The Day I Met Jesus - A Post with a Book Review

by Alycia W. Morales

A month or so ago, I opened my e-mail to find an invitation that I couldn't pass up. Mary DeMuth invited me to be a member of her launch team for her upcoming release, co-authored by Frank Viola, The Day I Met Jesus: The Revealing Diaries of Five Women from the Gospels. Since I'd always been fascinated with these women, I said yes to Mary's invitation.

I read five stories of Jesus's invitation to women who'd been outcast, abused, forgotten, betrayed, and lonely.

And I found that I could relate really well to one of them.

Frank affectionately calls her Photine. You and I would know her as the Woman at the Well or the Samaritan Woman Who Encountered Jesus.

She's the woman who had many relationships with men. Five, to be exact. And she was in her sixth. And he didn't want to marry her. She was an outcast. She was lonely. All she wanted was to find someone who would truly love her, who would find her valuable, who would cherish her.

It was only 21years ago that I was in the same situation. I'd known my fair share of men. Only I wouldn't call them men. None of them wanted to accept responsibility for their actions. Some were abusive verbally. Some were abusive physically. And when I ended up pregnant, the father decided he didn't want to be a father at that time, so I shut off my emotions and buried my deepest values and walked through the doors of Planned Parenthood to plan not to be a parent. And that's where I met Jesus as my Lord and Savior. On a sterile, cold, metal table while a nurse held my hand, stroked my hair, and cheered me on for being so brave. "Most girls are screaming by now," she told me. It was a lonely, lonely place. But in the midst of my darkest hour, Jesus was there, offering me living water and true love. This was the day I met Jesus.

When I visited home the next week, I attended church with my family. I said a prayer of salvation, asking Jesus into my heart and my life. Only I struggled with leaving earthly relationships behind. So I quit school in an attempt to avoid temptation, only to fall back into its slimy hands a few months later. I left home, moved in with my boyfriend, and discovered he wasn't any better than the others. A couple of days after he threw me up against a wall and pinned me by my neck, I wrestled with sleep. Despite coming home from the graveyard shift at the local diner and being dog tired, I could not drift off. Something had me tossing in the bed.

And then I heard Him. Clear as day. He stood in the room, I know it. His Fatherly voice gently reprimanded, "If you don't go home now, you'll never see your eternal home."

Which is why I wrestle when I hear people say, "Once saved, always saved."

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:21-23)

If God told me that if I didn't obey His word, leave my sinful ways behind, and follow Him I wouldn't see my eternal home, why should I expect that if you remain in your sinful ways but claim to know and love Him, He wouldn't say the same to you? Just because we say a prayer doesn't mean that we are transformed in that exact moment. I said the prayer that year before. I meant it when I said it. But my desire for a relationship with God wasn't there. Not until He called me out of my pit. Not until He spoke those words to me. I had to really want that relationship. I had to act on it. I had to put feet to my faith. I had to decide I'd much rather hear, "Well done, My good and faithful servant" than "I knew you not."

I decided in that moment that I would do whatever it took to get home. I wanted an eternity with Jesus. Not an eternity in hell.

What I've discovered in the past 21 years is that life with Jesus on earth is like heaven. Sure, I still have my ups and downs. I still face trials and tribulations, loss and heartache. But I also know that I am secure in His love. I have joy in the midst of everything that happens, good or bad. I have more than I could ever hope or think or ask for. Even when I have nothing. Because I still have Jesus.

Trust me when I say that life without Him is hell. Darkness lurks around every corner. Death waits like a cat ready to pounce on its pray. The enemy of our souls comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I know. I've been in his grip before. But I refused to stay there ... and that has made all the difference.


Here's what I think of Mary and Frank's book:

I have always loved the stories of the women in the Bible. Particularly the Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42). She and I share similar stories. Multiple men. And then Jesus came in to our lives. And we’ve never been the same since. It’s a story of redemption and a second chance at purity and true love. It’s the story of an outcast who accepted an invitation to become a bride, a daughter, a princess in the kingdom of God. Who wouldn’t say yes to that?

“After six failed relationships, Photine encountered her true husband. A man who would love her like no other man ever had. A man who would never use or abuse her, but who would cherish her with the purest love in the universe. And she, a woman of ill repute, became the first evangelist to the Samaritans.” – Frank Viola

What I love about this book is that Mary DeMuth brings 5 women from the New Testament to life. We get a glimpse into their daily lives and the things they’ve encountered and endured at the hands of men. And we get to be with them in the moments they meet their Savior, the Man who will love them as they deserve to be loved. The One who won’t see them for what they’ve done but will see them for who they are. The Lover of their souls who will transform them and their lives with six simple words: Your faith has made you well.

To top that off, Frank Viola offers insight into the time and culture in which these women lived. We see the why behind the what. His information further brings these women, their communities, and Jesus’s encounters with them to life. If you’ve ever wondered what life truly was like in their day, this book will fill you in.

I highly recommend this book for any woman who has related to the women who encounter Jesus in the New Testament, to women surviving in abusive relationships, to the outcast, to the lonely. I also recommend it to anyone who has a desire to better understand God’s love for us and how far He would go to meet us. You won’t be disappointed.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. This does not affect my review. I would give it 5 stars even if I bought it for myself, which I will do again.

To purchase a copy today, please visit your favorite online retailer:
Parable: Mary has a special offer for you if you buy it from Parable. Read about it here.
CBD
Barnes and Noble
Amazon

Inspire Us
To win a copy, please leave a comment below and tell us a little about the day you met Jesus. If you haven't met Him yet, ask the question that burns deep in your heart. If you have no questions, tell us what you're looking for. I will choose a winner on Friday.

Tweetables:
Find out about the day @AlyciaMorales met Jesus. {Click to Tweet}
Are you an outcast, lonely, or abused? {Click to Tweet
Win a copy of The Day I Met Jesus by @MaryDeMuth & @FrankViola http://tinyurl.com/m9jfmla #DayIMetJesus via @AlyciaMorales {Click to Tweet}

5 Suggestions to Help You Awaken to Your Purpose

Every one of us was created with and for a purpose. You know the old saying ... God doesn't make junk. You are not worthless. You are not a screw up. You are not a glitch in God's grand design. You, beautiful one, are worthy.

As The Doctor says, "You are brilliant." I was watching an episode of Dr. Who last night when this line came up. It's something he tells every girl who travels with him. At first, these women question whether or not they are special. Whether or not they have a purpose in life. It takes them spending time traveling the universe with The Doctor, saving planets from alien races, before they realize that he is, indeed, correct and that they are special - or brilliant - and that they do have a purpose in life.

We need to spend time with the One who created us and gave us purpose. We need to get to know Him, because in knowing Him, we discover His will. Throughout the Word of God, we hear that He created us in His image and likeness. We hear that we are created to worship Him. We hear that we are sinners in need of a Savior. We hear that He loves us so much that He decided to send His only Son to earth. He hear that He desires us so much that Jesus died on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven and we could be pure and holy in God's eyes. When we read the Bible, we understand God and His intent for us. Our purpose awakens.

I wish I'd known when I was thirteen that God loved me this much. I wish I'd known Him then. I wish I hadn't struggled for ten years to figure out who I was in this world, trying on different images in a sad attempt to find myself. Trying to be someone I wasn't. Trying to fit in. Trying to impress people enough to win their attentions and their affections. Because if I'd known Jesus and His word, I would have known that I am first and foremost a child of the King of Kings. A princess. An heiress to His kingdom. A beloved daughter. A young woman who deserves the respect of a man. Holy. Honorable. And unique. I would have known that I didn't need to worry about what others said or thought of me. I could be who I was without regret, embarrassment, or doubt. And I would have waited for so much ... and I would have done so much more by now.

Thankfully, it isn't too late. It's never too late. Not until the day we draw our last breath. Then, it's too late.

It isn't too late to discover who you are. How you represent His image and likeness here on earth. Who He's created you to be and what He's created you to do. Your purpose.

Jeff Goins has a new book coming out in March of 2015. It's called The Art of Work. In it, he says that you need to come to an understanding that purpose will not find you. It's something you have to go in search of. Sure, some of us know that we want to be a teacher by the time we're out of Kindergarten, but these people are few and far between. And even then, these people still have work to do in order to fulfill that purpose.

So how do we search it out? Practically?

1. Read the Bible. As I previously said, God speaks to us through His word. Listen for those verses that jump out at you, that call to you. Write them down. Memorize them. Study them. Pick up your tools and dig for the treasure buried in them.

2. Pray. Ask God to reveal your purpose as you pursue each day and take each step along the journey of your life.

3. Take an inventory of your past. What do you see in your list of the things you've done, your successes, failures that have led to successes, accomplishments? What have people said that you are good at or what do they say of your character? What do they praise?

4. If you're still not sure what your purpose is, talk with someone who is going to tell you positive truths about yourself. Someone you trust. Someone who will be honest, but if they provide a critique, it's a constructive one, not one that is going to tear you down. Take note of what they point out, then add that to your list.

5. Look at the Scriptures you've written down, the list you've made, the things God has pointed out, and find the common thread. Chances are, you've discovered your purpose.

Your purpose is going to be something that gives your life meaning. Every good and perfect gift comes from God, and it brings no sorrow with it. Your purpose should fill you with joy, this knowing. Maybe it will come with some degree of intimidation, but there should be an underlying excitement. Some understanding that your purpose is HUGE, that it is going to take some work, but that with God, you are brilliant and will be able to pursue it with all of your being.

Share the Beauty:
What is one thing you've discovered about your purpose? Please share it in the comments. We love to hear from you!

Tweetables:
5 Suggestions to Help You Awaken to Your Purpose via @AlyciaMorales {Click to Tweet}

Do You Know What Your Purpose Is? 5 Suggestions to Help You Find It via @AlyciaMorales {Click to Tweet}

3 Questions to Help You Discover Your God-Given Dreams

by, Alycia W. Morales

In December of 2009, I stood in my bedroom folding clothes, tears streaming down my face. I was having what you could call a mid-life crisis. At the age of 35. (I hope that isn't my mid-life - I'd like to live to be 100.) I wasn't enjoying life at that time. As the author of Proverbs puts it, "All was vanity." There wasn't any holy in my common. I rose, I saw my husband off to work, the kids off to school, and I went through the daily routine of cleaning and cooking and doing whatever needed to be done that day. I read the Word of God, and I prayed. But my spirit was empty.

So I cried some more. "Lord, what do you want me to do for You? I have the talents You've given me. But what do I do with them? Because I certainly don't want to bury them."

Thankfully, God answers me. "Write for Me."

My childhood dream was to write for Bop or Teen Beat.  Or maybe Seventeen. I wanted to write for magazines. Since I loved music and dreamed of being in a movie, I wanted to interview celebrities. (And I won't tell you how many times I entered YM's annual model search contest.) I've journaled since I was eight. I wrote teenage angst poems all through high school and college. Writing has always been therapeutic for me.

And I've been reading since Kindergarten. Avidly. Across genres. Fiction and non-fiction.

So when God said to write for Him, it didn't surprise me one bit. Because writing is something I'm passionate about and love to do. It's something I've dreamed of doing since I was a child.

I have a few questions for you:

What is it that you've always dreamed of doing, but maybe you've put it on a shelf? This isn't the time. I can't afford it. No one thinks I can do it. 

These are all cues that God has put that dream inside of you, because the enemy would love to see you bury your talent and forget about it. Why? Because God designed that talent for a purpose - to multiply His kingdom. And He gave you a specific talent for a specific use. Sure, your friend may be just as good at the same thing, or better, but she isn't you. You have just what God needs.

What is one thing you could do today to take that talent out and begin to multiply it? 

This doesn't have to cost a lot of money. I'm not talking about going back to school or buying a store or anything huge. I'm talking about a small step. A beginning to turn up the soil so that you can plant a seed. Maybe you  need to head over to Hobby Lobby and pick up some art supplies. Maybe you need to buy a book about writing. Maybe you need to pull your cello out of storage. Maybe you need to start praying for your children for fifteen minutes a day. Maybe you need to save ten dollars a week and do a fundraiser so you can go on that mission trip.

Who do you know who can help you reach toward that dream?

This person should be someone who will encourage you, someone you trust. It shouldn't be the negative Nelly who is always shooting down the positive. This shouldn't be the person who is afraid to take a leap of faith. This should be the person you know will stand by your side and hold you accountable to setting and reaching some goals. Contact this person. Tell them what you would like to do. Tell them your dream. And ask them to pray for you, to hold you accountable.

So many people leave their dream on a shelf and go through the daily grind in the name of responsibility. Sure, we all need a paycheck. We all need to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. But that urging inside of you that says you were made for more than this? That's God. And He's given you a big dream. And He can supply all you need to make it come to pass.

But it won't happen if you don't take it off the shelf, dust it off, and put your faith into action.

So I encourage you today to answer the three questions I asked and to do one small thing toward making that dream a reality.

Share the Beauty:
And then come tell us about it. Please leave a comment and let us know what your God-given dream is. And if you've taken a step of faith, let us know about that too.

Tweetable:
3 Questions to Help You Discover Your God-Given Dream via @AlyciaMorales {Click to Tweet}

My One Word ~ FULLNESS

Many years ago, at a women's conference, I heard God whisper a word in my spirit. And then I watched as He brought that word to life in me throughout that year. It was a few years later that I heard about the #OneWord movement and started seeking God's word for me in December instead of May.

This year, my One Word is FULLNESS.

Here are a few verses that have impacted me as I've researched this word:

You show me the path of life;
In Your presence is FULLNESS of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11

Jesus sits at the right hand of God (Matthew 26:64). He is my pleasure forevermore. It is in my salvation that I find the fullness of joy. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

How precious is Your lovingkindess, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the FULLNESS of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light. Psalm 36:7-9

I love how much is involved in this verse. God's lovingkindess is precious. Because He loves me so much - and I know it - I put my trust in Him. I know I am safe standing in the shadow of my Father.

I love that as a child of God I am able to experience/partake in:
- abundant satisfaction
- the fullness of His house
- the river of His pleasures
- the fountain of life
- His light and the ability to recognize it

My final set of verses was too long to put into a meme. Ephesians 3:17-21 says:
...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the FULLNESS of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I want desperately to know the love of Jesus in the depths of my being. I don't want my relationship with Him to be based on head knowledge. I want it to be a full experience every day - in my failures, in my successes, in my trials, in my delights, when I'm under the weather, when I'm full of energy, when I'm upset, and when I'm content. I want to experience the power that dwells within me through the Holy Spirit. I want to bring glory to God in all I say and do and to see my kids and their kids and their kids worship the Lord with the fullness of their beings in the years to come.

Another word similar to fullness is abundance, and it shows up within the same verses as those with fullness.

I can't wait to experience the fullness of God in 2015!

Tweetable: 
What is your #oneword for 2015? I'd love for you to share it with me & my readers! {Click to Tweet}

Share the Beauty:
How about you? What is your One Word for 2015? What is it you're looking forward to experiencing with God in the year to come?

What Will You Be Doing with Your New Year?

by, Alycia Morales

If there's one thing I can be, it's consistently inconsistent. Every New Year, I choose my #oneword and wait to see what God will do with it, in me. And every year I make some kind of resolution – to lose the rolls that have now replaced the post-baby-birthing fat I never dropped; to reorganize my office and, in effect, myself; to be a better wife to my husband and pay more attention to my children than I do to my work; to write, write, write until I have three book contracts. And every year, I'm consistently inconsistent and my follow-through is severely lacking. I have no resolve to keep my resolutions.

So this year, I've determined to make a solid change. Instead of making unresolved resolutions, I will set solid goals for the various areas of my life and proceed to map them out.

First, I'm setting priorities. In 2014, I spent more time editing than I did writing. By August, I was spent and frustrated. I hadn't chased my writing dream. Instead, I'd helped others chase theirs. Don't get me wrong, I love encouraging others. What I need to find is a balance between the two. Because once again, I've entirely put others before myself when God has things for me to do. And those things haven't been done.

Second, I'm rearranging my schedule. One thing I noticed in 2014 is that when my kids are home for vacation, I don't accomplish much. So instead of scheduling work to fill the summer months and the holidays, I'm going to set a goal of spending more quality time with my kids and enjoy this season of life with them … before it slips by and I no longer have it. I'll get the major work done during the school year and save smaller projects for the summer months.

Third, I'm going to plan to arrive at my goals. I'm going to take a realistic look at what I want to do and what it will take to get it done. I'm an overachiever who has a difficult time saying no or delegating. So I tend to shoot for the moon and fall ridiculously short. In 2015 I will be plotting out a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual schedule of events to reach those goals.

Confession: I can't even remember what my one word for 2014 was, and I feel like I strayed way off the path God had for me last January.

Although I feel unaccomplished in several areas, there are some I found even a little measure of success in.
- My kids aren't afraid to come to me with their deepest desires and needs. There is a new level of trust that has developed in the last year.
- I did learn how to crochet in 2014, something I'd promised myself I'd do at the end of 2013.
- Several of the books I edited have gone on to win amazing awards or had a great first month on the market.
- A flash fiction story I wrote in 2012 was published in Splickety Love magazine.

Share the Beauty: As I find a new energy in setting my goals for the New Year and forgoing making resolutions, what will you be doing with your New Year? Will you join me in pursuing all that God has in store for you? What is one thing you'd like to accomplish in 2015?