I'm just returning from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The worship and keynote speakers were all wonderful and inspiring. But why is it that I always seem to have one of those epiphanies? More like a kick into something God is trying to teach me.
Last year I had it in my head - notice I said in my head - that there were some questions I would answer for myself and my writing career. I talked to some very smart people and concluded that I was all right. Just keep doing what you're doing.
So this year I decided that I would just go and be spiritually refreshed and maybe connect with old friends and new ones and maybe teach a tidbit or two that could be usable to my class attendees and one on one appointments. Then God inspired a sweet woman I ended up sitting next to during the one on one appointments to speak right into my life and my stubbornness.
Sweet Christian brothers and sisters, I have learned that in the calling God has for me, I am never to just get comfortable and ride along. God's plans are a process that I am to work out until I stand in front of Him in Glory. Sometimes this involves pushing myself harder to a higher level than before. Yeah, it's easier to bask in past glories and coast on that level. But that's not His way.
"Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear." Haggai 2:4-5 NIV
This verse pierced my heart. The Lord would have me to be strong but work. If God were finished with me, I would be standing in front of Him in heaven. Since I'm still here, there's still work for me to do. But I do have the promise that He is with me. God birthed the calling to write for Him in my heart and He still expects my efforts toward that calling. I can trust Him to move me to the higher level He is calling because His Spirit is in me to guide and instruct. I don't have to stay in my comfortable spot. He reminds me that I shouldn't fear. And twice He pauses to remind me of Who is talking - "declares the Lord" and "declares the Lord Almighty."
God has the blueprint for my life and even knows how what I do will influence others for Him. And I get to work for and with Him. Did you catch that? I get to work with the God of the universe.
So as I evaluate my takeaways from the conference, I'm reminded that I have to get back to work. I have to strive for excellence on a higher level because He deserves no less.
I pray my lesson may help you in some way to resist getting comfortable and work for the Lord!
Friday, May 27, 2016
Saturday, May 14, 2016
New Book You Don't Want to Miss!
Today, I'm hosting Julie Marx. Read on to discover what inspired her to write Family Lies Deadly Ties.
Welcome, Julie!
Welcome, Julie!
Thank for having me, Paula.
What inspired me to write Family
Lies, Deadly Ties?
Family Lies Deadly Ties birthed in
an unusual way. I write psychological suspense, but I’m surrounded by a circle
of fantastic romancer authors in my critique group. So, I took the challenge,
stepped out of my comfort zone, and plunged into the adventure of trying to
make a girl meet a guy—and kiss. How hard could that be for an author driven by
the thrill of suspense and not the passion of lips touching? Ha!
I had recently returned from the
land of Hanalei on the island of Kauai, HI, the perfect setting for love…and
terror. I created my protagonist Rylee Shepherd as a transfer from the Rocky
Mountains (my stomping grounds) so she could give the reader a fresh taste of
the island from a non-native point of view. She stands out as a tall and very
white and studious chick with zero interest in a boyfriend.
Her unexpected love interest, Noah
Logun? Let’s just say this laid back drummer is on a passionate mission, and
some believe he’s a troublemaker. The citizens of Hanalei are divided on what
to think of him, and Rylee gets caught in the middle. And yes, their lips do
meet. And it’s good!
Family matters, and finding a place
in this world is the hidden desire in the heart of both characters. My hope is
that readers will experience a deeper sense of God’s adoption of us into His
heart and into His family, a place of belonging, purpose, and hope. “If nothing
else, I want you to know how much you are wanted.” -J.A.
A glimpse into Family Lies,
Deadly Ties
Rylee Shepherd’s background is
everything but enviable, and her time as a nanny in Hawaii is ticking away.
God, however, is teaching her to live by grace, not by works. She overcomes
false beliefs about herself and her past. The twins she nannies, who are raised
on heavy doses of Disney, are hard not to fall in love with.
Her boss’s estranged son, Noah Logun,
lives with his gracious pastors who are helping train him how to fight a
spiritual war according to his faith in Christ. Noah desires to acquire ‘the
eyes of Elisha’ (2 Kings 16) and overcome his history as a ‘loser.’
Will Rylee and Noah discover the truths
that will help them win the biggest battle of their lives? Can they do this
before felons Lizard and ‘Kojak’ execute their wicked plan?
Multi-published
author J.A. Marx writes from Texas. Her hobbies are painting, fitness and
nutrition. She has co-authored 3 Christmas novellas, The Christmas Tree Treasure
Hunt, A Ruby Christmas, and Christmas Apples. Her novella Mirror, Mirror
released April 2016, and her psychological suspense trilogy The Destiny Series
released in 2014.
J.A.
hangs out with her children and grandchildren and loves serving at Gateway Church.
Above all, her desire is to see people healed and set free to live and love.
Buy Family Lies, Deadly Ties: http://amzn.to/1X2n2E7
Readers, you know you must add this romantic suspense to your reading list! You won't be sorry.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Monday, May 9th - Lost Sock Memorial Day
Sounds like a crazy little holiday, doesn't it? But truly I think there's not another more fitting day to follow Mother's Day.
How many times have we moms been completely baffled as to that one sock that is left over when we've folded all of the laundry? And of course, that is the exact pair of socks which will go perfectly with her outfit. But now what will she do? Why, she'll have to change the whole outfit!
I'm pretty sure a mom had to start the fad of wearing two different socks. What better way to solve all of those singles?
Is there a special place all of those lost socks go? It would seem when the washer and dryer were transported to another house, a whole stack of socks should be hiding underneath. But I've never found this to be true. Thus, we would have to assume socks are being eaten by the washer or dryer. That thought conjures a scary feeling, making me a bit leery and yet more respectful of my appliances.
Then again, we mustn't blame all of those poor lost socks on the appliances. Just when I give up, trash all of the singles, and buy new pairs, several lost socks will magically reappear from under beds, floors of closets, and even under the clothes hamper.
Lost Sock Memorial Day doesn't cause me to reflect on all those single socks I've found through the years. No, I think about how fortunate I've been to be called a mom. Though I've often dragged myself through washing those socks, it was one way I took care of my daughter. I'm thankful God has allowed me to provide socks for her feet and watch those feet grow.
One day when she's a mom and asks me where all those lost socks go, I won't have an answer, only theories. I'll just tell her to be thankful and to hide a stash of socks in her dresser drawer for those little feet.
God, socks make me think about the little things in life. I need to thank You for the little things, too.
How many times have we moms been completely baffled as to that one sock that is left over when we've folded all of the laundry? And of course, that is the exact pair of socks which will go perfectly with her outfit. But now what will she do? Why, she'll have to change the whole outfit!
I'm pretty sure a mom had to start the fad of wearing two different socks. What better way to solve all of those singles?
Is there a special place all of those lost socks go? It would seem when the washer and dryer were transported to another house, a whole stack of socks should be hiding underneath. But I've never found this to be true. Thus, we would have to assume socks are being eaten by the washer or dryer. That thought conjures a scary feeling, making me a bit leery and yet more respectful of my appliances.
Then again, we mustn't blame all of those poor lost socks on the appliances. Just when I give up, trash all of the singles, and buy new pairs, several lost socks will magically reappear from under beds, floors of closets, and even under the clothes hamper.
Lost Sock Memorial Day doesn't cause me to reflect on all those single socks I've found through the years. No, I think about how fortunate I've been to be called a mom. Though I've often dragged myself through washing those socks, it was one way I took care of my daughter. I'm thankful God has allowed me to provide socks for her feet and watch those feet grow.
One day when she's a mom and asks me where all those lost socks go, I won't have an answer, only theories. I'll just tell her to be thankful and to hide a stash of socks in her dresser drawer for those little feet.
God, socks make me think about the little things in life. I need to thank You for the little things, too.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Me Quirky?
Please check out this interview I did for Sandra Robbins' blog.
She included some interesting questions. One has to do with the word quirky. Read to find out what my response was after asking my daughter about the word quirky in relation to me. Inquiring minds want to know. LOL
Click on the interview link below, read the interview, then return here and comment what you found most interesting. I have an e-copy of The Crux of Honor for one commenter.
Interview on Sandra's Blog
She included some interesting questions. One has to do with the word quirky. Read to find out what my response was after asking my daughter about the word quirky in relation to me. Inquiring minds want to know. LOL
Click on the interview link below, read the interview, then return here and comment what you found most interesting. I have an e-copy of The Crux of Honor for one commenter.
Interview on Sandra's Blog
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