Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust Jesus Christ and follow His plan

Soundtrack of My Life
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes.”—Romans 5:1 (TPT)

I need music like I need air. It can lift my spirits or soothe my soul.

Music has always played a big part in my life. For as long as I can remember, music filled our home with joy. As a little girl, I danced around the living room while my dad played his clarinet, the sounds of music saturating the air. This was the soundtrack of my childhood.

Whether music fans or not, most of us have experienced the annoying phantom tune that invades our minds without invitation. The stuck song that plays repeatedly in your head. Just as you’ve forgotten about it, the music starts again. You can’t get rid of it, you can’t remember the lyrics or the title, but the tune continues to play in your head, as if it’s the official background music for the soundtrack of your life.

This has been happening to me very often in these last few months. Before I open my eyes, the first thing I’m aware of is the song in my head. Sometimes, the song is just a tune, and I struggle to remember the lyrics. Other times, it’s so familiar that each word finds its note, and the entire composition dances through my mind.

Recently, a tune pulsed through my veins at warp speed, and I had no idea where it came from. It became a mystery begging to be solved. After I got out of bed and the first few sips of caffeine kicked in, a few of the lyrics revealed themselves. However, the tune played on in blatant defiance of the missing words. I began to wonder if this was a lesson from God in the making.

Isn’t humming a tune without recalling the lyrics similar to how Christians are called to follow Jesus Christ without having a highlighted outline of His master plan? In His wisdom, God reveals what we need to know when we need to know it. He knows exactly when to impart this knowledge. The tune in my head held only one phrase that I remembered, but that was all I needed to know. God woke me that morning with a glorious combination of melody and words. He revealed the mystery song: “Flawless” sung by Mercy Me. For me, this was a perfect illustration of walking with Christ in total surrender.

Why this song? I’m far from flawless, but Jesus reminds me that in His eyes, I am flawless. This is the grace of God. It defies human power and directs our eyes to Jesus. Christ’s death on the cross (John 3:16-17) makes us flawless before God. There’s nothing we can possibly do to earn it. God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die so we may live. Psalm 23 tells us that Jesus is our shepherd.

He is good at taking care of us and leading us through the hills and valleys of life. We need to trust Jesus enough to follow Him. The amazing grace of God will guide you down the right path. Sing praises to King Jesus for only He can make you flawless.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

You see us when we lose our patience, forget to count our blessings, and grow weary. But because You have restored us You see us as flawless. Our hearts overflow with love and gratitude for Your gift of salvation. Show us how to grow our faith and daily express our thankfulness to You. Thanks be to God!

In Your Name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Flawless” by Mercy Me. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: http://colleenchoward.com

Love is in the Air: Author interview with Deborah M. Piccurelli

It's an honor to host Deborah M. Piccurelli, author of Love Comes Calling, on my blog today.

If you love stories about forgiveness, second chances and romance then you will truly enjoy this book by Deborah. Here's the best news--Deborah is giving away not one, not two but three copies of Love Comes Calling! So that means a total of three people can each win a book in this particular book giveaway contest! 

So read on, enjoy the author interview of Deborah and remember to follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget (found at the end of the interview) for your chance to WIN a book! :)

*Please note: Interview questions by Alexis are in bold, answers from Deborah are not in bold.

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Alexis: I loved your book, Love Comes Calling! It’s such a delightful read. What can you tell my readers about your book? Speak to those who have not read it yet.

Deborah: Thank you for the compliment, Alexis! What I want to tell your readers about my novella is that they will enjoy the story if they are fans of tender, sweet love stories. They will also like it if they enjoy reading stories of forgiveness and redemption. Also, this book has what I hoped is a unique story line. How could a woman forgive a man who almost killed her two years before, let alone fall in love with him?

What did you love the most about writing Love Comes Calling?

It was just a fun book to write. The characters were fun and took over the story almost from the beginning.

Share your favorite memory from writing and publishing Love Comes Calling.

The publishing of this book was sort of a surprise. I heard that Prism Book Group was holding a contest. I didn’t have anything currently completed, but the first thing that came to my mind was this novella, Love Comes Calling I had written years before, so I checked it out to see if it was ready to submit the portion the publisher requested. I found that it needed a good bit of editing, so did a first edit myself. Then a friend, who is a professional editor, also critiqued it. I was one of three authors to win and get to send the complete manuscript in. After a few suggestions to revise, the editor then offered me a contract. I was so excited to see that a little novella I never thought would go anywhere would be published!

The first character we meet in Love Comes Calling is Derek Spencer. Tell my readers about Mr. Spencer. What do you hope readers will respect about him? Is there anything to not like about him? What is his purpose in your story?

I hope that readers will respect the fact that Derek is caring, kind and dashing. And that he wants to make things right, once he has become a Christian. I don’t know if there is really anything to not like about him. Maybe that he deceived Charlie from the beginning? Or that he almost caused her death two years before they met? But he was changed, so he sought forgiveness from the Lord and Charlie, too. But then he lies . . . Derek’s purpose is to be the love interest for Charlie, and an example of the redeemed.

Charlotte "Charlie" is your leading lady. She’s been through trauma but survived. What makes her so strong? What are her hopes, dreams and desires?

Charlie’s strength comes from the Lord, first and foremost. Then she has a strong and loving support system in her family. Her dream was to be a ballet dancer for most of her career life, but that dream has been crushed by Derek. Now, her hope is that, if she can’t dance herself, she’ll teach children to dance. 

Charlotte’s character in Love Comes Calling addresses an issue many women deal with—acceptance. Charlotte does not believe a man will love her just the way she is—scars, flaws and all. Why did you choose to allow this to be Charlotte’s journey? What are you hoping female readers will learn as they read Charlotte’s story?

For people who feel inferior because of looks, lack of talent or social skills can learn that, first, God loves them. They are his workmanship. Next, I would hope the story will encourage them and show that there are people in the world who don’t care what the outside looks like, but will look inside a person to find the beauty there. Lastly, I would hope this story will give them confidence in themselves, and help them to be exactly who God created them to be.

What would you say is the main theme of your novel, Love Comes Calling?

Forgiveness. Forgiveness of self, and forgiveness of one who has offended.

Let’s pretend your book is being made into a movie. What would be a few songs on the soundtrack to Love Comes Calling?

Ah, the first song that comes to mind is from the 70's, I think, and I don’t remember who performed it, but it’s "I Love You Just the Way You Are."

If you book really were made into a movie, who would you want to play Charlotte and Derek? Explain why.

Goodness, I’m not up on the young stars, since I don’t watch a lot of current TV shows and movies. The best I can do is Channing Tatum for Derek, even though Derek has blonde hair and Channing doesn’t. Maybe Rachel McAdams for Charlotte. These two have worked together before, so I know there’s an on-screen chemistry there.

Complete this sentence: As a writer, I love to _______________because

_________________.

As a writer, I love to read because it’s like my own personal, little vacation, and helps me to keep my skills up to par.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Deborah! If you’d like to give away a copy of Love Comes Calling, please leave a question for my readers.

Deborah: Thank you so much for hosting me, Alexis! Great questions. 

Deborah's question for the book giveaway contest is: What would you do if the man who almost killed you and ruined your life showed up on your doorstep two years later?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Author bio: 

After years of reading books and watching movies with an element of romance, Deborah M. Piccurelli’s desire to write romance novels came naturally. She is active in her church and is an advocate for sanctity of life. 

Deborah is the author of two novels, a novella and several cause-related newspaper articles. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and the New Jersey Society of Christian Writers. 

As one of the winners in a contest by The Christian Authors Show, details of Deborah’s writing journey can be found in the 2013-2014 edition of the book, 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading. Deborah lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two sons. 

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Blurb for Love Comes Calling:

The day new Christian, Derek Spencer, shows up on Charlie Parkes’s doorstep to make up for what he’d done, is the very day he falls in love with her. But Charlie’s sister mistakes him for a home improvement contractor, and he decides to play along until he finds a way to tell her who he really is.

Charlie is attracted to Derek, but knows the attention he pays her is only flattery. How could such a great-looking guy fall for someone with a face like hers? Nevertheless, the two form a relationship that brings a joy to Charlie that’s way beyond her wildest dreams.

But what will happen when Derek’s true identity is revealed?

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Buy Deborah’s book:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1FIENAj

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1ErjNsC

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Connect with Deborah:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/deborah.piccurelli
Pinterest - Pinterest.com/DebPiccurelli

Twitter -@DebPiccurelli

Website - www.deborahmpiccurelli.com