Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Devotionals for the Heart: Trusting God to be with you in troubled times


End Strong
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture:
Romans 1:18-32, John 16:33, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:4-8, 2 Peter 1:2-4, 
Matthew 22:29, 1 Peter 4:12 (NASB)

The passage the Lord laid on my heart for this blog is not an easy one to read. However, it is pertinent for all believers to know as our world devolves before our very eyes. So many are looking for 2020 to be over, and the 2021 year to be less stressful. Will it be, though, according to the Word of God?

We can read Romans 1:18-32 and think it was just for the time the apostle Paul was living in, but we see so many of these same things happening in our own society. God is not honored, relationships are being promoted in ways the Lord never intended, people are filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, malice, arrogance, and mercilessness. These are not new things just this year. We see more of it now, perhaps due to technology giving us access all the time, however, the root of all of this has not changed. This is the human condition apart from the love and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we need to always be aware this world is not our home. We were made for something much more than this, and when we put our hopes in a better time here on this earth, we are setting ourselves up for needless disappointment. In John 16:33, Jesus says we have tribulation in this world. Not that it will be easy and sunshine all the time. Taking it a step deeper, Jesus tells us that we will have daily trouble (Matthew 6:34). How does that match up with our way of thinking? Do we believe that our Christian life should be trouble free? Many of us live as if the troubles and trials we face are something unexpected. (1 Peter 4:12) From the mouth of the Word of God we are told the opposite, yet so many of us are depressed and anxious when our days do not go smoothly or our plans do not turn out the way we expected.

Jesus was very clear when He gave us the first part of John 16:33, but that’s not the part we remember. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.” Then He tells us we will have tribulation and that HE has overcome it. We have Philippians 4:4-8 which guides us through how to keep our minds and hearts in peace, yet we do not utilize what God has given us. Instead, we drown ourselves in the tribulation, expecting something to miraculously pull us out. Too many believers have ignored the Word of God, which is life to those who read it. We have 2 Peter 2:1-4 to remind us. We are no different, sometimes, than the Pharisees Jesus was talking to in Matthew 22:29 when He said we don’t understand the power of God.

Will 2021 be a better year? If you are looking for the circumstances of this world to be what makes it better, then it won’t be. If you are looking for your relationship with God to grow deeper and richer, then there’s every reason to believe it will be an amazing year filled with trials and tribulations to bring you closer to the One Who has overcome the world.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, we have put our eyes on the things around us so often, thinking they are what makes us happy or hold our peace. You told us that the joy of the LORD is our strength, yet we have forgotten it too many times. Remind us of Your truth. Keep Your Word ever on our hearts and lips that we may live this life in such a way that others will want to know the hope which lies within us. In the precious name of Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 


She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Friday, February 28, 2020

Devotionals for the Heart: Discipline


God Disciplines Us

A devotional by Amy Odland

Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’” The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the Lord today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.” 
– Exodus 32:25-29 (NIV)

“Your name is going on the board.”

If you’re as old as I am, you probably remember the dread you felt when your teacher said this.

Back in the 1980’s, if you were acting up or, as was the case with some teachers, if you were just talking when you weren’t supposed to, the teacher would write your name on the board. Your next infraction resulted in getting a check behind your name, and if you got enough checks behind your name, you “won” a trip down to the principal’s office.

If you were like me, you tried to avoid getting your name on the board at all, if ever. I think I could count on Mickey Mouse’s hand how many times I got my name on the board in elementary school. I was a hardcore people pleaser and usually did my best to stay out of trouble.

Nowadays, teachers don’t use such “barbaric” methods of keeping their classrooms on task. Writing kids’ names on the board for ALL TO SEE is apparently too damaging to the self-esteem, too harsh, or too whatever other excuses we’ve come up with over the years. Which explains why my kids responded the way they did – with eyes wide and gasps of horror – when I was trying to explain this concept to them on the way to school one day.

I imagine the Israelites’ response to the Levites going through the camp randomly killing people would’ve been similar to my kids, but turned up a notch or two (or ten). I also imagine there was a bit of chaos until everyone in the camp found out what was going on.

I think we sometimes get so caught up in the love and grace and forgiveness of God that we forget about His wrath and punishment. But the times when God unleashed His discipline are right there in the Bible, written in black and white (and bloody red). There are many examples of God disciplining His followers in the Bible, but especially so with the Israelites and their journey into the promised land. One may ask, WHY did God discipline them? Does God discipline us today?

Most of us who are parents don’t want our kids to grow up to be entitled, spoiled, and/or selfish non-contributors to society. God is the same in that He wants us to grow into the wise, giving, loving, discerning people He sees us to be, the creation He designed us to be. He needed the Israelites to enter into the promised land by HIS might, not by their own. He needed them to do it a certain way so they didn’t take all the credit and have their egos blow up. They were acting like knuckleheads and God wasn’t going to have it. His discipline doesn’t always make sense when it’s happening to us, and it may seem super harsh at times. But, just as we want our children to trust us when we say the stove is hot, God wants us to trust His ways and thoughts.

Lets read Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV): “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God needs us to learn to live by HIS might, by HIS ways, not by our own.

So yes, He still disciplines us today. God disciplines us because He loves us, because He wants us to experience a little of Heaven while we’re still here on Earth, just as we did in the garden.

God does it so we don’t “burn ourselves on the stove” or worse, make Him a laughingstock to our enemies. Now, HOW He disciplines us is also a whole ‘nother post for another day...stay tuned!

~*~
Author Bio:


Amy Odland has been serving in church ministry as a volunteer leader for over 16 years, in various worship, prayer and women’s ministry roles. 


Her passion for helping women stems from her own struggles and lessons learned in her journey as a Christian since first deciding to follow the Lord in 1994.

Amy’s priorities after her faith include her family — husband Rick, and their four kids — as well as extended family who all live close in proximity and the many friends she’s made over the years.

In addition to a love of teaching and helping her husband with the bookkeeping for their many businesses, Amy has recently expanded her stay-at-home work to include leading author’s book launch teams for publishing companies like Baker, Revell, Barbour, and Lifeway.

She also enjoys teaching new authors about platform building, self-launching, and online marketing.

~*~
Connect with Amy:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/amyodland
Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy_odland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amy_odland
Website: https://amyodland.com

Friday, June 15, 2018

Devotionals for the Heart: Peace


Perfect Peace
A devotional by Susan Lindstrom 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)

I stand at the back window staring at my current trouble; a large pond that spans not only the width of our yard but the neighbors on each side of us as well. And it’s growing by the minute. At least the ducks swimming in it look happy.

This is a rare occurrence and only happens when we get a consistent rain over three inches. So, when it does happen we jokingly name it ‘Lake Lindstrom’ and think we are pretty clever to have skirted the high taxes that come with real lake front living. The jokes on us though as the rain continues to pound the roof and the water drainage next to our home overflows seeping into our septic system, which backs up into our pipes so if we do anything that requires using water, there is nowhere for it to go, because it’s full. Right up to the brim.

And there’s not a thing we can do about right now. We just have to wait until the water recedes and the drainage can flow freely again. We’re told it was an error in judgement when the house was built 45 years ago and will require a lot of money to fix it. A lot, as in more than we have. I wonder why it slipped the previous owners mind to not mention this little detail.

Whatever, it’s our problem now.

It’s an odd feeling knowing you can’t use the water inside your home. Kind of like tent camping in a permanent structure. I tried pretending it was a hundred years ago, you know, before indoor plumbing, but I can’t ignore the fact that I’m already spoiled with modern conveniences and there is no outhouse to run to.

This isn’t the first time, it’s actually been a few springs now so we have learned the fine art of being frugal with our water usage. We also have learned who our real friends are, the ones that let us come over to shower and rack up their water bill. It may be the best kind of friendship, or maybe it’s pity.

But today is day three and there is more rain on the way. It’s getting harder to ‘take heart’.

I know that eventually this problem will get resolved and I’ve lived long enough to know there’ll soon be another to take its place. A saying comes to mind, "We are either coming into a problem, in the middle of one or coming out of one." 

And even though it would be awfully nice to have a trouble-free life, it’s unrealistic. Jesus actually tells us to expect it and to deal with it. But He doesn’t leave us hanging with the how-to, He wants us to do life together. He wants us to have peace in the midst of trouble, His Peace. It is, after all, one of the amazing gifts from the Holy Spirit. It shows us God’s character and is an attribute that calls us to be like Him. The peace He so lovingly gives us is a state of tranquility or quietness of spirit, the total opposite of stress and worry.

Yes, those two troublemakers that slip in when I’m not paying attention, causing knots in my shoulders not to mention the ache in my heart.

I know I can’t control the water situation but I can control my thoughts. And coming to Him in prayer I choose to rest in His Peace and to trust in His Power and Wisdom to make all things work together for our good.

Thank you, Lord.

I pray that whatever trouble is going on in your life that you choose to turn it over to El Shaddai, The All Sufficient One, the One that is bigger than your troubles. 

Accept God's gift and take heart in His Perfect Peace.

Now, I wonder if the ducks would mind if I joined them?

~*~
Author Bio: 
Susan Lindstrom is not an award-winning writer yet unless you count that ‘best story’ award in third grade but stay tuned to see what God has planned!

Writing has always been a passion but raising a family, running her sewing and design business, involvement in women’s ministry and teaching Sunday School has kept her plenty busy.

Now retired and an empty-nester she trusts in God’s amazing timing and has jumped in to embrace this new adventure of writing.

Her first book is for children and will soon be released. It's the first in a series of real-life adventures focusing on the fruit of the Spirit.

She grew up on both the East and West coasts and now calls the beautiful state of Wisconsin home. She’s a wife, mom, and grandma to 10 children.

Susan listens to a wide variety of music, loves live performances and believes that laughter is the best medicine.

When she is not indoors writing, reading or pretending to clean the house, she’s outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s Creation.

She’s a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Cozy Christmas Reads: Linda's story


What Would You Give?

A guest post by 
Linda Shenton Matchett

In times of war sacrifice is expected not only from the troops, but from those who remain on the home front. During WWII, Americans tightened their belts as food, clothing, rubber, metal and more were rationed. Women entered the workforce, and men left for parts unknown with the armed forces. Children played with toys that mimicked their parents’ lives and participated in air raid drills at school. However, the thousands of miles that distanced us from the conflict buffered the U.S. from the privation and challenges experienced by the European countries.

With only four miles separating France and England across the Straits of Dover on the English Channel, British citizens lived in fear of invasion. Street and subway station signs were removed to confuse possible raiding soldiers, and people were cautioned not to give directions to strangers. Anxious to win the war, the population was willing to do anything to further the cause.

One of the ways civilians helped was to give up their homes. According to Requisitioned, a book by John Martin Robinson, “the majority of houses of large size in Britain were requisitioned by the government…for use as barracks, homes for evacuees, schools, hospitals, works of art stores, strategic and military headquarters, billets and training premises, even prisoner-of-war camps.”

My story, “A Doctor in the House,” (part of The Hope of Christmas collection) takes place on a requisitioned estate north of London and explores what life was like for the homeowner to have his house converted to a convalescent hospital. Because the requisitioned homes were centuries old, they lacked central heating and other modern conveniences. Constructed of stone and brick, the structures held a constant chill during the cold winter months. Residents had to get creative to provide heat for themselves, and reports abound about furniture, paneling, and even staircases being broken up for firewood.

Nearly everyone used cigarettes at the time, and countless fires occurred due to careless smokers. Episodes are told about soldiers using priceless art work as dart boards, and at Tottenham Park in Wiltshire, the grounds were used as an ammo dump. An accidental explosion blew out every pane of glass in the house and the conservatory. Arundel Castle’s herd of red deer was hunted for food, and at Brocket Hall soldiers carved their names, addresses and phone numbers in the balustrade of the park bridge.

Hatfield House and Heath House served as the inspiration for my story’s setting. Hatfield House was used as a hospital and POW camp, and Heath House was taken over by the Red Cross as an auxiliary hospital for military personnel. The sheer volume of individuals stationed on these properties that previously housed several dozen people at most, created extensive wear and tear, but they did not suffer irreparable damage as so many others did.

Because of hard use or maltreatment, more than one thousand ancestral homes were destroyed or torn down after the war. In 1946, building materials were still rationed and taxes high. Repairs to country homes were done on a shoestring, make-do-and-mend basis, which meant bigger issues were covered over to be dealt with at a later time. But the generations who took over after the war were determined to make a go of it, and thanks to grants, opening their homes to the public, and the use of second-hand furnishings, thousands more homes have survived.

How would you feel about giving up your home?

~*~
Author bio:

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, journalist, blogger, and history geek. 

Born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. 

She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a Trustee for her local public library. Linda is active in her church where she serves as treasurer, usher, and choir member. 

~*~
Blurb for Linda's novella, "A Doctor in the House", part of The Hope of Christmas story collection:

Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. 



When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart?

Archibald “Archie” Heron is the last survivor of the Heron dynasty, his two older brothers having been lost at Dunkirk and Trondheim and his parents in the Blitz. After his wife is killed in a bombing raid while visiting Brighton, he begins to feel like a modern-day Job. To add insult to injury, the British government requisitions his country estate, Heron Hall, for the U.S. Army to use as a hospital. 
The last straw is when the hospital administrator turns out to be a fiery, ginger-haired American woman. She’s got to go. Or does she?

~*~
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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Friday, May 20, 2016

Words of Faith: Gary's story about God as a refuge in times of trouble

My Refuge
A Words of Faith story written by Gary Breezeel

Some years ago, I moved my family hundreds of miles to take a new job. One day, only four months later, my boss called me into his office and told me he had to let me go. I went numb all over, my limbs like rubber. How could this have happened? He’d made no complaints about my work, and we got along well.

At least, he gave me a month’s notice.

When I regained sufficient strength, I got up, told the secretary I was leaving, and escaped. I had no particular destination in mind, knowing only that I had to get away.

I sat in the car for a few minutes, head spinning, before I remembered a tranquil spot near the Mississippi River. Only God’s grace kept me and other motorists safe as I negotiated crowded city streets and winding country roads en route to my destination.

Filled with rage, I parked not far from the river. It’s not fair. How could he do it? After all my excellent work?

After a few moments, I exited and followed a path a short distance down an embankment and stepped up onto a mammoth boulder, which extended out into the channel.

The muddy water swirled and eddied below me as the current raced swiftly past. For hours, I gazed both upstream and down. The size and power of the mighty torrent and the quiet roar as it rushed by took my focus off my troubles. The gentle breeze tickled my face. I scanned the azure sky.

Standing on that rock, I recognized some measure of the vastness of the universe. There in the midst of God’s magnificent creation, I poured out my heart to Him. Why? How could you let this happen? What now? I’m my family’s sole support. How can we survive?

Over the next few hours, I asked like questions repeatedly. At length, I received an answer to the question I should have asked. I began to comprehend how small and weak I was when compared with the size and power of that river. Yet, the universe made even the Mighty Mississippi seem minuscule.

Even more importantly, the Lord reminded me that He made all of creation, including me. With His help, I remembered that He loves me, that He wants only good for me, and that He promised to provide for me.

I went home with renewed hope and peace in my heart, knowing I could face an uncertain future because my God remained in control, and He would provide for me. No, I did not expect God to hand me another job. I knew I would have to send out resumes and make calls, but I could leave the results, and the worrying, up to Him. And I did. For the most part.

I would like to say that I completely avoided worry over the next few weeks, but, too many times, I picked that burden back up myself. Yet, whenever worry threatened to get ahold of me, I returned to my special place. There, as the waters surged by, I felt His presence in a special way. I experienced him in the vastness of the sky, the fresh, misty scent of the river, and the breeze rustling through the trees.

The enormity of His creation reminded me again and again of his power and that He reigns. He spoke to me through those things, renewing my trust in Him. But, mostly, I poured out my heart, knowing He heard me. In so doing, I gained the strength and courage to persevere through adversity without losing heart.

Over the next month, I spent countless hours by the river in prayer and meditation, as I experienced the wonder of God’s power and grace through various aspects of his creation. I felt closer to Him than ever before. Each time I visited my refuge, my troubled heart found peace. Moreover, God came through for me. After missing only five days of work, I found another job. What a Blessing! What a God!


Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. 

~*~
Author bio: Gary L. Breezeel is a former attorney, minister, and government accountant. Throughout all those various career changes, he dreamed of being a writer when he grew up. Finally, upon retirement from his position with the U. S. Department of Defense, he fulfilled his dream. Gary moved to Arkansas in 2010 with his wife of more than forty years to be closer to his grandchildren. In addition to his writing, he fills his days with reading, feeding his television addiction, touring Arkansas, and attending sports and other activities involving his grandchildren.



Gary is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. His short stories, essays, memoirs, and poems have won numerous contests. One recurring theme in his work is baseball. He is a lifelong fan and several of his stories have a baseball setting. Gary has completed a draft of his first novel and is making slow progress toward getting it ready for publication.

His only publication of note is “A Comedy of Errors” in Christmas Moments, Grace Publishing, 2014.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Interview: Allyson Carter, author of Hearts Undone

Welcome Allyson Carter to the blog today! She writes romantic suspense for the Christian book market. Today is your time to learn all about her new novel Hearts Undone

I hope you will enjoy this interview with Allyson. If you'd like to buy her book, there are purchase links at the end of this blog post. Enjoy! 

*Words from Alexis in bold, words from Allyson not in bold...

~*~
Alexis: Congrats on your latest novel, Hearts Undone! Now that it’s published and available for purchase, how do you feel? 


Allyson: That’s a loaded question. I feel excited and nervous, and I’m sure a million other emotions!

Why did you write Hearts Undone?


It was one of those books that came to me and I had to write it down. It wouldn’t let go of me. I rewrote this book a total of six times before it was right.

What message are you sending to your readers in this book?

How life is messy. I aim for showing imperfection in my books and how God fixes that. How we need Him to come in and fix us, because no one else can. I also tackle how believers can stumble and how God is waiting there with open arms. I hope they take away of how great God is, and that His hand is in every situation.

What or who was the inspiration for your main characters?

The singer JoJo was my inspiration for Shelby and Chris Young for Mark.

What was the most challenging aspect of crafting the storyline for this book?

The learning to add faith into my writing and making sure it flowed just right. This was my first book written, well, I should say rewritten as a Christian book. I came over from a different genre.

Tell us about your heroine Shelby. Why did you choose her name? What makes Shelby happy? What brings the most pain? Share the deepest desire of Shelby’s heart.


She came to me with that name. I didn’t have a chance to choose a name for her. God, her best friend and her family make Shelby happy. What brings Shelby the most pain are her past mistakes and the way she let God down. God is Shelby’s heart’s desire, along with her family. She also loves to help out the teens in her community.

What does Shelby think of the hero when she first meets him and is her first impression the lasting impression?

She thought he was a softie. He comes off edgier than he really is. Yes, she was pretty right about him even way back.

Tell us about your hero Mark. Describe his looks, his heart’s desire and why he’s introduced into Shelby’s life.

Mark is six-foot-three with denim-blue eyes and broad shoulders. His black hair trimmed in a crew cut. His heart’s desire is to help others, that’s why he went into the military.

How long have Mark and Shelby know each other? How does he help her?

Mark and Shelby have known each other since they were little. He was introduced to her when she was born. Mark helps Shelby because he’s there when danger comes. He doesn’t hesitate to keep Shelby and her daughter safe. He protects them.

How does Mark help Shelby heal from the pain of her past?


He doesn’t realize it at first but God is using him. He reminds her of the woman she used to be. He shows her that with God’s help she can trust again.

Mark is determined to protect and perhaps even fight for Shelby and her daughter Hannah, even to “his last breath” as it states in your book summary. Why does Mark feel so fiercely protective of these two females?

Deep down he’s always felt protective of Shelby. He doesn’t want someone to hurt her. She’s innocent. When he finds out it is someone from his past. He feels he must protect them. It is who he is deep to his core.

What role does faith in God play in Hearts Undone?

It is a big part. Both of them are believers. Mark has taken a step back and Shelby knows she’s nothing without God.

How does your Christian worldview as an author affect your fictional story world and the lives of your characters in Hearts Undone?

It plays a big part. They have to rely on God in some dangerous situations. He’s the only way they’d make it out alive. I try and weave that into both of their lives, even if they’re fighting against God to come back.

What did you love the most about writing Hearts Undone?

I loved that it was a fresh start for me. It was like new life was being put into me, as I was able to write and not hide who I am as a believer anymore.

What’s your elevator pitch for Hearts Undone?

Shelby may lose more than her heart. Hearts Undone is "Criminal Minds" meets Sweet Home Alabama.

Complete this sentence: You should read Hearts Undone because
_____________________________________________.

You should read Hearts Undone because it is a story that shows how powerful our God is, even when we fall down and make mistakes, he can use them for His glory.

~*~
Author bio: 
Allyson writes Edgy Christian romance and suspense novels. In her books, readers will find emotionally stirring story lines, as well a compelling mixture of suspense and faith. She resides in Missouri with her loving husband and four wonderful children, and three cats. When not spending time with her family, you can find her knitting, and watching perhaps a few way too many suspense and reality television shows.


Blurb for Hearts Undone:
After a bitter divorce, Shelby Johnson is looking to rebuild a life for herself and her daughter, Hannah, while avoiding the thing she mistrusts most: men. Her resolve is tested, however, when her brother’s best friend, Mark, moves in across the street and her long-buried feelings for him rise to the surface. Can she open up her heart again? When someone threatens her life, she realizes that her heart isn’t the only thing on the line. She turns to the only man she feels she can trust.

Mark Daniels returns to his hometown to solve a crime committed in the military. When he gets caught up in Shelby's troubles, he knows she needs someone to protect her, but can he be that man? Being around her again is forcing him to face the way he feels—something he’d rather not do. When his past comes to haunt him, he vows to protect Shelby and her daughter until his last breath.

Through God's love, Shelby and Hannah find their way into Mark's heart. Will there be room for God too?

Buy Allyson's book: