Glory Awaits!
NOVEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
Keep reading to learn how you can win a free book this month!
Hello Reader,
Thanksgiving is almost here! The psalmists wrote thanksgiving songs when they gave thanks, so I followed suit this year. Below are big, medium, and little things for which I’m grateful this month, along with a short praise.
Three Things for Which I’m Thankful
1) Big Thing
Clay’s surgery to remove cancer from his lung went well. His heartrate stayed normal—praise God! That was something the surgeon was concerned about. The margins and lymph nodes were clear. Recovery is taking time, but he’s improving daily.
A Thanksgiving Song
My mouth will sing with gratitude,
for you forgave my sin and cleansed my guilt.
You opened my eyes to truth,
and before you falsehoods fled.
I praise you for all your kindnesses to me,
for they are countless.
Thank you for wonderful years with Clay;
he is a true gift.
I give thanks to you for healing him through surgery
and for blessing us both by it.
2) Medium Thing
My friend, Virginia, gave me a spring suit—a wetsuit with short legs and sleeves—so I can swim on cool days. I tried it out for the first time this week when the highs dropped to 71. It’s wonderful! I’m grateful for the gift, and even more grateful for my dear friend.
A Thanksgiving Praise
Praise you, God, for the gift of friends!
Thank you for a spring suit that helps me swim on chilly days
so I can sleep better and be healthier.
3) Little Thing
I’m thankful for all the hummingbirds in our yard and neighborhood. We have ruby-headed Anna’s, bright orange rufous, and green and orange Allen’s hummingbirds.
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tHE hUMMINGBIRD
Orange honeysuckle and red-and-white sage
Bounce in the breeze like court jesters on stage.
Flower to flower the hummingbird flits
Till up he darts to a high twig and sits.
Out flicks his tongue as he guards his domain.
Ruby red armor now flashes his reign.
Then an intruder at his blooms arrives.
“CHEE-chee-chee-CHEE!” he cries out as he dives.
Trespasser vanquished, he once again flits
Till up he darts to his throne twig and sits.
Will future Paradise, festive and fair,
Make feisty hummingbirds happy to share?
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links
My church women’s group worked on a short study of Psalms this month, so I wrote two articles to accompany that study. And because Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I’m including a link to an article on reasons to be thankful.
Article: How to Pray Heartfelt Laments with Hope
The psalms of lament teach us how to pray with hope when we’re grieving, hurting, attacked, or afraid. Laments are prayer requests asking for deliverance from trouble. They describe things that have gone wrong and ask for them to be made right.
The book of psalms has more laments than any other type of psalm. It’s no wonder, since Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33).
Laments typically have five parts. The order of the middle three parts varies, and parts often repeat in longer psalms. Still, the pattern persists and including each part in your prayers will help you pray with hope
So let’s examine the five parts in a short lament: Psalm 5. It’s a great example of how to pray laments in our own difficult times.
READ MORE
Article: 3 Powerful Ways That Psalms Point to Jesus
The New Testament’s claims that some psalms point to Jesus can seem confusing. After all, how could a psalm written by David about something in his life possibly also refer to Jesus?
Let’s first clarify some terms and then look at the three ways the New Testament claims psalms point to Jesus.
READ MORE
Article: 4 Great Reasons to Be Grateful This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s a day many people ponder reasons to be grateful. But how do you give thanks when life hurts?
Moreover, Philippians 4:4 tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” It’s one thing to rejoice in the things we’re glad the Lord has done. But how do we take rejoicing to the next level—rejoicing in the midst of suffering?
READ MORE
Thanksgiving-themed Digital Downloads
Terrific Reads
Here are books I enjoyed recently. (Don’t forget: You can find links to all my 2026 newsletter recommendations here.)
Fiction
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Crocodile on the Sandbank
(Amelia Peabody Book 1)
Elizabeth Peters
Set in the Victorian era, the heiress Amelia Peabody sets off for an adventure in Egypt. On her way, she rescues Evelyn Barton-Forbes, whom she hires as an assistant and companion. They sail up the Nile to an archaeological site run by two brothers. But who is it that’s threatening the women? A mummy or someone pretending to be one? This is a fun cozy mystery. It took me a moment to get used to Amelia's sense of humor, but kind-hearted Evelyn helps tame her barbs.
Affiliate link*: https://link.amazon/B0amdKY4B
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Non-fiction
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Fast. Feast. Repeat.: The Comprehensive Guide to Delay, Don’t Deny Intermittent Fasting
Gin Stephens
Two good friends told me intermittent fasting helped them not only lose weight, but also to improve blood sugar and cholesterol. So I decided to read up on it and bought this book. The idea is to eat within a short window each day. The author is engaging, flexible, and funny. I’m giving it a try.
Affiliate link*: https://link.amazon/B0eBaq7u8
*Affiliate links provide me a small commission at no cost to you
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What's New
Book News
Amazon is running a special on our book, How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good?: Living with Hope While Making Sense of Life!
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Personal News
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For Clay’s birthday, we rented a boat on Newport Harbor with our friends, Matt and Virginia. So much fun! I photographed this cove because it reminded me of a dream I had years ago during a time of turmoil. In the dream, I was in a beach cave like this one when a tsunami hit. But I was kept safe because the water made a vacuum. When the water receded, I came out, found Clay, and we helped friends whose businesses had been damaged. It was a comforting dream during a hard time. Seeing this cave was a nice reminder of God's good care. |
Book Giveaway
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How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good?: Living with Hope While Making Sense of Life |
You can qualify for this month’s giveaway by clicking REPLY and providing one or more of the following:
- One thing you’re thankful for today
- Your prayer request (for which I will pray)
Blessings!
Jean E. Jones
