Davalynn Spencer's Blog, page 50

The Quiet Miracle

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

Mothers have a way of knowing what their children are capable of.

Mary did.

At that wedding dinner – you know, the one everybody attended – the host ran out of wine.

Not cool.

How do you toast the happy couple without wine or champagne or whatever the featured beverage is?

Water doesn’t cut it.

Mary – a simple woman, not one of the elite – must have been paying attention. She must have noticed that cups weren’t being refilled. She must have noticed that someone was embarrassed.

And so she whispered to her son, “They have no more wine.”

Her son, Jesus, said in essence, “It’s not my problem.”

Her reply?

She turned to the waitstaff, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Then Jesus also addressed the waiters. “Fill those containers with water and pour it out for the host.”

Oh to be a fly on the wall. Can you imagine? Serving water to the wedding planner?

Guaranteed way to lose either your job or your head.

But they did what he said and the host was impressed. Big time.

Guess who got kudos for the great wine. The groom.

Not Jesus.

Not the wedding planner.

No fanfare. No announcement of, “Watch this, he’s going to turn water into wine!”

It was just a simple, quiet miracle resulting from the servers’ obedience to do what they were told.

Only they knew what really happened.

Jesus’ companions figured it out later.

But Mary expected it.

I want faith like that.

Any quiet miracles in your life lately?

 

John 2:1-11

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Small Fix, Big Difference

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

My front door wasn’t doing its job.

At first, I couldn’t get it open without a crow bar (slight exaggeration). A few weeks later, it wouldn’t lock. (No exaggeration.) I jammed a chair under the doorknob at night as an extra precaution.

One day my son said, “Let me take a look at it.”

He looked, said it needed a shim, and asked if I had a piece of cardboard.

Um, sure. As a former elementary school teacher, I have a piece of everything tucked away somewhere.

He sized down the cardboard—way down—and slid it behind one of the door hinges, replaced the screws and closed the door. Perfectly. The dead bolt slid home with a clunk, and the latch worked.

Not at all the fix I was fearing.

I didn’t know much about shims until I needed one. Originally I thought the problem called for a different solution—something major like a new door or a new lock. Something that was going to cost me a lot of money and time and frustration.

All I needed was a shim.

You see it coming, don’t you?

Small fix, big difference. The successful fixes in our lives are often simple adjustments.

Forgiveness.

A smile.

Kind words.

 

As we walk through the door marked 2016, let’s not overlook the small comment, gesture, or gift that could make all the difference in the world.

 

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Excuse me, God, but you’re interrupting.

By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

A couple thousand years ago, an innocent Jewish girl had expectations for her future—just like all her friends.

She’d met a nice guy, an honorable Jewish man who had plans. In fact, those plans were set in motion. Promises were made. Today we call it getting engaged.

Then God interrupted.

It wasn’t what the girl expected. Not what the guy planned. Things did not go well for them.

(The movie The Nativity Story does a great job of showing

 just how well things did not go. View a clip here.)

 God does that—interrupts our plans, our expectations.

Just like He interrupted the darkness and called it Light.

Evidently, this historic couple trusted Him enough to take him at his word.

What a concept.

What if we let God interrupt our lives in the New Year?

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Image courtesy Jill Maple-Thomas

Paula Moldenhauer’s Soul Scents: Awaken

@davalynnspencer

Author Paula Moldenhauer is my guest today, sharing about the “Christmas miracle” release of her devotional book, Soul Scents: Awaken, the first in a four-part series.

Her book is free today on Amazon for Kindle and would make a lovely Christmas gift for someone looking to start the New Year on the right foot. A print version is expected to be available by Christmas.

In Paula’s words:

The fact is this book feels foundational to everything I want to share with the world. Birthed over more than a ten-year span, it shares insights the Lord gave as He freed me from a performance-based religion and deepened my understanding of the wonder of a genuine relationship with Him.

His love is deeper than I dared dream, and He desires that we walk in joy and freedom, not striving, tension, and self-deprecation. I know I will write more non-fiction books in the future which delve deeper into these concepts, but this series chronicles the incremental journey, the discovery, of the best part of my life—and what I believe Jesus offers all of us as the best part of any life.

Publishing is a very long process. Though the content of this book was written over a span of more than ten years, its birth from editing to publication happened in less than a month [Paula’s Christmas miracle!]. This is very unusual. I’ve published both traditionally and non-traditionally in the past and had good results with both, but this particular series is quite intimate, and I decided long ago I wanted to oversee the whole process myself. Originally I wanted it to release for 2016, but it looked impossible. Then in a 48-hour span God changed everything. And here we are today.

 … and Paula is right.

God is still changing things. He’s still in the Christmas-miracle business.

May your Christmas this year be a clear reminder that His love is deeper, wider, longer, and bigger than anything that comes your way.

Have a Merry Blessed Christmas.

Author, speaker, and mom of four, Paula Moldenhauer encourages others to be released into full potential through freedom in Christ and the empowerment of God’s grace. Published over 300 times in non-fiction markets, her first devotional book series, Soul Scents, releases in four volumes beginning with Soul Scents: Awaken. Paula’s first two novels released in 2012. Sometime empty-nesters, Paula and her husband, Jerry, enjoy four adult children and a wonderful son-in-law. Paula loves peppermint ice cream, walking barefoot, and talking to her flowers. For inspirational articles, book information, and speaking topics visit: www.paulamoldenhauer.com

 

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Christmas: The Good, the Bad, and the Pretty

by Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer

We have St. Francis of Assisi to thank for our modern Christmas imagery. Nearly 800 years ago near Greccio, Francis staged a living nativity scene to draw attention to the birth of Christ and away from the secular materialism of the day.

He was on to something.

However, when I study my personal collection of manger scenes, I discover not a newborn child, but one with a head of wavy hair, arms lifted as if in blessing, and an angelic smile kissing his features.

Those of us who have seen newborns know this is not an accurate portrayal. Nor is it necessarily biblical.

Scripture tells us that Mary “wrapped him in swaddling clothes …” which means she wrapped her child tightly in cloths, a technique still used around the world today to comfort a newborn.

But we want beautiful imagery, not realism, right?

My jewelry collection contains several cross earrings and necklaces. The imagery reminds me of Jesus, but it certainly doesn’t portray his suffering or the ugliness of the death tree upon which he hung.

The picturesque crown of thorns I display at Easter brings to mind the twisted brambles shoved upon the Savior’s brow in mockery. But not one point is stained with blood.

This year, the imagery all came together for me.

Christmas is my favorite holiday because it flaunts the defeat of our enemy by the small, pudgy fist of a newborn. Jesus at His most vulnerable point could not be bested by Satan.

This fact reminds me that in spite of what the enemy or circumstances hurl at my life, God is still in control. He’s got this.

Let that tiny, pudgy fist that bore the nails bear your burdens as well.

Joy to you this Christmas!

If you enjoy Christmas music as much as I, check out this spectacular version of “Mary Did You Know” by Peter Hollens.

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Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Manger

Remember when Christmas was simple?

You were probably a kid.

Music.

Pine trees.

Frosted sugar cookies.

Adults tend to complicate things.

Parties.

Pre-lit trees.

Maxed-out credit cards.

Sometimes in our attempt to simplify, we say no to all things Christmas. We go overboard and throw the baby out with the manger.

So how do we achieve the seasonal oxymoron of a simple Christmas? How can we remember, recognize, and rejoice over The Gift without getting caught up in the hoopla?

Do one different thing that relates to what Christmas is.

This year I’m focusing on the age of my youngest grandchild. She is two and a half—most likely the age of Jesus when Magi from the East showed up at the front door with very grown-up gifts.

No Fisher-Price. Instead, hard cash, perfume, and burial oil. Ever wonder what Mary and Joe thought of that?

When I look at our toddler, I imagine Jesus at her age. I can’t envision Him with a halo and folded hands, sitting dutifully at Mary’s feet.

I see Him running and squealing and tumbling and crying, just like our two-and-a-half-year-old.

God took the hard way in: childhood. Would you do yours over? Probably not. Nor would I. But that’s how much He loves us. There is no phase of our growing and living with which He cannot relate.

This year as we simplify our Christmas festivities, let’s remember the manger and the bundle lying there.

 

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Joy to you this Christmas!

 

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Are We Good/Strong/Brave Enough for God?

This week, author Amy Blake shares an encouraging observation about God’s choice in people. I trust you will see her words as a beacon of hope for us all.

Weakness

Levi Prince, the main character in my new release, The Trojan Horse Traitor, isn’t anything special, at least from a worldly perspective. He’s skinny and short, has curly red hair, and isn’t athletic. In fact, among the kids at Camp Classic, Levi lands somewhere between mediocre and a complete flop at pretty much everything he tries—archery, fencing, canoeing, even art class.

Why would I choose a kid like Levi to be the hero of my young adult fantasy series? Because he’s the type God chose time and time again throughout Scripture. Think of David, the youngest son who wasn’t important enough to call home from his sheep-sitting duties when Samuel came over to anoint the next king from among Jesse’s boys. Think of Jael, the housewife (or should I say, tent-wife?) who was so insignificant that Sisera wasn’t afraid to nap in her tent. Think of Bethlehem, a backwater town no one expected to produce anybody of worth. Think of Jesus, a poor Jewish baby born in a barn to a teenage mother. Who would’ve expected somebody like him to be the Savior of the world?

Why did God choose these seemingly insignificant ones to fulfill His glorious plans? Because God uses our weakness to display His great strength. He loves to work through His children when we’re at our most fragile to demonstrate that He is the only one who could’ve caused us to conquer. He uses our frailty to show others that He is the one true God.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Aren’t you glad? Can you recall a time when God worked through you at your weakest?

 

 

The Trojan Horse Traitor

Left on Castle Island to attend Camp Classic, thirteen-year-old, scrawny, redheaded, homeschooler Levi Prince finds himself at the center of an enchanted world of amazing abilities, cloudy motives, and wicked beings that will challenge his very spirit. He begins to form friendships, but life at camp becomes more confusing as questionable activities and uncertain agendas bring about conflict that tests his character in ways he never expected. Finally, faced with a friend’s betrayal, Levi is forced to confront true evil. Will he find the courage to stand his ground, and to become the hero he was always meant to be?

The Trojan Horse Traitor is now available in both e-book and paperback formats. Amy is hosting a giveaway of two paperback copies of The Trojan Horse Traitor on Goodreads. You can enter now through December 14th.

 

Award-winning author Amy C. Blake is a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of four. She has an M.A. in English from Mississippi College and has written articles, devotionals, and short stories for a number of publications. She’d love for you to visit her website for tips on homeschooling, advice for the rookie pastor’s wife, and helps for the Christian life.

 

 

 

Little Things Make a Big Difference

It’s usually the little things in life that make a big impression, change our direction, or impact us the most.

This Thanksgiving, don’t forget those little things. Consider them to be as important as salt and pepper on the dinner table, cinnamon in the pumpkin pie, and sage in the dressing.

One of our traditions as a family is to offer round-robin thanks from person to person, mentioning one thing for which we are grateful from the previous year.

Sometimes we bring an item to the table that represents our gratitude—like a pencil for the privilege of writing, a fishing lure for good times spent with Grandpa, or a baby bootie announcing an upcoming arrival.

Whatever it is that stirs thanks in your heart this year, lift it as an offering to our Lord who has crowned the year with His goodness.

Nothing is too small or insignificant if it brings our heart to Him in praise.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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What’s More Important: Strength or Rest?

Strength and rest – contradictory concepts.

Rest is sedentary.

Strength is active, right?

Not necessarily.

Ever hear the cliché, “quiet strength”? Maybe there’s more to it than meets the English-teacher’s eye.

I found an unlikely connection in the story of Moses. He begged God to go with the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land.

God said okay.

“My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”

Hmm. Why didn’t God say He would give them victory? Wouldn’t that be more important as they traveled through hostile territory?

And what about a verse in Isaiah 30 that mentions rest in an unusual context:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Again, an apparent contradiction: I’m saved not by fighting, but by resting?

Yes.

When God’s presence accompanied Moses and the Israelites, His strength was impressively attendant. They could rest in the confidence that He “had their back,” so to speak.

Isaiah reminds us of this idea. When we return to the Lord (after doing everything our way) and rest in His presence and provision, we are saved. We are safe.

A quiet confidence gives us the ability to say, “God’s got this,” whatever this may be.

I want that.

When I rest body, soul, and spirit in His presence, I find strength.

How about you? Have you ever found God’s answer in an apparent contradiction?

 

 

Two more days to sign up for the chance to win The 12 Brides of Christmas AND The 12 Days of Christmas cookbook! Click on this Rafflecopter link to enter.

           

 

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‘Tis the Season for cooking, loving, winning!

Something about this time of year makes me want to cook more. Is it the cooling weather? The shorter days? The anticipation of approaching feasts?

I’m sure all these things play into it, and I find myself tearing recipes from magazines in search of a new twist on an old favorite.

Evidently, a host of others feel that same urge. So with the holidays fast approaching, the twelve authors of The 12 Brides of Christmas are offering a give-away of four signed copies of the collection plus four copies of Barbour’s new release, The 12 Days of Christmas Cookbook.

What a package deal!

If you would like to enter for a chance (or many chances) to win one of these four sets being raffled, click on this Rafflecopter link to enter.

You have 24 different opportunities to toss your name in for a chance to win. The raffle runs through Tuesday, November 17 at midnight. Just sign up through the form you’ll find on the link.

Each author newsletter you sign up for counts as one opportunity to win. (12 authors x one each newsletter = 12 opportunities)
Each day we’ll post a new Tweet. If you’re on Twitter, retweeting that tweet will give you another opportunity.
Winners will be announced Friday, November 20, on the 12 Brides Facebook page, and by email.

Read more about these two great books:

The 12 Brides of Christmas :        

Christmas is the time for love, and twelve historical women are on their way to the altar, whether they know it or not. In settings across the heartland of America, readers will experience heartfelt gifts, old-fashioned Christmas traditions, sweet romance, and inspiring faith from twelve acclaimed Christian authors.

The twelve stories center on festivities, nutcrackers, stars, trees, creches, gifts, gingerbread and fruitcakes; they also are festive, advent-related, snowbound, evergreen and my favorite, yuletide.

All set in the mid and western United States, they cover the country from Illinois to Mississippi to Arizona to Wyoming and everywhere in between in the 19th century. For detailed descriptions of the individual stories, see the 12 Brides of Christmas webpage  here .

The 12 Days of Christmas Cookbook :

Wonderfully unique, The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookbook: 2015 will delight taste buds and make your Christmas even merrier! Featuring tasty recipes organized into fun categories including: Appetizers on a Platter; Beverages a-Blending; Breads a-Rising; Breakfast Dishes a-Baking; Candies a-Boiling; Cookies a-Cooling; Desserts a-Delighting; Kids a-Cooking; Main Dishes a-Mixing; Salads a-Crunching; Sides a Steaming and Soups a-Simmering

With easy entertaining tips and ideas, this sure-to-be-a-favorite cookbook is overflowing with fantastic recipe ideas for the entire holiday season and beyond!

 Happy cooking and reading!

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