Music and God's Faithfulness

Last night I attended an evening of worship and fellowship for women.

A beautiful friend sang a beautiful song that moved through my heart. As she sang, I remembered painful days of years ago. Days of wondering where the hope was. Days of determining I would trust God even when I could not see the light of day.

As she sang, I was reminded of God's extreme and epic faithfulness.

My mind went to other songs that ministered to my heart and spurred me to "dig in" and trust God.

And as she sang, I felt the most amazing peace and calm. I praised Him for being who He says He is.

What I didn't realize, is a sweet friend that worshipped with me was experiencing the very same thing. What a beautiful time of sharing we had as we talked of God's gentle way of wrapping His cosmic arms around a small soul and whispering "It's going to be okay, because I am with you."

What a big God we serve.

My pea-brain can't begin to grasp the hugeness of His never-ending love.

I am sure there were many others present last night who experienced the same thoughts and emotions. I am certain, there were some there who are in the middle of a dark night and, one day, when they hear the songs of last night again, they will praise God for His faithfulness!

How can I know this?

Because I know God. Oh, don't misunderstand. I do not know Him in entirety. But one day, when I get to heaven, I will see Him and know Him fully. Until then, I will trust Him to teach me and show me glimpses of His glory.

Won't you walk with me on this journey of getting to know Him better as we trust Him more? Evidence of WHO He is can be seen all around us. Evidence of His love and patience is everywhere.

Thank you, Lord God, for the gift of music. Music that rings with Truth. Music that sings of Your presence and faithfulness. Music that praises You because of Who You are!

Lamp Unto Her Feet by Paula Mowery

 My friend, Paula Mowery, has just released her new book Lamp Unto Her Feet. I know I have many blog readers who gobble up this genre. Let's share in Paula's excitement of this new work!

Here's my interview with Paula. Read. Learn. Enjoy!

What genre is Lamp Unto Her Feet?

Christian romance with a bit of suspense thrown in.

What do you enjoy most about the genre?

Christian romance and Christian romantic suspense are my favorites to read. I enjoy the fact that I don’t have to worry about profanity or explicit sexual scenes. I also like that I’m reading stories about characters who are Christians like me or some who discover Christ. Just like I enjoy reading those type of stories, those are the type I like to write and provide for my readers.

Where did the idea for Lamp Unto Her Feet come from or what got the wheels turning?

My paternal grandmother’s Bible was the inspiration for this story. One day I was flipping through her Bible and noticed many underlined and highlighted verses and passages. I was especially drawn to some verses she had underlined in succession in 1 John. Upon closer inspection, these verses were all about reasons John had for writing his letters. These verses actually became the basis for why I write.

After this, I wondered about what kind of story I could create in which a young woman gains her grandmother’s Bible and the verses and commentary from her guide the young woman. Thus, Kenzie’s story was born.

Were you close to your grandmother? What was she like?

My paternal grandmother, Mamaw Smith, died when I was quite young. But I did get the opportunity as a girl to know her. When my brother and I stayed at her house, she would play hide and seek with us. She also taught me much without even knowing it. When we would rest, she would sing the nursery rhymes. I can still sing those from the memories from those moments there. Sometimes we would go to her house for Sunday dinner. She always had fried chicken, mashed potatoes with peas in the center of them, and bread. She also always made red jello with fruit in it. She was the epitome of the verse about being a gentle and quiet spirit.

Have you considered writing a series using the characters in this book?

I have thought briefly about it, but I’m thinking it will remain a stand alone.

How did writing Lamp Unto Her Feet strengthen you in your faith?

Honestly, writing this story reminded and cemented the idea that the Bible is God’s Word and He guides us through it. We can rely upon it and know it will never fail us.

Why should someone who normally doesn’t read romantic fiction pick up a copy of Lamp Unto Her Feet?

Readers will also find a bit of suspense in this story. Since the hero, Trevor, is a police officer, there are scenes related to his work that become quite intense but are very real compared to today’s headlines.

Paula is a pastor’s wife, mom to a college student, author, acquiring editor, and speaker. No matter hat she wears, she strives to honor God’s plan even if it means going out on a limb and leaving comfort zones. Reviewers have characterized her writing as “thundering with emotion.” Her book, Be The Blessing, won the 2014 Selah Award in the novella category. Paula enjoys reading and reviewing Christian fiction, writing Christian romance and devotionals, and helping other authors realize their dream of publication.  

 Learn more about Paula and find other places to link with her on her blog at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com

God Is...

God is Truth.

God is Holy.

God is Mercy.

God is Grace.

God is Patience.

God is Good.

God is the creator of all nature. He set laws of nature into motion.

I can confidently say, God did not cause these storms. He is not playing some cosmic game of chess, as Satan would have us believe.

Can God stop these storms? Of course He can. Why doesn't He? I do not know.

What I DO know, is God longs for a relationship with each and every human on earth. His love is big enough and his grace is wide enough. Over and over and over again, scripture teaches us of His love that leads to forgiveness and everlasting life.

Scripture is also clear that all of nature calls out to the existence of God. Not just the bright sun and the birds that sing. The rainbows and flowers, the trees that clap their hands and the rocks that cry out--they are not alone. Even the thunder that pounds through us after lightening rips through the skies, the winds that howl and the storms that swirl--they, too, call out to the existence of God.

But before we, as puny and limited humans, point our tiny fingers at the great Creator of all that is and accuse Him of sending massive heartache and destruction, we should pause.

Yes, I said pause.

Pause and search the scripture, for that is the truth we hold in our hands, for the heart of God.

God is Kind.

God is Healer.

God is Light and Life.

God is Restoration.

God is Peace.

If you know Him ... if Jesus is in your heart and welcomed in your life ... He will never leave you and His promises are kept.

If you do not know Him ... seek Him while you can. Message me. I would love to tell you more about His faithful love.

God is Holy.

God is Truth.

God loves you.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8

Thank you Haley White for use of your beautiful photo!