sweet! I love the story line, the sibling banter and the story of the quilts in general. Be sure and check this one out!

Don't forget to Check out Faith's Post and more Christmas fun here!

Merry Christmas!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Another month had come and gone, and CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE! Need I say that this is one of my very favorite Holidays?!? November was busy as usual but in a good way! We had a lovely month, and I can’t wait to share a few things with you!

November Favorites

Bible Verse: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

This verse has become very special to me over the last several months, and even now, it has permanently become one of my favorites. The visual picture of God as the Father of Lights…it’s breath-taking and mind-boggling. We serve such a truly awesome God. All I can picture is the Northern lights. With our God being the Father and Creator of Lights like that, can you imagine what Heaven will be like? And knowing that every good thing that happens to us, all the blessings we receive, are special gifts just for us from God, is such a special feeling!

Song: I know…I’ve mentioned this song multiple times, but Every Good and Perfect Gift by Adam and Megan Morgan is still on my radar and was an especially loved song this past month.

Event: Getting to gather with my family for thanksgiving two weeks in a row! It was such a blessing to spend time with family, especially those we don’t get to see as often. We had a wonderful time!

Book of the Month: Worth Dying For by Rorke Denver. Mr. Denver is a Navy SEAL and this book…wow, it was profound. He explained why he thinks there is such a divide between military and civilians, how the problem can be fixed, and the whole reason Americans fight. Why we are so dedicated to what we believe in. It was a rare, raw glimpse at the Warrior’s Heart and is not something I will soon forget. His analogy about Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs was so good. Now, there were one or two words I had to mark out, but not used often. After editing, I would gladly hand this over to a 16-year-old. I’m not sure that I agree with everything that he said, but you know, few people agree on everything. Personally, I think every American should read this book, especially our politicians and our up and coming generation.

Ministry: Revival! We had a lovely week of revival with a pastor friend of ours in Liberty, N.C. We got to sing a new song for us girls, God of Wonders (ever heard me talk about that one? 😉). The services were excellent and God did a work in hearts.

Writing Update: We are still editing book 4 of The Battle for Heritage Series and am happy to report that it is going well. I am also drafting Book 5 and making headway. We’ll probably take a break due to Christmas, but we are right on track with our new goals! Also, since Christmas is such an inspiring time of year, I try to take some time to work on future Christmas stories, just for the fun of it!

A Book I am Anticipating for December: Quick note on last month’s anticipated read, The Real Lincoln was so good! 5 stars! If you are interested in that time era and learning some oft-hidden truths about the war, read this book! I’m really looking forward to all the Christmas books! I love this time of year, and I’ve heard about a few new ones I want to check out, as well as reread a few, like Wind Chimes by Victoria Minks and Behold by Faith Potts! Might even dig out my copy of Faith Blum’s O Come All Ye Faithful! And I just realized all of these are collections…
 
And Now, Some Writing Prompts…

That's all for now!
Merry Christmas!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

I love books! That should come as no surprise, given all the reviews I’ve posted here and the fact that I write books! But there are some story plots that I enjoy more than others! Here are five of my favorites in no particular order!

The Bad Guy Speech

Okay, this is probably one of the lamest movie/book clichés out there, but it is one of my very favorites! I can’t stand not knowing exactly what the bad guy is planning to do. I want to know every little detail and know how the hero stopped it from happening/got things back to normal. I also count the bad guy spilling the beans after they are caught in this category (Think Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys). Now, I know this is totally unrealistic, but sorry, I love it 😉

The Miraculous Recovery

I know this one can be over used and can seem convenient in some literature, but this is something that doesn’t really bother me. It’s also plausible; people can pull through near-death experiences. Now, I don’t want to read a book that uses this setting a dozen times, but two or three is all right.

Villains I Can’t Relate To
*blinks* I. Don’t. Like. Bad. Guys. And I don’t want to be able to relate to their feelings or their mind-set or feel sorry for them at all. So if you have no intentions of making your bad guy in the least way likable, I will probably like your story. If you are going to try and make me like that Nazi, he’d better be clueless as to what’s going on, a secret agent for the allies or going to see the truth at some point in the story and become a good guy. *takes a deep breath* Sorry, I do not want a villain in a story to have redeemable qualities or anything at all that makes me feel sorry for them. If he’s the bad guy, make him the bad guy.

The Slightly Crazy Sidekick

Okay, not literally crazy, but the one who provides a good laugh line, or suggests they take their mind off their troubles and just enjoy the moment. The one who can have a good time, but be serious when they need to be. The one who compliments the main character in the best possible way. Those sidekicks are the best!

Rags to Riches

But only when done the right way. I love seeing a story where the person is poor and works their way up in life honestly, but even more so, I love seeing a person, ‘poor’ because they are unsaved, then through the story, come to know the Savior and become an heir of heaven. That is my favorite manifestation of Rags to Riches. But if you want a story with both, check out Isabella Alden’s Three People. It’s my 2nd Favorite Book ever! (The Holy War by John Bunyan is my 1st favorite 😉)

Have a Blessed Day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22