God Was in Control This Monday by Zoe M. McCarthy

Sunday, I prayed and hoped for a good writing day on Monday. My deadline is fast approaching, and I needed uninterrupted writing time. 

Zoe M. McCarthy

That night, the electricity went out. I prayed and hoped it would return before my good writing day started. It didn’t. Disappointed, I told John I would drive to Independence to work in their library. Hopefully, I could get much done on my story there. I packed my laptop and notes and drove to Independence.

As I entered the small town, the first traffic light wasn’t working. My shoulders slumped. I’d have to drive on to Galax to find electricity. At the Independence shopping center, the traffic light worked! I turned into the Food City parking lot. The store’s lights were beaming.

A young woman sat on the ground, leaning against the grocery store wall. I buzzed down my window and asked her if the lights had just come on at Food City. She said the store ran on a generator. Independence had no electricity. I said I would drive on to Galax. She asked if she could catch a ride.

This sweet young woman was on disability because she has a hard time coping. She was so medicated that sometimes I couldn’t understand her. When she said that people were blessed to live in such a beautiful area here, I took that opening. I said she sounded like she knew the Lord. She admitted she was not where she wanted to be with God. She said she didn’t read the Bible like she should, but she didn’t understand the Bible. I told her I had been where she was and had written two books of contemporary Christian short stories to explain to myself what I read in the Bible. At that point, God took over and I gave her my testimony, something I rarely do.

When I dropped her off, I gave her copies of my books of Christian short stories, one of my romances, my business card, and a hug. Then I called John, and he said the lights were on. So, I turned around and drove home.

I think the Lord wanted me to recognize that He has better plans than my plans. I wouldn’t have gone to Independence if we’d had electricity. I wouldn’t have driven through town to Galax if the stoplight had been working. I wouldn’t have turned into the Food City lot if the stoplight there had been dead. I wouldn’t have spoken to the young woman if I hadn’t wanted to make sure the lights were back on. I wouldn’t have normally witnessed to anyone. And I never carry my books of Christian short stories in my car. Never. But I had them that day.

God is an awesome orchestrator for His glory and purposes.

About the Author

A full-time writer and speaker, Zoe M. McCarthy, author of Gift of the Magpie and Calculated Risk, writes contemporary Christian romances involving tenderness and humor. Believing that opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences. When she’s not writing, Zoe enjoys her five grandchildren, teaching Bible studies, leading workshops on writing, knitting and crocheting shawls for a prayer shawl ministry, gardening, and canoeing. She lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Zoe blogs regularly at www.zoemmccarthy.com.

Gift of the Magpie

Gift of the Magpie by Zoe M. McCarthy

Amanda Larrowe’s lack of trust sabotages her relationships. The English teacher and award-winning author of middle-grade adventure books for boys has shut off communication with friends and family to meet her January 2 book deadline. Now, in the deepest snow accumulation Richmond, Virginia has experienced in years, Camden Lancaster moves in across the street. After ten years, her heart still smarts from the humiliating aftermath of their perfect high school Valentine’s Day date. He may have transformed into a handsome, amiable man, but his likeability doesn’t instill trust in Amanda’s heart. When Cam doesn’t recognize her on their first two encounters, she thinks it’s safe to be his fair-weather neighbor. Boy, is she wrong.

Purchase link for Gift of the Magpie: https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Magpie-Zoe-M-McCarthy-ebook/dp/B073M8X4YZ/

For more Seriously Write posts by Zoe M. McCarthy, click here.

Capable of Miracles by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

During my devotional readings a couple of weeks ago, I was struck by a Gospel passage from Matthew. The part when Peter walked on water.

Yes. Peter. Remember, when Peter saw Jesus coming toward the boat, he craved nothing more than joining Him, than being just like Him. Jesus called to Peter and with all the faith in the world, Peter began to walk on water! He ‘fixed his eyes’! He was part of a miracle!

What happened next, though, speaks to me loud and clear in the midst of my own anxieties, questions, and uncertainties. After those few, breathtaking steps, Peter sank. He sank not because he had no faith in Jesus (after all, Peter knew enough to call out to Him immediately and was thereby saved). Rather, Peter lost faith in himself. He looked at his miraculous actions through the lens of humanity and the waves of his own uncertainty pulled him under.

Oh, can I relate! What a portrait of my own struggles of late. As I work on ‘what’s next’ in my life as an author, as a mother, as a daughter, wife and friend to others, I’ve come to a keen awareness of the fact that I have tremendous faith in Christ, and the direction of His call, but I have precious little faith in me. ‘How can I do this?’ ‘How can I finish this?’ ‘How can I see this through?’

I'm coming to realize that we accomplish ‘miracles’ by remembering: It’s not on our strength but on the strength of Christ that we do what we do, that we minister how we minister. It’s been said that each moment we’re alive needs to be considered an anointed moment. That where we are in our lives is where we are meant to be, and God is with us, no matter what. Our writing gifts aren’t ours. They belong to God. He can and will direct us according to His will. As long as we honor him as humbly and authentically as we can, there’s nothing we can’t do.

Like Peter, we can perform miracles. We can move forward with confidence. Change will happen. Evolution is part of living. As the twists and turns and growth spurts occur, I’m trying to always remember that, when it comes to writing, to life, to circumstances I face, I’m capable of miracles--I just need to fix my eyes.

I hope today’s post encourages you to do the same, and I'd love to hear your thoughts! Blessings, friends, until next month.

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The Fairytale

Amy Monarch is a tireless volunteer at the Dupont Rescue and Recovery Center, an establishment for the destitute founded by her mother. There, Amy has kept her identity a carefully guarded secret. She is actually Princess Amelia Marguerite Louise DeLaGrande of Remeth. Working at Dupont offers the opportunity to serve in blessed disguise.

Fresh into a promising career in commercial real estate brokerage, Patrick Sawyer returns to the picturesque isle of Remeth intending to reconnect with his collegiate study abroad friends and figure out ‘what’s next’ in his life. Since his father’s passing, the world he knows leaves him uninspired. He volunteers at Dupont during his visit, and becomes enchanted by Amy.

But Amelia is trapped within a silken web. When she reveals who she is, Patrick pulls back. He’s not interested in royalty—at all—but how can she ever break free? How can she find a way to service and God’s plan for her life? Most of all, how can she reconcile the call she feels toward a remarkable man who may be ‘common,’ yet is ‘uncommon’ when it comes to matters of the heart?

~~~~~

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Readers laude her work as “Riveting,” “Realistic and true to heart,” “Compelling.” Her Christian fiction debut, Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Her follow-up novel, Forgiveness, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors as did her book Hearts Communion. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award for her books Then & Now and Finding Home. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. You can connect with Marianne at www.marianneevans.com.

Are We Only Looking for a Healing Miracle? by Zoe M. McCarthy

In studying and teaching the Gospel of John this year, I’ve learned to look at people suffering from long-lasting conditions differently. I see many as strong, heroic, and doing their Father’s work.

Familiar Joni Eareckson Tada has progressively suffered quadriplegia, chronic pain, and breast cancer. Actually, I don’t think suffer is the right word. The more correct word is used. She has learned to use the physical attacks on her to do her Father’s work. She has received the bonus of a much closer relationship with her Lord.

In the article in Christianity Today, “Joni Eareckson Tada on Something Greater than Healing” by Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Joni relates, “In John 14, Jesus says, ‘Anyone who has faith in me will do … even greater things than these.’ We tend to think Jesus was talking about miracles, as if Jesus were saying, ‘Hey guys, look at these miracles! One day, you’ll do many more miracles than me!’

“The thing that Jesus was doing wasn't necessarily the miracles. He was giving the gospel; he was advancing his kingdom; he was reclaiming the earth as rightfully his. When Jesus gave that promise, he was saying, ‘I'm giving you a job to do, my Father and I want the gospel to go forth, and I promise you’ll have everything you need to get that job done, and you’ll do an even better job than me.’ Jesus ministered for three years, and at the end, he had a handful of disciples who half-believed in him. After Jesus went to heaven and the Holy Spirit came down – my goodness, Peter preaches one sermon and thousands believe. That’s the greater thing that God wants us to do.”

Joni goes on to list the types of medical persons who ask her the tough questions about her illnesses and her faith. She is delighted at the chance to answer their questions.

Perhaps you are thinking, “Well that’s the convictions of one celebrity invalid. Many other Christians don’t see their suffering that way.” That’s true, but I am seeing more and more who do.

Take friend John for example. After a diagnosis of MS, he went about his Father’s work. From his wheelchair, he has become a Christian lay speaker, gives the children’s message in church, and he and his wife deliver shawls and pray with suffering people in the community. What an example of hope for children and adults. He says he has enjoyed a much deeper relationship with the Lord since the onset of his illness, and that he’s thankful that God healed him from a recent serious fall so he can continue to serve his Lord.

Before I thought of these two examples, God showed me how Jesus used healing miracles as signs to reveal that He is the Lord who came to save people from their sins. Some examples are: healing the man at the Sheep Gate pool, the royal official’s son, and the man born blind. Jesus was faithfully doing His Father’s work. Although Jesus compassionately healed, calling people to faith, change, and doing His Father’s work as disciples was his priority.

The Lord Jesus was full of joy after leading the Samaritan woman and her townspeople to faith in Him. He told His disciples that doing His Father’s will was his food (John 4:34). Doing our Father’s work will fill us with joy too.

Today’s Upper Room devotion spoke of how we are to embrace what God is doing in our lives. As Jesus told the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3, God has placed before us open doors of opportunity that no one can shut. No matter what our condition is, we don’t want to miss those opportunities. Paul understood this. He said: “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13)

Whatever God has called us to do is powerful work. He gives us the miracle of His power to do His work.

Are you suffering from a “thorn in your side” or something more debilitating? Can you be about your Father’s work, even if you’re only able to offer intercessory prayers for others?

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Zoe M. McCarthy believes the little-known fact that opposites distract. Thus, she spins Christian contemporary romances entangling extreme opposites. Her tagline is: Distraction to Attraction, Magnetic Romances Between Opposites. Her first novel is Calculated Risk. She has two more contemporary romances and a nonfiction book to help writers ready their manuscripts coming out soon. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys leading workshops on the craft of writing; speaking about her faith; planning fun events for her 5 grandchildren; and exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she lives with her husband, John.

Learn more about Zoe M. McCarthy at her website: http://zoemmccarthy.com

Calculated Risk

What happens when an analytical numbers man meets a mercurial marketing Rep? Romance is a calculated risk…

Jilted by the latest of her father’s choices of “real men,” Cisney Baldwin rashly accepts an invitation to spend Thanksgiving weekend with a sympathetic colleague and his family. Nick LeCrone is a man too much her opposite to interest her and too mild-mannered to make her overbearing father’s “list.” Now, Cisney fears Nick wants to take advantage of her vulnerable state over the holiday. Boy, is she wrong.

Nick wants little to do with Cisney. She drives him crazy with all her sticky notes and quirks. He extended an invitation because he felt sorry for her. Now he’s stuck, and to make matters worse, his family thinks she’s his perfect match. He’ll do what he can to keep his distance, but there’s just one problem—he’s starting to believe Cisney’s magnetism is stronger than he can resist.

Purchase links for Calculated Risk: http://zoemmccarthy.com/books

Anticipation by Terri Weldon

Terri Weldon

On Monday, Terri Weldon shared some interesting tidbits about her debut Christmas release, Mistletoe Magic. If you missed Monday's post, you can read it here. 

Please join me in welcoming Terri back as she shares about Christmas and miracles, and as writers, how that holiday spirit of "anticipation" can carry through in our writing. Welcome back, Terri!   ~Dora

While trying to decide what to talk about the word anticipation zinged into my mind. And for me, it seemed perfect. What two better things to anticipate than Christmas and writing?

During the Christmas season it is so easy to become consumed with cooking, shopping, and decorating that we forget to anticipate the birth of our Savior. I know His birth took place over 2000 years ago and we all know the Christmas story. Maybe we know it too well and maybe we need to be reminded it isn’t just a story. The birth of Jesus is a miracle and Christmas is a time for us to experience that miracle anew. To celebrate the fact God loves us so much He sent His Son into the world. A tiny miracle that became that world’s greatest blessing.

In a different manner I believe we should feel a sense of anticipation about our writing. I don’t know about you, but when that first gem of a story idea niggles at my brain I’m full of anticipation. Midway through my first draft I may wonder what ever made me think I could write. By the time I’ve finished revising the book for the last time I may never want to think of those characters again.

Do you know what happens then? I send that story out and I begin to anticipate what will happen. I hope and I pray an editor will love it. And in the case of Mistletoe Magic, when I finally saw my first book accepted I felt a whole new wave of anticipation. For once I looked forward to editing and I felt a strong sense of anticipation hoping my editor, the wonderful Annette Irby, would like the changes.

Then I anticipated the cover. Next the release date. And then, I’ll admit, I anticipated and feared friends, family, and strangers reading my book. But the entire process was one of joy. God allowed my dream of being published to come true.

Now I’m filled with anticipation at the thought of writing that next book and I hope I never become complacent about it. But more importantly, I never want to become complacent about the miracle of Jesus’s birth.

What about you? What has you filled with anticipation this Christmas season? What lies ahead in your writing journey?

Mistletoe Magic
Purchase Link

Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince charming. She meets the man of her dreams through an internet dating service. Or is he? Because the new dentist in town sets her heart a flutter. It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99. Tyler begins to get jealous of Wes99, his online persona! Soon he's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty. As Christmas approaches Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

Terri Denise Weldon claims her regular life is really pretty mundane. She refrains from saying dull! Terri shares a home with her sister, Cynthia, in Oklahoma. They’re the best of friends and enjoy many of the same things. She has three dogs – a lovable mutt and two adorable Westies.  Terri enjoys gardening, shopping for shoes (a habit she needs to break), and working in her church library.

Mistletoe Magic is her debut novella and she is currently writing a suspense series.