Devotionals for the Heart: God's love for you stays steady and forever true

An Uninterrupted Love in a Disorienting World
A devotional by Kim McGovern

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

I opened the Night Sky app on my phone and lifted it to the night sky. Its light shone brilliantly against the ink-blackness of the Atlantic Ocean.

Here I was, on a ship in the middle of nowhere, relying on technology to find what sailors had followed for centuries. The phone's glow ruined my night vision, but I needed its help. Everything looked different out here. No landmarks, no light pollution—just stars upon stars upon stars, an overwhelming sky in which the ones I knew were nowhere to be found.

Growing up, I'd always thought the North Star was the navigator's friend—fixed and reliable. But I'd recently learned that magnetic north actually shifts. The pole wanders. What I thought was unmovable...moves. How disorienting.

Isn't this exactly how spiritual disorientation begins?

The pastor we trust is embroiled in scandal. The healing we claim by faith doesn't materialize. The marriage we thought God blessed falls apart. The church that felt like family wounds us deeply. The child we raised in faith walks away. And God? He seems silent right when we need Him most.

Our hearts latched onto these things like fixed points we could navigate by. When they shift—or shatter—we don't just lose the thing itself; we lose our sense of direction. When what we hoped was reliable proves unreliable, we're left spinning in the dark, wondering if God Himself has moved.

That's where my heart lingered for months. Reeling from disappointments I never saw coming. And here I stand, holding up my phone like a cosmic translator, needing an app to tell me what I used to know by heart.

Vega. Altair. Deneb. The app traced the Summer Triangle, and suddenly I could see the massive pattern I'd been looking straight through. Three of the brightest stars in the sky, yet millions of dimmer ones blinded me to their pattern.

The Summer Triangle is not a constellation itself, but an asterism—three stars from three different constellations creating one absolutely reliable navigational pattern. Sailors have trusted it for millennia because, unlike instruments prone to fail, magnetic poles that wander, or human feelings that lie, these stars hold steady.

I lowered my phone and let my eyes adjust. The Triangle blazing overhead had been there all along, even through every one of my dark months.

In my disorientation, I’d forgotten that the Gospel isn't that God will protect us from disappointment—or that churches won't wound us, bodies won't fail, or prayers will always be answered as we expect. The good news is that God loved us so much He sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to deal with the one thing that could actually separate us from Him for all eternity—our sin.

Jesus didn't stay in Heaven, simply sending us better navigation instructions. He dove headfirst into our chaos. Fully God and fully man, He lived the perfect life we couldn't live. Then, on a cross—shaped like Cygnus above me—He took every sin, every separation, every disorienting darkness we would ever face. He died bearing it all. And three days later, He rose, proving that nothing—NOTHING—could ultimately separate us from God's love anymore. Not failure. Not unanswered prayer. Not rejection. Not a diagnosis. Not even our doubts in the dark.

“For I am convinced,” Paul wrote from prison, listing every cosmic force that might threaten us, “nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39 NIV)

God’s love doesn't depend on our ability to feel it. It depends on what Jesus has already accomplished; it's not maintained by our steady faith but by His finished work. The Father sent it. Jesus secured it. The Spirit seals it within us.

The ship rolled gently. Other passengers had retired to bed, but I remained on deck, no longer needing the app. The Triangle blazed overhead, pointing toward the river of light known as the Milky Way.

Tomorrow, the ground might shift again or another trusted thing might fail. But tonight, under stars that have watched a thousand generations struggle with the same disorientations, I am reminded that the love of Jesus holds steady—even when everything else shifts.

It blazes on—an uninterrupted triangle of love in a disorienting world that no disappointment can ever extinguish.

Let's Pray:

Heavenly Father, when everything we thought was fixed starts shifting—when trusted voices fail us, when healing doesn't come, and when You seem silent—remind us that Your love isn't anchored in these things. It is anchored in what Jesus accomplished at the cross. Thank You that no disappointment, betrayal, or disorientation can separate us from the love You secured forever. Help us navigate by this truth when we cannot trust our feelings. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Just to Know You” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Your Love Never Fails” by Chris Quilala / Jesus Culture/Jesus Culture Music. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kim McGovern is passionate about helping women reorient their hearts to the uninterruptible love of Jesus Christ. 

A former IT professional turned writer, she meets women in the messy middle of faith—where grief, joy, doubt, and hope often collide. Her work draws from decades of ministry leadership, special needs advocacy, and personal seasons of surrender that deepened her dependence on God's presence.

Kim's writing has been featured by Proverbs 31 Ministries, Encouragement for Today, Joyful Life Magazine, (in)courage ministries, Truly Magazine, and numerous other faith-based publications.

She and her husband savor the quiet rhythms of life on Florida's west coast in Homosassa, where the river serves as their backyard playground. They have four grown children and grandchildren who daily remind them that the best stories are still being written by God's grace.

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Connect with Kim:
Website: https://kimmcgovern.com/
Substack: https://kimmcgovern.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kim.mcgovern/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimEMcGovern/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust God when you feel disappointed

Trusting God Through Life’s Disappointments
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

—Luke 1:20 (NLT)

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth must have been praying years for a child. The Bible tells us in Luke 1:6, they were “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.”

Yet there was a problem: Elizabeth was unable to conceive. Zechariah was simply a priest fulfilling his duty, likely serving God under the assumption of God’s displeasure towards him. So, he was shocked when an angel of the Lord appeared and announced that Elizabeth will give him a son.

Despite Zechariah’s unbelief, God’s favor still came to him. God muted his speech for a period of time because his words spoken without faith could have undermined God’s divine plan. The beautiful ending to the story is that Zechariah saw the birth of his son and believed in the fulfillment of God’s promise. Finally, his years of disappointment came to an end.

In ancient Israel, it was considered a curse to not have children. We see how Elizabeth responds in Luke 1:25 (NLT): “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

In our world today, there are many things that make us feel disappointed. For some people it’s not having a good career, for others it’s not meeting the love of their life. Whatever it is, God can’t be pleased when we question if He will answer our prayer. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says “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.”

Here are three ways we can trust God in difficult times:

Way #1: Keep your eyes on Him. Song of Songs 1:15 (NLT) says, “your eyes are like doves.” A dove is only able to focus on one thing at a time. This makes them less likely to be distracted. In the same way, if we keep our focus on Jesus Christ then we will not be discouraged by our current circumstance.

Way #2: Be obedient. Jesus says in John 14:15 (NLT), “If you love me, obey my commandments.” The Bible promises that obedience to God’s commands brings blessings, prosperity, and a more fulfilling life.

Way #3: Stay in the word (read and reflect on The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” The Bible is considered the primary way God communicates with Bible verses that sometimes feel specifically relevant to every situation we experience in life.

There are many reasons why God may take a lifetime to answer specific prayers. Sometimes it’s to build our faith, sometimes it’s because He wants us to deal with an internal issue. Most of the time, it’s to prepare us for the future. Even if His answer comes what we consider late in life, His timing is always perfect and it is always for our good.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your perfect timing. Thank You for loving us enough to not give us what we want, but what we need. We thank You for the plans you have for us as you’ve promised in Jeremiah 29:11 to give us a hope and a future.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “For the Good” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

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Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you are facing failure in this life

The Biblical Response to Failure
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”—Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

Failure is an unavoidable part of life.

Sometimes we fail publicly, in ways others see and remember. Sometimes we fail privately, when our inner battles leave us discouraged and defeated. In those moments, we are painfully reminded of our limitations. We are not invincible. We are not perfect. We are human.

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, knew what it was like to wrestle with failure—not just moral failure, but the kind that shakes the soul. In the earlier verses of that psalm, he confesses to deep confusion and envy when he sees the prosperity of the wicked. He wonders why those who defy God seem to flourish, while those who walk with the Lord often suffer. That emotional and spiritual disorientation was, in a very real sense, a kind of failure—a failing heart, a weary soul, a shaken faith.

But it is precisely in this place of frailty that Psalm 73:26 breaks through with incredible hope: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I have gleaned four life lessons from this text about how to deal with and live with my own failures. Perhaps you can find value in them too:

Life Lesson #1: God is not surprised by our failure.
We often treat failure as a disqualification, but God sees it as part of our development process. Throughout Scripture, we find faithful men and women who stumbled: Moses struck the rock, David sinned gravely, Peter denied Christ, Paul spoke of his weakness. Yet none of them were abandoned by God. Why? Because our failures don’t define our relationship with Him—His grace does.

Life Lesson #2: Failure is not the end of the story.
God has a way of redeeming what is broken. Our setbacks can become the soil in which deeper trust is planted. Sometimes we need to fail so that we can discover the strength that is not our own. Asaph admits, “My heart may fail.” That’s a confession of reality. But then he follows it with truth: “God is the strength of my heart.” That’s a confession of faith.

Life Lesson #3: In failure, we are drawn to dependence.
When everything is going well, we can easily fall into the illusion of self-sufficiency. But when we fall short, when our strength runs dry, we are brought back to the heart of the gospel: We are not enough, but Jesus Christ is. Asaph calls God his “portion forever.” That’s the language of inheritance, of something lasting and unshakeable. Earthly success fades. Human approval shifts. But the Lord is our eternal portion.

Life Lesson #4: The response to failure is not despair, but worship.
As the psalm progresses, Asaph moves from doubt and confusion to a place of renewed devotion. He ends Psalm 73 by saying, “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (Psalm 73:28). Failure can be the doorway to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

So, today, if you find yourself weighed down by failure—whether it’s failure in your walk with God, in a relationship, in a responsibility, or even in your own heart—lift your eyes to the One who never fails. Let Psalm 73:26 be an anchor for your soul. 

Remember: Your failure is not final. God's strength is reliable and it lasts forever. Lean on Him when you're facing failure. Let that be your hope today.

Let’s Pray: Lord of all creation, thank You for Your grace that looks beyond our faults and failures and sees who You are growing us to be. When we fail or falter, restore within us your image. Replenish within us the joy of the Lord. Forgive us our sins and help us to freely forgive others. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Strength of My Life” by Vertical Worship. 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: The Best Help and Comfort Comes from God

Going to God for Help and Comfort
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”—Psalm 86:17 (ESV)

When was the last time God helped or comforted you?

It is wonderful to personally relate to a verse like the one above, to look back at where we've been and recall all that God has done. It gives us strength to push forward through what we are currently facing, knowing that the God who was faithful before will be faithful again.

Perhaps we do not see it. Perhaps we feel that God has failed us and will fail us again. But may we remember that, while He does allow evil to cross our paths, He has also made a bold promise in Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

He even promises to use those things which threaten to devastate us for good. Nothing falls outside of Romans 8:28 (ESV) which says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Do you love Him? Has He called you to Himself? God longs for you to see the way He has helped and comforted you in the past. He also wants bring good from those things which seem as though no good could possibly come out of them.

Psalm 25:3 (ESV) promises that we will not be put to shame if we wait for God: “None who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.” The ones who will be put to shame are those who are, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “undisciplined, ungoverned, unmanageable, rebellious, and disobedient”. Those who wait for God will not be put to shame—in spite of their struggles. This even provides for sins and shortcomings that happen in the course of our lives. He does not sit waiting to beat us over the head for our missteps. Instead, when our hearts are repentant and long to follow Him, God is waiting to use those things for our good.

Let today be the day we ask God to help us see how the pain in our past has worked for our good, and how He has been there to comfort us. Let’s focus on how God comforts and helps us in our day-to-day struggles, and assures us that He will be there to help in the future.

Let's Pray: Dear God, Thank You for comforting me and helping me. Please help me to see where You have done so in the past, and to believe that You will do so in the future—no matter what I face. Teach me how to see You in the mundane, day-to-day struggles of my life as well. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Comforter” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.

 

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure!

Along with writing devotionals, Aubrey is the author of the German-perspective 20th Century Fiction series, Gott Mit Uns. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing or taking care of her home and family, she enjoys singing and dancing with friends from a German choir and a Bavarian folk dancing group. She is also a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats!

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Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Movie Review: Nothing is Impossible

My Review of Nothing is Impossible movie

Today, I have another movie review for you and a giveaway contest at the end of this post! In case you didn’t know, Pure Flix is like the faith-based version of Netflix. It works the same way the difference is in the content that points you back to Jesus Christ and shows you how much The Creator of the Universe loves you!

Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

Pure Flix VIP Ambassador program asked me to review the movie Nothing is Impossible. I watched this heartwarming movie twice in the month of October 2022 because it was that good even though I think this story had a slow start. I’ll talk more about that in my review below. First, I’d like to describe the storyline in the words of talking points from Momentum (PR for PureFlix) then I’ll share my thoughts (review). 

Here’s what they had to say: 

“Nothing is Impossible” teaches us that times of uncertainty are when we should lean into our faith and trust God has a plan for our lives. Here’s the main story: Down on his luck, Scott Beck gets a second chance at his dream career of being an NBA player. After much loss, pain and regret, Scott Beck begins to seriously doubt his trials and tribulations are worth it. But now he has a second chance at both love and life. Will his dreams be realized? Can he let go of past pains and open himself to God’s purpose? Or will new challenges keep him from the future he always hoped for?

Scott was a high-school basketball star with dreams of playing in the NBA. Fast forward 20 years and he’s a janitor at the high school where he once played. Ryan, Scott’s high school girlfriend, is now in charge of her father’s professional basketball team, The Silver Knights. Financial woes leave her no option but to host open tryouts to attract media attention and bring new (and cheap) talent to the team. Nick, Scott’s best friend, coaches the high school basketball team and has dreams of being a pastor. He tries to mentor his friend who is stuck in the past instead of looking toward the future. Scott’s father needs a heart transplant but won’t quit drinking and doesn’t go to his doctor’s appointments.

As you can see from the summary above, life hasn’t been easy for the hero of this story—until life presents a surprising turn of events and opportunity for him! Get a clue when you read my review below...

My Review:

I think this movie had a slow start. I was ready to stop watching it after the first 10 to 15 minutes. But I hung in there and I’m so glad I did because after that 15 minute mark, the movie really captivated me and the story became very intriguing. Just like staying up late at night to finish reading a book because you cannot stop turning the pages, this movie kept me wanting to know what happens next! The actors did a splendid job of portraying the characters! I especially enjoyed the chemistry between Scott and Ryan. They really played their love interest role well. I found myself invested in the characters and their happiness. I was concerned about their health and well-being and I really wanted everything to work out for the good of these people. And every time the chaplain or pastor prayed over the basketball team in this movie, I found myself saying “Amen” because I was that into this movie! It was almost as if I were on the sidelines in this movie, rooting everyone on as they journeyed toward their dreams. Such a good film.

Here's a bit more from Momentum about the themes of this movie:

• “Don’t be afraid of losing because winning doesn’t teach you anything.”
• Despair causes us to distance ourselves from God.
• Don’t let the past dictate your future, trust in God’s timing, not your own.
• Dreams and aspirations, with prayer and discernment, can be messages from God on what our lives are supposed to be.
• You can’t blame God for your choices.
• We aren’t promised an easy life, free from trouble, failure or worry. We’re promised that we have God to lean on when troubles arise – our sufferings aren’t meaningless (Read the book of Job in The Holy Bible for a prime example of this point)
• God is faithful! He’s still working on each of us. We have to be open to the possibilities He has in store for us.

My Closing Points

I think that a lot of people can relate to this movie, especially if you’re older than age 30 and the dreams you had for your life have not yet come true.

Nothing is Impossible is a movie that will introduce you to Pure Flix, prompt you to join and watch it again and again! And once you’re a member of Pure Flix, you’ll find more content to view that will encourage your heart. So don’t delay, join today!

See the movie trailer for Nothing is Impossible here:

https://www.pureflix.com/movie/nothing-is-impossible

Before you go, enter this contest for your chance to WIN one 3-month Pure Flix subscription!

Please note: This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. The giveaway starts today and ends on October 18, 2022.

Here is the Giveaway Contest link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c413/?

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. If you're participating in the giveaway for Nothing is Impossible, please note that we cannot accept winners that have won a Pure Flix subscription in the last six months.

#NothingIsImpossibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Devotionals for the Heart: When you learn to trust God's promises

Trusting God’s Promises
A backup devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.” –Luke 1:45 (AMP)

In our western culture, we are bombarded with promises that come from seemingly trustworthy sources yet fall flat on delivery.

A roommate says he will take out the trash, yet there it accumulates. A boss swears your input is valuable but does nothing to implement those ideas. A spouse betrays with infidelity. Some of these disappointments are easy to overlook, but others are deeply heartbreaking. When people fall short of their word how can we remain steadfast?

The Bible’s Gospel of Luke tells the stories of two individuals who have contrasting responses promises. The first account is that of an aging priest called Zechariah who was described as being a devout keeper of God’s commands. Both Zechariah and his wife were considered blameless, upstanding members of the Jewish community (Luke 1:6). Scripture says that this couple prayed for children but remained barren into old age.

It’s reasonable to think that Zechariah and Elizabeth had lived a lifetime disappointed without children, and maybe they believed that God had passed them by. Zechariah especially, a man committed to a career of intercession between man and God, might have felt resentful. Perhaps he was angry that his decades of prayer had gone unanswered.

I know those feelings, maybe they are familiar to you too. I’ve prayed for more than a decade for physical healing over chronic pain. Amid those pleas, I have seen countless others receive healing, wondering if somehow God had deliberately left me behind. Those negative thoughts about God dimmed my faith.

Zechariah responded to God’s messenger with disgruntled disbelief when, after all, the old man’s prayers were being answered. Let’s read what he said to God in Luke 1:18 (AMP): “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.”

Had this priest lost his trust in God’s promises? Where was his faith in God?

As it turns out, Zechariah’s desires for a son were aligned with God’s plan for the world. They just were not on the same timeline. What if the same is true for you and me? What if we are casting judgement solely on mismatched timing?

The second story, in contrast to this first, is that of a young girl who also finds herself in dialogue with God’s messenger over a miraculous conception. I guarantee this virgin, probably still somewhat a child herself, had not been praying for the directive she was being given! The news of pregnancy was something an unmarried maiden would rather not hear!

But Mary’s heart had not been scarred in the same way Zechariah’s had. She was anticipating her impending marriage and probably excited about what was ahead. This girl’s prayers were likely more directed by her future than by her past. Mary’s response, unlike Zechariah’s, is full of belief and trust. Let’s read what Mary said in Luke 1:34 (AMP): “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?”

She wanted to know, not if it were true, but how it was true.

God has proven He is faithful to His word. He comes through on His promises. Zechariah’s heart was weary with years of waiting on prayer, yet God responded to him with favor. Mary’s heart was still malleable, thus she responded wholeheartedly to the Lord’s call on her future. One needed a reminder of God’s goodness while the other was anticipating it.

We too will be blessed when we hold to the word of God as true. Sometimes we just need a reminder that God’s timeline is better than our own. We can remain steadfast in faith despite the disappointments of the world because our story is still being written. The fulfillment is coming!

Let’s Pray: Father God, we bow before your perfection, humble to your wisdom. We don’t see like You see, therefore aim to stay reliant on You. Thank you for Your steadfast love and infinite grace. Help us to remain confident in Your promises. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness, and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing face to face. Additionally, she is studying Christian fiction writing.

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Connect with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should thank God at all times

Give Thanks at All Times
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

– Psalm 34:1 (NKJV)

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you've questioned what the Bible has to say?

I get the feeling your answer is a loud, "Yes!"  If it weren't, I would have to check your pulse. Because to be honest, I've had to question if the Word really means what it said many times, especially when life is hard, and when life takes a turn in a completely different direction than you planned.

David, the chief songwriter of the Bible book of Psalms, asked a lot of questions too. There was a time (1 Samuel 30) when his family was kidnapped, and his household ripped apart, and he must have asked God how could He let this happen.

The enemy came and ransacked his camp and took not only his wives and cattle but the possessions of his fellow fighters. David perused the damage done, and he did what any human being would do – he wept. And then he did something remarkable. Would you believe that this man did something while in the pit of despair that most of us would find deeply difficult to do? In the midst of the pain, he began to encourage himself in the Lord. This is what the scripture encourages us to do. David may have sounded something like this, "Self, it's going to be alright. Self, be encouraged. Self, bless the Lord!”

Throughout the book of Psalms, we can see where David encouraged and strengthened himself. 

Let’s read three examples:

Psalm 42:11 (NIV): “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 18:5-6 (NKJV): “In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.”

Psalm 34:1 (NKJV): "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praises shall continually be in my mouth."

So where do you gather that kind of strength to give thanks in the midst of pain and disappointment? This is not an overnight lesson, but it is learned behavior. 

Today, wherever you find yourself, make a conscious effort to bless the Lord, to give thanks in all things. Remember, this is the will of God plainly written for is to obey. Tell your will to get on board and in all things give thanks.

David had learned how to worship God for who He is. He learned to praise God in his struggles. He practiced praise and it became a habit. He was honest with his pain, and his grief and developed a pattern of looking up to God especially in his darkest hours.

There will come many times in life when there is no human being to look to for what you need so I implore you to develop this habit to bless the Lord at all times, so it becomes natural.

I encourage you to give thanks at all times and in everything (1Thessalonians 5:18). Giving thanks develops a habit of gratitude is life-changing it affects or perspective and gives us the grace and the power to truly stand in the storms of life, knowing that God will carry us through.

Let's Pray: Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me that in the middle of the storms you are with me. You are aware of everything that is happening and I am thankful. Today and every day I am thankful for your lovingkindness which is better than life. Help me to remember this at all times, in Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

*Note from Alexis: Patricia’s devotional message today reminded me of the song “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia Russell is a speaker, worship leader, author, certified life coach and songwriter.

Her gifts have been shared internationally with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through words and songs. She has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers. Over her 30 years in ministry, she has been a featured artist in musical cantatas locally and the United States of America.

Patricia had the honour of leading worship at the kick-off event for the 2006 the “Just Give Me Jesus” Toronto Revival with Anne Graham Lotz who is the eldest daughter of Billy Graham, a well-known American evangelist.

Patricia serves in ministry along with her husband Rev. Wayne Russell. Together, they have served as guest hosts on a local early morning call in program called “Nite Lite Live” that formerly aired on the CTS Television Network. They have two adult children: Raquel and Benjamin.

Patricia has recorded two CD’s: “Lord I Trust You” and a live recording “Draw Me Nearer.” She is also an author. Her first book is titled Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement. It is meant to further encourage and share life lessons as a result of her cancer journey. She is a co-author of a #1 bestseller book titled Crushed Diamonds Still Sparkle, and she has compiled the recent #1 bestseller book titled Stronger Resilience.

~*~
Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrussellonline/
Email: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Rainbows

Chasing Rainbows
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 

– 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

Have you ever found it hard to trust God?

You know He’s sovereign, He sees all, and He knows all, but in certain areas you find it really difficult to trust Him wholeheartedly. You’re not alone!

We’ve all felt the same way at some point in life. Thankfully, God doesn’t hold it against us. Our inability to trust doesn’t take away from His ability to be trusted. He knows that at some point we’ve been dropped, disappointed, mishandled, or misled by people. As a result, our ability to trust may be fractured. This still doesn’t take away from His trustworthiness, or His reliability.

Numbers 23:19 (KJV) reminds us, “God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?”

No matter how many people may have lied to you, God won’t. It’s not in His nature. He can be trusted. If He couldn’t be trusted, the story of Noah (detailed in Genesis 6:11–9:19) would have never been written. It’s because of Noah’s testimony of God’s trustworthiness that we should be able to trust Him more. Noah trusted God so much that he built something that had never been built before (an ark), to experience something that he’d never experienced before (a flood).

I’m sure Noah may have had some trepidation during the building process, but most definitely when the earth started to flood. However, he had to trust that what God told him to build was able to weather the storm set before him. Because of that trust, he and his family were saved—along with the animals. After Noah endured the storm, God made him yet another promise. He promised that He’d never destroy the earth again by flood. As a symbol of that promise, He placed a rainbow in the sky. From the days of Noah until now, whenever a rainbow is seen in the sky, it serves as a reminder of the Promise Keeper.

Trust is a major component in our walk with Christ. If the enemy can shake your trust pillar, he’ll make you question everything God ever said about you. When you’re secure in who God called you to be, and what He said you can have, you’re not easily shaken. Sometimes, you may have to endure patiently before obtaining the promise, but don’t ever stop pursuing.

There are 66 books in the Bible to help remind you of every promise God made concerning you. They’re just awaiting your pursuit. If there’s a need, a lack, a deficit—whatever you may be facing—search the scriptures, see what God says about it, and chase the rainbow.

Don’t relent until you’ve laid hold to everything God’s promised you. Healing is yours…because He said it! Provision is yours…because He said it! Prosperity is yours…because He said it! Victory is yours…because He said it! 

Stop believing the lies of the enemy and start chasing the rainbows (promises) of God! 

Combat every lie with a promise from God.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I thank You for being trustworthy—even when my trust waivers. I’m so glad that I can depend on You. Thank You for your many promises towards me, and for the prompting to latch onto them even the more, through Your Word. Thank You for always keeping your promises. Help me to walk in all that you’ve ordained for my life. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen!

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA.  

She found out at a young age that she had a creative mind and a way with words. Later on in life, she learned to cultivate her passion for writing as a budding author.

Shirley is very passionate about writing. Each book that she releases will be a product of God stirring and cultivating the gift He’s entrusted her with. She has won numerous writing awards/certificates, and is a published poet and blogger.

For the past six years, Shirley has worked as a professional ghostwriter, editor, and author. It is her joy and goal that through print, she might impact lives and leave the imprint of the King.

Visit her website to stay in the loop about her new book releases, current projects, and to read her blog posts.

~*~
Connect with Shirley:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SayWhatEnterprises
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saywhatenterprises/

Devotionals for the Heart: Safety

God is our safe place
A devotional by Alexis Newlin

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it and is safe.” 

– Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

Do you have a need to feel safe in your life? Is that need preventing you from taking steps of faith in your Christian walk with God? Here’s how I handled one aspect of this need to feel safety in my life.

I struggle very much with the fear of being hurt by another person, whether it be a friend, spouse, sibling, stranger…I do not want to get hurt. Because of this fear, I often try to put myself in situations where I won’t experience hurt and I won’t try to connect with a person unless I can feel completely safe with them.

I told one of my friends this while out to lunch one day and she told me these wise words:

“That’s a lot to put on a person – feeling safe with them. It’s an impossible request to meet. Only God is your safety. No one on this earth can fulfill that. You may need to repent to God for this, for seeking safety in someone other than Him.”

Bam! My eyes were opened. SAFE. That’s it! Not feeling safe was the root of my fear. If I didn’t feel safe, there were a lot of things that I would refuse to do outside of this situation.

I had to feel safe and secure before taking action in many areas of my life. So after realizing this, I took this new information to God. We went on a journey to find out where my holding on to safety higher than anything else came from. This is what we found:

As a child, my environment was unpredictable. It was not always safe. As I grew older, I vowed to always have a safe place and have those around me that I considered safe. It became an idol. What I called being cautious was actually me being fearful. Yikes.

God then had me look up the definition for safe from Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Here is what I found to define the word safe: free from harm or risk : UNHURT 2a: secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss 3: affording safety or security from danger, risk, or difficulty 5a: not threatening danger : HARMLESS 6a: not likely to take risks : CAUTIOUS b: TRUSTWORTHY, RELIABLE.

I look at this definition and to me, being safe on this earth almost seems impossible. We encounter things and people that could harm us every single day. There is no way that we can go one day without encountering some sort of physical, emotional or mental harm.

I was honest with God, telling Him: “I am trying to grasp the concept that you God, are my safe place. That you will protect me and keep me from harm. Many painful things happen every single day. How are you keeping me safe if I get hurt?”

It is so beautiful when God answers.

This is what He said to me and it redefined my definition of safe:

I use your pain to grow you. The injuries you encounter help you grow stronger and stronger each and every day. How do you grow without trial?

A flower must work in order to bloom. It must break its way out of the seed, and then plow through the soil to get to the water and sunlight it needs just to bloom. When it blooms, behold, there is all manner of things that can and will destroy the flower – too much rain, not enough water, too hot, too cold – yet it still blooms.

You are to bloom no matter what you encounter. When trials come, when you feel afraid or face danger, when you feel unsafe then I, God, will be there. I will be a safe place. I will stand beside you; hold you up so you do not fall.

Despite what comes, I am your safe place.

This sent me on a quest to study everything the Lord says about His safety and protection. I found so much. I keep finding verses that show how He has protected us and continues to protect us. Words like, refuge, stronghold, strong tower, shield, shelter, secure and fortress describe our Father and the beautiful things that He does for us if we run to Him. Some of my favorite verses from this study are:

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it and is safe.”

Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 28:7 says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I will praise him.”

This has been such a beautiful journey to take with the Lord and a journey that I am still walking. It was hard to admit that at times I do not feel safe with the Lord. But, had I not admitted it, I would still have this barrier between God and me. God will do anything to let us know how much He loves us and cares for us.

Although there are times I don’t feel it, it gives me comfort to know that His protection and love for us is splashed all over the pages of His word. God is, and will always be, my safe place.

~*~
Author Bio:

Alexis is a 36-year-old lover of Jesus, loose leaf tea, roller coasters, writing stories and going on adventures. Originally from Marietta, GA, Alexis now resides in Fresno, CA. 

You can always find Alexis outdoors enjoying a walk in her neighborhood, scoping out the newest food truck, hanging out with friends or planning her next trip.

Her church, The Revival Center, and family mean the world to her. They have supported her through the loss of her mother and her own cancer diagnosis.

Alexis enjoys encouraging others by reminding them not to look at what they see, but to always look to God, who is working in the unseen.

Alexis currently writes for several online ministries and launched her first podcast – The Brave Podcast – in January 2020.

~*~
Connect with Alexis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apeachincali/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/apeachincali
Podcast: http://thebravepodcast.buzzsprout.com
Website: www.apeachincali.com

Celebrate List Promo Blast for The Certain Hope (book) by E.C. Jackson

Good day, reader friends!

Today, I'm featuring a promo blast for a book by E.C. Jackson. Her book is called The Certain Hope. Here is her book's front cover art:

Isn't the book cover lovely?

Here is the blurb for The Certain Hope:

Love at first sight. It’s every girl’s dream. But Tara Simpkins is finding out it’s not as easy as it seems. Is this truly the man God sent to be her husband, or is she just desperate to escape her loneliness?

The recent loss of both parents has left her reeling, and close friends don’t think she’s in any position to make major life decisions. She and her new-found love are convinced they can live happily ever after in the home of their dreams.

His family thinks he’s moving way too fast and might disappoint the kind-hearted woman he’s fallen head over heels for. And then there’s Leah. Leah is supposed to be part of his past, but what if she decides she’s his future?

Tara’s match made in Heaven may be over before it truly begins.

~*~
My Review of The Certain Hope:

When I signed up to read and review this book, I thought that it held a lot of promise. 

The cover art was nice and the blurb for the book was intriguing. However, after the first chapter, I slowly but surely lost interest in the story for several reasons.

The pace was too rushed. The hero and heroine were taking "love at first sight" to a whole new level with references to marriage and moving in together within the first few chapters. 

Then within almost every few pages, the characters were considering marrying each other and dropping hints. I know that in real-life, love at first sight happens but in this fiction story everything seemed too rushed for a relationship that was not fully developed. 

On a positive note, the characters were interesting and likable. But the plot needed to be more fully developed and the pacing needed to be adjusted. 

I cannot give this book more than three stars. But don't be deterred by my review. Just because I didn't really enjoy this story does not mean that you will not. Every reader has their own taste in books.

*I (Alexis A. Goring) received an ARC of “The Certain Hope" from Celebrate Lit. My opinions in this honest review are my own.

~*~

Author Bio:

E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. 

For three and a half years she published the Confidence in Life newsletter for Alpha Production Ministries, in addition to writing tracts and devotionals.

Teaching a women’s Bible study at her church for eleven years naturally led to her current endeavor of writing inspirational romance novels and teen and young adult fiction. 

Her mission: spiritual maturity in the body of Christ through fiction.

~*~

Connect with E.C. Jackson:

Website - https://ecjacksonauthor.wordpress.com
Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/ecjacksonauthor
Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/E.-C.-Jackson/e/B00Y1Z0YY2
Goodreads Author Page - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14009486.E_C_Jackson
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ec_jackson

~*~
Purchase The Certain Hope on Amazon

~*~

Tour Video for The Certain Hope:
https://twitter.com/bestebooks_ca/status/1090666123928977408/video/1 

Devotionals for the Heart: On Mercy

The Mercy Seat
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” ~Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

Everyone knows what it means to have a bad day. The kind you wish you could wake up again and start over. I was having a couple of days that seemed to be turning into a bad week.

It started on Sunday with a 24 hour fast accompanied by a cleanse for a colonoscopy on Monday to rule out cancer, then a return to work on Tuesday to find my substitute didn’t follow my lesson plans. Later, my pharmacy was not able to fill my pain prescription because of lack of authorization. On Wednesday, I showed a brief film to inspire students and several feel asleep. Then a student decided to fiddle with, then jam the entrance/exit doors. Shortly after, I discovered that a pouch of important video cards I needed had mysteriously vanished. I’d had enough. I hung my head and cried.

To my relief, my GI doctor offered to give me medicine samples to tide me over. After retrieving said samples, I drove passed the sign for Dunkin Donuts that shined like a beacon. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why would I torture myself with a fat, glazy, carb-filled donut? Sometimes you just need to throw in the mercy towel and go for it. I dug into my purse, pulled out my wallet, and ordered the best-looking mint brownie donut on the menu. What followed was a glorious taste of satisfaction. If it helps you to judge me less, I did pray over my donut before I ate it.

Moments after my dessert escapade I was sitting at a traffic light imaging what Thursday would conjure. Starting with a viewing of security footage to find the culprit who snatch my valuable video cards, then the write ups of an incident report and a disciplinary referral and having to call home to give a parent bad news. It was a giant snowball of catastrophe that I couldn’t stop from plowing into me.

“This is crazy, Lord,” I said, picturing Jesus in my passenger seat. “I don’t need to put up with this continuous fight anymore. You are above all things, so I yield to you, Lord. I need your help!”

In the next instance, I looked into my pursue nestled in the passenger seat to retrieve some chewing gum to cleanse my donut laden pallet. That’s when I saw it and my mouth dropped open in wonder. There, directly in between some items near the top, and sticking straight up like a flag of surrender, was my video card pouch.

I have not earthly explanation for how it got there, and you’ll remember I had just dug through my purse for my wallet to purchase my donut. Even at work, my pursue is locked away in a cabinet. I believe how the pouch got into my pursue is an act of God’s mercy. My overworked guardian angel was more than happy to place such a token of God’s love and grace for me to find. 

It’s not the first time something like that has happened to me and I am sure it won’t be the last. God is faithful to us, even in the small things, and when we approach Him knowing He can help, we have only to throw up our hands in surrender, ask for His mercy, and wait for His answer. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, my results came back cancer free!

Are you in need of God’s mercy today? You can approach His throne with confidence and ask for it. Then, sit back and watch for His grace-filled answer.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia. She teaches television production at C.D. Hylton Senior High School. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is a member of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), ACFW Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

Mirachelle is passionate about awakening creativity and the gifts of God in everyone. She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII, inspired by her time studying theatre education in London, England.

In her spare time, she also writes and directs Christmas and Easter passion plays at Christ Chapel Assembly of God in Woodbridge, VA.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mirachelle77/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: On seeing yourself the way that God sees you

God doesn’t make junk—on loving ourselves
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

–Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

As many of us do, I come from a family that has struggled with body image. Several of my family members have battled eating disorders and low self-perception much of their lives. My heart hurts for them.

Because of this, I’ve tried so hard with my own kids to use loving language when it comes to our bodies. In our home, we celebrate differences, from physical shape and ability to skin and hair color.

And yet, in spite of my best efforts, they still struggle with loving their bodies. One of my children thinks they have “big thighs” compared to their peers. The other thinks they’re too short and skinny. Yet to me, they’re perfect!

I look around at the standard of so-called beauty in magazines and on television, at the way we tend to elevate certain people in social settings based on their looks, and I shouldn’t be surprised they’ve picked up this message, but I am—surprised, devastated, frustrated, and very, very concerned.

If my kids, who have a mom so focused on positive esteem, are suckered in by the lie that there is only one type of beautiful, how are the kids faring whose parents don’t talk about it at all?

The other day, my child brought home a placard from children’s ministry at our church that parents were instructed to hang in their car. On it was a portion of Psalm 139, about the magnificent the way God has made them.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 

–Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

Driving to school the next day, my eyes caught sight of the psalm on my rearview mirror. I pointed to it and asked them to read it aloud.

“So, who made you?” I asked.

“God.”

“And how God made you is…?”

“Amazing and wonderful.”

Exactly.

God doesn’t make junk. God loves us! And God designed us the way we are because He thinks we are beautiful. He designed us to look and feel and think and be this way on purpose.

When we despise our bodies, or when we allow others to make us feel anything less than wonderful, we’re not just picking on ourselves. We’re picking at the glorious creation of our heavenly Father, who knit us together in the womb, who wove us and planned us and loves us so much He sent His only Son to die for us (John 3:16).

In fact, maybe we need to start thinking of negative thoughts about ourselves as more than just “poor body image” but rather an attack by the enemy on God and the goodness He created.

The next time a negative thought races through your mind, I hope you’ll join me and counter it with the armor the Lord Himself gives us: the Word. At least in my home, that’s what we’ll be doing.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 ACFW Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. 

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, and a member of the Wholly Loved Ministries team.

Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com/shiningthelight.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Truth about New Beginnings

New Beginnings
A devotional by Patrick E. Craig

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." ~Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)

January is the time of new beginnings. Most of us look at the New Year as though it is a clean slate, la table rasa, upon which will be written all the glorious things that might happen or could happen as the year unfolds.

We are determined that everything will be different and we declare strong-minded resolutions: we will not make the same mistakes again; we are leaving our failures and unfinished business behind; we are starting completely over.

Here's the truth about that: in this world we have no guarantees that this brand new beginning will work out any better than the last one. Every New Year begins in the ashes of the old and many are the dreams and hopes that lie scattered behind us in those ashes. And despite our best laid plans the broken fragments of our dreams stick to us like glue.

Can you see the dilemma we face? The new beginnings we hope for do not start with nothing, for in truth everything from the past is carried forward. Even a book does not start with a blank page, for when the writer begins, they have been crowded to the work by a story that has been germinating in their heart. That story may spring to life on the page, but it was born long before in an idea, a thought, or an experience. So it is with "new beginnings."

But there is hope.

That's because the "Author" of the book that is our life wrote it long before we were even born. Because He lives outside of time, he knows the end from the beginning. He was there when we were born and He will be there when we die. And seeing the dilemma that wrong choices and sin make in our lives He offers us a way out of the endless cycle of disappointment our lives can become.

In eternity, where He lives, there is a real new beginning that we can count on. And in His love and mercy towards us, he offers it to us. That new beginning is the change that takes place in us when we say, "Yes" to His Son.

The Apostle Paul says we become a "New Man." In the Greek language the words are kainos anthropos. Kainos means "new" but not only in the sense of having just been created, but also meaning "new" as in never before heard of, a completely different kind of human being. That is the new beginning that God offers us, a chance to be what humans were always meant to be: perfect, unspoiled, eternal beings crowned with glory and honor and living forever with him in a beautiful garden.

So let's make a resolution for this coming year. Let's look "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith," and resolve that our lives will not be submerged in a world that can only bring disappointment, but we will live for the one who has guaranteed us a seat by His side in heavenly places forever.

And if we do not know Him as Savior, let's make sure we resolve to change that. Then we will find the new beginning we have always hoped for.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

~*~
Author bio:

Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. 

In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles. The first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, a romantic suspense novel, was published by Patrick's company, P&J Publishing, in August of 2015 and remained on the Amazon Top 100 best sellers list in three categories for seven months. 

The second book in the series, The Amish Princess, a historical romance novel, was released in December of 2016 and was on Amazon's Hot New Releases for over a month. Harlequin recently purchased the print rights for both books for their Walmart Amish series. Patrick also just released Cracking The Indie Egg—A Recipe For Publishing Your Own Book and it is available in most major digital bookstores. 

Patrick and his wife Judy, make their home in Idaho. They have two married children and five grandchildren. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency. 

~*~
Connect with Patrick:
Website - www.patrickecraig.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig
Amazon Author page - http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg

Interview: Kimberly Rose Johnson, author of "A Love Song for Kayla"

Welcome Kimberly Rose Johnson to the blog today! She's here to talk about her new novel, A Love Song for Kayla. 

Look at the cover of her book. Isn't it pretty?

Here's the blurb for Kimberly's book:

When two strangers cross paths their lives are forever altered.

Ever since she was sixteen Kayla Russell has dreamed of her perfect man. She even went so far as to make a list of desired qualities. The list has proven to be a bust since no man is that perfect, at least until she meets Derek. But will his secrets come between them and destroy what could have been something wonderful?

When music superstar Derek Parker comes to small town Oregon to escape the paparazzi he goes incognito as a deliveryman. He wants to leave his old life behind, but it proves to be harder than he realized when his past finds him. Now the woman he has come to care for feels deceived and no longer wants anything to do with him.

Formerly published under the title A Valentine for Kayla.

~*~

Now, on to the interview! Enjoy! 
. . . 

Alexis: What inspired the title for your story, A Love Song for Kayla?

Kimberly: Music plays a strong role in the story, and let’s just say that Derek is a composer as well as a singer.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Kayla Russell. What is her dream? What in her life prevents that dream from coming true?

Kimberly: Professionally, Kayla is doing well, but on a personal level she has yet to find the man of her dreams, which has caused her to grow discontent with her life.

Alexis: What inspired Kayla to make a list of desired qualities that she believes compose her dream man? 

Kimberly: When she was a teenager a series of bad experiences with guys made her decide she needed a list of qualities a man would have to have for her to consider going out with him.

Alexis: What age is Kayla when the story starts? What are her thoughts about that list now that she’s older and has not yet met her “dream” man? 

Kimberly: I don’t think I ever state exactly how old Kayla is. In my mind though she is in her middle twenties. She feels hopeless about finding Mr. Right and has already crossed a couple of her original qualities off the list. 

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero Derek Parker. What makes him “perfect” to Kayla? Share the hope in his heart and his character flaws.

Kimberly: Derek, loves the Lord, is good looking, and he can sing. Derek is attempting to leave his past behind because he doesn’t like the person he has become. He wants to simplify his life and believes he will be able to do so a thousand miles away from his old life.

Alexis: Can you give us a clue about the secrets that Derek is keeping? If revealed, in what ways will his secrets affect his relationship with Kayla?

Kimberly: My lips are sealed. It will have a drastic affect on his relationship with Kayla. 

Alexis: Let’s not forget the fact that Derek is a music superstar! Awesome! What were the challenges and joys in researching and writing his character? 

Kimberly: I tossed around making him a jazz signer for a while, but then decided to go more mainstream. However, I didn’t go heavily into that part of his character. It’s more about who he is now.

Alexis: Why does Derek go undercover as a deliveryman? What is it about his “old life” that he is trying to escape? 

Kimberly: Derek wants to be treated like a normal guy, and he wants to be liked for himself, not his celebrity. He’s tired of pretending to be something he’s not and wants a more simple life.

Alexis: Why did you set this story in Oregon and not elsewhere? 

Kimberly: I set all my books in the Pacific Northwest. I live in Oregon and thought it was about time I set one here. This book was originally my fifth book ever published, and up to that point all my books had taken place in Washington State. 

Alexis: What was the most fun scene in this book for you to write? Why? 

Kimberly: I love the opening. I can actually remember writing it as it reflected how I felt on that day—Valentine’s Day. I also really enjoyed the final scene. There was a lot of tension in the one. I don’t want to give it away, so that’s all I will say.

Alexis: How did your personal taste in music affect your storytelling? 

Kimberly: I don’t think it did actually. I don’t listen to the kind of music Derek performed. I prefer contemporary Christian music and seldom listen to secular music.

Alexis: What food or beverage could you not live without as you wrote this story? 

Kimberly: Oh my, I don’t remember. But right now dark chocolate is my biggest vice.

Alexis: What’s the moral of this story? 

Kimberly: I think the story will speak to each person differently, depending on his or her life story. For me, it was letting go and trusting the Lord. 

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Kimberly! Would you like to share any closing thoughts? 

Kimberly: This book was originally published as A Valentine for Kayla. It’s one of my favorite stories I’ve written because I can relate with Kayla. Thanks for hosting me, Alexis! This was fun.

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Author bio: 

Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing.

She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/index.html

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Buy Kimberly's book on Amazon.

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