Journal Jots – Blog

The power of My Name to bless both you and Me

is beyond your understanding.

— Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

One of my most invigorating memories is when I visited Christian author and good friend Mary Connealy in Omaha one summer, and we went out to lunch. Well, we were having so much fun chatting, that would you believe we went down not just one, but TWO one-way streets! The wrong way. Twice. Talk about a thrill! Uh, I won’t tell you which one of us was driving …

I never really could understand the concept of one-way streets because I know they’re supposed to help traffic flow, but frankly, they bother me because they’re not the norm where I live and they mess me up royal when I’m driving. In fact, I don’t really like anything that’s one way because to me — a cause and effect type of gal — it’s not natural. If a ball goes up, it should come down. If someone opens a door for me, I should say thank you. If someone sneezes, I should bless them. Be it gravity, manners, or love, one way is not my mode of choice.

Which is why our quote today so fascinated me. Now all of us are well aware that the Name of Jesus is powerful. The Bible repeatedly talks about asking in Jesus’ Name, binding and loosing in Jesus’ name, healing in Jesus’ name, etc., so it’s the one word in our lives that packs the biggest wallop. Which I suppose some people like to take it in vain — for effect. It’s the precious Name of Jesus that unleashes countless blessings into our lives, just as the quote above says. But the one thing that hit me when I read this quote this time was … the Name of Jesus is NOT a one-way street.

You see, when I stub my toe or something scares me or gratitude floods my eyes, the first word that comes to my lips is “Jesus”! That precious, powerful name that says it all, and trust me, I say it A LOT! But what I didn’t fully realize is that the power of the Name of Jesus not only blesses us, but it blesses God as well when we speak it into the universe, which pretty much blew me away.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

— Psalms 103:1

The fact that I could bless the God of the Universe by simply saying His Name — reverently, gratefully, beseechingly — wrings tears from my eyes because I want to bless Him. I want to thank Him. I want to let Him know just how much I love Him. How much I appreciate Him. And since I can’t do that by being perfect since none of us are perfect, then I can proclaim everything I feel in that one holy, miraculous, trustworthy Name, which like His love, never fails.

And so I am reminded today, not to take lightly the power of that Name in our lives, but to realize the effect it has in God’s life as well, and to say it and savor it as many times as I possibly can. And I encourage each of you to do the same as a means of whispering love into Almighty God’s ear. Because our God is not a one-way street, and He will bless the socks off of you every single time you do.

So with great reverence and awe, I say, “Thank you, Jesus, for all you have done for each of us — today and forever!”

Hugs and Happy Weekend!

Julie

ON SALE!

Hey, guys, my Irish love story, A Light in the Window, is once again ON SALE FOR THE LOWEST PRICE EVER AT 99 CENTS, so I’d really appreciate it if you would spread the word about the sale and the video! Both links are below and I THANK YOU!!

VIDEO FOR A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW

LINK TO PURCHASE A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW

It was a sad day, indeed, when completion

of her beloved lists did not bring her joy.

Her eyes narrowed. And all because of him.

— A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

Well, unlike Katie O’Connor in the quote above from A Hope Undaunted, you’ll be happy to know it is not a “sad day” in the Lessman world of lists!

Nope, because this week I not only finished my Christmas novella, “The Best Gift of All,” which will be included in the Seeker Home for Christmas Historical Collection scheduled for release on October 5th, but I also finished my proprosal for the Silver Lining Ranch Series, which is currently winging its way to my editor as we speak.The Christmas novella is about Lizzie and Brady and trust me, you don’t want to miss the fix they’re in! Can you say trouble in paradise?? Then my novella that will kick off my Western series, For the Love of Liberty, will be released in the Seeker spring or summer collection next year.

Then on Monday, I begin editing Unfailing Love, book one in my new contemporary Isle of Hope series. I am hoping to get that puppy edited and formatted for ebook release in October or November, so prayers are appreciated! Oh, and you may want to make sure you’re officially signed up for my Journal Jots blog so you don’t miss any news, because this page is where I announce everything first. When you subscribe to my Journal Jots blog on the top right-hand corner of this page, you’ll receive an email every single time I post anything, so that way you can be sure not to miss any fun or exciting news such as contests, giveaways, sales, or new releases, okay?

For instance … there happens to be a FACE-OFF and GIVEAWAY going on RIGHT NOW where you can win your choice of any of my books, including those not yet released like Unfailing Love and “The Best Gift of All,” so I encourage you to head on over to aTransParentMom blog to enter because you only have ONE MORE DAY to do so since the giveaway ends SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT, AUGUST 8TH, okay? Here’s the link:

FACE-OFF ON ATRANSPARENTMOM BLOG

Then … on next Wednesday, August 12th, I will be having another giveaway on my Seeker blog entitled SQUARE HOLE, ROUND PEG: AN AUTHOR’S QUEST TO FIND HER PLACE IN THE SUN. Join me as I share about my recent sabbatical and the journey I’ve taken in becoming the author God meant me to be. A giveaway is included for a signed copy of any of my books including Unfailing Love or my Christmas novella, “The Best Gift of All.” So come on by to say “hey,” okay? Here’s the link:

JULIE’S SEEKER BLOG AUGUST 12-13, 2015

And finally, my Irish love story, A Light in the Window, is once again ON SALE FOR THE LOWEST PRICE EVER AT 99 CENTS, so I’d really appreciate it if you would spread the word about the sale and the video! Both links are below and I THANK YOU!!

VIDEO FOR A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW

LINK TO PURCHASE A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW

Okay, guys, that’s it for this week, so have a GREAT weekend and may all your lists be complete!

Hugs,

Julie

Now all glory be to God,

Who by his mighty power at work within us

is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream—

infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

— Ephesians 3:20, Living Bible

WOW! WOW! WOW!

There is absolutely no better Scripture I can post right now than the one above because this is exactly what God did for me with my family this last week. And you know what? It’s all because of prayer — yours, my family’s, my friends’, and mine!

The family problems I referred to in my last Journal Jots blog were so devastating to me, that I truly wondered if we would ever get past them or if they would fracture our family forever. But as I mentioned then, God reminded me that it’s in HIS name that the desires of our heart lie, and boy oh boy, was He telling the truth!! He gave me such a peace, that I knew, that I knew, that I knew He would turn it around, even when both Keith and I couldn’t really see how.

I won’t go into details, but suffice it to say that it was one of the best weeks of my life, and I hope my kids’ lives too. So I want to thank each and every one of you who uttered a prayer on my behalf, because YOU are part of the reason my family has been restored.

Instead of rambling on, I’d like to share a video my talented son-in-law Nate put together without any of us being aware, giving you a glimpse — through the video and the amazing lyrics from the song “Amen” by Dave Barnes — just how much God blessed our weekend. Not only by arranging for a dear friend to sell us her 15-year-old boat that looks almost like brand new, but healing each of us so we could enjoy the time we spent together.

Thank you for your prayers from the bottom of my heart. God is good!!

LESSMAN LAKE TRIP VIDEO

Hugs,

Julie

RARE BLOG INTERVIEW/GIVEAWAY!!

Join me AUGUST 4-9 OF NEXT WEEK for a rare interview on the aTransParentMom blog. I will be giving away winner’s choice of any of my books, including a copy of my latest novel, Unfailing Love, from the Isle of Hope series, so the winner will be the first reader to get it. Here’s the link — hope to see you there then.  

http://atransparentmom.com/2015/08/04/face-off-with-julie-lessman/

NEW RELEASE!!!

Grace Like Rain, a novella about Blake “The Rake McClare” from the Heart of San Francisco series is available NOW in the WITH THIS KISS HISTORICAL COLLECTION, which includes novellas by award-winning authors Mary Connealy, Pam Hillman, Cara Lynn James, Julie Lessman, and Ruth Logan Herne for ONLY $2.99, so here’s the link!

WITH THIS KISS HISTORICAL COLLECTION

ON SALE!

A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW IS ON SALE ON KINDLE FOR ONLY 99 CENTS! My Irish love story, A Light in the Window—winner of three awards—will be at the lowest price ever starting this week, so please take advantage! Here’s the video my hubby did for A Light in the Window with my daughter as the model for both the book and video, so take a peek. ALITW Video.