Devotionals for the Heart: We should remember the miracle of Christmas

The Miracle of Christmas
A devotional by Leslie Bake

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”—Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

When my mother was employed as a secretary in the chaplaincy department at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, she told me that she made it a priority to visit the neonatal ward a few floors above her office during the Christmas season.

She said she needed to visit the newborns to remind herself of how Jesus Christ came into our world as an innocent newborn baby who was crying and helpless. Why is this baby Jesus so important at Christmas?

First, Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in a virgin named Mary. God was beginning a whole new work in His creation. The infinite, unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so that He could live and die for the salvation of all who choose to believe in Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all human beings by Adam. Therefore, the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, not to violate her, but to gift her with pregnancy despite the fact that she had never been with a man. Secondly, because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being. He was both fully human and fully divine.

Of course it's not logical by our human reasoning. Nothing about the birth of Jesus makes sense. That’s why it’s a miracle. Neither Mary nor Joseph who was engaged to marry her, realized that God had chosen them to be a part in His sovereign plan. Mary had no idea that God picked her to be an unwed mother. Joseph had no idea that he had been tagged as Jesus’s earthly father and that he was to move forward with his plans to marry his beloved when she was pregnant with a child who was obviously not his. That’s why angels visited them to explain those baffling events.

But what they did know and were sure of before they came together in marriage, was the history of God’s faithfulness. Their parents taught them this truth. Joseph and Mary were Jews and among God’s chosen people. They grew up listening to their religious leaders reading the prophesies from Isaiah 9:6 in the Old Testament and several others stating that God would send a Messiah through the lineage of David. This was why Mary and Joseph chose their faith in God over their feelings that could convince them otherwise. They decided to obey Him and trust God’s special plan.

God knew we needed a Savior to save us from our sin. True to His humble character, God sent His Son, Jesus, as baby born not to a wealthy and powerful king and queen in a beautiful palace with servants to wait on him, but to peasants in a village in the middle of nowhere called Bethlehem in a shelter that housed animals. Jesus came with no fanfare or celebration, but quietly one Holy night.

God sent Jesus to make our Christmas season joyful! Jesus came to Earth to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate the sinful nature present in us. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus came to deliver people not only from their oppression but also from themselves. Jesus was God in the flesh, so that’s how God was (and still is) among us. When we can fully grasp the gravity of our entitlement, our rage, our selfishness, pride, and indifference, we are able to more deeply appreciate the gift of Jesus. Let us remember that He came to give us peace, joy and love.

Call to Action:

When the Amazon delivery of your Christmas order is late, when the malls are teaming with holiday shoppers, when the check-out lines are endless, remember how deeply entrenched our culture is in materialism, and why we need Jesus.

When the Starbucks drive-through line is 20 cars deep and you are running low on caffeine and patience, close your eyes, breathe deeply and remember that instead of feeding your addictions, you can turn to Jesus for rest and peace.

When you are struggling to find that expensive gift to impress the relative who already has everything, instead of falling in the trap of competition and comparison, remember that Jesus has already given you and them everything needed to worship and adore Him.

When families and loved ones gather to rip open your beautifully wrapped gifts that makes a mess in your lovely home, remember how messy your sin is and the forgiveness that Jesus offers you.

Even as adults, we remain messy and stinky in our sin. Our crying has not ceased, either out of grief for a broken world or from selfishness when we don’t get our way. Most importantly, we are still helpless and need a Savior to take our sins upon himself. This is why we have Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for sending your only son, Jesus, to us when we were in a mess of sin and didn’t realize it. We didn’t know we were miserable until the healing hand of Jesus was on us, forgiving us and setting us free from sin’s bondage. Help us to remember what this Christmas season is about and not allow materialism and consumerism to distract us from the real gift of your presence among us now and forever. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “The Heart of Christmas” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For Unto Us” by Point of Grace. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “His Plan” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Leslie Bake grew up Lutheran in Des Moines, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with an undergraduate degree in English, and with a new understanding of what a relationship with the Lord could look like. 

She spent a few years reporting and editing in small town journalism and then began pursuing a master’s degree at Iowa State University in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Then she got married and later went through a divorce, which deepened her relationship with God and transformed her life.

Leslie taught English as a second language for three years at Kansas State University, then returned to writing and earned a master’s degree in creative non-fiction in Pittsburgh. Her memoir will eventually be published. It details the process of how the Lord created beauty from the ashes of divorce.

Pittsburgh is also where she met and married her second husband. They are now the parents of two wonderful children—one in fifth grade and one in first grade.

Leslie and her husband make their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Leslie has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 11 years and actively growing her writing career alongside her two growing children.

She now maintains a monthly blog of her own and is working toward expanding her writing ministry on Substack. Her heart’s deepest desire is to help others connect with God through writing.

~*~
Connect with Leslie:
Website: lesliejoybake.com
Substack: lesliebake.substack.com
E-mail address: Leslie.bake@yahoo.com

Ordinary Angels (movie) review and a special giveaway just for you

My Review of Ordinary Angels (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, Great American 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!

Great American 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, Great American Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service.

Great American Pure Flix VIP Ambassador program asked me via Momentum Influencers Network to review a new movie Ordinary Angels.

Here’s the synopsis of Ordinary Angels with words from Momentum: Based on a remarkable true story, Ordinary Angels centers on Sharon (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.

~*~

Now for my review:

Hilary Swank played Sharon perfectly. She came across was a party girl who drowned her sorrows in booze and forgot about tomorrow. At the beginning of this story, she was all for living in the moment and being the life of every party. It takes her best friend to convince her to attend a meeting for alcoholics and that is the catalyst that changes her life because in the meeting the group facilitator challenges everyone to live for a bigger purpose. Soon after, Sharon reads a story in the newspaper at a local store that inspires her to help. The story is about a little girl who needs a liver transplant. She makes it her mission to help this little girl live. It becomes the purpose of her life and it starts when she meets the girl’s dad (Ed) at the family funeral.

Alan Ritchson played Ed. When he meets Sharon, he looks very guarded because it is as clear to him as it is to the viewers of this movie that Sharon is on the Hot Mess Express. He lovingly and very protectively steers his daughters away from her with a polite goodbye. But Sharon is determined to make a difference in his family life and it helps that the youngest of Ed’s two daughters liked Sharon from the moment they met at her mother’s funeral.

Watching the story unfold is like being on a rollercoaster that takes you through highs, lows, twists and turns but always gives you a safe landing. Ordinary Angels is based on a true story which makes the movie even more inspiring! The acting was superb. I especially loved how every time Ed needed to take his daughter to the hospital for urgent care, he made light of the situation so as to not upset her, by saying “Want to go on an adventure?” Each and every time her eyes lit up and her little angelic face shined when she enthusiastically replied, “Yeah!”

This movie had heartwarming and endearing moments but it also didn’t shy away from the hard stuff such as the pain Sharon faced privately over the years trying to reconcile with her estranged son. But despite all the trials and tribulations the characters in this movie face, the producers did a great job of bringing everything together in the end in a way that was so touching.

I think you’ll love this movie. But don’t take my word for it. Go see it for yourself!

~*~

More words from Momentum:

Buy tickets today to see Ordinary Angels in theaters starting February 23, 2024!

Don’t miss this powerful film, based on a true story! You’ll leave feeling inspired to be an angel to people in your own community! Help us make the impossible possible. Every $1 you donate eliminates $100 in medical debt. Together with RIP Medical Debt, we aim to erase $10,000,000 in medical debt relief. The gift of debt relief is life-changing—and every dollar makes a difference. #OrdinaryAngelsMovie #KingdomStoryCompany ordinaryangels.movie/rip

Watch the trailer for Ordinary Angels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXTEFyoaGDU

Official website for Ordinary Angels (movie):
https://ordinaryangels.movie

Buy tickets to see Ordinary Angels in theaters:
https://tickets.ordinaryangels.movie

~*~

Final Notes:

Enter the giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. This is limited to U.S. winners only.

Here is the Giveaway Contest link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c490/?

Disclosure: Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#OrdinaryAngelsMIN #OrdinaryAngelsMovie @KingdomStoryCompany @Lionsgate

Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ became human like you and me

The Staggering Miracle of ‘Word Became Flesh’
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (NIV)

Has a phrase ever settled upon your heart because it expressed the most beautiful, poignant, tender, and inexplicable concept in just a few poetic words?

For me, that phrase is “Word became flesh.”

We find it in the Gospel of John 1:14. In the start of this chapter, John (the writer) is summarizing the entirety of the Trinity and all God did for this world and for His people. Sometimes it just makes me want to cry when I really, truly think about it.

Take a look if you will at the start of this beautiful book in the Bible. As John explains, in the beginning was the Word. The Word was God, everything! And one day, God decided His people needed something far more personal in order to understand His message. So a part of Him—His Son, Jesus Christ, part of the Word, the Trinity, part of everything that is creation and eternity—was somehow miraculously born to human flesh (John 1:1-14).

Flesh. Think about that word! Skin! Blood, muscles, saliva, hormones, and angst and joy and struggle. All the things about us as we are, walking around in these bodies, that’s what God did.

Somehow His Holy Spirit impregnated a blessed young woman named Mary. The child Jesus, part God and part human, was born into humble circumstances. He spent part of his childhood as an immigrant in Egypt because the king in Israel wanted to kill all young boys his age because they were perceived as a threat to the throne. His family tried to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and they raised him well, steeped in all the traditions of holy, righteous Jewish culture.

And when Jesus was a man, upon his baptism, we’re told the Holy Spirit settled upon him “as a dove” (John 1:32).

We don’t know exactly what this means. It likely doesn’t mean a literal, actual dove flew down from Heaven and sat upon Jesus’s shoulders. The phrase used is “as a” dove, meaning “much like” or “similar to.” In Matthew 3:16 (NIV), the phrase is, “He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” A dove had great biblical significance, both a symbol and a tool signifying peace, comfort, and the fulfillment of promises. The word choice here clearly meant something special.

Then, filled with the Spirit, Jesus spent the rest of his life teaching the Gospel, caring for others, healing and driving out demons, raising some from the dead, and ultimately went it was revealed he claimed to be the son of God, the religious leaders decided that was too much—blasphemy—and they orchestrated his execution. Of course the end of the story is the best part, for as songs proclaim, death could not hold him and the grave could not keep him, and he resurrected from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father. And he will come again one day to judge the living and the dead and bring about God’s glory, forever and ever.

Just thinking about that concept, “Word became flesh,” is incredibly personal to me. Right now I’m looking down at my own body as I write this. I’m just a person, one soul in a sea of infinite others. I’ve felt God’s hand upon my heart my whole life. I was raised to know and to love God, and while I am tremendously imperfect in so many ways, as we all are, I strive to model my Lord in my life. I read His Word (The Holy Bible) and pray. I do what I can to keep the Holy Spirit burning fiercely in my core. I try to represent the love of God in the world. That’s what we all do, we who believe and follow Jesus.

But looking down at my body now—the bones in my hand, the skin on my calf, the freckle on my arm, the steady thrum of heartbeat I feel and see pulsing at my wrist—it’s staggering to think that God, our Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, walked around the Earth, just like me. Became flesh, flesh like me.

And He died, but death was not the end.

Sometimes all the stories of God and all we read in the Bible and sing about on the radio and in church, and pray about and walk through life knowing … sometimes it can seem impersonal, like these are all mere facts. We proclaim them, and they are wonderful and magnificent facts, and they apply to us all.

But then we wake up in the morning, maybe a little sore or tired from all we’re doing in life, and the intimate and personal nature of what God did seems far away. Sometimes God himself seems far away. And while we’re told He’s never far away, that God is bigger than our feelings, still as a human being it’s difficult, because we often confuse our feelings with the truth.

But here’s the truth: God became flesh, just like you and me. He did this because He loves us and because He wanted to make a path to Heaven for those who chose Him. He knew we couldn’t do it on our own and we needed help, and so He did what He needed to do.

It’s personal, my friends. We have a personal, living Jesus, and a personal, living Holy Spirit alive in us right this moment. We are all connected, powerfully and mightily. This is God at work in the world.

Think on this a minute. Let this sink in. Marvel at this.

Consider the words of Psalm 46:10 where God says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Be still with me now in the knowledge and the gift of what God did, and what He’s still doing now. Praise Him, praise Him, for He is so good. And we are so blessed.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank You for all You do and for how fiercely You love us. Thank You for the precious gift of Your Son. The fact that Jesus understands intimately what it means to have flesh and blood and all the things of humanity makes His sacrifice and His Way so much more personal. I love you, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Forever” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers 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. Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

She has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Jessica has released an Advent devotional for those seeking true closeness with God. Find it at https://www.jessicabrodie.com/advent.

Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ is moved by our tears

Moved By Tears
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. 

It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.”

–John 11:38 (ESV)

The story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus, as told in the book of John, chapter 11, has held me captivated. There are several stories being told within this account, each worth its own attention, yet what is highlighted for me are the movements of Jesus.

We read, early in John 11:5 that Jesus loved siblings Martha, Mary and Lazarus. This family had a strong relationship with God’s son. It is no surprise, that when Lazarus becomes deathly ill, the sisters sent word to Jesus, certain he would heal their brother.

Being wholly God, Jesus knows the outcome of this situation, saying such to his disciples, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4 ESV) His foreknowledge in God’s plan was his confidence and there was no urgency in moving quickly.

Mary and Martha had an expectation of the Lord that did not align with God’s omnipotence. Their belief was revealed in their words found later in the chapter.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” These words were spoken by Martha in John 11:21 and Mary in John 11:32.

Isn’t that how we often feel when our life circumstances are out of our control and our vision of what God can do is small? We cannot see the future, but we can believe that we have one. Mary and Martha saw death as the end of the story, but Jesus knew more. The same is true for us today.

Jesus did show up, and in plenty of time.

His arrival came during the weeping. The text does not state that Martha wept. It does say she went to him (John 11:20) while Mary remained at home. Was Martha angry? Charging ahead with accusations? Or was it Mary who was sick of heart, not wanting to look at the one who had disappointed her?

Jesus reaches out to both. Whether we run to him in distress or postpone addressing him, our Savior comes.

“The Teacher is here and is calling you.” (John 11:28)

Mary was surrounded by consolers, according to the text (John 11:31). This Mary, who had sat intently listening at the Teacher’s feet (Luke 10:39), now heard a chorus of pity. Is it no wonder she wept when the voices closest echoed, “Could not he...”

Jesus was deeply moved. The Greek word for this feeling is “embrimaomai.” Right then his spirit became indignant (John 11:33). Jesus was accustomed to hearing doubt and accusations. Had not he just engaged Martha on the same concern? Yet here, this encounter moved him to immediate action. Death had not changed his pace, so what did?

Threat to one of the Shepherd’s sheep motivates action. It moved him to tears. “Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.” (John 11:38)

When his people cry, Jesus takes action! He protects God’s precious children from Satan’s lies. This death and resurrection precedes his own by only a handful of days. Days! I can’t help but think it quickened his pulse to know his fate looked like this, only he’d be the one stinking up the grave. If he was on the inside of the tomb, who would be on the outside moving for him?

The will of the Father.

John recounts, in chapter 6, the earlier words of Jesus, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.” (John 6:37-39 ESV)

A prayer, a cry and the man who died came out.

Friends, God hears our cries. He will always be right on time. God moves when we are threatened. And His will is that we, with Christ, are resurrected.

~*~

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 recovery programs served women primarily from 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.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now 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, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: Servants

A Servant Spirit
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” — Luke 1:38 (ESV)

As a woman and as a mother, I am in awe of young Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

Mary was favored by God. This translated to a life of responsibility and hardship rather than ease from suffering. Yet the Bible shows her as accepting of hardship! I say I want God’s favor, but I tend to seek life’s pleasantries. How did this teenager respond in surrender to the news of forthcoming life hijacking?

The Gospel of Luke gives detail to Mary’s story. She’s legally pledged to a man named Joseph, perhaps carrying out her daily duties to her family whilst excitedly gathering goods for her dowry. I imagine she’s daydreaming about her future when there is a knock at her door ... an interruption. God sends His angel Gabriel to Mary. Surprise quickly shifts to confusion as he addresses her.

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28 ESV)

Mary is greatly troubled with what the angel is saying. The word used for “greetings” in Greek is chairo, which means, “rejoice.” Gabriel isn’t just showing up with a “Hi!” He brings excitement to the scene! It’s as if Gabriel is arriving for a surprise party.

The Greek word for “favored one” is kecharitōmenē, meaning, “to make graceful.” Effectively, Gabriel told Mary, “Rejoice, God is making you great!” That would be shocking and confusing to hear, yet exciting too! However, God’s plan for Mary doesn’t look like the world’s definition of greatness nor standard married life.

Gabriel goes on to reassure this young girl of God’s love and presence with her as he lays out God’s plan for a miraculous pregnancy. She listens to the details of what it means to be blessed. Privilege means responsibility.

My worldly-trained mind has deceived me into believing that if I am a good person, God’s favor will make my life easier. That’s not what God’s messenger told Mary. Mary was chosen to sacrifice her body, marriage and personal plans for the King of the Most High. I struggle with giving up my wants.

Yet Mary’s question is “How will this happen?” The “how” is in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Luke 1:35 (ESV): And the Angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

The Holy Spirit will come over you ... overshadow you. Mary was to be enveloped by the Holy Spirit ... God’s Spirit overshadowing Mary’s.

“Overshadow” is the key to my locked heart. By that one word, I’m moved to ask myself this question: Who’s Spirit is most important, my spirit or God’s Holy Spirit?

It occurs to me that I have been looking at events of both Mary’s life and my own as difficult without giving much attention to God’s overshadowing of the situation. I have overrated each challenge and underplayed God’s role in them, staring so long at the hurt that I miss the Love.

My spirit has been overshadowing.

Mary responds, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 ESV). She knows her place. This teenage girl knows that she is a servant. She wants a Lord. She chooses to be overshadowed! That’s how and why she surrendered!

Who better to raise Jesus than a mother accepting her role as a servant? Jesus was raised a servant by a servant! Mary parented by example. Mary chose God’s will over her own saying “Yes, Father.”

Mary’s willingness to serve her Lord and be obedient to His will still applies to us today. I think of the time when one child needed medicine and another financial help, a friend asked for prayer or a neighbor sought work. And to all of those needs, I thought nothing of responding, “Let me help.” Caring for these needs became the priority, my desires overshadowed by serving others.

Maybe God is making me great too, with each opportunity to serve!

This Christmas season, light is shed on a fully surrendered Mother (Mary) and Child (Jesus Christ as a baby). Awe is appropriate! This story of Jesus encourages our hearts. It’s as if Gabriel has come to each of us saying, “Rejoice! God is making you great!”

We, too, can choose to accept our role as servant and trust the Holy Spirit’s power to overshadow ours. Please join me in the surrender to God by praying that His will be done according to His Word. Let’s ask God that we may have the spirit of a servant too!

~*~
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 recovery programs served women primarily from 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.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now 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, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: A Mountaintop Experience

On the Mountaintop
A devotional by Dana McNeely

One of the greatest mountaintop experiences of all time occurred when Elijah told King Ahab to summon people from across Israel and meet on Mount Carmel. Outside the land of Samaria, the mountain was well placed for people to gather from all parts. Many had never traveled this far, but after three and a half years of drought and famine, suffering was intense. Everyone was ready to comply, no matter what they thought of Elijah.

The King

King Ahab blamed the prophet for the country’s suffering and had searched everywhere to find him. He felt no responsibility for the drought, though he’d married a foreign princess, embraced her gods, and led the people into a sort of dual worship of Yahweh and Baal. The king must have felt some grudging respect for Elijah who, despite all the machinations of king and country, made good on his promise of “No rain until I say so.”

The False Prophets

On one side there was Baal, god of sun and rain, with over four hundred prophets. On the other, Yahweh with his lone prophet. The false prophets must have watched him with hatred, waiting for their chance to make sure their nemesis never descended the mountain. But as Elijah had said before, he stood in the presence of the one true God. He appeared confident. Fearless.

The People

A hush may have fallen on the crowd as they heard the tread of the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Next, the king’s honor guard, surrounded by other important officers of state, bearing Ahab in his royal litter. And behind them, one last commoner, a humble shepherd … but wait … could that be the prophet?

It would have been reasonable to hope that Elijah might pray for rain and end the terrible drought. If he didn’t, the king would undoubtedly kill him. Either way, there'd be a story to tell their children and grandchildren.

The Question

What happened next revealed that Elijah didn’t mind providing a little entertainment, but it wasn’t going to be as easy as a quick prayer and a raincloud. At the start of things, he’d made clear that the drought was the Lord’s judgment because of the nation’s idolatry. For the judgment to be removed, Israel must publically turn back to God.

According to 1 Kings 18:21 (NIV), Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

The word used here for ‘waver’ (‘halt’ in another translation) means ‘totter.' Sometimes the people tottered over to worship the Lord, and other times they lurched over to the temples of Baal and Asherah, like drunks unsteady on their feet. They couldn’t make up their minds. Afraid of Yahweh, Israel didn't entirely abandon him. Fearing the king and queen, they worshiped the Baals also. They weren’t willing to take a stand for either side.

The Contest

Then Elijah proposed a contest which the people thought a good idea. The winner would be the true God. The prophets of Baal would prepare a bull for sacrifice, but not light the fire. Elijah gave them the first opportunity to call on their god. They prayed from morning to noon, dancing around the altar. No one answered.

At noon, Elijah began to taunt them. Baal might be deep in thought, busy, or traveling. Maybe he was asleep and needed to be wakened. The false prophets grew more frenzied and slashed themselves until their blood flowed on the altar. They continued until it was nearly time for the evening sacrifice.

Then Elijah took his turn.

He built an altar of twelve unhewn stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, symbolizing the nation’s unity, even though it was now divided. He dug a trench around the altar and called on observers to drench the sacrifice until water overflowed and filled the trough.

At precisely the time of the evening sacrifice, he prayed a simple prayer.

According to 1 King 18:36-39 (NIV) he prayed, "Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again."

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!

No dancing or shouting. A request and an answer. From the one true God.

Thoughts to Ponder:

· Elijah’s prayer took a lot of faith. He risked his reputation and his life. Can you think of situations God used to build Elijah's trust? (Hint: In the presence of royalty, by a wilderness brook, in a humble home.)

· Did you notice that the Lord sent fire after Elijah’s request, but RAIN didn’t fall until after the people chose the Lord? What does this for us today?

· The Lord is a jealous God. Throughout scripture he has demanded full commitment—you must be for or against him. In Exodus 32:26, Moses asked, "Who is on the Lord's side?" In Matthew 12:30, Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me." Have you made your choice?

*Other posts about the prophet Elijah: Love in the Time of Drought, In the Waiting Room, A Widow, a Prophet, and Provision from God, An Intersection of Time and Eternity, and Ways to Handle Drought

~*~
Author Bio: 

Inspired by the Bible story of Elijah and the widow’s son, Dana McNeely wondered why the prophet had come to stay with these two. Who were they? What was their life, before? And how did the boy change after dying, seeing the other world … and coming back? 

Dana began research for her novel, “Rain,” which tells the story of the three-and-a-half-year drought from the boy’s perspective.

No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies. She writes biblical fiction, cozy mysteries, and has written for magazines and newspapers. Her short story “Death in the Butterfly Garden” appears in SoWest: Killer Nights (2017).

Connect with Dana on Facebook, Twitter, or DanaMcNeely.com

Cozy Christmas Reads: Sharon's story

Excerpt from Sharon Srock's story "Hannah's Angel":

Terri secured the angel to a branch of the tree with its attached ribbon. She tilted her head. That’s weird too. All of the others have red or green ribbons. Why is this one white? She brushed the question aside, blew hard, and fanned it with her hand in an effort to dislodge it. Hannah’s angel fluttered but clung tight to its branch. Satisfied with its stability and confident that someone would pluck it soon—for all the good it would do them—Terri crossed to the toy store where the others waited. She surveyed the glittering stacks of potential gifts, rubbed her hands together, and grabbed a cart. “Come on. This is my favorite part.”

Hannah’s angel faded from Terri’s thoughts as she pushed the basket through narrow aisles crowded with Christmas shoppers. There were four girls and two boys on her list this year. She studied dolls and stuffed animals, tested remote control cars, and read the warnings and specifications on an assortment of skateboards before adding one to the cart. When she rounded the final counter she saw her friends huddled at the end of the checkout line.

Karla’s silver hair glinted under the florescent lights as she shook her head to a question Terri hadn’t heard. Callie’s face held a serious look of suspicion, while Pam gestured at something in Karla’s hand. Terri hurried over. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

“I’m not sure,” Karla answered. “I was going through my notes to make sure I had everything and…” She shook her head and held out her hand to Terri. “Look what I found tucked inside my notebook.”

Terri lowered her eyes to Karla’s hand and felt her breath catch in her throat. Hannah’s angel stared up at her, ketchup stain and all. “You snuck out and picked that back off the tree.”

Karla shook her head. “That seems to be the general consensus, but”—she sketched an X across her heart—“I haven’t been out of the store.”

“Then how—?”

“Oh good grief, ladies, get a clue,” Pam said. “Someone’s playing a joke on us and we’re falling for it. Where was your notebook?”

Karla motioned to her cart. “I left it in the cart so I wouldn’t have to dig for it every time I wanted to check something off.”

“Well there you go. You know what pranksters our husbands are.” Pam waved at the bustling throng of shoppers out on the walkway. “I’ll bet they’re all four lurking out there somewhere. They saw us put the angel back on the tree and figured they had a chance to get our goats. I, for one, refuse to give them the satisfaction.” She held out her hand. “Give me that thing and watch my purse.” Pam left her basket and marched out of the store.

They watched as the angel was secured to the tree a third time. There were grins all around as Pam tugged on it and brushed against it to insure its firm attachment to the tree. Obviously satisfied, she dusted her hands together and returned to her friends. “Ok, ladies. Let’s finish up in here. We have clothing stores to visit.”

They had a formula they used for each name they drew. A toy, an outfit, and a winter coat with matching hat and gloves. Half a dozen stores later, Terri stood to the side while Callie paid for her final purchase, a purple hooded jacket for a teenage girl on her list. Callie dug in her purse. “Anyone got extra pennies. I really don’t want to break a twenty for three cents.”

Pam reached into her basket and pulled out the sweater she’d abandoned earlier. “I do. I’ve been dropping change in my pockets all afternoon. What the…” She pulled her hand out of her pocket. She had pennies all right. Pennies wrapped up in a winkled paper angel. “I don’t believe this.”

The harried sales clerk frowned as the four friends gathered around Pam.

Karla laughed. “They’re persistent, you have to give them that.”

Pam spread the angel out on the counter and pointed to the red stain on the wing. “Yep, same angel.” Her eyes roamed the crowded store and the corridor beyond. “They’re good. I haven’t seen a hint that they’re following us. Have any of you?”

Headshakes all around.

Callie plucked pennies and the angel out of Pam’s hand, paid for her purchases, and headed out of the store.

“Back to the tree?” Terri asked.

“Nope. Whoever’s doing this has had their fun, but enough is enough.” Callie paused in the middle of the walkway next to a trash can.

Terri frowned at her friend. “Callie, you can’t throw it away. Hannah—”

~*~

Author bio:

Author Sharon Srock went from science fiction to Christian fiction at slightly less than warp speed. 

Twenty five years ago, she cut her writer's teeth on Star Trek fiction. Today, she writes inspirational stories that focus on ordinary women using their faith to accomplish extraordinary things. 

Sharon lives in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma with her husband and three very large dogs. When she isn’t working or writing, she loves to read, cook, and travel. She’s still working on a way to do all three at the same time.

~*~
Book Blurb for Hannah's Angel:

Needed: One Christmas miracle

When Jillian Rishi shared the news of her pregnancy with her boyfriend, Wesley Price, he left the country. Unable to stay away from the woman he loves, he returned five months later to reclaim Jillian and their unborn daughter. Now they’re on the run, hiding from the dishonest lawyer who’s determined to take their baby. And hope is running out…

More than just a girl’s day out.

A leisurely day of Christmas shopping, that was the plan when Callie, Terri, Pam, and Karla went to the mall. They never expected to be embroiled in a mystery, never expected the mystery to turn into an FBI investigation, never expected to deliver a baby in the middle of nowhere in a Christmas Eve blizzard.

Just a simple paper angel.

Hannah’s angel is on a mission from God and paper or not, she refuses to be ignored until her charge gets the Christmas miracle she so desperately needs.

~*~

Review of Sharon's book, Hannah's Angel:

"I love how Sharon Srock's characters come to life. She isn't afraid to tackle the hard trials of life. Her characters are so alive that you end up praying that they find their ever after. I actually love reading about the Women of the Valley and their friendship and faith. If you ever want a book series that you cannot put down until the end, pick up any one of Sharon Srock's novels and novellas." ~Calliegh's 5-star review on Amazon (shortened)

~*~

Connect with Sharon:
Website - www.sharonsrock.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SharonSrock
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock

~*~

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Devotional by Laura Thomas: Slumber and your wake-up call

Eyes Wide Open

A devotional written by Laura Thomas

“Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.” ~Acts 20:9 (NIV)

Can you imagine? First, falling asleep in a very public place. Secondly, literally tumbling backward through an open window. Thirdly, landing dead on the ground? Poor Eutychus. Just a young guy trying to catch some z’s.

The apostle Paul was in the midst of preaching a lengthy sermon (like hours upon hours), and we’re not told if Eutychus had been dragged to the service by his parents, or if he was there to eagerly glean some truth. But the fact is, he stayed awake as long as he could but by midnight enough was enough. And really who could blame him? (Note to self: Never sit in an open window when sleepy!)

Have you ever unintentionally fallen into that blissful state of slumber whilst in public? You try desperately to keep your eyes wide open, but your eyelids are like lead. Why is it so hard to stay awake sometimes? Especially in our Christian walk. Like when we try to pray or attempt to stay focused on the message being preached, or reach a place where our corporate worship is ablaze and genuine. When we are at home and have the best intentions to follow a Bible devotion plan, or journal our thoughts, or get through a challenging book. Why is it so much easier to take a nap?

Spiritual sleeping is a dangerous pastime, and we do it well. In the comfy western world, we Christians are in dire need of some shaking. It’s a scary thing to even write because we rather like our non-confrontational, peaceful, easy-going faith. But while our eyes are closed WE ARE MISSING OUT ON SO MUCH.

Matthew Henry’s commentary suggests we should do “what we can to prevent our being sleepy, not compose ourselves to sleep, but get our hearts affected with the word we hear to such a degree as may drive sleep far enough.”

“…get our hearts affected with the word…”

To be affected with the Word of God, we need to be physically and spiritually awake. Eyes wide open. There has to be a hunger, a drive, a desire to follow where God leads, to obey His command, to seek His face. The Bible isn’t an optional extra for our faith-walk—it isn’t a reference book to consult whenever the need arises. It’s our daily bread. Our sustenance. And when we are truly IN the Word, we won’t be caught napping on a windowsill.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” ~Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Our story with young Eutychus has a happy ending (as long as you are good with being remembered as the guy who fell asleep while Paul was preaching, back-flipped through a third-story window, and died). I’m sure there was a ruckus when the packed household of believers realized what had occurred, but Paul was on the case immediately. By God’s grace, a miracle was performed when Paul “fell on the dead body and embraced it” (verse 10), bringing the boy back to life. Don’t you just love it when God uses even the most unfortunate of events to bring glory to Himself? What a crazy miracle!

Friend, do you need a wake-up call? I know I do. Regularly. The Almighty doesn’t need me to be awake with eyes wide open in order for His perfect plan to evolve. He has the power and authority to do anything He pleases with whomever He chooses. But I want my heart to be affected with the Word and my eyes wide open to what God has in store. How about you?

~*~
Author Bio: 

Laura is a published Christian author with a heart for inspiring and encouraging readers of all ages. 

She is truly multi-genre—with a published Christian teen fiction trilogy, marriage book, children’s stories, devotionals for Union Gospel Press, musings on her blog, and she now has a literary agent representing her Christian romantic suspense novel.

Laura is English and Canadian, married to her high school sweetheart, mom of three, passionate about faith and family…and chocolate!

~*~
Connect with Laura:
Website - www.laurathomasauthor.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Laura-Thomas-183771121724664/?ref=hl
Twitter - https://twitter.com/laura_thomas_
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lauracthomas/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lauracthomas/

SaveSave

25 Days of Christmas Stories: The Durgin Christmas Miracle

Let's wish a "Merry Christmas" to a familiar author who is visiting with us again today! JoAnn Durgin has returned to the blog to share her real-life story about a miracle that God performed for her family many Christmases ago.

Enjoy!

~*~
The Durgin Christmas Miracle
A guest post written by JoAnn Durgin

I’ve told this story a few times in the past few years, but I’m not going to apologize if you’ve read it before. Why? Because, in my humble opinion, it bears repeating. You might say this story is for those skeptics who say, “That couldn’t happen!” I’m sure you’ve heard how truth is sometimes much stranger than fiction? Well, my friends, this is one of those stories.

Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and snuggle up…this is also one those warm blanket moments!

In the late 1990s, we lived on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and my husband, Jim, was an associate pastor for youth/music/worship. It was during the six-year period when I was a stay-at-home mom with three small children under the age of ten. Heavy snow was predicted for Christmas Eve, but that didn’t stop our excitement as we packed up the minivan and headed on our way to Grandma’s house in my native southern Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky (where we now live). Stops included, driving straight through, we anticipated it would take about 12 to 14 hours.

The further we drove, however, the more treacherous the highway became. Huge trucks were skidding and sliding into ditches and guard rails, the roads were winding and narrow, and there were numerous fender benders and stalled cars everywhere. Did that stop the Durgins? No way! We were all singing, happy as could be, and nothing could stop us! At one point, I started to get a little apprehensive because of the blinding snow and icy road conditions. I remember giving Jim one of those looks and mouthing to him so the kids wouldn’t hear, “Do you think we should pull over and stop?” His response was to grip the steering wheel that much harder with fierce determination.

Our rumbling tummies finally forced us stop at a truck stop (still on The Pennsylvania Turnpike; it’s a really long stretch of highway). The warmth inside and the smells of a holiday buffet greeted us as we walked through the door. It was so welcoming! We knew we couldn’t stay long and needed to keep moving if we had a prayer to get to our destination before Christmas. As it was, we’d been delayed by creeping along at speeds of less than 20 miles per hour for several hours.

This is where it gets pretty wonderful. Our waitress came to our table with a radiant smile. Her name? Angel. She was sweet and as friendly as could be in spite of being hectic and busy with a number of customers. When Jim went to pay the bill, the cashier said, “Already taken care of, folks. Merry Christmas.” We’ll never know who paid for our meal, but it was one of those random acts of kindness we’ll never forget.

Now, for the part that makes my eyes mist all these years later. When we walked outside to our van, we discovered a man—who’d been sitting at the counter when we walked in (and greeted the kids with candy canes and a warm smile)—had been hard at work shoveling around our van in order to make sure we’d be able to get out of the parking lot. The man told us his name was Chris (or was it Kris?). In a red plaid flannel shirt with jeans and a heavy overcoat, he had a long white beard, thick white hair, wire frame glasses, and yes, I’m pretty certain there was a merry twinkle in those eyes. In case you think this is a case of an overactive writer’s imagination, I have witnesses (Jim and the three kids), and we all share this same marvelous memory (well, except for Matthew since he was very young at the time but he knows all about it!). To this day, we still marvel over the miracles of that exceptional trip.

The snow was falling and accumulating faster than I’d ever seen it. Spying a small motel a few miles down the highway, I exchanged a glance with Jim. He raised his brows and I shrugged. Then we both looked at each other a few seconds later and he said, “Indiana or bust.”

Nearly 18 hours after we started out, we finally made it to Indiana, and never was it so warm and welcoming! But the story’s not quite over yet… Jim had a mechanical problem with the van the day after Christmas. I can’t remember what it was, but we took the van to my mom’s mechanic (a lookalike for Larry Bird, a fact which thrilled my Celtics fanatic of a husband). Know what the mechanic said? “I don’t know how you made it that far, especially in the bad weather. This van should have broken down somewhere along the way.” I remember stopping somewhere in Ohio and filling a tire with air, but wow. I mean Wow! The Lord’s constant watch care and protection for us is amazing and awesome, isn’t it?

Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."

Isaiah 41:10 - "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

~*~

Author bio:

JoAnn Durgin is the author of six novels (and counting) in the bestselling Lewis Legacy Series, as well as Prelude, the prequel to the series. Her other novels include Catching Serenity, Heart’s Design, Love So Amazing (Book #1 in The Wondrous Love Series), Perchance to Dream, Echoes of Edinburgh, and the popular Starlight Christmas Series. 

JoAnn lives with her husband and three children, as well as new grandbaby, Amelia Grace, in southern Indiana. 

She loves to hear from her readers at www.joanndurgin.com or www.facebook.com/authorjoanndurgin.
~*~

Buy JoAnn's Christmas stories from the Starlight Christmas Series:

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD)

Starlight fire captain Jake Marston meets his match in Nurse Julia Sinclair.

Starlight, Star Bright (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD)
Italian Cowboy Dante might take Amanda’s heart with him when he returns to Italy after a brief stopover in Starlight.

Sleigh Ride Together with You (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD)
When love comes calling at Christmas, what’s network executive Alex to do when he falls in love? Nicole discovers her true home in her heart when she returns to Starlight.

Starlight in Her Eyes (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD)
A cheeky Brit falls in love and wonders if a Christmas trip to Starlight will be his personal Christmas miracle to win Serena’s heart.