Press On

Let us acknowledge the Lord;
    let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
    he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
    like the spring rains that water the earth.

Hosea 6:3 (NIV)

My husband and I are in our fifth week of working/staying home. It isn’t a whole lot different for me since being at home is my normal operating procedure. It is something new for my husband though. We’re blessed he has a job that enables him to work from home.

Perhaps you’re like us in that our days seem to all blur together. It’s hard to tell which day of the week it is since we don’t have any normal activities we’re going to. Not that we had a lot. But going to choir practice midweek, church and Sunday school on Sundays, with a sprinkling of activities throughout the month made the weeks and even days go faster.

Only the Lord knows what’s still ahead of us. I’m so thankful to know He’s in control. We can trust Him with our future. We’re able to hold on, because we know our Lord can be trusted.

But I don’t want to merely hold on… I also want to press on. I want others to see through me the hope we have in the Lord. We may live in unprecedented times, but we know WHO is in control. Press On. Put your faith in God. Ask Him to help and encourage you. Keep trusting the Lord. He’s got this.

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and COMPEL Training. She's been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She's a contributor and co-founder of Stitches Thru Time blog. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

 

Stepping Out in Faith

I'm an introvert. I think most writers are. Give me my computer, a comfortable spot to write, and a hot cup of tea and I'm happy. I love those weeks where I have days in a row that I don't have anywhere to go and I can just stay home.It's not that I don't have friends and enjoy being around people part of the time, I just happen to thrive on my alone time.

Because I'm an introvert, there are certain aspects of being an author that are hard for me especially promotion and marketing. In less than three weeks I have a new book releasing, which means I'm working hard on setting up appearances online. Blog posts and interviews aren't too bad because again, I can write those from home. :)

I took a major step out of my comfort zone last week and contacted our local television station who has a weekday program where they interview people. To my surprise they got back to me quickly saying they'd love to have me on the show and were surprised I'd never been before. Now I'm thinking, 'What did I do?'

I realize that God doesn't always call us to walk where we're comfortable. In fact, he often calls us out of those spots to walk in rough waters so we have to rely on Him and His strength.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

I have to remind myself of this verse whenever I step into those unsure places. What scripture provides comfort and reassurance for you when God is asking you to do something out of your comfort zone? What pointers can you share?

 

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and COMPEL Training. She's been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She's a contributor and co-founder of Stitches Thru Time blog. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

Kind Words Do Wonders: A Devotion

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

Oh, my, what's better than a kind word spoken or a gentle act of love to cheer the heart?

I was in the checkout line at Wal-mart the other day, and when I got ready to leave, I looked at the clerk and said, "You have a nice day."

She glanced at me, a bit of surprise on her face. Her lips widened in a smile and she said something like this: "Thank you. You are always so nice."

I'm not totally sure how it affected her, if she cared, or even if she needed the words of kindness. But, oh, they affected me. My own words. And her answer. From a drab day to a day that's like:

a fire sparkler sky,

An anchor is a storm-driven sea,

A ride on an old bicycle on a summer day,

Sunshine on a forest path after a week of rain,

Mustard seeds at the local grocery, reminding us to have faith.

Faith in ourselves, our kind words, our fellowman, our God.

We sure won't go wrong with those! 

Happy day! 

***

Book Three in the Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery series

It wouldn't hurt for Caroline to learn a little more kindness...

What's It About?

Co-owner of Undiscovered Treasures, Caroline Gibson particularly relates to the ballerina music box: forever spinning and never going anywhere. But when her dream prince appears, she's sure her prayers have been answered. Trouble is, even though family and friends hint that the local artist is the guy for her, Caroline takes matters into her own hands.

Andrew Carrington has loved Caroline since they were kids. But when contracts suddenly arrive begging for his signature, Andy thinks this just might be the way to win the only woman he can ever love.

And then there's the hitch in both their plans. Someone is stealing Andy's paintings, and why would they when he's an unknown so far? Is something deeper going on neither understand? Caroline must put aside her on-going battle to avoid Andy and his art so they can discover the art thief in Appleton.

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon

About Carole:

Besides being an active participant in many writing groups, Carole is an award-winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance, and whimsy into her books and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com

Devotion: O Holy Night

We went to a dinner theater musical Christmas play for several years where the ending included a young, talented, professional actor singing "O Holy Night." His strong, vibrant voice had a profound effect on me. From the night forward, "O Holy Night" became my favorite Christmas hymn.

Last night, hubby sang it, and although he's not a professional, he did a great job. More importantly, it touched my heart with the words and music.

Let us all remember as we celebrate Christmas, the words:

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth. 
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn!

Rejoice! Celebrate!

Merry Christmas to one and all!

A Time to Be Thankful

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:19b-20 (NIV)

 

This month I've been sharing mostly random things on my personal and author Facebook pages that I'm thankful for. Things like hot water, that I don't have to wash our clothes by hand, that we have a dishwasher. November is a great time to cultivate a heart of thankfulness.

 

When asked what you're thankful for... I think most would immediately say their family, friends, job, etc. It's not that I don't appreciate those too and am tremendously blessed to have them in my life. But I can't help but think that there are so many things in our lives that we are to be thankful for... that we often overlook. Even those difficult times we experience. Those times that bring us to our knees because we know that progress will only be made if God intervenes in the situation.

 

I challenge you to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, especially as we'll soon be moving into the season where we celebrate the birth of our beloved Savior. We have SO many things that we can thank the Lord for.

 

How about you? What are you grateful for today? 

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and COMPEL Training. She's been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. She's a contributor and co-founder of Stitches Thru Time blog. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.