Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 12
July 21, 2023
Ladies of the Fire in Two ebookfairs
Check this out ��� Ladies of the Fire is in two ebookfairs! If you need a reminder ���
The late 1960s sets the newly-widowed Lily-Rose Pembrick reeling as she flees Lincoln, Nebraska, with her children. Only taking the cash from the house safe and what she can get her hands on at the family bank, she leaves the recently-inherited and successful Pembrick Transportation company behind.
Exhausted from driving all night, she stops in Applegate, Ohio, and decides to start a new life on Norwood Street. There, she meets Fiona Kasey, an African-American no-nonsense housekeeper/companion to an elderly white woman, and Sugar Bowersox, a Southern spitfire who has lost herself in motherhood.
Together, they enjoy Lily-Rose���s backyard fire pit, where dreams are spoken and secrets revealed. As they embrace a kinship they never would have sought, Lily-Rose begins to think her past can finally be laid to rest���until someone ends up dead.
When Lily-Rose���s past catches up with her, who will be left standing?
Vote Your Support
At each fair you can enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card
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If you enjoyed the first story from Lily-Rose, Fiona, and Sugar, I���d love to see the votes pile up for Ladies of the Fire. Vote often during the fair, 7/21/2023-7/28/2023. At each fair you can enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card plus some free books just by visiting the fair and filling out the entry form.
Here are the links for each fair:Vote often during the fair
7/21/2023-7/28/2023.
Mayhem and Murder
ebookfairs.com/Fair/Book?id=NgNyhZPIeUKkHNNw3aTn8Q
New Fair (female-led stories)
ebookfairs.com/Fair/Book?id=xD7JLsjyjUGfH9BgF6jVmA
The votes are growing for all the books. Hope to see your participation!
And There’s More … Ladies Uncover a Secret
Her family has hidden secrets. Will she ever learn the truth?
It���s 1972 and Fiona Kasey-Boyd is living her dream life in Shaker Heights, Ohio, but something���s wrong. Married to a wonderful man, eight months pregnant with his child, she���s wracked with sadness. Is she suffering from the baby blues, or is it something darker?
In a quick trip to her hometown before the baby arrives, Fiona reconnects with her friends Lily-Rose and Sugar, leaning on them for strength. The three of them search for answers to Fiona���s questions, but they are stonewalled at every turn with evasion and silence.
Only the power of their friendship can help Fiona face the darkness of her family���s secrets���secrets whose answers can heal her heart ��� or shatter it.
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July 18, 2023
Storytime
Do you ever stop and listen to children as they share stories? It’s��like they live for storytime.
Children often use their entire bodies to tell a tale. ���And then ��� and then �������� are the words that trip over their tongues, evidence of their minds moving faster than their lips could keep up. They twist their little hands and struggle to stand still in one spot. They become animated when they speak, experiencing every syllable they share. Their eyes shine with expression. They giggle and bounce as if there are ants in their pants.
Whew!
It’s when the little arms finally fold across chests that the listener knows the story’s over, leaving Storyteller as well as the listener exhausted.
Kids ��� I just love them and their energy. They���re full of life, expression, and excitement.
What about my storytime?What would happen if I shared that same level of excitement when I talk about my Lord and what he���s given me? It’s a good guess that bouncing and shaking my hands would be distracting when I share about God���s grace and mercy (grace being what God gives that we don’t deserve and mercy being what God doesn’t give that we do deserve), but at least I should strive to give the listener a reason to lean in for more.
How do I act when I talk about God's mercy and grace?
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Paul shares his excitement with the Ephesians in his letter to them. ���And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord���s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge���that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.��� Ephesians 3:17-19
���And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord���s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge���that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.��� Ephesians 3:17-19
Sadly, I can���t remember the last time I had to gasp for air from being so excited when I shared the Good News with someone. I need to re-evaluate what really excites me. How about you?
Pray Excitement��into StoryFather, stir a fire of excitement in my heart for what excites you. Help me remember how holy you are and all that you have given me. Remind me of the price Jesus paid for my salvation. I have done nothing to earn this gift, yet it is the sweetest gift I could have ever received. Help me share your goodness with enthusiasm. Help me speak with shiny eyes, twisting hands, and words that can’t wait to pass over my lips … just like a child. I pray this in Jesus��� holy name, Amen.What say you?
What do you wonder about?�� Are you happy ��� or are you doing what you never thought you���d do? Do you see consistencies ��� or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I���d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book,��God���s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my��Book��page.
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July 11, 2023
It’s In The Struggle
It may be hard to believe, but all writers struggle. Even published, award-winning authors have their moments of doubt. They often struggle with time, focus, and research. Some, if they’re transparently honest, will tell you they even deal with an inner voice that tells them they don’t have any more stories to tell. Everything … it’s all in the struggle.
Even with a number of books published, success may seem elusive. Will one book make me a success? Two? Maybe three?
Writers often watch numbers:
Are social medial numbers growing?Were there enough sales this quarter?Why isn’t the contact list growing as it should?When Struggling Writers Focus
I’m a fan of several blogs. Some known, some not so much.�� You decide the column Lori Roeleveld��falls into. For me, she knows how to offer light in a dark tunnel. I revisit her blog often. One of my favorites is When Death and the Devil Appear to Win the Day she reminds us that following Jesus is our own success.
Embrace the StruggleWhy do we, as writers, look for success too early in our writing journey?
We, as writers, must be on guard and not look for success too early in our writing journey.
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I want the numbers to grow quickly. I want the sales to soar. I’d love to have a ginormous mailing list. But I don’t want those things if they usurp God’s plans for me and my life.
I need to learn to embrace the struggle.
Join me. Let’s try to find that sweet place between being responsible for our vocation and being patient, waiting for God’s plan to unfold. Let’s take a swan dive into the lap of Jesus. Until we land there, my hope is to find success in the struggle.
What say you?What do you wonder about?�� Are you happy ��� or are you doing what you never thought you���d do? Do you see consistencies ��� or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I���d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book,��God���s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my��Book��page.
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July 4, 2023
Mental Checklists
If your day starts similar to mine, your mental checklists fill your thoughts before your eyes open.
* What’s the first thing to do on the schedule?
* Check the weather before getting dressed.
* Make sure everything needed for dinner is available.
Instead of starting the day with a task, why not wake up loving Jesus?
It doesn’t need to be earth-shattering, but your go-to can be sweet, kind, and loving. Maybe hum the tune of a simple song as you ponder its word.
Mental Checklists Can ComfortJesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to him belong
They are weak but he is strong
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so
“Jesus Loves Me”, Anna Bartlett Warner (1860)
It’s just as easy to focus on what’s important as it is to focus on the mundane.
And I have more on my plate now than I’ve had for years. Yet I can pull the words of this song out of the air as I awaken. How simple the stanzas are, yet they pack a punch that starts a day well.
Instead of starting the day with a task, why not wake up loving Jesus?
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Scripture tells us that God loves to guide us from our slumber. Psalm 5:3 reads, In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
So comforting.
Or there’s Lamentations 3:22-24: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Don’t make it difficult on yourself and play to your strengths. If you’re a checklist person at heart, telling you to stop making lists would cause stress. Instead, change your checklist. Be it scripture or song, whatever you choose, have your mental checklist direct you to Jesus.
Join me moving forward. I’m changing my focus on the fact that Jesus loves me other than my chores for the day. Fretting over won’t help. But focusing on Jesus can. I know this—because the Bible tells me so.
What say you?What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
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June 27, 2023
Patience or Tenacity
I like understanding the meaning of words and how words draw pictures. Let’s consider the words Patience or Tenacity.
PatienceThe definition for patience is “the capacity for waiting: the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties.”
“… the capacity for waiting: the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties.”
My mind conjures up a picture of a father working with a child, teaching them how to build a bird feeder. Teaching children how to work with sharp tools takes lots of calm perseverance. I can almost hear birds singing when I consider the word patience
TenacityI also enjoy y the tenacity. From tenacious, its definition is “determined or stubborn: tending to stick firmly to any decision, plan, or opinion without changing or doubting it.”
“… determined or stubborn: tending to stick firmly to any decision, plan, or opinion without changing or doubting it.”
Here’s another great word picture. In my mind, I see a teenage girl, arms folded and her jaw set in defiance. She’s standing in front of Mom, daring her to try and change her mind. Teenager is certain her mother does not understand and that she, the daughter, just needs to stick to her guns. If she does Mom will eventually wise up and get with the program.
I like Patience and Tenacity and rely on both. When appropriate, I can take a deep breath and pull up wisdom from Proverbs. That’s when I lean on patience. However, when I need to push through–like moments when I want to crumble but need to face the next day–tenacity gets me there.
Which do you favor, Patience or Tenacity?
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We can find both Patience and Tenacity when we look at the life of Jacob. He exhibited great patience as he waited to take Rachel for his bride. (Genesis 29:16-28) But Jacob wasn’t afraid to wrestle with God throughout the night until he blessed him. (Genesis 32:22-30). Jacob’s tenacity … his determination … besides giving him a wrenched hip, also gave Israel its new name.
What about you? Can you say you’ve had times of both patience and tenacity in your life? I’d love to hear about it.
First posted this January 24, 2011
What say you?
What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post Patience or Tenacity appeared first on Robin Luftig.
June 20, 2023
We Get You! is Available
After months of tweaking, We Get You is available!
30 Days: 30 Women • 30 Stories • One God
Embark on a thirty-day journey with thirty extraordinary women, whose powerful stories and words of hope, resilience, and unwavering faith will fill your heart with divine inspiration.
We Get You! 30 Days: 30 Women • 30 Stories • One God, is an invitation to join hands with new friends who have traversed similar trials and circumstances just like you.
Each of the thirty soul-nourishing devotions encompasses a verse of encouragement, an
intimate personal or Bible-based story, and a practical application of the truth. To further enrich your spiritual experience, four thought-provoking prompts are included for each devotion, focusing on purpose, practice, prayer, and promise.
Come along with us, and start your day with a dose of We Get You! to breathe life, hope, peace, and encouragement into your heart and mind. Unleash the power of divine grace and let it lead you toward a deeper connection with our loving Father.
A Few Reviews“From the very first devotional, I was pulled into the real world of problems that other women and I face. I mean, not a disorganized spice rack or not enough shoe storage or a nosey Mother in law. There were revelations of a more gritty “turn this to God so I can survive through it” nature. There were questions that hit me where I live and breathe. I’m not alone. I’m sorry other women are struggling, but, what a comfort to know Im not struggling alone! God is able to use their stories as a help to others.”
JJ Kurtz
We Got You! Is Getting NoticedAmazon’s Best Seller’s Ranking:“… This would be a great book-group book study. Everyone could share their own thoughts after reading the devotional aloud. I can see friendships being born and strengthen as each person shares.”
Tinyfeet
#1 – Spiritual Growth
#2 – Women’s Inspirational Spirituality
#9 – Women’s Personal Spiritual Growth
Interested in other books?
Check out my book page. There’s something there for everyone.
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June 14, 2023
My Favorite Father’s Day Memory
There is never a June that comes around when I don’t think of my favorite Father’s Day memory. Nothing captivated my attention more as a child than a toy stuffed bird my dad kept in a curio cabinet in his man cave. This feathery splendor was about the size of my palm with wild ostrich feather plumage glued onto it. I imagined stories about why this fragile object was set apart and displayed only for Dad���s eyes to see. Was it a gift from a princess he had rescued from the grips of a ferocious dragon? Was it a piece of treasure he had found while hunting with Indians?
One spring, with my vast four-year-old wisdom, I decided that, since Dad liked it so much, I should give it to him again.
The perfect solution.The Saturday before Father���s Dad I carefully snatched the stuffed bird from the case. Holding it in my tiny hands as if it were precious jewels, I fled with my stolen booty to my bedroom. Hiding my plunder, I left my room to bring back the newspaper and masking tape, certain that Dad would be thrilled with his Father���s Day present.
After dinner on Father���s Day, while Mom and Dad were having their coffee, I stood before him and ceremonially offered my carefully wrapped package. He looked at the crumpled ball of newspaper encircled with bands of masking tape and pulled me up into his lap so I could have the perfect view of the unveiling. As he carefully unwrapped the mound of tape and paper, he revealed the soft, fragile stuffed bird I had taken from his glass cabinet. He smiled his I-love-you-over-the-moon smile.
���I love it,��� he said. ���Thank you for the perfect present, Peaches. This is such a cute bird. I���ll keep it forever!���
He smothered me with hugs and kisses and I erupted in giggles. After taking in his perfect love, I strutted away as if I had just been awarded a national medal for being the most loving and awesome child of the year.
Later that summer, we began preparations to celebrate Dad���s birthday in September. He never wanted much of a fuss, but we enjoyed honoring him the best we could. I had no idea how to out-gift Father���s Day.
Then the answer came to me.When Dad wasn���t watching, I returned to his room, opened the display case, and birdnapped the feathered masterpiece. And as before, I took it to my room and wrapped it with newspaper and masking tape.
When the time came for presents after Dad���s birthday dinner, I made sure I was at the front of the gift-giving pack. Dad, once again, scooped me up along with my ball of newspaper and masking tape and pulled me onto his lap.
When Dad opened his present and saw the plumage and beautiful colors, he never missed a beat. He raved on about how beautiful this present was and how he was so pleased that I knew just what he liked. He never let on that he recognized the bird from the glass case in his room or that he even knew I had taken it. Instead, he made a fuss over me and my re-re-gifted item that had belonged to him since before I could remember. He made me feel like I had offered him the moon and it was the most special gift he ever received.
His loveDad has been gone for over forty years now, and sometimes I forget what was so special about him. Then I revisit my favorite Father’s Day memory … and I smile. I can close my eyes and still see that look of complete love for me on his face. And, that’s a memory of why he was so special to me.
What say you?
What do you wonder about?�� Are you happy ��� or are you doing what you never thought you���d do? Do you see consistencies ��� or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I���d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book,��God���s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my��Book��page.
The post My Favorite Father’s Day Memory appeared first on Robin Luftig.
January 10, 2023
God’s Best Goes Audible
I’m excited to finally be able to tell you that God’s Best During Your Worst is now available if audible format!
Here are links that carry the 4+ hour listen:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/god-s-best-during-your-worst
https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/god-s-best-during-your-worst-by-robin-luftig
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gods-best-during-your-worst-robin-luftig/1136917229
https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/617100049/God-s-Best-During-Your-Worst-Living-Under-His-Umbrella
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781953114754
https://www.storytel.com/se/sv/books/3700507
https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/gods-best-during-your-worst-living-under-his-umbrella/654544
Thank you, Linda Goldfarb, for narrating this piece so beautifully. Your voice brought me to tears several times.
Looking for a Do-Over in 2023?
Do you feel like you don’t matter? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Also, check out the paperback version of God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
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December 27, 2022
Mason Jar of Goodness
Over ten years ago I was challenged to keep a Mason Jar of Goodness. The idea was to write down good things that we’ve either done or experienced over the year on slivers of paper and keep them in a mason jar. At the end of the year, we were to open the jar and enjoy the reminders of the goodness we had experienced.
Every year now, Lew and I keep the jar and a pen & paper visible, so we can watch the stack of papers grow. And if for some reason the stack isn’t growing, seeing the jar spurs us on to do something good so we can write about it and slip the note in the jar.
We start this each January, excited about what will fill the jar and a bit nervous that our upcoming year of goodness won’t measure up to the last.
We’ve yet to be disappointed.
Over the past twelve months, every time I’ve walked by and looked at the jar, my heart smiled. I remembered writing about the big things that happened, and the small things even Lew didn’t know about. I couldn’t wait to sit with him on New Year’s Eve, dump the jar’s contents onto the table, and root through them, reading aloud each wonderful memory.
Give it a TryTry the Jar of Goodness in your home. You’ll be surprised what you’ll see at the end of the year. If you have children have them join in the fun. And if you live alone, it’s still fun to see how good the past few months were.
Don’t be Afraid.Are you worried your life is filled with so little good that your jar would remain empty? At first, I was, too. Then I realized good happens in my life every day. In 2011, doctors told me I may die in ten days … and when I didn’t, that was the day I realized embracing goodness each day is a gift in itself.
In 2011, doctors told me I may die in ten days … and when I didn’t, that was the day I realized embracing goodness each day is a gift in itself.
When I open my eyes in the morning, I’ve been given a gift–life! What a beautiful gift. I can hold my hand to my chest and feel the thump-thump of my heart beating. Another gift. I haven’t done a thing to make that happen, yet it does. And you’re reading this blog–a HUGE gift to me. I appreciate each of you.
Reminders of good happenings are too few. They happen all around us and we don’t even know it. But watching a pile of slips of paper grow over the weeks has the power to bring a smile to your face. Test it! Start your own mason jar of goodness for 2023. Who knows what’s waiting for you?
Looking for a Do-Over in 2023?Do you feel like you don’t matter? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post Mason Jar of Goodness appeared first on Robin Luftig.
November 1, 2022
No Matter Where You Are
God sees you, no matter where you are. No matter if you feel seen. Not even if you don’t think you can see Him.
Recently, I attended a conference and, can I say, I was a bit overwhelmed. I had so much to do waiting for me at home. I had deadlines to meet … commitments to keep. My focus was … out of focus.
I decided to take my unfinished manuscript to the lodge. My plan was to grab some time and focus on what I needed to finish. I purposefully sat with my back to the door, hoping I gave off the vibe, DO NOT BOTHER ME. After a few moments, a woman I did not know walked up and stood in front of me.
Clearly, she didn’t understand what I was saying with my body language, so I looked up and smiled.
That’s when her words–and obedience–blew me away. She smiled and said, “God told me to tell you something.”
She had my attention.I closed my laptop, leaned back in my chair, and smiled back. She had my undivided attention. “Please, what did he tell you?”
“God told me to tell you something.”
“The Lord said you are an encourager and He wants to encourage you. Your kindness and gentleness are not overlooked and He wants to reward you—every effort you have made to be there for others has been as His hands and feet and words. He Loves you.”
I could have missed itTears traced my cheeks. I could have missed it! In my it’s-all-about-me moment, I could have missed this precious gift a stranger wanted to give me. I saw tears in her eyes, too. I thanked her for listening to God and for having the courage to share. She smiled and went on her way.
Needless to say, my steps were lighter when I left the lodge … and so was my heart.
Please know, friend, that God sees you, no matter where you are. He sees you in your troubles and well as in your celebrations. When you’re alone or in a crowd.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
He’s with you right now.
Looking for a Do-Over?Do you feel like you don’t matter? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
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