Davalynn Spencer's Blog, page 38

Who Is Your Provider?

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Last week I thought I was having problems with my computer. It wasn’t doing what I depend on it to do, as in downloading and uploading files – things I can’t explain in techy terms but desperately need.

Basically, I knew enough to know that I didn’t know enough, so I contacted someone who knew more.

“It could be your provider,” said the person in the know. “Who is your provider?”

Of course the question referred to my Internet service provider, but my attention deviated and I paused for a moment at the sudden fork in the processing path.

Who is my provider, in the life sense of the word?

Who do I depend on to provide for my needs, safety, and support? Who do I trust with my work and my future? God or myself?

In both technological and spiritual applications, my provider matters—that unseen essence in the background that makes everything work. The level of my connection to that provider is critical.

The answer for my computer issues that day did, indeed, lie with my Internet service provider. I’d used up all the data or information access I’d paid for and had to buy more. Once that matter was cleared up, everything flowed smoothly.

I’m so glad it’s not that way with God, my Life Provider. When there’s a glitch in communication with Him, the problem is never on His end. It’s always on mine.

Do I have a weak connection?

Have I substituted other input for His?

Am I depending on myself rather than Him?

With God as my Provider, I don’t have to worry about “using up” or maxing out on His provision. He is ultimately more dependable than anything man has invented and is endlessly limitless in His offer of access. About two thousand years ago, a rough-cut fisherman named Peter figured this out.

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

Everything we need. That’s what I call unlimited access. 

Who is your Provider?

~

Who is your provider?
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Pre-order now! See book’s page on this website for purchase options.

 

“Oh, God.” Her voice squeezed up and floated out to the countless stars. “Oh, God, help me. I’ve deceived others and myself as well.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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Have You Ever Blown It?

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Have you ever blown it? Not just miss a beat, but miss the whole boat? Think you’re humming right along, focused in, on target, and then—wham?

This picture of Linger Rodeo Company’s saddle bronc horse, Curly Wolf, circa 1980s, drives home my point. Curly had a way of tossing the boys “out the front door.” Even if the rider thought he was tapped off and sittin’ pretty, he could sail through the air in the next heartbeat.

What a life metaphor.

I missed a big one last week and rediscovered how easy it is to get down on myself. To browbeat myself, and say all kinds of discouraging things about myself … as if that would fix the problem or me.

Why do we do that?

The very next day I “happened” to read a familiar passage of scripture that was just what I needed. I didn’t search it out; it was one of the day’s collection in a little book called Daily Light for Your Daily Path. 

Funny how God does that. As if He knows.

[Jesus] understands our weaknesses…So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.     Hebrews 4:15-16

Grace says, “Stand up, dust off, and get back on. I’ll help you.”

Jesus is the face of grace.

~

Jesus is the face of grace.
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Ever blow it?
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See book’s page on this website for purchase options.

 

“I’m suggesting that you haven’t forgiven yourself because you don’t believe you deserve it.” He let the words settle, then lowered his voice. “None of us deserve it, Betsy. It’s a gift.” ~An Unexpected Redemption

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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EMPTY

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the sacrificial price for our sins. He bought us back, so to speak, making things right between God and us. It was enough.

But He did more.

He got up from the dead and stepped out of the tomb—alive. Now He walks beside us every day of our lives.

Death couldn’t keep Him down. It had no hold. And that’s what we needed to know—that we would live again too, by the power of His resurrection in us.

Because the tomb is empty, our lives don’t have to be.

~

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 NIV

Because the tomb is empty, our lives don’t have to be.
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“If God can make everything new again, in spite of the hard, painful parts, then we should let Him.”  ~An Unexpected Redemption

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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He Will Save His People

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Crucifixion wasn’t what the fans and followers of Jesus expected when they heralded his arrival in Jerusalem for Passover a couple thousand years ago. We Westerners refer to that day as Palm Sunday.

No, those first-century Jews were shouting “Hosanna!” (Oh, save!) They thought Jesus was going to rescue them from Roman oppression and make Israel great again. And they were thrilled about it. After all, he had the name.

They all knew what Jesus meant, whether translated Yeshua, Joshua, or Jeshua: “the Lord saves.”

And I imagine some of those eager revelers had heard the account of the angelic visit preceding Jesus’ birth more than thirty years before: “And you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people…” (Matthew 1:21).

Things were about to change.

Just not in the way they expected.

If the angelic messenger recorded by Matthew had stopped after “for he will save his people,” the announcement would have made complete sense up to that moment in time.

But it would have completely missed the point and purpose of Jesus’ arrival.

Jesus—in any language—came to save his people, including us, from much more than an invading nation’s pillaging and plundering. He came to do much more than improve bad economic times or level the societal playing field.

The last three words of the declaration made all the difference in the world –

“…from their sins.”

No one but God could do that.

And that’s why we Westerners remember. Because there is hope.

Because Jesus was born to die, and three words made all the difference.

“It is finished.”

Three words made all the difference.
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“None of us deserve it, Betsy. It’s a gift.” ~An Unexpected Redemption

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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The God Who Created

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Tomorrow is the first day of spring – the season of rebirth, renewal, and resurrection. Of all the seasons, I believe it is the closest to God’s initial creation.

The very first thing the Bible says about God is that He created.

These words explain a lot, not the least of which is God’s unlimited understanding of why we like to imitate His creativity.

We write, paint, sculpt, sing, plant gardens, train animals, teach children, build houses and furniture, make quilts, cakes, and cars.

Some of us bring order out of chaos in closets, checkbooks, filing systems, and data collections.

Some of us save lives.

Others are compelled to share and elaborate on what they’ve discovered.

A few of us like to wrangle words. Others wrangle cattle, horses, or toddlers.

No matter what we do, God’s thumbprint is on our hearts, His quiet empowerment to do what He designed us to do, and to do it the best way we know how.

As we step into spring with new creative ideas, let’s apply the words of Peter, fisherman/water-walker/Jesus-follower:

“…trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.”                               (1 Peter 4:19 NLT)

God’s thumbprint is on our hearts.
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Trust...the God who created you.
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The dog whined, but Garrett strode off without her. He needed to be alone. Completely alone. And she’d be better off tied to the porch. Unless she pulled out the post and brought the whole thing crashing down on her. It’d be just his luck if she did.

No such thing as luck, son. Life is what you and God make it. If you let Him.

His grandfather’s advice bounced off the insides of his skull, and not for the first time.

~An Unexpected Redemption (Available for pre-order)

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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Are You Willing To Be Willing?

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

One morning last week as I read Matthew 14, I was struck by the approachableness and positivity of Jesus.

Loosely paraphrased, here’s what I saw:

Setting: Small inland sea at night, high wind, boat full of weary men sent ahead of their leader to the other side of the lake. They start seeing things.

Jesus: (Walking on the water toward the boat.) “Hey guys, I’m here!”

Peter: (In the boat, a little freaked out.) “If it’s really you, tell me I can come out there too.”

Jesus: “Sure, come on!”

Peter: (Jumps out, walks across the waves.) “Cool!” (Notices the waves.) “Help!”

Jesus: (Grabs Peter.) “Why did you doubt?”

Things could have gone a lot differently.

Jesus: “I’m here. What’s taking you so long?”

Peter: “If it’s really you, tell me I can come out there too.”

Jesus: “No, you can’t do it. You’ll sink. Maybe another time.”

Peter: “But you’re always saying—”

Jesus: “Hurry up. I’ve got places to go, people to heal.”

Do you think Jesus knew Peter was going to sink?

I’m sure He did.

But He also knew Peter was willing.

Jesus was willing. He didn’t discourage Peter because He knew what was possible. I think He wanted Peter (and the others) to know it too.

Peter walked on the water a lot longer than the other guys in the boat. They didn’t even get out.

Peter walked on the water a lot longer than I have. I’ve never even tried.

The point?

Jesus is willing. Are we?

Jesus knows what we can do when we trust Him. He knows what is possible.

What’s He asking us to do that we think is impossible?

Get out of our comfort zone?
Tell someone else about Him?
Forgive a certain individual?
Volunteer our time?
Tithe?

God, make us willing to be willing.

God, make us willing to be willing.
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Jesus is still willing.
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An Improper Proposal

 

Henry’d had such good intentions, at least Mae Ann assumed so by the wording of his will. Tears pricked her eyes anew, but not for loss of Henry. She’d been willing to marry him and work beside him, but she’d never known him. Now she was responsible for his land, and rightfully so, according to Judge Murphy. Was it wrong to sell it?                                   ~An Improper Proposal

 

 

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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Take a Break

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

“I don’t do nothing well.”

No doubt you bunched your shoulders and cringed when you read that sentence. The double negative scratches our linguistic sensibilities like fingernails on Styrofoam.

Does the sentence mean the speaker can’t do anything well? Or does the speaker fail when it comes to a simple lack of action?

I know the answer because I’m the speaker, and I’m here to tell you, I’m not very good at sitting and doing nothing.

Raise your hand if you can relate.

Keeping the sabbath separate from the work week was a challenge for me. I thought the directive was merely one of the Ten Commandments, an old Hebraic law code (that would certainly improve our way of life if it were adhered to today).

But the re-discovery of a few surprising verses has changed my perception. Exodus 16:29 was the most surprising of all.

God tells Moses that the people of Israel are to gather manna six days a week but not on the seventh. There will be plenty, the Lord promises. What’s gathered on day six will be enough to cover day seven. Everyone gets a break from gathering on that day – the Sabbath.

The New Living Translation reads, “They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you.”

I’d never looked at it that way.

God doesn’t want us working ourselves into the ground. He wants us to take a break. Rest. Recharge. Renew.

Regeneration is a law we see operating around us in nature. Trees and grasslands go dormant for a season. Many animals hibernate while others relocate.

Everything rests on a regular basis – except man in general.

But what about that “do nothing” principle?

Jesus wasn’t a do-nothing kind of guy. Religious leaders repeatedly harassed Him because He healed people on the Sabbath. Or He and his followers would peel husks from wheat and eat the grain on the Sabbath. And He had a mouthful to say about the leaders’ self-righteous criticism.

“You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water?” (Luke 13:15) 

Rest means different things to different people. Some like to read. Others visit, walk, ride bikes or horses. For me, resting is doing something different than what I do every other day which is work at the job of writing.

I ’m learning, and it’s not necessarily easy, to give up that job on the Sabbath, which for me is Sunday.

Not everyone can do that. Many people are required by their employers to work on Sunday. But those people can pick another day as a day of rest, a day to let go of the stress and demands and spend time leaning into God.

I’m always amazed by the sense of refreshment I have on the day following my Sabbath. I don’t lose anything by not working one day, but I gain renewed focus and faith that the Lord is meeting my every need, even when it comes down to something as minuscule as manna – my weekly word count.

During this Lenten season approaching Easter, try a Sabbath day of weekly rest. You may be surprised by the regenerative results.

~~~

The Sabbath is the Lord's gift to you.
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Jesus wasn’t a do-nothing kind of guy.
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Whit took control before Baker could intervene. “My tally book says we’re near done with only a handful left to check. We can finish when Jody gets back. I figure we all need to rest tomorrow, but there’s plenty to do if you’re lookin’ to stay busy today. Fence to mend and hay… Well, the hay has to dry out before we can cut it.”                                                         ~Straight to My Heart

 

 

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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Just As I Am

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

I was just nine years old. Just along for the ride. Just sitting in a folding chair in the middle of a football field on a starry night with thousands of people who had come to hear Evangelist Billy Graham.

Honestly, I don’t remember much of his message, but I clearly recall the tug on my heart when he said something to the effect of, Come to Jesus as you are.

And then the song began: “Just As I Am.”

I knew about Jesus. Had known about Him for a long time, thanks to my mother who took me to that stadium. But that night, beneath those stars, I also knew that I had to choose Jesus for myself.

Because, you see, God doesn’t have grandkids. Just children.

Since then, not once over the years have I regretted choosing Jesus. It was a critical bend in the road for me.

Most of the world knows that Billy Graham went to meet his Lord face to face last week. His son Franklin said, “His faith has become sight.”

I contend that Dr. Graham’s faith became spiritual sight for many people in many nations and regions worldwide. His message was simple and clear: You need Christ. He loves you.

Thank God, Billy Graham followed the tug on his heart to share that message.

~~~

If you have a memory related to Dr. Billy Graham, I’d love for you to share it in the comments below.

God doesn’t have grandkids.
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If you’d like to read Dr. Graham’s autobiography, titled the same as his signature song, you can find it at several outlets. Four are listed below.

 

Amazon

Google

Barnes & Noble

Christianbook

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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How’s Your View?

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

The first time my California Cowboy visited Greeley, Colorado, his nose told him he’d never live there. Lots of feed lots in that part of the country.

“That’s the smell of money,” an old timer said. “You’ll get used to it.”

He did.

So did I. After the wedding, we made our first home near Greeley, and I never smelled the feedlots again.

The ability to acclimate is a wonderful thing.

Usually.

Sometimes we adapt to aspects of our environment that aren’t beneficial. We go numb, deaf, or blind to negative influences that can restrict our receptivity and faith.

This point became startlingly clear to me last week upon the arrival of new windows for our living room.

We were so used to our old double-pane glass that had lost its luster (and seal), that we didn’t know what we were missing. No matter how I washed the old windows, the view was never clear.

When the windows were replaced, I was stunned. I’d become so accustomed to the old view that I was overwhelmed by the new. For too long, I’d been “looking through a glass darkly.”

Some things just have to be replaced if we want to see the truth.

That’s what Jesus does for us. He takes away the old and gives us the new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We have an even better view to look forward to someday when we see our Lord “face to face” rather than through that glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV).

Until then, let’s not acclimate so well to the morals and manners of our worldly environment that we lose sight of what the truth really is.

~~~

I’d become so accustomed to the old view that I was overwhelmed by the new.
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Some things have to be replaced if we want to see the truth.
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An Improper Proposal

 

Stunned by the view from her window, she surveyed the yard below, blanketed in solid white.  ~An Improper Proposal

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Say What?

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Conversation hearts – fun, right?

How do I love thee? Let me count the misaligned ways that I can’t even read. These colorful little confectioneries exemplify what has happened to a once tender expression of affection and remind me why I’m not a fan of Valentine’s Day.

Surprised?

Okay, let me clarify:

I’m not a fan of what Valentine’s Day has become – an obligatory day of expectation. Who wants someone expressing love because it’s required?

As a Western romance novelist, I should be hat-over-boots in love with anything remotely connected to matters of the heart. And I am. But that’s just the point.

In our U.S. culture, VT Day is more about heart-shaped, cupid-inflicted cards, candy, and credit-card gouging than it is romance, in spite of the millions of dollars spent on advertising to the contrary. Especially commercials denigrating men who fail to buy their sweetheart the “right” gift.

So now that you know I’m not impressed by VT Day, let me tell you why I love writing inspirational romance.

First, a definition.

Literarily speaking, the romance genre promises a happy ending to the story. Christian or inspirational romance keeps God’s principles of fidelity and purity in mind, and ensures no bodice-ripping on the page. That doesn’t mean every character is a perfect, sinless specimen of the human race. We had only one of those.

But inspirational romance should be a “safe” read, whether in a historical period or a contemporary setting.

I like to write inspirational romance because it puts a face on Romans 8:28 that tells us all things work together for good for those who love God. Even the bad stuff. It gives us a taste of what awaits us as believers – a great big Happily Ever After.

Readers of Christian/inspirational fiction typically want one or more of the following:

Escape
Entertainment
Encouragement
Inspiration

Readers of inspirational romance end up with all four.

One of the most romantic and inspirational books ever written is Redeeming Love, by renowned author Francine Rivers. Once a non-believer who wrote a different kind of romance, Rivers found the soul-gripping, life-altering love of Jesus, and it changed how she wrote. Her stories have since changed how people live.

This year on VT Day, let’s keep this kind of love in mind – whether we give cards, candy, and kisses or not.

“Love is the way back into Eden. It is the way back to life.” 

                          ― Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love

~

Who wants someone expressing love because it’s required?
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I like writing inspirational romance because it puts a face on Romans 8:28.
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Whit hesitated to tell his boss he was in love with his granddaughter. But he was. That was the truth of the matter, and he might as well face the old bull head on.  ~Straight to My Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

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