Devotional: You Have An Enemy

We all have this one thing in common. We fight the same enemy; most are unaware of it. We go through our days, completely oblivious to the hidden danger. I mean, if we can't see this enemy, then it's not a problem, right? Some might even laugh at the thought. This is no laughing matter, however. The enemy we're up against has a name. It's Satan. He's the world's worst nightmare, and he moves through all our lives, fully present. We may not be able to see him, but we can see the destruction he causes. It's everywhere.

I want you to think of the worst problems we face today. I can think of many instances where evil is constant and seeming to grow rapidly. When we hear on the news a story that is truly heartbreaking, we can see the darkness at work. It will only spread, because Satan preys on all of us. It doesn't matter if you're a Christian or not. At some point in your life, you've most likely seen what he can do. I also feel that Satan likes to prey on the innocent the most, like children and animals. He causes as much pain as possible.

Yes, he's vile. He'll go after anything or anyone to cause havoc. We, of course, are not completely powerless against our adversary. To lessen his hold on us, we can pray, spread kindness, and just make this world a somewhat habitable place for everyone. However, humans are selfish, and we give in to the temptations of Satan. The most worst thoughts imaginable become reality in this harsh environment. The one thing I don't understand is how we can blame God for any of this. Satan is to blame.

I've become more aware of the spiritual side - which is why I'm writing about this today. Life is a daily battle. My own battle is that I have horrible thoughts about myself. I can't always seem to get rid of them. One day, during these thoughts, a powerful line came into my mind, "You would be the first into battle." It gave me chills, and I knew it was the Holy Spirit. It gave me courage to face the daily battles I go through, and I hope this devo encourages you to never stop fighting our enemy. But, don't worry. In the end, we win.

Keep fighting.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12 NASB

Do you need prayer? Leave a comment, and I'll pray for you.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

New Book In The Works: Wandering With Grace

I'm working on a new book. I know that I mentioned another project - the White Heron. But, I feel like I should pursue this project right now. This doesn't mean I won't be working on the White Heron, I will be, just not as much. I kind of want to take my time with the White Heron. I plan on perfecting it, so while that goes slowly, I'll be on my new project. What is this new project? It's Wandering With Grace. The same title as my blog. 

The idea of Wandering With Grace will be a book with stories/reflections and some of my photography. I'm super excited about it, and I think it's going to be a good thing. It won't be a devo like my first book, Butterfly Wings (you can find this book on Amazon or at ...And Books, Too! But, it's a project that I hope to have finished soon. When? I don't know exactly, but it shouldn't take too long to write. It will, however, be next year sometime.

What to expect? The project will be focused on my journey, stories, and photos. It won't be a coffee table book, but it will most likely be paperback. A photo will be included with each chapter, too. That's what I'm thinking, anyways. My plan is to compile all of these together to make one cohesive book. My purpose will be to encourage, inspire, and bring a sense of wonder. Life is to be celebrated. Even when things are hard, there's goodness.

Those are my plans; however, I don't know what the future holds. Life has become unpredictable, I think, for everyone. The next months could be crazy on a global front. Next year might be a disaster. Fear seems to run rampant. I just know that I'm going to hold onto hope, because it's all I have. I'll continue to find joy in anything I can, and I'll try to shine a light for everyone. If I can help just one person, I'll have accomplished my goal.

For the end of this summer, to fall, and then to winter, I'll be blogging and writing. I feel the need to write, so I'm pursuing that wholeheartedly. In my heart, I long for happiness, and I want to express my love for others. I also pray that these months for everyone will be life-changing, and in a beautiful way. If you need prayer, send me an e-mail (contact form on right sidebar), or leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by today. If you want to stay updated on my writing, be sure to like my Facebook page, and follow my blog (on sidebar).

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Photo Quests: Hunting For Bugs

 Photo Quests: Hunting For Bugs

Intro: I stepped outside with my camera fully intent to take some pictures. 
What I didn't expect was to spot a robin looking for bugs. I quietly sat down
on a bench and watched the bird. It was fun following this bug hunt.

Quest Ending: The robin was done. I enjoyed watching the bird doing 
what it does naturally - to hunt bugs. I don't know where the robin is at now,
but I hope it has a great family and is still looking for those pesky little critters.

Author Interview: Janet Chester Bly

Janet Chester Bly is the author of fifteen nonfiction and fiction books. She also coauthored twenty books with author Stephen Bly. Her newest book Grace Spilling Over is a devotional. It's available on her site at blybooks.com, on Amazon, or at the bookstore ...And Books, Too! She is currently working on a story for another book.

Author Janet Chester Bly stopped by my blog to do an interview with me today. 

Welcome, Janet!

First question. What do you love most about writing?

Grace, thanks so much for inviting me to do this feature on your new blog. And congratulations on your book release of poems and devotions, Butterfly Wings.

As to the fun things about writing for me... I love receiving correspondence from fans. Also, it’s a delight to meet readers of our books in person. I got to do that recently when I was a guest author for a creative writing class at Sacajawea Middle School in Lewiston, Idaho. Some of the students as well as the teacher had read our children’s books.

I love that nothing in life is wasted for a writer. No matter what happens--good, bad, or messy--it’s potential material for a speaking or writing project. And I never get over the sense of accomplishment when a book projects finally completed. Seeing my name on the cover never gets old! Or on a royalty check!

What steps do you usually go through when it comes to writing and perfecting a story?

It's a bit different every time, depending on the project and life circumstances. However, the basic process begins with finding a topic, a theme, or any kernel of an idea. Then, I flush out some rough sentences or paragraphs as a brainstorming starter. At this point some kind of research will happen—looking for information and inspiration. This may include a road trip. In fact, travel for both my late husband and me always incited our best writing flow. I did a lot of hours of note taking while he drove umpteen miles down the highways and dirt off ramps of every western state. Perfecting first and second draft stories happened with editing, by each other, and professionals.

How did you become an author?

After my husband graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary and got called to serve as a pastor of a Presbyterian church in Woodlake, California, I got stirred up to discover what my own God-given ministry might be. That began a long journey of several years getting involved in a variety of church and community activities, as well as academic and cooking, sewing, crafting classes. While I enjoyed some of these pursuits, none seemed to zing as a prime spiritual gifting.

Then one day a friend handed me a brochure for a Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in Santa Cruz, California. I decided to go. What an exciting experience meeting writers, editors, publishers, and agents, and attending classes on the how-to of the writing profession. I went right home and pulled out the poetry I had written over the years. Then I wrote some more, including short, inspirational sidebars. I sent them out to magazines like they explained to do at the conference. And after some months, I received some acceptances.

But it wasn’t until I got husband Stephen interested in writing, too, that our full-fledged partnership developed, for our mutual benefit. That proved to be the key. He nurtured most of the ideas and they flowed all messy on his computer. I could edit him and me. We made a dynamic team.

Over the years, we influenced and enlarged one another’s gifts. I got more creative. He handed me cleaner manuscripts. And with the continuing aid of our contacts at the writer’s conference, we produced more than short stories and articles. The first book released in 1982, Radical Discipleship with Moody Press Publishing. In time, Stephen became best known as an award-winning western novelist. As of today—his, mine, and ours--we’ve published about 120 books, fiction and nonfiction for adults, teens, and kids (8-12 years old).

You can find out more about how I found God’s will for my life, and how you can too, in my book, Managing Your Restless Search/Finding Your Place of Service in God’s Plan. Available here: https://www.blybooks.com/books/serving-god/

With your newest book, Grace Spilling Over, what motivated you to write it?

Grace Spilling Over evolved from several resources. First, a desire of mine to answer the question, “Is God really good all the time?” when faced with the tragedies and evil that invade our lives and the world. And second, I began to collect numerous stories I heard at the churches, conferences, and retreats where I spoke or attended. I put the theme and the life events together.

In what way do you hope readers will be inspired by Grace Spilling Over?

This book reveals God’s tender mercies as people struggle to trust Him with many “Why?” concerns. They wonder at God’s delays to help them. No easy answers here. No flinching from facing life’s unfairness and cruelty. Yet hope and grace shine through as we see God prepares His children for what He knows lies ahead. My goal is for the reader to experience deep and abiding comfort in the goodness of their heavenly Father. Available here: https://www.blybooks.com/genre/inspirational-family-life/

Are you currently working on a book? If so, can you share a little bit about it?

My present project is an anthology of short stories, co-authored with fourteen other published authors who belong to a private online Christian fiction writers’ group. Each of us has been challenged to create a story of about 4,000 words or less around a piece of jewelry. The story can be set in any era with a choice of gem and genre. The prologue frame story will be about a contemporary jeweler who secretly hoards precious gems over the years. He plans to create a Christmas tree wall hanging of them with enough great value to establish his reputation alongside Tiffany and Fabergé. The stories tell the history of the pieces. And the search to fill a missing space.

I’ve completed a draft of my story, “Beneath a Turquoise Sky,” which is set in 1991. In it I use a couple characters from my latest cowgirl mystery romance series, The Trails of Reba Cahill. *My jewelry piece is a gold and turquoise squash blossom necklace. The working title of this book is The Jewel Project and has a late fall release date, in time for Christmas. All proceeds will go to a chosen ministry, to be determined.

*The Trails of Reba Cahill 3-book series available here: https://www.blybooks.com/genre/contemporary-fiction/

There are many great Bible verses and quotes out there, but which of these apply to your journey in life?

My life verse is Ephesians 2:10 and has been the guiding light for discovering what God made me to be and do: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Janet, have any closing thoughts, writing tips, or advice to share with us?

Whether you consider yourself a writer or not, everyone should record the highlights (and maybe lowlights) of your life, including as much history you know and remember about your family, as far back as possible. Even if it never goes further than a personal journal, those words will have value for someone.  

Randomly Fun Questions:

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I co-lead several different exercise classes for seniors and like playing around with silk flower arrangements for bouquets and wreaths.

Do you prefer tea or coffee?

I enjoy any flavor tea, but only drink low-fat or non-dairy lattes for coffee with occasional sugar-free flavoring.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

I get to bed about 12:00-1:00 a.m. and rise in time for morning exercise or Bible study class.

How can my readers best get in contact with you or follow you on social media?

Email: janet@blybooks.com
Website: www.BlyBooks.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/BlyBooks/
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/janetchesterbly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetchesterbly/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlyBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janetcbly/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/269265.Janet_Chester_Bly

Thank you for doing this interview with me, Janet.

*Note* Click here to read my review of Janet's book, Grace Spilling Over.

Many blessings
- Grace Thorson

Wordless Wednesday: Softly In Pink

Wordless Wednesday: Taking A Break

Blog Update: A Few Changes

You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging. The last couple of weeks have been absorbing my time. Plus, I've been really tired, so I've been resting more. We also had a family emergency. Everything has stabilized a bit. I'm back to blogging, but there's going to be some changes. I won't be blogging each day. It's just too much, but I plan on posting every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. At least for now, anyways. Doing this will give me extra time to pursue my book, as well (which I haven't been working on). I hope everyone is having a good summer so far. Mine's been busy, tiring, but also good.

I feel like this summer is going by fast. I'm conflicted by this. Summer isn't my favorite, and I don't do well in the heat. My body especially doesn't, so I'm really looking forward to fall. Honestly, I'm already getting ready for it. I've bought a few things for Halloween, and just, for fall in general. I know. It's early. But it gives me joy. While I'm preparing for fall, I'm taking the time to rest in summer. I've been so tired, and I tend to push myself. I'm always taking on projects and ideas that I can't keep up with. It's like my mind is hyperactive, but my body can't keep up. It's sometimes frustrating, but I'm learning to juggle both.

My goals for the rest of this year are to write and rest. I have to take a step back from just everything. I hope to still interact with people and visit some places. There's a few things that I want to try in my health journey, and stuff like that, you know. I may take you along on some of my projects, too. I like trying new things, so who knows where my blog will end up at. Let me know if you can think of anything that would be fun to do. For my blog, I'm still doing book reviews, interviews, business/restaurant spotlights, devotionals, and sometimes extra things. So much to experience. So much to do and plan.

Those that know me here, or on Facebook, know that life has steadied. My family stays busy, and so do I. The family emergency itself has balanced out for right now. I may get distracted a little in the future, but I'll be around on my blog. I want to thank those that offered prayers and support. I greatly appreciate all of it. Life is not easy, but suffering never lasts for anyone. It's getting through it that is the tough part. I have Christ in my life, so I'm learning to lean on Him in everything. And that has made the getting through easier. 

Thanks, everyone. See you soon in my future blog posts. If you like my blog, be sure to follow it. You can also find me on Facebook here.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson