Devotionals for the Heart: Being Still

You Need Only Be Still
A devotional by Wade Webster

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.” –Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)

“What verses do you use for encouragement when God is silent in your life?”

My life as a truck driver can be quite mundane most of the time. I deliver mattresses to stores.

This was the question Mary posed after we unloaded her order. There were no customers there at the time. I gave her a copy of my book, 100 Prayers of a Writer, a few months before this time when I heard Christian music being played on the radio.

I opened with how impactful Joshua 1:9 has been many times. She shared that that is the verse she has on her Facebook profile.

Then I went on to share how God led the Hebrews into a trap against the Red Sea, the mountains and the Egyptian army just so they would see His desire to fight for them. All they had to do is be still.

Before I finished tears were rolling down Mary’s cheeks. I normally don’t like making beautiful women cry but I knew God was speaking through me to her so I continued. “Do you believe the sun is still shining on a cloudy day?”

Mary blinked and wiped her cheeks. “Yes, of course it’s shining. I just can’t see it.”

“That’s the same way God is when we can’t experience Him the way we want to. He’s still there only silent. Keep believing and taking one step at a time. He’s there for you every step of the way.”

Mary shared that the theme of being still was the message being repeated to her. She also told me that she was just reading that section of scripture in her quiet time. God was definitely speaking to her about this. I was one more conduit He was using.

A month later I had the chance to put this theme to use in my own life. My sister let me use her lake house for a day alone before the Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference. I planned on fasting and praying that day but the prayers didn’t come.

I spent the previous week on vacation visiting my six siblings one at a time. My old car was acting up again. Distractions were everywhere. I felt the Spirit speak to me to just be still. So I was. It was exhilarating.

As I went to the conference my car got worse. It looked like I was going to miss the first half day of it. After being misdiagnosed twice the problem was found and fixed in a matter of minutes. I only missed the first few minutes of the opening keynote address.

My first four one-on-one appointments were met with the same response, “Sorry, but your platform isn’t big enough for us to publish you at this time.”

Then the only agent in attendance asked me to send him one of my manuscripts. The next publisher asked for a different one. God was in control of all of it. I just had to be obedient and still and persistent.

I don’t know what problem you’re dealing with today. I know you’ve been doing all you can to fix it with no success. I have an idea for you to seriously consider. Let it go into God’s hands.

He can solve this dilemma in ways you never thought of.

All you have to do is be still.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wade Webster is a farm boy turned city slicker, heathen turned born-again Christian, truck driver turned writer doing his best to point folks to his best friend, Jesus Christ.

He currently lives in Plano, Texas. He's the author of 100 Prayers of a Writer, a book that didn't begin as a book, just weekly prayers to a group of writer friends.

He enjoys spending time in nature, running for exercise and dark chocolate, though not necessarily in that order. 

Apart from driving 18-wheelers for a living he has a part-time job painting houses on the side ... and the front and back and inside. 

As a teenager, he told his friends he never wanted to be considered normal. So far he's done a pretty good job of living up to that aspiration.

~*~
Connect with Wade:
Website: http://wadewebster.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWadeWebster
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wadewebster1

Devotionals for the Heart: Blessings

Unblocking Your Blessings
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” 
– James 1:17 (NKJV)

A few decades ago, my wife and I were preparing dinner for a holiday feast at our house. The garbage disposal stopped working and the kitchen sink would not drain.

I opened our phone book, searching for the number of a plumber. I called several, but it was a holiday. We had several hours before guests would arrive, but we also had a lot more work to do.

As desperation set in I prayed for a solution. I was impressed to look at the pipes under the sink. I did. It looked simple enough to tinker with. So, I used a bucket to empty the sink. We located and turned off the breaker to the garbage disposal and began to loosen the screws that attached the lower pipe to the garbage disposal.

I kept the bucket nearby. Once the pipe was free, I was surprised to see that rice and grease had congealed and created a clog. Once the pipe was cleared and reattached the water from the sink could, once again, flow freely.

The lesson in that experience is that some table scraps should not be put in the garbage disposal. Similarly, there is detritus in our lives that congeal and block our blessings.

Wounds from our past, procrastination, overwhelming stress, lethargy, poor financial habits, bad choices and unsavory input, are chief among the things that block the flow of blessings into our lives. Because we are spiritual conduits, a corollary effect of being blocked is that the blessings that might have flowed through us to others does not happen.

When our portals of divine flow are blocked, our reservoirs can become putrid. Our peace becomes irritable. Our perspectives become narrow, personally myopic and defensively offensive to others. Our generosity becomes burdensome. Our bodies ache, inexplicably. We may gain weight. High blood pressure and pre-diabetes become realities. Physical movement becomes tedious.

The corrosive and corroding effects of stress create an internal stagnation that becomes evident externally, often through a depressed affect and profane or aggressive speech.

Many scriptural stories share the reality that biblical heroes often experienced blockage in their lives. Joseph’s dreams required betrayal and adversity in order to mature. Daniel often experienced delay and frustration as he sought to understand the visions that God had given to him. Jeremiah was confirmed in his calling yet he was often depressed because he was not accepted among his peer prophets. Gideon was afraid to follow his calling because it would incite conflict. He would never have seen freedom, if he had not acted on his inspiration.

So, how do you unblock your life so that you can experience the blessed flowing of divine communion and purposed filled living? I offer to you the steps that I practice. Let me iterate that I practice them often because I have not perfected the perpetuation of flow. I still get blocked.

When I recognize that I am spiritually clogged, I resort to the following list:

1. Assess your primary relationships (Peter 3:5-7)

2. Pray for focused guidance (Daniel 2:17-19)

3. Stop wasting time (1 Peter 4:1-7)

4. Exercise your body in fresh air (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

5. Exercise your mind by reading something wholesome instead of watching TV (Romans 12:2)

6. Play because play incites motion and creativity (Zechariah 8:1-5)

7. Execute optimism (Luke 17:5-6)

8. Fix your finances (Romans 13:8 and Philippians 4:19)

9. Pick one major thing that you want to do and pursue it (Psalm 37:4)

10. Do something good for someone else (Hebrews 13:16)

Perhaps in my writing devotionals for this blog later on this year, I will expound on each of the 10 steps above. But for now, take this list, assess your position and implement the process. In my experience, you will begin to break the clog.

Mark this date on your calendar. When you realize that you have regained connection with the source from which all blessings flow and you are flowing again, mark that date as well.

Then share your success story. Your testimony will encourage others to follow your example. Imagine how the world could change if your success influenced five other people to do what you did and each of them influenced five more people!

It would create a ripple effect that is endless and blessings would abound!

Don’t delay, practice these principles today and ask God to help you unblock your blessings.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md. 

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Devotionals for the Heart: Following God's Lead throughout your life

Following the Lead Car
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."” – John 8:12 (ESV)

A recent vacation to California’s Bay Area had me in a panic attack.

My heart pounded in my chest and adrenaline shunted blood flow to extremities as my mind instructed its body of impeding doom. My breathing became shallow and I was lightheaded. Yet there was no emergency. My husband was simply driving our rental car on Highway 101 in a heavy downpour.

Nothing scares me more than driving unknown roads in the poor visibility of winter weather. Fears of sliding in ice or hydroplaning on standing water compound with navigating unknown roads, lack of daylight and spray from other vehicles.

It would make sense to me if my fears in these conditions came from a traumatic auto accident, but they don’t. These panic attacks originate from my imagination. I’m in unknown territory and I envision the worst-case scenario, pulling from stories I’ve read or scenes I have seen on television. In essence, I’m making it up. I torture myself.

So, I pray. When not the driver, I close my eyes and focus on thoughts that are pure and lovely (Philippians 4:8). I breathe deeply, exhaling slowly with the intention of releasing all fear-based thoughts and feelings. I re-center myself with resolve in God’s goodness.

Of course, when I am the driver, I must do the same exercises with eyes wide open to the circumstances. I must still move forward, so I focus on the car ahead of me, using their taillights, speed and navigation as my guide. With a “lead car,” I can relax some, relying on information about the road I glean from how someone else is experiencing it.

Journeying through life is like a road trip. When the territory is familiar, the road straight and the weather is clear, I am at ease, enjoying the scenery. I sing along to the radio. I chat casually with those who are with me. It’s when the road twists or the rain pours that my full attention is commanded. Cruise control becomes harmful and casual prattle ends.

When circumstances challenge, when Deception says, “Success of this trip is all on you,” I know I am in trouble. It’s at this point I pray for a lead car to follow.

Jesus is the lead car. He came to save, inviting us to follow Him. He lived this same life we do with a perfect record. Being God, He knows the road ahead. He put himself ahead of us that we might see His light and take comfort in following.

It’s not God’s intention that we go through this life in fear. He tells us this throughout the Bible in verses such as Psalm 27:1 (ESV): “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?”

It is His will that we mature in faith. Storms are part of that process. Driving scared is part of that process. The New Testament book of James encourages us to consider our troubles tools of perfecting, so to have joy in the process.

According to James 1:2-4 (ESV), we are advised to, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Ultimately, we travel not alone. There is peace and rest on our journey when we allow Jesus to lead. By following His light and repeating His ways, we too can be trustworthy, leading others to safety. Storms lose their power over us when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

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

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

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: Loving like Jesus Christ would want you to love

Loving my friends the Jesus way
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

When I was a girl, I thought being a good friend meant being really nice or complimentary to someone, or making them feel better about themselves. That meant if my friend wore a color shirt that looked awful on her, but I knew she’d plunked down a lot of money for it, I’d insist she looked great. Or if she said something rotten to her boyfriend, I’d be supportive and tell her she was in the right, even if I thought she’d been out of line.

As the years passed and my faith strengthened, I started thinking about the Golden Rule when it came to my friendships—that is, heeding Jesus’s command in Matthew 7:12 (NIV) to “do to others what you would have them do to you.” I wouldn’t want my friend telling me a shirt looked great on me if it didn’t, so I started responding with much more honesty, the sort of thing I’d want to hear, such as, “You are gorgeous, but that color isn’t your best. Return it for the red one.” Or, in the case of the boyfriend, I might tell her she was right but that her words were harsh, and advise her to apologize.

But going so far as to offer real, bitter-truth honesty? That was far too frightening. 

I’d pick the safe path rather than risk a fight … and possibly losing our friendship. When a friend did something immoral, I would ignore it and blindly hope they’d get back on track, thinking preserving our relationship was the priority. Perhaps if I’d been a better friend and helped them see the error of their path, helped steer them back to God, their life would have taken a better course—even if it meant the end of our friendship. No, I was too worried about maintaining the way things were, too worried about offending them, too worried to take a chance. What I thought was mannerly was actually cowardice, for when it comes to true friends, they’re worth the risk.

That’s the thing about loving people—it’s always at the risk of self. Loving others means helping them win, which means we might lose. It means encouraging them to be their best selves, which might involve hurting their feelings … or my own. It means being real, taking risks, loving hard, and loving right.

Today, I’m a woman who tries my hardest to follow Christ and live my life for Him, and that comes to friendships, too. I realize I have an obligation to be far more than a companion to those in my inner circle. I need to love them as Jesus would love them. That means sticking by their side when they are facing darkness, illness, or ruin and offering them help, even it if puts me in jeopardy.

It also means pointing them in the right direction—toward the Jesus path.

Jesus is filled with kindness and compassion, of course. He loved us so much He was willing to take the form of a lowly, poverty-stricken human, suffer and die a torturous death on our account, all so He could show us the way to God. But he didn’t do it by ignoring misbehavior and making us feel better about ourselves. He loved us and, all the while, pointed us to God. He urged us to leave sin behind and repent, to live in a new way.

The woman caught in adultery about to be stoned by a crowd of men for her sins, from John 8? Jesus came to her rescue, but He didn’t say, “that’s that; now go on your merry way” to make her feel better. He said, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11 NIV).

As Christians, we are called to love each other as Christ would—all in, holding nothing back, and always pointing to the Lord. That’s the kind of friend I need. How about you?

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden.

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, and a member of the Wholly Loved Ministries team.

Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: A Different Kind of New Year's Resolution

New Year, New You
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)

"What is your New Year’s resolution?"

The dreaded question plagues us all. I have stopped answering this question. In the past it has been the about the predictable things: lose weight, eat better, exercise, read my bible more, spend more time with God, etc. Some things have come to pass, but I’ll admit I’ve never stuck to a consistent exercise routine; I start strong and petter out after a few weeks. But I have taken to reading my Bible pretty more and seeking out more time to spend with God. This sounds like it should suffice but it doesn’t. Something in me knows there is more to be, something more to do.

Scripture tells us to go into all the world and spread the gospel (Mark 16:15). This is much more than being resolved to do better, be better, act better, or even think better. It is more than a starting fresh at the beginning of a new year. But it can also feel like an overwhelming task when the rest of the world’s cares and actions are so contrary. Yet, that is who we are supposed to be. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ – to be the representative of His saving grace, mercy, and goodness.

So perhaps, rather than being resolute in something the world expects, we can pledge to be a better ambassador of God. How can we do this?

Show Who God is to others. God is love. God is joy. God is peace. When we show these attributes to others we reflect who God is. By doing things that express Godly attributes we attract others to the true and everlasting nature of God. Oftentimes it is the essence and wonder of God’s nature that draws people to Him and the path to seek more of who He is. What about who God is draws you most to Him? Reflect it to others!

Testify to who God is in your life. When was the last time you shared your personal testimony with someone? There is nothing like introducing the gift of God to others through your own unique experience. God reaches each of us in different and special ways, through both positive and negative situations. His best work is taking what was meant for evil and making it for good with the ultimate example being the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ. What has He done in your life? Someone needs to hear it.

Pray and ask God to use your unique gifts. God wants to partner with us to “make His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). He gives each of us special gifts to be the best ambassador for Him. When we pray and yield to God’s leading, He opens doors and guides us into situations meant to help and support others. He uses us to be salt and light to the world. Through our obedience He can bless others. Be open to using your gifts and willing to act when He calls.

What better way to open the new year than by reconciling ourselves to God and becoming better ambassadors for His glory rather than seeking resolutions that may not last. God is everlasting! He can use us in this new year to help Him do the miraculous and change someone’s life forever, and in the process change your life for the better too. 

Here’s to God’s year 2020!

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

What Is Grace?
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 8:32, John 15:5, Philippians 1:6, Micah 6:8 (NASB)

About a decade ago, God sent me on a journey by using a book by Steve McVey called Grace Walk. I had a bit of an understanding of what grace was, or so I thought, and went into the study with little expectation. It rocked my spiritual world.

I was taught the acronym of GRACE – God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense – when I was a child. I knew grace wasn’t something I could earn, however much I struggled in believing it. I still felt like God didn’t love me unless I was doing what was right more often than what was wrong. My feelings were what drove me to be relentless in my self-doubt, condemnation of my efforts, and belief that I could never measure up to the perfection He wanted from me, as a person who had accepted salvation. Ever feel that way?

All of those feelings kept me in slavery. I don’t use that word lightly. I was chained to what I thought would make God love me more. I was shackled to disappointments and guilt every single day. I didn’t feel as if John 8:32 was anywhere near my grasp.

Through that study, I began to see what had been in the Word all along! Philippians 1:6 is clear about Who does the work, and Who has the responsibility to complete it, but I never read it with understanding eyes. I started to learn about a freedom that seemed too easy. How could I believe that my only requirement from the Lord was to abide with Him? The passage in John 15:5 is familiar to most of us, but we still think we can do something good in ourselves. We’re told in Micah what is required of man, yet, do we ever really believe it? Is it truly that simple?

Yes, it is. We, humans, have complicated God’s grace in troubling ways. We lay burdens on our shoulders, and those of others, which were never intended to be there, nor could possibly be carried!

We have unrealistic expectations of ourselves (perfection in all things), and then, when we don’t achieve those lofty goals, we beat ourselves up. Even worse, we expect things from others that they could never attain, and beat them up when they don’t reach the mark.

We, as believers, are wanting things of other believers, and the world, that they aren’t capable of doing. We want a moral compass in those who don’t know the Lord at all. We want perfection in relationships with others when God’s not done with us yet, so how can we expect He’s done with that other person? Damaged people do damage, and hurting people hurt people. Until we allow the Lord to begin His work of healing in our lives, those two things will continue to wreak havoc, but that’s another post!

This year is going to be a study in grace through my posts. I long, now, for others in the faith to understand the real freedom Jesus Christ died to give us. No condemnation. No guilt. Wouldn’t that be an amazing life? It’s ours for the grasping, but only as we understand who we are and Whose we are. Come on the journey with me.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, You are amazing in so many ways. The most astounding part for me is that You don’t think poorly of me when I don’t understand something. You want to show me, through Your Holy Spirit, what is right, and long to guide me into all of Your truth. Give me a softened heart, an open mind to the things of You, and a willingness to learn what is true. In the Name of Christ, I pray, Amen.

*Editorial Note from Alexis (founder of "God is Love" blog): Allison's devotional today reminds me of a song by Larnelle Harris called, "Were It Not For Grace." Listen to it here. God bless you!

~*~
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

Devotionals for the Heart: New Year 2020 edition with new writers!

Dear Reader Friends,

Tomorrow (Jan. 1, 2020) marks the start of a New Year!

And it also begins another part of our devotional journey!

I am excited to announce that this year, we have 7 NEW regularly scheduled writers, 8 original writers from 2019 who are continuing to write devotionals this new year, and three back-up writers contributing to my blog's tri-weekly series, "Devotionals for the Heart!"

This is the introduction post! Scroll down to see pictures of ALL of my writers (new and old) then read their author bios and starting tomorrow, read the first NEW devotional for this year! :)

Note: My backup writers will only contribute their original devotionals in emergency cases when my regularly scheduled writers for this year cannot meet their deadline. God willing, a new devotional will be published every Monday/Wednesday/Friday of every week for all of this New Year 2020.

I hope and pray that God blesses you this New Year with His Peace, Hope and Love!

May this devotional series bless your heart too.

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of "God is Love" blog

~*~

Read on for the author bios and photos of my NEW devotional writers for this year...

Author Bio:
Alexis Newlin is a 36-year-old lover of Jesus, loose leaf tea, roller coasters, writing stories and going on adventures. Originally from Marietta, GA, Alexis now resides in Fresno, CA. 

You can always find Alexis outdoors enjoying a walk in her neighborhood, scoping out the newest food truck, hanging out with friends or planning her next trip.

Her church, The Revival Center, and family mean the world to her. They have supported her through the loss of her mother and her own cancer diagnosis.

Alexis enjoys encouraging others by reminding them not to look at what they see, but to always look to God, who is working in the unseen.

Alexis currently writes for several online ministries and hopes to launch her first podcast – The Brave Podcast – in January 2020.

~*~
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.

~*~
Author Bio:

My name is Julia Wilson but I also go by Christian Bookaholic. 

I live with my husband and five cats in a small town in Worcestershire on the banks of the River Severn (England). We have four grown up children and three granddaughters.

I have always loved reading and have always been surrounded by books. I used to work as a teaching assistant for special needs in the local high school. Ill health forced me to stop working in December 2015. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known as M.E.) and fibromyalgia. I now have plenty of time to read and review books!

Our eldest son set up my Christian Bookaholic blog. I review every book I read. I read over 300 books a year. I read Christian and mass market. I prefer stories set from 1850 onwards. My favorite type of books to read are stories set in WWI and WWII, and Russia under Czar Nicholas II.

I am a historian, having a Combined Humanities degree where I majored in History and minored in English. I also love swimming. I only learned how to swim in 2017 and go swimming four mornings a week for 90 minutes before breakfast. It keeps my joints going.

I am also a crazy cat lady. I absolutely love my cats. I have grown up with cats and cannot imagine life without them. My dream is to own an old fashioned seal point Siamese … but not while we have our young rescue cat as she hates other cats!

I love God and love going to a large, lively church called Lifecentral. I cannot imagine life without God. He gives a peace even when life does not. He guides my life. He is my Rock.

~*~
Author Bio:

Karen Marstaller is a retired high school teacher who spent most of her career challenging creative students to write. Her heart is for her readers. 

She writes to encourage them, to make them laugh, to show them that life is a beautiful journey, and regardless of their past, to show them that there is joy ahead if they will just keep looking.

Karen and her husband live in central Texas in a sweet little home that they completely remodeled. They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes seven precious grandchildren.

Most of all, Karen writes in obedience to the command to love your neighbor, to offer a cup of water to those who are dying of thirst, and to comfort others with the comfort she has received from God.

~*~
Author Bio:

Malinda Fugate writes from the heart. 

Though she serves full time as the Children’s Education Director at a church in Southern California, she is also a crafter of words, including The Other Three Sixteens (her book that is scheduled to release in May 2020 with Ambassador International), Bible Time for Active Kids (which is an activities-based devotional that is available for purchase on Amazon.com), and The Pen and the Sword: Connecting With the Word of God (which is an interactive creative writing journal). 

Malinda earned a communications degree with a theatre emphasis from Azusa Pacific University, then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA.

Her writing includes children's faith resources, commercial copywriting, and various faith-based stage and screenplays. Malinda lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi.

When she's not writing or working at church, she might be creating art, reading, or exploring the many adventures to be found in the Los Angeles area.

~*~
Author Bio:

Writing stories that take the reader on a journey to parts unknown has been a lifelong love for Tema Banner. She enjoys all history and continues daily to hone both her knowledge of history and her writing skills. 

God is her guiding light and the reason for every endeavor in her life. She is a member of the South Carolina ACFW chapter as well as an active member of her local RWA chapter, Carolina Romance Writers.

Tema has served as past President and Secretary as well as holding various chair positions. She is the honored recipient of the Harold Lowery Service Award, presented by the Carolina Romance Writers.

God has gifted her with a loving husband, two children and three grandchildren who are the delight of her life.

In her spare time, she gardens and digs into genealogy for nuggets to use in her stories.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wade Webster is a farm boy turned city slicker, heathen turned born-again Christian, truck driver turned writer doing his best to point folks to his best friend, Jesus Christ.

He currently lives in Plano, Texas. He's the author of 100 Prayers of a Writer, a book that didn't begin as a book, just weekly prayers to a group of writer friends. 

He enjoys spending time in nature, running for exercise and dark chocolate, though not necessarily in that order. Apart from driving 18-wheelers for a living, he has a part-time job painting houses on the side ... and the front and back and inside.

As a teenager, he told his friends he never wanted to be considered normal. So far he's done a pretty good job of living up to that aspiration.

~*~

Read on for the author bios and photos of my OLD devotional writers returning this year...

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.

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Author Bio:
Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University (WAU) in Takoma Park, Maryland.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees–a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan; a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland; and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

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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.

Sweet River Redemption is her three-book Contemporary Christian Romance 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.

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Author Bio:

Glynis Becker enjoys writing devotions, inspirational short fiction, novel-length fiction, and screenplays. Her film Sinking Sand is available for streaming on Amazon.com, TubiTv, and on DVD. 

She spent her childhood traveling the country as an Air Force brat, until she decided to attend college at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Once she got her mechanical engineering degree, she decided she couldn’t leave, so she has made her home for the last thirty years in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota with her photographer husband, their almost-grown two children, and one very cat-like poodle. She has worked as a software engineer for a defense contractor, an adult ministries director at a church, and currently does paperwork and intake for an adoption agency.

When she’s not writing, working or volunteering, you’ll find her reading everything from Christian fiction to epic fantasy novels, watching TV or cheering for her favorite sports team, the Minnesota Vikings.

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Author Bio:
Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian journalist, author, blogger, editor, and devotional writer. She is the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, which has won 113 journalism awards during her tenure. 

She is the author of Feed My Sheep: A 40-Day Devotional to Develop a Heart for Hunger Ministry (2019) and More Like Jesus: A Devotional Journey (2018) and editor of Stories of Racial Awakening: Narratives on Changed Hearts and Lives of South Carolina United Methodists (2018), all from her newspaper’s Advocate Press.

She is a seasoned speaker and contributor to Thrivent Magazine, Crosswalk, and the United Methodist News Service, among many others. She has a weekly faith blog called "Shining the Light" that is published on her website, www.JessicaBrodie.com and is part of the team at Wholly Loved Ministries. 

Her novel Tangled Roots won a third place Foundation Award in Contemporary Romance at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2019. An earlier unpublished novel, The Memory Garden, won the 2018 Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction from American Christian Fiction Writers.

Married, Brodie has four children and stepchildren and lives in South Carolina.

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Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

Mirachelle is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior. 

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

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

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Temeka Borden, better known by her pen name “Positivity Inspires,” is an author, speaker, minister, PharmD, multi-state licensed pharmacist, founder and owner of Positivity Inspires, LLC, and most importantly, a servant of the Lord. 

She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily.
​
Dr. Borden has been blessed with a variety of gifts, and she has gained much professional experience in a variety of settings. She also has served in administrative roles in the professional and church settings. In addition to obtaining her PharmD, she also obtained her bachelor's degree in biology (minor in English), and she is working on her third degree. What's more, as stated in her words, “I completed a specialty pharmacy residency that prepared me for the workforce and made me a force to be reckoned with.” She is a long-distance runner, a drummer, a singer, and she has a strong “fashion sense.” She also can read and type at almost supersonic speed in some instances.

Dr. Borden loves to learn and is constantly looking for new ways to challenge herself.

She loves God and she loves people. She is “crazy about her family,” and she adores her friends. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone. She loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments.

Dr. Borden loves to laugh and loves to make other people laugh. She also is passionate about giving back to the community. Her favorite sayings are “Speak Up!” and “Watch God Work!”

~*~

Read on for the author bios and photos of my backup devotional writers for this year...

Author Bio:

Erin Mifflin lives in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks.

She works as a one-on-one tutor with grades 6-12 at a Christian school. 

As a lifelong lover of words, she is passionate about stories and has been a book blogger since 2010. She's always written in one form or another, and in recent years has begun to develop this gift more seriously. 

Her nonfiction articles have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, as well as various Christian magazines and blogs.

She's hard at work on a historical fiction manuscript as well. Erin is a homeschool graduate and comes from a large family, which now includes nearly 20 nieces and nephews.

She's active in her church as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and church officer.

When she has a spare moment, she enjoys cooking, decorating cakes, watching British period dramas, and helping care for her large and crazy family.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kathleen Rouser is a multi-published author who has won the 2017 Bookvana Award for her first novel Rumors and Promises, which is about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan. She also wrote its sequel, Secrets and Wishes, as well as a few anthologies. 

Kathleen is a longtime member in good standing of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

She has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She longs to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. 

A former homeschool instructor, mild-mannered dental assistant, and current Community Bible Study kids’ teacher, Kathleen lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of thirty-some years and their two sweet kittens. 

She is still on the quest to brew the perfect cup of coffee to drink while she’s writing.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy Wilson Spooner is a professional Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her first book, Once Upon an Irish Summer, is a YA crossover historical fiction novel. It is the first in a trilogy, traditionally published by Ambassador International and set to release April 3, 2020 in five countries.

Wendy’s love of history compels her to write the true stories that she unearths during her research, and she’s found that truth is indeed, stranger, and way more exciting than fiction. 

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming the obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—a child of God, and, the descendant of incredible people who paved the way for us to have the lives we have now—even if they really struggled. She believes in learning from ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become someone even better.

Wendy is an award-winning author of professional articles and poems. She turned to novel writing to share what she knows with more people.

~The End ~