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Straighten Up

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

 

 
Monday I shared
Isaiah 42:16. I like it best in the NJKV.
 
“I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will
lead them in paths they have not known.
I will
make darkness light before them,
And
crooked places straight.
These
things I will do for them,
And not
forsake them.”
 
This
verse gives me hope for myself and also for those who are struggling in
darkness, who do not know Jesus yet. Now is the time of salvation!
 
I love
it when hands raise to receive salvation in church. I’m thrilled beyond
measure. They’re saved. But even more so, I get an amazing opportunity to sow into their lives. To help build a foundation for them through the New &
Growing Believers class at my church.
 
As God
opens their eyes, as light dawns, and crooked paths straighten, my eyes fill with
wonder at the miracle I witness. Knowledge and wisdom take residence in their
hearts, minds, lives. It’s amazing.
 
My
favorite conversion experience in the Bible is Saul (who became Paul). He held the coats of those
who stoned Stephen, a godly man. Jesus Himself stood up. He did not stay
seated.
 
He
persecuted the Christians. Stripping families apart as he imprisoned mothers,
fathers. And he says he was zealous about it. The worst of sinners.
 
And yet,
in  Acts chapter 9, “Then Saul still
breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the
high priest and asked letters from him for the synagogues of Damascus, so that
if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them
bound to Jerusalem.” (verse 1-2)
 
Saul was
on his crooked way to imprison those were of the Way (the Truth the life and
the Way–the Way =Jesus, those who had entered through the way of the narrow
gate.)
 
But on
the road to Damascus, Jesus had other plans for Saul. Plans for hope and
future. Regardless of his past. In spite of his past.
 
“Saul,
Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
 
“Who are You, Lord?” So blind. Yet
not physically blinded at this point, but spiritually.
 
“I
am Jesus…”
 
“Lord,
what do You want me to do?” A genuine encounter with Christ demands a
submissive response.
 
Jesus
sent him to the city for further instruction. Right here in this moment, Jesus
begins the lesson of faith. Not giving him but one instruction. Will you trust
Me?
 
Saul
arose and opened his eyes.
 
And he
was blind. A physical picture to remind him of how blind spiritually he’d been.
He had a good while to think about it.
 
And here
is one of my favorite parts. Ananias. A man of faith. God appeared to him in a
vision.
 
“Arise
and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one
called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying..
 
How
absolutely fitting. How absolutely on purpose
did God send Ananias to Straight
street.
 
Ananias
had a moment of melt down. Everyone knew how murderous Saul was against
Christians.
 
“Go,
for his is a chosen vessel of Mine…” Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God’s chosen.
 
 
It was
on Straight Street that Saul’s crooked path, his crooked ways were revised,
straightened out. It was on Straight Street, God removed the blinders from
Saul’s eyes and he saw.
 
For the first time in his life, he actually saw.
 
And he
spent a few days there to be discipled. 
 
How
important it is to invest in new believers. In growing believers. How important
it is to know that when we’re on a crooked path, when we feel blind. God has a
Straight Street waiting for us.
 
What can you do to invest in lives of those who are just starting
out? Who had invested time in your spiritual journey?
 

Musing on Isaiah 42:16

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

One of my favorite
hope-filled verses. I can’t wait to unpack this on Wednesday!
Musing/Meditation prompts: Recount the times
God has led you as though you were blind, down ways you never knew before,
sometimes scary, sometimes thrilling. Think on the times God has brought you
out of darkness into glorious light, straightening out the places that seemed
crooked in your life. Praise Him for never leaving you to travel alone. Never
leaving you blind. Always doing these things for you.
If
you could name a street based on your life or personality, what would you name
the street?
I think my street
would be lovers’ lane. Because truly, Jesus has shown me how much a lover of my
soul he is.

The Love Triangle

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I admit it, I’m a huge fan of the love triangle. I looked back on my manuscripts–most have a triangle of some sort, which is odd since I’m all about balance. I like things even. 

But triangles have snagged me since Jessica Wakefield and Lila Fowler fought over Bruce Patman. What?! No really. It’s true. In fact, that entire series had one triangle after another. It’s why I adored the Vampire Diaries books (though odd at times) and the show–which is actually better. Thank you, Kevin Williamson. Like seriously. Thank you.

Fairly Legal really picked up when they brought on the oh so wonderful, Ryan Johnson, as Ben Grogan–but then it didn’t get picked up. I’m still ticked over that.

I’m drawn to books, shows, and movies that have a triangle. 

I thought I’d share some of my favorite movie love triangles today.

An Affair to Remember 
 Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, and Richard Denning. There have been several remakes of this movie, which I’ve seen, but I always come back to this one. She falls in love with the playboy (and who doesn’t love Carey Grant), he knows he isn’t good enough for her, and in the wings, a good man loves her and takes care of her after her accident, but her heart has always stayed with the playboy. My favorite story line, I think.

 

Sweet Home Alabama
Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, and Josh Lucas. Torn between a really  nice, rich guy and her ex who’s still in love with her. You root for the husband but you also root for the character, Andrew Hennings. It’s only at the end that he realizes, he’s not in love with her. Up until then, it could go either way. 

 

My Best Friend’s Wedding
Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, and Cameron Diaz. I rooted for Julia Robert’s character, Julianne, to be with her best bud (played by Dermot Mulroney), Michael but in the end it didn’t happen and I kinda wished Rupert Everett’s character, George, hadn’t been gay because I also liked him and Julianne together. 

 

I have several other favorites: The Princess Bride, It Happened One Night, Casablanca, Twilight Saga, The Hunger Games, The Notebook…but I can’t list every single one.

What about you? Do you enjoy a good love triangle, why or why not? If so, what is one of your favorites?
 
photo credit: freedigitalphotos

How to Find Your Song

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Monday we meditated
and mused on verse 6, the last verse in Psalm 13. Today, we’re going to look at
the entire Psalm written by David. It came from a dark time in his life.
I think in the dark
times, we write some of the most brilliant lyrics and compose the most
thrilling melodies.
Here is the Psalm in
the NKJV:
“How
long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long
will You hide Your face from me?
 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long
will my enemy be exalted over me?
 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten
my eyes,
Lest I
sleep the sleep of death;
 Lest my enemy say,
“I have
prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I
am moved.
 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart
shall rejoice in Your salvation.
 I will sing to the Lord,
Because
He has dealt bountifully with me.”
Someone
very dear to me said almost verbatim the words expressed in verse 1: “I
ask God to show me He’s real. But I get nothing. It’s like He’s hiding…or maybe
He doesn’t care at all.”
Have you ever felt that way? Wondering where God is, as if He’s
hiding from you, as if you’ve been forgotten.
David
says, “How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart
daily?”
I know
from personal experience that when my heart is failing, giving myself solid
counsel–trying to find something based on scripture is difficult.
Emotions
become a tangled mess. Much like my loved one, who knows deep down that God is
near. He never leaves nor forsakes us. Nothing separates us from His love. His
thoughts toward us are so many–more than the sands of the sea. All good.
But when our hearts fail, when our soul feels alone and
drowning, our thoughts stray. What we believe can become clouded if we
let it.
The
enemy dogs us, like David’s enemy. Surrounding us. Taunting us. Vicious.
Merciless. He uses anything and everything to tear us apart. Health,
relationships, loved ones, finances…you name it.
David
cries out and is in essence saying, How long? I don’t know how much more I can
take of this. Please hear me. Answer me. I need a word from you…I’m going to
die if I don’t. How much more can I handle? My heart says none.
But we can’t give up.
David
knew this. He needed to hear from God. The silence was enough to drive him to
his grave. He didn’t want his enemies to get the victory, but he was wearing
thin.
And then
we make it to the last verse. David remembers times past.
He has
trusted in God’s love, his mercy. He has been saved before, rescued, loved,
taken care of, blessed. And he knows that God, even though He seems hidden and
quiet, even though his enemy is all around, even though his emotions are messed
up and his soul tortured…
God will
come through.
God will
rescue.
God will
protect.
God will
never leave.
God will
never give up.
God is….
NEAR.
And that
is reason to sing. 
Even in
the dark times.
Especially
in the dark times.
What
will you sing today? Favorite hymn/chorus?
I
will be singing this today: 

Musing on Psalm 13:6

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

It’s great to be
back after a refreshing spring break! I think that’s why I chose this
particular picture with spring blossoms. This week I’ve had the chance to
really feel this verse. But it’s the last verse in a rather somber Psalm by
David. And I felt that this week as well.
Wednesday, we’ll
unpack the entire Psalm. It’s short, stop hyperventilating.
Meditation/Musings: Think on all the things
that seem small or trivial in your life, but are good things. Waking up. Kids
that are healthy. Breathing without machines. A chocolate bar. Coffee. Warm
weather. Oh how good God is! Remember the big things that have happened in your
life: safety from a car wreck, a good report from the medical lab, a
disappointment that became a blessing after all. A hurt that turned into a
ministry.
God is so good to
us. Truly, in all circumstances, He deals bountifully with us. He is good to
us.
Name
one good thing whether large or small that has happened already today–and it
might be very early for you right now! 

Spring Break! Already?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

I can’t believe it’s already spring break time around here. Seems nuts that March has finally made its way to us. 

I love spring. Daffodils. Easter. Warm winds. Hammocks when they don’t break on you. Sunshine. Parks. Picnics. Bike rides. Long walks without frost bite. Rain. Tulips. 

I love it all. 

And next week, my husband and I have taken the entire week off to spend it with our kids. So I’ll be on a blogging break. 

But I’ll be back.

Yes, I said that Terminator style. Really I didn’t, but when I proofed this, I did. 

What do you love about spring? 

My Own Personal Miracle!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

 

 

“…Jesus
said to him,”‘Feed My sheep.'” John 21:17 (Jesus
talking to Peter)

 
Last
Tuesday,  I received a payment–a rather
large chunk–for my critiquing services. My husband came home, handed me an
envelope. I glanced at it. Another monthly packet from Voice of the Martyrs. I’d love to tell you I open it every month
and pray diligently for those who are being persecuted for the cause of Christ,
but I’d be lying. I might breathe a small prayer as I toss it out.
 
But this
night, I laid it on my desk and climbed up on my bed to chat with my husband
after he came home from Karate.
 
“Hand
me that envelope, Jess.”
 
“Voice
of the Martyrs? What do you want with that?” I grabbed it and held it up.
 
“Oh,”
he said. “I thought it was Project Rescue. What’s Voice of the
Martyrs?”
 
I told
him. He pulled up Project Rescue’s site. “I know you support them and on
the way home God made it clear that the amount of money you received isn’t
ours. So I thought of PR. Giving it to them.”
 
Of
course I was thrilled. Any chance to sow into Project Rescue (I have a page
devoted to this amazing ministry) makes me happy. But something stuck in my gut
and I focused on the packet from VOM (Voice of the Martyrs). I opened it up and
skimmed the booklet.
 
“Hey
Tim, this says we can donate Bibles.” A knot in my stomach formed as I
prayed in my head. Lord, where should this
money go? I was just thinking how we take Bibles for granted. We give them away
at GoodWills and there are people who weep over wanting just one. Yet we ignore
the treasures for extra sleep or hobbies…But I also love Project Rescue–girls
forced into sexual slavery.
 
“I
don’t really know about this ministry,” Tim said. I understand. These days
giving your debit card number over a website can be scary. And will those
people actually receive Bibles?
 
I wanted
to follow my husband’s lead. I’ve always prayed and asked God to increase us so
we can sow into the kingdom. One day I’d love to see a place on my novels that
says, “A portion of proceeds go to Project Rescue.”
 
We
decided to give part to Voice of the Martyrs and sponsor 10 bibles and give the
other portion to Project Rescue.
 
On
Wednesday morning, after I dropped my daughter off at school and got my little
sickie settled on the couch, I prayed about those Bibles. And I prayed about my
neck problems, asking once again for healing and then believing that if God
didn’t heal me, His grace would be sufficient.
 
My phone
dinged. Email. Naturally, I told God to hold up. I mean don’t we all do that?
Oh, it’s just me. I checked my email and it was two devotionals that I’d signed
up for at Bible Gateway. Now, I’d like to tell you I read them faithfully, but
I can’t. In fact, I normally delete them without even reading them. Why did I
even sign up? I deleted the first one, but…
 
I felt a
need to open the second one. I can’t explain it. Just a feeling I should. *Disclaimer: Just because your phone dings during prayer doesn’t mean you should
always check it.
 
SUFFERING ACCOMPLISHES UNKNOWN PURPOSES
 
This was
the title. And it was the devotional about persecuted Christians. Christians
like the ones I’d just sent Bibles to–or at least I hoped that was what my
money was actually going to.
 
As I
read, I thought God was speaking to me about my neck. It talked about Paul’s
thorn in his flesh that God didn’t heal him of, but His grace was sufficient.
 
And then
I read a story about a boy, named Abdul, who drowned and died for an hour.
(Normally, I think…oh here we go when I read death stories.) But I kept
reading. The angels that carried him, told him he still had work to do and when
he opened his eyes, alive, a pastor sat praying over him.
 
It went on to say, “This happened twenty years ago and
ever since, Abdul’s life has been changed. Even though Abdul only completed
fifth grade in school, he is currently the pastor of a small church in a very
poor village on the island of Mindanao in the Philippine Islands. In his own
words Abdul says, “I don’t understand God’s purposes in my suffering, but I now
know the Lord.””
 
Something struck me!
Mindanao. I know that place. How do I know that place? I’ve never read anything
about the Philippine Islands. I poked my lips out and scrunched my brows.
 
Yes
you do. You skimmed it last night.
 
I snatched up the
Voice of the Martyrs booklet/newsletter and opened to the editor’s page.
 
First paragraph:
“Our newsletter editor recently met with Christians on the Philippine
island of Mindanao, where Christians are heavily persecuted. Her trip was well
timed because the Philippine government had just signed a preliminary agreement
with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (a rebel group) to create an Islamic
region in Mindanao called Bangsamore.” It went on to tell of horrible
persecutions to the Christians. Bombs. Fear. Theft. Vandalism. Beatings.
 
I had just read
about this place in my devotional I never read! But there’s more!
 
“When our
editor asked a pastor
why he stays in Mindanao when he could have a peaceful life in another part of
the Philippines, he said, “For me it’s not really difficult. We need to feed the sheep.”
He asked only for more Bibles, as many Christians families in his village do
not have one.”
 
Do I believe that
the boy who drowned is this man, “Arnel” (name changed due to
anonymity and security issues) is Abdul.
 
I do.
 
Do I believe that
when we listen, God speaks–even if it’s a whisper or thought?
 
I do.
 
Do I believe that
God is sovereign and is constantly working to spread a message of hope to those
who are dying in sin and begging for just a taste of His word?
 
I do.
 
Do I believe that
when we seek God’s will, but are unsure and ask for confirmation, that He gives
it? Even through devotions and newsletters we would normally never read?
 
I do.
 
Do I believe the
money I could have kept and saved for a writer’s conference is now going to
Mindanao to spread the gospel, to feed the sheep of Jesus Christ’s pasture?
 
I do.
 
Did I mention that
on the Wednesday night after all this happened in the morning, I was teaching
on Peter’s life and discovering God’s will for your life to my new &
growing believer’s class, that we were reviewing real living and relationships
that included giving with a cheerful heart as God purposes in our hearts?
 
I did.
 
Do I believe that
this was a practical application I could share and encourage them with?
 
I do.
 
Do I believe that if
God can orchestrate something so amazing as this, then He can also orchestrate
other things in my life and make good on promises such as writing, publishing,
teaching, family concerns, physical healing (or lack of), finances…?
 
I do.
 
I do.
 
I do.
 
Do
you?
 
“So let each one give as he purposes in
his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
 
If you are
interested in sowing into the Kingdom and feeding God’s sheep, please visit
Voice of the Martyrs. And as always, Project Rescue!
 
“Like” us on facebook!
 

Musing on Psalm 34:8: Taste and See

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

This is one of my favorite verses. I love to open up God’s word, taste the promises and see Him come through in a mighty way.

It’s true. Blessed is the man who trusts in God. Maybe not in physical ways, but spiritual. God does care more about your heart and where you spend eternity than He does your physical comforts in this temporary life.

Wednesday, I’ll be sharing a most powerful personal experience. I tasted. I saw. And boy did it impact my life. I’m forever changed–and this just happened last week. Please, please come by and experience my own personal miracle. 

Musing/Meditation prompts: Think on the times you opened up and sampled His word, how new insights and wisdom as well as comfort and direction flooded your soul. Did it create a taste for the goodness of God? Count three things He’s done in the past 24 hours that were good to you? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you out if you’re stuck and can’t think of a single thing. Think about your favorite sweets. What is it about them that you love? How is God’s word and His goodness sweeter? Can you honestly say you’d rather have God’s goodness than that favorite dessert? If not, spend some time in prayer and ask God to change your heart.

This next question may sound random and not mesh with what we’re musing on, but I have a reason. It has to do with Wednesday’s post. I have more than ten Bibles in my house. It isn’t a question to make you feel guilty, it’s just to lay some ground work for Wednesday. 

How many Bibles 
do you have in your home?

Also, come by and see me at Hannah Conway’s blog! I’m giving a few tips on how to spring clean your manuscript! 

Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Manuscript

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

Hey everyone! This week has been crazy. My son has Croup. So I’ve been kind of scarce in the comments.

And I’ve been trying to hang out more on my Facebook page so if you want to chit-chat daily, “like” the page (sidebar) and hope and pray it shows up in your feed so you’ll remember me! ha!

Today, I’m over at the sweet Hannah Conway’s blog sharing 3 tips on how to spring clean your manuscript!  But before you head over here’s what’s going on in my neck of the woods. My son has his first sparring Karate tournament Saturday. Yes, I plan to yell, “Sweep the leg, Johnny!” And if I can come up with one of those Tom Toms (it is a tom tom right?) from Karate Kid II, I’m gonna use it!

But before I go to his sparring event, I’m speaking at my writer’s group on Deep POV. Deep POV is like when Patrick Swayze stepped into Whoopie Goldberg. Creepy, but it’s becoming your character. So you can probably guess how it’s gonna go tomorrow. lol

And I’m knee deep in paid critiques which is awesome! If you want fresh eyes on your manuscript see my Critiquing/Editing services page and email me! I’d love to partner with you!

Have a great weekend, and come by Hannah’s! CLICK HERE! 

 

Speaking of movies, give me a favorite line from one of yours?

Designed to Bloom in Fire

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

 

 
 
 
Monday we mused on
Psalm 66:11-13.
 
“You brought us into the net;
You laid
affliction on our backs.
You have
caused men to ride over our heads;
We went
through fire and through water;
But You
brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
NKJV
 
Let’s
jump into context for a moment before we get to the meat of the message.
 
It’s
hard hearing that God brought His people into the net (or prison) and laid
afflictions (hardships) on them. Men rode over their heads? Yikes!
 
But
waaaay back in Deuteronomy God clues His people in by giving them commands. In
fact, He warns them a billion times it seems not to leave Him to worship other
gods (false gods, idols i.e. anything you put before Him) and then He gave them
clear conditions of what would happen if they did.
 
One of
those was allowing other nations to come in and take them captive–to net them
so to speak. Many died. But He promised, because He’s
faithful, to keep a remnant of people and that He would deliver them.
The whole point was to turn them back to Him. Away from things that they were
putting first and from ungodly practices.
 
The
Psalmist, here, is actually praising God for His wonderful works. Yes, fire and
water came. But yes! God delivered His people through and on the other side
came abundance. Rich fulfillment.
 
Isaiah
43:1-2 says,”O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for
I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will
be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When
you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames
will not consume you.”
 
Guess what? You’re going through the fire. And water. Probably
many times. But you won’t be burned. You won’t drown.
 
Let’s
take a look at an interesting tree.
 
 
The
Rocky Mountain Lodgepole. The lodgepole “produces serontinous cones which
do not open at maturity because they’re sealed shut by a resin between the cone
and the scale.” *taken from HERE*
 
These
trees require heat with temperatures between 113-140 degrees F to melt that
resin and release the seeds.
 
In nature, only forest fires can produce those kind of
temperatures.
 
The
Jackpine, in Michigan, is similar to the Lodgepole. And there’s a bird called
the Kirtland Warbler, which is endangered, that loves to nest in them. So the
Department of Natural Resources actually light fires in these Jackpine
ecosystems so they can release seeds from their cones and thus produce more
trees, thus as more Warblers breed, they have a safe place to live.
 
In 2002,
“the annual census counted over 1000 singing males…” They can be
heard singing beautiful melodies up to half a mile.
 
To prepare the ground work, fire is necessary.
I think we’re a lot like Lodgepole pines and Jackpines. We need the fire
cranked up to open us up, to produce seed in order to grow–to bear fruit.
 
“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears
the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and
produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:23
 
When we
allow the fire to come, when God allows heated circumstances to develop us and
open us up for His glory, it will draw others to us and ultimately to Christ.
Like the Warblers. Flocking to us.
 
Like the
mustard seed in Matthew 13:31, which was a small seed but, when it grew, it
became a tree for birds of the air to nest in its branches. The body of Christ
is like that tree. A place for those to come and nest. Make their home.
Connect. Find comfort–the same comfort we were comforted with when we went
through the fire, when it opened us up and produced good fruit in our lives.
 
I think
with each Warbler, a new song is sung.
 
“He
put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our
God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust
the Lord.” Psalm 40:3
 
We just
have to get through the fire first. And sometimes, it burns hot. Because that’s
what it takes for us to bloom and grow and produce for the Kingdom. For glory
of our King. And to bring in new birds, with new songs.
 
I’m
hosting at Living by Grace! Like our page on facebook and a new devotional will
pop into your feed every single day! I can use daily encouragement, how about
you? 
 
I’m curious, do you have a favorite bird? God’s creatures are
amazing!