Memories

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Maureen Lang

The other day while looking for something in a drawer that I seldom open, I came across an old cassette tape my mother made for my son a few years before she died. I’d forgotten about it around the time cassette players gave way to our digital age, and so I haven’t heard it in years. After looking for an old player that would accommodate the nearly obsolete technology, I slipped in the tape and voila! there was my mother’s voice, a sound I haven’t heard for such a long time.

It was, of course, a bittersweet moment. She had a lovely voice and since this tape was intended for my handicapped son, a child who even then she knew wouldn’t progress past the functional level of a toddler, she sang a variety of lullabies familiar to him. She also told a few stories that I remember her telling to me when I was a child.

I’ve often attributed to my mom my desire to write stories. When I was very young my mother proved that while a lot of wonderful stories come from between the pages of a published book, that’s not the only place they can be found. They all start in someone’s head. Perhaps not surprisingly, my favorite stories were the ones that came from my mother’s imagination. The pictures her words drew in my mind seemed every bit as detailed as the full-color illustrations in books bought in a store.

Ever since then I’ve longed to transfer pictures from my own imagination to others. Discovering the lost tape reminded me why.

One last note about my discovery of this tape. While I was listening to it, my husband was out running an errand. He called to let me know there was a beautiful double rainbow in the sky, so I ran out to see it. I went back inside with a smile, thinking God still sends messages in rainbows. With perfect timing, He was reminding me I’d see my mom again someday.

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Grabbing Your Attention by Hannah Alexander

Posted on May 27, 2014 by alexanderhodde

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I’m in learning mode today–hence the extremely late post. I apologize. Typically I like to blog about romance or medicine, but today I’ve been totally consumed with learning how to promote our clinic locally. Though I do find it quite romantic to be working with my husband to build up the patient load of our clinic, it’s also stressful for both of us. Now that the flu season is nearly over, we aren’t getting so many sick patients, and as we’re struggling to keep our clinic afloat, I feel the weight of responsibility. Marketing is my job since I’m the one who markets Hannah Alexander novels.

I’ve discovered, however, that marketing my novels internationally is worlds different from attracting local attention. On the one hand, it’s easy to promote the skills of my husband–I believe he’s the best doctor around. He cares, he’s brilliant and he has over twenty years of experience. Since our patients know this, all I’m doing is asking them to spread the word, and I’m having a contest for a free blood panel to the person who brings in the most patients for us this summer. This test would cost hundreds of dollars if they were to be tested on their own, so I have hopes that this is the right way to promote something I believe in–my husband’s doctoring skills.

On the other hand, marketing my own writing is difficult. I can’t honestly tell you whether or not you will like a Hannah Alexander novel if you buy it and read it. Too many people have so many different tastes. Sure, enough judges have believed in my books in the past to hand out a few awards. Others have left kind reviews beside pictures and descriptions of my books, but those were books in the past. Being a doctor and relying on learned skills and intelligence is different from creating a whole new world and new characters and making them likable enough to continue to draw readers to my pen name time and time again. Still, I continue to love writing, and I have two books releasing back-to-back.

Visit my website http://www.HannahAlexander.com and feel free to read the first chapters of some of my novels. Perhaps this way you’ll be able to decide whether or not you’ll want to find my books at a local store or order a book online. Take a look at Hallowed Halls (I love the cover) and then if you prefer something with a murder mystery, check out Collateral Damage. Both are available, with first chapters ready to read whenever you wish.

Now…time to get back to marketing…no, wait, that’s what I’ve been doing. Maybe it’s time for a nap.

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Traveling the World-Two Hours Away by Tara Randel

Posted on May 22, 2014 by tararandel

I just finished a deadline for my tenth book. Yay! I never dreamed I would be able to make such a claim. So in honor of completing the book, my husband I decided to travel the world in a day, by driving two hours to EPCOT at Disney World in Orlando.

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There is no way I’d be able to afford visiting all the countries represented at EPCOT, but I can certainly enjoy a beautiful sunny day, strolling from country to country. As we were walking, I decided to snap a few pictures to share. Some of you may have vacationed at a Disney park, so you will recognize the sights. If you haven’t been, I recommend you put a trip to Disney on your wish list.

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We ate delicious sandwiches in France, enjoyed sweet pastries in Norway and went on a tour in England where we learned the history and art of tea blending, given by Twinings of London. I will admit, hubby wasn’t as interested about tea as I was. We enjoyed the gorgeous flower displays especially created for the Flower and Garden Festival.

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All in all a great way to celebrate meeting another deadline!

Do you have any vacations planned? Drop a line and let me know.

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It’s a Good Thing by Julie Arduini

Posted on May 21, 2014 by juliearduini

I’ll never be mistaken for Martha Stewart on several levels, but she has that catch phrase, “It’s a good thing.” Well, there are some good things going on that I thought I would share. Because in full disclosure, I’m dealing with the stomach bug making its way through the family, we’re trying to ready our home for sale, and we’re looking for what we believe God has as our forever home.  These things made me miss my last scheduled post, so I thought I’d pop in and share what I can.

Because I don’t want to tell you that I learned my husband has been called to a business trip to India this year.

Or that I finished cleaning and our puppy flew through the kitchen and left his huge paw tracks everywhere.

So let me share some good things.

  • Last month I signed with Chalfont House. This is the first contract where my name goes on the cover, so pardon me while I do a little dance. Heidi Glick, Elizabeth Maddrey, Kym McNabney, Paula Mowery, Donna Winters and myself are writing a devotional on infertility. This opportunity dropped in my lap and I’m so excited about it. This is the book we wish existed when we were going through our season. None of our stories are the same, and we’re transparent about what our circumstances were, our doctors, the people around us, and more. Yet in these candid stories is hope. Prayers. And God’s Word. These ladies are amazing. Stay tuned.

 

  • I tried an experiment based on reading posts from Michael Hyatt and Jeff Goins. This year I was intentional about building my newsletter list by offering a contemporary romance to subscribers throughout 2014. Match Made in Heaven is a contemporary romance I first penned as a new Christian and a very green writer. I’ve had a blast revising it and sharing with subscribers. The experiment is working. My newsletter list is 4X bigger than it was in January. It’s not massive, but it’s growing. And like Martha says, “It’s a good thing.” My fiction features surrender issues and Upstate NY settings, and I’m proud to showcase Hammondport in this story, part of the Finger Lakes. As for surrender—Beth Prescott needs to let go of her past and comparing herself to others. Dean Kellerman’s stuck on trying to earn forgiveness because his mistakes continue to haunt him. Want to know more? Subscribe for free at http://juliearduini.com right sidebar and watch your inbox for activation.

My friend Holly's post on singleness went viral.

 

  • One of my dearest friends, Holly Hrywnak, recently started blogging. When I’m in Upstate NY we get together and share our struggles, breakthroughs, and I’m constantly encouraging her to write. She has one of the voices that I know God has a huge plan to use, and He is. Last week Holly’s post Forever Alone: The Single Girl Struggle, went viral. Her blog isn’t a year old and that post lit up cyberspace. She nails what I remember feeling as a single person, and what I’ve observed in others. If you know someone who is single, send them to her post. It went viral for a reason. Yep, Martha again. “It’s a good thing.”

There are other things going on that I wish I could share, but this is a good snapshot of what’s going on. And you know, as catchy as Martha’s phrase is, all that’s going on is better than a good thing. You know what it is?

A God thing.

The very best kind, don’t you think?

What God things are going on in your life?

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Books or Movies?

Posted on May 19, 2014 by alandkathi66

My husband and I recently went to see “Heaven Is for Real” and were extremely pleased with it. We recommended it to our son and his wife, and they too went to see it, calling us afterward to thank us for the recommendation because they enjoyed it thoroughly.
As a writer, I generally tend to be disappointed with movies if I’ve already read the book, and to be honest I don’t go to see many movies at all (unless they are highly recommended by people I know). I didn’t read this particular book about heaven, though I had a general idea what it was about. I can’t help but wonder if I would have had a different reaction to the movie if I’d read the book first.
Over the years, several of my own novels have been optioned for movies. The first time that happened, I got so excited and couldn’t wait to tell everyone. More experienced authors who’d “been there-done that” said things like “That’s nice” or “I hope it works out for you.” Now I understand. To date, none of those optioned books have made it to the big screen, though one continues to move through the process and I’m cautiously hopeful.
So where do you, as a reader, stand on this issue? If a book you’ve read and loved is turned into a movie, does that make you want to run out and see it at the theater? If so, what has been your general reaction? Were you disappointed or satisfied? Have you ever come away thinking the movie was better than the book? I’d love to get your feedback, as I imagine many other authors would as well.

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Fun Gift for Book-lovers

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Maureen Lang

This past weekend my daughter gave me a Mother’s Day gift that confirmed my belief that I’d raised a book-lover like myself (as if I needed such confirmation!).

Beyond the obvious that this is a good-sized, really sturdy tote bag, it has the added fun of being a visual representation of one of our favorite fictional characters: Anne of Green Gables.

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The design consists of tiny little words from the actual novel!*

 

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter really is a natural bookworm. She’s loved reading as long as I can remember –  however it’s a special memory to recall the first time she read Anne of Green Gables. When Matthew dies (I hope that’s not a spoiler for some who haven’t read it!) my daughter had tears running down her face. That was the first time I knew she’d be a life-long reader, because she allowed the characters a place so real in her heart that it moved her to tears.

That is, of course, the goal of every writer. We invite our readers in and hope they become so deeply immersed into our story world that it leaks out into the real world through tears, laughter, a sigh, raised brow, quickened pulse, or some other expression that’s as tangible as the book in their hands.

*For other designs from the classics, visit Litographs.

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DIVINE MOMENTS by Yvonne Lehman

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Vicki Hinze

Divine Momemts Cvr Yvonne

One evening after a day of participating in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, which consists of focus on purpose, inspiration, encouragement, learning, growing, and becoming, several us sat in the beautiful lobby of Mountain Laurel hotel on the campus of Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina.

 

Cindy Sproles told a story that had us all gasping with amazement of how God showed up in such a strange, fascinating, almost unbelievable way. Someone else, and another, then others began to remember and share their stories. Some were sweet, some humorous, others serious, but all were about knowing his presence with us. I thought of the praise song, “Our God is an Awesome God,” in which the words are repeated over and over. I’ve often wanted to say, “Go further. Don’t just repeat the words. Tell me in what ways you are amazed by God.”

 

That’s what we were doing that evening. We were joyful, talking loudly, laughing, loving, just sharing those special times which became a time of praise. Others joined us to hear these stories and share their own. The realization was that we all have awesome and amazing stories to share but we don’t always take time or don’t have the opportunity to share them.

 

Exhausted by joy, we finally needed to disburse so we wouldn’t be cranky and negative the next day from lack of sleep. A few of us lingered, feeling so blessed at knowing we are worthy because Jesus made us so when he died for our sins. We are loved because the Bible tells us nothing can separate us from the love of God.

 

We wanted to keep sharing…and that’s how this book came into being. It is a book praise, of Divine Moments. These stories have come from all over the United States, England, and Canada, shared by people of all ages, backgrounds, occupations, and educational levels. What a joy to think of Divine Moments happening all over the world every day. Since there is so much negativity around us, we find it a privilege to share about God’s presence in the world and in our lives.

 

These stories have been generously donated. The writers knew they would receive no monetary compensation but they have experienced what we all do, a sense of peace and joy when we give without expecting anything in return. Well…we do expect something because we know God blesses, and in unexpected, wonderful ways. We’re already blessed. We’re thrilled that all royalties from the sale of this book will go to a worthy organization, Samaritan’s Purse.

 

We know there are many more Divine Moments out there. Think about yours and if you’d like to share for a Divine Christmas Moments collection, email me at yvonnelehman3@gmail.com.

 

 

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It’s Been A While … by James L. Rubart

Posted on May 6, 2014 by James L. Rubart

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted here. My apologies. Having a 20,000 lb tree rip through a corner of your house eight feet from where your wife was sleeping will keep you busier than normal.

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But it’s okay, because God is in it, and he’s taking us through some incredibly difficult things that we can see will be incredibly glorious once we get out the other side.

The other thing going on with me is the release (today!) of the final novel in my Well Spring series. I’m so pumped about this novel because Spirit Bridge is the final book in the series and I think it’s an epic conclusion to the story I started in Soul’s Gate and continued in Memory’s Door. Battles, romance, great healing of the soul, this one is really fun and (I hope) powerful for my readers.

Spirit Bridge cover FINAL

 

Here’s a brief description of the novel: 

The Warriors Riding have battled in astounding supernatural realms, set captives free, and awakened thousands of hearts. But now their only chance of survival depends on calling forth the Spirit Bridge.

Reece, Dana, Brandon, and Marcus have achieved staggering success in the spiritual realm . . . but each is reeling from vicious attacks. They need rest. A break from the war.

But the warlord Zennon is raging and will give them no quarter. The demon holds what he believes to be the trump card—a hidden strategy set in motion before Warriors Riding even began—that will detonate the team from the inside out. And he’s just set it loose.

The street magician Simon—finally free of Zennon’s alternate reality prison—is racing to remember his past before his ignorance obliterates his destiny. Then there’s Miyo—a brash young warrior with advanced knowledge of spiritual realities and supernatural armor even Reece doesn’t know about. These two will be pivotal in the final war.

If only the Warriors knew which side Simon and Miyo are truly on.

Spirit Bridge is the epic conclusion to acclaimed author James L. Rubart’s Well Spring series, which will propel each of the Warriors Riding on a quest of true identity, ultimate freedom, and a final battle that will leave them changed forever.

Just in case you’re interested, here are a couple of links:

Amazon   Barnes & Noble   CBD  LifeWay

And if you do have the chance to read Spirit Bridge, would love to get your thoughts.

Much freedom!

James

Home

 

 

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The Power of God

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Sarah Goebel

When I stop and contemplate the power of God, I am in awe. There is nothing or any one as powerful as the Spirit of God, who represents God and His character to us on earth. It is humbling to even think it is due to God’s creative power that we live and have our being (PS 104:30).

Although we sometimes think of God’s power revealed through His Spirit as first being experienced on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), it actually appears throughout the Old Testament. In fact, the word dunamis (Greek for power in the Septuagint) is often used in the Old Testament when speaking about the Spirit of God. For example, God’s power was seen and experienced by His people, the Israelites, in the Old Testament passages as they praised God for His infinite power, Deuteronomy 3:24 declares: Sovereign Lord, …For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? Thus, to understand more fully the New Testament, and how God’s power is involved in our lives today, we must consider the message concerning the Spirit of God that came before it. We must consider the Ruach Yahweh as He moved, and acted and changed lives and circumstances in the Old Testament.

One of the first important aspects I recognized in analyzing the power of God in the Old Testament is that it is qualified by His other attributes, including love. God is certainly all-powerful, and if it were not for knowing that His power is intertwined with His love, we would most likely be leery to draw close to Him. In other words, He could be real scary; and, we could have an unhealthy form of fear towards Him. But, unlike powerful men and women who have allowed power to corrupt their characters and to hurt anyone who opposes them, God’s power is qualified by His love and other attributes equally. Hence, God himself is all-powerful and God himself is love. Thus, although God clearly can do even more than He has done or will do, we can rest knowing that He will never use His power in a way that contradicts all that makes up His character. For example, as Grudem explained, “God could have destroyed Israel and raised up a great nation from Moses (Ex 32:10), but He did not do so.”

I find that God’s power being qualified by His character is an important and comforting truth concerning the infinite power of God in interaction with His creation. While knowing there is no power greater than He, we are awed, while encouraged to trust in Him, instead of finding ourselves afraid of Him. We see this exampled in the story of Rahab. Rahab had heard how God always brought success to the Israelites, His people; so, she knew what side she was going to be on. Her faith was in the God of Israel’s character and power, and His faithfulness to His people (Joshua 2:9-11).
Isaiah speaks of the spirit of the Lord God resting upon the coming Messiah as a servant; whereas, in earlier times the spirit was resting on the kings of Israel. Power is granted to the weak who trusts not in himself, but in God. My New Testament Professor, Peter Grabe said: “PS 61:1 clearly alludes to the anointing of the king in 1 Samuel 16:13. It is, however, said that the Spirit of Yahweh now no longer operates in the context of royal power, but in the context of the proclamation of good news to the humble.”

It is exciting to see the power of God at work in the Old Testament and to read of the prophets declaring the coming gift of the presence of the Spirit of God. Ezekiel 36:26 clearly states that this gift will be available to all of God’s people; first, as a remedy for Israel’s ‘heart of stone,’ but beyond that to be a remedy to the sinful hearts of Gentiles who believe in His name, and, thus, become His people. The Old Testament witness of Ruach Yahweh is relevant to us today and relates to all aspects of our lives. His power is where His presence is. As Christians, His presence now dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, weakness and power as an inseparable unity is  displayed in 2 Corinthians 12:9. This statement that ‘power is made perfect in weakness’ constitutes the Magna Charta of Christian existence. Paul sees his weakness and sufferings as marks of commendation by the Messiah as Christ Himself was crucified in weakness, yet lives by the power of God (2 Corinthians 13:4; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-24). Christ’s power rests where one has acknowledged their complete inability and accepts in faith Christ’s work and righteousness. You can invite His power into your life today simply by acknowledging your weakness.

Sure hope you are enjoying God on your journey; and, I hope you see His power at work in your life!

Sarah Goebel

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Keeping it Fresh

Posted on May 2, 2014 by kristenheitzmann

For me writing is vocation, avocation, vacation, and variation. I’ve never gone with a publisher who is sold on the concept of branding because I know I have to go where the spirit leads. This is so intrinsic to my nature it comes out in many ways.

Before writing for publication, I expressed my creativity through fine arts of various forms. I had great success with clay sculptures that sold through a wonderful shop in historic Old Colorado City. I had an amazing following of collectors, some of whom would buy things sight-unseen that the proprietor would ship around the country. I loved creating these pieces and seeing what whimsy would come out when I sat down and took up the clay. What was the kiss of death? Orders. Prepaid orders. My husband would say, “It’s money in your hand. You don’t have to wait and see if something will sell. They already want it.” He did not understand that having an expectation hanging over me somehow killed the process. I would grit my teeth and make the thing, which was not at all the same as watching with delight what my fingertips wrought.

I don’t believe I could do a book for hire, or take on a preset project. I could not write, as some authors happily do, the same style story over and over again no matter how popular that formula was. Writing, like sculpture, is something I open up to, something that overtakes and carries me along. And it has to be fresh and variable. That’s why I love weather so much–it changes!

I’ve been working on a historical series, delving into settings and devouring actual news of the time etc. and I am excited about the stories that are coming out of that. I love how deep the characters are becoming and the different ways the stories are going. But…

I happened to open the contemporary wildfire novel I have in process the other day, and, wow, am I loving sinking my teeth back into that. So it seems with several stories in process, I am creatively energized by change and variation. It brings a freshness and joy to the process and keeps me at it and excitedly working scene after scene. Some might call this scatterbrained, but I guess I’d say why not? We use so little of our brains, why not fire up those resting neurons with a change of pace now and then?

Anyone else get this way? How do you keep it fresh?

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Book Release Day

Posted on May 1, 2014 by bethrachg

 

LoveintheWindThe day a book releases is always a fun day for authors. Sometimes we throw book launch parties near the release date or schedule book-signings or participate in blog tours and other social media venues for promotion.  Sometimes we simply let the people with whom we’ve connected in cyberspace know.

Like now.

Love in the Wind is the third and last book in my series set in New Mexico.  A sweet romance and complete departure from my usual romantic suspense, I enjoyed writing the characters and exploring the world of sailing. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it!

SAILING IS MADDIE CRAMER’S ESCAPE

Now she’s counting on it to bring her closer to the biological father she’s just met. But her chances of winning the regatta—and his approval—are in jeopardy unless she can find a new crew mate. Enter Grady Stone, a perfect fit for Maddie’s crew in more ways than one.

Maddie and Grady grow close as they spend time together on the water. But Maddie, wary of emotional entanglement, guards her heart closely. And Grady’s here only to help Maddie win the race, then he’s off to a new job. The day of the race will test their ability to sail together—and the trueness of their love.

 

 

 

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Forgiveness

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Maureen Lang

A natural element in both Christian fiction and non-fiction deals with forgiveness. It’s a popular topic, with the promise that forgiveness helps not just the one being forgiven but also the person doing the forgiving.

I was reminded of this theme over the weekend when I saw the movie The Railway Man, a story of a man who survived being a POW during the Second World War, when he was also tortured by his Japanese captors. It was a movie I wasn’t sure I wanted to see, not because of the grim subject matter but because my own father was a POW of the Japanese as well. I wasn’t sure I wanted a visual representation of some of the things he went through.

To be sure, it wasn’t easy to watch young men being herded into cattle cars under a sweltering sun and transported for who-knows-how-long on yet another version of the Death March my father traveled. The beatings, the slave labor, the general shaming each prisoner met were all common stories from camps like the ones my father endured.

512px-Giving_a_sick_man_a_drink_as_US_POWs_of_Japanese,_Philippine_Islands,_Cabanatuan_prison_campI recalled my father saying to me some time before he died that if he’d had the chance he’d have returned to the Philippines (where he was taken) and then to Manchuria where he spent another long segment of time during his POW experience. Although I couldn’t understand why, this must have been a rather common feeling. The movie touched on this as a part of healing as well.

Since the war ended, China has preserved the very POW camp that housed my father. Obviously my father wasn’t the only POW who wanted to return to the scene of such a devastating time in his life.

My dad was one of the strong, silent types as so many of his generation were. To the end of his life he suffered bouts of malaria, one of several diseases afflicting those who were malnourished and kept in appalling conditions at such camps as Bilibid and Cabanatuan before being transferred on the “Hell Ship” Tottori Maru to Mukden, Manchuria where he was used as unpaid labor until the end of the war.

I often think about the things he endured, because it somehow makes the comparatively trivial challenges I face easier to deal with. But this was the first time I wondered how my father felt about forgiveness toward those who held him captive.

What do you think? If you’d been held for 3 1/2 years of your life, do you think forgiveness would come . . . with time? In fiction we often remind our characters that withholding forgiveness only hurts the one hanging on to the pain. I do know, somewhere along the way, my father let go of any anger or bitterness he might have held. He said his time served was done in the name of his country; he wasn’t alone; he mattered. He went on to live what I saw as a productive, happy life. He wasn’t often haunted by his memories that I could tell, perhaps partly because he’d been so young at this time of his life. The only time I saw any resentment toward the Japanese was when I was older and brought home a Toyota. All he said was that he’d wished I bought American. 🙂

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Upcoming Release by Hannah Alexander

Posted on April 29, 2014 by alexanderhodde

Friends, I’m thrilled to announce an upcoming release of a new Hannah Alexander title, Hallowed Halls. It should be in stores and available on ebook in the month of May. The reason I’m so excited is that this is the first book actually published in a hybrid format by Hannah Alexander via the promotional help of Jerry B Jenkins Select. If that doesn’t make sense to you, don’t worry. It’s still a book you’ll be able to read soon. I’ll have a picture of the cover for you before long, but since this is a new undertaking for all of us concerned, we’re taking it easy and making sure everything is done perfectly. Four of our colleagues are working with us on this venture as novelists: Angela Hunt, Brandilyn Collins, Bill Myers and Sammy Tippett, a worldwide evangelist I’m sure many of you know very well.

Please watch for our books on endcaps in your Christian stores, and on ebooks sometime in May. Once I know the books are available to you, I’ll figure out a way (remember me? The technoboob?) to get the cover on my next post for your enjoyment, and to give you a better idea of what Hallowed Halls–a women’s romantic fiction medically thrilling non-murder mystery with quirky, small-town characters and some adorable animals–is all about.

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Good News and Bad News…

Posted on April 28, 2014 by alandkathi66

Many of us recently heard about yet another Christian book publisher being acquired by a larger publishing house. This reflects on the direction of the industry in general, but it also impacts a lot of individual lives. One of the employees of said publisher is a dear friend of mine, who now has 50 days of employment left. That’s the bad news for her. The good news? Her amazing attitude.
“I always loved an adventure,” she said, “and I can’t wait to see the one God is going to take me on now.” I love that, don’t you? Talk about taking lemons and turning them into lemonade? And this lady is no twenty- or thirty- or even forty-something. She’s at a place in life when it’s a bit tougher to land a job, but she knows it’s not up to her to make that happen. Instead she is patiently and even excitedly waiting on God to take her to that next season in her life.
Isn’t that how we all should live, regardless of our circumstances? Isn’t that Romans 8:28 in real-life? “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (NKJV). All things—not a few things, or some things, or most thing. All things, even (and maybe most especially) the really tough and challenging things that we all face at one time or another. And for His purpose, not ours. That’s the secret. My friend knows she walks this earth to serve his purpose, not her own, and that’s why she can face this new “blip” on her radar screen with excitement rather than despair.
I pray we will all take that scripture to heart and put “feet to our faith” the next time we too are faced with a “good news-bad news” situation.

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No Dumb Questions by Julie Arduini

Posted on April 23, 2014 by juliearduini

Each Easter season I’m fascinated to watch our daughter process Christ’s love for us as she watches it through our church’s Passion  Play. She has mild special needs that include comprehension issues, so often things her peers can figure out without a lot of cues, she needs some explanation. This year she wasn’t just the townsgirl/robe carrier, she made her way to the crucifixion scene. (I’m not certain she was allowed, but that’s another post for another day.)

Once the play ended, she asked if she could watch the Bible series on the History Channel. She compared the two performances and tried in her ten year old way to compare it to what she knew of the Bible. Of course, she had questions.

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Jesus inviting the children to come forward. Our daughter is in the light blue.

  • Why is Jesus looking at Peter funny when he’s talking?

(Because Jesus knows in a matter of hours Peter will deny Him three times.)

 

  • Where do you think Satan was when Jesus was on the cross?

(I’m guessing close by, enjoying every second, thinking he had won.)

 

  • Why did you say I’m more blessed than Thomas?

(Because she believes without needing to see.)

 

  • I don’t understand how Saul and Paul are the same person.

(That’s a tough one to explain. But in the end, she grasped that Saul was someone who lived to see Christians die. He was on his way to catch Christians when Jesus blinded him. Saul’s life changed so much he became Paul, one of the greatest evangelists the world could ever know. And what faith on the Christians part, because they allowed Paul in, not sure if his transformation was true.)

 

  • Why is it such a big deal John is listed last and it says he died of old age?

(At the end of our Passion Play it lists each disciple and how they died. John the Revelator is the protagonist and he jokes how they’ve tried to burn him, poison him, beat him…and nothing worked, so they exiled him. For him to die of old age gives me the goose bumps. He took care of Mary. He was a true friend. And how he loved the Lord.)

 

She had a lot of questions but I loved her understanding, the best we can, the depth of Christ’s love to sacrifice as He did. That she saw flawed men who goofed up and goofed up bad turn things around so much they were among the first to take the gospel and run with it. She understood when evil is the core of intentions, it will not end well.

Her excitement fanned my flames of adoration.

I kept thinking back to Peter. So confident and sure to full of shame. And because of Christ, stronger than ever and remembered through the ages because we can relate. Paul. He thought he was right, and to know he had a hand in so many murders, how could he go on? But go on Paul did. I’ve always been inspired by Him.

And of course, John. Talk about passionate for Christ. The attempts to kill him were such failures they sent him away to exile. I’m sure no one wanted to see his anointed face as a reminder he couldn’t be silenced, not by their hand. That gives me courage to be bolder.

But none of these questions exist, there’s no reason to explore the personal histories without Jesus.

And I praise God our kids know Him. They treat participating in the Passion Play as a small gift to Him, their way of saying thank you for eternal life. For our daughter, thanks we don’t have to kill animals and use their blood to get forgiveness. She gets that Jesus did that for us.

If you weren’t able to take opportunity to watch the life, death and resurrection of Jesus played out, it’s not too late. Find a copy of Passion of the Christ. Check out the History Channel.

Or, best of all, take time apart and spend some quiet time in prayer.

You’re welcome to ask questions.

 

Photo by Julie Arduini/dream special effect used

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