SPRING - A Time of Renewal

Spring certainly conjures images of new growth and renewal. Around our town we've been admiring the first flowers blooming. Those pretty little yellow daffodils that my mamaw called buttercups. But, this year it seems spring is being resistant to come, bringing warmer temperatures.



Just today we awakened to bright sunshine streaming through the blinds. Then as my daughter and I ventured out to eat in the early afternoon, we were surprised to peer out the restaurant window to snow. This wasn't a mere flurry. This was big swirling flakes peppering down. By the time we paid our bill and stepped outside, the snow was gone, leaving only wet ground, and the sun had burst forth again.

We East Tennesseans simply shrug and say: "That's East Tennessee for ya. If you don't like the weather, stick around, it'll change."

Do you ever need a renewal in your Christian walk? You know the times when you let your relationship with Christ grow a bit stale. You might even slip into old habits.

The Psalmist could relate obviously. Read these verses from Psalm 51:10-12.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from they presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

Despite the fact that winter is trying to hold on around here, those little yellow buttercups pushed their way out and bloomed. Their bright yellow says to me that the warmth of the spring is just around the corner. Hold on.

In the same way the Spirit nudges and says that we need to get connected once again. We've been resistant and remained cold. We need to come clean and ask God to renew us and restore our joy that is only available through Him.

Let's be like those little flowers and show the Sonshine even if the world is resistant.

RELEASE DAY!

The day has finally arrived. Legacy and Love releases today!

The Prayer Shawl

Sean Holland is a magazine reporter always looking for the next story. Hope Weaver is a pediatric nurse who shares Christ through making prayer shawls. The shawls are just the touchy-feely story Sean needs, even though he’ll have to endure Hope’s strong Christian beliefs to get it. An unexpected connection brings them together as a couple. But, can they find love if they don’t share their faith?

Inheritance

Alex Lyndon’s life has been a series of fits and starts with no finishes. She finds herself jobless and divorced. Now her only family, Granny Olivia, is critically ill.

Chase Carson had to step into running the family business when his father died. The time is past due to visit Miss Olivia.

Alex and Chase must go on a treasure hunt. Will each find purpose and love for their lives in the process?

Please check out these blog appearances to celebrate my new release today!

Linda Carroll Bradd's Blog

Fay Lamb's Blog, Inner Source

Melissa Finnegan's Blog

INTENTIONAL GODLY LEGACY

What kind of heritage are you leaving behind? 

Do you have godly grandparents or parents to thank? 

Check out the legacy left to Alex and Hope in my new release coming Wednesday - Legacy and Love.

What are your thoughts on the quote above? 

Legacy

In preparation for my new release next week, I''ve been thinking about the topic of Legacy. My book is titled Legacy and Love and involves a godly legacy passed down through a grandmother.

Have you thought much about what kind of legacy you are leaving behind? I'm not talking about money or possessions. I'm speaking of the spiritual foundations you have laid or are laying in the lives of those around you.

So often we want to think that taking our children to church every once in a while is enough to assure that our children "get it." As I listen to heartbroken mothers crying because their son or daughter has abandoned his or her faith, I cringe. I also note that without being intentional about passing on a Christian heritage, those children won't possess it.

I'm afraid that we don't take this faith thing seriously. Can I tell you that there are professors in colleges all across our country that want nothing more than to get your offspring in their class and mess them up? Think I'm being overdramatic? I've read articles in which professors have actually said that one of their goals is to get these Christian kids in their class and test them until they don't know what they believe.

Does your son or daughter have the spiritual foundation to combat something like that? Makes you think, right?

The first step to passing on a godly legacy is to make sure you have a rock solid one yourself. I'm not preaching this. I'm telling you from experience. When I made the decision to assure that my daughter had a rock solid Christian foundation, I started with my own heart and on my knees.

When I had checked my relationship with Christ, I started to pray for guidance in directing my daughter toward an authentic relationship with Jesus.

What was the first area God had me to "teach?" He impressed on me the importance of living it. If God was truly priority number one, I needed to prove it. This included worship attendance no matter what else was going on. I needed to read my Bible daily and pray. I needed to show my daughter that I would turn off a TV show if it was offensive or used profanity.

Yeah, I didn't say this was easy, but then again, the Christian life isn't easy. In fact, it's impossible. We can only do it by allowing Christ to live through us and guide us every moment. Isn't this exactly what we want our sons and daughters to learn?

Difficult as it may be, my daughter is worth it. I want her to be successful in this life. But, the success I want for her is wrapped in Christ's plan for her. That's true success. But, I don't want to leave this to chance. I strive to be intentional in leaving a godly legacy.

Won't you join me?

Affirmation

Sorry to be MIA from this blog recently. Due to some internet issues, I'm composing this on my tablet since my laptop won't allow me to post right now.

To affirm means to confirm, to assert positively. An affirmation means to make a declaration or profession.

We all enjoy feeling affirmed in all areas of our lives, especially in our work. Who doesn't like to receive that pat on the back and a rousing verse of "you're doing a good job?"

But, what about affirmation from God that we're on the right track? These confirmations are clear when we watch for what our Father is communicating.

Recently, I began the slippery slope into a pity party. I wondered just what effect my writing ministry was having. I mean, was I truly reaching anyone through my writing?

My mother called to tell me that a woman in her Sunday School class had stayed up late reading my book, Be The Blessing. In tears she told how she was encouraged to keep living for Christ and being a blessing to others despite being confined to a wheelchair.

Affirmation number one.

The publisher of Brave New Century placed the book on an ereader promotion site and dropped the price for a couple of days. The book went to #5 on Amazon's Christian Historical Romance category.

Affirmation number two.

A fellow author thanked me for the devotional thoughts I share on this blog.

Affirmation number three.

I could go on. But why do I share this? Not to "toot my own horn." On the contrary - God doesn't want us walking around defeated. He declares that we are more than conquerors. And I've always heard that if He calls us to something, He'll make it so.

We should practice this habit of affirmation with those around us - those Christian brothers and sisters we are called to spur on.

Have you told your pastor how much a message meant to you? Have you thanked that Sunday school teacher for her faithfulness? Have you praised that co-worker for how he shows Christ everyday?

Speak of word of affirmation to encourage a Christian brother or sister today. These days are hard and pull us down. We need words of affirmation to spur us on to accomplish God's will.

I'll start: Thank you, sweet blog reader, for taking time from your day to share a moment with me. You've blessed me!