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Blog Tour, Book Review, Books, Christian publishing, Jesus, Kingdom books, The Word of God

BOOK REVIEW: Finding Jesus in the Wilderness, by Rachel Yarworth

January 27, 2025January 24, 2025 joymargetts

It is my absolute privilege to be able to kick off the Blog Tour for this incredible book!

Finding Jesus in the Wilderness: 40 reflections for dry and difficult times

Author: Rachel Yarworth ISBN: 978-1739257743 RRP £10.99

Image of the front cover of Finding Jesus in the wilderness

THE BLURB

Wilderness seasons come to us all: those spiritually dry and difficult times when God feels far away and the temptation to quit is everywhere. But it’s not all bad. There are treasures hidden among the difficulties that God has brought you here to find.
This book offers companionship to those who find themselves in a wilderness season – a hand to hold and a voice to encourage you to keep going. There is hope here after all. Also suitable as a Lenten devotional, where reading a reflection every day will help you to identify with Jesus’ own journey through the wilderness.

MY REVIEW

One of the really thrilling things about being in a community with like-minded Christian writers is that you get to be involved with seeing some incredible books be produced and released into the world. I was so privileged to be able to read an early version of this book when it was still in manuscript form, and it blew me away. I was so excited by it, that I wanted to endorse it, which I did, and recommend it to everyone and anyone.

Have you ever been in a spiritual wilderness season? Perhaps you are in one now? Have you ever wondered why you are there? Or where God is in all of it? Or if you will ever come out the other side?

I think most of us can associate with those thoughts and questions. Loss, long term illness, broken relationships; there are a myriad reasons why we can find ourselves struggling to connect with God. Seasons where we feel lonely, misunderstood, weary and dry.

Written from the Wilderness

This special book was written from the wilderness place; Rachel knows all about it. This isn’t an ‘I got through the other side and now I can see everything clearly’ book, it is real and raw about how it feels to be in that season. Yet it also brims over with hope.

Every chapter is full of truth and treasure, based soundly on the written word of God, and also incorporating some personal Holy Spirit inspired words of encouragement. Written as a 40- day devotional, each day tackles a different aspect of the wilderness experience. Rachel has chosen to alternate these so that alongside every perceived difficulty there is a chapter of hope. So although the wilderness might be a place of desperation, loneliness and fear, is can also be a place of romance, connection and preparation.

Get yourself a copy!

I love this book! Can you tell? It is perfect for Lent, but equally as good at any other time. I am currently reading through it a second time and it is helping me immensely. God is speaking deep words of encouragement to my soul as I face my own challenging season.

I cannot recommend Finding Jesus in the Wilderness highly enough. Go get yourself a copy – buy two and give one away! I truly believe this is going to be a life-changing book for many.

Finding Jesus in the Wilderness is available direct from Rachel at www.rachelyarworthwriter.uk, through Amazon in paperback and eBook form, and wherever good Christian books are sold.

If you want to go even deeper with this book, Rachel has also produced a helpful companion Prayer Journal, also available via her website.

Image of front cover of Finding Jesus in the Wilderness Prayer Journal.

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‘, 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

christian fiction, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Kingdom books, Lessons from life, The Word of God

‘ER AR OO?’

November 28, 2024November 24, 2024 joymargetts

A couple of weeks ago we had the joy of going away for a few days with the children and grandchildren. All weekend the son-on-law was quipping about things he was doing, or we were discussing, ending up in my blog. He was right, but this one isn’t about him. I’m not sure if he will be pleased or disappointed about that! His time will come. My family are a source of endless inspiration for my blog it seems.

Photo of a small boy and small girl sitting on the fender of an old railway engine

No Escape

Being with two small people 24 hours a day is great fun but also exhausting. It was tiring enough when we were fit young parents. Now that we are not so fit and not so young, it is doubly exhausting. And there is no escape. We had forgotten that. No room is off limits to inquisitive toddlers – not our bedroom at 7 am in the morning, or the bathroom it seems.

‘Er ar oo?’

‘Nana, ‘er ar oo?’ the little one called from behind the locked bathroom door. ‘I’m here!’ I replied, hastening to finish what I had gone in there to do. There was a pause of quite a few seconds, in which I though she had given up and gone away. In fact she had gone for reinforcements – her brother – and then there was a crash of toy diggers against the door, and the repeated refrain, a little louder this time. ‘Nana, ‘er ar oo?’ .

‘I’m here’, I said, also a little louder, and resigned myself to the fact that I had been discovered in my temporary hiding place. I paused before opening the door – it was necessary, to save everyone embarrassment – and in the moments it took for me to make myself relatively decent, the voice came once more, and even more insistently. ‘NANA, ‘ER AR OO?’

Just behind the door

I love my grandchildren with a fierce intensity. I love that they want to be with me, and that a closed door is no barrier when they decide to find me. We will remember that sweet little question for a long time. It made my heart swell to hear it. I wondered afterwards if she asked the question repeatedly because she couldn’t hear my reply through the locked door. Or was she just making sure that she had my attention – making sure I knew she was there and looking for me? Wanting me to come out and love on her … and play toys.

Where are You God?’

I wonder if there are times when you go to our Heavenly Father, and call out to Him. Repeatedly perhaps. Have you ever felt that there is a locked shut door between you and Him? Or perhaps you have been listening out for His answer and not hearing it? I have experienced that. When life gets tough sometimes we become more aware of God’s presence and peace. But sometimes in those difficult times, it actually feels like He has hidden Himself away. We knock and knock, but He doesn’t seem to be listening.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

The Stranger

My latest book, The Stranger, was inspired by a time in my life where I felt I had lost contact with the God who had always been there for me. I couldn’t feel His presence, I couldn’t hear His voice. There seemed to be a barrier between us, and it was awful. Despair came calling and the temptation to abandon all that I have ever believed in was very real. Where are You, God? I called. Why aren’t you stopping this pain? Why have you left me here in this pit? Do You even care?

Just behind the door

I wrote The Stranger because I want to spread hope. The central character, Silas, goes on the same journey as I did all those years ago. God might have seemed silent and distant at the time, but I think now that He was answering my cries and I just couldn’t hear Him. Or wouldn’t hear Him. There was a huge solid wall between us. One that I had built. A seemingly closed door made up of accusation, fear, doubt, disappointment, anger and grief. When I stopped banging and yelling. When I repented for the case I had built against Him, then gently the door began to open. I began to hear Him again. First through the words of loving friends, then through the truth of His Word, and finally in the depths of my being – that still small voice that I long remembered and held dear.

I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt 28:20

He had never abandoned me. He was just the other side of the door calling out, ‘I’m here, beloved, I’m here’.

If you would like to read Silas’ story in The Stranger, you can now buy a copy where all good books are sold, in the UK and the US. Or via my website at www.joymargetts.com.

‘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, 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

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

CRAWLING UNDER HIS WING TO REST (PSALM 63)

June 28, 2024June 28, 2024 joymargetts

I have had the absolute privilege and honour to help organise and lead a Retreat for Christian writers this month . Under the umbrella of Kingdom Story Writers, we ran an event for those who believe that they have been called to write by God and for His kingdom. Some were published already, many were just responding to the call on their lives to write. All came with the desire to be informed and encouraged and inspired. I think they left satisfied! From the early feedback the Retreat was all that we had hoped and prayed it would be – and more than we could have imagined.

No choice but to rest

The delegates left more that satisfied, and deeply blessed by God. I left blessed and encouraged but also exhausted. I had fought off a nasty virus the week before the Retreat, and I have Chronic Fatigue, so tiredness is a blight of my life anyway. The resulting exhaustion this week has been so overwhelming that I have been forced to rest. No choice.

But the weariness and weakness is good. I have to keep telling myself! Because that is when you realise your utter dependency on God, and understand just how much you need Him. Just to get through each day!

Psalm 63

I was meditating on Psalm 63 today, and these words just came. I hope they bless you!

You are my God! I come to you, first, today. Longing for what you can give me, to feed me and satisfy my thirst. To strengthen and empower me.

I come into Your presence, stepping into Your sanctuary, boldly approaching. Stunned by your glory and power, and yet knowing that you embrace me as Your beloved.

You love me so much! And that love is more precious to me than life, more precious than anything that I can do or achieve, even today.

How can I tell You? Show You? I lift up my weary arms. And I offer my humble, little praise. Declaring the wonder of Your Name. And sitting satisfied in the knowledge of all You have done for me. Knowing that every time You come to me, I am fed to fullness.

All today You will be with me. Your power, Your glory, Your lovingkindness sustaining me. I will go to bed tonight knowing that You have helped me, in ways both seen and unseen.

And as I tuck down, I will curl into that place of rest, beneath the umbrella shadow of Your wing. My heart full of joy because I am Yours. My soul will not let go of You. I follow close, clinging on to You.

And You hold my hand and keep me walking, keep me strong. Protecting me always, from those who would pull me down. And from myself and my own self-sufficiency.

Image of a bible opened to the book of Psalms, with the text of Psalm 63:8 from The Passion Translation.

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

Bible, Christian blog, Christian Writer, Faith, The Word of God

CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOLD HIS HAND

May 16, 2024September 26, 2025 joymargetts

Holding On

I have two grandchildren and they are a delight. Not that I am biased in any way! My grandson is 3 now and quite the little chatterbox. He is bright, and imaginative and sweet natured (most of the time). My granddaughter is just over a year old, and is already developing her own, very different character. She gives you such a hard stare at times it makes you want to crumple. I think she’s going to be a feisty one!

She is trying to walk now and wants to be on her feet all the time. She stands and takes tentative steps holding onto things, but has not yet been brave enough to try to walk on her own unaided. When she wants to move from one spot to another, instead of crawling, she will look around for someone she trusts and hold out her hand. If one of us responds to her, offering her our hand, she will use it to steady herself as she stands and then will walk with you to where she wants to go. She doesn’t walk anywhere without holding on to the hand of someone stronger and steadier than herself.

Photo of two small children watching Tv. The smaller one is kneeling with his arm supporting the smaller one who is standing leaning on the TV cabinet.

His Hand

It made me think of how I am with God. I know He is there, and I know He is infinitely stronger than me. He loves me unconditionally and I can trust Him fully. His wisdom is unsearchable. His guidance, His understanding and His protection are there for my safety. I know all this and yet sometimes I forge ahead in life, without waiting to take a hold of His hand first.

His hand offers me strength but is also is there to direct me. If I am walking close to Him, close enough to hold onto Him, then I will not stumble, fall or step off the path that He wants me to walk on. As the song says ‘He will hold me fast’.[1]

When I am feeling unsteady, weak, vulnerable, unsure of myself, it is perhaps natural to hold out my hand to God and ask Him to help me. But what about when I am doing well? When I feel confident, strong, in control? I wonder even in those times if God is still waiting patiently for me to reach out a trusting hand. How often have I set out on a path, without thinking of reaching out for Him first?

Close enough to Hold His Hand

There will come a day, very soon probably, when my granddaughter will find she can take steps on her own. When she will stop looking for a hand to hold on to. We call it growing up. We will applaud and celebrate it as an important milestone in her development.

But didn’t Jesus ask us to have child-like faith?[2] The faith that trusts without question in the one we know loves us. The kind of faith that knows we can’t walk through life on our own without risk of falling, or being led astray. His hand is strong enough for us to hold on to in every season, good and bad. He desires that intimacy, that connection.

And I need to remember that I am better walking close enough with Him that His hand is always within easy reach of mine.

Phot depicting an adult man's hand with a small child holding onto his finger.

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

[1] Keith and Kristin Getty, ‘He will hold me fast’

[2] Matthew 18:2-4

Bible, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Faith, The Word of God

A PARENT’S FAITH

April 11, 2024April 10, 2024 joymargetts

If you follow and read my blog you will know that I often hear God speak through my interactions with my grandchildren. I love being a grandparent, it is a joy and a privilege. But before I was a grandparent, I was a parent. And I still am! My children might be grown now, but they are still my children. I love them dearly and continue to want the best for them.

THE CHALLENGES

Being a parent is a wonderful God gift. But it isn’t always easy. You do your best to care for your children, and to teach them the best way to live. As a Christian parent you try to show them a real living faith, and point them towards Jesus. At each stage, from baby, through to toddler, schoolchild, teenager, and young adult, there are challenges! Even when they are grown and left home, even when they have children of their own, still the challenges of parenting don’t end. I am blessed to still be needed by my children, to still have involvement in their lives. But when I see them struggling, when I watch them make life decisions that aren’t the wisest, when I don’t see all my prayers for them answered, being a parent is hard.

Image of a photo of an adult with their arms around a child in a hug. — Image courtesy of Canva

God spoke to me in a really special way about that this week.

A PARENT’S FAITH

There are two stories close to each other in Matthew’s gospel featuring parents. In chapter 15 a Gentile woman, a mother, humbles herself before Jesus, pleading for healing for her daughter. She has to persist, but Jesus acknowledges her and honours her faith, and her daughter is healed instantly.

In chapter 17 a father has brought his son to Jesus’ disciples to be healed, and they have failed to do so. Jesus steps in, and heals him, with an ensuing discussion about faith. In Mark’s version of the story we have the phrase from that desperate father’s mouth that resonates with us all, ‘Lord I believe; help my unbelief!’. But it was the father’s simple words in Matt 17:15 that jumped off the page for me as I read it this week, ‘Lord, have mercy on my Son!’. I know the heart behind those words. The desperation, the longing, the hope.

Image of a painting of a woman on her knees, with her hands clasped pleading before a figure representing Jesus. — Image Courtesy of Eastgate

GOD HONOURS PARENTS

In both of those Gospel stories Jesus responded to the faith of parents, on behalf of their children. This is such a beautiful truth. God honours parents. We know this, He wrote it into the Ten Commandments! I believe He has a special place in His heart for parents who pray in faith for their children.

I asked God about this and I heard His whisper in response,

‘I love to hear the prayers of parents. I know the pain of loving a child, and seeing that child suffer. Yes, I do have a heart for parents; I have a special place for their tears.

The faith of parents in a powerful commodity in my Kingdom. Don’t ever give up believing for your children, even when they appear faithless. I hear your prayers as you bring them close to me. I call forth your faith and I will respond to it. Don’t give up! Don’t think I haven’t heard. I will answer. I love your children, even more than you do.’

If you are a praying parent, take these words for yourself, and be encouraged! If you are not a parent, but pray for children in your life and family, He hears those prayers too, and sees your faith. Thank you, Father!

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

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

FIGHTING THE LOVE THAT HOLDS US

February 22, 2024February 21, 2024 joymargetts

This last week we celebrated our beautiful Granddaughter’s first birthday. It was a special time, full of love and full of fun. Naturally I love my grandchildren, and love being with them, and I love what they keep teaching me. Any of you who have read my posts over the last few months will know that God often uses my relationship with my grandchildren to teach me about Himself, and myself, and how we relate to each other.

Photo of a birthday cake with white icing and flowers and a sign saying 'One'. The cake is sitting on a table covered with a white tablecloth, and is surrounded by vases of flowers and plates of cakes.

FIGHTING THE EMBRACE

My little granddaughter is different to our grandson. She is much more timid, and wary. Because her Mummy didn’t go back to work after having her, she has spent less time with us, and she is not so happy to leave her Mummy and come to me. We are working on that, and we have had some lovely play times together, but Mummy is never too far away. That does mean that Mummy doesn’t get much opportunity to do some of the things she loves doing, without her little limpet.

On Sundays though, Nanna has to help out, as Mummy is part of the worship band and loves to sing. So Nanna takes the limpet away from Mummy and much crying ensues. But I have worked out that if I hold her very tightly across my chest, with her hands held firmly and tightly, as she struggles. And once I have her held, if I walk up and down, and sing, eventually she will give up and give in to sleep. (I do take her out of the main church sanctuary and into a side room!) We have usually timed it so that Mummy has fed her and she is ready for a nap.

HELD BY LOVING ARMS

Last week she fell asleep in my arms like this. I love it, even though it is a bit of a fight, at least I get to hold her. And while I am holding her, I am whispering to her that I love her, and that she is safe with me, and that she doesn’t have to be upset. And I am praying that she would realise how much I love her and begin to trust me more, so that she wants to come to me and stay with me. And that Mummy can have more time to herself.

A few days later in my time with God He reminded me of this, and this is what I felt Him say to me,

Sometimes you are like that with me, Joy. You refuse to let me just hold you and love you. You let fear and doubt get in, and you might even feel like you can’t trust me. I tell you that I love you, and that you are safe with me, and yet still you fight against my embrace. You want to push away from Me, not realising that I love you just as you are. My safe strong arms are just there to hold you, and my heart sings over you. If you would just give in and trust me, then you can rest, and we can enjoy just being together. We might even have fun!

LET LOVE HOLD US

I knew Just what God was saying. He has promised to always hold us, to care for us, to protect us, but He also wants something of us in return. He wants our complete trust, our willingness to surrender ourselves into His arms, to trust His ways as being best for us. Sometimes our fears, anxiety and even doubts can make us fight against His loving arms. When all He wants is for us to relax and let Him hold us. We can forget how much He loves us, forget how much we need Him, think we’d be better off without Him. We even think that the mistakes we make put Him off.

Image of a small child being held in a woman's arms — Photo courtesy of Canva

But He has promised to never leave or forsake us, whatever we do (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised to carry us close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11). His arms are everlasting, strong and constant (Deuteronomy 33:27). He loves us and wants us to trust ourselves to Him, just as a small child trusts their mother (Psalm 131:2). Or in my case, their grandmother!

And He wants us not to fight against the powerful, all sufficient, never-ending Love that holds us.

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

Christian blog, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, The Word of God

THE STAIN THAT ONLY I CAN SEE (FORGIVING MYSELF)

February 10, 2024February 9, 2024 joymargetts

BAD AT LAUNDRY?

I’m not very good at doing the laundry (or washing as we call it). I collect the dirty clothes, and throw them into the washing machine, sometimes remembering to empty the pockets first. I select the program (one of two, despite the fact that the machine has about 12), tip in the detergent, and press start. I rarely pre-soak items, or pre-treat stains. Which is why I don’t think I am very good at laundry. Despite all the claims of the detergent ads, my washed clothes often still come out of the machine bearing stains. My excuse is that my physical limitations mean that I often don’t have the energy to do more when it comes to the laundry. That my family get clean (and sometimes even ironed) clothes in exchange for their dirty ones, is an achievement in itself.

Image shows a hand reaching into on open washing machine to remove items of laundry

EFFECTIVE STAIN REMOVAL

So why am I talking about washing out stains in a devotional blog? Actually the link to what scripture says is perhaps quite obvious. Isaiah tells us that God takes our filthy rags, our scarlet stains, and makes them white as snow (Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 1:18). We are washed, made clean, completely clean, in the precious blood of Jesus. Our sins stains are removed completely. That is a wonderful truth, but it struck me that sometimes we fail to live in the truth that our sins are completely and eternally forgiven. That they are gone, leaving no mark behind.

STAINS THAT ONLY I CAN SEE

I was thinking about this the other day when dejectedly examining another favourite top that had come through the wash still bearing the fat stains from a spitting frying pan (I’m not good at wearing an apron in the kitchen either!) Actually, I decided, those stains were small enough that nobody but me would probably notice them. Especially if I wore a strategically placed scarf.

You see I think we look at ourselves sometimes, knowing that we have been cleansed and forgiven by God, and insist on seeing stains still. Those stains that no-one else sees, but we know are there. Stains of secret shame, unforgiveness towards ourselves, disappointment in the choices we might have made in the past. The sheer inability to forget what God has already forgiven.

FORGIVING OURSELVES

In my novel, The Pilgrim, I explored the whole subject of how living with shame, and not being able to forgive yourself, can become like a heavy burden, a yoke around our necks. My central character, Brother Hywel, has come to the cross, repented and found forgiveness from God, but he needs to take a step further. There are things he has done in his past that he is so ashamed of that he can’t let go of the guilt. It is the story of another character’s inner healing that speaks truth into Hywel’s life.

Image of front cover of the book The Pilgrim by Joy Margetts

‘I realised that I too was still punishing myself, in my mind at least. I knew God had forgiven me, but I had not been able to forgive myself, brother. That is what weighed me down. As I laid down to sleep I prayed earnestly that God would give me the grace to forgive myself, and to perhaps see myself as worthy to be loved by Him. I asked Him to take away that final part of the burden that I was still choosing to carry.‘

PERFECTLY STAIN FREE

Romans 8:1 tells us

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

If we belong to Christ, then we are no longer condemned. Every stain is gone. If God does not condemn me, than neither should I condemn myself. There is a call to walk according to His Spirit, to not knowingly sin of course. And we need to be truly repentant for our mistakes. But once we have come to the Cross and received His forgiveness, it is a done deal. Accepting and receiving God’s forgiveness in all of its fullness means letting go of our guilt and self-condemnation once and for all. The stain is gone. He no longer sees it, and I don’t need to go looking for it.

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

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

AT HOME IN GOD’S PRESENCE

January 24, 2024January 24, 2024 joymargetts

A few days ago I was reading Psalm 100. For many it is well known praise Psalm, one that is read often in our church gatherings. We are encouraged to come into His presence joyfully, to enter His gates with thanksgiving, because we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Test of Psalm 100 on a background of a evening beach scene.

SINGING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

There was one line of the Psalm that stood out to me, ‘Come into His presence with singing’. I love singing, especially when together with other Christians worshipping. I’m not so good at singing at home, much too self conscious. But then this Psalm seems to be asking us to come to Him with a song, whenever we are seeking to be close to Him, in church, or at home.

SINGING THE WRONG WORDS?

My grandson is almost 3, his language is coming on fast, and he loves to sing. The other evening I was putting him to bed. We had gone through the routine of milk, pyjamas, and stories, and I had him all tucked up in his bed. He was adamant that I stayed for a bit. ‘Nana, sit here’ he said, and pointed to a spot between his bed and a chest of drawers that was impossible for me to wedge my adult frame into. I got as close as I could, shifting my tired old body until he was satisfied with my position. I sat with him in the semi darkness, resting my head on the side of his bed, so blessed to be able to be with him for those few moments as he put himself to sleep.

And then he started singing,

‘Twinkle, Twinkle, ‘ittle STAR. How I , how I, (mumble) ARE.’

It didn’t matter that he got the words wrong. He wasn’t at all self conscious about singing in my presence. He was happy and secure, and just singing because he loves it. I smiled silently as he finished the verse and then started it all over again. His own version that made no real sense. And the wave of love I felt for him almost overwhelmed me.

Photo showing the silhouette of a small boy hiding behind a curtain.

HE LOVES OUR PRESENCE

It made me ponder. How often do we come to God self-conscious? Maybe we have said or done, or thought, something we are ashamed of. Maybe we think we have to behave, or speak, a certain way in God’s presence. But the truth is that God is always there, and sees and knows us intimately. Not only in the moments when we purpose to meet with Him. He sees our thoughts and knows the words on our tongues even before we speak.(Psalm 139:1-4)

I got the sense so strongly that the way my grandson was with me, was how God loves us to be with Him. Just aware that He is with us. So secure in His love for us, that it doesn’t matter if we get our words wrong when we speak, or sing, to Him. He just loves to sit with us and listen to us. When we direct our words or songs to Him, it just delights Him so much.

SING IN HIS PRESENCE

We may have to say sorry, and He does want us to be free of shame. We may have to ask for forgiveness, which is always freely ours (1 John 1:9). But in those sweet moments when it is just us and Him, He wants us just to be ourselves. He is gazing on adoringly. Reaching out to hold our hand, and whispering to us how much He loves us.

So come into His presence singing! And come with praise and thanksgiving as the Psalmist tells us to. Or if you still prefer not to sing, then speak, or whisper, or talk to Him in your heart. Don’t worry if you don’t think you have the words right. Don’t be so self-conscious that you miss out on the beautiful rest of knowing just how much He loves you and loves being with you.

‘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.

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