“Then he said, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.’”John 13:12-17 (The Message)
As we spoke about last time, God used the suggestion of starting a blessings journal to help me move in the direction from Eyeore taking up residence in my spirit to the return of Tigger-like qualities.
It didn’t happen overnight, though. It was a years’ long process that I’m still embarking on because like many other things in life that are worth pursuing, it involves a daily choice.
While God was working on teaching me how to fully trust Him, He also used various sermons at my church as well as blogs and even a necklace to remind me to “give thanks in all circumstances.”
Not when I wanted to be thankful. Not only when things were going right. But to give thanks in ALL circumstances.
That one was difficult for me. In fact, I’d be lying if I didn’t share that some time later, even though I thought I had mastered this layer of the onion, I went through a period where I struggled with thankfulness in ALL circumstances yet again.
I share in Spoken from the Heart: His Plan, His Purposethe struggle I had as I embraced His timetable and His plan for my life instead of wanting things to go according to my plan, learning to be thankful for the process instead of impatient during the journey.
I’ve been dealing with an issue for years now which I thought God would have “rescued me from” many years earlier. It’s a situation that ebbs and flows – sometimes feeling overwhelming and as though I can’t take one more step and other times easing up some and giving me some breathing room, making me think, “breakthrough is coming soon.”
Throughout the ups and downs, my prayer has remained consistent and I’ve continued to pray for release. And yet here I sit. Day after day after day – thinking tomorrow, next week, next month I’ll be released and finally find freedom in this one area … and yet, day after day, week after week, month after month the situation doesn’t look as though it has changed.
This is exactly the type of situation in which God commands us to choose a thankful heart. Thankful for His blessings that shine brighter in dark situations than when things are going well. Thankful for how we can show a different, cheerful attitude during times of trouble than a complaining attitude like others who don’t know His love. Thankful that we can trust He is working behind the scenes even when we can’t see changes in the less-than-ideal situation we find ourselves in.
How about you, friend? Do you find it difficult to have a thankful heart in less-than-ideal circumstances? What is one thing you can say “thank You” to God for when everything around you screams there is nothing good happening?
Please reply and share with me. Sometimes, for me, the only thing I can be thankful for is I’m God’s child and He’s promised to be with me through every difficult situation, every single one.
If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman.
Caroline Bragg’s life has never been better. She and Brandon Lancaster are taking their relationship to the next level, and she has a new dream job as legal counsel for Praecursoria—a research lab that is making waves with its cutting-edge genetic therapies. The company’s leukemia treatments even promise to save desperately sick kids—kids like eleven-year-old Bethany, a critically ill foster child at Brandon’s foster home.
When Caroline’s enthusiastic boss wants to enroll Bethany in experimental trials prematurely, Caroline objects, putting her at odds with her colleagues. They claim the only goal at Praecursoria is to save lives. But does someone have another agenda?
Brandon faces his own crisis. As laws governing foster homes shift, he’s on the brink of losing the group home he’s worked so hard to build. When Caroline learns he’s a Praecursoria investor, it becomes legally impossible to confide in him. Will the secrets she keeps become a wedge that separates them forever? And can she save Bethany from the very treatments designed to heal her?
This latest romantic legal thriller by bestseller Cara Putman shines a light on the shadowy world of scientific secrets and corporate vendettas—and the ethical dilemmas that plague the place where science and commerce meet.
As a preteen Cara Putman watched lawyers change legislative opinions at an important legislative hearing in Nebraska. At that time, she wondered if she became an attorney if people would give her words the same weight. An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln, George Mason University School of Law and Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, Cara has turned her passion for words into award-winning stories that capture readers. Her legal experience makes its way into her stories where strong women confront real challenges.
An award-winning author of more than 30 books, Cara writes legal thrillers, WWII romances, and romantic suspense because she believes that no matter what happens hope is there, waiting for us to reach for it.
When she’s not writing, Cara is an over-educated attorney who lectures in law and communications at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and homeschools her children. She and her family live in Indiana, the land of seasons. You can read chapters for most of her books and connect with Cara at her website: http://caraputman.com.
More from Cara
Each novel has a unique genesis story. The spark that launches it into a journey of 90,000 words. For Lethal Intent, that journey began with a friend’s journey of childhood leukemia with her oldest. From watching their family wind through years of treatment including cutting edge therapy trials. Then it developed with the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack and the thought what would someone be willing to do if they believed they’d found the next strain of immortal cells. The lead characters made appearances in other books, but now would have their opportunity to step to center stage. The story morphed and changed, dictated by the vagaries of the law and changes.
Each story has a spark. For Caroline it was a brainstorming session with my writing buddies Rachel Hauck, Colleen Coble, and Denise Hunter. That was when her backstory developed, all the things that happened to her to form her into the adult she is on the pages. One who cares deeply about others but who is fundamentally scared, longing for a place she can relax and take a deep breath.
Each story has a spark. For Brandon, it was brainstorming with another writing friend Tricia Goyer that lead to a creative job for a hero that wasn’t the typical law enforcement. His role with the group foster home was set and the backstory filled in quickly. What would it be like to be separated from and lose a brother in the foster care system? Would that generate this need to keep sibling groups together? And then the law changes and the fabric of your professional identity and something so much deeper is threatened.
Each story has a spark. The pharmaceutical start-up where ethics collides with the desire to save children. The push to do whatever it takes overshadowing the guardrails of the law. If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman. But does Caroline really have the strength to battle and does she need to?
Lethal Intent grew from each of these sparks and many more to develop into a story I can’t wait for you to read. In the process I learned immense amounts about CAR-T cell therapies and foster care law. Most of all, I hope you’ll fall into the pages and be engrossed in a story you can’t bring yourself to put down until the final page.
My Review of Lethal Intent:
I love this author and have devoured all her books. This one particularly intrigued me with the subjects of foster care, medical research and the ethnical dilemmas that were posed. I fell in love with Brandon and could relate to his feelings right away. I also began to understand and feel empathy for Caroline as well. This book was a great one; kept me interested from beginning to the end, and I didn’t want it to end. Definitely one I’ll be recommending to my friends and family – they will love it too!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.
Thanks for stopping and connecting here at Spoken from the Heart: If you want to subscribe to my email to receive the latest updated information or to just be encouraged, sign up here: www.cheriswalwell.com
As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a free eBook – Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace
To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away the grand prize package of a “Just one more chapter” pillow cover, a copy of the book, an Erin Condren journal, and a hand-stamped bracelet!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
“The LORD bless you and keep you, the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
I used to be described as a happy person. I looked at the proverbial glass as half full most all the time.
Even when bad things happened, I was able to see the blessings in the lessons learned and after the storm passed, give thanks daily for how He brought me out of my own stupidity.
Then life hit hard … and fast … again and again and again and …
Slowly, ever so slowly, I stopped looking for the lessons to learn in my circumstances. I was in survival mode and some days it was all I could do to crash into bed at night, dreading having to get up in less than eight hours and repeat the cycle all over again.
I lost my optimistic attitude that life would get better. The proverbial cup, although holding the same amount of liquid, became half empty.
My personality slowly changed from Tigger’s optimism to Eyeore’s negativity.
I stopped looking for blessings … and for a period of time … I even stopped believing blessings were meant for me.
Have you ever struggled with those feelings? Felt as though every direction you turn, before you can catch your breath from the last blow, you’re being pummeled over and over and over again?
In John 10:10 (NIV), God talks about how He sent Jesus so that His children “may have life, and have it to the full,” and that cannot be accomplished when we focus on the negative. The best way to overcome focusing on the negative is to live a life of thankfulness.
The way to start living a thankful life is to look up from the circumstances we’re facing and ask God to open our eyes to the blessings God gives despite the circumstances.
In 2014, about seven years into the circumstances that hit hard and fast, I wrote Spoken from the Heart, Blessed by His Love. It was during that time period in my life when God encouraged me to begin a blessings journal.
I would invite you to read for yourself in a simple 32-day devotional how the practice of such a simple little habit began to reverse the pessimism that had taken over my personality and after a while joy started to return.
It didn’t happen overnight, but slowly, ever so slowly, I went from writing down simple blessings like getting a free cup of coffee to “today is over and I can start fresh tomorrow” to much bigger blessings which included seeing God’s hand in our family’s circumstances and feeling the spark of hope when for months it had disappeared.
What about you, my friend? Have you been stuck in less-than-ideal circumstances for too long?
While it seems counterproductive, trust me when I say the first step to overcoming the negativism that comes with difficulties is to look up and start listing the blessings in your life. What is one blessing you can begin with right now?
Please share with me by hitting reply. I’d love to get to know you better and pray for you during this season.
This blog was originally posted in 2018. I wanted to re-post it to encourage someone today.
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’” Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
Trust is huge for me. I had a conversation with God way back in 2006 about trust … whether or not I trusted Him … and whether or not I wanted to pursue a journey of learning how to trust Him.
I chose the latter – despite all my fear and anxiety about what situations I’d face if I uttered the words, “Lord, please teach me how to trust You” which caused me to add the following … “and please be gentle during the process.”
Learning to trust God has been an adventure. Such an adventure I could write a book about it.
In fact, I ended up writing FOUR books about it … and since the adventure isn’t finished yet, I’m sure more books are coming on this subject.
Each one of the books above shares how God heard my prayer years earlier and lovingly answered it, slowly peeling back layer after layer of the onion of my life and revealing the beauty He planted inside me at birth.
From my experience, trust is the foundation of the Christian life. If I can’t trust God, I will always be afraid when He calls me to step out in faith for Him.
If I can’t trust God, I won’t have the peace He promises to His children.
If I can’t trust God, I won’t see the blessings in my life which come directly from Him.
If I can’t trust God, I won’t live a thankful life, have the ability to keep calm, learn to be joyful, or be able to love with His love others around me.
If I can’t trust God, I won’t be living the full and abundant life He promises to those who love Him.
What about you my friend? Do you have an issue with trust as I used to? Are you halfway through the peeling process and you trust God with most things but not everything yet? Or have you never had a problem with trusting God – it’s as natural to you as taking your next breath?
Please reply in the comments and share with me your experiences. I would love to be encouraged by the way God is working in your life.
God has a plan for all believers to solidify our faith and draw us deeper into a relationship with Him, and it’s all found within The Song of Solomon.
Here you’ll discover a treasure of intimacy with our bridegroom Jesus. Have you ever asked yourself ‘Is there more?’ Maybe you’ve wondered how the Bible really applies to your life. This Devotional Study will answer those questions and more.
In this book you will:
Discover the truth of God’s great love and promises for your life.
Connect with Jesus daily and experience peace and joy.
Identify yourself as a disciple of Jesus and learn how to share your testimony with others.
Learn how to follow God’s will and purpose for your life.
Fully embrace your role in the kingdom to bring glory to God.
Sarah Neisen is a graduate of the New Day School of Ministry and Co-Founder of Discipleship Training Ministries, SSM. Along with her husband Lee, they seek to teach and encourage believers in their identity in Christ so that the Good News may be preached throughout the world with signs, wonders, and miracles.
She is a regular speaker at churches in the river valley region of Minnesota and a guest speaker at local women’s groups and retreats. Sarah and her husband have one son whom she homeschools. They live on a farm in south-central Minnesota with a plethora of chickens, ducks, cows, and other animals.
More from Sarah
In the spring of 2007, 3-year-old in tow, I entered a small independent Christian bookstore which would impact the direction of my life more than I thought possible. The owner introduced herself, and in the following 2 years, introduced me to an extravagance of books written by individuals who spoke directly to my heart.
I had felt for some time I was at a crossroads in my life. I was content in my Christianity, content in my church, content in my marriage, but reading the word I knew there was more to life than contentment. The waves of circumstance continued to rock me and I felt as though I had been living on ever-shifting sand.
After a time of slowly reading the books the owner Ms. Mary handed to me, I began to understand just what was missing. My Redeemer had more for me, and I needed to follow His lead. One Sunday morning, my husband approached me and informed me we were going to attend ministry school together. I was not amused. We lived on a farm with many animals, and I home schooled our son. There was no time to attend classes every week. I couldn’t find time to read more books, do more bible study, or seek God more than I already had time for.
Grudgingly, I attended the first week, but I heard the Father say I was to continue and understand the plan He had for me. In the end, it wasn’t the Father I was learning about, it was the Father I learned from. I now approached Him with a greater excitement and joy. He was no longer distant, he was closer than anyone, and He knew me and still liked me.
Looking back is always easier than looking forward because we see God’s moves in hindsight rather than by faith. Now in ministry, I witness so many people floundering where I once was on shifting sand. In my heart, I know the answer is discipleship.
Jesus tells all believers to become fishers of men, but it’s His intention we make disciples. Believers who are not only saved but who are equipped with the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word to follow the plan and purpose for their lives.
This is why my husband and I formed Discipleship Training Ministries. We pray all who follow this study would come to a deeper understanding of God’s love and grace through Jesus Christ and all would be further equipped to do those works appointed them.
2 Timothy 1:9 [For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness; not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” AMP
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
What is the hardest aspect of writing?
As a teacher I often find myself delving deep into research and study of the Word. While it’s fun to learn and understand all the aspects of word usage and subtle references, it’s also my desire to present material in a way that everyone can grasp and understand. This is definitely my most difficult job in writing. I feel everything I’ve learned is necessary to convey, but how do I write it out in such a way as to help people understand without feeling overwhelmed with information? I’ve spent a considerable amount of time reading and rereading material and cutting out what seemed like fluff. Then I present my manuscripts to my editor who helps me chop off about 20% more. I love her. I really do. J
Do you have any writing rituals that let you know “it’s time to put your seat in your seat?”
Since I mostly write devotions and studies I often don’t write until I’ve spent considerable time simply reading the Word. I do take time to pray and sing a bit before I write as well. My purpose in writing is to help bring others closer to the Father. Without being close myself, I feel I wouldn’t write from a place of experience.
What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
I actually have trouble finding time to write as I’m normally quite busy each day. I homeschool my teenage son, and I’m affiliated with a few local ministries where I teach Bible studies and varying classes. I live on a farm and help with chores most days. I also try to take time weekly to interact with readers on various social media platforms.
What projects are you working on currently?
I’m currently in the drafting stages of the next Bible study. It will be on the prayers of Paul, living daily with the Holy Spirit. My studies will be a progression toward greater intimacy and understanding of how to live daily as a disciple of Christ.
What’s one thing you’d tell your younger self?
You’ll never guess where things go and don’t worry when it happens.
Thanks for stopping and connecting here at Spoken from the Heart: If you want to subscribe to my email to receive the latest updated information or to just be encouraged, sign up here: www.cheriswalwell.com
As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a free eBook – Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace
To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize package of a basket of items including, a copy of the book signed by the author, a Bible Journal notebook, a Colored Pen Set, a Mug, Coffee, and a bookmark!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
What is one situation in your life you haven’t given God total control of?
What do you think will happen if you choose to give it to Him and watch to see how He’ll work all things for good for you who love Him and are called according to His purpose?
Jake Barrett is devastated when he loses his wife and toddler son in a terrible, fiery accident. What made it even more painful is that an unidentified man was found in the car with them. The police suggest that his wife was having an affair. Since that horrible day two years ago, Jake has questioned everything about himself and his marriage and found no answers. He returns home to his family’s Texas ranch to try to find healing there and maybe learn to trust again.
Twice, Honor McKee was engaged to be married, and twice, she was stood up just days before the wedding. Adding to her embarrassment is the fact that she is a marriage counselor, someone who gives advice to others about love and relationships. Ashamed and deeply hurt, she loses faith in herself and her ability to choose a man willing to commit.
Although they are both wounded and disappointed in love, Jake and Honor meet and manage to stumble their way toward friendship and, quite possibly, more. But their lives are turned upside down when trust in each other is needed the most, and neither has it to give.
Will they learn that there is more to life than living in past failures, that it really is possible to find love again?
Tamara G. Cooper lives in Texas with her husband, three boys, and five dogs. She enjoys writing mysteries with a touch of romance. Love, Again is her first romance.
More from Tamara
When I thought of writing “Love, Again”, I wanted to find out what would happen between two very-hurt people who stumbled into the beginnings of a friendship but didn’t have the trust it took for the relationship to go any further. What would help them see their flaws? What did they need to learn to become more than the past had let them be?
I loved getting to know Jake and Honor. Without giving anything away, I walked with them through their discoveries about themselves and each other. I hope you enjoy their journey!
My Review of Love, Again:
This was the first book I’ve read by this author but won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the storyline and the biblical truths weaved throughout. While romance isn’t usually my favorite genre, I was drawn to read this book and am so glad I picked it up. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters’ personalities and how the author wrote their struggles realistically. This is a book I will be talking about with my friends and family and encouraging them to read as well.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.
Thanks for stopping and connecting here at Spoken from the Heart: If you want to subscribe to my email to receive the latest updated information or to just be encouraged, sign up here: www.cheriswalwell.com
As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a free eBook – Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace
When Erika Polowski is abducted from her bed and held captive without explanation, she has one goal. Get away before they kill her.
Keith Auger’s job as an agent is to keep Erika safe—even if it means keeping her locked in an abandoned cabin in the middle of nowhere. At gunpoint.
What should be a routine “involuntary extraction” goes south when someone finds out where they’re hiding. Add to that a coworker with a chip on her shoulder and too many unexplained “accidents,” and it all adds up to one unlikely, terrifying explanation.
There’s a mole in The Agency.
He’s promised to protect her, but can Erika trust a man whose job it is to hold people against their wills? Does his deep faith make it any better or just a whole lot creepier.
And just who wants Erika dead anyway?
The Agency Files: They’ll do whatever it takes to keep their clients safe. Period.
Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
More from Chautona
Isn’t That Idea a Bit Crazy and Farfetched?
Black ops teams. They’re the stuff of TV shows and movies. I have no doubt such things exist—military groups that have to exist and work outside the normal scheme of things to give those who answer to the public plausible deniability or some such thing.
Then one of those “what if?” questions hit me. They’re an occupational hazard, those “what if?” questions. They appear out of nowhere and start crazy thoughts in your head. Ones like, “What if a private company existed to do things that couldn’t be tied to the government in any way—no money exchanged?”
What if sometimes a protection company had to work outside the law in order to do the job they needed to do? What if that meant they might just have to abduct someone to save his or her life?
Those of course led to the granddaddy of all questions. What if that someone didn’t appreciate being saved?
The Agency was born and with it their motto: Whatever it takes.
That’s what they’ll do to keep their clients safe. Only the wealthy can afford their services. Some of the poorest of the poor receive them. But it always boils down to one primary goal. Protect their clients at all costs.
Even if the client doesn’t want protection.
Is the idea a bit crazy and far-fetched? Yeah… probably. But I wouldn’t be surprised to discover there are similar agencies out there, and if there are, I hope they save lives with the sort of compassion my guys have.
My REVIEW of JUSTIFIED MEANS:
I love how Chautona captures my attention with her stories and keeps me reading through to the end. This book has suspense, action and a biblical theme throughout. Her characters are easy to get to know and likeable, want me to keep rooting for them. I loved the premise and the action continued so that I wanted to keep reading. I’m so glad I decided to read this book, and I love that it’s part of a series.
I received a copy of the book by the publisher, Celebrate Lit. All opinions are mine. I was not obligated to write a review.
Thanks for stopping and connecting here at Spoken from the Heart: If you want to subscribe to my email to receive the latest updated information or to just be encouraged, sign up here: www.cheriswalwell.com
As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a free eBook – Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace
