Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 28
February 21, 2022
Interview: Ellen Senechal, Author of The Whispers God Gives
A couple months ago, I got the chance to read The Whispers God Gives. I’d not had the best experiences with teen devotionals (and I’m not even teen anymore), but this book blew me away! If you’d like more in-depth comments about the book, check out my review, but long story short – this is a wonderful, Christ-honoring devotional that doesn’t just skim over life’s difficulties. This devotional addresses real problems – and shows that the Lord is our Refuge through it all!
Buy here!Add on Goodreads!So, today, I’m honored to have the author of this lovely devotional on the blog today. I love Ellen’s story, and she is just such a sweet sister in Christ who is wise beyond her years!
InterviewVH: Hi, Ellen, and welcome to the blog! I’m so excited to have you join me today.
ES: Hi Vanessa! Thank you! I’m very excited to be here. 
VH: Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. When did you first start writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, practically since I first learned how to spell. Even when I was younger, I was serious about publishing. Sadly, I hardly ever finished my work, and looking back, quite a few of the stories I did finish weren’t realistic. Between a girl in the 1800’s eating Oreo cookies to a man proposing to a lady without even knowing her name, my work was pretty cringey (but also comical . . . I tell people about these stories now hoping it’ll make them smile). Thankfully, my writing has improved with age, although I definitely still make my fair share of mistakes. But that’s what the editing stages are for.
VH: What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
ES: Probably waiting on God to give me the words and inspiration I need. I tend to be someone who wants to get things done on my own timetable, but I find that He blesses my work more when I wait for and rely on Him to lead me . . . even if it feels like it takes a while.
VH: Who are some of your favorite authors? What authors have deeply influenced your writing?
ES: Susan K. Marlow, author of the Circle C Adventures series, is hands-down my very most favorite author. God has used her and her books in mighty ways in my life. I’ve written fan fiction for her and edited/proofread some of her books. She’s always been an encouragement and a support to me in my writing journey. In fact, I probably would not be pursuing my B.A. in English now with the intention of becoming a professional editor if it weren’t for her.
Two more of my favorite authors are Alex and Brett Harris, authors of the book Do Hard Things (an absolute must-read for teens!). Alex and Brett may not have necessarily influenced me in my writing, but they have really challenged the way I live out the remainder of my teenage years.
VH: What’s one of your best pieces of advice for an aspiring author?
ES: Pray. Pray about everything – pray for your content, your words, your inspiration, your steps into the publishing process . . . and ultimately, pray that God will use your work to bring Him glory. And then (also very important) expect Him to answer your prayers, because He always does…sometimes in ways you would never even expect.
VH: I think it’s so amazing you wrote and published a devotional while you’re still a teenager. When did you first start writing these devotionals, and did you think you would publish them in a book someday?
ES: Aw, thanks, Vanessa! It was truly through God’s strength alone, because if I had listened to my flesh, it might have been several more years (if ever) before The Whispers God Gives was published.
It all started when my mom suggested the idea of a devotional book for teen girls to me. “Think about it, Ellie–a devotional for teens written by a teen,” she said. “It would be a bestseller.” I nodded and promised to try, but my heart wasn’t into the project. So, when my first attempt at writing a devotional book fell flat, I had no issue pushing it away.
Only a short while later, however, God showed me He had different plans in store for me. I was thrown into a harder season of life that left me drained, frustrated, and hurting. Desperate to find healing, I took a 40-day Internet fast and buried myself in God’s Word. And it was during that time that God really pressed the idea of a devotional book on me and granted me the inspiration I needed so that I could pour heart and soul into writing it. A couple months later, The Whispers God Gives was complete (well, almost . . . the Epilogue was actually added a year afterwards, right before publication). I knew from the beginning that I wanted to publish this book, but I wasn’t sure how.
VH: At what point did you realize you wanted to publish? How did you decide to go indie?
ES: I wanted to publish from the very beginning, before I was even halfway through writing The Whispers God Gives. I submitted my proposal to a few publishing companies but each one turned me down . . . one publisher took eight months to tell me, “Sorry, but your book isn’t quite what we’re looking for right now.” I knew God wanted me to get my book out there, though, so I prayed and decided to forge ahead with self-publishing. I hired an editor and planned my release date for April 21, 2020, exactly one year after my return to the Internet. Now, I am glad I went indie.
VH: Were there any discouragements along the writing/publishing process? How did you deal with them?
ES: Yes, like I said above, I faced rejection from publishing companies and the mark of a red pen on my manuscript. Waiting eight months to hear back from a publisher only to have them tell me “No” was discouraging. Later, I ordered the proof copy of my book from Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and it was fine. But when I went to make it available on Amazon.com, they informed me that my cover had an issue uploading. So, I did not get the print copies exactly when I would have wanted to. Also, I published my book around the start of the COVID pandemic, and the subsequent lockdowns squashed many of my initial plans for marketing. But through it all, God was continuing to grow me and using these discouragements to teach me that He is sovereign over every detail of my life and I have to have full dependence on Him.
VH: Tell me a little bit about The Whispers God Gives !
ES: There’s a quote that says if you want to read a book that doesn’t exist, you have to write it yourself. That’s essentially what I hope to have done with The Whispers God Gives.
Prior to and during the time that I was writing my book, I searched for existing good, solid devotional books for teen girls on the market and the results surprised me. It should not be so hard to find a devotional book to which any teen girl can relate, whether she’s 13 or 19 (or any year in between), homeschooled or public schooled, and that focused on real, everyday issues teen girls face in a compassionate, understanding way that always pointed back to Christ . . . right? Apparently not. I wondered how many girls and their parents were disappointed by this.
As I was healing from a broken friendship at the time, I knew how important it was to me to have someone who truly ‘got’ what I was going through. The same applied to any other problem I may have been dealing with, such as letting the past go, doing my chores without complaining, etc. I wanted to be real with my readers about my struggles and what God was teaching me through them. Since I was still a teenager, I hoped that they would find my words to be especially meaningful and encouraging.
The devotions in my book are short, each taking no more (and probably less) than five minutes to read. I liked to use real-life stories to help hit every message home (e.g., my baby sister clutching a soggy pretzel and refusing to let go is like us holding on to our past and therefore not fully embracing all God has planned for us in the future). Reviewers have said the content in my book is clean enough to hand to a younger child and relatable enough to hand to older women as well as teens. It has blessed my heart so much to witness how God has used this book in others’ lives.
VH: What do you hope readers will take away from your writing?
ES: My earnest hope is that readers will walk away from The Whispers God Gives filled with a renewed sense of assurance that God can and does work through all things for our good and His glory.
VH: What do your upcoming projects look like?
ES: Right now, I’m keeping busy with college classes, but I would love to at some point write another devotional book, and/or maybe complete my first Christian fiction novel. But we’ll see where the Lord leads
VH: Thanks for coming on the blog and chatting with me!
ES: It was my pleasure! Thank you again for having me!
About the Author
Ellen Senechal loves Jesus, her awesome family of eleven, and her sweet tabby kitten Shalom. Currently she’s a dual enrollment student at Regent University. When she’s not stressing over the latest assignment that’s due, you’ll probably find her reading a book, jogging with her younger sister, or typing on her computer . . . all while listening to a crazy amount of contemporary Christian music. She published The Whispers God Gives: A 30-Day Devotional Book for Teen Girls when she was fifteen.
GoodreadsBlog
February 19, 2022
Memory’s Mind Blog Tour: Spotlight + Excerpt
Kingdoms both heavenly and earthly demand his mind.
No wonder he disappears for two hours each day.
Nothing escapes Kelton’s notice, and nothing leaves his memory. Yet behind his big brown eyes lurk a lifetime of soul-struggles. At nineteen, Kelton receives Adon Olam’s call to leave everything behind and seek Him in solitude upon a hill belonging to a local hermit. Somehow, the more he fixes his mind upon Adon Olam, the more it wanders. During his years with the hermit, countless lessons and revelations shape his character. Over time, the answer to his biggest dilemma becomes both more clear and more impossible.
Then the sudden death of co-king Daemien throws all Taerna into turmoil, and in the ensuing chaos, Kelton’s memories prove crucial and his hyper-analytical skills essential. But will his quiet, home-loving soul crumble under the pressure of public scrutiny? Will countless but seemingly harmless distractions inevitably win the battle for his thoughts? And will he ever feel like he knows Adon Olam?
Buy now!Add on Goodreads!Excerpt!He was nearly asleep that night before his conversation with Liliora returned to his mind. What passage could he meditate on tonight? Was there anything…? His brain was tired; he’d had a busy day; it hadn’t been easy to see Father’s lower-than-usual spirits at suppertime. What should he think about? Lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds… No, he’d thought about that one so often in recent weeks. His mind remained blank. Perhaps some words of Yeshua’s? But what? Perhaps a Psalm? No, there had to be something better, something more fitting.
Liliora had mentioned the law. Should he do that? Maybe? Perhaps? He was much too weary to extend his mind further in thought. And Adon Olam spake all these words, saying… Already his mind was half-lost to sleep. I am your Adon Olam…
The next moment, his eyes were opening and the faint moonlight on his floor had shifted. He sighed as he rolled over, clasping the blankets against the cold that threatened to seep through. He had fallen asleep.
But how ought he to decide what to think about as he went to sleep? He wished he could ask Haeward.
Why turn to Haeward when you can turn to Me?
~ Memory’s Mind by Erika Mathews, restinglife.com
In Memory’s Mind, Kelton begins to discover the extreme importance of what he puts his mind on and the power of Biblical meditation. Along with Kelton, take the challenge to meditate on the Word of God for five days and begin to build a habit of lifetime meditation.
THE CHALLENGE:
1. Choose a length of time that you will devote specifically and only to meditation each day this week. (Minimum: 10 minutes. Suggested: anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour). Let Erika Mathews know (you can comment on her blog or message her through her website) what length of time you picked.
2. Choose the Scripture verse (or part of a verse) you will be meditating on. It can be any verse. It may be the same verse every day or a different verse every day. It should primarily be one verse (or one short passage) for an entire day. (Suggested verses on restinglife.com/blog if you’d like guidance.)
3. Meditate on your passage of Scripture for the length of time you chose. (Tips and ideas on Erika’s blog.)
4. Each day once you’ve completed the meditation challenge, enter the giveaway here! You can enter each day.
THE GIVEAWAY:
You can win a special meditation prize pack!
Erika Mathews writes Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of the kingdom of God through ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. Outside of writing, she spends time with her husband Josh, mothers her little ones, reads, edits, enjoys the great Minnesota outdoors, plays piano and violin, makes heroic ventures into minimalism, clean eating, and gardening, and uses the Oxford comma. You can connect with Erika at restinglife.com.
Sale!
ScheduleFebruary 12 – KICK-OFF DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – tour intro, Meditation Challenge+giveaway announcement
February 14 – COVER REVEAL/PREORDER FOR ROMANCE’S REST DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Cover Reveal for Romance’s Rest, Meditation Challenge #1
COVER REVEAL POSTS:
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness
Kristina Hall at Kristina Hall
Hannah Killian at The Writerly Worm and Facebook
Morgan Giesbrecht on Instagram
Joy C. Woodbury at Discipleship with Joy
February 15 – FREE CHAPTER DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Read the First Chapter for Free and Meditation Challenge #2
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – How Do We Meditate? Practical Tips: Guest post by Erika on Meditation
February 16 – BIBLE STUDY DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Mini Bible Study on Keep and Meditation Challenge #3
Joy C. Woodbury at Discipleship with Joy – Book spotlight and exclusive excerpt
Chelsea Burden at Light in the Tunnel – Guest post by Erika on What Is Biblical Meditation
Stephanie Agnes-Crockett at Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase – Romance’s Rest cover reveal
February 17 – SALE DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Taerna Books on Sale and Meditation Challenge #4
Chelsea Burden at Light in the Tunnel – cover reveal for Romance’s Rest
Stephanie Agnes-Crockett at Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase – Book spotlight
February 18 – LAUNCH DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – LAUNCH DAY! Meditation Challenge #5
Kristina Hall at Kristina Hall and on Instagram – Book spotlight and exclusive excerpt
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness – Book spotlight and exclusive excerpt
Morgan Giesbrecht on Instagram
February 19 – WRAP-UP DAY
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – Giveaway Winner + Meditation Challenge Wrapup
Katja Labonté at Old Fashioned Book Love and Instagram – Book spotlight, exclusive excerpt, and review
Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall and Goodreads – Book spotlight and exclusive excerpt
March 1 – BOOK REVIEW SPOTLIGHT
Erika Mathews at Resting Life – What Readers are Saying
Stephanie Agnes-Crockett at Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase, Instagram, and Facebook – Book review
Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall and Goodreads – Book review
February 18, 2022
Unworthy Launch Week: Unworthy Available in Print!
Unworthy is now available for purchase in paperback form!
PurchaseGoodreads
One moment, one choice can change a life forever.
Two years ago, Evgeny Yurlov’s dreams shattered on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. Without many options, he lands a job—far different from ballet—and returns to Moscow. There, he’s reunited with old friends—friends who need his help as government scrutiny intensifies on Grace Baptist Church.
Sasha Dvornikova isn’t the woman she once was, but Dmitri Rykov’s shadow is relentless. Reminders of her past lurk everywhere, and her sins have branded her undeserving of a man like Evgeny.
As mounting danger surrounds both the church and his job, Evgeny finds past struggles reignited, struggles that reach even Sasha. Amidst so much darkness, will Truth prevail, or will Evgeny’s choices destroy him—and those he loves?
The first in the series, Unknown, is also now available in paperback.
Purchase Goodreads
He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.
Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.
Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.
Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear?
February 17, 2022
Unworthy Launch Week: Persecution in Russia – and in Our Own Lives
Back when I was editing Unknown, I began researching Baptist missionaries in Russia. (You know, needing to make sure that what I’m writing about might actually exist and all of that.) This was especially important when thinking about Gabe’s parents, who would’ve been serving in Russia during the post-Soviet years, when things in Russia were pretty crazy.
And then I came across this information that spoke of modern-day persecution in Russia. (I wrote a blog post about this a few months ago during Unknown’s launch week, so if you’d like to check that out, it’s here.)
It all began with the “Yarovaya laws,” which really had a lot more to do with online data rather than religious freedom.[1] However, parts of the law proceed to attack missionaries and threaten them with fines. Many smaller denominations, such as Baptists, are pressured by these laws, along with other groups such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.[2]
Of course, when I learned about this, I knew I had to touch on this in Unworthy. Although the situations in the book are highly fictionalized (and there’s way more added drama that is completely a figment of my overactive mind), I think it’s so important to remember our brothers and sisters in Russia that are being attacked. Currently in America, we don’t have widespread persecution that comes upon us by laws.
But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Indeed, the Bible promises, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12.) This might come in different ways—maybe not a literal jail cell, but an order not to assemble in church. Or maybe not from a law at all, but from nasty words someone say about you. A missed raise at work because you speak against ungodly practices. A friend’s disdain because you lovingly speak against their sin.
Or maybe it does mean an arrest where we’ll be torn from our friends and family, and we will have to suffer the consequences for following the Lord.
Terrifying, if you ask me.
Yet since our Savior paid it all, aren’t we willing to give up our lives as living sacrifices—our reasonable service?
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
[1] https://www.lexology.com/commentary/tech-data-telecoms-media/russia/gorodissky-partners/yarovaya-law-and-new-data-storage-requirements-for-online-data-distributors
[2] https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-charges-baptist-pastor-in-a-sign-that-its-religious-clampdown-could-be-spreading/29901315.html
February 16, 2022
Unworthy Launch Week: Safety Found Not in Ourselves
Have you ever plotted yourself into a corner?
I have. Many a time. Namely, with Unworthy. There were two plotlines in there that I really didn’t love, but the story—and the rest of the series—really wouldn’t work without them.
One of those was Evgeny’s struggle with depression.
Some people talk about “writing what you know”—and do I believe that? Not really. I write a bunch of stuff I don’t know—thank the Lord! But when I realized what I was up against with Evgeny’s story, I was a little overwhelmed.
You see, I’ve never struggled with severe depression. I honestly don’t know what it’s like to think death is the only choice from an overwhelming pit of darkness. And for those of you who do … I’m praying for you. Please know that death is never the better choice, that God has given you life, even when it is incredibly dark and hopeless.
Evgeny’s story does include that place of utter hopelessness. And as a writer, how do I approach these things? I believe that we should include real-life struggles in our writing, because that’s the truth of life. But how do I accurately portray such suffering without seeming callous or too dark? How do I address a problem that can be so multi-faceted? For some people, there’s no apparent physical cause of depression. Maybe a sin is the cause of such a state. Maybe it’s an attack from the devil. Others suffer depression due to health issues—whether that’s a severe lack of minerals or vitamins or chronic illness. As humans, our natural bodies do affect our spirits (you know, “…the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”, as Jesus says in Matthew 26:41), but how closely does that work? How do I address this when it’s an issue that’s a little murky to me? And moreover, how do I speak to this rightly and gently when I have never gone through this exact struggle?
Then I finally came to the realization that I don’t have all the answers. (Surprise, surprise!)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
But God does.
You see, Evgeny’s story isn’t just about depression—it’s about so much more. It’s about the grace of God that is sufficient in our every need—needs that include depression and everything else we face in life. It’s about the grace of God that is greater than our sin, than our darkness, than our weakness. Because even through our changing, fleeting emotions (and we change so much, don’t we?), God remains the same. Even when we can’t see Him, He still remains loving and faithful and true.
Even depression can’t change the Lord. Our salvation isn’t dependent on our feelings or our ability to be “happy.” Nor is it based on our good works or strength (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation remains sure and steadfast even in the deepest of nights, because our salvation is not dependent on us. It never has been—yes, we trust Christ, but He gives us that faith. That faith links us to Christ, Who is our salvation. It’s not the strength or ability of our faith that saves. It’s Jesus, and He is unalterably true and steadfast. Oh, how safe we always are in the Arms of Jesus, no matter how we stumble.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
February 15, 2022
Unworthy Launch Week: Why Unworthy?
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m pretty terrible at naming things. And whenever you write a book and plan to publish it, said book needs a name.
Cue the panic and desperate brain-wracking.
Thankfully, I put few safeguards around me for this series, so I had limited options. As is probably obvious at this point, all of them are one word that starts with the prefix un-. Wow, shocking, right? I feel like I’m not the first—nor the last—person who has done this! But anyway,it’s helpful for me, because I’m limited to all of the un- words in existence.
And to be honest, some of those un- words just naturally push themselves out of the running—usually if they sound weird or not dramatic enough. (Yeah, that’s a crazy author talking.) My poor family has gone through so many of these un- words with me, and I reject the majority of them. (Unhelpful, right? Ooh, there’s a title!)
So back when I wrote this book – early 2019 – I landed on a name. Ready for it?
Untamed.
I think it sounds like a horse book. But wow, it’s so sleek and flashy and dramatic.
And cringey. No thank you. Obviously, when I came back to this book to publish it, I decided that was not a good title. At all. Because what is the point of calling it that? Yes, my characters are a little wacked (it does fit Evgeny a little bit, sometimes), but Untamed?
Nope. Not at all.
So I proceeded to think about it. Pray about it. Because like any author, I wanted my title to match the book in some way. Not just because I thought the word sounded interesting once and might match the book slightly.
Finally, I landed—by God’s grace—on Unworthy. That definitely wasn’t the end of my fretting and wondering, because I thought about changing it after that.
Yet I realized it’s as good as it’s going to get on this earth. There are so many different facets of this story that speak to the idea of unworthiness—in both Sasha’s and Evgeny’s storylines. Sasha thought herself unworthy for a man like Evgeny. And by the climax of the book (spoiler alert), Evgeny considered himself unworthy of grace and life and love.
On one side of things, we are very worthy. Each human is worthy of life. God alone has given us life, and as His Creation, we have no right to take human lives (except in some cases, such as self-defense, etc.)
Yet on the flip side … we are completely unworthy of all the good things God gives us. We are so unworthy to receive salvation, so unworthy to receive the love and grace Jesus gives us.
We’re sinners. We’re wretched and dark and ugly and filthy. We truly deserve the utmost punishment for our sins. We deserve an eternal hell for rebelling against our Creator.
Yet the Bible tells us this glorious truth:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:5 KJV
We’re sinners … yet Jesus died for us.
Why did He die for us? Was it because of our inherent goodness or our righteous deeds?
Nope.
Christ died for us, not because we were good – no, we were sinners then – to show us His love.
Because salvation begins and ends with the Lord. He’s the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Not us.
We are terribly unworthy sinners. Yet through the Blood of Jesus, we are made worthy, because we are made righteous, justified, and hidden in Christ. Because of His life, His death, His resurrection … we are made into children of God.
So yes, we are unworthy.
Yet in Him, we are worthy … because He is worthy.
Why Unworthy?
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m pretty terrible at naming things. And whenever you write a book and plan to publish it, said book needs a name.
Cue the panic and desperate brain-wracking.
Thankfully, I put few safeguards around me for this series, so I had limited options. As is probably obvious at this point, all of them are one word that starts with the prefix un-. Wow, shocking, right? I feel like I’m not the first—nor the last—person who has done this! But anyway,it’s helpful for me, because I’m limited to all of the un- words in existence.
And to be honest, some of those un- words just naturally push themselves out of the running—usually if they sound weird or not dramatic enough. (Yeah, that’s a crazy author talking.) My poor family has gone through so many of these un- words with me, and I reject the majority of them. (Unhelpful, right? Ooh, there’s a title!)
So back when I wrote this book – early 2019 – I landed on a name. Ready for it?
Untamed.
I think it sounds like a horse book. But wow, it’s so sleek and flashy and dramatic.
And cringey. No thank you. Obviously, when I came back to this book to publish it, I decided that was not a good title. At all. Because what is the point of calling it that? Yes, my characters are a little wacked (it does fit Evgeny a little bit, sometimes), but Untamed?
Nope. Not at all.
So I proceeded to think about it. Pray about it. Because like any author, I wanted my title to match the book in some way. Not just because I thought the word sounded interesting once and might match the book slightly.
Finally, I landed—by God’s grace—on Unworthy. That definitely wasn’t the end of my fretting and wondering, because I thought about changing it after that.
Yet I realized it’s as good as it’s going to get on this earth. There are so many different facets of this story that speak to the idea of unworthiness—in both Sasha’s and Evgeny’s storylines. Sasha thought herself unworthy for a man like Evgeny. And by the climax of the book (spoiler alert), Evgeny considered himself unworthy of grace and life and love.
On one side of things, we are very worthy. Each human is worthy of life. God alone has given us life, and as His Creation, we have no right to take human lives (except in some cases, such as self-defense, etc.)
Yet on the flip side … we are completely unworthy of all the good things God gives us. We are so unworthy to receive salvation, so unworthy to receive the love and grace Jesus gives us.
We’re sinners. We’re wretched and dark and ugly and filthy. We truly deserve the utmost punishment for our sins. We deserve an eternal hell for rebelling against our Creator.
Yet the Bible tells us this glorious truth:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:5 KJV
We’re sinners … yet Jesus died for us.
Why did He die for us? Was it because of our inherent goodness or our righteous deeds?
Nope.
Christ died for us, not because we were good – no, we were sinners then – to show us His love.
Because salvation begins and ends with the Lord. He’s the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Not us.
We are terribly unworthy sinners. Yet through the Blood of Jesus, we are made worthy, because we are made righteous, justified, and hidden in Christ. Because of His life, His death, His resurrection … we are made into children of God.
So yes, we are unworthy.
Yet in Him, we are worthy … because He is worthy.
February 14, 2022
Cover Reveal: Romance’s Rest by Erika Mathews
Her love seems to have passed him by.
Little does he know that true covenant Love is knocking at his door.
Kethin Ellith’s life is brimful: a new town, his dream job working with people and animals, an active social life, and now a spunky, godly woman who has captured his heart. But how can he have any sort of relationship with her when she’s not even interested in a single conversation?
Faeth Dale delights in being an avid flower gardener and the middle sister of a lively, close-knit family. She has her own non-negotiable reasons for avoiding all male friendships, particularly with spiritually shallow men like Kethin. But would Adon Olam give her this apparently conflicted guidance?
When rejection, grief, and longing jolt Kethin’s reality, knowing love seems permanently beyond him. And what is this spiritual concept of covenant he keeps encountering? As his struggles in this new relationship with Adon Olam intertwine with the struggles of his heart, Kethin comes face to face with both the starkness and breathtaking gloriousness of divine love itself—and a decision that costs him everything.
A family-friendly Biblically-centered romance novel for those who avoid romance novels, Romance’s Rest follows big-hearted, animal-loving Kelton through his quest to know the true meaning of love—and covenant relationship with Adon Olam.
Ebook Preorder!Signed Paperback Preorder!
Design credit goes to Megan Mccullough.About the AuthorErika Mathews writes Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of the kingdom of God through ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. Outside of writing, she spends time with her husband Josh, mothers her little ones, reads, edits, enjoys the great Minnesota outdoors, plays piano and violin, makes heroic ventures into minimalism, clean eating, and gardening, and uses the Oxford comma. You can connect with Erika at restinglife.com.
Sale!If you haven’t discovered the world of Taerna yet, you can start with Promise’s Prayer. It will be FREE on Thursday! Or pick up the whole series for just $8.95! (regularly $22.94! That’s $14 saved!) Books 2-5 are all either 50% or 75% off February 14-18! There are also sales on Erika’s other books, so check those out!
Official Release of Unworthy + Launch Week!
Unworthy is now officially released to the world! Ebook copies available on Amazon, Apple Books, Scribd, Barnes & Noble, and several other retailers. A paperback will be released in a few weeks – watch this space for more on that later!
And a release means this is the official launch week for Unworthy! (And yes, it’s perfect that it begins on Valentine’s Day. Evgeny would be appreciative, given he likes all that gushy stuff.) But no worries – there’s not going to be any gushy stuff – I’m going to be talking about writing of the book, a humorous title it used to have (yes, it was cringy), and the themes that are woven throughout Unworthy.
So hang on tight, because it’s going to be a crazy week – but I’m so excited to be here! I’m so thankful the Lord has given me this opportunity, and I get to share it with you guys.
February 11, 2022
Live in Today’s Calling – and Hope in a Sure Future
It’s that time of year—you know, the one where all the stores become decked out with various shades of pink, atrocious amounts of candy, and lots of hearts.
Valentine’s Day. The day when you’re supposed to be all gushy and romantic and get dressed up and go on a date.
And for those of us who are single? Ah, well, we’re expected to stay home and cry ourselves to sleep.
(Actually, I’ll be sitting through an education class that night. 
)
But that’s what the world – and our own hearts – can want us to think. That we’re missing something, that we’re victims, and we’re suffering because we’re not dating/courting/married, etc.
Let me just tell you something. If you’re single and a Christian, you’re right where God wants you. You’re not a victim. You’re not just stuck in this terrible time, waiting for your Prince Charming or (Princess Charming? Is that a thing?) to come to rescue you.
You have already been rescued.
I’m preaching to myself here. There have been times when I have desired to be married, to have kids. I think a lot of people—I daresay, especially young women—tend to ponder these things often.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. Marriage and children are some of the Lord’s biggest blessings, and they’re absolute gifts from Him. Marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ and the Church—it can’t get much better than that!
But when it gets to the point that we’re discontent because we’re not married, that we’re questioning the Lord’s plans because we aren’t in a relationship … that’s a problem.
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:8). That’s what the Bible says, and to me, that sounds pretty minimal. Just food and raiment? What about shelter? What about family, friendship, hobbies, pets?
We’re supposed to be content with our barest essential needs met. Nothing more.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Philippians 4:11 KJV
We aren’t supposed to be covetous. Not desperately striving and longing for something that isn’t ours, even when it’s something good and honorable like marriage.
Okay. So we know we’re supposed to be content. But what about when the rubber meets the road, per se? How do we deal with these longings (longings that aren’t wrong in themselves), and keep them from becoming jealousy, bitterness, and hopelessness?
We look at Jesus.
Marriage as we know it doesn’t exist in heaven (Matthew 22:30). It’s an earthly thing, one that ends with death (in the perfect situation.) It’s simply a picture—a beautiful one, but still a picture. Not the end goal. Not the most important thing in our lives.
The only marriage that exists in heaven is the one between Christ and the Church. The perfect, ultimate marriage.
And guess what. We already have that Bridegroom, that Husband, that Savior. He is ours, and we are His. His love is greater than any person’s—why should we desperately long for more? His covenant to us is far greater, far deeper than any marriage vows. He will never fail us. He will never leave us. He will never be unkind to us. He will always perfectly love us.
So when the world, or someone close to you, or even your own heart shouts that you are missing something, that you are just a poor suffering single person … don’t listen.
You have the greatest Gift of all – Jesus.
And you know what? Singlehood is a blessing that God gives. Trust that the Lord knows what He’s doing in your life. If you would’ve been better off dating or married, you’d be there.
Seek to be content where you are today—don’t get caught up in the what-ifs of the future, those things that you could have, but just haven’t attained.
Live in today’s calling. Live in the blessings the Lord has showered upon you today – don’t look to tomorrow’s earthly hopes for your happiness. Your joy and your fulfillment come from the Lord … and you can have that today, for He changes not.
And the future we should look to? Well, that’s the one in heaven, a sure one, for it is “… an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:4).
So, single person, trust the Lord in all things. Whether He brings that special person into your life or not is under His control—and right now, rejoice.
For you have already found Him whom your soul loves, and His banner over you is love.
