Tag: jessicarpatch

Mirror Mirror

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Per usual, I’m reading through the Bible chronologically and we’re in the Exodus era. God had brought the people into the wilderness to build them into a nation, to give them laws and ceremonies and it’s exhaustive because they need them! 

God asks for those who have willing hearts to bring gold, silver, scarlet, blue thread etc… as an offering to build the tabernacle–a place he will dwell with them. And people came! They brought so much (from the wealth given to them by the Egyptians when they left after the death of the firstborn) that they told Moses to tell the people to stop bringing stuff. They had more than enough to complete the tasks God had assigned them.

This is big time giving right here! 

But what I loved most this go-round was this: Exodus 38:8 NLT “Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle.”

Women brought their mirrors which they’d taken out of Egypt. According to archaeological resources, Egyptian mirrors were ornate, full of gems and worth quite a bit. And yet these women freely gave these mirrors for the service of God.

They’d rather reflect on God than their own reflections. Their vanity was worth letting go to humble themselves before God.

The Forward Reflection Question of the day is: Who are you reflecting most? Yourself or God? And are you willing to give God all that you have, even what seems terribly valuable, for his kingdom’s causes?

 

What do you find most fascinating about building the tabernacle?

Two by Two…Nothing to Do with You!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Imagine building a massive boat when there’s never been rain? When no one believes you. Through hard labor, hard mocking, 120 years passing as Noah preached righteousness. No one surrendering their life. The boat is built. The animals were to come two by two. 

Note here that Noah did his part. He worked daily, he followed all the instructions and made sure he had all the specifications right.

God did all the rest. He brought brought what needed to be in the ark, into the ark and he himself closed the door. 

Knowing that two of each kind plus seven for sacrifice needed to be in the boat could have brought distraction and kept Noah from building and doing what God instructed him to do. “How will I get all these animals onboard? Where will I find them all? Ants are small! 

God rounded up the animals. “…two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female…” Genesis 2:9 NLT

Do what you’ve been tasked by God to do.  Don’t let other things distract you. You don’t have to do it all. You only have to do what God asks. He’ll take care of the the rest or He’ll give you additional instructions later. 

Maybe you’ve let the world’s influence distract you from living a holy life? It’s a slow fade. Maybe you’re distracted trying to do God’s part? You can’t ever do his part. You can only do your own!

Forward Reflection: Am I being distracted from what I know God has instructed me to do? Do I need to repent? Do I need to get back on task.

For fun: Which animal would you have “accidentally” forgotten on the ark? Me? Probably wasps. 🙂 

Hope Is Never Out of Reach

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Welcome back to another Forward Friday. We’re moving forward every day in our personal relationship with Jesus. 

Today, I want to quickly look at Hagar. A woman who was a servant to Abraham and Sarah. In a circumstance she couldn’t control. When two people had to wait a very long time for a son of promise, things got scary. Uncertain. And like just like us, they took matters into their own hands to scheme to bring God’s promise to fulfillment.

But here’s the rub, friends. When we aren’t ones giving the promise, we can’t bring it to pass. God gives us steps sometimes, sure. Often it’s WAIT. Wait on Him. This produces trust and faith and dependance on Him.

They didn’t. Sarah decides she’ll give Hagar to Abraham as a surrogate wife which was custom and acceptable practice in that culture. But Abraham was to be set apart from the culture and customs of that day. Are you disobeying God because a practice in culture is acceptable and says you can? 

Once Hagar was pregnant, pride reared its ugly head and she treated Sarah with contempt. Sarah then went to Abraham and blamed him for everything. Sounds about right. We’re more prone to blame others for our mistakes than own up to them. He stays out of it and says do what seems best. She’s your servant. And Sarah treats her like trash. So bad she runs away.

The Angel of the Lord comes to her. He sees her distress and tells her to go back. To submit. To basically repent and humble yourself. This was his protection no doubt. Imagine a young pregnant woman with no protector or provision in the wilderness? And he gives her a promise too. 

She goes back. She submits. We read nothing more about mistreatment but when Sarah’s son Isaac–the son of promise–is made fun of by Ishmael, Hagar and Abraham’s son, it’s time to go (Genesis 21). She leaves and they run out of water. Has she forgotten the God who hears her, who sees her, who has made her a promise to make her son a nation? Maybe. Often in our suffering, doubts and fears we forget who God is, what he’s done and what he’s promised us.

He opens her eyes to see what was likely there all along…a well of water. Life. Salvation. Rescue! She gives the water to her son and they live. 

Hope was there all along. She just couldn’t see it through her fear, panic, dread, anxiety, suffering and uncertainty. 

Jesus is and always will be our hope. Sometimes we don’t see him for all the reasons Hagar didn’t see the water. He’s our living water. Our life. Our salvation. Our rescue. 

Forward Reflection: How do I respond in uncontrollable circumstances? Do I build my hope in nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness? Do I remember that my ground is solid? Do I need to repent? Do I need God to open my eyes to hope? 

 

*I know during these accounts it’s Abram/Sarai but it’s just easier to say Abraham/Sarah.

 

Steadfast Hearts in 2023

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Suffering isn’t a word we get excited about hearing. And what does it have to do with a steadfast heart? Good question. This year, as I read chronologically, the word or thread I’m tracing is suffering. Sounds like a fun time, huh? But the truth is, the world offers up a very different definition on how we should look at that word–as a four letter word. A word for the garbage heap. Sadly, this perception has made its way into many churches in America. God is yours to bring you blessing which typically equates to health, wealth and the “good life” or your “best life now.” But is that true? What does God say about suffering? How can we view suffering biblically and why should it matter.

Often when we tell Jesus to take the wheel of our lives it comes through the vehicle of suffering.

Suffering develops in us steadfastness. James tells us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-8 ESV

What is steadfastness? What does steadfast mean?

  • It is a characteristic of a person who is not swerved from deliberate purpose and their loyalty to faith & dutiful devotion to God by even the greatest of trials and suffering.
  • It is a patient, enduring, sustaining
  • It implies a steady, unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.
  • Some synonyms: faithful, devoted, ardent, passionate, dependable, unfaltering, unhesitating, trusty, determined, serious, avid, dyed-in-the-wool, solid, reliable, and constant.

This remind you of anyone? Yes! Jesus. His heart is steadfast to us. God showed his steadfast love and demonstrated it “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Christ is called the Suffering Servant, in fact many of your Bible translations have that as a heading in places. We see Christ as the Suffering Servant in the Servant Songs found in Isaiah 42:1–9; Isaiah 49:1–13; Isaiah 50:4–11; and Isaiah 52:13—53:12.

This year I want to challenge you to a steadfast heart. To suffer a little by denying yourself–denying that extra 15 minutes of sleep or the mindless scrolling of social media accounts at lunch or the evening or fill in the blank–in order to read the Word and grow in knowledge and grace, to be transformed into his image and be more Christ-like i.e. applying the Word to your life. 

Paul himself says in Romans 12:1-3, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (bold type mine; ESV)

I’m leading a group of women this year in reading the Bible chronologically. Every story has a beginning, middle, and end including God’s story! Some of us are suffering in body. Some in mind. Some spiritually. Some emotionally and some all of the above. We need a biblical view of suffering for when we go through it and also to help and encourage others who are in the midst of fiery trials. Reading daily will be a living sacrifice. But it will also develop a steadfast heart.

Forward Reflection: Is my heart steadfast? How does my life reveal that truth? Am I daily disciplined in the Word, worship, and prayer? Am I growing in knowledge and grace? Can I tell the story of God if asked? Am I ready at any moment to lead someone to Jesus?

If you’d like to join the Facebook Online Community–Women Who ACT (Abide, Connect, Train in godliness) click the link. Answer the 3 simple questions and note “blog” when asked how you heard about the group. Invite some friends. Mature in the Lord with us.

Click Women who ACT. 

Until Next Forward Friday,

Jess

Book News & New Book Projects!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey friend! 

Thanksgiving has passed and the Christmas season is in full swing! Before you know it January will roll out and February will roll in, meaning A Cry in the Dark will be hitting online and brick-and-mortar bookshelves everywhere.

 

Maybe you haven’t added it to your Goodreads Want to Read shelf. Now would be a great time. I’m so excited about this book and following Violet’s story. I’ve had a lot of reader feedback and interest in her. You’ll get some more definitive answers to what transpired between her and the killer in Her Darkest Secret and quickly discover why she seems aloof and distant. It’s tragic really. But God’s grace is overwhelmingly good and it’s a story that showcases that!

Here’s a peek:

Deep in the Kentucky hills, three women have been found brutalized and murdered.
But the folks in Night Holler have their own ways and their own laws.
And they’re not talking…

Led to an isolated Appalachian Mountain town by a trail of disturbing murders, FBI special agent Violet Rainwater’s determined to catch a serial killer with a twisted agenda. With locals refusing to reveal their secrets, Violet’s only ally is Detective John Orlando. But even John has an ulterior motive—he’s convinced this case is connected to his wife’s murder. 

As they dig deeper, Violet uncovers a link to her own unresolved past. For years she’s worked the cold case of her mother’s abduction, which had led to her birth. The need to look into the eyes of the sinful man who fathered her consumes Violet. Until she can, she’ll never have peace. Because she’s terrified she might be exactly like him.

In this chilling novel, when the present collides with Violet’s mysterious past and John’s tragic loss, they must unravel the warped, sinuous connections before the killer strikes again. But solving the case might not be nearly as terrifying as the possibility that Violet’s finally found her roots…

I can’t wait for you to read it. You can also preorder the book from your favorite retailers including Walmart and Target!

New Book Projects!

At the moment, I’m working on a new novel that will be included in a collection with some of your favorite inspirational authors. I’m using two characters from Her Darkest Secret for the heroine and hero. Any guesses who they might be? Oh, this book is going to be so fun! I’m writing it organically, meaning I haven’t plotted anything. All I know is how the killer is murdering his victims and why. I know the hero and heroine. AND fun fact: I’m setting it in Splendor Pines, East Tennessee where Rush Buchanan and Nora Livingstone are from in Cold Case Christmas, so you’ll see cameos and revisit the lovely mountain town in a sizzling hot summer!

The rest of the story will just come straight from what I’m imagining in that moment. I have no idea WHO the killer is or how the investigation is going to play out, but that’s okay. It’s all part of the joy of writing organically.

I’m also working on new books for Love Inspired Suspense in a Texas Crime Scene Cleaners series featuring two brothers and a sister! It’s been a lot of fun too. 

Lastly, I’ll be bringing you Tiberius Granger’s story in 2024! If you’ve read Her Darkest Secret,  you’ve met him and he’ll take a more active role in A Cry in the Dark as I prep him for his own wild story set in the Outerbanks, North Carolina during hurricane season. It’ll be a real thrill ride with some crazy wild twists and shocking ending–at least I hope it will be! 

So what are you up to these days? Reading any great thrillers? Let me know in the comments!

And if you care to guess who the characters might be from Her Darkest Secret, share in the comments. Patch Pack members already know, so no commenting from any of y’all! That’s cheating! 🙂 

 

Until next time,

Jess

Her Darkest Secret Goodreads Giveaway!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey friends, my Publisher (Harlequin) is hosting a Goodreads giveaway for Her Darkest Secret! EEEK! 

It starts today, June 1-June 20th. They’re giving away 1 of 20 paperback copies to U.S. and CA! Take advantage of this opportunity and enter for a chance to win today. Feel free to share this news with your friends too! The more the merrier, right? I mean we’re not stingy. 😉 

 

Enter for a chance to win: GOODREADS GIVEAWAY HER DARKEST SECRET 

 

 

September Quiz Fun! What Lipstick Color Suits Your Book Genre Personality?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

It’s that time again, friends. Time to take another monthly quiz. Your shade of lipstick says a lot about which genre of books you enjoy most. 😉 Of course, these are all in good fun and I hope you have a ton of it and share it with friends!

Have you signed up for the Patched In monthly newsletter? No? Well, now is the time. A new installment goes out Tuesday, September 14th and I’m sharing some big news that is guaranteed to thrill you! Plus, don’t miss out on a new Patch of Hope devotion which you can only receive in my newsletter. Just simply go to my “HOME” page and scroll to the bottom, leave your email (which I never share) and get ready to receive all the good stuff each month!

Now, have some fun and tell me in the comments which book genre and shade of lipstick are you? 

 

 

New Quiz: Which Flower Best Fits Your Personality?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey y’all!

Welcome back to a new monthly quiz and this one correlates with the devotion in the August installment of Patched In. If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, you can go to the HOME page, scroll to the bottom and there’s a place to enter your email and sign up. No worries, I never give our your email address. When you sign up, you’ll receive a monthly newsletter “Patched In” which features a new quiz, book news, deal alerts, upcoming exclusive info, a Patch of Hope which includes a devotion, worship song video, a prayer, and Scripture verse to reflect on. I also share book recommendations and other fun stuff. I think you’d like it. 🙂 

My next newsletter goes out August 10th, so if you’re here before then, be sure to sign up!

I’m also doing a month long giveaway to celebrate my upcoming release, Cold Case Double Cross. 

You can enter for a chance to win here: GIVEAWAY !

And now for the Quiz! Yay! Comment below and tell me which flower best represents your personality: The Marigold, the Night-blooming jasmine, or the African violet. Also, be sure to share your results so your friends on social media can participate too!

Warmly, 

Jess

 

 

20 Random Things

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

My  sweet, wonderful
friend Casey
Herringshaw tagged me in a 20 Random Questions post. So, here goes
everyone!

 
How tall are you? 5’0 even. Yep. I’m a shrub. Deal with it. I have to.


Do you have a hidden talent? If so, what is it?
It’s hidden. I don’t know. I’m well versed in quick-wit and sarcasm. That’s a talent, right?


3. What’s your biggest blog-related pet peeve?
I’m probably supposed to have one,
but I don’t. Oh wait, yes I do. It annoys me when I “friend” or “follow”
someone and they immediately ask me to read their blog. I don’t care much for
that.


4. What’s your biggest non blog-related pet
peeve?
I don’t like to be interrupted. It’s
true. When I’m in the middle of something and someone, anyone, starts talking to
me I cringe. And if they’re asking something of me, you can bank I’ll either say
no or I’ll make sure they know I’m not happy about it. I didn’t say it was
right. Is there a support group for this?


5. What’s your favorite song?
I love music. So I can’t really pick a favorite song. But I’ve
had David Archuleta’s “To Be With You” on repeat lately b/c it fits a story I’m
plotting. 

6. What’s your favorite Etsy shop that isn’t
yours?
What is Etsy?


7. What’s your favorite way to spend your free
time when you’re alone?
Reading of course. Catching up on
shows I’ve DVR’d. Writing.


8. What’s your favorite junk food?
There are other kinds of food?
Huh. I’m a fan of French fries. I could eat them every day. Especially from
Back Yard Burger. O. M.W.


9.  Do you have a pet or pets? If so, what
kind and what are their names?
This is not my favorite subject. I
so want to love animals but I can’t seem to make myself. But I do have a
Snorkie (part schnauzer/Yorkshire terrier) and her name is Sarah. That’s all I’m
saying about that. 
 
10.  What are your #1 favorite fiction and
nonfiction books?
I’m not sure I can give you a #1
fave in fiction, I love too many. As far as non-fiction, it really depends on
what I’m going through at the time and why I pick one up. Probably the Circle
Maker by Mark Batterson has really stuck with me and Beyond the Soiled Curtain
by David & Beth Grant. 

 
 



11.   What’s your favorite beauty
product?

I don’t really use beauty
products. My name is Jessica not Esther. But I like Vaseline’s Shea Butter
lotion and oil. 

 
 
12.   When were you last
embarrassed? What happened?
Honestly, I rarely get embarrassed.
I probably should. Is there a support group for that too? But once I remember
total embarrassment and that’s when I cheated on my husband in front of the entire
church. You read that right. I blogged about it HERE.


13. If you could drink one beverage (besides
water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I drink Perrier. It is water but
it’s mineral water so it doesn’t count as water. Right? I do love a diet Dr.
Pepper with a shot of cherry from Sonic. I also like their Ocean Water.

 

 



14.  What’s your favorite movie?
Ah! Toughie. The Princess Bride,
Clue, Jaws, I love all the Harry Potter movies. An Affair to Remember,
Philadelphia Story, It Happened One Night…I have way too many.


15.  What were you in high school: prom
queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep?
I didn’t fit into any of those
categories. I was just me. Some people liked me. Some didn’t. I was in Journalism
and really liked that, but it didn’t define me. Wow, that’s tough.


16.  If you could live anywhere in the
world, where would you live?
 I’d like to live in Vermont in the fall. But not
winter. I’d like to live on a yacht and go wherever whenever. Yeah. That’s what
I’d like.  

photocredit: freedigitalphotos/EA


17.   PC or Mac?
PC because that’s what I have. I’m
scared of the Mac!


18.  Last romantic gesture from a crush,
date, boy/girlfriend, spouse?
My husband surprised me with tickets to see The Phantom of
the Opera for an early birthday present. It was quite the romantic evening!


19.  Favorite celebrity?
I don’t really have a favorite celebrity.
But I think Matthew McConaughay is a wonderful actor and I’ve seen almost
everything that he’s been in, minus Magic Mike and the True Detective show. 


20. What blogger do you secretly want to be best
friends with?
Hmmm…I can’t think of one. Not
one. Is that bad? Not that I don’t want to be friends but I am friends with all the blog authors I read from!

***The winner of Sarah Varland’s Tundra Threat is Sandra Orchard! 

***Have you signed up for the Patched In? Just jump up to the top right corner and subscribe! And to say thank you, you’ll receive an exclusive Christmas novella by yours truly! Hope Under Mistletoe!


 
Now, you tell me something about yourself!

 

selfphotocredit/freedigitalphotos/stuartmiles