A Prayer Regarding Terrorism

When there is a terrorist act, we are all terrorized.  Now more than ever we need to seek God's face.  Let's come before His throne with humble hearts together, unified in prayer.  This prayer came to my heart, and I hoped we could all pray this for healing for our world.

2 Chronicles 7:14: " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Dear Lord,

We come before you now because our hearts are heavy, frightened, troubled, and we are having difficulty making sense of all of these acts of terrorism.  There is violence all around the world, and it causes us to reflect on our own mortality, and wonder if our lives or the lives of those we love will be taken in a violent crime.  Even beyond terrorism is violence that occurs every day in our cities and towns.  We feel powerless when we realize we cannot guarantee these crimes will not happen to us or our loved ones.

For those who have been harmed, whether physically or emotionally from an act of violent crime, we pray that you will comfort their hearts and souls, and help them to have the support they need to endure through this.  Please bring people into their lives, whether new friends or old, family, spiritual leaders, or the comfort from strangers who have compassion or are going through similar pain.   May they hold them up, strengthen them, and comfort them during this time of grief, insecurity, and sudden, drastic, traumatic uprooting of their daily norms.

Please be with all our world leaders, and give them the knowledge, wisdom, discernment and strength to make positive change for our world.  Please open their eyes that they may discern right from wrong, weigh out all viable options clearly, and tease out the gray areas so that they can agree and feel confident on the right choices and find your will for our nations.  Please have mercy on our countries, and forgive us of our sin, selfishness, denial, apathy, and rejection of you and of truth, and unite our hearts to be resilient and strong so that we can protect the innocent and punish the guilty.  Please open the eyes and touch the hearts of those doing the wrong, and help them to see the error of their ways, remove any deceit, illness or confusion from their minds, and help them to repent and turn to you, and join the forces of good, abandoning the evil.

Bring revival to our nation, Lord, and to other nations around the world, that we turn to you as our Heavenly Father who loves us, cares about every tiny detail of our lives, and desires us to draw close to you, to hide in the shadow of your mighty wings, and protect us in the cleft of the rock.  While we don't have all the answers, we recognize that you do, and ask that you intervene on our behalf to protect us and unify us as human beings.  With all our differences, with all our failures, with all our various cultures and ideas, a few things we have in common is our sin and your forgiveness because of Jesus Christ, our humanity and vulnerability, and our desire to have peace, security, and to love, take care of and enjoy our families and friends, to work and follow our dreams and aspirations, and to joyfully experience the good in the world around us.

May we not forget you when times are good, and not refuse you when times are rough.  Please heal our nation and our world, and may we act as you would have us to act, wait when we need to wait, speak wisdom in our words, care with our interactions, and pray without ceasing to you, whom we love.  Thank you for hearing our prayer and for loving each and every one of us, right here, right now, where we are, and thank you for what you are going to do on our behalf as we humbly bow our hearts before you now in prayer.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Reader Survey

I have redesigned my blog.  My focus has been made clearer; it is on building up the youth of today to live their lives with strong character and a desire to love and please the Lord in all they do.  Take the higher road, go the extra mile, and make a positive change.  No one can make you do it; you have to want to do it.  To be great for God, you have to humble yourself and lay aside the weight of sin through Jesus' forgiveness so you can run the race with determination and confidence.

I would love to know more about you, my readers, and what types of things you are looking for in my blog, such as more devotions, thoughts for the day, advice about real life situations, interactive discussions, current political events from a Christian perspective, excerpts from my books, samples of songs, contest prizes including t-shirts, posting letters from you, vlogs, etc.  This is your opportunity to give feedback so I may serve you better.

Please complete the Survey Monkey Reader Survey to the right of this blog post, located on the side bar.  Thank you so much for taking the time to give me your feedback!

Welcome to My New, Improved Blog!

Welcome to my blog!

Posted on June 26, 2016 by DawnFoss

I’m so thankful you have come to visit my blog.  I love writing devotions, sharing favorite articles or thoughts, promoting my books and music, and guiding you into a closer relationship with God.  I would love to hear from you, and find out who you are and what you are struggling with, your frustrations, habits, aspirations, etc.  I’d like to know how I can serve you better.

I am a family nurse practitioner, but also a 1st-5th grade Sunday School teacher, Christian school music teacher, church pianist and special music coordinator.  I teach piano lessons and play a little guitar.  I’m a wife of 26 years, and a mother of two beautiful young adult women, with my youngest attending Liberty University, where I am an alumni.  I’m also an alumni of Sacred Heart University.  I’m a fundamental, Bible believing Baptist using the King James Version of the Bible in all my books, but my books and music really focus on the Scripture rather than any particular denomination.  I speak God’s truths in a kind, warm, friendly way.  I’m not here to judge you, but to admonish and encourage you in the Lord.

My target audience is focused on young people (elementary aged to college aged), but adults like my content as well, and everyone is welcome!  My aim is to build strong young people which will in turn build stronger families resulting in a stronger nation.  I want to serve you by encouraging you to stand strong for what is right, build godly character, and make a difference for good in the world around you.  Take the higher road, and let’s walk together in this journey of life without regrets, and with healing from any past regrets, so that God can use you in great and mighty ways!

I’d love for you to share with me so that I can answer any questions you may have, and pray for you, and lift you up when you are feeling weak and downhearted.  I will encourage you from God’s Word and also from past experiences if that will help, and if appropriate, even as a Christian family nurse practitioner.  I want you to be all you can be for Jesus Christ, which is where you will find complete satisfaction in your soul.

God bless you, and I hope to hear from you!

Dawn Foss

FINALLY ARRIVED! THE SONIC ADVENTURE GANG BOOK!

I am pleased to announce that my first book in a Christian fiction children's series is now available through Tate Publishing: The Sonic Adventure Gang.  I should have some in stock in about a month or so, and it will be released to distribution in 3 months.  This book is great for kids and teens, and an added bonus is that the pictures are great for coloring!

Miss Suzanne is the kids' new Sunday School teacher from Europe. She seems a bit mysterious. Her uncle, a retired physicist, invented a supersonic time travel machine. Join the class as they go on adventures to various times and places in history. But look out! Something always goes wrong. Miss Suzanne has a few secrets up her sleeve to help them get back to safety. Enjoy this first adventure in a series of adventures that will take you through sonic speed as you learn truths from God's Word with The Sonic Adventure Gang!

Click here for Tate Publishing's website to check out The Sonic Adventure Gang!

Is All Hate Bad?

Hate is good or bad, based on the object or reason of that hate.  We should not hate people, but we can hate ideas.  We can and must hate sin, injustice, crime, murder, shedding innocent blood, lies, mischief, etc.  God hates, so we get it from Him, as we were created in God's image.  God is love, so we get that from Him, too, our ability to love one another, and most of all, God with all our hearts, souls, and minds.  We have to place these in things in the correct areas, hating what we should hate, and loving what we should love.

This is a song I wrote that I hope you will enjoy listening to, taken from Proverbs 6:16-19: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

Listen to "Hating What God Hates" by Dawn Foss

My Review on Choosing Music Wisely

See this link from Christian Book Distributors, which will show you my review on my new book, Choosing Music Wisely.  You can find the review by scrolling down the page.  This review will give you some "inside scoop" as to why I wrote this, what I hope to accomplish through this book, and how it can help you.  I have copied and pasted the review below as well, and click on the link to see the actual website.  God bless you as you join me to revolutionize Christian music in the 21st century!

Christian Book Distributors - Choosing Music Wisely Review

Author/Artist Review

Author: Dawn Foss
Located in: Middletown, CT
Submitted: June 10, 2016

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I am a Christian author/singer/songwriter who has a vision for educating people on principles from God's Word, holding firmly to truth while presenting it in a loving, warm way, from my heart to yours. I am a wife, mother, Sunday School teacher, music teacher, church pianist in charge of special music, and a family nurse practitioner. All these things have given me perspective and experience, with a burden for reaching the unsaved for Christ, and encouraging believers in their walk with God.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  I am burdened at much of today's so-called Christian music, which I believe is a compromise with the secular world. There was a time when people gladly gave up worldy temptations to become a follower of Christ in all areas of their lives, including their music choices. I have worked in church music ministry for over 30 years, and am excited to share principles from God's Word, as well as practical tips on how to make godly Christian music choices that will be pleasing to God and uplifting to those who hear it and participate in it.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  Music theory and principles, such as making sure the music matches the words, understanding the message that is communicated through the music (not just the lyrics), and showing from God's Word what music means to God. Music is mentioned over 500 times in Scripture, so I believe it's important to God. I believe music should draw us closer to the Lord and honor God, even if outside of church. Some would argue music is a thing so can't be sinful, but music presents thoughts, and thoughts can be sinful. We can be wise in our choices and selections by finding the balance between holiness and Christian liberty.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  Revival came to my heart as I wrote this book. I wrote it first and foremost for myself and my children, as I struggled with finding a right balance in music, and wanted to know what God had to say about music in Scripture. I didn't want people's opinions, because music is extremely subjective. I wanted to know how to please God and still love music. I am pleased to say I found that balance in my research, and explained it in this book. It caused me to lay down all my idols at His feet so I can be free to truly enjoy music, this blessed gift from God.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  The Bible, Frank Garlock, and many singers who choose to honor God rather than themselves in their writing and performing music. There are people from many genres who have accomplished this, and many who have not. My challenge is to be the change, be the one who consistently honors God in your music, creating godly music choices so people have wise choices to choose from. I will stand in the gap and be counted for Christ. How about you? Together we can revolutionize Christian music in the 21st century as we sing "unto the Lord."

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  I believe my book is a journey you take that leads to revival and rededication of your life to the Lord, submitting every area to him, including your entertainment and music. You won't be judged in this book, just challenged and inspired. Let's set a high standard for Christian music that will truly honor the name of Jesus Christ. I'll show you how to do it.

The Making of "The Joy of the Season" Christmas Album in OKC

I just got back from my 3rd trip to OKC.  I had such a wonderful time, as always, when I'm in OKC.  It's such a beautiful city, and of course, I love to be in the heartland of America!  Everyone is so friendly.  My daughter Rebecca went with me, and she is a great traveling buddy!  We enjoyed seeing Oklahoma City at night (quiet, lit with pretty lights), and taking lots of photos.  We also visited Edmond, which is a beautiful town, reminds me more of Connecticut than Oklahoma, and stopped by Pops, which is a gas station/convenience store/gift shop/restaurant that sells every possible flavor of soda you can imagine!  Even disgusting flavors like "Bloody Nose", "Toxic Slime", "Worm Ooze", "Pimple Pop", "Monster Mucous" - well, you get the picture!

We also drove through terrential downpours to see Guthrie, the oldest city in Oklahoma, and the original capitol of the state.  The buildings are brick, and have the style of the old West.  It's a really  neat place to visit.  We saw a beautiful sunset as we came to Guthrie, as the rain finally cleared.

In Houston's airport they had a gift shop with lollipops that have scorpions in them!  That was more gross than the Pimple Pop soda!

My Christmas album is called, "The Joy of the Season", and I am very excited about this album!  It has a lot of traditional Christmas carols mixed in, along with new songs I have written.  As is my style, these songs will also prove to soothe your soul and help you relax from the busy Christmas season.  It celebrates many of the fun and joyful things about Christmas and even wintertime.  Having lived in Connecticut all my life, I can identify with snow, and I love it!

One thing that just occurred to me is that I never mentioned Christmas plays or Christmas programs in my songs, but let it go on record that I think those are VERY special parts of the Christmas season!  I have even led a few Christmas concerts, programs, and cantatas at our Christian school and church, so don't ask me how on earth I forgot to mention those! Ha ha!  But I got a lot of things in there.

I recorded my vocals, and then did a photo shoot and music video for the song, "Something to Celebrate."  While I was there I also had the opportunity to see my friends at Tate Publishing.  It is always great to see everyone!

The crew at Tate Music Group is wonderful!  Don Johnson arranges and orchestrates my background tracks, and this trip I had the opportunity to meet the guitarists and drummer and the guy who records them.  What a fun job that must be!  They are incredible talents.  Guy Prier did my vocal recordings, and he was great to work with, as was Robby Doland and Sean, who did the music video and the photo shoot (Robby).

We stayed at Isola Bella, which is a beautiful place (corporate apartments) at a great cost.  I hope you enjoy all the pictures.  They were taken from two different cameras, so please forgive the mixed up order.

Keep your eyes out for my Christmas album this Christmas 2016!  Some featured songs are "Christmas Fair Vendor" (my real experience at a holiday craft fair last November 2015!), "Incomparably Unique", "God's Nativity", "That's What Christmas is All About", "Ice Skating at Christmastime", "Something to Celebrate", "Oh Star", and more!