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Bible, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Faith

THESE STAIRS ARE HEAVY, GOD

January 25, 2026January 24, 2026 joymargetts

My granddaughter is almost 3. She is a chatty little soul, and prone to burst out into song at any given moment, and we think she is amazing! We love how she has her own special way of putting things into words. While staying away in a holiday cottage with her family recently, she very seriously told a complete stranger that they were living in a new house now, because they couldn’t find their old one.

photo of a young girl standing in a doorway to a castle room

These stairs are heavy

One day last week we picked her up from nursery and took her home to her mum and dad. They live in a flat up a set of quite steep stairs. As I followed my granddaughter up the stairs, her little legs seemed to be struggling with the climb.

‘These stairs are heavy!’ she muttered to herself.

Feeling the ache in my own tired bones, I could not help but agree with her. The stairs were indeed ‘heavy’.

Now I know that the description of the stairs was not grammatically correct, but it absolutely encapsulated what we were both feeling at that moment (I think it is a phrase that I am going to remember and use often!).

You know, God

It got me thinking about how we are with God. There are many times when we can’t accurately put things into words. When speaking to God doesn’t come out in neat, grammatical sentences. When it is hard to explain what we are feeling.

I have definitely known this struggle in the season I have been walking through recently, and still do to be honest. I try and tell God what I want Him to understand, but more often than not I fall back on, ‘You know, God.’

The amazingly comforting thing is that He does know. The One who knows us intimately, who knows our thoughts, who knows the words we are going to say before we even do (Psalm 139). He knows. Even when we can’t find the words, He still wants us to cry out to Him. Because that is what relationship with Him means. We speak to Him, and He speaks to us. We cry out, He hears and responds.

Calling upon the Lord

David knew the truth of this. I am sure in all that he went through; hiding in caves and mountains, constantly fearing for his life, having his friends and own sons conspiring against him. In all that he endured, He knew that God would hear Him when he cried out. He knew God as his place of refuge, his defender, his provider.

In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Psalm 18: 6

He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters. Psalm 18:16

For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:31-32

Photo of wooden steps ascending through a woodland

God, this is heavy

Jesus talked about us having a childlike faith (Matt 18:3). I wonder if part of that is being comfortable with not knowing the right words to pray. To be willing to just express ourselves in a way that might not make sense to anyone else, but that will make complete sense to the Father who loves us tenderly and knows us completely.

‘These stairs are heavy. This, that I am dealing with today, God, this is heavy.’

‘I know my beloved, but I am right here with you. Behind you, beside you, all around you. And we will do this climb together.’

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power.

She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian Writer, Faith, Seasons of life, Thankfulness, The Word of God

RECLAIMING EBENEZER

January 3, 2026January 2, 2026 joymargetts

For Christmas this year I received a lovely homemade present from my daughter. She is a gifted artist, and it was done on commission. I wanted a sign to hang in the entrance way to our home, and I wanted it to bear the word ‘Ebenezer’.

Ebenezer? Not just for Christmas!

Why does Mum want a reference to Scrooge up on her wall? That was my son’s horrified response. Of course, the name Ebenezer is forever associated with the miserly ‘bah humbug’ character from Charles Dickiens classic, A Christmas Carol. But that is a shame, because it really is a beautiful name. You may have noticed it engraved on the facades of old chapels – I have seen it more than once, here in the UK.

Coloured line drawing of Ebenezer Scrooge meeting the ghost of Marley

A tough year

If you have been reading my blogs recently you will know that 2025 was a difficult year for us. It was a year marked with grief and loss. For many months of 2025 I became the chief care giver for my parents. It was a privilege to be put in that position, and I embraced the role. It was my way of honouring parents that I loved dearly and owed so much to. However, to say it was hard was an understatement. It became, in many ways, a test of endurance. Very many times I felt close to failing, falling, collapsing under the weight of it all, as I watched one, and then the other live out the last days of their lives on earth. To watch a loved one suffer is heart-breaking, even when you are doing all that you can to ease their pain, even when you know that they are going to be with Jesus soon. There were moments of joy and laughter, and an overriding peace in it all. And we were surrounded by amazing family, friends and health care professionals, who helped us more than we can say. But it was really tough.

Almost overwhelmed

As 2025 drew to a close, I was grateful. Grateful that a new year might bring less pain, more healing, new beginnings. But I was also grateful to God for being with us through what has been the hardest year of my life. So, so grateful.

Psalm 124 declares, ‘If it had not been the Lord who was on our side… Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul’. This is my testimony. I look back and know, with 100% certainty, that without God with us, we would have been completely overwhelmed by our circumstances. By the pain, loss, grief and relentlessness of it all.

So, my homemade sign will soon hang proudly in my entrance hall. And it will hang there as a declaration for all to see. A memorial stone if you like, which is where the name comes from.

Wooden sign with the word 'Ebenezer' painted on it with a mountain outline, and the reference I Samuel 7 v 12

Here I raise my Ebenezer*

In I Samuel 7 we read how Israel is facing attack from the Philistines. They have already suffered defeat, and they cry out to God, through His prophet Samuel, to help them. God responds and their enemies are crushed. Samuel chooses to do something so that the people will remember what God has done for them for years to come.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” v12

‘Ebenezer’ literally means ‘Stone of Help’. The word ’Ezer’ or help is found many times in the Old Testament, and it almost always refers to God. It is the word God uses to describe the woman in Genesis 2:18, the ‘helper’ or ‘help meet’ that the man needs. It does not mean someone lesser, a servant, or an aid ( why God uses it of the woman is the subject for another time!). To state that God is our helper means to declare than the almighty, all powerful One has deigned to step down and stand beside us, surround us, support us and provide for all that we need. He has helped us, like no other can. Because He is faithful and good, because He is strong, powerful, wise and kind, because He is far greater than we are. Because He loves us.

Our eternal Ezer

It was important for me to make a similar declaration to the one that Samuel made as I stepped from one year into the next. As my family moves on into a new season. As we continue to heal from what has passed and look with quiet hope to the future. I wanted to mark this moment.

Thus far the Lord has helped us. We could not have done it without Him. And we will never have to endure anything else, whatever might come, without His help. He is our eternal EZER.

And as for Ebenezer Scrooge? Well, I read A Christmas Carol again this year, and do you know, by the end, he is a completely transformed man! A really loving, kind and generous soul. So perhaps Ebenezer isn’t such a bad name after all!

*From the hymn ‘Come thou fount of every blessing’

She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian blog, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Jesus, The Word of God

BECOMING AS A CHILD

November 22, 2025November 21, 2025 joymargetts

My granddaughter is 2 and a half years old. She is growing up quickly and is developing her own little character. Sweet, gentle, caring, curious, and feisty at times. She is a delight to spend time with, a real joy – and I don’t think I am biased! She is so grown up that she has recently started to come to Nana’s house on her own, without her big brother who is now at school every day.

Play with me

What that does mean is that when she comes, everything else I was hoping to do that day will have to be put aside. ‘Play with me’ she will demand, and boldly walk away to where the toys are, expecting me to follow. It doesn’t enter her head that I might refuse to play with her. Of course I won’t! She knows that. I want to enjoy her company and if that means getting down to her level I will.

Lowering myself

And it might mean literally getting down to her level. Lowering my aging stiff body onto the carpeted floor, laying down and propping myself on an elbow, or sitting with my legs bent awkwardly beneath me. Getting low enough to engage with the lego, or the jigsaw, or the play cars, or the plastic food. I have to lower my expectations too, put aside my level of maturity and understanding, to be present with her in her imaginative games.

What use would it be to suggest a 1000-piece jigsaw, when she can only manage a 24 piece? What nonsense to suggest a complicated board game, when she can only just about play animal dominos? Those might be the things that I would prefer to do, but they are too adult for her. Becoming as a child means just that. I have to put aside my adult experience, knowledge and understanding, lower myself to be able to play her games and enjoy her company. I can teach her things as we play, but only things that are appropriate for her level of understanding.

Jesus blesses the children

I was thinking about this as I read Luke 18 : 15-17 recently. It is the passage where mothers bring their children to Jesus to be blessed and are turned away by the disciples. But Jesus won’t have it – He wants the children to come to Him. He wants to bless them and be in their company. We don’t know what He said, whether He laughed with them, played with them even. In Mark’s gospel we are told He took them in His arms and held them. (Mark 10:13-16) What a beautiful picture that is! I am sure He lowered Himself to their level somehow.

But it is what He said that resonated with me,

‘Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ Luke 18:16 -17 NKJV

In Matthew’s account He adds this,

‘Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ Matt 18:4 NKJV

Becoming as a child

When I think about how I have to adjust myself in order to get down to my granddaughter’s level, what Jesus said about being a part of His kingdom makes a lot of sense to me. He doesn’t want me to be childish, that is not what ‘becoming as a child’ means. He just wants me to follow His example. He who lowered Himself from heaven’s splendour to walk our sorry world. He who was willing to come down to our level, so that He could be in our company – for eternity.

Nothing compared to Him

When it comes to His kingdom, all that I think I know, however learned I am, is nothing compared to what He knows and wants to reveal to me. He wants to spend time with me, show me more of the things that are important for me to understand. That requires me to be willing to humble myself, to lower myself, to not rely on, or be proud of my own abilities and knowledge. To even put aside all the things I think I can do for Him. He wants me to have a child- like trust, that He knows better than I do, and that I am safe with Him. He might even want to change the way I think, alter the things I thought I knew. He has much to teach me.

Do I want to be ‘great in the kingdom of heaven’? I am not sure I even know what that looks like. But I do want to be pleasing to the King. I do want to spend quality time in His company. I do want to learn His ways above my own. If that means becoming as a child for that to happen, that seems a small price to pay.

She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Book Review, Books, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, Kingdom books, The Word of God

BOOK REVIEW: The Wanderer’s Legacy, by Natasha Woodcraft

August 25, 2025August 23, 2025 joymargetts

The Wanderer’s Legacy. Book 3 in ‘The Wanderer Series’

Author: Natasha Woodcraft

ISBN: 978-1915034953 RRP £16.99 (Paperback pp533)

THE BLURB

Adah lives trapped between the life she longed for and the life she chose. She’s failed to produce an heir for her once devoted husband. As Lamech becomes increasingly unpredictable and domineering, Adah seeks refuge in legends about the mysterious Wanderer.

Then Lamech takes another wife. Adah flees to her family home, where freedom causes hope to rise once more. But her body hides a secret that will propel her back into danger. Can a legend come to her rescue? Or does someone else hold the power to help her dwell in safety?

The Wanderer’s Legacy is a standalone story in The Wanderer Series, exploring the tale of Lamech and his two wives from Genesis 4 in Biblical Historical Fiction. If you love fresh spins on ancient Bible stories and diving deep into the human condition, then you’ll love The Wanderer’s Legacy.

MY REVIEW

How do you live a good life in a world that is becoming increasingly godless? How do you see hope for anything better, when culture is full of corruption and people all around you are being pulled into a way of life that is increasingly cruel and depraved? What if that advancing evil threatens to pull you in and overtake you, if the only way to make a stand for what is good, true and life-giving, is to risk abuse and personal persecution?

The Wanderer’s Legacy, the third and latest book in Natasha Woodcraft’s Wanderer Series, explores all these themes. Although set in ancient times and based on the lives of some of the earliest inhabitants of earth, it explores issues that are surprisingly relevant to us today. We meet Adah, one of the wives of Lamech (mentioned only once in scripture) and through Natasha’s imagination we are taken on a journey with her as she lives her life through increasingly dark and dangerous times.

The characterisation is so good that we are drawn into Adah’s world, we grieve with her, we flinch at every blow she suffers. We wonder, with her, if the heroic stranger, her ancestor Kayin (Cain), or ‘The Wanderer’, still follows after Yahweh, Elohim, the creator God. If he, and those struggling to hold onto the faith of their ancestors, carry the only hope that she has of escaping the life that has imprisoned her.

The author has proved in this series that she can take a small and obscure bible reference and with her God-given imagination create a story around it that loses none of the intent, or the truth, of the Word of God. It is biblical fiction at its best. The Wanderer’s Legacy paints a vivid and realistic picture of a pre-flood world, where the worship of gods other than Yahweh is already taking hold. Where His standards for living are already being chipped away at. Where men are choosing to break the covenant bond of marriage to take second wives… I found Natasha’s descriptions compelling and believable. Her handling of what life in that time might have looked like well imagined.

The other characters are also well drawn. Lamech especially, as we see an ordinary man enticed by the lure of power and influence, into a life of godlessness and idolatry. We meet his second wife Tzillah, his henchman Azurak, and evil brother-in-law Barsabas. We also meet Adah’s faithful, and faith- filled friends, the kind elder statesman Chanoch (Kayin’s son), and Eliana and Ruhamah.

But it is Adah’s personal story that keeps you reading, and it isn’t a short book! It should be a dark and depressing read, but it isn’t. All through the book there are glimmers of light in the darkness – laughter, kindness, the joy of children, finding friends in unexpected places, love even. And the redemptive arc plays out beautifully with a well written and deeply satisfying end (no spoilers!).

The Wanderer’s legacy is a beautiful piece of writing, and probably my favourite of all of Natasha’s books. I struggled to put it down, wanting so much for Adah to meet the Wanderer, to have her questions answered, and ultimately to meet Yahweh for herself. It’s not a spoiler to tell you that she gets all that she has hoped for, and in God’s great mercy, much more besides. A highly recommended read!

The Wanderer’s Legacy is available direct from the author at natashawoodcraft.com, via the publisher at broadplacepublishing.co.uk or from Amazon in paperback and kindle versions.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian blog, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Seasons of life, The Word of God

HE KNOWS BETTER THAN I

August 2, 2025August 29, 2025 joymargetts

It’s been a while since I have felt inspired to write anything that might possibly bless anyone. It has been a season where I have felt unable to share much, due to the weight of grief, loss and uncertainty that has marked it.

Then today I heard God whisper to me. I have heard Him whisper many words of comfort and encouragement during the last few months. In my spirit, through His word, through the kindness of others. But today I think He meant me to share what He said to me, with you.

Joseph’s prison

I was prompted to think about the life of Joseph ( the one with the coloured coat, not the earthly father of Jesus) by a Kingdom Story Writers Facebook post. It was a writing challenge on the biblical character, and my immediate reaction was, as it has been for months, to dismiss it. To inwardly say, ‘…not for me. This isn’t a writing season. Let others respond.’ But it seemed that God had other ideas.

The thing that came back to my memory was a scene from the animated film ‘Joseph: King of Dreams’. I haven’t watched it for years, not since my own children were small. But I vaguely remembered Joseph in his dungeon prison in Egypt, wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife. There in the prison was a shoot of a dead branch, with one live leaf. As Joseph sings (‘You know better than I’), we see him support and tend that feeble shoot and leaf, and as time passes that sprig turns into a rooted, fully flourishing tree, under the single shaft of light above him.

There is still a glimmer of hope

I knew God was speaking to me. When we feel like life has thrown us into the darkest of places, where we feel alone, stripped of the familiar and unsure of the future. When it seems that life as we knew it has ended – there is still hope. It might only be the smallest glimmer of hope, but we need to tend and protect it. We need to let it take root and grow in our hearts. Knowing that God really does have a greater plan for our lives, as He did for Joseph.

Photo image of a pair of hands holding a seedling rooted in soil, against a green, light filled background

Giving it back to God

Watching the video clip again today (YouTube link) the words of the song touched me deeply. It is a declaration of trust in the most hopeless seeming circumstances. It is an acknowledgement that sometimes we have to give up our own understanding, and just give it all back to Him

…to see the best that I can do, Is put my trust in You.

For You know better than I, You know the way.

I’ve let go the need to know why, For you know better than I.

A personal word

But it wasn’t just hope and trust that God was speaking to me about. It was something much more personal. This is what He said to me,

Take what you have, what I have given you, even in this season. That gift that feels shrivelled and barely there. Tend it, pray over it, hold it in your heart, and then watch in grow and develop. Because what was rooted in the darkest place, what just started as a glimmer of hope, of a life beyond, will grow into something glorious, life-filled and fruit bearing. Even in the dark places my light finds a way. Even where there seems no easy way out, I am still working behind the scenes. There is more for you. I never abandoned Joseph. I will never abandon you.

I knew God was speaking, in part, about my writing. I need to not abandon the gift He has given me, but where it feels feeble and barely alive, to tend it, and hold it out to His light. So I listened, and today I wrote this. I pray that His light and truth will bring it alive as you read it.

He knows better than I

Joseph’s story ends well – you can read it all in Genesis chapters 37-50. He becomes more than he could ever imagine, and God uses him to miraculously save millions of people, his family included. Now we may not all become people of influence and status, we may not all do incredible things that change the course of history, but God does have a big plan for each of our lives if we choose to trust Him. A good and perfect plan, better than we can possibly imagine. He knows why we have had to walk the difficult paths and where they might lead. He knows better than you, and He knows better than I.

Photo of a desert landscape with the words of Jeremiah 29:11 and Genesis 50:20 imposed.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. ‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023 and her latest 40 day devotional, ‘Because of the Cross‘ was published 7 February 2025

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian blog, Christian faith, Devotional thought, The Word of God

BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW

February 9, 2025March 28, 2025 joymargetts

Have you noticed snowdrops appearing from the cold hard frosted earth? Winter is coming to an end, finally, and spring will surely follow. From what appears dead, new life appears. The seasons of earth reflect the seasons of our lives.

Photograph of snowdrops appearing from a frost covered soil

LETTING GO

Personally, we are in what I guess you could describe as a grieving season. We are grieving the loss of precious loved ones, but also experiencing upheaval in other ways. Huge change is happening, things that we thought were foundational to our lives are being swept away, It is a time of questioning and pain as we work through letting go of the familiar and moving into a place of uncertainty.

One of my favourite promise verses in the Old Testament that I have gone back to many times over my lifetime is Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,

thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. NKJV

JEREMIAH IN CONTEXT

This year I have been reading through the book of Jeremiah. It hasn’t been easy at times! The prophet Jeremiah had it tough, really tough. Called to deliver a crushing message heralding the death knells of Judah, (all that remained of God’s once great Kingdom of Israel) he experienced depression, grief and constant persecution. Still he was obedient to speak as God asked him to.

Reading Jeremiah 29:11 in context has brought it into new light for me. A few chapters earlier God had told the people, through the prophet, that Babylonian exile was going to be an inevitability, God had orchestrated it. But that there was hope – if they chose to go into exile willingly and not resist – then He would protect them. Those who did not heed the warnings and stayed, would suffer and die.[1]

A LETTER FROM GOD’S HEART

It seems that many did indeed chose to go willingly into exile – this would have included Daniel, Ezekiel, and many other God-fearing men and women. So in chapter 29 God tells Jeremiah to write the exiles a letter – from His heart. Settle in Babylon, He tells them, build homes, plant crops, grow your families – I want you to prosper. Bless the land you live in, seek it’s peace, because then you will be at peace. Don’t listen to those who say your exile won’t last long – I have my plans and they are for 70 years of exile.

Jeremiah 29: 11 was a promise to those who had lost everything. Refugees, they were dragged away, leaving their homes, jobs, friends and maybe even family. Everything familiar had been ripped away, the old gone. These are grieving, hurting people. But God tells them – I haven’t forgotten you, or any of the promises I have made. You are still in my thoughts. You still have a destiny, a future full of hope in Me. I have not and will not abandon you.

Image of a water-colour painting of flowers in a field in shades of blue and green, with the text of Jeremiah 29:11 super imposed on it.

GOD IS THINKING OF US

He goes in in verses 11-14 to remind them that He will always be available to them. They will pray and He will hear, they will seek Him and find Him. In The Passion Translation, v14 has these words ‘I will not disappoint you’ and ‘all that you have lost, I will restore.’

God’s very personal letter of comfort and hope, from His heart to the people He loved, speaks just as loudly to us today. We may feel a little lost in that area between the old and the new, but He is with us, constantly available. He sees our grief, He knows the hard season we are in, but His heart for us is to prosper us and give us an amazing future in Him. We have a destiny, a new thing to walk in, and in His timing, He will take our hands and lead us into it, restoring all that we have lost.

Spring will always follow winter.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

[1] Jeremiah 22:8-10

Bible, Christian blog, Christian faith, Christian Writer, christmas, Devotional thought, Jesus, Lessons from life

JOY AND PAIN

November 7, 2024November 6, 2024 joymargetts

At the beginning of last month we had a fabulous family day out. So full of joy! We took the children and the grandchildren and visited a stunning country estate, with lush green lawns, hidden gardens, views of mountains and water, and a house full of fascinating history. The sun shone, the ice-creams were delicious, and we all enjoyed it very much. The day after I struggled to move from my bed.

That is the nature of the chronic condition I live with. I can do some of the things that I want to do, I can push myself to live a ‘normal’ life, I can spend a whole day out with my family and walk far more than I usually do. But there is always payback. This time around the payback lasted for some days, and it was painful – both physically and emotionally.

Photo of a family with three adults and two small children walking down a gravel path between grass and trees

That’s life

I took my frustrations out on God, as I always do. He is big enough to take it! And as always He spoke comfort and wisdom to my soul. He reminded me that life is actually about joy and pain. The two co-exist in tension, and will do until we all enter that place where pain will be no more and our joy inexpressible. Would I have chosen not to go out for that family day if I had known what the after effects would be? No! I would not have missed it for the world. We celebrated one another and created some really special memories that day. The pain was worth it.

Was the pain worth it?

We are fast approaching Christmas (sorry to mention it!). We will be remembering the story of a frightened young girl enduring unimaginable emotional and physical pain as she carried and gave birth to the Son of God. I wonder if Mary thought all the pain worth it? The shunning by her neighbours, the distrust from her betrothed, the looks and snide comments, the exhausting journey to a distant town, the filthy damp stable where she had to give birth. I think she did think it was worth it. For the joy of being chosen to bear the Messiah, the joy of holding her Saviour in her arms, the joy of understanding that this was all so much greater than her momentary suffering.

Jesus

And then of cause there is Jesus,

‘who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,’ Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

None of us can ever fully understand the pain that Jesus endured. Horrendous physical pain of course, but then there was the heart pain of separation, the weight of sin and all it’s consequences, the betrayal, the mocking. But this verse tells us that it was for the joy to come that He endured it all. The joy of knowing me, and you, and millions of others who would find their life in Him. We were the joy He looked forward to as He submitted himself to the cross.

Photo of a stately home with grass and trees in front of it, water and mountains behind and a blue sky above.

There is always joy

Not all pain has a reason that we can see. God knows and He sees the bigger picture. Perhaps our pain will produce something fruitful and eternal? And we have this hope – there might be pain, but there is always joy. Jesus came to turn it all around.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
…. to comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Book Review, Books, Christian faith, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, The Word of God

BOOK REVIEW: The Wardrobe by Alan Hoare

August 28, 2024January 24, 2025 joymargetts

The Wardrobe: Encountering the Kingdom of Heaven through the Bible, by Alan Hoare. Published by Broadplace Publishing, July 2024. RRP £12.99 ISBN 978-1915034915

Image of front cover of The Wardrobe, showing an open Bible against a faded out background of wooden doors/

THE BLURB

Lucy’s journey into the Land of Narnia via a wardrobe mirrors our invitation to explore the Kingdom of God through the Bible. But how did this sacred text come to us? Can we rely on its authenticity? Why are there numerous translations? What overarching narrative does it convey? Where do we start when reading and studying it? Seasoned Bible teacher Alan Hoare delves into these questions and more in his meticulously researched book. He offers a wealth of insight from his personal relationship with the Bible, explores the sweeping arc of Biblical history and invites us to discover both the sacred text and the God who inspired it. If you’re passionate about your Christian growth, enter The Wardrobe today.

THE REVIEW

I am an unashamed lover of the Word of God. My passion for the Bible has not always been what it is now, for years I found it hard to read and comprehend, difficult to make time for in my busy life. But I have come to see that it is so much more than a book. The Bible is God’s living, breathing Word. It is essential for our life, health and growth as Christians, and in this season of my life has become even more so for me . I go to it every day, to hear God’s whisper of love, and to gain strength: spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Passion for the Word

Alan Hoare shares my passion for the Bible, and it is evident on every page of his book. He takes his inspiration from the works of C S Lewis. Just like the Professor’s wardrobe, made from Narnian wood, gave the Pevensie children a doorway into another realm, so the Bible, Alan argues, connects us with another, more real, more powerful world: the Kingdom of Heaven. His heart is to encourage us to read, study, believe and learn from the Bible. To hear the voice of God through it, and experience insights into His Kingdom. The Bible is God’s gift to us – the expression of His very heart. Every Christian should love and know the Book, and meet its Author through it.

Well written and easy to read

The Wardrobe is very well written. The author’s years of knowledge and experience shine through. It is scholarly in its content but easy to read – Sunday afternoon easy to read. It carries a deep wealth of insights, information and helpful suggestions in an easily accessible format. It is a book to return to, think on, and digest over time.

The first few chapters are mostly concerned with explaining the historical accuracy of the Bible, where it came from, how it was written and translated, and how we come to have it so widely available today. As a history lover I found this part fascinating, as a Christian I found it encouraging and faith building. Later in the book, Alan goes on to give us a really helpful overview of how the Bible hangs together.

The challenge

The really challenging part of The Wardrobe comes in the last few chapters. Here the author explains his ideas on how best to read, study and meet God through the Bible. There are some really good suggestions here, but I did also find it a little prescriptive at times. We are all different, and how we interact with the Scriptures varies according to how best suits us. I was a little confused with his recommendation to start with putting 20 minutes aside a day to read the Word (good), and to read several chapters a day, slowly and meditatively (also good. But the two don’t line up!). Alan also recommends a lot of books to help with Bible Study. Again, whilst I agree other people’s work and interpretations of Scripture can help, I don’t believe these are completely necessary. There was also no mention of the lots of free online resources now available for help with Bible Study.

A book I can highly recommend

Image of the back cover of The Wardrobe showing the blurb and an image of the author

However, these small niggles did not detract from the overall positive response I had to The Wardrobe. It has been well put together and expertly produced by its publishers. I really enjoyed it!

I would highly recommended it – particularly to those young in the faith, or those just young in age and eager to learn about the Bible. It answers many of the questions people ask about the Word of God and its place in our modern day lives. I believe The Wardrobe will be a valuable resource for any person wanting to know the Bible better or seeking to fall in love with it again.

The Wardrobe, by Alan Hoare, available to purchase direct from the publisher, via Amazon, or by request from booksellers nationwide.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian blog, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought

A KISS ON THE KNEE

August 8, 2024August 7, 2024 joymargetts

Those of you who read my blog regularly will know that my grandchildren are a source of constant inspiration. They are small and trusting and loving, and as yet untarnished by the values of this world. How they interact with us speaks to me so much of the relationship God seeks to have with us, His children.

A Kiss on the Knee

A few weeks back we had both grandchildren to stay for the afternoon. Our granddaughter is only 17 months old and it has taken her a while to get comfortable with being left without mum, but we had finally cracked it. She had played beautifully with her 3 year old brother for hours. We had fed them, bathed them and even got them into their pyjamas, before mum came to pick them up. As my daughter walked in I observed something really cute. Our granddaughter glanced over at her mum, stood unsteadily to her feet and walked over to plant a kiss on her mum’s knee. She then went straight back to her toys.

We laughed at the time. Actually amazed that having been separated from my daughter for some hours, that she wasn’t more effusive in her welcome. We half expected tears of joy/why did you leave me? But a small kiss on the knee was all mum got – at least it was an acknowledgement of her return and a sign of her affection!

A small sign of affection

I was musing on this and I knew that this is sometimes how I treat God. I know He is there, and I know He cares about me, but sometimes life gets so full that all I can manage is a ‘kiss on the knee’; a small, short, acknowledgement of His presence and of my love for Him. A whispered prayer, a moment of worship, a cry for help.

We all go through busy times and seasons. For young mums like my daughter, life is crazy busy. She, I know, would love to have more time to spend with God. It is just not always possible. I wondered if sometimes God gets hurt by our lack of time spent with Him? Is it not enough to just give Him the odd moment of our attention?

But my daughter loved that little show of affection! She was so pleased to see her daughter happy and contented, and yet aware of her presence.

Is it enough for God?

I know that the most precious times of my life are when I can spend lots of quality time with God. I love speaking to Him, listening to Him, immersing myself in His Word, worshipping Him with music. Those times are life-giving and vital, and I know He loves them too. But there are days where I just don’t have the time and space to spend a long time with Him. I could feel guilty about that, I could go down the road of self-condemnation. I know that it isn’t ideal and that God deserves more of my time. I know my life is far richer and I am much stronger the more time I spend with Him.

But what that kiss on the knee reminded me of, is that God takes any and every demonstration of our affection, however small that might seem to us, and it really blesses His heart. He understands when we can’t do more. He doesn’t condemn us. He is in effect sitting in the room, watching over us as we ‘play’, as we get on with our lives, loving us unconditionally. All He asks is that we acknowledge His presence and whisper our love for Him. That we take the moments to place a kiss on His knee. There will be plenty of times for full hugs later and He will be waiting for those too.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, The Word of God

KISSES THAT MAKE IT BETTER

June 1, 2024May 31, 2024 joymargetts

My grandson is 3 now, and growing up fast in many ways. It is precious to see that he is still trusting and that life hasn’t yet stolen his innocence from him. He is a mostly quiet and calm child. His play is generally creative and imaginative. But just every now and then he reminds us that he is a boy, with energy in abundance. He will hurtle around the room, or throw things or jump on the furniture, or engage in play fighting. Inevitably this sometimes ends with him hurting himself. A bruised knee or bumped head, a cut or a scrape.

KISSES MAKE IT BETTER

Adorably, when this happens he will come to find me, or his mum or dad, point out the injured area and ask for a kiss to make it better. Invariably, even when there have been tears, a small loving kiss planted on the knee, elbow, head or finger seems to do the job. It makes it better. The tears stop and he is off playing again.

Image shows a photograph of a mother kissing the forehead of a small girl. — Image Courtesy of Canva (Pixabay)

I was thinking about this when God reminded me of a verse in a not often preached about book of the Bible. Song of Solomon is a beautiful piece of poetry, written by an ancient King of Israel, using imagery that is hard for the modern reader to make sense of. But it is so obviously a love song.

GOD’S LOVE SONG

Many believe it is in the Bible to serve as a allegory of the love that Christ, the Bridegroom, has for His Bride, the Church. But I have learned to make the message of that particular love poem personal to me. I even wrote a whole novel based on the way that little book expresses the devoted love that God has for each one of us.

Song of Solomon 1: 2 (NKJV) says this:

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For your (His) love is better than wine.

What does that mean? Well, along with many commentators I believe that the ‘kisses of his mouth’ are referring to His words. The kisses God has for us can be found in what He has to say to us. And God has spoken primarily to us through His Word, the Bible. Now I know that this isn’t the only way that God speaks to us, but it is the main way. Even when we think we have heard God speak in other ways we always need to test what we have heard against the truth of His written word. His words are so full of love and encouragement.

KISSES THAT MAKE IT BETTER?

Kisses from God’s mouth make it better? Yes. My testimony is just that. For some time now I have lived with a condition that limits my physical abilities and restricts my energy. I have had times where I have felt emotionally bombarded, and anxiety and fear have threatened to take hold.

Like many people, life also has its challenges beyond just my personal ones. Family, friends, circumstances, even the things happening in the world around me. Loss, broken relationships, the pain my loved ones are having to go through. All these things have the power to hurt or wound me. But I have found that the Kisses of His mouth have the power to make it better.

Image shows a photograph of an open Bible resting on the corner of a balcony rail, with a misted out landscape behind it, all bathed in bright sunlight. — Image courtesy of Canva

HIS LIFE- BREATHED WORDS

When I am struggling, hurting, confused, fearful, lacking in strength, I have learnt to go to the Bible. I go to His life-breathed Word. I open my heart and I open my spiritual ears, and as I read scripture I can feel His life breath restoring me. Sometimes what I read speaks directly to the way I am feeling, and immediately offers its healing balm. Other times, the words on the page don’t seem to have anything to do with what I am going through. But still, in reading them, I feel strengthened and encouraged. I am reminded over and over again of how great God is, how powerful He is, how interested He is in me, and most importantly how much He loves me.

At a time in my life when I could not find healing anywhere else, I turned to His Word and He met me there. His kisses made it better.

LOVE KISSES MAKE IT BETTER

Now my grandson wouldn’t go to just anyone to ask for his healing kisses. He goes to someone that he knows loves him, that he trusts, someone who won’t laugh at him or turn him away. God doesn’t want us to look to ‘wine’ (the pleasures of this world) when His love for us is a much safer thing for us. Those things might numb the pain we are feeling, but His words have the power to heal us deeply.

When you are hurting, can I encourage you to turn to the One who loves you
so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for you? Bring your hurts to
Him. He is trustworthy. He knows everything about you and He cares about your
pain. He has the power to heal your hurts, and is waiting to make them better.

And He has graciously provided us with a whole book full of His love kisses.
Let him smother me with kisses—his Spirit-kiss divine. So kind are your caresses, I drink them in like the sweetest wine! Song of Solomon 1:2 The Passion Translation

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here