Friday Friends - Edie Melson

Edie Melson

It's my honor to welcome my dear friend, Edie Melson. Edie and I met in 2011 at the NCompass Writers retreat in SC. The thing that struck me about Edie was when I walked in the door a nervous wreck, the first thing she did was hugged me like she'd known me all of our lives. Edie's encouragement for writers is outstanding, and she's an encourager for life in general. 

Welcome, Edie!

*Tell us a little about your family and growing up years.*

I always tell people I’m creative out of self-defense. My mom is an

international artist and my dad is a classical musician and well-know

black-and-white photographer. They always encouraged me to follow my dreams.

*When did you know God was calling you to write?*

I’ve always written, but I felt God’s specific call in 1994. I’d just had

my third child and remember telling God I thought He was crazy. I couldn’t

even find a way to sleep through the night and He wanted to add something

else to my place? But I really felt like He was telling me that He’d

provide the way, if I’d be faithful and obedient. Turns out He’s true to

His word!

*Who is a person that is making and has made a strong impact on your life, 

and why?*

The person who’s had the biggest impact on my life is my husband, Kirk.

He’s shown me what unconditional love looks like in real-life application.

He’s always encouraged me to step out and follow God, no matter how crazy

it seems.

*What is your life verse?*

…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for *such* a time as 

this? Esther 4:14

*Other than Jesus, what Bible hero would you like to talk to?*

The woman at the well. (John 4)

*What in-depth Bible study would you recommend to my readers?*

There are so many good ones out there, it’s hard to pick just one.  But if

I had to pick just one I’d Recommend *Just Give Me Jesus*, by Anne Graham

Lotz. 

*Tell us of how you came to a saving relationship with Christ?*

When I was eleven something happened that would change my life forever. I

had told a lie about a classmate and gotten them into trouble. I felt

horribly guilty and the next day, confessed what I had done to my teacher.

She didn’t believe me. She thought I was lying to keep them out of trouble!

I was devastated. I had done this awful thing and there was no way I could

undo it. Worst of all, someone innocent was going to pay for my mistake.

That night I was spending the night with my grandparents and as I lay in

bed alone I remembered that they had always prayed to Jesus to help them

when they got into trouble. I decided I would give it a try. I cried out to

Jesus and told Him that I was worthless and if He could forgive me and use

me, He could have my life. I immediately felt an unbelievable sense of

peace and forgiveness. It felt like the best hug you could ever imagine.

*Please give a word of encouragement and hope to my readers who may 

be struggling today.*

To this day I know I can cry out to Jesus, no matter my struggle and He

will answer me.  He is with me through the good times and the bad and I no

longer fear who I am, because now I know Whose I am.

Edie lives in upstate SC with her husband, Kirk. She blogs at TheWriteConversation.com

Unexplainable Peace

 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phillippians 4:7, NKJV)

Have you ever been in a situation where there should've not been any peace? There was no peace according to the world's standards, that is. I found myself in that situation. In the midst of a time where I should've been worried and restless, but that wasn't the case. In the midst of a situation beyond my control, I had peace. I had God's peace so strongly that it was unreal. I listened to a dear friend's CD, and in the midst of the words God came and brought peace like a sweet river. It was as if a gentle wind came by and blew sweet droplets of comfort over me. Ladies, let me encourage you to turn to the one who can bring peace. Oh you can get a temporary peace from what the world offers, but let me assure you that doesn't last. Run into the arms of the Peacespeaker today.

Father, thank You for your sweet peace. Thank You that when we come running, you're there to catch us. I lift my sweet readers to You. Lord I pray that you'll surround them with your peace. Let them know that they're under the shadow of your wing. In Jesus name, Amen. 

The Plan Is...What?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)

When was the last time you were amazed by God's plan? I want to share such a story with you. As I've shared before, the day before Thanksgiving in 2011, the Lord brought a special lady into my life. That lady is Debbie Holman. In almost a year, we've grown as close as sisters would be. Although we live more miles apart than we'd like, that doesn't stop our friendship from getting stronger each day. Each time I'm struggling, I can go to her for support and comfort. This lady will go to bat for me with all she has! We joke and say she'll pull Trudy Lou (that's another story) but, in all seriousness she would do that. Do you have some one that God has brought into your life that will go to bat for you at a moment's notice? Neither Debbie or I realized the bond that would develop from a long chat on facebook one evening. There are days when I sit back and marvel and ask the Lord "your plan was this?" All I can say is that I am so greatful that He has sent such a precious lady to me. Debbie, thank you! Ladies, if you don't have a friend...a confidont...let me encourage you, ask the Lord to bring just the right person. Let me assure you, you'll be amazed!

Father, thank You for the friends you've sent our way. Thank You Lord that on the occasions when they can't be there, You are our greatest and dearest friend. There's not a human on earth that can replace you. I pray for my readers that you'll send her a friend that she can confide in at any time and for anything. In Jesus Name, Amen.

God's Plan

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)

It was an ordenary homecoming service. Little did I know that at lunch, God would bring a lady in my path that needed a friend and a compassionate ear. For you see, this lady and I have known one another for several months from singing in the choir together. Normally, all we would do would be speak casually and go on our way. Not this time though. This time, God had another plan. This time, His plan was for a sweet relationship to develop and get stronger and stronger in just one week. Ladies, has God ever just totally surprised you with His plan? You would've never thought that this would be His way. I know I didn't. And I don't think my friend did either. Let me just encourage you, if you sense God telling you to reach out to someone, go for it. You never know what beautiful thing will come from it.

Dear Lord, I thank You for the new friendship you're developing. I ask that for each of my readers You make Your plan so clear she won't be able to deny it. Lord we love You and praise You. Amen.

A Place of Promise

courtesy of www.geekphilospher.com 

 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.With long life I will satisfy him, And show him my salvation.”(Psalm 91:14-16, NKJV)

With this being the last post of this study, I wanted to focus on the wealth of truth in the final verses in this chapter. This is Jesus speaking, and He tells us He will show us His salvation. He's telling us, He will satisfy us with a long life.

Ladies, with the close of this study upon us, I want to share a few things with you. 

I want you to know... whatever you may be going through today, He hides you in the shadow of His wing. That takes us all the way back to verse 1. We could go on for weeks and weeks in this study and still not exhaust everything in this one chapter. 

I want to encourage you to read this chapter for yourself. When you do, each time you see the words "I" or "me" place your name in the place of those words. Ladies, it will come alive to you like you've never seen before!

Now, to end, I want to ask you to leave a comment and let us know what you've received through this study overall. I'm also opening it up to any questions you may have. Ladies, feel free to share your heart here.

Father, thank You so much for the opportunity to dig into Your Word. It's been a precious time. I pray each reader gleans what You have her to. Lord, remind these precious sisters of Your love for them. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

A Place of Protection - Glenda Mills

                            courtesy of photobucket.com

He orders his angels to protect you wherever you go

(Psalm 91:11 NLT).

Of all places and times to have a flat tire…. the Pennsylvania Turnpike on a rainy cold morning during the busy Christmas Holidays! My husband quickly pulled off to the side of the road,  called AAA, and was informed it might take some time before they could dispatch someone to help us. 

We felt like sitting ducks as the heavy traffic zoomed past us....We needed prayer support! Grabbing my cell phone, I called my sister and quickly shared our predicament. Carole prayed for protection and asked God to send someone to help us. To our amazement, a truck pulled up behind us—just as I ended my call.

A dark handsome young man with a beard, mustache, and smile got out of his truck and immediately went to work. Within five minutes the tire was changed and we were ready to get back on the road. 

Delighted with such quick service, Dave reached to give the young man a grateful handshake and tip…. and true to my husband’s friendly nature asked, “What’s your name?” 

“My name is Joshua.” 

My husband responded with a big smile, “God bless you!” 

“God bless you!” he answered, and before we knew it—the young man climbed into his truck and was gone. 

Humbled and grateful, we felt an angel had been sent to help us!

When we pulled back onto the road, I reached for my phone—I could hardly wait to share the news with my sister! “Carole, he said his name is Joshua.” 

“Glenda…Joshua means Jesus!” 

They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet. (Psalm 91: 12-13 NLT). 

Moses and David would have encountered dangerous predators on their journey in the wilderness, yet an angel protected them because: 

1. They lived in the Presence of God Most High. 
2. The Almighty overshadowed them. 
3. The LORD was their Refuge and Trust. 
4. They knew the name of their God and had set their love on Him. 

Thankfully, most of us don’t face fierce lions and slithering snakes in our daily lives. Yet there are other dangers we face in the turbulent world we live in. 

The promises of God’s Word are just as powerful today as they were for Moses, David, and all those who had faith in God down through the ages. 

Have you cried out to God to protect and deliver you from today’s present dangers… ghosts of the past…fears of the future?

Dear friends, what enemy in the wilderness would have overwhelmed and defeated you, had you not been trusting in God? 

Prayer: Father in heaven, how grateful we are for your promises of protection and deliverance. Give us grace to continue to stay in your shelter, shadow, and salvation. Amen.