In Times Like These: a Devotion

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test,

he will receive the crown of life

that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

There's an old, old song that an elderly gentleman in our church sings now and then.

It's called:  "In Times Like These"

The last verse goes like this:

In times like these, I have a Savior 
In times like these, I have an anchor 
I'm very sure, I'm very sure 
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock 

One of the main things we can do when going through trials

is to keep our focus on God.

Sometimes, life on this earth is an endurance test.

We're shocked, disappointed, hurt and confused

over problems, cares and trials that come into our lives.

It's hard at those times to "count it all pleasure"

because it's not.

Yet, when we look at God's promise to us--

A CROWN OF LIFE!--

one that will last forever. 

Unlike the ancient athletes who were given, many times,

wreaths that perished,

ours will never fade nor be destroyed.

It's a guarantee.

It's a promise.

From one who never breaks a promise!

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, 

you will receive the crown of glory,

that will never fade away.

--I Peter 5:4

***

LOVE to Read?

I have a giveaway offer for you!

I'll be posting twice this month on Stitches through Time.

Just comment on both posts,

and I will choose one person to receive a Kindle copy of their choice of

one of my Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries. 

(Sabotaged Christmas,

Knight in Shining Apron,

Undiscovered Treasures,

Toby's Troubles)

Here's the link to check them out:

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1492661357&sr=1-1

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

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Great is Our God!

How Great is Our God! 

And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

It seems everywhere you turn today, the world is a mess. I try to keep up with current events, but sometimes I find myself pulling back away from it all. The enemy of us all would drown us in disbelief, doubt and worry if we would allow it. I find my spirit beginning to flounder in that sea of distress and must need revive it with the good things of God.

In my newest WWII Spies series, in book two, soon to be released, both Jerry and Josie Patterson are rebellious, self-centered people. Neither have given much thought to God, and both have gone gung-ho after their own pleasures and desires.

• Jerry not only suffers a serious physical injury, but his spirit is troubled over actions taken as a spy in Germany. Guilt over the death of a sweet woman, guilt over all the deceit he needed to use, guilt over the temptations that knocked, and though he didn't give in to them, nevertheless, troubles his mind and soul. Who do you turn to when you have no God in your life?
• Josie, filled with elaborate plans on becoming an Olympic participant once the horror of war is over, ignores all the people in her life—except when it's convenient for her to use them. All that matters is attaining her goal and Jerry. Running roughshod over all others, forgiving and forbearing as they are, is her usual ploy in getting what she wants. So who do you turn to when all your dreams turn to ashes?

It's only after each one of them receive a severe injury that prevent them from doing what they want, only when they think they've lost the other, that they begin to listen to what God is teaching them.

Isn't that so in our own lives? Many times we go headstrong toward our goals, without prayer or definite assurance from God that it's what he wants for us. It seems a good thing, beneficial, and desirable so it must be good for us, right?

God is so great, so faithful, so loving in pulling us back, in teaching us that He is our all in all. Our strength in times of deep distress and trial, our anchor when the storms of life are blowing us off course, our shield when others would hurt or wound our spirits...our peace through it all.

May we, like Josie and Jerry, learn that our God IS a great God. We need have no fear; he does not fail.

About Carole:

Besides being an active participant of 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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

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If Tomorrow Never Comes

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?

You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

The words of the country song emanating from my iPad as I stepped out of the shower precipitated a torrent of tears. “If tomorrow never comes, will she know how much I loved her?” Garth Brooks pegged it with that one. The lyrics reminded me of a loved one’s recent medical diagnosis.

When you stop to think about it, the promise of tomorrow belongs to no one. We will all die.

Last night’s news featured a story of the tragic death of a high school freshman in a car accident. My father was struck by lightning while fly fishing under a clear, blue sky. We don’t know what a given day will bring.

As Christians, we should consider this question on a regular basis. If tomorrow never comes for me, for you, for anyone close to us, have we done the two most important things? Have we made certain they know the Lord Jesus Christ? Do they know how much we love them? We must not allow differences to divide us because we never know when a conversation will be our last.

Right before the 2008 presidential election, my mother and I became embroiled in a heated political argument with a close family member who had cancer. Before we could set matters to rest and convince him that our love for each other was the most important thing, he died. It haunts us to this day.

It has become “the thing” in our world to stick with our “right to disagree” to the point that the nightly news is full of antagonism of the ugliest sort, one group pitted against another because of politics, race, social standing, financial status, or philosophy. Hate has become the “in thing” in our world today.

What divides you from those you love? Religion? Politics? Family matters? Money? It is so easy to allow differences to taint relationships between ourselves and our loved ones. It is much more difficult to be the one to step forward and try to settle a disagreement.

If tomorrow never comes, have you asked forgiveness? Even if you feel you’re in the right. Simply because you offended someone you love. 

Make a point of trying to set things right with loved ones as soon as the incident occurs. We never know if tomorrow will afford us the opportunity.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, January 19, 2017

About the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

I Confess: I am a...

Those who read my post earlier know that I felt God gave me the word "dwell" for 2017. But the question is: how can I do that successfully FOR ME?

The first word that popped into my head was "Peace." 

Dwell in peace. 

Here are some scriptures I found about peace that speak to me:

• Matthew 5:9  

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." 

I need to make peace with others and encourage those I associate with toward peace.

• Matthew 11:28-30  

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  

When my soul is troubled and weary, God can give me rest in both body and soul.

• John 14:27  

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." 

What God gives to us as Christians far surpasses the measley earthly pleasures and treasures that (I) hold dear. Remember, Carole!

• John 16:33 

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

I can rest safely in my salvation and cling to these words from my Savior.

• John 20:19  

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,  “Peace be with you.”

God's special greeting to me. He wishes this for me. He yearns for me to rest in his peace. I need to be obedient.

How can I allow peace to dominate my life? Pray, serve, love, obey, trust and have faith.

Quotes on peace:

• God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.  –  C.S. Lewis

• I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.  –  Oswald Chambers

Oh, yes, my confession? I'm a worrier, and I know there's no peace in worrying. 
I'm pretty sure God gave my the word "Abide" to get my attention.
I wonder what else he'll bring to my attention this year?

How do you feel about peace in your life?

ABOUT CAROLE:

Besides being an active participant of 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

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

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Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

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

Waterfalls and Waves

“My soul is downcast within me…Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:6-7

I lay in bed and cried. My husband had no idea what to say, and I couldn’t explain what was going on. My heart and mind struggled with accepting that God’s answer to my cherished prayer was, “No.”

I could remain sad and angry, or accept God’s will and move on, trusting Him.

He is God, by the very virtue of His name, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, the Name at the sound of which “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess.” Only He knows why some things must be and why some things will never be. The reasons may have to wait for heaven—a lifetime of not understanding—of accepting and moving forward.

Verse seven reveals the all-powerful, sovereign God, the One who is above all other powers, the Name above all names, the One who controls the immense and raging might of a waterfall.

Many years ago, we stood, at a look-out point atop the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. It was awesome, beautiful and terrifying at the same time. We held tight to the hands of our children unless fascinated, they should lean over the railing too far and be swept away.

Victorious living requires me to reach that point where I submit myself wholly to the will of God. I must accept what He has allowed, even if His reasons are not revealed until eternity.

Notice when the writer says the waves and breakers swept over him, Who controls and owns them. The Master of the mighty waves that threaten to sweep me away and fill me with fear and dread, is none other than the sovereign God who inspires awe by His mastery of the waterfall’s power.

When waves threaten to overcome… When dreams, hopes, and plans seem swept away, leaving no hope… Look to God, who controls all things. Remember His everlasting love. Do not fear the events which swirl outside human ability to check and contain. God is in control.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, October 28, 2011

About the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http:// lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/

 Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173

Be Still

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

I stopped halfway through the kitchen. My heart was turning back-flips in the center of my chest. Sitting down and feeling for my pulse, I called my husband to see if I was imagining it. I wasn’t. Two hard beats and then a pause. Two hard beats and then a pause.

As a former nurse, I am cautious about calling 911. This time there was no doubt in my mind. Hooking me up to a 12-lead EKG, the paramedics began the trip into town. Because we live 28 miles from the city limits, I was glad to have someone calm and equipped to care for me. I sat on the gurney praying, “God take care of me and keep my husband safe. Slow my heart.”

Since I am on a heart medication that isn’t well-known in the US, I gave the information to the paramedics. At the hospital, the doctor made it clear he wasn’t comfortable in dealing with it. In the meantime, my monitor went off every few minutes as my heart climbed from 90 up to 206 and then slowed down again. I couldn’t turn to see the monitor without setting it off.

Up to the ICU, where a friendly face greeted me. It’s not encouraging when ICU nurses remember you, it just felt scary. Okay Lord, show them what to do. Over to a regular room. My heart rate was normal—a relief, but what had happened?

Almost twenty-four hours later, someone finally explained. Did it matter that they didn’t entirely understand? Well, I thought it did then, but doctors aren’t the authority. I forgot for a few minutes, but God still held me safe.

Nurses make terrible patients, and I’m no exception, but God was holding me. No matter what happens, He knows best. He will provide. He keeps me safe.

Just as the physical condition of my heart drew my attention at that moment, the spiritual condition of my heart should draw my attention every day.

It may seem as if everything is falling apart, but my heart racing doesn’t mean my mind should race. He can keep me in peace when everything around me is shaking and changing. God is my peace, not doctors, not medications—God. My peace comes from Him. “In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still my soul.”

© Copyright May 4, 2014 by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman

Quote from “Be Still My Soul” by Katharina von Schlegel

About the author:

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, set in Scotland and New Mexico released in April 2014. She is a former Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader who established the first weekly women’s Bible studies in her church in 2003 and continues to lead a weekly small group. Her devotionals, poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 19 years. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is a former RN and homeschool/soccer mom who loves family research, history, and Scotland. Norma lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 38 years. They have two adult children.

www.normagail.org

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

https://plus.google.com/b/102717101441594679714/+Normagail/about/p/pub

http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459.Norma_Gail

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170/ or 

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864 ?ean=9781941103173

Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Holtman, it’s cancer.”

I sat alone outside the room where they had just done a biopsy on my thyroid gland. There was no shock, no surprise. From the moment they told me there was a nodule, I had known.

I always had health problems. It seemed I no sooner got one kind under control when another one arose. For whatever His reasons, God had chosen to give me the certainty that He would see me through this one as He had in the past. It was an experience I will never forget. I was beginning a new ministry at church requiring many hours of work and planning. My son was beginning his freshman year of college 3 ½ hours away. It was the start of my daughter’s senior year of high school, her senior soccer season, aiming for a college scholarship. My surgery was right at the beginning of all three, but in the midst of it all I had peace.

The next day, as I prayed about the things which lay ahead, the Lord gave me a poem, tender words which spoke to my heart. It was a time of supernatural communion with God as He imparted that “peace which passes all understanding.” We read about it, but don’t really understand and experience it all too seldom.

God is sovereign. Nothing touches me which has not already been filtered through His love, designed to make me more like Him. And in this world, there will always be something more. Trust Him today and live in His peace.

One More Mountain

I’m tired and weary, and I need a rest,
But, dear Lord, I know that You always know best.
When I’m battle-weary and feel alone,
When I beg for bread but it seems like a stone.
I know there is something You are working in me—
There is something new You have to show me.
There is something I haven’t become just yet,
There is some other challenge I’ve not ever met.
You’ve carried me through so many before—
Lord, help me now to face one more.
When I look in the mirror I want to see
A reflection of You looking back at me.
So once more, Lord, pick me up and let’s go—
So I never forget how I need you so.
It is not in smooth sailing that we lean on You so,
But in knowing we have one more mountain to go.
And I have the feeling that when this one is through,
I’ll see, just beyond, there is something else new.
So thank You, Lord for not forgetting me,
For never letting me rest till it’s You that I see.

In His Hands,
Norma Gail

Have you felt His peace lately? Are you climbing a mountain?