Happy Thanksgiving

I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart; I will show forth all they marvelous works. - Psalm 9:1

Seriously Write is closed today to allow us to spend the holiday with our family and friends. We wish you a blessed Thanksgiving. We will be back tomorrow and look forward to visiting with you then.

Changing Hearts, Not Circumstances by Jenna Victoria

Please welcome Jenna Victoria to Seriously Write today. She saved my bacon by filling in at the last moment and today Jenna is sharing her thoughts on her life hymn, Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart. Take it away Jenna!

 

As background, the text of this hymn was written by Anglican Minister George Croly, born in 1780 and who successfully ministered to churches in the slums of London for fifty-odd years. He wrote many similar compositions and published a collection in 1854 entitled Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship but almost every copy of that book burned in a London fire.

The hymn survived, thankfully, and calls for us to love God fully, something only achieved by asking Him to change our hearts, not our circumstances.

I’ve been a Christian since adolescence and I lovingly jumped into a “Jesus & me” relationship with both feet. Through the death of a four year old sibling, my parent’s divorce, dementia of a prayer warrior grandmother and ordinary life hardships – my saving relationship with Jesus did bring me strength and comfort.

My faith, though, was a baby faith. I never committed to studying God’s word and rarely prayed asking His spirit to descend upon my heart.

I had plenty of basic “head”  knowledge and I was saved and redeemed and it was enough. I thought.

My first breast cancer diagnosis, at Stage III,  in 2012 meant chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

When my cancer quickly returned and spread to Stage IV after supposed “successful” treatment my faith did not waiver but I discovered it was a “head” faith, not a full-on “heart” faith. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a form of super aggressive cancer found in 18-20% of patients and typically turns metastatic and affects other organs quickly. I started to feel uncertainty and anxiety.

The Bible promises that if we draw nearer to God, He will draw near to us. I took that promise literally and began to listen to Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart on repeat on my iPod. Croly’s words brought home the truth that seeking God through the cross is the pathway to finding God’s presence. In other words, we find God especially close to us when we partake in suffering as Jesus suffered.

The song also encourages us in times of unanswered prayer. Faith is not found in days filled with chocolates and roses. It is found in days of desolation. Despite my incurable diagnosis and the medical necessity of ongoing IV chemotherapy every 21 days indefinitely – my “head” faith slowly, over time, changed into a “head & heart” faith.

I realized one morning I consistently experience joy and contentment within my situation – the type of peace described in Philippians 4:7.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (KJV)

I am in awe at God’s love and faithfulness. I know the unceasing prayers of Christian authors, family and friends helped, but Croly, too, explains this transformation in his last stanza:  “Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love, One holy passion filling all my frame; The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,
 

My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.” (Public Domain).

Despite the lack of “feeling” I kept drawing near to God. I prayed consistently for Him to “teach me” to love Him as the angels love. I downloaded & listened to dozens of sermon podcasts and fed my faith meat, not milk. Faith isn’t a feeling, it is sustained belief when circumstances are dark and emotions are dry.

In my recent release, Love Among the Lilacs, a sweet romance, the heroine Mollie learns that amidst tough times “life needs forgiveness to bloom.”

When we concentrate on Godly heart changes such as love, forgiveness and gratefulness – the Spirit of God *will* descend upon us. He’s promised it.

I thank God for my diagnosis every day. Without it, I would never have experienced this peace that surpasses understanding and a spirit of joy despite my trials.

I pray the same peace for you.

Book Blurb:

Bookkeeper Mollie Wright knows about living on the streets, and her purchase of sweet Lilac Cottage is a dream come true. She is determined to stay and fight when a legal error puts her ownership at risk. Attorney Sean Grady never wanted his great-aunts to sell their cottage in Westchester County, New York, so when a paperwork snafu puts the deal on hold, he moves swiftly to evict the pretty, feisty squatter. Mollie finds unexpected allies in Grady Cove neighbors and a member of Sean’s own family but knows the clock is ticking. Will a theft and her past secrets force a showdown to heartache, or will Mollie and Sean discover home is truly where your heart is?

Jenna Victoria Bio: Ever since her grandfather co-created Twinkies, Snowballs & Hostess cupcakes for Intercontinental Baking Company, circa 1955, Jenna has yet to taste a cake she hasn’t liked.

Jenna writes books for readers who enjoy sweet & compelling romances, and also for those who look for her “fiction that feeds your faith” titles – happily-ever-after romance & romantic suspense stories with a Christian world view. Her stories emulate those she enjoys reading…with a heroine who is in grave danger & a hero who is smart enough to get out of her way as she kicks butt & takes down names… and those that feature satisfying fairy-tale-endings.

Her clean romances won’t put you into a diabetic coma, and her faith-based romances aren’t preachy or unrealistic. Her first triple negative breast cancer diagnosis in 2012 has led to surgeries, radiation, reoccurrences and incurable metastasis. Still, Jenna continues to praise God and trust His oversight in her life; and continues to write more books that give Him glory.

Connect with Jenna on social media and her blogs:
Amazon Author Page
Twitter    
Facebook
Blog – Bookish By Design
Book Review Blog
Instagram

This post first appeared on Faith Writes, Musical Wednesdays
 

Yes, Today is Really Necessary by Mary Manners

My dad’s birthday is this week. He would be turning eighty. It’s amazing, looking back over the memories, how quickly the time has passed since he first encouraged me to pursue my love of writing.

Dad has always been my hugest inspiration. Long ago, when I was barely a teenager in the early days of my middle school journey, I came home following a particularly rough day to find him sitting on the front porch waiting for me so he could ask about my day. I joined him on the concrete landing and he spent a good hour listening while I vented about the trials and tribulations of being a thirteen-year-old in a cruel, cruel world. I imagined he had no idea what I was going through, since he couldn't have possibly ever been as young as thirteen. Little did I know!

The next day, Dad came home with a small treasure for me--a poster with the most forlorn-looking bloodhound sitting in a washtub full of soap bubbles that had been dumped over his head. The caption read, "Was today really necessary?" Well, I knew exactly how the unfortunate mutt felt.

Dad helped me mount the poster in a place of honor on my bedroom wall, and then we sat together and talked some more. That's when I began to understand the power of adversity in shaping who I am as well as my life's path.

Today, I use the trials of my life--both the small inconveniences that jab like bony fingers along my rib cage as well as the tsunamis that sweep through to wash away any semblance of sanity--to shape and mold my writing. Characters come alive when their story is infused with nuances of my personal trials. In daily tribulations I find a never-ending fount of inspiration. The passion to write the next story burns continuously inside me, and with every detour that comes my way I know that the round-about will lead to another exciting chapter.

My dad succumbed to Non-Hodgkin lymphoma fifteen years ago, but his memory is alive and well in the poster that has traveled with me through the decades. It now holds a place of honor on the wall across from my office desk. Each time I glance up to read the caption, I smile and think, "Yes, today is really necessary and thank you, God, for allowing me another breath, another test…and another chapter in both life and the writing world."

~~~~~

 

Sunrise at Honeysuckle Cove

 

Honeysuckle Cove Inn has been in the Brennan family for three generations. When Maggie Brennan’s parents retire, they call her home to Honeysuckle Cove and hand over the reins of the historical inn. If Maggie successfully maintains the business over the course of a year, the inn is hers forever. Maggie considers the timing perfect, with one exception—she finds her path entangled once again with that of Dylan O’Connor.

Dylan has made a name for himself as the go-to guy when it comes to renovations and repairs in Honeysuckle Cove, and he’s waited nearly a decade for high school sweetheart Maggie Brennan to return home. But his handyman skills will be put to the test when it comes to rebuilding the bridge between Maggie’s heart and his, and designing a future…together.



~~~~~

 

Mary Manners is a country girl at heart who has spent a lifetime sharing her joy of writing. She has two sons and a daughter, as well as three beautiful grandchildren. She currently lives along the sunny shores of Jacksonville Beach with her husband Tim.

 

A former teacher as well an intermediate school principal, Mary spent three decades teaching math and English to students from kindergarten through middle grades. While growing up in Chicago and as a student at the University of Illinois, Mary worked her way through a variety of jobs including paper girl, figure skating instructor, pizza chef, and nanny. Many of these experiences led to adventures that may be found between the pages of her stories. Mary loves long sunrise runs—she’s completed three marathons—ocean sunsets and flavored coffee.

 

Find out more about Mary on her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com. “Like” her author page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.



Giving Thanks by Terri Weldon

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m enjoying good food and company with my family today and I hope you’re doing the same. Our home is full of the smells of our favorite dishes, flowers grace the table, and candles flicker in the room. Thanksgiving is one of the most relaxing holidays of the year. 

 

Later this afternoon while I’m watching a favorite movie – a tradition at our house – I may pull my laptop out and do a little work. Then again there is just as good a chance I’ll lean back in my chair and pet one of my Westies. Either one is okay. 

 

The important thing today is to thank God for our blessings. I’m thankful I have a home, a family, people to spend the holiday with, my two furry little friends, a job, and for the Christmas novella I have releasing the end of this month. Most of all I’m thankful for the saving grace of Jesus. I pray you know Him too. 

 

Here at Seriously Write all of us are thankful for you. While our desire is to encourage and equip Christian writers we want you to know that you do the same for us. There are so many things vying for your time and we’re thankful you read our posts, cheer us on, and leave us comments. 

 

I hope you’ll share a few of your blessings with us. What are you thankful for today?

Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing.

Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or

Blog: Seriously Write

The Christmas Bride Wore Boots

 

Widowed Pastor Jacob Thompson had vowed to never remarry, but that was before he met Veterinarian Molly Kincaid. Could this unlikely duo be a match made in heaven?

 

Available 30 November!

That Pregnant Pause of the Publishing World by Susan Tuttle



Susan Tuttle

I have three children, and I remember each of my pregnancies vividly. Nine long months, a few where it looked like nothing was happening, and a few where it was more than evident I was pregnant. And it never failed how at the very end I’d hear the lovely question every pregnant woman longs to hear: “Have you had that baby yet?”

It was even more fun when you were overdue.

Well, for many of us on this publishing journey, it’s much the same. In the very beginning we keep our writing status to ourselves. We enjoy writing small stories or articles, perhaps journaling, but no one knows. It’s our little secret. Yet we’re slowly growing and at some point we can’t keep our writing to ourselves anymore. So we announce to anyone who’ll listen that we are, in fact, a writer. We’ll be pursing publication and all the amazing wonder it entails. We look forward with anticipation at what’s to come. We are giddy with excitement and possibility.

We don’t mind the growing pains. And we experience some wonderful moments along the way. We publish a small article. We are picked up by an agent. We hear wonderful news from a publisher. It’s like the gifts at a baby shower landing in our laps. Fun to unwrap and they point to what will one day arrive: publication and the delivery of our book baby.

Except, much like pregnancy, we don’t have an exact date. We grow, we expand, everything starts to feel uncomfortable and the wait unbearable, but nothing arrives. And then it starts…the question every writer pursuing publication for any length of time loves to hear: “Have you gotten a contract yet?”

It comes in all forms from all angles from well-meaning friends and family. And each time we smile, tip our head, suck in a long breath, and answer as sweetly as we can, “Still waiting.” It’s not that we mind the questions, it’s that we aren’t in love with the answer. We are stuck in the pregnant pause of the publishing world, and just like you can’t force a baby out (okay, not easily, but you get my point), you can’t force this delivery to happen any sooner than God has on his calendar.

That’s because God is the only Author that gets to write our time table. We need to learn to appreciate this pause and understand that he’s preparing us for his perfect timing. He knows exactly when we’ll be ready for our book baby to be born. Don’t rush it. Just wait for him to fill your arms with every promise he’s given.

Because God never forgets to deliver on the dreams he’s planted.

Susan Tuttle is a homeschooling mom of three who is crazy about coffee, dark chocolate, and words—both reading and writing them. Combine that love of words with her passion for leading women to a life-changing encounter with Christ, and you’ll find her crafting Inspirational Contemporary Romance stories laced with humor, love, and healing transformations. When not cheering on her Ironman hubby, chasing the family dog, or tackling complex math problems to teach her kids (yes, even the third grader), you can catch Susan at her blog, Steps.

Susan contributes on the first Thursday of each month.