Devotionals for the Heart: How Easter points us to the Creator of Life

We Are a Part of the Easter Story
A devotional by Alicia Searl

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (NIV)

This beloved verse gets to the heart of our faith, portraying three key points:

Point #1: God loves His creation.

Point #2: God sacrificed His Son to save us from a fallen world.

Point #3: God gives us a choice in this life.

Easter isn’t only a story about a sinless man that lived a perfect life and died on a wooden cross. He (Jesus Christ) wasn’t just a man that loved others and performed miracles—He was the miracle for us! When we dig into the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John…all books in the Bible), we discover that this story is the most powerful story of all time. It’s a story wrapped in hope and healing, grace and truth, and where sin meets beautiful redemption.

Jesus painstakingly suffered on that cross because it was all a strategic plan from God. It showed and encompassed His very nature. His righteousness. His wrath and judgement. His ultimate, unfailing, and sacrificial love. Sadly, it also depicted our human nature that is bound by cruelty and worldly transgressions. Satan tried to win. But Easter shines a light in the midst of darkness.

Acts 4:11-12 (CSB) tells us, “This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders,
which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” According to John 14:6, Jesus Christ is the only way to God. There is no other way to be saved in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus came in human form to save us from this harsh world and our own sinful flesh to flip the script and rewrite the story—our story. We celebrate Easter and honor our Savior because it isn’t just any story; it is a story where we have the opportunity to be a main character. Jesus is inviting us to play a crucial role and continue to share His righteousness, love, and truth with a lost and broken world.

The Easter season is a time when we have the distinct honor of celebrating the Author and Creator of this life. The One who writes our story and uses it to whisper hope, weave in healing, and project truth to everyone He places in our lives. Our purpose this side of heaven is simple: Love God by loving others.

We love others by sharing the powerful, true story of Easter! Christ’s life shows us how to love. His death gives us a pathway to redemption. His resurrection proves that He is not of man, but of God. If Jesus didn’t resurrect on that glorious third day, we would have no hope of an eternal life. We would be bound by our sins. Forgiveness wouldn’t matter. We would never be reunited with loved ones. Our testimony and confessions of faith would be pointless. Yet, Jesus rising from the grave is the pivotal plot twist that allows us to share the story of a man that led a devoted life, humbly walked the long and treacherous road to calvary, endured brutal beatings and was executed on a cross in shame on purpose for all of mankind! The Son of Man defeated death, so we don’t have to (Romans 6:23).

That is the hope we carry. May love and faithfulness never leave us (Proverbs 3:3) as we cling to the greatest story ever told, all while holding our head high knowing that we have the privilege of being a part of it!

Let’s Pray: Oh, beautiful Savior, how can we come before You with gracious hearts and even begin to truly understand the gravity and magnitude of Your love? Your story that weaves unwavering and unconditional love and grants us a pathway to peace and eternity is something we do not want to ever take for granted. Give us a way to share Your story with others and testify about how You have impacted our life. We long to give You glory this Easter, Lord. In Your Name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Because He Lives (Amen)” by Matt Maher. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “My Redeemer Lives” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Just to Know You” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Alicia Searl is a Christian author, writer, coach, and speaker who is passionate about sharing God’s Word to spread hope and healing. 

She is a contributing writer for iBelieve, Crosswalk, Christianity.com, and Your Daily Prayer. She has authored two devotionals, several Bible studies, a children’s book and coloring book top comfort grievers.

When she isn't writing her heart on a page, she enjoys sipping an oat milk latte while soaking in a bit of peace on her back porch swing. Otherwise, she is playing house with her rowdy little family of five or handing a hammer to her hubby for their next DIY project.

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Connect with Alicia:
Website: https://www.aliciasearl.com/
Blog: https://www.aliciasearl.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciasearlwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSearlWrites
Email: alicia.searl@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: When the people around you are suffering

Weep with Those Who Weep
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

—Romans 12:15 (ESV)

Are we truly prepared to enter into the suffering of others, or are we content to maintain surface-level sympathy with their experience? Will we rise to God’s challenge of sitting with them in their pain, weeping with those who weep, and mourning with those who mourn?

I want to go a step farther: Are we prepared to see people in their mess? Maybe even identify ourselves with those with whom we don’t want to be identified?

These are difficult questions. We may choose to avoid answering them, afraid to truly enter into people’s suffering. It’s a legitimate fear, especially when it involves people’s sin rather than just their suffering.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who suffered so He could save us from having to pay for our sins (Romans 6:23). Christ’s suffering that ended in His death and then resurrection was so that we could be reconciled with God (John 3:16-17). Let’s read the prophet’s words in Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV): “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

God’s Holy Spirit rests upon us for the same purposes. We are anointed to perform the same tasks as Jesus as we walk this earth, and in John 14:12 (NIV), Jesus tells us that “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.”

As for our legitimate fears of ministering to those who are entrenched in sin, the Bible verse of Jude 23 (NIV) says this: “Save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” In the next verse, Jude reminds us who our strength and protection comes from: “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God, our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

It is comfortable to stay within the bounds of safe environments like home and church, read our Bibles and play worship music, but this is not what the world needs. The world needs Christians who are deeply rooted in God and who are so filled with His love that it spills out whenever someone bumps into them. Christians who are confident enough in Christ to enter uncomfortable situations and can provide the hope and light of Jesus that dwells within them.

When we are with family and friends at this busy time of year, we may feel uncomfortable with some of the things that go on at holiday gatherings. We don’t want to give approval to these things. Perhaps we feel pressured to say something, and then condemned when we don’t. What if we were to rise above all that and simply be aware of the love we have for the people around us—love that can only come from the heart of Jesus, who was not afraid to socialize with tax collectors and “sinners”? The scripture gives no evidence that these people made Jesus uncomfortable. He knew the hurt and the needs that lay beneath their rough exterior. It seems they wanted to be around Him, too. If Christ can strike a balance when with them and shine His light lovingly upon them, certainly He will empower us to do the same!

Many of us feel that our world is darker than ever. If that is true, let’s pray that God will empower us to shine more brightly, and to shine in such a way that others are drawn to the light of His love.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, only You can love people perfectly. Whether it is a person’s suffering, or sin that holds them prisoner, please give us a greater measure of Your love for the hearts You want us to reach. Enable us to come alongside these people and shine hope and love into their dark world. Do not allow us to remain trapped in our own discomfort. Help us rise above and treat everyone with respect, agape love and kindness like You would. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Benediction” by Anthony Brown and Group Therapy. Listen to it here.
 
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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

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Love

A Doggy Kind of Love
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

I’m not my dog’s Number One person—that role belongs to my husband, Matt, who I’m quite certain Captain believes hangs the moon in the sky. Still, it staggers me to experience the enthusiastic, passionate, and lavish love Captain holds for me.

We adopted our German Shepherd when he was about six weeks old in the summer of 2021, and it immediately began a time of intense learning for me. I’d never had a puppy before, and I often joke that if I knew going in how much work was required, I would have nixed the whole idea. Thank goodness my husband has had dogs his whole life and knew what he was doing. A lifelong cat mom accustomed to the independent I’ll-cuddle-with-you-when-I-feel-like-it feline way, I had no clue how much effort and interaction I was in for, from potty training to leash walking to not treating my favorite winter jacket like a chew toy.

But, oh, what joy it has been as well! No wonder everyone loves dogs so much—for now I can say I’ve become a true dog-lover, too.

What strikes me most is the fervent joy Captain has merely over being in our presence. If I walk in the door after work or even a ten-minute errand, he literally leaps in happiness, spinning around and around as if he’s saying, “You’re back! This is the best thing ever!”

If I’m working on my laptop on the couch while he’s sound asleep next to me, and I get up to go work at my desk for a while, he stirs himself awake, trots along at my heels, then settles himself right back down again at my feet. “Where you go, I follow, Mama,” he’s saying. I swear he did somersaults for me one afternoon when I picked him up at doggy daycare after a business trip.

My cats adore me, but it’s on far a different level—they show it best by blinking their eyes at me contentedly, or coming up for a quick head-nuzzle. It’s like they’re saying, “Heyyy…thanks for coming back,” a laid-back two on a scale of one to ten in excitement. But Captain? He’s a ten on the excitement scale. Maybe a twelve.

It reminds me a lot of the unexpected enthusiasm and love shown to the prodigal son in Luke 15. Also called the parable of the lost son, the story relates how this son took his inheritance early and then squandered it on wild living. Destitute, he eventually returned home in shame, hoping only to be his father’s hired servant. But to his astonishment, his father was overjoyed at his return and welcomed him home with open arms, celebration, and much honor. As Scripture tells us, “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for hm; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20 NIV).

I can imagine this father, quite literally running toward his son, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks and laughter bubbling within his chest. “You’re home! My precious boy—I thought you were dead and gone forever!” I imagine him shouting. If he were Captain, he’d also be doing backflips and somersaults in glee, a dance of pure, unadulterated doggy love filled with fervor and zeal.

That’s how God loves us, in truth: so much that God chases us down, calls us back from the depths of the wilderness, forgives our sins and welcomes us home. So much that God sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, pay our sin-debt, and create a place for us in eternity with him forever. He loves us with the perfect, pure affection of a German Shepherd greeting his favorite people after a long time away.

I wonder: Do we love God back with that same fervor and zeal? Does that extraordinary love and gratitude fill our hearts and overflow in our actions, or do we tuck it down, keeping our emotions steady and our faith zipped in tight?

Today, I urge you to stop keeping your own feelings and love for the Lord buttoned up and socially “appropriate.” Instead, risk looking like a proverbial Jesus freak and let your passions ignite and explode when you worship, pray, and serve the Lord in your daily life. He loves us even better than a dog loves his master, and in honor of that, let’s love him well in return.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Lord, thank You for the incredible and exuberant love You have for us and for the relationship You invite us to experience with You. Help us be filled with joy and enthusiasm for this precious gift today and every day. In Jesus's Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
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.

Jessica 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.

Devotionals for the Heart: Christmas gifts with bows and The Cross of Christ

Don’t Let The Bows Cover Up The Cross
A devotional by Amanda Wen

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)

Several years ago, when my oldest son was around 4 or 5 years old, he wanted to help me wrap Christmas presents. (I use the term “help” rather loosely, as anyone who’s ever had a young child help wrap gifts can attest!) We came up with a fairly simple system: I did the actual wrapping, and he did the ribbons and bows.

When I’m wrapping gifts, I usually place one ribbon across the present positioned horizontally, one vertically, and then put the bow in the center where they intersect. So I was a bit surprised when my son wanted to put the bows not only off-center, but not even on the ribbon at all. My Inner Perfectionist would’ve normally surfaced to correct him, but the Holy Spirit instructed me instead to quiet the perfectionism and ask my son why he’d chosen to arrange the bows that way.

I’m so very glad I listened. Because I will never forget the look in his liquid brown eyes, nor the sincerity in his small voice, when he answered my question.

"Because I didn't want the bows to cover up the cross."

I was blown away. Convicted. Because this time of year it is so easy — so easy —to let the ribbons and bows, glimmer and glitz cover up the reason we have Christmas in the first place.

And if we really think about it, that reason is pretty ugly. We are sinful beings. We rebel against our Lord and Creator nearly every chance we get. And because of that, we had no hope.

But God knew that. He knew from the moment He created us that we would need His help. So with humankind in mind, God sent Jesus Christ who is His only Son.

Jesus traveled from the highest of the heavens to the lowliest human circumstances to be present with us: a hay-filled manger in a Middle Eastern town that at the time was not considered very important by the people in the region … He was born to a teenage virgin who was engaged to wed a God-fearing carpenter. Mary and Joseph were his earthly parents. As a baby born in Bethlehem, Jesus was worshiped by shepherds and astrologers. He was pursued by a paranoid king. He was raised in relative obscurity, amid whispers of his possibly illegitimate origins. He wrapped Himself in human flesh and experienced all the frustration, disappointment, and heartbreak of this broken world. Christ walked among us, teaching, healing and loving the outcast as He gave hope to the downtrodden.

Jesus showed us exactly who God is and ultimately, He took the penalty for our sin on Himself. Christ laid down His life on a Roman cross, and in doing so, He defeated death, the power of hell and wiles of the devil (Satan). Jesus delivered a fatal blow to all that is broken and evil. Thanks to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, we now have open a way — the only way — for us to have peace with God (John 14:6).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He gives us His free gift of salvation, which is the promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven after the final curtain closes on human history. Remember, this world is not our home. It is an unending hope and because of it, pure joy abounds in the hearts of all those who believe in God and follow Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate this Christmas season by gathering with our loved ones, showering them with gifts and baking holiday treats … as we decorate everything around us with wreaths, mistletoe and bright lights to make our surroundings look warm and festive… as we sing Christmas carols and spread good cheer, may we always remember Him as the true reason for this beautiful holiday season.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, as we enjoy the festivities of Christmastime and joyfully wrap our Christmas gifts with bows and ribbons for our loved ones, don’t allow us to let those beautiful bows cover up the Cross of Christ.

~*~
Author Bio:

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of contemporary inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction.

A first place winner in the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, she also placed first in the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, the 2017 Great Expectations Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest.

Amanda is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She’s also been spotted onstage with the worship team at recent ACFW conferences. Amanda is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

In addition to her writing, Amanda maintains an active and rewarding career as a freelance cellist, frequently performing with symphony orchestras, string quartets, and her church’s worship team. She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and their three adorable and hilarious Wenlets.

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Connect with Amanda:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandawen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoramandawen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandawen
Website: www.amandawen.com

Falling for Books: Sally's book

Interview with Sally Bradley about her book, Homestands:

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Sally: It started years and years ago just as a what-if. What if a superstar athlete had a child he didn’t know about? And what if he and that child met at a game and he autographed a baseball for his own son? What would happen next?
 

Alexis: What does your book’s title, “Homestands” mean?

Sally: Homestands is what you call a bunch of baseball games that are all played at the home team’s stadium, all in a row. A team may have a ten-game homestand. That means those ten games in a row are all at home. And since this was a story of a broken home being put back together, there was a play on words in there too.

Alexis: Homestands is book number one in your Chicago Wind book series. What inspired this series? Tell us about it and give us a hint about the plot for book number two.

Sally: The inspiration behind this series is second chances for people, for couples, for families. Book two, Shelf Life, is about a woman who has become a Christian while her husband has not—and instead of helping their ailing marriage, her new faith only makes it worse. And then there’s that pesky death threat her husband’s receiving that makes life difficult!

Alexis: Why do you call Homestands a Christian reconciliation romance?

Sally: Honestly? To make it clear to book buyers what they were getting into! When my book released as a stand-alone (it had first released in a box set that hit the USA Today bestseller list), a lot of my readers had already bought it and it somehow seemed that general market romance readers found it instead—I think because the cover was so amazing. But the problem was that those general market romance readers HATED it! They absolutely hated the forgiveness aspect, which I found so interesting. They did not want to see my heroine forgive a man who had hurt her. So I added that little phrase to information about the book so people would realize what kind of a book they were going to be reading.

Alexis: What role does your faith in God as an author play in your storytelling?

Sally: It colors everything! My plot, my characters and how they think and behave… I don’t believe every story by a Christian has to be solidly Christian. I am fine with a good story that’s just a great read. But when I sit down to write a book, what I’m learning in my relationship with God will bleed into the story. It just does. God is so important to me that I can’t keep Him out of my books.

Alexis: Let’s talk about the hero of Homestands, Mike Conner. Describe his looks, background, and purpose in life. What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Sally: Mike is that extrovert who really knows how to get along with people. He’s the life of the party, but he’s not an attention grabber. He can have fun with people and not have it be all about him. He’s got a bit of a baby face—he’s always looked younger than he is. He’s tall, dark-haired, and extremely athletic. That’s how he makes his very good living!

He’s also the youngest of three kids and was a surprise who came along when both his sisters were in high school. His sisters adored him, and he felt the same about them. So family has always been important to him, but because his parents were so much older than him, he wanted to have kids—and lots of them—immediately. This was a big issue between Mike and Meg, who wanted to wait to have kids so she wouldn’t be raising them alone while Mike traveled the country and played baseball.

Alexis: Who is Terrell and what role does he play in this story?

Sally: Terrell is Mike and Meg’s little boy who got away from Meg to ask his hero—who just so happened to have the same last name as him—to autograph his ball. He was a lot of fun to write. He’s the entire reason Meg and Mike are reunited and forced to be together, and sometimes he could just say things that no adult would say!

Alexis: Let’s talk about the heroine of Homestands, Meg Conner. Describe her looks, personality, and heart. What are her biggest dreams and fears?

Sally: Meg’s biggest fear is that Mike would find out she’d hidden her pregnancy from him. It was also her best way to take revenge on him, which she now regrets. She’s much quieter than Mike, more content to be alone and work on her business, interior design. She’s made a life for herself without Mike, but it’s been very hard and she’s struggling now with doing the right thing—telling Mike he has a son—when Terrell just lays it out there for her.

Alexis: What brings Meg and Mike back together and what threatens to drive them apart forever?

Sally: Terrell brings them together, but it’s holding on to their own hurts and refusing to acknowledge their part in their failed marriage that could drive them apart.

Alexis: What role does your characters’ faith in God play in this story?

Sally: Meg is a new Christian who’s growing—until she realizes she’s done wrong by keeping Mike from his son. For the first time, she’s faced with dealing with something she’s done wrong and moving forward—or not—in her Christian walk. None of Mike’s relationships since Meg have worked, and he begins to think it’s because he threw the perfect girl away, when the reality is that he needs fulfillment in God, not in a woman.

Alexis: What was the most challenging part for you as the author in writing this book?

Sally: Getting inside my male character’s head. This was the first contemporary novel I wrote, and early drafts had Mike thinking and acting too much like a woman would! I’d like to think I fixed much of that before the book met my readers.

Alexis: What’s your favorite scene in this story? Why?

Sally: I love the scene where Meg visits Mike’s house for the first time. You can see how they would have complemented each other as a couple if they’d just worked at loving each other instead of themselves. And then so much happens in that scene that it leaves you wondering how they will ever get back together. 

Another favorite scene I just remembered is when they spend some time on one of Lake Michigan’s beaches as a storm is nearing. Meg and Mike are starting to feel their way back to each other—and then Meg asks a simple question that sends them both reeling. Love the drama in that scene!

Alexis: If you could step into your story as a licensed marriage counselor, what counsel would you give to Mike and Meg? Why?

Sally: Focus on loving God. If you love God, you’ll be deep in His Word, and you’ll be obeying it. If they would just commit to following God and what He says before anything else, they’d find their way back to each other.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Sally!

~*~
Author Bio:

Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. 

A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for the crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. 

She now lives in South Carolina with her family, but they get back to Chicago from time to time for important things, like good pizza and a White Sox game.

A USA Today bestselling author, Sally has won a handful of awards for Homestands, Kept, and another work-in-progress.

~*~

Book Blurb for Homestands:

A Christian reconciliation romance from USA Today bestselling author 

Sally Bradley

When baseball star Mike Connor stumbles across his ex-wife six years after their divorce, he’s stunned to find that she's the mother of a kindergartner who wears his jersey. And shares his last name.

The last thing Meg Connor wants is to be around Mike. After all, he was the one who hurt and abandoned her. But she can’t deny him—or their son—time together to build a relationship, which means Mike is around too often, reminding her of why she fell in love with him so long ago. If only she could forget their past… The painful and the good.

Between their guilt and closely held hurts, Meg and Mike struggle against each other, their feelings, and God as they fight their own desires for the future, a future that might never happen when the past that tore them apart collides with their present.

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Buy Sally’s book on Amazon

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Connect with Sally:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SallyBradleyAuthor/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/sallybwrites/
Website - sallybradley.com

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

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NEW Author interview with Jennifer Slattery

Today, we're welcoming a familiar face to my blog! Jennifer Slatterly, an author who writes "missional romance" novels,  first appeared here on Sept. 21, 2014 to talk about her debut novel, Beyond I Do. 

Jennifer released her latest novel, When Dawn Breaks, on Dec. 17, 2014 and asked to visit with us again to talk about it.

So without further ado, here's my *new* author interview with Jennifer Slatterly! Please note: Questions by Alexis in bold, answers from Jennifer not in bold. 

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Alexis: Welcome back to my "God is Love" blog, Jennifer!

Jennifer: Hi Alexis! Thanks so much for letting me visit with your readers again!

Congratulations on your new novel, When Dawn Breaks! Share a glimpse into what it took to make this book a reality.

Do you mean from first idea to print? That was a long process! I’m a plotter, so I normally plan almost every scene out before I write, and then do a chunk of research. Then I tackle the first draft, which normally comes quickly. After that, I send it through numerous critique partners who usually annihilate it, and then I begin revising then I send it back to a few critique partners, then off to a beta reader. Then I sent it to my editor (the managing editor) who sent it to early readers who gave suggestions. Then it went to through big picture edits, and I was given more suggestions. After I made the necessary changes, it went through more edits, and finally, went to print.

Describe the concept behind your title When Dawn Breaks. Does this book title carry special meaning for you? Why or why not?

It’s funny, sometimes as I’m writing certain titles jump out and stick with me. That was certainly the case with When Dawn Breaks. This is a play on dawn breaking after a storm or dark night. The novel begins with a hurricane that, though devastating initially, ultimately becomes the catalyst for beautiful life change. I really believe this is true for the Christian life. God doesn’t allow us to weather a storm unless He has an amazing, grace-filled purpose in it.

You drop the reader into the action at the start of the story where inclement weather is descending upon the town in Texas where your main character lives, causing evacuation. Was this your original plan? Or did you delete a previous scene? It works! Tell us why.

Yes, this was my original intent, though initially I started a tad earlier in the day with Jacqueline, a real estate agent, at an open house no one came to. (I wanted to show the futility she was beginning to feel with her old way of life.) Then I had her walking outside, seeing the beautiful beach with the storm on the horizon. But my critique partners encouraged me to cut some of the details and start closer to the action. As always, they were right on!

How did you choose the setting for your book?

The setting came from my time living in Texas and Louisiana. We lived in Louisiana when Katrina hit, and the church we attended was heavily involved in relief efforts. I saw first hand the brokenness people suffered after the storm, how hard it was for many parents just to keep stepping, let alone care for their children. And yet, I also saw a miraculous (truly) outpouring of God’s love and grace. And in that I saw hope. Beauty. I wanted to retell a bit of the wonderful grace I saw displayed by God’s people. 

Tell us about your main character, Jacqueline Dunn. What inspired you to create this character? What are her passions and flaws?

I’ve felt a passion lately for older, (relatively, compared to the age of most heroines in the CBA) single adults, those who’ve been divorced and came to grace a bit later, after they’ve made mistakes. This was my vision for Jacqueline. She’s spent 51 years living for herself, and this has created a wedge between her and her adult daughter. A wedge she longs, with Christ’s help, to break. I felt like this is reality for many families, even those in the faith. And I think it can be a challenging road to navigate. How does grace and truth fit when we’re in the midst of dysfunction? How does forgiving oneself and accepting the depth of grace affect this process? There’s no easy answer except: lean on Christ, do what we can to live at peace with others (Rom. 1:16), and leave the rest to God. That doesn’t guarantee relational healing, but it does mean, regardless the outcome, we’ve done all we knew to do. And there’s peace and healing in that.

Your character Delana has a tumultuous relationship with her mom Jacqueline. Why? How does this tension shape your story?

Delana, Jacqueline’s daughter, holds on to a great deal of hurt. Jacqueline has only been a Christian for a year, and prior to that, she often pushed her daughter aside, to excel in her career or for her latest boyfriend.

There was one time in particular when Delana desperately needed her mother, and Jacqueline wasn’t there for her. So Delana doesn’t trust her. When Jacqueline reaches out to her, Delana’s always wondering, “For how long? When will you ditch me this time, Mom?” Add to this the fact that Delana’s not a Christian and doesn’t understand (or believe) Jacqueline’s life change. Therefore, Jacqueline needs to show her, through her actions, that she’s different—that she truly will stand by her daughter. No matter what. Isn’t that what every child, young or adult, needs to know?

What role does Jacqueline’s faith in God play in the broken relationship between she and her daughter Delana?

Oh, my, a big one! God is a God of reconciliation, unity, grace, and peace, and I believe He loves to see families find healing and restoration. As such, He gives Jacqueline the courage and perseverance to show consistent, steady love to her daughter, even when Delana spurns her efforts and acts downright hateful. But isn’t that what God’s done for each of us? While we were rebellious, selfish sinners, Christ died for us—to reconcile us to the Father. 

Jonathan Cohen is another one of your main characters. Share his story. Why is the role he plays important?

I love Jonathan! Such a sweet, caring man! He lost his wife, the woman he adored, five years before the book started. Having found such a deep love already, he’s not sure he’ll ever find that in another woman. And yet, he’s lonely. To exacerbate matters, his sister believes he shouldn’t spend the rest of his life alone and embarks on a hilarious plan to help him get hitched! But after a few crazy blind dates, he’s more certain than ever that dating isn’t for him. Luckily Jacqueline steps in to save him just in time! 

What is your favorite scene in this story? Why?

I don’t want to give too much away, but probably when Jonathan takes Jacqueline on a picnic and realizes, once they get there, that he doesn’t have eating utensils or anything for them to sit on. I loved this scene because I’ve always enjoyed picnics and this scene reminded me of a river walk area my honey and I used to visit in Louisiana. But I also felt this really revealed some of the things I love most about Jonathan. He really wants to be romantic but doesn’t always know how, so his efforts turn out a bit comical. And endearing. Adorable, actually.

Where did you get the inspiration for your main characters?

This is a fun question to answer because the inspiration came from individuals I greatly admire. Jonathan, a widowed railroader, was a lot of fun to create because my husband is a railroader. He’s worked for Union Pacific for almost 30 years, so yes, I did sprinkle a bit of my real life hero into Jonathan’s personality and encounters.

As to Jacqueline, her character was inspired by a woman from our old church who at the age of 50, felt called to foster a teenage girl. This really struck me. I wondered if she originally felt intimidated. Not only was God calling her to a life-changing mission, but she was older, and single. Yet she answered the call with courage and perseverance, and a life was dramatically changed for the better because of it.

As I was crafting Jacqueline, I wanted to take this a step further. I wondered, what if my character was not only older and single, but what if she was a new believer, one with deep regrets stemming from mistakes she made when parenting her child. Could God still use her, regrets and all, to bring hope to three orphan children? And thus, Jacqueline was born. 

What was the most challenging part of writing this book? And the most rewarding?

This book was actually fairly easy to write. I visualized each character and their journeys so clearly. I simply transcribed what played out in my head. I also felt God’s presence so strongly throughout the writing process—I believe He guided me in each scene. In regard to the most rewarding, there’s a scene where Jacqueline “hears” from God (through a Scripture passage). The passage was so perfect for the scene and really a major theme of the book—breaking the bonds of generational poverty and abuse. I believe that passage came straight from God.

I’d been praying about it. I wanted a verse that really spoke deeply to Jacqueline, but my brain was blank. So I turned to God in prayer then went to Scripture. I randomly flipped to the passage. Like immediately. I’m normally not a flip and point reader, but that’s what happened. It was a beautiful moment.

What message do you hope your readers will take away from this book?
There’s two things I hope readers will take away. One, God can bring incredible hope and healing from our worst storms, and two, when God calls, He guides and provides—courage, perseverance, strength. I hope readers will trust that God truly has their best in mind, and in trusting, that they follow His leading.

Complete this sentence: My deepest hope for When Dawn Breaks is ______________________ because_____________________.

My deepest hope for When Dawn Breaks is that it will draw readers closer to Christ and give them the courage to follow wholeheartedly after Him because that is where abundant life is found.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview Jennifer! May God bless you in your writing endeavors! Do you have any final comments? 

Thanks for having me on your blog again! Before I leave, I’d like to ask your readers one question. I shared my favorite scene setting from the book, and it arose from a romantic place my hubby and I once frequented. 

Jennifer's question: Where is the most romantic place you’ve been? Tell us about it!

~*~
Author bio:

Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her teenage daughter and coffee dates with her handsome railroader husband.

Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.

When Dawn Breaks book blurb: 

As the hurricane forces Jacqueline to evacuate, her need for purpose and restitution motivate her to head north to her estranged and embittered daughter and into the arms of a handsome new friend. Dealing with his own issues, Jacqueline isn’t sure if he will be the one she can lean on during the difficult days ahead. And then there are the three orphans to consider, especially Gavin. Must she relinquish her chance at having love again in order to be restored?

Read a free, 36-page excerpt of When Dawn Breaks here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/slattery_sampler/1

Buy a copy of When Dawn Breaks here: 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1wOhCeO

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