Category: Christian faith

Book Review, Books, Christian faith, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, Healing, Holy Spirit, Unashamed, Valuable to God

BOOK REVIEW: UNASHAMED by Tracy Williamson

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Unashamed: Discover the Healing Power of God’s Love for Your Wounded Soul

Image of front cover of Unashamed. It is a deep indigo colour with gold text and butterflies.

What a privilege it has been to be able to read a pre-publication version of this beautiful book and to have been asked to be part of the team to help launch it into the world. It is published today, 8th September 2023, by Authentic Media.

In Unashamed Tracy has done something truly brave, in opening up her heart and sharing her own story with us. This book is a declaration – that God can take us with all of our messes, and can minister to us, heal us, and redeem us. So that we can stand unashamed – of who we might have been, of who we are now, of what might have been done to us, of what we are still tempted to do. God has an answer for all of the things that we hold as questions over our own lives.  Do I have any worth? Do I have anything to give? Can I walk free of my past? Can I walk into my future leaving my shame, guilt and offense behind me? Does God really have a plan and a purpose for me?

Tackling Big Issues

Endorsement from Patrick Regan: This could be one of the most important books you have ever read. Understanding its message will be life transforming.

Tracy takes us gently through some big issues in this book. Themes surrounding identity, despair, shame, fear, unforgiveness, the power of words, and how God responds to each of these things with a call to sonship. Each chapter is framed around her own experiences of God’s redemptive work in her life. Some of the things she shares are hard to read, as she reveals the pain of her past. But then she talks of God – His loving pursuit of her, and the way He revealed Himself to her. Step by step bringing healing and freedom into her life.

Depth and Insight

The book is a smorgasbord of delights. Alongside Tracy’s own story are the stories of others, beautiful meditations on the word of God, examples of God’s miracle working power through Tracy and Marilyn’s ministry, prophetic pictures, questions and prayers for reflection, and poems and modern day parables from the author’s own hand. It is not a book to be read quickly. There is so much depth and insight and encouragement on every page. It can be read straight through but I think its true worth is in slow meditative reading, and in prayerfully applying the truths it shares to our own lives and experience.

Unashamed and honest

I said before that Tracy has been brave in writing this book, unashamed to share where she has been and where God has brought her to. Her integrity, openness and compassion shines through. Long years in ministry have qualified her to speak hope into broken lives. Her own experiences of God have qualified her to speak of His amazing love and power to heal and restore. It cost her to write this book, but God’s hand is all over it. I believe it will become a powerful tool in bringing freedom to many.

Image combines a picture of the book cover alongside a 3D red heart that is cracked in pieces, on a glossy black background

Creator Without Apology

The book opens with a beautiful personal poem, ‘Creator without Apology’. It spoke deeply to me, and sums up the message of Unashamed. In it the author marvels at the beauty and intricacy of creation, all that reflects back on the Creator’s beauty, and in that can only see herself as some kind of mistake. And yet God speaks, and He says ‘In as far as these things reflect my beauty, They are nothing compared to you’. Why? because as beautiful as flowers and leaves and trees are, they cannot walk and talk, and be joined in love with Him. Still the author questions her own insufficiencies, and God has to come back again and re-iterate His design for her life, ‘Child don’t let your wounds blind you to the artist, And limit the richness of my creativity’. The Creator will not, cannot, apologise for making us just as we are. His creativity goes beyond the things we see as limitations in our lives; He can, and delights to, make us into beautiful and glorious reflections of Himself.

Unashamed to be me

How often do we carry so much shame or lack of self worth, that we cannot hear what the Father whispers over us, we cannot accept that He sees us as beautiful, and gifted, and having purpose in Him? This book leads us on that path of acceptance. The freedom to be and live as the person He designed us to be. Alive in Him and in love with Him. Unashamed to be exactly who He created us to be.

Photo of the author, Tracy Williamson.

The author: Tracy Williamson lives in the South East with her ministry partner Marilyn Baker. Working for MBM Trust they lead conferences, renewal days , concerts and church events. Their vision is to see lives restores through intimacy with God.

Copies of the book can be purchased direct from the author here. Or from Eden Books, or Amazon, or via all good Christian Bookshops.

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. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. ‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel ‘The Bride’ will be published on 20th October 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

Bible, Casting our care on Jesus, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Come Unto Me, Faith, Jesus the Shepherd, Resting in Jesus

THE BEAUTY OF BEING AT REST IN JESUS

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One day last week I was in the garden and noticed a sudden fluttering of butterflies. I don’t know if ‘fluttering’ is the correct term for a collection of butterflies, but if it isn’t, it should be! They were dipping and dancing, enjoying the warmth, showing off their spectacular wings.

I noticed one butterfly in particular. A beautiful tortoiseshell with stunning markings. It was sat on the flowerbed, it’s wings spread wide, just resting there, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine. Unusually, nothing deterred this lone butterfly from it’s sun basking. Not me, nor the bouncy puppy I was playing with on the nearby grass. I was really taken by the ability of this creature to just rest and at the same time display its most beautiful side.

Photo of a butterfly resting on a flower, with its multicolored wings spread wide

Two sides

My understanding is that most species of butterfly have two sides to their wings. The upper side is beautifully decorated, to attract and appeal to a potential mate. The underside is much more muted, often designed to camouflage the butterfly from predators when its wings are closed. If that tortoiseshell had felt threatened in any way. If its rest had been disturbed. It could have closed its wings to hide itself against the colour of the soil of the flowerbed. And I would not have enjoyed the beauty of its widespread wing display.

Rest in Jesus

God used this little episode to speak something really profound into my heart. Did you know that God offers us a place of rest? A place where we be a peace, where we can give Jesus our anxieties and worries and fears, and choose instead to trust Him and all that He has promised?

Jesus said,

 “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”               

  Matthew 11: 28 -30

Entering His Rest

How often we forget. We get caught up in our anxieties, we let stress rule in our minds and bodies, we fail to enter the rest He offers. Give me the bad stuff, He says, and take in exchange my peace, my joy, my grace. When we do that. When we can to keep entering His rest, even when tough circumstances surround us and we feel threatened. That is when we display the best side of us. The beautiful side that looks most like Him.

When we forget to take those things to Jesus, when we let the things of life overwhelm us then we are much less beautiful. Like that butterfly closing its wings under threat – our reactions, our responses, our behaviour and words can be much less appealing. We can say things we don’t mean, lash out, complain, criticise, and get trapped into negative ways of thinking. And yet God offers us His rest all of the time.

Restoring our Souls

The Psalmist knew it. (Psalm 23: 1-3)  It is God’s heart to lead us into His rest, He wants to restore and revive our souls – our minds wills and emotions. Our part is to allow Him to do that by choosing to enter His rest. It is a thing we must purpose to do, regularly, especially when difficult things threaten us and cause us to worry. Has He not promised to supply all we need? To be our defence? To vindicate us? To protect us? To give us wisdom when we need it? Either we choose to believe what He has promised us, or we don’t.

Photo of a wide still river with green trees and grass surrounding and mountains in the distance. The words of Psalm 23:1-3 are displayed over the photo

His rest doesn’t mean doing nothing (although it can sometimes). It is a state of our hearts and minds, a choosing to obey and not worry. A choosing to be thankful and to trust Him. That rested place can continue through all that we do. Jesus offers to share His Yoke – a yoke indicates that there is work to be done – but only the work that is done out of a place of our rest in Him. And in partnership with Him.

When I am at rest in Jesus, then like that butterfly, I display the very best side of me. The side that looks most like Christ. The side that is most attractive to others.

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. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride’, will be published on 20th October 2023.

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

Belonging, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Connected to God, God's faithfulness, God's protection, Holy Spirit, Lessons from life, Loving Jesus, The Word of God, Valuable to God

LEARNING TO TRUST

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It is well over a month since I last posted a blog. I have been busy and in a good way. In the last month I have organised and co-hosted a very successful Christian Writer’s Retreat, and finished two book manuscripts, both of which will be published this autumn. But the last week has been dominated by just one thing. Well, one puppy, to be exact.

Image of a small puppy, white with black facial markings, sitting on a small plaid blanket

Puppy Supervision

Those of you who have followed my blog know that we had a dog called Monty, who was a unique character, and was my companion for the last few years when I was stuck at home by myself for a great deal of time. We lost Monty in January, and we weren’t sure if, and when we would replace him. We actually got to appreciate the freedom of not having a dog to tie us down. But then we met out neighbour’s litter of puppies. And we fell in doggy love.

Image of a small puppy asleep in itd bed

Effie came home to live with us a week ago. She is not Monty. She is a Jack Russell cross, as he was, but she is dainty and sweet, and generally well behaved! So far! She has brought much love and laughter into the house. But her needs have meant I have had little time for much else but puppy supervision. Except for when she is sleeping, as she is now…

Learning

We are trying to train Effie. She is responding fairly well. She has intelligence, but is also beginning to display some terrier attitude. The really lovely thing is that, even after just a week, she has attached herself to us, and to me in particular. She follows me about, and loves cuddles, and comes to me when she is unsure of new things or people. She knows I will feed her, and settles down to sleep when I tell her it is time. It made me think about how God deals with us.

Loved

Now of course we are not dogs. We are His beloved children ( I John 3:1) and those whom He delights in (Psalm 147:11, Zephaniah 3:17). I delight in Effie, even when she misses the training mat, or chews the corner of a book. So God doesn’t change the way He feels about us dependent on how well behaved we are. His love for us is unconditional.

Like I want the puppy to learn what is good for her and what is not, so does God want us to learn. He has given us His Word, and His Spirit to help us. Like I do with Effie, God sometimes has to step in with a ‘No’. He moves to direct us away from unacceptable behaviours that can lead us into trouble. We know what it feels like to feel the check of His Spirit convicting us. God also lovingly provides all that we need – food, rest, safety, the feeling of being accepted and loved.

A Love that can be trusted

Image shows the front cover of a book, entitled The Bride: will love's power turn betrayal into belonging? The picture is of a medieval couple holding hands, surrounded by a floral design.

Some of these themes are explored in one of the books I am having published this autumn. The Bride is all about how God loves unconditionally. And how that love has the power to transform lives and heal hearts. I write fiction, but I write out of my own experience of God. I have come to understand that I have a Father who loves me unconditionally, but who wants the best for me. I know that He is the Lover of my soul, my place of safety and the one I have learned to trust.

Just as a certain little dog is learning to trust me.

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. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride’, will be published on 20th October 2023.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

Bearing Fruit, Bible, Book Review, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Valuable to God

BOOK REVIEW: VALUABLE BY LIZ CARTER

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It is a real privilege to able to post a review for this incredible book as part of the blog tour celebrating its publication.

Image of the front cover of Valuable, with the subtitle 'why your worth is not defined by how useful you feel'

Valuable is a book that comes straight from the author’s heart. Liz has lived all her life with a debilitating chronic illness, and yet she loves God and His Word passionately. She is married to a full time church minister, and is the daughter of pioneering church ministers. The wealth of her experiences and the real life battles she has faced add a depth of sincerity to every word written.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

The message of Valuable challenges a language that has seeped into the church from society in general. That our value is measured by what we can do and achieve. Or in Christian speak – how useful we are to God.

Have you ever been asked, ‘So what do you do?’ We use the question too easily as a way of trying to get to know people. But what if we can’t answer that question? What if we are weak, debilitated, sick, emotionally fragile, or just feel underqualified or past our best? What if we can’t actually ‘do’ very much at all. Does that make us less important? Less of a human being? Less valuable? For some people, myself included, ‘what do you do?’ is an uncomfortable question to answer.

Photo of a woman's hands holding a copy of the book

USEFUL TO GOD

But what about in church? Have we ever felt judged because we aren’t being useful to God? Have we ever been assaulted by the language of usefulness? In Valuable Liz Carter uses both scripture based spiritual insight and real-life stories to prove that our worth is not defined by how useful we are or feel. In one heart-breaking story, Tracy Williamson, a wonderful Christian author who is deaf, tells how words spoken over her as a new Christian nearly broke her. During a prayer session for her healing, an elder said to her,  ‘Tracy, you must have more faith, because God won’t be able to use you as a deaf person.’

It was lies. And Tracy’s ongoing life of faith has proved it. But how often do we fall into using similar language, tied into long held beliefs? That unless we are useful to God we don’t have value. A quick study of scripture shows us time and time again that it was the weak and seemingly useless people that God called to do extraordinary things with Him. And this is Liz’s message in Valuable. That our value to God is not tied to what we can do for Him. We are valuable to Him because we are His beloved children. And He is not a God who ‘uses’, rather a God who seeks partners and co-labourers. Those whose weaknesses He can turn into strength.

HE VALUES US

This book spoke deeply to me. I have gone through the whole battle of why my illness came at a time in my life when I felt I was being most useful to God. How did my life have value anymore if I could not do what I used to be able to do? I have discovered the truth of Liz’s book worked out in my life. God took the weakness of my incapacity and has turned it into something of lasting value to Him.

I believe this is a book for any Christian who feels trapped in their uselessness, those who feel incapacitated in any way. But I would suggest that it is also a book for those who are actually thriving in their sense of usefulness. Liz shows us very clearly through careful biblical investigation that God never talks about us in terms of our usefulness to Him. If He doesn’t use that language than neither should we. God is much more interested in us bearing fruit out of a close relationship with Him, than He is in any work or effort we put in. Liz calls this embracing the ‘upside down’ way of God’s kingdom. Where we don’t boast in our strength, but take our worth from His unlimited love is for us.

Image of the text of one of Liz Carter's prayers from the book

POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL

Valuable is a powerful book.  It is thought provoking, insightful and moving. It is not a book that can be read quickly. In fact I think it is a ‘dip in and out’ book, containing a wealth of treasures. It is definitely a ‘mark the page’ book, and full of ‘O yes, of course!’ moments.

Liz Carter is a gifted poet and each chapter is ended with a lovely poetic reflection and a prayer. The end of the book also has a seven day reflection/devotional guide.

This is a book I can see myself going back to again and again. It is just beautiful. And it is liberating. Thank you Liz.

Photo of the author Liz Carter
Liz Carter

Valuable by Liz Carter was published on 1st June 2023 by The Good Book Company, and is available to purchase through the publisher https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/outreach/valuable where you can also find out more information about the book and access some free downloads.

Also available via Amazon and anywhere good books are sold.

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. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle. ‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com