Julie Arduini's Blog, page 40

Book Review: Cross Shadow by Andrew Huff

All journalist Christine Lewis wants is the truth. All pastor John Cross wants is to avoid it.
 
Former CIA agent turned evangelical pastor John Cross is busy caring for the small community of believers he ministers to in Virginia. Journalist Christine Lewis is busy with the demand for her talents from top news agencies in New York City. Neither has any time left for their relationship, which began eight months before when they paired up to prevent the detonation of a chemical bomb in the nation’s capital.
 
But when Christine hears that her stepbrother has been arrested for murder in Texas, they team up again to discover the truth about the crime. Untangling a web of conspiracy, the couple finds themselves in the center of another dangerous situation-and in trouble far deeper than they expected.
 
With an assassin on the loose, a trusted colleague acting as a double agent, and unreliable artificial intelligence connected to mercenaries who have Cross on their hit list, these two may not get out of the Lone Star State alive.About Cross Shadow by Andrew Huff

Cross Shadow is the second book in the Shepherd Suspense series, and although can be read as a stand-alone, I think you want to read the first. Just like the first, Cross Shadow starts with action and rarely lets up.

This time the action starts with Christine, the journalist heroine from the first book. She’s now dating Pastor John Cross, former CIA agent, and as you can imagine, there’s a lot of baggage as they try to naviate their feelings, their pasts, and their present danger.

I really enjoyed the relationship process the two have to endure. Much of John’s life has been about secrets. That doesn’t bode well in a romance, so there’s a lot the two have to work through. And honestly, the secrets they both have to call on help them. It makes things interesting.

The action continues to hold up, although I think I personally enjoyed the plot better from the first. Still, it’s great story-telling with an amazing set-up for the next book.

If you like suspense/action/romance and an inspirational thread, I not only recommend Cross Shadow, I suggest you go all in for the series.

I received a copy of Cross Shadow as part of the blog tour with Audra, and all opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Watch the trailer! https://youtu.be/bRoljxfotuA

Fiction Finder: June New Releases

June 2020 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Contemporary Romance:

Forever Home by Amy Grochowski — A Canadian Amish farmer proposes a convenient marriage to a Lancaster Amish businesswoman so they can join a new community welcoming married couples only. They are both surprised when a Prince Edward Island foster child finds her way to them in need of a home. Yet what will happen when the English world and the Amish world collide? (Romance from Ambassador International)

Start With Me by Kara Isaac — A professional woman and her old flame, who doesn’t remember her, are forced to work together when the companies they work for merge. (Romance, Independently Published)

A Father’s Promise by Mindy Obenhaus — Is he ready for fatherhood? He doesn’t think he deserves a family… But now he has a daughter. Stunned to discover he has a child, Wes Bishop isn’t sure he’s father material. But his adorable daughter needs him, and he can’t help feeling drawn to her mother, Laurel Donovan—a woman he’s finally getting to know. But can this sudden dad overcome a past tragedy that has him convinced he’s not meant to be a husband or a father…and make a promise of forever? (Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Historical:

Until June by Barbara M. Britton — When a young seamstress agrees to take care of a WWI amputee in a remote Alaskan lodge, there’s enough friction to melt a glacier. (Historical from Inspired [Prism Book Group])

A Cord of Three Strands by Christy Distler — As 1756 dawns, Isaac Lukens is torn between loyalty to his Lenape heritage and a childhood friend who needs to marry in order to raise her siblings after her father was killed by his people. (Historical from Avodah Books)

Persuaded: The Story of Nicodemus by David Harder — From the prison colony on Patmos, the Apostle John entrusts Nicodemus with manuscripts for the Christian fellowships increasing throughout the Roman Empire. While transcribing the manuscript, Nicodemus is prompted to recall his former life and his encounter with Yeshua – a man of mystery, a healer, a teacher, and a prophet. An encounter that changed everything. Under the cover of darkness, risking his reputation and endangering his life even further, it is here that Nicodemus realizes the world-changing power of the Good News . . . and what being a follower of Yeshua truly means. (Historical from Ambassador International)

Historical Romance:

Love’s Mountain Quest by Misty M. Beller — When a Rocky Mountain widow returns home from work to find her son and the woman watching him missing–and the sheriff dead–she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

The Damsel’s Intent by Mary Davis — Washington State 1893. Nicole Waterby has lived her whole life in the hills away from town due to her grandfather’s mistrust of people. But now he’s passed away, and Nicole is left to care for her two younger cousins. Feeling inadequate to handle the responsibility, she heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. She doesn’t realize women don’t wear trousers, buckskins, or carry a gun. She has a lot to learn about being a lady if she’s going to catch a husband. And the quilting circle is just the group of women to help her. Rancher Shane Keegan has drifted from one location to another to find a place to belong. He longs to have a family of his own but feels doomed to live a life alone. When Nicole crosses his path, he wonders if he can have love, but he soon realizes she’s destined for someone better than a saddle tramp. Even though he knows there’s no future for him with the intriguing mountain girl, he still steps in to help her at every opportunity. Will love stand a chance while both Nicole and Shane try to be people they are not? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

Line By Line by Jennifer Delamere — Since she was young, Alice McNeil has seen success as a telegrapher as the best use for her keen and curious mind. Years later, she has yet to regret her freedom and foregoing love and marriage, especially when she acquires a coveted position at an important trading firm. But when the company’s ambitious junior director returns to London, things begin to change in ways Alice could never have imagined. For Douglas Shaw, years of hard work and ingenuity enabled him to escape a life of grinding poverty. He’s also determined to marry into high society—a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past. He immediately earns Alice’s respect by judging her based on her skills and not her gender, and a fast camaraderie forms. However, when Alice accidentally angers a jealous coworker and his revenge threatens both their reputations, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives. Will their growing bond give them the courage to see the future in a different light? (Historical Romance from Bethany [Baker])

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H Gabhart — After the market crash of 1933, the last thing Piper Danson wants is to flaunt her family’s fortune while so many suffer. Although she reluctantly agrees to a debut party at her parents’ insistence, she still craves a meaningful life over the emptiness of an advantageous marriage. When an opportunity to volunteer with the Frontier Nursing Service arises, Piper jumps at the chance. But, her spontaneous jaunt turns into something unexpected when she falls in love with more than just the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains. (Historical Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Widow & The War Correspondent by Linda Shenton Matchett — Are a new life and new love possible in a country devastated by war? Barely married before she was widowed after Pearl Harbor three years ago, journalist Cora Strealer travels to England where she’s assigned to work with United Press’s top reporter who thinks the last place for a woman is on the front lines. Can she change his opinion before D-Day? Or will she have to choose her job over her heart? A sought-after journalist, Van Toppel deserves his pick of assignments, which is why he can’t determine the bureau chief’s motive for saddling him with a cub reporter. Unfortunately, the beautiful rookie is no puff piece. Can he get her off his beat without making headlines…or losing his heart? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

An Impossible Price by Davalynn Spencer — With no husband of her own, midwife Sophie Price lives to keep others calm in their hour of need. But when a handsome horse handler steps off the train with a fiery stallion, he brings anything but calm as he looks her dead in the eye and clear through to her soul. Clay Ferguson returns to the place he once called home, hunting a fresh start and the one woman who could draw him back. If he can hide his battered heart and the brutality of his past, maybe she’ll take another look and give him a second chance. Both bear scars from their fathers. Both fight for life. Together, they may learn that love is worth its impossible price. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Mystery:

Pride and Pettiness by Elizabeth Ludwig — A hairdresser fears she may lose her business when appointments go terribly wrong. (Mystery from Guidepost Publications)

Romantic Suspense:

Don’t Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard — Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Closer Than She Knows by Kelly Irvin — Court reporter Teagan O’Rourke thinks her job taught her everything she needed to know about murder until a serial killer decides to teach her a new lesson–up and personal. (Romantic Suspense from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Direct Threat by Kimberly Rose Johnson — One little girl. Two bodyguards. Only one chance to guard their hearts. Protection Inc. co-owner, Carissa Jones, an ex-cop turned bodyguard, has one goal—keep her young client safe. When her business partner brings in a new guy to help, she discovers her heart desires more. Can she still do her job and follow her heart without compromising her client’s safety? Marc Olsen, a former Military Police officer, struggles to find his way as a civilian. He agrees to help out an old friend for the summer. He gets more than he bargained for when he’s assigned to work with the feisty co-owner of Protection Inc. When sparks fly faster than bullets, will the bodyguards be distracted from their task, or will they work together as an even stronger team? (Romantic Mystery, Independently Published)

Imminent Threat by Kimberly Rose Johnson — The Protection Inc. team is growing, and so is their client list. Former cop and new team member, Peter King, seeks to solve the mystery surrounding threatening notes being sent to Jenna Walsh. Facing an uncertain future, Jenna is afraid for her life. Will the team at Protection Inc., specifically Peter, be able to stop the threats before things escalate, or will tragedy strike before Peter is willing to face his growing attraction to Jenna? The team must divide and conquer when two big cases present themselves at the same time. Carissa Jones and Marc Olsen work to protect a young college student who is staying in the home of a federal judge. All work and no play has put a strain on their relationship. Can they find balance or will their fragile bond be extinguished? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Plain Refuge by Dana R. Lynn — On the run from hired gunmen, can she find safety in Amish country? After overhearing an illegal weapons deal, Sophie Larson knows two things: her uncle’s a dangerous criminal…and he wants her dead. Now undercover cop Aiden Forster has no choice but to blow his cover and protect Sophie by hiding her and her deaf sister in Amish country. But with a mole in the police force, danger isn’t far behind. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Speculative:

Evocatus by Burke Speed — Jamie is a young veteran with a painful history. He’s done battling for others…until the whole “fight for your life in a mini-mart” thing. Without warning, Jamie is attacked by a sword-wielding man and warned to stay away. From what, he’s not sure. Unexpectedly, he is invited to join a covert band of brothers that fights to keep these evil beings, called Malum, at bay. To accept their invitation is to add death matches against evil to his resume. To decline is to live . . . at least for a while. Kate is a beautiful barista and an important member of this undercover organization. She just might have the key to victory over the Malum but is kidnapped before she can tell what she knows. Everything hinges on a timely rescue of Kate as Jamie’s past and present collide. Now an Evocatus, a veteran called again to duty, Jamie must decide how far he’s willing to go to fight-and love-again. (Speculative from Ambassador International)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Three Steps Away by Luana Ehrlich, Romantic Suspense

Perfect in His Eyes by Linda Goodnight, Contemporary Romance

Cross Shadow by Andrew Huff, Thriller/Suspense

That Place Called Home by D. L. Lane, Romance

Then There Was You by D. L. Lane, Romantic Suspense

The Same River Twice by Mark Medley, Adventure

Fade to White by Tara Ross, Young Adult

Doubly Dead by Lisa Wessel, Cozy Mystery

So You Think You Want to be an Author

I’m sure there are other career fields where people introduce themselves and the other person confesses they’ve always had an interest. I can attest that when I say I’m an author, often the other person admits they write and think they might get published one day.

I can tell pretty quick who truly means it.

If you think you have a book or a writing career in your future, you need the following:

At least one completed draft of a manuscript.

The willingless to let that draft die and be revived again.

And again.

And again.

The desire to read books on the craft.

The desire to read books in your genre.

The passion to find a critique group who will take that umpteenth draft and find more for you to re-write.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Tired yet?

Thing is, most people who ask me about their book want to start after this sentence.

They have the cover designed.

They wonder what size the cover should be.

Do they need endorsements?

When I ask if they even have a finished manuscript, almost all of them do not.

The writing life sounds glamourous, but I assure you it isn’t. I participated in an online launch party lat week. Before it started I needed four posts and images ready. Once it was my turn, I had to answer the comments. That part is fun. I love interacting and participating in events like that.

But in-between my posts?

I took care of my recylables.

Ran to the store.

Started dinner.

Yeah, I don’t have people for that. I am the people.

If a potential author makes it to publication, they are also often lost with the part most readers don’t realize authors have to be active in—marketing. I spend time nearly every single day on this. Social media. Newsletter creation. Attending webinars. Reading articles on marketing. There are ads to consider.

Oh, that’s if you’re self-published. If you want to be traditionally published, there’s deciding if you want an agent. Learning how to query. Going without an agent? Research what publishers work with authors. Make sure you also learn what vanity publishers are and what ones are scammers.

While you keep writing.

And that my friends in a nutshell is what the author’s life looks like.

Those that take notes and keep asking questions? Those are the ones I think are serious. There’s nothing wrong with the others, I just know they are hobbyists or procastinators. And that group will never be on Amazon.

If we meet and you let me know you have a story for me, I’m excited to chat. I just hope you like my answers.

Carousel Dreams by Teresa Ives Lilly

Who doesn’t want to relive at least one good day of childhood? But, which day would you choose? That is something I believe would be hard to decide, however, the one thing I do know, is at least while riding on carousels, I can close my eyes and feel like a child again.  I had the opportunity to ride one of the oldest carousels in San Antonio recently with my grandson and daughters. 

My name is Teresa Ives
Lilly. Several months ago, I was thinking of a theme to present to Barbour
Books for a collection, when I stumbled on my memory of having loved riding
carousels.  After doing some research
into the history of carousels, I came up with the idea of doing a collection in
which four young women meet their love match at a historical carousel.  I was so excited when Barbour Books
Publishing accepted the proposal and put together the book called Carousel
Dreams.

My story, ‘Carousel of Love’ takes place at in 1910 at Conneaut Lake Expedition Park and the carousel is  The 1905 D.C. Muller/T.M. Harton Carousel.  

Carousel of Love by Teresa Ives Lilly
1910 – Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
For Tamara Brand, spending the summer at Expedition Park impersonating her wealthy debutante employee seemed like a dream come true until she meets Blake Conner; just a Carnie who runs the carousel. He seems to be the type of man; she would like to get to know better if she weren’t pretending to be someone she isn’t. But, is Blake who he appears to be?

Teresa ives lilly

I hope readers will enjoy this collection and take time to find and ride a carousel.

 Teresa Ives Lilly has been writing Christian Romance Fiction and Mysteries since 1990, when she read her first Christian Fiction book by Janette Oke, and fell in love with the genre.  She grew up in Buffalo New York, went to college in Ohio, then moved to San Antonio Texas where she has lived ever since, married and raised three children.

Teresa loves to hear from her readers and hope you sign up for her newsletter at.

www.teresalilly.wordpress.com

Follow her on Amazon at  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009DO2PLG

What Moses Taught Me About Writing

As I’ve shared before, during this time at home I’ve been using a Bible in a year reading plan with a new Bible. I’ve nearly worn out a new set of highlighters and have been floored by revelations that were sitting there all along.

One a-ha moment was as I read about Moses on the mountain with the Lord crafting the Ten Commandments.

It’s not a new story to me, most likely not to you, either.

But what grabbed me was the fact that Moses made his way down that mountain, tablets in hand, to see the Israelites carving idols and just acting like plain fools. The tablets crash to the ground and all that work, now in pebbles.

It was then I received what I call the heavenly downloads. A gentle and loving nudge from the Lord that I can’t ignore.

Moses didn’t present his writings with the first draft either.

What’s that now?

Confession. I’m starting a new contemporary romance series called Surrendering Opinions. I’ve had this vision all mapped out in my head for years. It’s about a set of sextuplets who remain in the national spotlight because of tragedy. Now they are young adults navigating their own identity while trying to find a love that matched what their parents had. Each sibling gets their own book by birth order. The first is Jordyn Bell Collins in a title called Anchored.

And I have started this book once. Twice. Three. Four. I think at least five times. I’ve given up counting and I’m frankly scared to submit my new chapters to my critique group. This time, I sense I found the vibe and I’m excited. But I thought I’d be on the third book by now. And here I am starting all over.

It was the same with Entrusted, my first book. That idea came to me in the early 1990’s. I wrote it and shelved it because I had a paying job. Then marriage. Then kids. When I had that heavenly download that it was time to write for Him, that story was junk. I completed the Christian Writers Guild. I wrote freelance articles. Created weekly challenges to grow. I started submitting to my critique groups. There was a draft in third-person. Several in first-person, present tense. Then I used NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) to start over. Finally, a draft I was proud of. Still, so many revisions and re-writes. I think from that first time when I was in my 20’s to publication in 2014, Entrusted was at least 14 attempts from start to finish.

That Moses reminder encouraged me to keep on keeping on. Moses turned around and scaled that mountain again. He chiseled out all the wisdom the Lord gave. And when he descended, those commandments guide us to this day, and Moses grew in his faith so much he glowed.

—Julie Arduini

My prayer is especially as I write romance, readers would relate to the characters and be encouraged by the transformation they take. That they would seek His face and surrender the things that keep them from living free in Him.

So this summer, I’m back to chiseling.

And I’m really excited about it.

This post first appeared at Christians Read.

***

Now Available: You’re Brilliant

Amazing things happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more than competent.

Bethany’s not excited to start high school in a new community where she doesn’t know anyone. She quickly befriends KJ, a popular sophomore, and it looks like the transition will go well until Bethany discovers KJ’s boyfriend is a bully. With a strong sense of justice, Bethany challenges Brent Sullivan, and he’s determined to make her suffer.

Cheri takes on an additional job in a school to help pay for Sabrina’s wedding. It’s a different atmosphere than at the church where she feels more comfortable as the pastor’s wife and mentor with the Linked ministry. After several mishaps, Cheri feels like she’s found an assignment where she can make a difference until a teacher belittles her work.

Can Bethany and Cheri resist the lies about their competency and hold on to the fact they’re brilliant?

The final book in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for tweens, teens, and women of all ages by mother and daughter authors Julie Arduini and Hannah Arduini.

You’re Brilliant: Hannah Arduini Interview

We Finished the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ Series! Interview with My Co-Author, Hannah We did it. Writing a series with one of our kids was something I really didn’t give much thought to because, gasp, they don’t love reading as much as I do. Yet after Hannah completed middle school and overcame significant challenges, we processed the emotions and experiences.

As we  talked, she shared that she wished there was a way to encourage girls before the negative experiences start. As she talked, she started telling a story. 

It was good.

Really good.

I told her that if she would write that out, I would do my best to see her vision through and publish it. 

She plotted a three-book series.

We started with You’re Beautiful. Last year we released You’re Amazing. And on May 22, the final book, You’re Brilliant , releases.

I thought to celebrate, I’d interview my co-author.
Julie: How do you feel now that the series is done?
Hannah: Sad, it was fun writing them.

Julie: Do you see yourself writing to publish ever again?
Hannah: Maybe. (I think she knew I was fishing on that question!)
 
Julie: What book was hardest to work with? Easiest?
Hannah: You’re Amazing. Coming up with plot ideas that would work. The easiest was You’re Beautiful. Personal experiences helped create the book.

Julie: Describe your involvement.
Hannah: I thought of the story outline, plot ideas, character names. When you wrote a chapter, I told you if it fit the vision I had and made suggestions.  I explained what I thought the covers should look like, and when you found the images, I approved or rejected them.

Julie: What is it like knowing you’re a teen author on Amazon?
Hannah: Cool.

Julie: What character do you identify most with?
Hannah: Hayley. She’s based off me and some of my experiences. I know what a lot of her struggles are like.

Julie: You stayed home through part of the writing process because of Coronavirus. What was that like?

Hannah: Easier to come up with ideas because I had free time. Weird and different being home for school.


You’re Brilliant is the third book in the series. It’s available for pre-order for Kindle by clicking the image. Print version coming soon. Follow me on Amazon so you can be notified. This can be read as a stand-alone, but we hope you read You’re Beautiful and You’re Amazing as well. They are for middle grade/YA/and women of all ages.

Image: Lizz Clark

This interview first appeared in the Julie Arduini newsletter. Subscribers receive as a thank you free downloads of Entrusted and Entangled. Subscribe for free HERE

That First Time Driving

When I held my first license in my hand, I remember the thrill. To me, it meant independenceand freedom and a LOT of trips to the mall.

I also remember the fear. I sat behind the wheel and stared. That wheel. The brakes. The gas. My hands. Together they would be a great journey or a terrible tragedy.

Julie Arduini

Yep, I was a very uptight person.

I understood that it was a car and a weapon. And my fear was off the charts.

Why am I driving down memory lane?

Because I realized that when I heard earlier this week that a normal part of my life is opening back up, I was excited. Then terrified. In about two seconds worth of processing.

Now that we can see an end not so much of the virus but our time at home, it’s exciting. Freedom to go shopping. Get a haircut. See people.

The fear that I can’t see what’s in a room. Even with all the protocols in place, what if I get it wrong? What if I arrive and I’m putting someone at risk? What if I give the green light to our kids, one who is high-risk?

I stayed on fear, and there’s nothing healthy in that.

As I processed it through prayer, I realized the date for the more public things we’d be returning to, if we choose, is a good three weeks later than other things that are happening that we will be a part of. Ortho. Dentist. Hair. I have zero fear about going there. If everything else is later, and all protocols are going to be enforced, it’s okay to go.

It’s also okay to be excited.

It’s also okay to not go.

And it’s really okay to allow everyone their freedom to go or not.

We’re entering a place of tentative freedom where conviction comes into play. There’s no finger wagging from heaven saying “We shall Not Go to…” the hair salon, the office, wherever it is. In fact, God’s not a finger wagger. Any commands He gives is out of love and protection.

But convication means there is no hard rule. If you’re allowed to go to the hair salon and you feel it’s right for you, have at it. If you want to wait a little, that’s peace for you.

And that’s where I’m at. We will attend a couple appointments in May for medical sake when it comes to those at risk. The fun things for our at-risk members? We are waiting a little and doing those in June. With protocols like social distancing and masks, if that is something recommended.

That’s the answer for us. It gives me peace and the fear is gone.

Just like that first drive. I knew I’d never get over the fear if I didn’t put the key in ignition. I had to activate and choose to move forward. I’ve been driving since 1986. One accident. Zero tickets.

If you’re starting to freak out because you might have the opportunity to leave home, don’t let fear rule. Go to God. Ask Him what’s right for you. And enjoy the peace that comes with His answer.

***

We’re done! Hannah and I finished the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series and the last book, You’re Brilliant, is available for pre-order for Kindle and print should be available very soon. Check it out when a group of high school girls and their mentors discover they are more than competant. Free Kindle Unlimited.

Barb Roose: Surrendered Interview, Part 2

Part 2 of an interview with Barb Roose,
Author of Surrendered:
Letting Go & Living Like Jesus Are you facing a problem in life that you just can’t fix, no matter what you do? Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “Let go and let God.” But it’s easier said than done. Is it possible that giving up on what you can’t change is God’s path to peace for your life? In Surrendered, Barb Roose’s new six-week Bible study of Jesus in the wilderness, she explores Jesus’ time of testing and contrasts it with the Israelites’ failures in the wilderness.
 
As readers learn from Jesus’ example, they’ll discover six principles that will equip them to let God lead them to victory despite their circumstances as they deal with the problems and pain they are facing.
 
Learn more in this interview with Barb. Miss Part 1? Catch up HERE.
 
Q: What are the six surrender principles and when should they be used?
 
Letting go of control-loving behaviors isn’t a switch that we can just flip. Rather, we need a new set of tools.
 
Those new tools are six Surrender Principles that we can activate and apply whenever fear flows through our hearts or we’re tempted to flee, fix or force a solution. Each week, participants learn a new principle:
 
1. I am not in control of others or outcomes.
2. I choose to live by faith, not rush to follow my feelings.
3. I can always let go and give my problems to God.
4. Trusting God’s promises will bless me, but pushing my plans will stress me.
5. When fear tempts me to flee, fix, or force my way, I will choose to stop and pray.
6. Surrender is my only path to God’s peace, power, and provision.
 
Q: Why is it so hard to trust God to take care of us when he promises that is what he will do?
 
I don’t know about anyone else, but I expect that God will do things like I would do them. So, when I’ve got a problem that I can’t fix, and then God either seems to delay or doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it, I get disappointed. I’ve learned that disappointment is often the doorway that leads to distrust.
 
However, Isaiah 55 reminds us that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. So, in my experience, wilderness seasons have lasted a long time because it takes me a long time to let go of my expectations and learn to wait in anticipation.
 
Here’s a big lesson for me: wilderness seasons have taught me to trust God’s heart in hard times.
 
In fact, I introduce what I like to call the three “Wilderness ABC’s” for when we’re in a wilderness season or facing a difficult trial:
 
1. You are ALWAYS loved.
2. BELIEVE that God is for you.
3. CHALLENGE yourself to trust God and let go.
 
Q: What are some of the lessons that trials can teach us?
 
While some people may not agree, I’m not a fan of the saying that “everything happens for a reason,” which many mistakenly believe is the message of Romans 8:28. When we try to apply earthly explanations to everything that happens, that approach could lead people to feel that God intentionally causes bad things to happen in order to teach a spiritual lesson. God doesn’t do backhanded blessings.
 
However, God does redeem our trials when we keep our eyes on Him in the midst of what we’re walking through.
 
Q: What are some of the things we need to let go of in our lives?
 
The reality is that our hearts have to let go of the situations that we cannot control.
 
In the Surrendered study, I identify five control-loving behaviors (SHINE behaviors) that we need to let go in order to live like Jesus and experience God’s power, peace and provision.
 
Those SHINE behaviors are Scorekeeping, Helicoptering (Micro-managing), Interrupting, Nagging and Excessive Planning/Stockpiling. When we use these behaviors in our attempt to control others or outcomes, we’re shining the attention on ourselves and what we want instead of trusting that God knows what’s best.
 

Q: What are the steps to letting go?
                                       
Letting go or surrender is a prayer and a process. Rather than identify steps, I identify four questions in the “Letting Go Loop” that equip control-lovers to not only identify their control-loving behaviors but also identify God-honoring and life-giving next steps toward letting go and living like Jesus:                                                                                                 Awareness – Am I trying to control others or outcomes right now? Arrest – What do I need to stop trying to protect, fix, or force to make happen? Acceptance – Where do I need to acknowledge the reality that I do not have control, but God can handle it? FaithFULL Action – How can I show love, kindness and wisdom without control-loving behaviors? As the questions are answered, the Letting Go Loop reveals where we need to open our hands and turn toward God instead of trying to fix or force the solutions for ourselves.
 
Trials can teach us to worship God more, depend on ourselves less and to become more like Christ. Even though those lessons are tough to learn, the blessings that we receive during our wilderness season and on the other side is absolutely worth it!
 
Q: We’re all familiar with the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.” How can that apply to us in a spiritual context?
 
There have been a few times in my life when I used control-loving behaviors to get what I wanted, only to discover that my prize wasn’t God’s best.
 
In my early 20’s, I wanted to buy a home. While I didn’t have all of the resources that I needed, both in money and wisdom, I pushed forward and pulled out all the stops to buy that house. Even though it was a lovely home where I raised my family, there were many times over the years when expensive repairs and other home-owner related issues popped up as a consequence of forcing my way into a property that I probably should have asked a few more questions about.
 
More than 20 years ago, I began praying John the Baptist’s prayer in John 3:30: “He must increase. I just decrease.” Back then, my life wasn’t perfect, but I had a great career, happy marriage and healthy children. However, my faith tended to fall behind everything else in my too-full-of-good-things life.
 
God has been answering that prayer in big and small, happy and heartbreaking ways. The most powerful way that God has increased in my life came as a result of a long-term addiction issue in my household that led to the devastating end to my 26-year marriage. However, I could see and feel God’s power, presence and provision throughout that painful experience. He has increased in my life in ways that I am eternally grateful.
 
Q: What are some ways women can creatively come together to do the study as a group, even if they aren’t able to meet in person?
 
While I hate the difficult circumstances that the COVID-19 outbreak has created around the world, but I love seeing how God dropped some opportunities in place before we realized that we needed them. Here are a few wonderful opportunities that are available during these wild times:
 
1. AMPLIFY – To help groups stay connected and continue to study the Bible together during this time of social-distancing, Abingdon Women and Amplify Media are making the video sessions of Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus available for free for group members to watch at home from any device. Sessions will be available free of charge from April 7 to June 30, 2020.
 
View the video sessions at https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/series/unitedmethodistpublishinghouse/32668-surrendered.
Amplify Media is a streaming service allowing churches large and small unlimited video access in order to discover, customize, and share diverse resources that encourage deeper discipleship and equip churches to pursue their mission with greater impact. Learn more at AmplifyMedia.com. 
 
2. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD – Each individual session of the Surrendered study is available for digital download at cokesbury.com/surrendered.
 
3. ONLINE GROUPS – I’m so encouraged and inspired by women’s Bible study and small group leaders across the country who are so dedicated to leading their groups in these challenging times. I’m also a group leader at my church, too! Like many group leaders, our group is leveraging technology like Zoom, Facebook Groups and other platforms to meet together online.
  Surrendered: Letting Go & Living Like Jesus 
A Study of Jesus in the Wilderness
By Barb Roose
 
Available April 7, 2020 from Abingdon Women
 
Participant Workbook
Paperback ISBN: 9781501896286 / $16.99 ~ eBook ISBN: 9781501896293 / $16.99
 Leader Guide
Paperback ISBN: 9781501896309 / $14.99 ~ eBook ISBN: 9781501896316 / $14.99
 DVD
ISBN: 9781501896323 / $49.99
About the author
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about connecting women to one another and to God helping them apply the truths of God’s Word to the practical realities and challenges they face as women in today’s culture.
 
Roose enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, as well as internationally, including national platforms such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
 
She is the author of the Surrender: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle and Beautiful Already: Reclaiming God’s Perspective on Beauty Bible studies and the books Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty. Her writing has been featured in many magazines, and she also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com. She is the host of the bi-monthly “Better Together” podcast.
 
Roose lives in Toledo, Ohio, and is the proud mom of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes sleeping in, taking a long walk outside, shopping for shoes and eating two big bowls of chocolate peanut ice cream.
 
Visit Barb Roose’s online home at barbroose.com . Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook ( BarbaraRoose ), Twitter ( barbroose ), and Instagram ( barbroose ).

Our Victories Look Different

Recently my husband texted me a picture. It was our daughter navigating her way through our front yard on the riding lawn mower.

Big deal, right?

YES!

It’s a celebration because it is yet another thing in the long list of what God has done to prove as He promised that this child is an overcomer.

For those who don’t know her story, she tested for congenital hypothyroidism at three weeks, but when we asked for results, we didn’t receive accurate results until eight weeks. A team sat us down and prepared us for mental retardation.

That alone was enough for this kid to deal with. Yet she nearly died at three months with more doctor error, had RSV at six nonths, was hospitalized at nine months for pneumonia, and around age 12, was diagnosed with Albrights hereditary osteodystrophy, AHO.

If tickets were being given out of no hope for normal, forget about it, and no chance, she would have been given the roll.

We’re thankful because God has always had the first and last word when it comes to her, us, everything. In the womb He promised she was an overcomer and by golly, she is. She’s in high school, regular classes. Oh, wait, One class is actually a college course. Take that, naysayers.

She’s active in youth group and down to do just about any activity they ask. She’s in student council and an author of three books.

Victories! Victories everywhere!

But, I’ve had to reel my emotions in more than once. Because of AHO, her bones have fused and she is done growing. Where her friends continue to grow taller, she’s 4’9″. Because of the missing thyroid meds needed from birth, she struggles with processing/comprehension. It’s not immediately visible but she has to work twice as hard, especially in math and science.

And where in our state her peers were allowed to obtain their permit at 15 1/2, at nearly 17 that’s not the case for us.

Confession?

I’m relieved.

It’s hard.

People ask her if she’s driving and why not. She knows it’s not time, but for her rep, she’s allowed to blame me. The written part is hard for her. We weren’t sure if she was tall enough to even try. There are fast decisions as a driver she has to make, and she’s not able to at this time.

Will she get there? I think so. I’m scared to death about it. I don’t want it rushed, but I don’t want to operate out of fear. I’m as much a work in progress as anyone.

The lawnmower is hope. It tells my husband he might be teaching her behind the wheel just yet. It tells me yet again God is writing the story. Not me. Not doctors. Her creator.

The picture reminds me that our victories look different. To the marathon winner, finishing a couch to 5k app might be no big deal. To the heart attack survivtor, it might mean the world. To finish an early reader might be no biggie, unless you have dyslexia. Making a pie? Sounds easy because my mom was there to guide me as I was growing up. Not everyone can say that.

What’s a victory that maybe you discounted that you should celebrate? Comment away!

***

That daughter is Hannah and we just finished the last book in our series, You’re Brilliant. It releases May 22, or you can pre-order for Kindle.