Margaret McSweeney's Blog, page 13

Full-Length Mirror | Brittney Melton

I have started and stopped this post multiple times. I am not really sure where to begin. It has been months since I’ve written a real post – purposefully done. This past year has been a time of molding and growing in my life, and I felt the need to temporarily step back from some things so I could really focus on what the Lord was trying to teach me.

There is a quote by Gary and Betsy Ricucci that says, ”One of the best wedding gifts God gave you was a full-length mirror called your spouse. Had there been a card attached, it would have said, ‘Here’s to helping you discover what you’re really like.’”

It was slow in coming, but I feel like it all hit about the same time. The moment I realized how much selfishness still existed in my heart. How quick I was to get angry – to become discouraged. My fear of failure.

Marriage is the second best thing that the Lord has given me (the first being a personal relationship with Himself). It hasn’t been perfect, but it has been good. I am thankful for the man my husband is. His devotion to our Savior and to our family. The way he displays the love of God to me says more than words ever could. I am thankful to have a husband who is bold enough to point things out to me, and grace-filled enough help me become what God wants me to be.

Your spouse is like a mirror reflecting who you really are! Brittney Melton @Grit_Grace
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What If… | Stephanie Landsem

As I navigate this new phase of my life, the one where my children are (somewhat) self-sufficient teenagers and I’m a (somewhat) successful author of historical fiction, I’m often asked one particular question. When did I know I wanted to write historical fiction? And why Biblical fiction, of all things?

From my earliest days, I loved history and daydreamed of far-off times and places. And I loved fiction: historical fiction, thrillers, mysteries . . . anything I could get my hands on. Still, I was a pragmatist—practical, sensible—writing stories as a career was nothing more than a flight of fancy.

So I went to college ready for hours in the lab as a biology major. Instead, something happened . . . I took my first college level history course. Pragmatism flew out the window, and I spent the next four years studying ancient Greece, imperial Russia, and medieval Europe. Unfortunately—and just as I’d suspected— there weren’t paying jobs for people who could write a thesis on the differences between Spartans and Athenians.

As twenty years passed, I exchanged research papers for marketing, and marketing for the joys of motherhood. Four children, volunteering, carpooling, and answering the inevitable what’s-for-dinner had filled my days for so long that when my youngest daughter entered school, I wasn’t sure what to do.

“What would you do if you could do anything?” my oldest daughter asked me one day.

Anything? I had to think about that. My answer came harder than I expected, perhaps because it had been buried for so long—percolating in the back of my mind as I’d changed diapers and read bedtime stories. “I guess I’d write historical fiction.”

“Then why aren’t you doing it?” she asked, with all the confidence of a twelve year old who still thought her mother could do anything.

Why, indeed? Because I didn’t know where to start. Because I’d never taken a writing course in my life. Because I might not be any good.

But my daughter was right. It was time to try. And if I fell flat on my face it wouldn’t be because I didn’t’ give it everything I had. I had a story, one that had come to me one morning as I’d heard the gospel account of the Samaritan woman at the well. And so I sat down to write.

The first day, I felt like an imposter. Who did I think I was . . . Anita Diamant? Francine Rivers? I was no Biblical scholar and certainly no wordsmith. Heck, I didn’t even know what a synopsis was. But I did want to help people experience the kind of life Jesus lived—to imagine meeting the Incarnation face to face. And so I started typing.

It wasn’t easy. But with hours of research, an online thesaurus, and plenty of prayer, I finally saw a book take shape. It was too long, too wordy, and didn’t have a ‘hook’. But it was a start.

Today, I’m a full-time writer with one book published (The Well) one releasing this February, (The Thief) and another on its way to my editor’s desk (The Tomb). My goal each day is simple: to transport my readers into the pages of the Bible; to bring the people, places, and cultures of the past alive through the power of story; and hopefully, to give readers of glimpse of what it might be like to meet  Jesus, face to face.

What would you do if you could do anything?

What would you do if you could do anything?  @stephlandsem @Grit_Grace
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More About Stephanie:

Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction because she loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats.  When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

Visit Stephanie at her online home at stephanielandsem.com, like her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter or Pinterest!

New from Stephanie:

A Roman centurion longing for peace and a Jewish woman hiding a deadly secret witness a miracle that transforms their lives and leads them to the foot of the cross.

Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure. Desperate to escape the accursed Judean province, he accepts a wager. If he can catch the thieves harassing the marketplace before Passover, he’ll earn a transfer away from the troublemaking Jews.

Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Only with the help of Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, can she keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and a roof over their heads.

When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Longinus longs to learn more about the mysterious healer. Instead, his journey leads him to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures.

Unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, they wonder who this teacher is who heals others but does nothing to save himself. Is the mercy he offers in his teachings real, or just another false promise? Can Nissa and Longinus overcome their pasts to find a future free of their shackles?

The Thief is an evocative story of two people trapped in their circumstances and the life-changing power of forgiveness and love.

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Because of Mom

My daughter-in-law Jen and I are always joking about how it doesn’t take much to tug at our heart-strings. Hallmark movies—especially the commercials—find us both grabbing for tissues.

For the past two weeks, I’ve been watching the Sochi Olympics. Like Hallmark, they’re showcasing some tear-jerker commercials. Jen posted one on Facebook and commented: OK, Deb, here we go again with the waterworks.

She was right. I dabbed at my eyes as I watched scenes of baby boys and girls tenuously taking their first steps. When they fell, their moms were right there to kiss them and steady their wobbly legs. In a blink, the tots have grown. They struggle to stay upright as they learn to figure skate, play hockey, and maneuver on a snowboard. Their valiant efforts are met with bumps, bruises, and sometimes worse—injuries that require surgery and excruciating rehab. Moms kiss them, bandage them, and soak blistered feet. The final scenes culminate with these now young adults competing at the Olympic Games with proud parents watching. The overarching lesson: For teaching us that falling only makes us stronger. Thank you, Mom. P&G, proud sponsor of Moms, deserves a gold medal for this one.

It’s true, isn’t it? Our roles as moms are life-shaping, life-changing. On those ordinary days, we can’t always see the magnitude of our calling. We get caught in tedious details. There’s one more diaper to change, endless lunches to pack, sports events to watch, seated on those impossibly hard bleachers. But when you get a little farther down the road, you realize you wouldn’t have wanted to miss any of it.

I am blessed to have a mom who, at 86, still models this selfless love. Because of Mom I learned these life lessons:

 It doesn’t matter how many times you fall. What’s important is that you keep getting up. My mom didn’t allow pity parties. I learned the value of perseverance.


 You don’t have to be perfect. I love you no matter what. Mom didn’t realize she was reflecting God’s unconditional love. I learned the value of acceptance.


 You are uniquely you. Don’t try to be anyone else. Mom was firm on this. I don’t care what “Susie” down the street is doing. Don’t ever compromise. I learned the value of integrity.

 Most of us probably won’t raise Olympians, but we will swell with pride even when the accomplishment is small . . . like riding the bus to school for the first time or reciting the correct lines in the school play. It’s all about love–the sacrificial kind that moms are noted for.  From the first time your tiny squalling infant is placed in your arms to the day you stand in the driveway, watching and waving until his car is out of sight, love knows no bounds.

I believe God is really the proud sponsor of moms. Through a mom’s love, He pulled back the curtain so we could have a glimpse of His perfect love.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Ephesians 3:17-18

What lessons did you learn from your mother? @Grit_Grace @DebKalmbach
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There Comes a Time . . .

There comes a time when you take “Go, Ye, into all the world” seriously and invite your neighbor out to coffee and look into taking a mission trip with your kids. When you realize people need Jesus and if you don’t reach them, who will?

There comes a time when you consider that Jesus meant it when He said to care for the widows and orphans, and you think about opening your home and making friends with the aged and lonely.

There comes a time when you set your prejudices aside and consider who are “the least of these” that Jesus talks about. He says when you feed them, care for them, and love them, it’s like you’re caring for Him. It’s a teen mom, a single mom, a needy friend who needs time, love, and attention.

There comes a time when church service becomes a verb instead of a noun. You look for ways to serve on Sundays and not be served.

There comes a time when you realize you need to change more than your spouse needs to be changed, and you start praying about that and asking God to start with you. True love is rooted in true sacrifice and preference to another person.

There comes a time when you realize the whole point of raising kids is to launch them into the world—not for them to be successful, but to be obedient to Jesus Christ, even if that means they must live a life of sacrifice far beyond your reach.

There comes a time when you spend a lot of time fundraising and a lot of money out of your own pocket, and when you put life aside to travel 40+ hours simply to stand in front of a few dozen teens to tell them God loves them . . . then you have no doubt it’s exactly where you’re supposed to be at that moment.

There comes a time when you realize the dreams God placed in your heart aren’t about you at all. They’re about the world and God’s desire to touch, help, and inspire those around you. They’re about being a foundation stone that Jesus can build on for His kingdom.

There comes a time when you hold a piece of yourself in a book and you don’t know where the words or story came from—except from God—and you understand the message was as much for you as anyone else.

There comes a time when the most impacting friendship isn’t when someone is there for you, but when you’re there for someone.

There comes a time when you get more excited about promoting other people than promoting yourself.

There comes a time when you realize when you asked God to give you His heart, you can look around and see He has. And you pray it’s only the beginning. And deep down you know it is.

The dreams God placed in your heart aren't about you at all @Grit_Grace @triciagoyer
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You Don’t Need Any More Love

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

Have you ever felt loved completely? Have you ever loved with everything within you? I am talking about the truest, deepest, and purest kind of love. The kind of love that gives you a world of confidence in who you are. The kind of love that brings you overwhelming joy, so much so you have to share it. The kind of love that gives you the strength to take risks. The kind of love that gives you a peace unlike anything this world has to offer. The kind of loves that makes you feel as though you can do anything. This kind of love, this perfect love, is the love that God gives us. It is there for us, we just need to acknowledge its presence and enter into it. God’s pure, true, and deep love is there to wash over the whole of you. It gives confidence. It gives joy. It gives strength. You can do so much when you know you are deeply cared for.

We all want to feel loved and find significance in life. The good news is that it is there for us, just not in the ways the world says it is. When you truly recognize the love God has for you, you don’t need to prove yourself because you know you are a child of God. He wants you to feel His love so deeply that all you are left to do is pour out some of that love onto others. This is your significance and the way in which great things can be done in your life. We are to be His hands and His feet, which we can only do this when we walk in His love. This world cannot shake you. You don’t need any more love than what God has for you. Every day pray to Him that you will find it in Him. He will show you and when you feel God’s love and know it as truth, you can do nothing less than express your love for Him by serving others. He calls us to do so and He will equip you with all the love you need in order to do His will.  You will no longer need to be fighting this world for its ideas of love and significance. You will be loved and significant in Him. This will then lead you to do great things in the power of His love. They may seem small at times to you, but loving others is always a GREAT thing!

 

You don't need any more love than what God has for you @Grit_Grace @swauterlek
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Love is…Trust

When I reflect on the fruits of the Spirit spoken of in Galatians 5:22, my mind travels back in time to when I first met the man who is now my hubby. I was very cautious. I had been deceived a time or two by not-so-Christian “Christian” men. Was this one the real deal? How could I really know? What standard of measure would reveal whether he could truly be trusted? Was he totally committed to Christ? Had he surrendered to the Holy Spirit in his life?

Then I remembered this verse that speaks of the fruit of a life lived for Christ. As I turned to this passage, I was able to see that his walk was in unison with his talk. He was so patient and kind. My heart was at peace when I was with him. When I observed him around his coworkers and friends, it was obvious that he was a good man, with incredible self-control. He was gentle, loving, and faithful to his word, to God, to the church. He was the man of my dreams!

Just as verse 22 describes a life lived in unison with the Holy Spirit, verses 19-21 describe the man/woman who lives a life of deceit and sin, a person who cannot be trusted…

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

How much easier our lives would be if we used these checklists to help us discern who we can trust and who we cannot. This is not a standard for us to judge and condemn others. It’s a checklist that we must use to critique ourselves and our relationships. God’s word is our guide. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment and wisdom for our own good. He also convicts us when we are “following the desires of our sinful nature”.

And a side-note to our single gal-pals: please do not be hasty in choosing a mate. Make sure he truly stacks up to the full measure of a man of God.

How about you?

•Are you worthy of trust?

•Can God count on you?

•Can others depend on you to do the right thing, to set a higher standard?

•Read these verses again.

•Honestly, openly allow the Holy Spirit to convict your heart of any remaining sin patterns.

•Confess it. Ask forgiveness. Seek the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome it.

I’m praying for you today, my friend. I long for you to know the love of God and His desires for you. I pray you will flow in the Holy Spirit and your heart and life will be cleansed anew! May the Lord bless you with healthy love relationships and a happy home.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…(Proverbs 3:5)”

What are you struggling with in your walk with God? in your personal relationships? What is your greatest desire?

'Make sure your walk is in unison with your talk,' Cindy Stiverson @Grit_Grace
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Winner Announced from 3-Book Giveaway!

 

Congratulations to the winner of The Painted Table by Suzanne Field, The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher, and A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher, Naomi Shores! Please email your mailing address to elizabeth {at} litfusegroup {dot} com to claim your prize.

Who’s Your Ray of Light | Shelley Shepard Gray

Years ago, long before I published my first novel, I went to the Romance Writers of America Conference. I didn’t know much about the publishing industry or about writing. All I knew was that I really wanted to be a published writer one day. I had scheduled some agent and editor appointments. I had circled all the workshops I planned to go to. But I was still there by myself, and didn‘t know anyone. So I volunteered to help at the workshop desk every day.

I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the absolutely right thing to do. I met other volunteers, kept busy with all kinds of tasks, and basically got to see how the conference was run-the workshop desk was right in the middle of it all. I also met everyone who stopped by and asked for help or directions.

For a long-time reader-want-to-be-writer, this was amazing. I met all kinds of famous authors as they stepped forward to get their packets for workshops they were presenting.

And then, on the fourth day, I met Mary Balogh. The Mary Balogh, aka, my favorite author. Mary is from Wales, lives in Canada, and has a very proper British accent. Years ago she wrote Signet Regency Romances, and I fell in love with the settings and stories she created. Since then I think I’ve bought every book she’s written. Anyway, Ms. Balogh stopped by the workshop desk to ask where the bathroom was. I took one look at her nametag and became star struck. Instead of answering her question and letting her go on her way, I began to tell her about how much I loved her books. She looked delighted, said thank you, and handed me a bookmark.

That was my cue to leave her alone, right?

Oh, no. I proceeded to tell her how I’d combed used bookstores looking for her books that were out of print. I told her which of her books were my favorites, and then decided to tell her all about my favorite characters in those books. Because, well, why wouldn’t she want to hear about that?

Once again, she very sweetly thanked me, dug in her tote bag, and gave me a pen. And still I gushed. By the time she finally left the workshop desk, I had a leather bookmark too . . . one that she signed right in front of me. I was grinning like a fool. Poor Ms. Balogh was probably making a mental note to Avoid Shelley At All Costs for the rest of the week!

I’ve saved those bookmarks all this time, just like I’ve cherished that memory. What’s funny is I probably remember more about that conference than the 10 or 12 conferences I’ve attended since. It was such an exciting and scary time for me. I had a hope and a dream and absolutely no idea if it was ever going to come true. All I knew was that I had to try.

I thought about that chance meeting with Mary (yes, in my mind we’re on a first name basis now) a lot when I was writing Ray of Light, the second book in my Days of Redemption series. In the novel, the characters realize that there are many rays of hope and promise in their lives. Some come from the Lord. Others? From family members . . . and yes, even the kindness of a stranger. Meeting Mary Balogh made a huge impression on me. She was thankful that I liked her books. She was patient while I took up her time. And most of all, she made me think that maybe-just maybe-one day I, too, could be a published author.

So, I guess my hope is that we each realize that a kind smile or a little bit of patience will always be remembered . . . and sometimes it might make all the difference in the world to someone. For whom are you a ray of light? Who has been a ray of light for you?

More about Shelley:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the “Sisters of the Heart”, “Seasons of Sugarcreek”, “Secrets of Crittenden County”, and Families of Honor series. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

New from Shelley:

Hopeful, Return to Sugarcreek, Book One

In the Amish town of Sugarcreek, love comes in many forms. But will it come at all for Miriam?

Miriam Zehr has worked at the Sugarcreek Inn longer than she cares to admit. The restaurant is a favorite of town residents as well as the many tourists who come to taste the famous Amish fare. Though she always tries to have a smile for every customer, deep down Miriam knows something’s missing: a family of her own.

Miriam has never felt particularly beautiful, especially because she’s always been a bit heavier than other girls her age. When Junior, the man she’s pined for all her life, suddenly seeks her out, she’s thrilled to be noticed . . . until she realizes he’s only asking her to help get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, her pretty friend.

If Miriam helps Junior court Mary Kathryn, she’ll get to spend a lot of time with him, but she might lose him in the process. Are these few stolen moments worth a lifetime of sacrifice? Is Miriam right to even hope for the life she dreams of?

A kind smile or a bit of patience can go a long way! Shelley Shepard Gray @Grit_Grace
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Sandpaper People

I called her Lady Sandpaper. Every encounter with her left me raw. I participated in gossip about her. Anyone who ventured into a conversation with me got “treated” to my complaints about her.  The more time I spent around her, the more she rubbed me raw and the more my ill intent towards her grew.  I could have been nominated as the poster child for what Christians should not be or do. I didn’t think anything about the stuff we are taught in church about loving one another. I had decided she wasn’t lovable.

But then…..

In the next week’s Wednesday night Bible study we studied agape love. That’s the kind of love that’s self-sacrificing, putting the welfare of others above your own. In that Sunday’s sermon, my pastor taught that regardless of what the other person is doing, we are to do the right thing. I was reminded of the verse “Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!“ (James 5:9). OUCH!

So I began to include her in my prayers each day. It wasn’t easy because it wasn’t something I really wanted to do. But I knew God wanted me to and obeying Him was most important to me. I prayed God would make Himself known to her in special ways. And then I asked Him to change my attitude and actions toward her. I really had not been a good example of what Christianity is all about. That had to change. I had to change.

As time passed, I no longer saw her as unlovable. She and I started to have some nice conversations with each other. She shared her frustrations and even things she was happy about, which she had never really done before. And I did the same. I learned she had things going on in her life that sometimes caused her to put up walls and throw out words that were meant to keep people away, like a porcupine’s quills. She had some hurts, just like I did. Suddenly being around her didn’t make me raw anymore.

Difficult people have a story too. We may never be the best of friends with them but God has them in our lives for a reason. Whether we ever discover that reason or not, we are called to love one another. How do we do that with a sandpaper person?

Here are three simple things we can do to overcome that feeling of irritation towards them.

 Start praying for yourself and for them. Ask God to check your heart for wrong attitudes and sinful thoughts toward them.
 Really begin to look for opportunities to say a kind word, make a nice gesture or engage in a conversation where you can genuinely begin to get to know them.
Find a way to share your own stories with them. You might have something to say that will help them.  Surprisingly, sometimes you may find they have something to say that will help you. Or maybe you’ll just begin to like each other. That’s cool too.

Connecting with our sandpaper person doesn’t have to be hard.  Those three steps give us a way to show agape love, simply and genuinely.  And in the end, love wins and we win.

You know that person you have a hard time loving? Try these 3 tips from @RaleighGirl @Grit_Grace
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Goal!

 

A father was driving his son home from a soccer game one day. “Oh, man, Dad! The coolest part of the whole game was when I raced around that guy from the other team with the ball . . . I whizzed right by him! Next thing I know, I’m kicking the ball and GOAL!” the son exclaimed, his hands flying up in the air. His father had been watching the whole game and saw his son score the goal. He himself was jumping up and down along with the other parents, his heart swelling with pride. However, hearing his son tell the story was ten times better than watching from the stands.

Shouldn’t our relationship with God be like that? Sure, God sees everything . . . he knows every little detail about our daily lives. He knows our feelings, our hearts, and our deepest desires. But He also likes to hear about our experiences and lives from us directly. Why? It means we’re communicating with Him, and communication plays a huge role in every relationship we have. Today, try to tell God about what’s happening in your life. Hold nothing back. He wants to hear from you, whether it seems like an insignificant detail or it’s something exciting like scoring a goal.

Tell God what's happening in your life. Hold nothing back! @remixher @Grit_Grace
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