Michelle Medlock Adams's Blog, page 2

Easter

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…”
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NKJV)

 

Recently while scrolling through Facebook, I ran across the best meme ever. Maybe you’ve seen it, too. It says, “Spoiler alert—the tomb was empty! Luke 24:24”

First, I smiled, and then all at once, I broke out in song: “He lives. He lives. Christ Jesus lives today…”

Year after year, we sing that old hymn on Easter Sunday, and I never tire of hearing our entire congregation belt out that Jesus lives! (You’re singing it right now, aren’t you?)

But seriously, He lives! Jesus died on a cross for our sins and then he rose again!

Easter truly is a time of jubilation, celebrating the single greatest miracle in the history of mankind—the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  I like what I once heard our pastor share. He said, “If the tomb was empty—and it was—then anything is possible!”

Do you believe that today? Maybe you’re having a hard time believing that anything is possible because you are in the midst of a storm, or you’re weary from fighting battle after battle, or you feel like God has forgotten about you and your dreams. I’m sure those who loved and followed Jesus 2,000 years ago didn’t think anything was possible after watching their beloved Savior suffer a terrible death at Calvary, only to be taken away and placed in a tomb. But they soon learned this important truth—a lot can happen in three days. Because on that third day, hallelujah, Jesus came out of the grave! Death had been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54)—praise the Lord! Because Jesus died for our sins and rose again, we can live eternally with Him in heaven. So, believe it! Anything and everything is possible with Jesus! Get your eyes off your problems and focus on that empty tomb today. Who knows? Your miracle might only be three days away…

Dear God, 

Thank You so much for sending Your Son to die on Calvary for my sins. Help me to believe that anything is possible because You live—and because You live big in me. I love You, Lord.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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Give the Gift of Reading This Year

Children’s books make the best gifts.

Toys can break. Kids quickly outgrow clothes. But books have staying power. Even if their pages rip a little, that just means they are well loved. And children don’t outgrow books, rather, they grow with them. Furthermore, books are always the right size; they are always in style; and they are the gift that truly keeps on giving.

Click over to Make Momentos to keep reading this article, which includes my 12 favorite Christmas picture books and board books.

 

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Dachshund Through the Snow is Now on Make Momentos

I’m excited to share that my newest book, Dachshund through the Snow, is now available in e-book format on a new storytelling platform, Make Momentos. With Make Momentos, you can record your own audio narration of Dachshund Through the Snow and send it to a special child in your life. The best part is, the gift is a permanent keepsake that can be passed down to future generations.

If you’d like to know how Dachshund through the Snow came about, how I went from being a journalist to a children’s book author, and so much more, then check out this video. I hope it inspires you!

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Two Angel Book Awards for 2021

 

I’m excited to announce that two of my children’s books have won Angel Book Awards at the 2021 Faith and Fellowship Book Festival.

I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky received a perfect score and First Place.

Cuddle-Up Prayers received Second Place.

These sweet books are perfect for bedtime or snuggle time, for parents and grandparents alike.

 

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Dachshund Through the Snow on Rush to Press

One of my latest books, Dachshund Through the Snow, has been featured on Rush to Press, a website that highlights new and notable books in the Christian industry.

Rush to Press has this to say: “Dachshund Through the Snow is a beautifully illustrated, sweet reminder that it’s what is on the inside—in our hearts—that really matters this Christmas.” Isn’t that the message we want to share with our children?

Check out Rush to Press to find the latest in Christian books, and be sure to pick up a copy of Dachshund Through the Snow for your little one.

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Let God Define You!

Just as I was finishing up my booksigning at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando a few years ago, I noticed a woman waiting at the edge of the Guideposts booth.

“We just ran out of books,” I explained, as I walked over to her, “but I’d be happy to mail you a copy from my personal stash at home.”

“Oh that’s Ok,” she said. “I actually just want to talk to you.” I smiled but I was actually worried that maybe I’d met her previously and didn’t remember her. Just as I was about to ask if we’d met before, she took my face into her hands, looked me square in the eyes, and said, “Quit saying you’re not a speaker. Stop saying that you’re only a writer. Did God tell you that you’re only a writer and not a speaker?”

I shook my head no, trying to keep my composure. “Then stop saying it. Only say what God says. Let Him define you.”

With that, she removed her hands from my face, walked away, and I never saw her again.

How could she have known? I wondered.

Just the night before, in the privacy of our hotel room, I had said to my husband, “I think I’ll call my sister and see if she wants to speak at that women’s conference that invited me to keynote. After all, she’s the speaker in the family. I’m just a writer.”

I had planned to call that conference director when I returned home from ICRS and give her my sister’s contact information, but apparently God had other plans. It was a turning point in my journey. It was the day I stopped defining myself and started allowing God to define me.

I did call that conference director when I returned home but not to give her my sister’s information. Instead, I called her back and said, “Yes, I’ll do it.”

I can look back now and see that God was preparing me to be both a speaker and a writer—even as far back as my college days at Indiana University when I ended up minoring in Speech Communication. I thought I was just minoring in Speech because many of its requirements overlapped with my journalism major, but it was all a part of God’s plan for my life. He had been guiding my steps all along, and I am so thankful to be on this journey with Him.

Aren’t you?

So, how have you been defining yourself? Are you letting God define you or are you letting others tell you who you are and what you’re called to do?

It’s time to walk in the calling that God has for your life. If God is calling you to write a devotional for women, then go for it—even if you’ve only written fiction thus far in your writing journey. If God is prompting you to write a children’s book, then take a children’s writing workshop and follow that dream! Don’t let your insecurities or someone else’s opinions keep you in a box, limiting your vision and outreach. He has a plan for your life, and you’re going to love it!

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Cuddle-Up Prayers Takes Book of the Year

Cuddle-Up Prayers (Worthy Kids) has just been named Book of the Year by the Christian Market Book Awards, 2021. What a blessing! Get your copy today for your little one and snag a free activity sheet to go along with it…because it’s always a good time to cuddle-up with our little ones!

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Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, 2021

I’m so pleased that three of my books won Purple Dragonfly Book Awards this year! The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards is a worldwide book competition of the best in children’s books—and I’m honored to receive first-place awards for I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky, Dinosaur Devotions, and Cuddle-Up Prayers.

Grab copies of these award-winning books for your little ones and be sure to download these free activity sheets for I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky and Dinosaur Devotions.

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Three New Awards from Blue Ridge Mountains

I’m so grateful to have won the following awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference this month:

First Place in the Director’s Choice Award for I Love You Bigger Than the Sky Third Place in the Director’s Choice Award for Cuddle-Up Prayers Second place in the Children’s Picture Book category of the Selah Awards for Cuddle-Up Prayers .

Congratulations to all the winners!

Look for these books wherever children’s books are sold or click the images below to see participating online retailers.

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My Mother’s Faith

The sunlight poured in through the window, warming the frigid hospital room and making the day a little more bearable. Mom’s skin seemed to glisten in the afternoon sun. At age 77, even though the cancer had taken its toll on her body, her skin was gloriously radiant.

“I hope I age that well,” I thought.

As I held her hand, I studied its markings, tracing each and every vein—some of them bruised and sunken from the frequent IVs.

“I have my mother’s hands,” I thought.

Gently, I smoothed lavender moisturizer over Mom’s thin arms and across her chest, feeling her heart beating slow and steady. I held my hand there for just a moment, so thankful she still had life in her, and so thankful for the life she had already lived. As I gazed at my Mom’s precious face, I whispered, “Mom, I definitely have your hands…I wish I had your faith.”

Mom moved to heaven on May 3, 2006, leaving behind a wonderful legacy of love and faith. My sister and I often talk about Mom—especially this time of year—the anniversary of her death (May 3), Mother’s Day (May 8th this year), and her birthday (May 11).

We laugh about the times Mom got lost driving her Cadillac around the country, trying to navigate without any sense of direction. (I inherited that from her, as well.) We share about how Mom made each of her children feel like her very favorite person in the whole world. And we still marvel over our Mom’s ability to go through good and bad situations with grace, dignity, joy, and an unwavering faithfulness to the Lord. Her life truly was a journey of faith.

Dictionary.com defines faithfulness as, “The quality of being full of faith,” and my Mother certainly was. Her heart overflowed with it, inspiring all who knew her.

As I glance down at my hands typing this blog today, I once again see my Mom’s hands. I only hope that one day people will look at me and see more than just my mother’s physical characteristics—I want them to see my mother’s faith which came straight from the Heavenly Father’s heart. How is your faith today? I hope you are leaving a legacy of faith for your family, and I pray that you are surrounded by God’s love this season.

I know this Mother’s Day week is tough for those who have lost their moms. It’s also difficult for those who are experiencing infertility, and heartbreaking for those mamas mourning the loss of their babies. Maybe you fall into one of those categories, or maybe you’re sad because you’ll be spending Mother’s Day apart from your children due to limited COVID travel. Whatever your situation, just know that you’re not alone, and God has not forgotten you. He loves you with an everlasting love, and He has provided you with all of the faith you’ll ever need to go through any storm.  Take the Father’s hand today and let Him lead you and love on you.

Happy Mother’s Day, my friends. Sending your virtual hugs.

 

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