K. Dawn Byrd's Blog, page 10

Dawn V. Cahill's Sapphire Secrets & When Lyric Met Limerick

Dawn V. Cahill pens "Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century," nearly always with a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or dark chocolate nearby. "The characters in my stories face situations that would have been unthinkable even 20 years ago. We live in a vastly different world than our parents did, and that's the world I write about."
Seeing an unfilled niche in the Christian market for edgier fiction, Ms Cahill birthed Hot Topic Fiction (HTF) at an intensive four-day writers conference. HTF isn't afraid to explore the question, how does God want us Christians to live out our faith in this not-so-brave new world? Without insulting the reader by offering pat or easy answers--because there aren't any--HTF tells stories of ordinary Christians following hard after Christ in a world of terror and violence, of upside-down morality, of hostility to Judeo-Christian values.
HTF's first book is due for launch in June 2016. However, if you prefer something a little more mysterious, you might enjoy her new series, Seattle Trilogy. Be watching for Book 1 in January 2016!
Subscribe to her blog at dawnvcahill.com, to stay up to date. Or find her on Facebook and at dawn@dawnvcahill.com.
 
  Why did you choose to write this book? This book began in an online writing course by Jerry Jenkins. My first assignment was to think of six story ideas, then pick one. I’d always wanted to write a book about twins, and a book that takes place in a dance studio. So, voila, Sapphire Secrets was born.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not? Actually three things: my three fine sons; choreographing a church musical for people who’d never danced, with surprisingly good results; completing my master’s degree.
What are your favorite writing conferences and why?I absolutely love the Oregon Christian Writers summer conference. I never fail to learn something earth-shaking. At the 2014 conference, an agent encouraged me to “forge a new niche” in the Christian fiction market. That’s how Hot Topic Fiction came to be…books about ordinary Christians following hard after Christ in a world of terror and violence, of upside-down morality, of hostility to Judeo-Christian values.  And then last year, in Susan May Warren’s workshop, I “found” my brand…Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century. Because my books are true to life as it really is, not as we wish it to be. Don’t you enjoy stories that reflect characters and scenes that you recognize from your daily life? That 13-year-old whose parents split, and who’s turned into a complaining diva…do you recognize her? And the goth couple in the coffee shop…have you seen them in your own neighborhood?
Why do you write? Like the character in my short story said, when asked why he writes songs…”Because I have to.” [Howard in When Lyric Met Limerick] I’ve dreamed of writing the perfect novel from childhood, but I put the dream on hold while I raised my kids. [Not saying Sapphire Secrets is perfect; but with all the hard work and sweat I put into it, it better be at least excellent!]
What's next for you? My next major project is to release Sapphire Secrets as a paperback…a far less simple process than uploading it to Kindle. I expect it to be ready in a few months.
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing? I would have to have some sort of creative outlet. I also sing and dance, so if I didn’t write, I’d focus more energy on those two things.
Tell us a little more about yourself, with three things not many people know about you. I write under a pseudonym. My dad was in the ministry, which is why I write and blog under a pen name…I can write about sensitive family history without embarrassing anyone! J I’ve found God can use anyone’s history, whether sordid or squeaky-clean, to encourage others.I crunch numbers all day, putting the lie to Marilyn Vos Savant’s claim that people are usually either numbers-oriented, or word-oriented, not usually both. But then I must have a weirdly-wired brain.My taste in music makes me feel like an oddball around some of my Christian friends. I like edgy, ethnic music, classic rock, and Southern Gospel. (Odd combo, I know.) Like I tell people when they try to pigeonhole my taste in music…if it makes me want to sing or dance, I like it.
Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it distracts you? Speaking of music…normally, I don’t. It’s too distracting. Especially if it makes me want to stop what I’m doing and sing or dance. J Yet I can have a sporting event on in the background without distraction. Go figure!
Tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it. Sapphire Secrets is a very contemporary, modern-day novel, and the characters are the type of folks most city dwellers encounter every day. I think readers will enjoy the Seattle scenery, the characters’ quirky personalities, and the surprising plot twist at the end. J
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website) dawnvcahill.com, dawn@dawnvcahill.com , https://www.facebook.com/Dawn-V-Cahill-Author-581290478668884/

Register to win Dawn V. Cahill's Sapphire Secrets & When Lyric Met Limerick

We're happy to have Dawn V. Cahill with us today. She will be giving away one copy of Sapphire Secrets and one copy of When Lyric Met Limerick, both for Kindle. Please see her comment below for your chance to win!

Dawn V. Cahill pens "Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century," nearly always with a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or dark chocolate nearby. "The characters in my stories face situations that would have been unthinkable even 20 years ago. We live in a vastly different world than our parents did, and that's the world I write about."
Seeing an unfilled niche in the Christian market for edgier fiction, Ms Cahill birthed Hot Topic Fiction (HTF) at an intensive four-day writers conference. HTF isn't afraid to explore the question, how does God want us Christians to live out our faith in this not-so-brave new world? Without insulting the reader by offering pat or easy answers--because there aren't any--HTF tells stories of ordinary Christians following hard after Christ in a world of terror and violence, of upside-down morality, of hostility to Judeo-Christian values.
HTF's first book is due for launch in June 2016. However, if you prefer something a little more mysterious, you might enjoy her new series, Seattle Trilogy. Be watching for Book 1 in January 2016!
Subscribe to her blog at dawnvcahill.com, to stay up to date. Or find her on Facebook and at dawn@dawnvcahill.com.
 
  Why did you choose to write this book? This book began in an online writing course by Jerry Jenkins. My first assignment was to think of six story ideas, then pick one. I’d always wanted to write a book about twins, and a book that takes place in a dance studio. So, voila, Sapphire Secrets was born.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not? Actually three things: my three fine sons; choreographing a church musical for people who’d never danced, with surprisingly good results; completing my master’s degree.
What are your favorite writing conferences and why?I absolutely love the Oregon Christian Writers summer conference. I never fail to learn something earth-shaking. At the 2014 conference, an agent encouraged me to “forge a new niche” in the Christian fiction market. That’s how Hot Topic Fiction came to be…books about ordinary Christians following hard after Christ in a world of terror and violence, of upside-down morality, of hostility to Judeo-Christian values.  And then last year, in Susan May Warren’s workshop, I “found” my brand…Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century. Because my books are true to life as it really is, not as we wish it to be. Don’t you enjoy stories that reflect characters and scenes that you recognize from your daily life? That 13-year-old whose parents split, and who’s turned into a complaining diva…do you recognize her? And the goth couple in the coffee shop…have you seen them in your own neighborhood?
Why do you write? Like the character in my short story said, when asked why he writes songs…”Because I have to.” [Howard in When Lyric Met Limerick] I’ve dreamed of writing the perfect novel from childhood, but I put the dream on hold while I raised my kids. [Not saying Sapphire Secrets is perfect; but with all the hard work and sweat I put into it, it better be at least excellent!]
What's next for you? My next major project is to release Sapphire Secrets as a paperback…a far less simple process than uploading it to Kindle. I expect it to be ready in a few months.
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing? I would have to have some sort of creative outlet. I also sing and dance, so if I didn’t write, I’d focus more energy on those two things.
Tell us a little more about yourself, with three things not many people know about you. I write under a pseudonym. My dad was in the ministry, which is why I write and blog under a pen name…I can write about sensitive family history without embarrassing anyone! J I’ve found God can use anyone’s history, whether sordid or squeaky-clean, to encourage others.I crunch numbers all day, putting the lie to Marilyn Vos Savant’s claim that people are usually either numbers-oriented, or word-oriented, not usually both. But then I must have a weirdly-wired brain.My taste in music makes me feel like an oddball around some of my Christian friends. I like edgy, ethnic music, classic rock, and Southern Gospel. (Odd combo, I know.) Like I tell people when they try to pigeonhole my taste in music…if it makes me want to sing or dance, I like it.
Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it distracts you? Speaking of music…normally, I don’t. It’s too distracting. Especially if it makes me want to stop what I’m doing and sing or dance. J Yet I can have a sporting event on in the background without distraction. Go figure!
Tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it. Sapphire Secrets is a very contemporary, modern-day novel, and the characters are the type of folks most city dwellers encounter every day. I think readers will enjoy the Seattle scenery, the characters’ quirky personalities, and the surprising plot twist at the end. J
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website) dawnvcahill.com, dawn@dawnvcahill.com , https://www.facebook.com/Dawn-V-Cahill-Author-581290478668884/
Will you be doing a book giveaway? If so, the title of the book and will you be giving away a print or eBook?


Yes, a week from today I’ll randomly choose two new subscribers, one to win a copy of Sapphire Secrets, the other a copy of When Lyric Met Limerick. Both are currently available only as ebooks on Amazon. I only ask that the winners have a Kindle.

Ane Mulligan joins us today with a book giveaway...

We're happy to have Ane Mulligan with us today. She's giving away a copy of Chapel Springs Survival, print or eBook to one lucky reader (the reader will get the choice, but print will be given away inside the United States only.) Please leave Ane a comment for your chance to win!


The second book in my Chapel Lake series, Chapel Springs Survival, came from a real life event—and mother's revenge. Insert creepy music and evil laughter. The day started out normal, boring even. Then I got a phone call from our eldest son.
"Hey, Mom. I emailed you some pictures. Take a look and call me back." Click.
I hurried to my computer. The first photo was of a nice looking, very Latin appearing young woman. Something told me she wasn't from here. In the second photo, she wore a wedding dress.
I hit speed dial.
It seems our son, a widower with two children, had gotten himself a twenty-first Century mail order bride. He'd met her in a chat room for women in Columbia, South America, to meet and marry American men. They communicated for a year, then he flew to Columbia and married her.
Without me knowing anything.
He came back and spent the next year trying to get her into the U.S. legally.
Without me or his dad knowing anything.
He didn't let us know until she got here. Our two grandchildren knew. His brother knew. But we didn't. And for that, I told him it was going in a book. And it did.
Now, I do have to tell you that any similarity between our son's story and my book stops there. Our daughter-in-law turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to our Michael. We adore her and our two "step" grandsons and the newest Mulligan grandson.
But that wouldn't have made a good story. There was no conflict. But, mix Claire Bennett into that mix, and there's plenty. To find out how it turns out, you’ll have to read Chapel Springs Survival.
A mail-order bride, a town overrun with tourists, and illegal art ~ Can Claire and Chapel Springs survive?
Claire Bennett's Operation Marriage Revival succeeded and life is good. That is until the mayor's brother blabs a secret: Claire's nineteen-year-old son has married a Brazilian mail order bride. When Claire tries to welcome her, she's ridiculed, rebuffed, and rejected. Loving this girl is like hugging a prickly cactus.
Lydia Smith is happily living alone and running her spa—then the widow on the hill becomes a blushing bride. Then her groom's adult son moves in—on everything.
From the first sighting of a country music star in The Painted Loon,Chapel Springs is inundated with stargazers, causing residents to flee the area. When her best friends put their house on the market, Claire is forced to do something or lose the closest thing to a sister she’s got.
With her son's future at stake and the town's problems to solve, it's Claire's who needs a guardian angel.
An excerpt from Chapter 1
Like shot pinball, Claire Bennett pinged against, around and between hordes of straw hats, bikinis, and plaid shorts. All along Sandy Shores Drive, shoulder-to-shoulder throngs of people crowded the sidewalk and spilled into the avenue. A party atmosphere—with noise level to match—permeated the quiet morning and their once peaceful village. What had they done? When she and her friends envisioned the revitalization of Chapel Springs, it was a nice, controlled rise in tourist trade—not this craziness. One bruised elbow later, Claire reached the door of her art gallery, The Painted Loon, and turned her key in the lock. A heavy hand grasped her shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat. Was she about to be robbed? Hold on. In broad daylight? With this crowd watching? She may not be the brightest color on the palette, but she did possess a little common sense. Her gaze traveled up the beefy arm to a scraggly-bearded face with beady eyes. A rolled red bandana wrapped around his forehead, held back salt-and-pepper hair. Beside him stood a bleached-blonde motorcycle mama, dressed in a halter-top and the skimpiest shorts Claire had ever seen. Strings hung from their ragged edges and drew attention to the lumpy cellulite dotting the back of her thighs. Who was this woman trying to kid? She was fifty if she was a day. "You're the loon lady," Motor-mama said. "We want to see your pots." They tried to shoulder their way into the gallery, but Claire stood her ground. "I'm sorry, we aren't open yet. Please come back at ten." She threw the deadbolt, pulled down the window shade, then leaned her back against the door and drew in air. The familiar scent of lemon oil-rubbed wood with the underlying twang of turpentine surrounded her like a security blanket. After rattling the door handle a few times, the couple retreated. Claire released her breath in a whoosh as she slipped into the back workroom, where she and her gallery-partner-slash-best friend, Patsy Kowalski, created their art. And, Claire had to admit, a problem for Chapel Springs. The review they received last year—Patsy for her paintings and Claire for pottery—had put them on the art world's radar. Between that and the town's cleanup campaign, Chapel Springs attracted half the population east of the Mississippi. Then Rod Campbell, Nashville's newest country heartthrob, strolled into The Painted Loon one day and bought some artwork. He told a Hollywood producer about them, and the producer told one of his starlets, who was an art collector. Now Chapel Springs was filled with stargazers. Their quiet little village by the lake had become the trendy place to visit in north Georgia. Oh sure, Chapel Lake was the best summer vacation spot in the state, with its tournament fishing, beautiful beaches, and fabulous hiking trails. Naturally, the town's merchants wanted to increase the tourist trade. Because Claire had come up with the revitalization plan, the mayor blamed her for the ensuing problems. And problems were plentiful. College kids decided their little village was the perfect party town. Aside from their noise and litter, and traffic congestion on the main road through town, Chapel Springs didn't have enough rentable living space for more than a couple hundred overnighters. Claire sighed. Apparently, that lack of foresight was also her fault, along with the wild parties in Warm Springs Park. However, their cantankerous popinjay of a mayor sure took credit for the financial gains. Peeking out the back door, she found the coast clear and sprinted for Dee's 'n' Doughs. One of Dee's apple fritters and fortifying high-test coffee would go down good. Then Claire and her friends, all local entrepreneurs, could strategize a way to survive this pickle. She slipped into the bakery's rear entrance and was immediately plunged into gastronomic delight by the heady aroma of sugar and spice. It made her want to lick the air. Dee stood next to a large industrial mixer, pouring milk into its stainless steel bowl. Claire waved but between concentration and the noise of its motor, Dee didn't look up. However, her new assistant, Trisha, who was elbow deep in a huge batch of some wonderful concoction, did look up and frowned. With the back of her wrist, she rubbed the side of her nose, leaving a trail of flour. Claire waggled her fingers as she passed by. "I'm avoiding the foot traffic out front."  "Well, just don't touch anything."Sheesh. Even a newcomer knew her infamous reputation for calamity. She had hoped being elected to the town council would have brought her a modicum of respect. But no such luck. She was still the town's favorite joke. If Henderson’s hadn't had a Halon fire alarm system in the cooking school, it wouldn't have been a big story.
Ane Mulligan writes Southern-fried fiction served with a tall, sweet iced tea. She's a novelist, a humor columnist, and a multi-published playwright. President of the award-winning literary site, Novel Rocket, she resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband, their chef son, and two dogs of Biblical proportion. Her debut book, Chapel Springs Revival, released Sept, 2014.  "With a friend like Claire, you need a gurney, a mop, and a guardian angel." Following will be Chapel Springs Survival, Dec 2015, Home to Chapel Springs, May 2016. You can find Ane at her website, Novel Rocket, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.

Lisa J. Flickinger presents "All that Glitters!"

We're happy to have Lisa J. Flickinger with us today talking about her book, All That Glitters. Welcome, Lisa!
Lisa J. Flickinger
 Lately, the Lord has been reminding me of faithfulness and His desire to see faithfulness in the little things of my day. Like how I treat the neighbor who won’t shovel their sidewalk or how I respond to the annoying teen who keeps patting my head at church.
Sure I can cry out for revival and expect the Lord to do a great and marvelous work. I hope He does. But while I’m waiting, He’s asking me to be filled with His love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness … and to share the same with my family, friends, and strangers.

All That Glitters is my first historical novel it released in paperback through Ambassador International February 2, 2016.
All That Glitters
CHAPTER 1 “VIVIAN, ARE YOU IN THERE?” The bedroom door opened; Vivian Connor clutched her embroi­dery hoop tighter, and her needle paused in midair, the indigo blue floss dangling. Her younger sister Virginia stomped into the room and threw herself onto the bed. “I think . . . I think I’ll suffocate if I have to stay in this house one more minute.” She kicked her feet and hit the coverlet with clenched fists. Not again. The pockmarks in the rose-colored wallpaper across the room were a reminder of the last “unfortunate incident” as Mother called it. Was it just a week ago? Father had replaced her brush, comb, and mirror with the sterling silver set arranged on the chiffo­nier. They must have cost dearly—too dearly for a family without any wages. Tucking a ringlet behind one ear, Vivian stood and crossed the room hiding the gift from Virginia’s view. “All right, Virginia, what is it now?” “Father decided I couldn’t go to the Fireman’s Ball on Saturday. I asked him a week ago when Logan asked me. He said he doesn’t know Logan Harris well enough to trust his daughter with him, but I’ve known him for a whole month.” “Ginny,” The soothing tone masked the exasperation bubbling in her stomach. “You know Father can’t abide one of your fits right now. And furthermore, he’s right. No one knows anything about your so-called hero, Logan.” “I know everything I need to know.” “Well then, has he told you where the money he flashes around town comes from?” No, and he wouldn’t, either. His kind had been seen before: arrogant, pushy, and good-looking enough to get away with it. Ginny sat up and pinned Vivian with bright blue eyes. Her chin lifted, and a slight smirk appeared on her lips. “I didn’t think discuss­ing where either of our fortunes came from was important.” “Fortunes? What fortune? Our family’s situation is worse now than ever before with Father so sick. Oh, Ginny, you didn’t!” As Vivian’s fingernails pierced the palms of her clenched fists, the pain was a reminder to be civil. One must always be civil. Ginny fussed with the pearl button on the edge of her wrist cuff and gave an exaggerated huff. One . . . two . . . three . . . deep breaths. “Ginny, did you lead Logan to believe Aunt Margaret’s home was our own?” “Not exactly.” “Not exactly?” It was hopeless to keep her voice from rising. “You mean you neglected to tell him we were only living here until Mother and Father decided what to do?” “I didn’t think it was important, and frankly, he didn’t ask. All that really matters is that we have each other,” Ginny lay back on the bed once more and spread her arms out with her dainty fingers extended and sighed. “You’ll understand some day when you’re in love, like Logan and I are.”

You’ll find my blog and links to order All That Glitters at www.lisajflickinger.com
I’d love to hear from you!

Peace in the storm...

The storms of life seem to devastate us when we are in the midst of them. Take, for example, Mark Chapter 4. After teaching by the sea, Jesus entered a ship, taking his disciples with him. It's often hard for us to imagine Jesus having an earthly body like ours and growing tired, but he did and and he fell asleep in the stern of the ship on a pillow.

A great storm arose and waves beat upon the ship. It must have been some storm! Some of the disciples were fisherman and they knew the seas. They knew when to be afraid and when not to be afraid and for them to be afraid, it must a been quit a storm. 

The disciples found Jesus and asked him did he not care that they were about to perish. Jesus rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, "Peace, be still." The wind immediately ceased and there was a great calm. That's our God!

There are times that we wonder where God is when we're in the thick of the storm. When we feel like we can't take another step. When we don't have the energy to go on. Matthew 28:20 tells us exactly where he is. "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Friend, he's right there in the boat with you. He's in the midst of the storm. Call out to him. Ask him to rebuke the storm and calm the sea.

Signs in Life by Deanna Nowadnick

We're very happy to have Deanna Nowadnick with us today sharing a devotional and talking about her book Signs In Life.  Be sure to check it out!--K. Dawn

SIGNS IN LIFE: A DevotionalDeanna Nowadnick
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;He will never leave you nor forsake you.Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
So often I’ve joked, “I just wish God would leave a sticky note on the fridge!” It wasn’t until the writing of my second book, Signs in Life, that I saw through the laughter. God hadn’t just put a note here and there, He’d actually placed huge signs in my life.
I really do want to follow God more closely, but somehow I’d missed His signs and overlooked His directions. And honestly, there were times I just chose to ignore His signs.
But God never leaves us. God never forsakes us. God has made us a chapter in His great story. Our lives have meaning and purpose. My pastor, Robin Dugall, says, “Life with God is not just about a heavenly destination. Our travels with God are part of His story, His purpose, travels that begin right now.”
So even though we’re on a divided highway, you going in one direction and me in another, we’re still on a similar journey. We’re all part of a greater purpose, a greater story. And when we miss the signs, real and divine, we can rest assured that God will redirect and refocus us, that He will get us back on track.
Whenever we got in the car, I used to tell my boys, “Buckle up. We’re going for a ride.” In life we’re all going for a ride. Our travels with God are an adventure in discovery and growth, an opportunity for each one of us to repeat the words of Moses, “Here I am.”
Heavenly Father, we thank You for going before us, for being with us, for making us part of Your great story. Be with us, we pray, as we travel through each day. May all that we do and say glorify You and Your holy name. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus, amen.​​​​​​​​​​​​​Deanna Nowadnick is the author of two books, Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God and also Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace. Deanna’s a Pacific Northwest native who’s been blessed with a wonderful marriage to Kurt. She’s active in her church, playing the violin Sunday mornings and serving on the leadership team. She loves Bible study and delights in meetings with various women’s groups. You can connect with Deanna at deannanowadnick.com. She’s also on Facebook

Letter From God

This "Letter From God" was in my church bulletin. The author is unknown as far as I know.


My Dear Child:
You may not know me, but I know everything about you---Psalm 139:1. I know when you sit down and when you rise up---Psalm 139:2. I am familiar with all your ways---Psalm 139:3. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered---Matthew 10:29-31. For you were made in my image---Genesis 1:27. In me you live and move and have your being---Acts 17:28. For you are my offspring---Acts 17:28. I knew you even before you were conceived---Jeremiah 1:4-5. I chose you when I planned creation---Ephesians 1:11-12. You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book---Psalm 139-15:16.  I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live---Acts 17:26. You are fearfully and wonderfully made---Psalm 139:14. I knit you together in your mother's womb---Psalm 139:13. And brought you forth on the day you were born---Psalm 71:6. I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me---John 8:41-44. I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love---I John 4:16. And it is my desire to lavish my love on you---I John 3:1. Simply because you are my child and I am your father---I John 3:1. I offer you more than your earthly father ever could---Matthew 7:11. For I am the perfect father---Matthew 5:48. Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand---James 1:17. For I am your provider and I meet all your needs---Matthew 6:31-11. My plan for your future has always been filled with hope---Jeremiah 29:11. Because I love you with an everlasting love---Jeremiah 31:3. My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore---Psalm 139:17-18. And I rejoice over you with singing---Zephaniah 3:17. I will never stop doing good to you---Jeremiah 32:40. For you are my treasured possession---Exodus 19:5. I desire to establish you with all my heart and my soul---Jeremiah 32:41. And I want to show you great and marvelous things---Jeremiah 33:3. If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me---Deuteronomy 4:29. Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart---Psalm 37:4. For it is I who gave you those desires---Philippians 2:13. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine---Ephesians 3:20. For I am your greatest encourager---2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles---2 Corinthians 1:3-4. When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you---Psalm 34:18. As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart---Isaiah 40:11. One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes---Revelation 21:3-4. And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth---Revelation 21:3-4.  I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus---John 17:23. For in Jesus, my love for you is realized---John 17:26. He is the exact representation of my being---Hebrews 1:3. He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you---Romans 8:31. And to tell you that I am not counting your sins---2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled---2 Corinthians 5:18-19. His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you---I John 4:10. I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love---Romans 8:31-32. If you receive the gift of my son, Jesus, you receive me---1 John 2:23. And nothing will ever separate you from my love again---Romans 8:38-39. Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heave has ever seen---Luke 15:7. I have always been  Father, and will always be Father---Ephesians 3:14-15. My questions is, "Will YOU be my child?"---John 1:12-13. I am waiting for YOU---Luke 15:11-32.

Love,
Your Father, Almighty God

My thoughts about the movie, "War Room"

I recently celebrated another birthday. When my husband asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, my response was dinner and the movie War Room. I didn't know much about the movie. I knew it was a Christian movie from the creator's of Fireproof. I always try to support those movies because if we don't, producers will stop making them. I'd also heard that War Room was the number one move in the nation last week and it was about a woman fighting for her marriage. That was pretty much it. I hadn't even watched the trailer. All I knew was that Christian movies like Fireproof, Do You Believe, and God's Not Dead have been a blessing to me and I needed a blessing.

I don't want to say much about the plot itself because I don't want to spoil it just in case you've not seen it. I absolutely loved it. My husband liked it as well and as we were driving away, he asked me to text his newly married daughter and tell her that she and her husband should see it.

So many times, we like to talk about our problems to others, especially our problems with other people. We want to talk about how we've been hurt or wronged, especially when it comes to our spouses. What can the other person do about it? Can the other person change our spouse? Change our family member or our friend? No, but God can. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6

In the movie, Miss Clara's tiny closet is her prayer room. She calls it the War Room. I'm not spoiling this for you...it's in the trailer below. My husband leaned over and said to me, "Our closets have so much stuff in them, you couldn't pray in there if you wanted to." I laughed. He's right, but seeing Miss Clara's War Room made me long for a secret, quiet space of my own. You'll see what I mean when you watch the movie. Life is so busy and there is so much commotion around us that it's difficult to find a quiet place to get alone with God where you know you won't be interrupted.

Even before watching the movie, I did something similar in that I keep Bible verses that I call out to God in my phone. I also have a prayer list in my cell phone. In addition, I have a prayer of deliverance saved in my phone that an ACFW member sent to me. Since I always have my phone with me, this allows me to have my verses and my prayer list with me wherever I am.

The gist of War Room  is learning how to let God fight our battles for us. When we fight our battles ourselves, we can make things worse. War Room  is about learning how to pray and how to trust God. War Room is about learning how to take command over Satan in Jesus' name and then letting go and letting God. Be sure to take plenty of tissue. It's that kind of movie. The prayer Miss Clara prayed at the end is amazing. It had me shouting "Amen" in a theatre full of people and I'm normally quiet in a group setting. For your viewing pleasure, the trailer is below.

If God is all you have...then...

Honestly, I never thought I'd see come to pass what I'm seeing in my lifetime. I'm still amazed that Kim Davis is in jail. I commend her for standing up for what she believes. How many of us would have crumbled under the pressure and did what our job required? How many of us would have sought out another job? How many of us would have complied with the world's demands and quietly given in while our hearts broke and our conscience was seared?

We've sat back and allowed the enemy to steal from us. We've bickered among ourselves about doctrine and allowed prayer to be removed from our schools. We've argued over the color of the new carpeting in the sanctuary while our kids are popping strange pills at parties and researching how to become terrorists on the internet. We've been robbed, friends, and it's our own fault. We've lived in a little bubble where all we've cared about is that our own needs are met while the world has gone to hell around us and passed laws that are more anti-Christian every year.

We are living in perilous times, but those who have God, have all they need. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills! He created this world and everything in it! We are called by His name...He knows those who are His and he has the power to take care of us. He is our refuge and fortress, our high tower, our shield and our buckler. He is the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings! He is the One who was and is and is to come and will evermore be! God knows the beginning and he knows the end and guess who wins in the end? We're on the winning team. Look up, my friend, your redemption draweth neigh! 

Jodie Wolfe shares her thoughts on Unbroken...

UnbrokenBy Jodie Wolfe
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

The drive to survive despite staggering difficulties, starvation and insurmountable odds. Such is the story of Louis Zamperini as shared in the movie Unbroken. It tells the tale of this former Olympian who not only survived over a month and a half adrift at sea before being rescued and taken to a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Louis overcame and made it through horrific circumstances.
As I watched the movie with my husband recently, I couldn't help but think about the urge to endure that God has built into each of us. While I have never undergone anything as drastic as Louis Zamperini, God still has brought me through things I didn't think I could handle.
I love the way God promised us to give us strength when we are weary. There are many times when I feel worn out and unable to keep going but I take comfort in knowing God strengthens me when I ask Him to do so.
I may never face anything as challenging but I know I can choose to be unbroken when I put my faith and strength in God. He will give me the power to overcome.
Jodie Wolfe got bitten by the writing bug as a young girl after reading
and watching Little House on the Prairie. She loves writing stories about feisty heroines and strong, godly heroes. The power of story to influence lives and change hearts is what motivates her to weave tales that tell of the Savior’s faithfulness and forgiveness. She writes a column for Home School Enrichment magazine and has received awards in contests. You can find her ponderings on her website - http://www.jodiewolfe.com.