And the two winners of the drawing (from my previous post) of the $20 Amazon gift card and a copy of my women’s Bible study Whispers of My Heart: Daughters of the King Bible Study is….
Drum Roll … Stephanie H and Michele Mobley. Congratulations to you! I’ll contact you to award your prizes.Β 
And thank you to everyone for a fabulous response to my drawing. But why let the fun stop? Here’s another opportunity…
Yippee! It’s another Book Giveaway! And I’m so pleased to feature Andrea Merrell’s new book on marriage: Marriage: Make It or Break It. I’ve only been married 47 years (haha!) but I found such value in Andrea’s book that I asked if I could feature it. And she will send the winner of the drawing an autographed copy! See below how to enter your name into the drawing.

Here’s a little taste from the book. Enjoy!


Speedy Bumps

by Andrea Merrell

Speed bumps are a pain for drivers, but they serve a significant purpose. After living in our current home for over thirty years, some of our neighborsβ€”all four of themβ€”decided to have a number of these dreadful inconveniences installed on our not-so-widely-traveled country road.Β 
I was not a happy homeowner in the beginning, but sometimes it is what it is.Β 
Soon after the petition was delivered to the powers that be, a sign was posted at each end of our road: Caution: Five Humps Ahead. Instead of grumbling, I decided to look at this change as a safety precaution for my granddaughters and the neighbors’ children. All the smart people in our area adapted to the change and conditioned themselves to slow down when approaching one of these humps. It didn’t take long for the community to memorize the location of each one. They figured out quickly that flying over one of these devices without braking could tear up their car or propel them into a ditch. Not a fun way to spend your day or your hard-earned cash.
Do you see where I’m going? Spiritual, mental, and emotional speed bumps arise in every marriage at some point. (Tweet that!)

Some are larger than others, and not all are strategically placed. They’re put there to warn us to slow down and approach with caution. If we ignore these speed bumpsβ€”or keep flying over them without slowing down to think about the consequencesβ€”our marriage could end up in the ditch. When that happens, the marriage might require costly repairs, be totaled, or go up in flames.Β 
Angry words never solve a problem, and the hostility makes it difficult to move past an offense and make up. The angrier you allow yourself to become, the harder it is to stop. You can literally work yourself into a frenzy that becomes a downward spiral, picking up momentum with each barb. There’s no stopping until you hit the bottom with a thud.Β 
Before you lose control, take a step back and count to whatever number it takes to keep those prickly barbs inside. Watch your words and check your attitude.Β 
It’s hard to hug a porcupine. **
** Excerpt taken from Marriage: Make It or Break It by Andrea Merrell published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Used by permission.

Andrea Merrell

Β 
Andrea Merrell is an associate editor with Christian Devotions Ministries and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is also a professional freelance editor and was a finalist for the 2016 Editor of the Year Award at BRMCWC. She teaches workshops at writers’ conferences and has been published in numerous anthologies and online venues. Andrea is a graduate of Christian Communicators and a finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards. She is the author of Murder of a Manuscript, Praying for the Prodigal, and Marriage: Make It or Break It. For more information visit www.AndreaMerrell.com or www.TheWriteEditing.com.Β 

Here’s how to enter your name into the drawing. Make a comment on this blog post or through the Contact page on my website. I’ll draw the winner on the evening of August 11th, 2017.Β