Do Good Work

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Genesis 6:6-8
The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

As a crafter, artist, and writer, I picture God’s hands creating each person with a purpose.

Can you imagine being called by God to build an enormous boat because torrential rain is about to flood the earth and kill off all the sin-filled people? On top of that, fill this ginormous ark with animals who will be hungry, thirsty, and smelly. And you and your family of eight will be the only people to survive.

True story. God called Noah to build an ark because God looked at the world and saw so much evil, that He chose to start over. The only man for the job was Noah because he was faithful, and he was created for this purpose.

My friends, Bev, Krista and I went to visit the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. The Ark is a replica of Noah’s ark built according to the dimensions in the Bible with the folks who created it using an artistic license on the internal structure.

As we walked up and down the three-story boat, along the ramps, I pictured Noah and his family caring for the animals. The feeding and cleanup were enough to overwhelm me. Which got me to thinking about tasks God has called me to do. Was I as willing as Noah to trust God and move forward? I’d like to think so, but at times, I’ve hesitated. When God called me to write novels—I thought there is no way I can do that. Yet I have because I chose to be obedient to God’s calling.

I’m thankful for Noah’s example of obedience and faith. From him and his family, I’ve learned to trust God and His wisdom and obey his calling in my life. It’s not easy, but I know God has created me as His handiwork to do good works.

What is God calling you to do?

Staying Humble

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. -Colossians 3:12

Some days I learn a lesson by making a mistake. 

Last week on Wednesday, I posted a painting of a beautiful goldfinch, 

which I mistakenly posted as my mom's painting.

My daughter Maggie reminded me she had painted that beautiful bird. 

So this week, I humble myself as I post the lovely house finch my mom painted.

I find as I get older, I still have much to learn, 

mistakes to make, and humbleness to experience.

That's okay, because I want God to keep teaching me in my humility.

 

Let Things Go

 Psalm 62:5-8

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

"The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go."

Autumn has arrived in a glorious hue of magnificent color this year. I can’t remember a recent fall as beautiful as the one we are experiencing now in southern Ohio. From the photos I’ve seen on Facebook, the rest of the country is gorgeous, as well.

My daughter and I took a drive to see the trees in Kentucky. She pointed out one on her street in an amazing shade of magenta. Surrounded by oranges and golds, the tree stood out as a true beauty. All of these trees in all of their glory are preparing to shed their leaves and rest for a season. I’m glad they are giving us a show before they go.

And go they will. One day in a few weeks we’ll wake up to bare branches where glorious beauty once waved. The thing is, the trees are okay with it. It’s their process. Every year they let their leaves drop and prepare for a season of dormancy. That doesn’t mean they go to sleep, instead they prepare for spring by reducing water loss in the branches and trunk.

They let go in order to protect themselves from being depleted of the what they need to continue to grow in the coming spring.

Letting go of past sins is hard, especially when guilt and shame tighten their grip on the heart. Part of having freedom in Christ is to let go of the past and the sin and trust in God’s grace. Jesus is my salvation, my cleansing, and my rock. I’ve sought forgiveness and in His graciousness, He’s given.

Like the deciduous trees who drop their leaves in the fall and sustain themselves by preparing for the next phase, I want to let go of the past and store up my trust in Jesus and His grace. It is lovely to let go and find rest in God.

Cozy Mystery Review: Mabel Goes to the Dogs (Mysteries of Medicine Spring Book 2) by Susan Kimmel Wright

What it's about:
Mabel plans to bring the thrills of volunteering to the masses—if she doesn’t go to the dogs first.

When Mabel finds herself sharing a thicket with a dead body while volunteering with canine search-&-rescue, her life has clearly—once again—gone to the dogs!

After her losing her job at age forty-nine, Mabel thought she’d turned things around. Now she’s doing good by volunteering, and surely, she’ll soon be a successful author, writing about her experiences. After solving two notorious decades-old cold cases while serving as a historical society volunteer, she’s already getting invitations to appear on TV.

Her new assignment couldn’t be simpler. All she has to do is hide in the woods and let Millie the search dog practice finding her. But to her horror, Millie finds more than Mabel—there’s a dead body hiding in the same patch of brush. To make things worse, Mabel’s maybe-boyfriend, suspended PI John Bigelow, has a dark history with the victim.

While struggling with maid-of-honor duties for best friend Lisa, a string of disasters created by handyman Acey, and a disagreeable new neighbor, can Mabel solve another murder in time to save John’s detective license—if not his neck?

My Thoughts:
I've enjoyed Wright's series featuring Mabel. She's a lovable forty-something woman who is trying her best to stay out of trouble while stepping into the middle of it. This time around, she's volunteered to help the folks who train canine-&-rescue search dogs. While she's hiding in the woods, the dogs find her and a dead body. Mabel's boyfriend, John, may be connected to the victim. What can any good girlfriend do, but try to help him out of hot water. Of course, best friend Lisa jumps in to try and help her best friend. Mabel's stories are filled with quirky characters and precious pets. If you enjoy cozies, I think you'll like Mabel Goes to the Dogs. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Always Find a Song

 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, 
O Most High. -Psalm 9:2

During the time we were cloistered in our homes due to COVID, the goldfinches and house finches kept us company, outside our window.
I heard them sing every morning. 
They had no idea our world had turned upside down.

I'm thankful for those little birds and their songs. 
They taught me to keep singing. 

My daughter painted this beautiful picture of the goldfinch, 
and it's a wonderful reminder to me to rejoice and be glad. 

Artisan Fair at The Artful Gathering

I'll be signing books at the Artful Gathering's Artisan Fair in New Richmond, OH 411 Walnut St. October 29.

I'd love to see you there. I'll be sharing a table with some lovely, young entrepreneurs. Come see us!

 

Historical Fiction Review: The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephania H. McGee

What it’s About:
A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They're easier to handle, they're more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father's passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father's death--even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he's come to admire.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this well-written and thought-out story. Nora is a woman before her time, living in the early 1900s when arranged marriages kept families prosperous and women in the home. Instead of marriage, Nora has her heart set on training horses and running the family farm. Silas, a man who loved and lost his parents is out to find out what happened when his dad died. Nora’s Uncle Amos is determined to fight against them both. The story has mystery, romance, secrets, and an amazing horse. The Secrets of Emberwild will take you on an adventure into the early days of horse racing. I’m a fan of Heartland, so this book was a great read for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.