Speak Faith by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Bridget

During this time of year, like many people, I enjoy reading about the birth of Jesus. I was recently reading through the book of Luke. Luke 1 gives us a lot of details that lead up to Jesus’ birth, details which we do not see in the other gospels. It talks about the foretelling of two births – John the Baptist and Jesus.

First, we read about the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were old and had no children. Zechariah was a priest. Both he and Elizabeth were “righteous in the sight of God” (Luke 1:6). One day Zechariah “was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” (v 9)

This was a special day for Zechariah. Not only because of the duties he was to perform that day, but also because of something extraordinary that happened while he was in the temple. The angel, Gabriel, appeared to Zechariah while he was inside and told him that Elizabeth would soon bear a son.

Verses 14-17 say, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

What an amazing promise this must have been. Was hope bubbling up inside of Zechariah? We don’t have the answer. But as the story unfolds, it does appear that doubt had creeped in. “Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’” (v. 18)

Due to Zechariah’s questioning, things take a slight turn. Gabriel tells him, “…you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” (v. 20) Yikes. How scary it must have been to not be able to speak for many months.

Later in this chapter we read about the foretelling of Jesus’ birth. The same angel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary. In verses 30-33 he tells her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

I wonder what emotions ran through Mary when she heard this news. Was she fearful or hopeful? Was she in awe or confused? In verse 34, Mary does question Gabriel by asking how this can happen since she is a young, unmarried girl.

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. …For no word from God will ever fail.” (v 35,37)

How did Mary reply to that? I am amazed by her response. In verse 38 Mary says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary’s words are inspiring. Would any of us have been able to submit to the Lord in this situation? Do we submit to the Lord this easily in less consequential situations? How I wish I always had this attitude. In fact, this story makes me cringe at my reaction to much smaller circumstances, when something comes my way that I did not plan for.

And reading through this chapter in Luke, I am often struck by the contrast in these two different stories. Zechariah who doubted versus Mary who surrendered. Reading this shows me the importance of speaking faith with our words. It is not always easy to speak faith, but it is possible because we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. It must start in our hearts. We must fully trust in the Lord first, and then our words will better reflect our faith. May the words that come out of our mouths be pleasing to the Lord. May our words show God, ourselves, and those around us that we have strong faith in our trustworthy Father.

Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com
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Breakthrough or Breakup by Julie Arduini

Posted on December 9, 2020 by juliearduini

It’s a rite of passage for authors. The one-star review/rating. The dread of it kept me from writing for publication for decades.

Yes, decades.

In my young adult years I was tied to what people thought of me. It kept me up nights. The mere thought of putting my work out there for others to judge? Nope, I couldn’t do it.

Thankfully, I prayed a lot and went through several Bible studies that helped me. By the time I was thirty-five, I knew I had to surrender the fear. I promised God I would write for Him when He wanted, what He wanted.

Funny part is, I am so untied to opinions that I only look at reviews for marketing purposes. I know there are authors who watch their sales by the hour. Who lose sleep over reviews. I’m very grateful the Lord walked me through that fire before my name ever appeared on Amazon.

Yesterday I was working on marketing and came across a rating. It’s a newer release I haven’t promoted hard because it’s not in my preferred genre and I’m so behind. It’s the first review, so it hits like brick when you see one rating, one star.

The old mindset started to shake off the dust and spring to action.

You’re a failure.

Who will take you seriously with that rating?

They hated what you did.

Instead of those thoughts consuming me for days, I recognized they were from the true defeated one and deflected my thinking to truth.

I am called to write.

My true audience is an audience of One.

Because no review is attached, this person could hate me. There are a few out there. They could have read it during a free promotion and not realized there was a Biblical principle woven throughout. They could have hated the story. They could have thought that one-star was a great thing. They could be a troll just stirring it up.

I had to surrender it and move on.

Hours later I look at my email and see another trigger.

The unsubscribe button.

That tells me someone who signed up for my newsletter content no longer wants it. They could have just signed up for the freebies. They could have signed up thinking I was all romance and no Christ. They could find my newsletter links via social media and decide their inbox is too full. It’s hard to guess why someone dismisses it.

Of course, it’s all the ammunition the enemy needs. Two negative writing-related issues in one day? That’s going to break me, right?

Not so fast.

I did take a moment to lament. As a praying person, I really believe writing is in part why God created me. The purpose He revealed to me involves writing, speaking, and then praying for the remnant that approaches me. That hasn’t even all been fulfilled yet, I believe that season is coming. I did double check with my Heavenly Father.

Did I hear right? I thought You were delivering a breakthrough, but this feels like a breakup.

It reminds me of my labor. Ever the literal reader, my pregnant self digested those birthing books as fast as I was eating chocolate. The books explained transition, the part before delivery, is 20-40 minutes long and marked by a feeling of giving up. The books encouraged the expecting to hold on, breakthough it coming. All that work will pay off very soon with that baby.

My son did not read those books. As soon as I told my husband I wanted to quit, my eyes lit up because I realized I was in transition. Forty minutes to go, tops!

My transition was three hours long before they brought in the emergency surgery team for a C-section.

My guess is no matter what the call on our life, we are all in transition. 2020 is a straight-up shift with periods of shaking. I’ve been tempted to quit. Hide in bed and binge TV all day.

Here’s the thing I referred to the devil as the defeated one. That’s the name he’d rather you not know and certainly doesn’t want you to call him by. His resources are few and his time is short. He’d rather lie and tell us we are defeated.

By the blood of Jesus, we are not.

Did that one-star rating sting? Did the unsubscribe pinch? It did. But I lamented, took a breath, and went to my prayer place and pressed in. Transition isn’t fun an it hurts. But that birth is coming.

And all the hurt, rejection, and stuff of this year will be worth it.

Hang in there. (((hugs)))

Join me December 12 when I host at Free Christian Books & More from 11-3 Eastern. There will be chat, games, and giveaways!
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The World IS Still Turning

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Kristin

I know it’s hard to believe life is going on when you’ve been in quarantine for so long, but I can assure you that it is. And I needed to know that. It’s very easy to believe life will never start up again and I think that has been devastating on our youth. They’ve missed out on so much: Graduations, Weddings, Socialization, etc. I mean, quarantining to me is not that much different from typical life. I’m a writer. I work alone (well, online for a few hours a day with friends to combat quarantine, but I have no actual co-workers.) I walk my dog and I keep up with my adult children. That’s my day.

Young adults and kids are not this lucky. They don’t have school. They don’t have nights out with friends. They don’t have dorm life for the most part and I fear we’re not taking that seriously. There is a cost to our youth and it concerns me immensely. I’m sorry to say that I know of a few suicides in this age group. Mere children who had their whole lives ahead of them but they can’t see past this terrible lockdown.

While most churches are meeting online, that’s not good enough for our kids and I fear the toll on mental health is going to be just as devastating as this disease that I refuse to name. Please, as a Christian, I am begging you to check in on people. Ensure they know that Jesus is Lord and that He has this in His hands. Take them for a drive. Show them that life is still going on even amongst these dark circumstances.

Recently, I drove with my daughter from Colorado to California so her cousin could continue her cosmetology education (cut to bare bones thanks to this disease) and we ended up shopping for her wedding dress since everyone she wanted there was in California. I spent a month there with my family and it was so good for my soul. My parents live about 90 minutes from Lake Tahoe so we took drives. We got outside and we remembered His glory in nature.

Don’t forget to live. My parents turned on the news while I was there and it’s non-stop fear mongering. Let me remind you, we’re all going to die. None of us is immune and yes, we should do what we can to stay healthy and keep others healthy, but don’t forget to live. Go for a drive. Check in on loved ones. Most importantly, pray. This disease can’t stop God. Elle took her mask off for this photo and it makes me so happy to see a bit of normal.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and

everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:11-12

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Looking Ahead by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Nancy J. Farrier

When we moved from California to Arizona over two and a half years ago, that move was very difficult for me. I gave up so much and have struggled since then. I’ve often thought about my ministries left behind and how I disconnected I am right now. And not because I haven’t wanted to get involved.

I’ve prayed about prayed about different ministry opportunities but every time I thought the idea had merit, I’ve received a resounding “no” from God. No matter how good the outreach sounds to me, He hasn’t approved. How can I possibly move forward when He hasn’t given me an opening anywhere?

I want to serve. I’ve always had a heart for ministry. I love giving of myself for Christ, helping others in whatever way He’s called me to, even in the very difficult ministries. But, here in Arizona, we are isolated – and that was before the pandemic. I’ve been alone and lonely, wondering if God is finished with me. Or if I did something that displeased Him, and He plopped me in the middle of the desert – literally.

A couple of weeks ago, God began dealing with my tendency to look back at those times with longing. Wasn’t’ that what Lot’s wife did? Hmmmm. I do not want to be a pillar of salt. He’s shown me that what He has for me isn’t found back there but is found by facing forward. By looking for what’s in store in the future. That’s where my focus and my heart belong.

At a very low point one recent Sunday morning, I prayed for God to speak to me through the Pastor’s message and show me what He wants from me. That morning my Pastor chose to talk about words. About how God speaks to us with words. About the need for us to use words to communicate God’s message. About the power of our words when we use them for God’s purpose.

I sat there stunned at the answer. I’ve been a writer for years, but writing has been just a piece of my ministry. It’s never been my sole focus of my calling. I now realize God brought me to the desert to learn that He wants me to work on my craft of writing and to make this a more important part of my life. To write stories that honor and glorify Him.

I also took some time to see what the Bible has to say about the need to look ahead. Looking forward is found in many Bible stories. What about the choice Moses made? 

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26 (NKJV)

Moses chose to give up everything, to move into the desert with people who were not his own, and then to come back to lead God’s people. His task was difficult in the extreme, yet he chose to do this because he looked forward to what God had for him. 

Jesus did not look back at the fun times he had with his friends and disciples. He didn’t long for his childhood days or home. He looked toward the work God had for him to do—that of dying on the cross and saving all who choose to believe in Him. He set his face toward that work and didn’t look back.

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for [Jesus] to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

With the virus running rampant and so many of us staying at home, maybe there are others who are feeling adrift from the church and from doing God’s work. If so, keep praying. God has a purpose for you. He has a work for you to do. 

Maybe you too can use words to reach someone for God. Writing a book might not be an option for you, but you could consider writing an email or even a little note to send in the mail. There are many lonely people out there who could use a word of encouragement—just something to let them know someone is thinking of them.

If you are so inclined, perhaps a phone call would be a good way to connect with someone. Or get together with a friend on a video call. 

There are many ways to look ahead, instead of looking back at what we once had. Look ahead to what God wants you to do, and to what He has in store for you. 

Look toward God’s purpose for you, and open your heart to hear His desire. He has an amazing plan.

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Angels by Kathy Carmichael

Posted on December 3, 2020 by kathc2

I have been reading a wonderful book by Rev. Billy Graham entitled ANGELS: God’s Secret Agents. It was a very timely book for me and I’m learning a lot from reading it.

 

Having had my own interactions with angels, I questioned whether my experiences would live up to what Billy Graham describes in this book. The answer is, “Yes.” I know everyone has their own unique take on the subject of angels, but I found his teachings to resonate deep inside me, plus I have learned so much.

When I have had a personal interaction with an angel that I’m aware of, it was generally to give me a message. But sometimes we don’t see the angels. They seem to be invisible unless they wish to reveal themselves. And I can’t count the number of times I believe an angel has interceded on my behalf. Like the time when I heard a voice in my head instruct me to “pull the car over; otherwise you’ll be involved in a serious auto accident.” I pulled over, but don’t know what accident I may have avoided in obeying the voice. I just did. I think it’s wisest to listen to warning voices like that.

Here is a quote from the book that particularly spoke to me.

Yes, angels are real. They are not the product of our imagination, but were made by God Himself. Think of it! Whether we see them or not, God has created a vast host of angels to help accomplish His work in this world. When we know God personally through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, we can have confidence that the angels of God will watch over us and assist us because we belong to Him.

That’s an extremely strong statement. We belong to God and he sends angels to watch over us.

Another quote from the book talks about nations.

The Bible teaches that angels intervene in the affairs of nations. God often uses them to execute judgment on nations. They guide, comfort, and provide for the people of God in the midst of suffering and persecution.

With what is happening the US today regarding the validity of our elections, I felt a strong sense of peace come over me when I read those lines. If it is God’s will, the angels will intervene in the affairs of our nation. I don’t know about you, but I completely trust our Heavenly Father in determining what will happen going forward.

Another section of the book talks about fallen angels and that not all angels are holy angels. This is a needed warning. I’ve known people who’ve talked about visitations from angels that were not particularly holy in the angel’s intentions. We need to be on guard to make sure our perceptions are in tune with the reality and God’s words. Not all angels are good.

If you haven’t read this book or if it’s been awhile since you read it (the original version came out in 1975, but it’s been updated since then), I highly recommend it. Click here to learn more or to buy.

One last quote to bring you peace and calm:

Believers, look up—take courage. The angels are nearer than you think. For after all (as we have already noted), God has given “his angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11-12 RSV).

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An update on the Christians Read Book Club. Currently we have very few members who have signed up through this website. As a result, we are suspending Zoom meetings until after the first of the year–or until we have enough members signed up. I’m sorry to disappoint those who’ve signed up, but without enough people to participate for now, I have no choice. We do have a link on Amazon Book Clubs in which we name the book of each month, and that will continue, so please consider joining it as well 🙂  Click here for Amazon Christians Read Book Club.

 

 

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Cards and Communication by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 2, 2020 by jrcoggins

Every year when I was growing up, one entire wall of our living room would be filled with multiple strings holding Christmas cards our family had received that year.

Long distance telephone rates were very high, and the postal system was the most economical way to keep in touch with family members and distant friends. My mother would spend weeks addressing cards and sending long letters to people far away. Even if they did not communicate all year, people still made a point of catching up at Christmas.

Of course, times have changed. We have much easier ways of keeping in touch—telephone, email, Facebook, Zoom, video chat, and many more.

For a number of years after we were married (42 years ago), my wife and I continued the tradition of sending out Christmas cards and letters. I even developed a tradition of writing a creative and humorous form letter containing all of the family news. Often I would arrange for a different “family member” to write the letter. One year it was our new roof, which had been watching over the family and seeing everything that was happening. Other years, it was our new car or a new pet. I never asked our new rug to write the letter because, well, rugs lie.

In return, our friends and family members would send us Christmas cards and their Christmas letters.

As technology developed, I began sending out some of the letters by email. It was faster and less expensive. I even learned how to incorporate photos into the letter, which was far cheaper than having extra prints of the photos made and stuffing them into envelopes. Because it was less expensive, I found I could send the letter to more people.

Today, I send almost all of the Christmas letters out by email, except for a few recipients who do not have access to modern technology.

But something strange happened when I switched to email. When we were sending Christmas cards through the mail, almost everyone we wrote to responded with a card or letter of their own, and some people sent cards and letters even though we hadn’t sent anything to them. But now that we send our Christmas greetings by email, only a very tiny percentage of the recipients respond.

Something strange is happening as our technology changes. We have far easier, quicker, less expensive, and more varied ways of communicating with each other. But we don’t.

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Who’re You Going to Hate? (by Hannah Alexander)

Posted on December 1, 2020 by alexanderhodde
  • KODAK Digital Still Camera

 

I’d like to think it isn’t in my nature to actually want to hate someone at all times, but really? Maybe it’s there. It’s easier, at times, to complain about someone or something than it is to praise.

A lot of neighbors in town really hate these deer because they live in town and eat everything that isn’t nailed down or behind a sturdy fence. I can’t speak to that, myself, since I’m not a gardener. I prefer the deer, but please don’t tell my neighbors that!

It’s also easier to complain about things that are happening right now than it is to count my blessings. I’ve caught myself a few times lately saying that I “hated” such and such. And I’ve said it about more than one thing more than one time. And when I’ve caught myself, I’ve realized that in that moment, I was personally placing a curse on that particular object. I don’t like myself when I do that.

Mel and I decided many years ago to stop complaining when a car cut us off in traffic. I had to really watch my mouth. But as we’ve read in the Bible, “Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay.” So picture us trying hard to be good and yelling out the window at the poor driver, “Nay!”

Not as satisfying as I’d hoped, but if you can stick you that, you’ll probably be better off.

I want to stop being a complainer. I remind myself that the Israelites grumbled against God and were stuck in the desert for 40 years. Or they were just struck down. Even though these aren’t Old Testament times, I think erring on the side of caution is wise. Now to just DO THAT–bless instead of cursing, count blessings instead of hating–and I think we’ve got this year fixed. Right?

 

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Hacked and Stolen Accounts Happen to Everyday People by Vicki Hinze

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Vicki Hinze


It seems we’ve entered a new stage in America. As Christians, we didn’t ask for it, certainly don’t want it, but it is here all the same and thrust upon us.

Late in the afternoon the day before Thanksgiving, my Twitter account was hacked and stolen.  That might sound like a trivial thing, but I’ve had that account since 2008 and had accumulated nearly 40,000 tweets.  These messages were about my books, but also inspiring and, I hope, uplifting messages to the 10.5 thousand people who followed my account and to those who happened to see the messages when they passed through.  I also did short “Good morning!  My wish for you today is…” followed by a spiritual principle to focus on that day.  For example, that people be gifted with discernment, to know the truth when they see or hear it.  To do a kindness for a stranger.  To do one thing to make someone else’s life a little better that day.

Nothing much different than I’ve done on that account for the past 14 years.  Yet, for the innocuous work on that account, it, or I, was targeted.

I’ve worked with, I thought, Twitter ever since—today is day six—to no avail.  Reports have been circular—report the problem, they need more info, provide it, problem resolved only it isn’t, report… and back through the process.  Someone far more computer savvy tells me, I’ve been corresponding with a bot.  I can’t say either way.  I can say others who have typed in my name get taken to a strange locked page that isn’t me.

Then a similar attempt was made on another social media account and on a phone and in other places.  Clearly, it’s an identity theft attempt.  I have special coverage for that, and it’ll get sorted out by professionals.

My point is I had no idea why I was targeted—and then I heard from a pastor who had experienced the same thing on the same day.  And then two other Christian friends.  And then I saw more.  And still more.

I’m sharing so that you are not caught unaware.

This has come at a problematic time for me, which I suspect could be intentional.  On December 6th, I have a new book coming out, BLOOD STRANGERS, which is the second book in this year’s general audience group series:  Behind Closed Doors: Family Secrets.

Each year, I do a related novel with the same group of authors.  That book is this year’s book and project.  Getting word out about it is my issue.  I’m working on that and have no doubt, God will guide my steps.

The important thing is for you to be aware that this is occurring.  It isn’t that all the people impacted have large accounts—one has 80 followers.  So no one is immune.

What You Can Do

 

I’ve no idea if this will prevent, but it could help. 

 

  1. Use a unique, complex password.Something you do not use elsewhere.
  2. Use a two-factor authentication on your account.So if someone strange tries to log into your account from somewhere other than where you typically do, you’re notified.
  3. Keep your device and your software updated and protected.

Be advised that I was sent a notification about the stranger attempt to log into my account—the day after they did it.  Not exactly in time to do any good.

So, these suggestions are by no means fail-safe or complete.  For that reason, check with your own computer guru and with the social media platform’s privacy and security recommendations in their Help section. 

I do hope this has been at least a little helpful.

Blessings!

 

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A Familiar Favorite by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Nancy J. Farrier
Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? A favorite chapter? A favorite verse? 

I think we all have someplace we turn to when we need the comfort of God’s word or a guidance during a difficult time. For me, a favorite chapter is Romans 12. 

Just this week, I was reading in Romans 12 and was struck anew by the absolute practicality of the teaching in these verses. For everyday behavior and how to be a Christian in the world where we live Romans 12 is a great place to turn.

Look at this one verse:

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Ro. 12:9

There is a gold mine in the simplicity found here. Take the first sentence – Let love be without hypocrisy. Let your love be genuine. Don’t love one person one way and another person a different way. Treat each with the same love God would demonstrate toward that person.

God is love, and we are called to be like Him. I John 3:18 says, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

Our love is to be genuine, not an act put on for show. Our love for others is to be done in equality not dependent on the who that person is or what they have done. I will admit there are times I’ve had to ask God to give me His love for someone I found impossible to love, but every time He has been faithful to give me the grace needed to love that person. (Note: This does not mean I embraced a person’s behavior if it was not God honoring.)

This brings us to the second sentence in Romans 12:9 – Abhor what is evil. Abhor. To shrink from. To be horrified at. 

Isn’t this something we all do? Who wants to like evil? Yet, as a people of this world, aren’t we attracted to the horrific? Just like Eve in the garden, we want one bite of the forbidden. Our human nature is enticed by the evil dangled in front of us. But God asks us to abhor that evil.

However, God doesn’t leave us to do that on our own. Look at the last sentence in Romans 12:9 – Cling to what is good. Cling. To cleave to. To adhere to. This isn’t like a glue that holds you to something. This is like two sides of a wound knit together so tightly you can’t tell one part from the other.

What is the good that we should cling to? God, of course. When we cling to, cleave to, adhere to, God, we have the ability to love the unlovable with a genuine love. We have the ability to abhor evil and avoid the attraction to it. We have the ability to become more like God each and every day.

So pull out those favorite books, chapters, and verses. Study them daily. Let’s immerse ourselves in the love of God so much that we emulate Him in every part of our lives.

What is your favorite verse or chapter of the Bible. I’d love to hear.

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Happy Thanksgiving by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Bridget

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. I am honored to be on the schedule today to share this wonderful day with you.

In honor of this holiday, today I want to focus on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 which says, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I love these verses. They are so simple, yet so profound. If we followed these words each and every day, I can only imagine how different our lives would be. And think of the impact we could make on the world around us. I believe our good attitude would be contagious to those we encounter in our daily lives.

I have made gratitude a part of my life for a number of years now, and I can absolutely tell you that it does make a difference in your life. Gratitude brings peace and joy, because we are focused on the blessings around us. It helps us to keep our hearts in tune with God and how good He is to us. When we focus on gratitude, and ultimately, on the Lord, it takes our attention away from our problems. It reminds us that even when we have a bad day, so many things in our lives are still going right.

I believe when we follow the latter part of the verses above (be thankful in all circumstances) that will help us to better follow the advice in the beginning of the verses (always be joyful). And I also believe the middle part of the verses (never stop praying) plays a part in both joy and gratitude. Prayer is vital in our Christian walk. When we stay connected to God on a daily basis, this helps us to have joy, and it helps us to have gratitude as well.

But there is one word I want to point out in these verses – all. The Bible says to be thankful in ALL circumstances. I know this can be extremely difficult for us to do when we are in the midst of a storm. Life can be painful and bring us an array of problems. But we are still called to give thanks. I think this becomes easier when we fully know the love of the Lord and when we remember that He works all things together for good.

Dr. Charles Stanley puts it this way, “For us to be able to thank God in all things, we must be able to see him in every detail of our lives. Our hearts should be grateful towards him, even when we face difficulties, because we know he is intimately involved in our circumstances and will work everything for our good if we have faith and obey him (Ro 8:28).” (Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible.)

I would like to encourage you to hold these verses in your heart today. Recite them as you go about your day. I bet you will feel a supernatural peace as you focus on always being joyful, continually praying, and being thankful in all circumstances.

In case you need a little boost getting into a grateful frame of mind, check out this lovely YouTube video. I want to live my life with this mindset: https://youtu.be/zSt7k_q_qRU

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! God bless you!

© 2020 Bridget A. Thomas

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Dead Inside by Julie Arduini

Posted on November 25, 2020 by juliearduini

That’s quite the cheery title, am I right? Thankfully it isn’t completely how I feel, although my patience for this most unpredictable of years is running thin.

There’s been the quarantine, the election, I had to go back to my hometown for a bit, my garage door opener broke and started to plummet as I was driving in, our furnace died, and then this.

That’s our willow tree after a recent NE Ohio windstorm. The winds were so loud we didn’t even hear the tree fall. Crazy.

The praise is it did not hit the house or anyone. Although the trampoline is a goner, that wasn’t new and didn’t see a ton of use. We have a memorial garden and a fire pit that the tree missed. So if it had to fall, it did fall in the best way. I’m not excited about the $500 deductible when we’ve already had the garage door and furnace to deal with, but that’s another post for another day.

As my son and I went out to look at the damage, he noted the tree’s condition. He said, “No wonder it fell. It’s dead inside.” Rotted. No support.

I thought back over the summer. It was a quick observation as my husband and I worked on other outdoor things. He noticed that willow tree wasn’t producing any leaves. Had we taken the time to think about it, we would have realized something was signficantly wrong with the tree. When in good health, the tree had deep roots, strong support, and abundant life with all the leaves.

So many leaves and branches, that wilow tree.

Yet, I missed the sign. It was standing tall and didn’t seem to be crying out for help.

And now it’s horizontal across our back yard.

The scene reminds me of what backsliding looks like.

If the term is unfamiliar to you, it’s when a believer in Christ slowly steps away from obedience. I’ve never seen it happen in a spontaneous event, rather a small burn of little triggers.

That accidental pop-up that we look at that has no business being in front of our eyes.

Then we click on the site once.

Then daily.

Then it feeds our soul day in, day out.

To look on the outside, there’s little to see at first that something might be wrong. We’re still smiling. Probably even going to church and volunteering. But the inside is rotting because we’ve backed off from Bible reading and prayer.

Backsliding can be with any choice that takes us away from Christ, I just used an example that is so rampant, especially for believers in Christ. The results, no matter what our sin, if unchecked and unconfessed, look a lot like my back yard.

A lot of damage.

2020 has been hard. I’ve only highlighted some issues our family has dealt with, but if I truly expanded on some of it, the grief I would share would be deep. I’m confused by a lot of things and sometimes more afraid that I want to admit. But to not confess it starts a slide I don’t want to be a part of.

If this year has you moving your boundaries and making choices you’ve justified or you flat out know is wrong, you don’t have to live like my willow tree, or die like it. You are so valuable and important that God is a Master at forgiving us, helping us, and putting us on a path where our core is strong and we produce life and hope along the way.

Here’s a sample prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that You give me the strength to admit that I am missing the mark. I’m making choices that grieve You, and I’m sorry. Will you forgive me for (name your sin/s.) Thank You for that, and for restoring me. Please send divine connections who can encourage me and keep me accountable. Fill me with hunger for Your Word and a thirst to spend my day with You. Thank You for loving me. For Your glory and honor, Amen and Amen.

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You Want Me to WHAT?

Posted on November 24, 2020 by alexanderhodde

I received a letter today from Cheyenne WY, the capitol of our state, telling me that I WILL be on their list for jury duty come January of 2021 for half a year. I will be expected to drive to Cheyenne any time they want me to. Sure, that is an honor. Our state has so few registered voters in it that it would be helping out our court system.

In other conditions, that would be a fun thing to do. I would love it. However, doctors and their family members are not welcome on juries. So I would be driving to Cheyenne–over the mountain range in bad road conditions–to be turned away because one or the other attorney on the case would dismiss me. We know this because my husband’s twin brother was turned away for that specific reason–he was related to a doctor. Attorneys don’t like doctors or their family members on the jury.

The news came at a bad time, since winter struck here on Labor Day with a blizzard, reminding us of last winter when we were stuck here in this town for 2 1/2 months by snow that had been turned to ice over the interstate by wind. There’s no way for me to get to Cheyenne without driving on that highway. It is one of the most dangerous highways in the country. And I would be driving there and back–a five hour trip.

So I sent the court clerk a letter explaining my husband’s history of triaging at the hospital’s cafeteria after 140 vehicles piled up in horrific ice and snow and were hauled to the ER by BUS. I explained my fear of that highway.

I’m sure they think I’m a chicken. So many other people drive those highways in less than favorable conditions, so why not me? Because the people who drive that highway on bad conditions haven’t seen the things I have.

I’ve asked the court to reconsider. We shall see. If they force the issue and I cannot make it, I face a fine and jail time and community service.

Have you ever served on a jury? What’s it like?

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Have A Blessed Thanksgiving by Tara Randel

Posted on November 23, 2020 by tararandel

Can you believe it’s already Thanksgiving week? While at times it seems like this year has dragged on, in other ways time had flown by. I’ve been busy writing, so that makes the days move fast for me. I get to take this week off since I’m caught up, yay!, and plan on enjoying myself by doing the things I love to do this time of year.

Thanksgiving celebrations may be small this year, but I still love to cook for this holiday. I’m very traditional, going with the usual; turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and a few additional casseroles. I always make pumpkin pie because what’s a holiday without pie?  So while the visitors may be few this year, I intend on doing things the same way I always have. That’s what I love about traditions. Times may change, but the things that bring the most wonderful memories can’t be taken away or forgotten, no matter what is going on in the world.  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6

I think everyone can gain strength from this scripture at some point in your life. It’s so important to remember God is in control. If we let worry overwhelm us, we won’t enjoy the beautiful things God has given us, things we can appreciate every day, like; sunsets, a child’s laugh, a pet jumping on your lap for a good rub. God is good and He’s bigger than all the turmoil going on around us. I know I thank Him every day for the life He has given me, for the family and friends who bring joy to my life.

So I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, any way you chose to celebrate. This year might be full of surprises, but the Lord is there for us, every single day. I know I can never thank Him enough for all He’s done in my life. I’m sure you feel the same way, too.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her Harlequin Heartwarming romance, ALWAYS THE ONE, available now. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.

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Learning to Love by Kathy Carmichael

Posted on November 19, 2020 by kathc2

I’m still caught up in much of the fear from my last post, and as a result I found it difficult to choose a topic that appealed enough for discussion. In general, I’m quite a sunny person, so struggling with darker emotions and feelings is unusual for me.

Basically, I have done my best to fight fear with love this week, and I’d like to share this with you.


While our Heavenly Father wants us to love one another, and I do my best to hold that message in my heart, I think he gave us a means to practice this kind of unconditional love. The method he provides is through our pets.

Recently I lost one of my kitties and my son’s dog (my part-time dog who I loved with my whole heart). Battling the loss and depression relating to losing them has been difficult. At times I seem to be fine, then all of a sudden something happens inside me and I’m in tears again, so you can imagine my sadness.

But the Lord sent something–or several somethings–to help deal with my grief: a whole boatload of feral cats has invaded my neighborhood. And I caught some!

Mama kitty and three four-week old kittens have become the newest members of the Carmichael household. I believe they were sent to my door in order to lessen my sorrow and allow me to give them a new home.

6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! ~ Psalm 8:6-9

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving me new fur-babies to love and for teaching me that sometimes animals and people come into your life in order to give you an opportunity to help them and to love them.

Here’s a link to a video of two of the kittens playing.

kittens playing

Click the image or click here!

I hope you enjoy their antics as much I as do!

I’m sending special prayers, good wishes and much love for each of you!

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He Who Has Helped Thee Hitherto by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 18, 2020 by jrcoggins

Years ago, my wife Jackie and I were moving 3,000 miles away to the east so I could return to school and embark on a new career. The small church that we attended gave us a loving send-off, a gift of money to help with expenses, and a small plaque that read: “He who hath helped thee hitherto will help thee all thy journey through.”

This is apparently a quote from Charles Spurgeon, a great 19th-century Baptist preacher. But I did not know that then. I was sure that this must be a quotation from the Bible. I looked to find it there, but my search was in vain.

I remembered that Jacob, when he set out on a long journey east to find a wife, encountered God at a place called Bethel. He swore an oath, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God” (Genesis 28:20-21 NIV).

Jacob attempted to make a bargain with God. The fact is that when he returned twenty years later, Jacob had much more than food, clothes, and a wife. He had two wives, almost a dozen children, servants, and vast wealth in the form of herds of animals. God had given him far more than he had asked for. Furthermore, God had promised to make him the father of a great nation, through whom all the world would be blessed—he would be the ancestor of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.

Another relevant biblical passage is 1 Samuel 7. There, the people of Israel were under constant threat of attacks from the Philistines. The prophet Samuel told the people to commit themselves to God. When they did, God gave them victory in the ensuing battle. Verse 12 says: “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (KJV). This stone was an expression of thanksgiving and worship, but it was also an expression of something more. Mizpeh is only about twelve miles from Jerusalem. The Philistines were still occupying a considerable amount of the territory that had been promised to the people of Israel, and the Philistines still had a large army that would continue to be a threat to Israel for years to come. Samuel’s monument was an expression of gratitude but also a prayer for continued help from God, a recognition that the war was not over, that there was still a long way to go.

This understanding was aptly expressed in the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” written by 18th-century pastor Robert Robinson:

               Here I raise my Ebenezer;

               Hither by Thy help I’ve come;

               And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

               Safely to arrive at home.

It was also expressed in John Newton’s song “Amazing Grace” written in 1772:

               ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

               And grace will lead me home.

Jackie and I still have that plaque hanging on our wall, and when we move to a new townhouse in the next few weeks and prepare for semi-retirement (I will continue to write and edit because writers can’t not write), it will go with us. It has proven to be both encouraging and prophetic. When Jackie and I set out on our journey years ago, we did not attempt to bargain with God. But we were committed to serve Him. When we returned eleven years later, I had two children, a career, and enough wealth to buy a house. God had cared for us, as He had cared for Joseph. This is both our testimony, that God has been faithful and has blessed us immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), and our prayer, that God will continue to be with us and help us until our earthly journey is over.

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