Building Characters by Using Their Life Verse by Patty Smith Hall

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

I remember the day I chose this piece of scripture to be my life verse. I was back in high school, at the end of my sophomore year and still new in my faith in Christ. My best friend, Donna had signed my yearbook and wanting to know what she’d said, I went to the space I’d reserved for her. At the bottom just under her name, she had written a verse.

God’s Still Working in Your Writing by Susan Tuttle

It’s Christmas time, which means the Christmas story is playing on televisions, homes, and churches all around the nation. I love the Christmas story, and each year I read it like I’m hearing it for the first time all over again. In the past Mary is the character to captivate me, but as I sat in church this past Sunday it was Elizabeth who caused me to stop.

See, Elizabeth had been waiting a long time for God to show up with her dream in His hand. In fact, in practically every way it looked as if her dream to become a mom had died. She was barren, empty, and by all accounts she and Zechariah were past their primes. The idea of her becoming pregnant ranked right up there with her ability to fly—it wouldn’t, couldn’t, happen.

Yet God.

Aren’t those two beautiful words?

Yet God had a different plan. Sometimes for His plan to gleam brightest everything around us must die. See, God will allow His glory to shine through us, but he will never—never—share it, and if the only way that can happen is to let our dream become a virtual impossibility, he will do just that. Not to discourage us. Not to make us lose faith. And not to harm us. Only so that everything points to Him when our dream becomes solid reality.

Isn’t this like our writing world? Maybe it’s the idea of finding time to finish your story. Perhaps you’re too dry to come up with new words. Possibly you’re waiting for a “yes” from a publishing industry that seems stuck on “no”. Whatever it is, could it be that God is allowing the parts of your dream to die that may point to you rather than Him when that dream finally materializes?

Dear friend, whatever you do, don’t lose grip on your faith. If God has made a promise to you about this writing ministry, cling to it. He is ever faithful—you only need to look at the many facets of the Christmas story to see that faithfulness repeated over and over again.

Merry Christmas friends!

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Susan Tuttle

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.

Recount, Recall, and Apply – Lessons from David and Goliath II ~ By Susan Tuttle

Susan Tuttle

Last month I told you we’d camp out with David for a few weeks, checking out his battle with Goliath. We started with “Tune Out and Turn Away”, which reminded us to listen to the voice of God. Any other voices we need to not only ignore, but remove from our lives. You can check out that post here.

Today we’re picking up the story as David meets Saul along the edges of the battlefield. David has turned from his peers who have attempted to create doubt, to his king. For me, the story grows even more interesting here. This is someone in a position of authority, and Saul has two responses. We’re only tackling the first one today. Take a listen:

You can’t go and fight this Philistine. You’re too young and inexperienced…1 Samuel 17:33

Wow. Not exactly constructive advice or positive encouragement. Those words are riddled with doubt and negativity…nearly an attack against David.

Ever been there? Entered a contest and gotten poor feedback? Or received a terrible rejection letter from a publisher or agent? Had an editor tell you you’ll never make it in this industry? That’s what’s happening here, and David’s response is priceless:

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:36-37

David never wobbles in his faith. He knew what God had called him to, and he believed in God’s ability to deliver the victory. It wasn’t even a question to him. And rather than falling prey to the doubt Saul delivered, David recounts the victories he’s had through Christ. Even better? When he’s through with his list of impossibilities God made possible through him, he claims his next victory—killing Goliath—before it’s even happened. That just begs for an AMEN! David’s unwavering faith in God is his greatest weapon.

Now please don’t get me wrong; constructive criticism is good—it helps us grow. But allowing someone to convince you that you’re unable to do what God has called you to, well that’s just unacceptable. When criticism isn’t constructive, I don’t care who it’s from, you need to stomp on its seed before doubt takes root. You need to do what David did…

Begin to recount all the victories God has already placed in your hands, recall his faithfulness in your life, and apply that in faith to the victories he will bring. There is an amazing power in speaking out and remembering God’s faithfulness.


Step into that power today.

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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.