Devotionals for the Heart: A pure and true love that will never leave you

A Love That Never Leaves
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”—Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Every February, couples celebrate Valentine’s Day holiday.

Many of us learn about this holiday as early as elementary school when the tradition in the classroom this time of year was to give “Happy Valentine’s Day” greeting cards and sometimes candy to our classmates. Sometimes, the girls secretly hoped to receive an extra-special one from the cute boy who they had a crush on. For many females, that same mindset follows us into adulthood. We quietly hope the special man in our lives will buy the perfect gift, and when he falls short, disappointment quickly follows. No matter what the relationship has looked like the rest of the year, we often place all our feelings on this one day.

Even when the people in our lives fail to show up in the ways we want or need, we must remember who we are and whose we are. We are children of the Eternal King (God). We belong to Him. Once we truly understand this, we can begin to love others rightly. Love is not something we give based on what someone does for us; we love them because of who they are. This reminds me of God’s love for us and why we should love Him too. The Bible says this about His Love for humankind in 1 John 4:19 (NIV), “We love because he first loved us.”

The beautiful thing about God is that He loves us every day, and His love is unconditional. God does not forget dinner plans, fail to read our minds, or rush to the florist at the last minute. His love for us is everlasting—eternal and enduring without end—because God is love. Unlike the world, which often loves with a “What can you do for me?” mindset, the Lord’s love has no limits. God does not look back over the year or month to determine how much He loves us today. His love is not based on what we do for Him, but on who He is.

God’s love is constant. He shows His love daily by waking us up in the morning and protecting us from seen and unseen danger. His love is not tied to a holiday or a season. God sees everything we do and still loves us with all our faults, flaws and failures. However, we as flawed humans often see those same faults and judge each other or “cancel” people. They remind us of who we used to be and question what we should or should not do based on past failures. But God sees the person He created and knows who we can become when we walk in the purpose He designed for us. His love does not leave us when we fall. He picks us up and carries us. God covers us in the storm, while the world may drag us through the mud because often people love us for what we can do for them or for the image we project.

Here's the truth: Everyone wants to be loved for who they are—imperfections, flaws, and failures included—not judged but comforted by someone who truly sees them. However, what we often discover is that people love conditionally, while only God loves unconditionally. Yes, God rebukes us when we are wrong and calls us to repentance and obedience, but He still extends grace and mercy. Humans tend to judge each other before hearing the full story and count us out after one mistake. But God—who sees what others cannot—offers chance after chance.

If you are seeking true and everlasting love, do not look for it from people; seek God as your Heavenly Father. He alone can give the love that never leaves.

God’s love brings comfort and joy not only in happy moments, but also in painful ones. While some measure love by gifts or status, and others feel discouraged by loneliness, God remains faithful. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. The Bible says in Psalm 34:18 (NIV), “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Valentine’s Day may come once a year, but God’s love is available to us every day.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for a love that never ends—a love that does not exhaust or condemn but lovingly corrects and desires to see me at my best. Thank You for a love that still chooses me daily, even when I am walking through my mess. I love You, Lord.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Love” by Kirk Franklin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Love Theory” by Kirk Franklin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “I Am Loved/There Is Nothing Better” by Maverick City Music (feat. Naomi Raine) | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “That's How Much I Love You” by Kathy Troccoli. Listen it here.

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Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

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Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: A Mandate for the Month of Love (February)

February’s Mandate
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”—Colossians 3:12 NIV

February is known in the United States for Valentine’s Day. It is a special holiday when people express attraction and or affection for one another. New romances are ignited. Old romances are reaffirmed. Greeting cards, romantic poetry, chocolate candy and red roses are popular tokens of affinity gifted to people who are in a romantic relationship during this time.

February is also known as Black History Month. Inevitably, someone amongst those recognizing the focus of the month will quote a speech or a prolific line from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. … My favorite quote that is attributed to him is, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Another phrase attributed to Dr. King is, “Beloved Community”. He adopted this phrase from the 19th century theologian/philosopher Josiah Royce. Royce described this beloved community as a coalition of people anywhere for whom their prime directives were loyalty and truth. King believed that this beloved community would be a bastion of security with liberty and justice for all. As the month of February opens before us, I challenge you, as you are able, to fill your environment each day this month with one of or all five traits mentioned below.

Trait #1: Compassion can be expressed as grace, humanity, and benevolence. Giving a benefit of doubt. Investing a moment of eye contact, a smile, a genuine interaction with a stranger can be re-humanizing to a person who is living in a marginalized circumstance.

Trait #2: Kindness looks like genuine courtesy, goodwill and the orientation to think and see the best within ourselves and others whose paths we cross. Kindness can be expressed by noticing something positively unique about someone and complimenting them. I see and appreciate the radiance in people’s eyes and smiles.

Trait #3: Humility is not self-loathing. It is a person’s ability to transcend arrogance and self-projections that minimize the humanity and efforts of people within our sphere of influence.

Trait #4: Providence allowed me to get a newer, used car than the one I had been driving. When I went to pick up my granddaughters from school, I could see their pride as they strode to my car. They even called out to some of their friends to draw attention to themselves as they stepped into my car. The next day, when I went to pick them up, I drove my older SUV with 220,000 miles on it. It was a teachable moment. When God provides us with evident blessings, they are to be used in His service, not paraded as the perks of piety.

Trait #5: Gentleness and patience are twin gifts. They come together and fit like a hand in a glove. Moving slowly through a crowd and being mindful of each person is what Jesus did. There may be moments when people draw from you. May it always be virtue and never contempt. Even if you find yourself in a toxic moment, be patient. Breathe deeply. Speak slowly and in low tones. Find points of agreement before magnifying differences. In so doing, you will find that your presence brings warmth and light that softens conflict and countenances. Be the change that you want to see by employing Colossians 3:12.

Let these traits be the uniform that identifies you as a devotee to the person, mind and character of Jesus Christ. When you do these things, you will begin to positively change the world inside and around you.

Let’s Pray: Almighty God, thank You for life in the month of February. Make us equal to the mandate of the month. Clothe us with the garb of truth, justice, humane affinity and generosity. In so doing, may our lives shine light and be examples of conflict resolution that will encircle the globe and bring peace where it has been displaced. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Need You to Survive” by Hezekiah Walker. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching.

He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well adjusted, adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Unconditional Love for Humankind

Embracing the Unconditional Love of God
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

“We love because He first loved us.”

—1 John 4:19 (NIV)

As the calendar turned to February my sigh was audible.

It was the first February after my divorce, and for all intents and purposes, Valentine's month had snuck up on me. Valentine's Day was never one of my favorite holidays to begin with. But after my marriage had crumbled around me, it was really the last holiday I wanted to be reminded of. My capacity to love and to be loved seemed to have been dismantled as divorce papers were signed. After two failed marriages, I found myself taking an honest look in the mirror and whispering—really whimpering—to God, “Point out any offensive way in me.” His answer came in the still, small voice that simply stated, “Cease striving.”

Even though I had been a Christian for many years, I came to realize I was still a baby drinking spiritual milk when it came to an understanding of God's love for myself and others. I felt like I was always trying to balance a scale between “He loves me” and “He loves me not”. Unfortunately, the scale always seemed to be teetering toward the “He loves me not” direction.

I would “perform” for Him and wait for His applause and approval. Was He pleased that I lead the small group Bible study? Would He be happy that I served on the prayer team? Would I earn a reward for sharing my faith with a friend? It was stressful and it was exhausting. And it certainly was not Biblical. I decided to venture out on a journey of searching the scriptures for all God said about love and pleading with God to help me truly understand what they all meant, so I could treasure them in my heart and cease striving once and for all.

God is love. So it goes without saying that His Word (The Holy Bible) has a lot to say about love.

As I searched and studied His Word, praying for God to remove the scales from my eyes, He tenderly led me into many truths about love and, sadly, many lies I was believing about His love. What I discovered was I needed to truly experience God’s love before I could ever hope to love and be loved properly. Without allowing myself to be loved by God, I would never be able to fully love Him or others. I had turned receiving God's love into a competition I was constantly performing to earn. But God loves me just because He loves me. Not because of any awesome things I do or spectacular things I say. His desire is to completely overwhelm me with His love. My job is to simply receive it. It sounded simple, yet my mind had an easier time wrapping itself around that concept of work leading to reward.

Over the next few weeks my prayer became simple. I prayed, “Lord, help me understand and receive Your love.” When I felt myself slip onto the performance path, which happened far more often than I realized, I pulled back and pressed into His presence. I sat still before Him until I felt His peace and became immersed in His love. I began to become acquainted with what it felt like to just be loved without seeking to earn it.

Receiving God’s love was freeing and fulfilling. I came to experience Him in a deeper, more intimate and fully authentic way. I brought Him all the broken pieces of me and He stitched them together with His unfailing love. I ceased striving, sat still before Him and He stirred a desire deep in my soul to simply receive His love.

In doing so, I discovered God’s love leads to a multitude of other qualities, all rooted in an understanding and experience of His unconditional love. His love empowers and establishes. His love drives out fear and fuels faith. His love kills comparison and cultivates compassion. His love demolishes doubts and ignites delight. His love is extravagant and eternal, doesn’t need to be earned and is for everyone.

He showed me that love never stops loving and as He continues to pour it in, I can allow it to flow out to those around me and the reservoir only grows larger.

Let’s Pray: Loving Lord, thank you for the way you love us and the example you set for us in loving others. Help us to willingly receive your love, be filled with your love and fully experience your love. Let us be a vessel that allows your love to pour into us, freely flow through us and spill over into the world around us. May those who we have an opportunity to meet and mingle with experience your love through us, giving them a desire to know You as the source of love and Savior of their souls. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Cyndi’s devotional message today reminds me of the song “Your Love Never Fails”, performed by Chris Quilala / Jesus Culture. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt is a Jesus-loving, adrenaline junkie who is devoted to living her life for Jesus Christ until the day she is living with Him. 

With a passion for cultivating a craving for God’s Word, her devotions and Bible studies are saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing she hopes to ignite your desire to read God’s Word, invite your heart to experience God’s love, and inspire you to live your live life “souled out” to the One whose love has no limits.

~*~
Connect with Cyndi on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/souledoutcyndi/

14 Days of Love: Dear Beth

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Alyssa Schwarz.

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Book blurb for Dear Beth: 

After finishing his veterinarian training, Tye Prescott is back in Colorado and ready to give his relationship with Beth another chance, only she's made it very clear she wants nothing to do with him. 

Beth Walsh is a hopeless romantic, except when it comes to her own love life. In her opinion, love is best left to the storybooks. But when a few nosy octogenarians decide to play matchmaker, she grasps for the only excuse she can think of to avoid another set up.

Set against the backdrop of Loveland's historic Valentine's Day letter re-mailing program, Tye and Beth must work together to convince the town of their rekindled romance. But Tye has his own plans of winning back the woman who got away.

Might it finally be time for Beth to risk her heart again?

Set against the backdrop of Loveland's historic Valentine's Day letter re-mailing program, Tye and Beth must work together to convince the town of their rekindled romance. But Tye has his own plans of winning back the woman who got away.

~*~
Author Bio:

Contemporary romance author Alyssa Schwarz is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines with a Master's in Geology & Geological Engineering.

She also works as a professional watercolor artist along the Colorado Front Range and is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

Alyssa's debut novel, The Glass Cottage, is set in the Colorado mountains, and is the first book in her new series, A Prescott Family Romance.

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Buy Alyssa’s book on Amazon

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Connect with Alyssa:
Website: https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralyssaschwarz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssaschwarzauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alyssaschwarzauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846420.Alyssa_Schwarz

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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

14 Days of Love: The Introduction

Dear Blog Readers,

February is approaching, which means a very special holiday is approaching too!

Valentine's Day is celebrated on Feb. 14 by lovers and friends with chocolate, candies, roses, greeting cards and romantic dinners.

But here on my "God is Love" blog, we're going to celebrate this holiday with "14 Days of Love".

It's a Contemporary Romance story promo series featuring some of my author friends!

Each day from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14, you can expect to see a spotlight featuring a sweet romance story here on my blog. All of my author friends participating in this celebration have agreed to give away one, signed paperback copy of their featured book to the winner of the book giveaway contest that you can enter via the Rafflecopter widget located at the end of each daily post!

Exciting times, right?

I hope that this "14 Days of Love" series will encourage your heart.

God bless you!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring, MFA
Founder of "God is Love" blog

Devotionals for the Heart: Disciples

How Will I Know?
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

– John 13:35 (ESV)

A month ago, the world watched the most poignant demonstration of anger, rage and hatred in this century. Many of the angry hoard who stormed the U.S. Capitol Building were professed Christians and patriots. Their demonstration of lawlessness was antithetical to John 13:35.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Western world thinks about affirming the people with who we are in love. Some people evaluate their relationships based upon the cards and/or gifts that they give or receive. Personal esteem and future plans are often predicated on the swag of the day.

In 1985 when I was an undergraduate Theology student, Whitney Houston released a new song. The title was a question for all the ages: “How Will I Know?” The lyrics portray a young woman who was smitten with a man. She is seeking advice from a more mature person. She is seeking some metric by which to measure whether what she feels is true love or the deceptive feelings of infatuation. True to pop music, no answer emerges, but the song was catchy and memorable.

In the days when Jesus walked on this earth and taught the people living in that era, He developed a following. The Gospels portray Jesus as, patient, kind and prescient. He cared about His followers and gave them the master key to the Kingdom of Heaven. This key was not wood or metal, but it was tangible. It was an ethic of service and an ethos of love.

Prior to his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said to His disciples, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Twelve disciples of disparate backgrounds: seven fishermen, a tax collector, a doctor, two tradesmen, and Judas (the treasurer), rounded out the group. They lived, traveled and travailed together for three years. These disciples of Jesus Christ grew through the group dynamics of forming, storming, norming, performing and transforming. Even though there was some bickering and jockeying for position, they liked each other.

Near the end of His time with them, Jesus felt the need to show them that they needed to grow to a deeper level of relationship with Him and with each other. He made visible, tactile love the single most effective key to their futures. Like apples on an apple tree or peaches on a peach tree, love would be the stock in trade of His disciples, the true believers.

During this month in which love is the theme, please accept the following list as ways to demonstrate love like Jesus did, not just to your loved ones, but to others who may come into your sphere of influence. 

Here’s the list:

#1: Help if you can. If you can’t, refer and/or take them to someone who can. (John 2:1-11)

#2: Pray for them, ideally, while you are with them. When they experience the answered prayer, your words will resonate within them. (Acts 12:5)

#3: Be the guardrail for your friends. Guide them away from trouble. (Proverbs 27:6)

#4: Forgive and let go of your hurts and misgivings. (Proverbs 17:9)

#5: Be a servant of God and a friend to all people. (Galatians 5:13)

#6: Share optimism, kindness and love. (1 Corinthians 12:25-26 and 2 Samuel 9:1-13)

#7: If you know Jesus, introduce your friends to Him. (John 1:35-42 and Hebrews 10:24-25)

If your spiritual fervor and passion for change in your home or community must become active, please let it reflect the love of Christ. The principles above, once fixed on your mind, will guide you away from rebellion, anarchy, hatred and a spirit of murder. God’s love will propel you into positive action. Peaceful and purposeful benevolence will be the order of the day, even if you are met with resistance.

Gary Chapman, a 20th century writer of relationship books with a spiritual bent, cornered the market with his book, The 5 Love Languages. In his book he suggests that we all have the need for love and that we express and receive love in one or a combination of the following methodologies:

Words of Affirmation

Physical Touch

Receiving Gifts

Quality Time

Acts of Service

In the month of February, commit to sharing at least one of these manifestations of the love of Christ to at least one person every day. If you do, February may become the best month of your year. If you master the habits, every day will become better, in every way.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for creating love and making it the bonding agent of human relationships. Please shower the Earth with a new impetus and fresh anointing to love one another. Help us to see beyond our identifiers, race, creed, color, gender, age and pronouns that might easily separate us. Help us to see You more clearly in each other. Help us to embrace and magnify the You that we see, so that the world may be able to identify us as your loving, peacemaking, miracle working, disciples and thank You for the difference that we make in the world. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md. 

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Romance

Real Love in Today’s Romance-Hyped Culture
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

A good romance book or movie can be a great escape, a fun read, even a spiritual encouragement. But sometimes, our culture’s portrayal of romance can poison our expectations of what real, lasting love is and how to achieve it.

As someone who used to be teased as a teen for being “in love with the idea of love,” I’m definitely a romantic at heart. I adore love stories, and I absolutely adore my husband.

But trouble often arises when I compare my life or my wants with what’s depicted in movies, books, or social media. The “comparison game” sets so many of us up for failure, not only in romance, but in life generally. We look at what someone else appears to have, or the way movie couples interact, and think, “Why don’t I have this, too? Am I not good enough?”

In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul reminds us, “Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others” (Galatians 6:4 CEB). It’s the same when it comes to love. My romantic relationship with my husband is not the same as someone else’s (nor should it be!). What I find romantic might be far different from what you do, and what my husband responds to might be different, too. That’s a good thing, for we are all different!

Over the years, I’ve wised up to some myths about love:

Myth one: Romantic movies and books convince me my true love will ask me out on a date. But in real life, I’ve found a lot of guys don’t do this. They’re nervous, scared the girl will reject them or that she doesn’t have “those” kinds of feelings for them, so they don’t. They just fumble along, throwing out hints that may or may not work out. Sometimes, the girl is the one who does the asking. And that can be romantic, too!

Myth two: Romance just falls in your lap.

Romantic movies or books often depict two people who are not looking for love, but they happen to collide and then explosive romantic sparks force them to acknowledge their feelings for each other. But in my experience, most couples are seeking to find someone to love. They smile at or cultivate a friendship with someone they find attractive. They ask their friends if they know someone eligible, and they go on dates. At the very least, they put themselves out in the world to make friends and have fun doing things they are interested in, whether that’s rock climbing or hanging out sipping coffee at a bookstore.

Myth three: Relationships are easy.

They are not! They take work. Men and women are different, and we can’t read each other’s minds. The best relationships start out between friends, and they offer lots of grace, humor, and forgiveness. For me, mind games have always been a deal-breaker. And if there’s an issue or conflict, gently addressing it rather than burying it helps solve a lot of small problems before they become monstrous. Bottom line: feelings ebb and flow. Real love, as with any relationship, takes investment, time, and appreciation.

Myth four: Flowers show he loves you.

Sure, they do—but so does doing the dishes, tenderly taking your hand, or smiling at you at a red light. There’s not one key way to express love. The trick is noticing the little ways he tells you he adores you—and trying in turn to show the same (it’s not a one-way street!).

We need to remember: What we read or watch is fiction—and often, what we see on social media is fiction, too. People usually present the best version of themselves on social media, so even if they are not intentionally trying to be deceptive, we only see the “rosy” stuff and not the real-world daily grind.

Real love is beautiful, too, but it doesn’t always look the way it does in fiction. Sometimes it’s nursing your spouse through the flu or choosing not to fight when your loved one is a little snippy or grouchy.

This Valentine’s Day, whether you are in a romantic relationship or not, take the time to love the people in your world the best way you know how. Romantic love is not the only kind of love—far from it! Love well, love beautifully, and love with all your heart as generously and as extravagantly as you possibly can.

For, as Jesus told his disciples in John 13:34-35 (CEB), “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

Let’s Pray: Dear God, help us to keep our focus on You and understand that personal relationships are a gift from above. Help us to stop comparing, to stop looking to other sources for validation and understanding, but instead know that we are uniquely loved and that You have a plan for us that is special and right. Whatever our situation, help us to know we are loved and precious. Help us to look beyond culture and keep our sights upon You. In the holy Name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian journalist, author, blogger, editor, and devotional writer. For the last decade, she’s been the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, which has won 118 journalism awards during her tenure. 

She is the author of Feed My Sheep: A 40-Day Devotional to Develop a Heart for Hunger Ministry (2019) and More Like Jesus: A Devotional Journey (2018) and editor of Stories of Racial Awakening: Narratives on Changed Hearts and Lives of South Carolina United Methodists (2018), all from her newspaper’s Advocate Press.

She is a seasoned speaker and contributor to Crosswalk, Christianity.com, and the United Methodist News Service, among many others. She has a weekly faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com and is part of the team at Wholly Loved Ministries.

Represented by Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency, she is seeking a publishing contract for her two contemporary women’s fiction novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots. 

The Memory Garden won the 2018 Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction from American Christian Fiction Writers, and Tangled Roots placed in Contemporary Romance at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2019. 

Married, Brodie has four children and stepchildren and lives in Lexington, South Carolina.

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://www.jessicabrodie.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaJBrodie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicajbrodie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajbrodie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajbrodie/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shiningthelightjessicabrodie/

A message, song and e-card for your heart on Valentine's Day 2020!

Dearest of Hearts,

Happy Valentine's Day!

Always remember that YOU are LOVED by the Creator of the Universe (GOD)!

Listen to this song and receive your e-card below. 

God bless you!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring

Founder of "God is Love" blog

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A song for your heart:

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And an e-card to celebrate this special day:

Devotionals for the Heart: For the Lonely on Valentine's Day

Rejected Love
A devotional by Wade Webster

And the LORD said to Samuel: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” 

–1 Samuel 8:7 (NIV)

The season of love is upon us. At least that's what Valentine's Day means to many folks. But for some of us it's just another day, or one we'd rather skip altogether.

I remember vividly the day of April 14, 2015. I had to have my wife sign our tax forms for what would be the last time we filed jointly. She had moved out over a year prior to this. I was doing my best to pursue her to no avail. Divorce was imminent even though there were no biblical grounds for it. I did the best I could to offer my love to her. I couldn't force her to accept it.

A month and a half earlier I gave a eulogy at my mom's funeral for my six siblings. It was excruciating. I had to hold off my remorse while I traveled from Texas back to Michigan. Then while I prepared my talk. I finally found a moment of semi-solitude in the church during the viewing before the funeral service. The tears and anguish flowed for the woman who gave me life and then devoted her life to her seven kids and her husband who passed on eleven years before her.

I went for a stroll in my neighborhood that evening after I talked to my wife. Grief was mounting again from this loss. This loss that seemed so unfair and unnecessary. Fortunately, I was next to a wooden fence when the grief wave struck. I leaned into the barrier and let the tears flow. They tasted just like the ones at my mom's funeral.

I knew God was with me, as he always is. When I walked a half a block away a thought struck me so I asked God a question. “Is this what you feel like when somebody rejects you?”

The prophet Samuel felt this same rejection when the Hebrews requested a king to replace him. The sting was personal until God assured him that it wasn't directed at Samuel but God himself. When we tell others about the amazing gift God offers through his Son, Jesus Christ, don't take it personally when they reject it. It's not you they're rejecting. They're rejecting God.

For those of you who have a special someone in your life, enjoy this time of love like there's no tomorrow, because there might not be one. Also keep in mind those of us traveling alone at this time in our lives. We long for love, too.

The sting of rejection and loss can be unbearable at times. Give us some encouragement by letting us know we're still important to you. Give us some of your time. Pray for us to draw closer to God during this test in our lives.

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Author Bio: 

Wade Webster lives with is best friend (Jesus Christ) in Plano, Texas. 

His main source of income comes from driving trucks. 

He has a part-time job painting houses on the side...and the front and back and inside. 

He's the author of a book titled 100 Prayers of a Writer.

Connect with him via his official website, wadewebster.com. 

Devotionals for the Heart: Valentine's Day, picnics in the rain and life lessons

The Day After Valentine’s Day
A devotional by Victoria Bylin

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)

You know you’re young and in love when you go on a picnic in the rain. My husband-to-be and I did that on our first Valentine’s Day together.

We’d been dating for about two months and nothing could stop us from enjoying time together on that special day. We looked up at the ominous clouds, shrugged, and spread the blanket on the lush grass in Will Rodgers State Park, a beautiful spot near the Pacific Ocean.

The first raindrops sprinkled halfway through the afternoon. Big and round, they were few and far between. We nibbled away at our thick deli sandwiches, exchanged mushy cards, and savored being in love—until the clouds let loose with a deluge. That did it! Happy and laughing, we gathered our things and ran for the car. But even then we didn’t care about getting wet.

We were brand new Christians at the time—in love with each other and in love with God. Our faith was in the honeymoon phase, where dreams are born and newness abounds in the fresh wash of God’s forgiveness. In those first heady days of faith, we trusted God without question and loved both God and each other without condition.

That rainy day picnic was many years ago, but it still stands out in my mind as a picture of love in the face of difficulty. My husband and I have been married many years now, and speaking figuratively, we’ve been on a lot of picnics that were washed out by rain. Through it all, we’ve hung on to God and to each other.

Nothing—not even an epic storm—could separate my future husband and me that day. And nothing—read that list in Romans 8:38-39—can separate us from God’s love for us.

It’s pure joy to worship the God who stays with us in the rain. I want to be that kind of wife, mother, and friend. I can’t do it in my own strength. My humanity leaks all over the place when I’m uncomfortable with situations or other people, but by the grace of God, I can love others because God first loved me.

It’s amazing to realize that God called each one of us into fellowship with Him—that He chose us to love and be loved, and to share that love with others.

We give chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s day. The chocolates are eaten and enjoyed; the flowers bring beauty to homes and hearts. Those gifts are meaningful because of the love behind them, but nothing compares to the generous love of the greatest giver of all.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me just as I am!

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Author Bio:

Victoria Bylin is the author of 18 traditionally published romances. Known for tackling difficult subjects with great compassion, she delights in stories that shine the spotlight of God’s love on ordinary men and women facing realistic challenges.

Writing has always been a part of Victoria’s life. As a child, she wrote hundreds of letters and scribbled in journals. As an adult, she worked as a freelance journalist and editor before taking on the challenge of fiction.

She had one goal when she started her first novel: to finish a book-length manuscript, good or bad. That first effort will never see the light of day, but it led to a second manuscript and a sale to Harlequin Historical. Since then, she has written westerns and contemporary romances for both mainstream and Christian publishers, with Together With You winning the 2016 Inspirational Readers Choice Award for Best Contemporary.

Writing is a joy and a challenge for Victoria, but faith, friends and family matter to her far more. She’s a wife, mom, proud grandmother, and a dog-mom to a wacky Jack Russell Terrier. 

Originally from California, she and her husband currently make their home in Lexington, Kentucky. When she’s not writing, Victoria enjoys long walks, travel, and dark chocolate.

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Connect with Victoria:
Website: https://www.victoriabylin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Victoria.Bylin.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VictoriaBylin

When Love Inspires: Kristen Ethridge's story

When Love Inspires: Kristen Ethridge's story

I’m so excited to be here today talking about what inspires me to write sweet romance stories. It’s a great month to be talking about the stories we love and books that leave us with a smile on our faces.

It wasn’t hard for me to narrow down my "why" for writing this kind of story. In fact, I can sum it up in three little words:

Hope.

Heart.

Happily-Ever-After.

Those three words are what I consistently use to describe my author brand to readers who have never picked up one of my stories. They are my promise to readers that when they pick up a Kristen Ethridge book, they’re going to get a story that’s uplifting, is centered on the emotional journey, and will always deliver on the promise of true love.

I write Sweet Escape Romance and for me, it’s a privilege to provide those moments in the day where readers can get swept away. I’m a mom of three. Sometimes, I just want a few minutes to myself. Sometimes, I have a few minutes to wait during a dance rehearsal or in the school pick-up line when I get there early (Okay…early? Who am I kidding? I just said I had three kids!) Sometimes, life is tough and I need a smile. (Did you know I wrote my Hurricane Hope series based on my own experience of going through a hurricane?) Sometimes, I just like to stay up past my bedtime and make new friends with interesting characters.

In short…I write stories for the same reasons I love to read them. I write stories I want to read. I write stories I want to share. I write stories I want YOU to share. That’s why I write sweet romances with a kiss of real-life faith—because I want you to be able to spread the word of hope, heart, and happily-ever-after with your friends, your daughters, your mothers, your sisters, your co-workers, and other readers you happen to know. For me, it’s a privilege to touch hearts and make people smile with a story.

Sweet romance is all about the transformative power of true love. And Valentine’s Day is the perfect time of year to celebrate that. In fact, I have launched the Holiday Hearts series this year to spread stories of finding love on the most special days of the year all year long. Think of it like your favorite Hallmark movies—just not for Christmas anymore!

So now you know why I write—and read—sweet romance. 

What about you? What do you think about the idea of hope, heart, and happily-ever-after?

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Author Bio:

Kristen Ethridge writes Sweet Escape Romance — stories with hope, heart, and happily-ever-after — for Harlequin's Love Inspired line, Hallmark Publishing, and Laurel Lock Publishing. 

She's a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award nominee and both an Amazon Christian Fiction and Inspirational Romance #1 Best-Selling Author.

You can find Kristen in her native habitat — a Texas patio — where she's likely to be savoring the joy of a crispy taco, along with a glass of iced tea and scents from her essential oil diffuser. She's almost convinced her family that it's normal to talk to imaginary people, as long it goes in a book.

Find her online at www.kristenethridge.com where you can get a free story for signing up for her newsletter.

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Blurb for Kristen's book, Dance with Me, Valentine:

SHE’S CREATED A LIFE THAT BLOCKS OUT THE PAST. HE’S SEARCHING FOR FORGIVENESS. CAN A SEASON OF LOVE BRING THEM A FRESH START?

Clair Bell has struggled to put the past behind her since her boyfriend left without a trace years ago. She's built a life around helping others as the director of the Port Provident Retirement Community.

Rob Landers knows it’s time to make amends. He left in the middle of the night years ago, and although he knew his reason for ghosting out of Port Provident was literally life-or-death, no one else knows the truth. When a popular online game gives him a chance to return to his hometown, he decides to make peace with his past.

As the annual retirement prom approaches on Valentine's Day, Clair is shocked to find that one of her residents has invited a date that she met while playing an online game. But when that date happens to be the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart, Clair knows she can either use this moment to clear all the what-ifs and move forward in her life — or be dragged down by the clinical depression which has held her for years. 

Can two people who have faced life's storms in their own way come back together for forgiveness and a chance at true love once again? 

Buy Dance with Me, Valentine today and start the latest series set in Port Provident — it's filled with swoon-worthy stories about finding love on the most special days of the year.

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Connect with Kristen:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KristenEthridgeBooks
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kristen-Ethridge/e/B00B0Y6VJO/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-ethridge

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristenethridge/

Website: www.kristenethridge.com

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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:

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When Love Inspires: Delia's story

When Love Inspires: Delia's story

Don’tcha just love, love?

I do, and I suppose I always will…especially clean, godly, respectful love. And that, my friends, is why a 60-something grandmother has been writing about love, life, and happily ever after for over a decade.

I’d never written a book when I got the first little mustard seed of an idea for a romance novel—but I’d been promising myself I would for a very long time. The seed took root when I read the Salinger Sisters series by Shari MacDonald. Book Two, A Match Made in Heaven, grabbed me by the imagination and held on tight. I determined to write the novel I’d been promising myself for years.

I don’t remember much about that pivotal story line, other than there was a dating agency involved. I started thinking about the matchmaking profession—which, at that time, it wasn’t the huge industry that it is now. Wouldn’t it be fun to write about a place where Christian singles could go to find—in a phrase borrowed from King Solomon—he (or she) whom their soul loveth?

I stored the idea away in my brain, and every once in a while, I took it out and played with it (the idea…not the brain). I wrote two other novels and actually found publishers for them. Neither had anything to do with a dating agency, but they are romance novels. I started a couple of new manuscripts. But I hadn’t really found my stride.

Then one day it was as though something clicked in my heart—like God was saying, “It’s time. Let’s do this!”

Well, okay then, Lord!

I started brain writing, which is my ‘normal’ pre-writing process. I thought about the idea while I washed dishes and made beds; mulled it over while driving down the road all by myself; worked out a fun little scenario or three as I lay in bed on nights when sleep was elusive; dreamed up and discarded a number of storylines and subplots. Weeks and months went into mentally laying the groundwork.

By the time I actually sat down to start writing this long-dreamed-of novel, I had several scenes all cozied up in my head, just waiting to be put on paper. And…I was no longer just writing a book based around a dating agency. Now it was a series…three books, maybe more. Plus, God threw in a real surprise for me. My dating agency would be no ordinary, run-of-the-mill love connection. Sometime during all of those mental writing sessions, it received a touch of the divine—an extraordinary connection to Heaven.

That’s how my Solomon’s Gate Series was born. It marked the point where I knew writing “Heaven’s touch in earthly tales” was the path God had laid out for me to follow. Kinda makes sense. After all, I’ve read and loved Christian romance since I was a young girl. I remember walking a mile or so to the library twice a week as a teenager. I’d borrow as many Grace Livingston Hill books as I could carry. As time went by, many other Christian authors became favorites…but now and then, I still see glimmers of Hill’s style in my writing.

I love imparting God’s truth into my storylines, and praying that these seeds of hope and joy take root in someone’s heart. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than hearing a reader say, “I think God had you write this book just for me.”

Most recently, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of several multi-author collections. The latest of these—just in time for Valentine’s Day, and already an Amazon bestseller!—is “Love, Sweet Love.” 

My novella, Like a Dance (Hummingbird Hollow, #3), is one of five in the collection, which also boasts great stories by Mary Manners, Dora Hiers, Zoe M. McCarthy, and Tanya Hanson. I’m honored and blessed to be included in this line-up of wholesome, heartwarming stories that demonstrate the beauty of Christ-centered romance.

I like to say this collection is like a box of chocolates…in books! Sweet, rich, and irresistible. You can’t read just one of the five—you won’t stop reading until the box is empty.

Find Love, Sweet Love on Amazon and get ready for a sweet Valentine’s Day!

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Author Bio:

Writing Heaven’s touch into earthly tales, Delia Latham puts her characters through the fire of earthly trials to bring them out victorious by the hand of God, His heavenly messengers, and good, old-fashioned love. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in her tales of sweet romance.

Delia and her husband Johnny live in East Texas, where their pampered Pomeranian, Kona, kindly allows them to share her home. 

The author enjoys multiple life roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, but above all, she loves being a princess daughter to the King of kings. She admits to a lifelong, mostly unbattled Dr. Pepper addiction, and loves hearing from her readers.

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Blurb for Delia's novella:

A former celebrity dancer with a child she adores. A successful but burnt-out therapist to Hollywood’s rich and famous. 

When they show up in Hummingbird Hollow at the same time, sparks fly…but they can’t fan the flames. She’s vowed to dedicate herself solely to her daughter. 

He has a long bloodline of reasons not to be a dad. They’re burning stars on a collision course. Will the result be a delight…or a disaster?

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Connect with Delia:
Website: https://www.delialatham.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delialatham
Twitter: https://twitter.com/delialatham
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/delialatham/
Amazon Author Page

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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: 

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When Love Inspires: Brandy's story

When Love Inspires: Brandy's story

Back in Colorado, during my book launch party for The Last Summer, one of the ladies there said to me something to the effect of "You must have such a romantic life to write romance!"

I choked back a laugh, cleared my throat, and set the record straight. Maybe it’s a misconception that romance writers are living lives of roses and passionate getaways and love notes left for you on your pillow. I’ve been married for nearly 16 years—and while there are those things I just mentioned at times (well, maybe love texts and emojis rather than notes!)—my days are probably similar to everyone else’s in my stage of life.

My “book boyfriend” is always going to be Outlander’s Jamie Fraser. My husband Jeff likes to remind me that Jamie’s a fictional character, created by a woman, and that’s why women love him. Because he’s all the things women want. (I have rebuttal arguments but we won’t go into that!) I think we see a lot of this in romance, right? Billionaire boyfriends falling in love with the housekeeper (or the nanny! Always the nanny for some reason!). Extraordinary athletes coming home and falling in love with the girl next door. Princes falling for commoners. I read these stories too! Happily Ever After comes and you sigh with happiness, because you just know that the couple will always be crazy about each other, never have financial squabbles, and never go through anything that might take them to marriage counseling.

Then there’s real life.

I love Valentine’s Day, but not because of expensive dinners or outrageous flower arrangements. Because romance is in the little things. And love extends to family and friends, not just couples. I write romance because there’s something real and special about finding your person, even if he’s not a Scottish highlander who’s perfect (cough!). And that’s for everyone, whether they’ve found that person yet or not. 

In my new book After the Rain, the main character is a girl going through depression. The truth is that a relationship doesn’t solve that. Many of us have been there. I’ve been there. In the right relationship, your partner comes alongside you in the dark times, and you go on the journey together. And finding that person is, to me, worth writing about!

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Author Bio: 

Brandy Bruce is a mom, a wife, a book editor, an author, and someone who really loves dessert. 

She’s the author of the award-winning novel The Last Summer, Looks Like Love, and The Romano Family Collection. 

Brandy, her husband, and their children make their home in Virginia.

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Blurb for Brandy's book: 

After the Rain is a picture of what it looks like to desperately need change, to want to rediscover yourself, and to feel so stuck that maybe you can’t move with help. 

Debra Hart is moving on. Maybe. Hopefully. One day.

As a radio show host, Debra spends her mornings as Miss Lonely Heart on air, empathizing with all the broken hearts in the Denver metro area. She spends her evenings watching old musicals and trying not to think about the guy who broke up with her and subsequently fell in love with one of her best friends. Alone in a new city, Debra questions where she belongs and who she is now.

When she stumbles into the indie music scene, Debra meets singer Ben Price. Rock star appeal, with a day job as a worship pastor, Ben is everything Debra wants to avoid. But he’s determined to be her friend, and it so happens she could really use one. Because try as she might, nothing seems to erase the anger and betrayal she feels.

It’s time for a new dream. But how does she start over when she doesn’t even know what she wants anymore?

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Connect with Brandy:
Amazon Author Page - https://amzn.to/2Mk5K5r
Blog - https://brandybruce.blogspot.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/BrandyBruce
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alittlebitofbrandy/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorBrandyBruce/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/brandybruce/

Website - https://www.authorbrandybruce.com

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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: 

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When Love Inspires: The Introduction

Love is in the air! No, it's not Springtime yet BUT Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) is around the corner and I created "When Love Inspires" to celebrate!

"When Love Inspires" is a new series for my blog. Hint: Valentine's Day is my muse.

Every day, from February 1 through February 14, I will feature an author and their sweet romance story on my blog. All of my authors this time write for the Christian book market, so their stories are as captivating as they are clean and inspirational.

Featured authors will share what inspires them to write sweet romance stories. 

Here's what's in it for you: FREE books! Each author promised to give away at least one copy (paperback or digital) of their featured book. You can enter each book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget that will be located toward the very end of each blog post.

I hope that this series, When Love Inspires, will be a blessing for your heart!

Love,

Alexis A. Goring

Founder of "God is Love" blog