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| Laura v. Hilton |
As I was sitting in Sunday school, listening to the teacher talk about the Philistines and their god Dagon, and my son (yes, the infamous one I mention somewhat often) says something about how you are important, you have to look after yourself, etc. And we appreciated his honesty because he is struggling with a lot of different things right now.
It reminded me of the song I referred to in the first paragraph. And I mentioned that the world teaches that you are number one, but as Christians, we need to shift that focus off of me and onto Him.
But I wasn’t planning on writing about that. To be honest, I didn’t know what to write about!
God had different plans. Because then my husband got up to preach. His sermon was based around Matthew 6. And he says, “God has made promises about every life situation, but there are stipulations.”
Stipulations. Yes. As he spoke I remembered various verses. From Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” A promise and a stipulation.
In Jeremiah another well-known verse. “For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord. Thoughts for good and not for evil… Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” A promise and a stipulation.
I could quote more. You probably can, too.
But note. The promises are conditional! God will do His part if we do ours. If you do these things (fill in blank) then He will… (fill in blank.) It’s not quite as simple as name it and claim it.
My husband (the pastor) reminded us to “Focus on the Kingdom of Heaven and God will take care of the little stuff.”
Oh, so easy to say.
So hard to do.
We have to surrender our worry. Surrender our wants. Focus on God.
The Bible also says, “In this world, we will have problems, but take heart I have overcome the world.”
Don’t bail when you think God has failed. We have to walk by faith while we wait for Him to work.
Lord, help us to stay strong. Help us to surrender everything to Your greater will. Help us to trust that is we follow Your plan then You will meet our needs. Help us to not Look Out for Number One, but to focus on number one. You. Amen.
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| About the Author |
Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom, and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series withWhitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015. See below for information on Laura's latest, The Amish Firefighter. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
visit her blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ &http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or@Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
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| Amish Firefighter by Laura V. Hilton |
The Amish Firefighter
A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from HomeAbigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help.
A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.
A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.
