How far does God’s love and forgiveness extend? We all know the theological answer that tells us God forgives even our gravest sins and that there is nothing that can separate us from His love. And that is true. However, often times, in our own shame and guilt, we do not feel God’s love and we our subconscious does not allow us to accept His forgiveness. We either wallow in our own mire of disparity or we completely turn our back on God, believing that we do not deserve what He can give us.

That theme of God’s love and forgiveness is a big part of my recent fictional romance book, Desires of the Heart. Both the Eric and Lacey are in dire need of God’s forgiveness for things they had done in the past. Though the book is a romance between two people, at its core we see how God works in their hearts, through a variety of means, to show His love and forgiveness.

I want to share with you an excerpt from the book that not only started Lacey’s conviction of needing to return to the God of her childhood, but also has a message for anyone today who might feel they have gone too far for God to still want them.

Lacey again reached over to lay her hand on top of Eric’s. She needed the strength he gave her when she held his hand. The preacher’s words were stinging her. As hard as she tried, she could not ignore them. God can’t really use me, she told herself. I have blown it so many times, there is no chance that I could be of any use to God!!! I can’t be anything. God, don’t you understand the family I came from? Don’t you know what I have done? How could I amount to anything after having been such a loser?

“You might be thinking that your past is too bad for God to use you,” the preacher said. “But the reality is that God loves using people who are not supposed to succeed. In fact, sometimes the more of a loser the person is, the greater God uses him.” Lacey squeezed Eric’s hand tighter and leaned her head against his shoulder. She needed his strength to keep the tears from flowing freely.

“The book of Matthew opens the New Testament with the same type of genealogy as we read about in the Gospel of Luke.” The preacher continued. “Only this time we see the line from Abraham to Joseph, who was Jesus’ adoptive father on earth. We see several great people of God like King David and Abraham. But we also see people who were not so great in history. King Manasseh, one of the very wicked kings in Jewish history is in that line. We see Gentiles who were considered to be unclean by Jewish standards and we see women who unfortunately in that society were not usually deemed important enough to mention. Perhaps most interesting is that we even see a prostitute in the line of Jesus.” Lacey had never realized that before. God had used a prostitute to carry out His plan. Could God really still use her?

Lacey closed her eyes, trying to shut out the flood of guilt that had begun to flood over her. She opened them again when she heard keyboard and guitar music sounding in the background. The preacher was still speaking. “If you have had some trouble in your past that you think might be keeping you from fully experiencing God, then I invite you to come to the front and meet with God. We have prayer counselors waiting for you up here or you can pray alone.”

Within seconds, Lacey watched as scores of people flooded the isles heading to the front of the auditorium. Could so many people have such serious problems? Everyone stood to their feet as the music continued to play and the guy who had been introduced as the worship leader at the beginning of the service began to lead them all in another song.

****

But then the memories of college began to announce themselves firmly in her mind. That was the period in her life when her downward spiral intensified. No, she had been no worse than most other college students. In fact, probably better than most. But she knew that she had fully turned her back on God and admittedly refused to have anything to do with Him or a church. But now, as she watched the line of people marching forward, she wondered if she needed to join that group.

But what would Eric think of her? She tilted her head upwards to try to read his face. His eyes were lost in his own trance of thought. Maybe God was dealing with him too? She continued to watch his face, looking for any twitch or thought that might give him an inkling to step towards the isle and make his way to the front. If he goes up, I’ll go up, she promised herself. But Eric never moved.

The book is very different than “Messages” and their only similarity is that it’s a book you will not be able to put down.

Trying as always not to spoil the book for you, I will try to describe the context. This is the story of a man whose nephew has been abducted by a serial killer. All of the sudden the man starts seeing what he thinks are ghosts of children. At the beginning he thought these ghosts were there to give him clues to find his nephew, but that was far from the truth.

Now to those who have read the book I do have a question. Was the flower to be kept a life Aiyana or the neighbor’s baby?

If you want to know what I’m talking about, get this wonderful book.

UNSEEN

Life for Jake Paris is stable and ordinary–until a mysterious old woman pays him a visit and he begins to have encounters with unruly children everywhere he goes-children only he can see. When Jake’s estranged sister, Holly, finds herself the target of a national serial killer who has chosen her son as his next victim, Jake begins to wonder if there is a connection. Could these children be the ghosts of the killer’s victims? As the kidnapper’s plan unfolds, Jake uncovers a startling secret about the unseen children that will change his life forever–and Holly discovers just how far she is willing to go to save her son. A riveting story of rescue, restoration, and romance that will leave you thinking long after the last page has been turned.

Just to give you some of the highlights

• I have a new neighbor. I believe it’s just a lady as I haven’t seen any males going into the apartment. I was awakened by  bear sounding noises. Someone snores and it’s quite loud.
• I was to produce pictures of an event that had not happened.
• I was questioned about why I had not called someone who had not given me their number.
• I had an appointment that was cancelled after I had arrived and waited for 30 minutes.
• *Drumroll* The one that takes the cake. My mother was prescribed a medication that clearly states in the instructions for it not to be prescribed to a person with a condition that she has. (No worries, she’s fine. We will not be going back to that doctor anytime soon)

To all of this, all I have to say is Thank God it’s Friday. In terms of this song, I love the energy it brings and it talks about how to keep moving in this crazy world. So join me in a dance of Praise and Worship for the one who gets us through our brightest days and the dealings of not so bright situations.

Philippians 4:12-13

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Happy Friday

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

Download on Kindle ( http://amzn.com/B00CHAE3QS)

Free Tuesday May 14th and Wednesday May 15th

Persistent Love:

Christian Romantic Suspense Novella set in 1685, England.
Fear has been Tara’s constant companion since age nine when she witnessed her mother’s murder. Tara’s father moves his family to the ancient castle of Raven’s Cliff, far from the ships that could carry her back to India and the answers she believes lie there. Andrew offers her friendship and guides her gently to the One who will give her peace. Will she find hope for something other than revenge?

A Brief Q&A with the Author, Laura J. Marshall.

Q: Did you learn anything along the way as you wrote Persistent Love?

A: I learned writing is harder than I ever thought possible. I also learned that even in the head-banging, why-am-I-doing-this-to-myself moments that writing is part of who I am and I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to.

Laura J. Marshall is the full-time mother of five sons and part-time writer and blogger. She operates a popular blog called The Old Stone Wall. Laura is the best-selling author of the Battle Cry Devotional Series. Visit www.LauraJMarshall.com to find out more about Laura’s books.

• In New Orleans, during a Mother’s Day Parade 18 people were shot, 2 of them were children. It’s hard for me to understand what would make someone open fire in a Mother’s Day Parade.
• In Valley Springs, California a 12 year old was arrested for stabbing his 8 year old sister.
• In New Jersey, a man killed a woman and kept her three children hostage in the bedroom with their mother’s dead body until Sunday morning when they were finally released and the kidnapper was killed by the police.
• In Kansas, the body of an 18 month old, who was missing, was found. Earlier last week her mother and two other men were found dead in a farm where they lived, but the child had been missing until her body turned up over the weekend.

I think I can stop there before we all crawl inside our closets to cry. Having said that, I refuse to allow the world of terror to paralyze my purpose. I truly believe that beyond grieving, this is a blaring call to action.

Parents, be aware of the things that your children have access to. Violent games and movies may seem innocent,but even when you tell yourself that your child knows that this is fantasy, it also desensitizes them to violence.

The rest of us should stop patronizing any company that promotes violence in the media. If we don’t buy it, they will have to change their ways. There are millions of Christians. How serious are you about what will you do to defend your faith? Will you allow yourself to be lukewarm and blend in the culture of this world or will you take a stand for what you know to be righteous?

We can also take action to those around us that we notice are dealing with mental health issues. Early intervention can make a huge difference. Sadness goes away with a change of scenery. Real depression, anxiety, anger and addictions are just as real diseases as diabetes and cancer and need to be treated by professionals. Being in treatment does NOT negate your faith.

I invite you TODAY to take a step against the culture of violence. Don’t ever think that there nothing you can do. It takes each and everyone of us, as the body of Christ, to work together in this war.

Never forget what we read in Ephesians 6:12

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Yes, we need to pray, but we also need to take action. As it says in James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Until next time, be blessed

Remember today is the last day of my Mother’s Day Sale, get your copies now!

$2.99 (save $2)                          $0.99  (save$1)

Last year for her birthday my brother came to visit, I heard him say something that I could hear myself saying and I joked, “I think we are related”. He then replied, “Don’t forget we have the same mother” Which reminded me that our wit comes from that little 4’10 woman full of personality.

From her I’ve learned that a mother’s love is sacrificial, supportive, unconditional, protective and educational. A mother’s love is essentially the closest thing on earth to God’s love.

Now a mother is more than someone that has a biological connection with another human being. Being a mother is a more intimate connection than DNA. Therefore I know for a fact that there are more mother’s out there than those who have carried a child inside of them. So to every woman who has mothered someone  from her heart. Happy Mother’s Day!

“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift, the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.” (Psalm 127:3-5, MSG)

As a gift to all the mother’s out there, I’m placing both of my fictional books on sale! They make a great gift for all the mother’s in your life. This sale is only through May 13th by clicking on the book covers below

$2.99 (save $2)                          $0.99  (save$1)

At the time I’m writing this, the verdict on the Jodi Arias trial has come down as guilty on premeditated murder. Part of the attraction to this trial has been the gore of the awful way that victim, Travis Alexander, died and all the sexual components to the testimony.

But there’s another case in the courts right now that hasn’t received as much attention and has really pulled every string in my heart. In Philadelphia Dr. Kermit Gosnell is being accused of murder. He is a doctor who practices abortions at a clinic. For the moment lets set aside the usual discussion about abortion. In this case, this man is accused of performing third trimester abortions, which are illegal. The most aggravating fact of this case is the accusation that many babies were actually born alive and that this doctor killed them outside of the womb. Some of the things I can’t get out of my head are the thought that he put scissors into these babies necks in order to kill them. Other babies were beheaded. They even found baby feet in jars at the clinic. One of the mothers died in the hands of this doctor during the procedures.

Unless you live under a rock, you have atleast seen a newborn baby. These babies were full term, so they were about the size of a newborn baby. I just can’t fathom the image in my head or my heart. Who could protect these children when their own mothers took them there to be slaughtered?

I have lost sleep over this issue. It has truly grieved my heart. These are some of the things that we get to experience when we ask God to allow us to see through his eyes. What does it do for me? It makes me very angry, but at the same time, it makes me realize that I can’t sit idle. There’s so much more work for me to do for the kingdom.

Matthew 18:6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

We are in a war beloved and we all have a part to play. Let’s keep the prayer that God allow us to see through his eyes so that we can never sit complacent. But more than just grow in awareness of the horrors of this world, let’s do the part that we have been called to do because there are lives depending on it.

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

“ For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16: 7

More pictures and articles are hyperlinked. I chose not to post them due to their graphic nature.

By Shelley Hitz and contributing authors

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FREE three days only: 5/8/13, 5/9/13 and 5/10/13

PLUS enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

About the Book, Body Image Lies Women Believe:

• Are you insecure about your looks?
• Have you ever compared yourself to someone else and found yourself wanting?
• Do complements or put downs determine the image you have of your beauty?

Real Stories of Overcoming Body Image Lies Women Believe with God’s Truth

Throughout this book, Christian women share their stories of how they have struggled with body image lies and a distorted view of themselves. However, each of their stories also contains hope – the hope of replacing these lies with God’s truth. Our prayer for you is that you find encouragement within these pages and allow Christ to transform you with His truth.

We Are Each Created Unique

God has created each one of us with unique abilities, unique talents and a unique personality. As women we are influencers and God has given us that role and our beauty to share with others. Yet so often we settle for a counterfeit. The enemy has counterfeited our idea of beauty, convincing us to share our beauty with the world in a distorted way. Today that often means that we see our beauty as what we look like on the outside.

What Lies Have You Been Believing?

Join us for the journey of replacing body image lies with truth from God’s Word.

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FREE on 5/8/13, 5/9/13 and 5/10/13

Paperback | Large Print | Audiobook

Shelley Hitz

Shelley Hitz is an award-winning and international best-selling author. Her openness and vulnerability as she shares her own story of hope and healing through her books will inspire and encourage you.

Shelley has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998. They currently travel and speak to teens and adults around the country. Shelley’s main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements.

Follow Shelley Hitz
Website | Facebook | Twitter 

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Reblogged from Naty Matos' Blog:

• 

I’ve always had a clear position on the death penalty. I don’t believe in it. I think that if I didn’t grant someone’s life, I have no right to take it away regardless of their actions. Let me clarify that birthing or providing the seed for a child is participating in the process of life, in my definition only God grants life.

Read more… 795 more words

Take a minute every day to enjoy the little things God gives you. At the end of each day you will realize that you have way more than what you ever wished for. A rainy day can just turn into a day of much needed rest. Solitude is not loneliness, but much needed peace that provides time for contemplation. Sometimes I even smile at the innocence of my dog sleeping by my feet while I’m working. Those of you with children could experience the same type of feeling.

What are the little things that fill our life today? A coworker’s comment that makes you laugh in the middle of a crazy working day. The forgotten dollar you find at the end of your pocket.

I think back to how I spent a weekend where finances were tight. I couldn’t go anywhere because I just had enough gas in the tank to get me through the work week. I found that lost dollar in my pocket. My dog was a puppy so I remember going to the kid’s playground and sitting on the swings for quite some time while my dog ran around. With that dollar we walked to a nearby gas station and bought a frozen popsicle. Until this day I smile when I remember how good I felt that weekend.

Let’s be grateful for the little treasures that we have. Let’s pray to God to open our eyes to see those treasures that we take for granted that are more accessible than we care to admit.

Matthew 6:31-33 (MSG)If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Until next time, be blessed

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames