God Always Keeps His Promises by Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hilton

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6

If you’ve been reading my blog posts for the past year or so, you know I’ve been struggling with my oldest son. We’ve been through a lot with him, court appearances, picking him up from jail, job losses, bailing his car out of the impound yard… and so much more. A line from a song comes to mind as I write this:

It's a heartache

Nothing but a heartache

Hits you when it's too late

Hits you when you're down
(© Bonnie Tyler)

Yesterday he came home in the middle of the afternoon and said “Hi, Mom. I’m moving out. I’m getting some of my things now, will be back for the rest later.” And he did. Where he moved to, I don’t know. My younger son gives him a week before he calls in trouble. Because the friend he moved in with has a warrant out for his arrest. (Probably why I don’t know where they are living!)

I’ve been praying—well, we all have: the whole family and our church family—for our son to come to Jesus. To make wise decisions. To think before he acts… and right now it seems for naught. My heart is broken. I cried after he left. I wanted so much more for the boy than this. But God pointed me to this verse. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.

I trained him up the way he should go. I had him in church every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and in Bible clubs. He memorized scriptures and won awards. Even now he can quote Bible to anyone. I homeschooled him with strong biblically-based curriculum. And yet… Satan wanted my firstborn. Satan got my firstborn.

As I write this I'm struggling with doubt that God will keep His promise. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. My heart is crying out for this promise to be kept now! Not when he is old.

And I’m trying to remember promises God has kept.

He forgave my sins. Every one.
He healed my diseases. Every one.
He redeemed me from Hell. Saved my life!
He crowned me with love and mercy.
He wrapped me in goodness.
God makes everything come out good. He puts victims back on their feet.
Psalm 103:2-6

As David did, before going to fight Goliath, he remembered the times God fought for him. He killed a lion and a bear! He remembered that before going to fight Goliath. And he reminded the Israelites: “Remember whose you are!”

I don’t know what Goliaths you’re facing in your life, but join with me in remembering the times God has fought for you and kept His promises. Let’s go to the trophy room and thank God for His faithfulness before facing this new giant.

Remember whose you are!

Lord God, sometimes it seems as though life is nothing but a heartache. The troubles come in waves. Crashing in on us relentlessly. Hits us when it’s too late. Hits us when we’re down. Please comfort us in this time of adversity. Help us to remember Your promises and the times You have already proved that You are able, that You do care, You do hear, and You will answer again—in Your time. Thank You for this reminder. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About the Author

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 with Whitaker 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/

The Amish Firefighter
by Laura V. Hilton

The Amish Firefighter

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail 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.

Why Do We Doubt God? by Lisa Jordan

Several months ago, I had to renew my family childcare provider license. I set it aside because I was in the middle of final edits for Lakeside Family, which released this month, child assessments and preparing for an upcoming writers retreat.

Then I received a 30-day renewal reminder. I dug out the paperwork, filled out the application, had the required physical and had my son's clearances done.

Once I received his clearances, I could mail everything. The days slipped off the calendar at an alarming rate. I kept asking my son if he received the clearances in the mail.

"Nooo, Mooooom."

Moms of teenagers, I'm sure you can hear it in your head. Then he realized I wasn’t talking about something for college, but for my business. He had received it, but couldn’t find it in the abyss of his bedroom. He started cleaning right away, but I needed a miracle.

I prayed and asked my writing support team to pray.

I had 7 days. Without my renewed license, my business—our primary bread and butter at the time—would close. My stress level was through the roof.

Then, I came to the realization—would closing my business be so terrible? I could work part-time and write a lot more than I do now. God must have a reason for all of this, right?

Maybe I needed to understand He could be sending me down a new path. Maybe I needed to be better organized.

Maybe I simply needed to trust.

I surrendered my fears and anxiety to Him. Whatever happened, I would embrace and move forward.

I mailed what I had with a note explaining the duplicate clearances had been mailed. After receiving my application, my rep called to say she was giving me an extension since she knew the documents were on their way. When I received them, I needed to fax her a copy.

I received the clearances in record time, faxed and mailed copies, and received my new license by the original date. No extension needed.

Why? All because of God.

When I opened the envelope containing my license, I laughed.

Why did I doubt God?

He always answers our prayers, but sometimes we may not like hearing Him say no. No means change. No means pain. No means uncertainty for the future.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 promises "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 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."

What an incredible Life Compass. Even if we have change in our lives, we're not walking toward it alone.

Your turn: Share a time in your life where God provided or pulled you through a situation in a way only He could.

Married 23 years to her real life hero, Lisa Jordan knows a thing or two about romance. She and her husband have two college-aged sons and will be facing an empty nest soon. By day, Lisa is an early childhood educator, and by night, she is a contemporary romance novelist with Love Inspired. Lakeside Reunion, her debut novel, is a 2012 Carol Award Finalist. Lakeside Family, her second novel, releases in August 2012. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Agency. In her free time (ha!), Lisa enjoys good books, chick flicks, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. To learn more about Lisa, visit her website at www.lisajordanbooks.com.

Lisa is celebrating Lakeside Family with a month-long party of giveaways, including Coffee Lovers and Tea Lovers baskets. For more details and to join her party, click here.

Fortifying Friday: Can I Do This?

Can I Do This?

When we begin a new manuscript, receive a rejection, or struggle with mastering our craft, we may wonder if we really have it in us to be writers. After all, the journey to publication is not an easy road to travel. There are many who give up and fall by the wayside.

If we truly believe we’re called to write, and we desire to serve God through our words, I believe we won’t settle for mediocrity. Creating and sharing our projects can bring joy and fulfillment in a variety of ways. But writing to our potential means hard work, tenacity, and sometimes sacrifice. It may also require patience and waiting for years to get published.

Can I do this?

Have you ever asked yourself that question?

One of my friends (multi-published) and I recently talked about the projects we’re working on. I’m tackling a genre that I’ve never written before. I explained that it's a little scary for me. I experience fearful moments when I wonder if I'm just kidding myself. Can I really do this? Can I pull it off?

She admitted—and I’ve heard other authors say the same thing—it never changes. As a matter of fact, some multi-published authors express that with each new book, because of expectations, their fear increases. They worry they won’t be able to write the story, and then when it’s published, they fear bad reviews and poor sales. As the saying goes, you’re only as good as your last book….

But God doesn’t want us to be afraid! He put the desire in our hearts to write because he has a plan and a purpose for it.

We can find encouraging words in the Bible when we experience doubt. (I've included one list below.) You may want to keep them in sight in your writing space. When you question your abilities … when you feel stuck … and when you feel discouraged, look to those words to help keep you moving forward with renewed energy and faith in God and yourself.

Have you ever struggled with doubt or felt discouraged? What helped you?

We can do this!

~ Dawn

YOU SAY: “It’s impossible.” 

GOD SAYS: “All things are possible.” (Luke 18:27)

YOU SAY: “I’m too tired.”

GOD SAYS: “I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

YOU SAY: “I can’t figure things out.”

GOD SAYS: “I will direct your steps.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

YOU SAY: I’m not able.”

GOD SAYS: “I am able.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

YOU SAY: “It’s not worth it.”

GOD SAYS: “It will be worth it.” (Romans 8:28)

YOU SAY: “I’m afraid.”

GOD SAYS: “I have not given you a spirit of fear.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

YOU SAY: “I’m always worried and frustrated.”

GOD SAYS: “Cast all your cares on ME.” (1 Peter 5:7)

YOU SAY: “I’m not smart enough.”

GOD SAYS: “I give you wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

YOU SAY:  “I feel all alone.”

GOD SAYS:  “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

YOU SAY: “I can’t manage.”

GOD SAYS: “I will supply all your needs.” (Philippians 4:19)

When in Doubt by Linda Condolora

The dreaded blank page - some days it is our nemesis, some days, a symbol of endless possibilities. Too many times, instead of fueling my creative juices, the blank page has filled me with doubt. I have found myself staring at the page as questions invaded my mind, one after another. What do you have to say that anyone could possibly want to read? Who are you to call yourself a writer? Why not just give up writing – life would be easier. Did God really call you to write? I’m learning to ignore those thoughts and remind myself of the importance of what we do as writers. If you ever find yourself doubting and questioning why you write, let me share with you some facts that help me and hopefully, will help you as well.

First and foremost, words matter to God. For example, He commands the Jews, in Exodus 20:7, not to misuse His name. And in Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus warns that we will have to give an account for the words we speak and be acquitted or condemned by them. Obviously, God cares about the spoken word. But what I find more interesting is how important the written word is to Him. Back to Exodus 20:7. This verse is part of what we call the Ten Commandments and the Jews call the Law. God did not depend only on word of mouth or prophecy to communicate with His people. He also used the written word. Here, He even did the writing Himself. Exodus 31:18 tells us, “he gave him (Moses) the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.” God used the written word to communicate His law to His people, and it was written in His own hand.

Second, God calls some from among His people to write. The entire Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by men of God, was written down and painstakingly copied – every jot and tittle – so we would have the very words of God in our hands today. God used His people then to write His word, and He is still using people to write down His message for everyone to read. At some point, you became aware of God’s call to write and you answered it. It is a difficult calling and can be lonely, but it is an important task to be undertaken.  Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, devotionals or Bible studies, God has chosen you to get His message out to the people.  

So, the next time you face the blank page and begin doubting the call, remind yourself of how highly God values the spoken and written word. Take some time to recall the moment you realized He had called you to write for Him. Remember, He chose you from among His people for this task, and God doesn’t make mistakes. Then write. Write with the passion of one who is called. Write for Him.

Linda Condolora is a writer of Christian non-fiction, a speaker and a teacher of Ladies’ Bible classes. She has had articles published in ChristianWoman Magazine, has been the keynote speaker at regional retreats and is currently working on her first book. She lives in central NY with her husband and enjoys studying the Word, scrapbooking and spending time with her family, including her new granddaughter.

To find out more about Linda, book her for your event or connect with her, please visit:

Web: http://www.lindacondolora.com

Blog: http://www.blog.lindacondolora.com

Speaking: http://www.speakergram.com/register_event/Linda_Condolora

http://www.womenspeakers.com/speakers/search.php?city=East%20Syracuse

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.condolora

Twitter: @LindaCondolora