If you haven’t picked up a copy of the books in the Divine series, here are some additional online platforms where you can find them.
Powell’s, Bookshop.org, Walmart, Indigo/Chapters, Barnes & Noble, EBAY, Half-Price books, Books-a-Million, Waterstones (UK).
If you are local, you can find them in-store at Reasonable Books in Lafayette, CA.
Thanks for all the support, friends, it means a lot!
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
As we head into the weekend, I pray that our lives reflect some of these good fruits, as we allow God to mold us, heal us, love us, and guide us. What a lovely way to be Jesus’ hands and feet to a world that is really hurting right now. I hope that we are the recipients of some of this fruit, too! You are deeply loved by God. Peace be with you!
Psalm 32:7 NLT “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.”
The bench under this willow tree is a peaceful, restful spot at the pond by my house. I’ve written several short stories, poems, and devotions about this pond, the willow tree, and the bench. Jesus and I have had many long talks on the bench under the willow. I feel protected here listening to nature do its thing. I’ve poured out my heart to Him on this bench in laughter, joy, tears, and anger. For just a bit, I can hide myself in Him no matter what hard, frightening, out of control things are spinning around me. I’m safe. I’m protected. He’s my hiding place. Resting in nature and restoring my soul, He sings and surrounds me with songs of joy, victory, and the deep mystery of His peace that passes all understanding.
I hope you have a place that feels safe where you can sit in His presence allowing His songs of joy, victory, and deep compassion flow over you as you are tightly held and protected. You are so loved. Peace be with you.
Psalm 34:5 NLT
“Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”
As we start off on today’s journey, let’s be quick to ask Him for help, guidance, patience, and strength to navigate those things that lie in front of us. There is no shame in admitting the need for help, healing, and hope. We were designed to live in constant communion with God – He is our Shepherd and He knows the lay of the land.
His peace gently blankets us when we seek direction, and wait in trust while He opens the way before us. There is beauty strewn along our path. These hidden gems of joy wait for us to take our eyes off of the uncontrollable circumstances and focus Jesus. One step at a time. He’s got us. You are so loved. Peace be with you.
Proverbs 19:21 NLT “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Are you a planner? I am. I love plans and lists. I like to know what’s coming. It makes me feel safe and secure, as if my plans and schedules can keep blindsiding circumstances, conversations I’m not prepared for, or situations that require a quick response at bay until I can rehearse, plan, and plot how to circumvent or control it all.
I love this verse, but it’s also challenging and it is hard to wrap my mind around it. Of course I want the Lord’s will to prevail in my life and the lives of those I love. I know all the reasons why His will is best. He’s omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. He knows the number of hairs on my head, the deep, inner workings of my heart, and the wounds I carry in my spirit. He had a plan and divine purpose for me before I took my first breath. He is never far from me and I am deeply loved. Yet…
My need for control and protecting myself from chaos is strong and tightly woven into my heart. I have experienced quite a few blindsiding situations and each was devastating in its own way, leaving scars and fear in the aftermath. However, through these situations, I have learned and embraced that God’s presence never left me in those times. His will and ways were always perfect, shaping me into who I am now. These things allowed me to live out my purpose albeit with scars; reminders that I pushed through things meant to derail, wound, and cripple me.
I treasure in my heart the lessons learned. Above all, I discovered that Jesus is safe. He is good, He is compassion, He is my Warrior and Protector. I learned, and am still learning, that I can trust Him with me and that is a lesson I would not trade for a smoother life-road. His ways and thoughts are higher that ours. His plans are good and perfect, but not without scars that are a constant reminder of our healing. We can plan, be wise, and discerning as we look ahead, but ultimately His plans and His purpose for you and for me will prevail and it does bring comfort, peace, and rest for a plotter and planner. Trust Him. He won’t fail you. You are loved. Peace be with you.
Psalm 143:8 NLT
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”
This pond in my neighborhood is one of my favorite places to walk and get a bit lost in nature. I love how the trees and flowering bushes change with the seasons. It’s something constant in an ever changing, rushed, and often chaotic world. I have had many conversations with God here. It feels a sacred and holy. I know I will find Him here under these sweeping, sheltering trees with the beautiful filtered light that shifts and shades.
How comforting and safe it feels knowing that every morning Jesus has a new, unchanging, unfailing love for me and for you. It hasn’t diminished overnight or faded away. He hasn’t moved on to the next best thing or lost interest. Every morning without fail He is there and He always will be. Through stormy seasons of doubt, fear, anger, and unexpected changes, and through seasons of peace, calm, and joy. Unfailing.
If we trust Him with us, if we give ourselves, and our plans into His hands, He will be faithful to hold, guide, and deeply love us. He will show us where to walk. His staff clears the way of obstacles that tempt us to give up, go around, or follow the wide, easy way. In the freshness of the morning, we can hear His voice calling out to come and talk to Him, and walk with Him along the pathway He’s laid out just for us.
I pray you will find a sweet place where you talk to Him, listen to Him, and choose to trust Him as your guide and best friend. Unfailing love. It’s yours, if you choose to lean into it. You are so loved. Peace be with you.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Give it to Him. Whatever that thing is that is holding you captive, stealing your thoughts, and shadowing all that you do. He’s ready to take it. He will hold you up, strengthen you, and give you courage for whatever lies ahead. Be encouraged! Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides, has you well taken care of and He goes before you in victory. Trust Him with you. You are loved. Peace be with you.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
If today has some unexpected twists and turns that bring fear, heaviness, and anxiety along for the ride, remember to run to Jesus. He is our protector, savior, and the lover of our souls. We are safe with Him. He is the light for our path and rest for our souls. You are loved. Peace be with you.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 NIV
The loving eye of God on me. Let that soak in for a second. The Lord of Heaven, God of Creation, King of Kings – His eye is on you and me. Tight, tense shoulders can drop. Fast, shallow breathing can slow and deepen. Overwhelmed, exhausted minds can let go and rest.
His eye is on you. He sees what is swirling around you, holding you captive to fear. He feels the heaviness of heartbreak in your wounded heart and spirit.
He will counsel you. He will show you the way to go, how to move forward, and how to let go. He sees the beautiful way ahead that He’s set up and planned just for you. Imagine His joy in knowing what is coming for you just around the next bend in the road, twist in the path, and over that next hill. He sees it and He is leading you toward it.
Right now the way He’s leading may not feel good, happy, or safe because you aren’t in control of it. You can’t see around the bend or over that hill, and that is so frightening. But remember, He can see what’s coming. Don’t miss the part of the scripture that says His loving eye is on you. Eyes full of love that see you exactly where you are on this life-road. Eyes filled with compassion, mercy, and love so great you can’t fathom it. Eyes full of hope, healing, and so much joy. He won’t let you miss it and He won’t take it away. He already set in motion the blessings, the good, the rest, the victory, and the peace. He’s got you.
Do you have that tiny bit of faith to trust Him? I think you do. It’s in there. He sees it. His spirit is fanning that tiniest of sparks into a flame with holy, eternal breath scented with heaven, joy, and His presence. His loving eye will never look away because you are His and you are so very loved. Peace be with you.
EXCITING NEWS
Divine Presence… blurb reveal!
I’m very excited to reveal the blurb for book #4, Divine Presence…! I’m proud of this book and can’t wait for it to be in your hands, speaking exactly what God tucked into the pages just for you. I believe that each of my books in the Divine series have a little nugget or two for everyone.
Stay tuned for the cover reveal very soon… it won’t be long before I send this book out into the world
Extravagant Hope 