Heidi Gray McGill's Blog, page 13
February 25, 2023
1800s Healing Salve Recipe from a reader included in With All My Heart—Book 2, Discerning God’s Best series
When writing With All My Heart, I requested help from my readers to locate a period-appropriate recipe. I was thinking of cake or cookies, but Joan Archibald shared her great-grandmother’s recipe for Healing Salve, and I knew it had to be a part of the story. This unique recipe, or one like it, was often used in the late 1800s American West.
The history of the recipe
Sarah Roper Dimmick, Joan’s great-great grandmother, lived in Fayette, Utah. (Pictured in the circle above) Sarah’s pare...
February 14, 2023
How do I love someone who has hurt me or someone I love?
“Above all, love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
I don’t have difficulty being kind, but loving deeply? I know this verse is a command from God, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy. How do I love someone who has hurt me or someone I love? Or love that certain someone who is just hard to like?
I know that, like forgiveness, loving someone doesn’t make what they did acceptable or right. It doesn’t take away that person’s responsibility to own t...
February 11, 2023
Words of Affirmation – Reminding God You Remember Who He Is – David’s Psalm 27
’Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yea, wait for the LORD.’ Psalm 27:14 RSV
I read this Psalm not long after my diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa. I would lose my vision. God had already been softening my heart and reminding me His face was the only one I needed to see. Like David, I worked daily to affirm God’s goodness when I did not see His hand of mercy.
“I will not fear. My heart will be confident.” (vs3)
Like David, I said these words to convince myself...
February 4, 2023
In the beginning….
When I wrote my first novel, I set out to tell others what I felt God would have me write—purposeful words that would bring a reader into the awareness of who God is to them and how He interacts with them on a personal level.
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January 30, 2023
The best Christian curvy-girl romantic comedy books with true-to-life characters
Human recommendations are always better than algorithms when searching for a new read. I’ve joined 7,000+ authors who chose five of their favorite books around a topic, theme, or mood. Shepherd.com makes it easy to find these books when you search for ones you already love, an author you adore, or a topic that interests you. Want to see what I mean? Read my article recommending the best Christian curvy-girl romantic comedy books with true-to-life characters at Shepherd.com.
January 28, 2023
Stepping out in faith can be frightening
In November 2020, I independently published my debut novel. In 2022, I stepped out in faith an signed with Celebrate Lit Publishing. Being accepted into the traditional publishing world not only seemed daunting but idealistic. Just because I surpassed my personal goals as an Indie Author didn’t mean I had any business throwing my hat in with those who chose the traditional route. Maybe I should rephrase that to “throwing my hat in with those the traditional route chose.” Either way, it made my k...
January 14, 2023
Fiction writing affects the way people think
KC Hart is one of my dear friends and favorite authors. We love chatting about what God is doing in our lives, our precious grandchildren, and the blessing of being able to do ministry side-by-side. To us, writing is a ministry–the tool we use to share the Gospel in unobtrusive ways that leave a reader feeling the touch of God even after they turn the last page.
Welcome, KC. Thank you for taking the time to share your heart today. May God richly bless you and your work as you carry the cross ...
January 1, 2023
Life isn’t always like we plan, but it is precisely as God designs.
My daily struggles pale compared to what many women endured in the late 1800s. I stress when my battery is low on my phone, and I don’t have a charger. I fuss over the price of chicken that someone else raised, cleaned, and packaged for me. My frustration is high when GPS alerts me to a delay ahead.
After the Civil War, women had few options to support themselves or their families. Remaining single was not always viable, and many women took a difficult situation and turned it into an adventur...
December 26, 2022
Feeling the breath of God
The holidays are difficult for many–loved ones no longer around the table, broken relationships, family drama, even loneliness. It is easy to ask, “God, where are You?”
But what if God is the one doing the asking? “Heidi, where are You?” Psalm 34:18 tells us where God truly is:
God is near to the brokenhearted.
When your heartache is so deep it feels physical, it’s time to breathe. You may have heard of this technique: take a deep breath in through your nose, pulling the air in deeply...
December 16, 2022
Snark and Sensibility promotes “A Bride for Harley”
“Everything Heidi writes is purposeful. She believes in bringing a reader into an awareness of who God is to them and how He interacts with them on a personal level. She does this by crafting characters so relatable you feel part of who they are. Heidi reaches deep into the reader’s heart through masterfully written words and offers ways toward healing by seamlessly applying God’s Word throughout her stories.” To read this blog and see more by Linda Rondeau, please visit her at Snark and Sensibi...
