God is Love: Wendy Wilson Spooner

Showing posts with label Wendy Wilson Spooner. Show all posts

Friday, November 25, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Peace

Peace is Coming
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” –Micah 4:3 (KJV)

Micah is known as one of the minor prophets. Not because his words weren’t prophetic and highly meaningful, but because his book is one of the shorter ones in the Old Testament of The Holy Bible.

Micah showed us war and peace in his words. He speaks of violence in Micah 2:2 (KJV), where he states that God rebukes people who “covet fields and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away...”

Then Micah prophesied of the future, and saw a time when nations would not lift up their swords against each other anymore (Micah 4:3 KJV). Is it our time he saw? In the near future?

Each of us should pursue peace, but what is the definition of peace? Some think it is the absence of war, and many decent people support peace by opposing war. But just challenging war doesn’t bring a ceasefire. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can do this.

The peace the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings is so much more than the absence of war. It is the opposite of war. I believe that Gospel peace is the reverse of any battle, armed or unarmed; it is the opposite global conflict, of ethnic hostilities, and family or civil strife.

In Micah 4:5 (KJV), he saw a future time, maybe a time coming soon, where “all people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.”

Is this a statement of free agency? Of tolerance? God never forces anyone to do anything. Even when it comes to worshiping Him. That is not His way. We are always free to choose.

So is freedom at the heart of peace? I think it’s one of the cornerstones. Following Jesus in all is ways is where the rest comes in. We don’t know exactly when peace is coming, but we know it is. And it’s coming with Jesus Christ—when He returns.

But can we, even now, have hearts filled with peace amid so much strife? I believe we can. God had shown us this possibility if we keep His commandments, especially loving Him, and loving one another. This can take place first in our individual hearts, then in our homes. This is where we have the most power to promote peace.

And maybe, just maybe, it can spread from there.

Let’s Pray:

Father in Heaven,

Let us prepare our hearts by establishing peace inside us, so when You do return, we will be ready, we will know You, and we will all live in peace together.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection: “I’ll Give You Peace” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths because she’s found that truth is indeed much more exciting and inspiring than fiction.

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—the children of God, and the descendants of incredible people who paved the way for us—even if they really struggled. Wendy believes in learning from our ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become a better generation.

As an award-winning family history writer, Wendy’s debut novel, Once Upon an Irish Summer, released April 3, 2020. This book is a dual timeline historical fiction novel about a young, gifted artist suffering from debilitating grief, who finds healing and inspiration in her Irish ancestry, and goes on to paint a masterpiece.

The sequel, Celtic Winter: Eliza’s Story, released November 5, 2021. The storyline goes back in time to the little sister left behind in Ireland to keep her family alive, woven with present-day Beth’s continuing story as she races the clock with the young man she loves to find the only person who could save his mother’s life.

When Wendy is not researching or writing, she hikes, paints, loves being a church youth leader, binges on epic Bollywood movies, and hangs out with her greatest loves—her family.

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Website: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/
Blog: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/

Friday, October 28, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Scarlet Sins

When Our Sins Are Like Scarlet
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” –Isaiah 1:18b (NIV)

Have you ever felt hopeless or in the depths of despair because of your weaknesses?

Part of our life on Earth experience is to overcome sin. We all sin, and sometimes it’s rough to return to a place where we feel able to keep moving forward on any level.

Scarlet and crimson are red colors derived from certain dyes. In general, dyes were highly important in ancient scripture for sacred ceremonial reasons involving purification rituals or burial clothing (Leviticus 14:6-7).

One of the most important aspects of dyes is that they are permanent, or colorfast. They adhere to cloth and won’t wash away or fade. Crimson and scarlet are especially vibrant and stand out with a psychological effect on individuals that can be resonant with blood, which is sometimes a mark of guilt. Like crimson and red, our sins can be obvious and grievous at times.

In Israel, snow is a rarity but not unheard-of, and wool was the everyday textile in ancient Israel. To bring out a brighter and purer white before dying, wool was often washed and soaked in the strongest soap available.

The color white represents purity and is referred to in Isaiah 1:18 when he says the Lord can change our sins from crimson or scarlet to wool or snow. Isaiah is helping us understand that the Lord can do something impossible for us to do for ourselves, just as fabric that is dyed red, remains red. Regardless of our sins, the Atonement of Jesus Christ can make us pure again. We are all within the reach of His pardoning mercy—the grace of our loving God.

I have learned for myself that our Savior is eager and able to forgive us of our sins. There is no sin that can’t be forgiven. What an awe-inspiring privilege and opportunity for each one of us to turn away from our sins and to come unto Christ with Divine forgiveness waiting for us as one of the sweetest rewards from God.

Guilt and pain can be replaced in our hearts with joy and peace.

I can’t think of a better promise anywhere on earth than that one.

Let’s Pray: Dear Father in Heaven, when we sin, let us remember to turn to You for forgiveness of our sins. Let us do it quickly, so we might return to joy and peace in Your love without remaining in despair for any longer than necessary. And help us to turn away from our sins and make a choice every moment of our life to follow You and do what You want us to do. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” by Selah. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Friday, July 22, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Ask God

Do We Ask?
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”

—2 Kings 2:9 (ESV)

When Elisha knew Elijah was soon to be taken from him, he wouldn’t leave him and when his master asked him what he wanted before he left, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit to be upon him. As a result, Elisha went on to perform double the number of miracles Elijah had.

I have pondered what each of us can ask of the Lord, ourselves. I have considered the fact that I have never asked for a double portion of God’s spirit to be upon me—I’ve never used those exact words in my prayers. But the story of Elijah and Elisha shows us we can.

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV) tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

When I look back on the history of my prayers, I’ve never had a prayer go unanswered. Even if the Lord’s timing was much wiser and different than mine, the prayer was still answered. Sometimes it was just a feeling of peace that everything would be okay, which to me, was as valuable as being given a “double portion” of God’s Holy Spirit.

According to Matthew 10:29, there is nothing we cannot ask of the Lord. Just as our Father in Heaven notes the fall of a single sparrow, He cares about each one of us! God pays attention to our smallest needs and worries.

At times, I have felt like a sparrow, small, seemingly powerless and unnoticed. But I believe that is exactly why that Bible verse was placed in the book of Matthew—for us. So we would know that we can call upon the all-powerful God of the Universe, our Creator, because He sees us, He hears us, and He knows how to help us! All we have to do is ask.

Let’s Pray:
Father in Heaven, let us always remember Your love for us no matter our circumstance. Help us to ask and turn to You first in all things. Thank You for always being there for us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “He’s Always There” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Friday, May 27, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Ways Are Not Our Ways

His Ways Are Not Our Ways
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”—Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

How hard it must have been for Moses to lead the children of Israel for 40 years, and then not be allowed to lead them into the Promised Land.

God raised up Joshua to give Moses a break before his time was over on this earth. At least that’s one way to look at it, and that scenario brings me comfort knowing what an unbelievably humble and patient but never-endingly strong leader the baby in the bullrushes became.

Moses was born to enslaved Israelite parents under Pharaoh’s rule. Pharaoh worried about a revolt with the growing Israelite to the extent that he ordered the extermination of all male babies to weaken the inhabitants in them. The mother of Moses was determined to save her baby. So, she sent her daughter to set him free on the Nile River, out of the clutches of Pharoah’s command. But the King of Egypt never guessed his daughter would find Moses in a basket on the river bank and claim the future prophet as her own.

Read more about this remarkable true story in Exodus 2:1-10.

Two major life lessons can be gleaned from this Bible story:

Life Lesson #1: God keeps His promises.

Always wait on the Lord even when the outcome may not happen as quickly as we would like. Once the Israelites arrived at Jericho, they were not given permission to storm the city. They had to wait seven days while marching and camping, waiting on the Lord. A deepening of faith comes when we wait on the Lord, our trust in Him increases, and when we wait in faith, listening and following each step of guidance, God will undoubtedly renew and transform us. A large amount of time passed from when God originally promised the land to the Israelites, and when they entered and claimed it as their own.

Life Lesson #2: Obedience to the Lord brings great blessings.

God gave Joshua very specific directions to defeat Jericho and claim the city. When we read this Bible story, it almost sounds like a fairy tale because of its simplicity. But the Lord usually keeps things pretty simple for us like asking the Israelites to merely look at the snake Moses raised up on his staff to be healed and to be saved (Numbers 21:8). It’s we who complicate what He commands.

Ultimately, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s instructions, and the fallen walls became a crucial confirmation that God was fulfilling His promise to them as they took ownership of the Promised Land. The strategy the Lord provided Joshua to overthrow the fortified city of Jericho certainly defied all basic military logic. Read about it in Joshua 5 and Joshua 6. However, this story shows us that if we rely on God and His ways, He will always bring the best results in every aspect of our lives if we trust Him.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, bless us to have faith that our own walls can be overcome when we are obedient to your guidance, even if it doesn’t make sense at the time, because we know you see everything from the beginning to the end. Help us to trust and obey You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Wendy’s devotional message today reminds me of a song from The Prince of Egypt (movie) soundtrack! Listen to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey sing “When You Believe” here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Friday, April 22, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Holy Week

Reflections on Holy Week
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.”– Matthew 28:5 (NIV)

Holy Week has become my favorite week of the year, right up there with Christmas.

This year, I have searched, pondered, and prayed to understand more of our Savior (Jesus Christ)’s life, message, and miraculous atonement.

I have long loved the fact that women were the first to hear the good news and to tell everyone that Jesus had risen! I am not a feminist. I revere good men just as I revere good women, and my life has been blessed as I’ve been surrounded by truly great men of God.

So, during my Holy Week journey, I asked myself, Am I like the two women named Mary who loved Jesus Christ and were dear friends of the Son of God? Am I His dear friend too? What does that mean?

Then on Good Friday, I went to that place of utter sorrow and anguish of what it must have been like for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to watch her son die on the Cross while people continued to mock and harm Him. I don’t think I could have taken what she did. I probably would have died right along with Him (died of a broken heart).

After much contemplation about my life, and the women who surrounded Jesus, my thoughts at the conclusion of Holy Week came to this…

It has been decades since I was a lost teenager, following the ways of the world. I was unhappy, broken, reduced to feeling like nothing, believing I was alone. Since those years, I have been steadily rising, climbing, slipping backward at times, but always ascending with my heart and mind set on our Savior, trying to become more like Him in a world intent on dragging us down into misery of life without Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Yet, we have hope because Jesus died to save us! But He didn’t stay dead, in three days He rose again and He still lives! Now, when God sees us, He sees His Son and He remembers Christ paid the penalty for our sins. All we have to do is repent of our sins, turn away from our sins and follow Jesus all the way to Heaven.

We also have hope in knowing that we are not a lost cause. Yes, we are imperfect humans but there’s grace for that because God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). And God is patient with us! The Bible says in Philippians 1:6 (TLB), “God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.”

I have hope in knowing that despite all of my imperfection, Jesus Christ considers me and everyone who follows Him, a very dear friend (John 15:15)!

I live each day to testify of Christ’s personal effect on my life as a sinner. I was a lost soul found by Jesus. I was a drifter in this fallen world but then I was changed into becoming a believer in God and a follower of Jesus Christ. Thanks to Christ’s sacrifice on that Cross, I am reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18) and will meet Him one day then live with Him forever!

As a daughter known to God, my soul is at peace as I have come to this conclusion. I fear not as I seek Jesus, just as the women at the tomb were told by the angel (Luke 24:1-10).

It is well with my soul! Listen to this beautiful hymn and remember, God loves you!

Let’s Pray: Dear God, help us to remember what You have taught us—we are never alone. Help us to realize that in our trials, it can be well with our souls if we lean on You. Most of all, help us to freely and faithfully share this good news as we continue our journey through life with You by our side. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~

Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths because she’s found that truth is indeed much more exciting and inspiring than fiction.

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—the children of God, and the descendants of incredible people who paved the way for us—even if they really struggled. Wendy believes in learning from our ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become a better generation.

As an award-winning family history writer, Wendy’s debut novel, Once Upon an Irish Summer, released in April 2020. This book is a dual timeline historical fiction novel about a young, gifted artist suffering from debilitating grief, who finds healing and inspiration in her Irish ancestry, and goes on to paint a masterpiece.

The sequel, Celtic Winter: Eliza’s Story, released in November 2021. The storyline goes back in time to the little sister left behind in Ireland to keep her family alive, woven with present-day Beth’s continuing story as she races the clock with the young man she loves to find the only person who could save his mother’s life.

When Wendy is not researching or writing, she hikes, paints, loves being a church youth leader, binges on epic Bollywood movies, and hangs out with her greatest loves—her family.

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Website: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/
Blog: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner

Friday, February 25, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Gratitude Will Change Your Attitude

Remember to Thank Your Heavenly King
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.”

—Psalm 136:3 (NIV)

Studies conducted on the effect of gratitude on our well-being have redundantly revealed positive results to the point it is almost cliché. Such as, improved physical health, mental health, resilience, and strengthened social bonds.

Many of our homes contain small wooden signs that state, “Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.” I personally love this reminder. It helps me remember how much God loves me when I consider my blessings, but even more when I drop to my knees to thank Him.

What does the word of God have to say about being thankful?

Many people love the story of The Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19). We can imagine, to an extent, what it would be like to be labeled “unclean” and “untouchable”. Oh, the loneliness! Not to mention the miserable existence to live in a diseased body that slowly wastes away. And then to experience the love of another person for maybe the first time ever from the Son of God (Jesus Christ)? The joy and tears of these outcasted lepers must have been immense.

But the most important part of this story, and possibly the most beautiful example of gratitude in all scripture, is the one leper—out of ten—who returned to Jesus to thank Him for the miracle of healing.

Times I have experienced great trials and suffering myself have been alleviated when I remember to recognize how God has surrounded me with wonderful things, which encourages me to count my blessings, not my burdens. Counting our blessings can have the power to magically restore a sense of direction, or a change in perspective when all seems lost.

Right now, post-Covid financial difficulties have peaked for me and my family. The stress of this situation was so bad recently that I developed a debilitatingly painful stomach ulcer. But as I remembered to look around me and count my blessings, I was encouraged because I recognized that we still had a roof over our heads, we have cars to drive, and our family members are healthy and well. Soon after remembering the goodness of God in all of these areas, I snapped out of my “doom-and-gloom” downward spiral into darkness and returned to live in the Light of Jesus Christ. As a result of this change in perspective, my stomach ulcer is healing! It rarely flares up anymore.

Thanking God is a choice we can make every day, anytime, anywhere. So, the next time you feel like you’re drowning in earthly cares, look heavenward, then around you, and consider what you can be thankful for.

It’s not so easy to remember to have an attitude of gratitude, especially when darkness surrounds us. So be proactive and put a reminder on your mirror, or in your car. Remember, God can fill us with His Holy Spirit and pure joy like nothing and no one else on Earth can!

Jesus is the source of true happiness.

He is the source of pure and everlasting joy!

Let’s Pray: Our Father in Heaven, bless us to remember You in our darkest times. Most importantly, help us to remember You are the Light! Thank you for all the goodness You pour upon us. You are the one true source of joy, especially during trying times! We love You, Lord. Keep us close to Your Heart. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Friday, January 28, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons learned on faith and new beginnings

Faith in New Beginnings
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

–Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

New beginnings usually feel marvelous, like a new year, which we have just begun.

We start going to the gym with a somewhat great attitude, and so it begins.

Grand new beginnings are an excellent way to start over. But what about the small ones? There’s nothing like waking up in the morning to see everything bathed in the light of the sun, which reminds us of Jesus Christ (God’s Son), who is the Light of the world (John 8:12). This new beginning alone can feel magical. Especially if the day before was a rough one.

This past year was a difficult one for me. 2020 was awful for everyone, but 2021 continued on its merry way for me, in a similar fashion. I found myself crying and pleading with God many times to give me direction. He sent me either comfort or peace when He didn’t send me an exact solution, but I got one or the other whenever I dropped to my knees.

Sometimes life will knock the wind out of you to the extent when you can’t breathe. Such as when a loved one dies, or divorce rocks your family, or when a child is struggling, and you don’t know what to do. The feeling can be like lying at the bottom of a deep pit with a ladder in view (Jesus Christ as your way up and out of the pit). But you only have the strength to pray for the will to crawl to Him.

Each of us gains the strength to overcome in our own time and in our own way. With Jesus by our side, it will be the perfect timing for every one of us. Leaning on Him and His Word (The Holy Bible) is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way to the path of renewal.

The most important thing to remember is that the direction you are moving in is more important than where you are at the moment.

Set aside some time to think about where you want to be and what it will take for you to get there. Jesus, our example to follow, often headed into the wilderness to pray. We need to do something similar occasionally to reset our thoughts and God-given spirits.

We should use time to our advantage. If we reflect daily on the attributes of Jesus and set goals one step at a time to become more like Him, then we’ll find peace and fortitude in the long journey through this mortal existence.

And if we take advantage of new beginnings, the large and the small with Jesus by our side, we can make progress that we could never make on our own. Maybe more than we dreamed of.

This year, I’m working on seeing time as my ally instead of my enemy. I’ve set a goal to strike from my thoughts and speech the words, “I don’t have enough time,” and just believe I do.

Because that’s what faith is. Faith in new beginnings, faith in Christ, and faith that He stands by our side as we start over, time and time again.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, help us to come to You, and to believe we can do all things with You. Bless us with faith to begin again whenever we need to. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Book Spotlight on Celtic Winter by Wendy Wilson Spooner

The sequel to Once Upon an Irish Summer is here! And today, you’re in for a treat because the author of this new novel called Celtic Winter, is here to share the story behind her new book!

Let’s welcome my author friend Wendy Wilson Spooner to the blog. Enjoy your time together!

~*~

The Story Behind the story Celtic Winter by Wendy Wilson Spooner:

Founded on a 200-year-old collection of letters

A faded and worn letter collection survives today, written by Eliza and Allen’s parents, to Allen, after he went to America. My mom, my daughters and I transcribed many of the faded, damaged letters ourselves.

Microfilm copies can be found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah as well as the genealogical library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The correspondence is both inspiring and heart-breaking, filled with the family’s trust in God as they suffered, while Allen journeyed thousands of miles away through antebellum America, seeking for a way to make a success of himself so he could bring his family to him before it was too late. The small snippets of Eliza’s life in the letters are very precious to me because there aren’t many records to be found for her.

As starvation and typhus fever raged throughout Ireland, Eliza’s story still inspires me today. She worked her fingers to the bone as a dressmaker and cared for her family continuously.

I wrote Once Upon an Irish Summer and Celtic Winter through the eyes of Allen Hamilton’s fictional descendant—a young, gifted artist struggling through debilitating grief—to show that what we learn from the past and who we come from, can entirely change us.

No Doubts

Writing this story in dual timeline was no easy task. But I would do it all again because the outcome has inspired countless people to delve into the lives of their own ancestors.

I believe that those who came before us want nothing more than for each generation to become a little better. And that’s what Once Upon an Irish Summer and Celtic Winter are all about—to learn about the people we come from, to honor them, then to stand on their shoulders to become a better generation.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy Wilson Spooner, Lic. G., LCoT, is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during her research because she has found that truth is indeed, much more exciting and inspiring than fiction.

Wendy is a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogist, The Association of Professional Genealogists, Romance Writers of America, and The American Night Writer’s Association. As an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, she’s turned to novel writing to share what she knows with a greater audience.

When not writing or researching, Wendy paints, hikes, binges on Bollywood movies, and spends time with her greatest loves—her family.

~*~
Blurb for Celtic Winter:

BASED ON A TRUE STORY. Two young ladies, two centuries apart, struggle to save the people they love in this gripping sequel to Once Upon an Irish Summer.

In 1817, Eliza Hamilton loses her favorite brother to the lure of antebellum America and is left behind in declining Northern Ireland to keep her family alive while religious warfare, oppressive English laws, typhus fever, and starvation, overtake her homeland. She has no time for love, even when her suitor Aiden McNair declares his adoration and wishes to wed.

Two hundred years later, descendant Beth Wilson travels to Indiana to help her injured grandmother. When she arrives, she finds across the street, the mother of the young man she loves-on her deathbed. While Beth cares for her beloved grandmother, juggles school and her budding art career, she and Preston determine to locate the only person who could save his mother's life.

Beth's love of history and what she learns about her ancestor, Eliza, along the way could give her the hope and strength she needs to persevere through it all.

~*~
Buy Wendy’s book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Website: https://wendywilsonspooner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/

~*~
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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Friday, September 17, 2021

Devotionals for the Heart: Discipleship

The Path of Discipleship
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – John 13:34-35 (KJV)

Jesus Christ was the perfect example of staying on the path of discipleship. He showed us the ultimate way to live: His way.

Three important milestones mark the road of Biblical discipleship.

Milestone #1: Love your enemies.

Love is certainly the defining attribute of our Savior Jesus Christ. The Mosaic command was to love the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength. But Christ’s personal teachings went deeper and extended the commandment to love your enemies as well. Ultimate love was shown when Jesus laid down his life for his friends, His disciples, the lost, you, me, and even the very worst of sinners.

Milestone #2: Feed His sheep.

In Romans 10:14 (KJV), disciples and followers of Christ were taught, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” In Christ’s time, early believers made a world of difference when they opened their mouths, testifying and sharing the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose form the dead that we might all have eternal life.

Milestone #3: Endure to the end.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (KJV) says, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Enduring to the end means doing your best to stay faithful to the last day, in keeping God’s commandments, believing in His Word, and having faith amidst even the worst of trials.

The early disciples of Jesus Christ were brave and courageous testifiers in an incredibly barbaric time in the history of this earth. What we can learn from them will surely help us in our day.

These same three important milestones mark the road of present-day discipleship.

Milestone #1 (revisited): Love your enemies.

This is a big one in our day. With our nation (for those of us here in the United States of America) seemingly divided on many topics, where and how do we show love for our enemies? Some of us have the opportunity daily to practice. Many find success by being kind on social media, standing for Christ without guile in the midst of an anti-Christian workplace, and by turning the other cheek when persecuted by hostile neighbors.

Milestone #2 (revisited): Feed His sheep.

Belief in Christ cannot exist without knowledge of Him. Maybe this is why Isaiah 52:7 (KJV) says, because salvation comes only from hearing the gospel, the feet of those who bring it are beautiful. My painted toenails do kind of make my feet beautiful, but I don’t think this is what the apostle Paul was getting at. In his day, the common footwear was sandals. Dirty feet were part of everyday life. But imagine receiving the good news from someone like Paul, who was so committed to sharing the gospel that he gave his life for the very cause. That’s beautiful. And to those who were saved because of Paul’s efforts, I’m sure it was a beautiful sight to see his feet approaching.

Milestone #3 (revisited): Endure to the end.

What does it mean to endure to the end today? It hasn’t changed over time. It still means to have faith that God will carry us through the worst of trials, that keeping the commandments matters for our happiness and others, and that the atonement of Jesus Christ will make everything right in the end.

Are we disciples today? I know countless people who are. And we can bring more into the fold before the second coming of our Savior (Jesus Christ). How can we best show Jesus that we follow Him and love Him?

By bringing others unto Him.

We become true disciples of Jesus Christ when we learn to live for others. God is the director of the work in which we are engaged. He knows sometimes the path is overgrown with weeds, or that it’s so dark we will stumble for a time. But we belong to Him.

We are His, and He will help us every step of the way.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, help us stay on the path leading back to you. When we stray, aid us in quickly returning to avoid getting lost. And Father, help us guide others to you and your path, that many of your sons and daughters can return arm-in-arm, strengthened together by each other’s fortitude. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

*Note from Alexis: Wendy’s devotional message today reminds me of this song “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy Wilson Spooner, Lic. G., LCoT, is a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during research, and she’s found that truth is indeed, much more exciting and inspiring than fiction.

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—children of God, and, the descendants of remarkable people who paved the way for us—even if they really struggled. She believes in learning from ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become someone even better.

As an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, Wendy Wilson Spooner turned to novel writing to share what she knows with a greater audience. When she is not writing or researching, she currently serves as National Vice Chair for Daughters of the American Revolution over Art & Sculpture in the annual American Heritage contest. She also serves as Chairman of the Advisory board for Century Vital Records in Bengaluru, India.

Wendy loves to read, hike, paint, travel, binge on Bollywood movies, and spend time with her greatest loves—her family.

Her debut novel, Once Upon an Irish Summer, released April 3, 2020. It has been a best-seller in the several different genres. She’s looking forward to releasing book two in the series!

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Website: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3lpNZSY
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-wilson-spooner-07741249/

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ

Is Jesus Real?
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

– Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

There is absolute truth and there is relative truth.

What are each and how can we know the difference?

Absolute truth is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Just like God, it never changes. A good example is the sun rising in the east. Because even if we say all day long the sun rises in the west, it will still rise in the east. That is absolute truth. And it will not succumb to public opinion, polls, or popularity. It simply is.

Relative truth is subject to opinion. Such as, “That cat is ugly.” “No it’s not, it’s pretty.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, therefore, it is relative truth.

The existence of absolute truth is basic to Christianity.

Jesus Christ directly proclaimed the ultimate truth in John 14:6 (NLT). He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Truth attains its foundation in God who is moral and personal. Paul declares in Romans 1 that God has revealed Himself through creation and individual conscience. God has also unveiled himself through the Bible, His distinctive disclosure.

What is the enemy of truth?

Satan ("the devil") is the adversary. According to 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT), He is “our great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

The devil seeks to mislead by devouring truth and replacing it with deception and lies. We live in a time where good appears evil, and evil appears good. This is the work of the adversary and his minions.

If you have already embraced the truth that Jesus is real, you can count on the adversary seeking to spread seeds of doubt within you—if you let him. This can happen when you don’t understand a concept in the Bible, or someone at church offends you, or for numerous other reasons.

But the absolute truth is that in the end all our questions will be answered and all our wounds will be healed. It’s a beautiful truth that Jesus is real whether people believe He is or not. And I choose to believe.

When I was a teenager, I went through a season where I didn’t know if I believed or maybe I didn’t care if I believed? It’s hard for me to remember. But what I do remember is my unhappiness.

Once I fully embraced Jesus and his atonement for my sins, I was at peace. And happy again!

I’ve chosen this way of living and believing the rest of my life. And I’ve never looked back. Because it is absolute truth that the closer and more exactly I keep the commandments of God, the more I can feel his presence in my life … every single day! This is absolute truth for countless people today and is also countless people throughout time in the Bible.

God’s truth is absolute, signifying it is true without exception and it does not change. Beliefs change but truth itself is constant. God is the creator of absolute truth because He is everlasting and His character never changes.

And He will reward all who diligently seek him.

Let’s Pray: Father in Heaven, we know you and your son (Jesus Christ) are real. Bless us each day to choose Jesus in all we do, and to testify whenever moved upon by the Holy Spirit. Empty us of all doubt, but if it creeps in, bless us to fall to our knees in prayer instead of succumbing to the entrapments of the adversary. Bless us with daily commitment to stand for you and your son in all things and in all places no matter the cost. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy Wilson Spooner, Lic. G., LCoT, is a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Romantic Reads: Once Upon an Irish Summer by Wendy Wilson Spooner

Interview with Wendy Wilson Spooner about her book,

Once Upon an Irish Summer:

Alexis: Congratulations on the publication of your first book, Once Upon an Irish Summer! Let’s talk about it. Why did you write this story?

Wendy: Because I fell in love with this particular ancestor, Allen Hamilton, and what he overcame, and who he became. My love of what we can learn from history compels me to write the true stories I unearth as a Professional Genetic Genealogist, and I’ve found that truth is indeed, much more exciting, and inspiring than fiction!

Alexis: How did you research this story?

Wendy: For some years, my mom worked on this particular family line, trying to gather more information on the Hamiltons. And we’re talking about the late 1700s and early 1800s in Ireland. Anyone who researches Irish ancestors knows many record collections have been destroyed or are only partially intact. So, traveling to Ireland was our best bet to find more answers. I went with both my parents and my husband in 2013. We scoured town halls, libraries, the People’s Republic of Northern Ireland’s extensive archives, and we traveled the countryside, discovering ancestral sites and original places these family members lived, worked, attended church, and where they were married and buried. It was while standing in the original estate on the west coast of Ireland in County Donegal that I knew I had to share this family’s story. Then we came home, and I spent a few more years researching this line and who Allen Hamilton in particular became after he arrived in America.

Alexis: Describe your day job and explain how it inspires your fiction storytelling. Have you always had a passion for discovering people’s stories that you learn through researching genealogy?

Wendy: I am truly, equally as passionate about other people’s ancestral stories as I am my own. And I don’t remember how far back I became intrigued with genealogy, but I know I was a child. I grew up listening to my grandparents telling stories about our ancestors, where they immigrated from, what talents and skills they brought with them, and the underlying theme was always based on their love of God, holding fast to His word, and religious freedom.

Alexis: What is the theme of this book?

Wendy: There are several themes ribboning throughout the book. One is a strong Christian theme of overcoming with God’s help. Other themes are conquering grief, art, and how finding our roots is like finding ourselves.

Alexis: What was your greatest challenge in writing this story? Explain.

Wendy: Oh, my. I never could have imagined the challenges I would face when I began writing. And isn’t that like anything we dare to take on in life? One test was when I had written the first six chapters and I was returning from a service project that required my laptop. I got out of the car and my laptop fell and shattered. I lost the first six chapters and never recovered them! But I learned from that mistake and had multiple backup options from then on. Another challenge was that I first wrote the entire manuscript in third person, only to realize it wasn’t right. So, I re-wrote the entire story in 1st person, which was exactly right. Additionally, I was writing dual timelines. And keeping both stories straight while making sure they intertwined in a satisfying way for the reader, was a huge task. And lastly, adhering to documented, chronological truth in the historical chapters, to really honor the family I was writing about, what they suffered and how they triumphed—was the hardest thing of all. And it was my deepest desire while composing.

Alexis: What about creating these characters and authoring this story gave you the greatest joy?

Wendy: I love this question! Writing the story of my ancestors to inspire others to delve into their own family trees was a journey of complete and utter joy—even through the rough spots. And creating the present-day characters gave me unspeakable happiness when I read through the completed manuscript for the first time and came to know the characters as a reader instead of a writer. It was then I realized they were amazing, compelling, wonderful people. I loved each one of them.

Alexis: Let’s talk about your story’s hero Allen Hamilton. What is his motivation? Share details on his background, including how he grew up and why he wants to save his family.

Wendy: Allen Hamilton was the oldest living son of his parents’ five children—who survived. They lost five, which I didn’t realize until I was researching records in Ireland and this fact came to light. My mother and I documented the names of those lost kids so our descendants would know they were part of this amazing family too. They sadly, just didn’t make it past infancy, or childhood, in the harsh world of the 1800s void of modern medicine and hospital care.

Allen’s motivations to save his family began with these facts. His father was one of 18 sons of a landed gentry family, who didn’t inherit but was educated to become a Clerk of the Crown. But he was prone to drink as he despaired over the decline of Ireland’s economy, and he didn’t handle money well either.

Allen took it upon himself to find a new life for his family. Ireland’s forecast for famine and more financial ruin was imminent, and there were too many people living on the Emerald Isle at the time for the land to sustain them through that kind of natural disaster.

When Allen met a gentleman friend of his auntie’s, it sealed the deal. What Allen heard about the United States that day in 1817, swelled the hope of the American dream in the heart of this Irish teenager, and that’s what began his journey to and through, antebellum America.

Alexis: Describe Allen’s looks, personality and dreams. What makes him special?

Wendy: Allen was a red-haired, blue-eyed Irish lad, through and through, with the heart of a gentleman and the smarts, wits, and courage of a young man with the guts to leave his homeland, cross the hazardous Atlantic alone, and start over with nothing but massive amounts of faith in God to see him through.

Alexis: Who is your story’s heroine? What is her name? Describe her looks, personality, and heart.

Wendy: Elizabeth Wilson, or Bethy, as her family calls her, is our present-day heroine. She’s a fictional descendant of Allen Hamilton five generations later. She’s also a gifted artist, and a struggling teenager suffering from debilitating grief after a sudden death in her family.

Bethy has the sandy blonde, wavy hair of her father, and the bright green eyes of her grandmother. As an only child, Bethy has a lot to learn about giving to others, as well as working through grief and navigating her family’s financial troubles. But she’s about to grow up a lot quicker and change her perspective forever, when her grandmother hires her for the summer to research an ancestor’s life. Allen Hamilton.

Alexis: Why did you make your heroine an artist? What type of art does she create?

Wendy: Bethy is a realist painter (like me), so her paintings are real-life likenesses of people, places, architecture—everything she desires to recreate on canvas. Her completed paintings mirror photography because of her skill. As an artist myself, I decided to write something I know about to flesh out this character in a realistic manner. I ended up loving Bethy to pieces, and actually wishing I had been more like her as a teenager.

Alexis: How do Allen’s story and your heroine’s story weave together in this plot?

Wendy: The two stories intertwine with parallels and analogies that are timeless. Like the overwhelming grief of losing loved ones, never giving up on your dreams no matter what you face, and coming to know who you really are—God’s children on this earth, and the descendants of remarkable people who came before us, even if they really struggled. No matter what time period we live in on this earth, we will face similar trials to those who came before us. And God is always there. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Alexis: As a woman of faith, how does your belief in God impact your storytelling?

Wendy: My stories are clean, inspiring, and full of faith. My tales are an extension of my own devotion, which is founded in my complete identity as a daughter of God, which is my motivation for every choice I make—to glorify Him, and to do his will. I wrote Once Upon an Irish Summer to interest people in their own families—to turn their hearts to their ancestors, to seek them out, to know them, and honor them. This was God’s will for this book, and He helped me write it, every step of the way.

Alexis: What made writing and publishing this story special to you?

Wendy: Sharing a true story from my own family tree that I really couldn’t not tell, felt like an overwhelming privilege—to honor my ancestors in this way. And then to have an Irish publisher who loves Ireland as much as I do was just the icing on the cake.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about Once Upon an Irish Summer?

Wendy: Amid their journey with Allen and Bethy, I want readers to remember their own ancestors. As a highly adventurous person, and world-traveler, I’ve never had a greater adventure than getting to know my own family. Traveling to their homelands and immersing myself in their lives, their records, ancestral sites, and historical facts, shed a grand light on who they were and what they overcame. I’ve been so incredibly inspired by my own ancestors, that’s what I want most for my readers. That’s why I write.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Wendy! Do you have closing comments to share?

Wendy: Find your family, honor them, then stand on their shoulders to become someone even better.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy Wilson Spooner, Lic. G., LCoT, is a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during research, and she’s found that truth is indeed, much more exciting and inspiring than fiction. Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—children of God, and, the descendants of remarkable people who paved the way for us—even if they really struggled. She believes in learning from ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become someone even better.

As an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, Wendy Wilson Spooner turned to novel writing to share what she knows with a greater audience. Her debut novel, Once Upon an Irish Summer, released April 3, 2020. It has been an Amazon best-seller in the several different genres. She’s looking forward to releasing book two in the series!

When she is not writing or researching, Wendy currently serves as National Vice Chair for Daughters of the American Revolution over Art & Sculpture in the annual American Heritage contest. She also serves as Chairman of the Advisory board for Century Vital Records in Bengaluru, India. As well, Wendy loves to read, hike, paint, travel, binge on Bollywood movies, and spend time with her greatest loves—her family.

~*~
Blurb for Once Upon an Irish Summer:

A gifted artist suffering from debilitating grief finds healing and inspiration in her Irish ancestry and goes on to paint a masterpiece.

Once Upon an Irish Summer is a dual timeline novel of two teenagers, two centuries apart, in one city; the untold chronicle of Irish Allen Hamilton's journey through antebellum America to find a way to save his family, woven with the struggle of his 15-year-old descendant 200 years later, battling through grief to find herself again.

~*~
Buy Wendy’s book:
Ambassador International ~ Christian Book Distributors ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Audible

~ Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Google Books ~ Apple Books

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-wilson-spooner-07741249/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner
Website: https://wendywilsonspooner.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:

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Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when your faith in God wavers

When Faith Wavers: Three steps to returning to belief
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief.”

–Mark 9:24 (KJV)

Life’s journey can be extraordinarily hard at times.

Most of us have experienced a long or short stretch when our faith wavers. This usually happens when a prayer seems to go unanswered, or when a pivotal event rocks our lives, like the death of a loved one, divorce, betrayal, terminal illness, loss of employment, and so much more. And these types of events are part of what we experience during our time here on earth. All of us do.

There are days when life’s journey seems long and tiring, which can lead to wondering if we have enough faith, or any at all. This is where this scripture—one of my favorites—can be the needed lifeline to climb out of the pit of wavering faith.

Allow me to share three steps that will help you return to believing in God …

Step One: Read His Word

God is always there waiting for us to ask for help. Especially when we have a hard time even believing he’s there.

Sometimes we just need a reminder of where to find the answers. Our faith can and will increase when we make the effort to study His Word. There is nothing happening in our lives that hasn’t happened a thousand times before in the history of this earth. God has lovingly given us numerous examples and true stories in the Bible to shed light on how to overcome huge obstacles and keep believing.

When I went through a heart-breaking divorce—which is really the death of a family—and all my hopes and dreams seemed shattered, I felt I had lost myself in a dark and dreary world. But when I turned to His word, I found myself again. It took effort and a lot of study. But I did it. And I became stronger than I was before.

There is power in the Bible that can bring us out of darkness into the light to believe again.

Step Two: Pray

As children of a loving Heavenly Father, we have a desire to connect with Him. Prayer is the direct line to heaven and communion with God.

He knows us, and our concerns and worries. And we can pray anywhere! This is the good news! In our homes, in our cars, or while standing in line somewhere. The Lord hears the prayers of our hearts no matter where we are.

And when we reach out, He in turn desires to bless us as we come unto Him—especially when we possess a humble heart and a yearning for His will in our lives. At any time we can approach him and ask him to increase our faith and our desire to believe.

Step Three: Serve God and others

Our faith will increase as we reach out in service to God’s sons and daughters here on earth. I have experienced this miracle time and time again. Forgetting ourselves for a moment and focusing on lifting someone else’s burdens has an indescribable effect on our spirits and lives. It’s as if God seeks to bestow on us the very thing we give to someone else. Hope, comfort, a listening ear, or the kind reassurance that someone cares. Implementing the habit of service into our lives is one of the strongest and most enduring acts to increase our faith. When we witness miracles in others’ lives, we experience them almost as if they are our own.

My Conclusion: Food for thought

So when you have one of those days, weeks, or even years, when you feel your belief wavering, choose to follow these three steps: (1) searching His word, (2) praying, and (3) serving. These are the elements of the essential formula for renewing our belief and faith in God. A God who cares and has a plan for us. A God who knows us because we are his children. A God who will bless us in His own time and by His own will for what is best for us.

Note from Wendy to the reader: In Mark 9:17-27, read the full story of the man asking the Lord to help his unbelief. And in Hebrews 11, read about why it’s so important for us to believe, and how we can use the power of faith to help ourselves and others.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her first book, Once Upon an Irish Summer, is a YA crossover historical fiction novel, the first in a trilogy, traditionally published by Ambassador International, released on April 3, 2020 in five countries.

Wendy’s love of history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during her research, and she’s found that truth is indeed, stranger, and way more exciting than fiction.

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming the obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—a child of God, and, the descendant of incredible people who paved the way for us to have the lives we have now—even if they really struggled. She believes in learning from ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become someone even better.

Wendy is an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, who turned to novel writing to share what she knows with more people.

To learn more about Wendy, her interests, and writing, visit her website at WendyWilsonSpooner.com.

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.w.spooner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/

Friday, September 4, 2020

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Music

Then Sings My Soul
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.”– Psalm 71:23 (KJV)

You know those days, or even an entire week when you feel like you’re barely making it? When everything seems to come crashing down on you at the same time? Like watching elderly parents suffer, losing a job, a flat tire on the freeway, rude people, your struggling teenager, and that last piece of cake you ate when you’ve already had two servings.

And then you’re in your car worrying about everything and on auto-pilot, you switch to a Christian music station.

MercyMe’s song, “I Can Only Imagine” blares into the air, and before you know it, you’re singing at the top of your lungs while tears pour down your face, as you bask in God’s love while enveloped in His music.

The Scriptures give us some major clues that music can heal us and renew us, and that glorifying Jesus through song can give us the strength to start over and remind us to lean on Him again. It can even bring us pure JOY.

“O Come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”

–Psalms 95:1 (KJV)

A lot of people listen to music on a daily basis. But what kind of music? Is it your habit to listen to songs that lift you and make you feel better? Even whole?

As I’ve grown older, my soul yearns for songs of peace and praise. Not songs of angst, anger, and sadness or inappropriate content.

Music about the Gospel of Jesus Christ can lift your mood, make your problems seem surmountable instead of insurmountable, and feed your starving soul at its very core.

Not only can Gospel music lift a weary heart, but it can strengthen our faith in God and bring us closer to Him. It can keep us aware of choices we are making and deliver the perfect message at the perfect time, helping us to maintain our connection to Him.

I remember when I was going through a divorce with my two little girls. My worries for them without a father in our home was extremely tough some days. But those were also days—years actually—when we listened to the same uplifting Christian albums over and over and sang our favorite songs that kept us savoring the love of God.

I remember those times so warmly. Even though they were super hard in many ways. And I know it was because of the closeness we felt even as a broken family. Although the father of our home was no longer with us, we were close to our Heavenly Father.

So, the next time you feel like giving up and all is lost, take a car ride, and drive while listening to His music, singing at the top of your lungs until you’re healed enough to go home and start over.

Let the Savior of the world (Jesus Christ) save you through His music. Even though you may already have chosen to be saved in the long run, let Him save you every day through His songs of praise. Through His hymns. Through the love that overcomes you when singing words of His infinite atonement and hope.

Because Jesus came to Earth, lived and died for us, so we can live again with Him!

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her first book, Once Upon an Irish Summer, is a YA crossover historical fiction novel, the first in a trilogy, traditionally published by Ambassador International, set to release on April 3, 2020 in five countries.

Wendy’s love of history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during her research, and she’s found that truth is indeed, stranger, and way more exciting than fiction.

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming the obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—a child of God, and, the descendant of incredible people who paved the way for us to have the lives we have now—even if they really struggled. She believes in learning from ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become someone even better.

Wendy is an award-winning author of professional articles and poems, who turned to novel writing to share what she knows with more people.

To learn more about Wendy, her interests, and writing, visit her website at WendyWilsonSpooner.com.

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.w.spooner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/