Devotionals for the Heart: The Plan

Follow the Plan
A devotional written by Angela Anderson

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”— Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

It was the second day of sneezing, coughing, a runny nose and a fever. My toddler son had just started daycare and his immune system was not ready for all of the friendly germs that were introduced to his little body.

He started off the week so full of energy and excitement to share with anyone who crossed his path. He told me how much he loved his teachers and he called out a few names of various children who he considered his companions. He was happy and full of life until the end of his first week when everything seemed to gradually change. When he refused to even taste his favorite food, I knew something was wrong.

I tried to get my son to at least drink something. He was not a big fan of water, but I was able to get him to swallow some apple juice. He had trouble falling asleep and I was sure it was his temperature that was preventing him from getting a good night's rest. I knew that he needed something to reduce his fever, so I pulled out the children's formula and I began to administer the cure. I poured the kid-friendly, berry-flavored medicine in a small cup that accompanied the bottle. My son took one look at it, placed his hand over his mouth, and vehemently shook his head. I tried to explain that this medicine would make him feel better, that his temperature would decrease, that his appetite for his favorite meal would soon return.

He reluctantly took the cup in his hand, raised it to his lips, proceeded to taste the medicine, and then quickly put it down on the table. I tried putting the medicine in a syringe, gently inserting it between his pursed lips, and then squirting it toward the back of his throat so that he could avoid tasting any of it. He kicked and screamed as the medicine entered his mouth. Just when I thought he was swallowing it, he was actually collecting it in the back of his mouth, and then all of a sudden, he spit it all out. 

What an impossible mission! I was only trying to help my son feel better because I cared so much about him and I did not want to see him suffering with a fever. My son even told me he wanted to feel better, but there was still so much resistance that proved otherwise.

Do we not behave the same way when God tries to do what is best for us?

We ask Him for guidance, we pray earnestly for His will to be done, but when God shows us the chosen path for our lives, we refuse the plan because it is not what we wanted or expected. We somehow feel that we know what is best so we resort to kicking and screaming instead of accepting God's perfect will which would save us from misery and pain.

Some of us would rather stay in our current situation instead of receiving deliverance from a God who knows and sees all. He was there from the beginning and He stands at the end, but we still resist. We are at times like the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-8). When Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well, he offered excuses as to why he was not well.

God is not concerned with why as much as He is concerned with how. He offers us His divine plan for our lives and all we have to do it accept it and follow it. Let's make it a point to choose His plan today!

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank you for loving us and caring so much about us. Help us to trust You in all things and to accept Your perfect will for our lives. May we be willing to follow Your plan, believing that You know what is best for us. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was raised in a Christian home in New Jersey. Angela dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized at the age of 12. 

As a child in elementary school, she developed a penchant for writing book reports and entering writing contests. By high school, she was taking advanced placement courses in English and Speech & Creative Writing. Angela’s love for journaling also had its beginnings in high school and it evolved into prayers journals and detailed notes for prospective book ideas. As a result, Angela is the author of a published 40-day devotional book titled Just When I Thought I Knew God. She also wrote a children’s book that is not yet published.

Although Angela wanted to somehow incorporate writing in her life, she is currently a Certified Human Resources Professional. Angela graduated from Rutgers University in NJ with a double bachelor’s degree in Labor/Employment Relations & Sociology. She also has an MBA from Strayer University.

Angela founded a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization called Head to the Sky, Inc. It was formed in order to assist those in prison with their transition into society and to reduce the rate of recidivism in the community. During this venture, Angela received a certification in grant writing from The Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College. Angela was very passionate about teaching, training, and sharing the love of Christ in this ministry; but she had to refocus her passion when she and her husband decided to start their family.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson for 16 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 8) and Ryan (age 3). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling and she also enjoys spending quality time with her family. Her personal mission is to empower others to achieve their goals and dreams.

~*~
Connect with Angela:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook fan page for her devotional book, Just When I Thought I Knew God:
https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/

Christmas On My Heart: "Merry Christmas, Amor" by Cindy Flores Martinez

The Story Behind Merry Christmas, Amor by Cindy Flores Martinez:

My story, Merry Christmas, Amor, was originally published as part of Melissa Storm’s First Street Church Romances Kindle World a little over a year ago. Back then, it had another title: Love’s Second Chance. The story was much shorter, it didn’t have a Christmas theme, and the male lead character’s name was different. After Amazon closed its Kindle Worlds program and unpublished its books, I decided to rewrite the story. Explaining the inspiration behind Merry Christmas, Amor would mean going back to the previous version.

When I sat down to write Love’s Second Chance, which is now Merry Christmas, Amor, Melissa Storm had chosen me to be part of her team of authors that would help launch her Kindle World series. I had read the first book in her First Street Church Romances series, and it played a huge part in inspiring my story. I had always written romantic comedies or sweet romances that had a bit of humor in them but I decided to try something more serious this time around. Instead of writing the simple characters that I always wrote, I decided to write those that had deeper problems.

Esperanza De La Cruz was the first character that I created. She’s a young Latina woman whose family is broken, whose life is a mess and who finds strength through her faith in God and her relationship with Him. The name Esperanza De La Cruz means "Hope of the Cross."

I chose that name on purpose because I wanted that message to shine through. I took time creating all sorts of problems for Esperanza because I wanted to show how she’s okay despite everything. This is so true for me in my own life. Despite the problems that come along, I’m okay because of my relationship with God but it wasn’t always that way for me. I didn’t find Christ until just years ago and so I know the difference between going through life with God’s presence and power and going through life without Him.

Being that the series was Christian Romance, I needed to create a love story. That’s when Deputy Nuñez came along. His name was different in the first version but he’s still the same person. When I began figuring out his storyline, I had already decided that Esperanza’s father had committed a crime, which is a great source of pain for her. He’s in prison for intoxicated manslaughter. So I wondered, what if Esperanza’s love interest has strong feelings against crime? Better yet, what if he’s law enforcement? It would create a unique kind of conflict, especially if she hides her problems from him because she doesn’t know him well enough yet.

The overall main theme in the story is forgiveness. Esperanza’s father has hurt her tremendously because of his actions but she has forgiven him. Everyone in the story has forgiven someone in some way. Esperanza’s mother Milagros, which means “miracles”, has forgiven her husband. Deputy Nuñez’s mother Alma, which means “soul”, has forgiven her abusive ex-husband. Can Deputy Nuñez forgive his father who was abusive toward him in the past? How can someone forgive what seems impossible? That’s the question that Merry Christmas, Amor explores.

The story isn’t all about family problems, though. It takes place in the fictional small town of Mulberry Shores during the most wonderful time of the year—Christmastime. There’s a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on an idyllic Main Street that’s beautifully decorated. There are a few quirky characters and a bit of humor as well. The love of family and friends—and a little bit of Mexican culture—are also woven into the pages.

~*~
Author Bio:
Cindy Flores Martinez is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes Christian Romance. She has an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Screenwriting. Her debut novel, Mail-Order Groom, started as a screenplay and movie project, which she shopped around Hollywood, New York, and other parts of the world. You can learn more about her at www.cindyfloresmartinez.com.

~*~
Book Blurb for Merry Christmas, Amor:

It’s almost Christmas, and Deputy Nuñez isn’t in a festive mood.

Esperanza De La Cruz isn’t, either, after having left the only home she’s ever known to work at the daycare in the small town of Mulberry Shores. 

When her car and belongings are stolen, Deputy Nuñez comes to the rescue. 

Slowly, she begins to thaw his frozen heart.

~*~
Buy A Merry Little Winter (boxed set), in which Cindy's story "Merry Christmas, Amor" is featured on Amazon,  Barnes and Noble, or Kobo

~*~
Connect with Cindy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindyfloresmartinezauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCindy
Main website: www.cindyfloresmartinez.com
Another website: www.sweetromancereads.com

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway