Renee Andrews's Blog - Posts Tagged "renee-andrews"

Dear Bride-To-Be…

Troy Lee has been writing letters to his future bride since he was a boy. Still, she's never been more than words on a page…until now. When he meets Destiny Porter, he thinks he may have finally found the woman he's been waiting for. But Destiny came to Claremont with a single purpose—to get Troy's permission to print his letters in her magazine. Yet once she lays eyes on the handsome Southern man, Destiny knows she's in trouble. She can't help dreaming about being Troy's bride. But will he still want to be her groom when he finds out who she really is?

An Unexpected Romance

As the CEO of Brooks International, Ryan Brooks has money, power and a sought-after family name. But here on his sister's ranch in Claremont, Alabama, the billionaire only wants to be loved for who he really is. So when small-town shop owner Maribeth Walton ignores him and his valuable business advice, he's determined to figure out why. Problem is, Maribeth knows he's not sticking around and she won't let him get close. Or could it be she's keeping a secret--one that may hold the key to why she's so reluctant to admit she's falling for the billionaire?

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV)

My family has a Labor Day tradition. The entire gang gathers at my parents’ home on the river for jet skiing, swimming, good food…and homemade ice cream. My mother makes the BEST homemade ice cream. This Labor Day we were waiting for the ice cream, but the ice cream maker just kept spinning. It went on for what seemed like forever, while we all waited, bowls and spoons in hand, to have our favorite treat. Then my dad remembered that the last time he’d cleaned and rinsed the ice cream container, he accidentally tossed the tiny part in the bottom out (and into the river, no less). That one little part ended up being important and without it, the ice cream took much longer to get firm.

Like that tiny part in the ice cream maker, each part of Christ’s body is important to the livelihood of Christ’s church. We may not feel like our tiny part matters, but in the entire scheme of things, we could be the reason the church doesn’t stand firm. He needs our part.

For me, I sometimes feel I don’t offer anything overly impressive to the growth of the Kingdom. I can speak, but I’m sure not great at it. I can sing, but it’s nothing to write home about. And it took me YEARS before I gathered the courage to pray aloud. But I do have a few things I can do and enjoy doing. I can write and share God’s message with my readers. I can be willing to attribute my good mood to my Good Lord whenever asked why I seem particularly happy. I can also let others know that God will see me through when I’m having hard times.

No, the things I bring to the table do not seem like a whole lot when you look at what Christ has given for me. But that tiny part of the ice cream maker was important to the final product, and my tiny part is important to Christ’s final product too.

Faith Step: Eat a bowl of ice cream today and think about all of the parts that were necessary for that delicious taste, and then thank God that you can be a tiny part in His Kingdom.


~Renee Andrews

Pre-order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book will sell in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at http://www.mondayswithjesus.com/

“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6 (NIV)

Growing up, my sister and I shared a room. One night I woke to her screaming, “He’s got me! He’s got me!” I just knew someone was in our bedroom and had my sister so I joined in, “He’s got Gina! Someone’s got Gina!”

My parents busted into the room practically falling over each other, ready to save us. Daddy turned on the light and saw Gina’s hand covering her face. Her arm was asleep, so she didn’t realize the hand suffocating her was…her own.

We laugh about it now, but the instance reminds me of my first years as a Christian, when I never believed I would be good enough for Heaven. I didn’t pray enough, didn’t study enough, didn’t give enough. Quite honestly, I was miserable, because like my sister that night, I couldn’t see past the hand on my face. Grace was something I didn’t understand and definitely didn’t study. I had a fear mentality that controlled my every thought and every action.

Finally, after years of study and a better understanding, I realize by God’s grace I no longer have to worry about being “good enough”. I will never be “good enough,” but through Christ, in God’s eyes, we are all good enough. Christ wants to set me free, in the same way Daddy lifted Gina’s hand and showed her she was okay, that she was indeed free.

Faith Step: Place your hand on your face covering nose and mouth. Feel your struggle to breathe. Now move it away…and remember Christ’s grace sets you free.

Author Renee Andrews

Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV)

“God bless you.”

I waited, thinking someone sneezed. Then the woman on the other end repeated, “God bless you.”

“Oh, hello. You called about my son’s car.”

She excitedly asked if we could bring it to their home, because they didn’t have a vehicle. I said yes, and she gave me directions to housing projects an hour away. The area where she lived was often on the news, but I said, “Okay.”

We arrived at the home and stepped on a welcome mat that read, “I am blessed when I go in. I am blessed when I go out.” She had a single sheet-covered couch and a television. They had nothing. I fought tears.

“Keisha got a basketball scholarship but doesn’t have a car.”

Her daughter squealed when she saw the restored BMW. Kaleb had put several months and all his money into the vehicle.

While Kaleb took Keisha to drive the car, the woman said, “I have $200 and can give you $800 later.”

Kaleb purchased the car pre-restoration for much more. “Oh, he was asking for more.”

The woman pulled out the paper and showed me an ad for a car 15 years older with a phone number one digit off from my cell. “This isn’t our ad.” I turned the page to show her ours, for $5,500.

The kids returned, and Keisha wanted the car, but her mom explained they couldn’t afford it. We left and drove a couple of miles before my 16-year-old broke down in tears. “I can save and get another car. I just want it. She needs it.” Then we turned around, and he gave her…all he had.

I saw much joy in Keisha’s face when Kaleb gave her the keys, but I’ve seen more in Kaleb’s life as a result of his unselfish gift. Christ said give all. Rarely do you see it, but when you do, it’s beautiful.

Faith Step: Follow Kaleb’s example, follow Christ’s example, and give something away today. Don’t give of your leftovers, but give something you love, something the recipient will love. Experience the exquisite joy of giving.

Renee Andrews

Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com

Mondays with Jesus 2015

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25 (NIV)

Ben, my friend’s young son, suited up in his football gear, helmet and pads and all, and informed his mom that he was going out to play. After a few minutes, she looked out the window and saw him standing in the backyard alone. Feeling sorry for her little boy, Jana went outside. “Do you want to play something else?” she asked. Ben turned and grinned from within his helmet. “Nope, I’m playing football.” Confused, Jana asked, “You are?” Ben nodded the bulky helmet. “Yep, I’m offense. The defense is on the field now.”

Jana couldn’t see the game Ben visualized, the one obviously still entertaining him while he waited for his turn. But Ben knew that part of playing football involved waiting patiently on the sidelines. He also had the ability to hope for what he didn’t yet have, a chance to play.

Often we are the little boy on the sidelines wanting a chance to play. We want to shine for Christ. We want to be needed, have purpose. However, every now and then we need that reminder that contentment may also be found in letting someone else have their time on the field. We should try to be like Ben, quite happy waiting his turn.

Faith Step: Remember what Christ said in Luke 14:10 and find Ben’s joy in waiting your turn.

Author Renee Andrews

Need a Christmas gift for friends and family? Mondays with Jesus 2015 is on sale now - autographed print copies available at www.MondayswithJesus.com ($9.99 with free shipping). Also available in ebook format via Amazon, BN.com, Kobo, iTunes, Scribd, etc. ($3.99)

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

About eighteen years ago, a homeless woman walked into the emergency room of an Atlanta hospital in labor. Shortly after, she delivered a baby girl. She said she wanted the child to have a better life than what she could provide, and she specified that she wanted the baby to be raised in a Christian home. A social worker from the Christian foster agency Agape met with her in the hospital and learned of her wishes. She held the baby before she gave her to the social worker, named her little girl and told the baby that she wanted her to have a good life, a life in the Lord.

That precious baby was born with a mother’s hope that she’d be raised loving her Lord and Savior. And then God blessed our family by putting that sweet baby in our home when she was merely two days old.

When I think about her mom showing up at that hospital in labor, I think about Mary arriving at the inn in Bethlehem. She and Joseph wanted their child to be loved. Christ’s Heavenly Father also wants His child to be loved.

Today, on Christmas, remember the birth of our Savior. Remember how precious it is to raise a child to grow up loving Him, knowing Him, adoring Him. Even though her mother couldn’t take care of her child physically, she took care of her spiritually by placing her in a Christian home. She knew how important it was for her little girl to know her Lord.

Faith Step: Today, while the world celebrates the birth of our Savior, take a moment to explain the miracle of Christ’s birth to a child. Raise your children the way that mother wanted her child to be raised, loving Our Lord! Merry Christmas!
Mondays with Jesus 2015

Mondays with Jesus 2017: Devotions to Begin Each Week of the Year“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Last week, Ariel, my daughter-in-law, had several items to put in her car as she was preparing to leave her house for the day. While Naomi, our nine-month-old granddaughter played just inside the door, Ariel took her purse, the diaper bag and some other items to the car. Then she returned to the house to get her little girl…and realized she’d accidentally locked the door.

She ran to the side door, which has a window, and peered in to see Naomi, crawling around, happy as she could be. Ariel tapped on the window, got her little girl’s attention, and Naomi smiled, clueless mommy couldn’t come in.

With no spare key and her phone still inside the house, Ariel began to panic. She thought about going to a neighbor’s home to use the phone, but she was fairly certain that her neighbors were all at work. Then she thought about attempting to break through the window to get to her little girl. But she wasn’t certain how that would fare either. What if Naomi crawled toward the glass, or if Ariel cut herself badly in the process?

Deciding her best option was to find a neighbor at home, she prayed for help, ran to her car, sat in the driver’s seat and glanced down to see the key that our son, Rene, had left in the cup holder. She began thanking God immediately as she grabbed the key and ran to the door to get to her baby girl.

When Ariel told me the story, I could feel her anxiety. She knew she had to get to Naomi, but she didn’t know how…until she found that key.

Aren’t we like Ariel, when we know what we want, what we need to get to more than anything else, and yet we need the key?

What do we want to get to most?

God.

What is the key to getting to God?

Christ.

He is our interceder, our path to the Father. He is our means to getting what we need most, what we want most, what will give us more joy than we can ever imagine.

To get to her daughter, Ariel needed the key.

To get to our Heavenly Father, we need Christ.

Thankfully, He is there, waiting to intercede, wanting us to gain access to what we need most. To give us even more joy than Ariel found when she opened that door and found her baby, safe on the other side.

This Week: Make a spare key for your home. Put it somewhere safe, but a place that you would remember if you’re ever locked out. Whenever you look at the key, remember the Key we have to access the door to our Father. Thank God for Christ’s ability to intercede.

Renee Andrews

Mondays with Jesus 2017: Devotions to Begin Each Week of the Year

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18

In the early and mid 1990s, I, as well as a large portion of the world, became rather obsessed with stereograms, those images that allow some people to see 3D images by focusing on 2D patterns. This form of art is identified by a horizontally repeating pattern which differs slightly with each repetition, therefore giving the illusion of depth when each eye focuses on a different part of the pattern.

The Magic Eye books that were filled with these stereograms hit the bestseller lists in record time, and entire stores were devoted to selling the popular 3D art. I remember spending the majority of a Saturday morning in such a store in New Orleans attempting to see images like the Statue of Liberty and rockets hidden in a bounty of posters.

When I read Psalm 119:18, I am reminded of those stereograms. There is so much splendor in the Word of God, but often, we are unable to see the beauty that is only obtained by looking deeply into the scripture. More than that, I’m reminded that I can’t see the wonders of God’s word without His help. I need Him to open my eyes, to allow me to see more, to understand more, to appreciate the awesome jewel that He has given me by providing me with His Word.


This Week: Find a stereogram and search for the hidden image beneath. Feel that moment of triumph, excitement and satisfaction when the veiled figure comes into view. Next, pray for God to open your eyes to the hidden beauty of the scripture, then spend time in His Word. Take a look at 2 Corinthians 3. Read about how you are a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human heart. Start there, and then delve into more scripture, into more hidden beauty. Have your eyes opened to the wonders of God’s Word.

PS - Let me know if you see the picture...

Renee Andrews

Mondays with Jesus 2017: Devotions to Begin Each Week of the Year

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:21, 23-24

Growing up, I remember a worn brown grocery sack as a steady constant on our dryer. Though Mom often exchanged the bag with a fresh one from the grocery store, the smell of its contents lingered in the small laundry room next to our carport.

The scent of rubber or, more accurately, of a tire plant.

My Daddy, James Bowers, worked at Goodyear for thirty-seven years. He began building tires at merely twenty years old, working third shift for years before finally moving to days. The work was labor intensive, to say the least. Back then, we had one car, and Momma would drive us to the plant to watch the men pouring out when their shift ended. My sister and I would search for the familiar walk of the man who provided everything we needed, the man who loved us unconditionally…and never complained about the position that would send him home with the potent scent of the tire plant on his clothes.

Even though it has been decades since that brown bag stayed on the dryer, I remember the scent vividly and would recognize it instantly even now, years later. It’s a reminder of what my Daddy was willing to do for us, every day, without complaining. It’s a reminder of his love for his wife and children.

As I read the verses above, I realize that Daddy never made us feel bitter toward the plant, but instead made sure we knew how thankful he was for the opportunity to work. And Daddy didn’t go to work and leave his Lord at home. The men and women who worked with him through those years knew that he wasn’t there alone; he worked with God in his mind and in his heart and didn’t hold back from sharing his Lord with his coworkers at the plant.

This Week: If your current employment isn’t what you had planned for yourself, or it isn’t as appealing as you would like, look at what it provides, rather than what it prevents. Look at it the way my precious Daddy did, as an opportunity, rather than a hindrance. And remember that you aren’t in that position to serve man, but to serve your Lord.

Renee Andrews