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

The Biblical Response to Failure
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

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

Failure is an unavoidable part of life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Song of Reflection: “Strength of My Life” by Vertical Worship. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: How to let the joy of the Lord be your strength

Embracing Joy When It Seems Impossible
A devotional by Dr. LaVonda McCullough

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”—Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)

Have you ever faced a setback or disappointment in your life?

The journey to joy can be long and complicated, but with time, effort, and patience, you will achieve it. We all seek true joy in our lives, yet sometimes it feels elusive. Joy and contentment stem from knowing our purpose and living it out. However, life’s challenges can obscure that sense of joy. I have learned that overcoming obstacles is essential to discovering true joy.

Facing emotional hurdles can be a challenge when looked at from a personal perspective. It is when we look from God’s point of view that we are able to encounter peace and put trust in God. Our complicated feelings are normal and shouldn’t be suppressed, but embraced while we cast our cares upon Jesus Christ knowing that He can and will help us navigate our paths.

Keeping the faith when our daughter faced health issues and the school accused me of poor parenting, tested my faith once again. This hurdle, although temporary, did not define my worth or ability to parent effectively, but it caused my faith to waver.
I cried, “Where are you God?” I vowed to remain focused on believing God for a miraculous healing of my daughter. I worked hard to maintain a positive outlook and stand strong. With this renewed faith, I soon began to recognize the difference between happiness and joy.

God changed the situation and restored her health. My daughter’s kidney failure was healed, and all bloodwork soon balanced. She returned to school with little disruption from the routine. This experience served as a witness to God’s healing power.

Understanding Joy

Joy isn't dictated by external circumstances; it’s a state of being that comes from within. Achieving joy involves transforming your mind. Learn to relax, avoid worrying about the future, and be kind to yourself. Realize that you are valuable and important. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, keep a gratitude journal, and focus on the good in your life.

Living a Joy-Filled Life

A joy-filled life is one of peace, positivity, and faith. If I had continued to focus on the numerous doctor’s appointments and the hours spent doing iron transfusions, my mind would have stayed in a negative state with hope for a future. However, when I started using affirmations from the Bible, it boosted my confidence and growth spiritually. While family, friends, and career can bring happiness, the peace of God surpasses all. Balancing these aspects of your life will improve your life.

Finding joy also involves knowing your true identity that is found in Jesus Christ. In difficult times, build your faith and trust in God. Trusting Him doesn’t mean you won’t face hardships, but it assures you that He is always with you. Don’t let your faith waver. Turn to God in prayer.

Be patient and gracious with yourself. Don’t give up when things get tough. The joy you seek is just beyond these obstacles. By persevering, you will find that joy is indeed attainable. Life is a journey. Take care of your health and practice self-care to withstand the emotional hurdles that come your way. Embrace joy, keep your faith, and know that you can overcome any challenge that life presents.

“The joy of the Lord is our strength” Bible promise is brought to fullness when we accept God’s provision of righteousness by grace that reunites us so we can enjoy His presence. Joy should be pursued at all costs in developing an intimate relationship with God. What appears on the surface and what we see with your visual eyes can be the enemy distracting us from God’s best in our life. If we hold fast to the truths that are given to us in the Bible, we will have strength that reaches the depths of or souls.

Let’s Pray: Gracious Lord, thank you for being a faithful God who never leaves nor forsakes us. I praise you for strengthening me when I feel weak. Please help me to focus on You and not allow distractions to remove Your peace. May the joy of salvation rule within my heart today and forever. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Joy of the Lord” (feat. Katie Torwalt, Dante Bowe & Naomi Raine) - Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Dr. LaVonda McCullough is a Christian Life Coach, author, speaker and pastor who specializes in women empowerment with Christian-based approach. 

Since 2012, LaVonda has coached countless women into compete freedom, teaching them to enhance their spiritual practice. Through one-on-one Coaching, Bible Study, Prayer Walks and retreats (Joyful Journey RefresHER retreat) she teaches women how to reach the divine power within and discover their purpose.

With the foundation of her personal practice the discipline of a Daily Quiet Time, she works closely with those she coaches to develop their own intimate relationship with God. Always using a spirit-led approach, she focusing on the whole person: mind, body, and soul. LaVonda values providing a safe, loving and nurturing environment that allows those she works with to tap into the divine and commune with God themselves.

LaVonda has a deep understanding of healing through intimate relationship with God due to her personal experiences with shame, trauma, loss, and depression.

She is passionate about helping people find freedom and joy in their journey through the cultivation of spiritual practice.

Originally from North Carolina, LaVonda has traveled throughout Europe and Africa speaking about healing through the power of prayer. She has lived in Germany since 2012, where shares her life with her husband of 33 years.

LaVonda and her husband have three children.

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Connect with LaVonda:
Website: https://www.lavondamccullough.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavondamccullough/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavondamcculloughauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/joyfuljourneymi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavonda-mccullough

Devotionals for the Heart: How difficulties help us grow stronger

Don’t Deviate from the Difficult
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”

—James 1:2-4 (TLB)

When my son, John, was around eight months old, he was making strong headway toward being independently mobile by pulling himself up from sitting to standing. Not really crawling yet, still he was making progress. And then Zachary arrived.

Cousin Zachary was six months older than John and he was walking. In those weeks while Zachary stayed with us, John quit trying to crawl, devoting all his energy to becoming ambulatory. John was no longer content with his unhurried pace of development, suddenly a fire was lit to be upright.

But it turns out that crawling is beneficial to both muscular and psychological maturity. Skipping this stage is thought to inhibit full brain development. When we, like my young son, see someone succeeding at something we want for ourselves, we can be tempted to take the shortcut. However, bypassing the difficult route requires of us a couple things: deviation and double-down.

Deviation might look like shifting priorities, shirking responsibility, quitting current tasks, and avoiding accountability. It might mean breaking promises, or not being completely honest. Maybe deception...even if just self-deception.

Double-down is the extra energy required to get somewhere faster than normal. Symptoms could be longer work hours, skipping breaks, feeling driven, irritability, or feeling put-upon.

Achievements arrived by shortcut methods are typically short-lived because they lack the muscle of steadfastness to maintain the level of success attained. The shortcut is also short-sighted. Our maturity requires that we go through the challenges that build strength of character. While it’s human nature to choose the least painful routes or be tempted to skip ahead, the very process of falling down and getting back up develops the stability we need to withstand the next level of growth.

In his letter to fellow followers of Jesus Christ, James suggests that we can consider the hard way through life as the best way due to the amount of spiritual muscle we achieve along the way. Difficulties produce patience. And patience helps us endure through every future challenge. It’s a strength we take with us on the rest of our journey.

My little son John took many tumbles in his efforts to walk. At some point, though, he found himself on his hands and knees and realized he could crawl after all. He didn’t stay on all fours for long, but it was there that he got what he needed to advance toward his next adventure.

When we find ourselves knocked down, it’s best we be honest with ourselves about where we are and why. We are not completed yet. And there’s no shame in continuing to be a work-in-progress. Rather we can be happy about the opportunity to practice a while longer! Before we know it, a greater level of challenge will come and we will be glad God was developing such strength in us.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You know what is best for us and You direct us to walk in the way we should go. Help us to remember that Your ways are higher (wiser) than our ways and that we do well to trust You...always. Thank You for walking along side us in our challenges. Thank You for not abandoning us...especially in our foolishness. Continue to guide our steps and to bless our spiritual muscles as we follow You. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Walk With You” by Michael Bethany. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

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

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

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees the great need for encouragement and connection. Within ministries served, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and building cross-cultural communities has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys nature, deep conversations, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children.

Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, writing devotionals for other websites, and is working on a nonfiction book titled The Whole-Of-Us: Putting Church Back Together.

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Connect with Sharon:
Email: sharon@sharonmusgrove.com
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonkmusgrove/

Devotionals for the Heart: What reading a prophet's journal taught me

Life Lessons Learned from Reading a Prophet’s Journal
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“The Lord God is my strength, my source of courage, my invincible army. He has made my feet steady and sure like hinds feet. And makes me walk forward with spiritual confidence on my high places of challenge and responsibility.”—Habakkuk 3:19 (AMP)

The first time that I went to Greece, I was a young sailor.

The ship that I was assigned to pulled into a remote port that was surrounded on three sides by mountains. As the other sailors and I awaited a bus to take us to town, we noticed animals moving down the steep and rocky mountainside.

They looked small, but realizing how far away from them that we were, we realized that they had to be pretty large animals. As we watched them confidently traverse the treacherous slope, we realized that they were mountain goats. They fearlessly trod down the mountain slope because they were sure footed by nature.

I remembered reading Habakkuk and later that evening, I reread this small prophetic book of the Old Testament. Habakkuk 3:19 is really the culmination of a dialogue that the prophet had with God. The little book is like a journal that the prophet wrote to remind himself and us that God still communes, converses and confides in us.

Habakkuk was a minor prophet, not because his message was petty, but because his prophetic testimony was short. He starts his journal by complaining to God about the state of affairs in which he currently lived. Apparently his social and spiritual environment was unsafe, violent, and unstable. Law enforcement was unreliable because even the people most inclined to righteous living were marginalized by the wicked.

He did not see the hand of God and wondered where God was and if His promises of deliverance were still valid. God responds with an assurance that the trajectory of His plans exceeded Habakkuk’s perceptivity, but they were sure to happen.

The prophet responds in Habakkuk 2:1 (ESV) with a second complaint that seems a bit flippant. He wrote, “I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.”

Is challenging God okay? Perhaps we’re saying, “God, I’m looking for you! What will you do?” Is that okay? I think so! In our journals, where we write our struggles, temptations, failures, successes and reflections, we can converse with God. He is eternal, yet contemporary. He was Emmanuel and His Name means, “God is with us”. The New Testament writer, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:19 says that our bodies are the temple of God’s Holy Spirit. This means that He is with us through the whispers of our consciences and the spurring in our souls.

When Habakkuk recognized that God had not left nor forsaken him, his prose was converted from complaint to a trusting testimony. Habakkuk gave glory to God for being the source of his courage and strength. Knowing this, he became brave enough to face his challenges in life. We could learn Habakkuk’s story and share his prayer and praise report too!

Let’s Pray: Thank You, God, for blessing us with the favor of your plan and purpose in our lives. As we go through today, grant us the focus of Habakkuk, to lean forward with courage rather than looking around in fear. May our faith be reflected in our being and our deeds. Let us be your hands, eyes, ears, feet and heart to the world around us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Everlasting God” by William Murphy. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors.

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching.
He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: When the "joy of the Lord" is your strength

God’s Joy is My Strength
A devotional by Dr. Jessica B. Turner

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”—Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

Have you ever been guilty of using a scripture without pausing to truly think about what it means? I know I have. You hear other believers sharing their favorite verses and before you know it you have your own collection of favorites to pull from!

As a believer who is still new to studying the Bible, I am grateful for those who share scriptures that have gotten them through tough times.

However, I have been guilty of storing God’s Word in my heart without giving it much thought. I wasn’t stopping to explore the context of the verses or how it applied to my life. While there is nothing wrong with holding onto scriptures that empower you without going deeper, I want to encourage you to go a step further and ask God to reveal why that scripture speaks to you. That’s exactly what I did, and it completely opened my eyes to what I was missing!

For months, Nehemiah 8:10 had become an anthem of mine. I would find myself walking around my house audibly saying, “The joy of the Lord is my strength. The joy of the Lord is my strength!” But one day, I asked myself, “What does that even mean?”

God immediately impressed the following words on my heart: “When you do as I have called you to do, your obedience brings Me joy. It is knowing that you are a source of joy to Me that you find strength to keep going.”

Here are some examples of how I now apply this revelation to my every day life: When I drag myself out of bed one more time in the middle of the night to comfort my baby boy, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father. When I wash the dishes and fold the laundry – for the millionth time – with a grateful heart, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father. When I take a minute out of my busy day to encourage a friend, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father. When I choose to make reading the Bible as a family a priority, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father.

Everything that I once saw as an inconvenience is my very source of strength, if I recognize it. It brings joy to the Lord and it is that very joy that drives me to take one more step.

I don’t know what you are facing or what you are needing strength for today. What I do know is that when you approach your situation with a heavenly perspective, it changes everything!

Faced with a disheartening diagnosis? Your decision to trust in God will be your source of strength.

Stretched financially? Your decision to continue to tithe while making cuts elsewhere will be your source of strength.

Tempted to turn back to sin when things get hard? Your decision to run to God instead will be your source of strength.

I pray this realization encourages you as much as it did for me! Now I look for ways to bring joy to the Lord, knowing it’s the very thing that will keep me going.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice so that You could have a relationship with me. Help me to delight in doing what pleases You knowing it brings You great joy! Let that joy overflow into my life so I may continue to walk in Your will without growing weary. I love You and I trust You. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Joy of the Lord (feat. Katie Torwalt, Dante Bowe & Naomi Raine)” by Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here. 

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Author Bio:

Dr. Jessica B. Turner is a wife, mom, and LSU graduate with a degree in veterinary medicine.

  

After practicing small animal medicine for six years, she traded in her stethoscope to become an online wellness coach, motivational speaker, and writer with a passion for mental health advocacy. This major life change was sparked after Jessica struggled with postpartum depression soon after she birthed her twin girls.

Along with Jessica’s career change came the discovery of who Jesus Christ really is and how He was the missing piece for her to be able to move forward in past trauma that she had suppressed for decades. Jesus walked alongside Jessica as she underwent a transformation like none other.

God transformed Jessica’s life from a broken mom who struggled with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and PTSD from witnessing an attempted suicide, to using her experiences to make her a powerful vessel for Him. To this day, God enables Jessica to touch the lives of others through her often unfiltered, yet inviting form of storytelling.

Throughout this process of refinement, Jessica has shared her life story with the world through her social media platforms, in-person events, blog posts, and podcasts. She values the gift of transparency and has discovered that what so many people need to know is that they are not alone. Jessica has walked in their shoes, and she wants the world to know that Jesus is walking with them as well.

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: www.jessicabturner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicabturner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabturner/

Devotionals for the Heart: The Anchor

The Horizontal Tree
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” 

–Psalm 1:3 (NIV)

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon when my family and I decided to take a scenic road trip to visit a relative. On the way to our destination, we passed a lot of rural areas with grassy fields, farmland, cows and horses grazing, and birds flying in formation. The blue skies were so picturesque, especially with the white puffy clouds that had the appearance of cartoon animals.

We had been driving for about an hour with another hour remaining to complete the trip. I dozed off a couple of times, but something caught my attention in one of the fields and I immediately woke up. It was a tree.

I always admire trees wherever I go. There is something about them that fascinates me.

Sometimes it is the height of the tree, or the colorful leaves. It could be the branches completely void of leaves, and sometimes it is the shape of the tree. In this case, none of those features drew my attention. Instead, it was the posture of the tree that raised my eyebrow. The tree was horizontal instead of vertical. It almost appeared to be a fallen tree, except it was not completely touching the ground.

At first glance, I thought the tree was dead, but when I examined it closely, there were green leaves all over the branches. The tree was thriving, even though it was not standing up.

How could this be? My eyes followed the bark from one end to the other, and then I realized that most of the roots of that large tree were completely submerged under the ground. The tree may have appeared lifeless, but that was not the case. The only reason it was able to produce green leaves is because its roots were firmly grounded in the dirt.

As we start this new year, it is important to consider where our roots are planted. Are we wasting time pursing distractions disguised as opportunities or are we investing our time in things that will make an impact and leave a legacy? Are our goals in alignment with the will of God, or have we already started down a path without asking His permission?

The only way for us to experience true happiness along with success in this life is if we are rooted and grounded in God. It is His promise to us when we make the choice to follow His direction. If we continually meditate on God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and obey it, we will prosper in our spiritual growth.

Moreover, the fruit that we bear will serve as a witness to God’s faithfulness.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, Thank You for Your promises. We ask that You guide us as we go through this life. We want to be rooted in You so that we can experience the abundant life that You want to freely give to us all. Help us to spend more time in Your Word and in Your presence. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Anchor Holds” by Ray Boltz. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn (New York) and raised in New Jersey.

She started writing at an early age and realized in elementary school that it was both a strength and a passion. She continued writing through high school, college, and into adulthood.

Angela is the author of a devotional book titled Just When I Thought I Knew God, and she is currently working on another devotional book that will be introduced in 2023.

This is Angela's third year as a devotional writer for Alexis A. Goring’s “God is Love” blog. In 2021, Angela was a winner of a devotional writing contest where the entry is featured in a book published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. The book is titled, Hope When Your Heart is Heavy. The following year, another one of Angela’s devotionals was published in another publication from Proverbs 31 Ministries, called Living Unbroken.

Angela has a passion for inspiring and impacting others through her writing and speaking.

Angela is a Mom Life Coach. She empowers mothers who want to identify their God-given purpose and live it fully while taking care of their family. Angela develops mothers into mompreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools to be successful and fulfilled in life. These tools equip them to see their value, understand their importance, and reclaim their identity.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson for 18 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 10) and Ryan (age 5). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling.

She treasures spending quality time with her family.

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Connect with Angela:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/
Facebook (personal): https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook (Author page): https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Angela offers free consultations for mothers who want to pursue their dream while taking care of their family. Schedule here: www.ChatWithCoachAngela.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should not fear anyone or anything!

Whom Shall We Fear?
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

We all go through difficult seasons in our lives, but some of us go through tremendous difficulties where comparisons to Job aren’t all that out of line.

I’m thinking of a family I know who lost their brother and just a few months later discovered that their mother had inoperable cancer. They had to endure her quick decline and passing while still in the early stages of profound grief. I think, as well, of the many families who have suffered multiple losses due to the pandemic. There’s a lot of grief in our world right now.

Along with collective grief I think a lot of us are struggling with fears we never experienced before. As a people, we Americans tend to be optimistic. We have a ‘can-do’ spirit for the most part. We believe in forward progress, making sure our kids have a better chance at a good life than we did. But the last few years have taken a toll on our optimism. Living through cultural and political upheaval is rough enough, but add in a pandemic and the safe assumptions we could make about our world seem to be gone.

Making it worse is a media that seems determined to keep us afraid. I get a newsletter from what used to be a pretty staid outlet. But the titles in the email subject line lately are giving me agita. They’re all some version of ‘things are bad and you should be worried.’ I firmly believe in being well-read, informed and educated, but I don’t need a daily email telling me to worry. Throughout the Bible God tells us not to worry, to not be afraid.

Right now it’s hard to resist fear and anxiety. There’s a lot to be worried about, but as the passage above states, who do we need to fear? Certainly not our neighbors, though they have different views and cultural ideas than we do. Every human being on Earth is an image-bearer of God (Genesis 1:27) and we are called to love all humankind. 

Should we fear governments (our own or others)? No. We must remember God is our fortress and He will not be shaken. What about disease or economic disasters? Not those either. It’s totally normal to feel the dread or stress from living in difficult times, but what’s important is how we chose to act when those feelings come.

We need to live out our faith, trusting in God, emulating Jesus. For starters, that means finding and joining a church whether that’s in a house, in a mall, or an old stone building with stained glass. Having community with other Christians in real life can keep us grounded, supported, and accountable. We need each other in times like these. While online communities can be helpful, the goal is to have local support and teaching.

Remember the verse above the next time you see an article, a Facebook post, or a video telling you to be afraid. We worship and awesome God and He has us in His hands.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Please be with us.

Help us to maintain and grow our churches to support each other and reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We love You, Lord.

Help us to be ready for Your soon return.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

~*~
*Note from Alexis: Christa’s devotional today reminds men Keith & Kristyn Getty’s song, “The Lord Is My Salvation”. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

She began her writing career at the age of eleven, filling a sketchbook with poems and short stories. After publishing a few short pieces in her college’s literary magazine she took a long hiatus during which she embarked on a few different careers, got married, had three kids, and renovated an old barn masquerading as a house.

Her most recent work, The Redemption Road, finished the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty. She and her family live along the coast of New England.

~*~
Connect with Christa:
Website: www.christamacdonald.com
Newsletter: https://christamacdonald.com/connect-with-christa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538432676468229/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/33uk329
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CricketMacD
Christa's book publisher: http://mountainbrookink.com/about-us/authors/christa-macdonald/

Devotionals for the Heart: Lessons learned while in the Emergency Room

God is with us
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 
– Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

There is little in this world that tests both faith and patience like the emergency room. I would know. I’ve spent an awful lot of time in them recently with loved ones in health crises.

We’ve arrived in a rush, panicked, and after vitals are taken and decisions made we wait. Nurses come and go with various treatments and tests and we wait. I’m not a particularly impatient person, but I’m used to being in charge, and when sickness comes, it’s the boss. A kind of tension develops between the fervency of my prayer and the stretches of time with no updates.

It’s in these moments that I think about Psalm 46:10a (ESV), “Be still and know that I am God.” The song floats through my mind as well. Being still is not something I excel at. I’m a doer. When trouble starts, I make a plan to end it.

But in life there’s so much I can’t plan my way around, so much that is outside my control. Sometimes I have to sit in it and deal with the trouble as it is. It’s easy to be angry at God in these moments, to doubt that He’s even paying attention to what I’m going through. That’s when I remember this verse from Joshua.

God is with me wherever I go, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Even in the emergency room when things seem pretty bleak, He’s there.

When my daughter was a toddler she’d often run ahead of me, giggling with happiness at her newfound freedom. She’d look around and think she was alone, but I was there. I was with her, watching, making sure she didn’t get lost. I think that’s how God is with us – we can’t see Him or feel Him, but He’s with us in our troubles.

God has not promised us an easy life, free of difficulty. Far from it.

The New Testament is full of warning that we’ll face persecution and trials. But we won’t be alone. We can draw strength from our saving faith in Jesus Christ to be “strong and courageous.” If we try to draw from ourselves, we’re lost. The reserve of strength inside us is limited. I’ve hit my limit more times than I can count. It’s a terrible feeling to know that you’re at the very end of whatever emotional and physical strength that you have. It’s a lonely feeling as well.

Instead of relying on ourselves, we need to remember that God is with us. He is our strength, and, in reality, He is where any strength that we might seem to have comes from. We don’t need to despair or fear.

God is walking with us, sitting in the emergency room with us, the boardroom, the courtroom, the classroom. God is with us so we can be strong with His strength and courageous to live the life that He has given us.

So don’t be frightened, don’t be dismayed. Wherever we go, God goes with us.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 ACFW Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

A native New Englander, she was inspired by her travels through the north woods of Maine to write The Broken Trail, which would become the first in the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

Christa's writing focuses on the real-life challenges of the modern world, love’s sometimes crooked path, and the redemptive power of Grace.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty.

She and her husband live with their three kids, two cats, and one dog along the coast of New England. Connect with Christa at www.christamacdonald.com.

Book Review and Giveaway for "Ordinary Graces"

Book title: Ordinary Graces
Author: Lucinda Secrest McDowell
Book Review by Alexis A. Goring

Ordinary Graces is a delightful devotional book written by Lucinda Secrest McDowell.

The author grabs the reader’s attention from the first page with this line: I was “that girl.” She then continues to describe how she used to be: “Striving. Enslaved. Rigid. Yes, a Christ-follower. Carrying around God’s gift of grace, but never bothering to open it and embrace its richness as a way of life.” She then states that she was the “last person you’d expect to be writing a book offering the many gifts of God’s ordinary graces.” But then she was "transformed by an encounter with Jesus" and He enabled her to write. And boy, can she write!

Ordinary Graces is a lovely, lighthearted gift that will point you to Jesus and encourage your soul. McDowell debunks the idea that you have to be perfect before coming to Jesus and exhorts the reader to realize that God loves them just as they are, without conditions.

This book is divided into three sections packed with devotionals that focus on core concepts of grace, strength, gratitude and life. The author’s tone is gentle yet firm, kind yet not afraid to correct. Every devotional in this book is backed by Bible verses. The readings on each page are clean in content, crisp in feel and comforting to the soul.

I’d recommend this book to everyone who needs a dose of encouragement!

*Litfuse Publicity Group provided me (Alexis A. Goring) with a complimentary copy of Ordinary Graces. My opinions in this book review are my own.

~*~
Book blurb for Ordinary Graces: 

Everyone loves to receive a gift.

And God has given us many, such as his grace-the gift we don't deserve and can never earn. Promises from the One who declares we are already loved, already accepted, already created in his image. The question becomes, will we truly receive that gift? Will the reality of it actually change the way we think and notice and reach out?

God's Word will stand forever, in any season of life. These truths prompt us to respond with compassion and courage.

Through inspiring devotions, Lucinda Secrest McDowell reveals biblical blessings that remind us that: God's promises give us strength, God's grace can be most evident at our weakest points, a proper response to our abundance of blessings is simply gratitude, and the "more" we are all looking for is the same abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

Would you like to receive these gifts of ordinary grace? Join Lucinda in focusing on one word a day through devotional readings and short benedictions for any and every season to explore the many facets of Grace, Strength, Gratitude, and Life.

~*~
About the Author: 

Lucinda Secrest McDowell is passionate about embracing life - both through deep soul care from drawing closer to God, as well as living courageously in order to touch a needy world. 

A storyteller who engages both heart and mind, she offers "Encouraging Words" to all on the journey. 

A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, Cindy is the author of 13 books, including "Ordinary Graces," "Dwelling Places," "Live These Words," "Refresh!," "Quilts from Heaven" and "Role of a Lifetime." Whether co-directing the "reNEW - retreat for New England Writing," mentoring young moms, or leading a restorative day of prayer, she is energized by investing in people of all ages.

Find out more about Lucinda by visiting her website, http://EncouragingWords.net.SaveSave

Interview with Candee Fick, author of Dance Over Me

Please welcome Candee Fick to the blog today! Candee is the author of Catch of a Lifetime which is available now. 

Today, she's here to talk about her new novel, Dance Over Me, which is releasing today AND she's giving away one e-book copy of her book, for your Kindle! Enter the book giveaway contest by filling out the Rafflecopter widget below. Then proceed to read the interview with this super talented author! :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~*~

Interview with Candee:

Alexis: Danielle Lefontaine is a strong, unique and powerful name. How did you think of it? Tell us about the woman behind the name. What does she look like? What are her flaws? Her strengths?

Candee: I picked this name for my character for the strength and bit of elegance it implies, but also because it contrasts with her birth name (and nickname) of Dani Barker. She’s a survivor with a persistent streak to find and be reunited with her baby brother, but after her experiences in foster care, she’s also afraid to rock the boat. When bullied, Dani won’t stand up for herself because she still doesn’t want to get pegged as the troublemaker and find herself looking for a new home. Yet, despite her longing for a place to belong, Dani’s an extremely talented dancer and singer. Her talent makes her stand out in the crowd while her straight brown hair and brown eyes help her blend in.

Alexis: Danielle seems like a captivating character. Describe the research that you did to write this book. Did you visit New York and watch a show on Broadway?

Candee: Since her birth mom’s favorite song was “The Lullaby of Broadway,” Dani always felt a pull toward that direction that was solidified once she started dance lessons. However, she’s never been to New York or Broadway…and neither have I. Yet many of the plays performed on local stages were once on Broadway so I found it an interesting twist to bring the big stage to the local setting. There are two plays performed during the time period of Dance Over Me and I watched both of them in person at a local dinner theater in addition to countless YouTube videos and a looping soundtrack in the background when writing.

Alexis: What role does Danielle’s long-lost brother play in this story? What’s the significance?

Candee: Her long-lost brother is a symbol of sorts of her longing to belong somewhere. She once had a happy, loving family and yearns to regain that emotional stability and connection again. So while she’s looking for her brother, she’s also discovering that ideal stability and connection in her personal relationship with God and then with the hero and his family. Often the very thing we think will fill the gaping hole in our heart or bring satisfaction doesn’t. Dani also feels a sense of unfinished business since she had promised her dad to always look out for her brother but circumstances made it impossible to do that. She’ll need to trust that God has been watching over them all along and working behind the scenes.

Alexis: What is it about Danielle that makes a cast member jealous?

Candee: Did I mention that Dani’s got talent? Well, during the audition, the company diva’s boyfriend not only complimented Dani on her fancy footwork but seemed to flirt with her while reading dialogue from a scene. The diva not only feels her position as star could be threatened but makes it a personal mission to keep the boyfriend’s attention. But remember, Dani doesn’t like to rock the boat and wants to fade into the background…which could make it seem like she’s hiding something.

Alexis: The hero in your story is Alex Sheridan, also a strong name! What was your inspiration behind creating this character? What’s he like personality-wise? Briefly detail his strengths, weaknesses, and character flaws.

Candee: Alex represents stability with a solid family around him as well the family-owned business where he gets to use his musical talent and marketing education. He’s got a fun sense of humor, dimples, a lock of hair that keeps falling over his forehead, and an unwavering dedication to those he loves. He’s living his dream and now wants someone to share it with. Perfect, right? Except that he’s afraid to take a risk with his heart. He’s torn between wanting a life partner who loves the theater and fearing that the bright lights of the stage will steal her away. Mostly because he can’t imagine ever leaving home.

Alexis: Where is the dinner theater that Alex helps his family run, located? Why did you as the author, choose that kind of backdrop?

Candee: Like I mentioned before, a dinner theater was a fun way to bring a taste of the big stage of Broadway to a smaller town setting. It’s almost a juxtaposition between our big dreams of glory and our need for a safe place of security. This particular fictional theater is located in Fort Collins, Colorado about an hour north of Denver and is loosely based on a compilation of three semi-local dinner theaters. While I wanted the freedom to invent my own layout of the facility for the story purposes, I also wanted to create a place where other theater-goers from other states could feel at home.

Alexis: What is it about Danielle that captivates Alex?

Candee: Alex recognizes talent and a similar sense of humor, but is captivated when he catches a glimpse of Dani’s heart for God on the day he arrives early for a rehearsal. In that moment, he realizes that she performs for the love of the dance and to use God’s gifts rather than a desire for fame or notoriety. There is nothing more beautiful than humility and Alex knows he’s found the other half of his heart.

Alexis: What is it about Alex that makes Danielle’s care about him?

Candee: While her first impression is that he’s cute…and tall, she’s also skittish because he is the Director’s son and she doesn’t want it to appear to others (like the already-jealous diva) that she’s trying to get on the Director’s good side through his family. However, as Dani spends more time bantering with Alex during rehearsals and she sees him interact with his grandmother and cousin, the fear fades. And then she catches a glimpse of his faith in God which seals the deal. Alex is the total package.

Alexis: Why does the glamour of the stage captivate Danielle’s heart? How did show business become her passion?

Candee: The first seed was planted by her birth mom singing about Broadway and then nurtured through learning to dance. But show business became her passion in high school during a drama class when she first stepped into the life of someone else on stage. After foster care and years of trying to find a place to belong, it was refreshing to walk in someone else’s shoes for a change. She found her niche in musical theater because she could also use her love for music and dance. She also loves the way she can help audience members leave behind their own cares for a few hours during a show.

Alexis: What were the most challenging aspects of writing this book? And what was the most rewarding?

Candee: The most challenging part was making the tap dance parts seem real since I haven’t received any formal training in dance. However, I had been part of several shows including large-scale Passion Plays so I drew on that theater experience to bridge the gaps. The most fun part of writing this book was the banter between Dani and Alex because those two could really get going faster than my fingers could fly. But the most rewarding part was weaving in Dani’s faith journey and the realization that God was her true stability and had been working behind the scenes of her life.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember about Dance Over Me?

Candee: The title came from a song, “Amazed,” by Phillips Craig and Dean that mentions how God dances over us while we are unaware and goes on to say how amazed we are at God’s love. I want readers to feel a similar amazement at how God works behind the scenes in our lives and to recapture that sense of awe at the depth of His love as illustrated by Dani’s story and her relationship with Alex.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Candee! Any closing thoughts?

Candee: Thanks for having me today! It’s been a lot of fun talking about Dani’s journey. The good news is that there’s more to come from The Wardrobe Dinner Theatre. I’m working on the sequel right now and already plotting how to redeem the diva in book three. Folks can sign up for my newsletter at www.CandeeFick.com and get updates about future books.

~*~

Author bio: 

Candee Fick is the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy with her day job or writing, she can be found cheering on the home team at football, basketball, baseball, and Special Olympics games. In what little free time remains, she enjoys exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.

~*~

Book blurb: 

Danielle Lefontaine, a fledgling actress raised to the lullaby of Broadway, searches for her long-lost brother and her place on the stage, but a jealous cast member and numerous fruitless leads threaten to drop the curtain on her dreams and shine a spotlight on her longing for a place to belong. Meanwhile, Alex Sheridan is living his dream except for someone to share it with. When Dani dances into his life, he hopes he’s found the missing piece to his heart but fears the bright lights of a bigger stage could steal her away. Will the rhythm of dancing feet usher in their deepest desires or leave them stranded in the wings?

~*~
Connect with Candee:

Website - www.CandeeFick.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/CandeeFick
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Author.Candee.Fick
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/CandeeFick/
GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/702901.Candee_Fick
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+CandeeFick

Words of Faith: Christine's story on kids and discipline

Leaving Our Kids to God's Discipline

A Words of Faith story by Christine Lindsay

As a Christian mom I knew I was supposed to pray and leave my worries about my children to my Heavenly Father. After all, according to His word, He loves them even more than I do. But back in 2006 I was praying hard for Lana, and feeling pretty desperate that maybe God wasn't hearing my prayers for my daughter.

At the time I'd been struggling with whether or not I trusted God to fix my kid’s life or was there something I could fix. Lana was making all the wrong choices as a young adult at university, and paying for those choices in painful ways that have left physical scars to this day. Everything her dad and I had taught her about obeying the Lord’s will, she did the opposite.

Let’s face it, life can be hard, and when our kids hurt, we hurt.

One day as I was cleaning our den I found a box of old photographs, old degree diplomas, and came across a faded blue airmail letter that I'd received back in 1980. It was a letter from my grandmother upon my engagement.

In that letter she wrote how thankful she was to the Lord that I had found a good partner in life, that her prayers for me were answered, that I was living the joyful things that God had planned for me.

For most of my life my grandmother and I were separated by the Atlantic Ocean. With her still in Ireland and me living in Canada, she didn’t have much opportunity to do things for me, other than pray and write letters. She certainly didn’t have the opportunity to “fix” things for me if I messed up my life which I certainly did until I turned around and started obeying God.

My grandmother died in 1984, but many years later in 2006 as I re-read her letter, and I was the mom of an adult daughter, I felt the Lord’s comfort. Behind my grandmother's writing was the Lord's voice right when I needed it, and His gentle reminder to trust Him with Lana.

I resisted the urge to “fix” everything in Lana’s life. It wasn’t a matter of letting her suffer the consequences and to learn from that. We had to by faith put her into God’s hands, to trust that He would open her eyes. It was hard at first to stand back in faith and let God work. But then we saw the Lord start to work in her life. We saw our prayers for Lana answered. In 2010 the Lord brought her back to Himself, and her faith was all the stronger for it, because it was her own faith in Christ, and not just that of her parents.

As much as we want to, we cannot save the ones we love. Only Christ can do that. Give your loved ones over to God. Trust Him to save them, because ultimately seeing Him save my child reaffirmed in my soul that He had saved me.

Seeing our kids desperate need of God underlined for me that I too desperately need the Lord for everything, my heartbeat, my breath, my salvation. There is not one single thing that we can do to “fix” anything in life. It’s a matter of stepping back and letting God do the saving.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."~Acts 4:12 (NIV)

And even though at the time I was praying so hard for my daughter she was an adult, in my heart she was still my little girl. And Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. ~Matthew 19:14-15 (NIV)

~*~

Author bio: 

Christine Lindsay is the author of multi-award-winning Christian fiction. She is currently writing her 8th novel. Aside from being a busy writer and speaker, Christine is the happy wife of David for 35 years, a mom and a grandma. 

She makes her home on the west coast of Canada, and in Aug. 2016 she will see her long-awaited non-fiction book released, Finding Sarah, Finding Me: A Birth Mother’s Story. 

Please visit Christine’s website www.ChristineLindsay.org or follow her on Amazon or Twitter. Subscribe to her quarterly newsletter, and be her friend on Pinterest, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Words of Faith: Jodie's story about faith and muscles

Faith and Muscles
A Words of Faith story written by Jodie Wolfe

“For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ~ Matthew 17:20 (HCSB)

I'm not crazy about working out and building up a sweat. The only weights I've lifted are those little hand ones that are only about 1-2 pounds. You might call me a weakling. My muscles look more like this photo to the right:

Okay, maybe not even quite as impressive as that.

Now don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean I don't exercise...I just don't work out with weights. I do walk, though that's a subject for a different day.

I've found through my many years of being a Christian that faith is like a muscle. You only develop your faith by exercising it. In other words, you have to use it in order for it to grow.

Faith starts out small, like a mustard seed - small, insignificant. But when planted, the seed cracks open and produces a tree that grows as high as 20 feet. Jesus said the mustard seed was smaller than any of the other seeds of the ground. (Mark 4:31)

Our muscles may start out as small and flabby but as we continue to work out our arms and our bodies, we strengthen them. The muscles harden and grow and may become as strong as this photo in the middle: 

Faith may start out small, like a mustard seed or a flabby muscle. But each time we choose to believe, choose to trust in God and His faithfulness, even when we can't see the outcome, it grows. With each circumstance and situation we face, we have a learning opportunity to exercise our faith and strengthen our spiritual muscles. 

I don't know about you, but I desire my faith to be like the second photo! :) Are you ready for a faith workout?

~*~
Author bio: 

Jodie Wolfe loves to stroll through history with the characters she creates. 

When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband, reading and walking. 

You can connect with Jodie via her website, Facebook and Twitter.