Shannon here: Jenny McLeod Carlisle shares a devotional, along with insight into her current work in process, plus a chance to win her nonfiction title, Turn, Turn, Turn. Comment or answer the question in any post dated April 21 – 24 to enter the drawing. Deadline May 2nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jenny:
Obedience to God Pays Off by Jenny Carlisle McLeod:
“And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.” First Kings 17: 16 KJV
The seventeenth chapter of the book of First Kings tells the story of Elijah, who seemed to understand the concept we try to teach our children- “Do as I say, and ask questions later.” Elijah obeyed God’s commands over and over again. First, by making a bold prediction to the people about a great drought in their country, and then by following God’s leading and trusting Him to provide for his daily needs.
First, he lived by a creek and allowed the birds to bring him his daily food. Then, God directed him to go to live with a poor widow and her son, who didn’t think they had enough provisions to share. Elijah continued to do as God asked, and he was able to bring healing and renewed faith to the family.
In my current work in progress, the hero and the heroine have been obedient children all of their lives. Now that they are old enough to venture out on their own, they struggle with the heavy burdens they have assumed in their families.
Hope Caldwell is trying hard to fill in for her Mom, who has recently passed away after a battle with cancer. She alternates between feeling useless and taking on more of a burden than any nineteen- year-old should be asked to bear.
Her over the back-fence neighbor, Orville Dewayne Billings hates his name so much that he has used only the initials, O.D. since he was a kid. Now, with his big brother coming back from the army and his younger one making his name as a bull-rider, he struggles to find his own place in the family.
Everyone in the community of fictional Crossroads, Arkansas recognizes how strong and reliable these two are. It just takes some tough times and some teamwork to make them realize that following the trail God has laid out will result in the lives they have always wanted. Trusting in Him works so much better than venturing out on our own. It’s been proven over and over, since the days of the Old Testament prophets.
I hope someday soon you will come along for the ride when “Hope Takes the Reins.”
About Jenny: Jenny McLeod Carlisle has been writing stories since she learned to hold a pencil. Growing up in a single parent home with her little sister, she filled the empty spot in her heart by writing letters to her Daddy. Her writing voice developed naturally, and if you had asked that little girl about her future plans, she would have said she wanted to write books. She studied English and journalism, but married before finishing college and helped her husband raise their three kids by working as a career State of Arkansas employee. Now that they are grown, she continues to learn the craft, and exercises her storytelling skills by writing a monthly column for Ouachita Life magazine, a free publication that reaches thousands in the southwest quadrant of Arkansas.
Recently, her website has allowed more opportunities to reach out to her community of readers. She has served in
several different offices of her favorite support group, American Christian Fiction Writers – Arkansas Chapter. She also hosts meetings for Heartfelt Friends, a ministry based on the Second Chapter of Titus that allows older Christian women to become mentors to young wives and mothers. Eight grand-children in three states prompt frequent trips with her favorite travel buddy, her husband of 43 years. Learn more: Jenny’s Website
About the book – Turn, Turn, Turn: Turn, Turn, Turn is Jenny’s first book. A compilation of many of her past general interest columns, it contains short articles drawn from her joyful life. Part social commentary, part nostalgic look back, it offers quick moments of smiles, with a few tears mixed in to make them real. Her fans say it reminds them of sitting in their grandmother’s lap listening to her stories. She hopes it provides comfort and encouragement while inspiring readers to tell their own stories.
Question for Readers: When has your obedience paid off, even when it was very difficult at the time?
Come back April 28th for Jeanette-Marie Mirich!
There have been times I’ve had to obey God when others opposed what I did. An example is when I was rebaptized years ago. My campus pastor was very upset that I did it.
That is a very personal decision. Following God’s leading will never be wrong.
Mine was trying to get published. I knew God wanted me to write and that my stories would touch souls. But it was hard to stick with it. So many rejections and the pursuit cost dollars we didn’t have to spend, with no income from my pursuit for almost ten years. Even once I finally got published, the line of books I wrote for closed. Twice. Sixteen books later, God keeps opening doors I never saw coming.
Perfect example. Obedience takes time.
Mine was in my job. I really want to find a day time job that still allows me to go to church on Sunday. I had been offered a job with that schedule and almost accepted it but something just didn’t seem right so I prayed about it again and had friends praying as well. I decided not to take the job. I almost took it even though it didn’t seem wise. I thought well God why would you not want me to take this job. It seems perfect A month later I got my answer when the Covid- 19 pandemic broke out. If I had taken the job I would have been put in a position to be around those patients exclusively.
God is so good at taking care of us if we step back and let Him.
To stay away from people during this virus to stay healthy. I am a hugger and really miss my church family who always gives hugs.
I know! Me too. When the time is right, I will hug everyone who comes close enough.
I have a winner! Linda Dreher won the drawing. I appreciate Jenny for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.