Davalynn Spencer's Blog, page 38

Does Christian Fiction Stack Up to the Truth?

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Today I’m guest posting on Amanda Geaney’s blog, Christian Shelf-Esteem, where I discuss writing Christian fiction.

Did you know that some people think believers should not write fiction?

You can read what I have to say about this subject at Amanda’s blog.

In the meantime, consider the word “crucifixion.”

Growing up, I often wondered why it wasn’t spelled crucifiction, because that’s what it sounded like to me. At at the time, I didn’t know about the Latin base of the word, cruci fixus, “fixed to a cross.”

As a young believer, I figured the English masters simply spelled it “-fixion” so people wouldn’t get confused about the truth.

Christ’s brutal death and miraculous resurrection certainly aren’t fiction.

Do you believe those truths can empower Christian novelists today as they write their made-up stories?

~

Some people think believers should not write fiction.
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“Off with you, now. I can’t have my guests helping in the kitchen.” Maggie shooed her into the dining room. “While you’re unpacking tonight, you can think about how you’re going to break it him.”

Elizabeth stopped at the doorway, her throat tightening with the question she already knew the answer to. “Break what to him?”

“The truth, dear.”

~from An Unexpected Redemption

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved.

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Mom-care

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

What is it about a mother that makes her do things for her children all the time? Even when no one’s looking. Even when no one knows. Even her children.

I believe it’s the God-gene she carries – not in a biological sense, but in a spiritual sense. God’s imprint on His creation.

He breathed life into Adam and from Adam created a woman, whom Adam named Eve because she would be the mother of all living.

Of course it’s a God thing.

Who else would go through pain for our deliverance?

Who else would give without thanks and then give again anyway?

Who else would say, “I’ll take care of you,” and then do it even when we’re not aware and don’t care?

Psalm 121:7 says,

The Lord will keep you from all harm – 

he will watch over your life.

Last week when the automobile-service technician called me out to my car to see the split rubber on the inside of the left front tire, I remembered that verse.

The tire was closest to oncoming traffic. All the other tires were in good shape except that one. There was an imbalance somewhere, a misalignment. The fix was easy, but the unchecked consequences could have been horrific.

This was not the first time the Lord had watched over my life, nor would it be the last.

Psalm 121:8 makes that clear:

The Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

There’s a little bit of Mom-care there, just like the little bit of God-care in the mother I remember.

Thank you, Lord.

Thanks, Mom.

Who else would go through pain for our deliverance?
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Mama’s gentle voice curled around her heart in a whisper: Oh, to grace how great a debtor…    ~An Unexpected Redemption

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved.

*“Mom-care” image: first colt by Tom’s Serenade out of Corilina, Barefoot Farm, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1984.

(A similar version of this post first appeared May 8, 2010.)

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I Have Finished the Race

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

In the 1980s, during rodeo’s off-season, my husband worked with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, serving as a chaplain five years at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He also spent one race meet at Aksarben (now dismantled) in Omaha, Nebraska, and one meet at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Ministering to the backside community at the track was dear to his heart. He held weekly services, prayed daily with the riders in the jocks’ room before the races began, held Bible studies, and talked to, worked with, assisted, and prayed for hot walkers, grooms, exercise riders, jockeys, trainers, and owners.

I took the photograph above at Oaklawn Park early one morning as an exercise rider worked one of the horses. Those were some of our best years. Great friends. Great memories.

Great lessons of life.

My photograph of the exercise rider is simply a place-filler. The image I want to focus on today is copyrighted by photographer, Adam Coglianese of Bob Coglianese Photos, Inc. Please click here to see the incredible picture.

Coglianese’s iconic image was taken in the stretch run of the 1980 Tremont Stakes held at Belmont Park in New York and is called “The Savage.” My husband didn’t chaplain at Belmont Park, nor did we know Coglianese, but in my opinion, this photograph is one of horse racing’s finest shots. It is a perfect example of some of the life lessons from our seasons at the track. 

Look at the expression of the horse on the right, Golden Derby. You can see his heart in his eyes.

Golden Derby isn’t looking at his attacker, Great Prospector. Nor is he looking away, trying to avoid the assault or hunting a way out. His eyes, head, stride, and body are focused on one thing: running the race.

Look at Golden Derby’s jockey—head down, “pushing” the reins (giving the horse its head). Full throttle. Letting this magnificent animal do what it was born and trained to do.

The metaphor is clear.

The Apostle Paul wrote to a young man by the name of Timothy, telling him that he, Paul, had “finished the race.” Speaking of living his life for Christ, he also said he had fought the fight and kept the faith. These statements imply struggle.

No one said our Christian walk would be easy.

No one suggested it would be opposition-free.

No one promised that others wouldn’t “savage” us, try to stop us, hurt us, push us off course.

But Paul also told Timothy what waited at the end. A crown of righteousness for everyone looking expectantly to Christ.

There’s only one way to finish life’s race successfully, and that’s to not quit. We have God’s promise that He will be with us all the way. (Hebrews 13:5)

So which horse from Coglianese’s photo won the race?

Golden Derby.

~

No one said our Christian walk would be easy.
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There’s only one way to finish life’s race, and that’s to not quit.
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Garrett could light out after the hearing in Cedar City. Find a herd headed to Wyoming and cut a new trail. And leave Betsy behind—exactly like that low-down, lily-livered husband of hers.

Former husband.

He slammed the coffee pot down on the stove, mad at himself for being a coward. If he couldn’t tell Betsy Parker what pained him more than anything ever had, then he wasn’t man enough to marry her.

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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All Things New

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

“If God can make everything new again, in spite of the hard, painful parts, then we should let Him.”

Sounds like an obviously simple concept, right?

Simple, perhaps, but not easy. There’s a difference.

The quote is from my latest book, An Unexpected Redemption, Book 2 of the Front Range Brides series. A reviewer chose these words as one of her favorite lines from a character in the story who isn’t taking God at His word—just like us.

That’s the interesting thing about fiction. It’s full of truth.

How often do we feel we have to earn God’s forgiveness, clean up our lives so we deserve His attention?

That’s cart-before-the-horse thinking. Or as I like to put it, effect-before-cause thinking.

We love others, do good things, and respond in kindness because He loved us, not to make ourselves worthy so He will love us.

Does anyone ever truly deserve a second chance? Or are second chances all about grace, which is undeserved favor?

Let’s take God at His word and allow Him to make all things new for us.

“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”                                         Rev. 21:5 NKJV

~

Take God at His word.
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From the fire in her eye, he fully expected her to ignite.          -An Unexpected Redemption

 

 

 

 

 

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What Would You Take?

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

What would you take if you had five minutes to evacuate your home?

When I was a newspaper reporter, I covered a lot of bad news. This photo is of one event I showed up for, arriving moments before flames roared through the front window, shattering glass, nerves, and hope.

Thankfully, no one was home. But that family didn’t get the chance to choose what they’d take.

Though I no longer chase down the latest-breaking news story, I still pay close attention to the fire-ripe conditions in our drought-dry state.

Fire season hasn’t yet arrived in Colorado, but fires have. My heart breaks to hear of homes, livestock, and grazing land consumed by unstoppable wind-driven flames. Last week a wildland fire swept over 40,000+ acres southeast of Colorado Springs and devoured more than twenty homes.

And it’s nothing new.

Parched fuel, plus wind, plus any little spark can flare into a prairie, forest, or neighborhood fire before callers dial 9-1-1.

Several states have been hit with devastating fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or blizzards in the last few years. Such conditions leave many people living in fear due to the speed with which these natural disasters strike.

But the thing is, we have no control over any of them. What we do have control over is our choice between scared or prepared.

A few years ago when the Royal Gorge Fire threatened our area, my family prepared a grab-and-run plastic tub. It held important files, medications, tech devices, and a few items we wanted to preserve – small things that fit inside and could not be easily replaced.

I was surprised by how many of my possessions could be replaced and how many I could live without.

With fires on the rise here, I’ve packed up the grab-and-run tub again, and it waits in my office. Taking a cue from friends who endured the Northern California fires last October, I’ve also backed up my computer off-site. And we’ve taken some fire-mitigation precautions around the house.

But the greatest preparation involves the heart. I have no control over anything other than my response. I can choose to live in fear, or I can choose to trust God—even if I have no warning and everything burns up, including the grab-and-run tub.

“Even if” are pretty big words. The Old Testament prophet, Daniel, wrote of three young Hebrew captives who refused to worship a golden statue set up by their captor, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

They insisted that God was able to save them, yet that wasn’t all.

“Even if he does not … we will not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:17,18 NIV). (Read the entire account for an encouraging story of faith and deliverance.)

Fire season makes me grateful for every hard, frightening, painful time in my life, because they’ve all shown me that I serve a faithful God. I lie down in peace and sleep at night—not because I’ve cleared dry fuel from around the house, or packed up my grab-and-run tub, or checked weather conditions. But because God has gotten me through some serious issues in the past and proven Himself faithful.

He is worthy of my trust. Even if everything burns up. Even if the results hurt.

He is still faithful.

Listen here to MercyMe’s song, “Even If” and be encouraged by the faithfulness of our great God. 

~

I have no control over anything other than my response.
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I can choose to live in fear, or I can choose to trust God.
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Pre-order now! See book’s page on this website for purchase options. On sale through April 25 for .99 via Kindle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(c) 2018 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved. 

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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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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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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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