Heather Blanton - Faith from Fiction

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,

and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

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This is a collection of devotionals from various authors. Excerpts in each devotional are from that authors works of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents, and dialogues in each excerpt are either the product of that authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author. The devotional thoughts are statements of each authors Christian beliefs and are not fictional.

Rivulet Publishing, LLC

Cover DESIGN by Roseanna White

Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLEESV, NIV, NKJV, NASB

A huge thank you to our editor: Vicki Prather

Foreword

D EAR READER,

Thank you so much for your purchase of Faith from Fiction . The profits from this book will be donated to Samaritans Purse to help in the hurricane recovery efforts. All over Florida and Texasreally the whole USApeople are coming together, forgetting politics and racial issues, and helping each other get through the aftermath of two hurricanes. Why does it take a catastrophe to bring out the best in us?

While in the larger scheme of things, writing may not be nearly as helpful as tearing out moldy sheet rock, it is at least a contribution. We all do what we can do and we write . Therefore, we humbly offer these devotions as a way to inspire, encourage, and, hopefully, help fund a wonderful organization.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the other writers in this collection. Each of us had overloaded calendars and myriad other projects, but this little book tugged at our hearts. I know for several of us, participation meant burning the midnight oil, but we all got it done. Thank you! To God be the glory!

S INCERELY,

H EATHER BLANTON

A ND, NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ado, Faith from Fiction , meditations from our characters hearts!

Count it All Joy

W HEN HE OPENED HIS eyes, his gaze fell on the hourglass. Hed placed it by his pen holder as his reminder. Moving slowly, he reached out and traced the inscription. Count it all joy.

From the novel

Love in A Fix

by Leah Atwood

N EAR THE END OF Love In A Fi x, Shep Patterson overheard a voicemail that sent him into a near panic. Hed already lost one wife to cancerwould he have to repeat that? His gaze caught the hourglass on his desk, a final gift from his late wife, and as he read the inscription, he was reminded to count it all joy through the trials life presents.

Life isnt always sunshine and flowers. There are times when its downright ugly and painful. Counting it all joy doesnt mean that we accept as good the situation we are inI dont know anyone who would claim illnesses, layoffs, financial struggles, strife, etc., as goodbut rather we recognize the good God can work from the situation.

Its during these times that God grows us and stretches us to new heights. Its where the rubber meets the road in our walk of faith. I think of a dear friend whos been diagnosed with stage-four cancer. It would be so easy for her to give in and grow bitter, but she refuses to do anything less than praise God, even on those days when her body is stiff, and every movement is a struggle. Not only has her own faith grown as a result, but she has inspired countless numbers of other people to draw nearer to Him.

Decide now how you will face your trials. Will you allow the weight to pull you down until you curl into a fetal position and give up? Or will you lift your eyes to God, seek Him, and let Him mold your character as you boldly declare joy?

C OUNT IT ALL JOY, MY brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-3

T HANK YOU, LORD, FOR Your graciousness in bringing hope in the midst of adversity. Thank You for caring enough about me to craft me closer to Your image. In each trial I face, help me to draw near to You. In Your name, Amen.

A Heart Invested