The Beauty of Holiness!

For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.

Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.

Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Give to the LORD glory and strength.

Give to the LORD the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

                                                          1 Chronicles 16:26-31 NKJV

There are many ways that people–we mere mortals–define beauty in the earth realm. We determine who is beautiful by physical features, bone structure, waistlines, hair length, height and weight. That’s what we do. But real beauty in people should be a measurement of a person’s heart and what they do for others, without seeking recognition for anything they do. 

I have met and known some really beautiful people–but they wouldn’t measure up to the world’s definition because of their facial features or other physical flaws. I measure their beauty because of their compassion and diligence in always seeking ways to help others and putting themselves in the background for all they do.

No matter how I measure or assess beauty or anyone else–true beauty is found in how we live for The Lord and that is in holiness.

Holiness–is living according to The Word–it is not how a person looks or dresses. Unfortunately, there are groups of people who think that holiness is represented in being uncomfortable in clothing, covering hair or faces, being meek and subordinate, positions for praying, songs sung in worship and none of that matters if The Word of God is not the blueprint for how one lives.

We worship God in the beauty of holiness by living for Him. It is a lifestyle that promotes who He is, not who we are.

How we dress is not a concern for God unless we are immodest in what we wear that brings more attention to us than Him. He looks upon the heart of a person, not their outward appearance. Since this is how He looks at us, perhaps we should do the same and stop looking at the outward person, but assessing their heart by what they do. For out of the abundance of the heart–the mouth speaks. And what we say, is a good indicator of what we do.

Today and every day, let’s learn to appreciate the real beauty in others by the evidence we see of what’s in their heart, not in their appearance.

myBook.to/Holiness

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Assistance needed!

One of my followers on Twitter is in need of assistance and I have pledged to donate half of the proceeds from the sales of my book myBook.to/ElevatedHijinks through Saturday.

I pray those who have a heart will purchase–just 0.99 and encourage others to do so as well.

Thanks for assisting in doing what Jesus would have us to do–help the needy.

Elevated Hijinks (Excerpt 1)

Tony was watching through the window while Natasha was upstairs in her room laying down. Nadia’s phone rang as soon they walked in the door and she motioned to the others to go into the den, with Tony leading the way. She pushed the speaker button when she answered the phone.

“Hello, Katie. What did you find out?”

“Natasha wasn’t stung by a bee unless the bee ingested Apenadrylophene for lunch. We need to get X-rays of her arm and see if we can determine where the injection site is. Unless she’s bathed or showered there may some trace evidence at the site. Can you bring her in now?”

“Yes, we can. Battle, Tyson, and Tiffany are with us. How long do we have before the drug breaks down and can’t be detected?”

“We’ve got about a four-hour window from the time she was injected to get any testable residue. Don’t delay.”

“We won’t, but we’ve got to talk to Tony and Natasha to get a fix on the time it took for the events to unfold so we can start searching for our boys.”

“I understand and I know you’ll find them, but we really need to get her in here, soon.”

“Within the hour. Thanks,” and she ended the call.

“We have to talk fast so we can get Natasha into the lab for X-rays. As you heard, Katie found Apenadrylophene in her blood sample, which means, she was injected with it and what she thought was a bee sting was actually a needle prick,” Nadia said, pacing the floor.

Battle watched her for a moment. “Swatere, sit down and breathe. We’ve got this.”

“What? What have you got?” Nadia shrilled, still pacing.

“You take Natasha into the lab, we’ll talk to Tony and while you’re with Natasha, you can question her about what she saw and if she remembers anyone close enough to her that might have been a threat,” Tiffany said.

Tony stood in the middle of the room running his fingers through his hair absentmindedly. He was frazzled and it showed. “Yeah, go ahead and take her in. I’ll do my best to remember what happened before I got back to her.”

Looking frantically, at everyone in the room, Nadia sighed, turned and left to get Natasha.

“Okay Tony, we need you to think. Do you remember anyone standing next to you and Natasha before you left to get the car?” Battle asked.

Tyson had pulled out a notepad while Tiffany turned on her tablet, ready to type.

He shrugged. “No, I don’t think so. I was too busy watching the boys play.”

“Not good enough!” Battle growled through clenched teeth, getting in Tony’s face. “When I said think, I mean think. Close your eyes for a minute, and allow yourself to go back to that disco fence. You had to see someone when you turned to leave. Think man!”

myBook.to/ElevatedHijinks

[From Chapter Five–first four chapters are free samples on Amazon]

“Best Seller” Hour Reminder

ON YOUR MARCH, GET READY, GO!  myBook.to/TNT  Between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. every sale matters!

The first 5-star review for this book:

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5Worth the wait- would love to see a series!

ByTammy DreamWriteron April 19, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and I’m so glad I bought it! There were a few minor spelling and formatting errors, but nothing that really made me want to stop reading.I loved how the author used humor to replace swearing, and thought it was a very clever idea. The plot flowed at a snappy place- so snappy that I couldn’t put this book down until it was finished.

Here’s hoping that there will be more books to come!

Love to love you!

The Push for “Best Seller” Hour

I am so excited about the release of my latest book! I’ve already had a 5-star review and it was just released Saturday! My God is awesome!

At any rate, I’m pushing to make the best seller list for sales in one hour–from 6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. EST tonight. The book is selling for .99 and if you would join me in this quest, I’d appreciate it. This is the preliminary announcement of tonight’s event. I’ll send out a reminder around 5:30 EST.

While you’re waiting, go ahead and a look at the preview (Inside on Amazon) myBook.to/TNT

Not too long ago, my husband and I asked God for one million plus readers reading my books. Whatever I write, I have Him in mind–the romances, the mysteries, the fantasies, my blogs, everything. Now, I can see His response to our request coming to pass. If you’re reading them–thank you. If you’re not, God blessings upon you anyway :).

Gotta run to get on with my day. Don’t forget!

Goodreads and Amazon Review!

Seeking entertainment, murder mystery, without bloodshed, no profanity, just envy and a serial killer? Here it is myBook.to/Sword  

Thanks For The Support!

Over a year ago, I was praying my writing and the Lord showed me that He would have 1 + million readers read my books. Well, of course He didn’t share His timeline, but I’m so grateful to those who are hearing Him speak to their hearts and we’re getting closer each day. My God is an awesome God and He is more than able to fulfill His promises to us and through us!

So, for those who are reading my books–Thank you! For those who haven’t–what are you waiting for–you’re missing out on good, wholesome literature–Mystery with no profanity or violence, Christian Romance with no porn, Christian literature clarifying scripture, poetry, and fantasy for kids–I’m writing so there is something for everyone!

Reading–research has shown–increases literacy and for the older generation, helps to allay the onset of dementia or Alzheimer disease.

So, let’s get away from the television and curl up with a good book.

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ/

Mightier Than The Sword–Live on Amazon!

I am so grateful that I’ve finally completed this project and can share it with you! If you read free chapters on JukePop, you can now read the entire book–after the 15th revision. A mystery/suspense worth reading and you may be surprised!    You can get it now http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ/

Great Gifts!

Books make great gifts for any occasion and during any season! Don’t forget–they last a long time!

Is This You?

“Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right.You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.” (Psalm 17:2-5 NLT)

Does any of our communication sound like David’s prayer?

When we have reflected upon what we do and have done, do we dare ask God to declare us innocent–knowing He sees everything we do, knows our hearts and certainly knows our hearts? Can we realistically say to Him, “You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong?”

Considering we are saved by grace–not because of anything we done to deserve God’s favor, but because of who He is–our sins are forgiven and we have a right to declare whatever it is we want to Him.

When we understand we are forgiven for those things we did when we did not have a relationship with Him, it is so much easier to understand David’s declaration. It is also easy to understand the importance of “staying on the path” which God has established, not following evil people or trends, and not wavering from following His directions.

We know what and who we were–notice the past tense–before we knew and understood Him.

I refer to some aspects of my life as my “BC” time–before I had understanding of Christ and what He has done for me. I am now living in my “AC” time–after obtaining understanding of who He is and grateful for what He has done and is doing for me. 

If we never acknowledge that we have done anything that needs to be forgiven, how can a forgiving God, forgive us? If we never obtain a relationship with Him, how can we expect to communicate with Him–knowing He knows all about us and loves us anyway? If we never change our ways, how can we expect to be a beacon of light in the darkness that pervades the earth so others will come to know Him? Can we be like David and make such declarations?

David was not perfect by a long shot and neither are we, but right now–I declare I am the righteousness of God; I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; I am forsaking all those people who might lead me astray; I am staying on the path that God has set me upon and I will not be moved! I am Blessed and highly favored and never alone because He is always with me!

Is this you?

I Am All That God Says I Am available on http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ/